JQJO — Politics news · Page 884

President Trump ordered the Justice Department to investigate ActBlue, a major Democratic fundraising platform, for potential illegal donations. This marks the third time in three weeks Trump has directed government action against a perceived political opponent, raising concerns about the erosion of Justice Department independence. The investigation, requested by Trump and to be led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, will focus on potential straw donations and foreign contributions. The move is seen as an attempt to hinder Democrats' fundraising capabilities and is likely to appeal to Trump's base.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) terminated over 380 grants, including research on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), misinformation, and internet censorship, following directives from the Trump administration. This decision, impacting projects like a bird conservation study and AI bias mitigation, has sparked outrage among researchers. NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan resigned, citing his inability to further the agency's mission. The cuts, totaling $233 million, have been defended by the Department of Government Efficiency as eliminating "wasteful DEI grants," though many scientists argue the termination violates grant terms and harms students. Researchers are concerned about the broader implications for scientific research and the future of science in the US.

President Trump, after years of criticizing The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg for allegedly false reporting, announced a surprise face-to-face interview with Goldberg. Trump initiated the meeting, claiming the resulting article would be titled "The Most Consequential President of this Century." Their contentious history includes Trump's denials of Goldberg's reporting on the 2018 cemetery incident and a recent Signal chat revealing military plans. Trump claims the reporting is biased and made-up, while Goldberg maintains the accuracy of his work.

Ukraine faced its largest air strike of the year, prompting President Zelenskyy to cut short a South Africa visit. Despite pressure from former US President Trump to negotiate with Russia, Zelenskyy reiterated his refusal to cede territory, stating his willingness to talk represents a compromise in itself. He insists on a complete ceasefire as a precondition for any negotiations.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has slashed new grant awards by at least $2.3 billion since the start of the year, representing a 28% reduction. This impacts infectious disease, heart and lung research, and basic biological studies most severely. The cuts follow threats to freeze funding to specific universities and abrupt terminations of projects. While political pressure targeting private universities is a factor, public universities and research centers across the US, including those in Boston, New York, Seattle, and San Diego, are also significantly affected.

President Trump plans to issue a memorandum directing an investigation into ActBlue, the Democratic Party's primary fundraising platform, for alleged illegal activities such as straw donors and foreign contributions. This action, following GOP investigations and criticism from Trump allies, aims to crack down on online fundraising platforms. ActBlue, which has raised over $16.8 billion since 2004, denies wrongdoing and maintains its commitment to facilitating small-dollar donations. The probe raises concerns about hindering Democratic fundraising efforts ahead of the midterm elections.

Five Democratic senators, led by Chuck Schumer, criticized the Trump administration's actions against universities, questioning whether antisemitism concerns justify attacks on institutions and individuals. The letter highlights the freezing of $2 billion in Harvard funding and mentions visa revocations and deportations affecting international students. Jewish advocacy groups and academics echoed concerns, arguing that the administration uses antisemitism as a pretext to suppress dissent. The senators requested answers regarding targeting criteria and staff reductions in the Department of Education's civil rights office by April 30th. Legal challenges to visa revocations have yielded mixed results.

Trump's official online store is selling "Trump 2028" hats and shirts, sparking speculation about a potential third presidential bid. Despite the constitutional two-term limit, the White House referred inquiries to the Trump Organization, which hasn't commented. The White House press secretary called the hat "cool." Trump has previously hinted at a third term, citing public support, while acknowledging it's premature to consider.

President Trump claims the US and China are actively discussing trade, while China's Foreign Ministry calls it "fake news." Trump recently increased tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, prompting retaliatory measures from China. While some Trump administration officials suggest potential tariff reductions, others insist on no unilateral concessions. Experts express concern about the economic consequences of a prolonged trade war, with China seemingly holding a strong negotiating position.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration's attempt to require proof of citizenship for voter registration and to assess citizenship of public assistance recipients before voter registration. The judge ruled that Congress, not the President, holds the authority to regulate federal elections, stating the executive order was an attempt to bypass Congress. The ruling prevents the Election Assistance Commission from withholding funding from non-compliant states. However, the judge allowed two sections of the order related to existing laws to proceed due to lack of standing by the plaintiffs on those issues.