• Wed, February 5, 2025

by: 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.

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.

by: MSN

Where the 'uncommitted' movement stands after Trump's Gaza plan: From the Politics Desk

President Donald Trump's proposal of a U.S. takeover of Gaza that would displace Palestinians has reignited a debate among Democrats over the role the "uncommitted" movement played in their 2024 election defeat.

by: MSN

Protesters in cities across the US rally against Trump's policies, Project 2025 and Elon Musk

Demonstrators gathered in cities across the U.S. on Wednesday to protest the Trump administration's early actions, decrying everything from the president's immigration crackdown to his rollback of transgender rights and a proposal to forcibly transfer Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

by: MSN

In Augusta and elsewhere across U.S., crowds protest Trump policies

A movement to oppose the early actions of President Donald Trump's administration is taking off online, with plans to protest across the U.S. on Wednesday.

by: MSN

The House DOGE committee's first hearing will be on 'improper payments and fraud'

The House DOGE subcommittee, chaired by Marjorie Taylor Greene, is set to hold its first hearing on Wednesday, February 12.

by: MSN

'They're working in devilish tandem': Trump and Musk's dreams of government deconstruction collide

John Heilemann joins Nicolle Wallace and discusses how Elon Musk's agenda to deconstruct the administrative state dovetails with President Trump's - but has a broader aim.

by: MSN

Democratic senators protest after they say Trump gives Musk's staff access to classified info

Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee are demanding answers after they say President Donald Trump gave billionaire Elon Musk and his staff access to sensitive data and classified secrets as part of their work to overhaul the federal government.

by: MSN

Trump and Musk's moves to ax USAID are 'flatly illegal,' experts say. It doesn't mean it won't happen.

As head of DOGE, Elon Musk is making moves to scrap federal agencies like USAID. Legal experts say that power belongs with Congress.
  • 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: 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: 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

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,

Trump and Musk's moves to ax USAID are 'flatly illegal,' experts say. It doesn't mean it won't happen.

As head of DOGE, Elon Musk is making moves to scrap federal agencies like USAID. Legal experts say that power belongs with Congress.
The article from MSN discusses the controversial moves by former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk to potentially dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Legal experts argue that such actions would be "flatly illegal" under current U.S. law, which does not grant the executive branch the authority to unilaterally abolish or significantly alter the structure of federal agencies like USAID without Congressional approval. Despite this, there's a concern that Trump, if re-elected, might attempt to bypass these legal constraints through executive orders or by influencing Congress. The discussion around these moves highlights the tension between executive power and legislative oversight, with critics pointing out that even if these actions are illegal, the political will to enforce legal boundaries might be lacking, potentially leading to significant changes in U.S. foreign aid policy.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-and-musk-s-moves-to-ax-usaid-is-flatly-illegal-experts-say-it-doesn-t-mean-it-won-t-happen/ar-AA1yu6yn

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