In his second term, President Trump has issued 383 executive orders, surpassing all predecessors since Eisenhower, with a pace exceeding even his own first term and that of President Biden’s entire presidency. Many of these orders, including those targeting transgender rights, immigration, and education, appear aimed at his political base. Significant early actions included rescinding numerous Biden-era orders and initiating controversial policy changes. While falling short of FDR’s record, Trump’s prolific executive order output is unprecedented in recent history.
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In response to escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, the Trump administration has not ruled out using nuclear weapons, rejecting reports that this option was off the table. Concerns exist that conventional weapons may be insufficient to destroy Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, prompting consideration of a nuclear strike. Experts warn of catastrophic consequences, including intense radioactive fallout, should a nuclear weapon be deployed. Despite this, the White House maintains that all options remain open, alongside a stated belief in the possibility of negotiations.
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On Juneteenth, President Trump criticized the increasing number of federal holidays, claiming they cost billions of dollars and are unwanted by workers. He threatened to eliminate the Juneteenth holiday, despite previously scheduling a campaign rally around it and later claiming credit for popularizing it. This follows a similar stance against Indigenous Peoples’ Day, with Trump advocating for a return to Columbus Day. Defense Secretary Hegseth also downplayed the significance of Juneteenth, instructing the Pentagon to adopt a muted approach to its commemoration.
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A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Trump administration from withholding billions in transportation funding from 20 states that refused to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The judge ruled the administration lacked the legal authority to tie transportation funds to immigration enforcement, deeming the policy arbitrary and lacking specificity. The states had argued that the administration’s actions were an overreach of power. The injunction halts enforcement of the new rules while the lawsuit proceeds. This decision follows a similar ruling blocking the withholding of funds from sanctuary cities.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced President Trump will decide within two weeks whether to join Israel in bombing Iran. This announcement was met with widespread skepticism due to Trump’s history of using the “two weeks” timeframe for various promises that were never fulfilled. A reporter directly challenged Leavitt on this pattern of broken promises, prompting a defensive response that blamed President Biden. The overall reaction to Leavitt’s statement highlighted a lack of credibility surrounding the president’s claims.
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Stephen Colbert criticized Donald Trump’s recent nickname for Jerome Powell, “Too Late,” deeming it a weak insult compared to his past creations. Colbert contrasted this with Trump’s previous, more colorful monikers such as “Meatball Ron,” “Sloppy Steve,” and “Little Marco,” highlighting a perceived decline in the president’s insult game. The segment showcased examples of Trump’s past nicknames and their targets, emphasizing their often-physical or personality-based nature. Colbert ultimately lamented the apparent lowering of standards in political insults.
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President Trump’s repeated use of a self-imposed “two-week deadline” for making decisions, specifically regarding Iran and previously regarding Russia-Ukraine, has raised concerns about his commitment to these timelines. This pattern, highlighted by CNN, shows multiple instances where the deadline passed without any announced action. His press secretary attributed the recurring two-week timeframe to a pursuit of diplomatic solutions, citing past negotiations as evidence. However, critics point to a lack of concrete results following these self-imposed deadlines.
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The G7 summit in Kananaskis concluded with Canada pledging C$2 billion in military aid to Ukraine, despite internal divisions regarding a unified statement on the war. President Zelenskyy expressed disappointment over a missed opportunity to secure further weapons support from President Trump, declaring diplomacy to be in crisis. The final G7 chair’s statement voiced support for Trump’s peace efforts and emphasized the need for Russia to reciprocate Ukraine’s commitment to a ceasefire, while exploring further sanctions. Despite Canada’s significant aid, the United States remains Ukraine’s primary arms supplier.
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A new Fox News poll reveals that 59 percent of registered voters oppose President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” compared to 38 percent in favor. This significant opposition, crossing party lines, highlights widespread concern over the bill’s potential negative impact on family finances and the national economy. The poll also underscores persistent economic pessimism, despite a slight improvement in economic ratings since the start of Trump’s second term. These findings, coupled with Trump’s underwater approval rating, suggest substantial challenges for the bill’s passage.
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Jena, Louisiana, a town heavily reliant on the GEO Group’s private prison, hosts quarterly community luncheons where GEO makes charitable donations. These events contrast sharply with the realities of the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center, a major detention facility known for harsh conditions and prolonged detentions of immigrants, including notable political activists. The town’s history reveals a pattern of controversy surrounding its detention facilities, ranging from a juvenile detention center plagued by abuse allegations to the current ICE center, highlighting a complex relationship between economic dependence and ethical concerns. Despite the national attention garnered by these issues, residents often downplay or avoid discussion of the detention center’s operations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker