Federal judge permanently blocks Trump order targeting Perkins Coie law firm

A federal judge has permanently blocked Donald Trump's executive order targeting the law firm of Perkins Coie.

On March 6, Trump canceled federal clearance for employees of major league law firm Perkins Coie and ordered federal agencies to cancel contracts with them. The order cited the law firm's links to his 2016 Democratic political rival, Hillary Clinton. It also attacked the firm's diversity hiring practices.

Perkins Coie filed a lawsuit in response aiming get Trump's order lifted.

On April 8, a group of more than 60 current and former general counsels for major corporations also filed an amicus or 'friend of the court' brief on behalf of Perkins Coie.

In it, the lawyers warned that many current corporate attorneys were too afraid of Trump to put their names to the amicus brief.

"The chilling effect is real. The composition of amici, predominantly former rather than current general counsel, demonstrates the Executive Order's swift, powerful, and intimidating influence on the legal profession and business community," they wrote.

They claim in their filing that Trump is using his orders against law firms "as a blueprint for retribution and intimidation, with three additional major law firms now the targets of essentially identical orders."

Marco Rubio to keep roles as secretary of state and national security adviser for six months: Report

Marco Rubio is expected to keep both his secretary of state position, and his new role as national security adviser, for at least six months, Politico reports.

Rubio was appointed as national security adviser after Mike Waltz was ousted from the position amid the Signalgate scandal and given the UN ambassador role instead. JD Vance has denied Waltz was fired, calling his new job a "promotion."

Sources told Politico, Rubio's appointment as national security adviser was not meant as a temporary stopgap. However, earlier reports had suggested that Trump's long-time aide Stephen Miller was being considered as the frontrunner for the position.

Rubio did not volunteer for the role, according to Politico, but was tapped by Trump to take greater control over the different branches of foreign policy in Trump's government.

Henry Kissinger was the last person to have served both roles at once, under the Nixon and Ford administrations.

United to cancel 35 roundtrip flights a day at New Jersey's Newark Airport

United Airlines is set to cancel 35 roundtrip flights a day at New Jersey's Newark Airport amid staffing shortages and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) equipment issues, its CEO Scott Kirby said in a letter to customers.

The cuts to the schedule will begin this weekend.

Citing persistent FAA equipment problems, air traffic controller staffing shortages, and ongoing runway construction, Kirby said the decision was unavoidable as disruptions have repeatedly snarled traffic through Newark — one of United's busiest hubs.

The FAA has acknowledged technical issues at its Philadelphia TRACON center, which manages airspace around Newark, and has also pointed to staffing shortfalls as a contributing factor.

China's Temu stops shipments to US amid Trump trade war

Temu, the fast-growing online marketplace owned by China's PDD Holdings, said Friday it will no longer ship orders directly from China to the U.S., a major shift driven by President Donald Trump's crackdown on tariff exemptions for low-cost imports.

The move comes after the U.S. government eliminated the use of the "de minimis" rule for Chinese goods, which previously allowed shipments under $800 to enter duty-free. The change is part of a broader effort to target Chinese e-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein, which critics say have exploited the loophole to flood the U.S. market with cheap products.

As of today, Temu's U.S. site only displays products warehoused domestically, with the company emphasizing it remains committed to serving American consumers through "compliant and efficient" logistics.

The policy shift puts pressure on Temu's core business model, which had relied heavily on direct fulfillment from Chinese merchants to offer bargain-basement pricing. To adapt, the company is ramping up its domestic warehousing footprint and working to onboard more U.S.-based suppliers.

Veterans group shares very straight-forward response to Trump's proposal to rename Veterans Day

Disabled American Veterans has posted a very concise response to Donald Trump's plan to rename Veterans Day as "Victory Day for World War I".

"No," the group said in its full statement in response to Trump's plan.

Another veterans group, VoteVets, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the day had begun as Armistice Day following the end of the Second World War, but that it had been changed "to honor ALL who served."

"Veterans don't need rewritten history. They need respect – and the benefits they earned," they added.

