Iowa Moves to Eliminate Trans Rights, and Zelensky Heads to the White House
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What is happening with transgender rights in Iowa?
From The New York Times, it's The Headlines. I'm Tracy Mumford. Today's Friday, February 28th. Here's what we're covering. On Thursday, Republican lawmakers in Iowa overwhelmingly passed a bill that would end state civil rights protections for transgender people. Advocates for LGBTQ rights say if the governor signs the bill into law, as expected, Iowa will become the first state in the country to remove those kinds of broad and explicit protections against discrimination. Iowa had put them into state law almost two decades ago.
Back in 2007, when a Democratic trifecta inserted this gender language into our code, most could not have foreseen the ultimate ramifications of the change. Now we do.
Supporters of the bill say it's necessary to remove the protections because otherwise they could be used to mount a legal challenge to other state laws. Iowa has laws restricting gender transition treatments for minors and barring transgender women and girls from playing in women's sports. Critics of the bill held protests at the state capitol this week as it was up for debate.
Why are Iowa's LGBTQ advocates concerned about the new bill?
They say they fear transgender people will face widespread discrimination and harassment without the protections. Some people pleaded directly with lawmakers not to go forward with the bill.
You have children. You have grandchildren. If their rights were taken away, would you stand up for them? I think you would. That's what I'm saying. Thank you. Thank you.
The Iowa bill comes as the Trump administration has moved to limit trans rights at a national level. The president issued an executive order saying the government will only recognize the gender people were assigned at birth. On social media last night, Trump posted, Thank you, Iowa.
How is the Trump administration impacting trans rights?
So President Zelensky is coming to see me on Friday, Friday morning.
Today, President Trump is hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House to sign an agreement over mineral rights. Their meeting comes a week after Trump called Zelensky a dictator.
What is the significance of President Zelensky's visit to the White House?
Did I say that? I can't believe I said that. Next question.
What are the details of the mineral rights deal between the U.S. and Ukraine?
In the Oval Office yesterday, Trump brushed past that comment and said he and Zelensky are ready to work together. The exact terms of the mineral rights agreement haven't been released, but it will mark a clear shift for the countries, effectively turning their alliance into a business relationship.
you know, we're doing the deal, then we're going to be in there.
We're going to be actually in there, digging our hearts out. Ukraine will share some of the revenue from its valuable mineral resources. Trump has said that's payback for the military support the U.S. has already provided. Zelensky's made clear he wants a future guarantee of U.S. protection. But a draft of the deal the Times reviewed only vaguely referenced that, with no specific commitment. Also on Thursday.
From the talks with Canada and Mexico so far, are you not seeing the progress that you wanted in order to extend that? I don't see it at all. No, not on drugs.
How will Trump's tariffs affect Canada and Mexico?
President Trump announced his plan for tariffs on Canada and Mexico is back on starting next week. The 25 percent surcharges have the potential to upend supply chains and drive up prices, especially for cars and some food products. Trump first announced the tariffs last month, then almost immediately paused them, saying he was giving the country's time to meet his demands for border security, including stopping the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.
Now, Trump says neither country has done enough.
That has Canada unsure of how to appease the president, since very little fentanyl actually comes across the northern border. U.S. authorities only seized about 40 pounds of the drug coming in from Canada last year, compared to 500 times that amount from Mexico. On Mexico's part, it's been moving troops to the border and escalating its raids on drug labs. And yesterday, Mexican authorities transferred 29 top cartel members into American custody — Turning over people U.S. authorities had been trying to prosecute for decades. The first phase of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is set to expire tomorrow night. And what comes next is a big question mark.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What is happening with transgender rights in Iowa?
0:02–1:15
2
Why are Iowa's LGBTQ advocates concerned about the new bill?
1:15–1:58
3
How is the Trump administration impacting trans rights?
1:58–2:16
4
What is the significance of President Zelensky's visit to the White House?
2:16–2:20
5
What are the details of the mineral rights deal between the U.S. and Ukraine?
2:20–3:16
6
How will Trump's tariffs affect Canada and Mexico?
3:16–8:49
Speakers
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