- Trump took executive action to reinstate the Mexico City Rule. This prevents the US government from providing money to organizations or groups that give abortions. This rule has traditionally been ordered on or off depending on what party is in office. [Link]
- Trump signed an executive order to freeze federal employee hiring. The military is exempted from the hiring freeze. [Link]
- The Senate has confirmed Trump’s pick for CIA Director. Mike Pompeo’s vote was held up by some Senate Democrats. The vote count was 66-32. [Link]
- Trump signed an executive action to withdraw the US from the negotiation process for the Trans Pacific Partnership. [Link]
- Lousiana has passed a law making it a hate crime to commit a crime against a police officer. This includes crimes like resisting arrest. [Link]
- On Trump’s first weekend, the US conducted 31 airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria on Saturday. [Link] On Sunday, the US ordered 42 more airstrikes. [Link]
- Iraqi forces reported they had retaken the entire Eastern half of Mosul. [Link] Later statements from the Iraqi military suggest there are still some parts of Eastern Mosul they do not completely control. [Link]
- Peace talks between Syrian rebels and the Syrian government have started. It’s reported that no progress was made during the first day of talks. [Link]