Over 14K sign Christian petition issuing warning on Supreme Court case

More than 14,000 people have signed a petition from Christian advocacy group Faithful America in efforts to stress the importance of church-state separation while warning that leaders in Oklahoma aim to "dismantle" that boundary.

The push comes amid the Supreme Court weighing whether the nation's first publicly funded religious charter school can legally operate in the Sooner State.

"The Supreme Court seems to be open to demolishing the wall between church and state. When public dollars fund religious schools that can discriminate and exclude, we all lose. Our children lose. Our churches lose," the Reverend Shannon Fleck, executive director of Faithful America, told Newsweek via email on Friday.

Read in full from Mandy Taheri on Newsweek.

White House releases 'MAGA video to relax to'

The White House's official X, formerly Twitter, account has posted what it calls a "Lo-Fi MAGA Video to Relax/Study To" showing a cartoon President Trump in the Oval Office.

Scrolling on the right side of the video is a list of campaign promises that the Trump administration says it has kept.

Trump budget proposal acknowledges 'multiple threats we face throughout world': Sen. Graham

President Donald Trump's budget proposal, which would allot more than a trillion dollars annually to the defense department, acknowledges the "multiple threats we face throughout world," Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Friday.

"I very much appreciate President@realDonaldTrump and his team giving our nation's military a trillion dollar-plus budget," Graham said on X, formerly Twitter.

"The mandatory portion should help stabilize the defense budget in the future. President Trump's budget request recognizes the value he places on our men and women in uniform and is an acknowledgement of the multiple threats we face throughout the world. It is much appreciated."

Trump administration files emergency appeal to let DOGE access Social Security systems

The Trump administration has filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court to let the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access Social Security systems.

A Maryland judge had restricted access to Elon Musk's DOGE team, citing federal privacy laws.

The government has argued that DOGE needs access to the system, which contains highly personal data of millions of Americans including bank details, salary information, and medical records, to target waste and "fraud."

The Center for American Progress has warned that DOGE's control of Social Security data could potentially harm millions of Americans. The nonpartisan policy institute found that Americans' data could be stolen, distorted, or even actively used against them under the Trump administration.

Can Donald Trump rename Veterans Day? What we know

President Donald Trump has declared that he is renaming Veterans Day (November 11) and Victory in Europe (V-E) Day (May 8) in an effort to properly celebrate winning World Wars I and II.

"I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I," Trump posted to Truth Social on Thursday. "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! We are going to start celebrating our victories again!"

The proposal has raised questions about whether a president has the legal authority to rename a long-standing federal holiday, or if that power rests elsewhere.

Read in full from Kate Nalepinski on Newsweek.

Marjorie Taylor Greene warns Trump admin 'losing the base'

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has warned the Trump administration is at risk of losing the base over several key issues including foreign wars, the Ukraine minerals deal, trans issues and the Covid vaccine.

"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 said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"I campaigned for no more foreign wars. And now we are supposedly on the verge of going to war with Iran," she said. "And on top of that, now we are told that we have signed a deal for mineral rights in Ukraine.

"So why on earth would we go over and occupy Ukraine and spend an untold amount of future American taxpayer dollars defending and mining their minerals as well as potentially putting American lives at risk and future war? Why don't we just mine our own rare earth minerals that are tied up on federal lands that the government confiscated years ago?" she added in the lengthy post that goes on to compare the Ukraine-Russia war to America's war in Iraq.

"When you are losing MTG, you are losing the base. And Trump isn't on the ballot in the future, so do the math on that," she wrote.

Trump gave Mike Waltz his pick of jobs amid White House shakeup: Report

The White House reportedly gave Mike Waltz his pick of other administration jobs as he was being removed Thursday as President Donald Trump's national security adviser.

Alex Wong, Waltz's deputy, who was removed along with him, remains at the National Security Council to facilitate Secretary of State Marco Rubio's transition to interim national security adviser, CBS News reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Waltz's ouster came after he faced widespread criticism and scrutiny for inadvertently adding a journalist, The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, to a Signal group chat in which Cabinet secretaries and other senior government officials discussed highly sensitive plans for a military strike against Houthi targets in Yemen.

