[Wednesday, April 9] US News Headlines from r/Conservative

2025-04-09 2138 words 11 minutes

Contents

1. Executive Branch Activities

1.1 Presidential Statements and White House Activities

President Trump has urged Americans to remain calm following recent tariff announcements, stating “The USA will be bigger and better than ever before” [1]. The President’s economic messaging included a “Great time to buy!” post on Truth Social that reportedly preceded a market rally [2]. Economic adviser Scott Bessent characterized the administration’s approach as prioritizing “Main Street over Wall Street” in remarks to bankers [3]. On the political front, Trump has engaged in criticism of Democratic Senator Schiff [4] while also making symbolic gestures such as renaming the historic “Jackson Magnolia” White House plant to “MAGAnolia” [5].

[1] Trump says ‘be cool’ after tariffs: ‘The USA will be bigger and better than ever before’, https://nationalpost.com/news/world/trump-says-be-cool-after-tariffs-the-usa-will-be-bigger-and-better-than-ever-before?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=NP_social
[2] Trump posts on Truth “Great time to buy!” 3 hours before causing a massive market rally., https://x.com/reddit_lies/status/1910047373012987940
[3] Scott Bessent Says Trump Is Prioritizing Main Street Over Wall Street In Speech To Bankers, https://www.dailywire.com/news/scott-bessent-says-trump-is-prioritizing-main-street-over-wall-street-in-speech-to-bankers?row=3&elementPosition=0&rowType=Vertical+Carousel&author=Zach+Jewell&title=Scott+Bessent+Says+Trump+Is+Prioritizing+Main+Street+Over+Wall+Street+In+Speech+To+Bankers&category=News&rowHeadline=Latest+News
[4] ‘Watermelon head’: Trump trolls Democratic Sen Schiff, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/schiff-fires-back-after-trump-rips-watermelon-head-democrat-gop-dinner
[5] Trump Names Replacement for 200 Year Old ‘Jackson Magnolia’ plant “MAGAnolia”, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250408-trump-plants-maganolia-to-replace-200-year-old-tree

1.2 Administration Perception and Internal Politics

A recent national poll provides data on President Trump’s current approval ratings, though specific figures aren’t detailed in the headline [1]. In a notable personal endorsement, a rescued hostage has publicly credited Trump for their release, stating “We owe our lives to you” [2].
Internal Republican party dynamics have surfaced as President Trump admonished GOP members involved in a budget dispute, telling them to “stop grandstanding” [3]. Vice President Vance criticized Senate Minority Leader McConnell for opposing a Trump Pentagon nominee, characterizing McConnell’s vote as “political pettiness” [4]. Meanwhile, tensions were highlighted when DOGE head Elon Musk publicly criticized former Trump adviser Peter Navarro, describing him as “dumber than a sack of bricks” [5].

[1] Where Trump’s approval rating as president stands in a brand new national poll, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/where-trumps-approval-rating-president-stands-brand-new-national-poll
[2] Rescued Hostage to Trump: ‘We Owe Our Lives to You’, https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/hostages-donald-trump-nrcc/2025/04/08/id/1206185/
[3] ‘Stop Grandstanding,’ Trump Tells GOP Holdouts In Budget Revolt, https://www.dailywire.com/news/stop-grandstanding-trump-tells-gop-holdouts-in-budget-revolt?topStoryPosition=undefined&row=1&elementPosition=1&rowType=Top+Stories&rowHeadline=Top+Stories&author=Daniel+Chaitin&title='Stop+Grandstanding%2C'+Trump+Tells+GOP+Holdouts+In+Budget+Revolt&category=News
[4] VP Vance blasts McConnell’s vote against Trump Pentagon nominee: ‘Political pettiness’, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vp-vance-blasts-mcconnells-vote-against-trump-pentagon-nominee-political-pettiness
[5] Elon Musk says Peter Navarro is ‘dumber than a sack of bricks’, https://reason.com/2025/04/08/elon-musk-says-peter-navarro-is-dumber-than-a-sack-of-bricks/

2. Trade and Economic Policy

2.1 U.S.-China Trade Relations

The U.S.-China trade relationship has entered a new phase of heightened tensions with China announcing a 50% tariff on U.S. imports effective April 10, 2025 [1]. President Trump responded by raising tariffs on Chinese goods to 125% while pausing “reciprocal tariffs” for other countries for 90 days [2]. Economic commentators have expressed divided views, with some questioning whether tariffs will effectively counter China’s economic rise [3], while others like investor Kevin O’Leary advocate for even more aggressive measures, including tariffs as high as 400% [4].

[1] Starting from 12:01 on April 10, 2025, China will impose an additional 50% tariff on imported goods originating from the USA, https://m.mof.gov.cn/czxw/202504/t20250409_3961685.htm
[2] Trump pauses tariffs for 90 days, except China, which he raises to 125%. Stocks surge., https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/trump-says-hes-raising-china-tariffs-further-pausing-reciprocal-tariffs-others?cmpid=FNC_app
[3] Will a new era of tariffs really stop China’s rise?, https://thespectator.com/topic/is-battle-between-america-china-a-cold-war/
[4] ‘Shark Tank’ star Kevin O’Leary wants Trump to hit China with 400% tariffs: ‘Squeeze Chinese heads into the wall now!’, https://nypost.com/2025/04/09/media/kevin-oleary-wants-trump-to-hit-china-with-400-tariffs/

2.2 International Trade Strategy

The Trump administration’s trade approach has prompted significant international responses, with the European Union implementing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports [1]. Economic adviser Scott Bessent characterized China’s retaliatory increases as a “losing move” [2], while the administration has signaled intentions to expand tariffs to pharmaceutical imports [3]. The administration appears to be pursuing a highly tailored approach, with reports indicating Trump wants his trade team to focus on creating “tailor-made deals” for individual countries [4]. Some analysts have described this approach as a “win-win strategy” to negotiate better trade deals [5].

[1] EU to place 25% retaliatory tariff on USA, https://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/us-politics/us-politics-live/live-coverage/93dcffec636fb562510e7c90b578c9eb
[2] Scott Bessent blasts China’s retaliatory tariff play as losing move, https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/scott-bessent-blasts-chinas-retaliatory-tariff-play-losing-move
[3] Trump says US will soon announce tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/global-trends/trump-says-us-will-soon-announce-tariffs-on-pharmaceutical-imports/articleshow/120110100.cms
[4] Trump Wants Trade Team To Focus On ‘Tailor-Made Deals’ For Every Country In Tariff Negotiations, https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-wants-trade-team-to-focus-on-tailor-made-deals-for-every-country-in-tariff-negotiations?topStoryPosition=undefined&row=1&elementPosition=0&rowType=Top+Stories&rowHeadline=Top+Stories&author=Zach+Jewell&title=Trump+Wants+Trade+Team+To+Focus+On+%E2%80%98Tailor-Made+Deals%E2%80%99+For+Every+Country+In+Tariff+Negotiations&category=News
[5] Economist says Trump’s tariffs are a ‘win-win strategy’ to negotiate trade deals, https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/economist-says-trumps-tariffs-win-win-strategy-negotiate-trade-deals

2.3 Market Reactions

Financial markets have displayed significant volatility in response to the administration’s trade policies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 2,300 points—its biggest rally in five years—following Trump’s announcement of a partial tariff pause [1]. However, bond markets have experienced what The Economist described as “extremely dangerous” convulsions [2]. Some Trump supporters within the MAGA movement have reportedly begun questioning their support due to the tariff policies [3], while investor anxiety has manifested in a dramatic selloff of U.S. bonds [4].

