The briefing for Sunday, February 22.

The Supreme Court struck down President Trump's sweeping global tariffs Friday in a 6-3 decision, ruling he exceeded his authority under emergency powers law. Within hours, Trump announced new tariffs under different legal authority—first 10%, then raising it to 15% on Saturday. The president said he was 'absolutely ashamed' of justices who ruled against him and warned refund battles could last 'five years.'

U.S. Customs has already collected $133 billion under the now-invalid tariffs, but the refund process remains unclear. The Supreme Court's opinion didn't address how refunds would work, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh warning it would be a 'mess.' Trade lawyers say importers will likely get money back eventually, but consumers who paid higher prices probably won't. The process could take 12 to 18 months and will favor larger companies with more resources.

The ruling complicates U.S.-China relations ahead of Trump's planned March visit to Beijing, though analysts say China will proceed cautiously. Congressional Republicans remain divided on tariffs, with Trump rescinding his endorsement of Colorado Rep. Jeff Hurd for voting against Canadian tariffs. Democrats are demanding refunds for consumers and plan to make tariff costs central to midterm campaigns. Businesses face continued uncertainty as Trump pursues alternative legal paths for imposing duties.

NASA delayed its highly anticipated Artemis II lunar mission indefinitely Saturday after discovering a helium flow problem with the rocket's upper stage. The issue emerged just one day after the agency targeted March 6 for launch, following a successful fueling test. Helium flow is essential for purging engines and pressurizing fuel tanks, and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the rocket must return to its hangar for repairs.

The setback marks the latest in a series of problems plaguing the mission to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. Hydrogen fuel leaks had already pushed the launch back by a month, and a second fueling test Thursday revealed minimal leaks, giving managers confidence for a March launch. The four Artemis II astronauts had just entered their mandatory two-week quarantine Friday evening.

Isaacman acknowledged 'people are disappointed by this development' but said the disappointment is felt most by the NASA team. April is now the earliest the mission could fly. The Artemis program has completed only one flight so far—a 2022 lunar-orbiting mission without crew that was also plagued by fuel leaks. The first crewed moon landing under Artemis remains years away.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has quietly purchased at least seven massive warehouses across the U.S. for detention centers, often leaving mayors and local officials out of the loop until deals close. The $45 billion expansion includes facilities in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In Socorro, Texas, Mayor Rudy Cruz learned through rumors that ICE had already purchased three warehouses for $122.8 million before receiving any federal notification.

Documents obtained by New Hampshire officials reveal ICE plans to add 92,000 detention beds through eight large facilities holding 7,000-10,000 detainees each and 16 smaller processing centers. Communities are raising concerns about strains on water supplies and services while facing reduced tax revenue. Some warehouse owners have backed out of deals after public pressure, including sites in Minnesota, Missouri, and Mississippi.

ICE acknowledged making a 'mistake' when it announced warehouse purchases that hadn't closed in Chester, New York, though it later confirmed the Roxbury, New Jersey sale did finalize. The agency is using military contracts that allow secrecy and rapid action without typical processes. In some cases, like Oakwood, Georgia, city officials learned of imminent deals only when warehouse supervisors told city inspectors to clear job sites for new federal owners.

The Department of Homeland Security suspended TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs Saturday as the partial government shutdown continues. The programs are designed to speed registered travelers through security lines, and their suspension could create significant travel disruptions. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the agency is 'prioritizing the general traveling population' and suspending 'courtesy and special privilege escorts.'

The shutdown began February 14 after Democrats and the White House failed to reach agreement on DHS funding legislation. Democrats have been demanding changes to immigration operations that are central to President Trump's deportation campaign. House Democrats criticized the decision to suspend the programs, accusing the administration of 'kneecapping the programs that make travel smoother and secure' and 'ruining your travel on purpose.'

Noem emphasized that 'shutdowns have serious real world consequences' in her statement announcing the suspensions. TSA and Customs and Border Protection are focusing resources on general airport security rather than expedited screening for pre-approved travelers. The move affects millions of travelers who paid fees to enroll in the trusted traveler programs.

A 21-year-old gay woman from Morocco was deported by ICE to a third country where homosexuality is illegal, despite having a protection order from a U.S. immigration judge. Farah, who asked to be identified by first name only, was detained for nearly a year before being flown to Cameroon and then Morocco, both countries where homosexuality is criminalized. She fled Morocco after violence from her family over her sexual orientation.

Farah received a protection order in August from an immigration judge who ruled she cannot be deported to Morocco because it would endanger her life. Her partner, denied asylum and a protection order, was deported earlier. Farah said she was three days from a release hearing when ICE handcuffed her and put her on a plane to Cameroon. At a Cameroonian detention facility, she was asked if she wanted to stay but refused, citing the danger.

She is among dozens confirmed deported to third countries despite legal protections from U.S. judges. Attorney Joseph Awah Fru, representing deportees in Cameroon, said all nine people on the first January flight had protection orders. The Trump administration has used third-country deportations to pressure migrants to leave voluntarily, saying they could end up 'in any number of third countries.' Immigration lawyer Alma David called it a legal 'loophole' that circumvents judicial protections.