Federal workers affected by Trump’s orders on DEI share their thoughts. A look at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s role in the aftermath of the deadly vaccine accident in Samoa. Four NFL teams will compete for their conference championship and a spot in the Super Bowl.
Here’s what to know today.
Anger and fear among furloughed federal workers
Months before the presidential election, a woman of color who was a federal employee was prepared to lose her job. She started buying her children’s clothes in larger sizes last summer. The gifts under the Christmas tree were few. She said she stopped taking her children to Target “so they won’t ask you for a bunch of stuff that you won’t be able to afford.”
This week, she was among the workers placed on paid leave after President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs at federal agencies. Despite her preparations, she was still surprised and upset at how quickly the order was executed. “It is unfortunate that we have become pawns in this struggle for control,” the woman said.
This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. subscription here To get it in your inbox.
She and others affected by Trump’s order said they are angry about their jobs being cut and fearful of what comes next. “I have put 23 years of blood, sweat and tears into this agency,” said another employee who has worked at the same agency for more than two decades. A third worker at a Cabinet-level agency told NBC News that his group helped create an internal policy for gender-transitioning employees. By Wednesday evening, the once-public policy was no longer on the agency’s website.
Trump’s order is one of several he signed this week regarding DEI efforts. Separate orders directed the FAA to end DEI efforts and rescind a 1965 order prohibiting employment discrimination by federal contractors. Trump and his allies have called DEI programs discriminatory.
The repercussions of Trump’s executive order were also felt among workers who were not granted paid leave. “Right now there is a lot of fear,” one worker said. “It feels like we are in Cuba.”
More coverage of Trump’s first week in office:
- Federal District Court Judge Trump’s executive order has been temporarily blocked With the aim of limiting the right to citizenship by birth. “This is blatantly unconstitutional,” the Ronald Reagan-appointed judge said in his ruling.
- Trump said he wants Saudi Arabia to do so Increase its investments in the United States to one trillion dollars He lowered the price of oil in a wide-ranging virtual speech during the World Economic Forum.
- Trump has ordered his administration to evaluate the matter Whether a “national stockpile of digital assets” will be created.
- Trump signed an executive order Pardoning 23 anti-abortion activistsa day before he was expected to address thousands at the annual March for Life in Washington.
- Descendant of President William McKinley Suggest a compromise After Trump signed an order renaming Denali, the highest peak in North America, to McKinley.
- Thousands died during the construction of the Panama Canal, and controlling the vital waterway was no easy task. Not to mention that it takes 12 years to train an engineer to operate it. Here’s what else the Panamanians had to say About Trump’s threats to restore the canal.
Trump visits fire-ravaged areas in Los Angeles
Donald Trump is set to visit California today to view the devastation caused by wildfires sweeping through the Los Angeles area, his first presidential trip since returning to office. “We will take care of Los Angeles,” Trump told reporters as he previewed the visit. But he repeatedly blamed the state’s Democratic leaders Because of the ongoing fires, he proposed withholding federal aid to California because of the state’s efforts to protect an endangered small fish called the delta smelt. It is unclear whether Trump will meet with Gov. Gavin Newsom while he is on the ground.
The president’s visit comes While crews work to contain the Hughes fire North Los Angeles after the eruption on Wednesday. The fire, which did not destroy any structures, had grown to 10,396 acres and was 36% contained as of last night.
Much needed rain is in the forecast For Southern California this weekend, but with it comes the risk of mudslides, flash flooding and toxic runoff.
Experts see the low vaccination rates in Samoa as a crisis. RFK Jr. saw an opportunity.
When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The country In June 2019, Samoa was on the brink of crisis. The government had suspended measles vaccination the previous year after an incorrectly prepared vaccine killed two children. Although vaccinations resumed months later, many parents were not convinced the inoculations were safe, leaving thousands unprotected against the highly contagious disease as it resurfaced around the world.
With less than a third of Samoa’s children vaccinated, experts and officials fear for the Pacific nation. But Kennedy, then president of the anti-vaccine nonprofit Children’s Health Defense, saw an opportunity. Months later, a measles outbreak swept the country, killing 83 people, most of them young children.
Kennedy’s time in Samoa and his influence there have come under renewed scrutiny since President Donald Trump announced his nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. This topic will certainly be raised during his confirmation hearing next week before the Senate Finance Committee.
