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The Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s signature tariff policy in a 6-3 vote on Friday.

The White House has cited a 1977 emergency act for its power to impose sweeping tariffs, but SCOTUS ruled that law “falls short” of granting a president unilateral authority over tariffs—a power the Constitution gives to “Congress alone.” The ruling removes the blanket 10% tariff Trump levied last April, though duties enacted under other laws (like those on aluminum and steel) remain in effect.

It’s unclear if, when, or how the ~$135B of improperly collected tariffs will be refunded; expect more legal battles.

President Trump called the ruling “deeply disappointing” and said he was “ashamed” of some justices. He quickly announced a blanket 15% import tax under a separate trade act, which allows temporary tariffs up to 150 days.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Regardless of how tariffs affect the economy, both today and in the long term, their impact doesn’t change the end of the story. Wealth comes and goes—only King Jesus will receive tribute from the whole world. 

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it… They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.”
Revelation 21:23-26 (CSB) (read full passage)

Early Sunday, agents fatally shot an armed man who made “unauthorized entry” at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump’s Florida estate.

The President and First Lady were in Washington when a suspect drove through the Palm Beach resort’s north gate around 1:30 AM as another vehicle was exiting (see property map). Two Secret Service agents and a local officer confronted the man, who appeared to be holding a shotgun and fuel can, and told him to “drop the items.” The suspect raised his gun to “shooting position,” and agents opened fire.

The suspect was a 21-year-old North Carolina resident whose family reported him missing on Saturday. Authorities believe he picked up the gun during his drive south. 

The suspect’s motive is under investigation. The FBI says it’s “dedicating all necessary resources” to investigate alongside Palm Beach officials.

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PRAY WITH US
Good Shepherd, relentlessly pursue those who are mourning with Your goodness and mercy. Lead us beside quiet waters and still the anger and fear that political violence stirs up across the country. Give investigators insight and give courts discernment, and grow Your people’s faith that You will soon right every wrong. May we be beacons of light and hope while we wait on You.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.” 
Revelation 21:4 (CSB) (read full passage)

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The Olympics have said arrivederci.

Norway won the Milan-Cortina Games, skiing home with 41 total medals including 18 gold, followed by Team USA’s 33 medals and its best-ever 12 Winter Olympic golds (see the final standings). Norwegian Ski King Johannes Høsflot Klæbo won six golds, passing American speedskater Eric Heiden’s 1980 record for the most in a single Winter Olympics.   

Yesterday, Team USA’s Men’s Hockey team beat Canada in overtime of the gold medal game, securing its first Olympic title since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” More memorable American golds came from halfpipe skier Alex Ferreira (watch) and the mixed aerials team jumping-spinning-flipping their way to gold (watch). 

Italy closed the ceremonies yesterday (see pictures) by passing the Winter Olympic torch to France, where we’ll re-learn the rules of curling in 2030.

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Verse to consider whether you’re celebrating a victory, agonizing over defeat, or wondering how to handle Olympics withdrawal… “The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” 
Psalm 23:1-3 (CSB) (read full passage)

The Mexican military killed its most-wanted man yesterday. An operation killed “El Mencho,” leader of the CJNG drug cartel, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. CJNG—notorious for open attacks on the police and military—retaliated by burning vehicles and attacking security forces in eight Mexican states, prompting a "shelter-in-place" order for U.S. citizens in certain Mexican regions and grounding some flights.

The U.S. military's latest drug-boat strike killed three “narco-terrorists.” U.S. Southern Command said Friday’s strike targeted a vessel operated by a designated terrorist organization traveling along “known narco-trafficking” routes in the Eastern Pacific. It follows last Monday’s strikes that killed eleven, bringing the total to at least 43 boat strikes since September, with 147 reported dead.

Don’t worry, elite travelers, you still get your own security line. Hours after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the suspension of TSA PreCheck during the partial government shutdown, the agents in blue backtracked, saying they’ll “adjust operations” to maintain the program. February 14th’s government shutdown primarily affects DHS, with funding negotiations stalled indefinitely over immigration operation reforms.

JPMorgan Chase acknowledged closing 50+ bank accounts associated with President Trump after January 6. The admission came in a court filing tied to Trump’s $5B “debanking” lawsuit, where #47 alleges the closures were politically motivated. JPMorgan says it does not close accounts based on politics or religion, but can if the accounts “create legal or regulatory risk for the company.”

Institutional investors are being told, “Get off America’s lawn.” Thursday, the White House proposed banning owners of 100+ single-family homes from buying more, with exemptions for builders who rent properties. Supporters say the ban will boost affordability—blocking investment firms from swooping in with all-cash offers—but critics say it will have little impact because large investors own just 2% of housing stock.

A volcanic eruption... in a thunderstorm.

What I’m Reading on My Lunch Break
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