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles offered Waltz several ambassadorships, including ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Waltz ultimately chose to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, CBS News reported.

Read in full from Sonam Sheth and Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.

Mexican President praises 'preferential treatment' from Trump administration

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has praised the "preferential treatment" that had been given to Mexican products by the Trump administration on trade.

Sheinbaum was speaking after U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed on Thursday that car parts made in Mexico, as well as Canada through the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, will be exempt from Trump's 25 percent auto tariff.

"It's good news for our country," Sheinbaum of Mexico told reporters Friday, adding that it was "preferential treatment."

"We have increasingly better conditions than before."

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear opens door to 2028 White House bid

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said he may consider a run for the Democratic nomination for president in 2028.

In an interview Thursday during Kentucky's WDRB "Mornings at the Backside" segment at Churchill Downs, Beshear said, "If you'd asked me a couple years ago if this is something I'd consider, I probably wouldn't have. "But I don't want to leave a broken country to my kids. So, if I'm somebody who can bring this nation together, hopefully find some common ground, it's something I would consider."

For now, Beshear told the TV station that his focus remains on serving the people of Kentucky. He is also slated to take on a national role as chair of the National Democratic Caucus in 2026, further elevating his profile within the party.

Marco Rubio blasts Germany for labeling far-right AfD party as extremist

Secretary of State Marco Rubio tore into Germany on Friday after its domestic intelligence service designated the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD) as an extremist group.

Germany's decision to label AfD as a "proven right-wing extremist endeavor" makes it easier for the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Germany's spy agency, to conduct some types of surveillance of the group. The AfD was previously a "suspected" extremist group, but its status as an extremist party has now been confirmed, BfV said. The agency added that its decision Friday came after a three-year review.

"Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That's not democracy—it's tyranny in disguise," Rubio wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

US designates Haitian gangs as terror organizations

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that a Haitian gang and a coalition of gangs on the island national have been designated as terrorist organizations.

Rubio said Gran Grif and Viv Ansanm, a coalition of gangs, are "a direct threat to US national security interests in the region."

"These gangs have killed and continue attacking the people of Haiti, Haitian security forces, and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission personnel, and are committed to overthrowing the government of Haiti," Rubio said in a statement. "Their ultimate goal is creating a gang-controlled state where illicit trafficking and other criminal activities operate freely and terrorize Haitian citizens."

He added that American citizens and Haitians could face criminal charges, and removal from the United States for engaging with the groups.

PBS 'exploring options' to stay open after Trump's order directing funding cuts

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) CEO Paula Kerger blasted President Trump's executive order to cease federal funding for the broadcaster and National Public Radio.

Kerger said that the order "threatens our ability to serve the American public with educational programming, as we have for the past 50-plus years."

"We are currently exploring all options to allow PBS to continue to serve our member stations and all Americans," Kerger added.

Trump has ordered to defund the public stations after accusing them of bias.

The White House said that both PBS and NPR "receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as 'news.'"

New ex-Pelosi adviser rips Democrats 'squandering' opportunities against Trump

A former adviser to House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi criticized Democratic leaders' approach to handling President Donald Trump in a new interview with Politico published Friday.

Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential race left Democrats divided about the best way to move forward.

The divisions are ideological—between progressives and moderate Democrats—and generational. Meanwhile, even though Trump's approval rating continues falling, Democrats are facing their own troubling numbers as some within the party feel it hasn't done enough to stop Trump.

Pelosi's former adviser, Ashley Etienne questioned Democrats' handling of Trump during an interview on Politico's "Deep Dive" podcast.

Republican college students are souring on Donald Trump

Republican college students are not as happy with President Donald Trump's administration as they were in January, according to a Newsweek/CollegePulse poll.

Trump made inroads with college students, a group that has leaned toward Democrats for decades, in the 2024 presidential race, as some polls suggest that younger votershave become more conservative.

His approval rating has fallen in recent weeks amid backlash on tariffs and parts of his immigration policy. If that trend continues, it could pose a challenge to Republicans as they fight to hold onto their congressional majorities in the 2026 midterm elections.

The Newsweek/College Pulse poll found that a growing number of Republican college students say they are unhappy with the Trump administration. It surveyed 1,022 undergraduate students from April 9 to April 15, 2025, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.13 percentage points.

Read in full from Andrew Stanton on Newsweek.

Stephen Miller frontrunner as next national security adviser: Report

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller has emerged as the frontrunner to be his next national security adviser, Axios reports.

Miller, one of the Trump's longest-serving and closest aides, is already the homeland security adviser where he has been working on immigration.

A source told Axios that Miller may turn down the job "if it takes him away from his true love: immigration policy".

Hegseth orders Pentagon to develop new national defense strategy

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Pentagon to develop new national defense strategy.

The strategy, which he wants by August 31, will layout how the defense department plans to pivot to Trump's America First policy, and prepare the military to confront a number of global security threats.

It will also show the recent personnel changes at the defense department.

Medicaid update: Trump pushes Republicans to mandate change

President Donald Trump is pushing to have the pharmaceutical industry help fund his tax cuts by requiring drugmakers to lower Medicaid drug prices, according to reporting by Bloomberg News.

Confirmed in an email from the White House to Bloomberg News, Trump has asked House Republicans to mandate that Medicaid, the government program serving low-income and disabled Americans, receive the same low drug prices that pharmaceutical companies charge certain foreign countries.

The proposal comes amid negotiations over how to cut hundreds of billions of dollars in federal spending to fund the GOP tax package. On Friday, Trump's new budget proposal was released.

"Today, the White House released a transformational budget that maintains strong funding for our national defense while reducing the woke, weaponized, and wasteful bureaucracy by 20% even farther back than pre-COVID levels," Roy said in a statement on Friday.

He added that the bill will also be "reforming Medicaid and other programs to reduce deficits."

Blogger who once called for an 'American Caesar' to debate Harvard professor at campus event

A far-right blogger who has previously vouched for dictatorships and a new "American Caesar," is set to debate a Harvard professor of political philosophy at an unsanctioned campus event.

Curtis Yarvin, who also goes by the pen name Mencius Moldbug, is a favorite of Vice-President JD Vance, The Guardian reports.

His appearance on campus comes as Harvard faces increasing pressure and threats from the Trump administration to conform its demands to overhaul student admission and staff hiring practices among many other major changes to the Ivy League school.

Nancy Mace says she was confronted while man was having 'medical emergency'

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that she was confronted by "a Democrat" in a restaurant on May 1, while a man nearby was experiencing a medical emergency.

"A man had a medical emergency at a restaurant tonight. I called first responders right away," Mace wrote. "A Democrat with him got in my face, furious I stepped in to help. Talk about Trump/Mace Derangement Syndrome. I'll always help my fellow South Carolinians. No matter your politics. Lowcountry first."

Mace did not specify where or when the incident occurred or provide details on the individual suffering the emergency. Newsweek contacted her office on Friday via online form for further information.

This is not the first time Mace has reported a public confrontation. In December 2024, as reported by Newsweek, Mace claimed she was assaulted at the Capitol.

Witnesses at the scene contradicted her claims, telling The Imprint and The Hill that McIntyre merely shook Mace's hand at a Foster Youth Caucus reception and asked her a question about the rights of transgender people.

Trump's Middle East business surge prompts conflict of interest attacks

A firm linked to the ruling family of the United Arab Emirates has selected USD1, the stablecoin launched by President Donald Trump's sons, to complete a $2 billion deal with the crypto exchange Binance, prompting attacks from critics who say it could represent a conflict of interest.

Since President Trump returned to office, the businesses run by his family have seen rapidly deepening ties with the UAE, with a string of real estate and investment deals highlighting its growing importance. Countries in the region have also played an important role in Trump's diplomatic initiatives, with the UAE as a key ally.

Newsweek has reached out to the White House, the State Department and to the foreign ministry of the UAE for comment.

