Podcasts about Government Accountability Office

Grammy nominated ngoni virtuoso Bassekou Kouyate and his 8 piece band Ngoni Ba wowed the crowd at Lincoln Center in 2011. Ngoni Ba re-wired the ancient ngoni to create a dense, 21st century sound. We'll hear the concert and talk with Bassekou about hunters, his precocious son, and his future plans. We hear a very different take on the ngoni from Sidi Touré who made his U.S. debut at BAM in Brooklyn. Sidi Touré is from the legendary city of Gao in northern Mali, the seat the ancient Songhai empire. Then we go to Egypt to hear how artists from Port Said are making music for instruments that go back to the time of the Pharoahs. [Produced by Sean Barlow. Originally aired 11-09-2011] APWW #626

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe [DS]/[CB] manipulated the people into believing we were in a climate crisis, they changed the graphics to convince you it was hotter than the past, big fail. Elon is focusing in on the [CB] system and bringing attention to it. Michael Horowitz has been named IG of the Fed. Pieces are put into place. BBB passed Senate, this is just the beginning. The [DS] was distracted with the BBB, they went after the section that Trump setup to draw them away from what he wants. Trump calls for the arrest of Mayorkas. The [DS] had Elon and used his technology. They gave the tech to Iran and NK to build rockets to be used for WWIII. It seems that Trump is setting Elon free from all that by cutting all subsidies to the the green new scam. Optics are important. All roads lead to Obama and the [CB].   Economy https://twitter.com/cruadin/status/1940008358347489779   https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1939930016306942088   the mandates would be going, and he's said repeatedly in the past that the EV subsidy should end: “If you eliminated all EV incentives tomorrow, Tesla's competitive position would improve significantly. I'll say that again. If you eliminated all EV tax credits, Tesla's position would improve immediately.” S  https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/1939910877563490753   https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/1939915436943872198 https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1940001236108918819 https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1939909939037901204 The U.S. debt ceiling has been raised, extended, or revised 78 times since 1960, according to multiple sources, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Council on Foreign Relations. This includes 49 times under Republican presidents and 29 times under Democratic presidents. Some sources, like USA Today, suggest it has been raised at least 100 times since 1940, but the most commonly cited figure for the modern era (post-1960) is 78. Over the years, the debt ceiling has not been an effective mechanism for stopping waste and fraud in government spending. The debt ceiling is a legislative cap on the total amount of debt the U.S. government can incur, requiring Congressional approval to raise or extend it to allow continued borrowing for existing obligations, such as funding authorized programs, servicing debt, and meeting other financial commitments. Its primary function is to limit the government's borrowing capacity, not to regulate the quality, efficiency, or integrity of spending.Why the Debt Ceiling Doesn't Stop Waste and Fraud:  The debt ceiling addresses the aggregate level of federal debt, not specific budget items or program management. It does not inherently scrutinize or eliminate wasteful or fraudulent expenditures, which occur within the budgeting and execution of individual programs.   Debt ceiling debates often serve as political leverage for broader fiscal or policy negotiations (e.g., spending cuts or tax reforms). While these discussions may occasionally highlight waste or fraud rhetorically, the ceiling itself does not directly target or address such issues. For example, during debt ceiling negotiations in 2011 or 2023, the focus was on overall spending reductions or policy concessions, not specific anti-fraud measures.  Waste and fraud are typically addressed through other processes, such as: Audits by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or Inspectors General (IGs) within federal agencies.

A government watchdog faces a nearly 50% cut to next year's budget under a proposal from House lawmakers. The legislative branch portion of the fiscal 2026 spending bill would both cut funding for the Government Accountability Office and limit GAO from investigating whether the Trump administration unlawfully withheld funding already approved by lawmakers Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins me with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To prevent fraud, the IRS needs to make sure that tax filers are who they say they are. a new ID-proofing approach now means that over 70% of filers can be verified digitally. But the GAO says IRS still needs to work on its privacy and program evaluation practices. Here with more details on the findings that can help many other federal agencies is Director of Strategic issues at GAO, Jay Mc TigueSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

06-24-2025 David Walker Learn more about the interview and get additional links here: https://usabusinessradio.com/exclusive-former-gao-discusses-massive-budget-cuts-on-accountability-agency/ Subscribe to the best of our content here: https://priceofbusiness.substack.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCywgbHv7dpiBG2Qswr_ceEQ

The math wasn't mathing so the Joint Taxation Committee changed the math for the cost of the tax bill which halves the budget for the GAO. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

That's right listeners, we're back with our regularly scheduled interviews, well shows recorded over a year ago but we'll get them all out eventually. For this one I am being joined by Gao Motsemme, Psychic Surgeon and Human MRI. We talked about all the different ways she can heal your mind, whether it be through psychic surgery, healing ancestral trauma, or dealing with your inner child. Come enjoy and hopefully Gao can help you too. Gao's Website: https://www.awakeningconfidence.com/gaomotsemme/claritysession Uncensored, Untamed & Unapologetic U^3 Podcast Collective: https://www.facebook.com/groups/545827736965770/?ref=share Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juggalobastardpodcasts?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8xJ2KnRBKlYvyo8CMR7jMga

hat's really happening with Trusted Workforce 2.0? For years, it's been billed as the game-changing reform effort to modernize how the government vets and clears its personnel. But with implementation lagging and key systems like NBIS still not fully operational, the big question remains: Are we making progress, or just stuck in process?In this episode, we talk with Alyssa Czyz, Director at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), to unpack GAO's latest report on the federal government's personnel vetting overhaul. From the promise of Continuous Vetting to the pitfalls of missed timelines and unfinalized policies, Czyz gives a look at what's been done—and what's just been drafted.We break down:What's working (hello, Continuous Vetting) and what's stalling (looking at you, NBIS).Why critical policies like the Personnel Vetting Management Standards are still sitting on the shelf.Whether NBIS is gaining—or losing—confidence as the tech backbone of the clearance process.How close we are to a truly mobile, modern, and streamlined vetting system.Whether you're deep in the weeds of personnel security or just trying to keep up with the alphabet soup of federal reform, this episode cuts through the noise and gives you the Trusted Workforce 2.0 update you actually need.

Katlyn Gao, CEO of LOVB (League One Volleyball) and Alex Bazzell, President and Co-Founder of Unrivaled Basketball join Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett to discuss why women's sport was top of the agenda in Cannes this year. Gao charts the story so far for LOVB as it builds its own brand – and looks to attract brands - and considers the prominent role of the league's athletes in its storytelling approach. Bazzell lays out the plan to build 3x3 women's basketball property Unrivaled into sport's next billion dollar league franchise. He reviews the first year and reveals where he's looking for inspiration as Unrivaled grows. James also chats to Deirdre Lester, CEO of western sports media and entertainment company Teton Ridge, which is transforming the way cowboy culture and rodeo is packaged up and delivered to consumers.

Andrew, Kevin and Jessica Gao discuss the ICE raids and protests in LA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, June 18th, 2025Today, the 9th Circuit heard arguments over Trump's National Guard deployment to California; a federal judge has blocked Trump's passport policy targeting transgender people; Trump has left the G7 early to return to Washington as he tells everyone to evacuate Tehran; a counter protester arrested at Nashville's No Kings march has been hit with gun charges; Senator Mike Lee has taken down his tweets about the Minnesota assassin after being confronted by Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar; New York mayoral candidate Brad Lander has been arrested by ICE on trumped up charges of assaulting an agent; a federal judge has held the Florida Attorney General in civil contempt; for the second time the Government Accountability Office has found the Trump administration illegally impounded funds; the NAACP is refusing to invite the president to their annual convention for the first time in its 116 year history; Trump reverses course on arresting migrants at farms and hotel; Mike Lindell has to pay $2.3M for defaming the Dominion Voting CEO; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News. MSW Media, Blue Wave California Victory Fund | ActBlueAllison Gill Live With Adam Klasfeld | muellershewrote.comCheck out Dana's social media campaign highlighting LGBTQ+ heroes every day during Pride Month -  Dana Goldberg (@dgcomedy.bsky.social)Guest: Phil Williams@philinvestigates.com - BlueSky, @PhilNvestigates - Twitter , News Channel 5PhilInvestigates.com Guest: Sara JacobsU.S. Congresswoman Sara Jacobs | CA 51st District@RepSaraJacobs • Blue Sky, @repsarajacobs • Instagram, @RepSaraJacobs • Twitter StoriesUS judge blocks Trump passport policy targeting transgender people | ReutersBrad Lander, NYC Mayoral Candidate, Arrested by ICE Agents at Immigration Courthouse | The New York TimesTrump calls for Iran's 'unconditional surrender' as Israel-Iran air war rages on | ReutersTrump officials reverse guidance exempting farms, hotels from immigration raids | The Washington PostWatchdog Finds Trump Administration Broke Law by Withholding Library Funds | The New York TimesDonald Trump is the first president in 116 years to not be invited to the NAACP convention | PBS NewsJudge finds Florida attorney general in contempt of court for flouting immigration order | Miami HeraldGood Trouble: We have another snitch line! This one aims to “save the military from woke culture.” So please, from an anonymous proton mail account, reach out to tips@restorethemilitary.com and let them know how you feel about having a makeup studio for Pete Hegseth inside the Pentagon and how woke that is. Or you can tell them about the outstanding service of transgender troops in the military.Proton Mail: Get a free email account with privacy and encryptionFind Upcoming Demonstrations And Actions50501 MovementNoKings.orgIndivisible.orgFederal workers - feel free to email me at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen. From The Good NewsDana Goldberg (@dgcomedy.bsky.social)‘No Kings' Protest in State College Draws Hundreds | StateCollege.com'No Kings' protest in Oshkosh draws 1,500 as rallies also planned in Manitowoc, Sheboygan | the northwestern.com Reminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Federal workers - feel free to email me at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen.Share your Good News or Good TroubleMSW Good News and Good Trouble Check out other MSW Media podcastshttps://mswmedia.com/shows/Subscribe for free to MuellerSheWrote on Substackhttps://muellershewrote.substack.comFollow AG and Dana on Social MediaDr. Allison Gill Substack|Muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewrote , Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote,Dana GoldbergTwitter|@DGComedy, IG|dgcomedy, facebook|dgcomedy, IG|dgcomedy, danagoldberg.com, BlueSky|@dgcomedyHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?Supercasthttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/Patreon https://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr subscribe on Apple Podcasts with our affiliate linkThe Daily Beans on Apple Podcasts

