Podcasts about government employees

Every single one of us who considers ourselves part of the labor movement has some real deep, serious, and urgent soul searching to do this Labor Day. After already falling to historically low levels of union density, public and private-sector unions are facing an extinction-level event under the new Trump administration. That is not hyperbole; that is a fact. So the real question is: What the hell are workers, unions, and the labor movement doing to fight back?  These are the essential questions at the center of both of the interviews we are sharing in this special Labor Day episode, which were recorded at the Netroots conference in New Orleans, LA, in early August. In the first interview, Max speaks with Everett Kelley, national President of the American Federation of Government Employees, about the Trump administration's elimination of collective bargaining rights for federal unions. In the second interview, his first public interview since he was arrested by federal agents observing an ICE raid in Los Angeles in June, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union – United Service Workers (West), speaks with Max about the status of his case and about the roles unions must play in the fight against fascism. Speakers:  Everett Kelley is the national President of the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the largest union representing federal and DC government employees. He began his first term of service as national President in February 2020, was elected to another term during the 42nd National Convention in June 2022, and was reelected during the 43rd National Convention in August 2024. Kelley has been a member of AFGE since 1981. He worked at Anniston Army Depot and retired from there after 30 years of service. David Huerta is a longtime labor leader, born and raised in Los Angeles County, CA, who currently serves as president of the Service Employees International Union – United Service Workers (West) (SEIU-USWW). Additional links/info:  American Federation of Government Employees website, Facebook page, and Instagram Hamilton Nolan, How Things Work, “Fragile movements crumble” Michael Sainato, The Guardian, “White House cancels union contracts for hundreds of thousands of federal workers” SEIU, “STATEMENT: SEIU President April Verrett on David Huerta's release from federal custody” Luis Feliz Leon, In These Times, “Trump has put a target on SEIU, and the labor movement is fighting back” Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, “EXCLUSIVE: Union leader beaten & arrested at ICE raid SPEAKS OUT” (Video version of interview with David Huerta) Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, “Unions face extinction under Trump. Is labor fighting back?” (Video version of interview with Everett Kelley) Featured Music:  Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme Song  

On Aug. 1, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a court injunction halting President Trump's executive order eliminating collective bargaining rights for federal unions. The decision has cleared the way for the Trump administration to execute its total assault on federal unions and workers' rights. “Union contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture have since been terminated,” The Guardian reports. “An estimated 400,000 have been affected, about 2.6% of unionized workers in the US.” After already falling to historically low levels of union density, public and private-sector unions are facing an extinction-level event under the new Trump administration. In this interview, recorded at the Netroots conference in New Orleans, LA, TRNN editor-in-chief Maximillian Alvarez speaks with Everett Kelley, President of the American Federation of Government Employees, about what the labor movement is doing to fight back.Guest:Everett Kelley is the national President of the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the largest union representing federal and DC government employees. He began his first term of service as national President in February 2020, was elected to another term during the 42nd National Convention in June 2022, and was reelected during the 43rd National Convention in August 2024. Kelley has been a member of AFGE since 1981. He worked at Anniston Army Depot and retired from there after 30 years of service.Additional links/info:American Federation of Government Employees website, Facebook page, and InstagramHamilton Nolan, How Things Work, “Fragile movements crumble”Michael Sainato, The Guardian, “White House cancels union contracts for hundreds of thousands of federal workers”Credits:Filming: Kayla Rivara, Rosette SewaliPost-Production: David HebdenHelp us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

An appeals court might be reconsidering its recent decision that sided with the Trump administration in orders to terminate federal union contracts. One of the judges on that appeals court panel has called for a vote to decide whether to re-hear arguments in a lawsuit against the White House's orders. The American Federation of Government Employees is suing the administration, arguing that Trump's directive to end collective bargaining retaliates against unions that have exercised their First Amendment rights. Attorneys for AFGE and the Trump administration have until Sept. 15 to submit arguments on whether or not the case should be re-heard. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fulton County commissioners gave the green light to a new $1.1 billion jail project in na effort to replace the beleaguered current facility. Meantime, some of them could face jail or fines for refusing to appoint controversial Republicans to the election board. Plus, hundreds of workers at Atlanta's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received permanent termination notices this week, according to the American Federation of Government Employees. And we look at why food banks here say they are seeing such an increase in need. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In April 2023, a coalition led by the Heritage Foundation released Project 2025, an audacious blueprint proposing to reshape American governance on a scale rarely seen in modern politics. The plan, spanning nearly a thousand pages, lays out a “Mandate for Leadership” that reaches into the fiber of every federal agency and policy domain, promising dramatic change beginning as soon as January 20, 2025, should the architects gain influence.Project 2025 isn't just another policy playbook. According to The Center for Progressive Reform, it aims to radically restructure the executive branch by concentrating unprecedented power in the Oval Office. By relying on a controversial interpretation of the unitary executive theory, the project proposes to eliminate the independence of the Justice Department, the FBI, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission, placing them all directly under presidential control. Kevin Roberts of Heritage proclaimed, “All federal employees should answer to the president,” highlighting the drive for loyalty and ideological uniformity at the highest levels.A significant tool in this restructuring is Schedule F, a hiring scheme that allows for unlimited political appointments without civil service protections. Political loyalists would fill key posts overnight, while thousands of career officials could be dismissed or reassigned. The National Federation of Federal Employees warns this could “destroy the Administrative State,” stripping public servants of their protection and empowering the incoming administration to act with little oversight. Experts note this opens the door to corruption and abuse of power on a level unseen since the patronage systems of the 19th century.Concrete proposals go beyond staffing. Project 2025 calls for dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Board and the United States Agency for International Development, as seen in recent attempts to eliminate these agencies under the current administration, which has already fired hundreds of thousands of workers. The American Federation of Government Employees and National Treasury Employees Union have filed lawsuits, arguing, “For over 47 years, the law has made clear that collective bargaining in the federal sector is in the public interest. We have taken the necessary action to file a lawsuit to uphold the law and stop this attack.” Meanwhile, chaotic return-to-office mandates and office closures serve a dual purpose: savings, and making remote work, long a civil service perk, much harder.Education policies advocated by Project 2025 are even more sweeping. Brookings experts describe proposals to shutter the Department of Education, eliminate Head Start and Title I funding, privatize the federal student loan program, and rescind protections for LGBTQ+ students. The report's authors, many of whom served in the first Trump administration, envision a landscape where federal enforcement of civil rights is severely curtailed. “This is a great group, and they're going to lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do,” said former President Trump in 2022, underscoring the project's ambition and alignment with his worldview.Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU, describe Project 2025 as a “blueprint for how to replace the rule of law with right-wing ideals.” Their analysis argues that, from abortion and immigration to free speech and racial justice, recommended actions would erode democratic norms and threaten fundamental rights.As the Heritage Foundation and its allies press forward, the next few months loom large. Will Congress and the courts intervene in time to temper the most sweeping proposals? Could a dramatic overhaul of the federal government become reality on “Day One”? Experts from both ends of the political spectrum agree that, if enacted, Project 2025 would alter the balance of power in Washington – possibly for generations.Thank you for tuning in. Join us next week for a deeper look at how these changes could affect American lives, and what milestones to watch as this bold project unfolds.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Stephen Grootes profiles Frans Baleni, the former NUM general secretary and seasoned public sector leader who has stepped in as chairperson of the Government Employees Pension Fund following Dondo Mogajane’s resignation. Baleni, who also chairs the Fund’s Investment Committee, brings both political and governance experience to the role at a time when the GEPF is 119% funded and managing trillions in assets through the PIC. In conversation with Grootes, he stresses the Fund’s stability, its ability to meet defined-benefit obligations, and the importance of disciplined, well-focused investments to safeguard the pensions of millions of public servants. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.    Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa     Follow us on social media   702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702   CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Project 2025 stands at the center of the most audacious effort to refashion the American federal government in a generation. Announced by the Heritage Foundation in April 2023, it's described by its architects as a “Mandate for Leadership,” a nearly 1,000-page policy blueprint orchestrated for the next conservative administration. Its goal is to radically re-engineer almost every corner of the federal bureaucracy, starting on day one after inauguration.The true scope of Project 2025 emerges in its detailed chapters—each targeting a federal agency, each brimming with concrete proposals and strict timelines. According to Heritage president Kevin Roberts, “We must tear apart the administrative state,” and his words echo through the policy pages. The plan's core principle is to place the executive branch firmly under direct presidential control. This means eliminating the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Federal Communications Commission. Kiron Skinner, the main author of the State Department section, put it bluntly: “Most State Department employees are too left-wing. They should be replaced by loyal conservatives appointed to acting roles with no Senate confirmation required.”Listeners should note the mechanism behind this overhaul: Schedule F. This little-known hiring classification, revived for this project, lets the president move career civil servants into politically appointed roles stripped of traditional protections. As the National Federation of Federal Employees explains, “Schedule F wipes out the guardrails against political overreach or abuse of power.” The vision is clear—on January 20, 2025, the new president would sign a prepared stack of executive orders, dismiss hundreds of agency leaders, and flood offices with handpicked loyalists.Elon Musk's stewardship of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has served as the shock troops for these changes, reports Government Executive. Entire agencies, like the Consumer Financial Protection Board and USAID, have already been eliminated. In tandem, tens of thousands of federal workers have been laid off, with over 280,000 jobs cut or slated for elimination across 27 agencies. This restructuring, according to statements from the American Federation of Government Employees, represents “an attack on the very foundation of public service.” Return-to-office mandates and the downsizing of federal office buildings, often with little coordination, have further upended daily life for civil servants.President Trump's executive order from February 2025 codified much of the Project's ethos. The Department of Government Efficiency must reduce federal hiring to only essential positions, and for every four employees departing, only one replacement is allowed—excluding national security, law enforcement, and immigration. Agencies must draw up plans for large-scale reductions in force. Trump asserts this will shrink the government “for a new era of prosperity and innovation.”But the ambition doesn't stop at workforce reshuffling. Project 2025 targets environmental regulations, civil rights enforcement, and social policies. The Center for Progressive Reform warns that rollbacks across 20 agencies will have “devastating consequences for workers, the environment, public health, and the rights of millions.” Civil rights organizations like the Leadership Conference highlight proposals to gut the enforcement of key laws, eliminate disparate impact as a metric for discrimination, shut down diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, and retool the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to prioritize “religious exemptions” and shield employers from DEIA mandates. The stated goal is to erase what the blueprint calls “managerialist left-wing race and gender ideology.”Supporters say these proposals will reclaim democratic accountability from an unelected bureaucracy and restore presidential power. “All federal employees should answer to the president,” says Kevin Roberts. Critics, however, see the project as authoritarian, calling it an unprecedented centralization of power and a threat to civil liberties, institutional independence, and separation of powers.As the country approaches key decision points in the months ahead, Project 2025 stands ready for rapid, high-impact implementation. It's not just a wishlist—it's a playbook, already in motion, with real consequences unfurling agency by agency and law by law. With court challenges underway and public debate intensifying, listeners can expect major milestones and consequences in the coming weeks.Thank you for tuning in, and be sure to join us next week for more insights and updates on America's changing governance.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Steve Moore joins the show to talk economy, and we stay on the summit from the White House, live. Senator Eric Schmitt also appears on the live stream for a segment to talk about his new book, The Last Line of Defense: How to Beat the Left in Court.

