Trump’s Day One: A Bold Agenda to Reclaim America

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Willowarborposted 6 weeks ago
ACLU files lawsuit challenging Trump's move to close U.S. asylum system...

"Trump effectively paused U.S. asylum law, which has required American immigration officials to at least interview people who say they fear being persecuted if deported"

The ACLU says the proclamation is an unprecedented attempt to eliminate the entire asylum system created by Congress to protect desperate people fleeing grave persecution,"

Trump has continued to describe the southern border as in "crisis" and facing an "invasion," illegal crossings there have been at the lowest level in years."

I am fairly certain that the courts will affirm that this type of action belongs solely with Congress.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-asylum-aclu-lawsuit/
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Sharlee01posted 6 weeks ago
How fast Was that!Woooooo

US begins flying migrants to Guantanamo Bay
President Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to prepare the facility to hold around 30,000 'criminal illegal aliens'

The Trump administration has begun flying detained illegal migrants from the U.S. to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Tuesday.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump's plan was being put into action just a few days after he announced that 30,000 people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody would be held at the base in Cuba. The move comes as ICE ramps up its enforcement efforts across the country, seeking to deliver on the president's promise of mass deportations and tougher border security. Guantanamo Bay is most famous for its military prison, established after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

While Leavitt announced flights would begin, she did not state how many immigrants would be flown to the Migrant Operations Center (MOC) at the complex. The Wall Street Journal reported that one of the first planes carried around a dozen migrants.

President Trump, Pete Hegseth and Kristi Noem are already delivering on this promise to utilize that capacity at Gitmo for illegal criminals who have broken our nation's immigration laws and then have further committed heinous crimes against lawful American citizens here at home."

In January 2025, President Donald Trump directed the expansion of the Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to accommodate up to 30,000 migrants.
WHITEHOUSE.GOV

This facility is managed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), separate from the high-security military prison operated by JTF-GTMO.
EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

While Colonel Kane oversees the detention operations at Guantanamo Bay, the specific leadership of the Migrant Operations Center has not been publicly disclosed.

As of February 2025, the Guantanamo Bay detention facility is under the command of Colonel Steven Kane, USA, who leads Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO).
EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

In January 2025, President Donald Trump directed the expansion of the Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to accommodate up to 30,000 migrants.
WHITEHOUSE.GOV

This facility is managed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), separate from the high-security military prison operated by JTF-GTMO.

While Colonel Kane oversees the detention operations at Guantanamo Bay, the specific leadership of the Migrant Operations Center has not been publicly disclosed.
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Miebakagh57posted 6 weeks ago
I'm glad Trump made good his promise. These illegal immigrants, who camd to the USA and further commit high crimes, should have learnt a lesson or two...but still commiting crimes, are not worth staying in their country or America. The biden Administration, is not right in welcoming such illegal immgrant. Screening them is what is to be done. Would these misfits country welcome American drug, child, and sexual traffikas? Trump, should be applaud for what he did. And let justice be temper with mercy. Hope those criminals wil learn a new chapter from Guata Bay (prison).
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Readmikenowposted 5 weeks ago
It appears that President Donald Trump is inspiring a future generation of soldiers.

"Army recruiting shatters records after President Trump election win
'America’s youth want to serve under bold & strong leadership,' Sec. Hegseth says"

The U.S. Army recently announced it shattered previous recruiting records, with December 2024 being the most productive December in 15 years.

The branch reported it enlisted nearly 350 soldiers every day that month, Army officials announced Tuesday on social media.

"Our Recruiters have one of the toughest jobs – inspiring the next generation of #Soldiers to serve. Congratulations and keep up the great work! #BAYCB," Army recruiting officials wrote in a post on X.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth took to X to share the news.

"BOTTOM LINE: America’s youth want to serve under the bold & strong "America First" leadership of [President Donald Trump] @realDonaldTrump."

https://www.foxnews.com/us/army-recruit … auguration

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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Wonderful news!
  
  This surge in Army recruitment following President Trump’s election win is a testament to the power of strong leadership and a renewed sense of patriotism. The fact that December 2024 marked the most successful recruiting month in 15 years shows that young Americans are motivated to serve under a commander-in-chief who prioritizes national strength and security. Trump’s "America First" approach appears to be resonating deeply with those who are willing to dedicate themselves to protecting the country.
  
  It’s also a reminder that leadership matters. When young people see a leader who exudes confidence, decisiveness, and a commitment to the military, it naturally inspires them to take action. The Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, highlighted this sentiment perfectly, stating that America’s youth are eager to serve under bold and strong leadership. This increase in enlistment could signal a shift in national morale—one where service to the country is once again seen as honorable and essential.
  
  At a time when military recruitment has been struggling, this turnaround is significant. It reinforces the idea that people want to serve when they believe in the mission and the leadership guiding them. With Trump back at the helm, it seems that faith in the U.S. military’s direction has been restored, and that can only mean good things for the strength and readiness of our armed forces.
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Its a testament that men want to be men as well... not praised for the dresses they wear or how tolerant they can be of insane people.
  
  Men that want to challenge themselves and 'be all they can be' have no interest in being in a military that waters down the selection process so that the weakest and meekest amongst us can qualify to be in the service, especially combat arms.
  
  Doubt they will be producing any Drag-Queen military ads during Trump's Administration.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I can see that Trump is working towards rebuilding our military into one focused on defending our nation, rather than one whose mission is centered around supporting specific gender preferences.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  "Doubt they will be producing any Drag-Queen military ads during Trump's Administration."
  
  Did I miss this? Did the former administration produce such ads?Can you link the ad? Specifically from one of the armed forces?
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  Readmikenowposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Yeah, you missed it.
  
  US Navy hires active-duty drag queen to be face of recruitment drive
  
  The US Navy invited an active-duty drag queen to be a “Digital Ambassador” – as part of a recent drive “to attract the most talented and diverse workforce” and combat plunging recruitment.
  
  Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, who identifies as non-binary, was appointed as the first of five Navy Digital Ambassadors in a pilot program that ran from October to March.
  
  Kelley, whose stage name is Harpy Daniels, has shared their journey on TikTok and Instagram, where they described how they began performing onboard and became an “advocate” for people who “were oppressed for years in the service.”
  
  “From joining to 2016 and being able to share my drag experience on my off time with my fellow sailors has been a blessing,” Kelley wrote on Instagram in November when announcing their appointment as a digital ambassador to their more than 8,000 followers.
  
  https://nypost.com/2023/05/03/us-navy-a … mbassador/
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  Readmikenowposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I have friends who have kids in the Army, it is unbelievable what has been done to it under biden. Almost unrecognizable from when I served. It is shocking to me what has been done to the Officer Corp. I pray they get the discipline and standards together before we have to face anyone in a conflict. Right now, I would be very worried. Things must and will change.
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Its more of a reflection of our society than it should be...
  
  It is a place where they often push for the first time things like acceptance of Trans and Drag... they can force it on people who are forced to take orders or have their lives ruined.
  
  I recall when they had people from outside the Army with their clipboards taking notes as they meandered through various training, at Ft Benning, like Ranger School...
  
  Of course, they continued to modify the training, requirements, etc. until it was possible to take someone that couldn't make it thru regular basic training thirty years ago make it thru Ranger School today.
  
  Anyone who says they did not is unaware of the correct facts.
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  Readmikenowposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  It's unreal. The standards for infantry soldiers is so low. I don't know if our current front line soldiers will have the stamina or weapons knowledge to be able to carry out necessary missions.
  
  It does worry me. When bad things start to happen because of this I'm sure the left will believe they are blameless.
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Let me rewind a few years back... here are some perspectives:
  
  "These females were hand picked, removed from their units, and were trained specifically for Ranger School for a year, an opportunity not provided to males, and yet they still failed miserably.
  138 females were picked and trained for this experiment and only 3 out of the 138 "passed" after recycling every phase at least once.
  Now, because of this social justice experiment, females are allowed in all direct action combat job"
  
  ---
  
  "This whole situation was a cluster. Pushed hard on the RI’s to make it happen. I spoke with some of the RI’s that were walking lanes with these particular classes a couple years ago when this was being pushed and though they couldn’t speak publicly to it, the standards were not nearly met or even between male/female students.
  
  The females were given more chances at recycle than any male students were ever allowed and still quit after being offered another, non-standard recycle with time off, they straight up said no more, I quit. the pressure was high to give Go’s even when they weren’t earned. One of my buddies was even removed from walking lanes because he wouldn’t go along with the double standard and had some choice words for his command.
  
  It was being watched closely by politicians just like the GI Jane movie and pressure put on lifer O’s to make it happen or else.
  
  As an aside, I wish they’d just change the name of it to senior leaders patrol course or something. The school itself has nothing to do with 75th Ranger Regiment, no affiliation whatsoever, it’s a TRADOC advanced patrolling course that most PFC’s in Regiment could run if they needed to, no more, no less.
  
  Not taking away from its difficulty by any means, they call it the suck for a reason, but Ranger School v RIP/RASP are two completely different animals.
  
  Do I think some females could make it through if the standards were maintained the same (M v F) at The Blue Book level? Sure I think a few could make it, and good for them, respect, but we’ll never know because they lower the standards to fit their agenda of social experiment and self empowerment to prove a point, ironically."
  
  ---
  
  Ah well, whatever the truth, thats one of them doors that once opened can't be shut... not in our lifetimes, or our culture... so get used to it.
  
  My 2 cents on it is simple, even if the standards weren't changed...
  They were selectively enforced.
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  Readmikenowposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  "even if the standards weren't changed...
  They were selectively enforced"
  
  You are absolutely correct. One of the many problems are how females who want combat roles are given chances and opportunities not offered their male counterparts. I understand that jump school now requires a specific number of women to men ratio.
  
  If you went to jump school you know what the "gig pit" is and I understand there is a an alternative to this for females in jump school.
  
  How can anybody have this happen in the Army and believe there is going to be cohesiveness in deployed units?
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  Credence2posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Should the standards for qualification to be an army ranger or Navy Seal be reduced to just accommodate women? No
  
  But that standard cannot be one where any and all are excluded if not anatomically male.
  
  Why do conservatives consistently overlook the subtle nuances of life?
  
  The performance standards need to be relevant to what can be expected on the actual job.
  
  Out of 100 applicants maybe only 2 women can qualify, but they are not being excluded solely because they are women.
  
  A simple concept of fairness. How does these principles always seem to allude the right wing types?
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  Readmikenowposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  "But that standard cannot be one where any and all are excluded if not anatomically male"
  
  One standard and if females can make it fine if not that's okay too.
  
  Let me ask you. During a firefight you get wounded and are semi-conscious. Would you want a female, who couldn't pass the physical standards, be responsible for dragging you out of harms way? Would you want a female who couldn't pass the physical standards not be able to carry all the necessary equipment into a hot zone and YOU would have to have even more equipment in addition to your required equipment to accommodate. Should other troops experience even more exhaustion because a female who couldn't pass the physical standards couldn't do what a male soldier can do?
  
  When things get real I bet you want someone who has your same physical abilities next to you. If you don't, trust me, you're a fool.
  
  Tell me how you would respond to having such an experience.
  
  I've trained with female troops. Such accommodations are very dangerous when facing a determined enemy.
  
  This is a reality of life.
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  Credence2posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Here is another aspect of reality for you to ponder
  
  Let me ask you. During a firefight you get wounded and are semi-conscious. Would you want a female, who couldn't pass the physical standards, be responsible for dragging you out of harms way? Would you want a female who couldn't pass the physical standards not be able to carry all the necessary equipment into a hot zone and YOU would have to have even more equipment in addition to your required equipment to accommodate. Should other troops experience even more exhaustion because a female who couldn't pass the physical standards couldn't do what a male soldier can do?
  ----------
  You know something, I wouldn't want a male or female in your contrived situation who could not pass physical standards.
  
  Is there a difference between your argument and mine? I did not say anything about "accommodating"
  
  There may be 1 in 200 women who could pass, while 1 in 20 guys can. There are differences in physical strength between men and women generally we know that, but it is not absolute.
  
  So,why discriminate using anything other than the standards and ones ability to meet them be it male or female?
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  Readmikenowposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  As I said, "One standard and if females can make it fine if not that's okay too."
  
  Guys fail all the time in the Army. Some don't make it through jump school, some don't make it through infantry training or advanced training. There are standards they couldn't meet.
  
  I agree, NO accommodations should be made because a female wears the uniform. It's too important to maintaining a motivated military force.
  
  In boot camp women have a different set of physical standards than men. It's because they are not as strong. So, that's okay. My problem is when you get into training in the combat arms MOS. Then, is when the standard s must me met by all.
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  wildernessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  "Why do conservatives consistently overlook the subtle nuances of life?"
  
  They don't. Why do liberals consistently make up connections that were never there? Understanding that statistics and numbers can (and are) used to prove anything at all, why do liberals use that to "prove" the racism, sexism, discrimination they so desperately need to find?
  
