From the stock market crash and continued U.S./China tit-for-tat tariff war, to Harvard University’s defiant anti-Trump stances and Trump’s escalating disapproval rating, here are the top political events that occurred in April.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia Timeline
- On April 1, Kilmar Abrego Garcia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for wrongfully deporting him to the El Salvadoran mega-prison, the Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT), in March.
- During a meet-up at the White House on April 14, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said he would not return Abrego Garcia to the U.S., following Attorney General Pam Bondi leaving the decision to the Central American country. “I don’t have the power to return him to the United States,” Bukele told reporters.
- On April 17, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen confirmed he met with Abrego Garcia on X, following a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to aid the Maryland resident’s release and provide evidence of his alleged gang affiliation.
- On April 20, Abrego Garcia was transferred to a lower-security facility in Santa Ana, El Salvador.
The Stock Market Crashes
- The global stock market begins to crash in response to Trump’s April 2 tariff “Liberation Day” announcements. The tariffs imposed a 20% rate on imports from the European Union (EU), 26% on Japanese imports, 25% on South Korean imports, 32% on Taiwanese imports, and 34% on Chinese imports. Although the Trump administration insisted on results advancing American innovation, economists warned that the import taxes would increase inflation nationwide.
The China Tariff Wars Continue
- In response to Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff, China strikes back with a 34% increase on U.S. imports on April 4.
- Although Trump’s tariff rates go into effect on April 9, his administration announced a 90-day suspension on higher-rated imported goods, while still enforcing the 10% levy on all imports. But China is exempt from the suspension. Trump increased the import taxes to 125% to be “effective immediately.”
- China vowed to retaliate with an 84% tax on U.S. goods beginning April 10, but officially declared a 125% increase on U.S. goods on April 11. The Asian country created a list, on April 30, detailing goods such as select pharmaceuticals, aircraft engines, and others that will be exempt from the tariff increase.
Harvard University Rejects Trump’s Rules
- On April 16, the President of Harvard University, Alan M. Garber, issued a statement rejecting Trump’s demands to enforce policy changes required by the administration, including eliminating DEI programs, banning masks at student-led protests, and restructuring the admissions process.
Signal-Gate Part-Two?
- On April 20, The New York Times reported that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared more details about U.S. military operations in Yemen in a second Signal group chat, including his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. Besides the 18-official group chat, the recent group chat is said to have also occurred in March.
Student Loan Resumption
- The Department of Education stated on April 21 that its Office of Federal Student Aid will resume loan collections on May 5, following a five-year halt from the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan can affect 5.3 million borrowers nationwide, with issued offenses such as garnished wages and severed Social Security benefits.
Will Pete Hegseth Be Replaced?
- According to an anonymous U.S. official, the White House began the process of looking for a new Defense Secretary on April 21, following Hegseth’s coming under fire once again for sharing classified information on Signal, using his personal cell phone. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied the efforts to replace Hegseth, citing that Trump will continue to support the current Defense Secretary.
The EO on HBCUs
- On April 23, Trump signed a White House Initiative related to HBCUs “to promote excellence and innovation.” The executive order revokes a Biden-era decree, Executive Order 14041, which utilized DEI-related language, now reframed as “upgrading institutional infrastructure.” The EO also discusses funding opportunities for HBCUs, following the removal of DEI-allocated sponsorships.
The EO on AI
- Trump signed the EO “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth to encourage AI-facilitated curriculum to be taught in K-12 schools on April 23.
Harvard Law vs. the Trump Administration
- On April 28, the Trump administration issued an investigation into Harvard University and its student-run journal, Harvard Law Review, for “race-based discrimination.” The news of the investigation came after a federal judge expedited Harvard’s lawsuit against the Trump administration for freezing $2.3 billion in federal funding.
The Philadelphia Eagles Visit the White House
- On April 28, the Philadelphia Eagles celebrated their Super Bowl LIX win at the White House without their quarterback, Jalen Hurts. Hurts attributed his absence to a “scheduling conflict.” To be celebrated at the White House is a good thing. There were special circumstances back then (in 2018) that were very different,” Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie told reporters.
Trump’s Approval Rating Tanks
- According to a Marist Poll released on April 29, 45% of poll respondents grade Trump with an ‘F’ following his first 100 days in the Oval Office.