By Amanda Castro
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On Wednesday, the Federal Circuit temporarily paused a lower court's injunction blocking tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, granting an administrative stay while appeals proceeded. The cases brought by multiple states and businesses challenge the legality of Trump's Executive Orders imposing the duties.
What to Know:
- The U.S. Court of International Trade had previously ruled against the government and issued a permanent injunction.
- The government requested a stay of that injunction while it appealed and asked to consolidate the two related cases.
- The Federal Circuit granted both the consolidation and a temporary stay of the injunction.
- The pause will remain in place while the court considers a full briefing on the request for a stay.
- Plaintiffs have until June 5 to respond; the government may file a reply by June 9.
- The Court of International Trade has not yet ruled on a similar stay request, still pending before it.
This live blog is now closed.
May 29, 2025 at 04:59 PM EDT
Trump admin makes ICE leadership overhaul amid new White House pressure
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a major leadership realignment within its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division on Thursday.
ICE said the changes would enable it to meet the "increasing operational tempo" under President Donald Trump.
After 33 years with the agency, ICE acting executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations Ken Genalo is retiring, according to a press release. He will continue supporting the agency in a new capacity as a special government employee.
Marcos Charles will become the acting executive associate director of ERO**,** the agency's arm which deals with removals and deportations.
Read the full story by Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.
May 29, 2025 at 04:46 PM EDT
Steve Davis and Katie Miller leave Elon Musk’s DOGE team
Steve Davis, who managed much of the daily operations for Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and leads Musk's Boring Company, has exited his position at DOGE, according to a White House official.
Davis oversaw staff decisions and agency collaborations within DOGE. Court documents reveal he made a notable request for a DOGE software engineer to access sensitive Social Security Administration data, a demand described as highly unusual.
Meanwhile, sources say Katie Miller, a communications advisor for DOGE and spouse of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, is also departing her role as a special government employee.
May 29, 2025 at 04:33 PM EDT
Federal judge weighs contempt charges against Florida attorney general over immigration law enforcement
A federal judge on Thursday considered whether Florida's attorney general should be sanctioned or held in contempt for not complying with a court order blocking enforcement of a state law criminalizing illegal entry.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams did not issue a decision immediately after the nearly two-hour hearing, and Attorney General James Uthmeier was not present in court.
The judge had previously ruled that local law enforcement agencies could not enforce the law while the case is ongoing, indicating the law may be unconstitutional. Despite this, Uthmeier sent a letter to law enforcement stating that officers were not barred from enforcing the law since no formal judicial order prohibited it.
Uthmeier maintains that he followed the judge's order and that his letter was his legal interpretation. He argued that punishing him would raise serious constitutional issues.
Attorneys representing immigrant rights groups criticized the attorney general's letter, saying it caused confusion and encouraged arrests that violated the court order. They suggested possible consequences ranging from financial penalties to disciplinary investigations.
The court's ruling on the matter is still pending as the legal challenge continues.
May 29, 2025 at 04:17 PM EDT
Supreme Court backs Utah oil railway, limits environmental review
On Thursday, the Supreme Court unanimously backed a major oil railway project in Utah, ruling in favor of developers in a case that narrowed the way environmental reviews are conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act.
The 8-0 decision reinstates a key federal approval for the Uinta Basin Railway, an 88-mile project that would significantly expand oil transport from eastern Utah. In writing for the court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said federal agencies should not be required to assess broad impacts like increased drilling or refining when reviewing projects. "Congress did not design NEPA for judges to hamstring new infrastructure," he wrote.
The ruling is a win for the Trump administration's effort to accelerate fossil fuel development. Environmental groups say it weakens safeguards and ignores broader climate and health risks. Justice Sonia Sotomayor agreed with the outcome but argued the court could have taken a narrower route. Justice Neil Gorsuch did not participate due to a conflict of interest.
Utah officials hailed the decision to boost energy independence and rural development. Construction still faces hurdles, including permits and private investment. Opponents say they'll continue to challenge the project.
