Weekend Report: What's going on?

Van Hollen steals narrative, shows that Democrats have power. IRS chief sacked in Musk/Bessent power struggle. Travel to U.S. from every country is collapsing, largest drop since pandemic.

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland successfully pressured the El Salvador government to allow him to meet Kilmar Agrego Garcia after first rebuffing him. The last-minute turnaround showed that President Bukele, the self-described “dictator,” became worried as Van Hollen pressed the government and spelled out ramifications for the country. It showed that Democrats have power and influence—and can be heroes to Americans and the world—if they use it.

Chaos at the IRS—which Trump is intent on weaponizing against his perceived enemies—saw three acting directors within a week, as a power struggled ensued between Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Musk has been quiet, clearly knowing he’s enormously unpopular, but still deeply involved in wreaking havoc on government agencies.

Tourism to the U.S. has plummeted since Donald Trump took office, as international travelers fear for their safety, seeing incidents in which tourists were held in custody—locked up for weeks—and are worried about the impact of Trump’s tariffs. What happened to Trump’s “golden age” in America?