Week In Review
- Elissa D. Hecker - Editor
- May 12
- 9 min read
By Jessie Schuster
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Library of Congress and U.S. Copyright Office:
President Trump Abruptly Fires Librarian of Congress
President Trump fired Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress. Hayden was the first woman and the first African American to hold the post. She was also the first person in the job to be term-limited, with her term set to expire next year.
The Copyright Office Releases Part 3 (Generative AI Training) of its Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Report and Shortly Thereafter, Trump Fires Shira Perlmutter, Director of the Copyright Office
Trump dismissed Shira Perlmutter, the head of the U.S. Copyright Office, following her resistance to approving Elon Musk's use of copyrighted materials for AI training. The move has drawn critics who view it as an overreach undermining Congress's authority.
Entertainment
Funding for PBS Children’s Shows Killed by Trump Administration Citing ‘Woke Propaganda’
The Trump administration ended the $23 million Ready To Learn grant for PBS Kids, citing concerns over “woke” content. PBS and others are pushing back to restore the funding.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/08/ready-to-learn-pbs-kids-funding/83522232007/
Snapchat Finalizes a Broad Number of Music Publisher Licensing Agreements – Very Much Unlike Twitter/X
Snapchat users will have access to a broader range of licensed music with the platform’s new deals with UnitedMasters, BUMA/STEMRA, and other publishers. The agreements were finalized with a goal of increasing user engagement and gaining artist exposure.
Warner Music Sues Designer Shoe Warehouse for Alleged Social Media Copyright Infringement
WMG has filed a lawsuit against DSW, alleging unauthorized use of its music in the retailer's advertising campaigns. The lawsuit claims that DSW utilized Warner's copyrighted songs without obtaining proper licenses.
Final Phase of Jury Selection in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s Sex-Trafficking Trial Postponed
The final phase of jury selection in Sean Combs's federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial was postponed to today, to prevent potential juror dropouts over the weekend. The disgraced rapper could face a minimum of 15 years to life if convicted.
Trump Wants Tariffs on ‘Foreign’ Movies But There’s a Reason No One Wants to Shoot in LA
Trump is hoping to ‘revive’ Hollywood with proposed 100% tariffs on foreign films, but others believe that the industry is suffering from local costs and poor infrastructure.
Unpacking the Ugly Aftermath of the Antisemitic Incident at Dave Portnoy’s Bar
Dave Portnoy condemned the disturbing antisemitic acts at his Philadelphia bar, Barstool Sansom Street, where a customer ordered bottle service with a sign containing hate speech targeting Jews. The incident led to the suspension of a Temple University student and the firing of two bar employees involved in the act. Portnoy emphasized zero tolerance for hate speech policy, stating, "I'm going to make it my life's mission to ruin these people"
Arts
‘It’s All Very Sad’: Trump’s Attack on Arts Funding Has a Devastating Effect
The Trump administration's recent cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts have disproportionately impacted organizations serving POC and LGBTQ+ communities. Groups like the Classical Theatre of Harlem and the National Queer Theater are challenging the new policies through legal action.
1,000 AI-Enhances Works Now Protected by U.S. Copyright Law
Thousands of AI-enhanced works are now protected by U.S. Copyright Law as it has clarified that AI-assisted works can qualify for copyright protection if they exhibit sufficient human creativity.
AI Brought Back Agatha Christie
AI-driven "virtual resurrection" is pushing boundaries, with services recreating deceased figures like Agatha Christie for courses and AI versions of victims addressing courtrooms. This disturbing trend raises serious fears about the exploitation of sensitive data, the manipulation of memories, and the unsettling impact on grief, as technology turns the dead into digital puppets.
Fashion as Resistance: The Black Dandy at the Met Gala
The iconic ‘first Monday in May’ honored Black dandyism by highlighting the cultural significance of Black style, drawing inspiration from figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and James Baldwin
Bargain Hunt Expert Charged With Terror Offenses
Oghenochuko Ojiri, an art dealer and expert on BBC's Bargain Hunt, has been charged with eight counts of failing to disclose business activities related to terrorist financing.
Sports
The Trump-Saban Commission Will Focus On The Future of College Athletics
Trump is considering creating a commission on college sports, co-led by Nick Saban and entrepreneur Cody Campbell, to address issues like athlete compensation and the transfer portal amid the evolving landscape surrounding name, image, and likeness (NIL).
Years After Now-Cleared Bullying Lawsuit, Clay Webb Looks to Make Impact on Broncos’ Roster
Former five-star offensive lineman was drafted to the Denver Broncos, despite a bullying controversy from his high school days that led to a lawsuit. Clay Webb was cleared of any charges and signed with the Broncos as a free agent, aiming to move beyond his past and focus on his football career.
Testimony Underway in Hockey Canada Sexual-Assault Trial
Testimony has begun in the trial of five former members of Canada's 2018 World Junior hockey team who were accused of sexual assault during a Hockey Canada gala in 2018.
Media & Technology
A Judge Says Meta’s Copyright Lawsuit is About the New Taylor Swift’
Meta is facing a major copyright lawsuit over its use of authors' works to train AI models, with plaintiffs including Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria raised concerns that AI-generated content, such as the potential for an AI-generated "new Taylor Swift album," could undermine the market for original works, emphasizing the case's potential to set a critical precedent for AI and copyright law.
Jack Dorsey’s ‘Delete All IP Law’ Post Highlights the Hypocrisy of Big Tech Billionaires
Jack Dorsey's recent call to "Delete All IP Law" has been criticized as hypocritical by David Israelite, President and CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association. Israelite argues that Dorsey, who built his fortune on intellectual property protections, is now advocating for their removal, which could undermine the value of creators' work and harm industries reliant on IP laws.
Trump Promises to Extend TikTok Ban Deadline if Deal Not Reached by Mid-June
Trump said that he will extend the TikTok ban deadline again if no deal is reached by mid-June, aiming to keep the app accessible and popular with young voters.
Federal Workers Spoke to Reporters After DOGE Fired Them. Now They Face Investigation.
USAID employees who spoke to the press after being told they were fired by the Trump administration are now facing internal investigations for unauthorized media engagement, prompting accusations of political retaliation and intimidation. Critics say the inquiries aim to silence dissent following efforts to dismantle the agency under Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative.
Google Agrees to Pay $1.4B to Settle Privacy Lawsuits
Google will pay $1.4 billion to Texas to settle claims that it secretly collected users’ biometric and location data without consent, marking the largest state-level privacy settlement of its kind. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called it a major victory against Big Tech’s misuse of personal data.
Pinterest Agreed to Settle Christine Martinez Lawsuit for $34.7M
Pinterest has agreed to pay $34.7 million to settle a lawsuit alleging racial and gender discrimination within its workplace. The settlement follows previous legal actions, including a $22.5 million agreement with former COO Françoise Brougher in 2020 and a $50 million commitment to diversity initiatives in 2021.
Trump’s Crypto Agenda is Being Threatened by His Pursuit of Personal Profits
The GENIUS Act, a bipartisan crypto bill to regulate stablecoins, failed in the Senate due to concerns over Trump’s personal crypto ventures, particularly his $TRUMP coin, which lawmakers called a corrupt “pay-for-play scheme.” Despite potential support, the conflict of interest eroded trust and blocked the bill’s passage.
AI Is Getting More Powerful, but Its Hallucinations are Getting Worse
AI hallucinations are getting worse and likely here to stay. These hallucinations pose significant challenges, especially in fields requiring high accuracy like science and law. Researchers are actively developing methods to detect and mitigate these issues, but the inherent nature of AI systems makes complete eradication of hallucinations unlikely in the near future.
General News
Leo XIV Elected as First American Pope
On the second day of the conclave, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old Chicago native with extensive missionary experience in Peru, was elected as Pope Leo XIV—the first American to lead the Catholic Church.
Remembering Justice David Souter
Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter died at 85. Nominated as a moderate conservative, Souter often sided with the Court's liberal wing, notably in the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision that upheld abortion rights. His refusal to adhere to ideological extremes made him a target for conservatives but solidified his legacy as a principled jurist committed to facts over political expediency.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor Urges Lawyers to ‘Stand Up’ Amid Trump Tumult
Justice Sonia Sotomayor urged lawyers to "stand up" in the face of attacks on the legal profession by the Trump administration, emphasizing the importance of fighting for those who cannot defend themselves. She expressed solidarity with the legal community, stressing the need for a fearless judiciary amid increasing criticism of the courts.
Trump Says “I Don’t Know, I’m Not A Lawyer” When Asked if Everyone is Entitled to Due Process
Amid the controversial case involving the mistaken deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran native, and despite a Supreme Court ruling ordering his return to the U.S., Trump says that he is unsure if everyone in the U.S. is entitled to due process.
Judge Boasberg Makes Two Orders in El Salvador Deportations Case
Judge James Boasberg has ordered the Trump administration to provide more information on the deportation of 200 Venezuelans to El Salvador, with the ACLU arguing that it violated constitutional rights. The case questions if the U.S. still has legal obligations over those deported.
Judge Releases Tufts University Student Rumeysa Ozturk Who Was Detained By ICE
A federal judge in Vermont has released Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Tufts University student detained in a Louisiana immigration center for over 6 weeks, allowing her to return to her studies. Ozturk argues that her detention violated her constitutional rights.
Can Elon Musk’s DOGE Staffers Legally Access Social Security Data?
A U.S. District Judge ruled that the government could not explain why DOGE needed access to Social Security records, granting an injunction that prevents the government from accessing sensitive personal data. The government has appealed the decision, arguing that it hinders efforts to combat fraud and waste.
Some Giant Law Firms Shy Away from Pro Bono Immigration Cases
Major law firms are increasingly reluctant to take on pro bono immigration cases due to pressure from the Trump administration, which has issued executive orders targeting firms that oppose its policies. These actions have created a chilling effect, with some firms withdrawing from civil rights litigation to avoid retaliation, raising concerns about access to legal representation for vulnerable communities
Trump’s Sons Promote Real Estate and Crypto Deals Across World That Will Benefit the President
Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are actively promoting international real estate and crypto ventures, including a $1 billion luxury hotel in Dubai, a golf and villa complex in Qatar, a hotel in Serbia, and a $2 billion investment project in Saudi Arabia. These initiatives are reportedly aligned with their father's political agenda, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest
More Than $1B Recovered by the DiPietro Law Firm After Landmark Win Against Columbia University and Convicted OB/GYN Predator Robert Hadden
The DiPietro Law Firm has secured a landmark $750 million settlement for 576 patients of disgraced gynecologist Robert Hadden, bringing the total recovery to over $1 billion. This unprecedented outcome holds Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital accountable for their roles in covering up decades of sexual abuse.
NY’s New Budget Soars to Record $254B – Here’s Why it Might go Even Higher
New York's newly enacted $254 billion state budget, the largest in its history, includes significant investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. However, concerns have been raised about its long-term affordability and transparency, particularly regarding the use of $8 billion from state reserves to repay unemployment insurance debt and the potential impact of federal funding cuts.
Salt Lake City, Boise Seek to Skirt Laws Banning Pride Flags by Adopting Them as City Emblems
In response to state laws banning non-sanctioned flags on government property, Salt Lake City and Boise have officially adopted pride-themed flags as city emblems to maintain LGBTQ+ representation.
Former New Mexico Judge and Wife Arrested on Charges of Tampering with Evidence Linked to Suspected Tren de Aragua Member
Former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife were arrested for allegedly harboring a suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang. Cano was permanently banned from the judiciary, while the suspect gang member faces federal charges.
Europe Launches a Drive to Attract Scientists and Researchers After Trump Freezes U.S. Funding
The EU has launched a campaign to attract scientists and researchers to Europe following U.S. funding cuts to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. At the "Choose Europe for Science" event in Paris, EU leaders announced a €500 million "super grant" program and pledged to enshrine scientific freedom into law, positioning Europe as a welcoming hub for global scientific talent.
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