Today’s Headlines: The US Court of International Trade ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority by imposing global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, canceling most tariffs—only for the appeals court to reinstate them during the ongoing appeal. Meanwhile, ASEAN countries agreed to protect each other’s economies against harmful US trade deals amid mounting tariff tensions. The State Department, led by Marco Rubio, announced plans to revoke visas of Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party and pause new student visa interviews to enhance vetting. In other news, Qatar hesitates to finalize the transfer of Trump’s private jet due to costly maintenance and demands for clear legal disclaimers. Paramount offered $15 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit over a CBS News interview, but Trump wants $25 million plus an apology, leveraging the studio’s pending merger approval. Moderna lost millions in HHS funding for its bird flu vaccine development, and Elon Musk resigned from DOGE after 114 days, having achieved only a fraction of his deficit-cutting goals while stirring controversy on multiple fronts.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNBC: Trump tariffs reinstated by appeals court for now

Fox Business: Federal court rejects Trump's 'unbounded authority' to impose worldwide tariffs

Reuters: ASEAN leaders agree tariff deals with US should not harm fellow members

MFA Malaysia: ASEAN-GCC-CHINA  27 MAY 2025 - Press Releases 

WSJ: U.S. to Revoke Visas of Chinese Students

WA Post: Trump’s Air Force One deal with Qatar not final despite U.S. claims 

WSJ: Paramount Has Offered $15 Million to Settle CBS Lawsuit. Trump Wants More.

WA Post: HHS cancels funding for Moderna to develop vaccines to combat bird flu 

NBC News: Elon Musk officially leaves the White House

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Trump dismissed Wall Street's new "TACO trade" nickname — Trump Always Chickens Out — used by investors profiting off his tariff tweets, calling it “the nastiest question.” Meanwhile, he continued his pardon/commutation spree, finalizing the Chrisley’s as well as to a corrupt Virginia sheriff, ex-Rep. Michael Grimm, a convicted gang leader, and rapper NBA YoungBoy, among others. He also announced plans to take Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public while keeping government loan guarantees, boosting their stocks to 2008 levels. Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem reportedly pressured ICE to triple daily immigrant arrests to 3,000, using job threats as leverage. Lastly, the Tate brothers now face 21 charges in the UK tied to rape, trafficking, and abuse, while also battling similar cases in Romania, where they remain under legal proceedings.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Trump was just asked about the ‘TACO trade’ for the first time. He called it the ‘nastiest question’  

Axios: Trump pardons criminals with MAGA credentials or big money

Bloomberg: Fannie, Freddie to Keep US Guarantee If Taken Public, Trump Says

Axios: Scoop: Stephen Miller, Noem tell ICE to supercharge immigrant arrests 

AP News: Tate brothers face rape and trafficking charges in the UK 

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Tensions appear to be rising between Trump and Putin, with Trump acknowledging for the first time that Putin may not want peace in Ukraine. Trump warned that Putin is “playing with fire,” prompting a veiled threat from a top Russian official referencing World War III. Meanwhile, Trump reportedly warned Israeli PM Netanyahu not to sabotage U.S.–Iran nuclear talks, fearing unilateral action from Israel. In Canada, King Charles delivered a pointed speech defending democracy and international cooperation, widely interpreted as a jab at Trump. Trump later suggested Canada should become a U.S. state to benefit from his proposed (and likely fictional) “golden dome” missile shield. Trump also issued several controversial pardons, including for reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley and Florida nursing home exec Paul Walczak—whose mother donated $1M to Trump and attended a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser. In other news, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. announced that COVID vaccines will no longer be recommended for pregnant women and healthy children, despite no supporting data and warnings from medical experts. Lastly, the Trump administration suspended all international student visa processing, citing plans to expand social media screening—just days after trying to block international enrollment at Harvard.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Independent: Donald Trump grows angrier as Vladimir Putin exposes his impotence 

Axios: Trump cautioned Netanyahu to avoid steps that undermine Iran nuclear talks 

WSJ: King Charles Defends Canada’s Sovereignty From Trump 

NBC News: Trump to pardon reality TV couple convicted on federal fraud charges

NY Times: Trump Pardoned Tax Cheat After Mother Attended $1 Million Dinner 

CNN: RFK Jr. says Covid-19 shot will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Over Memorial Day weekend, a judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s move to bar Harvard from admitting international students, after the school sued over sweeping demands for protest-related records involving 7,000 students. Another judge struck down Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm Jenner & Block, citing constitutional violations. A lesser-known provision in Trump’s House-passed “Big Beautiful Bill” drew alarm for limiting courts’ ability to enforce their own rulings unless plaintiffs can afford to post financial bonds. In international news, a U.S.-German citizen was charged with attempting to firebomb a U.S. embassy office in Tel Aviv. He had posted threats online and left behind a backpack of Molotov cocktails. Trump briefly reignited a trade war Friday, threatening steep tariffs on EU goods and smartphones, before walking it back after weekend talks. The Treasury also announced it will stop circulating new pennies by 2026, saving $56 million a year. FEMA denied North Carolina’s request for $2 billion in hurricane cleanup funds. Meanwhile, the Pentagon accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar to serve as a temporary Air Force One, and the Army will throw Trump a $90 million military parade for his 79th birthday.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NY Times: Judge Blocks Trump Effort to Bar Harvard’s International Student Enrollment After Lawsuit

CBS News: Judge strikes down Trump order targeting law firm Jenner & Block, calling parts of it a "screed" 

Newsweek: 'Hidden' Provision in Trump's Big Bill Could Disarm US Supreme Court 

WA Post: U.S. citizen charged with attempting to bomb U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Justice Dept. says 

AP News: Trump threatens 50% tariffs on EU and 25% penalties on smart phones as his trade war intensifies

PBS News: EU trade negotiator says he’s had ‘good calls’ with U.S. after Trump extends tariff deadline

WSJ: Treasury Sounds Death Knell for Penny Production

Yahoo: Trump’s FEMA Denies North Carolina’s Request for Hurricane Helene Aid

NY Times: U.S. Formally Accepts Luxury Jet From Qatar for Trump 

AP News: Military parade to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary will be held on Trump's birthday

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: On Wednesday night, a shooting outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. left two dead following a multifaith event focused on Gaza. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, reportedly told attendees he acted “for Palestine” before being arrested. The DOJ is weighing terrorism and hate crime charges. Separately, newly revealed Hamas documents confirm the October 7 attacks were aimed at sabotaging Israel-Saudi peace talks. Meanwhile, the House narrowly passed Trump’s sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” extending 2017 tax cuts, cutting green energy incentives, and tightening welfare requirements. In education, the Trump administration moved to block Harvard from enrolling international students, potentially prompting legal action. The Supreme Court issued two major rulings—blocking Oklahoma’s religious charter school due to a 4–4 tie, and granting Trump more power to fire independent agency members, though not the Fed chair. NOAA forecasts a severe hurricane season, and the FDA will limit COVID vaccine availability this fall to high-risk groups due to new testing rules. Lastly, Trump hosted a White House dinner for his $TRUMP coin holders—most of them foreign, including controversial crypto figure Justin Sun.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Court papers say suspect in embassy killings declared, 'I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza'

WSJ: Hamas Wanted to Torpedo Israel-Saudi Deal With Oct. 7 Attacks, Documents Reveal

CNBC: Trump tax bill clears the House in a victory for Republicans, advances to the Senate 

NY Times: Trump Administration Says It Is Halting Harvard’s Ability to Enroll International Students

NY Times: Deadlocked Supreme Court Rejects Bid for Religious Charter School in Oklahoma 

NBC News: Supreme Court grants Trump request to fire independent agency members but says Federal Reserve is different

NBC News: NOAA forecasts above-average Atlantic hurricane season

NBC News: FDA says Covid vaccines likely not available for healthy kids and adults this fall

WSJ: A Crypto Billionaire Who Feared Arrest in the U.S. Returns for Dinner With Trump 

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia passed away at 75 from esophageal cancer, just weeks after announcing he would not seek re-election and being named the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Meanwhile, President Trump hosted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, derailing trade discussions by screening a video alleging a white genocide in South Africa—claims Ramaphosa rejected. This comes as the administration continues to deport refugees from numerous countries while welcoming white Afrikaners. Separately, the DOJ has launched a criminal investigation into Andrew Cuomo over his COVID-era decisions as governor, raising suspicions of political motives ahead of his likely NYC mayoral bid against Eric Adams, whose own federal charges were recently dropped. The DOJ also announced it will dismiss police reform consent decrees in Louisville and Minneapolis and rescind earlier findings against the Phoenix Police Department, effectively reversing major civil rights investigations. Finally, a federal judge found the Trump administration in violation of a court order after it deported migrants—most not from South Sudan—to South Sudan, only for the flight to be rerouted to Djibouti, again without legal basis.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly dies at 75 after battle with cancer 

The Guardian: Trump makes baseless claims about white genocide in chaotic meeting with South Africa’s president - live

The NY Times: Justice Dept. Opens Inquiry Into Andrew Cuomo, Singling Out Another Political Target 

Axios: Trump's DOJ to halt police reform deals in Louisville, Minneapolis 

Axios: DOJ to drop civil rights probe into Phoenix police, rescind findings 

NY Times: Judge Finds Trump Administration Violated Court Order With Deportation Flight to South Sudan 

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Congress is currently hashing out a sweeping reconciliation bill—dubbed by President Trump as “one big beautiful bill”—that outlines his administration’s tax and spending priorities, though its final form remains uncertain. Key provisions include extending the 2017 tax cuts, which would add an estimated $2.7 trillion to the national deficit by 2034, ramping up ICE funding, and introducing Medicaid work requirements. Trump visited Capitol Hill to rally support amid internal GOP resistance, as Speaker Mike Johnson aims to pass the bill before Memorial Day recess. As part of this package, Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a $25 billion down payment for a proposed $175 billion missile defense system called the “Golden Dome,” modeled on Israel’s Iron Dome and intended to guard against nuclear and hypersonic threats. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sparked backlash after incorrectly defining habeas corpus during Senate testimony, raising alarms as the White House reportedly considers suspending the constitutional protection. On the economic front, mortgage rates have surged past 7%—a 25-year high—following a U.S. credit downgrade by Moody’s. And in tech-meets-politics news, Elon Musk told the Qatar Economic Forum he plans to scale back political donations, though quickly added he might resume them if he sees a reason—fueling speculation his political capital may be waning.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: Trump tries to persuade, and threaten, GOP to support his budget bill 

Axios: Trump and Hegseth unveil $175 billion plans for Golden Dome missile shield

AP News: Trump's Homeland Security secretary says habeas corpus lets him 'remove people from this country'

CBS News: Mortgage rates climb back above 7% after Moody's U.S. debt downgrade 

Bloomberg: Elon Musk Interview In Full

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: Former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a two-hour call about ending the war in Ukraine, marked by mutual praise but no concrete progress; despite ongoing Russia-Ukraine talks, Putin showed no interest in a ceasefire or returning seized land, both of which Ukraine considers essential. Meanwhile, Trump signed the bipartisan Take It Down Act, the first federal law targeting non-consensual explicit imagery, including AI deepfakes, requiring removal within 48 hours and allowing for prison time. The FAA avoided disruptions thanks to a recent software update, though it is investigating the cause of a near-outage. The DOJ settled with Ashli Babbitt’s family for $5 million over her 2021 Capitol riot shooting, while the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to revoke deportation protections for 350,000 Venezuelans. Finally, the DOJ dropped charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for an ICE protest but filed assault charges against Rep. Monica McIver, which she claims are politically motivated.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: Trump, Putin talk as Ukraine and Europe push for immediate ceasefire

CBS News: Trump signs "Take it Down Act," revenge porn bill backed by Melania Trump

CNN: FAA investigates brief communications outage at air traffic facility responsible for flights at Newark 

Newsweek: Trump Admin Reaches $5M Settlement With Ashli Babbitt's Family

Axios: Supreme Court allows Trump admin to pull TPS for thousands of Venezuelans

NBC News: DOJ says it has charged N.J. congresswoman with assaulting law enforcement at ICE facility

