President Trump announced a proposed 50% tariff on all European Union imports, effective June 1, 2025, citing stalled trade negotiations and unacceptable trade deficits exceeding $250 billion annually. This decision follows Trump’s recent threats against Apple and reverses a trend of recent trade deal announcements that had calmed investor concerns. Treasury Secretary Bessent hopes the tariff announcement will pressure the EU into more favorable negotiations. The announcement caused immediate negative reactions in both U.S. and European stock markets.
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The Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, barring the enrollment of future international students and requiring current ones to transfer or face deportation. The Department of Homeland Security cited Harvard’s alleged failure to address claims of anti-American activity and violence on campus, despite Harvard’s denial of these accusations and assertion that the action is unlawful. This decision followed earlier threats and the freezing of federal grants, impacting over 27% of Harvard’s student body. A federal injunction, however, may prevent the immediate deportation of currently enrolled international students.
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President Trump reiterated his demand that Apple manufacture iPhones sold in the U.S. domestically, threatening a 25% tariff on any iPhones not made in the United States. This threat follows previous statements urging Apple to abandon Indian manufacturing plans in favor of U.S.-based production. The president’s assertion is that Apple’s Indian investments contradict his understanding of India’s tariff commitments to the U.S. Failure to comply with this demand would result in significant import tariffs for Apple.
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During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, President Trump presented unsubstantiated claims of “white genocide” in South Africa, using images and videos from other sources, including a blog post featuring a photo from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trump cited various media sources, alleging widespread killings of white farmers, a claim Ramaphosa refuted, stating that while some opposing views exist, they do not represent the majority opinion. Despite Trump’s presentation of purported evidence, Ramaphosa indicated Trump remained unconvinced of the “genocide” claims. The meeting followed the U.S. granting asylum to 59 white South Africans.
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Romania’s Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the presidential election rerun results, rejecting hard-right candidate George Simion’s request for annulment. Simion, who lost decisively to pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan, alleged foreign interference and irregularities, but provided no evidence. The Court’s decision is final, validating Dan’s victory with 53.6% of the vote. Dan, the newly elected president, expressed gratitude to the Romanian people and acknowledged the significant challenges ahead.
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Following its House passage, President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” faces potential roadblocks in the Senate. Republican senators have expressed concerns regarding increased deficits, the SALT cap, and potential Medicaid cuts. Key senators, including Ron Johnson, Rand Paul, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski, voiced specific objections. Senate Majority Leader Thune acknowledged these concerns, indicating ongoing negotiations and a need to secure 51 votes for passage.
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The Supreme Court issued a ruling that significantly weakens the protection of independent executive branch agencies from presidential removal. This decision, foreshadowing a potential overturning of the nearly century-old *Humphrey’s Executor* precedent, allows the President greater control over these agencies. The dissenting justices criticized the majority’s actions as prioritizing the President’s wishes over established legal precedent and the will of Congress. While acknowledging the Federal Reserve’s unique protection, the Court’s approach suggests a willingness to dismantle the independence of other agencies. This ruling brings the country closer to a unitary executive model, potentially transforming the executive branch into an extension of presidential power.
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The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump could remove two federal agency board members, Gwynne Wilcox and Cathy Harris, while their lawsuits challenging their termination are pending. This decision, while allowing the removals, strongly implied that Federal Reserve board members possess unique protection against presidential dismissal. The Court’s majority reasoned that the executive power vested in the President allows removal of executive officers, subject to limited exceptions. However, a dissenting opinion argued this ruling undermines established precedent protecting the independence of administrative agencies, including the Federal Reserve, and creates an unnecessary exception. The Court’s stay order temporarily allows the removals but does not definitively resolve the broader constitutional questions involved.
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Following a HuffPost report revealing the Trump White House’s limited release of presidential transcripts — only 29 of 146 in his first 100 days — all available transcripts were subsequently removed and replaced with videos. This action, which also affected some transcripts from Vice President Vance and Press Secretary Leavitt, was justified by the White House as providing equivalent access; however, this claim is inaccurate, as the available videos are a curated selection omitting many significant events. This lack of transparency contrasts sharply with the practices of previous administrations, further highlighting the administration’s resistance to openness.
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President Trump’s sale of nearly $200 million worth of his branded cryptocurrency coins grants access to him for high-paying purchasers, raising concerns of corruption. This “auctioning off of access,” as Senator Blumenthal stated, involves winners receiving a gala dinner and VIP reception with Trump, actions deemed unprecedented by historians. The White House denies any wrongdoing, while critics point to the lack of transparency and potential constitutional violations. This cryptocurrency venture, alongside other business dealings, raises questions about the President’s personal enrichment through his office, particularly given his refusal to release tax returns.
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John Q. Hosedrinker