President Donald Trump has stated that Palestinians in Gaza would not possess the right to return under his proposed framework for U.S. “ownership” of the area, conflicting with other administration officials who suggested his intentions were geared more towards a temporary relocation of the population. Trump is set to make additional announcements soon, including the implementation of a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, affecting trading partners such as Canada and Mexico.
In other news, the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has eliminated approximately $900 million in contracts from the Education Department, labeling them as misuses of taxpayer funds. These cuts, which encompass 90 contracts from the Institute of Education Sciences, include a notable $1.5 million contract awarded to assess clerical operations at a Census facility in Indiana. The Education Department noted that essential functions at the Institute would continue unaffected, particularly the College Scorecard initiative aimed at providing insights on higher education costs and outcomes.
Meanwhile, Peter Marocco, a Trump-appointed deputy administrator at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has defended actions leading to a near shutdown of the agency due to staff “noncompliance” and “insubordination.” Marocco alleges that employees resisted the new administration’s freeze on foreign aid funding, leading to drastic staffing reductions. Employee groups are fighting for a court ruling to revert USAID to its previous operational capacity.
In legal proceedings, a senior official at the U.S. Department of Justice has instructed federal prosecutors to dismiss charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, who maintains a favorable relationship with Trump. In a memo, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove noted that the pending charges had hampered Adams’ focus on pressing issues such as immigration and crime, and insisted that this dismissal should not undermine prosecutors involved.
This week, Trump’s senior advisers are expected to engage Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the Munich Security Conference, emphasizing strategies to conclude Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Key officials attending include Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, among others.
In recent executive actions, Trump has signed a controversial order banning paper straws, reversing the Biden administration’s initiative to reduce single-use plastics in favor of plastic alternatives. He also introduced a decree that weakens enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which was intended to prevent bribery by American entities abroad.
Regarding contentious topics, Trump stated that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas should be terminated if Hamas fails to release hostages by the stipulated deadline. He warned reporters of potential chaos should the situation remain unresolved. In another economic move, Trump is tightening tariffs on steel and aluminum, aiming to bolster the domestic economy by imposing higher taxes on foreign imports.
Trump further expressed his vision of transforming Gaza into a desirable location while emphasizing that U.S. ownership of the territory would not allow for the Palestinian right of return, aiming to relocate residents to safer areas away from conflict zones.
Additionally, Trump has appointed Richard Grenell to oversee operations at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after removing members from its board. This is part of a broader response to perceived leftist influences within various governmental and cultural institutions.
Amidst these sweeping changes, the USAID’s capacity to manage humanitarian aid has diminished significantly, according to the agency’s inspector general. Oversight of over $8 billion in aid has become virtually nonfunctional following the administration’s rapid restructuring.
As Trump continues to reshape U.S. governance with executive orders, notably against the backdrop of mounting tariffs and foreign relations tensions, his administration is also faced with criticism regarding its handling of accountability mechanisms and ethics across various government departments.
