By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
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The Trump administration is drafting an executive order to begin the process of eliminating the Department of Education, sources say.
What to Know:
- The order would direct the Education Secretary to draft a plan to scale back the department.
- Trump also seeks congressional approval to dismantle the department entirely.
- Similar proposals in the past, including one in Trump's first term, failed to gain traction.
- The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, is also targeting the agency.
- Dozens of employees were placed on leave amid efforts to remove those linked to DEI initiatives.
This live blog is now closed.
Feb 04, 2025 at 04:58 PM EST
Vance helps sway GOP senator on key Trump nomination
Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., praised Vice President JD Vance today for playing a crucial role in securing his support for Tulsi Gabbard's nomination as director of national intelligence. Young told reporters that Vance helped him obtain specific reassurances from Gabbard regarding national security concerns.
"There was certain language I wanted her to embrace in her answers to reassure me that those national security gaps would be filled. And [I] worked with Vice President Vance, and he got me those the requested answers," Young said.
Vance also played a key role in assisting Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., to back Dr. John Kennedy's nomination as health secretary, with Cassidy acknowledging Vance's influence on his decision.
Feb 04, 2025 at 04:51 PM EST
How student loans will be impacted if Department of Education closes down
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With the U.S. Department of Education in the crosshairs of the Trump administration, the way millions of young Americans interact with the higher education system could be about to change.
Newsweek spoke with multiple experts who explained what the changes could mean for students and student loans.
During his 2024 campaign, President Donald Trump frequently vowed to dismantle the Department of Education, claiming it has been taken over by "radical zealots and Marxists." He argued that its authority should be handed over to the states.
The Department of Education, which according to its website employs more than 4,000 people, managed $1.5 trillion in federal loans for nearly 43 million borrowers as of January 2024.
Read the full story by Joe Edwards on Newsweek.
Feb 04, 2025 at 04:38 PM EST
Trump suggests Palestinians leave Gaza, seek new homeland
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Trump said on Tuesday that Palestinians had no choice but to leave Gaza due to the devastation caused by Israel's war with Hamas after the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack. Speaking to reporters before hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump suggested that Palestinians be relocated to Jordan and Egypt.
"They have no alternative right now," Trump said. "It's a big pile of rubble right now... It's a pure demolition site." He added that relocating Palestinians to new lands with financial support could offer them better living conditions than returning to Gaza.
Trump's comments, framed as a humanitarian effort, sparked controversy due to the long-standing regional conflicts over migration and the history of forced displacements. Neither Egypt nor Jordan is eager to absorb large numbers of Palestinians, and it remains unclear whether Gazans would be willing to leave their homeland.
Trump and Netanyahu are expected to discuss the ongoing cease-fire negotiations with Hamas, Iran's nuclear program, and potential normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia. Their meeting marks a renewed partnership after a period of tension following Trump's first term.
Feb 04, 2025 at 04:26 PM EST
Dr. Mehmet Oz meets with senators as part of push for CMS leadership
Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trump's nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is meeting with senators today on Capitol Hill to discuss his nomination and plans for the agency.
Following a meeting with Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Oz revealed that he would also meet with Senators Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.V., Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., to gather input from various regions. Oz emphasized the importance of connecting with senators from different parts of the country to field diverse ideas.
"We're going to work hard to make sure the American people feel empowered to get their health back," Oz said, referencing the "Make America Healthy Again" slogan. However, he declined to comment on whether he supports reducing the budgets of Medicare or Medicaid.
Feb 04, 2025 at 04:12 PM EST
Trump administration arrests over 8,000 immigrants, deports nearly 6,000 in first two weeks
In the first two weeks of the Trump administration, federal officials have arrested more than 8,000 immigrants and deported nearly 6,000 individuals, according to data released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday.
DHS officials shared the statistics on X, stating that President Donald Trump has "delivered on his promise to the American people to begin mass deportations of violent criminals within our borders." The administration's actions resulted in the arrest of 8,768 immigration violators and the deportation of 5,693 individuals from 121 countries.
The report also highlighted the criminal charges faced by some of those arrested, including drug offenses, drug trafficking, homicide, forgery, and human trafficking.
Feb 04, 2025 at 04:00 PM EST
Trump and Xi yet to discuss tariffs as Trump pauses duties on Canada and Mexico
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The leaders of the U.S. and China have not yet addressed the tariffs imposed on each other's goods, despite ongoing trade tensions.
The tariffs include those implemented by President Trump on Chinese goods and the retaliatory tariffs that Chinese President Xi Jinping has levied on American products.
