• Fri, February 21, 2025

by: MSN

The Dangerous Conservative Theory Behind Trump's Assault on Government Workers

His administration has gone on a firing spree, directing federal agencies to lay off the more than 200,000 probationary government workers, offering tens of thousands of federal employees a dubious buyout offer,

by: Euronews

Who is Friedrich Merz, the favourite to become Germany's next chancellor?

The 69-year-old CDU leader Friedrich Merz is a major favourite for the German chancellorship after Sunday's snap election. #EuropeNews

by: CNN

Supreme Court rules that government watchdog fired by Trump may temporarily remain on the job

The Supreme Court on Friday dashed President Donald Trump's plan to immediately fire the head of an independent agency that investigates whistleblower claims, allowing Hampton Dellinger to remain in the job through at least the middle of next week.

by: CNN

Courts hand down key rulings on Trump's overhaul of the federal government

President Donald Trump and his administration are continuing to try and implement his agenda amid multiple legal challenges. Follow for live updates.
  • Sat, February 22, 2025

by: foxbaltimore

Elon Musk takes chainsaw to government, while Congress feels the heat

The Pentagon has temporarily paused a plan that could have resulted in the layoffs of more than 50,000 civilian employees.

by: katu

Gov. Kotek calls climate change an existential threat to Oregon

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said climate change is an existential threat to the state, she told KATU's Steve Dunn in an exclusive interview.Dunn interviewed the gove

by: MSNBC

Sidelined Trump mostly 'decorative' as Musk remains busy wrecking the government, reaping rewards

Rachel Maddow notes that while Donald Trump golfs and performs stunts for TV cameras, Elon Musk is hard at work on the project of dismantling the U.S. government. And even though Musk's behavior is so poorly received it is hurting business for his car company,

by: CNN

Germany is holding a national election. Here's what's at stake

Germans are going to the polls on Sunday for national elections. Opinion polls suggest the outcome will be a new chancellor and, likely, a new governing coalition.

by: Alternet

'Nightmare for all of us': Anxiety grows among Social Security recipients

President Donald Trump was asked at a press conference this month if there were any federal agencies or programs that Elon Musk's newly formed Department of Government Efficiency wouldn't be allowed to mess with.

by: Vanguard

I'm not in govt for wealth making,title but to serve Nigeria- Okotete

Executive Director (Business Development) at Nigeria Export - Import (NEXIM) Bank, Stella Okotete, has vowed not to give up on Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu despite the setback that trailed her ministerial nomination.

by: Richmond

A look at what made it through the General Assembly, and what didn't

Legislators filed nearly 2,000 bills, plus more than a 1,000 resolutions in the 2025 General Assembly session. Most died. Here's a look at 20 top issues.

by: LAist

Elon Musk blurs the line between his government and business roles

The tech titan and President Trump say they will avoid any conflicts of interest, but it's difficult for the public to verify that.

by: News4Jax

Musk's cost-cutting team is laying off workers at the auto safety agency overseeing his car company

Elon Musk's cost-cutting team is eliminating jobs at the vehicle safety agency that oversees Tesla and has launched investigations into deadly crashes involving his company's cars.

by: LancasterOnline

Smucker absent for mock town hall in downtown Lancaster Saturday morning

Chants of "Smucker's a chicken" and "Where's Lloyd?" echoed from downtown Lancaster's Penn Square on Saturday morning as more than 150 people staged a mock town hall for U.S. Rep.

by: Time

Mark Cuban: Democrats Are Too Inept to Exploit Trump's Chaos

Mark Cuban is no fan of Donald Trump. The business moguls have a long, complicated relationship that colored plenty of the 2024 presidential campaign as the reality stars sparred from afar. The frenemy-ship was one of the best subplots of last year's hard-fought campaign, and one that is showing no sign of abating.

by: justthenews

Trump at CPAC: 'We are keeping our promises' and 'draining the swamp'

"The illegal alien criminals are being sent home. We're draining the swamp and we're restoring government by the people, for the people," Trump said. "This week, I also cancelled Temporary Protected Status for migrants from Haiti. They are pouring into our country, pouring in. If I weren't elected, there would be nobody in Haiti anymore."

by: Newsweek

What Did Elon Musk's Son Say to Trump? White House Video Goes Viral

A number of social media users believe Elon Musk's 4-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii, told President Donald Trump, "Shut your mouth."

by: Newsweek

Donald Trump Says Elon Musk Should Be 'More Aggressive'

President Donald Trump has called on the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk, to be "more aggressive." As head of DOGE, Musk has swiftly implemented a series of spending cuts across various federal departments, leading to mass lays offs.

by: CNN

Elon Musk wants to audit the Fed. Is that a good idea?

Elon Musk is keen on auditing the Federal Reserve, the independent agency that makes critical decisions on interest rates that reverberate throughout the US economy.

by: Reuters

Trump urges Musk to be more aggressive in bid to shrink U.S. government

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday urged billionaire Elon Musk to be more aggressive in his efforts to shrink the federal government despite uproar over layoffs and deep spending cuts. "Elon is doing a great job,

by: Time

Why Germany Is at a Crossroads

The Sunday vote comes amid an economy in the doldrums, big questions over Europe's security posture, and a surging far-right.

by: News4Jax

New FBI director Kash Patel plans to relocate up to 1,500 employees

New FBI Director Kash Patel has told senior officials that he plans to relocate 1,000 employees at FBI headquarters to field offices around the country and move an additional 500 to a bureau facility in Huntsville,

by: Time

Exclusive: Alice Weidel on Her Far-Right AfD Party's Rise, Elon Musk's Support, and the German Election

The leading candidate, Friedrich Merz, a conservative who has adopted many of the AfD's hard-line positions on immigration, used his closing statement of the debate to promise his voters that he would never allow the AfD into his government. Under him, he said, the firewall would hold.

by: Reuters

Trump, Musk slashing of government draws backlash, even among some Republicans

President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk's unprecedented and frantic effort to slash the federal workforce, pushing tens of thousands of workers out of their roles, is starting to draw more significant backlash,

by: CNN

Trump administration fires top US general and Navy chief in unprecedented purge of military leadership

In an unprecedented purge of the military's senior leadership Friday night, President Donald Trump fired the top US general just moments before his defense secretary fired the chief of the US Navy and the vice chief of the Air Force.

by: ABC

Trump administration fires workers at NIH's Alzheimer's research center, including incoming director

Most shocking to CARD workers was the termination of lead researcher Kendall Van Keuren-Jensen, who was announced internally as the organization's next acting director and was expected to bring significant advancements to the research field. "It's just jaw-dropping," an upper-level CARD employee told ABC News of Van Keuren-Jensen's firing.

by: CNN

Trump and Musk have fun in DC while cuts pile up out in the country

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk look like they're having a blast in Washington, clear-cutting elements of the federal government and seizing power from states and Congress. Their glee is at odds with the growing evidence of repercussions and anger out in the country at their approach of cutting first and asking questions later.

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Kash Patel sworn in as FBI director

President Donald Trump's administration is continuing its radical effort to cut much of the federal government.

by: ABC

Kash Patel confirmed by Senate to be Trump's FBI director

The Senate on Thursday will vote on Kash Patel's controversial nomination to lead the FBI. If confirmed, Patel will be the 18th Cabinet official approved by lawmakers since President Donald Trump's inauguration one month ago.

by: CNN

Trump set to address CPAC as he pursues his agenda at home and abroad

President Donald Trump is pursuing his massive government overhaul at home, while also forging ahead with a pivot in US foreign policy regarding Russia's war in Ukraine and plans for the Middle East.

by: MSN

Trump administration funding cuts could hamper L.A. River parks projects, lawmaker warns

Visiting a bike path and park at the L.A. River, Rep. Laura Friedman voices concerns that such projects are at risk because of Trump administration funding cuts.

by: MSN

Social Security Announces Changes After Trump Executive Order

The Social Security Administration has announced that it is terminating a research program that focuses on retirement and disability policies. Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek made the announcement in a press release saying that it is an action that supports President Donald Trump's executive order "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.

by: CNN

How a mid-level staffer rose to oversee the Social Security Administration within days

Leland Dudek, a mid-level career employee at the Social Security Administration, posted on LinkedIn that he was placed on administrative leave for cooperating with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency and asked for help finding another job.

by: MSN

Thanks to early trailblazers for the large number of Indian Americans in public life and politics, says former White House HR boss Gautam Raghavan

Gautam Raghavan, who was director of the White House presidential personnel office (PPO) for President Joe Biden's administration since January 2022, is part of an elite group of Indian Americans who have held the highest positions in the US government.

by: MSN

Federal judge temporarily halts Trump's anti-DEI crusade

A Biden appointee said the orders on DEI were likely "unconstitutionally vague" and "chilling [toward] free speech"

by: MSN

New Social Security chief was being investigated when Musk team tapped him

Data analyst Leland Dudek was suspected of sharing unauthorized access to information with the U.S. DOGE Service. Now he's the acting Social Security commissioner.

by: MSN

Hamas releases six last hostages in first phase of ceasefire agreement

Freed Israeli hostage during his release from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

by: MSN

Friedrich Merz and his long march to the brink of the German chancellery

Friedrich Merz, a man who has never held a government role, is preparing to take the reins in Germany just as the country faces its biggest economic and diplomatic crises in decades and Europe looks urgently for a new generation of leaders for an era of transatlantic tension.

by: MSN

'Delhi women feeling deceived': Atishi seeks time from CM Rekha Gupta for meeting over BJP's ?2,500-scheme

In a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Atishi wrote, "The women of Delhi trusted Modi Ji's guarantee, and now they feel deceived."

by: MSN

Passion, politics and patriotism meld as Pakistan and India clash in cricket's fiercest rivalry

It is a sports rivalry like no other in the world. When India and Pakistan face off in Dubai on Sunday, the cricket contest will be amped up by so much more — the 78 years of bitterness between the two arch rival nations,

by: MSN

'Arbitrary and discriminatory': Judge blocks Trump's effort to deter DEI programs

A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump's bid to deprive federal funding from programs that incorporate "diversity, equity and inclusion" initiatives. U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson ruled that Trump's policy likely violates the First Amendment because it penalizes private organizations based on their viewpoints.

by: MSN

Texas House creates its own 'DOGE' to 'reduce the size and scope of government'

The Texas House has created the Delivery of Government Efficiency (Texas DOGE) Committee, chaired by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, to reduce government size and scope, eliminate inefficiencies, and ensure accountability and efficiency in public education and property tax relief.

by: MSN

Trump Administration Now Removing EV Chargers From Government Buildings

The General Services Administration is reportedly shutting down 8,000 EV chargers at federal sites, and deleting websites about EV efforts.

by: MSN

Pentagon to fire 5,400 workers, backlash builds to Trump downsizing effort

By Idrees Ali, Nathan Layne, Richard Cowan and Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Pentagon said on Friday it would cut 5,400 jobs as part of President Donald Trump's drive to slash the federal workforce,

by: MSN

Legislators blasted by constituents at town halls over Musk's wanton federal destruction

Rachel Maddow looks at Republican legislators holding town halls and suffering the wrath of their constituents who have no patience for Trumpy talking points about Elon Musk dismantling the federal government.

by: MSN

Rep. McCormick faces heated town hall over Trump's budget cuts and CDC layoffs

Rep. Rich McCormick faced a flurry of questions about President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency during a town hall meeting.

by: MSN

Delhi BJP govt gears up for action: Rs 500 LPG, road repairs, and clean drinking water

LPG cylinders for Rs 500, resolving Delhi's dirty water issue, Rs 2,500 financial aid for women from poor families, and road repairs were some of the key agendas discussed in th

by: MSN

Don't throw stones at beehive: CM Stalin hits back at Pradhan

CUDDALORE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday lashed out at the Centre warning it not to throw stones at the beehive and said he will not permit any activities inimical to Tamil language,

The Dangerous Conservative Theory Behind Trump's Assault on Government Workers

His administration has gone on a firing spree, directing federal agencies to lay off the more than 200,000 probationary government workers, offering tens of thousands of federal employees a dubious buyout offer,
The article from MSN discusses a concerning trend where former President Donald Trump and his allies are promoting a theory that suggests a significant portion of the federal workforce, particularly those in policy-making roles, are part of a "deep state" working against conservative interests. This theory, known as the "unitary executive theory," posits that the President should have complete control over the executive branch, including the ability to fire and replace federal employees at will. Trump's Project 2025, developed by the Heritage Foundation, aims to implement this by proposing to reclassify tens of thousands of federal workers, stripping them of civil service protections to make them more easily replaceable by political appointees. Critics argue this move would politicize the bureaucracy, undermine the merit-based system, and potentially lead to government dysfunction by replacing experienced civil servants with partisan loyalists. This approach not only threatens the independence and expertise of the federal workforce but also raises alarms about the potential for authoritarian governance, where loyalty to the President overshadows professional competence and legal norms.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/the-dangerous-conservative-theory-behind-trump-s-assault-on-government-workers/ar-AA1zxNOM

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