(Cover photo: NOAA weather radar. Photo by NOAA.)
Firings at department that provides weather forecasts
The Trump Administration has fired an estimated 800 people employed at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the department that includes the National Weather Service. Additional firings were expected to be ordered today. The National Weather Service not only provides weather forecasts, it gathers weather observations on a continuous basis from around the U.S. that are used by pilots to help ensure safe flights. The National Weather Service also provides warnings to the public about hazardous weather such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Some Republicans have wanted to eliminate weather forecasting as a government function and turn it over to private companies that charge for their services.
Trump repeats falsehoods about Ukraine aid during meeting with British prime minister
British Prime Minister Starmer met with President Trump at the White House yesterday and Starmer waited until Trump had finished his sentences before correcting what Trump was saying about aid to Ukraine. That contrasted with French President Macron who visited with Trump earlier in the week and interrupted Trump mid-sentence to correct him. Trump falsely claimed that the U.S. had sent $350 billion in cash to aid Ukraine, when it actually was $119 bullion in weapons and ammunition. Trump also falsely claimed that the U.S. sent the majority of aid to Ukraine, when European countries actually sent 60% of the aid. Trump also falsely claimed that the Europeans only made loans to Ukraine.
Trump and Zelenskyy meet
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Donald Trump were scheduled to meet, have lunch and hold a joint news conference during Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House today. When Trump was asked whether he planned to apologize to Zelenskyy for having called him a dictator, Trump did not answer but said he anticipated they would have a friendly and productive meeting. Trump also said that the anticipated deal for the U.S. to have access to Ukraine’s natural resources would repay the U.S. for having supported Ukraine in the war that began when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Sources say up to half of Social Security employees may be fired
Despite Donald Trump’s campaign pledges not to cut Social Security, the Trump Administration and Elon Musk are moving ahead to cut about 6,000 employees from the Social Security Administration. Sources indicate that the firings could be expanded to encompass half of the agency’s employees. The cuts are expected to make it more difficult for people to seek help from the agency to obtain benefits to which they are entitled. It’s also believed that there’s a plan to eliminate up to half of the agency’s offices throughout the country. More than 72 million Americans receive Social Security benefits.
Supreme court to review arguments in foreign aid case
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts had set a deadline at noon today for the government and plaintiffs to file their arguments in a case that has seen Donald Trump ignore court orders to resume foreign aid funding. Roberts on Wednesday put a stay on a federal judge’s order to the administration that was upheld by a federal appeals court. The plaintiffs in the case had argued that Trump was violating the Constitution by cutting off foreign aid. If the Supreme Court should rule that Trump can ignore a court order and also ignore Congressional authority to determine federal spending, it would position Trump as being above the law while undercutting Constitutional provisions regarding checks and balances and powers of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government.
Iowa passes law removing civil rights protections for transgender people
The Republican-controlled legislature in Iowa yesterday passed a law that removes civil rights protections for transgender people. The bill says that the Iowa Civil Rights Act, a measure protecting people from discrimination in housing, education, employment, public accommodations and more no longer applies to transgender individuals. Several hundred protesters tried to convince lawmakers not to pass the bill. After passage, the legislation was sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds for signature.
