Trump Hosts 1st State of the Union Address
President Donald Trump on March 4 hosted his first State of the Union Address since coming into office on Jan. 20.Trump laid out his plans for the coming year, highlighting tariffs, tax cuts, growing the military, as well as strengthening border security.
Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, was removed from Congress for heckling during Trump’s speech and has since been censured.
The State of the Union Address goes back to the framing of the Constitution, and although it has evolved over the years it is traditionally held once a year, but it isn’t defined by law.
US Soldiers Arrested for Selling Military Information to China
Two U.S. soldiers and a former soldier have been arrested for allegedly selling military secrets to China, the nation’s Justice Department announced on March 6.The two soldiers, Jian Zhao and Li Tian, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and former soldier Ruoyu Duan, were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and theft of government property.
Zhao, a battery supply sergeant, was additionally charged with conspiring to transmit defence information to buyers. He allegedly conspired to collect classified hard drives, some marked “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET,” as well as secret documents and an encryption capable computer, in which he negotiated with individuals in China.
Coalition of 20 States Sue U.S. Government Over Mass Firings
Nearly half of the country’s attorneys general have sued the U.S. government over its mass firings of workers.The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Elon Musk, tasked with slashing federal spending and the size of the workforce, has been targeting federal employees with under two years of employment.
The attorneys general are accusing the government of riding “roughshod” and not following correct procedures, which include a 60-day notice.
The attorneys general say the campaign has inflicted harm on tens of thousands of probationary employees, leaving them jobless without any prior notice, which has also had an impact on states’ funding through jobless claims.
Congress Nears Shutdown With No Budget Agreement
With less than a week to go to avert a government shutdown, Congress is struggling to come to a spending agreement on the annual budget before the March 14 deadline.A vote is set for March 11 on a plan proposed by Republicans, but Democrats appear to be in stark opposition.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, has said Republicans’ current budget plan contradicts a previous spending agreement named the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 that has already been put into existing law.
The fiscal year began on Oct. 1, but Congress has so far been unable to agree on a permanent budget for the year.
