Trump shares image of Abrego Garcia tattoos, claims they are MS-13 gang related

President Donald Trump has posted about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, shortly after Sen. Van Hollen held a press conference following his trip to meet the Maryland man in El Salvador.

Trump posted a photo of Abrego Garcia's hand which had several tattoos on his knuckles.

"This is the hand of the man that the Democrats feel should be brought back to the United States, because he is such 'a fine and innocent person,'" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"They said he is not a member of MS-13, even though he's got MS-13 tattooed onto his knuckles, and two Highly Respected Courts found that he was a member of MS-13, beat up his wife, etc. I was elected to take bad people out of the United States, among other things. I must be allowed to do my job. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

The tattoos appear to include a marijuana leaf, a smiley face, a cross and a skull, which some people have claimed are an acronym for MS-13.

Judge orders detained Tufts University student to be brought to Vermont

A federal judge on Friday ordered that a Turkish Tufts University student, who was arrested in Boston by ICE agents and taken to a Louisiana detention center, to be returned to Vermont for a May 1 hearing.

Lawyers for Rumeysa Ozturk had requested that she be released immediately, or at least brought back to Vermont, where she was initially taken after her arrest in the Boston suburb of Somerville on March 25.

U.S. District Judge William Sessions said he would hear Ozturk's request to be released.

Lawyers say the 30-year-old doctoral student was taken by immigration officials in retaliation for an op-ed piece she co-wrote in the student newspaper.

An immigration judge denied her request for bond Wednesday.

Three takeaways from Chris Van Hollen's talk with Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Democratic Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen's visit to El Salvador has renewed interest in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a resident of the state who was mistakenly deported to the country.

The senator traveled to El Salvador this week to press for Abrego Garcia's release and personally met with him in a hotel restaurant in San Salvador.

During a press conference at Dulles International Airport upon his return on Friday, Van Hollen criticized the deportation and outlined conditions Garcia faced.

"This is about safeguarding the constitutional rights of everyone living in the United States," he said.

Read in full from Kate Nalepinski on Newsweek.

Judge Boasberg calls emergency hearing amid reports Trump admin is resuming deportations under Alien Enemies Act

Judge James Boasberg has called an emergency hearing on Friday evening after ACLU lawyers claimed that the Trump administration was imminently planning to deport a group of Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act.

The New York Times reporters that more than 50 Venezuelan migrants were expected to be deported from the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Anson, Texas, possibly to El Salvador.

In an emergency motion filed in Federal District Court in Abilene, ACLU attorneys reported that detainees were receiving notifications that they might be deported as early as Friday night or Saturday morning.

They urged Judge James Wesley Hendrix to issue an emergency order, but when he failed to issue an immediate ruling, the ACLU filed a similar appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans.

DHS 'bombshell' report on Kilmar Abrego Garcia is about a traffic stop

A newly released Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador who was deported by the Trump administration, cites a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee as the catalyst for labeling the Maryland sheet metal worker a gang-affiliated human trafficker.

The report, issued by Homeland Security Investigations' Combined Intelligence Unit—and called a "bombshell" by DHS in its press release—outlines the circumstances of a December 1, 2022, traffic stop in which Tennessee Highway Patrol officers pulled over Abrego Garcia for speeding on Interstate 40 while he was traveling with eight other people in the vehicle.

According to the DHS summary, officers noted eight other individuals in the vehicle and no visible luggage, prompting suspicions of human trafficking. All passengers reportedly gave Abrego Garcia's home address as their own, according to the report.

Read in full from Jesus Mesa on Newsweek.

WATCH: Sen. Van Hollen calls for end to 'illegal abduction' of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

El Salvador officials initially wanted meeting with Abrego Garcia to 'happen by pool'

Sen. Van Hollen said on Friday that El Salvadoran President Bukele's administration had initially wanted his meeting with Abrego Garcia to "happen by pool."

The meeting eventually took place at Van Hollen's hotel where he says government officials had quietly added margarita glasses to their table for a photo op.

"They want to create this appearance that life was just lovely for Kilmar," the Maryland senator said.

Van Hollen says El Salvador moved Abrego Garcia from CECOT because it was 'feeling the pressure'

Sen. Van Hollen said that he believes that El Salvador officials had moved Kilmar Abrego Garcia out of CECOT, and allowed him to meet with the Maryland father, because they were "feeling the pressure."

Multiple Democrats have pledged to fight for the return of Abrego Garcia, while the courts have ruled that he should be returned to the United States. Media around the world has also been following the case closely.

Officials had initially refused to allow Van Hollen to meet Abrego Garcia but they eventually relented during his high-profile visit.

Abrego Garcia has been moved to another prison in El Salvador, says Van Hollen

Sen. Chris Van Hollen told a press conference that Maryland father Kilmar Abrego Garcia had told him he'd been transferred out of the notorious supermax prison CECOT, into another jail in El Salvador.

Abrego Garcia told the senator that after being deported to El Salvador, he'd been placed in a cell with about 25 other prisoners.

He stayed there for several weeks but then nine days ago, as political pressure ramped up around the case, he was moved from CECOT to another detention center in Santa Ana "where the conditions are better."

"But despite the better conditions he still has no access to any news from the outside," Van Hollen said.

The Maryland senator said that Abrego Garcia was "traumatized" from being at CECOT where he was fearful of prisoners in other cell blocks, who taunted him.

Van Hollen warns Abrego Garcia case is about more than just one man

Sen. Van Hollen told reporters, at his Friday press conference after returning from El Salvador, that Kilmar Abrego Garcia's case was bigger than just one person; "it's about protecting the constitutional rights of everybody who resident in the United States of America."

"If you deny the constitutional rights of one man, you threaten the constitutional rights of due process to everyone else in America," he said.

Sen. Van Hollen explains 'Margaritagate'

Sen. Chris Van Hollen told reporters on Friday that the glasses of margaritas that he and Abrego Garcia were supposedly drinking during their meeting in El Salvador, had been nothing more than a publicity stunt by President Nayib Bukele.

Van Hollen addressed "Margaritagate" after photos of the scene were shared by the El Salvadoran president, sparking outrage among certain sectors online.

