JUST IN: The U.S. Senate has voted 50–46 to terminate former President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian imports, marking a significant shift in U.S.-Canada trade relations. The vote has sparked a heated debate, particularly among those who strongly supported Trump’s “America First” trade policies.
Several Republicans joined Democrats in voting to repeal the tariffs, drawing the ire of many conservative lawmakers. Among those who sided with the opposition were Senators Lisa Murkowski, Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Rand Paul, all of whom broke ranks with their party’s stance on trade. Their votes have become a flashpoint for criticism from Trump supporters.
Despite the Senate’s vote, the bill still faces a major hurdle: it must clear the House of Representatives before becoming law. However, given the political landscape, it’s highly unlikely that the measure will pass the House, where the Republican majority remains more sympathetic to Trump’s trade policies.
The tariffs, which were a key part of Trump’s strategy to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and address the trade imbalance with Canada, were intended to protect American industries from cheap imports. Trump’s “America First” approach to trade has been credited with reshaping the global trading landscape, and many of his supporters view the repeal as a step backward.
Proponents of the tariffs argue that they were necessary to protect U.S. workers and strengthen the domestic economy. They see the vote to eliminate them as a blow to the legacy of Trump’s administration, which emphasized American self-reliance and the protection of U.S. jobs through tough trade measures.
Opponents of the tariffs, however, argue that they were detrimental to American consumers, raising prices on goods and disrupting supply chains. They contend that dismantling the tariffs could help reduce costs for U.S. businesses and consumers, and restore smoother trade relations with Canada.
As the debate continues, Trump’s supporters remain adamant that his “America First” trade stance remains essential for U.S. prosperity. While this Senate vote may signal a shift in policy, the former president’s influence on trade and economic policy is far from over.
The Justice Department is investigating whether senior FBI officials mishandled classified materials tied to the bureau’s Russia probe.
A source confirmed to
FBI Director Kash Patel said last month that thousands of Russia-related files were uncovered in the bags, which he claimed had been hidden.
Patel later wrote on X, “We just uncovered burn bags/room filled with hidden Russia Gate files.”
The FBI opened Crossfire Hurricane during the 2016 campaign and continued it into Trump’s first term. Former Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller concluded Russia interfered in the election with the goal of helping Trump. Mueller did not accuse Trump or his aides of criminal coordination with Moscow.
A 2017 intelligence community report also found Russia sought to influence the election and developed a preference for Trump. Those findings have long been challenged by Trump and his allies, who have called the probe a hoax and a witch hunt.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified documents last month that she said undercut the 2017 report.
Gabbard accused Obama-era officials of a “treasonous conspiracy” and a “years-long coup” against Trump. She said she would refer the matter to the Justice Department for possible charges.
Former President Barack Obama’s spokesman Patrick Rodenbush dismissed the allegations as “bizarre” and “ridiculous.”
Patel, a frequent critic of the FBI, has argued the agency acted with bias and ignored protocol.
In 2023, he published Government Gangsters, describing the FBI as “thoroughly compromised” and part of a “Deep State” effort to undermine Trump. Years later, Trump-era special counsel John Durham described the investigation as “seriously flawed.
Now, the Justice Department is preparing for a federal grand jury that could focus on Obama officials involved in the 2016 assessment of Russian interference.
Attorney General Pam Bondi authorized prosecutors to examine statements and testimony from Obama-era leaders regarding Trump’s campaign and Russia.
The move directly targets what Trump has long called the “Russia Hoax.”