The Food and Drug Administration rattled the biotech industry last week when it said it wouldn’t even look at Moderna’s application to market the first mRNA flu shot. But on Wednesday, the agency reversed course and told Moderna it would review the application with some changes.
Read more from NPR: FDA reverses course on Moderna flu shot
Upon the U.S.’s concession that the directive and subsequent certification requirement are vacated – meaning they are formally nullified – the district court issued a final ruling today, permanently invalidating the directive and preventing the government from enforcing, relying on, or reviving it. As a result, the challenged guidance is no longer in effect and cannot be enforced against anyone, anywhere nationwide.
Read more from the ACLU: Department of Education Backs Down on Unlawful Directive Targeting Educational Equity
A coalition of health and environmental groups sued the Trump administration on Wednesday over its decision to revoke the scientific finding that forms the basis of U.S. climate regulations.
Read more via MSN: Environmental groups challenge Trump decision to revoke basis of US climate regulations
Analysts suggest McLaughlin’s exit symbolizes a broader crisis within DHS leadership. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) recently revealed that Secretary Noma [sic] and senior advisor Cory Levandowski allegedly coerced employees into polygraph tests and fired a Coast Guard pilot for leaving a blanket in an aircraft. These abuses, combined with rumors of an inappropriate relationship between the two, have eroded organizational discipline.
Read more via The Chosun Daily: DHS Spokesperson McLaughlin Resigns Amid Backlash Over Hardline Policies
Noem’s prioritization of deportations has changed the way the military branch operates. One decision she made was to shift Coast Guard resources from a search and rescue mission to find a missing service member last year, shortly after Noem was confirmed as secretary.
Read more via Yahoo! News: Noem Pisses Off Coast Guard by Using Their Resources for Deportations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement cannot re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia because a 90-day detention period has expired and the government has no viable plan for deporting him, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday.
Read more via PBS News: Judge rules Kilmar Abrego Garcia can’t be re-detained by immigration authorities
In response to widespread community concern, the owner of a Hutchins, TX warehouse has said they “[have] not and will not enter into any agreement for the purchase or lease of any building to the Department of Homeland Security for use as a detention facility.”
Read more via WFAA ABC 8: Owner of North Texas warehouse says it won’t sell or lease to feds for ICE facility.
“The court finds that the government has substantially burdened plaintiffs’ exercise of religion,” U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman said in his order.
Read more via the Clarion Ledger: Federal judge orders DHS to allow Ash Wednesday service for ICE detainees
Cynthia Rufe, a George W. Bush appointee, compared the administration’s effort to remove the panels to Orwell’s “1984.”
Read more via Politico: Judge orders restoration of Philadelphia slavery exhibits
Editor’s note: This shutdown is the result of weeks of pressure from constituents to defund and abolish DHS. While Democrats continue to push minor reforms, we must keep the pressure on to completely dismantle this cruel system.
Read more on the shutdown via NBC News: Homeland Security Department shuts down as Democrats and Trump negotiate changes
How Did Trump Lose Today? 