Trump Administration Expands Global Gag Rule, Restricting U.S. Foreign Aid to Diversity and Gender Programs 
U.S. Approves Over $6.5 Billion in Military Sales to Israel Across Three Defense Contracts 
Faith Leaders Arrested on Capitol Hill During Protest Against Trump Immigration Policies and ICE Funding 
Federal Judge Rules Trump Administration Unlawfully Halted EV Charger Funding 
Trump Nominates Brett Matsumoto as Next Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner 
Kevin Warsh’s Fed Nomination Raises Questions Over Corporate Ties and U.S.–South Korea Trade Tensions 
Panama Supreme Court Voids CK Hutchison Port Concessions, Raising Geopolitical and Trade Concerns 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Pemex Halts Planned Crude Oil Shipment to Cuba Amid Rising US Pressure 
RFK Jr. Overhauls Federal Autism Panel, Sparking Medical Community Backlash 
U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions on Haiti Transitional Council Over Gang Allegations 
Pierre Poilievre Retains Conservative Leadership After Election Defeat in Canada 
NTSB Opens Investigation Into Waymo Robotaxis After School Bus Safety Violations in Texas 
Trump Orders DHS to Avoid Protests in Democratic Cities Unless Federal Assets Are Threatened 
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Landmark Critical Minerals Agreement to Boost Investment and Trade 
FCC Chairman Raises Competition Concerns Over Netflix–Warner Bros. Discovery Deal 
The Trump administration is pressing ahead with sweeping federal job cuts despite court rulings ordering reinstatements. Since taking office in January, Trump’s administration has aggressively reduced government staff, with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leading the effort. More than 100,000 jobs have been slashed, impacting agencies like the IRS, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Energy Department.
Vice President JD Vance acknowledged errors in the downsizing process but defended the push to streamline the government. “Mistakes happen, and they should be corrected quickly,” Vance told NBC News, adding that the administration aims to retain effective workers while eliminating inefficiencies.
Federal courts in California and Maryland ruled that thousands of probationary employees had been unlawfully terminated, ordering their reinstatement. The White House dismissed these rulings as partisan interference, vowing to appeal. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt argued that a district judge should not override presidential authority.
The IRS, a frequent target of Republican-led budget cuts, plans to eliminate up to 25,000 jobs by May 15. This includes 5,000 employees who accepted buyouts and 7,000 probationary workers affected by recent rulings. Additional cuts may follow as part of a broader federal restructuring.
To avoid legal challenges, some agencies have offered voluntary retirement packages rather than forced layoffs. However, legal battles continue, with unions and Democratic-led states contesting the mass firings. Judges ruled that several departments, including Defense, Treasury, and Agriculture, violated federal layoff regulations.
Amidst these changes, financial markets have been volatile. A global trade war and fears of economic downturn have erased $5 trillion in market value, though Wall Street saw slight recovery on Friday. Despite legal and economic pushback, the administration remains committed to its drastic federal workforce reduction plan.
