In a moment unprecedented in American political history, the majority of President Donald Trump’s cabinet stood up and walked out of a press conference while it was being broadcast live to millions. This coordinated mass resignation represents a historic collapse of executive authority witnessed in real-time.
A Dramatic Exit on Live Television
While President Trump was mid-sentence, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Secretary of the Treasury, and six other cabinet officials simultaneously stood up, announced their immediate resignations, and filed out of the room in silence.
This move was not merely a disagreement over policy; it was a staged walkout designed for maximum public impact, intended to publicly reject the leadership of the President who appointed them.
The Trigger: Orders Described as “Not Totally Legal”
According to the transcript and reports from the conference, the breaking point was reached when Mr. Trump publicly admitted to ordering his cabinet to perform actions he described as “maybe not totally legal, but necessary”.
The resigning officials indicated they reached a limit after Trump allegedly:
-
Ordered the Treasury Secretary: To freeze congressionally appropriated funds without following legal procedures.
-
Pressured the Attorney General: To drop investigations into political allies and target opponents without evidence of crimes.
-
Directed the Defense Secretary: To deploy military forces domestically in ways that violate the Posse Comitatus Act.
-
Instructed the Secretary of State: To bypass congressional notification requirements for foreign arms sales.
Mr. Trump reportedly dismissed his secretaries’ legal concerns, calling them “weak” and asserting that their job was to follow orders rather than question the law.
Scathing Statements from Departing Officials
Following the walkout, the former cabinet members issued damning statements:
-
The Secretary of State: “I can no longer serve in an administration where the President explicitly orders officials to violate laws”.
-
The Attorney General: Stated that Trump’s public admissions could constitute evidence of obstruction of justice and abuse of power, referring the matter to career prosecutors for review.
-
The Secretary of Defense: Emphasized that his oath is to the Constitution, not a person, and warned that the chain of command breaks down when unlawful actions are directed.
Immediate Aftermath and Constitutional Crisis
The simultaneous loss of 10 department heads has plunged the U.S. government into a state of functional paralysis. International allies, including the UK and NATO partners, have expressed deep concern regarding the stability and continuity of American foreign and defense policy.
Meanwhile, adversaries such as Russia and China are utilizing footage of the walkout as propaganda to argue that Western democracy is failing.
In Washington, pressure is mounting on Republican members of Congress. Some, like Senator Mitt Romney, have already begun discussing the potential for impeachment or invoking the 25th Amendment to remove the President for being unable to discharge the duties of his office.
Conclusion
The live resignation of 10 cabinet members is a definitive turning point. While Mr. Trump has attempted to downplay the event by calling those who left “cowards,” the reality is a severely weakened presidency and a global credibility crisis that may define his legacy for generations.
Trump Greenlights Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill With Potential 500% Tariffs on Oil Buyers.003
Trump Greenlights Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill With Potential 500% Tariffs on Oil Buyers
President Donald Trump has given his approval to a new bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia’s economy and the nations that continue to trade with Moscow, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) announced Wednesday, setting the stage for a pivotal congressional vote as early as next week.
The legislation — known as the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 — is designed to ramp up economic pressure on Russia amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, while giving the White House expansive authority to penalize countries that continue to import Russian energy and other exports. Although the bill has yet to be passed by Congress, Trump’s endorsement marks a major shift in Washington’s approach to sanctions enforcement.
What the Bill Would Do
Under the proposed legislation, the United States could impose punitive tariffs of up to 500% on goods and services imported into the U.S. from any nation that purchases Russian oil, natural gas, uranium, petroleum, or petrochemical products. That provision would apply unless the country is actively supporting Ukraine or otherwise exempted under conditions set by the bill.
Sen. Graham said the measure would give the president “tremendous leverage” over countries like China, India, and Brazil, which remain significant buyers of Russian crude despite Western sanctions, arguing that continued purchases help finance President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
“This bill will allow President Trump to punish those countries who buy cheap Russian oil fueling Putin’s war machine,” Graham said in a statement posted on X after meeting with the president.
Ramifications for Global Trade
A 500% tariff on imports from countries that continue trading with Russia would be extraordinarily punitive — far above typical trade barriers — and could effectively cut off access to the U.S. market for products from targeted countries. The bill’s dramatic tariff provisions are meant to discourage foreign governments from undermining sanctions by buying discounted Russian energy.
The strategy could have broad implications for global trade, especially with major energy importers such as India and China, both of which have relied on discounted Russian oil since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Brazil is also mentioned specifically as a potential target because its purchases of Russian energy increased after the war began.
Bipartisan Backing, But Hard Questions Remain
The bill has drawn bipartisan support in Congress, with lawmakers from both parties collaborating on the framework. A companion bill has been introduced in the House, and senators are reportedly hoping for a vote in the coming week.
However, analysts and diplomats warn that the measure could spark major diplomatic and economic fallout if implemented — especially with countries that, while not aligned with Russia politically, have maintained energy trade ties out of economic necessity. Critics have pointed out that such tariffs could strain U.S. relations with key allies and complicate efforts to build broader global consensus on sanctions enforcement.
Trump’s Role and Global Context
Trump’s decision to back the bill comes as international efforts to broker peace in Ukraine continue, and as the administration seeks to balance punitive measures with diplomatic engagement. While Trump has been more willing than past leaders to escalate economic pressure on Russia, he has also shown a desire to keep strategic options open, including waivers that could exempt certain countries based on U.S. interests.
Sen. Graham framed the sanctions bill as a timely response to Russia’s ongoing aggression amid stalled peace talks and recent concessions by Ukraine.
A vote on the bill could come as soon as next week, though timing depends on the Senate’s legislative calendar and negotiations over broader government funding.
