Mastodawn

You know, I'm seriously considering becoming the uspol news filtering source I always wished I had in the past.

Because a bunch of places sprung up last time that collected everything they possibly could as if to be able to point and boggle at it and make sure everyone else was seeing it, too

But what I WANTED was just "round up the clickbait articles of the day, click, summarize into what responsible (salaried) journalists would have used as the headline in the first place" So you can just read what happened, leave out the speculation, leave out the "he said THIS THING... we don't know what his end position will be, but look we got your ad revenue" and leave out the developing stories that are so developing there's no actual information yet until the time when there actually IS information.

Leave out the schedule for the rest of the week... like ooooh so-and-so is up for a confirmation hearing tomorrow... who cares? we don't care. That's a reporter using us as their blackberry for lack of something to say so far, like this is not a sitcom, we do not need to "next time, on Happy Days" this shit, that should have be at the end of the article about the nomination, not its own article.

Today I'm seeing a billionty ... well, reaction articles, basically, about yesterday's stuff. So we're going to sit here freaking out MORE? No. We did that freakout.

Here's my news cull. For me, lol. Is it helpful for anyone else? This isn't a bad way to read up... looking for only things that actually happened today and aren't just in an intermediate stage or inconsequential to most of us meant I read the rest but didn't dwell overlong.

Today everyone was at the National Cathedral for the inaugural prayer service and the Right Rev. Mariann Budde spoke truth to power beautifully, calling for mercy toward our LGBTQ children and the undocumented.
Record snowfall of up to 6" blanketed the Gulf coast, with sub-freezing temperatures across the southeast tonight. Snow will continue to fall along the eastern seaboard tomorrow.
All federal DEI program staff have been placed on paid leave, pending layoffs. Treasury workers filed suit to prevent reclassification as at-will employees ("Schedule F").
Ross Ulbright, Silk Road founder who had been serving a life sentence, was pardoned.
Secret Service protection of John Bolton, former National Security advisor, was withdrawn despite ongoing threats to his life after a suspected 2022 assassination plot by Iran.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed to block actions and protect birthright citizenship, including one filed by officials from at least twenty states.

A way to help right now:

Migrants whose asylum appointments were abruptly canceled yesterday are now stranded at checkpoints (and there's still about a quarter million people who wanted those appointments). If you can spare a bit, a migrant shelter org I know offhand is https://www.elbuensamaritanomigrante.com/ and there are dozens more, try this: https://hipfunds.org/supporting-migrant-orgs 💜

Home | El Buen Samaritano Migrante

El Buen Samaritano M

Needs a proper name. Low-anxiety news? That's a bold promise. Low-impact? gentle? simple? I dunno. I'll work on it.

Officially, ICE yesterday arrested ~300, but they were planned targets. Reports of indiscriminate raids beginning seem to be rumor.
A 71 year old woman who participated in the Jan 6 riots, Pamela Hemphill, refused a presidential pardon (possibly only the third person to do so in US history). She has publicly stated her belief that the group's actions were wrong.
Trump threatened Russia (on truth.social) with tariffs and sanctions if the war in Ukraine continues.
Bloomberg Philathropies has again pledged to replace the dues the US normally pays to the UNFCCC. The US currently funds 22% of the UN climate framework.
At least 1000 active-duty military personnel have been ordered to the southern border.
Resettlement of Afghan refugees will be suspended Jan 27. The Welcome Corps program has also been canceled, as have scheduled flights for 1600 Afghan refugees.

If you wish to help refugees at particularly high risk due to cancellation of these programs, organizations aiding those from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Syria and Venezuela are good places to start.

lmao I crack myself up
there's no nuance here as I slept through the day

A judge has blocked Monday's executive order denying birthright citizenship to the children of undocumented parents. This is the first successful lawsuit against the administration.
A new fire that broke out in Castaic along the 5 on Wednesday is 36% contained. The whole Angeles National Forest is closed. Additional small fires broke out today, but the other large fires, Palisades and Eaton, are now 75% and 95% contained respectively.
Trump signed orders to release classified files on JFK, RFK and MLK Jr. As 99% of files on JFK have already been released, this will likely expose the identities of protected sources who are still alive.
Trump spoke at Davos indicating the goal worldwide should be to slash interest rates and expressing protectionist goals.
ICE raids begin in earnest, with a consensus 500+ detained today and a higher number of total arrests, 1300+, likely but not confirmed. The Newark mayor publicly objected to the warrantless detention of lawful US citizens, including a US military veteran whose military identification was rejected.
House bill filed to extend Trump's eligibility to a third term is being reported without the context that an earlier bill sought to affirm that the two term limit applies to non-consecutive terms. (The 22nd amendment continues to agree).

when you hear people talking about "cute winter boots," that's organizing tiktok liberals while getting around the auto-moderator. (Some are making it weird).

A border patrol death reported earlier this week has led to the arrest of a 21 year old woman (and death of the passengers thereof) who had been under surveillance for traveling with tactical gear and firearms. The original stop was an immigration check because the (now deceased) German owner's visa had expired.
A Chicago school turned away agents they believed were ICE trying out their new directive to detain people even in schools and churches. Mistaken identity, but now there's precedent for refused entry onto school grounds.
Additional former coworkers of Trump's have lost their security details, now including Dr. Fauci, who receives regular threats.
Deportation flights were sent to Guatemala but flights to Mexico were halted. Flights resumed quickly and the incident described as an administrative issue, but not until after the internet decided it was a firm stand against Trump's tariff threats.
Pete Hegseth was confirmed as DOD secretary only by a tie-breaking vote. Earlier this week, he was accused of abusing his second wife, adding to a laundry list of ethical concerns.
Foreign Aid to Ukraine has been frozen as well, but we continue to supply Israel.

