标签： North America

U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited a heated debate over his decision to demolish part of the White House East Wing to construct a grand ballroom. Defending the $250 million project, Trump described the construction noise as “music to my ears” during a meeting with Republican senators on Tuesday. He emphasized, “When I hear that sound, it reminds me of money.” The 90,000-square-foot ballroom, intended for hosting parties, state visits, and other events, has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and historic preservation groups. The National Trust for Historic Preservation expressed “deep concern” in a letter to White House officials, warning that the new structure could “overwhelm the White House itself” and disrupt its classical design. The Society of Architectural Historians also called for a public review process, citing the project’s scale. The White House countered criticism, labeling detractors as “unhinged leftists” and asserting that the privately funded renovation would not burden taxpayers. Trump officials defended the solicitation of private donations for the project, arguing it was appropriate. Critics, however, argue that the alterations represent the most significant changes to the White House exterior in decades. While White House officials claim the project does not require approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, former commission chair L Preston Bryant Jr noted that previous administrations typically consulted the agency for major renovations. The controversy underscores the tension between modernization and historic preservation in one of America’s most iconic landmarks.

The United States is experiencing a profound political crisis as widespread protests sweep across the nation, testing the resilience of its governance and institutional norms. Beginning on October 18, 2025, millions of demonstrators gathered in major cities, including New York, Chicago, Boston, and Portland, to voice their discontent with the current administration’s policies and leadership style. The protests, which drew participants from diverse backgrounds such as military veterans, academics, healthcare workers, and laborers, highlighted growing public skepticism and social fragmentation over issues like immigration, healthcare, education, and trade. This wave of civil action underscores deepening political divisions and raises critical questions about the future trajectory of American democracy. Since taking office in January 2025, the US government has implemented significant policy changes in energy, immigration, and foreign affairs, often through executive orders. These moves have sparked intense debate and mixed reactions across society, while restructuring within administrative agencies has further fueled concerns about the direction of governance. Additionally, the expansion of presidential authority, perceived as undermining congressional oversight and media access, has strained the system of checks and balances. This tension culminated in a partial federal government shutdown on October 1, which has persisted for over 20 days, disrupting public services and threatening the nation’s credit rating. Amid these challenges, recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, with rifts even emerging within the Republican Party. As the gap widens between the government and the public, and constitutional principles face new tests, the US finds itself at a critical crossroads that will shape its domestic future and its role in the global order.

The highly anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, initially scheduled to take place in Hungary, has been postponed indefinitely. This development follows a recent phone conversation between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, described as ‘constructive but inconclusive.’ Both US and Russian officials confirmed the delay, emphasizing the need for ‘serious preparation’ before any summit can occur. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that the timing of a potential meeting remains undetermined. Despite the setback, Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, assured on social media that preparations for a future summit are ongoing and that the meeting has not been canceled. The postponement comes after Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House last week, where he ruled out a trilateral summit involving Russia and Ukraine due to the ongoing tensions between the two nations. Trump and Putin last met in Alaska in August, but their discussions failed to yield a breakthrough in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, leaving ceasefire negotiations at a standstill.

The United States is grappling with its longest full government shutdown in history, now entering its third week with no resolution in sight. The shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, has surpassed previous records, becoming the third-longest in US history. If it continues beyond Tuesday, it will surpass the 21-day shutdown of 1995, positioning it as the second-longest shutdown ever. The longest shutdown remains the 35-day partial closure during Donald Trump’s first term from December 2018 to January 2019.

The repercussions of the shutdown are intensifying, affecting critical sectors across the nation. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a key agency under the Department of Energy responsible for overseeing the US nuclear stockpile, has begun furloughing employees. Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that up to 1,400 workers could be furloughed, with only 400 federal employees and contractors remaining on duty. The NNSA also plays a crucial role in managing nuclear materials globally, raising concerns about international security.

In the health sector, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were forced to skip IDWeek, the largest annual gathering of infectious disease experts. This comes at a critical time, following recent surges in measles and whooping cough across the US. The CDC, which typically sends numerous researchers to such events, had only a handful of scientists listed as speakers, none of whom attended due to the shutdown.

The cultural and tourism sectors are also feeling the strain. Major attractions like the Smithsonian Institution museums and the National Zoo have closed their doors to the public. The US Travel Association estimates that the travel economy is losing $1 billion weekly as visitors cancel trips to national parks, historic sites, and Washington, DC. Additionally, the Small Business Administration has halted its loan programs, affecting 1,600 small businesses that rely on approximately $860 million in weekly funding.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported air traffic controller shortages, leading to flight delays in major cities such as Nashville, Dallas, and Newark. The shutdown has also disrupted flood insurance policy issuances and renewals, delaying mortgage closings and real estate transactions.

Public opinion remains divided on who is to blame for the impasse. According to a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, roughly 60% of US adults hold Republicans in Congress responsible, while 54% attribute the shutdown to Democrats.

The economic impact is significant, with Oxford Economics estimating that the shutdown reduces economic growth by 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points weekly. A prolonged shutdown could lead to a 1.2 to 2.4 percentage point reduction in quarterly growth. Major infrastructure projects, including a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River and an extension of New York City’s Second Avenue subway, have been put on hold, along with $7.6 billion in grants for clean energy projects across 16 states.

As the shutdown continues, nearly 750,000 of the federal government’s 2.3 million civilian employees are furloughed daily, while others deemed ‘excepted’ continue to work to protect life, property, and essential services. The nation awaits a resolution as the shutdown’s effects ripple through every sector of American life.