House GOP leaders narrowly passed a landmark $6.5 trillion budget resolution late Tuesday, delivering President Trump’s promised 'big, beautiful bill' through $4.5 trillion in tax reductions and $2 trillion spending cuts. The vote split sharply along party lines amid Democratic opposition and Republican unease over deficit impacts.
Simultaneously, the Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Iranian drone suppliers while escalating trade tensions through proposed copper tariffs. Treasury officials targeted six entities allegedly aiding Iran’s UAV program, with Secretary Scott Bessent declaring,
'We will dismantle Iran’s shadow procurement networks.'
Tech policy took center stage as Elon Musk solidified his advisory role in federal workforce reforms. Wired’s investigative team revealed how Musk’s handpicked operatives are restructuring agencies via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Musk’s daily collaboration with Cabinet members to 'identify waste.'
Key developments include:
- A $1 billion agriculture package addressing egg shortages and avian flu
- Controversial anti-abortion judicial nominations advancing through Senate hearings
- British PM Keir Starmer’s urgent White House visit to safeguard Ukraine aid
Immigration policy shifts emerged as Trump proposed replacing EB-5 visas with a $5 million 'Gold Card' program. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick framed it as a deficit-reduction measure, though critics question the lack of job creation requirements.
The administration’s cultural battles intensified as Trump assumed leadership of Washington’s Kennedy Center, prompting artist boycotts. Meanwhile, an iPhone dictation glitch mistakenly suggesting 'Trump' when users said 'racist' sparked temporary social media backlash before Apple deployed fixes.
With federal workers facing Musk-driven productivity audits and Ukraine’s allies scrambling to counter Trump’s direct Moscow negotiations, analysts predict ongoing turbulence across government sectors. As OPM warns employees about compliance demands, the President bluntly stated:
'If you don’t answer, I guess you get fired.'