"So here's what happened," the Maryland senator said. "When I first sat down with Kilmar, we just had glasses of water. Maybe some coffee. Then as we were talking, one of the government people came over and deposited two other glasses on the table - with ice and, I don't know if it was salt or sugar round the top - but it looked like margaritas.

"If you look at the one they put in front of Kilmar, it actually had a little less liquid than the one they gave me, to try to make it look, I assume, like he drank out of it.

"Let me just be very clear, neither of us touched the drinks that were in front of us. and if you want to play a little Sherlock Holmes. If you want to look at the video or picture I sent out from the beginning of our meeting, you will see there's no glasses."

He added that when someone drinks out of a glass with a salt or sugar rim, there would be a gap where they drank.

"There is no gap, nobody drank any margaritas or sugar water ore whatever it was . But this is a lesson. It shows the lengths that President Bukele will do to deceive people about what's going on. It also shows the lengths that the Trump administration and the president will go to because when he was asked by a reporter about this, he just went along for the ride."

Sen. Van Hollen reveals what Kilmar Abrego Garcia told him during their meeting in El Salvador

Sen. Chris Van Hollen is holding a press conference after arriving back in the U.S. from a trip to El Salvador on Friday.

The Maryland senator flew down to the Central American country to meet with his constituent Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported there by the Trump administration.

Van Hollen told reporters that that first thing that Abrego Garcia had told him, with tears in his eyes, that "he missed [his wife Jennifer] and his family."

Sen. Van Hollen holding press conference after trip to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Sen. Chris Van Hollen is holding a press conference after arriving back in the U.S. from a trip to El Salvador on Friday.

The Maryland senator flew down to the Central American country to meet with his constituent Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported there by the Trump administration.

Van Hollen also met with El Salvador Vice President Félix Ulloa to press for the father-of-three's release.

Meanwhile President Trump and his administration claim Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member and have said that he will never be allowed to return to the U.S.

Abrego Garcia was arrested in 2019 and accused of being a member of the MS-13 gang, which the Trump administration has designated a foreign terrorist organization. Abrego Garcia denied being a member of the gang but two judges, in separate rulings, concluded that he was an MS-13 member, based on confidential information provided to the court. Nonetheless he was shielded from deportation to his homeland because he said that he would targeted by MS-13's gangland rivals.

Abrego Garcia was deported anyway to El Salvador after being arrested last month in what the Trump Administration lawyers said was an "administrative error". His family denies any ties to gangs and Abrego Garcia has no criminal record in the United States, although his wife accused him of domestic violence and obtained a restraining order against him. She now says they have been reconciled.

Trump says federal workers to disagree with his policies 'should no longer have a job'

President Donald Trump has warned that federal employees working on policy that disagree with his "policy interests" should be fired.

The Office of Personnel Management will shortly be issuing new regulations for government employees who work on policy matters, according to the president.

They "will be classified as "Schedule Policy/Career," and will be held to the highest standards of conduct and performance," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday.

"If these government workers refuse to advance the policy interests of the President, or are engaging in corrupt behavior, they should no longer have a job. This is common sense, and will allow the federal government to finally be "run like a business." We must root out corruption and implement accountability in our Federal Workforce!"

OPINION: How the bond markets tamed Trump

Two weeks ago, President Donald Trump confidently announced his long-awaited reciprocal tariffs in a widely viewed Rose Garden address. Essentially unchecked by members of his own party and appearing more confident than ever, the president imposed steep tariffs on allies and adversaries alike. Even a sinking stock market couldn't convince President Trump to pause his tariffs. Then the bond market forced him to fold.

Last week brought a frenzied trading session in the bond markets as investors dumped bonds overnight—sending the 30-year Treasury yield briefly above 5 percent. To put this in context, the annual change in market yield is often less than the two-day change of 65 bps the market experienced last week.

The next morning, President Trump unilaterally paused for 90 days the implementation of some of the historic tariffs imposed on our trading partners.

"I was watching the bond market. I saw last night where people were getting a little queasy," President Trump admitted. "Over the last few days, it looked pretty glum—to, I guess they say it was the biggest day in financial history. That's a pretty big change."

Trump's concern was warranted—a shock recession with prolonged slower economic growth would end his presidency overnight and have long-lasting economic repercussions, including a debt spiral. The bond market sent a warning shot and Trump responded accordingly.

Buyers purchase bonds with the expectation of a stream of interest payments plus principal repayment at the end of the term. Once someone purchases a bond, he is free to sell this asset on the open market. The price received will decline as interest rates rise overall; after all, why would someone pay face value for the right to receive, say, 3 percent interest payments per year on a bond if he could purchase another newly issued bond at 4 percent or 5 percent? To account for an increase in interest rates, the price of the existing bond will decline.

Read the full opinion piece by Advancing American Freedom Board Chairman Marc Short and Policy Advisor Joel Griffith on Newsweek.

DNC vice chair defends primary push: 'We need a better democratic party'

Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg defended his plan to fund primary challenges against House Democrats in safe blue districts, saying on X that "we need a better democratic party."

The effort comes through Leaders We Deserve, a political group Hogg runs to support younger progressive candidates. The New York Times first reported the group's plan to target entrenched Democratic incumbents, which drew criticism from some in the party.

Hogg argued that the move is necessary to push the party forward, calling some current lawmakers "asleep at the wheel." He said Democrats in safe seats who aren't meeting the moment are a "liability" to the party's future.

Van Hollen returns from El Salvador as fight over deported Maryland man deepens

Sen. Chris Van Hollen flew back to the U.S. Friday after meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration. Despite growing pressure from Democrats and a federal court order, both President Donald Trump and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele have refused to allow Abrego Garcia's return.

Bukele posted images of Van Hollen's visit to the prison where Abrego Garcia is being held, calling it an "honor" to keep him in custody. The White House echoed that stance, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt declaring he will "never live in the United States of America again."

The case has become a political flashpoint, with Democrats framing it as part of a broader battle over Trump's defiance of court rulings. A federal appeals court criticized the administration's refusal to act, calling it "shocking."

Republicans have doubled down, accusing Abrego Garcia of MS-13 ties — allegations his lawyers deny and say are unsupported by evidence. Sen. John Cornyn said Democrats are "divorced from reality" for pushing the case.

Van Hollen, who has vowed to keep fighting, said Abrego Garcia was "abducted" and never should have been deported. While he posted a photo from their meeting, he has yet to reveal further details.

Meanwhile, ICE has admitted the deportation was an "administrative error," but the administration has made no move to correct it. Courts have ordered further testimony from officials, and more lawmakers from both parties are traveling to El Salvador, either to support or protest the administration's actions.

Trump administration fights contempt ruling over El Salvador deportations

The Trump administration has filed an emergency motion asking a federal appeals court to block a judge's contempt order tied to deportation flights to El Salvador.

In the filing with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Department of Justice argued that U.S. District Judge James Boasberg's order was vague and did not clearly direct them to turn back flights deporting individuals under the Alien Enemies Act. Boasberg had issued a temporary restraining order on March 15 halting such deportations.

Earlier this week, Boasberg found the administration in contempt for what he described as a "willful disregard" of his order. He said the government failed to offer a satisfactory explanation for continuing the deportations and warned officials could face prosecution if they don't take steps to reverse the actions.

The administration pushed back, saying the judge's ruling stems from a "nonexistent case of criminal contempt" and that holding officials accountable for a misreading of unclear language would be unconstitutional.

The DOJ urged the appeals court to intervene quickly to prevent what it called an escalating constitutional clash.

Court blocks Trump administration from ending Venezuelan protections

A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a lower court's order preventing the Trump administration from ending temporary legal protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans living in the U.S.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Department of Homeland Security's emergency request, saying the government failed to show it would suffer irreparable harm without an immediate stay.

Earlier, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen ruled that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem unlawfully reversed protections granted under the Biden administration. The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program allows an estimated 350,000 Venezuelans to live and work in the U.S. and was set to expire earlier this month.

Chen criticized the administration's actions as arbitrary and possibly driven by racial animus, citing derogatory comments made by Noem and Trump. The DOJ argues the secretary has broad authority over TPS decisions, but the court said the move put livelihoods and communities at risk.

Trump calls Sen. Van Hollen 'fake' over deportation meeting

Trump criticized Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Friday, calling him "fake" after the Maryland Democrat traveled to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a man mistakenly deported by U.S. officials.

"They're all fake, and they have no interest in that prisoner," Trump said, claiming Abrego Garcia has a "bad" record. The administration alleges he is tied to the MS-13 gang, though his legal team denies the link, and a federal judge has questioned the evidence.

Van Hollen's visit and photo with Abrego Garcia drew backlash from conservatives. Trump earlier labeled the senator a "GRANDSTANDER!!!" on Truth Social and highlighted a contrasting Oval Office photo with Patty Morin, whose daughter was killed by an undocumented immigrant.

RFK Jr.'s ideas are catching on across the U.S.

Many of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's ideas have faced criticism from public health experts, but some are catching on across the United States.

Kennedy's position as President Donald Trump's HHS secretary gives him the authority to reshape public health policy in the U.S. Some of his ideas—such as improving Americans' diets and support for unprocessed foods—have received bipartisan support and are not particularly controversial.

But some of his views around vaccinations, raw milk and whether fluoride should be in the water, however, have faced staunch opposition from public health experts who believe those ideas, if implemented as formal policy, could pose risks to Americans' health.

States and communities across the country are implementing some of these policies, particularly those ideas aimed at promoting healthier diets and removing fluoride from drinking water.

Read in full from Andrew Stanton on Newsweek.

Judge declines immediate action in AP-White House access dispute

A federal judge declined Friday to immediately enforce his own order requiring the Trump administration to stop blocking Associated Press reporters from presidential events, citing the need for more time to evaluate compliance.

The case centers on the White House excluding AP staff over the outlet's refusal to adopt the administration's preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico. Judge Trevor McFadden previously ruled the ban violated First Amendment protections but said Friday it's too early to determine whether the White House is defying his order.

While an AP photographer was recently allowed back into the Oval Office, reporters remain largely excluded. The White House said an AP reporter will be added to Saturday's coverage rotation. AP's attorney argued the new access policy is designed to diminish the outlet's influence.

McFadden acknowledged concerns about possible "malicious compliance" but said he would not micromanage the situation or assume bad faith.

WATCH: Rubio say US to decide fate of Ukraine peace deal in 'a matter of days'

What happened Trump's White House press conference today? What we know

President Donald Trump was speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday when the press conference was brought to an abrupt stop.

It emerges that a young girl had fainted during the event, according to reporting by the Associated Press and confirmed to Newsweek by the White House.

The girl was a guest of Dr. Mehmet Oz who was being sworn in as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Oz quickly rushed to her side and the girl was able to get on her feet before she was helped out of the room.

"We are happy to say she is okay," a White House spokesperson responded to Newsweek via email.

WATCH: Trump: 'Not in a rush' to strike Iran, it can 'live happily without death'

Donald Trump's news conference ends suddenly

President Donald Trump was speaking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Mehmet Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services but suddenly stopped taking questions.

Trump was responding to questions about Iran's nuclear program when the press briefing abruptly ended after a young girl fainted, according to reporting by the Associated Press and confirmed to Newsweek by the White House.

The girl was a guest of Oz, who quickly rushed to her side. Though she was able to stand, she was assisted out of the room.

"We are happy to say she is okay," a White House spokesperson responded to Newsweek via email.

Trump once again calls on Fed chair Jerome Powell to cut rates

President Trump once again called on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates.

"Prices are coming down, not going up," Trump said on Friday, "The only thing that's even are interest rates. If we had a Fed chairman who understood what he was doing then interest rates would be going down. He should bring them down."

Trump has repeatedly criticized Powell for not cutting the rates and suggested he could remove him from the position — a move that would trigger a major legal battle over the political independence of the central bank.

"If I want him out, he'll be out of there real fast, believe me," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday. "I'm not happy with him."

Trump's frustration also stems from his belief that inflation is no longer a problem, saying, "we have essentially no inflation," despite the Fed's continued caution amid rising economic uncertainty driven in part by Trump's own tariff policies.

Trump makes prediction on gas prices

President Trump has made a prediction on gas prices as he touted the United States' fairly strong economy despite the market turmoil and recession warnings triggered by his trade war.

"Gasoline yesterday in three states hit $1.98 a gallon," Trump told the gathered press at the White House on Friday.

"I think we're going to be averaging $2.25 very soon."

He added egg prices, something he regularly promised to reduce on the campaign trail, were down 87 percent.

"You can have all the eggs you want. We have too many eggs," Trump said.

Egg prices have been dropping after a recent spike under the Biden administration due to outbreaks of bird flu which led to the culling of 100 million egg-laying chickens.

Trump vows no cuts to Medicare or Medicaid during Oz ceremony

During Mehmet Oz's swearing-in ceremony, Trump pledged to protect Medicare and Medicaid funding, saying, "We're not going to have any cuts, only help."

Trump said Oz would prioritize rooting out fraud and pledged to prevent "criminals, fraudsters, and illegal aliens" from taking advantage of senior citizens. "They're trying, but they won't get away with it," he said.

Trump has made similar promises in recent appearances, aiming to reassure older voters amid concerns over entitlement programs.

Trump reveals what will make him 'take a pass' on Russia-Ukraine peace talks

President Donald Trump has revealed what would make him "take a pass" on peace talks with Russia and Ukraine, just hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the U.S. walk away in a matter of days.

When asked if he agreed with Rubio's prediction, during a press event at the White House, Trump said he did not have a "specific number of days" in mind, but that he was prepared to turn his back if progress on the negotiations wasn't made "quickly."

"We want to get it done," Trump told reporters. "People are dying. We're goina get it stopped ideally now.

"If for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult. We're just goina say you're fools, you're fools, you're horrible people and we're just going to take a pass but hopefully we won't have to do that."

It was not clear whether Trump was referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who he has had a fractious relationship with.

"Everyday a lot of people are getting killed... as they play games. So we're not giona take that."

When asked if Putin had been stalling in the talks, Trump responded, "I hope not, you'll know about that soon if he is."

About 10,000 RFK assassination records released under Trump order

Roughly 10,000 pages of records tied to the 1968 assassination of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy were released Friday by the National Archives, following an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. The files include handwritten notes from the gunman, Sirhan Sirhan, who is serving a life sentence for killing Kennedy after his victory speech in California's Democratic primary.

One image shows a chilling message written on an envelope: "RFK must be disposed of like his brother was," with a return address linked to the IRS in Los Angeles. While many RFK-related documents had already been made public, hundreds remained undigitized for decades until now.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called the release "a long-overdue light on the truth," and credited Trump's push for transparency. The disclosure follows the recent release of files related to President John F. Kennedy's assassination.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now serving as health and human services secretary, praised both Trump and Gabbard for their efforts. "Lifting the veil on the RFK papers is a necessary step toward restoring trust in American government," he said.

Inmates whose sentences Biden commuted due over 'retaliatory' transfers to supermax prisons

More than 20 people whose death sentences were commuted by former President Joe Biden are suing over what they say was a retaliatory executive order by Donald Trump to punish them by transferring them to prisons with "conditions consistent with the monstrosity of their crimes."

The 21 inmates say they were reassigned from high-security prisons or federal medical centers to the maximum security prison in Florence, Colorado, which is generally reserved for the nation's most violent offenders.

The lawsuit states that the prison is the most restrictive in the country ans poses a risk to their mental and physical health.

An attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, claimed the men's housing assignments haven't yet been finalized.

The preliminary injunction hearing is expected in May.

White House slams Van Hollen, says Abrego Garcia is 'not coming back'

The White House pushed back Friday against Senator Chris Van Hollen and a judge's order involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man deported under accusations of gang ties. Officials insisted Abrego Garcia is "NOT coming back," despite a court ruling to facilitate his return.

In a post on X, the White House shared a New York Times headline altered in red to read: "Senator Meets With Deported MS-13 Illegal Alien in El Salvador Who's Never Coming Back," with the caption, "Fixed it for you, @NYTimes."

Federal judge halts mass firings at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with plans to fire hundreds of employees at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The decision comes amid an ongoing legal battle over the bureau's future.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said she is "deeply concerned" that the administration is not following her earlier ruling, which temporarily preserves the bureau until the court can fully consider a lawsuit aimed at keeping it intact. She ordered that no mass layoffs or system access cuts take place until further notice.

"I'm willing to resolve it quickly, but I'm not going to let this RIF go forward until I have," Jackson said during a hearing, referring to the proposed reduction in force. She scheduled another hearing for April 28 to hear from officials involved in the process.

The administration's plan would eliminate about 1,500 positions, leaving just 200 staffers at the bureau. The Trump White House has argued that the federal government is bloated with inefficiency and targeted the CFPB for downsizing, with adviser Elon Musk helping lead the effort through the Department of Government Efficiency.

Trump floats US-Europe meeting in Italy after Meloni meeting

President Trump is planning an official trip to Italy "in the very near future" which may also include a meeting between U.S. and Europe," the White House said.

The suggestion for both the visit, and for Trump to meet with European leaders amid his international trade war, were made by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni during her meeting at the White House on Thursday.

Both Meloni and Trump appeared to gel, agreeing on several conservative talking points such as cracking down on illegal immigration and "woke ideology."

Trump lavished praise on her on Friday, in a Truth Social post, saying, "Prime Minister Georgia Meloni of Italy was great yesterday in her visit to the White House. She loves her country, and the impression she left on everyone was FANTASTIC!!! DJT."

On Friday, Vice President JD Vance met again with Meloni, this time on her home turf in Italy during his trip to Rome and the Vatican.

"I've been missing you," Meloni jokingly told Vance as he entered the courtyard of Chigi Palace, the premier's office, just one day after their Oval Office meeting.

The White House and Meloni's office on Friday issued a joint statement that said Trump would visit Italy "in the very near future." "There is also consideration to hold, on such occasion, a meeting between U.S. and Europe," the statement said.

How much should environment's impact on autism be studied? Expert weighs in

A leading national autism researcher refutes statements made by U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding environmental factors being primarily to blame for a drastic increase in known national cases.

On Wednesday, Kennedy highlighted what he described as an "epidemic running rampant" of autism cases nationwide, following a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study released this week showing that autism prevalence has increased from 1 in 36 children to 1 in 31—4.8 times higher than in the first ADDM survey released 22 years ago, when prevalence was 1 in 150 children.

During his press conference, Kennedy partially blamed "epidemic denial" on the mainstream media and claimed that more research and awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not indicative of the rise in rates.

"We know it's environmental exposure," Kennedy said on Wednesday. "It has to be. Genes do not cause epidemics. They can provide a vulnerability, but you need an environmental toxin."

Read the full story by Nick Mordowanec on Newsweek.

Vance not set to meet pop during Vatican trip after Francis' rebuke of Trump administration

JD Vance, a Catholic convert, is on a trip to Vatican City with his wife and three children this week.

The vice president, who attended Good Friday services in St. Peter's Basilica on Friday afternoon, is scheduled to meet with the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin this weekend.

However, it does not appear that a meeting with Pope Francis is on the cards for the trip.

Francis, 88, has cut back on his work schedule after a serious bout of double pneumonia left him hospitalized for several weeks. The Good Friday service was presided over by a Vatican cardinal and it's unclear whether Francis will take part in this weekend's Easter services.

There may also be another reason why the pope has not scheduled time for a meeting with Vance. The pair disagreed over Trump's mass deportation policy and Francis publicly criticized the administration's deportation plans in February warning they would deprive migrants of their inherent dignity.

Anyone schooled in Christianity "cannot fail to make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that tacitly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality," Francis said.

He also specifically rebuked Vance's attempt to defend the administration's America-first crackdown by citing a medieval Catholic theology known in Latin as "ordo amoris" which he said delineates a hierarchy of care — to family first, followed by neighbor, community, fellow citizens and lastly those elsewhere.

In his letter, Francis appeared to correct Vance's understanding of the concept.

"Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extend to other persons and groups," he wrote. "The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the 'Good Samaritan,' that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception."

Regulatory relief for certain stationary sources to promote American energy, Trump says

President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation delaying compliance with a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule aimed at limiting hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants. The move exempts 47 facilities from the updated Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule for two additional years, pushing their compliance deadline to July 2029.

Trump's order argues that the EPA's 2024 rule imposes unrealistic standards by requiring technology that is not yet commercially viable. The administration claims that forcing compliance by 2027 would jeopardize grid reliability, eliminate jobs, and threaten national energy security.

The exemption covers dozens of power plants across the country, including facilities operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, Southern Company, and NRG Energy. Until 2029, these plants will remain subject to the original MATS standards rather than the stricter requirements introduced last year.

The White House justified the move under the Clean Air Act, citing national security concerns and a lack of available technology to meet the new emissions standards.

Hassett reconsiders Trump's authority to remove Fed Chair Powell

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said Friday that the Trump administration is reviewing new legal guidance on whether President Donald Trump can remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell—marking a notable shift from Hassett's earlier stance.

Hassett, who now leads the National Economic Council, had previously defended the Fed's independence. In his 2021 book, he warned that Trump's earlier threats to fire Powell could have severely harmed the central bank's credibility and triggered market instability.

On Friday, however, Hassett told reporters that the situation and legal interpretations may have changed. "I think that at that time, the market was at a completely different place," he said. "If there's new legal analysis that says something different, then it would be a different market response, as well."

Trump claimed Thursday that he had the power to remove Powell, saying, "If I want him out, he'll be out of there real fast." When asked whether that was a real option, Hassett responded that the president's team is still studying the issue.

New York Republican HQ vandalized with swastikas

Police are investigating after the New York Republican Party headquarters in Albany was defaced with swastikas.

Pictures show that one Nazi symbol had been taped on the building's door, along with a sign reading, "If this is not what you stand for, prove it."

Nextsar reported a chalk message was also written on the sidewalk in front of the building that read, "Return Kilmar Now!" an apparent reference to Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

President Donald Trump's administration has faced significant criticism for not seeking the return of Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national who was flown to the Central American country and detained in a notorious prison because of an "administrative error." Officials alleged he was a member of the MS-13 gang, which the Trump administration designated as a terrorist organization.

Read in full from Ewan Palmer on Newsweek.

White House compares Trump and Sen. Van Hollen: 'We are not the same'

The White House has shared side by side photos of President Trump and Sen. Chris Van Hollen in an attempt to criticize the Maryland senator.

Trump was pictured in the White House with the mother of Rachel Morin, who was killed by an undocumented migrant, while Van Hollen was pictured meeting with mistakenly deported Maryland father Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador.

"We are not the same," the White House captioned the picture.

FSU student recounts terrifying campus shooting, calls for gun safety reform

Florida State University student Dakota Bages spoke with CNN's Sara Sidner on News Central Friday, sharing her firsthand account of Thursday's fatal campus shooting and her recent advocacy for gun control.

Just two days before the incident, Bages and classmates spoke out against Senate Provision Bill 7034, which proposes a major tax break on gun purchases. "We actually went to the Capitol... to speak out in opposition," Bages said, calling the timing of the shooting "such a crazy turn of events."

During the interview, Bages described the fear and chaos inside the campus library. As students sought cover, "some are crying, some are trying to keep their cool, others are screaming," she recalled. Makeshift barricades were formed with heavy desks as students waited in fear, unsure of what was happening outside.

The interview highlighted growing student frustration over Florida's gun policies in the wake of yet another campus tragedy.

White House gives update after Trump urges 'termination' of Fed's Powell

President Donald Trump's economic adviser Kevin Hassett provided an update Friday after the president renewed his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Asked by a reporter if firing Powell, is an option, Hassett said that "the president and team will continue to study that matter."

On Thursday, President Trump blasted Powell for not cutting interest rates and once again suggested he could remove him from the position — a move that would trigger a major legal battle over the political independence of the central bank.

"If I want him out, he'll be out of there real fast, believe me," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "I'm not happy with him."

Trump's remarks came shortly after a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he urged Powell to lower the Fed's short-term interest rate and declared, "Powell's termination cannot come fast enough!"

Powell's current term as Fed chair runs through May 2026.

White House backs lab leak theory as COVID-19 origin

The White House on Friday launched a new webpage asserting that a lab leak in China was the true origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. The page accuses public health officials of misleading the public and promoting a narrow view of the virus's source.

"Public health officials often mislead the American people through conflicting messaging, knee-jerk reactions, and a lack of transparency," the page states. It criticizes the government for sidelining alternative theories, including the lab leak theory, in what it calls "a shameful effort to coerce and control the American people's health decisions."

