Despite facing pressure from the Trump administration, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced that interest rates will remain unchanged as concerns remain over inflation and the job market.

After increasing interest rates to their highest levels in decades in 2023, the Federal Reserve started easing interest rates in September 2024 as annual inflation rates began stabilizing below 3%. The Federal Reserve implemented two additional rate drops in late 2024.

But lately, the annual consumer inflation rate has crept slightly higher, causing the Federal Reserve to pause any additional rate cuts. The Federal Reserve noted that the job market remains strong, another key determining factor in whether to adjust interest rates.

Powell has said the Federal Reserve is trying to balance the need to reduce inflation while preventing the labor market from being stifled. In recent cases when interest rates increased, like they did in 2000 and 2007, a recession followed.

RELATED STORY | Potential homebuyers could face steep mortgages due to interest rates staying put

"The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. The Committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are roughly in balance. The economic outlook is uncertain, and the Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate," the Federal Reserve said.

During last week's World Economic Forum, President Trump said, "Ill demand that interest rates drop immediately, and likewise, they should be dropping all over the world.

The consumer price index, the top measure for consumer inflation in the U.S., increased in December to 2.9% in the 12-month period ending last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which released the updated consumer price index earlier this month.

December marked the third consecutive month the consumer price index rose, after dipping to an annualized rate of 2.4% in September.

Experts have said that the federal interest rate has the largest effect on car loans and similar large purchases.

Mortgage rates, although not directly tied to the federal interest rate, also reached a 23-year high in 2023 and any future drop in interest rates would likely trickle down to Americans looking to buy a home.

After Costco shareholders overwhelmingly supported the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, a group of 19 Republican state attorneys general urged the company to eliminate its programs.

Last week, 98% of the company's shares voted against a proposal that would have eliminated certain DEI programs within Costco, according to a preliminary count.

The vote came after the company's board urged its shareholders to vote against a proposal submitted by the National Center for Public Policy Research that called on Costco to eliminate DEI programs. The group claims that DEI programs are discriminatory and put the company at financial risk.

The attorneys general argued that Costco's policies are illegal and run afoul of President Donald Trump's recent executive orders that limit DEI programs in both the private and public sectors.

"Although Costcos motto is 'do the right thing,' it appears that the company is doing the wrong thingclinging to DEI policies that courts and businesses have rejected as illegal," the AGs said in a letter. "Costco should treat every person equally and based on their merit, rather than based on divisive and discriminatory DEI practices. That reflects President Trumps executive order encouraging 'the Private Sector to End Illegal DEI discrimination and Preferences.'"

The attorneys general gave Costco 30 days to respond. The letter did not state any consequences if Costco fails to respond.

Costco's policy states, "All decisions regarding recruiting, hiring, promotion, assignment, training, termination and other terms and conditions of employment will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, covered military or veteran status, political ideology or expression, genetic information, marital status or other protected status."

The National Center for Public Policy Research said the Supreme Court decision reached in 2023 in SFFA v. Harvard indicated that companies' DEI programs could potentially be illegal. The Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action policies by colleges violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Costco's board countered that the group was incorrect in its belief that the company's DEI policies violate the law.

RELATED STORY | Costco memberships grow despite price increase as profits surge

The vote came as numerous companies have eliminated DEI programs in response to backlash from conservatives and President Trump.

Within hours of taking office, President Trump signed an executive order essentially ridding the federal government of DEI training and positions. The president also eliminated a past executive order that required federal contractors to have non-discriminatory practices in hiring and employment.

RELATED STORY | Presidential Shift: Trump reverses key Biden administration DEI policies

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, faced the first of two Senate panels on Wednesday. His nomination is widely expected to be among the most challenging for President Trump to get confirmed.

Kennedy first appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday before his Thursday testimony for the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

These hearings follow a letter sent by Kennedy's cousin Caroline Kennedy, who called RFK Jr. a "predator" and would show off by putting baby chickens and mice in a blender to feed to his hawks while hosting peers.

RELATED STORY | Caroline Kennedy calls her cousin RFK Jr a 'predator' ahead of his senate confirmation hearings

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s view on widely accepted medical practices such as vaccines has come under intense scrutiny. Kennedy has said he is not "anti-vaccine." However, he has made numerous claims about vaccines that have been disputed by major health organizations. One such widely debunked claim is that vaccines are tied to autism.

"In my advocacy, I've often disturbed the status quo by asking uncomfortable questions," he said on Wednesday. "Well, I'm not gonna apologize for that. We have massive health problems in this country that we must face honestly. And the first thing I've done every morning for the past 20 years is to get on my knees and pray to God that he would put me in a position to end the chronic disease epidemic and to help America's children."

He continued to say that he would not reduce access to vaccines if confirmed, which drew apprehension from Democrats on the committee.

"I support the measles vaccine. I support the polio vaccine. I will do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking either of those vaccines," he said.

But these answers gave little solace to Democrats.

"The receipts show that Mr. Kennedy has embraced conspiracy theories, quacks, charlatans, especially when it comes to the safety and efficacy of vaccines. He has made it his life's work to sow doubt and discourage parents from getting their kids life-saving vaccines," said Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee.

Conservatives have also expressed doubts about Kennedy due to his views on abortion.

"I agree with President Trump that every abortion is a tragedy," Kennedy said. "I agree with him that we cannot be a moral nation if we have 1.2 million abortions a year. I agree with him that the states should control abortion. President Trump has told me that he wants to end late-term abortions, and he wants to protect conscience exemptions, and that he wants to end federal funding for abortions.

"I serve at the pleasure of the president. I'm gonna implement his policies."

Dozens of Nobel laureates have asked senators to reject Kennedy's nomination based on concerns that Kennedy would put the publics health in jeopardy and undermine Americas global leadership in the health sciences.

RELATED STORY | RFK Jr. says he dumped a dead bear in New York's Central Park a decade ago

In December, a statement from the Trump transition team said, "Mr. Kennedy would help to restore the integrity of our healthcare and make America healthy again."

Kennedy has said that if confirmed, he would push to reduce food additives such as dyes and preservatives, and increase access to healthier foods.

It will take a majority of 100 senators to confirm Kennedy. Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate.

A new report from Realtor.com shows 15,841 residential properties were within the designated fire boundaries of the Palisades and Eaton Fires, with a total value of $40.3 billion.

The report indicated that the median home inside the Palisades Fire zone had a value of $3 million. The median home in the Eaton Fire had a value of $1.3 million.

By comparison, the median home in the Los Angeles area is $870,500.

The report noted that the extent of the damage inside the fire zones has not been fully assessed, but over $40 billion of residential value is within the fires boundaries, and therefore at risk.

RELATED STORY | California will spend $2.5 billion to help the Los Angeles area recover from wildfires

The residences represent about 2% of Los Angeles Countys total home value. The Realtor.com report noted that the wildfires could exacerbate an already struggling housing market in the area.

Realtor.com said that between 2013 and 2023, the Los Angeles metro area added roughly 290,000 new households, and issued about 107,000 single-family building permits. The report indicated that the emphasis on multi-family housing over single-family homes has kept competition fierce and home prices high.

The report found that over three-quarters of those living in and around the fire zones were homeowners. Realtor.com expects many of those homeowners will seek temporary rental housing, placing additional strain on an area that already has the fourth-highest monthly rental rates in the U.S.

RELATED STORY | How exposure to wildfire smoke can put your health at risk

Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka said that U.S. citizens were among those detained in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at a restaurant within the city. Baraka accused ICE of not having a proper warrant to execute the raid.

"(ICE) went in the back of the establishment," he said. "We believe that there were three people who they say were undocumented that they detained, but they also detained folks that were, in fact, citizens of this country. One person showed military veteran identification and was still questioned anyway."

The raids occurred as the Trump administration has touted stepped-up immigration enforcement since President Donald Trump took office earlier this week. On Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a photo of a military airplane with the caption, Deportation flights have begun. President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: if you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences.

RELATED STORY | Federal judge temporarily blocks executive order on birthright citizenship

It is unclear if the cadence of deportations is higher now than under President Joe Biden. According to ICEs most recent available data, it conducted 154,204 arrests and 81,547 removals in 2022.

Although arrests and removals were daily occurrences during the Biden administration, President Trump has made immigration enforcement a key theme of his presidency.

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This egregious act is in plain violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right of the people be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, Baraka said.

Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim released a joint statement saying they were "deeply concerned" by the raids and added "actions like this one sow fear in all of our communities."

