President Donald Trump revealed today a new initiative that will allow wealthy foreigners to purchase what he referred to as 'gold cards,' granting them the right to reside and work in the United States with a pathway to citizenship in exchange for a $5 million fee. The 'gold cards' are set to replace the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa program, as confirmed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Lutnick emphasized that individuals obtaining these cards will undergo thorough vetting procedures to ensure they are deemed 'world-class global citizens.' Trump made the announcement during a media briefing in the Oval Office, where he also signed an executive action related to the copper industry and addressed various inquiries from the press.
Trump mentioned that the sale of these 'gold cards' is scheduled to commence in approximately two weeks, with the potential for millions of cards to be issued. When asked about the possibility of selling the cards to Russian oligarchs, Trump expressed openness to the idea, citing his acquaintance with 'very nice' Russian oligarchs.
Regarding recent directives issued to federal employees, Trump characterized the requirement for employees to report their work hours as 'somewhat voluntary,' despite later stating that non-compliance could result in termination. The directive has caused confusion among government employees since its issuance over the weekend.
In other news, the United States and Ukraine have reached an agreement on natural resources and reconstruction, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expected to visit Washington soon. Trump hailed the agreement as significant and confirmed Zelensky's upcoming visit.
The White House has decided to suspend the active security clearances of attorneys from the legal firm Covington & Burling, who are collaborating with former special counsel Jack Smith. Trump referred to this action as the 'deranged Jack Smith signing or bill.'
Additionally, Trump expressed intentions to invite the world champion Philadelphia Eagles to the White House following their recent Super Bowl victory, dispelling false rumors circulating on social media about the team's alleged decline of the invitation.
