March 2025
The Trump administration has offered voluntary separation payments of up to $25,000 to approximately 80,000 federal workers at the Health and Human Services Department, with a response deadline of 5 p.m. Friday. This effort to reduce the federal workforce comes as HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has indicated plans for deep staff cuts, while the CDC is simultaneously handling a measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico, and Congress debates significant Medicaid reductions.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is deploying a chatbot called GSAi to replace fired workers at the US General Services Administration. The chatbot, described by one employee as "about as good as an intern," has limited functionality and significant restrictions on handling sensitive information, raising questions about its effectiveness as a replacement for the hundreds of terminated domain experts and civil servants.
Maxar Technologies has restricted Ukraine's access to satellite imagery following a broader US intelligence-sharing pause with Ukraine. The restriction was reportedly imposed under an order from the Trump administration as part of efforts to pressure Ukraine into peace talks with Russia.
The text discusses how US foreign aid cuts combined with the reimposition of the "Mexico City Policy" are negatively impacting women's health services globally, particularly in conflict zones. By the end of the current aid freeze on April 15, 2025, an estimated 11.7 million women and girls worldwide will lose access to contraceptives, while the policy forces healthcare organizations to choose between accepting US funding with abortion-related restrictions or forfeiting support entirely.
Joshua Stanton, FEMA's Acting Chief Counsel, was placed on administrative leave after less than one week in the role, reportedly after refusing to write a memo justifying the seizure of $80 million from New York City meant for migrant shelters. This situation may be connected to a lawsuit filed by former FEMA Chief Financial Officer Mary Comans, who is suing the agency for allegedly unlawful termination related to her authorization of funds for migrant housing.
The Social Security Administration has implemented a new policy in Maine requiring parents to visit a Social Security office in person to register their newborns for Social Security numbers, eliminating the previous "Enumeration at Birth" program that allowed parents to complete this process via a simple form at the hospital. This change has been criticized by pediatric health advocates as burdensome and unnecessary, forcing families with newborns to travel to one of Maine's eight Social Security offices instead of using the efficient system that had been in place since the late 1980s.
The Social Security Administration has implemented new internet restrictions that block employees from accessing "general news" websites including WIRED, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, with the changes coming weeks after DOGE engineers were installed at the agency and amid plans to cut 7,000 employees. The restrictions were announced in an email to all SSA employees on March 6, 2025, stating that effective immediately, categories of prohibited websites include online shopping, general news, and sports, though the criteria for blocking specific sites remains unclear.
Layoffs in the U.S. surged by 245% in February 2025, with federal government cuts accounting for a significant portion, driven by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiatives under President Donald Trump's administration. These cuts impacted both government employees and contractors, with Washington D.C. experiencing the highest job losses, while concerns over trade wars and funding freezes added further strain to the labor market.
The Pentagon has flagged over 26,000 images for removal as part of a directive to purge content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), following an executive order by former President Trump. The removals target milestones involving women and minorities, historical content like the Tuskegee Airmen, and even images flagged due to file names containing words like "gay," highlighting confusion and challenges in implementing the directive.
China has warned the US it is ready to fight "any type" of war after hitting back against President Donald Trump's mounting trade tariffs, with tensions escalating as Trump slapped more tariffs on all Chinese goods and China retaliated with 10-15% tariffs on US farm products. The Chinese embassy's statement on X represents some of the strongest rhetoric from China since Trump became president, coinciding with China's announcement of a 7.2% increase in defense spending during the annual National People's Congress in Beijing.
Almost 4,000 campsites across California's 18 national forests could close for part or all of the summer season due to federal government staff reductions and budget freezes that have led to severe staffing shortages. The closures follow terminations of at least 2,000 employees by the Department of Government Efficiency, which has resulted in reduced capacity to maintain facilities, respond to emergencies, conduct scientific research, and manage wildfire risks.
Elon Musk suggested privatizing the U.S. Postal Service and Amtrak during a virtual appearance at a technology conference. President Trump has previously floated the idea of privatizing the USPS and is considering folding it into the Commerce Department.
The article discusses speculation that the Trump administration may be intentionally engineering a recession to set the stage for economic policy changes. It suggests this strategy aims to trigger Fed rate cuts, weaken the U.S. dollar, and create conditions for future growth through tax cuts and deregulation.
a group of archivists has recreated the original CDC website and is hoting it in the EU.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, President Trump's former criminal defense attorney, as Deputy Attorney General in a 52-46 mostly party-line vote on March 5, 2025. Blanche, who previously defended Trump against multiple indictments including the New York hush money case, will now oversee federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI, DEA, and ATF while serving as second-in-command to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The text discusses the current state of bird flu in the US, highlighting its spread among poultry, dairy herds, and humans. It also criticizes the Trump administration's response, arguing that their policies are exacerbating the risk of a potential pandemic by weakening surveillance, research, and public health measures.
The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to cut 80,000 jobs in an "aggressive" reorganization, aiming to return to 2019 staffing levels of under 400,000 employees. Democrats have criticized the cuts, while Republicans have cautiously observed the Trump administration's changes to the VA and other agencies.
The Trump administration temporarily exempted the auto sector from tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports for one month, offering relief to automakers while maintaining broader tariffs on other imports. The move highlights the uncertainty surrounding Trump's trade policies, with potential economic impacts and market volatility tied to tariff announcements.
The Trump administration is reopening the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas for migrant families facing deportation, resuming the practice of detaining children four years after the Biden administration ended it. CoreCivic, the private prison contractor operating the facility, announced an agreement with ICE to reopen the center with capacity for 2,400 people, expecting annual revenue of $180 million including medical services.
The Supreme Court issued a brief order requiring the government to pay foreign aid contractors up to $2 billion for completed work, leaving in place a lower court decision that forbade the Trump administration from suspending foreign-assistance funds. The case, known as Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, was decided in a 5-4 vote, with the majority citing a mistake by Trump's legal team in appealing the wrong lower court order.
Maine's congressional delegation, including Senator Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree, is urging the Trump administration to restore $4.5 million in funding for the Maine Sea Grant program, which has been cut by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The funding termination is seen as a significant blow to Maine's coastal economy and marine industries, with concerns that the decision may be politically motivated following a dispute between President Trump and Maine's governor over transgender athlete policies.
The Dow fell by almost 600 points as President Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico threatened a dangerous trade war, erasing all stock market gains since his presidency began. Global markets reacted negatively, with trading partners announcing retaliatory tariffs, while economists warned of potential economic consequences similar to the Great Depression.
President Trump seeks to put 443 federal properties up for sale. Properties include HHS and HUD headquarters in D.C.
Ontario will impose a 25% tariff on power exported to 1.5 million homes in Minnesota, Michigan and New York in response to U.S. tariffs, as announced by Premier Doug Ford. The province has also banned U.S. companies from government contracts and ended its deal with Starlink.
Some staffers at Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are drawing six-figure salaries from federal agencies they are tasked with cutting, with some making up to $195,200 annually[1]. Despite Musk's initial claim of zero compensation, DOGE's budget has grown to around $40 million, raising questions about transparency and potential conflicts of interest in the organization's operations.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has deleted billions in claimed savings from its "wall of receipts" due to numerous errors and inaccuracies. The group's total claimed savings from cutting contracts has declined from $16 billion to less than $9 billion, raising questions about DOGE's competence and understanding of federal government operations.
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to weaken federal limitations on raw sewage discharge into bodies of water, effectively allowing cities to dump more sewage into rivers, lakes, oceans, and bays. The majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, reinterpreted the Clean Water Act to no longer require that water actually be clean, as long as cities attempt to keep their water safe.
Target warns of imminent price increases due to tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. The company expects these price hikes to occur "over the next couple of days" despite posting better-than-expected fourth quarter earnings.
The International Chamber of Commerce warns that the world economy risks a crash similar to the Great Depression unless the U.S. reverses its plans for steep import tariffs, with ICC Deputy Secretary-General Andrew Wilson describing the situation as a potential "downward spiral" into "1930s trade-war territory." Wilson considers the likelihood of a severe economic blow "a coin-flip" dependent on whether the U.S. reconsiders its tariff strategy, as President Trump has already implemented 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, increased duties on Chinese goods, and promised similar measures for European products, despite economists' warnings about potential domestic inflation.
President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, citing national security concerns related to illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The tariffs include 25% duties on most Canadian and Mexican goods, with a 10% tariff on Canadian energy products, and a 10% tariff on Chinese imports.
The Pentagon is set to significantly reduce its Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which focuses on minimizing civilian casualties in military operations, with about half of the office's workforce being offered buyouts or termination as part of the Trump administration's broader effort to scale back civilian harm protections in favor of military "lethality." This shift, which includes granting commanders more authority to approve strikes without higher-level authorization, has drawn criticism from human rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers who argue these changes undermine systems designed to limit civilian casualties and could ultimately harm U.S. national security interests.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that all federal funding will stop for colleges and schools that allow "illegal" protests and that agitators will be imprisoned or sent back to the country they came from. "American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested," Trump said in a Truth Social post.
The Trump administration has shut down a global air quality monitoring program that had been operating at 80 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide since 2008, citing budget constraints. The program provided valuable public data about pollution levels in cities like New Delhi, Jakarta, and Buenos Aires, which supported research, helped foreign service officers make health decisions, and led to air quality improvements in countries like China.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to significantly increase military spending across the EU, unveiling a 'ReArm Europe' plan that could mobilize up to €800 billion for defense. The plan includes easing restrictions on overspending, offering €150 billion in loans for arms purchases, and allowing member states to repurpose EU funds for defense investments.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is moving to cancel leases on key NOAA facilities, including the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction and the Radar Operations Center, which are critical for weather forecasting and radar maintenance. These actions, combined with recent layoffs and budget cuts, have raised concerns about the agency's ability to fulfill its mission, potentially leading to significant gaps in weather forecasting and climate research.
The Trump administration is terminating dozens of technology specialists from the General Services Administration's 18F unit, which developed software and technology products to improve efficiency across federal agencies. The decision, directed by top leadership and implemented by Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla engineer, has resulted in employees being placed on administrative leave until their official release at the end of April.
The Trump administration has suspended the use of costly military aircraft for deportation flights. The decision follows reporting by the Wall Street Journal that revealed these flights were inefficient and expensive compared to traditional civilian deportation methods.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez expresses concern over potential closure of the Skeen-Whitlock Building, which houses the Department of Energy's Carlsbad Field Office crucial for Waste Isolation Pilot Plant operations. He highlights risks to national security and environmental safety, citing staff reductions and project delays, while requesting urgent meetings with GSA and DOE officials to address the issue.
James Dennehy, head of the FBI's New York Field Office, was forced to retire after criticizing the Trump administration's request for names of agents who worked on January 6 cases. Dennehy had urged colleagues to "dig in" against the administration's actions, leading to his ouster one month later.
The story discusses a series of breaking news events, including the tragic death of a 75-year-old man allegedly assaulted by three teenage girls, and significant developments in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It highlights Ukraine's recent attack on a Russian oil refinery coinciding with President Zelensky's return from diplomatic efforts in the US and Europe, amidst a backdrop of strained relations with US President Donald Trump regarding military support and peace negotiations.
The Trump administration has suspended delivery of all US military aid to Ukraine, affecting ammunition, vehicles, and other equipment including weapons in transit. This decision comes after a confrontation between Trump and Zelenskyy, with Trump telling the Ukrainian president to return "when he is ready for peace" and expressing frustration at Zelenskyy's statement that the end of the war could be "very, very far away".
The White House is exploring options for easing sanctions on Russia as part of efforts to improve diplomatic relations and potentially end the war in Ukraine. This initiative involves drafting proposals by the State and Treasury departments, though it remains unclear what concessions the U.S. might seek in return for any sanctions relief.
The Trump administration laid off approximately 90 employees from the General Services Administration's 18F team, a group formed during the Obama era to modernize government software. The layoffs, part of a broader effort to reduce the federal workforce, have jeopardized ongoing projects and completed services, potentially impacting millions of Americans who rely on these digital services.
FAA officials ordered staff to find tens of millions of dollars for a Starlink deal, despite no official contract yet. Elon Musk, leading Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, oversaw mass firings at the FAA while his company SpaceX stands to benefit from potential contracts, raising conflict of interest concerns.
The Trump administration's hasty mass firings through the DOGE Service led to a crisis at the National Nuclear Security Administration, where 17% of workers maintaining America's nuclear weapons were dismissed despite their critical security roles, forcing an embarrassing reversal after panicked calls from lawmakers of both parties. The incident highlighted the dangers of applying Silicon Valley's "move fast and break things" approach to government agencies with serious national security missions, as the novice cost-cutters appeared to lack basic understanding of the nuclear agency's work, resulting in chaos that potentially compromised safety at sensitive nuclear facilities across the country.
The U.S. Department of Defense is terminating numerous grants under the Minerva Research Initiative, a program established in 2008 to fund social science research related to national security. The initiative, which has supported studies on topics like violent extremism, disinformation, and climate change threats, is being significantly reduced, with at least 9 projects from the latest funding round and over a dozen from previous rounds receiving termination notices.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick plans to remove government spending from GDP calculations, claiming to make economic data more transparent. Economists warn this change could increase volatility in GDP figures and complicate comparisons with other countries' economies.
The post describes frustration with accessing public earthquake information due to limited USGS map functionality. It suggests this is caused by staff shortages and efforts to update geographic names, implying these changes are politically motivated.
A DOGE staffer named Jordan Wick has been publicly posting DOGE work on GitHub, including a Twitter DM-downloading tool and geospatial data related to undersea cables, ports, and critical minerals. In February 2024, Wick uploaded code for an organizational chart viewer with fields for employee union status and satisfaction ratings, as well as a search tool allowing users to filter federal employees by office and union status. Wick's company AccelerateX, co-founded with fellow DOGE member Anthony Jansco, sells AI efficiency systems to the federal government and claims to have large transit agency clients. Following public attention to his GitHub activities, Wick's GitHub account is no longer publicly accessible.
DOGE's savings page updated its claims, fixing previous errors but introducing new inaccuracies. The Department of Government Efficiency's digital "wall of receipts" now claims $65 billion in savings, but an NPR review found discrepancies in the data and inflated estimates.
The General Services Administration (GSA) has eliminated 18F, a government tech consultancy team of approximately 90 employees that helped other agencies with technology projects. The office was deemed "non-critical" as part of GSA's reduction in force (RIF) under White House direction, with Thomas Shedd, director of GSA's Technology Transformation Services, notifying staff of the decision early Saturday morning.
US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has reversed his stance on the measles outbreak, now declaring it a "top priority" after initially dismissing it as "not unusual," following the first US measles death in a decade. The health department is sending 2,000 doses of the MMR vaccine to Texas, where over 140 cases have been reported since January, with approximately 95% of infected individuals being unvaccinated.
Norwegian petroleum giant Haltbakk Bunkers has announced it will stop providing fuel to all American forces in Norway, declaring "No fuel to Americans!" in response to Donald Trump's treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The company made this decision after witnessing what they called "the biggest s***show ever presented live on tv" during a meeting between Trump and Zelensky that ended in a heated exchange.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocated for the MMR vaccine in response to a growing measles outbreak in Texas, despite his history of vaccine skepticism. At least 146 measles cases have been identified in Texas since January, including a fatal case of an unvaccinated school-aged child in Lubbock.
Melanie Krause, who took over as acting IRS commissioner on March 1, 2025, quickly indicated her willingness to explore compliance with the DHS request for information on undocumented immigrants. The article describes how the IRS initially rejected DHS requests for addresses of 700,000 people suspected of being in the country illegally, but Krause's acquiescence marked a potential shift in the agency's stance on sharing taxpayer information with immigration authorities.
