The Bulletin

• Trump on Social Security, Medicaid: President Donald Trump has sworn that he will not cut Social Security benefits. Here's what we know.
• 2025 stimulus check refund: President Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency, which is looking to reduce federal costs, has some Americans wondering if they should expect a stimulus check, courtesy of the savings. Know here.

• China warns on military buildup: China warned on Tuesday that the Asia-Pacific region is not a "chessboard of geopolitical confrontation" as the United States continues to strengthen its military buildup in the region. Read more.

• Conservative lawyers criticize Trump: Conservative lawyers are criticizing President Trump after seven Department of Justice officials resigned in protest over an attempt to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Get more details.

• KFC is moving to Texas: On Tuesday it was announced that KFC, the fast food giant formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is moving its U.S. headquarters from Louisville in Kentucky to Plano, a city on the northern outskirts of Dallas. Here's why.

• McMorrow criticizes Democrats: After George Floyd's murder, Democratic leaders were photographed kneeling in the Capitol wearing kente cloths. See what Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow thinks about it.

• Russia deploys nuclear missiles: Russia deployed autonomous launchers of the RS-24 Yars, an intercontinental ballistic missile that can be armed with nuclear warheads, on combat patrol routes on February 19. Find out more.

The rundown: Donald Trump has signed an executive order placing independent agencies under White House oversight, significantly extending his authority. Here's what we know.

Why it matters: Under the order, independent agencies must appoint White House liaisons and "regularly consult with and coordinate policies and priorities" with the director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russel Vought, as well as the White House Domestic Policy Council and National Economic Council. The executive order directs Vought, in his role as director of the Office of Management and Budget, to "establish performance standards and management objectives" for the leaders of independent agencies and to "report periodically to the President on their performance and efficiency in attaining such standards and objectives."

Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump Social Security Tax Plan vs. Bipartisan Approach: Experts Weigh In

TL/DR: Since taking office, Trump has sought to radically overhaul the federal government, firing hundreds of civil servants, and creating the Department of Government Efficiency to advise on a substantial reduction in the size and scope of government.

What happens now? The move is likely to face a lot of legal challenges.

Deeper reading Donald Trump Expands His Power

The rundown: The ongoing effort by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's DOGE operation to slash the federal workforce, including laying off thousands of probationary employees, will have "real consequences" for regular Americans, one fired staffer told Newsweek.

Why it matters: The former probationary Food and Drug Administration employee, who requested anonymity in fear of reprisal, said she received a letter Saturday indicating she was no longer "fit for continued employment" since her "ability, knowledge and skills" no longer matched the agency's needs. The firings, which are part of an effort to improve efficiency, are affecting morale and raising concerns over the loss of essential government services. Other fired workers, including those from the Department of Veterans Affairs, are facing similar struggles, with many blindsided by their sudden terminations.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump Reacts to Fired and Rehired Nuclear Weapons Security Workers

TL/DR: "It's pretty bonkers," the 50-year-old woman told Newsweek in an interview. "I kind of knew it was coming over the last two weeks, so I got out a lot of my tears."

What happens now? The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents federal employees across 37 agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, filed a lawsuit last week asking a judge to declare the mass firings as unlawful.

Deeper reading Americans Should Fear 'Consequences' of Trump's Purge, Fired Employees Say

The rundown: At a news conference Tuesday, President Donald Trump blamed Kyiv for the Russia-Ukraine war. Read his full remarks.

Why it matters: On Tuesday, top diplomats from Russia and the U.S., including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, met to discuss the next steps to ending the war. Rubio after the meeting said that they had agreed to restore embassy staffing, establish a top-notch team to negotiate peace in Ukraine and enhance economic cooperation. Speaking on his peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump told reporters that Ukraine did not need a seat at the negotiating table because it "should've ended [the war] in three years. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal."

Read more in-depth coverage:
US Peace Plan for Ukraine 'a Gift' From Trump to Putin: EU Lawmaker

TL/DR: European and NATO leaders have also urged Trump not to leave Europe out in the cold during negotiations.

What happens now? Zelensky is set to visit Saudi Arabia on March 10, where discussions are expected to focus on Ukraine's diplomatic stance and the Persian Gulf nation's role in broader international efforts.

Deeper reading Trump Says Ukraine 'Should Have Never Started War With Russia'

The rundown: The Eaton fire's origin, linked to faulty electrical equipment, highlights the growing wildfire risks driven by climate change and aging infrastructure. Read more in depth.

Why it matters: On January 7, 2025, Colin Weatherby, a Pasadena resident, witnessed the beginning of the devastating Eaton fire, which would later kill 17 people and destroy thousands of structures. Weatherby, concerned about the risk to his aging windows, watched as electrical transformers blew and flames started nearby. Lawsuits filed against Southern California Edison (SCE) suggest that faulty equipment may have ignited the fire. California's aging electrical infrastructure and increasing wildfire risk, exacerbated by climate change, have contributed to deadly fires.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Origins of California Wildfire Claimed in New Lawsuit

TL/DR: "My building was built in 1951, and we have terrible windows," the documentary film producer said from his apartment with a sweeping view of the nearby hills.

What happens now? While SCE has taken steps to reduce risks, critics argue that utility companies fail to do enough and pass the costs onto ratepayers, rather than ensuring safe infrastructure. "SCE has to answer some questions," Weatherby said. He wants to know why the company did not power down vulnerable lines sooner, given the forecast and warnings of strong winds.

Deeper reading What Caused Deadly L.A. Wildfires? Faulty Electrical Equipment Under Focus

The rundown: America's adversaries, such as Russia and Belarus, are becoming increasingly emboldened to detain U.S. civilians to coerce Washington into lopsided deals that serve their political and strategic interests, experts said.

Why it matters: In recent years, Moscow exchanged crypto kingpin Alexander Vinnik for American teacher Marc Fogel, arms dealer Viktor Bout for American basketball player Brittney Griner and convicted Russian assassin and intelligence agent Vadim Krasikov for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. Experts caution that these exchanges are becoming increasingly one-sided and may encourage leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to detain more U.S. citizens as leverage.

Read more in-depth coverage:
These Americans Are Still Detained in Russia

TL/DR: Washington's rivals and adversaries, in particular Moscow, are "unquestionably leveraging the detention of U.S. citizens for political gain," said Danielle Gilbert, an assistant professor at Northwestern University who advises Western governments on hostage recovery.

What happens now? Belarus is reported to be considering releasing dissidents and an American citizen in exchange for sanctions relief, according to the New York Times.

Deeper reading America's Rivals Are Reaping Benefits of Jailing US Civilians