China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Ukraine-Russia Talks Yield Major POW Swap as U.S. Pushes for Path to Peace 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges 
Trump Rejects Putin’s New START Extension Offer, Raising Fears of a New Nuclear Arms Race 
U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
NATO to Discuss Strengthening Greenland Security Amid Arctic Tensions 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
Marco Rubio Steps Down as Acting U.S. Archivist Amid Federal Law Limits 
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States also comes with the civil unrest surrounding police brutality and systemic racism following the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police officers. Prior to his visit to Kenosha, Wisconsin, Donald Trump defended the actions of Kyle Rittenhouse, the teen who fatally shot protesters in the area.
Speaking to reporters, Trump defended the 17-year-old Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two protesters in Kenosha, saying that he acted on self-defense, the explanation given by Rittenhouse’s attorney. Referencing the video captured on a mobile phone, Trump said that the protesters were the ones who attacked the teen and said that this was under investigation.
Rittenhouse has since been charged with five felonies and a misdemeanor after shooting three people, two of which were fatal. Rittenhouse reasoned that he was acting as security against the escalated violence that came from the protests. The teen has also described himself as a member of the militia.
However, more video evidence revealed that Rittenhouse shot and killed a protester at the point in the video that Trump was referring to. Other conservatives also came to the teen’s defense, including Tucker Carlson of Fox News. Trump has since used the unrest to cast doubt on his challenger, former vice president Joe Biden as he runs for reelection in November. Biden has since reversed the script on Trump, saying that he is stoking the hate and division and turning the unrest into a political issue.
Blake’s shooting has also brought the NBA to boycott playing in an effort to help stop police brutality against Black and Brown Americans. Wisconsin’s own team, the Milwaukee Bucks, were the first to boycott. With this, Trump attacked the organization on Twitter for being political while saying that he hopes the NFL and MLB do not do the same thing else their ratings will go down as well.
“People are tired of watching the highly political @NBA. Basketball ratings are WAY down, and they won’t be coming back. I hope football and baseball are watching and learning because the same thing will be happening to them. Stand tall for our Country and our Flag!!” tweeted Trump.
