Wed, February 5, 2025

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: RealClearPolitics

WH: Federal Government Canceling Subscriptions "Subsidizing" Politico

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed Wednesday that the U.S. government, including USAID, will no longer be spending "more than $8 million... essentially subsidizing subscriptions to Politico.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: Crikey

World leaders slam Trump's Gaza takeover plan

US President Donald Trump has suggested America 'take over' Gaza to widespread condemnation, and China is bristly about the Australian government's DeepSeek ban.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: Newsweek

Trump Is Moving Fast and Breaking Things. These Voters Can't Get Enough

Voters who cast ballots for Trump in November told Newsweek they are thrilled over the rapid speed and breadth of the president's action over his two-and-a-half weeks back in office, applauding him for for "doing everything he said he would."

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: White House won't rule out military deployment in Gaza

As President Donald Trump's second administration continued its swift recasting of the federal government and American foreign policy, the president and his top diplomat issued a stunning proposal, saying the U.S. would "take over" the Gaza Strip, "level the site" and rebuild it.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: krtv

CIA offers employee buyouts as Trump aims to shrink government

The CIA became the first national security agency to reportedly offer employees buyouts amid President Trump's plan to shrink the federal workforce.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: CNN

Trump and Musk are moving to smother these three pieces of the government

Donald Trump ran his presidential campaign promising to abolish entire federal agencies and departments, but it's not quite so easy for a president to simply end an organization that was created and funded each year by Congress,

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: scrippsnews

CIA begins offering employees buyouts as Trump aims to shrink federal government

The CIA became the first national security agency to reportedly offer employees buyouts amid President Trump's plan to shrink the federal workforce.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: Newsweek

US Trade Deficit Widens Significantly Ahead of Trump Tariffs

The U.S. trade deficit hit near-record levels in late 2024 as America's trading partners prepare to navigate Trump's tariffs.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: BBC

Starmer and Badenoch clash over Chagos Islands deal at PMQs

The Tory leader says "when Labour negotiates, our country loses"; the prime minister questions whether Badenoch has been "properly briefed" on UK security.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: Newsweek

US Treasury says Musk and DOGE Have Read-Only Access to Payments System

The Treasury Department has defended DOGE's access to its payment system, explaining they only have "read-only access."

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: MSN

Elon Musk's dad says he set up call between his son and Cyril Ramaphosa amid land reform drama

President Donald Trump's threat to cut funding to the country. Musk had publicly accused his post-apartheid government of anti-white racism, and now Musk's ally, Trump, said he would cut more than $400 million (R7.6 billion) in funding to the country.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: STAT

No, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren aren't top recipients of pharmaceutical industry donations

A quirk in the website OpenSecrets has given RFK Jr. a chance to misleadingly portray Sen. Bernie Sanders as receiving big money from big Pharma.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: thenightly

Jim Chalmers has reassured big business leaders he wants to slash red tape in a second term Labor government

Jim Chalmers has reassured big business leaders he wants to slash red tape, boost productivity and sieze the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence in a second term Labor government.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: Sky

Palestinians 'must' live in Gaza and West Bank, Lammy says to Trump's plan of Gaza takeover

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has given his response to US President Donald Trump's suggestions that Palestinians could be removed from Gaza and a "Riviera" of the Middle East built instead.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: MSN

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju takes dip in Triveni sangam, says 'don't do politics on historic moment'

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju took a holy dip in Prayagraj's Mahakumbh Triveni Sangam on Wednesday, and urged not to do 'politics' on historic moment.Posting a video on X, he wrote "Maha Kumbh comes once in 144 years i.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: NewsNation

What is USAID, and why might the Trump administration shut it down?

The agency's future is uncertain amid changes under the Trump administration and a freeze imposed on billions of dollars in foreign assistance.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: MSN

"Handcuffed and humiliated": Congress leader Pawan Khera slams US deportation of Indians

Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Wednesday expressed sadness to see pictures of Indians getting "handcuffed and humiliated" while being deported from the US. His statement comes after reports claimed that US was using military planes to deport migrants to India.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: fox13now

Congress asks Trump to explain what Elon Musk and DOGE are doing at federal agencies

Senior members of House oversight committees have asked President Trump to explain why Elon Musk and members of the Department of Government Efficiency are trying to access government agencies.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: CNN

Trump says US 'will take over' Gaza and Palestinians should leave

CNN's Fareed Zakaria discusses President Donald Trump's comments that the United States "will take over" Gaza — possibly with the help of American troops — while the Palestinians who live there should leave, a stunning proposal that would dramatically reorient the Middle East and subject a population of more than a million to further displacement.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: KPBS

DOGE is making major changes to the federal government. Is it legal?