It can take over 10 years to bring a new ground system to life, at a time when our adversaries' development cycle is 18 months or less. A new report from GAO suggest best practices the Army could apply now to dramatically shorten its development cycle for these critical weapons. Here with more on the recommendations in a new report from GAO is Director of the Contracting and National Security Acquisitions team, Mona Sehgal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome back Elizabeth Field the Chief Operating Officer for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation for the post-Convening recap. About Elizabeth Field: recognized expert on military quality-of-life and defense policy. Prior to joining the Foundation, she held senior roles at the Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Department of State, and has testified before Congress on issues ranging from defense reform to veteran support. Her work has been featured by NPR, CNN, and The New York Times. A proud daughter of an Army veteran, she lives in Washington, D.C. with her two sons and rescue dog. About the 10th Annual National Elizabeth Dole Foundation Convening: On May 20, 2025, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation hosted its 10th Annual Convening, A Blueprint for Action: Mapping the Future of Caregiving in a Changing World. This event featured leaders from government, industry, non-profits, and academia gathered for dynamic discussions, engaging keynote speakers, and interactive working sessions focused on shaping the future of support for military and veteran caregivers. Connect with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation: Official Website: https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/

This episode we are going to be looking at another single Chinese herb: shí gāo, Gypsum fibrosum, or just gypsum. This herb is in the Chinese medical sub-category of herbs that drain fire and is among the coldest herbs in the pharmacopeia. It is useful both internally to cool various heat conditions as well as topically in many dermatological conditions. As usual, we will explore all the intricacies of this herb as well as an explanation of its category. And as always, we will look at something a little different…we are going to discuss some basic pharmacology. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us for this intriguing episode as we look at shí gāo, Gypsum fibrosum, or gypsum!

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Doug Criscitello, Program Integrity Fellow at Arnold Ventures, returns to unpack the resurgence of impoundment in the federal budget discourse. Doug sheds light on the Impoundment Control Act's history and relevance, explains why the GAO is investigating 39 potential violations, and breaks down the tension between Executive authority and the Legislature's power of the purse. From rescission packages to apportionments and Anti-Deficiency Act risks, Doug offers a clear-eyed take on what lies ahead for agencies and appropriators as fiscal pressures mount.Show NotesArnold Ventures: Doug's Webinar on ImpoundmentICA: Impoundment Control Act of 1974GAO: Ruling on DOT ImpoundmentRescission Package Passed by the HouseDominic Pino's Op-Ed in the Washington PostADA: The Antideficiency Act of 1870Events on the GovNavigator's RadarJune 17th, 2025: Samuel J. Heyman Service to America MedalsJune 25th, 2025: ACT-IAC's Data & Analytics Forum

In this episode of Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris & Courtney dive into the critical mistakes that could derail your retirement plans. The recent market volatility caused by recent events like tariff announcements can significantly impact returns if you don't make smart decisions with your money. We'll explore three common missteps that investors often make: Doing Too Much: Reacting impulsively to market drops by pulling out investments can lead to missing subsequent recoveries. We'll discuss why staying the course with a comfortable asset allocation is often the better strategy. Did you know that from 2005 through 2024, seven of the S&P 500's 10 best days occurred within two weeks of the 10 worst days? This insight from J.P. Morgan Asset Management highlights the importance of patience. Losing Sight of the Big Picture: With money in different retirement plans from job changes to holding your savings with different financial institutions, it's easy to lose track of how your overall portfolio is allocated. We'll explain how streamlining your investment strategy can be a game-changer for reaching your financial goals. Forgetting About Fees: Many investors are unaware of the fees they pay on their respective portfolios, mainly because most of these costs can be hidden. We'll shed light on how choosing low-cost options and being mindful of fees can help maximize your returns. A U.S. Government Accountability Office report from 2021 found that 41% of 401(k) participants don't know they pay any fees in their plan. We'll help you become fee-savvy to protect your nest egg. Tune in to learn how to avoid these pitfalls and secure your financial future!

China and the United States have mapped out a framework to implement their previously reached consensus and bring bilateral trade ties to the right track after concluding two days of "candid and in-depth" talks in London, which analysts said would help de-escalate tensions between the world's two largest economies.While it might still require some patience before a final agreement is reached, analysts said the talks were a good sign in terms of steadying bilateral ties and injecting much-needed certainty into the world economy.He Lifeng, Chinese vice-premier and lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs, said the US should resolve trade disputes with China through equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation, Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday.He made the remarks during the first meeting under the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism, which was held in London from Monday to Tuesday with US lead person Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.During the talks, the two sides reached an agreement in principle on implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their phone call on June 5 and the framework of measures to consolidate the outcomes of the economic and trade talks held last month in Geneva, Switzerland.The trade talks in Geneva led to a temporary truce where China and the US agreed on a 90-day pause on their triple-digit tariffs to allow further negotiations.The White House, however, has since announced a range of negative measures with its new nontariff restrictions, including stopping sales of computer chip design software to China, warning against using chips made by Chinese tech company Huawei and canceling visas for Chinese students.In phone talks held at the request of US President Donald Trump on June 5, President Xi Jinping said the Chinese always honor and deliver what has been promised, urging both sides to make good on the agreement reached in Geneva.In fact, China has been seriously and earnestly executing the agreement, and the US side should acknowledge the progress already made, and remove the negative measures taken against China, Xi added.Ahead of this week's meeting in London, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Saturday that it had approved some applications for rare earth export licenses.Vice-Premier He noted that China's position and stance on China-US economic and trade issues are clear and consistent. The essence of China-US economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.Cooperation in the economic and trade realm brings benefits to both sides, while conflict hurts them both, He said, stressing that there are no winners in a trade war, and China does not wish to engage in one, but neither does it fear doing so.The US should work with China to honor its words with actions, and demonstrate sincerity in keeping commitments and concrete efforts to implement consensus, so as to jointly safeguard the hard-won outcomes of dialogue, He said.The two sides should maintain communication and consultation, and steer China-US economic and trade relations toward steady and sustained development, in order to inject more certainty and stability into the world economy, He added."The two largest economies in the world have reached a handshake for a framework," US Commerce Secretary Lutnick said. "Once the presidents approve it, we will then seek to implement it."The positive sentiments among Chinese and US negotiators point to a shared willingness to keep the trade talks afloat and strive for a comprehensive agreement that benefits both economies and the world at large.Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, said, "While the road ahead may not be completely smooth, both sides understand the need to navigate their differences and address each other's concerns carefully and responsibly."The progress made during this meeting is creating the conditions for a final agreement that serves the interests of both sides and the stability and prosperity of the global economy, Gao added.Diao Daming, a professor of US studies at Renmin University of China's School of International Studies, said: "The structural complexities behind the China-US relationship are undeniable. Yet, the core of the bilateral economic relationship between China and the US remains mutually beneficial.""Far from diminishing, the scope for shared interests between the two countries is widening amidst global turbulence," Diao said. "Seeking new avenues for cooperation isn't a concession; it's a strategic necessity for both Beijing and Washington."

The 15 nuclear waste sites, down from 107 at the end of the Cold War, remain under the control of the Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management. A new report from GAO suggests that there are billions of dollars to be saved from optimizing the disposal plan for this waste. Here with more details is the Director for Natural Resources and Environment at the GAO, Nathan Anderson.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A separation health assessment administered to more than 50,000 service members found that about 67 percent of troops screened positive for at least one mental health condition. Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression were among the most common issues identified. A government watchdog found that over 50 percent of service members declined referrals to the DoD's inTransition program that provides mental health resources during transition periods. DoD officials told the Government Accountability Office that many factors may contribute to the high rate of positive screenings among separating service members, including that many intend to file disability claims.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, John and Elliot discuss the recent GAO report on AI in financial services, AUSTRAC's media release about crypto ATMs and their use in scams, fraud, and illicit finance, a new Canadian proposal to strengthen its boarders, including efforts to crack down on money launderers, a new North Dakota data security law impacting financial service providers, and other items impacting the financial crime prevention community.

How can architects build creative careers in the creator economy?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee speaks with Henry Gao, architect turned digital creator, educator, and founder of Draw With Gao, a platform that teaches architects and designers how to leverage iPad sketching as both a creative outlet and a new revenue stream. Henry's path offers a rare glimpse into how an architectural background can evolve beyond the profession into entrepreneurship, storytelling, and scalable creative business.Henry shares his journey from sketching historical buildings as a child in China to navigating a traditional architecture education in Canada and the U.S., and eventually stepping away from firm life after realizing it didn't align with his values. Along the way, he experimented with freelance renderings, ran an Etsy shop, studied architectural photography, and slowly built an ecosystem of content that now supports a global audience of designers.Together, Evelyn and Henry explore the challenges of leaving the traditional architecture path, the role of mentors and paid coaching, and what it takes to build a sustainable business around content, courses, and community. They also discuss Henry's evolution from side hustles to a full-time educational platform, the power of standard operating procedures (SOPs), and why he believes teaching is a form of service that architects are well-equipped to offer.“When I stopped trying to fit into traditional architecture roles, I started to see all the ways my training could serve people. Teaching, drawing, storytelling, those are still architectural skills. But now I use them to empower others, and in doing so, I've built a business that's both creative and sustainable.” - Henry GaoThe episode concludes with a reflection on ikigai - the Japanese concept of purpose, and how Henry's work sits at the intersection of what he loves, what he's good at, what people need, and what can be monetized. It's a conversation about reimagining the future of architecture as something broader than buildings - something designed to fit the life you want to live.Guest: Henry Gao is a designer, educator, and the founder of Draw With Gao, an online platform offering courses, tools, and coaching for architects and creatives interested in mastering digital hand drawing. Trained in architecture at Carleton University and Cornell, Henry transitioned from working in design firms to building a business rooted in teaching and storytelling. His work focuses on helping creatives turn their skills into impactful, scalable offerings in the creator economy.Is This Episode for You?This episode is for you if: ✅ You're an architect curious about alternative career paths ✅ You want to learn how to monetize creative skills beyond the billable hour ✅ You've considered launching an online course, product, or content platform ✅ You're exploring ways to build freedom and sustainability into your design careerWhat have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.

The White House and the Government Accountability Office are at odds over the Trump administration's decision to pause funding for the national electric vehicle charging program, which puts $5 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law toward building EV chargers across the country. POLITICO's Matt Daily breaks down the fight and how the pause is impacting states that were receiving funds from the program. Plus, the Congressional Budget Office forecasted the tax and spending package House Republicans passed last month would expand the federal deficit by $2.4 trillion dollars over a decade. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.  Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.  Gloria Gonzalez is the deputy energy editor for POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Day in Legal History: Henderson v. United States DecidedOn June 5, 1950, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Henderson v. United States, 339 U.S. 816 (1950), a significant civil rights ruling concerning racial segregation in interstate transportation. Elmer W. Henderson, an African American passenger, had been denied equal dining services on a train operated by the Southern Railway Company under a policy that enforced segregation. Although a dining car had a partition supposedly to accommodate Black passengers, in practice Henderson was often unable to access equivalent service due to timing and seat availability.The case reached the Supreme Court after the Interstate Commerce Commission failed to provide meaningful relief. In a unanimous opinion written by Justice Fred Vinson, the Court held that the railway's practices violated the Interstate Commerce Act, particularly its provision requiring carriers to provide equal treatment and avoid undue prejudice. Importantly, the Court based its reasoning not on constitutional grounds (such as the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment), but on statutory interpretation, finding that the carrier's conduct constituted an unjust and unreasonable discrimination.This ruling marked an early and important step toward dismantling legally sanctioned segregation in public accommodations, prefiguring later landmark decisions like Brown v. Board of Education (1954). Although not framed as a constitutional equal protection case, Henderson nonetheless contributed to the legal groundwork of the civil rights movement and challenged the legitimacy of the “separate but equal” doctrine in practical terms.SAP, Europe's largest software company, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a decision that revived an antitrust lawsuit brought by its competitor, Teradata. The case centers on allegations that SAP unlawfully tied its business-planning applications to a required purchase of its own database software, which competes with Teradata's products. SAP argues that such software integration benefits consumers and constitutes healthy competition, not anti-competitive conduct.The lawsuit was initially filed by California-based Teradata in 2018 after the companies ended a joint venture. SAP had prevailed in the lower court, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that decision in December, stating a jury should decide the case. SAP's petition criticizes the appellate court's reliance on a version of the “per se rule,” under which the conduct is presumed illegal without a detailed analysis. Instead, SAP advocates for applying the more nuanced “rule of reason” standard, which considers both competitive harms and justifications.SAP also claims the ruling conflicts with how a different federal appeals court treated a similar antitrust issue in the historic Microsoft case. The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to hear the case.This case hinges on the concept of “tying,” where a company conditions the sale of one product on the purchase of another, potentially stifling competition. It's significant because whether courts apply a strict “per se” rule or the more flexible “rule of reason” can dramatically affect the outcome in such antitrust disputes.Tech giant SAP asks US Supreme Court to reconsider rival's antitrust win | ReutersA federal judge in Washington, D.C., has dismissed a lawsuit filed by three Democratic Party committees accusing President Donald Trump of trying to undermine the independence of the Federal Election Commission (FEC). U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled that the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee failed to demonstrate any “concrete and imminent injury” necessary to sustain a legal challenge.The lawsuit, filed in February 2025, contested an executive order issued by Trump that aimed to increase White House control over independent federal agencies, including the FEC. The order stated that the legal views of the president and the attorney general would be “controlling” for federal employees and prohibited them from expressing opposing positions. Democrats claimed this language threatened the FEC's independence and could deter campaign planning.Judge Ali, however, noted that administration lawyers had assured the court that the executive order would not be used to interfere with the FEC's decision-making. He also found the plaintiffs' concerns too speculative, emphasizing that the Supreme Court requires a demonstrated change in the relationship with the agency in question, which the plaintiffs had not shown.The judge's decision hinged on the plaintiffs' lack of standing, a fundamental requirement in federal court. To proceed with a lawsuit, plaintiffs must show a specific, actual, or imminent injury caused by the defendant. In this case, speculative harm and vague concerns about agency behavior were insufficient. This principle helps prevent courts from weighing in on political disputes where no direct harm can be proven.Trump defeats Democrats' lawsuit over election commission independenceThe Trump administration is pursuing a new $25 million contract to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct DNA testing on families facing deportation. The goal, according to ICE, is to verify family relationships—but critics warn the program could lead to unnecessary family separations, especially in cases involving non-biological caregivers like godparents. Civil rights advocates also raise concerns that the DNA data could be misused for unrelated criminal investigations and stored indefinitely.The contract was initially awarded in May to SNA International, a firm specializing in forensic identification. However, Bode Cellmark Forensics filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office, arguing the contract wasn't competitively bid. ICE subsequently issued a stop-work order on the contract pending resolution of the protest, with a decision expected by September 2.This is not ICE's first attempt at rapid DNA testing. A similar program began in 2019 during Trump's first term to detect alleged “fraudulent” parent-child relationships, often targeting migrant families. Though handed over to Customs and Border Protection in 2021, the Biden administration ended it in 2023. Reports since then have highlighted issues with consent, with some migrants mistaking DNA swabs for COVID-19 tests or feeling coerced into participation under threat of legal consequences.Privacy advocates argue that such widespread collection of genetic data lacks transparency and oversight. The Georgetown Law Center on Privacy and Technology recently sued the Department of Homeland Security for failing to provide records on how DNA samples from migrants are collected and stored.The revived DNA testing raises key legal questions about informed consent and the scope of data use by federal agencies. When individuals are unaware of what they're consenting to—or coerced into it—the practice may violate federal standards for ethical data collection, especially under the Privacy Act and due process protections.ICE Moves to DNA-Test Families Targeted for Deportation with New Contract This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

