Judge Blocks Deportation of Pro-Palestinian Activist; US–Ukraine Talks Begin in Saudi Arabia | NTD Good Morning (March 11)

The Trump administration’s efforts to deport former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil have been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. Khalil was arrested on Saturday and remains under investigation for allegedly helping to organize an event at Columbia University that glorified the Hamas terrorist organization. NTD spoke with William Jacobson, a political analyst and Cornell Law professor, to find out more about the legality of Khalil’s arrest and potential deportation.

High-stakes talks are underway between the United States and Ukraine in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia—the first high-level meeting between the two countries since the tense Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The talks come after Russia shot down hundreds of Ukrainian drones overnight. Russian reports state that two people were killed and 18 injured in the attack. Meanwhile, Ukraine is proposing a Black Sea cease-fire and a halt to long-range missile strikes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Ukraine must cede some Russian-held territory to gain peace.

A government funding deadline is fast approaching this Friday. The House may vote on Tuesday on a resolution to extend government funding through September, but it doesn’t include steep cuts, making it a tight vote for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). The resolution does include $13 billion worth of non-defense cuts while raising the Pentagon’s budget by $6 billion. Even if the House can pass it, the bill faces an uphill battle in the Senate.