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The White House drew widespread outrage Thursday after posting a hype video glorifying Iran strikes, captioned "JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY" on X. The montage intersperses military footage with clips from popular action movies and television shows. The release came as the New York Times published an investigation revealing the U.S. bombed a girls' school in Iran, killing 175 civilians. Political analysts condemned the video as tone-deaf and inappropriate. Neera Tanden criticized the Trump Cabinet as "play acting actual leaders," while journalist Natali Morris called it propaganda confirmation. Ron Filipkowski labeled it "a disgrace." Physician David Bell noted the video disrespected families who lost loved ones and urged "hiring adults." A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is challenging the administration's justifications for the bombing campaign amid mounting scrutiny over civilian casualties.

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Jean Davidson, executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, announced Friday she is departing her position to lead the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills, marking another casualty in the chaos engulfing the Kennedy Center since Trump took control. Davidson, who held the NSO post for less than three years, cited a "really hard year" and a lack of communication from leadership. The exodus accelerates as legendary composer Philip Glass withdrew his symphony debut and banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck cancelled performances. Attendance plummeted 50 percent, and the Washington National Opera departed in January after 55 years. Davidson received no notice of an abrupt two-year repair shutdown, forcing the NSO's 100-member orchestra and $42 million budget to scramble for new venues mid-season. Rep. Joyce Beatty is challenging the shutdown in federal court.

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A sprawling DEA investigation into Jeffrey Epstein for money laundering, drug smuggling, and sex trafficking was conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces beginning in 2015, according to Bloomberg reporting, based on five sources. An informant told authorities that Epstein funded and distributed club drugs, including ecstasy, ketamine, and methamphetamines, while running a prostitution ring. The DEA created a 69-page target profile on Epstein and 12 associates, including his lawyer, brother, and accountants, investigating illicit wire transfers connected to drug and prostitution activities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and New York City. At least eight federal agencies tracked Epstein's movements and offshore accounts. Operation Chain Reaction closed in June 2023, and the task forces were defunded and shut down in May 2025 under the Trump administration budget cuts.

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President Donald Trump launched an eight-post assault on HBO comedian Bill Maher on Friday morning via Truth Social, calling him a "jerk" and "total waste of time" amid mounting crises. Within 15 minutes, Trump reposted far-right and entertainment media headlines attacking Maher, including claims that the late-night host is an "overrated lightweight" comparable to Kimmel, Fallon, and Colbert. Trump called their White House dinner a "complete waste of time." The attack appeared unprompted, though Maher's show airs Friday featuring Trump critics Don Lemon and Sen. Adam Schiff. The social media outburst occurred as Trump faces cascading problems: an unpopular Middle East war, collapsing job market, cratering stock market, and renewed Epstein sex trafficking allegations. The distraction highlights Trump's prioritization of personal grievances over addressing serious national challenges.

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House Republicans, led by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) and co-signed by House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, have filed a criminal referral against Cassidy Hutchinson, seeking charges for allegedly lying to Congress. Hutchinson, former aide to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, testified in summer 2022 that Trump was aware of potential violence on January 6 and attempted to join Capitol rioters. Her key claim involved secondhand reporting that Trump lunged for his limousine's steering wheel when Secret Service blocked his access to the Capitol. Secret Service officials contradicted this account. Former Special Counsel Jack Smith testified that Hutchinson was not a strong witness because most claims were secondhand and inadmissible, with accounts differing from other witnesses. The referral appears aimed at undermining the January 6 investigation's findings that Trump bore direct responsibility.

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The Trump administration faced a major economic embarrassment on Friday morning as the February jobs report revealed the U.S. lost 92,000 jobs instead of the expected 50,000 job gain economists predicted. The negative report arrives as Americans struggle with rising fuel prices following Trump's military escalation in Iran. According to MSNBC's Jonathan Lemire, the job losses represent a significant departure from the administration's narrative of economic boom and a "new golden age." Downward revisions over recent months show the U.S. has lost jobs since April 2025, contradicting Trump's claims of economic strength. Lemire characterized the report as an "economic earthquake" and "unexpectedly bad" for both the White House and the American economy. The confluence of military conflict, rising energy costs, and job losses undermines Trump's central economic messaging.

The Department of Justice quietly released previously missing FBI interview files containing allegations from a woman who claims President Trump sexually assaulted her as a teenager after Epstein introduced them. According to the redacted files dated August-October 2019, the woman alleged she was between 13 and 15 years old when taken to a building in New York or New Jersey. According to the file, Donald Trump objected to her tomboy appearance, then asked others to leave before stating, "Let me teach you how little girls are supposed to be." The woman described Trump forcing her head toward his genitals, which she resisted. She alleged he then punched her head and pulled her hair before ordering her removed. The woman reported receiving threatening phone calls she believed connected to either Epstein or Trump. She has retained attorneys regarding a pending civil case related to the incident.

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President Trump told CNN's Dana Bash that he rates the Iran war 12-15 out of 10, claiming U.S. military performance exceeded anyone's dreams. Trump unprompted pivoted to Cuba, asserting it will "fall pretty soon" and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will facilitate negotiations. Trump downplayed rising gas prices, insisting they will drop to "record lows" as he claims to have already resolved the Strait of Hormuz by destroying 25 Iranian ships. He stated Gulf countries are "doing unbelievable" and fighting well. Most significantly, Trump reiterated his intention to personally select Iran's next leader, citing Venezuela as a model. He indicated willingness to accept a religious leader but wants someone who treats the U.S., Israel, and regional partners favorably. Trump signaled Cuba remains on his agenda after Iran matters conclude.

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Department of Homeland Security officials expressed relief rather than shock at Kristi Noem's firing, according to CNN correspondent Priscilla Alvarez. DHS insiders have spent months frustrated with Noem's leadership and her relationship with special government employee Corey Lewandowski, who was supposed to serve temporarily. One official told Alvarez, "People are tired of their s---. Honestly, it's been unreal." The agency experienced significant turnover under Trump's administration as DHS pivoted entirely toward mass deportation operations. Officials were particularly critical of Noem's mishandling of the Minneapolis crisis following the deaths of Americans Renee Good and Alex Pretti, killed by ICE agents. Noem called them "domestic terrorists" and refused to apologize despite lawmaker requests. These missteps, combined with her controversial leadership style, ultimately sealed her fate.

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President Donald Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, replacing her with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a former MMA fighter. Noem's removal followed two brutal days of congressional testimony where lawmakers questioned her spending on luxury planes, a heated blanket incident, and an unauthorized $220 million self-promotion ad campaign. Trump confirmed to GOP lawmakers he didn't approve the advertising spending. Noem also faced direct questioning under oath about rumored romantic involvement with Corey Lewandowski, with her husband present. Trump announced Noem would be demoted to "Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas," a newly created position. Democratic leaders, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, celebrated her departure while criticizing her record. Social media responses ranged from celebrations to harsh critiques, with critics arguing Trump fired her because she embarrassed him, not for endangering citizens.

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Fox News host John Roberts pointed out how fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared "rattled" while delivering a speech to the Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York in Nashville, seemingly unaware she was being replaced. Roberts noted Noem's uncharacteristic speech mistakes, suggesting she may have known about her impending dismissal but was compartmentalizing. As Noem spoke, Fox News cut to live footage of incoming DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin entering an elevator at the Capitol, speaking on his phone, and claiming, "I'll be back." Roberts humorously questioned whether Mullin was genuinely on a call or pretending to avoid conversation, drawing from his own experience of using phones as social avoidance tactics. Mullin never returned to face the cameras.

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Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) revealed that President Trump called him Tuesday night "mad as a murder hornet" after Kristi Noem's disastrous Senate hearing, ready to fire her. Kennedy disclosed that Noem had requested Trump approve a $250 million television ad campaign to promote herself, which Kennedy called outrageous: "A quarter of a billion dollars, not a million, a quarter of a billion dollars, on television to promote yourself. Gag me with a spoon, man." The $220 million ad contract was awarded to a firm run by the husband of former DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, with ads filmed at Mount Rushmore. Under Kennedy's questioning, Noem claimed Trump approved the campaign, contradicting the president's account. Kennedy noted their "versions of the truth are different." Incoming DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin acknowledged learning of his appointment moments before reporters.

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Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), a longtime Trump supporter first elected to the Senate in 2015, withdrew his re-election paperwork on Wednesday in an abrupt announcement. His decision came after University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced an independent Senate bid backed by former Democratic Sen. Jon Tester. Daines endorsed U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme as his successor, who filed for office minutes before Daines' retirement announcement. Trump praised Daines as "exceptional" and threw his complete endorsement behind Alme, calling him Trump 45 and Trump 47's U.S. Attorney. Trump stated that Alme's "highest level of aptitude and talent" persuaded Daines to step aside. CNN's Manu Raju characterized Daines' exit as "abrupt," signaling another GOP lawmaker abandoning his seat amid challenging electoral dynamics in Montana.

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