The Hill: Tariffs, Pope Election, Chief Justice Roberts, and Immigration Policy

US-China Trade Relations and Tariffs

• 🇺🇸 President Trump declared he will not lower tariffs on China to encourage negotiation, despite previous signals.
• 🇨🇳 This stance comes just days before trade talks in Switzerland, with two top US negotiators heading to meet Chinese counterparts.
• 📉 Sales declines for Chinese e-commerce giants like Temu and Shein in the US are noted, with Shein down nearly 30% and Temu down 10% in late April.
• 🗣️ Sean Spicer suggests the Trump administration has learned from past negotiations and anticipates a framework for de-escalation and a potential meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi by the end of July.

Federal Reserve and Economic Outlook

• 📊 Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell stated that while uncertainty exists, the US economy is in solid shape, with stable job creation and wages.
• 📈 Interest rates were left unchanged, and Powell did not commit to potential rate cuts this year.
• 🇨🇳 China has announced new stimulus measures to boost its economy amidst trade war uncertainties.

Papal Conclave and Election

• 🇻🇦 Black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney indicated that a new pope has not yet been elected after the first vote.
• 🗳️ 133 cardinal electors under 80 years old are participating, requiring a two-thirds majority for election.
• ⏳ Historical conclaves have lasted two days, with Pope Francis taking two days, Benedict four, and John Paul II eight ballots.
• 🌍 Thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square, with attendees from various countries, hopeful for the future of the Church.

Chief Justice John Roberts on Judicial Independence

• 🏛️ Chief Justice John Roberts made a rare public appearance in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, discussing judicial independence.
• ⚖️ He emphasized that an independent judiciary is a crucial innovation of the US Constitution, serving as a co-equal branch to check the excesses of Congress and the executive.
• 🗣️ Roberts also reiterated his stance against impeaching judges, stating that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement with judicial decisions.
• ✍️ He shared insights on writing, advocating for reading good writing and reading aloud to ensure clarity and accessibility in legal briefs and decisions.

Immigration Policy and Sanctuary Cities

• 🚨 Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen criticized sanctuary city policies, accusing Illinois Governor JB Pritzker of harboring criminals and providing them with free services.
• 🚫 Governor Pritzker responded by encouraging the secretary to focus on sensible immigration reform rather than performing for media outlets.
• 🤝 The administration offers $1,000 to illegal immigrants for voluntary self-deportation, a move seen by some as a logistical tool to manage deportations more efficiently.
• ⚖️ A debate ensued regarding due process for individuals in the US, with questions raised about whether all individuals, regardless of legal status, are entitled to it under the Constitution.