Trump continues to reduce the size of government, laying off employees in agencies such as Energy, Veterans Affairs and soon Agriculture and Health (CDC and NIH).

 

CNN reports that 1,300 CDC employees, including EIS officials, are at risk. At the NIH, some employees may receive waivers.

 

USDA eliminates 1,000 diversity training programs and freezes agricultural contracts, affecting 1,000 producers with payments totaling $11 million.

 

The White House bans The Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One for continuing to use "Gulf of Mexico" instead of "Gulf of America."

 

Republicans negotiate budget differences and allocate $150 billion to defense and $175 billion to border security. Schumer calls a Democratic meeting.

 

In Munich, Vice President JD Vance downplays the Russian threat and criticizes European allies, generating mixed reactions.

 

The Department of Health lays off 5,200 employees after the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary. Dr. Nirav Shah is leaving the CDC.

 

With information from the BBC.