  It's like saying that our efforts to close the border are racist because the vast majority of law breakers there are Hispanic. They are, but it has exactly zero to do with closing the border and is NOT a reason to leave it open.
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  Credence2posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  They don't. Why do liberals consistently make up connections that were never there? Understanding that statistics and numbers can (and are) used to prove anything at all, why do liberals use that to "prove" the racism, sexism, discrimination they so desperately need to find?
  -----------
  You want to know why, Wilderness, because objectively acquired data is infinitely more reliable than your "opinion" or life experiences or mine.
  
  Liberals are as desperate to find racism, sexism and discrimination as conservatives are to ignore it. Are you any better?
  
  Your last paragraph has nothing to do with point that I am trying to make.
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  "Should the standards for qualification to be an army ranger or Navy Seal be reduced to just accommodate women? No
  
  But that standard cannot be one where any and all are excluded if not anatomically male."
  
  Why not?
  
  If standards are raised so that only 5% of men and practically speaking 0% of women can qualify... why not?
  
  This is about combat... not about feelings... not about equality... its about creating the most elite teams to do the job... and ultimately that job is to go in and kill the enemy.
  
  Anything that takes away from getting the BEST... and removing those that cannot meet the exceptionally high standards set... shouldn't be allowed.
  
  Political pressure and Ideology are the ONLY reason why there are any women with a Ranger qualification on their DD214.
  
  There are as many women in the world that could go straight-shot thru Ranger School as there are women who could make the NFL All-Pro team.
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  Credence2posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  What do you mean, why not?
  
  It was once said the Japanese or Blacks could not be fighter pilots based purely upon biased beliefs about their abilities. Your argument is not much more sophisticated than that.
  
  If the raising of the standards correlated with a better prepared soldier on the other end, fine. Ther may well be no women that could qualify under an enhanced standard, that is fine as well. But, they are not being eliminated BECAuSE they are women, but because the strength standard has not been met.
  
  -------
  There are as many women in the world that could go straight-shot thru Ranger School as there are women who could make the NFL All-Pro team
  
  But that does not say NONE.
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  NONE have ever done so.
  
  So NONE should have the designated qualifier.
  
  Politics and Ideology... its BS not reality.
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  Credence2posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  If NONE have ever qualified then its none. But fairness and equality is reality, a concept that seems to continually evade conservative reasoning.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  We will certainly need them right? Gaza, Panama, Greenland...
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Sharlee01posted 5 weeks ago
Promise kept

President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," which will prohibit transgender girls and women from participating in female sports events in schools and universities. This action aims to uphold the original intent of Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education, including athletics. The executive order is scheduled to be signed on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, aligning with the administration's focus on promoting fairness in women's sports.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Oh hooray. You know what affects more people?
  
  Whole lot of trump followers in there...and they're not happy. The culture war issues just aren't cutting it anymore
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Willowarborposted 5 weeks ago
So tell me about reclaiming America?

Little Marco made the following statement, seems like he forgot about the America First agenda?

“The billions of dollars that are going to be required for reconstruction are enormous. Some areas have been rendered unlivable now and for the foreseeable future. So what President Trump announced yesterday is the offer, the willingness, of the United States to become responsible for the reconstruction of that area,” Rubio said...

"What he's very generously has offered is the ability of the United States to go in and help with debris removal, help with munitions removal, help with reconstruction, the rebuilding homes and businesses and things of this nature so that then people can move back in,'' Rubio said.

So he is very clearly saying that Americans will go in and clean up Gaza.

White House mouthpiece, Leavit said Trump was ruling out sending U.S. dollars to aid in the reconstruction of Gaza....

Pure chaos. The MAGA faithful and it's leaders are all loudly questioning what happened to America first?

Or have y'all changed your mind on sticking our nose in every corner of the world and throwing around our money while we're at it? This time to build Gaz-A-Lago... I don't know, my town folk are awfully pissed about prices at the Waffle House

Biggest heist in history.
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  GA Andersonposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Or maybe the biggest 'push' in history?
  
  Another "What if?
  
  What if this 'offer' is so repugnant to the Middle East that it sparks new movement on possible solutions?
  
  It is understood that this is the current 'talking point' explanation/defense of the president's statements, but what if it works?
  
  GA
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I think you may have more faith in Trump or even his administration to think strategically. I tend to believe that Trump's first inclination is to enrich himself and his family. Jared Kushner has been talking about glamorous development of Gaza for years now. Netanyahu is more than a willing partner. There is an awful lot of money to be made.
  
  As far as new movement, the power brokers in the Middle East have made it clear that nothing besides a two-state solution will be acceptable to them. Not sure where I see new solutions. Maybe the Palestinians remain in some sort of barracks in a crowded corner to service the new resorts?? Lol
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  It's unfortunate that some individuals have never embraced a "glass half full" mindset. Such a perspective fosters optimism and openness to possibilities, which are essential for innovation and progress. Without it, we might still be relying on outdated technologies, like televisions with vacuum tubes, hindering advancements that enhance our daily lives.
  
  I think it's time we move beyond the same old approach to the Middle East. Sticking to the status quo isn't cutting it anymore. We need fresh ideas and open conversations to tackle the region's challenges and work towards lasting peace and stability. Continuing to repeat the same mistakes makes us look foolish and idiotic.
  
  Just my opinion --- I feel Trump is the guy to bring change to the Middle East.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Was that the mindset embraced by maga during the Biden administration? The glass half full? And openness to possibilities? I think that the scrutiny that Trump is under is equal to that which Biden was given by maga.
  
  As far as fresh ideas... The Middle East has blown the idea of Gaz-A-Lago out of the water. What's next? Bullying the rest of the Middle East?
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  GA Andersonposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  The concept of Press. Trump's 'Gaza plan' doesn't work for me. I don't see it as a realistic possibility. But, I can see it having a motivating effect on the other Middle East stakeholders.
  
  GA
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I think its a great idea... the Trump Taj Mahall of Gaza...
  Complete with a private golf course.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Just my view
  
  Ken, I believe Trump's approach is better than what history has shown us in the past, where Gaza has been rebuilt repeatedly, often every seven years or so, without lasting progress. Significant rebuilding efforts have been required multiple times, especially after major conflicts. For instance, after the 1948-1949 Arab-Israeli War, Gaza was heavily damaged, and the same was true after the 1956 Suez Crisis and the 1967 Six-Day War. In more recent history, Gaza endured widespread destruction during the Gaza Wars of 2008-2009, 2012, and 2014, as well as the 2021 conflict. Despite these extensive rebuilding efforts, the region continues to face ongoing challenges, and once again needs its city rebuilt.
  
  I don't see any fresh ideas being put forth, do you?
  
  Yeah, let's do it all once again--- that made a lot of sense. Soooo sensible. OMG, how ridiculous —no other word would suit my context.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Have you heard of the two state solution?
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  GA Andersonposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Yeah, the memes were out within minutes of his press announcement.
  
  .
  
  GA
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Now you are on the right track...
  
  Of course, the completely demolished states of Libya and Syria might feel left out, take it personally... ahhh, heck with it, just leave it a disaster area and move on to the next nation/region to destroy.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I think many Middle Eastern leaders might see this as a step toward bringing peace to their regions. Trump is meeting with several Middle Eastern leaders next week—who knows? Maybe they'll welcome his plan and want to be a part of it. Let’s not forget, he was the one who brought about the Abraham Accords.
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  Miebakagh57posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Sounds great. Great minds meeting over mundane issues and agreeing. God bless Trump, and the other Arab leaders.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Hi, my Friend--- I see we are both pulling for long-term peace--- as I believe Trump is.
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  Miebakagh57posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  You're welcome.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Everyone else in the Middle East is vehemently opposed...
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  At first, it had me shaking my head and thinking, "Oh no, he didn’t just say that." But then the idea started to grow on me. It’s such a simple solution—could it have the same impact on some Middle Eastern leaders? Maybe they’ll realize that peace in the region could be incredibly beneficial for everyone. Could it be possible that they’d want to see peace throughout the region, settle into more peaceful prosperous nations, and perhaps even earn respect from the rest of the world?
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Miebakagh57posted 5 weeks ago
Building Gaza is great. It's merits outweights its many demrits. International travel, using the Gaza route become safer. The Middle-East is a track of country in a boiling pot. Safety of life is a key factor in this area.
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Miebakagh57posted 5 weeks ago
Yes, its a great idea. But can bring some sort of peace in a frequently boiling area.
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IslandBitesposted 5 weeks ago
Bondi ends FBI effort to combat foreign influence in U.S. politics

The order also curbs prosecutions of Americans who improperly lobby for foreign nations. President Donald Trump says Republicans were unfairly targeted in the past.

In a little-noticed directive on her first day in office, Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered a halt to a years-old federal law enforcement effort to combat secret influence campaigns by China, Russia and other adversaries that try to curry favor and sow chaos in American politics.

Buried on the fourth page of one of 14 policy memos Bondi issued Wednesday, the order disbands the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force and pares back enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, despite years of warnings by U.S. intelligence agencies that foreign malign influence operations involving disinformation were a growing and dangerous threat.

It also states that criminal charges for violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires people to register when lobbying on behalf of a foreign nation, “shall be limited to instances of alleged conduct similar to more traditional espionage by foreign government actors.” The order adds that DOJ prosecutors instead “shall focus on civil enforcement, regulatory initiatives, and public guidance.”

A separate Bondi directive also disbanded efforts to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs, including Task Force Klepto Capture and the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Jut my view---
  
  Pam Bondi’s decision to disband the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force and limit criminal prosecutions under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) aligns with broader Republican concerns about government overreach and the politicization of federal law enforcement. For years, FARA has been selectively enforced, with high-profile cases disproportionately targeting Republicans, such as Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn, while Democrats engaging in similar foreign lobbying efforts have largely escaped scrutiny. For example, Democratic lobbyist Tony Podesta worked on behalf of foreign clients, including Ukraine-linked entities, without registering under FARA for years. While Manafort was prosecuted and convicted in part for similar violations, Podesta was not charged despite being involved in related lobbying efforts. Similarly, Hunter Biden’s extensive business dealings in Ukraine and China raised questions about potential FARA violations, yet he has faced no charges despite evidence that he leveraged his father’s political influence while working with foreign entities. Additionally, former Secretary of State John Kerry held diplomatic discussions with Iranian officials after leaving office, leading to accusations that he was engaging in foreign lobbying without proper registration. While Republicans argue that these actions should have triggered legal scrutiny under FARA, none of these individuals faced the kind of aggressive prosecution seen in cases involving conservatives.
  
  Bondi’s directive seeks to correct this imbalance by shifting enforcement away from criminal prosecutions—except in cases involving direct espionage by foreign governments—and toward civil penalties and regulatory oversight. This change reflects a belief that criminalizing unregistered lobbying has been used more as a political weapon than as a national security safeguard. Additionally, Bondi’s decision to end asset seizures targeting Russian oligarchs under Task Force KleptoCapture and the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative suggests a reassessment of federal priorities, potentially focusing more on domestic legal matters rather than broad financial crackdowns tied to geopolitical conflicts. Critics argue that these moves weaken protections against foreign influence, but Bondi’s stance is rooted in concerns about fairness, due process, and ensuring that the Department of Justice is not used as a tool for selective prosecution. Her actions reflect a shift toward prioritizing transparency and regulatory enforcement over aggressive criminal charges that have, in many cases, been applied
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Miebakagh57posted 5 weeks ago
The Trump Dream Team is ever a success.
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Sharlee01posted 5 weeks ago
A Bold Agenda to Reclaim America--- Just reverting back to OP subject

A federal judge on Friday declined to block the Labor Department from granting Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to confidential systems or from firing employees who refuse to hand over credentials.

U.S. District Judge John Bates ruled that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing, despite concerns about the sensitive nature of the data involved. “This data includes the medical and financial records of millions of Americans,” Bates wrote. “But on the current record, plaintiffs have failed to establish standing.” While acknowledging concerns about the defendants’ conduct, he denied the plaintiffs’ motion.

The lawsuit, filed by the AFL-CIO and several government employee unions, argues that granting DOGE access violates federal privacy laws and lacks legal authority. At a hearing earlier in the day, Bates questioned the qualifications of DOGE personnel, noting their lack of government experience and training in handling confidential information. “Doesn’t seem to me to be a setup that would very easily give me confidence that there will be no misadventure,” he remarked.

Although his ruling did not determine whether the access is unlawful, the plaintiffs plan to expand their lawsuit to include other agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. They are also considering challenging DOGE’s role in the Education Department but may defer to a separate lawsuit already filed by Public Citizen.

Mark Samburg, senior counsel at Democracy Forward, a left-leaning group representing the unions, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “The sensitive information of millions of people is currently at imminent risk of unlawful disclosure,” he warned, urging the court to act swiftly.
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  Readmikenowposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Shar,
  
  I keep thinking of the old adage of "If you want to make an omelet you have to break some eggs"
  
  If we want to get rid of the corruption and waste in government there are people that will try to protect it.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Well the problem is that these folks are claiming corruption and fraud without any proof...
  
  And Americans aren't making any omelets these days... Not at a dollar an egg.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Mike before I could almost finish my response to your comment--- Willow diverted. Hope you will drop me a comment on my reply. Yikes!
  
  Mike, Musk is breaking lots of eggs, and the Democrats are drowning in in them. They are running scared and should be, Musk is working quickly with precision. Every day his team is working 24/7. Savings are piling up, as is the leftist rhetoric. DOGE is kicking ass. And taking names ---
  
  Savings are posted almost daily.... https://x.com/doge?lang=en
  
  I suggest that anyone interested in seeing what DOGE is accomplishing check their X page. They provide clear transparency on their actions, the savings they've achieved, and where those savings come from. Much of what they post goes unreported by the media. If you need proof, take a moment to look for yourself. By the end of February, the total savings will likely be shocking to Americans. DOGE is making swift progress, having gone through numerous agencies that the media seems uninterested in covering.
  
  LOOKING FOR FACTS maybe look to the source,
  
  examples
  Department of Government Efficiency
  @DOGE
  ·
  Feb 7
  In the past 48 hours, HHS canceled 62 contract worth $182 million. These contracts were entirely for administrative expenses – none touched any healthcare programs. This included terminating a $168,000 contract for an Anthony Fauci exhibit at the NIH Museum.
  
  Amazing job by
  @NIH
  team.
  
  Saved > $4B annually in excessive grant administrative costs.
  
  Last year, $9B of the $35B that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) granted for research was used for administrative overhead, what is known as “indirect costs.” Today, NIH lowered the maximum indirect cost rate research institutions can charge the government to 15%, above what many major foundations allow and much lower than the 60%+ that some institutions charge the government today. This change will save more than $4B a year effective immediately.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  According to a Quinnipiac University survey, the majority, 53% of registered voters disapprove of Musk taking a prominent role in Trump's administration, while only 39% approve.
  
  AND
  
  Another new poll published Wednesday from The Economist/YouGov found that now only 26 percent of Republicans want Musk to have “a lot” of influence, a drop of 21 points. By contrast, 43 percent of Republican respondents said they wanted Musk to have “a little” influence, and 17 percent said they wanted his hands out of government altogether.
  
  It seems that the more the public gets to know elon, the more they dislike him.
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Willowarborposted 5 weeks ago
Pew Research...

47% of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling his job as president, while 51% say they disapprove. And most of these views are strongly held: 37% strongly approve of his performance, while 40% strongly disapprove.

Also...

“Senators were informed this week that the Senate phone system was receiving 1,600 calls per minute, a sharp increase from the usual 40 calls a minute…”

Yikes... People who are pissed? Apparently many of them are about Musk.

I'm beginning to think that Musk is Trump's unwitting patsy do the really unpopular and ugly stuff. Public sentiment is quickly rising against him rather than Trump. If the temperature rises to quickly among the electorate and begins to more substantially impact Trump's favorability, he will simply blame it all on musk and cut him loose. He will claim he didn't really know what musk was up to. Lol
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Miebakagh57posted 5 weeks ago
The question is: who is the real president of America? Trump, or Musk? lol!
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Indeed. Many Americans believe that it is Musk
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  Miebakagh57posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  When 'old joe' biden occupy the White House, as 'stooge', who did the 'many Americans' think was the real USA President? Trump? Russia? China? Actually, these many Americans had develop a mind of aberation. It's akin or like to double speaking! Trump, is the Executive President of the USA. He has exercised certain specific Exdcutive Orders, that cemented his presidency. So many Americans still don't like Trump? And now Musk? Cindi la la. I wish Trump, Godspeed in his office.
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Willowarborposted 5 weeks ago
So, the "bold agenda" is getting slapped around by the courts quite a bit. Maybe much of the agenda is actually illegal? It's tough to keep up with the flurry of litigation.

On Thursday, at a federal courthouse in Washington state, U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour—an 84-year-old Ronald Reagan appointee—delivered a striking rebuke to Trump’s assault on birthright citizenship. Speaking from the bench, Coughenour declared:

“It has become ever more apparent that to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain. Nevertheless, in this courtroom, and under my watch, the rule of law is a bright beacon which I intend to follow.”

OUCH... That's got to hurt.

He then issued a nationwide injunction prohibiting the administration from denying birthright citizenship to the children of immigrants for the duration of the litigation.
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Sharlee01posted 5 weeks ago
Savings are posted almost daily.... https://x.com/doge?lang=en
I suggest that anyone interested in seeing what DOGE is accomplishing check their X page. They provide clear transparency on their actions, the savings they've achieved, and where those savings come from. Much of what they post goes unreported by the media. If you need proof, take a moment to look for yourself. By the end of February, the total savings will likely be shocking to Americans. DOGE is making swift progress, having gone through numerous agencies that the media seems uninterested in covering.

LOOKING FOR FACTS maybe look to the source,

examples
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
·
Feb 7
In the past 48 hours, HHS canceled 62 contract worth $182 million. These contracts were entirely for administrative expenses – none touched any healthcare programs. This included terminating a $168,000 contract for an Anthony Fauci exhibit at the NIH Museum.

Amazing job by
@NIH
team.

Saved > $4B annually in excessive grant administrative costs.

Last year, $9B of the $35B that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) granted for research was used for administrative overhead, what is known as “indirect costs.” Today, NIH lowered the maximum indirect cost rate research institutions can charge the government to 15%, above what many major foundations allow and much lower than the 60%+ that some institutions charge the government today. This change will save more than $4B a year effective immediately.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Like I've been asking, where is the cost- benefit analysis of all of this so-called "savings"? The potential costs in the long run of cutting? It's like they're asking America to buy into all of this with absolutely no supporting documents.
  
  Musk's handling of usaid does not cause me to have a whole lot of trust in what he puts out.
  
  And why are these postings only on X?
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Are you accusing the DOGE agency of spreading misinformation online for the entire world to see? You do realize that DOGE is under intense scrutiny from highly educated Congressional Democrats, who are analyzing its every move
  
  I want to point out the obvious—I have noticed that the left-leaning media as well as Left-leaning Congress/people are not arguing about what DOGE has uncovered, the wasteful spending. The only fight has been about trying to stop DOGE from looking. Guess they like the status quo. Me, I want it all blown sky-high.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  "Are you accusing the DOGE agency of spreading misinformation online for the entire world to see?
  
  Has he proven absolutely anything that he has said on the X platform about usaid? Has he provided any evidence of his claims against the agency? Let's be clear, calling spending wasteful is one thing but claiming that there is money laundering, fraud and criminality is quite another.
  
  It's interesting that Elon didn't have any problem with the agency when his starlink company took money from them? But now it's a criminal organization?
  
  Let me add another layer...usaid was investigating Starlink for shutting off satellites in Ukraine to assist Russia in its war....
  
  "2024, USAID's Inspector General initiated a probe into the agency's oversight of Starlink terminals provided to the Ukrainian government."
  
  Says who? AI
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  IslandBitesposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  "Are you accusing the DOGE agency of spreading misinformation online for the entire world to see?
  
  The short answer is yes.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  BINGO
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Willowarborposted 5 weeks ago
Trump signs EO directing government officials to prioritize the resettlement of South Africans through the U.S. refugee program...LOL the very program he suspended during his first day in office.... On second thought, we need a carve out for South Africans?? Interesting, wondering what's so special about this group???
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  Credence2posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  In Trump’s so called war against immigrants and immigration in general, how is that South African whites get all this consideration. He certainly had nothing to say during about what this group did to maintain apartheid over 30 years before. Musk is from that area, is this some sort of retribution on his part as well? So, you want to kick out the Haitians and bring in the South African whites, what would be my derived conclusion?
  
  Make America White Again!!
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  wildernessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  All part of the liberal DEI plan; proper representation and inclusion of every country and color, not just Mexicans and Africans. Not just brown and black, but every color. Not just men, or women, but both and everything in between.
  
  DEI forever!
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  Credence2posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  If that is the case leave the Haitians and the Mexicans alone. All immigrants are to be treated the same regardless of their point of origin, do rightwingers really believe that?
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Exactly. He is saying loud and clear that immigration can be acceptable as long as it is the proper immigrant.
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  wildernessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  He has been saying that for a long time. Merit rather than race; we can use educated, skilled people far more than we can more unskilled, uneducated labor to feed off the welfare programs.
  
  Of course, that would mean that immigration should be color blind, doesn't it? And THAT doesn't fit will with the liberal, racist policies that are so desired.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Well in this case, the proper immigrant means white, of European descent. Our refugee program was shut down by executive order but Trump just made an exception for South Africans of European descent. And since we are talking about the Refugee program, skill or education have nothing to do with it.
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  wildernessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Nope: just as happened in the US business and society there are far more of one race than another. Therefore, just as we have done before, it must be corrected by denying one race in favor of another. Think of it as just another form of "affirmative action", or even DEI the way our universities practice it, denying Asians participation because another race was desired.
  
  Hurts when systemic discrimination, practiced by the system in stead of a few individuals, is on the other foot, that belongs to YOU, doesn't it? But fair is fair, and you liftwingers need to swallow hard and accept it as just another face of the very programs you have started and love so much.
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  Credence2posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  So, what is your beef? Non Hispanic Whites are still a plurality here. When have whites as a majority group ever been victims of being denied fair inclusion and participation?
  
  Trying to tie this to affirmative action is just another screwball comedy.
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  wildernessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  It's called DEI. We have 25 million Mexicans in the country illegally, 10 million from other South American countries and 2 million from elsewhere. We need some South Africans to have proper inclusion for everyone.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Nope, he put a halt to the refugee program...But made a special carve out for South Africans of European descent though...
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  wildernessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Right. Because the left's DEI programs demand equality of representation - therefore we need more recent white immigrants.
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Willowarborposted 5 weeks ago
Fareed Zakaria explaining why Trump's current actions will have serious consequences.

https://x.com/DemocraticWins/status/1888673492834701381
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I got to laugh Fareed Zakaria should hang it up. No really, he is always off on anything he predicted about Trump --
  
  Donald Trump’s Political Demise (2016-2020)
  He has a great voice that makes people think he must be really intelligent—but in my book, he's just a leftist hack. A hack who despises Trump. And time and time again, Trump has proved him wrong. was confident that Trump would not win in 2016, and then, during his presidency, he predicted multiple times that Trump’s political career was over. Trump remains a dominant political force, with strong support heading into 2024.
  
  Zakaria has a great voice that makes people think he must be really intelligent—but in my book, he's just a leftist talking head. A tout who despises Trump. And time and time again, Trump has proved him wrong.
  
  One would think Fareed would have learned not to predict, as a rule, his predictions end up making him look foolish. The only consequence he should worry about is his job at CNN.
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  Readmikenowposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Shar,
  
  There is no denying that Americans are happy with President Donald Trump. He was cheered at the Superbowl and is seen as keeping his campaign promises.
  
  I can only imagine how the left hates this reality. They don't seem to ever get tired of being so wrong about so much.
  
  CBS News poll — Trump has positive approval amid "energetic" opening weeks; seen as doing what he promised
  
  With most describing him as "tough," "energetic," "focused" and "effective" — and as doing what he'd promised during his campaign — President Trump has started his term with net positive marks from Americans overall.
  Many say he's doing more than they expected — and of those who say this, most like what they see. Very few think he's doing less.
  
  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-appr … -2025-2-9/
  
  WATCH: Super Bowl crowd erupts in cheers when Trump appears on Jumbotron, while Taylor Swift gets booed
  
  https://www.wnd.com/2025/02/watch-super … al-anthem/
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Americans are happy? Are you satisfied with the economy right now?
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I think it is safe to say most Americans have been very unhappy about our economy for over 3.5 years. Trump has been in office not even a month... Maybe consider who left the horrible economy. You are blaming the wrong guy.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Trump made these promises, you may not have believed them but many people in this country did. He promised that a lot of things would happen very quickly... What do we have? A lot of look here not there
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I’ve followed Trump’s campaign promises, just as I have with every president throughout my long life. I quickly learned that not all promises are kept, and some take longer than three weeks to fulfill. That said, I believe Trump will restore the economy in a way that benefits us all. I can’t speak for others, and here’s a reality check—you can’t either. Trump has kept so many of his promises that it’s hard to keep track. Frankly, I don’t understand why you keep asking me the same questions. I might as well save this response for future copy-and-paste.
  
  He has done a lot in a short time, you just are not willing to admit it.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  As long as Americans are unhappy and feel the pain in their pockets, they will blame the guy who is in the White House... Regardless of fault. That's just the kind of people we are. I mean have folks already forgotten the Biden administration? If the wind blew the wrong way at your house on a Tuesday...it was most certainly his fault... Trump will be treated no differently, he will be given no more grace...
  
  Seen at the local market...
  
