[Saturday, April 12] US News Headlines from r/Conservative

1. Executive Actions and Leadership

1.1 Presidential Actions and Policies

The Trump administration has implemented “Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting” focused on American energy production [1]. President Trump’s media engagement reportedly exceeds that of his predecessor, answering nearly 20 times more press questions during three Cabinet meetings than former President Biden did throughout his four-year term [2]. Some traditionally critical media outlets have published what conservative observers consider accurate headlines about Trump’s recent executive orders [3].

[1] Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/zero-based-regulatory-budgeting-to-unleash-american-energy/;
[2] Trump answers nearly 20 times more press questions at 3 Cabinet meetings than Biden did in 4 years: report, https://www.foxnews.com/media/trump-answers-nearly-20-times-more-press-questions-3-cabinet-meetings-than-biden-did-4-years-report;
[3] Hey, Politico Had an Accurate Headline About Trump’s Latest Executive Order, https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2025/04/12/hey-politico-had-an-accurate-headline-about-trumps-latest-executive-order-n2655407;

1.2 Presidential Security and Threats

Multiple serious security incidents targeting President Trump have emerged. A teenager allegedly murdered their parents to fund an assassination plot against the President [1]. Separately, the FBI arrested Aliakbar Mohammed Amin for making threats against both President Trump and Tulsi Gabbard, who now serves in the administration [2].

[1] Teen kills parents to fund plot to assassinate President Donald Trump., https://x.com/tpantheman/status/1911176732180103447?s=46;
[2] FBI Arrests Man, Aliakbar Mohammed Amin, For Threats Against Trump, Tulsi Gabbard, https://www.dailywire.com/news/fbi-arrests-man-aliakbar-mohammed-amin-for-threats-against-trump-tulsi-gabbard;

1.3 DOGE Initiatives and Findings

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reports that three Democratic-led states account for the majority of nearly $400 million in unemployment fraud over the past four years [1]. A judge has partially lifted restrictions on DOGE’s access to sensitive Treasury Department information [2]. Visual representations of DOGE’s accomplishments have been circulating in conservative media [3].

[1] Dem states to blame for most of the nearly $400 million in unemployment fraud over last 4 years, DOGE says, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-states-blame-most-nearly-400-million-unemployment-fraud;
[2] Judge relaxes ban on DOGE access to sensitive US Treasury information, https://apnews.com/article/doge-treasury-privacy-cybersecurity-injunction-0562718e3220aab3654bf3026dd73928;
[3] DOGE efforts in perspective, https://i.redd.it/mfh9dg613gue1.jpeg;

1.4 Executive Appointments and Personnel

Personnel changes throughout the federal government continue under the Trump administration. NASA has separated from its former Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) chief, with reports suggesting the agency initially attempted to preserve the position by changing the job title [1]. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory specifically has parted ways with a top DEI officer following media reports [2]. The Navy has dismissed both the commanding officer and command master chief of an expeditionary security squadron [3].

[1] NASA axes ex-DEI chief after giving her new job title in apparent effort to evade Trump crackdown: report, https://nypost.com/2025/04/11/us-news/nasa-axes-ex-dei-chief-neela-rajendra-report/;
[2] NASA Jet Propulsion Lab Parts Ways With Top DEI Officer In Wake of Free Beacon Report, https://freebeacon.com/politics/nasa-jet-propulsion-lab-parts-ways-with-top-dei-officer-in-wake-of-free-beacon-report/;
[3] Navy fires commanding officer, command master chief of expeditionary security squadron, https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-fires-expeditionary-security-squadron/;

2. Immigration and Border Security

2.1 Border Enforcement Measures

President Trump has authorized military occupation of land along the Southern border [1]. The Department of Justice reports charging over 900 individuals with immigration-related crimes in just the first week of April [2]. A U.S. Attorney has opened a criminal probe into New Jersey’s governor for allegedly “obstructing” immigration enforcement [3].

