Trump escalates pressure on Venezuelan drug trade. And, judge pauses shutdown layoffs

by October 17, 2025

written by October 17, 2025

President Trump speaks during a press conference in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 15.

Trump escalates pressure on Venezuela by authorizing covert CIA operations. And, a federal judge halts the Trump administration's shutdown layoffs.

(Image credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds)