Date: 2025-10-05 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00028253
A NEWSWEEK compilation of daily news
TRUMP CANNOT HAVE IT ALL HIS OWN WAY
March 18th, 2025
Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.
TRUMP CANNOT HAVE IT ALL HIS OWN WAY
March 18th, 2025
Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.
Original article:
Peter Burgess COMMENTARY
I am new to the Newsweek newsfeed. My initial impression is that it is a quite efficient way of getting a broad flow of news as well as news that has a longer life than conventional broadcast news. Of course a sample of one day is not enough ... but better than zero days.
Peter Burgess
By Amanda Castro and Hannah Parry ... Live Blog Editor
Mar 18, 2025 at 1:59 PM EDT
Chief Justice Slams Trump for Impeachment Call, 'Not Appropriate': Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts made a rare critique of Donald Trump on Tuesday, after the president called for the impeachment of a judge who ruled against his administration's deportation policies. 'For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose,' Roberts, a conservative judge, said in a statement.
What to Know:
Trump has called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, appointed by former President Barack Obama, after he blocked deportation flights. Boasberg had ruled against Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century wartime law, to justify the policy and ordered the planes carrying Venezuelan deportees to turn around - something the administration failed to do. In a Tuesday morning social media post, Trump calle Boasberg an unelected 'troublemaker and agitator' and said he 'should be IMPEACHED!!!' Stay with Newsweek for updates.
14:24 PM EDT Vance named new RNC finance chair, first vice president to hold role JD Vance in Michigan US Vice President JD Vance join by his wife Usha Vance and plant owner Paul Aultman, speaks at Vantage Plastics (R) in Bay City, Michigan, March 14, 2025. AFP/Getty Images JD Vance will take on the role of Republican National Committee (RNC) finance chair, marking a historic first as a sitting vice president holds the position, the RNC announced today. In a statement, Vance emphasized the importance of maintaining and expanding Republican majorities in 2026 to 'fully enact the MAGA agenda' and President Trump's vision. Trump expressed confidence in Vance's abilities, praising him for his strategic skills, stating he would 'do a fantastic job' and highlighting his expertise in winning 'tough races.'
14:17 PM EDT Putin says 'key condition' for peace is 'complete cessation' of all military aid to Ukraine While Putin has agreed to a ceasefire on energy infrastructure, he has laid out one caveat for peace that will likely be a sticking point in negotiations. According to the Kremlin, Putin said 'the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution through political and diplomatic means should be the complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv'. The United States and much of Europe are among the 57 nations that have provided military aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion just over three years ago. While Trump has threatened to pull American aid, and did pause military aid and intelligence to Ukraine after his spat with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, many other countries have doubled down in their support.
14:12 PM EDT Jeffries reaffirms support for Schumer after tense week Rep. Hakeem Jeffries confirmed his support for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer following a tense public disagreement over a Republican spending bill last week. The two lawmakers met on Sunday after Jeffries had declined to comment on Schumer's leadership earlier in the week. On Tuesday, Jeffries stated they had a 'good conversation about the path forward' and affirmed his support for Schumer's leadership. The conflict began when Schumer announced his intention to vote in favor of advancing the Republican spending bill, which House Democrats strongly opposed. Jeffries had previously refused to comment on whether he supported Schumer's decision, instead offering a terse 'next question.' Schumer argued that avoiding a government shutdown was more important than opposing the bill, despite its Republican backing.
01:59 PM EDT US and Russia begin negotiations maritime ceasefire in Black Sea Vladimir Putin has agreed to 'begin negotiations' on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea to assure safe passage for ships, following today's call with Trump, the Kremlin said.
01:55 PM EDT Putin orders military to pause attacks on energy infrastructure: Kremlin Putin supported Trump's idea of a mutual 30-day day ceasefire on energy infrastructure, the Kremlin said after the two world leaders' call today. The Kremlin said the Russian leader 'responded positively' to the proposal and 'immediately gave the Russian military the corresponding order'.
01:45 PM EDT United States and Russia share same view on Iran Trump and Putin also discussed the Middle East during their length phone call on Tuesday. According to a readout of their call, they discussed the region as somewhere the United States and Russia may potentially cooperate to prevent future conflicts. 'The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel,' the readout read.
01:40 PM EDT Trump and Putin discuss 'enormous' economic deals between U.S, Russia Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin discussed improving relations between the United States and Russia during their call today. They said a better relationship between their two countries could have huge upsides including 'enormous' economic deals, according to a readout of the call. Both the Russian and U.S. presidents agreed that greater geopolitical stability could be achieved through improved bilateral relations.
01:35 PM EDT Putin and Trump agree next step to peace is energy and infrastructure ceasefire Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have agreed that the next steps to achieving peace in Ukraine is an energy and infrastructure ceasefire deal, according to a read out of their hour-and-a-half phone call. The Russian and American leaders agreed that steps will then include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, and eventually a full ceasefire and permanent peace. Negotiations on the ceasefires will begin immediately in the Middle East.
01:29 PM EDT Trump-Putin call has made the world a 'safer place today': Russian envoy The world is a 'safer place' under U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin's leadership, a Russian envoy said Tuesday after Trump and Putin concluded a high-stakes phone call about reaching a ceasefire agreement in Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. 'Under the leadership of President Putin and President Trump, the world has become a much safer place today!' Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after the call. 'Historic! Epic!'
01:27 PM EDT DOJ refuses to comply with judge's request for answers by noon Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, in a notice in response to a court order, said that the Department of Justice would not be providing the additional information Judge James Boasberg had requested by Tuesday's noon deadline. Bondi argued that there was 'no justification' in the judge's order to provide more details about the flights, to determine if they violated his order. She also dismissed Boasberg's oral order, calling it 'not independently enforceable.' 'There is no justification... and that doing so would be inappropriate, because even accepting plaintiff's account of the facts, there was no violation of the court's written order (since the relevant flights left U.S. airspace and so their occupants were 'removed' before order issued) and the court's earlier oral statement were not independently enforceable as injunctions,' she wrote in the DOJ response. 'Moreover, given that the government's motion for a stay remains pending before for D.C. Circuit, the government should not ben required to disclose sensitive information bearing on national security and foreign relations until that motion is resolved especially given that this information is neither material nor time sensitive.'
01:11 PM EDT ICE confirms one of three deportation flights took off after Boasberg's ruling In a notice in response to Judge James Boasberg's demand to provide answers by noon today, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that three planes took off on Saturday carrying deportees to El Salvador - with one taking off after the judge's order to halt all deportations. Robert L. Cerna II, a senior official at ICE, argued in the response that the third flight was carrying undocumented immigrants who were not being removed under the Alien Enemies Act, but due to other immigration proceedings.
01:00 PM EDT Lawyers review JFK assassination documents before release Lawyers from the Justice Department's national security division worked overnight to review hundreds of pages of classified documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which are scheduled for release today. Trump signed an executive order in January calling for the full and complete release of these records. The documents have been a point of focus for some of Trump's supporters, including individuals like Tucker Carlson, who have raised questions about the CIA's potential involvement.
12:52 PM EDT How many U.S. judges have been impeached? Only 15 judges have been impeached in U.S. history, with just eight removed, according to the federal courts governing body. The most recent judicial impeachment occurred in 2010, when G. Thomas Porteous Jr. of New Orleans was impeached for accepting bribes and lying about it. The Senate convicted and removed him from office in December 2010.
12:48 PM EDT China, Cambodia praise Trump's move to cut Voice of America funding China's ruling Communist Party and Cambodia's former Prime Minister Hun Sen have welcomed President Donald Trump's decision to slash funding for Voice of America (VOA) and other U.S.-run media outlets. While Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning declined to comment directly on Trump's move, she criticized the outlets, saying, 'Their bad records in reporting on China are not a secret.' Trump's administration placed nearly the entire VOA staff on leave and cut grants to Radio Free Asia, which frequently reports on human rights issues in China. The Chinese government has long denied allegations of abuse. Hun Sen praised the decision, calling it 'a major contribution to eliminating fake news' and accusing VOA of spreading disinformation and chaos.
12:35 PM EDT Trump-Putin call ends after over an hour and a half, White House says A White House official confirmed that the call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has ended. The conversation lasted more than an hour and a half. The details of their discussion have not yet been released, but the length of the call suggests they covered a wide range of topics. Read more Donald Trump Trump's USAID Cuts Help China and Russia, Former Officials Argue in Court Judge Orders DOJ to Return to Court With Answers to Key Questions on Deportations Senate Agrees To End Debate on Funding Bill, DC Budget Fix Will the Supreme Court Overturn Birthright Citizenship? What to Know
12:26 PM EDT Justice Department backs Jewish students in UCLA discrimination case DOJ A view of the lecture before a press conference in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images The Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism announced that the Justice Department has filed a statement of interest in the Central District of California to ensure federal laws protecting students from discrimination are correctly applied. The move is part of a nationwide effort to combat antisemitism. In *Frankel et al. v. Regents of the University of California et al.*, Jewish students and a professor at UCLA alleged that, in spring 2024, UCLA administrators allowed protest encampments to physically block access to parts of the campus. According to the lawsuit, Jewish individuals or those who refused to denounce Israel were prevented from accessing certain areas, violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The Justice Department's statement supports the plaintiffs' claims and addresses whether UCLA officials violated these federal protections. The Department has also launched an investigation into the University of California system to determine if a pattern of discrimination based on religion, race, or national origin exists. Additionally, the Task Force announced that $400 million in federal contracts and grants would be canceled for Columbia University due to its failure to address persistent harassment of Jewish students. The Task Force is visiting 10 university campuses where antisemitic incidents have occurred. 'Every student must be free to attend school without discrimination,' said Leo Terrell, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally added, 'Our office will enforce anti-discrimination laws to address antisemitism affecting our community.'
12:16 PM EDT Chief justice says Trump's calls to impeach judge is improper Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, has criticized Donald Trump over his calls to impeach a federal judge for ruling against the administration's deportations of Venezuelans. Roberts, a conservative judge, said that impeachment isn't the 'appropriate response' to disagreeing with a judge's ruling. On Tuesday, Trump had called for the impeachment of Judge James Boasberg after he ordered the administration to halt deportations to El Salvador. In a furious Truth Social post, Trump said, 'This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges' I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!'
12:12 PM EDT Trump administration targets U.S. Institute of Peace with staff shakeup In a move targeting agencies tied to foreign assistance work, the Trump administration fired most of the board of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) and sent its new leader to the organization's Washington headquarters on Monday. USIP, an independent nonprofit created by Congress over 40 years ago, focuses on conflict resolution and promoting good governance. On Friday, three board members—Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Defense University President Peter Garvin—fired President and CEO George Moose. The move follows an executive order signed by President Trump in February that seeks to reduce federal government agencies, including USIP. Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) attempted to enter USIP's headquarters despite the organization's legal status as an independent nonprofit, which is not part of the executive branch. USIP staff called the police after DOGE workers gained access to the building, sparking tensions. Moose condemned the actions, stating it was an illegal takeover by the executive branch. He criticized the administration's broader efforts to dismantle foreign assistance programs, arguing that USIP's mission aligned with Trump's goals of avoiding foreign wars and resolving conflicts. USIP is one of several organizations targeted in Trump's executive order, which also includes the U.S. African Development Foundation and the Inter-American Foundation. These agencies face staff reductions and reorganization as part of a broader strategy to downsize the federal government.
12:09 PM EDT The 1600 newsletter: Trump's hardcorerealpolitik I feel like I have failed you guys by focusing lately on Trump's (dumb and bad) economic policies and domestic agenda of snatching U.S. residents off the street, and we haven't had a chance to discuss everything else going on. Let's do a whip around the world, because things are moving fast and seemingly all at once. The president is scheduled to speak with Putin today—a significant milestone in what is hopefully the beginning of the end in the Ukraine war. Trump, impolitic as ever, said discussions are now focused on 'dividing up certain assets'... which means the parts of Ukraine occupied by Russian troops. Yesterday there were reports that the White House is considering formally recognizing Crimea as part of Russia in a bid to end the war. I would not be surprised if this ends up being part of the deal. Putin took Crimea exactly 11 years ago this week, while Obama looked on and did nothing. I believe strongly that Trump's relationship to Obama is far more important to understanding how he thinks than most people realize, and can often explain better than anything how and why Trump does what he does. Remember, Trump kicked off his political career by claiming Obama wasn't born here, and reportedly decided to run for president only after Obama humiliated him to his face at the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2011. Now that Trump will be an era-defining, two-term POTUS like Obama, what is the one thing Obama has that Trump doesn't? A Nobel Peace Prize. If Trump can acquire one of those by putting an end to the war in Ukraine, while giving Putin what Obama let him take, that's a pretty potent narrative if you're one Donald J. Trump. Read in full from Carlo Versano on Newsweek.
11:53 AM EDT ICE admit many of the deported Venezuelans did not have criminal records Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have admitted that many of the alleged Venezuelan gang members deported over the weekend, do not have criminal records and are not suspected of committing any crime in the U.S. In a court filing submitted yesterday, Robert L Cerna, the acting field office director for ICE enforcement in Texas, said their lack of crimes or criminality did not mean they were not a risk. He argued that the lack of recorded crimes and lack of basic information about the individuals 'actually highlights the risk they pose.' 'While it is true that many of the [Tren de Aragua] members removed under the [Alien Enemies Act] do not have criminal records in the United States, that is because they have only been in the United States for a short period of time,' he wrote. 'The lack of a criminal record does not indicate they pose a limited threat. In fact, based upon their association with TdA, the lack of specific information about each individual actually highlights the risk they pose. It demonstrates that they are terrorists with regard to whom we lack a complete profile.' Many family members of the deported Venezuelans insist their relatives are not in a gang. Cerna claimed that ICE had relied on more than just social media posts and tattoos.
11:48 AM EDT Senate committee to hold hearing on Frank Bisignano's nomination for SSA leadership The Senate Finance Committee Chairman will hold a hearing on March 25 to consider Frank Bisignano's nomination to lead the Social Security Administration (SSA). The hearing comes amid significant cuts at the agency, including layoffs of over 10% of its workforce and the closure of multiple offices across the country. These measures are part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal workforce. The changes have raised concerns about the potential impact on benefits for millions of recipients.
11:36 AM EDT Fact check: Did Donald Trump use an autopen for Jan 6 pardons? Trump signature President Donald Trump after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. This is not the January 6 pardon executive order. Evan Vucci/AP Photo President Donald Trump signed pardons on January 20, 2025, granting clemency to over 1,500 individuals convicted or charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. These pardons were issued by Executive Order on the same day Trump signed a total of 26 Executive Orders. Images circulating online (taken from the Federal Register, a branch of the National Archives) have led some social media users to speculate that the president used an autopen rather than signing them by hand. This follows Trump declaring on Truth Social that President Joe Biden's preemptive pardons for the January 6 Committee are 'void,' because of his belief that Biden signed those pardons with an autopen. Read in full from Sophie Clark on Newsweek.
11:24 AM EDT Judge blocks cancellation of teacher training programs A Maryland judge has issued a preliminary injunction halting the administration's cancellation of over 100 teacher preparation and training programs. The programs were previously cut in February after the administration determined they violated its policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The cancellation of $600 million in grants prompted a lawsuit from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the National Center for Teacher Residencies. Grantees argued that their programs were not connected to DEI efforts, instead focusing on teacher recruitment, scholarships, and retention amid staff shortages.
11:12 AM EDT Trump-Putin call underway The White House has confirmed that Trump's call with Putin is now underway and 'going well.' Happening Now—President Trump is currently in the Oval Office speaking with President Vladimir Putin of Russia since 10:00amEDT. The call is going well, and still in progress. — Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) March 18, 2025
10:56 AM EDT Trump announces self-deportation program to avoid forced removal 🚨ILLEGAL ALIENS: Download the CBP Home App – Now Available on All App Stores Do it the easy way, or get deported the hard way. pic.twitter.com/Kb3GgAl7it — The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 18, 2025 In a video posted to the White House's account on the X social media platform, Trump outlined a new initiative for people in the U.S. illegally to voluntarily leave the country and avoid forced deportation. He explained that his administration is repurposing a Customs and Border Protection app, originally launched under the Biden administration, to facilitate self-deportation. 'They will be found, they will be deported, and they will never be admitted again to the United States ever, ever again,' Trump said.
10:38 AM EDT Trump calls for impeachment of federal judge over deportation ruling On Tuesday, Trump called for the impeachment of a federal judge who had attempted to halt deportations to El Salvador. 'This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges' I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!' Trump wrote on Truth Social. The president's post echoes similar calls made by allies like Elon Musk. The demand comes after the judge's ruling regarding deportations, aligning Trump more closely with conservative figures advocating for judicial accountability. However, earlier on Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, 'I have not heard the president talk about impeaching judges,' contradicting Trump's recent statement.
10:26 AM EDT Trump administration acknowledges firing nearly 25,000 workers The Trump administration has, for the first time, acknowledged the termination of nearly 25,000 recently hired federal workers in court filings, following a judge's ruling that their firings were likely illegal. In court filings made late Monday in Baltimore, officials from 18 agencies confirmed that the workers were being reinstated, with most placed on administrative leave temporarily. The mass firings, part of a broader effort by Trump to restructure the federal workforce, have been widely criticized. Agencies, including the Treasury Department, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Health and Human Services, confirmed large-scale layoffs—7,600, 5,700, and 3,200 terminations, respectively. U.S. District Judge James Bredar ruled on March 13 that these layoffs violated regulations, prompting the workers' reinstatement pending further legal proceedings. A lawsuit led by 19 Democrat-led states argued that the firings would lead to a rise in unemployment claims and strain state social services. The Trump administration has appealed Bredar's decision, with hearings set to continue in the coming weeks.
10:08 AM EDT Smoke reported in Trump International Hotel in Manhattan Manhattan *ALL HANDS* Box 0933 1 Central Park West SMOKE IN THE TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, 52 STORIES 90X155 — NYCFireWire (@NYCFireWire) March 18, 2025 A smoke incident was reported at the Trump International Hotel, located at 1 Central Park West in Manhattan. The fire department has responded to the scene, issuing an 'ALL HANDS' alert for the situation. The building is 52 stories tall, with smoke visible in a 90x155-foot area. Emergency services are on-site working to address the situation. No injuries have been reported at this time.
