"Trump to sign order blocking student loan forgiveness for public servants involved in 'improper activities' – live updates"

 "Trump to sign order blocking student loan forgiveness for public servants involved in 'improper activities' – live updates"

Trump to Block Student Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants Involved in ‘Improper Activities’

Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order today preventing government and nonprofit employees from accessing a student loan forgiveness program if they engage in “improper activities.”

The order impacts the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which allows eligible employees of these organizations to have their federal student loans forgiven. White House staff secretary Will Scharf stated that the order will specifically target individuals working for non-governmental organizations involved in activities deemed illegal or improper—such as supporting illegal immigration, foreign terrorist organizations, or other unlawful actions.

The directive will instruct the Treasury and Education Departments to ensure that individuals engaged in such activities are disqualified from receiving loan forgiveness.

Closing Summary

That wraps up our live coverage for the 46th day of Trump’s second term. Here are some key developments from the day:

• Federal Grants Revoked: The Trump administration announced it had revoked $400 million in federal grants and contracts from Columbia University, citing the school’s alleged failure to protect students from antisemitic harassment.

• Justice Department Shakeup: The administration fired Liz Oyer, head of the U.S. Justice Department office responsible for handling presidential pardon requests. Oyer, appointed by Biden in 2022, confirmed her dismissal in a social media post, saying, “I’m sad to share that I was fired today from the job I have poured my heart and soul into for the last three years.”

• TSA Union Agreement Ends: The Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, announced the termination of the collective bargaining agreement for tens of thousands of TSA officers. The agency also halted automatic union dues deductions, a major setback for the American Federation of Government Employees.

• USDA Cuts Advisory Committees: The U.S. Department of Agriculture disbanded two advisory committees focused on food safety—the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods and the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection.

• Defense Job Cuts: Approximately 4,000 Department of Defense employees received termination notices this week. The department previously stated that up to 5,400 jobs could be affected in the initial wave of cuts.

• Trump Dismisses Reported Musk-Rubio Clash: After reports surfaced of an argument between Elon Musk and Marco Rubio in front of Trump, the president denied any altercation. “No clash, I was there. You’re just a troublemaker,” Trump told a reporter when asked about the incident.

• Banking Regulations on Crypto Eased: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency removed a requirement for banks to obtain special approval before engaging in cryptocurrency services. The agency reaffirmed that banks can legally offer crypto custody, stablecoin activities, and participate in blockchain networks.

• Foreign Policy Moves: Trump stated he found it “easier” to negotiate with Russia on a Ukraine ceasefire but also threatened sanctions and tariffs if Russia refused to comply.

• Economic Policies & Tariff Threats: Trump celebrated the latest employment figures, claiming they validated his economic strategy. He also suggested new tariffs on Canada over long-standing trade disputes involving dairy and lumber.

That’s all for now—thanks for following along!

see more…