This Day in Legal History: 19th Amendment Passed in SenateOn June 4, 1919, the U.S. Congress passed the 19th Amendment, marking a turning point in American constitutional and civil rights history. The amendment stated simply that the right to vote "shall not be denied or abridged... on account of sex," legally enfranchising millions of women. The road to this moment was long and contentious, spanning more than seven decades of organized activism. Early suffragists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony laid the groundwork in the 19th century, while a new generation, including Alice Paul and the National Woman's Party, employed more confrontational tactics in the 1910s.Although the House of Representatives had passed the amendment earlier in the year, the Senate had repeatedly failed to approve it. The June 4 vote in the Senate—passing by just over the required two-thirds majority—was the final congressional hurdle. The legislative victory came amid shifting national sentiment, in part due to women's contributions during World War I and growing pressure from suffrage organizations.The amendment was then sent to the states, needing ratification by three-fourths to become law. That process concluded over a year later with Tennessee's pivotal ratification on August 18, 1920. The 19th Amendment was certified on August 26, finally making women's suffrage the law of the land. This day marks not just a legal transformation but the culmination of one of the most significant civil rights struggles in U.S. history.Disbarred attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for stealing $15 million in settlement funds from his clients. U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton also imposed a $35,000 fine and ordered Girardi to pay over $2.3 million in restitution. The sentence followed his August 2024 conviction on four counts of wire fraud. Girardi, who turned 86 on the day of his sentencing, had sought leniency due to age, liver issues, and dementia claims, but the court found him competent and sided with prosecutors who sought a significant term.Girardi's legacy was once tied to his successful pollution suit against Pacific Gas and Electric—dramatized in the film Erin Brockovich. However, his downfall involved stealing settlement funds in various personal injury cases, including millions owed to families of victims of the 2018 Boeing 737 MAX crash. A federal judge in Chicago recently dismissed related charges, citing the active California case, though the prosecution of Girardi's son-in-law, David Lira, is still set to proceed there. Lira denies wrongdoing.At trial, Girardi blamed the fraud on Christopher Kamon, his firm's former CFO, who has already been sentenced to over ten years after pleading guilty. Girardi's attorneys continue to claim cognitive decline, but the court maintained that he was mentally fit to face justice.Lawyer Tom Girardi sentenced to 87 months in prison for wire fraud | ReutersA federal appeals court is set to hear its first case reviewing the constitutionality of Donald Trump's executive order limiting birthright citizenship. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in Seattle as the Trump administration appeals a nationwide injunction issued by U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, who called the order “blatantly unconstitutional.” The directive, signed by Trump on January 20, his first day back in office, seeks to deny citizenship to U.S.-born children whose parents are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents.Critics—including 22 Democratic attorneys general and immigrant advocacy groups—argue the order violates the 14th Amendment, which has long been interpreted to grant citizenship to nearly anyone born on U.S. soil. Federal judges in Massachusetts and Maryland have also issued rulings blocking the order. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, which heard related arguments on May 15, is considering whether to limit lower courts' power to issue nationwide injunctions rather than deciding on the constitutionality of the policy itself.If implemented, the order could deny citizenship to over 150,000 newborns annually, according to the plaintiffs. The lawsuit before the 9th Circuit was filed by several states and individual pregnant women. The three-judge panel includes two Clinton-era appointees and one Trump appointee, potentially shaping the outcome. The administration maintains that birthright citizenship doesn't apply to children of undocumented or temporary-status immigrants, a stance at odds with long-standing interpretations of the 14th Amendment.To be clear, this case revolves around the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment. This clause states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States... are citizens of the United States,” forming the basis of birthright citizenship. The case centers on how this clause should be interpreted, making it the key constitutional question in this challenge. On the side of birthright citizenship is, frankly, the plain language of the amendment. On the side of the executive order are racists and racist people without basic reading comprehension – full stop. There is no “other side” here, and there is no real debate. Ultimately the courts may decide to pretend there is some nuance, but that changes nothing about the clear language of the amendment. Trump's birthright citizenship order to face first US appeals court reviewA group of former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employees has filed a class action lawsuit against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk, alleging that their departments used flawed data to justify the firing of 10,000 federal workers. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, claims that HHS and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk leads, violated the 1974 Privacy Act by using inaccurate personnel records during a mass reduction in force (RIF).The plaintiffs argue that the agencies relied on data riddled with errors, including incorrect performance reviews, job descriptions, and office locations. One named plaintiff, Catherine Jackson, reportedly received an RIF notice based on false performance ratings. Another, Melissa Adams, was allegedly terminated by officials who didn't even know her work location.The lawsuit seeks at least $1,000 in damages per affected employee and a court declaration that the government's actions were unlawful. The complaint also suggests that the terminations were ideologically driven, referencing a troubling incident where an FDA employee was warned by a man invoking DOGE shortly before receiving her RIF notice.The mass firings, which began April 1, impacted key HHS agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH. Kennedy defended the cuts as part of a broader reorganization to address chronic disease. The plaintiffs, however, see the action as a politically motivated purge that disregarded legal safeguards.By way of brief background, the Privacy Act of 1974 mandates that federal agencies maintain accurate records when making decisions that adversely affect individuals. It is central to the lawsuit because the plaintiffs claim their terminations were based on data that was factually wrong, violating this statutory requirement.RFK Jr., Musk Accused of Using Faulty Data in Firing HHS WorkersA new conflict over federal spending power is emerging between the Trump White House and the Government Accountability Office (GAO), centered on a $5 billion electric vehicle infrastructure program. The GAO recently concluded that the Trump administration's pause of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) grants—originally authorized under President Biden's 2021 infrastructure law—violated the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which prohibits presidents from withholding funds for policy reasons. In response, the White House issued a sharply worded memo instructing the Department of Transportation to disregard the GAO's opinion entirely.The memo, written by OMB general counsel Mark Paoletta, accuses the GAO of partisan bias and undermining President Trump's “historic and lawful spending reforms.” It signals a broader strategy to challenge the authority of congressional watchdogs and reframe presidential control over budget implementation. This dispute could serve as the first legal test of Trump's intent to challenge the constitutionality of the Impoundment Act itself.The delay in EV funding is part of a broader rollback of Biden-era policy priorities, including guidance on equity and charger placement. Meanwhile, the administration has proposed over $9 billion in spending rescissions, aimed at areas like public broadcasting and foreign aid, under Trump's Department of Government Efficiency initiative. Advisors have floated a tactic called “pocket rescission,” a timing strategy that critics argue violates legal requirements for obligating federal funds.This isn't the first time a president has clashed with GAO over spending powers—Trump and Biden both previously faced scrutiny for pauses in Ukraine aid and border wall funds, respectively. However, the White House's open defiance of GAO marks a significant escalation in an ongoing constitutional debate over who ultimately controls the federal purse.More specifically, the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 restricts the executive branch from withholding or delaying funds Congress has appropriated unless explicitly authorized. It plays a central role in this dispute, as the GAO argues Trump's delay of NEVI grants constitutes an illegal impoundment, while the administration disputes the law's constitutionality and GAO's oversight role.White House Memo on EV Grants Sets Up Fight Over Spending Power - Bloomberg This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

A new GAO conversation with private sector organizations documents afresh the benefits and challenges of telework and finds a great deal of agreement between workers and employers. Are there lessons here for the federal government? Joining me with more details, GAO's Director for Education, Workforce, and Income Security, John Sawyer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The theme of the current administration is to do more with less. Today, we hear from experts on how they have assisted in implementing Zero Trust by leveraging all resources possible.  We know implementing Zero Trust is a continuous process; David Bottom from the SEC provides guidelines on what to review constantly. He suggests focusing on decreasing privileges, patching systems, and learning how to extract meaningful signals from the flood of data entering the federal government. None of this can be done without cooperation across the agency. As an example of working with others, David Bottom references the SEC's EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval). Jennifer Franks, GAO, recommends that listeners take advantage of federal guidelines to spend as little as possible while meeting compliance goals. For example, CISA, OMB, and NIST all offer guidance in implementation. She has an excellent eight-word summary of Zero Trust: right users, proper access, at the right time. Many agencies are understaffed. As a result, one way to meet goals is to leverage the right tools. Brian "Stretch" Meyers believes the most "bang for the buck" will be achieved by using tools to establish visibility. From there, one can identify key items to reach compliance. Zero Trust is an initiative that is here to stay. Listen to the podcast to get ideas on how to optimize the staff and resources at hand.

