Thursday, March 20th, 2025 - Ukraine ceasefire; NATO shake-up; Tariffs slow US growth; Pentagon cuts; JFK files & more

Today’s Headlines: Trump called his talk with Zelensky about the Ukraine ceasefire “very good,” as U.S. and Russian officials prepare to meet in Riyadh. Meanwhile, his administration is considering giving up the U.S. military’s top NATO command role, held by an American general since WWII, while the Pentagon plans to cut 60,000 civilian jobs, many held by veterans. The Fed held interest rates steady but signaled two cuts later this year, citing slower growth and inflation driven by tariffs. The DOGE-led takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace is now facing legal challenges. In the courts, a judge ordered Trump officials to prove they followed a deportation ban, another blocked the administration’s transgender military ban, and a third halted the EPA’s attempt to cancel $20 billion in climate grants. And finally, 63,000 newly declassified pages on JFK’s assassination just dropped—happy sleuthing! Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:  The Independent: Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump tells Zelensky US could take ownership of energy plants after new Putin airstrikes NBC News: Trump admin considers giving up NATO command that has been American since Eisenhower  Military.com: Pentagon Pushes Ahead on Cutting 60,000 Civilian Workers Using Firings, Resignations and Hiring Freeze  CNBC: Fed decision recap: Powell says tariffs could delay progress on lowering inflation  NBC News: U.S. Institute of Peace sues to block DOGE 'takeover by force'  NY Times: Trump Officials Say Deportees Were Gang Members. Few Details Were Disclosed.  WSJ: Federal Judge Blocks Trump Ban on Transgender People Serving in Military  CBS News: Judge temporarily blocks EPA's effort to cancel $20 billion in climate grants  CBS News: What's in the 80,000 pages of JFK assassination documents released by the Trump administration  Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices