Abdelrahman
The Guardian is closely monitoring Donald Trump and the actions of his administration, providing daily updates through various articles, features, and analyses. Let’s delve into some key highlights from US politics that took place on Wednesday, February 19.
Trump Labels Zelenskyy as a ‘Dictator’
Tensions between the US and Ukraine are intensifying as Donald Trump ramped up his criticism of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, referring to the Ukrainian president as a “dictator” and cautioning him to “act quickly” or risk losing his country.
Trump’s remarks, filled with inaccuracies, followed Zelenskyy’s assertion that Trump was engulfed in a Russian “disinformation bubble.” This came after Trump suggested that Ukraine bore responsibility for Russia’s invasion in 2022, a narrative closely aligned with Kremlin propaganda.
Additionally, Guardian journalists have fact-checked Trump’s statements about the conflict in Ukraine, which included blaming Zelenskyy.
Trump Backs House Budget Proposal
Donald Trump has thrown Senate Republicans’ budget efforts into disarray by endorsing a rival plan from the House, prompting GOP leaders to work urgently to salvage their initiatives ahead of a looming government shutdown.
This unexpected endorsement came shortly after Senate Republicans sought to advance their own dual-track budget proposal. Instead, Trump expressed his desire for “ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL” to pass through the House’s reconciliation process.
Trump Directs DoJ to Dismiss Biden-Era US Attorneys
Donald Trump has announced that he has ordered the Department of Justice to terminate any remaining US attorneys appointed by the previous administration. This move seems aimed at eliminating Joe Biden’s political appointees who may resist aligning prosecutorial decisions with Trump’s agenda. Trump stated on Truth Social, “We must ‘clean house’ IMMEDIATELY to restore confidence.”
While it is common for US attorneys to be dismissed after a change in administration, the Trump administration has been particularly aggressive in pursuing widespread firings.
Trump Enhances Authority Over Independent Regulators
Donald Trump has extended his control over independent regulatory bodies by issuing an executive order that mandates accountability of agencies created by Congress to the White House. Some experts believe this action conflicts with widely accepted interpretations of the constitution.
Trump’s Group Sues Brazilian Justice Involved in Bolsonaro Case
Trump’s media organization, in conjunction with the video platform Rumble, has filed a lawsuit against a Brazilian supreme court justice, alleging violation of a Brazilian influencer’s right to free speech who resides in the United States.
This lawsuit against justice Alexandre de Moraes was submitted in Florida following the indictment of Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro for his alleged role in attempting to maintain power after his 2022 election loss.
Previously, Moraes was engaged in a protracted conflict with Elon Musk, commanding Musk’s platform X to block accounts disseminating far-right misinformation and anti-democratic materials.
Judge Denies Motion to Restrict Doge’s Access to US Data
A federal judge has opted not to impose an immediate ban on Elon Musk and the “Department of Government Efficiency” (Doge) from accessing government databases or engaging in employee layoffs. US District Judge Tanya Chutkan acknowledged legitimate concerns regarding Musk’s authority but found insufficient evidence of severe legal harm to warrant a temporary restraining order.
Trump Proposes Fast-Tracking Fossil Fuel Initiatives
On Wednesday, environmental advocates expressed outrage as the Trump administration initiated measures to expedite fossil fuel projects through the permitting process. Activists perceived this as a strategy to undermine environmental regulations designed to protect waterways and wetlands.
Reports indicate that the State Department has instructed its global outposts to terminate all subscriptions to news and media outlets deemed “non-mission critical” in yet another unprecedented Trump administration measure against standard information channels.
Trump Declares Himself ‘King’, Faces Backlash
Democrats have reacted strongly after Trump referred to himself as a “king” on social media following his administration’s decision to end New York City’s congestion pricing program. On Truth Social, Trump claimed, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” In response, the White House shared Trump’s statement on social media alongside a computer-generated image depicting Trump with a golden crown on a faux Time magazine cover set against the New York City skyline.
Additional Highlights from Today:
During the Future Investment Initiative, a global finance conference held in Miami and organized by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, Trump asserted that the United States is “back and open for business,” predicting an end to “the dark days of high taxes, burdensome regulations, rampant inflation, blatant corruption, government misuse … and total incompetence.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker delivered a powerful state-of-the-state address, drawing parallels between Trump’s alarming power maneuvers and the emergence of Nazism in 1930s Germany.
In a harsh statement following a request to dismiss the corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove urged justice department officials and prosecutors who disagreed with this decision to resign.
The Internal Revenue Service is set to lay off 6,700 employees as early as Thursday, marking the beginning of mass layoffs coinciding with the start of tax season. Further reductions in agency personnel are anticipated.
