[Tuesday, May 13] US News Headlines from r/Conservative

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1. Trump Administration & Executive Actions

1.1 Middle East Diplomacy & Presidential Trip

President Trump’s Middle East tour has focused on securing economic partnerships, particularly with Saudi Arabia. Trump has established a new “strategic” partnership with Saudi Arabia [1] and signed an economic deal valued at $600 billion with the Saudi Crown Prince [2]. The visit has included meetings with prominent American CEOs including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and Larry Fink at the Saudi royal court [3]. A notable achievement during the trip is the release of Hamas hostage Edan Alexander, creating what officials describe as a “window of opportunity” for broader hostage agreements [4]. In his Middle East address, President Trump explicitly condemned “interventionalists” while articulating his vision for “a more hopeful future” in the region [5].

Controversy has emerged over Qatar’s reported gift of a Boeing 747 aircraft valued at approximately $400 million to the U.S., which Trump has defended as part of a “long history of unusual presidential presents” [6].

[1] Trump enters new ‘strategic’ partnership with Saudi Arabia, https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-world/trump-signs-strategic-economic-partnership-saudi-arabia
[2] Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Sign $600 Billion Economic Deal, https://www.newsmax.com/us/economic-partnership-energy/2025/05/13/id/1210732/
[3] American CEOs Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Larry Fink join Trump at Saudi royal court, https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/american-ceos-elon-musk-sam-altman-larry-fink-join-trump-saudi-royal-court
[4] Edan Alexander’s release offers ‘window of opportunity’ for wider hostage deal amid Trump Middle East visit, https://www.foxnews.com/world/edan-alexanders-release-offers-window-opportunity-wider-hostage-deal-amid-trump-middle-east-visit
[5] Trump condemns ‘interventionalists,’ pitches ‘more hopeful future’ in Middle East speech, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-condemns-interventionalists-pitches-more-hopeful-future-middle-east-speech
[6] Trump’s $400M Qatar jet gift follows long history of unusual presidential presents, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps-400m-qatar-jet-gift-follows-long-history-unusual-presidential-presents

1.2 Executive Orders & Department Leadership Changes

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has dismissed top officials from the National Intelligence Council who were described as “radically opposed to Trump” [1], citing efforts to eliminate “politicization of intel” [2]. President Trump’s executive order on drug prices is characterized as something that “should have happened decades ago,” questioning what’s “free market” about Americans paying more for prescription drugs than other countries [3]. The Trump DOJ is reported to be drawing “frustration from GOP over stalled document releases” [4].

[1] DNI Tulsi Gabbard fires top officials “radically opposed to Trump” leading the National Intelligence Council., https://x.com/tpantheman/status/1922366291337175063?s=46
[2] Gabbard fires ‘deep state’ heads of National Intelligence Council to root out ‘politicization of intel’, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gabbard-fires-deep-state-heads-national-intelligence-council-root-out-politicization-intel
[3] Trump’s Drug-Price EO Should Have Happened Decades Ago - What’s ‘free market’ about Americans paying the tab for the rest of the world’s prescription drugs?, https://spectator.org/trump-drug-price-eo-should-have-happened-decades-ago/
[4] Trump DOJ draws frustration from GOP over stalled document releases, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/3406942/trump-doj-draws-frustration-document-releases/

2. Foreign Policy & International Relations

2.1 Middle East Peace Process & Conflicts

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has pledged to employ “full force” to “complete” military operations against Hamas in the coming days [1]. President Trump has directly appealed to Saudi leadership, stating that by recognizing Israel, “you’ll be greatly honoring me” [2]. Trump has also announced intentions to “drop sanctions on Syria” as part of moves to normalize relations with that country [3].

[1] Netanyahu pledges ‘full force’ to ‘complete’ fight against Hamas in coming days, https://www.foxnews.com/world/netanyahu-pledges-full-force-complete-fight-against-hamas-coming-days
[2] By recognizing Israel, ‘you’ll be greatly honoring me,’ Trump tells Saudis, https://www.jns.org/by-recognizing-israel-youll-be-greatly-honoring-me-trump-tells-saudis/
[3] Trump says he’ll drop sanctions on Syria in move to normalize relations, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-hell-drop-sanctions-syria-move-normalize-relations

2.2 Relations with Iran & Foreign Threats

President Trump has presented Iran with options regarding nuclear weapons development, offering a choice to either discontinue such programs or face what he termed “maximum pressure” [1]. This approach has been characterized as offering “the carrot - not yet mentioning the stick” [2]. A Chinese Communist Party (CCP) espionage ring has reportedly been exposed at Stanford University, described as unveiling “deep infiltration” of U.S. academia [3]. A separate report has alleged “Chinese spies” are “infiltrating prestigious US university” as part of what is described as a “widespread campaign” [4].

