Donald Trump, who has been back at the White House for a month now, made significant moves in his fifth week in office as he pursued his agenda to transform the federal government, implement extensive budget cuts, and redefine American foreign policy.
During the past week, he branded Ukraine’s president during the war, called for increased accessibility to IVF, and removed his top military officer from office. Here is a recap of 19 key actions by the Trump administration over the week:
On Tuesday, Trump labeled Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “dictator” amid escalating tensions between the two leaders, with Trump also appearing to hold Ukraine responsible for Russia’s invasion. Zelensky, in response to US-Russia negotiations excluding Kyiv from discussions about the war, criticized Trump for his misinformation circulated by Moscow.
Zelensky’s term was expected to conclude in May 2024, but due to Russia’s invasion and the imposition of martial law three years ago, elections have been postponed. Trump’s “dictator” remark drew disapproval from European leaders, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz deeming it “incorrect and perilous.”
The week also saw high-level talks between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, raising concerns in Ukraine about being marginalized in discussions about the invasion. Meanwhile, the release of a US national detained in Moscow for cannabis possession, as well as a Russian national arrested for money laundering using Bitcoin, signaled a potential prisoner exchange.
Additionally, the Trump administration moved to halt New York City’s congestion pricing scheme, aimed at charging vehicles entering specific zones of the city to fund public transit improvements. Trump declared the plan “dead” on social media, prompting a legal response from New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Allegations of sexual abuse by social media influencer Andrew Tate raised concerns after reports emerged that US officials intervened with the Romanian government to ease travel restrictions against Tate and his brother, both of dual UK-US citizenship.
The Financial Times reported the US involvement in the case, with Trump’s envoy Richard Grenell following up on the matter over the weekend. Discussions about this incident are ongoing.
The US was asked to return the brothers’ passports so they could travel while awaiting the completion of the criminal case against them.
The BBC has reached out to the US State Department for a statement.
The US Border Patrol reported a decline in illegal border crossings from Mexico to the US in January, with 29,000 arrests recorded – the lowest since May 2020 and down from 47,000 in December, according to official figures.
Donald Trump assumed office on January 20, succeeding former President Joe Biden.
The Trump administration has vowed to crack down on undocumented immigration into the US, including declaring a border emergency and implementing expedited expulsion procedures.
In response to lower deportation numbers, Trump reassigned the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as reported by US media outlets.
Under the leadership of Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), the Trump administration is pursuing significant cost-cutting measures to reduce the federal workforce, including plans to terminate thousands of employees across various government agencies.
Public opinion indicates support for reduced government spending, but there are concerns that Musk’s efficiency initiatives may be excessive.
The Trump administration is reportedly attempting to rehire USDA officials who were involved in the response to a recent bird flu outbreak that led to significant disruptions in the poultry and cattle industry.
Following terminations of government officials, efforts are being made to reinstate some personnel who were let go.
An executive order signed by Trump aims to explore ways to make in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments more affordable, with a focus on maintaining access and reducing costs.
A dispute arose between the White House and the Associated Press over the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Google Maps for US users, with Trump issuing an order to change the naming in official US government documents.
Outlets reported that on Tuesday, President Trump stated that he would block the Associated Press (AP) from access to the Oval Office and Air Force One until they stop mentioning the Gulf of Mexico. In response, the media organization sued three Trump officials, with the AP arguing that the ban violates the First Amendment. They are seeking an emergency hearing to declare Trump’s actions unconstitutional. Meanwhile, US Justice Department lawyers defended their decision to drop a criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The Department of Justice had filed a motion to dismiss fraud and bribery charges against Adams, leading to the resignation of seven Justice Department lawyers. Adams, who was indicted last year, denies any wrongdoing. Trump denied any involvement in the decision to dismiss the case against Adams. Additionally, a judge halted Adams’ trial and appointed an external lawyer to develop arguments against dropping the charges. Trump also signed an executive order terminating federal benefits for undocumented migrants, aiming to prevent federal funds from supporting sanctuary policies or aiding illegal immigration. Furthermore, the administration suspended a service assisting unaccompanied children navigating the immigration court system. Trump mentioned considering using savings from Elon Musk’s taskforce to provide direct payments to US taxpayers, proposing a distribution of 20% to citizens and 20% to debt reduction. Vice-President JD Vance criticized European democracies during the Munich Security Conference, highlighting internal threats over external ones from Russia and China. Rubio boycotted a G20 meeting in South Africa, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will not attend the following gathering of G20 finance ministers. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of multilateralism and international law in addressing global crises. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed US military services to identify $50 billion in cuts to reallocate for Trump’s priorities, citing the need to address excessive bureaucracy and unnecessary spending.
Amidst a flurry of late-night announcements and social media buzz, a significant shakeup unfolded in the upper echelons of the United States military hierarchy. President Trump’s digital platform, Truth Social, became the stage for the surprise revelation that General CQ Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, would be stepping down from his role. This development sent ripples through the corridors of power, marking a pivotal moment in the administration’s relationship with the military leadership.
Simultaneously, a critical victory was achieved in the realm of public health as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) redirected crucial funding towards 9/11-related cancer research. Following a recent attempt to derail this vital initiative, the CDC’s decision to reinstate the $257,000 contract signified a triumph for advocates of health equity. The research, aimed at assessing cancer incidence rates among firefighters exposed to toxins from the World Trade Center, stands as a testament to the enduring commitment to those who courageously served in the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11th.
In the political arena, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer voiced unequivocal support for the reinstated funding, emphasizing the non-negotiable importance of 9/11 cancer research and the well-being of New York City’s Fire Department. His sentiments echoed a broader sentiment of bipartisan unity in preserving essential healthcare resources for those afflicted by the enduring health repercussions of the 9/11 attacks.
Meanwhile, President Trump made a high-octane entrance onto the iconic Daytona racetrack, signaling the commencement of the Nascar season with a customary display of pageantry and speed. Against the backdrop of roaring engines and fervent spectators, Trump’s presence electrified the atmosphere as Air Force One soared overhead, casting a symbolic shadow over the racing circuit. The president’s engagement with the racing community underscored the intersection of national leadership and American sporting culture, encapsulating a moment of unity and shared excitement.
However, the celebratory air surrounding the Daytona event was juxtaposed by the somber undertones of military restructuring. The abrupt dismissal of General CQ Brown, a historic figure as the second black officer to hold the esteemed position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, raised eyebrows and questions about the administration’s strategic direction. President Trump’s decision to relieve General Brown of his duties, alongside several other top military officials, hinted at a broader realignment within the armed forces.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s critique of General Brown’s leadership, citing concerns over an alleged preoccupation with “woke” initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the military, added a layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative. The clash between traditional military values and evolving societal norms reverberated through the corridors of power, serving as a microcosm of the broader societal debates around identity, representation, and institutional change.
As the dust settled on a whirlwind series of events, the nation stood at a crossroads of shifting priorities and unforeseen challenges.
