Welcome back to the Unify Brief, where we track the latest developments shaping our nation. Here’s what you need to know this week:
María Corina Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize
On Oct 10., María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Venezuelan opposition leader received the honor for her efforts to promote a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. Earlier this year, Machado went into hiding following a disputed election that declared Nicolás Maduro the winner.
President Donald Trump was nominated for the prize, named after Alfred Nobel, a Swedish scientist and businessman, by U.S Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida. Trump did not receive the award and his administration criticized the committee that selected Machado, claiming it prioritized politics over peace.
After winning the award, Machado expressed gratitude to Trump, who confirmed they spoke over the phone Friday night.
National: Trump speaks with Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado after his administration denounced the decision to award it to her (CNN)
Local: Nobel Peace Prize winner announced for 2025 (9News)
What other college campuses have to say: Trump snubbed by Nobel Committee, praised by winner (The Purdue Exponent)
Protests in Portland
On Sept. 28, President Trump announced he would deploy federal troops to Portland, Ore. in response to protests at an ICE facility in the South Waterfront neighborhood. President Trump has continuously described the city as “war-ravaged” and continued to characterize Portland as a war zone during a gathering at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on Sept. 30.
Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, spoke with the governor of Oregon and the mayor of Portland on Oct. 7, claiming the two were covering up the “terrorism” in the city. Both officials confirmed the meetings with Noem but denied that an “insurrection” was occurring and said there was no need for military involvement.
Protests continue as they wait on an appellate court ruling on if President Trump can deploy troops in Portland.
National: FACT FOCUS: Trump paints a grim portrait of Portland. The story on the ground is much less extreme (AP News)
Local: Oregon fights Trump’s ‘war ravaged’ Portland claim as judge weighs troop block (Denver 7)
What other college campuses have to say: Trump Threatens Potential National Guard Deployment to Portland (PSU Vanguard)
Layoffs begin amid the government shutdown
The Trump administration began laying off federal workers on Friday after the government shutdown on Oct. 1.
The president says the lay-offs will be “Democrat-oriented” as he continues to pursue an agenda of dismantling programs he says are “favored” by Democratic officials.
The cuts are part of a “reduction in force,” meaning some workers will not return to their jobs after the shutdown. Notices were sent to employees in the departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services, Commerce, Education, Energy, EPA, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development and the Interior.
National: Trump says ‘a lot’ of federal workers are being laid off during government shutdown (CNBC)
Local: Trump threatens mass layoffs as government shuts down — COLORADO COMMENT (Aurora Sentinel)
What other college campuses have to say: Former GU Politics Fellows Discuss Government Shutdown (The Hoya)
Take Action:
TELL CONGRESS: NO TROOPS ON OUR STREETS (ACLU)
At DU:
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