The Trump administration is making major moves on trade and national security. The U.S. Trade Representative announced 25% tariffs on Brazil [UPI], while the White House amended its tariff strategy on imported steel, aluminum, and copper [The Hill]. The shifts underscore an aggressive trade stance heading into midterm season.

On the intelligence front, Trump appointed housing official Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, prompting fierce Democratic pushback. "Partisan thug," Democrats charged, as Secretary of State Rubio testified before the Senate on State Department budget matters amid faltering Iran negotiations [The Hill]. The intelligence appointment comes as Israel's continued operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon complicate U.S.-Iran diplomatic efforts [CBS News].

Voters in Iowa and California are heading to polls today for key primary races that will shape the midterm landscape [CBS News]. In New Jersey, Democrats selected a challenger to face U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who has been noticeably absent from the district [PBS].

Elsewhere, a federal court ordered the DOJ to pause an $1.8 billion fund [NPR], and Mexico's President Sheinbaum pushed back against U.S. interference in her country's politics [UPI]. A bombshell NPR report also detailed how President Biden's doctors checked him after his debate with Trump, with Jill Biden fearing he'd suffered a stroke.