Trump Signs Census Executive Order – In response to the striking down of President Trump’s plan to have a citizenship question put on the 2020 census, Trump issued an executive order directing the government to compile citizenship data from existing records. “We are not backing down on our effort to determine the citizenship status of the United States population,” said Trump in a Rose Garden press conference on Thursday.

Labor Secretary Resigns – Labor Secretary Alex Acosta announced his resignation Friday morning, effective in one week. His resignation comes amid fallout from a plea deal he made with child abuser Jeffrey Epstein in 2007 when Acosta was a prosecutor. Epstein was arrested last week in New York on new charges. Acosta held a press conference this week to try to explain why the plea deal was made, but it was not enough to save his job.

British Ambassador Impugns Trump – In a leaked cable, Britian’s Ambassador to the United States Kim Darroch called President Trump “inept”, “insecure”, and his administration “uniquely dysfunctional”. President Trump sounded off on the ambassador on Twitter, saying “The wacky Ambassador that the U.K. foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy. He should speak to his country, and Prime Minister May, about their failed Brexit negotiation, and not be upset with my criticism of how badly it was handled. I told @theresa_may how to do that deal, but she went her own foolish way-was unable to get it done. A disaster! I don’t know the Ambassador but have been told he is a pompous fool. Tell him the USA now has the best Economy & Military anywhere in the world, by far and they are both only getting bigger, better and stronger… Thank you, Mr. President!” Seeing the writing on the wall, Darroch resigned his post.

Iran Breaches Nuclear Deal – Iran this week officially crossed the limits on uranium enrichment they agreed to in the 2015 nuclear deal made with President Obama. The regime has begun enriching uranium to 4.5%, and threatened to go up to 20%, which is nearly weapons-grade. The Trump administration said they will not let up pressuring Iran to discontinue their behavior.

First Democratic Contender Drops Out – It can be hard to keep up with the more than two dozen Democratic candidates for president, but it just got a tiny bit easier. Rep. Eric Swalwell decided this week to end his presidential bid, becoming the first Democratic contender to drop out of the 2020 race. Swalwell’s number one issue was gun control, and his fellow candidates thanked him for bringing up the issue and making progress in discussing solutions to combat gun violence in America.

Steyer Enters Race – Well, actually it hasn’t gotten easier to keep track of the Democratic candidates. Self-styled billionaire Tom Steyer entered the race for the Democratic nomination for president this week. Steyer, who has said he will spend up to $100 million in Iowa prior to its caucuses, is a loud voice in the climate change world. He has spent millions trying to get people to agree with his views on the dangers of a warming globe and changing climate.

Pelosi, AOC Squabble – After the four leaders of the Democratic progressive wing in Congress, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley opposed the emergency border bill passed last month, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had some comments for them. “All these people have their public whatever and their Twitter world. But they don’t have any following. They’re four people and that’s how many votes they have,” said Pelosi in an interview. Since that interview, AOC has gone on an offensive against Pelosi, accusing her of being “disrespectful” to several “newly elected women of color.”

Stocks Hit Records – After Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell signaled that interest rate cuts may be coming, the Dow and S&P 500 hit record highs. The Dow crossed 27,000 for the first time ever, while the S&P crossed 3,000 for the first time. Rate cuts are seen as likely due to significant headwinds the economy is facing. Many analysts are warning that a recession is right around the corner.