Trump Revokes Nearly $5 Billion in Foreign Aid
President Donald Trump wrapped up his week by informing Congress that he has revoked almost $5 billion in foreign aid previously authorized by them. This action comes as he faces a deadline—October 1—to secure funding or deal with potential shutdown issues.
Interestingly, Trump is utilizing something called a pocket withdrawal to remove these funds. This method sidesteps Congress entirely, unlike the usual withdrawal process which requires legislative approval within 45 days. Given how close we are to the end of the fiscal year, Congress seems unable to react in time.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) stated, “Last night, President Trump cancelled $4.9 billion from the US using a pocket withdrawal.” They further declared, “[President Donald Trump] will always put America first!”
The slashed funds include around $520 million from international organization accounts, over $390 million from peacekeeping operation contributions, $322 million from the Democracy Fund, $445 million from other peacekeeping operations, and more than $3 billion from development aid.
On the other hand, lawmakers from both parties expressed frustration over Trump’s decision to withdraw these funds.
“Efforts to withdraw funds allocated without Congressional approval are a clear violation of the law,” Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, expressed in a Friday statement.
Korea Summit
Trump’s week also included a meeting with South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae Myung. During this summit, he highlighted his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, suggesting they might meet “someday.” Trump previously engaged with Kim three times during his first term, with discussions happening in Singapore, Vietnam, and North Korea between 2018 and 2019.
“I have a very good relationship with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “I know many might disagree, but I look forward to meeting him again.” Currently, the Trump administration aims to revive denuclearization talks with North Korea, but the response from Pyongyang hasn’t indicated any willingness on their part.
Death Penalty in Washington?
On a different note, Trump mentioned his intention to push for the death penalty in Washington for individuals convicted of murder, continuing his strong stance on crime in the nation’s capital. “If someone commits murder in Washington, D.C., we are seeking the death penalty,” he stated during a cabinet meeting, calling it a necessary precaution. “It’s powerful, and everyone I’ve spoken to agrees with this.” However, one has to wonder if the country is ready for this shift.
Notably, the Supreme Court deemed the death penalty unconstitutional in 1972 under specific conditions, and the D.C. Council abolished it in 1981, per the Death Penalty Center.
It’s still unclear how the White House plans to approach this reinstatement effort. Additional details have yet to emerge, although Trump signed an executive order back in January titled “Recovering the death penalty and protecting public safety,” which instructs the Attorney General to pursue the death penalty for serious crimes.
The order states, “The death penalty is a vital tool to prevent and punish the most heinous crimes and acts of violence against American citizens.” It emphasizes the historical reliance on capital punishment as a deterrent and proper punishment.
Cracker Barrel Logo Controversy
Switching gears, Trump also engaged in a debate regarding Cracker Barrel’s logo, urging the restaurant chain to revert back to its original branding and drop the recent changes which included the removal of “Uncle Herschel.” “Cracker Barrel should listen to its customers—the ultimate poll—and reconsider their recent decision,” he commented on social media.
Later on Tuesday, Cracker Barrel responded, stating they have heard their customers and would retain the old logo, which has been in use since 1977.
The White House seems to be receiving some acknowledgment for this shift, with press secretary Caroline Leavitt confirming the change on social media. Trump himself expressed gratitude for the restaurant’s decision to revert its logo, emphasizing that “all of our fans are very thankful.”
