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Updated Day 1484
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mkiser authored and Siteleaf committed Feb 11, 2025
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Expand Up @@ -42,29 +42,28 @@ todayInOneSentence: A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration

*The midterm elections are in 630 days.*

* Democracy doesn’t run on vibes. Do something that matters.
* ☎️ Call your representative and [urge them to protect the EPA](https://5calls.org/issue/epa-environmental-protection-agency-zeldin/).
* ☎️ **Democracy doesn’t run on vibes. Do something that matters**. Call your representative and [urge them to protect the EPA](https://5calls.org/issue/epa-environmental-protection-agency-zeldin/).

----
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### ✏️ Notables.

1. **A federal appeals court dismissed charges against two Trump aides accused of helping him hide classified documents at Mar-a-Lago**, formally ending the prosecution initiated by special counsel Jack Smith. The Justice Department requested the case be dropped, citing a shift in leadership and longstanding policy against prosecuting a sitting president. The two aides, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, had been charged with obstruction of justice but pleaded not guilty. ([Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/11/classified-documents-case-justice-department-016141) / [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-documents-case-walt-nauta-carlos-de-oliveira-case-dismissed/) / [NPR](https://www.npr.org/2025/02/11/nx-s1-5293113/trump-document-case-nauta-de-oliveira))
1. **A federal appeals court dismissed charges against two Trump aides accused of helping him hide classified documents at Mar-a-Lago**, formally ending the prosecution initiated by special counsel Jack Smith. The Justice Department requested the case be dropped, citing a shift in leadership and longstanding policy against prosecuting a sitting president. The two aides, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, had been charged with obstruction of justice but pleaded not guilty. ([Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/11/classified-documents-case-justice-department-016141) / [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-documents-case-walt-nauta-carlos-de-oliveira-case-dismissed/) / [NPR](https://www.npr.org/2025/02/11/nx-s1-5293113/trump-document-case-nauta-de-oliveira))

2. **Trump removed the director of the Office of Government Ethics**, the agency responsible for overseeing executive branch ethics rules. The dismissal of David Huitema follows the removal of inspectors general and prosecutors tied to Jan. 6 cases. Huitema, appointed by Biden and confirmed in 2024, had been expected to serve a five-year term. ([Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/10/trump-removes-government-ethics-office-director-00203418) / [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-office-of-government-ethics-director/) / [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/10/trump-removes-director-of-government-ethics-office.html))
2. **Trump removed the director of the Office of Government Ethics**, the agency responsible for overseeing executive branch ethics rules. The dismissal of David Huitema follows the removal of inspectors general and prosecutors tied to Jan. 6 cases. Huitema, appointed by Biden and confirmed in 2024, had been expected to serve a five-year term. ([Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/10/trump-removes-government-ethics-office-director-00203418) / [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-office-of-government-ethics-director/) / [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/10/trump-removes-director-of-government-ethics-office.html))

3. **Elon Musk will submit a financial disclosure report to the White House, but it will not be made public**. Musk, serving as an unpaid “special government employee,” is not required to disclose his finances under federal law, despite extensive business ties to the government. His companies hold billions in federal contracts and face multiple regulatory investigations, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. While ethics waivers are required for officials with conflicts, the White House has not confirmed whether Musk has received one. ([New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/us/politics/elon-musk-finances.html))
3. **Elon Musk will submit a financial disclosure report to the White House, but it will not be made public**. Musk, serving as an unpaid “special government employee,” is not required to disclose his finances under federal law, despite extensive business ties to the government. His companies hold billions in federal contracts and face multiple regulatory investigations, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. While ethics waivers are required for officials with conflicts, the White House has not confirmed whether Musk has received one. ([New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/us/politics/elon-musk-finances.html))

4. **The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee accused Kash Patel, Trump’s FBI director nominee, of secretly orchestrating the firing of career officials before his confirmation**. In a letter to the Justice Department’s inspector general, Durbin cited “highly credible” sources suggesting Patel coordinated the dismissals through DOJ officials, contradicting his Senate testimony. Durbin warned that Patel “may have perjured himself” and urged Republicans to reconsider his nomination. The allegations follow mass firings across the DOJ and FBI, including prosecutors tied to Trump-related cases. ([New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/us/politics/kash-patel-fbi-durbin.html))
4. **The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee accused Kash Patel, Trump’s FBI director nominee, of secretly orchestrating the firing of career officials before his confirmation**. In a letter to the Justice Department’s inspector general, Durbin cited “highly credible” sources suggesting Patel coordinated the dismissals through DOJ officials, contradicting his Senate testimony. Durbin warned that Patel “may have perjured himself” and urged Republicans to reconsider his nomination. The allegations follow mass firings across the DOJ and FBI, including prosecutors tied to Trump-related cases. ([New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/us/politics/kash-patel-fbi-durbin.html))

5. **Steve Bannon pleaded guilty to defrauding donors in the "We Build the Wall" fundraising scheme that raised over $15 million**. He will avoid jail time under the plea agreement, but instead receive a three-year conditional discharge and be barred him from running charities or fundraising in New York. Trump had previously pardoned Bannon in a federal case over the same scheme, but state charges are beyond presidential pardon power. ([Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/former-trump-advisor-bannon-plead-guilty-border-wall-fraud-case-avoid-jail-2025-02-10/) / [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/nyregion/steve-bannon-guilty-plea.html) / [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/steve-bannon-pleads-guilty-new-york-build-wall-case-rcna191672) / [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-bannon-guilty-plea-we-build-the-wall-donor-fraud-new-york/) / [Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/11/steve-bannon-guilty-plea-jailtime-00203559))
5. **Steve Bannon pleaded guilty to defrauding donors in the "We Build the Wall" fundraising scheme that raised over $15 million**. He will avoid jail time under the plea agreement, but instead receive a three-year conditional discharge and be barred him from running charities or fundraising in New York. Trump had previously pardoned Bannon in a federal case over the same scheme, but state charges are beyond presidential pardon power. ([Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/former-trump-advisor-bannon-plead-guilty-border-wall-fraud-case-avoid-jail-2025-02-10/) / [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/nyregion/steve-bannon-guilty-plea.html) / [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/steve-bannon-pleads-guilty-new-york-build-wall-case-rcna191672) / [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-bannon-guilty-plea-we-build-the-wall-donor-fraud-new-york/) / [Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/11/steve-bannon-guilty-plea-jailtime-00203559))

6. **Trump named Richard Grenell interim executive director of the Kennedy Center after appointing himself chairman**. Trump removed 18 Biden-era board members and vowed to end “anti-American propaganda” and drag performances at the center, which is home to the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera. ([Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/10/trump-ric-grenell-kennedy-center-00203484) / [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/arts/music/trump-kennedy-center-board-removed.html))
6. **Trump named Richard Grenell interim executive director of the Kennedy Center after appointing himself chairman**. Trump removed 18 Biden-era board members and vowed to end “anti-American propaganda” and drag performances at the center, which is home to the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera. ([Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/10/trump-ric-grenell-kennedy-center-00203484) / [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/arts/music/trump-kennedy-center-board-removed.html))

7. **The Justice Department directed federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams**, citing concerns about the timing of his trial during an election year and his role in Trump’s immigration policies. Adams had been indicted on bribery and fraud charges related to accepting illegal foreign campaign contributions and luxury travel perks. ([New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02/10/nyregion/eric-adams-charges) / [Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/02/10/new-york-mayor-eric-adams-charges-drop-justice/))
7. **The Justice Department directed federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams**, citing concerns about the timing of his trial during an election year and his role in Trump’s immigration policies. Adams had been indicted on bribery and fraud charges related to accepting illegal foreign campaign contributions and luxury travel perks. ([New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02/10/nyregion/eric-adams-charges) / [Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/02/10/new-york-mayor-eric-adams-charges-drop-justice/))

8. **Trump said the U.S. should receive $500 billion worth of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as compensation for military and financial aid**, claiming Kyiv has “essentially agreed.” Trump argued “We can’t continue to pay this money” without something in return. ([Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-demands-500b-in-rare-earths-from-ukraine-for-support/))
8. **Trump said the U.S. should receive $500 billion worth of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as compensation for military and financial aid**, claiming Kyiv has “essentially agreed.” Trump argued “We can’t continue to pay this money” without something in return. ([Politico](https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-demands-500b-in-rare-earths-from-ukraine-for-support/))

9. **The U.S. hit a record low in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 28th globally**. The drop follows Trump’s conviction and re-election. ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/02/11/us-record-low-international-corruption-index))
9. **The U.S. hit a record low in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 28th globally**. The drop follows Trump’s conviction and re-election. ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/02/11/us-record-low-international-corruption-index))

10. **The FBI found 2,400 new JFK assassination records after a Trump-ordered search**. The files, uncovered due to improved record-keeping, will be sent for declassification. Trump pledged to release all assassination records, reviving conspiracy theories. ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/02/10/trump-jfk-assassination-records) / [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/11/politics/jfk-assassination-files/index.html))

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