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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Wed Mar 5 2025

Nicole Fallert | Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

President Donald Trump addressed lawmakers about his administration's actions so far. Severe weather forced New Orleans to reschedule Mardi Gras celebrations. One parent shared with USA TODAY their journey to provide gender-affirming care to their pre-teen.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Congrats to bald eagle parents Jackie and Shadow!

Trump defends America's direction

President Trump's address Tuesday night to a joint session of Congress was the longest of its kind in modern U.S. history at 1 hour and 39 minutes.

Trump began his address by declaring "America is back": The speech offered ample reminders of how the second-term Republican president has already tested the limits of executive authority in almost every facet of the job.

•	Trump defended his trade war amid growing anxiety over grocery bills. The president faced an impatient nation that is skittish over his imposition of 25% tariffs on foreign allies, which may raise everyday costs.
•	He barely mentioned fired federal workers: Instead, Trump praised Elon Musk's work with the Department of Government Efficiency, which has aggressively downsized or eliminated federal agencies.
•	Democrats waged protests: Women wore pink. Some walked out of the chamber. Others held up signs.

👉 "Change doesn't need to be chaotic or make us less safe": Here's what Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin said in her rebuttal to Trump.

Rep. Al Green, an 11-term Democrat from Texas, stood up early during the president's speech, shaking a cane as Trump bragged about his 2024 victory.

Win McNamee, Pool photo by Win McNamee via Getty

A US-Ukraine mineral deal is pending

President Donald Trump's administration and Ukraine plan to sign a much-debated minerals deal Tuesday, four people familiar with the situation said. The deal was put on hold last week after a contentious Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that resulted in the Ukrainian leader's swift departure from the White House. The deal to be signed last week included no explicit security guarantees for Ukraine but gave the United States access to revenues from Ukraine's natural resources. Zelenskyy said on Monday he's ready to work with Trump.

More news to know now

•	The Trump administration gave schools a DEI ultimatum – then walked it back.
•	Is there really widespread fraud in Social Security?
•	Starliner astronauts are finally preparing for their journey home.
•	What's the fate of empty federal offices?
•	Here's how hundreds of Taylor Swift tickets were stolen.

Sally's got the answers! Check out today's crossword.

Fire and ice grip the US

While a massive winter storm unleashed damaging winds in the South, it is also set to bring heavy snow and blizzard conditions to portions of the north-central U.S. into Wednesday. Blizzard warnings are in effect in six states, and some 6 million people could be impacted, the National Weather Service said. The storm has already unloaded heavy winds, rain and snow across much of the country, killing two people in Mississippi, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of customers and forcing officials to reschedule Mardi Gras events in New Orleans. Here's what to know about severe weather in your area.

A mother and her pre-teen drive cross-country for medical care

"This kid is not ready to decide how he would feel about boobs and a period if it happens at the age it did for me, which was 11. My kid needs that pause to have that adult conversation with therapists."

~ Amanda, who requested to only print her middle name to protect her child's medical privacy, travels with her son to western New York every six months to meet with doctors and get puberty blockers. The treatment has recently been threatened after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to take action against hospitals that continue to provide gender-affirming care. Read Amanda's story.

Today's talkers

•	Today is Ash Wednesday.
•	Should you fly with your baby on your lap?
•	See next fall's trends debuting at Paris Fashion Week.
•	"Meghan Markle" is no longer.
•	Texas A&M just knocked off top-ranked Auburn.

Gene Hackman investigation excludes gas, carbon monoxide

As the investigation into the causes of death for Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa continues, the possibility of a gas leak inside their home appears to be conclusively ruled out. Officials found "no significant findings" of gas leaks and carbon monoxide at Hackman's home, where he and his wife were found dead alongside their dog. Authorities have called the circumstances of the deaths "suspicious," while noting "no foul play" is suspected at this time. Read more

Photo of the day: Doechii feels wonderful

Doechii found her place to bloom and feel beautiful. The Grammy-winning U.S. rapper joined other stars donning stunning fashion at the Louvre in Paris on Tuesday for "Le Grand Diner du Louvre," a glamorous exhibition held at the iconic French art museum. There was glitter galore.

Doechii attends the "Le Grand Diner du Louvre" Arrivals Photocall at Musee du Louvre on March 04, 2025 in Paris, France.

Marc Piasecki, Getty Images

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here . Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.