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Morning Announcements
Morning Announcements
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Morning Announcements is your daily news rundown from Betches News--because the world’s a mess, and someone’s gotta explain it. Every morning, Betches co-founder and host Sami Sage cuts through the chaos to break down what actually matters, one unhinged headline at a time. All in under 10 minutes, so you can stay informed without spiraling.
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Today’s Headlines: While U.S. officials continue to shrug at the Epstein files, Europe is once again doing the most. Lithuanian prosecutors announced a human trafficking investigation after reviewing information tied to the Epstein documents, citing connections to Lithuanian models and artists and urging potential victims to come forward. Back stateside, DHS said it will pull 700 federal immigration agents out of Minnesota following weeks of aggressive enforcement, though roughly 2,000 agents will remain after about 3,000 arrests during “Operation Metro Surge.” The Supreme Court also issued an emergency ruling allowing California to use its newly redrawn congressional map, after Democrats responded to Trump’s push for GOP-led states to aggressively gerrymander ahead of the 2026 midterms. Meanwhile, new reporting revealed that days before Trump’s inauguration, his family quietly sold nearly half of their crypto company to an Emirati royal with deep intelligence ties, a deal now under scrutiny by House Democrats over national security concerns tied to advanced U.S. AI chips. Elsewhere, the EEOC announced it is investigating Nike for allegedly discriminating against white employees as part of its DEI programs, marking a first-of-its-kind case. And finally, the Washington Post laid off roughly a third of its staff — gutting entire desks — as Jeff Bezos continues his very normal billionaire media ownership arc.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
Reuters: Lithuania launches human trafficking probe related to Epstein files
NBC News: Trump administration to withdraw 700 immigration agents from Minnesota
NYT: Supreme Court Clears Way for California Voting Map
WSJ: ‘Spy Sheikh’ Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company
WSJ: Top Democrat Launches Probe Into ‘Spy Sheikh’ Deal With Trump Company
Axios: Nike facing federal probe of alleged discrimination against white employees
NPR: Bezos orders deep job cuts at 'Washington Post'
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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Today’s Headlines: Europe was unusually productive yesterday. French authorities raided Twitter’s Paris offices as part of a cybercrime investigation, summoned Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino (voluntarily, lol), and announced France is ditching Zoom and Microsoft Teams in favor of its own platform. Spain followed up by unveiling plans to crack down on social media algorithms and hold tech executives personally liable for illegal or hateful content, after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused Musk of amplifying disinformation about Spain’s immigration policy. Not to be outdone, Poland’s prime minister said Jeffrey Epstein was likely a Russian intelligence asset — and said his government plans to investigate. Back in the U.S., Trump floated the idea of “nationalizing” elections during a podcast appearance and teased more fallout from last week’s FBI raid in Georgia, despite elections being run by states under the Constitution. Democrats held a public forum on ICE abuses that Republicans skipped entirely, featuring testimony from people shot at, assaulted, or detained without cause — including a disabled woman who says she was dragged from her car and later treated in an ER for assault. Meanwhile, ICE is reportedly preparing a major operation targeting Haitian immigrants in Ohio as TPS protections expire, even as the agency quietly spends hundreds of millions buying warehouses to convert into detention centers.Elsewhere, DC U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro briefly threatened jail time for anyone bringing a gun into the district before walking it back, Trump continued his Kennedy Center renovation saga, and New York Magazine published a deeply unsettling profile of Rep. Nancy Mace detailing erratic behavior and staff misuse.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
NBC News: Paris prosecutors summon Elon Musk after raid on X's French offices
BBC: Spain announces plans to ban social media for under-16s
The Telegraph: Epstein was probably a Russian spy, says Tusk
WaPo: Trump says he wants to ‘nationalize the voting,’ a power granted to states
The New Republic: Not a Single Republican Shows Up to Hear Renee Good’s Brothers Testify
WaPo: Renée Good’s brothers, others describe assaults, shootings at hearing
MS Now: ICE eyeing Ohio next, where it is expected to target Haitian immigrants
Bloomberg: ICE Begins Buying ‘Mega’ Warehouse Detention Centers Across US
MS Now: Pirro walks back threat to lawful gun owners traveling to D.C.
NBC News: Kennedy Center won't be torn down during $200 million renovation, Trump says
NY Magazine: Nancy Mace Is Not Okay
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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Today’s Headlines: The Wall Street Journal reported that a whistleblower complaint about Tulsi Gabbard is considered so sensitive it’s been locked away by an inspector general for eight months due to concerns it could cause “grave damage to national security,” even as Gabbard has remained in her role. The report landed just days after her unusual involvement in an FBI raid on a Georgia election office, which the New York Times says included a phone call where Trump spoke directly with agents on speakerphone. Elsewhere, DHS announced ICE officers in Minneapolis will begin wearing body cameras, as reports surfaced of a measles outbreak at an ICE detention center in Texas holding hundreds of children. Meanwhile, Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify behind closed doors before House investigators about Jeffrey Epstein, narrowly avoiding contempt charges. Trump generated headlines of his own after plans for a massive “Independence Arch” in Washington were revealed, followed by threats to sue Grammy Awards host Trevor Noah over Epstein jokes. On
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
WSJ: Classified Whistleblower Complaint About Tulsi Gabbard Stalls Within Her Agency
NYT: Gabbard Arranges Trump Call With FBI Agents After Georgia Election Center Search
WSJ: Federal Officers in Minneapolis to Receive Body Cameras
SA Current: Source: Measles outbreak reported at ICE's Dilley family detention facility
Axios: Clintons agree to Republican demands on testifying to Congress
WaPo:Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial
Axios: Trump, China swipe at political Grammys show
WSJ: U.S. Will Cut Tariffs on India to 18% in Trade Deal
WSJ: SpaceX, xAI Tie Up, Forming $1.25 Trillion Company
ProPublica: FAA Warns Airlines About Safety Risks From Rocket Launches, Urges “Extreme Caution”
People: Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Was Possibly Kidnapped ‘in the Middle of the Night’ from Her Home: Police
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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Today’s Headlines: The federal government is currently shut down after Congress failed to pass a spending bill by Friday’s deadline, though Speaker Mike Johnson claims the shutdown could end as soon as tomorrow. Even so, the funding lapse barely registered amid a flood of other major news. On Friday morning, journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested following their coverage of an anti-ICE protest at a Minneapolis church, despite both repeatedly stating they were there in a journalistic capacity — a development that raised serious press freedom concerns. Around the same time, federal records identified the two immigration agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, adding more scrutiny to ICE and CBP operations. There was at least one rare piece of good news: 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were released from an immigration detention center in Texas and returned home to Minneapolis after a judge ordered their release. That decision stood in stark contrast to reports that ICE allowed a suspect in the $100 million Brinks jewelry heist to be deported while continuing to detain families with young children. Elsewhere, the DOJ released more than 3.5 million pages of heavily redacted Epstein files, signaling that no new indictments are expected. President Trump also sued the IRS for $10 billion over leaked tax returns, promoted new Trump-branded savings accounts for children, announced plans to shut down the Kennedy Center for two years, and capped off the week as Democrats scored a surprise victory in a deep-red Texas state Senate district.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
Axios: Johnson predicts end by Tuesday to partial shutdown as Dems fight DHS funding
NYT: Don Lemon Released Without Bond Over Minnesota Protest Charge
ProPublica: Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
People: 5-Year-Old Boy Released from ICE Detention Center After Almost 2 Weeks, Boards Plane Home to Minneapolis with His Dad
The Guardian: Prosecutors stunned as ICE lets suspect in $100m jewelry heist leave US | ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
DOJ: Department of Justice Publishes 3.5 Million Responsive Pages in Compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act
NYT: Trump’s Lawsuit Against I.R.S. Creates ‘Enormous Conflict of Interest’ - The New York Times
CNBC: No need to wait for Trump accounts—you can open a 529 college savings plan now
Bloomberg: Trump Says He’ll Close Kennedy Center for Two Years in July
The Hill: Democrats flip Texas state Senate seat in shock upset
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s Headlines: Democrats and the White House cut a last-minute deal to stop a government shutdown, temporarily boosting ICE funding while they argue over whether the agency should at least identify itself. The deal keeps most of the government running through September. ICE says it’s “drawing down” operations in Minnesota, but the damage is already done. Lawmakers visited a Texas detention facility where 5-year-old Liam Ramos is being held after being detained in Minnesota. His father says Liam is sick, withdrawn, and lethargic. New reporting shows just how much surveillance power ICE actually has, from facial recognition and license plate readers to phone location data, drones, and phone-hacking tools. On top of that, ICE is asking ad-tech and data brokers for access to location data.
TikTok users say anti-ICE videos are mysteriously failing to upload or disappearing after the platform’s ownership change. TikTok says it’s a glitch. Sure. Meanwhile, Trump’s acting cybersecurity chief reportedly uploaded sensitive government documents to a public version of ChatGPT, which is now being investigated by DHS.
States are getting ready for possible ICE activity. New Jersey’s new governor announced plans for a public database where people can upload videos of ICE encounters, plus expanded “know your rights” efforts.
In non-ICE related news, a major lawsuit over social media’s impact on kids moves forward against Meta and YouTube after TikTok and Snap settled at the last second, there are reports that the Trump administration quietly met with Canadian separatists in Alberta, Tulsi Gabbard resurfaces in Georgia, and—because there’s always a grift—Melania Trump already teasing a spinoff to her undersold documentary.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
AP News: Live updates: Democrats and White House reach deal to avert shutdown and fund Homeland Security for now
NY Time: Texas Democrats Call for Release of Liam Ramos, 5-Year-Old Detained by ICE
WaPo: The powerful tools in ICE’s arsenal to track suspects — and protesters - Washington Post
CNN: TikTokers say anti-ICE videos won’t publish. The company blames tech issues
Mediapost: ICE Issues RFI For 'Ad Tech Compliant' Data 01/27/2026
Politico: Trump’s acting cyber chief uploaded sensitive files into a public version of ChatGPT
Inquirer: Gov. Mikie Sherrill says N.J. will create a database for uploading videos of ICE: ‘Get your phone out’
CNBC: TikTok to settle as social media addiction trial involving Meta, YouTube moves forward
Financial Times: Albertan separatists accused of ‘treason’ over Trump administration meetings
WSJ: Spy Chief Tulsi Gabbard Is Hunting for 2020 Election Fraud
STL Today: Bondi picks St. Louis prosecutor to oversee election fraud case in Georgia
The Daily Beast: Melania Trump Boasts Her Flop Documentary Will Have Spinoff Series
