JQJO — Politics news · Page 937

Facing stock market turmoil and rising bond yields triggered by his tariffs, President Trump temporarily paused some tariffs for 90 days. This move, seen as a concession to China's Xi Jinping, reveals a vulnerability for Trump in his economic standoff with China. The trade war risks destabilizing the global economy and the US dollar's dominance. Trump's actions, while initially appearing unfazed, ultimately showed a response to economic pressure.

Senator Michael Bennet, a Colorado Democrat, announced his 2026 gubernatorial bid. He highlights his legislative achievements, including infrastructure funding and the child tax credit, while criticizing Donald Trump's policies. Bennet's strong Senate record and endorsements position him favorably in the Democratic primary, although he faces competition from Attorney General Phil Weiser. This move makes him the fourth Senate Democrat to leave Congress next year, though Bennet's Senate term extends to 2028. Colorado hasn't elected a Republican governor in over two decades.

Donald Trump's health has been a topic of public discussion, with conflicting reports on his physical condition. In 2015, his physician described him as having "extraordinary" strength and stamina, though this was later revealed to be dictated by Trump himself. Subsequent reports revealed a concerning calcium score indicating arterial plaque. His hospitalization for COVID-19 in 2020 raised significant concerns, with officials suggesting monoclonal antibodies were crucial to his survival. Trump's age, at 78 when inaugurated, surpassed even Biden's when he assumed office, yet Trump frequently criticizes Biden's age and mental capacity despite experiencing some verbal stumbles himself.

Over 130 Jewish Georgetown students, staff, and alumni signed a letter protesting the arrest of postdoctoral fellow Badar Khan Suri, who was detained by federal agents. They argue that President Trump's policies, including using antisemitism accusations to justify actions against those supporting Palestinians, create an unsafe environment for Jewish students. The administration counters that Suri spread Hamas propaganda. The letter, published in the Georgetown newspaper, highlights concerns about the weaponization of antisemitism and violations of civil liberties. Disagreements exist regarding the definition of antisemitism, yet signatories unite in condemning the detentions.

Europe faces pressure to boost defense spending amid potential conflict with Russia, but a proposed €800 billion REARM plan faces challenges due to high national debts. An alternative, a Rearmament Bank, aims to leverage private investment for defense capabilities, but its effectiveness remains questionable. The UK, excluded from REARM's loan scheme, advocates for the bank, highlighting issues of cost overruns and procurement inefficiencies exemplified by its own defense budget woes. Concerns remain about the feasibility of significantly increasing military force density across Europe, even with increased spending.

Steve Soboroff, Los Angeles' fire recovery czar, resigned last week, claiming he was excluded from high-level planning. Hired for a three-month, $500,000 position (later worked pro bono), his role was significantly diminished after initial fanfare. Soboroff alleges a lack of communication and transparency from Mayor Karen Bass's office, particularly regarding a key recovery contractor, Hagerty Consulting, whose performance he criticizes. Despite his exclusion, he claims to have made significant progress coordinating efforts and securing resources. Mayor Bass states the recovery is on track, while Soboroff expresses concerns about unaddressed issues.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg for the third time this year, urging a ceasefire in Ukraine. This comes as Donald Trump publicly pressured Putin to "get moving" on ending the conflict, citing the high death toll. Meanwhile, Ukraine's allies pledged €21 billion in military aid, and President Zelensky accused Russia of prolonging the war, even using Chinese nationals in its forces. Despite the meetings, the Kremlin indicated no breakthroughs are expected.

Senate Democrats, led by Elizabeth Warren, urged the SEC to investigate Donald Trump for potential securities law violations, insider trading, and market manipulation. Their letter alleges Trump's erratic tariff announcements caused market volatility, potentially benefiting insiders with advance knowledge of a tariff pause. The senators cite Trump's social media post encouraging stock purchases before the announcement and question the administration's actions that may have weakened the SEC's investigative capabilities.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will participate virtually in a crucial Ukraine defense meeting in Brussels, marking the first time a Pentagon chief has skipped an in-person gathering. This absence comes amid the Trump administration's shift in approach towards Ukraine, favoring closer ties with Russia. The meeting focuses on coordinating aid to Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict that has resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's plan to deport hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans with temporary legal status. The judge, Indira Talwani, issued a stay on an order to cancel their permits, arguing the administration's decision lacked legal basis and offered immigrants a cruel choice: leave the country or risk losing everything. The administration had revoked the legal protections last month, intending to deport them within 30 days. While the government argued individuals could apply for other programs, the judge found this unconvincing, highlighting the risk of arrest for those seeking essential services. The ruling provides temporary relief to those affected, many of whom expressed fear and relief at the decision.