Today's Liberal News
Trump’s spending freeze spreads chaos across US
Supporters of climate, infrastructure, mortgage, tech, health, veterans’ and other projects expressed alarm as tens of thousands of programs appeared possibly at risk.
Lael Brainard’s ‘Crisis Management Agency’ — and Her Warning For Trump
Joe Biden’s top economic adviser opens up on harrowing moments from her time in the White House, and what makes her nervous about the Trump agenda.
Wayback Machine Saves Thousands of Federal Webpages Amid Purge of Government Data Under Trump
Thousands of informational government webpages have been taken down so far in the second Trump administration, including on public health, scientific research and LGBTQ rights. Amid this mass erasure of public information, the Internet Archive is racing to save copies of those deleted resources.
“Detained, Tortured & Starved”: Report Details Abuse of Gaza Doctors & Staff in Israeli Detention
We continue to look at Israeli torture of Palestinian detainees with Naji Abbas from Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, which has just released a new report detailing the mistreatment of medical workers from Gaza. Hundreds of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other essential medical staff were arrested by Israeli forces in Gaza since October 2023 and held under brutal conditions, with many describing physical, psychological and sexual abuse, starvation, medical neglect and more.
Dr. Khaled Alser Speaks from Gaza on Surviving 7 Months in Israeli Prisons After Raid on His Hospital
Dr. Khaled Alser, a renowned Palestinian surgeon at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, describes how Israeli forces abducted him from Gaza last year before transferring him to Israeli prisons rife with abuse. He was held by Israel for seven months last year, during which time he says he was beaten, humiliated, denied medical treatment and tortured.
Might Makes Right: Matt Duss on Trump’s Foreign Policy Doctrine, from Ukraine to Gaza
We speak with foreign policy analyst Matt Duss about increasingly fraught relations between the United States and Ukraine, which have undergone a seismic shift under the second Trump administration. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is meeting with President Trump at the White House on Friday and is expected to sign an agreement giving the U.S. access to his country’s rare earth minerals, which are key components in mobile phones and other advanced technology.
DOGE Killed a Government-Efficiency Team
Late Friday night the Trump administration, as part of its push to modernize the government with software, laid off roughly 90 people from the General Services Administration—all federal technologists whose role was to modernize the government with software. Employees on the 18F team, a group formed in the Obama-era to build and improve software for other agencies, were notified around midnight that their roles are being eliminated, according to several former 18F workers I spoke with.
The Key Mismatch Between Zelensky and Trump
One of the stranger moments among many in yesterday’s White House presser turned grudge match with Volodymyr Zelensky was a query about the Ukrainian president’s outfit. He was in town to sign a deal that would give the United States a big stake in his country’s rare-earth minerals and, hopefully, some newfound motivation to help fend off Russia’s aggression.
The Fallout From Trump and Zelensky’s Meeting
Editor’s Note: Washington Week With The Atlantic is a partnership between NewsHour Productions, WETA, and The Atlantic airing every Friday on PBS stations nationwide. Check your local listings, watch full episodes here, or listen to the weekly podcast here.
The fallout from the meeting between presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky has been swift and intense. Panelists on Washington Week With The Atlantic joined to discuss what’s next for the war in Ukraine.
The Egg Is a Miracle
This is an edition of The Wonder Reader, a newsletter in which our editors recommend a set of stories to spark your curiosity and fill you with delight. Sign up here to get it every Saturday morning.
Consider the egg. What does it look like? What does it taste like? Where does it come from? Maybe you’re thinking tautologically: An egg is egg-shaped, tastes eggy, and comes from egg-laying hens. They make for great breakfasts and cost more than they used to at the grocery store.
Migrants Prepare to Lose Their American Lives
One recent morning on Chicago’s southwest side, the manager of a Mexican grocery store began the day posted at the front door, rehearsing the phrase “I wish to exercise my right to remain silent” in English in case immigration agents showed up asking about employees.
At a Mexican restaurant, the owner stashed newly laminated private signs under the host stand, ready to slap on the walls of the kitchen and a back dining room where workers could hide if agents arrived without a proper warrant.
The Retail Trick That’s Squeezing the Fun Out of Bargain Hunting
Part of the unbridled joy of nabbing a great discount used to be the thrill of the chase.
It’s Clearer Than Ever What Jeff Bezos Wants With the Washington Post
Bezos will gladly help set the world on fire as long as he can bid on the contract to clear the debris.
Techno-Fascism Isn’t New
Kyle Chayka joins to explain the parallels between Elon Musk and the fascist Japanese technocrats of the 1930s.
The New Trump Administration Is Doing More Than Just Policing Language
When the government does it, it’s real censorship.
Are We Making an Enemy of Our Biggest Ally?
The Trump administration seems determined to alienate the EU.
If You Want Someone to Thank (or Blame) for Influencers, I Know Exactly Where to Look
Infomercials walked so influencers could run.
Republicans say states are pulling a fast one on Medicaid
GOP lawmakers are considering a plan to limit federal matching funds for the health insurance program to pay for tax cuts.
USAID cuts expected to devastate global health
The Trump administration has terminated funding for HIV, malaria and maternal health programs it had labeled lifesaving.
Kennedy praises fast food chain’s efforts to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ after it ‘RFK’d’ its fries
Steak ‘n Shake said that locations across several states transitioned away from using seed oils in their fries.
5th Circuit rebuffs ruling against Planned Parenthood
The unanimous ruling overturns a decision by Texas U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Donald Trump appointee.
Is Aziz Ansari Sorry?
The Waves also discusses the Riverside Church controversy and the case of Sarah Milov.
Your Opinions on Her Wardrobe Are Probably Unwelcome
What we say matters, especially depending on whom we say it to.
What Role Does HR Play in the #MeToo Era?
The Waves also discusses the case against Jeffrey Epstein and Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s Fleishman Is in Trouble.
Trump’s spending freeze spreads chaos across US
Supporters of climate, infrastructure, mortgage, tech, health, veterans’ and other projects expressed alarm as tens of thousands of programs appeared possibly at risk.
Lael Brainard’s ‘Crisis Management Agency’ — and Her Warning For Trump
Joe Biden’s top economic adviser opens up on harrowing moments from her time in the White House, and what makes her nervous about the Trump agenda.