[1] Trump offers Iran choice: Drop nuclear weapons or face ‘maximum pressure’, https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-offers-iran-choice-drop-nuclear-weapons-face-maximum-pressure
[2] Trump Offers Iran the Carrot - Not Yet Mentioning the Stick, https://redstate.com/wardclark/2025/05/13/trump-offers-iran-the-carrot-and-not-yet-mentioning-the-stick-n2189028
[3] Exposed CCP Espionage Ring at Stanford Unveils Deep Infiltration of US Academia, https://www.visiontimes.com/2025/05/12/exposed-ccp-espionage-ring-at-stanford-unveils-deep-infiltration-of-us-academia.html
[4] Bombshell report suggests ‘Chinese spies’ infiltrating prestigious US university: ‘Widespread campaign’, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bombshell-report-suggests-chinese-spies-infiltrating-prestigious-u-s-university-widespread-campaign

3. Immigration & Border Security

3.1 ICE Operations & Enforcement Actions

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has taken control of New York City’s Rikers Island facility, with White House border czar (and former acting ICE director) Homan quoted saying “I’m not running a popularity contest, I want EVERYBODY, don’t care if you get booked for shoplifting” [1]. A “Protest outside Newark ICE facility” has reportedly “descends into chaos” with “arrests made” [2], and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has warned officials about protests at an ICE facility, stating “we are going to have a problem” [3]. A proposed House bill would potentially strip committee assignments from Democratic representatives who reportedly “stormed” the Newark ICE facility [4].

[1] ICE Takes NYC Rikers Island Prison: Homan “Im not running a popularity contest, I want EVERYBODY, don’t care if you get booked for shoplifting”, https://x.com/tpantheman/status/1922413593569509562?s=46
[2] Protest outside Newark ICE facility descends into chaos; arrests made, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/agitators-clash-police-arrests-made-clergy-members-descend-newark-ice-facility
[3] AOC warns Homan, Noem over protests at ICE facility: ‘We are going to have a problem’ | Fox News Video, https://www.foxnews.com/video/6372745052112
[4] SCOOP: Democrats who ‘stormed’ Newark ICE facility could be stripped of committees in new House bill, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/scoop-democrats-who-stormed-newark-ice-facility-could-stripped-committees-new-house-bill

3.2 Deportation Policies & Legal Challenges

A judge has approved a Trump policy allowing “IRS to Share Tax Data with ICE to Help Deport Illegal Aliens” [1]. The Department of Justice has renewed its appeal to the Supreme Court regarding deportation authority following reports that detainees allegedly “threatened” Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel [2]. New York’s Attorney General, joined by counterparts from 19 other states, has initiated legal action against the Trump administration through two separate lawsuits alleging federal money is “tied to immigration enforcement” [3].

[1] Judge Greenlights Trump Policy: Allows IRS to Share Tax Data with ICE to Help Deport Illegal Aliens, https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2025/05/12/federal-judge-allows-irs-to-share-illegal-alien-data-with-dhs-in-court-win-for-trump-n2656974
[2] DOJ renews Supreme Court deportation bid after detainees ’threatened’ ICE, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/3409390/doj-renews-supreme-court-deportation-bid/
[3] NY AG, 19 others file 2 lawsuits against Trump admin, alleging federal money tied to immigration enforcement, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ny-ag-19-others-file-2-lawsuits-against-trump-admin-alleging-federal-money-tied-immigration-enforcement

3.3 State vs. Federal Immigration Authority

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that “Florida state troopers can now conduct immigration operations independent of federal government” [1]. Secretary Kristi Noem has announced an investigation into “California’s Cash Assistance for Immigrants” [2]. According to a Department of Homeland Security memo, the U.S. Coast Guard has experienced “skyrocketing” recruitment under the Trump administration’s revitalization efforts, with expanded personnel focused on “secure maritime borders” [3].

[1] Gov. DeSantis: Florida state troopers can now conduct immigration operations independent of federal government | FOX 13 Tampa Bay, https://www.fox13news.com/news/governor-desantis-speaks-tampa-heads-flhmv-florida-state-board-immigration-enforcement
[2] Sec. Noem Announces Investigation into California’s Cash Assistance for Immigrants, https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2025/05/12/sec-noem-announces-investigation-into-californias-cash-assistance-for-immigrants-n3802716
[3] Trump’s revamped Coast Guard surges with ‘skyrocketing’ recruiting to secure maritime borders: DHS memo, https://www.foxnews.com/us/trump-revamped-coast-guard-surges-skyrocketing-recruiting-secure-maritime-borders-dhs-memo

4. Economic Policy & Financial Developments

4.1 Tariffs & International Trade

A Wall Street Journal headline references “The Great Trump Tariff Rollback,” stating that “The President started a trade war with Adam Smith. He lost” [1]. India is reportedly “considering tariffs on US goods to counter Trump’s levies” [2]. Recent economic data shows U.S. inflation remaining moderate at 2.3%, described as the “smallest annual increase since February 2021” [3].

[1] The Great Trump Tariff Rollback. The President started a trade war with Adam Smith. He lost., https://www.wsj.com/opinion/u-s-china-trade-deal-tariffs-donald-trump-xi-jinping-a561d16b
[2] India considering tariffs on US goods to counter Trump’s levies, https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/india-considering-tariffs-us-goods-counter-trumps-levies
[3] Tariffmageddon Canceled: U.S. Inflation Stays Cooler Than Expected, Prices Up 2.3%, Smallest Annual Increase Since February 2021, https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2025/05/13/u-s-inflation-stays-cooler-than-expected-prices-up-2-3/

4.2 Federal Reserve & Economic Projections

President Trump has publicly pressured Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to reduce interest rates, referring to him as “Too Late Powell” [1]. Financial institution JP Morgan has issued an economic projection stating “The Recession Has Been Called Off” [2]. Recent economic data analysis has challenged job creation figures claimed by the previous Biden administration, suggesting that approximately 400,000 reported new jobs from last year “never actually existed” [3].

[1] Trump lobbies ‘Too Late Powell’ to cut interest rates, https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-lobbies-too-late-powell-cut-interest-rates
[2] JP Morgan: The Recession Has Been Called Off, https://hotair.com/david-strom/2025/05/13/jp-morgan-the-recession-has-been-called-off-n3802721
[3] New data shows 400,000 jobs that the Biden admin claimed to have created last year never actually existed, https://notthebee.com/article/new-data-shows-that-400000-jobs-that-the-biden-administration-claimed-to-have-created-last-year-never-actually-existed

5. Legal & Judicial Matters

5.1 Supreme Court & Federal Judiciary

The Supreme Court is addressing nationwide injunctions amid a “birthright citizenship controversy” [1]. A related headline states that “Federal Judges’ Ability to Issue Nationwide Injunctions Could End This Week” [2]. Chief Justice John Roberts has publicly “addresses divisions between justices” following what have been described as “several recent SCOTUS skirmishes” [3].

[1] SCOTUS to Address Nationwide Injunctions amid Birthright Citizenship Controversy, https://washingtonstand.com/news/scotus-to-address-nationwide-injunctions-amid-birthright-citizenship-controversy
[2] Federal Judges’ Ability to Issue Nationwide Injunctions Could End This Week (Resistance Hardest Hit), https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2025/05/12/federal-judges-ability-to-issue-nationwide-injunctions-could-end-this-week-n3802707
[3] Chief Justice Roberts addresses divisions between justices after several recent SCOTUS skirmishes, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chief-justice-roberts-addresses-divisions-between-justices-after-several-recent-scotus-skirmishes

5.2 Civil Rights Investigations & Legal Controversies

The Trump administration has launched a “civil rights probe of Harvard’s hiring practices” [1]. Harvard University’s president has claimed “unfounded retaliation” amid a “Trump funding feud” [2]. A commentary references “outrage over Trump targeting law firms” and describes the situation as “turning Shakespearean” while questioning hypocrisy [3].

[1] Trump Administration Launches Civil Rights Probe of Harvard’s Hiring Practices, https://freebeacon.com/campus/exclusive-trump-administration-launches-civil-rights-probe-of-harvards-hiring-practices/
[2] Harvard president claims ‘unfounded retaliation’ amid Trump funding feud, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/harvard-president-claims-unfounded-retaliation-trump-funding-feud
[3] To Be or Not To Be a Hypocrite? Outrage over Trump Targeting Law Firms is Turning Shakespearean, https://jonathanturley.org/2025/05/12/to-be-or-not-to-be-a-hypocrite-outrage-over-trump-targeting-law-firms-is-shakespearean/

6. Congressional Activity & Political Landscape

6.1 Legislative Initiatives & Partisan Conflicts

Republican congressional initiatives include a tax plan that, according to Joint Committee on Taxation analysis, “Could Add $3.7 Trillion To Deficit Over Next Decade” [1]. House Republicans have introduced “new food stamp work requirements” as part of what is characterized as Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” [2]. A senior House Republican has reportedly “eviscerates Dems for ‘fear campaign’” against this legislation [3]. Senator Ron Johnson has announced he “will not vote for Trump’s mega-bill,” stating that “it will increase the deficit and the debt” [4].