Chief correspondent Brandi Zadrozny reports on Kennedy’s visit to the country, his communication with its leaders, and the health crisis that struck the country. Read the full story here
More on Trump’s cabinet picks:
- Vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense in the Trump administration It is expected today After the Senate voted yesterday in favor of his nomination, despite the opposition of two Republicans.
- It was John Ratcliffe He was confirmed as the next director of the CIA In a 74-25 vote in the Senate.
In the battle for a spot in the Super Bowl, which teams have the advantage?
The 2025 Super Bowl contenders will be known by the end of the weekend. But first, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will square off against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game, and Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders will face Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. Sports reporter Rohan Nadkarni He looks back at the star athletes and must-see stories from Sunday’s games:
🏈 Ranking of the four midfielders. 1. Patrick Mahomes. 2. Josh Allen. 3. Jayden Daniels. 4. Jalen hurts.
I’d rather be behind the curve when it comes to doubting Mahomes. Even with the Chiefs’ relatively pedestrian attack numbers this year, in the game’s biggest moments, there’s no doubt to me: I want Mahomes.
Allen has been fantastic this year, especially when it comes to protecting the football. Some of his best plays in the Bills’ win last weekend over the Ravens were plays he didn’t make: no forced throws or ill-advised side kicks. Combine his newfound style of avoiding danger with his talent for running and throwing, he’s a close second for me.
Daniels vs. Hurts is where it gets interesting. I’ll take the Eagles’ offense overall, but what about Hurts on his own? Ultimately, I would trust Daniels more in pure passing situations.
🏈 Besides the big players, what are the under-the-radar events to watch? The aggressiveness of the Division 4 leaders certainly stands out, but I think their coaching strategy was on point heading into the postseason. After attempting five fourth-down conversions in the Wild Card Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington went for it four more times against the Detroit Lions in the divisional round. This strategy will be especially important against the Eagles, whose rushing attack can skew the time of possession very quickly. If the leaders are going to pull off an upset this week, continuing to employ a bold fourth-tier strategy will go a long way.
🏈Which quarterback (besides Eagles’ Saquon Barkley) will have the biggest impact this weekend? Don’t let the lack of insurance commercials or podcast clips fool you — Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is as integral to the Chiefs win as the Mahomes-to-Kelce connection. Jones is poised for a monster performance on Sunday against a solid Bills offensive line. Jones needs help slowing down the run, and if he’s able to generate pressure lined up over the middle, that could neutralize some of Allen’s scrambling ability.
🏈Who do you think will make the Super Bowl? Chiefs and Eagles. Mahomes remains king of the AFC, and Philly’s big-game experience will finally catch up with the leaders.
NBC Sports’ Patrick Daughtry and contributor Andrew Greif also shared their thoughts ahead of this weekend’s games. Read the full story here
read all about it
- Members of the Sackler family and OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma It agreed to pay up to $7.4 billion In a new settlement.
- AI-powered weapon detection system He failed to pick up the gun A 17-year-old Nashville student was used in this week’s school shooting, school officials said. Authorities also revealed the shooter Live broadcast of part of the incident He was affected by “harmful and unwanted” Internet content.
- Ichiro Suzuki He has an invitation For the only person who did not vote for his selection into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Staff selection: The Israelis are preparing to learn the fate of Hamas’s youngest hostage
Kefir Pebas, holding his pink elephant and beaming, is the picture of innocence. Today, he is the youngest hostage that Hamas has not yet released. He was just nine months old when he was captured along with his 5-year-old brother and parents on October 7. Since then, Kfir has spent his first and second birthdays in captivity, but when Rafe Sanchez became the new NBC News and Shira Benson spoke to his aunt, Ofri Bibas Levy, she said she hoped he would be released as part of a ceasefire and release agreement. Hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas. henry austin, Great editor
NBC Select: Online shopping, simplified
Whether you want to watch the big game or your favorite movie, our editors have got it down What TV brands to consider If you’re looking to upgrade your home entertainment setup. And when you want to go out, we’ve tested several HOKA to find it Best walking shoe brand.
Sign up for selection A newsletter with practical product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales every week.
Thanks for reading today’s morning rundown. Today’s newsletter is curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. If you are a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can subscribe here.
