Here’s what happened during Trump’s 3rd week in office
President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Tuesday, marking the first visit from a foreign leader during Trump’s second term. The meeting was significant as Trump unveiled massive plans suggesting that the U.S. would “take over” the Gaza Strip in a “long-term ownership position” to deliver stability to the region.
During a joint press conference with Netanyahu, Trump announced, “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site.” Despite this statement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the president wouldn’t commit to placing U.S. troops on the ground in Gaza as part of the rebuilding effort.
Leavitt emphasized that Trump is an “outside-of-the-box thinker” who is a “visionary leader” capable of solving complex problems. She mentioned that the United States needs to be involved in the rebuilding effort to ensure stability in the region for all people. However, the effort does not entail American troops on the ground or taxpayer funding, but rather a strategic deal-making approach by Trump.
The announcement of the U.S. taking over the Gaza Strip drew backlash from Democratic lawmakers and leaders of the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. A senior Hamas official condemned Trump’s intentions, calling it a “crime against humanity.”
In addition to the Gaza Strip takeover, Trump reinstated the “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, imposing sanctions aimed at sinking Iran’s oil exports. He expressed reluctance in signing the order but emphasized the need to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Furthermore, Trump signed an executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court in response to an arrest warrant issued for Netanyahu. The order imposes financial sanctions and visa restrictions against ICC officials supporting investigations targeting U.S. citizens and allies.
Another significant move by the Trump administration was the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund within the U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments. The fund, set to be created within 12 months, could potentially be used for strategic investments such as the acquisition of TikTok.
Overall, Trump’s second term has been characterized by bold and controversial actions in foreign policy and economic strategy. The president’s unorthodox approach and deal-making skills continue to shape U.S. policies on the global stage.
