Trump’s administration presses forward with controversial domestic and international policies.
Trump’s 38th week ended with mass layoffs, indictments, immigration updates, and the ongoing trade war. As the government shutdown continues, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) furloughed—without pay—half of its staff as “most operations are closed” during the shutdown. This comes as the Trump administration began laying off federal employees. At the same time, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Qatar—a foreign nation—will be allowed to build a military base in Idaho.
Following a previous report from The Introspective detailing the indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, New York State Attorney General Letitia James was indicted on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The development raises implications as former National Security Advisor John Bolton may also face an indictment, following a prior report detailing Trump directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to go after political rivals.
As anti-immigrant sentiment continues, a TV producer from Chicago’s WGN-TV was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday. This comes as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Trump administration is buying property in Chicago to expand ICE operations. Meanwhile, as the trade war continues, Trump announced a new 100% tariff against China.
Government Shutdown and Qatar
The IRS furloughed more than 34,000 employees as the government shutdown continues. Employees assigned to the “Big Beautiful” spending bill Trump signed in July will continue working.
“Tax returns will be arriving, but there will be no one there to process them,” said Maria Ramos, president of the Austin, Texas, chapter of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), to CNN.
In that same report, Shannon Ellis, president of the Kansas City chapter, said there was “lots of confusion” as employees were furloughed.
“We were already short-staffed after months of resignations and layoffs,” she said.
“Now this.”
This comes as Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought announced that federal layoffs had begun.
“The RIFs have begun,” he wrote on X, referring to the reduction-in-force plans created by the White House.
A court filing by the OMB stated that the situation “is fluid and rapidly evolving.”
OMB Declaration
At the same time, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Qatar’s Air Force will build a facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.
“The U.S. military has a long-standing partnership w/ Qatar, including today’s announced cooperation w/ F-15QA aircraft,” Hegseth wrote in an X post.
“However, to be clear, Qatar will not have their own base in the United States—nor anything like a base,” he continued.
“We control the existing base, like we do with all partners.”
This comes after President Trump signed an executive order last month aimed at “assuring the security of the state of Qatar,” following an airstrike in the capital of Doha from Israel.
“The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States,” the executive order read.
Letitia James and John Bolton
New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted on charges of alleged mortgage fraud on Thursday, following a previous Introspective report detailing an indictment against former FBI Director James Comey.
“No one is above the law. The charges as alleged in this case represent intentional, criminal acts and tremendous breaches of the public’s trust,” said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, in a press release.
“The facts and the law in this case are clear, and we will continue following them to ensure that justice is served.”
Letita James Indictment
In a video posted to X, James called the allegations “baseless,” while stating that Trump indicting his political rivals is “a grave violation of our constitutional order.”
“This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system,” she said.
“He’s forcing federal law enforcement agencies to do his bidding all because I did my job as the New York state attorney general.”
At the same time, a report from MSNBC detailed potential charges against former National Security Advisor John Bolton—who served during Trump’s first term. A previous report from The Introspective detailed his Maryland home being raided as part of a “national security investigation in search of classified records.
Immigration and Trade War
With anti-immigrant sentiment ongoing, WGN-TV producer Debbie Brockman was arrested by ICE in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood Friday after allegedly getting involved in a man’s arrest.
“Debbie Brockman, I work for WGN. Please let them know,” she said during her arrest.
She was later released that same day with no charges filed, with WGN urging respect for her privacy in a statement.
“Earlier today, a WGN-TV creative services employee was detained by ICE,” the statement read
“Out of respect for her privacy, we will have no further statements about this incident.”
This comes as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Trump administration will buy more buildings in Chicago to expand ICE operations.
“We’re purchasing more buildings in Chicago to operate out of,” she said to Trump during a Thursday meeting.
“We’re going to not back off. In fact, we’re doubling down, and we’re going to be in more parts of Chicago in response to the people there. I was there a few days ago and looked at some facilities that we can deploy more law enforcement out of,” she continued.
“Because what they’re trying to do with these riots and violence is distract us and keep us from going after those murderers and rapists that are out on the streets.”
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker previously criticized the administration’s actions in Chicago as “full-blown authoritarianism” in an X post.
“Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power,” he wrote.
“What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?”
Meanwhile, as the trade war continues, President Trump announced an additional 100% tariff against China starting in November.
“Starting Nov. 1, 2025 (or sooner, depending on any further actions or changes taken by China), the United States of America will impose a tariff of 100% on China, over and above any tariff that they are currently paying. Also on Nov. 1, we will impose export controls on any and all critical software,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“It is impossible to believe that China would have taken such an action, but they have, and the rest is history. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Tariffs against Chinese imports are currently at 30%.
The Introspective 
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