Many Americans will spend Memorial Day weekend barbecuing, shopping, watching movies and celebrating the unofficial start of summer. But it’s also a time to honor all members of the US military who have died in service to the nation. Remember the fallen by visiting cemeteries and memorials. Or pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. to reflect on the day’s true purpose. As for us, look for 5 Good Things in your inbox on Saturday. The 5 Things AM and PM newsletters will return on Tuesday. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. 1. Budget bill President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending cuts package, which passed in the House yesterday, is running into some resistance from his own party in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune does not agree with the big tax deduction win it gives New York’s House Republicans. Sen. Lisa Murkowski railed against the bill’s work requirements for Medicaid. Sen. Josh Hawley wants a bigger child tax credit. And Sen. Rand Paul has vowed to oppose the bill because it raises the debt limit. Fiscal hawks also want bigger cuts to federal spending. “Somebody’s got to be the dad that says, ‘I know y’all want to go to Disney World, but we can’t afford it.’ I guess I’m going to be that guy,” Sen. Ron Johnson said. On the other side of the aisle, Democrats are slamming their rivals for slashing federal support of safety net programs like Medicaid and food stamps. 2. Harvard The Trump administration on Thursday revoked Harvard’s ability to enroll international students by terminating its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification. Now, it’s considering doing the same to other universities. “This should be a warning to every other university to get your act together,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Fox News. Harvard and Trump officials have been at odds for months over the administration’s demands that the Ivy League school change its hiring and admission requirements, eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and alter rules for on-campus protests or face major losses of federal funding. Harvard has resisted the orders and filed a lawsuit claiming the government’s actions violate the First Amendment. 3. Charter schools A deadlocked Supreme Court will leave in place a ruling from Oklahoma’s top court blocking the first religious charter school in the US. The 4-4 vote was made possible because conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case. Although Barrett didn’t say why, she has multiple ties to the attorneys representing the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. Some 8,000 charter schools are currently operating nationwide and serving 3.8 million students. These schools, which offer an alternative to traditional public schools, are privately run but funded with taxpayer dollars. When the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on the case last year, it determined that the Catholic school had violated the First Amendment’s establishment clause. Had the case succeeded at the US Supreme Court, it could have cleared the way for taxpayer-funded religious schools. 4. FEMA shakeup Less than two weeks before the start of hurricane season, there’s been yet another major shakeup at FEMA. According to multiple sources and an internal memo obtained by CNN, the Department of Homeland Security is replacing several experienced FEMA leaders with a half-dozen of its own officials. The new hires will serve in critical advisory positions under the agency’s new acting administrator, David Richardson, who is also a Homeland Security official. Based on their biographies, these new FEMA officials appear to have limited experience managing natural disasters. Like Richardson, most have been working in the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office at DHS. Sources say only two of Richardson’s seven advisers currently hold positions at FEMA, and neither has served in such a senior role. Roughly 10% of FEMA’s staff have left since January. The agency is projected to lose close to 30% of its workforce by the end of the year. 5. Embassy shooting The Department of Justice is investigating the murder of two Israeli Embassy staff members as both an act of terrorism and a hate crime. The couple, Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, were standing with others outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night when they were gunned down. A video showed the alleged shooter, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, yelling, “Free, free Palestine” as he was detained. Rodriguez was charged on Thursday with first-degree murder, murdering foreign officials and using a firearm during a violent crime. “Antisemitism will not be tolerated, especially in the nation’s capital,” interim US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said. BREAKFAST BROWSE Darin Ruf sues the RedsThe former Milwaukee Brewers player is seeking damages for an injury he sustained in Cincinnati that ended his career two years ago. First lady uses AI for audiobookThe audio version of Melania Trump’s 2024 memoir will feature her voice, but she didn’t narrate it. “Let the future of publishing begin,” she wrote on X. Kim K completes legal journeyIt took six years, but reality TV star Kim Kardashian — the daughter of famed defense attorney Robert Kardashian — just graduated from a law study program. Prince William debuts new docuseries The six-part series offers a rare insight into “one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet.” Time to break out the popcornSummer movie season kicks off this weekend. Here are 21 films you might want to check out. QUIZ TIME Actor George Wendt appeared in 269 episodes of the hit sitcom “Cheers.” Which character did he portray?A. Sam MaloneB. Woody BoydC. Cliff ClavinD. Norm Peterson Click here to take the quiz! TODAY’S NUMBER 2That’s how many months it took for FEMA to approve disaster aid for deadly mid-March tornadoes that ripped through several southern states. TODAY’S QUOTE “I fully agree that the war needs to end, but the policy since the beginning of the administration has been to put pressure on Ukraine, as the victim, rather than on Russia, as the aggressor. And peace at any cost is not peace at all, it’s appeasement. And we all know from history that appeasing aggressors only leads to more war.” — Bridget Brink on why she resigned as US Ambassador to Ukraine. TODAY’S WEATHER Check your local forecast here>>> AND FINALLY … What’s real and what’s not?With AI technology creating more realistic deepfakes, detectors are also getting fooled.
5 things to know for May 23: Budget bill, Harvard, Charter schools, FEMA shakeup, Embassy shooting
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Key Updates: Memorial Day Observances, Budget Bill Challenges, Harvard's Student Program Revoked, Supreme Court Ruling on Charter Schools, and Embassy Shooting Investigation"
CNN
7.6
TruthLens AI Summary
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, many Americans are preparing for the unofficial start of summer with barbecues, shopping, and movies. However, the holiday also serves as a poignant reminder to honor the sacrifices made by members of the U.S. military who have lost their lives in service to the nation. Communities are encouraged to pay tribute by visiting cemeteries and memorials, or by observing a moment of silence at 3 p.m. to reflect on the true significance of the day. In the meantime, readers can expect the return of the '5 Good Things' newsletter on Tuesday, providing a brief overview of significant news items.
In political news, President Trump's proposed budget bill, which includes significant tax and spending cuts, faces pushback from Senate Republicans. Key figures such as Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senator Lisa Murkowski have voiced concerns over specific provisions, including tax deductions benefiting New York House Republicans and work requirements for Medicaid. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's certification for enrolling international students, a move seen as a warning to other universities amid ongoing tensions over hiring and diversity policies. The Supreme Court's recent deadlock has upheld a ruling that prevents the establishment of the first religious charter school in the U.S., while FEMA is undergoing a shakeup just before hurricane season begins, leading to concerns about its preparedness. Lastly, the investigation into the murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., is being treated as both an act of terrorism and a hate crime, highlighting ongoing issues of antisemitism in the U.S.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an overview of significant events and issues as Memorial Day approaches, highlighting political, educational, and security-related matters. It touches on the budget bill, actions concerning Harvard University, the debate around charter schools, changes in FEMA, and the incident involving an embassy shooting. Each of these topics reflects broader societal discussions and tensions.
Political Dynamics Surrounding the Budget Bill
The budget bill is a focal point, revealing internal conflicts within the Republican Party. Key senators express varied concerns about tax cuts, Medicaid requirements, and federal spending, indicating a struggle between fiscal conservatism and political expediency. This discord may signal difficulties for the Trump administration in achieving legislative goals, reflecting a divided party that could impact upcoming electoral strategies and public perception.
Harvard's International Student Enrollment
The revocation of Harvard’s ability to enroll international students aligns with broader immigration policy shifts under the Trump administration. By threatening action against prestigious universities, the administration aims to assert control and send a warning to other institutions. This move could influence public sentiment around higher education and immigration, especially among those who view such policies as detrimental to the academic landscape.
Implications of Charter Schools and FEMA Changes
Discussions around charter schools and FEMA's operational changes reflect ongoing debates about educational reforms and disaster management policies. The article’s mention of these topics suggests a focus on local governance and accountability, resonating with communities concerned about educational quality and emergency preparedness. The framing of these issues could evoke responses from various community groups, influencing local politics and policy advocacy.
Embassy Shooting Incident
The mention of the embassy shooting serves to heighten concerns about national security and foreign relations. Such incidents can provoke fear and affect public trust in government institutions. This topic may resonate with individuals prioritizing safety and security, potentially impacting support for current administration policies.
Underlying Agenda and Public Sentiment
The article appears to aim at informing readers about pressing issues while also highlighting divisions within political parties. It subtly encourages reflection on governance and accountability, particularly regarding federal spending and education. By presenting these topics together, it may foster a narrative of urgency about political and social responsibility.
The reliability of this news is contingent on its source and the manner in which facts are presented. While it reports on factual events, the framing and selective emphasis on certain topics may lead to a skewed perception of reality. The language used, particularly in political discussions, can suggest manipulation intended to galvanize specific sentiments among readers.
In conclusion, the article reflects the current political climate and societal concerns, while also influencing public perception and discourse on governance and accountability. The potential manipulation lies in the selective emphasis on issues that may resonate with particular audiences, effectively shaping the narrative around these topics.