US Gaza Coordination Overhaul Raises Concerns Over Ceasefire and Aid Efforts 
Japan Eases Arms Export Rules, Opening Door for Potential Ukraine Defense Support 
FEMA Reinstates Employees After Dissent Letter, Signaling Shift in Workforce Stability 
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te Visits Eswatini Amid China Pressure and Airspace Tensions 
Ukraine Drone Strikes Hit Russian Oil Port Primorsk and Naval Targets 
Trump Announces “Project Freedom” to Aid Stranded Ships in Strait of Hormuz 
U.S. Fast-Tracks $8.6 Billion Arms Sales to Middle East Allies Amid Rising Tensions 
Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as Tensions Persist Amid Fragile Ceasefire 
Medicare to Cover GLP-1 Weight-Loss and Diabetes Drugs Starting July 1 
U.S. Flags Vietnam as “Priority Foreign Country” Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
US to Withdraw 5,000 Troops from Germany Amid Growing Rift with European Allies 
Cuba Condemns New U.S. Sanctions, Calls Measures “Collective Punishment” 
Iran Threatens Prolonged Strikes as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Drives Global Oil Surge 
Merz Downplays Rift With Trump as U.S. Plans Troop Reduction in Germany 
EU Warns of Response as U.S. Considers 25% Tariffs on Car Imports 
Kim Jong Un Highlights Youth Role in North Korea’s Military and Political Agenda 
Judge Rules Use of Military Lawyers in Civilian Prosecutions Is Lawful 
After getting impeached by the House for incitement of an insurrection, former President Donald Trump was ultimately acquitted by the Senate over the weekend. Following the Senate’s verdict, Trump was seen hitting the golf course for Valentine’s Day.
Hours after receiving an acquittal from his second Senate impeachment trial, the former president was seen at the Trump International Golf Club at West Palm Beach in Florida. Trump was acquitted by the Senate in a 57-43 vote, with the votes to convict short by 10 even as seven Republican Senators joined their Democratic counterparts. Trump is the first president in the country’s history to be impeached twice, but compared to his first impeachment trial, Trump remains largely silent as he no longer has his Twitter account and is out of office. Prior to leaving office on January 20, Trump was impeached by the House for incitement of insurrection from the Capitol riots last January 6.
Trump was also not mentioned in his wife’s Valentine’s Day message on social media. Former first lady Melania Trump wished a Happy Valentine’s Day to her followers while recalling her time visiting children at a hospital - a tradition she has kept up with during her years as first lady. Even with Trump permanently off Twitter and on major social media platforms, his trial and acquittal have caused an evident rift within the Republican Party.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell even hinted that he would not support primary candidates who have Trump’s backing in 2022. McConnell issued a blunt rebuke of the former president shortly after his vote to acquit, saying that Trump remains responsible for the insurrection on January 6 and that the former president has not gotten away completely. Over the weekend, the top Republican in Washington said to Politico that he is now focused on the political party’s future with or without support from Trump.
McConnell’s remarks angered House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and many other Democrats who pushed for conviction. Even as Trump has acquittal from the Senate, the former president still faces criminal investigations in two jurisdictions surrounding matters that are related to his impeachment, and recently, a third criminal investigation may be in the works. The Washington DC District Attorney’s office is now considering whether the now-former president broke district law for his involvement in the riots.
