US Politics News

Trump Suggests Third Term Bid; Pardons 1,500 Involved in January 6th Attack

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Key Takeaways

  • Trump suggested 'methods' for a third term, stating he was 'not joking'.
  • Trump pardoned about 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 attack on Congress.
  • Trump wants to annex Greenland; Greenland's PM says, "We do not belong to anyone else."
  • Senators criticize Guantánamo migrant mission, estimating it cost $40 million in its first month.
  • 1,900 scientists warn of Trump's attacks on science, citing threats and funding cuts.

Trump's Overreach

Trump suggests seeking a third term as president

On March 30, 2025, Donald Trump suggested potential "methods" to seek a third term as president, despite the constitutional two-term limit. He stated on Sunday, March 30, 2025, that he was 'not joking' about attempting to serve a third term, sparking criticism and debate.

Trump wants to annex Greenland; Greenland says no

On March 31, 2025, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded to President Trump’s assertion that he wants to annex Greenland by stating, "The United States will not get it. We do not belong to anyone else. We decide our own future." It was also reported that President Trump's talk of seizing Greenland reflects an expansionist mind-set in his second term, with his administration also threatening to annex Canada and the Panama Canal; Vice President JD Vance stated that the United States would respect Greenland’s right to self-determination and that military force would not be necessary, differing from President Trump's stance.

Trump suggests US 'take over' Gaza, sparks outrage

On March 31, 2025, it was reported that Donald Trump caused international outrage after suggesting the US could "take over" war-ravaged Gaza and "own it."

Courts & Laws

Trump pardoned 1,500 involved in January 6 attack

On March 31, 2025, Donald Trump issued presidential pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 attack on Congress. Some of those pardoned had been convicted of violent acts.

Oath Keepers: 11 indicted for seditious conspiracy

On March 31, 2025, it was reported that eleven members of the Oath Keepers, including founder Stewart Rhodes, were indicted for seditious conspiracy related to the January 6 insurrection. The Oath Keepers are a far-right anti-government extremist militia group founded in 2009.

Policy Landscape

Senators criticize Guantánamo migrant mission: $40M spent

On March 31, 2025, five senators criticized the U.S. migrant mission at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, as a waste of resources, estimating it cost $40 million in its first month. As of Sunday, there were 105 immigration detainees at the base.

1,900 scientists warn of Trump's attacks on science

On March 31, 2025, over 1,900 scientists signed an open letter warning about the Trump administration's attacks on science. The letter detailed threats to universities, grant cancellations, ideological funding reviews, government layoffs, censorship, and funding cuts for scientific agencies like HHS, CDC, FDA, EPA, and NOAA.

Trump demands proof of citizenship to vote

On March 29, 2025, Trump signed an executive order to reform elections in the US, demanding proof of citizenship to vote.

Challenges for children in immigration court

Published on March 31, 2025, the article discusses the challenges faced by children in immigration court due to reduced legal funding. Many children are in deportation proceedings without legal representation, and the Trump administration's actions have reduced the availability of pro bono lawyers.

Chaotic return to office for federal employees

Published on March 31, 2025, the return to in-office work for federal employees has been chaotic, with logistical issues and shortages. Some employees reported cleaning toilets and lacking basic supplies; President Trump mandated the return to office, believing it will increase efficiency, but many workers expressed concerns about the lack of planning.

Trump administration's immigration policies criticized as callous

Published on 2025-03-31, the article criticizes the Trump administration's immigration policies as callous, citing the deportation of Venezuelan immigrants and the detention of a Turkish grad student. It also criticizes uncompassionate conservatism in domestic policies.

Trump administration deported more alleged gang members

On March 31, 2025, news emerged that the Trump administration deported more alleged gang members to El Salvador.

ICE detained University of Minnesota grad student

On Thursday, March 30, 2025, ICE detained a graduate student at the University of Minnesota without prior notice to the school.

US deports 175 Venezuelan migrants to Caracas

On March 30, 2025, a flight carrying 175 Venezuelan migrants deported from the US arrived in Caracas. This was the third repatriation flight in a week, operated by Eastern Airlines; Venezuelan authorities reported that one deportee was a suspected member of a criminal organization, and in recent weeks, 1454 Venezuelans have been repatriated.

Immigration officials investigate social media of applicants

Museum and Library Services staff placed on leave

On March 31, 2025, news emerged that the Trump administration placed the staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services on administrative leave, potentially ending federal support for museums and libraries, affecting approximately 70 employees. Antoine L. Dotson, the agency’s director of human resources, said the administrative leave was not punitive but rather to facilitate the work and operations of the agency. The American Federation of Government Employees stated that all work processing applications for 2025 grants has ended due to the absence of staff.

Capitol Hill Buzz

GOP silent on Trump's IRA dismantling demands

Published on 2025-03-31, the article reports that Republican lawmakers are largely silent on Trump's demands to dismantle the Inflation Reduction Act's incentives, despite their districts benefiting from the law. Trump has called the IRA a "giant scam."

Hakeem Jeffries: Republicans 'on the run'

Published on 2025-03-31, Hakeem Jeffries called the situation "another sign that the Republicans are on the run."

Economy Watch

Trump unconcerned about car price hikes from tariffs

On March 30, 2025, President Trump stated he is unconcerned about potential car price increases resulting from the 25 percent tariffs on imported cars and auto parts, set to take effect on Thursday. He believes higher prices on foreign cars will lead consumers to purchase American-made vehicles.

Trump's tariffs threaten UK economy, global markets fall

On March 31, 2025, it was reported that Donald Trump's tariffs threaten to negatively impact the UK's economy. Also on March 31, 2025, global stock markets fell as new Trump tariffs loomed.

White House Watch

Trump commuted sentence of Hunter Biden associate, Galanis

On March 31, 2025, President Donald Trump commuted the 14-year federal prison sentence of Jason Galanis, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, who was convicted of a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme. Galanis had reportedly assisted a Republican investigation into the Biden family.

Trump withdraws Elise Stefanik's UN ambassador appointment

On 2025-03-31, President Trump withdrew his appointment of Representative Elise Stefanik as his United Nations ambassador.

Unsecured app used for Yemen attack plans

On March 31, 2025, it was reported that the Trump administration's use of an unsecured messaging app (Signal) to discuss military attack plans against Houthi militia in Yemen is criticized. A journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently included in the group chat.

Trump labels pro-Palestine group 'terrorists'

On March 31, 2025, Donald Trump labeled members of a pro-Palestine group accused of vandalising his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland this month as "terrorists."

Campaign Trail

Special elections in Florida see increased competitiveness

On 2025-03-31, a special election in Florida’s Sixth Congressional District, previously held by Michael Waltz, is seeing increased competitiveness. Two special congressional elections are scheduled for Tuesday, 2025-04-01, in Florida, including one in Florida’s First Congressional District, for the old seat of Matt Gaetz. Ken Martin, the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee, traveled to the Sixth District to draw further attention to the race; Richard Hudson said, “I would have preferred if our candidate had raised money at a faster rate and gotten on TV quicker,” and Ron DeSantis cast Randy Fine as the problem, urging observers not to draw broader conclusions about Mr. Trump or the national political climate from the potential closeness of the contest.

Josh Weil raises nearly $9.5M for campaign

Published on 2025-03-31, Josh Weil had raised nearly $9.5 million as of mid-March. Randy Fine donated $600,000 to his campaign in late March.

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