PRESIDENT TRUMP ON MONDAY drew new battle lines on trade, immigration and crime as he outlined a series of surprising new proposals that resonated from Washington to Hollywood and provoked fresh debate about his powers. Â Over a head-spinning 48 hours, Trump said heâd reopen Alcatraz, slap new tariffs on films shot outside the U.S. and pay migrants who leave the U.S. voluntarily. Â Trumpâs most controversial moves pertain to his immigration policy, where the courts have intervened to restrain his actions. Â
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it would pay migrants $1,000 if they choose to âself-deportâ using a government app. The fee would be paid upon confirmation of their return. Â Trump said Monday those who leave voluntarily will be considered for a swifter path back to the U.S., while those who donât will never be allowed back. |
Rwanda said itâs in discussions with the U.S. about accepting deported migrants, even as controversy continues over migrant deportations to a prison in El Salvador.
 In a Sunday interview with NBCâS âMeet the Press,â Trump said he was unsure when presented with the question of whether he believes he needs to adhere to the U.S. Constitution when it comes to deportations. Â
âI donât know,â Trump responded, before arguing that the Supreme Court issued a vague ruling when it determined the U.S. must âfacilitateâ the return of a Salvadorian national who was deported back to his home country despite an immigration court ruling that he shouldnât be sent there over safety concerns.
 That response dominated headlines and chatter in Washington. Â
âWhatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand,â Former Vice President Mike Pence said while accepting an award in Washington. âItâs what binds us across time and generations. âŚ. Itâs what makes us one people.â  Democrats blasted the remarks. Â
âThis is as un-American as it gets,â Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on NBCâS âMeet the Press.â Â
Trump on Monday scolded the courts over what he views as improper meddling in national security issues pertaining to his immigration crackdown, citing a recent court ruling barring his administration from invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members. Â
âWeâre getting them out and itâs a very difficult thing with the courts because the courts have all of a sudden out of nowhere, they said, maybe you have to have trials,â Trump said in the Oval Office. âTrials. What are you gonna have 5 million trials? It doesnât work.â |
âTHE ROCKâ TO REOPEN? |
Trumpâs suggestion to refurbish and reopen the Alcatraz prison to house violent criminals came as a surprise. Â
The infamous prison off the coast of San Francisco also known as The Rock, closed 60 years ago and has since been operating as a tourist attraction. Â
âIt represents something very powerful, very strong in terms of law and order,â Trump said Monday. Â
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whose district encompasses Alcatraz, said âthe presidentâs proposal is not a serious one.â Â But some Republicans like the idea. Â
âI donât believe in keeping [criminals] comfortable,â Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) told Fox News Channelâs Bill Hemmer. âI want them to regret the crime.â Â Trump also confirmed that he offered to send U.S. troops into Mexico to combat drug trafficking, but Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum declined the offer. Â âShe is so afraid of the cartels she canât even think straight,â Trump said. |
STUDIO STOCKS DECLINE AFTER TRUMP THREAT |
Movie studio stocks finished in the red after Trump said he would implement 100 percent tariffs on all movies filmed outside the U.S. Â
Trump described U.S. productions abroad as a ânational security threat,â saying foreign countries could use their films as propaganda. Â
âOur film industry has been decimated by other countries, and also by incompetence, like in Los Angeles, the governor is a grossly incompetent man, heâs just allowed it to be taken away from Hollywood,â Trump said in the Oval Office. âYou know Hollywood doesnât do very much of that business. They have a nice sign, but they donât do very much, a lot of it has been taken to other countries.â
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Industry insiders expressed confusion over the logistics of putting tariffs on intellectual property. The move, if implemented, is certain to be challenged in court on First Amendment grounds. Â
A White House spokesperson told The Hill âno final decisions have been madeâ but that theyâre âexploring all options.â Â
Still, the mere threat of tariffs could further damage a battered industry that is trying to regain its footing after the pandemic, labor strikes and an industry-wide contraction. Hollywood productions sometimes go abroad to make use of locations not available in the U.S. or to take advantage of tax credits. Â
âIâm not looking to hurt the industry, I want to help the industry,â Trump added. âBut theyâre given financing by other countriesâŚand the industry is decimatedâŚso weâre going to meet with the industry. I want to make sure theyâre happy with itâŚ.weâll get it back.â Â
CNBC reported that Wedbush Securities wrote to investors Monday saying studios at every level âcarry a significant amount of risk as they will have to lobby the Trump administration to set a reasonable standard for films that require live sets in foreign settings.â
 Trump will meet with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday amid the trade war fallout.  âHeâs coming to see me, I donât know what he wants to see me about,â Trump said. âBut he wants to make a deal. Everybody does.â |
đĄPerspectives:
⢠Scott Bessent: Three steps to economic growth.
⢠The Free Press: Buffett saves his best for last.
⢠Sasha Stone: Dear Mr. President, Not the dolls.
⢠The Guardian: The case for American reindustrialization.
⢠The Hill: Trumpâs goodwill and polls in free fall. |
Student loan borrowers in default will face government-backed involuntary collections beginning today.  The deadline for Americans to obtain a Real ID for plane travel is Wednesday, May 5.  Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) announced Monday that he wonât challenge Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) in Georgia next year, delivering a blow to Republicans who sought to recruit him for the race.
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Coming tomorrow: Check out The Movement, a new weekly newsletter from The Hillâs Emily Brooks tracking the influences and debates steering politics on the right. Click here to sign up and get it in your inbox.
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House GOP wrestles with divide over Trump agenda
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House Republicans returned Monday for a crucial week on Capitol Hill as they try to overcome internal divisions on key policy issues in an effort to turn President Trumpâs agenda into âone big, beautiful billâ that can get through both chambers of Congress. Â Republican leaders postponed two committee mark-ups this week because of disagreements over Medicaid cuts and a dispute on the the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap. Â
Both issues threaten to sink a potential final funding bill if Republicans canât find a middle ground. Â
As The Hillâs Emily Brooks and Mychael Schnell write, the clock is ticking: Â
âThe lingering disagreements are putting Speaker Mike Johnsonâs (R-La.) roadmap in jeopardy. The top lawmaker said he wants the remaining markups to take place this week so that the House Budget Committee can combine all parts of the package the week after, putting the legislation on track for final passage â along party lines in a razor-thin GOP majority â by Memorial Day. That plan, however, could go awry if members are unable to work through the lingering disagreements, putting pressure on leadership to find consensus and move the process along.â
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Several of Trumpâs Cabinet members will testify before subcommittees for the House and Senate Appropriations committees this week, where theyâre certain to be asked about some of the more divisive elements of the skinny budget Trump sent to lawmakers, with a focus on defense spending. Â Hereâs a rundown of everything to watch for this week on Capitol Hill, including a vote on the âGulf of Americaâ bill. |
đĄPerspectives:
⢠Josh Hawley: Break up Big Tech.
⢠The Wall Street Journal: The GOPâs Medicaid moment of truth.
⢠Working Life: Gut âem, rob âem, leave the carcass to rot.
⢠Compact: The persistence of lesser-evil politics.
⢠New York: Trumpâs government cuts are just getting started. |
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Dems debate impeachment, future leaders
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Democrats are strategizing how best to push back against President Trump in his second term, with one eye on a field of potential new leaders taking shape. Â
The Hillâs Mike Lillis outlines the party leadershipâs âGoldilocks dilemmaâ when it comes to the question of impeachment. Â
âFrom the left, theyâre under fire to take the fight against President Trump up to DEFCON 1. From the center, theyâre meeting pressure to be less antagonistic â and even cooperate â with the duly elected administration. Itâs all left Democratic leaders on and off of Capitol Hill treading delicately to an elusive balance to appease both camps â or at least not infuriate one of them.â |
New party leaders are laying the tracks for potential future presidential run. Â
⢠The Hillâs Julia Mueller reports that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is keeping Democrats in suspense over her next move. Â
⢠Sports talker Stephen A. Smith, who has been making the rounds of political talk shows, says the Democratic Party would need to be âpurgedâ of the old guard if heâs going to launch a bid.
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⢠Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) is turning heads with his tough talk on Trump.  ⢠Could former Vice President Harris return for another crack at it in 2028? Â
The Hillâs Alexander Bolton writes: Â
âSenate Democrats are skeptical about their former colleague, former Vice President Kamala Harris, making another presidential run in 2028 after she lost all seven battleground states to President Trump in November, but most of them arenât ruling out the possibility that she could clinch the partyâs nomination if she plays her cards right.â |
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