  THIS, IS AMERICA
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  His polls are showing the opposite. It's clear you dislike Trump, that is your prerogative Yes, many are unhappy about prices. But many know who caused our poor economy and have faith that Trump will work on the problem.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I'm pretty sure that covid, supply chains, you know those things had a whole lot to do with inflation. I haven't heard one word of a plan to lower prices, address inflation or to even make good on all of those financial giveaways he promised. Does he understand that currently people can't afford rent? That there is a housing shortage crisis? That insurance is up? Mortgage rates, up. He promised to cap credit card interest rates, where is that? So much that he promised and promised to do it quickly, even on day one and yet what do we have? A whole lot of BS that no one cares about...
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I read your comment, and just can't agree with your view. I see thongs so differently.
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  "thongs" ?
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Oh no--- my fingers were flying.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I can feel the optimism in the air. People are genuinely excited about what Trump is doing and looking forward to a better America. Trump is clearly a man of the people—he draws his energy from them, and that’s something some just can’t understand. They live in a constant state of negativity and doubt. I couldn’t be more pleased with what I see and feel. My God, how can I put this—America has life again, and we haven’t felt that in decades. And the left can’t stand it. They’ve hit a wall and had to face the reality that their nonsense didn’t sell. There’s nothing worse than trying to push a product that’s already gone bad.
  
  Trump is on the move, and no one is going to stop him. he has the people behind him. I love how visible he is...
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  The Mood of the American Consumer is Souring...
  
  The Wall Street Journal reports that Americans, including Trump supporters, are increasingly worried about the state of the economy, citing the impact of Trump’s chaos and trade wars.
  
  “I don’t like the turbulence. I don’t like the chaos in the market,” said Paul Bisson, a 58-year-old proposal writer for a flight safety company and co-owner of a dog daycare in San Antonio. Bisson, who voted for Trump, now believes “his policies have led to that chaos. That will make the economy worse, and that’s not what we signed up for. We’ve already cut back. There’s no more cutting back to do,” he said.
  
  Consumer sentiment fell about 5% in the University of Michigan’s preliminary February survey of consumers ...
  
  Expectations of inflation in the year ahead jumped from 3.3% in January to 4.3%, ...
  
  Right now, there is a lot of buyers remorse. Maga is slapped in the face with Trump's broken promises every time they walk down the grocery store aisle or sit down at a restaurant...
  
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Let me orient you just a bit --- While there have been announcements of tariffs, it appears that none of the new tariffs have been fully implemented yet. The announcements, like the steel and aluminum tariffs, as well as the tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, are still in the planning or delay stages.
  
  In many cases, the implementation of tariffs can be postponed or adjusted due to negotiations or other factors. For example, the tariff on Canada and Mexico was delayed following diplomatic talks, and other tariff-related measures often face logistical or political hurdles before becoming fully effective.
  
  So, as of now, while tariffs have been announced, they haven't necessarily been imposed or enforced at this point. Would you like to dive into more specifics or updates on any of these potential tariffs?
  
  The University of Michigan is a very liberal university --- I speak from my own experience it is where I earned my degrees. So any form of poll is biased.
  
  "Expectations of inflation in the year ahead jumped from 3.3% in January to 4.3%, ..." Willow
  
  I assume this is a prediction, possibly from the same economists who once said Biden’s economy was going to be great. We’ve been down this road before. Honestly, I don't think economists today have a strong track record of predicting much accurately.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  "The University of Michigan is a very liberal university --- I speak from my own experience it is where I earned my degrees. So any form of poll is biased."
  
  If you have looked at their methodology of this particular poll and found faults, please advise. I absolutely do not assume that because a university may have a liberal slant that it does not poll with Integrity.
  
  But in the end, yeah it probably doesn't matter much of what the "experts" say... People are pissed at the waffle house though. And that's probably what carries the most weight.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  At any rate lots of polls out today
  
  Lots of other polls.
  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-appr … -2025-2-9/
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  Miebakagh57posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  It's better economists of these days make assumptions, rather than predictions. They predictions, no matter where they're in the world, can't be accurate. We're not in the Adam Smith.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I didn't hear any predictions? Just a lot of fact actually and much of its supported through maga examples...
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Sharlee01posted 5 weeks ago
Just a rumor--- There’s a hint of a rumor that Trump and Putin are talking and making progress toward settling the war. It seems like whenever rumors start flying, Trump is already laying the groundwork. Trump has so many irons in the fire--
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  Readmikenowposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Shar,
  
  There is a person who writes for the Kyiv post who has been writing columns about just this topic. According to him, President Donald Trump has been in almost daily contact with putin and Ukrainian president Zelensky since before the election.
  
  Make no mistake, russia is hurting pretty badly right now and will be grateful to end the war. Ukraine has suffered greatly but will continue to fight if necessary.
  
  Most of my family is hopeful but a bit pessimistic about it. Ukrainians hold on to things for a long time. After World War II there was a belief among Ukrainians that the United States would come and get their freedom from the USSR. That, of course, did not happen. There is also Holodomor. A genocide against the Ukrainian people the United States ignored completely. The USSR was necessary for defeating Nazi Germany so Stalin got a pass on what he did.
  
  So, I tell them, this is a new time and a new president.
  
  I usually get a shrug of the shoulders and am told, "Ah, we will wait and see. If it happens that is good, if it doesn't we will continue."
  
  I hope President Donald Trump is successful ending the war.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I pray every night for both wars to end. Over the years, I’ve learned to understand Trump—LOL, I think I almost speak "Trumpism." As a rule, when he's close to announcing something, he tends to drop little hints—then just casually says, "the war is over"—almost out of the blue. I’ve also noticed that he prefers to make big moves suddenly rather than drag things out. I think his mindset might be, This will take time, so I won’t give the media a chance to tear apart any negotiations—then, boom, he drops the news: The war is over. And, of course, he follows up with, I brought it to an end. This time around, I think he’ll avoid past mistakes and keep everything close to his chest.
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Willowarborposted 5 weeks ago
More of the agenda in court..

A federal judge temporarily halted the Trump administration's radical changes to how the National Institutes of Health pays for biomedical research, putting on hold a plan to slash research funding paid out by the federal government.

Twenty-two state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday against the plan, which would limit how it pays out universities and research institutes for “indirect costs."
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  These Federal Judges who are in with the corruption and are attempting to protect the criminal activities from being exposed... will all lose... and their careers will be frozen, or they will lose their seat (position/bench).
  
  But this is a good thing, they expose themselves so they can be eliminated from doing further harm in the years ahead.
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  abwilliamsposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Yes, agreed Ken. This, too, is a great "weeding out" process. Killing two birds with one stone, so to speak!
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  How do we "weed out" federal judges? I mean in a constitutional manner? Or do we just say to heck with the Constitution and remove them? Or just ignore their orders?
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  How Trump Can REMOVE anti-DOGE Judge for Bad Behavior!
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMY92Sa69tw
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Impeachment of a federal judge? That would require 2/3 of the Senate...
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  He gave a viable alternative way of doing so... they really do need to do so, these ideologically driven judges need to be cleaned out of the judicial system.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Wouldn’t this be incredible to clean them out? Maybe someday we will gain total control over Congress—it’s not impossible. Just consider the fact that Trump is once again doing a great job. The world is watching and listening, and he may very well be on the verge of bringing a sense of lasting peace to the Middle East. His opponents have no way to stop him, and their hatred is consuming them. We are about to witness historic changes that will usher in a new era of peace, prosperity, and strength.
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  abwilliamsposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  No one here has said “to heck with the Constitution”, certainly not I. If you had information of Federal Judges working against the people of the United States, rather than in our best interest, what would you do with that information? Would you ignore it, shrug it off? Would you immediately question —- the evidence as presented, question the news source, question the messenger, refusing to accept that Judges are human too?
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Does the Constitution not say that federal judges receive life appointments? What is our remedy? Impeachment with a 2/3 vote in the Senate. Of course there would have to be real evidence for that to be successful.
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  abwilliamsposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I want ALL of the bad apples gone, I want the deep state out of service, I want the People’s Government back! That’s where my focus is, that’s why I voted for Trump to clean it up.
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  Credence2posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  If you had information of Federal Judges working against the people of the United States, rather than in our best interest, what would you do with that information? Would you ignore it, shrug it off?
  ———-
  No, I would simply say that you have to prove it.
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  Ken Burgessposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  You have to figure that unlike his first term, Trump's team was prepared for what they would face and had a plan for it.
  
  Considering how intelligent some of these people are, Musk, Ramaswamy, Kennedy, etc. much of what they will face had been anticipated.
  
  What they are likely doing is getting the most corrupt and complicit politicians and judges to show their hands, not just to them, but to the American people.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Are you supporting the idea that the Trump administration ignore orders from the court?
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Credence2posted 5 weeks ago
I am appalled with the ease that conservatives are willing to shred the Constitution and all of its prescriptions just to accommodate Agent Orange and his henchmen. Well, I am not going along and will resist their tyranny and extralegal moves.

Do you people not see what is being done? Who does Trump think that he is? This guy will comply with our guiding document or he will be shown the door, one way or the other.

He has in less than 30 days proved to be the worse Chief Executive than all that came before.
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Credence2posted 5 weeks ago
I quote:

Donald Trump and his agents and allies, specifically the architects of Project 2025, Agenda 47, the Federalist Society, the White Christian Nationalists and theocrats, the kleptocrats, plutocrats, the techno-feudalists and the larger antidemocracy right-wing have now torn the mask (and hood) off of their revolutionary project to return the country to the Gilded Age if not some time before when rich white “Christian” men had (mostly) uncontested power and control over society.

Sounds pretty spot on to me.....
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Willowarborposted 5 weeks ago
Does reclaiming America mean going back to the time that banks could cheat us?

https://x.com/1800_Broken/status/1889349272984031380

His shrug though?!
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  Credence2posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  "Does reclaiming America mean going back to the time that banks could cheat us?"
  
  With Trump trying to dissolve the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, that now is a real possibility
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  What will be left after the bulls run through the china shop? They are promising all the smashing will benefit to the American people ... Just like Trump promised lower grocery prices among lots of other things to help the working class. Look what happened to that. The next thing they'll be telling us? Colossal tax breaks to the wealthy are the answer to our woes!
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I believe we already have strong laws in place that protect consumers from financial abuse, many of which cover the same ground as the CFPB. The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ensures that lenders disclose all loan terms, interest rates, and fees, preventing deceptive lending. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates credit agencies, ensuring accuracy and protecting consumer credit information. Discrimination in lending is prohibited under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), while the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prevents aggressive and deceptive debt collection tactics. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act gives the FTC authority to crack down on unfair or deceptive business practices, including those in financial services. We also have long-standing banking regulations enforced by agencies like the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Federal Reserve, all of which ensure that financial institutions operate fairly and within the law.
  
  Even without the CFPB, the Dodd-Frank Act, which originally created it, still contains financial regulations that remain in effect. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prevents fraud and insider trading, ensuring fairness in financial markets. The DOJ and other federal agencies also have the authority to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing in the financial sector. With all these laws and agencies already in place, the question isn’t whether we have consumer protections—they clearly exist. The real issue is enforcement, and I would argue that existing agencies are more than capable of doing the job. The CFPB may have been created with good intentions, but it duplicates work that is already being done by other regulatory bodies. If anything, its broad power and lack of oversight raise concerns about government overreach rather than actual consumer protection.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  The regs / laws you've listed are all great but they are also all enforced by the CFPB... So if the agency is blown up, where does the enforcement go?
  
  I will defer to Powell...
  
  "No agency is tasked with consumer protection other than the CFPB"
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  Well, perhaps you need to watch the full hearing. Where calm Congress persons asked not leading questions, but sensible questions, that he answered very truthfully.
  
  I’ve often wondered if the CFPB is really necessary, given that we already have a range of laws and agencies in place to protect consumers. The U.S. has a variety of consumer protection laws, such as the Truth in Lending Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and state attorneys general that are responsible for enforcing these laws. These agencies already handle financial oversight and take legal action against companies that engage in deceptive practices, fraud, or unfair lending.
  
  The argument against the CFPB is that it adds another layer of bureaucracy without significantly improving enforcement. Since other agencies already have the authority to protect consumers, some believe the CFPB is redundant. There’s also criticism around the CFPB’s structure and its broad powers, which some see as unaccountable. With the CFPB being funded by the Federal Reserve rather than through the regular appropriations process, it can operate with a level of autonomy that some argue can lead to overreach.
  
  While the CFPB’s supporters claim it consolidates consumer protection efforts and makes it easier for people to report problems, the fact remains that many of its functions are already being carried out by other entities. This leads me to question whether the CFPB is truly needed, or if it’s just another layer of regulation that complicates things without adding much value.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  I watched the entire hearing...
  
  Folks are completely missing the point here.
  
  "I’ve often wondered if the CFPB is really necessary, given that we already have a range of laws and agencies in place to protect consumers.
  
  Powell expressed that getting rid of the CFPB would leave a significant gap in consumer protection oversight, potentially allowing banks and financial institutions to engage in practices that could harm consumers with less accountability, as the CFPB was specifically designed to be the primary agency policing consumer financial practices; essentially leaving no single entity responsible for examining large banks for consumer protection compliance.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  No, Jerome Powell did not say that. His comments about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) during his testimony focused on the Federal Reserve’s role and the general structure of financial oversight. He acknowledged the CFPB’s role in consumer protection but did not argue that eliminating the agency would leave no single entity responsible for consumer protection or that banks would have less accountability.
  
