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‘Main Street, not Wall Street’: Trump defends tariffs, touts immigration success | National

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13 hours ago

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www.thecentersquare.com – Casey Harper – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-29 17:58:00

(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump delivered remarks at a rally in Michigan Tuesday evening, his 100th day in office of his second term.

Trump touted his progress cutting federal waste, “protecting workers, restoring the rule of law” and ending illegal immigration as part of “the most successful 100 days in the history of any administration.”

“Instead of putting China first, I’m putting Michigan first and I’m putting America first,” Trump said at the Macomb County Rally.

“In 100 days we have delivered the most profound change in Washington in 100 years,” Trump said, adding he is ushering in “the golden age of America,” a nod to his inauguration speech in January.

Trump took time to attack former President Joe Biden, questioning how he ever got elected. He spent much of his speech touting his wins on immigration policy. The Center Square Voter’s Voice poll found immigration is the issue voters are happiest with the president.

“I banned all welfare to illegals, and I signed an order that will end automatic citizenship for the children of illegal aliens,” Trump said before touting his signing of the Laken Riley Act, a law that requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain illegal aliens charged with a crime after 22-year-old Riley, a nursing student, was killed by an illegal alien while jogging.

“For years, Joe Biden and the media told us that stopping the flood of illegal immigration was absolutely impossible,” Trump said. “He said it was impossible. He didn’t know what the hell anybody was talking about.”

“But it turned out that all we needed was a new president,” Trump added, repeating a favorite line of his State of the Union address.

Trump said his immigration policies would be more effective if not for the courts blocking him.

Trump blasted “a handful of radical, communist judges” saying they are infringing on authority delegated to the president.

He also attacked Democrats for fighting his effort to deport migrants, saying he was elected in every swing state and won the popular vote because of immigration more than any other issue.

“The last administration engineered a massive border invasion” that allowed “gangs and cartels to infiltrate our communities and rape and murder our citizens and that is being nice about it,” Trump said.

Trump also hit Democrats, accusing them of cheating in elections and saying he actually won Michigan in 2020, a state he lost to then-President Joe Biden.

Trump attacked liberal media coverage as well as the pollsters who have reported his approval rating has fallen, saying they interview more Democrats than Republicans.

The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll, released last week, also shows more voters disapprove of the job Trump is doing than those who approve. The poll surveyed 2,527 registered voters. Of those respondents, 1,089 were Republicans, 1,187 were Democrats, and 251 were “True Independents.”

In the speech, Trump touted stripping the security clearances of the intelligence officials who said Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation, a claim that was later debunked.

He also touted his bans of critical race theory and transgender military members, saying recruitment has since soared. 

The president promised major tax cuts in the future and promised to defend Medicaid and achieve “military supremacy.”

The president’s speech was wide-ranging and often off the cuff, reminiscent of his time on the campaign trail. He went on to tout his “drill baby, drill” energy policy and his 25% tariff on foreign automobiles, saying it would revive auto manufacturing in Michigan.

“We have been beaten up so badly by the countries…” he said.

Trump pointed to tens of billions of dollars in domestic investment promised by companies like Apple, Amazon, Johnson and Johnson and more.

Trump’s tariffs have mostly been put on pause while his team negotiates trade deals, though his 145% tariffs on China remain in place.

“You’re going to make the cars,” he told the crowd.

“We really don’t want your cars,” he added, speaking to other nations.

“The president stands up for Main Street, not Wall Street.”

The post ‘Main Street, not Wall Street’: Trump defends tariffs, touts immigration success | National appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Right-Leaning

The article predominantly presents President Donald Trump’s remarks in a favorable light, focusing on his achievements and policy wins, particularly in relation to immigration and economic issues. The language used—such as calling his first 100 days the “most successful” in history and framing his policies as a contrast to those of former President Joe Biden—suggests an ideological alignment with conservative viewpoints. Additionally, Trump’s rhetoric, including attacks on Democrats, the media, and the courts, reinforces a combative tone typical of right-wing political discourse. The article provides limited counterpoint or critical analysis, which strengthens its right-leaning bias.