May 29, 2025 at 04:04 PM EDT
State Department outlines sweeping cuts, deeper staff reduction in new reorganization plan
The State Department has informed Congress of a significant restructuring that includes deeper domestic staffing cuts and the elimination of several programs tied to refugees, human rights, and democracy efforts. The revised plan, sent on Thursday and obtained by the Associated Press, outlines an 18% reduction in U.S.-based staff, higher than previously disclosed.
The changes reflect the Trump administration's broader goal of downsizing the federal government and reshaping American diplomacy. The overhaul is also tied to dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with some of its responsibilities moving under the State Department.
Several offices will be cut, including the Office of Global Women's Issues and diversity initiatives, which the administration says will be absorbed into broader diplomatic work. A reorganized Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) will now focus on deportations and returning migrants to their home countries, shifting away from past resettlement work.
Veterans groups criticized the move to eliminate CARE, the office created to help resettle Afghan allies after the U.S. withdrawal. Despite concerns over the impact on vulnerable populations, that work will be transferred to the Afghanistan Affairs Office.
Critics say the changes undermine America's humanitarian commitments. One veteran's advocate called the cuts "a profound betrayal of American values."
May 29, 2025 at 03:52 PM EDT
Israel accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal, White House says
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that Israel has agreed to a new ceasefire proposal in Gaza, and that talks with Hamas are ongoing.
"Israel signed off on this proposal before it was sent to Hamas," Leavitt told reporters during a press briefing. "We hope that a cease-fire in Gaza will take place so we can return all of the hostages home, and that's been a priority from this administration from the beginning."
Leavitt declined to offer more details, citing the sensitive nature of the negotiations. She said Hamas had not yet decided on the deal.
May 29, 2025 at 03:35 PM EDT
Homan says ICE arrests too low, expects increase after leadership shakeup
Border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday he is "not satisfied" with the current number of ICE arrests and expects a rapid increase as enforcement ramps up.
"Kristi Noem, Steve Miller, myself, we all want more numbers," Homan said during an interview at the White House, referencing the DHS Secretary and a White House deputy chief of staff. "We've increased the teams. A lot. We've increased targeting a lot."
According to two sources familiar with the move, acting Homeland Security Investigations Director Robert Hammer has been reassigned, per NBC News. Separately, three sources said Kenneth Genalo, who leads ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations, is retiring after being given the option to resign or step down.
The changes signal a more aggressive administration push to boost immigration enforcement as the White House continues to highlight border security.
May 29, 2025 at 03:22 PM EDT
Federal Circuit temporarily reinstates Trump tariffs during appeal
On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted a temporary stay of an injunction that had blocked Trump-era tariffs, allowing the duties to remain in effect while the case is on appeal.
The stay comes after the Court of International Trade ruled against the government and issued a permanent injunction halting the enforcement of the tariffs. The U.S. government appealed that decision and asked the Federal Circuit to pause the lower court's order while the appeals proceed.
The Federal Circuit also approved the government's request to consolidate two related appeals—one brought by a coalition of states and another by a group of businesses.
Plaintiffs opposing the tariffs must respond to the government's stay motion by June 5. A consolidated government reply is due by June 9. Meanwhile, a similar request for a stay is still pending before the Court of International Trade.
May 29, 2025 at 03:16 PM EDT
Trump’s emergency tariffs blocked by trade court in major legal blow
Trump's aggressive use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs without congressional approval hit a major roadblock this week after a federal trade court ruled he overstepped his authority.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled Wednesday that Trump violated the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) limits by declaring a national emergency over trade deficits and using it to levy tariffs on nearly every U.S. trading partner.
The ruling blocks tariffs Trump announced on April 2—dubbed "Liberation Day" by the White House—as well as earlier levies on countries including China, Mexico and Canada. The decision also sets up a potential showdown in the U.S. Supreme Court.
While Trump's legal team quickly filed an appeal, the decision casts uncertainty over the future of his trade policy, which has rattled global markets and drawn criticism from businesses and lawmakers alike.
The court concluded that long-standing trade deficits do not constitute a sudden or extraordinary national emergency. It said the tariffs imposed under IEEPA didn't address the issues Trump claimed they would fix.
Separately, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued a preliminary injunction Thursday in a similar case brought by small businesses, deepening the administration's legal troubles.
Still, other tariffs imposed under different laws—like those on steel and autos—remain in place and could still be expanded. Analysts say the legal battle could delay negotiations and upend business supply chains, but the White House is likely to seek other legal avenues to pursue its trade agenda.
May 29, 2025 at 03:01 PM EDT
GOP lawmaker says Trump should get a 3rd term to “reset” the courts
A House Republican lawmaker renewed his calls on Thursday for President Donald Trump to serve a third term in office so he can "reset" the courts.
Republican Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee has repeatedly pushed for Trump to serve for three terms as president, which is prohibited by the Constitution.
Ogles made headlines in January when he proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow presidents to serve three terms in office, provided they haven't already served out two consecutive terms.
Ogles on Thursday told Fox Business Network's Maria Bartiromo that Trump should get to serve another term after his current term ends so he can combat what Ogles described as "judicial overreach."
He was referring to a Wednesday ruling from the U.S. Court of International Trade blocking the sweeping global tariffs that the president first announced on April 2, which he dubbed "liberation day."
In a unanimous ruling, the court's three-judge panel said Trump does not have "unbounded authority" to impose the tariffs under an emergency-powers law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA).
"Enough is enough," Ogles told Bartiromo on Thursday, adding that global leaders "want a deal with the United States" and "understand that they're better off when they have a deal with us than to have these woke activist judges."
One of the judges on the panel is a Trump appointee. The other two were appointed by President Ronald Reagan and President Barack Obama.
Read the full story by Sonam Sheth on Newsweek.
May 29, 2025 at 01:59 PM EDT
Will there be a Trump tariff refund?
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The federal court ruling aimed at striking down the majority of President Donald Trump's tariffs could force the government to pay back billions of dollars in import duties that have already been collected.
Newsweek has reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency responsible for administering tariffs and collecting duties, for comment.
On Wednesday, a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not grant the president authority to impose his sweeping tariffs or bypass Congress' typical control over economic policy and commerce. The 1977 law was cited by Trump as justification for the majority of his tariffs, most notably those unveiled on "Liberation Day" in early April.
"The court does not read IEEPA to confer such unbounded authority and sets aside the challenged tariffs imposed thereunder," the ruling read.
The decision, which followed several lawsuits alleging executive overreach by the president on trade, covers the currently paused "reciprocal" tariffs and the 10 percent baseline rate applied globally. The ruling also halts the "trafficking" tariffs imposed on China, Canada and Mexico in response to the public health crisis caused by fentanyl and other illicit drugs brought into the U.S.
Read the full story by Hugh Cameron on Newsweek.
May 29, 2025 at 01:50 PM EDT
Leavitt calls for Jill Biden to testify in husband’s ‘coverup’
When asked about former President Joe Biden, Karoline Leavitt said that former First Lady Jill Biden should testify to Congress about being "complicit" in "covering up" the former president's decline.
"I think, frankly, the former first lady should certainly speak up about what she says in regards to her husband."
She added: "Jill Biden was certainly complicit in that cover-up."
Leavitt also said that the former first lady thinks "the American public are [sic] so stupid that they are going to believe her lies" about Joe Biden.
May 29, 2025 at 01:37 PM EDT
Karoline Leavitt sounds out of breath in today’s press briefing
In today's White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sounded slightly out of breath as she spoke to a room full of reporters this afternoon.
May 29, 2025 at 01:23 PM EDT
WATCH: China tells US to stop ‘erroneous’ tariffs
May 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM EDT
Can American manufacturing rise again? Tracing its fall—and possible revival
Once a global manufacturing powerhouse, the United States built its empire on steel, cars, and innovation. But over the decades, jobs vanished, factories closed, and industry's hum was replaced by the lure of cheap labor overseas and rapid automation at home.
So what happened—and what could bring it back?
In this episode, we trace the rise and fall of American manufacturing and explore what it would take to spark a true revival. From reshoring strategies and new trade policies to the role of AI and robotics on the factory floor, this story is about more than just economics—it's about the future of work, national security, and global power.
Find the video and caption on Newsweek's YouTube channel.
