Overview of Trump May Drop ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund, Primary Voting, Officer Charged and more
CNN’s Tuesday “5 Things” update covers a mix of U.S. politics, an emerging legal and foreign-policy dispute involving Trump, a police misconduct case in North Carolina, and a lighter culture item about a newly published Dr. Seuss book. The biggest threads: Republican pushback is threatening a Trump-era DOJ compensation fund, primary elections are underway in six states, and a high-profile police assault case is moving forward with criminal charges.
Key News Stories
1) Trump administration may abandon “anti-weaponization” fund
- The Trump administration appears to be backing away from plans for a nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund at the Justice Department.
- The proposal has drawn strong criticism from Republicans, who say it is tone-deaf and offensive, and some senators are threatening to withhold support for ICE and Border Patrol funding unless the fund is dropped.
- A federal court has already put the plan on hold, and the DOJ said it will follow the court order.
- The issue has become a notable clash between Trump and members of his own party.
2) Primary elections in six states
- Voters are heading to the polls in:
- California
- Iowa
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- South Dakota
- California is the most closely watched:
- Its “top two” primary system advances the top two vote-getters regardless of party.
- The governor’s race includes prominent names such as Javier Becerra, Steve Hilton, and Tom Steyer.
- The Los Angeles mayor’s race is also drawing attention.
- In Iowa, the race to replace retiring Sen. Joni Ernst is a key target for Democrats.
- In New Jersey, Republican Rep. Tom Kean is running unopposed in his primary, but concerns are being raised because he has been absent from public view and has not voted in Washington for months.
3) Trump-Netanyahu tension over the Iran-Israel conflict
- Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly had an extremely tense phone call, according to Axios.
- Trump allegedly urged Netanyahu to stop plans to bomb central Beirut, warning it would escalate the conflict.
- Netanyahu appears to have backed off the Beirut operation.
- Lebanese authorities say Hezbollah has agreed to a ceasefire with Israel.
- Trump later described the situation as a “little glitch” and said the call was productive.
- He also told ABC News that he believes an agreement could be reached within a week.
4) North Carolina officer charged after violent arrest video
- The officer seen punching a woman repeatedly during an arrest has now been identified as 22-year-old Carson Hyder.
- He has been fired and is now facing a criminal assault charge.
- The incident happened in Shelby, North Carolina, after a call about a suspicious woman allegedly breaking into a building.
- Another officer at the scene told Hyder to let her go.
- The woman’s lawyer says charges against her for resisting arrest and assaulting an officer have been dropped, though a breaking-and-entering charge remains pending.
- Hyder turned himself in and was released on a $10,000 bond.
Other Notable Item
A new, posthumous Dr. Seuss book is out
- A previously unreleased Dr. Seuss book, Sing the 50 United States, has been published.
- The manuscript and cover sketch were found by the archivist at the Geisel Library at UC San Diego.
- Another children’s book artist completed the illustrations.
- The release is timed for America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Main Takeaways
- Trump is facing pushback from Republicans, not just Democrats, over a Justice Department fund they view as politically loaded.
- Primary day is active in multiple states, with California and Iowa getting the most attention.
- The Israel-Iran-related conflict remains volatile, though there are signs of possible de-escalation.
- The North Carolina case is a significant police accountability story, now moving from viral video to criminal proceedings.
- A previously unseen Dr. Seuss manuscript adds a lighter cultural note to the news roundup.