President Trump announced plans to allocate billions of taxpayer dollars to build a new class of warships, dubbed the "Golden Fleet," during a press event at Mar-a-Lago on December 22. The U.S. Navy's new initiative, which will see the construction of warships named after the former president, was unveiled in the presence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

According to sources, the Golden Fleet initiative is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars per ship, with each vessel reportedly costing upwards of $10 billion to construct. The move has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the financial viability and strategic necessity of the project. Trump defended the plan, stating, "We need a strong military, and the Golden Fleet will be the envy of the world."

The announcement comes just days after a Trump-led board voted to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. after the former president. The decision has been met with widespread backlash, with many viewing it as an attempt to further cement Trump's legacy.

Critics of the Golden Fleet initiative argue that the funds could be better spent on more pressing national security concerns, such as modernizing the U.S. Navy's existing fleet or investing in new technologies. "This is a reckless and irresponsible decision that prioritizes Trump's ego over the needs of our military," said a spokesperson for the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The U.S. Navy's current fleet consists of over 490 ships, with the majority of them in need of modernization or replacement. The Golden Fleet initiative is expected to take several years to complete, with the first ships not scheduled to enter service until the mid-2030s.

Meanwhile, a federal judge has ruled that the U.S. government's deportation of Venezuelans must adhere to due process, citing concerns over the treatment of asylum seekers. The ruling, issued on December 21, comes as thousands of Venezuelans continue to flee their homeland in search of safety and economic opportunities.

The judge's decision is seen as a significant victory for human rights advocates, who have long argued that the U.S. government's deportation policies are often arbitrary and unfair. "This ruling is a major step forward in ensuring that the rights of asylum seekers are respected," said a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union.

The U.S. government has deported thousands of Venezuelans in recent years, with many of them facing significant challenges in their home country due to the ongoing economic crisis. The ruling is expected to have significant implications for the U.S. government's deportation policies, with many arguing that it sets a precedent for the treatment of asylum seekers.

As the U.S. government continues to grapple with the complexities of immigration and national security, the Golden Fleet initiative and the deportation of Venezuelans remain two of the most pressing issues on the international agenda.