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IN MEMORIAM: Congressman Don McEachin of Virginia Dies at 61
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Congressman McEachin was only 61. He was the first African American to be nominated to run as Virginia Attorney General. McEachin was only the third African American to serve in the U.S. Congress from Virginia along with John Mercer Langston and Bobby Scott.
The post IN MEMORIAM: Congressman Don McEachin of Virginia Dies at 61 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor
Though many were aware he’d been battling health issues over the last few years, the death of Richmond Congressman and former State Senator and Delegate Don McEachin is still a big shock.
Congressman McEachin was only 61. He was the first African American to be nominated to run as Virginia Attorney General. McEachin was only the third African American to serve in the U.S. Congress from Virginia along with John Mercer Langston and Bobby Scott.
McEachin was elected to the House of Delegates in 1995 and ran for Attorney General in 2001. He won a four-way primary with 33.6% of the vote but was defeated in the general election to Republican Jerry Kilgore. McEachin was elected to Congress in 2016.
A statement released by his staff late in the evening on Monday, Nov. 28 jolted many and set off a round of phone calls in initial disbelief. McEachin’s staff was in Richmond for a retreat on Monday.
In recent weeks and months, McEachin kept his schedule and was seen during CBC Week in D.C. at the Virginia reception and other events, including a panel discussion he hosted on climate change. He easily won re-election to represent the fourth congressional district on Nov. 8.
In the moments after his office posted the press release below at 10:19 p.m. announcing his death, the tributes to McEachin poured in.
“I am simply devastated to hear the news of the passing of this gentle giant. Rest easy Donald,” wrote Richmond City Councilman Mike Jones.
“Words can’t express the gratitude I have for this man. He took a chance on me. He was my first supporter. He gave me tough love. He gave me his listening ear. He gave me sound advice. He gave me opportunities. Sometimes he felt like a big brother, sometimes a father – not sure why he chose me but I’m grateful. My heart aches for Colette and the family. Rest well A. Don Mac!,” wrote Richmond Del. Lamont Bagby, who is the Chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.
“I served in the General Assembly with Donald McEachin for over 20 years, watching him make history as the first ever African American nominee for Attorney General of VA in 2001 before he went to Congress. Hearing the news of his death sent a shock of pain through me tonight,” wrote L. Louise Lucas, who is President Pro Tempore of the Senate of Virginia.
“Donald was a thoughtful and principled legislator and respected by people on both sides of the aisle… The Commonwealth of Virginia and our nation have lost one of its most dedicated public servants and fiercest advocates for justice and equality,” wrote the Dean of the Virginia congressional delegation, Rep. Bobby Scott.
“He was the son of an Army veteran and a public-school teacher and grew up in the area that he would go on to represent in the Virginia General Assembly and the United States Congress,” Rep. Scott continued.
McEachin was also an attorney. He graduated from UVA Law in 1986. He formed a law firm based in Richmond, McEachin & Gee. Many noted that McEachin focused on environmental racism and climate change issues.
“Virginia and our nation are better because Don McEachin chose a life of selfless service. He lifted us all higher, and we can now see farther. Because of that, Don will forever be a part of our brightest future. Our love to Colette and the McEachin Family. #Godspeed,” wrote Virginia’s 41st Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend Don McEachin. I have worked with him since our days in the Va House of Delegates and have known him to be a gentle giant in fighting to ensure everyone has a level playing field, my prayers to his family and loved ones. He will be missed,” wrote State Senator Lionell Spruill.
“We are devastated by the passing of Congressman McEachin. As a champion for the Metro Richmond area, his loss will be felt greatly. He consistently supported us, showed up, and gave space to young leaders. Our thoughts go out to his wife, Collette, and the McEachin family,” wrote the Metro Richmond Democrats in a statement.
The Commonwealth of VA has lost a true statesman in Don McEachin. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Collette and their family,” wrote Virginia House Democratic Leader Don Scott.
“Up until the very end, Don McEachin was a fighter. Even though he battled cancer and faced other trials in recent years, he never lost his focus on social and environmental justice. Tonight, Virginia has lost a great leader and I have lost a great friend,” wrote U.S. Senator Mark Warner on McEachin.
McEachin is survived by his wife Colette and their three children.
Seven members of the 118th Congress have died in office. They are McEachin, Rep.-elect Luke Letlow, R-La., who died of COVID—19 before taking office in late 2020, just after being elected. Reps. Alcee Hastings, Ron Wright, Jim Hagedorn, Don Young, Jackie Walorski.
The 119th Congress will be sworn in on January 3, 2023.
Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke
The post IN MEMORIAM: Congressman Don McEachin of Virginia Dies at 61 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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Federal Raids Target Migrant Kids, Split Families
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Trump administration has reportedly removed at least 500 migrant children from their homes across the United States and placed them into government custody, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
The Trump administration has reportedly removed at least 500 migrant children from their homes across the United States and placed them into government custody, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The children, many of whom were living with family members or other vetted sponsors, were taken during so-called “welfare checks” carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies. According to CNN, the operations are part of a larger campaign launched shortly after President Donald Trump returned to office, with federal authorities setting up a “war room” inside the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review data on children who entered the country alone and were later released to sponsors. Officials have used the room to coordinate efforts between agencies, including ICE and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which oversees the custody of unaccompanied migrant children.
Trump officials claim the effort is aimed at protecting children placed in unsafe conditions or with unqualified sponsors, pointing to cases where children were released to individuals with criminal backgrounds or those involved in smuggling. Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the welfare checks have led to the arrests of some sponsors and the transfer of children into ORR custody. Federal data shows more than 2,500 children are currently in ORR custody. CNN reported that the average stay has grown significantly, from 67 days in December 2024 to 170 days by April 2025. Former Health and Human Services officials say new vetting rules—including income requirements, government-issued ID, and DNA tests—have made it far more difficult for parents and guardians, particularly those who are undocumented, to reclaim their children.
In some cases, reunifications that had already been scheduled were canceled. A recent lawsuit details how two brothers, ages 7 and 14, remain in government care because their mother cannot meet new documentation requirements under the revised policies. Mark Greenberg, a former senior HHS official, stated that the approach puts children in a difficult situation. “To the extent, the goal is to determine whether children are in danger or in need of help, this isn’t a good way to do that because it creates fear that anything they say could be used against their parent or family member,” he said. Immigration enforcement agents reportedly have visited children’s homes and asked about their journey to the U.S., school attendance, and upcoming immigration court appearances. Legal advocates say these visits, which sometimes include the FBI, are not standard child welfare procedures and can create fear and confusion among minors.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed the agency’s role, saying, “Protecting children is a critical mission for the FBI, and we will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to secure their safety and well-being.” Multiple outlets noted that the Trump administration has not provided clear evidence that large numbers of children are missing. Instead, it has referenced a Department of Homeland Security inspector general report from 2023 that noted more than 291,000 unaccompanied minors had not received notices to appear in immigration court. Former officials note that these figures do not necessarily indicate that the children are missing; some lacked updated addresses or were affected by administrative backlogs.
Within HHS, officials were instructed to expedite policy changes. Former ORR Ombudsman Mary Giovagnoli stated that a senior ICE official, Melissa Harper, was temporarily appointed to lead ORR. Her short tenure was followed by Angie Salazar, another former ICE official who now frequently communicates with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Trump’s team argues the Biden administration allowed thousands of unaccompanied children to enter the country without sufficient oversight. Jen Smyers, a former ORR deputy director, stated that all sponsors underwent thorough vetting, including Department of Justice background checks and reviews of the sex offender registry. “No amount of vetting is a predictor of the future,” she said. The Miami Herald recently reported that a 17-year-old foster child in Florida was removed from his home in shackles and transferred to ICE custody. The boy and his mother had crossed the border without documentation, but he had been living in a state-supervised foster placement. The case raised concerns about the state’s cooperation with federal enforcement and the message it sends to immigrant families. Concerns about federal custody of vulnerable children are not confined to immigration.
In North Carolina, a 7-month-old baby died after being left in a hot minivan by her foster mother, who now faces charges of negligent child abuse and involuntary manslaughter. In Hawaii, dozens of children have been forced to sleep in government offices and hotels due to a shortage of foster placements. In North Dakota, a foster couple has been charged in the death of a 3-year-old after surveillance footage showed the child being repeatedly assaulted. “These cases show what happens when systems meant to protect children fail them,” said Laura Nally, director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights Children’s Program. “There’s a growing concern that these welfare checks are being used to carry out mass detentions of sponsors and unnecessarily return children to government custody.”
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Protests of a Costly and Historic Parade
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — President Trump is planning an elaborate and costly celebration for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that coincides with his birthday.

By April Ryan
It will rain on President Trump‘s parade on Saturday if most weather forecasts correctly predict the chance of storms. President Trump is planning an elaborate and costly celebration for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that coincides with his birthday. When asked if he plans to attend the massive D.C. celebration, New York Democratic Congressman Greg Meeks exclaimed,” Heck no!” He elaborated, saying, “It is clear to me that what Donald J. Trump is trying to do is to emulate Vladimir Putin.” Trump and Putin, the Russian president, are friends. Meeks feels “that’s where he initially got the idea from when he saw the tanks going down the street and how people bow down to Vladimir Putin, how…that authoritarian runs his country where no one questions what he does.”
Meanwhile, around the nation 1600 protests are scheduled to coincide with what is happening in Washington, D.C. Democratic Congressman Al Greene confirms he will attend several “No King Day” protest rallies and marches in his home state of Texas. The congressman questions the president’s comments about using “force” for anyone trying to stop the parade. Reverand William Barber plans to be in Philadelphia on Saturday. “We are having a rally bringing people together,” the civil rights leader confirmed. The leader of Repairers of the Breach added, “Those rallies are gonna be massive and multiracial of every race, color, creed, religion, geographic area, so this is not a moment. We must have a constant movement.”
Weeks ago, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser warned the parade, and all its military might, and pageantry would cost “many millions of dollars” just to repair District streets after the heavy artillery tanks rolled down the historic roads in the nation’s capital. Tall gates and other barricades around the White House are part of the parade’s security measures. The Secret Service has warned of a high-security presence in the area for the parade. You can expect to see military tanks, dozens of other military vehicles, and thousands of service members marching along a route stretching nearly four miles from the Pentagon to the White House.
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Critics Question 2024 Results as Musk Tactics Surface
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Now, a Wisconsin nonprofit has filed a legal complaint accusing Musk, his America PAC, and a Musk-affiliated group called United States of America Inc. of violating state election laws by bribing voters.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2024 has reignited questions about election integrity, particularly after his remarks thanking Elon Musk for what he called a “landslide” win in Pennsylvania. “He knows those computers better than anybody… all those vote-counting computers,” Trump said. “So, thank you to Elon.” The comment set off alarm, including Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett. “So, Trump is rambling on about he and Elon rigging the election?! Am I missing something or is he confessing to yet another damn crime?!” she posted on social media.
Now, a Wisconsin nonprofit has filed a legal complaint accusing Musk, his America PAC, and a Musk-affiliated group called United States of America Inc. of violating state election laws by bribing voters. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and two voters allege Musk handed out $1 million checks and that his PAC paid $100 to registered voters who signed petitions and gave their contact information. Wisconsin law prohibits offering anything of value over $1 to encourage someone to vote. The complaint also cites violations of the state’s lottery ban. The plaintiffs are asking a court to declare the actions illegal, prevent future violations, and award damages if applicable.
The lawsuit follows a failed attempt by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to block Musk’s actions earlier this year. Kaul argued that Musk’s conduct amounted to illegal inducement, but courts declined to intervene before the April state Supreme Court election. Jeff Mandell, president and general counsel for Law Forward, which represents the plaintiffs, said this new case is being filed under more typical legal timelines. “We’re trying to create … accountability in a more regular timeline, in a way that gives the courts the opportunity to look at this more carefully,” Mandell said.
Musk, who served briefly as a Trump adviser and led a short-lived federal agency focused on cost-cutting, has denied wrongdoing. He initially promoted the giveaways as rewards for early voters but later revised eligibility criteria following legal scrutiny. The controversy has added fuel to growing concerns over anomalies in places like Rockland County, New York, where Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly received virtually no votes despite Democratic victories in other races. “We know exactly what happened and how it unfolded, and we’re asking the court to say this is not acceptable,” Mandel has said.
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