The White House’s partial budget proposal calls for $163 billion in federal spending cuts next fiscal year for environmental, education, foreign aid, and healthcare programs, including many already targeted by Elon Musk’s DOGE.
The fiscal 2026 budget proposal is a wish list of President Donald Trump’s spending and political priorities and does not include spending on defense, Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. Key Senate Republicans have expressed alarm at some of the proposals.
Nevertheless, despite a stated desire for efficiency and to cut waste, the president’s 79th birthday on June 14 may be celebrated with a massive military parade in Washington, D.C., according to new planning documents seen by the Associated Press.
Trump’s birthday falls on the same date as the 250th anniversary of the US Army, and the event calls for as many as 6,600 soldiers from 11 corps and divisions, army bands, tanks, artillery, howitzers, skydivers, 50 helicopters, and more than 2,000 civilians marching from Arlington, Virginia, into the capital.
The estimated cost of a similar parade pitched by Trump in his first term was $92 million. A final decision is yet to be made.
Key points
- Trump budget plan includes massive cuts to punish ‘woke’ and ‘weaponized’ agencies
- Key Senate Republicans pan White House budget proposal
- Plans revealed for massive military parade on Trump’s 79th birthday
- Stephen Miller ‘top contender’ to become new head of National Security Agency
- President Trump ends major China tariff loophole: 'A big scam'
- Trump tariffs: Footwear giants Nike, Adidas, Skechers ask exemption,
The Independent's live coverage has paused for the evening
04:31 , Michelle Del ReyPlease come back tomorrow for more breaking news.
Trump will unfreeze Maine funding after trans athlete lawsuit: ‘We took him to court and we won’
04:31 , Michelle Del ReyDonald Trump’s administration will unfreeze federal funding for Maine’s child nutrition programs following a legal battle between the state and the president over transgender athletes.
The administration agreed that it will not interfere with the state’s access to Department of Agriculture funding, and in turn, the state will drop its lawsuit against the agency.
The settlement does not constitute an admission of guilt from either party.
In remarks on Friday, Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills hailed the settlement as a “victory” for its state after a “blatantly illegal” threat to block critical funding for school food programs.
Read more from Alex Woodward here.
Maine ‘took on Trump and won’ in legal battle over trans athletes, governor says
President Trump posted AI-generated photo of himself as Pope on Truth Social
04:02 , Michelle Del ReyTrump posted the image around 10 p.m. ET.
Earlier in the week, a reporter asked the president if he had a preference for the next Pope and he jokingly said: “I'd like to be Pope. That would be my #1 choice,” before adding: “We have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens.”
That cardinal is Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, 75.
Trump’s post did not include text.
On his verified account, President Trump has posted an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope. pic.twitter.com/5FDy42dbU5
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) May 3, 2025
Federal judge permanently blocks Trump’s ‘unconstitutional’ executive order targeting Perkins Coie, calling it an ‘an unprecedented attack’
03:53 , Michelle Del ReyA federal judge on Friday blocked the enforcement of President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, appointed by President Barack Obama, called the administration’s actions “an unprecedented attack” on the U.S. judicial system.
Trump had suspended security clearances held by the firm’s staff, cancelled government contracts that could financially benefit them and barred firm attorneys from entering federal buildings, reportedly because they’d represented 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
Howell imposed a permanent injunction, which stopped the order from going into effect.
Stephen Miller ‘top contender’ to become new National Security Adviser
01:30 , Oliver O'ConnellStephen Miller, President Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy, is a “top candidate” to become the next national security adviser, according to reports.
Miller, the architect behind some of the Trump administration’s most aggressive immigration policies, is in line to replace ousted Mike Waltz following the “embarrassing” Signalgate scandal, according to Axios.
Waltz was moved from his role as Trump’s national security adviser Thursday after the president tapped him to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Stephen Miller ‘top contender’ to become new National Security Adviser
Marjorie Taylor Greene posts rambling rant about ‘rogue judicial system’ and occupying Ukraine
01:11 , Oliver O'ConnellGeorgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene took to X on Friday afternoon to share a lengthy rant in which she lambasted the “rogue justice system” and wrote about occupying Ukraine.
Greene began by setting the stakes: “I represent the base, and when I’m frustrated and upset over the direction of things, you better be clear, the base is not happy.”
The ally of President Donald Trump appeared to criticize the commander-in-chief for “supposedly” bringing the U.S. closer to war with Iran.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Marjorie Taylor Greene posts rambling rant about occupying Ukraine
Trump tariffs: Small foreign retailers are giving up on America
00:52 , Oliver O'ConnellSome small foreign retailers are giving up on business in America as President Donald Trump ends a loophole that previously made cheaper goods exempt from tariffs.
May 2 marks the end of the “de minimis” exemption, a longstanding rule that applied to packages entering the U.S. worth under $800. Under the exemption, retailers overseas were allowed to sell products at lower prices by shipping them straight to consumers, bypassing domestic warehouses.
Rhian Lubin explains what the impact has been.
Small foreign retailers giving up on America as Trump ends tariff loophole
Musk promises DOGE has a ‘long-term’ future as steps back from White House
00:33 , Oliver O'ConnellElon Musk vowed that DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts will continue - even as he prepares to step back from the disruptive government department.
In a wide-ranging interview with Jesse Watters on Fox News Thursday, the billionaire, whose time as a “special government employee” terminates at the end of May, described DOGE as a “long-term enterprise.”
Musk initially promised DOGE would shave $2 trillion from federal spending and debt, but he quickly cut that amount in half. Last month, he lowered it further to $150 billion and then upped it to $160 billion, a tiny fraction of what he first promised.
Mary Papenfuss reports.
Teenage DOGE staffer ‘Big Balls’ speaks about role in Musk’s cost-cutting agency
How ‘Little Marco’ found Trump’s favor and became the ‘Secretary of Everything’ with four jobs
00:14 , Oliver O'ConnellAlex Woodward writes:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has come a long way from “little Marco,” the name Donald Trump gifted his then-rival for the Republican nomination for president in 2016, when Rubio labeled him a “con artist” who cheated workers after never having worked a day in his life himself.
Rubio, nearly 10 years later, has more job titles than anyone in the Trump administration.
Read on...
ICYMI: Jobs report defies expectations and hiring remains steady despite concerns over Trump’s tariffs
23:55 , Oliver O'ConnellThe latest jobs report has defied expectations and hiring remains steady despite concerns over President Donald Trump's trade tariffs, which have shaken financial markets and worried consumers.
Fresh data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that the U.S. economy added 177,000 jobs in April and the unemployment rate remains at 4.2 percent.
It is the first glimpse of how the economy has fared after Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” on April 2, when he introduced sweeping tariffs that caused the biggest one-day stock market drop since the pandemic. His policies have shaken financial markets and frightened consumers.
Rhian Lubin and Eric Garcia report.
Jobs report defies expectations and hiring steady despite fears over Trump’s tariffs
Trump’s deputy at the DOJ pushed for search warrant for student protesters’ Instagram accounts
23:36 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald Trump’s criminal defense attorney Emily Bove, now a top official at the Department of Justice, reportedly pushed for an “aggressive” criminal investigation into Columbia University student activists that fueled a mass exodus of civil rights prosecutors.
Federal prosecutors — and a judge — fought against Bove’s pursuit of student activists’ Instagram accounts and search warrants as part of an allegedly aborted criminal inquiry into student demonstrations against Israel’s war in Gaza, according to a behind-the-scenes report from The New York Times.
