GovBrief Today header

Unelected Elon Musk, who is not a Cabinet member, is seen here performing his act at Trump's first Cabinet meeting. He was the first person to speak after Trump and did a 15 minute set.

What Happened Today – Feb 27

by

⚡ Trump’s reckless firings and mass layoffs are gutting key agencies—from FEMA to Social Security—while his military purge faces backlash. Today, I contacted my senators and urged them to reject his nominations, just as past defense secretaries advised. #GovBriefToday #Resist

A federal judge ruled that OPM’s directives ordering the firing of probationary employees were illegal and have no legal effect on at least six agencies.
The Trump administration fired hundreds of NOAA workers by email without notice, gutting the nation’s official weather and climate agency.
EnvironmentFederal PersonnelOversight
View Details
One day after Elon Musk told the Cabinet that USAID’s Ebola programs were restored, several organizations—including UNICEF, which had been working with the U.S. in Africa—were terminated.
Federal PersonnelHealthOversight
View Details
Trump claims Russia would accept European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine and says he doesn’t recall calling Zelenskyy a dictator last week.
Foreign RelationsWar
View Details
Trump announced 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods starting Tuesday, along with an additional 10% on China, on top of last month’s hike.
EconomyForeign Relations
View Details
After firing 1,000 FEMA employees, Trump saw over a dozen senior executives leave and has threatened to disband the disaster relief agency.
Disaster ReliefEnvironmentFederal PersonnelHealth
View Details
The Social Security Administration plans to fire between 7,000 and 30,000 workers.
EconomyFederal PersonnelSocial Security
View Details
The U.S. military has reversed course and will discharge all active service members who are transgender.
Federal PersonnelHuman RightsMilitary
View Details
A federal judge ruled that Trump officials must testify under oath about the secretive Department of Government Efficiency in a suit filed by unions.
CourtsOversight
View Details
The FBI widened a criminal probe into an EPA climate grant program, leading to resignations after DOJ pressured prosecutors to freeze $20B in clean-energy funds, targeting Citibank’s role despite judges rejecting warrants.
EnvironmentJustice DeptOversight
View Details
Five former defense secretaries condemned Trump’s “reckless firing” of the Joint Chiefs chair and top officers, urging Congress to block replacements.
CongressFighting BackMilitaryOversight
View Details

Share this brief:

Get the daily brief in your inbox

Subscribe Free