[Tuesday, April 8] US News Headlines from r/politics

1. Executive Power and Governance

1.1 Executive Orders and Federal Authority

President Trump has issued executive orders reshaping federal policies, signing directives aimed at “revitalizing the coal industry” [1] and using them to fuel artificial intelligence infrastructure [2]. A federal judge ordered the White House to restore Associated Press’s access to official events, citing First Amendment protections and establishing a check on executive power to restrict press access [3]. The administration has disbanded the Justice Department’s crypto-related enforcement team [4] and withdrawn 11 pieces of ADA guidance, raising questions about accessibility compliance standards [5].

[1] Trump to sign executive order aimed at revitalizing coal industry, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-executive-order-coal/
[2] Trump signs executive order to boost U.S. coal industry, in part to fuel artificial intelligence, https://www.nbcnews.com/science/climate-change/trump-signs-executive-order-boost-us-coal-industry-part-fuel-artificia-rcna200269
[3] AP wins reinstatement to White House events after judge rules government can’t bar its journalists, https://apnews.com/article/trump-ap-media-court-white-house-events-access-f346a0efe87c1dec4d6f90e6041abd09
[4] Justice Department will disband its crypto-related enforcement team, https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-crypto-enforcement-trump-blanche-265c91c32e5fab22fb09ba8449a0aec6
[5] The Trump administration withdrew 11 pieces of ADA guidance. How will it affect compliance?, https://apnews.com/article/ada-guidance-disabilities-trump-ed2214921ac719b72b81d76c03e330c4

1.2 DOGE Operations and Federal Workforce

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk has implemented monitoring of federal workers [1], reportedly scanning for “anti-Trump, Musk messages” [2]. An appeals court has ruled that DOGE “can access sensitive data for now” [3], expanding investigative capabilities. The Supreme Court backed “Trump for now on fired probationary federal employees” [4] and blocked an order requiring reinstatement of thousands of federal workers [5]. The White House characterized tensions between Musk and trade adviser Peter Navarro as “boys will be boys” [6], while Democratic oversight committees probe “White House Use of Musk’s Starlink” citing “considerable red flags” [7].

[1] Musk’s DOGE using AI to snoop on U.S. federal workers, sources say, https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/musks-doge-using-ai-snoop-us-federal-workers-sources-say-2025-04-08/
[2] DOGE Spying on Federal Workers for Anti-Trump, Musk Messages, https://www.newsweek.com/doge-spying-ai-trump-musk-epa-2056805
[3] Musk’s DOGE team can access sensitive data for now, appeals court rules, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musks-doge-team-can-access-government-data-now-appeals-court-rules-2025-04-07/
[4] Supreme Court backs Trump for now on fired probationary federal employees, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/08/politics/probationary-fired-employees-supreme-court-trump/index.html
[5] Supreme Court Blocks Order Requiring Trump Administration To Reinstate Thousands Of Federal Workers, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ap-us-trump-mass-firings_n_67f54b2fe4b05deb9be808ac
[6] ‘Boys will be boys,’ White House says about feud between Elon Musk and Peter Navarro, https://apnews.com/video/boys-will-be-boys-white-house-says-about-feuding-between-advisers-elon-musk-and-peter-navarro-520b152381dd471b82e643bd087da262
[7] Citing ‘Considerable Red Flags,’ Oversight Dems Probe White House Use of Musk’s Starlink, https://www.commondreams.org/news/white-house-starlink-musk-house-dems

2. Trade and Economic Policy

2.1 US-China Trade War and Tariff Implementation

The White House confirmed tariffs on China will increase to at least 104% on Wednesday [1], prompting Beijing to characterize this as “a mistake upon a mistake” [2] and vow to “fight to the end” [3]. China implemented significant countermeasures, including export controls on key rare earth materials [4]. Economists warn of a “Category 5 Price Storm” [5], while one researcher claims the White House “cited my research to justify tariffs” but “got it all wrong” [6]. The administration is considering adjusting a port fee plan for Chinese vessels after receiving pushback [7].

