Historic White House tree to be cut down

Social Security Admin backtracks on part of new ID plan

The Social Security Administration is partially backtracking on its plan to require in-person identity checks. The SSA recently announced that it would require all new and existing beneficiaries to travel to a Social Security field office to verify their identity. After a public outcry, the agency made some changes to that plan. It now says people applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income who are not able to use the agency’s website, can complete their claim over the phone. But other SSA applicants will still be required to verify their identities at a field office.

Trump pulled UN ambassador pick to boost House GOP

President Trump pulled the nomination of his pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations — even though his nominee wasn’t controversial. There was no scandal and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s nomination was expected to easily win Senate confirmation. Her nomination was withdrawn because of math. Republicans barely have a majority in the House and need more breathing room to pass the president’s agenda. So the White House decided to keep Stefanik in Congress, even though her nomination advanced out of committee. Donald Trump wrote on social media that it’s “essential” his party maintains “every Republican seat.”

Trump says U.S. needs Greenland for “international security”

President Trump continues to talk about the United States taking control of Greenland. As Vice President Vance and a U-S delegation visited an American military base in Greenland on Friday, the president once again said the U-S needs the island for “international security.” During his visit, the vice president said military force would not be necessary, insisting that the people of Greenland will want to partner with the U-S.

Trump to end collective bargaining with federal labor unions

President Trump is ordering the end of collective bargaining with most federal labor unions. Citing a 1978 law, the president said he has the authority to end collective bargaining with federal unions in agencies because of their role in safeguarding national security. The executive order affects most of the federal government, however police and firefighters will be exempt. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents more than 800-thousand government workers, said it is “preparing immediate legal action.”

White House withdraws UN Ambassador nomination

The White House has withdrawn President Trump’s nominee to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The decision to pull Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s nomination was not made based on her ability to win confirmation. She had already won approval from the foreign relations committee and was seen as among the least controversial Cabinet picks. The White House decided to withdraw Stefanik’s nomination because Republicans need her in the House, which has an extremely tight majority, to help pass the president’s agenda.

Appeals court upholds order to rehire thousands of federal workers

An appeals court is upholding a judge’s order requiring the Trump administration to rehire thousands of federal workers. The government argued that judges can’t “micromanage” federal worker policies. But a split 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel turned back the emergency motion. At issue was a lower court judge’s order requiring the Trump administration to rehire thousands of probationary workers who were let go in mass firings. The judge found legal problems with the way the firings were carried out.

Trump defends Signal chat group, bashes journalist

President Trump announces 25% tariffs on auto imports

The Atlantic released entire Signal chat among Trump officials

Greenland not happy about Friday’s U.S. delegation visit

U.S. says Russia, Ukraine agree to Black Sea partial ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to expand their partial ceasefire to include the Black Sea. The United States announced the agreement as it wrapped up three days of talks with Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia. The White House said the two sides have “agreed to ensure safe navigation [and] eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy praised the talks as the early “right steps” toward a peaceful settlement of the 3-year-old war. GC, Wash.

Trump downplays mistaken sharing of military plans with journalist

President Trump is downplaying the sharing of Yemen attack plans to a group chat that included a journalist. Democrats and Republicans alike criticized the incident as a serious national security breach, but the president called it “the only glitch in two months” of his administration. He claimed on NBC News that it didn’t turn out to be a “serious” matter and he expressed confidence in his national security adviser. Earlier this month, the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic received details of a U-S military attack in a secure messaging app two hours before the airstrikes began.

Trump national security team mistakenly texted war plans to a journalist

Trump national security officials mistakenly texted war plans to a magazine editor. The editor-in-chief for The Atlantic reports that he received war plans for military strikes in Yemen two hours before the March 15th attack. Jeffrey Goldberg was included in a group chat in a secure messaging app. The National Security Council said the text chain “appears to be authentic” and was looking into how a journalist’s number was added to the chain in the Signal group chat. President Trump, when asked, said he was unaware of the incident.

Judge blocks DOGE from accessing sensitive information

Trump asks Supreme Court to halt judge’s order to rehire fired workers

The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to halt a lower court ruling that orders the rehiring of thousands of federal workers. Some 16-thousand probationary employees were let go in mass firings across several agencies as a result of President Trump’s orders to slash the size of the government. A California-based judge found the firings didn’t follow federal law, and he ordered reinstatement offers be sent as a lawsuit plays out. But in an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, the administration argued the ruling should be put on hold because the judge didn’t have the authority to reinstate the workers.

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.