Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is anticipated to initiate significant policy changes on his first day at the Pentagon, including an executive order aimed at eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the military, reinstating service members who were dismissed due to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and establishing an “Iron Dome for America.”
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance is preparing for a trip to Damascus, Virginia, to observe the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.
In other updates, former President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to expel repeat offenders of violent crime from the U.S., stating that these individuals, just like undocumented immigrants, should not be in the country. He conveyed to House Republicans that he intends to push for measures to facilitate their relocation to foreign nations, which he believes would be less costly than maintaining them in U.S. prisons.
The Alaska House has voted 28-10 to urge the reversal of Trump’s recent executive order that restored the name of North America’s tallest peak to Mount McKinley, advocating instead for the name Denali, which embodies cultural and historical significance for Alaska Natives.
In the realm of technology, Trump referred to China’s advancements in artificial intelligence, specifically the progress made by DeepSeek, as “positive,” suggesting it could result in reduced spending while achieving similar outcomes for the U.S.
The Department of Health and Human Services has announced an investigation targeting the potential misuse of taxpayer funds for elective abortions as discussions heat up surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Health Secretary.
Trump has underscored the urgency for Congress to prioritize border security funding and the extension of his previous tax cuts set to expire next year. He insists that retaining these cuts is crucial to avoid a significant tax increase, while also calling for robust funding to bolster border security personnel and infrastructure.
Billionaire investor Scott Bessent has been confirmed as the new treasury secretary, a milestone as he becomes the first openly gay individual to take on the role. His responsibilities will include steering fiscal policy and managing public debt, a task made more complex given his history as a supporter of Democratic ideas while now aligning with Trump’s agenda.
During an address to House Republicans, Trump recounted his first days back in office, detailing various executive actions, including stricter immigration policies and his rejection of climate change initiatives.
Amid concerns over communication following a freeze on the National Institutes of Health’s information dissemination, the NIH reassured that ongoing treatment studies are still progressing, even as new studies are currently on hold.
The Trump administration has witnessed a shakeup within its Justice Department, with numerous attorneys involved in investigations surrounding Trump being terminated, marking a significant policy shift aimed at reasserting control.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski has openly challenged Trump’s approach regarding Greenland, advocating for viewing the region as an ally rather than a transaction during her bipartisan remarks alongside a Danish parliament member.
On the public health front, U.S. officials have been instructed to cease collaboration with the World Health Organization, a sweeping directive affecting the CDC and its staff.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looking to be the first foreign leader to meet with Trump post-inauguration, with plans potentially underway for a visit to Washington soon.
In discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump promoted greater procurement of U.S. military and security products by India, highlighting the strengthening of defense ties.
Vice President Vance’s visit to Virginia aimed to assess the recovery from Hurricane Helene, showcasing the community’s resilience as local leaders praised ongoing efforts in rebuilding.
Across the U.S., a wave of vaccination legislation is emerging in response to shifting political landscapes, influenced by Trump’s return and the nomination of an anti-vaccine advocate for health secretary, sparking debate over mandatory immunizations.
A resolution condemning Trump’s pardons for January 6 rioters has seen widespread support among Senate Democrats, with all but one senator signing on to express dissent over the president’s actions.
As Defense Secretary Hegseth commenced his role at the Pentagon, he communicated plans for executive orders aimed at significant military policy reversals, including the handling of transgender service members and the reinstatement of individuals removed during the pandemic.
The Air Force decision to restore training materials featuring the Tuskegee Airmen highlights an ongoing tension regarding the implementation of Trump’s executive orders affecting diversity and inclusion training within the military.
In a controversial legal move, a transgender inmate is challenging a federal directive that aims to reassign her to a men’s prison, marking a significant test of Trump’s administration’s policies regarding gender identity.
Through a series of executive orders, Trump has begun asserting his agenda by unrolling climate-related regulations and instituting a new directive to address geographic naming conventions, signaling a return to a more traditional understanding of American history through the renaming of landmarks like Mount McKinley.
Concerns about intelligence coordination are looming as Trump prepares to engage with international allies while facing criticism over his handling of classified information during his presidency.
Finally, the potential nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services is raising eyebrows, as his past statements on vaccines and health policies represent a stark contrast to mainstream Republican views, raising questions about his capacity to navigate the responsibilities of managing a critical federal agency.
Through this tumultuous period, several key moments have highlighted Trump’s first weekend in office and set the stage for anticipated policies and confrontations on numerous fronts, both domestically and internationally, shaping the landscape as his administration takes shape.