09:52 AM EDT Elon Musk highlights 'maybe the biggest scam of all time' 🚨ELON MUSK: 'One of the biggest scams we've uncovered is that the government can give money to so called non profit with very few controls and there's no auditing of that non profit.' pic.twitter.com/ovUqzsseXi — DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) March 17, 2025 Elon Musk has outlined what he described as potentially 'the biggest scam of all time' during an interview with Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Musk is the top adviser to President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency [DOGE] chief and appeared on Cruz's Verdict podcast. He outlined how government spending provides a loophole for nonprofits to 'live like kings and queens.' DOGE is responsible for slashing operation costs and has dissected multiple federal agencies to shrink the government's size. The department has come under criticism for making unintentional cuts to important policy areas, such as initiatives countering the spread of the Ebola virus. Musk has admitted that the organization may get some things wrong. At a Cabinet meeting in February, he said: 'We will make mistakes. We won't be perfect, but when we make mistakes, we'll fix it very quickly.' Sharing a clip of the interview on his social-media platform X, formerly Twitter, Musk described the use of nonprofit funding as 'maybe the biggest scam of all time.' 'One of the biggest scam portholes we've uncovered, which is really crazy, is that the government will give money to a so-called nonprofit, which has very few controls/ there's no auditing subsequently of that nonprofit,' Musk told Cruz. 'So this is the $1.9 billion to Stacey Abrams. They then give themselves extremely lavish, insane salaries, expense everything to the nonprofit, buy jets and homes and all sorts of things.' Read the full story by Theo Burman on Newsweek.
09:41 AM EDT Trump orders release of JFK assassination records President Donald Trump directed his national intelligence director and attorney general to develop a plan for releasing records related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a case that has generated numerous conspiracy theories. On Monday, Trump announced that about 80,000 files would be made available, although it's unclear how many are new or part of the millions of JFK records already made public. He emphasized that his instructions to his staff were clear: 'don't redact.'
09:29 AM EDT Schumer defends leadership amid calls for change Chuck Schumer Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) leaves the Democratic caucus lunch at the U.S. Capitol on March 13 in Washington, D.C. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader from New York, responded to growing calls for new leadership within the Democratic Party during an appearance on CBS on Tuesday. Schumer, who postponed his book tour on Monday following criticism over his vote with Republicans to avoid a government shutdown, defended his position, stating, 'I'm the best leader for the Senate.' He stressed that when a party doesn't control the White House, leadership is shared, and he prides himself on his ability to secure Senate seats. 'I am the best at winning Senate seats,' Schumer added.
09:17 AM EDT Trump to sign executive orders and discuss ceasefire with Putin The White House announced that former President Donald Trump plans to sign executive orders in the Oval Office at 3:30 p.m. ET. Additionally, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to hold a call on Tuesday to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. The call is expected to take place between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. ET.
09:03 AM EDT Vance set to speak at American Dynamism Summit Vice President JD Vance is set to speak at the American Dynamism Summit, where his address will focus on supporting American industry and workers. The event is being held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, a venue that was previously a Trump hotel during Donald Trump's first presidency. Vance's participation highlights the administration's continued emphasis on strengthening domestic industries and addressing workforce challenges.
08:48 AM EDT Trump displays copy of Declaration of Independence in Oval Office Trump U.S. President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House on March 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Trump has hung a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence in the Oval Office, according to images shared on social media. The photos, posted on the president's official X account, show the historic document displayed near the president's desk. It is unclear when the copy was installed or where it came from. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the National Archives delivered the Declaration to the White House at Trump's request, noting that it would be carefully preserved. While the original, faded version of the Declaration is housed at the National Archives, the copy in the Oval Office appears to feature clear and legible text. Both the White House and National Archives have not provided further details on the version displayed.
08:26 AM EDT Kremlin sets out Trump-Putin call agenda Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin This combination of pictures created on February 21, 2020 shows U.S. President Donald Trump delivering remarks at a Keep America Great rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 19, 2020. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a... More U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a two-hour call from 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday, the Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Peskov said the two presidents would discuss a settlement in Ukraine and 'further normalization of our bilateral relations,' the Russian state news agency RIA reported. He said that previous conversations between the leaders meant 'there is a certain understanding'. Trump is trying to broker a 30-day ceasefire in Russia's war on Ukraine, which he sees as the gateway to a permanent peace deal. Putin expressed some optimism but said Russia had unanswered questions. Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire proposal at its meeting with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia but is skeptical about Russia's true intentions. The call is the next step in ending Russia's war. But there are a number of big gaps between the positions of Russia and Ukraine over issues such as territory, prisoners of war, and long-term security. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Read the full story by Shane Croucher and Isabel van Brugen on Newsweek.
08:13 AM EDT Trump to meet Putin over ceasefire proposal amid Ukraine war Trump will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in the ongoing war with Ukraine. The White House remains hopeful that peace is within reach, despite skepticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who believes Putin is not seriously considering peace. Trump has made ending the war a top priority, though his approach has raised concerns about potentially weakening Ukraine's negotiating position. The U.S. president recently mentioned discussions about dividing assets between Russia and Ukraine as part of the peace framework, including the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been under Russian control since 2022. While Trump pushes for a deal, some experts question whether Putin is genuinely ready to end the war or is seeking further concessions. Zelenskyy, in a recent address, emphasized that Putin continues to prolong the conflict. As Trump works to establish a ceasefire, both U.S.-Russia relations and the future of the war hang in the balance.
08:00 AM EDT Court battle continues over student's detention and deportation threat Mahmoud Khalil Student negotiator Mahmoud Khalil is on the Columbia University campus in New York at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on Monday, April 29, 2024. AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey The federal government and Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student threatened with deportation for his involvement in campus protests, are locked in a legal dispute. Khalil was transferred from a detention facility in New Jersey to an immigration center in Louisiana, with the government citing a bedbug infestation as the reason. Khalil, however, claims no such issue was mentioned during his detention, and he feared deportation. In a court declaration, Khalil describes his time at the Elizabeth Detention Center as uncomfortable, with no beds or blankets, and alleges he was not informed of the bedbug issue. His legal team is requesting that a judge halt the government's actions on constitutional grounds, arguing the detention violates his First Amendment rights. The Justice Department has yet to respond to a New York judge's decision on the case. 07:45 AM EDT House Democrats seek transparency on Trump's DOGE Service House Democrats have submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request questioning the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency Service (DOGE). Reps. Jamie Raskin and Gerald Connolly are asking for details about DOGE's authority, staff qualifications, and potential ties to Elon Musk. The request seeks information on DOGE's use of artificial intelligence, access to sensitive data, and its role in firing federal employees. Raskin and Connolly expressed concern that the agency may be acting beyond its legal authority and are requesting a response within 20 days.
07:35 AM EDT Gabbard says Trump committed to peace through realism and pragmatism U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Tuesday that President Donald Trump is dedicated to promoting peace through 'realism and pragmatism.' Her remarks came ahead of Trump's scheduled call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue conference in New Delhi, Gabbard emphasized the need to engage with both allies and adversaries while fostering economic and cultural ties to prevent conflicts. Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to Congress, highlighted the 'huge opportunity' in strengthening U.S.-India relations. She met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, discussing defense and information-sharing to deepen ties. India remains a key U.S. strategic partner, playing a central role in Washington's efforts to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific.
07:23 AM EDT DOGE evicts agency officials in police standoff Elon Musk Tesla CEO Elon Musk looks on as US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as they stand next to a Tesla vehicle on the South Portico of the White House on March 11, 2025... More MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GETTY Members of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) received a police escort into the headquarters of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) and evicted several of its officials on Monday. Newsweek has contacted DOGE, USIP and the Metropolitan Police Department for comment via email. The agency was targeted by President Donald Trump's federal cost-cutting measures in a February 19 executive order, resulting in its president and CEO George Moose being fired on Friday. Moose and the USIP are objecting to the moves, stating the institute is not part of the executive branch. The USIP, founded by Congress in 1984, is an independent organization dedicated to 'protecting U.S. interests by helping to prevent violent conflicts and broker peace deals abroad.' After Trump announced the USIP would be gutted to the 'minimum' staff levels required by law, the White House informed the agency that all but three of its board members had been fired. The remaining board members—Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Peter A. Garvin, the president of the National Defense University—then replaced Moose as acting president with State Department official Kenneth Jackson. Read the full story by Ewan Palmer on Newsweek.
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