Entire CDC FOIA Office Fired as Health Agency Moves to Centralize Structure
A health official said all the Freedom of Information Act offices were previously operating in an isolated fashion.
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
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.
China’s Role in US Fentanyl Crisis Directed by Regime Leadership, Expert Says
Insiders say fentanyl is at the core of the Chinese Communist Party’s bid to take revenge on the West, and America makes a perfect enemy.
US Stocks Fall After Trump Unveils Global Tariffs Blitz
US and global markets plunged after Trump’s announcement the US will impose 10 percent universal tariffs, higher rates for countries with more trade barriers.
Tennessee Enacts Law to Stop Health Coverage for China-Linked Organ Transplants
From Jan. 1, 2026, a health insurer will not be able to fund organ transplant surgery if the operation takes place in China or the organ is from China.
Futures Tumble As President Trump Delivers "Declaration Of Economic Independence"
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
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.”
China Ends Military Drills With 'Simulated Attacks' On Taiwan Ports, Energy Sites
The PLA's Eastern Theater Command revealed that the second day involved simulated strikes on key ports and energy sites of the self-ruled island and US ally. A PLA spokesman had described drills which "test the troops' capabilities" in areas such as "blockade and control, and precision strikes on key targets."
DNC, Schumer Sue Trump Over Order Targeting Illegal Immigrant Voting
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 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.
China Holds Huge Military Drills From 'Multiple Directions' Around Taiwan
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) army, navy, air force and rocket force are involved in the drills, which seek to "close in" on the self-ruled island from "multiple directions" and practice maneuvers including "assault on maritime and ground targets” and “blockade on key areas and sea lanes."
Trump Dials Back Putin Criticism, Renews Attacks On Zelensky For Stalling Minerals Deal
"I see he’s trying to back out of the rare earth deal. And if he does that, he’s got some problems. Big, big problems," Trump earlier told reporters aboard Air Force One. "We made a deal on rare earth and now he’s saying, ‘well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal.’"
In Latest Blow To European Democracy, Judge Rules Marine Le Pen Ineligible To Run For President In 2027
Observers have drawn parallels with US President Donald Trump, who won a second term with a clutch of criminal cases hanging over him and, like Le Pen, has made trenchant opposition to immigration a cornerstone of his program.
BlackRock's Panama Port Deal With CK Hutchison Won't Be Signed Next Week
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.
France’s National Rally Leader Le Pen Barred From 2027 Presidential Election
Le Pen, whose party is a front-runner in polls ahead of the 2027 vote, also faces a potential jail sentence, after being found guilty of embezzlement.
Trump Threatens Secondary Tariffs on Russian Oil If Ukraine Cease-Fire Fails
The president said he‘d impose sanctions ’if Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault.’
Russian Drones Strike Ukraine’s Kharkiv for 2nd Consecutive Night, Kyiv Says
In recent remarks, Zelenskyy said Kyiv expects a “serious response” from its Western allies to repeated Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy targets. “Our partners must understand that these Russian strikes target not only our people, but also all international efforts ... aimed at ending this war,” he said in a March 29 video address.
RFK Jr. Announces Mass Terminations, Major Restructuring at HHS
Approximately a quarter of Department of Health and Human Services staff members are being laid off.
Supreme Court Upholds Biden-Era ‘Ghost Gun’ Regulation
The regulation had been challenged as a misinterpretation of federal law.
Federal Judge Halts Shutdown of Voice of America
VOA employees secured a court order that prevents the Trump administration from shuttering the outlet, for now.
House Passes Bill to Boost Transparency on Foreign Funding in Higher Education
The House of Representatives passed legislation on March 27 that would require American colleges and universities to disclose all foreign gifts and contracts from countries of concern, as part of an effort to increase transparency and curb foreign influence in U.S. higher education.
U.S. and Iran: Five Signs of Looming Conflict
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.
‘He’s Not a Bad Person’ – Steve Witkoff’s Fulsome Assessment of Meeting Putin
In a shockingly “pro-Russian” interview with Tucker Carlson US President Donald Trump’s special envoy spoke in “glowing terms” about his recent meeting with Russia’s president.
West-Coast Judges Say Trump Admin Must Take In Refugees and Pay for Their Housing
A trio of federal judges in California declared on Tuesday that President Donald Trump must welcome roughly 40,000 refugees approved by President Joe Biden’s deputies.
This Gov’t Agency Is Still Spending $1,000,000,000 on DEI Despite Trump’s Order to Cut It Out
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.
RFK Jr. Overhauls HHS, Launches Administration for a Healthy America
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. today announced the creation of a new Administration for a Healthy America as part of a massive overhaul of HHS. Meanwhile, HHS will reportedly gain oversight of school meals and special education, President Donald Trump said last week.
NIH Halts Funding for COVID-19 Projects While Trump Admin Sets Stage for Next Pandemic
COVID spending is over, but the pandemic machine is quietly shifting gears to bird flu.
What Homeschoolers Need to Know about the “Make Homeschool Safe Act”
CRHE believes more laws and oversight by government officials and public schools are required to “make homeschooling safe.” The “Make Homeschool Safe Act” is a model bill that would massively expand government and government power into the lives of families.
DOGE Cancels $52 Million Payment To Klaus Schwab's World Economic Forum!
Here was our original report: DOGE Cancels $52 Million Payment To Klaus Schwab's World Economic Forum! DOGE has uncovered a lot of absurd things....fraud, waste and abuse everywhere!
US Bomber Deployment to Diego Garcia Suggests Heavier Airstrikes on Yemen Could Be Coming
According to open-source reports, the US has sent five B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and at least seven C-17 transport aircraft to Diego Garcia. The US is also deploying an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East.