The infighting inside the White House over tariffs
Apr 9, 2025
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Tensions rise in the White House over tariff policies, highlighting internal conflicts among advisors and backlash from figures like Elon Musk. A new deportation point system introduces critical errors affecting those seeking asylum, particularly unaccompanied minors. Legal representation is urgently needed for children in immigration courts, as illustrated by the plight of Itzel, a girl fleeing violence. Plus, the National Weather Service halts translations for alerts, and court rulings affect federal employment. A reminder about real ID deadlines rounds out the discussion.
Internal discord within the White House regarding tariffs underscores a divide on their efficacy for American industry versus potential economic repercussions.
The implementation of a point system for deportation eligibility raises significant concerns about due process and the unjust targeting of individuals.
Deep dives
Impact of Trump's Tariffs on the Economy
Recent tariffs imposed by President Trump on China have escalated the total levy to over 104 percent, prompting a considerable backlash from Wall Street. The markets reacted negatively, closing lower for four consecutive days as notable figures like Jamie Dimon and Bill Ackman criticized the tariffs as a significant policy misstep. There are divisions within the White House regarding the effectiveness of these tariffs, with some believing they will aid in restoring American manufacturing while others argue they will only lead to economic strain. Elon Musk has personally suffered a loss of around $31 billion due to the tariffs and openly challenged the administration's stance, highlighting tensions within Trump's circle regarding the tariff strategy and its consequences for U.S. businesses and consumers.
Deportation Criteria for Venezuelan Nationals
The Trump administration has implemented a controversial point system to determine the eligibility of Venezuelan nationals for deportation, despite many being without criminal records. This system assigns points based on arbitrary criteria, such as clothing styles considered gang-related or specific tattoos, which has led to wrongful deportations. For example, individuals with tattoos that symbolize something personal or innocuous may be misidentified as gang members, leading to harsh consequences. Critics argue that this approach lacks transparency and unjustly targets individuals without appropriate evidence of gang affiliation, raising serious concerns about due process and fairness.
Legal Representation for Unaccompanied Minors
Recent cuts to federal funding threaten the provision of legal representation for unaccompanied minors crossing the border without guardians, putting thousands at risk of unfair deportation. Immigration attorneys emphasize the critical role that legal assistance plays in such cases, as many children lack the ability to represent themselves effectively in court. A significant number of these minors, like a 16-year-old girl named Itzel, face complex personal circumstances that make it crucial to have legal guidance, yet they often cannot secure representation due to financial constraints. The situation highlights a broader issue within the immigration system, where vulnerable children may face rapid deportation without the help they need to navigate legal challenges.
Tensions are rising within the White House as a result of inconsistent messaging on the policy goals for tariffs. Bloomberg’s Justin Sink details the challenge in sorting out the varying disputes.
The Trump administration is using a point system to determine who is eligible to be deported. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán with NPR describes how the system is leading to critical errors.
The Los Angeles Times looks at the administration’s attempts to strip legal funding that provides lawyers for children who crossed the border without a parent or legal custodian. Reporter Rachel Uranga describes the scene at the West Los Angeles Immigration Court.
Plus, the National Weather Service stopped translating alerts into other languages, a judge ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with firing thousands of federal workers, and the deadline to get a Real ID is fast approaching.
Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.
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