A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), finding that Elon Musk’s actions likely violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause. The ruling requires the restoration of employee access to USAID systems, effectively blocking further agency cuts, though it may not fully reinstate the agency or all dismissed employees. The judge determined that Musk’s control over DOGE and his actions, including statements about eliminating USAID, constitute unconstitutional overreach of power. This decision marks a significant legal victory against DOGE’s actions, which the Trump administration defended as necessary to root out waste, fraud, and abuse.
Read More
Despite a reversal of funding cuts, crucial cleanup efforts in Vietnam remain stalled due to unpaid contractors and absent USAID oversight. This inaction stems from the Trump-Musk administration’s drastic cuts to foreign aid, jeopardizing efforts to remediate dioxin contamination—a legacy of U.S. military actions during the Vietnam War. The failure to address this environmental and public health crisis undermines America’s international standing and responsibility. The contractors are now facing mounting costs to secure the area themselves before heavy rains arrive.
Read More
The Trump administration forcibly removed the leadership of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), a congressionally chartered, nonpartisan organization, replacing its president and CEO with a new acting president. This action, following a February executive order, involved dismissing most board members and deploying personnel from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to seize control of the USIP headquarters despite protests of its independent status. The ousted president vowed legal action, citing the illegal takeover of a non-federal building. The White House justified the actions as necessary to enforce presidential authority and ensure agency accountability.
Read More
A new Quinnipiac University poll reveals widespread disapproval of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with 60% of registered voters disapproving of its handling of federal employee job cuts. A majority (54%) believe DOGE is causing more harm than good, while only 36% support Musk’s actions. This discontent coincides with low approval ratings for President Trump’s handling of the economy and the Ukraine war. DOGE’s job cuts, projected to reach 300,000, are significantly larger than previous major layoff events and have prompted internal conflict within the Trump administration.
Read More
Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards’ Asheville town hall was disrupted by constituents overwhelmingly focused on the impact of DOGE, a controversial initiative resulting in widespread federal job losses. The angry crowd, many of whom were former or current federal employees, drowned out Edwards’ attempts to speak, voicing concerns about DOGE’s effects on local communities and the broader economy. This event highlights the growing public anger surrounding DOGE and its consequences, particularly among those directly affected by job cuts and budget reductions. Despite the tumultuous atmosphere, Edwards plans to continue holding town halls, seemingly unfazed by the overwhelmingly negative reception.
Read More
Judge Alsup condemned the Trump administration’s refusal to present OPM director Chad Ezell for questioning and its characterization of employee firings as performance-based, calling it a deceptive tactic. The administration, aided by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), dismissed at least 30,000 employees, disproportionately targeting probationary workers. While some dismissed employees have been reinstated, the majority remain unemployed. Alsup’s criticism highlights the questionable nature of these dismissals.
Read More
Despite Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claiming $105 billion in savings, February’s federal spending reached a record $603 billion, a 7% increase year-over-year. While some departments saw spending reductions, increases in areas like health and Social Security offset these gains. Critics argue that DOGE’s impact is negligible compared to the overall budget, and that more drastic measures are needed to address the soaring national debt. The House recently passed a stopgap funding bill with minor spending adjustments, leaving the long-term fiscal outlook uncertain.
Read More
A federal judge has ordered Elon Musk to release documents revealing the identities of staff and internal records related to his “department of government efficiency,” Doge. This order stems from a lawsuit alleging Musk unconstitutionally exercised powers reserved for Senate-confirmed officials. The judge ruled that the requested documents are necessary to determine the scope of Doge’s authority and whether its actions should be halted. The ruling follows a separate decision ordering Doge to release documents to a watchdog group due to its “unprecedented” power and secrecy. The White House’s attempts to shield Musk’s activities through claims of executive privilege were rejected.
Read More
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers attempted to pressure the Bureau of Reclamation into activating a California water pump system, falsely claiming President Trump’s directive, despite the system’s inability to reach wildfire-stricken Los Angeles. Undeterred, staffers Tyler Hassen and Bryton Shang traveled to California to personally operate the pumps, but were unsuccessful due to power outages and Shang’s lack of official employee status. Following this, Trump ordered the release of water from Southern California dams, causing concerns among farmers. The White House claims the actions aimed to prevent future tragedies, though experts dispute any link between water shortages and the wildfires.
Read More
A heated argument erupted between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Elon Musk during a Cabinet meeting, reportedly stemming from Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) controversial job cuts. Rubio criticized Musk’s actions, citing the State Department’s own workforce reductions through early buyouts. Musk countered with accusations against Rubio, leading to an intervention by President Trump who ultimately reaffirmed the Cabinet’s authority over firings. Despite the clash, all parties involved publicly characterized the meeting as productive. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding DOGE’s cost-cutting measures, which have faced legal challenges.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker