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Trump’s 3rd week: Executive orders, a trade war that wasn’t, Gaza takeover, and an upended workforce
By WILL WEISSERT and JOSH BOAKUpdated 9:23 AM CST, February 8, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — Three weeks in, President Donald Trump keeps cranking out executive orders designed to remake the government while billionaire Elon Musk hunts for more ways to upend the federal workforce.
Trump also provoked — then called off — trade wars with Canada and Mexico but allowed one with China to move forward. He seemingly made light of potentially thorny political issues while insisting he was serious about the United States seizing Gaza, emptying out its residents and redeveloping the area into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” It was an idea that friend and foe alike around the world rejected.
Here are some Week 3 takeaways:
So many executive orders
Trump has spent 20 days in office, and on nearly every one of them, he has signed executive orders — often several. ...
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DOGE moves in on its latest target — the Education Department
Staffers at the Department of Education worry the Department of Government Efficiency is accessing sensitive information and spreading confusion.
www.nbcnews.comFederal judge blocks Elon Musk's DOGE from accessing sensitive US Treasury Department material
Those records contain personal data such as Social Security and bank account numbers for millions of Americans.
apnews.comWhat has Donald Trump not done yet? Here are some policy areas where he might act next
Donald Trump’s second administration has advanced an avalanche of policy action and political pronouncements that have jolted Washington and, in some cases, the world.
apnews.com
Russell Vought, CFPB's new acting head, issues directives to halt portions of bureau activity
The Senate confirmed Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget on Thursday.
www.nbcnews.com
Republicans in House, Senate on collision course over sweeping Trump budget bill
House and Senate Republicans are on a collision course as they both race to pass their respective blueprints to enact President Donald Trump's agenda.
How Elon Musk boosted false USAID conspiracy theories to shut down global aid
Musk drove fringe viewpoints on USAID into the mainstream on X as the Trump administration halted the humanitarian relief agency’s work.
www.nbcnews.comSpending bill talks bog down after Trump's efforts to slash government
Talks on a spending bill for the current budget year have bogged down in the wake of President Donald Trump’s efforts to slash federal spending and its workforce.
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Here are all the agencies that Elon Musk and DOGE have been trying to dismantle so far
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency group has made swift work of the billionaire's goal to curtail the government. Here are some of the direct actions.
Federal judge blocks Elon Musk’s DOGE access to critical Treasury payment system | CNN Politics
A federal judge, citing a risk of “irreparable harm,” early Saturday temporarily restricted Elon Musk’s government efficiency team from accessing a critical Treasury Department payment system.
www.cnn.com
Transgender rights lawsuits challenge Trump policies on passport markers, gender-affirming care for minors
A group of transgender people sued in federal court over an order that led to the halting of allowing gender markers to be changed on passports and barring the use of the "X" marker used by many nonbinary people.
www.cbsnews.com
Nonprofits, NGOs scramble to provide global aid amid USAID uncertainty
International aid and development work funded by the U.S. government has almost entirely come to a halt, leaders in humanitarian aid confirmed to ABC News.
Trump says he’s spoken with Putin as Russia’s war in Ukraine approaches third anniversary | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump announced in an interview published Saturday that he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
www.cnn.com
Trump directs Secret Service to give him ‘every bit of information’ about his attempted assassins: report
President Trump said Friday he has ordered the Secret Service to provide him with all information related to the attempts on his life during the presidential campaign.
Turning off 'spigot': White House declines more funding for Consumer Finance Protection Bureau
A White House official said Saturday he would decline more funding for the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, signaling a possible end to the agency.
www.usatoday.com
House passes bill blocking future presidents from banning oil drilling without Congress' approval
The House passed a GOP-led bill on Friday to prevent presidents from placing bans on fracking before receiving congressional approval.
Judges are pausing Trump's policy changes. But for how long?
Judges have pumped the breaks on Trump's efforts to freeze spending, curtail birthright citizenship, reduce the federal workforce and more.
www.usatoday.com
Do Elon Musk and DOGE have power to close US government agencies?
Legal experts doubt that DOGE has power to cut spending already approved by Congress.
Hamas releases 3 frail-looking Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners under Gaza ceasefire
The three hostages — Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy — appeared very gaunt and pale as armed Hamas fighters led them from a white van onto a stage set up in the town of Deir al-Balah.
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President Trump revokes security clearances for officials who have tangled with him: New York Post
President Donald Trump told the New York Post he ordered the revocation of security clearances to officials he's sparred with in court.
www.usatoday.com
Trump 2nd term live updates: Consumer watchdog agency virtually shut down, funding 'now being turned off'
President Donald Trump has begun his second administration with a series of controversial moves and decisions.
As ICE ramps up immigration sweeps, New Orleans' sanctuary city status could be put to the test
A Louisiana state law passed just last year bans the very policies that make New Orleans a sanctuary city, the only one in the Gulf states.
www.cbsnews.comTrump says some white South Africans are oppressed and could be resettled in the US. They say no thanks
Groups representing some of South Africa’s white minority have responded to a plan by U.S. President Donald Trump to offer them refugee status and resettlement in the United States by saying: thanks, but no thanks.
apnews.com
Justin Trudeau caught on hot mic reportedly saying Trump's talk of making Canada a U.S. state is "a real thing"
President Trump has repeatedly suggested Canada would be better off if it agreed to become the 51st U.S. state.
www.cbsnews.com
NIH announces it's slashing funding for indirect research costs
The agency estimated that it could save $4 billion by capping indirect costs at 15%.
www.nbcnews.comWhy is Trump punishing South Africa and who are the Afrikaners he wants to give refugee status to?
U.S. President Donald Trump has followed through on his promise to punish South Africa by signing an executive order stopping all aid and assistance to the country over what he called a human rights violation against a white minority group.
apnews.com
Exclusive: Secret Service airing recruitment ad from Hollywood director Michael Bay during Super Bowl | CNN Politics
The United States Secret Service has tapped blockbuster movie director Michael Bay to create a recruiting advertisement that is expected to be unveiled in the stadium on Super Bowl Sunday, according to multiple NFL and Secret Service sources.
www.cnn.com
Guatemalan president says no timeline on receiving third-country nationals deported from U.S.
In an exclusive interview with NBC News on Thursday, President Bernardo Arevalo talked about his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on migration.
www.nbcnews.com
Seven Palestinians released by Israel admitted to hospital
Palestinians in need of treatment due to ‘brutality they were subjected to’ by Israeli authorities.
Elon Musk slams 'mean' podcast hosts for calling DOGE employees 'arrogant little pr---s' among other things
Elon Musk punches back at podcast hosts Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway for their abrasive and "threatening" comments about young DOGE employees.
Trump chops away at the government and the fallout is felt in the Virginia governor's race
The Trump administration’s aggressive push to cut government jobs is reverberating in the early stages of this year’s race for governor in Virginia.
apnews.com
Children, schools face renewed fears over heightened immigration enforcement
In classrooms across the country, children of immigrants are paralyzed by fear over news that immigration enforcement officers are now allowed to enter schools.
Trump is gutting an agency that his daughter once championed | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump is eagerly dismantling an agency that was once championed by his daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka Trump.
www.cnn.com
Trump, Putin talked by phone about ending Ukraine war: Report - Washington Examiner
In an interview, Trump disclosed the phone call between him and Putin, while declining to reveal if they had spoken more than once since he entered office.
www.washingtonexaminer.comAs female representation hits new highs among states, constitutions still assume officials are male
A record 13 women had been serving as governor this year. But many state constitutions still presume officeholders will be male.
apnews.com
Hamas frees three hostages, Israel begins releasing Palestinians
The three men all appeared thin, weak and pale, and in worse condition than the 18 hostages who had previously been freed under the truce.
www.usatoday.com
How environmental groups are battling the 1st actions of the Trump administration
Environmental nonprofits are gearing up to challenge the number of actions President Donald Trump has issued since he took office.
Trump says he wants to negotiate about Ukraine. It's not clear if Putin really does
Nearly three years after President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, his troops are making steady progress on the battlefield.
apnews.com
Trump removes Antony Blinken, Letitia James, Alvin Bragg's security clearances among others
President Trump on Saturday removed security clearances for several more Democrats a day after stripping his predecessor, former President Biden, of his.
Former top NOAA scientist under Trump issues a "Sharpie-gate" warning
Craig McLean said many scientists "are worried about President Donald Trump's return to office — after he undermined science in his first term."
www.cbsnews.comHouse Republicans mull taxes on scholarships and changes to student loan programs
As Republicans in Congress look for ways to slash spending, some legislators are floating new taxes on college scholarships, an end to student loan repayment plans and a big hike in taxes on university endowments.
apnews.com
Democratic governors step forward to set the party's agenda
Child care, tax cuts and the issue of exactly how to handle the second Trump administration are at the forefront of Democratic governors’ annual speeches in their states.
www.nbcnews.com
Voters defend Trump and Musk's spending cuts, challenge Democrats to show they have nothing to hide
Voters Theresa Albano and Ranger Irwin join "The Story" to talk about President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's efforts to clean up wasteful government spending.
Britain navigates rough transatlantic waters as Trump roils the 'special relationship'
Ever since Winston Churchill coined the phrase, politicians have extolled the “special relationship” between the United States and Britain.
apnews.com
OMB head Russell Vought takes over as CFPB as acting head, DOGE team deletes X account | CNN Business
Russell Vought took over as acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Friday night and officials from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency deleted the banking watchdog’s X account, a person familiar with the matter told CNN.
www.cnn.com
DOGE probes CFPB as Musk paints a grim picture for the agency - Washington Examiner
Three Musk allies, among them DOGE personnel, have set up an office at the CFPB's headquarters to ensure it is complying with Trump’s executive orders.
www.washingtonexaminer.comTrump is signing up local law officers to help with immigration enforcement
Republican lawmakers in about dozen states are advancing proposals that could aid President Donald Trump's deportation efforts.
apnews.com
Trump and the 'unitary executive': The presidential power theory driving his 2nd term
President Trump's flurry of executive actions and orders spark a critical question: Does he have the power he claims to have?
Who is Norm Eisen? Meet the anti-Trump attorney repping FBI agents suing the DOJ
Attorney Norm Eisen had a long history of anti-Trump legal cases before representing FBI agents suing to protect their names from public release over the Jan. 6 investigation.
Transgender, nonbinary people sue Trump administration over passport policy
A new lawsuit accuses the State Department of freezing document changes for transgender or nonbinary people.
The US stopped allowing passport gender marker changes. Here are some of the people affected
For transgender Americans, passports just became a lot more complicated. President Donald Trump issued an executive order saying there are two sexes, male and female, and rejecting the idea that people can transition to a gender identify different from the one assigned at birth.
apnews.com
Pritzker trolls Trump by 'renaming' Lake Michigan as 'Lake Illinois,' joking he'd annex Green Bay
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is renaming Lake Michigan to “Lake Illinois," poking fun at President Donald Trump’s recent executive order where he changed the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.
NIH to cut billions from overheads in biomedical research
President Trump's administration has announced it will slash billions of dollars in overheads for grants in biomedical research as a part of broader cost-saving measures.
www.bbc.com
Why privacy laws are the tip of the legal spear against Musk and Trump | CNN Politics
What access Elon Musk has to closely-guarded government data – including sensitive information it has collected about and from the American public – is a key battlefront in the ongoing and quickly-moving legal war over how President Donald Trump has sought to drastically transform the federal...
www.cnn.comTrump's DEI order leaves academic researchers fearful of political influence over grants
President Donald Trump’s order declaring diversity, equity and inclusion policies illegal has thrown into doubt the future of research Kendra Dahmer has been doing on intestinal parasites in India and Benin.
apnews.com
Israel alarmed by state of hostages: ‘Returning another person’ - Washington Examiner
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed outrage, saying the three men were "returning after 491 days of hell, starved, emaciated and pained".