It was a day for a lot of news, but not a lot of News within it. Trump said, Trump said, Trump said.... and we never know what he means. That'll be the last entry on the list:

Trump said a lot of things and was a general embarrassment. Updates will follow if anything comes of any of it.

ok let's just stick with this

Since yesterday, Trump removed inspectors general from their posts in at least a dozen federal departments, effective immediately. These officials were introduced in 1978 to serve as auditors and oversight for their departments. Their contracts were violated in the order, as they require 30 days' notice and a reason presented to Congress for their removal.
Foreign aid is now frozen to ALL nations, including Israel, but Israel will now be receiving 1800 Mark-84 bombs which Biden had been refusing to send since May due to fears they would be used against civilians (more). This action is being taken during a ceasefire period.
Kristi Noem was confirmed as secretary of Homeland Security on a bipartisan basis.
A minister spoke out and Brazilian police intervened to remove restraints the US had placed on arrivals from deportation flights. Lula had the passengers transferred to a Brazilian air force plane for the remainder of their journey.
After a year panda-less, Bao Li and Qing Bao have debuted at the National Zoo, renewing our panda partnership with China. You can watch them during the daytime at https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams/panda-cam 🐼🎍

Giant Panda Cam

Watch the giant pandas at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo starting in January 2025.

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

ICE reports nearly 1000 people arrested today. Officials now admit that the promise of deporting "millions" by aircraft was never practicable.
Trump created a review board to recommend overhauls to FEMA, but lacks the power to dismantle it.
A second Jan 6 rioter has refused his pardon and now accepts guilt. (The guy who broke into an office and drank a bottle of wine).
The Hezbollah and Israel ceasefire has been extended to Feb 18.

The following two items currently represent bad outcomes AVERTED for now:

Trump approached Jordan with an ethnic cleansing plan to relocate a million Palestinians to purpose-built housing in Jordan and Egypt. They refused. Jordan did not publish this information, but the White House did.
After refusing deportation flights, Colombia was threatened with 50% tariffs by the US and immediately returned the threat with 50% tariffs of their own, then both backed down. Colombia sent their Presidential plane to fetch their people with dignity.

A collection of Quaker groups have filed suit about the directive to ICE to proceed with arrests in churches.
The 2021 executive order reinstating transgender service members has been rescinded.
Service members who refused covid vaccination and were discharged are now able to rejoin and collect back pay.
Trump terminated members of the Justice Department assigned to the two criminal cases for which he was prosecuted.
Workers in Philadelphia voted to form the first union in a Whole Foods store.

There is a large outbreak of tuberculosis in Kansas. Two have died in the past year and there are currently ~80 active cases. TB is treated by months of antibiotics and spreads through respiratory contact and raw milk.
A judge canceled a broad federal funding freeze set to go into effect at 5pm. State AGs filed an additional suit to block the freeze (which does not include direct payments).
Transgender service members and prospective members have filed suit re: yesterday's service ban.
Trump banned federal funding for gender transition for minors. This includes healthcare provided to military families and federal workers as well as medicaid. Nearly half of children in the US rely on federal funding for health coverage, though many are children 5 and under.

Last one's a little tricky because I want to break it apart but I also want you to understand no one is USING this full document yet, only the first section. An Office of Personnel Management memo highlighted four "pillars" for reforming the federal workplace.

Federal employees were offered nearly eight months of pay and benefits without in-person in exchange for deferred resignation (many will likely be placed on administrative leave).

introduced an unknown performance standard/assessment process

notice of intention to begin furloughs, reductions in force and the reclassification of many federal workers to at-will employees

"enhances" conduct standards on the basis of reliability, loyalty, trustworthiness and striving for excellence. This specifically mentions unlawful behavior as potential cause for termination, though there are already considerable ethical conduct guidelines and agreements in place for federal workers.

The specific items included here may be intended to override the confines of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which created our post-Nixon concept of the "career" civil servant who cannot be fired without just cause and retains clearly protected political speech and right to protest. Expect legal challenges on various grounds.

The memo regarding a federal funding freeze, blocked yesterday, was rescinded. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 forces the executive branch's expenditure of funds appropriated by Congress.
A passenger flight arriving from Kansas with 64 on board collided with a military helicopter on a training flight above Reagan National Airport (DCA), sending both craft into the Potomac River. Impact forces and near-freezing water limit survivability of this event, but a count of casualties has not been released.
Trump ratified the Laken Riley Act, the first new law of his second term. This requires the detention of any undocumented immigrants who are arrested, face charges or have committed theft (which often leads to a citation and release).
Trump ordered the preparation of the Guantánamo Bay Migrant Operations Center for up to 30,000 undocumented immigrants, the highest-priority "criminals." This appears intended to operate independently of the high-security prison at Guantánamo, currently housing fifteen.
ICE raids have now led to the illegal detention of lawful US citizens, including members of the Navajo Nation.
Trump signed an order instructing federal agencies to identify ways to deport resident aliens who are pro-Palestinian activists and demonstrators.

Tank running on empty and already out of new photos of your favorite baby zoo animals? Check out www.zooborns.com for some lesser-known new friends from past months.

ZooBorns

The Newest and Cutest Exotic Baby Animals from Zoos and Aquariums Around the World!

The FDA approved suzetrigine, a first-in-class pain signal blocker and opiate alternative to treat acute pain with minimal sedation or addiction risks.
Trump signed an executive order to investigate ... not yesterday's plane crash, or the apparent ATC staffing shortage, but all FAA hiring in the past four years, targeting disabled and minority employees.
A federal court struck down the ban on handgun sales to 18-20 year olds, in place since 1968.

Two side notes on that last:

The original Gun Control Act set handgun sale ages at 21 and long guns at 18, viewing the handgun as the weapon requiring more maturity. The intention here has broken over modern times and weapons technology, leaving the AR-15 rifle most often used in mass shootings legal for ownership at age 18.

This is for federal dealer licensed sales, not private sales. It also does not reflect state restrictions on buyer ages, which range from 16-21 on handguns.

good night, good night

A medevac plane carrying six crashed in Philadelphia, causing fires on the ground.
FBI leaders have been directed to supply a list of all employees ever involved in the Jan 6 investigations. It was the largest case in FBI history.
The director of the Census Bureau has resigned.
The acting Treasury secretary has resigned.
25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico and 10% tariffs on China may go into effect today (Feb 1). European Union tariffs have now been promised.
Government websites now read LGB only.
Louisiana has issued arrest warrants regarding a NY doctor issuing an online prescription of abortion pills later used by a minor. This could be the first test of New York's "shield" laws, intended to protect abortion providers from prosecution or extradition across state lines.
California's Eaton and Palisades wildfires are now 100% contained.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 measures an estimated 40-100m across and has a 1-in-77 chance of hitting Earth in 2032.

Trump ordered an airstrike on an ISIS leader in Somalia.
Trump fired the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Tariffs went into effect, and Canada and Mexico retaliated in kind. Natural gas and oil from Canada are set at a 10% tariff rather than 25%.
Musk and associated forced their way into access to the Treasury payment system, though possibly read-only access.
Democrats elected Ken Martin as their new national chairperson. 24 year old Parkland school shooting survivor David Hogg won his election as one of three vice chairs.

Good morning, folks.

I could collect these over the day and release them on a schedule at the same time every evening. I haven't. Why? Well, I'm tired and don't want to set that up. But also, I like being able to wait to tell you how things turn out. Like the trade war with Colombia that was over before it began. Like the funding freeze that was easily blocked (twice) and rescinded completely... someone reading a weekly paper would have encountered that as a laughable blunder, not the horror we read it as, and which constant news-checkers lived through in agonizing real-time.

And I think, for sanity's sake, we should REMEMBER that the truth eventually ends up somewhere in the middle.

Someone recommended this, and I think if you are getting scared out of control, you should take some time and go read it: https://archive.ph/WrNy5 and you might feel a little more powerful.

Here's the news:

Musk has declared the world's single largest donor, USAid, to be "criminal'" and is trying to shut it down (technically illegal, as it's funded as an independent agency by Congress). USAid provides 42% of all humanitarian aid recorded by the UN.
Trump revoked temporary protection status for 300,000 Venezuelans currently in the US. This status does not create a path to citizenship and exists for humanitarian purposes only.
protests in Arkansas
protests in Missouri
protests in multiple cities in Georgia
protests in multiple cities in Texas
protests in multiple cities in California
downtown Los Angeles brought to a standstill by protestors blocking the 101 in both directions
other small and large, planned and spontaneous demonstrations nationwide. Many such protests are scheduled all day, every day at central locations.

I've been doing these posts for people who are ill or need to stay informed but minimize the stress impact since administration day two. It was pointed out that if I use hashtags, people can separate the thread from other uspol content. But that means posting on public instead of unlisted. Please forgive my noise and filter out (or follow, or ignore) #QuietNews however you see fit.

The tariffs on Mexico and Canada are delayed at least 30 days. Both countries announced updated border strategies (similar to their existing plans - this was Trump mostly backing off).
The 10% tariff on China may still go into effect today (Feb 4). China plans to enact retaliatory tariffs/export controls on Feb 10 and filed a complaint with the WTO.
The White House claims it will dismantle the Department of Education, primarily a student protection body, but cannot do so without Congress. (Same deal as USAID from yesterday: the President's power doesn't extend to agency closure).
El Salvador offered prison space for deportees of any nationality as well as US criminals. This is likely illegal under US and international law.
Elon Musk is classified as a "special government employee," a position which does not require confirmation, disclosure of assets or a conflict of interest statement, but which only allows 130 days of employment.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform friends and others who need staying informed to have minimal impact on health. Please reply only in kind.

A judge blocked the order forcing transfer of women to men's prisons and removal of gender-affirming care.
Thirty federal lawsuits are in progress against the administration's actions to date.
The USPS has stopped accepting packages temporarily from China and Hong Kong (more of which will now be subject to duties).
During a press conference with Netanyahu, Trump floated the idea of the US taking over and rebuilding Gaza into "the riviera of the Middle East."
Congress put a hold on Trump’s $1 billion arms sale to Israel.
Today (Feb 5) marks the 50501 Protests (50 states, 50 protests, one day) which will mostly happen at state capitol buildings at noon.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

A second judge blocked the order to limit birthright citizenship until that case is decided.
Partial names of all CIA probationary employees (recent hires) were sent over an unclassified method.
Senate Democrats seek to delay confirmation of Russell Vought, nominated to direct the OMB, who believes the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is unconstitutional.

Sidenote on this last: there have been no successful challenges to this act, which compels the executive branch to defer to legislators over expenditures. When an administration proposes recission of particular funds to Congress, that proposal must be approved within 45 session days or else the funds are released. This is a failsafe to prevent the Executive branch from unilaterally refusing to spend appropriated funds indefinitely. Judges are likely to frown upon the current attempts to bypass this legal process.

In recent years this act has been successfully used to overturn the Obama administration's misappropriation of funds for ACA cost-sharing reduction payments and force Trump to provide military aid to Ukraine in 2019.

Trump ordered a ban on transgender athletes which will impact the NCAA through Title IX and potentially the USOPC due to its governmental oversight. In recent years the NCAA has heavily recruited international athletes, and the DHS secretary has been directed to apply this order to the visa process.
The new Transportation Secretary has invited DOGE to make aviation "safety upgrades."
Amtrak's running a flash sale ending today (Feb 6) to bring a friend along to enjoy your first class roomette rental for free. 🛤️

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

Trump issued his order to agencies to identify ten existing regulations or guidance documents to repeal for each new one introduced, similar to a (minimally effective) two-for-one deregulation scheme in his first term. Individual regulations for particular industries can number into the hundreds of thousands. This "x-for-y" approach is used in multiple other countries.
The State Department's twitter account announced US ships would no longer pay fees to use the Panama Canal. The canal authority immediately disagreed.
A viral video by AOC noted that tax cuts benefitting the ultra-wealthy expire this year and must be funded to be extended. DOGE et al may simply hope to find a spare $4 trillion in the couch.
A judge blocked transfer of Department of Labor records to DOGE until today's (Feb 7) decision whether to grant a temporary restraining order.
A judge has halted the attempted buyout of remote federal workers to consider its legality (and apparent bypass of a rule limiting administrative leave to ten days) ~60,000 ultimately agreed of the 2.3 million civilian executive branch workers.
A judge temporarily barred DOGE employees from accessing Treasury records, allowing only two people working for the treasury department to maintain read-only access. One promptly resigned after his racist twitter posts were published.

(That AOC video is well over an hour long and I watched it so you don't have to. It was mostly organizing 101: bite off only what you can chew, chosen from the areas where you can actually have an impact, and don't just stand in front of the media firehose nonstop while people are using these shock doctrine tactics).

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

Trump attempted to fire the FEC Commission chair, who refused to leave her post in the independent, bipartisan commission to protect democratic voting rights. His powers do not extend to removal of heads of independent regulatory agencies, and the recently fired NLRB chair has already sued for wrongful dismissal. This committee member's term was up in 2008 and she would be automatically dismissed from the commission if her replacement were appointed, but that doesn't seem to have happened, and this may be attempted retaliation rather than a planned takeover.
Trump dismissed the CFPB head. (That one IS legal).
Four government agencies targeted by DOGE for budget cuts or illegal shutdown have now refused physical access to Democratic legislators attempting to meet with various officials.
A judge blocked the placement of 2,200 USAID employees on administrative leave without addressing other aspects of the closure attempt.
OPM has requested the names and job information from all federal divisions of every employee with a history of underperformance within the past three years.
Trump announced he will be taking over as chair of the Kennedy Center, reworking its board and deciding its programming, specifically to remove drag shows.
Trump signed an order freezing aid to South Africa over its recent repeal of an apartheid-era land use law, claiming human rights violations. Trump has framed it as racially-shaped policy of land confiscations directed toward white landowners, though this actually covers things like reclamation of dangerous areas when in the public interest. The administration claims it will prioritize Afrikaner refugee resettlement in the US.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

The NIH dramatically lowered the grant money available for use for administrative costs at research institutions.
A judge temporarily barred transfer of the names of FBI officials who had handled the Jan 6 investigations to the administration.
A judge granted an emergency restraining order banning DOGE from Treasury systems and mandating destruction of data already collected.
Trump issued sanctions against the ICC, setting financial and visa restrictions on its staff, protesting the warrant on Netanyahu.
Trump established a "White House Faith Office," which will have liaisons and similar offices in other agencies.
The AG will be completing a second amendment compliance review of existing regulatory enforcement, rules issued by the ATF, positions in ongoing litigation and more.

And in nice news, the PlayStation network has recovered from its outage of over twelve hours. Nature Human Behaviour published a study last year with a unique experimental design taking advantage of lottery entrant pools for game consoles during the supply shortage. It showed that well-being isn't just correlated with game console ownership, but seems to genuinely be improved by it, so please make time to stack those blocks or go adventuring with your friends or whatever!

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

Trump ordered a stop to production of new pennies (which cost two pennies to create).
Trump threatened new aluminum and steel tariffs at 25% and reciprocal tariffs where the US has a trade imbalance.
The new OMB director was also installed as acting director at the CFPB (the bureau protecting US consumers from predatory financial services) and has effectively shut it down for the next week.
Trump stated that he is committed to "buying and owning Gaza," referring to it as a demolition site.

That's probably enough for today. Let's get some rest.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

A 19 year old with Musk formerly terminated by Booz Allen for sharing company secrets has been granted a senior advisor role in the State department.
Trump said if Hamas has not released all captives by noon on Saturday, he thinks Israel should cancel the ceasefire and "let hell break out." This is being reported as a direct threat issued, but actually comes from more musing remarks to a journalist who asked whether the ceasefire should be called off, and Trump hedged that what actually happens next is up to Israel. He stated his belief that most remaining Hamas hostages, which number in the 70s, are already dead.
A proclamation has been signed to add those 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel. Trump used a similar blanket tariff to negotiate with and carve out exemptions for friendly nations last time, which he'll remove next month if not extended.
The administration went on a corruption-related binge recently. Trump pardoned Rod Blagojevich, accused of trying to sell a senate seat, and the DOJ dropped the current bribery case against NYC mayor Eric Adams. The administration also paused enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which bans companies from bribing foreign governments (edit: shift of focus to cartel investigations/TCOs). Trump fired an ethics official formerly leading the whistleblower-protecting Office of Special Counsel, but he filed suit for wrongful termination and was immediately temporarily reinstated by a judge.
A judge blocked the transfer of three undocumented Venezuelan migrants to Guantánamo Bay over concerns about lack of counsel and due process.
A judge temporarily blocked the plan to restrict NIH funding of administrative costs to only 15%.
A judge indefinitely paused the attempted OPM buyouts of federal worker contracts. This case brings up the Antideficiency Act, barring promises to spend funds not yet appropriated. Salaries are currently funded only through next month.
US District Court judge John McConnell of Rhode Island found the administration in violation of his past order unfreezing federal spending and ordered immediate compliance.

27 religious organizations filed suit to challenge detentions at places or worship on first amendment and religious freedom grounds.
A judge ordered restoration of certain health databases shut down by executive order to the DHHS, CDC and FDA by midnight. (I can now access data from one CDC page that had been removed).
A Venezuelan migrant held in Guantánamo's migrant facility as one of ten suspected members of Tren de Aragua may be an innocent asylum seeker profiled and falsely identified as a gang member based on his choice of tattoos.
A widespread canned tuna recall for botulism is available on the FDA site, including products sold in 26 states.
DOGE will have approval over job openings and OPM is tasked with ensuring four people leave for every new hire.
The AP, whose style guide retains "Gulf of Mexico," was barred from two events open to the press over this policy.
Paper straws are now banished from the federal government.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

An atmospheric river prompted evacuation warnings over fears of mudslides in wildfire-damaged areas of Los Angeles.
House Republicans released a budget plan, which would raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion and provide $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthy. This would involve steep cuts to Medicaid and likely food assistance for low-income families.
The injunction on the OPM remote worker buyout was lifted. The judge determined the unions filing suit did not have standing and individual affected workers should first exhaust internal processes.
Egypt's President Sisi refuses to visit the White House for talks if Trump's ethnic cleansing plan makes the agenda.
Upon further observation, scientists have doubled their odds that the asteroid heading toward us in 2032 will strike.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

A judge temporarily required the administration to disburse foreign aid which was already in place before Trump took office.
With RFK Jr. confirmed, Trump established the "Make America Healthy Again" commission, marking a likely shift from treating infectious disease toward a focus on chronic illness, environmental chemical use and food additives.
USAID workers sued Elon Musk. Although these workers likely do not have standing, this could still lead to disclosure about Musk's exact role and actions, and whether he's inappropriately filling a role that needed Senate confirmation.
Trump has instructed his team to draft plans for reciprocal tariffs, matching other countries based on what they already apply.
Multiple officials have now resigned rather than comply with the order to drop corruption charges against NYC Mayor Adams, an order for which no legal basis was ever given. Danielle Sassoon, acting US attorney for the Southern District of NY (appointed as interim attorney by the Trump administration last month) refused to drop charges and resigned, and deputy attorney general Emil Bove put two additional prosecutors on administrative leave, threatening retaliatory investigations of all three.

Bove then attempted to transfer the case to each of the acting heads of the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section and Criminal Division, both of whom resigned rather than accepting the case. For the moment, it remains active.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

The administration went on a fresh firing spree, removing thousands of probationary workers and others in a variety of agencies.
The National Nuclear Security Administration is now running around trying to quickly recall their fired workers (with hundreds flagged for potential removal out of ~1800 total), who protect and maintain the US nuclear weapons stockpile.
Hundreds showed up on short notice to demonstrate at the Stonewall National Monument in response to the erasure of transgender participation in the Stonewall Riots on the site's webpage.
DOGE have been accused of improperly publishing classified information to their website.
The new Defense secretary cast doubt on US support for Ukraine on a trip to Europe (and he also took along human garbage fire, Jack Posobiec). Vice President Vance spoke to the head of Germany's far-right AfD party (and not its chancellor).
At least one more attorney resigned, but eventually Emil Bove found someone to drop charges against NYC Mayor Adams. While this has been going on, apparently Adams' office have been preparing to sue the federal government over $80m in removed FEMA funds that had been intended for migrant services. (The timing is unclear here, whether the dropped charges might have been an attempt to avoid this suit).
Ohio legislators have proposed a "Conception Begins at Erection Act," following Mississippi's example in pointedly filing legislation that points out the hypocrisy in anti-abortion laws. This one would ban cishet men from participating in unprotected sex for purposes other than procreation.
Trump ordered federal funding rescinded from schools in areas with covid-19 vaccination mandates for students. (There are no states that mandate covid-19 vaccination for public school students).

I'm taking tomorrow off and will do a weekend update on Sunday night.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

The first case about Trump's attempted firing of heads of independent agencies is heading to the Supreme Court. Hampton Dellinger, head of the US Office of Special Counsel, sued and a judge temporarily blocked the firing. An appeals court refused to overturn the first judge's order.
The White House and DOGE are seeking access to the IDRS, which allows IRS employees to access detailed taxpayer information and records.
The State Department has removed a statement indicating the US does not support independence for Taiwan from its website.
A Missouri judge blocked regulations which were dramatically limiting the ability to provide abortion access and violating the will of voters who had enshrined abortion as a right in their state constitution.
Trump posted "He who saves his Country does not violate any Law" to his truth social account, drawing widespread condemnation.
The US and Russia will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss the potential end of Russia's invasion, but did not invite Ukraine. President Zelenskyy insists that America, Europe, Ukraine and Russia must all be involved in talks.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

The National Weather Service issued extreme cold warnings for 11 states as wind chills dropped to -60F/-51C in North Dakota, Appalachia contended with flooding that left more than a dozen people dead and avalanche warnings were issued in the Rockies.
President's Day was marked by widespread protest, with demonstrators reminding the white house that the US has presidents, not kings.
Border official Tom Homan claimed a record low number of daily border encounters during an interview of only 229, inviting comparison to more than 11k daily under Biden but it's unclear what he meant by an "encounter."
The White House claimed in a court document that Elon Musk is not an employee of DOGE and has no decision-making authority.
Michelle King, the Social Security Administration's acting commissioner, stepped down over DOGE's request to access the private information of Social Security recipients.
Former CNN telejournalist Jim Acosta is urging a media boycott in response to the administration's barring of the Associated Press over their refusal to write "Gulf of America" into their style guide.
The Washington Post, owned by Jeff Bezos, pulled out of a $115k advertising deal last minute where the paper would have run a "Fire Elon Musk" two-page ad.
The administration has been unable to contact fired individuals whose jobs had been to reassemble nuclear warheads because they can't find personal email addresses for them.
Donald Trump's media company announced a $400+ million loss.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