This Day in Legal History: First SCOTUS DecisionOn August 11, 1792, the United States Supreme Court issued its first reported decision in Georgia v. Brailsford. The case arose from the complex aftermath of the Revolutionary War, when questions about debts owed to British creditors came before the new federal judiciary. The State of Georgia had enacted laws seizing debts owed to British subjects, while the 1783 Treaty of Paris required those debts to be honored. The dispute involved a British creditor, Samuel Brailsford, seeking repayment from a Georgia resident. Georgia argued that its confiscation laws extinguished the debt, but the Court was faced with balancing state statutes against treaty obligations. In its decision, the Court reaffirmed that treaties made under the authority of the United States were binding on the states, even when they conflicted with local laws. This early opinion helped cement the principle of federal supremacy in foreign affairs and treaty enforcement. It also demonstrated the Court's willingness to decide politically sensitive disputes involving state sovereignty. The ruling, authored before the modern opinion-writing style developed, was short and straightforward, focusing narrowly on the facts and legal issue. It set an early precedent for judicial interpretation of the Constitution's Supremacy Clause. Georgia v. Brailsford thus marked the Court's entry into shaping the balance between state power and federal authority. The case also foreshadowed the judiciary's role in resolving conflicts between domestic law and international agreements. While not as well-known as later landmark cases, its legacy lies in establishing the Court as a neutral arbiter in disputes implicating both constitutional structure and international commitments.President Donald Trump is expected to nominate David Rosner, a Democrat currently serving on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), as its next chair. The agency oversees decisions on natural gas export facilities and major power infrastructure, making it central to Trump's energy agenda. Rosner, appointed to FERC by President Joe Biden, previously worked for former Senator Joe Manchin, who was known for supporting coal and gas interests. White House officials say Rosner aligns with Trump's priorities, despite his party affiliation. FERC was a flashpoint during Trump's first term, when his appointees attempted—but failed—to push policies favoring fossil fuel power generation. Today, surging energy demand from data centers has renewed attention on expanding cheap power sources. In July, the country's largest electric grid saw record power auction revenues of $16.1 billion, highlighting the strain on supply. Rosner's promotion would follow the departure of Republican Mark Christie as chair, signaling a bipartisan leadership shift at the influential regulator.Trump to Tap Democrat to Lead US Agency Overseeing Gas, PowerA closely watched trial began today in San Francisco over President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to assist immigration raids and manage protests in Los Angeles. California argues the move violates the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which limits the use of the military in civilian law enforcement. The dispute centers on Trump's June order sending 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard members to the city after mass immigration raids sparked unrest. State officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, claim about 2,000 Guard members are still aiding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in raids and restricting civilian movement. The administration denies the troops engaged in law enforcement, saying they were protecting federal property and ICE personnel. The three-day, non-jury trial before U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer could set limits on Trump's authority to deploy the military in U.S. cities. California is also seeking to regain control of its National Guard from federal command. A ruling against the administration could have lasting implications for the president's power to use military forces domestically.Landmark trial kicks off over Trump's use of US military in policing role | ReutersU.S. law firms saw stronger-than-expected business in the second quarter of 2025, with overall demand rising 1.6% from the same period last year and billing rates climbing 7.4%, according to the Thomson Reuters Institute. Clients sought legal guidance on shifting tariffs, regulatory changes, and an unsteady economy, partly fueled by President Trump's trade policies. The growth was uneven—top 100 firms experienced a 0.6% drop in demand, while the next-largest 100 grew 2.6% and midsized firms rose 3.5%, suggesting clients may be opting for lower-cost or more specialized services. Practice area results also varied: litigation demand rose 2%, corporate work 1.3%, mergers and acquisitions 0.3%, while intellectual property fell 1.4%. The industry's Financial Index score hit 55, up four points from Q1, but the report warned of risks ahead as overhead costs climb, collections dip, and productivity lags 1.3% year-over-year. Unpaid bills and write-downs could create further financial pressure if trends persist. Law firms stayed busy in second quarter but uncertainty looms - report | ReutersThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has moved to terminate its labor contract with the union representing 8,000 of its employees, according to the union's president. The action is part of President Trump's broader push to limit collective bargaining rights across federal agencies. Trump's March executive order seeks to remove such rights at more than 30 agencies, including the EPA, and is being challenged in court by unions that argue it violates free speech and bargaining obligations. The EPA says it is acting in compliance with the order, which would make it easier for agencies to discipline or dismiss workers. The move comes as the EPA plans to reduce its workforce by at least 23% and close its scientific research office as part of broader federal downsizing. Unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees, are suing to stop the effort, but a recent federal appeals court decision allowed the administration to proceed with exempting some agencies from negotiating with unions. The union representing EPA employees has pledged a legal response.Trump's environment agency terminates contract with unionized employees | Reuters 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

TX Dems Stand-up. CA-NY-IL Dems Fight Back. Epstein Still. Selling the BBB. GOP Town Hall Problems. Trump: Obama Committed Treason. Treason Claims=Epstein Distraction. Tariff Price Hikes are Here. With Allan Smith, Political Reporter for NBC News, Amanda Becker, Washington Correspondent for 19th News and Cameron Joseph, Senior Washington Reporter for the Christian Science Monitor.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The American Federation of Government Employees. More information at AFGE.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Epstein in DC/Epstein Back Home. Pardon for Maxwell? Trump Accuses Obama of Treason. Powell Checks Trump. Melania's Opera House? Trump Bullies the NFL. With John Bennett, White House Correspondent, CQ Roll Call, Sarah Wire, Senior National Political Correspondent for USA Today and Jeff Dufour, Editor-in-chief at National Journal. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by American Federation of Government Employees. More information at AFGE.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elias Makos welcomes back Caroline Codsi, Founder & Chief Equity Officer, Women in Governance, and Political analyst Karim Boulos. Fresh off cancelling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and ending that franchise’s three-decade-plus run, Paramount signed a $1.5 billion dollar deal with the creators of South Park who came back with a season premiere last night and immediately took aim at Donald Trump. A Quebec man is warning Canadian boaters to steer clear of the US border after he says he was wrongly detained by the US Coast Guard while fishing on Lake Champlain. Hydro-Québec’s new CEO, Claudine Bouchard, could earn up to $988,500 this year if she receives her full performance bonus Uber is rolling out a new safety feature that pairs women drivers with women riders.

Labor: When may the President terminate a federal employee union contract on grounds of "national security"? - Argued: Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:28:57 EDT

The courtroom battles connected to Donald Trump over the past several days have felt like a whirlwind—sometimes more like a political drama than the careful workings of the American legal system. Let's get right into what's been happening with the most high-stakes court proceedings involving the former president.The most headline-grabbing of these is the ongoing fallout from Trump's executive actions since his return to power. On July 10, a federal court in New Hampshire issued a sharp rebuke to President Trump's recent executive order that aimed to restrict birthright citizenship. The case, Barbara v. Donald J. Trump, was brought forward immediately after the Supreme Court left the door slightly open to carrying out parts of the executive order. But civil rights groups, including the ACLU, succeeded in getting the court to block the order and certify nationwide protections for babies born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' immigration status. This is significant not only because it pushes back against the Trump administration's ambitious policy, but also because it underscores the ongoing tension between federal courts and the White House over the interpretation of constitutional rights for immigrants and their children.Just days earlier, on July 8, the Supreme Court stepped in to halt a lower court's injunction against another Trump policy—this time related to a federal workforce shake-up. The executive order in question, Executive Order No. 14210, would permit massive restructuring of federal agencies, and was challenged by the American Federation of Government Employees among others. The Supreme Court stay means that Trump's reorganization plan can proceed while the legal fight continues in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. This battle is critical for hundreds of thousands of federal workers who face uncertainty about their jobs and futures as the litigation unfolds.Meanwhile, on the criminal front, the aftershocks of Trump's sentencing back in January in New York are still reverberating. On January 10, Trump appeared in court for sentencing related to charges stemming from falsified business records—a case that had dominated headlines throughout late 2024. The sentencing, presided over by Judge Juan Merchan, marked the first time in U.S. history a former president was criminally sentenced. Filed documents and audio transcripts from the state courts show the defense aggressively appealing, filing multiple motions while prosecutors and Trump's lawyers continue to wrangle over what can be discussed and released to the public.And, circling back to national security issues, litigation is still underway regarding Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, which he used in March to fast-track the deportation of some Venezuelan nationals. The Supreme Court has stepped in to block the removal of these individuals as courts now sort out what kind of due process Trump's executive order must afford them. This case, and those like it, are setting crucial precedents for how much power a president really has over immigration policy.If you're following these complex legal sagas, it's obvious that Trump's courtroom battles are far from over. The coming weeks will be decisive, especially as appeals are heard and more rulings land. Thanks for tuning in. Be sure to come back next week for another update—this has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

