Trump avoids stock market talk in social media frenzy

President Trump made no comments about the sinking stock market on Monday. As Wall Street continued its sell-off to begin the week, the president did not make any public appearances and no public statements about the stock market. However, he was active on social media — sharing several dozen favorable articles about himself and Republican praise for his leadership. Over the weekend, the president refused to rule out a possible recession, which further spooked investors.

Trump defends Justice Barrett against MAGA criticism

President Trump is defending Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Some of the president’s MAGA supporters have stepped up their criticism of Barrett after she has broken with other conservative justices on some issues. But Donald Trump, who nominated Barrett during his first term, supports the justice. Barrett voted to reject the Trump administration’s attempt to freeze nearly two billion dollars in foreign aid, which sparked criticism among some of the president’s allies

U.S and Ukraine officials to hold talks in Saudi Arabia

U-S and Ukrainian officials will hold talks this week about ending the war with Russia. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz says he and Secretary of State Rubio will be meeting with a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia. Last week, President Trump suspended military aid and intelligence to Ukraine to pressure Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to accept a peace deal with Russia.

Trump isn’t ruling out a recession amid tariff concerns

President Trump won’t rule out a recession amid uncertainty over the impact of his tariffs. After making several references last week to possible economic pain, the president was asked on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures if he’s expecting a recession this year. He said, “I hate to predict things like that,” but suggested there will be “a period of transition.” He also said Americans will need to be patient before seeing the benefits of his tariff and trade policies.

Trump hopes Congress can pass funding, avert shutdown

President Trump is hopeful that Congress can avert a government shutdown at the end of the week.
The president told reporters on Air Force One that he thinks a spending bill that would keep federal agencies funded through September will probably pass this week. But he’s not ruling out a possible shutdown. Congress must act by midnight Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Trump finding it harder to deal with Ukraine about ending war

Trump backs off push to end Daylight Saving Time

President Trump is softening his push to end Daylight Saving Time. Late last year, after winning the election, Donald Trump described daylight saving time as “inconvenient” and “very costly.” And he said Republicans would be working to eliminate the time shift. But last week, he backed off a bit and sounded less enthusiastic about making a change. He told reporters that daylight saving time is a ” 50-50 issue” and that “when something’s a 50-50 issue, it’s hard to get excited about it.” In the U-S today, every state except Hawaii and Arizona observes daylight saving time.

Trump wants a “scalpel” approach to firing government workers

Trump says tariffs could cause temporary economic pain

President Trump acknowledges that his trade policies could inflict some temporary economic pain. On several occasions this past week the president defended his embrace of tariffs — while admitting there could be some negative repercussions. Neither he nor his press secretary would predict how much economic pain there could be or for how long. But even as the stock market sank the president predicted long-term economic success.

Judge says U.S. must make foreign aid payments by Monday

The Trump administration has until Monday to speed up nearly two-billion dollars in foreign aid payments. The money is owed to partners of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department for work already done before the funds were frozen. A federal judge ruled in favor of nonprofit groups and businesses that sued over the funding freeze, which has forced organizations around the world to slash services and lay off thousands of workers. The Trump administration has argued that presidents have wide authority to override congressional decisions on spending when it comes to foreign policy.

Trump “strongly considering” Russia sanctions in bid to end war

President Trump is raising the possibility of raising the pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine. Writing on social media, the president said he’s “strongly considering” sanctions and tariffs on Russia in hopes of forcing a settlement to the war in Ukraine. He said such sanctions could remain in place “until a cease fire and final settlement agreement on peace is reached.” The president, who has been reluctant to criticize Russia for its invasion, urged both counties to “get to the table…before it’s too late.”

In letter to Iran’s leader, Trump seeks new nuclear deal

President Trump said he sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader. The president wrote to Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei seeking to negotiate a nuclear deal. He told Fox Business News that he hopes an agreement can be reached because if the U-S has to take military action “it’s going to be a terrible thing” for Iran. The president said “something’s going to happen one way or the other” and now is the time to negotiate.

