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Key Developments in US Politics
Stay informed on the latest happenings in US politics. Top stories include Senate approval for a new military leader, Supreme Court ruling on immigration, Trump administration updates, and international trade tensions. This live blog provides up-to-the-minute reporting and analysis.
Podcast Discussion: Trump’s Tariff Pause
Despite earlier assertions, Donald Trump has declared a 90-day suspension on tariffs for most nations, excluding China. What prompted this shift in policy?
In the recent episode of the Politics Weekly America podcast, my colleague, Jonathan Freedland, engages in conversation with James Bennet from The Economist to explore potential factors influencing the president’s decision and to speculate on future implications.
Related: Why did ‘strongman’ Trump back down on tariffs? – podcast
China Responds to US Tariffs with Increased Levies
China has escalated trade tensions by increasing tariffs on US goods to 125%, a move announced shortly after Xi Jinping cautioned against the futility of trade conflicts.
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During a meeting with the Prime Minister of Spain, Xi appealed to the EU for collaboration in resisting what he termed “bullying” tactics, signaling an effort to strengthen alliances with alternative trade partners.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce revealed on Friday the tariff increase from 84% to 125% on all US imports, reiterating Beijing‘s readiness for prolonged contention. The statement hinted at this being a final retaliatory tariff measure, citing “no market acceptance for US goods exported to China” at the current levy levels.
The ministry added, “If the US continues to impose tariffs on Chinese goods exported to the US, China will ignore it,” indicating potential future non-tariff countermeasures.
Market volatility persisted on Friday, with French President, Emmanuel Macron, characterizing the US president’s 90-day tariff reprieve – setting most tariffs at 10% until July – as “precarious.”
Asian markets mirrored Wall Street‘s downward trend, with Japan‘s Nikkei index dropping nearly 5% and Hong Kong stocks trending towards their largest weekly downturn since 2008. Oil prices are also anticipated to decline for the second consecutive week.
Related: China raises tariffs on US goods to 125% as Xi urges EU to resist Trump ‘bullying’
Senate Confirms Trump’s Pick for Top Military Post
The US Senate has confirmed Donald Trump’s nominee for the nation’s highest-ranking military position on Friday. This decision follows President Trump’s earlier dismissal of the previous Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff earlier in the year.
Legislators approved Dan Caine‘s nomination and subsequent promotion to a four-star general in a vote of 60-25 held early Friday morning, just before a scheduled two-week recess, according to reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The Trump administration has undertaken a series of dismissals of high-ranking officers, initiating a significant overhaul of US military leadership shortly after the president’s return to office in January.
Democrats have voiced strong criticism regarding these dismissals, particularly that of General Charles “CQ” Brown, the former Joint Chiefs chair. They accuse Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of aiming to populate the military leadership with individuals demonstrating allegiance to the president.
AFP indicates that during his confirmation hearing the previous week, Caine addressed these concerns. He pledged to uphold the “traditions and standards of my oath of office and my commission as a nonpartisan leader who will always strive to act justly.”
Caine emphasized that preventing the politicization of the military “begins with setting a positive example from leadership, ensuring our nonpartisan and apolitical stance, and consistently communicating honestly with those in authority.”
“The nation and the constitution necessitate a nonpartisan military,” Caine stated. His nomination was considered unusual as a retired lieutenant general, given typical prerequisites for the top military role.
Typically, nominees for the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are required to have served as a military branch head, combatant command leader, or vice-chair—qualifications not met by Caine. However, the president retains the authority to waive such requirements.
Supreme Court Mandates US Assistance for Return of Wrongfully Deported Man
The US Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed a judge’s order compelling the Donald Trump administration to facilitate the repatriation of a Salvadoran man to the United States. The government has acknowledged the man was mistakenly deported to El Salvador.
Last week, US District Judge Paula Xinis mandated that the administration “facilitate and effectuate” the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. This order followed a lawsuit initiated by Garcia and his family, challenging the legality of his deportation.
In an unsigned ruling, the Supreme Court stated that Judge Xinis’s order “appropriately requires the government to ‘facilitate’ Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and ensure his case proceeds as if he had not been improperly deported.”
However, the court found the directive to “effectuate” his return to be ambiguous and potentially exceeding the judge’s jurisdiction. The justices instructed Judge Xinis to refine this directive, showing “due regard for the deference owed to the executive branch in the conduct of foreign affairs.”
The court further directed the administration to “be prepared to disclose its actions taken and the outlook for further steps” regarding the matter.
The Associated Press (AP) reports that the administration has admitted to the error in deporting Garcia to El Salvador. However, they contended that they were no longer in a position to rectify the situation.
More details on this developing story will follow. In other news, here are key political developments:
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Trump Undergoes Annual Health Examination
Donald Trump is undergoing his annual physical examination on Friday. This examination may provide the first public update in several years on the health of the president, who, in January, became the oldest individual to be inaugurated into the US presidency. “I have never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done!” Trump, 78, stated on his social media platform.
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Trump’s Tariffs Continue to Cause Market Instability
The week’s upheaval, triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, showed limited signs of abating on Friday. Market indices saw further declines, and French President Emmanuel Macron described the 90-day tariff postponement as “fragile.” Macron posted on X, stating that the partial suspension “sends a signal and keeps dialogue possible, but it’s still a fragile truce”.
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Trump Defends Tariff Policy Amidst Criticism
During a cabinet meeting, President Trump defended his tariff policies, asserting, “We’re in great shape,” while acknowledging potential “transition costs.” The president’s sudden choice to delay the enactment of “reciprocal” tariffs for 90 days has led to accusations of market manipulation and insider trading. Former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen described Trump’s economic strategy as the “worst self-inflicted wound” an administration has inflicted on an otherwise stable economy.
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Rubio Defends Deportation Based on Beliefs
Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the government could deport Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil based on his “beliefs.” Responding to a judge’s request for justification, the administration presented a two-page memo arguing for the deportation of noncitizens whose “beliefs, statements, or associations” pose a perceived threat to US foreign policy. This memo coincided with a social media post by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—later removed—asserting its role in preventing “illegal ideas” from entering the US.
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Iran Considers Nuclear Talks with US
Iran announced on Friday it would give nuclear talks with the United States “a genuine chance” this Saturday. This follows President Donald Trump’s earlier threat of military action should discussions fail. Trump had made a surprise announcement on Monday about forthcoming talks between Washington and Tehran in Oman, a known mediator between Western nations and Iran.
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Federal Judge Upholds Mandatory Registration for Unauthorized Individuals
A federal judge has sanctioned the Trump administration’s mandate requiring all individuals in the country without authorization to register with the federal government. Separately, The Washington Post reported that the Social Security Administration has added over 6,000 names, predominantly of Latino immigrants, to a database used to track deceased individuals. The New York Times also reported on efforts by the Trump administration to effectively nullify Social Security numbers for immigrants with legal status.
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Columbia University Faces Potential Federal Consent Decree
The Trump administration is reportedly considering placing Columbia University under a consent decree, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Such a decision would significantly escalate the federal government’s actions against the Ivy League institution.
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House Speaker Johnson Passes Key Budget Framework
House Speaker Mike Johnson successfully pushed through a multitrillion-dollar budget framework, facilitating Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” This legislative progress comes just after a right-wing faction threatened to derail the budget. Now, Republicans in both Congressional chambers must collaborate to draft the actual legislation and define the spending reductions necessary to finance the plan.