Trump reaffirms support for tariffs despite stock market losses

Stocks continue to fall after President Donald Trump announced blanket 10% tariffs and reciprocal duties against more than 180 countries. And a federal judge now says he may hold the government in contempt of court regarding deportation flights to El Salvador. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, April 4, 2025.

Trump doubles down on support for tariffs despite US stock market losses

President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to the tariffs imposed this week aboard Air Force One, comparing the U.S. economy to someone who has just had surgery, survived the operation and is now recovering.

The president showed optimism despite the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunging nearly 1,700 points Thursday, April 3. A global sell-off led U.S. stocks after Trump announced reciprocal tariffs against more than 180 countries and territories on Wednesday, April 2.

“It was a sick patient. It went through an operation on ‘Liberation Day,'” Trump said. “And it’s going to be — it’s going to be a booming country. A very booming country. It’s going to be amazing, actually. And we see it because we have trillions of dollars committed to come in. Trillions.”

On Wednesday, the president announced a 10% across-the-board tariff on imports, with even higher tax rates on products from countries such as China, Japan and Vietnam, as well as from members of the European Union.

Still, stock futures lowered even more Friday morning, April 4, despite Trump remarking late Thursday that the markets will “boom.”

Straight Arrow News business correspondent Simone Del Rosario analyzes Trump’s “Liberation Day” impact on the markets here.

NSA director reportedly fired by Trump administration

The Trump administration fired the head of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, according to multiple sources.

Trump dismissed Gen. Timothy Haugh, reassigning his deputy director, Wendy Noble.

According to the Washington Post, Noble will take a different position in the Pentagon.

It’s still unclear why they were fired, but this occurred amid significant changes in the government structure during Trump’s new term.

U.S. Cyber Command Deputy Lt. Gen. William Hartmann has reportedly been appointed as the acting NSA director. Sheila Thomas, who previously served as the executive director at the NSA, will assume the role of acting deputy director.

Judge blocks Trump administration over $11B in cuts to public health funding

A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to cut more than $11 billion in public health funding to states as nearly two dozen states and the District of Columbia sued to keep the money flowing.

The states are taking legal action against the Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, stating that the funds are necessary for “urgent public health needs,” including the monitoring of diseases and vaccines, as well as mental health and addiction services.

The Trump administration contends the end of the COVID-19 pandemic justifies cutting funding that was first offered to state and local health departments during the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus.

Judge Mary S. McElroy, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, presided over Thursday’s hearing.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, who represents one of the states in the lawsuit, wrote on X that she will “continue to fight to ensure states can provide the medical services Americans need.”

James and Trump have engaged in various lawsuits over the last few years.

Judge may hold Trump administration in contempt regarding deportation flights

A federal judge said there is a “fair likelihood” that the Trump administration violated his order to turn around two planes carrying suspected Venezuelan gang members, and he indicated that he may hold the government in contempt of court regarding this matter.

Judge James Boasberg, who blocked the administration’s deportation flights of apparent Tren de Aragua gang members last month, said Thursday that the administration possibly “acted in bad faith” by not returning the planes to the U.S.

Instead, the flights continued to El Salvador, where more than 200 Venezuelan nationals are currently in a maximum-security prison.

Boasberg issued a temporary order halting deportations under the Alien Enemies Act that the Trump administration was using to deport suspected illegal immigrants.

At Thursday’s hearing, the Department of Justice attorney argued that the government complied with Boasberg’s order, but did not know who instructed the planes to continue to El Salvador.

South Korea’s impeached president removed over martial law order

South Korea’s constitutional court officially ousted embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The court’s unanimous decision on Friday signifies Yoon’s formal dismissal from the presidency after parliament voted to impeach him in December 2024, following his brief declaration of martial law.

His removal takes effect immediately, meaning he must now leave the presidential residence. An election will also be held to replace him.

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepped in as acting president.

In a separate criminal trial, police arrested Yoon in January on charges of leading an insurrection.

However, he was released in March after a court canceled his arrest warrant. The court did not drop his charges.

Women’s Final Four: UCLA, UConn, South Carolina, Texas chase history

It’s Final Four weekend in both the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments. In both leagues, just four teams remain.

The women’s NCAA Final Four features three No. 1 seeds, including the defending national champs, and a team that has won a record 11 national titles. The first women’s matchup tips off Friday, April 4, in Tampa, Florida.

Straight Arrow News sports reporter Chris Francis takes a look at the powerhouse schools aiming to make history here.