Trump Administration Expands Global Gag Rule, Restricting U.S. Foreign Aid to Diversity and Gender Programs 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
U.S. Sanctions on Russia Could Expand as Ukraine Peace Talks Continue, Says Treasury Secretary Bessent 
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Newly Released DOJ Epstein Files Expose High-Profile Connections Across Politics and Business 
RFK Jr. Overhauls Federal Autism Panel, Sparking Medical Community Backlash 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Panama Supreme Court Voids CK Hutchison Port Concessions, Raising Geopolitical and Trade Concerns 
Faith Leaders Arrested on Capitol Hill During Protest Against Trump Immigration Policies and ICE Funding 
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit 
Trump Orders DHS to Avoid Protests in Democratic Cities Unless Federal Assets Are Threatened 
Trump Allegedly Sought Airport, Penn Station Renaming in Exchange for Hudson River Tunnel Funding 
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration Move to End TPS for Haitian Immigrants 
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.