[1] Dow surges 2,300 points for biggest rally in 5 years after Trump pauses some tariffs, https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/wall-street-surges-as-trump-hits-pause-on-tariffs-dow-jumps-over-2300-points-glbs-2706665-2025-04-09
[2] Bond-market convulsions look extremely dangerous, https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2025/04/09/bond-market-convulsions-look-extremely-dangerous
[3] These Maga influencers helped elect Trump. Tariffs have them questioning their faith, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/04/09/maga-influencers-turning-on-trump-tariffs/
[4] Dramatic Selloff Of U.S. Bonds Hits, Investors Worried About U.S. Economy, https://www.dailywire.com/news/dramatic-selloff-of-u-s-bonds-hits-investors-worried-about-u-s-economy?topStoryPosition=undefined&row=1&elementPosition=4&rowType=Top+Stories&rowHeadline=Top+Stories&author=Hank+Berrien&title=Dramatic+Selloff+Of+U.S.+Bonds+Hits%2C+Investors+Worried+About+U.S.+Economy&category=News+and+Analysis

3. International Affairs

3.1 Security Threats and Foreign Relations

Documents have revealed that Ryan Routh, a suspect in an attempted assassination of President Trump, sought to obtain a rocket launcher from Ukraine [1]. In Middle East policy, a commentary by Michael Goodwin suggests that “Trump’s given Iran a way out from impending war,” presenting Tehran with a choice to pursue resolution “the easy way or the hard way” [2], though the headline does not specify the nature of this diplomatic opening.
In European news, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed he still seeks to lower the voting age to 16 [3], while concerns about civil liberties in the U.K. have emerged with reports of predictive software allegedly able to “predict if someone will turn criminal” [4].

[1] Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh sought rocket launcher from Ukraine: docs, https://www.foxnews.com/us/trump-assassination-attempt-suspect-ryan-routh-sought-rocket-launcher-ukraine-docs?sfnsn=mo
[2] Michael Goodwin: Trump’s given Iran a way out from impending war—they can do it the easy way or the hard way, https://nypost.com/2025/04/08/opinion/michael-goodwin-trumps-given-iran-a-way-out-from-impending-warthey-can-do-it-the-easy-way-or-the-hard-way/
[3] Keir Starmer confirms he still wants to lower voting age to 16, https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/keir-starmer-confirms-he-still-wants-to-lower-voting-age-to-16-391856/
[4] U.K. Goes Full ‘Minority Report’ With Software That Can ‘Predict’ If Someone Will Turn Criminal, https://twitchy.com/amy-curtis/2025/04/09/uk-testing-software-to-predict-if-someone-is-going-to-become-a-killer-n2411143

4. Immigration and Border Security

4.1 Enforcement and Deportation Policies

The Department of Homeland Security has reported that thousands of individuals have left the United States voluntarily in response to the Trump administration’s “self-deport” push [1]. A California sheriff has vowed to defy the state’s sanctuary law, describing his position as “common sense” [2]. The administration has announced plans to impose financial penalties of $998 per day on individuals who fail to leave after receiving deportation orders [3].
The legal environment surrounding deportation authority remains complex, with the Supreme Court reportedly supporting the administration’s deportation powers under the Alien Enemies Act [4], while federal judges have subsequently blocked deportations under the same Act [5] and the ACLU has filed suits challenging the administration’s deportation authority [6].

[1] Thousands leave country voluntarily amid Trump self-deport push, DHS says, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/thousands-leave-country-voluntarily-amid-trump-self-deport-push-dhs-says
[2] California sheriff vows to defy statewide sanctuary law: ‘This is common sense’, https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-sheriff-vows-defy-statewide-sanctuary-law-common-sense
[3] Trump plans to fine illegal aliens $998 a day for failing to leave after deportation order, https://www.tbsnews.net/worldbiz/usa/trump-plans-fine-migrants-998-day-failing-leave-after-deportation-order-1110831
[4] Alien Enemies Act: Supreme Court Backs Trump Administration’s Deportation Powers, https://hindustanherald.com/alien-enemies-act-supreme-court-deportation/
[5] Here We Go (Again): Federal Judges Block AEA Deportations After SCOTUS Intervention, https://hotair.com/ed-morrissey/2025/04/09/here-we-go-again-federal-judges-block-aea-deportations-after-scotus-intervention-n3801618
[6] ACLU sues to prevent Trump admin from deporting alien enemies in wake of SCOTUS decision, https://www.theblaze.com/news/aclu-sues-to-prevent-trump-admin-from-deporting-alien-enemies-in-wake-of-scotus-decision

IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause has resigned following an agreement for the IRS to share tax data on illegal immigrants with the Department of Homeland Security [1]. A DOGE official has claimed that illegal immigrants are accessing Medicaid benefits and voting [2], though the headline does not provide supporting evidence. Additionally, reports reference undocumented immigrants who received Social Security numbers during the Biden administration [3].

[1] IRS commissioner Melanie Krause quits post after DHS deal to share tax data on illegal immigrants, https://nypost.com/2025/04/09/us-news/irs-commissioner-melanie-krause-quits-post-after-dhs-deal-to-share-tax-data-on-illegal-immigrants/
[2] DOGE Official Confirms What We’ve Known All Along: Illegal Immigrants Are on Medicaid and Voting, https://redstate.com/beckynoble/2025/04/08/doge-official-confirms-details-of-what-weve-known-all-along-illegal-immigrants-on-medicaid-and-voting-n2187612
[3] See The Staggering Number Of Illegals Who Got Social Security Numbers Under Joe Biden, https://www.dailywire.com/news/see-the-staggering-number-of-illegals-who-got-social-security-numbers-under-joe-biden?row=3&elementPosition=4&rowType=Vertical+Carousel&author=Virginia+Kruta&title=See+The+Staggering+Number+Of+Illegals+Who+Got+Social+Security+Numbers+Under+Joe+Biden&category=News&rowHeadline=Latest+News

5. Government Reform

5.1 DOGE Initiatives and Federal Funding Actions

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has secured court approval to access federal personal data [1] and has claimed to have implemented significant spending cuts, with one report referencing a “$51 MILLION slash” [2]. Federal agencies have come under scrutiny for their spending practices, with reports claiming they spent $4.6 billion on furniture for “empty buildings” [3].
The Trump administration has frozen “billions in Fed grants to universities for failure to protect students” [4] and withdrawn funding from Maine’s Corrections Department over a decision to place “a man in a women’s prison” [5]. Attorney General Pam Bondi has reportedly withdrawn “all non-essential funding” from Maine’s Department of Corrections [6].

[1] Verity - Court Allows DOGE to Access Federal Personal Data, https://verity.news/story/2025/court-allows-musks-doge-to-access-federal-personal-data?p=re3281
[2] DOGE’s latest $51 MILLION slash will have your head spinning, /r/Conservative/comments/1juteqo/doges_latest_51_million_slash_will_have_your_head/
[3] Fed Agencies Spent $4.6 Billion On Furniture For Empty Buildings, https://thefederalist.com/2025/04/09/what-a-waste-federal-agencies-spent-4-6-billion-on-furniture-for-empty-buildings/
[4] Frozen, Too: Trump Admin Pauses Billions in Fed Grants to Universities for Failure to Protect Students, https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2025/04/08/frozen-too-trump-admin-pauses-billions-in-fed-grants-to-universities-for-failure-to-protect-students-n2187644
[5] Trump Yanks Funding From Maine’s Corrections Department For Putting Man In Women’s Prison, https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-yanks-funding-from-maines-corrections-department-for-putting-man-in-womens-prisons
[6] Bondi Pulls All Non-Essential Funding From Maine Dept of Corrections, https://hotair.com/tree-hugging-sister/2025/04/08/bondi-pulls-all-non-essential-funding-from-maine-dept-of-corrections-n3801591

5.2 Regulatory Policy

A significant policy direction appears to be deregulation of the energy sector, with arguments that such action is necessary for the United States to achieve “AI dominance” [1]. State-level fiscal management has entered national discourse with claims that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s policies transformed a “$19 billion surplus to a $6 billion deficit” [2].

