American Fever Dream

Today’s Headlines: A tragic shooting at Florida State left two dead and six injured after a 20-year-old suspect, reportedly the son of a sheriff’s deputy, opened fire outside the student union with one of her weapons. In court news, a federal panel ordered Trump officials to testify under oath about the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, blasting their claim that they can’t bring him back as an insult to basic American freedoms. California is suing the Trump administration over its sweeping tariffs, saying the economic “emergency” excuse doesn’t hold water—and that the state’s manufacturing industry is bearing the brunt. Trump also seems eager to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates, despite warnings it could crash the markets (and be unconstitutional). Meanwhile, the IRS is eyeing Harvard’s tax-exempt status after the university refused to play ball with the administration’s demands. And a whistleblower claims DOGE engineers hacked into the NLRB, leaked sensitive labor and legal data, and left a creepy, drone-snapped threat at his door when he tried to speak up. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: ​​NBC News: Florida State shooting live updates: 2 dead, sheriff’s deputy’s son in custody AP News: Appeals court calls Trump officials defiance over Abrego Garcia 'shocking' NBC News: California sues the Trump administration over the president's sweeping tariffs  Politico: Bessent privately urges caution as Trump attacks Powell The Guardian: IRS reportedly planning to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status NPR: A whistleblower's disclosure details how DOGE may have taken sensitive labor data  Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Today’s Headlines: The U.S.-China trade war escalated after VP JD Vance made a crack about “Chinese peasants,” prompting a sharp clapback from China. Hong Kong also suspended shipments to the U.S. over new 120% tariffs on small packages, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that the growing tariff chaos could have long term consequences on the economy. In El Salvador, Senator Chris Van Hollen tried (and failed) to secure a meeting or visit with wrongfully deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, as the White House is still insisting he’s not coming back. Meanwhile, a judge blocked Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm behind Dominion’s Fox lawsuit, calling it a personal vendetta and a “shocking abuse of power.” Another judge found probable cause to hold the administration in criminal contempt for ignoring a court order to stop deportation flights under the Alien Enemies Act. Lastly, the DOJ is suing Maine for allowing trans athletes in girls’ sports. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: CNN: China lashes out at JD Vance for comments about ‘Chinese peasants’  ​​AP News: Hong Kong post office will stop shipping parcels to the US over tariffs  CNN: Fed Chair Powell gives starkest warning yet on potential economic consequences from tariffs  Maryland Sen. Van Hollen meets with El Salvador's vice president in push for Abrego Garcia's release WA Post: Judge rules on Trump’s punishments for another law firm  CNN: Boasberg finds ‘probable cause exists’ to hold Trump administration in contempt for violating orders on deportation flights ​​ CNN: Trump DOJ sues Maine over refusing to comply with ban on transgender athletes in high school sports  Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson