President Trump announced significant trade policy changes, including a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods (excluding major exports), a 50% tariff on certain copper products, and the suspension of a duty-free import perk for all countries. These actions, effective August 1st or later, aim to protect US industries and are...
President Trump urged Senate Judiciary Chair Grassley to abolish the "blue slip" tradition, allowing home-state senators to veto judicial nominees. This follows the expiration of Alina Habba's temporary appointment as US Attorney for New Jersey, where she aggressively targeted Democrats. Habba's nomination is blocked by New Jersey senators using...
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, citing alleged suppression of free speech and the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The sanctions, under the Global Magnitsky Act, freeze any U.S. assets of de Moraes. This follows earlier U.S. visa restrictions on...
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent likened the new Republican-backed 'Trump accounts' to a backdoor privatization of Social Security, sparking immediate Democratic backlash. These accounts, offering government contributions for children's future investments, could potentially reduce reliance on Social Security, Bessent argued. Democrats criticized this as a scheme to undermine Social...
Donald Trump's recent comments about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein have raised inconsistencies. Trump initially claimed their falling out stemmed from Epstein poaching employees, including Virginia Giuffre, from Mar-a-Lago's spa. However, previous statements indicate a much later split, and Trump previously praised Epstein. The discrepancies between Trump's...
Brown University will pay $50 million to Rhode Island workforce development organizations to settle federal investigations into alleged discrimination and regain lost research funding. The agreement, similar to one with Columbia University, includes concessions aligning with the Trump administration's agenda, such as adopting the government's definition of sex and...
Former Vice President Kamala Harris will not run for California governor in 2024, leaving open the possibility of a 2028 presidential bid. Harris stated she's spent time reflecting on the nation's current state and the best way to serve. While considering a gubernatorial run, she ultimately decided against it,...
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) temporarily halted all grant and contract payments, totaling roughly $15 billion, due to an obscure Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directive. This action, attributed to OMB Director Russell Vought, threatened crucial research funding. While the pause was reportedly lifted after political pressure,...
Senate Majority Leader John Thune rejected President Trump's call to abolish the Senate's "blue slip" tradition, which considers home-state senators' views on judicial nominees. Thune and other Republicans, including Senators Grassley, Barrasso, Kennedy, and Tillis, defended the tradition, arguing it's been used by both parties and ensures nominees are...
West Point rescinded a job offer to Jen Easterly, a former Biden cybersecurity official, after pressure from right-wing activist Laura Loomer. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll cited concerns about hiring practices and ordered a review. This action follows a pattern of Pentagon leadership influencing military academy staffing and curriculum,...
