Axios

President Trump confirmed on Monday Axios' report about him traveling to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks for his first foreign trip.

What he is saying: "It will be next month or maybe a little bit later," Trump said.

The Israeli military will expand its ground operation in Gaza to occupy 25% of the enclave over the next two to three weeks, a senior Israeli official said in a briefing with reporters on Monday.

Why it matters: The Israeli official said the ground operation is part of a "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at forcing Hamas to agree to release more hostages. But reoccupation could go beyond Israel's stated objectives of the war and could serve as a pretense for pressing Palestinians to leave Gaza.

A Jewish organization working to combat antisemitism has unveiled an alternative to the Trump administration's plan that cracks down on foreign students and free speech on college campuses.

Why it matters: The blueprint by the Nexus Project could give colleges and universities another path to combat antisemitism while protecting Jewish students and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs amid funding threats.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) on Monday urged President Trump to abandon his "velvet gloves" approach with Russian President Vladimir Putin and re-commit to countering the Kremlin's aggression in Ukraine.

Why it matters: A retired Air Force brigadier general, Bacon has in recent weeks raised alarms over Trump's softening approach to Russia and his public spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid the White House's attempt to broker a ceasefire between the countries.

The U.S. is freezing research funding, canceling projects, firing thousands of federal scientists and creating an atmosphere of uncertainty that scientists warn could slam the brakes on progress.

Why it matters: America has enjoyed decades of dominance in science and technology — plus the economic boom, medical advancements and global influence that come with it.

• Now, as the U.S.'s global lead is contested and competition for the world's top talent gets stiffer, the Trump administration is disrupting the system that has propelled the country.

For the next three days, one man holds the global economy in the palm of his hands, literally and figuratively — and almost no one but him knows what will happen.

Why it matters: Every Wall Street trader and economist has "April 2" circled on their calendars. The consensus is that tariffs are coming, but the fear is in the unknown: how aggressive the measures will be.

President Trump said Sunday his reciprocal tariffs that launch this week will affect "all countries."

Why it matters: Trump is expected to announce wide-ranging levies on Wednesday, which he is calling "Liberation Day," but the administration has yet to reveal many key details of this plan or when levies will be implemented.

President Trump said in an interview with NBC News he is "pissed off" with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and threatened to put secondary tariffs on Russian oil if he deems it to be "Russia's fault" that a deal is not struck to end the war in Ukraine.

The latest: Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to D.C. from Florida that he didn't think that Putin would "go back on his word" but he was "disappointed in a certain way," pointing to the Russian leader's criticisms of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Trump is planning to travel to Saudi Arabia in mid-May on his first foreign trip since returning to the White House, two U.S. officials and a source with knowledge of the president's travel said.

Why it matters: Trump's decision to go to Saudi Arabia on his first foreign trip signals how close the relationship between the Trump administration and Gulf countries has become, especially when it comes to economic cooperation and investment.

President Trump threatened to bomb Iran if the Islamic Republic doesn't reach a new deal with the U.S. on its nuclear program.

Why it matters: Trump, who wants to engage in diplomatic talks with Iran, has leveled threats against it before — but this one is the strongest and most serious so far.

President Trump has ordered a federal review of monuments toppled in the wake of George Floyd's murder, targeting what he calls a "concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation's history."

Why it matters: The Trump administration is leaving no stone unturned in its push to erase the legacy of 2020's racial reckoning, including by restoring monuments to Confederate leaders who fought to preserve slavery.