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Category: Politics
February 20, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News
Politics

Mitch McConnell Throws in the Towel, Will Not Seek Reelection.

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has announced he will not seek re-election in 2026. McConnell, 83, has occupied the U.S. Senate for 40 years, including stints as Senate Majority Leader, and is the longest-serving Senate party leader in history, controlling the Senate GOP for 18 years from 2006 to 2024.

In recent years, McConnell has become a key establishment Republican holdout against President Donald J. Trump and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. A 2024 biography reveals he wanted Biden-Harris prosecutor Jack Smith to make Trump “pay a price” for January 6, and that he “started to sob softly” when addressing his staff on the subject of the protests. Following Trump’s November election win, he complained that the “America First” slogan is “the same” as the rhetoric of Adolf Hitler’s National Socialists in 1930s Germany.

Since President Trump’s inauguration, he has consistently but usually unsuccessfully attempted to block key Cabinet picks, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard. However, he has few supporters among Republican voters, with around three-quarters wanting him gone as long ago as 2023.

His position has been made even less tenable by semi-regular health crises. On more than one occasion, he has frozen while addressing the press, having to be ushered away from podiums by handlers while stricken silent.

McConnell’s retirement opens up a critical Senate seat in Kentucky, which has consistently supported Republican candidates in recent elections. The decision is likely to set off a competitive race among potential successors within the Republican Party, and prompt interest from Democratic challengers aiming to flip the seat.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has announced he will not seek re-election in 2026. McConnell, 83, has occupied the U.S. Senate for 40 years, including stints as Senate Majority Leader, and is the longest-serving Senate party leader in history, controlling the Senate GOP for 18 years from 2006 to 2024. show more
February 20, 2025
Crime
Politics

Trump Urges Federal Takeover of Washington D.C. to Restore Law and Order.

President Donald J. Trump is pushing for federal intervention in Washington, D.C., citing crime and homelessness as major issues. Aboard Air Force One on Wednesday evening, Trump emphasized the need for federal oversight to establish law and order in the capital, claiming local Democratic leadership is insufficient. He mentioned imminent plans to sign an executive order aimed at compelling D.C. officials to tackle crime and dismantle homeless encampments.

“I think that we should govern the District of Columbia,” Trump said, responding to a question posed by a member of the press pool. “I think that we should run it strong, run it with law and order, make it absolutely flawlessly beautiful. And I think we should take over Washington, D.C.”

“I think the federal government should take over the governance of D.C. and run it really, really properly,” Trump reiterated.

Highlighting the Metropolitan Police Department, President Trump expressed a belief that they are not being adequately utilized under current management. Despite expressing personal regard for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Trump criticized the local administration for high crime rates and for allowing public spaces to become overrun with homelessness and vandalism.

The President also voiced concerns about the city’s image, especially with international dignitaries like French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visiting. Trump stressed his campaign commitment to revitalizing Washington, D.C., promising to rejuvenate the area and address crime rates.

Trump’s prospective executive action may include initiatives to impose stricter penalties for gun-related offenses and minor crimes like public urination, alongside enhanced protection for national sites and parks. This development aligns with recent legislative efforts by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN), who have proposed terminating the district’s self-governance.

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President Donald J. Trump is pushing for federal intervention in Washington, D.C., citing crime and homelessness as major issues. Aboard Air Force One on Wednesday evening, Trump emphasized the need for federal oversight to establish law and order in the capital, claiming local Democratic leadership is insufficient. He mentioned imminent plans to sign an executive order aimed at compelling D.C. officials to tackle crime and dismantle homeless encampments. show more
February 19, 2025
William Upton
Politics

NYC Mayor Adams Back in Court as DOJ Seeks to Dismiss Corruption Charges.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was back in federal court on Wednesday, where a federal judge scrutinized a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) decision to drop charges against him. Adams and federal prosecutors faced a hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Dale E. Ho, who was appointed to the bench by former President Joe Biden.

Judge Ho did not rule on the DOJ motion to dismiss the charges against Adams, which include one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, one count of wire fraud, two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, and one count of soliciting and accepting a bribe. However, the judge did hear arguments from DOJ attorneys and set out a “procedure for resolution of the motion.”

