Sen.Chris Coons Urges Democrats to Focus on Clear Priorities in Opposition to Trump 

 Sen.  Chris Coons of Delaware is calling on Democrats to unite around "a few clear, simple targets" as the party struggles with internal divisions and low favorability ratings amid the Trump administration’s sweeping policy changes.  

 In an interview on CNN’s *Smerconish* Saturday morning, Coons identified those key targets as “cuts to Medicaid, cuts to our veterans, cuts to education.”  

 Despite the president's repeated promises not to cut Medicaid, the Trump administration is moving to reduce the federal workforce at the Department of Veterans Affairs. His remarks come at this time. In the meantime, Trump recently signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, and House Republicans are advancing a budget that could result in significant reductions. Coons emphasized the importance of a unified Democratic message, saying, *“They want to know that we’ve got an agenda and a direction, and we are fighting.” * He added that he is actively pushing back against Republican efforts to slash Medicaid, weaken veteran support, and cut education funding.  

 Addressing a constituent’s criticism of Democratic leaders’ failure to form a cohesive strategy, Coons agreed that Trump’s “cruel” agenda presents an opportunity for Democrats to rally around a common cause.



"Key Quotes from Trump's Special Envoy on Ukraine Talks"


Trump's special envoy sheds light on talks with Russia about Ukraine. Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy, has provided insight into the Trump administration's position regarding negotiations with Russia and President Vladimir Putin for a brief ceasefire in the Ukraine war. *"The Russians are de facto in control of these territories.  The question is whether or not the world will recognize them as Russian lands. Can (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky politically survive if he does?  The conflict's central issue is this. *  

 As the "elephant in the room," Witkoff emphasized the unresolved status of Crimea as well as the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. * He noted that these areas are *"Russian-speaking"* and referenced referendums, widely dismissed by Kyiv and the international community as Kremlin propaganda, claiming an overwhelming preference for Russian rule.  

 He also shared a personal anecdote from his diplomatic interactions, revealing that *"President Putin had commissioned a beautiful portrait of President Trump by a leading Russian artist and asked me to deliver it to him." * Witkoff described it as a *"gracious moment"* and added that Putin told him he prayed for Trump at his local church following an assassination attempt on the former president.  

 "Why would they want to absorb Ukraine?" Witkoff asked, posing a question about Russia's larger goals. For what purpose?  They don’t need to absorb Ukraine." 


Recent Stories on the Trump Administration

Trump Administration Pushes Forward on Workforce, Security, and Immigration Policies  

 The Trump administration is moving full steam ahead with its agenda, focusing on federal workforce changes, national security, and immigration policies.  

Trump’s “Golden Dome” Defense Plan – Military officials are rushing to develop a long-range missile defense system dubbed the “Golden Dome,” a top Pentagon priority for President Trump.  According to sources, the White House has signaled that no expense will be spared, even as the Pentagon faces budget cuts.  

 Impact of Dismantling the Education Department on Disabled Children – Parents and advocates warn that shutting down the Department of Education would strip critical resources from disabled students.  The department's Office for Civil Rights, which handles complaints about instances in which state and local officials fail to support these children, has already been significantly diminished by layoffs, which have resulted in the closure of seven of its twelve regional offices. - 

**Judge Boasberg’s Nonpartisan Record** 

Chief Judge James Boasberg of the Washington, DC, federal court has found himself at odds with the Trump administration over its use of colonial-era laws to send undocumented immigrants to a notorious El Salvador prison.  However, many of Boasberg's previous rulings have been in favor of Trump's political goals. - 

**Food Banks Struggling After USDA Halts Deliveries**

The U.S.  A program started by the Biden administration has been put on hold for $500 million, and the Department of Agriculture has stopped sending food to food banks all over the country. Numerous food banks have reported significant disruptions. 

**Trump Denies Signing Deportation Proclamation** 

Despite Trump’s claim that he did not sign an executive order invoking the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins has shown his signature on the document.  Watch the clip below.

Trump Directs Attorney General to Investigate Lawyers and Firms Behind Lawsuits Against Him

Trump Directs the Attorney General to Look into Lawyers Who Are Against His Administration** Attorney General Pam Bondi was given a Friday night directive by President Donald Trump to examine the actions of lawyers and law firms that his administration believes have filed frivolous lawsuits or attempted to block immigration policies. Trump's crackdown on lawyers grows with this move. In a late-night memorandum, Trump revisited past disputes with attorneys who have challenged him and called for punitive measures, including revoking security clearances and canceling federal contracts held by those firms.  

 The memo instructs Bondi to “seek sanctions against attorneys and law firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States or in matters before executive departments and agencies.”   

 Additionally, Bondi is directed to “review conduct by attorneys or their law firms in litigation against the Federal Government over the last eight years” and recommend potential consequences, such as security clearance reassessments, contract terminations, or other actions.  

 However, because the memo does not define what constitutes punishable conduct, the scope of enforcement is unclear. It primarily targets attorneys involved in immigration cases, instructing the attorney general to file misconduct complaints against those the administration deems to have acted improperly.  

 Trump’s pressure on the legal community appears to have already influenced at least one major law firm this week, securing concessions from its leadership.