FEMA council meeting canceled

The U.S. military has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a move confirmed by President Donald Trump. The White House intends to hold the vessel at a Texas port while releasing the crew upon docking. This action marks a significant escalation in U.S. military operations in the region, part of an ongoing pressure campaign against the Venezuelan government.

Georgia has been awarded $1 billion in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support recovery efforts from storms and pandemic-related challenges, as announced by Governor Kristi Noem. This funding is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to address disaster recovery and emergency management needs across the state.

The White House has launched a TikTok account for the Trump administration Cabinet, as announced in a post on the social platform X. This initiative aims to engage with a younger audience through social media, with the first post featuring video clips highlighting the Cabinet's activities.

The Trump administration has approved six additional states, including Hawaii, Missouri, and North Dakota, to implement bans on using food stamps for purchasing sugary sodas and unhealthy foods, as announced by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. This decision expands the restrictions on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) spending aimed at promoting healthier food choices among beneficiaries.

The U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with the Departments of Defense and Justice, seized a Venezuelan oil tanker, a move that has raised alarms among Democrats regarding potential escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations. This action is part of the Trump administration's ongoing pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro's regime, which has been characterized by increasing military operations in the region.

The Trump administration has indefinitely suspended the processing of immigration requests for Afghan nationals, a decision that could significantly impact tens of thousands of Afghans seeking asylum or other pathways to citizenship. This suspension follows heightened national security concerns after a shooting incident in Washington D.C. involving an Afghan national, which led to critical injuries among National Guard members.

The Trump administration has reported that approximately 2 million non-citizens left the United States this year, primarily citing voluntary departures. This trend is attributed to increased pressure on immigrants through tactics such as ICE raids and arrests during green card appointments.

A federal judge in Massachusetts has blocked the Trump administration from terminating the Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities (BRIC) grant program, which is designed to enhance community preparedness for storms. Judge Richard Stearns ruled that the administration cannot reallocate funds from this program for other purposes, emphasizing the importance of disaster preparedness initiatives.