ARE TRUMP’S executive orders constitutional? (Shutterstock).

The legal struggle between the executive and judicial branches continued on Friday as judges issued ruling on orders from the White House.

According to The Associated Press, orders from President Donald Trump seeking to cut government support for programs supporting “diversity, equity and inclusion” were blocked by Federal Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore. His order will prevent the administration from ending or changing federal contracts they consider “equity-related.”

The judge expressed the opinion that the order “likely” were unconstitutional and may violate First Amendment free speech rights.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued the president a setback on Friday. According to The New York Times, an unsigned order from the court ruled that – for the moment – a government attorney (Hampton Dellinger) who leads the Office of Special Counsel – can’t be fired.

The issue may be rejoined shortly, however, as the temporary retraining order that saved Dellinger’s job – expires next week.

Under the law that create the Office of Special Counsel, that officer must be confirmed by the Senate, serves for a five-year term and may only be fired by the president for “inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.”

Joint Chiefs chair fired by Trump

General Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was fired Friday from that position by President Trump.

GEN. CHARLES QUINN (Defense Dept.)

According to The New York Times, Brown – whose position had made his position the top military officer of the U.S. – will be replaced by Air Force Lt. General Dan Caine.

Trump is believed to have wanted Brown’s removal on the opinion that he was more concerned about diversity issues and not emphasizing military readiness to fight.

Traditionally, Joint Chiefs are not replaced with a change of presidents.

In a podcast in November, Pete Hegseth – now the secretary of defense – urged that Brown be fired. “Either you’re in for war fighting, and that’s it.”

Stock markets tumble on fears of tariffs

The major stock markets tumbled on Friday in reaction to fears that threats of tariffs and widespread firing of federal government employees will damage the economy.

STOCK INDEXES fell on Friday (Shutterstock).

United Press International reports that the S&P 500 fell by 1.7 percent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down by 1.69 percent, in both cases the biggest one-day declines since Dec.18.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell by 2.2 percent.

UPI reports also that the consumer sentiment index at the University of Michigan showed that in February consumer confidence had fallen by almost 10 percent.

A factor in the declines is belief that tariffs on foreign goods imported into the U.S will raise consumer prices and be met by tariffs on American exports.

Weather: Not the 80s quite yet

Daytime temperatures in the West Orange County will remain in the high 70s, but won’t teach the 80s … yet. According to forecasts, Saturday will have a daytime high of 78 with an overnight low of 49 under mostly sunny skies. Sunday will be similar with high a 78 (50) with partly cloud conditions. Monday will cool just a little to 77 (52) then warm just a little to 79 (55) on Tuesday with mostly sunny skies.

Great Thoughts

“The humble, the meek, merciful, just, pious and devout souls everywhere are of one religion, and when death has taken off the mask, they will know one another, though the diverse liveries they wore here make them strangers.”

–– William Penn, Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania