10 things you need to know today: May 25, 2019

(Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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1. Judge temporarily blocks construction on border wall
2. Trump circumvents Congress, will complete Saudi Arabia arms deal
3. Trump to send 1,500 troops to the Middle East amid Iran tensions
4. Missouri Gov. signs bill to ban abortion at 8 weeks
5. $19 billion disaster relief bill blocked by lone congressman
6. Supreme Court blocks immediate redrawing of Ohio and Michigan's electoral maps
7. Mississippi abortion ban stifled by judge
8. Trump tabs Cuccinelli as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
9. No-deal Brexit more likely after May's departure
10. Trump arrives in Japan for ceremonial visit

published 25 May 2019

1. Judge temporarily blocks construction on border wall

A federal judge in California on Friday temporarily blocked the government from constructing a wall in two sectors along the U.S.-Mexico border using funds diverted from the Defense Department, throwing a wrinkle into President Trump's national emergency declaration. Construction was set to begin on Saturday. The judge, Haywood S. Gilliam, wrote that Congress' "absolute" control over federal funding is an "essential" feature of the United States government and that Trump's emergency declaration would "pose serious problems under the Constitution's separation of powers principles." The order applies specifically to two areas where a total of 51 miles of fencing was set to be added. Gilliam's ruling was in response to a lawsuit brought by the Sierra Club and the Southern Border Communities Coalition.

President Trump on Friday declared a national emergency in response to rising tensions between the United States and Iran, allowing him to complete the sale of over $8 billion worth of weapons to Iran's regional rival, Saudi Arabia, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, all despite congressional objections. Congress had blocked the sale of offensive weaponry to Saudi Arabia and the UAE for months as a result of those countries' air campaigns in Yemen and other human rights abuses. But Trump used a loophole to circumvent Congress and go ahead with the sale. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the sales were necessary to deter Iran, but the decision to side step Congress was a "one-time event."

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President Trump on Friday announced plans to send 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran. "We want to have protection," Trump told reporters on Friday, saying it will be a "relatively small number of troops, mostly protective." He confirmed the 1,500 number that had previously been reported and said that "some very talented people are going to the Middle East right now, and we'll see what happens." The troops' activities will reportedly be "defensive in nature" and will protect U.S. forces in the region. U.S. officials in recent weeks have warned of a "number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings" from Iran. "Our job is deterrence," Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said. "This is not about war."

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) on Friday signed into law a bill banning abortion at eight weeks, with exceptions in medical emergencies but not in cases of rape or incest. Under the new law, doctors who perform abortions after eight weeks would face between five and 15 years in prison. The bill includes a "trigger" banning abortion outright if the Supreme Court overturns the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. Restrictive anti-abortion laws in Alabama, Georgia, and several other states are expected to face legal challenges that could reach the Supreme Court.

The disaster relief package that lawmakers and President Trump agreed to "in principle" on Thursday fell apart on Friday after Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) objected to the passage of the bill by unanimous consent, calling for a recorded vote. Since each member would have to be present for this full recorded vote, and most have already left Washington for Congress' Memorial Day recess, this forces a delay. The Senate had passed this $19.1 billion measure, which includes aid for Puerto Rico but doesn't include border wall funding Trump had originally requested. Roy complained about this absence of wall funding on Friday, also bemoaning the legislation's lack of offsets. Trump had signed off on the long-awaited bill, saying it had his "total approval."

The Supreme Court has blocked lower court rulings that required electoral maps in Ohio and Michigan to be immediately redrawn. Previous court rulings had determined Ohio's map of congressional districts, and Michigan's map of congressional and state legislative districts, needed to be redrawn ahead of the 2020 election due to unconstitutional gerrymandering, in both cases favoring Republicans. But the Supreme Court on Friday put these orders on hold. The justices are currently reviewing two gerrymandering cases, one concerning North Carolina and one concerning Maryland, during which they will decide whether the court has a role in such a matter. Verdicts are expected to be reached in these cases by the end of next month.

A federal judge on Friday issued a preliminary injunction, blocking a Mississippi law that bans abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat. The law, which is one in a series of restrictive, Republican-sponsored abortion bills throughout the United States, was scheduled to take effect in July. The judge, Carlton Reeves, wrote that a woman's free choice "outweighs any interest the state might have in banning abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat." Reeves also blocked a 2018 Mississippi law that would have banned abortion at 15 weeks. The state is still appealing that decision.

President Trump has tabbed Ken Cuccinelli as the new director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. While the hiring was reported as early as Tuesday, it remained unclear what exactly Cuccinelli's role in the Department of Homeland Security would be. Cuccinelli is considered an immigration hardliner and is known for his "combative" television appearances and enthusiastic support for Trump's immigration proposals. He has, however, drawn ire from both Republicans and Democrats. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has reportedly vowed to block Cuccinelli from getting confirmed for any position. McConnell reportedly blames Cuccinelli for promoting insurgent candidates running against sitting Republicans during the 2014 midterm elections.

British Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation as Conservative Party leader on Friday morning, effective June 7. She will stay on as prime minister until her party chooses a new leader. May said that she was sorry she was unable, after three attempts and nearly three years in office, to get her Brexit plan through Parliament. It will be up to the next prime minister to solve Brexit, May said. After May's departure, analysts say her successor will face increasing pressure to break from the EU with no clear trade deal in place, which would have a remarkable effect on Britain's economy. The frontrunner to take over for May, Boris Johnson, has voiced support for pushing ahead with a no-deal Brexit.

President Trump arrived in Japan on Saturday for a largely ceremonial visit centered around recognizing the country's new emperor. The president and first lady Melania Trump also attended a dinner with Japanese business leaders in an attempt to promote investment in the United States as Trump continues to negotiate a new deal to reduce the U.S.'s trade deficit with Japan. Trump will meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Emperor Naruhito on Sunday. Abe has reportedly arranged for Trump to take in a sumo wrestling tournament, attend an imperial dinner banquet, and visit a naval base. The two leaders, though, will reportedly discuss more serious matters, as well, including metal tarriffs and the situation in North Korea.

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Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.