NEW YORK - In a week marked by significant political developments, former President Donald Trump made headlines with a series of actions, including a controversial decision to exclude Democratic governors from a White House meeting and reported attempts to leverage federal funding for naming public infrastructure in his honor. Simultaneously, international relations saw movement with the release of a trade framework between the United States and India, and the opening of new consulates in Greenland.
According to multiple sources, Trump is hosting an annual meeting of governors at the White House this month, but is only inviting Republican governors. The meeting, part of the National Governors Association winter gathering, will exclude Democrats, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Colorado Governor Jared Polis. Trump reportedly told staff members that he only wanted Republican governors for the meeting, though he is still planning a separate, bipartisan dinner for governors and their spouses as part of the N.G.A. activities, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Adding to the week's developments, the Trump administration reportedly sought to pressure Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, to help name New York's Penn Station and Washington Dulles International Airport after President Trump. Four people familiar with the private conversations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that top administration officials told Schumer the money would be released if he agreed to name the facilities in Trump's honor. This move comes as the president recently put his name on a new federal building in Florida.
On the international front, the United States and India released a framework for an interim trade agreement. According to ABC News, the agreement aims to lower tariffs on Indian goods. The joint statement, released Friday, came after Trump announced his plan last week to reduce import tariffs on the South Asian country, six months after imposing steep taxes to press New Delhi to cut its reliance on cheap Russian crude. Under the deal, tariffs on goods from India would be lowered to 18%, from 25%, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to sto.
In other international news, Canada opened its consulate in Greenland's capital, and the first French consul to the Danish territory arrived on Friday, following the Trump administration's efforts to acquire the island. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand wrote on X Friday morning, "I am en route to Nuuk for the opening of Canadas new consulate – strengthening Canadas presence, partnerships, and leadership in the Arctic."
Meanwhile, the Department of War announced it would end all professional military education, fellowships, and certificate programs with Harvard University. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated in a video announcement posted on X, "Harvard is woke; The War Department is not." The move, which begins in the 2026-27 school year, was described as "long overdue" by Hegseth, who has a master's degree from the university.
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