Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/florida-ag-defies-judicial-order-recognizes-gold-and-silver-as-legal-tender/
US Politics
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has reportedly defied a judicial order concerning immigration enforcement. Uthmeier’s refusal to comply with a judge’s directive to halt law enforcement from arresting undocumented immigrants has put him at risk of contempt charges. This defiance follows a ruling by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston, who barred Customs and Border Protection agents from stopping undocumented immigrants without a warrant or proving they are a flight risk. Relatedly, conservative activist Laura Loomer has uncovered what she describes as a significant conflict of interest involving Judge Thurston, whose husband’s real estate business benefits from the presence of illegal immigrants in California’s Central Valley.
Alberta, Canada, has initiated a petition to explore becoming the 51st state of the United States, driven by local dissatisfaction with Canadian federal policies. Jeffrey Rath, leading the initiative, aims to discuss potential economic unions or statehood with representatives appointed by President Trump. This move is spurred by grievances over federal policies like carbon taxes, which Alberta feels disproportionately burden its residents, highlighting a cultural and economic alignment with the U.S. over Ottawa’s governance. However, skepticism about the feasibility of Alberta becoming a U.S. state has been expressed by Canadian political commentators, citing cultural, economic, and political differences.
Geopolitics
Economist Jeffrey Sachs has provided a perspective on the Syrian conflict, asserting that it was not a result of Assad’s repression but rather a strategic decision influenced by U.S. and Israeli policies. Sachs claims that since 2011, the U.S. has aimed to overthrow Assad through covert operations, part of a broader strategy to reshape the Middle East in Israel’s favor. He criticizes the U.S. for its role in multiple regional conflicts, suggesting these are wars of choice driven by regime change policies. However, mainstream media sources argue that the conflict’s roots are multifaceted, involving not just external interventions but also internal dissent against Assad’s regime.
The Guardian reported an incident where a humanitarian aid ship destined for Gaza was bombed by drones in the waters off Malta, highlighting the challenges of independent journalism in conflict zones.
Economy
Florida has passed a bill recognizing gold and silver coins as legal tender for debt payments, removing taxes from these transactions. This move, passed with overwhelming support in both the state House and Senate, reflects a growing interest in alternative currencies amidst economic uncertainties. However, financial watchdogs like Florida TaxWatch have raised concerns about the potential economic implications, suggesting it might complicate tax collection and financial transactions.
The U.S. commercial real estate (CRE) sector is facing significant challenges, with delinquencies in multifamily and office Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) reaching levels not seen since the financial crisis. Office CMBS delinquencies hit 11.0% in December 2024, slightly decreasing but then re-spiking to 10.3% in April 2025. The multifamily sector, which includes rental apartments, saw its delinquency rate jump to 6.57% in April, nearly quintupling from the previous year. This surge in delinquencies reflects broader market struggles, particularly in older office properties and rental markets facing high vacancy rates. However, some real estate blogs suggest that while delinquency rates are rising, significant investments in new developments and renovations could stabilize or even improve market conditions in the long term.
Sources
Jeffrey Sachs: The Syrian War – A Product of U.S. and Israeli Strategy, Not Assad’s Repression
The Syrian war is part of a regional tragedy.
Source | Submitted by sand_kitty
Multifamily and Office CMBS Delinquencies Surge, Echoing Financial Crisis Peak
The CRE meltdown just doesn’t let up.
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
Florida Legislature Passes Bill Recognizing Gold and Silver as Legal Tender
“gold coin and silver coin are legal tender”
Judge’s Conflict of Interest Exposed: Husband’s Business Benefits from Ruling on Illegal Aliens
Thurston’s decision came after several individuals were arrested in January during Border Patrol’s “Operation Return to Sender.”
Source | Submitted by Mysterymet
Gaza Humanitarian Aid Ship Bombed by Drones in Waters off Malta
A ship carrying humanitarian aid and activists for Gaza has been bombed by drones and disabled while in international waters off Malta as it headed towards the Palestinian territory, its organisers said.
Source | Submitted by pnwdefector
Alberta Explores Becoming the 51st U.S. State Amidst Calls for Self-Determination
Alberta is based.
Florida AG Defies Judge’s Order on Immigration Enforcement, Risks Contempt Charge
“The judge wants me to put my stamp of approval on an order prohibiting all state law enforcement from enforcing Florida’s immigration laws when no law enforcement are party to the lawsuit,” Uthmeier said, per Fox.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Bloomberg, CanuckPolitics, Florida TaxWatch, The Guardian, The Jerusalem Post, Laura Loomer, Real Estate Optimist.
