The R&R Daily Brief: April 20, 2025

Yesterday's News in Five Minutes or Less Because Even We Can't Talk About Everything

Hello friends!

I pray you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! Sometimes it takes us a minute to get back into the swing of a routine after a holiday weekend. I know it takes me a minute which is why this newsletter is a little later than usual.

But the news keeps chugging along.

Got five minutes? These snapshots have you covered. Want the full story? Simply click the link in any summary to dive deeper into the news that interests you most.

The goal is simple: keep it brief, keep it clear, but most importantly, keep you informed about what matters. Read on!

Pope Francis Dies After Easter Mass and Vance Meeting

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, has passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His death came shortly after he conducted Easter Mass and held discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The Vatican has not yet released details on succession plans as the Catholic world mourns the pontiff's passing.

Senator Van Hollen Visits Deported Gang Suspect in El Salvador

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen has returned from a taxpayer-funded trip to El Salvador where he met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a suspected MS-13 gang member who was recently deported. When questioned on news programs, Van Hollen admitted he didn't ask Garcia about his alleged gang ties. Republicans have criticized the senator for focusing on this case while ignoring border security issues during the Biden administration.

Four More Democrats Travel to El Salvador

Four Democratic Representatives have just arrived in El Salvador regarding the case of the deported MS-13 suspect. The delegation includes Rep. Robert Garcia (CA), Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL), Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ), and Rep. Maxine Dexter (OR). They are reportedly advocating for the release of the alleged gang member and wife beater, further intensifying the political controversy surrounding this case.

Supreme Court Freezes Some Deportations

The Supreme Court has temporarily halted deportations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act for a group of suspected Trinde Aragua members. The ACLU successfully argued that proper due process wasn't followed, as one immigrant couldn't read his English-language notice and others weren't informed they could challenge their deportations. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt criticized the ruling, calling it "meritless litigation brought by radical activists."

Defense Secretary Hegseth's Yemen Strike Details Leaked in Signal Chat

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly shared classified details of forthcoming military strikes in Yemen on March 15 via a private Signal group chat. According to the New York Times, the information—which included flight schedules for F/A-18 Hornets targeting Houthi positions—was shared with his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. The revelation has raised serious questions about security protocols for handling classified information at the Pentagon.

Democrats Criticize Trump's Pressure on Federal Reserve

Democrats are accusing President Trump of inappropriately pressuring Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates, despite many Democrats—having previously called for the Fed to lower rates during past administrations. Klobuchar defended the Fed's independence on CNN, emphasizing Powell's role in warning about economic instability from tariffs. Trump's team is reportedly exploring options to remove Powell before his term ends in May 2026, though traditionally Fed chairs complete their full four-year terms regardless of administration changes.

Trade Negotiations Progress With Multiple Countries

President Trump has maintained his pause on higher tariffs for most countries (except China) for 90 days and set a baseline 10% tariff on imports to encourage negotiations. At least 75 countries have reached out to discuss trade terms. Japan is making "big progress" with Toyota considering moving RAV4 production to the U.S., while South Korea, Vietnam, India, the EU, and UK are all engaged in various stages of trade talks.

That's all for today's morning update. Stay informed and have a great Monday!

Bye! ❤️