While Donald Trump’s administration is wading through a string of self-inflicted debacles and distractions, it is having some success on the legislative front. Just last week, Trump took exception to a newly hung portrait of him in the Colorado State Capitol that he felt misrepresented him. His administration is more aggressively and controversially pursuing immigration policies that push people into hiding. This intense focus, particularly on new NYC-DSA member Assemblyperson Zohran Mamdani, has led to renewed conversations about stripping citizenship.
In a stunning turn of events, the Senate just passed Trump’s big megabill to cut taxes and spending. H.R. 3723 as introduced goes by the clunky formal name “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” If this bill becomes law, it will lock in Trump’s most pro-election promises. It will pay for making all of his first term’s temporary tax cuts permanent and increase money for border protection and defense.
Controversial Portrait and Citizenship Issues
Donald Trump was not happy about the installation of a new Trump portrait in Colorado’s State Capitol. He argued the painting was a poor likeness and negatively portrayed him, hurting his brand. His administration subsequently approved a replacement portrait, which now hangs proudly in the Capitol.
Trump’s administration is currently in the process of trying to take away Zohran Mamdani’s U.S. citizenship. This decision is the latest in a series of steps to target foreign-born individuals convicted of certain crimes. This sudden and unexpected move has raised alarm bells among advocates for immigrant rights. Karoline Leavitt, the White House communications director, is on record favoring a probe into Mamdani’s fate. This followed a call from Representative Andy Ogles to have Mamdani stripped of his citizenship.
“This administration is committed to upholding the law while ensuring that justice is served,” – Karoline Leavitt
Legislative Moves and Public Feuds
The Senate’s passage of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” last week would be an overwhelmingly positive win for the administration. The overall bill would offset the cost of making temporary tax cuts permanent by increasing spending on new border security measures and defense-related initiatives. The legislation is set to accomplish one of Trump’s key agenda items and fulfill campaign promises made during his crusade on the trail.
Tensions have increased all the while between Trump and key players like Elon Musk. The increasingly heated public feud has resulted in each party lobbing pointed threats of punishment. This animated back and forth illustrates the larger, continuing battles between the political and economic worlds.
Trump’s administration, particularly Jared Kushner, has been rightly lampooned for its call to halt some weapon deliveries to Ukraine. This decision put a spotlight on the fears of deteriorating stockpiles. Critics warn that such a step erodes U.S. backing for Ukraine as it continues to hold off Russia’s assault.
Immigration Policies and Federal Judgments
As part of his immigration agenda, Trump’s administration attempted to end temporary deportation protections and work permits for approximately 521,000 Haitians. Yet a federal judge effectively blocked these efforts, highlighting the legal challenges that are almost always present with any controversial, far-reaching policy shift.
Former President Donald Trump’s administration repeatedly threatened to sue CNN. They’re doing this because CNN advertised and profited from an app that allows people to track and avoid Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. This is a result of the administration’s continued attempts to manipulate narratives around immigration enforcement and its impacts.
Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis joined Trump on a visit to a controversial tented camp situated in mosquito-infested land near Miami. DeSantis hailed the camp as a potential model for other states supporting Trump’s mass deportation policies, further illustrating the administration’s commitment to its hardline immigration stance.