Tuesday morning news: April 8, 2025

SCOTUS deportation ruling » The U.S. The Supreme Court just handed President Trump a pair of legal victories.

In one of those decisions, the high court said the president can temporarily use the rarely invoked Alien Enemies Act to deport violent illegal immigrants, such as gang members.

White House adviser Steven Miller:

MILLER:  This is a monumental, colossal victory for the rule of law, for the Constitution, for our founding generation, John Adams, who signed this law into effect in 1798, and for President Trump in fulfilling his mandate and campaign pledge.

But the high court also said that if the administration is going to remove people under the act, they have to give them notice with a reasonable amount of time to challenge before they are removed.

The court's three liberal justices dissented along with Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

Separately, the high court temporarily halted a lower court's decision, ordering the Trump administration to bring a deported Salvadorian migrant back to the United States. The stay will remain in effect while the court considers the case further.

SCOTUS executive spending ruling » The high court on Monday also allowed the Trump administration to proceed for now with cutting hundreds of millions from teacher training tied to so-called diversity equity and inclusion.

BENJAMIN EICHER: In a 5-4 ruling, the justices granted the Trump administration’s emergency request to cut $600 million dollars in DEI-related teacher training grants.

Chief Justice John Roberts joined the three liberal justices in dissent.

The cuts had been temporarily blocked by a federal judge in Boston.

The appeal is one of several cases in which the Justice Department argues lower-court judges have overstepped their authority.

For WORLD, I’m Benjamin Eicher.

Netanyahu at WH / Israel latest » President Trump says the United States will engage in direct nuclear talks with Iran this weekend.

TRUMP: Maybe a deal is gonna be made. That would be great. It would be really great for Iran, I can tell you that we're meeting very importantly on Saturday at almost the highest level.

Trump's comments came during a White House visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu was there to discuss a number of issues including Trump's tariffs, the Hamas hostages, Syria, and the fate of Gaza.

The prime minister once again praised Trump’s proposal back in February for the United States to seize control of the Gaza Strip. That plan would also involve other countries taking in the Palestinians currently living there who want to leave.

NETANYAHU: This is the right thing to do. It's gonna take years to rebuild Gaza. In the meantime, people can have an option. The president has a vision. Countries are responding to that vision. We're working on it. I hope we can have good news for you.

With regard to tariffs, the prime minister promised to work hard to improve Israel's trade relationship with the United States.

Last week, Trump announced a 17 percent tariffs on all Israeli imports to the U.S.

Trade talks » Netanyahu, one of many World leaders lining up to talk with the president about newly imposed U.S. tariffs.  Trump is personally involved in trade negotiations, but he’s showing no signs of backing down on those tariffs.

Trade advisor to the president, Peter Navarro:

NAVARRO:  They're coming now and saying, we want to talk. We'll lower our tariffs to zero. If you'll lower your tariffs, that's not the problem. Vietnam is a great example. They sell us $15 for every one we sell them. Zero tariffs would get us no reduction in the $123 billion deficit we have.

Closing trade deficits is one of President Trump’s main objectives.

Some Republicans are feeling uneasy about the tariffs. The president’s message to them: Be strong, courageous, and patient and greatness will be the result.

Democrats insist the president is steering the country into a preventable recession.

China tariffs » Trump is talking trade with dozens of trading partners, but China isn’t one of them, at least not right now.

The president says the U.S will impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods starting tomorrow. That is, if Beijing does not withdraw a 34% tariff increase on US goods before then.

TRUMP:   I have a great relationship with presidency. I hope it's gonna stay that way. I have great respect for China, but they can't do this.

He says Beijing has been gaming the system for many years, and the new tariffs are merely helping to level the playing field.

And Republican Sen. Tom Cotton adds:

COTTON:  China has waged an economic world war, especially against the United States going back several decades. They've subsidized their own companies. They give them all kinds of concessions on taxes and land and regulation. Oftentimes, they own these companies, something no American company can compete with fairly.

The president says all trade talks with China will be terminated unless Beijing reverses course.

Weather / flooding » Rivers rose and flooding worsened across the U.S. South and Midwest Monday, threatening communities already waterlogged and badly damaged by days of severe weather.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear:

BESHEAR:  Days of severe storms have brought devastation to so many communities across our commonwealth. We've had search and rescue teams working around the clock to support these communities.

Heavy rain and storms have killed at least 23 people.

Forecasters warned that flooding could persist for days, especially in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: South Korea’s high court removes its president for unlawfully declaring martial law last year. Plus, a family doing what it can to provide a home for Ukrainian orphans.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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