Trump’s Latest Moves: Executive Orders, Agency Shakeups, and a Lot of Pushback

If there’s one thing you can count on in Washington these days, it’s that President Donald Trump will keep everyone on their toes. This past week has been no exception. Between sweeping executive orders, high-profile firings (or attempted firings, depending on who you ask), and heated press briefings, the White House has been buzzing with controversy.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s been going on — and why it matters.

Big Executive Orders with Bold Statements

Trump has been flexing his executive pen, rolling out new orders on everything from architecture to labor policy.

• Classical architecture comeback: One order requires that new federal courthouses and government buildings be designed in a “classical architectural style.” In other words, no more sharp-edged, modernist federal buildings that critics say look cold and unwelcoming. Instead, the White House wants to revive a look that “uplifts,” inspires civic pride, and feels timeless. Any project that strays from that traditional style now has to be reported directly to the president himself.

• Union shake-up: Another order went straight at collective bargaining rights in certain federal agencies, especially those linked to intelligence or national security. The White House argued that union rules slow down operations, creating bottlenecks in critical areas. The list of affected agencies is long and includes NASA, the National Weather Service, and even the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

• Targeting cashless bail and flag-burning: Trump also made headlines by signing orders aimed at cashless bail policies and flag desecration, signaling that law-and-order issues are still front and center for his administration.

These moves, while technical on paper, send a clear political message: Trump wants to project strength, tradition, and control.

The CDC Leadership Battle

Perhaps the biggest drama of the week revolves around the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump had fired CDC Director Susan Monarez, claiming she wasn’t aligned with the president’s vision to “make America healthy again.”

But Monarez’s lawyers quickly fired back, saying she hadn’t been dismissed properly. According to them, since she was a Senate-confirmed appointee, only Trump himself could terminate her — not a staffer or a press release. Her legal team called the firing “legally deficient” and insisted that she remains the rightful CDC Director until the president delivers that message directly.

Attorney Mark Zaid put it bluntly: “The White House press secretary can say whatever she wants, but that doesn’t make it true.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Monarez’s legal team stressed they’ve had zero direct communication from Trump about her removal. So for now, she’s fighting to stay put, while the administration insists she’s out.

Lisa Cook and the Fed Controversy

If the CDC saga wasn’t enough, Trump also tried to show the door to Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. The White House pointed to allegations of mortgage fraud, but there’s a catch: Cook hasn’t been charged with anything.

Her response? She’s not resigning. And she argues the president doesn’t even have the authority to remove her.

When pressed, Leavitt doubled down, saying Trump saw “mortgage receipts” that gave him enough cause to act. Still, this clash looks far from settled. Cook has vowed to fight the decision in court if necessary.

Questions Over Vaccines and “Individual Choice”

In another heated exchange, reporters grilled Leavitt on the administration’s position regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Specifically, should vaccines remain available and covered for all Americans, no matter their age or preexisting conditions?

Her answer stuck to a familiar Trump-world talking point: “We believe in individual choice.” While she acknowledged that the FDA had recently pulled certain emergency authorizations, she stressed vaccines remain available for those who want them.

That phrase — individual choice — is likely to remain a centerpiece of the administration’s health policy heading into 2026.

A Tragic Shooting and the White House Response

Tragedy also struck in Minneapolis, where a shooting occurred at Annunciation Catholic School. Reporters asked whether the shooter’s gender identity should be part of the federal investigation.

Leavitt’s answer was careful but clear: “All of the elements are being investigated.” The FBI has already confirmed that gender identity will be considered as part of the broader inquiry.

A Memo with Sharp Edges: Grant Funding Under Scrutiny

One of Trump’s more under-the-radar actions this week was a memo directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate how federal grant money is being used.

The White House claims some grants may have crossed into political territory, supporting activities that amount to lobbying.

• Example #1: A National Institutes of Health grant that reportedly adapted an LGBTQ+ teen pregnancy prevention program for transgender boys.

• Example #2: A National Science Foundation grant that focused on advancing racial justice in elementary mathematics.

The administration argues that taxpayer money shouldn’t be funding these kinds of initiatives. Critics, however, say this is another attempt to politicize federal funding.

RFK Jr. Steps into the Spotlight

Adding yet another layer to the week’s health-related drama, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is scheduled to testify before the Senate Finance Committee next week. The hearing will focus on the president’s 2026 health care agenda, though Democrats are expected to zero in on the CDC controversy.

It’s not clear if this hearing was planned before Monarez’s disputed firing, but the timing couldn’t be more charged. Expect fireworks when senators start pressing for answers.

Cabinet Meetings and Political Optics

Amid all the executive orders and staffing battles, Trump also convened his Cabinet at the White House on Tuesday. The meeting was meant to project stability and control at a time when the administration has been under fire for its handling of public health, labor disputes, and federal oversight.

Still, the optics may not have fully landed. Between lawyers fighting over who’s really running the CDC and critics accusing the president of overreach at the Fed, the sense of turbulence is hard to ignore.

The Bigger Picture

When you step back, this week’s events paint a picture of an administration doubling down on authority. Whether it’s through sweeping executive orders on building styles and labor rights or through controversial firings, Trump is making moves designed to show he’s in charge.

But that doesn’t mean the road ahead is smooth. With lawsuits looming, Senate hearings scheduled, and critics pouncing on every announcement, the administration is bracing for tough battles on multiple fronts.

Some takeaways worth watching:

• Legal Showdowns Ahead: Both Monarez at the CDC and Cook at the Fed are pushing back hard. Courts may ultimately decide who stays and who goes.

• Health Policy at the Forefront: From vaccines to CDC leadership, health care is shaping up to be one of the administration’s defining battlegrounds.

• Executive Orders as Political Tools: Whether about federal buildings or union rights, Trump’s orders are as much about symbolism as policy.

• Congressional Oversight Rising: With RFK Jr. set to testify, expect Democrats in the Senate to keep the pressure on.

Final Thoughts

This week has been a reminder that Trump’s presidency operates at full throttle. One day it’s about architecture and flag-burning, the next it’s a legal fight over whether a CDC director can even be fired. Throw in debates about vaccines, controversial grants, and a tragic school shooting, and you’ve got a political climate that feels like it’s spinning faster every week.

Whether you agree with Trump’s approach or not, one thing’s certain: the drama isn’t going away anytime soon.