#ourCOG Daily Brief [March 31, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for March 31, 2026.

In today’s U.S. news, President Donald Trump’s executive action to pay TSA agents during a Congressional gridlock has sparked debate over the balance of power. Meanwhile, NASA’s Artemis II mission is poised to launch astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit for the first time in 50 years, marking a significant step toward a permanent human presence in space. Domestically, allegations of sexual abuse against civil rights icon Cesar Chavez are forcing a difficult reevaluation of his legacy, while millions participated in “No Kings” protests nationwide against President Trump, whose approval ratings continue to decline. Internationally, Iran has issued a stern warning against any U.S. ground invasion, including potential strikes on universities, as diplomats convene for peace talks in Pakistan. On the world stage, despite sustained attacks from the U.S. and Israel, Iran’s machinery of intimidation, bolstered by the IRGC and Basij militia, continues to suppress internal dissent. The Trump era’s policies, particularly the trade war, are seen by China as an opportunity to further its long-term goal of becoming the preeminent global power. Finally, the Philippines has declared a national energy emergency as soaring global oil and gas prices deeply impact its citizens.

Turning to our recent video content, we’ve been featuring the “Alabama CoG Conference” with installments from Wednesday pm, January 22, 1997, Thursday PM, January 23, 1997, and Monday PM, January 20, 1997.

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we’re following stories including a “Church Planting Intensive In Session,” the “‘Jesus Wells’ Campaign” which is focusing on the ‘World’s Thirstiest Communities,’ a ministry that recently won ‘Best Children’s Feature’ at the Movieguide® Awards, and another “Church Planting Intensive Set for March 11-13.”

In prophecy news, President Trump declared today that regime change in Iran has been achieved through the assassination of senior Islamic leaders, though the objective of the U.S.-Israel war had previously been unclear. Yesterday, Vice President Vance stated the Trump administration is working on a legal case to deport Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar, alleging immigration fraud, while questions arose about Iran’s potential race toward a nuclear bomb post-war. Over the weekend, Josh Hammer notably spoke at CPAC 2026, criticizing elements of the conservative movement he believes oppose President Trump, and earlier in the week, a California gubernatorial debate was canceled due to all invited candidates being white, as a judge weighs whether Venezuela can pay Maduro’s legal costs.

And finally, in Jewish history, looking back at April 1st through the ages: In 515 BCE, the Second Temple was inaugurated in Jerusalem. Fast forward to 527, Byzantine Emperor Justin I named his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor, a move that proved detrimental to the Jewish people as both emperors rigorously enforced anti-Jewish laws, banning new synagogues and excluding Jews from positions of honor. Then, in 1205, Amalrik II, King of Cyprus and Jerusalem, passed away during the tumultuous period of the Crusades.