His predecessor, former President Donald Trump, released a 58-page detailed plan. His initial, stated objective should be to end the long-running war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. He presented this initiative during a series of statements that addressed the looming threat of a government shutdown, which he insists must be averted to maintain stability.
Trump’s plan for Gaza could not be more timely as the region grapples with rising tensions in a period of continued violence and unrest. He stresses the need for active diplomatic engagement. He suggests a comprehensive approach that includes collaborating with global allies to reach an immediate ceasefire and foster lasting peace.
In the concurrent Trump Administration effort, there is tremendous pressure from Congress to avoid a government shutdown. As NBC News first reported, he has threatened the mass firings of staff if lawmakers fail to come to a resolution. He has razor-thin majorities in both House and Senate, so cross-party support will be necessary.
The previous president’s plan addresses the most controversial aspect of health care subsidies. This issue is hugely related to the swirling controversy around the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). On one key issue, Trump said it’s the Republicans’ position that the fight over Obamacare tax credits can be postponed until after the shutdown is concluded. Democrats are resisting every step of the way. They’ve already held the line that any extension of health care credits need to be written into legislation before they’ll support any budget deal.
The danger to millions of Americans posed by the impending expiration of these health care subsidies can scarcely be overstated. Experts caution that without a deal, millions of families—even those making as much as $130,000 a year—would be at risk of having their premiums increase by almost 100%. Plus, over four million Americans stand to lose their insurance by 2034 if these subsidies are not extended.
Trump’s statements on tariffs have been a cause for concern as well, particularly following the time he “Truth-ed” about tariffs on movies and sofas. He described these tariffs as prudent and justified, but failed to offer specific justifications leaving many to wonder about their impact.
Additionally, throughout his remarks, Trump railed against Zohran Mamdani after New York City Mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the mayor’s race. He subsequently drew headlines for threatening to fire Federal Reserve Chief Jerome Powell in a cartoon. This act only worsens his already contentious relationship with economic policymakers.
Trump was also not afraid to talk about legal issues. He made a similar call for charges against former FBI Director James Comey, who was later indicted. This advance adds another layer of complexity to the already tangled politics. Trump will have to figure out how to implement his priorities while contending with the roiling fallout from his past mistakes.