Trump signs executive order aimed at ‘eliminating’ Education Department ‘once and for all’: Live updates
President claimed giving control of education to states will halve costs and improve standards
Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “begin eliminating” the Department of Education in favor of leaving decision-making up to individual states. Some programs, such as special needs and student loans, will be preserved and eventually rehomed in other departments.
The policy, which was recommended in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 manifesto that Trump once distanced himself from, will reportedly see former wrestling boss McMahon instructed to undertake “all necessary steps to facilitate the closure… and return education authority to the states.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has frozen $175 million in federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) over opposition to a transgender swimmer’s participation in the institution’s training program.
It has also sparked a fresh diplomatic spat with France after it was accused of denying entry to the U.S. to a French research scientist after immigration officers searched his phone at an airport and found messages critical of the president.
Has the Trump administration responded to judge's deportation flights questions?
Alex Woodward writes:
It’s been about 90 minutes since the deadline and the Trump administration has not filed a public response to Judge James Boasberg’s questions about the El Salvador deportation flights. Lawyers had a noon deadline. It’s possible that they might’ve filed something via email directly to the judge himself to argue to keep that information under seal.
After the government pushed for a delay at the last minute yesterday, Boasberg agreed to give them a one-day deadline, “although their grounds for such request at first blush are not persuasive,” he wrote.
The administration has been stonewalling over the past week, arguing that the answers would compromise national security. Lawyers may have invoked a so-called state secrets privilege in an attempt to avoid having to answer them at all.
Stay tuned...
Attorney General Pam Bondi announces ‘severe’ charges over Tesla arson attempts
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday announced that the Justice Department is bringing “severe” charges against three individuals accused of targeting Teslas with arson attacks, following the White House’s vow to treat such incidents as domestic terrorism.
Josh Marcus has the latest on this developing story.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announces ‘severe’ charges over Tesla arson attempts
Full story: American man abducted by the Taliban more than two years ago has been released
An American man who was abducted by the Taliban more than two years ago while traveling through Afghanistan was released as part of a deal struck by the Trump administration, the State Department said.
George Glezmann, a 66-year-old airline mechanic from Atlanta, was on his way back to the United States on Thursday morning after being held by the Taliban since December 2022, when he was seized while traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist.
Ariana Baio reports.
American man abducted by the Taliban more than two years ago has been released
Lutnick begs Fox News viewers to buy Tesla stock in bizarre interview
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick used an appearance on Fox News to encourage viewers to buy stock in Tesla, as the company struggles amid Elon Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration.
Although cabinet secretaries traditionally do not endorse individual stocks, Lutnick told viewers of Jesse Watters Primetime that Musk – a “special government employee” of President Donald Trump – was “the best person to bet on” and that Tesla’s stock will “never be this cheap again.”
Ariana Baio has the story.
Commerce secretary begs Fox News viewers to buy Tesla stock
‘Dogequest’ website doxes Tesla owners nationwide revealing their names and address - but raising privacy concerns
As protests against DOGE head Elon Musk spread across the country, a website called “Dogequest” has reportedly published the personal details of Tesla owners, leading to concerns about privacy and safety.
The site reveals the names, addresses and phone numbers of Tesla owners on an interactive map and uses an image of a Molotov cocktail as a cursor. The operators of the site have stated that they will only remove the information of Tesla owners who prove that they have sold their cars, according to 404 Media.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Website called ‘Dogequest’ created to dox Tesla owners nationwide
Watch: JD Vance makes bizarre claims about predecessor Kamala Harris
British tourist sent home from US in chains after visa error
A British backpacker's ordeal in US immigration detention has prompted a warning from her father for travellers to meticulously check visa requirements before embarking on their journeys.
Rebecca Burke, a 28-year-old graphic artist from Monmouthshire, endured a harrowing 19-day detention in a US facility.
Read on...
‘Traumatic’: British tourist sent home from US in chains after visa error
According to Trump, Europe has 'raped and pillage' the U.S.
In his latest affront to the nation’s allies, President Donald Trump claimed the European Union has “raped and pillaged” the U.S.
Trump spoke to Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Wednesday about the economy and the potential for a recession this year.
Trump didn’t directly answer when asked if he would rule out the possibility of a recession, claiming instead that the country’s problems were fueled by their allies.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Trump tells Laura Ingraham Europe has ‘raped and pillaged’ the US
Michigan Dem Slotkin defends her lack of Musk pushback
Democratic senator Elissa Slotkin faced the heat at a Michigan town hall when she was asked by a constituent how she is standing up to the Trump administration and Elon Musk in the way progressives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders are.
Slotkin responded by saying that her job is to be “more than just an AOC” and “more than just an activist.”
Rhian Lubin reports.
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