In this week's Brief: USA! USA! USA! Team USA wins gold in men's and women's hockey to cap off the best Winter Olympics performance in American history—and the men's overtime win over Canada felt like a generational moment. We break down the game, the 26 million viewers, and the tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau that had the whole country in tears.

From there, we dive into the Supreme Court's major tariff ruling, what it means for presidential authority, and Trump's contingency plan. Plus, a full breakdown of the State of the Union—the bipartisan highlights, the jabs, the polls, and what Trump said about Iran as a third of the U.S. Navy sits off their coast.

Plus, a major Mexican cartel leader is killed with U.S. intelligence support, Trump orders the release of UFO files, the Ukraine war hits four years, Prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson are arrested, the latest on the Nancy Guthrie case, and a reflection on why feelings have replaced values—and what Scripture says about it.

Topics

• (0:00) Introduction 
• (2:01) USA Hockey gold thriller
• (7:31) Kash Patel locker room
• (8:15) Tariffs Supreme Court ruling
• (12:21) State of the Union highlights
• (14:18) Polling and speech takeaways
• (17:36) Iran tensions and buildup
• (23:01) Why hit Iran
• (24:08) Cartel kingpin fallout
• (26:51) UFO files push
• (29:35) Feelings versus values
• (33:39) Mailbag
• (36:49) War and scandals
• (40:05) Wrap-up

Resources

• Send us your thoughts, questions, and topic ideas: culturebrief@denisonforum.org
• Culture Brief Instagram
• Watch on Youtube 
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

Articles on this week’s top headlines:

• Denison Forum: Why the Supreme Court ruling on tariffs is good news
• Denison Forum: “Jack Hughes for President”
• Denison Forum: Who was “El Mencho” and why should his death matter to you?
• Denison Forum: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, four years later
• The Boys of Team USA
• Olympics: Medal Count 
• Trump says he’ll raise tariffs to 15 percent after Supreme Court ruling
• Supreme Court rules most Trump tariffs illegal in major setback for economic agenda
• Marist Poll: The State of the Union
• 60% disapprove of Trump ahead of State of the Union
• Trump’s approval rating with independents hits a new low ahead of the State of the Union
• Witkoff warns Iran is ‘a week away’ from 'bomb-making material' as Trump weighs action
• The biggest decision Trump will make
• Surveillance of romantic partner led to El Mencho’s deadly capture, Mexican authorities say
• Tourists Stranded in Mexico After Cartel Violence Erupts: ‘I Watched Them Explode a Jeep’
• We asked scientists what they think we'll learn from the government's UFO files. Here's what they said.

About Conner Jones

Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.

About Micah Tomasella

Micah Tomasella is the Director of Advancement at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, the Faith & Clarity podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.