Key Events (10)
Trump announced the US will begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz in an attempt to take control of the strategic waterway after Iran peace talks failed over the weekend. Iran said the blockade would be a breach of the ceasefire, and the move triggered oil price volatility, with prices initially rising above $100 per barrel before dipping when Trump suggested Iran wanted to negotiate.
Trump posted an image on Truth Social depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure in divine light and religious robes, then later claimed the image was meant to show him as a doctor, not Jesus Christ. He subsequently deleted the post after criticism.
Trump criticized Pope Leo in a social media post, calling him 'weak,' 'terrible,' and 'weak on crime.' Pope Leo responded hours later by stating he does not fear Trump and will continue speaking out against war, marking an escalation in Trump's willingness to attack even religious leaders.
A federal judge dismissed Trump's defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, ruling that Trump had not 'plausibly alleged' the outlet published its article with actual malice. The suit challenged a Journal story about a lewd drawing Trump claimed was fabricated and allegedly sent to Epstein.
Trump's media company (TMTG) dropped its defamation lawsuit against The Guardian over an article reporting that prosecutors were investigating payments received as possible money laundering.
Vice President JD Vance faced setbacks on a diplomatic road trip aimed at resolving global conflicts: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was voted out after 16 years in power, and Iran peace talks ended without a deal, positioning Vance as the face of two failed Trump foreign policy initiatives.
Six immigration judges, including Roopal Patel and Nina Froes, were terminated by the Department of Justice after blocking the deportation of pro-Palestinian students, highlighting escalating pressure on judges within the immigration system.
Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress following a House ethics committee investigation into sexual assault allegations. Swalwell had also recently withdrawn from the California gubernatorial race.
Trump's administration pressured developing nations at global IMF and World Bank spring meetings to shelve a crucial green action plan, creating what observers characterized as a 'beyond absurd' situation that left climate policy deadlocked at international financial forums.
Former Brazilian spy chief Alexandre Ramagem, who had fled Brazil after being sentenced to 16 years for his role in plotting a military coup, was arrested by ICE agents in the United States.