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for proposals to fast-track deportations. President Trump signed an executive order that requires noncitizens to prove they have been in the U.S. for at least two years to avoid deportation.

RELATED STORY | Republicans unite to codify Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship

Baraka said that after spreading the news of the raid, he received emails and threats.

"It's a slippery scope when we think it's okay to spin the Constitution of the United States in order to make a political point," he said. "They say in a very cavalier way, 'These things happen.' There will be some citizens who are gonna ask for their ID and their paperwork. My response to that is, how do you determine who's undocumented and who's a criminal? Just by looking at them?

As the Trump administration vows to rid the government of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs while punishing companies that have DEI systems, Costco shareholders overwhelmingly rejected an effort to eliminate the company's DEI programs.

According to the Associated Press, those holding 98% of the company's shares voted against the proposal that would eliminate certain DEI programs within Costco.

The vote came after the company's board urged its shareholders to vote against a proposal submitted by the National Center for Public Policy Research that called on Costco to eliminate DEI programs. The group claims that DEI programs are discriminatory and put the company at financial risk.

"It's clear that DEI holds litigation, reputational, and financial risks to the Company, and therefore financial risks to shareholders," the National Center for Public Policy Research wrote in its letter of support.

The National Center for Public Policy Research said the Supreme Court decision reached in 2023 in SFFA v. Harvard indicated that companies' DEI programs could potentially be illegal. The Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action policies by colleges violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Costco's board countered that the group was incorrect in its belief that the company's DEI policies violate the law.

RELATED STORY | Costco memberships grow despite price increase as profits surge

"Our success at Costco Wholesale has been built on service to our critical stakeholders: employees, members, and suppliers," the board wrote in response to the proposal. "Our efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion follow our code of ethics: For our employees, these efforts are built around inclusion having all of our employees feel valued and respected. Our efforts at diversity, equity, and inclusion remind and reinforce with everyone at our company the importance of creating opportunities for all."

The vote comes as numerous companies have eliminated DEI programs in response to backlash from conservatives and President Trump.

Within hours of taking office, President Trump signed an executive order essentially ridding the federal government of DEI training and positions. The president also eliminated a past executive order that required federal contractors to have non-discriminatory practices in hiring and employment.

RELATED STORY | Presidential Shift: Trump reverses key Biden administration DEI policies

President Donald Trump said he would end the Federal Emergency Management Agency "right now" if it was up to him.

President Trump made the comments during a visit to North Carolina, where he was touring damage left by Hurricane Helene.

"FEMA is a very expensive organization that really doesn't work out very well," he said.

Trump revealed on Friday that he would be signing an executive order that would overhaul FEMA or possibly "get rid" of the agency.

RELATED STORY | Trump administration deletes Biden's reproductive rights website hours after taking office

The president suggested the federal government could give money directly to states so they could respond to the disasters directly.

However, Ratina Dougherty, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida, said more clarity is needed on how the federal government would support states.

"What is going to be the federal response capacity and the federal expectations and ability to provide aid? Because I think that the biggest thing that FEMA does provide is a lot of that boots-on-the-ground initial response and most importantly the financial aid," she said.

RELATED STORY | How exposure to wildfire smoke can put your health at risk

In addition to potential changes to FEMA, Trump suggested that aid could be tied to certain conditions. In California, where wildfires destroyed thousands of structures, Trump suggested the state should pass a voter ID law in order to receive federal aid.

A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom called conditioning aid for Americans "wrong."

Ahead of Trump's visit to California on Friday, Newsom signed a $2.5 billion disaster relief bill that was passed unanimously by state lawmakers.

Newsom met Trump on the tarmac when he arrived in California on Friday to shake his hand.

A statement from Newsom's office said he was "committed to advocating for the needs of Californians in partnership with the federal administration." Speaking after Trump arrived on Friday, Newsom said "I have all the expectations were going to be able to work together."

"We're going to get it fixed," Trump said of the wildfires' devastation.

Trump then toured areas damaged by the fires on foot and from the air, noting the difference of seeing the effects in person.

I dont think you can realize how rough it is, how devastating it is, until you see it, President Trump said.

The president did not immediately address his earlier suggestions that aid for California should be conditional.

He left California Friday for Las Vegas, Nevada, where he will hold a rally over the weekend.

After President Donald Trump announced that his administration will soon change the name of Denali back to Mount McKinley, the states top two federal lawmakers said they do not support the change.