In the meantime, Trump agreed to a 30-day pause on tariffs against Canada and Mexico following phone conversations with the leaders of these two U.S. allies.
Feb 04, 2025 at 03:48 PM EST
Head Start centers still struggling to access federal grant money after Trump’s aborted pause
A week after Trump's attempt to pause federal grants, Head Start centers that serve thousands of preschoolers are still facing difficulties accessing their funding. The delays have forced some centers to close their doors temporarily.
Head Start, which provides vital services to the nation's most vulnerable children and families, ran into issues when directors were locked out of the online payment system. Medicaid administrators also faced similar disruptions. While the website has since returned online, some administrators continue to experience intermittent outages, with some centers unable to access funds for over a week.
As a result, Head Start centers in Michigan and Wisconsin had to close temporarily, and at least one center in Pennsylvania is considering shutting down until it regains access to its funding.
The payment disruptions coincided with a directive from the Trump administration to pause federal grants, a move that was not intended to affect Head Start and Medicaid. Following public backlash, the directive was withdrawn, but the White House has not clarified whether the payment system was intentionally taken offline.
Feb 04, 2025 at 03:34 PM EST
Trump warns Iran would be ‘obliterated’ if they assassinate him
Trump issued a stern warning to Iran during the signing of an executive order aimed at ramping up pressure on Tehran.
"If they did that, they would be obliterated," Trump told reporters. "I've left instructions if they do it, they get obliterated, there won't be anything left."
The warning follows the announcement of federal charges in November, in which the Justice Department revealed an Iranian plot to kill Trump before the presidential election had been foiled. The department alleged that Iranian officials had directed Farhad Shakeri, 51, to carry out surveillance and ultimately assassinate the president. Shakeri, however, remains at large in Iran.
Feb 04, 2025 at 03:20 PM EST
Democrats tell Trump admin to ‘Stop the Steal’ with new bill
Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, both of New York, unveiled a new bill on Tuesday called "Stop the Steal" which they say is "to prevent unlawful meddling in the Treasury Department's payment systems and protect Americans across the country."
The bill was filed in response to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gaining access to the U.S. Treasury payment system, which is responsible for 1 billion payments per year totaling $5 trillion. It includes sensitive information involving bank accounts and Social Security payments.
Read the full story by Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.
Feb 04, 2025 at 03:06 PM EST
Trump administration moves to place most USAID staff on leave
The Trump administration is taking steps to place nearly all Washington-based staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development on leave, according to two sources familiar with the matter, Politico reports.
Around 1,400 employees are expected to be notified on Tuesday, in addition to about 600 who were placed on leave starting Sunday night. This would impact the majority of Washington-based staff, including civil and Foreign Service officers.
A senior USAID official said the agency's human resources department has already revoked system access for over 1,400 employees, signaling their imminent placement on leave.
Feb 04, 2025 at 02:47 PM EST
Senate panel advances Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for intelligence chief
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The Senate Intelligence Committee has voted to advance Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for director of national intelligence.
Her nomination will now move to a full Senate vote, where lawmakers will decide whether to confirm her for the role.
Feb 04, 2025 at 02:45 PM EST
Trump speaks with American Airlines CEO after deadly collision
Trump spoke by phone Monday with American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, according to a source familiar with the call, CNN reports.
The conversation followed a tragic collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines jet over the Potomac River, which resulted in 67 fatalities. Trump has suggested, without evidence, that the Federal Aviation Administration's diversity initiatives contributed to the accident.
Feb 04, 2025 at 02:34 PM EST
Doctors sue Trump administration for scrubbing data from government sites
Doctors for America filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
The lawsuit challenges the recent removal of health-related data and other information used by health professionals and researchers from publicly accessible government websites.
The complaint argues that the removal of essential webpages and statistics creates a gap in the scientific data needed to monitor and respond to disease outbreaks. The suit also contends that physicians are now deprived of resources that guide clinical practice.
Doctors for America (DFA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of doctors and medical students. DFA is represented by Public Citizen Litigation Group.
Read the full story by Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.
Feb 04, 2025 at 01:30 PM EST
EU seeks swift engagement with US over Trump’s planned tariffs
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The European Union is pushing for early discussions with the United States on President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs, EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said Tuesday. However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that negotiations with Washington would be difficult, Reuters reported.
Sefcovic told reporters that the EU was ready to engage as soon as Trump's nominees for Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, are confirmed. He emphasized that early talks could help prevent economic disruptions in what he called "the most important trade and investment relationship on this planet."
Von der Leyen stressed the EU's willingness to collaborate on shared interests, such as critical supply chains and emerging technologies, but vowed to protect European economic interests. Meanwhile, Trump's trade adviser Peter Navarro accused Europe of unfair trade practices, pointing to value-added taxes on cars.
The EU has had limited contact with the new administration, as key U.S. officials await confirmation. Trump has repeatedly criticized the EU's trade policies and signaled the bloc could be the next target for tariffs after recent actions against China, Canada, and Mexico.
EU ministers meeting in Warsaw presented a united front, agreeing to respond firmly but proportionately to any U.S. trade measures. Luxembourg's Xavier Bettel urged the EU to avoid making early concessions, stating, "This is not the Marrakech souk."
Feb 04, 2025 at 01:12 PM EST
FBI agents sue to block DOJ from compiling lists on Trump cases
FBI agents involved in investigations related to the January 6 Capitol attack and criminal cases against Trump have filed a class action lawsuit against the Justice Department, aiming to stop what they allege is a retaliatory effort by DOJ leadership, Politico reported.
The agents, who filed the lawsuit anonymously, included screenshots of a three-page survey they claim is being used to identify thousands of employees who worked on politically sensitive cases. They fear the Trump-led DOJ could use the lists to publicly expose or punish agents deemed disloyal, according to the suit.
The Justice Department has not yet commented on the lawsuit.
Feb 04, 2025 at 12:50 PM EST
Which countries have a sovereign wealth fund and how much are they worth?
Among the many swift, sweeping actions taken by President Donald Trump in the two weeks since his inauguration, there's the signing of an executive order calling for the creation of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund.
"We have tremendous potential," the president said while signing the order on Monday in the Oval Office. "I think in a short period of time, we'd have one of the biggest funds," he said, suggesting the fund might end up buying video-sharing platform TikTok.
However, some experts have been critical of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund since Trump first floated it during his presidential campaign, fearing the nation won't match the financial firepower of some of the biggest sovereign wealth funds in the world.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump ran on the same motto that fueled his victory in 2016: "Make America Great Again." The president has promised to bring down inflation and boost economic growth, presenting tariffs as a solution. In the past two weeks, he has already enacted a number of policies in this direction, threatening Canada and Mexico with 25 percent tariffs and imposing a 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods.
Trump's goal in creating a sovereign wealth fund is to generate more federal revenues as he's planning to introduce new tax cuts and shrink the size of the government; however, experts warn that the government might not have enough money to set up a strong fund.
Read the full story by Giuliana Carbonaro on Newsweek.
Feb 04, 2025 at 12:36 PM EST
Trump to speak with Chinese President Xi amid growing tariff tensions
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Donald Trump is expected to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping "soon" as both countries escalate their trade dispute by imposing tariffs on each other's goods.
Leavitt confirmed that the conversation is being scheduled and will happen shortly.
"This was a retaliatory tariff on China for the last four years of their unprecedented distribution of fentanyl," Leavitt said.
Feb 04, 2025 at 12:21 PM EST
Greenland moves to block foreign cash as Trump eyes takeover
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Greenland's parliament, the Inatsisartut, debated legislation on Tuesday aimed at prohibiting political parties from accepting contributions from foreign or anonymous sources.
The measure comes as geopolitical interest in the Arctic island intensifies, particularly following former United States President Donald Trump's stated ambitions to acquire Greenland from Denmark.
Newsweek reached out to Greenland Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede and the presidency of the Inatsisartut for comment.
The debate underscores growing concerns over foreign influence in Greenland, a strategically important Arctic territory rich in natural resources and home to the U.S. military's Thule Air Base. The bill comes ahead of parliamentary elections that are required to be held by April, with lawmakers seeking to preempt any potential external interference.
A parliamentary document outlining the measure stated that the bill "must be seen in light of the geopolitical interests in Greenland and the current situation where representatives of an allied great power have expressed interest in taking over and controlling Greenland," according to a translation of the document in Danish outlining the measure.
Read the full story by Daniel Orton on Newsweek.
Feb 04, 2025 at 12:05 PM EST
Canada’s response to fentanyl border concerns
In an interview on CNN, Canadian Minister of Public Safety David McGuinty discussed Canada's efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking. While Canada is responsible for less than 1% of fentanyl entering the U.S., McGuinty emphasized the need for greater collaboration between Canadian and American officials.
"And we're going to be working together with our American counterparts, for example, on the cartel issue, which is an issue that is expanding in Canada. It's expanded in the United States," he said.
