Trump Suggests Federal Takeover of DC Government, Tariffs on Copper in Cabinet Meeting

President Trump held a cabinet meeting on Tuesday where he touched on topics from the flooding in Texas to the war between Russia and Ukraine to tariffs and Jeffrey Epstein.

Tariffs and Trade: Following the announcement of new tariffs on Japan, South Korea and twelve other countries, Trump proposed an additional 50% tariff on copper imports. He also threatened a 200% tariff on pharmaceuticals imported into the U.S. “very soon.” No timeline was released for the copper tariffs, however details on pharmaceutical tariffs are expected at the end of the month.

Taking Over Governance in D.C.: Trump said his administration was considering taking over governance of Washington, D.C, claiming it would reduce crime rates there. In response, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) tweeted, “It’s time to repeal “DC Home Rule,” and have DC’s laws made by Congress” Trump suggested similar action in New York City after criticizing mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. 

Foreign Policy and the Media: Trump addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin for increasing attacks saying, “We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin.” When asked about a recent pause in US weapons shipments to Ukraine—which was reversed on Monday—Trump declined to provide details. The meeting also included broader commentary on foreign policy and media coverage, with Trump calling the media “corrupt.”

Epstein Files: Reporters also asked Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi about Jeffrey Epstein, a famous financier and convicted sex offender. Trump responded, “And are people still talking about this guy? This creep? That is unbelievable.” Earlier this week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI announced they found no credible evidence that Epstein had a “client list” or ran a blackmail operation. Epstein had ties to many notable figures including President Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and more.

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