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"On final approach into Reagan National, [the plane] collided with a military aircraft on an otherwise normal approach. At this time, we don’t know why the military aircraft came into the path of the [commercial] aircraft." American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed both the shock and confusion surrounding a collision between an Army helicopter and a passenger planecarrying 64 people as it approached Reagan National Airport. "All 64 people aboard an American Airlines jet that collided with an Army helicopter were feared dead in what was likely to be the worst U.S. aviation disaster in almost a quarter century ... At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River."
+ The Guardian: How did Washington DC plane crash unfold?
+ "Skating is a very close and tight-knit community. These kids and their parents, they’re here at our facility in Norwood, six, sometimes seven days a week. It’s a close, tight bond. This will have long-reaching impacts for our skating community." Two teenage figure skaters, their mothers and two world champion coaches from Boston were among the 14 members of the skating community killed in the crash.
+ Donald Trump began his press conference about the crash with a moment of silence. Sadly, that moment ended. Without evidence, Trump pondered the causes of the crash blaming maybe the helicopter pilots, maybe DEI, definitely Biden, Obama, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg who had run the agency "right into the ground with his diversity." He didn't mention that no such crashes happened during the tenures of any of those he attacked. He also didn't mention that the FAA had no leader. "The administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Michael Whitaker, resigned from his position on January 20 after repeated demands from Elon Musk that he quit." Here's the latest from WaPo, AP, NBC, and CNN.
2
Memo Random
"President Donald Trump intended his flood of executive orders to shock and awe his opponents. But on Monday night, a memo from the Office of Management and Budget instead shocked the Trump White House." Ashley Parker in The Atlantic (Gift Article): The Memo That Shocked the White House. "The directive from the Office of Management and Budget that froze most federal funds on Monday had not gone through the usual approval process." (Sounds like someone didn't get the memo...)
+ While the order to freeze domestic funds was quickly blocked by a judge and later rescinded by the administration, the freeze on international aid is already doing damage. Atul Gawande in The New Yorker: Behind the Chaotic Attempt to Freeze Federal Assistance. "Foreign aid has long been funded by bipartisan majorities in Congress as a cornerstone of national security, along with diplomacy and defense. This supports work, much of it through contractors and nongovernmental organizations, with countries worldwide in areas of mutual interest. Examples include combatting global disease threats and malnutrition; stopping human trafficking and drug trafficking; advancing access to education for girls; and demining postwar countries like Vietnam and Cambodia. In the days that followed, nonetheless, organizations across the U.S. and the world received letters stating that they must stop all work and use of existing funds immediately. No staff can be paid. No services can be provided. No medicines or supplies sitting on shelves can be used."
+ "'Every dollar we spend, every program we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions,' Mr Rubio has said. 'Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?'" (Around the world, the question is, Does America know what the hell it's doing?) BBC: How a US freeze upended global aid in a matter of days.
3
Nuuk Nuuk Joke
"Like many other minor global figures who become overnight attention magnets, Egede had seemed at first exhilarated by all the interest, then overwhelmed, and then regretful. Watching his recent public appearances from afar, I had noticed his demeanor sometimes shift from the burly confidence of a local wunderkind to the nervousness of someone fully aware that his actions were being observed closely, especially by Washington and Copenhagen." Mark Leibovich decided to watch the US presidential inauguration from somewhere warmer than DC. So he went to Nuuk. The Atlantic (Gift Article): Greenland’s Prime Minister Wants the Nightmare to End. (On that point at least, we've found common ground.)
4
The Zyn Thing
"It’s not just for cowboys or fishermen. It’s not just for people who voted red or for people who voted blue. It’s not just white-collar and not just working-class. People use it while playing sports (Baker Mayfield, the Bucs quarterback, stirred some controversy while appearing to pack a lip on the sideline of an NFL game this season), while gambling in casinos, while cranking out decks in the office, while painting houses, and while, yes, writing magazine stories. In equal measure, it’s used on the dance floor (the buzz keeps you up) and on the trading floor (it keeps you locked in, focused, ready to crush); at nighttime, morning time (there’s a coffee flavor), and—for some super users—all-the-day time. Which sounds, yes, a whole lot like cigarettes." Emily Sundberg in GQ: How Zyn Conquered the American Mouth.
5
Extra, Extra
Confirmation Class: Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel and RFK Jr... Three of the most controversial Trump nominees were in hearings on Thursday. And being the most controversial in this group of nominees is saying something.
+ Tent Stakes: "Toward the end of the November dinner, Trump raised the matter of the lawsuit, the people said. The president signaled that the litigation had to be resolved before Zuckerberg could be 'brought into the tent,' one of the people said. Weeks later, in early January, Zuckerberg returned to Mar-a-Lago for a full day of mediation. Trump was present for part of the session, though he stepped out at one point to be sentenced—appearing virtually—for covering up hush money paid to a porn star, one of the people said. He also golfed, reappearing in golf clothes and talking about the round he had just played." WSJ: Meta to Pay $25 Million to Settle 2021 Trump Lawsuit.
+ More Hostages Home: Eight hostages released from Gaza amid chaotic scenes as Palestinian prisoners set to be freed.
+ Diversity Draining: "The Defense Department’s intelligence agency has paused observances of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Pride Month, Holocaust Days of Remembrance and other cultural or historical annual events." (Here's a better idea. If you're willing to risk your life for the country, we celebrate you.)
+ Corruption Illegal? Former NJ Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years for corruption. (He should've run for president...)
+ WWEd: "'What was the story of the match?'" Perry asked as several overeager hands thrust into the air. That prompt launched the students into a lively discussion about the match's protagonist, antagonist, inciting action, conflict and what they had just witnessed inside the squared circle: resolution." ESPN: Brooklyn classroom uses pro wrestling as a teaching vehicle.
+ Fire Watch: The LA FireAid benefit concert featuring a host of major acts will take place at two LA arenas and be broadcast on basically every major streaming service starting at 6pm PST.
6
Bottom of the News
"Lorne Michaels reportedly dislikes when “Saturday Night Live” cast members break character. But over 50 seasons, it’s become one of the show’s signature moves — one that usually delights the audience." Losing It on Live TV.
+ Alabama baby born at Krispy Kreme awarded year’s supply of free doughnuts. (Hopefully that comes with a year's supply of Metformin.)
+ Donald Trump talks so much that even his White House stenographers are struggling to keep up.