This week spans health, trade, and social policy under escalating federal strain.
Trump’s 41st week brought updates to the government shutdown, the White House, immigration, and the economy. Following a previous report from The Introspective detailing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) claiming that Tylenol use during pregnancy increases the risk of autism, Texas sued Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue—the makers of Tylenol.
At the same time, as the government shutdown continues, more than 25 states sued the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) after a previous Introspective report detailed people not receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits—the formal name for food stamps—for November. Meanwhile, following backlash over Trump’s demolition of the East Wing, the president fired all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts — which was set to review his construction plans.
Following a previous report from The Introspective detailing the Supreme Court considering a case that could overturn Obergefell v. Hodges—the 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide—the Texas Supreme Court ruled that judges can refuse to perform same-sex marriages based on “sincerely held religious beliefs.” That same day, congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh was indicted on allegations of hindering an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle in Chicago as anti-immigrant sentiment continues. Meanwhile, Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed a deal protecting nuclear power reactors and rare minerals used in electronics.
Tylenol, SNAP Benefits, and White House
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Tylenol manufacturers Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, alleging that the companies “deceptively” marketed Tylenol to pregnant people following the FDA’s claim that the medication increases the risk of autism.
“Big Pharma betrayed America by profiting off of pain and pushing pills regardless of the risks. These corporations lied for decades, knowingly endangering millions to line their pockets,” Paxton said in a press release.
“By holding Big Pharma accountable for poisoning our people, we will help Make America Healthy Again.”
Texas Tylenol Lawsuit
In a statement, Kenvue expressed “concern” over “the perpetuation of misinformation on the safety of acetaminophen and the potential impact that could have on the health of American women and children.”
“We will vigorously defend ourselves against these claims and respond per the legal process. We stand firmly with the global medical community that acknowledges the safety of acetaminophen and believe we will continue to be successful in litigation, as these claims lack legal merit and scientific support,” the statement read.
“We also encourage expecting mothers to speak to their health professional before taking any over-the-counter medication, including acetaminophen, as indicated on our product label for Tylenol.”
This comes as Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin filed a lawsuit against the USDA as SNAP benefits remain suspended during the ongoing government shutdown.
“Shutting off SNAP benefits will cause deterioration of public health and well-being,” the lawsuit read.
“Ultimately, the states will bear costs associated with many of these harms. The loss of SNAP benefits leads to food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition, which are associated with numerous negative health outcomes in children, such as poor concentration, decreased cognitive function, fatigue, depression and behavioral problems.”
USDA-SNAP Lawsuit
A previous report from The Introspective found that 18 million households—13.5%—were food insecure in 2023, up from 12.8% in 2022.
Meanwhile, as demolition of the White House’s East Wing continues, all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts were fired, with the Trump administration telling NPR that it is “preparing to appoint a new slate of members to the commission that are more aligned with President Trump’s America First policies.”
Same-Sex Marriage, ICE, and Japan
Following a previous report from The Introspective detailing the Supreme Court considering a case that could overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that judges can refuse to perform same-sex marriages in an amendment to the state’s code of judicial conduct.
“It is not a violation of these canons for a judge to publicly refrain from performing a wedding ceremony based upon a sincerely held religious belief,” the court order read.
Texas Supreme Court Ruling
In a statement, Jessica González, a member of the Texas House of Representatives and chair of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus, expressed disappointment with the ruling.
“The Texas House LGBTQ Caucus is disappointed, but not surprised, to learn that the Texas Supreme Court is not willing to stand up for the rights of LGBTQIA+ Texans,” she said.
“Our right to marriage should never depend on someone else’s religious beliefs.”
At the same time, as anti-immigrant sentiment continues, congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh was indicted on allegations of hindering an ICE vehicle at a facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Illinois.
The indictment alleges that she and other protesters “conspired with one another and others, known and unknown, to prevent by force, intimidation, and threat, Agent A, a United States law enforcement officer, from discharging the duties of his office, and to injure him in his person or property on account of his lawful discharge of the duties of his office, and while engaged in the lawful discharge thereof, and to injure his property so as to interrupt, hinder, and impede him in the discharge of his official duties.”
Kat Abughazaleh Indictment
In a post to Bluesky, Abughazaleh called the indictment “an attack on all of our First Amendment rights.”
“I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed an agreement on nuclear power reactors and rare minerals used in electronics.
“The participants plan to accomplish this through use of economic policy tools and coordinated investment to accelerate development of diversified, liquid and fair markets for critical minerals and rare earths,” the White House said in a press release.
The minerals are used in items such as cars and fighter jets.
The Introspective 
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