Following a recent controversial statement, Merz dismissed the claim as absurd and plans to address it directly with President Trump in a Thursday call. He intends to leverage the EU’s considerable economic strength and united front—emphasizing its larger consumer base than the US and Canada—in his negotiations with the US. Merz aims to solidify a unified European defense strategy before a planned June meeting with Trump at the NATO summit, for which he’s undertaking diplomatic trips to Paris and Warsaw. However, his recent failure to secure the chancellorship may limit his capacity to fulfill his ambitious foreign policy goals.
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A lawsuit, *V.O.S. Selections v. Trump*, challenges the legality of President Trump’s tariffs before a three-judge panel. The plaintiffs, small import businesses, argue the tariffs violate the “major questions doctrine” due to their significant economic impact, citing a predicted $4,900 reduction in average household income. Support for this claim comes from an amicus brief signed by numerous former Republican officials. The case’s outcome, however, remains uncertain, as the major questions doctrine is novel and its application to presidential actions, especially in foreign policy, is untested.
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Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell affirmed the incompatibility of simultaneously lowering inflation and implementing substantial tariffs. He warned that sustained tariff increases would likely cause inflation, slower economic growth, and unemployment. The inflationary impact’s duration remains uncertain, depending on tariff magnitude and the speed of price adjustments. Successfully mitigating persistent inflation hinges on the scale of tariff effects and maintaining stable long-term inflation expectations.
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In a recent conversation with Jen Psaki, Pete Buttigieg urged Democrats to adopt a more assertive approach in their campaign against Donald Trump. Buttigieg emphasized the necessity of demonstrating to voters that Trump’s political ambitions can be thwarted. The discussion focused on strategies to regain voter confidence and reclaim national leadership from the Republican party. This renewed focus on direct engagement with the electorate is seen as crucial for Democratic success.
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President Trump incorrectly attributed the 2014 expulsion of Russia from the G8 to Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama, a decision made by former Prime Minister Harper following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. This action, which effectively ended the G8, stemmed from Russia’s violation of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. Trump later expressed his desire to reinstate Russia to the G7, believing its exclusion was a mistake that hindered diplomatic efforts to prevent the current war in Ukraine. He now concedes that re-admission is not currently feasible.
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The Trump administration is intensifying intelligence gathering on Greenland, focusing on its independence movement and resource extraction, as the president persists in his pursuit of annexation. This includes identifying pro-annexation individuals in Greenland and Denmark to prioritize resource allocation for intelligence efforts. While the White House avoids commenting on intelligence matters, Trump has openly expressed concerns about Greenland’s security and the Arctic region, even hinting at potential military action. The administration is actively exploring the financial implications of annexation, including replacing Danish subsidies with potential payments to Greenland’s residents, despite widespread opposition from the Greenlandic population.
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President Trump defended his universal tariffs, arguing that they will ultimately benefit the U.S. economy, despite potential short-term price increases. He used examples of children’s possessions, suggesting that fewer dolls and pencils are needed, implying that consumers will adapt to higher prices. Trump dismissed concerns about empty shelves and economic recession, maintaining that the tariffs will ultimately lead to prosperity. He also hinted that some tariffs may remain permanent to incentivize domestic production. The White House further clarified that these comments highlight a preference for higher-quality, domestically produced goods over cheaper imports.
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Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has rescinded all federal grants to Harvard University, citing numerous alleged violations of federal law and ethical breaches. McMahon’s letter details accusations ranging from non-compliance with the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling to criticisms of a new math course and alleged discrimination within the Harvard Law Review. The decision represents a significant escalation of the conflict between Harvard and the White House administration. McMahon argues that Harvard’s substantial endowment renders it capable of operating without federal funding.
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President Trump’s statement that the US does “not do much business” with Canada is demonstrably false; official US data reveals Canada as the top buyer of US goods and services in 2024, purchasing approximately $440 billion. His assertion of a $200 billion annual US subsidy to Canada is also inaccurate, with the actual 2024 goods and services trade deficit totaling around $36 billion. These discrepancies highlight significant inaccuracies in Trump’s characterization of US-Canada trade relations.
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Sara Baruth, a Midwest resident and Trump voter, publicly regrets her vote after her partner, the father of her child, was arrested by federal immigration authorities. Baruth’s partner, who had lived in the U.S. for nearly his entire life and had no criminal record, is facing deportation under the administration’s strict immigration policies. She shared her story to raise awareness, highlighting that the impact extends beyond criminals, devastating families who contribute positively to their communities. This incident is one of several illustrating the unintended consequences of the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration enforcement on supporters and their families.
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John Q. Hosedrinker