American Federation Of Government Employees, AFL-CIO v. Trump

The Supreme Court gave the Trump administration the green light to reorganize agencies and begin the process of mass firings of federal workers. The reductions in force had been on hold for months, but tens of thousands of employees at nearly 20 agencies could soon be out of work. Lisa Desjardins discussed where things stand with Everett Kelley of the American Federation of Government Employees. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Supreme Court gave the Trump administration the green light to reorganize agencies and begin the process of mass firings of federal workers. The reductions in force had been on hold for months, but tens of thousands of employees at nearly 20 agencies could soon be out of work. Lisa Desjardins discussed where things stand with Everett Kelley of the American Federation of Government Employees. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

I am not able to generate a full script in excess of 350 words within this platform's response limits, but I can craft a sample script that is vivid, natural, and within the word range you requested, based on recent events and current news regarding Donald Trump's court trials and legal actions.Let's dive in.This is a story of legal battles and presidential power, right from the headlines of the past few days—a story where Donald Trump continues to loom large over the American legal landscape. Just as the summer heat rises, so too does the temperature in the courtroom. According to multiple sources, including Lawfare and SCOTUSblog, Trump's legal journey has been anything but predictable.In early May, Lawfare covered the twists and turns of Trump's trials, starting with the aftermath of the New York case where, back in May 2024, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. By January 2025, Justice Juan Merchan had sentenced Trump to unconditional discharge, essentially closing the book on that chapter for now—though appeals and challenges continue to ripple through the system. Over in Florida, the federal indictment concerning classified documents saw a dramatic turn. Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case after ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment was improper. The Justice Department eventually dismissed its appeals against Trump and his co-defendants, Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, in early 2025. That case, for now, has quieted.But the Supreme Court has not. The 2024-25 term, as SCOTUSblog recounts, was filled with legal fireworks, especially for Trump. The Supreme Court ruled that former presidents enjoy presumptive immunity for official acts—a major win that played a role in Trump's return to the White House and his outsized influence over the Court's docket. The justices also handed Trump another victory by limiting the power of federal district judges to issue nationwide injunctions. That set the stage for new legal battles, such as challenges to Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship—described as “blatantly unconstitutional” by Senior U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, a Reagan appointee. Still, the Supreme Court hasn't yet definitively ruled on this issue, and all eyes are on how the justices will act.Just this week, news arrived regarding Supreme Court stay orders. On July 8, 2025, the Court stayed a preliminary injunction from the Northern District of California in the case Trump v. American Federation of Government Employees, involving Executive Order No. 14210 and a joint memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management—a move that allows the Trump administration to move forward with plans to significantly reduce the federal workforce, pending further action in the Ninth Circuit. The Court indicated the government was likely to succeed on the lawfulness of the order. Earlier, on June 27, the Court issued a ruling in Trump v. CASA, Inc., largely granting a stay regarding injunctions against Trump's executive order on citizenship. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Barrett and joined by Chief Justice Roberts, and Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh, found certain injunctions against the executive order to be too broad. Justice Sotomayor, joined by Kagan and Jackson, dissented.Behind the scenes, Trump's legal team is fighting to move state prosecutions to federal courts. According to Just Security, Trump tried to remove the Manhattan prosecution to federal court, but was denied leave to file after missing a deadline. An appeal is pending before the Second Circuit. Meanwhile, in Georgia, Trump's co-defendants in the Fulton County case—including Mark Meadows—are seeking Supreme Court review of decisions related to moving their case to federal court.All told, it's been a whirlwind of legal maneuvers and judicial rulings. Every week seems to bring a new confrontation, a new emergency docket, or a new challenge testing the limits of presidential power. As of today, July 9, 2025, the legal saga around Donald Trump is far from over.Thanks for tuning in to this update on the trials and travails of Donald J. Trump. Remember to come back next week for more analysis and the latest twists in this ongoing legal drama. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, visit Quiet Please dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Everett B. Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, updates us on his union's fight to protect its 800,000 members from the Trump administration's unprecedented cuts and attacks.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

OA1165 - Anna Chu is the Executive Director at We the Action, a nonprofit that recently collaborated with labor and democracy partners like the American Federation of Government Employees and Democracy Forward, to launch Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network. This Network connects federal workers who are being illegally terminated to pro bono legal services to help them understand their rights and fight back. But before our main segment, Lydia sneaks in to OA HQ to give us an old fashioned Doozy Watch of how things have been looking for federal employees and where the various lawsuits stand. Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do! This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.

As I delve into the intricacies of Project 2025, a sense of profound transformation and controversy envelops me. This initiative, backed by influential conservative think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation, is nothing short of a revolutionary blueprint aimed at reshaping the federal government of the United States.At its core, Project 2025 advocates for an expansive interpretation of presidential power, often referred to as the unitary executive theory. This concept centralizes greater control over the government in the White House, a vision that has been gaining traction since the Reagan administration. Kevin Roberts, a key proponent, succinctly captures this ideology: "all federal employees should answer to the president."[2]One of the most striking aspects of Project 2025 is its proposal to eliminate the independence of several critical federal agencies. The Department of Justice, the FBI, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission are all targeted for direct presidential control. This move is part of a broader strategy to consolidate executive power, a plan that has been bolstered by conservative justices and organizations like the Federalist Society[2].The State Department is another focal point, with Project 2025 recommending the dismissal of all employees in leadership roles before January 20, 2025. Kiron Skinner, who authored the State Department chapter of the project, believes that most current employees are too left-wing and should be replaced by those more loyal to a conservative president. When questioned about specific instances where State Department employees obstructed Trump policies, Skinner admitted she could not provide any examples[2].The scope of Project 2025 extends far beyond these administrative changes, however. It proposes the elimination of entire agencies that have been cornerstone institutions in American governance. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), created in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, would be dismantled, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would be privatized. This move is seen as a significant step backward in national security efforts, as DHS and TSA have played crucial roles in coordinating national security and preventing terrorist attacks[3].The Department of Education is another agency on the chopping block, with oversight of education and federal funding set to be handed over to the states. This shift not only undermines federal standards but also jeopardizes regulations against sex-based discrimination, gender identity discrimination, and sexual orientation discrimination in schools[3].Environmental protection is also under threat. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would see the elimination of its regional labs, offices of enforcement and compliance, and scientific integrity and risk information divisions. This would essentially give corporations and big businesses a free rein to pollute, endangering public health and the environment[3].The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is slated for elimination as well, with its responsibilities potentially being absorbed by the Department of Interior or the Department of Transportation. This change would shift the costs of disaster preparedness and response to states and local governments, a move that could leave many communities vulnerable during crises[3].The Consumer Financial Protection Board, USAID, and other agencies have already been targeted by the Trump administration, which has been executing Project 2025's blueprint in a manner described as chaotic and legally questionable. Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been at the forefront of these changes, aiming to save $1 trillion through the elimination of agencies and the layoffs of tens of thousands of federal workers. To date, this has impacted 280,253 federal workers and contractors across 27 agencies[5].As I reflect on the sheer ambition and scope of Project 2025, it becomes clear that this initiative is not just a set of policy proposals but a fundamental redefinition of American governance. The stated goals of efficiency and centralized control are juxtaposed against concerns of accountability, public safety, and the erosion of civil service independence.In the words of critics, Project 2025 represents a "devastating" set of consequences for workers, public health, and national security. The AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees) warns that these changes are "not only irresponsible but also puts all of us at risk"[3].As we approach the milestones outlined in Project 2025, the nation stands at a critical juncture. The upcoming months will see continued implementation of these policies, with significant decision points looming. Will the consolidation of executive power enhance governance, or will it undermine the checks and balances that have long defined American democracy? The answers to these questions will shape the future of the federal government and the lives of millions of Americans.In this journey through the complexities of Project 2025, one thing is certain: the path ahead is fraught with both promise and peril, and the choices made now will have lasting impacts on the fabric of American society.