[1] Tariffs on China set to rise to at least 104% on Wednesday, White House says, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/08/business/trump-china-tariff/index.html
[2] China calls Trump’s new tariff threat ‘a mistake upon a mistake’ and looks for opportunity in global trade war, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/07/business/china-trump-tariffs-opportunity-analysis-intl-hnk
[3] China vows to ‘fight to the end’ if Trump raises tariffs to 104%, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-vows-fight-end-trump-raises-tariffs-104-rcna200138
[4] China hits back at US tariffs with export controls on key rare earths, https://www.reuters.com/world/china-hits-back-us-tariffs-with-rare-earth-export-controls-2025-04-04/
[5] Americans face a ‘Category 5 Price Storm’ from China tariffs, analyst says, https://qz.com/trump-tariffs-china-trade-war-inflation-prices-wedbush-1851775211
[6] The Trump White House Cited My Research to Justify Tariffs. It Got It All Wrong., https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/opinion/trump-tariff-math-formula.html
[7] US considers adjusting port fee plan for Chinese vessels after pushback, sources say, https://www.reuters.com/world/us-considers-adjusting-port-fee-plan-chinese-vessels-after-pushback-sources-say-2025-04-08/

2.2 Economic Impacts and Administrative Conflicts

Trump’s tariffs are already reducing car imports and idling factories [1], with JPMorgan assessing recession risk at 60% [2] and Wall Street traders stating “Without doubt, we’re hitting a recession” [3]. Canada is imposing tariffs of up to 25% on vehicles imported from the U.S. in retaliation [4]. Within the administration, Elon Musk explicitly labeled Navarro a “moron” [5] and “dumber than a sack of bricks” [6], with this conflict described as “open civil war” within the Cabinet [7]. Musk made direct appeals to Trump to reverse the tariffs [8], while reports indicate Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wants to quit over tariff policies [9].

[1] Trump’s Tariffs Are Already Reducing Car Imports and Idling Factories, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/business/trump-tariffs-cars-auto-industry.html
[2] JPMorgan says the risk of a recession has reached 60% as tariffs are set to take a toll, https://qz.com/recession-risk-60-jpmorgan-trump-tariffs-negotiation-1851774732
[3] Wall Street traders on Trump tariffs: ‘Without doubt, we’re hitting a recession’, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/08/wall-street-trump-tariffs
[4] Canada to impose tariffs of up to 25% on vehicles imported from U.S. Wednesday, escalating trade war, https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-canada-to-impose-25-per-cent-tariffs-on-us-made-vehicles-wednesday/
[5] Musk Calls Navarro a ‘Moron’ as Trump Tariff Spat Gets Messy, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-08/musk-calls-navarro-a-moron-as-trump-tariff-spat-gets-messy
[6] Elon Musk calls Trump’s top trade adviser Peter Navarro a ‘moron’ and ‘dumber than a sack of bricks’, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/economics/elon-musk-calls-trumps-top-trade-adviser-peter-navarro-moron-dumber-sa-rcna200208
[7] Musk Goes Nuclear on Trump Tariff Guru With Jaw-Dropping Slur - Trump’s Cabinet is in open civil war as the two men’s feud bursts back into the open., https://www.thedailybeast.com/elon-musk-goes-nuclear-on-trump-tariff-guru-peter-navarro-with-jaw-dropping-slur/
[8] Musk made direct appeal to Trump to reverse sweeping tariffs, reports claim, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/musk-trump-tariffs-trade-wars-b2729292.html
[9] Top Trump Official So Freaked Out by Tariffs, He Wants to Quit, https://newrepublic.com/post/193634/donald-trump-treasury-scott-bessent-tariffs-quit

3. Immigration and Border Enforcement

3.1 Deportation Actions and Legal Status Revocations

The Trump administration revoked legal status for approximately 985,000 migrants who entered under the Biden-era CBP One app [1], with California colleges scrambling to determine the scope of student visa cancellations [2]. Reports indicate a Maryland man was deported to El Salvador by mistake, with AG Pam Bondi stating he “should stay where he is” [3]. U.S. deportees in El Salvador live in cells identical to those housing convicted gang members [4]. Most controversially, the White House reportedly floated the idea of deporting U.S. citizens [5], while planning to implement a $998 daily fine for migrants who fail to leave after deportation orders [6].

[1] Legal status revoked for 985,000 migrants who entered US under Biden-era CBP One app, https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/5237720-trump-immigration-crackdown-dhs-parole-protections-migrants-biden-cbp-one-app-southern-border/
[2] Caught off-guard, California colleges scramble to determine scope of student visa cancellations, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-07/ucla-california-universities-concerns-cancellations-student-visas
[3] AG Pam Bondi says mistakenly deported Maryland man ‘should stay where he is’, https://apnews.com/video/attorney-general-pam-bondi-says-mistakenly-deported-maryland-man-should-stay-where-he-is-8ed24214f89a43c4b4630c730c1d1ae7
[4] In notorious Salvadoran prison, US deportees live in identical cells to convicted gangsters, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/08/americas/el-salvador-cecot-prison-deportees/index.html
[5] White House floats deporting U.S. citizens. Justice Sotomayor just warned about that., https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/trump-leavitt-deporting-us-citizens-el-salvador-sotomayor-rcna200299
[6] Trump plans to fine migrants $998 a day for failing to leave after deportation order | Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-plans-fine-migrants-998-day-failing-leave-after-deportation-order-2025-04-08/

