The LOOP
The Saturday Loop - February 21, 2026
SUPREME COURT NIXES TARIFFS, TRUMP IMPOSES NEW ONES
The Supreme Court yesterday blocked President Donald Trump’s use of an emergency law to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from nearly every U.S. trading partner, ruling that he exceeded his authority. Trump lambasted the decision in a speech hours after the ruling, and announced a new 10% “global tariff” that will be “over and above our normal tariffs.”
MEMO: WEAKNESS ON ABORTION ALIENATES GOP BASE
A polling firm warned this week that the GOP will lose support if it goes weak on abortion. Seventy-one percent of likely GOP primary voters oppose Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to allow mail-order mifepristone without in-person consultations. Also, 65% of all GOP voters surveyed opposed what the memo described as “the overall HHS direction on abortion.”
US BISHOPS OPPOSE TRUMP MASS DETENTION PLANS
The U.S. Catholic bishops are raising serious moral concerns over the federal government’s reported plan to dramatically expand immigration detention, warning that the scale and structure of the proposal should “challenge the conscience of every American.”
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MAKE THE PRO-LIFE CHOICE THIS LENTEN SEASON
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CARDINAL DOLAN: 'I WAS TICKED OFF' BY MAMDANI
“I was ticked off he didn’t invite me to his inauguration,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan said of Democratic New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The cardinal added that he was “really ticked off” that Mamdani did not attend Archbishop Ronald Hicks’ installation. “That defied precedent, the mayor not showing up to the installation."
SCARE AT CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL MASS
A 20-year-old man was detained after attempting to enter a Catholic school Mass in Sacramento, California, with a loaded handgun on Ash Wednesday.
CATHOLIC FIRST THINGS EDITOR: 'I AM A ZIONIST'
In an opinion piece published yesterday at The Washington Post, R.R. Reno, editor of the journal First Things, called himself a “Catholic and a Zionist,” pushing back against recent comments made by his fellow Catholic Carrie Prejean Boller, who rejects Zionism. Reno argued that Christians bear some “culpability” for fostering antisemitism in the West, and that this guilt is one reason for a Catholic to support Zionism. “As a Catholic, my commitment to Zionism atones for the sins of my forefathers in the faith.”
POLLING: AMERICANS WANT LESS SPENDING, OR NOT...
More Americans say they want overall government spending reduced, yet large majorities support boosting funds for specific programs and oppose tax increases unless they target corporations and billionaires, according to RealClearPolling. Here are the perplexing numbers.
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PRIORITIZE FAITH, FAMILY, & FINANCES
Taylor Frigon Capital actively manages portfolios designed for those who prioritize faith, family, and long-term stewardship.
LENTEN DINNER RECIPES
Zeale author Lindsey Fedyk offers ideas on how to honor the solemn liturgical season of Lent while bringing a spirit of penance and anticipation to your dinner table.
UNCOMFORTABLE TALKS TO HAVE BEFORE MARRIAGE
Lay a strong foundation for a happy and healthy marriage by checking these hard conversations off your pre-wedding to-do list.
ALMSGIVING: ARE YOU PURSUING THIS LENTEN PRACTICE?
There is no shortage of public discussions and reflections from Catholics considering what they would like to fast from and what prayer they would like to add into their daily routine. But when it comes to almsgiving, such conversation is relatively scarce. Here's a guide from Zeale's McKenna Snow to get you started!
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church honors St. Peter Damian (1007-1072), a Benedictine monk who lived a life of seclusion, prayer, and penance. He served as a papal ambassador and confidant to several popes before becoming the cardinal-bishop of Ostia, near Rome.
SATURDAY'S PSALM
"Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth." (Psalm 86)
SATURDAY'S READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
SUNDAY'S PSALM
"Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned." (Psalm 51)
SUNDAY'S READINGS
Sunday's Mass readings.
ANSWER TO TRIVIA
False! But it's a trick question! Bishop Richard Luke Concanen, a Dominican, was indeed Irish-born and served as the first bishop of New York, but due to travel restrictions stemming from the Napoleonic Wars, he never made it to America to serve his flock in person. Bishop John Connolly, O.P., technically the SECOND bishop of New York, was also Irish-born, also a Dominican, and became the first bishop to directly administer the New York Diocese.
THE DEEP
We finance everything now – even burrito delivery. Americans closed 2025 with $1.233 trillion in credit card debt. Nearly half of cardholders carry balances. One in five thinks they’ll never pay it off. This isn’t just “bad budgeting” – it’s an economy built on revolving debt and minimum payments. In this episode of, Erika asks the question: how did we normalize installment plans for lunch? And is modern credit a convenience… or a quiet form of slavery?
