Trump portrait removed from Colorado Capitol; Trump admin blocks migrant flight info
Key Takeaways
- Trump portrait removed from Colorado Capitol after criticism; moved to storage.
- Trump admin refuses info on migrant flights, citing state secrets, defying judge's order.
- Trump officials texted Yemen war plans to journalist before U.S. troops launched attacks.
- Trump signs order to dismantle Department of Education, transferring key functions.
- Elon Musk's high-profile role in Trump White House raises concerns about Tesla.
Capitol Hill Buzz
Trump portrait removed from Colorado Capitol after criticism.
Blumenthal calls for hearing on Trump veterans cuts.
On March 24, 2025, Senator Richard Blumenthal called on Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to testify at an informal hearing next week regarding workforce cuts affecting veterans and the VA. Collins is expected to decline the invitation. It was also reported that Blumenthal Calls held a ‘Shadow Hearing’ on Trump Veterans Cuts on 2025-03-24.
Policy Updates
Trump admin refuses info on migrant flights, cites secrets.
On March 24, 2025, it was reported that the Trump administration refused to provide further information about two flights of Venezuelan migrants sent to El Salvador, citing state secrets. Judge James E. Boasberg had ordered the flights to return to the US, but the Justice Department stated releasing the information would jeopardize future counterterrorism operations. As of March 23, 2025, the Trump administration won't defy judge's order on deportation flights.
Trump signs order to dismantle Department of Education.
Operational Security Breach
Trump officials texted Yemen war plans to journalist.
On March 24, 2025, news outlets reported that Trump officials texted war plans against Houthis to a group chat that included a journalist. Specifically, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed war plans in an encrypted group chat, including Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, two hours before U.S. troops launched attacks against the Houthi militia in Yemen. JD Vance dissented in the group chat regarding the Yemen operation's timing. Senator Jack Reed called the situation "one of the most egregious failures of operational security and common sense I have ever seen," and Hillary Clinton reposted the Atlantic story on social media with one comment: “You have got to be kidding me.”
Money & Politics
Elon Musk's role in Trump White House raises concerns.
On March 24, 2025, it was reported that Elon Musk's high-profile role in President Trump’s White House has hurt Tesla. SpaceX is poised to profit off billions of dollars in new government contracts. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive personal data at multiple departments.
Wisconsin Supreme Court race breaks spending records.
Courts & Constitution
Supreme Court hears arguments on Louisiana voting map.
Trump calls for impeachment of 'Crooked Judges'.
Nadine Menendez's bribery trial begins; Bob Menendez involved.
On March 24, 2025, opening statements were presented in the bribery trial of Nadine Menendez, wife of former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez. Nadine is accused of being a "partner in crime" for accepting bribes of cash and gold bars. Bob Menendez's sentencing was delayed until June 6 so he could attend his wife's trial, and he has aligned himself with Donald Trump’s criticisms of the judicial system.