Podcasts about personnel management

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.

As Elon Musk steps away from the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, the chaotic legacy of his aggressive assault on federal agencies continues to reverberate throughout the government. Musk's goal — slashing $1 trillion from the federal budget — has fallen far short. At most, it has cut $31.8 billion of federal funding, a number that the Financial Times reports is “opaque and overstated.” Notably, the richest man on Earth's businesses have received a comparable amount of government funding, most of it going to SpaceX, which remains untouched by DOGE's budget ax.Stepping in to carry the torch is Russell Vought, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, and a key architect of Project 2025, the sweeping conservative playbook to consolidate executive power. Under his stewardship, DOGE will continue its mission to dismantle the federal government from within.”Access to all of this information gives extraordinary power to the worst people,” says Mark Lemley, the director of Stanford Law School's program in law, science, and technology. Lemley is suing DOGE on behalf of federal employees for violating the Privacy Act. This week on The Intercept Briefing, Lemley and Intercept newsroom counsel and reporter Shawn Musgrave join host Jordan Uhl to take stock of the legal challenges mounting against the Trump administration's agenda. As the executive branch grows more hostile to checks on its powers, the courts remain the last, fragile line of defense. “ There have now been hundreds of court decisions on issues, some involving the Privacy Act, but a wide variety of the Trump administration's illegal activities,” says Lemley. In partnership with the Electronic Frontier Foundation and State Democracy Defenders, Lemley's suit accuses the U.S. Office of Personnel Management of violating the federal Privacy Act by handing over sensitive data to DOGE without consent or legal authority.Listen to the full conversation of The Intercept Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since regaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Estonia has been intentional about harnessing technology to build a transparent and efficient government. And today, thanks to the country's digital-first approach and the E-Estonia initiative for government services, 100 percent of its government services are provided digitally. At last month's AITalks, Estonian Ambaassador to the U.S. Kristjan Prikk touched on his nation's digital foundation, how that has set Estonia up for successful adoption of AI and what lessons the U.S. can learn from the world leader in digital government. As the internet becomes overrun with AI slop and public trust in artificial intelligence plummets, a bipartisan group of senators want to enlist the Commerce Department in an education operation about the emerging technology. The Artificial Intelligence Public Awareness and Education Campaign Act would require the Commerce secretary to oversee an initiative to provide Americans with information about the benefits of AI in their daily lives, as well as the risks the technology presents. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., a co-sponsor of the bill, said in a statement that “With the rapid increase of AI in our society, it is important that individuals can both clearly recognize the technology and understand how to maximize the use of it in their daily lives.” The campaign would detail the ubiquity of AI in everyday life and highlight its benefits, including for small business owners and in workforce opportunities with the federal government. It would also note the different ways in which various regions, economies and subpopulations may interact with the technology, while making clear “the rights of an individual under law with respect” to AI. The Office of Personnel Management abruptly canceled a sole-source contract for HR services from Workday on Friday, roughly a week after it was awarded. Despite its initial justification describing the agency's urgent need for services only Workday could provide, OPM clawed back the justification and terminated the $342,200 award “for convenience.” The agency didn't respond to FedScoop's request for comment for further information about why the contract was canceled, including whether it planned to hold a competition for the award or whether not having the services quickly would impact the agency's upcoming modernization deadlines. In its original justification, OPM said that the sole-source award — those made to a single company without a bidding process — was needed “due to an urgent confluence of operational failures and binding federal mandates that require immediate action.” 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.

Scott and Peter roll through the BFB Studio this morning to discuss Scott's front office experience with how the Browns handle veterans on the free agency market this late into the process, the method for approaching UDFA signings to ensure you get the talent worth pursing, and lastly thoughts on players and positions at Rookie Minicamp that are worth monitoring.Click the link to join and support us by subscribing at BrownsFilmBreakdown.com.

The Trump administration wants to end what it sees as a culture of everyone gets a trophy in the Senior Executive Service. A new proposed rule from the Office of Personnel Management would require agencies to significantly limit how many senior executives receive the highest ratings in performance reviews. Federal News Network's Drew. Friedman joins me now with more details.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just over 7,800 federal employees retired last month, the lowest amount so far in 2025. The Office of Personnel Management says more than 33,500 federal employees retired in first quarter of 2025 compared to 29,700 hundred during the first three months of 2024. OPM's retirement backlog dropped to 16,700 hundred, almost 4,000 less than March. On average, OPM is processing retirement claims in 54 days, but those applications that took less than 60 days for the agency to get OPM the paperwork were processed in 33 days on average.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some 50,000 federal employees are on track to see their civil service protections removed. That's right, the Trump administration is pushing forward with converting employees who shape federal policy into at will employment status. New proposed regulations from the Office of Personnel Management bring the Trump administration's effort a step closer to reality, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman has more. 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.

Some 50,000 federal employees are on track to see their civil service protections removed. That's right, the Trump administration is pushing forward with converting employees who shape federal policy into at will employment status. New proposed regulations from the Office of Personnel Management bring the Trump administration's effort a step closer to reality, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman has more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Office of Personnel Management, like many agencies, is sending its employees back to the office full time. Trouble is OPM has lots of remote employees far from its offices. OPM gave them an ultimatum, relocate within commuting distance of an OPM office, or risk termination. Many employees took the former option, but now OPM faces a steep bill for relocation expenses Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest. 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.

The Office of Personnel Management, like many agencies, is sending its employees back to the office full time. Trouble is OPM has lots of remote employees far from its offices. OPM gave them an ultimatum, relocate within commuting distance of an OPM office, or risk termination. Many employees took the former option, but now OPM faces a steep bill for relocation expenses Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pink-Collar Crime: Kelly Paxton Kelly, the Pink Collar Crime Expert is a Certified Fraud Examiner, a former Private Investigator, a professional speaker, the founder of the Fraudish podcast, the author of the book, Embezzlement: How to Prevent, Detect and Investigate Pink-Collar Crime, and the creator of the website, Pink Collar Crime. Her most recent real job was working as a global investigator for Nike. Before being recruited by Nike, Kelly worked criminal defense and prosecution cases. She also worked as a fraud analyst and background investigator for Oregon's Washington County Sheriff's Office. She has seven years of experience as a contract special investigator for the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Homeland Security and was a Special Agent for the US Customs Office of Investigations' money laundering/white collar crime unit. Kelly joins me for what's sure to be an exciting, eye-opening hour. Video Version:  https://www.youtube.com/live/Qg5MLmwRado?si=CdWqyvdkvlCDmcyU Learn more about Mark here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4cXoftnMYJ7bREYG-K9eng https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-anxious-voyage/about/?viewAsMember=true https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095313165139 https://www.linkedin.com/in/markobrien/ https://www.facebook.com/MarkNelsonOBrien https://www.facebook.com/MartinTheMarlin/ mark@obriencg.com

reference: Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 2, Looking at Oneself and Others, pp. 47-48This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/04/09/project-and-personnel-management-from-the-viewpoint-of-the-spiritual-seeker/Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are allavailable on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at www.aurobindo.net  The US editions and links to e-book editions of SriAurobindo's writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com

Just over 7,800 federal employees retired in March, almost 2,000 less than who left inFebruary. The Office of Personnel Management says the claims backlog also dropped to about 16,500, which is the lowest its been in 2025. The time to process retirement claims also ticked back up to average about 50 days in March. But OPM says the average time to process a claim for all of 2025 dropped one day to 54 days. More than 33,500 federal employees haveretired so far in 2025, that is about 3,800 more than the number who left in the first three months of 2024. 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.

Just over 7,800 federal employees retired in March, almost 2,000 less than who left in February. The Office of Personnel Management says the claims backlog also dropped to about 16,500, which is the lowest its been in 2025. The time to process retirement claims also ticked back up to average about 50 days in March. But OPM says the average time to process a claim for all of 2025 dropped one day to 54 days. More than 33,500 federal employees have retired so far in 2025, that is about 3,800 more than the number who left in the first three months of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Florida Gators win the “chomp-ionship”! Trump hangs with the Dodgers to celebrate a win. Rep. AOC (D-N.Y.) flies first class, a hypocrite move for someone who wants equality for everyone. Trump defends tariffs — “Don't be weak. Don't be stupid. Don't be a PANICAN!” Trump administration lays out 10 unfair trade practices exposed. Fat Five: Dire wolves back from extinction (seriously). Jeffy's favorite old-school print ads. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) brings the “streets” to politics and continues to be a racist. Disc golf is the new trans battle in women's sports. SCOTUS sides with Trump on the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Inside the Biden administration and health during his presidency. NBC tours the Office of Personnel Management, aka the Federal Mine that processes retirement for federal employees. Free speech is DEAD in the WEST! 00:00 Pat Gray UNLEASHED 00:19 Florida Wins NCAA Championship 04:15 Terrible Weather Across the US 06:31 AOC Flies First Class 12:53 Tariffs Update 32:51 Fat Five 48:43 Jasmine Crockett Continues to be Racist 54:23 Transgender Disc Golf 1:05:10 James Carville's Wife Update 1:15:46 Inside the Biden Presidency 1:21:04 NBC Gets a Tour Inside Federal Mine 1:28:56 Free Speech is DEAD! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

- Senate Hearing for Scott Kupor to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management & Eric Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, OMB (4.3) - Naval Officers Speak at Navy League Conference - President Trump Hosts the 2024 World Series Champions, LA Dodgers at The White House - Continued: Naval Officers Speak at Navy League Conference - Confirmation Hearing for Ambassador Nominees Sen. David Perdue to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China & Monica Crow to serve as State Department Chief of Protocol (4.3) - Badlands Commentary from Ghost - President Trump's Bilateral Meeting with the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu - Badlands Commentary from Ghost

In this episode of The CX Tipping Point Podcast, we're joined by Steve Krauss from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management—recipient of the 2025 Service to the Citizen Award—to unpack the complexities of HR IT modernization in the federal government.Steve shares candid insights into the inefficiencies of the current HR IT ecosystem and underscores the urgent need for improved coordination, data interoperability, and shared services to streamline operations and cut costs. He also explores forward-looking solutions such as pooled hiring across agencies and the collaborative efforts underway with major federal agencies and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to advance modernization and elevate the customer experience.But the conversation goes beyond IT. They dive into the broader challenges surrounding federal hiring, agency funding for modernization initiatives, and the critical role of stakeholder engagement in driving lasting change. They discuss the funding barriers many agencies face, the strategic support OPM offers—including the use of the Technology Modernization Fund—and the importance of conducting a comprehensive inventory of federal contact centers.Together, they explore what it takes to lead through complexity, emphasizing the value of strong governance, smart incentive structures, and the impact of the recently enacted Government Service Delivery Improvement Act in shaping a more responsive and citizen-centered government.Thank you for listening to this episode of The CX Tipping Point Podcast! If you enjoyed it, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners! Stay Connected: Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: @DorrisConsultingInternational Twitter: @DorrisConsultng Facebook: @DCInternational Resources Mentioned: Citizen Services Newsletter 2024 Service to the Citizen Awards Nomination Form

Don Devine is proud that The Washington Post once attacked him as President Ronald Reagan's "terrible swift sword of the civil service," but even he is blown away by the muscular reforms of the Trump administration.   That doesn't stop him from giving advice on how to slay the deep state leviathan, however. Devine, who served as the second director of the Office of Personnel Management under Reagan from 1981 to 1985, warned that public-sector unions will always oppose efforts to bring the administrative state to heel, so any conservative will have to take on these issues with steely resolve.   "They're going to be fighting you no matter what you do," Devine told The Daily Signal.   "The unions in the government, which shouldn't even be there ... The unions, that's their job, all right? If you do anything, they're going to go to the courts after you."   "So, what's the answer? You got to do it anyway, you got to fight them," he explained. Public-sector unions, who represent federal government employees, have filed multiple lawsuits to block Trump's reforms on everything from DOGE getting access to federal data to the firing of probationary employees to the removal of collective bargaining privileges.   Trump has just the stomach to face this threat, however, Devine said.   Tune in to find out what happens next! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The White House is looking to give the Office of Personnel Management more say in deciding whether federal employees can continue working. President Trump has directed OPM to rework its suitability and fitness regulations. The coming changes could spit out more reasons you could be found unfit for federal service. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman joins me with the latest. 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.

The White House is looking to give the Office of Personnel Management more say in deciding whether federal employees can continue working. President Trump has directed OPM to rework its suitability and fitness regulations. The coming changes could spit out more reasons you could be found unfit for federal service. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman joins me with the latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After serving for nearly 18 months as the Department of Defense's first-ever customer experience officer in the Office of the CIO, Savan Kong earlier this month parted ways with the Pentagon. Previously a member of the Defense Digital Service during his first tour of duty with the DOD, Kong helped build the department's CXO office from scratch, fostering a culture that prioritizes the needs of service members, civilians, and mission partners and striving to streamline governance processes, improve transparency, and ensure that IT solutions meet operational needs. Kong joins the Daily Scoop for a conversation to share the progress his office ushered in to improve customer experience for DOD's personnel, where things are headed under this administration and how AI will impact the CX space. FedRAMP is getting another overhaul, one that will involve far more automation and a greater role for the private sector, the program's chief announced Monday. Through FedRAMP 20x, the General Services Administration-based team focused on the program aims to simplify the authorization process and reduce the amount of time needed to approve a service from months to weeks, Director Pete Waterman said during an Alliance for Digital Innovation event. The private sector will also have increased responsibility over monitoring of their systems, he noted. In a critical change, agency sponsorship will — eventually — no longer be necessary to win authorization. As a first step, FedRAMP has launched four community working groups, which give the public a chance to share feedback, and focus on creating “innovative solutions” to formalize the program's standards. But in the meantime, Waterman said existing baselines will remain in place and there are no immediate changes to the program. The Office of Personnel Management and the departments of Treasury and Education are now barred from sharing individuals' personally identifiable information with DOGE representatives, a federal judge ruled Monday. Judge Deborah L. Boardman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland said in her decision that in granting associates with Elon Musk's so-called government efficiency initiative access to systems containing plaintiffs' PII, the agencies “likely violated” the Privacy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. The lawsuit was filed by the American Federation of Teachers, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, the National Federation of Federal Employees, and six military veterans. 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 Trump administration has aimed its cross hairs at yet another group of federal executives, Chief Human Capital Officers. The Office of Personnel Management recommends that agencies designate their CHCOs as general rather than career reserved, and that would open up many human capital leadership positions to becoming political appointments. Here with the latest, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman. 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.

The Trump administration has aimed its cross hairs at yet another group of federal executives, Chief Human Capital Officers. The Office of Personnel Management recommends that agencies designate their CHCOs as general rather than career reserved, and that would open up many human capital leadership positions to becoming political appointments. Here with the latest, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A lawyer who's said to have played a central role in the Department of Government Efficiency's attempted takeover of at least one federal organization is now defending in court the DOGE email system used to send email blasts to the entire U.S. government workforce. During a Feb. 6 hearing, Jacob Altik joined the defense in the ongoing lawsuit where pseudonymous federal workers have accused the Office of Personnel Management of standing up its new governmentwide email system with inadequate privacy and security protections in place. While the defense introduced him at the time as being “from OPM,” counsel for the plaintiffs filed a new notice early Monday essentially connecting the dots that Altik, through other lawsuits and public reports, has played a hands-on role in supporting the DOGE. Altik was first identified as a DOGE lawyer with an official DOGE email address hosted by the Executive Office of the President in a ProPublica article from early February, the Monday legal notice notes. Then, Altik was identified in a separate ongoing lawsuit as working hand-in-hand with DOGE associates in the organization's attempt to dismantle the U.S. African Development Foundation. The DOGE is also in the spotlight in another case where state attorneys general have sued President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent challenging DOGE access to Treasury records. In the latest development in that litigation, DOGE staffer Marko Elez, who resigned in February after racist social media posts surfaced, is said to have shared personally identifiable information in a spreadsheet with two General Services Administration officials, according to the filing from a witness in the case. The testiomony explains that Elez shared names in the spreadsheet that are considered low risk PII because the names are not accompanied by more specific identifiers, such as social security numbers or birth dates. Still, the distribution of this spreadsheet was contrary to BFS policies, in that it was not sent encrypted, and he did not obtain prior approval of the transmission as required. 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.

This Day in Legal History: National Referendum on ApartheidOn March 17, 1992, South Africa took a decisive step toward dismantling apartheid through a historic national referendum. White South African voters were asked whether they supported the government's efforts to end apartheid and negotiate a new, democratic constitution. An overwhelming 68.7% voted in favor, signaling broad support for ending over four decades of racial segregation. This referendum provided then-President F.W. de Klerk with the political mandate to continue negotiations with the African National Congress (ANC) and other groups. The result was a major victory for the anti-apartheid movement, which had long fought against the country's system of institutionalized racial oppression.The referendum was limited to white voters, who had historically benefited from apartheid, making their approval a crucial moment in South African history. It paved the way for the country's first multiracial elections in 1994, in which Nelson Mandela was elected president. With this, South Africa officially transitioned from an apartheid state to a democracy, enshrining equal rights for all citizens. The vote also marked the beginning of legal reforms that led to the adoption of a new constitution in 1996. While the end of apartheid did not immediately erase economic and social inequalities, the referendum remains a defining moment in the country's legal and political history. It demonstrated that legal systems, even when designed to uphold injustice, can be reformed through democratic means.A federal judge ruled that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) must reinstate probationary employees it had recently terminated. As a result, the agency is bringing back those workers, along with most term employees, and providing them with back pay. However, term employees with more than two years of service were not reinstated. The CFPB had initially fired 70 enforcement attorneys and up to 100 other employees after acting Director Russell Vought took over in February. The judge's decision is part of a broader legal battle over federal workforce reductions, with similar rulings affecting multiple agencies. Despite this setback, the Trump administration remains committed to deep staffing cuts across federal agencies, with reduction plans already submitted to the Office of Personnel Management. The firings had faced opposition from the National Treasury Employees Union, which reached an agreement with the CFPB to pause additional terminations while another court considers an injunction. The reinstatement process has been messy, with workers unsure of their status and vendor contracts disrupted. However, legally mandated CFPB functions, such as consumer response, are being prioritized for restoration.CFPB Brings Back Probationary Employees After Judge's RulingTrump has escalated his attacks on major law firms, this time targeting Paul Weiss, a firm known for representing top financial institutions and engaging in high-profile pro bono work. His executive order directs federal agencies to cut ties with companies that are Paul Weiss clients and suspend the firm's lawyers' security clearances. The move follows similar actions against Perkins Coie and Covington & Burling. Paul Weiss has deep ties to Wall Street, with clients including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Apollo Global Management. Some of these corporate leaders have criticized Trump's tariff policies, potentially influencing his decision to go after the firm.Trump's order highlights Paul Weiss's past work, including its involvement in a lawsuit against the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers over the January 6 Capitol riot. The firm has a long history of civil rights advocacy, from Brown v. Board of Education to LGBTQ+ and voting rights cases. Critics argue Trump's actions are politically motivated, targeting firms with Democratic connections while ignoring their bipartisan donor base. A federal judge previously blocked a similar order against Perkins Coie, and Paul Weiss is expected to mount a strong legal challenge. However, even if the order is overturned, the chilling effect is real—firms risk losing business from clients wary of crossing Trump. Some industry experts believe this could push law firms to unite against political interference, but whether collective action emerges remains uncertain.Trump Fights Paul Weiss as Wall Street Seeks President's EarTrump targets law firm Paul Weiss in order restricting government access | ReutersThe Trump administration deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants despite a federal judge's order blocking the move. The deportations targeted alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang, whom the administration labeled as “terrorists.” The White House dismissed the court's authority, arguing that a single judge could not override the president's powers on immigration and national security. Judge James Boasberg had ruled that Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to justify the deportations was unlawful, as the law applies only to conflicts “commensurate to war.” Despite this, flights carrying the migrants landed in El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele publicly mocked the judge's ruling and confirmed the men were being imprisoned.Legal experts, including the ACLU, argue the administration is in open defiance of the court and may have violated constitutional checks and balances. The White House claimed that some migrants had already been deported before the judge's order, but it remains unclear if others were removed afterward. Critics see this as an unprecedented challenge to judicial authority, while Trump defended the deportations, calling the migrants "bad people" and insisting the situation amounted to war. The legal battle over these actions is expected to continue, with calls for the U.S. government to reverse any unlawful removals.Trump administration deports Venezuelans despite court order, says judge has no authorityThe White House is taking an unprecedented role in overseeing the sale of TikTok's U.S. operations, with Vice President JD Vance leading the process. Instead of a traditional investment bank managing the auction, Vance's legal team is directly engaging with bidders and advising on their offers. President Trump has emphasized his control over the sale, claiming multiple groups are interested, while also suggesting the U.S. government could take a 50% stake in TikTok's American assets.The sale process is highly unusual, lacking a defined valuation or clear asset structure, and ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, has shown minimal engagement. Potential buyers, including investors like Frank McCourt and Kevin O'Leary, face an April 5 deadline to reach a deal. However, Beijing's involvement and the possibility that ByteDance could simply shut down TikTok in the U.S. add further uncertainty.While the U.S. government has previously intervened in corporate deals for national security or economic stability reasons, experts question whether TikTok meets such criteria. Trump, who initially sought to ban TikTok, has since acknowledged its role in helping him gain young voters. The app's sale price remains uncertain, largely depending on whether its valuable recommendation algorithm is included. With intense competition among bidders and political interests shaping the process, the outcome remains unpredictable.The White House's unusual role as dealmaker in TikTok sale | ReutersIn a piece I wrote for Forbes this weekend, I lay out what I reckon is the Trump administration's plan to dismantle Social Security and Medicare. The Trump administration's proposal to eliminate taxes for individuals earning under $150,000 sounds appealing at first but carries severe consequences. Social Security and Medicare rely heavily on payroll taxes, which most workers in this income range pay more than income taxes. If these taxes are removed, the programs will be starved of funding, leading to either massive deficit spending, extreme benefit cuts, or a shift to regressive taxes like sales taxes. The proposal, combined with extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), would disproportionately benefit the wealthy while leaving the middle class to shoulder the remaining tax burden. The TCJA already made corporate tax cuts permanent while setting individual cuts to expire by 2025, favoring the rich. If this new plan moves forward, those earning just above $150,000 could become the last major tax-paying bracket, while state and local taxes would likely rise to compensate. The ultra-wealthy, who benefited the most from previous tax cuts, are unlikely to pick up the slack. Rather than a tax break for workers, the proposal appears to be a backdoor attempt to dismantle entitlement programs. If no one is paying in, no one gets benefits out—a reality Trump's allies don't want to admit.Trump Administration's No Taxes Under $150k Proposal Is A Disaster 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

