Denise Cheung, head of the criminal division in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, resigned on February 18, 2025, following directives from Trump administration officials to initiate a criminal investigation into a $20 billion climate-related contract awarded during President Joe Biden's tenure. Cheung, a 24-year veteran of the Department of Justice, cited insufficient evidence to support such an investigation and expressed concerns over potential political motivations behind the directive.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued new guidance defining "woman" as "an adult human female." This action aligns with President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14168, titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." The guidance emphasizes that sex is an immutable biological classification determined at conception and observable before birth. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated, "This administration is bringing back common sense and restoring biological truth to the federal government."
President Donald Trump has embarked on an assertive campaign to overhaul the federal government, targeting what he refers to as the "deep state." This initiative involves significant personnel changes, policy reversals, and structural reforms across various agencies.
Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe was arrested on February 18, 2025, during a Huntington Beach City Council meeting in California. Kluwe, known for his activism on social issues, protested a proposed plaque for the public library featuring the words "Magical," "Alluring," "Galvanizing," and "Adventurous," which form the acronym "MAGA." The plaque's inscription read: "Through hope and change our nation has built back better to the golden era of Making America Great Again!"
As President Donald Trump concludes his first month back in office, recent polls reveal a complex picture of public opinion regarding his performance. A Gallup poll indicates a slight decline in approval, from 47% in late January to 45% by mid-February 2025. This figure is notably 15 points below the historical average for presidents at this stage in their first terms since 1953. The same poll highlights that a majority of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy (54%) and foreign trade (53%).
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), launched under former President Donald Trump, remains on track following two key federal court rulings. A lawsuit challenging the department’s email system was dismissed, while a separate ruling dropped charges against two Trump aides in a classified records case. These decisions bolster DOGE’s mission to streamline government operations.
A recent report has unveiled troubling conditions within Planned Parenthood clinics, including allegations of botched procedures, inadequate training, and unsanitary environments. These revelations have intensified calls from conservative leaders to reevaluate and potentially withdraw federal funding from the organization.
The Kennedy Center has canceled an upcoming LGBTQIA+ Pride performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW), just weeks after President Donald Trump assumed his role as chairman of the venue’s board.
A federal court ruling last week delivered a significant setback to AI companies using copyrighted material for training, as US District Judge Stephanos Bibas sided with Thomson Reuters in its lawsuit against Ross Intelligence. The ruling marks the first major decision on AI-related copyright disputes, setting a precedent that could impact multiple ongoing cases.
The parents of a Long Island teenager who died by suicide are suing TikTok, alleging that the app used location tracking to push disturbing videos that contributed to his death.
