Latest news with #OliverO'Connell
Gulf Today
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Trump has sent thousands of troops to the Mexico border
Oliver O'Connell On the 2024 campaign trail, Donald Trump pledged to deploy thousands of troops to secure the southern border of the US as part of his strategy to clamp down on illegal immigration. The president's characterisation of the situation at the US-Mexico border as an "invasion" had already been met with criticism, which grew with the idea of the domestic deployment of the military. Democrats, human rights groups, and even some groups within the military itself raised their concerns. Nevertheless, after his inauguration, troops were deployed to the border within a week, with more following along with U-2 spy planes, Stryker combat vehicles, drones, helicopters, and even two Navy destroyers off the west coast and in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico off Texas. Approximately 8,600 active duty troops are now at the US-Mexico border, up from about 2,500 at the end of the Biden administration. Border crossings had fallen sharply in the latter part of Joe Biden's presidency but plunged as Trump took office. Some 8,000 people were arrested after crossing the border illegally this April, the most recent data shows. The corresponding figure for a year earlier in April 2024 was 128,000. In the vernacular of the Trump administration: "Promises made, promises kept." But what exactly are the troops at the border doing, and is their presence the key factor in the reduction of border crossings? Furthermore, how much does this cost, and what is the overall impact on military readiness? Should they be doing something else somewhere else? To date, this has all cost around $525 million, according to a figure from the Department of Defense reported in The New York Times. While the deployments continue to grow, so does the military's authority over territory along the border. The Pentagon has created two narrow strips of land, effectively turning them into parts of nearby US military bases as a buffer zone with Mexico. They are overseen by Army commands at Fort Bliss, near El Paso, Texas, and Fort Huachuca in Arizona. Any migrants entering these areas are considered to be trespassing on military land and can be temporarily detained by US troops until Border Patrol agents arrive. However, this has faced some legal challenges regarding whether migrants are aware they are trespassing in a restricted area, and there is skepticism about whether many such incidents will occur. Critics also argue Trump is carrying out an end run around the longstanding Posse Comitatus Act, which generally bars the military from domestic law enforcement. More than anything, the military's presence seems to provide a deterrent effect to people smugglers and cartels, and the troops won't be going anywhere anytime soon. The border mission is expected to last for years to address cyclical and seasonal increases in migration, Gen. Gregory Guillot, the head of the military's Northern Command, told Congress. On a day-to-day basis, troops support local law enforcement agencies, patrolling on foot, by helicopter, and in combat vehicles in a highly visible surveillance capacity that also underlines their deterrence capabilities. The Stryker combat vehicles being used are 25 tons, seat 11, and have eight wheels, reaching speeds of 60 mph. They are often positioned on a strategic overlook where smugglers and cartel members can see them, and vice versa, as they have optical sights that can spot individuals or groups up to six miles away. To answer the question of what they would otherwise be doing if not deployed at the border, the Times notes that a Stryker battalion in Texas was scheduled for training at Fort Irwin in California and would then deploy to South Korea. Those assignments have been postponed. Other battalions would similarly be training for deployment in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, or other parts of the Indo-Pacific arena. On Capitol Hill, this has raised questions as to whether this is the best use of the military. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island has been particularly vocal in his opposition. As the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, he said on May 8: "It is difficult to explain the border missions as anything but a distraction from readiness."
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
President Trump to sign executive order dramatically shrinking Department of Education: Live updates
Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Thursday directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to dramatically downsize the Department of Education, close to shuttering the federal agency responsible for America's schooling in favor of leaving decision-making up to individual states. The policy, which was recommended in the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 manifesto that Trump once distanced himself from, will reportedly see former wrestling boss McMahon instructed to undertake 'all necessary steps to facilitate the closure… and return education authority to the states.' Meanwhile, Trump's administration has frozen $175 million in federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) over opposition to a transgender swimmer's participation in the institution's training program. It has also sparked a fresh diplomatic spat with France after it was accused of denying entry to the U.S. to a French research scientist after immigration officers searched his phone at an airport and found messages critical of the president. Trump to sign order dismantling Department of Education Attorney General Pam Bondi announces 'severe' charges over Tesla arson attempts Administration freezes $175m in funding to University of Pennsylvania in dispute over trans swimmer President talks recession and redecorating with Laura Ingraham Analysis: Putin's drone attacks make mockery of Trump peace deal for Ukraine 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell Jerce Reyes Barrios, described by his attorneys as a professional soccer player and a youth soccer coach, fled Venezuela for the United States after he was arrested and 'tortured' by 'election shocks and suffocation' for marching in demonstrations protesting Nicolas Maduro's regime. He doesn't have a criminal record, and a judge is scheduled to hear his asylum claims next month, according to his attorney. But last week, Barrios was put on a plane with dozens of other Venezuelan men and sent to a prison in El Salvador. Alex Woodward reports. Lawyers for asylum seekers fear Trump administration deported them for their tattoos 19:20 , Oliver O'Connell Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that 'all nuclear power plants belong to the people of Ukraine' after reports that his US counterpart Donald Trump said an American takeover of the country's nuclear power would offer the 'best protection' for it. In their first conversation since Mr Trump verbally attacked Mr Zelensky in the White House and had him thrown out, the US president reportedly suggested Washington take ownership of Ukraine's energy infrastructure. But Kyiv says the discussions referred only to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian occupation. Jane Dalton reports. Zelensky defies Trump, warning: Hands off my nuclear power stations 19:10 , Oliver O'Connell Jimmy Kimmel has mocked Elon Musk after the Tesla CEO complained that people protesting his electric car company must have 'some kind of mental illness.' Musk, 53, was being interviewed on Fox News when he described protestors as 'deranged.' The comments come after an onslaught of arson attacks have hit Tesla showrooms. The late-night host tried to explain to the billionaire what was happening, as Kevin E G Perry reports. Elon Musk responds after Jimmy Kimmel mocks him over Tesla fires and Nazi salutes 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell A NASA advisor is taking billionaire Elon Musk's Mars plans to task, writing Thursday that the highly ambitious endeavor won't happen 'anytime soon.' Musk, the founder of SpaceX, has repeatedly stated that getting humans to Mars is his end goal. Speaking on Fox News this week, he predicted that a multi-planetary civilization could come as soon as the next 20 to 30 years. Previously, he had predicted that an uncrewed landing on the red planet could happen as soon as 2026, with humans there before 2030. Not so fast, says Dr Paul Sutter... Here's Julia Musto's report. Scientist bluntly blasts Musk's hope to go to Mars in the coming years 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell Billionaire Elon Musk's repeated attacks on Social Security are reportedly causing disquiet among Republicans, who fear any cuts to the welfare service by his Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, will lead to disruption and inspire an angry backlash from their constituents. Joe Sommerlad reports. Republicans want Elon Musk to stay away from Social Security 18:23 , Oliver O'Connell President Donald Trump's administration announced on Thursday an extension of 30 days for New York to end Manhattan's congestion pricing program, originally set to expire on March 21 and which began in January. In February, the U.S. Transportation Department rescinded federal approval of the program, which had been issued under Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on Thursday that the department would grant a one-month extension as discussions continue, but he cautioned on X: 'Know that the billions of dollars the federal government sends to New York are not a blank check. Continued non-compliance will not be taken lightly.' Read Duffy's post in full: .@GovKathyHochul — the federal government and @POTUS are putting New York on refusal to end cordon pricing and your open disrespect towards the federal government is as your high tolls and no free road option are a slap in the face to hard… — Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) March 20, 2025 18:10 , Oliver O'Connell An early investor in Tesla has called for Elon Musk to leave his post as the company's CEO if he doesn't depart from his current job focusing on cutting down the federal government. Ross Gerber told Sky News that Musk has lost his focus and that he's now too 'divisive,' pointing to Musk's leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk's slashing of federal agencies has prompted outrage and protests against Tesla, with owners being urged to sell their vehicles. Gustaf Kilander reports. Major Tesla investor says that Elon Musk should step down as CEO 17:50 , Oliver O'Connell Elon Musk is sending money to members of Congress - including Lauren Boebert - who have expressed support for impeaching judges blocking actions by President Donald Trump and his administration, five people told The New York Times. Musk has handed the largest possible hard-dollar donation under the law, $6,600, to the seven Republicans and their campaigns after they backed impeachments of judges or called for 'action' to be taken against them. This comes after recent rulings against the Trump administration, such as a decision over the weekend by Judge James Boasberg in the Federal District Court in the nation's capital. Gustaf Kilander reports. Rep. Lauren Bobert among Republicans receiving donations from Musk 17:43 , Oliver O'Connell writes: It's been about 90 minutes since the deadline and the Trump administration has not filed a public response to Judge James Boasberg's questions about the El Salvador deportation flights. Lawyers had a noon deadline. It's possible that they might've filed something via email directly to the judge himself to argue to keep that information under seal. After the government pushed for a delay at the last minute yesterday, Boasberg agreed to give them a one-day deadline, 'although their grounds for such request at first blush are not persuasive,' he wrote. The administration has been stonewalling over the past week, arguing that the answers would compromise national security. Lawyers may have invoked a so-called state secrets privilege in an attempt to avoid having to answer them at all. Stay tuned... 17:38 , Oliver O'Connell Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday announced that the Justice Department is bringing 'severe' charges against three individuals accused of targeting Teslas with arson attacks, following the White House's vow to treat such incidents as domestic terrorism. Josh Marcus has the latest on this developing story. Attorney General Pam Bondi announces 'severe' charges over Tesla arson attempts 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell An American man who was abducted by the Taliban more than two years ago while traveling through Afghanistan was released as part of a deal struck by the Trump administration, the State Department said. George Glezmann, a 66-year-old airline mechanic from Atlanta, was on his way back to the United States on Thursday morning after being held by the Taliban since December 2022, when he was seized while traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist. Ariana Baio reports. American man abducted by the Taliban more than two years ago has been released 17:10 , Oliver O'Connell Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick used an appearance on Fox News to encourage viewers to buy stock in Tesla, as the company struggles amid Elon Musk's involvement in the Trump administration. Although cabinet secretaries traditionally do not endorse individual stocks, Lutnick told viewers of Jesse Watters Primetime that Musk – a 'special government employee' of President Donald Trump – was 'the best person to bet on' and that Tesla's stock will 'never be this cheap again.' Ariana Baio has the story. Commerce secretary begs Fox News viewers to buy Tesla stock 16:50 , Oliver O'Connell As protests against DOGE head Elon Musk spread across the country, a website called 'Dogequest' has reportedly published the personal details of Tesla owners, leading to concerns about privacy and safety. The site reveals the names, addresses and phone numbers of Tesla owners on an interactive map and uses an image of a Molotov cocktail as a cursor. The operators of the site have stated that they will only remove the information of Tesla owners who prove that they have sold their cars, according to 404 Media. Gustaf Kilander reports. Website called 'Dogequest' created to dox Tesla owners nationwide 16:37 , Oliver O'Connell 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell A British backpacker's ordeal in US immigration detention has prompted a warning from her father for travellers to meticulously check visa requirements before embarking on their journeys. Rebecca Burke, a 28-year-old graphic artist from Monmouthshire, endured a harrowing 19-day detention in a US facility. Read on... 