A liberal judge appears to side with Doge, U.S. and Russia officials plan a meeting in Saudi Arabia and Big Banks backpedal on DEI.

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire, editor-in-chief John Bickley. It's Monday, February 17th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

A federal judge appeared skeptical today of an effort to block the Department of Government

efficiency. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has the latest.

Attorneys general from 14 states claim that Doge is overstepping its authority by accessing

federal data and firing government employees. But Judge Tanya

Chutkin isn't convinced the states have the evidence to block it for now. The case focuses

on actions within seven agencies, including the Department of Education and Health and Human

Services. While Chutkin questioned the urgency of the state's arguments, she also pushed back

against claims that Musk has no direct influence over government decisions.

The ruling is expected within 24 hours as the Trump administration pushes forward with its cost-cutting agenda.

Several top Trump administration officials will meet face-to-face with their Russian counterparts tomorrow in Saudi Arabia.

Daily Wire senior editor, Cabot Phillips, has more.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Walts will lead the U.S. delegation

for what will be the first direct talks between the countries about ending the nearly three-year war.

Notably absent is Trump's Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Ukrainian President Vladimir Slensky,

who has insisted no peace deal should be made without Kiev at the table.

For their part, the White House says Ukraine will be included at future formal negotiations.

Russia, meanwhile, is expected to demand security guarantees.

Trump has signaled skepticism over Ukraine's NATO ambitions, raising questions about what concessions he will seek from Russia.

Rubio said yesterday on Face the Nation that negotiations are still in the early stages.

I want to go back to the point I made.

...