Wednesday, January 29th, 2025 - WH aid freeze blocked; Trump rejoins anti-abortion pact, pauses HIV aid; RFK Jr. hearing and more

Today’s Headlines: The White House ordered a $10 trillion freeze on federal financial aid, but a judge temporarily blocked it. While details remain unclear, the freeze could impact Medicaid, food stamps, disability benefits, and student aid. Medicaid systems briefly crashed nationwide, raising concerns about potential cuts. Trump rejoined the Geneva Consensus Declaration, an anti-abortion pact, and halted PEPFAR HIV/AIDS funding as part of a broader foreign aid review. Federal agencies face mass firings, hiring freezes, and severance offers for employees who resign. The new acting U.S. Attorney in D.C. is reviewing cases of pardoned January 6th defendants—some of whom have already been re-arrested. Billionaire Scott Bessent was confirmed as Treasury Secretary. RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearings begin, with his cousin Caroline Kennedy urging senators to reject him. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters announced he won’t seek reelection in 2026. Meanwhile, Google is renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” after the Trump administration updated its official government sources. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NY Times: Read the Memo Pausing Federal Grants and Loans  The Guardian: Karoline Leavitt’s White House press conference marks return to Trump-era media relations 404 Media: Memos to Federal Employees Were Written By People With Ties to Project 2025, Metadata Shows  Mediaite: Federal Agency Scrubs Metadata After Memo Exposes Authors Were Affiliated With Controversial Project 2025 State: United States Renewed Membership in the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women’s Health and Strengthening the Family NY Times: Trump Pauses Disbursements to Program Supplying H.I.V. Treatment Worldwide  AP News: Firings, freezes and layoffs: A look at Trump's moves against federal employees and programs  Axios: Scoop: Trump offering buyouts to all federal workers  NBC News: Trump's new D.C. prosecutor launches review of key charge leveled against Jan. 6 defendants WA Post: Man pardoned on Jan. 6 charges arrested for possessing gun   Houston Public Media: Houston man pardoned for Jan. 6 crimes now wanted for online solicitation of a minor  AP News: Scott Bessent confirmed as treasury secretary, giving him a key role in extending Trump's tax cuts CBS News: Caroline Kennedy calls RFK Jr. a "predator" in letter to senators a day before his confirmation hearings  Axios: Gary Peters retiring from Senate seat in battleground Michigan  CNBC: Google says it will change Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America' in Maps app after government updates 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