For everyone who’d rather live their life than doomscroll the newsfeed.
It’s the first week of June, and the country is officially shifting from spring storms to sweaty handshakes and sketchy fireworks tents. But before you disappear into lake weekends and iced coffee rituals, here’s what actually happened this week in the U.S.—the politics, the chaos, the strange, and the stuff you probably won’t hear on cable news.
Trade Threats on Ice (For Now)
President Trump pulled back—temporarily—from his planned 50% tariffs on European Union imports. After what he called a “very nice talk” with EU leadership, the deadline’s been pushed to July 9. Businesses exhaled. Farmers, automakers, and importers are bracing for what still feels like a ticking trade time bomb.
Also scrapped this week: the nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman to head NASA. The private astronaut and defense contractor drew criticism for past business ties and a few eyebrow-raising statements about “faith-based space leadership.” Trump offered no explanation for the withdrawal.
NPR to White House: See You in Court
The Trump administration’s executive order to eliminate federal funding for public broadcasting officially triggered legal action. NPR and a coalition of public radio stations filed suit, arguing the order is unconstitutional and politically motivated. The administration says taxpayer dollars shouldn’t fund “left-wing propaganda.” NPR’s lawyers say it’s about the First Amendment, not party lines.
DHS Budget Up, NOAA Says: Brace for Solar Storms
The Department of Homeland Security secured a modest funding bump this week, citing rising threats tied to immigration, weather, and cyberattacks. One of those threats? A rare G4 solar storm expected to reach Earth around June 1. NOAA warned it could disrupt GPS, internet service, satellites, and some power grids—especially in northern states. On the bright side (literally), the aurora borealis might be visible as far south as California and Alabama.
Trump Pardons Far-Right Pastor Convicted of Threatening Judge
In one of the most controversial moves of the week, President Trump pardoned Pastor Kenneth Dwyer, a hardline evangelical minister from Georgia who was convicted earlier this year for threatening a federal judge over an abortion ruling. Dwyer, who led a nationwide protest movement dubbed “Sanctify America,” called the judge a “demon in a robe” and posted videos urging his followers to “anoint the courthouse with righteous fire.”
Critics say the pardon sends a dangerous message, effectively excusing violent rhetoric in the name of religion. Trump called Dwyer “a patriot” and said the case was “spiritual persecution, plain and simple.”
And in a surprise bit of pop culture clemency, Trump also commuted the sentences of Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of Chrisley Knows Best, who were serving time for tax evasion and fraud. They’ve now been released, reportedly in time to film a reunion special. Some are calling it justice; others are calling it reality TV doing what it always does—getting away with it.
D.C. Prepares for WorldPride—and a Culture Clash
More than a million people are expected in Washington, D.C. this weekend for WorldPride, marking the largest LGBTQ+ event the city has ever hosted. Hotels are booked. Security is tight. And the mood is defiant—especially after a string of anti-LGBTQ bills passed in multiple states this year. The event includes parades, concerts, and activism focused on equality, healthcare, and human rights. Expect rainbow everything—and likely a few protestors, too.
Ceasefire in the Middle East Hits a Wall
Just as U.S. and Israeli officials announced a 60-day ceasefire deal in Gaza, Hamas submitted a list of last-minute changes, catching everyone off guard. The U.S. envoy called the demands “totally unacceptable,” putting the whole deal at risk. Meanwhile, airstrikes continued and humanitarian conditions remain dire. The war’s now in its eighth month, and pressure is building for a real, enforceable pause in fighting.
The Economy: Holding On, But Barely
Inflation is finally showing signs of stabilizing, but the job market is wobbling. Entry-level office jobs are disappearing fast—some due to AI, others due to economic tightening. The stock market held steady most of the week, buoyed by trade optimism. Still, concerns are growing about wage stagnation and a slow-rolling affordability crisis that no one in Washington seems to be addressing with any urgency.
NBA Finals Set: Pacers vs. Thunder
No one saw it coming, but here we are: the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder will face off in the NBA Finals. It’s the first Finals appearance for either team in over a decade, and fans are thrilled—unless you live in Los Angeles or Boston, in which case you’re still pretending it’s not happening.
Final Thought
The first week of June hit like a Midwest thunderstorm—loud, scattered, and a little surreal. From presidential pardons to pride parades to a solar storm that might knock out your GPS but gift you a Northern Lights show, 2025 isn’t dialing it down. If anything, it’s revving up.
We’ll be here next Sunday to sort through the noise, so you don’t have to.
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