Us vs. Them. Donald Trump’s Justice Department is suing over Illinois, Chicago and Cook County’s sanctuary protections for migrants.
■ Gov. Pritzker: “We look forward to seeing them in court.”
■ The case is going to a judge appointed by President Biden.
■ Just what happened when Secret Service agents tried to enter a Chicago school? The Tribune’s acquired video that raises new questions about the “misunderstanding.” (Gift link; you’re welcome.)
■ Chicago social justice activist and founder of the cultural center HotHouse Marguerite Horberg—detained this week at Miami’s airport for hours without explanation, along with “migrants … likely en route to deportation”—has filed a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security …
■ … and she shares the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s guide to protecting your rights under similar circumstances.
‘He’s the one who wrote the 180-day plan to turn America into a Christian nationalist hellscape, much of which we see being implemented right now.’ That’s columnist Evan Hurst on Senate confirmation of Project 2025 architect Russ Vought to head the powerful Office of Management and Budget.
■ Journalist Dan Rather: “Can you imagine your boss hoping you won’t want to come to work because you’re viewed as a ‘villain?’ Vought used that word.”
■ But would you expect otherwise from a guy who shares his name with the evil corporation at the heart of the dystopian super-hero TV series The Boys?
‘Off-the-charts crazypants.’ That’s Jeff Tiedrich’s take on Trump’s remarks at yesterday’s National Prayer Breakfast.
■ The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Will Bunch: Trump’s “cultural revolution” echoes Mao’s 1960s abuses in China.
■ Paul Krugman has a new word for your vocabulary: Autogolpe.
Person of the week. Time’s new cover boy: Elon Musk.
■ The new Musk Watch newsletter, rounding up “The Week in Musk”: The National Weather Service is on the chopping block.
■ Stephen Colbert on Musk’s mucking about with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: “The weather is full of DEI, OK? Snowflakes are girls, tornadoes are boys, and sleet is bisexual. Is it rain? Is it snow? It could go both ways.”
■ Wired: Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is working to develop an artificial intelligence chatbot to replace government workers …
■ … some of whom may not be departing after all.
■ … one of whom is Men Yell at Me columnist Lyz Lenz’s Dingus of the Week …
■ … and who happens to be the son of the Lesser Evil snack company’s CEO.
■ The Onion: “Trump Struggling To Remember How He Related To Elon Musk.”
USAID at large. Forced leaves began today for thousands of U.S. Agency for International Development employees around the world, leaving just 300 to run the handful of life-saving programs Trump’s team is willing to keep around for now.
■ Go figure: USAID was investigating Ukraine contracts for Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service.
■ Susan Glasser at The New Yorker: “The evisceration of USAID isn’t a policy fight—it’s an execution designed to strike fear in our own government” …
■ … and it may be working: A former USAID staffer writes to veteran reporter Jeff Kamen: “Please don’t use my name. My wife is very afraid that Mr. Musk and his computer hackers will … find and punish anyone for speaking out by turning off our pensions or sending the Proud Boys to pay us a visit.”
‘Hope: The antidote to fear.’ Your Local Epidemiologist rounds up a handful of public health wins against the Trump administration over the last two weeks.
■ Ex-Illinois Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger sees other promising signs: “Public pressure … might sway a handful of GOP House members to break ranks and pause the chaos. Failing that, Senate Democrats could use the filibuster to slow Musk down.”
■ Consumer Reports makes it easy to send Congress a letter opposing the dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
■ Law professor Joyce Vance: “Our goal between now and the midterm elections … is to get ready to make a last-ditch stand for democracy.”
‘I got my buyout offer Tuesday.’ Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg’s on the fence about whether to accept: “If I don’t take it, there’s a chance I’ll enjoy years more, happily doing a job I truly love. There’s also a chance I’ll get laid off later … because I get paid more than others.”
■ Trump’s calling for the cancellation of 60 Minutes.
■ Dan Froomkin at Press Watch: “At what point … will the national media recognize that we are in state of national emergency?”
‘Too much news this week for just eight questions, so we've got 10.’ Your Chicago Public Square columnist scored 90% on past Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions winner Fritz Holznagel’s latest quiz.
■ Now it’s your turn.
‘Q. What sport is the Super Bowl? A. Football.’ Pulitzer winner Dave Barry’s cooked up “a primer for people who are not big sports fans.”
■ Barry and your Square columnist go way back.
Square readers bail. Two unsubscribed yesterday with these explanations: “Just another source of bad news” and “Mental health. This is a great source, but I just can’t read all of this stuff right now.”
■ Jeffrey L. Wiseman, who didn’t unsub, wrote: “This whole edition is anti-Trump? That is what you spend your time on? And you ask for donations? … You are going to have a long, very difficult four years.”
■ If “this stuff” is something you consider worth the pain, your support helps keep it coming.
■ Mike Braden and Sydnye Cohen made this edition better.