A number of executive orders were signed by US President Donald Trump on Monday that were intended to reshape military procedures, including banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives (DEI), rescinding service members’ discharges for refusing to give COVID-19 vaccines, and putting a ban on transgender service members.
After a narrow Senate vote, newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth earlier stated that he would follow up with the orders “rapidly and quickly.”
The most recent news from Monday is presented here along with a week’s outlook.
Military changes
Trump claimed to have signed four executive orders while speaking with reporters on Monday on Air Force One.
Trump revealed that he had signed an order establishing a framework for the development of an “American Iron Dome,” a missile defence system designed to defend the country, among others.
“We have to have a strong, strong defence”, Trump said. “And in a little while, I’ll be signing four new executive orders”.
He explained that the first was to “immediately begin the construction of a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defence shield, which will be able to protect Americans”.
Immigration crackdown
As part of a comprehensive enforcement plan, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Monday that it had made 1, 179 arrests and issued 853 detainers as part of a nationwide crackdown. Since Trump took office a week ago, this is the highest number.
Since Thursday, the organization has reported that at least 3, 552 arrests have been made as a result of the recent crackdown. Under President Joe Biden’s administration, the average daily arrests of noncitizens with criminal convictions or pending charges was 467 and 310 in 2023 and 2024 respectively, according to a CBS News report.
Colombia has also stepped back from Bogota’s refusal to accept deported flights in the wake of Trump’s threatened tariffs on the continent. Colombia is currently bringing its own planes to the US to retrieve its citizens.
Hegseth stated that there would likely be more military personnel at the southern border in his first full day at the Pentagon, joining about 4, 000 already there.
“The undocumented immigrants we’ve talked to said they are living in fear”, Al Jazeera’s John Hendren said, reporting from Chicago.
“Many of them are staying home, not going to school, not going to work. In the area of Little Village, a Hispanic neighbourhood in Chicago, many shops are empty. And that suggests that the Trump administration’s shock campaign may be successful, he continued.
pic.twitter.com/zCJszn9gG6
DeepSeek AI
Trump claimed that American businesses should be motivated by DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence technology. He also made it clear that China had a more affordable and quick AI development strategy.
“I’ve been reading about China and some of the Chinese companies, one of which is developing a much less expensive and faster AI approach, which is good because you don’t have to spend as much money. I view that as a positive, as an asset”, Trump said.
deepseek’s r1 is an impressive model, particularly around what they’re able to deliver for the price.
We will undoubtedly produce much better models, and having a new competitor is legit energizing! we will pull up some releases.
Things you might have missed:
US Justice Department shakeup: citing a lack of trust, the agency fired more than a dozen officials connected to Trump-related legal proceedings. The department’s most recent upheaval is seen in the abrupt terminations of the prosecution team against former special counsel Jack Smith. Prosecutors from the US typically continue to prosecute under both presidents. Prior to Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Smith left the Justice Department.
Scott Bessent, a billionaire investor, has been confirmed as the new treasurer. Formerly a Democratic supporter and former George Soros employee, Bessent.
Greenland: The Danish government has earmarked $2bn to bolster Arctic security near the US and Russia. Trump suggested purchasing Greenland for the sake of international security, so this is the latest development.
When federal maps switch, Google announced that its maps will use the names Mount McKinley and Gulf of America preferred by Trump for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico.
Trump reflects on his first week of White House service to House Republicans: In his Monday address to House Republicans, who were gathering in Miami for their annual policy retreat, he reviewed his first week.
He highlighted his executive orders and policy directives, including the start of deportations of unauthorised immigrants, a federal hiring freeze, withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, and opposition to government support for electric vehicles, among other initiatives.
What’s next from Trump and his administration?
The Congress is still working to confirm Trump’s cabinet.
Prior to the hearing for the secretary of health and human services’ confirmation hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing opposition. His anti-vaccine advocacy is being criticized by critics, and former vice president Mike Pence is actively lobbying against him because of his earlier support for abortion rights.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be the first foreign leader to meet with Trump since his inauguration in terms of foreign policy.
According to two US officials who are aware of the preliminary planning for the trip, Netanyahu hopes to travel to Washington as soon as next week. Trump also stated to reporters on Monday that he would meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House within the coming month.
On Wednesday, Trump is anticipated to sign the Laken Riley Act.
According to two sources who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, Trump is scheduled to sign the Laken Riley Act, the first bill of his second term, on Wednesday afternoon at the White House.
Source: Aljazeera
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