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US Politics Live: Trump Administration Grapples with Dysfunction Claims Amidst Hegseth Controversy and Economic Concerns
Welcome to the Guardian’s continuous coverage of US politics and the second Trump administration. Key developments are unfolding as the administration faces scrutiny over potential dysfunction and economic headwinds. Here are the top headlines:
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Trump Supports Hegseth Amid Messaging App Scrutiny
President Donald Trump has voiced his support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amidst growing controversy over his use of the Signal messaging platform for discussing military information. Trump dismissed concerns as a “waste of time,” while the White House has refuted reports suggesting they were considering Hegseth’s replacement.
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University Presidents Condemn Administration “Overreach”
Over 100 presidents from US colleges and universities have jointly issued a statement condemning the Trump administration’s “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” within higher education.
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Inquiry Dropped into Staff Firings
The Office of Special Counsel has informed federal employees of the discontinuation of its inquiry into the mass dismissal of government personnel by the Trump administration.
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Dow Jones Faces Worst April Since 1932
The Wall Street Journal indicates that investor sentiment suggests the Dow Jones index is on track for its most significant April decline since 1932. This apprehension stems from doubts surrounding the Trump administration’s tariff-driven trade policy.
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Trump Dismisses Hegseth Concerns as “Fake News” Amidst Administration “Dysfunction” Denials
US President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, downplaying the escalating controversy surrounding Hegseth’s use of Signal messaging. This support comes as the Trump administration confronts accusations of dysfunction following a series of significant missteps.
Recent events highlighting potential administrative issues include a premature letter to Harvard University triggering a legal dispute, instances of wrongful deportations, and rapid leadership changes within the IRS.
Trump labeled criticism of Hegseth as “fake news,” asserting that further examination of the matter would be a “waste of time.” Hegseth is under scrutiny for allegedly sharing sensitive military information across multiple Signal chat groups.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields rejected claims of administration dysfunction, stating, “You can’t achieve this level of results with significant dysfunction.” However, Fields did not elaborate on the specific accomplishments the administration was referencing.
A government professor at Georgetown University, speaking to the New York Times, suggested expectations for a more disciplined Trump administration in its second term were reasonable. The administration’s perceived chaotic performance is attributed in some circles to a scarcity of experienced senior officials and advisors around Trump, many positions filled by campaign loyalists, unlike his first term.
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Dow Jones Plunges Amid Trade War Fears, Poised for Worst April in Decades
Economic turmoil intensified as the Dow Jones index experienced a significant drop, closing down 971 points last night, a 2.4% decrease. The Nasdaq also fell by 2.5%. Investors are increasingly concerned about the Trump administration’s tariff policies and their impact on the market.
On Monday, Donald Trump publicly criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, labeling him “Mr Too Late” for not proactively reducing interest rates. Powell‘s remarks indicating that the administration’s tariff policy is likely to cause increased inflation and slower economic growth have reportedly angered Trump.
The Wall Street Journal reports the Dow Jones index is currently on track for what could be “its worst April performance since 1932.” This downward trend is attributed to widespread skepticism among investors that the administration’s trade negotiations will yield prompt results to alleviate economic pressures.
Scott Ladner, chief investment officer at Horizon Investments, commented, “It’s impossible to commit capital to an economy that is unstable and unknowable because of policy structure,” highlighting investor anxiety.
Hannah Erin Lang, writing for the Journal, observed, “The mood on Wall Street is darkening.” She further noted that “Bearishness levels – or expectations that stock prices will fall – among ordinary investors have remained above 50% for eight consecutive weeks,” marking the longest period of bearish majority since records began in 1987.
Analysis: Hegseth’s Position “Safe for Now” Despite Controversy
Stephen Collinson, a political analyst at CNN, suggests that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth currently appears “safe – for now,” despite the ongoing scrutiny.
President Donald Trump invested significant political capital in securing Hegseth’s confirmation, as the Pentagon chief mirrors Trump’s own unconventional political approach. His selection was intended to signal a departure from traditional norms expected of top national security officials during the president’s disruptive second term.
Consequently, Hegseth’s current security appears stable. It is not entirely unexpected that a former Fox News anchor might not behave like a conventional national security official meticulously guarding sensitive information.
However, dismissing Hegseth merely three months into his tenure, especially after national security experts initially cautioned about his preparedness to lead the Pentagon, would compel a potentially embarrassed Trump to acknowledge a misjudgment.
Crucially, Hegseth has not yet perpetrated the unforgivable offense that preceded the departures of two previous Trump defense secretaries – attempting to obstruct the president’s agenda.
Judge Halts Federal Immigration Agents’ Access to Rikers Island Jail
A judge in New York has issued a temporary injunction, suspending a plan to permit federal immigration agents to operate within the Rikers Island jail complex.
New York Mayor Eric Adams defends the initiative, asserting that the presence of ICE would aid investigations into gang-related activities. However, a lawsuit challenging the plan alleges a “quid pro quo” arrangement between Adams and the Trump administration regarding this access.
Immigration agents previously had access to the jail, but this was terminated in 2014 under New York City’s sanctuary city policies.
Democrat Haley Stevens Enters Michigan Senate Race, Criticizing Trump’s Economic Policies
Democratic Representative Haley Stevens has officially launched her US Senate campaign in Michigan, asserting that Donald Trump’s economic policies are “putting tens of thousands of Michigan jobs at risk.”
Stevens aims to center her campaign on protecting Michigan’s vital auto industry, directly criticizing what she describes as the “chaos and reckless tariffs” originating from the Trump administration in her campaign launch video.
“We absolutely need to put an end to the chaos agenda,” Stevens stated in an interview with the Associated Press, emphasizing her focus on stability and economic security for Michigan.
In the Democratic primary, Stevens will compete against State Senator Mallory McMorrow and former gubernatorial candidate and public health official Abdul El-Sayed. On the Republican side, Mike Rogers is also contending for the seat, following a narrow defeat to Senator Elissa Slotkin in the previous election by approximately 19,000 votes.
The victor of this election will succeed retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters at the term’s end.
JD Vance Addresses India Trip – Watch Live
JD Vance is currently delivering remarks in India. You can view the live address here: