Trump Tracker: Anti-Trump protest in Boca; approval rating drops; Chinese spies in Florida
President Donald Trump continues to drive the nation's political conversation. As policies shift and new controversies emerge, political dynamics are changing fast in Florida and across the country. From protests and legislative moves to international tensions and key headlines out of Florida, each week brings a new set of stories tied to Trump's presidency.
This tracker breaks down what's happening, why it matters, and how it could shape the days ahead.
Hundreds of people lined the grassy area at the edge of the University Commons shopping plaza in Boca Raton on April 19 to protest the policies of President Donald Trump.
Just about everyone carried signs. One said, "No Kings In America Since 1776." Another: "Tyranny Is At Our Door." One sign asked: "What would life be like if your immigrant grandparents had been deported without due process?"
Protestors stood three and four abreast for about a quarter of a mile along Glades Road. Motorists constantly honked their horns. A Boca Raton Police patrol car was parked on the median at Glades Road. The rally, though, was peaceful.
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President Donald Trump's approval ratings on the economy and inflation have fallen after weeks of tariff policy twists and turmoil in the stock market, according to a new poll released April 20.
The CBS News survey of 2,410 Americans found 44% approved of Trump's handling of the economy and 40% approved of his handling of inflation, both down 4% from March 30. The president's overall approval rating dropped to 47% this month, down from 50% in March and 53% in February.
Views on Trump's tariff plans varied depending on respondents' political affiliations. At 91%, nearly all Republicans said Trump has a clear plan on tariffs and trade. Only 43% of independents and 16% of Democrats said the same. In all, 58% of respondents said they oppose new U.S. tariffs on imported goods.
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A former CIA intelligence officer has warned that spying by China is "happening in Florida" with state aerospace, data and engineering businesses listed as prime targets — as well as President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club.
Michele Rigby Assad, who served five CIA tours in the Middle East and now offers corporate security advice, said she has reached out to law-enforcement agencies across the state to alert them. She issued the warning during a talk at Palm Beach Atlantic University on April 10 and in a subsequent interview with The Palm Beach Post.
"We've been trying to get law enforcement in Florida to wake up to the fact that the Chinese are super aggressive," she said during an appearance with former Florida U.S. Sen. George LeMieux as part of the LeMieux Center's Annual Speaker Series at PBAU. "They are around, and they are working here in Florida."
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Diamond Walker is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at dkwalker@gannett.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Donald Trump news: Boca Raton protest, Chinese spies in Florida
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