D.C. Debrief: Trump’s Gaza proposal, trade tensions and budget battles

Political Analyst Scott Mitchell and Washington Bureau Chief Alex Cameron discuss key moments from D.C. this week.

U.S. Proposal for Gaza Raises Questions

Political leaders are reacting to President Donald Trump’s proposal regarding U.S. involvement in Gaza, an idea that has drawn both support and criticism.

“There are so many questions about whether this would even be legal ... it really just caught people off guard,” said Alex Cameron.

Sen. James Lankford expressed concerns, saying that the issue is not a U.S. responsibility.

Other Republican senators have echoed this sentiment, citing sovereignty concerns and a reluctance to invest taxpayer dollars in the region.

Trade Tariffs Stir Diplomatic Concerns

The recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have also caused turmoil with significant economic and diplomatic consequences. The stock market reacted negatively, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly criticized the move, calling it damaging to U.S.-Canada relations.

Cameron noted that Oklahoma’s congressional delegation has remained largely silent on the issue. However, Sen. Markwayne Mullin praised the move on social media, framing it as a sign of American strength.

Government Funding and Debt Ceiling Loom

While foreign policy has dominated headlines, Congress faces two pressing domestic issues: finalizing the FY 2025 budget and addressing the debt ceiling.

“The completion of FY 2025 appropriations has to be done by March 14, or we risk a government shutdown,” Cameron explained.

The debt ceiling presents another challenge, with the Treasury Department already using emergency measures to prevent default. Some lawmakers have suggested including a debt ceiling increase in a reconciliation bill, but Cameron is skeptical.

“There are some Republicans who absolutely refuse to raise the debt ceiling. Oklahoma’s Josh Brecheen is one of those guys,” he said. “The problem with the debt ceiling, dealing with that has to be done on a bipartisan basis.

With less than five weeks until the budget deadline, Cameron predicts a last-minute rush to avoid a shutdown.

“We’ve seen this before,” he said. “Adrenaline will be pumping once again.”