The Pour Over Today - Talks with Hamas, Immigration Squabbles, Tariff Pauses, & More | 3.7.25

Episode Date: March 7, 2025

Today we’re talking about the White House’s direct talks with Hamas, the decrease in recent border crossings, the pause on tariffs for Mexico and Canada, and other top news for Friday, March 7th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Please support our TPO sponsors! Parenting with Ginger Hubbard: https://links.thepourover.org/ParentingwithGingerHubbard The Bulletin: MoreCT.com/BulletinPodcast Upside: https://links.thepourover.org/Upside Cru: give.cru.org/pour LMNT: https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT_Podcast HelloFresh: hellofresh.com/hellofreshpodcast One Year Bible: https://links.thepourover.org/OneYearBible_Pod World Relief: https://links.thepourover.org/WorldRelief_Pod The Chronological Life Application Study Bible: https://links.thepourover.org/LASB_0215 Student Life Application Study Bible: https://links.thepourover.org/SLASB_Pod

Today's episode is brought to you by our lead sponsor, CREW. Christ with the poor today. Here's the quote of the day. There's more political power in the gospel and in being the church than there is in electing a president, installing a Supreme Court justice, or even changing a constitution. Jonathan Lehman. Let's get started with some espresso shots. The Trump administration is breaking with longstanding American policy of not negotiating with terrorists.

The White House confirmed Wednesday that it's talking with Hamas directly to secure the remaining 59 hostages from Gaza, five of whom are American citizens. President Trump issued a public last warning to Hamas saying, it's over for you if all living and dead hostages aren't released immediately, adding that he's sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job. Hamas said his threats encourage Israel to violate the current ceasefire deal. In other news, the ISIS-K member accused of plotting the 2021 Kabul airport bombing during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was extradited

to the U.S. Tuesday night. FBI Director Patel said the man responsible for killing 13 American service members and about 170 Afghan citizens will face American justice. As earthly powers work out their visions for justice on an international scale, believers remember the radical call of Jesus to show uncommon kindness and mercy to the enemies in our personal lives, whether global terrorists, politicians with whom we disagree, or a co-worker making life difficult. 1 John 4, 8-11 says, He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we must also love one another. Immigration stats are causing a stir in Washington.

Border Patrol reported 8,300 apprehensions in February, the lowest monthly total since 2000, and over 100,000 fewer than this time last year. While border crossings are down sharply, deportations are holding steady. To push forward President Trump's plan to conduct the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, House Republicans focused in on four sanctuary cities – New York, Chicago, Boston, and Denver – in a tense six-hour committee hearing with the city's mayors Wednesday. Republicans argued sanctuary policies, which dissuade or prohibit local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration officers, allow cities to shelter dangerous criminals.

The mayors defended the constitutionality of their sanctuary status, arguing their cities comply with federal law, and that local law enforcement assisting ICE would lead to fear in the community and making their jobs harder. Here's a verse to consider when a hot button issue is causing a stir in your own neighborhood. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

James 3, 17 and 18. Ever-changing economic headlines are keeping consumers on their toes. Yesterday, President Trump announced he's paused some of Monday's tariffs on Mexico and Canada until April 2nd, exempting goods already covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement – USMCA, a deal negotiated during Trump's first term. A day earlier, he issued a one-month exemption for the auto industry. Wall Street appears tired of the whiplash. Despite a reduction in tariffs, which investors typically like, the S&P 500 fell 1.8% yesterday

and the Dow dropped 1%. In the jobs realm, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced plans to cut over 80,000 workers, the IRS is prepping to halve its 90,000-person workforce, and the CDC unfired 180 employees. Meanwhile, private sector hiring slowed to just 77,000 in February. It's the weakest growth since July, compounding concerns of economic slowdown.

Too often we let eternally insignificant things like the ups and downs of the market control us. Seeking to steward money well is a good thing, but keep your focus on the giver rather than the gifts. 2 Corinthians 8, 9 says, for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

With over 1,000 translations and every type of decorative edition, it's easy to forget how many people can't even get their hands on a single copy of the Bible in their native language. That's why we've partnered with CREW. CREW has missionaries in almost every country, but they need more Bibles. One missionary said, I've never seen such a thirst for the Word of God in my country. Let's quench that thirst. For just $24 a month, you can provide three people with Bibles every month. As a bonus, CREW will provide meals to 12 hungry individuals through their humanitarian

ministry and send you a free TPO coffee mug. Simply text POUR to 71326, or visit give.crew.org slash POUR. Again, that's texting P-O-U-R to 71326, or give.cru.org slash P-O-U-R. Message and data rates may apply, available to US addresses only. In other brews, here's a wrap-around of updates. Mickey's making cuts.

Disney is laying off nearly 6% of staff across its entertainment networks and ABC news units, directly affecting around 200 employees as it aims to boost efficiencies. Along with the job cuts, Disney plans to dissolve its FiveThirtyEight brand, a popular political polling resource, and bring shows like 2020 and Nightline under a consolidated leadership team. polling resource, and bring shows like 2020 and Nightline under a consolidated leadership team. Representative Sylvester Turner died suddenly on Wednesday, two months into his first term.

The 70-year-old former mayor of Houston briefly visited the hospital Tuesday night after attending President Trump's congressional address, and he died at home Wednesday morning. His family cited enduring health complications. Turner underwent cancer treatment in 2022. A divided SCOTUS ruled against the 47th POTUS. President Trump had ordered a 90-day pause on foreign aid, but a lower court ruled Uncle Sam must pay government contractors within 36 hours for nearly $2 billion of work already performed. The admin appealed and the Supreme Court upheld the ruling 5-4 and requested a more practical payout timeline. LeBron James made history

again. The Lakers 40-year-old superstar became the first NBA player to hit 50,000 combined regular and postseason points Tuesday night. He reached the milestone on a three-pointer, his first shot against the New Orleans Pelicans. During an ensuing timeout, the announcer told the crowds, Ladies and gentlemen, we have all just witnessed history. U.S. companies are dropping anchor at the Panama Canal. We have all just witnessed history. US companies are dropping anchor at the Panama Canal. The US firm BlackRock led a deal to buy most of Hong Kong conglomerate's $22.8 billion global ports business, including key canal assets.

The purchase shifts control away from Chinese ownership, but risks rocking the boat with Panama, where tensions over the canal were already high. And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcasts app, give us a 5 star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. We appreciate your support and hope you have a great weekend.

We'll see you on Monday. Ever read the Bible and thought, wait, what's the timeline here? The Chronological Life Application Study Bible puts everything in order, literally. With fresh insights from Jewish scholars, alongside maps, notes, and visuals, this Bible connects your faith to its roots and brings Scripture to life in a whole new way. See God's Word like never before. Grab your copy of the Chronological Life Application Study Bible now. Learn more at the link in the show notes.