Today’s edition of quick hits.
* Donald Trump’s claims about Vladimir Putin wanting “peace” keep looking worse: “Russia overnight Thursday launched one of the most devastating bombardments on Ukraine’s major cities since the war began, killing at least twelve people.”
* The White House’s latest legal setback: “A federal judge in California issued an injunction Thursday blocking President Donald Trump’s efforts to halt federal funds from going to several cities and counties considered sanctuary jurisdictions.”
* Another White House legal setback: “A federal judge in Washington today blocked the Election Assistance Commission from following through on two key portions of Trump’s executive order on election policies.”
* Yet another White House legal setback: “A federal judge today directed the Department of Education to pause its enforcement of the anti-DEI initiatives it outlined in a February letter sent to schools that receive federal funding instructing educators to comply with anti-DEI teachings or risk losing their federal funding.”
* Still more White House legal setbacks: “A Trump-appointed federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return of a Venezuelan man who was deported to El Salvador last month, saying his deportation violated a prior court settlement.”
* In case you were interested in another White House legal setback: “Federal immigration officials must transport Rümeysa Öztürk back to Vermont, a federal judge ruled Thursday after the government continued to fight to keep the Tufts PhD candidate in Louisiana as she faces deportation proceedings.”
* Pay particular attention to the word “after” in this sentence: “President Donald Trump’s administration moved a Venezuelan man who had worked in construction in Philadelphia to Texas for possible deportation after a federal judge had issued an order blocking his removal from Pennsylvania or the United States, according to court records.”
* A case worth watching: “Twelve states filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the legality of President Donald Trump’s broad tariff agenda, arguing it unlawfully undermines Congress’ constitutional authority to regulate foreign commerce.”
* The way in which Elizabeth Oyer was treated continues to be interesting: “Three congressional Democrats are demanding answers from the Justice Department over its reported attempt to block a former pardon attorney from participating in an oversight hearing earlier this month.” * Why do this? “The Trump administration has begun dismantling a small independent agency that aids the economic development of poor but stable nations, according to five people familiar with the matter. Employees for the agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, were told in an email that they would be offered early retirement or deferred resignation after visits last week from Elon Musk’s government cost-cutting team, according to a copy reviewed by The New York Times.” * Wall décor is a running theme in this administration: “The Army has suspended a Wisconsin training base’s first female commander after discovering portraits of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had been flipped around to face a wall.” * A prediction: This won’t end well: “The White House is partnering with a prominent conservative Christian college in Michigan to produce videos ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary. … The White House’s rapid response team announced a partnership with Hillsdale College on a video series related to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence, in a post to X this week that included the first installment of the project.” See you tomorrow.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."
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