On the first day of the federal government shutdown, New York City is learning just how costly its commitment to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” policies could be under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Russ Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, announced Wednesday that roughly $18 billion in federal funding for two major New York City infrastructure projects has been frozen.
“Roughly $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects have been put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing based on unconstitutional DEI principles,” Vought wrote on X. “More info to come soon.”
The projects affected are among the most significant in New York’s long-term transportation planning. One is the Hudson Tunnel Project, which would add a new passenger rail tunnel under the Hudson River, a vital corridor for Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. The other is the long-delayed Second Avenue Subway expansion, a project that has been discussed for decades and is seen as critical to easing congestion on Manhattan’s East Side.
In a follow-up post, Vought confirmed both projects are on ice, immediately sparking debate over whether the freeze was primarily about DEI or about politics.
The Associated Press noted that the timing suggested more than policy. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, has made the Hudson Tunnel Project one of his signature priorities. In 2023, Schumer locked in a $6.88 billion federal grant for the tunnel. At the time, he acknowledged the funding was partly a safeguard in case Trump returned to the White House and Republicans reclaimed the Senate.
Both of those things have now happened.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who represents Brooklyn, also has a stake in the projects and has been one of Trump’s most vocal opponents in Congress.
The decision to freeze funding hits directly at the priorities of both New York Democrats who are central to the shutdown fight.
CBS News highlighted how the move reverberated beyond policy debates. For Schumer and Jeffries, it was a political gut punch delivered on the same day Democrats were already facing pressure for allowing the shutdown to drag on.
The broader context is that Trump has made rolling back DEI spending a cornerstone of his second administration.
During his first term, Trump signed an executive order restricting DEI training in federal agencies, though it was later rescinded by President Joe Biden.
Now, with Trump back in office and Republicans holding a Senate majority, the administration is applying that principle to billions of dollars in federal spending.
Vought framed the decision as a matter of constitutional principle. Supporters of the freeze argued online that taxpayers should not be forced to fund projects or programs that prioritize ideological commitments over core infrastructure needs.
“This is what accountability looks like,” one Trump supporter wrote on X. “No more DEI slush funds disguised as public works.”
Critics, however, accused the White House of weaponizing federal funding to punish political opponents. Some Democrats argued that the timing — the very first day of the shutdown — made it clear the freeze was aimed squarely at Schumer and Jeffries.
“This isn’t about DEI, it’s about Donald Trump flexing power,” one Democratic strategist said.
For New Yorkers, the practical implications are serious. The Hudson Tunnel Project is part of the larger Gateway Program, which seeks to modernize a century-old rail system that millions of commuters depend on.
Delays in federal funding could set the project back years, raising costs and leaving existing tunnels vulnerable to breakdowns. The Second Avenue Subway, meanwhile, has been in the works since the 1920s and has already been plagued by delays and cost overruns.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee was packed to the rafters, anticipation thick in the air. Progressive activists, mainstream media, and congressional staffers had gathered for what was expected to be a routine hearing on refugee resettlement. Instead, they witnessed an explosive confrontation that would rock Capitol Hill, shatter reputations, and send shockwaves far beyond the Beltway.
Representative Ilhan Omar, the outspoken congresswoman from Minnesota, stood at the witness table, her designer hijab catching the television lights. She launched into a fiery attack on Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, accusing him of representing
everything wrong with America’s past—the shameful legacy of prejudice against immigrants and Muslims.” The gallery erupted in applause, and the media readied their headlines for Kennedy’s public humiliation.
But as Omar’s voice rose, Kennedy sat quietly, taking notes with the calm precision of a seasoned prosecutor. The slight upturn at the corner of his mouth hinted that he was ready for what was to come. When Omar finally paused, Kennedy looked up, his serene expression belying the storm of evidence he was about to unleash.
“Thank you for that passionate speech about struggle and persecution, ma’am,” Kennedy began in his trademark Louisiana drawl. “You raise important points about understanding different experiences. And speaking of experiences, perhaps we should explore yours a bit more thoroughly.”
With those words, Kennedy opened a manila folder that would become the instrument of Omar’s destruction. The room fell silent as he began to lay out a meticulously documented case—one that would expose a web of fraud, corruption, and betrayal.
Kennedy’s first revelation centered on Omar’s 2009 marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi. “Questions have been raised about this particular marriage,” Kennedy said, holding up documents. “Your brother.”
The committee room erupted. Supporters shouted “lies!” and “Islamophobia!” while reporters scrambled to update their stories. Kennedy remained undeterred, presenting educational records from the UK, sworn affidavits from the Somali community, and evidence that Omar, her cultural husband Ahmed Hirsi, and her legal husband Elmi all lived at the same address in Minnesota.
“In most cultures, it’s unusual for a woman to live with both her husband and her brother,” Kennedy said. “It’s even more unusual when she’s legally married to the brother, but filing taxes jointly with the other man. That’s tax fraud, ma’am. And if Elmi is indeed your brother, that’s immigration fraud—a federal crime.”
Omar’s defenses wavered. Kennedy pressed on, revealing a formal request for a DNA test she had repeatedly refused, and a damning email exchange: “Thanks for helping me get papers, sister. I’ll make sure to pay you back when I get to London.”
The world of royalty and millions of fans across the globe have been left shaken after unconfirmed reports surfaced suggesting that Prince Harry recently received a devastating medical diagnosis that has left him and those close to him “absolutely stunned.”
According to an anonymous royal insider cited by multiple online sources, the Duke of Sussex was reportedly given grave news during a private consultation with a specialist in California. The most shocking part of the alleged conversation? A chilling remark made by the doctor:
“You’ll soon be reunited with your mother.”
The quote — whether metaphorical or literal — has sent social media into a frenzy, triggering waves of concern, speculation, and heartbreak from royal watchers and mental health advocates alike.
The idea of Prince Harry being “reunited with his mother,” Princess Diana, who tragically died in 1997, evokes powerful emotions. For years, Harry has spoken openly about how her death left him emotionally wounded, shaping his decisions, including stepping back from royal duties to prioritize mental health and family.
So what does this latest report actually mean?
While no official diagnosis or confirmation has come from Prince Harry’s representatives or Buckingham Palace, online rumors suggest the Prince may be facing a serious neurological or cardiac condition. Some speculate that the doctor’s words may not refer to a terminal illness but rather reflect the deep emotional trauma Harry still carries.
Mental health professionals have offered their own interpretations, warning that such a phrase — if truly spoken — could be a sign of severe psychological distress, perhaps even suicidal ideation. Dr. Emily Norwood, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles, said, “If these words were directed at Harry, the concern wouldn’t just be physical — it could suggest an emotional collapse triggered by unresolved grief.”
The news comes at a time when Prince Harry has already been under enormous pressure. His strained relationship with the royal family, the ongoing public scrutiny, and the burden of maintaining his and Meghan’s life in the U.S. have all taken a visible toll.
Public reaction has been swift and emotional. Thousands have taken to social media under the hashtag #WeStandWithHarry, urging compassion and hoping the story is either false or taken out of context. One user wrote, “He lost his mother too soon. We can’t lose him too. Someone please make sure he’s okay.”
Meanwhile, close friends of the Duke have reportedly rallied around him. Meghan Markle, ever his protective partner, is said to be “closely monitoring the situation” and prioritizing Harry’s well-being above all else.
Whether the doctor’s haunting words were a medical prognosis, a metaphor, or just a tragic misunderstanding, one thing is clear: Prince Harry is still living in the long shadow of Princess Diana’s death, and the world is once again reminded that behind the crown lies a man still navigating unimaginable pain.
Following his first yearly medical since taking office again, the doctor of President Donald Trump praised the 78-year-old as fit to serve.
“President Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State,” wrote Dr. Sean Barbabella, physician to the president.
Following Trump’s Friday visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for his yearly physical before leaving town for the weekend, the White House sent the memo on Sunday.
The examination in de
tail Trump stands six feet three inches tall and weighs 224 pounds.
“President Trump remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function,” Barbabella wrote.
“His active lifestyle continues to contribute significantly to his well-being,” he added.
The president’s “frequent victories in golf events” were highlighted in the memo, which also acknowledged his hectic schedule and appearances.
According to the physical report, Trump’s resting heart rate was 62 beats per minute and his blood pressure was 128/74 mmHg.
After consulting with fourteen specialists, we carried out Friday’s examination, which involved laboratory and diagnostic testing. It stated that several tests were all normal.
“Examination of the head, ears, nose and throat revealed no significant abnormalities with the exception of scaring on the right ear from a gunshot wound,” the memo stated.
The medical report was the first public information on Trump’s health since the July assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. However, there were no additional details regarding the impact of the occurrence beyond mentioning the scar.
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a simple 10-minute test for mild cognitive impairment, was used to evaluate his cognitive abilities, and the findings showed that he scored a normal 30 out of 30.
He had previously completed the test. During his first tenure, the president also took the cognitive test. Dr. Ronny Jackson, the White House physician, reported that Trump received a score of 30 out of 30 on the January 12, 2018, test.
According to the memo, the president is taking four medications: Aspirin, Mometasone cream when necessary for a skin issue, and Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe for cholesterol control.
It said that every vaccination the president has advised is up to date, including those for travel.
In January, Trump became the oldest person in American history to be inaugurated in as president.
He spent about five hours at Walter Reed for his first yearly physical of his second term.
His new personal doctor, Barbabella, who served in both Afghanistan and Iraq and has a wealth of battle trauma knowledge, performed the examination.
“Overall, I felt I was in very good shape. A good heart, a good soul, a very good soul,” Trump told reporters while traveling to Florida on Friday after his exam.
He also touted taking a cognitive test, claiming “I got every answer right.”
“I was there for a long time,” Trump said before the results were released. “I think I did very well.”
The document was circulated over Trump’s weekend in Mar-a-Lago, where the president spent Sunday at his golf club.