Today’s Big Story

The National Guard Fight

Trump’s use of Guard may have lasting impact on cities and troops

My home state of Illinois became the latest state to sue the Trump administration in an attempt to block its “unlawful” deployment of federalized National Guard troops to Chicago. The new lawsuit comes less than 24 hours after California and Oregon secured a court order temporarily halting the president’s plan to send troops to Portland—a blow to Trump’s ongoing effort to target Democrat-led cities.

The legal challenge also raised the stakes after a violent weekend: Authorities said a woman was shot by a federal agent when Border Patrol vehicles were boxed in and struck by other vehicles. The city’s police superintendent rejected suggestions that his officers were on the government’s side in volatile situations like that one. The suit alleges that “these advances in President Trump’s long-declared ‘War’ on Chicago and Illinois are unlawful and dangerous.” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said a court hearing was scheduled for Thursday. “Donald Trump is using our service members as political props and as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,” Pritzker, a Democrat, said.

The Associated Press reports that sending the National Guard to states over their governor’s objections is not a new idea in Trump’s inner circle. Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, said in November 2023 that a second Trump administration would order the Guard in sympathetic Republican-led states to Democrat-run states that refuse to cooperate with his drive for mass deportations.

Historians and experts on the Guard told the Washington Post that Trump’s maneuvers are unlike any past use of military force and could impact troop readiness, training and morale for a force typically deployed to respond to the aftermath of deadly storms and other emergencies. They also worry about how deployments might affect the Guard’s reputation among Americans, especially in communities where residents mistrust law enforcement and where the militarization of immigration enforcement and local policing has stoked fear.

U.S. Shutdown Drags On

President Trump claimed negotiations were taking place, which senators in both parties denied

The U.S. government shutdown entered its sixth day Monday with no end in sight after the Senate yet again rejected competing bills proposed by Republicans and Democrats to reopen the government. The president said in Oval Office comments to reporters Monday that “we have a negotiation going on right now with the Democrats that could lead to very good things ... with regard to health care.” He later reiterated “we are speaking with the Democrats” on health care, but did not specify with whom.

But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said there are no pending bipartisan talks over expiring health insurance subsidies despite Trump’s claim. Later, Republicans similarly said they were unaware of any negotiations taking place on health care. According to NBC News, Trump is declining to take a clear position on whether to extend Obamacare subsidies—the main Democratic demand and a central sticking point in the standoff. The subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year, which would result in major health insurance premium increases for people on the Affordable Care Act.

As Republicans try to pin blame for shutdown damage on Democrats, they are hailing a federal bureaucracy they normally bash as wasteful and overreaching. In the past, it’s typically been Democrats emphasizing the value of federal programs and the harm a shutdown can cause. Republicans are fully aware of traditional Democratic unease about shutting down the government and believe it will eventually cause them to surrender in the shutdown fight. However, Democrats aren’t buying this newfound Republican appreciation for government. They remain steadfast and say they must use what limited leverage they have when the Congress and White House are controlled by Republicans to halt an increase in health insurance premiums.

Gaza Ceasefire Talks Begin in Egypt

The two-year anniversary of Hamas-led attack on Israel falls during truce negotiations

Today marks two years since the initial attack where Hamas-led fighters launched a multi-pronged assault on Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting about 250. The Israel Defense Forces invaded Gaza in retaliation, creating a humanitarian catastrophe. More than 67,000 people have been killed, with many more wounded and maimed. As a result, most of Gaza’s population of more than 2 million people have been forced from their homes. Malnutrition has become widespread, famine has been declared in parts of the enclave and large swaths are reduced to rubble.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel pledged to “change the Middle East” in the wake of the attack, and a resulting multi-front war has seen Israel strike Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran. However, Israeli and Hamas officials are now in Egypt for high-stakes negotiations over a U.S.-backed plan to end the Gaza war, even as Israel continued to pummel the enclave with heavy air and artillery strikes.

Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, who survived an Israeli assassination attempt last month, is leading the group’s negotiating team. Israeli negotiators arrived at Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday afternoon, though lead negotiator Ron Dermer has not yet joined the delegation and his arrival depends on the progress of the negotiations. Trump said he was confident that a Gaza deal would be reached. “I think we’re going to have it soon,” he told reporters last night at the Oval Office. “It’s a hard thing for me to say that when for years and years they’ve been trying to have a deal with Gaza.”

The Turkish Transplant Boom

How one country has become a top destination for hair restoration surgery

You’ve no doubt heard about all the guys jetting off to Turkey for a hair transplant these days. And it’s not really an exaggeration. One of Istanbul’s top clinics opened less than seven years ago and already is treating around 5,000 patients every year. Most come from abroad: around a third come from the United States alone.

According to NPR, the country now draws patients from across the globe, lured by lower costs, bundled travel packages, and a growing network of clinics. The result has been a booming new industry, with significant economic gain. But although the procedure is generally considered safe when carried out by a skilled surgeon, the industry's success has prompted concerns about possible risks and oversight. And, of course, the look of freshly implanted follicles have given rise to what TikTok calls “Turkish Hairlines.”

Now there are guides on the best cities and clinics to visit. And while medical tourism is nothing new, it’s becoming increasingly more common. Men’s Health spoke with Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders, who said a good barometer of whether your medical trip is financially worthwhile is the $8,000 rule. If your total quote for U.S. treatment (including consultations, procedure and hospital stay) is $8,000 or more, you will probably save money traveling abroad for your care. If it’s less, you’re likely better off having your treatment at home.

Keep Your White Tees Fresh

They’re an essential part of your wardrobe. Keep them looking good.

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