Trump’s 3rd Week: Executive Orders, Trade Wars & a Gaza Shockwave/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ In his third week back in office, Donald Trump continued reshaping the federal government with a wave of executive orders, new trade tariffs on China, and a controversial vision for Gaza. His deferred resignation push sparked legal battles, while Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) faced court challenges over its access to Treasury records. Meanwhile, Trump backed off trade wars with Canada and Mexico, but pushed ahead with tariffs on China.
Trump’s Third Week: Executive Orders, Trade Wars & a Gaza Shockwave – Quick Look
- Executive Order Overload: Trump has signed 92 executive orders in just 20 days, from banning paper straws to revoking Biden-era policies.
- Trade War Bluff?: Trump called off tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but went ahead with new tariffs on China.
- Musk’s DOGE Faces Court Fight: A federal judge blocked DOGE from accessing Treasury’s payment system after concerns over transparency.
- Gaza Controversy: Trump suggested the U.S. take control of Gaza, relocate its residents, and turn it into a Mediterranean tourist hotspot.
- Trump’s “Joking, But Not Joking” Strategy: From abolishing the Education Department to talking about a third term, Trump continues blurring the line between serious policy and offhanded remarks.
Trump’s Third Week: Executive Orders, Trade Wars & a Gaza Shockwave – Deep Look
Executive Order Blitz: 92 Orders in 20 Days
Trump’s return to office has been marked by a relentless stream of executive orders. In just three weeks, he has signed at least 92 orders, including:
- Pardoning Jan. 6 rioters.
- Withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement.
- Overhauling transgender athlete policies.
- Marking the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation.
- Banning paper straws (reportedly coming soon).
Trump loves the spectacle of signing orders, even bringing a mini desk with the presidential seal to public events to sign policies in front of crowds—a tactic he first used during his 2017 term.
“I may even have a very tiny little desk put on the 20th stair because I always like to sign with a desk,” Trump joked in November before his inauguration.
Trade Wars: A Mixed Bag
In classic Trump fashion, the week saw dramatic trade war threats—and then sudden reversals.
- Tariffs on Canada & Mexico? Never mind. Trump backed off threats of trade penalties after Canada agreed to crack down on fentanyl and Mexico deployed 10,000 National Guard troops to its border.
- China Tariffs Move Forward. Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, despite Beijing warning it would retaliate.
- Economic Impact? Economists warn that the tariffs could increase inflation and slow economic growth.
While the White House insists the tariffs are about drug trafficking and illegal immigration, critics say Trump is reviving his first-term trade wars without a clear long-term strategy.
Elon Musk’s DOGE Faces Legal Challenges
One of the biggest controversies of the week was Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gaining temporary access to the Treasury Department’s payment system.
- What Happened? Musk’s team was reportedly looking for ways to block USAID payments and analyze federal spending.
- The Fallout: A federal judge blocked DOGE’s access, ordering a hearing for February 14.
- Why It Matters: The Treasury payment system processes trillions of dollars—from tax refunds to Social Security payments. Any disruption could cause chaos.
The White House tried to downplay concerns, but insiders revealed that Musk’s team had already begun searching for ways to reshape U.S. foreign aid.
Trump’s “Joking, But Not Joking” Strategy
Trump has a long history of making extreme statements, only to later claim he was “half-joking”—or double down on them.
- Abolishing the Education Department? Trump said he wants Linda McMahon (his new appointee) to “put herself out of a job” by dismantling the agency.
- Running for a Third Term? Trump laughed it off, but then mused about using leftover campaign funds for a 2028 run.
- Government Data Disappearing? When asked if federal websites were deleting key information, Trump said, “I don’t know, but that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”
This blurring of serious policy and humor keeps his base engaged while frustrating critics who struggle to determine his real intentions.
Trump’s Gaza Shockwave: A “Riviera of the Middle East”?
One of the most stunning moments of the week was Trump’s proposal for Gaza.
Trump suggested:
- The U.S. should take control of Gaza.
- Palestinians should be permanently relocated elsewhere.
- Gaza should be redeveloped into a luxury tourist hub, calling it the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The international backlash was immediate, with both allies and adversaries rejecting the idea.
Even Secretary of State Marco Rubio scrambled to reframe Trump’s remarks, insisting any resettlement would be “temporary”—but Trump doubled down.
“We will slowly and carefully begin the construction of one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on Earth,” Trump said.
The proposal added another layer of unpredictability to an already volatile situation in the Middle East.
The Big Picture: Trump’s Third Week = Chaos & Controversy
With executive orders, economic threats, and radical foreign policy ideas, Trump’s third week in office has been as unpredictable as ever.
- His executive orders are reshaping federal policies at breakneck speed.
- His trade war tactics remain inconsistent, creating uncertainty in global markets.
- His Gaza remarks have sparked international alarm.
- His government overhaul efforts, led by Elon Musk, are facing major legal battles.
As Trump’s presidency moves forward, his governing style remains a mix of disruption, spectacle, and unpredictability—leaving both his supporters and critics scrambling to keep up.
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