White House Addresses Controversial Remarks

WASHINGTON D.C. – The White House on Thursday, November 20, 2025, sought to clarify President Donald Trump's social media post that suggested Democratic members of Congress were guilty of “seditious behavior, punishable by DEATH!”. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the president does not want to see the lawmakers executed. The controversy arose after six Democratic veterans in Congress released a video reminding U.S. military personnel of their duty to refuse any “illegal orders”. In his posts on Truth Social, President Trump also shared messages from users calling for the Democrats to be hanged.

This incident was one of several contentious events this week. The White House also defended President Trump's insult to a female reporter, whom he called “Piggy”. On November 14, aboard Air Force One, Trump directed the comment at Bloomberg News reporter Catherine Lucey as she questioned him about files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Leavitt defended the remark, stating it was an example of the president's “frankness”.

Domestic Policy and Legal Challenges

A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Washington D.C. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ruled on Thursday that the administration had overstepped its authority by deploying troops without a request from the city's officials. The judge's order is paused until December 11 to allow for a potential appeal by the Trump administration.

In another development, the U.S. Coast Guard is facing criticism for a new policy that reclassifies symbols such as swastikas and nooses from “hate symbols” to “potentially divisive”. The policy, set to take effect on December 15, has been condemned by critics who argue it downplays the hateful history of these symbols. Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Kevin Lunday, has stated that the display of such symbols remains prohibited.

Foreign Policy and International Relations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated he is prepared to negotiate with President Trump over a U.S.-backed peace plan to end the war with Russia. The proposed 28-point plan reportedly requires Ukraine to make significant concessions, including ceding territory and limiting the size of its military. The plan was drafted by U.S. and Russian officials without direct input from Kyiv. While Zelenskyy's office has confirmed receipt of the plan and expressed a willingness to engage in a “constructive diplomatic process,” some Ukrainian officials have privately called the proposal “absurd”.

The implications of this U.S.-led diplomatic effort are significant for global security and could impact international alliances. For Kenya and the East African region, which have faced economic repercussions from the conflict through impacts on grain and fuel prices, any resolution to the war is of keen interest. The nature of the proposed peace deal, however, raises questions about the future of international law and the principle of territorial integrity.

Other Developments in Washington

In other news, President Trump and Vice President JD Vance were not invited to the funeral of former Vice President Dick Cheney, who passed away on November 3 at the age of 84. Cheney had become a vocal critic of Trump in recent years. The funeral was attended by a bipartisan gathering of political figures, including former Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden.

Long-serving Democratic Congresswoman from New York, Nydia Velázquez, announced she will not seek re-election in 2026 and will retire at the end of her current term. Velázquez, the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in Congress, has been in office for over three decades.

Additionally, Palestinian American activist Mahmoud Khalil has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. Khalil, who was detained by U.S. immigration authorities earlier this year, is seeking information on communications between the administration and anti-Palestinian organizations that he alleges contributed to his arrest. He had previously filed a $20 million claim for damages against the administration for false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.