This Week in the World Affairs Brief

WALTZ HOLDS HIGH LEVEL MILITARY DISCUSSIONS ON SIGNAL

National Security Advisor (NSA) Mike Waltz held a “Team Update” discussion on the private encrypted app Signal this week with various high level Trump administration officials about an imminent attack on the Houthis in Yemen. A scandal erupted not because Signal’s encryption was compromised but because NSA Waltz, or someone on his staff, invited the anti-Trump editor of The Atlantic magazine to join the group, who then went public with what was said. DNI Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliff, who were both included in the group, claimed that no classified information was discussed. This is true, relative to the main session, but Goldberg did reveal that after the session, DOD Secretary Hegseth texted everyone, including himself, classified details about the strike targets, weapons and attack sequences to be deployed. Goldberg, who does not have a security clearance, did not reveal those details, but chose instead to start a firestorm of protest among Trump critics about Trump’s team being a bunch of “amateurs” relative to security. This week, I will discuss how phone and text security is never fool-proof even for government systems, and why good judgment is necessary regardless of the platform you are using. To receive a free one-time sample of the Brief, along with options on how to subscribe, click on Request a Sample on the left.

Also:
  • Putin Continues to Fool the Trump Team
  • The Legal Fight Against Judicial Overreach
  • Trump’s Tariffs will be Felt in April

Daily News

FDA Names New Acting Vaccine Leader After Previous Chief’s Departure

The Epoch Times

Scott Steele was named acting head. Peter Marks left the position last month over what he saw as HHS Secretary Kennedy’s ’misinformation and lies.’ ... Since 2017, Steele has had multiple roles in the FDA and, most recently, was a senior adviser to CBER’s translational science office, according to the FDA. Before that, he worked on an assignment in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research on policies.

Futures Tumble As President Trump Delivers "Declaration Of Economic Independence"

ZeroHedge

Mexico and Canada are not on the list as US will continue to exempt USMCA-compliant goods. For Canada and Mexico, the existing fentanyl/migration IEEPA orders remain in effect, and are unaffected by this order. This means USMCA compliant goods will continue to see a 0% tariff, non-USMCA compliant goods will see a 25% tariff, and non-USMCA compliant energy and potash will see a 10% tariff. In the event the existing fentanyl/migration IEEPA orders are terminated, USMCA compliant goods would continue to receive preferential treatment, while non-USMCA compliant goods would be subject to a 12% reciprocal tariff.

Unearthed FBI Chat Logs Reveal 'Gag Order' On Biden Laptop Exposé

ZeroHedge

One agent asked if another had “admonished” the colleague who nearly revealed the laptop’s authenticity to Big Tech companies. “yes but he wont [sic] shut up,” one response read. Hours later, agents reiterated that they were forbidden from commenting on the laptop story, with messages like “official response no commen [sic] and “we cannot comment.”

DNC, Schumer Sue Trump Over Order Targeting Illegal Immigrant Voting

The Epoch Times

Trump directed the independent Election Assistance Commission to require proof of U.S. citizenship in its mail voter registration form, ordered U.S. officials to work with the Department of Government Efficiency to review voter rolls to identify noncitizens who are already registered, and told the U.S. attorney general to prosecute individuals who have illegally registered or voted.

US–China Nuclear Fusion Race: The Battle for Energy and Military Dominance

The Epoch Times

The nation that first achieves commercial-scale fusion will control a critical pillar of the global economy. U.S. senators and fusion experts are calling for a $10 billion federal investment to maintain leadership, but with government downsizing under Trump’s second term, future funding remains uncertain. If China wins the fusion race, it could dominate the future energy market, much as it has with solar panels, electric vehicle batteries, and rare earth minerals.

BlackRock's Panama Port Deal With CK Hutchison Won't Be Signed Next Week

ZeroHedge

A new report Saturday reveals that Hong Kong's CK Hutchison will not sign a deal next week to sell its two ports on either side of the canal to a BlackRock-led consortium. It's back to the drawing board for the Trump administration, which will now need to implement new tactics to pressure Panama to rid itself of Chinese Communist influence.

U.S. and Iran: Five Signs of Looming Conflict

NewsWeek

The growing tensions between the United States and Iran have sparked fears of a potential military conflict. Signs indicate that both nations are preparing for a major confrontation with military build-ups, strikes, economic sanctions, shows of military force and diplomatic breakdowns.

This Gov’t Agency Is Still Spending $1,000,000,000 on DEI Despite Trump’s Order to Cut It Out

The Daily Signal

While other agencies have moved to eliminate the “illegal and immoral programs” targeted in Trump’s day-one executive order, NIH is still funding over $1.3 billion in active grants that include DEI components—from race-based hiring schemes to “anti-racist” training initiatives and diversity-first faculty pipelines. At least $441 million of those grants explicitly cite DEI in their project descriptions, according to NIH data compiled by watchdog group Do No Harm.

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