WASHINGTON — A voluntary Bible study group for members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, led by Ralph Drollinger of Capitol Ministries, resumed meetings in March 2025. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler referenced the group during their updates at the Dec. 2, 2025, Cabinet meeting. The sessions focus on applying Scripture to governance.

Resumption in Second Trump Administration

Capitol Ministries announced on March 6, 2025, that the White House Cabinet Bible Study had restarted. The first session took place hours before the president’s initial full Cabinet meeting of the term. Drollinger, founder and president of Capitol Ministries, led the study titled “God’s Institutions and Their Roles on Earth.” Approximately 14 participants attended in person, with some governors joining remotely.

Sponsors of the group include Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, who sent invitations to Cabinet members. The organization described the resumption as reigniting a practice pioneered during Trump’s first administration.

Mentions at Dec. 2 Cabinet Meeting

During the Dec. 2, 2025, year-end Cabinet meeting, two members highlighted the Bible study in their round-robin remarks. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins referenced the weekly sessions in her update, and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler also mentioned the group. Both described participation as voluntary.

History During First Trump Administration

Drollinger began leading Bible studies for Cabinet members in 2017, shortly after Trump took office in his first term. Sessions occurred weekly on Wednesdays, with attendance varying based on schedules. Participants included several Cabinet secretaries.Capitol Ministries reported the group as the first Cabinet-level Bible study in at least 100 years. Drollinger provided weekly written teachings, and some members received print-outs. The organization expanded similar studies to Congress and state capitols during that period.

Capitol Ministries and Ralph Drollinger

Capitol Ministries, founded by Ralph Drollinger in 1996, conducts Bible studies for political leaders. The group operates in more than 40 U.S. state capitols and dozens of foreign nations. Drollinger, a former professional basketball player, leads the Washington, D.C., studies and authors weekly Bible study materials. Sessions emphasize Scripture’s application to public service, and participation remains voluntary.

Current Format and Participation

Meetings occur weekly, with locations varying for security reasons. Content draws from Drollinger’s curriculum, including “Oaks in Office: Biblical Essays for Political Leaders.” Attendance includes Cabinet members and senior staff when schedules allow. The group remains separate from official government activities, and no formal agenda or minutes are released.

WASHINGTON – The group of officials who sat with President Donald Trump for the final Cabinet meeting of 2025 on Dec. 2 is known simply as the Cabinet. It is the president’s principal advisory body on executive policy and the leadership team for the 15 major departments of the federal government.

Constitutional Origin

The Cabinet is not mentioned by name in the Constitution. Its existence rests on a single sentence in Article II, Section 2, which allows the president to “require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices.

”From that brief clause has grown an institution that has operated continuously since 1789.

The First Cabinet Under Washington

President George Washington began the practice in 1791 when he started meeting regularly with his four department heads: Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph.Washington called them “heads of departments.” The term “Cabinet” was borrowed from the small private rooms where British monarchs met their closest advisers, and the name stuck. By the end of Washington’s second term the four were meeting as a group about twice a month. Every president since has followed the practice.

Growth of the Cabinet

Congress created new departments as the nation expanded. The Navy Department was established in 1798, Interior in 1849, Agriculture in 1889, Commerce and Labor in 1903 (split into two departments in 1913), Defense in 1947 when the War and Navy departments merged, Health, Education and Welfare in 1953 (later split), Housing and Urban Development in 1965, Transportation in 1966, Energy in 1977, Education in 1979, Veterans Affairs in 1989, and Homeland Security in 2002.

These 15 executive departments form the core of the modern Cabinet. Their heads are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

Cabinet-Rank Officials

By law or tradition, certain other officials also attend Cabinet meetings with Cabinet rank. In the current administration these include the vice president, the White House chief of staff, the U.S. trade representative, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, the director of national intelligence, the ambassador to the United Nations, and the administrator of the Small Business Administration.

Legal Authority and Limits

The Cabinet has no collective legal authority. It cannot vote, issue orders, or overrule the president. Its only power is to advise. Presidents may consult the full Cabinet, smaller groups, or individual members as they see fit.

Some presidents have met the full Cabinet weekly; others only a handful of times per term.

Day-to-Day Role

Cabinet secretaries serve as the chief operating officers of their departments. They manage budgets that together account for roughly three-quarters of all federal spending and supervise more than 4 million civilian employees. They issue regulations, execute laws passed by Congress, represent the United States abroad within their portfolios, and testify before congressional committees.

The Cabinet Room

The Cabinet meets in the Cabinet Room on the first floor of the West Wing, directly across the hall from the Oval Office. The room has been in continuous use for the purpose since 1909.

Meeting Format Under Trump

In the Trump administration the typical full Cabinet meeting begins with remarks from the president, proceeds to short updates from each member, and sometimes ends with questions from reporters.

Historical Evolution

The Cabinet’s role has changed with the presidency itself. Early presidents used it for genuine deliberation. Later presidents have treated it more as a coordinating body or, occasionally, as a public display of administration unity.Regardless of style, the fundamental arrangement remains the same as it was in 1791: the heads of the great executive departments meet at the call of the president to offer advice and to carry out his policies.

White House officials, responding to bipartisan requests for briefings from the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, provided a detailed legal justification Dec. 10 that relies on five decades of executive-branch precedent and statutes that have governed every post-9/11 counterterrorism operation.

Core Legal Authorities Cited

The core authorities cited are:

- Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, which makes the president commander in chief and grants inherent power to direct limited military force against imminent threats without prior congressional approval.

- The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40), which authorizes the president to use “all necessary and appropriate force” against those responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks or associated forces to prevent future acts of international terrorism.

- Executive Order 14157, signed Jan. 20, 2025, which designated eight Latin American cartels, including Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1189).

- A classified October 2025 Office of Legal Counsel memorandum that extends the 2001 AUMF to these newly designated FTOs on the grounds that their fentanyl trafficking constitutes a continuing threat equivalent to an armed attack on the United States.

- The July 25, 2025, National Security Presidential Memorandum that delegated tactical strike authority to the secretary of defense and field commanders under 10 U.S.C. § 113.

Hegseth: Strikes Follow 24 Years of Precedent

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters after a closed-door briefing with the Senate Armed Services Committee on Dec. 10 that the strikes “follow the exact same legal framework used for every drone strike against al-Qaida, ISIS and their affiliates for the last 24 years.”

“The president notified Congress within 48 hours as required by the War Powers Resolution, the targets were verified members of designated foreign terrorist organizations, and the operations were conducted in international waters”—Hegseth said—“There is no credible legal argument that these actions exceed existing authority.”

The Sept. 2 Strike Timeline

The Sept. 2 strike that began the campaign targeted a 40-foot go-fast vessel 120 nautical miles off Venezuela. Intelligence confirmed the boat belonged to Tren de Aragua and was carrying fentanyl precursors, administration officials said.

After the initial missile disabled the vessel, intercepted communications showed the occupants attempting to contact cartel handlers, prompting Adm. Frank Bradley, then commander of Joint Special Operations Command, to authorize a second strike to eliminate the military objective.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Dec. 1 the action was taken “to sink the vessel and prevent further terrorist activity,” not to target survivors.

OLC Memo Parallels Post-9/11 Strikes

Legal sources familiar with the classified OLC memo said it concludes that once a non-international armed conflict exists with an FTO, lethal force against its combatants and equipment is governed by the law of armed conflict, not law-enforcement rules requiring warnings or arrests.

The memo draws direct parallels to the 2011–2017 campaign against ISIS oil tankers in Syria, which were destroyed without warning to deny revenue to a terrorist organization.

Congressional Notification and Oversight

The administration’s Oct. 1 notification to Congress formally declared a non-international armed conflict with the designated cartels, a step that mirrors notifications for operations against al-Shabaab in Somalia and ISIS in Iraq and Syria. No new congressional authorization is required under the 2001 AUMF as interpreted by the executive branch and accepted by federal courts for more than two decades.

Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and subcommittee chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) requested the legal memos and intelligence assessments in a Nov. 29 letter, citing “serious questions” about the follow-on strike.

After receiving classified briefings Dec. 10, neither senator repeated allegations of illegality. A committee spokesperson said only that “members will continue vigorous oversight of the operation.”

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and ranking member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued a joint statement after their own briefing saying the administration had provided “a thorough legal and operational justification” and that “Congress will monitor implementation closely.”

No member of Congress has introduced legislation to repeal or limit the 2001 AUMF in response to the strikes, and two Senate resolutions that would have required new congressional approval for continued operations failed on party-line votes in November.

Legal Scholars Affirm Precedent

Legal scholars who have reviewed unclassified portions of the justification said the administration’s position is consistent with precedent. John C. Yoo, former deputy assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Counsel and architect of several post-9/11 opinions, said in a Dec. 9 statement that “the legal framework is identical to the one used for ISIS and al-Qaida. If those strikes were lawful for 24 years, these are lawful today.”

Results and Ongoing Operations

The strikes have produced measurable results, according to Department of Homeland Security data released Dec. 2, which Noem attributed to the campaign during the Dec. 2 meeting: fentanyl seizures at the southern border fell 56% year-over-year, and maritime interdictions of the drug dropped 91%. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem told the Cabinet on Dec. 2 that the campaign had “saved hundreds of thousands of American lives” by disrupting cartel revenue streams.

Venezuelan officials have protested the strikes as violations of sovereignty, but U.S. Southern Command confirmed all operations occurred in international waters beyond any nation’s 12-mile territorial limit.

As of Dec. 15, 2025, the operation continues under the same authorities. No federal court has issued an injunction, and no congressional committee has scheduled public hearings to challenge the legal basis.

ADDENDUM – December 23, 2025

Since publication, U.S. Southern Command has confirmed additional strikes in the eastern Pacific, bringing the total to approximately 28 vessels sunk and casualties to 99.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated December 20 that operations have slowed due to winter weather and increased Venezuelan naval patrols.

No changes have been reported to the legal authorities or congressional oversight described in this article.

— Scott Burton

WASHINGTON – In the ninth and final Cabinet meeting of 2025, held December 2 in the White House Cabinet Room, 20 Cabinet secretaries and Vice President JD Vance delivered brief updates on their departments’ achievements and priorities since President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.

The 2-hour, 18-minute session followed the standard Trump-era format: Trump’s opening remarks, sequential reports from each official, and a question-and-answer period with reporters. All speakers focused on policy wins, operational changes, and future plans, with Trump interjecting occasionally.

The meeting, open to the press, began at 11:58 a.m. EST and ended at 2:17 p.m. Below is a verbatim recap of each speaker’s remarks, in order of appearance, based on the official White House transcript and video feed.

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, whose nameplate read “SSecretary of War” due to a printing error, opened the round of updates with a report on military readiness and counter-narcotics operations.

He credited the administration’s removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and political correctness mandates with driving record-high recruitment and retention rates across all branches. “Merit-based operations are back,” Hegseth said, emphasizing investments in advanced capabilities such as the Golden Dome missile defense system and the F-47 fighter jet program.

He highlighted a 91% reduction in sea-based drug entries into the United States, attributing it to ongoing lethal strikes against narco-terrorist vessels. Hegseth detailed the administration’s designation of Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, enabling military authority to treat their boats as terrorist targets.

Looking ahead, he vowed continued operations to “defeat regional terrorist groups” and maintain the momentum against fentanyl trafficking. Trump interjected, “Every boat we take out saves 25,000 American lives,”—referring to estimated lives preserved by interdicting drug flows.

Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick followed with an overview of trade realignments and investment inflows.

He described a series of “asymmetric trade deals” that reversed perceived U.S. disadvantages, including agreements with the United Kingdom and European Union imposing 15% tariffs on their exports while reducing U.S. rates. Lutnick cited $750 billion in commitments from Japan and South Korea for U.S. manufacturing and nuclear energy projects as direct results.

He noted boosts in American auto stocks, such as General Motors rising 40%, and an expansion of semiconductor investments from $300 billion to $750 billion. “Reshoring is happening at scale,” Lutnick said, pointing to future expansions in pharmaceuticals ($250 billion) and Intel facilities ($40 billion).

He attributed the surge to tariff leverage and deregulation, forecasting dozens more deals to bring supply chains home.

Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reported progress on infrastructure modernization and safety reforms.

He announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had completed one-third of the transition from copper to fiber-optic systems for air traffic control, installing new American-made radars and radios. Duffy requested $20 billion from Congress to finish the upgrades by the end of Trump’s term.

He detailed the revocation of unsafe commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued by sham schools, particularly in California and Minnesota, and updates on Union Station cleanup and the Penn Station rebuild in New York. Duffy promoted a new air travel civility campaign to reduce disruptions and celebrated the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s football victory as a morale boost for the department.

“Safe, efficient travel is our mission,” he said, emphasizing American manufacturing in aviation tech.

Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins highlighted administrative efficiencies and veteran-focused reforms.

He reported a reduction of 160,000 cases in the VA claims backlog, returning it to pre-COVID levels, alongside the restoration of the CHAMPVA program for dependents. Collins credited gains in claims processing and credentialing with saving $3 billion in operational costs.

He announced a reorganization of VA hospitals and new community care contracts to expand access. Despite 30,000 retirements in the workforce, Collins noted higher approval ratings and a “motivated team prioritizing veterans first.”

Future plans include further streamlining to eliminate wait times entirely.

Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer provided a high-level assessment of global trade shifts.

He described efforts to “flip global trade to protect U.S. industries” through targeted tariffs while reducing foreign barriers, resulting in reciprocal agreements “embraced worldwide.” Greer emphasized balanced, fair trade under the Trump administration, contrasting it with prior imbalances.

He anticipated “major changes ahead,” including deeper bilateral pacts to safeguard American workers and exporters.

Unidentified Regulatory Policy Lead

An unidentified regulatory policy lead detailed the administration’s deregulatory achievements.

The official reported a 48-to-1 ratio of rules removed to new ones added, exceeding initial goals. This included a 25% cut to federal acquisition regulations—500 pages and 2,700 mandates—yielding $40 billion in immediate savings and $200–400 billion over 10 years.

The lead credited the effort with accelerating procurement and opening opportunities for small businesses. Plans include finalizing additional rules for faster federal contracting processes.

Scott Turner, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner focused on public housing security and homeownership initiatives.

He announced task forces targeting crime, trafficking, and unauthorized occupants in public housing, including operations in Memphis and Washington, D.C., with a new crime hotline. Turner emphasized ensuring “only Americans reside” in HUD properties.

He reported support for more than 1 million new homeownerships, including 560,000 first-time buyers. Relocating HUD headquarters to Virginia saved $500 million, with additional funds directed to foster youth financial literacy programs.

Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins outlined reforms to farm programs and affordability measures.

She announced the end of DEI and climate-focused initiatives, reductions in input costs through trade deals, and the movement of 800,000 people off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Rollins highlighted victories in legal battles for ranchers and resolution of property disputes.

The department withheld SNAP funds from non-compliant states on work requirements. Future plans include dozens of trade deals, rural prosperity initiatives, and bridge payments for farmers recovering from previous years’ losses.

Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported on economic inflows and fiscal reforms.

He noted trillions in investments driving a 15% boom in capital expenditures (CapEx). The pending “One Big Beautiful Bill” would enable 100% expensing for businesses, eliminate taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits, and allow retroactive car loan deductions for 2026 tax refunds.

Bessent described the bond market’s best year since 2020 as signaling low-inflation growth ahead. He credited fixes to immigration, interest rates, and inflation for setting up a strong 2026 economy.

JD Vance, Vice President

Vice President JD Vance summarized household economic gains.

He reported a $1,000-plus increase in average household income over 10 months, reversing a $3,000 loss under the previous administration. Vance blamed Democratic policies on immigration, taxes, and green spending for prior affordability issues.