[1] Trump Must Deregulate U.S. Energy to Unleash AI Dominance, https://www.wsj.com/opinion/trump-must-deregulate-u-s-energy-to-unleash-ai-dominance-79033320
[2] Tim Walz Took MN From A $19 Billion Surplus To A $6 Billion Deficit, https://thefederalist.com/2025/04/09/trainwreck-tim-walz-took-minnesota-from-a-19-billion-surplus-to-a-6-billion-deficit/

6. Judicial Developments

6.1 Court Rulings and Legal Cases

The Supreme Court has issued decisions supporting presidential authority, with Chief Justice Roberts playing a key role in what one report described as “saving Trump firing decision” [1]. Another analysis characterizes recent Supreme Court actions as “fixing lower court missteps against presidential powers” [2].
A federal judge has ruled that the White House must restore Associated Press access, finding that the ban on the news organization constituted unconstitutional “viewpoint discrimination” [3]. The Department of Homeland Security has ordered over 900,000 migrants who entered through the “CBP One” system to “leave US immediately” [4].
In other legal news, a Boston city councilor has pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges in a kickback scheme and may face deportation [5], suggesting the individual is not a U.S. citizen, though specific details about nationality are not provided in the headline.

[1] Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts swoops in to save Trump firing decision, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/supreme-court-justice-roberts-trumps-firing-federal-board-members
[2] Supreme Court fixes lower court missteps against presidential powers, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/supreme-court/3375141/supreme-court-corrects-lower-court-overreach/
[3] Federal judge rules White House’s Associated Press ban unconstitutional for ‘viewpoint discrimination’, https://www.foxnews.com/media/federal-judge-rules-white-houses-associated-press-ban-unconstitutional-viewpoint-discrimination
[4] DHS Orders Over 900,000 ‘CBP One’ Migrants to Leave US Immediately, https://www.verity.news/story/2025/dhs-orders-cbp-one-migrants-to-leave-us-immediately?p=re3277
[5] Boston City Councilor pleads guilty in federal kickback case, resigns, faces possible deportation, https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/04/08/boston-city-councilor-tania-fernandes-anderson-to-plead-guilty-to-federal-corruption-charges/

7.1 Democratic Party Figures and Media Controversies

Democratic figures have faced various controversies. DOGE head Elon Musk has publicly clashed with Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, suggesting the senator “profits from government fraud” [1]. A forthcoming book reports that ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos described President Biden as “heartbreaking up close” during a post-debate interview [2]. Former First Lady Michelle Obama has publicly addressed divorce rumors during a podcast appearance [3], while Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett has drawn attention for comments suggesting the U.S. needs migrants because “we’re done picking cotton” [4].

[1] Elon Musk scraps with Chuck Schumer, suggesting the senator profits from government fraud, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/elon-musk-scraps-chuck-schumer-suggesting-senator-profits-from-government-fraud
[2] George Stephanopoulos described Biden as ‘heartbreaking up close’ during crucial post-debate interview: book, https://www.foxnews.com/media/george-stephanopoulos-described-biden-heartbreaking-up-close-during-crucial-post-debate-interview-book
[3] Michelle Obama slams divorce rumors during podcast interview, https://www.foxnews.com/media/michelle-obama-addresses-divorce-rumors-during-podcast-interview
[4] Jasmine Crockett says U.S. needs migrants because ‘we’re done picking cotton’, https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/jasmine-crockett-says-us-needs-migrants-because-were-done-picking-cotton

Public broadcasting has come under scrutiny, with calls to “defund NPR and PBS” following congressional testimony [1]. A poll claims that 55% of self-identified leftists say “killing Trump is justifiable” [2], though methodology and source information aren’t specified. Urban disorder has been reported in Portland, where businesses and police have responded to a “latest street takeover” [3]. An opinion piece argues that “7 million young men don’t want to work — we must force them” [4], addressing labor force participation concerns.

[1] In Light of Congressional Testimony, Congress Should Defund NPR and PBS, https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/04/08/in_light_of_congressional_testimony_congress_should_defund_npr_and_pbs_152615.html
[2] 55% Of Self-Identified Leftists Say Killing Trump Is Justifiable, https://www.thefederalist.com/2025/04/07/survey-55-of-self-identified-leftists-say-killing-trump-is-justifiable/
[3] Portland businesses, police react after latest street takeover, https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/portland-street-takeover-morrison-2nd-police-car-event-safety-concerns/283-d2d3fd3c-b130-4fd2-acbd-64cb5621c646
[4] 7 million young men don’t want to work — we must force them, https://nypost.com/2025/04/08/opinion/7-million-young-men-dont-want-to-work-we-must-force-them/