Speaking at the White House Tuesday evening,
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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.
apnews.com
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.com
Vance 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.com
Homeland 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.
apnews.com
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.
apnews.com
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.
apnews.com
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.
abcnews.go.com
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.com
Wall 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.com
US 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.
apnews.com
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GOP lawmaker warns that likely move in blue state will make gas prices skyrocket: 'Affordability issue'
Rep. Vince Fong, R-Calif., is one of the many voices sounding the alarm about a recent oil refinery closure announcement having a greater impact on American wallets.
Valero Energy Corp. announced that it will likely close its Benicia refinery near San Francisco in April 2026, putting more than 400 jobs in jeopardy.
"We understand the impact that this may have on our employees, business partners, and community, and will continue to work with them through this period," Lane Riggs, board chair, CEO and president of Valero, said in a news release on...
Continue reading...Valero Energy Corp. announced that it will likely close its Benicia refinery near San Francisco in April 2026, putting more than 400 jobs in jeopardy.
"We understand the impact that this may have on our employees, business partners, and community, and will continue to work with them through this period," Lane Riggs, board chair, CEO and president of Valero, said in a news release on...
Gaza health ministry denies manipulating death toll figures
Three thousand names were removed from an official list of those killed in Israel's offensive.
Continue reading...Putin suggests Russia open to direct talks with Ukraine, as strikes continue
Moscow launched strikes across Ukrainian cities hours after Putin said he was considering a pause on civilian targets.
Continue reading...Will the next Pope be from Africa?
Despite having the world's fastest-growing Catholic population, odds are against Africa producing the next pontiff.
Continue reading...Protesters removed from Rep. Byron Donalds' chaotic town hall
A town hall hosted by Rep. Byron Donalds turned chaotic Tuesday, with audience members repeatedly interrupting the Florida Republican, leading authorities to remove two people — the latest raucous town hall dominated by protests against President Trump's administration.
Donalds, a three-term congressman running in next year's Florida gubernatorial race, was asked a litany of often-testy questions, several of which focused on billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Audience members booed or cheered — and, in some cases...
Continue reading...Donalds, a three-term congressman running in next year's Florida gubernatorial race, was asked a litany of often-testy questions, several of which focused on billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Audience members booed or cheered — and, in some cases...
As REAL ID rollout approaches, congressional privacy hawks largely silent on concerns
With President Donald Trump back in the White House and the final rollout of federal REAL ID requirements set to take effect in May, many of the loudest privacy advocates in Washington have been largely silent.
While privacy-minded lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have spent years blasting voter-ID laws and TSA facial recognition tools, among other measures, few are raising alarms over the Trump administration's looming implementation of the REAL ID Act — a law passed in 2005 that critics describe as a national identification system.
Some of...
Continue reading...While privacy-minded lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have spent years blasting voter-ID laws and TSA facial recognition tools, among other measures, few are raising alarms over the Trump administration's looming implementation of the REAL ID Act — a law passed in 2005 that critics describe as a national identification system.
Some of...
Trump admin will seize wages, pensions, tax refunds to repay student loans: 'Debt cannot be wiped away'
Those who default or refuse to pay their federal student loans could have their wages, federal pensions and tax refunds garnished, the White House said Tuesday.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters in her weekly briefing that the Trump administration will go after those who don't repay the loans instead of placing the burden on taxpayers.
"The government can and will collect defaulted federal student loan debt by withholding money from borrowers, tax refunds, federal pensions and even their wages," she said.
TRUMP STILL...
Continue reading...White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters in her weekly briefing that the Trump administration will go after those who don't repay the loans instead of placing the burden on taxpayers.
"The government can and will collect defaulted federal student loan debt by withholding money from borrowers, tax refunds, federal pensions and even their wages," she said.
TRUMP STILL...
'Growing heat': Sotomayor spars with Alito during LGBTQ classroom books case
Justices Samuel Alito and Sonia Sotomayor snapped at each other during Tuesday's arguments over parental rights in LGBTQ curriculum after the liberal justice attempted to jump back into the questioning as Alito was speaking.
The short quarrel happened as the high court listened to arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor, in which a coalition of parents sought to solidify the right to be informed about and opt their children out of reading LGBTQ-related material in elementary schools — which they argue conflicts with their faith.
"There is a growing heat to...
Continue reading...The short quarrel happened as the high court listened to arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor, in which a coalition of parents sought to solidify the right to be informed about and opt their children out of reading LGBTQ-related material in elementary schools — which they argue conflicts with their faith.
"There is a growing heat to...
