• Wed, February 5, 2025

by: CNN

First on CNN: Republican and Democratic former USAID leaders speak out against Trump's attempts to dismantle agency

Five former leaders of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) from across Republican and Democratic administrations spoke out against the Trump administration's attempts to dismantle the humanitarian agency.

by: Reuters

State Dept says US government vessels can now transit Panama Canal without fees

The U.S. Department of State said on Wednesday American government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees.

by: IJR

'So Pathetic': Long-Time Dem Operative Says Dems Fear Trump's Success As They'll Have Nothing To Sell To The Public

A long-time Democratic Party operative appeared Wednesday on Fox Business to criticize Democratic leaders and said the party fears that President Donald Trump will enjoy success implementing policies that are popular.

by: MSN

Trump's response to journalist's on Afghanistan's future and Taliban recognition

During a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump appeared confused and struggled to understand an Afghan journalist's questions about recognising the Taliban,

by: ABC

Republicans block Musk from congressional subpoena as DOGE continues to access government data

Congressional Democrats are continuing their push for answers as Elon Musk continues to dismantle and disrupt government services.

by: MSN

Trump: US 'will take over Gaza strip' and 'level it'

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. The House of Representatives impeaches Vice President Sara Duterte after a total of 215 lawmakers endorsed the fourth impeachment complaint.

by: Reuters

US top diplomat Rubio will not attend G20 meeting in South Africa

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend an upcoming G20 meeting in South Africa, the top U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday, days after President Donald Trumpthreatened to cut off funding to the African country.

by: MSN

Trump Treasury head defends Elon Musk's DOGE despite 'squawking' from critics

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent comments on Elon Musk's influence over the department and breaks down key aims of President Donald Trump's economic agenda on "Kudlow."

by: MSN

Iowa Governor talks DOGE in D.C. but faces questions about Elon Musk, too

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on Wednesday told members of a U.S. House of Representatives committee that states could use more flexibility with federal resources and could deliver them more efficiently.

by: MSN

Federal government buyouts threaten U.S. national security, ex-officials say

The Trump administration's offer to extend deferred resignations to the intelligence community poses a grave threat to U.S. national security interests, ex-officials say.

by: MSN

World News Live Today February 6, 2025: Donald Trump signs executive order banning transgender athletes from women's sports

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.
  • Thu, February 6, 2025

by: Island

US withdrawal from UNHRC, a boon to political repression and ultra-nationalism

by: CNN

The latest on Trump's presidency as he continues government restructuring

Lawmakers and world leaders are reacting to President Donald Trump's comments that the US "will take over" the Gaza Strip as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with lawmakers. Follow for live updates.

by: wusf

Hundreds protest for immigration and LGBTQ rights in downtown Tampa

The demonstration was part of a nationwide movement opposing recent decisions from the Trump administration to crack down on immigration and LGBTQ individuals.

by: RealClearPolitics

Scott Jennings: America Elected Trump To Be A Sledgehammer, And Elon Musk Is His Instrument Of Destruction

CNN commentator Scott Jennings said Wednesday night about Elon Musk and DOGE's role in the Trump administration: SCOTT JENNINGS, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: So, it's not illegal, not illegal. You don't like the politics of it.

by: Washingtonian

Spoons Are Becoming a Symbol of Feds' Resistance to Trump and Musk

Federal workers have a new response to the Trump administration's "Fork in the Road" push to convince them to resign: spoons. During a meeting with a former Tesla engineer Wednesday, employees at the General Services Administration's Technology Transformation Services office "rained down spoon emojis in the chat that accompanied the video meeting,

by: lex18

Justice Department sues Illinois and Chicago over immigration laws

The Department of Justice is suing Illinois and Chicago over their immigration laws, claiming they endanger public safety and conflict with federal statutes.

by: PBS

What you need to know about impoundment, and how Trump vows to use it

It's a concept that's normally dry, esoteric and distanced from Americans' everyday lives, yet the heart of the matter is a key question of American democracy.

by: Politico

God, Trump and pancakes

During Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, it was revealed that BRAD PITT is a ninth cousin to the 44th president. The link is EDWIN HICKMAN, who died in Virginia in 1769, the Guardian reported in 2009. Obama is a direct descendant of Hickman's son JAMES HICKMAN, through the president's mother, ANN DUNHAM.

by: ABC

Trump calls USAID a 'tremendous fraud.' His wife and daughter promoted its work

In 2019 then-President Trump signed a memorandum launching a new "Women's Global Development and Prosperity" Initiative aimed at empowering women in the developing world. The $50 million fund, known as W-GDP, was developed to be distributed by USAID with an ambitious goal of empowering 50 million women in developing countries by 2025.

by: thenightly

Australian news and politics live updates: Veterans demand ex defence chief apologise for 'smearing' awards

Follow for live updates on what is happening in politics in Australia and abroad and for all the biggest breaking news stories.

by: MSN

USAID paid $44K to Politico, not over $8M as White House claimed. It was for subscriptions

U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House press secretary and DOGE Director Elon Musk promoted misleading statements about USAID and Politico.

by: thenightly

Australian news and politics live updates: AFP shut out of Laos methanol deaths probe, Trump on Gaza

Follow for live updates on what is happening in politics in Australia and abroad and for all the biggest breaking news stories.

by: ABC

Trump's record number of executive orders are testing the limits of presidential power

All told, Trump has signed 54 executive orders in just over two weeks back in office, which is already more than any president has signed in their first 100 days since President Harry Truman (57).

by: RealClearPolitics

Mary Katharine Ham: We're Told Waste And Fraud Is A Small Percentage, Also It's The End Of Democracy If We Start Auditing It

OutKick Columnist' Mary Katharine Ham defended Elon Musk's efforts to investigate government spending and inefficiency: MARY KATHARINE HAM: There is an old saying, 'that a hit dog hollers.' The dog is hollering right now.

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: US government vessels can transit Panama Canal for free

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.

by: thenightly

Australian news and politics live updates: AFP offer to help Laos on methanol deaths rejected, Trump on Gaza

Follow for live updates on what is happening in politics in Australia and abroad and for all the biggest breaking news stories.

by: MSN

Rep. Greene's DOGE subcommittee to tackle government waste in first hearing

The House Oversight Subcommittee chaired by Georgia's Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has scheduled its first hearing.

by: MSN

The Day Musk and Trump Got a DOGE of Reality

Has Elon Musk's DOGE dream taken the wrong fork in the road? Two key court decisions on Thursday have thrown a harsh spotlight on the buccaneering billionaire and his flippant attitude toward the law.

by: MSN

Reid Hoffman Rebuffs Elon Musk's DOGE: There's 'A Reason The Government Doesn't Work Like Companies'

Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and former COO of PayPal, isn't a fan of Elon Musk's actions in the Trump White House. The billionaire implied that much of his former PayPal colleague's decision-making has been reckless.

by: MSN

Bondi ends FBI effort to combat foreign influence in U.S. politics

Attorney General Pam Bondi halted a federal law enforcement effort to combat secret influence campaigns by China, Russia, and others that try to sow chaos in U.S. politics.

by: MSN

Trump's battle for America's attention: From the Politics Desk

President Donald Trump is looking to reshape the GOP's relationship with the tech industry amid his battle for Americans' attention.

by: MSN

Trump and Musk's mass buyout scheme put on hold as judge steps in

A judge paused a scheme masterminded by Elon Musk to slash the US government by encouraging federal workers to quit through a mass buyout by midnight Thursday.

by: MSN

List of What DOGE Aims to Cut From U.S. Government So Far

Trump and DOGE head Elon Musk are looking to make widespread cuts to federal agencies in the first month of Trump's presidency.

by: MSN

"Absolutely inhumane, medieval": Congress' Manish Tewari on treatment of Indian nationals deported from US

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday expressed his concerns over the deportation process of over 100 Indian nationals who were allegedly illegally living in the US, stating that the treatment given to them was "absolutely inhumane and medieval.

by: MSN

SONA 2025: Ramaphosa addresses US funding suspension for HIV and TB programmes

President Cyril Ramaphosa expresses concern over the potential impact of the US government's decision to suspend funding for HIV and TB programmes, highlighting the importance of these funds for South Africa's healthcare.

by: MSN

Constitutional Crisis in the U.S.: Trump and Musk Reshape Government and Challenge the Balance of Powers

As Trump and Musk tighten their grip on the government machinery, the looming threat of sidelining the judicial system remains ever-present.

by: MSN

Public Support for Elon Musk's Government Rampage Is Falling Catastrophically, Even Among Trump Voters

Quietly Fuming Billionaire Elon Musk's plans to have his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) dismantle the federal government from within has Republican lawmakers — who have seemingly been unbothered by the ongoing proceedings — spooked.

by: MSN

Trump uses National Prayer Breakfast to push D.C. crash theories and vows to end 'anti-Christian bias': Live

Trump uses National Prayer Breakfast to push D.C. crash theories and vows to end 'anti-Christian bias': Live - President pledges that 'people of religion are going to be happy again' under his leaders

by: MSN

Syria: New government pays first salaries to retired employees after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime

The new Syrian government pays the first salaries to retired employees after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Camera: MOHAMMED AL RIFAI. SOUNDBITES OF AHMED AL-AHMED, ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES IN DAMASCUS.

by: MSN

Elon Musk's Expanding Government Role 'Far Beyond' Appropriate, GOP Senator Warns

Maine, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee is among the first Republican lawmakers to openly express concerns over the growing influence of billionaire Elon Musk within the Trump administration and across federal agencies.

by: MSN

India News Live Today February 6, 2025: 8 die after car-bus collide on Jaipur-Ajmer highway on way to Maha Kumbh

Stay informed with our live blog covering India's latest in politics, economy, crime, and general news. Get real-time updates on political developments, financial trends, crime reports, and important events across the country.

by: MSN

Osotsi defends Sifuna, tells off ODM members criticising him: "This is how you kill a party"

Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi reaffirmed that Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna, as ODM's secretary-general, is the party's official spokesperson after the leader.

by: MSN

Column: These are the legal obstacles that could stop Trump's assault on government in its tracks

Efforts to overturn existing government regulations must pass the 'arbitrary and capricious' test. Trump failed it, big-time, throughout his first term.

by: MSN

Politico denies it's a 'beneficiary of government programs' as questions swirl over receiving taxpayer funds

In a staff memo obtained by Fox News Digital, Politico chiefs denied they are a 'beneficiary of government programs' as the White House vows to cancel federal payments to the outlet.

by: MSN

Gov. Kim Reynolds testifies at U.S. House government efficiency hearing

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt discusses USAID funding media outlets.

by: MSN

Trump can delete Elizabeth Warren's failed experiment once and for all

Rohit Chopra's departure as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should not be just the end of his tenure but the beginning of the end for the CFPB itself.

by: MSN

Meet the 'nerd army' of Elon Musk: Here is how the 'Muskrats' are shaking up US government agencies and the education system too

Elon Musk's handpicked young tech experts, known as the "Muskrats" or "nerd army," are targeting US bureaucracy, with a special focus on the Education Department. Comprising talented individuals from top companies like Tesla,

First on CNN: Republican and Democratic former USAID leaders speak out against Trump's attempts to dismantle agency

Five former leaders of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) from across Republican and Democratic administrations spoke out against the Trump administration's attempts to dismantle the humanitarian agency.
The article from CNN discusses a letter sent by over 100 former USAID leaders and ambassadors to former President Donald Trump, urging him to reconsider his stance on foreign aid. They argue that cutting foreign aid, as Trump has previously suggested, would undermine U.S. national security, economic interests, and global influence. The letter highlights the strategic importance of foreign assistance in promoting stability, countering adversaries like China and Russia, and fostering economic development in regions critical to American interests. It also points out that foreign aid represents a small fraction of the federal budget but yields significant returns in terms of security and economic benefits. The signatories, including former USAID administrators and ambassadors, emphasize that such cuts would be detrimental at a time when global challenges require robust U.S. engagement.

Read the Full CNN Article at:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/05/politics/usaid-former-leaders-letter-trump/index.html

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