The United States' repeated and unpredictable policy shifts have not only enhanced the risk of deepening its economic and trade frictions with China, but have also weakened its credibility in the international market, analysts and exporters said on Monday.分析人士和出口商周一表示，美国反复无常、不可预测的政策变化，不仅增加了加深其与中国经贸摩擦的风险，也削弱了其在国际市场上的信誉。These policy shifts are undermining the confidence of global businesses and investors in US policies, market conditions and assets, they added.他们补充道，这些政策变化正在削弱全球企业和投资者对美国政策、市场状况及资产的信心。Their remarks came after the Ministry of Commerce urged the US to promptly rectify its wrongful actions. In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry said the US has seriously undermined the consensus reached during the China-US economic and trade talks on May 12 in Geneva, Switzerland, by repeatedly imposing discriminatory and restrictive measures on China.他们的言论是在中国商务部敦促美国立即纠正错误做法之后发表的。商务部在周一发表的声明中表示，美国一再对中国实施歧视性和限制性措施，严重损害了5月12日在瑞士日内瓦举行的中美经贸会谈中达成的共识。The measures include issuing export control guidance for artificial intelligence chips, halting sales of chip design software to China, and announcing the revocation of visas for Chinese students.这些措施包括发布人工智能芯片出口管制指引、停止向中国出售芯片设计软件，以及宣布撤销中国学生签证。The ministry warned that if the US continues to undermine China's interests, China will adopt effective measures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.商务部警告称，如果美方继续损害中方利益，中方将采取有效措施维护自身合法权益。Describing the outcomes of the Geneva talks as "hard-won", the ministry said the US has unilaterally and repeatedly triggered frictions, exacerbating uncertainty and instability in bilateral economic and trade relations.中国商务部将日内瓦会谈的成果描述为“来之不易”，并表示美方单方面、反复挑起摩擦，加剧了双边经贸关系的不确定性和不稳定性。Based on the consensus reached during the talks, China has temporarily canceled or suspended relevant tariff and nontariff countermeasures against the US' "reciprocal tariffs", the ministry said.商务部表示，基于会谈期间达成的共识，中方已暂时取消或暂停针对美方“对等关税”实施的相关关税和非关税反制措施。Wan Zhe, a professor of international trade at Beijing Normal University, said the US tariffs are essentially a radical attempt to politicize and instrumentalize trade issues.北京师范大学国际贸易教授万喆表示，美国的关税本质上是将贸易问题政治化和工具化的激进尝试。"The erratic and unpredictable nature of these tariff and economic measures has damaged the US' credibility in the global economy and dented global investors' confidence in the US market," Wan said, adding that the consequences will come at a steep cost for both its economy and international standing.万喆说：“这些关税和经济措施反复无常、不可预测的性质，损害了美国在全球经济中的信誉，削弱了全球投资者对美国市场的信心。”她补充说，其后果将给美国经济和国际地位带来高昂代价。Zak Stambor, an analyst at eMarketer Inc, a market research company based in New York City, said the US' "ever-shifting trade policies" mean "navigating an increasingly unpredictable landscape", making life and any attempts at financial planning harder for both manufacturers and consumers.纽约市场研究公司eMarketer的分析师扎克·斯坦博表示，美国“不断变化的贸易政策”意味着要“在一个日益不可预测的环境中航行”，这使得制造商和消费者的生活以及任何进行财务规划的尝试都变得更加困难。"The policies in place today may well shift tomorrow, making medium-term planning challenging and long-term planning nearly impossible," he said. "No wonder so many US companies are pulling their guidance altogether."他说：“今天的政策明天就可能改变，这使得中期规划充满挑战，长期规划几乎不可能。难怪这么多美国公司干脆撤回了业绩指引。”The frustration is not limited to US companies.叫苦不迭的不仅仅是美国公司。On Saturday, the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, said, "We strongly regret the announced increase of US tariffs on steel imports from 25 percent to 50 percent."周六，欧盟执行机构欧盟委员会表示：“我们对美国宣布将钢铁进口关税从25%提高到50%深表遗憾。”The US' announcement "adds further uncertainty to the global economy and increases costs for consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic", the commission said, adding that the plan also undermines efforts to bring an end to the wider tariff standoff.欧盟委员会表示，美国的公告“给全球经济增添了更多不确定性，并增加了大西洋两岸消费者和企业的成本”，并补充说该计划还破坏了结束更广泛关税僵局的努力。Gao Lingyun, a researcher specializing in international trade at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, said the US' broader goals of reshoring manufacturing and maintaining economic hegemony cannot be addressed simply by imposing tariffs and other trade remedy measures on its trading partners.中国社会科学院（北京）国际贸易研究员高凌云表示，美国通过将制造业回流本土和维持经济霸权等更广泛的目标，不可能仅仅通过对其贸易伙伴加征关税和实施其他贸易救济措施就得以解决。In addition to the tariffs, the US has also been resorting to technological blockades and investment restrictions in its bid to contain China. Such multifaceted frictions are likely to be long-term, Gao said.高凌云说，除了关税之外，美国还一直在诉诸技术封锁和投资限制以遏制中国。这种多方面摩擦很可能是长期性的。Diversifying markets市场多元化Ningbo Lemeijia Electric Equipment Technology, a home appliance manufacturer based in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, and long-term supplier to the US market, said the company has actively communicated with its US partners and explored opportunities to bag more orders after the Geneva talks.总部位于浙江省宁波市的家电制造商、美国市场的长期供应商宁波乐美佳电器科技有限公司表示，在日内瓦会谈后，公司已积极与美国合作伙伴沟通，并探索拿到更多订单的机会。Even though the company's exports to the US surged 16.9 percent year-on-year to 220 million yuan ($31 million) last year, Luo Lujin, president of Ningbo Lemeijia, said the company has deployed more resources and manpower this year to cultivate emerging markets, especially those in Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, in order to mitigate the risks brought by unilateralism and geopolitical tensions.尽管该公司去年对美出口额同比增长16.9%，达到2.2亿元人民币（3100万美元），但宁波乐美佳总裁罗鲁津表示，今年公司已投入更多资源和人力来开拓新兴市场，特别是东南亚、拉丁美洲和中东的市场，以减轻单边主义和地缘政治紧张带来的风险。"Global trade flows are being seriously hampered by supply chain breakdowns, high tariff rates and other challenges. This makes diversification not just an option, but an essential strategy for survival," Luo said.罗鲁津说：“全球贸易流动正受到供应链中断、高关税和其他挑战的严重阻碍。这使得多元化不仅是一种选择，更是一种生存必需之策。”trade friction贸易摩擦countermeasures/ˈkaʊntəˌmɛʒəz/n.对策;对抗措施emerging markets新兴市场trade flows贸易流通tariff standoff关税僵局

Listen to the special weekend edition with Victor Davis Hanson and co-host Sami Winc, featuring the year 1943 of World War II and Allied progress in the middle segment. They also discuss the Government Accountability Office's effort to stop Trump, the Democrat staffers' reasons for covering up Biden, Putin's mind, Scott Pelley's speech to graduates, North Korea's nuclear capability, and Musk's critique of the Big Beautiful Bill.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The GAO's 2025 report titled “Telework: Private Sector Stakeholder and Expert Views" proves that remote work trumps RTO. Flexible work boosts talent retention, cuts costs, and raises productivity, making it a smarter choice than rigid office mandates. That's the key take-away message of this episode of the Wise Decision Maker Show, which discusses the federal report that shows that remote work trumps RTO.This article forms the basis for this episode: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/federal-report-shows-remote-work-trumps-rto/

During the confirmation hearings of the Office of Management and Budget Director and Deputy Director for budget earlier this year, lawmakers pressed Russ Vought and Dan Bishop about whether they would comply with the Impoundment Control Act. The budget rules of the road require congressional approval if OMB decides not to spend money appropriated in law, while both Vought and Bishop promised to comply with the law. A new decision by the Government Accountability Office casts further doubt on whether OMB will follow the 1974 impoundment Control Act. For more on GAO's recent decision, Federal News Networks Executive Editor Jason Miller joins me.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nashville's mayor is under federal investigation for obstructing ICE efforts to arrest criminal illegal aliens, Europe's crackdown on free speech is in focus at the EU-US Forum in Budapest, and the Government Accountability Office faces GOP backlash after undermining Congress. Plus, Elon Musk steps back from DOGE. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.GABB: Sign up today – no contract required – at https://gabb.com/WIREHelix Sleep: Go to https://helixsleep.com/wire to get an exclusive discount.

Thursday, May 29th, 2025Today, a federal judge STRIKES DOWN Trump's entire executive order targeting the Wilmer Hale law firm for political retribution; Judge Chutkan allows a lawsuit seeking to enjoin Elon Musk and DOGE's operations to proceed; another federal judge has ordered the release of the Russian scientist that brought inert frog embryos into the US; yet another judge blocks Trump's attempt to stop congestion pricing in New York; immigration courts are dismissing cases of those sent to El Salvador potentially cutting off their return; the Government Accountability Office rebuffs Trump's power grab; another SpaceX Starship launch fails while Musk cries about people not liking him; U-Haul bans Patriot Front nazis after they rented their trucks for a march in Kansas City; the Tate brothers have been charged with rape and sex trafficking in the UK; Nancy Mace's former staff claim she had them create burner accounts to promote her online; Trump gets mad about the Wall Street acronym TACO during a press conference; and Allison delivers your Good News.Thank You, Daily LookFor 50% off your order, head to DailyLook.com and use code DAILYBEANS.  Thank You, Naked WinesTo get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to nakedwines.com/DAILYBEANS and use code DAILYBEANS for both the code and password.Sat June 14 10am – 12pm PDT AG is hosting NO KINGS Waterfront Park, San DiegoDonation link - secure.actblue.com/donate/fuelthemovementMSW Media, Blue Wave California Victory Fund | ActBlueGuest: Adam KlasfeldAll Rise NewsAll Rise News - BlueskyAdam Klasfeld (@klasfeldreports.com) - BlueSkyAdam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) - TwitterFederal judge on Trump DOJ's defense of orders targeting BigLaw: "Give me a break" | AllRiseNewsStories:Immigration courts are dismissing cases of those sent to El Salvador, potentially cutting off their return | NBC NewsUS judge allows states' lawsuit against DOGE to proceed | ReutersUS judge grants Russian-born Harvard scientist bail in immigration case | ReutersJudge temporarily blocks Trump from retaliating against New York over congestion toll | ABC Action NewsTate brothers face rape and trafficking charges in the UK | AP NewsSpaceX launches another Starship rocket after back-to-back explosions, but it tumbles out of control | AP NewsNancy Mace's Former Staff Claim She Had Them Create Burner Accounts to Promote Her | WIREDTrump's not happy about Wall Street's name for tariff flip-flops | POLITICOCongressional Agency Rebuffs Trump Bid to Expand Power Grab | Democracy DocketU-Haul bans Patriot Front members after trucks rented in KC for march | The Kansas City StarGood Trouble: Trump's HHS urges therapy for transgender youth, departing from broader gender-affirming health care | PBS NewsLet HHS Know how you feel: Whistleblower Tips and Complaints Regarding the Chemical and Surgical Mutilation of Children | HHS.govProton Mail: free email account with privacy and encryptionFind Upcoming Demonstrations And Actions:250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade and CelebrationSchedule F comments deadline extended to June 7th Federal Register :: Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service50501 MovementJune 14th Nationwide Demonstrations - NoKings.orgIndivisible.orgFederal workers - feel free to email me at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen. Check out other MSW Media podcastsShows - MSW MediaCleanup On Aisle 45 podSubscribe for free to MuellerSheWrote on SubstackThe BreakdownFollow AG and Dana on Social MediaAllison Gill Substack|Muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewrote, Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, Twitter|@MuellerSheWroteDana GoldbergBlueSky|@dgcomedy, IG|dgcomedy, facebook|dgcomedy, danagoldberg.com, Twitter|@DGComedyShare your Good News or Good Trouble:dailybeanspod.com/goodFrom The Good NewsTurning Cereal boxes into postcards - YouTubeNew York State Democratic PartyPatrons Sponsoring Patrons - The Daily BeansReminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Federal workers - feel free to email me at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen.Share your Good News or Good Trouble:https://www.dailybeanspod.com/good/ Check out other MSW Media podcastshttps://mswmedia.com/shows/Subscribe for free to MuellerSheWrote on Substackhttps://muellershewrote.substack.comFollow AG and Dana on Social MediaDr. Allison Gill Substack|Muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewrote , Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote,Dana GoldbergTwitter|@DGComedy, IG|dgcomedy, facebook|dgcomedy, IG|dgcomedy, danagoldberg.com, BlueSky|@dgcomedyHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?Supercasthttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/Patreon https://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr subscribe on Apple Podcasts with our affiliate linkThe Daily Beans on Apple Podcasts