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Japan PM Ishiba's Donald Trump study sessions pay off at talks
The Japanese prime minister gets much needed reassurances that his country is still America's top ally.
www.bbc.com
R. Kelly accusers file petition seeking $9M singer still owes
In August 2023, a judgment was entered against Kelly totaling $10.3 million, which was to be paid to the petitioners, the court filing states.
www.nbcnews.com28 agencies were authorized to fly helicopters near Reagan Airport before deadly crash
The Army was one of 28 government agencies authorized to fly helicopters near Ronald Reagan National Airport before its Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines passenger jet last week, killing 67.
apnews.com
Musk blasts ‘absolutely insane’ ruling blocking DOGE from Treasury system - Washington Examiner
Musk questioned how DOGE could fulfill its mission of cutting wasteful spending in the federal government if it could not access Treasury data and records.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Confusion, tears and 'Hunger Games' at USAID as agency prepares to go dark
"We feel like it's closing time at the store and we're the ones left to turn off the lights," one career official told ABC News.
Benjamin Netanyahu praises Trump’s Middle East shift, says President is country’s ‘greatest friend’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talked to "Life, Liberty & Levin" host Mark Levin and praised Trump for strengthening U.S.-Israel ties.
Released Thai hostages return to Bangkok after being held for over a year in Gaza
Five Thai workers released after being held hostage for over a year in Gaza arrived in Bangkok on Sunday.
apnews.com
As he helps fight DEI, Musk's SpaceX has a huge contract to send 1st woman, person of color to the moon
As Elon Musk helps the Trump administration eliminate DEI, his SpaceX currently has a NASA contract to help land the first woman and first person of color on the moon.
‘Second American Revolution’: The team behind DOGE’s government overhaul | CNN Politics
As Musk’s team barrels its way through the government seeking access to sensitive information, questions are arising about the people behind DOGE
www.cnn.com
Tsunami warning canceled for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands after magnitude-7.6 earthquake in the Caribbean | CNN
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 occurred on Saturday in the Caribbean Sea, according to the US Geological Survey, sparking a tsunami warning.
www.cnn.comPost Malone, Travis Scott, Latto perform at star-studded, invite-only Fanatics Super Bowl party
Meek Mill took the Fanatics Super Bowl party stage and set the tone: After an energetic performance of “Dreams and Nightmares,” the rapper draped an arm around Michael Rubin and gave him ultimate credit for another stellar event.
apnews.com
The looming GOP war over welfare and Medicaid - Washington Examiner
Entitlements and Medicaid could be on the chopping block by slashing eligibility with work requirements.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
War-torn Lebanon forms its first government in over 2 years to end deadlock
Lebanon is still in the throes of a crippling economic crisis, now in its sixth year, which has battered its banks, destroyed its state electricity sector and left many in poverty unable to access their savings.
www.nbcnews.comNorth Korea's Kim slams US-South Korea-Japan partnership and vows to boost his nuclear program
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said an elevated U.S. security partnership with South Korea and Japan poses a grave threat to his country and vowed to further bolster his nuclear weapons program.
apnews.com
Modi’s BJP romps to Delhi power after 27 years, in big blow to opposition
Narendra Modi’s BJP finally takes Delhi, India’s political heart, which until now has remained out of its reach.
Trump must not repeat his Kim Jong Un mistake with Iran, security expert warns
President Trump revealed this week he wants to pursue talks with Iran to end its nuclear program, but one expert says it could be a repeat of when Trump looked to take on North Korea.
A 7.6 magnitude earthquake shakes the Caribbean, some islands urge residents to leave coastlines
A magnitude-7.6 earthquake has shaken the Caribbean Sea south of the Cayman Islands. Several islands and countries urged people near the coastline to move inland but authorities in some places later lifted their tsunami alerts.
apnews.com
Unions lose fight to bar DOGE from Labor Department data - Washington Examiner
Bates’s ruling against the labor unions is a victory for Musk after suffering a blow in a different court.
www.washingtonexaminer.comAt least 200,000 protesters rally in Munich against far-right AfD ahead of German election
More than 200,000 protesters have demonstrated in Munich against far-right extremism ahead of the German general election.
apnews.com
What will anger at sight of gaunt hostages mean for a fragile ceasefire?
Concerns were raised over the condition of freed Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners after the latest exchange.
www.bbc.com
Huge healthcare data breach exposes over 1 million Americans' sensitive information
Community Health Center, a Connecticut-based healthcare provider, has disclosed a recent data breach affecting over 1 million people in the U.S.
Europe's far-right leaders applaud Trump and downplay threat of possible US tariffs
Europe’s far-right leaders have applauded U.S. President Donald Trump’s agenda and spoke of the turning point it presented Europe at an event organized by Spain’s Vox party under the banner "Make Europe Great Again.”
apnews.com
Modi’s party returns to power in Indian capital for first time in 27 years | CNN
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party won elections in the sprawling megacity of Delhi for the first time in 27 years on Saturday, defeating one of his most prominent critics in a much-needed boost after losing its national majority last year.
www.cnn.com
Trump’s cuts to foreign aid could benefit US position in Iran negotiations, expert says
President Donald Trump's decision to freeze foreign aid could have come at a perfect time for negotiations with Iran, where state media had been applauding the move.
Schools on 4 Greek islands will stay shut next week as earthquakes continue
Schools on four Greek islands will remain closed through next week as earthquakes continue to rattle the region.
apnews.com
Former Hamas hostage released 491 days after he was kidnapped and his family was slaughtered
Eli Sharabi, who was released after spending 491 days in Hamas captivity, will return home without his wife or two daughters, who were killed on Oct. 7, 2023.
Trump broadens CBS lawsuit after unedited Harris 60 Minutes interview release - Washington Examiner
After seeing the new footage, Trump’s legal team on Saturday amended his lawsuit to double the amount he claims he is owed for “deceptive” editing.
www.washingtonexaminer.com3 Baltic states disconnect from the Soviet-era grid to merge with the European energy system
The flow of electricity between the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and Russia has been officially severed.
apnews.com
An India opening: Trump could counter China - Washington Examiner
Some Indian leaders are optimistic and even confident that President Donald Trump will help smooth things out and elevate India's role in its global ambitions.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Israel pulling out from Netzarim in Gaza after captive-prisoner swap
Israeli tanks are set to withdraw from the Netzarim Corridor after Israel and Hamas exchanged captives on Saturday.
Race to sell chickens after New York City live poultry markets ordered shut due to avian flu
Live poultry markets in New York City raced to sell off all their chickens after seven cases of avian flu were detected and state officials ordered markets in the metropolitan area to close for a week.
apnews.comLatino workers working to overcome a technological divide brought on by automation, AI
As jobs become more reliant on technology some Latino workers can be left behind due to a lack of digital skills exacerbated by a lack of accessibility.
apnews.com
JD Vance ‘an incredible role model’ for half-brother running for office - Washington Examiner
Cory Bowman, Vice President JD Vance's half-brother, has stated he was inspired by Vance, describing him as "an incredible role model."
www.washingtonexaminer.comThe remains of all 10 people killed in Alaska plane crash have been recovered, authorities say
Just hours after finding 10 people dead in western Alaska from one of the deadliest plane crashes in the state in 25 years, authorities are racing to recover their remains.
apnews.comAvian flu suspected in up to 15 bird deaths at New York City zoos
Zoo operators in New York City say at least three and possibly up to 15 bird have died of avian flu.
apnews.com
Trump to sign order to end ‘push for paper straws’
Trump first launched his crusade against paper straws during his 2020 reelection campaign.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events – day 1,081
Here are the key developments on the 1,081st day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Here's what we know about a commuter plane crash in Alaska that killed 10 people
Authorities are working to recover the wreckage of a plane crash in western Alaska that killed 10 people while investigators are trying to determine what caused the small commuter aircraft to go down in the icy Bering Sea.
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