Here’s your morning news rundown—but first, a quick thank you. If you believe in this kind of journalism, please consider subscribing or becoming a supporter. We are number one in news in the *entire world.* I can only do this with your support. I have no corporate backers. Just you. One flag, I will likely be on a plane without wifi for parts of the day, so this may be the only video update.
Now, let’s get into the news.
President Donald Trump made an urgent appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling on him to immediately cease attacks on Kyiv. “Vladimir, STOP!” he said, in what appeared to be an impromptu but emphatic plea. The statement comes amid escalating violence in Ukraine’s capital, placing the U.S. leader in a direct and personal confrontation with his Russian counterpart.
China pushed back hard on President Trump’s claim that trade talks are underway, saying no negotiations have taken place and calling reports of discussions false. A Chinese official added that while they’re open to talks, they’re also ready to fight if necessary.
A federal judge, appointed by Donald Trump, in Maryland has ordered the Trump administration to bring back a 20-year-old Venezuelan man wrongly deported to El Salvador, ruling the removal violated a court-approved settlement protecting certain asylum seekers. The judge barred the government from deporting others covered by the same agreement, which stems from a 2019 class action filed on behalf of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. This is the second such ruling.
New Fox News poll numbers are in — and they’re brutal for Trump:
Overall Approval: 44% Approve / 55% Disapprove
Immigration: 47% Approve / 48% Disapprove
Foreign Policy: 40% Approve / 54% Disapprove
Economy: 38% Approve / 56% Disapprove
Tariffs: 33% Approve / 58% Disapprove
Inflation: 33% Approve / 59% Disapprove
According to ABC, President Trump is weighing possible exceptions for certain Chinese auto parts amid ongoing trade tensions. The move could signal a slight softening in his administration’s hardline tariff policy.
Tornado survivors in Arkansas are being denied federal aid after President Trump rejected the state’s request for a major disaster declaration in March. The Trump administration turned down Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ plea for assistance, despite deadly storms that also hit Mississippi and Missouri, killing over 40 people.
Two men were taken from the Albemarle County Courthouse in Charlottesville on Tuesday during what appeared to be an ICE raid. Plainclothes individuals—allegedly ICE agents—without badges, ID, or warrants, detained the men and loaded them into an unmarked van, with one of the agents wearing a mask.
North Carolina judges have struck down a GOP-backed law that would take appointment power for the State Board of Elections away from the governor and hand it to the state auditor, ruling the move unconstitutional.
Pete Hegseth had the Signal messaging app installed on his Pentagon office desktop, showing just how deeply he’s incorporated the unclassified platform into his official work.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
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