President Trump is scheduled to hold a press conference today with Elon Musk at 1:30pm ET. Livestream Links Below

Musk is departing his role as a special government employee overseeing the U.S. DOGE Service. “This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way,” President Trump posted on social media. The event begins at 1:30pm and then later this afternoon President Trump will be heading to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to highlight a deal between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel.

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The President of the United States, representing the executive branch, takes aggressive emergency action on tariffs and trade to protect American fiscal sovereignty and solvency.  Both chambers of the U.S. congress, the house and senate representing the Legislative branch, affirm the action through legislative support.  Yet, a single court in the judicial branch intervenes on behalf of multinational corporate interests to block trade policy.

That is the framework of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s main point in a discussion with Fox News Bret Baier.  WATCH:

On the DOGE issue, listen to how a well-versed professional executive with years of experience in institutional reform discusses taking the DOGE team effort and integrating them into his massive agency as part of an operational efficiency overhaul.

Compare Secretary Bessent’s approach to other cabinet officials who have yet to grasp and execute the efficiency model that has been handed to them by the DOGE effort.  The contrast is remarkable.

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Pushed far enough, decisions are reached.

[VIA TRUTH SOCIAL] “The U.S. Court of International Trade incredibly ruled against the United States of America on desperately needed Tariffs but, fortunately, the full 11 Judge Panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Court has just stayed the order by the Manhattan-based Court of International Trade. Where do these initial three Judges come from? How is it possible for them to have potentially done such damage to the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of “TRUMP?” What other reason could it be?

I was new to Washington, and it was suggested that I use The Federalist Society as a recommending source on Judges. I did so, openly and freely, but then realized that they were under the thumb of a real “sleazebag” named Leonard Leo, a bad person who, in his own way, probably hates America, and obviously has his own separate ambitions. He openly brags how he controls Judges, and even Justices of the United States Supreme Court — I hope that is not so, and don’t believe it is! In any event, Leo left The Federalist Society to do his own “thing.” I am so disappointed in The Federalist Society because of the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations. This is something that cannot be forgotten!

With all of that being said, I am very proud of many of our picks, but very disappointed in others. They always must do what’s right for the Country! In this case, it is only because of my successful use of Tariffs that many Trillions of Dollars have already begun pouring into the U.S.A. from other Countries, money that, without these Tariffs, we would not be able to get. It is the difference between having a rich, prosperous, and successful United States of America, and quite the opposite.

The ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade is so wrong, and so political! Hopefully, the Supreme Court will reverse this horrible, Country threatening decision, QUICKLY and DECISIVELY. Backroom “hustlers” must not be allowed to destroy our Nation!

The horrific decision stated that I would have to get the approval of Congress for these Tariffs. In other words, hundreds of politicians would sit around D.C. for weeks, and even months, trying to come to a conclusion as to what to charge other Countries that are treating us unfairly. If allowed to stand, this would completely destroy Presidential Power — The Presidency would never be the same!

This decision is being hailed all over the World by every Country, other than the United States of America. Radical Left Judges, together with some very bad people, are destroying America. Under this decision, Trillions of Dollars would be lost by our Country, money that will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. It would be the harshest financial ruling ever leveled on us as a Sovereign Nation. The President of the United States must be allowed to protect America against those that are doing it Economic and Financial harm.

Thank you for your attention to this matter!” (source)

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Shortly before the federal appeals court decision to stay the lower court intervention, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett appeared on Fox Business with Maria Bartiromo to discuss the frustrating trade court decision and the pending legislation on budgets and taxes.

Director Hassett is always a solid analytical mind to follow because his job is to look into the future and see if current alignment of economic policy retains the objective of economic growth, and he does it well.  Within the interview a key point made by Hassett on the trade/tariff conflict with the court is that USTR Jamieson Greer has multiple legal pathways to support the intent of the tariffs as applied.

This is a point CTH will continue to make; both the USTR and the Dept of Commerce Secretary have alternate legal trade tools that support the tariffs.  The bottom line is that whether IEEPA is used or Sec.301/302 are used the tariff outcome remains the same, the only difference is the amount of time for the countervailing duty to trigger; put another way, ‘optimal solutions.’  WATCH:

Despite the noise and media drumbeat, Kevin Hassett continues to carry the maganomic agenda forward with a smile.  He is able to do this because all of the economic policy is grounded in America-first realism.  It can be achieved, and it will be achieved, entirely because it is achievable. Remember that!

