Trump froze federal spending. Confusion and disarray followed.

On today’s show: The federal government ordered a widespread funding freeze. The Wall Street Journal details the chaos that ensued.

Public trust in America’s health institutions hasn’t recovered from pandemic controversies. The Washington Post’s Rachel Roubein explains how that could impact Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearing. 

What is DeepSeek, and why did it send tremors through financial markets this week? Bloomberg AI reporter Shirin Ghaffary explains. 

Plus, the Trump administration is offering about 2 million federal employees the chance to resign, why the ‘Mona Lisa’ is moving, and a look at what the Year of the Snake could bring as the Lunar New Year begins.

Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.