Week 4: Full Government Update
Trump, Congress, the Courts...it's all here
It’s been another insane week in Washington. The TLDR is that Trump continues to make sweeping moves at home and across the globe, while adversaries to the admin use the courts to push back. There’s a lot to talk about. I’m eager to get there.
But first, a friendly reminder . . .
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Alright, let’s get into it.
✍️ Executive Orders: What’s Coming
Fair and Reciprocal Plan on Trade (READ): Trump announced that he would implement reciprocal tariffs on all U.S. imports, including against countries the United States considers allies. Trump plans to match tariffs levied by other countries, including taxes on foreign products, industry subsidies, exchange rates, etc.
Implications: Since 1945, tariff minimums and other global trade rules have been negotiated among countries in international trade agreements. The move by Trump suggests a shift from diplomatic relations towards a purely transactional trade policy—namely, former relationships won’t be considered when addressing international affairs.
Ending Procurement and Forced Use of Paper Straws (READ): Trump (1) banned the federal use of paper straws, and (2) directed his administration to come up with a national strategy to ban paper straws, as well as eliminate policies disfavoring plastic straws.
Implications: The EO comes as states seek to place bans on plastic straws; the international community is developing a treaty to address plastic pollution. The EO pits federal policy against state-level plastic bans and distances the U.S. from global climate initiatives.
Establishment of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission (READ) Following the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary, President Trump has established a MAHA Commission intent on addressing the rise of chronic illnesses in the U.S., focusing on children’s chronic diseases. The directive highlights the “over-utilization of medicine” and certain food ingredients/chemicals.
Large Scale Cuts to Federal Workforce (READ): In a press conference Tuesday, President Donald Trump and Elon Musk announced a new EO to scale back the federal workforce. The EO: (1) requires heads of agencies to appoint and work with the DOGE-Team lead to shrink the size of the federal workforce and to hire strictly essential employees; and (2) stipulates that for every four employees removed from government, only one employee will be hired in their stead. Musk referred to the federal workforce as an “unelected, unconstitutional fourth branch of government.”
Implications: The EO follows a directive from the Trump administration referring to the Schedule F workforce, eliminating federal civil-service workforce protections, allowing workers to be easily fireable as at-will employees.
The rollback of Schedule F protections and sweeping workforce cuts could replace career civil servants with political appointees. This indicates DOGE’s growing power in managing executive authority. The move follows reports that the young DOGE employees are holding 15-minute sessions asking the federal employees to “justify their existence,” setting off alarm bells amongst civil servants.
🗣️Announcements: What’s Happening
Doesn’t Make Cents: Trump announces he will halt production of the penny: On Sunday, Trump announced that he directed the Department of the Treasury to end production of the penny.
Although the plan was not part of Trump’s original platform, the move follows a DOGE recommendation to eliminate the penny to cut government spending and save money, highlighting DOGE/Elon Musk’s growing policy influence. For more on implications, read Smartt Takes Week 2 (here).
Number Fifty One: In an interview with Fox News Host Bret Baier, Trump repeated his desire to annex Canada as the 51st state. The move follows Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to step down next month; therefore, Canada seeks new leadership while Trump’s tariffs loom on the horizon, with an extension expiring at the end of February.
Implications: Congressional approval is all that's needed to add a 51st state. With House and Senate Republicans predominantly allied with President Trump, this seems it could be an easy feat to accomplish. However, while adding a state only requires a simple House majority, it would require 60 votes from the Senate and, thus, Democratic support.
Not to mention, Canada would have to agree, which could be achieved via a general ballot referendum or perhaps within the executive authority of the next Prime Minister…whoever that may be. Still, Trudeau dismissed the idea, saying there’s not a “snowball’s chance in hell” that Canada becomes the 51st state.
Russia-Ukraine Update: Following a 90-minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump announced that Russia will start negotiations with Ukraine to end the war. Trump subsequently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelesnkyy who expressed his desire to begin working with the U.S.
Implications: February 24 marks the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. Following the announcement, Ukraine insisted on being included in any talks between the U.S. and Russia, to which Trump agreed. Trump also signaled interest in reintegrating Russia into global affairs, even suggesting it rejoin the G7, a decade after its expulsion.
This week Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suggested that Ukraine reclaiming its pre-war borders was an unrealistic outcome and that Ukraine should not expect to join NATO or reclaim its Russia-invaded territory. Following pushback from his party, Hegseth walked back his comments, claiming “everything was on the table” in the Russia-Ukraine negotiations.
Trump appointed as the head of Washington DC’s Kennedy Center: In a surprise move, Trump announced that he had been unanimously appointed as the Chairman of the Kennedy Center. The announcement comes a few days after Trump terminated the Chairman along with several Board members for not sharing “our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” Specifically, he referenced a Drag Show the Kennedy Center held that was “targeting youth.” In response, several trustees, including Shonda Rhimes and Ben Folds, resigned.
