President Donald Trump has made it clear that he hopes to export his unprecedented military occupation of Washington, D.C., to other Democrat-led cities across the country. But even as the administration prepares to expand its federal takeover of local law enforcement, several red states have already begun taking the MAGA initiative. The Republican governors of Ohio, West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi and Louisiana have announced plans to volunteer hundreds of their respective National Guard troops to the White House's D.C. deployment.

Patrolling 'American citizens on American soil'
Trump has "received praise from conservative allies" and earned "shows of support from GOP governors" for his occupation of the nation's capital, even as residents have chafed, said The Washington Post. These "new contributions" of troops from red states mark a "significant escalation of Trump's takeover of policing in the city," said Time. Governors who announced troop deployments made a point to note they are "acting on requests from the Trump administration," said The Hill. 

It's "unclear why additional troops are needed" in D.C., where members of the Guard have "played a limited role in the federal intervention," said NPR. That the administration would request new troops suggests the White House sees a "need for additional manpower" even after Trump "personally played down the need for Washington to hire more police officers." 

Troops already stationed in D.C. have "drawn positive attention from civilians," the National Guard said in a statement. Less so from city officials, including Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser. "American soldiers and airmen policing American citizens on American soil is #UnAmerican," said Bowser on X. 

'Opportunity for Trump to play dictator'
Efforts to paint Washington, D.C., as wholly free of crime and not in need of intervention are misguided, said Joe Scarborough on MSNBC. At the same time, "bringing National Guardsmen in from red states, some areas that have higher crime per capita than Washington D.C.? Not the answer." 

The deployment is "total abuse of power," a "manufactured emergency" and an "opportunity for Trump to play dictator in Washington, D.C.," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on ABC's "The Week." Van Hollen joined other Democratic lawmakers last week, said Axios, for a "long-shot joint resolution" aimed at ending Trump's control of the D.C. police force.

Following a long campaign against the abortion pill mifepristone by conservative religious groups, Costco announced last week that it will not stock the abortion pill mifepristone at its stores, declining to provide the medication at the 500-plus pharmacies the chain has nationwide. And now many Democrats and liberal politicians are pushing back against the decision by one the nation's largest big-box stores. 

Facing criticism
Costco states its choice is "based on the lack of demand from our members and other patients," the company said to The Washington Post in a statement. But many question this claim. There's "no good reason for Costco to refuse to sell this medication," Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said on X. Murray is "demanding that Costco immediately reverse course — follow the science and the facts, not the demands of far-right anti-abortion extremists."

Whether far right groups are "actually responsible for the wholesale chain's decision is unclear, but they are framing it as a success and pledging to target retailers that already dispense the drug, which would be a blow to abortion access," said MSNBC. It "really sucks when companies we know and love bend to the enemy's will," said Jezebel.

'Far-reaching positive effect'
Those on the right laud Costco's decision. "We applaud Costco for doing the right thing by its shareholders and resisting activist calls to sell abortion drugs," the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom said in a press release. The company has "nothing to gain and much to lose by becoming abortion dispensaries." 

Religious groups have expressed similar sentiments. Costco's choice will have a "far-reaching positive effect on our nation," Penny Nance, the head of the conservative Christian group Concerned Women for America, said to The Christian Post. 

The Family Research Group, an evangelical think tank, also has praise for Costco. Instead of "worrying that they are contributing to the killing of countless innocent unborn children, families can continue to shop at Costco knowing that the great deals they are getting are helping other families believe that adding another child to the mix is possible," the organization said on X.

An employee of state-owned mining company LKAB watches on as trailers prepare to move a  113-year-old wooden church in Kiruna, Sweden, to make way for the expansion of an iron-ore mine. The three-mile journey to its new site will take two days. 
Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / Getty Images

Seeing the sights from the back of a bike is the best way to become immersed in a new place. These exhilarating tours will have you gliding by beautiful scenery and enjoying the fresh air.

Tour France, Germany and Luxembourg 
Follow the River Moselle through three separate countrysides. There are "beginner-friendly" bike paths on both sides of the water, and because of the Schengen Agreement, you can "dip in and out" of France, Germany and Luxembourg "without ever showing a passport," said the BBC. On the eight-day excursion with Boat Bike Tours, cyclists stop at vineyards and explore historic towns like Cochem, Germany, home of the ancient Reichsburg Castle. 

Travel from onsen to onsen in Kyushu, Japan
Onsens are soothing hot springs and the perfect spots to rest while cycling through Kyushu, Japan's third-largest island. On Spice Roads' Onsen to Onsen tour, bikers spend six days riding along rivers and rice fields, past temples and up mountain passes, with a stop in Beppu, a beloved center of onsen culture. Kyushu's "beautiful" roads make it "ideal" for both "amateur and serious" riders, said Travel and Leisure.

Take the Jordan Trail to Petra
Jordan's stark desert landscapes look even more stunning on a bike. Much Better Adventures' Jordan Trail to Petra: The E-Bike Edition tour starts in the Dana Valley and includes stops at Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and Petra, where you will hike to the ancient site. One of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Petra is filled with "magnificent monuments" made of pink sandstone, said Lonely Planet.