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POLITICS

Cabinet Confirmations

The Senate clocked some extra hours over the weekend, confirming several more of President Trump’s cabinet picks.

Friday, John Ratcliffe—who served as national intelligence director in Trump’s first term—was confirmed as CIA director. Hours later, army veteran and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth was narrowly confirmed as Secretary of Defense after VP Vance cast a rare tie-breaking vote. Saturday, Kristi Noem resigned as Governor of South Dakota after being confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security. 

Confirmation hearings resume Wednesday, starting with RFK Jr. (see schedule).

In other new-cabinet-member news, Secretary of State Marco Rubio paused almost all U.S. foreign aid (exceptions for emergency food assistance and military aid to Israel and Egypt) to conduct a “government-wide comprehensive review” and ensure funds “are not duplicated, are effective, and are consistent with President Trump’s foreign policy.”

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Believers must balance engaging in politics (which can be important and impactful) with a calm, unshakable confidence in God (whose plans are not dependent on who fills a cabinet vacancy). 

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” 
Philippians 3:20 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

DEI Roll Back

Target announced Friday that it’s taking Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies off the shelves, citing “many years of data, insights, listening, and learning.” 

The home of Bullseye’s Playground joins a growing list of corporations––including McDonald’s, Ford, Amazon, Walmart, and Meta––scaling back DEI efforts in recent months, a response to conservative activism (and now, the White House), which criticize the policies as discriminatory and unlawful.

Others are holding the DEI line. 

At a recent annual meeting, 98% of Costco shareholders rejected a proposal urging the company to evaluate risks associated with its DEI initiatives. The board emphasized that DEI, like its rotisserie chicken prices, isn’t budging and promised to defend “respect and inclusion.” Apple’s board and JPMorgan’s CEO have also committed to maintaining their DEI initiatives.

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Verse to consider as governments, companies, and people change…“‘Though the mountains move and the hills shake, my love will not be removed from you and my covenant of peace will not be shaken,’ says your compassionate Lord.” 
Isaiah 54:10 (CSB) (read full passage)

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WORLD NEWS

Tenuous Truces

Israel’s ceasefires are proving fragile.

Saturday, Hamas released four female Israeli soldiers in good health in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners. Then, Sunday, the IDF prevented thousands of Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, saying Hamas violated the agreement because it didn’t free a civilian hostage scheduled to be released before the soldiers. Hamas said the hostage was alive and promised her release.

Meanwhile, Israel’s two-month-old ceasefire with Lebanon-based Hezbollah threatens to un-cease. 

The deal requires Israel to withdraw and Lebanon to deploy forces and clear Hezbollah weapons. Israel says it won’t leave until Lebanese forces arrive, but Lebanese forces refuse to deploy until Israel leaves. Friday, the IDF said it wouldn’t meet Sunday’s withdrawal deadline, warning civilians not to return home. Thousands tried to return anyway; at least 22 were killed when the IDF opened fire.

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RADIATE HOPE
Human plans for peace are temporary and fallible, but God’s purpose for eternal peace cannot be undone by human brokenness. Seek him in all you do, and you’ll radiate his peace in a chaotic world.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’”
John 14:27–28 (CSB) (read full passage)

Super Bowl LIX is set after the three-peat-chasing Kansas City Chiefs ended the Buffalo Bills’ Super Bowl dreams (again) with a 32-29 victory. They’ll take on the Philadelphia Eagles, who flew past the Washington Commanders 55-23. Catch the game, the ads, and halftime headliner Kendrick Lamar on Sunday, February 9, at 6:30 p.m. EST.
 

Colombia turned away two U.S. military aircraft carrying deported migrants yesterday. In response, President Trump ordered a 25% tariff on Colombian imports (primarily coffee and produce) and revoked visas for Colombian officials. Colombia’s president then issued a retaliatory 25% increase on imported U.S. goods before saying he’d arrange for his presidential plane to facilitate the “dignified return” of the deportees.
 

President Trump said “you’re fired” to at least 17 inspectors general, sparking controversy. While most Republicans seem open to replacing the government watchdogs, multiple have criticized Trump for not providing the legally mandated 30-day notice to Congress. Democrats dislike the whole shebang, with Senator Warren (D-MA) accusing #47 of “dismantling checks on his power.” The White House has not commented.
 

Kia America is recalling 80,000 Niro models (2023-2025 EV, Plug-in Hybrid, and Hybrid) due to a wiring issue that could prevent front airbags from deploying when needed or cause side airbags to deploy unexpectedly. Kia says there have been no injuries related to the issue and that dealerships will make the ~80,000 fixes for free.
 

President Trump is still working on a plan to keep the ‘Tok ticking. The platform isn’t short on suitors—Oracle, Microsoft, YouTube sensation MrBeast, Elon Musk, and Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary are all on the app’s FYP. A work-in-progress deal has ByteDance (TikTok’s China-based owner) maintaining a minority stake and a U.S.-based company overseeing the algorithm, data, and software.

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