Thirty-six percent are undecided

“Two Senate resolutions authored by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) got an unprecedented level of support from the Democratic Caucus even as their leader, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), voted against both. Schumer — strongly pro-Israel but anti Netanyahu — is the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history.”

“The first thing to note is that Alito and/or Thomas retiring would be very much in keeping with how things work on the Supreme Court. The last seven justices to retire (as opposed to dying in office like Ginsburg or Antonin Scalia) have done so when the party more aligned with them controlled both the presidency and the Senate — and could confirm a like-minded replacement.”

“This week, the administration signaled that if no successor is confirmed by May 15, Powell shouldn’t continue as chair. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that several people—not just Powell—could serve as the Federal Reserve’s interim leader, naming Vice Chair Philip Jefferson and governor Christopher Waller as alternatives.”

“On Wednesday, Trump went further, saying ‘I’ll have to fire him’ if Powell didn’t step aside.”

“But last month, Powell pre-emptively staked out his position, announcing he would continue leading the central bank as ‘chair pro tempore’ if no successor is confirmed on time.”

Victoria Guida: How Trump is sabotaging himself on the Federal Reserve.

“Trump has claimed God’s backing for foreign adventurism as he has threatened to demolish one of the world’s oldest civilizations; written an Easter Sunday screed that included an f-bomb and a ‘praise be to Allah’ sign-off; tangled with a popular, American-born pope; and employed his social media platform to spread an image that appeared to depict him as Jesus.”

“Of the many unlikely turns in the Trump era, ranking high is the fervor with which religious conservatives have embraced an irreverent, thrice-married Manhattan real estate developer given to regular outbursts of vulgarity, lying and vindictiveness.”

NPR: Trump allies defend his remarks about Pope Leo.

“He’s been able to do some good for the party, raising tens of millions of dollars at events for Republicans as they head into the midterms. And he’s been able to do some good for himself, wooing some of his party’s richest and most influential patrons.”

Axios: Vance heading to Iowa for midterm events.

“This is what it looks like when Mr. Trump is under pressure and burrowing his way into a more flattering news cycle. And anyone who has been paying even a little bit of attention over the past decade can pinpoint where we are in a well-established routine, when, intentionally or not, the president tosses out little rhetorical grenades meant to shift attention elsewhere. (It often works: Remember last week, when he threatened to wipe out Iranian civilization?)”

“Now, Mr. Trump is showering Truth Social with Jesus memes and threats and endorsements.”

“About 95 percent of the total $93 million raised so far in Virginia, as of a Monday night filing deadline, came from nonprofit groups not required to disclose their donors.”

“Ryanair, the low-cost airline that dominates flying within Europe, said this week that its suppliers could guarantee it enough jet fuel only through most of May. The airline said fuel could be in short supply if ships laden with energy did not soon begin passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway on Iran’s southern coast.”

Said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA): “I’ve never seen public opinion change as fast on any issue, including gay marriage, as it has on the U.S.-Israel relationship.”

“Hochul this week unveiled a plan for a pied-à-terre tax on second homes in New York City valued at $5 million or more, which is gaining momentum as a way to plug the city’s budget deficit.”

“This is significant because Noem, whom President Donald Trump ousted last month, still faces congressional and legal scrutiny for her management of Department of Homeland Security funds, with some Democrats accusing her of committing fraud.”

Said Platner: “Pragmatically I have little problem with killing an enemy combatant who you attempt to capture but for whatever reason cannot. From a strictly professional standpoint, this was a damn fine looking and successful raid against a superior opponent, I dig it.”

— Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), on Benny Johnson’s podcast.