Today’s Headlines: Trump signed an executive order to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, with officials suggesting it could involve government stakes in funded companies and even a TikTok takeover. Meanwhile, his tariff announcements rattled markets, prompting retaliatory moves from Canada and Mexico, though temporary delays were later negotiated. A constitutional showdown erupted as Congress members were blocked from entering USAID, which Trump and Elon Musk moved to dismantle. USAID officials abroad lost access to critical security tools. Trump’s acting U.S. attorney for D.C. pledged legal protection for Musk allies, while FBI agents received questionnaires about their January 6th investigations, signaling a crackdown. A new bird flu strain, H5N9, was detected in California, prompting mass poultry culling. Finally, two airport employees were arrested for leaking footage of last week’s Reagan Airport crash.

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Today’s Headlines: A chaotic weekend in U.S. politics saw major shake-ups across federal agencies, aggressive policy moves, and international tensions. Treasury official David Lebryk resigned after clashing with Elon Musk’s team over access to government payment systems, while Musk’s aides seized control of IT systems at the Government Services Agency. The Trump administration ordered mass layoffs at the Office of Personnel Management and the FBI, demanding names of agents involved in January 6th investigations. USAID’s website went offline amid leadership purges, and the CDC scrubbed key health data. Trump also ordered California dams opened, risking floods, and imposed steep tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, prompting retaliatory measures. His administration pushed for Ukrainian elections post-ceasefire. Meanwhile, Tennessee passed strict immigration laws, Louisiana indicted a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills, and companies like Meta considered fleeing Delaware over corporate governance issues. On the aviation front, a Learjet crash in Philadelphia killed seven, while a United Airlines flight was evacuated in Houston due to an engine fire. The NTSB announced it will now release crash updates only via X. Finally, the Democratic National Committee elected Ken Martin as its new chair, facing the challenge of navigating an increasingly volatile political landscape.

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Today’s Headlines: A commercial jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., killing all on board. The FAA was understaffed at the time, and no administrator was in place. Trump responded by appointing an acting FAA commissioner and ordering a review of DEI policies. Meanwhile, Trump reaffirmed that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will begin tomorrow but left details vague. His cabinet hearings continued, with RFK Jr., Kash Patel, and Tulsi Gabbard facing scrutiny over controversial past statements and actions. The FCC launched an investigation into NPR and PBS over alleged sponsorship violations, signaling a possible move to defund public broadcasting. The U.S. economy grew 2.3% in 2024, slightly slowing from the previous year. Finally, eight Hamas-held hostages were released in Gaza, leaving no known living female hostages in captivity. An American hostage is expected to be freed next.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: The White House’s OMB rescinded its federal spending freeze memo, but the policy remains, prompting legal challenges. A federal judge may now block it indefinitely. Meanwhile, a controversial buyout offer to federal workers is under scrutiny for its similarity to Elon Musk’s Twitter layoffs. Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, mandating indefinite detention for arrested immigrants, and announced a migrant detention facility in Guantanamo Bay. RFK Jr.'s contentious HHS confirmation hearing saw him grilled on vaccine misinformation and policy confusion. A tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas has caused 67 cases and two deaths. The FDA issued its highest-level recall for Frito-Lay chips in Oregon and Washington over safety concerns. Ex-Senator Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years for bribery, calling it a “witch hunt.” Reports suggest the DOJ may drop its corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who has been in contact with Trump. Meta settled Trump’s lawsuit over his social media suspension, paying $25M—mostly to fund his future presidential library.

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Today’s Headlines: The White House ordered a $10 trillion freeze on federal financial aid, but a judge temporarily blocked it. While details remain unclear, the freeze could impact Medicaid, food stamps, disability benefits, and student aid. Medicaid systems briefly crashed nationwide, raising concerns about potential cuts. Trump rejoined the Geneva Consensus Declaration, an anti-abortion pact, and halted PEPFAR HIV/AIDS funding as part of a broader foreign aid review. Federal agencies face mass firings, hiring freezes, and severance offers for employees who resign. The new acting U.S. Attorney in D.C. is reviewing cases of pardoned January 6th defendants—some of whom have already been re-arrested. Billionaire Scott Bessent was confirmed as Treasury Secretary. RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearings begin, with his cousin Caroline Kennedy urging senators to reject him. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters announced he won’t seek reelection in 2026. Meanwhile, Google is renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” after the Trump administration updated its official government sources.

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Today’s Headlines: The U.S. and Colombia have struck a deal to resume deportation flights, avoiding tariffs and visa restrictions for now, though Trump’s team is keeping those threats on the table. Immigration enforcement is in full swing, with ICE arrests skyrocketing and reports of Navajo citizens being detained during raids. Meanwhile, Trump’s DOJ fired officials involved in Jack Smith’s investigations and is asking new hires some eyebrow-raising “loyalty” questions. The CDC has also been ordered to cut ties with the WHO, sparking more public health concerns. On the tech front, China’s AI startup DeepSeek is making waves with a cheaper, more efficient model that’s shaking up U.S. tech stocks. And finally Tucker Carlson’s son, Buckley, is set to join VP J.D. Vance’s office as deputy press secretary.

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Today’s Headlines: Congressman Andy Ogles proposed a constitutional amendment allowing presidents up to three terms, excluding two-term presidents like Obama. Trump’s busy second term saw Kristi Noem and Pete Hegseth confirmed as Cabinet secretaries, an order to release JFK, RFK, and MLK Jr. assassination files, and NIH cancer research halted due to restricted agency operations. Trump’s administration launched a crypto task force, paused gender "X" passport processing, halted most foreign aid (except to Israel and Egypt), and tied California wildfire aid to election law changes. Immigration raids intensified, with costly military deportation flights rejected by Mexico and Colombia, sparking a tariff feud. Egg prices soar due to avian flu, killing 130M poultry. Internationally, Israel and Palestine exchanged hostages under a ceasefire. Elon Musk backed Germany’s far-right AFD, questioning historical guilt and endorsing their agenda.

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Today’s Headlines: Trump’s first week back has been eventful. Pete Hegseth’s Defense Secretary nomination heads to a final vote, while John Ratcliffe is confirmed as CIA director. A new GOP-led January 6th committee was launched and Speaker Johnson has discouraged subpoenaing Cassidy Hutchinson amid fears of exposing lawmakers’ explicit texts. Trump’s order to limit birthright citizenship faced its first legal challenge, with a federal judge issuing a restraining order, calling it "blatantly unconstitutional." Meanwhile, Trump considers cutting FEMA as wildfires rage in Los Angeles, burning over 10,000 acres and prompting mass evacuations. In Nashville, a school shooting left two dead and two injured, despite AI weapon detection software failing. His manifesto cited Candace Owens and Adolf Hitler as inspirations. Lastly, the Sacklers agreed to a $7.4B settlement over Purdue Pharma’s opioid crisis role.

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Today’s Headlines:The second Trump administration is wasting no time shaking things up. ICE has already arrested 308 undocumented immigrants, calling them "threats to public safety." Federal health agencies have been ordered to pause all external communications until February 1, including scientific reports and health advisories—just as bird flu concerns grow. In a major rollback, Trump revoked the 1965 Equal Employment Opportunity Act, which banned workplace discrimination, and ordered federal workers to report any hidden DEI programs. Over at the DOJ, 15 top immigration officials were fired or reassigned. Trump also pardoned all January 6th participants, including far-right militia leaders, and hinted they might have a role in future politics. And in a surprising move, he pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, who was serving a life sentence for running a massive online black market.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: President Trump has already reversed 75 Biden policies, brought back the death penalty, and signed an order trying to end birthright citizenship—which has already sparked lawsuits. Immigration agents can now arrest people in schools, churches, and hospitals. Trump also announced a massive $500 billion AI project with OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank. Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth’s cabinet nomination is in trouble after abuse allegations surfaced. At an inaugural prayer service, a bishop urged Trump to show compassion for immigrants and LGBTQ people, while Pope Francis called his deportation plans a disgrace. Finally, a record-breaking winter storm is hammering the Southeast.

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Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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