Breaking news on Donald Trump including presidential actions, policy decisions, legal matters, political rallies, and administration updates.
The Trump administration announced plans for a 10% tariff on the EU and Canada and a 12.5% tariff on other nations including China, citing forced labor practices. The EU called the move unjustified. These tariffs permanently replace temporary ones struck down by the Supreme Court in February.
President Trump confirmed he called Israeli PM Netanyahu 'crazy' during a Monday phone call, expressing frustration that Israel's fighting of Hezbollah in Lebanon is complicating peace talks with Iran. Trump stated their relationship is solid and they connect as 'wartime' leaders.
President Trump claimed a US-Iran deal could be reached within the week, possibly over the weekend, and that under the deal the US would take Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. He also mentioned discussions with Hezbollah for the first time, with both sides agreeing not to strike each other. Trump described Iran as volatile but prefers a deal over military action.
The Trump administration is diverting at least $90 million from national park entry fees to fund D.C. projects, including a $1.6 million July 4 fireworks display and $76 million for fountain repairs. The cost to repaint the Reflecting Pool has quintupled from an initial $13.1 million to $76 million, despite Trump's earlier promise of $1.8 million.
The US Senate rejected two key Trump priorities in the budget bill: $1 billion for a White House ballroom and a $1.776 billion 'weaponization fund'. The removal follows backlash and a parliamentarian ruling that the ballroom funds violated budget rules.
President Trump characterized the ceasefire with Iran as 'shooting in a moderate manner' during a press conference. He suggested the definition of a ceasefire differs in the Middle East and stated the US military could 'wipe everybody out' but prefers a written agreement to end the conflict.
President Trump stated in a podcast that the $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' is not dead, contradicting DOJ and Treasury officials who told Congress it was over. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward posted then deleted an X post suggesting an alternative compensation plan via the Federal Torts Claims Act.
The Trump Presidential Library states it cannot locate any Twitter direct messages sent by President Trump, despite evidence he sent them. Twitter identified at least 32 DMs sent or received by Trump before January 6, 2021, according to court records. The Presidential Records Act requires preservation of such records.
President Trump refused to commit to eliminating the $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund, stalling a $70 billion Senate immigration bill. Several Republicans back amendments to block the fund, but leaders warn such amendments could raise the vote threshold to 60, dooming the bill.
President Trump signed an executive order removing civil service protections for about 8,000 senior federal employees, making them at-will workers who can be fired without cause. The order affects GS-15 level staff earning up to nearly $200,000 per year, creating a new Schedule Policy/Career category.