The Evening: Trump to detain migrants on military bases

Also, archaeologists found a pharaoh's tomb.

View in browser|nytimes.com February 21, 2025 By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Friday. Trump's deportation plans The discovery of a pharaoh's tomb Plus, the end of a Yankees tradition An Air Force plane with migrants being deported, at Fort Bliss near El Paso Texas, last month. Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters Trump plans to use military bases to detain migrants The Trump administration is developing a plan to detain thousands of undocumented immigrants at military sites across the country. The move, which is designed to make up for a shortfall of space at immigration facilities, appears to be a significant expansion of efforts by President Trump to use wartime resources to carry out the mass deportations he promised. Trump's aides decided to begin at Fort Bliss, near El Paso, Texas, where they are setting up a deportation hub that could eventually hold up to 10,000 migrants as they go through the process of being deported. It could serve as a model for sites the administration aims to develop at bases in Utah, near Niagara Falls and several other locations. It is not clear how many immigrants could be held at the facilities, but the plans to rely on bases in more than a dozen states would be a major expansion of capacity. Previous administrations have held some immigrants at military bases, most recently children who would then be released into the country to the care of relatives or friends. But the Trump administration plan would greatly expand that practice, and potentially redirect military resources to the president's immigration goals. In other politics news: The Associated Press filed a lawsuit against White House officials after its reporters were blocked from press events. The F.D.A. is believed to have cut about 700 of its 18,000 employees, including teams that review medical device safety. A federal judge extended an order blocking the Trump administration from reducing medical research funding. Asian countries are particularly vulnerable to Trump's tariffs. But they are also best placed to make deals to minimize their exposure. At the Conservative Political Action Conference, attendees speculated about Trump's heir, and Stephen Bannon made a raised-arm salute that provoked criticism. As secretary of state, Marco Rubio is trying to make a deal with a man he previously described as "bloodthirsty." The battle for Mitch McConnell's Senate seat is already underway. Rachel Powell was pardoned for her role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. She came home to a new reality. A photograph taken in Jerusalem today, showing a poster of Shiri Bibas. Mahmoud Illean/Associated Press A botched hostage return renewed fears of fighting After an identification process, Israel announced today that Hamas had returned an anonymous, unidentified body and not that of Shiri Bibas, an Israeli hostage, as the group had claimed. Hours later, Hamas officials said they handed over another body that they believed belonged to Bibas — whose kidnapping, along with her young children, had come to epitomize the brutality of the Oct. 7 attack. Israel, which said it was reviewing reports of the second repatriation, had initially accused Hamas of breaching the cease-fire deal. The revelation had prompted alarm over the future of the brittle truce, and the fate of the remaining hostages — who have now been held in Gaza for more than 500 days. Another exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners is planned for tomorrow. In related news, Trump appeared to back away from his Gaza plan. Friedrich Merz, center, is the favorite to become Germany's next chancellor. Michael Kappeler/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Germany appears set to choose a new leader Germans will head to the polls this weekend to choose their next chancellor. The leading candidate, Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democrats, is considered a potentially better counter to Trump than the current Social Democratic chancellor, Olaf Scholz. Polling second is the far-right party Alternative for Germany, or AfD, which has been linked to neo-Nazis and plots to overthrow the state. The top issue for voters, according to our Berlin bureau chief, Jim Tankersley, is the economy — which is no longer the envy of Europe. "Germany is in a crisis of stagnant growth and declining competitiveness," Jim said. "Its famed industries, like auto manufacturing, are slumping. Voters are frustrated and appear likely to evict Scholz over it." A photo released by Egyptian officials that shows the entrance to the tomb of King Thutmose II. via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Archaeologists found a pharaoh's tomb Egypt's ministry of antiquities announced this week that researchers had discovered what they described as the "the last missing royal tomb of the 18th Dynasty." It belonged to Thutmose II, who is believed to have reigned around 1480 B.C. The Egyptian