Judge Blocks Deportation of Pro-Palestinian Activist; U.S. and Ukraine Talks in Saudi Arabia Begin

The Trump administration’s efforts to deport former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil have been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. Khalil was arrested on Saturday, and is under investigation by Columbia University for allegedly helping to organize an event that glorified Hamas. NTD spoke with William Jacobson, a political analyst and Cornell Law Professor to talk about the legality surrounding the situation.

High-stakes U.S. and Ukraine talks are underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, following a tense White House meeting between President Zelenskyy and Trump. The talks come after Russia shot down hundreds of Ukrainian drones overnight. Two people were killed and 18 injured. Ukraine is proposing a Black Sea ceasefire and a halt to long-range missile strikes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Ukraine must cede some Russian-held territory for peace.

A government funding deadline is fast approaching this Friday. The House may vote on Tuesday on a resolution to extend government funding through September, but it doesn't include steep cuts, making it a tight vote for House speaker Mike Johnson. The resolution does include $13 billion worth of cuts to non-defense, while bumping the Pentagon's budget by $6 billion. Even if the House can pass it, it faces an uphill battle in the Senate.