On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that freezes federal funding for schools that mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for students wishing to attend in-person classes.
The Trump administration has previously initiated actions to eliminate coronavirus vaccine mandates at the federal level, including for green card applicants, and has reinstated service members who were discharged for their refusal to take the vaccine.
During the announcement in the Oval Office, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy remarked that the choice to vaccinate should rest with the parents of the students.
Breitbart News was the first to report on the executive order.
According to nonprofit health policy research organization Immunize.org and the National Academy for State Health Policy, COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer required in K-12 schools nationwide.
While campaigning, Trump had vowed to withdraw funding from schools that impose vaccine and mask mandates and stated his intent to prevent schools from enforcing COVID-related protocols.
At the time, Trump’s stance raised concerns regarding funding for schools in states that necessitate immunizations for diseases like measles and polio. A spokesperson for Trump clarified that his remarks were specifically aimed at COVID-19 vaccines.
Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is one of the prominent critics of vaccines, advocating for increased scrutiny as part of a movement described by allies as emphasizing “vaccine safety.” Detractors label Kennedy as anti-vaccine.
Kennedy was inaugurated this week, pledging to tackle the epidemic of chronic diseases while assuring Congress he would maintain vaccine accessibility for Americans despite facing some resistance.
In his first interview after taking office, Kennedy reiterated his commitment but expressed a desire to monitor vaccine side effects more rigorously.
In the Oval Office, Trump answered questions and signed another executive order to create a new energy council, with his Cabinet members showing support for the initiative aimed at boosting domestic oil and gas production.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick remarked that these actions signify a move away from “the nanny state,” emphasizing that excessive regulations hinder U.S. energy production.
Trump also promoted a forthcoming pipeline, claiming it would lead to lower prices in New York and other areas.
Furthermore, he stated that he had consented to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who requested a visit in the near future.
When asked about Vice President JD Vance’s recent speech in Europe that raised concerns regarding migration and freedom of speech, Trump complimented it as a “very good speech, actually very brilliant.”
Addressing the ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, the president indicated that the situation largely relies on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the current uncertainty regarding the truce.
“It depends on what Bibi’s going to do,” Trump told reporters. “Hamas has completely shifted and wants to release hostages. I said, ‘Good, you have until 12 pm on Saturday.’ Then they indicated they would release the hostages.”
