Trump's immigration whiplash
Protesters gather outside a Los Angeles car wash where workers were detained by ICE agents last week. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
“President Trump surprised immigration hardliners last week when his administration announced it would pause some immigration raids that were hurting the agriculture and hospitality industries.
Then just as quickly, the MAGA pendulum swung back. Trump said Sunday that a new wave of raids would target immigrants in Democrat-run cities — and yesterday there were signs that farms, hotels and restaurants again will be subject to raids.
Why it matters: The whiplash in Trump's approach to his mass deportation plans is the latest illustration of how much his whims — and who speaks with him last — are shaping his decision-making, even on his signature policy issue, Axios' Marc Caputo and Russell Contreras write.
ICE officials were told yesterday that agents should resume raids on hotels and restaurants, but also agricultural businesses, The Washington Post reported.
Zoom in: The confusion began late Thursday, when Trump announced on Truth Social that his ‘very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away’ from farms, meatpacking plants, hotels and restaurants.
Trump's announcement, followed by official guidance pausing these types of workplace raids, came after a call from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
White House staffers say she bypassed the president's top immigration policy officials — Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — both of whom were angry about it.
Miller, Noem and a host of immigration hardliners then mounted their own pressure campaign to modify the modified policy. It worked.” [Axios]
Kenny Holston/The New York Times
Trump Leaves G7 Summit Early After Signing Call for Peace He Had Resisted
“Despite earlier resistance, President Trump joined other leaders at the Group of 7 summit in criticizing Iran and affirming their support for Israel.”
Follow live updates at New York Times
The man suspected of shooting two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses will face federal murder and stalking charges.
“Vance Luther Boelter, who was captured yesterday after a two-day manhunt, made his first appearance in federal court today. The charges give prosecutors the option to seek the death penalty. On Saturday, state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded. Federal authorities said Boelter had visited two other elected officials’ homes that night as part of what they described as a carefully planned campaign of political violence. Boelter also faces murder charges in state court, records show.” [Wall Street Journal]
Spending bill
“The GOP-led Senate Finance Committee released its proposal for President Trump’s agenda bill on Monday and it includes some notable changes. While the committee wants to keep many of the provisions contained in the legislation that the House approved last month, it is also calling for:
* Deeper cuts to Medicaid
* Raising the debt limit by $5 trillion
* Lowering the cap on state and local tax deductions
* Slowing the elimination of some clean energy tax cuts
* Lowering the child tax credit from $2,500 to $2,200 but making it permanent
* Limiting tax relief on tips and overtime
* Making some business tax breaks permanent
Senate Republicans hope to pass their package by next week so the two chambers can work out a final deal to send to President Trump by July 4.” [CNN]
NIH grants
“A federal judge ruled on Monday that it was illegal for the Trump administration to cut certain research grants at the National Institutes of Health because they focused on gender identity, diversity, equity or inclusion. US District Judge William Young called the administration’s process for terminating these grants ‘arbitrary and capricious.’ He also said it was clear that what was behind the government's actions was ‘racial discrimination and discrimination against America’s LGBTQ community.’ The ruling is expected to be appealed.” [CNN]
UPI
Congress poised for clash over Trump agenda bill changes
“President Trump’s second-term legislative agenda is experiencing a Senate GOP makeover that puts Republicans on a collision course with their House colleagues.
The approach drafted by Republican members of the powerful Senate Finance Committee and introduced to colleagues during a private briefing Monday evening would raise the nation’s borrowing authority to $5 trillion, higher than a House-proposed $4 trillion proposal, which deficit hawks in Congress have said could cost the narrow majority critical votes.
The Senate text would also include key changes for Medicaid and green energy tax credits, and keep the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions at $10,000 a year — provisions that risk upsetting various Republicans in both chambers.
The legislation would lower to 3.5 percent, down from the current 6 percent, by 2031 the health care provider taxes in states that expanded Medicaid, an explosive change expected to spark pushback in red states.
The existing tax adjustment, used in every state but Alaska, has allowed states to increase federal funding for their programs. Critics complain it’s a form of ‘money laundering,’ but the reduction would mean significant holes in state Medicaid budgets, and could result in lower payments to hospitals or other cuts to state budgets.
And the committee’s proposal would block states that previously did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act from increasing the rate of health care provider taxes as a way to hike their federal funding, The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports. Draft Senate language goes beyond House-passed language to tighten Medicaid eligibility requirements, two Republican aides said. The White House previously suggested this change could curb program ‘abuse,’ but would not conflict with Trump’s pledge to protect federal health benefits.
