President Donald Trump maintained his administration’s aggressive pace last week, barely slowing down as he signed more executive orders, hosted foreign leaders, and implemented tariffs, setting off a global scramble to negotiate.
The president’s fourth week in office was heavy on foreign policy, but he kicked off the week with a wholly American tradition.
Trump attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans — the first sitting president to do so — to watch the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was cheered by football fans when he was shown on the stadium’s screens.
Here’s everything else Trump did this week.
Gulf of America
On his way to the game, as he was flying over the Gulf of America, Trump also signed a proclamation declaring Sunday, Gulf of America Day.
The White House also banned the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One after the outlet refused to start using the name “Gulf of America.”
Tariffs
Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, calling it “a big deal, the beginning of making America rich again.”
Shares of steelmaker U.S. Steel and aluminum producer Alcoa surged on Monday in response to Trump’s announcement.
Trump also directed his administration to review each country individually to determine reciprocal tariffs, meaning the United States would impose the same taxes on other countries’ imports as they impose on American goods. This process could take weeks.
“Very simply it’s if they charge us, we charge them,” Trump said.
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“The United States is one of the most open economies in the world, yet our trading partners keep their markets closed to our exports. This lack of reciprocity is unfair and contributes to our large and persistent annual trade deficit,” the White House added.
Foreign Leaders
Trump spoke to and met with several foreign leaders this week.
On Wednesday, Trump said he had a “lengthy phone call” with Russian President Vladimir Putin in which they agreed to begin negotiations around Ukraine.
“GREAT TALKS WITH RUSSIA AND UKRAINE YESTERDAY. GOOD POSSIBILITY OF ENDING THAT HORRIBLE, VERY BLOODY WAR!!!” Trump posted Thursday on Truth Social.
Trump and Putin also discussed the Middle East, energy, and other issues, and they agreed to visit each other’s countries, Trump said.
The president also spoke with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with whom he discussed defense, trade, investment, mineral supply chains, and “concerns about China’s aggressiveness,” the White House said.
On Tuesday, Trump hosted King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House, and they again discussed the situation in Gaza.
On Thursday, Trump hosted India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, where the two held a joint press conference on launching a new initiative on military partnership, commerce, and technology. The United States will increase military sales to India by “many billions” of dollars, and the countries will work together on semiconductors and AI, Trump said.
“Make India Great Again,” Modi said.
Trump also froze a 1977 anti-bribery law, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), pausing all investigations under the law while they are reviewed.
The law is supposed to prevent dishonest behavior by American companies doing business in other countries, but critics say in practice it unfairly hamstrings them and benefits foreign actors.
“It sounds good on paper but in practicality, it’s a disaster,” Trump said. “It’s going to mean a lot more business for America.”
Trump also signed an order calling for “reform” in the Foreign Service, America’s 13,000 diplomatic personnel across the globe “to ensure faithful and effective implementation” of his foreign policy agenda.
DOGE
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continued its work, with Trump and Musk appearing together in the Oval Office to discuss their progress on slashing government bloat, waste, and fraud.
DOGE targeted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) last weekend. With a budget of over half a billion dollars, the CFPB was set up by former President Barack Obama at the urging of Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to regulate banks after the 2008 financial crisis.
Republicans have long complained that the CFPB is unaccountable, accusing it of political targeting and being a slush fund for radical advocacy groups.
The Trump administration ordered the agency’s nearly 1,700 employees to stop most of their work and cut off its funding, effectively shutting it down although a formal closure would require an act of Congress.
Trump also signed an order eliminating the Federal Executive Institute, which is supposed to provide leadership training to bureaucrats. Another executive order implements DOGE’s plan to reduce the federal workforce, making sure agencies hire only one new employee for every four that depart.
Tens of thousands of federal employees have already been dismissed or left their positions, and hundreds of thousands more are expected to be gone soon as the administration works on shrinking the federal workforce.
Hostage Releases
Trump also secured the release of an American citizen, Marc Fogel, who was arrested and detained in Russia for possessing medical marijuana he used for chronic pain.
The administration also secured the release of an American citizen held hostage in Belarus.
Other Moves
Trump also signed an executive order to end the “irrational campaign against plastic straws,” directing the federal government to stop buying paper straws and nix policies discouraging plastic straws.
He also continued his overhaul of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, firing its president, replacing several board members, and being elected chairman himself. Last week, Trump accused the center of “drag shows specifically targeting our youth” but he promised that “the best is yet to come.”
Trump established the Make America Healthy Commission, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was confirmed and sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services after a contentious confirmation hearing, and an uphill battle to garner support among senators. The commission will start by advising the president on how to fight childhood chronic disease.
The president also signed an executive order pulling federal funding from any school that continues to have a COVID vaccine mandate.
Deportations of illegal migrants continued, including sending migrants from Africa and several Asian nations to Panama.
The administration hit several expected legal obstacles as federal judges blocked some of the president’s major executive orders, including his foreign aid freeze and ban on child sex change procedures. The administration plans to continue fighting the decisions in court.
Vance, Cabinet, First Lady
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Paris and met with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Union officials. While there, he also delivered remarks at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, telling Europe that the United States plans to dominate the AI race.
Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as Director of National Intelligence. The Senate also confirmed Brooke Rollins as agriculture secretary, and Kash Patel’s nomination as FBI Director cleared a major Senate hurdle on Thursday.
First Lady Melania Trump opened the White House to public tours.
[#item_full_content]
[[{“value”:”
President Donald Trump maintained his administration’s aggressive pace last week, barely slowing down as he signed more executive orders, hosted foreign leaders, and implemented tariffs, setting off a global scramble to negotiate.
The president’s fourth week in office was heavy on foreign policy, but he kicked off the week with a wholly American tradition.
Trump attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans — the first sitting president to do so — to watch the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was cheered by football fans when he was shown on the stadium’s screens.
Here’s everything else Trump did this week.
Gulf of America
On his way to the game, as he was flying over the Gulf of America, Trump also signed a proclamation declaring Sunday, Gulf of America Day.
The White House also banned the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One after the outlet refused to start using the name “Gulf of America.”
Tariffs
Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, calling it “a big deal, the beginning of making America rich again.”
Shares of steelmaker U.S. Steel and aluminum producer Alcoa surged on Monday in response to Trump’s announcement.
Trump also directed his administration to review each country individually to determine reciprocal tariffs, meaning the United States would impose the same taxes on other countries’ imports as they impose on American goods. This process could take weeks.
“Very simply it’s if they charge us, we charge them,” Trump said.
PRESIDENTS’ DAY SALE! 40% Off DailyWire+ Annual Memberships With Code DW40
“The United States is one of the most open economies in the world, yet our trading partners keep their markets closed to our exports. This lack of reciprocity is unfair and contributes to our large and persistent annual trade deficit,” the White House added.
Foreign Leaders
Trump spoke to and met with several foreign leaders this week.
On Wednesday, Trump said he had a “lengthy phone call” with Russian President Vladimir Putin in which they agreed to begin negotiations around Ukraine.
“GREAT TALKS WITH RUSSIA AND UKRAINE YESTERDAY. GOOD POSSIBILITY OF ENDING THAT HORRIBLE, VERY BLOODY WAR!!!” Trump posted Thursday on Truth Social.
Trump and Putin also discussed the Middle East, energy, and other issues, and they agreed to visit each other’s countries, Trump said.
The president also spoke with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with whom he discussed defense, trade, investment, mineral supply chains, and “concerns about China’s aggressiveness,” the White House said.
On Tuesday, Trump hosted King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House, and they again discussed the situation in Gaza.
On Thursday, Trump hosted India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, where the two held a joint press conference on launching a new initiative on military partnership, commerce, and technology. The United States will increase military sales to India by “many billions” of dollars, and the countries will work together on semiconductors and AI, Trump said.
“Make India Great Again,” Modi said.
Trump also froze a 1977 anti-bribery law, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), pausing all investigations under the law while they are reviewed.
The law is supposed to prevent dishonest behavior by American companies doing business in other countries, but critics say in practice it unfairly hamstrings them and benefits foreign actors.
“It sounds good on paper but in practicality, it’s a disaster,” Trump said. “It’s going to mean a lot more business for America.”
Trump also signed an order calling for “reform” in the Foreign Service, America’s 13,000 diplomatic personnel across the globe “to ensure faithful and effective implementation” of his foreign policy agenda.
DOGE
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continued its work, with Trump and Musk appearing together in the Oval Office to discuss their progress on slashing government bloat, waste, and fraud.
DOGE targeted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) last weekend. With a budget of over half a billion dollars, the CFPB was set up by former President Barack Obama at the urging of Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to regulate banks after the 2008 financial crisis.
Republicans have long complained that the CFPB is unaccountable, accusing it of political targeting and being a slush fund for radical advocacy groups.
The Trump administration ordered the agency’s nearly 1,700 employees to stop most of their work and cut off its funding, effectively shutting it down although a formal closure would require an act of Congress.
Trump also signed an order eliminating the Federal Executive Institute, which is supposed to provide leadership training to bureaucrats. Another executive order implements DOGE’s plan to reduce the federal workforce, making sure agencies hire only one new employee for every four that depart.
Tens of thousands of federal employees have already been dismissed or left their positions, and hundreds of thousands more are expected to be gone soon as the administration works on shrinking the federal workforce.
Hostage Releases
Trump also secured the release of an American citizen, Marc Fogel, who was arrested and detained in Russia for possessing medical marijuana he used for chronic pain.
The administration also secured the release of an American citizen held hostage in Belarus.
Other Moves
Trump also signed an executive order to end the “irrational campaign against plastic straws,” directing the federal government to stop buying paper straws and nix policies discouraging plastic straws.
He also continued his overhaul of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, firing its president, replacing several board members, and being elected chairman himself. Last week, Trump accused the center of “drag shows specifically targeting our youth” but he promised that “the best is yet to come.”
Trump established the Make America Healthy Commission, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was confirmed and sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services after a contentious confirmation hearing, and an uphill battle to garner support among senators. The commission will start by advising the president on how to fight childhood chronic disease.
The president also signed an executive order pulling federal funding from any school that continues to have a COVID vaccine mandate.
Deportations of illegal migrants continued, including sending migrants from Africa and several Asian nations to Panama.
The administration hit several expected legal obstacles as federal judges blocked some of the president’s major executive orders, including his foreign aid freeze and ban on child sex change procedures. The administration plans to continue fighting the decisions in court.
Vance, Cabinet, First Lady
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Paris and met with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Union officials. While there, he also delivered remarks at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, telling Europe that the United States plans to dominate the AI race.
Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as Director of National Intelligence. The Senate also confirmed Brooke Rollins as agriculture secretary, and Kash Patel’s nomination as FBI Director cleared a major Senate hurdle on Thursday.
First Lady Melania Trump opened the White House to public tours.
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