READOUT
Today, President Donald J. Trump held a call with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, in which King Abdullah congratulated President Trump on his inauguration. President Trump thanked King Abdullah for his longtime friendship, and the two leaders discussed the importance of regional peace, security, and stability.
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ON HOSTAGE RELEASE
“Today the world celebrates as President Trump secured the release of four more Israeli hostages who were, for far too long, held against their will by Hamas in horrific conditions. The United States will continue with its great partner Israel to push for the release of all remaining hostages and the pursuit of peace throughout the region.”
NEWS REPORTS
INSPECTOR GENERALS FIRED
Politico and other media outlets report President Donald Trump has dismissed at least a dozen inspectors general across major government agencies. The removals affect watchdogs at key departments including State, Defense, Labor, and Energy.
The dismissals, executed through emails from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, came without prior notification to Congress, potentially violating federal law requiring 30-day advance notice for such removals. Hannibal Ware, inspector general of the Small Business Administration, suggested the dismissals may be invalid due to this procedural breach.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One yesterday, Trump defended the moves, stating he was unfamiliar with the dismissed inspectors general but indicated some were considered “unfair” or underperforming. He dismissed concerns about installing loyalists, promising to appoint “very good” replacements.
Read Politico.
SECURITY DROPPED FOR FAUCI
President Donald Trump has terminated federal security protection for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert who advised on the COVID-19 pandemic, sources say.
The decision extends to other former Trump officials-turned-critics, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, aide Brian Hook, and former national security adviser John Bolton. All have faced threats from Iran following their hard-line stances during Trump’s administration.
“They all made a lot of money. They can hire their own security, too,” Trump told reporters in North Carolina on Friday, adding he wouldn’t feel responsible if harm befell the former officials.
AGENCIES START FIRING DEI STAFFERS
AXIOS reports that Friday night, the Trump administration ordered federal agency heads to immediately begin terminating staff in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices across the government. This latest memo, released by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, intensifies the administration’s earlier mandate to dismantle these programs.
The directive requires agency leaders to initiate “reduction-in-force” notices immediately, accelerating the previous January 31 deadline for written plans. The order extends beyond staffing cuts, demanding the shutdown of DEI websites, social media accounts, and all related training programs. Additionally, agencies must cancel existing contracts and withdraw pending equity initiatives. Read more.
BYE, BYE FEMA
During a visit to hurricane-battered North Carolina today, President Trump said he’s considering “getting rid of FEMA” and would “like to see the states take care of disasters.” Read more.
WSJ: A federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive order that aimed to end birthright citizenship.
It’s an early setback for his immigration agenda (? read for free). A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general had argued that the order was unconstitutional. The U.S. has long granted citizenship to children born on its soil. Trump wants to end the measure for babies of immigrants in the U.S. illegally and of visa holders. The Justice Department said that it looks forward to “presenting a full merits argument.” The restraining order will be in effect for 14 days.
WSJ: The Pentagon on Friday readied more than 5,000 troops from combat units to deploy to the southwestern U.S. to fulfill Trump’s order to escalate the military role along the border.
WSJ: Trump’s Imperial Presidency?
Wonder Land by Daniel Henninger: With Donald Trump’s executive orders affecting every facet of our lives, we may be heading to the outer limits of America’s system of checks and balances.