The Senate’s approach would make permanent the 2017 corporate tax cuts Republicans enacted during Trump’s first term and phase out renewable-energy tax cuts enacted under former President Biden. It also includes Trump’s campaign vow to shield certain workers’ tips from federal taxes.
A group of moderate House Republicans from high-tax states who had secured a deal with House GOP leadership to raise the SALT deduction cap to $40,000 are seething over the Senate's proposal, The Hill's Mychael Schnell reports. (Read the Finance Committee text here).
LAWMAKER SECURITY ALARM: Separately, bipartisan lawmakers want input from House and Senate leaders, the U.S. Capitol Police and the Senate sergeant-at-arms about enhanced protection for members of Congress and relatives in the aftermath of the shootings of two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses, which resulted in two fatalities on Saturday and shocked elected officials and the public nationwide.
Senators will receive a security briefing today in the Capitol, along with a discussion about resources that would be required to protect rank-and-file lawmakers who do not currently receive around-the-clock protection.
Axios: Members of Congress fear any one of them could be the target of an unanticipated attack, particularly at home in their districts and while in transit.
The suspect in the Minnesota shootings, Vance Boelter, has been hit with with federal and state charges, including two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Boelter allegedly researched and planned his attacks and posed as a police officer. A list of about 70 names was found in writings recovered from the suspect’s vehicle, including names of elected officials. Authorities have not publicly identified a motive for the shootings.
Michigan Democratic Rep. Hillary Scholten on Monday postponed a town hall event after learning her name was listed. ‘Out of an abundance of caution and to not divert additional law enforcement resources away from protecting the broader public at this time, this is the responsible choice,’ Scholten said in a statement.
Some of Wisconsin's top Democrats were also among the politicians listed in documents recovered by authorities in Minnesota, including Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Reps. Mark Pocan and Gwen Moore, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. The newspaper previously reported that 11 Wisconsin lawmakers were listed in a document recovered by police.
The Hill’s Niall Stanage: What we know in the aftermath of the Minnesota shootings.
GOING VIRAL: Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) on Monday was seen buttonholing Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) about his controversial social media posts over the weekend seeking to blame ‘Marxist’ Democrats for the shootings of state lawmakers in Minnesota.
Smith after the confrontation told reporters she wanted Lee to hear from her directly ‘about how painful that was and how brutal that was to see that on what was just a horrible, brutal weekend.’ Smith’s deputy chief of staff ripped the Utah senator at length on X for lack of ‘grace’ and ‘compassion.’ Lee declined to answer reporters’ questions on Monday.
Blake Burman’s Smart Take is off this week and will return next week.
3 Things to Know Today
The White House is considering expanding Trump’s new travel ban to as many as 36 additional countries.
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., underscored Monday that his father is not involved with the Trump Organization’s new mobile phone business, Trump Mobile.
A Reagan-appointed federal judge accused the Trump administration of ‘appalling’ and ‘palpably clear’ discrimination against racial minorities and LGBTQ Americans.” [The Hill]
INTERNATIONAL
1 big thing: Bibi's new endgame
Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Iranian Supreme Leader Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Images
“The staggering success of the first phase of Israel's war in Iran has left its air force in total control of the skies over Tehran — and its leaders contemplating regime change in the Islamic Republic, Axios' Barak Ravid and Marc Caputo write.
Why it matters: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has effectively endorsed the idea in a string of media appearances in the last 48 hours. But President Trump has remained unconvinced, at least so far, U.S. officials say.
Friction point: When the Israel Defense Forces thought they had a window to assassinate Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei over the weekend, Trump opposed it.
A senior administration official summed up the thinking: ‘It's the Ayatollah you know versus the Ayatollah you don't know.’
That's not to say Trump couldn't decide to ‘swoop in and do some gigantic action,’ the official cautioned.
Driving the news: Trump issued an ominous warning overnight that everyone in Tehran (population 10 million) should ‘immediately evacuate,’ then announced he was leaving the G7 summit in Canada early.
Speculation about an imminent U.S. attack spread like wildfire, before the White House denied it, and Trump himself suggested he might cut a deal.
In an overnight strike on Tehran, the Israeli military said it killed Iran's top commander Ali Shadmani, who it described as the ‘closest figure’ to Khamenei.
Behind the scenes: Israeli officials tell Axios that regime change isn't an official war aim.
It was not one of the objectives approved by the Israeli security cabinet ahead of the war. Several Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officials said they've received no such directive from the political level.
But discussions about it are getting louder and more overt.
Netanyahu openly stated on Fox News on Sunday that the war could bring regime change to Iran. Then yesterday, he contended that killing Khamenei could ‘end the war.’
Subtlety is not the objective. Netanyahu appeared on an Iranian opposition TV program yesterday called "Regime Change In Iran" and mentioned that nobody saw the fall of the Soviet Union or Syria's Assad regime coming until it happened.
The other side: The White House supports Israel's stated war aims of eliminating Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, but not a broader mission to reshape Iran through force.
‘They might be more comfortable with regime change than we are,’ the U.S. official said, referring to the Israelis. ‘They may be more comfortable with destroying the country than we are.’
‘But generally speaking, the world should want this bomb capacity to be destroyed, and eventually we're going to have to get that done.’
Smoke rises after the IDF attacked Iran's state TV studios in Tehran yesterday. Photo: Getty Images
Reality check: Since the war started last Friday, there have been no widespread protests in Iran against the regime.
Raz Zimmt, a top Israeli expert on Iran from the INSS think tank, told Axios that for now the regime is maintaining its cohesion and determination, and is even closing ranks in the face of the external threat from Israel.” [Axios]
Trump had earlier urged Iranians to evacuate Tehran, but later said this was for their safety. Credit: Getty Images
“President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he’s seeking “a real end” to the conflict with Israel and Iran, arguing it’s better than a ceasefire while also suggesting that giving up entirely on negotiating is a possibility.
Asked what is better than a ceasefire, as he alluded to in a Truth Social post, Trump said ‘an end, a real end, not a ceasefire. An end. Or giving entirely. That’s OK, too.’
Trump said he expects the next 48 hours will reveal more about whether Israel plans to slow down or accelerate its attacks on Iran.”
Follow live updates at CNN
“Another Group of Seven summit, another hasty exit from Donald Trump.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney can take some comfort that this departure was more courteous than before: The US president didn’t back out from the communique and lace into a verbal attack on his host like he did back in 2018 with Justin Trudeau.
But it was arguably more significant and damaging in the long run.
WATCH: Trump called for the evacuation of Iran’s capital, Tehran. Joumanna Bercetche reports on Bloomberg TV.
Trump said he had ‘big stuff’ to return to in Washington. That would be the war between Israel and Iran that threatens to engulf the Middle East and which has had the US, until now, in wait-and-see mode.
Israel wants the US to help strike at Iranian nuclear sites buried deep underground. So far, the president has sent mixed signals about whether the world’s most powerful military will get involved.
Analysts say the US alone has the bunker-busting bombs necessary to deal the decisive blows, but any such action would fly against MAGA messaging of avoiding messy conflicts overseas.
That’s apart from the fact that US engagement would add a whole new dimension to the war — and past attempts at regional regime change have ended in bloody attrition.
The G-7 was once where the US would discuss such matters with like-minded allies. But there’s no papering over Trump’s contempt for the forum: in a parting shot, he rebuked ‘publicity-seeking’ French President Emmanuel Macron for the temerity of saying he left the summit to seek an Israel-Iran ceasefire.
Western allies appear to have little insight into US plans. Instead, Vladimir Putin may be the only leader to have talked at length with Trump, after calling him on his birthday on Saturday. In Canada, Trump again bemoaned Russia’s banishment from the old G-8.
None of which bodes well for next week’s NATO gathering, another summit Trump may decide isn’t worth much of his time.” — Flavia Krause-Jackson [Bloomberg]
Smoke rises from an Iranian state media building after an Israeli strike in Tehran yesterday. Photographer: Nikan/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images
Southern Europeans sprayed tourists with water pistols.
Demonstrators use water pistols to protest mass tourism in Barcelona. (Bruna Casas/Reuters)
“Why? To protest the impacts of overtourism. People marched in Barcelona, Venice and other cities on Sunday. Yesterday, the world’s most-visited museum had to close its doors.
Want to be a better tourist? Carry cash, pick less-visited places and don’t act entitled — find all our tips to avoid annoying locals here. Plus, you can plan a more sustainable trip.
