Homen blames Biden and local officials for ICE situation in Minneapolis
President Trump’s border czar Tom Homen told a news conference this morning that he has had productive meetings with some Minnesota and Minneapolis officials since arriving there on Monday night to take charge of ICE and Border Patrol operations. Homen did not place blame for the killings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis on the federal agents who did the shooting. He did blame the Biden administration for creating the situation that has led to violence against protesters by federal agents. Homen also blamed the violence against protesters by federal agents on Minnesota officials for their not allowing ICE agents to arrest people being held in jail by the state.
Trump claims Omar faked attack
Donald Trump alleges that Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar faked the attack against her that took place at a town hall meeting in Minneapolis. Trump also called the congresswoman “a fraud.” Trump presented no evidence for his claims. While Omar was speaking, a man rushed up to her and sprayed her with an as yet unidentified liquid. The man was wrestled to the ground by security personnel. Minneapolis police arrested the attacker, Anthony Kazmierczak, who had previously shown his support for Trump on social media. U.S. Capitol police promised swift justice in the case and added that they will pursue “the most serious charges possible to deter this kind of violence in our society.” Trump‘s comments against Omar continue his pattern of unsympathetic responses to incidents affecting people not aligned with him politically.
Government shutdown still possible
The White House and Senate leaders are moving closer to a deal to avoid a government shutdown before Friday’s deadline, when funding for many federal agencies is set to expire. Sources say lawmakers are trying to resolve some major differences, especially on immigration. Democratic senators have threatened to block a massive spending package that includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security following the two fatal shootings in Minnesota. Senate Republicans, however, want to keep the spending bill intact and hope recent actions to calm tensions in Minnesota will help avert a shutdown.
Trump again threatens military action against Iran
President Donald Trump is escalating his threats of military action against Iran. In a social media post on Wednesday, Trump urged government leaders in Tehran to negotiate a deal to prevent them from developing nuclear weapons. He warned that the next U.S. attack would be “far worse” than last summer’s strikes on three nuclear sites if talks collapse. A key adviser to Iran’s supreme leader said that any military action would be considered the start of war and vowed an “unprecedented” response, naming Tel Aviv as a target. Sources say Trump is considering strikes on Iran’s leadership, government institutions and nuclear sites, but has not made a final decision on how to proceed.
Tesla makes changes
Tesla is ending production of its Model S and Model X vehicles amid declining sales and plunging profits. CEO Elon Musk says the company will instead focus on building humanoid robots and expanding its self-driving “robotaxi” service. Musk on Wednesday predicted that the Cybercab, a two-seat self-driving vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, will eventually be sold in numbers “several times more” than all of Tesla’s other vehicles combined. Tesla’s earnings have fallen in nine of the last 10 quarters, and its income last year amounted to just 30% of its 2022 peak of $12.6 billion.
Interest rates holding steady
The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that interest rates will remain unchanged for now, despite ongoing pressure from President Trump. Two of Trump’s allies at the Federal Reserve did vote against keeping rates unchanged. The central bank is keeping its benchmark lending rate at a range of 3.5% to 3.75%, following three consecutive rate cuts late last year. During his post-meeting news conference, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, who Donald Trump wants to oust as chairman, suggested there’s no need for imminent rate cuts as the economy seems to be holding up. Powell also rejected several questions from reporters about the Trump administration’s Justice Department’s criminal investigation into him.
