The courage of Jerome Powell, Twin Cities residents
On Sunday night, the 2026 JFK Profile in Courage Award was presented by President Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, and her son, Jack Schlossberg, to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for “protecting the independence of the Federal Reserve, which is critical to the stability of the global economy, despite years of personal attacks and threats from the highest levels of government,” the JFK Library Foundation said.
And to the people of the Twin Cities of Minnesota “for risking their lives to protect their neighbors and immigrant community members from an unprecedented federal law enforcement operation, peacefully defending the human rights and values that serve as the foundation of our Constitutional democracy,” the foundation said.
In his acceptance remarks, Powell called universities, courts, Congress and the central bank “the foundation and the embodiment of our democracy” and said the Fed’s independence is a “priceless asset” that must be protected.
After stepping down as chairman, Powell took the unusual step of keeping his seat on the Fed governing board, which he has until January 2028. In doing so, he’s deprived the Trump administration of an opportunity to appoint another member of the board, notes The Associated Press.
The Kennedy Library Foundation said the four people chosen to accept the award on behalf of Twin Cities residents reflect the coalition of faith leaders, educators, advocates and community members that mobilized during the operation: Imam Yusuf Abdulle, co-founder of the Somali American Leadership Table and executive director of the Islamic Association of North America; Natalie Ehret, founder of Haven Watch; Carolina Ortiz, associate executive director of Communities Organizing Latino Power and Action; and Zena Stenvik, superintendent of the Columbia Heights Public Schools.
Renee Nicole Good’s father, Tim Ganger; brother, Brent; and sister, Anna, were in attendance at the ceremony.
Here is the video of the ceremony.
Also in the news
Presidential election in Colombia heads to runoff between leftist senator and pro-Trump rival
WHO chief visits epicenter of Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo as cases outpace response
U.S. bombs Iran military sites, Kuwait is hit by drone and missile fire
NYTimes: Inside the Lloyds of London room where war insurance is bought and sold
Some Israeli soldiers tell AP the Gaza ceasefire isn’t one
New DHS directive says most immigrants won’t need to leave U.S. to obtain green card
White House moves to give political appointees more power over federal grants, in most sweeping change in years
ProPublica: How Trump reversed Biden crackdown on gun trafficking
NYTimes: Inside the deal to drop Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS
Judge Brinkema temporarily blocks payouts from Trump $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' settlement fund
Judge Williams to review Trump $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund after former federal judges question its legitimacy
AP: Capitol rioters clamoring for payouts from Trump’s new ‘anti-weaponization’ fund, despite backlash
Judge rules Trump name must come off Kennedy Center, temporarily blocks its closure for 2-year renovation
In closed-door interview with House lawmakers, Pam Bondi shifts responsibility for Epstein files’ release to Todd Blanche
Louisiana enacts new congressional map eliminating 1 of the state’s 2 majority-Black districts
New York governor signs legislation to ban ICE agents from wearing masks and keep agents out of schools, churches
After 18-years, D.C.’s Capital Weather Gang spins off from Washington Post
Robert Reich on how America’s 250th birthday festivities are being planned and paid for
Robert Reich: ‘It's still capital vs. labor, stupid’
Heather Cox Richardson on capital vs. labor, on the anniversary of the Johnstown Flood
Heather Cox Richardson on Maine Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, who on June 1, 1950, stood up against fellow GOP Sen. Joe McCarthy of Wisconsin
Trump issues executive order directing agencies to align with HHS study calling for narrower childhood vaccine recommendations
ProPublica: More than $100 million was billed for medically questionable vascular procedures, agency watchdog finds
Experimental hepatitis B drug may offer a ‘functional cure’ for some patients
You can call the Capitol switchboard, (202) 224-3121, and be connected to the offices of your representative and senators. To email your House member and your two senators, you can connect to their websites at Congress.gov. Most lawmakers seem to only accept emails from their constituents, but these leaders accept emails from Americans nationwide, at:
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
Senate Majority Leader John Thune