[Wednesday, April 23] US News Headlines from r/politics

1. Administration Leadership & Operations

1.1 Executive Orders and Presidential Actions

President Trump continues reshaping federal operations through executive orders. A little-known federal agency is central to his executive order overhauling U.S. elections [1]. Nearly all federal workers investigating firefighter deaths have been laid off [2]. A judge criticized Trump’s anti-collective bargaining order as specifically “targeting” unions that challenged him [3].

Citations:
[1] A little-known federal agency is at the center of Trump’s executive order to overhaul US elections, https://apnews.com/article/trump-elections-voting-executive-order-eac-419ed4db0ea30b69bf47d11647a6b816
[2] Trump Laid Off Nearly All the Federal Workers Who Investigate Firefighter Deaths, https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-cuts-firefighter-deaths
[3] Trump’s anti-collective bargaining order ’targets’ unions who’ve challenged him, judge says, https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/politics/federal-fallout/president-trumps-anti-collective-bargaining-executive-order-targets-unions-whove-challenged-him-judge-says-nteu-friedman/65-cdf155f5-b1c1-4e2d-bfa1-91598c599f11

1.2 Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Musk

Elon Musk announced his DOGE responsibilities will “drop significantly” starting in May [1] following a reported shouting match with economic advisor Scott Bessent in the West Wing [2]. This coincides with Tesla’s 71% profit plunge amid backlash to his administration role [3]. Bloomberg reports DOGE has “Unleashed a Wrecking Ball That Rips Into DC’s Special Status” [4].

Citations:
[1] Elon Musk says his DOGE work will “drop significantly” starting in May, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-doge-tesla-tsla-stock-may-2025/
[2] Musk vs. Bessent dispute erupted into West Wing shouting match, https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/musk-bessent-trump-white-house-irs
[3] Tesla profits fall 71% amid backlash to Musk’s role with Trump administration, https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/04/22/musk-tesla-first-quarter-earnings/83217370007/
[4] DOGE Unleashes Wrecking Ball That Rips Into DC’s Special Status, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-04-23/washington-dc-economy-threatened-by-musk-s-doge-spending-cuts?srnd=homepage-americas

1.3 Pentagon and Cabinet Personnel Issues

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces mounting pressure after allegedly extracting airstrike information from a secure military channel and sharing it via Signal [1]. Senator Warner explicitly called for Hegseth to “either quit or be fired” [2]. An Army female commander was suspended after a Trump portrait was reportedly found flipped around [3]. Secretary Rubio unveiled plans for a State Department overhaul impacting human rights programs [4].

Citations:
[1] Hegseth allegedly pulled airstrike info shared on second Signal post from secure military channel, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/hegseth-allegedly-pulled-airstrike-info-shared-on-second-signal-post-from-secure-military-channel
[2] Sen. Warner: Secy. Hegseth should “either quit or be fired”, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/21/Tv/video/sitroom-blitzer-warner-hegseth-second-signal-chat
[3] Army suspends female commander after Trump portrait found flipped around, https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5263614-army-suspends-female-commander-after-trump-portrait-found-flipped-around/
[4] Marco Rubio’s State Department Reorg Would Hit Programs Focused on Human Rights and War Crimes, https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a64555183/epa-fires-environmental-justice-dei-workers/

2. Foreign Policy and National Security

2.1 Ukraine-Russia Peace Negotiations

The Trump administration is proposing to recognize Crimea as Russian [1] and requiring Ukraine to accept Russian occupation as part of a “final offer” for peace [2]. President Trump criticized President Zelenskyy, saying he is prolonging the war by resisting calls to cede Crimea [3]. Vice President Vance stated either Ukraine and Russia reach a deal, or the U.S. will “walk away” from further support [4].

Citations:
[1] U.S. proposes recognizing Crimea as Russian ahead of new round of talks, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/04/22/ukraine-russia-rubio-london-crimea-peace-deal/?itid=hp-top-table-main_p001_f009&utm_source=reddit.com
[2] Trump’s “final offer” for peace requires Ukraine to accept Russian occupation, https://www.axios.com/2025/04/22/trump-russia-ukraine-peace-plan-crimea-donbas
[3] Trump blames Zelenskyy for rejecting Ukraine-Russia negotiations, claims a deal was very close, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-talks-rubio-witkoff-london-putin-zelenskyy-trump-russia-war-rcna202525?taid=68092b13da87f4000140fe47&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
[4] Vance says US will ‘walk away’ unless Ukraine and Russia accept peace deal, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/23/vance-says-us-will-walk-away-unless-ukraine-and-russia-accept-peace-deal

2.2 International Relations

The administration is withdrawing from international groups investigating Russian war crimes in Ukraine [1] and unwinding related intelligence efforts [2]. President Trump indicated he will be “very nice” to China [3] amid tariff tensions. The administration has reportedly deported immigrants to El Salvador’s megaprison system [4] and revoked the Colombian president’s U.S. visa [5].

