President Donald Trump ends the duty-free exemption on Chinese products entering the U.S., raising fears of higher prices and delivery delays. Also, the Trump administration loses its ability to use the Alien Enemies Act for its crackdown on foreign gangs and deportations. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, May 2, 2025.
Trump closes major tariff loophole, raising prices on Chinese online goods
Effective Friday, May 2, the Trump administration has officially closed a loophole that allowed Americans to continue purchasing cheap goods from China without paying tariffs. Under the provision, shipments were exempt from President Donald Trump’s 145% tariffs on Chinese goods for products under $800 sent directly to consumers or small businesses in the U.S.
Since Trump imposed duties on Chinese goods during his first term, more and more companies have used the rule to get their products to the U.S., and its use has increased in recent weeks since the newest tariffs took effect.
But not any more.
During a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, April 30, the president called the loophole “a scam.” Not only has the Trump administration claimed the growing use of the loophole threatens American warehouse and logistics jobs, it also accused drug traffickers of “exploiting” it by sending precursor chemicals and other materials used to make fentanyl into the U.S. without having to provide shipping details.
Trump-appointed judge rejects use of Alien Enemies Act
A federal judge appointed by Trump during his first term ruled that the president’s use of an 18th-century wartime law to deport alleged gang members was unlawful.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. of Texas wrote in an opinion Thursday, May 1, that while he does not question the president’s authority to detain and remove aliens who engage in criminal activity, he believes the administration’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act “exceeds the scope” of the law.
Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act in April to target members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which the Trump administration claims has invaded the U.S.
The ruling pertains solely to Alien Enemies Act-based deportations and does not stop the government from detaining or pursuing the deportation of individuals under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Mike Waltz out as national security adviser, in as UN ambassador
Just after the Trump administration hit the 100-day mark, a major personnel shakeup occurred: Mike Waltz will no longer serve as national security adviser. However, Waltz will remain in the administration.
Trump has nominated Waltz to serve as his U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
While the president did not provide a reason for the change, it arises amid concerns from both sides of the aisle regarding the use of the Signal messaging app to discuss national security matters, including the recent bombing of Houthi rebels in Yemen. Waltz took the blame for a group chat that accidentally included the editor in chief of The Atlantic media outlet.
Trump has not yet named who will replace Waltz, but in the meantime, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be pulling double duty to fill the role.
To officially become the ambassador to the U.N., the Senate must approve Waltz.
New executive order cuts funding to NPR and PBS
Trump has signed an executive order aimed at “biased” news organizations. The order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to terminate federal funding for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR).
In a post on X, the White House said both organizations receive millions of dollars from taxpayers to spread “radical, woke propaganda disguised as news.”
🚨 BREAKING: @POTUS just signed an executive order ENDING the taxpayer subsidization of NPR and PBS — which receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as “news.”
Here is the text of the order:
By the authority vested in me as President by the…
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 2, 2025
It also said that, at the very least, Americans have the right to expect that if their tax dollars fund public broadcasting, they would fund only fair, accurate, unbiased and non-partisan news coverage. The broadcasting entities receive approximately half a billion dollars in public funding from the CPB.
The president and CEO of PBS has fought the impending cuts, stating that PBS has bipartisan support in Congress and promotes enriching and inspiring programs of the highest quality. Critics also argued that Trump is using his federal powers to control institutions that hold different political viewpoints than his own.
Israeli military strikes near Syrian presidential palace after days of clashes
Across the world, Israel’s air force struck near Syria’s presidential palace early Friday, May 2, after warning Syrian authorities not to march toward villages inhabited by members of a minority sect in the southern part of the country. The Israeli army said fighter jets struck near the palace of President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus, but it gave no further details.
Friday’s strike marks Israel’s second on Syria this week. It comes after days of deadly clashes between pro-Syrian government gunmen and fighters belonging to the Druze minority sect.
In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strike was a message to Syrian leaders.
“We will not allow the deployment of forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community,” they said.
Special report: The demise of American pharmacies
Health care
Roughly 1 in 3 U.S. retail pharmacies have closed since 2010.
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Did you know that approximately one in three retail pharmacies across the U.S. has closed since 2010? This is part of a larger issue impacting the nation’s health care system.
American pharmacy closures have surged over the last decade and a half, damaging the nation’s health care system. Consolidation within the industry has also weighed on large retail chains, as big players have amassed thousands of locations throughout the country.
In a special report to be released on Friday, Straight Arrow News reporter Ray Bogan examines the role of pharmacy benefit managers and their impact on Americans striving to manage their health.