Adams was indicted last September and faces allegations that he knowingly solicited campaign contributions from Turkish foreign nationals beginning in 2018 in the lead-up to his 2021 run for mayor. At the time, federal prosecutors alleged that Adams and his campaign conspired to hide the illegal contributions through straw donors and fake paper trails, concealing the criminal activity. In exchange for financial support from representatives of the Turkish government, Adams allegedly pressured officials in the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) to approve Turkey’s consulate building in Manhattan, despite safety issues.

While most national Democratic Party leaders now claim Adams should resign or be removed from office—mostly due to his support for President Donald J. Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown—that was not the case at the time of his indictment. For instance, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) argued in October that Adams should continue as mayor and is entitled to a presumption of innocence.

Image by Marc A. Hermann / MTA.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams was back in federal court on Wednesday, where a federal judge scrutinized a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) decision to drop charges against him. Adams and federal prosecutors faced a hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Dale E. Ho, who was appointed to the bench by former President Joe Biden. show more
February 18, 2025
Education
Politics

Education Department Cuts $600M from DEI Teacher Training.

President Donald J. Trump‘s Department of Education is moving to enact significant cuts in the allocation of federal grants that are funding training programs for teachers focused on topics such as critical race theory, social justice activism, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Under the Biden government, these funds were allocated to organizations and nonprofit groups that work to educate teachers on how to push anti-racism and ‘deconstruct’ supposed white privilege and supremacy. Additionally, the grant money appears to have supported hiring practices emphasizing a candidate’s racial background.

Critics of these programs, such as Erika Sanzi from Parents Defending Education, argue that such training emphasizes race and gender as central criteria for assessing individuals, potentially leading to the integration of these ideas into classroom practices and policies.

“It’s hard to overstate how radical these teacher trainings are—we are talking about forcing teachers to talk about their race at work, asking educators to ‘take personal and institutional responsibility for systemic inequities,’ promoting abolitionist teaching practices and defining equity as equal outcomes,” Sanzi said in a statement, adding: “And not for nothing but all we see are declining outcomes for the students that these trainings purport to help most.”

The Department of Education, in announcing the cuts, noted the programs funded included materials encouraging educators to take responsibility for so-called systemic inequities such as racism, and providing professional development on cultural competence and dismantling racial biases. Additionally, the training sought to build an understanding of racial and sociopolitical histories to combat student marginalization.

These funding reductions are part of President Trump’s broader efforts to identify and cut government waste, fraud, and abuse. Additional recent cuts include $900 million from the Institute of Education Sciences and more than $350 million from Regional Educational Laboratories and Equity Assistance Centers.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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President Donald J. Trump's Department of Education is moving to enact significant cuts in the allocation of federal grants that are funding training programs for teachers focused on topics such as critical race theory, social justice activism, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Under the Biden government, these funds were allocated to organizations and nonprofit groups that work to educate teachers on how to push anti-racism and 'deconstruct' supposed white privilege and supremacy. Additionally, the grant money appears to have supported hiring practices emphasizing a candidate's racial background. show more
February 14, 2025
Politics

Trump Administration Set to Fire Over 5,000 HHS Employees.

The Trump administration plans to cut approximately 5,200 probationary federal employees across agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) starting on Friday. The agencies impacted include the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Notably, the Atlanta-based CDC will see around 1,300 workers dismissed.

Friday morning, senior officials at HHS were informed that the layoffs will primarily affect probationary employees—hired within the last two years. Under federal labor agreements, workers still on probation are easier to dismiss than those who have worked for the government for several years or more. Concurrently, an unspecified group of contract workers at the CDC and other Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies, including several at the Vaccine Research Center at NIH, have learned their employment will be terminated.

Those federal workers slated for layoffs will receive a month of paid leave. However, HHS officials have been directed to shut off access to work systems for those dismissed by the end of the day.

These staff reductions align with broader governmental workforce reductions currently underway. President Donald J. Trump recently authorized federal worker buyouts and mandatory return-to-work protocols; the deadline for federal workers to accept the former has since passed.

New HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed intentions to overhaul federal health agencies, suggesting that entire departments at the FDA are in his sights. In a social media post, Kennedy urged FDA employees to prepare for departure and maintain records.

