U.S. District Decide Christopher Cooper determined he couldn’t grant a movement from unions representing the employees to quickly block President Donald Trump’s mass firings of federal workers. He did, nonetheless, acknowledge the chaos attributable to Trump’s blitz of second-term govt actions.
Here is the most recent:
Chinese language Vice Premier expresses ‘solemn concern’ over tariffs in video name with US Treasury Secretary
Chinese language Vice Premier He Lifeng has expressed “solemn issues” to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent concerning the Trump administration’s imposition of an additional 10% tariff on imports from China.
The feedback got here in a video name that was Bessent’s first contact with a senior Chinese language official since assuming his publish. Trump mentioned he imposed the tariff as a result of China must do extra to manage the fentanyl commerce. China responded with tariffs on choose American merchandise and different focused measures.
Forward of the decision, Bessent advised Bloomberg that the very first thing he needed to speak about was curbing fentanyl precursor chemical compounds coming from China
Federal decide will contemplate additional blocking Trump administration from freezing funds
The decide will contemplate a request to additional block the Trump administration from freezing trillions of dollars of grants and loans that fund every part from clear vitality packages to bridge repairs to emergency shelters.
U.S. District Court docket Decide John McConnell in Rhode Island, who already accredited a brief restraining order on the funding freeze, is listening to a request for a everlasting injunction from almost two dozen Democrat states. If accredited, it might be the primary order for the reason that Trump administration introduced a sweeping pause on federal help, stirring up a wave of confusion and anxiety throughout the US.
A second lawsuit over the funding freeze by teams representing 1000’s of nonprofits and small companies is being heard by U.S. District Decide Loren AliKhan in Washington, D.C. AliKhan can also be contemplating a request to concern a preliminary injunction.
▶ Learn extra about the lawsuits over funding freezes
Macron says he plans to inform Trump to not “be weak” within the face of Putin amid negotiation talks
Macron is to journey to Washington to fulfill with Trump on Monday, the White Home mentioned.
In a one-hour query and reply session on his social media Thursday, Macron mentioned he’ll inform Trump: “You may’t be weak within the face of President Putin. It’s not you, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your curiosity. How will you then be credible within the face of China in the event you’re weak within the face of Putin?”
Trump’s latest statements that echo Putin’s narrative and plans to have direct negotiations with Moscow have left European allies and Ukrainian officials worried. However Macron advised Trump’s technique to create “uncertainty” in talks with Russia may truly make Western allies stronger in these talks.
Macron added he would search to steer Trump that U.S. pursuits and Europeans’ pursuits are the identical, telling him: “Should you let Russia take over Ukraine, it might be unstoppable.”
Which means any peace deal should be negotiated with Ukrainians and Europeans across the desk, Macron reaffirmed.
▶ Learn extra about Macron’s comments
Trump holds Black Historical past Month occasion as some businesses skip recognition after anti-DEI order
President Donald Trump speaks as golfer Tiger Woods listens throughout a reception for Black Historical past Month within the East Room of the White Home, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Washington. (Pool through AP)
Trump marked Black Historical past Month on the White Home on Thursday by making an look at a celebratory reception with a shock visitor, golf legend Tiger Woods, whereas calling out different athletes in attendance and marveling on the measurement of the group.
Trump additionally introduced he deliberate to deliver Alice Johnson, a jail reform advocate whom he pardoned in 2020, into his administration to work on clemency points.
The White Home’s Black Historical past Month reception preserved a convention, however it comes within the wake of Trump issuing a wide-ranging executive order ending the federal authorities’s range, fairness and inclusion packages has disrupted its observance elsewhere.
Trump didn’t point out his anti-DEI campaign as he addressed a whole bunch of friends in a reception within the East Room, although he did make a quick reference to the The New York Instances’ “1619 Challenge,” which highlights the lasting penalties of slavery in America.
▶ Learn extra about the Black History Month reception at the White House
How Trump’s mass layoffs elevate the danger of wildfires within the US West, based on fired employees
The Forest Service firings — on the heels of lethal blazes that ripped through Los Angeles final month — are a part of a wave of federal employee layoffs, as Trump’s cost-cutting measures reverberate nationwide.
Staff who maintained trails, eliminated flamable particles from forests, supported firefighters and secured funds for wildfire mitigation say staffing cuts threaten public security, particularly within the West, the place drier and hotter conditions linked to climate change have elevated the depth of wildfires.
“That is 100% a security factor,” mentioned Tanya Torst, who was fired from her place as a U.S. Forest Service partnership coordinator in Chico, California. She recalled the deadly Paradise blaze that killed 85 individuals east of Chico in 2018. “That’s why I’m talking out.”
▶ Learn extra about how the mass firings of federal workers will increase risk of wildfires
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