The Morning Sixpack - April 14, 2025
Happy Monday!
Arson Suspect Planned to Attack Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Documents Reveal
A man arrested for setting a fire at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's residence reportedly planned to beat the governor with a hammer, according to court documents.
The attack, which forced Shapiro and his family to evacuate during the early hours of Sunday, caused significant damage to the mansion. The suspect, Cody Balmer, scaled a security fence and broke into the mansion, using Molotov cocktails to start the fire. Balmer admitted to harboring hatred toward Shapiro but did not provide a clear motive for the attack.
Governor Shapiro, shaken but resolute, condemned the violence as part of a disturbing trend in society. In a passionate response, Shapiro said the attack would not deter him from his duties, stressing that such acts of violence must end. Authorities are continuing their investigation as they examine the suspect’s past criminal record, which includes prior charges for assault, theft, and forgery.
Source: AP News
China’s Exports Surge 12.4% Amid U.S. Tariffs, but Imports Decline
In March 2025, China saw a notable 12.4% rise in exports, as companies rushed to ship goods before the latest increases in U.S. tariffs, part of the ongoing trade war with President Trump.
Talk about the law of unintended—yet completely forseeable—consequences!
Despite the surge in exports, imports fell by 4.3%, reflecting the broader economic challenges facing China. The country’s trade surplus with the United States grew to $27.6 billion in March, as China’s exports to the U.S. increased by 4.5%. However, the impact of Trump’s trade policies is still being felt, with tariffs on most Chinese exports to the U.S. reaching 145%.
The bulk of China’s export growth came from its Southeast Asian neighbors, where exports jumped nearly 17%, alongside a strong performance in Africa. Chinese President Xi Jinping's regional tour to strengthen trade relations with countries like Vietnam comes at a crucial time, as these nations also face the threat of steep U.S. tariffs.
Despite the external challenges, Chinese officials remain optimistic, noting the country's diversified export markets and vast domestic market.
Source: AP News
Trump Administration Refuses to Help Wrongly Deported Migrant Return to U.S.
The Trump administration has stated that it is not obligated to assist a Maryland resident, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, despite a Supreme Court ruling directing the U.S. government to "facilitate" his return.
Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant with a work permit, was deported in violation of an immigration judge's order, sparking a legal battle.
The administration's lawyers argue that the Supreme Court's directive only requires the removal of obstacles to his return, not active assistance in extracting him from El Salvador. This comes amid ongoing diplomatic talks with El Salvador, which are complicated by the case.
Abrego Garcia’s deportation has sparked legal motions to reverse the action, with U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordering the government to bring him back.
However, a senior immigration official contends that the deportation order is now valid due to his alleged membership in MS-13, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
While the State Department confirmed he is secure in El Salvador, his legal team continues to seek his return.
Source: Reuters
This is what we have become and I don’t like it one bit.
Wisconsin Teen Charged with Parents’ Murders Also Planned to Assassinate Trump, FBI Says
A Wisconsin teenager, Nikita Casap, has been charged with the murders of his parents and plotting to assassinate President Donald Trump as part of a wider attempt to overthrow the U.S. government.
According to an FBI affidavit, the 17-year-old killed his parents to gain financial independence, using their deaths as a stepping stone for his extremist plan to destabilize the government and “save the white race.”
See that? “Save the white race.” We have a real fuckin’ problem here.
The teen had bomb-making instructions, an antisemitic manifesto, and was in contact with neo-Nazi groups, as well as individuals in Russia, about his intentions.
Casap, who lived in Waukesha, Wisconsin, with his mother and stepfather, was arrested after the bodies of his parents were found in an advanced state of decomposition. Authorities believe he shot his parents and lived with their corpses for weeks before fleeing with his stepfather’s SUV and large sums of money.
He is accused of contacting individuals about his plans to kill the president and had even made arrangements to travel to Ukraine after carrying out the assassination.
Casap is currently being held in Waukesha County Jail on a $1 million bond, with his court appearance scheduled for next month. The FBI continues its investigation, with the case raising concerns about the growing reach of violent extremist ideologies among young individuals.
Source: The Washington Post
We are a sick nation. How we heal is beyond me.
DHS Email Instructs U.S. Citizen to "Immediately" Self-Deport, Sparking Confusion
A U.S. immigration attorney from Massachusetts was shocked to receive an email from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) instructing her to "immediately" self-deport, despite being a U.S. citizen.
The email, which was sent to various individuals living in the U.S. on temporary legal status, informed recipients that their "parole" had been revoked and they had seven days to leave the country. This email has caused widespread confusion, particularly as it was sent to people without clear explanations or legal details, including the attorney, Nicole Micheroni, who feared it might be intended for one of her immigrant clients.
The DHS has been revoking temporary parole for individuals who lack lawful status, including those under Biden-era programs like Uniting for Ukraine and Operation Allies Welcome.
However, the lack of clarity about who must follow the instructions in the email and its delivery via email—an unusual method for such legal notices—has sparked fear and confusion, particularly among immigrants without legal representation.
Attorney Lauren Regan called the approach "absolutely not common" and noted that many immigrants don’t even have email access to receive such communications.
This email comes amid ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to enforce stricter immigration policies, including efforts to revoke the parole of over half a million individuals.
The message's authenticity and the potential legal implications remain unclear, with a federal judge recently blocking some of these revocations.
Source: WIRED
Blue Origin Sends Katy Perry to Space—And She's Not Taking Just Her Career With Her
On April 14, Blue Origin is set to launch its most out-of-this-world mission yet: an all-female crew led by none other than pop star Katy Perry. Along for the ride are Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyễn, Gayle King, Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez (Jeff Bezos' partner, because of course she’s going).
Together, they’ll board New Shepard, Blue Origin’s reusable rocket, for a suborbital space trip that promises 10-12 minutes of weightlessness, a few breathtaking views of Earth, and a spot in history as the first all-female crew since the Soviet Union’s Valentina Tereshkova in 1963.
While the mission itself is a brief 10-minute jaunt to space, the PR buzz will last far longer. The NS-31 mission kicks off at 9:30 a.m. EDT, and you can tune in to watch this star-studded flight live—because who wouldn’t want to see a pop star float in space, right?
And while Blue Origin is keeping ticket prices hush-hush, we do know Virgin Galactic charges a cool $650,000 per seat, so don't expect discounts anytime soon. But hey, at least Perry’s going to space for "free"—well, if you don't count the millions in royalties, branding, and sponsorships.
Like I said before, we are a sick nation. Why is this even a thing?
Source: Space.com