US President Donald Trump has taken several bold actions, including challenging constitutional norms, issuing executive orders, and delivering a fiery global address. Here are the key updates to keep you informed:
A US federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at curtailing birthright citizenship, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional”. The ruling, issued by Seattle-based Judge John Coughenour, prevents the administration from enforcing the order nationwide for 14 days, allowing further briefings on the legal merits of the executive order.
2. Pete Hegseth confirmed as US defense secretary amid controversy
The Senate has voted 51 to 49 to advance Pete Hegseth’s nomination to become secretary of defense. (AP)
Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as the new US Defense Secretary following a rare 50-50 split vote in the Senate, with Vice President JD Vance casting the deciding vote. This marks only the second time in US history that a cabinet nominee needed a tie-breaker. Hegseth’s confirmation is a significant win for President Donald Trump, but it has also exposed to deep divisions between Republicans and Democrats.
Three Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Mitch McConnell, joined all Democrats in opposing Hegseth’s appointment, citing concerns over his experience and past allegations of domestic abuse and sexual misconduct.
3. Trump’s TikTok intervention
President Trump has intervened in the ongoing battle over TikTok’s future in the US. He instructed the Justice Department to delay enforcing a law that would ban the app from working with US companies for 75 days . This move has allowed TikTok to resume its US operations, including returning to app stores.
The decision comes after a federal ban was triggered due to national security concerns. However, Trump’s executive order has put the ban on hold, enabling TikTok to continue operating while negotiations are ongoing. Additionally, Trump has proposed a US government ownership stake in TikTok .
4. Trump’s sweeping immigration reforms
Trump issued over a dozen immigration-related orders, including denying asylum seekers entry and expelling nearly a million people who entered the US on a temporary basis.
– Denial of Asylum Seekers: Trump’s orders deny entry to asylum seekers, potentially leaving thousands of individuals in limbo .
– Mass Deportations: Nearly a million people who entered the US on a temporary basis are at risk of expulsion.
– Tighter Visa Requirements: Stricter scrutiny of visa applications, including more documentation and interviews, may lead to increased denial rates.
– Border Security: Restarting the southern border wall and deploying advanced technology to secure the border.
– Changes to Citizenship: A more difficult civics test and ramped-up denaturalization efforts may impact those seeking US citizenship.
5. Trump revokes security for former officials
President Trump revoked security protection for his former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, and a former top aide despite warnings from the Biden administration that both men faced ongoing threats from Iran because of actions they took on Mr. Trump’s behalf, four people with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.
Mr. Pompeo and the aide, Brian Hook, had been part of an aggressive posture against Iran during the first Trump presidency, most notably the drone strike that killed the powerful Iranian general Qassim Suleimani in early 2020.
6. Executive orders on Cryptocurrency and assassination records
Trump signed executive orders supporting the growth of cryptocurrency and declassifying records related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.
7. Pardons for protesters at abortion clinics
Trump issued clemency to 23 individuals arrested for protesting outside abortion clinics, further solidifying his stance on the controversial issue. President Trump signed pardons for 23 anti-abortion protesters on Thursday, the White House said, including a set of people convicted of blockading a clinic entrance.
The people had been tried for conspiring in 2020 to overrun a Washington reproductive health clinic and setting up a blockade to intimidate patients and staff.
8. Trump freezes foreign aid, except for Israel and Egypt
President Donald Trump has ordered a 90-day pause on foreign development assistance, just hours after being sworn in, affecting nearly all countries except for Israel and Egypt.
This move is part of a review to assess the effectiveness and consistency of US foreign aid with Trump’s foreign policy goals. The decision has significant implications, as the US is one of the largest donors of foreign aid globally, with Ukraine being the largest recipient, having received $16.2 billion in aid .
9. Kristi Noem confirmed as homeland security secretary amid immigration debate
The Senate has confirmed Kristi Noem as the new Homeland Security Secretary, with a 59-34 vote, marking a significant win for President Donald Trump’s national security team.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be Secretary of Homeland Security, is sworn in before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for her confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 17, 2025. (AP)
Noem, the current Governor of South Dakota, will oversee a sprawling agency responsible for border security, immigration enforcement, and disaster response, among other critical tasks.
Her confirmation comes amidst a heated debate on immigration, with Trump planning major changes to the department’s functions, including involving the military in immigration enforcement .
10. Focus on US manufacturing
In his Davos address, Trump urged global businesses to manufacture their products in the US, promising some of the lowest taxes in the world but threatening tariffs for those who don’t comply.
These actions reflect Trump’s ambitious and controversial agenda, sparking debates across political, legal, and international spheres.