The Trump administration abruptly terminated the Maine Sea Grant program, cutting $1.5 million in funding for 2025 and $4.5 million through January 2028. The decision affects 20 Sea Grant workers at the University of Maine and coastal ports, with NOAA stating the program's activities are "no longer relevant" to the administration's priorities. This move has shocked Maine's fishing industry, as the Sea Grant program has been instrumental in supporting coastal communities and sustainable fisheries for 50 years. The program's economic impact is significant, with advocates noting that in 2023, Maine Sea Grant's $1.5 million federal investment resulted in a $23.5 million economic benefit, translating to a return of $15.60 for every dollar spent. The termination comes amid broader cuts to NOAA and follows a public dispute between Maine Governor Janet Mills and President Trump over transgender athletes in sports. Industry leaders express concern about the impact on fishing communities, young fishermen training, and the long-term viability of Maine's coastal economies.
February 2025
Health officials in King County are urging caution after the first confirmed measles case in Washington state this year, involving an infant who may have exposed others at several locations following overseas travel. The highly contagious respiratory disease poses greatest risk to unvaccinated individuals, with health experts emphasizing that the MMR vaccine provides 97% protection after two doses while vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has rapidly infiltrated federal computer systems since Trump's second inauguration, gaining access to sensitive information across multiple agencies including OPM, USAID, Treasury, IRS, and CFPB. The secretive operation has resulted in thousands of layoffs targeting diversity programs, scientists, and various federal workers, creating an atmosphere of fear among government employees who view DOGE programmers as threats to their careers and agencies.
President Trump is planning to sign an executive order making English the official language of the United States for the first time in the nation's nearly 250-year history. The executive order will rescind a Clinton-era mandate that required federal agencies and recipients of federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers. According to White House officials, agencies will still have flexibility to provide documents and services in languages other than English. The stated goals of making English the national language are to promote unity, establish efficiency in government, and provide a pathway to civic engagement. Trump has previously expressed concerns about languages entering the country, stating at CPAC last year that "We have languages coming into our country...that nobody in this country has ever heard of".
The court document details a case where the American Federation of Government Employees and other plaintiffs challenged the Office of Personnel Management's directive to terminate probationary federal employees across multiple agencies. Judge William Alsup ruled that OPM exceeded its statutory authority by ordering mass terminations, finding the directive was unlawful and issuing a temporary restraining order against OPM's actions affecting employees at NPS, BLM, VA, DOD, SBA, and FWS.
The Trump administration is implementing a new strategy requiring federal workers to provide weekly bullet-point descriptions of their work, with the second email expected to arrive Saturday from agency HR departments. This initiative will allow supervisors and agency heads to check whether employees' work aligns with Trump administration goals and priorities, and unlike the initial email from OPM that agencies advised workers not to respond to, these new agency-specific requests may be mandatory.
Federal workers across various government departments received late-night emails asking them to justify their work to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), overseen by Elon Musk, creating further anxiety among public-sector employees who have already experienced large-scale firings. The emails, with the subject line "What did you do last week? Part II," requested employees to provide approximately five bullet points describing their weekly accomplishments and copy their managers, with Musk and President Trump previously suggesting that non-responsive workers could face dismissal despite OPM's clarification that responses are voluntary.
The GDPNow model from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta provides a "nowcast" of real GDP growth based on available economic data for the current measured quarter, using methodology similar to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The latest estimate shows the U.S. economy is projected to contract by 1.5 percent in the first quarter of 2025, a significant decline from the previous estimate of 2.3 percent growth on February 19.
Google Maps will change the name of "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America" once it is officially updated in the U.S. Geographic Names System, Google said in an X post on Monday, January 27, 2025. The change will be visible in the U.S., but the name will remain "Gulf of Mexico" in Mexico. Outside of the two countries, users will see both names on Google Maps.
The article describes significant layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with approximately 800 probationary employees being cut, including staff at the National Weather Service. These cuts are occurring as climate change causes more intense weather extremes, threatening the agency's ability to provide accurate forecasts and warnings, with some offices already reducing services due to staffing shortages.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine is facing potential mass layoffs of federal employees as part of the Department of Government Efficiency's efforts to reduce federal spending. Union leaders report that the shipyard, which employs around 6,000 federal workers, may see employees released by the end of the week, raising concerns about both worker livelihoods and national security implications.
The Social Security Administration plans to reduce its workforce from 57,000 to 50,000 employees, focusing cuts on non-mission critical functions while implementing organizational restructuring including reduction of regional offices from 10 to 4 and headquarters organizations to 7 Deputy Commissioner level units. The agency will offer voluntary separation options and potential reduction-in-force actions, aiming to prioritize customer service by streamlining management layers and reducing non-essential work.
Federal student loan borrowers are temporarily unable to apply for income-driven repayment plans due to a court ruling. The Education Department has closed applications for these plans, including SAVE, following a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
President Donald Trump transported boxes of documents back to Florida that were previously seized by the FBI from Mar-a-Lago during a 2022 search, with Trump claiming "justice finally won out" and the White House describing them as personal items. The classified documents case against Trump was dropped after his 2024 election victory, though concerns remain about storage protocols at Mar-a-Lago where he allegedly kept classified materials in public areas including a ballroom and bathroom.
A federal judge in California granted a temporary restraining order against the Office of Personnel Management regarding the firing of federal probationary workers, ruling that the terminations were not legal because OPM lacked the authority to order them. The decision by Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California follows a similar ruling by the Merit Systems Protection Board that stayed the terminations of six probationary employees earlier that week.
West Virginia native Ellen Blackwood lost her dream job as a recreation fee technician at Acadia National Park after just two months when she was terminated on Valentine's Day as part of the Trump administration's federal workforce reduction plan. She was among 1,000 National Park Service employees fired under an initiative led by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, raising concerns about park maintenance, visitor safety, and the future of public lands.
The letter from Alaska Senate President Gary Stevens and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon to Alaska's congressional delegation expresses deep concern about federal actions threatening Alaska's economy, including potential job losses for federal workers, Medicaid/CHIP terminations, federal spending cuts, and freezes on energy infrastructure funding. They call for bipartisan action to address these issues, emphasizing that the state legislature cannot compensate for these federal funding reductions and requesting a unified approach with Alaska's governor to confront the crisis.
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have left Romania on a private jet bound for the US after their travel ban was lifted, though they remain under judicial supervision and must appear for court hearings. The self-styled "misogynist influencer" and his brother face trial on charges of rape, sex with a minor, people trafficking and money laundering, with allegations they used the "loverboy" method to force women into making pornography.
The discovery of approximately 20 dead geese on Ogunquit Beach in Maine is suspected to be due to avian flu (HPAI), with authorities ranking the risk level as "high" while continuing to monitor the situation. This follows a similar incident at Short Sands Beach in York where five dead ducks were found, and while transmission to humans is rare, the current H5N1 strain has caused 70 human cases in the U.S. since March 2024, including one documented death.
The Department of Homeland Security has quietly removed sexual orientation and gender identity from its policy manual section prohibiting surveillance based solely on immutable characteristics, allowing intelligence activities that were previously restricted. This change follows Donald Trump's executive orders removing diversity, equity, and inclusion references in government and comes under the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem, who has a history of targeting LGBTQ+ rights.
Hundreds of NOAA employees were laid off on Thursday as part of the Trump administration's efforts to cut the federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The layoffs affected approximately 880 NOAA staffers, representing about 5% of the agency's workforce, with critics arguing these cuts will impact weather forecasting capabilities and potentially endanger lives.
ICE has detained an undocumented mother named Yolanda, 50, and her son Johnathan in El Monte, California, leaving Yolanda's daughter Xitlali, who is battling bone cancer, without her primary caretakers. Xitlali, a U.S. citizen, relies heavily on her mother for care during chemotherapy while her brother was the family's financial provider, and according to their attorney, there is little hope they will be able to remain in the country despite protests from friends and relatives.
The federal district judge allowed CIA director John Ratcliffe to fire intelligence officers who worked on diversity issues, ruling that Ratcliffe has unfettered authority to terminate employees at will without court review, despite acknowledging concerns about fairness. The decision impacts up to 51 intelligence officers who had previously received job offers within the CIA and had collectively given 285 years of service, with their lawyer arguing they should be allowed to apply for other positions within the agency.
The Nature Conservancy has renamed its Gulf of Mexico program to "Gulf of America" following President Trump's executive order that changed the name of this body of water, with the organization stating the change was made to comply with federal directives and ensure continued access to funding. The organization updated its website to reflect this change while explaining that they continue to use "Gulf of Mexico" when referring to programs outside U.S. territorial waters.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has directed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to reinstate veterans, disabled veterans, and military spouses who were previously fired. This reversal was communicated through an email to affected CFPB employees whose terminations have now been overturned. The reinstated employees will not experience any break in service or interruption to their pay and benefits, and their termination records will be removed. However, this reinstatement comes amid the Trump administration's preparation for a potential large-scale reduction in force across the federal government, raising questions about the long-term job security for these reinstated workers.
The DOGE initiative, led by Elon Musk, has caused widespread disruption across federal agencies through mass firings and program cuts that are more severe than commonly understood. These cuts have affected critical services including international aid, scientific research, consumer protection, and national security, with long-term consequences that include loss of institutional knowledge, disruption of essential government functions, and significant humanitarian impacts worldwide.
President Donald Trump and Republican leaders are discussing how to use revenue from new tariffs to fund their domestic policy bill, aiming to argue it won't increase the national debt. The strategy involves keeping tariffs outside the reconciliation package while counting the revenue to claim deficit neutrality, with Trump announcing tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China to take effect next month.
Trump's administration plans to significantly reduce the State Department's size and scope, with potential cuts to staffing levels by at least 20% across its 75,000 employees, including both local hires abroad and U.S. diplomats. While certain functions like consular affairs and economic bureaus will remain, many diplomatic outposts may close, hiring has been frozen, and reforms to Foreign Service standards appear designed to create a more compliant workforce that critics fear could discourage dissenting views essential for informed decision-making.
A person has died of measles in West Texas as part of a fast-moving outbreak that has infected at least 124 people, mostly children, with at least 18 hospitalizations. This marks the first measles death in the United States in a decade, occurring in an outbreak where all hospitalized children at Covenant Children's Hospital in Lubbock were unvaccinated and admitted due to breathing difficulties.
The document is a court filing in the case of Nicolas Talbott v. Donald J. Trump (No. 1:25-cv-240-ACR) in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. It contains a notice of new Department of Defense policy guidance implementing Executive Orders 14168 and 14183, which establish that military service by individuals with gender dysphoria is deemed incompatible with military service and directs the separation of transgender service members.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins outlines a five-point strategy to combat avian influenza and lower egg prices, which have risen 237% since January 2021 to an average of $4.95 per dozen last month. The plan includes investing up to $1 billion to implement biosecurity measures, provide financial relief to affected farmers, research vaccines and therapeutics, reduce regulatory burdens, and consider temporary egg imports that meet U.S. safety standards.
Billed as promoting European products rather than boycotting US ones, a Danish supermarket chain has a special label for goods from Europe. The move comes as many seek to protest Trump's aim to control Greenland.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was created by President Trump through an executive order that renamed the U.S. Digital Service as the U.S. DOGE Service, with Elon Musk serving as an adviser rather than official administrator. Despite not being a true federal department, DOGE has been granted unprecedented authority to access government databases, initiate layoffs, and halt diversity programs, raising constitutional questions about its operations and facing multiple lawsuits challenging its legality.
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, announced the termination of over 100 intelligence officers for participating in sexually explicit discussions on the National Security Agency's "Intelink" messaging platform. The officers will also have their security clearances revoked for what Gabbard described as an "egregious violation of trust" involving the misuse of a professional government platform for inappropriate behavior.
The FDA has canceled a pivotal advisory committee meeting that was set to discuss which flu strains to include in next season's vaccine. The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting was scheduled for March 13, but committee members were notified of the cancellation without explanation.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has paused a multimillion-dollar contract for a new oral COVID-19 vaccine development by Vaxart Inc., issuing a 90-day stop-work order to review the project that was part of the Biden administration's $4.7 billion Project NextGen initiative. The clinical trial involving 10,000 participants was set to begin but will now be on hold while Kennedy and health officials examine initial findings.
The Social Security Administration is facing significant staff departures, with at least five of eight regional commissioners retiring amid rumors of workforce reductions under Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek, who reportedly aims to reduce the agency's 57,000 employees by approximately 7,000 people. Meanwhile, Karen Evans, a former Department of Energy cyber official who served in the first Trump administration, has been appointed as the new executive assistant director for cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
The Trump administration is planning a nationwide operation to locate and potentially deport unaccompanied migrant children who entered the US without parents, focusing on those without court dates or whose sponsors didn't answer 30-day check-in calls. This initiative comes as more than 291,000 children who crossed the border since fiscal year 2019 were not given notices to appear in court.
The memorandum outlines the implementation of President Trump's Executive Order "Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce," which creates a new Schedule Policy/Career in the excepted service for positions of confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character not normally subject to change during presidential transitions. It directs agency heads to review positions within 90 days and petition the Office of Personnel Management to recommend transfers to Schedule Policy/Career, while nullifying previous Biden administration regulations that would impede implementation.
US health officials are reevaluating a $590 million contract for bird flu shots that the Biden administration awarded to Moderna Inc. in January 2025, as part of a broader examination of spending on mRNA-based vaccines. The review comes amid concerns from the Trump administration about the Biden administration's oversight of vaccine production agreements, with Moderna's stock falling as much as 6.6% in after-hours trading following the news.
(original article at the source <https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/02/26/dhs-lgbtq-kristi-noem-department-of-homeland-security/?utm_content=1740571440&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter> causes a redirect loop if not redirected from X) The Department of Homeland Security has eliminated policies that previously prevented staff from gathering intelligence on individuals or groups based solely on their LGBTQ+ status, removing sexual orientation and gender identity from protected categories in their intelligence manual. This change, which comes following President Trump's executive order to scrap DEI policies in federal agencies, has sparked alarm among LGBTQ+ people who fear potential surveillance based solely on their identity.
Twenty-one members of the United States DOGE Service (formerly the U.S. Digital Service) have resigned, citing their refusal to help dismantle public services or compromise government systems. In their resignation letter addressed to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the staffers, who appear to have joined before the Trump administration, stated they would not use their technological skills to jeopardize Americans' sensitive data or legitimize DOGE's actions. The resignations follow earlier layoffs at USDS and come amid controversy surrounding DOGE, which is overseen by billionaire White House adviser Elon Musk. DOGE spokesperson Katie Miller responded to the resignations by characterizing the departing employees as "full remote workers who hung Trans flags from their workplaces". The White House press secretary dismissed the resignations, stating that protests and lawsuits would not deter President Trump from delivering on his promises to make the federal government more efficient.
Kyle Diamantas, a Florida attorney and hunting buddy of Donald Trump Jr., has been appointed as acting deputy commissioner for human foods at the FDA despite limited regulatory experience. His appointment comes amid mass purges at health agencies, including the dismissal of 89 staff members from the Human Foods Program, raising concerns about food safety oversight for 80% of the nation's food supply.
An unknown illness with hemorrhagic fever-like symptoms has killed 53 people in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo since January, with a 12.3% fatality rate among 431 reported cases. WHO officials traced the outbreak to Boloko Village where three children died after eating a bat carcass, and despite testing negative for known diseases like Ebola and Marburg, the remote location and weak healthcare infrastructure present significant challenges to containing the spread.
U.S. consumer confidence plummeted in February 2025, with the Conference Board's index dropping to 98.3 from 105.3 in January, marking the biggest monthly decline in over four years amid concerns about inflation, trade wars, and President Trump's proposed tariffs. The seven-point drop reflected growing pessimism about future business conditions, income prospects, and employment, with the measure of Americans' short-term expectations falling to 72.9, below the 80-point threshold that can signal a potential recession.
This document outlines what the authors describe as an "imminent neoreactionary threat" to American democracy, claiming Elon Musk and associates (including Peter Thiel and Curtis Yarvin) are implementing a radical agenda to dismantle constitutional governance. It details how Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has seized control of critical government infrastructure including Treasury payment systems and personnel data, bypassing oversight and security protocols. The authors argue these actions follow Yarvin's "neoreactionary playbook" to centralize power under a CEO-dictator model, replace democratic institutions with corporate governance, and ultimately transform citizens into "state slaves." The document cites national security concerns regarding Musk's ties to China and Russia, and warns that control of government data systems enables surveillance, coercion, and targeted defunding of opposition. It presents recent government infiltration as part of a coordinated strategy to "break the regime in a single step" rather than merely improving efficiency.
Engineers for Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are working on software called AutoRIF that could automate mass firings of federal workers, with evidence showing they're editing code in the Office of Personnel Management's GitHub system. The software, originally developed by the Department of Defense, is being modified as DOGE prepares for a second major round of firings, with recent emails asking government workers to detail their weekly accomplishments potentially to feed into an AI system that would assess employee necessity.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has removed its five largest savings claims from its "wall of receipts" website after multiple media investigations revealed serious errors in the reported figures. Despite deleting these major savings entries, DOGE still reported an increase in total savings from $55 billion to $65 billion, raising questions about the accuracy and transparency of the Elon Musk-led cost-cutting initiative.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) terminated the Open Government Federal Advisory Committee, which advised on transparency and public engagement initiatives, following an executive order by President Donald Trump to reduce federal bureaucracy. The abrupt decision drew criticism from the committee’s chair, who characterized it as part of a broader pattern of democratic backsliding under the administration.
The letter from House Democrats to President Trump expresses alarm over cybersecurity vulnerabilities introduced by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team at multiple federal agencies, including exposed payment systems at Treasury and potential access points at national laboratories handling nuclear weapons research. The lawmakers request detailed information about DOGE's activities, systems access, and cybersecurity incidents by March 11, 2025, citing concerns that these practices have undermined decades of bipartisan cybersecurity progress.
The FAA has contracted with SpaceX's Starlink to upgrade its IT networks, raising conflict of interest concerns since Elon Musk leads the Department of Government Efficiency which recommends funding cuts to federal agencies including the FAA. Critics question the appropriateness of Musk's dual role as both a government contractor and a government official tasked with overseeing agencies that regulate his businesses.
Troy Edgar, nominee for DHS deputy secretary, defended the Trump administration's decision to dismiss all members of the Cyber Safety Review Board during its investigation of the Salt Typhoon hack, calling it "a great idea" because the board was "going in the wrong direction." The CSRB, which had been reviewing the breach of U.S. and global telecommunications systems by a Chinese-linked group, was disbanded while CISA took over the investigation, though the FBI continues its own inquiry into Salt Typhoon's "indiscriminate" collection of Americans' data.
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 prevented a potential collision at Chicago Midway Airport on February 25, 2025, by executing a go-around when a Flexjet Bombardier Challenger 350 crossed the runway without authorization. The incident occurred around 8:50 a.m. local time when the Southwest flight from Omaha was about to land on Runway 31 Center, but instead accelerated and climbed over the business jet, landing safely about 10 minutes later.
The US State Department has ordered officials to deny visas to transgender athletes coming to the US for sports competitions and issue permanent visa bans against those deemed to misrepresent their birth sex on applications. This directive follows Trump's executive order barring trans athletes from women's sports and instructs consular officers to apply the "permanent fraud bar" against trans applicants, which triggers lifetime exclusion from the United States with limited waiver possibilities.
President Donald Trump announced plans to sell a "gold card" to wealthy foreigners for $5 million, providing green card privileges and a path to citizenship. The program, set to begin in about two weeks, will replace the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa program and require vetting to ensure applicants are "wonderful world-class global citizens."
Focus groups conducted in February 2025 reveal widespread skepticism about Elon Musk's role in government through DOGE, with voters describing him as "weird," "scary," and "selfish," while Trump is viewed as a strong leader compared to Democrats who are perceived as "weak" and "out of touch." The dominant concern across all voter groups is the cost of living, with participants expressing frustration about inflation and hoping Trump will address economic issues, though they remain divided on whether his policies like tariffs will help or hurt their financial situations.
The White House announced it will now control which media outlets cover presidential events as part of the press pool, reversing the long-standing practice where journalists determined pool participation. This decision follows the administration barring the Associated Press from pooled events after AP refused to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America," with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that the White House Correspondents' Association "should no longer have a monopoly" on organizing press pools.
A federal court has granted a temporary restraining order and expanded preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of Executive Order 14168's provisions regarding transgender inmate transfers and medical care termination for twelve transgender women in federal custody. The Court rejected the government's arguments about low-security men's facilities being safer, maintaining that removing the possibility of housing the plaintiffs in women's facilities (when previously determined appropriate under existing constitutional and statutory requirements) demonstrates a likelihood of success on the plaintiffs' Eighth Amendment claim.
Delta Flight 876 made an emergency landing in Atlanta after crew reported "possible smoke" in the flight deck, leading to an evacuation of 94 passengers and 5 crew members via emergency slides. Two passengers required medical attention after the incident, which occurred shortly after the Boeing 717 departed for Columbia, South Carolina.
A federal court granted a temporary restraining order against the Departments of Education and OPM to prevent them from sharing personal data with employees working on Trump's "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) agenda, finding the agencies likely violated the Privacy Act by granting broad access without demonstrating a "need to know". The ruling blocks Education and OPM (except for CIO Greg Hogan) from disclosing plaintiffs' personally identifiable information to DOGE affiliates until March 10, 2025, though it denied the request regarding Treasury since another court had already issued similar relief.
The U.S. Department of Justice has removed a database tracking misconduct by federal law enforcement officers, stating it is no longer active. This action followed an executive order from Donald Trump that rescinded a previous order (EO 14074) from Joe Biden establishing the database.
A bomb threat disrupted the Principles First Summit in Washington DC on February 23, forcing a two-hour evacuation after organizers received an email from "Enrique T." threatening four pipe bombs targeting the venue, Michael Fanone's mother's mailbox, and John Bolton's residence. The threat came just days after former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was recently pardoned by Trump from a 22-year seditious conspiracy sentence, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a protester at the Capitol and had confronted summit speakers including Capitol Police officer Michael Fanone.
The Trump administration is placing most USAID staffers worldwide on administrative leave and firing at least 1,600 U.S.-based employees as part of a broader campaign to dismantle the agency. The move comes after a federal judge allowed the administration to proceed with its plan, despite ongoing lawsuits challenging the constitutional authority to eliminate an independent agency without congressional approval.
A new variant of H5N1 bird flu has become endemic in dairy cows across multiple U.S. states, with experts warning the situation is unlikely to be contained without intervention, particularly concerning given Trump administration cuts to CDC and USDA staff responding to the outbreak. The virus has shown concerning patterns of transmission between birds, cows, and humans, with multiple spillover events in Nevada and Arizona involving the D1.1 variant, while simultaneously occurring during the worst flu season in 15 years - raising risks of viral reassortment and mutation.
More than a quarter of the contracts listed by DOGE were actually already paid, the Journal found, saving no money. For instance, DOGE listed $168,000 in savings for terminating a contract with HHS for an Anthony Fauci museum exhibit. It had already been fully paid.
On February 22, 2025, federal employees received an email from OPM demanding "5 bullets of what you accomplished last week," with Elon Musk claiming on X that non-responses would be considered resignations, leading to widespread confusion and conflicting guidance across agencies. Multiple federal departments including the FBI, State Department, VA, and Department of the Navy have instructed employees to ignore the email, while the DOJ appears to be telling staff to comply, creating an unprecedented situation where Trump-appointed officials are treating a presidentially-authorized communication as a potential threat.
The Trump administration has conducted a widespread purge of federal health workers, firing approximately 750 CDC workers, over 1,000 NIH staffers, and numerous employees at CMS and FDA, with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowing to gut federal health centers. The firings have severely impacted critical public health programs including tobacco regulation, maternal health initiatives, and organ donation systems, with terminated employees warning that these cuts will lead to increased risks to public health and potentially cost lives.
A federal court has partially granted a preliminary injunction against three provisions of Trump's January 2025 executive orders targeting DEI programs, finding that the Termination Provision is unconstitutionally vague, the Certification Provision violates the First Amendment as a content-based speech restriction, and the Enforcement Threat Provision's enforcement component constitutes unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.
The Associated Press has filed a lawsuit against three Trump administration officials over restricted access to presidential events, citing freedom of speech violations. The lawsuit comes in response to the White House blocking AP journalists after the news agency declined to fully adopt President Trump's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" in its reporting.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims to have saved $55B through contract cancellations and staff cuts, but their public ledger contains numerous accounting errors, incorrect assumptions, and misleading calculations that significantly inflate the actual savings.
Current and former federal workers have created a website called "We the Builders" to anonymously share information about how the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is dismantling government agencies and accessing government tech systems. The site aims to inform the public about what's happening inside federal agencies and explain how DOGE's database access in Washington, DC could impact citizens across the country, with the creators describing themselves as "builders" in contrast to DOGE, which they characterize as "destroyers."
In an unprecedented move on February 21, 2025, the Trump administration fired several top military leaders including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown, Navy Chief Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Air Force Vice Chief Gen. James Slife, and the judge advocates general of three service branches. The firings coincided with announcements of massive civilian workforce cuts at the Pentagon, with critics suggesting some leaders were targeted due to their previous support of diversity initiatives and statements about institutional racism.
U.S. stocks experienced significant declines on February 23, 2025, with the S&P 500 dropping 1.7%, Dow falling 748 points, and Nasdaq tumbling 2.2%, driven by weak economic reports showing consumer and business concerns about government policies affecting the economy. The market decline was exacerbated by reports of slowing business activity, higher inflation expectations tied to potential tariffs, and weaker-than-expected home sales.
US economic growth has faltered to a near-stalled pace in February 2025, with the Composite Flash PMI Output Index falling to 50.4, a 17-month low, while goods prices have spiked higher due to tariffs. Companies attribute the weaker expansion to uncertainty and disruption caused by recent US government policy initiatives, though reduced pricing power in the services sector has offset manufacturing price increases, which bodes well for inflation but poorly for profits.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has halted its successful "Wild to Mild" flu vaccination campaign following a review by the Department of Health and Human Services under newly appointed secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The campaign, which used contrasting images of wild animals and their tame counterparts to illustrate how vaccines can reduce flu severity, was pulled despite the current flu season being particularly severe with hospitalization rates at a 15-year high.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) filed articles of impeachment against U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer after the judge blocked Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury Department data. A second House Republican, Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), also filed separate impeachment articles against Engelmayer, accusing him of judicial misconduct and showing "apparent bias and favoritism" in his ruling that temporarily barred DOGE staffers from accessing sensitive Treasury systems.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology is preparing to fire approximately 500 probationary staffers as part of President Trump's federal government cuts, with some employees already receiving verbal notices. The layoffs could significantly impact offices overseeing Biden-era semiconductor investments and AI initiatives, including the US Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute, following Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's confirmation and Trump's shift away from the previous administration's risk-based approach to AI policy.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite promising Senator Bill Cassidy he would not change the nation's vaccination schedule to secure his confirmation as health secretary, announced plans to investigate childhood vaccines through a new "Make America Healthy Again" commission. Speaking to HHS employees during a measles outbreak in West Texas, Kennedy stated "nothing is going to be off limits" in examining vaccines, pesticides, food additives, microplastics, antidepressants, and electromagnetic waves to determine if they contribute to chronic illnesses like diabetes and obesity.
Yosemite National Park announced a delay in reservations for popular campgrounds (Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow) for June 15-July 14, amid staffing shortages caused by a federal hiring freeze and recent termination of National Park Service employees. The reservation system for park entry, which was scheduled to become permanent this year, is also on hold pending review by the Trump administration, creating uncertainty for both visitors planning trips and park operations during the busy summer season.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking access to the IRS's highly sensitive taxpayer data system, with software engineer Gavin Kliger expected to be granted access "imminently" for at least 120 days. The system contains private information including tax returns, Social Security numbers, and banking details of millions of Americans, with strict protocols in place to prevent unauthorized access and potential penalties including termination, fines, or imprisonment for improper use.
This article discusses how pardoned Jan 6 defendants are now arguing the presidential pardon should extend beyond Capitol riot charges to other crimes discovered during investigations, including murder plots, illegal weapons, and child pornography. Some defendants are publicly naming prosecutors and officials involved in their cases, raising safety concerns. Several have had new confrontations with law enforcement, including one fatal incident, while others seek to have unrelated criminal charges dismissed by claiming they're connected to Jan 6 investigations. The pardoned defendants are targeting both prosecutors and correctional officers - specifically, they've compiled lists of 124+ officials involved in their cases and shared them publicly on X (formerly Twitter). Some are accusing DC jail guards of abuse and corruption, posting their names and LinkedIn profiles. One post about jail workers was reshared by a Proud Boys chapter with threatening messages. The DC Department of Corrections says these allegations are being reported to authorities.
A federal court has blocked the order, finding it likely unconstitutional because: 1) Only Congress, not the President, has power over federal spending; 2) The order discriminates based on sex/transgender status without sufficient justification; and 3) It improperly tries to expand federal criminal law into states' authority to regulate medicine.
The U.S. Digital Service, recently renamed to Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Service under Trump and led by Elon Musk, has dismissed dozens of employees (estimated around 50) as part of a broader government workforce reduction. The dismissals affected legacy USDS employees who were previously working on projects like improving the Social Security Administration's website.
Four nonprofit organizations have filed suit claiming the order is arbitrary, exceeds OMB's authority, and violates First Amendment rights by conditioning funding on political viewpoints.
The Trump administration fired over 300 employees of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) on Thursday night, only to reverse course upon learning these workers were responsible for overseeing America's nuclear weapons stockpile. Officials reportedly did not realize the agency's critical role in nuclear security when making the terminations, which were part of broader workforce cuts led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The CDC's "Wild to Mild" flu vaccination campaign was terminated just days after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became health secretary. The campaign, which used contrasting images of wild and tame animals to illustrate how vaccines reduce flu severity, was halted during one of the worst flu seasons in decades, with materials being removed from the CDC website despite the campaign's reported success in reaching vulnerable populations.
The document reaffirms discrimination based on race, color, or national origin is illegal in educational institutions receiving federal funding, citing the 2023 SFFA v. Harvard decision as framework for evaluating race-based decisions. The letter prohibits use of race in admissions, financial aid, housing, programming, hiring, and other institutional activities, while banning the use of proxies or indirect means to achieve racial balancing. Educational institutions are required to ensure policy compliance, stop using race-based proxies, and cease using third parties to circumvent prohibitions. The Department warns of potential federal funding loss for non-compliance and indicates enforcement will begin within 14 days of issuance.
AIDS Vaccine Coalition and the Journalism Development Network, Inc., Public Ctiizen, sued the State Department, USAID, Secretary Rubio, OMB, OMB Director Russ Vought, and President Trump for the actions taken the dismantle USAID and foreign aid freeze. The plaintiffs argue that the aid freeze and stop work order violate the separation of powers, the Take Care Clause, and the Administrative Procedures Act.
The National Treasury Employees Union sued acting CFPB Director Russ Vought over the access granted to DOGE-affiliated employees of employee's personal data. The suit alleges violations of the Privacy Act and request that the court enjoin the CFPB from granting this access to members of DOGE.
The National Treasury Employees Union sued acting CFPB Director Russ Vought over his stop work order for CFPB employees and actions to dismantle CFPB. The plaintiffs allege that the actions violate separation of power and ask that Vought be enjoined from further attempts to halt CFPB's work.
The attorneys general of New York, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin sued President Trump, the Treasury Department, and Treasury Secretary Bessent over DOGE's access to the Department of Treasury. Plaintiffs are requesting the court grant a temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctions preventing non-Treasury employees from haining access to to any Treasury Department payment systems or data systems at Treasury.
The Government Accountability Project and National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, represented by Protect Democracy, sued the Office of Personnel Management and President Trump over his executive order aimed to redesignate thousands of civil servants to make them easier to fire at will. The suit alleges the order violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the CSRA, 5 U.S.C. §§ 2302, 7511, is in Excess of Delegated Authority, and the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.
The American Foreign Service and the American Federation of Government Employees, represented by Public Citizen and Democracy Forward, sued President Trump, the State Department, USAID, Secretary of State Rubio, and Secretary of Treasury Bessent. The plaintiffs are seeking injuctive relief for the actions taken by the Trump administration to dismantle USAID, including the stop work order and laying off USAID contractors. The suit allege these actions violate the seperation of powers, the Take Care Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
23,000 federal prison workers will face pay cuts up to 25% starting March 23, 2025 as the Bureau of Prisons reduces or eliminates retention incentives due to budget constraints while operating under a continuing resolution. The decision affects more than half of the BOP workforce and has already prompted staff concerns about potential resignations from already understaffed facilities.
