National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is reportedly set to leave the Trump administration, according to two sources familiar with the situation, signifying the first major personnel change in President Trump’s second term. Waltz faced intense criticism in March for including journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a private communication chain on the encrypted app Signal, which was used to coordinate a sensitive military operation against Houthi militants in Yemen on March 15. Additionally, conservative figure Laura Loomer reportedly advised President Trump to remove aides like Waltz, whom she deemed insufficiently supportive of the “Make America Great Again” agenda. Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, is also anticipated to resign, as informed by anonymous sources discussing unpublicized personnel changes. The National Security Council has not commented on the matter.
In related news, a Pentagon report indicates a near 4% reduction in reports of sexual assaults within the U.S. military for 2024, dropping from 8,515 cases in 2023 to 8,195 last year. This marks the second consecutive year of declines, reversing a long-standing concerning trend in the Defense Department. While officials view the reduction as a positive development, they stress the importance of enhancing efforts to encourage victims to report these often concealed crimes.
In a legal development, U.S. District Court Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. blocked deportations of Venezuelans from South Texas under the Alien Enemies Act, deeming the Trump administration’s use of the 18th-century law, typically applied during wartime, as exceeding its scope. This decision arose after Trump proclaimed that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua was infiltrating the U.S., asserting special deportation powers for alleged gang members without normal legal procedures. This marks the first formal injunction against the AEA’s application by the administration.
The Food and Drug Administration is reversing recent layoffs, rehiring over 20 dismissed employees who were responsible for travel bookings for safety inspectors and handling other key functions in the agency. The rehired staff are among the roughly 60 travel employees initially let go, mirroring a previous instance where the FDA rehired several staff members shortly after a significant layoff, illustrating erratic administration personnel decisions.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum engaged in a brief discussion with President Trump about ongoing trade talks, noting the relaxation of certain automotive tariffs yet advocating for a more favorable agreement involving steel and aluminum. She emphasized Mexico’s initiative to address trade deficits with the U.S., highlighting continued cabinet-level negotiations as a positive step forward.
President Trump’s policies were a focal point for International Workers’ Day protests globally, with critics decrying his trade policies and immigration stance. Demonstrations in France, Italy, and other locations underscored the rising backlash against Trump’s agenda, with protestors uniting against issues like labor rights erosion and economic instability fueled by aggressive tariffs.
This week also saw President Trump planning a visit to the University of Alabama to deliver an address to graduating students amid ongoing celebrations of his first 100 days in office. Despite his popularity in the state, protests are still expected during the event in Tuscaloosa.
The State Department announced plans for a permanent memorial honoring fallen staff from the dismantled U.S. Agency for International Development. The Trump administration criticized the agency for its developmental and humanitarian work as inefficient and not aligned with its goals. The memorial, temporarily relocated, honors 99 personnel killed while serving globally.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris critically addressed President Trump’s policies during a public speech, condemning his trade tariffs and immigration policies, while calling for apologies from her successor’s administration for those perceived failings.
Ahead of proposed nuclear discussions with Iran, talks were postponed due to logistical issues, according to an announcement from Oman’s Foreign Minister. Originally scheduled to take place in Rome, new dates for the meeting are pending mutual agreement.
The Trump administration justified potential price increases from tariffs on China, emphasizing American-made goods’ higher quality standards. This stance comes amid efforts to negotiate with China, aiming to address trade tensions that have sparked a broader trade conflict.
Congressional Republican leaders met with President Trump to navigate challenges with his tax and spending proposals, amid party discord over potential Medicaid modifications and the fiscal impact of major policy initiatives.
In healthcare policy, the Trump administration released a report advocating behavioral therapy over gender-affirming medical treatments for transgender youth, part of a larger shift in the federal stance on transgender healthcare.
A new minerals agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine aims to secure American access to essential resources critical for defense, with favorable terms for Ukraine, which agreed to the deal without sacrificing existing state revenue streams.
The Justice Department faced setbacks in court, with judges blocking various Trump administration policies, including a move to add citizenship proof to voter registration and directives affecting educational funding.
The end of a duty-free rule for low-value parcels from China could lead to increased consumer costs and delivery delays, compounding the effects of escalating U.S.-China trade tensions.
Finally, the Senate narrowly rejected a Democratic resolution to counter global tariffs by Trump, showcasing congressional divisions over his trade strategies amid potential economic repercussions.