May 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM EDT
Trump ally Steve Marshall launches Alabama Senate bid
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Thursday that he is running for the U.S. Senate. He launched his campaign with a video that heavily featured praise from Trump. The announcement positions Marshall as a staunch ally of Trump and a reliable conservative voice for Alabama.
The video describes Marshall as "the senator our state needs and our president can count on." Throughout his tenure as attorney general, Marshall has aligned himself with Republican-led efforts, frequently joining multi-state lawsuits challenging policies from the Biden administration.
May 29, 2025 at 12:26 PM EDT
Trump to meet with VP Vance, attend protocol chief’s swearing-in Thursday
According to the White House, President Donald Trump's public schedule for Thursday includes a series of official duties and meetings.
The president received his daily intelligence briefing at 11 a.m., and then he will have lunch with Vice President JD Vance at 12:30 p.m.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will hold a press briefing at 1 p.m.
Later in the day, at 5 p.m., Trump will attend the swearing-in ceremony for the new Chief of Protocol.
May 29, 2025 at 12:13 PM EDT
Zelensky eyes stunning diplomatic comeback
U.S. President Donald Trump's growing criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent days could point to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gaining the upper hand diplomatically as wrangling over negotiations to end the war continue.
When asked which leader caused more irritation for Trump, Zelensky said, according to Ukrainian media: "I may say nasty things, but I'm telling the truth," compared with Putin, who "may sometimes say very nice things, but they are false."
In a week in which Trump called Putin "crazy" and accused him of "playing with fire" Ukrainian experts told Newsweek that Zelensky may exploit the U.S. president's growing frustration with his Russian counterpart to strengthen Kyiv's position.
Another expert said Trump's words do not mean Zelensky is in his favor, but the U.S. president is running out of patience with Putin. Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.
Read the full story by Brendan Cole on Newsweek.
May 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT
China slams Rubio over threat to revoke student visas
China has sharply criticized U.S. Senator Marco Rubio after he threatened to "aggressively" revoke the visas of Chinese students studying in the United States, NBC News reported.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called the move "fully unjustified" and said it would harm the rights of Chinese students and disrupt educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
"This politically motivated and discriminatory move exposes the hypocrisy behind the U.S.' claims of freedom and openness," Lin said. "It will further damage the image and reputation of the U.S. itself."
May 29, 2025 at 11:48 AM EDT
Trump backs Polish far-right hopeful as YouTube influencer sways race
Trump is playing an active role in Poland's tight presidential runoff. He backed right-wing candidate Robert Nawrocki earlier this month during a meeting at the White House. Trump also sent Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to the CPAC gathering in Poland, where she hinted that U.S.-Polish military ties could grow under Nawrocki—and suffer if his pro-EU rival, Rafal Trzaskowski, wins.
Hungary's Viktor Orbán echoed Trump's endorsement during CPAC in Budapest, aligning Europe's far right behind Nawrocki. The outcome could shape the future of a key NATO and EU member, with implications for the West's stance on Russia and Ukraine.
Trzaskowski, backed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist coalition, promises rule-of-law reforms and continued EU integration. Nawrocki and his allies promise "Christian values" and tighter borders. But a third figure may hold the key: Sławomir Mentzen, a far-right libertarian who placed third in the May 18 vote and commands support among young, anti-establishment voters.
Mentzen recently invited both candidates onto his popular YouTube show. Nawrocki signed all eight of Mentzen's demands, including rejecting NATO membership for Ukraine. Trzaskowski declined to go that far, reaffirming pro-NATO and LGBTQ+ positions. Their contrasting responses have fueled days of online debate.
On Saturday, Trzaskowski met Mentzen for a beer in the influencer's pub, a moment shared widely online. However, on Wednesday, Mentzen declined to endorse either candidate, telling his followers to vote their conscience.
Sunday's vote will determine whether Poland deepens its EU ties or shifts toward a populist, nationalist agenda, with U.S. and far-right European leaders watching closely.
May 29, 2025 at 11:33 AM EDT
TACO Trump memes explode across internet as president mocked over tariffs
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Memes mocking President Donald Trump, dubbing him "TACO Trump," have exploded across the internet. The term, which means "Trump Always Chickens Out," has come into the lexicon as the president has come under fire for the handling of his tariff policies.
On April 2, Trump announced a sweeping tariff agenda on what he dubbed "Liberation Day." The White House said that the wide-reaching tariffs were introduced to tackle "large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits," and while varying rates have been imposed on the majority of U.S. trade partners, a baseline 10 percent tariff on all U.S. imports is active.
Global markets have experienced a period of significant uncertainty since Trump unveiled the tariffs, and he later backtracked on the initial announcement after it sent Wall Street into a tailspin, only to later announce additional tariffs targeting specific industries.
May 29, 2025 at 11:15 AM EDT
Supreme Court clears path for Utah oil rail expansion
The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously backed a major oil railroad project in Utah, narrowing how environmental reviews are applied under federal law.
The 8-0 Ruling revives a key approval for the Uinta Basin Railway, an 88-mile line intended to boost oil production by connecting remote fields to the national rail network. The decision limits how broadly regulators must consider environmental impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the majority, saying courts should defer to agencies on how far to extend reviews. Justice Sonia Sotomayor agreed with the outcome but argued that regulators don't have the authority to weigh downstream oil impacts.
The case drew concern from environmental groups and a Colorado county, which argued the railway would indirectly increase pollution and climate risks. The ruling may speed development, but doesn't end legal hurdles.
Justice Neil Gorsuch did not participate in the decision due to past ties to a billionaire oil investor who could benefit from the project.
May 29, 2025 at 10:57 AM EDT
Harvard students speak out as commencement begins under threat
On CNN's News Central Thursday, Harvard international student Abdullah Shahid Sial and professor Steven Pinker reflected on the impact of the Trump administration's attempts to block foreign students from attending the university.
Sial said many of his classmates are exploring backup plans, including transferring or taking a gap year, as their ability to remain in the U.S. is threatened. "The absolute bare minimum you need is simply the security of being safe and staying in the country," he said. Right now, all of that is being threatened."
Psychology professor Steven Pinker described Harvard's 374th commencement as "a day of mixed emotions," citing the pride of families and students, overshadowed by what he called a federal assault on the institution. "Amazingly, the American government seems to be at war with its most famous university," he said.
Harvard has taken legal action to stop the Trump administration from enforcing an international student ban and freezing federal funding.
May 29, 2025 at 10:43 AM EDT
Harvard commencement unfolds amid Trump-era legal fight
Harvard University held its 374th commencement on Thursday under mounting pressure from the Trump administration. The administration has targeted the school over campus protests and its defiance of federal demands.
The administration is pushing to cut roughly $100 million in contracts with the school, block international student enrollment, and revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status. Officials have accused the university of allowing antisemitic activism, while Harvard argues the attacks threaten academic freedom.
Despite the tension, speakers praised the school's resistance. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar told graduates that President Alan Garber "rejected the illegal and immoral pressures," comparing his stance to that of Rosa Parks. Garber said Harvard's lawsuit aims to protect its ability to enroll international students and continue its research mission.
While pro-Palestinian protests have quieted since last year's commencement walkout, small vigils continued ahead of Thursday's ceremony. With its $53 billion endowment, Harvard remains at the center of a growing clash between elite universities and the Trump White House.
May 29, 2025 at 10:28 AM EDT
Donald Trump’s new approval rating ‘stunning’ to pollster
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Results in a recent poll from conservative-leaning pollsters Rasmussen Reports have been called "stunning" by one of the company's pollsters after it showed President Donald Trump's approval rating and the number of people who think the country is moving in the right direction increasing.
Mark Mitchell, the company's head of polling, reacted to his firm's latest surveys which showed Trump's approval rating is at +7 and that 50 percent of Americans think the nation is on the right track.
Approval ratings are a good measure of the public's response to Trump's policies and his actions as president.
Taking the temperature of the nation, a number of recent polls have shown opinions about Trump have fluctuated, with some showing dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy while some show satisfaction with how he has handled immigration.
Read the full story by Kate Plummer on Newsweek.
May 29, 2025 at 10:15 AM EDT
U.S. open to troop reduction in South Korea as it reassesses strategy on China
Two senior U.S. defense officials said the United States may scale back its military presence in South Korea as it reevaluates regional deployments to better counter China while traveling with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Singapore, AP reported.
