United States President Donald Trump’s first week in office is over, and he’s already ramped up his influence over Washington.
During his first seven days in office, Trump deployed the military to the southern border and signed a series of executive orders — 26 issued within hours of taking office — to rename the Gulf of Mexico to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. (DEI) resolved issues related to programs.
His biggest promise this term is to tackle illegal immigration. The latest updates on his presidency and what to expect on Monday:
Avoidance: Trade war with Colombia
Trump claimed victory on Sunday after announcing that Colombia had backed the dispute over migrant deportation flights.
The crisis erupted on Sunday when Colombian President Gustavo Petro barred US military cargo planes from landing undocumented migrants.
Petro said he would not accept the flights unless the U.S. treated the deportees with dignity and respect. Trump retaliated with tariffs on all Colombian imports, a travel ban for Colombian citizens, the cancellation of visas for Colombian officials in the United States, and the suspension of processing for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
But after hours of tension with Bogota, the U.S. said Colombia had agreed to accept migrant deportation flights, including military planes, and tariffs would be suspended. Trump allies boasted that the result was a win for the president and a loss for Petro.
The petrol fell into the line.
Thanks, President Trump! pic.twitter.com/fktwkwrglb
— Roger Stone (@RogerStonger) January 27, 2025
The use of US military aircraft for deportation flights was unusual until Trump took office. Two flights, each carrying about 80 deported migrants, landed in Guatemala on Friday. Mexico last week denied a landing request for a US military plane with migrants on board. Earlier, Trump suggested he could impose 25 percent, across-the-board tariffs on Mexican goods starting in February.
Oliver dela Costa Steenkel, a professor of international relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo, Brazil, said Trump may have his way with Latin American countries in the short term, but his aggressive tactics have left regional leaders wondering about Washington’s alternative partnership. Can pressurize to find partners. .
“Latin American leaders will see these moments and, I think, become increasingly aware of the danger of over-reliance on the United States,” Stwenkel told Al Jazeera.
He said he would try to diversify his partnership because for weaker countries, dealing with Washington is very difficult and the best way to negotiate with Trump and increase your room for maneuver is that the US There are alternatives. It is not to be in a situation where you are so dependent that you have nowhere to run” Stoenkel said.
Trump’s ‘Clean Out’ Gaza Proposal
On Saturday, Trump proposed moving more than one million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to other countries and “cleaning up the whole thing.”
“I want Egypt to take people in,” Trump said. It’s done.’
Trump said he praised Jordan for successfully accepting Palestinian refugees in the past and told King Abdullah II: “I’d rather you see the entire Gaza Strip now. Yes, and it’s a real mess. Currently, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), 2.39 million More than registered Palestine The refugees live in Jordan, which has a population of 11.1 million people.
Israel’s 15-month war on Gaza has displaced nearly all of the enclave’s 2.3 million residents, some of them multiple times. Trump said Gazans could be relocated “temporarily or long-term.”
The proposal was unanimously rejected by the Palestinians on Sunday.
“It is impossible for people to accept this,” Palestinian Nafiz Halawa told Al Jazeera from Nusirat in central Gaza. “The weak may leave because of the sufferings they have endured, but the idea of ​​leaving our country,… is absolutely impossible.“
Some other things you may have missed:
JD Vance’s First Interview: JD Vance gave his first interview since becoming US vice president, discussing issues with CBS News including Trump’s immigration policy and his executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. have to do Although legal experts have said the U.S. Constitution would have to be changed to end it, Vance doubled down on the justification for the Trump administration’s order.
“Temporary residents, people who come here, whether they’re here legally or illegally, and don’t intend to stay, their children should not become U.S. citizens,” he said. “I don’t know of any country that does that or why we would be any different.” however, Many countries Offer birthright citizenship, including Canada, Mexico, Belize and Argentina.
Pat Hegsett talks to Benjamin Netanyahu: US Defense Secretary Pat Hegseth spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, marking the Pentagon chief’s first call with a foreign leader since taking office. Hegseth and Netanyahu “discussed the importance of advancing mutual security interests and priorities, particularly in the face of persistent threats,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
What’s next for Trump and his administration on Monday?
According to US media reports, Trump is expected to attend the annual retreat of Republican members of the House of Representatives at his golf resort, Trump National Doral Miami, outside Miami, Florida.
Party retreats provide an opportunity for lawmakers to come together, discuss policies and strategize on the best ways to implement them.
House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, are expected to focus on crafting a bill that would include key administration priorities — including energy, border security and tax policy.
In addition, a U.S. Senate vote on Trump’s Treasury Secretary nominee, Scott Besant, is scheduled for Monday afternoon.
The head of the finance department has broad oversight of tax policy, public debt, international finance and sanctions.
A Wall Street financier who once worked for George Soros was an early backer of Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, donating at least $3 million to the campaign, according to Federal Election Commission records.