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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Today’s Headlines: Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate this week, defending the administration’s so-called “non–regime change” operation in Venezuela while calling the abduction of Nicolás Maduro a “strategic necessity.” Rubio said Trump doesn’t currently plan further military action but refused to rule it out, warning that Venezuela’s transition will be slow despite what he described as “good and decent progress.” At the same time, Trump escalated tensions with Iran, posting a threat that the “next attack will be far worse” if Tehran doesn’t agree to a new nuclear deal. U.S. military exercises are reportedly underway in the region, with a naval force moving closer, as Iran’s foreign minister warned the country is prepared to respond immediately. The standoff comes amid massive protests in Iran and reports that tens of thousands may have been killed by the regime, though exact figures remain difficult to verify due to internet restrictions. Back in Minnesota, fallout continues from the killing of Alex Pretti. Stephen Miller acknowledged that CBP officers involved may not have followed protocol, while shifting blame toward DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who now faces bipartisan impeachment calls. The officers who fired their weapons were placed on administrative leave days later, as new reporting revealed ICE had prior documentation on Pretti before his death. The FBI has also taken over the investigation into the assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar at a town hall event, while executing a separate search warrant in Fulton County, Georgia, tied to the 2020 election. And finally, Trump reportedly redecorated the White House with a framed photo of himself and Vladimir Putin—because subtlety remains off the menu.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
The Guardian: Rubio declines to rule out further US military action in Venezuela at Senate hearing
Reuters: Trump warns Iran to make nuclear deal or next attack will be 'far worse'
CNN: Top White House aide Stephen Miller acknowledges possible breach of protocol before Alex Pretti’s shooting
NBC News: Minneapolis live updates: 2 Border Patrol agents who fired guns in Alex Pretti fatal shooting put on leave
CNN: Alex Pretti was in earlier confrontation with federal agents who tackled him, broke his rib, sources say
NBC News: FBI takes over investigation into incident at Rep. Ilhan Omar town hall
The Guardian: FBI executes search warrant at election office in Fulton county, Georgia
The Independent: Trump hangs picture of himself and Putin in latest White House redecoration
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s Headlines: U.S. immigration enforcement is under intense scrutiny after another person was shot and critically injured during a Border Patrol–involved incident in southern Arizona. Details remain limited, with officials declining to identify the victim or explain how the shooting unfolded. Meanwhile in Minnesota, Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked during a town hall after a man lunged at her and appeared to spray an unknown, foul-smelling substance from a syringe before being arrested on assault charges. Five days after the fatal shooting of Minnesota nurse Alex Pretti during an ICE encounter, the public still doesn’t know who pulled the trigger — even as DHS has acknowledged that two ICE agents fired their weapons. The department is facing growing backlash after DHS Secretary Kristi Noem falsely claimed Pretti intended to “massacre” agents, a statement the White House has since tried to walk back while shifting blame internally. Minnesota is now suing the federal government for failing to preserve evidence from the shooting, with federal lawyers arguing they aren’t required to do so. Criticism of ICE has also intensified following the death of 30-year-old U.S. citizen Wael Tarabishi, who relied on his father as a primary caregiver before his father was detained by ICE. Tarabishi died after weeks in the hospital, and ICE has refused to temporarily release his father to attend the funeral. Politically, Noem is facing impeachment pressure from House Democrats, while a Minnesota judge has ordered ICE’s acting director to appear in court over repeated failures to comply with court orders. Internationally, the Trump administration is reportedly planning to send ICE personnel to the Winter Olympics in Milan, a move sharply criticized by the city’s mayor. Separately, families of two Trinidadian men killed during U.S. boat strikes in the Caribbean have filed a lawsuit accusing the administration of extrajudicial killings. On the economic front, health insurance stocks fell after the administration declined to increase Medicare Advantage subsidies, as consumer confidence dropped to a 12-year low. Ending on a brighter note, Yale University announced it will make tuition free for families earning up to $200,000 a year, expanding access amid rising college costs.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
NBC News: One person in critical condition after being shot in incident involving Border Patrol in Arizona
The Daily Beast: Trump Sparks Fresh Outrage With Secret Bid to Send ICE to the Olympics
ABC News: Experts say the divide between Minnesota and federal authorities is unprecedented
WFAA: Disabled son of ICE detainee dies after 30 days of hospitalization
Axios: Jeffries' threat to Trump: Fire Kristi Noem or we move to impeachment
Axios: Acting ICE director faces contempt hearing
WSJ: Families of Two Men Killed in Boat Strikes Sue U.S.
WSJ: Stock Market Today: UnitedHealth Weighs on Dow as Health-Insurance Stocks Slide
Axios: Consumer confidence plunges to 12-year low
WSJ: Yale Will Go Tuition-Free for Families Making Up to $200,000
NBC News: Man lunges at Rep. Ilhan Omar during town hall and tries to spray her with unknown substance
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s Headlines: The Trump administration is facing growing bipartisan backlash over aggressive ICE enforcement following recent shootings in Minnesota. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the federal government needs to “recalibrate” its approach, while Republican Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel dropped out of the race, calling the immigration operation an “unmitigated disaster” and condemning what he described as racial profiling. The criticism has spread beyond Democrats, with the Libertarian Party calling for ICE to be abolished and the Wall Street Journal editorial board urging ICE to pause operations in Minnesota. Amid mounting pressure, the administration demoted Customs and Border Protection official Greg Bovino and reassigned ICE personnel out of Minneapolis, signaling a temporary de-escalation. Border czar Tom Homan has been sent to oversee the situation as Trump publicly emphasized cooperation with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. New reporting raises concerns about ICE activity elsewhere, including allegations that agents in Colorado left so-called “death cards” in vehicles after detentions. Separately, documents reveal ICE is using a Palantir-built surveillance tool to map neighborhoods for immigration raids using data from multiple federal agencies. Internationally, Trump said negotiations with Iran remain “in flux” as the U.S. increases its military presence in the region. Israel confirmed the return of the final hostage’s remains, allowing the Gaza ceasefire to move toward its next phase. Trump also announced higher tariffs on South Korean imports, cited the use of a secret weapon in the raid that captured Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, and commented on allegations that a top Chinese general leaked nuclear secrets to the U.S. Meanwhile, a massive winter storm across 19 states has been linked to at least 22 deaths, with hundreds of thousands still without power. Congress is also racing to avoid a potential government shutdown tied to funding for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE oversight.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
Houston Public Media: Greg Abbott says White House needs to ‘recalibrate’ ICE following fatal Minneapolis shooting
NBC News: Minnesota Republican drops out of governor's race, citing GOP's handling of immigration enforcement
The Hill: Libertarian National Committee chair: ‘Abolish ICE’
WSJ: Time for ICE to Pause in Minneapolis
The Atlantic: Yes, It’s Fascism
The Atlantic: Greg Bovino Loses His Job
The Denver Post: ICE investigates after Colorado group says agents left ‘death cards’ in arrested immigrants’ abandoned cars
404 Media: ‘ELITE’: The Palantir App ICE Uses to Find Neighborhoods to Raid
Axios: Exclusive: Trump says Iran wants a deal as U.S. "armada" arrives
Axios: Exclusive: Trump says Hamas helped find last hostage, now must disarm
NYT Post: Trump reveals to The Post secret ‘discombobulator’ weapon was crucial to Venezuelan raid on Maduro
AP News: Trump threatens to hike tariffs on South Korean goods over inaction on trade deal
WSJ: China’s Top General Accused of Giving Nuclear Secrets to U.S.
