HomeCurrent AffairsTracking Trump: DOGE cuts cause inefficiencies; China accuses Trump of provoking trade tensions; Trump discusses a pardon for Diddy; and more – The Washington Post
President Donald Trump holds a news conference Friday in the Oval Office with Elon Musk to mark the end of the Tesla CEO’s tenure as a special government employee. (Tom Brenner / For The Washington Post)Donald Trump and Sean Combs in New York City in 1997. They were often seen together in the 1990s New York social scene. (Ron Galella / Getty Images)
The 7 follows President Donald Trump’s second term. Today at 5:32 p.m. EDT
By Alec Dent
DOGE’s efficiency cuts aren’t making the government more efficient.
What’s happening: Government workers are finding cost-cutting measures and mass federal layoffs have created new layers of red tape and increased the workload of the remaining employees.
Zooming out: DOGE leader Elon Musk left the organization last week — with a black eye — after his special government employee status expired.
China hit back on Trump’s accusations of a trade war truce violation.
Trump’s view: The president says China is withholding export licenses for rare earth minerals. China’s view: Chinese officials accused Trump of “unilaterally provok[ing] new economic and trade tensions” by revoking Chinese student visas and announcing export controls on AI chips.
Where things stand: We’re in the midst of a 90-day pause on tariff hikes on Chinese goods that will end Aug. 12.
Trump considers pardoning a musician accused of sex trafficking.
What to know: Trump demurred when asked about a potential pardon for Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is charged with racketeering and sex crimes.
Pardoning spree: Trump announced a host of pardons and commutations for figures ranging from former politicians to reality TV stars.
A Trump-backed candidate won the Polish presidential race.
The new leader: Karol Nawrocki was a historian before he ran for president of Poland on the conservative Law and Justice party ticket with a “Poland first” message. His Trump connection: Trump hosted Nawrocki at the White House last month. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem endorsed Nawrocki a few days before yesterday’s election.
It’s a trend: Nawrocki’s win is part of a growing movement to bring MAGA-style populism to European nations.
The Education Department is targeting efforts to change Native American mascots.
What happened: New York required schools to replace potentially offensive Native American mascots. Trump’s education secretary called the regulation, which permits other ethnic nicknames, discriminatory.
What’s next: The Education Department has given New York 10 days to sign an agreement repealing the regulation or risk federal reprisal.
Sen. John Fetterman praised Trump for pulling out of Obama’s Iran nuclear deal.
Background: In 2015, Obama helped negotiate a deal allowing Iran to enrich uranium for nonmilitary use provided U.N. inspectors could access the facilities. Trump pulled out of the deal in 2018.
Big picture: Fetterman’s remarks today are just the latest example of the Pennsylvania Democrat splitting from his Democratic colleagues, with whom he has increasingly strained relationships.
Trump’s military parade found a mascot.
Meet Doc: A 2½-year-old Blue Heeler named Doc Holliday will be accompanying the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment during the event celebrating the 250th birthday of the Army.
Controversies: The parade will take place June 14 — which also happens to be Trump’s birthday — and is estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million, including around $16 million in damage to D.C.’s roads from tanks. Is Doc a good boy? Yes.
One more thing … Over the weekend, Trump’s efforts to punish law firms affiliated with political enemies ran afoul of three federal judges, who said the president’s actions are unconstitutional.
