Trump Admin Shifts Policies, China Signals Conflict Readiness – 3/5/2025

United States

  • Pro-Hamas activists seize Milstein Library at Barnard College, NYC, dubbing it “Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya Liberated Zone”
  • U.S. adult support for same-sex marriage reportedly falls to 48%, per YouGov
  • Department of Government Efficiency ends Obama Presidential Library lease
  • Rep. Maxine Waters alleges Elon Musk might have “hacked” the 2024 election
  • Defense Sec. Hegseth claims U.S. is ready for war with China over tariffs, per NYP citing FOX
  • Trump admin reportedly stops sharing U.S. intelligence with Ukraine
  • Young DJ Daniel, once mocked for his police outfit, named honorary Secret Service agent by Trump
  • Trump offers U.S. automakers a one-month tariff break on Mexico, Canada imports, per AP
  • 4-year-old boy dies from fentanyl in NYC shelter despite Narcan efforts, per NYP
  • Trump vows steeper tariffs if Canada counters U.S. duties, per WSJ
  • DOGE scraps Obama Presidential Library lease, saving $468M, as collection shifts to Maryland, per Fox News
  • U.S. aid flights to Ukraine forced to abort mid-journey after sudden orders, per Sky News
  • Maxx Crosby lands $106.5M Raiders deal, now NFL’s top-paid non-quarterback, per NYP
  • Trump admin halts military deportation flights, citing soaring expenses, per WSJ
  • Trump admin eyes slashing up to 80,000 VA jobs, reportedly planning major cuts, per AP
  • Trump’s $5M “Gold Card” visa idea sees 41% support, 47% opposition, 13% undecided, per Rasmussen
  • Supreme Court orders Trump to release $1.9B in frozen USAID funds
  • Fed’s Beige Book notes slight economic uptick since mid-Jan, but consumer spending dips, per Bloomberg
  • Trump admin directed to rehire thousands of dismissed USDA staff, per Politico
  • VP Vance, Def. Sec. Hegseth, and DNI Gabbard visit southern border Wednesday, per CBS
  • Tom Llamas to succeed Lester Holt as ‘NBC Nightly News’ anchor, per NBC
  • Wall St. predicts IMF may loan Argentina $20B, boosting Milei’s austerity push, per Bloomberg
  • Record 4.8% of Americans tapped 401(k)s early in 2024 for emergencies, up from 3.6% in 2023, per WSJ
  • Apartment building soared to 600,000 units in 2024, a 50-year peak, yet rents stay hot, per NBC

International

  • China declares readiness for “any form of conflict” with the U.S.
  • Macron open to sending European troops to Ukraine
  • Macron envisions peace in Europe with a “pacified Russia” weakened by conflict
  • China vows to counter U.S. with “trade war or any conflict” if provoked
  • Vatican says Pope Francis’ condition “remained stationary” Wednesday, no respiratory issues, per ABC
  • Macron warns Europe’s fate “cannot be decided in Moscow or Washington,” slams U.S.-Russia talks, per The Telegraph
  • Egypt’s $53B Gaza rebuild plan gains support, but White House calls it unrealistic, per CBS