The BLUE PRESS JOURNAL

We aim to be a voice in the ongoing political discourse, providing both factual information and opinionated analysis, from a progressive or center-left perspective, free from the direct influence of major
established Main Street Media.

Justice, Almost but Not Quite

Justice, almost but not quite. The Trump administration has been ordered by the Supreme Court to “facilitate” the release of Kilmer Abrego Garcia, the man who was mistakenly deported to a labor camp in El Salvador last month. The Court made it clear that the government must ensure Abrego Garcia’s release and handle his case properly, as if he had never been wrongly sent to El Salvador.

The decision forces the Trump administration to take action to bring back Abrego Garcia, who was deported on March 15 despite an immigration court order prohibiting his removal. His accidental deportation was part of a larger plan by the administration to quickly deport a large number of Venezuelans to El Salvador, regardless of their gang affiliations.

The details of how Abrego Garcia ended up in this mess are still murky. The Trump administration has used the state secrets privilege to avoid explaining what happened, only admitting that he was mistakenly deported due to a paperwork error.

In a scathing statement by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, criticized the government’s actions and argued that there was no legal basis for Abrego Garcia’s arrest, deportation, or imprisonment in El Salvador. The Trump administration’s defense was so outlandish that it claimed courts have no authority to correct wrongful deportations.

So, justice is almost served, but not quite. The Trump administration’s antics continue to baffle and frustrate those seeking accountability and fairness in our legal system.

April 11, 2025
Trump’s Tariff Flip-Flop: Drive U.S. Stocks Down Again

Despite President Trump’s surprising reversal on tariffs, U.S. stocks took a nosedive back into the red. The confusion and threats surrounding Trump’s trade war with China are causing major turmoil in the economy.

Trump’s focus on China, NEW 145% as of today, has led to tariffs on their products skyrocketing. Even if negotiations bring that down to 50%, and other countries only face 10% tariffs, the U.S. economy is still at risk of stunted growth and decreased corporate profits. And of course higher consumer prices for us non-billionaires.

Francis Lun, CEO of Geo Securities, summed it up perfectly: “With Donald Trump, it’s like playing a game of roulette. You never know what’s coming next.” The market is drowning in uncertainty, and the looming threat of recession is far from fading.

The news of China planning to cut back on imported U.S. films hit the entertainment industry hard. Warner Brothers Discovery saw a 13.1% drop in stock prices, while Disney took a 6.7% hit.

In this chaotic environment, thanks Trump, how are investors supposed to make sound decisions? It’s like trying to navigate a minefield blindfolded. Good luck out there! Your 401 is losing money by the hour!

What it means to you: Overall Price Level & Distributional Effects: The price level from all 2025 tariffs rises by 2.9% in the short-run, the equivalent of an average per household consumer loss of $4,700 in 2024$. Annual pre-substitution losses for households at the bottom of the income distribution are $2,100.

April 10, 2025
Yes, we are still in the midst of a trade war: Tell it like it is Main Stream Media!

Yes, we are still in the midst of a trade war. The world is currently facing a 10% tariff on all goods, with Canada experiencing a 25% tariff on major items. Despite what the mainstream media may be saying, it is clear that the White House is dictating the narrative. President Trump’s lack of understanding and unclear end game is evident in his actions.

The tariff battle between the world’s top two economies has escalated, with President Trump now targeting China directly. Despite fears of a recession, Trump has increased tariffs on China to a staggering 125%. This move has intensified the standoff between the two nations, putting their economies and global interests at risk. The competition between the U.S. and China spans various sectors, from artificial intelligence to monetary policy, heightening the stakes.

Following Beijing’s response to Trump’s tariffs with equal measures, Trump raised the tariffs even further, only to be met with a similar response from China. The escalating tariffs have now reached 84% on U.S. products going to China. In a bold but stupid move, Trump has announced that Chinese imports to the U.S. will face a 125% tariff, citing China’s lack of respect for global markets.

The situation leaves little room for negotiation, as both sides refuse to back down. The mainstream media’s portrayal of the situation as less severe is misleading. The EU, Canada, and China are all engaged in a trade war with the U.S., with significant consequences for consumers. It won’t be long before the impact is felt, with prices of goods likely to skyrocket. The reality of this trade war is far from what is being portrayed.

April 10, 2025
Trump Has Lost it!! We will say it if the National Press will not

With today’s 90-day delay of most tariffs, let’s not forget about the 25% on cars and steel and aluminum, and the whopping 125% on China. One has to wonder, is Trump all there? I mean, there was no plan in place, not even within his own administration, as they were giving different rationales on the Sunday talk shows.

In a surprising turn of events, Trump took to his favorite social media platform to announce that he is graciously reducing tariffs on all countries to a mere 10% for the next 90 days. This comes after his previous misleading descriptions of tariffs as “reciprocal.” However, China will now face a staggering 125% tariff on their exports to the U.S. Get ready to pay more at Walmart, Target and the like.

Countries that exported more to the United States than they imported from American manufacturers were hit with tariffs higher than the 10% baseline. This disproportionately affected poorer countries, whose citizens cannot afford to purchase American goods. For example, Vietnam faced a “reciprocal” tariff of 46%, while Lesotho, a country Trump claimed to have never heard of, was slapped with a 50% tariff.

The high tariff rate on Chinese goods may come as a shock to Americans accustomed to purchasing cheap household items made there. A T-shirt that once cost $9.99 at Walmart will now likely be priced at over $20. Let’s not forget the MAGA hats that are made in China, well that will also more than double.

Now, Trump claims he will negotiate with 75 countries. Is he really willing to give up his weekly golf games for this? How long will this charade last? Given the track record of this administration incompetence that’s not a promising game plan.

In the end, prices will inevitably rise as China shows no signs of backing down. And if the tariffs are lowered, where is the revenue that Trump promised they would bring in? Oh, the mysteries of Trump’s trade policies. He has lost it.

It appears this is just another scatter brain idea Trump didn’t think out.

April 9, 2025
Experts are Sounding the Alarm on Trump’s Tariffs

Experts are sounding the alarm on Trump’s tariffs, warning of dire consequences as the trade war with China escalates. China has retaliated by raising its tariff on the U.S. to a staggering 84%, while John Bolton cautions that Trump’s lack of understanding on tariffs could lead to disastrous outcomes. Bolton bluntly stated, “Trump has no idea what he’s talking about. He doesn’t grasp how tariffs function.”

Jamie Dimon, CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase, has grimly predicted a recession as a probable result of Trump’s relentless tariff actions. Dimon expressed his concerns, stating, “A recession is likely on the horizon.”

As tensions rise, Beijing has implemented various countermeasures in response to Trump’s decision to increase tariffs on Chinese imports to a whopping 104%. China has taken legal action against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization and imposed further restrictions on American companies conducting business with Chinese counterparts.

Despite calls for dialogue and negotiation, China remains steadfast in its stance. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lin Jian emphasized the need for equality, respect, and mutual benefit in resolving issues.

The repercussions of this escalating trade war are dire. Financial markets are expected to experience significant volatility, U.S. inflation pressures will rise, the industrial base will weaken, and the risk of an economic recession looms large. Ultimately, Trump’s tariff strategy may prove to be a self-destructive move that backfires on the U.S.

April 9, 2025
Supreme Court’s Hasty Ruling denies Law and Justice

The President of the United States has invoked a centuries-old wartime statute to transport individuals to a notoriously brutal, foreign-run prison. For those who cherish freedom and justice, this should be deeply troubling. The statute in question is the seldom-used Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which was infamously utilized by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941 to justify the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans in camps during World War II. It took the court nearly 75 years to acknowledge the grave error of this decision.

This action sets a dangerous precedent. The District Courts ruling had temporarily halted the deportations and ordered the return of Venezuelan migrants to the United States. The Trump administration has labeled these migrants as dangerous gang members, without providing concrete evidence, while the lawyers for many of these individuals have attested to their lack of criminal history. Shockingly, some were detained and sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison simply because of their tattoos.

The Supreme Court has now intervened, hastily dismissing the District Court’s order in a brief, four-paragraph opinion. They refused to hear arguments or breifs and in the shows of the night cooked up their opinion. This decision was based solely on a new legal pronouncement, which one would assume would require careful consideration and deliberation. Justice Jackson expressed her dismay, stating, “I lament that the Court appears to have embarked on a new era of procedural variability, and that it has done so in such a casual, inequitable, and, in my view, inappropriate manner.”

It is now painfully evident that the Supreme Court has transformed from a bastion of law and justice into a mere reflection of personal political beliefs and agendas!

April 8, 2025
Chaos and Confusion: Trump Tariff Policy

Trump’s lack of understanding and competence is glaringly obvious to everyone, especially economists. At 79 years old, he is clearly showing his age.

Attempting to bring back manufacturing, increase revenue, and negotiate with every country in the world? Trump can’t have it all his way.

The administration is trying to sell the public on three conflicting ideas. First, that Trump’s tariffs will revive American manufacturing, bringing back lost jobs and boosting the middle class. Second, that the tariffs will generate massive revenue to replace income tax. And third, that the tariffs will pressure foreign nations into trade deals with the U.S.

Trump’s tariffs impact nearly every country, even those that supply goods the U.S. cannot produce. We can’t grow bananas or mine diamonds here.

