Firings get messy — and hit several sectors
President Donald Trump’s administration continued its string of firings across several federal agencies, including the departments of Transportation and Justice. But the moves are coming so quickly and creating such difficulty for some agencies that they are having to try to un-fire people in some cases.
According to a letter obtained by NBC News, dozens of probationary Transportation Department employees were sent letters that said part of the reason they were being fired was for poor performance. But a source familiar with the move said most of those employees were rated as “exceptional” performers by their supervisors.
On Friday, the Department of Justice fired multiple immigration judges, according to two sources familiar with the decision and a statement from one of the judges, threatening to slow down an already strained immigration system.
Meanwhile, the latest tranche of firings came as National Nuclear Security Administration officials sought to reinstate nuclear safety workers who were terminated as part of job cuts.
The agency said in an email seen by NBC News it was seeking to rescind some termination letters, but “we do not have a good way to get in touch with those personnel.”
Flooding kills at least 8 in Kentucky
Much of the U.S. faced another round of biting winter weather Sunday, with torrential rains causing intense flooding in Kentucky that resulted in at least eight deaths and necessitated the rescue of more than 1,000 people.
Among the dead were a mother and her 7-year-old child, who were killed when their car was swept away by floodwaters, a Hart County official told WBKO-TV.
“This is one of the most serious weather events we’ve dealt with in at least a decade,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Plains faced life-threatening cold, and tornado watches were issued for parts of Georgia and Florida. Parts of Tennessee received up to 6 inches of rain during the storms.
‘Meet the Press’
In an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy laid out his vision for ending the war in his country in partnership with Trump — making clear that he would never accept a peace deal negotiated by the U.S. and Russia without Ukraine at the table.
“I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine, never,” Zelenskyy told moderator Kristen Welker on Friday in Munich, Germany. “This is the war in Ukraine, against us, and it’s our human losses.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz and special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff are set to attend negotiations with Russia in Saudi Arabia, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News.
Zelenskyy thanked Trump and other American leaders for their “support” of Ukraine, but added that there is not “any leader in the world who can really make a deal with Putin without us.”
“[Putin] doesn’t want any peace,” Zelenskyy said. “But I think he’s really a little bit scared about President Trump, and I think the president has this chance and he’s strong, and I think that really he can push Putin to peace negotiations.”
Politics in brief
Quid pro no: Border czar Tom Homan denied allegations there was a quid pro quo between the Trump administration and New York Mayor Eric Adams, calling the move to dismiss criminal charges against Adams in exchange for the mayor’s cooperation on immigration “ridiculous.”
Rising costs: Small businesses faced with higher costs, steep interest rates and more cautious consumers are sharing a common sentiment about the White House’s funding freezes, tariffs and diversity crackdowns: This isn’t helping.
Egg scramble: As avian flu drives egg prices to record levels, state and local public health officials have gone weeks without regular updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because of a Trump-imposed freeze on external communications from the agency.
Order in the sport: Trump’s executive order that seeks to ban transgender women and girls from competing in female sports is expected to spark a protracted battle, with a judge ruling transgender teens can pursue a challenge.
‘SNL’ at 50
Half a century’s worth of musical guests graced Radio City Music Hall for “Saturday Night Live’s” homecoming concert on Saturday night, part of an enormous celebration of the show’s 50 years on the air.
The concert, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, featured a star-studded bill that included Cher, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg and a series of unique, one-time-only collaborations: Bonnie Raitt and Chris Martin; Arcade Fire, David Byrne, St. Vincent and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
The surviving members of Nirvana also reunited, with Post Malone taking Kurt Cobain’s place for a fierce performance of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
There is more to come, unusually, on Sunday night. “SNL50: The Anniversary Celebration,” will take viewers down memory lane in a three-hour star-studded event that will commemorate everything that made the show a pop culture staple.
In case you missed it
- Bad blood was on full display Saturday between the U.S. and Canadian hockey teams, with three fights in the first nine seconds of the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
- The woman linked to a Telemundo reporter’s death was previously charged in at least five other cases. Police say they have fielded a dozen complaints in the past week from people who believe they or a loved one may have been a victim of hers.
- Israeli American Sagui Dekel-Chen was among three hostages set free by Hamas on Saturday, after the group reaffirmed a truce that appeared close to breaking down. Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange.
- Five people have been arrested and charged in New York in connection with the disappearance and death of a 24-year-old Minnesota transgender man.
