Nationwide dissent against the turmoil of President Donald Trump’s second term emerged Saturday at over 1,200 rallies hosted by Democratic supporters.
Demonstrators throughout the United States participated in a series of “Hands Off” protests, condemning Trump’s immigration enforcement actions and deportation strategies, as well as significant layoffs within the Department of Government Efficiency.
Activists claimed that Trump and his billionaire advisor at DOGE, Elon Musk, have manufactured a needless crisis, acting under the assumption that “this country belongs to them” solely.
“They’re grabbing everything within reach—our healthcare, our data, our jobs, our services—and challenging the world to intervene,” the organizers stated. “This is a crisis, and now is the moment to take action.”
Meet the Press
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday downplayed any worries Americans might have regarding their retirement savings during an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”
“I think that narrative is misleading,” Bessent told host Kristen Welker. “Americans preparing for retirement, those who have saved diligently over the years, generally don’t fixate on daily market changes.”
Later in the broadcast, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., openly criticized Bessent’s comments, referencing both Bessent’s wealth and that of President Donald Trump.
“The treasury secretary suggesting that people aren’t mindful of their retirement funds—perhaps he doesn’t have to worry,” Schiff remarked. “He has the financial means; perhaps the president, with his wealth, doesn’t worry either. But the feedback I’m receiving from Californians—those nearing retirement and those who just retired—is one of fear.”
Politics in brief
- In a notable deviation from the White House’s position, Elon Musk expressed a desire for a “zero tariff situation” between the United States and Europe, advocating for “greater freedom of movement between Europe and North America.”
- A Justice Department attorney who faced difficulties in court explaining the Trump administration’s deportation of a Maryland resident to El Salvador was suspended from duty, according to a department official.
- Approximately a thousand demonstrators gathered outside the home of White House “border czar” Tom Homan in a small village in New York, demanding the release of three children and their mother detained by immigration agents at a nearby dairy farm last month.
- Officials from the Department of Government Efficiency visited the headquarters of the Peace Corps, per the agency’s confirmation, indicating potential cuts to a volunteer program that has historically garnered bipartisan support.
Ovechkin surpasses ‘The Great One’
Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin shattered the longstanding NHL record for goals scored, overtaking the goal tally set by the iconic Wayne Gretzky over 25 years ago.
Ovechkin netted his record-breaking 895th goal in the second period on Sunday against the New York Islanders. The game was promptly paused for a celebratory ceremony on the ice.
Ovechkin signed a five-year contract extension with Washington in 2021, set to run through next season. He has hinted that the 2025-26 season may mark his final year in the NHL, with a potential return to Russia in the future.
At America’s last alumina refinery, a trade war spells trade-offs
President Donald Trump aims to revitalize American industry with tariffs on metals, automobiles, and a wide range of foreign imports. In Gramercy, Louisiana, where the nation’s only alumina refiner operates, residents are skeptical about participating in such a revival.
Barbara Dumas, like many locals, expresses concerns over the industrial pollution and feels her community would fare better without the refinery: “It might hurt those employed there, but it would allow the surrounding residents to live in a safer environment.”
Atlantic Alumina, known as Atalco, produces around 40% of the alumina used for aluminum production in the United States on its own.
Charles Johnson, CEO of the Aluminum Association, has welcomed the Trump administration’s initiative to boost domestic smelting and impose tariffs on inexpensive Chinese metal imports, but he stated this transformation could require up to a decade. He emphasized that the downstream sector relies on foreign imports—particularly from Canada, which industry advocates have encouraged the administration to exempt from tariffs.
UConn dominates South Carolina to win the NCAA women’s tournament
The Connecticut Huskies secured their unprecedented 12th women’s national basketball championship on Sunday, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59 in a rematch of the 2022 championship.
The Gamecocks aimed for their second consecutive title and their third in four years, but the Huskies’ offensive prowess prevailed.
In the meantime, the men’s tournament heads to a showdown between Houston and Florida. The Cougars reached their third title game by overcoming a 14-point deficit to defeat Duke 67-64, pulling off a shocking comeback against the Blue Devils.
This followed another comeback performance by the Gators, who overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to beat Auburn 79-73, propelled by 34 points from star guard Walter Clayton Jr.
In case you missed it
- A second child with measles in Texas has succumbed to the illness, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
- A week of severe storms that tore through the South and the Midwest resulted in at least 17 fatalities.
- The University of Massachusetts Amherst announced the revocation of visas for five international students, along with several others in California.
- Two lawmakers from Britain’s ruling Labour Party were denied entry to Israel and deported due to suspicions of plans to “document the activities of security forces and incite anti-Israel sentiment.”
- Pope Francis made his first public appearance following his discharge from the hospital two weeks ago.
- Three individuals in Mammoth Lakes, California, died from hantavirus, which also claimed the life of actor Gene Hackman’s wife in February, according to public health officials.
- Andrew and Tristan Tate, who recently traveled to the United States while facing human trafficking and sex-related charges in Romania, may now be under federal criminal investigation in the United States, following a recent civil lawsuit filing.
- British singer FKA Twigs canceled her appearance at Coachella in California this week due to ongoing visa difficulties related to her North American tour.