Trump is failing to support domestic industries or protect American workers. He is dismantling subsidies meant to boost clean energy manufacturing and calling for the repeal of important acts. His actions are undermining workers and unions.

The end result is chaos and confusion.

Trump has long championed tariffs and protectionist policies, dating back to the late 1980s. This is one of the few policies he is truly committed to. It’s possible these tariffs stem from personal whims rather than a coherent policy plan. Personal impulses rarely lead to coherent decisions.

April 8, 2025
Trump’s Trade Advisor Invented a Fake Economist To Sell His Tariff Views

The absurd tale that inspired Trump’s tariffs plan is truly a masterpiece of deception and delusion. In a stroke of genius, Peter Navarro, a key adviser to President Trump, conjured up a fictional character named Ron Vara to bolster his arguments about the economic threat posed by China. This phantom figure, with his fake memo and fake email address, managed to convince Trump to embrace the idea of tariffs as a solution to all of America’s problems.

It’s truly a work of fiction worthy of a Pulitzer Prize. Navarro, the mastermind behind this elaborate ruse, was able to dupe not only Trump but also Jared Kushner, who brought him on board as an economic adviser during the 2016 campaign. The fact that Navarro’s go-to expert, Ron Vara, doesn’t actually exist is just the cherry on top of this ridiculous sundae.

Now, as we witness the havoc wreaked by Trump’s tariffs on the U.S. economy, we can only shake our heads in disbelief. Who knew that all it would take to bring about economic ruin was a president with “great ideas” and a penchant for imaginary experts? The sheer audacity of it all is truly mind-boggling.

So, here we are, in the midst of economic chaos, all thanks to the brilliant mind of Donald Trump. Who needs real experts and sound economic policy when you have a fictional character like Ron Vara to guide the way? It’s a tale for the ages, a cautionary fable about the dangers of putting your faith in fake news and fake experts and Donald Trump!

April 7, 2025
4th Circuit Court of Appeals Rules Against Trump DOJ on Garcia

UPDATE: John Roberts Pauses Ruling Requiring Trump Administration To Return Man Mistakenly Deported To El Salvador

In a resounding decision on Monday, the court unequivocally rejected President Donald Trump’s administration’s attempts to evade the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States by the midnight deadline. J. Harvie Wilkinson III, a nominee of former President Ronald Reagan, was particularly scathing in his response to the government’s arguments.

“The government has admitted that it was a grave error to disregard this process,” Wilkinson wrote. “If indeed it was a mistake, one would expect the government to take steps to correct it. Most of us strive to rectify our mistakes. However, to my knowledge, the government has made no effort to do so in this case. The circumstances of this case raise the alarming possibility of a dangerous loophole: the government could whisk individuals away to foreign prisons in defiance of court orders and then claim, under the guise of its Article II powers, that it is no longer responsible for them, leaving no recourse. It requires a great deal of imagination to grasp the extent of this lawlessness, a path that the courts cannot tolerate.”

Let us not forget the warning: first they came for your neighbor, and then they came for you.”

Our fundamental protections demand that every individual is granted their day in court, and they stand innocent until proven guilty—a powerful affirmation of justice that we must fiercely uphold!

April 7, 2025
Will Trump’s Tariffs Lead to American Economic Collapse?

President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that he will not waver in his decision to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from most countries unless they balance their trade with the U.S. This firm stance has caused financial markets to spiral, sparked recession fears, and disrupted the global trading system.

Billionaire hedge fund investor Bill Ackman, a former supporter of President Trump, is now sounding the alarm about the potential dangers of the White House’s tariff policies. He warns that these tariffs could lead to economic collapse, disproportionately affecting Trump’s own supporters.

The president’s actions have eroded the trust of business leaders worldwide. If Trump continues to wage economic warfare on every nation, business investments will dwindle, consumers will tighten their spending, and our international reputation will suffer irreparable damage.

Despite spending the weekend golfing in Florida, Trump remains defiant, proclaiming online that “WE WILL WIN. HANG TOUGH, it won’t be easy.” His Cabinet members and economic advisers are vigorously defending the tariffs and downplaying their impact on the global economy.

As the markets continue to be rattled by the tariffs, U.S. stock futures are plummeting. The S&P 500 futures dropped by 2.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures by 2.1%, and Nasdaq futures by 3.1%. Even the price of bitcoin, which had been stable, fell by nearly 6% on Sunday.

Elon Musk, Trump’s cost-cutting expert, broke his silence on the tariffs at an event in Italy this weekend, advocating for a zero-tariff agreement between the U.S. and Europe. This suggestion was met with criticism from White House trade adviser Peter Navarro.

One must question if these tariffs are truly a sustainable revenue source and if they will truly attract businesses to relocate to the United States. Trump can’t have it both ways!

April 7, 2025