Despite increased interest in reporting airplane-related incidents in recent news broadcasts, last month's US airplane-related accidents were actually recorded at an all-time low, following the safest year on record.
Trump has taken the position that Ukraine should have simply made a deal with Russia if they didn't want to get invaded.
A judge declined to temporarily bar DOGE from accessing government information systems, signaling that though the overall case to remove access is strong, it doesn't meet an imminent/irreparable harm standard to warrant emergency action.
Notably, in the same lawsuit the judge issued the following as a note: "Defense counsel is reminded of their duty to make truthful representations to the court."
The administration ordered a report about the possibility of making IVF more affordable.
Trump ordered details about cut programs and grants to be made public "as the heads of agencies deem appropriate to promote the policies of [his] Administration."
Trump signed an executive order that would put independent regulatory agencies under his oversight control.
The asteroid's chances of hitting the Earth have now risen to 3.1%, the highest ever rated.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

An appeals court declined to reinstate Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship in defiance of the Fourteenth Amendment. It's likely the DOJ will file an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court.
The three Venezuelan men who had successfully sued to stop their transfer to the migrant facility at Guantánamo were simply deported the next day.
An Alabama grand jury has recommended that the Hanceville police department be disbanded following various felony charges issued to five of its members, including the chief, during a probe into a workplace overdose.
A stop-work order was issued on an NGO contract which provided legal services for migrants. 26,000 unaccompanied migrant children now living in foster care may now have to represent themselves in immigration court.
Trump stated he appointed Musk to lead DOGE in direct contradiction to a DOJ filing earlier this week.
DOGE has been placing false "savings" information to its website touting its successes, misunderstanding how budgets are structured.
The Department of Agriculture is attempting to locate and rehire several workers involved in the bird flu response who were fired indiscriminately.
The Pentagon has been instructed to find 8% of its budget to cut.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

Trump ordered the closure of the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database (which was his idea, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, and tracks excessive violence events by federal police).
A judge ruled that the administration had not fully complied with an order reversing the freeze on foreign aid disbursement, and ordered immediate compliance (not yet holding anyone in contempt).
DHS will end temporary protections for 500k Haitian migrants effective in August, six months earlier than the current extension had targeted.
After court filings indicated that 177 (178?) Venezuelan migrants being held at the Guantánamo may not have lawyer access (and a court ordered that they be given phone access), DHS deported all detainees. For the moment, the Guantánamo migrant detention facility sits empty.
The Wall Street Journal published a report indicating twitter may be pressuring advertisers to resume ad purchasing under an implied threat of government interference.
Approximately 6% of the IRS workforce is being cut. The Commerce Secretary made comments this week indicating that the end goal for the administration is to abolish the IRS entirely, moving to an "External Revenue Service" which would fund the government from tariffs, duties and eliminate income taxes.
NASA no longer thinks the asteroid has an unusually high chance to hit us. It has increased its odds that it will hit the moon, though! 🌔

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

The Associated Press is suing over its ban from press events on first and fifth amendment (due process) grounds.
The Pentagon paused plans for a more dramatic reduction in workforce upon reviewing the legality of civilian worker firings, which limit dramatic restructuring of the civilian workforce without a multi-point review.
The Supreme Court declined to back the administration's appeal to block the head of the Office of Special Counsel, an independent whistleblower agency, from remaining in office while the legality of his firing is determined.
A judge blocked portions of the administration's attempt at a DEI purge, temporarily declaring “equity-related” contracts cannot be frozen or canceled and grant recipients need not certify their programs are not pushing DEI.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of the Navy and the vice chief of the Air Force have been removed from their posts. This includes the second Black chairman to serve and the first woman to serve. A move to replace all three Judge Advocates General was also telegraphed.
Trump fired the acting director of ICE for not meeting the deportation goal that everyone said all along was impossible.
stonks go down, and I'm taking tomorrow off again. Everyone pet an animal or sing to a plant or something, please

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

The OPM (at Musk's instruction) began sending emails over the weekend requiring federal workers to summarize the work they did in the past five working days. Multiple departments, including the entire intelligence community, have instructed their workers not to reply and to wait for guidance.
Trump released ~5 billion in frozen foreign aid, related primarily to military assistance and arms sale oversight-related parties, counterterrorism efforts and international narcotics-related purposes.
The administration put most USAID employees on administrative leave and the department will reduce headcount by ~1600.
~300 FDA staff members fired last week are being asked to return, including some who were reviewing Neuralink, Musk's brain implant tech, for safety.
The DOJ filed a complaint against a judge hearing arguments opposing the ban on transgender military personnel, claiming that she was being hostile after she expressed frustration at the dehumanizing rhetoric the DOJ was employing.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

The United States voted against a UN resolution condemning the invasion of Ukraine on the third anniversary.
A judge declined to restore AP access to press events on an emergency basis, but noted that precedent may support their case.
AP reported that nearly 40% of contracts DOGE canceled will not save any money. Many have already spent their full allotment.
DHS transferred ~15 people to the Guantánamo Bay facility, but will not be using tents as planned due to lack of air conditioning, electricity (and minimal numbers). The safe capacity of the migrant facility is about 50 currently, not 30,000. After concerns were raised about conditions, every detainee has been promised a call with a lawyer.
The administration issued a memorandum indicating the administration will protect (primarily) US tech firms from foreign taxes, fines and illegal regulations through use of tariffs and other measures.
Trump signed the "America First Investment Policy," intended to facilitate foreign investment and handle national security concerns, restricting investment in China in certain areas.
A judge issued a narrow, temporary injunction on immigration arrests only at places of worship representing the three religious groups which sued (quakers, cooperative baptists and sikhs associated with the sikh temple in California).
A group of national park workers hung the American flag inverted on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park to signal distress following layoffs of 1000 workers.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

21 DOGE staffers that had worked in the civil service prior to their transfer resigned as a group, declaring their refusal to dismantle critical public services.
The US and Ukraine reached an agreement on a framework for an economic deal including access to Ukraine's rare earth metals.
The White House have taken control of the rotation for the presidential pool, removing the independent White House Correspondents' Association from that role. Reporters from HuffPost and Reuters have already been removed and the two newswire services remaining after the ban of the AP must trade off for a single seat.
Trump suggests the US will shortly begin selling "gold cards" as an alternative to green cards, with the aim of $5m offering permanent residency and a path to citizenship.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

The administration is requiring undocumented migrants to file with a registry to track them for mass deportation procedures, with jail time as an alternative.
Trump has posted a ridiculous AI-generated video of "Trump Gaza," including a golden statue of himself, and everyone disliked that.
The administration directed OMB to prepared for mass layoffs of federal workers ahead of March 13. The government is only funded through March 15.
The FDA vaccine committee canceled a meeting to discuss next year's flu vaccine and gave no reason.
The Supreme Court put an administrative hold on a judge's order for Trump to continue paying existing foreign aid contractors.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has temporarily suspended $2b in contract cuts for fear that they will hurt veterans health services.
It is unclear that the State Dept has been ordered to flag or deny any visas using updated gender markers for purposes other than athletic competition attendance or intends to do so, but for that situation, visa bans may be permanent for those whose documentation is deemed fraudulent.
A Texan child is the first death by measles in the US since 2015.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

Trump re-announced the (limited) 25% tariffs for Mexico and Canada and (more universal) 10% for China will go into effect March 4.
Musk is trying to take a $2b contract to modernize ATC systems from Verizon and give it to Starlink instead, in part by disparaging Verizon's system (which doesn't exist yet).
A judge offered relief on the basis that the mass firings of probationary employees are likely unlawful, specifically those orchestrated by OPM on staff outside its own departments. ("“OPM does not have any authority whatsoever, under any statute in the history of the universe...")
The Trump administration reportedly pressured Romanian authorities to release accused sex traffickers Andrew and Tristan Tate, due back in Romania for a hearing next month and facing charges in the UK yet somehow now in Florida.

Today (2/28) is the 24 hour economic blackout originally called for by https://thepeoplesunionusa.com/ (at the bottom of the page). People are joining the effort for such a variety of reasons (anger at high prices, predatory practices of large corporations, DEI program removals, treatment of non-union labor) that it's become a catch-all event going viral across social media.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

Join The Peoples Union

Stand against political corruption with our upcoming economic resistance actions. Join The Peoples Union USA and make your voice heard!

Join The Peoples Union

Iowa's governor has signed a bill stripping gender identity protections from the state constititution.
The Democratic party sued over Trump firing the FEC chair.
800 NOAA workers were fired without an accompanying reduction in weather events.
7000 SSA workers will be fired of 60k, and 6 of its 10 regional offices closed.
DHS requested address information for 700k names from the IRS (which has refused to provide it under their privacy rules, but is seeking to assist).
Trump's meeting with President Zelenskyy ended with the two shouting at each other publicly, no mineral deal, and an early departure by Ukraine.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

DOGE sent out a second round of emails requiring federal workers to summarize their work weeks, indicating these will be weekly reports.
A judge ruled that Trump is not allowed to remove Hampton Dellinger, head for the Office of Special Counsel, the independent department protecting federal civil servants from illegal or unethical activity and preventing reprisal against agency whistleblowers.
The Pentagon is sending 3000 additional US soldiers to the southern border, 500 of whom are in combat aviation. They will not participate in deportation or intercepting migrants, but will participate in monitoring and handle supply needs.
Pro-Ukraine demonstrations took place across the country following yesterday's slights against President Zelenskyy and limited flow of US aid to the country. Vice President Vance and his family were then removed to safety when met with hundreds of angry protestors at their planned ski vacation in Vermont.
A judge blocked Trump's order to cut funding for institutions offering gender-affirming care to minors.
Trump signed an executive order declaring English the official language of the United States, putting at risk many programs designed to enable equal access to government services. 1 in 5 households in the US speak a language other than English.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to NY's $15 broadband law, requiring affordable high-speed internet access for low-income residents. The success of this law has led to similar laws in other states.
The secretary of Defense has directed U.S. Cyber Command to pause offensive operations and planning against Russia.
Elon Musk has begun referring to Social Security as a ponzi scheme.
Warren Buffett referred to tariffs as "an act of war, to some degree," in a rare public comment which may reflect a shift in large investor sentiment.
Trump listed Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana and Cardano as cryptocurrencies likely to form the heart of a US cryptocurrency reserve.

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander has landed on the moon near Mons Latreille for a two week visit, the first by a private venture. (Image by Firefly Aerospace).