'Traumatic': British tourist sent home from US in chains after visa error 16:20 , Oliver O'Connell In his latest affront to the nation's allies, President Donald Trump claimed the European Union has 'raped and pillaged' the U.S. Trump spoke to Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Wednesday about the economy and the potential for a recession this year. Trump didn't directly answer when asked if he would rule out the possibility of a recession, claiming instead that the country's problems were fueled by their allies. Kelly Rissman reports. Trump tells Laura Ingraham Europe has 'raped and pillaged' the US 16:10 , Oliver O'Connell Democratic senator Elissa Slotkin faced the heat at a Michigan town hall when she was asked by a constituent how she is standing up to the Trump administration and Elon Musk in the way progressives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders are. Slotkin responded by saying that her job is to be 'more than just an AOC' and 'more than just an activist.' Rhian Lubin reports. 'More than just an AOC': Michigan Dem defends her lack of Musk pushback 16:01 , Oliver O'Connell .@PressSec Karoline Leavitt: "The Department of Education will be much smaller than it is it comes to student loans and Pell Grants, those will still be run out of the Department of critical functions of the remain." — CSPAN (@cspan) March 20, 2025 15:54 , Oliver O'Connell A billboard version of the fake Time magazine-style cover depicting Donald Trump as king, which he proudly posted to Truth Social, has appeared in New York's Times Square, but with the president replaced by billionaire Elon Musk. 15:50 , Oliver O'Connell Jesse Watters has been widely ridiculed after listing his five 'rules for men,' - a list that includes no milkshakes and no soup. The Fox News host was responding to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's claim on Gavin Newsom's podcast that MAGA focused on his masculinity 'obsessively' during the 2024 presidential election. 'I have rules for men,' Watters began on Wednesday'sThe Five. Rhian Lubin reports on his baffling code of conduct. Jesse Watters ridiculed after listing his five 'rules for men' 15:43 , Oliver O'Connell ...on the day the president signs an order to dismantle it. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Pell Grants, Title I funding, student loans, and special-needs funding will, for now, still be administered by the Department of Education. White House @PressSec tells reporters that Pell Grants, Title I funding, student loans and special-needs funding will for now still be administered by the Department of Education even with Trump's executive order that seeks to dismantle the dept. — Joey Garrison (@joeygarrison) March 20, 2025 15:40 , Oliver O'Connell Fox News is now talking about people getting the death penalty for attacking Teslas — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 20, 2025 15:35 , Oliver O'Connell E.U. officials have said they would postpone their response to President Donald Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs — including 50 percent taxes on American whiskey and other products — until the middle of next month. Their plan is to use the time to refine the list of products that will be affected while also allowing more time to come to a deal with the U.S., spokesperson Olof Gill said. The first wave of E.U. tariffs was originally set to take effect on March 31 and include symbolically American products such as motorcycles and bourbon, with a second wave following a few weeks later on April 13, covering everything from lingerie to agricultural produce and machinery. The postponement may give officials a chance to reconsider imposing significant tariffs on sensitive products like bourbon and runs concurrently with efforts to maintain Europe's trading relationship with the U.S. and avoid a tit-for-tat trade war that would hurt consumers and companies on both sides of the Atlantic. 'The E.U. and the U.S. enjoy the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship in the world,' Maros Sefcovic, the bloc's trade commissioner, said during a speech in Brussels on Thursday. 'It should be a priority for both sides to protect and further develop this relationship.' 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell ...and no, it's not him. Gustaf Kilander reports. Tucker Carlson reveals the only person he thinks can replace Trump in 2028 15:10 , Oliver O'Connell Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly believed that Republicans would end their unwavering support for Donald Trump after the end of his first term, according to the authors of a new book detailing former President Joe Biden's time in the White House. Schumer told the authors, Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater of the New York Times, that he hoped the "old Republican Party" would return following the 2020 election. Graig Graziosi reports from Washington, D.C. Chuck Schumer reportedly hoped Republicans would dump 'turd' Trump after 2020 14:50 , Joe Sommerlad In an interview with NewsNation host Chris Cuomo this week, the former White House chief strategist said that MAGA operatives have begun working towards securing Donald Trump a third term in 2028. 'I'm a firm believer that President Trump will run again in 2028. I've already endorsed President Trump,' Bannon said. 'A man like this comes along once every century if we're lucky. We've got him now. He's on fire and I'm a huge supporter. I want to see him again in 2028.' Madeline Sherratt reports. Steve Bannon admits Maga operatives 'working' on third term for Trump 14:49 , Oliver O'Connell George Glezmann is free. George was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for two and a half years, but now he's on his way to be reunited with his wife Aleksandra. Welcome home, George! 🇺🇸 — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 20, 2025 14:42 , Oliver O'Connell Trump's speech at the Digital Assets Conference airs at 15:40 but now broadcast live. Expected topics: Bitcoin, regulation, and crypto the live stream—enjoy. Trump is up next. — Leon Yawn (@leonyawnn) March 20, 2025 14:40 , Oliver O'Connell On Thursday, Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino stated that he did not attach any significance to reports suggesting that the U.S. military is exploring options to ensure full U.S. access to the Panama Canal, as these reports originated from unnamed sources. 'If no one puts their name to such an assertion, I don't ascribe any value to it,' he told a press conference. Two U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, told Reuters last week that the Pentagon had been directed to assess options, amid President Donald Trump's repeated assertion that he wants to 'take back' the key global shipping route in Panama. 14:35 , Oliver O'Connell 14:30 , Oliver O'Connell An unexpected addition to President Donald Trump's calendar today. At 10:40 a.m. Trump will appear virtually at a cryptocurrency industry conference, the White House says. More details to follow... 14:30 , Joe Sommerlad Here's the latest on the ceasefire talks from Ukraine's president. 14:20 , Oliver O'Connell An American man who was abducted over two years ago while traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist has been released by the Taliban in a deal brokered by U.S. and Qatari negotiators, the State Department announced Thursday. George Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, is the third American detainee to be freed by the Taliban since January. He was taken by the Taliban's intelligence services in December 2022 and was classified by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained the following year. He is being escorted back to the U.S. through Qatar's capital, Doha, by Adam Boehler, who has been managing hostage issues for President Donald Trump's administration. Qatar has hosted negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban over the years. The release of Glezmann is part of what the Taliban has previously referred to as the 'normalization' of relations between the U.S. and Afghanistan following the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Most countries still do not recognize the Taliban's rule. With reporting from the Associated Press 14:10 , Joe Sommerlad The president is facing a backlash from some of his most loyal supporters over his decision to launch widespread airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen and a threat to launch a wider war with Iran. Trump ordered the U.S. military to launch 'decisive and powerful military action' against the Iran-backed group on Saturday in response to its attacks on global shipping in the Red Sea, which the Houthis claim are being carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. U.S. officials said the strikes could last for weeks, and Trump has raised the prospect of a much larger war after threatening Iran with 'dire consequences' if the Houthi attacks continue. But some key MAGA figures have spoken out against the expanding military action, arguing it contradicts his promises to end 'endless wars' and his 'America First' campaign slogan. Richard Hall and Justin Baragona have more. Trump provokes a MAGA backlash as he wades into Middle East wars 13:50 , Joe Sommerlad Research by Yale University has found that a budget plan being considered by Republican lawmakers would ultimately transfer wealth from the poorest 40 percent of Americans to the richest 1 percent. Harris Eppsteiner and John Ricco of Yale's Budget Lab found that the proposed GOP budget whose framework was supported last month in a vote by the House would include $4.5 trillion in tax cuts that would largely benefit the wealthy, along with $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, including to benefits for the public, including the poorest. Graig Graziosi reports. New analysis says Trump budget plan will take from poorest 40 percent to give to rich 13:30 , Joe Sommerlad The two leaders may say that they trust each other – but nobody else with any sense trusts either of them. Trump is naive, delusional – and being played by Putin 13:10 , Joe Sommerlad Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee has lashed out at his Alaska colleague Lisa Murkowski after she alleged that her GOP colleagues were afraid to challenge Donald Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Murkowski, speaking to reporters on Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, described a culture of fear now present within federal departments. 'I get criticized for what I say, and everybody else is like, 'How come nobody else is saying anything?' Well, figure it out because they're looking at how many things are being thrown at me, and it's like, 'Maybe I should just duck and cover,'' she said. Murkowski said that the purging of federal departments under DOGE is 'a hit to the morale of the federal workforce.' 'I don't know a single Republican senator who feels that way. Not even one,' Lee responded on X at midnight on Wednesday evening. His comment elicited a response from Musk, who appeared to endorse his message by posting two American flag emojis beneath it. Madeline Sherratt reports. Musk responds after senator alleges GOP lawmakers fear Trump 12:50 , Joe Sommerlad A group of House Democrats are pleading with the president to reconsider his 'disgraceful and discriminatory' proposed travel ban that could impact 43 countries. The deadline for Trump's order directing cabinet members to draft a list of countries that should face travel restrictions because their 'vetting and screening information is so deficient' falls today. A reported draft of the list showed citizens from 43 countries could soon be restricted from entering the U.S., prompting an outcry from the opposition. Kelly Rissman reports. Democrats plead with Trump to reconsider 'reckless' proposed travel ban 12:30 , Joe Sommerlad The Defense Department has taken down or plans to delete thousands of websites to comply with the president's order eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work from the federal government, which means removing pages dedicated to topics like remembering the Holocaust and the September 11 terrorist attacks. Here's Josh Marcus to explain. Pentagon removes web pages about Holocaust remembrance to comply with Trump DEI order 12:10 , Joe Sommerlad The tech billionaire has reportedly donated to seven Republican members of Congress, all of whom support the Trump administration's calls to impeach or ignore federal judges who have halted parts of the president's agenda. Musk, who has claimed in recent days that such judges are leading a 'judicial coup,' reportedly gave thousands of dollars in donations each to Representatives Eli Crane of Arizona, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Andy Ogles of Tennessee, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin and Brandon Gill of Texas, and Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa. The reported recipients are among the loudest voices in Congress pushing to impeach or to otherwise constrain the judges. Josh Marcus has more. Musk donates to GOP members of Congress pushing to impeach judge who oppose Trump 11:50 , Joe Sommerlad A federal judge has expressed alarm at allegations that the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) provoked a dramatic standoff this week with the U.S. Institute of Peace, culminating in what attorneys for the agency called a hostile 'takeover' fueled by threats and harassment. Federal prosecutors have threatened institute officials with criminal prosecution, DOGE members warned that a private security contractor would lose government contracts, and the institute's president was forcibly removed by several law enforcement agencies – events that attorneys with the Department of Justice have not disputed. In a hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, District Judge Beryl Howell asked Justice Department attorneys whether Trump's administration could enforce his executive order seeking to shutter the agency 'without using the force of guns and threats by DOGE against American citizens.' 'I mean, this conduct of using law enforcement, threatening criminal investigations, using arms of law enforcement… probably terrorizing employees and staff at the institute, when there are so many other lawful ways to accomplish the goals… why?' she said. 'Just because DOGE is in a rush?' The institute is not a federal agency but an independent nonprofit established by Congress under Ronald Reagan. Its headquarters in Washington, D.C., is not government property, and its personnel are not federal employees. The institute employs roughly 600 people in the United States and overseas with a congressional mandate to help resolve international conflicts. Alex Woodward reports. Judge rebukes DOGE for 'terrorizing' U.S. Institute of Peace with 'guns and threats' 11:30 , Joe Sommerlad U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and other Trump administration lawyers told the federal judge who ordered a stop to the deportations of Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador to be more 'respectful' in an angry court filing on Wednesday. 'The court has no basis to intrude into the conduct of foreign affairs of the government, and a more deliberative and respectful approach is warranted,' the filing scolds. Judge James Boasberg's actions 'represent grave usurpations of the president's power,' it adds. The language was the latest assault by the Trump administration on the power of the courts, which some have labelled a constitutional crisis as the president battles to become the supreme arbiter of everything in the nation. Mary Papenfuss reports. Cheeky DOJ motion tells federal deportation judge to be 'more respectful' 11:10 , Joe Sommerlad The Trump administration has been accused by another judge of failing to comply with his court order – in this case to reinstate federal employees fired during Elon Musk's DOGE purges. Six federal agencies – the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, and Treasury – were ordered by Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for Northern California to rehire all fired probationary employees. But the Trump administration had responded by putting the fired workers on paid administrative leave. Here's the latest from Graig Graziosi. Trump accused of dodging another court order — to reverse federal firings 10:40 , Joe Sommerlad The Trump administration is reportedly attempting to deport an Indian post-doctoral fellow from Georgetown University, using the same obscure section of immigration law cited in the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia grad and pro-Palestine protest leader. The provision the government allegedly cites allows the Secretary of State to determine non-citizens are eligible for fast-track deportations if they threaten U.S. foreign policy interests. Masked Department of Homeland Security agents arrived outside the Rosslyn, Virginia, home of Badar Khan Suri on Monday and told him his student visa had been revoked. In a still-sealed habeas corpus petition filed on Tuesday, Suri's lawyer said the fellow appeared to be in the process of being punished for the Palestinian heritage and political views of his wife Mapheze Saleh, a U.S. citizen. Josh Marcus has more. Trump administration seeks to deport another foreign student as part campus crackdown 10:20 , Joe Sommerlad The president followed up his call with the Kremlin on Tuesday by dialling up Volodymyr Zelensky, inevitably hailing their exchange as 'fantastic' afterwards as he confirmed a partial ceasefire on energy targets. Trump claimed the step is a crucial move along the road to securing a 'real end to the war' but Vladimir Putin's mass drone strikes hours immediately after agreeing to down tools makes a mockery of the whole process, says our international editor Chris Stevenson. Putin's drone attacks make mockery of Trump peace deal for Ukraine 10:00 , Joe Sommerlad Ingraham asked the president why he was putting a $5m price tag on American citizenship for wealthy foreigners, which yielded this answer: Ingraham: Why should our citizenship be purchased for any amount of money, especially given the fact that you are America first? Trump: That's why.. because I'm America first. — Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025 The same question was put to Howard Lutnick by Jesse Watters on the same network a little more bluntly. Watters: You wanted to talk about these gold cards. Lutnick: The Trump card… Watters: Everybody's saying it's a recipe for corruption. How do you prevent that?Lutnick: — Acyn (@Acyn) March 20, 2025 Lutnick later pivoted to promoting Tesla's for Elon Musk, which might be considered somewhat unethical, I would venture to suggest. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick tells Fox viewers to buy Tesla stock — Acyn (@Acyn) March 20, 2025 09:40 , Joe Sommerlad The second instalment of the Fox anchor's White House interview with the president aired last night, with Trump again refusing to rule out an economic downturn while promising sunshine after the storm for (checks notes, squints, lowers glasses) this 'fat dumb foolish country.' Ingraham: Will we see a recession in 2025? Are you ruling it out?Trump: We're going to have the strongest economic country in the history of the world of the planet — Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025 Trump: We've been the fat dumb foolish country… — Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025 He was clearly more interested in showing off his latest makeover of the Oval Office, however. Ingraham: Are you paving over the grass here?Trump: Every event you ever have, it's soaking wet. It's soaking wet. And people can't -- and the women with the high heels. — Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025 Ingraham: Where is the coke button?Trump: It's right here. Everyone thinks that the nuclear — Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025 Trump: Here is the Declaration of Independence. They asked that this be done. It's never been up -- it's been in the vaults for many, many decades. — Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025 Trump: A little secret… people have tried to come up with gold paint that would look like gold. You've never been able to match gold with gold paint. That's why it's gold — Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025 Here's more on old Goldmember's interior decoration mania. Trump has completely transformed the Oval Office – with gold 'everywhere' 09:20 , Joe Sommerlad The president has long touted the closure of the federal agency responsible for America's schooling in favor of leaving it up to the states and today looks finally like being the day. The policy, which was also discussed in the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 manifesto that Trump claimed to have nothing to do with, is expected to be realised with the flourish of a fat Sharpie at a White House event this afternoon, with Education Secretary Linda McMahon, the former wrestling boss, looking on. 'The dream is we're going to move the Department of Education, we're going to move education into the states, so that the states, instead of bureaucrats working in Washington, so that the states can run education,' the president said last week. 'We think when you move it back to Iowa and Indiana and all of the states that run so well… 30, maybe almost 40, those will be as good as Denmark, those will be as good as Norway.' According to USA Today, which first reported the development, McMahon will be instructed to undertake 'all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States.' 08:49 , Joe Sommerlad The administration has sparked a fresh diplomatic spat with France after it was accused of denying entry to the U.S. to a French research scientist after immigration officers searched his phone at an airport and found messages critical of the president. The individual in question had been en route to an academic conference in Houston, Texas, at the time, according to Philippe Baptiste, France's minister of higher education and research, who made the allegation in a statement published by Le Monde. 'I learned with concern that a French researcher, who was traveling to a conference near Houston was denied entry to the United States before being expelled', Baptiste said. 'This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because the researcher's phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration's research policy. 'Freedom of opinion, free research, and academic freedom are values that we will continue to proudly uphold. I will defend the right of all French researchers to be faithful to them, while respecting the law.' The AFP has reported that the incident took place on March 9 and the scientist concerned was accused of writing 'hateful and conspiratorial messages' relating to Trump. Baptiste himself has been critical of the administration and has personally invited American scientists to relocate to France if they feel their work could be placed in jeopardy in the U.S. He recently warned on French television that Elon Musk and his DOGE officials had 'chainsawed' health, climate, energy and AI research since Trump returned to the White, an extract of which you can see below. Santé, climat, énergie, IA... : la recherche est passée à la tronçonneuse aux États-Unis!C'est grave pour la recherche américaine mais c'est aussi grave pour la recherche à l'échelle mondiale, dont les États-Unis étaient jusqu'ici un véritable pivot.@franceinfo — Philippe Baptiste (@PhBaptiste) March 12, 2025 Rachel Clun has more. French scientist denied entry to US after 'hateful' Trump texts found on phone 08:40 , Joe Sommerlad The Trump administration has frozen $175 million in federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) over a transgender swimmer's participation in its training program, the White House said on Wednesday. Ivy League UPenn is currently under investigation by the Department of Education after the president signed an executive order aimed at banning transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports. A similar threat has also been made against the state of Maine. 'UPenn infamously permitted a male to compete on its women's swimming team, overturning multiple records hard-earned by women, and granting the fully intact male access to the locker room,' an unnamed Trump official said in a statement yesterday, apparently referring to a trans woman who won the highest U.S. national college swimming title in 2022 while competing for the Philadelphia-based university. But UPenn itself said it was 'aware of media reports suggesting' that the funds have been suspended but that, as yet, it has 'not yet received any official notification or any details' from Washington. 08:30 , Oliver O'Connell The Independent's reports from Odesa, Ukraine: Seizing the opportunity to drive a wedge between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Ukraine's president has moved swiftly to usher the American president back towards his corner. By respecting, vocally, Trump's efforts to get a ceasefire with Russia, Ukraine has exposed Putin's deep reluctance to agree to any lowering of hostilities until he can be sure of permanently mangling Ukraine's sovereignty. According to a briefing on a call between Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump, the US president has calmed down, stopped calling him a 'dictator,' and come up with an agreement to supply some badly needed air defences for Ukraine. Continue reading... Analysis: Now Zelensky has his chance to beckon Trump back into Ukraine's corner 08:00 , Oliver O'Connell Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she did not fear Elon Musk spending money against her as she criticized the indiscriminate firing led by his Department of Government Efficiency. Murkowski delivered her annual joint address to Alaska's legislature on Tuesday and during her address, she criticized the indiscriminate firing of federal workers by DOGE. Eric Garcia reports. Key swing Republican hits out at Trump and Musk in scathing speech 07:30 , Oliver O'Connell A couple of hours after journalist Jacqui Heinrich pointed out that one of Donald Trump's favorite Fox News legal experts believed the law wasn't entirely on his side regarding deportation flights, the president railed against the Fox News White House correspondent on social media. Justin Baragona has the story. Trump whines about 'absolutely terrible' Fox reporter, says she should work for CNN 07:00 , Oliver O'Connell Russia launched a mass drone attack on Ukraine's energy grid mere hours after Vladimir Putin agreed with Donald Trump to halt such strikes – although the US president has claimed efforts to get a ceasefire are "very much on track". Chris Stevenson, The Independent's international editor, reports. Putin's drone attacks make mockery of Trump peace deal for Ukraine 06:30 , Oliver O'Connell writes: The aftereffects of Senate Democrats' decision to help Republicans pass legislation to avert a government shutdown without securing any concessions are still being felt. Having won nothing — including assurances that congressionally approved legislation would not be touched by DOGE cuts — voters are furious with the Senate minority leader. His allies are doing absolutely nothing to throw him a lifeline. Read on... Chuck Schumer tries to put out a five-alarm fire after Democrats 'caved' on shutdown 05:30 , Oliver O'Connell Amy Gleason, the government worker the Trump administration has said is actually in charge of Elon Musk's signature Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program, has a second role at a separate agency, according to court documents. Since February, Gleason has been detailed to the Department of Health and Human Services, and on March 4 she signed a document formally accepting a role as 'expert / consultant' at the agency, which oversees marquee government efforts like Medicare and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Josh Marcus reports. Amy Gleason - who Trump claims is running DOGE - has been working at another agency 04:30 , Oliver O'Connell Right-wing commentator Tudor Dixon has said she is considering running for office in Michigan in 2026 but has yet to decide whether to opt for the battleground state's open Senate seat or governor's office. Dixon, 47, was previously the Republican nominee for governor of the Great Lakes State in 2022 but lost to Democratic incumbent Gretchen Whitmer. Joe Sommerlad reports. Conservative commentator eyeing run for Senate or governor in Michigan 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell The White House on Wednesday said America's intelligence community would continue to share information with the Ukrainian government to bolster Kyiv's defensive efforts and provide Ukraine with more Patriot missile defense systems from European stocks. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a daily press briefing that Trump had 'fully briefed' Zelensky on his 90-minute conversation with Russian president Vladimir Putin and relayed the 'key issues' discussed during the Tuesday morning conversation, the second call between the two leaders since Trump returned to the presidency in January. Andrew Feinberg reports from the White House. White House will continue intelligence sharing with Ukraine after call 02:30 , Oliver O'Connell On Monday, a Minnesota State Senator made headlines as he introduced a bill to label 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' as a mental illness. Hours later, he was arrested. Katie Hawkinson has the story. Lawmaker who introduced 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' bill accused of soliciting minor 02:00 , Oliver O'Connell The image of Donald Trump as an anti-war president is crumbling in real time. Whether winning votes or merely demotivating support for his opponent, Kamala Harris, Trump fed on American frustrations in both parties to — once again — win election victory with a promise of ending or withdrawing American support for bloody and costly conflicts around the world. John Bowden looks at how that is panning out. Collapse of Gaza ceasefire and threats against Iran strip Trump's 'anti-war' image 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell White House: Russia and Ukraine 'never been closer to peace' after Zelensky call 00:42 , Graig Graziosi Donald Trump's administration is reportedly mulling cuts to a public health program that accounts for nearly all federal spending on HIV prevention efforts, reaching thousands of people a year. With no other programs to replace them, cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV Prevention Division could jeopardize progress in addressing the nation's HIV epidemic and potentially cost lives, according to public health experts and LGBT+ advocacy groups. More than $1 billion was appropriated for HIV prevention efforts this year, and the agency spent roughly $1.3 billion on the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections within the previous fiscal year. About three-quarters of that spending supports state and local health departments and nonprofit groups working to prevent HIV in their administration weighs deep cuts to CDC's HIV prevention program 00:33 , Graig Graziosi Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reportedly agreed to a tentative, limited ceasefire following a discussion with President Donald Trump, according to the Associated Press. There have been no final decisions made by either leader as to specific dates or details. The limited deal comes on the heels of Putin refusing Trump's efforts to secure a 30-day ceasefire. Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that further talks will take place in Saudi Arabia this weekend to determine what targets will be protected under the potential ceasefire. The White House described the ceasefire as protecting "energy and infrastructure," which different from information released by the Kremlin saying that "energy infrastructure" would be the subject of the ceasefire. The Kremlin's version is significantly more narrow than the White House's, and will no doubt be a subject of discussion at the upcoming talks. 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell For over half a century, one thing was a constant in the Oval Office: the Swedish ivy plant above the fireplace - until now, that is. As the second Trump administration moved in, the plant was replaced by a range of golden objects. Gustaf Kilander looks at its possible origins. Trump has removed one thing from the Oval Office that has been there for 50 years 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell Minnesota Governor and former Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz referred to the world's richest man and DOGE head Elon Musk as 'dip****' during an event in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Tuesday night as he rallied his party ahead of a State Supreme Court race. Gustaf Kilander has the story. Tim Walz calls Elon Musk a 'South African nepo baby' Wednesday 19 March 2025 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell The Trump administration has threatened the New York City transportation agency with removing federal funding if the agency withholds its data on crime in the city's subway at the end of the month. President Donald Trump also wants the city to end its congestion pricing policies, which would mean that New York would require additional federal funds to make up the shortfall, WABC noted. Funds from the controversial congestion prices are designated to go to improvements for the city's vast subway, bus and ferry system. Gustaf Kilander reports. Trump to pull funding for New York subway system if MTA withholds crime stats Wednesday 19 March 2025 23:20 , Oliver O'Connell A federal judge was alarmed by allegations that the so-called Department of Government Efficiency provoked a dramatic standoff this week with the U.S. Institute of Peace, culminating in what attorneys for the agency called a hostile 'takeover' fueled by threats and harassment. Federal prosecutors have threatened institute officials with criminal prosecution, DOGE members warned that a private security contractor would lose government contracts, and the institute's president was forcibly removed by several law enforcement agencies – events that attorneys with the Department of Justice have not disputed. Alex Woodward reports on the proceedings. Judge rebukes DOGE for 'terrorizing' U.S. Institute of Peace with 'guns and threats' Wednesday 19 March 2025 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell Right-wing commentator Tudor Dixon has said she is considering running for office in Michigan in 2026 but has yet to decide whether to opt for the battleground state's open Senate seat or governor's office. Dixon, 47, was previously the Republican nominee for governor of the Great Lakes State in 2022 but lost to Democratic incumbent Gretchen Whitmer. Joe Sommerlad reports. Right-wing commentator eyeing run for Senate or governor in Michigan Wednesday 19 March 2025 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell Columbia University faces a Thursday deadline to respond to a sweeping set of demands from the Trump administration, which has made an unprecedented threat to permanently pull $400 million in federal funding unless the Ivy League university makes changes to address how it responds to antisemitism on campus. Last week, the administration said that as a 'precondition' of maintaining financial ties to the federal government, the university would need to ban face masks, up police powers on campus, change its disciplinary process, put its department of Department of Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies under receivership, and adopt a definition of antisemitism that critics say bars criticizing Israel, among other changes. The threats from the White House have prompted a wide range of opinions from observers. Josh Marcus reports. Columbia has a day to decide: Agree to Trump demands or lose $400 million Wednesday 19 March 2025 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell Thirty-one U.S. states are failing to provide basic sexual health and reproductive services, a damning new report has revealed. Activist group rePROs Fight Back's annual report found that reproductive healthcare in the U.S. continues to be in a perilous state in the aftermath of the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022 during President Donald Trump's first term in the White House. The failing states were ranked with a 'D' or 'F' grade depending on whether they provided access to a number of vital sexual and reproductive health services and rights. Madeline Sherratt reports. 31 states failing to provide vital reproductive services: report shows Wednesday 19 March 2025 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell writes: The aftereffects of Senate Democrats' decision to help Republicans pass legislation to avert a government shutdown without securing any concessions are still being felt. Having won nothing — including assurances that congressionally approved legislation would not be touched by DOGE cuts — voters are furious with the Senate minority leader. His allies are doing absolutely nothing to throw him a lifeline. Read on... Chuck Schumer tries to put out a five-alarm fire after Democrats 'caved' on shutdown Wednesday 19 March 2025 22:05 , Oliver O'Connell President Donald Trump's administration released thousands of classified documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, but researchers say the trove excluded two-thirds of the promised files. Kelly Rissman reports. Trump's JFK file release left out two-thirds of promised docs, expert says Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:55 , Oliver O'Connell Months after the valuation of X (formerly Twitter) was estimated to have fallen by 80 percent, investors are now pegging the social media platform's value at $44 billion, the same amount Elon Musk purchased the site for in 2022. According to The Financial Times, investors are now exchanging stakes in the company at increased value in a secondary deal as the world's richest man looks to raise additional capital to pay off some of the debt he financed to buy X. Justin Baragona has the details. X now valued at $44B, the exact sum Elon Musk paid for the social media site in 2022 Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell A couple of hours after journalist Jacqui Heinrich pointed out that one of Donald Trump's favorite Fox News legal experts believed the law wasn't entirely on his side regarding deportation flights, the president railed against the Fox News White House correspondent on social media. Justin Baragona has the story. Trump whines about 'absolutely terrible' Fox reporter, says she should work for CNN Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:35 , Oliver O'Connell The Pentagon is reviewing plans to reduce the number of troops managing migrants at the naval base in Guantanamo Bay, according to officials. The cuts are being considered because there are currently no detainees there now and the program has faced setbacks during legal challenges, U.S. officials told The Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decisions are not yet finalized. These officials say the military's Southern Command was tasked with providing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth a plan outlining how many troops are truly necessary and what additional space may be needed if more detainees are sent there. That plan, according to officials, is expected to recommend sending some of the troops home — and one official mentioned that the decision could reduce the current troop count of 900 by half. With reporting by the Associated Press Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell Donald Trump is facing a backlash from some of his most loyal MAGA supporters over his decision to launch widespread airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen and a threat to launch a wider war with Iran. Trump ordered the U.S. military to launch 'decisive and powerful Military action' against the Iran-backed group on Saturday in response to its attacks on global shipping in the Red Sea, which the Houthis claim are being carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. U.S. officials said the strikes could last for weeks, and Trump has raised the prospect of a much larger war after threatening Iran with 'dire consequences' if the Houthi attacks continue. Richard Hall and Justin Baragona report. Trump provokes a MAGA backlash as he wades into Middle East wars Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell The Independent's writes from Odesa, Ukraine: Seizing the opportunity to drive a wedge between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Ukraine's president has moved swiftly to usher the American president back towards his corner. By respecting, vocally, Trump's efforts to get a ceasefire with Russia, Ukraine has exposed Putin's deep reluctance to agree to any lowering of hostilities until he can be sure of permanently mangling Ukraine's sovereignty. According to a briefing on a call between Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump, the US president has calmed down, stopped calling him a 'dictator,' and come up with an agreement to supply some badly needed air defences for Ukraine. Continue reading... Analysis: Now Zelensky has his chance to beckon Trump back into Ukraine's corner Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell A group of House Democrats are pleading with President Donald Trump to reconsider his 'disgraceful and discriminatory' proposed travel ban that could impact 43 countries, according to a draft that circulated over the weekend. The deadline for Trump's order directing cabinet members to draft a list of countries that should face travel restrictions because their "vetting and screening information is so deficient" is Thursday. A reported draft of the list showed citizens from 43 countries could soon be restricted from entering the U.S.A. A White House official previously told The Independent no decision had been made. Kelly Rissman reports. Democrats plead with Trump to reconsider 'reckless' proposed travel ban Wednesday 19 March 2025 20:55 , Oliver O'Connell Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner announced on Wednesday that he will resign immediately after more than four years leading the U.S. passenger railroad, citing concerns over maintaining the carrier's support from President Donald Trump's administration. "I am stepping down as CEO to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration," Gardner said in a statement. A White House official informed Reuters that Gardner had been asked to step down. An Amtrak spokesperson declined to comment on whether he had been asked to leave. Billionaire Elon Musk, who is advising Trump on plans to significantly reduce the size of the U.S. government, said earlier this month that he believes both Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service should be privatized. Amtrak said in December ridership topped 2019 pre-COVID-19 levels for the first time in 2024 and reached a record high even with less capacity. Ridership increased over 15% in 2023 to a record 32.8 million customer trips, as passenger revenue hit $2.5 billion, up 9% over the prior year. The rail operator reported an adjusted operating loss of $705 million for the 12 months ended September 30, down 9% versus 2023. With reporting from Reuters Wednesday 19 March 2025 20:51 , Oliver O'Connell President Donald Trump lambasted Fox News' White House correspondent in an apparently unprompted attack on Truth Social on Wednesday afternoon. I watched Jacqui Heinrich from Fox over the weekend and I thought she was absolutely terrible. She should be working for CNN, not Fox. Not surprisingly, I later found out that she's a fan of the White House Correspondents Association! Heinrich is more than a 'fan' of the WHCA, she's a board member. Wednesday 19 March 2025 20:44 , Oliver O'Connell Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she did not fear Elon Musk spending money against her as she criticized the indiscriminate firing led by his Department of Government Efficiency. Murkowski delivered her annual joint address to Alaska's legislature on Tuesday and during her address, she criticized the indiscriminate firing of federal workers by DOGE. Eric Garcia reports from Washington, D.C. Key swing Republican hits out at Trump and Musk in scathing speech Wednesday 19 March 2025 20:34 , Oliver O'Connell A judge has ordered the Trump administration to return two transgender inmates to women's prisons. The two transgender women had been relocated to men's facilities following President Donald Trump's executive order dismantling protections for transgender individuals. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth in Washington, D.C., issued a preliminary injunction after the women were added as plaintiffs in ongoing litigation regarding the effects of Trump's executive order on transgender women in federal prisons, the Associated Press reports. Lamberth ordered the federal Bureau of Prisons to 'immediately transfer' the women back to women's facilities and stated that the agency must continue to provide them with hormone therapy for gender dysphoria. The women asserted in court documents that they were living in constant fear of sexual assault and other violence after their transfer to male prisons. The Bureau of Prisons declined to comment. The preliminary injunction is the latest in a series of rulings against the agency's attempts to comply with the executive order, which mandates housing transgender women in men's prisons and stopping gender-affirming medical care.