More and more, veterans who seek behavioral health care have been referred by the Department of Veterans Affairs to community providers outside the VA. A new GAO report finds that many of these providers are not meeting basic process and training requirements. Here with more on these new findings is Director for health care issues at GAO, Sharon Silas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton What to do when following the rules isn't enough GAO raises concerns about behavioral health services for veterans from community providers A different approach to child careSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Republicans and Democrats are launching ads criticizing each other's budget reconciliation votes, as the Senate prepares to consider the bill. A reconciliation tax break related to auto loans may not have the impact some Republicans hope for. The Government Accountability Office won't sue the Trump administration over impounded funds just yet. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss President Trump's increasing frustration with Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine War, and Britain's King Charles III's address to the Canadian Parliament, where he said, “Freedom and democracy are under threat.” Then, they talk about the FBI's decision to reopen cases including cocaine found in the White House during the Biden administration and the leak of the Supreme Court decision of the Dobbs case, which led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Also, they talk about Miranda Devine's new column in the New York Post calling for an investigation into the FBI agents responsible for covering up the Hunter Biden laptop story. Plus, they discuss today's GAO letter instructing federal agencies to stop doing business with Harvard University, and Trump's desire to redirect $3 billion in funding away from Harvard and toward vocational training programs. And finally, Tom Bevan talks to John Hart, CEO of Open The Books, an organization that promotes transparency in public spending, about the future of the Department of Government Efficiency and the difficulty of cutting government programs.

They say that crisis reveals character, and for a brief moment, the pandemic revealed surprising financial resilience.Many Americans experienced a rare financial reset during that season, as savings rose and debt declined. But five years later, much of that progress has unraveled. Dr. Shane Enete joins us to unpack what changed—and how believers can respond faithfully in a culture gripped by renewed financial anxiety.Dr. Shane Enete is an Associate Professor of Finance at Biola University and founded the Biola Center for Financial Planning. He is also the author of the book Whole Heart Finances: A Jesus-Centered Guide to Managing Your Money with Joy.The Unexpected Silver Lining of the PandemicWhen the COVID-19 pandemic brought life to a standstill, something surprising happened with our money. Instead of overspending, many Americans buckled down.Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the U.S. Government Accountability Office showed that people used pandemic stimulus checks to reduce credit card balances and cut spending. Simultaneously, emergency fund levels rose to 20-year highs.With fewer opportunities to spend and greater economic vulnerability, people embraced margin, paid down debt, and began saving like never before. It was a rare moment of collective financial wisdom.The Return to Old HabitsBut that moment didn't last.Fast-forward to today, and the picture looks far less encouraging. Credit card debt has now surpassed $1 trillion, and six in ten Americans are uncomfortable with their emergency savings, up from just 37% before the pandemic.The decline in financial well-being is measurable. According to the CFPB's 2024 Making Ends Meet survey, the average financial well-being score dropped from 55 to 49. This score reflects how confident households feel about meeting basic expenses, like paying bills and putting food on the table.Even more concerning: over one in three Americans now carry more credit card debt than they have saved. And 42% say they couldn't go even one month without income before falling behind.Why It Matters for ChristiansSo, what's going on? Why the backslide? The answer lies not just in behavior but also in belief.Fear takes over when Jesus isn't present in our financial decisions. We start believing that we have to carry the full weight of financial responsibility. But Scripture reminds us that we have a good Father and a faithful Shepherd who provides for His children.As believers, we're called to live differently—to manage God's resources with wisdom, margin, and generosity. This begins with a mindset shift from ownership to stewardship.Many people dread the word “budget”, but we should really see this through a new lens. If budgeting is about tracking God's provision—your daily bread, your shelter, your gas money—then it becomes an act of gratitude. It's a moment to declare God's goodness.”By embracing this spiritual practice, we open a line of communication with the Lord about our finances. Budgeting isn't just math. It's discipleship.Your Next Step Toward StewardshipWhere do you begin if you want to live this way?Start simple and track your spending. Shine a light on your habits without judgment. What you illuminate can be transformed. Ephesians 5:13 says, “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.”Using tools like the FaithFi app can help you begin this journey. And remember, you don't have to walk it alone.Living within your means, avoiding debt, and giving generously stand out in a culture of consumption. They testify to the Spirit's work in our lives, especially the fruit of self-control.When believers manage money wisely, they display a beautiful trait of the Holy Spirit. They model a life that's free, sustainable, and others-focused—the kind of financial light the world desperately needs.To read Dr. Enete's full article in the latest issue of our quarterly magazine, Faithful Steward, become a FaithFi Partner today with a gift of $35 a month or $400 a year. Just visit FaithFi.com/Partner to join.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My mother, who's in her 90s, is going to be selling my house, which I've owned for over 30 years. It looks like the sale may exceed the $250,000 capital gains exemption. If the profit goes over by, say, $20,000, what happens? How is that taxed, and how soon would she have to address it after the sale?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Heart for LebanonWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Help us make this podcast better for you! Our quick listener survey is your chance to shape the next season: https://bit.ly/madeforuspod---What happens when women aren't considered in car safety design? For decades, crash test dummies have been modeled on the average male, but studies now show that women are more likely to be injured or killed in certain types of crashes. As the data mounts, so does the urgency to fix the gender gap in car safety.This week, we're joined by Emily Thomas, PhD, Associate Director of Automotive Safety at Consumer Reports, and Astrid Linder, Professor of Traffic Safety at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, who developed the world's first crash test dummy representing an average woman. Together, we'll explore what it will take to design truly inclusive and safe cars.The conversation covers:Why women face higher injury risks in car crashesWhat's involved in designing a female crash test dummyHow the shift to driverless cars presents a chance to correct past biases---ResourcesAstrid Linder's researchUniversity of Virginia study U.S. Government Accountability Office recommendations---About Professor Astrid LinderAstrid Linder is Professor of Traffic Safety at Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, VTI, and an Adjunct Professor of Injury Prevention at Chalmers University. She received her PhD in traffic safety from Chalmers from where she also has a MSc in Engineering Physics. Prof Linder initiated and led the research resulting in the world's first physical dummy model based on the average female, the Seat Evaluation Tool (SET 50F) and was named one of the BBC's 100 most inspiring and influential women in 2023.Learn more about Astrid Linder: https://www.vti.se/en/employees/astrid-linderFollow Astrid Linder on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/astrid-linder-2a0b5a53/About Emily Thomas, PhDEmily Thomas leads the occupant protection and vulnerable road user safety programs at Consumer Report's Auto Test Center. Her expertise extends to crash safety, vehicular heatstroke prevention, and child passenger safety. Emily has 15 years of automotive safety experience and holds a PhD in pediatric injury biomechanics from Drexel University and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.Learn more about Emily Thomas: https://www.consumerreports.org/about-us/our-people/our-experts/emily-thomas/---Connect with Made For UsShow notes and transcripts: https://made-for-us.captivate.fm/Social media: LinkedIn and InstagramNewsletter:

