Trump's Big Moves and Mixed Messages

The world's attention was on the Oval Office five days after a heated argument. Donald Trump announced that he had received a letter from Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky. This letter showed Zelensky's willingness to start peace talks right away. Trump also mentioned that Russia was sending strong signals that it was ready for peace. He added that Zelensky was eager to sign a minerals deal, which had been put on hold after a tense meeting in the Oval Office. The letter from Zelensky matched a post he made on social media. Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's commitment to peace and its readiness to negotiate. This came after Trump made some bold statements about taking back the Panama Canal. He claimed that a 1970s agreement to hand over the canal to Panama had been violated. Trump also expressed interest in Greenland, saying that its residents would decide its future, but hinted that the U. S. would find a way to get it. During his speech, Trump highlighted his border policies, claiming that his administration had achieved the lowest numbers of illegal border crossings ever recorded. He also talked about his tariff policies, saying that for every tariff imposed on the U. S. , there would be a reciprocal tariff. This came as markets were shaken by the implementation of 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. Trump also addressed the reduction of the federal workforce, saying that the days of unelected bureaucrats were over. This remark drew attention to Elon Musk, who was sitting in the chamber. Musk, a special adviser to Trump, has significant influence over the government. Trump claimed that his presidency would lead to the greatest and most successful era in the history of the country. He boasted about his accomplishments in just 43 days, comparing his start to that of George Washington and criticizing Joe Biden as the "worst president. " The speech was not without controversy. Democrats staged protests, holding up signs that read "Musk steals" and "Protect veterans" and "False" as Trump spoke. Trump also declared that he had restored free speech, but this remark elicited protests from Democrats. Trump has been known to attack the media, even banning the AP from White House events because the news organization did not change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Earlier in the day, Trump called out DJ Daniel, a 13-year-old boy who has suffered from brain cancer and dreams of becoming a police officer. Trump had his Secret Service director Sean Curran name Daniel an honorary agent, drawing applause from the chamber. However, when Trump called for the mandatory death penalty for anyone who murders a police officer, Democrats shouted "January 6th, " referencing Trump’s pardon of rioters who injured police officers in the siege of the Capitol.