**Reports Find Trump's Actions Eroding Democracy, While Treasury Takes Over Student Loans** In a series of developments, reports have emerged that President Trump's actions are undermining democratic institutions, while the US Treasury Department is set to take over the management of student loans. The concerns over Trump's actions come as the war in the Middle East enters its third week, with the Pentagon requesting an additional $200 billion from Congress to support US defenses. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel acted alone when it struck an Iranian gas compound earlier this week, with President Trump stating that he was not informed in advance of the attack. However, a person briefed on the matter told *NPR* that the US and Israel are coordinated on all targets. Netanyahu also revealed that Trump has asked Israel to hold off on future attacks. The war has raised tensions in the region, with the first day of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, observed by many in the Middle East. In Tel Aviv, *NPR's* Carrie Kahn reported that the mood is tense, with police deploying tear gas against Muslim worshippers heading to the Old City in Jerusalem. The Al-Aqsa mosque was closed at the beginning of the war, citing safety concerns due to incoming missiles and lack of shelter. Mustafa Abu Sway, a member of the mosque's managing authority, argued that these claims are a guise for increased Israeli control over the sacred site. Meanwhile, President Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who joined five other US allies in supporting a coalition to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz. However, Takaichi did not offer any military support to aid Trump's goals. The near-total halt of traffic through the strait has had a catastrophic effect on the global energy market. The US Treasury Department is set to take over the management of student loans, with the exact details of the plan still unclear. Foreign policy often ranks near the bottom of US voters' concerns, but military action that goes badly has often imperiled presidents and brought irreversible political consequences. The long-term effects of Trump's actions in the Middle East and the global energy market remain to be seen.