Trump Presses Advisers for Tariff Escalation Ahead of April 2

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/donald-trump-administration-advisers/2025/03/29/id/1204854/

Saturday, 29 March 2025 10:09 AM EDT

President Donald Trump is urging senior advisers to take a more aggressive stance on tariffs as the administration prepares for a major escalation in its global trade war, the Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing four people familiar with the matter.

Despite calls from allies on Wall Street and Capitol Hill to adopt a more measured approach, Trump has been pushing for sweeping trade actions aimed at reshaping the U.S. economy, the report said.

Trump has continued to tell his advisers that he wants to keep increasing trade measures, and in recent days, he has brought back the idea of a universal tariff that would apply to most imports, no matter which country they come from, according to the report.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump has expressed regret over not implementing broader tariffs during his first term and has blamed advisers for persuading him to pull back, the Post said, adding it remains unclear how seriously the idea of a universal tariff is being considered.

The president has told advisers that tariffs are a win for the United States, bringing back manufacturing jobs and adding trillions in government revenue, according to the Post.

Earlier on Friday, Trump said that he was open to carving out deals with countries seeking to avoid U.S. tariffs but those agreements would have to be negotiated after his administration announces reciprocal levies on April 2.

Remember this?

A bomb is definitely a health risk in my opinion.

Zelenskyy: Putin 'Will Die Soon' Amid Ailing Health Reports

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/ukraine-russia-volodymyr-zelenskyy/2025/03/27/id/1204570/

Thursday, 27 March 2025 10:53 AM EDT

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin "will die soon" amid recent reports that Putin is in failing health.

Further, Zelenskyy urged the United States and the Trump administration to "stay strong" and not cave to Putin's demands on a ceasefire deal to end the three-year war.

Zelenskyy made the comments in a sit-down interview with reporters alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday in Paris on the eve of meetings of European leaders.

"[Putin] will die soon, and that's a fact, and it will come to an end," Zelenskyy said, adding that death is "what he is afraid of."

It was reported last week that Putin, 72, suffered a "mini stroke" after shaking uncontrollably at a conference, The Standard reported.

There have also been unverified claims that Putin is suffering from cancer and Parkinson's disease.

"There's been rumors of Putin being unwell since the mid 2000s, if not earlier," Dr. Stephen Hall, a Russian political analyst told The Sun. "There are lots of possible theories as to what's been going on in terms of how the Kremlin hides it."

The Sun reported that Putin is on "heavy steroids and innovative pain-killing injections" to blunt the spread of pancreatic cancer. "It not only causes a lot of pain, Putin has a state of puffiness of the face and other side effects — including memory lapses," The Sun reported, citing another Russian intelligence source.

Regardless, Zelenskyy urged the U.S. to "stay strong" in its negotiations with Russia.

"It is very important that America does not help Putin to get out of this global isolation now," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy is among 30 leaders in Paris for the third summit of the "coalition of the willing." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz are among those scheduled to attend.

The U.S. is not represented at the meetings. Their goal is to help bolster Ukraine's position in peace talks with Russia.

>>22838258

So did this guy.

>>22838264

And we all know how that story ended.

They are pushing hard to get Hegseth to resign.

This is according to WSJ.

WSJ: Hegseth's Wife Attended Sensitive Meetings

https://www.newsmax.com/politics/pete-hegseth-jennifer-hegseth-nato/2025/03/29/id/1204858/

Saturday, 29 March 2025 10:57 AM EDT

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had his wife attend meetings with foreign military allies where sensitive information was discussed, The Wall Street Journal reported.

While the fallout continues over Hegseth's handling over the information he provided in a Signal group chat, news of Jennifer Hegseth being present in official meetings will undoubtedly add to calls for the defense secretary to resign, according to the Journal.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the former Fox News producer attended a March 6 meeting at the Pentagon with U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey and Admiral Tony Radakin, head of the U.K.'s armed forces. That meeting reportedly occurred at a uniquely sensitive time for NATO as it took place one day after the U.S. had announced it was cutting off Ukraine from military intelligence sharing.

Jennifer Hegseth is also reported to have attended a meeting last month at NATO headquarters in Brussels where allies discussed their collective support for Ukraine.

Pete Hegseth's brother Philip Hegseth has also been traveling with him on official government business, the outlet reported. Philip Hegseth, a podcast producer for the Hudson Institute and venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, recently joined the Department of Homeland Security as a liaison to the Department of Defense. When contacted by the outlet, the Pentagon declined to say whether Jennifer Hegseth possessed security clearance.

A Cabinet secretary can invite anyone they choose to official meetings, yet attendees are expected to possess the necessary clearance when sensitive matters are discussed. As word of Jennifer Hegseth's attendance spread throughout Congress, lawmakers from both parties are seeking answers.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Ranking Member Jack Reed, D-R.I., sent a letter Wednesday urging the Defense Department's inspector general to investigate the Signal group chat incident.

The senators want to determine if the handling of classified information differs between agencies and branches of government and request an "assessment of whether any individuals transferred classified information, including operational details, from classified systems to unclassified systems.”

According to a poll released Friday by J.L. Partners-Daily Mail, 54% of registered voters think Hegseth should resign in the aftermath of the Signal leak.

WATCH: Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes Says he Plans to Violate Federal Election Law – “Tell Them to Go to Hell”

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/03/watch-arizona-secretary-state-adrian-fontes-says-he/

https://truthsocial.com/@gatewaypundit/posts/114246384544662871

>>22838324

Once again, filtured for non-relevance.

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114246559232803169

And they are complaining about an app?

>>22838509

FEMA Blocks $10B in Aid, Cites Immigration Concerns

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/fema-disaster-aid-kristi-noem/2025/03/28/id/1204768/

Friday, 28 March 2025 01:52 PM EDT

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is freezing $10 billion in disaster aid, Politico reported.

The agency is investigating two programs that are being used to help undocumented migrants, Politico reported, citing agency documents written March 20 by FEMA acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton and approved Tuesday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The programs provide funding to NGOs for disaster recovery and short-term housing, according to the documents obtained by Politico. One program has $8.5 billion in unspent aid for disaster recovery, while the other has $1.3 billion set aside for short-term housing, Politico reported.

FEMA has 56 agency programs that are being reviewed to ensure money does not go to undocumented migrants. Most of the programs reviewed have been deemed in compliance with President Donald Trump’s immigrant policies and executive orders, Politico reported.

Trump signed an executive order last week, setting the stage for a major overhaul of federal disaster relief programs.

"The Order enables state and local governments to better understand, plan for, and address the needs of their citizens by reducing the complexity of federal preparedness and response policies," the order reads.

Noem told Trump during a Cabinet meeting Monday that preparations are underway to "eliminate" FEMA.

>>22838675

Even this POS is noticing.

Gov. Newsom: 'The Democratic Brand Is Toxic Right Now'

https://www.newsmax.com/politics/gavin-newsom-democratic-party-bill-maher/2025/03/29/id/1204867/

Saturday, 29 March 2025 12:11 PM EDT

Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., described his own party as "toxic" and suggested the Democratic Party needs to be more than just the anti-Trump party if Democrats hope to recapture the American electorate.

Speaking on "Real Time With Bill Maher" Friday, Newsom continued his efforts to present himself as an open-minded liberal willing to have polite but frank conversations with his political opponents.

"The Democratic brand is toxic right now," Newsom said before highlighting a recent NBC News poll that showed Democrats with a 27% favorability rating, the lowest in over 30 years. Newsom, seen as potential 2028 presidential candidate for the Democrats, has been trying to position himself as an old-school Democrat who doesn't resort to "cancel culture" when dealing with Republicans.

"We talk down to people," he said. "We talk past people." Newsom acknowledged the problem with cancel culture is that it has backed the Democratic Party into an "echo chamber."

"These guys are crushing us," he said.

Earlier in the month, the governor launched his "This is Gavin Newsom" podcast, with his debut episode featuring Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Newsom said his reason for having "controversial figures" is to show other Democrats how to talk to people.

Almost immediately, Newsom found himself in the middle of controversy when Kirk asked the governor, "Would you say no men in female sports?" Newsom affirmed his support for the transgender community with Kirk and attempted to walk a line of compassion for both sides.

"There's also humility and grace — that these poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression. And the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well," he said. "So both things I can hold in my hand. How can we address this issue with the kind of decency that I think you know is inherent in you, but not always expressed on the issue?"

Newsom promptly found the ire of several LGBTQ activists in California following his comment. Despite the backlash, Maher expressed his desire to see Newsom run for president and applauded his efforts to talk to the other side.

"This idea that we can't even have a conversation with the other side?" Newsom asked, pointing the blame to member of his own party.

"You have to. They won," Maher answered.

It's starting, Justices backlashing.

Sotomayor Pushes Back at Trump Without Mentioning His Name

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/sonia-sotomayor-donald-trump-courts/2025/03/29/id/1204870/

Saturday, 29 March 2025 12:48 PM EDT

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor — without mentioning President Donald Trump's name — appeared during remarks at Georgetown University to be pushing back against his attacks on the legal system and said the country is going through a "troubling" amount of disrespect for the courts, attorneys, and judges.

"One of the things that's troubling so many right now is many of the standards that are being changed right now were norms that governed officials into what was right and wrong," Sotomayor, the senior liberal justice on the court, said during an appearance at the university's law center in Washington, D.C., on Friday, reports Politico.

She added that "once norms are broken, then you're shaking some of the foundation of the rule of law."

The administration has appealed to the Supreme Court for rulings on several cases in which judges have ruled against Trump's actions on government cutbacks and deportations.

It is seeking relief on a court order blocking the administration from firing thousands of probationary workers; on District of Columbia Judge James Boasberg's order preventing Trump from using an 18th century law to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members; and to rein in district court judges from blocking his policies nationally.

Chief Justice John Roberts last week rebuked Trump for calling for the impeachment of Boasberg and others who have ruled against him.

Much of Sotomayor's criticism was aimed at the president's appointee and congressional supporters who hold law degrees and have amplified Trump's calls to impeach judges and joined in personally attacking judges blocking the president's plans.

"Law schools … are not doing enough to teach about the meaning of the rule of law," she said during remarks with Georgetown law Dean William Treanor. "They have not done enough to teach about our respect for the Constitution. The fact that some of our public leaders are lawyers advocating or making statements challenging the rule of law tells me that, fundamentally, our law schools are failing."

The justice noted that she is often in dissent in Supreme Court cases, with conservative justices outnumbering liberals by 6-3.

For example, she dissented in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the 2002 decision overturning the Roe v. Wade decision on the constitutional right to abortion.

Sotomayor said that the case is a reminder that decisions she sees as being wrong are not permanent.

"As we know from recent events, the court does change its mind, so, this is not without hope," Sotomayor said.

Eroding the independence in the judicial branch will also undermine the rule of law, Sotomayor, who President Barack Obama appointed to the high court in 2009, warned.

"We have to get up and explain and repeat and explain again why judicial independence is critical to everyone's freedom, because arbitrary power is just that, and it means that anyone is going to be subject to unfairness at someone else's whim," she said. "The fact that you may like the use of arbitrary power against someone else at the moment, and you can target whomever you want at any moment, you have to be worried about the day that will turn on you."