An appeals court on Friday lifted a block on executive orders seeking to end government support for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, handing the Trump administration a win after a string of setbacks defending President Trump’s agenda against dozens of lawsuits.
Earlier, Trump gave an unprecedented speech from the Department of Justice, during which he named himself “the chief law enforcement officer in our country,” boasted about beating charges DOJ previously levied against him, and discussed jailing his political rivals.
Meanwhile, more than 50 universities, including several in New England, are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that his officials say exclude white and Asian American students.
Here’s how Friday unfolded.
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Appeals court lifts blocks on Trump’s orders restricting DEI programs — 8:56 p.m.
By the Associated Press
An appeals court on Friday lifted a block on executive orders seeking to end government support for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, handing the Trump administration a win after a string of setbacks defending President Trump’s agenda against dozens of lawsuits.
The decision from a three-judge panel allows the orders to be enforced as a lawsuit against them plays out. The judges halted a nationwide injunction from U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore.
Two of the judges on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals acknowledged the anti-DEI orders could raise concerns about First Amendment rights, but said the judge’s sweeping block went too far.
Abelson had found the orders violated free-speech rights and are unconstitutionally vague since they don’t define DEI.
Trump suspends security clearances of additional Washington lawyers — 8:11 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Trump has signed an executive order targeting attorneys at the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP pending a review of whether the clearances are “consistent with the national interest.”
Text of the order says the firm hired Mark Pomerantz, who left the firm to join the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
That’s the office that secured Trump’s conviction on 34 state charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush-money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex.
Trump has claimed the trial was “rigged” and “disgraceful.”
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Raskin event to respond to Trump speech disrupted by supporters of the president — 7:34 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said no president has ever given a speech like Trump’s overtly political remarks at the Department of Justice.
The Maryland lawmaker introduced government lawyers who were fired after Trump took office because they prosecuted Trump supporters who rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Trump pardoned all the Jan. 6 defendants after he returned to office.
Throughout the event, at least one man kept yelling, “God Bless Donald Trump.”
Harry Dunn, then a Capitol police officer who helped defend the building during the riot, said Trump had put another mob “on retainer” by issuing the pardons.
Senate unanimously approves budget fix for DC — 7:15 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The Senate swiftly approved legislation late Friday that would allow the District of Columbia to keep its budget intact rather than roll back to 2024, fixing a provision that had drawn protests from the mayor and residents war who warned it would require $1 billion in cuts to services.
The bill passed unanimously, without dissent, and now heads to the House. Lawmakers are on recess but expected to consider it when they return in late March.
Senate passes six-month funding bill hours before shutdown deadline — 6:30 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The Senate passed a six-month spending bill hours before a government shutdown, overcoming sharp Democratic opposition to the measure and sending it to Trump to be signed into law.
The vote was 54-46.
Trump decries ‘weaponization’ of law enforcement in unprecedented speech at Justice Department — 6:10 p.m.
By Julian E.J. Sorapuru, Globe Staff
Trump named himself “the chief law enforcement officer in our country,” boasted about beating charges DOJ previously levied against him, and discussed jailing his political rivals in an unprecedented speech from the Department of Justice on Friday.
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“We’re turning the page on four long years of corruption, weaponization and surrender to violent criminals, and we’re restoring fair, equal and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law,” Trump said. “Under the Trump administration, the DOJ and the FBI will once again become the premier crime fighting agencies on the face of the earth.”
Judges don’t intervene after the Trump administration says it’s stopped destroying USAID records — 5:56 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Federal judges in two separate lawsuits refused to order the Trump administration to not destroy US Agency for International Development records after it said it has disposed of only old or unneeded documents and is no longer destroying records anyway.
Both cases involve the destruction of classified documents as part of the building cleanout as Trump dismantles USAID, cutting off most federal money and terminating 83 percent of humanitarian and development programs abroad.
Former EPA heads sound alarm about Trump environmental rollbacks — 5:51 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Three former Environmental Protection Agency leaders say rollbacks proposed by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin endanger the lives of millions of Americans and abandon the agency’s dual mission to protect the environment and human health.
Zeldin said Wednesday he plans to roll back 31 key environmental rules on everything from clean air and water to climate change. Former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy called Zeldin’s announcement “the most disastrous day in EPA history.’'
The comprehensive plan to undo decades-old regulations was nothing short of a “catastrophe” and “represents the abandonment of a long history” of EPA actions to protect the environment, said William K. Reilly, who led the agency under President George H.W. Bush.
Christine Todd Whitman, who led EPA under President George W. Bush, said the administration was “endangering all of our lives.”
Rubio says South Africa’s ambassador to the US ‘is no longer welcome’ in the country — 5:43 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States “is no longer welcome” in the country.
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Rubio, in a post on X, accused Ebrahim Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” who hates President Donald Trump and declared him “persona non grata.” He didn’t give further reasoning.
The State Department did not have additional details, and it was unclear whether the ambassador was even in the US at the time the decision was made. Rubio posted as he was flying back to Washington from a Group of 7 foreign ministers in Quebec.
South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 14, 2025
Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.
We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.https://t.co/mnUnwGOQdx
Senators vote on amendments unlikely to pass but to signal their views — 5:42 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Senators are reviewing a series of amendments to the government funding package, most of which target DOGE’s agenda.
Among them were Democrats:
- Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon wants to reinstate some $20 billion that has been rolled back from the IRS.
- Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois proposes making veterans eligible to return to their federal jobs if they were involuntarily dismissed without cause.
- Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland would eliminate funding for DOGE.
On the other side of the aisle:
- Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky wants to put DOGE’s reductions to USAID into law.
The 10 Democrats that just voted to advance the government funding bill — 5:33 p.m.
By the Associated Press
- Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York
- Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
- Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire
- Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2-ranking Senate Democrat
- Senator Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats
- Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada
- Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania
- Senator Gary Peters of Michigan
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
- Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii
Trump administration says it will resume payments to a charity that provides aid to refugees — 5:26 p.m.
By the Associated Press
A lawyer for the US Department of Health and Human Services reported to a federal judge that it had completed an “integrity review” that had prompted it to pause payments. He did not mention any problems that may have surfaced during the review.
The Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Worth coordinates a range of refugee services throughout Texas. It had sued to resume payments and said that as of Friday it had $47 million in pending requests, which had languished after the Trump administration paused its grant funding for refugee-related services.
The charity had requested a temporary restraining order from U.S. District Court Judge Loren Alikhan of the District of Columbia. Alikhan held off on ruling on the request pending the processing of the funds.
“We’re happy about the news, and we’re hopeful that this will be a short delay in payments and then business as usual after this,” attorney Edward Waters of Catholic Charities said.
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Bill to avert government shutdown clears key hurdle with help from Democrats — 5:10 p.m.
By the Associated Press
A spending bill to avert a partial government shutdown narrowly cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate, paving the way for passage as a midnight Friday deadline loomed.
Ten Democrats joined with Republicans to clear the 60-vote threshold needed to advance the measure. The vote was 62-38.
Trump lauds judge who oversaw his classified documents case — 5:08 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Trump called US District Judge Aileen Cannon “amazing” and “courageous” months after she dismissed the indictment accusing him of illegally retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home.
Trump slammed what he described as unfair public criticism of Cannon, whom Trump also nominated to the federal bench. Trump accused Cannon’s critics of “playing the refs.”
Cannon sided with Trump’s lawyers in ruling that the special counsel who filed the charges against Trump was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.
Trump’s own administration have been critical of federal judges who have ruled against the White House in lawsuits brought over his sweeping executive orders. Some of his allies have called out judges by name on social media and suggested they should be impeached.
Trump loyalists charged with crimes dot audience for speech — 5:05 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Among them:
- Walt Nauta, the Trump valet who was charged along with the president with obstructing an investigation into Trump’s hoarding of classified documents after he left office in 2021. That case was later dismissed.
- Michael Flynn, who served as national security adviser in Trump’s first term. Flynn was charged with lying to the FBI about his Russian contacts during the 2016 presidential period. He pleaded guilty and was later pardoned in Trump’s final weeks in office.
- Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general who last year agreed to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution under a deal to end criminal securities fraud charges that have shadowed the Republican for nearly a decade.
Trump vows to seek ‘full and complete accountability’ from the Justice Department — 4:53 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The president is vowing to seek “full and complete accountability” for what he alleges were wrongs carried out by the Justice Department that prosecuted him.
In his speech at Justice Department headquarters, Trump railed against the Biden administration officials he claims tried to do “everything within their power” to prevent him from becoming president.
There has been no evidence of wrongdoing by the officials who investigated and prosecuted Trump on allegations that he illegally retained classified documents and conspired to overturn his 2020 election loss. The Justice Department dismissed the cases after his election victory, citing longstanding policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.
Trump suggests a ceasefire could be close in Russia’s war with Ukraine — 4:47 p.m.
By the Associated Press
During his speech at the Department of Justice, Trump said ceasefire negotiations were ongoing and praised his relationship with Putin.
Trump even said Putin “has respect for this country.”
Trump also seemed to suggest that Ukraine was to blame for Russia’s 2022 invasion, saying, “You don’t want to pick on somebody that’s a lot larger than you.”
Previously, Trump blamed Ukraine for the fighting, only to later concede that Russia invaded when those comments sparked an uproar.
GOP funding bill faces 60-vote threshold to advance in Senate — 4:45 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The Senate is now taking a key vote that needs 60 votes to push the Republican-backed government funding bill forward in the chamber.
While it’s not a vote for final passage, which only requires a simple majority, this vote is a larger hurdle because it requires 60 votes to overcome the Senate’s filibuster rules. With Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, opposing the bill, eight Democrats would need to vote in favor for the bill to proceed.
Senators have also reached an agreement on debate time, which would allow them to beat the midnight deadline for a shutdown.
Democrats fracture over potential government shutdown, progressive groups warning of backlash — 4:27 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Democrats are erupting in anger, accusing Schumer of passing on a rare opportunity to regain leverage in Washington.
In defense, Schumer said “a shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive.”
Still, influential progressive groups are warning that Senate Democrats would face a fierce backlash if they vote with Republicans to avoid the shutdown.
“Clearing the way for Donald Trump and Elon Musk to gut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is unacceptable. It’s past time for Democrats to fight and stop acting like it’s business as usual,” said Joel Payne, a spokesperson for MoveOn, which claims nearly 10 million members nationwide.
Wall Street rallies to its best day in months, but that’s not enough to salvage its losing week — 4:12 p.m.
By the Associated Press
It was Wall Street’s best day since the election, but wasn’t enough to salvage a fourth straight losing week.
The S&P 500 rose 2.1 percent, a day after closing more than 10 percent below its record for its first “correction” since 2023. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1.7 percent, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 2.6 percent.
Uncertainty about Trump’s oft-changing tariff announcements have increased public anxiety, feeding worries that US consumers may cut back on their spending.
Trump’s threats on government downsizing and tariffs unleash historic jumps in public anxiety — 4:07 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Along with a ferocious stock market selloff and downgrades to growth estimates by Wall Street economists, the latest confidence numbers are evidence of possible blowback facing Trump.
Just months into his second term, the president said his threats of import taxes would cause “a little pain” while paying the way for American factory jobs.
Now even Trump’s base is slightly more pessimistic: Sentiment fell 3.2% among Republicans in the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index.
“People who are afraid the economy is headed into a ditch won’t buy new cars or houses, go out to eat, or go on vacations,” warned Bill Adams, chief economist at Comerica Bank. “If consumer sentiment continues to sour, spending will likely follow it lower and the economy could take a substantial hit.”
Trump takes stage at Department of Justice — 3:33 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The president opened his speech by saying that under his administration, DOJ will begin a “new chapter in the chronicles of American justice.”
“We’re turning the page on four long years of corruption, weaponization,” he said.
Trump has long argued that he’s been unfairly treated by the department.
He also thanked some of the department’s top officials, all of whom are longtime loyalists, defenders and attorneys who represented him during his criminal trials.
Trump arrives at Justice Department for speech, pauses to admire his portrait — 3:23 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Attorney General Pam Bondi was accompanying the president, who stopped by the portrait and commented about the “nice-looking” guy.
Bondi said she’s working on getting Vice President JD Vance’s portrait up, too.
Senate gives final approval to a bill that could increase penalties for fentanyl traffickers — 3:20 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Both Republicans and Democrats want to show they can take action on the deadly drug.
The bill passed the Senate on an 84-16 vote, with all the nay votes from Democrats. It had significant Democratic support in the House, where many in the party are eager to clamp down on fentanyl distribution following an election in which Trump harped on the problem.
When House Republicans passed a similar bill in 2023, it languished in the Democratic-held Senate.
Critics say the proposal repeats the mistakes of the “war on drugs,” which imprisoned millions of addicted people, particularly Black Americans.
GOP town halls get rowdy as attendees hurl scathing questions on Trump — 3:10 p.m.
By the Associated Press
House Speaker Mike Johnson told GOP representatives last week to skip out on town halls that could be disrupted by “professional protesters.”
But Representative Chuck Edwards said he didn’t want to shy away from his constituents in North Carolina.
Edwards endured constant jeers, expletives and searing questions on Trump administration policies in Asheville Thursday night. About 300 people crammed inside the auditorium. More than a thousand booed outside.
Asked about Trump’s “destructive and disastrous trade war,” the visibly exhausted congressman said: “Let me answer and then if you don’t like it, you can boo or hiss or whatever you’d like to do.”
“And you wonder why folks don’t want to do these town halls,” Edwards said over shouting.
DC braces for $1.1 billion cut to city budget as Congress debates funding bill — 3:04 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Washington, D.C. has often had a tenuous peace with the federal government when Republicans controlled Congress and the White House. Now it’s facing its most urgent threat since the Nixon administration.
The funding bill passed by the House this week calls for a drastic cut in current spending that city leaders say would result in calamitous harm to schools and public safety.
Christina Henderson, a city council member, calls it “reckless” and “uncharted territory.”
“Will the senators die on the field for the D.C. budget?” is the question now, according to John Capozzi Jr., a former shadow representative for the District.
Trump’s tariffs forge a rare bipartisan alliance among Kentucky’s leaders — 2:32 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul came together to lament brewing trade wars that could stagger the bourbon industry.
