On March 19, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a memorandum that eliminates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the Foreign Service. The memorandum instructs the Secretary of State to remove DEI-related criteria from tenure and promotion decisions, stating that recruitment and retention should not be influenced by an individual’s race, sex, religion, or national origin. This action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to prioritize merit-based hiring practices across the federal government.

The memorandum reflects President Trump’s belief that previous policies under the Biden administration promoted divisive practices by conditioning promotions on an employee’s commitment to DEI initiatives. The Biden administration had implemented a strategic plan that included a DEIA Climate Survey and focused on recruiting from underrepresented groups, which the current administration has characterized as discriminatory. By terminating these DEI programs, President Trump aims to restore what he describes as fairness and accountability in hiring processes within federal agencies.

In conjunction with this memorandum, President Trump had previously signed an Executive Order early in his term that called for a merit-based approach to hiring and promotions. The current directive reinforces this stance, asserting that appointments to foreign policy positions should be based on qualifications rather than ideological criteria or quotas. These actions are presented as a commitment to ensuring that the most competent individuals are selected for roles within the Foreign Service.

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On March 19, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at enhancing state and local preparedness for various incidents, including cyber attacks and natural disasters.

This Order seeks to simplify federal policies related to preparedness and response, allowing for a more streamlined approach that empowers local leaders to better address the needs of their communities. A key aspect of this initiative is the establishment of a National Resilience Strategy and a National Risk Register to more effectively identify and manage risks to national infrastructure, thereby guiding more efficient spending and planning.

The Executive Order also underscores the importance of early preparedness, aiming to provide quicker and more effective assistance to Americans during crises. By transitioning from an “all-hazards” approach to a risk-informed strategy, the Order prioritizes resilience and proactive measures over merely sharing information. This strategy is designed to enhance the resilience of infrastructure and communities against both global and local threats, ensuring that local governments can collaborate more effectively with federal resources.

Additionally, the Order reflects President Trump’s commitment to decentralizing authority from the federal government to state and local entities. In his first week back in office, President Trump initiated a task force to assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster response capabilities. The Order also emphasizes the allocation of resources to support states such as California and North Carolina in their recovery efforts, highlighting the need to prioritize local needs in disaster preparedness and response.

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On March 18, 2025, the White House announced a new directive aimed at enhancing national security by improving preparedness at the state and local levels. The order highlights the significance of local decision-making and investment in American infrastructure, asserting that preparedness is most effective when managed at the state and individual levels with federal support. Key components of the directive include the development of a National Resilience Strategy, a review of critical infrastructure policies, and the establishment of a National Risk Register to better inform federal and state efforts against potential threats.

The policy outlines a framework for federal agencies to update and streamline preparedness operations, with a focus on efficiency and minimizing taxpayer burdens. The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs is tasked with coordinating the creation of strategies within specified timeframes that will articulate national priorities and strengthen the nation’s resilience to various hazards. The initiative aims to transition from an all-hazards approach to a more risk-informed strategy, ensuring that state and local governments can effectively meet the needs of their communities.

Additionally, the order addresses the importance of improved communication between federal, state, and local entities to clarify roles in national preparedness. It sets a timeline for reviewing existing policies to modernize and enhance national continuity capabilities. This comprehensive approach underscores the administration’s commitment to fostering a resilient nation by empowering local authorities and ensuring a coordinated federal response to emerging risks.

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National Agriculture Day

National Agriculture Day, proclaimed by President Donald J. Trump for March 18, 2025, highlights the importance of agriculture in the United States. The proclamation honors the contributions of farmers and ranchers, emphasizing their essential role in ensuring food security and economic stability. It also outlines the administration’s commitment to supporting American agriculture through improved biosecurity measures, fair trade practices, and expanded market access.

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The article discusses the positive effects of President Trump’s tariffs on steel imports, as explained by Philip K. Bell, the President of the Steel Manufacturers Association. Bell asserts that these tariffs are essential for revitalizing the American steel industry, which is under pressure from increasing imports and global overcapacity.

The White House emphasizes the necessity of a stable domestic steel supply for national, economic, and energy security, highlighting the importance of resisting calls to exempt certain countries from these tariffs.

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The article discusses the effects of President Trump’s economic agenda on American consumers, particularly in terms of price reductions for essential goods. It reports a significant drop in the wholesale price of eggs, which has decreased from $6.55 to $3.45 per dozen, reflecting a 47.3% decline. Additionally, the nationwide average gas price has fallen, with many states seeing prices below $3 per gallon for the first time in years, contributing to a sense of economic relief for many households.

Furthermore, the article emphasizes the trend of decreasing prices, noting that the average wholesale price for eggs has dropped for three consecutive weeks, and that gas prices have continued to decline for four weeks. It compares current gas prices favorably against those during President Biden’s term, indicating a reversal of the inflationary trends seen previously. The article provides detailed state-by-state gas price comparisons, illustrating the broad reach of economic relief across the nation.

In conclusion, the article highlights that it has been less than 60 days since President Trump began his second term, yet the administration claims to have already made strides in delivering economic relief to Americans. By focusing on deregulation and energy production, the administration asserts that it is positioning the economy for greater stability and affordability. Overall, the article presents a view of improving economic conditions as a result of the current administration’s policies.

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