More travel advice: What’s the best destination for wheelchair users? Ask this blogger.” [New York Times]
“UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer sealed an accord with Trump to implement trading terms disclosed last month to slash US tariffs on key British exports and raise UK quotas on some American agricultural products. The two leaders presented a document at the G-7 gathering detailing an agreement to move forward on measures easing trade in cars and agricultural and aerospace products — but falling short of an immediate cut to steel tariffs, a key UK request.” [Bloomberg]
“Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba failed to emulate Starmer’s success and was unable to seal his own trade deal in bilateral talks with Trump, an outcome that leaves the Asian nation inching closer to a possible recession once the impact of US tariffs hits. Meanwhile, Carney said Canada and the US are aiming to strike a trade deal within a month, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi missed his chance to lobby for an agreement due to Trump’s early departure.” [Bloomberg]
“Russian air strikes on Ukraine killed at least 14 people and injured 44 in Kyiv, the deadliest attack on civilian infrastructure since at least April, while another 13 people were hurt in Odesa. Trump indicated that he’s in no rush to impose tougher sanctions on the Kremlin, saying the measures would cost the US ‘a lot of money.’” [Bloomberg]
“The Marcos and Duterte families dominate politics in the Philippines and when the clans united for the 2022 election, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. governing alongside Sara Duterte as his deputy, it appeared to usher in a new era of consensual politics. The harmony didn’t endure for long and Duterte is facing impeachment proceedings over an alleged assassination plot against Marcos.” [Bloomberg]
“Cubans have long navigated perilous jungles or shark-infested waters to flee to the US, but as the Trump administration closes America’s doors, migrants are now heading to Curitiba in southern Brazil. There, Cuban-owned businesses have sprouted, hundreds of Cuban children have enrolled in the city’s schools, and the distinctive sound of Caribbean Spanish is heard everywhere from supermarkets to construction sites.” [Bloomberg]
Curitiba has seen waves of foreigners arrive including Haitians, Venezuelans and now Cubans. Photographer: Roberto Dziura Jr/Getty Images
“President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s drive to shore up Brazil’s budget is on the brink of another setback after Congress advanced a push to block tax increases on some financial transactions from taking effect.” [Bloomberg]
“Taiwan aims to start producing its own blood bags — a key item for saving lives on the battlefield — adding to signs President Lai Ching-te is stepping up preparations for a potential conflict with China.” [Bloomberg]
“Thailand banned its citizens from going to work in a casino city in Cambodia, the latest curb on border movements as tensions simmer between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.” [Bloomberg]
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
“Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, who own the company, have reached a $7.4 billion settlement with all 50 states and U.S. territories over the company's improper marketing of opioids. If the settlement is approved, it would end a long legal battle over the harm caused by OxyContin, the company's opioid painkiller. Legal documents revealed that under the Sackler family's leadership, Purdue Pharma convinced regulators and the health care industry that OxyContin could be used more liberally without a big risk of addiction or overdose, which turned out not to be true. Purdue Pharma has since pleaded guilty twice to federal crimes for false marketing. Millions of people in the U.S. have died from opioid overdoses, including from OxyContin.
NPR's addiction correspondent Brian Mann says the new deal includes one big change: people who believe they were harmed by OxyContin will no longer be forced to drop civil lawsuits against the Sackler family. The last attempt at a settlement was overturned by the Supreme Court because it included broad legal protection for the Sacklers. Under this new deal, the family is expected to pay $6.5 billion from their personal fortunes and give up ownership of the company. Activists tell Mann they hope the money will be spent on health care and helping more people in addiction get better treatment, but there is concern it could be redirected to prop up existing programs.” [NPR]
Wisconsin dairy farmer sues Trump administration claiming discrimination against white farmers
“A Wisconsin dairy farmer alleged in a federal lawsuit filed Monday that the Trump administration is illegally denying financial assistance to white farmers by continuing programs that favor minorities.” Read More at AP News
Coming soon: Trump Mobile
Screenshot: Trump Mobile
“Trump Mobile is the Trump Organization's next licensing deal, the president's sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., announced today.
The organization made millions in real estate and luxury golf courses, and has expanded into other avenues, including crypto and digital media, Axios' April Rubin notes.
How it works: The announcement promised a $499 phone, made in the U.S., as well as a monthly unlimited "47 plan" plan for $47.45.
The Trump Organization won't be involved in designing or manufacturing the phone or providing or selling cell service, according to Reuters, which also notes that no one has yet figured out how to make a $499 phone in the U.S.” [Axios]
SPORTS
Kyle Terada / Imagn Images
Thunder may have won the title last night
“In the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City’s massive Game 5 win over the Pacers last night, we saw poetry. A screenwriter might get chastised for writing such a cliche moment as the Thunder’s turnaround, but to watch it live was awe-inspiring.
It felt familiar:
Just as they have this entire postseason, Indiana weathered a blitz from a favored opponent. OKC held a double-digit lead for most of this contest, buoyed by an incessant crowd. And yet, with 8:30 left in the game, the margin was just two at 95-93. It was happening again. The indefatigable Pacers would survive long enough and steal another massive game. Right?
Not here, not now, not like in Game 1 in this exact building. The Thunder may be young but they are smart, resilient and clearly well-coached. Every loss has seen an immediate rebound. And here, having squandered control, they zagged: A quick 5-0 run quelled the Pacers’ momentum, and the moment was gone.
I won’t dismiss this Pacers team until the trophy presentation proves differently, but it feels like the Thunder may have won the title last night. Conquering the Pacer comeback wave feels like the final breakthrough.
What helped: Jalen Williams, the team’s 12th-highest-paid player, scoring an incredible 40 points. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton finished with just four points, too.
Read our full recap of the game here. Listen to NBA Daily break it all down. Oklahoma City can end this on the road in Game 6 on Thursday.
Timing
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images
Talk about a fork in the road
Turns out, if we’re talking about PR outcomes, yesterday was a bizarre day for Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. Consider:
Late last night, Ohtani made his pitching debut for the Dodgers, more than a year after he signed with the team. He touched 100 mph on the radar gun, which is ludicrous to say about the man who also leads the National League in home runs. It was his first pitching appearance in nearly two years as he rehabbed an elbow injury. Heartwarming stuff, really. Fabian Ardaya’s minute-by-minute breakdown of Ohtani’s night was very fun, as Ohtani left the mound and immediately grabbed his batting helmet to lead off. Read that here.
A few hours before, though, we learned that Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s former translator, reported to prison yesterday. Mizuhara will serve 57 months in jail after stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to cover gambling debts. He was the focus of what could’ve been a star-shattering scandal that broke right as Ohtani’s Dodger tenure began. Mizuhara could be deported to Japan after he finishes his sentence.
Still in awe at the strange timing. Anyway, I think Ohtani has shown he can still be a two-way superstar, even if he did just pitch one inning. I also raised my eyebrows at this notion: Ohtani could really break Barry Bonds’ record for most MVPs.
Steven Branscombe / Imagn Images
The best MCWS outing ever?
There are gutsy performances, and then there’s what Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood did yesterday in an elimination game against Murray State: nine innings, no hits, 19 strikeouts and one lousy walk. The Razorbacks won 3-0, extending their season at least one more day, while Wood produced arguably the best pitching performance in the history of this tournament. It’s just the third no-hitter in MCWS history and the first since 1960. Read more jaw-dropping stats about the outing here. (This and all links below are free to read. Enjoy.)” [The Athletic]
Another shocking Red Sox trade
Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox bats against the Yankees at Fenway Park yesterday, just hours before being traded. Photo: Paul Rutherford/MLB Photos via Getty Images
“Red Sox fans are furious after the team traded away star player Rafael Devers last night — the second time in the past five years the franchise has traded a star player for what seems like an insufficient return.
‘I'm shocked. This is a terrible trade. Rafael is their star player and it's going to ruin the Sox,’ one fan told Boston's CBS affiliate, WBZ. ‘I honestly think they're just doing it for the money.’
Devers is a three-time All-Star.
The trade reminded many Sox fans of the team's decision to trade another star, future Hall of Famer Mookie Betts, in 2020.
‘I just thought it was crazy,’ Betts himself said of the Devers trade, per The Athletic.” [Axios]
FOOD
1 fun thing: Oscars of food
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
“New York City restaurants dominated this year's James Beard Awards — the Oscars of the food world — with three wins in the six major national categories, the N.Y. Times' Julia Moskin writes.
Outstanding restaurateur: Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, who run a trio of French restaurants — Frenchette, Le Veau d'Or, and Le Rock.
Outstanding chef: Jungsik Yim of Jungsik, a Korean restaurant with three Michelin stars.
Outstanding hospitality: Atomix, another member of NYC's big wave of Korean restaurants.
The winner for outstanding restaurant: Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colo.
Being there: Axios Chicago's Monica Eng reports from the ceremony.
Axios Local dispatches: D.C.'s winner ... Austin's winner ... Portland (Ore.) winners ... Boulder's winner ... Twin Cities winner.
Full list of winners: restaurants in every region.” [Axios]
TRANSITIONS
“Lives Lived: Overcoming resistance from male sports officials, and even doctors, Nina Kuscsik was the first woman to enter the New York City Marathon and the first official female winner of the Boston Marathon. She died at 86.” [New York Times]