He stressed intelligence sharing and joint border operations as crucial steps in reducing the flow of illicit drugs. McGuinty expressed optimism about the 30-day timeline for progress on this issue.
Feb 04, 2025 at 11:49 AM EST
Senate Intelligence Committee to vote on Tulsi Gabbard’s DNI nomination
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The Senate Intelligence Committee is set to vote in a closed session Tuesday afternoon on Tulsi Gabbard's nomination as director of national intelligence. The vote will determine whether her nomination advances to the Senate floor for a full confirmation vote.
Gabbard's nomination requires unanimous support from committee members, particularly from the GOP, to avoid collapsing. GOP Sen.
Tod Young confirmed Tuesday that he would support Gabbard, ensuring enough backing for her nomination to move forward. Young mentioned that he sought "firm commitments" from Gabbard regarding national security.
Feb 04, 2025 at 11:34 AM EST
Nassau County police granted federal immigration enforcement powers
Nassau County police will gain federal authority to arrest and deport criminal illegal migrants under a new agreement with the Trump administration. The deal, announced on Tuesday, will see 10 Nassau County detectives cross-designated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce immigration law alongside their regular duties, The New York Post reported.
This partnership, under ICE's 287(g) program, allows local law enforcement to take on federal immigration enforcement tasks. In return, Nassau County will receive federal funding for assisting with these efforts. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman voiced strong support for the program, emphasizing his commitment to removing illegal immigrants involved in criminal activity from the community.
As part of the agreement, the county will detain suspected illegal immigrants for up to 72 hours and provide ICE with a permanent presence at the county jail. This initiative will make Nassau County's police force one of the largest in New York and the country to receive such powers.
Blakeman expressed gratitude for President Trump's administration for addressing the issue, noting that ICE had been evicted from the county jail under his Democratic predecessor. He criticized other local governments for not participating in similar programs. The collaboration aims to combat migrant gangs and criminal activity in Long Island neighborhoods.
Feb 04, 2025 at 11:15 AM EST
Trump to attend Super Bowl
Donald Trump is expected to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday.
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Feb 04, 2025 at 11:08 AM EST
U.S. Senator warns of tax records ‘compromised’ by Elon Musk
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Senator Chris Murphy said the tax records of "every American" had been "potentially compromised" following reports that Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gained access to the Treasury Department's federal payment system over the weekend.
Newsweek contacted Murphy, DOGE employee Katie Miller and Musk, via the Tesla and SpaceX press offices, for comment by email outside regular office hours.
The Associated Press reported on Saturday that DOGE employees were able to access "sensitive Treasury data," including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems.
DOGE gaining access to Treasury records signals the influence Musk has within the second Trump administration. The billionaire tech tycoon previously called for up to $2 trillion to be cut from the federal budget.
Read the full story by James Bickerton on Newsweek.
Feb 04, 2025 at 10:50 AM EST
Trump to speak with Chinese officials as new tariffs take effect
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on C-SPAN that Trump will speak with Chinese officials today as new tariffs take effect. A 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods was implemented just after midnight, escalating trade tensions between the two nations.
Meanwhile, Trump has decided to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days following discussions with their leaders. The administration continues to navigate complex trade negotiations as global markets react to the latest policy shifts.
Feb 04, 2025 at 10:33 AM EST
Senate panel advances Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s HHS nomination
The Senate Finance Committee voted 14-13 along party lines to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The vote moves his nomination to the full Senate for consideration.
Feb 04, 2025 at 10:31 AM EST
Donald Trump administration hit with slew of legal challenges
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Since President Donald Trump assumed office on January 20, a slew of lawsuits have been filed challenging his executive actions.
Newsweek sought email comment from the office of the acting attorney general on Tuesday.
The lawsuits could delay or frustrate Trump's policies for years. They involve everything from birthright citizenship to federal diversity programs.
Read the full story by Sean O'Driscoll on Newsweek.
Feb 04, 2025 at 10:19 AM EST
Trump to meet with Netanyahu, Senate committees to vote on nominees
Trump will sign executive orders before welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House this afternoon. Netanyahu will be the first world leader to have a formal meeting with Trump since his inauguration, with a joint press conference scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.
Meanwhile, key Senate committees are set to vote on high-profile nominations. At 10 a.m. ET, the Senate Finance Committee will consider Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for secretary of health and human services.
The Senate Intelligence Committee is also expected to hold a closed-session vote on Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for director of national intelligence.