[1] Trump Authorizes Military Occupation Of Land At Southern Border, https://thefederalist.com/2025/04/12/trump-authorizes-military-occupation-of-public-land-along-southern-border-to-repel-migrant-invasions/;
[2] More than 900 illegal aliens charged with immigration-related crimes during first week of April: DOJ, https://www.foxnews.com/us/more-than-900-illegal-aliens-charged-immigration-related-crimes-during-first-week-april-doj;
[3] Trump’s U.S. Attorney Opens Criminal Probe Into NJ Gov For ‘Obstructing’ Immigration Enforcement, https://www.dailywire.com/news/trumps-u-s-attorney-opens-criminal-probe-into-nj-gov-for-obstructing-immigration-enforcement;

2.2 Deportation Policies

A judge has ruled on the deportation of an individual described as a “pro-terror ring leader” [1]. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported a former Mexican governor and presidential candidate who had been serving a federal prison sentence in Illinois for money laundering [2]. The Department of Homeland Security has reopened an office for victims of illegal alien crimes that was closed by the Biden administration [3]. A budget airline that announced plans to operate deportation flights for ICE is reportedly facing backlash [4].

[1] Deport: Judge Makes a Decision About Pro-Terror Ring Leader, https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2025/04/11/deport-judge-makes-a-decision-about-pro-terror-ring-leader-n2655411;
[2] ICE deports former Mexico governor/presidential candidate serving federal prison sentence for money laundering in Illinois, https://www.foxnews.com/us/ice-deports-former-mexico-governor-serving-federal-prison-sentence-illinois;
[3] Angel Families ‘Forever Grateful’ for Trump as DHS Reopens Office for Victims of Illegal Alien Crimes Closed by Biden, https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/04/10/angel-families-forever-grateful-trump-dhs-reopens-office-for-victims-illegal-alien-crimes-closed-biden/;
[4] A Budget Carrier Said It Would Start ICE Deportation Flights. Now, It’s Facing Backlash, https://skift.com/2025/04/11/avelo-airlines-faces-backlash-for-deportation-flights/;

3. Legal and Judicial Matters

3.1 Court Rulings on Administration Policies

The judiciary has issued contradictory rulings on Trump administration policies. While a judge has partially lifted restrictions on DOGE’s access to Treasury information [1], a federal judge has blocked the administration’s attempt to freeze funding to Maine over transgender athletes in women’s sports [2]. The Supreme Court has declined to hear a case that advocates viewed as an opportunity to strengthen private property rights and limit eminent domain powers [3].

[1] Judge relaxes ban on DOGE access to sensitive US Treasury information, https://apnews.com/article/doge-treasury-privacy-cybersecurity-injunction-0562718e3220aab3654bf3026dd73928;
[2] Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Freezing Funding To Maine Over Men In Women’s Sports, https://www.dailywire.com/news/federal-judge-blocks-trump-from-freezing-funding-to-maine-over-men-in-womens-sports;
[3] A Missed Opportunity to Curtail Eminent Domain Abuse - SCOTUS declines to hear a case that could have strengthened private property rights., https://fee.org/articles/a-missed-opportunity-to-curtail-eminent-domain-abuse/;

3.2 Criminal Justice Cases

Pro-Hamas protesters who occupied a Stanford University building now face felony charges [1]. New York’s Parole Board members—described as left-leaning and including one who married a convicted murderer—reportedly earn $190,000 annually and have freed 43 convicted cop killers [2]. Oregon is considering legislation to decriminalize drug possession, car break-ins, and shoplifting, reducing them to violations punishable by fines rather than criminal penalties [3].

[1] Pro-Hamas rioters who occupied Stanford building are charged with felonies, https://nypost.com/2025/04/11/us-news/stanford-university-protesters-charged-with-felonies-after-occupying-campus-building/;
[2] NY Parole Board’s lefty members — including one who married a murderer — make $190K and have freed 43 cop killers, https://nypost.com/2025/04/12/us-news/new-yorks-parole-board-stacked-with-lefty-cronies-earning-190k/;
[3] Oregon bill to decriminalize drug possession, breaking into cars , shoplifting & other crimes to violations with fines., https://x.com/tpantheman/status/1910859145051275757?s=46;

4. International Relations

4.1 Middle East Diplomacy and Conflicts

President Trump has reportedly initiated diplomatic talks with Iran that some observers believe could lead to significant changes in Middle East relations [1]. The limited information available does not detail the scope or progress of these discussions.