📚Policy: What’s Happened
Trump imposes 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports: Trump announced that all steel and aluminum entering the U.S. would be taxed by 25%. While some countries responded, others such as the UK chose not to retaliate, instead, they plan to bolster their steel industry; noting that they will keep an eye on Trump’s tariff policies.
Department of Government Efficiency cuts NIH research funding by 15%, sparking fury in red states: In a memo Tuesday, NIH pushed back saying that the new Trump regulation would not impact existing funding streams. Meanwhile, red states are worried about the impact the cut would have on their respective universities and schools.
Currently, the NIH negotiates funding with universities directly—removal of this could affect existing resources and hinder ongoing research. Republican Members of Congress have also highlighted the dangers of cutting funding, which could push the administration to reconsider.
DOGE Begins DOE Cuts: On Wednesday, DOGE slashed 89 programs, cutting up to $881 million in funding. The move comes as (1) an Executive Order is expected to strip DOE of its current authority and limit funding for programs and (2) Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, faces confirmation hearings in Congress. McMahon backed the administration’s plan to dismantle DOE, calling it ineffective. McMahon will likely face a full Senate vote on February 20.
Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) No More?: The administration issued a regulation to stop pursuing prosecution for foreign agents lobbying on behalf of foreign entities. Shortly after, Trump paused the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which “prohibits American companies and foreign firms from bribing officials of foreign governments to obtain or retain business.”
Implications: Both laws have been in place for nearly half a century. Thus, the move further suggests a shift in existing international relations and policies.
Media Matters: The Trump admin banned the Associated Press from the Oval Office and special events, after the organization refused to align their editorial standards to using “Gulf of America,” instead of Gulf of Mexico. The AP responded that the Trump administration’s move was a clear violation of the First Amendment.
Trump rules out Palestinian return after Gaza resettlement: In an interview with FOX during Super Bowl Sunday, Trump suggested that, as the U.S. is developing the “Gaza Riviera,” Palestinians could take refuge in the neighboring countries of Jordan and Egypt.
Egypt is working on a plan for Gaza reconstruction focused on a two-state solution. Jordan’s King remained non-committal but reaffirmed opposition to Palestinian displacement. On Friday, Trump threatened to revoke funding from the two countries if they did not work with the U.S. to resettle. When asked by Bret Baier whether Palestinians would be allowed to return to Gaza, Trump was adamant that they would not.
📜 Congress
Congress establishes a DOGE Caucus to align spending with the new efficiency push: In response to the new Department of Government Efficiency, Congress established a new DOGE caucus. The purpose of the caucus is to work with DOGE to “streamline government operations and to save taxpayer money.”
Namely, the caucus aims to align congressional spending and action with the recommendations of the new DOGE administration. The House also created a DOGE Subcommittee, which held its first hearing on Thursday. The hearing was essentially a “referendum on Elon Musk,” with Democrats criticizing his actions and Republicans endorsing them. Smartt Takes will keep an eye out on any DOGE-related congressional movements.
Reconciliation Update: The House Budget Committee voted this week on a budget resolution, “one big, beautiful bill,” to pursue Trump’s agenda.
The chamber’s move is at odds with the Senate, where Majority Leader Sen. John Thune (R-SD) plans to issue a two-track reconciliation package, one to address Trump’s tax cuts and the second to focus on the president’s immigration enforcement agenda. Rules passed under the reconciliation budget would only require a simple Senate majority, meaning that Republicans could pass the president’s budget priorities without Democratic support.
Brief primer on reconciliation:
📍 Judiciary Actions
Fork in the Road Travels on: A federal judge has lifted the pause on Trump/DOGE’s “Fork in the Road” delayed resignation plan. Judge O’Toole determined that the unions who brought forth the suit did not have the jurisdiction to block the plan. In response, OPM announced that the offer had closed, and only those who submitted their resignation before the case (before the official deadline) had been accepted.
Judge Rebukes Foreign Aid Freeze: A federal judge paused Trump’s freeze on USAID foreign aid programs, ordering the Trump administration to restore aid globally. The judge argued that the administration had given no justifiable explanation for its blanket suspension of the previously congressionally-authorized aid. Plaintiffs in the suit also accused Trump of violating the Constitution by encroaching on Ccongress’s power of the purse. The judge has given the administration until February 18 to comply with the order.
Judge Considers Inspector General Lawsuit: A judge agreed to hear arguments from eight federal watchdogs, known as inspector generals, who were fired by Trump in his first week. The inspector generals are appointed non-partisan officials to oversee activity within the executive branch. Although the judge is hearing the case, she denied an emergency request to reinstate the officials, calling the argument “flimsy.”