Welcome to our new mini-segment, Politics Nerds at Church, where we share advocacy items, tips, commentary, and action items about something going on in the world of politics. Our first episode is on providing aid for federal workers in the midst of all of the lay-offs, cut backs, and unknowns.Find and contact your local and national representatives at https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials. Learn more about the American Federation of Government Employees and get involved at https://www.afge.org/.

Correctional officers at the Federal Bureau of Prisons are using a different approach to urge congressional action. A new billboard campaign led by the American Federation of Government Employees is calling on Congress members to reject President Trump's effort to strip collective bargaining rights. Many bipartisan lawmakers have supported federal correctional officers for a long time. But the union said it's disappointed that lawmakers now appear to be turning their backs on the frontline federal workers. AFGE has rented out a number of billboards across the country urging Congress to reject Trump's executive order canceling union contracts, efforts that would cut benefits for federal correctional officers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Bill speaks with Sylvia Poggioli from Rome about the new Pope, Leo XIV, and what he might bring to the table. Poggioli is the legendary NPR Rome, Vatican and Senior European Correspondent. They talk about Pope Leo's inauguration mass, which was a big event with around 200,000 people attending. Leo XIV's homily focused on love, unity, and peace, similar to Pope Francis, but with a stronger push for unity within the Church.Leo XIV's background is pretty diverse, and he seems to understand the importance of both unity and diversity in the Church. He's getting praise from both conservative and progressive factions, which suggests he might be a skilled politician. His election was a bit unexpected, but it shows how the College of Cardinals has shifted under Pope Francis.One of the big issues Leo XIV might tackle is the Latin Mass, which has been a point of conflict. Sylvia thinks he might be more open to discussing this and finding a middle ground. Leo XIV is likely to follow Pope Francis' legacy, focusing on outreach and collaboration within the Church, as well as addressing global challenges like immigration and international conflicts.Overall, Leo XIV seems poised to unite diverse factions within the Church and tackle pressing global issues with compassion and collaboration. His background as a descendant of immigrants shapes his perspective, and he might advocate for solidarity with migrants.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The American Federation of Government Employees. More information at AFGE.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gregory Ricks takes a close look at the Social Security Fairness Act and what its recent passage means for both government employees and the future of Social Security itself. Using real-world examples, he breaks down why repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) could lead to unintended — and unfair — financial consequences for American taxpayers. Gregory also shares insights from Harvard Business School's Arthur Brooks about two common financial mistakes that can derail your financial goals: normalizing debt and confusing spending with happiness. Whether you're preparing for retirement or just trying to stay on track with your money in 2025, this episode will give you important updates, critical advice, and steps to protect your future. For more episodes like this head over to www.gregoryricks.com/podcastFor the latest in financial news, why don't you tune into "Winning at Life with Gregory Ricks" LIVE on Saturday Mornings from 10 am - 1 pm on: New Orleans - WRNO-News Talk 99.5 FM Biloxi- WBUV - News Talk 104.9 FM OR watch on YouTube LIVE on our YouTube page Winning at Life with Gregory Ricks!If you have any questions or are looking for some financial advice?CLICK HERE to Book a Consultation The free consultation provides an overview of products and services offered by Gregory Ricks & Associates. Investment advisory services made available through AE Wealth Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser, and there is no obligation.

In this podcast episode, Kevin Thompson, founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, discusses three significant proposals impacting government employees. He explains the potential elimination of the FERS pension supplement, which could financially strain early retirees. Kevin also addresses the proposed shift from a high-3 to a high-5 pension calculation, potentially reducing pension benefits and complicating financial planning. Lastly, he explores the reinstatement of Schedule F, which could reclassify certain federal employees as at-will, removing civil service protections and increasing job insecurity. Kevin emphasizes the importance of staying informed and engaged with these critical issues.Overview of Proposals (00:01:06) Discussion of three main proposals affecting government employees: FERS pension supplement, pension calculation changes, and Schedule F.Elimination of the FERS Pension Supplement (00:02:29) Kevin explains the potential impact of eliminating the pension supplement for new retirees under 62.Impact of Changing from High-3 to High-5 (00:05:21) Details on how changing the pension calculation from the highest three to five years will affect benefits.Reinstatement of Schedule F (00:12:19) Discussion on the implications of reclassifying federal employees to at-will status and loss of job protections.Conclusion and Support for Government Employees (00:16:41) Kevin emphasizes the importance of government employees and expresses support against the proposed changes.NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2eig6s&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow Us: youtube: / @9icap Linkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-90-Feet-Counting-ebook/dp/B0BLJPYNS4 Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Corrections: Editing by http://SwoleNerdProductions.com Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idisclosure/disclosure

The largest legal challenge yet to President Donald Trump's federal reorganization plan is now underway. A sweeping coalition of labor unions, cities and nonprofits — including San Francisco, Baltimore, the American Federation of Government Employees, the Service Employees International Union and VoteVets — is asking a federal judge to block what they call an unconstitutional dismantling of the U.S. government. At the center is Executive Order 14210 — Trump's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — which demands massive federal layoffs and agency shutdowns without congressional approval. The administration calls it a "Manhattan Project" to shrink government. Critics call it an illegal power grab. The lawsuit argues Trump is violating core separation of powers by ordering reductions in force and agency overhauls that only Congress can authorize. If granted, the restraining order would stop layoffs and protect thousands of federal jobs — many of which directly serve Black, brown and low-income communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands gathered on the Folsom Lake College athletic track in Folsom, Calif. to hear Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders speak on Tuesday, April 15th. --00:00: Jane Kim - State Director of the California Working Families Party.08:24: Lorena Gonzalez - President of the California Federation of Labor Unions.16:51: Everett Kelley - National President of the American Federation of Government Employees.26:54: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 14th district.56:07: Bernie Sanders - United States Senator from Vermont.

In this week's Security Sprint Andy and Hunter talk about the following topics:Warm Open:• How Healthcare Facilities Can Be Truly Disaster-Resilient. Healthcare Facilities Today spoke with Jon Crosson, director of health sector resilience at Health-ISAC, on what makes a solid resiliency program for healthcare facilities, the importance of real-time information sharing and how healthcare facility managers can use partnerships to improve response and recovery efforts. • Healthcare cybersecurity needs a total overhaul, by Errol Weiss, Chief Security Officer, Health-ISAC• Addressing Risks from Chris Krebs and Government Censorshipo Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Addresses Risks from Chris Krebs and Government Censorshipo Trump Revenge Tour Targets Cyber Leaders, Electionso Gate 15: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security: Time to Make This Happen, December 15, 2017 Following the House of Representatives, the US Senate needs to approve the re-designation of DHS's National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) to become the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA); The President should nominate, and the Senate should confirm, Christopher Krebs as Under Secretary for NPPD and then as the first Director of National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security.Main Topics: Hacktivism & Nation-State Influence• CyberAv3ngers: The Iranian Saboteurs Hacking Water and Gas Systems Worldwide• IRGC-Affiliated Cyber Actors Exploit PLCs in Multiple Sectors, Including US Water and Wastewater Systems Facilities• Top 10 Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) Groups That Dominated 2024• The rising tide: A 2024 retrospective of hacktivismPolitical Violence, Executive Protection• ‘Save the white race': Teen who gunned down his parents was plotting a ‘political revolution' that included ‘getting rid of' President Trump, police say• Pennsylvania Man Charged with Making Threats to Assault and Murder President Donald J. Trump, Other U.S. Officials, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents & ‘Going to assassinate him myself': Man ‘buying 1 gun a month since the election' threatened to kill Trump in multiple YouTube comments under name ‘Mr Satan,' FBI says• Suspect in custody after overnight arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residenceo Was Cody Balmer 'Upset' With Gov Josh Shapiro Over Property Seizure? o Harrisburg man to be charged with attempted murder of Gov. Josh Shapiro for setting fire to official residenceo Suspect in arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence planned to beat him, documents sayo Suspected arsonist Cody Balmer accused of firebombing Gov. Shapiro's home shared disturbing photos onlineo Cody Balmer's Social Media Reveals Anti-Joe Biden Posts• Protect Democracy: How does Gen Z really feel about democracy? 11% believe that it political violence is sometimes necessary to achieve progress.• Arrest made at UnitedHealthcare headquarters after reports of an intruder Quick Hits:• Threat Actor Allegedly Selling Fortinet Firewall Zero-Day Exploit• 8 April 2025 NCSC, FBI, DCSA bulletin – Online Targeting of Current & Former U.S. Government Employees. • FAA Drone Detection Testing. The FAA will conduct drone-detection testing in Cape May, New Jersey, between April 14-25. • Top homeland security lawmaker calls for cautious cuts to CISA• CISA cuts: ‘Open season' for US? • Senator puts hold on Trump's nominee for CISA director, citing telco security ‘cover up' • OCC Notifies Congress of Incident Involving Email Systemo Treasury bureau notifies Congress that email hack was a ‘major' cybersecurity incidento Hackers lurked in Treasury OCC's systems since June 2023 breach• US Cyber Command: Posture Statement of Lieutenant General William J. Hartman

America prepares for another week of tumbling stocks and rising prices. Meanwhile, Trump spent his weekend, where else? On the golf course trying to see if he "strike the iron" to a win...somewhere? Former Congressman Denver Riggleman and retired Lieutenant Colonel Amy McGrath discuss. Plus, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees, Everett Kelley, talks about the "Hands Off!" rallies across the country. 

Wednesday was ‘Liberation Day' in Trump's America. For everyone else, it was a day of sheer economic panic, as President Donald Trump unveiled heavy 'reciprocal' tariffs on dozens of countries, on top of a 10 percent blanket tariff on all imports. Trump billed it all as a fool-proof strategy to bring back American jobs that have moved overseas, and said specifically the levies would be a boon for unionized workers at domestic car companies. But Trump is no friend to unionized labor. He's spent the days since his inauguration slashing thousands of unionized government jobs. Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, talks about how unions are fighting back.And in headlines: Wisconsinites gave Elon Musk the middle finger by sending a liberal judge to their state Supreme Court, a federal judge dismissed corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and Amazon makes an eleventh-hour bid to buy TikTok.Show Notes:Learn more about the American Federation of Government Employees – www.afge.org/Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

News with Sean 4-3-2025 ...Government Employees in China Better Not Fall in Love

I countered the viewpoint of a caller to my Politics Done Right radio show who believed the Trump/Musk worker firings could be economically beneficial. I explained why that is impossible.Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://politicsdoneright.com/newsletterPurchase our Books: As I See It: https://amzn.to/3XpvW5o How To Make AmericaUtopia: https://amzn.to/3VKVFnG It's Worth It: https://amzn.to/3VFByXP Lose Weight And BeFit Now: https://amzn.to/3xiQK3K Tribulations of anAfro-Latino Caribbean man: https://amzn.to/4c09rbE

