In a week marked by sweeping executive actions and mounting political tension, President Donald Trump has once again thrust the White House into the center of national and global debate. From a controversial budget maneuver that withholds billions in foreign aid to a court ruling questioning his authority on tariffs, the administration’s latest moves are raising eyebrows across Washington and beyond.
On Thursday, August 28, President Trump sent a letter to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson declaring that he would not spend $4.9 billion in foreign aid previously approved by Congress. The letter, made public the next morning on the White House Office of Management and Budget’s X account, outlined Trump’s use of a rarely invoked tactic known as a “pocket rescission.” This maneuver, unused for nearly half a century, allows the president to submit a request to Congress not to spend certain funds near the end of the fiscal year—effectively running out the clock so lawmakers cannot reject the request within the 45-day window required by law. As a result, the money simply goes unspent.
According to AP News, the funds targeted by Trump include $3.2 billion for development assistance grants—programs like food security research and initiatives to counter Chinese influence abroad—$520 million for the United Nations regular budget and other agencies, $838 million for international peacekeeping operations, and $322 million for the Democracy Fund. The fiscal year closes at the end of September, leaving little time for Congress to respond.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle. Senator Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, didn’t mince words: “Any effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law.” She further argued, “Instead of this attempt to undermine the law, the appropriate way is to identify ways to reduce excessive spending through the bipartisan, annual appropriations process.” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer echoed these concerns, warning that Trump’s “unlawful ‘pocket rescission’ package is further proof President Trump and congressional Republicans are hellbent on rejecting bipartisanship and ‘going it alone’ this fall.”
Internationally, the impact is already being felt. United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric acknowledged, “This is going to make our budget situation, our liquidity situation that much more challenging.” The withheld funds include $520 million for the U.N. regular budget and $838 million for peacekeeping, potentially complicating the organization’s operations at a crucial time.
But the budget standoff is hardly the only controversy enveloping the White House. On Friday, August 29, a federal appeals court ruled that Trump had no legal right to impose sweeping tariffs on imports, though it allowed the tariffs to remain in place temporarily while the administration appeals to the Supreme Court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit found that the president was not legally allowed to declare national emergencies and impose import taxes on nearly every country, largely upholding a specialized federal trade court’s earlier decision. According to AP News, Trump’s tariffs and their unpredictable rollout have “shaken global markets, alienated U.S. trading partners, and raised fears of inflation and slower economic growth.”
Meanwhile, domestic policy moves are also fueling debate. The Department of Health and Human Services told 40 states this week to change parts of sex education lessons that focus on LGBTQ+ issues or risk losing federal funding within 60 days. The threatened funds, distributed through the Personal Responsibility Education Program, are aimed at vulnerable populations, including homeless and foster youth, minorities, and those in rural areas. This directive is part of what Trump calls a campaign against “gender ideology,” but several states have laws requiring the teaching of LGBTQ+ topics, setting the stage for a legal and political showdown.
In another high-profile action, the Trump administration canceled $679 million in federal funding for a dozen offshore wind projects across 11 states. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy justified the move by saying, “We are prioritizing real infrastructure improvements over fantasy wind projects that cost much and offer little.” The decision comes just days after the administration halted construction of a nearly complete wind farm off Rhode Island and Connecticut, signaling a broader retreat from green energy investments.
On the immigration front, Senator Ron Wyden revealed that the administration is planning to deport nearly 700 Guatemalan children who arrived in the U.S. without their parents. Wyden called the move a violation of the office’s “child welfare mandate and this country’s long-established obligation to these children.” The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Office of Refugee Resettlement, did not immediately comment.
Foreign policy tensions are also escalating. The U.S. revoked visas for Palestinian officials ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the decision was made “in our national security interests” and accusing the officials of “undermining the prospects for peace.” The Palestinian Authority expressed “deep regret and astonishment,” arguing that the move “contravenes international law and the Headquarters Agreement.” Palestinian representatives assigned to the U.N. mission in New York will be granted waivers to continue their work, but the broader delegation—including President Mahmoud Abbas—faces uncertainty.
Domestically, political maneuvering continues as Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe called a special session to redraw congressional districts, following a similar move in Texas where Governor Greg Abbott signed a new voting map designed to give Republicans five more seats in the 2026 midterm elections. According to AP News, these mid-decade redistricting efforts are part of a broader national battle over congressional control, with Democratic-led California passing its own bill to counter Republican gains.
Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to revoke Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris—protection that had been extended by President Biden until July 2026—has raised security concerns. The move comes just as Harris is set to embark on a book tour for her memoir, “107 Days.”
In the realm of public health, Jim O’Neill was named acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, replacing Susan Monarez, whose sudden firing left the agency in turmoil. O’Neill, a former investment executive without a medical background, steps in at a time of leadership upheaval and public scrutiny. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has come under fire from Senate Democrats, with Schumer stating, “RFK Jr.’s stubborn, pigheaded, and conspiracy-based attacks on proven science are going to make many more people sick and cause more deaths.”
Adding to the legal drama, a federal appeals court blocked the administration’s plan to end legal protections for 600,000 Venezuelans living in the U.S., maintaining their temporary protected status while the case proceeds. The court found that plaintiffs were likely to prevail on claims that the administration overstepped its authority and was motivated by racial animus.
Finally, the administration is preparing to send federal officers to Chicago for an immigration crackdown, with operations expected to begin as early as September 5. The move is part of a broader expansion of federal law enforcement in major Democratic-run cities.
Each of these actions underscores the Trump administration’s willingness to test the boundaries of executive power, setting up a series of legal, political, and diplomatic battles that are likely to reverberate well beyond this news cycle.
