Good Morning, and Happy Saturday! Welcome to The Flag's Five, your nonpartisan breakdown of the week’s five most pressing headlines. Dive into what happened, why it matters, and how perspectives from the left and right shape the conversation.

Want more? Upgrade today to unlock The Flag's Sunday Edition, where we uncover fascinating American historical stories—and enjoy an ad-free reading experience while you're at it. History, clarity, and no interruptions await!

1. Trump Proposes Deporting Americans to El Salvador

• Here's what happened: On Monday, President Donald Trump told El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele that U.S.‑born “home‑grown” criminals could be deported to El Salvador for incarceration, urging Bukele to expand the CECOT facility to hold them. His remarks, delivered in the Oval Office, were met with laughter from White House aides. This proposal follows the recent use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport roughly 250 individuals in the past month. (Brian Mann, NPR)

• Here's why it matters: The suggestion challenges long‑standing protections for U.S. citizens, raising legal and constitutional questions about due process and the reach of executive power. Homeland Security officials have struggled to clarify whether the administration even has the authority to send American citizens to foreign prisons. As debates over immigration and criminal justice reform intensify, this idea could set a controversial precedent. (Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill)

• Here's what right-leaning sources are saying: Fox News framed Trump’s proposal as a practical response to overcrowded U.S. prisons and mounting incarceration costs, quoting him saying, “I would love to do that.” Coverage on the right emphasizes potential cost savings and deterrence benefits, arguing that relocating violent offenders abroad could relieve strain on domestic facilities. (David Rutz, Fox News)

• Here's what left-leaning sources are saying: Left‑leaning commentators warn that the plan represents an alarming overreach that could strip U.S. citizens of constitutional protections, likening it to a “Salvadoran gulag.” Critics see it as a direct threat to civil liberties and due process. (Max Burns, The Hill)

Sponsored by Napreva

Non-addictive pain relief without the side effects.

According to the CDC, half of the 51 million Americans living with chronic pain are under 45. Both young and old struggle with issues like disability claims, unemployment, depression, and opioid addiction—common challenges for those living with pain that controls their lives.

Nápreva offers a safe alternative to opioids, steroids, and over-the-counter painkillers, which all carry harmful side effects from long-term use. Formulated with plant terpenes, including beta-caryophyllene from cloves, clinical studies show that Nápreva may be more effective than even the strongest opioids, steroids, and other potent drugs commonly prescribed for chronic pain—without the negative side effects.

The terpenes in Nápreva are also recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, meaning they’re safe to use in food, beverages, and everyday products, with little risk of interactions with other medications.

Nápreva users report rapid relief, better sleep, and even less stress and anxiety.

Discover the healing power of plants. Try Nápreva risk-free with their money-back guarantee.

2. UK Supreme Court Defines ‘Woman’ Biologically

• Here's what happened: On April 17, the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled that, under the 2010 Equality Act, the legal definitions of “woman” and “sex” refer solely to biological characteristics at birth. The decision responded to a challenge by For Women Scotland against a Scottish law recognizing post‑transition males as women. The court nonetheless upheld discrimination protections for transgender individuals. (Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera)

• Here's why it matters: By anchoring “woman” in biological sex, the ruling narrows anti‑discrimination protections and intensifies global debates over gender‑identity rights. It may influence legislation and court decisions elsewhere, and sectors like sports and single‑sex spaces now face renewed eligibility disputes. (Alison Holt, BBC)

• Here's what right-leaning sources are saying: National Review praised the ruling as a defense of women’s rights and legal clarity, arguing that categorizing by birth sex protects single‑sex spaces and prevents “gender‑identity law” from overriding biological reality. (James Lynch, National Review)

• Here's what left-leaning sources are saying: The Guardian warns that defining “woman” strictly by biology undermines transgender rights and can exacerbate stigma, framing the ruling as a setback for inclusion and calling for legislative remedies. (Severin Carrell, The Guardian)

3. Blue Origin’s All‑Female Crew Reaches Space

• Here's what happened: On Monday, six women—pop star Katy Perry, TV host Gayle King, journalist Lauren Sanchez, engineer Aisha Bowe, activist Amanda Nguyen, and producer Kerianne Flynn—launched aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket for an 11‑minute suborbital flight. Chartered by Jeff Bezos’ space company, the mission highlighted female representation in a traditionally male field, though critics called it an extravagance for the wealthy. (Kevin Shalvey and Mary Kekatos, ABC News)

