April 16, 2025

What's Happening

US News

The Elephant in the Oval

What's going on: Legal scholars say President Donald Trump’s White House is increasingly treating court rulings like suggestions. The clearest example? The administration hasn’t complied with the Supreme Court’s order to “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Instead, the Justice Department has stalled, missed deadlines, and debated the definition of “facilitate” — prompting a federal judge to threaten contempt charges yesterday. Trump’s border czar even suggested re-deporting Abrego Garcia if he made it back. (A strong pivot from the government’s original “administrative error” comment.) And this isn’t isolated: The administration also seemed to ignore rulings on press access, spending, and deportations. Some analysts say it’s deliberate — “foot-dragging” that’s nearing “outright defiance” — all while alleging compliance. Trump, meanwhile, insists: “I respect the Supreme Court.”

What it means: Actions speak louder than words, and right now, the gap between what the courts say and what the White House does is growing. Some scholars say that’s pushing us into a constitutional crisis, if we’re not in one already. (Precedented times, we hardly knew you.) SCOTUS has institutional power, but with few enforcement tools, its rulings are only as strong as the White House allows them to be. The administration seems intent on testing those limits. Meanwhile, Trump’s defiant playbook isn’t confined to the courts: reporters, universities, and law firms have all faced retaliation for challenging the administration — a pattern signaling a growing tolerance for unchallenged authority. As one analyst put it: “No one is safe from a lawless government.”

Related: White House Debates Sending US Citizens to Foreign Prisons — Experts Say That's Illegal (Axios)

Health

Abortions Are Increasing — But So Are Gaps in Access 

What's going on: Abortions in the US ticked up slightly last year, but where and how patients can access care increasingly depends on their location. A new report from the Guttmacher Institute found that clinician-provided abortions in states without near-total bans rose by less than 1% from 2023 to 2024. At the same time, the number of people crossing state lines for abortions dropped by 9%. Why? State laws are creating a patchwork of access. In Florida, roughly 1 in 8 abortions in early 2023 were for out-of-state patients. After the state’s six-week ban took effect, that dropped to about 1 in 50. Similarly, South Carolina saw about 3,500 fewer abortions in 2024 compared to 2023, after its own six-week ban was upheld. More patients also traveled to states like Virginia and New York for abortions. While the data focuses on in-clinic care, researchers also think medication abortions have reduced the need to travel.

What it means: The data reflects a policy landscape that’s increasingly divided, according to a Guttmacher official. Lawmakers in at least eight states, including Georgia and Texas, are considering bills that would treat abortion as homicide — a move that could criminalize both providers and patients. These proposals are unlikely to pass, but show how far some factions of the anti-abortion movement are pushing. Several states, including Texas, are targeting telehealth abortion care and looking for ways to penalize out-of-state doctors who provide it. Meanwhile, others like Arizona and Missouri are adding protections. The differences in policy are creating an inconsistent, potentially dangerous, experience for patients seeking abortion care in the US.

Related: CDC Is at Odds With RFK Jr. Over Autism Rates (WaPo Gift Link)

Money

No Room for Sweet Treats Here

What's going on: From skipping manicures to switching hair colors, women are quietly recession-proofing their lives. As inflation drags on and economic fears bubble up, ride-shares, food delivery, and even therapy are getting recategorized from must-haves to maybe-nots. One woman told The Wall Street Journal she’s sworn off “sober Ubers.” (Then again, cocktails might not be in the budget either.) Others are embracing “recession hair” (which, you guessed it, is darker), canceling subscriptions, cooking at home, and talking to ChatGPT instead of a licensed professional. No word on whether the Sephora Sale took a hit, however. 

Tell me more: Women are the country’s top spenders, accounting for 60% of general merchandise sales. So when their spending drops — even by 1%, like it did from December to February — analysts say it’s a red flag for the broader economy. Experts say both men and women are feeling uneasy about their spending, but women — often managing higher living costs and lower average wages — are pulling back faster. We may not be able to afford self-care anymore, but at least we have “recession pop.”

Related: Some Americans Are Preparing for a Not-So-Fun Summer of Layoffs (Newsweek)

Highlight Reel

BY SKIMM SPORTS

The week's sports news and culture stories, ranked.

Hang it in the Louvre: Even after a nail-biting win at the Masters, Rory McIlroy’s best shot was with his daughter Poppy.

Winning: Saniya Rivers brought the ultimate statement bag to the WNBA draft. It said what it said.

Ace up her sleeve: Serena Williams is turning this bestselling book into a highly-anticipated series.

“Bill’s Version”: Are Bill Belichick and his girlfriend taking business tips from Taylor Swift?

Settle This

People in which state get on average the biggest tax refund?

Extra Credit

Stream

You might've noticed that Apple TV+ has recently been on a hot streak (see: Your Friends & Neighbors, The Studio). That continues with its latest addition, Government Cheese. Set in 1969, the dramedy follows the Chambers, an unconventional family living in LA. When its patriarch, Hampton (David Oyelowo), is released from prison after a two-year stint for check fraud, he discovers his homecoming isn't exactly, well, welcomed — as his wife and kids built their own life while he was away. But Hampton is determined to win them back — and believes that the snazzy self-sharpening drill he invented behind bars just might be the answer. Co-created by Paul Hunter (one of the most iconic hip-hop music video directors of all time), the 10-episode series is zany, surreal, and unsurprisingly, visually stunning.

Game Time

Looking for a crossword that’s not impossible to solve? You’re in luck. This one even offers hints when you get stuck. The faster you finish, the better your score — and the more impressed the group chat will be. Go on.