The Trump Administration has ignored a federal court order to make one of its senior officials available for testimony in court, and that Judge has just entered an injunction forcing the Administration to rehire tens of thousands of fired federal workers across 8 agencies. Michael Popok puts this new ruling in the context of 2 other rulings in the last 24 hours involving the “Office of Personnel Management” and its relationship with Musk and DOGE into perspective. Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://TryMiracle.com/LEGALAF and use the code LEGALAF to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF. Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday, March 14th, 2025Today, Judge Alsup has reinstated all probationary employees fired across the government on February 13th and 14th and demands testimony from an Office of Personnel Management official; Trump has ordered the Pentagon to draw up options for troop deployment to Panama; Texas pastor Robert Morris has finally been indicted for sex crimes; a new CNN poll shows Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy; Tim Walz is launching a tour of town hall rallies in Republican districts; new voter ID requirements send voters home to get their birth certificates only to turn them down for not having their married name on them; Trump is expected to invoke wartime emergency powers to speed up mass deportation; Judge Chutkin demands DOGE and Musk hand over documents and answer written questions about exactly who is in charge; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Guest: John FugelsangTell Me Everything — John FugelsangThe John Fugelsang PodcastSiriusXM ProgressThe Sexy Liberal Save The World Comedy TourSexy LiberalThank You, HomeChefGet 18 Free Meals, plus Free Shipping on your first box, and Free Dessert for Life, at HomeChef.com/DAILYBEANS.  Must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert.Thank You, PiqueLifeGet 20% off on the Radiant Skin Duo, plus a FREE starter kit at Piquelife.com/dailybeans.Stories:Trump White House has asked U.S. military to develop options for the Panama Canal, officials say | NBC NewsJudge orders DOGE and Elon Musk to turn over documents, answer written questions - JOSH GERSTEIN and KYLE CHENEY | POLITICORobert Morris, former Texas megachurch pastor and Trump adviser, indicted for child sex crimes | Texas TribuneNew CNN poll: Americans are negative on Trump's handling of economy | CNN PoliticsJudge orders thousands of federal workers reinstated; slams 'sham' government declaration | ABC NewsNH's new ID requirements send some would-be voters home to grab passports, birth certificates | New Hampshire Public RadioTrump expected to invoke wartime authority to speed up mass deportation effort in coming days | CNN PoliticsTim Walz to launch national tour of town halls in Republican House districts | CNN PoliticsPeter Sagal - Wikipedia | Jason Segel - WikipediaGood Trouble:Sunday, March 23 - Darrell Issa Empty Chair Town Hall Presented by Indivisible - eventbrite.com/e/darrell-issa-empty-chair-town-hall-presented-by-indivisible-ticketsFrom The Good NewsIf there's any leguminati out in PA10th district that's fed up with Scott Perry and everything else going on, please email. We need you!! Pa10thdistrictnetwork@gmail.comJerseyJadesCleaning.comerikosberg4congress.com - Minnesota's 7th DistrictSupportive Housing and Services | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)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! 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, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote, Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewroteDana 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

Donald Trump went completely insane on Thursday morning and threatened to levy tariffs of up to 200% against products coming into the United States from Europe. At this point it feels like Trump is actively trying to sabotage the US economy, as even Republican lawmakers are starting to warn that his trade war is ill-conceived and is causing irreparable harm. But Trump doesn't care and he still seems to believe that tariffs will solve every problem that he faces. CNN managed to bust the spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management, which is currently overseeing DOGE's activities, making fashion influencer videos from her government office while engaging in massive layoffs. The people that Trump has picked to run our government are not serious people, and they have absolutely no business making the decisions that they are allowed to make. This incident is just further proof of that.Donald Trump thought that he was doing Elon Musk a favor by turning the White House lawn into a car dealership this week, but he actually made things so much worse for the world's richest man. The Model S Tesla that Trump "purchased" this week for nearly $100,000 already has 37 recall notices against it, and most of them are fairly significant. This whole stunt reminded people how Tesla is the most recalled vehicle brand in the country, and that's not helping Musk's stocks. According to multiple new polls, American voters' faith in Donald Trump to handle the economy has tanked in the first two months of his administration, and a plurality of voters no longer believe that he's the man for the job. On top of that, a plurality also now says that the country is headed in the wrong direction. This is a dramatic reversal from where these polls stood less than two months ago, but Trump has managed to shake everyone's trust in a record amount of time.Text and and let us know your thoughts on today's stories!Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date on all of Farron's content: https://www.youtube.com/FarronBalancedFollow Farron on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FarronBalanced Twitter: https://twitter.com/farronbalanced Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farronbalanced TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farronbalanced?lang=en

Send us a textFederal judges have delivered a stunning rebuke to the current administration's attempt to terminate thousands of government workers, with one California judge calling the firings "a sham" designed to circumvent legal protections for federal employees.The dramatic courtroom confrontation began when the administration refused to produce witnesses who could explain the mass terminations, instead sending lawyers with what the judge described as "press releases" and "sham documents." Visibly frustrated, the judge ruled from the bench that the Office of Personnel Management had "no authority whatsoever" to direct agencies to fire employees, ordering immediate reinstatement for thousands of workers across multiple departments including Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, and Treasury.The judge highlighted the case of Leandra Bailey, who received "fully successful in every category" performance reviews only to be terminated with a template letter falsely citing performance issues. "It is a sad day when our government would fire good employees and say it was based on performance, when they know good and well that that's a lie," the judge declared, noting this approach would deprive workers of unemployment benefits and damage future job prospects.A second federal judge in Maryland quickly followed with a similar ruling covering additional agencies, creating overlapping orders that effectively dismantle the administration's personnel purge. Meanwhile, the administration faces additional embarrassment from reports of CDC employees being directed to work at closed Subway sandwich shops and storage facilities through a poorly implemented "Space Match" program, while an OPM spokesperson was busy posting fashion influencer videos from her government office.The courthouse victories represent a significant check on executive authority and provide immediate relief to thousands of federal workers caught in the crossfire of administrative overreach. With 10,000 baby boomers retiring daily and relying on government services, these rulings underscore the critical importance of maintaining a functional, properly staffed federal workforce operating within the boundaries of established law. Support the show

This Day in Legal History: Butler Act Passes in TennesseeOn March 13, 1925, the Tennessee General Assembly passed the Butler Act, a law prohibiting public school teachers from denying the biblical account of creation and from teaching evolution. The law reflected growing tensions between religious fundamentalism and modern science in early 20th-century America. Although the statute faced little opposition in the legislature, it soon became the center of national controversy. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sought to challenge the law and found a willing participant in John T. Scopes, a high school teacher in Dayton, Tennessee. Scopes was arrested for teaching evolution and put on trial in July 1925 in what became known as the Scopes Monkey Trial. The trial drew national attention, featuring a courtroom showdown between famed defense attorney Clarence Darrow and three-time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan, who argued for the prosecution. Though Scopes was found guilty and fined $100, the case exposed deep cultural divisions in the United States. The verdict was later overturned on a technicality, but the Butler Act remained in effect until 1967. The case paved the way for future legal battles over academic freedom and the separation of church and state in public education.French publishers and authors have filed a lawsuit against Meta, accusing the tech giant of using copyrighted content without permission to train its AI models. The National Publishing Union (SNE), the National Union of Authors and Composers (SNAC), and the Society of Men of Letters (SGDL) allege that Meta engaged in large-scale copyright infringement and economic "parasitism."This marks the first such lawsuit in France against an AI company, though similar cases have emerged in the U.S., where Meta faces lawsuits from authors, including Sarah Silverman and Christopher Farnsworth. Other AI firms, such as OpenAI, are also facing legal challenges in multiple countries over data used to train their models.The French associations argue that Meta's actions amount to “monumental looting” and see the case as a critical battle for copyright protection in the AI era. Meta has not yet responded to the allegations.French publishers and authors file lawsuit against Meta in AI case | ReutersThe Trump administration has revoked $20 billion in funding for greenhouse gas reduction projects, a move criticized by climate advocates and Democrats as an illegal seizure of funds intended for clean energy and disadvantaged communities. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the decision, citing concerns over fraud, waste, and mismanagement, though no specific details were provided. The U.S. Justice Department and FBI are now reviewing the program.The funds were originally allocated through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act under President Biden to support pollution-reduction projects. Under Trump, the EPA has sought to halt climate-related funding, aligning with broader efforts to scale back environmental initiatives. The agency has not clarified how it plans to reallocate the funds.In response, the advocacy group Climate United Fund has sued the EPA and Citibank, arguing that withholding the funds violates a legally binding agreement. The lawsuit represents one of the first major legal battles over the Biden-era climate policies under the new administration.Trump administration claws back $20 billion in climate funds | ReutersThe U.S. Department of Education has announced plans to lay off nearly half its staff, potentially setting the stage for its complete elimination as part of President Trump's broader effort to downsize the federal government. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon confirmed the move aligns with Trump's mandate to dismantle the department, which manages student loans and enforces civil rights laws in schools.The layoffs are part of a wider restructuring effort led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DGE), which has already cut over 100,000 federal jobs and halted numerous programs. While the administration argues these cuts reduce government waste, critics—including unions representing affected workers—condemn them as reckless and legally questionable.Many agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management and the Social Security Administration, have offered early retirement buyouts to meet Trump's cost-cutting demands. However, lawsuits challenging these mass layoffs are mounting, with concerns over legality and disruption to essential government functions.US Education Department to cut half its staff as Trump eyes its elimination | 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

Wednesday, March 12th, 2025Today, Judge Alsup has denied Trump's request to block the under oath testimony of the head of the Office of Personnel Management in court; Republicans in Congress are cobbling together a terrible resolution to fund the government; a Justice Department official was fired when she refused to restore Mel Gibson's gun rights; Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a 30 day ceasefire; a Texas man has been accused of violent assault on an American Airlines flight from Wichita to D.C.; Trump is threatened to double the tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel in response to their tax hike on our electricity; a court hands Trump his third appellate loss on birthright citizenship; a judge has ordered the urgent release of DOGE records in a FOIA lawsuit; ProPublica has obtained an email from USAID's acting executive secretary directing employees to empty safes and shred documents; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Guest: Rep. Jake Auchincloss (MA-4)Jake Auchincloss | House.govRep. Jake Auchincloss (@repauchincloss.bsky.social) — BlueskyRep. Jake Auchincloss

The NSA's former top cybersecurity official told Congress on Wednesday that the Trump administration's attempts to mass fire probationary federal employees will be “devastating” for U.S. cybersecurity operations. In testimony to the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Rob Joyce, the former NSA cybersecurity director who retired from government service last year, warned lawmakers that countering Chinese hacking campaigns against critical infrastructure will require top-level cybersecurity talent at the NSA and other government agencies. Joyce said that part of that is having expertise and capacity in the government, raising “grave concerns that the aggressive threats to cut U.S. government probationary employees will have a devastating impact on the cybersecurity and our national security.” Joyce, who spent 34 years at the NSA, emphasized how important those employees are in sustaining an aggressive stance against China in cyberspace. A federal appeals body within the executive branch issued an order Wednesday to temporarily reinstate thousands of fired probationary workers in the U.S. Department of Agriculture in what advocates hailed as an important win for fired employees. The decision from the Merit Systems Protection Board, a quasi-judicial body within the government, grants a Friday request from the Office of Special Council, an independent government investigator, to stay the termination of an unnamed former employee and over 5,000 others who were similarly situated. The decision from MSPB also comes on the heels of another win for fired probationary workers in federal district court in San Francisco. U.S. District Judge William Alsup granted temporary, limited relief to pause and rescind those firings at several agencies, finding that OPM likely unlawfully directed the firing of those agency workers. That order has similarly prompted reinstatements. Since the court decision, the National Science Foundation moved to reinstate its fired federal probationary workers, citing the federal courts and updated guidance from the Office of Personnel Management. 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.

