President Donald Trump kicked off the 10th week of his assertive second term with a Cabinet meeting on Monday, diving headfirst into a mix of domestic and international controversies. While his agenda charges full steam ahead, legal and diplomatic hurdles seem determined to throw some wrenches into his plans.

The question buzzing in political circles is whether tech mogul Elon Musk, affectionately dubbed 'DOGE chief,' will attend. Tensions reportedly flared at the last meeting between Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, allegedly over budget cuts. Both Rubio and Trump, however, dismissed the rumors, calling them baseless trouble-making. (Can’t you just picture this drama unfolding in a Netflix series?)

Meanwhile, Trump's legal team is embroiled in court battles over key pieces of his second-term agenda. These include contentious issues like deportation policies, federal workforce reductions, foreign aid cuts, and the president's executive orders related to gender identity policies in the military and passport designations. It’s a legal minefield, but Trump seems undeterred by the opposition.

Adding to the intrigue, Trump will appear alongside Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, whom he recently appointed to the Council of Governors. Landry has been vocal in supporting Trump’s moves to decentralize education policy, slamming the federal Department of Education's performance with a fiery statement: "The time for change is NOW!" It’s bold, and one can’t help but wonder if this rhetoric will resonate beyond the echo chambers of Trump’s loyal base.

On the global stage, the administration faces criticism for dismantling USAID, even as advocates urge the president to renew the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program credited with saving millions of lives. Launched by George W. Bush, PEPFAR is hanging by a thread, and its expiration could spark a humanitarian fallout. The Bush Institute has strongly recommended reconsideration, but will Trump budge? Don’t hold your breath.

Simultaneously, U.S. negotiators are treading a diplomatic tightrope in Saudi Arabia, engaging with Russian and Ukrainian officials over a tentative ceasefire outline. Trump recently held talks with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, signaling the administration’s involvement in the ongoing conflict. (A ceasefire? We’ll believe it when we see it.)

Later this week, Trump is dispatching a delegation to Greenland, led by Vice President JD Vance and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. However, the reception from Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute B. Egede has been frosty, to say the least. Calling the visit "highly aggressive," Egede accused the U.S. of flexing its muscles unnecessarily. This trip could either thaw relations—or make things icier than the Greenland tundra.

Vice President Vance defended the move, boldly stating that territorial interests in Greenland are vital for U.S. national security. "President Trump doesn’t care what the Europeans scream at us," he said, in a statement that’s sure to ruffle some feathers across the Atlantic. One thing’s for sure: Greenland won’t be rolling out the red carpet anytime soon.

Governance News

Trump Charges Ahead in Week 10 Amid Battles with Judges and Global Controversies