Donald Trump is dictating the national political conversation today. He’s in Washington, D.C. and you can follow his adventures as he takes part in a variety of events, including a signing ceremony with the president in the Oval Office today at 2 PM ET. His visit comes amid a storm of antagonistic policies. Today those battles continue, with a threat to end all federal funding to sanctuary cities, and possible impeachment proceedings against his Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary John F. The former president followed up with threats to withhold funding from the cities and states that oppose his administration’s efforts to ramp up immigration enforcement. This position is consistent with his overarching goal to make immigration policies stricter and borders more secure.
In a notable display of his foreign policy ambitions, Trump reiterated his unyielding belief that the United States should pursue the annexation of Greenland. Despite facing significant public disapproval, 47% of respondents opposed the acquisition, while 66% expressed concern that such efforts could damage NATO alliances. Trump remains steadfast in this aspiration. Only a quarter of Americans back his attempts to obtain the territory.
Trump highlighted the positive economic impacts of his tariffs during a speech, asserting that the current trade deficit is at its lowest in years. He credits this achievement as “the direct result of TARIFFS, which have rescued our economy and national security.” On the trade war front, Beijing claimed robust export report in 2025. It calls into question the effectiveness of U.S. tariff strategies.
As Trump confronts these growing domestic and international challenges, he encounters increasing political turbulence within his administration. Kristi Noem, serving in the Trump Cabinet as Homeland Security Secretary, is herself at this moment under articles of impeachment filed by Democratic state rep Robin Kelly. The impeachment proceedings are a microcosm of the increasing partisanship on Capitol Hill.
At a press conference earlier this month in New York, Noem took on those critics’ concerns directly. She needed to convey with passion, clarity and purpose her total focus on national security and need for immigration reform. With pressures building from all sides, we’d argue that her future in the administration looks more and more uncertain.
Jimmy Williams Jr., the new general president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, is shaking things up. He has repeatedly sounded the alarm about overreach by the Department of Labor. He charged the department with mimicking “far-right and fascist aesthetic” online. He called out in particular Idaho’s slogan of choice, which sounds suspiciously like Nazi propaganda.
“The similarity to that Nazi slogan is bad,” – Christopher Hayes
Trump’s false claim does a disservice to the important political conversation currently taking place. He wants NATO to have a stronger hand in the global order. He recently observed that, without America’s military might, NATO would be “in no condition to defend itself.”
“Militarily, without the vast power of the United States, much of which I built during my first term, and am now bringing to a new and even higher level, NATO would not be an effective force or deterrent – not even close! They know that, and so do I,” – Donald Trump
We see that Trump is taking a very aggressive role to plant a flag on national security and economic policies. He thinks that the U.S. needs to move quickly to help lead the world.
“NATO should be leading the way for us to get it,” – Donald Trump
Trump has expressed concerns over potential threats from global powers such as Russia and China, framing them as opponents in a geopolitical race for dominance.
“If we don’t, Russia or China will, and that is not going to happen!” – Donald Trump