Tawny, Andrew and podcast CEO Jessica Gao talk about Andrew’s $14 rule, Chicago Pope and answer a few listener questions! Call or text with your questions at 323-389-RACE and watch the video of this episode at suboptimalpods.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yuan Gao is one of the most experienced voices in the lithium ion battery world with more than a quarter century of experience across countries, companies and technologies. Topics:Reasons behind CATL & BYD's successThe China battery ecosystem"Dare to gamble"Is battery success possible in North America?Cathode developmentsComparing China's cost structure to ROWThe CATL "playbook"Leveraging vertical integration to lower lithium pricesPrice expectationsThe cost curveSodium ion leverage?Solid state batteriesLithium metal batteriesRapid fire

The financial services sector is increasingly using artificial intelligence to automate services and decisions. While this could provide benefits for consumers, it also comes with some risks. We learn more about this issue from GAO's Michael…

The Government Accountability Office blocked an attempt by Elon Musk's DOGE to install a team at the congressional watchdog, according to a spokesperson for the independent, nonpartisan agency and an email shared with FedScoop. The spokesperson said that DOGE staffers who attempted to establish a team at the watchdog cited President Donald Trump's executive order creating the efficiency-driven group within the White House. The spokesperson further confirmed that the agency had “declined any requests to have a DOGE team assigned to GAO.” The watchdog also sent an email to its staff Friday about the attempt and its response, a GAO source confirmed. According to the text of that email shared with FedScoop, GAO said it sent a letter to DOGE's acting administrator “stating that GAO is a legislative branch agency that conducts work for Congress. As such, we are not subject to DOGE or Executive Orders.” A top Senate Intelligence Democrat is warning the Office of Personnel Management against cancelling identity protection services that have been provided to current and former federal employees since their data was exposed in the massive 2015 OPM data breach. In a letter sent Friday to OPM acting Director Charles Ezell, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., expressed concerns about Department of Government Efficiency-instituted cuts to the personnel agency and plans that it may have to “curtail identity theft monitoring for millions of public servants and their families whose information was compromised in 2015.” The breach of OPM servers by Chinese-backed hackers rocked Washington and the federal workforce a decade ago, as the Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses and other personal information of more than 21 million individuals were exposed. At the time, Warner, his Virginia Senate colleague Tim Kaine and then-Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski of Maryland co-sponsored the RECOVER Act to provide identity protection services to those impacted by the OPM breach. Congress appropriated funds for those services “for a period of not less than 10 years.” The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

The GOP reconciliation bill is a step closer to a House floor vote. Budget testimony continues with the secretaries of State and Interior heading to the Hill this week, among others. And Democrats are decrying an attempt to get DOGE into the Government Accountability Office. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, May 19, 2025.

Further Reading:Moody's downgrades U.S. credit rating, citing rising government debt - LINKDOGE tried assigning a team to the Government Accountability Office. It refused - LINKU.S. could face default by August if Congress doesn't address debt ceiling, Bessent says - LINKConservatives block Trump agenda bill from advancing in major setback for GOP leaders - LINKVideo shows the moment Newark's air traffic control screens went black - LINKFAA holds meeting with US airlines to cap Newark flights - LINKSenate Republicans move toward vote on California emissions waiver - LINKJames Comey is under investigation for his '8647' Instagram post. What does it mean? - LINKTrump's critics and supporters unite against Qatar plane deal - LINKFrance gave the US Statue of Liberty, Qatar offered Trump $400M plane. Experts say it's not the same - LINK

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Elizabeth Field as guest to the show to preview the 10th Annual Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Convening.   About Elizabeth Field:   Elizabeth Field is the Chief Operating Officer of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and a recognized expert on military quality-of-life and defense policy. Prior to joining the Foundation, she held senior roles at the Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Department of State, and has testified before Congress on issues ranging from defense reform to veteran support.   Her work has been featured by NPR, CNN, and The New York Times. A proud daughter of an Army veteran, she lives in Washington, D.C. with her two sons and rescue dog.   About the 10th Annual Elizabeth Dole Foundation Convening:   Join the Elizabeth Dole Foundation in Washington, D.C. on May 20 for the 10th Annual Convening, A Blueprint for Action: Mapping the Future of Caregiving in a Changing World. This full-day event will gather leaders from government, industry, non-profits, and academia for dynamic panel discussions, plenary sessions, and interactive working sessions focused on shaping the future of support for military and veteran caregivers. Attendees will engage in hands-on activities that translate cutting-edge RAND research into meaningful, real-world actions, ensuring that the collective efforts of our community align for maximum impact.   The insights and strategies developed during this convening will inform a series of blueprints—practical guides designed to help stakeholders across sectors strengthen and sustain support for caregivers in the years ahead. Be part of the movement to drive lasting change. Together, we will chart the course for America's military and veteran caregivers and the future of caregiving in a rapidly evolving world.    Date & Location: Tuesday, May 20th Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20004    Connect & Register: Registration:  https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.o... Official Website:  https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org  

Amid a governmentwide effort to bring federal employees back to the office, a small but powerful biometrics office based in the Department of Homeland Security is now so packed that employees were briefly asked to bring their own chairs to work. An email viewed by FedScoop shows that employees of the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) were at one point guided to bring their own chairs to work. That advice was quickly rescinded, with the email saying that despite the initial guidance, staff should not bring their own chairs to the office while thanking employees for their patience as they worked through logistical challenges. OBIM, which was established more than a decade ago to manage the biometric information used to make border security decisions, is based at the Transportation Security Administration's offices. Another email, also viewed by FedScoop, highlights the severe space constraints at OBIM. Employees were sent lists of conference rooms that could be used for seating options for work. The email said: “With these space limitations, we encourage staff to please be accommodating and share offices and workspaces to the extent it is possible. Please connect directly with your supervisor and division leadership to discuss creative seating solutions. Please remember that we are all in this together and are working to find viable solutions. Thank you again for your patience as we work through these logistical challenges.” Because there isn't enough office or cubicle space, it's possible that staffers could unintentionally expose information to those that don't need to know it, given their proximity to other people, one former OBIM employee said. As DOGE continues its decimation of the federal workforce, grinds various operations to a halt and touts dubious cost-savings claims, the congressional agency with deep experience rooting out fraud, waste and abuse in government released a litany of recommendations Tuesday that it says could save the public tens of billions of dollars. The Government Accountability Office's 15th annual report on federal programs that have “fragmented, overlapping, or duplicative goals or actions” identified 148 cost-cutting measures across 43 topic areas, delivering a playbook to Congress and federal agencies aimed at lowering costs, improving programs and increasing revenues. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro said in a press release that the GAO's updated report details “new and meaningful opportunities to save federal funds across a wide range of programs.” “By addressing this year's updated list, as well as open recommendations to both agencies and Congress from GAO's past work, the federal government could potentially save an additional” $100 billion, he added. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a conversation with author Rachel Slade about her book "Making it America" about the history – and future - of manufacturing in the United States. Then, the Department of Education resumed collection on defaulted student loans this week. We speak with Rick Seltzer of the Chronicle of Higher Education about what that means – and who will be affected. Plus, a discussion about efforts to modernize the nation's aging air traffic control systems with Kevin Walsh from the Government Accountability Office. He and his team were among the first to flag problems in their report last fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is sexual energy purely sexual? What is making love? This episode intertwines the purpose of triggers and the purpose of sexual energy. Initiate creativity by making connection with desire in this new episode with Human MRI/Psychic Surgeon, Gao Motsemme!BIOGao Motsemme, APMG Change Management Certified, Balanced Leadership, Communication, Interviewing & Presentation, CIMA Cert BA, AAT. Languages; English, Deutsch(C1) and SetswanaA mother of 3Human MRI/Psychic Surgeon,Freedom Illuminator(Embodiment Queen) devoted to helping individuals break free from patterns of generational toxic relationships and imprints, tap into unwavering self-love, and radiate true confidence so they can crush it in the boardroom, bedroom AND Beyond... in 90 days or lessFor the past 7 years I have been empowering Individuals to Reinvent themselves, Redesign their life and Rebuild their confidence after major life shifts and initiations.I was initiated to my work through major life shifts. Not only was I mourning the end of a relationship and marriage but I faced a judicial Injustice which led to being separated from my children for 5 years, and that woke me to my Power and calling.I have a unique ability to tune in to your energetic fields, scan and work on the patterns that interferes with your freedom and success.https://www.awakeningconfidence.com/68539e4e-freebieGao Motsemme Magnetic Confidence | Unapologetically YOU(8) Facebook(14) Gao Motsemme - YouTubeGao Motsemme (@gaomotsemme.magneticconfidence) • Instagram photos and videos(63) LinkedInGao.Motsemme (@gaoconfidence.motsemme) | TikTok#alittlelessfearpodcast #sexualenergy #makinglove #creation #creativity #patterns #desire #creativity #triggers #trigger #alignment #youmission #confidence #podcast #drlinomartinez #fypThis is Dr. Lino Martinez the host for A Little Less Fear Podcast. For more information, please use the information below. Thanks so much for your support!Author | A Little Less FearA Little LESS FEAR Podcast (@alittlelessfearpodcast) • Instagram photos and videosLino Marinez (@alittlelessfear) TikTok | Watch Lino Marinez's Newest TikTok Videos(4) A Little Less Fear Podcast - YouTube

Ralph talks about his new book, “Civic Self Respect” which reminds us that our civic lives have different primary roles—not only voter, but also worker, taxpayer, consumer, sometimes soldier and sometimes parent—and how each one offers special opportunities for people to organize to make change. Plus, we welcome back former commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, John Koskinen, who tells us exactly how the Trump/Musk cabal is both gutting and weaponizing the IRS.John Koskinen served as the IRS Commissioner from 2013 to 2017.This is not a how-to book. It starts at a much more elementary level and therefore should interest a much greater number of people. Because, as I say, if you can expand your civic dimension as a part of your daily role without disrupting the rhythms of your daily life (in fact, actually making them more gratifying and more interesting, less boring), you're on your way.Ralph Nader author of Civic Self-RespectThe people who really fight for justice in this country have to fight for recognition, they have to fight for media, they have to fight an onslaught. And the people who lie and cheat and say the most terrible things and do the most terrible things are really the best-known people in the country. I mean, if you say who are the best-known people in Congress? They're the blowhards, the cruel and vicious people who've said things that are illegal, outrageous against innocent groups here and abroad.Ralph NaderI used to say to the Congress (trying to get appropriations) that the IRS is the only agency where if you give it money, it gives you more money back. Because the more you can actually audit people who aren't paying the proper amount or aren't filing at all, the better off you are. So no one has ever disagreed with that.John KoskinenGoing back a thousand years, tax collectors have never been particularly popular. And so when you talk about the IRS, people say, "Oh, the poor old IRS." In some ways, they don't understand just the points you're making about the impact on them, on the country, of an ineffective IRS going forward. And that's why my thought is this move toward using the IRS to attack people ought to be a way for everyone to say, "You know, I may not love paying taxes, but I certainly don't want the government and the president or the treasury secretary or somebody else ordering an audit of my taxes just because they don't like my political position or what I'm teaching in my course.”John KoskinenRalph Nader's new book Civic Self-respect is available now from Seven Stories Press.News 4/16/251. On Thursday April 17th, Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland departed for El Salvador in an effort to personally track down Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an immigrant who was arrested and deported to CECOT, the notorious Salvadoran prison camp, WUSA9 reports. Garcia was legally protected against deportation by a 2019 court order and a Trump administration official admitted in court that he “should never have been on that plane.” Last week, the Supreme Court unanimously ordered that he be returned to the U.S. Van Hollen is quoted saying “You go out, you get disappeared, they say they did it in error, but they're not helping bring you back…it's a very short road to tyranny.” Gracia has not been heard from since he was deported, raising concerns about his health and wellbeing. This comes after ICE Director Todd Lyons said he wanted to see a deportation process “like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings,” per the Guardian. This episode is among the most chilling in American history and we are less than four months into a four-year term.2. Another gut-wrenching immigration story concerns Palestinian Columbia University student, Mohsen Mahdawi who was tricked, trapped, and abducted by ICE. The Intercept reports “Even before his friend and fellow Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by immigration authorities, Mahdawi asked university administrators to help him find a safe place to live so he would not be taken by ICE agents…The school did nothing.” Then, “After ICE abducted Khalil last month, Mahdawi sheltered in place for more than three weeks for fear of being picked up himself.” So, the immigration authorities apparently devised a scheme. “Instead of taking him off the street…immigration authorities scheduled the citizenship test at the Colchester USCIS office and took Mahdawi into custody when he arrived.” This action is clearly intended not only to capture Mahdawi but to frighten immigrants and discourage them from seeking citizenship through the legal immigration channels for fear of being deported. Not only that, Mahdawi will be sent back to Palestine, which continues to be the target of relentless Israeli bombing. Mahdawi is quoted saying, “It's kind of a death sentence…my people are being killed unjustly in an indiscriminate way.”3. In more international news, CNN reports China has “halted” its deliveries of Boeing planes. According to President Trump, will “‘not take possession' of fully committed to aircraft.” According to CNN, Boeing is particularly vulnerable in a trade war scenario because “Boeing builds all of its planes at US factories before sending nearly two-thirds of its commercial planes to customers outside the United States.” Boeing anticipated China purchasing 8,830 new planes over the next 20 years. The aircraft manufacturer's stock value fell in the wake of this announcement and is unlikely to fully recover unless some accommodation is reached with China.4. On the other side of the trade war, the Trump administration is preparing to roll out steep sectoral tariffs in addition to the country-specific tariffs already announced, per the Washington Post's Jeff Stein. Stein reports these will target imports of various "critical" products, including autos, steel and aluminum, copper, lumber and semiconductors. Yet, likely no sectoral tariff will bite American consumers more than the proposed tariff on pharmaceutical drugs. On April 8th, POLITICO reported that Trump told the RNC he is planning to impose “major” tariffs on pharmaceuticals. FIERCE, a healthcare news service, reports these could be as high as 25%. Coalition for a Prosperous America, an advocacy group opposed to free trade with China, reports that “Over 90% of all Generic Drugs [are] Dependent on Imports.”5. Turning to domestic matters, the Federal Trade Commission is proceeding with their anti-trust case against Facebook. According to the FTC, “The…Commission has sued Facebook, alleging that the company is illegally maintaining its personal social networking monopoly through a years-long course of anticompetitive conduct.” Further, “The complaint alleges that Facebook has engaged in a systematic strategy—including its 2012 acquisition of…Instagram, its 2014 acquisition…WhatsApp, and the imposition of anticompetitive conditions on software developers—to eliminate threats to its monopoly.” According to Ars Technica, “Daniel Matheson, the FTC's lead litigator, [started the trial with a bang] flagg[ing] a "smoking gun"—a 2012 email where Mark Zuckerberg suggested that Facebook could buy Instagram to ‘neutralize a potential competitor.'” It is hard to see how the company could argue this was not anticompetitive corporate misbehavior.6. A dubious tech industry scheme is also underway at the highest levels of the federal government. WIRED reports that the Social Security Administration is shifting their communications exclusively to Elon Musk's X app, formerly known as Twitter. Wired quotes SSA regional commissioner Linda Kerr-Davis, who said in a meeting with managers earlier this week, “We are no longer planning to issue press releases or…dear colleague letters to inform the media and public about programmatic and service changes…Instead, the agency will be using X to communicate to the press and the public … this will become our communication mechanism.” WIRED further reports that, “The regional [SSA] office workforce will soon be cut by roughly 87 percent,” going from an estimated 547 employees to 70. Musk has called Social Security “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time,” per the AP.7. Over at the National Labor Relations Board, a whistleblower claims Elon Musk and his cronies at DOGE may have extracted data including “sensitive information on unions, ongoing legal cases and corporate secrets,” per NPR. If that wasn't shady enough, “members of the DOGE team asked that their activities not be logged on the system and then appeared to try to cover their tracks…turning off monitoring tools and manually deleting records of their access.” This whistleblower took his concerns to Congress and the U.S. Office of Special Counsel – whistleblower activities that are protected by law – but faced retaliation in the form of someone, “'physically taping a threatening note' to his door that included sensitive personal information and overhead photos of him walking his dog that appeared to be taken with a drone,” clear attempts to intimidate and silence this employee. The Trump administrations have been rife with leaks at every level and instead of responding by addressing the issues raised, the administration has launched a permanent inquisition to plug the leaks by any means.8. In better news, the Independent reports that DOGE itself is finally being subjected to an audit. The audit is being undertaken by the Government Accountability Office at the urging of Congressional leaders after “'alarming' media reports of DOGE infiltrating federal systems,” according to a congressional aide. One DOGE worker has reportedly been identified by as “a 19-year-old high school graduate who was booted from an internship after leaking company information to a rival firm,” raising ever-deeper concerns about the purpose of the “fishing expeditions” DOGE is undergoing at every level of the federal government.9. Another uplifting story comes to us from New York City. In the latest round of public matching fund awards, Zohran Mamdani – the Democratic Socialist candidate surging from obscurity into second place in the polls – was granted nearly $4 million in public matching funds, “the largest single payment to any candidate in the 2025 Democratic mayoral primary race to date,” according to Gothamist. Meanwhile, former Governor Andrew Cuomo was awarded exactly $0. As Jeff Coltin of POLITICO New York explains, “Cuomo's campaign [was] scrambling to get the necessary info from donors to get matched…sending…dire warning to [his] entire email list, rather than…targeted outreach to donors.” If he had collected the necessary information, Cuomo would have been awarded $2.5 million in matching funds, Coltin reports. Cuomo still leads in the polls; as it becomes increasingly clear that Zohran is the only viable alternative, there will be increased pressure on other candidates to throw their support behind him.10. Finally, let's take a peek into the political climate's effect on Hollywood. New York Magazine, in an extensive profile of Warner Brothers-Discovery mogul David Zaslav, includes a piece about Zaslav seeking to ingratiate himself with Trump. According to this report, “a company representative recently reached out to the Trump0 orbit seeking advice about how the company might advantageously interact with the Whitte House.” Their answer: “look at the example of…Jeff Bezos paying Melania Trump $40 million to participate in a documentary about herself. Don Jr. might like a hunting and fishing show on the Discovery Channel, they were told.” Just like the Ivy League universities and the big law firms, if given an inch Trump will take a mile and use it for nothing short of extortion. Hollywood would be wise to steer clear. But wisdom has never been their strength.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe