Massive Database, Immigration, Tariffs, HIV Vaccine Research...

·       Donald Trump has reportedly enlisted the data analytics company Palantir to help build a massive database containing information on every American citizen.

·       As anticipated by critics, the federal government—through the Department of Governmental Extraction (DOGE)—has aggregated vast amounts of personal data from various agencies. That information is now reportedly being transferred to Palantir, the data analytics firm co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel. Donald Trump has tapped Palantir to construct a sweeping database containing records on virtually all-American citizens.

·       Observers note that Thiel, a longtime advocate for strong centralized power and a self-described political disruptor, has spent years positioning Palantir at the intersection of government and surveillance. The move is raising fresh concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and the future role of private tech firms in state intelligence efforts.

·       U.S. immigration authorities are collecting DNA from migrants—including children—and uploading it to a national criminal database, according to newly released government documents. While the FBI-run system is typically used for individuals arrested or convicted of crimes, most migrants whose DNA is being gathered by Customs and Border Protection haven't been charged with any felonies, raising concerns about what experts are calling a sweeping expansion of genetic surveillance.

·       The Trump administration has admitted to wrongfully deporting another Salvadoran man despite a court order blocking the removal, citing a “confluence of administrative errors.” His attorney now plans to seek his return to the U.S.

·       Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he plans to raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%, effective June 4. The move marks a significant escalation in his protectionist trade agenda and is likely to provoke strong responses from both international trade partners and domestic industries.

·       College and university leaders have been quietly meeting with senior White House advisor May Mailman, a close aide to Stephen Miller, in an effort to avoid the kind of federal pressure recently aimed at Harvard. As the administration intensifies its campaign against schools over how they handle alleged antisemitism, officials are warning that federal funding may be cut, calling universities "incubators of discrimination" that can no longer count on taxpayer support.

·       Despite claims made by RFK Jr. earlier this week, the CDC’s updated immunization schedule still recommends COVID vaccines for healthy children—as long as it's approved by their doctor.

·       The Trump administration has delivered a major setback to HIV vaccine research by shutting down a $258 million program that was considered vital to ongoing development efforts.

·       A federal appeals court ruled Friday that President Trump’s plan to carry out mass firings across multiple federal agencies will remain on hold. The decision is a significant setback for Trump’s push to downsize the government through sweeping layoffs—known as reductions in force—after a lower court found he lacked the authority to implement them without Congress.

·       Iran has continued to expand its stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report from the U.N. nuclear watchdog. The agency is urging Tehran to reverse course immediately.

·       Donald Trump hasn’t ruled out the possibility of pardoning or commuting former Senator Bob Menendez’s sentence, though sources close to him say such a move remains unlikely.

·       New satellite images reveal that North Korea has deployed what appear to be balloons near a damaged 5,000-ton warship that has remained partially submerged since a failed launch last week. Experts say the balloons might be intended to help stabilize or conceal the vessel, which was meant to showcase North Korea’s naval modernization but was severely damaged after a launch malfunction on May 21.

·       Workers at the U.S. Department of Energy warn that budget cuts and deregulation are weakening the agency’s ability to function and could drive up energy costs for consumers. According to independent analyses, Trump’s proposed policies—including repealing clean energy tax credits—could raise household utility bills by over $230 annually by 2035 and jeopardize future energy innovation. The department is also facing steep staff reductions, with thousands reportedly taking buyouts or being laid off amid a proposed $19.3 billion budget cut.

— Aaron Parnas

Parnas Perspective