Schumer blocks Trump DOJ appointees over $400 million plane gift from Qatar

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Tuesday put a hold on President Donald Trump’s Justice Department appointees over the gift of a $400 million luxury plane from Qatar that could be used as his Air Force One.

The Brooklyn Democrat slammed as “blatant corruption” the present from the oil-rich Gulf Arab state to Trump, who admits he plans to hand over the “palace in the sky” to his presidential foundation when he leaves office.

“(Attorney General Pam Bondi) must testify before both the House and Senate to explain why gifting Donald Trump a private jet does not violate the emoluments clause — which requires congressional approval — or any other ethics laws,” Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor.

Schumer asked a string of questions of Trump and Bondi, including why the plane was not being given to the American people and how much it will cost to install required security upgrades to allow the president to use it.

—New York Daily News

How has Trump’s favorability rating changed? One group had big shift, poll finds

It’s now been over 100 days since President Donald Trump returned to the White House following his reelection. In that short time, he enacted a whirlwind of wide-ranging policies, including on immigration, trade and federal spending.

In response, his favorability rating among Americans has declined — particularly among one demographic, according to new polling.

In the latest Economist/YouGov survey, 45% of respondents said they have a favorable view of Trump, while 53% said they have an unfavorable view, putting him underwater with a net -8 rating overall. This marks an 11-point shift from the start of his term in January, when 50% of poll respondents held a favorable opinion of the president and 48% held a negative opinion.

And, when the results were broken down by demographics, some noticeable patterns emerged — with the most striking change occurring among young Americans.

—The Charlotte Observer

Stanford students launch hunger strike, demand divestment over Gaza war

Stanford University students and faculty launched a hunger strike Monday, joining a broader statewide movement calling for universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel in protest of the ongoing war in Gaza.

At least 12 students and three faculty members are participating in the hunger strike, which also calls for local authorities to drop criminal charges against student protesters, for the university to repeal recent free speech restrictions, and for President Jonathan Levin to sign a national academic freedom statement.

The protest began with a peaceful assembly at White Plaza, the campus’ designated free-speech zone. Security personnel and sheriff’s deputies observed from a distance but did not intervene. Activists said they will maintain a physical presence there daily from 6 to 8 p.m. to advocate for their demands.

“We’ve continuously called for divestment and the university has not responded,” said Yousef Helal, an electrical engineering graduate student participating in the strike. “We continue to witness the genocide in Gaza, and it’s our duty to stand up.”

—The Mercury News

Rubio to attend possible Ukraine-Russia talks in Turkey, Trump says

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Turkey for a potential meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump said during his visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Trump called the prospective meeting "very important" and expressed optimism that "good things" could be achieved. According to the White House, U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg will accompany Rubio.

Ukraine, with support from European allies, had demanded over the weekend that Russia agree to 30-day ceasefire. In response, Putin proposed direct negotiations in Turkey on Thursday. Zelenskyy accepted the challenge and announced plans to travel there, although the Kremlin has yet to confirm whether Putin will attend.

Putin decides everything in Russia, so he must also decide on the question of war, Zelenskyy said in his evening video message on Tuesday evening.

—dpa