News Above the Noise—Week of March 23, 2025
1. Judges Concerned for Safety as Threats Escalate
President Trump’s call to impeach a federal judge who blocked his deportation plan has led to a wave of threats and harassment against judges. This has included violent social media posts, bomb threats, and fake police calls specifically targeted towards judges involved in high-profile cases against the Trump administration. The rise in threats has raised concerns about the safety of the judiciary. Judges warn that these threats could undermine public trust in the legal system.
2. Trump Moves Student Loans and Special Education Out of Education Department
President Trump announced plans to move student loan management, special education services, and nutrition programs from the Education Department to Small Business Administration and Health and Human Services. While Trump argues the move will improve efficiency, experts question its effectiveness and legality without Congress’ approval.
3. Harvard Offering Free Tuition for Families Making Under $200K
Harvard University announced it will offer free tuition to families making $200,000 or less in the 2025-26 academic year. This decision places Harvard alongside other top schools like University of Pennsylvania and MIT, which are also increasing financial aid to help ease the burden of higher education costs. While tuition may be free for many, students will still need to cover other costs like room and board.
4. Trump’s Push for More Power Over Courts, Congress, and Beyond
President Trump is pushing to expand presidential power across multiple branches of government, from the courts to Congress, and even independent agencies. His actions—like defying court orders and attacking key institutions that provide checks and balances—are raising alarms about the future of American democracy and its governing systems. Critics fear that this pursuit of power could deeply impact the future of the nation.
Editor's Note: Every week, The Sunday Paper's team of journalists sift through the news to find what Rises Above the Noise, makes sense of what's happening in the world, and provides hope for your week to come. While we do our best to provide our own informative summary of each piece, some publications require their own subscriptions beyond our control.
Please note that we may receive affiliate commissions from the sales of linked products.
