Social Security ID changes raise questions, concerns

Questions are being raised about the Social Security Administration’s plan to require in-person identity checks. Starting March 31st, the Social Security Administration will end its phone identification service. The change will require anyone who needs to verify their bank information to do it online or visit an agency field office in person. To complicate matters, many Social Security field offices across the country will also be closing. Critics say the plan will hurt older beneficiaries in remote areas and people with limited internet access. According to the Trump administration, the change is aimed at reducing fraud.

Vital Education Dept functions shifting to other agencies

President Trump is shifting some of the Education Department’s vital functions to other federal agencies. As the administration dismantles the Education Department, the president announced that federal student loans will be handled by the Small Business Administration. He claimed the loans “will be serviced much better” than in the past, even though the SBA is cutting more than 40 percent of its workforce as it takes over tens of millions of student loans. The White House also said programs for students with disabilities will shift to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Trump pressures the Fed to lower interest rates

White House condemns Tesla vandalism as “despicable”

The White House condemns the rising vandalism of Tesla cars and showrooms. Attacks on Elon Musk’s electric car company are cropping up and have been on the increase since the CEO became a controversial adviser in the Trump administration. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the attacks are “despicable” and that Democrats have remained largely silent. President Trump has said Tesla vandalism amounts to “domestic terror.”

Trump proposes a U.S. takeover of Ukraine’s power plants

President Trump is proposing a takeover of Ukrainian power plants. The president made the offer during a Wednesday phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky as a way to ensure the power plants’ security. The president held calls this past week with both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders seeking a ceasefire and ultimate end to the war.

Boeing will build Air Force’s future fighter jet — the F-47

Boeing will build the Air Force’s future fighter jet. Joined by his defense secretary and top Air Force officials, the president announced the military’s next generation fighter jet. He said “the F-47 will be the most advanced, most capable, most lethal aircraft ever built.” The Pentagon says the new jet fleet will have stealth and penetration capabilities that far exceed its current fleet. Boeing’s initial contract to proceed with production is worth an estimated 20 billion dollars.

Critical Education Dept functions shifting to other agencies

President Trump is shifting some of the Education Department’s critical functions to other federal agencies. A day after signing an order aimed at dismantling the Education Department, the president said federal student loans will be handled by the Small Business Administration and programs for students with disabilities will shift to the Department of Health and Human Services. The announcement to have the Small Business Administration take over tens of millions of student loans comes amid news that the SBA is cutting more than 40 percent of its workforce.

JFK assassination documents included people’s personal info

The Trump administration says it’s taking steps to help people whose personal information was released in the JFK assassination documents. Sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers was unveiled in the newly unredacted JFK files released this week. Neither the White House nor the National Archives explained the decision-making process behind the public release of the personal information. But White House officials say a plan was in place to help, including credit monitoring offered by the National Archives until new Social Security numbers are issued.

Judge blocks DOGE from accessing Social Security personal info

A federal judge has temporarily blocked Elon Musk’s office from accessing Social Security Administration systems with personal data. The Social Security Administration systems hold personal data on millions of Americans and U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander in Maryland ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency’s “nearly unlimited” access violates privacy laws and presents massive information security risks. Her decision also requires Elon Musk’s team to delete any personally identifiable data they may have. The judge said the DOGE team “is essentially engaged in a fishing expedition.”

Trump signs order to begin eliminating Education Dept

President Trump is taking steps to do away with the Education Department. Delivering on a key campaign pledge, the president signed an executive order “to begin eliminating the federal Department of Education. He described the federal agency as wasteful and ineffective. However, the president said the federal government will still play a role. Pell grants, Title I funding, and aid for students with disabilities will be preserved.

Trump to sign order shutting down Education Department

President Trump will sign an executive order today calling for the shutdown of the Education Department. Closing the Education Department was a key campaign promise for the president, who has described the federal agency as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology. He’s already taking steps to sharply reduce the size of the department’s staff. But a total dismantling requires an act of Congress, which created the department more than 40 years ago.

DOJ resists judge’s demand over deportation flights data

The Justice Department is playing hardball with a federal judge over the administration’s deportation policy. The DOJ is resisting a federal judge’s demand for more information about flights that took deportees to El Salvador over the weekend. It argues that the court is intruding into the executive branch’s authority. The administration has until noon today to either provide the requested information or to make a claim that it must be withheld because it would harm “state secrets.”

More talks scheduled soon on Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

More talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war will take place soon, following high-level phone calls this week. President Trump spoke separately with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky — with the parties agreeing to a limited ceasefire. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says more talks are scheduled in the coming days with technical experts. She said Presidents Trump and Zelensky “agreed this could be the first step toward the full end of the war.”

White House condemns Tesla vandalism, violence

The White House condemns the spate of violent attacks against Tesla vehicles and property. Tesla is owned by Trump adviser Elon Musk and, recently, showrooms, vehicle lots, charging stations, and even privately owned cars have been vandalized. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt points out that many Tesla drivers are Democrats, who she says were big supporters of Tesla and of electric vehicles until Musk decided to vote for Donald Trump.

White House press secretary slams “activist” judges

The White House isn’t backing off its criticism of federal judges. Trump administration officials continue to verbally attack judges who have issued temporary injunctions against some of the president’s policies.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president would comply with the court orders, but she called them “egregious” and the administration will continue to appeal.

Trump and Zelensky talk ceasefire, power plant ownership

Ukraine’s leader agreed to a partial ceasefire during a phone call with President Trump.  A day after speaking with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump had a call with Ukrainian President Zelensky. They agreed that all parties must continue to make a ceasefire work. Officials say President Trump also agreed to help Ukraine find additional military aid in Europe and suggested that the U-S take ownership of Ukrainian power plants.

Trump describes call with Ukraine’s Zelensky as “very good”

President Trump is describing his Wednesday phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky as “very good.” The hour-long phone call came a day after the president spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Writing on social media, Donald Trump said the call was to “align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs.” He also said “we are very much on track.” However, both Russia and Ukraine are accusing each other of not abiding by an agreement to pause military strikes against energy infrastructure.

Chief Justice Roberts rejects Trump’s call to impeach judges

Chief Justice John Roberts is rejecting President Trump’s calls to impeach judges who disagree with his policies. In a rare statement of rebuke, the chief justice said “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.” Roberts issued his statement just hours after a social media post from Donald Trump, who
described a federal judge as a “troublemaker,” “agitator,” and “radical left lunatic” who “should be impeached.” The judge had blocked deportation flights being carried out under an 18th century law.

Federal judge blocks Trump transgender military ban

A federal judge has blocked President Trump’s executive order banning transgender people from military service. The U.S. District judge in Washington, D.C., ruled that the executive order to exclude transgender troops likely violates their constitutional rights. She delayed her order until Friday morning to give the administration time to appeal. Plaintiffs’ attorneys contend the order violates transgender people’s rights to equal protection under the Fifth Amendment, while government lawyers argue that military officials have broad discretion to decide how to assign and deploy servicemembers.

Trump, Putin agree to limited pause in Ukraine war

A phone call between Presidents Trump and Putin led to a limited pause in the Russia-Ukraine war, but not a ceasefire. During their lengthy phone call, the two leaders agreed to an immediate pause in strikes against energy infrastructure, but Putin stopped short of backing a broader 30-day stoppage. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelensky said he’s open to any proposals that lead to a sustainable and just peace, but stressed the need for full transparency in discussions.

Trump, Putin set to talk about Russia-Ukraine war

A phone call is set for today [TUE] between President Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. The two leaders will talk about ending the Russia-Ukraine war, says White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The president told reporters that he and Putin “have a very good chance” of bringing the war to an end. Meanwhile, European allies are worried about what concessions might be made.

Trump puts Iran on notice over support for Houthi rebels

President Trump is putting the Iranian government on notice. After authorizing deadly airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels over the weekend, the president is warning Iran that it would “suffer the consequences” for further attacks by the group. He has explicitly linked the Houthi actions to Iran. The president described the Houthis as “sinister mobsters and thugs” and warned any attack by the group would be met with “great force.”

Trump to speak with Putin on Tuesday about Ukraine

Trump, federal judge at odds over Venezuelan deportations