Citations:
[1] US to withdraw from international group probing Russian war crimes in Ukraine: report, https://nypost.com/2025/03/17/us-news/us-to-withdraw-from-international-group-probing-russian-war-crimes-in-ukraine-report/
[2] Trump administration unwinds efforts to investigate Russian war crimes, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/04/22/trump-russia-war-crimes-intelligence-ukraine/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com
[3] Trump news at a glance: president will be ‘very nice’ to China; Musk to step back from Doge, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/23/trump-administration-news-updates-today
[4] The Long History of Lawlessness in U.S. Policy Toward Latin America | By shipping immigrants to Nayib Bukele’s megaprison in El Salvador, Trump is using a far-right ally for his own ends, https://theintercept.com/2025/04/22/trump-latin-america-bukele-el-salvador-prison/
[5] Colombian President Says Trump Admin Revoked His Visa: ‘I’ll Go See Other Things’, https://www.latintimes.com/colombian-president-says-trump-admin-revoked-his-visa-ill-go-see-other-things-581478

3. Economic Policy and Market Impact

3.1 Tariffs and U.S.-China Trade

President Trump indicated China tariffs “will come down substantially – but it won’t be zero” [1] following warnings about “empty shelves” and market reactions [2]. Twelve states sued the administration to halt its tariff policy [3], while China returned Boeing aircraft to the U.S. in response [4]. The IMF warned of a “major negative shock” from Trump’s tariffs [5].

Citations:
[1] Trump says China tariffs will drop ‘substantially – but it won’t be zero’, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/22/trump-china-tariffs
[2] Trump softens tariff tone amid empty shelves warning, market slump, https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/trump-economy-tariffs-china-powell
[3] A dozen states sue the Trump administration to stop tariff policy, https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-lawsuit-what-states-sue-0d6531b7f60aaa2f7c6c35e0a944d4a9
[4] China sends Boeing planes back to US over tariffs, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3evw059x04o.amp
[5] IMF warns of ‘major negative shock’ from Trump’s tariffs, https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/22/imf-major-negative-shock-trump-tariffs-uk?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

3.2 Economic Indicators and Corporate Impacts

Trump’s economic approval rating has fallen to 37% [1] while tariffs restrain U.S. business activity and boost prices [2]. Citadel CEO Ken Griffin claims Trump has made the country “20% poorer” [3]. The Dow jumped 700 points following Trump comments suggesting policy moderation [4]. President Trump plans a private dinner with top holders of his branded memecoin [5].

Citations:
[1] Trump economic approval rating falls to 37 percent: Survey, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5262429-donald-trump-economic-approval-slipping-reuters-survey/
[2] Tariffs restrain US business activity, boost asking prices for products, https://www.reuters.com/business/us-business-activity-moderates-april-firms-demand-higher-prices-their-products-2025-04-23/
[3] Trump ’eroding’ US brand, has made the country 20% poorer, Citadel chief says, https://www.semafor.com/article/04/23/2025/citadel-ceo-ken-griffin-trump-is-eroding-us-brand-and-making-the-country-poorer?utm_campaign=semaforreddit
[4] Dow Jones Jumps 700 Points On Trump Comments; Apple, Nvidia, Tesla Rally, https://www.investors.com/market-trend/stock-market-today/dow-jones-sp500-nasdaq-trump-tariffs-apple-nvidia-nvda-tesla-tsla/
[5] Trump Offers a Private Dinner to Top 220 Investors of His Memecoin, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/technology/trump-private-dinner-crypto-memecoin.html

4. Immigration Enforcement and Legal Challenges

4.1 Deportation Policies and High-Profile Cases

President Trump stated “Undocumented Immigrants Shouldn’t Get Trials Before Deportation” [1]. Congressional delegations visited Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk in detention facilities [2]. El Salvador rejected lawmakers’ request to visit wrongfully deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia [3], whose case saw a judge criticize the administration for “intentional noncompliance” with court orders [4]. ICE detained a “Harvard scientist pioneering new cancer diagnostics method” [5].

Citations:
[1] Trump Says Undocumented Immigrants Shouldn’t Get Trials Before Deportation, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/us/politics/trump-undocumented-immigrants-trials-deportation.html
[2] First on CNN: Congressional delegation visits Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk in Louisiana detention centers, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/22/us/mahmoud-khalil-rumeysa-ozturk-louisiana/index.html
[3] El Salvador rejects lawmakers’ request to visit Abrego Garcia, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/el-salvador-rejects-lawmakers-request-visit-abrego-garcia-121065026
[4] Judge Slams Trump Admin’s ‘Intentional Noncompliance’ With Court Order, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/judge-slams-trump-admin-abrego-garcia-court-order-1235323252/
[5] ICE detains Harvard scientist pioneering new cancer diagnostics method, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna202180

4.2 Immigration Enforcement Tactics

Federal authorities launched a “first-of-its-kind sting” with Florida police to apprehend undocumented immigrants [1]. Hundreds of Florida law enforcement agencies established partnerships with ICE [2]. Court documents revealed Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi’s ICE arrest constituted “a trap” [3]. Immigration policy implementation has created confusion, with “Orders to leave the country – some for US citizens” reported [4].

Citations:
[1] Feds launch first-of-its-kind sting with Florida cops to deport undocumented immigrants, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article304882051.html#campaignName=miami_breaking_newsletter
[2] Florida Is Leading Trump’s Immigration Crackdown: Across Florida, hundreds of local law enforcement agencies have stepped in to help ICE., https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/04/florida-immigration-ice-desantis-287g-arrests/
[3] New court filings detail Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi’s ICE arrest: ‘It was a trap’, https://gothamist.com/news/new-court-filings-detail-columbia-student-mohsen-mahdawis-ice-arrest-it-was-a-trap
[4] Orders to leave the country – some for US citizens – sow confusion among immigrants, https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-cbp-one-asylum-4a3aae0453d17b6dfc2c9b590f19497e

5. Domestic and Social Policy

5.1 Education and University Relations

Harvard University’s president declared the school will “not compromise” with the Trump administration [1] while developing a strategy to “Use Trump’s Haste Against Him as It Fights Funding Cut” [2]. Over 150 university leaders signed a statement denouncing “unprecedented overreach and political coercion” [3]. The Education Department is resuming wage garnishment for student loan defaulters [4].

Citations:
[1] Harvard’s president says the school will ’not compromise’ with the Trump admin, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/harvards-president-says-school-will-not-compromise-trump-admin-rcna202564?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma&taid=680940f9d33d7100019f14dc&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
[2] Harvard Plans to Use Trump’s Haste Against Him as It Fights Funding Cut, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/us/trump-harvard-legal-case.html?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20250423&instance_id=153108&nl=from-the-times®i_id=93576114&segment_id=196556&user_id=3baeb9af6d5a167095d28bc09c6d2eab
[3] 150+ University Leaders Denounce ‘Unprecedented’ Overreach and Political Coercion by Trump, https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-attack-on-universities
[4] Education Department to resume seizing wages for student loans in default, https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/04/21/student-loan-debt-collection-education-department/

5.2 Healthcare and Social Programs

Health Secretary RFK Jr. generated controversy by calling autism a “preventable disease” [1] and plans to “Launch National Autism Registry Using Americans’ Private Health Records” [2]. Public health challenges are emerging with whooping cough cases surging as vaccine rates fall [3]. A former administrator warns “Social Security Benefits To Be Interrupted Soon” [4]. Analysis indicates cutting Medicaid expansion funding could lead to 30,000 additional deaths [5].

Citations:
[1] RFK Jr. Shocked At ‘Tsunami Of Anger’ Over Autism Comments - The health secretary called autism a “preventable disease” and claimed that people with the disorder will never go out on dates, pay taxes or write poems., https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rfk-autism-tsunami-of-anger_n_6808e017e4b0deaad527661c
[2] Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Launch National Autism Registry Using Americans’ Private Health Records: ‘Data will be collected from pharmacy chains, lab tests, smartwatches and more’, https://people.com/rfk-jr-to-launch-autism-registry-using-private-health-records-11720156
[3] Whooping cough cases surge as vaccine rates fall — The U.S. has tallied 8,077 cases of whooping cough in 2025, compared with 3,847 cases in the same period last year, federal data shows., https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/04/22/whooping-cough-pertussis-cases-rise/
[4] Social Security Benefits To Be Interrupted Soon: Ex-Administrator, https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-benefits-interuppted-soon-ex-administrator-2062773
[5] Cutting Medicaid expansion funding could lead to 30K additional deaths: Analysis, https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5261905-medicaid-cuts-house-republican-budget-plan/

6. Congressional Activities and Public Opinion

6.1 Congressional Changes and Public Opinion

Senator Dick Durbin announced his retirement after nearly three decades [1], with “at least a dozen” serious contenders preparing to enter the race [2]. Just 15% of young Americans say the country is headed in the right direction [3]. ABC News reports “As controversies pile up, Trump allies increasingly turn on one another” [4]. California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed uncertainty about Democratic Party identity, saying “I don’t know what the party is” [5].

Citations:
[1] Dick Durbin won’t seek re-election after nearly three decades in US Senate, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/23/dick-durbin-us-senate
[2] With Dick Durbin not running, ‘at least a dozen’ serious contenders ready to jump into Senate race, https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/04/23/dick-durbin-senate-reelection-decision-krishnamoorthi-underwood-stratton
[3] Just 15 percent of young Americans say country is heading in right direction, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5263245-just-15-percent-of-young-americans-say-country-is-heading-in-right-direction/
[4] As controversies pile up, Trump allies increasingly turn on one another, https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/wireStory/controversies-pile-trump-allies-increasingly-turn-121041105
[5] Newsom on Democrats: ‘I don’t know what the party is’, https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5260637-newsom-calls-democrats-reflection/amp/