Sunday, 2 February 2025

President Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico effective immediately, citing national security concerns including fentanyl trafficking. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced retaliatory 25% tariffs in response, warning of restricted access to vital goods critical to US security.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama and demanded the country reduce Chinese influence in the canal area, warning of potential US action. The visit was met with protests regarding Trump's stated desire to take back the Panama Canal.

Trump administration terminated Temporary Protected Status for over 300,000 Venezuelans in the United States, the second blow to the group following a rescinded 18-month extension announced the previous week. The move signals Trump's intention to dismantle protections for migrants from dangerous countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu arrived in Washington for meetings with President Trump to discuss the Gaza ceasefire and regional issues. Negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire are expected to be postponed until after the two leaders meet.

CBS agreed to hand over transcripts of its 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Harris to the FCC, following disputes over the editing of the interview and transparency questions.

Trump's federal aid spending freeze halted a leading malaria vaccine development program, with potential to set back global collaboration with US researchers by years and impact drug-resistant HIV research.

Trump threatened to deport pro-Palestinian students, with a new fact sheet bearing similarity to the Heritage Foundation's Project Esther, which aims to eliminate US support for Palestine. Critics characterized the threat as part of Trump's broader culture war agenda.

Elon Musk's DOGE team was granted 'full access' to the federal payment system by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, providing the world's richest person access to one of the most sensitive US government databases.

Trump administration's DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) purge prompted federal workers to condemn efforts to push out those who worked on diversity programs. Democrats criticized Trump for linking DEI practices to a Washington plane crash that killed 67 people.

Mexican President Sheinbaum and other political leaders condemned Trump's accusation that the Mexican government has links to cartels as 'slanderous.' The controversy followed Trump's imposition of tariffs against Mexico.