Key Takeaways from Trump’s Cabinet Meeting

By Kamal Yalwa: Washington, D.C. – August 26, 2025

President Donald Trump held a lengthy Cabinet meeting at the White House today, which lasted just over three hours. The meeting covered a broad array of topics, from domestic crime issues to foreign policy and economic strategies. Here are the key highlights:

• Crime Crackdown in Washington, D.C.
  Trump announced that his administration would seek the death penalty for murder cases in the nation’s capital. The president emphasized that this action would be implemented in Washington, D.C., but left it to individual states to decide their own policies on the matter. He also expressed his desire to send National Guard troops to New York if Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul requests it, indicating a potential intervention to curb rising crime rates in the city.
• Baltimore Feud with Gov. Wes Moore
  The president escalated his feud with Maryland Governor Wes Moore during the meeting. Trump publicly rejected an invitation from Moore to walk the streets of Baltimore, which has been plagued by high crime rates. In a sharp rebuke, Trump referred to Baltimore as a “hellhole”, doubling down on his criticism of the city’s leadership and its ongoing issues with crime and poverty.
• Federal Reserve Controversy
  Trump intensified his criticism of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, reiterating his earlier claim that he intended to fire her. He criticized her leadership, stating that she was not “100% above board” and implied that her performance was not in the best interest of the nation’s economy. Trump also hinted at the possibility of extending the term of Stephen Miran, the White House’s top economist, at the Federal Reserve, raising speculation about future shifts in the central bank’s structure.
• Gaza Conflict Update
  While Trump initially suggested that the Gaza war would come to a “conclusive” end in the coming weeks, he seemed to back off those remarks during the meeting. “It’s been going on for a long time,” he said, signaling his acknowledgment of the conflict’s protracted nature. This shift in rhetoric left open the question of how the U.S. would approach the ongoing violence and whether further intervention or diplomatic pressure could bring about a resolution.
• Russia Sanctions Warning
  Trump renewed his warning to Russia about the potential for heavy economic sanctions if it continues its war against Ukraine. Although he did not provide any new deadlines or specifics, Trump reiterated his stance that the U.S. would impose severe penalties on Russia if it does not halt its military aggression. His remarks reflect the ongoing tension between the U.S. and Russia regarding the war in Ukraine.
• Harvard Lawsuit and Federal Funding
  The president took aim at Harvard University, calling for the institution to pay a $500 million settlement as part of a lawsuit, which he argued would allow the university to regain its federal funding. This call comes amid ongoing scrutiny over universities’ use of federal money and Trump’s frequent criticism of elite institutions.
• Tariff Rebate Checks
  In an unexpected economic proposal, Trump floated the idea of distributing rebate checks to Americans funded by revenue from tariffs. However, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has reportedly indicated that this idea is unlikely to gain traction, as it would complicate fiscal policies and potentially create more economic challenges than solutions.