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06-03-2025
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Trump pauses tariffs on both Mexico and Canada until April after calls with Sheinbaum and Trudeau: Live
Donald Trump has postponed 25% tariffs on most goods from Mexico and Canada for a month after speaking with the leaders of both nations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called their call 'excellent and respectful', while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada described a conversation yesterday between him and Trump as 'colorful' and said he expects the two countries to be in a trade war for the foreseeable future. Trump earlier agreed to grant the U.S. auto sector a one-month exemption from levies on Canadian and Mexican goods after he came under pressure from the CEOs of America's carmakers. This is the latest twist in fast-shifting trade policy rattling financial markets and business leaders. The president abruptly called a Cabinet meeting on Thursday to clarify the role of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency after they faced significant pushback from courts regarding the authority to order mass firings of federal government workers. Trump instructed Cabinet secretaries to work with DOGE on cost-cutting measures, but the department will act in an advisory capacity, and Musk has no authority to order layoffs — that responsibility lies with department leadership. Trump characterized it as using a 'scalpel' rather than wielding a 'hatchet.' Trump backtracks and lifts tariffs on most Mexican and Canadian goods for a month Musk has no authority to fire federal workers, Trump tells Cabinet — but they do Trump backtracks and lifts tariffs on most Mexican goods for a month Trump-Trudeau tariff call got heated and included 'profanity,' report says Mexico's Sheinbaum thanks Trump in social media post after he backtracks on tariffs Texas Democrat Al Green censured for protesting Trump speech 20:48 , Oliver O'Connell In his nightly address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he would be traveling to Saudi Arabia on Monday and his team would stay on to hold talks with U.S. officials. 'I am scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia to meet with the Crown Prince. After that, my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with American partners. Ukraine is most interested in peace,' Zelensky said. 20:42 , Oliver O'Connell President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was granting a month-long reprieve on unilaterally ordering tax increases on some goods imported from Mexico and Canada that will expire on April 2, when he is set to order reciprocal tariffs on imports from a broad range of countries. After a telephone call with Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum earlier in the day, Trump said he was granting an exemption on any goods imported into the U.S. that are compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement that he negotiated during his first term. Andrew Feinberg reports from the White House. Trump backtracks and lifts tariffs on most Mexican and Canadian goods for a month 20:35 , Oliver O'Connell A detention center in Texas is reopening after the Trump administration prepares to restart the detention of migrant families and kids — a move that advocates worry could usher in another 'dark chapter' in America's treatment of immigrants. CoreCivic, a company that manages the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, announced Wednesday that it reached an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to reactivate the facility. Kelly Rissman reports. Trump admin resumes detention of migrant families and kids 20:25 , Oliver O'Connell A federal judge in Minnesota is holding MyPillow founder and MAGA election-denier Mike Lindell in contempt of court for failing to hand over financial documents and other discovery material in the defamation lawsuit brought by voting software firm Smartmatic. Justin Baragona reports on this developing story. Judge finds MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell in contempt in Smartmatic defamation lawsuit 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell President Trump signs modifications on tariffs to protect American car manufacturers and American farmers: "It basically makes it more fair for our car manufacturers... during this interim period between now and April 2nd." — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 6, 2025 20:14 , Reuters President Donald Trump on Thursday exempted goods from both Canada and Mexico under a North American trade pact for a month from the 25% tariffs that he had imposed earlier this week, the latest twist in fast-shifting trade policy that has whipsawed financial markets and business leaders. The exemption, which will expire on April 2, covers both of the two largest U.S. trading partners. Trump had earlier only mentioned an extension for Mexico, but the amended tariffs order — initially issued on Tuesday — covers Canada as well. 20:05 , Oliver O'Connell Donald Trump is planning to revoke temporary legal status for some 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the conflict with Russia, according to a senior administration official. The move, confirmed to Reuters by the official and three other sources, potentially leaves the refugees open to being swiftly deported back home amid the ongoing war. According to the outlet, the revocations could begin as early as April and come in stark contrast to the welcome to those escaping the conflict that was rolled out by the Biden administration. Mike Bedigan reports. Trump plans to revoke legal status for thousands Ukrainians who fled Russian invasion 19:55 , Oliver O'Connell 🚨 NEW: President Donald J. Trump announces a new $20 billion investment in the United States by shipping giant CMA CGM for "shipping logistics, infrastructure, and terminals, which will create an estimated 10,000 new jobs in America." — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 6, 2025 19:34 , Oliver O'Connell In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump confirmed reports that he abruptly called a Cabinet meeting to clarify the role of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency in relation to the actual appointed heads of federal government departments. The president wrote: The Golden Age of America has just begun! Over the past six weeks, our Administration has delivered on promises like no Administration before it, always putting America First! DOGE has been an incredible success, and now that we have my Cabinet in place, I have instructed the Secretaries and Leadership to work with DOGE on Cost Cutting measures and Staffing. As the Secretaries learn about, and understand, the people working for the various Departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain, and who will go. We say the 'scalpel' rather than the 'hatchet.' The combination of them, Elon, DOGE, and other great people will be able to do things at a historic level. We just had a meeting with most of the Secretaries, Elon, and others, and it was a very positive one. It's very important that we cut levels down to where they should be, but it's also important to keep the best and most productive people. We're going to have these meetings every two weeks until that aspect of this very necessary job is done. The relationships between everybody in that room are extraordinary. They all want to get to the exact same place, which is, simply, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! 19:26 , Oliver O'Connell CNN's Boris Sanchez challenged Republican Rep. Brandon Gill about the supposed transparency of Elon Musk and the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Gill contended: 'Musk has been very public about what he's doing. He posts about it on his X feed almost every single day.' Sanchez responded: 'I do wonder about some of what has been posted because a lot of it has been proven to be completely inaccurate. This wall of receipts that Doge has on its website has been riddled with errors, many of which they've corrected themselves, confusing billions with millions, triple counting contracts that they've eliminated. They've taken credit for ending programs that were ended in November when Joe Biden was president, even going back as far as 2005 when George W Bush was president. So it goes back to the question of transparency. You're arguing that Musk is being transparent, but a lot of what's come out is wrong or false. Awkward. Gill: Musk has been very public about what he's doing. He posts about it on his X feed almost every single day. Sanchez: I do wonder about some of what has been posted, because a lot of it has been proven to be completely inaccurate. This wall of receipts that doge has on its… — Acyn (@Acyn) March 6, 2025 19:17 , Oliver O'Connell Politico reports that President Donald Trump convened his Cabinet in person today to make something clear to those present — that they are each in charge of their departments, not Elon Musk. Two administration officials told the outlet that Trump clarified to top members of his administration that Musk was empowered to make recommendations to the departments but not to issue unilateral decisions on staffing and policy. Musk, who supposedly heads the Department of Government Efficiency except apparently in legal documents, was also present at the meeting. Mass firings enacted by DOGE have faced numerous court challenges and thrown much of the federal government into a state of uncertainty. Per Politico: The president's message represents the first significant move to narrow Musk's mandate. According to Trump's new guidance, DOGE and its staff should play an advisory role — but Cabinet secretaries should make final decisions on personnel, policy and the pacing of implementation. Musk joined the conversation and indicated he was on board with Trump's directive. According to one person familiar with the meeting, Musk acknowledged that DOGE had made some missteps — a message he shared earlier this week with members of Congress. 19:10 , Oliver O'Connell Hunter Biden has revealed his dire financial situation following a slump in book and art sales. The former president's son said his 'dwindling financial resources' have led him to instruct attorneys to request a judge dismiss a lawsuit around the publication of contents of his laptop that was pursuing against a former Donald Trump aide. Hunter added that he can no longer afford to proceed with litigation. Biden said that his debt was 'in the millions of dollars range' and his income has 'decreased significantly' since late 2023, according to documents filed in federal court in California urging district judge Hernan D. Vera to dismiss the suit against Garrett Ziegler, who published the contents of his laptop in 2020. Rhian Lubin reports. Hunter Biden reveals his dire financial situation after lackluster book and art sales 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell Some Department of Government Efficiency staffers were blocked by staffers from entering an African aid office in the latest clash between federal agencies and the Elon Musk-led cost-cutting arm. On Wednesday, DOGE workers and Pete Marocco, director of the Office of Foreign Assistance at the State Department, arrived at the U.S. African Development Foundation headquarters in Washington, D.C., to get access and fire employees, according to the Washington Post. The roughly 50-person agency refused to let them inside Kelly Rissman has the story. Aid workers block DOGE staffers from entering their small office to fire employees 18:47 , Oliver O'Connell Todd Blanche has officially been sworn in as Deputy Attorney General 🇺🇸 — Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) March 6, 2025 18:43 , Oliver O'Connell The stock market is down but at least everything is more expensive and services are getting shittier. On the other hand we have more measles. To be fair, they are finally delivering the reductions in FAA and National Parks staff that people have been demanding. — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) March 6, 2025 18:39 , Oliver O'Connell The International Monetary Fund stated on Thursday that if sustained, U.S. tariffs imposed on Mexico and Canada will have a significant negative impact on those countries due to their strong integration with the U.S. economy. IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack the IMF would issue a more comprehensive assessment of the impact of the shift in U.S. trade policy on the global economy, as well as the countries most affected by it, when it releases an updated economic outlook in April during the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington. Kozack, in the IMF's first substantive remarks on recent U.S. trade actions, highlighted the potential effects on Canada and Mexico and stated that it would be essential to determine whether the uncertainty in global markets is temporary or ongoing. Historically, she said, 'sustained periods of elevated uncertainty can be associated with both households and firms holding back on consumption and investment decisions.' With reporting from Reuters 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell Gavin Newsom, the California governor who is seen as a likely 2028 presidential hopeful, is under fire from liberals and progressives for his friendly interview with Charlie Kirk, which featured Newsom agreeing with the MAGA provocateur on trans athlete bans and other culture war issues. 'Gavin Newsom is trash and always has been,' one Bluesky user noted about the Newsom-Kirk sitdown. Justin Baragona reports. Liberals torch 'trash' Gavin Newsom for launching podcast with Charlie Kirk interview 18:25 , Oliver O'Connell Susan Collins on if Trump understands the effects of Canadian tariffs: 'I don't know that he fully appreciates how integrated the economies are in border states with Canada, people cross every single day.' — Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) March 6, 2025 18:20 , Oliver O'Connell Members of Donald Trump's team reportedly held secret discussions with Volodymyr Zelensky's top political opponents days after his fiery White House clash with the Ukrainian president. At least four senior allies of the US president spoke with Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko and high-ranking party members of Mr Zelensky's predecessor Petro Porshenko, according to Politico, citing three Ukrainian parliamentarians and a US Republican foreign policy expert. Arpan Rai reports. Trump allies 'met Zelensky's political rivals' after calling for Ukraine elections 18:18 , Oliver O'Connell Despite positive news on Trump's tariffs today, with exemptions granted to Mexico and the auto sector, the overall picture of an ongoing trade war has rattled markets. After sharply falling after the open this morning, the Dow Jones Industrial Average did stage a bit of a recovery, only to fall again by lunch, back to a loss of around 500 points. 18:05 , Oliver O'Connell President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's relationship continued to sour, with the pair having a heated phone call after the Canadian leader announced retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., according to a new report. Trump and Trudeau spoke Wednesday, a day after the prime minister said he was implementing 25 percent tariffs on some American exports after the president's sweeping levies came into effect. The call — which Trump told reporters was 'somewhat' friendly — was in fact heated and profanity-laden, The Wall Street Journal reports. The White House referred The Independent to the president's initial characterization of the call when contacted for comment. Katie Hawkinson reports from Washington, D.C. Trump-Trudeau call after tariff announcement got heated with 'profanity,' report says 17:50 , Oliver O'Connell Some Department of Government Efficiency staffers were blocked by staffers from entering an African aid office in the latest clash between federal agencies and the Elon Musk-led cost-cutting arm. On Wednesday, DOGE workers and Pete Marocco, director of the Office of Foreign Assistance at the State Department, arrived at the U.S. African Development Foundation headquarters in Washington, D.C., to get access and fire employees, according to The Washington Post. The roughly 50-person agency refused to let them inside. Kelly Rissman has the story. Aid workers block DOGE staffers from entering their small office to fire employees 17:37 , Oliver O'Connell Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has thanked President Donald Trump for delaying tariffs on U.S. imports of Mexican goods. Sheinbaum, including Trump's Truth Social post, wrote on X: Many thanks to President Donald Trump. We had an excellent and respectful call in which we agreed that our work and collaboration have yielded unprecedented results, within the framework of respect for our sovereignties. We will continue to work together, particularly on migration and security issues, which include reducing the illegal crossing of fentanyl into the United States, as well as weapons into Mexico. As mentioned by President Trump, Mexico will not be required to pay tariffs on all those products within the USMCA. This agreement is until April 2, when the United States will announce reciprocal tariffs for all countries. Muchas gracias al presidente Donald Trump. Tuvimos una excelente y respetuosa llamada en la que coincidimos en que nuestro trabajo y colaboración han dado resultados sin precedentes, en el marco de respeto a nuestras soberanías. Continuaremos trabajando juntos, particularmente en… — Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) March 6, 2025 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell President Donald Trump is walking back his tariff plan and now has granted a month-long reprieve for some goods imported from Mexico after a Thursday telephone call with Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum. Trump said he was issuing an exemption on any goods imported into the U.S. that are compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement that he negotiated during his first term. Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, D.C. Trump backtracks and lifts tariffs on most Mexican goods for a month 17:10 , Oliver O'Connell President Donald Trump is reportedly set to sign an executive order that could kickstart the process of dismantling the Department of Education as soon as Thursday. While only Congress — not the president — has the power to shutter the department, Trump's executive order could set the process in motion. Katie Hawkinson looks at what happens to your student loans if Trump's plan comes to fruition. What will happen to student loans if the Department of Education is closed down? 17:03 , Oliver O'Connell President Donald Trump is set to sign an order which would initiate the dismantling of the Department of Education, sources familiar with the effort told CNN. Trump is working alongside Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to dramatically downsize the federal government and White House officials have now prepared an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to start breaking up the department, according to the network. Trump may sign the order as soon as Thursday, but final plans have not yet been made. Gustaf Kilander reports. Trump is preparing an executive order to dismantle Education Department 16:50 , Oliver O'Connell A Pentagon press secretary with a 'long history' of bigoted and antisemitic social media posts faces calls to resign. Jewish organizations have blasted the appointment of Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson, who compared the murders of Israeli infants during the October 7 Hamas attacks to abortion. She has also peddled the antisemitic conspiracy theory about Leo Frank, a Jewish businessman who was wrongly convicted and hanged for the murder of a 13-year-old Georgia girl in 1951. The 26-year-old MAGA supporter, whose father is longtime Trump advisor and right-wing commentator Steve Cortes, joined the Pentagon's press office in January. Rhian Lubin reports. Pentagon press secretary has a 'long history' of bigoted social media posts 16:41 , Oliver O'Connell Donald Trump has announced that most goods from Mexico will be exempt from his 25% tariff plan for four weeks, following a phone call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The president wrote on Truth Social: After speaking with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, I have agreed that Mexico will not be required to pay Tariffs on anything that falls under the USMCA Agreement. This Agreement is until April 2nd. I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum. Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border, both in terms of stopping Illegal Aliens from entering the United States and, likewise, stopping Fentanyl. Thank you to President Sheinbaum for your hard work and cooperation! 16:38 , AP Hampton Dellinger, the fired head of the federal watchdog agency has ended his legal battle to keep his job. Dellinger announced his decision after the federal appeals court in Washington sided with the Trump administration in removing him as the head of the Office of Special Counsel. The case had become a flashpoint in the debate over how much power the president should have to replace the leaders of independent agencies as he moves to radically reshape and shrink the federal government. The case was expected to go to the U.S. Supreme Court, but justice delayed is justice denied — In the months it would take to get a final ruling, the office 'will be run by someone totally beholden to the President,' he said. 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell A second federal judge on Thursday extended a block barring the Trump administration from freezing grants and loans potentially totaling trillions of dollars. U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island granted the preliminary injunction in the lawsuit filed by nearly two dozen Democratic states after a Trump administration plan for a sweeping pause on federal spending stirred up a wave of confusion and anxiety across the United States. The states say a litany of programs are still waiting for federal funds or some clarity on whether the money is going to be delivered. Read on... Second federal judge extends block preventing the Trump administration from freezing funding 16:26 , Oliver O'Connell Donald Trump told Fox News Digital today that Texas Democratic Rep Al Green 'should be forced to pass an IQ test because he is a low IQ individual and we don't need low IQ individuals in Congress.' The lawmaker was censured by the House of Representatives today for interrupting the president's speech on Tuesday with shouts of protest about the threat he says Trump poses to the future of Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. Speaking to Fox News Digital, the president said: 'He should be censured.' He also called the lawmaker 'a fool and a clown.' 'Nobody takes him seriously,' Trump told the outlet. 'He is an embarrassment to Congress but a much bigger embarrassment to the Democrats.' 16:20 , AP To President Donald Trump, tariffs are a cure for a number of the nation's ills and the tool to reach new heights. Most economists see taxes paid on imports as capable of addressing unfair trade practices, but they're skeptical of the quasi-miraculous properties that Trump claims they possess. On Tuesday, the president launched a trade war against America's three biggest trading partners, drawing immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China. Continue reading... How Trump justifies his tariffs: From 'fairness' to budget balancing 16:09 , Oliver O'Connell Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that he expects Canada and the U.S. to be in a trade war for the foreseeable future after what he described as a colorful but constructive conversation with President Donald Trump this week. Trudeau said the two sides discussed tariffs and that they are 'actively engaged in ongoing conversations in trying to make sure these tariffs don't overly harm' certain sectors and workers. He also reiterated that 'we will not be backing down from our response tariffs until such a time as the unjustified American tariffs are Canadian goods are lifted.' Trump initiated a new trade war on Tuesday by imposing tariffs on Washington's three largest trading partners, prompting immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada, and China, and causing financial markets to plunge. Trump imposed a 25% tax, or tariff, on Mexican and Canadian imports, while limiting the levy to 10% on Canadian energy. Trump has since granted a one-month reprieve to U.S. automakers, having spoken with the CEOs of the big three car manufacturers — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Jeep. This morning, Commerce Secretary Howard Ludnick said on CNBC that Trump will decide whether to extend the one-month reprieve to other sectors that are compliant with USMCA rules of origin. The one-month delay in import taxes 'will likely cover all USMCA- compliant goods and services,' Lutnick said, referring to the trade agreement Trump negotiated in his last term that replaced NAFTA. Lutnick estimated that more than half of what the U.S. imports from those two countries would be eligible. There has also been talk of exemptions for certain agricultural products. Trump is set to speak with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later today, and an announcement could follow that conversation. Further tariffs will be rolled out on April 2, which the president has described as being reciprocal and seemingly covering all U.S. trading partners, matching their tariffs on American-made goods. With reporting from the Associated Press. 15:51 , Oliver O'Connell 15:50 , Oliver O'Connell Some recent new hires at the CIA have been fired, days after a federal judge permitted the Trump administration to terminate intelligence officers working in roles related to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, according to a report. Some probationary employees have been called to meet at a location away from the agency's Langley, Virginia, headquarters and to surrender their security credentials, sources told the New York Times. The layoffs are part of a wider Department of Government Efficiency-led effort to shrink the federal workforce. A CIA spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that some officers hired in the last two years have been laid off. Kelly Rissman has the details. CIA begins firing spies after judge clears the way 15:36 , Oliver O'Connell The House has voted to censure Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green for his repeated interruptions of President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. Gustaf Kilander and Eric Garcia report from Washington, D.C. Democrat Al Green censured after repeatedly interrupting Trump's speech to Congress 15:32 , Oliver O'Connell The House of Representatives is currently voting to censure Rep. Al Green (D-TX) for his interruption of President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress. Here's that moment: 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell Donald Trump has been accused of 'genocidal rhetoric' after telling the people of Gaza 'you are dead' if Hamas does not release the remaining Israeli hostages. Jabed Ahmed reports. Trump accused of 'genocidal rhetoric' after telling Gazans 'you are dead' 15:23 , Oliver O'Connell The White House has denied a report from Reuters that President Donald Trump will revoke the temporary legal status of 240,000 Ukrainians living in the U.S. Per Reuters: U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is planning to revoke temporary legal status for some 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the conflict with Russia, a senior Trump official and three sources familiar with the matter said, potentially putting them on a fast-track to deportation. The move, expected as soon as April, would be a stunning reversal of the welcome Ukrainians received under President Joe Biden's administration. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied the report, saying 'no decision has been made at this time.' This is more fake news from Reuters based on anonymous sources who have no idea what they are talking about. The truth: no decision has been made at this time. — Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 6, 2025 15:17 , Oliver O'Connell Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick tells CNBC that President Donald Trump is likely to decide today to exempt all USMCA-compliant trade from the Canada and Mexico tariffs for one month — not just the auto industry as announced yesterday. Things will change again on April 2 when another wave of reciprocal tariffs is scheduled to kick in. 15:10 , Oliver O'Connell and write: Officials in Donald Trump's administration have made public demands that Ukraine should change its president. In private, lobbyists have worked to make the case for soft regime change in Kyiv in meetings with journalists and diplomats across Europe. They may believe they're working to 'Make America Great Again' but they are nonetheless following a Kremlin playbook to delegitimize Volodymyr Zelensky. Read on... If Trump forces Zelensky out who could be the next Ukraine president? 14:50 , Joe Sommerlad The punk band switched up the lyrics to 'Jesus of Suburbia' from American Idiot to make a political point on the latest leg of their world tour, targeting the vice president for ridicule. Here's Mary Papenfuss. Green Day changes lyrics to skewer JD Vance with a slur 14:43 , Oliver O'Connell Anxiety has returned to Wall Street, with markets set to reverse much of Wednesday's gains, which were fueled by President Donald Trump's one-month exemption for U.S. automakers from his 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports. Futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq all dropped in premarket trading. Shares of retailers Macy's and Victoria's Secret plummeted as consumer confidence declines. Shortly after the market opened, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down more than 520 points or 1.21%. Meanwhile, pplications for U.S. jobless benefits have fallen, showing the labor market was steady ahead of the purge of federal employees. And Europe's Central Bank lowered interest rates to support consumers and businesses preparing for Trump to impose new import taxes on U.S. consumers purchasing European goods. With reporting from the AP 14:25 , Joe Sommerlad It is already clear the U.S. president is hellbent on ushering in a new dawn in which traditional alliances are abandoned – and nations must fend for themselves, writes Tobias Ellwood. Under Trump, the global order that America helped to build is crumbling 14:00 , Joe Sommerlad Hayden Haynes, chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson, was arrested on a DUI charge following Trump's address on Tuesday. 'A driver backed into a parked vehicle last night around 11:40 p.m. We responded and arrested them for DUI,' U.S. Capitol Police told The Independent in a statement. Here's the full story from Gustaf Kilander and John Bowden. Speaker Mike Johnson's chief of staff arrested on DUI charge after Trump's speech 13:40 , Joe Sommerlad House Republicans are taking steps to punish Texas Democratic Representative Al Green for disrupting the president's speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, which led to Green being thrown out of the chamber. Washington State Republican Daniel Newhouse introduced a censure resolution against Green on Wednesday. 'This was beyond the pale. It went on and on, disrupting the entire evening so I felt it had to be responded to,' said Newhouse. 'We have to uphold the expectations of decorum here, or else, what are we? We have nothing other than just a club that everybody comes and yells at each other.' Gustaf Kilander has more. House GOP moves to punish Rep. Al Green for heckling Trump's speech 13:20 , Joe Sommerlad America PAC, the political action committee started by Elon Musk, has launched its first TV commercial, highlighting 'four long years of humiliation' under the Biden administration. Here's more from Mike Bedigan. First ad from Musk-backed PAC highlights 'four long years of humiliation' 13:00 , Joe Sommerlad Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt dodged questions about Musk's sartorial choices yesterday following criticism over MAGA's attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding his wartime uniform, which cropped up during his ill-fated visit to the Oval Office last week. Surprisingly, the offending question came from Fox's Peter Doocy. Here's more from Madeline Sherratt. White House dodges questions about Elon Musk's outfits 12:40 , Joe Sommerlad You can see two contrasting reactions to Trump's tariff trade war on Fox News yesterday from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and pundit Jessica Tarlov. Lutnick: Tariffs are going to drive America better.. Wouldn't it be amazing to stop paying taxes to the internal revenue service and have the external revenue service of make America great again replace our taxes? That is the goal of Donald Trump, — Acyn (@Acyn) March 5, 2025 Jessica: But you guys know, and you are ignoring what's going on, these tariffs are bad for Americans. A majority know that it will raise costs. That's the reason they had to walk them back. — Acyn (@Acyn) March 5, 2025 With stocks tanking, market confidence plunging and gas prices poised to rocket, the economic 'disturbance' the president has introduced will soon be felt in Americans' pockets and portfolios, says James Moore. Will American consumers now catch a 'tariff chill'? 12:20 , Joe Sommerlad CNN is reporting that White House officials have prepared an executive order for the president to sign, possibly as soon as today, directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of dismantling the department, a move he has threatened for months and which was included in the Project 2025 manifesto for his second term. We'll bring you all the latest on that if and when it happens. 12:00 , Joe Sommerlad Solo Avital, a U.S.