Trump uses Kennedy Center visit to announce imminent release of JFK assassination files: Live updates
President attended first board meeting at performing arts venue before making announcement about release of 80,000 ‘unredacted’ pages from files on 1963 assassination of Kennedy
Donald Trump announced during a visit to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., that 80,000 pages of unredacted files related to the assassination of President John F Kennedy will be released tomorrow afternoon.
The president was at the performing arts venue, named after the slain president, to attend a board meeting.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has deported hundreds of people from the U.S. after invoking a wartime law to speed up the deportations of individuals connected to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in defiance of a court order.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the administration’s ability to use the law, the Alien Enemies Act 1798, and ordered any planes flying migrants out of the country to turn around.
Border czar Tom Homan told Fox News: “We’re not stopping. I don’t care what the judges think. I don’t care what the left thinks. We’re coming.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump declared that presidential pardons issued by his predecessor, Joe Biden, are “void, vacant, and of no further force or effect” because the Democrat allegedly signed off on them using an autopen rather than his real signature.
Voice of America journalists sound off on ‘betrayal’ by Trump
In what is being described as “Bloody Saturday,” over 1,300 employees at Voice of America were placed on indefinite suspension this weekend after President Donald Trump issued a Friday night edict ordering the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the network’s parent agency, to eliminate its workforce and activities not required by law.
With the state-funded broadcaster — which has been seen as a vital part of America’s soft diplomacy — going largely silent after more than 80 years on the air, VOA journalists and executives are sounding off over what they see as a “betrayal of the ideals” that drove the organization, adding that it will only be “celebrated” by America’s adversaries.
Justin Baragona reports.
VOA journalists sound off on ‘betrayal’ after Trump dismantles broadcaster
Watch: Border czar says 'I don't care what the judges think' about deportations
PREMIUM: Trump’s 200% tariff on EU wine could pop the champagne bubble
Rosamund Hall writes:
The news cycle regarding tariffs is giving me flashbacks to my teenage history lessons, stirring memories about the repeal of the Corn Law and WE Gladstone’s subsequent budgets that removed nearly all protectionist regulations – Mr Bromfield, if you’re reading this, I hope you’re impressed.
Whilst economics is not my strength, I am aware that most economists assert that free trade is generally regarded as a good thing: more choice for consumers, competitive pricing and greater economic growth. Donald Trump obviously hasn’t got that memo.
You might be wondering what a wine writer is doing wading into this murky water of tariffs – well, so am I, but it’s because of one thing: the threat of tariffs on booze from the EU. Normally, I’m writing about my despair at our own country's approach to alcohol taxation, but Trump is rather stealing the headline on pretty much everything, so it might as well include this too.
Continue reading...
Trump’s 200% tariff on EU wine could pop the champagne bubble… and that’s a problem
Schiff says Jan 6 committee will not be intimidated by Trump
Click here to read the full report of the House Select Committee on January 6 (and all the supporting documents and evidence).
India's Modi says Trump has ‘clear roadmap’ in second term
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said President Donald Trump was “far more prepared” for his second term and has a clear roadmap.
Modi made the comments during a podcast interview, flagged by Trump on his social media platform Truth Social, which the Indian leader has just joined.
“This time, he seems far more prepared than before,” Modi told American computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman in a podcast released on Sunday, referring to Trump's second term.
“He has a clear roadmap in his mind with well-defined steps, each one designed to lead him toward his goals,” he added.
During the discussion that lasted over three hours, Modi addressed topics ranging from diplomacy and artificial intelligence to his early life, in a conversation that Fridman called one of the most “powerful” of his life.
Modi commended Trump for what he referred to as his graciousness and humility, highlighting a strong bond between the two leaders.
“His reflection showed his ‘America First’ spirit, just as I believe in nation first. I stand for India first, and that's why we connect so well,” Modi said.
India is one of the trading partners that will face reciprocal tariffs imposed by the U.S. starting April 2, which threaten to disrupt exports across multiple industries, including automobiles and agriculture.
After Modi and Trump met at the White House last month, the two nations agreed to resolve tariff disputes and work on the first part of a trade deal by late 2025, aiming for two-way trade of $500 billion by 2030.
With reporting from Reuters
Democrat congressional leaders Schumer and Jeffries met in New York amid spending bill furore
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer met with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries in New York on Sunday, according to reporting by Punchbowl News.
The meeting took place two days after Jeffries publicly criticized Schumer regarding a vote to advance Republican spending legislation.
The two New Yorkers met in Brooklyn, according to a person familiar with the meeting.
Schumer announced Thursday that he would align with Republicans on a crucial procedural vote to advance the spending legislation toward final passage. He described the bill as “terrible,” but emphasized that a government shutdown would be far worse, stating that Democrats would lack an “off-ramp” to escape such a scenario.
Jeffries strongly disagreed and consistently refused to answer questions on Friday about whether he has confidence in Schumer.
“We do not want to shut down the government. But we are not afraid of a government funding showdown,” Jeffries remarked.
Trump once offered an ill Anna Luna his bed: 'Just don't tell Melania'
President Donald Trump once offered Rep. Anna Luna his bed while she was feeling unwell and joked, “don’t tell Melania,” according to a new book.
Comments reportedly made by the president in private have been revealed in a new book titled Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump’s Return to Power by Axios reporter Alex Isenstadt.
The book features “never-before-reported” moments in Trump’s return to the White House. The book claims the president insulted fellow Republicans and allies, was disparaging about the women who have accused him in court and sarcastically claimed he wouldn’t seek revenge if reelected.
Steven Cheung, Trump’s White House communications director, said the book was “a work of fiction” when approached by The Independent for comment.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Trump offered an ill Rep Luna his bed and joked ‘don’t tell Melania’, book claims
Schumer postpones book tour for 'security reasons' amid backlash over spending bill vote
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer postponed his book tour events for the week of March 17 “for security reasons,” according to an announcement posted on the website of the Baltimore library where he was due to speak on Monday.
Schumer has faced swift backlash from members of the Democratic Party since last week over his decision to support voting on a Republican stopgap spending bill that most Democratic lawmakers said gave President Donald Trump too much power.
Here’s Eric Garcia’s analysis of the backlash from fellow Democrats.
Democrats revolt against Chuck Schumer’s cave to Republicans
What is an autopen signature and why is Trump accusing Biden of using one?
While attending the G8 Summit in France in May 2011, a major piece of legislation reached Barack Obama’s desk in the Oval Office.
Invoking national security concerns, the former president authorized an aide in Washington to use an autopen to affix his signature to a bill extending three provisions of the Patriot Act.
It marked the first reported time a U.S. president had a mechanical device to sign a bill into law. The White House pointed to an existing 29-page opinion commissioned by the Department of Justice claiming its use was legal.
Almost 14 years later, the autopen is back making headlines.
James Liddell explains.
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