1 Trump Reacts As McConnell Says There Isn’t Much GOP Support For Tariffs On Mexico
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says there isn’t much support among Republicans for tariffs on Mexico. Speaking at the Capitol, McConnell said Republicans are hopeful for a diplomatic solution before President Trump pulls the trigger on tariffs (that’s supposed to happen June 10th). Trump has said he’s trying to push Mexico to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S. And while McConnell noted that Republicans “are generally not big fans of tariffs,” he hasn’t answered questions about whether the Republican-led Senate would try to block imposition of tariffs on Mexico. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump is taking aim at the top Democrat in the Senate for suggesting that he was bluffing about imposing tariffs on Mexico. On Twitter, Trump is calling Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer a "creep" for saying that the President might walk back plans for sanctions on Mexican imports. Schumer said Trump "has a habit of retreating after talking tough." Trump said he's not bluffing and that Schumer would rather see the country overrun with drugs and immigration that let Republicans win. As for questions about rumbles in his own party? Speaking in London, the President noted his current approval rating in Republican circles.
2 House Passes Big Immigration Bill
With a near party line vote of 237-187, a huge immigration bill is headed to the Senate after passage by the House. The Democratic bill aims to protect Dreamers, young adults who were brought into the U.S. illegally as children. It would also offer protections for immigrants with temporary humanitarian protections. Thing is? The House bill will likely go nowhere. Not only because of the Republican-led Senate – but because President Trump has threatened a veto. In part, the GOP push back rests in the fact that it’s seen as an “amnesty bill.” The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that more than 2-million people already in the U.S. would get legal status if this bill was enacted. To review, President Trump has tried to do away with DACA, the Obama-era policy that protects Dreamers. So far, two federal courts blocked the move and the dispute is expected to end up in the Supreme Court.
3 Disgraced Parkland Deputy Arrested
A former school safety officer is being arrested for failing to confront the gunman in the Parkland, Florida shooting. Florida authorities are charging Scot Peterson with multiple counts of child neglect, culpable negligence and perjury. As you might recall, Peterson worked as a school resource officer at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School where 17 people were fatally shot by a gunman in February of 2018. He stayed outside and never attempted to engage the shooter, who was left to do his dirty work for more than 30 minutes. The gunman fired approximately 75 times after Peterson “arrived.” Peterson later lied about various aspects of his actions. In the days following the investigation, footage of Peterson taking position near the buildings – and staying there for more than 45-minutes. The 15-month investigation that followed revealed that Peterson retreated during the active shooting and directed other law enforcement to stay away from the building. Peterson was booked into Broward County Jail and his bail will be set at $102-thousand.