Data Back On Track: A Judge ordered the CDC and FDA to restore websites and public health data, removed following Trump’s DEI and gender executive orders. The judge agreed with the plaintiffs that removing potentially life-saving data violated federal law.
White House Responds: Responding to the orders, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused federal judges of acting as “judicial activists” and trying to obstruct the Trump administration’s agenda. She followed up saying that the administration will comply with the courts, but they ultimately believe they will be vindicated.
In response to the flurry of judicial activity, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) reportedly is planning to introduce legislation that would limit lower judges’ authority to issue a nationwide block on presidential action. Vance and Musk, too, have taken to Twitter, calling the actions unlawful and arguing “evil judge[s] must be fired.”
In response, Trump invoked Napoleon Bonaparte saying: “He who saves his country does not violate any law.”
Refer to last week’s Smartt Takes on Trump’s legal strategy.
✅ Approvals and ❌ Removals
Approved
Tulsi Gabbard (DNI) - The Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard in a 52-48 vote to serve as the Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard’s nomination had been controversial amongst Republicans, but she ultimately sailed through with near unanimous support from Republicans. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) joined Democrats to vote against Gabbard’s nomination. In response, Trump called McConnell a “bitter guy” who is “not equipped mentally.”
Robert F. Kennedy (HHS) - Democrats took to the Senate floor to protest the nomination of RFK for HHS. While the tactic delayed the vote, ultimately Kennedy was confirmed by a vote of 52-48 on Thursday, with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) once again voting alongside Democrats. Kennedy will oversee public health policy and lead the MAHA Commission.
Brooke Rollins (Agriculture) - Brooke Rollins was approved by a bipartisan vote of 72-28, to lead the Department of Agriculture. Rollins will have to work to address the impact of the avian bird flu outbreak affecting dairy and poultry producers. She will also need to assuage the concerns of farmers who are worried about the impact of Trump’s funding cuts, tariffs, and trade policy.
Removed?
Efficiency Overcorrection: After firing 300 National Nuclear Security Administration staffers, the Trump administration scrambled to rehire them upon realizing they manage the U.S. nuclear stockpile. Whether the officials will return or not remains to be seen . . . the administration will have to track them down first.
🗞️ Other News
DOJ ordered prosecutors from the Southern District of New York (SDNY) to lift charges on Eric Adams: Citing “inappropriate timing,” the Department of Justice has ordered prosecutors to drop the charges against NYC mayor Eric Adams. The mayor found himself in hot water after he was indicted on charges of federal bribery, fraud, and campaign finance violations. While Smartt Takes didn’t publish an article on it, I did take some notes in November 2023 when the event transpired. Here they are:
Following the DOJ’s decision, several DOJ officials and SDNY lawyers, including the Acting U.S. Attorney resigned in protest. In a storm of rather scathing letters, the officials called out the DOJ’s decision as a legal and ethical violation, with the former lead prosecutor, Hagen Scotten, calling out any lawyer who asked the judges to dismiss the case as, “a fool or a coward.”
Former U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon accused Adams of exchanging “improper immigration enforcement assistance” for his dismissal. The charges were dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning that DOJ officials can file the charges again at any time, leading the resigning officials to speculate that the arrangement was a “quid-pro-quo,” an accusation denied by the officials leading the recommendation.
The Department of State awards Elon Musk a $400 million contract: Reportedly, the Department of State planned to procure $400 million for Elon Musk for “armed Teslas.” After journalists caught wind of the procurement; however, the State Department removed Tesla’s name from the initial document and reuploaded it with a provision allocating $400 million for “armored electric vehicles.” Notably, the initial procurement document was filed in December 2024 under the Biden administration.
OpenAI Rejects Elon Musk Proposal: On Friday, OpenAI’s board – the makers of Chat GPT – unanimously rejected a $97 billion proposal from Elon Musk to take over the company. The move was expected, as the company wasn’t for sale. Nevertheless, it was the next strike in a battle between Musk and OpenAI that has been ongoing since Musk left the company in 2018. Since then, Musk has been at odds with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, with the two engaging in constant Twitter fights.
The New Sheriff in Town: At a Munich Security Conference Friday, Vice President JD Vance blasted European leaders for “cancelling elections” and “suppressing free speech.” He insisted that leaders’ biggest threat to security was “from within.”
The move was a surprise to leaders, who expected Vance to talk about the U.S.’s ongoing conversations with Russia and Ukraine to start negotiations. It also further suggests a strain between U.S.-European relations which are traditionally a stronghold. Following the remarks, Vance met with the leader of Germany’s far-right party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD). In response, German Chancellor Olaf Sholz accused Vance of interfering in his party’s elections.
👏
There is so much news going on, it’s really important to take care of your mental health. This means, avoiding doom scrolling or over-engaging, make sure to take breaks from the news and get physical activity; and make sure your sleep is in good order. (Remember this Lesley. :))
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