HHS oversees more than 80,000 employees, including over 18,000 at NIH, which manages a $47 billion research budget. The CDC similarly employs 13,000 workers and has an annual budget of $9.2 billion.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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The Trump administration plans to cut approximately 5,200 probationary federal employees across agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) starting on Friday. The agencies impacted include the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Notably, the Atlanta-based CDC will see around 1,300 workers dismissed. show more
February 14, 2025
Politics

Hegseth Warns Woke Generals of Imminent Career Changes.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says senior military personnel are being closely monitored to ensure they are adhering to recent directives issued by President Donald J. Trump. According to Sec. Hegseth, the generals and senior staff who subvert or ignore the orders given by the Commander in Chief “will have a different job in due time.”

“I’m paying very close attention. There’s plenty of three- and four-star generals up for promotion or up for new positions, and there will already be a few folks that that we’ve identified who will have different jobs in due time,” President Trump’s Defense Secretary said in an interview while in Belgium for a meeting of NATO. Hegseth continued: “I’m not here to declare anybody woke and they’re out. We’re watching the execution of culture change and willingness to support the president’s policies, lawful orders, and we’ll evaluate from there.”

Discussing policy overhauls at the Department of Defense, Hegseth added: “From the beginning, we have focused on culture and culture development; the five and ten-meter targets have been here are the executive orders. Here are the directives on woke, on DEI, on CRT, on genderism, on trans service members, on COVID. You pick it; we’re advancing it.”

Additionally, Sec. Hegseth emphasized that he has observed an overall positive response among military personnel to President Trump’s executive orders, which ended the progressive social policies imposed on them by former President Joe Biden. He remarked that service members feel a sense of liberation under the new regulations, which aim to simplify and clarify their roles.

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says senior military personnel are being closely monitored to ensure they are adhering to recent directives issued by President Donald J. Trump. According to Sec. Hegseth, the generals and senior staff who subvert or ignore the orders given by the Commander in Chief "will have a different job in due time." show more
Alice Weidel
February 14, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Politics
World

Vance Meets German Populist Leader in Munich, Snubs Far-Left Chancellor.

Vice President J.D. Vance met with Alice Weidel, leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), on Friday in Munich, Germany, according to a source familiar with the vice president’s schedule. Vance, in town for the Munich Security Conference, had earlier criticized the German establishment for attempting to shut out the AfD—the second-most popular party in a country where coalition governments are often necessary—as well as European governments in general, particularly for their mishandling of immigration and hostility to free speech.

Earlier this week, Vance also met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier—whose post is largely ceremonial—and Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Paris, France. However, reports yesterday indicated the Vice President would not meet Scholz in Germany, with a former U.S. official suggesting, “We don’t need to see him, he won’t be Chancellor long.”

Scholz’s Social Democrats are expected to lose badly in Germany’s upcoming federal elections, polling significantly below the AfD. However, the notionally conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), formerly led by Angela Merkel, is expected to place first, though the CDU is more likely to attempt to form a coalition with the Social Democrats and other leftist parties than with Weidel’s populists.

Elon Musk, who leads President Donald J. Trump’s high-profile Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been vocally supporting Weidel and the AfD ahead of the German elections, saying they are the only party that can save Germany.

Defending Musk’s right to express his views, Vice President Vance has said, “If American democracy can survive 10 years of Greta Thunberg’s scolding, you guys can survive a few months of Elon Musk.”

Image by Olaf Kosinsky.

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Vice President J.D. Vance met with Alice Weidel, leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), on Friday in Munich, Germany, according to a source familiar with the vice president's schedule. Vance, in town for the Munich Security Conference, had earlier criticized the German establishment for attempting to shut out the AfD—the second-most popular party in a country where coalition governments are often necessary—as well as European governments in general, particularly for their mishandling of immigration and hostility to free speech. show more
February 13, 2025
William Upton
Politics

DOGE Staff Begins Audit of the IRS, Trump Confirms.

A top staffer with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by technology mogul Elon Musk, arrived at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Thursday to begin a review of the tax-collecting agency’s operations. Gavin Kliger, a senior adviser at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) who is working with DOGE, is leading the IRS review and has already initiated meetings with the agency’s senior staff.

“The Internal Revenue Service will be looked at like everybody else. Just about everybody is going to be looked at,” President Donald J. Trump said during an Oval Office press conference on Thursday, confirming the DOGE review. He continued: “They’re doing a helluva job. It’s an amazing job they’re doing… I call it the force of super-geniuses.”


Meanwhile, senior IRS officials were also directed to examine all “non-essential” contracts and determine which could be eliminated. In a memo issued by the General Services Administration (GSA)—the federal agency that manages most government contracts—the IRS is directed to review consulting agreements and provide justifications for the expenditures.

“Consistent with the goals and directives of the Trump administration to eliminate waste, reduce spending, and increase efficiency, GSA has taken the first steps in a government-wide initiative to eliminate non-essential consulting contracts,” the GSA memo states.

Image by Alpha Photo.

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A top staffer with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by technology mogul Elon Musk, arrived at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Thursday to begin a review of the tax-collecting agency's operations. Gavin Kliger, a senior adviser at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) who is working with DOGE, is leading the IRS review and has already initiated meetings with the agency's senior staff. show more
February 13, 2025
William Upton
Breaking
Health
Politics

BREAKING: RFK Jr. Confirmed as Trump’s HHS Secretary by Senate.

President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has cleared the U.S. Senate 52-48 in a final vote of confirmation. The vote, largely along partisan lines, makes Kennedy Jr. the 27th individual to serve as the Secretary of Health of Human Services since the cabinet-level position was created as part of the former Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1953 under the late President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Kennedy Jr. is a key member of President Trump’s push to “Make America Healthy Again.” A scion of the Kennedy clan, nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy and son of the late Robert F. Kennedy Sr., RFK Jr. is a staunch advocate for healthy foods and scientific transparency in public health.

Multinational pharmaceutical corporations see him as a major threat to their business model and monopoly on public health. Early opposition to his nomination from a handful of establishment Senate Republicans collapsed over the last week following two contentious Senate confirmation hearings.

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, Kennedy Jr. made a firm pledge that after leaving the President’s cabinet, he would not accept payment or job with the pharmaceutical, medical device, or hospital industries—a promise no other HHS Secretary has made. Additionally, Kennedy Jr. has committed to pushing President Trump’s plan to end late-term abortion.

Most consequential, however, is Kennedy Jr.’s promise to prioritize combating addiction as HHS Secretary. Illicit drugs, which flooded the U.S. under former President Joe Biden, have sparked an epidemic in addiction and substance abuse. Kenendy Jr., himself a heroin addict for 14 years, stressed his 42 years in recovery during his confirmation hearings and emphasized that the issue is one of the most important tasks he believes the department faces.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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President Donald J. Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has cleared the U.S. Senate 52-48 in a final vote of confirmation. The vote, largely along partisan lines, makes Kennedy Jr. the 27th individual to serve as the Secretary of Health of Human Services since the cabinet-level position was created as part of the former Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1953 under the late President Dwight D. Eisenhower. show more
February 13, 2025
Politics

Federal Workers Opt for Buyouts in Record Numbers.

Approximately 75,000 federal workers have opted for President Donald J. Trump’s buyout program. This decision follows a federal judge lifting a temporary freeze on the offer. The initiative is part of President Trump’s strategy to reduce the federal workforce, which currently stands at 2.3 million. If employees resign now, the offer allows them to continue receiving salaries and benefits until October.

On Wednesday, Massachusetts U.S. District Court Judge George O’Toole ruled against unions seeking to block the buyout, stating they lack standing in the legal challenge. Additionally, Judge O’Toole determined his court lacked jurisdiction even to hear the matter.

Consequently, the Trump administration has closed the buyout offer window and is set to prepare for significant job cuts across federal agencies. Some departments have already begun laying off employees lacking job security protections, with potential cuts reaching 70 percent in certain areas.

Elon Musk, appointed by Trump to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), publicly supported these measures. Musk aims for a 40 percent total reduction in the federal workforce.

Federal agencies have been notified of upcoming reductions, with many departments beginning layoffs. Due to their strategic importance, the Defense (DoD) and Homeland Security (DHS) Departments are expected to remain largely unaffected. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has confirmed these cutbacks, describing them as a “reduction in force.”

The buyout program is anticipated to cover 5-10 percent of the workforce and, when the final number of workers who took the offer is determined, save $100 billion annually. Those accepting the program will be exempt from returning to in-person office work during their transition period, unlike their colleagues remaining in federal employment.

Image by Ted Eytan.

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Approximately 75,000 federal workers have opted for President Donald J. Trump's buyout program. This decision follows a federal judge lifting a temporary freeze on the offer. The initiative is part of President Trump's strategy to reduce the federal workforce, which currently stands at 2.3 million. If employees resign now, the offer allows them to continue receiving salaries and benefits until October. show more