[1] GOP’s Tax Plan Could Add $3.7 Trillion To Deficit Over Next Decade, JCT Finds, https://insidenewshub.com/gops-tax-plan-could-add-3-7-trillion-to-deficit-over-next-decade-jct-finds/
[2] House Republicans unveil new food stamp work requirements for Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republicans-unveil-new-food-stamp-work-requirements-trumps-big-beautiful-bill
[3] Senior House Republican eviscerates Dems for ‘fear campaign’ against Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/senior-house-republican-eviscerates-dems-fear-campaign-against-trumps-big-beautiful-bill
[4] Sen. Johnson announces he will not vote for Trump’s mega-bill: ‘It will increase the deficit and the debt’, https://voz.us/en/politics/250513/24464/sen-johnson-announces-he-will-not-vote-for-trump-s-mega-bill-it-will-increase-the-deficit-and-the-debt.html

6.2 Democratic Party Dynamics

Internal Democratic Party conflicts include efforts regarding Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg, who has criticized what he termed a “fast-track” effort to remove him as DNC vice chair [1]. Post-election analysis continues as Harris campaign figures reportedly blame Biden for “staying in 2024 race too long” [2]. Some Democrats are already “eyeing the 2028 race” just “less than 4 months into Trump’s 2nd term” [3]. Former President Biden’s health has drawn attention after a spokesperson confirmed a “Small nodule found in Biden’s prostate during routine exam” [4].

[1] David Hogg slams ‘fast-track’ effort to oust him as DNC vice chair, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/david-hogg-slams-fast-track-effort-oust-him-dnc-vice-chair
[2] Biden made Harris campaign a ’nightmare,’ destroyed her chances by staying in 2024 race too long, aides charge, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-made-harris-campaign-nightmare-destroyed-her-chances-staying-2024-race-too-long-aides-charge
[3] Less than 4 months into Trump’s 2nd term, Dems are already eyeing the 2028 race, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/less-than-four-months-trumps-second-term-dems-already-eyeing-2028-race
[4] ‘Small nodule’ found in Biden’s prostate during routine exam, spokesperson says, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/small-nodule-found-bidens-prostate-during-routine-exam-spokesperson-says

7. Social & Cultural Developments

7.1 Education & Healthcare

Following what is described as a “Trump Order,” a “Med School Accreditor Suspends DEI Rules” [1]. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has commented that the timeline for expected decreases in drug prices “depends on big pharma” [2]. A headline warns that an “emerging Venezuelan gang ‘more violent’ than Tren de Aragua targets rural America” [3].

[1] Med School Accreditor Suspends DEI Rules After Trump Order, https://thefederalist.com/2025/05/13/medical-school-accreditor-suspends-diversity-requirements-after-trump-executive-order/
[2] How soon will drug prices drop? RFK Jr. says timeline depends on big pharma, https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/how-soon-will-drug-prices-drop-rfk-jr-says-timeline-depends-big-pharma
[3] Emerging Venezuelan gang ‘more violent’ than Tren de Aragua targets rural America, expert warns, https://www.foxnews.com/us/emerging-venezuelan-gang-more-violent-than-tren-de-aragua-targets-rural-america-expert-warns

7.2 Corporate Policies & Cultural Issues

In the corporate sector, “McDonald’s rolls back DEI” with plans to “open national scholarship to non-Latinos for the first time” [1]. California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled an “aggressive plan to clear homeless encampments across California,” stating “no more excuses” [2].

[1] McDonald’s rolls back DEI, will open national scholarship to non-Latinos for the first time, https://notthebee.com/article/mcdonalds-rolls-back-dei-will-open-latino-scholarship-to-non-latinos-for-the-first-time
[2] Newsom unveils aggressive plan to clear homeless encampments across California: ‘No more excuses’, https://www.foxnews.com/us/newsom-unveils-aggressive-plan-clear-homeless-encampments-across-california-no-more-excuses