Trump's Fight With the Judiciary Just Escalated

Good morning.

This week marks President Donald Trump’s 100th day in office — and to say it’s been a busy few months in American politics would be an understatement. The latest Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll shows just 39% of respondents approve of how Trump’s doing as president — the lowest 100-day approval rating in 80 years. We want to hear from you. Take our quick survey and let us know how you think things are going. Your responses will help guide our coverage, making sure we focus on the stories that matter most to you. Now, let’s get to the news…

— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY

What's Happening

US News

Trump's Fight With the Judiciary Just Escalated

What's going on: The Trump administration’s conflict with the courts over immigration enforcement came to a head Friday, when FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan. The arrest comes after she allegedly directed an undocumented immigrant out of her courtroom through a side door, while federal agents waited in the hallway to arrest him, according to a criminal complaint. Dugan now faces charges of concealing an individual to prevent an arrest and obstruction. FBI Director Kash Patel announced her arrest on social media — posting, deleting, and then reposting a photo of the judge in handcuffs (potentially violating DOJ policy). Dugan’s lawyer called the courthouse arrest “highly unusual,” noting that federal authorities could have simply contacted her for questioning or arranged a voluntary surrender. Dugan, who was released ahead of a May 15 hearing, plans to fight the charges.

What it means: The arrest of a sitting judge is seen as a major escalation in Trump’s battle with the judiciary — and a warning to those who get in the way of his immigration agenda. (Note: A Massachusetts judge was arrested during Trump’s first term over something similar.) While protesters are calling for the charges against Dugan to be dropped, Attorney General Pam Bondi told the Fox News show America Reports that the administration is willing to go after judges who “think they’re above the law.” Meanwhile, immigration advocates say the arrest could scare undocumented people from showing up to court as witnesses or victims, thereby undermining the justice system. One law professor told The Washington Post that what happened to Dugan is part of a pattern “to bludgeon, to coerce, to weaken the one branch of government that stands between the executive — the Trump administration — and doing whatever it wishes to do.”

Related: Lawyers say ICE Deported 3 US Citizen Children, Raising Due Process Concerns (CNN)

International

Mourning and Outrage Over Iran Port Explosion

What's going on: Iran is observing a national day of mourning today after an explosion at one of the country’s busiest ports killed at least 40 people and injured about 1,000. Officials haven’t confirmed what caused the blast early Saturday at the Shahid Rajaee port, where 80% of Iran’s imports arrive. A source tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told The New York Times that sodium perchlorate — a key ingredient in solid missile fuel — was what exploded. And some are linking the explosion to shipments from China earlier this year. Iranian officials deny that military materials were to blame, pointing instead to a “stockpile of hazardous goods and chemical materials stored in the port area.”

Tell me more: As firefighters work to fully contain the blaze, there are questions — and accusations of incompetence — over what exploded and why it was stored there. The timing of Saturday’s explosion is also drawing attention, as US and Iranian officials met in Oman over the weekend to negotiate a deal on Tehran’s nuclear program. No officials have directly linked the blast to an attack, but Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “our security services are on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage...” at the port. Although operations at the port have restarted, the effects of the explosion are expected to linger. Health officials have advised people to stay indoors due to concerns over airborne toxic pollutants.

Related: Suspect in Deadly Car Ramming Attack in Vancouver Charged With Murder (AP)

Politics

The Gender Gap That Could Define American Democracy

What's going on: Gen Z is stretching the gender gap like Silly Putty — and it’s not snapping back any time soon. A new NBC News poll reveals a stark divide between young men and women on almost every major issue, from abortion and immigration to the elusive concept of “national pride.” Among Gen Z women, 52% identify as Democrats, compared to just 35% of men the same age. Meanwhile, 38% of Gen Z men align with the Republican Party — nearly double the share of their women peers. Another finding: Young women are more likely to get their news through TikTok, while more young men watch YouTube.

What it means: You might be experiencing déjà vu from the 2024 campaign — often called the “gender election” — but this survey highlights the gender gap is now outpacing differences seen in past generations. It could reshape American politics, culture, and even dating for decades to come. Experts say there’s no single factor driving the split; education, race, post-pandemic resentment, and income disparities all play a role. This means future campaigns will likely have to grapple with more than just red states and blue states — they’ll need to address the growing divide within the youth vote itself. And it’s not just an American phenomenon. Sociologists around the world are spotting similar gender divides. In short, it’s not just a gap — it’s a whole new map.

Related: Can Democrats Win Back Voters by Embracing This Chaotic Strategy? (The Hill) 

CORRECTION: The Daily Skimm from Friday, April 25, said the Trump administration pulled funding for the Women’s Health Initiative. Before the newsletter was published, the administration reversed course and said it would keep the WHI’s contracts in place. We failed to include that update before the newsletter reached your inbox.

Settle This

An eerily haunting letter written on the Titanic just days before it sank just sold at auction. How much did this piece of history sell for?

Extra Credit

Watch

Grab your knives — America’s OG lifestyle influencer (that’d be Martha Stewart) and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés have teamed up for a new cooking show on NBC, aptly called Yes, Chef!, premiering today. Described as a “transformation show disguised as a cooking competition,” 12 chefs face a series of high-stakes challenges for the chance to win a cash prize — and along the way, Stewart and Andrés will “coach the dozen past whatever personal demons stand in the way of their success.” Aprons on. Game on.

Game Time

Wake your brain up this Monday with a game of Flipart. Just rotate the pieces to fit within the frame and get ready to feel the rush when they all fall into place. Get into it.