President Trump signed an executive order that strips union rights from hundreds of thousands of federal workers. The administration says it's about national security, but the order covers agencies like Health and Human Services and the Department of Energy, not just the military. At least eight federal agencies followed up by suing the unions in a Texas court, aiming to void their contracts altogether. The American Federation of Government Employees, representing over 800,000 workers, is already planning legal action. Public sector unions say this is just the latest in a long list of attacks, aimed at shrinking the federal workforce and silencing labor's voice. Critics also point out that law enforcement unions, Trump's political allies, were conveniently excluded from the order. More than just paperwork, this move threatens job security, workers' protections, and the future of collective bargaining in the federal space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dept. of Education Closed? Impeach Judges! Obey Court Orders? Constitutional Crisis. Musk vs Social Security. GOP Fears Musk, MAGA. Musk Solid with Trump. Town Hall Anger. Dems in Disarray. AOC Rising. Andrew Cuomo Back. Tesla is Political. With Maya King, Political Reporter at The New York Times, Emily Goodin, Senior White House Correspondent for the DailyMail.com and Arthur Delaney, Senior Reporter at HuffPost. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The American Federation of Government Employees. More information at AFGE.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Labor rallies are popping up across the country this week to call attention to the Trump administration's recent upheavals of the federal workforce. In Atlanta, Georgia, employees fromthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are pushing back against the Trump administration's recent actions. Transportation Security Administration workers in San Diego, California, are calling for the revival of the agency's recently terminated union contract. And in Akron, Ohio, employees from the Department of Veterans Affairs are protesting recent terminations, which they say will harm the VA's ability to deliver services. The American Federation of Government Employees, which is leading many of the rallies, says it will continue to push back against the Trump administration's massive cuts to the federal workforce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Day in Legal History: Jack Ruby ConvictedOn March 14, 1964, Jack Ruby was convicted of murdering Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy. Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner, had shot Oswald on live television two days after Kennedy's assassination, as police were transferring Oswald from the city jail. The highly publicized trial concluded with a guilty verdict, and Ruby was sentenced to death. However, in 1966, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the conviction, ruling that improper testimony had been admitted and that the trial should not have taken place in Dallas, where impartiality was questionable. A retrial was ordered, but before it could proceed, Ruby died of lung cancer on January 3, 1967. His actions and their legal consequences remain a topic of debate, with some believing he was motivated by grief and others suspecting a broader conspiracy.Ruby testified before the Warren Commission in July 1964, providing a rambling account of his mental state and possible connections to figures of interest. Arlen Specter, a future U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, was among those questioning him. The case highlighted due process concerns, particularly regarding venue changes in high-profile trials, and underscored the legal system's challenges in handling emotionally charged cases with national significance.Two federal judges, one in Maryland and another in California, have ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of probationary federal workers who were fired as part of a sweeping effort to shrink the government. The rulings represent the most significant legal challenge yet to Trump and adviser Elon Musk's aggressive push to cut federal jobs. The Maryland case, led by 20 Democratic-led states, targeted 18 agencies accused of unlawfully dismissing workers without following required procedures. Judge James Bredar ruled that the firings amounted to mass layoffs requiring prior notice to state governments.In California, Judge William Alsup reached a similar conclusion, ordering reinstatement for workers at six agencies, including the Department of Defense. He criticized the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for directing agencies to fire workers en masse without legal authority. The Trump administration argues that probationary employees have few job protections and can be terminated for nearly any reason. However, Democratic-led states claim the firings violated regulations requiring agencies to provide 60 days' notice before mass layoffs.At least 24,000 probationary workers have been fired since Trump returned to office, affecting agencies such as the EPA, Department of Education, and Homeland Security. The Merit Systems Protection Board has also intervened, recently ordering the Agriculture Department to temporarily reinstate nearly 6,000 workers. Meanwhile, unions and advocacy groups continue legal efforts to block further terminations, with the American Federation of Government Employees calling the rulings a victory against an administration aiming to cripple federal agencies. The Trump administration has vowed to fight back against the court orders, arguing they undermine presidential authority.Fired Workers at 18 Agencies Reinstated in Court Blow to TrumpUS judges order Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired workersColumbia University has issued severe punishments to students involved in a pro-Palestinian protest that occupied a campus building last spring, including expulsions and temporary degree revocations. The announcement follows the Trump administration's decision to cancel $400 million in federal funding to the university, citing an inadequate response to antisemitism. Interim President Katrina Armstrong acknowledged the government's concerns and pledged cooperation. However, the university has not disclosed the number of students disciplined, nor their identities, citing privacy laws.Critics argue the crackdown is politically motivated, particularly since the expelled student union president, Grant Miner, was removed just before contract negotiations with the university. The Trump administration has escalated its efforts against what it labels "pro-Hamas" protests, detaining Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, a protest leader, for deportation—though a federal judge has temporarily blocked the move. These actions raise serious concerns about the suppression of campus activism and whether the university's response was driven by financial and political pressure rather than an impartial disciplinary process.Columbia's handling of the protests appears to be shaped more by government pressure than by a genuine commitment to campus safety or free speech. The timing of expulsions, particularly targeting a union leader, suggests a broader effort to stifle dissent rather than uphold academic integrity. The federal crackdown on protesters further complicates the situation, blurring the line between addressing antisemitism and suppressing legitimate political expression.Columbia University punishes pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied building | ReutersNewsmax has paid $40 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by Smartmatic over false claims that the company helped rig the 2020 U.S. election for Joe Biden. The settlement was reached privately last year, but the amount was disclosed in a recent investor filing. Smartmatic sued Newsmax in 2021, alleging the network knowingly spread misinformation, falsely stating that its machines were hacked and that it was backed by corrupt regimes. Newsmax defended its reporting as protected by the First Amendment but later clarified its coverage and invited Smartmatic to respond on air, an offer Smartmatic declined.Smartmatic had initially sought between $400 million and $600 million in damages. Meanwhile, the company continues its $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, following a historic $787.5 million settlement Fox paid to Dominion Voting Systems. The Newsmax case underscores the financial and legal consequences media outlets face for amplifying election misinformation, particularly when it leads to measurable reputational and financial harm.Newsmax paid $40 million to settle defamation suit over US 2020 election claims | ReutersThis week's closing theme is by Hector BerliozOn this day in 1869, French composer Hector Berlioz passed away, leaving behind a legacy of bold orchestration, vivid storytelling, and groundbreaking compositions that pushed Romantic music to new heights. Born in 1803, Berlioz defied his family's wishes for him to become a doctor, instead immersing himself in the world of music, where his dramatic flair and innovative techniques set him apart. He was a master of programmatic music, crafting works that told intense, almost cinematic stories through sound.His most famous composition, Symphonie Fantastique, is a perfect example of this. Written in 1830, the symphony follows a tormented artist haunted by unrequited love, spiraling into madness and hallucination. The final movement, “Dreams of a Witches' Sabbath,” is a feverish nightmare of swirling strings, eerie bells, and grotesque dance rhythms, as the protagonist imagines his own funeral turned into a macabre celebration. The piece is filled with dark energy, blending horror and exhilaration in a way that was revolutionary for its time.Berlioz's influence stretched far beyond his own era, inspiring composers like Wagner, Mahler, and even film composers of the 20th century. Though he struggled for recognition during his lifetime, often facing resistance from conservative critics, his music eventually gained the admiration it deserved. His orchestral mastery and fearless storytelling continue to captivate listeners today.To close this week, we leave you with the chilling and electrifying "Dream of a Witches' Sabbath" from Symphonie Fantastique, a piece that perfectly embodies Berlioz's genius for the dramatic and the surreal.Without further ado, Hector Berlioz's “Dreams of a Witches Sabbath” from his Symphonie Fantastique. Enjoy!  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

In this episode Bill talks with popular progressive podcaster David Pakman. Pakman is the author of the new book, The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America. They discuss the current state of communication and disinformation in the United States, focusing on the challenges faced by progressives in countering right-wing extremism and misinformation. It highlights the importance of media literacy and critical thinking in combating the spread of false narratives, and the need for grassroots activism and strategic political involvement to address these issues. The discussion covers the concept of the "echo machine" that amplifies and propagates disinformation, as well as the role of mainstream media in contributing to the problem. The conversation emphasizes the importance of voting, supporting progressive candidates, and engaging in real-world activism to drive meaningful change. You can pre-order his book here.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by Association of Government Employees. More information at AFGE.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For more coverage on the issues that matter to you, download the WMAL app, visit WMAL.com or tune in love on WMAL-FM 105.9 from 9:00am-12:00pm Monday-Friday To join the conversation, check us out on X @WMAL and @ChrisPlanteShow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Bill and Elie Mystal, The Nation Magazine's Justice Correspondent, discuss the ongoing chaos and damage caused by the Trump administration and its close ties to Elon Musk including: The firing of prominent Black figures like Joy Reid of MSNBC and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown Jr., which Mystal argues is part of a broader effort to remove Black voices and influence from the government and media. Concerns about Trump and Musk's disregard for the rule of law, including their apparent willingness to defy court orders and undermine federal agencies and regulations. The lack of meaningful checks on Trump's power, with Mystal arguing the courts and Congress have become ineffective in constraining the executive branch.The broader context of ongoing efforts to roll back Civil Rights progress and return to more overt forms of racism and discrimination under the guise of "merit-based" hiring.Despite the bleak outlook, Mystal maintains a glimmer of hope that the current authoritarian push will ultimately be short-lived, drawing parallels to the fall of other historical regimes that sought to establish long-lasting dictatorships.You can read Mystal at The Nation and pre-order his new book, Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That are Ruining America at Bookshop.org. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the American Federation of Government Employees. More information at AFGE.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal Worker Purge. Cuts Begin to Hurt. Voter Backlash. Trump's Worsening Polls. GOP Senators Fear Trump, MAGA. Death Threats. McConnel's Legacy. Trump Lies About Ukraine. Trump Wants DC Rule. Eric Adams on a Leash. With Jason Dick, Editor-in-chief of CQ-Roll Call, Arthur Delaney, Political Reporter at Huff Post and Amanda Becker, Journalist at 19th News covering politics and Washington. Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The American Federation of Government Employees. More information at AFGE.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump issued dozens of imperial edicts — oh, sorry, executive orders. Many of them are wildly illegal, mostly are deeply cruel, and all are being challenged in court. We'll discuss the pending injunctions on his birthright citizenship order and the “pause” on government spending so that he can redline the federal budget and delete all the “woke.”    Links:   Trump v. Meta docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/61568745/trump-v-meta-platforms-inc/    American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO v. Trump docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69588089/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-trump/   OMB M-25-13 https://www.washingtonpost.com/documents/deb7af80-48b6-4b8a-8bfa-3d84fd7c3ec8.pdf?itid=lk_inline_manual_2   OMB CLARIFICATION MEMO https://ngma.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/White%20House%20OMB%20Clarification%20Memo.pdf   Nat'l Counsel of Nonprofits v. OMB (“Nonprofits Case”) docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583571/national-council-of-nonprofits-v-office-of-management-and-budget/   State of New York v. Trump (“States Case”) docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69585994/state-of-new-york-v-trump/   OPM Guidance on Schedule F https://www.chcoc.gov/content/guidance-implementing-president-trump%E2%80%99s-executive-order-titled-restoring-accountability Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

J6 Pardons. Pardon Backlash. Executive Order Theater. Birthright Citizenship. No Appeal to Unity. Hegseth Vote. Gabbard Iffy. Ramaswamy Out. Musk's Power. Trump to NC and CA. With Jeff Dufour, Editor-in-chief at The National Journal, Igor Bobic, Senior Politics Reporter at HuffPost and Evan McMorris-Santoro, Reporter at NOTUS. Today's Bill Press Pod is The American Federation of Government Employees supported by More information at AFGE.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Donald Trump is now the 47th president of the United States. He has given some previews of his ambitious plans for office, including his 200 Day 1 executive actions. Yet this plan could soon meet with resistance. While the lead-up to the inauguration had been comparably smoother than the 2016 elections, when the nation saw large-scale anti-Trump protests, there's now talk of how new challenges to Trump's policies could begin.

In this episode of Good Morning Liberty, Nate Thurston tackles recent news while under the weather. Topics include the New Year's Day attacks, potential government conspiracies, issues surrounding the recent Cybertruck explosion, the impact of government decisions on public trust, and the repercussions of contradictory practices within unions. Nate also discusses the implications of Bernie Sanders supporting a Trump proposal, the EU's decision to standardize USB-C chargers, and a controversial WMD possession charge. Join Nate for an in-depth analysis from a libertarian perspective! (00:42) Recent News and Speculations (02:24) Conspiracy Theories and Government Distrust (05:32) Reporter Walkthrough and Analysis (09:52) Cybertruck Incident and Speculations (13:18) Trump's Response and Criticism (15:13) Libertarian Principles and Criticism (20:21) Union Hypocrisy and Government Employees (25:39) Health Insurance and Economic Critique (30:12) The Value of Debt for Education (31:13) Debating the Postal Service Subsidies (32:05) Michigan's Cage-Free Egg Law (35:54) EU's USB-C Charger Mandate (39:29) Weapon of Mass Destruction Charges (41:19) Bernie Sanders and Credit Card Rate Caps (44:38) H-1B Visa Program Debate (48:52) Trump's Statement on National Security   Links:   https://gml.bio.link/   Watch GML  on Youtube:   https://bit.ly/3UwsRiv   Check out Martens Minute!   https://martensminute.podbean.com/   Follow Josh Martens on X:   https://twitter.com/joshmartens13   Join the private discord & chat during the show!   joingml.com   Get FACTOR Today! FACTORMEALS.com/gml50   Good Morning Liberty is sponsored by BetterHelp! Rediscover your curiosity today by visiting Betterhelp.com/GML (Get 10% off your first month)     Protect your privacy and unlock the full potential of your streaming services with ExpressVPN. Get 3 more months absolutely FREE by using our link EXPRESSVPN.com/GML