[Wednesday, May 28] US News Headlines from r/politics

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1. Trump Administration Executive Actions

1.1 Presidential Pardons and Commutations

President Trump has issued and is considering numerous high-profile pardons. He stated he will “take a look” at pardoning men convicted in the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer [1]. The administration has already commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, former leader of the Gangster Disciples [2], and pardoned former GOP congressman Michael Grimm who faced tax fraud charges [3]. Entertainment industry pardons include reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, convicted in a $36M fraud case [4], and rapper NBA Youngboy [5]. During a pardon call, Trump reportedly told a reality star, “You Guys Don’t Look Like Terrorists” [6].

[1] Trump says he will ’take a look’ at possible pardons for men convicted of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-will-take-look-possible-pardons-men-convicted-plotting-kidn-rcna209512?taid=68374af8bc8cc400010958d5&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
[2] Trump commutes sentence of former Gangster Disciples leader Larry Hoover, https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/larry-hoover-gangster-disciples-sentence-commuted-president-trump/
[3] Trump pardons former GOP congressman Michael Grimm over tax fraud charges, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-pardons-former-rep-michael-grimm/?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark
[4] Trump to pardon a reality TV couple convicted in $36M fraud, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/27/trump-pardon-reality-tv-couple-convicted-fraud-00371950
[5] Donald Trump Pardons Rapper NBA Youngboy, https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-pardons-rapper-nba-youngboy-2078232
[6] Reality Star Says Trump Told Her on Pardon Call: ‘You Guys Don’t Look Like Terrorists’, https://www.thedailybeast.com/reality-star-savannah-martin-says-donald-trump-pardoned-her-parents-because-you-dont-look-like-terrorists/

2. Trump-Musk Administration Tensions

2.1 DOGE and “Big Beautiful Bill” Conflicts

Significant tensions have emerged between President Trump and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk over economic policy. Musk has publicly expressed disappointment with Trump’s tax legislation, which the President has called a “big, beautiful bill” [1][2]. Musk claims the legislation undermines DOGE’s mission [3], with Financial Times reporting this as his “strongest rebuke of US president’s agenda yet” [4].

The bill has created divisions within Republican ranks, with Senator Ron Johnson stating there are “enough” Republican votes to potentially block it [5]. An unnamed GOP Senator has criticized the legislation, claiming it will “bankrupt American” and insisting “it has to stop” [6]. One Nebraska Representative admitted voting for the bill without knowing its contents [7].

DOGE faces legal challenges. A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit challenging the constitutional legitimacy of DOGE and Musk’s authority can proceed [8], while another judicial ruling grants DOGE access to sensitive Treasury payment systems and data [9].

[1] Elon Musk ‘disappointed’ by Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20q54vn0evo
[2] Elon Musk says he’s ‘disappointed’ with domestic policy bill in break with Trump, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/doge/elon-musk-says-disappointed-domestic-policy-bill-break-trump-rcna209157
[3] Elon Musk says Trump’s spending bill undermines the work DOGE has been doing, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/28/elon-musk-says-trumps-spending-bill-undermines-the-work-doge-has-been-doing.html
[4] Elon Musk criticises Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill. Billionaire’s comments are strongest rebuke of US president’s agenda yet, https://www.ft.com/content/cac27eba-6ed7-4d65-baef-cc043a07aa9d
[5] Sen. Ron Johnson hits Trump tax bill, says there are ’enough’ Republican votes to ‘stop the process’, https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/27/sen-ron-johnson-gop-senators-slam-trump-tax-bill/83877016007/
[6] GOP Senator Insists Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will ‘Bankrupt American’: ‘It Has to Stop’, https://www.latintimes.com/gop-senator-insists-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-will-bankrupt-american-it-has-stop-583916
[7] Nebraska Representative admits he did not know what was in “Big Beautiful Bill” when he voted for it, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republican-lawmaker-mike-flood-grilled-town-hall-rcna209363
[8] Judge rules suit challenging DOGE and Elon Musk’s power over government can continue, https://www.npr.org/2025/05/28/nx-s1-5414191/musk-lawsuit-doge-trump-spending-bill
[9] DOGE can access sensitive Treasury payment systems, judge rules, https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/27/politics/doge-access-sensitive-treasury-payment-systems

3. Immigration Policy

3.1 Enforcement and Legal Challenges

The Trump administration has halted student visa appointments while implementing expanded social media vetting [1]. Universities face a deepening standoff with federal authorities as the administration moves to slow international student applications [2]. At Harvard, international students report feeling “used like pawns” [3], with dozens of Israeli students specifically at risk of expulsion [4].

ICE operations have intensified with several controversial actions. ICE detained a U.S. citizen with REAL ID documentation during a raid before eventually releasing them [5] and arrested a high school student at a New York City courthouse [6]. A critically ill four-year-old Mexican girl faces deportation despite expert warnings she could die within days [7].

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller are demanding ICE boost immigrant arrests [8]. Current policies are creating agricultural workforce shortages, with The Guardian reporting “Trump has no plan for who will grow US food” as farmers face critical labor deficits [9].

