U.S. Politics This Week: Funeral for Pope Francis, DEI Lawsuits, Deportation Halts
It's only Thursday, but it has already been a news-filled week in Washington, D.C. Here is a look at what is happening in Washington, D.C., and around the globe so far this week.
VP Vance’s Vatican Visit Highlights U.S.–Holy See Tensions on Immigration
Saturday, April 19 — Vice President JD Vance met briefly with Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican— the last major world leader to meet with the Pope prior to his passing. Vance, a practicing Catholic, was in Rome with his family for the holiday.
Vance met with senior Vatican officials, discussing issues of immigration. Pope Francis has been openly critical of how the current administration has been handling migrants and refugees. Vance met with both Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See Secretary of State, as well as Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister.
Donald and Melania Trump Will Attend Funeral Service for Pope Francis
Monday, April 21 — Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, at the age of 88, due to a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.
The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will travel to Rome to attend the funeral of the late Pope Francis.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's Purse Stolen at Washington, D.C. Restaurant
Sunday, April 20 — Department of Homeland Security Secretary (DHS) Kristi Noem's purse was stolen on Sunday night while she was dining at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. Noem was with her family at Capital Burger in downtown Washington, D.C. when a thief stole her purse and everything that was inside of it. Video footage from the restaurant shows a white male wearing an N95 mask taking the purse and leaving the site.
Inside the stolen purse was Noem's driver's license, blank checks, her passport, her DHS badge, a cosmetics bag, and about $3,000 in cash. A spokesperson with Noem's office said that she was carrying that amount of cash in order to treat her family to dinner and Easter gifts.
Harvard University Sues Trump Administration Over Funding Freeze
Monday, April 21 — The ongoing tensions between the White House and Harvard University hit a different level on Tuesday when the nation's oldest school announced that it was suing the Trump administration. Harvard President Alan M. Garber penned a letter on Monday, defending the decision to sue by saying that the White House's recent actions against the Ivy League school have real-life consequences for the entire university community.
Garber said that Harvard is not suing for money. Rather, the school is seeking an order that will reprimand the White House for its actions against Harvard for being unconstitutional. The Trump administration recently froze over $2.2 billion in grants and contracts when the institution refused to abolish its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, despite an order from the White House to do so.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Faces Scrutiny Over Signal Chat Leaks
Monday, April 21 — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under investigation for allegedly sharing sensitive military information via the encrypted messaging app Signal. The latest report details that Hegseth started a Signal group chat detailing information about a planned U.S. military operation in Yemen against the Houthi rebels.
Reports indicate that Hegseth shared details about planned U.S. military operations in Yemen with a group that included his wife, brother, and personal attorney. This follows a previous incident where similar information was inadvertently shared with a journalist.
The weekend bombshell of yet another chat controversy comes as several of Hegseth's former colleagues and allies are publicly questioning his judgment and ability to lead the Department of Defense. Hegseth defended himself at Monday's White House Easter Egg Roll event, saying that the reports are being exaggerated by disgruntled former employees.
The Pentagon is conducting an internal review, and there are bipartisan calls for Hegseth's resignation.
Supreme Court Halts Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act
Tuesday, April 22 — The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan immigrants without due process. The administration had invoked the 1798 law to justify the deportations, citing national security concerns. The Court's decision emphasizes the need for due process rights for those affected.
U.S. and Iran Continue Nuclear Negotiations
Tuesday, April 22 — The United States and Iran concluded a second round of nuclear talks in Rome on April 19, 2025. The country's foreign minister said after the meeting that the discussions were productive and that a third round of negotiations is expected in the days ahead. The talks aim to address concerns over Iran's nuclear program and potential sanctions relief.
Trump Administration Proposes Incentives to Boost Birth Rate
Wednesday, April 23 — In response to declining birth rates, the Trump administration is considering several proposals to encourage childbirth. One proposal includes a $5,000 "baby bonus" for mothers after giving birth. Other ideas involve awarding a "National Medal of Motherhood" to women who have six or more children and investing in programs that educate women about their menstrual cycles to aid in family planning.
Advocacy groups argue that these measures fail to tackle the underlying issues such as high childcare costs, lack of paid parental leave, and restricted reproductive rights.
Trump Seeks SCOTUS Approval for Transgender Military Ban
Thursday, April 24 — President Donald Trump petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to permit the enforcement of his executive order banning transgender individuals from military service. This move aims to reverse previous inclusive policies and has sparked legal challenges on constitutional grounds.
DOJ Files First Terrorism Charges Against Venezuelan Gang Leader
Thursday, April 24 — The U.S. Justice Department initiated its first terrorism case against a leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which the Trump administration has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. This action underscores the administration's broader focus on gangs and immigration as national security threats.
State Department Announces Major Reorganization
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a broad plan about how he plans to reorganize the State Department. The first phase of the plan calls for the elimination of 132 offices throughout the U.S. This initial stage will also cut about 700 positions based in Washington, D.C. The government agency said the goal is to reduce bloating and streamline the efficacy of its practices.
Under Secretaries are being asked to submit their plans detailing how they will reduce office staff by 15%. A memo sent on Tuesday by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau mandated that the plans be sent within 30 days. The deadline for the implementation of the cuts and changes is July 1. The agency noted that the reorganization plans are not part of the larger plans led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Critics argue that the cuts may weaken U.S. diplomatic capacity and global influence, particularly in areas related to democracy promotion and human rights.
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