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Greg Clugston
SRN Correspondent Greg Clugston keeps you informed about all the news coming from the White House.
Angry with the Fed, Trump steps up attacks on Chairman Powell
President Trump has been stepping up his attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. The nation’s central bank has enjoyed independence from politics for decades. But that independence is increasingly at risk as the president fumes about Powell and his decision not to aggressively lower interest rates. Many legal scholars agree that the president cannot fire Powell from the Fed’s board of governors, but there is less agreement over whether a president can remove him as chair. GC, the WH.
Listen DownloadSupreme Court to hear birthright citizenship arguments in May
The Supreme Court will hear arguments this spring on President Trump’s plan to end automatic birthright citizenship. On his first day in office, the president signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship for the children of people who are in the U-S illegally. That order was halted nationwide by three district courts. During arguments on May 15th, the Supreme Court will consider whether those lower-court judges exceeded their authority. In the meantime, the president’s executive order remains blocked.
Listen DownloadJudge faults Trump administration over “poor performance” mass firings
A federal judge is telling the Trump administration to correct the record about fired employees. A U.S. district judge in California ordered the administration to provide probationary workers, who were let go in mass firings, a written statement saying they were not terminated for poor performance. Judge William Alsup issued the order in a lawsuit filed by labor unions. He found that the Office of Personnel Management unlawfully ordered the firings and used the pretense of poor performance to do so. The judge found it was impossible for federal agencies to assess each worker’s performance in only a matter of days.
Listen DownloadTrump vows no Medicare and Medicaid cuts in budget bill
President Trump is vowing not to cut Medicare and Medicaid programs. At Friday’s swearing-in of Dr. Mehmet Oz as the Medicare and Medicaid administrator, the president promised no cuts, only help. Despite those assurances, a dozen House Republicans have sent a letter to GOP leaders warning they will not sign the upcoming budget and tax cuts bill if Medicaid is sharply reduced.
Listen DownloadNations begin trade talks with U.S. to avoid stiff tariffs
Judge halts mass layoffs at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
A federal judge is blocking the Trump administration from firing hundreds of employees in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. U-S District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said she is “deeply concerned” that administration officials aren’t complying with her earlier order that maintains the bureau’s existence until she rules on the merits of a lawsuit seeking to preserve it. A hearing is set for the end of April. Roughly 15-hundred employees are slated to be cut, leaving around 200 people. Many conservatives and businesses have criticized the bureau’s oversight and investigations.
Listen DownloadTrump says Russia-Ukraine talks are “coming to a head”
President Trump says Russia-Ukraine talks are “coming to a head.” As the administration tries to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, the president suggests that time is running out. “If for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re going to say you’re fools, you’re foolish, and we’re just going to take a pass,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. He said he hopes Russia’s Vladimir Putin is not dragging his feet and the president insisted that neither side is “playing” him in his push to end the war.
Listen DownloadRubio: U.S. may end Russia-Ukraine peace efforts if no progress soon
Secretary of State Rubio warns the U-S could drop Russia-Ukraine peace efforts if there’s no progress soon. Following talks in Paris, Rubio said the U-S may “move on” from trying to end the Russia-Ukraine war if progress isn’t made in the coming days. But Vice President Vance sounded more hopeful. During last year’s campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly claimed he would end the war in one day.
Listen DownloadAppeals court: Trump’s defiance over man’s deportation is “shocking”
A federal appeals court has upheld a judge’s decision to order sworn testimony by Trump administration officials in the case of a mistakenly deported man. A three-judge panel from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it’s “shocking” that the administration claims it can’t do anything to free Kilmar Abrego Garcia from an El Salvador prison and return him to the U-S. The federal appeals panel raised serious questions about efforts to “stash away residents….in foreign prisons without…due process.” It also warned of the dangers of an escalating conflict between the judiciary and executive branches.
Listen DownloadTrump threatens to fire Fed chairman over interest rates policy
President Trump is heaping loads of criticism on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. When it comes to his feelings about the man running the nation’s central bank, the president isn’t holding back. Donald Trump is upset with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell for not aggressively cutting interest rates. He’s threatening to fire Powell, saying “If I want him out, he’ll be out of there real fast.”
Listen DownloadSupreme Court to hear birthright citizenship arguments in May
The Supreme Court will hear arguments this spring on President Trump’s plan to end automatic birthright citizenship. On his first day in office, the president signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship for the children of people who are in the U-S illegally. That order was halted nationwide by three district courts. During arguments on May 15th, the Supreme Court will consider whether those lower-court judges exceeded their authority. In the meantime, the president’s executive order remains blocked.
Listen DownloadUnhappy with the Fed, Trump hints at firing Powell
President Trump is slamming the Federal Reserve chairman and hinting at possibly firing Jerome Powell. In a message posted online, the president criticized the Fed for not lowering interest rates and said “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” The president has not been shy about voicing his frustration with the chairman, whose term doesn’t expire until next year. On Wednesday, Powell warned that the Trump administration’s trade war was “highly likely” to push inflation higher and slow economic growth.
Listen DownloadFed Chair says tariffs will lead to higher inflation, slower growth
Federal Reserve chairman says the Trump tariffs likely will lead to higher inflation. Fed Chair Jerome Powell told the Economic Club of Chicago that the U-S economy is still in a solid position. But he warned that economic growth appears to be slowing. And he pointed to the president’s tariffs as the reason why. He said they are “significantly larger than anticipated” and will result in higher inflation and slower growth.
Listen DownloadTrump joins tariff and trade talks with Japanese delegation
President Trump this week personally joined trade negotiations with the Japanese. Facing a potential 24 percent across-the-board tariff, Japan is among the first countries to open negotiations with the Trump administration. On Wednesday, the president joined his economic advisers for tariff and trade talks with the Japanese delegation. Last week, Donald Trump paused reciprocal tariffs for 90 days after financial markets took a nosedive.
Listen DownloadJudge finds probable cause to hold administration in contempt
A federal judge finds probable cause to hold the Trump administration in contempt for violating his deportation order. Last month, the Trump administration failed to return two deportation flights after the judge ordered the planes be turned around. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said “the Constitution does not tolerate willful disobedience of judicial orders ” and he could refer the matter for prosecution. He said the administration could “purge” its contempt by returning the deportees from El Salvador. But the White House responded by saying it will “seek immediate appellate relief.” GC, Wash.
Listen DownloadTrump administration sues Maine over transgender athletes in girls sports
The Trump administration is suing Maine’s education department over transgender sports. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the lawsuit against Maine for not complying with its push to ban transgender athletes in girls and women’s sports. The Trump administration has threatened to cut off federal funding to the state. Maine Governor Janet Mills said this matter “is about states rights and defending the rule of law against a federal government bent on imposing its will.”
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