President Donald Trump marked the conclusion of his first 100 days in office by signing an executive order aimed at tightening immigration laws and promoting religious freedom.
One of the more significant developments this week was the departure of National Security Advisor Mike Waltz from his position at the White House. Shortly after his exit, Trump announced plans for Waltz to represent the U.S. at the United Nations.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed, “We are thrilled to nominate Mike Waltz as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.”
“From his time in military service, in Congress, and as my national security advisor, Mike has always prioritized our nation’s interests. I’m confident he’ll do the same in his new position. Alongside Secretary Marco Rubio’s steadfast leadership in national security, we are committed to keeping America safe.”
Sanctuary City Restrictions
On Monday, Trump enacted an executive order requesting a comprehensive list of sanctuary cities that do not adhere to federal immigration laws, as mandated by the Justice Department and Homeland Security.
Following this order, these cities will be notified and given a chance to reconsider their sanctuary status; failing to do so might lead to a loss of federal funding.
Sanctuary cities are known for limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, which can involve refusing to comply with requests from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“It’s straightforward. Comply with the law, do not obstruct federal immigration and law enforcement. The American people are clear about their feelings on this—illegal foreign criminals should not be in their communities. This administration is dedicated to enforcing immigration laws vigorously.”
New Fighter Jets Initiative
On Tuesday, Trump unveiled a new initiative to acquire 21 state-of-the-art F-15Ex Eagle II Fighter Jets, replacing the retired A-10 aircraft stationed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan.
During a speech to National Guard members at the base, Trump elaborated on the new fighter jet mission as part of the celebrations for his 100th day.
Selfridge will be the fourth military base to host these fighter jets, which are set to be operational by July 2024.
Trump noted, “These are brand new jets. They haven’t been deployed anywhere before. Trust me, I saw one fly overhead and wondered, ‘What is that?’ This aircraft has serious capabilities. It’s the best you’ll find worldwide.”
The F-15Ex is an upgraded version of the F-15C Eagle that was rolled out by the Air Force in 1989, designed for better fuel efficiency, radar capabilities, and avionics. It works well alongside other Air Force aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II fighter.
Establishment of a Religious Freedom Committee
On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order to create a Presidential Commission on Religious Freedom. He announced the initiative during a National Prayer Day event at the White House, with Texas Lt. Col. Dan Patrick slated to chair the committee.
Patrick stated, “The previous administration has been hostile towards people of faith for four years. There’s a saying that no one should intervene between a doctor and patient. I believe it applies here too—there shouldn’t be interference between God and the believer.”
The Religious Freedom Committee is set to deliver a report that will bolster religious freedom in America, examining its historical context and evaluating the threats it faces, according to a White House fact sheet following the order.
The report will cover topics such as religious education, school choice, attacks on places of worship, and the freedom of speech for religious groups. Additionally, the committee will provide insights to the White House regarding policies and legislative efforts to enhance religious freedom.
