President Donald Trump used a sweeping series of executive actions and public remarks Monday, drawing renewed criticism over his approach to presidential power, public health policy, the Federal Reserve and U.S. foreign policy.
The day’s developments included the swearing-in of Todd Blanche as attorney general, Trump’s signing of an executive order aimed at reducing childhood vaccinations, comments about interest rates and the Federal Reserve, and renewed rhetoric about political opponents.
Blanche, a former personal lawyer to Trump, was sworn in by federal appeals court Judge Emil Bove, another former Trump lawyer. His appointment places a longtime Trump ally at the head of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Trump also signed an executive order focused on childhood vaccines and repeated claims linking vaccines to autism. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been critical of some vaccines, defended the administration’s approach.
The move comes as the United States faces its highest number of measles cases in more than two decades, according to the source article.
Trump also discussed the Federal Reserve, saying he had recently spoken with new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh while denying a report that they had held multiple conversations. Trump has repeatedly pushed for lower interest rates, raising fresh questions about the independence of the central bank.
Trump targets political opponents
Trump also criticized progressive and Democratic socialist candidates ahead of the November midterm elections, claiming that “jihadists” were being elected across the country.
His comments came after Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic Senate primary in Michigan.
The president’s remarks are likely to add to an increasingly combative political campaign ahead of the midterms.
Trump claims Strait of Hormuz is open
Trump also addressed the continuing conflict with Iran, claiming that the Strait of Hormuz was “opened now.”
However, the source article cited maritime tracking information indicating that only seven vessels had crossed the strategic waterway during the previous 24 hours, compared with more than 100 ships a day before the war.
The Strait remains a crucial global oil route and has been at the center of the confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Trump has repeatedly defended his handling of the conflict with Iran and previously claimed the United States had achieved victory despite the war continuing into its sixth month.
Critics warn of growing presidential power
Trump’s critics argue that his administration has weakened traditional institutional checks and placed increasing authority in the hands of the president.
Supporters, meanwhile, say Trump is fulfilling his promise to dismantle what they consider an entrenched administrative bureaucracy and expand presidential control over federal agencies.
Polling cited in the source article indicates continued public concerns over Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict and domestic priorities.
Trump’s comments on vaccines have also drawn criticism from public health figures. Dr. Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a former acting director of the CDC, accused the administration of politicizing children’s health amid ongoing measles outbreaks.
Trump, however, defended his approach and offered an emphatic assessment of the consequences of his policies.
“Nothing bad can happen from what we’re doing,” he said. “Nothing bad can happen.
