The Anxious Prepper

This week, things shifted fast. Trade talks may cool, but Ukraine peace is on thin ice. A school shooting highlights the danger of unsecured firearms, and drought is setting the stage for fire season. Newsletter’s out now, subscribers check your email or read it here:

Breaking News: Senator Chris Van Hollen met with Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man wrongly deported to El Salvador.

Hey friends! Today’s edition of The Anxious Prepper just released. California sues the Trump administration, China sets terms for talks, Hegseth’s adviser is out, markets stay shaky, and crop delays deepen. All in the latest edition. Subscribers, check inboxes. theanxiousprepper.com/p/the-anxiou...

Millions of people across Southern California learned about a 5.2-magnitude earthquake that hit San Diego County on Monday not from their windows rattling or their picture frames clattering, but from a noisy alert on their mobile phones seconds before the shaking started.

youtube.com/watch?v=TPMw... Ring of Fire

New issue of The Anxious Prepper is out now. Trump faces another assassination plot, US-China tariffs are heating up, and today’s tip covers long-lasting food storage. Subscribers, check your inbox. Not on the list? Read it here

The FTC on Monday accused Meta of creating a monopoly that bought start-ups that stood in its way, kicking off a landmark antitrust trial that could dismantle a social media empire that has transformed how the world connects.

Stellantis, maker of Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler, is laying off 900 U.S. workers and pausing production in Mexico and Canada after Trump’s new 25% auto tariffs. Its stock dropped 7.7% as fears of a trade war escalate. (Reuters)

China is hitting U.S. farm exports with up to 15% in new tariffs on chicken, pork, soy, and beef, while blocking U.S. lumber and soybean imports. Beijing also blacklisted 10 U.S. firms and added 15 defense companies to its export control list, escalating tensions in the ongoing trade war. (AP)

Trump and Vance clashed with Zelenskyy in a tense Oval Office meeting over Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. Trump accused Zelenskyy of “disrespecting” the U.S. and said he wasn’t “ready for peace.” The meeting ended abruptly, with Zelenskyy asked to leave and a joint press conference canceled. (NBC)

Musk is urging retired air traffic controllers to return amid a nationwide shortage. This follows Trump’s firing of nearly 400 FAA workers, though no controllers were cut. The FAA still needs 3,500 controllers to meet staffing targets as safety concerns grow. (The Hill)

A federal judge in San Francisco ruled Trump’s mass firings of probationary federal employees unlawful, blocking OPM from ordering dismissals. The decision deals a major legal blow to Trump’s effort to shrink the federal workforce, as lawsuits push back against his agenda. (AP)

Trump announced 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports will take effect March 4, citing drug flows as justification. Reciprocal tariffs on major trading partners are set for April 2. Markets dipped as Trump’s shifting tariff policies continue to fuel economic uncertainty. (NBC)

The Trump admin is slashing 90% of USAID aid, cutting $60B in global funding. A judge ordered the freeze lifted, but SCOTUS blocked it, keeping aid on hold. Nonprofits sue over unpaid contracts, calling it reckless. Trump, backed by Musk’s team, says it’s cutting waste. (AP)

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has urged the Trump administration to rewrite the agency’s 2009 endangerment finding, which is the legal basis for U.S. climate regulations. If overturned, this could dismantle federal action on climate change and reshape environmental policy. (AP)

Trump’s administration is ordering federal agencies to submit layoff plans by March 13, aiming to downsize government. Thousands of probationary employees are already gone, and now career officials with civil service protection are next. This move could reshape government operations entirely. (AP)

Trump and Zelenskyy are set to finalize a U.S.-Ukraine rare earth minerals deal, giving the U.S. joint ownership of future proceeds. The agreement, expected to be signed Friday, does not include security guarantees or U.S. protection from Russia, leaving Kyiv seeking further commitments. (AP)

An unknown disease in Congo has killed 53, with many dying within 48 hours. Over 431 cases reported, symptoms include fever, vomiting, and bleeding. WHO ruled out Ebola and Marburg but warns of a major health threat. Origin may be linked to children eating a bat carcass. (Washington Post)

The FAA has signed a contract to use SpaceX’s Starlink for air traffic management. The contract size is undisclosed. This comes as Musk, who leads SpaceX, advocates for federal spending cuts, including at the FAA. SpaceX relies heavily on government contracts, primarily from NASA. (CNN)

Recent data shows Consumer Confidence dropped to 98.3, the biggest decline in over four years. Inflation remains high, and fears of a Trump-led trade war are growing. The outlook for jobs, wages, and business conditions is worsening, signaling a slowing economy. (AP)

21 civil service employees resigned from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, refusing to aid in dismantling public services. Their resignation letter warns that many hired to cut government jobs lack the expertise needed, calling the effort politically driven rather than practical. (AP)

House Republicans are pushing back on Musk’s federal downsizing after facing backlash at home. Rep. McCormick (R-GA) plans to press Musk and Trump for a “more compassionate” approach, citing CDC layoffs. Even Musk once said the GOP should show more empathy—now, he’s being held to his own words.(NBC)

During a meeting with Macron, Trump claimed Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine to end the war. Peacekeepers, typically neutral forces, monitor ceasefires and reduce conflict. This comes as Trump pushes a minerals deal with Ukraine, sidelining Europe and raising tensions. (AP)

Trump’s U.N. resolution urging an end to the Ukraine war failed after allies rejected its omission of Russia’s role. Instead, Ukraine’s resolution demanding Russia’s withdrawal passed, but with weaker support than past votes. The split highlights tensions over Trump’s negotiations with Moscow. (AP)

Israel sends tanks into the West Bank for the first time in decades, blocking 40,000 displaced Palestinians from returning. Defense officials say troops will stay for at least a year to “thwart terrorism.”(AP)

Zelenskyy says he’s willing to resign if it secures Ukraine’s NATO membership, prioritizing the country’s security over his role. He also signaled openness to granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for continued aid as discussions over Ukraine’s future intensify. (AP)

Germany just voted, but no party won enough seats to govern alone. Now leaders must negotiate a government, which could take months. The outcome will impact NATO, Ukraine, and trade as these are key areas where Trump’s foreign policy is shifting U.S.-Europe relations. (AP)

Elon Musk ordered federal employees to justify their work or be considered resigned. FBI & State Dept. pushed back, telling staff not to respond. Unions vow legal action, calling it an attack on civil servants. Trump admin faces internal resistance over Musk’s ultimatum. (NBC)

Judicial power is shifting, the FBI is refocusing away from counterterrorism, and federal oversight is tightening. Meanwhile, nuclear staff firings and a USPS shakeup raise big questions. I break it all down in this week’s newsletter—subscribers, check your emails. Read here:

Trump fired Gen. CQ Brown as Joint Chiefs chair, ousting a key leader after 40+ years of service. Brown, known for backing diversity efforts, played a major role in Ukraine and the Middle East. His removal signals Trump’s push for military leadership aligned with his policies. (NYTimes)

Reports suggest Trump plans to fire the USPS board and move it under his administration via the Commerce Dept. The board is preparing to sue, arguing it violates federal law. If successful, USPS would lose independence, sparking concerns over privatization, delays, and political control. (WP)

A judge has cleared the way for the Trump administration to remove thousands of USAID staffers, ordering most abroad to return to the U.S. within 30 days. Backed by Elon Musk’s cost-cutting agency, the move is part of an effort to shut down USAID, but lawsuits argue it puts workers at risk. (AP)

Trump removes acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello over frustration with low deportation numbers. Border czar Tom Homan also blamed media leaks for fewer arrests. Vitello will stay in ICE but lose leadership. A new acting director is expected to be announced soon. (NBC)

Netanyahu vows Hamas will “pay the full price” after it returned the wrong body in a hostage swap, calling it a “cruel violation” of the ceasefire. Hamas denies wrongdoing. Meanwhile, after explosions hit empty buses near Tel Aviv, Israel is ramping up military operations in the West Bank. (AP)

Israel and Hamas remain in a ceasefire, but tensions are rising. A reported attack in Israel, possibly linked to Hamas, adds to uncertainty. Reports say a Hamas-affiliated group stated ‘revenge for our martyrs will not be forgotten,’ but responsibility remains unconfirmed. No civilians were harmed.

Kash Patel is now FBI director and plans to shift the bureau’s focus from counterterrorism to crime and drug enforcement. With the FBI stepping back, which agencies will take the helm on counterterrorism in the U.S? Understand, this move comes weeks after a terrorist attack in New Orleans killed 15.

Trump and Zelenskyy’s recent back and forth has sparked growing concerns over Ukraine’s future. White House adviser Michael Waltz urged Kyiv to stop criticizing the U.S. as Washington pushes for a deal granting access to Ukrainian minerals in return for aid, an offer Zelenskyy has rejected. (BBC)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Pentagon to prepare for 8% budget cuts annually for five years, despite expected resistance from Congress. The move could shift $50B toward Trump’s “Iron Dome for America” while exempting border operations and nuclear modernization. (WashingtonPost)

Tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy are rising, potentially affecting future U.S.-Ukraine relations, after Trump claimed Ukraine started the war and suggested Kyiv could have avoided it. Zelenskyy hit back, saying Trump is in a “disinformation bubble” and that Ukraine is not for sale. (NBC)

Trump issued an executive order expanding White House control over independent agencies, allowing OMB Director Russell Vought to restrict funding for projects that conflict with Trump’s policies—within legal limits. This move centralizes power and challenges governance norms. (NYTimes)

Denise Cheung, a 24-year DOJ veteran, resigned Tuesday, saying Trump officials pushed her to open a criminal probe into Biden-era grants without clear evidence. This follows other DOJ resignations over alleged political interference, including the dropped case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams. (NBC)

Republicans in Congress want to cut Medicaid funding and require many adults to prove they work to keep coverage. This could affect millions, including seniors in nursing homes, unpaid caregivers, and low-income workers—many of whom already work but may still lose coverage. (AP)

🚨Late Friday, Trump admin fired nearly 400 FAA employees, including those in maintenance and national security roles—despite ongoing staffing shortages in aviation safety. This comes just weeks after a fatal DC plane crash, raising serious concerns about the future of U.S. air safety. (AP)

Michelle King resigned as head of Social Security over the weekend after refusing to grant Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to sensitive records. Her departure is part of a broader wave of federal officials stepping down or being removed under the new administration. (NBC)

🚨 A Delta Air Lines flight crash-landed at Toronto Pearson Airport, flipping upside down on the runway. At least eight people were injured, but all passengers and crew are accounted for. The crash followed heavy snowfall as authorities investigate the cause. Flights are suspended. (NY Post)

🚨 Trump reiterates his “reciprocal tariff” policy, stating the U.S. will impose the same tariffs that other countries place on American goods. He argues this will create a “level playing field” by targeting VAT systems, subsidies, and trade restrictions that disadvantage U.S. businesses. Full post ⬇️

This past Saturday the trump administration fires hundreds at the CDC, including key “disease detectors” responsible for outbreak response. Officials warn that these cuts will “cripple public health for decades.” The future of U.S disease surveillance and prevention are now at risk. (NBC)

China slams the U.S. for dropping opposition to Taiwan independence, calling it a “grave backpedal.” Taiwan welcomes the shift. Meanwhile, Trump claims Taiwan “took” U.S. chip jobs, and Taiwan’s president vows to boost U.S. investments—raising questions about a deeper policy motive. (Military.com)

Europe scrambles after Trump’s team questions NATO commitments. Macron hosts emergency talks with EU and UK leaders, just as U.S. officials prepare for discussions with Russia in Saudi Arabia w/ out Ukraine. Its clear a major shift in transatlantic relations is taking place. (AP)

🚨 Texas measles outbreak surges w/ 49 cases confirmed, up to 300 feared. Experts warn it could spread for months without increased vaccination. With RFK Jr. leading HHS, will his past vaccine skepticism impact the response? (NBC)