Trump eyes 50% tariffs, says ‘bond market got the yips’: Live Updates

Rubio appoints former Senate aide as top State Department official for Europe

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has named Brendan Hanrahan, a former Senate staffer with private sector experience, as the new top U.S. State Department official for European affairs, according to an internal email obtained by Reuters.

Hanrahan replaces Louis Bono, a senior foreign service officer who had held the role since President Trump began his current term in January. Bono praised Hanrahan’s background in both the Senate and private sector, saying he is well-positioned to lead during a time of agency reorganization.

The appointment comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Europe, as Trump pushes for a stronger “America First” foreign policy, including controversial moves like attempting to acquire Greenland and demanding more NATO spending.

Former U.S. Rep. George Santos sentenced to 87 months in prison

Disgraced former Congressman George Santos was sentenced Friday to 87 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and identity theft.

The ruling marks a dramatic fall for Santos, whose brief time in office was overshadowed by lies about his background and a series of financial crimes. He admitted to deceiving donors, collecting fraudulent unemployment benefits, and lying to Congress about his finances.

Once a political unknown, Santos gained national notoriety for his fabrications and legal troubles. His prison sentence closes a chaotic chapter in modern American politics.

California Republican opposes ICE in schools

A Republican candidate for governor of California is breaking with party lines by backing a state bill proposed by Democrats that would bar federal immigration authorities from operating in schools.

Senate Bill 48 prevents school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools from allowing immigration authorities access to school campuses without a valid judicial warrant or court order.

“I endorse Senate Bill 48 because children should feel no fear of going to school under any circumstances,” Republican Kyle Langford told Newsweek.

Since the beginning of President Donald Trump‘s second term, thousands of migrants have been arrested. Under the administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has gained expanded enforcement powers, including the right to conduct raids in schools and other sensitive locations.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memo in January that overturned the policy. Critics say such raids sow fear in vulnerable communities.

Read the full story by Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

George Santos arrives at court for sentencing in federal fraud case

Former U.S. Rep. George Santos appeared in federal court Friday to be sentenced for wire fraud and identity theft. The New York Republican, expelled from Congress in 2023, pleaded guilty last year to charges that he lied to donors and stole identities to fund his campaign.

Prosecutors are pushing for a seven-year sentence, arguing Santos has not shown real remorse. His defense team is seeking the minimum: two years. As part of his plea deal, Santos agreed to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties.

Lawmakers criticize Trump policies on immigration and trade

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) voiced strong concerns about the Trump administration’s policies during interviews on CNN News Central Friday.

Thompson spoke with anchor Kate Bolduan about his recent visit with graduate students Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk, who are being held in custody in Louisiana. He described their treatment as inconsistent with American values, saying, “We don’t have to be so mean.” Thompson added that Khalil was not allowed to witness the birth of his child and raised questions about the detainees’ access to healthcare.

Meanwhile, Krishnamoorthi told anchor John Berman that Trump’s claim of negotiating 200 trade deals was false. “His nose is lengthening by the day,” he said, pointing to the impact of tariffs on Illinois businesses and calling the policy a “tax on working families.”

Trump order to fast-track deep-sea mining sparks environmental backlash

Environmental advocates are warning that Trump’s new executive order fast-tracking deep-sea mining could cause lasting damage to fragile marine ecosystems. The order, signed Thursday, directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to accelerate permitting for companies seeking to mine the ocean floor in both U.S. and international waters.

Trump said the move is meant to boost the United States’ role in securing critical minerals like nickel and cobalt, which are essential for high-tech and military industries and largely controlled by China. Environmental groups argue the order bypasses ongoing international efforts to regulate seabed mining and risks irreversible harm to deep-sea habitats.

FBI director deletes tweet announcing arrest of Wisconsin judge accused of aiding fugitive

FBI Director Kash Patel deleted a tweet that announced that Judge Hannah Dugan, a Wisconsin county judge, had been arrested for allegedly helping a man avoid immigration enforcement.

Patel said in the now-deleted tweet that Dugan misdirected federal agents away from the individual, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing him to evade arrest.

The FBI’s office believes Dugan’s actions were intentional, leading to the fugitive’s escape from federal authorities. The case has drawn attention to possible interference in immigration enforcement at the courthouse.

Trump hints at possible meeting with Zelensky at Pope’s funeral

Trump suggested it is “possible” that he could meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while at Vatican City for the pope’s funeral. The two leaders have not met in person since a tense February Oval Office meeting where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude for U.S. support in Ukraine’s fight against Russia.

At the funeral, Trump and Zelensky will be seated separately, CNN reported, as the Vatican follows protocol to arrange delegations in French alphabetical order. While the U.S. and Ukraine would be seated close together in English alphabetical order, in French, the U.S. is listed as “États-Unis,” meaning the American delegation could be near those from Estonia and Eswatini.

Zelensky has expressed a willingness to meet with Trump on the sidelines of the event.

Trump says he’s ‘being inundated’ with third-term requests despite constitutional limits

Trump has sparked attention once again by claiming that he is “being inundated” with requests to run for a third term. In an interview with Time magazine, Trump addressed previous comments where he suggested he wasn’t joking about the possibility, saying, “There are some loopholes” around the constitutional limit that restricts presidents to two terms. However, he also clarified, “I don’t believe in using loopholes.”

The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution bars presidents from being elected more than twice. While Trump didn’t explicitly endorse any specific plan to circumvent this rule, some have speculated that a scenario could unfold where Vice President JD Vance becomes president in 2028 and steps aside to allow Trump to reclaim the office. Trump downplayed the idea, saying he didn’t “know anything about” such a possibility but emphasized that he is receiving increasing requests for a third term.

Syrian foreign minister raises new flag at U.N. amid diplomatic outreach

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani made his first public appearance in the United States on Friday, raising his country’s new three-starred flag at U.N. headquarters in New York. This marks the first visit by a high-ranking Syrian official to the U.S. since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December during a rebel offensive.

The new flag, now Syria’s official emblem, replaces the two-starred flag from the Assad era. Al-Shibani’s visit is part of a broader effort by the new Syrian government to seek relief from U.S. sanctions, which were imposed after Assad’s brutal crackdown on protests in 2011. Syrian officials are hoping to ease the sanctions, which they argue should be lifted now that the original causes have been removed.

Al-Shibani, attending U.N. meetings, expressed hope for better relations with the international community. The Trump administration has not yet recognized the new Syrian government, led by Islamist insurgent Ahmad al-Sharaa, nor lifted the sanctions. While two Republican U.S. Congress members visited Damascus recently, discussions on sanction relief are still pending, with key issues such as Syria’s chemical weapons and counterterrorism efforts remaining central to U.S. concerns. Meanwhile, Western nations, including the U.K. and the EU, have begun easing sanctions on Syria.

Beijing denies Trump’s claim of trade talks with US

Beijing has once again rejected Trump’s assertion that U.S. officials have been in discussions with their Chinese counterparts about the ongoing trade war. A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, Guo Jiakun, reiterated on Friday that no such talks had taken place.

“Yesterday, my colleague from the Ministry of Commerce and I clearly answered this question. There have been no negotiations between China and the United States on the issue of tariffs,” Guo said during a regular press briefing in Beijing. “The U.S. should not mislead the public,” he added.

Trump had claimed on Thursday that his administration held meetings with Chinese officials regarding trade, mentioning that they “had meetings this morning.” However, he did not clarify who attended the meeting, nor did he provide further details. Chinese officials have firmly denied any direct talks with the U.S., calling the suggestion “fake news.”

Guo emphasized that, to his knowledge, there had been no consultations or negotiations between China and the U.S. about tariffs, nor had any agreement been reached. This follows Trump’s previous statement that his administration has been in daily communication with China as the trade war continues.

Trump claims to have made 200 trade deals, but offers no details

Trump claimed in a Time Magazine interview published today that he has secured “200 deals” following the suspension of new reciprocal tariffs on various countries. However, he provided no specifics on the deals or which countries were involved.

Trump stated that he has been in negotiations with “very friendly countries,” including China, and emphasized that the deals are nearly complete. “I’ve made all the deals,” he said, but did not announce any details. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed earlier this week that the U.S. has received 18 written trade proposals since Trump’s pause on new tariffs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also noted that over 100 countries have expressed interest in new trade terms.