Weeks after being named the chief information security officer for the Defense Department, Katie Arrington was announced Monday as the Pentagon's official “Performing the Duties of the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer.” The DOD Office of the CIO announced the move by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to place Arrington as the acting CIO in a post on LinkedIn. The post also confirmed that Leslie Beavers, who had been acting CIO since John Sherman left the role last June, will return to her primary role as principal deputy CIO. A defense official confirmed Arrington started in the role Monday. An organization that's filed multiple legal challenges against the Trump administration is focusing its attention on the potential use of artificial intelligence in personnel decisions. Democracy Forward, a social welfare organization, said Monday it “launched a public records investigation” into the administration's AI use, including filing requests under the Freedom of Information Act. Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a written statement that the American people deserve to know what is going on — including if and how artificial intelligence is being used to reshape the departments and agencies people rely on daily. The organization's requests come after reporting by NBC that Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency planned to use AI to review employee responses to the Office of Personnel Management's “five bullets” email. 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.

Friday, February 28th, 2025Today, a judge has ordered Trump administration officials to give sworn testimony about DOGE; a judge has dismissed Ric Grenell's defamation case against Olivia Troye; the DHS has quietly eliminated the ban on surveillance based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Andrew and Tristan Tate have left Romania and landed in the sex pest sanctuary state of Florida; a federal judge in Baltimore has extended the PFLAG TRO blocking Trump's effort to cut funding to hospitals and others who provide transgender-related treatment to people under 19; Elon Musk claimed he restored Ebola prevention efforts but officials say that's not true; the Pentagon sends out a memo that it will be removing transgender service members; the Office of Personnel Management has told the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to reinstate fired veterans and military spouses; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Guest: John FugelsangTell Me Everything — John FugelsangThe John Fugelsang PodcastSiriusXM ProgressThe Sexy Liberal Save The World Comedy TourSexy LiberalStories:Defamation suit tossed against ex-Pence aide after 'white supremacist' post - Raw StoryInfluencer Tate brothers, who face human trafficking charges in Romania, arrive in the US - AP NewsMusk claims DOGE ‘restored' Ebola prevention effort. Officials disagree. - The Washington PostDonald Trump Suffers Legal Setback Over Transgender Order - NewsweekTransgender service members to be removed from military, Pentagon memo says - CBS NewsDHS quietly eliminates ban on surveillance based on sexual orientation and gender identity - The AdvocateJudge orders Trump administration officials to give sworn testimony on DOGE - KYLE CHENEY and JOSH GERSTEIN | POLITICOOPM Tells CFPB to Reinstate Fired Veterans, Military Spouses - Bloomberg Law Good Trouble:*Today is  The Blackout. Don't buy anything unless it's from a small local business on Friday, February 28th.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. Check out muellershewrote.com for my interview with a systems security expert about the massive breach at opm.gov caused by Elon MuskFrom The Good NewsAncient deity, pet and endangered species. Why is axolotl Mexico's most beloved amphibian? | AP NewsFlying Spaghetti Monster - WikipediaSurvivor benefits | SSAAlaska Mobile Notary ServicesHead Start.gov 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, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote, Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewroteDana 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

The Trump administration is now openly defying court orders as multiple trial court judges seek to rein in the government's illegal conduct. Are sanctions the solution? In at least one case, we won't know until Chief Justice Roberts releases the “administrative hold” he imposed to consider Trump's latest meritless request for help from the Supreme Court. All of this plus the return of ChatGPT lawyering and a subscriber bonus on the OG Coat Factory Law Firm!   Links: Jack Smith 278e disclosure https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25522081-smith-john-l-special-counsels-office-smith-termination-278-2025-2025-01-10/   Talbott v. Trump https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583866/talbott-v-trump/   Wadsworth v. Walmart (ChatGPT litigation) https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67564066/wadsworth-v-walmart-inc/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc   Trump's anti-Covington EO (Patreon bonus) https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/suspension-of-security-clearances-and-evaluation-of-government-contracts/   Doe v. Office of Personnel Management. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69582338/doe-v-office-of-personnel-management/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc   AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. US Department of State https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69627654/aids-vaccine-advocacy-coalition-v-united-states-department-of-state/ Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod Patreon: patreon.com/LawAndChaosPod  

Thursday, February 27th, 2025Today, the Office of Personnel Management sent out a memo directing massive reductions in force; the Trump administration threatens a permanent visa ban for trans athletes; Musk cancelled contracts that help veterans only to reinstate them the next day; Jeff Bezos announced a revamp to the Washington Post op ed section causing the editor to quit; a Democrat in Maine won her state special election by 43 points; the US logs its first measles death in a decade; judge Amy Berman Jackson extends the restraining order keeping Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger in his job through Saturday; Republicans in the House have passed Trump's budget including sweeping cuts to Medicaid; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Stories:Wednesday's Campaign Round-Up: Minnesota's Tim Walz passes on Senate race | MSNBCDemocrat Sean Faircloth easily wins Bangor-area legislative seat in special election | Bangor Daily NewsTrump administration sets stage for large-scale federal worker layoffs in new memo | AP NewsHouse narrowly adopts budget plan to advance Trump's agenda in a win for Speaker Johnson - Scott Wong, Sahil Kapur, Melanie Zanona, Syedah Asghar and Julie Tsirkin | NBC NewsJeff Bezos' revamp of 'Washington Post' opinions leads editor to quit - David Folkenflik | NPRFirst measles death reported in Texas as Kennedy downplays the outbreak - Erika Edwards | NBC News Good Trouble:ACTION REQUEST -  Today USAID staff in Washington received word that they can go into USAID headquarters at the Ronald Reagan Building to retrieve their personal belongings. The entire Washington-based staff will have two days, this Thursday and Friday, in one-hour windows by bureau and in 15-minute increments per person. No boxes or packing materials will be provided. There are staff who have worked at the RRB for 20-30 years, and it is the "mother ship" for most of us. This will be an extremely emotional two days. So, we would like to encourage anyone who is able to join us at the RRB to "clap out" staff, with signs of support. If you're able to bring extra packing materials and / or drinks and snacks please do. We want to show these people how you treat public servants who have given their lives to the important work we do.THURSDAY 7:30 am - 6:00 pmFRIDAY 7:30 am - 3:30 pmUSAID Ronald Reagan Building 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NWThere is public parking in the RRB garage, and the closest metros are Metro Center (red line) and Federal Triangle (orange/blue). If you are planning to park in the garage please make sure to have a government-issued ID (driver's license).*Tomorrow is The Blackout. Don't buy anything unless it's from a small local business on Friday, February 28th.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. Check out muellershewrote.com for my interview with a systems security expert about the massive breach at opm.gov caused by Elon MuskCheck 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, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote, Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewroteDana 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/From The Good NewsIRS Free File: Do your taxes for freeIowa DOGE - FeedbackCleanup on Aisle 45 - MSW MediaHRC.org/events 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, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote, Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewroteDana 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

