PRESIDENT TRUMP ON MONDAY drew new battle lines on trade, immigration and crime as he outlined a series of surprising new proposals that resonated from Washington to Hollywood and provoked fresh debate about his powers.
Over a head-spinning 48 hours, Trump said he’d reopen Alcatraz, slap new tariffs on films shot outside the U.S. and pay migrants who leave the U.S. voluntarily.
Trump’s most controversial moves pertain to his immigration policy, where the courts have intervened to restrain his actions.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it would pay migrants $1,000 if they choose to “self-deport” using a government app. The fee would be paid upon confirmation of their return.
Trump said Monday those who leave voluntarily will be considered for a swifter path back to the U.S., while those who don’t will never be allowed back.
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Rwanda said it’s in discussions with the U.S. about accepting deported migrants, even as controversy continues over migrant deportations to a prison in El Salvador.
In a Sunday interview with NBC’S “Meet the Press,” Trump said he was unsure when presented with the question of whether he believes he needs to adhere to the U.S. Constitution when it comes to deportations.
“I don’t know,” Trump responded, before arguing that the Supreme Court issued a vague ruling when it determined the U.S. must “facilitate” the return of a Salvadorian national who was deported back to his home country despite an immigration court ruling that he shouldn’t be sent there over safety concerns.
That response dominated headlines and chatter in Washington.
“Whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand,” Former Vice President Mike Pence said while accepting an award in Washington. “It’s what binds us across time and generations. …. It’s what makes us one people.”
Democrats blasted the remarks.
“This is as un-American as it gets,” Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on NBC’S “Meet the Press.”
Trump on Monday scolded the courts over what he views as improper meddling in national security issues pertaining to his immigration crackdown, citing a recent court ruling barring his administration from invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members.
“We’re getting them out and it’s a very difficult thing with the courts because the courts have all of a sudden out of nowhere, they said, maybe you have to have trials,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “Trials. What are you gonna have 5 million trials? It doesn’t work.”
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Trump’s suggestion to refurbish and reopen the Alcatraz prison to house violent criminals came as a surprise.
The infamous prison off the coast of San Francisco also known as The Rock, closed 60 years ago and has since been operating as a tourist attraction.
“It represents something very powerful, very strong in terms of law and order,” Trump said Monday.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whose district encompasses Alcatraz, said “the president’s proposal is not a serious one.”
But some Republicans like the idea.
“I don’t believe in keeping [criminals] comfortable,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) told Fox News Channel’s Bill Hemmer. “I want them to regret the crime.”
Trump also confirmed that he offered to send U.S. troops into Mexico to combat drug trafficking, but Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum declined the offer.
“She is so afraid of the cartels she can’t even think straight,” Trump said.
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STUDIO STOCKS DECLINE AFTER TRUMP THREAT
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Movie studio stocks finished in the red after Trump said he would implement 100 percent tariffs on all movies filmed outside the U.S.
Trump described U.S. productions abroad as a “national security threat,” saying foreign countries could use their films as propaganda.
“Our film industry has been decimated by other countries, and also by incompetence, like in Los Angeles, the governor is a grossly incompetent man, he’s just allowed it to be taken away from Hollywood,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “You know Hollywood doesn’t do very much of that business. They have a nice sign, but they don’t do very much, a lot of it has been taken to other countries.”
Industry insiders expressed confusion over the logistics of putting tariffs on intellectual property. The move, if implemented, is certain to be challenged in court on First Amendment grounds.
A White House spokesperson told The Hill “no final decisions have been made” but that they’re “exploring all options.”
Still, the mere threat of tariffs could further damage a battered industry that is trying to regain its footing after the pandemic, labor strikes and an industry-wide contraction. Hollywood productions sometimes go abroad to make use of locations not available in the U.S. or to take advantage of tax credits.
“I’m not looking to hurt the industry, I want to help the industry,” Trump added. “But they’re given financing by other countries…and the industry is decimated…so we’re going to meet with the industry. I want to make sure they’re happy with it….we’ll get it back.”
CNBC reported that Wedbush Securities wrote to investors Monday saying studios at every level “carry a significant amount of risk as they will have to lobby the Trump administration to set a reasonable standard for films that require live sets in foreign settings.”
Trump will meet with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday amid the trade war fallout.
“He’s coming to see me, I don’t know what he wants to see me about,” Trump said. “But he wants to make a deal. Everybody does.”
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Student loan borrowers in default will face government-backed involuntary collections beginning today.
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The deadline for Americans to obtain a Real ID for plane travel is Wednesday, May 5.
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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) announced Monday that he won’t challenge Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) in Georgia next year, delivering a blow to Republicans who sought to recruit him for the race.
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Coming tomorrow: Check out The Movement, a new weekly newsletter from The Hill’s Emily Brooks tracking the influences and debates steering politics on the right. Click here to sign up and get it in your inbox.
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House GOP wrestles with divide over Trump agenda
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House Republicans returned Monday for a crucial week on Capitol Hill as they try to overcome internal divisions on key policy issues in an effort to turn President Trump’s agenda into “one big, beautiful bill” that can get through both chambers of Congress.
Republican leaders postponed two committee mark-ups this week because of disagreements over Medicaid cuts and a dispute on the the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap.
Both issues threaten to sink a potential final funding bill if Republicans can’t find a middle ground.
As The Hill’s Emily Brooks and Mychael Schnell write, the clock is ticking:
“The lingering disagreements are putting Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) roadmap in jeopardy. The top lawmaker said he wants the remaining markups to take place this week so that the House Budget Committee can combine all parts of the package the week after, putting the legislation on track for final passage — along party lines in a razor-thin GOP majority — by Memorial Day. That plan, however, could go awry if members are unable to work through the lingering disagreements, putting pressure on leadership to find consensus and move the process along.”
Several of Trump’s Cabinet members will testify before subcommittees for the House and Senate Appropriations committees this week, where they’re certain to be asked about some of the more divisive elements of the skinny budget Trump sent to lawmakers, with a focus on defense spending.
Here’s a rundown of everything to watch for this week on Capitol Hill, including a vote on the “Gulf of America” bill.
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Dems debate impeachment, future leaders
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Democrats are strategizing how best to push back against President Trump in his second term, with one eye on a field of potential new leaders taking shape.
The Hill’s Mike Lillis outlines the party leadership’s “Goldilocks dilemma” when it comes to the question of impeachment.
“From the left, they’re under fire to take the fight against President Trump up to DEFCON 1. From the center, they’re meeting pressure to be less antagonistic — and even cooperate — with the duly elected administration. It’s all left Democratic leaders on and off of Capitol Hill treading delicately to an elusive balance to appease both camps — or at least not infuriate one of them.”
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New party leaders are laying the tracks for potential future presidential run.
• The Hill’s Julia Mueller reports that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is keeping Democrats in suspense over her next move.
• Sports talker Stephen A. Smith, who has been making the rounds of political talk shows, says the Democratic Party would need to be “purged” of the old guard if he’s going to launch a bid.
• Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) is turning heads with his tough talk on Trump.
• Could former Vice President Harris return for another crack at it in 2028?
The Hill’s Alexander Bolton writes:
“Senate Democrats are skeptical about their former colleague, former Vice President Kamala Harris, making another presidential run in 2028 after she lost all seven battleground states to President Trump in November, but most of them aren’t ruling out the possibility that she could clinch the party’s nomination if she plays her cards right.”
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