[Friday, April 18] US News Headlines from r/politics

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1. Executive Authority and Government Restructuring

1.1 DOGE Operations and Agency Cuts

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, faces intensifying scrutiny as nearly $1 billion in claimed savings have “vanished overnight” [1]. DOGE has begun freezing healthcare payments for “extra review” [2], while critics allege Musk has “decimated the government” yet “saved almost nothing” [3]. The broader government downsizing continues with nearly 90% of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reportedly eliminated [4], though a federal judge has temporarily blocked these layoffs [5]. Trump’s “War on Measurement” is resulting in significant data losses regarding drug use, maternal mortality, and climate change [6].

[1] Nearly $1 billion of DOGE ‘savings’ vanish overnight, https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/doge-savings-website-millions-vanish-b2735173.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawJuijxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmjvPoiV6n9tSucwApJeQz7ZevilddEZ2TIe5TPMLyuqrT7iFbLqS2nspSts_aem_66_NIBSh5x6sSZDnHa8Y4g
[2] DOGE begins to freeze health-care payments for extra review, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/17/doge-trump-grants-hhs-nih-backlog/
[3] Elon Musk Decimated the Government and Saved Almost Nothing, https://jacobin.com/2025/04/musk-doge-savings-austerity-spending
[4] Nearly 90% of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cut as as Trump’s government downsizing continues, https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-doge-cfpb-elon-musk-456b747c367fccbcf3b74d2893cd1a35
[5] Judge temporarily blocks CFPB layoffs, probes potential violation of order, https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5255893-judge-cfpb-layoffs-order/
[6] Trump’s War on Measurement Means Losing Data on Drug Use, Maternal Mortality, Climate Change and More, https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-doge-data-collection-hhs-epa-cdc-maternal-mortality

1.2 Federal Workforce Changes and Privacy Concerns

President Trump is expanding executive authority by placing more federal civil servants directly under presidential control [1] and implementing Schedule F to make it easier to fire approximately 50,000 workers by removing civil service protections [2]. A judge has extended a ban on Musk’s DOGE accessing private Social Security information [3], while law firms, universities, and civil society groups have become targets for “punitive action” [4]. The IRS faces leadership turmoil, with the head reportedly being ousted amid a power struggle between Treasury and Elon Musk [5]. Federal employees are experiencing mental health issues amid termination waves, with some establishing a “Muskville” encampment in Washington D.C. [6].

[1] Trump Puts More Federal Civil Servants Under President’s Control, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-18/trump-puts-more-federal-civil-servants-under-president-s-control
[2] Trump Makes It Even Easier for Him to Fire 50,000 Civil Servants - The president’s latest move targets federal workers with “important policy-determining, policy-making, policy-advocating, or confidential duties.”, https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-makes-it-even-easier-for-him-to-fire-tens-of-thousands-of-civil-servants/
[3] Judge extends ban on Musk’s DOGE access to private Social Security data, https://www.reuters.com/legal/judge-extends-ban-musks-doge-access-private-social-security-data-2025-04-18/
[4] Law firms, universities and now civil society groups are in Trump’s sights for punitive action, https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-exempt-crew-environmental-groups-harvard-5e1e0ffacfa040ccdeaf4e43fb72b5fe
[5] Head of I.R.S. Being Ousted Amid Treasury’s Power Struggle With Elon Musk, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/us/politics/irs-scott-bessent-elon-musk.html
[6] Dispossessed federal workers build ‘Muskville’ encampment in D.C., https://peoplesworld.org/article/dispossessed-federal-workers-build-muskville-encampment-in-d-c/

2. Immigration and Deportation Policies

2.1 Deportation Policies and Legal Challenges

The Trump administration’s deportation initiatives face significant legal opposition. A federal appeals court has denied the administration’s attempt to end deportation protections for Venezuelans [1], while a U.S. judge halted the plan for rapid deportations to third countries [2]. Cases of American citizens being wrongfully detained by ICE have emerged, including one individual held despite proving U.S. birth [3]. ICE is investing $30 million in new technology from Palantir designed to track immigrants [4], while the Supreme Court will hear arguments in May challenging President Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants [5].

[1] Appeals Court Denies Trump Administration’s Bid to End Deportation Protections for Venezuelans, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/us/politics/trump-deportations-venezuelans.html
[2] US judge halts Trump plan for rapid deportations to third countries, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/new-trump-policy-speed-deportations-cannot-be-implemented-us-judge-rules-2025-04-18/
[3] A US citizen was held for pickup by ICE even after proving he was born in the country, https://apnews.com/article/us-citizen-held-ice-florida-law-4b5f5d9c754b56c87d1d8b39dfedfc6c
[4] ICE just ordered $30 million worth of new technology from Palantir to track immigrants, https://www.businessinsider.com/ice-palantir-new-technology-30-million-visa-overstays-self-deportation-2025-4
[5] Supreme Court to hear arguments in May in challenge to Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/17/politics/supreme-court-birthright-citizenship?cid=ios_app

2.2 The Abrego Garcia Case

The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, deported to El Salvador, has become a diplomatic flashpoint. Senator Van Hollen from Maryland met with Abrego Garcia [1], reporting that he described being “traumatized” at the CECOT detention facility [2]. Van Hollen revealed El Salvador’s government staged elements of their meeting, stating “nobody drank any margaritas” [3]. The White House has dismissed concerns, boasting that Abrego Garcia is “never coming back” [4], while President Trump attacked Van Hollen as a “grandstander” who “looked like a fool” [5].

[1] US Senator Van Hollen says he met wrongly deported man in El Salvador, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-senator-van-hollen-says-he-met-wrongly-deported-man-el-salvador-2025-04-18/
[2] Sen. Chris Van Hollen says Abrego Garcia described being ’traumatized’ at CECOT, has been moved to different detention center, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/18/politics/chris-van-hollen-kilmar-abrego-garcia-cecot-el-salvador/index.html
[3] Van Hollen on Abrego Garcia meeting: ‘Nobody drank any margaritas’, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5256589-van-hollen-abrego-garcia-margarita/
[4] White House Boasts Abrego Garcia Is ‘Never Coming Back’ to the US While Trolling NYT, https://www.latintimes.com/white-house-boasts-abrego-garcia-never-coming-back-us-while-trolling-nyt-581182
[5] Trump Slams ‘Grandstander’ Senator Van Hollen for Visiting Abrego Garcia in El Salvador: ‘Looked Like a Fool’, https://www.latintimes.com/trump-slams-grandstander-senator-van-hollen-visiting-abrego-garcia-el-salvador-looked-like-581162

3. Foreign Policy and International Relations

3.1 Ukraine-Russia Peace Negotiations

U.S. policy toward the Russia-Ukraine conflict is at a critical juncture. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated the U.S. will decide “in days” whether an end to the war in Ukraine is “doable” [1] and that the administration is ready to “abandon efforts to broker a Russia-Ukraine peace deal” if swift progress isn’t achieved [2]. Reports indicate the U.S. is “open” to recognizing Crimea as Russian territory as part of a potential peace agreement [3]. President Trump has insisted that “nobody’s playing me” in these negotiations [4].

[1] Rubio Says U.S. to Decide in Days if End to War in Ukraine Is ‘Doable’, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/world/europe/rubio-ukraine-russia-war-paris.html
[2] US ready to abandon efforts to broker Russia-Ukraine peace deal, Rubio says, https://www.reuters.com/world/us-ready-abandon-efforts-broker-russia-ukraine-peace-deal-rubio-says-2025-04-18/
[3] US Open to Recognizing Crimea as Russian in Ukraine Peace Deal, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-18/us-open-to-recognizing-crimea-as-russian-in-ukraine-peace-deal
[4] Trump on Russia-Ukraine talks: ‘Nobody’s playing me’, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5256048-trump-on-russia-ukraine-talks-nobodys-playing-me/

3.2 Middle East and Human Rights Policy

President Trump reportedly intervened to prevent a planned Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites [1]. The State Department is revising its approach to human rights terminology and policy [2], signaling a shift in how the U.S. government defines and prioritizes various rights. In a significant diplomatic development, American lawmakers have become the first to travel to post-Assad Syria, meeting with the country’s new president [3]. U.S. strikes on a Yemeni oil port have reportedly killed 74 people according to Houthi sources, marking the deadliest attack of Trump’s military campaign in the region [4].

[1] Trump Waved Off Planned Israeli Strike on Iranian Nuclear Sites, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/us/politics/trump-israel-iran-nuclear.html
[2] The State Department is changing its mind about what it calls human rights, https://www.npr.org/2025/04/18/nx-s1-5357511/state-department-human-rights-report-cuts
[3] First American lawmakers travel to post-Assad Syria to meet with new president, https://jewishinsider.com/2025/04/cory-mills-marlin-stutzman-syria-damascus/
[4] US strikes on a Yemeni oil port kill 74 people, Houthis say, in deadliest attack of Trump campaign, https://apnews.com/article/yemen-us-airstrikes-563f61bbd96e1f2de68373fdf76c8811

4. Economic Policy and Trade

4.1 Tariffs and Industrial Impact

President Trump has intensified his confrontation with China through new fees on Chinese vessels docking at U.S. ports [1], though he later signaled that tit-for-tat tariffs may be ending [2]. Corporate responses vary, with Honda shifting Civic Hybrid production to the U.S. from Japan [3], while Mack Trucks [4] and Volvo [5] announced layoffs, explicitly blaming tariffs. Reports indicate that Trump shifted his tariff position after bond holders became “jittery,” with revelations that he held substantial personal investments in the affected bonds [6].

[1] Trump administration announces fees on Chinese ships docking at U.S. ports, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/17/trump-administration-announces-fees-on-chinese-ships-docking-at-us-ports.html
[2] Trump signals tit-for-tat China tariffs may be near end; TikTok deal on ice, https://www.reuters.com/technology/trump-says-china-has-reached-out-tariffs-tiktok-deal-may-wait-2025-04-17/
[3] Honda to shift Civic Hybrid production to U.S. from Japan, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/honda-civic-hybrid-hatchback-japan-us/
[4] Mack Trucks announces layoffs at Lehigh Valley plant, blames tariffs, https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/mack-trucks-announces-layoffs-at-lehigh-valley-plant-blames-tariffs/
[5] Volvo To Cut Up To 800 American Jobs As Trump’s Tariffs Bite, https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volvo-cut-up-800-us-jobs-trumps-tariffs-bite-2025-04-18/
[6] Trump Shifted on Tariffs After Bond Holders Got Jittery. He Held Millions Himself., https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/us/politics/trump-bonds-tariffs.html

4.2 Federal Reserve and Economic Outlook

President Trump has suggested he possesses the authority to remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, expressing dissatisfaction with interest rate policies [1]. Financial markets show growing concern about U.S. economic stability, with a “strange sell-off in the dollar” raising “the specter of investors losing trust in the US under Trump” [2]. Public anxiety about economic conditions has intensified, with fears of an economic downturn now exceeding levels seen “at the height of the Covid pandemic” [3]. Senator Elizabeth Warren has warned that Wall Street “cops are gone” following a financial regulations overhaul [4].

[1] Trump suggests he can remove Fed Chair Powell and says he’s ’not happy’ with him over interest rates, https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-federal-reserve-fed-termination-b6148c8048dda538a6ca3b5a270fd09e
[2] Strange sell-off in the dollar raises the specter of investors losing trust in the US under Trump, https://apnews.com/article/dollar-trump-tariffs-trade-safe-haven-china-c108fd36a3122f85872ad34ba5f5d977
[3] Fears of the economy tanking are now higher than they were at the height of the Covid pandemic, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/economy-fears-covid-trump-tariff-b2735417.html
[4] Warren Says Wall Street ‘Cops are Gone’ After Trump Overhaul, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-18/warren-says-wall-street-cops-are-gone-after-trump-overhaul

5. Domestic Politics and Public Response

5.1 Political Commentary and Public Opinion

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski made a “startling admission” that “we are all afraid” amid reports of a retribution campaign [1], while Democrats report “renewed energy in the fight against Trump” [2]. President Trump’s approval ratings have reached historic lows, reported as “worst of post-WWII presidents” [3]. Public resistance has manifested in organized protests, with “Hands-Off” protests set to return [4] and more than 150 campuses holding a coordinated day of action against Trump’s policies [5].

[1] A Startling Admission From a G.O.P. Senator: ‘We Are All Afraid’, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/us/politics/lisa-murkowski-trump.html
[2] Democrats draw on renewed energy in the fight against Trump, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/democrats-draw-renewed-energy-fight-trump-rcna201158
[3] Trump’s approval rating worst of post-WWII presidents, https://www.newsweek.com/trumps-approval-rating-worst-among-all-post-wwii-presidents-except-himself-2061508
[4] ‘Hands-Off’ protests return Saturday. Here’s what to know., https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/04/18/50501-protests-anti-trump-movement-hands-off/
[5] More Than 150 Campuses Held Day of Action Against Trump’s Attacks on Higher Ed, https://truthout.org/articles/more-than-150-campuses-held-day-of-action-against-trumps-attacks-on-higher-ed/

5.2 Education and Domestic Programs

Trump has threatened to block Harvard from enrolling international students [1] amid questions about the institution’s tax-exempt status [2]. The administration’s funding freeze has reportedly placed research animals at risk, with Harvard professors warning laboratory monkeys may need to be euthanized [3]. The White House has proposed eliminating Head Start funding as part of sweeping budget cuts [4] and has overhauled the federal COVID-19 information website, converting it to promote the lab leak theory [5].

[1] Trump Threatens to Block Harvard From Enrolling International Students, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/us/politics/trump-harvard-international-students.html
[2] IRS decision on Harvard’s tax-exempt status could come in days: Sources, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/irs-decision-harvards-tax-exempt-status-days-sources/story?id=120924793
[3] Research Monkeys May Be Euthanized Because of Trump’s Funding Freeze, Harvard Professors Warn, https://people.com/harvard-professors-warn-trump-freeze-may-force-them-to-euthanize-research-monkeys-11717531?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com&utm_content=post
[4] White House proposes eliminating Head Start funding as part of sweeping budget cuts, https://apnews.com/article/head-start-trump-funding-budget-cuts-education-204077e046329eb22c71445d57ba002b
[5] Trump turns a COVID information website into a promotion page for the lab leak theory, https://apnews.com/article/trump-covid-origin-lab-leak-fauci-c8767c1e2c5698c845059ab7f0534ff7