Day 41

Trump reinstates 2018 CAT policy, rescinds Biden's

Upon returning to office, the Trump administration rescinds Biden's 2023 arms transfer policy and reinstates the 2018 Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, which placed less emphasis on human rights considerations.

From: America First Arms Transfer Strategy: Human Rights Safeguards Removed From Weapons Exports

Deportation Traps at Immigration Court Hearings and Systematic Denial of Due Process

ICE agents began systematically arresting immigrants at their own mandatory immigration court hearings, creating a 'deportation trap' where government attorneys would dismiss cases -- normally a favorable outcome -- as a trigger for immediate arrest. Immigration judges closed and denied more asylum cases in March 2025 than any month on record, with a 76% denial rate. In absentia removal orders nearly tripled, topping 50,000 in FY 2025, as word spread that attending court meant arrest.

South African government rejects persecution claims

The South African government calls Trump's claims that Afrikaners face persecution 'completely false,' noting they remain among the richest and most economically privileged groups in the country.

From: White Afrikaner Refugee Program: 1,648 of 1,651 US Refugees Are White South Africans

Amnesty International and legal groups analyze sanctions impact

Amnesty International publishes analysis concluding the sanctions threaten the entire system of international criminal justice. Multiple legal organizations document the chilling effect on cooperation with the court.

From: ICC Immunity Demands: Ultimatum to Amend Rome Statute and Exempt Americans from War Crimes Prosecution

Arab summit rejects displacement plans, affirms Palestinian right of return

An emergency Arab League summit in Cairo produces a unified declaration rejecting any plan to displace Palestinians and affirming the Palestinian right to remain on their land and the right of return.

From: Trump Proposes Forcible Displacement of 2.3 Million Palestinians from Gaza

First wave of layoffs hits investigative support staff

Although the administration vowed that food safety inspectors would be spared, it begins cutting critical investigative support staff in March. Investigators are quickly overwhelmed as support responsibilities shift to them.

From: FDA Food Safety Collapse: 3,500+ Staff Cut and Outbreak Investigation Capacity Gutted

Federal lawsuit challenges Guantanamo detention as unconstitutional

ACLU, CCR, IRAP, and ACLU-DC file Gutierrez v. Noem challenging the transfer policy as violating the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Fifth Amendment.

From: Guantanamo Bay Immigrant Detention: Solitary Confinement and Torture Conditions

18F digital services office eliminated

The General Services Administration eliminates 18F, the federal government's in-house digital services consultancy, laying off approximately 100 staff members who built and maintained critical government technology systems.

From: DOGE-Directed Mass Firings and Forced Resignations of Federal Workers

Federal judge blocks funding cut provisions

Judge Lauren King blocked provisions cutting federal funding for programs that 'promote gender ideology' and withholding funding from healthcare providers offering gender-affirming care to minors.

From: Executive Orders Targeting Transgender Rights and Gender Identity Recognition

Family detention centers reopened

The administration reopened the Karnes and Dilley family detention centers in Texas, expanding capacity for detaining families together.

From: Family Separations and Prolonged Child Detention Under Immigration Enforcement

Trump displays Tesla vehicles at the White House

President Trump hosts Tesla vehicles on the White House South Lawn, with Commerce Secretary Lutnick also promoting the company, raising further concerns about the entanglement of government and Musk's commercial interests.

From: Musk's $38 Billion Government Contract Empire Untouched While Leading DOGE Cuts

Reports of first preventable deaths attributed to freeze

Health organizations in Uganda and South Africa begin documenting deaths of HIV-positive patients who lost access to antiretroviral therapy during the freeze. These represent the first of what health experts say will be a much larger toll.

From: PEPFAR Freeze: HIV/AIDS Treatment Cut for 20 Million People Across Africa

Title X gag rule restored

The administration restores the 'gag rule' prohibiting Title X-funded clinics from discussing abortion with patients, affecting millions who rely on Title X for contraception, cancer screenings, and STI testing.

From: Restrictions on Reproductive Rights and Comstock Act Revival

Press pool composition shifts to partisan outlets

The White House press pool is reorganized to include more partisan pro-Trump media outlets while traditional credentialed organizations face access restrictions. Reporters from adversarial outlets report difficulty obtaining briefing questions and access.

From: Second-Term Press Attacks: AP Banned, Journalists Arrested, Press Pool Restricted