He noted progress on housing costs, tax relief, and food prices, forecasting 2026 as a year of “unprecedented growth.”

Pam Bondi, Attorney General

Attorney General Pam Bondi updated on public safety and legal actions.

She reported 7,000-plus arrests in Washington, D.C., and 3,500 in Memphis through multi-agency efforts. The department seized 45 million fentanyl pills—equivalent to 347 million lethal doses—and 31,000 illegal guns.

Bondi noted 575 lawsuits with a 92% win rate at the Supreme Court, including immigration injunctions and the end of DEI programs. Plans include greater accountability and dropping Biden-era cases.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Secretary of Labor

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer highlighted job creation and training.

She announced 2 million native-born jobs added, 250,000 new apprenticeships, and 2,000 programs funded with $86 million for AI infrastructure, including an upcoming AI workforce hub.

The department rescinded DEI initiatives, saving $1 billion, and launched 200 probes into foreign labor abuse via Project Firewall. Chavez-DeRemer noted new rules allowing cryptocurrency in retirement plans and a focus on skilling for manufacturing and trades.

Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy

Energy Secretary Chris Wright reported on fuel price reductions.

He said gasoline prices had fallen below $3 nationally, as low as $1.99 in the heartland, due to administration policies. Electricity costs declined by reversing plant closures and adding gigawatts of capacity, adopting red-state models that achieved 35% demand growth with falling prices.

Wright contrasted blue states’ rising costs from unreliable energy sources and predicted nationwide declines under Trump.

Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem detailed enforcement and disaster response.

She announced the removal of 2 million illegal immigrants, prioritizing terrorists and criminals, with the hiring of the 10,000th ICE officer. Noem reported a 50% reduction in fraudulent Minnesota visas and a 56% drop in southern border fentanyl seizures.

FEMA operations improved 150% in speed. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) handled a government shutdown seamlessly, with no hurricane impacts. Plans include more removals during the holidays.

Kelly Loeffler, Small Business Administration Administrator

Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler praised economic momentum.

She reported record small-business optimism and an MOU with Labor for skilled labor pipelines. The SBA facilitated $100 billion in lending and investments.

Loeffler noted $100 billion in deregulation savings and thanked workers for embracing fair trade and low inflation. She mentioned a voluntary Cabinet Bible study group.

Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin highlighted environmental and economic reforms.

He reported record cleanup of Los Angeles wildfires and an end to the Mexico border sewage crisis. The agency achieved the largest deregulatory effort in history, rescinding the 2009 endangerment finding and EV mandates, redefining U.S. waters, and cutting the workforce while saving $30 billion by canceling grants.

Zeldin prioritized “economy and people over bureaucracy.”

Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education

Education Secretary Linda McMahon urged decentralizing authority amid proficiency gaps, such as only 30% of eighth-graders reading at grade level.

She criticized federal bureaucracy and announced MOUs with Labor, HHS, and State for transferring programs like WIOA and Perkins. The department removed anti-Semitism and DEI initiatives, reintroduced the science of reading, and halved the workforce for efficiency.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced health access reforms.

He ended the “war on women” by removing hormone replacement therapy black box warnings. Most-favored-nation drug pricing secured the lowest U.S. prices through pharma deals and a UK agreement.

The department eliminated prior authorizations for 280 million Americans by January 2026 and enabled health record sharing, increasing access 100-fold. Kennedy revoked a nursing home staffing rule, saving $25 billion.

Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum reported on energy and conservation.

He announced record oil and natural gas production, with energy exports to allies. A $100 nonresident park fee surcharge funded preservation, alongside 10 free entry days.

Burgum positioned the department for economic abundance with lower taxes, regulations, and jobs ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary, praising the team for a vision of peace and prosperity.

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

Secretary of State Marco Rubio closed the updates with foreign policy highlights.

He described a transformational “America First” approach to migration, trade, aid, and NATO (requiring 5% defense spending pledges). Rubio credited Trump with advancing peace in Gaza through intervention, forming a global border coalition, and working to end wars in Ukraine and Sudan.

He emphasized Trump’s deal-making for enhanced U.S. safety, strength, and prosperity.

The session concluded with Trump’s extended Q&A, applause, and departure. No further updates were provided beyond the remarks. All statements are drawn from the official transcript and video.

More from Issue #1: The Cabinet

- Cabinet Members’ Remarks Recap

- 2 Million Deportations

- Trump’s $18 Trillion Investment Pledges

- Boat Strikes Campaign

- Cabinet Meeting Main Recap

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WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Monday claimed his administration had secured more than $18 trillion in foreign investment pledges since taking office in January, calling it a figure “never seen in history” and crediting his tariff policies and tax reforms for the surge.

Trump made the remark during the final Cabinet meeting of 2025, held in the White House Cabinet Room. “In 10 months, we’ve secured commitments of over $18 trillion,”—he said—“There’s never been a country that’s had that kind of an investment ever in history.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, speaking at the same meeting, tied the investments to “asymmetric trade deals” that impose 15 percent tariffs on European and British exports while lowering U.S. rates. He cited $750 billion from Japan and South Korea in manufacturing and nuclear projects as examples.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the inflows have driven a 15 percent increase in capital expenditures, or CapEx, and positioned the U.S. for “low-inflation growth” in 2026.

The White House Tracker

The White House has tracked these pledges on a running online list titled “Trump Effect: A Running List of New U.S. Investment in President Trump’s Second Term,” last updated Nov. 25. As of that date, it tallies $9.6 trillion in “total U.S. and foreign investments” announced since January. The site attributes the pledges to tariffs, deregulation and bilateral deals.

Trump’s $18 trillion figure, repeated in speeches since October, builds on that list. In a Nov. 17 White House speech, he said the volume of investments “could exceed $20-21 trillion” by the end of 2025. He added that over $17 trillion had been invested in the last nine months alone, reaching “almost $18 trillion.”

The pledges span semiconductors, energy, pharmaceuticals and infrastructure, with heavy emphasis on Asia and the Middle East. Below is a breakdown of the major commitments, based on White House announcements and Trump’s statements.

The White House List: A Breakdown

The administration’s online tracker categorizes pledges into domestic corporate announcements and foreign government commitments. As of late November, it lists about $2 trillion from U.S. companies and $7.6 trillion from abroad, totaling $9.6 trillion. Trump has described these as the foundation for his larger $18 trillion total, including additional deals in negotiation.

Japan: $1 Trillion

The largest single pledge comes from Japan, announced during Trump’s May 2025 visit to Tokyo. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba committed to $1 trillion over five years in U.S. manufacturing, semiconductors and critical minerals.

Trump highlighted the deal in October, saying it advanced Japan’s previous $550 billion commitment to “further revitalize the U.S. industrial base.” A White House fact sheet from Oct. 28 detailed major projects, including a memorandum of cooperation to expand shipbuilding capacity and historic purchases of U.S. exports.

Japanese firms like Toyota and Sony detailed portions: Toyota pledged $88 billion for hybrid vehicle plants in West Virginia and Kentucky, while TSMC expanded its Arizona chip fab with $65 billion. The White House credits the full $1 trillion to “revitalizing the U.S. industrial base.”

Saudi Arabia: $1 Trillion (Up from $600 Billion)

During Trump’s November 2025 Middle East trip, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman raised a prior $600 billion pledge to $1 trillion, focusing on energy, defense and AI infrastructure.

Trump hailed the increase at a Nov. 18 White House event, linking it to tariff exemptions on Saudi oil imports. Saudi Aramco detailed $200 billion for Texas refineries and data centers. The White House framed it as a “strategic partnership,” including purchases of U.S. weapons and F-35 jets.

United Arab Emirates: $1.4 Trillion

The UAE committed $1.4 trillion in August, the largest foreign pledge, for AI, renewables and real estate. Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala, leads with $300 billion in semiconductors and $400 billion in green energy projects across California and Texas.

Trump announced the deal after July tariff threats on Gulf imports. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan described it as a “10-year framework for mutual growth.”

South Korea: $450 Billion

South Korea pledged $450 billion in June, primarily for energy and autos, after Trump imposed 15 percent tariffs on electronics. Hyundai committed $200 billion to U.S. battery plants in Georgia, while Samsung added $100 billion for chip fabs in Texas.

Lutnick cited the $450 billion during Monday’s Cabinet meeting as part of the $750 billion combined with Japan. Bessent confirmed the full amount in December.

India: $500 Billion

Listed as $500 billion in “mutual trade expansion,” India’s pledge from March emphasizes pharmaceuticals and IT. Tata Group announced $150 billion for semiconductor plants in Ohio, and Reliance Industries $100 billion for renewables.

Trump called it a “strategic partnership” during a March joint statement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Qatar: $1.2 Trillion

Qatar’s November commitment covers energy and infrastructure, building on $18 billion from 2019. QatarEnergy pledged $400 billion for LNG terminals in Louisiana.

Trump described it as “historic,” tied to tariff relief on Qatari imports.

Domestic Tech Giants: $1.5 Trillion Combined

U.S. firms contribute significantly. NVIDIA pledged $500 billion for AI infrastructure. Apple committed $500 billion to manufacturing and training. Amazon and Microsoft added $250 billion each for data centers.

Trump hosted NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang at a White House event in April, announcing plans to manufacture AI superchips in the U.S. as part of the $500 billion investment.

Other Key Pledges

- European Union: $600 Billion – Vague estimate of potential private investment through 2028, announced in an August joint statement.

- Taiwan: $100 Billion – Boost to U.S.-based investment in chips.

- Bahrain: $17 Billion – In U.S. infrastructure.

- Micron Technology: $200 Billion – In advanced memory chips, including a second fab in Idaho.

- Johnson & Johnson: $55 Billion – In manufacturing, R&D and technology over four years.

- Roche: $50 Billion – In U.S.-based manufacturing and R&D, creating over 1,000 jobs.

Smaller pledges fill the rest, including from Siemens, Amgen and other firms credited to Trump’s policies.

How the Pledges Were Secured

Trump’s strategy blends tariffs, tax incentives and bilateral pressure. Executive Order 14157 in January created the “United States Investment Accelerator” to fast-track permits and cut regulations. It has processed 150 projects, saving $40 billion in compliance costs, per the Office of Management and Budget.

Tariffs—25 percent on China, 15 percent on EU and allies—prompted concessions. South Korea’s pledge followed a June tariff hike; Japan’s came after auto threats.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill,” pending in Congress, offers 100 percent expensing and no taxes on tips, luring firms like NVIDIA. Trump said in November it would enable “trillions more to come.”

