The Trump administration has made waves this week with a series of controversial actions affecting both domestic and international affairs. The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent company of Voice of America (VoA), was dismantled along with six other federal agencies. Concurrently, government-employed journalists at VoA were placed on administrative leave. In a separate development, President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to designate Venezuelan members of the gang Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, despite the act's historically limited use. Moreover, Trump ordered airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sana’a, in response to threats from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, further escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Domestic Policy Shifts
The Trump administration has successfully concluded a legal battle aimed at ending government support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. An appeals court removed a block on executive orders that sought to roll back DEI initiatives. This marks a significant shift in policy direction, sparking concerns among some observers about the future of DEI programs in federal agencies.
"We’re hearing of DEI purging." – Retired Brig Gen Paul Eaton
In addition to the dismantling of USAGM, VoA's parent company moved to terminate contracts with major news agencies including the Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse. Reporters at VoA were placed on administrative leave, retaining full pay and benefits until further notice. This move raises questions about the future of independent journalism within government-funded media.
Legal Controversies Surrounding the Alien Enemies Act
The Trump administration's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to target Venezuelan gang members has sparked legal challenges. The act, which has only been used three times in U.S. history during the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II, is seen by some as an inappropriate tool for the current situation.
"It cannot be used here against nationals of a country – Venezuela – with whom the United States is not at war, which is not invading the United States and which has not launched a predatory incursion into the United States," – ACLU and Democracy Forward
The lawsuit against the use of the act was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democracy Forward. They argue that its application in this context is "unlawfully during peacetime to accelerate mass deportations, sidestepping the limits of this wartime authority and the procedures and protections in immigration law."
"The government’s proclamation would allow agents to immediately put noncitizens on planes without any review of any aspect of the determination that they are alien enemies," – ACLU and Democracy Forward
International Tensions Escalate
On the international front, President Trump authorized airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sana’a, this past Saturday. The strikes were in retaliation to threats from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who announced plans to resume attacks on Israeli vessels navigating waters off Yemen. The U.S. president has vowed to employ "overwhelming lethal force" until Houthi attacks on shipping lanes cease.
Travel restrictions are also under consideration for citizens from numerous countries as part of a new ban, marking another point of contention in Trump's foreign policy. These actions underscore a broader strategy under Trump's administration to assert its power and influence both domestically and internationally.
Meanwhile, vandalism incidents against Tesla’s brick-and-mortar operations and individual vehicles have increased, presenting yet another challenge for businesses operating under current conditions. The Department of Defense is reportedly undergoing rapid transformations under the leadership of Trump's secretary, Pete Hegseth, reflecting his vision for the department’s future.