Context:

Employees of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have expressed strong opposition to the Trump administration's policies, citing harm to the country's medical research infrastructure due to funding cuts and censorship. Meanwhile, trade negotiations between the US and China continue amidst a backdrop of economic uncertainty and legal battles over tariffs, with both sides attempting to reach a trade truce. In the legal sphere, the wrongful deportation case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia has sparked calls for contempt proceedings against the administration, highlighting persistent defiance of court orders. A new travel ban targeting citizens from 12 primarily African and Middle Eastern countries has been implemented as part of a broader immigration crackdown, drawing criticism and concern from various international entities. Additionally, the city of Glendale, California, has ended its contract with ICE, reflecting public discontent over immigration enforcement practices and their impact on community trust.

Dive Deeper:

• Over 60 NIH employees have criticized the Trump administration for undermining medical research by withholding funds and censoring research, as highlighted in a letter addressed to NIH director Jay Bhattacharya. This letter, named 'The Bethesda Declaration', accuses the administration of endangering study participants and calls for a reevaluation of unethical policies.

• Trade negotiations between the US and China are ongoing in London, with the US delegation led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The talks aim to resolve trade disputes exacerbated by tariffs deemed illegal by a US trade court, complicating the administration's efforts to secure a broader economic agreement.

• Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, wrongfully deported to El Salvador, has been returned to the US, yet his lawyers continue to seek contempt proceedings against Trump officials for defying court orders. The administration's handling of the case has faced criticism for its alleged deliberate stalling tactics.

• A new travel ban affecting citizens from 12 countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, has been enacted, reflecting the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies. The ban has elicited strong reactions from affected countries and international bodies concerned about its implications.

• Glendale, California, has terminated its contract with ICE to house immigration detainees, citing concerns over public perception and community trust. This decision follows a series of protests against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement strategies in Los Angeles.