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NBC News
08-08-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
The stakes of a potential Trump-Putin summit: From the Politics Desk
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team's latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. Happy Friday! In today's edition, we dig into a tentatively scheduled summit next week between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Plus, Kristen Welker previews her interview this weekend with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. And Aria Bendix answers this week's reader question on the Trump administration's latest vaccine moves. — Adam Wollner Trump appears to hand Putin a diplomatic win with a tentatively scheduled summit By Alexander Smith Just when Ukraine and its European allies thought President Donald Trump was coming around to their view of the war, he appeared to give a huge win to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. For Kyiv, this was Trump's deadline to Putin: stop the fighting by Friday or face tough new economic sanctions. Instead, Trump has handed Moscow a diplomatic coup by agreeing to meet Putin face-to-face in a matter of days, their first encounter since the invasion of Ukraine. Trump had initially suggested that such a summit would only go ahead if Putin agreed to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, something the Ukrainian president's administration has long called for but has been resisted by Russia. On Thursday, Trump dispelled the idea that they would have to get together — raising the specter of a bilateral negotiation that freezes out Kyiv. The latest: Gabe Gutierrez and Monica Alba report that the meeting between Trump and Putin is tentatively scheduled for the end of next week. The location is still being discussed, a senior White House official said, but possibilities include the United Arab Emirates, Hungary, Switzerland and Rome. Further details and logistics of the meeting are still unclear and remain very fluid, including whether Zelenskyy will be involved. The stakes: 'The danger for Ukraine is actually quite grave,' said Jonathan Eyal, international director at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. 'There will be a sense of alarm in European capitals.' For Eyal and others, Ukraine's nightmare is now one step closer to reality: 'Trump will be so pleased by what he perceives as the great achievement of getting Putin to the negotiating table that he grabs any kind of offer that is made,' Eyal said. 'The danger of half-baked compromise, which Trump can claim as his main achievement, is very high.' That compromise could be a temporary ceasefire that would allow Russia to restock its army and give its economy a break from international sanctions, according to Hope for Ukraine, a nonprofit organization based in Roseland, New Jersey. Even if there is no truce agreement, 'a meeting with Trump — no matter the outcome — would be a big diplomatic victory for Putin,' Gabriella Ramirez, Hope for Ukraine's executive assistant, said in an email. 'Putin wants to break his diplomatic isolation,' and such a meeting 'will stroke his ego.' Analysis by Kristen Welker The redistricting fight has boiled over. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed Thursday in an interview with NBC News to call 'special session after special session after special session' until state Republicans can pass new maps to pad the party's majority in Congress, as Republicans ramp up their legal threats against the Democrats who fled the state to block their progress. Democrats are vowing to push back. Governors like Illinois' JB Pritzker, California's Gavin Newsom and New York's Kathy Hochul are warning they may move forward on efforts to redraw their own states' districts to boost Democrats if Texas enacts new congressional lines. This push by national Democrats to go 'nuclear' puts them in line with the fight that their voters have said they want to see from their leaders, at a time where poll after poll shows the party at its lowest marks with the American public in decades. But it's a risky bet — potentially more so for Democrats than Republicans. Democrats are up against a significant time crunch to get a special election onto the ballot this fall that could allow them to redraw maps in California. Hochul's tough talk in New York is chastened by the laws there, which require a lengthy legislative process that wouldn't likely lead to new maps until the 2028 elections. And Pritzker's float of a redraw in Illinois runs up against more practical concerns — can Democrats squeeze any more juice out of a congressional map that has 14 Democrats and three Republicans? And if all these efforts are successful, creating a new world where America redraws its congressional districts constantly for short-term political gain, will that be the final nail in the coffin for the already endangered species of political moderates on Capitol Hill? We'll discuss this issue and many more on Sunday's 'Meet the Press,' which includes exclusive interviews with Pritzker, former Attorney General Eric Holder and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. ✉️ Mailbag: The impact of RFK's latest vaccine policies Thanks to everyone who emailed us! This week's reader question is about Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent moves on vaccine funding: 'Will there be enough Covid and flu shots available this fall?' To answer this, we turned to health reporter Aria Bendix:We're not anticipating any major supply issues right now. Kennedy's decision this week to cut $500 million in mRNA vaccine contracts doesn't apply to the current shots. Rather, he's slashing federal funds for research projects intended to develop new vaccines, such as inhaled Covid or flu vaccines or shots that protect against bird flu. mRNA vaccines are seen as a critical tool for the next pandemic, since they can be produced and updated quickly. As far as this fall and winter are concerned, flu vaccine manufacturers have already begun shipping doses to health care providers and pharmacies in anticipation of flu season starting around October. And the FDA approved new formulations of the Covid vaccine to be rolled out later this year. However, there may still be a few impediments to getting vaccinated: It's not clear whether insurers will cover Covid vaccines for healthy children or pregnant people after Kennedy said the CDC was no longer recommending them for these groups. And flu vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal — which made up a very small portion of last year's shots — won't be available, per a decision from a Kennedy-appointed vaccine advisory panel.