What You Need To Know: This week, the government flexed, corporations flinched, and one senator finally said, “I do.” National Guard troops are headed to New Orleans in yet another domestic deployment, while AT&T pulled the plug on all DEI programs—proof that corporate courage may be in shorter supply than broadband. Costco, meanwhile, is taking the Trump administration to court over tariffs, calling the fees unconstitutional. It’s business, borders, and a little bit of love in this week’s “The State of US.”
National Guard Troops Headed To New Orleans
National Guard troops are set to deploy to New Orleans in the coming weeks for Operation Catahoula Crunch, federal and state officials said, responding to a request from Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry. President Donald Trump told Landry the forces will arrive before Christmas to bolster security amid concerns about violent crime and police shortages, though exact troop numbers and timelines remain unspecified.
The deployment comes alongside a federal immigration enforcement effort dubbed “Swamp Sweep.” Local leaders, including Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, criticized the plan as unnecessary and potentially disruptive, noting crime has declined this year.
Deep dive: Across the U.S., hundreds of National Guard troops previously deployed in cities like Chicago and Portland are being sent home as part of a shift in domestic mission strategy. In Washington, D.C., Guard members remain active following an ambush that killed a Guardswoman and injured another, prompting expanded security measures.
Trump Targets Minnesota’s Somali Community For Immigration Operation
Federal authorities are preparing an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota that would focus on Somali immigrants who are in the U.S. unlawfully. The effort is expected to target the Minneapolis–St. Paul area and serve arrest or deportation orders, though exact timing and scope have not been disclosed. The initiative follows heightened criticism from the White House claiming Somali immigrants overuse social services and contribute little to society.
The impact: Critics argue the enforcement, paired with inflammatory rhetoric from national officials, carries potentially xenophobic and racist implications, as it singles out a specific ethnic and religious community and risks stigmatizing lawful residents. Community advocates warn such targeting can foster fear and erode civil liberties. Local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have condemned the planned operation, saying it threatens community trust and may lead to wrongful detentions of U.S. citizens. Minnesota is home to the nation’s largest Somali population, most of whom are U.S. citizens.
AT&T Says It Will End All DEI Programs
AT&T said it will end all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs as it seeks regulatory approval for a major wireless spectrum purchase. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, the Dallas-based telecom giant said it “does not and will not have any roles focused on DEI,” aligning with new FCC conditions for deal approvals.
Other major corporations have rolled back DEI efforts amid legal and political pressure. Meta Platforms eliminated its internal diversity, equity and inclusion programs, including hiring and supplier policies, as part of a broader review following shifts in affirmative-action law.
TSA Will Begin Charging Fee To U.S. Travelers Without A REAL ID
The Transportation Security Administration announced that, beginning Feb. 1, 2026, U.S. air travelers who lack a REAL ID-compliant form of identification will be charged a nonrefundable $45 fee to clear airport security. The fee will fund the TSA’s alternative identity verification system, called Confirm.ID, which allows TSA to verify a traveler’s identity for a 10-day travel period.
REAL ID requirements, linked to the 2005 REAL ID Act, have been enforced since May 2025; until now, passengers without compliant IDs were allowed through with enhanced screening and warnings. TSA officials said roughly 94 % of travelers already carry compliant IDs such as REAL IDs, passports or other accepted documents. The agency urged remaining travelers to update their identification at state motor vehicle agencies to avoid the new fee and potential delays at checkpoints.
Costco Sues Trump Administration, Demanding Tariff Refunds
Costco Wholesale Corp. sued the Trump administration, asking a federal court to declare tariffs imposed under emergency powers unlawful and to order refunds for duties the company paid this year. Filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, the lawsuit says the president lacked authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to levy broad import taxes on thousands of products from China, Mexico and other nations. Costco argues the government’s refusal to delay tariff “liquidations” could jeopardize its ability to recover funds even if the U.S. Supreme Court later invalidates the tariff program.
The bigger picture: The company joins a growing list of corporations, including Revlon and Kawasaki, seeking refunds as the high court weighs the legality of the sweeping tariff policy. Economists say the broader tariff conflict is intensifying as businesses warn higher duties raise costs for consumers and disrupt supply chains, potentially slowing economic growth. A Supreme Court decision expected in 2026 could reshape how U.S. trade policy is conducted and influence the cost structure for retailers and import-dependent industries nationwide.
Cory Booker and Alexis Lewis Got Married Over The Weekend
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker married investment executive Alexis Lewis in a pair of private ceremonies this week, his office announced Sunday. The couple exchanged vows on Nov. 24 at a federal courthouse in Newark, with their parents as witnesses, then celebrated with family in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. Their social‑media announcement described the events as deeply personal: “We said ‘I do’ in two places that shaped us—Cory’s beloved Newark and Alexis’ hometown of Washington, D.C. — first at the courthouse, then with our families. Hearts full and so grateful.”
Booker, 56, publicly revealed his engagement to 38‑year‑old Lewis in September. The wedding capped a romance that began last year after the two were introduced by a mutual friend.