In a video posted on X, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said that he prefers the Denali name. Sullivan said that the media in Washington has been obsessed with the name change.

I prefer the name Denali, which was given to that great mountain by the great patriotic Koyukon Athabascan people thousands of years ago, Sullivan said.

In December, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, also said she opposed the name change.

You cant improve upon the name that Alaskas Koyukon Athabascans bestowed on North Americas tallest peak, Denali the Great One, Murkowski said in December when then President-elect Trump first suggested the name change. For years, I advocated in Congress to restore the rightful name for this majestic mountain to respect Alaskas first people, who have lived on these lands for thousands of years. This is an issue that should not be relitigated.

RELATED STORY | Federal judge temporarily blocks Trumps executive order on birthright citizenship

For decades, the mountain was officially named Mount McKinley in honor of President William McKinley, an Ohio Republican who served from 1897 until his assassination in 1901.

According to the National Park Service, Mount McKinley emerged as its name after gold prospector William Dickey, an admirer of McKinley, used the name in an 1897 New York Sun article. McKinley had no connection to Alaska.

As Mount McKinley became more established in American vernacular in the early 1900s, there were still many people with connections to Interior Alaska who were disturbed by the dismissal of Native antecedents, the National Park Service said.

In 1975, the State of Alaska petitioned the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to change the name from Mount McKinley to Denali. The federal government did not officially adopt the Denali moniker until President Barack Obama and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell ordered the name change in 2015.

According to President Trumps order, Denali would go back to being called Mount McKinley, but the national park would retain the Denali name. Denali is the only mountain in North America to top 20,000 feet.

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U.S. District Judge John Coughenour issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration from enforcing an executive order that would revoke U.S. citizenship for some children born in the U.S.

President Trump's executive order was scheduled to go into effect Feb. 19. The order would not impact the legal status of children born prior to Feb. 19, 2025.

Currently, virtually all children born in the U.S. are granted citizenship regardless of their parents' immigration status. The order would revoke citizenship for children of those in the U.S. illegally.

Coughenour heard a challenge brought by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. Washington was joined by Oregon, Arizona and Illinois in its suit. Overall, 22 states have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration to stop the order from being enacted.

Coughenour is an appointee of former President Ronald Reagan. Coughenour's injunction lasts 14 days.

The American Civil Liberties Union also filed suit against the Trump administration involving the executive order.

We started preparing for this scenario more than a year ago, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said. The excellent team at the Attorney Generals Office is ready to fight this unlawful action, and they will have the full support of my administration.

RELATED STORY | Nearly two dozen states sue over Trump's order to end birthright citizenship

The White House angrily responded to Coughenour's order.

Radical Leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump to advance his wildly popular agenda," White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said in a statement. "These lawsuits are nothing more than an extension of the Lefts resistance and the Trump Administration is ready to face them in court."

The Democratic-led states argue that birthright citizenship is a right for all people born in the U.S. under the 14th Amendment, which was enacted in 1868.

The first section of the 14th Amendment says, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

But President Trump and his allies say that birthright citizenship is a way for migrants in the U.S. illegally to remain in the U.S. if they give birth to a child who becomes a U.S. citizen.

The LGBTQ media advocacy organization GLAAD expressed its dismay that nearly all LGBTQ and HIV-focused content and resources have been removed from the White House website following the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

The organization also noted the removal of LGBTQ-specific pages from the Centers for Disease Control, the Department of State, and other government agencies.

GLAAD noted that pages removed include WhiteHouse.govs equity report, a fact sheet with information on expanding access to HIV prevention and treatment, and information about LGBTQ Pride Month. GLAAD also stated that the Department of States LGBTQ rights and the Department of Labors LGBTQ workers pages are no longer accessible.

RELATED STORY | Trump administration deletes Biden's reproductive rights website hours after taking office

As soon as the Trump administration took power, many fact sheets and websites created by the Biden administration were removed. Some of the sites can still be accessed through internet archives.

President Trump claims to be a strong proponent of freedom of speech, yet he is clearly committed to censorship of any information containing or related to LGBTQ Americans and issues that we face, said GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis. This action proves the Trump administrations goal of making it as difficult as possible for LGBTQ Americans to find federal resources or otherwise see ourselves reflected under his presidency. Sadly for him, our community is more visible than ever; and this pathetic attempt to diminish and remove us will again prove unsuccessful.