Currently, 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea as part of a longstanding commitment to deter threats from North Korea. However, the Trump administration is also focused on strategically positioning its forces across the Indo-Pacific to serve as a deterrent against potential Chinese aggression, including over Taiwan.
No final decision has been made regarding troop numbers, but one official noted that any changes would take both North Korean and Chinese threats into account. The officials requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
Hegseth is attending the Shangri-La Dialogue for the first time as defense secretary. His South Korean counterpart is not expected to be present due to national elections.
May 29, 2025 at 10:01 AM EDT
HHS pulls $766 million in funding from Moderna’s bird flu vaccine project
The Trump administration has rescinded $766 million in federal funding previously awarded to Moderna for developing a vaccine targeting potential pandemic flu strains, including the H5N1 bird flu.
Moderna said Wednesday that the Department of Health and Human Services informed it that funding granted in July 2024 and January 2025 had been withdrawn. The decision comes as the company reported encouraging interim results from early trials of its experimental mRNA-1018 vaccine, tested in 300 healthy adults.
The vaccine uses the same mRNA technology behind Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, which played a central role in the pandemic response. Despite this, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been vocal about his distrust of mRNA vaccines, despite evidence showing their safety and effectiveness.
May 29, 2025 at 09:50 AM EDT
Rahm Emanuel criticizes Trump for commuting sentence of Chicago gang leader
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel sharply criticized Trump's decision to commute the federal sentence of Larry Hoover, a co-founder of the Gangster Disciples street gang.
"This is a notorious gang leader who had many, many people killed," Emanuel said, reacting to the news in a CNN interview. "I always thought, when I was growing up in politics, that the Republican Party was supposed to be the party of law and order."
May 29, 2025 at 09:37 AM EDT
Citi CEO urges Trump on tariffs, tax chaos
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Citi CEO Jane Fraser urged the Trump Administration to provide greater clarity on the economic context for the U.S. to unlock more investment, as its tariff policy was plunged into chaos following a major court ruling and the tax bill faces a battle in the Senate.
"Look, clarity is really what's most important here, and they've been very clear that's it's going to take a bit of time for the tax bill to come through, the deregulation to get effected as well as changes, say, to the tariffs," Fraser told Fox Business's Maria Bartiromo on Thursday morning.
Once we've got that clarity, then I think companies will adapt and then they'll start making investments that will help drive growth forward, as well as we'll be doing our job to bring investment into America in line with what the administration is trying to achieve."
Fraser was also asked to respond to Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, who said he could see 4 percent growth for the U.S. economy in the second half of the year.
I hope he's right. But it's too early to tell at the moment. We've got to see where things settle down," Fraser said, adding that there would be hard data in the summer.
The bank chief said where tariffs land is particularly important, and said there is a substantial difference between 10 percent or 25 percent for companies affected by the levy.
"One they can absorb, the other they probably have to spread around," she said.
Read the full story by Shane Croucher on Newsweek.
May 29, 2025 at 09:21 AM EDT
Trump rejects ‘TACO’ label, says tariff threats are part of negotiation
Trump rebuffed Wednesday claims that he repeatedly backs down from his high-stakes tariff threats, rejecting the nickname "TACO"—short for "Trump Always Chickens Out."
The acronym, coined by Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong, refers to a pattern in which markets dip when Trump threatens steep tariffs and rebound when he backs off those threats.
When asked about the label, Trump appeared irritated and dismissed the idea that he was caving under pressure. "You call that chickening out?" he responded. "It's called negotiation."
He explained his approach as strategic, saying, "I set a ridiculous high number and I go down a little bit, you know, a little bit" until he lands on something more acceptable.
May 29, 2025 at 09:03 AM EDT
Jobless claims increase, but layoffs stay within normal range
According to data released Thursday by the Labor Department, new unemployment claims in the U.S. rose to 240,000 last week. That marks an increase of 14,000 from the previous week and came in higher than many economists had expected.
Despite the rise, weekly applications remain within a typical level for a healthy labor market. Since the initial economic shock from the COVID-19 pandemic, claims have generally stayed between 200,000 and 250,000.