When asked for more information about the 200 deals, Trump confirmed the number but declined to name the parties involved, promising an announcement in the coming weeks. He also mentioned receiving a call from Chinese President Xi Jinping, though no details were provided, and China’s Foreign Ministry stated that the two countries are not currently in talks.

Trump’s immigration crackdown leads to overcrowding, complaints at Krome Detention Center

Krome Detention Center in Miami, one of the oldest and most controversial U.S. immigration facilities, is facing severe overcrowding amid Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement policies, The Associated Press is reporting. The center, which has a capacity of 600 detainees, now holds nearly 1,700 individuals, creating a tense atmosphere among staff and detainees. Reports from inside the facility reveal dire conditions, including insufficient food and water, unsanitary confinement, and medical neglect. Staff members have voiced concerns about unsafe working conditions but fear retaliation if they speak out.

The overcrowding at Krome is part of a broader challenge facing immigration detention facilities across the U.S. In March, detentions surged to nearly 48,000, a 21% increase from the final months of the Biden administration. To address the crisis, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is expanding capacity and seeking contracts for up to 100,000 beds, including the possibility of using U.S. Army bases.

Krome, which has long been a focal point for complaints about conditions, has seen a rise in detainee deaths, including two fatalities at the facility in recent months. The most recent death, that of Maksym Chernyak, a 44-year-old Ukrainian detainee, is under scrutiny, with his widow alleging that his health was ignored during his detention. Despite the challenges, ICE claims to uphold humane treatment standards and has taken steps to transfer detainees to other facilities.

The increase in detentions and the push for expanded capacity have sparked protests and legal challenges, with activists calling for greater oversight of immigration detention practices. Some politicians, including Miami Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, are demanding accountability and action to address overcrowding and mistreatment within the system.

Trump to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome

Trump will travel to Rome on Friday to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) on Saturday. Trump made the announcement earlier this week on his Truth Social platform, expressing that he and Melania Trump look forward to attending the ceremony.

Though Trump and Pope Francis had differences on issues such as immigration and environmental policies, the president ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in tribute to the pontiff’s passing.

Alongside Trump, former President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will also be present, marking their first time together since the 2021 inauguration. A total of 130 delegations will attend, including world leaders such as Argentine President Javier Milei, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be in attendance, as the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for him would obligate Italian authorities to detain him.

Trump orders investigation into ActBlue over GOP donation fraud claims

Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate claims from Republicans that ActBlue, a major Democratic fundraising platform, may be enabling illegal campaign donations.

The order calls for Bondi, in coordination with the Treasury Department, to examine whether online platforms like ActBlue have facilitated “straw” donations or contributions from foreign sources.

Democrats quickly condemned the move, accusing the White House of abusing power to target political opponents. In a statement, ActBlue called the order an “oppressive use of power” and said it would explore all legal options in response.

“This is part of their brazen attack on democracy,” the group said. “Today’s escalation is blatantly unlawful and must be seen as a direct attempt to silence opposition.”

Trump’s executive order marks the latest in a string of efforts by his administration to scrutinize Democratic institutions ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Trump speeds up fossil fuel permits on public lands, cutting reviews to 28 days

The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it would drastically accelerate the approval process for fossil fuel and mining permits on public lands, cutting review times from years to just 28 days. The move follows President Trump’s January declaration of a national energy emergency and fulfills his campaign promise to ramp up domestic energy production.

The Department of the Interior said the new procedures will apply to oil, gas, coal, and mining projects. Officials cited emergency powers under environmental laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act to justify the change, saying fast approvals are critical to national energy security.

Critics, however, warned of major consequences. Environmental experts said the shift undermines decades of environmental protections and silences community input. “The implications of that are extreme,” said Michael Burger of Columbia University’s Sabin Center.

The oil and gas industry welcomed the move. But internal concerns persist about whether the agency, which may face significant staff cuts, can carry out the policy without increased risks like oil spills.

Companies will have to opt in to the expedited process, but environmental advocates say faster timelines could backfire. “They benefit from going slowly,” said Sierra Club’s Athan Manuel. “Otherwise, they risk costly mistakes.”

Trump says Crimea will remain with Russia in peace deal, claims Zelensky ‘understands’

Trump said in a new interview that any peace deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war would include Crimea remaining under Russian control — a position he claims Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is aware of.

“Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky understands that,” Trump told TIME in an interview conducted April 22 and published Friday. He added, “Everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time.”

