Supreme Court to hear arguments over injunctions on Trump bid to end birthright citizenship
By Devin Dwyer The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would hear expedited oral arguments next month over President Donald Trump’s emergency request to rollback nationwide injunctions against his executive order to end birthright citizenship. The nation’s highest court set arguments for May 15 at 10 a.m. The move by the justices sets the stage for a decision by this summer on three separate district court injunctions that had blocked the administration from moving forward with its plan to create a new standard for establishing citizenship to children born on U.S. soil to parents who do not have permanent legal
How DOGE may have improperly used Social Security data to push voter fraud narratives
By Stephen Fowler One of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency lieutenants working in the Social Security Administration has been pushing dubious claims about noncitizens voting, apparently using access to data that court records suggest DOGE isn’t supposed to have. The staffer, Antonio Gracias, made the claims as part of larger misleading statements about the SSA’s enumeration-beyond-entry, or EBE program, which streamlines the process for granting Social Security cards to certain categories of eligible immigrants. Gracias said in an April 2 appearance on Fox and Friends that “5-plus million” noncitizens who “came to the country as illegals” received Social Security numbers “through an automatic system”
Protesters were stun-gunned and arrested at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s town hall
By Rachel Treisman Police arrested and stun-gunned several protesters at a town hall in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Georgia district on Tuesday, the latest — and most extreme — example of such an event devolving into chaos in recent weeks. Greene, a Republican and staunch supporter of President Trump, was interrupted multiple times as she addressed constituents at a community center in Acworth, Ga. on Tuesday night, speaking about Trump’s agenda, playing clips from Congressional hearings and answering pre-selected audience questions. Starting just seconds into her remarks, and every few minutes over the next hour, some half a dozen attendees
4 takeaways from the week: In a world that craves stability, Trump brings the chaos
By Domenico Montanaro President Trump’s trade war dominated the week, sending global markets reeling. He then put a 90-day pause on some tariffs, but left a 10% across-the-board tariff and ramped up his standoff with China. … The Supreme Court also gave Trump a green light on deportations and government firings — for now. … Congress squeezed through a measure that paves the path for Trump’s legislative agenda in one “big, beautiful bill.” … And Trump continued his campaign of retribution against those who’ve stood in his way. Here are four takeaways from week 12 in our continued look at President Trump’s
Top House Democrat says DOGE data access at NLRB may be ‘technological malfeasance’
By Stephen Fowler The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee is calling for an investigation into DOGE’s access to the National Labor Relations Board following exclusive NPR reporting on sensitive data being removed from the agency. Ranking Member Gerry Connolly, D-Va., sent a letter Tuesday to Acting Inspector General at the Department of Labor Luiz Santos and Ruth Blevins, inspector general at the NLRB, expressing concern that DOGE “may be engaged in technological malfeasance and illegal activity.” “According to NPR and whistleblower disclosures obtained by Committee Democrats, individuals associated with DOGE have attempted to exfiltrate and alter data while also using high-level systems
Two top Pentagon officials placed on leave in leak probe
By Daniel Lippman The Pentagon placed two top political appointees under administrative leave on Tuesday after a probe into potential leaks of sensitive information, according to three defense officials. Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was escorted out of the Pentagon by security officers and had his building access suspended pending further investigation, said two of the officials, who were granted anonymity to discuss an ongoing probe. Darin Selnick, the Pentagon’s deputy chief of staff, was also suspended as part of the same probe and escorted out of the building, according to one of the officials.
Biden calls out Trump and Republicans for cuts to Social Security
By Carrie Shepherd Former President Biden stopped short of mentioning his successor by name at a speech Tuesday in Chicago but took aim at the Trump administration’s threats to cut Social Security. The big picture: Biden spoke at the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) on the same day Democrats declared the Save Social Security National Day of Action. The latest: Biden’s rebuke against the administration came as Democrats have launched digital ads attacking Republicans over the administration’s threats to Social Security, such as President Trump’s order to cease payments by paper check. Why it matters: The former president told the roomful of disability advocates that he left the
Republicans reconsider their commitment to tax cuts for the rich in Trump agenda bill
By Sahil Kapur and Peter Nicholas  Republicans are discussing an idea that has long been anathema within the party: a tax hike on the wealthy. In a twist, members of the GOP are debating whether to allow tax rates to go up on top earners when major parts of the 2017 tax law expire at the end of this year as part of a massive bill to pass President Donald Trump’s agenda. The issue has come up in private meetings among Senate Republicans as they grapple with how to limit the red ink and pay for other provisions of their party-line package, which includes additional funding for immigration
White House Plans $9.3B Foreign Aid, Media Funding Cuts
By Jennifer Scholtes The White House will soon ask Congress to cancel $9.3 billion already approved for foreign aid initiatives, public broadcasting and other programs, according to a White House official granted anonymity to speak freely. Congress is expected to receive that so-called rescissions request when lawmakers return from their two-week recess later this month. To nix the funding, the House and Senate will each have to vote at a simple-majority threshold to approve the formal ask. The White House package is expected to target funding for the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Institute of Peace and
Trump’s Tariff Policy Divides Public on Economy, Inflation
By Anthony Salvanto Amid a tumultuous week in the markets, the outlook on President Trump’s trade and tariff policy hinges not just on what Americans think will happen, but when. People split on whether they believe Mr. Trump has a clear plan, and most don’t think the tariffs will be permanent — rather that he’s using them to negotiate. More like his goals regarding trade policy than his approach to it. For those who think he does have a plan — predominantly, Republicans — it’ll take months or longer to judge the impact. Republicans stand apart from the public overall in showing that patience.