The four-week moving average, which helps smooth out short-term volatility, edged down slightly to 230,750. The total number of people receiving unemployment aid rose by 26,000 to 1.92 million for the week ending May 17.
While economic uncertainty continues, particularly around trade, most U.S. workers appear to be holding onto their jobs.
May 29, 2025 at 08:51 AM EDT
Democrat Annie Andrews launches Senate bid to unseat Lindsey Graham
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Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and former Democratic congressional candidate, announced on Monday that she would run for U.S. Senate in South Carolina. She aims to unseat longtime Republican incumbent Lindsey Graham.
Andrews, who lost a 2022 House race, emphasized her identity as a "regular person" in her launch video and said she hopes to bring a mom and doctor's perspective to Washington. In an interview with NBC News, she said Democrats need to "talk like regular people to regular people."
She criticized Graham's support for Trump, calling out his reversal from a Trump critic to a close ally. Andrews argued that Trump-era policies are hurting South Carolina's economy and health institutions.
Graham, who has held public office in the state since 1993, won a double-digit reelection in 2020. Andrews faces an uphill climb in a deep-red state but believes voters are ready for change.
May 29, 2025 at 08:38 AM EDT
Trump issues new wave of pardons, including rapper NBA YoungBoy and ex-GOP officials
Trump issued a fresh round of pardons Wednesday, granting clemency to a mix of political allies, celebrities and convicted felons. Those pardoned were Louisiana rapper NBA YoungBoy, former New York Rep. Michael Grimm, ex-Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, and union leader James Callahan.
Trump also commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, the former Chicago gang leader serving a federal life sentence, though Hoover remains incarcerated on separate state charges.
NBA YoungBoy, whose legal name is Kentrell Gaulden, was serving time on federal gun charges and had pleaded guilty to involvement in a prescription drug ring. In a statement, he thanked Trump and said the pardon gives him a second chance.
The pardons come as Trump leans on Alice Marie Johnson, his newly appointed pardon adviser. Johnson was granted clemency in 2018 and has since become a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform. She was seen in the Oval Office on Tuesday as Trump phoned Savannah Chrisley to pardon her reality TV star parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley.
Also pardoned was Army Lt. Mark Bradshaw, convicted of violating COVID-19 safety rules.
The latest clemency spree highlights Trump's continued use of presidential pardon powers to reward loyalty and high-profile supporters.
May 29, 2025 at 08:25 AM EDT
Chinese students in U.S. face visa uncertainty after policy shift
Chinese students across the U.S. are grappling with anxiety and confusion after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the U.S. will revoke the visas of some Chinese nationals studying in critical fields or linked to the Chinese Communist Party.
The policy affects a significant group—China accounts for roughly a quarter of international students in the U.S., with more than 270,000 enrolled during the 2023–24 school year. Some students say they feel targeted and fear their futures are now in limbo.
China's Foreign Ministry called the U.S. action discriminatory and lodged a formal protest. The issue of Chinese students has long been a point of friction between the two countries, with previous visa delays and airport interrogations sparking tensions.
Some students are now reconsidering plans to remain in the U.S., while others are adjusting future plans to avoid travel and stay compliant, The Associated Press reported.
Hong Kong's government and universities have moved quickly to offer alternatives, inviting affected students to consider studying there instead. Education consultants say interest in U.K. and Australian universities is also rising.
May 29, 2025 at 08:12 AM EDT
What DOGE will look like without Elon Musk
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Elon Musk has confirmed that he will depart from his role at the White House and as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, leaving behind several questions about the future of DOGE.
The tech CEO announced he would be stepping down after his "scheduled time" as a government employee came to an end on Wednesday, ending five months of work as one of the most important figures in the second Trump administration.
Elon Musk has been a defining presence in President Donald Trump's second term, taking on a very public role as head of DOGE and a prominent champion of the White House's other policies on social media.
However, Musk's notoriety has been a double-edged sword, as he has become closely associated with DOGE's widespread cuts to federal spending, which has led to protests against the CEO and his companies.
Read the full story by Theo Burman on Newsweek.
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