Jan 30 2025 7 mins
Today’s Headlines: The White House’s OMB rescinded its federal spending freeze memo, but the policy remains, prompting legal challenges. A federal judge may now block it indefinitely. Meanwhile, a controversial buyout offer to federal workers is under scrutiny for its similarity to Elon Musk’s Twitter layoffs. Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, mandating indefinite detention for arrested immigrants, and announced a migrant detention facility in Guantanamo Bay. RFK Jr.'s contentious HHS confirmation hearing saw him grilled on vaccine misinformation and policy confusion. A tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas has caused 67 cases and two deaths. The FDA issued its highest-level recall for Frito-Lay chips in Oregon and Washington over safety concerns. Ex-Senator Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years for bribery, calling it a “witch hunt.” Reports suggest the DOJ may drop its corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who has been in contact with Trump. Meta settled Trump’s lawsuit over his social media suspension, paying $25M—mostly to fund his future presidential library.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
- WA Post: Trump White House rescinds order freezing federal spending, reversing course
- ABC News: Federal judge signals he will block Trump administration from freezing funding despite OMB rescission
- WA Post: Resign? Stick it out? Fight? Federal workers mull Trump buyout offer
- AP News: While signing Laken Riley Act, Trump says he'll send 'worst criminal aliens' to Guantanamo
- Reuters: Trump health pick Kennedy under attack for vaccine views in contentious Senate hearing
- CNN: Two dead, dozens sickened in Kansas tuberculosis outbreak
- NY Times: The F.D.A. Upgraded a Recall of Some Lay’s Potato Chips. Here’s What to Know
- AP News: Former US Sen. Bob Menendez gets 11 years in prison for taking bribes and acting as agent of Egypt
- CBS News: Justice Dept. discusses dropping corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, source says
- AP News: Meta agrees to pay $25 million to settle lawsuit from Trump after Jan. 6 suspension
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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