A tent camp for displaced Palestinians is set up next to destroyed buildings following the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
President Donald Trump declared that Palestinians in Gaza would not have a right to return under his plan for U.S. “ownership” of the war-torn territory.
His statement contradicts officials in his administration who previously claimed Trump was only calling for the temporary relocation of Gaza’s population.
Less than a week after proposing that the U.S. take control of Gaza and transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” Trump made his stance clear in an interview with FOX News’ Bret Baier. When asked if Palestinians would be allowed to return to Gaza, Trump responded, “No, they wouldn’t.”
Trump has also been ramping up pressure on Arab nations, particularly Jordan and Egypt, to accept displaced Palestinians. “We’ll build safe communities a little bit away from where they are, where all of this danger is,” he said. “In the meantime, I would own this. Think of it as a real estate development for the future. It would be a beautiful piece of land. No big money spent.”
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty rejected Trump’s proposal, emphasizing an “Arab consensus” against the forced displacement of Palestinians. “It is crucial to find a political horizon for the Palestinian cause, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and self-determination for its people,” the Egyptian Foreign Ministry stated.
Hamas spokesperson Izzat al-Rishq slammed Trump’s remarks as “absurd,” calling them a reflection of “deep ignorance of Palestine and the region.” Hamas maintains that any forced relocation of Palestinians would amount to ethnic cleansing and has vowed to resist any such efforts.
In addition to his Gaza remarks, Trump revealed plans to impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including those from Canada and Mexico. He also hinted at further import duties, set to be announced later in the week.
Trump’s aggressive economic policies have already triggered trade tensions. China recently retaliated against previous U.S. tariffs by imposing restrictions on American tech exports. Meanwhile, Canada and Mexico remain in limbo, awaiting clarity on how these new tariffs will impact their economies.
As Trump’s international moves cause chaos, his administration is also making sweeping changes at home. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was abruptly shut down for the week, fueling concerns that it may be dismantled like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Over the weekend, CFPB staff noticed signs of trouble when conference room windows were covered with brown paper and voices inside discussed cuts to government agencies. Witnesses reported seeing young individuals with temporary badges inside.
The agency, created to protect Americans from financial fraud, now faces an uncertain future as Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reportedly targets it for major downsizing.
Trump’s administration continues its aggressive push to restructure the federal government. Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel, has filed a lawsuit challenging his firing, claiming he was unlawfully dismissed. His agency is responsible for protecting whistleblowers and enforcing government ethics laws.
Dellinger’s lawsuit argues that the special counsel can only be removed “for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” His termination is part of a broader effort by Trump’s administration to remove officials seen as obstacles to his government overhaul.
Trump’s sweeping actions—both domestically and abroad—are causing confusion and alarm among global leaders. U.S. allies and economic partners are struggling to respond to Trump’s unpredictable policies, which range from trade wars to the dismantling of key government agencies.
Diplomatic tensions are rising as foreign governments weigh their options in dealing with a U.S. administration that appears committed to upending longstanding international agreements. The question now is: how far will Trump go, and what will the global response be?
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