Daily Signals

Your daily dose of what's happening in the world today

Trump Declares Himself King

In a Truth Social post, and later to X, Trump and his White House Staff posted a Time-like cover labeled "TRUMP" with the caption "Long Live the King". Is the post caption, Trump writes: "CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!"
–President Donald J. Trump. The satire post has gone viral, with many not taking to well to it.

Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order Rejected

A federal appeals court has ruled that President Trump cannot end birthright citizenship, maintaining that children born in the U.S. are granted citizenship regardless of parental status.

The Department of Justice appealed these rulings. However, on February 19, 2025, a panel from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the administration's emergency request to lift the nationwide injunction. The majority opinion indicated that the government had not demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of the case. This decision maintains the block on the executive order, setting the stage for further legal proceedings, potentially escalating to the Supreme Court, according to Politico

Legal experts widely contend that the 14th Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship, and any changes to this interpretation would require a constitutional amendment rather than an executive order. The ongoing legal battles underscore the complexities and challenges associated with altering long-standing interpretations of constitutional provisions.

Trump Calls Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "Dictator"

In shocking statements recently, President Trump called Ukrainian President Zelensky a "Dictator" and accused him of starting the Ukrainian/Russian war.

In a recent escalation of tensions, President Donald Trump referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "dictator without elections," while speaking at the FII conference in Miami, accusing him of prolonging the war with Russia for personal gain. These remarks followed Zelenskyy's assertion that Trump is ensnared in a Russian "disinformation bubble." The exchange has raised concerns about a potential rift between the U.S. and Ukraine, especially after U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia excluded Ukrainian representation. European leaders have reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, while Russian officials have welcomed Trump's criticisms of Zelensky.

In a separate speech, President Donald Trump suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was partly to blame for the Russian invasion during remarks following the Riyadh meeting on February 18, 2025. He stated, "You should have never started it. You could have made a deal." These comments were made after U.S. and Russian delegations met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to develop a framework for further peace negotiations on the war in Ukraine. 

Trump's remarks have been widely criticized for misrepresenting the origins of the conflict, as Russia initiated the war by invading Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

DOGE Cuts Impacting Military Veterans

Veterans, who constitute approximately 30% of the federal workforce, are experiencing heightened confusion and fear due to these abrupt job cuts. Many rely on their federal positions for financial stability and access to essential benefits.

For instance, a disabled veteran recently laid off from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expressed concerns about sustaining herself on a disability stipend, especially with her husband currently unemployed while pursuing specialized military training. Another veteran, who also lost her position at the USDA, lamented the abrupt end to her aspirations of a long-term public service career.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has also been impacted, with over 1,000 employees dismissed, many of whom were probationary staff with less than two years of service. This has raised alarms about potential staffing shortages and the subsequent effects on veteran care services. Despite assurances from the VA that no further cuts are planned, the pervasive uncertainty continues to erode morale among remaining staff, particularly those in critical support roles like the Veterans Crisis Line. Read more from Business Insider here.

Middle East

• Hamas Returns Bodies of Israeli Hostages: Hamas has handed over the bodies of Israeli infant Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel, the youngest captives taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. Their deaths have become potent symbols of the trauma inflicted during that period. Reuters

Europe

• Russia Reclaims Territory in Kursk Region: The Russian military reports it has retaken a significant portion of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, marking a notable development in the ongoing conflict. Reuters
• Emotional Trauma Mounts for Ukrainian Children: Three years into the conflict, Ukrainian children are experiencing increasing emotional distress, with schools in Kyiv noting a rise in trauma-related issues among students. Reuters
• Austria Moves Toward Centrist Coalition: Following recent elections, Austria is progressing towards forming a centrist coalition government after the far-right failed to secure a majority. Reuters

Asia Pacific

• South Korea's Yoon Attends First Trial Hearing: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has appeared at his initial trial hearing on charges of insurrection, a significant event in the nation's political landscape. Reuters
• China Repatriates Nationals from Myanmar Scam Centers: Over 1,000 Chinese nationals, rescued from scam centers in Myanmar, have been repatriated via flights from Thailand, highlighting ongoing regional human trafficking issues. NPR
• U.S. Reaffirms Strong Support for Taiwan: A Taiwanese official has stated that U.S. support for Taiwan remains "very strong," amidst ongoing regional tensions. Reuters

Africa

• Niger Proposes Five-Year Transition to Democratic Rule: A commission in Niger has recommended a five-year transition period to restore democratic governance, as reported by state television. Reuters
• Rwanda Criticizes DRC Over Football Club Sponsorships: Rwanda has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of threatening regional peace following criticism of its sponsorship deals with European football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain. Reuters

Global

• G20 Foreign Ministers Convene Amidst Global Tensions: Foreign ministers from G20 nations are gathering to discuss pressing global issues, including trade disputes and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Reuters
• FDA Memo Controversy Over Language Use: An internal FDA memo banning the words 'woman' and 'disabled' has been labeled an error by the White House, sparking discussions on language and inclusivity in official communications. Reuters