Trump's latest IG firing, Obama's 2020 election role, & stimulus for the US economy

May 18, 2020

Trump Fired A 4th Inspector General; Obama's Role; US $3T Stimulus? | US Politics :60 | GZERO Media

Why did President Trump fire another inspector general and why is it controversial?

Well, it's not entirely clear why the administration fired the State Department inspector general. It appears to have something to do with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. But it's controversial because it is the fourth time in just a matter of months that the administration has fired an internal watchdog. So, that bothers a lot of people.

President Obama is back in the news. Will he be a big part of the campaign?

Yes, he will. He's a huge part of the Democratic effort. He's incredibly critical for get out the vote efforts for Joe Biden, particularly in swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan. So, expect him to play a big role.

What is the future of the $3 trillion stimulus plan that House Democrats passed?

It doesn't have a future. Senate Republicans don't want it. President Trump doesn't want it. It appears that we will be some time before we get more stimulus for this damaged economy.

Hard Numbers: France’s Bardella would win an election today, Trump’s support among Latinos falls, Fox hunts for a seat in the Bahamas, and Hitler returns

Marine Le Pen, French member of parliament and parliamentary leader of the far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party and Jordan Bardella, president of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party and member of the European Parliament, gesture during an RN political rally in Bordeaux, France, September 14, 2025.

REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

Pakistan slides deeper into autocracy

Army Chief Asim Munir holds a microphone during his visit at the Tilla Field Firing Ranges (TFFR) to witness the Exercise Hammer Strike, a high-intensity field training exercise conducted by the Pakistan Army's Mangla Strike Corps, in Mangla, Pakistan, on May 1, 2025.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)/Handout via REUTERS

Field Marshal Asim Munir, the country’s de facto leader, consolidated his power after the National Assembly rammed through a controversial constitutional amendment this month that grants him lifelong immunity from any legal prosecution.

Tools and Weapons – In Conversation with Ed Policy

Microsoft

In this episode of Tools and Weapons, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith sits down with Ed Policy, President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, to discuss how purpose-driven leadership and innovation are shaping the future of one of the world’s most iconic sports franchises. Ed shares how technology and community-focused initiatives, from Titletown Tech to health and safety innovations on the field, are transforming not just the game of football, but the economy and culture of Green Bay itself. He explains how combining strategic vision with investment in local startups is keeping talent in the Midwest and creating opportunities that extend far beyond Lambeau Field.

Subscribe and find new episodes monthly, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Hard Numbers: Israel assassinates Hezbollah commander, DOGE gets DOGE’d, Ethiopian volcano erupts, Not much to show for COP30

People walk past a damaged building during the funeral of Hezbollah's top military official, Haytham Ali Tabtabai, and of other people who were killed by an Israeli airstrike on Sunday, despite a U.S.-brokered truce a year ago, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon November 24, 2025.

REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

The Israeli military assassinated a senior Hezbollah commander in an airstrike on the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Sunday. The attack killed at least five people overall.

What We’re Watching: Russia-Ukraine peace deal, Rough weekend for Brazil, Mass school abductions in Nigeria

Servicemen of the 148th Separate Artillery Zhytomyr Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fire a Caesar self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops at a position on the front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the frontline town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, Ukraine November 23, 2025.

REUTERS/Anatolii Stepanov

After facing backlash that the US’s first 28-point peace deal was too friendly towards Russia, American and Ukrainian negotiators drafted a new 19-point plan on Monday.

Trump's latest IG firing, Obama's 2020 election role, & stimulus for the US economy

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More from GZERO Media

Not just for a cheap coffee, no. #puppetregime

Field Marshal Asim Munir, the country’s de facto leader, consolidated his power after the National Assembly rammed through a controversial constitutional amendment this month that grants him lifelong immunity from any legal prosecution.

In this “ask ian,” Ian Bremmer tackles a growing question: How is the Trump administration performing as the year wraps up?

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

Former US Ambassador to Venezuela James Story warns that removing Maduro would be the easy part—what comes next is the real challenge.

In this Quick Take, Ian Bremmer breaks down the controversy around Trump's 28-point Ukraine-Russia peace plan.

The Israeli military assassinated a senior Hezbollah commander in an airstrike on the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Sunday. The attack killed at least five people overall.

After facing backlash that the US’s first 28-point peace deal was too friendly towards Russia, American and Ukrainian negotiators drafted a new 19-point plan on Monday.