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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Louisiana lawmakers reject several carbon capture bills | Louisiana

Published

9 hours ago

on

April 29, 2025

By

www.thecentersquare.com – By Nolan McKendry | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-29 21:57:00

(The Center Square) — Legislators rejected eight bills on Tuesday that would have greatly hindered the development of carbon capture and sequestration, a major blow to Louisiana constituents concerned about eminent domain and CO2 leaks.

Only one bill moved through the House Natural Resources Committee. 

Sen. Mike Reese, R-Beauregard, had his measure, Senate Bill 73, pass without objection. The bill requires the commissioner of conservation to give significant weight to local government input when making decisions on carbon dioxide sequestration projects that involve public comments or hearings.

Marketed as a way to reduce carbon emissions, carbon and capture and sequestration allows various industries to market their products as low carbon to international and domestic markets.

According to Louisiana Economic Development, there is currently $23 billion in carbon capture related investments in the state, with a projected 4,500 jobs. 

The committee met for more than 13 hours. 

Opposition to the bills included industry and parish leaders from all over Louisiana such as Anna Johnson, president of the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, Ray Gregson, executive director of the River Regions Chamber of Commerce, Michael Hecht, president & CEO of Greater New Orleans and representatives from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Entergy, the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association and Landowners Association. 

The technology is a potential “game changing opportunity,” according to the River Region Chamber of Commerce. 

The regional chamber recently announced strong support for carbon capture and sequestration, calling the technology essential to securing billions in industrial investment, creating high-quality jobs, and maintaining Louisiana’s competitive edge in global energy markets.

Citing the 2024-25 Louisiana Economic Forecast by economist Dr. Loren Scott, the chamber emphasized that more than $150 billion in industrial projects across three metro areas are tied to the successful implementation of CCS and access to renewable energy.

Beyond economics, the chamber argued CCS is a proven, safe technology that has operated in the U.S. for decades, with more than 200 million tons of CO₂ safely stored underground since the 1970s. It said supporting CCS can both reduce emissions and modernize the state’s energy infrastructure without relying on restrictive energy policies or mandates.

The chamber also emphasized job creation, noting that the state’s oil and gas sector has lost more than 20,000 jobs since 2015. CCS, they argue, could absorb much of that displaced workforce, especially in areas like welding, operations, and maintenance.

There are currently over 20 bills filed which would’ve greatly limited the technology. Some of them function to give landowners and local communities more power in refusing carbon capture, others impose heavy regulations on the technology itself.

Much of the testimony from witnesses expressed concerns on the use of eminent domain, which several bills aimed to address. 

“You have to give it back to people and let them have the right to vote,” said Renne Savant, representing the Louisiana CO2 Alliance. 

Savant took issue with former Sen. Sharon Hewitt’s 2020 law which extended eminent domain authority to include pipelines transporting CO2 to storage facilities. 

“She said ‘we’re going to take it out of the air, and put it in existing pipelines and sequester it. Never did she mention the hundreds of miles of new pipelines’,” Savant said. “Never did she mention the millions of toxic CO2 byproducts that will be put underground, never mentioned anything about property rights.”

Savant was one of many whose testimony was less than friendly to the burgeoning technology.

Chris Alexander, a Baton Rouge attorney, called CCS “a complete racket that is being paid for with our money and being imposed on citizens throughout this state, whether or not they want it or not, and that, quite frankly, is a disgrace”

Roland Hollins, an Allen Parish Police Jury member, said that parishes are “being forced to take this poison that we don’t want.” 

“I’m not saying I’m for or against [CCS],” Hollins said in an interview with The Center Square. “But our people ought to be the ones who make that decision. Not Baton Rouge, not industry. Right now, the industry has a pistol in their pocket with eminent domain.”

