Skip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to know Trudeau says Trump’s talk of absorbing Canada is a “real thing,” major Canadian news outlets report Germany’s Scholz rebukes Trump’s Ukraine and trade policies Trump signs order to cut funding for South Africa Judge temporarily blocks Trump admin from putting thousands of USAID workers on leave Here’s the latest developments regarding US President Donald Trump’s second term for February 8, 2025.
Skip next section US judge temporarily blocks Trump steps to dismantle USAIDFebruary 8, 2025
US judge temporarily blocks Trump steps to dismantle USAIDA federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from putting 2,200 US-based employees of the US Agency of International Development on paid leave.
US District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington said he would issue the order in light of a lawsuit by the largest US government workers’ union and an association of foreign service workers.
Both sued on Thursday to stop the administration’s attempts to dismantle the agency.
In a notice to the foreign aid agency’s workers on Thursday, the administration said it would keep on board 611 essential workers out of a global labor force of more than 10,000.
“The major reduction in force, as well as the closure of offices, the forced relocation of these individuals were all done in excess of the executive’s authority in violation of the separation of powers,” lawyer for the unions Karla Gilbride told the hearing.
Trump’s administration has claimed, without providing evidence, that the aid agency is rife with fraud.
What dismantling USAID means for world’s poorest peopleTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The gutting of USAID, which supports humanitarian programs in some of the world’s poorest countries, has largely been overseen by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy earlier warned that cutting USAID is a “strategic mistake.”
Lammy, a member of the center.-left Labour Party, pointed to the former UK Conservative government deciding to shut down the Department for International Development (DfID) in 2020 and merge it into the Foreign Office. The Trump administration is seeking to not only to downsize USAID but also put it under the auspices of the US Department of State.
Lammy said that development is a “very important soft power tool” and he is worried that “China and others” fill the aid gap left by the US.
https://p.dw.com/p/4qCMK
Skip next section Trump says he’s ending Biden’s intelligence briefingsFebruary 8, 2025
Trump says he’s ending Biden’s intelligence briefingsPresident Donald Trump said that he is revoking former President Joe Biden’s security clearance and ending his daily intelligence briefings.
“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information. Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s Security Clearances, and stopping his daily Intelligence Briefings,” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after arriving at Mar-a-Lago for the weekend.
Trump said Biden “set this precedent in 2021, when he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing details on National Security, a courtesy provided to former Presidents.”
Biden halted Trump’s intelligence briefings after Trump’s role in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
At the time, Biden said Trump should not be given access to the classified intelligence briefings due to his “erratic” behavior.
Trump criminal cases: Where do they stand?To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Trump was indicted in 2023 for the mishandling of classified documents during his first term of in office from 2017 to 2021.
The case was later dismissed by Judge Aileen Cannon because she ruled that the appointment of Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who brought the charges, was unconstitutional. Former Attorney General Merrick Garland has defended the appointment of Smith.
https://p.dw.com/p/4qCTb
Skip next section Trump signs South Africa aid freeze over expropriation law amid defiance from RamaphosaFebruary 8, 2025
Trump signs South Africa aid freeze over expropriation law amid defiance from RamaphosaUS President Donald Trump has signed an executive order formalizing his announcement earlier this week that he’ll freeze assistance to South Africa.
The White House claims the order will address human rights issues in the African nation for legislation aimed at addressing some of the wrongs of South Africa’s racist apartheid era. In that time, Black people had land taken away from them and were forced to live in areas designated for non-whites.
Washington claims the Expropriation Act, which allows the government to take land in specific instances. The act was signed into law by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last month.
“As long as South Africa continues to support bad actors on the world stage and allows violent attacks on innocent disfavored minority farmers, the United States will stop aid and assistance to the country,” the White House said in a summary of the order.
The White House said Trump would also announce a program to resettle “Afrikaner refugees.”
South African-born Elon Musk has highlighted that law in recent social media posts, casting it as a threat to South Africa’s white minority.
No land confiscation in South Africa: DW’s Dianne HawkerTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The order also references South Africa’s role in accusations of genocide against Israel before the International Court of Justice.
The signing of the order comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to attend a G20 meeting in Johannesburg, repeating Trump’s claims.
South Africa’s President Ramaphosa has rejected Trump’s claims about the expropriation law, saying it is “not a confiscation instrument” but a “constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution.”
Speaking in parliament this week, Ramaphosa said: “We will not be deterred. We are a resilient people. We will not be bullied.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4qCMV
Skip next section Trudeau says Trump’s Canada annexation talk a ‘real thing’February 8, 2025
Trudeau says Trump’s Canada annexation talk a ‘real thing’Wesley Dockery
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a group of business and labor leaders that US President Donald Trump’s desire to control Canada “is a real thing,” major Canadian news outlets CBC and Toronto Star have reported.
Trudeau made the remarks in a closed-door setting, but they were mistakenly transmitted via loudspeaker.
Trump has frequently said that Canada should become the 51st state and has insulted Trudeau, calling him governor rather than prime minister.
“They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have and they very much want to be able to benefit from those,” Trudeau said. “But Mr. Trump has it in mind that one of the easiest ways of doing that is absorbing our country. And it is a real thing.”
Canada has oil, natural gas, diamonds and many other natural resources. The country is also a major potash producer, which is used in fertilizer to grow crops.
Trudeau also discussed the trade relationship with Canada. Last week, Trump threatened Canada with 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports and a lower 10% tariff on energy.
Canada, Mexico vow to retaliate against Trump tariffsTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
If such tariffs were to go through, it could drive Canada into a recession due to Canada’s integrated trade economy with the US. It would also drive up the cost of gasoline, groceries and other items for American consumers.
“The strategic reflection we have to have right now is… how we get through, and thrive, and grow stronger over the next four years and into what may be a more challenging long-term political situation with the United States?” Trudeau said earlier in the meeting.
Trump’s trade and annexation threats could lead to Canada seeking stronger economic and political ties with other powers such as China and the EU.
https://p.dw.com/p/4qCLx
Skip next section Welcome to our coverageFebruary 8, 2025
Welcome to our coverageWesley Dockery | Louis Oelofse
This blog will include the latest on today’s events concerning US President Donald Trump’s second term.
In addition to news, DW will bring you in-depth analysis, reporting and video coverage of how the Trump adminstration is both impacting the US and the world.
https://p.dw.com/p/4qCK9
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