Tue, February 4, 2025

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: Newsweek

CIA Offers Buyouts to Entire Workforce in Intelligence Agency First: Report

The CIA on Tuesday has become the first intelligence agency to offer buyouts to its entire workforce, The Wall Street Journal reported. The buyouts are reportedly the latest attempt by the Trump administration to slash federal spending and purge employees who did not align ideologically with the president.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: thenightly

Australian news and politics live updates: Anti-Semitism crisis top of list as Parliament returns

Stay up to date with world politics, breaking news, views and opinion as The Nightly provides live updates throughout the day.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: thenightly

Australian news and politics live updates: Trump meets Netanyahu for vital talks, Oscar Jenkins' fate

Stay up to date with world politics, breaking news, views and opinion as The Nightly provides live updates throughout the day.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: WPLG

The Latest: Netanyahu and Trump to meet at the White House

As President Trump prepares to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump's Middle East envoy said that a three to five-year timeline for reconstruction of Gaza is not a viable post-war plan for the battle-torn territory.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: MSNBC

Federal employee unions sue Trump over Musk data meddling

On Monday night's episode of "The ReidOut with Joy Reid," Joy referred to Musk's power grab as a "coup" that has put millions of Americans' private data at risk, and she asked Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey how Democrats intend to fight back:

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: KPBS

What is the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE?

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: Newsweek

Trump and Musk Find Unexpected Ally in Push to Shut Down USAID

Trump signed an executive order imposing an unprecedented freeze on foreign assistance, effectively shutting down many of USAID's programs.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: Slate

Eighteen "Pro-Life" States Demand the Freedom to Persecute American Babies

Monday's amicus brief was spearheaded by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and joined by the Republican AGs of 17 other states.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: RealClearPolitics

Mike Davis: Democrats Have Never Seen A Republican Who Is Fearless And Ready To Roll

"Article III Project" founder Mike Davis, Tuesday on Bannon's "War Room" podcast, said President Trump "has the deep state terrified -- and they should be terrified." "He is on offense so much that the Democrats don't know how to respond,

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: Forbes

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund Sparks Online Backlash Over Funding And Politics

There are a couple of elements at play around why people are responding so negatively to the news of the Trump sovereign wealth fund.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: At least 20,000 federal workers have taken buyout offer

President Donald Trump has begun his second administration with a series of controversial moves and decisions.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: CNN

The latest on Trump's tariffs and Netanyahu meeting as Cabinet picks face key votes

President Donald Trump will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House Tuesday. The US president also paused tariffs on Mexico and Canada before they went into effect. Follow for live news updates.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: cnbctv18

Budget vs. Election: How tax breaks and project proposals could influence the Delhi, Bihar elections

The presentation of the Union Budget by the Finance Minister, outlining proposals for revenue and expenditure in the coming fiscal year, is always a much-anticipated event. But can these proposals—such as tax breaks and allocations to specific projects—be viewed purely through the lens of development,

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: Reuters

USAID contractors fire staff, face cash crunch as Trump causes chaos in aid world

President Donald Trump's overhaul of U.S. foreign assistance has led to chaos in the aid and development field, leaving hundreds of contractors in a severe financial crunch with some already having to lay off staff and others facing millions of dollars in unpaid invoices.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: ABC

Turmoil inside USAID as Musk calls the agency 'criminal' and says it 'has to die'

Amid ongoing turmoil inside the U.S. Agency for International Development, sources say that Department of Government Efficiency staffers have moved to take over offices.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: cnbctv18

Uniform Civil Code in Gujarat: Government forms panel for guidelines

The UCC is a common civil code or common law for every citizen in India, irrespective of religion and caste. The code is mentioned under Article 44 of the Constitution as a Directive Principle of State Policy.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: Reuters

Ukraine's politics warms up as US focuses on war's endgame

After Russia's 2022 invasion, Ukraine's normally febrile political life was becalmed under martial law. But there have been growing signs of activity picking up, as the United States has set its sights on finishing the war with Russia quickly.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: MSN

'SA is violating rights, treating certain people badly' - Trump's words inadvertently echo fundamentals of apartheid

US President Donald Trump has accused South Africa of confiscating land, 'treating certain classes of people very badly' and of violating their rights. His words to the South African government describe the fundamentals of apartheid.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: MSN

Trump's first trade war begins as China tariffs come into effect and Beijing hits back: Live updates

Trump's first trade war begins as China tariffs come into effect and Beijing hits back: Live updates - President Trump's 10% tariffs on Chinese goods come into effect from 12.01am Tuesday after measur

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: MSN

Gov't employee unions sue Treasury to stop DOGE from accessing sensitive data

Three U.S. government employee unions filed a lawsuit Monday against the Treasury, alleging that its sharing of confidential information with the Elon Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency violated the law.
Mon, February 3, 2025

[ Mon, Feb 03rd 2025 ]: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: White House says Musk is 'special government employee'

One USAID contractor who is currently on official travel for a "high priority emergency response" told ABC News the move to dismantle the agency has "severely impacted" their ability to assist people in need and will have "lasting implications.

[ Mon, Feb 03rd 2025 ]: Newsweek

Secretive FBI Group Probing UFOs Worried They'll Get Purged by DOGE: Report

A secretive group of FBI agents tasked with investigating UFOs is deeply concerned that they may be next in the DOGE purge, according to a new report.

[ Mon, Feb 03rd 2025 ]: CNN

Trump pauses Mexico and Canada tariffs while moving ahead with government changes

President Donald Trump announced extraordinary new tariffs over the weekend on Mexico, Canada and China, and the leaders of all three countries have since announced retaliatory measures. Follow for live updates.

[ Mon, Feb 03rd 2025 ]: devdiscourse

Trump Endorses Musk's Government Role

President Donald Trump stated that Elon Musk is operating with approval in efforts to shrink the U.S. government. Trump assured that Musk will be restricted from entering conflict zones, thereby maintaining a controlled approach to his engagements with the government.

[ Mon, Feb 03rd 2025 ]: Yahoo

The Federal Trade Commission and chair Lina Khan are plagued by classic mismanagement

Former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele said President Trump should "cut the crap" when it comes to accusations about his involvement in the firing of FBI officials and prosecutors involved in his criminal proceedings. "The reality of it is Trump said that, oh, I had no idea about these firings. I didn't request any…

[ Mon, Feb 03rd 2025 ]: WESA

Proposed ballot question seeks to ensure Pittsburgh's sewer and water system remains public

Activists and Pittsburgh City Council members aim to put a question on the May 20 ballot that could safeguard Pittsburgh's water and sewer system from privatization.

[ Mon, Feb 03rd 2025 ]: MSN

FM Nafti and Libyan counterpart agree to lift restrictions hindering flow at border crossings

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ali Nafti said that an agreement was reached with his Libyan counterpart Al-Taher Al-Baour, during a meeting held on Monday in Tunis,

[ Mon, Feb 03rd 2025 ]: MSN

World News Live Today February 4, 2025: Donald Trump to talk with President Xi Jinping after slapping 10% tariff on Chinese imports

Get real-time updates on international politics, economic changes, conflicts, and environmental issues. Access the latest breaking news and in-depth stories as they happen, keeping you informed of events shaping the world.

U.S. government officials privately warn Musk's blitz appears illegal

The billionaire's DOGE team has launched an all-out assault on federal agencies, triggering numerous legal objections.

The article from MSN discusses concerns raised by U.S. government officials regarding Elon Musk's management of X Corp, formerly known as Twitter. According to the report, officials from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have privately expressed that Musk's rapid changes to the platform, including significant layoffs and alterations to content moderation policies, might violate existing consent decrees and potentially break federal laws. These concerns stem from Musk's aggressive cost-cutting measures and his approach to free speech on the platform, which some officials believe could lead to increased misinformation and hate speech. The scrutiny comes in the context of ongoing investigations into X Corp's compliance with privacy and security obligations, with fears that the company's current trajectory could undermine user safety and data protection.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/u-s-government-officials-privately-warn-musk-s-blitz-appears-illegal/ar-AA1ypS0z