Trump Wins Appeal on Firing Board Heads; Executive Order Targets Federal Worker Unions
Key Takeaways
- Appeals court sides with Trump on firing board heads, reversing lower court decisions.
- Trump executive order targets federal worker collective bargaining, union leaders vow legal action.
- VP Vance visits Greenland amid acquisition interest, criticizes Denmark, cites China, Russia.
- Utah bans LGBTQ+ pride flags in government buildings and schools, effective May 7, 2025.
- Trump pardons Nikola founder Trevor Milton after Milton and his wife donated over $1.8M.
Courts & Laws
Appeals court sides with Trump on firing board heads
On March 28, 2025, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of President Trump, allowing him to fire the heads of the Merit Systems Protection Board and the National Labor Relations Board, reversing lower court decisions. Judge Patricia A. Millett dissented, and the court also reversed the reinstatement of Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel.
Appeals court divided on Trump's Venezuelan migrant deportation
On March 28, 2025, the Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court's decision blocking the deportation of Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act. An appeals court refused to halt the lower court order, revealing division within the panel regarding Trump's deportation policy.
Skadden Arps deal; firms sue over Trump executive orders
On March 28, 2025, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom reached a deal with President Trump, agreeing to provide at least $100 million in free legal services and review its hiring practices. Jenner & Block and WilmerHale sued the Trump administration over similar executive orders, arguing they represent an unconstitutional attack on the legal system.
White House Watch
Trump executive order targets federal worker collective bargaining
Trump pardons Nikola founder Trevor Milton after donations
FDA vaccine official resigns, citing RFK Jr. misinformation
Published on March 29, 2025, the report states that Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA's top vaccine official, resigned on March 28, 2025, citing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine misinformation as a public health danger. Kennedy stated his plan to create a vaccine injury agency within the CDC to bring "gold-standard science" to the federal government.
Trump promotes 'patriotic history,' critics cite 'weaponization of language'
On March 28, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order promoting a positive view of American history within the Smithsonian Institution, criticizing what he describes as a “revisionist movement.” The order follows others focused on promoting “patriotic history” and has led to the Smithsonian closing its diversity office and directing the Department of Interior to review public monuments.
US tightens student visa screening, revokes over 300
On March 28, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that over 300 visas have been revoked under the US State Department's directive to expand screening processes for student visa applicants, effective 2025-03-25. Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Fulbright scholar at Tufts University, was detained, cited as an example of the intensifying crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists.
Global Stage
VP Vance visits Greenland amid acquisition interest
On March 28, 2025, Vice President JD Vance led a U.S. delegation to Greenland, focusing on the Pituffik Space Base, marking the first visit by a US vice-president to the island. Vance criticized Denmark's governance and called for self-determination, stating the US needs control of Greenland to counter China and Russia.
Nation's Pulse
Utah bans LGBTQ+ pride flags in government buildings, schools
DEI Under Scrutiny
US Naval Academy ends race-based admissions
Trump administration investigates college admissions, DEI programs
On March 28, 2025, the Trump administration initiated investigations into the admissions policies of several California universities and the California Department of Education. These investigations focus on compliance with the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action and a law preventing parental notification of student gender identity changes, respectively.
University of Michigan shutters DEI program after demands
FCC investigates Disney, ABC over DEI programs
On March 28, 2025, the FCC launched an investigation into Walt Disney Co. and ABC over their DEI programs, according to Chairman Brendan Carr. The investigation aims to ensure they have not violated FCC equal employment opportunity regulations by promoting DEI discrimination, following a similar inquiry into Comcast Corp.
Economy Watch
Trump's Diplomatic Shifts
Trump supports leaders disregarding democratic principles
As reported on March 29, 2025, President Trump's administration shifted American diplomacy by supporting leaders who disregard democratic principles, moving away from bipartisan efforts to strengthen democratic institutions. Trump praised Turkish President Erdogan and his actions are setting examples for leaders in countries like Serbia and Israel.