MicroWave

Summary

Senator Bernie Sanders warns that Elon Musk's plan to cut Social Security Administration staff by up to 50% could cause 37,000 additional deaths yearly among disability benefit applicants and extend average wait times to 412 days.

While the SSA clarified they're targeting a reduction from 57,000 to 50,000 employees (not 50%, or 300,000), Republican leaders like Mike Johnson and Rick Scott have discussed "reforming" entitlement programs for long-term solvency.

This contrasts with Trump's assurance that "Social Security won't be touched." Democrats argue staffing cuts effectively reduce benefits by limiting access and delaying payments for vulnerable Americans.

Summary

Donald Trump is upset after King Charles warmly welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Sandringham, making Trump’s own state visit invitation seem “less special.”

Trump’s allies allegedly asked the British government to intervene, but officials stated the king makes his own decisions.

Relations may also be strained by Trump’s criticism of Canada, where Charles remains head of state.

The U.K. government denied tensions, reaffirming strong U.S.-U.K. ties.

Summary

ICE agents arrested Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a leader in Columbia University's encampment movement, claiming his student visa was revoked.

However, his attorney Amy Greer states he has a green card, not a student visa.

Despite filing a habeas corpus petition, Greer can't locate where Khalil is being held, noting his eight-months-pregnant wife couldn't find him at a New Jersey facility.

The arrest follows Trump's March 4 social media threat to defund universities allowing "illegal protests" and deport "agitators."

Summary

The U.S. State Department has frozen funding for Fulbright and other international scholarship programs, leaving thousands of scholars stranded without financial support.

The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to cut government spending. Affected scholars, including Americans abroad and foreign scholars in the U.S., have received only partial payments with no clarity on future funds.

Advocacy groups warn the freeze impacts over 12,500 participants. Universities and scholars are scrambling for alternatives, while officials have yet to provide explanations or solutions.

Summary

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed migrant children “have a choice” in coming to the U.S. illegally, sparking pushback from CBS host Margaret Brennan.

Noem later shifted blame to parents, saying they decide whether to keep families together.

The Trump administration revived family detention last week, reversing Biden’s 2021 decision to end it.

Noem defended detentions, criticized Biden’s immigration policies, and confirmed plans to use military bases like Fort Bliss to hold detainees.

Summary

Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance warned that Chief Justice John Roberts may reverse a key Supreme Court precedent to benefit Donald Trump.

Trump seeks to overturn Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, a 1930s ruling that limits presidential power to fire officials.

Vance argues Trump is trying to consolidate executive power and undermine the judiciary. She cited Roberts’ language in a past ruling granting ex-presidents broad immunity as an "ominous sign."

The conservative court may prioritize politics over precedent.

Summary

Trump's economic policies, particularly his tariffs, are proving disastrous after being "sanewashed" by media during the campaign.

After making tariffs central to his campaign, he twice imposed them—only to backtrack amid market turmoil. Despite clear evidence that tariffs are taxes that raise prices, his allies continue pushing economic falsehoods.

Meanwhile, Trump’s pledge to balance the budget contradicts his record, as he added $2.1 trillion to the deficit, while Democratic presidents have historically reduced it.

His proposed $7 trillion tax cuts, paired with $4.5 trillion in spending cuts, would create massive deficits and harm working-class Americans.

Summary

Sen. Lindsey Graham warned that halting U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine could be “worse than Afghanistan.”

He urged continued support until a ceasefire is reached and announced plans for sanctions on Russia’s banking and energy sectors.

The Trump administration paused aid after a heated Oval Office meeting where Trump and JD Vance clashed with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Russia escalated attacks following the fallout.

U.S. and Ukrainian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a minerals deal and ceasefire, while Trump seeks further concessions from Ukraine.

Summary

Donald Trump declined to rule out a U.S. recession in 2025, citing a "period of transition" due to his trade policies.

When asked if tariffs would fuel inflation, he acknowledged the possibility but pointed to lower interest rates.

Despite stock market volatility, he insisted “you have to do what’s right.” The Atlanta Federal Reserve warned of economic contraction, raising recession fears.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick dismissed concerns, predicting strong growth. Trump's stance contrasts with his past claims that trade wars are "good and easy to win."

Summary

JD Vance claimed pro-Ukraine protesters harassed him and his daughter in Cincinnati, but demonstrators say they merely passed him en route to a protest.

Video shows a civil exchange where Vance defended U.S. withdrawal from Ukraine aid, contradicting Trump’s stance on Russia’s invasion.

Critics accused Vance of using his child to deflect backlash over his role in a heated Oval Office meeting with Zelensky.

Protests against his Ukraine policy continue as Russia escalates attacks, with demonstrations held in Washington, D.C., and Europe.

Summary

DOGE staffers Tyler Hassen and Bryton Shang tried pressuring the Bureau of Reclamation to open a California water pump to aid Los Angeles during January’s wildfires, though the system couldn’t reach the city.

When denied, they flew there to do it themselves but failed due to maintenance and access restrictions.

Critics called DOGE a “slapstick operation of 20-somethings they’re seeing as whiz kids but have zero knowledge.”

Trump later ordered dam releases, flooding farmland. Critics called DOGE’s actions reckless and uninformed.

Summary

AOC and Bernie Sanders have responded strongly to Elon Musk's recent claim on Joe Rogan's podcast that Social Security is "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time."

AOC called Musk "a leech on the public" who is "going after the elderly, the disabled, and orphaned children" despite benefiting from tax cuts and government contracts.

Sanders defended Social Security's 89-year payment record and promoted his proposal to expand benefits by lifting the cap on income subject to payroll taxes.

The criticism comes as Trump, with Musk's assistance, is working to reduce staffing at the Social Security Administration, potentially causing benefit delays and disruptions.