Musk says time commitment to DOGE will ‘drop significantly,' as focus returns to Tesla
Tech billionaire Elon Musk said Tuesday that he will begin dedicating more time to Tesla and less to his work with the Trump administration starting next month, providing a relief to Tesla investors fed up with his political work and signaling a possible shift in power at the White House.
Musk's comments came on Tesla's call with investors following the company reporting a sizable drop in first-quarter profit and revenue. The company warned that the political environment along with the Trump administration's tariff plans were challenges for its...
Continue reading...Musk's comments came on Tesla's call with investors following the company reporting a sizable drop in first-quarter profit and revenue. The company warned that the political environment along with the Trump administration's tariff plans were challenges for its...
Trump admin ads on Mexican TV against ‘criminal aliens' anger government
The advertising campaign by President Donald Trump's administration with a message centered on "criminals are not welcome," referring to illegal migration to the United States, reached Mexican broadcast television during prime-time hours, prompting a response from Mexican authorities.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday announced reforms to prohibit paid foreign "propaganda" following a broadcast television ad featuring U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaking against illegal migration.
"Today or tomorrow, [the reforms]...
Continue reading...Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday announced reforms to prohibit paid foreign "propaganda" following a broadcast television ad featuring U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaking against illegal migration.
"Today or tomorrow, [the reforms]...
Trump says he has "no intention of firing" Fed chief Jerome Powell
President Trump said Tuesday he has "no intention of firing" Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, one day after the president called Powell a "major loser" and publicly lobbied the central bank chief to lower interest rates at a faster clip.
When asked by reporters in the Oval Office if he has any plans to fire Powell, Mr. Trump said he "never did" and claimed "the press runs away with things" — though he once again pressed Powell to cut interest rates, which remain elevated after the Fed hiked rates to quell inflation.
"This is a perfect time to...
Continue reading...When asked by reporters in the Oval Office if he has any plans to fire Powell, Mr. Trump said he "never did" and claimed "the press runs away with things" — though he once again pressed Powell to cut interest rates, which remain elevated after the Fed hiked rates to quell inflation.
"This is a perfect time to...
Elon Musk says his DOGE work will "drop significantly" in May
Elon Musk told Tesla investors he's scaling back his work at the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, saying the amount of time he spends on the task force will "drop significantly" starting in May.
As the Trump administration's cost-cutting initiative, DOGE has slashed tens of thousands of federal jobs in the name of reducing fraud, waste and abuse. But DOGE has also sparked a backlash — and plenty of lawsuits — as critics accuse it of accessing voters' private data and cutting programs that are vital to many...
Continue reading...As the Trump administration's cost-cutting initiative, DOGE has slashed tens of thousands of federal jobs in the name of reducing fraud, waste and abuse. But DOGE has also sparked a backlash — and plenty of lawsuits — as critics accuse it of accessing voters' private data and cutting programs that are vital to many...
Deported man's attorneys say DOJ isn't providing answers ordered by judge
Attorneys for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador, say the government has failed to provide appropriate responses to a judge's order for expedited discovery and to her questions about facilitating his return to the U.S.
In a letter addressed to U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis, Abrego Garcia's lawyers requested a hearing to be scheduled Wednesday "to address the government's failure to comply" with Xinis' order for expedited discovery in the case.
Xinis ordered a speedy fact-finding process...
Continue reading...In a letter addressed to U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis, Abrego Garcia's lawyers requested a hearing to be scheduled Wednesday "to address the government's failure to comply" with Xinis' order for expedited discovery in the case.
Xinis ordered a speedy fact-finding process...
Trump tells DOD to move more forces equipped for combat into Middle East as US ups pressure on Houthis
President Donald Trump has officially informed Congress that he has directed the Department of Defense to move additional forces equipped for combat into the Middle East as U.S. forces carry out military strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen in an effort to stop attacks on American forces and commercial ships in the Red Sea.
In a letter dated March 28 and released Tuesday, Trump told House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley that he had directed the Department of Defense to increase U.S. military presence in the region and launch major strikes on Houthi-controlled areas.
"I will no longer allow this band of pirates to threaten and attack United States forces and commercial vessels in one of the most important shipping lanes in the world," Trump wrote. "We will act to keep Americans safe."
He said the U.S. will continue striking until the group no longer poses a threat to navigation or U.S. personnel.
The strikes include
Continue reading...In a letter dated March 28 and released Tuesday, Trump told House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley that he had directed the Department of Defense to increase U.S. military presence in the region and launch major strikes on Houthi-controlled areas.
"I will no longer allow this band of pirates to threaten and attack United States forces and commercial vessels in one of the most important shipping lanes in the world," Trump wrote. "We will act to keep Americans safe."
He said the U.S. will continue striking until the group no longer poses a threat to navigation or U.S. personnel.
The strikes include