Trump kills programs that consider diversity, equity and inclusion in federal hiring.
The Trump Administration has directed that all federal employees who were hired in diversity, equity and inclusion programs be put on leave. The directive says the employees will continue to be paid until they are fired. Trump especially targeted the Federal Aviation Administration and ordered a reversal of FAA hiring policies in which diversity, equity and inclusion factors were considered when deciding who will be hired. The directive also says that outside contractors need to drop any DEI programs they have in effect.
Dimon downplays concerns about Trump’s threatened tariffs.
Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorganChase, in an interview today on CNBC said people should not be concerned with Donald Trump’s plans to slap tariffs on goods from U.S. trading partners. He said that it doesn’t matter if the move would drive up the costs of goods for U.S. consumers if it’s good for national security. Dimon said he looks at tariffs as an economic tool or economic weapon, depending on how they’re used. Â
Southern states dig out from record snowfalls.
Southern states dig out from record snowfalls.An estimated 25 million people from Florida to Virginia were under a winter weather warning this morning as the massive storm that swept through the south dumped snow and ice on roads. The airport at Houston, Texas, was due to reopen today after having been closed because of the snow that fell yesterday. Mobile, Alabama, had more than seven inches of snowfall yesterday, about double the previous snowfall record for the city. Pensacola, Florida, recorded more than seven and a half inches of snow, about triple the previous snowfall record that was set in 1954.
Justice Department prosecutors told to investigate local officials who try to interfere with Trump Administration immigration actions.
The Associated Press reports it has obtained a memo put out by the Justice Department directing federal prosecutors to investigate any state or local official who interferes with any actions the Trump Administration takes to enforce its new anti-immigration policies. The memo was written by Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, who was a defense attorney for Trump. It tells prosecutors to consider bringing criminal charges against local officials who try to block actions by federal officials enforcing Trump Administration immigration policies. Â
Murdoch’s British newspapers settle lawsuit brought by Prince Harry.
Right-wing publisher Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper group in Great Britain has settled a lawsuit brought by Britain’s Prince Harry. The lawsuit alleged that Murdoch’s newspaper illegally collected private information about him over a 15 year period. Terms of the settlement were not revealed but Prince Harry called it a monumental victory. Murdoch also controls U.S. newspapers including The Wall Street Journal and New York Post. Murdoch’s other interests include Fox News. Â
New allegations surface against Trump’s choice for secretary of defense.
Donald Trump’s choice for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, denies allegations contained in a sworn affidavit that was given to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Danielle Dietrich Hegseth, who was married to Pete Hegseth’s brother, said she personally observed Hegseth behaving erratically and aggressively over several years. She also said she observed him numerous times abusing alcohol. An attorney for Pete Hegseth told CBS News that the woman making the allegations is an anti-Trump far left Democrat.
