The Bulletin
WORLD IN BRIEF
- GOP special primaries: Two Republicans endorsed by President Donald Trump have won GOP primaries for House seats previously held by U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and former Congressman Matt Gaetz. Learn more.
- Trump's RTO mandate: Trump's executive order ends remote work for most federal employees, mandating a full return to the office. Many have taken to social media to voice their frustrations. See their reactions.
- Several killed at religious gathering in India: A stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival in northern India left at least 12 people feared dead and many others injured Wednesday as tens of thousands rushed to take ritual baths in sacred rivers. Here's more about the incident.
- Mike Pence takes aim at Trump: Former Vice President Mike Pence has taken aim at Trump, suggesting the President has "deviated" from the conservative principles that defined his first term. Read his full remarks.
- Louvre makes 'Mona Lisa' announcement: French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday the Mona Lisa will receive its own dedicated room in the Louvre while announcing that the museum will undergo a significant renovation and expansion, a project expected to take several years. Find out more.
- In the ongoing war in Ukraine, documents and devices possibly containing valuable information about Moscow's military were among the items seized by Ukraine's troops in an operation in Russia's Kursk region, according to Ukraine's military.
Did Trump Freeze Social Security? Federal Funding Pause Explained
The rundown: Donald Trump ordered a sweeping clampdown on government spending. An internal memorandum sent on Monday ordered federal agencies to pause all grants and loans that have already been approved by the government. Find out more about the pause.
Why it matters: The memo specifically outlines that nothing "should be construed to impact Medicare or Social Security benefits," nor does it include "assistance provided directly to individuals." Benefits provided by the Social Security administration, including retirement, survivor and disability benefits, will be paid as usual. However, the fate of funding for other government programs remains unclear. The new order may impact billions of dollars in funding allocated to state and local governments. The federal government funds thousands of programs, including research projects, housing subsidies and educational grants.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump's Freeze on Federal Grants and Loans Halted by Judge
TL/DR: Federal agencies "must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance," White House Office of Management and Budget acting director Matthew Vaeth said in the memorandum seen by Newsweek.
What happens now? A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's order. The temporary hold placed by U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan stops the administration from implementing its decision until at least 5 p.m. ET on February 3.
Deeper reading Did Trump Freeze Social Security? Federal Funding Pause Explained
How Tulsi Gabbard Plans to Follow Trump's Business Arrangement
The rundown: Tulsi Gabbard would transfer one of her businesses to her husband if she is confirmed as director of National Intelligence, in a similar move to one made by Trump ahead of his first administration. Here's what experts are saying.
Why it matters: As part of the nomination process, the former Democratic congresswoman had to file financial disclosures and an ethics agreement with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics before facing a confirmation hearing with the Senate Intelligence Committee. In her ethics agreement, filed on January 18, Gabbard said she would resign from her positions at one of her businesses, TOA Studios LLC, and transfer her entire interest to her husband Abraham Williams, a cinematographer. Critics argue this could create conflicts of interest, as federal law includes spousal business ties in recusal and prosecution rules.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Tulsi Gabbard Faces High-Stakes Confirmation Hearing to Win Key Senators
TL/DR: TOA Studios was incorporated in May 2022 in Hawaii, business filings show.
What happens now? Gabbard's nomination is far from assured, with several key Republican senators having yet to commit to supporting her nomination. Gabbard's Senate hearing has been scheduled for January 30.
Deeper reading How Tulsi Gabbard Plans to Follow Donald Trump's Business Arrangement
Trump's Tariffs on Taiwan Microchips Spark Shock
The rundown: President Donald Trump's proposal to place tariffs on imported computer chips from Taiwan has shocked commentators, who say the U.S. tech industry relies on the territory's contract chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). Learn more.
Why it matters: Trump told Republicans in a speech Monday that tariffs on Taiwan would be aimed at returning the production of chips to the U.S., according to Business Insider. The President said companies would not want to pay a "25, 50, or even a 100 percent tax." The move could mean more trouble for tech giant Nvidia, which was badly hit by the DeepSeek AI launch, because it sources its high end AI chips from TSMC, the world's most valuable manufacturer of its kind. Taiwan produces around 90 percent of the world's top-level semiconductors via TSMC.
Read more in-depth coverage:
How China's DeepSeek Emerged Under Biden's Chip Ban
TL/DR: The strategy seems to be at odds with a U.S. strategy to contain China's access to the chips.
What happens now? The U.S. is expected to continue close cooperation with Taiwan and its encouragement for TSMC to expand its manufacturing in the U.S, but the timing of any tariffs could be crucial to the U.S. tech sector.
Deeper reading Donald Trump's Tariffs on Taiwan Microchips Spark Shock
Satellite Picture Shows China's Huge Nuclear Weapons Research Center
The rundown: China has built a large research center that could boost its nuclear weapons development, according to satellite imagery, adding to Beijing's rapid nuke expansion. Here's what we know.
Why it matters: The number of Chinese operational nuclear warheads has increased by more than 100 to over 600, the Pentagon said in its report on Chinese military power last month, which enables China to target more United States cities, military facilities and leadership sites. The revelation of the new Chinese nuclear facility, in the city of Mianyang in the southwestern province of Sichuan, was reported by Reuters on Tuesday. It has a similar design to the U.S. National Ignition Facility in California, the report said.
Read more in-depth coverage:
US Ally Doubles Down on American Missile System Worrying China
TL/DR: The U.S. and China have signed the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which prohibits all nuclear explosions at any place, whether for military or peaceful purposes.
What happens now? China is likely to continue its nuclear force expansion and modernization. It remains to be seen whether Beijing would reengage in nuclear arms control talks with Washington.
Deeper reading Satellite Picture Shows China's Huge Nuclear Weapons Research Center
What We Know About Karoline Leavitt and Her Husband, Nicholas Riccio
The rundown: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt held the first press conference of President Donald Trump's new administration on Tuesday. Find out what she said.
Why it matters: Leavitt, who previously worked as a spokesperson for Trump's campaign and transition, was praised by the former president when he announced her as his press secretary following his November 2024 election win. Tuesday offered a first glimpse of Leavitt's role as she spent about 47 minutes answering questions from the White House press corps on the impact of a freeze on federal grants and loans and the early days of the administration's efforts into mass deportations. Leavitt's appointment makes her the youngest to hold the position, surpassing Ronald Ziegler, who was 29 when he served under President Richard Nixon.
Read more in-depth coverage:
White House Gives Update on Mysterious New Jersey Drones
TL/DR: Trump described her as "smart, tough, and a highly effective communicator," expressing confidence in her ability to deliver the administration's message to the public.
What happens now? While it is unclear when the next White House briefing is as Leavitt has not committed to daily briefings, Leavitt said, per the Associated Press, "I can assure you that you'll be hearing from both him and me as much as possible."
Deeper reading What We Know About Karoline Leavitt and Her Husband, Nicholas Riccio
How Many Migrants Have Been Arrested or Deported in Trump's First Week?
The Trump administration has hit the ground running on its pledge to begin mass deportations of migrants in the country illegally, conducting high-profile raids in cities from New York to Denver over its first full week. Even still, if deportations continue at their current rate, it would take around 28 years to deliver on the president's promise to repatriate upwards of 11 million people.
Public data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flight tracking, analyzed by a third-party expert and shared with Newsweek, showed there had been three deportation flights on military planes since President Trump took office last Monday, with fewer regular ICE aircraft making those trips.
