Trump Administration Faces Criticism on Multiple Fronts

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Syria could be weeks away from a "full-scale civil war of epic proportions" due to sectarian violence and deep internal distrust among the country's various groups. Rubio made the comments during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, defending President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria after meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander. The sanctions were imposed due to atrocities committed by forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad during the country's 13-year civil war. Rubio stated that the transitional authorities in Syria are facing significant challenges and may collapse if not supported. The European Union has also lifted economic sanctions on Syria, with its foreign policy chief stating that the bloc wants to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive, and peaceful Syria.

Senate Democrats clashed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a hearing on the State Department budget, criticizing his role in implementing President Trump's policies, including deep cuts to foreign aid programs. Rubio defended his actions, saying they were necessary to make foreign aid more efficient and that the Trump administration was still providing significant humanitarian support. Democrats expressed regret over voting for his confirmation, feeling betrayed by his support for Trump's policies. Rubio remained defiant, citing his recent travels to 18 countries in 18 weeks as evidence that the administration wasn't withdrawing from the world. The hearing was marked by personal attacks and accusations, with Democrats accusing Rubio of making misleading claims about foreign aid spending and helping Trump deport migrants and foreign students without due process. Rubio was recently appointed as acting national security adviser, a sign of his continued influence with Trump.

A new criminal investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will fuel concerns that President Donald Trump is using the Justice Department to target his political enemies, following a referral from Republicans in Congress who accused Cuomo of lying about his response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Cuomo, a Democrat and Trump critic, is now running for mayor of New York City, and his spokesman suggests the investigation is a case of "lawfare and election interference." The probe is the latest in a series of investigations by the Justice Department into Trump's critics, including Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver and former FBI Director James Comey, raising concerns that Trump is politicizing the justice system. Trump has threatened to use the law to avenge perceived past persecution and has blurred the lines between the White House and the Justice Department, installing loyalists in key positions. The investigations have sparked fears of authoritarianism and the erosion of constitutional rights, with Trump's administration also considering suspending habeas corpus and using the Alien Enemies Act to speed up mass deportations.

The Justice Department has opened an investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, following a referral from congressional Republicans who accused Cuomo of lying during an investigation into his administration's Covid-19 response. The investigation centers on Cuomo's truthfulness regarding his role in a state health department report that underestimated nursing home deaths by nearly half during the pandemic. Cuomo's spokesperson denied knowledge of the investigation and called it "lawfare and election interference," defending Cuomo's congressional testimony as truthful. Cuomo is currently a top candidate for New York City mayor and has denied allegations of sexual misconduct that led to his resignation as governor in 2021.