Trump RESTORES Aid to Ukraine - Zelensky Agrees to Ceasefire; Will Senate Dems Keep Gov Open?
The Josh Lafazan Show on YouTube - Episode 70
Today's top stories in U.S. news, politics, government, and world affairs:
In today's episode of The Josh Lafazan Show, we delve into significant political developments impacting the nation:
1) U.S. Restores Military Support to Ukraine – But at What Cost?
The Trump administration has announced it is lifting its pause on intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine after Kyiv agreed to a 30-day cease-fire in talks with U.S. officials. However, Russia has not agreed to any cease-fire, raising concerns that Ukraine is making unilateral concessions without any guarantees of security.
This policy shift marks a dramatic change from Trump’s previous stance, where he cut off arms shipments and intelligence support to Ukraine after his first meeting with President Zelensky. Meanwhile, new polling from The Washington Post and The Economist shows that Americans are increasingly frustrated with Trump’s handling of the war. A majority of Americans (70%) believe Russia is to blame for the conflict, while Trump’s overall foreign policy approval rating has plummeted in recent months.
2) Government Shutdown on the Horizon – Will Senate Democrats Cave?
The federal government will shut down this weekend if Congress cannot pass a bill to keep it funded. House Republicans, with Trump’s backing, have proposed a short-term funding measure known as a continuing resolution (CR) that would keep the government running until the fall—but it includes spending cuts that Democrats oppose.
Senate Democrats now face a tough choice:
Vote for the GOP-backed bill and risk legitimizing spending cuts that could hurt federal workers and social programs.
Block the bill and risk getting blamed for a government shutdown—something that could politically backfire on them.
Past shutdown battles have often favored Democrats, as Republicans were blamed for obstruction. However, this time around, Trump and his allies seem willing to let the shutdown drag on for weeks, potentially forcing federal workers into financial hardship and giving Elon Musk more leverage to push for government job cuts.
3) WSJ Calls It the ‘Trump Recession’ – Is the Economy in Trouble?
The Wall Street Journal is now warning that Trump’s economic policies could trigger a recession. Despite the fact that the U.S. economy had been leading the world in GDP growth and boasting one of the strongest job markets in decades, early signs of economic strain are emerging.
Credit card and auto loan delinquencies are now at their highest levels since the 2008-09 financial crisis.
Stock market volatility could harm consumer spending by weakening the "wealth effect."
Tariffs and trade wars could raise costs for American businesses and consumers, worsening inflation.
Trump has dismissed concerns, claiming the economy is in a "transition period", but his tariff policies are a major red flag. Historically, tariffs have led to disastrous economic consequences—most notably the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which triggered a 65% decline in global trade and worsened the Great Depression.
Trump supporters who blamed Biden for inflation are now struggling to explain why his own policies are driving prices higher instead of lower. If Americans were promised relief from inflation, how do tariffs—which increase the cost of goods—help achieve that goal?
4) The Push to Pardon Derek Chauvin – A Dangerous Idea
A growing movement led by Ben Shapiro and other conservatives is calling for the pardon of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd in 2020. This is not only an insanely wrong idea, but also a direct assault on the justice system.
5) Trivia Time – Who Was the First Female Prime Minister of a European Country?
The answer: Margaret Thatcher, who became the first female British Prime Minister. Known as the Iron Lady, she was one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century, forming a close partnership with Ronald Reagan and helping to push back against Soviet influence during the Cold War.
6) This Week in History – Trump’s COVID-19 Travel Ban
On this week in March 2020, Trump announced a 30-day travel ban on most European countries as COVID-19 cases surged worldwide. The ban did not include U.K. travelers or American citizens, leading to chaos and confusion at airports.
7) Stat to Remember – 27 States Have Banned Conversion Therapy
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy, reigniting a major LGBTQ+ rights debate.27 states have now outlawed conversion therapy for minors, recognizing it as a harmful and discredited practice. Scientific research overwhelmingly shows that conversion therapy does not work and often leads to serious mental health issues, including depression and suicide.