Bourbon distillers who have cultivated markets in Europe and Canada are now worried about becoming “collateral damage” in escalating tit-for-tat disputes. It intensified this week when Trump threatened a 200 percent tariff on European wine, Champagne and other spirits if the EU goes forward with a planned tariff on American whiskey.
In solidly Republican Kentucky, the governor and senators have been in lockstep in their disapproval of the tariffs. Beshear, who is seen as a potential presidential contender in 2028, has been especially critical.
A history lesson, about shutdowns — 2:20 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Democrats are reminding people it was Trump who led the nation in the longest shutdown in US history during his first term, when Congress refused to fund his promised US-Mexico border wall.
They say some values are worth fighting for.
“Check the history,” Jeffries said. “We are on the right side of the American people.”
In 2018, Trump’s demands from Congress sparked the 35-day shutdown, which shuttered much of government over the holiday season.
Standing alone in the Rose Garden in late January, Trump then said he would sign legislation to temporarily fund the government and try again to persuade lawmakers to finance his long-sought wall.
Jeffries: ‘Check the history’ — 2:17 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Democrats are reminding people it was Trump who led the nation in the longest shutdown in US history during his first term, when Congress refused to fund his promised US-Mexico border wall.
They say some values are worth fighting for.
“Check the history,” Jeffries said. “We are on the right side of the American people.”
In 2018, Trump’s demands from Congress sparked the 35-day shutdown, which shuttered much of government over the holiday season.
Standing alone in the Rose Garden in late January, Trump then said he would sign legislation to temporarily fund the government and try again to persuade lawmakers to finance his long-sought wall.
House Democratic leaders dashed back to the US Capitol to sway senators to fight the GOP spending bill — 2:16 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Moments before a key vote, Representative Hakeem Jeffries and his leadership team urged Democratic senators to block the bill and negotiate a better package.
“This is a fight worth having,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, the Democratic Caucus leader.
Democratic Whip Katherine Clark urged the two parties to “come back to the table” and avoid a shutdown.
Jeffries said senators still have time to stop the bill ahead of the procedural vote.
“We do not want to shutdown the government,” Jeffries said. “But we are not afraid of a government funding showdown. And we will win that showdown because we stand on the side of the American people.”
House Democrats send letter expressing ‘strong opposition’ to their Senate counterparts supporting the continuing resolution — 2:00 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Sixty-six House Democrats from a diverse regional and ideological cross section of the party sent a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to express “strong opposition” to any Senate Democrats backing the Republican continuing resolution.
Freshman Representative Derek Tran of California spearheaded the letter, but sources close to the process say that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the ranking Democratic member of the House Appropriations Committee, blessed sending the letter to Schumer.
“The American people sent Democrats to Congress to fight against Republican dysfunction and chaos,” the letter reads. “Instead of capitulating to their obstruction, we must fight for a regular (2025 fiscal year) appropriations measure that reflects our nation’s values to provide uninterrupted access to lifesaving government services.”
JD Vance suggests Trump’s promised manufacturing boom won’t be ‘easy’ nor ‘happen overnight’ — 1:57 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The vice president toured a plastics facility in Bay City, Michigan and promised “a great American comeback” in manufacturing — even as he urged patience for it to fully materialize.
“The road ahead of us is long,” Vance told the crowd of about 100 people at Vantage Plastics.
The Trump administration’s tariffs on Canada has especially concerned some businesses in the border state, but Vance defended them as a way to increase domestic manufacturing.
“If you want to be penalized, build outside of America,” he said.
Immigration officials arrest a second person who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University — 1:41 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Immigration officials have arrested a second person who participated in Pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, and have revoked the visa of another student, they announced Friday.
Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, was arrested by immigration officers for overstaying her student visa, the Department of Homeland Security said. Kordia’s visa was terminated in January 2022 for “lack of attendance,” the department said. Kordia was previously arrested for her involvement in protests at Columbia in April 2024, it added.
The Trump administration also revoked the visa of Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian citizen and doctoral student, on March 5 “for advocating for violence and terrorism.” On Tuesday, Srinivasan opted to “self-deport,” the department said.
The announcement comes after the recent arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist who helped lead student protests at the school and is facing deportation.
Rubio says Trump administration will be revoking more student visas — 1:12 p.m.
By the Associated Press
It comes after the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a well-known Palestinian activist now detained in Louisiana over his role in protests at Columbia University against the war in Gaza. Khalil is a legal US permanent resident with no criminal history and a pregnant American citizen wife.
Rubio said they’ll keep looking for people with student visas who wouldn’t have been let into the country by the Trump administration “had we known they were going to do what they’ve done.”
“But now that they’ve done it, we’re going to get rid of them,” Rubio said.
Rubio says Americans are cautiously optimistic on Ukraine ceasefire after talking with Putin — 1:00 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Rubio said Friday he’s “cautiously optimistic” about Russian President Vladimir Putin agreeing to a cease-fire with Ukraine after Putin’s meeting with a US envoy on the war.
Trump administration officials plan to spend the weekend debriefing presidential envoy Steve Witkoff on his session withPutin and on next steps, Rubio said. Rubio spoke to reporters at the end of a Group of Seven meeting in Canada.
The talks with Putin did not appear to secure the immediate agreement for a ceasefire that Rubio had said Americans would press Putin for. Still, he said “we certainly feel like we’re at least some steps closer to ending this war.”
Among Senate Democrats, two NOs and a maybe — 12:55 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, NV: She said she’s “still weighing the impact” of her vote.
Senator Maria Cantwell, WA: “It’s so important for my state to have infrastructure investment. They’re cutting 40% out of the Army Corps of Engineers. The lifeblood of my state is growing agriculture product and getting it to destinations all around the globe.” She said she’d vote no on the continuing resolution.
Senator Tina Smith, MN: “I’m voting no on the CR. I believe that the CR would do terrible damage. It’s not even a CR. It’s a it’s a new bill written exclusively by Republicans that would do great damage to Minnesota.”
What some Senate Democrats are saying about today’s vote — 12:54 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, RI: “The real danger here is this Trump-Musk cabal that is out to break government, destroy agencies, fire off thousands of people, ruined government services. Also they can give data probably and tax breaks to billionaires.” He said he’d vote no on the resolution.
Senator Ben Lujan, NM: “Colleagues are having to make those decisions. If you’re ask if I support Chuck Schumer, I support Chuck Schumer. And, I announced I’ll be voting no. And I’m, right now, that’s where I’m standing.”
Secretary of State says tariffs aren’t a ‘hostile move’ against allies — 12:52 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Marco Rubio says the Trump administration’s tariffs are about making trade fair.
He told reporters Friday after the Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in Canada that Trump wants to “charge other countries what they charge us.”
Rubio acknowledged that those benefiting from previous arrangements likely do “feel it is hostile to change the status quo.”
But he said “This is not meant as a hostile move against Japan or Germany or anybody else. This is about balancing and fairness and trade.”
Tariffs and other Trump policies overshadowed the meeting of G7 allies, but they were able to find consensus on peace in Ukraine and other topics.
Pelosi warns Senate Democrats it’s ‘unacceptable’ not to fight GOP funding bill — 12:29 p.m.
By the Associated Press
In a scathing rebuke to Senate leadership, the House Speaker Emerita said Trump and Musk are offering a false choice between the bill and a shutdown.
Instead Representative Nancy Pelosi is imploring Senate Democrats to “listen to the women” — top Democratic appropriators Senator Patty Murry and Senator Rosa DeLauro — and fight in favor of their 30-day stopgap plan. “We must fight back for a better way,” she said.
Notably, Pelosi’s statement mentions Trump’s first-term shutdown, which was the longest in history when Democrats refused to provide funding for his promised U.S-Mexico border wall.
“America has experienced a Trump shutdown before — but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse,” Pelosi said.
The truth about the blame game in any government shutdown you will never hear on cable news — 12:02 p.m.
By James Pindell, Globe Staff
As the federal government stares down the possibility of shutting down Friday at midnight, there are undoubtedly all kinds of scenarios running through the minds of politicians and their strategists.
But one question they’ve been trying to script for weeks is now out in the open: which party will get the blame if the government does indeed shut down?
Democrats say it’s obvious — Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House, so of course, they should be blamed. Republicans, meanwhile, just one House Democrat voted earlier in the week to keep the government open. They argue that the real test will come today in the Senate, where Democratic votes are needed to move forward. If it doesn’t, Republicans insist, the fault lies with the Democrats — even if they’re in the minority.
Nonprofits sue Trump for freezing funding for clean energy and conservation projects — 11:40 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Their federal lawsuit filed in Rhode Island argues that Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” executive order freezing billions of dollars already approved by Congress is arbitrary and capricious, lacks statutory authority and violates the Administrative Procedure Act.
Americans are being harmed, they say, by the freeze on weatherization programs, programs aimed at reducing food waste and work to protect giant sequoias and other large trees.
The suit by the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, National Council of Nonprofits, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District and Green Infrastructure Center demands the resumption of funding from the Inflation Reduction Act as well as Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
White House press secretary says Trump will use DOJ speech to decry past ‘weaponization’ — 11:30 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Addressing reporters outside the White House, Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s afternoon speech at the Department of Justice also will focus “on restoring law and order to our country.”
She accused the Biden administration of creating a DOJ that she said “was weaponized against Americans for their political ideologies.”
She said Trump will be joined by relatives of people who died due to fentanyl overdoses and by “angel moms,” whose children were killed in violence involving people in the country illegally.