NYT: Storm’s Death Toll Climbs as Officials Warn of Frigid Cold Ahead
WSJ: Risk of a Partial Government Shutdown This Weekend Is Rising. Here’s Why.
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s Headlines: Things escalated fast in Minnesota this weekend after ICE officers fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and veterans’ affairs worker, during a chaotic confrontation caught on multiple videos. Witnesses say Pretti was directing traffic and filming on his phone while trying to help someone else, and that his legally owned firearm had already been taken by agents before he was tackled. Federal officials initially labeled him a “domestic terrorist,” a claim sharply contradicted by video evidence and eyewitness affidavits. The shooting has triggered a major political and legal backlash. Minnesota officials say DHS and DOJ blocked state investigators from accessing the scene, even with a warrant, and the state has filed suit to prevent the destruction of evidence. Governor Tim Walz has ordered an independent investigation into both the killing and the federal government’s public statements about it. The controversy deepened after Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter threatening not to end federal operations in Minnesota unless the state hands over Medicaid, SNAP, and voter data and rolls back sanctuary policies—moves critics call political extortion. Meanwhile, tensions are rising nationally. Protesters braved extreme cold across Minnesota, businesses staged a general strike, and more than 60 major Minnesota-based companies urged de-escalation. Additionally, the detention of a U.S. Army veteran observing ICE activity, the assault of Rep. Maxwell Frost, a massive sewage spill in Washington, DC, and renewed debate over vaccine mandates round out a very chaotic weekend. President Trump has largely praised federal agents’ actions, even as his administration faces lawsuits, congressional infighting over ICE funding, and growing international criticism ahead of the World Cup.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
WSJ: Border Patrol Agent Fatally Shoots Man in Minneapolis, Escalating State-Federal Standoff
Axios: Trump officials stick "terrorist" label on Americans killed by DHS
Politico: Bovino claims Border Patrol agents are ‘the victims’ in deadly Minneapolis shooting
NYT: Pam Bondi letter to Tim Walz
NBC News: White House shares an altered photo of arrested Minnesota protester Nekima Levy Armstrong
ABC News: Army vet detained by ICE for 8 hours says he wasn't allowed to call an attorney
Axios Local: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz vows state investigation into shooting amid "lies" from DHS
NYT: CEO's of Target and Minnesota's biggest companies call for 'De-escalation'
Axios: Democrats threaten government shutdown over ICE funding
Axios: Court docs reveal new details of alleged assault on Maxwell Frost
AP News: Massive sewage spill flowing into Potomac River upstream from Washington
AP News: German soccer federation official wants World Cup boycott considered because of Trump
FOX News: Trump says it 'is too late' to stop the White House ballroom construction amid lawsuit
WaPo: Trump hosts ‘Melania’ screening as Minnesota shooting fallout roils nation
AP News: Massive winter storm dumps sleet, freezing rain and snow around much of US
WSJ: Trump Says Administration Is ‘Reviewing Everything’ About Minneapolis Shooting
WSJ: TikTok Finalizes Deal to Keep Operating in the U.S.
NYT: Rejecting Decades of Science, Vaccine Panel Chair Says Polio and Other Shots Should Be Optional
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s Headlines: At Davos, Trump hosted the signing of his new “Board of Peace,” a pay-to-play lineup including Belarus, Hungary, Egypt, Qatar, and Kazakhstan, with countries reportedly paying about $1 billion to join. Several European nations declined, warning the board looks like an attempt to sideline the UN. Jared Kushner also floated a vague, zone-based plan for rebuilding Gaza. Back home, Trump filed a $5 billion lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon, claiming he was “debanked” after January 6. JPMorgan says the case has no merit. In other news, former DOJ special counsel Jack Smith testified to Congress, warning of serious threats to democracy and criticizing mass pardons for January 6 defendants. Trump responded by publicly calling for Smith to be prosecuted. In Minnesota, ICE detained a 5-year-old child and his father outside their home, while school officials confirmed multiple students have been taken into custody, some on their way to school. Local police chiefs also say ICE has stopped off-duty officers based solely on skin color. DHS announced the next enforcement push will be in Maine. The New York Times reports the Trump family made at least $1.4 billion in 2025, driven by overseas real estate, crypto, settlements, and foreign gifts. A growing pardon-for-hire industry has wiped out hundreds of millions in restitution owed to victims. A new analysis found Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok generated millions of sexualized deepfake images in just nine days. And finally, a massive winter storm named Fern is expected to hit much of the U.S. this weekend, potentially affecting over 230 million people.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
T
he Guardian: Davos onlookers notice Trump’s ‘board of peace’ logo resembles UN emblem | Donald Trump
CNBC: Trump sues Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase over debanking the suit calls 'political'
CNN: Live updates: Jack Smith testifies in House Judiciary hearing
NBC News: ICE detains 4 Minnesota students, including 5-year-old, school district says
USA Today: ICE agents drew guns on off-duty officer in Minnesota, chief says
ABC News: DHS launches 'Operation Catch of the Day' enforcement action in Maine
NYT: Opinion | How Trump Has Used the Presidency to Make at Least $1.4 Billion
NBC News: Trump's pardons forgive financial crimes that came with hundreds of millions in punishments
NYT: Trump Sets Fraudster Free From Prison for a Second Time
WSJ: Inside the New Fast Track to a Presidential Pardon
NYT: Musk’s Chatbot Flooded X With Millions of Sexualized Images in Days, New Estimates Show
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s Headlines: President Donald Trump remains in Davos, where he delivered an 80-minute speech packed with familiar grievances, questionable claims — including that “Canada lives because of the United States” — and repeatedly mixed up Iceland and Greenland. For now, he’s pulled back threats of military action and additional tariffs on Europe, claiming instead that he’s reached a vague “framework” with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte over Greenland, which he described as an “infinite deal,” without offering details. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet with Trump to discuss U.S. security guarantees and post-ceasefire reconstruction, while Trump’s unofficial envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with a Putin-linked negotiator in Davos and are headed to Moscow for more talks. Back in the U.S., tensions are escalating in Minnesota. Alongside 1,500 troops already on standby, the Pentagon has placed roughly 300 additional soldiers at Fort Bragg on notice in case Trump invokes the Insurrection Act amid ongoing Minneapolis protests. In Congress, the House Oversight Committee voted to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt over their refusal to testify about Jeffrey Epstein, while declining to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt for failing to release the Epstein files. Ghislaine Maxwell is scheduled to give a virtual deposition on February 9. Meanwhile, the administration admitted in court that Elon Musk’s DOGE-linked team improperly accessed and shared Americans’ Social Security data, and a federal judge ordered the FBI to temporarily stop searching devices seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson and return them pending further review.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
Reuters: Trump backs down on Greenland tariffs, says deal framework reached
Politico: Trump and Zelenskyy to meet Thursday at Davos
MSNOW: Pentagon orders more active-duty soldiers to ready for possible Minneapolis deployment
PBS News: WATCH: House Oversight advances resolution on holding Clintons in contempt
The Guardian: Doge improperly shared sensitive social security data, DoJ court filing reveals | Trump administration
WaPo: Judge blocks government from searching data seized from Post reporter
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s Headlines: President Donald Trump kicked off a fresh round of global chaos with late-night posts about the U.S. taking over Greenland, plus screenshots of flattering texts from French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO’s Mark Rutte. The posts landed as world leaders gathered in Davos, where Canada’s Prime Minister warned the global order is facing a “rupture, not a transition.”
Macron later declined to join Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” prompting Trump to threaten a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne. Denmark announced it’s sending more troops to Greenland, and Greenland’s prime minister told residents to prepare for a possible invasion, signaling Europe is taking the threat seriously.
Back in the US, the Archbishop overseeing the American military said troops could be morally justified in refusing unlawful orders, adding to growing backlash over the administration’s use of military force.
Markets finally reacted: the Dow dropped about 800 points as stocks slid and investors fled to bonds amid rising trade and geopolitical uncertainty.
The Justice Department issued subpoenas to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over immigration enforcement, while new data shows deaths in ICE custody hit a record high last year.
A new study confirmed Trump’s tariffs are paid almost entirely by U.S. businesses and consumers. Meanwhile, Elon Musk donated $10 million to a pro-Trump Senate candidate in Kentucky, breaking his own record.
And finally, Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance announced they’re expecting their fourth child later this year.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
Axios: Macron declines to join Trump's Gaza peace board. Here's who's been invited
Bloomberg: Greenland PM Tells People to Prepare for Possible Invasion
AP News: Trump meanders through foreign policy ahead of Davos speech to global leaders
WaPo: ‘Morally acceptable’ for U.S. troops to disobey orders, archbishop says
Yahoo: Stock market today: Dow plummets 800 points, S&P 500, Nasdaq sink over 2% as Trump's Greenland threats clobber stocks
WSJ: Minnesota Democratic Officials Subpoenaed by Justice Department
Axios: Immigrant detention deaths reach 20-year high under Trump
Bloomberg: Americans Bear Almost All the Cost of Trump Tariffs, Study Shows
Axios: Scoop: Musk shocks with $10 million donation in Ky. Senate race
CNN: Second lady Usha Vance announces she’s pregnant with her fourth child
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s Headlines: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado visited the White House and handed Donald Trump a symbolic Nobel Peace Prize — only to walk away with Trump merch, zero U.S. backing, and confirmation that the administration will continue supporting remnants of the Maduro regime. The Nobel Foundation quickly clarified that Nobel Prizes can’t be transferred, even symbolically.
Trump then escalated his Greenland fixation, announcing new tariffs on European countries that don’t support a U.S. takeover and threatening steeper penalties by summer. He later claimed Norway owed him a Nobel Prize and suggested U.S. control of Greenland is essential for global security, prompting Canada to warn that any U.S. military action would trigger NATO obligations. Meanwhile, Canada and the EU are rapidly reshuffling trade alliances away from the U.S.
This week, former DOJ special counsel Jack Smith will testify to Congress as Trump heads to Davos to unveil his self-appointed “Board of Peace,” tasked with overseeing Gaza’s future. Trump plans to chair the board, charge countries $1 billion to participate, and has invited members ranging from U.S. allies to Russia and Belarus.
In Iran, mass protests continue amid a near-total internet blackout, with reports estimating more than 13,000 deaths in recent days. Iranian state TV was briefly hacked to air messages urging revolt, while the FAA warned airlines to prepare for possible military activity affecting flights across parts of Latin America and the Pacific.
Back in the U.S., Trump declined — for now — to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, while placing 1,500 troops on standby and opening investigations into Minnesota’s governor and Minneapolis’s mayor. He also floated plans to sue JPMorgan Chase over alleged political “debanking.”
