It's Time for DHS Musical Chairs

Politics

It's Time for DHS Musical Chairs

What's going on: Looks like President Donald Trump really did miss that special feeling of saying, “You’re fired.” Yesterday, he ousted Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. As someone who once killed her own dog, Noem might appreciate that karma can be a bitch — a lesson she now appears to be learning the hard way after a tumultuous tenure marked by mass deportations, protests, Rolex-clad photo ops, and impeachment calls. In office, her hard-line immigration tactics showed no mercy, not even for American citizens. She initially suggested that the two people killed by federal immigration officers were domestic terrorists. But the fallout from a $200 million ad campaign and Tuesday’s combative Senate committee hearing helped seal her fate. Still, the president’s not exactly sending Noem to the gravel pit — she’ll serve as special envoy for “The Shield of the Americas.” (If it sounds like a totally made-up role, that’s because it is.) Now, on to her replacement: Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).

What it means for Trump’s immigration agenda: If these men could cycle sync, Mullin would be PMSing in tandem with Trump. He’s a MAGA demagogue who’s expected to execute an immigration agenda to the president’s liking. Though Mullin is yet to be confirmed, Trump hailed him as someone who’ll “work tirelessly to keep our border secure.” However, a strategy change could still be on the horizon. According to Axios, some White House advisors have quietly suggested recalibrating DHS’s plans — as it turns out, detaining children as people die in immigration centers is not good for presidential polling during midterms. In fact, a recent YouGov survey found a record half of Americans now want to abolish ICE. Amid the shake-up, there are still a lot of unknowns, but many analysts are at least predicting fewer costumes and memes under the new leadership. 

Related: Everything We Know About Sen. Markwayne Mullin (Axios)

The News in 5

🗞️ As the Iranian regime contemplates a new leader, President Donald Trump made it clear that he must have a say.

🗞️ Americans had thoughts (approximately 32,000 of them) on the new White House ballroom. And their comments sound more like a strip club’s Yelp page. 

🗞️ People reports that Britney Spears is “embarrassed” by her suspected DUI arrest — especially for one personal reason. 

🗞️ It’s not just measles and polio — another concerning disease could be making a comeback.

🗞️ Is Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about to go after Starbucks and Dunkin’? We’re still waiting for Ben Affleck to weigh in.

Sports

The World Cup's Pregame Drama

What’s going on: With less than 100 days until the FIFA World Cup, officials should be kicking plans into high gear. Instead, they’re navigating a field of problems. For starters, the US’s Operation Epic Fury has thrown Iran’s participation into doubt, and it could be the first country to withdraw in decades. Not helping foster feelings of global unity: President Donald Trump’s tariffs on participating countries and a travel ban on 39 nations. To boot, FIFA is keeping a close eye on things south of the border. Cartel violence following the killing of Mexico’s most-wanted drug lord has raised questions about the country’s ability to host games safely. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said there are no risks for fans. Canada probably wishes it hadn’t signed up for this group project. 

What it means: FIFA (and the rest of the world) is playing a game of wait and see. Geopolitics has always loomed large over major international sporting events (one example: the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics), but concerns over the US and Mexico’s ability to host are only growing. The (un)surprising part? Most of the men running the show don’t seem to have a contingency plan in place or much time to make one either. Right now, Mexico’s still set to host the World Cup’s first match on June 11, and Iran is scheduled to play on June 15 in Los Angeles (home to the largest Iranian community in the US). As if FIFA wasn’t already on defense, it’s also facing criticism over high ticket prices in this economy. Sounds like everyone could use a time-out.

Related: Why Haven’t American Host Cities Received Critical Federal Funding Yet? (ESPN)

Fitness

The Real Flex

What’s going on: You crush a workout class — then throw out your back picking up a sock. Sound familiar? Experts say that could be a mobility problem — and it’s something many of us ignore until it starts sabotaging everyday moves. One Harvard sports surgeon told The Associated Press mobility is increasingly seen as a core pillar of health, linked to lower risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and depression. This goes beyond flexibility, or how far a muscle can stretch. Mobility is about how well your joints — shoulders, hips, and knees — move together. When that system breaks down, tying your shoes, reaching a high shelf, or getting out of the car can be tough, at least, without sounding like a glow stick being activated. Speaking from experience.

What you can do about it: The good news is you don’t need to sign up for another class. Start with a quick gut check — stand up from a chair without your hands, then balance on one foot. That’s your baseline. From there, sneak mobility into your day. Shoulder rolls between Slack pings. A hip opener after that call that definitely, absolutely should have been an email. Throw in ankle rolls while your coffee brews or spine twists between tasks. If you’re feeling ambitious, drop into a deep squat like nobody’s watching. About 10 minutes of mobility work a day — yoga and tai chi count — can make a difference alongside whatever training you’re already doing (or follow this week-by-week plan). One expert’s timeline: “Give it four weeks. You will see results over time.” We’ve all committed to longer for worse reasons.

Related: The Detox Your Body Actually Needs (Self)

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ Catch the opening ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the Paralympic Games, with coverage starting at 1:30 pm ET. More than 650 athletes are competing — including in the newest medal event.

🗓️ Harry Styles’s new album — his first in four years — Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, comes out today. What’s the title trying to tell us?

🗓️ It’s the 17th annual Global Day of Unplugging — so consider this your sign to stop sending your friend’s memes, and go hang out.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Know It All

Which iconic TV show home just got landmark status?

Extra Credit

Watch

Grab your tartan and cancel your plans because Outlander is back for one last ride. The final season premieres today on STARZ, and the war has followed Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitríona Balfe) straight to Fraser’s Ridge. With family secrets surfacing and everything they love on the line, the Frasers must decide what (and who) they’re willing to sacrifice. It’s the final chapter, and the stakes have never been higher. Slàinte to that.*

Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Mallory Simon, Molly Longman, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Jordan Mamone.