The comments follow Trump’s recent criticism of Zelensky for what he called “inflammatory statements,” after the Ukrainian leader reaffirmed that Ukraine would not legally recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea, calling it unconstitutional.

Despite the tension, Trump said he believes a peace deal is still possible with Zelensky as president. “I think we’re going to make a deal,” he told the magazine.

Trump reiterated his longstanding view that Ukraine’s interest in joining NATO was the root cause of the war. “I don’t think they’ll ever be able to join NATO,” he said.

Vice President JD Vance echoed similar views this week, saying a final peace deal would likely freeze the territorial lines close to where they are now, requiring concessions from both sides.

Switzerland among 15 countries in U.S. talks to ease tariff tensions

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter said Switzerland is one of 15 countries the United States has selected for “privileged” negotiations aimed at resolving trade tensions caused by sweeping new U.S. tariffs.

Speaking to Swiss broadcaster SRF after meetings in Washington this week, Keller-Sutter said she was “satisfied” with discussions, including a one-on-one with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Switzerland, she said, is part of a group of nations the U.S. hopes to reach a quick tariff solution. The full list of countries has not been made public.

The Trump administration’s April 2 announcement of new tariffs on imports from dozens of countries disrupted global markets. Switzerland had been set to face a 31% tariff—higher than the 20% imposed on EU goods—before the U.S. paused some of the measures. Switzerland is not a member of the EU.

Keller-Sutter said a memorandum of understanding is in the works to begin talks and assign a U.S. contact. No timeline was given, but both sides agreed to move quickly, she said, noting that “uncertainty is poison for the economy.”

The U.S. is Switzerland’s top export market for goods, and the two nations traded $185.9 billion in goods and services in 2023, according to the Swiss Embassy.

Trump announced the tariff pause shortly after speaking by phone with Keller-Sutter on April 9, though it remains unclear if the call influenced the decision.

Russian drone strike kills 3 in Ukraine as Trump pushes for peace deal

A Russian drone hit an apartment building in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Pavlohrad overnight, killing three people, including a child and a 76-year-old woman, and injuring 10 others, local officials said Friday. The attack came just a day after Trump condemned a deadly Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russian forces launched over 100 drones across five regions overnight. Civilian infrastructure was damaged in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, though no further casualties were reported.

The violence coincides with U.S. efforts to mediate an end to the war, now in its fourth year. Trump expressed frustration Thursday, urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt attacks and finalize a peace deal. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”

Trump also told Time magazine that the U.S. and Russia are “getting very close to a deal,” signaling that Crimea would remain under Russian control under a U.S.-brokered agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called ceding Crimea a red line.

Meanwhile, a senior Russian military officer was killed by a car bomb near Moscow on Friday, the latest in a string of attacks Russia blames on Ukraine.

Despite peace efforts, Russia launched one of its deadliest attacks on Kyiv Thursday, killing 12 people and wounding 87. Ukrainian officials said Russian ground assaults intensified as their forces focused on air defense.

Trump sees stronger approval on immigration than other key issues

Trump is getting higher marks for his immigration policies than for his handling of the economy or trade, according to a new AP-NORC poll. About 46% of Americans say they approve of how he’s dealing with immigration, nearly 10 points higher than his approval on other top issues.

The poll found that immigration remains a political strength for Trump, especially among Republicans, with 8 in 10 backing his approach. But Americans are split on some of his specific policies. Half say he’s “gone too far” in deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, while about one-third think he’s handled it “about right.”

More Americans oppose than support his policy of deporting certain Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador, and are broadly against revoking student visas over pro-Palestinian activism. Only about 2 in 10 say they are highly concerned that immigration enforcement could impact them or someone they know.

Trump says Xi called him, China trade talks active: report

President Donald Trump reportedly said China’s President Xi Jinping had called him, and there are active talks to strike a trade deal.

Time reported that he made the comments during an interview on Tuesday, April 22. The interview was published on Friday morning.

“I don’t think that’s a sign of weakness on his behalf,” Trump said of Xi, adding that he expected deals to be announced over the coming three or four weeks.

Trump has softened his tone on China in recent days. But the Chinese foreign ministry had earlier denied that any trade talks were taking place.

Read the full story by Shane Croucher on Newsweek.