Economic data released Thursday presented a mixed picture of the US economy. The final estimate of Gross Domestic Product showed a decline of 0.5% from January to March, with consumer spending growth slowing significantly. However, business investment remained positive, and new orders for durable goods surged. While unemployment claims increased, and the GDP decline was due to trade deficits, the Federal Reserve is likely to focus on inflation risks and the labor market when making decisions on interest rates.
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A Honduran mother and her two children are suing the Trump administration following their arrest at an immigration court in Los Angeles, marking the first legal challenge against courthouse arrests targeting children under a new ICE directive. The family, seeking asylum after fleeing violence, was detained by ICE agents upon exiting the courthouse and subsequently transported to a detention center in Texas. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, highlighting the 6-year-old son’s medical condition, leukemia, and missed appointments as a result of their detention. The plaintiffs, represented by the Immigrant Rights Clinic and The Texas Civil Rights Project, are seeking the family’s immediate release and argue the arrests violate due process.
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Following the weekend’s bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, uncertainty arose regarding the extent of the damage inflicted. While initial claims suggested total destruction and decades of setback, leaked Pentagon assessments indicated the Iranian program was only set back by a few months. Conflicting statements from US officials, including the president, further fueled this ambiguity, as they vacillated between declaring severe damage and admitting to inconclusive intelligence. Simultaneously, Israel claimed significant setbacks for Iran’s nuclear ambitions, adding to the complex narrative. These differing assessments and the potential for a return to conflict cast doubt on the long-term ramifications.
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Ukraine has developed a domestically produced glide bomb system, similar to Russia’s UMPK, which converts standard aerial bombs into long-range guided munitions. The system, referred to as the Ukrainian KAB, is undergoing test flights and achieving ranges up to 60 kilometers, with plans to extend to 80 kilometers. The project uses Ukrainian-built guidance and wing modules, while also testing a French navigation unit, and is designed for use with 500 kg bombs. While initial tests are promising, the primary obstacle to accelerating development and mass production is funding, with the design bureau estimating the cost of one unit at about $25,000.
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During a House Judiciary Committee hearing addressing visa integrity, Representative Jasmine Crockett questioned the basis for Melania Trump’s EB1 visa, also known as the “Einstein visa,” given the requirements of significant achievements. Crockett highlighted Melania’s modeling career, which she argued didn’t align with the visa’s stipulations. A Cato Institute representative humorously defended Melania, stating her marriage to Donald Trump was an accomplishment, sparking a back-and-forth with Crockett. The hearing occurred amid Melania Trump’s recent public appearances and subsequent absence from the public eye.
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Tonight marks a historic victory as the speaker will become the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City. This win is the result of a campaign that emphasized affordability, working-class values, and a vision for a city that benefits all New Yorkers. The speaker acknowledges the broad coalition of support, from volunteers to voters, and emphasizes the importance of solidarity and hard work in achieving this triumph. Ultimately, the speaker pledges to be a mayor for every New Yorker, prioritizing their needs and working to renew faith in democracy by building a city where power resides with the people.
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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced criticism from Representative Kim Schrier during a House subcommittee hearing for spreading vaccine misinformation, particularly regarding measles. Schrier, a former physician, challenged Kennedy, who admitted to never having treated a measles case. Kennedy was also accused of lying to Senator Bill Cassidy about altering the CDC’s immunization advisory committee, which he later replaced with vaccine skeptics. Kennedy has previously made unfounded claims about the measles vaccine and justified religious communities’ refusal to vaccinate.
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In a stunning upset, Zohran Mamdani triumphed in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, defeating the heavily favored Andrew Cuomo and the entrenched political establishment. Mamdani overcame significant obstacles, including substantial financial backing for Cuomo and endorsements from influential figures, while simultaneously countering a media narrative that often portrayed him negatively. His victory, fueled by a message of affordability that resonated with voters, signals a shift in the political landscape and voter discontent with the current Democratic leadership. This win sets the stage for progressive Democrats to challenge establishment figures like Ritchie Torres, Hakeem Jeffries, and Chuck Schumer.
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The Elkhart County Prosecutor dismissed charges against three former Jayco employees accused of animal cruelty, after filing a motion to dismiss. This decision followed a scrivener’s error in the Probable Cause Affidavit that attributed an inaccurate statement to a Jayco executive, prompting further investigation. The prosecutor is awaiting the results of this additional investigation, which has affected the veracity of the original charging decision. No interviews will be given until further evidence is received, and the office is refraining from amending any charging decisions until it can be meaningfully considered.
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A viral video captured Capitol Police arresting and zip-tying the wrists of wheelchair-bound protesters demonstrating against cuts to Medicaid proposed in Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” currently before the Senate. The peaceful protesters, organized by Popular Democracy, were chanting against the cuts, with some briefly displaying a banner. Capitol Police confirmed 33 arrests inside the congressional building, where protesting is illegal. The proposed legislation, which has already passed the House, faces significant opposition due to its Medicaid cuts, including new stipulations for beneficiaries.
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John Q. Hosedrinker