US allows energy license with Russia to expire, tightening pressure for ceasefire — 11:23 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The license allowed US firms to do business with Russian energy companies through sanctioned Russian banks.
A Treasury Department representative confirmed the expiration. The official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, telling The Associated Press that the Trump administration is focused on fostering negotiations to end the war.
The expiration of the license, which was issued during Joe Biden’s presidency, adds pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire deal crafted by the US, which Ukraine has accepted.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently said the Trump administration would go “all in” on Russia sanctions in order to end the war raging since February 2022.
Senate says yes to cowboy hats, no to sneakers and gym shorts — 11:20 a.m.
By the Associated Press
For the second day, Senator Markwayne Mullin is presiding over the Senate chamber in a tan cowboy hat, pushing the limits of rules for attire in the Senate chamber.
“Nothing in the rules says I can’t wear my hat to preside on the floor,” Mullin said Thursday.
Exactly what senators can and cannot wear when they enter the chamber has evolved over the years, and it has recently come up as some lawmakers go casual:
- Senator Jim Banks, an Indiana Republican, was prevented from standing on the Senate floor this week when he walked up in sneakers.
- Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat who almost always sports gym shorts and a hoodie, does not fully enter the chamber, but casts his vote by signaling from the doorway.
Schumer vows a long-term fight over the Trump agenda — 11:15 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Facing a groundswell of Democratic dissent, Schumer insists that voting for the Republican funding bill is better than a federal shutdown, which he says would give Trump and Musk free rein to gut the government.
“A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive,” Schumer warned as the Senate opened.
Schumer said Democrats are not backing down and vowed a long-term fight against the Trump agenda.
Dr. Mehmet Oz would oversee Medicare, Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage — 11:07 a.m.
By the Associated Press
A Senate Finance Committee hearing has begun for Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The 64-year-old Oz was a respected heart surgeon who became a popular TV pitchman. Now Trump wants him to oversee health insurance for about 150 million Americans.
Republicans likely will ask Oz how he’ll trim fraud from Medicare and Medicaid. Democrats will probably focus on cuts he would make to insurance coverage and his televised comments supporting privatized Medicare.
Senate Majority Leader hopes he has the votes to prevent a midnight shutdown — 10:50 a.m.
By the Associated Press
John Thune says the chamber is ready to vote later in the day, and he’s “hopeful that enough Democrats will reject their party’s threat of shutting down the government to get this bill passed today.”
With a 53-47 majority, and some dissent within his won Republican ranks, the GOP leader still needs at least eight Democrats to cross party lines to clear the 60-vote threshold.
Consumer sentiment falls sharply amid worries about Trump’s policies — 10:35 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment measure has fallen for three straight months and is down 22 percent from December 2024.
Declining confidence showed up “consistently across all groups by age, education, income, wealth, political affiliations, and geographic regions,” survey director Joanne Hsu said.
“Many consumers cited the high level of uncertainty around policy and other economic factors; frequent gyrations in economic policies make it very difficult for consumers to plan for the future, regardless of one’s policy preference,” Hsu’s statement said.
Sentiment collapsed by more than a third among Democrats since December, nearly 20 percent among independents, and only slightly among Republicans. But a measure of Republicans’ economic outlook dropped by 10 percent just this month.
Most of the universities facing new investigations have ties to a nonprofit that aims to diversify the business world — 10:31 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The Education Department announced the new investigations Friday, one month after issuing a memo warning America’s schools and colleges that they could lose federal money over “race-based preferences” in admissions, scholarships or any aspect of student life.
“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “We will not yield on this commitment.”
Most of the new inquiries are focused on colleges’ partnerships with the PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps students from underrepresented groups get degrees in business with the goal of diversifying the business world.
Department officials said that the group limits eligibility based on race and that colleges that partner with it are “engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.”
The group of 45 colleges facing scrutiny over ties to the PhD Project include major public universities such as Arizona State, Ohio State and Rutgers, along with prestigious private schools like Yale, Cornell, Duke and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Trump administration opens investigations at more than 50 universities as part of its anti-DEI campaign — 10:30 a.m.
House Democrats express fury at Senate counterparts over GOP spending bill — 10:28 a.m.
By the Associated Press
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated that House Democrats would not be “complicit” in the GOP spending plan.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York expressed frustration that Democratic senators aren’t aligning with the members “who have won Trump-held districts in some of the most difficult territories in the United States, who walked the plank and took innumerable risks in order to defend the American people.”
“There’s still time,” said Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico at a press conference of the Democratic Women’s Caucus. “The American people are shouting: Please do not hand the keys over to Elon Musk.”
US and Israeli officials confirm secret diplomatic effort to move Palestinians to Africa — 10:09 a.m.
By the Associated Press
There’s strong opposition to Trump and Netanyahu’s vision for moving Palestinians to Africa:
- Palestinians in Gaza have rejected the proposal and dismiss Israeli claims that the departures would be voluntary.
- Arab nations have expressed vehement opposition and offered an alternative reconstruction plan that would leave the Palestinians in place.
- Rights groups have said forcing or pressuring the Palestinians to leave could be a potential war crime.
Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a secret diplomatic initiative, US and Israeli officials confirmed the contacts with Somalia and Somaliland, while the Americans confirmed Sudan as well. They said it was unclear how much progress has been made. The White House declined to comment on the outreach efforts.
AP Exclusive: US and Israel look to Africa for resettling Palestinians uprooted from Gaza — 10:08 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The US and Israel have reached out to officials from three East African governments to discuss using their territories as potential destinations to resettle more than 2 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
That’s according to American and Israeli officials who spoke to The Associated Press. The contacts were with Sudan, Somalia and the breakaway region of Somalia known as Somaliland.
The idea of a mass transfer of Palestinians was once considered a fantasy of Israel’s ultranationalist fringe, but since Trump presented the idea at a White House meeting last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed it as a “bold vision.”
Allies wrap up a G7 meeting overshadowed by Trump’s tariffs and Canada taunts — 10:03 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The Group of 7 talks in Canada have been overshadowed by Trump’s trade and foreign policies and his repeated taunts aimed at the host. Top diplomats hope to reach consensus nevertheless on a final communique after hours of late-night negotiations.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said “there is a great deal of unity within the G7,” pointing to support for the US proposal for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.
And she said Canada will be working on off-ramps from Trump’s trade war, even as it puts “maximum pressure” on their neighbor. “The Trump tariffs are going to hurt Americans. That’s our message, that’s our approach,” she said.
Trump gives Schumer a shout-out — 9:56 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Schumer is winning praise from an unlikely source: Trump
“Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took “guts” and courage!” the president posted on his social media account.
Just a day ago Trump was gearing up to blame Democrats for any government shutdown. Now he’s saying, “We should all work together.”
Hundreds of federal offices could begin closing this summer at DOGE’s behest — 9:41 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Federal agencies will begin to vacate hundreds of offices across the country this summer under a frenetic and error-riddled push by Elon Musk’s budget-cutting advisers to terminate leases that they say waste money.
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency maintains a list of canceled real estate leases on its website, but internal documents obtained by The Associated Press contain a crucial detail: when those cancellations are expected to take effect. The documents from inside the General Services Administration, the US government’s real estate manager, list dozens of federal office and building leases expected to end by June 30, with hundreds more slated over the coming months.
The rapid pace of cancellations has raised alarms, with some agencies and lawmakers appealing to DOGE to exempt specific buildings. Several agencies are facing 20 or more lease cancellations in all, including the IRS, the Social Security Administration, the US Department of Agriculture and the US Geological Survey.
A look at Democrats’ concerns with the spending bill — 8:55 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Democrats have been critical of the funding levels in the bill. They note that both defense and non-defense spending is lower than what was agreed to nearly two years ago when Congress passed legislation lifting the debt ceiling in return for spending restraints.
But they are even more worried about the discretion the bill gives the Trump administration on spending decisions. Many Democrats are referring to the measure as a “blank check” for President Trump.
Spending bills typically come with specific funding directives for key programs, but hundreds of those directives fall away under the continuing resolution passed by the House. So the administration will have more leeway to decide where the money goes.
Democrats also object to:
- The treatment of the District of Columbia, as the bill effectively repeals its current year budget and forces it to go back to the prior year’s levels, even though the district raises most of its own money. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the district would have to cut spending by $1.1 billion over just a few months.
- The clawing back of $20 billion in special IRS funding, on top of the $20 billion rescission approved the year before. The changes essentially cut in half the funding boost that Congress intended to give the agency through legislation passed by Democrats during Joe Biden’s presidency.
What to know about the bill being debated by the Senate — 8:29 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Congress has been unable to pass the annual appropriations bills designed to fund the government, so they’ve resorted to passing short-term extensions instead. The legislation before the Senate marks the third such continuing resolution for the current fiscal year, now nearly half over.
The legislation would fund the federal government through the end of September. It would trim non-defense spending by about $13 billion from the previous year and increase defense spending by about $6 billion, which are marginal changes when talking about a topline spending level of nearly $1.7 trillion.
The Republican-led House passed the spending bill on Tuesday and then adjourned. The move left senators with a decision to either take it or leave it. And while Democrats have been pushing for a vote on a fourth short-term extension, GOP leadership made clear that option was a non-starter.
Trump will visit the Justice Department, months after his criminal prosecutions were dismissed — 8:13 a.m.
By the Associated Press
President Trump is expected to use his visit to deliver a speech outlining his administration’s tough-on-crime agenda. But the appearance doubles as a victory lap after he emerged legally and politically unscathed from two federal prosecutions that were dismissed after his election win last fall.
The visit is the first by Trump and the first by any president in a decade. It brings Trump into the belly of an institution he has disparaged in searing terms for years but one that he has sought to reshape by installing loyalists and members of his personal defense team in top leadership positions.
Judges order Trump to rehire probationary workers let go in mass firings — 8:10 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Two federal judges handed down orders on Thursday requiring Trump’s administration to rehire thousands, if not tens of thousands, of probationary workers let go in mass firings across multiple agencies, slowing down for now the president’s dramatic downsizing of the federal government.
Both judges separately found legal problems with the way the mass terminations were carried out and ordered the employees at least temporarily brought back on the job.
The Trump administration has already appealed the first ruling. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt cast it as an attempt to encroach on the president’s power to hire and fire employees. “The Trump Administration will immediately fight back against this absurd and unconstitutional order,” she said in a statement.
Schumer gives Democrats room to side with Republicans to avoid a government shutdown — 8:08 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer gave members of his caucus days to vent their frustration about the options before them, but late Thursday made clear he will not allow a government shutdown. His move gives Democrats room to side with Republicans and allow the continuing resolution, often described as a CR, to come up for a vote as soon as Friday.
A procedural vote Friday will provide a first test of whether the package has the 60 votes needed to advance, ahead of final voting likely later in the day. At least eight Democrats will need to join with Republicans to move the funding package forward.
Columbia’s Mahmoud Khalil felt he was being kidnapped as detention unfolded, lawyers say — 2:49 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Handcuffed and shackled, Mahmoud Khalil was rushed from New York to Louisiana last weekend in a manner that left the outspoken Columbia University graduate student feeling like he was being kidnapped, his lawyers wrote in an updated lawsuit seeking his immediate release.
The lawyers described in detail what happened to the Palestinian activist as he was flown to Louisiana by agents he said never identified themselves. Once there, he was left to sleep in a bunker with no pillow or blanket as top US officials cheered the effort to deport a man his lawyers say sometimes became the “public face” of student protests on Columbia’s campus against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The filing late Thursday in Manhattan federal court was the result of a federal judge’s Wednesday order that they finally be allowed to speak with Khalil.
Hundreds of federal offices could begin closing this summer at DOGE’s behest, internal records show — 1:33 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Federal agencies will begin to vacate hundreds of offices across the country this summer under a frenetic and error-riddled push by Elon Musk’s budget-cutting advisers to terminate leases that they say waste money.
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency maintains a list of canceled real estate leases on its website, but internal documents obtained by The Associated Press contain a crucial detail: when those cancellations are expected to take effect. The documents from inside the General Services Administration, the US government’s real estate manager, list dozens of federal office and building leases expected to end by June 30, with hundreds more slated over the coming months.
The rapid pace of cancellations has raised alarms, with some agencies and lawmakers appealing to DOGE to exempt specific buildings. Several agencies are facing 20 or more lease cancellations in all, including the IRS, the Social Security Administration, the US Department of Agriculture, and the US Geological Survey.
Dr. Mehmet Oz heads to the Senate with pitch to oversee America’s health insurance programs — 12:50 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will testify before the Senate Finance Committee on Friday morning.
The 64-year-old was a respected heart surgeon who turned into a popular TV pitchman. Now he has his sights on overseeing health insurance for about 150 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage.
Republicans, who have coalesced around Trump’s nominees for the health agencies, are likely to ask Oz about his plans for Medicare and Medicaid, including the Trump administration’s focus on eliminating fraud from the $1 trillion programs.
Senate works to avert partial government shutdown ahead of midnight deadline — 12:38 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The Senate finds itself on Friday in a familiar position, working to avoid a partial government shutdown with just hours to spare as Democrats confront two painful options: allowing passage of a bill they believe gives President Trump vast discretion on spending decisions or voting no and letting a funding lapse ensue.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer gave members of his caucus days to vent their frustration about the options before them, but late Thursday made clear he will not allow a government shutdown. His move gives Democrats room to side with Republicans and allow the continuing resolution, often described as a CR, to come up for a vote as soon as Friday.
A procedural vote Friday will provide a first test of whether the package has the 60 votes needed to advance, ahead of final voting likely later in the day. At least eight Democrats will need to join with Republicans to move the funding package forward.
US wine shops and importers say Trump’s threatened 200 percent tariff on European wines would kill demand — 12:02 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The United States is suddenly looking less bubbly for European wines.
President Trump on Thursday threatened a 200 percent tariff on European wine, Champagne and spirits if the European Union goes forward with a planned 50 percent tariff on American whiskey. Wine sellers and importers said a tariff of that size would essentially shut down the European wine business in the US.
“I don’t think customers are prepared to pay two to three times more for their favorite wine or Champagne,” Ronnie Sanders, the CEO of Vine Street Imports in Mt. Laurel Township, New Jersey, said.