Trump acknowledges concerns over Musk’s business interests

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says war plans should not be shared with his adviser Elon Musk because of his business interests. It’s a rare suggestion the billionaire entrepreneur’s expansive role in the Trump administration will face limits. The Republican president made the comments Friday during an Oval Office meeting on developing a new fighter jet, rejecting reports Musk would be briefed on how the U.S. would fight a hypothetical war with China. Trump says Musk has businesses in China and “would be susceptible, perhaps, to that.” Musk’s businesses include Tesla, an electric-vehicle manufacturer trying to expand in China. Trump says Musk visited the Pentagon earlier to discuss reducing costs.

Small Business Administration to reorganize, cut about 2,700 jobs

NEW YORK (AP) — The Small Business Administration said Friday it will cut its workforce by 43%, or about 2,700 jobs, as part of a reorganization. The SBA was established in 1953 to offer resources to small businesses and helps administer small business and disaster recovery loans. It played a crucial role during the pandemic, helping distribute small business aid. Now the goal is to return to pre-pandemic staffing levels. Loan guarantee and disaster assistance programs won’t be affected. The staffing reductions will be a combination of voluntary resignations, the expiration of COVID-era and other term appointments, and some job cuts.

Detained Columbia University student activist Khalil appears in immigration case

JENA, La. (AP) — Detained Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil has appeared in immigration court at a remote Louisiana detention center. The 30-year-old Khalil sat quietly Friday through a brief court session that dealt only with scheduling. An immigration judge set a fuller hearing for April 8. Khalil briefly smiled at two supporters in the audience but otherwise showed no expression. The Columbia University graduate student is a legal U.S. resident with no criminal record. He was detained by federal immigration agents on March 8 as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on what he calls antisemitic and “anti-American” campus protests.

Hegseth beefs up warship presence in the Middle East

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. official says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is beefing up the Navy warship presence in the Middle East, ordering two aircraft carriers to be there next month as the U.S. increases strikes on Yemen-based Houthi rebels. It’s the second time in six months the U.S. has kept two carrier strike groups in that region, up from one. The Norfolk, Virginia-based USS Harry S. Truman will be in the Middle East for at least an additional month. The USS Carl Vinson was in the Pacific and had been slated to head home to San Diego in three weeks but will head toward the Middle East.