What's Happening

Politics

Elon Musk Is Trying to Shut Down a Federal Agency

What's going on: With President Donald Trump’s backing, Elon Musk has been raging against the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) push to slash the federal budget. That came to a head over the past few days and chaos ensued: USAID employees were locked out of their computers, top security officials were pushed out, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he’s now acting director of the agency. Musk has called it a “viper's nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America,” and a “criminal organization” — offering no evidence for either claim. Dozens of people protested outside USAID's headquarters, and employees and contractors around the world (including in active war zones) are left wondering: Should we come home? What happens next?

What it means: Musk’s attempt to shut down USAID is testing the constitutional limits of DOGE’s powers. Democrats argue his actions are unconstitutional, pointing out that Congress — not DOGE — is in charge of funding the agency it created. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) put it bluntly: “We don’t have a fourth branch of government called Elon Musk.” Even if Musk manages to pull this off, USAID accounts for less than 1% of the government’s spending — far short of the $2 trillion in cuts he has promised. Rubio said many of USAID’s programs will continue under the State Department’s watchful eye. But if USAID is forced to close its doors, the global ramifications could be significant. It's the world’s largest provider of food assistance and runs programs that prevent disease outbreaks, combat climate change, and reduce poverty. The agency is also critical in US “soft diplomacy,” helping to counter Russian and Chinese influence in developing countries.

Related: Trump’s New Head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Orders Staff To Stop Working (NPR)

Business

To DEI or Not to DEI?

What's going on: One of the many executive orders President Donald Trump signed in his first week back in office took direct aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal government. It also gives the private sector a not-so-subtle hint to ditch what the order calls “illegal discrimination.” Cue the corporate scramble: Businesses are now double-checking their DEI policies to make sure they’re still considered legal. Some, like Target, are taking a step back altogether. The retailer plans to end its three-year initiative focused on uplifting Black-owned businesses — a move that’s sparked calls for boycotts. But some Black business owners have a different message: Skip the protest, buy the products. After all, the best way to keep items on shelves is to make sure they fly off them.

What it means: It’s clear that several companies don’t want to land on Trump’s hit list. Some, like Meta and Amazon, cut their DEI efforts even before his inauguration (right around the time their founders landed front-row seats). But not everyone's backing down. Companies like Costco, Apple, and Goldman Sachs have reaffirmed their DEI commitments. Trump’s anti-DEI push could set the stage for a legal showdown between his administration and businesses that refuse to fall in line. Some legal experts warn that ditching DEI could backfire, making companies more vulnerable to discrimination lawsuits from the very marginalized groups DEI was designed to support. Civil rights experts have criticized Trump’s anti-DEI agenda as just a catchall for America’s woes while pushing racist and misogynistic messaging.

Related: Federal Agencies Are Doing Away With Black History and Women's History Month Celebrations (NBC)

Health

This Is Your Brain on Microplastics

What's going on: Scientists have known for years that microplastics are present in virtually every human body — likely including yours — but a new study raises concerns about rising levels in our brains. After examining 52 autopsied brains from 2016 and 2025, researchers found microplastic levels had increased by 50% over eight years. On average, each brain contained 7 grams of microplastics, about the weight of a plastic spoon. While that number may be an overestimate — since other particles in the brain can resemble microplastics — it's still a tough fact to swallow. The most commonly found plastic? Polyethylene, the same material used in food packaging and plastic bags. Researchers also found that dementia patients’ brains contained three to five times more microplastics than those without cognitive disorders. However, that doesn’t mean plastic causes dementia. Instead, researchers suggest dementia may weaken the brain's defenses, allowing more plastic to accumulate.

What it means: The study sheds light on the growing threat of microplastics in our environment. Experts say the rising levels of plastic in humans mirror the global surge in plastic production, which doubles globally every 10 to 15 years. Microplastics have turned up in blood, breast milk, and placentas. While their health risks remain unclear, they’ve been linked to strokes and heart attacks. Microplastics, unlike some pollutants, are essentially inescapable, making it difficult to study their full impact. As one expert put it: “There are no control groups. Everyone is exposed.”

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