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A high-stakes moment for Gavin Newsom: From the Politics Desk
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team's latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In today's edition, we explore how California Gov. Gavin Newsom is navigating a high-profile political fight with President Donald Trump. Plus, Steve Kornacki previews New Jersey's primary for governor before the results roll in tonight. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. — Adam Wollner Have a question for the NBC News Politics Desk about the political fallout from the immigration protests, President Donald Trump's upcoming military parade or this month's primary elections? Send your questions to politicsnewsletter@ and we may answer them in a future edition of the newsletter. Amid immigration raids, peaceful protests, attacks on law enforcement officers and the threat of his own arrest by federal agents, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is immersed in what could be the most consequential political fight of his career. The battle has instantly turned Newsom, the governor of the nation's largest state, into the face of resistance to President Donald Trump's expansive interpretation of the authorities of his office and mass-deportation campaign. It comes at a time when Newsom, who is a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, has been taking heavy criticism from within his own party over his efforts — in part through his new podcast — to cast himself in the role of conciliator. As it is, Newsom must balance forces that are both inside and outside of his control. That includes competing with messaging from Trump (who frequently refers to the governor as 'Newscum') and the president's top lieutenants, who are ever-present on cable news, social media and political podcasts. And it involves attempting to quell violent actors while pointing to Trump's actions — which have included deploying the U.S. Marines — as an overreach. For its part, the White House maintains it is winning the public relations battle, with officials tapping a refrain this week that it was the fight they wanted replete with made-for-TV images. But Newsom has been mounting his own messaging offensive on X and through media interviews. And Democratic leaders say their party is galvanizing behind him — at least for the moment — and it would be difficult for prospective rivals to do anything but fall in line behind him when he is taking a stand on turf that is popular with Democratic voters. Friends of Newsom say it would be an unexpected political boon for the governor if Trump and his border czar, Tom Homan, follow through on their threat to arrest him if they decide he has broken the law. Read more from Jon and Natasha → Newsom vs. Johnson: Speaker Mike Johnson R-La., stopped short of saying Newsom should be arrested, but added that 'he ought to be tarred and feathered.' Newsom called it 'a fitting threat given the @GOP want[s] to bring our country back to the 18th Century.' How Republicans are responding: GOP lawmakers like Johnson largely stood by Trump's handling of the situation in Los Angeles. But Republican Rep. David Valadao — who represents a battleground district in California — said he was 'concerned about ongoing ICE operations' in the state, urging the administration 'to prioritize the removal of known criminals.' How Democrats are responding: While Democrats have largely been in unison with their criticism of Trump, there have been two notable exceptions. Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., went further than her colleagues in saying Trump's actions rise to the level of impeachable offenses. On the other side, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., referred to the situation in Los Angeles as 'anarchy and true chaos.''My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement,' Fetterman said. Trump's warning: Trump said that anyone who protests at the U.S. military parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday will be met with 'very heavy force.' Price tag: The Defense Department's top financial officer said during a congressional hearing that the estimated cost of deploying the National Guard and the Marines to Los Angeles is $134 million. Related reads: Anti-ICE protests held coast to coast after L.A. unrest as national movement grows, by Patrick Smith, Mirna Alsharif and Gary Grumbach Trump faces criticism of his broad mass deportation push from two different angles, by Natasha Korecki Military deployment in L.A. puts Trump's authority to use troops at home in the spotlight, by Lawrence Hurley Follow live updates → Rep. Mikie Sherrill heads into today's primary as the favorite to win the Democratic nomination for governor of New Jersey. She has blanketed the pricey New York and Philadelphia metro airwaves with television ads, she enjoys the backing of much of the party's establishment, and she had opened double-digit leads in two polls that were released several weeks ago. There is uncertainty, though. Credible public polling has, overall, been limited and infrequent. And court-imposed changes to the layout of the primary ballot could dramatically dilute the power of the endorsements Sherrill has received from key county Democratic organizations. Sherrill's opponents have each made inroads. But, at least so far, that seems to have had the effect of keeping them in one another's way, preventing one from emerging as the clear alternative to Sherrill. Consider the state's political geography. You can draw a line south of Mercer and Monmouth counties, roughly where Route 195 would be on a map. Below that is South Jersey. Democratic politics here are dominated by an old-fashioned political machine that is backing the lone South Jersey candidate in the field: former state Sen. Steve Sweeney. The trouble for Sweeney is that only about 30% of all primary votes will come from this region. And because South Jersey is part of the Philadelphia media market, he's not well-known in the rest of the state, which is served heavily by the New York market. Then there's vote-rich North Jersey, where the other candidates can all claim some advantage. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is likely to win his city — the state's largest — overwhelmingly. Newark is also the seat of Essex County, which has more registered Democrats than any other county. More than 40% of Essex's population is Black, which should further boost Baraka, the most prominent Black candidate in the race (Sean Spiller, who is president of the state teacher's union, is also Black). Nearby Union County, which has the second-highest share of Black residents, could offer another trove of votes. Baraka has also made a wider play for the party's progressive base. He has run hard to the left, and he burnished his anti-Trump credentials when he was arrested at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility last month. Coupled with deep Black support, that could be the makings of a potent coalition in a statewide primary. But Baraka has encountered traffic in the progressive lane thanks to the presence of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who is also embracing left-wing themes and has framed his candidacy as a war on the Democratic establishment. Another candidate, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, has pitched his message more toward the middle, promising tax cuts and emphasizing cost-of-living issues. Gottheimer won his House seat by flipping what had been a reliably Republican district, and he has amassed an enviable campaign bankroll. He figures to perform strongly in suburban Bergen County, his political base, and he has been endorsed by Bergen's official Democratic organization. But his only other party endorsement comes from tiny rural Warren County in the northwest corner of the state. Read more from Steve → What to watch: Outside of the crowded Democratic primary, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by President Trump, is viewed as the front-runner on the Republican side. Bridget Bowman has everything you need to know before polls close at 8 p.m. ET. 💲Populist push: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., introduced a bill with Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour. Read more → ⬅️ Eyeing the exits: Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., said he will resign from his seat after Congress passes a sweeping domestic policy bill for Trump's agenda citing an opportunity in the private sector he said was 'too exciting to pass up.' Read more → 🗳️ Another round: Washington, D.C., Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who turns 88 this week, said she will run for re-election after The Washington Post reported on concerns from her allies and elected officials in the city that she is no longer up for the job. Read more → 💰 Cash dash: The latest campaign finance reports show Democrat Abigail Spanberger had $14.3 million on hand for her Virginia gubernatorial campaign, compared to $3 million for Republican Winsome Earle Sears. Read more → 🚘 Prime parking available: The red Tesla that Trump purchased this spring in support of Elon Musk is no longer parked outside the West Wing, following reports that the president was considering selling or giving away the car. Read more → That's all From the Politics Desk for now. Today's newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner and Dylan Ebs. If you have feedback — likes or dislikes — email us at politicsnewsletter@ And if you're a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on
NBC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Trump's drug pricing move shows his second-term reluctance to try bipartisanship: From the Politics Desk
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team's latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In today's edition, Sahil Kapur dives into how President Donald Trump has been reluctant to even attempt to reach across the aisle to Democratic lawmakers on policy proposals that could attract bipartisan support. Plus, we look at how markets soared after the U.S. and China agreed to ease their trade war — even as some uncertainty remains. — Adam Wollner By Sahil Kapur President Donald Trump's executive order on Monday to cut prescription drug costs by imposing a 'most favored nation' pricing model drew a pithy retort from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Washington's most outspoken proponent of taking on Big Pharma. '[A]s Trump well knows, his executive order will be thrown out by the courts,' said Sanders, the ranking member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. 'If Trump is serious about making real change rather than just issuing a press release, he will support legislation I will soon be introducing to make sure we pay no more for prescription drugs than people in other major countries. If Republicans and Democrats come together on this legislation, we can get it passed in a few weeks.' Trump's order is a directive to the Health and Human Services secretary to act on the goal — achieving parity with other developed countries on what Medicare and Medicaid pay for drugs — within 30 days. But the bigger problem is that a version of the idea was attempted by Trump in his first term, and blocked in court. The new order may run into the same brick wall before it can deliver any benefits. The back-and-forth points to a unique tendency for Trump in his second term: a reluctance to attempt bipartisanship, even when there is significant overlap with Democrats on a goal. Instead, Trump has repeatedly sought to go it alone — at risk of failure. The self-styled 'dealmaker' is passing up opportunities for a deal, lest he have to share the victory with his political foes. It is a break from tradition. Presidents typically attempt to achieve congressional approval for their goals, knowing that legislation is the best way for a policy to overcome legal hurdles and — especially if it's bipartisan — to stand the test of time. Trump is taking a different route, relying on executive action and party-line bills to advance his agenda. The move on drug pricing is just the latest example. In recent weeks, Trump has hinted at support for raising taxes on upper earners, a goal that has virtually unanimous Democratic support and could turn into a bipartisan victory. Instead, he has repeatedly offered it up as a trial balloon for his party-line agenda bill, only for Republicans to shoot it down each time (and to question whether he's even serious about it). Another example is Trump's campaign promise of government-funded IVF treatments, a goal that Democrats are more supportive of than Republicans. Indeed, GOP lawmakers say they have no intention of advancing IVF funding in their bill. Yet there has been scant effort by Trump at a bipartisan deal that could deliver on the promise. The tendency helps explain why Trump signed fewer bills into law than any president since the 1950s during his first 100 days in office. Trump's GOP trifecta includes a paper-thin House majority and a 60-vote hurdle in the Senate to pass most legislation, making his task of signing new laws even more complicated without any Democratic support. House Republicans still have a lot of work ahead of them to reach consensus on their massive bill for Trump's agenda, even as they start releasing key parts of legislative text for the package. Here's the latest from Capitol Hill: House Republicans unveil sweeping tax plan but have yet to resolve key fight over SALT, by Scott Wong, Melanie Zanona and Sahil Kapur , by Sahil Kapur U.S. and China take major step toward easing trade war By Jennifer Jett, Peter Guo and Rob Wile The United States and China announced a 90-day pause on most of their recent tariffs on each other, fueling hopes on Wall Street of a cooldown in the trade war between the world's two largest economies. The combined U.S. tariffs rate on Chinese imports will be cut to 30% from 145%, while China's levies on U.S. imports will be cut to 10% from 125%, the two countries said in a joint statement. The early morning announcement came after officials from the two countries met in Geneva over the weekend. It was the first face-to-face talks on the tariffs since President Donald Trump's shock 'Liberation Day' announcement last month imposing 84% duties on Chinese imports, which subsequently climbed to 125% — and then to 145% a day later. The math: The new 30% rate is the sum of the 20% duty imposed during the first weeks of his second term in response to alleged Chinese inaction on fentanyl flows, alongside the 10% across-the-board tariff Trump has imposed on all countries. How the markets responded: The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up more than 1,100 points, an increase of about 2.8%. With those gains, the Dow is now even for the year after having declined as much as 11%. Still, it remains 5.5% below the highs it reached in February. The S&P 500, the broadest stock index, added 3.3%. Note of caution: Some analysts have urged caution, noting that tariffs remain far higher than before Trump returned to office. That suggests many consumer goods — from cars and groceries to fireworks — are set to see price hikes. Federal data is set to provide a fresh inflation snapshot on Tuesday morning. 'The full set of U.S. tariffs would still be considerably higher and broader than expected by markets at the start of the year,' Goldman Sachs analysts wrote in a note to clients Monday, noting that the 90-day countdown 'should keep uncertainty high for both investors and businesses.' 🗳️ Midterm roundup There may still be 540 days until the 2026 elections (who's counting?), but we've seen a flurry of candidates jump in — and others opt out — of key races around the country over the past 72 hours. Here's the latest from the campaign trail: Georgia Senate: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., passed on a run against Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, while state Insurance Commissioner John King became the second major Republican to enter the race. Michigan Senate: Former state House Speaker Joe Tate joined the state's crowded Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters. Iowa governor: Rob Sand, Iowa's state auditor and its only statewide Democratic officeholder, announced a bid for governor. And on the GOP side, Rep. Randy Feenstra filed paperwork for his campaign. Florida governor: State Sen. Jason Pizzo, fresh off a high-profile break with the Democratic Party, is running for governor as an independent. Michigan's 13th District: Meanwhile, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., backed state Rep. Donovan McKinney's primary challenge to her colleague, Rep. Shri Thanedar.
NBC News
02-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Trump speaks on economic worries and roils foreign elections: From the Politics Desk
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team's latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In today's edition, we have the first comments from Kristen Welker's exclusive interview with President Donald Trump. Plus, we're looking at another U.S. ally — after Canada — that has seen its upcoming election roiled by Trump as he reshapes not just American politics but global politics as well. — Scott Bland Trump downplays recession fears, saying the U.S. would be 'OK' in the long term By Alexandra Marquez President Donald Trump on Friday downplayed concerns about potential economic trouble, saying everything would be 'OK' in the long term, even if the U.S economy experienced a recession in the short term. Asked twice by 'Meet the Press' moderator Kristen Welker whether it would be OK in the long term if there was a recession in the short term, the president said, 'Look, yeah, it's — everything's OK. What we are — I said, this is a transition period. I think we're going to do fantastically.' Following up, Welker asked Trump if he was worried about a recession, to which he responded, 'No.' Asked whether he thinks one could happen, Trump replied, 'Anything can happen, but I think we're going to have the greatest economy in the history of our country.' The remarks come as analysts on Wall Street are increasingly worried that the country could face a recession due to Trump's changing tariff policy. 'Well, you know, you say, 'Some people on Wall Street say' — well, I tell you something else. Some people on Wall Street say that we're going to have the greatest economy in history. Why don't you talk about them?' Trump said during the interview at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. 'There are many people on Wall Street say this is going to be the greatest windfall ever happen,' the president added. According to initial measurements released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday, the U.S. economy shrunk by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, a reduction largely driven by a fall in exports and a boost in imports ahead of Trump's expected tariffs. On Wednesday, while meeting with members of his Cabinet, Trump deflected blame for the first-quarter gross domestic product numbers, saying that it was a result of the economy former President Joe Biden left behind. 'You probably saw some numbers today,' Trump said, 'and I have to start off by saying, that's Biden.' After Canadian election, Trump could drag down conservatives in Australia too By Mahalia Dobson Days after a Canadian election that hinged on who would best stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump, he is at the center of an election in another liberal democracy. Trust in the United States is plummeting in Australia, which votes Saturday amid global financial turmoil sparked by tariffs Trump has imposed on trading partners around the world including Australia, a U.S. ally and vital security partner in countering China. As in Canada, Australia's opposition conservative party, the Liberal Party, was primed to win before Trump returned to office, thanks to public anger over the cost of living and record-high home prices. But it has since lost support among voters increasingly concerned about how their government will handle Trump. A poll released last month by the Lowy Institute, a research foundation, found only 36% of Australians expressed any level of trust in the United States — the lowest in the annual poll's two-decade history. While 81% of Australians disapprove of Trump's tariffs, the vast majority (80%) continue to say the U.S. alliance is important for Australia's security. Those numbers reflect the economic and security dichotomy Australia faces: how to balance its security ties with the U.S. and its trade interests with China. 🗞️ Today's other top stories 📃 Trump's wish list: Trump released a budget proposal calling for cuts to programs related to public health, education and clean energy, and boosts in spending for the military and border security. Read more → 🥊 Trump vs. Harvard: Trump said in a Truth Social post that his administration is 'going to be taking away Harvard's Tax Exempt Status.' Read more → 🥊 Trump vs. NPR & PBS: Trump signed an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to stop funding NPR and PBS. Read more → 🥊 Trump vs. law firms: Attorneys who have been critical of law firms striking deals with Trump are forming their own firm to represent clients targeted by the White House. Read more → 🌎 Rubio's world: Secretary of State Marco Rubio's new role as national security adviser is the latest example of his swift rise in Trump's orbit. Rubio has sought to establish his role as a close Trump ally after being initially caught off guard by some of Trump's early foreign policy announcements. Read more → 👀 Eyes on 2026: Trump's strategy for the 2026 midterms is taking shape, with the White House in close consultation with congressional leaders, his political operation raising millions for aligned outside groups, and his party looking to energize his core supporters. Read more → 💰 Meme coin murmurs: Some Senate Republicans are raising concerns about Trump's offer of a private dinner and White House tour to investors in his meme coin. Read more → ✍️ Sounding the alarm: Democratic senators issued a letter calling on the Trump administration to investigate deals between Elon Musk's Starlink and foreign countries, alleging Musk used his perch at the White House to further the agreements. Read more → 🐶 DOGE in the states: More than 20 states have established their own Departments of Government Efficiency, but the state-level versions have taken more modest approaches to cutting government programs and jobs. Read more →
NBC News
07-02-2025
- Business
- NBC News
How Vance is carving out his role as VP: From the Politics Desk
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team's latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. Happy Friday! Best of luck to our Kansas City and Philadelphia readers this Super Bowl weekend. In today's edition, Henry J. Gomez digs into JD Vance's expanding portfolio and what it reveals about his White House role. Plus, 'Meet the Press' moderator Kristen Welker outlines the hurdles that await Donald Trump's agenda on Capitol Hill. — Adam Wollner How Vance is carving out his role as VP By Henry J. Gomez Vice President JD Vance's White House portfolio has come into sharper focus this week, revealing how and where the White House is most confident deploying him at the outset of President Donald Trump's second term. TikTok: The latest development is that Trump has tapped Vance, along with national security adviser Michael Waltz, to oversee a deal to sell and save TikTok, the Chinese social media company facing a ban in the U.S., two people familiar with the arrangement told NBC News. Capitol Hill: Vance has also emerged as Trump's eyes, ears and voice in the Senate, where he served for two years. Leveraging his existing relationships with fellow Republicans in the chamber, he helped swing two key committee votes in the fights over Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's nominees for health and human services secretary and director of national intelligence, respectively. Ohio: Vance started the week in his native Ohio, where, on the second anniversary of the toxic East Palestine train derailment, he committed the administration to completing cleanup efforts and defended Trump's call for tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China. DOGE: And he ended it by calling for the rehiring of a Department of Government Efficiency staffer who resigned after The Wall Street Journal surfaced racist remarks he had made online. (Elon Musk later said he would bring back the staffer.) Foreign policy: Up next week: the first overseas trip of Vance's vice presidency, with an itinerary that includes an artificial intelligence summit in Paris and the Munich Security Conference. It will give him an opportunity to build his foreign policy credentials ahead of his own anticipated presidential run in 2028. Vice presidencies can be complicated to navigate. Dan Quayle is remembered more for his blunders. Al Gore struggled to emerge from Bill Clinton's shadow. More recently, Kamala Harris received several high-profile but tricky assignments, including immigration and abortion. But at least at this early stage, Vance seems to have found his footing. He told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo this week that he sees himself as 'an all-around player.' One White House official, asked to grade Vance's performance so far, gave him an 'A.' What to know from the Trump presidency today A federal judge said he will pause a midnight deadline for the U.S. Agency for International Development to be stripped down to a few hundred workers from a workforce of more than 5,000. Trump said he plans to announce 'reciprocal trade' with a range of countries next week. He also said he may meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy next week in Washington and that he will 'probably be talking to' Russian President Vladimir Putin. And Trump said he intended to fire some of the FBI personnel who worked on Capitol riot cases, asserting without providing evidence that some of them were 'corrupt.' The Justice Department and lawyers representing FBI agents who investigated Jan. 6 reached an agreement that would prohibit anyone in the federal government from publicly releasing the names of those agents while litigation proceeds. Federal Election Commission Chairwoman Ellen Weintraub said she received a letter from Trump informing her that she has been removed from her post 'immediately.' But it does not appear that Trump has the power to unilaterally remove an FEC commissioner, even if his or her term has expired. Trump announced he will sign an executive order that will end federal support for paper straws, a Biden-era policy that was part of a broader plan to end federal reliance on single-use plastics. By Kristen Welker President Donald Trump's agenda is facing plenty of challenges in the courts, with more than two dozen lawsuits underway. But his biggest hurdle may be on Capitol Hill. I was on Capitol Hill this week talking to Republican lawmakers and I can tell you, the concern about passing Trump's legislative agenda was palpable. Republicans have a razor-thin majority in the House, where they can only afford to lose one vote, leaving them with virtually no room for error. And Republicans are still debating exactly how they want to advance Trump's policy priorities. Do they address the border first, and taxes separately? Or do they tie the two together? Yesterday, House Republicans huddled at the White House for nearly five hours as they try to figure this out. A source who was in the meeting told me it was productive, and they're still on the one-bill track favored by Trump. As they continue to hammer out the details, Speaker Mike Johnson is aiming to kick-start the process in the House with a committee vote next week. He's under even more pressure to act now that Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham released a separate budget resolution that addresses border security, the military and energy provisions — and leaves extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts for another time. Graham also wants a committee vote next week. And remember, the government is set to shut down in just over a month, potentially throwing another wrench into the effort to enact Trump's agenda. But the GOP is determined to find a way forward. As one Republican lawmaker told me, 'Failure is not an option.' We'll unpack Trump's agenda and more on Sunday's 'Meet the Press,' where I'll speak to national security adviser Michael Waltz and Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J.
