Trump Threatens Venezuelan Oil Tariffs; Hegseth Leaks War Plans
Key Takeaways
- Trump threatens 25% tariff on countries buying Venezuelan oil starting April 2.
- Hegseth disclosed war plans in chat before U.S. troops attacked Houthi militia.
- U.S., Russia, Ukraine meet in Saudi Arabia to broker ceasefire deal.
- Hyundai to open a new steel plant in Louisiana, announced by Trump.
- Supreme Court weighs Louisiana congressional map; decision expected by June 2025.
Trump's Tariffs
Trump threatens 25% tariff on countries buying Venezuelan oil.
On March 24, 2025, President Trump threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on exports from any country that buys Venezuelan oil, starting April 2, in response to claims that Venezuela has sent criminals and murderers into the United States. The Trump administration extended Chevron's license to operate in Venezuela for another two months.
Inside the Beltway
Hegseth discloses war plans in chat; Trump denies knowledge.
On March 24, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed war plans in an encrypted chat group including Jeffrey Goldberg before U.S. troops launched attacks against Houthi militia in Yemen. The Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg confirmed the airstrikes. Senator Jack Reed called it an egregious failure of operational security, while NSC spokesman Brian Hughes stated the message thread appears authentic and is under review; President Trump denied any knowledge of the report.
Trial begins for Nadine Menendez over bribery allegations.
Bob Menendez to report to prison in June 2025.
147 lawmakers accused of sexual harassment since 2017.
Global Stage
U.S., Russia, Ukraine meet in Saudi Arabia for ceasefire deal.
White House Briefing
Hyundai to open steel plant in Louisiana, announced by Trump.
Trump to nominate Dr. Susan Monarez as new CDC director.
Trump administration missteps, court losses, economic woes reported.
Published on March 25, 2025, articles discuss the missteps of Republicans, particularly under the Trump administration, and their negative impact on various groups. It was reported that the Trump administration has lost almost 50 court rulings, gutted the Department of Veteran Affairs, is cutting Medicaid and Medicare, is making the Department of Education a skeleton of itself, has laid off federal workers across the country, that Measles is spreading nationwide, that Trump's tariff war has sent the economy reeling and that the Trump administration has openly threatened judges.
Trump, Musk target government waste; Cabinet cancels 'nonsensical' contracts.
On March 24, 2025, NBC News reported President Trump held a Cabinet meeting, following up on an earlier meeting this month regarding Elon Musk's efforts to reduce government size. Elon Musk attended the meeting. Trump also called out 'pure fraud' in government waste, and the Cabinet revealed 'nonsensical' contracts it has canceled.
Trump admin walks back metal tariffs on Canada, pauses car tariffs.
On March 24, 2025, it was reported that the Trump administration initially notified Canada that its citizens would need to register when crossing the border into the United States on March 11, 2025. However, the administration later walked back plans to double metal tariffs on Canada after escalating threats and suspended many of the tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico on March 6, 2025, and paused tariffs on cars from Canada and Mexico for a month on March 5, 2025.
Trump seeks to halt rehiring of federal workers, cites absenteeism.
On March 24, 2025, the Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to halt a judge’s order to rehire probationary federal workers. Trump says many of the fired federal workers didn’t come to work and are being weeded out, expecting to complete this overhaul in two to three months. The Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management are reviewing agencies' plans for large-scale reductions.
Brad Karp agrees to pro bono work after Trump meeting.
Published on 2025-03-23, Brad Karp of Paul, Weiss initially prepared to fight an executive order by Mr. Trump but ultimately agreed to represent clients regardless of political views and commit $40 million in pro bono legal work to causes Mr. Trump championed after meeting with Trump in the Oval Office last Wednesday, 2025-03-23.
Courts & Constitution
Supreme Court weighs Louisiana congressional map; decision by June.
On March 24, 2025, the Supreme Court is weighing whether to keep Louisiana's congressional map in place, with a decision expected by the end of June 2025. The case involves claims of racial gerrymandering and has been subject to lawsuits for three years. The ruling could significantly impact future map-drawing in Louisiana and other states.
Supreme Court declines Wynn case on defamation ruling.
Money & Politics
U.S. could run out of cash by July if debt limit not raised.
DOGE Watch
Judge blocks Musk's DOGE from accessing private data.
On Monday, March 24, 2025, Judge Deborah Boardman temporarily blocked Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing private data at the Education Department, the Treasury Department, and the Office of Personnel Management, as reported on 2025-03-24. The Trump administration states that DOGE is targeting waste across the federal government by addressing alleged fraud and upgrading technology.
Greenland Watch
Usha Vance visits Greenland, sparking criticism.
Donald Trump Jr.'s Greenland visit raises concerns before election.
Policy Updates
European countries issue advisories for transgender travelers to US.
Sen. Cornyn defends Tesla amid climate policy push.
Veterans become face of government cuts, Democrats' resistance.
On March 24, 2025, it was reported that veterans are becoming the face of Trump’s government cuts and the Democrats’ resistance to them. Senator Richard Blumenthal called for Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to testify at an informal hearing regarding the Trump administration's cuts to the Veterans Affairs Department.
Road to 2028
Wisconsin Supreme Court race heats up with Trump, Musk support.
Reported on 2025-03-24, Judge Susan Crawford, a liberal candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, has raised $24 million for the April 1, 2025 election. She faces Brad Schimel, a conservative judge endorsed by Donald Trump and supported by Elon Musk, whose America PAC has spent more than $6.6 million to back Judge Schimel; Trump is expected to weigh in and help on this race.