• Here's why it matters: The flight spotlights both progress and inequality in commercial space tourism: it showcases women in STEM yet underscores that access remains limited to those who can afford high ticket prices. By framing a celebrity‑studded joyride as historic, the mission raises questions about its impact on broader opportunities for women in science and engineering. (Melanie McFarland, Salon)

• Here's what right-leaning sources are saying: Christopher Tremoglie argues that branding the flight as a feminist breakthrough is misguided, calling it “one giant leap backward for feminists” and warning against turning advocacy into a publicity stunt. (Christopher Tremoglie, Washington Examiner)

• Here's what left-leaning sources are saying: Marcie Bianco warns that celebrating a luxury spaceflight as a women’s rights victory is “outright delusional,” since it chiefly benefits the ultra‑wealthy and can distract from efforts to achieve genuine gender equity. (Marcie Bianco, MSNBC)

4. Van Hollen Meets Mistakenly Deported Man

• Here's what happened: On Thursday, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D‑MD) traveled to San Salvador to meet Kilmar Ábrego García, the Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador’s CECOT prison under the Alien Enemies Act. After being initially denied entry, Van Hollen secured a private meeting in a hotel. White House officials have accused García of MS‑13 membership—a claim his lawyers deny. (Christal Hayes, BBC News)

• Here's why it matters: The senator’s intervention highlights potential miscarriages of justice in immigration enforcement and raises questions about due process for U.S. citizens. Van Hollen’s visit pressures the administration to clarify its authority under the Alien Enemies Act and may set a precedent for congressional oversight of similar cases. (Nnamdi Egwuonwu, NBC News)

• Here's what right-leaning sources are saying: The New York Post’s editorial board called Van Hollen’s meeting a political stunt, accusing him of cozying up to an alleged gang member and disrespecting crime victims’ families. (Post Editorial Board, New York Post)

• Here's what left-leaning sources are saying: Axios reports Van Hollen described García’s detention as deeply traumatic and labeled the deportation a grave administrative error, framing the intervention as a check on executive overreach. (April Rubin, Axios)

Sponsored by Napreva

Non-addictive pain relief without the side effects.

According to the CDC, half of the 51 million Americans living with chronic pain are under 45. Both young and old struggle with issues like disability claims, unemployment, depression, and opioid addiction—common challenges for those living with pain that controls their lives.

Nápreva offers a safe alternative to opioids, steroids, and over-the-counter painkillers, which all carry harmful side effects from long-term use. Formulated with plant terpenes, including beta-caryophyllene from cloves, clinical studies show that Nápreva may be more effective than even the strongest opioids, steroids, and other potent drugs commonly prescribed for chronic pain—without the negative side effects.

The terpenes in Nápreva are also recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, meaning they’re safe to use in food, beverages, and everyday products, with little risk of interactions with other medications.

Nápreva users report rapid relief, better sleep, and even less stress and anxiety.

Discover the healing power of plants. Try Nápreva risk-free with their money-back guarantee.

5. Rubio: US to ‘Move On’ From Peace Talks

• Here's what happened: On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the U.S. would “move on” from brokering peace between Ukraine and Russia if no progress occurs “within a matter of days,” following talks with Ukrainian and European officials in Washington. He did not specify whether he meant a 30‑day ceasefire or full negotiations. (Angela Charlton and Hanna Arhirova, AP News)

• Here's why it matters: Rubio’s ultimatum underscores that U.S. mediation is conditional on results, potentially forcing Kyiv and Moscow to accelerate negotiations or risk losing American support. It also highlights how domestic political pressures shape foreign‑policy timelines, affecting European allies and broader strategies against Russian aggression. (Astha Rajvanshi and Rebecca Shabad, NBC News)

• Here's what right-leaning sources are saying: National Review applauds Rubio’s hardline stance, arguing that making “move on” a credible threat strengthens U.S. leverage and compels both sides to negotiate seriously. (Caroline Downey, National Review)

• Here's what left-leaning sources are saying: CNN cautions that abandoning peace efforts on short notice risks undermining U.S. credibility, potentially isolating Ukraine and emboldening Russian hardliners. (Alex Stambaugh et al., CNN)

Sunday Sneak Peak

🐰 Bunnies, bands, and a rolling spree, a hidden tale of White House glee. Don't miss the full scoop—subscribe to The Flag now.​