Today’s Headlines: Trump held a two-hour cabinet meeting yesterday dedicated largely to his Sharpie, his ballroom renovation, and claiming Iran is "begging" for a deal while insisting he's definitely not desperate for one. He then paused strikes on Iranian energy plants until April 6th, privately told advisors he wants the war wrapped in four to six weeks, and the Pentagon simultaneously floated sending 10,000 more ground troops. Israel killed Iran's navy commander — the architect of the Strait of Hormuz blockade. And the USPS announced a 7% fuel surcharge on packages, citing the Iran war. The cost of this conflict is now literally showing up in your shipping rates. In wannabe king news, Trump announced he'd sign an executive order to pay TSA workers — something he could have done at any point instead of using their paychecks as leverage. He's also eyeing the White House Treaty Room as a potential bedroom. And his signature will begin appearing on U.S. currency in June, ending a 165-year tradition, to mark America's 250th birthday. At CPAC, Deputy AG Todd Blanche boasted that Kash Patel has purged everyone involved in Trump's prosecution from the FBI, endorsed the view that all executive branch employees work directly for Trump, and floated having ICE agents show up at polling locations on Election Day. The DOJ settled with Michael Flynn for $1.25 million — for the crimes he pleaded guilty to — while the Miami Herald reported that bags of shredded documents were found outside the jail where Epstein died days after his death, the FBI closed the inquiry and an anonymous letter to a federal judge alleged a coverup. The DOJ also issued two new criminal referrals against New York AG Letitia James, this time for homeowners insurance fraud, based largely on social media posts from a Trump ally. Tomorrow is the third round of No Kings protests — 3,000+ events nationwide, with Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Jane Fonda, and Bernie Sanders headlining the flagship rally in Minnesota. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Trump interrupts a Cabinet meeting dealing with the Iran war and rising prices to talk Sharpies WSJ: Trump Tells Aides He Wants Speedy End to Iran War WSJ: Exclusive: Pentagon Weighs Sending Another 10,000 Ground Troops to the Middle East The Guardian: IRGC naval commander killed in Israeli strike was hardliner who understood power of strait of Hormuz WVTM: USPS seeks a temporary 8% charge on Priority Mail and other products to offset transportation costs NBC News: Trump says he will order DHS to 'immediately' pay TSA officers as partial shutdown drags on NYT: Trump Eyes White House Treaty Room for Latest Renovation Project Reuters: Exclusive: Trump signature to appear on US currency, ending 165-year tradition NYT: Trump Calls for Law Cracking Down on Crime and ‘Rogue Judges’ The Hill: Blanche boasts of having ‘cleaned house’ at DOJ, FBI following Trump prosecutions NYT: Justice Dept. Settles Flynn’s Wrongful Prosecution Suit for $1.25 Million Miami Herald: Bags of documents shredded after Epstein’s death at NY jail NBC News: Trump housing official seeks new DOJ prosecution of Letitia James KARE 11: 'No Kings' rally set for St. Paul with Joan Baez, Jane Fonda, Maggie Rogers and Bruce Springsteen Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices