Donald Trump has ordered a halt to all federal financial assistance programs.
The acting head of the White House Office of Management and Budget has issued a directive that puts into effect Donald Trump’s order to halt all federal financial assistance and loan programs. Matthew Vaeth issued a memo to all federal agencies that was supposed to be kept from the public but was leaked to a number of news organizations. The memo says that financial assistance for foreign aid, the green new deal, nongovernmental agencies, and diversity, equity and inclusion programs is to be stopped but doesn’t specify for how long. It appears as if Social Security and Medicaid are not covered by the order. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the financial assistance was ordered by Congress and what Trump is doing violates the law.
Trump accused of ignoring his promise to cut food prices.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and 20 Democratic members of the House have sent a letter to Donald Trump accusing him of doing nothing to help bring down food prices for U.S. consumers. Trump had frequently promised during the campaign to address food costs on the first day of his presidency. The Democrats say Trump has focused on releasing the Jan. 6 convicts from prison and arresting immigrants instead of helping U.S. citizens as he had promised to do.
Trump raises the possibility of a third term.
Donald Trump told a meeting of Republicans at his Trump National Doral Resort in Miami that he might want to stay in office for a third term despite the two-term limit for presidents. Trump’s remarks in Miami yesterday followed similar comments he made in Las Vegas on Sunday about wanting a third term. Tennessee Republican Congressman Andy Ogles has not only raised the possibility of amending the Constitution to allow Trump to run for a third term, he has introduced a resolution in the House that would start the process.
General Motors reports revenues for 2024 were up 9% over the previous year.
General Motors today reported revenues of $47 billion for 2024, a 9% increase from the previous year. Net income for the year was $6 billion. In the fourth quarter of 2024, GM had a $2.5 billion loss. The company’s CEO Mary Barra in a letter to shareholders said, “There is uncertainty over trade, tax, and environmental regulations and we have been proactive with Congress and the administration. In our conversations, we have stressed the importance of a strong manufacturing sector and American leadership in advanced technologies.”
Investigation continues into shooting of Jan. 6 convict pardoned by Trump.
Indiana State Police are investigating the shooting death by one of its officers of a Jan. 6 convict who was given a pardon by Donald Trump. Details of what happened remain sketchy, but vehicle driven by Matthew Huttle had been stopped by a state trooper. It was during the traffic stop that the trooper shot and killed Huttle. Police said Huttle had a gun and resisted the officer. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave.
CDC personnel told to stop working with World Health Organization.
Everyone at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been told to immediately stop working with the U.N.’s World Health Organization (WHO). They have been banned from even visiting any WHO office. Donald Trump has started the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO. Congressional approval is required and a one-year advance notice to the WHO is required. The stop work order by the Trump Administration gets around those required procedures. The WHO has numerous programs that control diseases and prevent pandemics. The CDC has worked closely with the WHO to share information and scientific research.