Finally, Virginia lawmakers moved to redraw congressional maps ahead of the midterms, opening yet another front in the rapidly escalating gerrymandering wars.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
The New Republic: Trump Snubs Machado After Explaining Why He Took Her Nobel Prize
Newsweek: Nobel Foundation Speaks Out After Machado Gifts Trump Peace Prize
NYT: Trump Links His Push for Greenland to Not Winning Nobel Peace Prize
BBC: Trump says he will '100%' carry out Greenland tariffs threat, as EU vows to protect its interests
Politico: Carney to Trump: Back off on Greenland
ABC News: Trump's protectionist trade policies allow China to swoop in
NYT: Gaza’s Board of Peace: What to Know
Reuters: Iran to consider lifting internet ban; state TV hacked
Bloomberg: US Warns Airlines About Military Activity in Parts of Latin America
WaPo: 1,500 troops prepare to possibly deploy to Minnesota, officials say
CBS News: DOJ investigating Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over alleged conspiracy to impede immigration agents
CNBC: Trump threatens to sue JPMorgan Chase for 'debanking' him
NYT: Trump Sets Fraudster Free From Prison for a Second Time
NBC News: Virginia lawmakers pass redistricting amendment, sending it to voters for approval
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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Today’s Headlines: President Donald Trump claims Iran has stopped killing protesters and is reportedly delaying potential U.S. military strikes after warnings from Israel and other allies. Instead, the administration announced new sanctions targeting Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief and 18 others tied to its shadow banking network.
The U.S. Coast Guard seized a sixth oil tanker accused of violating sanctions on Venezuelan oil, while opposition leader María Corina Machado visited the White House, saying she presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize — despite the Nobel Committee’s reminder that prizes aren’t transferable. In a Reuters interview, Trump touted his economy as the strongest in history, dismissed polling opposing U.S. control of Greenland as “fake,” brushed off criticism of his investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and questioned midterm elections.
Tensions escalated in Minneapolis after an ICE agent shot a man during an attempted arrest. DHS says the man entered the U.S. from Venezuela in 2022 and tried to flee, though details remain unclear. As protests grow, Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy the military. The Washington Post also reports that the death of immigrant detainee Geraldo Lunas Campos at a Texas border detention camp will be ruled a homicide, with witnesses alleging he was choked by guards. ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan resigned to run for Congress in Ohio, saying Trump “deserves a Congress that stands firmly behind his agenda.”
Elsewhere, the EEOC is suing the University of Pennsylvania over antisemitism complaints and demanding lists of Jewish-affiliated groups and faculty — raising alarms about the creation of a centralized registry. A federal appeals court also cleared the way for the deportation of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. And finally, the Congressional Budget Office estimates rebranding the Department of Defense as the “Department of War” could cost up to $125 million.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
NYT: Venezuela Opposition Leader Machado Gives Trump Her Nobel Peace Prize: Live Updates
AP News: Live updates: Venezuela’s Machado presents Trump her Nobel Peace Prize
Reuters: Five takeaways from the Reuters interview of President Trump
WaPo: ICE agent shoots man in leg as Minneapolis protests flare
Axios: Trump threatens Insurrection Act for Minnesota
WaPo: Medical examiner believes death of man in ICE custody was homicide, recording says
Axios: ICE deputy director Madison Sheahan resigns to launch GOP campaign for Congress in Ohio
Inquirer: Jewish students and faculty at Penn ask that their names not be turned over in federal antisemitism investigation
CNN: Appeals court reverses decision that freed Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil
Axios: Trump's "Department of War" rebrand could cost $125 million
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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Today’s Headlines: We’re starting in Iran, where airspace has been shut down as the US appears to be preparing for a possible strike — even though Trump says (with zero real verification) that the regime has stopped killing protesters. The internet remains mostly offline, US troops are being evacuated from bases across the Middle East, and Iran is threatening retaliation if Trump gives the green light. Meanwhile, JD Vance and Marco Rubio met with Danish and Greenland officials about Trump’s ongoing obsession with Greenland, walking away with “fundamental disagreements” and a new working group that solved nothing. Several European countries responded by sending troops, aircraft, and ships to Greenland. Back in the US, DHS claims the ICE agent who killed Renee Good is suffering from “internal bleeding,” as Stephen Miller announced via DHS that ICE agents have federal immunity and that interfering with them is a felony. The First Amendment also had a rough day: the FBI searched the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson and seized her devices as part of a leak investigation — while insisting she’s not the target — and the Trump administration opened an investigation into Senator Elissa Slotkin for appearing in a video urging troops to resist illegal orders.The State Department is suspending immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries deemed likely to need public assistance, while also quietly expanding scrutiny of non-immigrant visas. The administration also canceled up to $2 billion in mental health and addiction treatment grants. Elsewhere, the Ford worker who called Trump a “pedophile protector” during a factory visit was suspended, Verizon users endured a widespread outage, and finally, some actual good news: US cancer survival rates are at an all-time high.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
AP News: Trump claims killing of Iran protesters 'has stopped' even as Tehran signals executions ahead
Axios: U.S. evacuates troops from Middle East bases as Trump weighs Iran strikes
Newsweek: Jonathan Ross Update: ICE Agent Suffered Internal Bleeding After Renee Good Shooting
The New Republic: Stephen Miller Delivers Chilling Message to ICE as Violence Grows
WaPo: FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s home
Trump administration is investigating Sen. Slotkin for Democrats' video urging troops to resist 'illegal orders'
AP News: US will suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public assistance concerns
Axios: Trump admin abruptly cancels mental health grants
WaPo: Trump makes obscene gesture, mouths expletives at Detroit factory
NBC News: Widespread Verizon outage prompts emergency alerts in Washington, New York City
US News: U.S. Cancer Survival Rates Reach Record High, Report Says
