Donald Trump's administration experienced two significant setbacks Tuesday, signaling challenges ahead for the White House.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced questioning about his relationship with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein during one hearing, while Department of Homeland Security officials defended ICE agent actions in another. Simultaneously, the White House suffered defeats in both Congress and federal court.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) failed to secure votes to reinstate a House ban on tariff votes that Trump sought. Additionally, the Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, failed to obtain a grand jury indictment against six Democratic members of Congress who released a video urging military personnel not to follow illegal orders.
According to Politico, these setbacks represent "further evidence of the rocky road ahead for the White House," which may well be forced to haplessly "watch the defeats roll in."
The 217-214 congressional defeat on tariff votes opens the door for additional Democratic-led challenges to Trump's trade policies. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) has already introduced a resolution to overturn levies on Canada.
Politico's Jack Blanchard noted, "Given the current mood in the House—every single Dem showed up to vote last night, while plenty of Republicans are uncomfortable with tariffs—Johnson looks all but certain to lose."
Senate dynamics mirror House challenges. The Senate has previously voted against Trump's tariffs, with four Republican senators siding with Democrats last October. Both chambers now appear to possess anti-tariff majorities, meaning Congress is actively rebuking the president over his signature economic policy.
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