Trump to Musk: “be very precise” after firing federal workers

Trump says Ukraine and Russia has “no choice” but to end war

Trump says his trade policies could cause “short-term interruption”

President Trump acknowledges that his trade policies could inflict some temporary economic pain. Amid growing fears of the economic fallout from tariffs and other policies, the president is defending his plan — while admitting it could get a bit bumpy. Threatened tariffs have caused the stock market to sink, but the president claims he’s ignoring Wall Street. In the meantime, the Nasdaq has fallen more than 10 percent below its record set in December.

In reversal, Trump postpones Canada, Mexico tariffs for one month

President Trump is postponing the new tariffs on most goods from Canada and Mexico for a month. In a reversal, the president is delaying the 25 percent tariffs on many Canadian and Mexican imports. This is the second one-month postponement since he first unveiled the import taxes early last month. The threatened tariffs have jeopardized relations with America’s two neighbors and the plans have caused the stock market to sink. The president says he still plans to impose “reciprocal” tariffs starting in early April.

Second judge bars Trump from freezing grants, loans

A second federal judge has extended a block barring the Trump administration from freezing grants and loans. This time, a judge in Rhode Island granted the request for a preliminary injunction from nearly two dozen Democratic states. Trillions of dollars of grant and loan money are at stake. Government lawyers argued the court lacks the constitutional authority to block the funding freeze, while the states said a long list of important social services are at risk. Trump administration officials have said Social Security, Medicare, and food stamps would not be affected.

Trump issues Hamas “last warning” to release hostages

President Trump has issued a “last warning” to Hamas to release all remaining hostages held in Gaza. In a strongly worded social media post, the president demanded that Hamas “release all of the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or,” he wrote, “it is over for you.” He added that he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job.” His comments came after a meeting with eight former hostages at the White House. GC, Wash.

Federal judge blocks Trump’s NIH funding cuts

A federal judge is preventing the Trump administration from drastically cutting medical research funding. After temporarily blocking the National Institutes of Health cuts last month, a federal judge is putting the cuts on hold for longer, while lawsuits proceed. Scientists argue that a drastic reduction in medical research funding will endanger patients and delay new lifesaving discoveries. The Trump administration has dismissed some of the funding expenses as “overhead,” but universities and hospitals argue they’re far more critical.

White House confirms “ongoing talks” with Hamas

The White House confirms “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officials amid the ongoing ceasefire with Israel. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump supports the dialogue between U-S officials and Hamas. Leavitt declined to provide details on the talks, but noted that there are “American lives at stake.” She also said Israel has been consulted about the direct engagement with Hamas.

Trump exempts Big Three automakers from tariffs for one month

President Trump is granting a one-month exemption on tariffs for U-S automakers. A day after slapping 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, the president is delaying the levies on Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis for one month. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says the president spoke with leaders of the Big Three automakers, who requested the call. Leavitt said the president’s reciprocal tariffs on imports are still scheduled to take effect in April.

Supreme Court: Trump admin needs to unfreeze foreign aid

A divided Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration needs to release frozen foreign aid.
By a 5-4 vote, the high court rejected an emergency appeal from the Trump administration and reinstated a lower-court order to release nearly two-billion dollars in frozen foreign aid. But it was not clear how quickly money would start flowing. Justices told the lower-court judge to clarify his earlier order that required the quick release of aid to pay nonprofit groups and businesses for work that had already been done.

America’s political divide on display during Trump’s speech to Congress

The country’s stark political divide was on full display during President Trump’s speech to Congress. It didn’t take long for the presidential address to feature partisan behavior on both sides of the aisle. Donald Trump set the tone early by calling Joe Biden “the worst president in American history.” Early in the speech, Democratic Congressman Al Green of Texas stood up and shouted at the president. House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered Green to be removed after he refused to sit down.

Trump touts “swift” action to reshape America in speech to Congress

President Trump delivered the first major speech of his second term during a visit to Capitol Hill. Addressing a Joint Session of Congress, the president said his new administration hit the ground running six weeks ago. He laid out his agenda to combat illegal immigration, cut the size of the federal government, and impose tariffs. Something he acknowledged may cause some temporary pain. The president also announced that Ukraine’s leader is ready to return to the negotiating table.