Plus: Trump allies in administration defy Musk’s federal worker email mandate and flu season woes

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Hi (sniffle) from the PM Mo Newsletter —

It was a rough weekend at my house, as my partner battled the flu and I worked to keep her hydrated (and myself healthy). *Cue social distancing in a small NYC apartment and shouts of “DID YOU TOUCH THIS PILLOW?!”*

If you’ve also been hit by the flu this season, you’re in good company – including Mosh’s family in January. Americans are experiencing the worst flu season in at least 15 years, based on doctor’s office visits. It arrived especially late in the season, with data showing outpatient visits in early February higher than any recorded in the past 28 years.

What’s going on: Experts point to weakened immunity post-COVID and fewer people getting vaccinated. Plus, this year’s flu shots may have been less effective than usual.
- They won’t know for sure until there’s more data… which may take a while.

So far, a flu shot, Clorox wipes, and hypervigilance appear to be protecting me… 🤞

Lauren
Mo News Producer

PS: We’ve heard from some of you about our newsletter's readability — let us know what you think about the new newsletter font!

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🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING

Trump Claims Ukraine War Nearing End; Says Russia Open to Peacekeepers But Giving Up All Occupied Land Unlikely

Today marks three years of war since Russia first invaded Ukraine. President Donald Trump, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House on Monday, said he believes the war could end “within weeks.”

He added that that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to the deployment of European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine after a ceasefire.
- However, Russia maintains it will not cede any occupied territories as part of a peace agreement — a negotiating point Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has wholly rejected. Trump was skeptical Ukraine will get all of its territory back.
- Putin also made a point Monday of saying he hasn’t discussed ending the conflict with Trump.

It comes as European allies push for the U.S. to remain committed to Ukraine in its fourth year of war, despite the Trump administration moving closer to Russia.

U.N. MOVES TO CONDEMN RUSSIA
That was evident on Monday when the U.S. joined Russia, Belarus, North Korea and more than a dozen countries in voting against a U.N. General Assembly resolution condemning Russia as the aggressor in Ukraine’s war.

The resolution still passed with 93 votes in favor, 18 against, and 65 abstentions. It called for de-escalation in Ukraine, an early end to hostilities, and a peaceful resolution.
Though non-binding, the resolution signals weakening U.S. support for Ukraine under the Trump administration, in favor of closer Russia ties.

UKRAINE REACTS
Ukrainians observed the third anniversary of the war that has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths, the loss of 20% of their country and more than 10 million citizens displaced. President Zelenskyy released a short video honoring the sacrifices of his people and the hundreds of thousands who have died.

On Sunday, Zelenskyy made headlines by saying that he was “ready” to "give up" as leader of Ukraine if it would bring peace to the country. He also suggested he would resign in exchange for Ukraine becoming a member of NATO.
- Zelenskyy was democratically elected in 2019, but postponed the upcoming 2024 election due to the war with Russia.
The Trump administration has made it clear that Ukrainian membership in NATO is unrealistic and unlikely to happen, regardless of any Zelenskyy moves.

Zelenskyy’s comments come after a week of growing tensions with the Trump administration. Trump called Zelenskyy a "dictator," to which Zelenskyy on Sunday said he "wasn't offended, but a dictator would be." On Monday, Trump said he didn’t use that word lightly.

A MINERAL DEAL CLOSE?
Trump has called on Ukraine to give the U.S. $500 billion in rare earths and other minerals in exchange for continued support.

On Monday, the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that Ukraine and the U.S. are close to finalizing a minerals deal worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
The deal: According to those familiar with a draft of the agreement, it would establish a fund allocating 50% of Ukraine’s extractable material revenues — including minerals, oil and gas — for a U.S. commitment toward a “free, sovereign, and secure” Ukraine.
- Notably, the deal does not include U.S. military support post-war — something Zelenskyy had initially sought. Ukrainian leaders see the deal as a way to improve relations with the Trump administration and pave the path for a long-term partnership with the U.S.

🚨 ONE THING WE ARE FOLLOWING

Several Government Agencies Tell Employees Not To Respond To Elon Musk’s Email

Federal employees have until 11:59 p.m. EST tonight to respond to the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) weekend email asking them to list five things they accomplished last week. Elon Musk, who ordered the email Saturday, said failure to respond could cost employees their jobs. But officials at the OPM – which handles HR for the federal workforce – told agencies Monday that responding was voluntary.

Despite that update, President Trump echoed Musk’s claims on Monday, saying “if you don't answer…you're sort of semi fired or you're fired.”

Adding to the confusion, a number of agency heads — appointed by President Trump — are instructing staff not to respond. 🤯 Let’s rewind.

HOW WE GOT HERE
Trump posted over the weekend that he wants Musk to “get more aggressive” with cuts ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). To which Musk responded: “Will do.” Shortly thereafter, he outlined a forthcoming email requiring federal workers to prove their worth, by detailing their last week’s work. He said, “Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation."

On Monday, Musk doubled down that government employees will lose their jobs if they don’t respond. Trump praised the move.

Musk later posted on X that he has public support, based on a poll he took on the platform.

WHO TO LISTEN TO?
Meanwhile, several Trump-appointed agency leaders are pushing back on Musk’s order.

The FBI and the Departments of Defense, State, Energy, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security all told their employees not to respond, or said they would respond on workers’ behalf. Sitting federal judges and their staff, who also received the email, were advised by the Administrative Office for the Federal Courts not to take action.
Among those resisting Musk were Trump allies recently sworn in – including Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, and Kash Patel, leading the FBI. Both ordered workers not to respond at this time.
Among the concerns: OPM and Musk gave a direct order to do something or lose your job, when he had no authority to do so. They are not in the chain of command for most federal workers.

On Monday, federal workers filed a lawsuit against Musk in federal court in California. The suit seeks to block mass layoffs, including any connected to the OPM email sent Saturday.

We’ll be watching what happens after tonight’s deadline.

⏳ SPEED READ

🚨NATION

📌 Trump names right-wing podcaster and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino to be second-in-command at FBI (POLITICO)

📌 FDA moves to rehire medical device staffers fired only days earlier (AP)

📌 Trump fires chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and two other military officers (CNN)

📌 Idaho woman forcibly dragged from local Republican town hall by private security (NBC)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

📌 Conservative opposition wins German election and the far right is 2nd with strongest postwar result (AP)

📌 Pope Francis resting on day 10 in hospital for lung infection that led to early stages of kidney insufficiency (FOX)

📌 France faces its largest child abuse trial, weeks after country was rocked by Pelicot case (CNN)

📌 Israel halts release of Palestinian prisoners over ‘humiliating’ hostage handovers (TIME OF ISRAEL) Israel sends tanks to the West Bank for the first time in 20 years (CNN)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

📌 Apple, facing tariffs on Chinese imports, says it will invest $500 billion in US facilities (CNN)

📌 Joy Reid leaving MSNBC after her show is canceled (AP)

📌 Lester Holt is stepping down as anchor of 'NBC Nightly News' after a decade (NBC)

📌 Home buyers are finally getting the upper hand again (WSJ)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

📌 Roberta Flack, Grammy Award-winning singer, dead at 88 (CNN)

📌 Two-week-old report regarding Eagles’ supposed plan to skip White House visits catches fire (NBC)

📌 Legendary rap group Wu-Tang Clan announces final North American tour, kicking off in June (AP)

ICYMI FROM THE 📲

In case you missed it… The Governor's Ball at the White House over the weekend featured the Les Misérables song "Do You Hear the People Sing?” — a revolutionary call.

The play is set during the lead-up to the French Revolution, depicting the struggles of the working class. An interesting choice during an event where people wear ball gowns and drink fancy wine… 🤔