Thu, February 6, 2025

[ Thu, Feb 06th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Thu, Feb 06th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Thu, Feb 06th 2025 ]: Island

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

[ Thu, Feb 06th 2025 ]: MSN

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

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

[ Thu, Feb 06th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Thu, Feb 06th 2025 ]: 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,

[ Thu, Feb 06th 2025 ]: 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.
Wed, February 5, 2025

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 05th 2025 ]: komonews

Worker buyouts just 'peanuts' in crusade to cut government spending: expert

The federal government has congressionally approved buyout authority that's capped at $25,000. Trump's plan allows workers who resign before Thursday to keep getting paid through September. Kamarck said the average federal worker would hit the $25,000 limit allowed for buyouts within a few months.

[ 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 ]: MSN

Marjorie Taylor Greene demands hearings with leaders of PBS and NPR to address their 'biased' coverage

Marjorie Taylor Greene demands hearings with leaders of PBS and NPR to address their 'biased' coverage - Greene complained that NPR refused to cover the Hunter Biden laptop story

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: MSN

After USAID and several federal agencies, Donald Trump and Elon Musk look to dismantle the Department of Education; here's their plan

Donald Trump, backed by Elon Musk, is considering dismantling the U.S. Department of Education to shift control of schools to individual states. The move aligns with Trump's broader plan to reduce federal influence and streamline governance.

[ Tue, Feb 04th 2025 ]: MSN

"Bully and intimidate": Trump's opening assault on diversity is from the Project 2025 playbook

Trump all-encompassing war on diversity is part of an effort to roll back the gains of the Civil Rights Movement

The former head of the OPM condemns Trump buyout offer and says federal workers are being 'tormented'

Acting as a kind of HR department for the federal government and tasked with managing that workforce, the OPM made headlines last week when it sent millions of federal workers a b

The article discusses the criticism from former Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Linda Springer regarding a buyout offer made by former President Donald Trump to federal workers. Springer condemns the offer, describing it as a form of "torment" for federal employees. The buyout, which was part of Trump's broader initiative to reduce the size of the federal workforce, was seen by Springer as poorly planned and executed, potentially leading to a loss of experienced staff and institutional knowledge. She highlighted the lack of a coherent strategy for replacing these workers, which could disrupt government operations. Furthermore, Springer pointed out the emotional and professional distress caused to employees, who were left uncertain about their job security and future career prospects. This move was part of Trump's ongoing efforts to reshape the federal government, which has been met with significant backlash from both current and former government officials.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/the-former-head-of-the-opm-condemns-trump-buyout-offer-and-says-federal-workers-are-being-tormented/ar-AA1ytnWI