Security Leak Exposes U.S. Yemen War Plans
One of the biggest security gaffes was committed when senior Trump officials accidentally revealed classified information on planned military strikes in Yemen to a journalist via an encrypted Signal chat group. On March 13, messages sent included information on targets, weapons, and timing of air strikes against Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, which two days later they carried out. The conversation had in it the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, who then broke the leak in a story titled “The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans.” Politicians have been slamming the leak, with a House Intelligence Committee member labeling it as endangering American soldiers. The National Security Council has confirmed the authenticity of the messages and is investigating how the journalist had been added to the group157.
Deportation Policy Gallops into Legal, Political Controversy
The Trump administration comes under growing fire for mass deportations to El Salvador, with federal courts challenging the secrecy in the operations. A judge took exception to the government’s nondisclosure, comparing how migrants were treated to “Nazis under the Alien Enemy Act.” The Department of Justice invoked the state secrets privilege to muzzle transparency, claiming that disclosure could jeopardize national security. Although so, President Trump defended the policy as necessary to address border security, but its critics argue it is in violation of human rights and due process137.
Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk sat down in a White House Cabinet session to discuss possible government partnerships and cost-cutting. The meeting followed Musk’s public condemns of federal spending and lobbying for deregulation. While the details remain unclear, the meeting brought attention to ongoing disagreements between policy makers and technology moguls over regulatory standards17.
Global Protests and Political Unrest
Istanbul: Thousands protested the arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a strong critic of President Erdoğan, which led to confrontations with riot police26.
Gaza: At least 23 Palestinians died in Israeli strikes, according to hospital reports, as violence escalated in the region26.
Argentina: Demonstrations welcomed the 49th anniversary of a military coup, reflecting ongoing political tensions2.
Other News
23andMe Bankruptcy: The company offering DNA testing declared bankruptcy, raising questions regarding customer data safety3.
Greenland-US Tensions: Greenland’s prime minister criticized a U.S. delegation’s visit as a “demonstration of power,” while Trump dismissed the incident as a “friendly” gesture26.
India: Former Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s successor renounced separatism, pledging loyalty to India, while a Supreme Court judge faced disciplinary action over misconduct allegations4.
Domestic Terrorism and Law Enforcement
The FBI stepped up operations in combating domestic terrorism when bombs were discovered inside an Austin, Texas, auto lot. The incident was related to larger threats against public safety and infrastructure3.
Cultural and Historical Highlights
UK Iron Age Treasure: Archaeologists unearthed the biggest Iron Age treasure hoard ever discovered in Britain, with gold, silver, and artifacts2.
Tracey Emin Show: Florence’s Palazzo Pitti hosted a major retrospective of the artist’s career, including her infamous installation Sex and Solitude2.
Legal and Institutional Responses
FEMA and USPS: FEMA was criticized regarding disaster response appropriations, and the head of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) was assaulted in an unrelated incident7.
Women’s March: Planners outlined plans for resumed protests against reproductive rights reversals, citing recent state-level abortion restrictions7.
