Trump administration seeks to roll back protections for imperiled species and habitat

Interim US Attorney Lindsey Halligan suggested that the Biden-appointed judge overseeing the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey violated judicial conduct rules by questioning if she was a 'puppet' of President Trump.

The Trump administration is proposing to eliminate protections for certain animals and plants under the Endangered Species Act. The administration argues that existing regulations are overly restrictive and hinder economic growth, while critics express concern over the potential impact on biodiversity and conservation efforts.

A federal judge is set to revive contempt proceedings against Trump administration officials for failing to comply with his order to halt deportation flights to El Salvador. The proceedings had been on hold while the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reviewed the case. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg is now moving forward with the inquiry.

Senator Marco Rubio has ordered restitution for staffers who were denied promotions under the Biden administration's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) standards. This decision affects 295 employees and includes pay increases and commendations. The move highlights ongoing discussions around workplace equity and the implications of DEI policies.

Ukraine's military has launched four U.S.-made ATACMS missiles at the southern Russian city of Voronezh, according to the Kremlin. This action has drawn accusations from Russia that Ukraine is targeting civilian areas with the missiles, which were provided to Kyiv by the Biden administration in 2023 under specific usage restrictions.

The State Department has announced restitution for 295 employees who were denied promotions under President Biden's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) standards. This decision, ordered by Senator Marco Rubio, includes pay increases and commendations for the affected staffers.

The Trump administration and Russian officials are reportedly working on a revised peace plan inspired by the situation in Gaza to address the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Moscow, which has lasted for 33 months.

The Trump administration is proposing to suspend 38 universities, including Harvard and Yale, from a federal research partnership program due to their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices. An internal memo indicates that institutions openly engaging in DEI policies will be excluded from the Diplomacy Lab, which connects university researchers with state department policy offices.