Over 300 employees at the agency responsible for managing the United States' nuclear arsenal faced termination, only to be reinstated after a significant backlash. This development comes as Donald Trump threatens to impose 25% tariffs on imported cars, with similar or higher duties on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. The economic implications of these tariffs, coupled with the recent workforce cuts, have fueled national debate.
Trump's economic approval rating remains higher than President Joe Biden's, though his overall approval rating has seen a slight dip recently. A recent poll revealed that 53% of Americans believe the economy is on the wrong track. As economic concerns mount, Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, visits Kyiv to engage with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy, rejecting any notion of concessions to Russia, challenges the US envoy to converse with ordinary Ukrainians about their views on Trump's controversial comments.
"Unfortunately, President Trump, with all due respect for him as the leader of a nation that we respect greatly … is living in this disinformation bubble." – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Meanwhile, domestic politics face scrutiny as the US Senate appropriations committee chair, Susan Collins, criticizes the fast-paced administration moves. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski voices concerns over federal workers' treatment in her state. She underscores the importance of careful planning before executing significant workforce reductions.
"We all want efficiencies, there is a way to do it, and the way these people have been treated has been awful in many cases. Awful." – Lisa Murkowski
In a surprising turn, Trump has recast his position on in vitro fertilization (IVF), positioning himself as a staunch supporter and referring to himself as the "father of IVF."
"It is the policy of my administration to ensure reliable access to IVF treatment, including by easing unnecessary statutory or regulatory burdens to make IVF treatment drastically more affordable." – Donald Trump
Amid these developments, the US plans to cancel news subscriptions at hundreds of diplomatic offices worldwide. A state department official expressed concern over potential hindrances this cut could pose to embassy teams.
"This will endanger American lives overseas because we are being cut off from news sources that are needed on a daily basis." – A state department employee
The announcement of steep tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada is anticipated to lead to higher inflation. This move raises alarms among economists and policymakers alike. Additionally, concerns have been voiced about NIH grants that cover salaries of scientists researching critical issues like neuroscience, diabetes, autism, and bird flu being affected by budgetary constraints.
"Before making cuts rashly, the administration should be studying and staffing to see what the consequences are. Measure twice before cutting. They have had to backtrack multiple times." – Don Bacon