A federal court has blocked President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs. Additionally, Elon Musk has stepped down from his role as the head of DOGE.
Also, as more international student visas come under scrutiny, thousands of Chinese students may be forced off U.S. campuses. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Federal court blocks most of Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs
The Trump administration filed an appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked key components of the president’s “Liberation Day” tariff plan. The three-judge panel stated that the sweeping 10% reciprocal tariffs exceeded presidential authority.
The court found President Donald Trump’s move to impose tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico and others, invoked through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, did not meet the legal definition of an “emergency,” calling it a trade issue that should go through Congress.
Currently, many of Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs are suspended while he seeks to negotiate fairer trade agreements with other nations. This represents yet another instance in a recurring trend of major tariff announcements followed by stock market turmoil and subsequent retractions. Some analysts have taken to calling these “Taco tariffs,” indicating that Trump often backs down.
When asked yesterday at the White House, the president blasted the question as “nasty,” insisting it’s just negotiation.
“Six months ago, this country was stone-cold dead. We had a dead country. We had a country that people didn’t think was going to survive. And you ask a nasty question like that. It’s called negotiation,” Trump said. “Don’t ever say what you said. That’s a nasty question.”
This all comes as the Trump administration has halted some American tech exports to China, including jet engines, semiconductors and industrial materials, in retaliation for Beijing’s mineral restrictions. The move could strain supply chains and stall ongoing trade talks, which are under a 90-day ceasefire meant to wind down the tariff war.
Elon Musk steps down from Trump administration role
The billionaire who once referred to himself as Trump’s “First buddy” is stepping away from his government position, concluding his time as a “special employee” after heading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk shared the news on X, expressing gratitude to Trump for the opportunity. However, in a CBS interview on Tuesday, May 27, he criticized Trump’s “big, beautiful” spending bill. He described it as a deficit driver that undermines everything DOGE was attempting to accomplish.
As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025
The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.
Behind the scenes, Musk has felt frustrated, excluded from major deals, clashing with cabinet members and witnessing his sweeping spending cuts diminish each week. He now claims he’s returning to business, focusing on SpaceX, Tesla and xAI.
However, the burning question remains: will Musk continue to invest in political groups affiliated with the president? Up to now, that $100 million promise is merely a promise.
Trump admin to ‘aggressively revoke’ Chinese student visas
In a move sure to raise tensions, the U.S. is pulling Chinese student visas. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration will “aggressively revoke” visas for Chinese nationals, especially those with ties to the Communist Party or studying in so-called critical fields.
The policy has already sparked backlash from Beijing and panic on U.S. campuses, where Chinese students make up nearly a quarter of all foreign enrollment.
The move comes as tensions rise over trade, technology and elite universities, with the administration also pausing all new student visa interviews, despite a federal judge ordering them yesterday to lift part of that immigration freeze.
Critics argue that this is a politically motivated decision that may have negative repercussions, both diplomatically and financially, severely impacting U.S. research and higher education. However, Rubio described it as an initiative to bolster national security, while Trump has emphasized the importance of foreign students having a favorable view of the United States.
Judge orders deported migrant returned from Guatemala to US
The Trump administration stated it is willing to fly a migrant back into the U.S. after a judge ruled that his deportation violated due process. The man, identified only by his initials, was deported last year after illegally entering the U.S. and filing for asylum.
A judge later ruled that he would face serious harm if sent back to Guatemala and ordered him not to be removed. However, federal officials placed him on a bus to Mexico anyway. From there, he was sent to Guatemala.
The judge said that his pleas for help were ignored and that the removal “lacked any semblance of due process.” The DOJ is now arranging a charter flight to bring him back. All of this comes as Axios reports that the administration aims to ramp up deportations, targeting 3,000 arrests per day.
Israel to establish 22 new Jewish settlements in occupied West Bank
Israel has announced plans to formalize 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including outposts that were previously built without government approval. This move expands Israel’s presence in a region it captured during the 1967 Six-Day War. Most of the international community considers these settlements illegal and a significant obstacle to peace.
More than 500,000 Israelis now live in settlements across the West Bank, alongside 3 million Palestinians living under Israeli military control. The U.N.’s top court ruled in 2024 that Israel’s presence in the territories is unlawful and called for a halt to settlement expansion. Israel rejected that ruling, insisting the land is part of its historic homeland.
Oklahoma City Thunder punches ticket to first NBA Finals game since 2012
The Oklahoma City Thunder are headed back to the NBA Finals for the first time in over a decade.
The Thunder dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night, May 28, 124 to 94. The franchise now has its first championship since 1979, when they were the Seattle Supersonics, in its sights.
The Oklahoma City Thunder advance to the #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV!
— NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2025
Game 1: Thursday, 6/5 at 8:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/QZywhckmwb
But can the Thunder secure the overall victory? That remains to be seen.
The matchup for the final game has not yet been set, but the team will face the winner of the Indiana-New York series. Whether the Thunder ends up taking on the Pacers or the Knicks, game one of the NBA Finals tips off next Thursday, June 5.
Currently, the Pacers need just one win to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in over twenty years. Nevertheless, despite their 3-1 lead heading into game five, the Knicks still have a chance to come back and secure the Eastern Conference Championship.
