1. Fourth Circuit shoots down the Trump administration’s efforts to appeal Judge Xinis’s order requiring it to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. “It is difficult in some cases to get to the very heart of the matter. But in this case, it is not hard at all. The government is asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process..”
2. Judge Boasberg finds probable cause to hold the Trump administration in contempt.
3. ICE tried to detain a 20-year-old American citizen, mounting public pressure got him released. Protests and pressure campaigns matter.
4. The Supreme Court issued a 7-2 ruling temporarily blocking the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan immigrants held in a Texas detention center.
5. Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez continued to pack stadiums in red areas of the country this week with their “Fight The Oligarchy” tour. Including in deep red Idaho.
6. Donald Trump now holds the worst net approval rating among Independents ever recorded at this point in a presidency, according to CNN’s senior data reporter Harry Enten: “He has set the new record — he is completely underwater with the center of the electorate.”
7. In a win for academic freedom and independence, Harvard University gave Trump the middle finger and told him it would not bend the knee, even after he threatened to cut off billions of dollars in research funding and cancel its tax-exempt status.
8. In the House, a dozen Republican members in vulnerable swing districts wrote to GOP leadership warning that they won’t back a budget package that has deep cuts to Medicaid.
9. In North Carolina, the Board of Elections has determined that the number of ballots affected by the Supreme Court’s order to cure defects amounts to only around 1,700, making it extremely unlikely the GOP challenger will steal the election from Justice Alison Riggs.
10. The April 19th No Kings protests were another huge success! And the press actually covered them! Yay to everyone that attended.a protest.
1. Thursday night as a unanimous Supreme Court upheld an order from federal district court Judge Paula Xinis that the government must facilitate the release of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia from custody in El Salvador. The government admits Abrego Garcia was wrongfully deported to a prison in that country.
2. The Associated Press scored a victory for the First Amendment after a federal judge in D.C. ruled that the Trump administration had engaged in viewpoint discrimination by denying White House press access.
3. Trump-appointed federal judge blocks all deportations from southern district of Texas under Trump's Alien Enemies Act proclamation for Venezuelan alleged gang members.
4. A team of city council members in Rolla, Missouri, have been pushing anti-LGTB policies, including a ban on drag shows and book censorship. Voters just ousted all three of these city councilors who were running for re-election.
5. Trump’s job approval rating continued its downward trajectory, hitting a new low for his second term. According to Morning Consult, his rating has shifted downward by 14 points. Trump Week 1 - 52%-44% (+8) Trump Today - 46%-52% (-6).
1. Millions of people in all 50 states and DC gathered in 1300 "Hands Off" marches Saturday to protest against Musk and Trump. SFVI was there.
2. Tesla stock has dropped 38% since the start of 2025.
3. Susan Crawford won a 10 year term in the Wisconsin Supreme Court defeating Elon Musk’s attempt to buy the election. Jumping around in a cheese head handing out million dollar checks didn’t work.
4. Citizens are the most powerful force in a democracy. 19 Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit arguing that the EO is unconstitutional, infringing on states' authority to conduct elections.