This Week in America—For People Who Don’t Watch the News All Day
If you’ve been busy living your life, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what happened in the U.S. (and a few key places abroad) this week.
Politics & Power Plays
Trump Hits 100 Days. It’s… Been a Lot.
President Trump’s second term hit the 100-day mark. There were no parades. Legal fights, plummeting approval ratings, and a stalled economic agenda set the tone. His signature “Big Beautiful Bill”—a sprawling tax-cut-and-spending mashup—couldn’t even make it out of the Senate. With a looming debt ceiling deadline, D.C. remains deadlocked.
Supreme Court Takes on Birthright Citizenship
The Court heard arguments over Trump’s order to end automatic citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants. Even some conservative justices looked uneasy. Also on the table: whether lower courts can issue nationwide injunctions against federal policies. Stakes are high either way.
Moody’s Downgrades the U.S.
The country’s credit rating took a hit. Moody’s cited ballooning debt and political gridlock as key reasons. It’s a warning sign that even Wall Street’s losing faith in Washington’s ability to handle its checkbook.
Immigration & Citizenship
The ‘American Idol’ of Immigration?
In what sounds like a late-night sketch but is apparently real, the Department of Homeland Security is reviewing a pitch for a reality show where undocumented immigrants would compete for a path to U.S. citizenship. Contestants would face challenges like civics exams, survival tasks, and good old-fashioned patriotism. Think Survivor, but instead of a million bucks, the prize is naturalization. DHS hasn’t signed off, but the idea is being seriously considered. Critics call it exploitative. Supporters say it could humanize the issue. Either way, you probably didn’t have “green card gameshow” on your 2025 bingo card.
Campus Crackdowns & Culture Clashes
Protests Get Personal
Student protests over Gaza continue, but so do the crackdowns. Texas passed legislation limiting when and how students can protest. Federally, the Trump administration is threatening to revoke visas for foreign students involved in “pro-Hamas” actions. Columbia, Harvard, and others are banning masks at protests to make identification easier. In response, some students are going the hunger strike route instead.
Economy & Inflation
Prices Finally Cool Off
Inflation is the lowest it’s been in years. Groceries are cheaper. Gas is stable. The Fed might be done hiking rates. Wall Street breathed easier after Trump announced a 90-day tariff ceasefire with China. Markets rallied. For now, the economy isn’t spiraling. It’s just… holding its breath.
Disasters & Accidents
Tornadoes Tear Through the Midwest
Over 30 dead. Entire towns flattened. Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky were hit hard by a string of tornadoes midweek. Federal disaster aid is on the way, but the recovery will take months.
Las Vegas Gym Shooting
A 22-year-old former employee opened fire in a 24-hour fitness center. One person was killed, several injured. The shooter took his own life. Another senseless tragedy in a country that’s getting far too used to them.
New Orleans Jailbreak
Ten inmates escaped a New Orleans jail Thursday night. Three were caught quickly. Seven are still out there. How it happened is still unclear, but heads are already starting to roll.
Mexican Navy Ship Crashes into Brooklyn Bridge
On Saturday night, the Mexican Navy’s training ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge after losing power while navigating the East River. The incident occurred around 8:20 p.m. as the ship was departing from Pier 17 on a goodwill tour. Without power, the vessel drifted backward, and its tall masts struck the underside of the bridge, causing a catastrophic collision. The crash led to the deaths of two crew members and injured 22 people, two of whom are in critical condition.
Abroad, But Still Matters
A New Pope and a Familiar Plea
Pope Leo XIV—the first American-born pontiff—used his first public address to call for peace in Gaza and Ukraine. The world listened. Whether anyone acts is another story.
India and Pakistan Trade Strikes
After a deadly attack in Kashmir, both countries launched airstrikes. Things escalated fast. With nukes in play, even the suggestion of miscalculation has world leaders scrambling to cool things down.
Russia–Ukraine, Still Going
Ukrainian forces are pushing slowly. Russia is still bombing cities. The U.S. sent another aid package. The war isn’t over, and fatigue is setting in.
In Other News…
- A Wisconsin judge was indicted for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid ICE.
- Trump lashed out at Apple for outsourcing iPhone production to India.
- Salman Rushdie’s attacker was sentenced to 25 years.
- Black Sabbath announced a final, final, final reunion.
- Taylor Swift dropped an acoustic album and the internet exploded (again).
Final Thought
Debt fights, tornadoes, protests, and a government weighing whether to greenlight a reality show where immigrants win citizenship like it’s The Amazing Race. It’s 2025. This is where we are.
Thanks for catching up with FreeWire. See you next Sunday.
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