It’s Thursday. Can you believe we’re already more than halfway through April?
In today’s issue:
- Trump’s extraordinary Harvard escalation
- What happens if Harvard loses tax-exempt status?
- AOC’s star rises
- Researchers find sings of possible life on another planet
THE FIRST 100 DAYS
‘I don’t need backups. I’m going to Harvard.’:
The Trump administration has taken the extraordinary step of asking the IRS to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status over a political feud.
What *is* Harvard’s tax-exempt status?: Many colleges are exempt from paying federal income and property taxes. That means donors can deduct any financial contributions — a major draw for colleges to attract big donors. This saves Harvard potentially hundreds of millions of dollars, per The New York Times.
The Trump administration’s rationale: Tax-exempt status is reserved for religious, charitable and educational groups — but they are not allowed to participate in political activity. The White House has equated Harvard’s policies (think: diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as the handling of protests, etc.) to political activity.
🔎To get a glimpse into Trump’s thinking, read this Truth Social post
Harvard University’s rationale: Harvard argues this violates the First Amendment. The school argues it’s free to develop its own policies and that government interference would be inappropriate.
Harvard is the wealthiest university in the world. Can it handle losing these tax benefits?: Harvard has more than a $50 billion endowment, after all. Morning Brew explains it well: “About 70% of the endowment funds are earmarked for specific programs by donors and cannot legally be used for unrelated purposes. But 20% is unrestricted and can plug budget holes. And if the administration succeeds in yanking Harvard’s tax-exemption—which would likely entail a lengthy legal fight—the school could owe taxes on that endowment and its large real estate holdings.”
Another threat: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also threatened to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students.
What happens now?: We wait to see what the IRS decides. CNN reports a final decision is expected soon.
Keep in mind: The Trump administration has already frozen more than $2 billion in grants and contracts for Harvard.
➤ TIDBIT:
Former President Biden was at the Harvard Kennedy School on Wednesday for an off-the-record chat with students. It was not announced publicly and only a few students were invited to attend. 📸 Screenshots of students’ Instagram stories
Trump hopes immigration fight distracts from economy:
The Trump administration is leaning into the deportation fight over the man who was mistakenly sent to an El Salvador mega prison.
The New York Times’s Maggie Haberman told CNN that the president’s team views this issue as a political winner for him, particularly at a time when the economy is shaky due to his tariff war.
Why this is notable: The Trump administration *does* acknowledge it made an administrative error in deporting the father who has been living in Maryland with an order blocking his removal from the country. But they are trying to steer the debate toward the man himself: Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
On Wednesday, the White House added an unplanned press briefing to its afternoon schedule, teasing a “special guest.” That guest was Patty Morin, the mother of a Maryland woman who was killed by a person who entered the country illegally.
📸AP photos from the El Salvador megaprison— warning, some of these photos are graphic.
If you want a refresher on this story — here are five key questions answered
➤ SPEAKING OF THE ECONOMY:
Trump slammed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell this morning for warning the economy could face stagflation due to the president’s sweeping tariffs.
Trump’s argument: Oil and grocery prices are down — and Powell should have lowered interest rates.
Trump posted on Truth Social: “The ECB [European Central Bank] is expected to cut interest rates for the 7th time, and yet, ‘Too Late’ Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typically complete ‘mess!’” 🔎 Trump’s full post
👽️ TALK OF THE INTERNET
E.T., you there, bro?:
The New York Times published a report about possible life on another planet. It’s been getting a lot of attention.
The gist: A team of astronomers have identified a star,120 light-years from Earth, showing evidence of a molecule that we only know to be in living organisms. The astronomers haven’t formally detected life, but it’s the best explanation for the finding.
Read the reporting for yourself: ‘Astronomers Detect a Possible Signature of Life on a Distant Planet’
🌊️ IN CONGRESS
They moved this party out of Washington:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have been drawing eye-catching crowds on their national tour in recent weeks. It comes at a time when Democrats are doing some soul-searching on how to structure their message in the midterms and looking for a leader.
What’s AOC’s next move?: Veteran pollster Nate Silver predicted Ocasio-Cortez will be at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket in 2028.
📹 The 1,500 *overflow* crowd outside the Montana event
Meanwhile, the GOP is warming to tax increases on the rich:
“Republicans in Congress are considering increasing taxes on the rich as a part of President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” of ambitious legislative priorities, a striking development that breaks with decades of party orthodoxy and is spurring alarm bells from traditional conservatives,” The Hill’s Emily Brooks reported.
Tell me more: “The discussions are in the early stages, and lawmakers say it is possible that no tax hike makes it in the final legislation. But the once-inconceivable consideration of tax increases underscores the tricky task that Republicans have in meeting competing demands from fiscal hawks, moderates and tax slashers for the ambitious party-line bill — as well as the rise of populist instincts in the party.”
A tax hike being floated: A roughly 40 percent top tax bracket on income above $1 million.
Read Brooks’s reporting: ‘Republicans consider increasing taxes on the rich in break from party orthodoxy’
A lighter story — what’s it like on the outside?:
NOTUS’s Riley Rogerson spoke with former lawmakers on what their lives are like post-Capitol Hill. The gist: They seem to be enjoying themselves.
“I don’t miss D.C.,” former Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) said.
Read: ‘Retired Lawmakers Insist the Grass Is Greener on the Other Side’
COMING UP
The House and Senate are out. President Trump is in Washington. (All times EST)
1:05 p.m.: Trump meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office.
2 p.m.: State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce briefs reporters. 💻Livestream
4 p.m.: Trump signs executive orders.
🐝 INTERNET BUZZ
🦐 Celebrate: Today is National Crawfish Day.
✋ Wanna know how the White House press briefing logistics work?: With all the chatter surrounding White House press briefings since Trump returned to office, The New York Times created an interactive graphic to explain how the briefings work.
👋 AND FINALLY…
Because you made it this far, I was wondering if you could help us solve a mystery. Someone broke this vase.
