South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Jack Lang Resigns as Head of Arab World Institute Amid Epstein Controversy 
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges 
U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
More revelations about the presidency of Donald Trump were made as of late, following the tell-all memoir of former Pentagon chief Mark Esper. In one part of the book, Esper revealed that Trump was especially proud of installing Ric Grenell as his acting Director of National Intelligence to force the Senate Republicans to confirm his DNI nominee.
Esper wrote in his book that there were people in the Trump administration who were willing to do Trump’s bidding, including dictates that would be considered extreme. The former Defense Secretary noted that Grenell was among such people.
Trump would later brag about his strategy to install Grenell as the acting DNI to force the Senate Republicans to confirm his DNI nominee John Ratcliffe.
Grenell was installed as the acting DNI when Trump fired John Maguire, who warned the House Intelligence Committee that Russia is already attempting to interfere in the 2020 elections.
“The president often bragged about installing Grenell as the acting DNI. In an Oval Office meeting once, as a few of us sat across from him, Trump leaned back in his chair, clasped his hands behind his head, and with a huge smile on his face said that ‘installing Ric as DNI was one of the best personnel moves I’ve ever made,’” Esper wrote.
“As his chair tilted forward again toward the Resolute desk, the president added that members of Congress ‘are so concerned about what he will do, they’re now jumping at the chance to quickly get him out of the DNI office.’ It’s crazy, he said. ‘They used to have concerns about John Ratcliffe,’ he said. ‘Now they don’t,’ as he leaned back into his chair again, entertaining the small group with his legerdemain,” said Esper.
Trump is currently facing several legal battles, including his court battle against New York Attorney General Letitia James. The New York Times reported Wednesday that New York federal judge Arthur Engeron lifted the contempt order he imposed on the former president and ordered Trump to pay his fine of $110,000 and comply with James’s subpoena to turn over the documents James is seeking.
The former president has until May 20 to pay the fine and turn over the documents.
