Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump have reached an agreement to delay the implementation of proposed tariffs for one month. Meanwhile, tariffs aimed at Canada and China are still expected to take effect as originally scheduled.
U.S. Agency for International Development staff have been directed to remain outside the agency’s Washington headquarters following billionaire Elon Musk’s announcement regarding Trump’s agreement to shut down USAID. Musk’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency is now charged with a wide-ranging investigation of federal operations.
In recent developments, Congressional Democrats were denied entry to the USAID building on Monday as federal law enforcement prevented them from accessing even the public lobby. This situation arose after Democrats condemned Musk and his DOGE associates for their unexpected influence and access to government systems, despite lacking official agency status. Congressman Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, asserted during a press conference, “Elon Musk may have seized power over the financial systems of the Treasury, but he does not control the American people’s money. Congress does that.”
Additionally, Trump has reiterated his belief that the U.S. could reclaim the Panama Canal by force, stating, “We either want it back, or we’re going to get something very strong. Or we’re going to take it back.” He indicated that discussions were ongoing between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Panama, adding that he was not satisfied with the current negotiations but looked forward to a forthcoming call with officials from Panama.
As the situation unfolds in the Middle East, Trump expressed skepticism regarding the durability of a ceasefire agreement during a press briefing. With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scheduled to visit the White House soon, the ceasefire and the issue surrounding hostages will likely dominate discussions, particularly as Netanyahu faces pressure from the far-right factions within his coalition to resume military operations against Hamas.
In further legislative efforts, Congressional Democrats continue to seek access to USAID in order to address concerns about changes made by Musk and DOGE, while police presence and yellow tape indicated heightened security around the building. The potential impact of Musk’s actions on U.S. diplomacy, especially with adversaries like China and Russia, has also been highlighted by Democrats, with Senator Chris Murphy stating, “China is cheering at this action today.” Senator Brian Schatz emphasized that USAID plays an essential role in maintaining global stability, which in turn affects U.S. security.
Secretary of State Rubio has begun addressing the significant layoffs at USAID, referring to the agency as uncooperative and unresponsive. He expressed that this lack of cooperation hampers essential evaluations of foreign aid programs. Meanwhile, Congressional Democrats are taking measures to restore humanitarian aid programs that have been frozen under what they describe as Trump’s illegal actions.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued warnings to over 1,100 recent employees about potential terminations. A communication from an EPA deputy assistant administrator indicated that new hires were on probationary status and could face immediate dismissal.
In related economic news, Trump has signed an executive order to establish a sovereign wealth fund intended to use U.S. national resource revenues for investments. Amid these changes, Canadian officials remain skeptical about avoiding the tariffs set to be imposed by Trump, as discussions continue between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
On a more bipartisan note, Trump acknowledged the importance of efficiency in government, citing Musk’s ability to identify waste within federal operations. Although Trump has granted Musk some leeway for oversight, he stressed that Musk would need presidential approval for any actions taken.
Furthermore, with a one-month delay in tariffs against Mexico, discussions are ongoing regarding the deployment of 10,000 National Guard members by Mexico at its northern border as part of efforts to combat drug trafficking. Both nations have committed to work collaboratively in addressing issues surrounding weapons trafficking into Mexico while working toward resolving broader trade disputes.