7 current transgender service members, 1 prospective transgender servicemember and the Gender Justice League, represented by Lambda Legal Defense and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, sued President Trump and the Department of Defense over his executive order banning transgender service members from the military. The suit alleges the ban violates the Equal Protection Clause, the First Amendment, and procedural due process and requests that the court enjoin the defendants from implementing the ban.
Multiple federal government employee unions, represented by Democracy Forward, sued the Department of Labor, U.S. Digital Service (U.S. DOGE Service), and U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization over DOGE's expected attempt to access "highly sensitive data" at the Department of Labor.
DOGE employees were instructed to stop using Slack while the agency transitions from being under the Office of Management and Budget to the Executive Office of the President, a move that would make its records not subject to the Freedom of Information Act until years after a president leaves office. This organizational shift, directed under Elon Musk's leadership, has raised concerns among government experts who argue that DOGE's cross-agency activities extend beyond presidential advisory functions and should remain subject to transparency laws.
The article from The Hill covers various political developments including Trump's imposition of 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% on China, which sparked international tensions with China filing a WTO lawsuit in response. It also discusses controversy surrounding Trump's comments linking DEI practices to a plane crash near Reagan National Airport, with various lawmakers either defending or criticizing these remarks, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy maintained that the U.S. has "the safest airspace in the world" despite recent incidents.
The USPS announced a temporary suspension of international package acceptance from China and Hong Kong Posts effective February 4, 2025, though letters and flats would not be affected. However, as of February 5, 2025, the Postal Service updated its policy to continue accepting all international inbound mail and packages from China and Hong Kong Posts, as USPS and Customs and Border Protection work together to implement an efficient collection mechanism for new China tariffs.
9 current FBI agents/employees sued the Department of Justice over President Trump's order to remove FBI personnel who participated in the Jan. 6 investifations and/or the investigations of President Donald Trump. The suit alleges the order violates the Civil Service Reform Act 5 U.S.C. §§2301 and 2303.
The FBI Agents Association, John Does 1-4, and Jane Does 1-3 sued the Department of Justice over President Trump's order for FBI agents to fill out a questionnaire on their work regarding the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and potentially fire agents and employees involed with the investigations. The suit alleges the order would violate the Privacy Act, the Administrative Procedures Act, the Mandamus under 28 U.S.C. § 1361, the First Amendment, and Due Process.
Democrats have introduced the "Stop the Steal Act" to counter what they view as illegal interference by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency in federal agencies, particularly after Musk affiliates attempted to access sensitive information at USAID and Treasury Department. Republicans defend the administration's actions as legitimate reviews of government spending, while Democrats accuse Musk and Trump of operating a "shadow government" that bypasses congressional authority.
El Salvador has agreed to house violent US criminals and deportees of any nationality in an unprecedented deal announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after meeting with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. The agreement includes accepting Salvadoran deportees who illegally entered the US, receiving criminal deportees of any nationality, and housing dangerous American criminals in El Salvador's prisons in exchange for a fee.
3 immigrant advocacy organizations sued President Trump, DHS, the State Department, Department of Justice, and ICE with the assistance of the ACLU over the executive order, "Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion." The suit alleges that the order violates the asylum statute, the removal statute, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the separation of powers.
President Donald Trump appointed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, who immediately halted all agency operations including regulations, investigations, and communications pending review. The move signals a potential major shift for the consumer watchdog agency, which was established after the 2008 financial crisis and had been aggressively overseeing financial practices under its previous director Rohit Chopra, who Trump fired before his term ended.
Congressional Democrats, including Senators Van Hollen and Schatz and Representatives Raskin and Connolly, were denied entry to the USAID headquarters during a protest against Trump's reported move to shut down the agency and deny staff entry to the building. The lawmakers were told the office was closed and employees were instructed to telework, with a similar incident occurring days later when Democratic lawmakers were also blocked from entering the EPA headquarters.
Elon Musk's team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has gained access to the Treasury's payment system after David Lebryk, the Fiscal Assistant Secretary since 2014, was put on administrative leave for refusing to grant this access. The article warns this represents an unprecedented constitutional crisis as it could potentially allow the Trump administration to control federal payments, bypass agency cooperation, and impound funds contrary to congressional appropriations.
Democratic Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii has announced he will place a "blanket hold" on all Trump State Department nominees until the administration ends its attack on USAID, which Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency is attempting to close despite its existence being codified in federal law. This move threatens to stall Trump's foreign policy team appointments as DOGE staffers have forced their way into USAID headquarters, gaining access to classified information and closing the building to employees.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he had taken over as acting administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency that had functioned independently for over 60 years, amid drastic changes including suspended officials and hundreds of employees locked out of systems. This takeover, part of the Trump administration's efforts to reduce government spending led by Elon Musk, has sparked protests from USAID employees and criticism from Democrats who argue the shutdown is illegal since Congress created and continues to fund the agency.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has empowered Pete Marocco to run USAID and review all of its work, with potential plans to suspend or eliminate programs as part of the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the agency. USAID employees were ordered to work remotely after Elon Musk announced that he and President Trump were in the process of shutting down the agency, which has been the U.S. government's main international humanitarian and development arm since 1961.
The State Department has fired about 60 contractors from its democracy, human rights and labor bureau, severely impacting programs focused on promoting democratic practices in authoritarian states like China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela and Cuba. The dismissals follow President Trump's executive order suspending foreign aid programs and mirror similar workforce reductions at USAID, despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio's previous support for human rights initiatives.
President Donald Trump announced a one-month pause on the 25% tariff for Mexican imports after Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to deploy 10,000 soldiers to their northern border to prevent drug trafficking and migration into the United States. The pause was announced two days after Trump had imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, as well as a 10% tariff on Chinese imports.
U.S. President Donald Trump paused planned 25% tariffs on Canadian goods for 30 days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to enhancing border security measures, including appointing a fentanyl czar and designating Mexican cartels as terrorists under Canadian law. The temporary ceasefire in the trade dispute came after Trudeau promised to implement a $1.3 billion border security plan with 10,000 front-line personnel and establish a joint strike force to combat organized crime, while Trump indicated he's still seeking a "final economic deal" with Canada.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk under President Trump's administration, has gained access to sensitive Treasury data including Social Security and Medicare payment systems, raising concerns about potential interference with federal payments. Senator Ron Wyden expressed alarm that this access could lead to illegal withholding of program payments, while Musk claimed on social media that Treasury payment approval officers "were instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups."
The Washington Post article reports that David A. Lebryk, a top Treasury career official, announced his retirement after a dispute with Elon Musk's allies over access to sensitive government payment systems that disburse trillions of dollars annually. Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) representatives had been requesting access to these systems since after the election, reflecting an intensifying power struggle between Musk and the federal bureaucracy in the early days of Trump's second administration.
Two top security officials at USAID were placed on administrative leave after refusing to allow Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) personnel access to agency systems, despite threats to call law enforcement. DOGE personnel attempted to access USAID headquarters in Washington, DC, seeking entry to security systems, personnel files, and classified information, amid growing concerns that the Trump administration is intentionally dismantling the agency.
Marisa Kabas describes a series of actions taken by Elon Musk and the Trump administration in early February 2025, including taking control of federal payment systems, locking out career civil servants from computer systems, and implementing various restrictions related to diversity and inclusion initiatives. The article characterizes these developments as an "administrative coup" with Musk effectively controlling government operations through his position as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada will impose 25% retaliatory tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods in response to President Donald Trump's imposition of 25% tariffs on virtually all Canadian goods. The trade war, which Trump justified as a response to Canada's alleged failure to address drug and migrant issues, threatens to severely impact both economies despite data showing minimal fentanyl seizures at the northern border compared to the southwestern one.
January 2025
The USDA directed agency officials to review and remove climate change content from public websites, instructing web managers to identify, archive, or unpublish materials by a Friday deadline. The directive, which followed President Trump's executive orders reversing climate policies, required staff to categorize content into three tiers of urgency based on how prominently climate change was featured.
A U.S. judge temporarily blocked federal prison officials from transferring a transgender woman to a men's facility and denying her access to gender-affirming care in accordance with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The temporary restraining order was issued by U.S. District Judge George O'Toole in Boston on January 30, 2025, in what appears to be the first lawsuit challenging Trump's executive order that directed the federal government to recognize only two biological sexes and house transgender women in men's prisons.
Trump's blanket pardons for January 6 Capitol riot participants included dozens of individuals with extensive criminal histories, including convictions for rape, sexual abuse of minors, domestic violence, manslaughter, and production of child sexual abuse material. While Trump claimed individual case review would be "cumbersome" and sentences were excessive, his pardons only applied to Capitol riot-related charges, leaving many defendants still facing unrelated criminal proceedings. Notable examples include Theodore Middendorf (convicted of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old), Peter Schwartz (38 prior convictions including domestic violence), David Daniel (facing child pornography charges), and others with histories of violent crimes. Some pardoned individuals, like Matthew Huttle (who had abused his 3-year-old son), continued their criminal behavior after January 6, with Huttle being fatally shot by law enforcement shortly after receiving his pardon.
President Trump has issued an executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and is exploring the creation of an alternative international health structure. The authors of the BMJ article argue that such a parallel structure would be dangerous, causing duplication of efforts, coordination challenges between countries, and ultimately weakening global responses to health challenges.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, represented by Democracy Foward, sued President Trump and the Office of Personnel Management, over his attempt to repeal a regulation that protects civil servants. The suit alleges OPM violated the Administrative Procedure Act and all defendats violation 5 U.S.C. § 553 and requests the court enjoin the Trump administration from enacting Schedule F without complying with the APA.
This happened while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.
The document is a legal notice filed by defendants in a case challenging an Office of Management and Budget memorandum that temporarily paused federal financial assistance programs. It informs the court that OMB rescinded the challenged memorandum (M-25-13) on January 29, 2025, arguing this renders the plaintiffs' claims moot and eliminates the need for emergency relief.
6 current transgender service members and 2 prospective members sued President Trump, seeking injuctive relief against the implementation of this order. The suit alleges the order violates the Equal Protection section of the 5th Amendment of the Constitution.
A federal court granted a temporary restraining order requiring CDC, FDA, and HHS to restore health-related webpages and datasets that were removed on January 31, 2025 in response to a Trump executive order, finding that medical providers face irreparable harm from loss of critical clinical resources.
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility sued President Trump and the Office of Personnel Management, alleging that the renewed Schedule F executive order reinstates a spoils system in the civil service, one "untethered from merit." Plaintiffs argue that the Schedule F order discards civil servant protections requested by previous executives, enacted by Congress, and accepted by all three branches of government.
A federal judge in D.C. temporarily blocked the Trump administration's freeze on federal spending just before it was set to take effect, following legal challenges from nonprofit organizations and attorneys general from 22 states and D.C. who argued the freeze violated federal law, the Constitution's separation of powers, and targeted recipients based on political views.
This lawsuit, filed by 23 states and the District of Columbia, seeks to block a January 27, 2025 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directive that orders an immediate pause on "all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance" while agencies review their programs for consistency with new executive orders. The states argue this directive is illegal, unconstitutional, and will cause immediate devastating harm by freezing billions in critical federal funding that states rely on for healthcare, education, law enforcement, infrastructure, and other essential services. The suit claims the directive violates the Administrative Procedure Act, separation of powers, Spending Clause, and other constitutional provisions by unilaterally withholding congressionally appropriated funds without authority.
A group of Quaker meetings sued DHS to prevent the new policy that allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement to conduct immigration enforcement inside of houses of worship and religious gatherings. The plantiffs allege that the policy undermines their constitutionaly granted religious freedom.
This memorandum from the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget institutes a temporary pause on federal financial assistance programs, requiring agencies to review all grants, loans, and other funding to ensure alignment with President Trump's priorities. The directive aims to redirect federal spending away from programs related to "Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering" toward administration goals including strengthening America, eliminating inflation, unleashing energy production, ending "wokeness," and promoting government efficiency.
This memorandum from the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget requires federal agencies to temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of federal financial assistance programs, effective January 28, 2025, while conducting a comprehensive review to ensure alignment with President Trump's executive orders and priorities. The directive specifically targets programs related to foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, gender ideology, and environmental initiatives, requiring agencies to submit detailed information by February 10, 2025, for OMB review before resuming activities.
This class action lawsuit against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) alleges that OPM illegally deployed an email server to collect federal employee data without conducting required Privacy Impact Assessments. According to the complaint, OPM sent "test" emails to federal employees in January 2025 requesting responses, potentially as part of an effort to compile employee lists. The plaintiffs seek an injunction to stop OPM from collecting any employee information until proper privacy assessments are completed.
U.S. public health officials have been ordered to immediately cease all collaborations with the World Health Organization following a CDC memo, despite expectations of a gradual withdrawal process after President Trump's executive order. The sudden stoppage impacts critical global health initiatives including investigations of Marburg virus and mpox outbreaks in Africa, while simultaneously the administration has frozen spending on PEPFAR, the anti-HIV program credited with saving 25 million lives.
This memorandum from the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget announces a temporary pause on federal financial assistance programs to align with President Trump's priorities, requiring agencies to review all grants, loans, and other financial assistance to ensure they support administration goals like ending "wokeness," promoting efficiency, and eliminating programs related to "Marxist equity" and "green new deal social engineering." The pause takes effect January 28, 2025, and requires agencies to submit detailed information by February 10 about affected programs, with exceptions granted only on a case-by-case basis by OMB.
The order is being challenged in court by Maria Moe, a transgender woman currently housed in a women's federal prison, who argues the order violates her constitutional rights, the Rehabilitation Act, and administrative law by putting her at risk of serious harm and denying necessary medical care.
Donald Trump announced retaliatory measures against Colombia after President Gustavo Petro allegedly refused to allow repatriation flights carrying "Illegal Criminals" to land. These measures include emergency tariffs on Colombian goods, travel bans on government officials, visa sanctions, enhanced inspections of Colombian nationals and cargo, and financial sanctions.
([Petro enfrenta Trump e vence primeira queda de braço. Americano recuou](https://pensarpiaui.com/noticias/petro-enfrenta-trump-e-vence-primeira-queda-de-braco-americano-recuou/38554)). President Petro would not agree to have the Colombian nationals treated like prizoners on a U.S. military transport plane. He successfully negotiated for them to be transported on his presidential plane. This was a battle Trump ultimately lost.
4 Chicago-based immigrant advocacy organizations sued the Trump administration over its plans to conduct immigration enforcement in Chicago, a sanctuary city. The suit alleges that the "federal government’s plan to use Chicago-based immigration raids to quash the Sanctuary City Movement is a clear and obvious violation of the First Amendment." It also alleges a violation of the Administrative Procedures Act.
The Trump administration's Interior Department said on Friday, January 24, 2025 that it had officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and the Alaskan peak Denali to Mount McKinley.
The ACLU filed a lawsuit against the Trump adminsitration on behalf of Make the Road, a immigrant advocacy organization. The suit seeks to enjoin DHS's new rule on expedited removal and cites violations of the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
Public Citizen, State Democracy Defenders Fund, and the American Federation of Government Employees sued President Trump and the OMB to esure the Department of Government Efficiency complies with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
The Center for Biological Diversity sued OMB to compel it to release records of its communitcations with the Department of Government Efficiency under the Freedom of Information Act.
The National Treasury Employees Union challenged the Schedule F Executive Order on several grounds. It claims that the order exceeds statutory authority, unlawfully purports to apply to career officials, violates federal employees’ due process rights, and violates the Administrative Procedure Act.
December 2024
The article reports that Mike Whitaker, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, announced his resignation effective January 20, 2025, allowing President-elect Donald Trump to appoint his successor. Whitaker, who had led tougher enforcement against Boeing following a door panel blowout incident in January, had served since October 2023 but is stepping down before completing his five-year term.