The U.N. Security Council has adopted a neutral U.S. stance on the war in Ukraine. Plus, President Donald Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron.A judge blocks ICE enforcement actions at houses of worship.USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe discusses what might be at stake at the high court in a case surrounding 'reverse discrimination' claims.A judge blocks Elon Musk's DOGE from Education Department personnel information. Plus, the federal Office of Personnel Management notified workers they could ignore Elon Musk's latest DOGE directive.USA TODAY Youth Mental Health Reporting Fellow Rachel Hale talks about sexual exploitation and its impact on American teens.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal workers are having a major meltdown over receiving an email from the Office of Personnel Management (by way of Elon Musk's DOGE) asking them to reply with five things they accomplished in the previous week. Will the rest of America sympathize with their panic over having to justify their "jobs for life"?

On today's Top News in 10, we cover:    Today marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine.  Federal Employees had their weekend's interrupted with an email from the Office of Personnel Management. Federal workers were asked to reply to the email with 5 bullet points explaining what they did last week. Germany just held major elections over the weekend - elections that prove the U.S. is not the only nation embracing conservative policies.  Also on today's show:  Ban Bongino has been tapped to be number two at the FBI under Kash Patel.  'NBC Nightly News' anchor Lester Holt will be stepping down from the show this summer.    Links From Today's Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR-NbQU55uc  Keep Up With The Daily Signal Sign up for our email newsletters: https://www.dailysignal.com/email     Subscribe to our other shows:  The Tony Kinnett Cast: https://www.dailysignal.com/the-tony-kinnett-cast  Problematic Women: https://www.dailysignal.com/problematic-women  The Signal Sitdown: https://www.dailysignal.com/the-signal-sitdown    Follow The Daily Signal:  X: https://x.com/DailySignal  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailysignal/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDailySignalNews/  Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@DailySignal  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DailySignal  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/TheDailySignal    Thanks for making The Daily Signal Podcast your trusted source for the day's top news. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Top News in 10, we cover: Today marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Federal Employees had their weekend's interrupted with an email from the Office of Personnel Management. Federal workers were asked to reply to the email with 5 bullet points explaining what they did last week. Germany just held major elections […]

President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met at the White House today about ending Russia's war in Ukraine. The meeting came on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. The G7 nations held a virtual summit today to discuss ways to end the war….At the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to President Trump for continued U.S. support. That plea came after the US joined Russia, North Korea, Belarus, and 14 other countries in voting against a UN resolution that condemned the Russian invasion and called for its occupied territory to be returned to Ukraine. In Congress, House leaders are hoping to move fast this week on their blueprint to pass President Trump's agenda to cut taxes, reduce wasteful spending and secure the U.S. border. And reaction and response continues to Elon Musk's email to federal workers asking to QUOTE understand what they got done last week” or face possible termination. CNN reports that managers at the Pentagon, FBI, State, Homeland Security, and Energy Departments all instructed their staff not to reply, while other managers, including at the Department of Health and Human Services, told workers to comply only to later reverse course. Still, others simply told their staff to wait until Monday — and not to reply to the note before then. The email also prompted the group of federal employee unions to expand their lawsuit against Musk's efforts, saying the email didn't comply with federal regulations. And late word this afternoon from theHill.com that the Office of Personnel Management informed agency leaders that employee response to the email is voluntary and that failure to do so will not be considered a resignation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An email from the Office of Personnel Management went out to millions of federal employees directing them to document what they accomplished last week. On social media, billionaire Elon Musk warned that "failure to respond will be taken as a resignation" but some agencies are pushing back. Three years ago Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. President Trump says he can end the war, which he recently blamed Ukraine for starting. Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, who served as Mr. Trump's national security adviser during his first administration, joins "CBS Mornings" to break down the president's approach. A conservative coalition has secured the largest number of seats in Germany's new parliament, while the anti-immigration far-right AfD, backed by Elon Musk, won a historic 20% of the vote. After receiving a life-changing bionic arm through crowdfunding, 9-year-old Remi Bateman is now paying it forward, helping other children access the prosthetics they need. David Begnaud has more. For the first time in daytime television history, Black female executive producers are at the helm of a soap opera, bringing fresh stories and perspectives to CBS's first new daytime drama in 25 years, "Beyond The Gates." "CBS News Sunday Morning" contributor Nancy Giles gets a preview. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Venture capitalists have been welcomed into the Donald Trump administration, and their presence is growing. People who've been in the business of backing startups have been tapped to run the Office of Personnel Management and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Another, David Sacks, is the White House artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency czar. Even the vice president, JD Vance, spent time making venture deals before he moved into politics. Sarah Kunst, founder and managing director at Cleo Capital, says that in venture capital, you have to be good at saying no and comfortable taking risks knowing they likely won’t pan out. Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes asked Kunst what it means to bring these qualities to the federal government.

Venture capitalists have been welcomed into the Donald Trump administration, and their presence is growing. People who've been in the business of backing startups have been tapped to run the Office of Personnel Management and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Another, David Sacks, is the White House artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency czar. Even the vice president, JD Vance, spent time making venture deals before he moved into politics. Sarah Kunst, founder and managing director at Cleo Capital, says that in venture capital, you have to be good at saying no and comfortable taking risks knowing they likely won’t pan out. Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes asked Kunst what it means to bring these qualities to the federal government.

Friday, February 14th, 2025Today, the federal prosecutor handling Eric Adams' case has offered her resignation in protest of Emil Bove ordering her to drop the charges; RFK Jr has been confirmed by the Senate to destroy the health of Americans; the Office of Personnel Management has ordered agencies to fire all probationary employees; the secretary of the VA Doug Collins has ordered all pride flags removed from facilities; the Kansas governor has vetoed a ban on gender affirming care for minors; the fork in the road deferred resignation program has officially ended (the steps); feds have seized $80M of FEMA aid appropriated to New York; the measles outbreak in Texas was completely preventable; Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has filed suit against the Trump administration over the spending freeze on grants and loans; and Allison and delivers your Good News.Guest: John FugelsangTell Me Everything - John FugelsangThe John Fugelsang PodcastSiriusXM ProgressThe Sexy Liberal Save The World Comedy TourSexy LiberalThank You AG1New AG1 subscribers: Go to drinkAG1.com/dailybeans for a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You'll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. Thank You Helix27% Off Sitewide + 2 Free Dream Pillows + a Free Bedding Bundle with any Luxe or Elite Mattress Order when you go to HelixSleep.com/dailybeans.Stories:Federal prosecutors in New York and Washington resign after refusing to drop Adams charges - Tom Winter, Jonathan Dienst, Ryan J. Reilly and Laura Jarrett | NBC NewsFeds seized $80 million in FEMA funds given to NYC to house migrants, city comptroller says - Jennifer Bisram | CBS New YorkMeasles outbreak in Texas was "completely preventable," infectious disease expert says - Sara Moniuszko, David Higgins | CBS NewsPennsylvania governor sues over Trump administration spending freeze on grants, loans - Marc Levy | ABC NewsKansas governor vetoes gender-affirming care ban for minors; Republicans ready for override - ANNA KAMINSKI | Kansas ReflectorGood Trouble:VA Pride Flags - by Allison GillFederal 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 muellershewrote.com for my interview with a systems security expert about the massive breach at opm.gov caused by Elon MuskFrom The Good NewsStriking Providence Oregon nurses reject tentative deal in voteSeattle Chapter – Sonic GuildThe Sonic Guild Grant Celebration @ Mainstage Theatre - Feb 22, 2025, 7:30PMShart Tank - PodcastSeattle Humane SocietyAdopt Chuckie Cheese!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! 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, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote, Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewroteDana 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

All USAID workers were placed on leave effective Friday, Donald Trump and his administration are now turning their attention to the Department of Education.Millions of federal workers now have more time to make a decision after a judge suspended the Office of Personnel Management's deadline for them to accept, or reject, the agency's "deferred resignation" offer.Meanwhile, President Trump suggested that the U.S. might take over Gaza and that Palestinians will relocate to neighboring countries. And the trade war with China is heating up. Tariffs on goods imported from the country are causing the prices of clothes, toys, and electronics to surge.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down the buyout offer made to federal workers as Elon Musk's DOGE continues to try to downsize government: What is the offer, is it legal, and what are union leaders saying? Plus, some breaking news on the deadline for employees to decide whether to take it.Then, how will cutting employees and programs affect Americans – and people around the world?Finally, The Post's Anna Liss-Roy joins the show to share what federal workers told her at protests outside the Office of Personnel Management.

The New York Times has taken aim at President Trump's famous hatchet man, Elon Musk, for sending his teams through the institutions of the Executive Branch rooting out decades of mismanagement, financial abuse, and outright fraud. From USAID to the Department of Education to the Office of Personnel Management, we are seeing a revolution in Washington. Will they be able to pull it off? Get your tickets for RPI's 2025 Spring Conference! Info here: https://tinyurl.com/ytxrxmv5

Today's Headlines: A chaotic weekend in U.S. politics saw major shake-ups across federal agencies, aggressive policy moves, and international tensions. Treasury official David Lebryk resigned after clashing with Elon Musk's team over access to government payment systems, while Musk's aides seized control of IT systems at the Government Services Agency. The Trump administration ordered mass layoffs at the Office of Personnel Management and the FBI, demanding names of agents involved in January 6th investigations. USAID's website went offline amid leadership purges, and the CDC scrubbed key health data. Trump also ordered California dams opened, risking floods, and imposed steep tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, prompting retaliatory measures. His administration pushed for Ukrainian elections post-ceasefire. Meanwhile, Tennessee passed strict immigration laws, Louisiana indicted a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills, and companies like Meta considered fleeing Delaware over corporate governance issues. On the aviation front, a Learjet crash in Philadelphia killed seven, while a United Airlines flight was evacuated in Houston due to an engine fire. The NTSB announced it will now release crash updates only via X. Finally, the Democratic National Committee elected Ken Martin as its new chair, facing the challenge of navigating an increasingly volatile political landscape. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: WA Post: Senior U.S. official exits after rift with Musk allies over payment system WIRED: Elon Musk's Friends Have Infiltrated the General Services Administration NBC NEws: 'Fear' and 'chaos' grip federal workers as Trump rapidly remakes the government  NBC News: Trump administration forces out multiple senior FBI officials and January 6 prosecutors AP News: USAID website goes offline in Trump administration's 2-week-old freeze on foreign aid worldwide  The Atlantic: CDC Data Are Disappearing  LA Times: Acting on Trump's order, federal officials opened up two California dams   AP News: Trump's trade war among allies triggers retaliation from Canada and Mexico  Reuters: Exclusive: U.S. wants Ukraine to hold elections following a ceasefire, says Trump envoy AP News: Arrest warrant issued for New York doctor indicted in Louisiana for prescribing abortion pill  Tennessee Lookout: Tennessee's immigration enforcement division would be confidential  WSJ: Meta in Talks to Reincorporate in Texas or Another State, Exit Delaware  CBS News: Philadelphia plane crash victims identified by jet company, Parker says city "will get through this moment" CNN: United Airlines flight from Houston to New York evacuated after engine issue reported ​​ The Verge: The NTSB chooses Elon Musk's X to update the press on plane crashes  NBC News: Ken Martin wins election as the next chair of the Democratic National Committee  Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday, January 31st, 2025Today, an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter collided midair near Reagan National Airport leaving no survivors; the Office of Personnel Management has issued yet another fascist memo - this time about gender ideology; a declassified CIA memo about sabotaging fascism is going viral; Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard among others sat for their confirmation hearings; probationary federal employees have been targeted for a mass purge; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Guest: John FugelsangTell Me Everything — John FugelsangThe John Fugelsang PodcastSiriusXM ProgressThe Sexy Liberal Save The World Comedy TourSexy LiberalFederal 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 muellershewrote.com for my interview with a systems security expert about the massive breach at opm.gov caused by Elon MuskStories:Scoop: US government issues guidelines on ‘defending women' - Elissa Miolene | DevexProbationary Federal Employees Targeted for Mass Purge - David Dayen | The American ProspectWhat we know about the American Airlines plane and Army helicopter crash over D.C.'s Potomac River - Faris Tanyos, Emily Mae Czachor, Jordan Freiman | CBS NewsDeclassified CIA Guide to Sabotaging Fascism Is Suddenly Viral - Jason Koebler | 404 MediaGood Trouble The Simple Sabotage Field ManuaHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/From The Good News@pmskinner.bsky.social - Blue Sky@SkinnerPm - TwitterThe Spy Who Came Home | The New YorkerAmerican Federation of Government EmployeesThe Simple Sabotage Field ManualReminder - 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! 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, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote, Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewroteDana 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