-based filmmaker and artist, said he made the bad taste video imagining post-war Gaza as a glitzy beach resort while experimenting with AI software in early February and was 'surprised' when the clip went viral. Jabed Ahmed reports. Creator of 'Gaza Riveria' AI video shared by Trump speaks out 11:40 , Joe Sommerlad Those USDA staffers weren't the only ones sheepishly welcomed back to the office this week. On Tuesday, almost 200 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) probationary employees who were laid off last month were sent emails with the subject line, 'Read this e-mail immediately', inviting them back to work at the nation's top public health agency. Here's more. Nearly 200 fired CDC employees invited back to work, two weeks after job cuts 11:20 , Joe Sommerlad The chair of a quiet government agency secured the re-employment of nearly 6,000 fired federal workers for the next month and a half on Wednesday, just a day after her own firing was ruled illegal by a federal judge. Cathy Harris struck what is likely the biggest blow so far to DOGE's firing campaign on Wednesday, ruling that 5,600 probationary employees at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) were terminated in a move that may have violated federal procedures. Her ruling halts the firings for 45 days, while the Merit Systems Protection Board, which she chairs, reviews the firings. It's not a permanent victory for workers hoping to keep their jobs, but one that could become lasting if the Board rules that the firings (which at USDA were predicated on supposed performance issues) were made on dubious grounds. Meanwhile, the affected employees will remain in their respective positions. Here's more from John Bowden. DOGE suffers big loss as thousands of probationary USDA staff ordered back to work 11:00 , Joe Sommerlad The Trump administration is looking to roll back staffing at the department charged with caring for American military veterans by firing as many as 80,000 workers who were hired as part of a Joe Biden initiative to improve care and cover for veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic substances. Here's how the news played on MSNBC (very poorly indeed) – and an astonishing defense by Trump counsel and MAGA favorite Alina Habba. Rieckhoff: And what I would tell folks is: if they treat veterans like this, if they treat retired generals like this, how do you think they're going to treat everyone else? How do you think they're going to treat you? We are just first. — Acyn (@Acyn) March 6, 2025 Alina Habba on veterans who have been fired from government jobs: "Perhaps they're not fit to have a job at this moment." — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 4, 2025 Andrew Feinberg has this report. Trump administration looks to fire 80,000 from Veterans Affairs health care 10:40 , Joe Sommerlad The GOP met with Musk behind closed doors in Washington yesterday and lawmakers implored him to run his federal cuts past them as concerns about his Department of Government Efficiency's unchecked activities continue to grow. The world's richest man met separately with House and Senate Republicans on Wednesday and reportedly explained how DOGE was going about its business and even gave out his mobile number as a gesture towards transparency as those in attendance called for greater consultation with Congress. Reporter: Hey Elon, can we get your phone number? Musk: Something 8008 *laughs* — Acyn (@Acyn) March 6, 2025 The billionaire also admitted his staff had made mistakes and attempted to put some distance between himself and the mass firing of federal employees, saying it was ultimately the responsibility of the agencies that manage them. Elon Musk told House Rs tonight that DOGE wasn't responsible for the federal firings — 'the individual departments were,' per Rep. Van comes as House and Senate Rs are now discussing a legislative package of cuts — known as a rescission package — to codify DOGE cuts… — Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 6, 2025 Seeking to reassure his flock, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he and Musk have been in contact 'almost daily now,' CNN reports. The danger for Republicans, however, is that, should DOGE's cuts be put to the vote, they would be expected by the president to back them and would therefore be on record as directly supporting firings that could prove deeply unpopular with the American public. Here's Mary Papenfuss on DOGE's figures still not adding up. How Elon Musk's DOGE cost cuts don't make sense: Report 10:20 , Joe Sommerlad The country's ambassador to Britain, former Auckland mayor Phil Goff, has been dismissed from his position after he made remarks seen as critical of the U.S. president's intellect, foreign minister Winston Peters has said. Goff made the comments at an event held by the international affairs think-tank Chatham House in London on Tuesday, where Finland's foreign minister Elina Valtonen was a guest speaker. Here's Shweta Sharma on what precisely he said. New Zealand sacks UK high commissioner for questioning Trump's grasp on history 10:00 , Joe Sommerlad The president's latest social media post was this furious rant about media speculation as to why exactly he was thanking Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts at his joint address to Congress on Tuesday night. 'Like most people, I don't watch Fake News CNN or MSDNC, but I understand they are going 'crazy' asking what is it that I was thanking Justice Roberts for?' Trump wrote. 'They never called my office to ask, of course, but if they had I would have told these sleazebag 'journalists' that I thanked him for SWEARING ME IN ON INAUGURATION DAY, AND DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB IN SO DOING! The Fake News never quits!' The Fake "Play the Ref" News, in order to create a divide between me and our great U.S. Supreme Court, heard me say last night, loudly and openly as I was walking past the Justices on the way to the podium, "thank you," to Chief Justice John Roberts. Like most people, I don't… — Trump Posts on 𝕏 (@trump_repost) March 6, 2025 This is the moment to which he was referring: 'Thank you again. Thank you again. Won't forget.' Trump says to Chief Justice John Roberts as he shakes his — The Intellectualist (@highbrow_nobrow) March 5, 2025 09:40 , Oliver O'Connell An appeals court has removed the head of a federal watchdog agency in the latest twist in a legal fight concerning Trump's authority to fire the special counsel. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia sided with the Trump administration and allowed Hampton Dellinger to be immediately removed as head of the Office of Special Counsel while the court battle continues. Dellinger is likely to appeal. Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson (a George HW Bush appointee), Patricia Millett (a Barack Obama appointee) and Justin Walker (a Donald Trump appointee) made the order without dissent. Dellinger filed a lawsuit against Trump last month after his dismissal, despite the law stating that special counsels can be removed by the president only for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who was nominated to the bench b Obama, quickly reinstated Dellinger in the job while he pursued his case. Here's our earlier reporting on the matter. Fired federal watchdog must keep his job, judge says, striking blow to Trump's agenda 09:20 , Joe Sommerlad The president posted a fiery ultimatum to Hamas last night about the release of its remaining hostages, issuing what he said would be a 'last warning' that also contained a threat to the people of Gaza. ''Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! 'This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance. 'Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision.' "Shalom Hamas" means Hello and Goodbye - You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am… — Trump Posts on 𝕏 (@trump_repost) March 5, 2025 It was reported earlier in the day that the U.S. has begun direct negotiations with Hamas over the remaining hostages still being held in Gaza, of which there are believed to be 59 in total, 35 of whom have been confirmed dead by the Israel Defense Forces. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed Axios's reporting of the talks, saying that negotiating was 'the right thing for the American people.' Asked about his reaction to the development on Fox News's Jesse Watters Primetime, South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said: 'I'm OK with it. I don't mind what Trump does because I trust Trump. 'But Trump sent out a tweet today [saying] release the hostages or you will be destroyed. And that's the kind of leadership we need. So, I trust Trump. As long as he's in the room, I'm OK.' Watters: The administration is directly negotiating with Hamas. Do you like that?Lindsey Graham: I'm okay with it. I don't mind what Trump does because I trust Trump(This is what today's GOP stands for: everything Trump does is good; he can do no wrong) — Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) March 6, 2025 Here's more from Josh Marcus. Trump warns people of Gaza 'you are dead' if Hamas does not release hostages 09:01 , Joe Sommerlad Donald Trump's top trade adviser Peter Navarro has accused Canada of being 'taken over by Mexican cartels' and not doing enough to stop the importation of deadly fentanyl. Speaking to Bret Baier on Fox News's Special Report last night, Navarro declared: 'What I wanna say to every world leader who gets up in arms when all we're asking for is fairness and to have them stop killing our people is, please, listen to us. 'Canada could do a lot more. Canada has been taken over, Bret, by Mexican cartels. They bring up these pill presses and printers, and the medicines that they fake, you can't tell the difference.' Peter Navarro: 'Canada has been taken over by Mexican cartels'Big if true — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 6, 2025 After Navarro claimed that 70,000 Americans were being killed annually by the drug, Baier asked if he were laying the responsibility solely at Canada's door. 'No, of course not. Of course not, Bret,' he answered. 'But what we want to see is Canada and Mexico crack down on China. China, for whatever reason, and there is a lot of speculation as to whether they mean to do us harm with this, they don't seem to care, okay? So, it's up to Mexico and Canada help us do this.' The outburst came after the administration agreed to grant the auto sector a one-month exemption from Trump's 25 percent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods after the president came under pressure from the CEOs of America's 'Big Three' carmakers. As the president's trade war begins to brew up, here's Gustaf Kilander on what American business leaders have said so far on how the Trump tariffs will affect prices. What companies have said so far about how Trump tariffs will affect prices 08:30 , Oliver O'Connell Elon Musk suggested Wednesday that the U.S. government should privatize 'as much as possible' and named Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service as two services ripe for privatization, NBC News reports citing a source at a Morgan Stanley technology conference at which the tech mogul appeared virtually. The Trump adviser and apparent head of the Department of Government Efficiency told attendees about his experiences riding bullet trains abroad and said: 'And we come back to America, like, Amtrak is a sad situation.' 'If you're coming from another country, please don't use our national rail. It can leave you with a very bad impression of America," Musk added. 'So, I just, I think we should prioritize anything that can be privatized.' The ownership structures of high-speed railways abroad vary widely. Some are fully state-owned, like China's. Others, like Japan's railways, have been largely privatized. The European system is mixed. 08:00 , Oliver O'Connell writes: Hakeem Jeffries attempted to present a united opposition party at Tuesday's State of the Union address. The House Democratic leader laid out his reasoning for attending while urging as many as possible in his party to do so, in a dear colleague letter this week. '[I]t is important to have a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber,' wrote Jeffries on Monday. 'The House as an institution belongs to the American people, and as their representatives, we will not be run off the block or bullied.' But in return, those Democrats who attended Tuesday night's address by the president of the United States were subjected to public humiliation. They could do very little to respond. Read on... Trump used his congressional address to humiliate Democrats. Why did they let him? 07:30 , AP Roughly 650 Marines and Army soldiers who were forced out of the military for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine have so far expressed interest in returning to the force under an executive order from President Donald Trump, officials said this week. The number represents about 8% of the roughly 8,200 troops who had been discharged. The total, officials say, confirms military leaders' early view that many troops have moved on with their lives. They have been allowed to rejoin since 2023, and Trump's offer of providing back pay may be a factor in spurring a bit more interest now. Continue reading... Marines and soldiers discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine show limited interest in rejoining 06:30 , Oliver O'Connell The political action committee started by Elon Musk has launched its first commercial, highlighting 'four long years of humiliation' under the Biden administration. America PAC aired the ad on Wednesday, shortly after Donald Trump delivered his address to a joint session of Congress. Mike Bedigan has the story. First ad from Musk-backed PAC highlights 'four long years of humiliation' 05:30 , Oliver O'Connell House Republicans are taking steps to punish Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green for disrupting President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. Washington state Republican Rep. Daniel Newhouse introduced a censure resolution against Green on Wednesday. Green was removed from the House after standing up and shouting at Trump repeatedly during Tuesday night's address. Newhouse said on the floor of the House that he was seeking the rare punishment against Green for his 'numerous interruptions.' Gustaf Kilander reports. House GOP moves to punish Rep. Al Green for heckling Trump's speech 04:30 , Oliver O'Connell Reuters reports that an email shows that the U.S. Marshals Service is providing security to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Sources told Reuters that the arrangement was unusual. In the February 12 email, the HHS Office of the Inspector General stated that it was winding down its protective services operations and that Attorney General Pam Bondi would arrange security for Kennedy moving forward. 'After over four decades of providing for the personal protection of the Secretary and other high-ranking HHS officials when necessary — both nationally and internationally, day and night, through a pandemic, and other obstacles — OI's protective operations are coming to an end,' wrote Christian Schrank, the deputy inspector general for investigations at HHS OIG. A Marshals spokesperson referred questions from Reuters to the Justice Department. Bondi confirmed the arrangement: 'My friend Secretary Kennedy is a valued and respected leader in President Trump's Cabinet who will be provided the proper security protection.' A spokesperson for the HHS OIG declined to comment when approached by Reuters. The Marshals Service, which has about 3,900 federal agents, is the enforcement arm of the federal court system. Its agents protect judges and court buildings. The agency also houses and transports prisoners and manages the sale of assets seized in criminal forfeiture proceedings. It is sometimes called upon to provide security for individuals involved in court or congressional proceedings, such as witnesses, prosecutors, and judges who may face threats. The attorney general is also authorized to assign agents to provide security for other officials, such as cabinet secretaries. 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell The chair of a quiet government agency secured the re-employment of nearly 6,000 fired federal workers for the next month and a half on Wednesday, just a day after her own firing was ruled illegal by a federal judge. Cathy Harris struck what is likely the biggest blow so far to DOGE's firing campaign on Wednesday, ruling that 5,600 probationary employees at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) were terminated in a move that may have violated federal procedures. Her ruling halts the firings for 45 days, while the Merit Systems Protection Board, which she chairs, reviews the decision. John Bowden reports from Washington, D.C. DOGE suffers big loss as thousands of probationary USDA staff ordered back to work 02:30 , Oliver O'Connell Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina congressman known for his hot-and-cold relationship with Donald Trump, has appeared to back a third term for the president. In a social media message, posted shortly after Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, Graham wrote: 'My take on President @realDonaldTrump's address tonight: Inspiring, funny, compelling and the Democrats' worst nightmare.' He added: 'Trump 2028!' Mike Bedigan reports. Senator Lindsey Graham appears to push a third term for Trump 02:00 , Oliver O'Connell Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and the musical's lead producer Jeffrey Seller have announced they are cancelling a planned run of shows at Washington DC's John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts over the Trump administration's takeover of the institution. Soon after returning to the Oval Office, Trump fired the Kennedy Center's leadership and put MAGA loyalist Richard Grenell in charge. Kevin E G Perry has the story. Lin-Manuel Miranda cancels Hamilton tour stop at Kennedy Center over Trump takeover 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell The Social Security Administration says it is correcting the records of deceased people that President Donald Trump repeatedly brings up as evidence of fraud. The agency said it has made 'significant progress' in identifying and correcting beneficiary records of people 100 years old or older. During his address to Congress on Tuesday, Trump repeated the claim that millions of people over 100, some up to 360 years old, are collecting Social Security benefits. The agency said in a Wednesday statement that 'while these people may not be receiving benefits, it is important for the agency to maintain accurate and complete records.' A series of reports from the Social Security Administration's inspector general in March 2023 and July 2024 stated that the agency has not established a new system to properly annotate death information in its database. This database included records of roughly 18.9 million Social Security numbers of people born in 1920 or earlier who were not marked as deceased. The agency's acting commissioner clarified last month that deceased centenarians were 'not necessarily receiving benefits.' With reporting by the AP 01:00 , Oliver O'Connell JD Vance issues blunt response when asked if US forces will invade Mexico 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell The Trump administration's 25 percent tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico are prompting retaliatory measures amid a brewing trade war. During his primetime address on March 4, Trump noted that his new tariffs might cause 'a little disturbance' but argued that it would be worth it for the eventual benefits he claimed his aggressive trade policy would bring. 'Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again. And it's happening, and it will happen rather quickly,' he claimed. 'There will be a little disturbance, but we're okay with that,' said Trump. 'It won't be much.' However, as Gustaf Kilander reports, the CEOs of several large companies have warned that Trump's tariffs may be devastating for their industries. Read on... What companies have said so far about how Trump tariffs will affect prices 00:15 , Oliver O'Connell Prior to his departure from the southern border, a priest greeted Vice President JD Vance at Air Force Two and gave him his ashes for Ash Wednesday. A White House official shared that it was Chaplain Lambert Ulinzwenimana, Captain, USAF. Before departing Texas after visit to Southern Border with Mexico, a priest gives JD Vance ashes for Ash Wednesday ... — Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) March 5, 2025 00:05 , Oliver O'Connell After a quiet day of no public engagements beyond Oval Office meetings and a call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, President Donald Trump is unloading on Truth Social. After his earlier posts threatening Hamas and the people of Gaza, and saying that Democrats should lose the midterms based on their protests at last night's joint address to Congress, the president followed up with an order to Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C. He wrote on Truth Social: We have notified the Mayor of Washington, D.C., that she must clean up all of the unsightly homeless encampments in the City, specifically including the ones outside of the State Department, and near the White House. If she is not capable of doing so, we will be forced to do it for her! Washington, D.C. must become CLEAN and SAFE! We want to be proud of our Great Capital again. Thank you Mayor Bowser for your efforts on behalf of the Citizens of our Country. Hopefully you will be successful! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell Donald Trump issued a stark warning that the U.S. would help destroy Hamas if leaders of the militant group didn't leave Gaza and release their remaining Israeli hostages. Josh Marcus reports. Trump gives Hamas 'last warning' to release hostages or 'there will be hell to pay' Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:51 , Oliver O'Connell Donald Trump has slammed Democratic Party lawmakers over their protests and heckling during last night's joint address to Congress. The president says: 'Republicans can take what happened last night, and win any Race in the Country.' Here's what he wrote on Truth Social this evening: The Democrats should lose the Midterms based on their behavior at last night's Joint Address to Congress. All Republicans must use their behavior on men in women's sports, their very dangerous Open Border policy, High Energy and Taxes, and much else. Also, Republicans should utilize the footage provided on the total disrespect they showed to all of those that were honored that night, including young ladies who were killed by illegal migrants, people with terminal cancer, etc. They didn't even have the common courtesy to stand, smile, or applaud. This could be, on analyzing the full tape of this Historic Event, your full CAMPAIGN TO VICTORY! In other words, Republicans can take what happened last night, and win any Race in the Country. Good Luck!!! Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell First Lady Melania Trump, who revived her Be Best campaign on her return to the White House, has posted pictures with two of her guests from last night's joint address to Congress by President Donald Trump. Elliston Berry is an advocate for the 'Take It Down Act' after being the victim of deepfake AI posts: BE BEST:Adversity will test you. Life will throw moments at you that feel unbearable. But in the most daunting times, something incredible happens - Hope finds a way in… and step by step, you move forward. Elliston Berry is the epitome of perseverance. This week in… — First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 5, 2025 Haley Ferguson is part of the Fostering the Future community which secures educational opportunities and scholarships for children in foster care: BE BEST: To every young American: your past may shape you, but it doesn't lock your pathway forward. You have the power to overcome obstacles, break barriers, and achieve your goals. Haley Ferguson is an inspiration. I am proud that she is a part of our Fostering the Future… — First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 5, 2025 Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:37 , Oliver O'Connell You might recall that earlier, Trump said he was open to hearing other appeals for exemptions from his tariffs... (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump is considering exempting certain agricultural products from tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico, the latest move by the administration on Wednesday to offer relief to certain sectors from the sweeping new import taxes. — Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) March 5, 2025 Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is removing alcohol from the U.S. from its shelves after the Trump administration's tariffs on Canada and Mexico went into effect on Tuesday at midnight. The president imposed tariffs of 25 percent on Canadian goods, as well as a 10 percent tariff on energy. Ontario put in place a number of measures that it was close to enacting a few weeks ago, when the Trump White House came close to taking action on its tariff plans the first time. Gustaf Kilander reports. Jack Daniel's boss says Ontario removing U.S. alcohol is 'worse than tariffs' Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:26 , Oliver O'Connell Judges in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia are permitting the dismissal of Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger, the federal ethics watchdog responsible for overseeing whistleblowers, to move forward. BREAKING: Federal ethics watchdog Hampton Dellinger has been removed after an order of the DC Circuit: — Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) March 5, 2025 Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson (a George HW Bush appointee), Patricia Millett (a Barack Obama appointee), and Justin Walker (a Donald Trump appointee) made the order without dissent. An opinion will follow. Here's our earlier reporting on the case: Fired federal watchdog must keep his job, judge says, striking blow to Trump's agenda Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:19 , Oliver O'Connell White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt released the following statement: "Today, President Trump took time to meet with eight of the released hostages from Gaza. The President listened intently to their heartbreaking stories. The hostages thanked President Trump for his steadfast efforts to bring all of the hostages home." According to the statement, the president met with Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher and Noa Argamani. Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:00 , AP The parliamentary tactic to table the censure resolution failed with 209 Democrats in support and 211 Republicans against. The result means a final vote on whether to censure Rep Al Green, of Texas, will likely take place Thursday. Green was escorted out of the chamber for the disruption early in the Tuesday address when Trump boasted of his election victory and Green countered, 'You have no mandate.' House Speaker Mike Johnson told Green to take his seat, but he refused. Johnson ordered the sergeant at arms to restore order by removing Green. Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse, the censure resolution's sponsor, said 'respect for the institution is paramount' and that Green 'performed one of the most shameful acts that I've ever seen on this floor.' Green, before speaking in his own defense, went up to Newhouse and shook his hand. He explained his actions by saying the president indicated he had a mandate to cut Medicaid. Green said Trump doesn't have a mandate to cut the program that many of his constituents rely on. 'This is a matter of principle. This is a matter of conscience,' Green said. 'There are people suffering in this country because they don't have health care.' Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:40 , Oliver O'Connell House Republicans launched accusations at four mayors of 'sanctuary cities' during a contentious hearing, accusing them of treason, violating federal laws and having 'blood' on their hands, with one representative claiming she would recommend the Department of Justice bring a criminal investigation against them. Ariana Baio followed the proceedings. Mayors of 'sanctuary cities' face Congressional grilling Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell Elon Musk suggested Wednesday that the U.S. government should privatize 'as much as possible' and named Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service as two services ripe for privatization, NBC News reports citing a source at a Morgan Stanley technology conference at which the tech mogul appeared virtually. The Trump adviser and apparent head of the Department of Government Efficiency told attendees about his experiences riding bullet trains abroad and said: 'And we come back to America, like, Amtrak is a sad situation.' 'If you're coming from another country, please don't use our national rail. It can leave you with a very bad impression of America," Musk added. 'So, I just, I think we should prioritize anything that can be privatized.' The ownership structures of high-speed railways abroad vary widely. Some are fully state-owned, like China's. Others, like Japan's railways, have been largely privatized. The European system is mixed. Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:20 , Oliver O'Connell Sources briefed on the conversations have told Reuters that the Trump administration has been holding secret talks with the militant Palestinian group Hamas to secure the release of U.S. hostages still held in Gaza. The White House confirmed the talks were 'ongoing' during today's press briefing. U.S. hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has the authority to negotiate directly with Hamas, the White House said. This runs counter to the longstanding policy against negotiating with groups that the U.S. has designated as terrorist organizations. Sources reported that Boehler and Hamas officials recently met in Doha. It remains unclear who represented Hamas. Axios was the first outlet to report on the discussions. The U.S. had long refrained from directly engaging with the Islamist group that carried out the cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, igniting the devastating war in Gaza. The U.S. State Department designated Hamas as a terrorist organization in 1997. The previous U.S. involvement in facilitating a ceasefire and hostage release agreement in the Gaza conflict has been conducted through Israel, along with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, but there were no known direct communications between Washington and Hamas. At today's White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'When it comes to the negotiations that you're referring to, first of all, the special envoy who's engaged in those negotiations does have the authority.' She said Israel was consulted but did not indicate whether this was before or after the talks, and described them as part of President Donald Trump's 'good faith effort to do what's right for the American people.' Leavitt added: 'These are ongoing talks and discussions. I'm not going to detail them here. There are American lives at stake. I would defer you to the Department of State. For further details, but I'm not going to get into those talks here at this podium.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Wednesday: 'Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.' With reporting from Reuters. Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:15 , AP Vice President JD Vance says U.S. forces won't invade Mexico despite the president designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, opening the door for potential military action. Asked about the potential for ground forces during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Vance responded emphatically: 'No. Next question.' He declined to offer details on any potential air strikes or other military activity. 'The president has a megaphone, and he'll speak to those issues as he feels necessary,' Vance said. Vance went to Eagle Pass, Texas, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to tout a drop in illegal border crossings. The vice president said the administration is still working to ramp up its capacity to carry out the mass deportations that Trump promised during his campaign. He blamed a need for more funding and alleged that former President Joe Biden 'gutted' the immigration enforcement apparatus. Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:02 , Oliver O'Connell Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Hamas on Truth Social, telling the terrorist organization: 'RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!' The president also warned the group: 'I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don't do as I say.' Trump also had a message to the Palestinian people: 'Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision.' Here's President Trump's full post on the social media platform: 'Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye - You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don't do as I say. I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed. This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance. Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA It was revealed earlier that the U.S. was holding secret direct talks with Hamas about the hostages. Here's Jane Dalton's full report: US and Hamas chiefs hold secret talks on Israeli hostages Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell writes: Hakeem Jeffries attempted to present a united opposition party at Tuesday's State of the Union address. The House Democratic leader laid out his reasoning for attending while urging as many as possible in his party to do so, in a dear colleague letter this week. '[I]t is important to have a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber,' wrote Jeffries on Monday. 'The House as an institution belongs to the American people, and as their representatives, we will not be run off the block or bullied.' But in return, those Democrats who attended Tuesday night's address by the president of the United States were subjected to public humiliation. They could do very little to respond. Read on... Trump used his congressional address to humiliate Democrats. Why did they let him?
