Wednesday, 19 February 2025

President Trump blamed Ukraine for the war with Russia, stating that Ukraine should have made a deal earlier without territorial losses. Trump's comments contradicted Ukraine President Zelenskyy's assertion that Trump is operating within a 'web of disinformation,' prompting Trump to call Zelenskyy a 'dictator without elections.'

The Trump administration rescinded New York City's congestion pricing program, a $9 daily toll designed to reduce Manhattan traffic and fund subway improvements. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority immediately filed a lawsuit to challenge the revocation.

Trump ordered the Justice Department to fire all U.S. attorneys appointed by President Biden, continuing efforts to reshape federal law enforcement. Emil Bove, Trump's acting deputy attorney general, appeared at a hearing regarding the dismissal of charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams.

Trump signed an executive order making independent regulators including the Securities and Exchange Commission and Federal Trade Commission answerable to the White House, significantly expanding presidential control over these agencies.

Trump blindsided Senate Republicans by endorsing a rival House budget plan instead of the Senate proposal, causing Republican leaders to scramble ahead of a potential government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader said he 'did not see that one coming.'

Climate advocacy groups including the Sierra Club and Greenpeace filed two lawsuits against the Trump administration, marking the first environmental legal battles of his second term focused on his drilling orders.

Trump and Elon Musk appeared together on Fox News with Sean Hannity, discussing their working relationship. The interview highlighted their collaboration while avoiding explanations of Musk's actual influence over administration policy.

The Trump administration cut off legal aid funding for unaccompanied immigrant children, a move advocates warn will endanger vulnerable minors already at risk of abuse.

The U.S. designated six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations as part of Trump's plan to wage war on drug trafficking to address the fentanyl crisis.

The State Department ordered cancellation of media subscriptions at foreign posts, telling embassies to end all 'non-mission critical' news subscriptions in a directive that critics warn will 'endanger lives' by limiting access to critical information.