Daily Politics News Digest — Saturday, February 28, 2026

40 articles analyzed · 2 sources · 5 key highlights

Key Highlights

Overview

Saturday's political landscape was dominated by escalating tensions between the Trump administration and the AI company Anthropic, growing uncertainty over U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, and a historic congressional deposition of former President Bill Clinton. The administration also released billions in disaster aid while facing criticism over economic messaging, and new polling revealed shifting American attitudes on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Pentagon Targets AI Company Over Safety Guardrails

The most significant development came as the Pentagon designated Anthropic as a supply chain risk, an unprecedented move against an American company. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's action followed the AI firm's refusal to remove safety guardrails from its systems. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) accused Trump and Hegseth of attempting to "extort" Anthropic, while the company itself called the designation "legally unsound" and warned it would "set a dangerous precedent." The designation—historically reserved for U.S. adversaries—marks a dramatic escalation in the administration's pressure campaign against the AI company. Anthropic emphasized that such action had "never before publicly applied to an American company," raising questions about the Trump administration's approach to regulating artificial intelligence and corporate compliance.

Iran Nuclear Talks Hit Turbulence

President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, telling reporters he was "not happy with the way Tehran was negotiating" and had not made a final decision on potential strikes. The comments came despite Oman's foreign minister revealing that Iran had offered "zero stockpiling" of enriched uranium as part of a potential deal. The mixed signals from the administration created uncertainty about the trajectory of talks being mediated by Oman in Geneva. The State Department simultaneously urged personnel to leave the U.S. embassy in Israel, suggesting heightened regional tensions. The diplomatic whiplash underscored the fragile nature of negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

Historic Clinton Deposition Receives Bipartisan Praise

Former President Bill Clinton testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding files linked to Jeffrey Epstein, in what lawmakers described as a historic deposition setting new precedent for congressional treatment of former presidents. Both Republicans and Democrats praised Clinton as "very cooperative," noting he "attempted to respond to every single question asked, even when his attorney told him to shut up." President Trump told reporters he was "not happy" to see Clinton deposed, adding an unusual layer to the proceeding. The deposition came weeks after the Justice Department released over 3 million pages of Epstein-related documents, material so voluminous that researchers continue mining it for significant revelations.

Disaster Aid Released After Delays

The Trump administration approved billions in disaster assistance through FEMA that had been awaiting approval from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The release of combined public assistance and hazard mitigation funds came after criticism of delays, though additional funds reportedly still await approval. The move provided relief to disaster-affected communities but raised questions about why the aid had been held up in the first place.

Public Rejects Trump's Economic Claims

A Reuters/Ipsos poll delivered a sharp rebuke to President Trump's State of the Union claim that the economy is "roaring like never before," with 68 percent of Americans disagreeing that the U.S. economy is "booming." Only 30 percent of respondents agreed with the president's characterization, highlighting a significant disconnect between the administration's messaging and public perception of economic conditions.

Shifting Views on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

New Gallup polling revealed that more Americans now sympathize with Palestinians (41 percent) than with Israelis, marking a notable shift in public opinion several months after the Gaza ceasefire. The statistic represents a significant change in American attitudes toward the long-standing conflict and could have implications for U.S. Middle East policy.

Additional Developments

**Texas Senate Race Heats Up**: President Trump gave shoutouts to Republican candidates during a Corpus Christi speech but stopped short of an endorsement, while former Vice President Kamala Harris backed Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary. **DOJ Protest Charges**: Attorney General Pam Bondi announced 30 additional charges related to an anti-ICE protest that interrupted a Minnesota church service, with 25 already arrested. **Cuba Relations**: Trump floated a "friendly takeover" of Cuba, citing the communist regime's financial troubles amid a U.S. fuel blockade. **Scouting Policy Changes**: Defense Secretary Hegseth announced Scouting America agreed to base membership on "biological sex at birth" rather than gender identity to maintain Pentagon financial support.

Outlook

The Anthropic designation could trigger legal challenges and broader debates about government overreach into private technology companies. Iran negotiations appear increasingly precarious, with the potential for military action remaining on the table. The Tuesday Texas primaries will provide crucial tests for both parties' messaging strategies. Meanwhile, the disconnect between Trump's economic rhetoric and public perception suggests political vulnerabilities heading into the 2026 midterm campaign season. Senate Democrats' demands for immediate tariff refunds—following the Supreme Court's recent ruling—will likely intensify pressure on the Treasury Department in coming days.