Monday, March 17th, 2025 - Trump’s DOJ speech; Tesla crackdown; Blocked deportations; Nonprofit fund freeze & more

Today’s Headlines: Donald Trump gave a speech at the Department of Justice, railing against the media, vowing "accountability" for his enemies, and bragging about firing James Comey and pardoning January 6 defendants. Attorney General Pam Bondi warns that anyone messing with Tesla better "watch out" because the DOJ is coming for them. Trump also invoked the rarely used Alien Enemies Act to deport five Venezuelan nationals he claimed were gang members, but a federal judge temporarily blocked their removal after the administration had already deported 250 other supposed gang members before the ruling took effect. Meanwhile, a judge put a hold on part of Trump’s executive order targeting law firm Perkins Coie for its role in 2016 opposition research and Citibank revealed it was asked to freeze funds for nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity due to alleged criminal concerns tied to EPA grants. On the foreign policy beat, Trump ordered airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen while increasing pressure on Iran over its nuclear program. And finally, Trump is set to chat with Vladimir Putin this week as Ukraine ceasefire talks continue. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: 'Scum,' 'crooked' elections and 'corrupt' media. What Trump said inside the Justice Department Yahoo: Trump's Attorney General to Tesla Vandals: 'We're Coming After You' The Guardian: Judge blocks Trump from using 18th-century wartime act for deportations | US immigration AP News: Trump administration deports hundreds of immigrants even as a judge orders their removals be stopped AP News: Judge temporarily blocks parts of Trump's executive order seeking to punish law firm Perkins Coie Yahoo: Citibank says FBI recommended that it freeze the accounts of climate grant recipients AP News: Trump has ordered airstrikes against rebels in Yemen. Here's why AP News: Trump and Putin will speak this week on Russia-Ukraine war, US envoy says 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