Trump’s deputy at the DOJ pushed for criminal probe into student activists
MTG is considering running for the Senate. She is dead last in a poll of potential candidates
23:17 , Oliver O'ConnellGeorgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene revealed in February that she’s considering a Senate run in 2026 — but a new poll may have given her a reality check.
With Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff up for re-election next year, a new Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll pitted the four most likely Republican challengers against the incumbent in hypothetical face-offs.
Katie Hawkinson reports.
MTG is dead last in poll of potential GOP challengers to Senator Ossoff
Full story: Marjorie Taylor Greene posts rambling rant about ‘rogue judicial system’ and occupying Ukraine
22:58 , Oliver O'ConnellGeorgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene took to X on Friday afternoon to share a lengthy rant in which she lambasted the “rogue justice system” and wrote about occupying Ukraine.
Greene began by setting the stakes: “I represent the base, and when I’m frustrated and upset over the direction of things, you better be clear, the base is not happy.”
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Marjorie Taylor Greene posts rambling rant about occupying Ukraine
What Trump's budget cuts could mean for the environment
22:39 , APPresident Donald Trump’s first 100 days included a wide range of attacks on environmental and climate initiatives. His proposed budget does the same.
The document released Friday looks to curtail or cut billions of dollars for everything from drinking water, clean energy and weather satellites to national parks, emergency management and environmental justice, to name a few.
That aligns with Trump's aggressive targeting of climate policy and crackdown on diversity initiatives as he pushes fossil fuel investment. Federal agencies are racing to bolster coal power and oil and gas while blocking renewable energy sources, rolling back landmark water and air regulations and attacking scientists in federal weather work tied to climate research.
The much-anticipated plan will define the Republican president’s second term, but it's important to note that Congress will ultimately decide the spending plans.
Read on...
Rubio mocked for calling German policy on AfD ‘tyranny in disguise’
22:30 , Oliver O'ConnellSecretary of State Marco Rubio is facing criticism after slamming Germany for giving “its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition.”
Rubio lashed out on Friday following the decision by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency to classify the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a “proven right-wing extremist organization.”
Within hours, the German foreign office responded, as Gustaf Kilander reports.
Rubio mocked for calling German policy ‘tyranny in disguise’ and backing AfD
US steps back from peace talks, saying it won’t mediate between Russia and Ukraine
22:20 , Oliver O'ConnellThe US will no longer mediate between Russia and Ukraine, leaving the two countries themselves to work out how to end the war, a state department official says.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said American envoys would no longer fly around the world “at the drop of a hat” to act as a go-between in peace talks.
It was now “between the two parties” to present concrete ideas on how the conflict would end, she insisted, although the US remained committed to helping.
Jane Dalton reports.
US pulls out of mediating between Ukraine and Russia, official says
Waltz offered ambassador role in Saudi Arabia in addition to UN, report says
22:09 , Oliver O'ConnellThe White House gave Mike Waltz a choice of jobs on Thursday when he was told his position as national security adviser was ending.
Among the jobs on the table, CBS News reports, were the role of US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, in addition to the UN ambassador role he ultimately chose.
Today was scheduled to be Waltz's final day as national security advisor. A deputy to Waltz, Alex Wong, remains at the NSC, helping with the transition to Marco Rubio.
Scoop: The White House gave Mike Waltz a choice in jobs on Thursday, including the role as US ambassador to Saudi Arabia. He picked UN. Today was scheduled to be Waltz's final day as national security advisor. A deputy to Waltz, Alex Wong, remains at the NSC, helping with…
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 2, 2025
S&P 500 erases Trump tariffs losses since 'Liberation Day' with nine-day winning streak
22:04 , Oliver O'ConnellUS stocks rose Friday, and the S&P 500 notched its longest winning streak since 2004 as China signaled openness to trade talks and investors digested a better-than-expected jobs report.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 564 points, or 1.39%. The broader S&P 500 rose 1.47% and the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite gained 1.51%.
Both the Dow and S&P 500 posted their ninth daily gain in a row — for the latter, this hadn’t happened for more than 20 years, since November 2004.
Further, the S&P 500’s rally on Friday helped the index erase its losses since President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” when he announced his “reciprocal” tariffs on April 2.
The Dow posted its first nine-day winning streak since December 2023, but is still down about 2% from its closing price on April 2. The president waited until markets closed that day before making his tariffs announcement.
Wall Street was boosted today by Labor Department data showing the economy added 177,000 jobs in April, outpacing expectations of around 135,000 jobs.
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to let DOGE have access to Social Security data
22:02 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Trump administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have access to Social Security Administration data.
In their filing, the government says: “The district court’s order impinges on the President’s broad authority to direct the federal workforce, to oversee government information systems, and to require agencies to identify fraud, waste, and abuse. It is ‘an improper intrusion by a federal court into the workings of a coordinate branch of the Government.’”
Trump plans to downsize US spy agencies, report says
21:58 , ReutersThe administration of President Donald Trump is planning significant personnel cuts at the Central Intelligence Agency and other major U.S. spy units, The Washington Post reported Friday, citing people familiar with the plans.
The CIA plans to cut 1,200 positions, along with thousands more from other parts of the U.S. intelligence community, the newspaper reported.
Since taking office in January, Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk have gone on a cost-cutting drive that has gutted and attempted to dismantle various agencies, and resulted in the departure of over 200,000 federal workers.
Despite his protests, America says it’s Trump’s economy, not Biden's
21:46 , Oliver O'ConnellMore Americans are saying the current economy is due to President Donald Trump than his predecessor Joe Biden, according to a new Gallup poll.
Trump has consistently blamed Biden for the turbulent stock market after the president triggered a global trade war with his tariffs.
As the president marked his first 100 days in office this week, nearly half of Americans (46 percent) surveyed in April believe that Trump is more responsible for the unstable economy, up 3 percent from March, according to Gallup. This compares to the 27 percent who blame Biden, which remained the same as March’s survey.
Rhian Lubin looks at the numbers.
America says it’s Trump’s economy (despite his constant blaming of Biden)
Trump administration agrees to halt Maine funding freeze initiated after dispute over trans athletes
21:36 , APThe Trump administration has agreed to halt its Maine funding freeze initiated after a dispute over trans athletes erupted between President Donald Trump and Governor Janet Mills.
In response, the state will drop its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey announced.
The money that was suspended funds a statewide child nutrition program. A federal judge had ordered the Trump administration to unfreeze those funds last month after finding that Maine was likely to succeed in its legal challenge.
“It’s unfortunate that my office had to resort to federal court just to get USDA to comply with the law and its own regulations,” Frey said in a statement.
A letter from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins explained that the decision to suspend funding stemmed from a disagreement between Maine and the federal government over whether the state was complying with Title IX, the law that bans discrimination in education based on sex nationwide. Trump had accused Maine of failing to comply with his executive order barring transgender athletes from sports.
New sanctions on Russia are ready but it's not clear if Trump will sign, report says
21:29 , Oliver O'ConnellReuters reports that U.S. officials have finalized new economic sanctions against Russia, including banking and energy measures, to intensify pressure on Moscow to embrace President Donald Trump’s efforts to end its war on Ukraine
The agency cites three U.S. officials and a source familiar with the issue.
Among the targets are state-owned Russian energy giant Gazprom and major entities involved in the natural resources and banking sectors, according to an administration official, who, like the other sources, requested anonymity to discuss the issue. No further details were given.
What remains unclear is whether the package will be approved by the president.