3.2 Enforcement Expansion and Interagency Coordination

The administration plans to spend $45 billion to expand immigrant detention [1] and has finalized a deal for the IRS to share taxpayer information with immigration authorities [2]. The administration canceled $188 million in grants New York City was using to shelter migrants [3]. Border Patrol operations came under scrutiny after reportedly targeting “known criminals” in Kern County but having no prior records on 77 of 78 arrestees [4]. Immigration agents detained a lawyer representing a student protester [5], while reports indicate “US Is Quietly Revoking Student Visas From Harvard to Stanford” [6].

[1] Trump Administration Aims to Spend $45 Billion to Expand Immigrant Detention, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/us/politics/trump-administration-immigrant-detention-facilities-services.html
[2] The IRS Finalizes Deal to Share Tax Information With Immigration Authorities, https://www.npr.org/2025/04/08/g-s1-59056/irs-dhs-information-sharing-deal-immigrants-tax-records
[3] Trump administration cancels $188M in grants New York City was using to shelter migrants, https://apnews.com/article/trump-adams-migrants-shelter-clawback-81c4b86b78d551ac4a21ac061e277998
[4] Border Patrol said it targeted known criminals in Kern County. But it had no record on 77 of 78 arrestees, https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/04/border-patrol-records-kern-county/
[5] Immigration Agents Detain Lawyer Representing Student Protester, https://newrepublic.com/post/193742/immigration-agents-detain-lawyer-student-protester-palestine
[6] US Is Quietly Revoking Student Visas From Harvard to Stanford, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-07/us-is-quietly-revoking-student-visas-from-harvard-to-stanford

4. Judicial Developments and International Relations

4.1 Supreme Court and DOJ Actions

The Supreme Court ruled on the Alien Enemies Act, allowing the Trump administration to use this 18th-century law for deportations [1] while requiring that deportees “must be able to ‘actually seek’ relief before being deported” [2]. Justice Sotomayor warned that the Court has “rubber-stamped Trump’s authority to deport people to foreign prisons” [3]. The DOJ announced plans to reduce enforcement of cryptocurrency fraud cases [4] and instructed prosecutors to ease up on crypto enforcement [5]. Serious allegations emerged regarding a fired DOJ pardon attorney, with U.S. Marshals reportedly “mobilized to warn fired DOJ lawyer over congressional testimony” [6].

[1] US top court allows Trump to use wartime law for deportations, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp34ylep987o
[2] Supreme Court says Venezuelans Trump wants to deport must be able to ‘actually seek’ relief before being deported, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/07/supreme-court-deportations-texas-00277646
[3] The Supreme Court Just Rubber-Stamped Trump’s Authority to Deport People to Foreign Prisons, https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a64423045/scotus-justice-sonia-sotomayor-deportation-case/
[4] Justice Dept. says it will pull back on litigating cryptocurrency fraud, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/04/08/trump-crypto-fraud-doj-enforcement/
[5] Trump admin tells prosecutors to ease up on crypto enforcement, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-admin-tells-prosecutors-ease-crypto-enforcement/story?id=120589406
[6] US marshals were mobilized to warn fired DOJ lawyer over congressional testimony, attorney says, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-justice-dept-mobilized-armed-marshals-warn-ex-lawyer-over-congressional-2025-04-07/

4.2 International Relations and Defense

Vice President JD Vance’s comments about “Chinese peasants” provoked a formal diplomatic response, with China denouncing his words as lacking “knowledge and respect” [1]. The Pentagon is “considering proposal to cut thousands of troops from Europe” [2], prompting rare bipartisan opposition in Congress [3]. President Trump announced plans for “direct” talks with Iran over its nuclear program [4], with Iran’s foreign minister indicating he will have “indirect talks with US envoy” [5]. Trump characterized Gaza as “a piece of important real estate,” supporting U.S. military presence there [6], while not giving “Israel a break on tariffs despite Netanyahu visit” [7].

[1] China Denounces Vance’s ‘Chinese Peasant’ Comment: His ‘Words Lack Knowledge and Respect’, https://www.latintimes.com/china-denounces-vances-chinese-peasant-comment-his-words-lack-knowledge-respect-580239
[2] Pentagon considering proposal to cut thousands of troops from Europe, officials say, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna199603
[3] House Republicans and Democrats say the US must maintain its troop totals in Europe, https://apnews.com/article/europe-nato-military-troop-cuts-us-f66a5e168ca5fa8fc3038597e00a8bfa
[4] Trump says U.S. will have ‘direct’ talks with Iran over nuclear program, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/04/07/trump-us-iran-direct-talks/
[5] Iran’s foreign minister says he will have indirect talks with US envoy over Tehran’s nuclear program, https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-witkoff-araghchi-nuclear-33a517aa8149925ae5beafe2b7e3e6d4
[6] Trump Calls Gaza a ‘Piece of Important Real Estate,’ Says U.S. Military Presence ‘Would be a Good Thing’, https://www.latintimes.com/trump-calls-gaza-piece-important-real-estate-says-us-military-presence-would-good-thing-580129
[7] Trump doesn’t give Israel a break on tariffs despite Netanyahu visit, https://www.axios.com/2025/04/07/trump-netanyahu-visit-tariff-deal

5. Domestic Policy and Political Response

5.1 Healthcare and Social Services

Public health initiatives face significant shifts, with HHS Secretary RFK Jr. stating he “plans to tell CDC to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water” [1]. In a move surprising supporters, RFK Jr. “endorses the MMR vaccine — stoking fury among his supporters” [2]. Social Security is experiencing disruptions, with reports that the system wrongly told disabled people and seniors their benefits had ended [3]. Despite President Trump’s campaign promise not to touch Social Security, the system is reportedly experiencing staff cuts and rushed changes as Musk’s team plans cuts to phone services [4]. Technical glitches caused a major crash of the Social Security website [5].

[1] RFK Jr. says he plans to tell CDC to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water, https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/rfk-jr-says-plans-tell-cdc-stop-recommending-fluoride-drinking-water-rcna200127
[2] Health secretary RFK Jr. endorses the MMR vaccine — stoking fury among his supporters, https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/07/nx-s1-5354900/hhs-rfk-endorses-mmr-measles-vaccine-stoking-supporters-fury
[3] Social Security wrongly told disabled people and some seniors their benefits ended, causing alarm, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/social-security-doge-ssi-error-message-currently-not-receiving-payments/
[4] ‘Just a Mess’: Staff Cuts, Rushed Changes and Anxiety at Social Security | President Trump promised not to touch Social Security, but as Elon Musk’s team trims staff and plans cuts to phone services, the system is groaning under the pressure., https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/us/social-security-trump.html
[5] DOGE Goons Cause Major Crash to Social Security Site, https://www.thedailybeast.com/elon-musks-doge-goons-cause-major-crash-to-social-security-site/

5.2 Education, Cultural Policy, and Political Opposition

The National Park Service restored its webpage featuring Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad [1] after “furious backlash” [2]. Education funding faces cuts, with “at least 1,200 grants canceled as NEH cuts target humanities across U.S.” [3]. Major demonstrations against the Trump administration have been described as “one of the largest demonstrations since Trump’s return to power” [4], with Rolling Stone suggesting these protests are “just the beginning” [5]. Congressional Republicans appear divided on administration policies, with Senator Chuck Grassley stating that Congress “delegated too much authority to the president” on trade [6] and “a dozen House Republicans” mulling defying Trump on a tariff bill [7].

[1] National Park Service Restores Web Page Featuring Harriet Tubman, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/us/politics/national-park-service-harriet-tubman-underground-railroad-dei.html
[2] Trump Admin Reverses Harriet Tubman Website Change After Furious Backlash, https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-admin-reverses-harriet-tubman-website-change-after-furious-backlash/
[3] At least 1,200 grants canceled as NEH cuts target humanities across U.S., https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/04/07/neh-grants-canceled-cuts/
[4] Print Media to Mass Protests: “Please Turn to Page 18” | Here’s how newspapers across America minimized one of the largest demonstrations since Trump’s return to power., https://newrepublic.com/article/193683/print-media-downplay-mass-protests
[5] Massive Protests Against Trump are Just The Beginning, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-musk-protests-democracy-hands-off-indivisible-1235312482/
[6] Grassley says Congress ‘delegated too much authority to the president’ on trade, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5238065-chuck-grassley-donald-trump-tariffs-trade-war/
[7] Scoop: A dozen House Republicans mull defying Trump on tariff bill, https://www.axios.com/2025/04/08/house-republicans-tariff-bill-trump-don-bacon