The White House has previously said that the businesses are run by Trump's children and there is no conflict of interest.

Read in full from Amir Daftari on Newsweek.

FDA bringing back some fired FOIA staffers

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is bringing back some of 100 employees it fired, who were previously dealing with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, Associated Press reports.

The FDA has missed multiple court-ordered deadlines for FOIA requests for parties suing the agency since firing the staffers. The missed deadlines can result in heavy fines.

The agency is now rehiring many of the fired employees, who were notified about the decision on Thursday, AP reports.

WATCH: Trump urges journalism majors to 'build a media that Americans can trust'

'Democrats are going to fight this heartless budget': Chuck Schumer

Minority Senate Leader, Chuck Schumer, has said that Democrats plan to fight Trump's new budget proposal "with everything we've got."

"Donald Trump's days of pretending to be a populist are over," he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "His policies are nothing short of an all out assault on hardworking Americans. As he guts healthcare, slashes education, and hollows out programs families rely on—he's bankrolling tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. It's not just fiscally irresponsible, it's a betrayal of working people from a morally bankrupt president."

Schumer also called on his colleagues across the aisle to join Democrats in opposing the budget.

"Democrats are going to fight this heartless budget with everything we've got and if Congressional Republicans actually cared about American families, they'd join us," he added.

ICE detainee dies after HIV undiagnosed for months during custody

A man who died in ICE custody earlier this year from complications related to untreated HIV could have been saved with the help of routine blood tests, medical experts have told Newsweek, raising concerns about health screening in detention facilities.

The 45-year-old Ethiopian man died on January 29, 2025, from "Complications of multiple infections in the setting of human immunodeficiency virus," according to a medical examiner's report filed two days later.

His condition went unaddressed during his nearly 4-month detention at Eloy Detention Center in Arizona, a death report from immigration officials said. Modern HIV treatments allow near-average life spans.

Three leading infectious disease epidemiologists told Newsweek opportunities to save the man's life were missed.

Read in full from Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

Rep. Swalwell, Rep. Gottheimer criticize Trump administration's intelligence shakeup

On CNN News Central today, anchors Kate Bolduan and Omar Jimenez spoke with Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) about the fallout from recent intelligence shakeups in the Trump administration.

Rep. Swalwell expressed doubt about Secretary of State Marco Rubio's ability to manage both his role and that of national security adviser, calling it unrealistic. He emphasized the need for competent leadership in the face of global challenges like Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, and Taiwan. "He's not Kissinger," Swalwell said.

Rep. Gottheimer criticized Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for remaining in his position despite reportedly sharing classified information that endangered U.S. military personnel. He called it "absurd" that Hegseth still holds his job, given the severity of his actions, and voiced concerns over right-wing extremists influencing decisions within the national security apparatus.

Trump budget proposal aims to cut $163 billion: What departments are affected?

President Donald Trump's new budget proposal suggests cutting $163 billion in spending, while increasing military spending by 13 percent to more than a trillion dollars a year.

Environment, education, foreign aid and health care are all targets of the cuts, which would begin on October 1.

Many of those federal departments had already been hit by budget restrictions by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, but the courts have rolled some of those cuts back.

As part of the massive boost to defense spending, the Department of Homeland Security would receive an extra $175 billion to secure the border.

The blueprint reveals Trump's spending priorities for the next fiscal year but Congress must approve the budget and decide on the levels of spending.

Horse racing industry sends warning to Trump ahead of Kentucky Derby

As the Kentucky Derby approaches, the horse racing industry is urging President Donald Trump and Congress to take swift action on immigration reform. Business leaders gathered in Louisville on Thursday and called upon the administration to prioritize a legal pathway for immigrant workers.

The gathering, held ahead of the Kentucky Derby, highlighted the key role immigrant labor plays in the equine industry, from the backstretch workers who care for horses to the skilled professionals who make the race possible.

Trump has vowed to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in United States history. However, the policy has sparked concerns about its potential ripple effects on the economy.

Trump has suggested that undocumented immigrants working in industries like agriculture and hospitality could voluntarily self-deport and return legally, as long as their employers vouch for them.

"We have to take care of our farmers, the hotels and, you know, the various places where they tend to, where they tend to need people," Trump said at a Cabinet meeting on April 10.

Read the full story by Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

Rep. Chip Roy praises Trump's budget bill for cutting 'woke' spending

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy has praised President Trump's newly released budget proposal for cutting "woke, weaponized, and wasteful bureaucracy" and increasing defense spending by 13 percent to more than a trillion dollars a year.

"Today, the White House released a transformational budget that maintains strong funding for our national defense while reducing the woke, weaponized, and wasteful bureaucracy by 20% even farther back than pre-COVID levels," Roy said in a statement on Friday.

He added that the bill will also be "reforming Medicaid and other programs to reduce deficits."

"This budget re-aligns federal spending to the priorities of the people: a secure nation, making America healthy again, a Justice Department combatting crime and not weaponized against the people, and common sense," Roy continued.

"We are poised to deliver prosperity, freedom, and strength to the American people."

FDA brings back some fired FOIA staff after missed deadlines

The Food and Drug Administration is reinstating some of the 100 staffers it recently let go who handled Freedom of Information Act requests. The move comes after the agency missed several court-ordered deadlines to release documents, risking legal penalties.

Employees were notified on Thursday, according to AP, citing staffers familiar with the matter. Those returning work in divisions handling drugs, tobacco, and other regulated products.

Why Trump wants to cut federal funding to NPR, PBS

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to cut federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), escalating a long-standing conservative critique of publicly funded media and setting off a new clash over press independence and public accountability.

The order, signed Thursday, directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to "cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS" and also prohibits CPB recipients from using any federal money to support the two organizations. The Trump administration claims the broadcasters have become purveyors of "left-wing propaganda," and accuses them of violating CPB's mandate to remain nonpartisan.

The White House fact sheet claims that "NPR and PBS receive tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds each year," and that they "have fueled partisanship and left-wing propaganda with taxpayer dollars, which is highly inappropriate and an improper use of taxpayers' money."

Read in full from Dan Cody on Newsweek.

Economist calls job report the 'calm before the storm'

Daniel Zhao, lead economist for recruiting site Glassdoor, told the New York Times that Friday's positive jobs report was just the "calm before the storm."

Zhao said that even May is likely too early to see the impacts of Trump's tariffs and his administration's policies on the job market.

But by the summer, the effects on the job industry will become evidence.

Trump: US 'did more than any other Country' to win WWII

Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday that he is renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I. He said the U.S. did "more than any other Country" to secure victory in both wars and criticized current leaders for not celebrating those wins.

Carney set to meet with Trump on Tuesday

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, Bloomberg reports.

The focus of the meeting has not yet been revealed.

Russian state TV says nuclear strike would turn US into 'Waterworld'

In a provocative remark on Russian state television, Vladimir Solovyov, host of The Evening With Vladimir Solovyov, warned that a Russian nuclear strike could transform the United States into a post-apocalyptic landscape reminiscent of the 1995 film Waterworld.

Newsweek contacted the Russian press office and the U.S. State Department for comment on Friday via email and online form, respectively.

The comment was made in response to recent remarks by Republican U.S. Senator John Kennedy, who had described Russian President Vladimir Putin as deserving to be turned into "fish food."

As reported by Newsweek, Kennedy leveled harsh criticism at Putin, accusing him of failing to approach peace talks with seriousness in an interview with Fox News.

Read the full story by Emma Marsden on Newsweek.

Lawyer opens practice to represent targets of Trump

A prominent Washington lawyer says she is opening a new practice,Lowell & Associates, to represent people who have been targeted by the Trump administration.

Abbe Lowell is currently representing New York Attorney General Letitia James after a Trump official called for her to be investigated for bank fraud for helping her niece buy a house in Norfolk, Virginia. Lowell sent a letter to the Justice Department last week urging it to refuse the request which he called "improper political retribution."

He is also representing Miles Taylor, a former Trump administration official, after the president called for a DOJ investigation into his activities, and Washington lawyer Mark Zaid, whose security clearance Trump has moved to revoke.

