Amanda Castro

By Amanda Castro

Associate News Editor

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ICE has arrested an illegal immigrant accused of threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced. The arrest follows a handwritten threat sent to federal authorities and comes amid growing concerns about political violence.

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May 28, 2025 at 05:03 PM EDT

Who is Larry Hoover? Donald Trump commutes sentence of former gang boss

Former Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, who had been serving a life sentence at a supermax prison in Colorado, has had his sentence commuted by Donald Trump.

The commutation, initially reported by the news outlet NOTUS, was later confirmed by a White House official to The Associated Press, who requested anonymity, citing the lack of a formal public announcement.

Hoover was originally imprisoned for a 1973 murder and was later convicted in 1998 for operating a criminal enterprise. In recent years, he renounced his criminal activities and sought a reduced sentence through a formal petition.

Read the full story by Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.

May 28, 2025 at 04:43 PM EDT

President pardons former Congressman Michael Grimm after tax fraud conviction

The president has issued a pardon for Michael Grimm, the former congressman who resigned after being convicted of tax fraud.

The White House disclosed the pardon through an official who requested anonymity ahead of a formal announcement.

Grimm was reelected in 2014 despite being indicted for underreporting income from his restaurant, but stepped down in 2015 after pleading guilty and serving eight months in prison.

He attempted a political comeback in 2018 but was unsuccessful.

Last year, Grimm suffered paralysis from the chest down after a horseback riding accident during a polo tournament.

May 28, 2025 at 04:29 PM EDT

Judge declines to block Trump administration from replacing copyright chief

On Wednesday, a federal judge declined to temporarily block the Trump administration from removing U.S. Copyright Office Director Shira Perlmutter.

Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that Perlmutter hadn't shown she would suffer irreparable harm if removed, rejecting her request for a temporary restraining order.

The decision isn't final. Perlmutter, who filed suit last week, can still seek a preliminary injunction. The judge gave both sides until Thursday afternoon to propose a schedule for further arguments.

According to her legal team, Perlmutter has been the register of copyrights since 2020 and is a well-known expert in the field.

May 28, 2025 at 04:15 PM EDT

Abortion appointments suddenly canceled after Missouri court ruling

Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri canceled abortion appointments after the state's Supreme Court reinstated an abortion ban on Tuesday.

The Missouri Supreme Court's ruling abruptly reversed a temporary restoration of abortion rights in the state that followed voters' decision to enshrine them into the constitution last year.

Reproductive rights remain a critical legal and political issue across the country after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that guaranteed abortion rights in each state, in 2022. Missouri, like other Republican-led states, banned most abortions following the ruling, but voters backed an amendment to legalize the procedure last November.

Read the full story by Andrew Stanton on Newsweek.

May 28, 2025 at 04:01 PM EDT

U.S. will hold control in Nippon-U.S. Steel deal, Trump says

According to Trump and Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., the U.S. government will retain veto power over key decisions involving U.S. Steel under a new agreement with Japan-based Nippon Steel.

Trump, who had opposed Nippon's $14 billion bid for the Pittsburgh-based company, said Sunday he would now support the deal after securing assurances that "the USA'll control it."

Trump is expected to speak about the deal at a rally in Pittsburgh on Friday. U.S. Steel shares rose nearly 2% Tuesday, closing at $53.04.

May 28, 2025 at 03:44 PM EDT

Trump nominates Emil Bove to federal appeals court

Trump announced on Truth Social that he is nominating Emil Bove to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

May 28, 2025 at 03:28 PM EDT

Ice arrests man who threatened to assassinate Trump

An illegal immigrant from Mexico was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after allegedly threatening to assassinate Trump, according to a statement released by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Ramon Morales-Reyes, 54, was taken into custody on May 22 in Wisconsin, one day after an ICE field intelligence officer received a handwritten letter in which Morales-Reyes vowed to shoot Trump at one of his rallies before self-deporting to Mexico.

ICE records show Morales-Reyes has illegally entered the U.S. at least nine times between 1998 and 2005. His criminal history includes felony hit-and-run, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct involving domestic abuse.

Secretary Noem thanked ICE officers and warned about escalating threats. "This threat comes not even a year after President Trump was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania," she said. "All politicians and members of the media should take notice ... and tone down their rhetoric."

Morales-Reyes will remain in ICE custody at Dodge County Jail in Juneau, Wisconsin, pending removal proceedings.

May 28, 2025 at 03:15 PM EDT

Fed holds rates steady amid Trump tariff concerns

Federal Reserve officials decided to leave interest rates unchanged earlier this month as they assessed the economic impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs, according to minutes from the May 6-7 meeting released Wednesday.

Nearly all 19 policymakers agreed there was a growing risk that inflation could remain higher than expected. The Fed showed more concern about persistent inflation than rising unemployment, a key reason for keeping rates steady.

The move came despite Trump's ongoing calls for rate cuts, claiming there is "NO INFLATION." After three cuts last year, the Fed's key rate remains around 4.3%. Fed economists said inflation "remained elevated" and warned tariffs could increase prices and slow economic growth.

Officials noted that uncertainty around trade policy was unusually high. Many expressed concern that businesses may pass tariff costs onto consumers, potentially driving prices higher.

May 28, 2025 at 03:02 PM EDT

DOGE cuts to cause 2 million extra visits to Social Security offices: Study

Staffing cuts and office closures at the Social Security Administration (SSA), driven by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), are estimated to force seniors to make nearly 2 million additional annual trips for necessary in-person assistance, according to a new study.

Newsweek reached out to the SSA for comment.

Social Security provides vital support to nearly 69 million Americans each month, including retired workers and disabled individuals. Record backlogs and rising demand from an aging population, in addition to reduced staffing and cuts to long-held phone services, could hit rural seniors and disabled Americans the hardest—forcing beneficiaries, some with mobility issues or lack of technology access, into long lines at SSA offices or risking benefit interruptions.

Read the full story by Nick Mordowanec on Newsweek.

May 28, 2025 at 01:57 PM EDT

Trump pardons union leader before sentencing in gifts case

Trump issued a full pardon for James Callahan, a prominent labor union leader, just one day before Callahan was scheduled to be sentenced for failing to report over $315,000 in gifts.

Callahan, former general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers, had pleaded guilty earlier this year to knowingly filing false reports with the U.S. Labor Department. Prosecutors said he accepted concert and sports tickets and other perks from an advertising firm used by the union.

In a Tuesday filing, Callahan's attorneys informed the court of Trump's pardon and asked for the sentencing to be vacated. The hearing was scheduled for Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors had recommended six months in prison, calling Callahan's behavior particularly egregious given his high salary and leadership role. His plea deal required him to resign and repay the union.

Callahan, now retired in Florida, was once one of the most influential union leaders in the country, representing hundreds of thousands of workers across the U.S. and Canada.

May 28, 2025 at 01:44 PM EDT

Trump says gifted Qatari plane is being retrofitted for Air Force use

President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. military is currently outfitting a luxury Boeing 747 plane gifted by Qatar, suggesting it could eventually serve as a new Air Force One.

"Well, it's here already. It's in the country. It's being refitted for military standard," Trump said in the Oval Office when asked about the aircraft's future.

Trump praised the gift as part of recent Middle East deals and brushed off suggestions that the plane was for personal use. "By the way – got a beautiful, big, magnificent, free airplane for the United States Air Force," he said. "They tried to say, 'Oh, it's Trump's airplane.' Oh, yeah, sure, it's too big. Frankly, it's too big, much too big."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted the plane last week, and the Pentagon confirmed it will receive "proper security measures and functional-mission requirements."

Asked about the cost of converting the plane, Trump said only, "Whatever it is, a lot – hell of a lot less than building a new one."

May 28, 2025 at 01:27 PM EDT

Trump says he warned Netanyahu against disrupting peace talks

Trump confirmed he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week against actions that could disrupt ongoing peace talks.

"Well, I'd like to be honest," Trump told a reporter about the warning. "Yes, I did. Next question, please."

Trump did not elaborate on what he cautioned Netanyahu about or what specific actions he was referring to.

May 28, 2025 at 01:09 PM EDT

Vance calls Trump White House a ‘champion’ of Bitcoin

Vice President JD Vance praised the Trump administration's support for cryptocurrency during a Las Vegas conference remarks, calling the White House a "champion and an ally" of the Bitcoin industry.

"I'm here today to say loud and clear with President Trump, crypto finally has a champion and an ally in the White House," Vance said.

He urged crypto supporters to remain politically engaged through the 2026 midterms, asking the crowd to "carry" their 2024 momentum forward. He also slammed the Biden administration's regulatory approach, accusing it of using federal rules to stifle the industry.

Vance targeted former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, calling his removal a key win for the crypto world. "We reject regulators, and we fired Gary Gensler, and we're gonna fire everybody like him," he said. Gensler had previously called crypto "rife with fraud, scams, and abuse."

May 28, 2025 at 12:52 PM EDT

Capitol plaque honoring January 6 officers remains unmounted amid political divide

A plaque meant to honor officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack has become a politically sensitive issue, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger, per CNN.

Approved in 2022, the plaque has yet to be installed, with Manger attributing the delay to its divisiveness. "I don't imagine there's any discussions even going on," he said, referencing Republican leaders in the House who have not moved forward with hanging it.

Manger, who took the job after the Capitol riot and is set to retire this week, said many of his officers remember that day clearly. "They know the truth. They know what happened on January 6, and they know how bravely they responded," he said.

May 28, 2025 at 12:39 PM EDT

Dr. Oz’s plan to save 400 ostriches rejected by farm owners’ daughter

Dr. Mehmet Oz' offer to provide sanctuary to 400 ostriches facing death in Canada due to bird flu has been rejected.

Katie Pasitney, whose parents own Universal Ostrich Farm, said they are not interested in moving the flock, although she said her family is grateful for the support. "We want to keep this in Canada," she told CBC News.

In January, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ordered the birds be killed after 69 of the same flock at Universal Ostrich Farm in the West Kootenays died from the highly infectious virus. The farm has been fighting the order in court. A judge dismissed a challenge this month that sought to stop the order.

The U.S. is currently dealing with one of the largest outbreaks of avian flu in decades which sent egg prices soaring. The CFIA has said it believes some 14 million domestic birds in Canada have been hit by the disease.

Read the full story by Martha McHardy on Newsweek.

May 28, 2025 at 12:24 PM EDT

UN nuclear chief says outcome of Iran-U.S. talks still uncertain, but dialogue ongoing

The head of the U.N.'s atomic watchdog said Wednesday that it remains unclear whether the U.S. and Iran will reach a deal over Tehran's nuclear program. Still, it emphasized the continuation of talks as a positive sign.

Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told reporters in Vienna that while "the jury is still out," he is in regular communication with Iranian and American officials. He noted that one of his deputies, Massimo Aparo, was in Tehran as part of ongoing monitoring efforts.

The U.S. and Iran have held five rounds of indirect negotiations, aiming to curb Iran's uranium enrichment program, now approaching weapons-grade levels, in exchange for easing sanctions. Trump has warned of military action if no deal is reached, while Iranian leaders have signaled they may pursue nuclear weapons if talks collapse.

Despite sharp rhetoric, Grossi expressed hope that an agreement is still possible. However, he said it would require rigorous verification and full transparency from Iran. He also confirmed he is considering a future bid for U.N. secretary-general.

May 28, 2025 at 12:11 PM EDT

Jeanine Pirro to be officially sworn in as interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C.

The White House will formally swear in Jeanine Pirro today as interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., following her appointment by Trump earlier this month.

The ceremony is scheduled for noon in the Oval Office. Pirro, who has already been serving in the role, was previously sworn in by Attorney General Pam Bondi while Trump was overseas.

Before her appointment, Pirro was known for her work as a Fox News host, where she frequently defended Trump and criticized his opponents. She hosted "Justice with Judge Jeanine" and appeared regularly on "The Five."

May 28, 2025 at 11:57 AM EDT

Democrats blast Trump over pardons and actions against Harvard in CNN interviews

Top Democrats criticized President Trump during a series of interviews on CNN News Central Wednesday, focusing on his recent pardons and actions against higher education.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) called Trump's latest pardons a "nationwide network of criminality," warning that the president is signaling to supporters that he'll protect them if they break the law. "This is just an invitation for criminality," Markey said, comparing it to Trump's outreach to crypto advocates last week.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) accused Trump of trying to follow "the model of Vladimir Putin" in targeting Harvard, after the Department of Justice announced plans to sue the university over antisemitism claims. "He's trying to destroy our institutions," Meeks said.

Constitutional law professor Laurence Tribe said Trump is acting like a monarch in seeking to cancel all federal contracts with Harvard. "I recommend that Donald Trump... take a refresher course in the Constitution," Tribe said, warning the president lacks the unilateral power he claims.

May 28, 2025 at 11:45 AM EDT

Trump administration to impose travel bans on foreign officials over censorship of Americans

The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it would begin imposing travel bans on foreign officials accused of censoring U.S. citizens or companies abroad for speech protected under American law, the AP reported.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move targets foreign authorities who "issue or threaten arrest warrants" over social media posts made by people physically in the U.S. He said the policy is meant to counter rising attempts by foreign governments to punish Americans for online expression.

"Even as we take action to reject censorship at home, we see troubling instances of foreign governments picking up the slack," Rubio said.

No individuals or countries were named in the initial statement, but Rubio emphasized that censorship targeting U.S. platforms or citizens without jurisdiction would not be tolerated.

May 28, 2025 at 11:32 AM EDT

US student visa pause: What interviews are impacted

President Donald Trump's administration has ordered a temporary halt to all new student and exchange visitor visa interviews at United States embassies and consulates worldwide.

"Our clients are understandably anxious and uncertain. Many are questioning why they've invested so much time and money into the American education system, only to feel like it's being taken away from them so abruptly and with very little clarity about what's next," immigration attorney Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez told Newsweek.

A State Department cable dated Tuesday, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines upcoming changes to U.S. vetting procedures. As part of this shift, the Trump administration is considering a policy that would require foreign student visa applicants to undergo social media screening.

The move, confirmed by the State Department, is part of a broader initiative to expand social media vetting, prompting concerns about possible delays and increased surveillance.

The pause applies to all applicants for academic and vocational student visas, such as F and M visas, as well as those applying for educational and cultural exchange programs through J visas.

Read the full story by Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

May 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM EDT

Cory Booker to release book expanding on record-breaking Senate speech

St. Martin's Press announced Wednesday that Sen. Cory Booker is turning his record-breaking Senate floor speech into a book titled Stand, set for release on Nov. 11.

The New Jersey Democrat spoke for over 25 hours last month, the longest continuous speech in Senate history, to protest various Trump administration policies. His remarks covered topics ranging from cuts to Social Security offices to a proposal to annex Canada.

"This book is about the virtues vital to our success as a nation and lessons we can draw from generations of Americans who fought for them," Booker said in a statement.

Booker's speech surpassed the previous record set by Sen. Strom Thurmond in 1957. During the speech, Democratic colleagues supported Booker by posing questions to allow him brief pauses.

May 28, 2025 at 11:01 AM EDT

Judge allows lawsuit over Musk’s role in federal agency to proceed

A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit accusing Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) of overreach can proceed. Fourteen states sued in February, alleging that Musk and DOGE illegally accessed federal data, canceled contracts, and fired employees.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan declined to dismiss claims against Musk and DOGE but removed Trump from the case. She also rejected the state's earlier request to block DOGE from accessing systems or terminating staff, citing a lack of urgent legal grounds.

The lawsuit argues that Musk's actions violate the Constitution, as he was never formally appointed. Chutkan wrote that the executive branch cannot bypass the Constitution by creating a new agency and shielding its leader with a non-binding advisory title.

The Trump administration contends that agency heads, not Musk, direct federal layoffs, and that he isn't managing DOGE daily.

May 28, 2025 at 10:45 AM EDT

JD Vance and Trump’s sons to speak at bitcoin conference in Las Vegas

JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr., and Eric Trump will speak on Wednesday at a Bitcoin conference in Las Vegas. The event is the same one Trump headlined last year, as the Trump world increases its focus on cryptocurrency.

Last week, Trump hosted a private dinner with major buyers of his $TRUMP meme coin, drawing criticism from Democrats who questioned the ethics and transparency of the meeting. Many attendees remained anonymous, raising concerns about potential influence on the president.

Trump Media also announced plans to use $2.5 billion from a recent deal to build a "bitcoin treasury," making cryptocurrency a key part of its assets. Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes said, "We view bitcoin as an apex instrument of financial freedom."

Trump indirectly owns over 100 million shares in Trump Media through a revocable trust, and Donald Trump Jr. serves on the company's board.

May 28, 2025 at 10:31 AM EDT

‘No Kings’ protest leader reveals ‘big baby’ Trump plan

An activist involved with the "No Kings" movement has revealed plans for their upcoming protest.

Ezra Levin, the head of Indivisible, a grassroots movement associated with the movement, told the Jim Acosta Show that an upcoming coordinated protest on June 14, President Donald Trump's birthday and Flag Day, would take place in areas away from where Trump is holding a parade.

The protesters, working with local chapters in more than 30 states, are targeting a military-style parade the Trump administration plans for his birthday.

According to planning documents obtained by the Associated Press, Trump's proposed event, which would follow a route from Arlington, Virginia across the Potomac into Washington, D.C., and conclude with a concert and fireworks, would include more than 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 military vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands and potentially thousands of civilians.

Read the full story by Kate Plummer on Newsweek.

May 28, 2025 at 10:13 AM EDT

IAEA chief says ongoing talks with Iran a positive sign despite nuclear concerns

The head of the United Nations atomic watchdog, Rafael Mariano Grossi, spoke Wednesday about ongoing negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over Tehran's advancing nuclear program. He described the talks as a hopeful sign amid rising tensions.

Grossi said he remains in near-daily contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Meanwhile, an IAEA deputy, Massimo Aparo, was in Tehran on Wednesday to continue monitoring efforts.

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade levels, making the negotiations urgent. Grossi cautioned that the outcome is still uncertain, stating, "For the moment, the jury is still out."

May 28, 2025 at 09:58 AM EDT

Hegseth heads to Singapore, vows U.S. strength in Asia amid China tensions

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth departed for Asia on Wednesday, saying that the United States will stand firm alongside its allies to deter China. Speaking in rainy Washington before boarding his flight to Singapore, Hegseth said the U.S. seeks "no conflict with anybody, including the Communist Chinese, but we will deter that."

The trip centers around the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major security conference where global defense officials meet for strategic discussions. Hegseth said his visit will include several meetings aimed at reinforcing America's commitment to stability in the region.

"We're going out to Singapore to hold a series of meetings to ensure that region understands America will be strong," he said.

May 28, 2025 at 09:43 AM EDT

Veteran’s daughter living in US 48 years locked up by ICE

President Donald Trump's immigration enforcers have reportedly arrested the daughter of a U.S. veteran.

Alma Bowman, 58, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March during a scheduled check-in at its Atlanta field office, Atlanta News First reported. She has been living in the country since she was 10 years old.

Newsweek contacted ICE and the family's attorney for comment via email outside office hours.

Mass deportations were a key component of Trump's 2024 campaign. Since he returned to office, thousands of undocumented immigrants have been arrested under his administration's hard-line crackdown.

While Trump said his administration would target undocumented migrants who had committed serious crimes, ICE has detained dozens of nonviolent immigrants without legal status. The White House has also said that anyone living in the country illegally is a criminal.

Critics of the Trump administration's approach say immigration raids are sowing fear in vulnerable communities. They have also raised concerns about racial profiling and the lack of due process.

Read the full story by Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

May 28, 2025 at 09:07 AM EDT

Elon Musk ‘disappointed’ in ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill

Elon Musk

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Elon Musk said that Trump's One Big, Beautiful Bill "undermines" the work DOGE has done to cut costs on government spending.

In an interview with CBS on Sunday, the billionaire said, "I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing."

While the bill has yet to be passed by the Senate before Trump makes it official, the tax provisions would increase deficits by $3.8 trillion in the next 10 years, per the Congressional Budget Office.

"I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it can be both," Musk said. "My personal opinion."

May 28, 2025 at 08:54 AM EDT

Executive orders to be signed today

Trump has one public event scheduled for the day.

At 2 p.m., he is set to sign executive orders.

May 28, 2025 at 08:40 AM EDT

List of people Trump has pardoned during his second term

Trump announced several pardons this week and has been issuing some since the start of his term. Here is a list of those pardons:

Read about the full list of pardons on Newsweek.

May 28, 2025 at 08:26 AM EDT

Trump administration sues North Carolina over voter ID numbers

Voting

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On Tuesday, the Trump administration sued North Carolina's election board, accusing it of violating federal law by failing to ensure registration forms included required ID numbers.

The Department of Justice says the board did not inform applicants that they had to provide a driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number, which the 2002 Help America Vote Act requires.

The suit asks a federal court judge to order the board to develop a plan within 30 days to contact voters with missing information and update the voter rolls.

The previous Democrat-held board acknowledged the issue in 2023 but refused to retroactively contact affected voters before the 2024 election. The board's new Republican majority is said to be more open to federal demands.

Executive Director Sam Hayes said the agency is studying the lawsuit and is committed to finding compliance.

The lawsuit follows Republican efforts over the years to ensure voter roll accuracy, speeding up after President Trump's March executive order regarding election integrity. Local elections begin in September.

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