The Trump administration specifically targeted Dr. Anthony Fauci, accusing him of backing "the preferred narrative that COVID-19 originated naturally" and downplaying other possibilities.

The post reflects the administration's ongoing push to revisit pandemic policies and reshape the public narrative ahead of the 2024 election.

All AmeriCorps volunteers sent home from service amid DOGE cuts

AmeriCorps has ordered all National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) volunteers to return home, citing changes under a new Trump administration directive. In an internal email obtained by NBC News, the program blamed the decision on an executive order tied to DOGE's "Cost Efficiency Initiative."

The message informed volunteers that AmeriCorps is "working within new operational parameters" that prevent the program from continuing operations. As a result, all NCCC members are being sent to their homes of record and placed on administrative hold with pay through April 30. After that date, they will be formally exited from the program.

AmeriCorps NCCC, established in 1993, engages young adults in service projects ranging from disaster response to environmental work.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on X that the state plans to sue over the decision. "DOGE's actions to dismantle AmeriCorps threaten vulnerable Californians, disaster response and recovery, and economic opportunities," he wrote.

Sen. Van Hollen shares a photo of him meeting Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland says he finally met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia during his trip to El Salvador on Thursday.

Abrego Garcia's deportation by the Trump administration has triggered an uproar between Republicans and Democrats this week as the White House was previously ordered by the Supreme Court to facilitate his return after an "administrative error."

Van Hollen announced his trip to the Central American country on Tuesday, saying in part, "I'm flying to El Salvador tomorrow morning to check on his condition and discuss his return."

In a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday, Van Hollen wrote: "I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return."

Abrego Garcia case exposes clash over rights, immigration, and executive power

The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man mistakenly deported and imprisoned abroad, has become a flashpoint between Democrats and the Trump administration, pitting fundamental legal protections against immigration crackdowns.

Democrats are rallying around Abrego Garcia, arguing his case highlights a growing disregard for due process and court orders by the executive branch. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that he must be returned to the U.S., the Trump administration has refused, claiming he's a gang member based on informant testimony — though he was never criminally charged in the U.S.

"Without due process for all, we are all in danger," said Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen recently visited El Salvador and met with Abrego Garcia. Meanwhile, the White House has turned the situation into a broader narrative about dangerous immigrants, accusing Democrats of defending criminals.

Immigration remains a political strength for Trump. Polls show public support for deporting violent offenders, but less agreement on removing nonviolent undocumented immigrants. Still, Trump's defiance of court rulings could test that support.

A federal appeals court recently criticized the administration for acting as though it could imprison people abroad without basic legal protections. Rep. Glenn Ivey, who represents Abrego Garcia's former district, said the case is about more than immigration. "It's rapidly growing into a separation of powers conflict that could actually end up taking on historic proportions."

WATCH: Border czar Tom Homan defends Abrego Garcia deportation: 'We did the right thing'

Mack Trucks to lay off hundreds at Pennsylvania plant, citing Trump tariffs

Mack Trucks will lay off between 250 and 350 workers at its Lehigh Valley plant in Pennsylvania, with the company pointing to tariffs imposed under Trump as a contributing factor.

Company spokesperson Kimberly Pupillo said demand for heavy-duty trucks has dropped due to "market uncertainty about freight rates and demand, possible regulatory changes, and the impact of tariffs," according to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

The layoffs come as the trucking industry struggles with declining freight volumes and excess capacity. Earlier this week, logistics company JB Hunt reported an 8% drop in operating income compared to last year, a sign of broader weakness in the sector.

United Auto Workers Local 677 confirmed the layoffs in a letter to members, noting a planned reduction in production rates and lines. The facility employs over 3,000 people.

"This is the first time I have an official word from the company that there will be a layoff," wrote UAW shop chair Tim Hertzog.

Trump mocks Sen. Van Hollen for attempts to free Kilmar Abrego Garcia

President Donald Trump took aim at Democratic Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen in a Friday morning Truth Social post over his attempts to free mistakenly deported Maryland father Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Earlier this week, Van Hollen flew down to El Salvador where Abrego Garcia is being held in a maximum security mega-prison, along with 200 other deportees from the U.S., to advocate for his release in a meeting with the Central American country's vice president.

After much resistance, he was also able to speak to Abrego Garcia in the prison.

On Friday, Trump mocked Van Hollen, posting, that he "looked like a fool yesterday standing in El Salvador begging for attention from the Fake News Media, or anyone. GRANDSTANDER!!!"

Judges question whether Trump administration is ignoring court orders

Trump's executive decisions face serious scrutiny today as multiple federal judges examine whether his administration is disobeying court rulings and violating constitutional rights.

In Washington, D.C., Judge Amy Berman Jackson is holding a hearing on the mass firing of over 1,000 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau employees, a move critics say defies court orders meant to protect the agency's operations. Meanwhile, Judge Trevor McFadden is considering whether new White House restrictions on press access infringe on the First Amendment rights of the Associated Press.

These hearings come amid growing concern from the judiciary about the administration's actions. On Friday morning, the administration asked a federal appeals court to halt criminal contempt proceedings brought by Judge James Boasberg. He had ordered a halt to deportation flights sending migrants to a notorious prison in El Salvador, but reports suggest the flights continued anyway.

The pressure intensified after respected conservative judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III issued a warning Thursday. In a seven-page opinion, Wilkinson criticized the administration's handling of an immigration case, suggesting its actions threaten democratic principles.

"If today the Executive claims the right to deport without due process and in disregard of court orders," he wrote, "what assurance will there be tomorrow that it will not deport American citizens and then disclaim responsibility to bring them home?"

Trump administration demands Harvard turn over foreign funding info

The Education Department is demanding that Harvard University hand over details on its foreign funding including gifts, grants, and contracts with foreign sources.

It's part of the latest efforts from the Trump administration to force the Ivy League school to submit to its demands to change its hiring and student acceptance processes, stop most forms of student activism and more.

Nearly $2 billion in federal grants and loans to the university have been frozen by the administration, which is now threatening to revoke its tax exempt status and block it from enrolling international students as it ramps up the pressure on Harvard.

In the latest move to demand details on its foreign funding, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Harvard has "not been fully transparent or complete in its disclosures, which is both unacceptable and unlawful."

FDA job cuts hit critical support roles despite assurances from RFK Jr.

When Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced sweeping layoffs at his department last month, he assured the public that safety inspectors at the Food and Drug Administration wouldn't be affected. But while inspectors remain on the job, dozens of support staff have been let go, raising concerns about the agency's ability to carry out its mission.

The dismissed employees included those who managed international travel for inspectors, scientists who tested food for contamination, and communication staff who issued safety alerts. The FDA is now scrambling to hire private contractors to replace some of these roles, particularly for foreign travel coordination.

Critics say the loss of support staff will make it harder for FDA inspectors to do their jobs effectively. "Even if you didn't cut inspectors, you're reducing their support," said former FDA official Howard Sklamberg, per The Associated Press. "The natural result is going to be fewer inspections."

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the layoffs only affected administrative staff, not scientists or inspectors. However, the union representing FDA employees called the cuts "reckless" and a threat to public safety. The agency has already struggled to rebuild its inspection capacity post-pandemic, and recent attrition has outpaced hiring.

Some of the eliminated jobs supported Kennedy's own priorities, such as food safety and chemical regulation. Experts warn the impact could be long-lasting. "You're just losing entire skillsets and areas of expertise," said Susan Mayne, a former FDA official.

Trump admin releases previously classified Kennedy Files: What to know

President Donald Trump's administration on Friday released a tranche of previously classified documents related to the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.

"Nearly 60 years after the tragic assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, the American people will, for the first time, have the opportunity to review the federal government's investigation thanks to the leadership of President Trump. My team is honored that the President entrusted us to lead the declassification efforts and to shine a long-overdue light on the truth. I extend my deepest thanks for Bobby Kennedy and his families' support," Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard said in a statement with the released.

The Trump administration uploaded the documents to the National Archives webpage: archives.gov/research/rfk

Autism advocate criticizes RFK Jr.'s remarks as 'destructive' and 'heart-wrenching'

Author and autism advocate Eric Garcia sharply criticized recent comments by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during an interview on CNN This Morning. Garcia, who is on the autism spectrum, described Kennedy's framing of autism as a "preventable disease" as deeply harmful to the autism community.

Speaking with anchor Audie Cornish, Garcia said Kennedy's remarks were perceived as "corrosive" and "destructive," particularly among autistic individuals who already face stigma. "To hear the idea that they're responsible for the destruction of their families or be described in such dehumanizing language is heart-wrenching," he said.

Garcia also challenged Kennedy's interpretation of recent data on rising autism diagnoses, arguing the Secretary had misread a study that actually points to improved access to care for previously underserved groups. "This is a reason to celebrate," Garcia said, noting the progress in diagnosing children of color and those from low-income backgrounds.

Garcia is the author of We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation and serves as Washington bureau chief at The Independent.

Dollar sell-off raises concerns over confidence in U.S. economy

Among the growing risks tied to tariffs, economists say the sharp sell-off of the U.S. dollar may be one of the most alarming. While currency fluctuations are common, the recent drop in the dollar's value is being seen by some as a signal of waning global confidence in the U.S.

The dollar has long been central to international trade and investment, providing the U.S. with key advantages like lower borrowing costs and economic influence abroad. But as Trump pursues aggressive trade measures, some experts worry the shift may be undermining trust in the country's economic stability.

A weakened dollar could erode those long-standing benefits, posing new challenges at home and reducing Washington's financial leverage on the world stage.

Trump border czar on Kilmar Abrejo Garcia case: 'What we did was right'

Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's border czar, has defended the deportation of Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia, even after the Department of Justice said it was a mistake.

Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told CNN's Kaitlan Collins that he believes actions were done "right" in Garcia's case and that future decisions will come down to the DOJ.

Newsweek has contacted the DOJ for comment via email.

The Trump administration has faced significant criticism for not seeking the return of Garcia, a Salvadoran national who was flown to the Central American country because of an "administrative error." The White House risks a constitutional crisis if it continues to defy a U.S. Supreme Court ruling ordering the administration to "facilitate" Garcia's return.

Read the full story by Ewan Palmer on Newsweek.

Judge calls emergency hearing over massive CFPB layoffs

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson has ordered an emergency hearing for 11 a.m. ET today in Washington, D.C., to address sweeping layoffs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The move follows news that roughly 1,500 of the agency's 1,700 employees are being cut, according to the National Treasury Employees Union.

Layoff notices began going out Thursday, triggering immediate legal and labor concerns. The judge is requiring that a government official with direct knowledge of the terminations attend the hearing and explain how the cuts are being carried out.

Judge Jackson has also demanded that the administration submit internal documents related to the layoffs by 10 a.m. ET, an hour before the hearing begins, CNN reported.

Kleintop warns IMF may be underestimating trade war impact

In an interview Friday on CNN's Early Start, Charles Schwab Chief Global Investment Strategist Jeffrey Kleintop expressed skepticism about the International Monetary Fund's outlook on the global economy amid the U.S. trade war. Responding to IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva's comments that the world could avoid a recession, Kleintop pointed to past underestimations by the agency.

"They underestimated the duration of past crises by as much as 2.7 percentage points of GDP," Kleintop said, referencing events like the Gulf War and the pandemic.

Kleintop also raised concerns about the cost of ongoing trade tensions, highlighting how the complexity of global supply chains could drive up inflation and delay investment. He noted that the U.S. and Canada are likely to feel the sharpest economic effects.

He warned that uncertainty could pressure the U.S. administration into brokering new trade deals in the coming months.

Trump targets advocacy groups in latest push against civil institutions

After going after top law firms and elite universities, Trump is now setting his sights on U.S. advocacy groups. On Thursday, the president said his administration is examining the tax-exempt status of organizations like Harvard, environmental groups, and the government ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).

The remarks signaled what many advocacy groups have feared: that they are the next target in Trump's broader campaign to punish institutions seen as opposing him.

The move follows a pattern of threats aimed at institutions central to U.S. civil society, including legal and academic communities, often involving efforts to cut funding or undermine credibility. Trump's critics say the latest focus on advocacy groups continues a trend of trying to weaken independent checks on power.

New US ambassador to Israel places Trump note in Western Wall

Mike Huckabee, the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, placed a handwritten note from former President Donald Trump into the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Friday, calling it his "first act" in the role. The message, scrawled on a small piece of paper, read: "For peace in Israel - DT."

Huckabee, who was confirmed last week, told reporters that Trump gave him the note to deliver personally. Wearing a yarmulke and a yellow ribbon in support of hostages held in Gaza, Huckabee also offered a short prayer at the site, which is considered the holiest place where Jews can pray.

A longtime supporter of Israel, Huckabee said Trump is "praying for the peace of Jerusalem" but did not mention Palestinians or the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He expressed hope that all hostages would be returned soon, echoing Trump's message of goodwill.

The note-drop came during Huckabee's first public appearance in the role and underscored his alignment with Trump's Middle East policies.

Louisiana becomes key hub in U.S. immigration detention expansion

Nearly 7,000 migrants are being held in immigration detention centers across rural Louisiana, a number that may soon grow as the Biden administration pushes to dramatically increase the capacity of the U.S. deportation system. The effort is part of President Donald Trump's promise to scale up mass deportations and could boost profits for private prison companies.

ICE is planning to expand detention capacity from roughly 41,000 to 100,000 beds and has begun awarding multi-billion-dollar contracts despite the funding not yet being secured. A recent $3.85 billion contract was given to Deployed Resources LLC to run a Texas facility, while the Geo Group and CoreCivic received long-term contracts for facilities in Michigan, New Jersey, and Texas.

Louisiana now ranks second only to Texas in immigration detention capacity. ICE was drawn to the state due to lower labor costs and a surplus of empty jails, many located in isolated rural areas. Advocates say these locations make it difficult for detainees to access legal help and stay connected to support systems.

Critics argue the isolation is intentional and designed to speed up deportations. Detainees face long drives to urban centers where most immigration lawyers work, and video court appearances have raised concerns about fairness and human connection in the legal process.

As contracts continue to be awarded and detention capacity rises, advocates warn that already poor conditions could worsen, and migrants' ability to challenge deportations will become even more limited.

New U.S. ambassador to Japan optimistic on tariff deal

The new U.S. ambassador to Japan, George Glass, arrived in Tokyo on Friday with an optimistic outlook on the ongoing tariff negotiations between the two countries. Glass, a business veteran with a background in finance and technology, expressed confidence that the U.S. and Japan will reach a deal soon.

"I'm extremely optimistic... that a deal will get done," Glass told reporters at Tokyo's Haneda International Airport. His arrival follows the first round of tariff talks between U.S. and Japanese negotiators in Washington, where both sides agreed to accelerate negotiations and hold another round of talks later this month.

The discussions come amid concerns over the impact of U.S. tariffs on the global economy. Trump's administration has imposed several tariff measures, including a 10% baseline tariff and a 25% tax on imported cars, steel, and aluminum. A temporary 90-day pause spared Japan from some tariffs, but the future of the negotiations remains uncertain.

Glass, who takes office officially on Monday, emphasized the importance of U.S.-Japan military cooperation, highlighting the need for both nations to strengthen their defense capabilities in the face of regional threats from Russia, China, and North Korea. He also reiterated Trump's calls for Japan to increase defense spending and share more responsibility for hosting U.S. troops.

Despite the challenges, Glass expressed confidence that the high-level officials involved in the negotiations, including Trump, are committed to finding a resolution that benefits both countries.

Trump may end Ukraine-Russia peace push in days, Rubio says

Trump will pull out of efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine within days unless clear progress is made, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday.

Speaking after a Paris summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, Rubio said the U.S. would not continue talks for weeks if there was no movement. "We're not going to continue to fly all over the world and do meeting after meeting if no progress is being made," he said.

The summit included delegations from the U.S., Ukraine, the UK, and Germany. It was an attempt to revive negotiations that have stalled since Trump pushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reach a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in February.

Ukraine has expressed openness to a temporary ceasefire, but Russia has yet to respond. Rubio said the U.S. wants to see results "in a matter of days, not weeks," and hinted the administration could shift focus to other priorities if needed.

The talks come as Ukraine announced a preliminary deal with the U.S. over shared mineral and energy resources—a top issue for Trump, who views it as partial repayment for military aid.

Another round of talks is planned in London next week.

U.S. airstrikes on Houthi oil port kill 38

An American airstrike on a key oil facility in Houthi-controlled Yemen has killed 38 people and injured more than 100, according to the rebel group. The attack on the Ras Isa oil port is the most lethal strike reported so far in Trump's monthlong campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis.

The U.S. Central Command confirmed the strike, calling it an effort to cut off a major source of revenue used to fund Houthi operations. It did not comment on civilian casualties. "This strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen," it said.

Footage shared by the Houthis showed widespread destruction and bodies at the site, which the group claimed included paramedics and civilian workers. The port has long been used for oil imports amid the ongoing war.

In a separate development, the Houthis launched a missile toward Israel on Friday, which was intercepted. The U.S. also accused a Chinese satellite firm of helping the rebels target ships in the Red Sea, escalating international tensions.

The Trump administration has signaled the strikes will continue, linking them to broader efforts to confront Iran as new nuclear talks approach.

Elon Musk's DOGE hit with Social Security legal setback

On Thursday, District Judge Ellen Hollander imposed a preliminary injunction heavily restricting access to Americans' government-held Social Security data from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Newsweek contacted Musk for comment on Friday outside of regular office hours via emails sent to the Tesla and SpaceX press offices.

Following his inauguration on January 20, President Donald Trump launched DOGE, which, despite its name, isn't a full government department, under Musk's leadership to slash what they regard as wasteful federal spending.

DOGE has since battled to access sensitive data, including Treasury records which it argues is necessary for its work. However, critics have raised privacy concerns and filled a series of lawsuits seeking to keep certain data restricted.

Thursday's ruling by Hollander was in response to a case brought against DOGE by a coalition of labor unions and retirees who argued giving the new body access to Social Security data breached privacy and was a security risk. Hollander had already imposed a temporary restraining order limiting DOGE access in March.

Under the terms of the preliminary injunction, DOGE employees can only access Social Security system data if its been redacted to remove anything personally identifiable, and if they have received training and passed background checks.

Read the full story by James Bickerton on Newsweek.