Rep. Shane Mack, R-Livingston, introduced a bill to strengthen safety and environmental protections for carbon dioxide storage and pipeline projects. Schamerhorn introduced a bill that would allow victims of CO2 leaks to claim money for damages.

Opponents argued that Schamerhorn’s bill would drive CO2 investment out of Louisiana by creating legal risks companies wouldn’t accept and that Mack’s bill was superfluous and because the bill imposed broad, open-ended financial liabilities and regulatory obligations on carbon storage operators.

“The benefits do not outweigh the costs,” Schamerhorn said.


River Region Chamber report

 

The post Louisiana lawmakers reject several carbon capture bills | Louisiana appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article provides a factual account of a legislative process related to carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) in Louisiana, with no clear ideological stance or promotion of a specific viewpoint. It reports on both the support and opposition surrounding CCS, detailing the perspectives of industry leaders, local chambers of commerce, and individuals concerned about the environmental and economic impacts. The tone is neutral, presenting the views of various parties, including proponents who see CCS as beneficial for economic growth and job creation, as well as critics who are concerned about property rights and safety. The article does not advocate for one side, ensuring a balanced portrayal of the issue.

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News from the South - Kentucky News Feed

California, Arizona, other states sue to protect AmeriCorps from cuts | California

Published

12 hours ago

on

April 29, 2025

By

www.thecentersquare.com – By Dave Mason | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-29 19:00:00

(The Center Square) – California and Arizona Tuesday joined 22 other states and the District of Columbia to sue the Trump administration to stop cuts in AmeriCorps’ grants and workforce.

The lawsuit objects to the federal government reducing 85% of the workforce for the agency, which promotes national service and volunteer work addressing disaster recovery and other community needs. 

According to americorps.gov, the agency enrolls more than 200,000 people each year in community service organizations. AmeriCorps also provides more than $4.8 billion in education awards.

Besides California and Arizona, states filing the suit are Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. 

President Donald Trump issued an executive order in February directing every federal agency to reduce its staff. Since then, AmeriCorps has placed at least 85% of its workforce on administrative leave immediately and told employees they would be dismissed effective June 24, according to a news release from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

The states’ lawsuit contends the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce AmeriCorps and its grants violate the Administrative Procedures Act and the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution.

California is co-leading the lawsuit against the Trump administration.

“In California, AmeriCorps volunteers build affordable housing, clean up our environment, and address food insecurity in communities across our state,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a news release. “California has repeatedly taken action to hold the Trump Administration and DOGE accountable to the law — and we stand prepared to do it again to protect AmeriCorps and the vital services it provides.”

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office said the cuts in AmeriCorps affect grants such as:

  • $700,000 for Northern Arizona University, Arizona Teacher’s Residency, designed to address teacher shortages.
  • $308,000 for Area Agency on Aging, Caring Circles, which helps older Arizonans with needs such as transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping and help with technology.
  • $495,000 for Vista College Prepartory’s tutoring and teacher support for math and reading for low-income students.

“AmeriCorps represents the best of our nation – providing opportunities for millions of Americans to serve their neighbors and communities and make our country a better place to live,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said. “By unilaterally gutting this Congressionally authorized agency, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have yet again violated the law and the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution. Their illegal actions will harm Arizona communities.”

Mayes noted studies show AmeriCorps programs generate more than $34 per every dollar spent in terms of their impact on communities.

“Slashing these programs serves no purpose and is incredibly short-sighted from those claiming to champion efficiency,” she said.

The post California, Arizona, other states sue to protect AmeriCorps from cuts | California appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

This article reports on a legal action filed by multiple states against the Trump administration over cuts to AmeriCorps, without offering an overt ideological stance. The content outlines the details of the lawsuit, the parties involved, and their claims. The language used is largely factual, describing the positions of the states, particularly California and Arizona, without endorsing one side. While the article highlights the perceived impacts of the cuts and quotes politicians critical of the Trump administration, it refrains from promoting an explicit viewpoint, focusing instead on reporting the legal and administrative actions at hand. The tone remains neutral and provides an equal space to both the states’ concerns and the implications of the lawsuit. It primarily serves as a factual report on the legal challenge, rather than an advocacy piece, and does not adopt a partisan perspective on the issue.

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The Center Square

Coalition urges Congress to reverse EPA approval of CA gas car ban | California

Published

13 hours ago

on

April 29, 2025

By

www.thecentersquare.com – Kenneth Schrupp – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-29 18:10:00

(The Center Square) – Dozens of groups are urging Congress to overturn the Biden administration’s approval of California’s gas car ban, under which new gas-powered cars must be 100% zero-emission by 2035 and 35% for the model year 2026 vehicles already starting to arrive at dealers.

The rules apply not only to California, but Washington, D.C. and the 11 other states that have signed on to adopt California’s gas-car-banning emissions standards, making up 40% of the U.S. market.

“Mandating EVs amounts to very bad policy that would lead to higher automobile sticker prices, less economic activity, and virtually no consumer choice,” wrote the 26-group conservative coalition in its letter supporting House Joint Resolution 88, facing a key vote this week. “Thankfully, H.J. Res 88 repeals this waiver, providing greater regulatory certainty and giving Americans the freedom to choose the type of vehicle they want – rather than follow California’s failed policies that have made gas prices among the highest in the nation.”

The letter’s 26 signatories include the California Policy Center, a center-right think tank, and Citizens for Prosperity, a libertarian advocacy group.

ZEV market share in California declined from 22% in 2024 to 20.8% in the first quarter of 2025, leading Toyota to say the state’s ZEV targets are “impossible” to meet. To hit 35%, ZEV market share would need to increase 68% practically overnight.

Carmakers earn credits for selling qualifying battery-electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles. Those who don’t have enough credits to keep selling standard hybrid or internal combustion vehicles can purchase credits from those with excess credits, such as Tesla.

But if there aren’t enough credits to go around, carmakers could face fines of $20,000 per non-ZEV vehicle sold for each credit they are short, which has led dealers to warn they may be forced to only offer pricier plug-in-hybrid and all-electric models.

“If CARB doesn’t pause or adjust the ACCII mandate, we are concerned automakers will restrict shipments of traditional hybrids and affordable gas-powered models to avoid massive fines,” said CNCDA President Brian Maas in an earlier statement to The Center Square. “This is occurring in California’s heavy-duty truck marketplace, which has been devastated by similar CARB rules that took effect in January 2024.”  

The Advanced Clean Cars II mandate applies to Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington for model year 2026, and Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. for model year 2027. 

California’s air regulations — created to combat the state’s notorious smog — predate the EPA, which must grant a waiver for each regulation in excess of EPA standards. The Biden administration’s EPA approved ACC II in December 2024, but the Congressional Review Act allows Congress to overturn executive regulatory decisions within 60 legislative days. 

The House Rules Committee approved consideration of H.J. Res 88 and an exclusion of the next few months from counting toward the 60-day clock at an April 28 hearing, paving the way for the measure to advance through the House and to the Senate. 

With the Senate parliamentarian having blocked a similar measure from originating in the Senate, the House resolution is the last option short of a court decision or revision in the California legislature that could reverse the rule. 

The resolution now heads to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where it will soon be scheduled for a vote.

The post Coalition urges Congress to reverse EPA approval of CA gas car ban | California appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Right

The article primarily reports on the opposition to California’s gas car ban from a coalition of conservative and libertarian groups, presenting their perspective in detail and including critical language regarding the policy’s economic impact and regulatory approach. The framing of the gas car ban as “very bad policy” and references to “failed policies” and high gas prices suggest a critical stance toward the Biden administration’s environmental regulations. While the article includes factual information about the policy and political process, its focus on conservative critiques, inclusion of statements emphasizing economic downsides, and highlighting opposition by center-right and libertarian groups indicate a center-right ideological leaning rather than neutral reporting.

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