[1] Trump Iran talks could herald the biggest Mid-East reformation of our lifetime, https://nypost.com/2025/04/12/opinion/the-us-iran-talks-could-be-big-for-trump-and-bad-for-putin/;

4.2 Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Experts predict Russia will not be able to afford keeping troops in Ukraine past 2026 [1]. Reports suggest the Trump administration is considering options to counter Russian President Putin, characterized as “the real Ukraine aggressor” [2].

[1] Russia won’t be able to afford troops in Ukraine past 2026: experts, https://nypost.com/2025/04/12/world-news/moscow-wont-be-able-to-afford-troops-in-ukraine-past-2026-experts/;
[2] How Team Trump can move against Putin, the real Ukraine aggressor, https://nypost.com/2025/04/12/opinion/how-team-trump-can-move-against-putin-the-real-ukraine-aggressor/;

4.3 International Security Issues

An American missionary has been kidnapped at gunpoint during a church service in South Africa [1]. Separately, at least one analysis has characterized NATO as effectively defunct [2].

[1] American Missionary kidnapped at gunpoint during church service in South Africa, https://notthebee.com/article/american-pastor-kidnapped-at-gunpoint-during-church-service-in-south-africa;
[2] NATO Is a Corpse, https://realclearwire.com/articles/2025/04/10/nato_is_a_corpse_1103126.html;

5. Politics and Media

5.1 Previous Administration Investigations

Kash Patel, a former Trump administration official, has released approximately 700 pages of previously unreleased documents related to “Crossfire Hurricane,” the FBI’s investigation into potential connections between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russian interference efforts [1]. Multiple reports characterize this as a “massive trove” of documents [2].

[1] Kash Patel Releases 700 Pages of Crossfire Hurricane Docs, https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2025/04/12/trump-admin-releases-massive-trove-of-crossfire-hurricane-docs-n2655420;
[2] Here We Go! Kash Patel Releases Massive Trove of Crossfire Hurricane Docs, https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2025/04/12/kash-patel-releases-massive-trove-of-fbi-crossfire-hurricane-documents-n4938835;

5.2 Democratic Party Figures and Policies

Reports indicate that searches for the Biden administration’s “Global Health Strategy Plan” have been unsuccessful [1]. The Social Security Administration has been accused of intervening to remove a fact-checking “Community Note” on a statement by Senator Elizabeth Warren [2]. Congressional Democrats have reportedly clashed with a whistleblower who exposed a children’s hospital for performing gender-related surgeries on minors [3]. Former Vice President Kamala Harris faces mockery over reports she may establish an institute focused on “ideas” [4].

[1] They Went Looking For Biden’s Global Health Strategy Plan. It’s Nowhere To Be Found., https://www.dailywire.com/news/they-went-looking-for-the-bidens-global-health-strategy-plan-its-nowhere-to-be-found?topStoryPosition=undefined&author=Spencer+Lindquist&category=Original&elementPosition=0&row=1&rowHeadline=Top+Stories&rowType=Top+Stories&title=They+Went+Looking+For+Biden%E2%80%99s+Global+Health+Strategy+Plan.+It%E2%80%99s+Nowhere+To+Be+Found.;
[2] Social Security Admin Helped Get Fearmongering Elizabeth Warren Community Note Nuked, https://twitchy.com/dougp/2025/04/12/social-security-admin-helped-get-fearmongering-elizabeth-warren-community-note-nuked-n2411297;
[3] Dems spar with whistleblower who exposed children’s hospital for performing surgeries on minors, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/watch-dems-spar-whistleblower-who-exposed-childrens-hospital-performing-trans-surgeries-minors;
[4] Report claiming Harris may open institute for ‘ideas’ sparks laughter online | Fox News, https://www.foxnews.com/media/kamala-harris-mocked-social-media-reported-interest-creating-institute-policy-ideas;

5.3 Political Commentary

Bill Maher has generated attention after a dinner with President Trump, describing the president as “gracious and measured” and suggesting Trump’s private demeanor differs significantly from his public persona [1]. Maher reportedly received a gift from the President that he claimed would distress liberals [2]. Broader political analysis includes observations that discourse on climate change is shifting [3] and arguments that liberals have transitioned from advocating change to defending existing systems [4].

[1] Bill Maher reveals Trump was ‘gracious and measured’ at White House meeting, says he’s not the man seen on TV, https://www.foxnews.com/media/bill-maher-reveals-trump-gracious-measured-white-house-meeting-says-hes-not-man-seen-tv;
[2] Bill Maher dishes on Trump dinner and reveals what the president gifted him: ‘Liberal sphincters just tightened’, https://nypost.com/2025/04/12/media/bill-maher-dishes-on-trump-dinner-and-reveals-what-president-gifted-him/;
[3] The climate has changed on climate change, https://thespectator.com/topic/climate-has-changed-climate-change/;
[4] Liberals Have Gone From ‘Hope and Change’ to Defending the Status Quo, https://pjmedia.com/rick-moran/2025/04/12/liberals-have-gone-from-hope-and-change-to-defending-the-status-quo-n4938836;

5.4 Media Coverage and Bias

CNN has launched an investigation into what it terms the “rise of extremism” in the United States as part of a series on misinformation hosted by Anderson Cooper [1]. A CNN analyst has been criticized for comments about HVAC systems that critics characterize as elitist [2]. Conservative social media users continue to question the reliability of news sources favored by those with left-leaning political views [3].

[1] CNN investigates rise of extremism in U.S. in mis"info"nation series with Anderson Cooper, https://x.com/tpantheman/status/1910874421511803198?s=46;
[2] CNN Analyst’s HVAC Snobbery Proves Just How Out of Touch the Media Has Become (Video), https://redstate.com/joesquire/2025/04/12/cnn-analysts-hvac-snobbery-proves-just-how-out-of-touch-the-media-has-become-video-n2187787;
[3] When you wonder why the left is so clueless just look at what they consider a factual source of news, https://i.redd.it/hns7c6t10fue1.jpeg;

6. Economic and Social Issues

6.1 Tariffs and Trade

President Trump has exempted phones, computer chips, and other electronic devices from “reciprocal tariffs” [1]. Analysis suggests the Trump administration is willing to accept some economic disruption while protecting strategic sectors, unlike previous administrations that allegedly avoided market adjustments due to “too big to fail” concerns [2].

[1] Trump Exempts Phones/Chips from Tariffs, https://www.ft.com/content/3eb48a07-7cb0-4a44-9159-eb5b402c2fec;
[2] How America’s Obsession With “Too Big to Fail” Led to Trump’s Tariffs — Past presidents were too afraid to withstand any pain from allowing markets to help adjust the economy, https://www.city-journal.org/article/trump-tariffs-too-big-to-fail-bailouts-economy-debt;

6.2 Government Spending and Taxation

Television personality Whoopi Goldberg, identified as a millionaire, has reportedly advised Americans to “suck it up” and accept higher taxes [1]. Satirical coverage suggests Republicans are making only distant commitments to spending cuts, positioning actual budget reduction decades into the future [2].

[1] Millionaire Whoopi Goldberg Tells Americans They Need To ‘Suck It Up’ And ‘Pay A Little More Taxes’, https://dailycaller.com/2025/04/10/the-view-millionaire-whoopi-goldberg-taxes/;
[2] Republicans Vow To Get Really Serious About Cutting Spending In Like 20 Or 30 Years, https://babylonbee.com/news/republicans-vow-to-get-really-serious-about-cutting-spending-in-like-20-or-30-years;

6.3 Education and Cultural Issues

A student was reportedly suspended and three police cars were called to a school after the student questioned administrators about the absence of American flags in classrooms [1]. A 16-year-old runner has filed a lawsuit against California’s Attorney General, alleging violations of Title IX [2]. Claims that ChatGPT exhibits bias against conservative viewpoints have emerged in social media discussions [3]. Some advocates argue that Christians should adopt an “abolitionist” stance rather than identifying as “pro-life” [4].

[1] Watch: 3 Cop Cars Summoned, Student Suspended After Asking Admin Why American Flag Isn’t in Classrooms - Report, https://www.westernjournal.com/watch-3-cop-cars-summoned-student-suspended-asking-admin-american-flag-isnt-classrooms-report/;
[2] 16-Year-Old Runner Sues Calif. AG for Violating Title IX, https://www.newsmax.com/politics/transgender-athlete-taylor-stirling/2025/04/11/id/1206653/;
[3] ChatGPT Political Bias Against Conservatives, https://i.redd.it/86kb2iq44bue1.jpeg;
[4] All Christians should be abolitionist, not pro-lifers., https://i.redd.it/25s9xscxzaue1.png;