A whirlwind of activity that has led to several national headlines occurred in the nation’s capital in the days since President Donald Trump’s inauguration. News Channel 11 interviewed Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger to get her thoughts on a variety of topics,

Jan. 28—President Donald Trump is freezing federal grants and loans. That's among the moves we're tracking by the new Republican president on Tuesday. Meanwhile, there was significant Democratic pushback, including by Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, on Trump's earlier action pausing funding under the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Here is the latest on the president's actions: Trump seeks to curtail gender transitions for those under 19 President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order aimed at curtailing gender transitions for people under age 19. "It is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called 'transition' of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures," Trump said in a statement. It's the latest push by Trump to reverse policies set by the Biden administration to protect transgender people and their care. On Monday, Trump directed the Pentagon to conduct a review that is likely to lead to them being barred from military service. READ MORE — The Associated Press Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary, makes her debut in the briefing room White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made her debut in the briefing room on Tuesday and promised to speak frequently with the news media and open up the briefing room to podcasters and social media influencecers. In her first briefing as the public face of President Donald Trump's second administration, Leavitt spent about 47 minutes answering questions from the White House press corps on the impact of a White House freeze on federal grants and loans and on the early days of the administration's efforts to deport migrants living in the U.S. illegally. While Trump often speaks for himself, Leavitt has the responsibility of translating what his remarks could mean for his policies and politics. "I can assure you that you'll be hearing from both him and me as much as possible," Leavitt said. READ MORE — The Associated Press Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledges to get 'dirtbags' off NYC streets Newly confirmed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in New York City on Tuesday as they carried out deportation efforts. Noem, former South Dakota governor, said in a video shared on X that she went along to get "the dirtbags off these streets." Reacting to the post was Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., who noted "that's what I call a productive morning." The secretary said in another post a "criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody." "Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets," Noem wrote. READ MORE — Sinclair National Desk Trump administration freezes grants and loans The White House is pausing federal grants and loans starting on Tuesday as President Donald Trump's administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending. The funding freeze by the Republican administration could affect trillions of dollars and cause widespread disruption in health care research, education programs and other initiatives. Even grants that have been awarded but not spent are supposed to be halted. "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve," said a memo from Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget. READ MORE — The Associated Press Hoyer, Democrats push back on pausing of funds under two of Biden's signature programs House Democrats are asking the Trump administration to immediately clarify an executive order Trump issued on his first day in office that could pause all disbursements of Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds. Those were two of the Biden administration's signature laws. More than 150 House Democrats wrote a letter asking the Trump administration to clarify exactly which funds it was targeting. The letter was led by Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, the former House majority leader. "This executive order is a source of great anxiety for communities and businesses across the country that use this funding to build new roads, fix bridges, replace lead pipes, expand broadband access, strengthen infrastructure against natural disasters, and much more," the members wrote. "Work is already underway on tens of thousands of projects in both the public and private sector, but their completion depends on these funds, which were already approved by Congress and enacted into law." — Jeff Barker Maryland Quaker groups sue Trump administration over threats of raids at houses of worship A Baltimore-area group is one of five Quaker organizations suing President Donald Trump's administration after federal officials rescinded guidelines that protected churches and schools from immigration raids. The lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland alleges that the Trump administration's policy violates the First Amendment and has caused fear within migrant-friendly congregations. "Our religious beliefs call us to build relationships across geographical and theological lines," the Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends said in a statement. "The very threat of government officials wearing ICE-emblazoned jackets outside of our religious service will have a significant impact on our communities and ability to practice our faith." — Dan Belson Originally Published:January 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM EST © 2025 the Baltimore Messenger (Towson, Md.). Visit www.baltimoresun.com/explore/baltimorecounty/publications/baltimore-messenger. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The New York City Council is launching a probe into revelations that a private real estate firm scored a deal to redevelop the city government’s public health lab just months after one of the company’s executives joined Mayor Eric Adams’ administration,

As America’s housing affordability crisis continues, some cities and states like New York are taking useful, but still inadequate, steps to address the problem.

Major industries like construction, child care and restaurants rely heavily on undocumented workers, who would be hard to replace, economists and employers say.

In her debut graphic memoir, “This Beautiful, Ridiculous City,” Kay Sohini examines the lasting appeal of the Big Apple.

Advocates in New York City are working to educate local migrants about their rights, as ICE raids target major cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

Emma Barash met Mitchell Schwartz when she brought a sensitive issue to his attention while they worked at New York City Hall.

Community members have another opportunity to help save artist and activist Keith Haring’s iconic mural at the landmarked Tony Dapolito Recreation Center in New

In response to President Trump's intensified attacks on immigration, the City Council has introduced new resources to support and protect immigrant communities.

The new street sign, named for the Jerusalem museum built in 1953 as a memorial to victims of the Holocaust, is just a few steps from Park East Synagogue, the stately Orthodox congregation at 163 East 67th St. that’s been led for more than six decades by Rabbi Arthur Schneier, himself a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor.