On January 29, 2025, the tenth day of President Donald Trump’s second term, several significant actions and events took place:
Legislative Actions:
- Signing of the Laken Riley Act: President Trump signed into law S. 5, known as the “Laken Riley Act.” This legislation mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security detain individuals who have been charged in the United States with theft, among other provisions. (whitehouse.gov)
Executive Orders:
- Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism: The President issued an executive order aimed at addressing anti-Semitism, particularly on college campuses. The order emphasizes the enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect individuals from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, which can include anti-Semitic harassment. (nafsa.org)
Immigration Policy:
- Deportation Agreement with Venezuela: President Trump announced that Venezuela had agreed to accept deported Venezuelan nationals from the United States, including individuals associated with the criminal gang known as Tren de Aragua. This development followed discussions between U.S. envoy Richard Grenell and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. However, the Venezuelan government had not officially confirmed the agreement at that time. (elpais.com)
Media Relations:
- Pentagon’s Media Rotation Program: The Department of Defense implemented a new “media rotation program,” resulting in the removal of established news organizations such as The New York Times, NBC News, National Public Radio, and Politico from their Pentagon offices. These outlets were replaced by One America News Network, the New York Post, Breitbart News Network, and HuffPost. The stated aim was to broaden media access, but the move raised concerns about press freedom and potential bias. (vanityfair.com)
Federal Workforce Reduction:
- Buyout Offers to Federal Employees: The administration extended buyout offers to nearly 3 million federal employees, providing seven months’ salary for those who resigned by February 6. This initiative was part of a broader strategy to reduce the size of the federal workforce and was accompanied by directives for employees to return to office settings and adhere to stricter conduct standards. (theguardian.com)
Data and Information Policy:
- Removal of Federal Website Content: The administration began removing specific content from federal websites, particularly information related to climate change, racial equity, and gender identity. Notably, key datasets from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), such as the Social Vulnerability Index and Environmental Justice Index, were taken offline. This action was in line with an executive order targeting the elimination of “gender ideology extremism.” (theverge.com)
These actions reflect the administration’s efforts to implement its policy priorities across various sectors, including legislation, executive directives, immigration enforcement, media relations, federal workforce management, and information governance.