Trump Enacts 'Maximum Pressure' Strategy Against Iran Ahead of Israel Meeting

A 25-year-old engineer, Marko Elez, who previously worked for Elon Musk's companies, has secured administrator-level access to sensitive Treasury Department systems that manage U.S. government payments, according to sources reported by WIRED. Elez has access to the Payment Automation Manager and Secure Payment System—key systems overseeing over $5 trillion in federal disbursements annually, which encompass Social Security benefits, tax returns, and more. Sources indicate that while Musk's task force, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is traditionally limited to read-only access, Elez’s privileges let him modify critical payment mechanisms. This level of access raises alarms regarding potential misuse, as it could allow unauthorized alteration or halting of funds directed toward vital federal programs. Senate Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, have expressed concern that DOGE's influence could jeopardize funding for essential services. The recent resignation of acting Treasury Secretary David Lebryk, who opposed granting these privileges, further fuels fears about oversight lapses within the Treasury.

In a significant policy shift, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on February 5, 2025, that the United States will officially withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council and cease funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which assists Palestinian refugees. The decision follows longstanding criticisms from Israel, which has accused UNRWA of harboring Hamas militants implicated in the October 7 attacks in southern Israel, a claim the agency denies. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the UN, stating it must "get its act together" and be fair to all nations. Previously, the U.S. exited the council in June 2018 over allegations of bias against Israel. The UNRWA, which was established in 1949, provides vital services including education and healthcare to approximately 5.5 million Palestinians. Trump's executive actions also call for a review of U.S. involvement in UNESCO and funding for the UN, where the U.S. is the largest financial contributor, supplying 22% of the budget, as reported by council spokesperson Pascal Sim.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has implemented an immediate halt on all package deliveries from China and Hong Kong, according to an update on its website. This decision is attributed to new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which eliminated a key import tax exemption for small packages valued under $800. These changes are in response to China's retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, including coal and liquefied natural gas. The suspension has caused significant turmoil for e-commerce businesses relying on Chinese goods. Daniel, a trucking company owner from Canada, reported that multiple trucks laden with Chinese packages were turned away at the U.S. border. He described the arduous task of identifying and removing these packages due to the variety of goods transported. According to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), 1.36 billion de minimis packages entered the U.S. in fiscal year 2024. Experts warn that this enforcement may lead to considerable delays in customs clearance and higher costs for consumers reliant on affordable Chinese products.