Laura Barron-Lopez:
Also today, groups of ultra-nationalist Israeli Jews paraded through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, at times chanting anti-Arab slogans. It’s part of an annual march that marks Israel’s conquest of the eastern part of the city. The march often leads to violence, and witnesses say clashes broke out in the afternoon. Israeli police say they arrested a number of people.
European officials say there’s a new impetus to restart trade talks with the United States after President Trump pushed back the start of tariffs on E.U. imports. U.S. markets are closed today, but European shares rose on the news. Trump’s 50 percent tariffs are now due to take effect July 9, rather than June 1, as he initially threatened on Friday.
The delay came after a call Trump had yesterday with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Discussions were set to begin immediately, with talks planned between the E.U. trade commissioner and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Separately, President Trump says he’s considering taking $3 billion of grant money from Harvard and distributing it instead to trade schools across the country. He made the threat in a social media posts early today, writing: “What a great investment that would be for the USA.”
It’s the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s ongoing battle with the Ivy League school. On Friday, a federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s bid to prevent Harvard from enrolling international students. The Trump administration is trying to force Harvard to provide information on foreign students at the school, which Harvard is refusing to do.
Also today, President Trump says he’s pardoning a former Virginia sheriff who was convicted of federal bribery charges. Scott Jenkins was the sheriff of Culpeper County in Northern Virginia. In December, he was convicted of accepting more than $70,000 from local businessmen in exchange for positions within his department. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and was set to report to jail tomorrow.
But in a social media post, Trump said he was unjustly treated, writing — quote — “This sheriff is a victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice and doesn’t deserve to spend a single day in jail.”
Authorities in South Carolina said today that 10 people were shot during a fight on a charter boat this weekend. The shooting happened late last night in Little River, about 20 miles Northeast of Myrtle Beach. Local police say no one has died, but some of the wounded are in critical but stable condition. Detectives are trying to identify those responsible and say there is no larger threat to the local community. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
Commemorations have been taking place across the nation to mark the Memorial Day holiday. President Trump led tributes to fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery this morning, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He called them America’s best and bravest and said we revere their incredible legacy.
Elsewhere, the day was marked with parades like this one in Brooklyn, New York. Memorial Day was first to be established in the wake of the Civil War and was originally called Decoration Day. In 1971, it officially became a national holiday and was redesignated as Memorial Day.
And a passing of note tonight. Former New York Congressman Charles Rangel has died. The Democrat from Harlem served on Capitol Hill for nearly half-a-century. Over 23 congressional terms, he was a powerful force in American politics and a staunch advocate for liberal causes.