During a sermon on Tuesday, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde called on President Trump to have mercy on people who are scared in the U.S.

"There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives," Budde said during her sermon at the National Cathedral on Tuesday.

President Trump responded by demanding an apology, claiming that Budde was a Radical Left hard-line Trump hater.

RELATED STORY | Trump signs executive order declaring a national emergency at the southern US border

As President Donald Trump signed an executive order eliminating automatic citizenship for those born in the U.S., Republicans in Congress are also working on codifying the order.

Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, recently introduced the Birthright Citizenship Act. Like President Trumps order, it would revoke citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents not legally present in the U.S.

RELATED STORY | Nearly two dozen states sue over Trump's order to end birthright citizenship

His bill was co-signed by 37 Republican members.

Turning President Trumps executive order into law would make it harder to overturn. President Trumps executive order could be undone by the next president.

How the Bill Would Work

While the intent of the bill is to limit citizenship at birth to children of parents legally in the U.S., the language of the bill attempts to define the language contained in the 14th Amendment. The first section of the 14th Amendment says, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

Babins bill would define subject to the jurisdiction thereof to include a citizen or national of the United States; an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States whose residence is in the United States; or an alien performing active service in the armed forces.

Babin says that granting citizenship to all children born in the U.S. is a misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment.

Americas citizenship laws should reflect fairness and respect for the rule of law, said Congressman Babin. This common-sense legislation corrects decades of misuse and closes the loophole that incentivizes illegal immigration and exploits U.S. citizenship through birth tourism. Citizenship is one of our nations most precious privileges. By introducing this legislation, we are taking an important step to restore integrity to our immigration system and prioritize the interests of American citizens.

Constitutional Questions Would Remain

While codification would give more teeth to President Trumps policy goal, it might not fully address concerns that the policy is unconstitutional. On Thursday, a judge will consider whether to delay implementation of President Trumps order. As it stands, the executive order goes into effect on Feb. 19.

A group of 22 Democratic-led states argues that birthright citizenship is a right for all people born in the U.S. under the 14th Amendment, which was enacted in 1868. The Americans for Civil Liberties Union also filed a suit against President Trumps order.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration from enforcing the executive order.

RELATED STORY | Trump administration deletes Biden's reproductive rights website

Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional its also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values. Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is. This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history, by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans. We will not let this attack on newborns and future generations of Americans go unchallenged. The Trump administration's overreach is so egregious that we are confident we will ultimately prevail, said Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is urging the Trump administration to reconsider the federal government's approval that is allowing New York City to charge "congestion pricing" to enter parts of the city by car.

New York City charges drivers of passenger vehicles up to $13.50 to enter parts of Lower Manhattan in hopes of combating chronic traffic jams and reducing pollution. Large trucks and tour buses are subject to a $32.40 fee for entry.

As you begin your second term as President, I welcome any opportunity to work with you and your administration where we can find common ground. One area where I believe our priorities align is congestion pricing," Murphy said. The current congestion pricing scheme is a disaster for working and middle-class New Jersey commuters and residents who need or want to visit Lower Manhattan and now need to pay a big fee on top of the bridge and tunnel tolls they already pay."

RELATED STORY| President Trump pardons about 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants, commutes sentences for 14 others

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he had not discussed Murphy's request when the two spoke earlier this week.

"What is within my span of control, I need to operate. And trust me, this is the second most difficult job in America. I don't need other things I need to worry about. I need to worry about the press and my city," Adams said.

Adams previously said, "If he (Trump) reverses it, it doesn't matter if I support or don't support.

"Whatever we need to do to deal with congestion, environment, the environmental issues, how to make sure it's done fair and not balance it on the back of working-class people, I'm in favor of [it]. But if the president decides an action such as that, I don't control that," Adams added.

Murphy said that the state will continue its lawsuit in hopes of eliminating the congestion pricing plan. The governor is also hoping that the congestion pricing plan will force some companies to reassign their workers.

RELATED STORY | Judge to hear lawsuit challenging Trumps order on birthright citizenship

On Tuesday, Murphy announced grants for businesses that reassign New Jersey residents working in another state, such as New York, to a New Jersey location. Murphy said eligible businesses can obtain grants of up to $500,000 as part of the program.

From the beginning, I vowed to fight congestion pricing, because New York should not balance its budget on the backs of New Jersey families, said Murphy. Back in 2023, I signed legislation establishing a grant program that would incentivize businesses in states like New York to reassign their New Jersey resident employees to work in our state. This would not only cut down on costs and travel time for commuters, but would keep their tax dollars in New Jersey. Our fight against congestion pricing isnt over and we wont allow another state to line its coffers with our hard-earned money.

After President Donald Trump signed an executive order that could revoke U.S. citizenship for some children born in the U.S., a federal judge will hear a lawsuit filed by multiple states.

U.S. District Judge John Coughenour has scheduled a 10 a.m. PT hearing on Thursday to consider issuing a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration from enforcing the executive order. Coughenour is an appointee of former President Ronald Reagan.

President Trump's executive order is scheduled to go into effect Feb. 19. The order would not impact the legal status of children born prior to Feb. 19, 2025.

Currently, virtually all children born in the U.S. are granted citizenship regardless of their parents' immigration status. The order would revoke citizenship for children of those in the U.S. illegally.

Coughenour is hearing a lawsuit brought by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. Washington was joined by Oregon, Arizona and Illinois in its suit. Overall, 22 states have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration to stop the order from being enacted.

RELATED STORY | President Trump pardons about 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants, commutes sentences for 14 others

The American Civil Liberties Union also filed suit against the Trump administration involving the executive order.

We started preparing for this scenario more than a year ago, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said. The excellent team at the Attorney Generals Office is ready to fight this unlawful action, and they will have the full support of my administration.

The Democratic-led states argue that birthright citizenship is a right for all people born in the U.S. under the 14th Amendment, which was enacted in 1868.

The first section of the 14th Amendment says, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

RELATED STORY | Trump administration deletes Biden's reproductive rights website

But President Trump and his allies say that birthright citizenship is a way for migrants in the U.S. illegally to remain in the U.S. if they give birth to a child who becomes a U.S. citizen.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that essentially negates multiple Biden administration-era executive orders that promoted diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts within the federal government.

Among the orders, President Trump is placing federal employees involved in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts within the government on leave.

President Trump's orders also eliminated several executive orders signed by previous presidents, dating back to Lyndon B. Johnson.

The Trump administration claimed that the Biden administration "embedded deeply unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices within every agency and office of the federal government."

"The injection of 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' (DEI) into our institutions has corrupted them by replacing hard work, merit, and equality with a divisive and dangerous preferential hierarchy," the Trump administration said in its executive order.

The Biden administration had issued orders that required federal agencies to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all parts of the federal workforce. Biden also rescinded a ban in 2021 that prevented federal employees from participating in diversity and sensitivity training.

The Trump administration also rescinded a Biden administration order that required federal agencies to consider diversity and inclusion when choosing federal contractors.

Another way President Trump could go after the private sector is language in the order that requires agencies to "identify up to nine potential civil compliance investigations of publicly traded corporations, large non-profit corporations or associations, foundations with assets of $500 million or more, state and local bar and medical associations, and institutions of higher education with endowments over $1 billion."

RELATED STORY | Costco board decries effort to end its DEI programs

The Biden administration also reduced the number of unpaid internships and required federal agencies to develop comprehensive plans to address workplace harassment, including sexual harassment.

The Biden administration's DEI orders were intended to address numerous inequalities in the federal workforce among numerous underrepresented groups. Groups included people of color, women, first-generation professionals and immigrants, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, Americans who live in rural areas, older Americans who face age discrimination when seeking employment, parents and caregivers who face employment barriers, people of faith who require religious accommodations at work, individuals who were formerly incarcerated, and veterans and military spouses.

President Trump's order requires that federal contractors not balance their workforce based on race, sex, gender identity, sexual preference, or religion.

RELATED STORY | President Trump pardons about 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants, commutes sentences for 14 others

The Trump administration is also ordering all Chief Diversity Officers positions within the government to be eliminated.

"Billions of dollars are spent annually on DEI, but rather than reducing bias and promoting inclusion, DEI creates and then amplifies prejudicial hostility and exacerbates interpersonal conflict," the Trump administration said.

Months after endorsing now-President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, the Fraternal Order of Police issued a joint statement indicating it was "deeply discouraged" by recent pardons and commutations made by Trump and now-former President Joe Biden.

In a joint statement with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the organizations said that individuals convicted of killing or assaulting police officers "should serve their full sentences."

The statement came one day after President Trump issued nearly 1,500 pardons for those involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

As of earlier this month, the Department of Justice had successfully prosecuted over 1,500 individual cases involving the Jan. 6 insurrection. Among them, there were 172 who pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement; 130 who pleaded guilty to obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder; and 69 who pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement with a dangerous or deadly weapon.

RELATED STORY | President Trump pardons about 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants, commutes sentences for 14 others

President Trump referred to those sentenced to crimes relating to the Jan. 6 insurrection as "hostages." He has indicated that he believes the convictions were politically motivated.

According to the Biden administration's Department of Justice, 140 police officers were assaulted including over 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and over 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department.

"Crimes against law enforcement are not just attacks on individuals or public safety they are attacks on society and undermine the rule of law. Allowing those convicted of these crimes to be released early diminishes accountability and devalues the sacrifices made by courageous law enforcement officers and their families," the police organizations said in a joint statement. "When perpetrators of crimes, especially serious crimes, are not held fully accountable, it sends a dangerous message that the consequences for attacking law enforcement are not severe, potentially emboldening others to commit similar acts of violence."

In September, the Fraternal Order of Police officially endorsed Trump for the third consecutive presidential election.

Public safety and border security will be important issues in the last months of this campaign, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police Patrick Yoes said in September. Our members carefully considered the positions of the candidates on the issues and there was no doubtzero doubtas to who they want as our President for the next four years: Donald J. Trump.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police is a nonprofit organization barred from issuing political endorsements.

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According to the Department of Justice's Office of the Pardon Attorney, "A pardon is an expression of the Presidents forgiveness and ordinarily is granted in recognition of the applicants acceptance of responsibility for the crime and established good conduct for a significant period of time after conviction or completion of sentence." Whereas "a commutation of sentence reduces a sentence, either totally or partially, that is then being served, but it does not change the fact of conviction, imply innocence, or remove civil disabilities that apply to the convicted person as a result of the criminal conviction."

In December 2024, Biden commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal prisoners on death row. Among them was Daryl Lawrence who was convicted of killing a police officer during a bank robbery, and Anthony George Battle, who was convicted of killing a prison guard.

The 37 formerly death row inmates had their sentences commuted to life in prison.

One day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that could revoke U.S. citizenship for some children born in the U.S., 18 states filed a lawsuit to stop the order from being enforced.

The Democratic-led states argue that birthright citizenship is a right for all people born in the U.S. under the 14th Amendment, which was enacted in 1868.

The first section of the 14th Amendment says, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

RELATED STORY | Trump administration deletes Biden's reproductive rights website

But President Trump and his allies say that birthright citizenship is a way for migrants in the U.S. illegally to remain in the U.S. if they give birth to a child who becomes a U.S. citizen.

In President Trump's executive order signed on Monday, the White House claims, "The Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States."

"The Fourteenth Amendment has always excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not 'subject to the jurisdiction thereof.' Consistent with this understanding, Congress has further specified through legislation that 'a person born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof' is a national and citizen of the United States at birth, 8 U.S.C. 1401, generally mirroring the Fourteenth Amendments text," the order reads.

The multiple attorneys general disagree with President Trump's interpretation of the 14th Amendment.

RELATED STORY | World Health Org. leader wants Trump to reconsider his decision to exit the pact

"The President has no authority to rewrite or nullify a constitutional amendment or duly enacted statute. Nor is he empowered by any other source of law to limit who receives United States citizenship at birth," the attorneys general wrote in their lawsuit.

According to Pew Research, there are about 4.4 million U.S.-born children under 18 living with an unauthorized immigrant parent. Pew also says that as of 2022, there are 11 million unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S., representing 3.3% of the population.

President Trump's executive order is scheduled to go into effect Feb. 19. The order would not impact the legal status of children born prior to Feb. 19, 2025.

A government website created by the Biden administration outlining reproductive rights following the 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson has apparently been removed by the Trump administration within hours of President Donald Trump taking office.

Repoductiverights.gov was launched to provide resources for those seeking information on subjects such as birth control, abortion and reproductive health care.

"Reproductive health care, including access to birth control and safe and legal abortion care, is an essential part of your health and well-being," the website stated last week. "While Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion remains legal in many states, and other reproductive health care services remain protected by law. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information about access to and coverage of reproductive health care and resources. Our goal is to make sure you have appropriate information and support."

In the wake of the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Biden administration said it would "increase outreach and public education efforts regarding access to reproductive health care servicesincluding abortionto ensure that Americans have access to reliable and accurate information about their rights and access to care."

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President Trump's stance on abortion has wavered throughout the years, although he has largely given himself credit for overturning Roe v. Wade after appointing three conservatives to the Supreme Court in his first term.

He has also expressed support for in vitro fertilization rights, which were subject to scrutiny in the wake of Dobbs v. Jackson. It is unclear, however, whether Trump would support a national law guaranteeing a right to IVF treatment nationwide. In 2024, Senate Republicans blocked proposed legislation that would have prohibited states from enacting bans on IVF treatment.

Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson noted the uncertainty moving forward regarding reproductive rights. 

For Planned Parenthood and the communities we serve, today is a day of profound uncertainty and unwavering determination. Many are wrestling with anxiety about what the future holds. While we can't predict what the coming days, weeks, or months will bring, one thing remains certain: Planned Parenthood will hold firm, fighting relentlessly against every attempt to undermine or take away access to trusted, affordable, and essential sexual and reproductive health care," she said.

RELATED STORY | Trump signs executive order declaring a national emergency at the southern US border

Blizzard conditions and heavy snow blasted the Gulf Coast on Tuesday as a massive winter storm struck the South.

A winter storm warning is in effect along the Gulf Coast from South Texas all the way to Florida. There are also winter storm warnings in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Meanwhile, nearly 250 million Americans are under cold weather advisories or extreme cold warnings. Temperatures that are 20 to 30 degrees below normal are commonplace for most of the U.S. on Tuesday.

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The National Weather Service said it issued its first-ever blizzard warnings for Jefferson and Orange counties in Texas, as well as Cameron, Calcasieu, Jeff Davis, Acadia, Vermilion, and Lafayette parishes in Louisiana. Heavy snow combined with winds topping 35 mph is expected for the region. The blizzard warning was dropped by Tuesday afternoon, but roads remained snow-covered as the advisory ended.

Tuesday's storm also marked the first time that a blizzard warning has been issued anywhere in the state of Louisiana.

Airports Disrupted

Nearly all flights in and out of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Houston's William P. Hobby Airport are canceled today. San Antonio International Airport also experienced a sizable number of cancellations.

Most major airlines are offering travel waivers, making it easier for passengers to rebook their flights for another day.

Highways Snarled

Sections of Interstates 10, 45, and 69 were closed on Tuesday in and around the Houston area. Additionally, Interstate 10 in both the eastbound and westbound directions from Interstate 49 to La. 415 was closed on Tuesday amid blizzard-like conditions.

Officials also closed the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge north of New Orleans due to ice buildup.

Forecasts indicate that most of the Deep South should rise above freezing on Wednesday, but it might be early next week before temperatures return to near normal.

World Health Organization Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that he hopes the United States reconsiders its decision to leave the World Health Organization. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the U.S. would pull out of the organization just hours after being inaugurated.

Tedros said that the U.S. was a founding member of the WHO and "participated in shaping and governing the WHOs work ever since."

"WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the worlds people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing , and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go," Tedros said.

RELATED STORY | White House expands its global pandemic prevention efforts

Trump's battle with the WHO largely started during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Trump placed blame on the WHO for "severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus.

The United States is the largest contributor to the WHO, which was formed in 1948 by the United Nations. The United Nations has long been a target of Trumps.

"The United States is a strong advocate for global health security. An example is the fight against polio, where the country is a key partner in the WHO-led eradication efforts, which protect Americans and communities worldwide from the resurgence of this preventable disease," the WHO previously said about the United States' involvement. "The strong partnership between the United States and WHO for global health security supports other countries to improve their capacity in key health security areas. Similarly, the United States has been critical in delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance to communities devastated by conflict, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks."

In its notice of withdrawal from the WHO, the Trump administration noted that the U.S. contributes more to the WHO than China, which has a population more than four times that of the U.S. The WHO says the amount nations pay into the pact is based on gross domestic product, and not population.