Trump’s earlier sympathy for Moscow's statements and actions has more recently given way to frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin for rebuffing his calls for a ceasefire and peace talks.
The U.S. National Security Council “is trying to coordinate some set of more punitive actions against Russia,” the source familiar with the issue told Reuters. “This will have to be signed off by Trump.”
“It’s totally his call,” confirmed a second U.S. official.
“From the beginning, the president has been clear about his commitment to achieving a full and comprehensive ceasefire,” said National Security Council Spokesman James Hewitt. “We do not comment on the details of ongoing negotiations.”
The U.S. Treasury, which implements most U.S. sanctions, did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
Trump tariffs: Footwear giants Nike, Adidas, Skechers ask exemption,
21:13 , Oliver O'ConnellSome of the largest show brands in America are asking President Donald Trump for an exemption from his tariffs on imports of foreign-made goods.
Per CNBC:
The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America trade group sent a letter to the White House this week asking for an exemption to Trump’s so-called “reciprocal tariffs,” which the association said pose an “existential threat” to the footwear industry. The letter is signed by 76 footwear brands, including Nike, Adidas, Skechers and Under Armour.
“Many companies making affordable footwear for hardworking lower and middle-income families cannot absorb tariff rates this high, nor can they pass along these costs. Without immediate relief from the reciprocal tariffs they will simply shutter,” reads the letter, which is dated April 29.
China, Vietnam, and Cambodia are important sources of production for the footwear industry and are currently subject to tariffs of 145% for China, and 10% for the other two nations due to the 90-day pause in the implementation of higher tariffs.
In early July, Vietnam will be tariffed at 46% and Cambodia at 49% if no trade deal is reached with the U.S.
Two major scientific societies will write a cornerstone climate report after Trump dismisses authors
20:54 , APThe American Meteorological Society and the American Geophysical Union announced on Friday that they will collaborate to produce peer-reviewed research documents evaluating the current and future national impacts of climate change in the U.S.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump’s administration informed about 400 scientists working on the National Climate Assessment that they were no longer needed and that the report was being reevaluated.
The report, which is issued every four to five years, is mandated by a federal law from 1990 and was expected around 2027. Preliminary budget documents indicate significant cuts in funding or the elimination of offices involved in coordinating the report, according to scientists and activists.
AGU President Brandon Jones says they “are filling in a gap in the scientific process.”
Key Senate Republicans pan White House budget proposal
20:44 , Oliver O'ConnellKey Senate Republicans have been quick to criticize the White House budget proposal released this morning, outlining a wishlist of spending priorities for President Donald Trump in the next fiscal year.
Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins of Maine publicly objected to the administration’s request to maintain military funding at approximately $893 billion. She criticized Trump’s proposed cuts to biomedical research, education support programs for low-income households, and subsidies to assist the poorest Americans in covering the costs of heating and cooling their homes.
Collins noted: “This request has come to Congress late, and key details still remain outstanding. Based on my initial review, however, I have serious objections to the proposed freeze in our defense funding.”
She was also unhappy with the White House’s proposed cuts, “and in some cases elimination” of non-defense programs.
Senate Appropriations Chair Collins responds to President Trump's "skinny" 2026 budget:"This request has come to Congress late, and key details still remain outstanding. Based on my initial review, however, I have serious objections to the proposed freeze in our defense funding." https://t.co/G38aJ6Rsun pic.twitter.com/hmf72fQTct
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) May 2, 2025
Former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, now chair of the upper chamber’s defense funding panel, slammed the White House budget office for asking Congress to freeze defense spending.
He said in a statement that extra cash Republican leaders are hoping to generate through the tax and spending megabill they hope to enact this summer is “not a substitute for full-year appropriations.”
“OMB accounting gimmicks may well convince Administration officials and spokesmen that they’re doing enough to counter the growing, coordinated challenges we face from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and radical terrorists. But they won’t fool Congress,” McConnell said.
McConnell: "America cannot expect our allies to heed calls for greater annual defense spending if we are unwilling to lead by example. Fortunately, Presidential budget requests are just that: requests."
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) May 2, 2025
“America cannot expect our allies to heed calls for greater annual defense spending if we are unwilling to lead by example. Fortunately, Presidential budget requests are just that: requests,” he said.
There was further condemnation from Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker of Mississippi, who said the White House’s request would be “a cut in real terms” for the military.
In a statement, he agreed with McConnell that the additional $150 billion in military funding GOP leaders want to pass through their separate party-line package was not meant “to paper over” the White House budget office’s “intent to shred to the bone our military capabilities and our support to service members.”
Full story: Stephen Miller ‘top contender’ to become new head of National Security Agency
20:35 , Oliver O'ConnellStephen Miller, President Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy, is a “top candidate” to become the next national security adviser, according to reports.
Miller, the architect behind some of the Trump administration’s most aggressive immigration policies, is in line to replace ousted Mike Waltz following the “embarrassing” Signalgate scandal, according to Axios.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Stephen Miller ‘top contender’ to become new National Security Adviser
Trump administration reaches settlement with Ashli Babbitt’s family
20:21 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald Trump’s administration has reached a settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer on January 6, 2021 after joining a mob inside the halls of Congress.
Alex Woodward reports.
Trump administration reaches settlement with Ashli Babbitt’s family
Trump tariffs: Small foreign retailers are giving up on America
20:16 , Oliver O'ConnellSome small foreign retailers are giving up on business in America as President Donald Trump ends a loophole that previously made cheaper goods exempt from tariffs.
May 2 marks the end of the “de minimis” exemption, a longstanding rule that applied to packages entering the U.S. worth under $800. Under the exemption, retailers overseas were allowed to sell products at lower prices by shipping them straight to consumers, bypassing domestic warehouses.
Rhian Lubin reports from New York.
Small foreign retailers giving up on America as Trump ends tariff loophole
Welcome relief for world's poorest countries in Trump budget proposal
19:57 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump’s budget proposal, released today, asked Congress to approve $3.2 billion in contributions to the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA), which provides low- or zero-interest loans to the world's poorest countries.
International finance experts hailed the sum, to be paid over three years, as a welcome surprise, given recent concerns that Trump might skip any contribution to IDA.
Former President Joe Biden had pledged to contribute $4 billion, but that money has not yet been transferred.
Although the new amount is lower, it will still assist the World Bank in approaching its goal of raising $100 billion for IDA by leveraging countries' contributions, sources familiar with the process said. The final decision rests with Congress.
When asked if the Trump administration would adhere to the $4 billion pledge, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the amount would be determined in the budget, and much would depend on World Bank President Ajay Banga and the head of the International Monetary Fund getting back to basics.
The budget proposal unveiled by Trump on Friday cuts foreign aid by $49 billion, a senior official with the Office of Management and Budget told reporters.
Documents released by the White House showed a reduction of $555 million in funds for the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund, which it was “not currently aligned to Administration priorities.”
The budget proposal did include the $3.2 billion for IDA, adding that other donors and institutions should assume more of the costs.
“This fulfills the President’s promise to no longer dole out foreign aid dollars with no return on investment for the American people,” the document said.
With reporting from Reuters
Marjorie Taylor Greene fumes at Trump for 'losing the base' in bizarre diatribe on X
19:42 , Oliver O'ConnellFirebrand Georgia lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene took to X today to post a bizarre, rambling, angry condemnation of... the Trump administration.
Greene began her screed on Friday lunchtime by saying: “I represent the base, and when I’m frustrated and upset over the direction of things, you better be clear, the base is not happy.”
She then began by laying into the administration, perhaps to mark 100 days of Donald Trump’s second presidency in her own nonsensical, unique way.
Over 667 words and 16 paragraphs, Greene fumes at Trump over foreign wars, Covid-19 vaccines, “law fair” [sic], the work of DOGE, “gender lies”, treasonous judges, and election integrity.
“When you are losing MTG, you are losing the base,” she writes, before concluding, somewhat cryptically: “And Trump isn’t on the ballot in the future, so do the math on that.”
You can read the full diatribe here:
I represent the base and when I’m frustrated and upset over the direction of things, you better be clear, the base is not happy.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) May 2, 2025
I campaigned for no more foreign wars.
And now we are supposedly on the verge of going to war with Iran.
I don’t think we should be bombing foreign…
And here’s Greene (second from left) at President Trump’s National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden yesterday:
Perhaps she didn’t get a chance to share her feelings then?
Trump is renaming Veterans Day to honor World War I soldiers — why is anyone's guess
19:38 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump announced he is renaming Veterans Day to “Victory Day” to honor World War I soldiers and “celebrate” how America “won both wars.”
Veterans Day, which takes place on November 11, was originally called Armistice Day in the U.S. by then-President Woodrow Wilson to honor “the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory.” It was later renamed Veterans Day to honor all American military veterans.
The president also revealed he wants to change the name of VE-Day on May 8 to “Victory Day for World War II.”
Rhian Lubin reports.
Trump is renaming Veterans Day to honor World War I soldiers - but nobody knows why
Whitmer defends cozying up with Trump after latest photo op
19:29 , Oliver O'ConnellDemocratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer defended her meetings with President Donald Trump during an appearance on Pod Save America on Thursday.
The possible 2028 presidential candidate and swing state Democratic leader argued that her interactions with the Republican president were about getting things done, not furthering her political self-interest.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Gretchen Whitmer defends cozying up with Trump after latest photo op
Shari Redstone wants ‘60 Minutes’ to back off Trump amid lawsuit. They are doing the opposite.
19:10 , Oliver O'ConnellDespite the pleas of its corporate boss to “delay sensitive” stories about Donald Trump, 60 Minutes is planning to run a segment on Sunday night that will focus on how the president is targeting “some of the biggest law firms in the country that he accuses of ‘weaponizing’ the justice system against him.”
The report will be presented by correspondent Scott Pelley, who ended the latest broadcast of the Sunday night news show by issuing a stunning on-air rebuke of his network’s owners following the sudden resignation of the program’s top producer.
Justin Baragona reports.
Shari Redstone wants ‘60 Minutes’ to back off Trump. They are doing the opposite.
Stephen Miller reportedly leading contender to be Trump's NSA
19:04 , Oliver O'ConnellReports suggest that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, a long-term Trump policy adviser, is emerging as the top candidate to replace Mike Waltz as Donald Trump’s national security adviser.
Axios, citing five sources familiar with the situation, reports that his name surfaced shortly after Waltz’s dismissal.
Miller is already Homeland Security adviser and, in that role, is aggressively pushing back against legal challenges to the administration's efforts to deport migrants in the U.S. illegally without court hearings.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is serving as interim NSA in addition to his role at State and two other jobs.
“Marco and Stephen have worked really closely on immigration, and it might be a perfect match,” a White House source told Axios.
“Given how well he's worked with Marco, many see him as the perfect person to restore the role of the NSA to a staff-level policy role that reports to the chief of staff, instead of some inflated Cabinet position,” said another source.
CBS News reports another name floated for the role is Seb Gorka, deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism.
Speculation among Trump allies began yesterday that Stephen Miller might be considered for national security adviser, or Seb Gorka. The role of homeland security adviser was elevated at start of administration, and Miller, who holds that post, has authority over a wide portfolio.… https://t.co/a4KpkKipxM pic.twitter.com/21OqWIaAOF
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 2, 2025
Oklahoma wants to teach kids Trump’s false version of the 2020 election
18:51 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, announced a new education policy for the state on Thursday, which includes the allegation that there were “discrepancies” in the 2020 election, which President Donald Trump baselessly claims was stolen from him.
Gustaf Kilander reports on a policy sure to cause family Thanksgiving fights for decades to come.
Oklahoma wants to teach kids Trump’s false version of the 2020 election
One of JD Vance’s closest friends just revoked his invite to Canada
18:32 , Oliver O'ConnellVice President JD Vance has been advised against visiting Canada by one of his closest friends, a Canadian politician.
Jamil Jivani, 37, who befriended Vance while they were both students together at Yale Law School and who is now a Conservative MP, had extended an open invitation to the American to visit his Ontario constituency.
He’s now said it wouldn’t be “constructive,” as Joe Sommerlad reports.
JD Vance’s Canadian politician friend just revoked his invite to Canada
In other news... you know who is set to visit Canada?
Charles and Camilla to visit Canada for first time since coronation
White House seeks to cut TSA funding but boost air, rail safety
18:21 , Oliver O'ConnellThe White House announced Friday that it wants to reduce funding for the Transportation Security Administration by $247 million, while increasing spending on rail and air safety.
The 2026 budget proposal seeks an additional $360 million for the FAA to support the hiring of air traffic controllers, salary increases, and updates to its outdated telecommunications systems, along with $400 million for new rail safety and infrastructure. The proposal also calls for a cut of $300 million to funding for Essential Air Service, a program designed to subsidize commercial air service to rural airports.
With reporting from Reuters
ICYMI: Trump uses Alabama graduation speech to bash transgender athletes and air usual political grievances
18:13 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump told college graduates they’d be embarking on their careers in the “golden age of America” and could be the “greatest generation” when he delivered the commencement address at the University of Alabama Thursday.
And it was all thanks to him and his policies.
Michelle Del Rey watched.
Trump on the stump again at commencement with rambling stories and trans slams
Full story: Trump budget plan includes massive cuts to punish ‘woke’ and ‘weaponized’ agencies
17:54 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year would slash approximately $163 billion from key federal programs in education, health, housing and other sectors while boosting spending on immigration enforcement and defense programs in an effort to gut wide swaths of government that drew the ire of conservative activists during his four years out of government.
The blueprint for the president’s budget, which was officially transmitted to Congress on Friday, would cut discretionary, non-defense spending — a category that does not include earned benefit programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid — by 22.6 percent next year by reducing or eliminating many programs while giving defense spending a 13 percent boost.
Andrew Feinberg reports from Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump budget plan includes massive cuts to punish ‘woke’ and ‘weaponized’ agencies
FDA rehires FOIA staffers after missing court deadlines to turn over documents
17:46 , APThe Food and Drug Administration is bringing back some of the 100 recently fired staffers who process document requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
Staffers across several parts of the agency were notified of the decision Thursday in writing or by phone, according to two agency staffers who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss agency matters. The notifications went out to employees who work in the centers for drugs, tobacco and other product areas. The FDA responds to thousands of FOIA requests each year from lawyers, journalists, companies and physicians.
In recent days, the FDA has missed multiple court-ordered deadlines to hand over documents to parties suing the agency, which can result in hefty fines. The missed deadlines prompted the decision to bring back FOIA staffers.
'Absurd' Hegseth still has job after Waltz dismissal, says Gottheimer
17:45 , Oliver O'ConnellNew Jersey Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer calls it “absurd” that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth still has a job within the Trump administration after the dismissal of Mike Waltz as Donald Trump’s national security advisor and nomination to be UN ambassador.
Gottheimer, who is running to be governor of New Jersey, made the remarks during an interview with Omar Jimenez on CNN News Central.
“Well, I think it's absurd that Hegseth is still in his job given the fact that he literally shared classified information that included detailed battle plans or attack plans in — and timing of those — in a Signal chat, which put service men and women's lives in danger. And we've learned even more over the weeks of who he shared that information with on the Signal chat, right, including his wife and his personal lawyer,” said the Democrat.
“So the fact that there's been zero accountability for the secretary of defense and his actions makes no sense to me. But I guess this is really no shock, right, because who is really calling the shots here? You've got right-wing extremists like Laura Loomer, right, who are deciding who should be kept in the national security apparatus and who shouldn't. And to me, that's part of what's absurd in all of this.”
'He's not Kissinger,' says Democrat lawmaker of Rubio
17:39 , Oliver O'ConnellCalifornia Democrat Eric Swalwell says Secretary of State Marco Rubio cannot juggle multiple positions in the administration.
The congressman spoke with Kate Bolduan on CNN News Central on Friday morning and was asked if it was practical for Rubio to take on being both the U.S.’s lead diplomat and the national security adviser (in addition to his two other roles).
Giving a firm “No,” Bolduan noted that Henry Kissinger had both roles decades ago.
Swalwell said: “He’s not Kissinger. And these challenges right now from, you know, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Russia, China, Taiwan and other challenges across the world, they command, you know, serious people who are focused and are bringing competence to the job. We don’t have that in Secretary of State Rubio. And – and we don’t have that in Pete Hegseth. And so, Donald Trump, it’s just been – you know, we went from a Trump slump to now a Trump train wreck from the economy and national security. And there’s a level of seriousness that people want to see on these consequential decisions.”
‘Big Balls’ speaks about role in Musk’s cost-cutting agency for first time
17:35 , Oliver O'ConnellA teenage DOGE staffer known as “Big Balls” has spoken about his role in Elon Musk’s cost-cutting crew for the first time.
Edward Coristine appeared in a panel discussion with Musk on Fox News Thursday as they defended their work dismantling the federal government.
“Who is Big Balls?” host Jesse Watters asked on his program Watters World, surrounded by DOGE members and supporters at a huge oval conference table.
“I am,” piped up 19-year-old DOGE staff member Edward Coristine.
“That should be obvious,” Musk quipped to laughter.
Mary Papenfuss has the story.
Teenage DOGE staffer ‘Big Balls’ speaks about role in Musk’s cost-cutting agency
Poll: Americans still have an insane amount of trust in Joe Rogan and Megyn Kelly
17:16 , Oliver O'ConnellMore people hold a favorable view of podcasters Joe Rogan and Megyn Kelly than those who see them unfavorably, while the leading news source for those surveyed is social media and YouTube, a new poll has found.
According to the survey conducted by Emerson College Polling, which was conducted last month and consisted of 1000 adults, Rogan received the highest favorability rating among the media personalities presented to the respondents.
Justin Baragona took a look at the numbers.
Americans still have an insane amount of trust in Joe Rogan and Megyn Kelly
Hegseth orders Pentagon to develop new national defense strategy by Aug. 31
17:11 , APDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Pentagon to develop a new national defense strategy by August 31.
The strategy is the main blueprint that lays out the department’s priorities as it moves to confront national security threats around the world.
It will be Hegseth’s opportunity to highlight what he wants the U.S. military to focus on for the next several years, and how the department will shift toward Trump’s America First doctrine.
The draft also will have to reflect the impact of Hegseth’s sweeping personnel cuts and decisions to merge a number of military commands.
The order was signed Friday.
How ‘Little Marco’ found Trump’s favor and became the ‘Secretary of Everything’ with four jobs
16:57 , Oliver O'ConnellAlex Woodward writes:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has come a long way from “little Marco,” the name Donald Trump gifted his then-rival for the Republican nomination for president in 2016, when Rubio labeled him a “con artist” who cheated workers after never having worked a day in his life himself.
Rubio, nearly 10 years later, has more job titles than anyone in the Trump administration.
Continue reading...
Watch: Carney confirms Trump meeting
16:43 , Oliver O'ConnellCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on President Trump: "It's important to get engaged immediately...I'm pleased to have the opportunity for quite a comprehensive set of meetings that will take place on Tuesday." pic.twitter.com/arEdyU6wU6
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 2, 2025
Trump will unfreeze Maine funding after trans athlete lawsuit: ‘We took him to court and we won’
04:06 , Michelle Del ReyDonald Trump’s administration will unfreeze federal funding for Maine’s child nutrition programs following a legal battle between the state and the president over transgender athletes.
The administration agreed that it will not interfere with the state’s access to Department of Agriculture funding, and in turn, the state will drop its lawsuit against the agency.
The settlement does not constitute an admission of guilt from either party.
In remarks on Friday, Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills hailed the settlement as a “victory” for its state after a “blatantly illegal” threat to block critical funding for school food programs.
“It’s good to feel a victory like this,” she said. “We took him to court and we won.”
Read more from Alex Woodward here.
Maine ‘took on Trump and won’ in legal battle over trans athletes, governor says
Trump to meet Carney at White House on Tuesday, report says
16:29 , Oliver O'ConnellBloomberg reports that newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday, according to people familiar with the matter.
This is their first encounter since Carney won the Canadian election in part because of his anti-Trump message.
The specifics of the meeting are still being worked out, according to the people, who asked not to be identified for discussing a meeting that hasn’t been formally announced.
Carney’s office declined to comment to Bloomberg, and the White House didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Trump had earlier said that Carney would be coming to Washington “within the next week or less,” during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.
Trump makes first judicial nomination of second term
16:19 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump has made his first judicial nomination since returning to the White House with a nomination for the 6th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals.
Trump praised Whitney Hermandorfer's background, highlighting her college basketball career at Princeton University.
The president also described her as a staunch defender of girls and women's sports.
Trump wrote on Truth Social late last night:
I am pleased to announce the nomination of Whitney Hermandorfer to serve as a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Whitney has been serving the Great People of Tennessee, in the Attorney General’s Office, where she has strongly litigated in Court to protect Citizens from Federal Government Overreach. A former Co-Captain of the Princeton University Women’s Basketball Team, Whitney is a staunch defender of Girls’ and Women’s Sports. She has a long history of working for Judges and Justices who respect the RULE OF LAW, and protect our Constitution, including Justice Samuel Alito and two fine Supreme Court Justices I appointed in my First Term. Whitney is a Fighter who will inspire confidence in our Legal System. Thank you Whitney!
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said Hermandorfer’s leadership of the state’s Strategic Litigation Unit “set a high bar for excellence.”
The State of Tennessee has trusted Whitney Hermandorfer over and over with complex cases of national significance. She has never let us down. Her leadership of Tennessee's Strategic Litigation Unit sets a high bar of excellence at every level of the federal judiciary, all the way… pic.twitter.com/n4USvdVKJG
— TN Attorney General (@AGTennessee) May 2, 2025
In full: Trump signs executive order blocking PBS and NPR funding
16:00 , James LiddellPresident Donald Trump has signed an executive order cancelling all PBS and NPR federal funding after accusing them of “bias” in their news coverage.
The executive order, signed on Thursday night, stated that “neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens.”
