President Trump defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following reports that Hegseth shared sensitive military information in a group chat that included his family. Trump dismissed concerns about the sharing of military information as a “waste of time” and expressed confidence in Hegseth's performance.
In a separate development, Trump renewed his criticism of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome H. Powell, labeling him “a major loser” and calling for lower interest rates as stock markets reacted negatively, with significant declines in major indices.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to phase out eight petroleum-based food dyes commonly found in grocery items, responding to long-standing health concerns. The initiative aims for completion by the end of 2026, although regulatory enforcement details remain unclear.
Senator Adam Schiff requested an investigation by the National Archives into the Trump administration’s use of messaging apps like Signal for discussing sensitive national security matters. This request follows reports of Hegseth sharing military strike plans in a Signal chat that included non-government individuals.
Schiff's letter highlighted concerns over potential violations of federal record-keeping laws and called for a review of communication practices among senior officials. He also urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to recuse himself from any inquiries related to the investigation.
In a related context, four Democratic lawmakers traveled to El Salvador to advocate for the release of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported. Their visit follows a Supreme Court ruling mandating the government to facilitate his return.
On the economic front, markets experienced a downturn as Trump intensified his attacks on Powell, raising fears about the independence of the Federal Reserve amid ongoing trade tensions and tariff policies. The U.S. dollar weakened against major currencies, reflecting investor concerns over economic stability.
Additionally, President Bukele of El Salvador proposed a humanitarian agreement to repatriate Venezuelan detainees in exchange for the release of political prisoners in Venezuela, highlighting ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Hegseth's sharing of military details in Signal chats has raised questions about adherence to security protocols, prompting a review by the Pentagon's acting inspector general. The controversy surrounding Hegseth continues as calls for accountability from congressional Democrats grow.