United News of Bangladesh

Details of a possible agreement between the United States and Iran are beginning to emerge after US President Donald Trump said negotiations aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East have made major progress. Trump said on Saturday that a deal had been “largely negotiated” following discussions with Israel and several key regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain. He said the final details of the agreement were still under discussion and would be announced soon. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged caution, saying important progress had been made but the negotiations were not yet complete. Speaking during a visit to India, Rubio said he hoped there would be positive developments within hours. He added that one of Trump’s key goals was to remove fears over Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. According to two regional officials familiar with the talks, Iran has agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and is prepared to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of the proposed deal. One official said negotiations are continuing over how Iran’s enriched uranium would be handled during a 60-day process. Some of the uranium could be diluted, while the rest may be transferred to another country, possibly Russia. The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran currently holds around 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity, close to weapons-grade level. The draft agreement could also lead to the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz alongside the lifting of US restrictions on Iranian ports, one official said. Another official said the US may allow Iran to resume oil exports through sanctions waivers. Discussions on easing sanctions and releasing frozen Iranian funds are also expected during the 60-day negotiation period. Officials said the proposed deal also includes efforts to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and commitments by regional countries not to interfere in each other’s domestic affairs. The negotiations come after months of tensions following US and Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, which killed senior Iranian officials and disrupted nuclear talks. Iran later launched attacks on Israel and neighboring countries hosting US military forces, increasing fears across Gulf nations. Although a ceasefire has been in place since April 7, concerns remain over Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments. Meanwhile, Israeli leaders remain concerned about the threat posed by Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group based in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told Trump that Israel would continue acting against security threats, including those linked to Lebanon. According to an Israeli official, Trump insisted that any final agreement must require Iran to fully dismantle its nuclear programme and remove all enriched uranium from the country. Israel’s Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel said the country was currently taking a “wait-and-see” approach regarding the negotiations. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, clashes have continued, with both sides exchanging attacks. Lebanese authorities say more than 3,000 people have been killed in the latest fighting, while Israel says several soldiers and civilians have also died in attacks linked to Hezbollah.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has said he held a “respectful and positive” meeting with a special envoy of US President Donald Trump, but made it clear that the island’s right to self-determination is non-negotiable. Nielsen said the Greenlandic people continue to firmly reject any idea of external control over the territory, which is a semiautonomous part of NATO member Denmark. He noted that while discussions with US officials were cordial, Greenland’s political status is not open for negotiation. “The Greenlandic people are not for sale. Greenlandic self-determination is not something that can be negotiated,” he was quoted as saying by Danish broadcaster TV 2 after meeting Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Trump’s special envoy to the Arctic territory. At the same time, Nielsen stressed that Greenland seeks constructive cooperation with the United States. He described the meeting as a courtesy call held in a positive atmosphere with mutual respect. According to Danish public broadcaster DR, Landry said on arrival in Greenland that Trump had instructed him to “go over there and make as many friends as we can get.” Greenland’s Foreign Minister Mute B. Egede said a joint working group involving the United States, Greenland, and Denmark is continuing discussions aimed at addressing repeated US interest in gaining control over the island. Trump has previously suggested that rival powers such as Russia or China could move to take strategic advantage of Greenland, a claim widely rejected by regional experts. Egede said Greenland has not created obstacles to cooperation with Washington. He added that progress depends on the outcome of the working group, which he said now appears “more promising” than before. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Denmark Ken Howery, who is part of the visiting delegation, is expected to open new US consulate offices in Nuuk and attend a business fair along with Landry in the coming days, according to local media reports.

Asian stock markets mostly fell on Monday while oil prices surged after US President Donald Trump warned that “the clock is ticking” for Iran as efforts to reach a lasting agreement to end the conflict remain stalled. US stock futures also moved lower, with major indexes losing more than 0.6 percent. Japan and South Korea pulled back further after recent record highs. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 0.9 percent to 60,843.09, led by losses in technology shares. The index had touched a record intraday high above 63,000 last week. The yield on Japan’s 10-year government bond rose to 2.8 percent, its highest level since the late 1990s, as the Bank of Japan gradually raises interest rates and higher energy prices fuel inflation concerns. In South Korea, the Kospi gained 0.9 percent to 7,558.50 after recovering from earlier losses. The index had crossed 8,000 on Friday, driven by strong demand for technology stocks linked to the artificial intelligence boom, before easing on profit-taking. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.6 percent to 25,543.32, while China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.1 percent to 4,132.24 after weaker-than-expected retail sales data for April. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 lost 1.4 percent to 8,508.40. Taiwan’s Taiex declined 1.1 percent, and India’s Sensex was down 0.6 percent. Oil prices climbed sharply after Trump said in a social media post that Iran should act quickly or “there won’t be anything left of them,” following a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Investors remain cautious because of uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments. The waterway remains largely closed, while the US has maintained a maritime blockade on Iranian ports since last month. Tensions increased further after a weekend drone attack on a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 1.9 percent to $111.31 per barrel. US benchmark crude gained 2.3 percent to $107.83 per barrel. Oil had been trading near $70 a barrel in late February before the conflict began. Analysts at ING Group said the risk of renewed escalation is increasing, despite some improvement in shipping activity around the Strait of Hormuz. The oil market is also reacting to the lack of progress following last week’s summit in Beijing between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The White House said both countries agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open. Washington had hoped Beijing could use its close economic ties with Tehran to help broker a peace deal. In the bond market, the yield on the US 10-year Treasury note rose to about 4.63 percent, up from 4.47 percent last Thursday and nearly 4 percent before the conflict began. On Friday, the benchmark S&P 500 fell 1.2 percent from the record high it set a day earlier. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.1 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 1.5 percent. In currency trading, the US dollar rose to 159.02 Japanese yen from 158.62 yen. The euro edged up to $1.1626 from $1.1622.  

Pope Leo XIV spent much of his first year as pope trying to present himself as a calm pastor focused on unity and peace, but repeated public disagreements with US President Donald Trump often pulled him into global political debates. As Leo marked the first anniversary of his election on Friday, the Vatican was also working to ease tensions with Washington following months of exchanges between the pope and Trump over issues including war, peace and international conflicts. On the eve of the anniversary, Leo met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican in what was seen as an effort to improve relations between the United States and the Holy See. Although both sides later highlighted strong diplomatic ties, the public disagreements pushed the first American pope into a more political spotlight than he appeared comfortable with. Earlier this week, Leo responded sharply after Trump reportedly misrepresented his comments, saying: “If someone wants to criticize me for announcing the Gospel, let him do it with the truth.” Despite the occasional strong response, Leo has largely developed a reputation as a soft-spoken and reserved church leader focused on pastoral work rather than confrontation. The former Robert Prevost, a 70-year-old missionary priest from Chicago, is known for his calm personality, interest in tennis and deep knowledge of the teachings of St. Augustine. Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, whose 12-year papacy often sparked debate and tension, Leo has focused on reducing divisions within the Catholic Church and promoting harmony. Church leaders say he has helped calm tensions between conservative and progressive groups at a time when social media has deepened divisions among Catholics. Cardinal Wilton Gregory said Leo’s biggest challenge is maintaining unity within the church in an increasingly polarized world. “He has to call us to our better angels,” Gregory said. During a recent visit to Africa, Leo tried to avoid escalating the public dispute with Trump, saying his main role was to serve as a pastor and encourage Catholics, not engage in political arguments. The election of an American pope remains historic for many Catholics, as previous church traditions generally avoided choosing a pope from the world’s most powerful political country. Observers say Leo’s American background has also helped many US Catholics connect more closely with the Vatican. Kerry Alys Robinson said hearing the pope speak directly in English without translation has strengthened his message among American Catholics. Some Catholic groups in the United States also say donations and support for church projects have increased since Leo became pope. Ward Fitzgerald said an English-speaking pope has made church messages more relatable, especially for young people and donors. Last week, members of The Papal Foundation attended a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who compared Leo to St. Joseph for his quiet and focused leadership style. Dolan described Leo as a humble and mission-driven leader who remains attentive to God’s plan despite growing global attention.

President Donald Trump said in a Thursday social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year’s trade framework by July 4. The announcement appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25% tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a “great call” with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Still, the U.S. president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks. “A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!” Trump posted. “I agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels.” It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos. His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.  

Iran said Thursday it is examining a new US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, while US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of renewed military strikes if an agreement is not reached, including the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Global markets reacted positively to hopes that the two-month war could soon come to an end, despite heightened tensions after the US military targeted an Iranian oil tanker accused of attempting to violate Washington’s blockade on Iranian ports. Trump said in a social media post that oil and gas shipments disrupted by the conflict could resume if Iran agrees to a proposed deal, though he did not disclose details of the arrangement. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump warned. A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran has mostly remained in place since April 8. However, direct talks hosted by Pakistan last month failed to produce a breakthrough. The conflict began on Feb. 28 after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Pakistan Hopeful About AgreementPakistan expressed optimism that negotiations could soon yield results. “We expect an agreement sooner rather than later,” Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Thursday, adding that Islamabad hopes for a peaceful and lasting resolution benefiting both the region and global stability. He declined to provide details or a timeline regarding the diplomatic process. Conflicting Signals from WashingtonThe Trump administration’s messaging throughout the conflict has frequently shifted, especially regarding efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring the war to a close. Iran has effectively blocked the vital shipping route, disrupting the movement of oil, gas and petroleum products, while the US continues to enforce restrictions on Iranian ports. US Central Command said Wednesday that an American fighter jet disabled the rudder of an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to breach the blockade. Trump Warns of Further Military ActionTrump insisted Iranian officials are eager to negotiate but warned that the US is prepared to escalate military action if talks fail. “We’re dealing with people that want to make a deal very much,” Trump said. According to Axios, the White House is nearing a preliminary one-page agreement with Tehran that could include limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment, easing US sanctions, release of frozen Iranian assets and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The White House has not officially commented on the report. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state television that Tehran strongly opposed the proposal outlined by Axios but confirmed Iran is still reviewing the latest American offer. Hormuz Crisis Continues to Disrupt Global TradeTrump recently suspended “Project Freedom,” a short-lived US operation aimed at securing safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Only two US-flagged merchant ships reportedly used the guarded route after it opened earlier this week. The US military also said it destroyed six Iranian boats it claimed threatened civilian shipping. The closure of the strait has caused sharp increases in fuel prices and intensified pressure on the global economy, particularly for countries dependent on Gulf energy supplies, including China. Shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd said the disruption is costing the company around $60 million per week due to higher fuel and insurance expenses. Brent crude prices stabilized near $100 per barrel on Thursday amid uncertainty over whether the waterway would reopen. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said France’s aircraft carrier strike group is moving toward the Red Sea in preparation for a possible joint French-British mission to restore maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. China Calls for CeasefireChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a comprehensive ceasefire during talks in Beijing with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday. Wang said China was deeply concerned by the conflict, while the Trump administration has urged Beijing to use its close relationship with Tehran to help reopen the strategic waterway. Araghchi’s visit to China comes ahead of Trump’s planned trip to Beijing next week for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Iranian minister said discussions covered the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear activities and sanctions imposed by Washington. Trump continues to demand major restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran with more bombing Wednesday if it doesn’t reopen the Strait of Hormuz after a report that an agreement is emerging to end the war. Trump posted on social media that the war with Iran could soon end and oil and natural gas shipments could restart. But that all depends on Iran accepting a reported agreement that the U.S. president did not detail. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump wrote. Trump’s threats came after China’s foreign minister called for a comprehensive ceasefire in the Iran war following a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was visiting Beijing for the first time since the war with the U.S. and Israel started Feb. 28. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday his country was “deeply distressed” by the conflict. China’s close economic and political ties to Tehran give it a unique position of influence. The Trump administration is pressing China to use that relationship to urge the Islamic Republic to open the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said Tuesday that he was pausing his short-lived U.S. effort to guide stranded commercial vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz in hopes that a deal could be finalized. A shaky ceasefire has been largely holding, despite exchanges of fire during the U.S. push to reopen the strait on Monday. Iran’s effective closure of the strait, a vital waterway through which major oil and gas supplies, fertilizer and other petroleum products passed before the war, has sent fuel prices skyrocketing, rattled the global economy and put enormous economic pressure on countries, including major powers like China. The spot price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, fell to around $100 per barrel Wednesday, easing significantly from big price jumps earlier in the week. The prices are still well above the roughly $70 a barrel that crude was selling for before the war began. Trump also due to visit China Araghchi’s visit to China comes ahead of a planned visit by Trump to Beijing for a high-profile summit May 14-15 with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trip would be Trump’s first to China during his second term and the first by a U.S. president since Trump visited in 2017. “We believe that a comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed, that a resumption of hostilities is not acceptable, and that it is particularly important to remain committed to dialogue and negotiations,” Wang said, according to a video of the meeting. The Chinese foreign minister said the conflict “has already lasted for more than two months. It has not only caused serious losses to the Iranian people, but also had a severe impact on regional and global peace. China is deeply distressed by this.” In a televised interview with Iran’s state media from Beijing, Araghchi said his visit included discussions of the Strait of Hormuz as well as Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions imposed on Tehran. Iran has attained “an elevated international standing” after the war, having proven its capabilities and strength, Araghchi said. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope that Beijing would reiterate the need for Iran to release its chokehold on the strait, which would deny its main leverage as Trump demands a major rollback of Tehran’s disputed nuclear program. “I hope the Chinese tell him what he needs to be told,” Rubio said during a White House briefing Tuesday. “And that is that what you are doing in the strait is causing you to be globally isolated. You’re the bad guy in this.” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing has made clear that the relevant sides must act “with prudence” and resolve the conflict through dialogue in order to restore peace. He added that China has been actively promoting peace talks and will continue to do so. In a statement published on the ministry’s website about Wang’s meeting with Araghchi, the foreign ministry said China values Iran’s pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons while affirming its “legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.” Trump pauses effort to guide ships out of strait Hundreds of merchant ships remain bottled up in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. said it had opened a safe shipping lane Monday and sunk six small Iranian boats that had threatened commercial ships in the strait. Only two merchant ships are known to have passed through the U.S.-guarded route. But Trump announced he was pausing the effort, dubbed Project Freedom, to see whether an agreement with Tehran on ending the war could be reached. In a social media post Tuesday, Trump said the move was based “on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran.” Pakistan has been mediating between the U.S. and Iran, and had hosted peace talks between the two sides. On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for what he described as a timely announcement of a pause in the effort to guide ships out of the strait. In a post on X, Sharif said Trump’s response to requests from Pakistan and other countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, would help advance regional peace, stability and reconciliation. “Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy,” Sharif said. “We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond.”  

European leaders on Monday said US President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to pull thousands of American troops from Germany came as a surprise, but also reinforces the idea that Europe must take more responsibility for its own security. The Pentagon last week announced plans to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany. However, Trump later told reporters that the reduction would be much larger, saying, “we’re going to cut way down. And we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,” without giving further details. The move caught NATO allies off guard. It comes amid rising tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the US-Israeli war on Iran, as well as Trump’s frustration over what he sees as limited European involvement in Middle East conflicts. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre downplayed concerns about the scale of the withdrawal. Speaking in Yerevan, where European leaders are attending a summit, he said Europe is expected to take greater responsibility for its own security. “I wouldn’t exaggerate that because I think we are expecting that Europe is taking more charge of its own security,” he said, adding that the issue should be managed “in a harmonious way inside the framework of NATO.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said troop withdrawal discussions from Europe have been ongoing, but the timing of the announcement was unexpected. “This shows that we really need to strengthen the European pillar in NATO,” she said. Asked whether Trump’s decision was aimed at punishing Merz after his criticism of US handling of Iran negotiations, Kallas said she could not speculate on the US president’s intentions. “I don’t see into the head of President Trump, so he has to explain it himself,” she said. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the alliance is working with Washington to understand the details of the planned changes to US troop deployment in Germany. European allies and Canada have been aware since Trump returned to office that US forces could be reduced in Europe. Some troops were already withdrawn from Romania in October. However, US officials had previously said any changes would be coordinated with NATO to avoid security gaps. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte downplayed the impact of the move, noting some US dissatisfaction with European support for the Iran conflict. France, Spain and the United Kingdom have limited US use of their military bases for operations related to Iran, while Spain has also restricted airspace access. Rutte said European countries had taken note of Washington’s concerns and were acting accordingly. He added that some nations were positioning military assets closer to potential areas of operation, though he gave no details. European officials have also said they would not take part in policing the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, until the conflict ends.

Germany’s defence minister said the United States’ decision to withdraw about 5,000 troops from the country was “foreseeable,” as NATO seeks more details from Washington amid concerns over the alliance’s future. Speaking to DPA news agency, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the presence of US forces in Europe  especially in Germany  remains important for both sides. He added that Berlin still values close military cooperation with Washington. NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart said the alliance is in talks with the US to better understand the scope and impact of the decision. President Donald Trump indicated that more cuts could follow. Asked about the troop withdrawal, he said the US would reduce its forces “way down,” suggesting the number could be far higher than 5,000, though he gave no specifics. The move comes after tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who recently criticised the US over its handling of negotiations with Iran, saying Washington had been “humiliated.” The US currently has more than 36,000 troops stationed in Germany — its largest military presence in Europe compared to about 12,000 in Italy and 10,000 in the United Kingdom. Trump has also floated the idea of reducing troop levels in Italy and Spain. The decision follows earlier steps to scale back US forces in Romania, part of a broader strategy to shift military focus toward the Indo-Pacific region. The latest move has raised concerns within the 32-member NATO alliance that reduced US presence could weaken collective security. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that internal divisions, rather than external threats, pose the greatest risk to the transatlantic alliance and urged members to act to reverse the trend. In Washington, senior Republican lawmakers also voiced concern. Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Mike Rogers said maintaining a strong US military presence in Europe is vital for deterrence. Pistorius said Europe must take on greater responsibility for its own security, noting that Germany has significantly increased defence spending in recent years. Under the current government, Germany’s defence budget is expected to rise to €105.8 billion by 2027, pushing total defence-related spending to about 3.1% of GDP, including support for Ukraine. Trump has long criticised NATO allies, including Germany, for not meeting defence spending targets, though Berlin has recently moved closer to those goals. NATO officials say the US decision highlights the need for European countries to further boost defence investment and share more of the security burden. The troop withdrawal is expected to be completed within six to twelve months, according to the Pentagon. Tensions between Trump and allies have also grown over disagreements on military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has restricted shipping following US and Israeli strikes earlier this year. With inputs from BBC

The Trump administration has been accused of repeatedly failing to comply with lower court rulings across a wide range of policy areas, including immigration, deportations, federal spending cuts and mass layoffs, according to a review of court records cited by The Associated Press (AP). The AP review found that in the first 15 months of President Donald Trump’s second term, federal district judges ruled the administration had violated court orders in at least 31 lawsuits. This represents roughly one in eight cases in which courts had temporarily blocked government actions. One such case involved a ruling last December in which a federal judge struck down a policy of holding immigrants without bond. Despite the decision, a senior Justice Department official reportedly argued the ruling was not binding, and detainees continued to be denied release. By February, US District Judge Sunshine Sykes expressed strong concern over the administration’s conduct. She accused officials of attempting “to erode any semblance of separation of powers,” adding that they could “only do so in a world where the Constitution does not exist.” The administration has also faced more than 250 additional findings of noncompliance in individual immigration-related cases, including failure to release detainees and return seized property. Legal experts and former judges said such levels of defiance are highly unusual compared to previous administrations. Ryan Goodman, a law professor at New York University, said, “What the court system is experiencing in the last year and a half is just qualitatively completely different from anything that’s preceded it.” Georgetown University constitutional law scholar David Super warned that weakening adherence to court rulings could have wider consequences, saying, “The federal government should be the institution most devoted to the rule of law in this country. When it ceases to feel itself bound, respect for the rule of law is likely to break down across the country.” According to the AP review, higher courts, including the Supreme Court, have overturned or limited lower court rulings in nearly half of the cases, a factor critics say may be encouraging the administration’s stance. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the administration, stating that higher courts had overturned “unlawful district court rulings.” She added, “The administration will continue to comply with lawful court rulings.” Among disputed cases are alleged violations involving deportations to El Salvador, delays in restoring funding for Voice of America, and restrictions on foreign aid. Some judges have used strong language in their rulings. One described government actions as “ham-handed,” while another accused officials of “hallucinating new text” in legal interpretations. The Justice Department has rejected claims of widespread noncompliance, arguing in court filings that it has acted within legal limits and appealed unfavorable rulings. However, critics including advocacy groups tracking the cases argue that selective compliance undermines judicial authority and risks normalizing defiance of court orders. The dispute highlights growing tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary amid broader political and legal battles over presidential authority and the limits of executive power.