When you reach frustration, ask yourself, “is there bread in the kitchen?”  If yes, then focus on solving the immediate non-critical problem; do not allow the dark imaginings to disrupt your focus. It’s the guys like Kevin Hassett who are keeping the bread in the kitchen.

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Like I said last night, the Trump team followed their legal due diligence in several aspects of the tariff/trade deficit reset strategy, and it did not appear the New York trade court looked at any of the supportive material from the USTR and the Dept of Commerce.

Today, a full panel of U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted a “stay” and paused the lower court ruling pending full appeal outcome and possible Supreme Court intervention.  [Ruling pdf Here]  The President Trump trade tariffs remain in place, and the ridiculous court-ordered refunding of previously collected tariffs is set aside.

[Source pdf]

The court is suspending the lower court decision until the appeals motions are filed and reviewed.  The multinational corporations have until June 5th to file their responses to the appeal, and the Trump administration has until June 9th to file their full appeal brief.

VIA CNBC – A federal appeals court on Thursday granted the Trump administration’s request to temporarily pause a lower court ruling that struck down most of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The Trump administration had earlier told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that it would seek “emergency relief” from the Supreme Court as soon as Friday if the tariff ruling was not quickly put on pause.

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Elon Musk announces the end of his time as a special government employee:

[SOURCE]

Thank you, Elon Musk.

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We all knew the system would strike back. There are trillions at stake.

UPDATES AT BOTTOM: A federal trade court based out of New York has just ruled in a three-judge decision that President Trump does not have the authority within the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to initiate emergency trade tariffs.  [The Ruling is HERE]

WASHINGTON DC – A federal trade court ruled President Trump didn’t have the authority to impose sweeping tariffs on virtually every nation, voiding the levies that have sparked a global trade war and threatened to upend the world economy.

The decision on Wednesday from the Court of International Trade blocked one of the Trump administration’s most audacious assertions of executive power, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, and sets the stage for a possible appeal by the White House.

“The court does not read IEEPA to confer such unbounded authority and sets aside the challenged tariffs imposed thereunder,” a three-judge panel wrote. (link)

“The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs,” the court wrote.  The court also ordered that the tariffs that the Trump administration has collected so far be “vacated.”

UPDATE #1: I’m tearing through this ruling right now and I can find several structural flaws in the 3-judge panel decision.

[From Page 6, pdf] “…[…] in 1962, Congress delegated to the President the power to take action to adjust imports when the Secretary of Commerce finds that an “article is being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security.” Trade Expansion Act of 1962, Pub. L. No. 87-794, § 232(b), 76 Stat. 872, 877 (codified as amended at 19 U.S.C. § 1862(c)(1)(A)). This delegation is conditioned upon an investigation and findings by the Secretary of Commerce, and agreement by the President. See id. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, requires that the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) take action, which may include imposing tariffs, where “the rights of the United States under any trade agreement are being denied” or “an act, policy, or practice of a foreign country” is “unjustifiable and burdens or restricts United States commerce.” 19 U.S.C. § 2411(a)(1)(A)–(B). The USTR may impose duties also where the USTR determines that “an act, policy, or practice of a foreign country is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts United States commerce.” Id. § 2411(b)(1). This power is conditioned on extensive procedural requirements including an investigation that culminates in an affirmative finding that another country imposed unfair trade barriers under § 2411(a)(1)(A) or (B) or § 2411(b), and a public notice and comment period. See id. § 2414(b).”… [source]

I’ve just gotten started, but that citation is just one reason why the ruling can be overturned on appeal.

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President Donald Trump participates in the swearing-in ceremony for Interim USAO for the DC office, Jeanine Pirro.  The media question segment begins at 8:45 of the video below and there is a lot of news within the press portion.

The first question surrounds Russia and the recent statements from the Kremlin.  President Trump says he is not able to give opinion on the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the moment and will await approximately two weeks until the “terms” are received from Russia.  President Trump directed attention to Emissary Steve Witkoff who is coordinating with both Russia and Hamas in Gaza on both issues.

When pushed on the terminology being used by himself and the Russians, President Trump deferred larger more detailed opinion.

Regarding the Big Beautiful Bill and the public criticism from Elon Musk, President Trump notes the bill contains some aspects he does not like, but it required some give and take to get through the House.  The Senate priorities may be different from the House priorities and those details are being worked on.  There is “zero democrat support” and that makes things more challenging for Majority Leader Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson.

On the subject of tariffs, President Trump states the negotiations with China and Europe continue with abundant leverage to ensure the best interests of the USA are contained within the results.  As noted by Trump “it takes a number” to begin the discussion and from that point things progress.

Back to Ukraine, President Trump is willing to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Geneva, but “it takes two” and Russian participation is needed in order to get to a ceasefire.  Further discussions with Zelenskyy are possible, but ultimately President Trump needs Vladimir Putin.  As far as sanctions against Russia are concerned, President Trump will only consider them as part of a negotiation point if he reaches the conclusion that no other options are possible.

The second important revelation question surrounds Iran, when President Trump was asked if he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against taking “some sort of [military] actions against Iran.”  President Trump said he would be honest and that yes, he did tell Netanyahu it would be “inappropriate” at this point of the negotiations to attack or do something provocative because he is confident a deal with Iran could be made.  This will make the Israeli lobby very unhappy.

Currently there is a war of influence within the online conservative media space between the influencers who receive funding from Qatar and the influencers who receive funding from Israel.  This is creating division within the base MAGA movement.

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We have discussed the possibility of President Trump linking liberty and freedom initiatives to trade agreement policy; indeed, there are indications this approach is underway.  Now we see the same approach being applied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as it pertains to visa entry and censorship.

Rubio announces that entities who participate in the censorship of Americans will not be granted entry visas to enter the United States.

The most important aspect to this shift and affirmation is that it’s not our enemies censoring American speech, it’s our allies.  Individuals, entities, organizations and government officials in Great Britain, Europe and even Canada have put restrictions on American speech and threatened legal action therein.

Here’s the official State Dept announcement:

“Free speech is among the most cherished rights we enjoy as Americans. This right, legally enshrined in our constitution, has set us apart as a beacon of freedom around the world.  Even as we take action to reject censorship at home, we see troubling instances of foreign governments and foreign officials picking up the slack.  In some instances, foreign officials have taken flagrant censorship actions against U.S. tech companies and U.S. citizens and residents when they have no authority to do so.

Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign nationals who are responsible for censorship of protected expression in the United States.  It is unacceptable for foreign officials to issue or threaten arrest warrants on U.S. citizens or U.S. residents for social media posts on American platforms while physically present on U.S. soil.  It is similarly unacceptable for foreign officials to demand that American tech platforms adopt global content moderation policies or engage in censorship activity that reaches beyond their authority and into the United States.  We will not tolerate encroachments upon American sovereignty, especially when such encroachments undermine the exercise of our fundamental right to free speech.

This visa restriction policy is pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes the Secretary of State to render inadmissible any alien whose entry into the Unites States “would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”  Certain family members may also be covered by these restrictions.” [SOURCE LINK]

Go Rubio!

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Eventually both sides have to get past the talking points and start putting demands to paper.

According to President Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, Ukraine has put forth a draft proposal outlining their general terms for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.  Now the Trump administration is awaiting a similar draft from the Kremlin.

Once both drafts, what they are calling “term sheets”, are received and reviewed it appears that President Trump will reengage the process and seek to bring both parties to the negotiation table.  At least that looks like the general outline.

Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, notably an anti-Russia leaning participant in the construct (worked for Mike Pence), appeared on Fox and Friends earlier this morning to discuss the current status of the issues, against the backdrop of President Trump’s frustration.  WATCH:

(Via MSM) – […] “We have received everything we need. The facts are sufficient for action. We do not need any more evidence,” Kellogg said he said on Fox News, speaking about recent developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Following the first direct meeting between Ukraine and Russia since the war started in Istanbul on May 16, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Kremlin would draw up a draft proposal listing its conditions for a lasting peace, which is due to be released this week.

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