US News - The Actual News

What is birthright citizenship and what happens after the Supreme Court ruling?

June 27, 2025

The Supreme Court decided to limit the power of federal judges to issue nationwide bans on executive actions. However, it did not make a decision about President Trump's plan to end birthright citizenship. In response, immigrant rights groups are taking legal action by using a new strategy called a national class action lawsuit.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court limited federal judges' ability to issue universal injunctions, which are orders that can stop laws or actions across the entire country.
The Court did not make a ruling on President Trump's executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship is the right for anyone born in the U.S. to automatically be a citizen.
Immigrant rights groups are filing a national class action lawsuit to challenge Trump's order.
The lawsuit involves members of two organizations who are immigrants without legal status in the U.S.
President Trump described the Supreme Court's decision as a victory, saying it allows him to proceed with changes to U.S. immigration and citizenship policies.
Nationwide injunctions have been used in the past to stop actions seen as illegal or unconstitutional.
The ruling raises questions about how disputes over birthright citizenship will continue and how executive actions will be challenged in the future.

Source Information

NPR National

A fourth judge has blocked a Trump executive order targeting elite law firms

June 27, 2025

A federal judge has blocked an executive order from President Trump that aimed to punish the law firm Susman Godfrey. This decision follows three previous rulings that also stopped similar actions against other law firms, with judges finding these orders unconstitutional.

Key Facts:

A federal judge named Loren AliKhan stopped Trump's order against Susman Godfrey.
This is the fourth time judges have blocked similar orders from Trump against law firms.
The judge declared the order unconstitutional, meaning it goes against the U.S. Constitution.
Trump's orders targeted firms for representing people or causes he disliked.
Punishments in the orders included suspending security clearances and ending government contracts.
Four law firms took legal action against these orders, saying they were a threat to their rights.
Judges across these cases said the orders attacked the law firms' rights to free speech and fairness.
No previous U.S. president has issued orders like this targeting law firms.

Source Information

NPR Home

How Zohran Mamdani shocked New York

June 27, 2025

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old socialist and Muslim, is now expected to be the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City. He was not well-known until recently but has quickly gained popularity.

Key Facts:

Zohran Mamdani is 33 years old.
He identifies as a socialist.
He is a Muslim.
Mamdani is likely to be the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City.
He was not widely recognized a few months ago but has since become popular.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

How the Supreme Court ruling on nationwide injunctions affects presidential powers

June 27, 2025

The Supreme Court made a decision that limits the ability of federal judges to stop the president's plans across the entire country. This decision came from a case about an order by Trump regarding birthright citizenship.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court's decision affects how much federal judges can do to block presidential actions nationwide.
The case involved Trump's policy on birthright citizenship, which is the right to get citizenship if born in the country.
The ruling means individual judges cannot issue nationwide orders to stop a president's policy.
The decision may change how legal challenges against presidential decisions are handled.
Legal experts Amy Howe and Amanda Frost discussed the decision with Geoff Bennett.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

The major snags holding up Trump’s ‘big bill’ as the Senate prepares to vote

June 27, 2025

The U.S. Senate is preparing to vote on a significant budget bill backed by former President Trump. They aim to begin voting over the weekend, although the detailed proposal was not yet made available as of Friday.

Key Facts:

The budget bill is important to former President Trump.
Republican senators have not yet released the detailed proposal of the bill.
PBS News Hour reported on the planned timeline for the vote.
Senators want to start voting on the bill on Saturday.
The target for passing the bill is by July 4.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Lotus considering shifting UK production to US

June 27, 2025

Lotus might move its car production from the UK to the US, putting 1,300 jobs in Norfolk at risk. This change is being considered because recent US tariffs have made importing cars more expensive. A new deal will soon lower these tariffs, but it is not currently active.

Key Facts:

Lotus is thinking about moving production from Norfolk, UK, to a new plant in the US.
This move may affect 1,300 jobs at the company's UK headquarters.
US tariffs have increased the cost of importing cars, affecting Lotus's business.
The UK and US have agreed to lower tariffs on UK-made cars from 25% to 10%.
This tariff change will start at the end of June.
Lotus is majorly owned by the Chinese company Geely, which owns several other car brands.
Lotus stopped some production in Norfolk because of the tariffs and announced 270 job cuts in April.
The US is a significant market for Lotus, but current tariffs present a challenge.

Source Information

BBC Business

University of Virginia’s president resigns under pressure from Justice Department

June 27, 2025

James Ryan, the president of the University of Virginia, is stepping down. This decision came after pressure from the Trump administration and an ongoing Justice Department investigation into the university's diversity efforts.

Key Facts:

James Ryan is the current president of the University of Virginia.
Ryan is resigning from his position.
His resignation follows pressure from the Trump administration.
The Justice Department is investigating UVA's diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
This situation may be the first time the White House has influenced the departure of a university leader.
Geoff Bennett discussed the issue with Peter McDonough from the American Council on Education.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Venezuelan immigrants in Chicago live in fear after loss of temporary legal status

June 27, 2025

The Trump administration decided that Haitians will no longer be allowed to stay in the U.S. under a special program called temporary protected status starting September 2. This is part of a larger plan affecting citizens from several countries, including those from Venezuela.

Key Facts:

Temporary protected status (TPS) is a program that lets people stay in the U.S. if it is dangerous to return to their home country.
The decision will affect Haitians currently living in the U.S. under this program.
The change begins on September 2.
The policy shift is part of a larger effort to change immigration rules for various countries, including Venezuela.
Venezuelan migrants, particularly in Chicago, are concerned about these changes.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Communities fight back against states banning Pride flags on government buildings

June 27, 2025

This year is the tenth anniversary of same-sex marriage being legal across the United States. In some states led by Republican officials, there are moves to stop Pride flags from being displayed in public schools and government buildings, leading to some local pushback.

Key Facts:

Same-sex marriage was legalized nationally in the U.S. ten years ago.
Some states with Republican leadership are trying to ban Pride flags from public areas like schools and government offices.
These efforts to ban the flags are meeting resistance from local communities.
Pride flags are symbols of support for LGBTQ+ rights.
The legal changes come a decade after the landmark decision to allow same-sex marriage in the U.S.
Community resistance highlights ongoing debates about LGBTQ+ symbols in public spaces.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Trump says he is cutting off trade talks with Canada

June 27, 2025

The U.S. President, Donald Trump, announced that he is ending trade talks with Canada due to a new tax Canada plans to impose on large tech companies. He also stated that new tariffs on goods from Canada will be announced soon.

Key Facts:

President Trump said he is stopping trade discussions with Canada.
Canada plans to enforce a new tax on large tech companies.
The two countries were working on a trade deal to finalize by mid-July.
Both countries have been applying tariffs on each other's goods during a trade dispute earlier this year.
Trump described the Canadian tax on tech companies as "egregious," or really bad.
He plans to announce new tariffs on Canadian goods within a week.
Trump communicated these decisions through social media.

Source Information

BBC Business

Brooks and Capehart on the Supreme Court’s decisions and Trump’s claims about Iran

June 27, 2025

In a recent discussion, key political topics included the Supreme Court's latest rulings, claims by the Trump administration about U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program, and the results of the New York City mayoral primary.

Key Facts:

The discussion involved New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart.
The conversation covered the Supreme Court's recent decisions.
The Trump administration claimed that recent U.S. strikes destroyed Iran's nuclear program.
The results of the New York City mayoral primary were also discussed.
Amna Nawaz hosted the discussion.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Pentagon strips Harvey Milk’s name from ship

June 27, 2025

The USNS Harvey Milk will be renamed to honor World War II sailor Navy Chief Petty Officer Oscar V. Peterson, who received the Medal of Honor. This decision means removing the name of Harvey Milk, a well-known gay rights activist, from the ship.

Key Facts:

The USNS Harvey Milk was initially named after Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist and politician.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the ship will be renamed in honor of Oscar V. Peterson.
Oscar V. Peterson received the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea.
The decision to rename the ship is part of efforts to remove politically charged names from military assets.
Harvey Milk served in the Navy but was ousted because he was gay; he was later elected to public office.
The ship renaming coincides with Pride Month and ongoing discussions about diversity in the military.
The USS Peterson was another ship named after Oscar V. Peterson and was in service for more than 20 years.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Supreme Court curbs judges' power to block Trump's orders in birthright citizenship case

June 27, 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that lower courts have limited power to block presidential orders, supporting President Trump's attempt to change birthright citizenship rules. This decision impacts how presidential actions can be challenged and could lead to further legal disputes.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of limiting judges' power to block presidential orders.
The ruling involved an executive order by President Trump aimed at ending birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship allows anyone born in the U.S. to become a citizen automatically.
Immigrant rights groups and 22 states had sued to stop Trump's order.
The decision does not directly address whether Trump's order on birthright citizenship is legal.
The ruling changes how executive actions are challenged in court, likely leading to further legal cases.
It allows presidential actions to take effect more easily with fewer immediate blockages by lower courts.
The court's decision came after the Justice Department appealed injunctions against Trump's order.

Source Information

BBC US

UVA president resigns rather than ‘fight federal government’

June 27, 2025

James Ryan, president of the University of Virginia, decided to resign due to pressure from the Trump administration to end the university's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. The Trump administration has been focusing on reshaping higher education by targeting such programs and the University of Virginia has recently become involved in these efforts.

Key Facts:

James Ryan became the University of Virginia president in 2018.
Ryan resigned following the Trump administration's pressure regarding DEI practices.
The Justice Department demanded his resignation, though the department did not publicly comment.
Trump signed an order to eliminate DEI programs in schools, arguing they discriminate against some students.
The University of Virginia shut down its DEI office and ended related policies in various areas.
Virginia's Democratic senators criticized the administration's actions against Ryan.
Some schools across the country have also responded to federal pressures by altering their DEI initiatives.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

A look at today's Supreme Court decisions

June 27, 2025

The Supreme Court decided to let the Trump administration move forward with plans to ban birthright citizenship. The court also made it harder for people to contest executive orders.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
Birthright citizenship means being granted citizenship automatically because you are born in the country.
The Trump administration wants to change the current birthright citizenship rules.
An executive order is a directive from the President that manages operations of the federal government.
It is now tougher to legally challenge these executive orders because of the Supreme Court’s decision.

Source Information

NPR National

U.S. stocks close at an all-time high just months after plunging from Trump trade worries

June 27, 2025

U.S. stocks reached a new high on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq making record gains. This rise comes after a sharp fall earlier in the year due to concerns about trade policies. Other factors like crude oil prices and U.S.-China trade talks also played a role in market movements.

Key Facts:

U.S. stocks, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, hit record highs on Friday.
Stocks recovered quickly from a nearly 20% drop earlier this year.
The S&P 500 rose by 0.5%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1%.
Nike led gains among companies, despite warning about tariff impacts.
U.S. and China signed a trade deal to ease access to critical materials.
Crude oil prices in the U.S. remained mostly unchanged.
Inflation slightly increased in May, aligning with economists' expectations.
The U.S. has 10% tariffs on all imported goods, with higher rates on some items like Chinese goods and steel.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Plans to help benefits recipients into work 'a mess', say DWP officials

June 27, 2025

The UK government plans to fast-track a £1 billion support plan to help people affected by changes to welfare benefits get jobs. However, officials at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) believe the plan is poorly organized and unlikely to be successful. The government hoped to save money with welfare reforms but faced opposition, leading to changes that could reduce potential savings and possibly result in higher taxes.

Key Facts:

The government aims to speed up an employment support plan that was set for 2029, pushing it earlier with a budget of £1 billion.
Officials at the DWP have expressed concerns, calling the program a "mess" and "undeliverable."
The government wants more people in jobs to lower welfare costs and help grow the economy.
A senior benefits official stated that the program lacks proper planning and sufficient effort.
The initial goal was to save £5 billion a year by 2030 from welfare reforms, but changes in plans have altered this.
Due to opposition, the government revised its plans, allowing current recipients of certain benefits to keep them, reducing expected savings.
The employment support scheme announced in March has made little progress, according to DWP sources.
There are challenges in getting certain groups into work, partly because of health issues and long-term unemployment, especially in rural areas like Cumberland.

Source Information

BBC Business

Why the Trump administration is targeting immigration courts for arrests

June 27, 2025

Oscar Gato Sanchez, a Cuban immigrant, attended a court hearing in Houston seeking asylum, fearing danger if he returned to Cuba. After his case was dismissed, federal agents detained him as he left the courtroom, a situation that concerns immigrant rights advocates about due process.

Key Facts:

Oscar Gato Sanchez is a 25-year-old Cuban immigrant seeking asylum in the US.
He fears danger if he returns to Cuba due to his involvement in antigovernment protests.
Federal agents took Gato Sanchez into custody immediately after his court hearing was dismissed.
His aunt, who was waiting outside the courtroom, was not given detailed information about his detention.
He was sent to a detention center in Conroe, Texas.
Advocacy groups are worried that such arrests may discourage immigrants from attending court hearings.
The situation raises concerns about potential violations of due process rights for immigrants.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

Top court ruling expands Trump's power - and he intends to use it

June 27, 2025

The Supreme Court decided to let President Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship become active, increasing his and future presidents' abilities to implement policies despite lower court challenges. The ruling limits the power of lower courts to block nationwide executive orders, impacting both current and future presidential actions.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court approved President Trump's order to end birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the U.S. automatically becomes a citizen.
Trump's policy aims to stop automatic citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
The court's decision restricts lower courts from blocking executive orders nationwide.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett mentioned that lower courts can still address concerns on a case-by-case basis.
This ruling allows Trump to advance other policy actions that lower courts have previously blocked.
Trump's Attorney General stated that the Supreme Court will revisit birthright citizenship in October.
Both Democratic and Republican presidents have struggled with lower courts blocking their actions.

Source Information

BBC US

US Supreme Court upholds Texas law requiring ID verification for porn sites

June 27, 2025

The US Supreme Court decided that a Texas law requiring age verification through an ID or face scan to access pornography websites is lawful. The decision, which was made to protect minors, was challenged by websites for allegedly violating free speech rights.

Key Facts:

The US Supreme Court upheld a Texas law mandating age verification for accessing porn sites.
Users must use a government ID or face scan to verify their age.
PornHub and similar sites argued the law infringed on free speech rights.
Texas claims the law aims to prevent minors from accessing harmful content.
The decision was split 6-3 among the justices, reflecting ideological differences.
Critics worry about adult privacy and potential misuse for restricting other adult content.
Texas lawyers referenced a 1968 case that restricted selling adult magazines to minors.
More than a dozen states have passed similar laws.

Source Information

BBC US