May 15, 2025

• The Supreme Court’s hearing on a proposed ban on birthright citizenship is a focal point. Newsmax reports Judge Andrew Napolitano’s view that the Court may avoid a definitive ruling, “kicking the can down the road” due to the issue’s complexity. Conservatives argue this could curb illegal immigration, but legal scholars warn of constitutional conflicts.
  
• Fox News is covering President Trump’s ongoing Middle East trip, emphasizing his “peace through strength” approach. He’s making stops like Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and the UAE, pitching economic deals and alliances to counter “rogue regimes.” Sources frame this as a restoration of U.S. global respect, with Trump quoted saying, “Nobody’s laughing at our country anymore.”
  

•  Breitbart highlights California Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to exclude illegal immigrants from Medi-Cal, framing it as a pragmatic shift under pressure from federal policies. This is seen as a win for conservative immigration stances, though some question its long-term impact.
  
• Breitbart reports that Senator Joni Ernst introduced legislation to block Democrat-led mandates for zero-emission trains. Conservatives argue these regulations burden farmers and supply chains, with Ernst’s bill positioned as protecting economic stability.
  
• Fox News discussions, featuring conservative commentators like Brit Hume and Hugh Hewitt, focus on Trump’s economic strategies, including tariff negotiations. While some praise the potential for job growth, there’s acknowledgment of business concerns about tariff-driven price hikes, though these are downplayed as short-term.
  
• The Supreme Court is hearing challenges to a proposed ban on birthright citizenship, a policy tied to immigration reform. Critics argue it violates the 14th Amendment, while supporters claim it addresses illegal immigration loopholes.
  
•  The Trump administration is considering suspending habeas corpus to speed up deportations, sparking legal concerns about due process. Plans to reopen Alcatraz as a prison for deportees have also surfaced, though experts question its feasibility due to infrastructure costs.
  
• Ford, Mattel, and other major companies are warning that Trump’s proposed tariffs could raise consumer prices and disrupt supply chains. Economists predict inflation risks if tariffs are broadly implemented.
  
• The first American pope, Leo XIV, is facing backlash from Trump supporters for his pro-immigrant stance, highlighting a rift between MAGA ideology and religious leadership.

•  House Republicans are advancing President Trump’s “megabill,” which includes tax cuts but faces internal party disputes over Medicaid and SNAP reductions, as well as a standoff on the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. Some GOP members worry about voter backlash in competitive districts.
  
• The Defense Department, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, has expanded its “media rotation program,” removing workspace for outlets like The Washington Post, CNN, The Hill, and The War Zone. They’re being replaced by right-leaning outlets such as Newsmax, Breitbart, and The Daily Caller. The move is criticized as politicizing access but defended as balancing representation.
  
•  Reports claim “rogue” devices hidden in Chinese-made solar panels could potentially disrupt the U.S. power grid. These devices, allegedly capable of remote activation, are under investigation by the Department of Energy, raising national security concerns.
  
•  NPR and PBS face ongoing scrutiny after President Trump’s executive order slashed their taxpayer funding, citing biased reporting. NPR CEO Katherine Maher defended their independence, but GOP lawmakers, like Rep. Ronny Jackson, argue public funding for these outlets is “corrosive” and push for complete defunding.
  
• In a recent immigration appeals case, Justices Neil Gorsuch and John Roberts sided with the court’s liberal wing in a 5-4 ruling on a “voluntary departure” deadline, signaling potential complexities in upcoming immigration cases, including the birthright citizenship challenge.