President Trump signed pivotal executive orders, initiated exclusive U.S.-Russia peace talks, and addressed key policy issues, marking a significant day in U.S. governance and international relations.
On February 19, 2025, President Donald Trump engaged in several significant activities and policy decisions.
Executive Orders & Policy Actions
- Reduction of Federal Advisory Committees: President Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating or significantly reducing the roles of certain federal advisory committees, including the United States Institute of Peace and the Inter-American Foundation. reuters.com
- Expansion of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Access: An executive order was signed to develop policy recommendations focused on reducing out-of-pocket costs for IVF treatments and removing legislative barriers that exacerbate these costs. whitehouse.gov
Public Statements & Press Briefings
- Criticism of Ukrainian Leadership: President Trump intensified his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, referring to him as a “dictator without elections” and urging him to negotiate a swift end to the conflict with Russia to prevent Ukraine from losing its sovereignty. apnews.com
Meetings & Diplomacy
- Russia-Ukraine Peace Negotiations: The Trump administration initiated peace talks between the U.S. and Russia in Saudi Arabia, notably excluding European and Ukrainian representatives. This move has drawn criticism from European leaders who emphasize the necessity of a united front against Russian aggression. thetimes.co.uk
Campaign & Political Engagements
- FII Priority Summit Address: President Trump delivered remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute Priority Summit in Miami Beach, discussing various administration efforts, including economic policies and potential direct payments to Americans. nypost.com
Legislative Approvals & Vetoes
- Support for House Budget Bill: President Trump expressed his preference for the House of Representatives’ budget bill, which includes deep spending cuts, over the Senate’s narrower approach. He praised the House bill for implementing his comprehensive “America First” agenda. wsj.com
National Security & Crisis Response
- Rescission of NYC Congestion Pricing: The U.S. Transportation Department, under President Trump’s directive, rescinded approval of New York City’s congestion-pricing program. Despite opposition from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the administration celebrated this move as a victory for Manhattan and New York residents. wsj.com
- President Trump posted a digitally altered image of himself wearing a crown after declaring the end of New York City’s congestion pricing program, stating, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. LONG LIVE THE KING!” The White House amplified the message on social media, sparking backlash from critics who warned of creeping authoritarianism. New York Governor Kathy Hochul responded, “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king.” Other officials, including NYC council member Justin Brannan and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, criticized Trump’s use of monarchical imagery, reigniting debates over executive power and governance. the-independent.com
Notable Reactions
- European Leaders: French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticized the exclusion of European nations from the U.S.-Russia peace talks, emphasizing the importance of a unified approach to Russian aggression. thetimes.co.uk
- Ukrainian Officials: President Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials expressed frustration with President Trump’s remarks and the exclusion of Ukraine from the peace negotiations, reaffirming their commitment to sovereignty and international law. apnews.com
Bibliography
These sources were verified as published on February 19, 2025, Eastern Time (ET) as of 10:30 PM ET.
- “Day 31 in Trump World: a Roundup” – The Wall Street Journal, Published: February 19, 2025 wsj.com
- “Trump warns Zelenskyy to quickly negotiate war’s end with Russia or risk not having a nation to lead” – Associated Press, Published: February 19, 2025 apnews.com
- “Trump team to start Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia – as it happened” – The Times, Published: February 19, 2025 thetimes.co.uk
- “President Trump speaks at FII Priority Summit” – New York Post, Published: February 19, 2025 nypost.com
- “Trump to sign order to eliminate or diminish some advisory panels, Axios reports” – Reuters, Published: February 19, 2025 reuters.com
- “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Reduces the Federal Bureaucracy” – The White House, Published: February 19, 2025 whitehouse.gov
- “Trump receives widespread backlash to social post calling himself ‘king'” – The Guardian, Published: February 19, 2025 (theguardian.com)”‘LONG LIVE THE KING’: Trump increasingly embraces monarchical imagery” – Politico, Published: February 19, 2025 (politico.com)”Donald Trump declares himself ‘king’ after striking down New York congestion pricing” – The Independent, Published: February 19, 2025 (the-independent.com)