  During his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee this morning, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell responded to Senator Elizabeth Warren's inquiry regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Senator Warren asked, "If the CFPB is not there, examining these giant banks to make sure they are following laws on not deceiving consumers, who is doing that job?" Chair Powell replied, "I can say no other federal regulator"
  
  It seems like the statement you referenced is your interpretation rather than a direct quote.
  
  Powell’s point was that no single federal regulator currently fills the CFPB’s role in examining large banks for consumer protection compliance. While other agencies would still enforce financial regulations, the oversight would be more fragmented and less centralized than it is with the CFPB in place.
  
  If the CFPB were eliminated, multiple agencies would still oversee banks, but no single entity would take over its exact role in consumer protection. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) would regulate and supervise national banks and federal savings associations, while the Federal Reserve would oversee bank holding companies and state-chartered banks that are part of the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) would continue to monitor state-chartered banks that aren’t part of the Federal Reserve System and ensure depositor protection. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would enforce consumer protection laws for non-bank financial institutions, such as payday lenders, debt collectors, and credit reporting agencies. Additionally, state attorneys general and state banking regulators would play a role in enforcing consumer protection laws at the state level.
  
  Without the CFPB, banks would still be regulated for safety and soundness by the OCC, the Federal Reserve, and the FDIC. However, consumer protection enforcement would likely shift to the FTC, state regulators, and individual bank regulators, though none of them would have the same dedicated focus as the CFPB. The key difference is that the CFPB conducts direct examinations of banks to ensure compliance with consumer protection laws, while agencies like the FTC tend to focus more on enforcement actions after violations occur rather than proactive oversight.
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  Willowarborposted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  "but he did not argue that eliminating the agency would leave no single entity responsible for consumer protection or that banks would have less accountability."
  
  https://x.com/1800_Broken/status/1889349272984031380
  
  If the CFPB is not there, examining these giant banks to make sure they are following laws on not deceiving consumers, who is doing that job?" Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts asked Powell.
  
  His answer..
  
  "I can say no other federal regulator,"
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  Credence2posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  All the same, I want CFPB there as a bulwark against exploitation of the consumer as the "so called" myriads of other federal agencies have not been doing the job. I trust Elizabeth Warren implicitly to look out for the little guy as she always has. The Banksters would love the opportunity to rip people off, without accountability and leaving the consumer with no recourse. Getting rid of the CFPB would be exactly what they would want.
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  Ken Burgessposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  The government is ripping people off... giving away hundreds of billions of dollars to interfere with foreign nations as well as our own in ways that are counter productive and even harmful, not to mention an abuse/illegitimate-use of our tax dollars.
  
  So... who is overseeing that?
  
  Who is overseeing that the FDA and many other agencies, like the CFPB have been populated by people who are on the payroll of Big Banks or Big Pharma?
  
  The overseeing agencies are as corrupt and ineffective at protecting Americans as the institutions you are worried about ripping off the consumer.
  
  Or didn't you notice how they fail to protect the American people from food dyes that are banned in all other countries, or opioids that they say are safe until they kill a few thousand people, or hormones being given to pre-pubescents that are permanently and irreversibly life changing?
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I did not dispute what either Warren or Powell said. I provided context for Powell's statement and pointed out that we have several laws covering everything the CFPB does, making it unnecessary to support an agency that overlaps with others. His statement is factual no one agency could do the complete job --- but, we have agencies that could in a combined fashion do the job.
  
  Again, several existing agencies could take over the responsibilities of the CFPB. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ALREADY enforces consumer protection laws related to financial fraud and deceptive business practices. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) REGULATES and supervises national banks to ensure fair treatment of consumers. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) PROTECTS consumers by overseeing banking practices and handling consumer complaints. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) performs similar oversight for credit unions. Additionally, the Department of Justice (DOJ) can prosecute financial fraud, while the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulates financial markets and protects investors. With these agencies in place, the CFPB’s functions could be absorbed without redundancy.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  "His statement is factual no one agency could do the complete job --- but, we have agencies that could in a combined fashion do the job."
  
  "could" do do the job? Do you notice that the Musk's plans never include the aftermath of his running through the china shop with a hammer? They destroy, they don't build., they have no plan for repair.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I have no further interest in the conversation so repetitive. I suggest you watch the hearing that is being conducted today. I think all your questions might be somewhat answered.
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Kathleen Cochranposted 5 weeks ago
. . . and every day since a new kind of chaos. The 77 million who did this (helped by the 90 million who didn't bother to vote) are surely congratulating themselves on their wisdom. The rest of us our mourning their foolishness.
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  Sharlee01posted 5 weeks agoin reply to this
  As of September 2024, approximately 186.5 million Americans were registered to vote, representing nearly 60% of the total U.S. population
  
  In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, approximately 156.3 million votes were cast, representing about 63.9% of registered voters
  
  Yes, voter registration in the United States increased during the 2024 election cycle. Notably, Vote.org, a nonpartisan voter registration platform, registered over one million new voters, with 79% of them under the age of 35
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Miebakagh57posted 5 weeks ago
America, you're on real tract. Your consumers are protected.
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Willowarborposted 4 weeks ago
The Musk Trump agenda is starting to hit the frying pan in red states...states that generally don't really thrive.

"A flurry of lawsuits and dire pleas seen by universities in ruby red states like Alabama and Kentucky warned that the cuts could be devastating to public institutions that are widely regarded as economic engines in their regions."

Oh well...

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/1 … uts-016328
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  Readmikenowposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Politico has received tens of millions from the government for "subscriptions."
  
  Bulk subscriptions purchased by the government not directly from the federal employees.
  
  "since 2014, Politico had received $34.3 million from assorted federal agencies, the bulk of which appeared to have been payments for subscriptions to Politico publications"
  
  So, the question is if a publication has a responsibility to provide content their subscribers (government) would approve of for their employees.
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  Miebakagh57posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Which government and Administration Politico, is working for? Dem left or right? That's where the trouble is.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  You should fact check that. Because....."Trump makes misleading claims about government payments to Politico."
  
  ALSO
  There was NEVER $100 million in Condoms for Hamas.
  
  There was NEVER $50 million for condoms in the Gaza Strip.
  
  And from Trump/doge this is also FALSE. .."DOGE: Looks like Radical Left Reuters was paid $9,000,000 by the Department of Defense to study “large scale social deception.” GIVE BACK THE MONEY, NOW!". You can guess who wrote that..
  
  All a flat-out lie just to rile people up and score political points. repeatedly describing federal spending in misleading or false ways.
  
  If they’re willing to fabricate this, what else are they lying to us about? And why do so many people keep falling for it, and then just brushing it off?
  
  In his own words
  https://x.com/EdKrassen/status/1890039188348653591
  
  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-poli … act-check/
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  Readmikenowposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  "since 2014, Politico had received $34.3 million from assorted federal agencies, the bulk of which appeared to have been payments for subscriptions to Politico publications"
  
  This is a quote from Snopes. Maybe it is not me who needs to fact check.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  This is a quote from Snopes. Maybe it is not me who needs to fact check.
  
  I suggest you read your own source...
  
  https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/usaid … -politico/
  
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  Readmikenowposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  What is false? Not their quote about the tens of millions paid in subscriptions to the government. That was done by Scopes own researchers.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  You need to read your whole quoted source.
  
  Immediately under your quote....
  
  "U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House press secretary and DOGE Director Elon Musk promoted misleading statements about USAID and Politico'.
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  Readmikenowposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Again, nobody is making this claim but Snopes. Read the beginning of the quote from snopes that says, "Our Review...."
  
  "Our review of further records covering the previous 10 years found other government agencies paid a total of over $34 million to Politico (not just $8 million) over that decade. Again, however, the records displaying the biggest dollar amounts showed the money was spent on past subscriptions to E&E News, as well as to Politico Pro, a service designed for "professional policy makers," offering "critical news, alerts and tools that power policy." (The Politico Pro website did not publicly list the prices for services provided with its plans' subscriptions, indicating premium pricing.)
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Snopes.... From the exact source and Link you provided says this...
  
  '"U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House press secretary and DOGE Director Elon Musk promoted misleading statements about USAID and Politico'."
  
  Do I need to actually take up all of this space and and copy/paste the entire fact check that you're quoting? It is misleading because the administration represented this expenditure as a recent one time outlay.... It was over 10 years! During Trump's first administration actually LOL. Didn't seem to bother anyone then?
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  She ignores any facts that are provided, and this is baiting.
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  Readmikenowposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  "since 2014, Politico had received $34.3 million from assorted federal agencies, the bulk of which appeared to have been payments for subscriptions to Politico publications"
  
  This is a quote from SNOPES. Below is the full quote.
  
  "Our review of further records covering the previous 10 years found other government agencies paid a total of over $34 million to Politico (not just $8 million) over that decade. Again, however, the records displaying the biggest dollar amounts showed the money was spent on past subscriptions to E&E News, as well as to Politico Pro, a service designed for "professional policy makers," offering "critical news, alerts and tools that power policy." (The Politico Pro website did not publicly list the prices for services provided with its plans' subscriptions, indicating premium pricing.)"
  
  As I said before, I wonder if the editorial content of Politico didn't meet the requirements of the government, if those subscriptions would have been canceled. Tens of millions of dollars in bulk subscriptions does have a lot of influence with any publication.
  
  I wonder why Politico didn't publicly advertise their prices? Doesn't the taxpayer have a right to know how much they're paying to influence the media?
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Thanks for the source, I prefer the facts as you presented them.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I presented from the same exact source....
  
  Which states....
  
  "U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House press secretary and DOGE Director Elon Musk promoted misleading statements about USAID and Politico'.
  
  When the source is read, they describe what is misleading in detail.
  
  Lol, his source article is completely centered around the misleading information!
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  This was found when going over NASA's expenditures.
  Yes, it is accurate that NASA allocated approximately $500,000 for Politico subscriptions. This expenditure was part of a broader pattern of federal agencies subscribing to media outlets to stay informed on policy and legislative developments relevant to their operations. However, following recent scrutiny and directives from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), NASA has canceled these subscriptions.
  
  Department of Government Efficiency
  @DOGE
  ·
  Feb 5
  NASA leadership has verified that this was cancelled today.
  Quote
  Ashlee Vance
  @ashleevance
  ·
  Feb 5
  
  Other Fed agencies --- The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) identified several federal agencies that had allocated funds for Politico subscriptions. Notable examples include: Both the Biden and Trump administrations subscribed to Politico and other news services. The payments from USAID and other federal departments or agencies were made for subscriptions.
  
  Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): In June 2024, HHS renewed 49 annual subscriptions to Politico Pro, totaling approximately $143,203.
  FACTCHECK.ORG
  
  Federal Trade Commission (FTC): In October 2024, the FTC spent $45,378 to renew 14 annual subscriptions to Politico Pro Plus.
  FACTCHECK.ORG
  
  Department of Agriculture: This department canceled its Politico Pro subscriptions in early February 2025.
  FACTCHECK.ORG
  
  Department of Veterans Affairs: Similarly, the Department of Veterans Affairs terminated its Politico Pro subscriptions in February 2025.
  FACTCHECK.ORG
  
  Collectively, federal agencies spent approximately $8 million on Politico subscriptions in fiscal year 2024.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I think this is a huge diversion from the snopes source that was previously cited. It seems that no one but me actually read the link provided by Mike
  
  The Snopes article wasn't actually supporting his claim... It described the way in which the numbers were misleading.
  
  "Mike's post is factual."
  
  He took the title and ran with it... Read what comes next and then let me know what you think.
  
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Their statements were misleading, but it prompted me to dig deeper—and what I found was shocking. It was even more upsetting to see how many federal agencies were involved. Actions always carry more weight than words, so I took the time to post the facts about the funds that went to Politico. This is deeply concerning, and it’s just one reason I believe DOGE’s work is important. They are uncovering overspending, not just during Biden’s tenure, but over many years.
  
  This should concern every tax-paying American. More people need to take the time to see what DOGE is uncovering instead of relying on secondhand chatter. The media is busy stirring up hysteria, yet only a few are paying attention to the actual findings.
  
  Look here—not there. I’m focused on facts, and DOGE is posting their findings. What they’ve uncovered is far more disturbing than the theatrics coming from Washington Democrats or the media. It’s baffling that Democrats don’t realize the public has grown tired of the chaos they hoped would keep them in power. It didn’t work.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  What was concerning about the subscriptions? As they were utilized on each side of the aisle?
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Yes, as I said, this has been going on for a long time. That’s why I support DOGE and am glad to see federal agencies finally being scrutinized. Hopefully, this will lead to real changes—less overspending, fewer bloated staffs, and much-needed accountability. I fully support a smaller government, one that truly serves the people.
  
  At the end of the day, taxpayers deserve transparency, and it’s time for real oversight. If we don’t demand it now, nothing will ever change.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  What's the benefit of the subscriptions though? These are pro subscriptions. It's concerning to me that everything Elon points to and says "bad" is considered bad without any concern for rationale or consequences
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  The concern isn’t just about the cost of subscriptions; it’s about government agencies funneling taxpayer dollars into a media outlet that has a clear political slant. When agencies pay for Politico Pro—a premium service that offers specialized policy analysis—it raises questions about whether your tax dollars are being used to support a particular ideological perspective.
  
  As for Elon Musk pointing out issues, the bigger point is transparency. If government agencies are subscribing to Politico Pro in large numbers, it’s fair to ask whether they’re relying on biased sources to shape policy decisions. That’s not just about Elon saying “bad”—it’s about whether your tax dollars are being spent in a way that promotes fair and balanced policymaking or just reinforces a particular narrative.
  
  But beyond that—why should we even be paying for these subscriptions in the first place? Politico’s standard reporting is already available for free online. What exactly are these agencies getting from Politico Pro that justifies the cost? Are they using taxpayer money to access policy analysis that aligns with a specific political narrative instead of objective reporting? It’s a fair question and one that deserves more transparency.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Political pro isn't opinion pieces though? Politico Pro, is a service that tracks legislation and other policy minutiae... Sources that cast it as leaning or political or misleading because they're probably aware that most folks will never see the pro content.
  
  Trump nonetheless leveled unfounded accusations about the media via Truth Social on Thursday morning: "LOOKS LIKE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN STOLLEN (sic) AT USAID, AND OTHER AGENCIES," he wrote, "MUCH OF IT GOING TO THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA AS A 'PAYOFF' FOR CREATING GOOD STORIES ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS."
  
  No proof on that one.
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  Readmikenowposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I bet if there were not good stories published about democrats then tens of millions of dollars paid for subscriptions would stop. That is called influence.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  When you take a look at politico pro, you'll have to get a subscription, but let me know then what you think.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  "the bigger point is transparency. If government agencies are subscribing to Politico Pro in large numbers, it’s fair to ask whether they’re relying on biased sources to shape policy decisions.
  
  Should we take away their publications at home also? The comment smacks a little of thought control. My God I would like to believe that these people can think independently ... You know sometimes a publication just does a great job at aggregating data lol.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I must say, your analogy doesn’t quite fit the issue. As free individuals, we can subscribe to and pay for any form of media we choose in our personal lives—the key word being pay for it ourselves. No government agency should have the authority to use taxpayer dollars to purchase subscriptions to politically biased outlets.
  
  Politico Pro leans the same way as regular Politico—left. While it focuses on policy and legislative updates, the way it frames issues, the sources it highlights, and the overall tone tend to favor a more liberal perspective.
  
  The issue with federal agencies subscribing to Politico Pro is that taxpayer dollars are funding access to a politically biased news source. If government officials rely on it, they could be getting a one-sided view of policy issues, especially if they’re not balancing it with other perspectives. On top of that, there are plenty of free resources like Congress.gov, the Federal Register, and other public sources that provide the same legislative and policy updates. So why should taxpayers foot the bill for something that’s already available at no cost?
  
  Another big concern is political influence. If agencies are using Politico Pro to shape their understanding of policy, they could be basing decisions on selective reporting rather than a more balanced view. That’s a problem, and it raises the question—should public money really be spent on reinforcing biased narratives within government agencies?
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Have you looked at the content of politico pro?
  
  Even if it did have a bias, which it does not, shouldn't folks be reading everything that's out there? Are you implying that they're reading nothing else other than what they are given a subscription to?
  
  " it’s fair to ask whether they’re relying on biased sources to shape policy decisions".
  
  You will never know that... How do I know that Marjorie Taylor Green is t looking at newsmax 24/7?
  
  Just because they have a subscription to a publication, at their workplace, does it really mean that that is their only source of information and that they rely on it solely as you infer concern for?
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I often use sources like Politico and Political Pro for articles, as they sometimes provide sourced information, which I appreciate. However, I tend to spot bias in their overall editorial stance. Despite this, I still check their content. My main concern is that taxpayers shouldn't be funding these outlets. So far, there’s been no indication that federal agencies are paying for any other news outlets, which makes it particularly notable that multiple federal agencies are subscribing to one biased outlet. It also raises concerns that these agencies could garner favor and be influenced by the federal agencies funding their subscriptions. In my view, we shouldn’t be footing the bill for any media subscriptions.
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  abwilliamsposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Amen Shar, I completely agree. All of this [utilizing of common sense] benefits the U.S., and it benefits us, the U.S. citizen.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I can’t understand why some are so adamantly opposed to DOGE. My common sense tells me it’s just another attempt to push back against Trump and his administration. He will succeed, and they will look even worse in the eyes of the American people.
  
  What’s odd is that they still haven’t gotten the memo—Americans are done with these cheap, obvious political ploys. They need to stop resisting and get on board with what we the people voted for. It’s completely inappropriate that Democrats refuse to accept that we knowingly voted for Trump’s agenda. We understood what it was, and we embraced it because it represents a bold, new path for America—one that prioritizes the American people.
  
  Angie, I truly believe we are on the verge of something great, not just for America, but for the world. I can feel it coming, just like I knew Trump would win—I know this.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Sometimes my common sense leads me to consider the potential consequences before I take an action.
  So in terms of the government, I wonder if anyone's thought of the consequences of firing 1,000 employees at the veterans administration? You know, like if it's going to impact the folks that serves? But surely they've detailed how it won't, right?
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Willowarborposted 4 weeks ago
Inflation rose even though Trump promised he would lower costs “immediately” upon taking the White House

"I will end the devastating inflation crisis immediately, bring down interest rates, and lower the cost of energy—we will drill, baby, drill. … But by doing that, we will lead a large-scale decline in prices."

It was an absurd promise to make in the first place, it will age poorly. The 10% tariff that Trump is imposing on China and the new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports are expected to exacerbate price increases.

Nucor, a major U.S. steel producer, sent a letter to its customers on Monday saying they are increasing prices on all steel rebar prices by $40 per ton due to the "significant rise in input costs" caused by Trump's tariffs.....uh oh

AND, most importantly...

A recent YouGov poll for CBS News, 66% of Americans said Trump isn’t focused enough on lowering prices.

America's patience is growing thin.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Trump became President on Jan 21, 2025, 22 days ago.
  
  Yes, the inflation rate released today (for January 2025) reflects economic conditions during Joe Biden’s presidency. Biden remains in office until January 20, 2025, so the economic data for January still falls under his administration.
  
  Maybe at least offer an inflation stat that Trump would be responsible for --- see you in Feb.
  
  Patience--- LOL
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  The same patience that didn't exist during the Biden administration? When every action was supposed to produce results immediately and the public whined and moaned incessantly? Well don't look now but the same thing is happening.. folks really don't care, the person sitting in the White House is expected to materialize results that benefit their daily lives. Americans are not a patient people. There was no patience for Biden, there will similarly be absolutely none for Trump. I mean it's hilarious that the "I did this" Trump stickers are showing up everywhere.
  
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I must laugh-- you do realize we are mere strangers. You come off as ranting and ranting at a mere stranger.
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Ken Burgessposted 4 weeks ago
Gabbard is IN...
I'm happy... would have loved to seen her become the President in 2020...
Would have been WAY better than the worst Admin in the last 100 years
AKA the Biden Administration...
But I'll take it... I'll take a Trump, Musk, Gabbard led Admin...
The BEST this country has seen and will see in 100 years.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Over overjoyed on my end. Hey, she is young, and I agree she would make a great president. Loved her when she was a Dem, and love her more as a Rep.
  
  Ken, looks like Trump is headed not only to end the Russia/Ukraine war, but all will walk away with smiles on their faces, and cash for their coffers. I had a feeling those were coming, Trump was dropping hints. Hopefully, he can get our Hostage out of GAZA home. He stayed this one was going to be hard.
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Sharlee01posted 4 weeks ago
ALL IN A DAY! Way to go --- Maybe the next end he will end the Russia/Ukraine war Busy week. And only 22 days in.

As of February 12, 2025, President Trump has facilitated the release of two individuals from foreign detention:

Marc Fogel: A 63-year-old American teacher who had been detained in Russia for over three years on charges of possessing medical marijuana. His release was secured through negotiations led by a Trump envoy, marking a significant diplomatic move.
THETIMES.CO.UK

Alexander Vinnik: A Russian national convicted of cryptocurrency fraud, who was released as part of a prisoner swap with the United States. This exchange involved the release of Marc Fogel in return for Vinnik's freedom.

American citizen from Belarus. The identity of this individual has not been disclosed, as they have chosen to remain private. This release was part of a broader effort to improve relations between the United States and Belarus.
APNEWS.COM

The other two individuals released are:

Andrey Kuznechyk: A journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kuznechyk had been imprisoned in Belarus for over three years.
USAGM.GOV

Alena Maushuk: A Belarusian opposition supporter and mother, Maushuk was arrested for participating in anti-government demonstrations.
APNEWS.COM

These releases are part of Belarus's efforts to repair ties with Washington, as acknowledged by Belarus' opposition leader-in-exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who credited the releases to the efforts of President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Anf had time to head to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. He gets his strength from the people.
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Miebakagh57posted 4 weeks ago
Thank God, Trump is on the go with Godspeed.
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Readmikenowposted 4 weeks ago
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Yep...look here, not there...
  
  Republicans Reveal Trump Tax Plan Will Cost US $4.5 Trillion....
  
  NO THANKS
  
  Not only does his plan add to the debt, it's heavily skewed to households with high incomes.
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  Ken Burgessposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Says all the Anti-American Left-Wing lunacy you like to read or listen to.
  
  I'm sure Rachel Maddow has been repeating that tripe for weeks now.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  In your opinion, who would be the leading, most credible, most capable source to analyze the tax plan? Name a few if you prefer.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  OMG are they ever.
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Sharlee01posted 4 weeks ago

On A Roll ! Kash Patel next
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Completes Trump's quack-ification of America.
  
  He has filled his Cabinet with an assortment of cranks and dog murderers, and republicans have dutifully rubber-stamped each one.
  
  This impending chaos is what y'all wanted. This is what Americans who voted for trump wanted. So whatever fresh hell flows from this League of Incompetent Ninnies is on them. They own all of it, from the vaccine denier who eats roadkill and now dictates the vaccine schedule for children to the derpy, drunk fox news host who stumbled into heading up the largest military in human history.
  
  Virtually all of Trump’s Cabinet picks have been absurd.
  
  Kennedy? He is a man who has said that the polio vaccine’s effectiveness is “a mythology” and claimed the vaccine led to cancer “that killed many, many, many, many, many more people than polio ever did.”
  
  A man who blabbered falsely that COVID was “ethnically targeted” and that the people “who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.”
  
  A man generally viewed as a laughingstock who has wrongly and repeatedly and despicably linked vaccines to autism.
  
  Republicans willfully chose a man who last year falsely claimed the Food and Drug Administration is in cahoots with the food industry and is involved in “mass poisoning the American public” to run the department that oversees the FDA.
  
  It's like putting an astrologer in charge of NASA.
  
  Sure, we hope these kooks succeed.. but it doesn't seem likely. We are facing an evolving crisis with bird flu, and Republican senators decided a conspiracy theorist who drinks raw milk is the way to go?
  
  God help us all.
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  Ken Burgessposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  
  Yeah... ... OK...
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Oh my... good one.
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Sharlee01posted 4 weeks ago
A recent Fox News focus group revealed that independent voters express significant disapproval of certain Democratic actions opposing President Donald Trump. For instance, during a protest led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, chants like "we will win" and "we won't rest" were met with negative reactions from independents. Similarly, at an American Federation of Government Employees rally, a rendition of "Which Side Are You On?" and explicit remarks by Rep. Maxine Dexter directed at President Trump also garnered disapproval from this group. These findings suggest that such confrontational tactics may alienate independent voters, who might prefer more measured political discourse.

"A focus group of voters showed Independents were disapproving of the Democratic Party's antics of opposition to President Donald Trump.

Independent viewers in the focus group responded negatively to a protest earlier this month led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The focus group consisted of 75 Democrats, 49 independents, and 32 Republicans, and was represented by blue, yellow, and red lines, respectively"

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6368782357112
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I remember when I had cited a the results of a University of Michigan study, which upon my own investigation was sound in terms of methodology, was dismissed through your post as "biased".
  
  The Fox News focus group isn't?
  
  But in terms of their methodology... Note that it is a focus group and not a poll. If it were a poll, it wouldn't pass muster because the sample group is too small to provide statistically significant results.
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Willowarborposted 4 weeks ago
Also...

Trump, Online Posts Misrepresent Government Subscriptions to News Services

https://www.factcheck.org/2025/02/trump … -services/

Trump makes misleading claims about government payments to Politico. Here's a fact check.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-poli … act-check/

No, Politico Did Not Receive ‘Substantial Funds’ from USAID

https://www.yahoo.com/news/claims-polit … 55202.html

Fact check: Did White House pay Politico?

https://www.newsnationnow.com/politics/ … -politico/

In reality, government subscriptions to Politico's premium product we paid for. That may or may not be a worthwhile use of government funds but at any rate, it does not represent some kind of direct subsidy to the news outlet.

the $8 million figure represents total government expenditures to Politico since 2016, not USAID dollars specifically. The amount paid by USAID to Politico totals $44,000.
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Sharlee01posted 4 weeks ago
DOGE posted this today more to see if one wants to keep up on what is being found.

Source DOGE X
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
$1.9 billion of HUD money was just recovered after being misplaced during the Biden administration due to a broken process. These funds were earmarked for the administration of financial services but were no longer needed.
@SecretaryTurner
and
@DOGE
worked together to fix the issue and de-obligated the funds which are now available for other use by the Treasury.
Documents available on DOGE

DOGE moving on tomorrow to the Pentagon.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  So, since The Constitution places the power of the purse in Congress...
  
  "DOGE
  worked together to fix the issue and de-obligated the funds which are now available for other use by the Treasury."
  
  We obviously have a problem here. Elon doesn't have the authority to "de-obligate" funds to anyone... that is the rightfully vested power of Congress.
  
  LOL and money misplaced due to a broken process? What would that be?
  
  He says and tweets so much misinformation that it's hard not to have a whole lot of suspicion.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  You might want to check on how DOGE is doing what they are reporting. I could assume the heads of the given agency are working with DOGE to make sure what they suggest is done.While they do not have direct control over allocating federal funds in the same way that the Treasury Department does, DOGE's role appears to focus on ensuring government spending is scrutinized, redirected, or canceled when found to be non-essential or improperly allocated. This would explain how they are accomplishing what they say they are doing—working with agencies to identify wasteful expenditures and ensuring that these funds are better utilized or saved.
  
  "Department of Government Efficiency
  @DOGE
  ·1h
  US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled:
  
  US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled:
  - $10M for "Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision"
  - $9.7M for UC Berkeley to develop "a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise driven skills"
  - $2.3M for "strengthening independent voices in Cambodia"
  - $32M to the Prague Civil Society Centre
  - $40M for "gender equality and women empowerment hub"
  - $14M for "improving public procurement" in Serbia
  - $486M to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,” including $22M for "inclusive and participatory political process" in Moldova and $21M for voter turnout in India
  - $29M to "strenghening political landscape in Bangladesh"
  - $20M for "fiscal federalism" in Nepal
  - $19M for "biodiversity conversation" in Nepal
  - $1.5M for "voter confidence" in Liberia
  - $14M for "social cohesion" in Mali
  - $2.5M for "inclusive democracies in Southern Africa"
  - $47M for "improving learning outcomes in Asia"
  - $2M to develop "sustainable recycling models" to "increase socio-economic cohesion among marginalized communities of Kosovo Roma, Ashkali, and Egypt"
  2:43 PM · Feb 15, 2025
  ·
  Department of Government Efficiency
  @DOGE
  Roses are red, violets are blue,
  Today, DOGE and 10 agencies made 586 wasteful contracts bid adieu!
  
  With a ceiling value of $2.1B and $445M in savings secured,
  A perfect Valentine’s gift for all taxpayers—well-earned and deserved!
  
  Today’s batch includes a $8.2M USDA contract for “environmental compliance services for the implementation of pilot projects developed under the partnership for climate-smart commodities”.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  " I could assume the heads of the given agency are working with DOGE to make sure what they suggest is done.
  
  I'm not on board with assuming something when the doge boys aren't providing any such information, no transparency... Putting out names of programs and the dollar amount that they've slashed is not full transparency no matter how many times these things are posted.. When these lists are posted, do you take a look, from an impartial site, at what these programs actually entail?
  
  "While they do not have direct control over allocating federal funds in the same way that the Treasury Department does,..."
  
  Well someone needs to tell Elon that..
  
  From your initial post...
  
  "DOGE worked together to fix the issue and de-obligated the funds which are now available for other use by the Treasury."
  
  He cannot shift funds. Elon doesn't have the authority to "de-obligate" funds to anyone... that is the rightfully vested power of Congress.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  It seems like you might prefer to just ignore them since you have no control over what they do or post. Hey, they are going very fast, so maybe find comfort in that.
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Miebakagh57posted 4 weeks ago
Away with the Dem. Give Musk some breath.
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IslandBitesposted 4 weeks ago
Forced to flee Congo, USAID workers lost everything. They’re suing Trump.

USAID workers based in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, tell a harrowing story of how Trump’s attack on the agency complicated an escape...

Violent political demonstrations erupted and protesters attacked the U.S. Embassy. By the end of the day, most staff were told to evacuate.

But just how they would get back to the United States was unclear: The White House had frozen foreign aid spending about a week earlier and put senior USAID leaders on leave. The agency had stopped paying for employee travel...

The account is one of more than a dozen from U.S. employees stationed overseas, along with others who work with USAID, included in a lawsuit filed Tuesday by unions representing USAID staff and U.S. Foreign Service officers...

Congressional Research Service data shows that more than 6,000 of USAID’s 10,000 employees are based overseas...

They don’t know whether they will receive a paycheck or reimbursement, or whether they will even have a job now that they have been stranded in an oddly familiar land...

The pause on foreign aid complicated the entire evacuation. The federal employees wrote that they have spent thousands of dollars fleeing for their lives without knowing whether they will be reimbursed...

The freeze has also affected those who work with the agency... “When USAID funding froze a few weeks ago, my clients were unable to pay me, in turn making me unable to meet my own expenses,” he wrote. He’s since had to lay off more than 30 consultants. “All of our contracts have been canceled and we do not anticipate receiving any new ones this month,” he said. “If this situation continues, my small business may no longer be able to operate.”...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2 … rc-escape/
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  Credence2posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Yes, that is pretty crappy, IslandBites. To act rashly without considering ramifications beforehand is irresponsible. But that is the very nature of Trump and his DOGE unleashed for this entire chainsaw operation.
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  Miebakagh57posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Before November 5, 2024 didn't all those that disliked Trump, knew that he's coming with this whacky move? They do. But why are they crying foul now? I pity these souls. Judge Nicholas seems rightly to dispense fair justice.
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Sharlee01posted 4 weeks ago
Friday, Feb 14--- A court ruling granted Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to sensitive data from three federal agencies: the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. U.S. District Judge John Bates ruled in favor of DOGE, rejecting efforts to block its access to these records. Elon Musk celebrated the decision by reposting the news on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption "LFG." However, legal challenges for DOGE persist, as U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas issued a separate ruling extending a restraining order that prevents DOGE from accessing U.S. Treasury Department systems. This decision highlights ongoing concerns about the extent of DOGE’s authority and its impact on federal agencies.
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Sharlee01posted 4 weeks ago
Yikes DOGE worked the weekend!

" Fox News --- In just 48 hours, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) slashed a whopping $370 million in taxpayer dollars being spent on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the Department of Education.

DOGE, the newly formed department led by Elon Musk to purge spending by the federal government, revealed in a post on X that they terminated 70 DEI training grants within the department.

According to DOGE, the grants totaled $373 million."
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  wildernessposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  It's hard to imagine a more useful action, or one that needs taken worse. On this one I support DOGE's actions 100%.
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  Readmikenowposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Shar,
  
  I'm still amazed that the left is not upset about all of the waste and fraud that has been discovered. They are upset by the person who discovered it. Does anyone in their right mind believe democrats would EVER attempt to discover fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer money? THEY are the main culprits of it and responsible for so much of it.
  
  I am glad Elon Musk and his team are busy at work. I like what was said about Social Security ad Medicare. They aren't going broke, their funds are severely mismanaged. If enough fraudulent funds can be reworked back into the system there are some experts who believe there could be a Social Security and Medicare surplus. Can you imagine what that would do to the democrat party?
  
  The democrats would have to create some other way to scare senior citizens.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Where is the fraud? This bunch keeps yelling fraud and criminality but they haven't produced one shred of evidence
  
  TRUMP...
  "I'm going to read to you some of the names that hundreds of millions and even billions of dollars have been given to," the president said in a news conference Wednesday.".
  
  Trump added, "We found fraud and abuse, I would say those two words as opposed to the third word that I usually use, but in this case, fraud and abuse."
  
  Trump and Musk combined used the word "fraud" or "fraudster" about a dozen times during their Oval Office question-and-answer session.
  
  Where's the proof?? It's almost like.... THEY ARE LYING.
  
  What do we actually have, in reality? few details EVER provided, vague accusations always unsupported and sometimes false.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Straight up—do you have any concerns about what DOGE has uncovered so far? Are you opposed to the massive savings being returned to taxpayers? It seems like you just can’t bring yourself to acknowledge those aspects of DOGE. As for me, I’m focused on exactly that and couldn’t be more thrilled to witness this phenomenon. I’ve waited decades for this—almost every president has promised to cut government costs, but Trump is actually doing it. And he’s doing it with incredible speed and precision.
  
  You—you cling to every word but completely ignore DOGE’s accomplishments. It’s almost as if you’re upset about the massive savings we’re seeing. Obsessed with “He said this,” while the real impact goes right over your head.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I have no problem with trimming government spending. My issue is with the continual misleading and false statements that are put out by musk and trump.
  
  Fraud is a serious charge... punishable by law, is it not?
  
  Are you saying that we can't have cost cutting without calling it fraud? OR If I like the cost cuts I have to accept the false, baseless allegations as part and parcel? Just an inconvenient feature to ignore?
  
  The claims of fraud and criminality cannot be backed up yet they continue to make them. They continue to hold up certain programs or expenditures in a misleading manner. Some may even call it a fraudulent manner. That's not acceptable. That's not credible. That's not trustworthy. The curtain has been pulled back on Musk so many times at this point, that he has earned the suspicion.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Yeah, you just concern yourself with all the conversations --- me I am as always looking at the deeds, and being appreciative that finally this is getting done. In the end, my country is getting fixed. I am over joyed.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Since when is it okay to make baseless accusations of criminal behavior???
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Hi Mike, I couldn’t agree more! The sheer hypocrisy of it all is staggering. The left constantly talks about accountability, yet when waste and fraud are exposed—especially when it threatens their control—they attack the messenger instead of fixing the problem. It’s almost as if they rely on corruption and mismanagement to sustain their agenda. Why? Because if government programs were actually run efficiently, the Democrats would lose one of their biggest fear-mongering tactics: scaring seniors into thinking Republicans are out to take their benefits.
  
  Elon Musk and his team digging into financial mismanagement is exactly what this country needs. The idea that Social Security and Medicare aren't going broke, but are instead being drained by waste and fraud, is something the left refuses to acknowledge. Imagine if those funds were properly allocated and even created a surplus—what a nightmare that would be for Democrats! They’d have to manufacture an entirely new crisis to keep seniors dependent on them.
  
  At the end of the day, the Democrats don’t want real solutions; they want control. That’s why they don’t investigate fraud—because they benefit from it.
  
  Moreover, the Republican Party's stronghold is evident, with projections indicating they will maintain control of both the House and the Senate. This political landscape suggests that the Democrats are facing an uphill battle, and their chances of stopping Trump or regaining power in the near future are slim to none. The GOP's momentum and alignment with populist ideals have resonated with a significant portion of the American electorate, further diminishing the Democrats' prospects.
  
  In essence, the Democrats' focus on attacking Trump rather than addressing the core issues that matter to Americans is a strategic misstep. Their inability to adapt and present a compelling alternative vision has only strengthened Trump's position and the Republican Party's dominance. Trump is steamrolling.
  And I am enjoying every minute!
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  "Elon Musk and his team digging into financial mismanagement is exactly what this country needs. The idea that Social Security and Medicare aren't going broke, but are instead being drained by waste and fraud, is something the left refuses to acknowledge"
  
  How does one acknowledge something as true, as credible when there is no evidence given?
  
  I don't know, does the "right" except allegations with no proof?
  
  Fraud and corruption are serious charges to level when there are no receipts.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I just don't know---- Maybe consider what is being found, and in most cases, forms of corrections are being performed. And it's all on a website DOGE.gov. as well as DOGE X. This is an ongoing review, one could assume if corruption or any laws have been broken the DOJ is the only one that can decide to bring charges. It would be unprofessional for Trump or Musk or anyone to name names. It would affect any form of prosecution. I am very sure that if crimes are found these people will be prosecuted ---
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  Miebakagh57posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  *****
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  DOGE.gov I guess if you feel everyone is lying that's your problem
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Sharlee01posted 4 weeks ago
FEB 17th 2025

President Donald Trump announced a team of four U.S. officials will work on negotiating with Russia and Ukraine to end the war that has raged between the two nations since 2022.

We "agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s Nations," Trump posted to Truth Social on Wednesday about Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately."

"I have asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of the CIA John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Ambassador and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, to lead the negotiations which, I feel strongly, will be successful," Trump posted to Truth Social on Wednesday, announcing that Russia was ready to hash out negotiations over the ongoing war.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  It doesn't seem like Ukraine was invited though? Looks like Little Marco is in Saudi Arabia to meet with members of the Russian delegation but how do you negotiate a plan without Ukraine??
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  It doesn't seem like Ukraine was invited though? Looks like Little Marco is in Saudi Arabia to meet with members of the Russian delegation but how do you negotiate a plan without Ukraine??" Willow
  
  You are wrong --- Trump made a statement yesterday live to the media on that subject. You are adding misleading information.
  
