Progressive activists and concerned constituents intensified their efforts during the first week-long recess of the new Trump administration, urging congressional Republicans to oppose the president. The week was marked by a series of contentious decisions and high-profile events, including a controversial proposal involving Ukraine's minerals and a dramatic display by Elon Musk at a conservative conference.
The Trump administration faced criticism after proposing to take $500 billion from Ukraine's rare earth minerals as compensation for wartime assistance to Kyiv. This proposal has since been withdrawn, but not before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced his disapproval.
"I'm not signing something that 10 generations of Ukrainians are going to pay later"
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy further expressed openness to stepping down if it would bring peace or secure Ukraine's membership in NATO. He also rejected the financial demands made by the White House for past military assistance, stating he did not recognize the sum.
In a separate development, Argentina's President Javier Milei gifted Elon Musk a chainsaw, symbolizing his commitment to fiscal discipline. Musk subsequently wielded the chainsaw on stage at a conservative conference, where he sported sunglasses, a black MAGA baseball cap, and a gold necklace, capturing widespread attention.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration announced that it would place the majority of USAid personnel worldwide on paid administrative leave and eliminate approximately 2,000 positions within the United States. This decision has sparked concern among aid workers and lawmakers alike.
In another contentious move, the administration blocked a crucial step in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) process for funding medical research. This action likely violates a federal judge's temporary restraining order on federal funding freezes, thereby raising legal and ethical questions.
Amid these controversies, Dan Bongino, a conservative talk show host, has been appointed as deputy director of the FBI. Additionally, Kash Patel, the new FBI director, instructed agency employees to delay responding to an email from the Trump administration requesting them to list their recent accomplishments.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul revealed that she privately informed President Trump about the necessity and effectiveness of congestion pricing tolls in New York City during a meeting at the White House. This topic remains a point of contention between state and federal authorities.
On the diplomatic front, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff announced plans to travel to the Middle East in an effort to secure an extension of "phase 1" of an ongoing truce. This move underscores the administration's focus on reinforcing international agreements amid domestic upheavals.
Republican US Senator Markwayne Mullin dismissed extreme conservative claims that Trump could seek an unconstitutional third presidential term. He emphasized adherence to constitutional limits on presidential terms.
The former US ambassador to Panama launched a sharp critique of Trump's approach towards Latin America, likening his conduct to that of Tony Soprano, a ruthless mob boss from a popular television series. This comparison highlights growing discontent with Trump's foreign policy strategies in the region.