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Vox
a minute ago
- Vox
Why Trump is picking a fight with Brazil
This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration is imposing new tariffs on Brazil and sanctioning a Brazilian supreme court justice in an extraordinary attempt to interfere in Brazil's domestic politics on behalf of a far-right ally. What's the big picture? President Donald Trump is intensely interested in the criminal case against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of planning a military coup attempt. Trump and his administration have repeatedly accused Brazilian officials of a political 'witch hunt' against Bolsonaro and demanded they drop their case. Bolsonaro, a far-right leader whose supporters stormed government buildings in 2023 following his 2022 electoral defeat, allegedly planned to assassinate Brazilian President Luiz Inácio 'Lula' da Silva and multiple others as part of his attempt to remain in power. How is Trump pressuring Brazil? The Trump administration took two new steps on Wednesday. First, the Treasury Department sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Global Magnitsky Act, a law intended to target foreigners accused of serious human rights violations. (The department alleges violations by de Moraes, including regarding Bolsonaro's prosecution, but nothing like what the law is normally used for.) Second, Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on Brazil, effective immediately rather than on August 1. Brazil has a long-running trade deficit with the US, something Trump claims to want, which makes the tariffs an especially remarkable step. How is Brazil responding? So far, with defiance. Earlier this month, Lula declared that 'No gringo is going to give orders to this president,' and Bolsonaro's trial continues. Brazilians appear to be on his side: Lula's support has risen in recent polls following Trump's threats. The Logoff The email you need to stay informed about Trump — without letting the news take over your life. Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Why does this matter? Trump is attempting to use the US's economic power to interfere in a foreign justice system in an effort to save an ally accused of serious crimes. If he's successful, it's a disturbing go-ahead for other would-be autocrats hoping to cling to power — and even if he's not, it's a shocking use of power on behalf of a perceived personal interest, rather than the interests of the US. And with that, it's time to log off… It's that time again — I, your faithful newsletter author, am back to recommend another episode of Vox's consistently excellent Unexplainable podcast. This time, my colleague Byrd Pinkerton talks with two evolutionary biologists about a decades-long experiment with 12 E. coli colonies. It's a great piece that explores big questions about why evolution on Earth played out the way it did, and whether it would do so again if it were re-run. I hope you give it a listen, and we'll see you back here tomorrow!
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump ‘seriously considering' pardon for Diddy ahead of sentencing
President Trump is reportedly considering granting a pardon to Sean 'Diddy' Combs after an official decision has been made on his latest $50 million bail petition. An administration source told Deadline the president is 'seriously' weighing a pardon for the hip-hop mogul ahead of his sentencing in October. Combs' legal team filed yet another bail package proposal on Tuesday, arguing that most people convicted under the federal Mann Act — an anti-sex trafficking law with a century-old history — are released from jail pending their sentencing. Sources told TMZ on Wednesday that Trump is 'more than open' to pardoning the disgraced music mogul, but only based on Judge Arun Subramanian's ruling on the bail petition. If Diddy is granted bail, Trump will reportedly wait to decide on a pardon until his sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 3. However, if the judge denies bail, a decision will be made immediately. The Bad Boy Records founder was acquitted earlier this month of the sex trafficking and racketeering charges against him but convicted on prostitution-related offenses, including two counts of violating the Mann Act, which is primarily used for prosecuting interstate prostitution crimes. Sources say that Combs' case resonates with Trump because he believes the rapper, much like himself, has been unfairly targeted by the feds. Combs and Trump have a history of running in the same circles in New York City before the president's political pursuits. In a 2012 episode of 'The Apprentice,' Trump described Combs as a 'good friend.' The president first teased the possibility of pardoning Combs in May, saying he hadn't officially been asked by anyone on Diddy's legal team, though he knows 'people are thinking about it.' 'I would certainly look at the facts if I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me,' Trump said at the time, acknowledging that his fellow New York native 'used to really like me a lot' prior to him entering politics. 'I haven't spoken to him in years,' Trump said. 'I think when I ran for politics that relationship sort of busted up. He didn't tell me that, but I read some little bit nasty stuff in the paper.' Combs is facing a maximum of 20 years in prison. _____
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump says US and Pakistan have concluded a trade deal
By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday his administration struck a deal with Pakistan in which Washington will work with Islamabad in developing the South Asian nation's oil reserves. "We have just concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves," Trump wrote on social media. "We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership." Trump's social media post did not provide further details on the deal between the U.S. and Pakistan. The Pakistani embassy in Washington had no immediate comment. Last week, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the United States and Pakistan were "very close" to a trade deal that could come within days, after he met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. Under Trump, Washington has attempted to renegotiate trade agreements with many countries that he threatened with tariffs over what he calls unfair trade relations. Many economists dispute Trump's characterization. The U.S. State Department and Pakistan's foreign ministry, in separate statements after Rubio's meeting with Dar, said last week the two top diplomats stressed in their discussion the importance of expanding trade and ties in critical minerals and mining. "Our teams have been here in Washington discussing, having virtual meetings and a committee has been tasked by the prime minister to fine tune now," Dar said last week about U.S.-Pakistan talks. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