Feb 04, 2025 at 10:01 AM EST
Trump and Netanyahu meet as pressure mounts over Gaza ceasefire
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Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are set to meet Tuesday as Netanyahu faces competing pressures—hardliners in his coalition pushing for renewed military action in Gaza and Israelis seeking an end to the conflict and the release of remaining hostages.
Trump, who helped broker the current ceasefire, remains uncertain about its longevity. "I have no guarantees that the peace is going to hold," he told reporters Monday. The leaders are expected to discuss the next phase of the hostage deal, Israel-Saudi relations, and Iran's nuclear program.
Netanyahu, who is also facing declining support and an ongoing corruption trial, is in Washington for his first foreign trip since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him. His meeting with Trump may help him regain political footing, as the U.S. president remains popular in Israel.
Feb 04, 2025 at 09:46 AM EST
Wall Street steadies after market volatility
U.S. stocks stabilized Tuesday morning following a rocky start to the week for global markets.
The S&P 500 saw modest gains at the open, while the Nasdaq rose about 0.4%.
Investors remain cautious as they assess the potential effects of President Trump's tariffs on the economy.
Feb 04, 2025 at 09:34 AM EST
Trump’s USAID plans bring ‘legal challenges’: Legal expert
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The President and Elon Musk's plan to move control of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to the State Department will bring legal challenges, an expert has warned.
Loyola Law School professor, Jessica Levinson, told Fox2 "When it comes to really big structural changes to USAID then you need to go to Congress."
USAID and the State Department has been contacted by Newsweek via email for comment.
The United States' foundational federal government model is one of a balance of power. The Republican Party currently has control over all three branches, however, that does not mean that the President has automatic sovereign control over the country via executive orders.
The pauses to USAID carry immense consequences globally. Over the weekend soup kitchens in Khartoum, a hospital in Thailand, firewood storage in Ukraine, a program collecting intelligence on Al-Qaeda, and many other life saving organizations funded by the U.S. Government via USAID were shut down due to one potentially illegal Executive decision.
Read the full story by Sophie Clark on Newsweek.
Feb 04, 2025 at 09:18 AM EST
Trump to sign executive order on ICC sanctions
President Trump issued an executive order on Tuesday targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC), a White House official told reporter Kellie Meyer.
Details of the order have not yet been released.
Feb 04, 2025 at 09:04 AM EST
AOC calls Elon Musk ‘one of the most unintelligent billionaires I’ve ever seen’
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said in a new video that Elon Musk is "one of the most unintelligent billionaires I've ever seen."
"This dude is not smart," she said.
Feb 04, 2025 at 08:49 AM EST
Asian markets rebound as trade tensions persist
Asian stock markets recovered Tuesday after Monday's decline, buoyed by Canada and Mexico reaching tariff deals with President Trump.
However, uncertainty remained in Europe, where markets were mixed amid concerns over a potential trade war. U.S. futures signaled a lower open as investors weighed the escalating tariff battle between China and the U.S.
Feb 04, 2025 at 08:38 AM EST
Donald Trump has never been this popular: Polls
Donald Trump's favorability rating has reached a personal best, according to new polling, but he still remains the least popular president since at least 1953.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email.
It is common for a president's favorability rating to improve at the start of their term, as newly elected leaders often benefit from a "honeymoon period." Past presidents have typically enjoyed strong positive ratings during this time, meaning more people have a favorable view of them than an unfavorable one, which has not been the case for Trump. Despite this, he is currently more popular than at any other point in his political career, following a decisive victory in the election where Republicans secured control of both the House and Senate.
Trump has the highest favorability rating he's ever had, according to a tracker published by Real Clear Politics.
The tracker indicates that Trump's favorability rating currently averages +1.2 points, with 48.9 percent of respondents viewing him favorably and 47.7 percent holding an unfavorable opinion.
It is only the second time Trump has had a positive rating, the tracker shows, with the first occurring between December 7 and 20 when his rating went above +1.
Before that, his favorability rating had always been in the negatives, meaning more people had an unfavorable view of him than saw him positively, with his nadir being -35.2 in April 2016.
Read the full story by Martha McHardy on Newsweek.
Feb 04, 2025 at 08:25 AM EST
Senate panel to vote on RFK’s health secretary nomination
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The Senate Finance Committee will vote at 10 a.m. ET on whether to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy, known for promoting conspiracy theories and anti-vaccine views, faces uncertainty in securing enough Republican support despite backing from Trump.
Even if the committee rejects his nomination, the full Senate could still vote on his confirmation.
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