[1] US halts student visa appointments and plans expanded social media vetting, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy75eenl46eo
[2] US vows to use ’every tool’ in crackdown on international students • Trump administration moves to slow applications amid deepening stand-off with universities, https://www.ft.com/content/fb8a97db-991e-4d47-93f5-a663884f12a9
[3] ‘Used Like Pawns’: International Harvard Students Call Out Trump’s Tactics, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/harvard-international-students-protest-trump_n_683646dde4b06a204c7eab3f
[4] Dozens of Israeli students risk being thrown out of Harvard, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/25/israeli-students-harvard-university-usa-donald-trump-dhs/
[5] U.S. citizen with REAL ID handcuffed and held in immigration raid before being released, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna208794
[6] ICE, Shifting Tactics, Detains High School Student at N.Y.C. Courthouse, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/nyregion/new-york-student-arrested-ice.html
[7] Trump has ordered a critically ill four-year-old Mexican girl to leave the country. She could die within days, experts say, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-mexico-deportation-critically-ill-child-b2758809.html
[8] Stephen Miller, Noem demand ICE boost immigrant arrests, https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/immigration-ice-deportations-stephen-miller
[9] US Immigration: Trump has no plan for who will grow US food: ‘There is just flat out nobody to work’, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/28/farmworkers-h-2a-trump-agriculture?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

4. International Relations

4.1 Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

The administration’s Ukraine peace initiative faces significant challenges. President Trump has given Russian President Vladimir Putin a two-week deadline “to prove seriousness in Ukraine peace talks” [1] and is reportedly “losing patience” with Putin while uncertain about next steps [2]. Russian state outlets are mocking what they describe as Trump’s “emotional meltdown” over “his failure to secure peace for Ukraine” [3].

[1] Trump gives Putin 2 weeks to prove seriousness in Ukraine peace talks, https://wpde.com/news/nation-world/president-donald-trump-gives-russian-president-vladimir-putin-kremlin-two-weeks-to-prove-seriousness-in-ukraine-peace-talks-zelenskyy-negotiations-prisoner-swap-social-media-escalation-sanctions
[2] Trump is losing patience with Putin but unsure of his next move, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/27/trump-putin-sanctions-patience-00371571
[3] The Russian State Media Is Laughing Its Ass off at Trump’s Temper Tantrum, https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a64905431/trump-putin-russian-media/

4.2 U.S.-Canada Relations

A proposed “Golden Dome” defense system would cost Canada $61 billion according to President Trump [1]. He has stated Canada would pay this sum for the defense system or pay nothing if becoming the “51st state” [2]. A senior Canadian diplomat, Bob Rae, has characterized Trump’s proposal as a “protection racket” [3].

[1] Golden Dome would cost Canada US$61 billion, Trump says, https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/golden-dome-would-cost-canada-us61-billion-trump-says/
[2] Trump says Canada will pay $61B for ‘Golden Dome,’ but zero as ‘51st state’, https://globalnews.ca/news/11199995/trump-canada-51st-state-golden-dome/
[3] Senior Canadian diplomat Bob Rae calls Trump’s latest pitch to join missile defence system a ‘protection racket’, https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-canada-trump-rae-golden-dome-missile-defence-system/

4.3 Middle East Policy

A U.S.-Israel-backed humanitarian initiative in Gaza faces criticism following a deadly rush at an aid distribution site. The UN describes scenes as “heartbreaking” [1]. According to Haaretz reporting, President Trump is frustrated with the Gaza situation but continues allowing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to set the terms for conflict management [2].

[1] UN, aid groups slam US-Israel-backed initiative after deadly rush in Gaza | UN says scenes at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s aid site are ‘heartbreaking’ as US, Israel defend the initiative., https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/28/un-aid-groups-slam-us-israel-backed-initiative-after-deadly-rush-in-gaza
[2] Trump Is Frustrated, but He’s Still Letting Netanyahu Set the Terms on Gaza, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-05-27/ty-article/.premium/trump-is-frustrated-but-he-still-allows-netanyahu-to-set-the-terms-on-gaza/00000197-10dc-da0b-abd7-92dffbea0000

5. Economic and Trade Policy

5.1 Tariffs and International Trade

The administration’s trade strategy has drawn significant pushback from financial markets. Wall Street analysts have coined the acronym “TACO” (“Trump Always Chickens Out”), suggesting the President announces tariffs but later scales them back [1]. This characterization visibly angered President Trump at a press briefing where he told a reporter, “Don’t ever say what you said” when asked about the nickname [2].

The administration has ordered some U.S. companies to halt sales to China [3] and implemented an “H20 chip export ban” affecting technology companies like Nvidia [4]. Research indicates declining international tourism could cause “staggering” economic losses for the United States [5].

[1] Trump slams a new Wall Street acronym referring to his reversals on tariffs, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/28/trump-wall-street-acronym-tariffs-00372814
[2] Trump Short-Circuits Over Wall Street’s ‘TACO’ Slogan: ‘Trump Always Chickens Out’ | “Don’t ever say what you said,” President Donald Trump told a reporter when asked about Wall Street’s new saying. “That’s a nasty question.”, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-always-chickens-out-wall-street_n_68375111e4b0bbf4d2f32fcf
[3] Trump administration orders some US companies to halt sales to China, https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/28/economy/trump-us-companies-china
[4] Nvidia beats sales forecasts despite Donald Trump’s H20 chip export ban, https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/nvidia-beats-sales-forecasts-despite-donald-trumps-h20-chip-export-ban-mpg5265h3
[5] Fewer international tourists are visiting the U.S. — economic losses could be ‘staggering,’ researchers estimate, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/28/travel-spending-us-from-overseas-tourists-to-fall-in-2025.html

6. Healthcare and Education Policy

6.1 Healthcare Initiatives and Challenges

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken steps to reshape scientific publishing and global health governance. Kennedy has issued an ultimatum to medical journals, stating they must “change dramatically” or federal scientists will publish elsewhere [1]. He has also partnered with Argentina’s President Javier Milei to announce an alternative to the World Health Organization described as “free from totalitarian impulses, corruption, and political control” [2].

NIH budget cuts have reportedly delayed cancer treatment for at least one patient, with an article quoting “cancer shouldn’t be political” [3]. Missouri’s Supreme Court has issued an order that effectively reinstates what critics describe as a “de facto abortion ban” across the state [4].

[1] RFK Jr Issues Ultimatum to Medical Journals: ‘Change Dramatically’ or Fed Scientists Will Publish Elsewhere, https://www.latintimes.com/rfk-jr-issues-ultimatum-medical-journals-change-dramatically-fed-scientists-will-publish-583882
[2] RFK Jr. and Argentina’s Milei Announce Launch of WHO Alternative ‘Free From Totalitarian Impulses, Corruption, and Political Control’, https://www.latintimes.com/rfk-jr-argentinas-milei-announce-launch-who-alternative-free-totalitarian-impulses-583838
[3] Woman’s life-saving treatment delayed by Trump cuts to NIH: ‘Cancer shouldn’t be political’, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/28/trump-cuts-nih-cancer-care
[4] Missouri Supreme Court order reinstates ‘de facto abortion ban’ across the state, https://19thnews.org/2025/05/missouri-supreme-court-abortion-ban/

6.2 Higher Education and LGBTQ+ Policy Disputes

The Trump administration’s relationship with universities is increasingly strained. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has stated that Harvard University needs to be “in sync” with Trump [1]. Legal experts have characterized some measures targeting universities as “blatantly illegal” [2].

A dispute has emerged between the federal government and California over transgender athlete policies. President Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding from California over a transgender athlete policy [3], prompting Justice Department intervention [4]. Despite Representative Ro Khanna’s advice that Governor Newsom should not “bend the knee” to these threats [5], California has instituted a “partial ban on trans girls in school sports” in response [6].

[1] Ed. Sec. Says Harvard Needs to Be ‘In Sync’ With Trump, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/linda-mcmahon-harvard-in-sync-trump-political-goals-1235349530/
[2] Trump’s Latest Move in His Battle with Harvard Is Blatantly Illegal, https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a64896004/harvard-trump-title-vii-trade-schools/
[3] Trump threatens California’s federal funding over a trans athlete, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/27/trump-presidency-news/
[4] Justice Department investigates California over trans athletes after Trump threatens federal funding, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/28/trump-trans-california-doj-athletes.html
[5] Newsom should not ‘bend the knee’ to Trump on transgender athletes: Khanna, https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5321214-ro-khanna-gavin-newsom-donald-trump-transgender-sports/
[6] California caves to Donald Trump & institutes partial ban on trans girls in school sports, https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/05/california-caves-to-donald-institutes-partial-ban-on-trans-girls-in-school-sports/

7. Legal and Judicial Matters

7.1 Supreme Court and Constitutional Issues

The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to allow deportations to “third countries” where immigrants have no existing ties [1]. The Court has refused to hear an Apache tribe’s plea to prevent copper mining at Oak Flat, with Justice Gorsuch calling this decision a “grave mistake” as the mining threatens to create a massive crater [2].

Questions have emerged about the constitutionality of Trump’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender prisoners [3]. A judge has criticized a Trump order targeting an unspecified law firm as unconstitutional, reportedly stating “The Founding Fathers knew this!” [4].

[1] DOJ asks Supreme Court to allow rapid deportations to countries where immigrants have no ties, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/27/trump-supreme-court-deportations-south-sudan-00371595
[2] Supreme Court refuses Apache plea to save Oak Flat from copper mining destruction | Gorsuch dissent calls the decision a “grave mistake” as copper mine threatens to create massive crater, https://azmirror.com/2025/05/27/supreme-court-refuses-apache-plea-to-save-oak-flat-from-copper-mining-destruction/
[3] Is Trump’s Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Prisoners Unconstitutional?, https://www.themarshallproject.org/2025/05/22/trans-lawsuit-trump-prisons-order?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tmp-reddit
[4] ‘The Founding Fathers Knew This!’ Judge Scorches Trump Order Targeting Law Firm As Unconstitutional, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ap-us-trump-law-firms_n_683634f1e4b0362038795f47