President Donald Trump's second week in office was marked by a series of controversial actions and policy decisions that stirred up the country. The week began with the White House backtracking on a directive to freeze federal spending on grants and loans, leading to disruptions and lawsuits. Trump also faced criticism for baselessly blaming diversity initiatives for a deadly plane crash near Washington.
Trump's administration made bold moves against institutions he was elected to lead, including ousting prosecutors involved in Capitol riot cases and laying the groundwork for purging FBI agents. The president's ally, Elon Musk, initiated efforts to downsize the federal workforce.
Throughout the week, Trump continued his efforts to reshape Washington by pardoning individuals charged in the Jan. 6 riot and pushing out prosecutors and FBI officials. The administration also targeted DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives, with Trump issuing orders to undo federal DEI efforts.
The week saw the Trump administration's first major policy setback with the abrupt freeze and subsequent unfreezing of federal grant funds, causing widespread concern across the nation. Communities rely on these funds for various programs and services, and the episode highlighted the challenges of reducing government spending.
Federal workers faced uncertainty as the administration offered paid leave to those willing to resign, raising questions about the future of the federal workforce. Trump's trade policies also came under scrutiny as tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico led to retaliatory measures, sparking tensions with America's trading partners.
As Trump's second week in office unfolded, it underscored the administration's determination to enact significant changes and its willingness to confront longstanding issues head-on.
