President Donald Trump and Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, expressed on Monday that there is no basis for the Central American nation to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported there last month. Trump administration officials emphasized that Abrego Garcia is a citizen of El Salvador and that the U.S. does not have jurisdiction over his future. Bukele, a crucial ally in Trump’s deportation strategy, agreed that he does not have the power to return Garcia to the United States.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently urged the Trump administration to facilitate Garcia's return. However, U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials reported that they lack the authority to extract Garcia forcibly from El Salvador, labeling the idea as "preposterous" in light of Bukele’s remarks. The Department stated that Garcia is under the custody of a foreign nation and mentioned that he is no longer eligible for withholding of removal since MS-13, the gang he was alleged to belong to, is designated as a foreign terror organization. Garcia’s attorneys counter that no solid evidence supports the claim of his gang affiliation.

In other news, the Trump administration has frozen over $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard University, following the institution's refusal to comply with demands aimed at curbing activism on campus. These demands included reforms in leadership and a “merit-based” admissions policy, sparking widespread controversy on college campuses.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has initiated legal proceedings in Colorado to prevent the removal of Venezuelans under an outdated law invoked by Trump. The ACLU argued that two Venezuelan men were at risk of being wrongfully accused of membership in a gang and thus fast-tracked for deportation without due process. A federal court has temporarily halted their deportation while the ACLU seeks broader protections for other Venezuelans in Colorado.

Several higher education organizations have also filed lawsuits challenging proposed cuts to the Department of Energy’s research grants, which could limit scientific innovation in the U.S. The Trump administration recently announced these cuts, claiming they would reduce government spending.

A federal judge has allowed the Department of Housing and Urban Development to proceed with significant cuts to Fair Housing Act enforcement funding that supports nonprofits dealing with housing discrimination. The judge cited a recent Supreme Court decision that favored the Trump administration’s attempts to decrease educational grants.

In response to the situation surrounding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Chris Van Hollen both criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the matter. Schumer emphasized the importance of due process while Van Hollen indicated a willingness to travel to El Salvador if Garcia is not returned by midweek.

Amid these developments, the Trump administration reportedly plans to cut the State Department's budget by nearly 50%, proposing numerous drastic changes to diplomatic operations and international relations. Additionally, a recent district judge's ruling allows the government to detain soldiers along the Mexico border under certain conditions, raising concerns regarding the role of the military in domestic law enforcement.

In relation to immigration policies, Trump has suggested expanding deportation plans to include U.S. citizens who commit violent crimes, proposing that they be housed in El Salvador’s prisons. This contentious proposal has stirred debate over the legality of such actions. Trump has also discussed tariffs on imported electronics and their implications on U.S. consumers, signaling possible temporary exemptions for automakers affected by his tariffs on China.

Finally, Trump has reiterated his desire to resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine, placing the blame on current leaders and maintaining his commitment to solve the issue swiftly. He remains vocal about his health following a recent physical examination, discussing his cognitive tests in a light-hearted context during public statements.