officials described the finding as the first excavation of a pharaoh's tomb since Tutankhamen's burial chamber was unearthed in 1922. Others have been reported, but not in the so-called Valley of the Kings, archaeologists said. More top news Los Angeles: The mayor removed the city's fire chief and blamed her for sending firefighters home before the Palisades fire last month. New York: A judge appointed a lawyer to argue against the government's request to drop corruption charges against Eric Adams. Court: A jury found a New Jersey man guilty of attempted murder in the stabbing of the author Salman Rushdie. The Vatican: Doctors said that the Pope, who has been hospitalized with pneumonia, was in a "good mood" but was "not out of danger." Crypto: The cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase said the S.E.C. had agreed to drop its lawsuit, a big win for the industry. Ukraine: As Russia begins peace talks with the U.S., its troops are three miles from Dnipropetrovsk, a province they have never invaded. Luigi Mangione: Supporters have sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to the man accused of killing an insurance chief executive. Economy: The price of gold has been setting records. Here's why. Mississippi: In a series of interviews from prison, a former sheriff's deputy described how his "goon squad" used illegal searches and brutal beatings to obtain drug convictions. South Carolina: An inmate on death row has chosen death by firing squad. He would be the first person to be killed in that manner in the U.S. since 2010. TIME TO UNWIND At 11, Nick Jonas, right, landed his third Broadway role in "Les Misérables." Now, he's a pop star. Joan Marcus They debuted on Broadway as children. Now they're back. This year, more than half a dozen new New York City shows will prominently feature performers who made their Broadway debuts as children. Some were in hits, others in flops; a few pursued music or film and are just now returning to the stage. They include Nick Jonas, the pop star, and Sadie Sink, the "Stranger Things" actress. We talked to each of them about their early experiences. Rob Nagle and Stephen Amell in "Suits LA." Jordin Althaus/NBC "Suits" became too big to stay in one city After the final episode of the legal procedural "Suits" premiered on USA Network in 2019, there were no plans for a spinoff. Then, in 2023, the show moved to Netflix and set streaming records. In an effort to recapture some of that success, the show's creator, Aaron Korsh, agreed to transform a script he was already writing about a talent agent into "Suits LA," which begins this weekend on NBC. My colleague Alexis Soloski went to the set to see what was different. Gwendolyn Brooks with her first collection, "A Street in Bronzeville," published in 1945. Associated Press Dinner table topics A proper sonnet: Our critic A.O. Scott marvels at the power and paradox of a poem by Gwendolyn Brooks. Downsizing upstate: A couple found and renovated a tiny home that had once been a one-room schoolhouse. Memory palace: The champion who memorized 80 numbers in 13.5 seconds gave us some tips. Lessons learned: Here's what E.R. doctors wish you would avoid. WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND Kelly Marshall for The New York Times Cook: These deeply spiced beef meatballs are a favorite Haitian dish. Watch: Here are five free movies worth streaming right now. Read: "Summer of Fire and Blood" is one of the best new books to check out. Pack: Experts offered advice for solo female travelers. Photograph: It's hard to take a picture of a mirror. We have some tips. Compete: Take this week's news quiz. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here. ONE LAST THING Devin Williams, who was recently traded to the Yankees, caused a minor stir when facial hair was visible in his new team photo. Michael Reaves; Elsa, both via Getty A famous Bronx tradition comes to an end I won't ever forget when, in 2005, the Yankees signed the outfielder Johnny Damon and he sheared off his signature beard. It was a shock to the eyes, though not actually a surprise. Starting in the 1970s, the team's owner George Steinbrenner had required every Yankee to sport short hair and a clean shave. The policy has occasionally rankled players, but greats like Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams complied. This year, that tradition is coming to an end. Steinbrenner's son Hal — who now runs the team — announced this morning that Yankees players can now grow "well-groomed beards." Have a dapper weekend. Thanks for reading. I'll be back on Monday. — Matthew Natasha Frost contributed to today's newsletter. Emree Weaver was our photo editor. We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com. Writer: Matthew Cullen Editors: Carole Landry, Whet Moser, Justin Porter, Jonathan Wolfe Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Evening from The New York Times. To stop receiving The Evening, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. 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