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: In Palm Springs, California, a car explosion outside a fertility clinic killed the 25-year-old suspect and injured four others in what the FBI has labeled an act of intentional terrorism. The suspect’s online manifesto suggested he was motivated by a fringe “pro-mortalist” philosophy, opposing the creation of life. In New York, a Mexican Navy training ship on a global goodwill tour collided with the Brooklyn Bridge after losing power, killing two people and injuring twenty. Former President Joe Biden announced that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive, hormone-sensitive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, but his medical team remains optimistic about management. In a 7-2 ruling, the Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration’s plan to deport Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador without sufficient legal process, emphasizing the need for due process protections. In economic news, former President Trump criticized Walmart’s plan to raise prices in response to tariffs, insisting the company should absorb the costs, while Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating due to rising debt and interest payments. Boeing may escape a guilty plea related to the 737 Max crashes through a tentative DOJ agreement, raising concerns among victims' families. UnitedHealth Group is now under investigation for potential Medicare fraud, and Florida has become the second state, after Utah, to ban fluoride in its public water supply.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

LA Times: Online manifesto threatened clinic attack; FBI probes Palm Springs bomb suspect’s motive

AP News: Mexican tall ship strikes Brooklyn Bridge, snapping masts and killing 2 crew members

CNN: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive form’ of prostate cancer 

NBC News: Supreme Court rules administration must give Venezuelans more time to challenge deportation under Alien Enemies Act

CNBC: Trump tells Walmart to ‘eat the tariffs’ after retailer warned it will raise prices

CNBC: Moody's downgrades United States credit rating, citing growth in government debt

WA Post: DOJ plans to drop Boeing prosecution in 737 crashes, family lawyers say 

WSJ: Exclusive | UnitedHealth Group Is Under Criminal Investigation for Possible Medicare Fraud 

NBC News: Florida becomes second state to ban fluoride in public water 

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: President Trump announced over $200 billion in deals with the UAE, including an AI Acceleration Partnership granting the UAE access to advanced AI chips, and a $1.4 trillion investment pledge over 10 years. He also hinted at a tentative nuclear deal with Iran, describing it as “sort of” agreed upon. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are pushing to block arms sales to Qatar in protest of Trump’s new jet gift, which turns out to be an outdated and impractical plane the Qatari royal family couldn’t sell. A small Chinese tech company plans to purchase $300 million worth of Trump’s meme coin, raising concerns about foreign influence, while Pam Bondi sold millions in Trump Media stock just before a market drop. Walmart’s CFO warned of tariff-related price hikes coming soon, and the military is preparing to discharge transgender troops under Trump’s executive order. The Supreme Court is reviewing Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, and a brain-dead pregnant woman in Georgia is being kept alive due to the state’s abortion ban. Denver International Airport briefly lost air traffic control communication, but disaster was avoided, and Social Security’s new anti-fraud measures revealed almost no fraud, despite significantly slowing down claim processing.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Reuters: Trump announces $200 billion in deals during UAE visit, AI agreement signed

AP News: Trump says the US and Iran have 'sort of' agreed on the terms for a nuclear deal

Politico: Dems move to block Middle East arms sales over Qatar plane deal - Live Updates

Forbes: Why The Qataris Are Happy To Dump Their 747 On Trump 

NY Times: Tiny Company With China Ties Announces Big Purchase of Trump Cryptocurrency

ProPublica: Pam Bondi Sold Trump Media Stock the Day Trump Announced Tariffs

CNBC: Walmart CFO says price hikes from tariffs could start later this month, as retailer beats on earnings 

AP News: Military commanders will be told to send transgender troops to medical checks to oust them

WA Post: Supreme Court divided over nationwide injunctions in birthright citizenship case 

11 Alive: Family says woman declared brain dead but her pregnancy continues under state law

Denver Post: Denver air traffic control went dark for 90 seconds, FAA confirms

Next Gov: DOGE went looking for phone fraud at SSA — and found almost none - Nextgov/FCW

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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