Thursday, February 20th, 2025 - Trump blames Zelensky; Medicaid cuts, Pentagon layoffs; Israel-Hamas deal update; Mexico vs. Google

Today’s Headlines: Trump blames Zelensky for Russia’s invasion after a Saudi meeting that excluded Ukraine, calling him a dictator and urging elections. Meanwhile, Trump asserts more control over federal agencies with executive orders on legal authority, IVF access, and blocking NYC’s congestion pricing plan (complete with a crown photo). Medicaid faces $880 billion in cuts as part of a GOP budget designed to fund $4.5 trillion in tax breaks for the wealthy. Over at the Pentagon, Trump ordered defense spending cuts, while the IRS begins laying off 6,000 workers. Hamas plans to return the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two children, as the ceasefire continues. And in Mexico, President Sheinbaum threatens to sue Google over its maps labeling the “Gulf of America”.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

• AP News: Trump says Ukraine started the war that's killing its citizens. What are the facts?
• WA Post: Trump moves to narrow independence of Fed, along with other Wall Street overseers 
• WA Post: Trump’s executive order aims to lower the cost of IVF. Here’s what we know.
• WA Post: Trump administration revokes approval of NYC congestion toll 
• NY Times: Trump Says Medicaid Won’t Be ‘Touched.’ House Republicans Want It Cut by Hundreds of Billions.
• WA Post: Trump administration orders Pentagon to plan for sweeping budget cuts   
• NY Times: Trump Administration Live Updates: Hegseth Calls for 8 Percent Annual Defense Cut 
• WA Post: Bodies of Bibas family, symbol of hostage horrors, to be returned, Hamas says 
• Axios: Mexico threatens Google with lawsuit over "Gulf of America" label on maps 



Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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