Week Two
Executive orders and memos continue flowing from the White House.
Monday, Trump signed four military-focused executive orders that:
- ended DEI initiatives across the armed forces
- reinstated (with backpay) 8,000+ service members discharged for refusing the COVID vaccine
- effectively banned “trans-identifying” individuals from service and forbid pronoun specification
- directed the building of an “American Iron Dome” like Israel’s missile defense system
Later, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed federal agencies to temporarily pause “all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance” and audit spending. The directive—which doesn’t impact Social Security, Medicare, or direct assistance to individuals—will take effect Monday after a judge delayed it last night.
The Trump admin said the memo didn’t amount to a “funding freeze,” but Democrats promise to continue challenging the “unconstitutional pause” of Congress-approved funding.
Verse to consider when you can’t keep up with life’s constant changes… “My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I wither away like grass. But you, Lord, are enthroned forever; your fame endures to all generations.”
Psalm 102:11–12 (CSB) (read full passage)