The two news organizations are America's primary public broadcasters and have received federal funding ever since President Lyndon Johnson signed the Public Broadcasting Act in 1967. The act led to the establishment of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for public radio and television. They receive roughly half a billion dollars in public money.
Madeline Sherratt has the details:
Plans revealed for massive military parade on Trump’s 79th birthday
15:46 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump’s 79th birthday on June 14 could be celebrated with a massive military parade in Washington, D.C., according to newly-emerged planning documents.
The White House has previously denied that any such event was in development but the documents – dating from April 28 and 29, seen by the Associated Press (AP) but not yet made public – outline a spectacular occasion to mark the commander-in-chief’s birthday, which happens to fall on the same date as the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
Joe Sommerlad has the details.
Plans revealed for massive military parade on Trump’s 79th birthday
GOP telling the White House that DOGE cuts will not be permanent
15:29 , Oliver O'ConnellThe White House is encountering pushback from congressional Republicans as the administration works to enshrine the cuts instituted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency into law.
Congressional Republicans have said in private conversations that it would be a stretch to codify even a small part of the cuts put in place by Musk, according to The Washington Post.
Both the courts and Congress are refusing to legally protect the cuts pushed through by Musk, and the White House has few options to ensure the reductions have a lasting effect.
Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, D.C.
Republicans are telling the White House that DOGE cuts will not be permanent
Trump planning 'purge of White House staff' after ousting Waltz
15:11 , James LiddellDonald Trump’s decision to remove Mike Waltz as his national security adviser could be followed by a mass firing of White House staff being dubbed “The Purge,” according to a report.
The dismissals could come as soon as late next week, sources have told Politico, with one insider saying “a lot” of employees will be let go over perceived loyalty concerns, with the president preferring to announce their removal in one sweeping gesture, rather than in piecemeal fashion one-by-one.
While Trump has so far managed to avoid a repeat of the same level of staffing chaos as his first term, which saw almost as high a turnover as the average season of his NBC reality show The Apprentice, Waltz’s firing could mark the opening of the floodgates.
Joe Sommerlad has the story:
Trump is planning ‘purge’ of White House staff after Waltz, report says
Trump fumes over Democrats who are ‘into the impeachment thing’
14:59 , James LiddellDonald Trump suggested that two Democrats who have filed articles of impeachment against the president should be expelled from Congress.
Trump appeared to refer to Michigan Representative Shri Thanedar, who introduced seven articles of impeachment targeting the president on Monday. The bid is being co-sponsored by Illinois Representative Jan Schakowsky. Texas Representative Al Green said last month he will present articles of impeachment against Trump.
“The Democrats are really out of control. They have lost everything, especially their minds! These Radical Left Lunatics are into the ‘Impeachment thing’ again,” Trump began his Truth Social tirade just before midnight.
“They have already got two ‘No Name,’ little respected Congressmen, total Whackjobs both, throwing the ‘Impeachment’ of DONALD J. TRUMP around, for about the 20th time, even though they have no idea for what I would be Impeached.”
He added: “The Republicans should start to think about expelling them from Congress for all of the crimes that they have committed, especially around Election time(s).”
Despite concerns over Trump’s tariffs, Jobs report defies expectations and hiring remains steady
14:44 , Oliver O'ConnellThe latest jobs report has defied expectations and hiring remains steady despite concerns over President Donald Trump's trade tariffs, which have shaken financial markets and worried consumers.
Fresh data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that the U.S. economy added 177,000 jobs in April and the unemployment rate remains at 4.2 percent.
The report also comes with a downward revision of job numbers for the reports from February and March.
🚨🚨🚨 The bureau also revised the number of jobs added in February by 15,000 from 117,000 jobs to 102,000. It also revised the number of jobs added in March from 228,000 to 185,000 jobs.
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) May 2, 2025
Rhian Lubin in New York and Eric Garcia in Washington, D.C., report.
Jobs report defies expectations and hiring steady despite fears over Trump’s tariffs
White House budget calls for $163bn in federal spending cuts, reports say
14:35 , Oliver O'ConnellThe partial budget proposal the White House is set to release today will call for $163 billion in federal spending cuts next fiscal year, a person familiar with the matter told The Washington Post, confirming earlier reporting by The Wall Street Journal.
Per the Post:
The upcoming “skinny budget” will propose cuts to a broad array of federal spending on environmental, education, foreign aid and health-care programs, including many of those already targeted for reductions by the Trump administration or billionaire Elon Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service, the person said. Among the agencies proposed to see reductions include the Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Department and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, among others, the person said.
The White House is expected to release a much lengthier, traditional budget later in the month.
The fiscal 2026 budget proposal is a largely symbolic wish list that lays out President Donald Trump’s spending and political priorities.
The budget plan will propose $557 billion in nondefense discretionary spending, officials told the Journal, reducing nondefense discretionary spending by $163 billion. The administration said that represents a 22.6 percent cut from projected spending in fiscal year 2025, which ends September 30, though it wasn’t clear how that percentage was calculated.
Nondefense discretionary spending is federal money that must be reauthorized each year to fund areas such as education, transportation, and public health, but not defense, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
Congress will spend months debating which elements of the proposed plan should be turned into law. Republicans control both the House and the Senate, but only by a slim margin, so satisfying individual lawmakers’ spending priorities to wrangle the necessary votes will be a tricky balancing act for congressional leaders.
Trump moves to block federal funding for NPR and PBS
14:29 , James LiddellDonald Trump signed an executive order to end public funding of National Public Radio and PBS to stop what he considered partisan coverage and “left-wing propaganda.”
The order, which the president signed Thursday evening, instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to “cease federal funding for NPR and PBS” to the extent legally allowed.
“Unlike in 1967, when the CPB was established, today the media landscape is filled with abundant, diverse, and innovative news options,” it reads. “Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence.”
Watch: Trump tears into trans athletes during Alabama commencement speech
14:08 , James LiddellChina weighs trade talks with US
13:48 , James LiddellBeijing announced Friday that it was weighing whether to hold trade talks with Washington after the Trump administration’s multiple attempts to kick off negotiations.
China’s Commerce Ministry said that the Asian nation was “evaluating” the U.S.’s offer to talk.
The Chinese department said it would do so under one condition: if Donald Trump cancels its hefty tariffs on Chinese goods.
“If the United States does not correct its wrong unilateral tariff measures, it means that the United States has no sincerity at all and will further damage the mutual trust between the two sides,” a ministry spokesperson said.
China and the U.S. have been engaged in a bitter trade war, throttling trade between the two nations after Trump imposed a 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods. In retaliation, China raised its tariffs on US products to 125 percent.
Free 10 year ‘golden visa’ comes with Trump skyscraper in Dubai
13:36 , James LiddellTrump is set to expand his property empire into Dubai – with a new 80-story skyscraper.
Plans have been unveiled for Trump Hotel & Residences Dubai in the heart of the UAE, measuring almost 1,150 feet with a swimming pool at the top.
Prices for two-bed apartments start at $1 million and the website for the property offers free 10-year “golden visas.”
The advertised golden visa does not specify which country it is for but in February, the President announced the concept of selling a “gold card” visa for $5 million, potentially offering wealthy buyers residency in the U.S. and granting them a pathway to citizenship.
Madeline Sherratt has the story:
Trump skyscraper in Dubai unveiled where apartments come with 10 year ‘golden visa’
Trump says he will rename Veterans Day as ‘Victory Day for World War I’
13:15 , James LiddellDonald Trump said that he wants to rename Veterans Day, which takes place annually on November 11 to remember fallen soldiers, to “Victory Day for World War I.”
The president said that he also wishes to celebrate May 8—which marks Victory in Europe (VE) Day—as “Victory Day for World War I.”
“We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything — That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday evening. “We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”
Trump also said that the U.S. “did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II.”
Trump: ‘We will take away Harvard’s tax exempt status’
13:04 , James LiddellTrump has issued his first announcment of the day: that his administration plans to rescind Harvard University’s tax exempt status.
“We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status. It’s what they deserve!,” he wrote on Truth Social.
The White House has previously threatened to rescind Harvard’s tax-exempt status and its eligibility to host foreign students after the university said it would not comply with a series of demands revolving around actions on antisemitism and the use of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on campus.
The administration had already announced a freeze of more than $2 billion in federal funds committed to the nation’s oldest university, which is likely to last well into the summer.
Harvard made a symbolic bow to White House demands after facing officials in court late last month, announcing that it would rename its DEI office.
Watch: JD Vance claims Waltz’s removal from NSA was ‘a promotion’
12:43 , James LiddellTim Walz says Kamala Harris picked him as running mate ‘to talk to white guys’
12:21 , James LiddellMinnesota Governor Tim Walz, who ran as Kamala Harris’s vice presidential nominee on the losing Democratic ticket in last year’s election, has said the former vice president picked him because he could “talk to white guys.”
Speaking at a Harvard Kennedy School forum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this week, Walz said the campaign had identified appealing to white working-class males as a weakness of their candidate and had looked to him to bridge the divide.
The governor said he was chosen ahead of the likes of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly because he could put white, rural voters “at ease” and provide “permission” for them to vote for Harris.
“I... was on the ticket, quite honestly, because I could code talk to white guys watching football, fixing their truck, doing that, then I could put them at ease,” he said.
Joe Sommerlad has more:
Tim Walz says Kamala Harris picked him as running mate ‘to talk to white guys’
'Internet people' like Elon Musk are 'kissing my a**,' Trump says
11:49 , James LiddellDonald Trump said that “internet people” who were staunch critics during the president’s first term are now “kissing my a**.”
Trump made the jab in front of the 2025 graduates of the University of Alabama on Thursday in a commencement speech that verged on campaign rally territory.
“If you look at some fo these internet people, I know so many of them. Elon is so terrific,” he said.
“They all hated me in my first term. And now they’re kissing my a**,” Trump said to laughs and cheers from the audience as it applauded. “All of them. It’s true.”
Rubio now holds four titles. It might be a record
11:23 , James LiddellDerided by Donald Trump as “Little Marco” in 2016, Marco Rubio has since become one of the most powerful cabinet members in the Trump administration.
Rubio previously held three roles that included secretary of state, acting administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development and acting archivist for the National Archives and Records Administration.
After Mike Waltz’s ousting, he has now be tasked with juggling a fourth: Trump’s interim national security adviser. The New York Times, which gave Rubio the sobriquet “Secretary of Everything,” noted it could be a record in the modern history of the U.S. government.
Trump announced Waltz and Rubio’s new roles on social media on Thursday.
The shake-up comes just weeks after the Signalgate scandal, where Waltz inadvertently added the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic into a chat discussing war plans in Yemen.
Trump taps Waltz for UN ambassador after national security adviser departure
10:57 , James LiddellPresident Donald Trump has tapped Mike Waltz to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations after ousting him as National Security Adviser.
The shake-up comes just weeks after the Signalgate scandal, where Waltz inadvertently added a journalist from The Atlantic into a chat discussing war plans in Yemen.
Trump announced the move in a post on Truth Social Thursday afternoon after reports of Waltz’s departure broke.
“I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations,” Trump said in the post.
“From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first. I know he will do the same in his new role.”
White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg and senior reporter Rhian Lubin have the full details:
Trump ousts Waltz – and then announces him as UN ambassador nominee
Trump ends 'big scam' China tariff loophole
10:48 , James LiddellJust after midnight Friday, the Trump administration eliminated a U.S. tariff exemption that led to the rise of Chinese e-commerce companies such as Shein and Temu, fueling fears that Americans who shop online will face higher prices.
The major shipping loophole, known as the de minimis exemption, allowed goods worth under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free as long as they were shipped directly to consumers or small businesses.
Use of the loophole ramped up after Trump imposed a 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods entering the U.S.
Trump vowed Wednesday he would “put an end to” the “big scam going on against our country.”
Packages from China and Hong Kong will now be taxed at 120 percent of their value or charged a flat rate with fees starting at $100 and set to increase to $200 on June 1.
Waltz in fresh Signal controversy
10:36 , James LiddellDonald Trump’s former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz faces fresh Signal controversy after being spotted using the messaging app during Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.
Waltz was photographed using the app a day before he was replaced with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and, instead, nominated as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, which requires Senate confirmation.
Vice President JD Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Rubio appeared to be among those who Waltz had recently been texting on the app.
It follows March’s Signalgate scandal, which saw Waltz mistakenly invite The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeff Goldberg to the “Houthi PC small group” Signal group that included top officials to discuss highly classified information about an impending U.S. strike in Yemen in March.
JD Vance suggests Waltz actually got a ‘promotion’
10:23 , James LiddellGood morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage.
Vice President JD Vance suggested that ousted National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who has been tapped as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, actually got a “promotion.”
“He wasn’t let go, he’s being made ambassador to the United Nations—which of course is a Senate-confirmed position—I think you could make a good argument that it’s a promotion,” Vance told Fox News’ Brett Baier Thursday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be stepping in as an interim adviser, while Waltz would move on to the new role, President Donald Trump announced earlier on Thursday.
The Independent's live coverage has paused for the evening
04:09 , Michelle Del ReyPlease come back tomorrow for more breaking news
Trump concludes his remarks by telling students he's connected to Alabama
03:28 , Michelle Del Rey“From the first day I set my foot on this beautiful soil, I connected with Alabama,” Trump said.
“And here in Alabama, we believe that the men and women who built this country are heroes, and that America's destiny is to be the single greatest nation on the face of the earth, and we're bringing it back at a speed that nobody thought was possible.”
Trump encourages students to pursue their ambitions
02:19 , Andrew Feinburg“If you're here today and think that you're too young to do something great, let me tell you that you are wrong. You're not too young. You can have great success at a very young age,” said Trump.
“Young people can do anything. I was 28 when I took my first big gamble to develop a hotel in Midtown ... and it worked out incredibly well.”
The president encouraged students to push themselves further, find their limits and find a career they love.
“I rarely see somebody who's successful that doesn't love what he or she does. I had a lot of different careers, but I loved real estate so much, and I was very successful in real estate because I loved it."
Trump continues remarks by telling students not to 'waste your youth'
02:00 , Andrew FeinburgThe majority of the president’s remarks echoed versions of his rally speeches.
Trump began his comments by thanking various Alabama officials.
He encouraged students not to “waste their youth.”
“Ancient wisdom is being rediscovered in the best and strongest place, coming back for all to see bigger, better and greater than ever, coming back,” he said.
Trump added remarks about his first 100 days in office.
“The people that have rejected the voices of a failed establishment, you saw that in the election, we turned the page of endless wars, crippling debt, open borders, ruinous situation and a lack of respect for our country and for its leaders, but we're turning them all around, and we're turning around very fast. We will very quickly make America great again.”
The president is delivering a commencement address at the University of Alabama
01:52 , Michelle Del ReyTrump began speaking around 8 p.m. He touted his administration’s recent accomplishments on the military, border crossings and tariffs.
He walked out on stage to cheers of “USA! USA!”
Hegseth orders Army to cut costs by merging some commands and slashing jobs
Friday 2 May 2025 00:55 , APThe Army is planning a sweeping transformation that will merge or close headquarters, dump outdated vehicles and aircraft, slash as many as 1,000 headquarters staff in the Pentagon and shift personnel to units in the field, according to a new memo and U.S. officials familiar with the changes.
In a memo released Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the transformation to “build a leaner, more lethal force.” Discussions about the changes have been going on for weeks, including decisions to combine a number of Army commands.
U.S. officials said as many as 40 general officer slots could be cut as a result of the restructuring. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues.
Read on...
Hegseth orders Army to cut costs by merging some commands and slashing jobs
Trump’s tariffs will cost GM an extra $5 billion in 2025
Friday 2 May 2025 00:35 , Oliver O'ConnellGeneral Motors says that the fallout caused by Donald Trump’s chaotic global tariffs will increase its annual costs by up to five billion dollars.
On Thursday, the major U.S. car manufacturer cut profit forecasts for 2025 by 20 percent, with executives predicting the company was now expected to make between $8.2 billion and $10.1 billion in 2025.
This is down from a previous forecast of $11.2 to $12.5 billion.
Mike Bedigan reports.
GM warns Trump tariffs will cost the car manufacturer an extra $5 billion in 2025
Trump tired of waiting for new Air Force One
Thursday 1 May 2025 21:41 , Oliver O'ConnellTired of waiting for Boeing to make a new Air Force One, President Donald Trump’s administration is now revamping a plane once used by the Qatari government, according to a report.
“I’m not happy with Boeing,” the president said in February, referring to the Air Force One program. "We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something."
Now, his administration seems to be doing just that.
Here’s Kelly Rissman with the details.
Tired of waiting for Boeing’s new Air Force One, Trump is refurbishing a Qatari plane
Watch: Amusing moment Vance mistakes reporter for steelworker
Thursday 1 May 2025 21:37 , Oliver O'ConnellDuring a tour of Nucor Steel Berkeley in Huger, South Carolina, Vice President JD Vance accidentally shook hands with pool reporter Reese Gorman of NOTUS.
Realizing he was a reporter in a hard hat, not a steelworker, Vance laughs: “Oh, you guys are just reporters. You guys got all the shit on, I couldn't tell.”
JD Vance tours Nucor Steel Berkeley in Huger South Carolina pic.twitter.com/fgmDUIJmlJ
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) May 1, 2025
Marco 'four jobs' Rubio?
Thursday 1 May 2025 21:22 , Oliver O'ConnellYes, it’s true — Marco Rubio now has four jobs.
https://t.co/MPXNS6TQD8 pic.twitter.com/1ybFqFpMXL
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) May 1, 2025
Another fun fact: the only other person to serve as both secretary of state and national security adviser was Henry Kissinger — and he did it for just over two years.
Rubio is only the second person to serve as both secretary of state & national security adviser. Henry Kissinger served in both roles for a little over two years https://t.co/MAKbhaNDTk
— Jennifer Hansler (@jmhansler) May 1, 2025
Faces of Trump’s deportation push — who is falling victim to the immigration crackdown?
Thursday 1 May 2025 21:10 , Oliver O'ConnellJosh Marcus writes:
Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to rapidly and brutally expel millions of immigrants.
In his first 100 days in office, he has bent every part of the government toward that goal, cracking down on non-citizen activists, invoking emergency wartime authorities, skirting court orders to stop deportation flights, pulling humanitarian protections from hundreds of thousands, and attempting to ignore the Constitution and end birthright citizenship.
In a White House defined by chaos, immigration may be the only place where the Trump administration is consistent.
For the millions of immigrants across the U.S., this has meant consistent anxiety. Will they be detained and deported without warning? Do they still have rights to protest? Will the courts check Trump, and will Trump obey the courts?
Four different immigrants and their families told The Independent about what it’s like living through this age of uncertainty. The Independent has contacted the relevant federal agencies and officials for comment on the below cases.
Continue reading...
Faces of Trump’s people falling victim to Trump’s immigration crackdown
Waltz's UN ambassador confirmation hearing will revive Signalgate questions
Thursday 1 May 2025 21:00 , Oliver O'ConnellTo become Donald Trump’s UN ambassador, Mike Waltz will have to go through the full confirmation process, including a public hearing.
This will undoubtedly lead to more discussion of the Signalgate debacle and his role in it.
That in turn could lead to more pressure on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for his posts to the infamous group chat that included sensitive military information on the strikes against the Houthis.
One House Republican told Politico: “Are we sure the confirmation hearing isn’t more punishment?”
Meanwhile, Jennifer Griffin, national security correspondent for Fox News, tweeted: “Hegseth safe after Waltz pushed out of National Security role and sent to UN.”
Sources tell Fox: Hegseth safe after Waltz pushed out of National Security role and sent to UN. Hegseth threatens Iran with military action in late night tweet as the US enters its 48th day of daily bombing strikes on Houthis in Yemen. Houthi drone caused US to lose 67 million…
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) May 1, 2025
She continues: “Hegseth threatens Iran with military action in late night tweet as the US enters its 48th day of daily bombing strikes on Houthis in Yemen. Houthi drone caused US to lose 67 million dollar F18 Monday as cost of US war against the Houthis rises.”
The embattled Hegseth received a specific shoutout from the president at today’s National Prayer Day event at the White House.
Speaking of Signal, a photo has emerged of Waltz checking the messaging app in the middle of yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.
Waltz appears to be ..checking Signal here. Some admin official names visible too. https://t.co/n9rmS1pnGJ
— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) May 1, 2025
Messages can be seen from JD Vance, Tulsi Gabbard, Marco Rubio, and Steve Witkoff.
Here it is zoomed in:
Photos show Mike Waltz literally checking Signal during the cabinet meeting (via Reuters) pic.twitter.com/XCxn6Tja4I
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) May 1, 2025
Trump's tariffs are making it more expensive to have kids, even as he wants to boost the birthrate
Thursday 1 May 2025 20:51 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump has branded himself the 'Fertilization President' and wants Americans to have more children — but his and tariffs could make life for growing families a lot more difficult.
Car seats, strollers and other goods essential for raising an infant will be impacted by Trump’s trade war with China, with expectant families stocking up on items as baby stores worry about their futures.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Trump issues warning to countries buying Iranian oil
Thursday 1 May 2025 20:43 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump has issued a warning to any country or person buying Iranian oil or petrochemicals.
He wrote on Truth Social:
ALERT: All purchases of Iranian Oil, or Petrochemical products, must stop, NOW! Any Country or person who buys ANY AMOUNT of OIL or PETROCHEMICALS from Iran will be subject to, immediately, Secondary Sanctions. They will not be allowed to do business with the United States of America in any way, shape, or form. Thank you for your attention to this matter, PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
Would Americans rather buy expensive US dolls over Chinese dolls?
Thursday 1 May 2025 20:32 , Oliver O'ConnellWhite House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller argued in front of the press corps on Thursday that Americans would rather buy more expensive American dolls for their children than Chinese-made ones amid President Donald Trump’s trade war with China.
Miller’s comments come after Trump’s remark on Wednesday that parents may have to buy fewer toys for their children because of the tariffs.
Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, D.C.
Stephen Miller claims Americans would rather buy expensive US dolls over Chinese ones
