Here’s what happened during President Donald Trump’s 4th week in office
President Donald Trump and his administration have been actively pursuing their foreign policy priorities this week, engaging in meetings and calls with heads of state to advance discussions surrounding the end of the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump spoke with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where they agreed to launch negotiations to bring an end to the conflict between the two nations. Trump expressed optimism about the negotiations and his commitment to working closely with both leaders to achieve a successful outcome.
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump announced that he had asked top officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of the CIA John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Ambassador and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to lead the negotiations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also traveled to Kyiv to further discussions, while Vice President JD Vance met with Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference.
Despite the progress in negotiations, the Trump administration faced criticism for pressuring Ukraine to make concessions. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s comments that regaining Ukraine’s pre-war borders with Russia was unrealistic sparked concern that Putin would take advantage of the situation. However, Hegseth defended the administration’s approach, emphasizing that negotiations were being conducted from a position of strength.
In addition to the efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump welcomed Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House to discuss contentious issues related to the relocation of Palestinian refugees to Jordan and other Arab nations. The U.S. had announced plans to take over the Gaza Strip to bring stability to the region, but faced backlash from Arab countries including Jordan. Despite the tensions, Abdullah expressed willingness to work with the U.S. on humanitarian efforts, including accepting sick Palestinian children into Jordan.
Trump also proposed denuclearization talks with China and Russia, aiming to reduce nuclear weapons globally. He highlighted the need for countries to prioritize more productive investments rather than building new nuclear weapons. The administration is projected to spend a significant amount on nuclear weapons in the coming years, prompting Trump to push for disarmament efforts.
In a move to streamline the federal government, Trump signed an executive order instructing the Department of Government Efficiency to coordinate with federal agencies to significantly reduce staffing numbers. The order aims to limit new hires and implement large-scale reductions in force to cut costs and improve efficiency within the government.
Furthermore, Trump announced plans to halt production of the penny due to its high production costs, although the process of discontinuing the coin is still unclear and may require congressional approval. Critics argue that evaluating changes to the nickel may be a more practical solution.
Overall, the Trump administration remains focused on addressing key foreign policy issues and implementing reforms to streamline government operations and reduce unnecessary spending. The president’s proactive approach to diplomacy and governance reflects his commitment to achieving positive outcomes for the nation and the international community.
