Tense Trump/Zelensky Meeting Ends Without Deal

Tensions flared during a high-stakes meeting at the White House Friday amongst President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an Oval Office meeting in front of the press. The discussion, meant to serve as precursor to a press conference later in the afternoon, started out positively before devolving into a near shouting match among the three leaders.

After discussing the potential mineral rights deal during the meeting, Zelensky expressed concerns about trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of any potential deal to end hostilities, which both Trump and Vance pushed back against. Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the military and economic aid provided by the US during the war. Trump also pushed back against Zelensky’s assertion that Putin would not honor a peace deal, though he declined to lay out specific consequences should Putin not honor the terms of any peace deal that is signed.

After the meeting, Trump asked Zelensky and the Ukrainian delegation to leave the White House, canceling the planned lunch and press conference. In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United State, saying he would only he would only work with Zelensky again when Zelensky “is ready for Peace.”

In an interview with Bret Baier on Fox News, Zelensky said the argument at the White House was “no good,” but continued to praise the US for its partnership. Zelensky also responded that he did not feel like he owed Trump an apology while also defending his earlier statements about distrusting Putin as a partner in diplomatic talks.

 

Trump Administration Kicks Off With Immigration Enforcement, Federal Workforce Changes

Newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump has kicked off his administration with deportation efforts, federal workforce restructuring, and a brief effort to temporarily freeze a host of government funding programs. Supporters of the president are hailing what they perceive as Trump fulfilling his campaign promises, while his opponents criticize what they call a chaotic start to his nascent presidency.

Trump, following his declaration of an emergency at the southern border in response to a high level of border crossings, has green lit military presence along the border. The deployment of at least 1,500 troops aims to provide logistical and surveillance support to regular Border Patrol units.

Across the US, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted raids targeted those residing illegally in the US. While the administration has promised to target those with criminal histories as a priority for arrest and removal, many of those arrested do not have criminal histories aside from their initial illegal crossing.

Trump has also aimed to shake up the federal workforce, instituting a return to office mandate in an aim to induce attrition and to more fully utilize federal office space. The administration has also offered voluntary severance packages, giving an early February deadline to accept. The same email announcing those voluntary severance packages implied that layoffs are expected in the future and that workers should not expect their positions are guaranteed.

The administration also controversially froze federal funding to programs not providing direct payments to US citizens. The directive, both broad and vague, created confusion over its scope, though the administration said Medicare and Social Security would not be affected. The order was later halted by a federal judge.

 

Investigation Begins Into Tragic Mid-Air Crash Near DC

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has begun its investigation into the cause of the disastrous mid-air collision between a commercial regional jet and a US Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. The collision killed all 64 aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita and all 3 US servicemembers aboard the helicopter.

Investigators have recovered all three black boxes from the downed passenger jet, allowing access to the flight data.

The plane, a Bombardier CRJ701ER, was about to land after it collided with the Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter, operating as part of a training mission. Air traffic controllers asked the helicopter’s operators if it could see a regional jet as it was flying near the airport. The helicopter operator confirmed being able to view the jet, but the operator is believed to have spotted the wrong aircraft and did not see Flight 5342 approaching.

The air traffic control tower was understaffed at the time of the accident. The investigation is expected to confirm what role, if any, that played in the collision.

 

Medical Plane Crashes in Philadelphia

A Learjet 55 crashed in northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at approximately 6:30 PM local time near the Roosevelt Mall, just minutes after it departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The flight, a hospital plane carrying six people, was en route to Springfield, Missouri, for refueling on its way to Tijuana, Mexico.

The impact was recorded by numerous dashcams and other cameras, showing the plane crashing at a high speed, pointing to a likely mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. Emergency crews responded to put out the structure and vehicle fires caused by ignited jet fuel. No fatalities on the ground have been confirmed.

 

Recent NYC Subway Burning Murder Highlights Safety Concerns

The horrific murder of Debrina Kawam, a New Jersey woman, on the New York City subway has reignited safety concerns for NYC residents and visitors. On December 22, 2024, a woman was fatally set on fire while sleeping on an F train in Brooklyn. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan migrant residing illegally, was charged with murder and arson.

The attack, along with other recent violent crimes, has heightened fears among riders despite increased security measures. Governor Hochul deployed additional National Guard members and installed cameras in subway cars, yet many New Yorkers remain skeptical about their safety on public transportation.