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

The Treasury Department will not enforce the Corporate Transparency Act, an anti-money laundering law requiring business entities to disclose their real beneficial owners. It intends to narrow the scope to foreign reporting companies only, reducing the burden on small entities.
The US has suspended all military aid to Ukraine.
Russia issued a statement praising the new US foreign policy decisions.
Markets are falling as Trump readies tariffs and an early recession indicator has begun to flash, with a projected economic decline in the first quarter.
The Senate failed to push through a bill that would have codified the ban on transgender sports participation under Title IX.
As the Carolinas battle wildfires, large storms loom in the south and the heartland with a reduced forecaster workforce now tracking them.
USAID funding has been reinstated for MANA nutrition after Elon Musk responded to CNN's reporting on the plant. MANA makes a therapeutic food product the US distributes to child victims of wasting disease, providing shelf-stable calories in the form of a heavily enriched peanut butter paste of the type distributed by UNICEF. A similar plant, Edesia, says 85% of its business comes from USAID, and together the plants feed millions of children.

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

An injunction blocked the enforcement of the ban on gender-affirming care for minors nationwide.
The US paused all military aid to Ukraine and has cut off intelligence sharing.
Republican members of Congress were advised by their committee to stop holding in-person town hall events due to widespread protest.
The Supreme Court rejected Trump's request to keep billions in foreign aid frozen, allowing lower courts to compel its release.
Countries under new tariffs have announced a variety of retaliatory tariffs, and the province of Ontario is threatening to cut electricity to three US states still facing snowstorms.
Auto manufacturers have been given a month reprieve from tariffs on imports.
Measles continues to spread. (Make sure you've had your vaccines!)
The Merit Systems Protection Board, a panel that protects federal merit systems against political abuse, restored the jobs of more than 5000 USDA employees until mid-April.
A judge also ruled the firing of the MSPB was illegal. This was a final ruling, not a temporary action, but may still be appealed to the Supreme Court.
The FBI official who refused to share Jan 6 case agent names with the administration was pushed into retirement.
Trump threatened federal funding cutoffs for schools harboring "illegal protests" and threatened protesters with deportation, permanent expulsion or arrest. He has no power over expulsion and this isn't tied to any pending order or proclamation.
Putin has agreed to broker negotiations between the US and Iran about their nuclear program.
Use of military aircraft for deportation flights has ceased due to sheer expense (and refusal by some nations including Mexico to allow military planes to land or use their airspace for this purpose).

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

Trump pushed tariffs on most items for Mexico and Canada back another month, but Canada proceeded with retaliatory tariffs and an electricity price hike anyway.
A judge gave the administration only four days to pay $2b owed to USAID contractors after the Supreme Court rejected an emergency appeal.
Apparently it's the cuts at the VA that are finally enough to make Republicans in Congress big mad, and they have started pushing back and haranguing the white house with a flood of calls and met with Musk.
A judge reinstated a NLRB member on the grounds that her firing was illegal.
Trump plans to revoke the temporary legal status of ~240,000 Ukrainian refugees and expedite deportations beginning in April.
A judge blocked the NIH indirect cost reimbursement cap.
The state department plans to use AI assisted review of social media sites to identify and revoke student visas for those identified as "pro-Hamas".

#QuietNews is my daily, intentionally calm US news roundup meant to inform those who need news-reading to have minimal impact on health. Please only reply in kind.

The administration pulled $400m from Columbia University, citing failure to stop antisemitism on campus.
The US Firefighting Academy has halted its free training classes for review.
House Republicans proposed a six month budget plan which would move some power to set spending away from appropriations committee and hand it to the executive branch.
ICE agents have again attempted to arrest a non-white US citizen with valid ID, this time at gunpoint.
The Justice Department has started an antitrust investigation into egg pricing.
The Secret Service shot but did not kill an armed man near the White House after he pulled a firearm. He may have been in a mental health crisis.
Most HHS employees were offered $25k contract buyouts.
Asked about recession risks, Trump stated it will "take a little time" to see the benefits of tariffs.
A Gallup poll found that 12% of all US adults were unable to afford medical care last year and had to go into debt to receive it.
The WHO has warned that following the US foreign aid cuts, it is likely that tuberculosis will now surge worldwide. The US was providing 25% of the tuberculosis funding used by foreign nations.
The Supreme Court will take up a conversion therapy case.
The DHS is administering lie detector tests to identify leaks damaging ICE operations.
Tesla stock dropped by 12% in a single day. (Unfortunately, if you have a 401k, that's falling, too).
Trump signed an order for a strategic bitcoin reserve established to hold forfeitures.
People are boycotting Amazon this week and Target until 4/17 to protest anti-DEI moves.
The NWS has had to delay some weather balloon launches due to staffing shortfalls.
The CBP App, used to manage immigration appointments, has been turned into a self-deportation tool.
Intelligence sharing with Ukraine is back on.
Public Service student loan forgiveness may be cut for groups supporting specific progressive causes.
Dept of Agriculture has disbanded two food safety advisory committees.
Trump officially notified Canada he wants to renegotiate the border.
83% of USAID contracts will be cut.#QuietNews

Fritz Adalis Mar 11, 2025

@pamela
Welcome back! Hope you're well.

Josh Grosse Mar 6, 2025

@pamela you've been a blessing. I really dislike and avoid my news feeds. I can't even watch late night talk show monologs.

Russ Sharek Feb 27, 2025

Thank you for the work you put into my mental health by creating these. <3

deewani Feb 26, 2025

Josh Grosse Feb 21, 2025

@pamela I look forward to these. Even though each day there are frightening bullets, this is so much better for me than Google News, WaPo, or NYT.

Thank you for this, again.

@jggimi I'm glad. getting the context is helping me SO much. There's a lot of neutral mixed in with the bad, being reported as more bad...

Carey Feb 21, 2025

@pamela They want to replace the IRS with a ferme générale? How is that supposed to work out well for anyone?

Michael W Lucas

Thank you.

Josh Grosse Feb 19, 2025

@pamela there are many days went I can't read my usual feeds.

Thank you, again!

👩‍🦯The Blind Fraggle Feb 17, 2025

@pamela Thank you for providing this great service.