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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Today’s Headlines: Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned after the DOJ pushed them to investigate the widow of Renee Good — while still refusing to treat the ICE officer who killed Good as a civil rights case. The DOJ is now probing alleged ties between Good’s wife and local ICE protest groups, a move prosecutors called a blatant inversion of justice. At the same time, Rep. Jamie Raskin is pressing DHS over reports that ICE is recruiting pardoned January 6 participants, asking how many now have guns, masks, and badges. That scrutiny comes as more than 50 House Democrats roll out articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for obstruction, civil rights violations, and alleged self-dealing. Trump escalated things in Detroit, announcing he’ll cut off federal funding to sanctuary cities and states starting February 1 — targeting 11 states and D.C. labeled as sanctuary jurisdictions. Abroad, Iran’s regime crackdown has reportedly killed more than 2,000 protesters. Trump says he’s canceled talks with Tehran, urged protesters to “take over your institutions,” slapped new tariffs on countries doing business with Iran, and — as the regime jams Starlink — the White House has reportedly held quiet talks with exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi. In Epstein news, Bill and Hillary Clinton refused to testify before the House Oversight Committee about Jeffrey Epstein, instead sending an eight-page letter arguing the subpoenas are invalid and noting they already submitted sworn statements the committee accepted from others. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court heard arguments on state bans targeting transgender athletes, with signs the justices are unlikely to strike them down. And civil rights trailblazer Claudette Colvin, whose defiance on a Montgomery bus at 15 helped ignite the civil rights movement, has died at 86.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
NYT: Six Prosecutors Quit Over DOJ Push to Investigate Renee Good’s Widow
Axios: "Who's behind the masks": Raskin seeks answers on Jan. 6 defendants hired by ICE
Axios: Scoop: Over 50 House Dems sign onto Kristi Noem impeachment articles
Politico: White House to end funding to sanctuary cities and states on Feb. 1
AP News: Trump pressures Iran with tariffs that could raise prices in the US
WaPo: Iran jams Starlink, protesters’ lifeline. Trump, Musk say that won’t stand.
Axios: Scoop: Trump's envoy secretly met Iran's exiled crown prince
WaPo: Supreme Court appears skeptical of arguments against bans of trans athletes
AP News: Claudette Colvin, who refused to move seats on a bus at start of civil rights movement, dies at 86
NYT: Bill and Hillary Clinton Refuse to Testify in Epstein Inquiry - The New York Times
TMZ: President Trump Filmed Flipping Off Ford Worker Who Yells 'Pedophile Protector' at Him
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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Today’s Headlines: After a year of publicly badgering Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not bending interest rates to his personal preferences, the Trump administration is now having the DOJ investigate Powell over his testimony about renovations to the Fed’s DC headquarters. Powell responded with a rare straight-to-camera video accusing Trump of using the probe as retaliation for not manipulating rates. Meanwhile, the Defense Department announced it’s taking a $150 million preferred equity stake in ATALCO, the only major U.S. producer of gallium — a critical mineral used in military radar and satellites — in a move that looks a lot like soft nationalization but for national security. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly is suing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after Hegseth tried to strip him of his Navy captain rank and retirement benefits, a fight that is very much still unfolding. Trump’s EPA also announced it will stop factoring in lives saved and health benefits when setting air pollution regulations, which feels like an interesting new definition of “cost-benefit analysis.” In labor news, roughly 15,000 nurses at major NYC hospitals went on strike demanding safer staffing ratios, better pay, and improved security — aka the bare minimum to keep hospitals functioning. On the tech-politics crossover beat, Meta named Dina Powell McCormick — former Trump deputy national security adviser and wife of GOP Sen. David McCormick — as its new president and vice chair, a hire Trump was thrilled to personally endorse online. Elsewhere, a 19-year-old appeared in federal court on arson charges for allegedly setting fire to Mississippi’s historic Beth Israel Congregation synagogue, and former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola announced she’s running for Alaska’s U.S. Senate seat in 2026, giving Dems at least one race to daydream about.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
WSJ: U.S. Prosecutors Are Investigating Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Bloomberg: Trump Administration Takes Stake in Critical Mineral Firm ATALCO
Axios: Mark Kelly hits Hegseth with lawsuit over Navy rank demotion threats
NYT: E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved by Limiting Air Pollution
NYT: Nearly 15,000 Nurses Go on Strike at Major New York City Hospitals
Alaska Public: Mary Peltola enters Alaska U.S. Senate race
NYT: New York Seeks Ban on A.I.-Generated Images of Candidates
CNBC: Meta names former Trump advisor Dina Powell McCormick as president, vice chair
Clarion Ledger: Hearing set for Madison County man accused of setting fire at Beth Israel in MS
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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Today’s Headlines: After two weeks of nationwide protests, Iran looks closer than ever to a regime collapse. The government shut down the internet all weekend, blamed the U.S. and Israel, and threatened retaliation — while Trump publicly backed protesters online, which historically only makes things messier. In the U.S., a 160-year-old synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi was set on fire early Saturday. No one was hurt, a suspect is in custody, and the congregation — which survived a KKK bombing in 1967 — says it will rebuild. Trump also sat down with the New York Times and said the only thing restraining him is “my own morality,” claimed owning Greenland is “psychologically needed for success,” and suggested NATO could be optional. Around the same time, references to his impeachments quietly disappeared from his Smithsonian portrait label. In Minneapolis, tensions escalated after video showed ICE officer Jonathan Ross switching hands to draw his gun before killing Renee Good. Instead of de-escalating, DHS announced hundreds more federal agents, ICE plans to hire 10,000 more officers, and JD Vance promised “door-to-door” deportations, as a Washington Post report detailed ICE’s push to churn out violent arrest videos for social media. Trump also failed to convince oil companies to reinvest in Venezuela, then declared a national emergency anyway to shield $2.5 billion in Venezuelan oil revenue, calling it a U.S. national security issue. Finally, courts blocked Trump from freezing $10 billion in welfare funds to blue states and from cutting NIH research grants, while December jobs numbers showed modest growth — data Trump leaked early on social media because, apparently, impulse control is optional.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
The Atlantic: Is the Iranian Regime About to Collapse?
