Key Events (10)
The leaders of France and Britain are heading to Washington this week to urge President Trump not to abandon Ukraine amid ongoing negotiations with Russia. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has stated he would 'quit for peace' while refusing a U.S. demand to provide minerals to America, and has said he wants Trump to be 'on our side.'
Trump halted medical research funding at the NIH by ordering the health department to hold Federal Register submissions, an apparent violation of a judge's order. The hold prevents the critical step in the funding process for medical studies from proceeding.
Trump appointees fired approximately 2,000 U.S.A.I.D. employees and placed others worldwide on leave, following a judge's ruling that allowed the Trump administration to proceed with plans to dismantle the aid agency. The announcement came by email to affected staff.
Republicans are facing angry voters at town halls across the country, signaling a potential backlash after an initial honeymoon period for the GOP at the start of Trump's term. Lawmakers are confronting widespread fear and disaffection in districts nationwide.
Lieutenant General Dan Caine, a retired three-star Air Force officer, has moved up the list of candidates to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reflecting Trump's frustration with military generals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the firing of the previous chairman, General Charles Q. Brown Jr., saying he was 'not the right man for the moment.'
Kash Patel told FBI staff to ignore Elon Musk's request for federal workers to list their weekly achievements, with the agency reportedly seeking guidance from the Department of Justice as Musk's demand sparked confusion across key government agencies.
Senator Jack Reed of the Democratic Party has accused Trump of 'surrendering to the Russians' on Ukraine, criticizing the president's verbal attacks on Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and increased alignment with Russia. Multiple Democrats are emerging as vocal critics of Trump's foreign policy approach.
Trump delivered a 75-minute speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) focused largely on himself, boasting of his victories and taunting his enemies. Elon Musk's status as a MAGA hero was confirmed at the event, with speakers putting less emphasis on attacking liberals and more on spreading the MAGA message.
Democrats are becoming increasingly energized in their opposition to the Trump administration following what they describe as 'heinous actions' by Trump and DOGE head Elon Musk. Senator Chris Murphy has emerged as a clear voice for Democrats countering Trump, eschewing caution and using unconventional tactics to reach a broader audience.
Media organizations supporting Myanmar's exiled populations are facing an existential crisis after Trump severed USAID funding, with journalists who document atrocities, corruption and war crimes expressing fears for their future. The aid cuts have created significant uncertainty for organizations taking extreme risks in their reporting.