President Donald Trump is exploring the legality of whether he can deport U.S. citizens to prisons in Central American countries, the White House said Tuesday during the press briefing.
“It’s another question that the president has raised,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said when asked if Trump currently has the authority or would need to amend the law to do so.
“It’s a legal question that the president is looking into,” Leavitt added.
She said that Trump “would only consider this, if legal, for Americans who are the most violent, egregious, repeat offenders of crime who nobody in this room wants living in their communities.”
Meanwhile, former president Barack Obama has condemned the Trump administration’s freezing of $2.3 billion in funding to Harvard University as “unlawful” and “ham-handed.”
The White House has frozen more than $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts for Harvard University after the school refused to comply with a long list of demands.
The university said it would not “surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights” after the administration demanded it make sweeping changes to its leadership, governance, and admissions.
Key Points
- Trump exploring legality of deporting U.S. citizens to Central American prisons
- Trump suggests Harvard should lose tax exempt status
- Obama condemns Trump's 'ham-handed' Harvard funding freeze
- Vance says 'good chance' of UK trade deal
- Judge rules Trump officials must testify after doing ‘nothing’ to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia
- Harvard draws a line against Donald Trump while Democrats figure out Resistance 2.0
ANALYSIS: Harvard draws a line against Donald Trump while Democrats figure out Resistance 2.0
22:58 , Oliver O'ConnellJohn Bowden writes:
This week, the oldest (and richest) American educational institution did what one of its peers could not: it defied the Trump administration.
Harvard’s president Alan Garber issued a defiant statement on Monday stating that the university wouldn’t accept a list of demands from the Trump administration he said amounted to a federal takeover of the institution.
Just as with other universities, the Trump administration demanded the university cooperate with federal agencies engaged in prosecuting and, in the case of foreign-born students, targeting for deportation, college students who engaged in a broad range of activities in opposition to the Israeli government’s siege of Gaza. It also would have forced Harvard to end diversity-based hiring policies.
A letter sent to the government in response was itself filled with subtle jabs. It was signed by two familiar faces: Robert Hur, the former Justice Department attorney who oversaw the probe of Joe Biden’s handling of classified materials, and William Burck, outside ethics counsel for the Trump Organization.
Continue reading...
Harvard draws a line against Donald Trump while Democrats figure out Resistance 2.0
Fox News anchor insists she’s ‘just asking the question’ if Obama is ‘antisemitic’ for defending Harvard
22:50 , Oliver O'ConnellFox News anchor Harris Faulkner literally employed the Just Asking Questions trope on Tuesday to openly speculate whether Barack Obama is “antisemitic” because the former president praised Harvard for rejecting the Trump administration’s “ham-handed” effort to regulate the university.
Justin Baragona has the story.
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Fox News anchor is ‘just asking the question’ if Obama is ‘antisemitic’
Mike Johnson opens the door to Medicaid cuts inviting political backlash
22:30 , Oliver O'ConnellRepublicans are eyeing cuts to Medicaid that could kick young Americans off of the program — though many still insist the program won’t be touched.
Despite assurances from a wide range of party figures, including President Donald Trump, it appears as if the upcoming GOP budget proposal will take one big swing at the expansion of Medicaid to cover lower-income Americans.
Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday, when he spoke to Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo.
John Bowden reports from Washington, D.C.
Mike Johnson opens the door to Medicaid cuts and invites political fallout
Judge rules Trump officials must testify after doing ‘nothing’ to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia
22:22 , Oliver O'ConnellLawyers for a wrongfully deported Maryland man will be allowed to depose Trump administration officials to determine whether they complied with a Supreme Court ruling to “facilitate” his return from a brutal El Salvador prison.
“Cancel vacations, cancel other appointments,” Maryland District Judge Paula Xinis told lawyers for the government on Tuesday.
Alex Woodward has the latest.
Trump officials must testify after doing ‘nothing’ to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia
Lawyer: Detained Palestinian activist relieved he hasn't been moved from Vermont
22:10 , APA Palestinian man arrested at a Vermont immigration office during an interview about finalizing his U.S. citizenship is relieved that he hasn't been moved out of state and thankful for those supporting him, his attorney said Tuesday.
Mohsen Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident who led protests against the war in Gaza at Columbia University, was arrested Monday in Colchester, Vermont. A judge later issued an order barring the government from removing him from the state or country, and one of Mahdawi's attorneys confirmed Tuesday afternoon that he remains in Vermont.
Read on...
Lawyer for detained Palestinian activist says client is relieved he hasn't been moved from Vermont
Trump presented with football by Navy Midshipmen as AP makes a return
21:58 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump participated in a Commander-in-Chief Trophy Presentation to the Navy Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy this afternoon at which he was gifted a football and appeared to reveal his aide Walt Nauta’s apparent ambition to be governor of Guam.
Navy Midshipmen present @POTUS with a personalized football:
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 15, 2025
"I'll carry this with me, and I'll pretend I'm a great football player." 🤣 pic.twitter.com/hkwM0085Kv
The event in the East Room of the White House also marked the apparent return of an Associated Press reporter to official events at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, having been banned for a refusal to use the term “Gulf of America.”
A reporter from The AP was allowed into this afternoon's East Room ceremony — the first time the news outlet has been allowed into one of these events since the Trump White House put its ban into place in February.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 15, 2025
Navarro denies spat with Musk despite public feuding on tariffs: 'Elon and I are great'
21:50 , Oliver O'ConnellOne of Donald Trump’s top trade officials, Peter Navarro, denied a blow-up in his relationship with Elon Musk on Sunday after the Twitter and DOGE baron insulted him in several tweets.
Navarro appeared Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press as he and other administration officials discussed the ongoing rollout of the president’s chaotic tariff strategy and the frequent walk-backs of trade policy from the White House.
John Bowden reports from Washington, D.C.
‘Elon and I are great’: Peter Navarro denies spat with Musk despite public feuding
Watch: DHS official confirms clerical error led to Abrego Garcia deportation
21:43 , Oliver O'ConnellDHS official @TriciaOhio tells me on @ABCNewsLive that Kilmer Abrego Garcia was deported due to a “clerical error.”
— Jay O'Brien (@jayobtv) April 15, 2025
WH Advisor Stephen Miller told Fox News yesterday “nobody was mistakenly deported anywhere." pic.twitter.com/NVS9loMsgY
After Bukele visit and prison transfer, El Salvador welcomed into Global Entry partnership
21:39 , Oliver O'ConnellSecretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has announced a new Global Entry partnership with El Salvador, making it one of our 20 partner countries whose citizens can apply for Global Entry membership.
She wrote on X: “This partnership will enhance the speed and accuracy of the arrival process, while protecting national security at the same time. A great step in our partnership with El Salvador!”
.@CBP is announcing a Global Entry partnership with El Salvador, making El Salvador one of our 20 partner countries whose citizens can apply for Global Entry membership. This partnership will enhance the speed and accuracy of the arrival process, while protecting national…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) April 15, 2025
U.S. transfers land on southern border to Army to combat illegal crossings
21:35 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Trump administration announced an emergency transfer of nearly 110,000 acres of federal land along the U.S.-Mexico border to the Army to combat illegal immigration, the Interior Department stated on Tuesday.
The land will be transferred to the Department of the Army for a duration of three years, the agency said.
“Securing our border and protecting our nation's resources go hand in hand,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. “The American people gave President Trump a mandate to make America safe and strong again. This transfer reflects Interior's commitment to public safety, national security and responsible stewardship of our public lands.”
New Hampshire lawyer ‘treated like a criminal’ by border patrol after returning from Canada
21:30 , Oliver O'ConnellMadeline Sherratt reports:
A New Hampshire real estate attorney and an American citizen have claimed they were detained at the U.S. border without explanation.
Bachir Atallah and his wife, Jessica Fakhri, were returning from a family vacation in Canada Sunday when officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped them as they were re-entering the country in Vermont.
“They held us in two separate cells, and neither of us had shoes or a jacket. It was freezing,” Atallah told The Independent Tuesday.
Read on...
New Hampshire lawyer ‘treated like a criminal’ by border patrol
Wall Street closes down slightly as tariff uncertainty keeps investors on edge
21:20 , Oliver O'ConnellU.S. stocks ended slightly lower on Tuesday as tariff uncertainty remained high and shares of consumer and healthcare companies eased, while upbeat results from banks offered some support.
Quarterly results from companies including Bank of America and Citigroup boosted financials, which led S&P 500 sector gainers.
Still, bank executives cautioned that U.S. consumer spending faces significant risks if the disruption caused by President Donald Trump's trade policy continues.
Federal Register filings on Monday revealed that the Trump administration was also moving forward with investigations into imports of pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, as part of an effort to impose tariffs on these sectors.
Trump announced sweeping tariffs on April 2, triggering turmoil in the market and raising concerns about a global trade war and a potential recession. Investors have struggled to focus on much else since then.
Trump has suggested possible exemptions for the 25% tariffs imposed on imports of autos and auto parts, while Canada on Tuesday announced it would permit some relief to domestically based automakers and manufacturers in specific sectors from counter-tariffs, provided they meet certain conditions.
Barclays on Tuesday downgraded the U.S. autos and mobility sector, stating that Trump's tariffs could pressure automakers' earnings. Shares of Ford closed lower.
According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 lost 9.38 points, or 0.17%, ending at 5,396.59 points, while the Nasdaq Composite fell by 10.30 points, or 0.06%, to 16,821.18. The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 155.21 points, or 0.38%, to 40,369.58.
With reporting from Reuters
DOJ lawyer who admitted Abrego Garcia mistakenly deported is fired
21:17 , Oliver O'ConnellErez Reuveni, the second most senior lawyer in the Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Litigation, has been fired after having been placed on administrative leave.
Reuveni admitted in court that the Kilmar Abrego Garcia had been mistakenly deported.
UK PM told to adopt Trump agenda to win trade deal
21:10 , Oliver O'ConnellKeir Starmer will have to embrace Donald Trump’s agenda on “free speech” to get a trade deal over the line, sources close to vice president JD Vance have told The Independent.
The warning came after the vice president gave an interview suggesting that a UK-US trade deal may be close with Mr Trump’s administration “working very hard” on it.
He told UnHerd: “I think there’s a good chance that, yes, we’ll come to a great agreement that’s in the best interest of both countries.”
David Maddox reports from London.
Abrego Garcia's wife says she will not stop fighting for his release
21:07 , Oliver O'ConnellJennifer Vasquez, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, held a press conference outside the court where a status hearing on the case was held today.
“I find myself pleading with the Trump administration and the Bukele administration to stop playing political games with the life of Kilmar. Our family is torn apart during this scary time. Our children miss their dad so much,” she said.
“Enough is enough. My family can’t be robbed from another day without seeing Kilmar. This administration has already taken so much from my children, from Kilmar’s mother, brother, sisters, and me.”
Footage shows chaotic deportation arrest of migrant at federal courthouse
20:50 , Oliver O'ConnellChaotic surveillance footage from inside a federal courthouse showed the moment two ICE agents knocked down an elderly man with a cane as they attempted to arrest a Venezuelan migrant.
Arnuel Marquez Colmenarez, 33, is currently in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in Texas, ICE records show, following the incident at the courthouse in Nashua, New Hampshire, in February.
Mike Bedigan has the story.
Footage shows chaotic arrest of migrant at federal courthouse
Trump exploring legality of deporting U.S. citizens to Central American prisons
20:49 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump is exploring the legality of whether he can deport U.S. citizens to prisons in Central American countries, the White House said Tuesday during the press briefing.
“It’s another question that the president has raised,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said when asked if Trump currently has the authority to send Americans to foreign prisons or would need to amend the law to do so.
“It’s a legal question that the president is looking into,” Leavitt added.
She said that Trump “would only consider this, if legal, for Americans who are the most violent, egregious, repeat offenders of crime who nobody in this room wants living in their communities.”
When asked to elaborate on the administration’s view of the law, Leavitt said, “We’re looking at it, and when I have more to share, I certainly will.”
DOOCY: Deporting American citizens to Central American prisons -- is it legal?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 15, 2025
LEAVITT: Well, it's another question that the president has raised. It's a legal question that the president is looking into. pic.twitter.com/nvMPBVeGW6
Watch: Border czar says sanctuary state leaders should be prosecuted, imprisoned
20:40 , Oliver O'ConnellJudge blocks most of Trump executive order against law firm Susman Godfrey
20:36 , ReutersA judge in Washington on Tuesday blocked most of President Donald Trump's executive order targeting law firm Susman Godfrey, dealing the White House a new legal setback in its campaign against firms that Trump disfavors.
U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan issued a temporary restraining order halting provisions of Trump's directive that threatened to cancel federal contracts held by Susman Godfrey's clients and restricted its lawyers' access to government buildings and officials.
Here’s Justin Baragona with the background as to why Trump is targeting the firm.
Trump targets Dominion lawyers on same day judge finds Newsmax defamed voting company
Full story: Trump threatens Harvard’s tax-exempt status
20:30 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump threatened to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status after the school refused to comply with a list of demands that would align itself more with Trump’s agenda.
In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump continued to intimidate the Ivy League university for rejecting the government’s list of requests – just hours after the administration slashed $2.2 billion in federal funding for the school.
Ariana Baio reports.
Trump threatens Harvard’s tax-exempt status after university defies his demands
Hegseth adviser escorted from Pentagon in leake probe
20:15 , Oliver O'ConnellReuters reports:
One of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's top advisors, Dan Caldwell, was escorted out of the Pentagon on Tuesday after being identified during an investigation into leaks at the Department of Defense, a U.S. official told Reuters.
Caldwell, a senior advisor to Pete Hegseth, was placed on administrative leave for "an unauthorized disclosure," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The decision has not been previously reported.
"The investigation remains ongoing," the official said.
ANALYSIS: Who will benefit most from a new UK-US trade deal?
20:10 , Oliver O'ConnellThe UK may be on the brink of agreeing a new trade deal with the US, after nearly five years of negotiations.
The previous government began discussions for a free trade agreement in May 2020, with then-President Joe Biden’s administration.
Now vice president JD Vance has said that there is a “good chance” a deal could be reached between the two countries, as the world reels from the global trade war prompted by Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Alicja Hagopian and David Maddox take a look at what such a deal might mean in practice.
How DOGE is combing through housing and other data to find migrants
19:50 , Oliver O'ConnellDepartment of Government Efficiency staffers have been given access to government databases containing private information about where people work or live - all with the intention of identifying undocumented immigrants and assisting in President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.
Those databases - at agencies such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Social Security Administration and IRS - contain private information that immigrants of all statuses have submitted about themselves, believing the information would not be used against them.
Ariana Baio has the details.
DOGE is combing through government data to find people for Trump’s deportation plans
Watch: White House denies Trump's position on Canada has shifted
19:40 , Oliver O'ConnellCANADIAN REPORTER: President Trump's tone on Canada has shifted. He stopped talking about Canada becoming the 51st state, at least publicly.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 15, 2025
LEAVITT: I would reject that the president's position on Canada has shifted. Perhaps he just hasn't been asked about Canada. He believes… pic.twitter.com/ZCcZi01ow0
Cory Booker calls for insider trading hearings after Trump’s tariff backtrack
19:30 , Oliver O'ConnellNew Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker is calling for congressional hearings into allegations of insider trading after President Donald Trump urged people to buy stocks before he backtracked on his tariff policy.
“There is enough of an offense here, there’s enough smoke here that should demand congressional hearings,” Booker NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Cory Booker calls for insider trading hearings after Trump’s tariff backtrack
Report: China orders its airlines to stop accepting deliveries of Boeing jets
19:21 , Oliver O'ConnellAccording to a report by Bloomberg News, the Chinese government has instructed the country's domestic airlines to stop acceptance of Boeing jet deliveries as the trade war between the world's two largest economies escalates.
China is also directing its carriers to stop purchasing airline parts and other components from U.S. companies, the outlet reported, citing sources familiar with the situation.
The order to stop accepting Boeing jets follows China's increase of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%. This matches the tariff level imposed by President Donald Trump on Chinese imports, although those taxes can rise as high as 145% for certain products.
China's tariffs would more than double the price of U.S.-made aircraft and parts, rendering the cost unaffordable, Bloomberg noted.
Watch: White House believes not an abuse of power for Trump to target political enemies
19:15 , Oliver O'ConnellReporter: The president has said it would be an abuse of power for the president to direct prosecutors to investigate him. He directed the DOJ to scrutinize Chris Krebs.. How is that not an abuse of power?
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 15, 2025
Leavitt: It’s the position of the president that it’s well within his… pic.twitter.com/B9iRLKsqlu
Piers Morgan confronts WaPo columnist on why he won’t call out Jeff Bezos over Trump
19:10 , Oliver O'ConnellWashington Post columnist Josh Rogin confessed to Piers Morgan this week that he can’t call out his paper’s owner in the same manner he recently did to Bill Maher for “falling into the trap” of being used by Donald Trump, noting that Jeff Bezos could potentially fire him for his criticism.
The admission by Rogin comes days after a fiery exchange on Maher’s HBO show Real Time, which also incidentally featured Morgan. During a panel discussion, Rogin challenged Maher for breaking bread with Trump after being an outspoken critic of the president for years, suggesting the comic had become a pawn in the president’s latest “PR stunt.”
Justin Baragona reports.
Piers Morgan confronts WaPo columnist on why he won’t call out Jeff Bezos over Trump
Watch: White House repeats accusations of human trafficking against Abrego Garcia — with no evidence
18:53 , Oliver O'ConnellLeavitt: "Abrego Garcia was a foreign terrorist. He is an MS-13 gang member. He was engaged in human trafficking." (The White House hasn't provided evidence for any of these claims ... ) pic.twitter.com/Lt250kEI8b
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 15, 2025
White House asked about legality of deporting American citizens to Central American prisons
18:50 , Alex WoodwardDOOCY: Deporting American citizens to Central American prisons -- is it legal?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 15, 2025
LEAVITT: Well, it's another question that the president has raised. It's a legal question that the president is looking into. pic.twitter.com/nvMPBVeGW6
It’s not legal.
Read more...
Trump would like to send ‘homegrowns’ to El Salvador. It’s ‘incredibly illegal’
Trump administration adds to 'national defense area' at southern border
18:45 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Trump administration is expanding military control of federal lands at the southern border.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: “This new national defense area spans 170 miles across the border into Mexico that in the coming weeks, this administration will add more than 90 miles from the state of Texas.”
Leavitt: This new national defense area spans 170 miles across the border into Mexico that in the coming weeks, this administration will add more than 90 miles from the state of Texas pic.twitter.com/Z3YeQ0qcFS
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 15, 2025
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt describes Kilmar Abrego Garcia as “hiding in Maryland” and says: “Based on the sensationalism of many of the people in this room, you would think we deported a candidate for father of the year.”
Leavitt describes Abrego Garcia as "hiding in Maryland" and says, "based on the sensationalism of many of the people in this room, you would think we deported a candidate for father of the year" pic.twitter.com/3Fx5HK9ZfB
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 15, 2025
The White House will hold an Easter worship service for staff on Thursday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announces.
This is part of a weeklong celebration organized by the White House Faith Office ongoing ahead of Easter Sunday, concluding with the Easter Egg roll on Monday.
.@PressSec: "The White House Faith Office has put together an extraordinary week-long celebration currently underway for Holy Week ahead of Easter Sunday. The President signed a Holy Week proclamation, filmed a special presidential video message, and will be hosting a pre-Easter… pic.twitter.com/GgzsEDyCzJ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 15, 2025
Watch LIVE: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt briefs media amid Harvard funding row
18:04 , Oliver O'ConnellPritzker ‘not decided’ on third term as governor amid 2028 rumors
17:50 , Oliver O'ConnellIllinois Governor JB Pritzker has said he has “not decided” on whether to run for a third term in office, fueling rumors that he may be mulling a run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.
“I have not decided if I’m running for re-election,” Pritzker told NBC Chicago, looking ahead to the state’s 2026 gubernatorial race.
Joe Sommerlad has the story.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker ‘not decided’ on third term amid 2028 rumors
Sheinbaum: Mexico negotiating with its northern states to send more water to U.S.
17:48 , Oliver O'ConnellMexico's federal government is negotiating with its northern states to send more water to the United States, the country's president said on Tuesday, following a historic shortfall that led President Donald Trump to threaten tariffs and sanctions.
Mexico is scrambling for solutions after falling critically behind on its obligatory deliveries to the U.S. under an 81-year-old water-sharing treaty.
“Talks are underway with the governors of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Chihuahua to reach a joint agreement to determine how much water can be delivered ... without affecting Mexican producers while also complying with the 1944 treaty,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in her daily press conference.
Read more here:
Mexico to send water to desperate Texas farmers amid Trump’s tariff threats
GOP senator admits he doesn’t know ‘what’s in Trump’s head’ over tariffs
17:37 , Oliver O'ConnellJoe Sommerlad reports.
Senator John Kennedy, typically a keen supporter of President Donald Trump, admitted that he did not know “what’s in his head” after the president’s recent movements on tariffs.
Trump introduced his steep “reciprocal” tariffs on goods exported by America’s allies in the White House Rose Garden earlier this month to much fanfare. He eventually bowed to pressure and suspended them for 90 days after the uncertainty caused traders to panic and sent the stock markets crashing.
The president has since caused further confusion regarding his strategy by insisting there would be no exceptions, just a day after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said smartphones would be exempt.
Interviewing Kennedy on his CNN show Monday, anchor Jake Tapper asked the Louisiana Republican what he made of Trump’s erratic messaging, the former having recently signaled some disquiet on the subject.
Read on...
Republican senator admits he doesn’t know ‘what’s in Trump’s head’ over tariffs
Watch: Trump administration 'using antisemitism as cloak' to target free speech
17:33 , Oliver O'ConnellIn an appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe today, journalist Molly Jong-Fast said that the Trump administration is “using antisemitism as a cloak” to crack down on free speech in universities.
“I'm going to respectfully push back on this. This is thought policing 101. This is not ok... I say this as a Jew. They are using antisemitism as a cloak ... This is about targeting speech ... It has nothing to do with antisemitism and everything to do with authoritarianism.”
Molly: I'm going to respectfully push back on this. This is thought policing 101. This is not ok.They are using anti-antisemitism as a cloak...This is about targeting speech....It has nothing to do with anti-antisemitism and everything to do with authoritarianism. pic.twitter.com/afl3ZlsP20
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 15, 2025
Recap: Obama applauds Harvard for rejecting Trump administration’s ‘ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom’
17:30 , Oliver O'ConnellFormer President Barack Obama has praised Harvard for rejecting the Trump administration’s “ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom.”
Obama said that in refusing to buckle to the White House’s demands, the Ivy League university has set an example for other higher education institutions and hopes they will also “follow suit.”
Rhian Lubin reports.
Obama applauds Harvard for rejecting Trump’s ‘attempt to stifle academic freedom’
Latest: Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s attorneys complain about Trump administration’s inaction
17:10 , Joe SommerladHere’s an update from attorneys for Abrego Garcia, the man wrongly deported to an El Salvador jail by the Trump administration and not returned, ahead of this afternoon’s status conference in the case:
“The government contends that the term ‘facilitate’ is limited to ‘remov[ing] any domestic obstacles that would otherwise impede the alien’s ability to return here.’
“Not so. The Supreme Court ordered the government… to ‘facilitate’ Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador.
“That order is rendered null if construed solely to require removing ‘domestic obstacles.’
“To give any meaning to the Supreme Court’s order, the government should at least be required to request the release of Abrego Garcia.
“To date, the government has not done so.
“Since this Court’s April 10 order on remand, clarifying that the government is required to ‘take all available steps to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia to the United States as soon as possible’… and this Court’s April 11 order requiring daily updates… the government’s updates do not indicate that any steps have been taken to comply with this Court’s and the Supreme Court’s orders.
“There is no evidence that anyone has requested the release of Abrego Garcia.”
Kristi Noem is annoying ICE officials with her ‘made-for-TV’ approach to Homeland Security
16:50 , Joe SommerladThe Homeland Security Secretary is irritating some Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) officials with her “made-for-TV” approach to running the department, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Noem has been accused by some Department of Homeland Security insiders of jeopardizing an ICE raid in New York City in January after she posted about it on social media while the operation was still ongoing.
“We are doing this right – doing exactly what President DonaldTrump promised the American people – making our streets safe. Live this AM from NYC. I’m on it,” Noem wrote on her X account on January 28 at 4.43am, with a photo of herself wearing an ICE baseball cap surrounded by flashing lights.
The post “undercut the element of surprise,” people familiar with the raid told the Journal.
The department’s top spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, told the outlet that the raid was almost over when Noem posted about it on social media.
Still, people familiar with the plans claimed it resulted in fewer arrests than planned, according to the outlet.
Rhian Lubin has more.
Noem is annoying ICE officials with her ‘made-for-TV’ approach to Homeland Security
Fox News host teaches Trump how to say ‘Make America Great Again’ in Spanish
16:30 , Joe SommerladRachel Campos-Duffy took the opportunity during her new interview with the president to teach him how to say his political slogan “Make America Great Again” in Spanish, although the president’s interpretation wasn’t quite on the nose.
The two-part interview is set to air on Tuesday and Wednesday on Fox Noticias, an afternoon news show on the Spanish-language Fox Deportes network.
The conversation with Campos-Duffy, a MAGA diehard whose husband (former Fox host Sean Duffy) is the president’s transportation secretary, took place shortly after Trump met with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele in the White House.
Here’s more from Justin Baragona.
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Fox News host teaches Donald Trump how to say ‘Make America Great Again’ in Spanish
U.S wants 'tough, fair deal' with Iran
16:13 , Rachel ClunThe U.S only wants a nuclear deal with Iran if it’s a “Trump deal”, the administration’s key negotiator said, after Iran’s supreme leader made his first public remarks following the first round of meetings on the weekend.
In couched language Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the initial talks over a nuclear agreement went “well”, ahead of a second round of talks this Saturday.
"We shouldn't be overly optimistic about this dialogue, nor overly pessimistic," he said on Tuesday, according to state television.
“The negotiations may lead to results, or they may not.”
Special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said: “A deal with Iran will only be completed if it is a Trump deal.
“Any final arrangement must set a framework for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East -- meaning that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program,” he said.
“It is imperative for the world that we create a tough, fair deal that will endure, and that is what President Trump has asked me to do.”
Trump claims China is 'brutal' to American farmers
15:58 , Rachel ClunThe president says his administration would protect American farmers after reports China has ordered airlines to halt their purchases of aircraft equipment.
“Our farmers are GREAT, but because of their GREATNESS, they are always put on the Front Line with our adversaries, such as China, whenever there is a Trade negotiation or, in this case, a Trade War,” he wrote on social media.
“The same thing happened in my First Term. China was brutal to our Farmers.”
Trump sad he made “a great trade deal” with China handed out billions to farmers as a result.
“Interestingly, they just reneged on the big Boeing deal, saying that they will “not take possession” of fully committed to aircraft. The USA will PROTECT OUR FARMERS!!!” he said.
Biden to deliver speech later today
15:43 , Rachel ClunFormer president Joe Biden is set to deliver a speech later today focusing on how Donald Trump’s agenda threatens the social security system.
The 82-year-old has largely avoided speaking in public since he left the White House in January.
In the intervening months, Trump has repeatedly blamed the former president for a host of problems, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Biden is expected to fight back against some of those allegations in an address to the national conference of Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled in Chicago this evening.
"As bipartisan leaders have long agreed, Americans who retire after paying into Social Security their whole lives deserve the vital support and caring services they receive," said Rachel Buck, executive director of the ACRD, AP reports.
"We are thrilled the president will be joining us to discuss how we can work together for a stable and successful future for Social Security."
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Trump tariffs bring diamond markets to a standstill
15:29 , Daniel ThomasThe Trump administration’s new tariff rollout has brought global diamond markets to a standstill, despite a temporary pause in implementation, according to a key gemstone trading house.
Shipments in Antwerp, the global diamond trading hub, have dropped to one-seventh of their usual volume due to the knock-on disruption caused by the base 10 percent tariff rate, Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of the Antwerp Diamond Centre, told the Financial Times.
“It’s disrupting the industry,” she said. “Everything literally ground to a halt.”
Americans are the world’s largest consumers of diamonds, accounting for 54 percent of global polished diamond sales in 2023, according to statistics from gemstone retailer Delagem, but U.S. markets are entirely reliant on imports, primarily from India’s extensive polishing industry.
Trump suggests Harvad should lose tax exempt status
15:19 , Rachel ClunIn an escalating fight with Harvard University the president has suggested the institution should lose its tax exemption.
Yesterday, the university rejected sweeping demands from the White House to overhaul its leadership, governance and admissions policies, and the administration froze $2.3 billion in funding in response.
After a Department of Health and Human Services task force accused Harvard of refusing to take the harassment of Jewish students seriously, Trump also weighed in.
“Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’” he wrote on social media.
“Remember, Tax Exempt Status is totally contingent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST!”
EU says U.S must ‘define its position’ on tariffs
14:59 , Rachel ClunThe EU’s top trade representative was in Washington yesterday for the first face-to-face meeting following the introduction and subsequent pause on aggressive tariffs.
Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic spent a couple of hours in meetings with his U.S counterparts, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Tensions between the European bloc and America had heightened after the EU voted to impose retaliatory tariffs of 25 per cent on some U.S goods after Donald Trump announced higher duties for European goods.
Olof Gill, EU Commission Spokesperson for Trade, said the EU would continue to approach negotiations “in a constructive manner” but said both sides needed to bring something to the table.
“It is clear that significant joint efforts will be needed to achieve a successful outcome within the 90-day window,” Mr Gill said.
The EU is doing its part. Now, it is necessary for the US to define its position.”
Tariff income could be 'so great' it replaces income tax: Trump
14:41 , Rachel ClunThe president has suggested that government income from high tariffs could replace income tax.
Asked in a preview of an interview on Fox News whether tariffs could replace income tax, Trump said the interviewer is the “only person that’s asked me that”.
He continued: "There is chance that the money from tariffs could be so great it would replace [income tax],” he said.
“You know, in the old days, about 1870 to about 1913 the tariffs were the only form of money, and that’s when our nation was relatively the richest; we were the richest.”
Trump learns 'Make America great again' in Spanish
14:27 , Rachel ClunDonald Trump has learned - in part - how to say “Make America great again”.
In a preview of an interview with his preferred television network Fox, the host says she would like to teach the president how to say “let’s make America great again” in Spanish, and gives Trump the phrase.
“Vamos hacer America grande otra vez,” she said.
“America grande otra vez,” Trump replied, which is “America great again”.
Trump tells Fox he would 'love' to send 'homegrown criminals' to El Salvador
14:04 , Rachel ClunThe president said he would love to send “homegrown criminals to prisons in El Salvador.
The comments come after Trump hosted El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele at the White House on Monday.
The Central American leader has accepted more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants from America and put them in the country’s notorious gang prison.
In a preview of a Fox interview airing later today, Trump said Bukele was building other “very big prisons”.
“We’re using his system because we’re getting rid of our criminals from out of the United States that were allowed to come in by Biden,” he said.
Asked whether America could also extradite its own citizens who were criminals to El Salvador, Trump said he called them “homegrown criminals”.
“We are looking into it and we want to do it, I would love to do that,” he said.
Justice Department charges man with arson at New Mexico Tesla dealership and GOP headquarters
14:00 , Gustaf KilanderAlanna Durkin Richer and Eric Tucker write:
The Justice Department has charged a man with vandalizing a Tesla dealership in New Mexico and setting fire to the headquarters of the state Republican Party, according to court records unsealed Monday.
A criminal complaint charges Jamison R. Wagner, 40, with federal arson charges in connection with the vandalism in February at a Tesla showroom in Bernalillo, where authorities found two Tesla Model Y vehicles ablaze as well as spray-painted graffiti messages including “Die Elon" and “Die Tesla Nazi.”
Elon Musk is the billionaire CEO of Tesla and a close ally of President Donald Trump who has helped engineer a massive downsizing of the federal government and purge of employees.
Read more:
Justice Department charges man with arson at New Mexico Tesla dealership and GOP headquarters
Why Trump is jailing student activists in Louisiana, where thousands of immigrants are detained in private prisons
13:45 , Gustaf KilanderAlex Woodward writes:
Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil was arrested in his apartment building, sent to a New Jersey detention center and then flown to a facility in Louisiana. Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk was on her way to dinner with friends when she was arrested, moved to facilities in New Hampshire and Vermont, and then sent to another Louisiana detention center. Georgetown University Badar Khan Suri was shipped to a facility in Texas after spending three days in yet another Louisiana detention center.
A series of high-profile arrests targeting international student activists and academics for their Palestinian activism — and decisions from Donald Trump’s administration to detain them hundreds of miles away in remote prisons — have renewed scrutiny into a sprawling network of facilities plagued by reports of abuse and neglect.
Watch: Gavin Newsom launches international campaign to encourage Canadians to visit California in dig at Trump
13:30 , Joe SommerladThe Golden State’s governor has said the scheme is being launched in response to “recent declines in tourism created by Donald Trump’s policies.”
China accuses U.S agents of cyberattacks
13:15 , Rachel ClunChina’s foreign ministry has urged the U.S. to “adopt a responsible attitude on cybersecurity issues and stop its cyberattacks”, after reports police were investigating three people with suspected links to American spy agencies.
Chinese state media foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reported police in the northern city of Harbin were pursuing three operatives linked to the National Security Agency for suspected cyberattacks in China.
China’s Global Times reports that investigations found the three were involved in cyberattacks against information infrastructure during the Asian Winter Games.
Vance attacks ‘left-wing industrial complex’ over Kilmar Abrego Garcia
13:11 , Joe SommerladThe vice president complains on X that the administration’s refusal to do anything about the wrongful deportation of a Maryland father is getting too much media coverage.
The entire American media and left wing industrial complex has decided the most important issue today is that the Trump admin deported an MS-13 gang member (and illegal alien) https://t.co/SFExbBxohM
— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 15, 2025
This exchange pretty much sums the situation up:
No one is saying that. No one at all. We’re proposing that you:
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) April 15, 2025
1) Pick up the phone
2) Call Bukele
3) Ask him to release the guy you sent there BY MISTAKE, a guy who has not broken laws in El Salvador and presumably is not being held on violation of Salvadoran laws.
That’s it. https://t.co/bGTnFg3yx6
Harvard refusing to take harassment of Jewish students seriously, task force claims
13:05 , Joe SommerladThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has just issued this statement on behalf of its task force and the row surrounding federal funding for Harvard University:
“Harvard’s statement reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges – that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws.
“The disruption of learning that has plagued campuses in recent years is unacceptable.
“The harassment of Jewish students is intolerable. It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support.
“The Joint Task Force to combat anti-Semitism is announcing a freeze on $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60m in multi-year contract value to Harvard University.”
Trump hails Nvidia AI supercomputer deal as start of 'Golden Age'
12:55 , Joe SommerladHere’s the president’s first Truth Social post of the day:
NVIDIA COMMITS 500 BILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD A.I. SUPERCOMPUTERS, PLUS, IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCLUSIVELY. This is very big and exciting news. All necessary permits will be expedited and quickly delivered to NVIDIA, as they will to all companies committing to be part of the Golden…
— Trump Posts on 𝕏 (@trump_repost) April 15, 2025
He follows that up with the following claim about the US-Mexico border:
BORDER CROSSINGS HIT ALL TIME RECORD LOW IN MARCH!!!
— Trump Posts on 𝕏 (@trump_repost) April 15, 2025
Harvard 'will not surrender its independence'
12:45 , Rachel ClunHarvard University publicly responded to demands from the Trump administration to overhaul its leadership, governance and student admissions or face losing billions in federal funding.
In a letter from its lawyers - including Robert K. Hur previously appointed by Donald Trump to serve as U.S Attorney for the District of Maryland - the university said it would “not surrender its independence”.
Harvard said it has undertaken “substantial” work to improve its policies and tackle antisemitism to make its campus a “place in which everyone can thrive”, and said it was unfortunate the administration had overlooked those efforts.
“The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government. Accordingly, Harvard will not accept the government's terms as an agreement in principle,” the letter said.
Analysis: How Harvard became the first university to push back against Trump
12:31 , Josh MarcusHarvard has become the first of six Ivy League schools to formally oppose the Trump administration’s demands. Josh Marcus reports:
After Colombia agreed to sweeping changes in March, at least 60 universities were warned they could soon be the next to potentially lose hundreds of millions or even billions in federal funding if they didn’t fall in line with president Donald Trump’s vision of campus civil rights.
By late March, the administration was making its boldest push yet, threatening to cut off some $9 billion in federal funding to Harvard.
Then, in the last few days, Harvard, the nation’s oldest and richest university, began to push back more forcefully than any of the other five Ivy League schools that have faced administration funding threats.
How Harvard became the first university to push back against Trump’s campus crackdown
Obama condemns Trump's 'ham-handed' Harvard funding freeze
12:08 , Rachel ClunFormer president Barack Obama has condemned the Trump administration’s freezing $2.3 billion in funding to Harvard University as “unlawful” and “ham-handed”.
Earlier, the White House froze more than $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts for Harvard University after the school refused to comply with a lengthy list of demands including sweeping leadership and admissions reforms.
Obama said on social media that other schools should follow Harvard’s lead.
“Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope other institutions follow suit,” he wrote on X.
French PM said tariff hikes have caused 'a tsunami of destabilization'
11:54 , Rachel ClunThe French prime minister said Donald Trump’s tariffs have caused a global storm and hit trust across the world.
Francois Bayrou warned it was a moment of truth for France as it attempts to fix its public finances, adding that in his view, Trump had created “a tsunami of destabilization”.
"The fact that this power has gone over to the side of the aggressors is a dramatic turn of events, a warning shot that ruins our fundamental vision of the world," Bayrou said.
FTSE surges amid 'good chance' of U.S-U.K tariff deal
11:34 , Rachel ClunThe U.K’s FTSE 100 index has surged this morning following comments from vice president J.D. Vance that there was a “good chance” of a tariff deal with the U.K.
Ahead of lunchtime in U.K trading the stock was up 1 percent, building on Monday’s strong gains to take it to 8,215 points and up 3.8 percent from five days ago.
Earlier, Vance said the Trump administration was “working very hard” with the British government to find a deal.
“The president really loves the United Kingdom. He loved the Queen. He admires and loves the King. It is a very important relationship. And he’s a businessman and has a number of important business relationships in [Britain]. But I think it’s much deeper than that,” he told UnHerd website.
“There’s a real cultural affinity. And, of course, fundamentally, America is an Anglo country. I think there’s a good chance that, yes, we’ll come to a great agreement that’s in the best interest of both countries.”
Indonesia proposes to spend billions more on U.S oil and gas
11:23Indonesia, facing the prospect of 32 percent tariffs on its exports to America, plans to buy billions of dollars more oil and gas to help reduce its trade surplus.
The country’s energy minister Bahlil Lahadalia told local media on Tuesday that Indonesia will propose increasing its crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas imports from the U.S. by about $10 billion in tariff negotiations.
Indonesian officials are preparing to leave for Washington later on Tuesday for trade talks. In all, the country plans to by U.S goods worth up to $19 billion to cover the trade surplus with the U.S.
Indonesia’s government has previously said it would also reduce import duties on U.S. steel, mining products and health equipment.
UN trade body urges U.S to exclude vulnerable countries from steep tariffs
11:07 , Rachel ClunThe United Nations’ trade body has urged the U.S to exclude vulnerable and small economies from its aggressive tariff increases.
In a new report, UN Trade and Development found that in many instances the reciprocal tariffs risked devastating developing and the least developed economies that trade with America, while doing little to reduce the U.S. trade deficits.
Last week Donald Trump paused reciprocal tariffs that were higher than 10 per cent for dozens of trading partners for 90 days. Those additional tariffs ranged from 11 per cent for Cameroon to 50 per cent for Lesotho.
In all 57 countries are affected. Eleven of them are among the least developed in the world, the UN trade body said, and 28 of those 57 nations account for less than 0.1 per cent of America’s deficits.
The report noted that several of the countries produce agricultural goods that are not produced in the U.S, or which have few subsitutes such as vanilla from Madagascar.
Watch: Trump tears into journalist over deportation questions
What's at stake for U.K in trade talks with U.S?
10:36 , Rachel ClunVice president J.D Vance said there was a “good chance” of a trade deal between the U.S and the U.K, which is good news for Britain given the significance of its trade relationship with America.
The U.S is the U.K’s largest export partner, according to the Office for National Statistics.
In 2023, the U.K exported £60.4 billion ($80 billion) worth of goods to America, making up 15.3 percent of all the U.K’s goods exports that year.
Machinery and transport equipment were the main exports, and the U.S. is the U.K’s largest export partner for cars, taking £6.4 billion in cars in 2023.
The U.K also exports chemicals, including medicines and pharmaceutical products.
The timeline of Trump's changing tariffs
10:21 , Rachel ClunSince his inauguration less than three months ago, Donald Trump has made many changes to tariff plans.
Here’s a timeline of the key moments so far:
- January 20 - Announced additional 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico.
- February 1 - Adds 10 per cent tariffs on China.
- February 10 - Introduces 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum exports to the U.S.
- March 4 - Canada, China and Mexico tariffs come into effect.
- March 26 - Announces 25 percent tariff on all cars and car parts shipped to the U.S.
- April 2 - Reveals 10 percent tariff on any country exporting goods to U.S, unless tariffs already exist. Announces even higher reciprocal tariffs for dozens of countries.
- April 9 - Higher tariffs take effect, but within hours Trump announces a 90-day pause – except the general 10 percent increase. China tariffs are lifted to 145 percent.
- April 11 - Trump administration exempts electronic goods.
- April 12-13 - Trump says new tariffs on semiconductors and chips will be introduced, administration says tech exemption will be temporary.
Obama lauds Harvard's stance against Trump administration demands
10:06Former president Barack Obama says other universities should follow Harvard’s example, after the prestigious school refused to take on the Trump administration’s demands.
Earlier, the administration froze more than $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts for Harvard University after the school refused to comply with the White House’s list of demands which included broad leadership, governance and admissions reforms.
Harvard said: “The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.”
Obama said on social media that other schools should follow Harvard’s lead.
“Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope other institutions follow suit,” he said.
Chinese airlines to halt Boeing deliveries
09:51 , Rachel ClunChinese airlines have been ordered not to take any more deliveries of Boeing aircraft in response to the U.S. decision to lift tariffs on Chinese goods to 145 percent, Bloomberg News reports.
Sources familiar with the matter told the news services that Beijing has also asked airlines to stop purchasing any aircraft-related equipment and parts from U.S. companies.
Airlines that lease Boeing jets and are now facing higher costs could also receive assistance from the Chinese government, the sources told Bloomberg.
UK must vote down any Trump deal that 'undercuts' Britain: Ed Davey
09:34 , Rachel ClunU.K Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey says parliament must vote down any tariff deal with the U.S that “undercuts British farmers” or negatively impacts the NHS.
“A good trade deal with the US could bring huge benefits, but Trump is an unreliable partner who breaks deals whenever he feels like it. He and his sidekick JD Vance must not be allowed to bully their way into a bad trade deal for the UK,” he said.
"The Government must commit to protecting our NHS, farmers and online safety laws, not barter them away just to appease Donald Trump."
Irish deputy premier says any tariff hikes during negotiations would be 'bizarre'
09:21 , Rachel ClunIreland’s deputy premier said it would be “bizarre” for the U.S to raise tariffs further while in negotiations with the European Union.
"In any good faith negotiation, you should never take any action to escalate the situation,” Simon Harris said ahead of a cabinet meeting in Dublin on Tuesday.
"I mean, it would be bizarre and not good if, whilst in the middle of talks about trade, one of the parties to the talks was to do something that could cause economic damage or harm to the other.
Donald Trump has singled out pharmaceutical companies operating out of Ireland for higher duties, but Harris said the companies were based there for access to the European market which could “only be good for the American economy as well”.
"So this is an interconnected, interdependent relationship, and I really hope, if time and space is given to some standards of meaningful talks, that good progress can be made on this,” Harris said.
UK welcomes vice president's comments on trade negotiations
08:58 , Rachel ClunThe UK’s Business and Trade Minister Sarah Jones welcomed J.D. Vance’s comments, saying Britain was in a “good position” to negotiate.
Yesterday, the vice president said Donald Trump was “working very hard” on an agreement with Britain to potentially lift or ease damaging tariffs.
Speaking to LBC, Jones said: "The conversations are ongoing, I can't update more than that.
"We know we're in a good position. We are having good conversations. The Secretary of State (Jonathan Reynolds) has been having good conversations with his partners, and there is a deal there to be done, but as to when that will be done I wouldn't be able to tell you, but it's positive that the vice president is positive about our negotiations."
South Korea working to delay reciprocal tariffs in Trump talks
08:13 , Rachel ClunSouth Korea is working to delay reciprocal tariffs “as much as possible”, the country’s finance minister said.
Choi Sang-mok told parliament that the country was negotiating with the U.S. over tariffs of 25 percent which have been delayed by 90 days by the Trump administration.
"From our national interest perspective, the idea is to negotiate as much as possible and wrap it up under the new government," he said, when asked about Seoul’s response.
South Korea will hold a snap election on June 3 to pick a new president, after Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted this month over his controversial and short-lived martial law declaration in December.
Xi Jinping urges Vietnam to oppose 'unilateral bullying'
07:58 , Rachel ClunChinese President Xi Jinping has urged Vietnam to “oppose unilateralism and bullying practices” as the trade war between Beijing and the U.S continues.
Xi is on a state visit to the South Asian nation, which also faces high export duties to the U.S under the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariff program.
State media outlet Xinhua reported the Chinese president as urging Vietnam to join Beijing in opposing unilateralism and protectionism.
While Xi did not mention America by name, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the U.S was hurting the entire world with its high tariffs.
“The U.S. uses tariff as a weapon to exert maximum pressure and seek selfish gains, and puts its own interests over the public good of the international community,” Lin Jian said in a press conference on Monday.
“This is a typical move of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, which severely hurts the interests of China, the EU and the rest of the world.”
White House freezes $2.2b in Harvard funding
07:36 , Rachel ClunThe Trump administration is freezing more than $2.2 billion in grants for Harvard University after the school refused to comply with the White House’s list of demands.
The funding freeze, as well as a freeze on $60 million in contracts, comes as the White House continues to try and push the country’s most prestigious universities to comply with Donald Trump’s agenda.
The White House has targeted seven schools, including Harvard, demanding broad leadership, governance and admissions reforms.
In a letter to Harvard, the administration made a long list of demands including that Harvard scrap all diversity, equity and inclusion programs, that it reform its admissions for international students and provide audits of its international student program, and crack down on student groups.
Harvard defied the Trump administration's orders, saying in a reply letter: “The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.”
The administration has also paused federal funding for Brown, Princeton, Cornell, Northwestern, and the University of Pennsylvania. Colombia was also targeted, and the school acquiesced to the government’s demands.
Vance says 'good chance' of UK trade deal
07:18 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarU.S. vice president JD Vance said Washington was "working very hard" there was a "good chance" a trade deal could be reached with the UK.
"We're certainly working very hard with Keir Starmer's government," Vance told UnHerd website.
U.S. president Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on imports to the U.S., rocking the world economy, sending stock prices tumbling and sparking fears of a global recession.
Since then, Trump has rowed back on tariffs, reducing the rate paid on imports from most countries to 10 per cent and, on Saturday, exempting electronics such as smartphones and laptops from the levy.
“The president really loves the United Kingdom. He loved the Queen. He admires and loves the King. It is a very important relationship. And he’s a businessman and has a number of important business relationships in [Britain]. But I think it’s much deeper than that.
“There’s a real cultural affinity. And, of course, fundamentally, America is an Anglo country. I think there’s a good chance that, yes, we’ll come to a great agreement that’s in the best interest of both countries.” he added.
Vance added that the “reciprocal relationship” between the US and UK gave Britain a more advantageous position than other European countries to negotiate new trade agreements.
"While we love the Germans, they are heavily dependent on exporting to the United States but are pretty tough on a lot of American businesses that would like to export into Germany."
Trump says Xi in Vietnam to figure out how to 'screw' U.S.
07:16 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump claimed Chinese president Xi Jinping was visiting Southeast Asian countries to find ways to "screw" the U.S.
China and Vietnam signed dozens of cooperation agreements yesterday, strengthening ties between the communist-run countries during Xi's visit to Hanoi.
Xi is in Vietnam for the first leg of a Southeast Asia tour, as Beijing tries to present itself as a stable alternative to an erratic Trump following his imposition of sweeping tariffs. Xi warned that protectionism "leads nowhere" and that a trade war would have "no winners".
Reacting to his visit, Trump said: "I don’t blame China; I don’t blame Vietnam.""That’s a lovely meeting. Meeting like, trying to figure out, ‘how do we screw the United States of America?’”
Vietnam was hit by one of the highest tariffs of 46 per cent earlier this month.
WATCH: El Salvador's president won't release man mistakenly deported to his jails
07:00 , Gustaf KilanderTrump claims he wants to boost American manufacturing. But the industry is already in chaos over his tariffs
06:00 , Gustaf KilanderPresident Donald Trump claims he wants to boost American manufacturing, but his tariff policies appear to be doing the very opposite, creating chaos and uncertainty.
The administration’s back-and-forth policies are making it more difficult for U.S. companies to both sell and make their products.
Costs are going up as demand is decreasing, as buyers — domestic and international — slow down their spending amid the uncertainty. The new American trade policy is turning the international trading system upside down and creating chaos in the financial markets as the risk of a recession rises.
Read more:
Trump claims he wants to boost manufacturing. But the industry is in tariff chaos
Nvidia plans to manufacture AI chips in the US for the first time
05:00 , Gustaf KilanderSarah Parvini writes:
Nvidia announced Monday that it will produce its artificial intelligence supercomputers in the United States for the first time.
The tech giant said it has commissioned more than one million square feet of manufacturing space to build and test its specialized Blackwell chips in Arizona and AI supercomputers in Texas — part of an investment the company said will produce up to half a trillion dollars of AI infrastructure in the next four years.
Read more:
Nvidia plans to manufacture AI chips in the US for the first time
Gen. Caine has taken over as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
04:00 , Gustaf KilanderLolita C. Baldor writes:
Air Force Gen. Dan Caine has been sworn in as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after a flurry of paperwork was finished to allow him to fill the job nearly two months after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor.
A formal White House ceremony is expected to take place this week.
Caine, a decorated F-16 fighter pilot and well-respected officer, took over on Saturday after Trump signed the necessary documents. He will serve the remainder of the four-year term of Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., who was fired by Trump as part of a broader purge of military officers believed to endorse diversity and equity programs.
Read more:
Gen. Caine has taken over as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
WATCH: Trump repeatedly attacks CNN during sit-down with El Salvador President
03:00 , Gustaf KilanderEl Salvador President Nayib Bukele says he won’t return man who was mistakenly deported from U.S.
02:00 , Gustaf KilanderAndrew Feinberg and Alex Woodward write:
The Trump administration is refusing to ask El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, to release a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to his country and incarcerated in a notorious prison — and Bukele isn't interested in releasing him, either.
Bukele, who met with Trump in the Oval Office on Monday, was asked by a reporter if he’d consider releasing Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who was living in Maryland before he was arrested and deported back to his home country last month despite an immigration judge’s years-old order preventing the government from deporting him.
Read more:
Bukele won’t commit to returning man who was mistakenly deported from U.S.
Possible motive revealed after arson attack on PA Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home
01:00 , Gustaf KilanderKatie Hawkinson and James Liddell write:
A suspected terrorist has been accused of setting alight Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s mansion Saturday evening, forcing his family and other guests to flee the residence.
Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, was detained in connection with the alleged “targeted” attack just hours after Shapiro and his family dined to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover at his home in the state capital Saturday, officials say. Balmer is accused of throwing beer bottles full of gasoline into the home.
Now, new details, including a possible motive for the attack, have been revealed in unsealed court documents. Balmer held a deep hatred for Shapiro and told officers if the governor had been home when the attack occurred, he would “beat him with a hammer,” reports WHTM.
Suspect arrested for arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home
Most Republican lawmakers are skipping town halls during long congressional break
Tuesday 15 April 2025 00:15 , Gustaf KilanderAriana Baio has the following story:
Fewer Republican lawmakers are holding town halls during the two-week congressional recess, weeks after the National Republican Congressional Committee chairman advised them to skip town halls or hold virtual town halls.
During the weeks when lawmakers return to their districts, it’s common for many to host town halls to connect with constituents and hear which issues are affecting them.
But it seems many Republicans are taking the advice of Richard Hudson, the NRCC chair, and avoiding them entirely — or at least changing their format, NBC News reported on Monday.
Read more:
Most Republican lawmakers are skipping town halls during long congressional break
Trump administration has no evidence Tufts student was tied to antisemitism or terrorism before ICE arrest, State Dept. memo says
Monday 14 April 2025 23:30 , Gustaf KilanderAlex Woodward writes:
Donald Trump’s administration does not appear to possess any evidence backing up claims of antisemitism and support for a terrorist organization to justify the arrest of a Tufts University doctoral student who was grabbed off the streets by masked federal agents and jailed in a Louisiana detention center.
Lawyers for Turkish PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk told a federal judge in Vermont on Monday that the government is in possession of at least one memo that says Secretary of State Marco Rubio does not have sufficient grounds to revoke her visa and order her removal.
Read more:
‘No evidence’ Tufts scholar was tied to antisemitism or terrorism before ICE arrest
Trump attacks ‘low-rated CNN’ for pressing him and Bukele on illegally deported man: ‘They hate our country!’
Monday 14 April 2025 22:45 , Gustaf KilanderJustin Baragona writes:
President Donald Trump repeatedly attacked CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins during an Oval Office meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, claiming her network “hates our country” and personally insulting her as “low-rated” as she pressed both leaders on the status of a wrongly deported Maryland man.
While the president seemed to relish in bashing one of his favorite media targets in front of the populist right-wing El Salvadoran leader, Collins’ questions led to both Bukele and the White House refusing to commit to the safe return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national living in Maryland who was sent to El Salvador’s notorious CECO prison complex last month.
Read more:
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Trump attacks ‘low-rated CNN’ for pressing him and Bukele on illegally deported man
Harvard refuses to comply with Trump administration’s demands over $9 billion
Monday 14 April 2025 22:25 , Gustaf KilanderHarvard University rejected a list of demands from the Trump administration that would require sweeping changes at the higher education institution to secure back nearly $9 billion in federal funding, saying it would not allow itself “to be taken over by the federal government.”
In a letter to administration officials on Monday, lawyers for the university said the list of demands the government sent in early April “go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration” and refused to agree to the terms.
Trump administration officials had demanded Harvard end all diversity, equity and inclusion policies, crack down on student protesters, limit the power of students and faculty over school leaders, cooperate with federal law enforcement like the Department of Homeland Security and more.
Read more:
Harvard refuses to comply with Trump administration’s demands over $9 billion
Cory Booker calls for insider trading hearings after Trump’s tariff backtrack
Monday 14 April 2025 22:00 , Gustaf KilanderNew Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker is calling for congressional hearings into allegations of insider trading after President Donald Trump urged people to buy stocks before he backtracked on his tariff policy.
“There is enough of an offense here, there’s enough smoke here that should demand congressional hearings,” Booker NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday.
Last week, Democratic members of Congress began pressing for answers as to whether the president, his family, administration officials and allies had improperly traded after Trump declared “this is a great time to buy” following chaos in the market after his sweeping tariffs went into effect.
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Cory Booker calls for insider trading hearings after Trump’s tariff backtrack
DHS spokesperson compares Abrego Garcia to Bin Laden
Monday 14 April 2025 21:49 , Gustaf KilanderDHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin compared Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, to Osama Bin Laden during an appearance on Fox News.
“The media would love for you to believe that this is a media darling, that he's just a Maryland father,” she said. “Well, Osama bin Laden was also a father, and yet he wasn't a good guy, and they're actually both terrorists.”