In a 100 Days of Investment fact sheet from April 29, the White House reported over $5 trillion secured in the first three months, creating more than 451,000 jobs. By August, the running list had grown to trillions in manufacturing, production and innovation.

Economic Impact So Far

Bureau of Economic Analysis data show business investment rose 22 percent in the first quarter of 2025, the largest quarterly jump since 1980. CapEx hit 15 percent growth, per Bessent’s remarks Monday.

Job creation: 451,000 new positions announced, mostly in manufacturing. Semiconductors lead, with 100,000 roles from TSMC and Intel expansions.

Trump tied the surge to lower inflation in his Cabinet remarks, saying the investments would bring “prices down, way down.” He contrasted it with the previous administration, claiming, “We inherited the worst inflation in the history of our country.”

What’s Next?

Trump projects $21 trillion by year-end, per a November rally. Lutnick said December deals with China and Brazil could add $2 trillion.

In his Nov. 17 speech, Trump said, “This is trillions of dollars we’re talking about in terms of the tariff income and all the investment income that’s come into our country”—Trump said—”We have more than — I would say, right now, more than $18 trillion.”

The administration expects the “One Big Beautiful Bill” to lock in incentives. As Trump said Monday, “We’re bringing the prices down... and the investments in.”

Independent analyses question the feasibility of some pledges, citing multi-year timelines and GDP comparisons.

WASHINGTON The Department of Homeland Security has removed more than 2 million people from the United States since President Donald Trump took office Jan. 20, 2025, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday.

Noem delivered the figure during the final Cabinet meeting of the year (full recap here), telling Trump and other officials that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had “removed 2 million illegal immigrants” in the first 10½ months of the administration, with “more coming before the end of the year.”

The total marks the fastest pace of removals in modern U.S. history and surpasses the previous single-year record of 1.57 million set in fiscal 2013 under President Barack Obama.

Breakdown of the 2 Million Figure

DHS officials said Tuesday the 2 million includes both interior removals and border expulsions. Of those, approximately 1.4 million were processed at the southern border under Title 8 authorities, while 600,000 were arrested inside the country by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Noem said ICE has hired its 10,000th new officer since January and now conducts daily charter flights to more than 180 countries. She credited workplace raids, fugitive operations and a revived 287(g) program that deputizes local law enforcement.

“Every terrorist, every gang member, every criminal alien—we are finding them and removing them,” Noem said.

The 2 million milestone comes amid rising detention numbers, with ICE’s average daily in-custody population climbing from 34,000 in January to more than 58,000 this month—the highest since 2020.

Fentanyl Seizures Drop 56 Percent

The department also reported a 56 percent drop in fentanyl seized at the southern border compared with the same period in 2024, which Noem attributed to the mass-removal campaign and new maritime interdiction efforts.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the 2 million figure does not include voluntary departures or Title 42-style public-health expulsions used during the previous administration.

Reaction and Disputes

Immigration advocates disputed the characterization. The American Immigration Council said Tuesday that at least 185,000 of the removals involved individuals with no criminal record who had lived in the United States for more than a decade, including parents of U.S.-citizen children.DHS did not provide a breakdown by criminal history or country of origin when asked.

International Friction

The removals have strained relations with several Latin American nations. Mexico accepted 412,000 returnees through November, while Colombia suspended deportation flights for three weeks in October after Bogotá objected to shackling procedures.

Outlook

Noem said the department is on track to exceed 2.5 million removals by the end of fiscal 2026 if Congress approves an additional $18 billion in funding requested last month.Trump praised the numbers during Monday’s meeting, saying, “Kristi is doing a fantastic job — nobody has ever seen anything like it.”

The 2 million milestone comes eight months after Trump signed an executive order on Inauguration Day directing DHS to “remove all removable aliens” and reinstate the “remain in Mexico” policy for asylum seekers.

ICE data show average daily in-custody population has risen from 34,000 in January to more than 58,000 this month, the highest since 2020.

WASHINGTON The U.S. military’s lethal strikes on suspected drug-running boats off Venezuela’s coast, which began in September 2025 and have since claimed at least 83 lives across 21 operations, have thrust the Trump administration’s counter-narcotics strategy into a legal maelstrom.

What started as a targeted campaign against “narco-terrorists” has sparked bipartisan congressional scrutiny, international condemnation and allegations of war crimes, even as administration officials insist the actions are squarely within presidential powers.

The First Strike: September 2, 2025

On Sept. 2, 2025, the U.S. Navy launched its first publicly acknowledged strike, destroying a go-fast vessel in international waters of the southern Caribbean.

President Donald Trump announced the operation on Truth Social that day, posting grainy black-and-white video of the explosion and claiming it killed 11 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a group his administration had designated a foreign terrorist organization just months earlier.

“These terrorists were transporting illegal narcotics heading to the United States,” Trump wrote. “The strike resulted in 11 terrorists killed in action.”

The incident, part of a broader Operation Southern Spear, marked a dramatic escalation in U.S. efforts to stem the flow of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids killing over 100,000 Americans annually, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

By December, the strikes had expanded to the eastern Pacific, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowing on X to “find and terminate EVERY vessel with the intention of trafficking drugs to America.”

Yet as the death toll mounted, questions swirled: Were these lawful acts of self-defense against terrorists, or extrajudicial killings disguised as counterterrorism?

Administration’s Legal Justification

Administration lawyers argue the strikes are authorized under a robust framework blending constitutional powers, post-9/11 statutes and recent executive actions treating drug cartels as terrorist entities.

“President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made it clear that presidentially designated narco-terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting in accordance with the laws of war,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a Dec. 2 briefing.

Timeline of the Sept. 2 Controversy

The initial operation unfolded amid heightened U.S. naval deployments in the Caribbean, including 14 warships, drones and surveillance aircraft stationed from Puerto Rico to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

U.S. Southern Command had ramped up patrols in mid-August, citing intelligence on a surge in Venezuelan maritime trafficking.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. local time on Sept. 1 (or early Sept. 2 U.S. time), a U.S. surveillance drone spotted a 40-foot open-hulled vessel zigzagging at high speed 120 nautical miles northeast of Caracas.

The boat matched profiles of “go-fast” smugglers: multiple outboard engines, low profile for evasion and white containers consistent with drug bales. Intelligence linked it to Tren de Aragua, which the State Department described as conducting “irregular warfare” against U.S. interests through fentanyl distribution.

Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, then leading Joint Special Operations Command, authorized the first missile strike from a guided-missile destroyer. The explosion sank the vessel, killing all 11 aboard, per initial Pentagon assessments.

Trump released the video hours later, hailing it as a blow to “cartel terrorists under the control of Nicolás Maduro.”

But reports soon emerged of a second strike. Over an hour later, as smoke cleared and potential survivors surfaced, Bradley ordered a follow-up Hellfire missile, citing “fog of war” protocols to eliminate the threat.

Leavitt confirmed this on Dec. 2, saying Bradley “worked well within his authority... to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat of narco-terrorists to the United States was completely eliminated.”

Venezuelan officials decried the attacks as “aggression” within their exclusive economic zone, though U.S. data placed the site in international waters under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Families of the dead, speaking to outlets like El Pitazo and El Nacional, claimed many were fishermen, not traffickers. The Venezuelan government suppressed names, but human rights groups identified at least five civilians among the casualties.

By late November, the campaign had sunk 21 vessels, killing 83 people—mostly Venezuelan and Colombian nationals—with one reported survivor from an October Pacific strike.

Hegseth, speaking on Fox News, called it “the declared intent... to stop lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats, and kill the narco-terrorists who are poisoning the American people.”

Cartel Terrorist Designations in 2025

The legal linchpin for these operations traces to Trump’s first day in office. On Jan. 20, 2025, he signed Executive Order 14157, “Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.”

The order invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq.) and directed the State Department to label transnational criminal groups as terrorists if they threatened U.S. security through drug trafficking.

On Feb. 20, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the first wave: eight Latin American entities as both FTOs under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1189) and SDGTs under Executive Order 13224.

The list included Tren de Aragua, MS-13, Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Northeast Cartel, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Gulf Cartel and United Cartels. Rubio cited their “campaigns of violence and terror” via fentanyl, which the order framed as an “armed attack” on Americans.

Later designations added Cartel de los Soles (Nov. 24), Barrio 18 (Sept. 24) and Ecuadorian groups Los Choneros and Los Lobos (Sept. 5). By December, FTOs skewed heavily toward narco-groups, outnumbering traditional Islamist ones.

Congressional and International Criticism

Critics contend the framework stretches too far. Democratic lawmakers, led by Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), argue FTO designations do not equate to AUMF authorization, which targets 9/11 perpetrators, not drug criminals.

“Designating cartels as terrorists does not magically grant military force powers,” Reed said in a November hearing. A bipartisan Senate resolution to bar Caribbean strikes without approval failed twice, but the House passed a similar measure in October.

Legal experts like Brian Finucane of the International Crisis Group, a former State Department attorney, say the “armed conflict” claim misapplies international humanitarian law to law enforcement scenarios.

“The Coast Guard has primary maritime authority for interdictions, with rules emphasizing warnings and arrests, not lethal force,” Finucane said. Retired Navy JAG Mark Nevitt echoed this, noting strikes bypass “strict rules” for disabling shots.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International labeled the second Sept. 2 strike a potential war crime, violating Geneva Conventions Protocol I (Art. 41) against targeting incapacitated persons.

A group of former JAGs issued an opinion in November: “There is no legal basis for strikes on boats carrying narcotics; this is extrajudicial killing.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called for an investigation in October, citing 83 civilian deaths. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused Trump of “state terrorism,” linking strikes to a $50 million bounty on his arrest for alleged cartel ties—claims U.S. intelligence has not substantiated.

Even Republicans like Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) expressed unease, joining Reed in a statement on “follow-on strikes” reports. Failed resolutions highlight GOP divisions.

Results and Outlook

By July 2025, fentanyl seizures dropped 56 percent at the southern border, per DHS data, which Noem attributed to the campaign during the Dec. 2 meeting. Hegseth claimed a 91 percent reduction in sea-based inflows.

Yet efficacy is debated. The State Department’s 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report pins most U.S. fentanyl on Mexico, not Venezuela. Strikes have paused since late November—”hard to find boats right now,” Hegseth quipped—amid winter weather and Venezuelan naval patrols.

As 2025 ends, the strikes underscore a tension in U.S. law: expansive executive powers post-9/11 versus congressional war-making under Article I. With no new AUMF forthcoming and litigation looming, the campaign’s future hinges on 2026 midterms.

For now, Leavitt’s refrain holds: “If narcoterrorists are trafficking illegal drugs towards the United States, he has the authority to kill them.”

WASHINGTON – In the Trump Cabinet meeting December 2, 2025, President Donald Trump convened the ninth and final session of the year, a two-hour, 18-minute open-press event where he hailed 2025 as “the most consequential and successful first year of any president.” The gathering highlighted Trump immigration policy boasts, including falling gasoline and grocery prices, alongside a sharp critique of Somali immigrants in Minnesota and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.).

The Dec. 2 Cabinet meeting, starting at 11:58 a.m. EST in the Cabinet Room, stuck to the classic Trump-era blueprint: president’s opening remarks, quick hits from each Cabinet official, and a drawn-out Q&A with the press. All 20 seated members, plus Vice President JD Vance, got their turn to speak.

Under a portrait of George Washington, Trump boasted of pulling in $18 trillion in foreign investment pledges, dropping national gasoline prices under $3 per gallon, and flipping inflation to what he dubbed “deflation replacing inflation.”

“We inherited the worst inflation in the history of our country,” Trump said. “We brought it down.”

On immigration policy, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had deported over 2 million individuals since January 20, 2025. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported a 91% plunge in maritime fentanyl flows, thanks to deadly strikes on cartel boats, spotlighting a disputed September clash off Venezuela.

The meeting wrapped with 22 minutes of press questions. Probed on Somali immigrants in Minnesota – site of the nation’s biggest Somali-American enclave – Trump labeled Somalia “barely a country” that “stinks,” deemed certain arrivals “garbage” who ought to “go back and fix it,” and targeted Omar, the Somali-American Democrat, as “from hell.”

The full Cabinet rose in applause as Trump exited at 2:17 p.m.

Economic Claims Dominate Opening

Trump kicked off with Black Friday sales highs and easing grocery prices. He repeated the $18 trillion foreign investment pledges from October, offering no fresh details on the Trump Cabinet meeting December 2025 economic updates.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright shared that gas dipped below $2 a gallon in seven states and under $3 nationwide. “In the heartland it’s $1.99,” Wright said. Trump echoed the stat, tying it to his drilling push.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previewed the pending “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which would nix taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits while greenlighting 100% business expensing.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick touted lopsided trade pacts forcing the UK and EU to swallow 15% U.S. tariffs on their goods, while America pays less. He added Japan and South Korea pledged $750 billion for U.S. manufacturing and nuclear projects.

Immigration and Border Security

Noem detailed ICE’s milestone: its 10,000th new agent hired, 2 million removals tallied, and more slated by year-end. Southern border fentanyl seizures dropped 56%, she said.

During Q&A on Trump immigration policy toward Somali immigrants in Minnesota – the U.S.’s largest Somali-American hub – Trump fired back: “We keep taking in garbage from Somalia. … Ilhan Omar is garbage. She’s from hell. … Let them go back and fix it.”

Multiple Cabinet members clapped at the remark.

National Security and the Venezuelan Boat Strikes

Hegseth, sporting a nameplate typo (“Ssecretary of War” from a printing error), backed the September 2 naval hit that sank a suspected Venezuelan drug boat. A follow-up strike over an hour later wiped out lingering dangers, he noted.

“Every boat we take out saves 25,000 American lives,” Trump cut in.

Hegseth explained how labeling Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations lets the military hit their ships as terror assets.

Deregulation and Agency Overhauls

An unnamed regulatory chief claimed a 48-to-1 deregulation win, axing 48 rules per new one. Federal acquisition rule trims alone save $40 billion now and up to $400 billion over 10 years, the official said.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced scrapping the 2009 endangerment finding – backbone of most climate rules – yielding $30 billion in savings and EPA staff cuts.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon flagged just 30% of eighth-graders reading at grade level, pushing state control of schools. Trump jumped in: “We’re getting rid of the department eventually.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowed to scrap insurance prior authorizations for 280 million Americans by January 1, 2026, plus most-favored-nation drug pricing for global low costs.

Other Notable Updates

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins reported slashing the claims backlog by 160,000 cases to pre-COVID norms.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said 800,000 exited the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, with funds yanked from non-compliant states on work rules.

Small Business Administration chief Kelly Loeffler cited record small-business optimism.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum noted peak oil and natural gas output.

Cabinet Bible Study Mentioned Twice

Rollins and Loeffler name-checked the weekly Cabinet Bible study, run by Ralph Drollinger of Capitol Ministries. The optional gatherings, back since March 2025, rotate through agency HQs and apply Scripture to leadership.

Closing

As the session ended, Trump signed commemorative hats for Cabinet members and posed for photographs. The full Cabinet gave a standing ovation as he departed at 2:17 p.m.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later described the meeting as “a celebration of the most productive first year in modern history.”

It was the final scheduled full Cabinet meeting of 2025.

Welcome to Issue #1: The Cabinet

This is the complete, no-spin record of Trump’s final 2025 Cabinet meeting and the facts behind the headlines.

Every article answers Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How — AP-style journalism, sourced, verified.

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Contents

- Cabinet Members’ Remarks Recap

- 2 Million Deportations

- Trump’s $18 Trillion Investment Pledges

- Boat Strikes Campaign

- Cabinet Meeting Main Recap

New articles every Tuesday and Friday.

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— Scott Burton Official