An appeals court lifted the restrictions on President Donald Trump's executive orders aimed at curbing government support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, marking a notable victory for the Trump administration amid ongoing legal challenges. The ruling from a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that while the orders could potentially infringe on First Amendment rights, a previous nationwide injunction by U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore was overly broad. Judge Pamela Harris, one of the panelists, emphasized her disapproval of the orders' attack on DEI efforts but concurred that the injunction went too far. Judge Abelson had previously determined that Trump's orders likely violated free-speech rights, calling their lack of a clear definition of DEI unconstitutionally vague.
In a separate political development, the Senate passed a spending bill with a 54-46 vote just hours before a government shutdown deadline, sending the measure to President Trump for signing. The bill was met with significant Democratic opposition, as many party members expressed frustration over the limited input allowed in its drafting. Despite their concerns and the risk of a shutdown, a faction of Democrats ultimately chose to support the bill, with ten voting to advance it. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted the negative impact a shutdown would have, suggesting it would enable Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to further undermine government services. The funding bill is set to operate until the end of the fiscal year, covering government expenses for another six months.
Additionally, the Education Department announced investigations into over 50 universities for alleged racial discrimination linked to Trump's anti-DEI campaign. The investigations follow a memo that indicated institutions could face loss of federal funding for utilizing “race-based preferences” in admissions and other aspects of campus life. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized the administration's commitment to merit-based assessments, insisting that students should not be judged by their race.
In a concerning development, a federal judge in Baltimore is considering whether to restrict DOGE's access to sensitive Social Security Administration data. A lawsuit filed by labor unions and retirees argues that DOGE's broad access threatens privacy laws and presents significant information security risks. The judge questioned the necessity for DOGE to obtain such extensive personal information, including health records, while the administration stated that DOGE's goal was to combat waste and fraud in the federal government.
Amid these political and legal challenges, President Trump delivered a contentious speech at the Justice Department, promising to “expose” his adversaries while addressing issues of violent crime, drugs, and illegal immigration. This address, characterized by its overtly partisan tone, was framed as a rallying cry for his administration's policies and an assertion of his position as the nation’s “chief law enforcement officer.” Trump emphasized accountability for perceived injustices within the department and portrayed himself as a reformer countering prior administrations' alleged abuses.
On a different front, severe weather swept across several U.S. states, causing three fatalities in Texas due to dust storms and triggering numerous wildfires and tornadoes across the central U.S. The National Weather Service warned of extreme conditions, affecting over 100 million people from the Canadian border to Texas. The situation has prompted evacuation orders in various communities, as officials continue to manage the extensive damage and danger presented by the storm system.
In international news, the militant group Hamas announced its acceptance of a proposal to release one American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four deceased dual nationals. However, Israeli officials expressed skepticism over the claim, suspecting Hamas of attempting to manipulate ongoing negotiations aimed at extending the ceasefire. Concurrently, SpaceX successfully launched a new crew to the International Space Station, tasked with relieving NASA's two remaining astronauts who have been stationed there for nine months.
Financial markets responded positively to the political climate, with Wall Street experiencing its best day in months, although it concluded a fourth consecutive week of losses. The S&P 500 surged by 2.1%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 674 points, signaling potential market recovery despite experiencing uncertainty and volatility in investments leading up to this rally.
In Serbia, tens of thousands gathered in Belgrade for a massive rally against President Aleksandar Vucic's government, which faces significant opposition after years of populist rule. The upcoming protest is viewed as a culmination of ongoing demonstrations against government corruption and a challenge to Vucic's political dominance. The atmosphere is tense as supporters of the president have been accused of preparing for potential clashes, while demonstrators rally for greater accountability and reforms.
