Monday, April 20
Mixed messages delivered on Iran war
President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals to the public about the future of Iran and U.S. relations. He has stated there is no rush to end the conflict, but has also expressed confidence that more negotiations will take place in Pakistan soon, according to The Associated Press.
The negotiating team is still expected to head to Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, for the second round of talks. Iran, however, said it will not engage in talks unless Trump dials back his demands.
Tensions rose between the nations when the U.S. Navy seized a ship on April 19. The ship said it was attempting to avoid the blockade of Iranian ports, the AP reported. Iran fired at vessels on April 18, stopping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tuesday, April 21
Labor secretary removed from position
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the labor secretary, is leaving the president's cabinet after allegations of abuse of power, including an affair with a subordinate and drinking alcohol while working, the AP reported.
The news comes after two other members of Trump's cabinet have had to leave their posts, including former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Attorney General Pam Bondi. A White House aide released the news.
Reports of investigations into Chavez-DeRemer have been circulated since January. The deputy labor secretary, Keith Sonderling, will become acting labor secretary in her place, according to the AP.
Wednesday, April 22
Trump economy approval slumps
A new AP-NORC poll has shown Trump's approval rating for the economy has slumped since the Iran war began driving prices up, the AP reported. The poll findings indicate the president is struggling to fulfill promises of lowering inflation and is testing Americans’ patience with the Iran conflict.
The approval rating on the economy has dropped from 38% in March to 30% in April. Only 32% of U.S. adults approve of the president's leadership on Iran. The war with Iran and the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz have made gas prices soar since February.
With only 33% of U.S. adults approving of Trump’s job performance, there are concerns about Republicans' ability to retain control of both the Senate and the House in the coming midterm elections, according to the AP.
Thursday, April 23
Senate passes ICE, border patrol budget
The Senate has passed a budget plan to fund the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. The move is a part of a larger effort to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down since February, the AP reported.
The department is shut down as Democrats move for policy changes after two fatal shootings by federal agents. Republicans are now attempting to push through the budget reconciliation process.
Now, the $70 billion budget resolution will move to the House, and if approved, both chambers can vote to pass the measure. The resolution would fund the two agencies for three years, according to the AP.
Friday, April 24
Israel, Lebanon ceasefire extended
Trump announced after talks at the White House on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon both agreed to extend a ceasefire by three weeks. Trump said the meeting went very well, but he did recognize the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah as something Israel needs to “think about.”
The diplomatic talks are a major step in relations between the nations, which have been at war since 1948 when Israel was established, the AP reported.
The current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel came just days after attacks from both the U.S. and Israel on Iran, when Hezbollah fired rockets into the northern part of Israel. Israel then retaliated with a bombardment of Lebanon and a ground invasion, according to the AP.
Sunday, April 26
Shots fired at White House Correspondents' Dinner
The man being accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington wrote to family members before the attack, calling himself a “Friendly Federal Assassin,” and airing out complaints he had with the Trump administration, according to the AP.
The shooting, which occurred at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, happened shortly after the writings were sent, according to the AP. The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old California man, is being accused of attempting to breach security at the dinner, armed with guns and knives.
Authorities found multiple social media posts linked to him that they described as anti-Trump. Tomas Allen was taken into custody after the shooting attempt, the AP reported.