Axios: Trump says U.S. is ready to help Iranians get freedom
AP News: Suspect arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire damages a historic Mississippi synagogue
NYT: An Interview With Donald Trump
AP News: Reference to Trump's impeachments is removed from the display of his Smithsonian photo portrait
NBC News: New cellphone video shows victim interacting with ICE officer moments before fatal shooting in Minneapolis
NYT: ‘Hundreds More’ Federal Agents to be Deployed to Minneapolis After ICE Shooting
USA Today: Immigration enforcement ramp-up has only just begun, VP Vance promises
WAPo: Inside ICE’s social media machine creating viral arrest videos
Politico: ‘Uninvestable’: Trump pitch to oil execs yields no promises
Axios: Trump declares national emergency to shield Venezuelan oil cash
Texas Tribune: Texas hands over complete list of registered voters to Trump administration
Politico: Judge blocks Trump’s $10B welfare fund freeze
Seattle Times: Judges block Trump plan to cut research money, including $120M for WA
AP News: Trump brushes off early posting of confidential jobs figures
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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Today’s Headlines: In Portland, Customs and Border Patrol agents shot two people during a vehicle stop — both were hospitalized, the FBI is now on scene, and DHS says it was “targeted.” In Minneapolis, the Trump administration continues to fully defend the ICE officer who killed Renee Good. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the FBI is taking over the investigation, cutting Minnesota out of access to its own evidence, while insisting the officer followed his training. Governor Tim Walz pushed back hard, accusing ICE of raiding a nearby school and using chemical agents on school grounds, forcing closures and prompting him to warn protesters to stay peaceful as the administration appears eager to escalate. Vice President JD Vance then took the podium to claim the ICE officer has absolute immunity, shame the media for portraying Good as innocent, and argue the officer’s past injury explains his behavior. Public pressure is starting to land: Avelo Airlines is cutting ties with ICE and shutting down its Arizona base, while Hilton dropped a Minneapolis-area franchise after it refused to host ICE agents. The Epstein saga keeps unraveling, with House Oversight approving subpoenas for Les Wexner and Epstein’s estate executors, and lawmakers pushing for a special master to force DOJ compliance on the files. On Venezuela, Trump has sidelined intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, Senate Republicans advanced a War Powers resolution to curb further military action, and Trump responded by calling for those senators to be voted out. Elsewhere in chaos, Trump floated buying $200 billion in mortgage bonds, Warner Bros. rejected Paramount again in favor of Netflix, the White House may add an entire story to the West Wing for “symmetry,” and the UK is openly considering banning X over Grok-generated deepfake porn.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
ABC News: Man, woman shot by federal agent in Portland during 'targeted' vehicle stop: Officials
WSJ: FBI Blocks State Law Enforcement From ICE Shooting Investigation
KARE 11: Walz speaks with press after ICE agent shoots, kills woman
PBS: WATCH: Vance blames victim of fatal ICE shooting at White House briefing
Axios: Key airline used by Trump for deportations cuts ties with ICE
Reuters: Hilton drops Minneapolis hotel over cancelled ICE bookings
NBC News: House committee votes to issue more subpoenas related to Jeffrey Epstein
WSJ: Tulsi Gabbard Sidelined From Venezuela Planning
Axios: These Republicans broke from Trump in rare split over Venezuela war powers
Axios: House passes ACA subsidies extension
CNN: Trump orders ‘my representatives’ to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds in effort to lower housing costs
Reuters: Paramount again tells Warner Bros its offer trumps Netflix's
WSJ: White House Ballroom Architect Says a West Wing Addition Is Under Consideration
Telegraph: Elon Musk’s X could be banned in Britain over AI chatbot row
The Atlantic: Fast Times at Immigration and Customs Enforcement - The Atlantic
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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Today’s Headlines: Officials identified Renee Nicole Good — a U.S. citizen — as the woman shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis after he fired three rounds into her car at close range. Video shows Good waving agents around her stopped vehicle before they approached on foot. Despite the footage, Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled her a “domestic terrorist,” a claim Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called “bullshit” while telling ICE to leave the city. Meanwhile, the administration says the U.S. will take over selling Venezuela’s blockaded oil “indefinitely,” with proceeds routed through offshore accounts overseen by Trump — though Energy Secretary Chris Wright insists the money will eventually benefit Venezuelans. Trump also bragged that the U.S. seized a massive Russian-flagged oil tanker and, when asked what happens to the oil, replied: “We keep it, I guess.” On Greenland, leaders in Greenland and Denmark are rejecting any U.S. move to acquire the territory and have requested emergency NATO talks — warning it could destabilize the alliance. European partners are now prepping contingency defense plans of their own. In other news, Trump floated banning large investors from buying single-family homes (details TBD… allegedly coming “in two weeks”), while also publicly pressuring defense contractors to cap executive pay and ramp up production — singling out Raytheon as not sufficiently obedient. And in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling a special session to gerrymander.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
Axios: Woman killed by ICE in Minneapolis identified as Renee Nicole Good
WSJ: U.S. to Control Venezuelan Oil Sales Indefinitely
AP News: Trump says US has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela
The Guardian: Marco Rubio says he will meet Danish officials to discuss Greenland next week
Kyivpost: Germany Could Join Multinational Force From Outside Ukraine, Merz Says
CNBC: Trump says U.S. to ban large investors from buying homes
Axios: Trump threatens to nix Raytheon's defense contracts
AP News: Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for special session in April to redraw Florida's congressional districts
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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This is the worst timeline