Good afternoon,
Governors around the country are preparing for National Governors Association (NGA) meetings next week. This year, however, the meetings will look a little different, as the historically bipartisan meeting at the White House will <a href='[link removed]'>only include Republicans</a>. Trump is still planning to host a separate, bipartisan dinner at the White House as part of the NGA activities, but has excluded two Governors. One excluded governor, Maryland's Wes Moore, is vice chair of the NGA and the nation's only black governor. Moore stated '<a href='[link removed]'>It's not lost on me that I'm the only Black governor in this country</a>.' Jared Polis of Colorado was also personally disinvited from the event.
The break in tradition from hosting bipartisan events for all governors comes as no surprise in the context of Trump's second administration, as he has fostered an increasingly divisive and partisan environment.
Here are a few important updates...
THE ENVIRONMENTAL UNPROTECTION AGENCY
In 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created by the Nixon administration to protect human health through protecting our environment. Over <a href='[link removed].'>the past 50+ years</a>, the EPA has implemented and enforced environmental regulations to safeguard our health. Under the second Trump administration, however, the EPA has decreased its enforcement of environmental regulations, with reports stating that the agency's track record in 2025 is the '<a href='[link removed]'>worst of any administration in the last 20 years</a>.' In the first year of Trump's second administration, the EPA filed <a href='[link removed]'>just 16 civil lawsuits</a>. In the first year of his first term, the EPA filed 86 cases, which was already a significant decrease from the Obama administration's 127 cases in its first year. As the EPA fails to enforce the rules, all environmental laws become meaningless.
The second Trump administration has had a goal of deregulating the federal government across the board. Last March, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin launched what he called the '<a href='[link removed]'>biggest deregulatory action in U.S. history</a>,' with efforts to roll back restrictions on pollution and to relinquish the EPA's mandate to act on climate change. From the number of civil lawsuits filed on behalf of the EPA, is it clear that the administration's efforts to deregulate the agency are working. As the nation faces intensifying climate and pollution crises, a weakened EPA leaves American communities more vulnerable than ever. Unless the agency's mission to protect human health and the environment is restored, decades of environmental progress could quickly unravel.
<h3>THE DOCTOR IS IN A DATA CENTER</h3>Last week, Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, made the bizarre claim that AI is the key to helping rural communities get better access to mental healthcare.
Oz's remarks included the following: 'Sixty million Americans live in rural parts of this country. Their life expectancy is about nine years shorter than those in more urban parts of the country. Mental health issues drive a lot of that. I am telling you right now, there's no question about it – whether you want it or not – the best way to help some of these communities is going to be AI-based avatars. Agentic AI.'
At a time when even the biggest proponents of AI are significantly <a href='[link removed]'>downgrading</a> their protections of what value – if any – it could bring to mental health, the Trump government is doubling down. The AI 'therapist' push comes as a part of the administration's new <a href='[link removed]'>Great American Recovery Initiative</a>.
AI therapy chatbots have been linked to an increase in suicides, self harm, paranoia, delusions, and other negative mental health outcomes. The Trump administration is content to use 60 million Americans as guinea pigs to benefit their backers in big tech.
'Please go play with these tools – they are unbelievable,' Oz said as part of his remarks.
The ludicrous nature of this policy idea is what is truly unbelievable. After building his fame <a href='[link removed]'>hawking quack remedies</a> on daytime TV, Oz is ready for his snake oil to get a big tech glow up.
<h4>NUMBER OF THE WEEK</h4><h4><a href='[link removed]'>$696 billion</a>: The amount the national debt has grown in the last 4 months. </h4>The debt spiked by $94 billion just in the month of January. At the current rate of spending the deficit for 2026 alone will be $1.8 trillion. The bill for Trump's tax giveaway to the billionaire class is coming due.
DATES TO WATCH
February 24, 2026<li aria-level='2'>What to watch: President Trump delivers the annual State of the Union address.<li aria-level='2'>Why it matters: With an economy teetering the verge of recession and the public souring on his agenda, a perpetually truth-averse president will make his case to the country.
February 28, 2026<li aria-level='2'>What to watch: The President and First Vice Presidents of the 12 regional Federal Reserve Board Banks <a href='[link removed]'>five-year terms expire</a> on this date.
<li aria-level='2'>Why it matters: The new term begins on March 1, 2026 for a list of pre-approved Presidents and First Vice Presidents. If Trump wants to escalate his war on the Federal Reserve, he could attempt to block these orderly appointments.
WHAT WE'RE READING
RFD-TV: <a href='[link removed]'>EXCLUSIVE: Bipartisan Cooperation Crucial to Accomplish Farm Bill 2.0 Timeline</a>Axios: <a href='[link removed]'>Virginia Democrats redistricting attempt uses Northern Virginia to their advantage </a>Grist: <a href='[link removed]'>The US government says it is falling short on its legal duties to tribal nations</a>The Hill: <a href='[link removed]'>DNC chair reflects on party's resurgence</a>The Center Square: <a href='[link removed]'>Rural health care costs can be 8 times urban</a>Governing: <a href='[link removed]'>Renewables Stall in Rural Counties as Land Use Fears Grow</a>CBS News: <a href='[link removed]'>Democrat Chasity Verret Martinez wins Louisiana state House special seat in district Trump won</a>UnHerd: <a href='[link removed]'>Can Democrats win over rural America?</a>
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Bluesky</a>, <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Twitter</a>, <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Facebook</a> and <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Substack</a>, and listen to <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>The Hot Dish</a> podcast.
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