Past clients have also included Hunter Biden and Jared Kushner.

Lowell said he was "excited to once again lead a small yet nimble team ready to represent companies, non-profits and individuals in need of our experience and dedication."

Jamil Jaffer warns of national security risks from Trump administration resignations

Former Justice Department official and national security expert Jamil Jaffer warned Thursday on CNN that Trump administration resignations could be a threat to national security. In an interview with anchor Audie Cornish, Jaffer explained Mike Waltz's ouster as national security adviser as evidence of growing internal instability.

Jaffer described Waltz's reassignment to U.N. ambassador as a "promotion on paper" that effectively puts him farther away from the center of Trump's inner circle. He pointed to increasing influence by players like Stephen Miller and from outside the administration, like Laura Loomer, as contributing to instability.

"This is not a traditional administration," Jaffer said. "And it's not good for national security."

Jaffer also cited the involvement of real estate developer Steve Witkoff and the dual hat of senior leaders like Senator Marco Rubio, now juggling several top positions.

Prominent Washington lawyer opens his own practice, will represent targets of Trump's retribution

Veteran defense attorney Abbe Lowell has launched a new firm, Lowell & Associates, with a mission to represent clients facing legal threats under the Trump administration, per The Associated Press.

Lowell, known for representing high-profile figures like Hunter Biden, Jared Kushner, and Senators John Edwards and Bob Menendez, is currently defending New York Attorney General Letitia James. Last week, he urged the Justice Department to reject a mortgage fraud case against her, calling it politically motivated.

He is also representing former Trump official Miles Taylor and attorney Mark Zaid, both of whom have been targeted in recent Trump directives. Lowell said his new firm will focus on helping individuals and organizations "in need of our experience and dedication."

Trump says there is 'no inflation' and Federal Reserve 'should lower its rate'

President Donald Trump said on Friday that there is "no inflation" as he once again called for the Federal Reserve to lower its rate.

"Gasoline just broke $1.98 a Gallon, lowest in years, groceries (and eggs!) down, energy down, mortgage rates down, employment strong, and much more good news, as Billions of Dollars pour in from Tariffs," he posted on his social media site Truth Social.

"Just like I said, and we're only in a TRANSITION STAGE, just getting started!!!

"Consumers have been waiting for years to see pricing come down. NO INFLATION, THE FED SHOULD LOWER ITS RATE!!! DJT."

Army eyes massive parade tied to Trump's birthday and service anniversary

The Army is preparing for a possible military parade on June 14 that would involve more than 6,600 troops, 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands, and thousands of civilians, according to the Associated Press.

The date marks both the Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday. While the parade has not been finalized, it reflects Trump's long-standing interest in hosting a large-scale military celebration in the nation's capital.

The internal documents, dated April 29 and 30, outline the most recent version of the Army's plans for the event on the National Mall.

US adds 177,000 jobs in April in big boost for Trump

The U.S. added 177,000 jobs in April and the unemployment rate was unchanged, a boost for President Donald Trump after surprise data earlier in the week that the economy shrank in the first three months of the year.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said the unemployment rate held firm at 4.2 percent. Employment was ticking up broadly across the private sector, while it was down with the federal government.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk, has slashed federal spending, including cutting jobs at various departments, since Trump entered the White House in January.

"Employment continued to trend up in health care, transportation and warehousing, financial activities, and social assistance. Federal government employment declined," the BLS said.

Read the full story by Shane Croucher on Newsweek.

Trump signs order to cut federal funding for PBS and NPR

Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing federal agencies to halt public funding for PBS and NPR, accusing both broadcasters of spreading "radical, woke propaganda." The move targets the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other sources of government support, demanding they eliminate both direct and indirect subsidies.

The White House announced the decision on social media, claiming taxpayer dollars should not fund what it calls biased reporting. The action continues Trump's broader push to defund and restructure cultural institutions he sees as politically opposed to his agenda.

Since returning to office, Trump has cut funding to several public organizations and removed leadership from national arts and media agencies.

Rubio takes on dual national security roles in Trump shake-up

Marco Rubio has been thrust into two of the most powerful foreign policy positions in the U.S. government, taking over as national security adviser while continuing to serve as secretary of state.

Rubio replaces Mike Waltz and is now the second person in U.S. history to hold both jobs at once, following Henry Kissinger in the 1970s.

Justice Department asks Supreme Court to end protections for Venezuelans

The Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to halt a lower court ruling that kept Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in place for Venezuelans, allowing them to remain and work legally in the U.S., The Associated Press reported Friday morning. The request comes after a federal judge in San Francisco blocked the Trump administration's effort to end the program, and an appeals court upheld that decision.

TPS is granted in 18-month periods to people from countries experiencing war, natural disasters, or other crises. The Trump administration has tried to revoke protections for around 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians.

The emergency appeal came the same day a federal judge in Texas ruled that a separate effort to deport Venezuelans under an obscure wartime law was illegal. The two cases are not connected.

Democrats face 'major wake-up call' as Trump trounces them in polling

Just months into Donald Trump's second term, a new round of polling has delivered a jolt to Democrats, revealing that Trump is more trusted than them in Congress.

Recent polls have shown Trump's approval ratings declining and his popularity at an all-time low. Despite this, polls still seem to show that Trump is commanding more trust than his main opposition party.

This dynamic not only strengthens Trump's hand as he advances his second-term agenda but also signals a daunting challenge for Democrats heading into the 2026 midterms—one that could further erode their influence at both state and federal levels.

Read the full story by Martha McHardy on Newsweek.

Online shoppers could pay more as Trump closes import loophole

The Trump administration has ended a tariff exemption that allowed cheap goods from Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu to enter the U.S. duty-free. The move, announced just after midnight Friday, eliminates the so-called de minimis exemption, which applied to packages valued under $800.

The exemption had helped Chinese e-commerce giants thrive in the U.S. market by avoiding duties. Now, packages from China and Hong Kong will face a 120% tax or a flat fee starting at $100, which will double to $200 on June 1.

Trump called the loophole a "big scam" and vowed to shut it down as part of his broader crackdown on Chinese imports. The change could raise prices for American online shoppers who rely on fast, low-cost deliveries from overseas retailers.

As Trump clashes with courts, most Americans say he's overstepping

A new AP-NORC poll shows most Americans believe Trump is using too much power in the way the government operates, even as he faces resistance from the federal courts. While about half of U.S. adults say Trump is overstepping, only 3 in 10 say the courts have too much authority.

The views fall sharply along party lines. Most Republicans say federal judges hold too much sway, while just a fraction say the same about Trump. In contrast, nearly 9 in 10 Democrats believe Trump has gone too far.

The poll comes as Trump continues to test presidential limits, issuing record executive orders, defying court rulings, and taking steps to shrink the federal workforce without congressional input. While the GOP-led Congress has largely supported him, courts have often been the main check on his power.

The poll also shows concern about presidential overreach growing since 2024, especially among Democrats and independents. Other surveys echo these worries, with many Americans saying the president should not be able to override the courts, even if he disagrees with their rulings.

Trump says Harvard tax-exempt status will be stripped

This morning, Trump made a Truth Social post declaring that Harvard's tax-exempt status will be removed.

The Ivy League university's tax exemption is due to educational and research purposes.

Donald Trump describing declaration of independence goes viral

Footage of President Trump being asked what the Declaration of Independence means to him has gone viral on social media, several commentators suggesting he didn't know what the document was.

Newsweek contacted the White House for comment on Friday via email outside of regular office hours.

Trump has made a number of history related gaffes during his political career, including a 2019 Independence Day speech when he said the Continental Army "took over the airports" during the Revolutionary War, despite this being more than a century before the invention of human flight.

The latest one is unlikely to concern Trump's base, but polling indicates the president has lost popularity in recent weeks, his net approval rating dropping to -11 percentage points according to a YouGov/Yahoo poll conducted between April 25 and 28.

Read the full story by James Bickerton on Newsweek.