  On February 16, 2025, President Donald Trump confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would participate in upcoming peace negotiations. He stated, "We are working hard to facilitate peace, and President Zelensky will be involved in the talks."
  KYIVINDEPENDENT.COM
  
  This assurance comes as U.S. officials, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, prepare to engage in discussions with Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia. These talks aim to assess Russian President Vladimir Putin's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.
  REUTERS.COM
  
  Despite initial concerns from European leaders about being sidelined, Secretary Rubio emphasized that both Ukraine and Europe would be integral to any substantial peace negotiations. He stated, "Ukraine and Europe will be part of 'real' peace talks."
  REUTERS.COM
  
  President Trump's confirmation of Zelensky's involvement underscores the U.S. commitment to an inclusive diplomatic process, ensuring that all key stakeholders have a voice in the pursuit of lasting
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Willowarborposted 4 weeks ago
More from the "we just like to break things" category...

Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff amid aviation safety concerns...

The union representing the workers said the employees fired were responsible for installing, inspecting and maintaining air traffic control technology, like their radios and computer and communication systems.

The employees were fired “without cause nor based on performance or conduct,”

Can I get a resounding "YAY" for the "savings" !

Probably fraud there...LOL

https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/hundr … ab156.html
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  You need a source "The employees were fired “without cause nor based on performance or conduct,” Willow
  
  The media is running with unproven accusations and making assumptions without actual evidence. We have no idea who was fired or why, and personnel decisions—especially in government agencies—are private matters. Just because someone from a union claims there was "no cause" doesn't make it true. The media is taking that statement at face value without verifying any actual documentation or reviewing the full context of these firings. Given the FAA’s history of inefficiencies and staffing issues, it’s entirely possible this was a necessary move to improve operations, yet the media is twisting it into some kind of scandal. This is another classic case of selective outrage designed to push a narrative rather than present the facts.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  You can have your pick of 50 different sources...here is one.
  
  https://www.wvtm13.com/article/trump-fi … 0notifying
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I prefer names quotes, and hearing from the other side. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been actively involved in discussions about enhancing the air traffic control system. He recently visited the Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Virginia, accompanied by SpaceX employees, to explore ways to improve the system following the recent fatal collision. Duffy emphasized that SpaceX is not receiving special treatment and invited other tech companies to contribute ideas for improving air traffic control. Looks like he has a plan hopefully to make all safer travel. I am for fixing problems. If it means fire and hiring, I am all for it.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I don't see any plan? What did firing these people have to do with fixing anything?
  
  If anything that I have provided is misleading or false, anyone here has the opportunity to debunk it.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  "I don't see any plan? What did firing these people have to do with fixing anything?" Willow
  
  "Employees in their probationary period are the ones who have been fired.
  
  The union representing the workers said the employees fired were responsible for installing, inspecting and maintaining air traffic control technology, like their radios and computer and communication systems.
  
  It's important to note the firings do not include any air traffic controllers." Fox
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  Readmikenowposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Shar,
  
  I think this describes the democrat party since President Donald Trump was elected last month.
  
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Yes, I agree
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Why would you pick apart and put under a microscope the claim that these employees were fired for no cause? I mean, folks are perfectly comfortable with musk and trump's daily deluge of baseless statements? Their wild statements with no evidence attached. But when the shoe is on the other foot, evidence to the supreme degree must be given?
  
  Why would a union leader lie to the media? Firing without a cause is apparently the MO of the Trump administration...look to the Dellinger case.
  
  Musk and Trump continue to make false statements even when they are debunked and that's okay??
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  Readmikenowposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  From your article
  
  Employees in their probationary period are the ones who have been fired.
  
  The union representing the workers said the employees fired were responsible for installing, inspecting and maintaining air traffic control technology, like their radios and computer and communication systems.
  
  It's important to note the firings do not include any air traffic controllers.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Really great point.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Why does it matter if they were new employees? What's the relevance?
  
  Were these people expendable? And just because it did not include air traffic controllers, does that mean that others do not contribute to overall safety at the agency? Aren't the jobs that you identified; "installing inspecting and maintaining air traffic control technology" just as important?
  
  Hasn't the agency been suffering from staff shortages for years now? Where is the justification that 300 employees needed to be fired at this time?
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Willowarborposted 4 weeks ago
"I prefer names quotes, and hearing from the other side. "

MUSK: "we paid for 50 million worth of condoms to be sent to Hamas and our government is paying for social engineering and social deception programs..."

MAGA: "seems legit... THANK YOU ELON THANK YOU. What else would we expect from radical leftist lunatics?

DEMS: "300 FAA employees fired without cause. "

MAGA: "I'm going to need to see the paperwork from every one of those 300...by the end of business today. "
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  You diverted once again and made a poor attempt to bring the conversation back to Musk and Trump. I feel you are pretty much headed back to the conversation you are ruminating on. Here is my comment, perhaps comment on the subject.
  
  This was my reply to the comment you wrote on Aior Trific controllers being fired.
  
  "Sharlee01 wrote:
  I prefer names quotes, and hearing from the other side. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been actively involved in discussions about enhancing the air traffic control system. He recently visited the Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Virginia, accompanied by SpaceX employees, to explore ways to improve the system following the recent fatal collision. Duffy emphasized that SpaceX is not receiving special treatment and invited other tech companies to contribute ideas for improving air traffic control. Looks like he has a plan hopefully to make all safer travel. I am for fixing problems. If it means fire and hiring, I am all for it."
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Why a different standard of proof needed though between allegations made by the right versus a report of the Trump administration firing workers? That's really what struck me.
  
  Folks on this forum generally saying they don't need any evidence of any kind for the allegations made by Elon and the administration but anything uttered by those on the left needs to be backed up to Infinity...
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  Miebakagh57posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  That's an absurd reasoning.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  That's the reasoning used by many. Musk and Trump can say absolutely anything, make any sort of accusation and they do not need one shred of evidence to back it up. But if someone perceived to be on the left makes any sort of claim they are the first to demand proof for the statements.
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  Miebakagh57posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  No, the left is in the same boat.
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Sharlee01posted 4 weeks ago
This is all becoming too much to keep up with....

Elon Musk says millions in Social Security database are between ages of 100 and 159
Musk says one person is in Social Security database with age set between 360 and 369
Really got to read this.... Fox News

I mean how much worse will all this get? OMG
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Was this fact checked? What is he claiming and what is the reality?
  
  Elon Posting a random table from an Excel spreadsheet generated from a query of who knows, not making transparent the source of that data and its surrounding context and then shouting that the sky is falling is not only unconscionable, it is profoundly incompetent.
  
  Every Musk post related to DOGE has some amateurish chart or table clearly made by a peach fuzz teen, combined with a statement about a topic he clearly doesn't understand
  
  He's so far out of his depth it's actually embarrassing.
  
  I said what I said.
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  Willowarborposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I would think that a sensible person in this case would ask someone at the Social Security Administration to explain what these numbers mean.
  
  musk, instead, posts them with zero idea of what they represent, and makes millions of people believe SS is going to millions of dead people....
  
  Putting up a random table with no understanding or explanation of what the numbers represent is not transparency: it's bullsh*t.
  
  Just like the “social engineering” screenshot he shared too..a piece of information with no context is worthless
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  Miebakagh57posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  The world's oldest person is not yet 130 years.
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  Sharlee01posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Well, it looks like we have some very old people roaming around, and still collecting a check. LOL
  
  Musk is pointing out irregularities or errors in the Social Security database, suggesting that millions of people are listed with ages between 100 and 159, and even one person recorded as being between 360 and 369 years old.
  
  This could imply outdated records, administrative errors, or potential fraud within the system. Given his past statements, he might be using this to highlight inefficiencies in government databases or to support arguments about election integrity,
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  Miebakagh57posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  I got that one.
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Willowarborposted 4 weeks ago
Gather round MAGA. It's time
to explain this one more time.

83% of the federal workforce works outside of DC in states all across the country.

In some states, like Alabama and New Mexico, the federal government is the LARGEST employer.

While you are rooting for hardworking Americans to lose their jobs because of "government FRAUD," remember these Americans are your neighbors, your friends, and maybe even family members.

When people lose their jobs, it creates financial hardship. It increases unemployment payouts. It reduces consumer demand and decreases spending, which hurts local businesses.

That happening on a national scale all across the country impacts the economy.

While saving "billions" in government spending which you'll never see a dime (it's going towards tax cuts for Musk & Trump's friends), you will feel the pain of the strain unemployment takes on the economy, coupled with tariffs, and increased cost of goods due to rising inflation.

Congratulations on "saving" the government money while hurting the lives of average Americans.

Winning.
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  Miebakagh57posted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  Your last paragraph 'Congratulations on...' spoils the whole post.
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Willowarborposted 4 weeks ago
but did we have this many plane crashes under Biden?

I felt safe to fly....just sayin'

The daily chaos we're seeing, planes dropping out of the sky and nuclear weapons officials being fired, measles outbreaks, is all on trump, the guy who ran to be in charge.

There are unqualified people at every position he nominated, so things will get MUCH worse.

We're only 28 days in.
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Willowarborposted 4 weeks ago
Reclaiming America one bumbling move at a time?

Trump administration wants to un-fire nuclear safety workers but can’t figure out how to reach them...

OH WELL ... I'm sure someone will ensure that the stockpile is safe, right?

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/nation … rcna192345
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Willowarborposted 4 weeks ago
Republicans have introduced legislation… to increase bank fees.

So, fees capped under Biden at $5. Thank goodness banks will be able to charge $40 again for overdrafts!

https://financialservices.house.gov/new … tID=409464

Let's look on the bright side...at least we got three trans people out of sports right? I'm sure that was costing folks more than bank fees anyway!
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  wildernessposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this
  If you don't like $40 overdraft fees, don't overdraft your account. I haven't done so for at least 20 years now, and it isn't because I keep large amounts in a checking account.
  
  Or you could change banks. Even - novel thought - start your own bank and see how it works to allow people to withdraw as much as they like.
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Sharlee01posted 3 weeks ago
I have read a few posts here regarding concerns over firing at the Department of Transportation (DOT) and concerns over safety in the air

DOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
@PressSec is correct on both points.
DOGE
Karoline Leavitt
@PressSec
More fake news from the @AP

1. DOGE doesn’t even have a Facebook page

2. No air traffic controllers nor any professionals who perform safety critical functions were terminated
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  Willowarborposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this
  Did you see the description of those fired and the responsibilities they had? Seemed fairly critical.
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  Sharlee01posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this
  I am not questioning how is being fired. It has been reported it there were not any air traffic controllers canned. I assume departments were over-bloated. DOGE was appointed to find waste and over spending. To make agencies more efficient.
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  Willowarborposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this
  There is a labor shortage at the FAA
  
  According to Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS)..."This action will increase the workload and place new responsibilities on a workforce that is already stretched
  thin," oh well.
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  Sharlee01posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this
  The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union of 11,000 members primarily supports Democratic candidates through its Political Action Committee (PAC). In the 2023–2024 election cycle, PASS's PAC allocated approximately 76.87% of its federal candidate contributions to Democrats distributing a total of $402,000. I think I will stick with the CEO Of Delta.
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Sharlee01posted 3 weeks ago
DOGE is working to make things better

Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
The Treasury Access Symbol (TAS) is an identification code linking a Treasury payment to a budget line item (standard financial process).

In the Federal Government, the TAS field was optional for ~$4.7 Trillion in payments and was often left blank, making traceability almost impossible. As of Saturday, this is now a required field, increasing insight into where money is actually going. Thanks to
@USTreasury
for the great work.

https://tfx.treasury.gov/taxonomy/term/10257
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Sharlee01posted 3 weeks ago
Working to make things better

Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
The US government currently has ~4.6M active credit cards/accounts, which processed ~90M unique transactions for ~$40B of spend in FY24.

DOGE is working w/ the agencies to simplify the program and reduce admin costs - we will report back in 1 week.
DOCUMENT AVAILABLE ON DOGE.gov
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  Willowarborposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this
  But has it reduced anything related to the cost of living that people are suffering with under his administration? The natives are restless.
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  Sharlee01posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this
  Oh, that's sad.... But we were not talking about that, were we? LOL
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Sharlee01posted 3 weeks ago
Then this --- egg in the face moment

Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
This is inaccurate. The referenced “classified information” is actually public FedScope data, posted publicly by OPM (Office of Personnel Management) in March 2024.

DOGE
Aaron Rupar
@atrupar
Kaine: "Yesterday the DOGE guys post classified information on their website, and they had to realize, 'Oh, we didn't realize that agency was a classified agency.' You shouldn't let people rampage through offices that have classified information."
12:01 AM · Feb 17, 2025
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  Willowarborposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this
  Doge has posted so much misinformation, misleading information and disinformation that they are in no way credible or trustworthy.
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  Sharlee01posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this
  They have not posted anything inaccurate and slammed many one that was posting misinformation regarding what they are finding and what is being reported. As they have with the NYT article you posted and the above post. Hey, we have an entire group of people in our society that can't face facts. That's pretty much their problem. DOGE is doing what they were hired to do--- can't even imagine what the final savings will be in the end.
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  Willowarborposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this
  Post after post are either misinformation or outright lies and have been proven as such as they are occurring.
  
  I think Forbes has done a good job at compiling all of the fact checks
  
  https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurra … 8-billion/
  reply report

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