Trump's bill could relocate a Smithsonian space shuttle
The Smithsonian criticized the plan, estimating the true cost could exceed $300 million and warning of significant damage risk due to the complexity of the transfer.
Former astronaut Garrett Reisman also opposed the move, deeming it 'ludicrous and unnecessary' and suggesting the funds should instead be invested in NASA's science program.
The provision was backed by Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, with Cornyn's spokesperson disputing the Smithsonian 's cost estimate and suggesting a much lower figure of $5-8 million.
Cruz stated the move would honor Houston's historical significance in America's human spaceflight program.
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The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Right now, Trump can do no wrong – except in Washington DC
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There has been no end to the Ukraine war in the promised 24 hours, or indeed 24 weeks; no durable ceasefire in the Middle East; in place of a pledge to keep the US out of foreign wars, a military strike on Iran; an early exit from the G7 summit; and an ill-tempered split with his one-time guru, Elon Musk. Add the up-ending of the international trading order with an ever-changing set of tariffs, and some measures that seem very alien to many Europeans – such as seizing and summarily deporting undocumented migrants, with back-up from the National Guard and the Marines – and the impression might well be of disorder, inconsistency, maladministration and failure. For the most part, however, this is not how the balance looks from the Trump side of the Atlantic, where I have just bucked the international tourism trend by venturing on holiday. From there, it is clear that Trump has been testing the limits of presidential power, but also that, more often than not, he has been coming out on top. Add the up-ending of the international trading order with an ever-changing set of tariffs, and some measures that seem very alien to many Europeans – such as seizing and summarily deporting undocumented migrants, with back-up from the National Guard and the Marines – and the impression might well be of disorder, inconsistency, maladministration and failure. That is not, for the most part, however, how it looks from the Trump side of the Atlantic, where I have just bucked the international tourism trend by venturing on holiday. And it would probably be wise for Europeans to accept the truth: Trump has been testing the limits of presidential power and, more often than not, coming out on top. Exactly a year ago, before he had even been re-elected president, a Supreme Court judgment upheld immunity from prosecution for past presidents. In recent weeks, the Supreme Court has largely upheld the scope of the executive orders that he issued by the dozen in his first days in power, as it also upheld his right to abolish so-called birthright citizenship – that anyone born in the US was a US citizen by right. (A similar provision in the UK was abolished back in the early 1980s.) He has won more cases than he has lost on his right to abolish whole government departments. An exception was a recent federal court ruling about the Department of Health, which had the effect of protecting those agencies set up by Congress. This could set a pattern for further defeats over the abolition of other Congress-approved agencies. But the ruling could also go to the Supreme Court, where there could be a different outcome. So far, though, the contrast with Trump's first term could hardly be sharper. Where in 2017 he seemed to meet obstructions at every step, and from every branch of power, 2025 has, so far, given him a relatively smooth ride. This is partly explained by the weakness of the Democrats, Republican majorities in both Houses of Congress, and the timidity of Republican opposition, along with the recognition that Trump won the popular vote. It is also because, so far, negative fallout from his decisions has been localised. It has been felt most in Washington itself, a staunchly Democrat city anyway, with the federal government a dominant employer. It is here where the job losses, the dissolution of departments and agencies have been most keenly felt. Swingeing cuts have also affected foreign service and aid programmes. But none of this has great resonance elsewhere in the US – except to be lauded as part of what Trump in his first term dubbed 'draining the swamp'. 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The only clue as to where US politics might possibly go (a) next and (b) to oppose Trumpism came from last week's surprise victory of a young left-wing populist in the recent Democratic primary contest for New York City mayor. It may mean nothing, or it could be a glimpse of where popular discontent might go, should Trumpism fail its current followers.
Reuters
35 minutes ago
- Reuters
European shares edge lower as US tariff deadline looms
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The Independent
36 minutes ago
- The Independent
Trump warns Putin ‘not looking to stop' war with Ukraine
Donald Trump has warned that Vladimir Putin is 'not looking to stop' the war with Ukraine following a 'disappointing' phone call between the Russian and American leaders. Speaking to reporters on Thursday (3 July), the US president revealed that a conversation with Putin earlier in the day resulted in no progress to end the fighting. 'I'm disappointed with the conversation I had today with president Putin, I don't think he's there. I don't think he's looking to stop,' he said. Mr Trump added that the conflict is ' Biden 's war', claiming that it 'wouldn't have happened if I was president'. Hours after the call finished, Russia launched an onslaught of drones and missiles at Kyiv, injuring 23 people.
