• Mon, February 17, 2025

by: CounterPunch

Trump's Reign of Cruelty

Neoliberalism has always been more than an economic project; it is a political and educational weapon designed to erode social solidarity and dismantle the foundations of democracy. It does not merely defund public institutions like healthcare,

by: NDTV

How USAID Funneled $21 Million To India For 'Voter Turnout'

The newly created US Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE has been auditing several government agencies in the US and cutting wasteful expenditure.

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: White House says some employees were fired by mistake

President Donald Trump's administration said some federal government employees who took the "Fork in the Road" buyout offer were then fired or let go — in error.

by: WBTW

Trump administration cuts hit FDA employees in food safety, medical devices and tobacco products

Nearly half of the FDA's $6.9 billion budget comes from fees paid by companies the agency regulates, including drug and medical device makers, which allows the agency to hire extra scientists to

by: WPLG

Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff just weeks after fatal DC plane crash

The Trump administration has begun firing several hundred Federal Aviation Administration employees, upending staff on a busy air travel weekend and just weeks after a fatal mid-air collision in Washington.

by: ktvq

Trump's widespread federal layoffs could be felt across the country

While Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. are feeling the effects of these layoffs, a union representing federal workers has emphasized that 80% of its membership resides outside the D.C. metropolitan area, indicating the potential national implications of these layoffs.

by: PBS

How an emboldened crypto industry is trying to cement political influence

The crypto industry has scored some early wins since Trump took office, including the repeal of an accounting rule by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and an executive order by the president directing a working group to study and propose changes to crypto regulations as well as the possible formation of a strategic government reserve of cryptocurrencies within 180 days.

by: KY3

Trump nominates former Missouri GOP leader to stay as top DC federal prosecutor

Ed Martin supervised legal clinics for low-income residents as director of the human rights office for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis and, for two decades before becoming U.S. attorney, ran his own law practice and was active in Republican politics,

by: CNN

Trump pushes Russia to end war with Ukraine as government overhaul takes shape in the US

Donald Trump is forging ahead with his foreign and domestic policy agendas in the early stages of his presidency, working toward a deal to end the war in Ukraine and shrinking the scale of federal government agencies at home.

by: thenightly

Australian news and politics live: Building productivity sinking like a brick, report calls for code shake-up

Senator Fatima Payman has weighed into the furore over the vile anti-Semitic video showing two former NSW nurses last week, saying the comments were 'wrong'.

by: CNN

European leaders to host Ukraine summit as Trump pushes peace talks with Russia

Donald Trump is forging ahead with his foreign and domestic policy agendas in the early stages of his presidency, working toward a deal to end the war in Ukraine and shrinking the scale of federal government agencies at home.

by: PBS

Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control employees weeks after fatal DC plane crash

The impacted workers include personnel hired for FAA radar, landing and navigational aid maintenance, one air traffic controller told the Associated Press.

by: Reuters

Italy's Meloni takes on the judiciary, in echo of Berlusconi

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is clashing with the country's judiciary in the same way her old political ally and mentor Silvio Berlusconi used to, promising a once-in-a-lifetime overhaul of the legal system.

by: ABC

'We're under attack by billionaires': Fired federal workers speak out on terminations

Hanna Hickman, a now-terminated worker for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, told ABC News the last four days have been a roller coaster.

by: CNN

Paranoia seeps into a federal workforce worried about getting fired and being watched

As the Trump administration fires thousands of employees across the government, federal workers have another reason to be on edge: the widespread access that Elon Musk's "government efficiency" team has gained to agency computer systems.

by: Newsweek

DC House Prices Slashed As DOGE Targets Federal Workers

New listings in Washington, D.C., have risen over the past few weeks, as mass layoffs leave federal workers uncertain about their future.

by: Newsweek

Elon Musk Raises Alarm Over Social Security

The Social Security Administration has come under the scrutiny of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.

by: MSN

Thousands march in Manhattan on Presidents' Day against Trump/Musk actions

Concerned about the political direction and future of the United States, thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets on Presidents Day, protesting the second Trump administration's actions to gut the federal government,

by: MSN

Trump administration threatens to cut federal funding from schools that don't end DEI programs

The Department of Education has warned all schools that their funding could be cut if they fail to comply with an order to end DEI programs by the end of the month.

by: MSN

Maharashtra Politics: Security Downgrade For Shinde Faction Leaders Sparks Tensions Between Fadnavis And Shinde

Amid rising tensions between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a new controversy has emerged over the reduction of security cover for leaders, particularly from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.

by: MSN

DOGE sets up IRS, SEC accounts on X

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has set up accounts on the social platform X for the IRS and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), seeking "insights on finding and fixing waste,

by: MSN

Fact check: Claims behind JD Vance's free speech attack debunked

US Vice President JD Vance has attacked Europe over free speech, citing several instances where people weren't allowed to express themselves online or pray in public and at home. Are the claims smoke and mirrors?

by: MSN

Is Elon Musk's government role unconstitutional? What the Supreme Court might say.

Federal courts are considering whether Elon Musk's status as de facto administrator of DOGE complies with the Constitution's Appointments Clause.

by: MSN

Jarrett says Trump admin will prevail against 'nonsense' legal challenges to Elon Musk, DOGE team's authority

Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett criticized Democratic attorneys general for suing DOGE, with Musk arguing, 'their lawsuits make it look like they favor financial abuse.'

by: MSN

Trump layoffs hit Pacific Northwest engineers and researchers at PNNL, Hanford cleanup, elsewhere

The Trump administration's government-wide layoffs are hitting engineers and researchers at agencies in Washington state including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the Hanford Nuclear Reservation,

by: MSN

Judge appears inclined to deny request to block DOGE's mass firings

A federal judge appeared inclined to deny an urgent request to temporarily block Elon Musk and DOGE firing federal employees or accessing sensitive government records.

by: MSN

UK politics live: Starmer warns UK faces 'generational' threat to security as PM to meet Trump in Washington

Starmer warns UK faces 'generational' threat to security as PM to meet Trump in Washington - Sir Keir will fly to Washington next week to meet with US president Donald Trump

by: MSN

The Washington Post Caves to Elon Musk

The Washington Post—owned by billionaire and Trump inauguration attendee Jeff Bezos—spiked a print ad critical of Elon Musk and his increased influence on the federal government. The watchdog group Common Cause,

by: MSN

Readers' opine about Musk's DOGE, Shapiro's budget, Linda McMahon and USAID | Letters

by: MSN

Retired general: Putin will likely 'wait out' Trump term and take Ukraine

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Jack Keane said he suspects Russian President Vladimir Putin will wait for President Trump to leave office before trying to topple the government in Ukraine. In an interview Saturday on Fox News,

by: MSN

Anti-Tesla Protests, Sell-Offs Mount As Musk Raids The U.S. Government

Country music star Sheryl Crow was among those who sold their Tesla to protest Elon Musk, Tesla and DOGE. Where does it end?

by: MSN

New York Congresswoman introduces bill to make Trump's birthday a federal holiday

New York Congresswoman introduces bill to make Trump's birthday a federal holiday - 'This legislation would permanently codify a new federal holiday called "Trump's Birthday and Flag Day", Congressman

by: MSN

Judge to hear arguments over Musk's authority as suits against administration pile up

A judge will hear arguments challenging Elon Musk's constitutional authority -- one of at least 73 lawsuits the administration faces in its effort to trim the government.

by: MSN

'He couldn't answer': Dems left shocked after ambushing Mike Johnson over Elon Musk

Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Gwen Moore (D-WI) — found House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to be "alarmingly" ignorant of Elon Musk's intentions as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) rampaged its way through the federal government,

by: MSN

Comelec asked to disqualify Tulfo siblings

A petition seeking to disqualify members of the Tulfo clan from running in the national and local elections was filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec). The 22-page petition, dated February 14,

by: MSN

Trouble for Elon Musk's DOGE? Rare urgent court hearing scheduled on Presidents Day holiday. Here's why

Elon Musk's governmental cost-cutting team known as DOGE in President Donald Trump's second tenure has raised several questions.

by: MSN

Trump claims Putin wants to 'stop fighting' and Zelensky will be in negotiations

Brazil's Neymar walk onto the pitch during his debut for Santos FC in a Sao Paulo league soccer match against Botafogo-SP, in Santos, Brazil, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. On February 12, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone, their first official conversation since Trump's re-election.

by: MSN

Column: Democrats belatedly wake up to start battling Trump and Musk

Democrats in Congress seemed surprised as President Trump fully unleashed Elon Musk to upend the federal government. Can they mount a real opposition?

by: MSN

Congress needs to ensure Trump's 'common-sense' agenda 'has become law': Kevin Roberts

Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action President Kevin Roberts details optimism around DOGE cuts, how to 'make the government great again' and international reactions to the Trump-Vance administration.

by: MSN

Moscow warns Zelensky's days 'are numbered'

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone, their first official conversation since Trump's re-election.

by: MSN

Kerala Mosque Sparks Outcry: Slain Hamas, Hezbollah Leaders Honoured, Posters Paraded Atop Elephants

Kerala Mosque Sparks Outcry: Slain Hamas, Hezbollah Leaders Honoured, Posters Paraded Atop Elephants

by: MSN

China plays its Trump card

As newly installed President Donald Trump pursues his personal agenda in the White House, Chairman Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) elites must be rubbing their hands with glee. Trump and his senior officials are alarming or snubbing one country after another,

by: MSN

MK Stalin vs Dharmendra Pradhan: Centre can't blackmail, says DMK leader; union minister fires back with Hindi argument

The war of words between the Centre and Tamil Nadu has heated up, with education minister Dharmendra Pradhan saying that there is nothing wrong with students of the state learning another language. His comments come a day after M K Stalin accused the Centre of 'blackmailing' over NEP.

by: MSN

Assam: FIR filed against Pakistan national allegedly linked to Congress MP Gogoi's wife

The Assam Police has registered a case against Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheik, and others under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, state Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday.

by: MSN

Analysis-Italy's Meloni takes on the judiciary, in echo of Berlusconi

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is clashing with the country's judiciary in the same way her old political ally and mentor Silvio Berlusconi used to, promising a once-in-a-lifetime overhaul of the legal system.

by: MSN

Washington Post refuses to run $115,000 ad titled 'Fire Elon Musk,' report says

Washington Post refuses to run $115,000 ad titled 'Fire Elon Musk,' report says - 'Who's running this country: Donald Trump or Elon Musk,' reads the advert, which was intended for Tuesday's edition of

by: MSN

Former UK PM John Major warns of dangers if US does not stand by allies

Major said if the US 'retreats towards isolation' it would leave the door open for China and Russia to wield increased influence A world in which the United States does not support its allies will be "rather more dangerous",

by: MSN

Trump told Netanyahu 'Do whatever you want,' provides hostage update

Donald Trump was asked by reporters if he's been briefed on phase two of the hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. Trump replied that he told Israeli PM Netanyahu to, 'Do whatever you want.'

Trump's Reign of Cruelty

Neoliberalism has always been more than an economic project; it is a political and educational weapon designed to erode social solidarity and dismantle the foundations of democracy. It does not merely defund public institutions like healthcare,
The article "Trump's Reign of Cruelty" from CounterPunch, published on February 17, 2025, discusses the perceived harsh and punitive policies and behaviors of former President Donald Trump during his time in office. It highlights how Trump's administration was marked by a series of actions that many viewed as cruel, including the separation of migrant families at the border, the rollback of environmental protections, and the aggressive stance against political opponents and the media. The piece argues that these actions were not just policy decisions but part of a broader pattern of behavior characterized by a lack of empathy, a disregard for human rights, and an embrace of authoritarian tactics. The author critiques the lasting impact of these policies on American society, suggesting that Trump's approach has normalized cruelty in political discourse and governance, leaving a legacy that continues to influence American politics and policy-making even after his presidency.

Read the Full CounterPunch Article at:
https://www.counterpunch.org/2025/02/17/trumps-reign-of-cruelty/