US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke after Canada's general election.
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Today's Political News Compilation - Monday, April 21, 2025
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Student loans in default to be referred to debt collection, Education Department says
By ANNIE MAUpdated 7:52 PM CDT, April 21, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said Monday.
Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans.
The Trump administration ’s announcement marks an end to a period of leniency that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. No federal student loans have been referred for collection since March 2020, including those in default. Under President Joe Biden, the Education Department tried multiple times to give broad forgiveness of student loans, only to be stopped by courts.
“American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said.
Beginning May 5, the department will begin involuntary collection through the Treasury Department’s offset program, which withholds government payments — including tax refunds, federal salaries and other benefits — from people with past-due debts to the government. After a 30-day notice, the department also will begin garnishing wages for borrowers in default.
The decision to send debt to collections drew criticism from advocates, who said borrowers had experienced whiplash and confusion with the changing student loan policies between the Biden and Trump administrations. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Trump renews attack on Federal Reserve Chair Powell, Dow Jones tumbles 1,000 points
President Donald Trump is repeating his attacks against the chair of the Federal Reserve, demanding that the central bank lower its key interest rate to boost the economy.
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Analysis: As tariffs darken the economic outlook, Trump sizes up Powell as a scapegoat | CNN Politics
Donald Trump is showing why independent central banks are a good idea.
www.cnn.com
Trump administration live updates: Trump defends Pete Hegseth after new reporting on a second Signal group chat
Live updates from President Donald Trump and the Trump administration as the White House holds the Easter Egg Roll.
www.nbcnews.comVance and Modi meet in New Delhi to discuss trade deal and avoid US tariffs
The US Vice President has arrived in India as New Delhi looks to avoid U.S. tariffs, negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.
apnews.com
Protesters removed from GOP Rep. Byron Donalds' chaotic town hall
A town hall hosted by Rep. Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican, was repeatedly interrupted by protesters.
www.cbsnews.comHomeland Security Secretary Noem's purse stolen at DC restaurant, officials say
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse was stolen at a Washington, D.C., restaurant on Easter night.
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Pope Francis used final Easter address to call for Gaza ceasefire
In the Easter message, the pontiff said the situation in Gaza was "dramatic and deplorable."
www.usatoday.com
Alito's dissent in deportation case says court rushed to block Trump with middle-of-the night order
Justice Samuel Alito has written a sharp dissent that castigates the seven-member majority for blocking the Trump administration from deporting any Venezuelans held in northern Texas under an 18th-century wartime law.
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El Salvador proposes swapping US-deported Venezuelans for Venezuelan 'political prisoners'
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele on Sunday proposed sending 252 Venezuelans deported from the U.S. and imprisoned in his country to Venezuela.
www.usatoday.com
White House voices support for Hegseth as a new Signal chat revelation stirs fresh Pentagon turmoil
The White House has expressed support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following reports that he shared sensitive military details in another Signal messaging chat.
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Hegseth blames 'anonymous smears,' Trump defends him after 2nd Signal chat revealed
President Donald Trump defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after news of a second Signal chat Hegseth used to share details of military action against Houthis.
After NY ignores latest deadline, feds give yet another month to stop toll that Trump hates
President Donald Trump’s administration has given New York another month to cease its congestion toll after the state ignored a Sunday deadline to shut down the $9 fee for drivers into Manhattan.
apnews.com
Sen. Chris Van Hollen says Salvadoran government "tried really hard" to prevent him from seeing Kilmar Abrego Garcia
Sen. Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador last week, where he met with Abrego Garcia after he said his attempts were repeatedly turned down by the Salvadoran government.
www.cbsnews.comWall Street and the dollar tumble as investors retreat further from the United States
Wall Street weakened as investors worldwide get more skeptical about U.S. investments because of President Donald Trump’s trade war and his criticism of the Federal Reserve, which are shaking the traditional order.
apnews.com
White House Easter Egg Roll features Big Tech logos, branding | CNN Politics
The logos of Big Tech companies and key associations were featured prominently Monday at the White House Easter Egg Roll, offering an unprecedented scene and use of the grounds to promote private business.
www.cnn.comUS Supreme Court appears likely to uphold Obamacare's preventive care coverage mandate
The Supreme Court seems likely to uphold a key preventive care provision of the Affordable Care Act.
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Xi's real test is not Trump's trade war
The real battleground of the current trade war might be China's domestic economy
Continue reading...Pakistan claims 'credible intelligence' India is planning an imminent military strike
India has accused Pakistan of supporting militants behind an attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists.
Continue reading...How Spain powered back to life from unprecedented national blackout
However diversified Spain's energy mix is, the blackout required an enormous effort to get back up and running.
Continue reading...Trump says he "could" call to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to U.S.
President Trump said he "could" call up El Salvador's president to secure the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was removed from the U.S. last month and sent to a Salvadoran prison in what a government official called an "administrative error."
Mr. Trump's remarks — made in an interview that aired Tuesday with ABC News — come as his government grapples with a court order instructing it to "facilitate" the return of Abrego Garcia, who was removed despite a 2019 ruling that barred him from being sent to El Salvador. The administration has argued...
Continue reading...Mr. Trump's remarks — made in an interview that aired Tuesday with ABC News — come as his government grapples with a court order instructing it to "facilitate" the return of Abrego Garcia, who was removed despite a 2019 ruling that barred him from being sent to El Salvador. The administration has argued...
Pakistan claims 'credible intelligence' India is planning an imminent military strike
India has accused Pakistan of supporting militants behind an attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists.
Continue reading...Blue state governor makes another appearance with Trump before his 100-day speech: 'Happy we're here'
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich., greeted President Donald Trump on the tarmac in Michigan before his speech to National Guard members on Tuesday, where she also spoke at the event without hiding her face.
"Well, I hadn’t planned to speak, but on behalf of all the military men and women who serve our country and serve so honorably on behalf of the State of Michigan, I am really damn happy we’re here," Whitmer said.
Fox News co-host Judge Jeanine Pirro said on "The Five" Tuesday that Whitmer had a chance to set the tone for the Democratic Party.
"I...
Continue reading..."Well, I hadn’t planned to speak, but on behalf of all the military men and women who serve our country and serve so honorably on behalf of the State of Michigan, I am really damn happy we’re here," Whitmer said.
Fox News co-host Judge Jeanine Pirro said on "The Five" Tuesday that Whitmer had a chance to set the tone for the Democratic Party.
"I...
Schumer kicks off Democrat all-nighter marathon railing against Trump's 100 days: He's 'being a mob boss'
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., saved little deference for his fellow New York native when he kicked off what he previously advertised as an all-nighter on the Senate floor by Democrats planning to rail against President Donald Trump for actions over his first 100 days.
Speaking just before the endeavor was interrupted by two scheduled votes including the final ambassadorship confirmation of the day, Schumer said it has been 100 days of "corruption [and] cronyism" that are "forcing much higher costs on the American people – it really...
Continue reading...Speaking just before the endeavor was interrupted by two scheduled votes including the final ambassadorship confirmation of the day, Schumer said it has been 100 days of "corruption [and] cronyism" that are "forcing much higher costs on the American people – it really...
Trump, who promised Day 1 relief and lower prices, talks of a ‘transition period'
President Donald Trump said Americans knew what they were signing up for, despite his campaign's pledge to immediately bring down prices.
Continue reading...Senate Democrats seek inquiry into Kash Patel's use of FBI aircraft
Senate Democrats have asked the U.S, Government Accountability Office to review the FBI Director Kash Patel's personal travel on government aircraft, according to GAO and congressional sources.
The review will examine Patel's use of the FBI's private fleet of jets, as well as every director's approach since 2013, when the GAO last studied the issue. Investigators at the congressional watchdog agency are expected to examine Patel's flight records to determine the purpose of his travel, how much the bureau spent and whether Patel reimbursed the...
Continue reading...The review will examine Patel's use of the FBI's private fleet of jets, as well as every director's approach since 2013, when the GAO last studied the issue. Investigators at the congressional watchdog agency are expected to examine Patel's flight records to determine the purpose of his travel, how much the bureau spent and whether Patel reimbursed the...
Trump wagers US economy in high-stakes tariff gamble at 100-day mark
President Donald Trump campaigned for a second term on pledges to lower prices, create jobs and impose tough tariffs on imports, especially from China.
Dubbing himself the "Tariff Man" last fall, he told an audience at the Economic Club of Chicago, "To me, the most beautiful word in the dictionary is tariff." However, in his first months in office, it is unclear whether Trump can, or should, implement the harsh reciprocal tariffs he announced in April against dozens of countries.
Now, 100 days into his second term, economists told Fox News Digital...
Continue reading...Dubbing himself the "Tariff Man" last fall, he told an audience at the Economic Club of Chicago, "To me, the most beautiful word in the dictionary is tariff." However, in his first months in office, it is unclear whether Trump can, or should, implement the harsh reciprocal tariffs he announced in April against dozens of countries.
Now, 100 days into his second term, economists told Fox News Digital...
DOGE terminates billions in contracts, including $361K for 'gender non-conforming, non-binary' BIPOC farmers
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) terminad $2.5 billion in "wasteful" grants that went toward gender-based causes, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said Tuesday.
The USDA got rid of 420 grants for a savings of $2.3 billion, according to DOGE.
Among the programs the money was used for, $361,000 went toward "gender non-conforming, non-binary, two-spirit" BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) farmers in New York.
HOW A DOGE REVIEW CAN ACTUALLY IMPROVE THE PROGRAMS THAT FIGHT HIV/AIDS
Another $150,000 was used for...
Continue reading...The USDA got rid of 420 grants for a savings of $2.3 billion, according to DOGE.
Among the programs the money was used for, $361,000 went toward "gender non-conforming, non-binary, two-spirit" BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) farmers in New York.
HOW A DOGE REVIEW CAN ACTUALLY IMPROVE THE PROGRAMS THAT FIGHT HIV/AIDS
Another $150,000 was used for...
DOGE, Treasury discover $334M in improper payment requests due to foul codes
The U.S. Treasury Department and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) discovered that hundreds of millions of dollars in improper payment requests were identified after going live with its first automated payment system last week.
In fact, the system found $334 million in improper payment requests that were flagged because of missing budget codes, invalid budget codes and budget codes without authorization.
DOGE, which is led by billionaire Elon Musk, announced the discovery in a post on X.
In the post, DOGE said an example of an invalid...
Continue reading...In fact, the system found $334 million in improper payment requests that were flagged because of missing budget codes, invalid budget codes and budget codes without authorization.
DOGE, which is led by billionaire Elon Musk, announced the discovery in a post on X.
In the post, DOGE said an example of an invalid...
Cash, tinned food and radio news: Making it through one of Europe's biggest ever power cuts
People in Spain and Portugal tell us what got them through a day with no electricity.
Continue reading...Trump administration dismisses scientists writing national climate report
Nearly 400 scientists across the United States were informed Monday afternoon that their services were no longer needed to help write a major report on climate change for the federal government.
The report, known as the National Climate Assessment, is a major publication produced every four years that summarizes the impacts of climate change in the United States, and it is congressionally mandated under the Global Change Research Act of 1990. The sixth edition is scheduled for publication in 2027 and preparations have been underway for months to...
Continue reading...The report, known as the National Climate Assessment, is a major publication produced every four years that summarizes the impacts of climate change in the United States, and it is congressionally mandated under the Global Change Research Act of 1990. The sixth edition is scheduled for publication in 2027 and preparations have been underway for months to...