Alarm Bells go off as the United States Moves Closer to Suspending Habeas Corpus

Alarm bells go off as the United States moves closer to suspending Habeas Corpus, a ceasefire between Pakistan and India has been agreed to, RFK Jr. moves forward with his autism database, and more

Good morning, everyone! I'm feeling rested, recharged, and incredibly grateful for each and every one of you. Despite calls for my prosecution from MAGA influencers and relentless attacks from Fox News, I’m more determined than ever to stand up for the truth and deliver accurate, timely news every single day—with your support. If you believe in this mission, consider subscribing.

Now, let’s get to the news.

  • Trump announced that India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire after a long night of mediation. The ceasefire took effect at 5 AM local time. Now, time will tell whether it holds.

  • Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was released from federal custody late Friday after being arrested at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey. Baraka, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, had been protesting the facility's recent opening, which he and other local officials argue lacks proper permits and violates city regulations.

  • Trade negotiations between the United States and China are underway in Geneva, Switzerland. It is unclear whether there will be any breakthrough today.

  • The Trump administration is considering temporarily suspending habeas corpus — a legal right that allows people to challenge their detention — a step that has only been taken four times in U.S. history, most famously during the Civil War.

  • Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, broke with standard diplomatic practice by not bringing his own interpreter to three key meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, instead relying on Kremlin-provided translators, according to U.S. and Western officials. Witkoff, who is leading talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, met with Putin on February 11, March 13, and April 11, raising concerns about transparency and control over the discussions. One official noted that if Putin and the translators spoke Russian to each other, Witkoff wouldn't have understood the conversation.

  • RFK Jr. is moving forward with his autism database. The National Institutes of Health announced it will partner with Medicare and Medicaid to build a "real-world data platform" aimed at uncovering the causes of autism. The project will use insurance claims, electronic health records, and data from health-tracking devices like smartwatches, in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

  • The USDA is requiring states to provide personal information about people receiving food assistance, such as their Social Security numbers, home addresses, and in at least one case, their citizenship status, according to NPR.

  • A federal judge has temporarily stopped the Trump administration from moving forward with widespread layoffs and restructuring across more than 20 government agencies, part of a cost-cutting push led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. The judge found that the administration likely overstepped its authority and must work with Congress to make such major changes.

  • A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck eastern Tennessee this morning at approximately 9:04 a.m. local time. The epicenter was located in Blount County, about 29 miles south of Knoxville and 14 miles south of Maryville.

  • A group of House Democrats has introduced Resolution HR386, formally condemning President Trump for recent attacks on the free press. The resolution also reaffirms the U.S. commitment to protecting press freedom as a fundamental part of democracy.

  • At least six USAID employees who spoke to the media after believing they had been fired by the Trump administration are now under internal investigation. They received emails accusing them of unauthorized contact with the press and warning of possible disciplinary action, including removal. Critics, including their union and legal advocates, say the move is an intimidation tactic and a violation of their constitutional rights.

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  • Rümeysa Öztürk, a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University, has been released from federal immigration custody following a judge's order. She was detained for over six weeks after co-authoring a pro-Palestinian op-ed in her university's newspaper.

  • Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced she will not run for the U.S. Senate in Georgia's 2026 election.

  • House Republicans have advanced a series of proposals aimed at reducing federal employee pension benefits, as part of a broader budget reconciliation package aligned with President Trump's fiscal agenda. These measures, if enacted, would significantly alter retirement planning for many federal workers.

See you in the evening.

— Aaron