Page 17 - AHATA

A2 U.S. NEWS
Wednesday 16 april 2025
Review of decision not to award Space Command to Alabama

inconclusive, with Trump reversal expected

By TARA COPP The controversy over the
Associated Press basing decision began
WASHINGTON (AP) — With seven days before Trump’s
the Trump administration first term expired, when
expected to reverse a con- his Air Force secretary an-
troversial 2023 decision on nounced Alabama would
the permanent location of be home to Space Com-
U.S. Space Command, a mand, pending an environ-
review by the Defense De- mental review.
partment inspector gener- That review was complet-
al could not determine why ed about six months into
Colorado was chosen over Biden’s term and found
Alabama. no significant impact with
The inspector general’s re- hosting the command in
port, issued Friday, said this Alabama. But the new ad-
was in part due to a lack of ministration did not act on
access to senior defense the decision.
officials during the Biden Instead, a year later, the
administration, when the Biden White House said it
review began. was keeping the headquar-
The location of U.S. Space ters in Colorado Springs, cit-
Command has significant ing the time that would be
implications for the local lost relocating staff and the
economy, given the fast A solider wears a U.S. Space Force uniform during a ceremony for U.S. Air Force airmen transitioning headquarters to Huntsville.
growth in national defense to U.S. Space Force guardian designations at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Feb. 12, 2021. The report said interviews
spending in space-based Associated Press has been requested with
communications and de- Biden’s Air Force Secretary
fenses. it as the permanent head- Rep. Mike Rogers House, an between Biden and Presi- Frank Kendall and Defense
In 2021, the Air Force identi- quarters. Alabama Republican who dent Donald Trump. For in- Secretary Lloyd Austin to
fied Army Redstone Arsenal Alabama’s Republican chairs the House Armed stance, Biden stopped the understand why Huntsville
in Huntsville, Alabama, as congressional delegation Services Committee, told a construction of the border was not named, but the
the preferred location for accused the Biden admin- panel at Auburn University wall that began during Biden White House would
the new U.S. Space Com- istration of politicizing the he expects the decision to Trump’s first term, only to only allow the interviews
mand due to cost and oth- decision. But Colorado, be reversed by the White have Trump now vow to if administration lawyers
er factors. But a temporary which has Republican and House before the end of complete it. And Trump is were present. The inspec-
headquarters had already Democratic lawmakers, April. again seeking to ban trans- tor general rejected that
been established in Colora- is home to many other Air The location of Space gender troops from serving condition, saying it could
do Springs, Colorado, and Force and U.S. Space Force Command would be one in the military, after Biden affect its unfettered access
after multiple delays Presi- facilities. of many decisions that removed Trump’s first-term to information.q
dent Joe Biden announced As recently as last week, have swung back and forth limitations.

NYC Council sues to block Mayor Eric Adams from allowing ICE

office on Rikers Island

By JAKE OFFENHARTZ the jail, violates the city’s personal benefit. Kayla Mamelak Altus said Adams told Fox News af-
Associated Press prohibition on public of- In an emailed statement, the city would review the ter a meeting with Presi-
NEW YORK (AP) — New ficials using their office for mayoral spokesperson council’s lawsuit. She add- dent Donald Trump’s bor-
York City lawmakers are ed that it “seems baseless der czar Tom Homan that
suing to block Mayor Eric and contrary to the public Homan would like access
Adams from allowing fed- interest in protecting New to Rikers, and his admin-
eral immigration agents to Yorkers from violent crimi- istration was looking into
operate within the Rikers nals.” “exceptions” to the sanc-
Island jail complex. Adams has repeatedly de- tuary law.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday nied making any deal with In February, following
by the City Council, ac- the Trump administration another meeting with
cuses Adams of agreeing over the criminal case. Homan, Adams an-
to the plan to “pay off” ICE agents previously had nounced he would once
the Trump administration a presence on the Rikers again allow ICE agents
in exchange for dropping Island facility, which is on a in the jail complex to as-
criminal charges against hard-to-reach island in the sist with gang and drug-
him. It argues that the ex- East River, but they were related investigations. The
ecutive order, which al- effectively banned from meeting came days after
lows Immigration and Cus- operating there in 2014 un- the Justice Department
toms Enforcement and The Rikers Island jail complex stands in New York with the der New York City’s sanc- had ordered federal pros-
other federal agencies to Manhattan skyline in the background June 20, 2014. tuary laws. ecutors in Manhattan to
Associated Press
maintain office space at In December last year, dismiss Adams’ charges. q