US politics live: Rage at Trump administration’s new plan to slash department that supports military veterans

Donald Trump’s political enemies have lashed out at him as a “coward” over newly revealed plans to gut a key part of the US government.

Welcome back to our live coverage of US politics. It remains eventful.

Donald Trump has been panned as a “draft-dodging coward” by his political opponents after an internal memo, leaked from within his administration, revealed new plans to severely slash the workforce of the Veterans Affairs Department.

The sprawling department, known colloquially as the VA, is responsible for supporting America’s many, many military veterans with healthcare, disability compensation, access to home loans, vocational rehabilitation, life insurance and other services. It also helps the families of deceased soldiers.

The memo, written by the VA’s new Trump-appointed chief of staff, flags a sweeping revamp of the department later this year, involving up to 80,000 job cuts.

“I don’t ever want to hear ‘thank you for your service’ from that draft-dodging coward again,” said one Democratic Congressman after the plan was revealed.

Meanwhile Mr Trump has abruptly reversed course on a key component of his newly imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico, granting the car industry a one-month reprieve.

The automaker supply chain, in North America, is woven between all three countries, with various parts crossing both America’s northern and southern border multiple times. That makes the industry particularly vulnerable to the cost of tariffs.

Mr Trump decided to grant the exemption after speaking to senior leaders from the so-called “Big Three” US car companies: General Motors, Ford and Stellantis.

The stock market reacted positively to the announcement, though concerns remain about Mr Trump’s vacillating economic policy – he’s making a habit of changing his mind on a dime.

And across the Atlantic, French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested his country could be willing to extend the protection of its nuclear deterrent to other parts of Europe.

“Our nuclear deterrent is self-sufficient, French from start to finish,” said Mr Macron.

“Ever since 1964 it has helped keep France safe and peaceful. However, after (incoming German Chancellor Friedrich) Merz’s historic call, I have decided to open up discussion on using it to protect our allies throughout Europe.”

France and Britain are the only two nuclear-armed countries in Europe – unless you count Russia as well.

Read on for the latest updates.

Originally published as US politics live: Rage at Trump administration’s new plan to slash department that supports military veterans