Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Read more
Senate Democrats are refusing to back the GOP spending bill that could fund the government through September, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday.
This means a government shutdown could be imminent as this weekend’s funding deadline approaches. Schumer has instead endorsed a shorter-term measure proposed by Democrats that could also avoid a shutdown.
“Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort, but Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input — any input — from congressional Democrats,” Schumer said.
Earlier this week, House Republicans voted to advance the funding measure to the Senate. Representative Thomas Massie was the sole Republican to vote against it.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on all U.S. steel and aluminum imports are now in effect, intensifying a campaign to reshape global trade that has already prompted quick retaliation from Europe.
The European Commission responded immediately, saying it would impose counter-tariffs on $28 billion worth of American goods from next month. The countries most affected by the levies are Canada – the biggest foreign supplier to the U.S. – Brazil, Mexico and South Korea. On Wednesday morning, Canada responded with C$29.8 million ($20 billion) in retaliatory duties on U.S. products.
CPAC’s Mercedes Schlapp calls for US-born congresswoman to be deported
Justin Baragona has the story.
Oliver O’Connell12 March 2025 23:00
Despite constant Republican attacks most people still trust CDC, five years after Covid
Of the more than 1,000 adult participants, 57 percent reported that they have a fair amount or great deal of trust in information provided by the NIH, according to a Tuesday survey from Axios and Ipsos. And, 40 percent do not trust the institute.
Oliver O’Connell12 March 2025 22:30
How many ceasefires has Putin broken with Ukraine?
Ukraine hopes this will show that it has always been Russia that is the one in the way of peace.
Oliver O’Connell12 March 2025 22:00
Watch live: Donald Trump and Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin hold White House reception
Katie Hawkinson12 March 2025 21:39
Which U.S. products are being targeted by U.S. tariffs
The E.U. has said it will issue retaliatory tariffs in two phases, with the first wave taking effect on April 1, affecting 8 billion euros worth of goods. A 99-page list of products that may be taxed by the second wave of tariffs — which goes into effect on April 13 and targets 18 billion euros worth of goods — has already been made public. In total, over the two phases, the E.U. will impose 26 billion euros worth of additional tariffs.
Gustaf Kilander looks at which goods might be hit:
Oliver O’Connell12 March 2025 21:30
New poll shows Zelensky has 72% approval rating
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has a 72 percent approval rating, a new Ipsos poll commissioned by The Economist finds.
This further rebukes President Donald Trump’s misleading claim last month that the Ukrainian leader has just a 4 percent approval rating.
In addition to his high approval rating, eight in ten Ukrainians told pollsters they believe Zelensky is still a legitimate president and more than seven in ten trust him to lead negotiations.
Katie Hawkinson12 March 2025 21:15
‘30 days could be just 30 minutes’
Tom Watling and Sam Kiley report.
Oliver O’Connell12 March 2025 21:00
Could Dems have their first primary candidate for 2028? Former Obama official ready to enter the race
An ex-aide to former President Barack Obama might be stepping into the next presidential race.
Rahm Emanuel, who served as White House chief of staff and recently as Japanese ambassador, is mulling a return to executive mission — but this time as the top guy in charge, according to Politico.
“I’m not done with public service and I’m hoping public service is not done with me,” Emanuel, 65, told the outlet as part of a magazine profile.
Michelle Del Rey12 March 2025 20:45
Ronald Reagan’s daughter takes shot at Trump for cozying up to Russia: ‘I think he would be grieving’
Former President Ronald Reagan’s daughter Patti Davis took aim at President Donald Trump during an appearance on CNN, saying that her father “would be grieving” over Trump’s recent moves to isolate the U.S. from its traditional allies.
“The America that I grew up in, that we all have known, is one that had alliances and was friends with other countries, and it would go to other countries who were in trouble, who were being tyrannized, or invaded, or, you know, otherwise suffering from famines, for example,” Davis told CNN’s Anderson Cooper, saying her dad “would be heartbroken” by Trump’s actions.
Gustaf Kilander12 March 2025 20:37
COMMENT: Why Wall Street’s supremos are risking their reputations to prop up the president
With Trump 2.0 it really is different in no small part because the people around him are different. They are either enablers, who are apparently incapable of providing any meaningful pushback of the sort politicians badly need, or true believers.
Last time around, he had people like Steve Mnuchin, who pulled off the remarkable of feat for a Trump lieutenant of spending his entire term in post as treasury secretary. There was also Gary Cohn, his chief economics advisor for two years. Alumni of Goldman Sachs, who followed a well trodden path from the powerful investment bank into public office, they brought an economically orthodox, conservative view with them.
The rest of his first government was full of establishment Republicans who actively worked to moderate – even to undermine – the president’s most destructive instincts.
Today, it is very different.
Oliver O’Connell12 March 2025 20:30
