President Donald Trump asserts that his authority to dissolve collective bargaining with labor unions across a majority of federal agencies stems from national security concerns. Alongside this significant move, JD Vance and his spouse are set to visit an American military base in Greenland. This visit has been rescaled following discontent from Greenlanders and Danes, who were agitated by the initial itinerary being devised without their consultation. Moreover, the Trump administration has instigated inquiries into the admissions practices at Stanford University and several University of California campuses, marking a new chapter in their scrutiny of educational institutions.
In yet another move, an executive order signed by Trump on Thursday night entrusts Vance with the mission of eliminating “improper ideology” at institutions like the Smithsonian’s many museums. This is a part of Trump’s broader campaign against foundational elements of American civil society — encompassing universities, science, media, and legal entities — which he believes contrary to Republican principles.
Here are the latest developments:
Citing national security as a vital concern, President Trump has directed an end to collective bargaining with federal labor unions at various agencies tasked with national security responsibilities. This decision—to cease negotiations with these unions—is based on presidential powers granted by a legislative act in 1978. The measure, which was signed discreetly and revealed late Thursday, impacts a substantial portion of federal governmental bodies. The departments affected include State, Defense, Veterans Affairs, Energy, Health and Human Services, Treasury, Justice, and Commerce, alongside the section of Homeland Security charged with border defense. However, the directive exempts police and firefighters from this change. Trump argues that the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 authorizes him to terminate union negotiations within these agencies due to their critical function in national security. In response, the American Federation of Government Employees, representing a significant body of federal and D.C. government personnel, declared its readiness to initiate immediate legal action to safeguard workers’ rights, their members, and all American workers.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has launched investigations into whether admissions policies at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Irvine reflect the recent Supreme Court decision to discontinue affirmative action in college admissions. The Department of Justice is conducting these inquiries to ascertain compliance with this landmark ruling. Stanford has indicated that it promptly adapted its admissions processes to align with the law post-ruling and is unaware of specificities that led to the current investigation. Since taking office, President Trump has actively aimed to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Additionally, President Trump has signed an executive order targeting Smithsonian Institution’s funding as part of his campaign against what he visualizes as “divisive narratives” and inappropriate ideologies. This measure aligns with his ongoing critique of cultural institutions that he deems misaligned with conservative views. He claims there is an extensive and deliberate endeavor to replace historical “objective facts” with ideologically driven narratives. The order tasks Vice President JD Vance with purging “improper ideology” from Smithsonian operations, including its museums, educational and research facilities, and the National Zoo, with a particular focus on the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Furthermore, the order vaguely suggests reviving certain Confederate statues and monuments, the removal of which has been paralleled with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement after George Floyd’s death in 2020, a movement strongly opposed by Trump and his conservative allies. The order also includes mandates for renovations to Independence Hall in Philadelphia, anticipated to conclude by July 4, 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing.