Gas Bandit's Political Thread V: The Vampire Likes Bats
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GasBandit
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1/ Trump signed executive orders imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, but agreed to “immediately pause” tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month. On Saturday, Trump signed an order to place a 25% tariff on nearly all goods coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico starting on Tuesday. After imposing the new levies on imports – which economists have warned could slow economic growth and cost the typical U.S. household about $1,200 per year in purchasing power – Trump acknowledged that Americans will feel “some pain” but claimed “it will all be worth the price.” Two days later, however, Trump paused his planned tariffs after Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to deploy 10,000 troops to the border to address drug trafficking. Sheinbaum said the U.S. had in turn agreed to increase measures “to prevent the trafficking of high-powered weapons to Mexico.” Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to deploy 10,000 troops to the border, appoint a fentanyl czar, and sign a $200 million anti-crime intelligence directive. Trump also placed a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, which are still set to go into effect Tuesday. Beijing has promised to challenge the tariffs at the World Trade Organization and take unspecified “countermeasures” in response. Trump said he plans to speak with China “probably over the next 24 hours” regarding tariffs. (New York Times / Washington Post / NPR / Politico / CNBC / Associated Press / Wall Street Journal / Bloomberg / CNBC / CNN / NBC News / ABC News / Associated Press / Washington Post / Axios / Reuters / NBC News / Politico / New York Times / CNBC / Washington Post / New York Times / CNN / Associated Press / NBC News / Washington Post / Politico)
2/ Elon Musk said Trump agreed to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, calling it “beyond repair” and a “criminal organization. Time for it to die.” The announcement followed the removal of USAID’s top security officials after they denied Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency access to classified systems. Over 50 agency staff members have been placed on leave, and USAID’s website and social media accounts have been taken offline. The Trump administration had already frozen nearly all foreign aid spending pending a 90-day review, causing disruptions to global aid programs. While Trump criticized USAID as being run by “radical lunatics,” he stopped short of confirming its closure. Democratic lawmakers called the move illegal and vowed to challenge it, arguing Congress must approve any agency dissolution. (Associated Press / NBC News / New York Times / Axios / CNBC / CNN / Washington Post / CBS News / NBC News / ABC News)
3/ USAID closed its Washington headquarters, with yellow police tape and officers blocking the entrances. More than 600 additional employees were locked out of the agency’s internal systems, while those still with access received emails saying that “at the direction of Agency leadership” the headquarters building “will be closed to Agency personnel on Monday, Feb. 3.” (Associated Press / Reuters / New York Times / Wall Street Journal / NBC News)
4/ Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he’s taken over as the acting administrator of USAID and that any programs that are aligned with U.S. foreign policy would continue under the State Department. Rubio, calling USAID “completely unresponsive,” said he’s delegated day-to-day authority to an unnamed individual. Meanwhile, Sen. Brian Schatz called the dismantling of USAID “illegal” and vowed to block confirmations until the agency is functional again. (CNN / Bloomberg / New York Times / NPR / NBC News / Wall Street Journal / ABC News)
5/ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent granted Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency “full access” to the federal payment system. Bessent approved the access late Friday, giving Musk’s team visibility into a system that disburses over $6 trillion annually, including Social Security and Medicare payments. The decision followed a dispute with career Treasury official David Lebryk, who served in nonpolitical roles at Treasury for decades and was the acting secretary before Bessent’s confirmation. After Lebryk refused to turn over access to Musk, he was placed on leave and later retired. Musk defended the move, claiming without evidence that “DOGE discovered that Treasury officers were instructed to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups.” Musk said his team is “rapidly shutting down” payments to federal contractors, including the Lutheran Family Services, which provides refugee aid. (New York Times / Wall Street Journal / The Guardian / Washington Post / Associated Press / ABC News / Bloomberg)
6/ Trump appointed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as “acting director” of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau after firing Rohit Chopra, a Biden appointee who led the agency since October 2021. Bessent immediately ordered the agency to halt all regulatory, enforcement, and investigative work, pending a review. Republicans have wanted to weaken or eliminate the CFPB, which was created in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis. Banking groups, meanwhile, welcomed Bessent’s appointment, hoping he will roll back regulations on overdraft fees, late credit card fees, and medical debt reporting. (Washington Post / CNBC / Politico / Wall Street Journal)
7/ Trump is considering an executive order to dismantle the Education Department by shutting down non-legally mandated functions and shifting some responsibilities to other agencies. Fully abolishing the department, however, would require congressional approval, but Trump could use executive actions to scale back its influence – similar to his approach with USAID. At least 60 employees were placed on leave, with some believing it was due to attending diversity training encouraged during Trump’s first term in 2019. Meanwhile, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has begun working inside the agency, with some staffers accessing student financial aid data. Trump also signed executive orders to expand school choice, combat antisemitism in universities, and eliminate “radical indoctrination” in schools. (Wall Street Journal / Washington Post / (NBC News / ABC News / Reuters / Politico / CBS News)
8/ The Trump administration warned over 1,100 EPA employees that they could be fired “immediately” for their work on climate initiatives, air pollution, or environmental law enforcement. The Trump administration also ordered the USDA to remove climate change references from its websites and paused funding for climate-related agricultural programs. Meanwhile, a new study projects that climate change will wipe out $1.47 trillion in U.S. home values by 2055 as rising insurance costs and extreme weather make some areas less desirable. (New York Times / Wall Street Journal / Politico / Axios)
9/ Trump ordered the creation of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund that could be used to potentially buy TikTok. Trump’s executive order directs Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick to establish the fund, which he claimed would generate “a lot of wealth” for the country. While sovereign wealth funds typically rely on budget surpluses, the U.S. operates at a deficit, raising questions about its funding. Trump previously suggested tariffs as a possible revenue source. Bessent said the fund would “monetize the asset side of the U.S. balance sheet,” but didn’t clarify what assets would be used. Trump also indicated the fund could be involved in acquiring TikTok, which faces a government-mandated sale by its Chinese owner, ByteDance. (Reuters / Bloomberg / Axios)
Notables.
2/ Elon Musk said Trump agreed to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, calling it “beyond repair” and a “criminal organization. Time for it to die.” The announcement followed the removal of USAID’s top security officials after they denied Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency access to classified systems. Over 50 agency staff members have been placed on leave, and USAID’s website and social media accounts have been taken offline. The Trump administration had already frozen nearly all foreign aid spending pending a 90-day review, causing disruptions to global aid programs. While Trump criticized USAID as being run by “radical lunatics,” he stopped short of confirming its closure. Democratic lawmakers called the move illegal and vowed to challenge it, arguing Congress must approve any agency dissolution. (Associated Press / NBC News / New York Times / Axios / CNBC / CNN / Washington Post / CBS News / NBC News / ABC News)
3/ USAID closed its Washington headquarters, with yellow police tape and officers blocking the entrances. More than 600 additional employees were locked out of the agency’s internal systems, while those still with access received emails saying that “at the direction of Agency leadership” the headquarters building “will be closed to Agency personnel on Monday, Feb. 3.” (Associated Press / Reuters / New York Times / Wall Street Journal / NBC News)
4/ Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he’s taken over as the acting administrator of USAID and that any programs that are aligned with U.S. foreign policy would continue under the State Department. Rubio, calling USAID “completely unresponsive,” said he’s delegated day-to-day authority to an unnamed individual. Meanwhile, Sen. Brian Schatz called the dismantling of USAID “illegal” and vowed to block confirmations until the agency is functional again. (CNN / Bloomberg / New York Times / NPR / NBC News / Wall Street Journal / ABC News)
5/ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent granted Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency “full access” to the federal payment system. Bessent approved the access late Friday, giving Musk’s team visibility into a system that disburses over $6 trillion annually, including Social Security and Medicare payments. The decision followed a dispute with career Treasury official David Lebryk, who served in nonpolitical roles at Treasury for decades and was the acting secretary before Bessent’s confirmation. After Lebryk refused to turn over access to Musk, he was placed on leave and later retired. Musk defended the move, claiming without evidence that “DOGE discovered that Treasury officers were instructed to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups.” Musk said his team is “rapidly shutting down” payments to federal contractors, including the Lutheran Family Services, which provides refugee aid. (New York Times / Wall Street Journal / The Guardian / Washington Post / Associated Press / ABC News / Bloomberg)
6/ Trump appointed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as “acting director” of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau after firing Rohit Chopra, a Biden appointee who led the agency since October 2021. Bessent immediately ordered the agency to halt all regulatory, enforcement, and investigative work, pending a review. Republicans have wanted to weaken or eliminate the CFPB, which was created in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis. Banking groups, meanwhile, welcomed Bessent’s appointment, hoping he will roll back regulations on overdraft fees, late credit card fees, and medical debt reporting. (Washington Post / CNBC / Politico / Wall Street Journal)
7/ Trump is considering an executive order to dismantle the Education Department by shutting down non-legally mandated functions and shifting some responsibilities to other agencies. Fully abolishing the department, however, would require congressional approval, but Trump could use executive actions to scale back its influence – similar to his approach with USAID. At least 60 employees were placed on leave, with some believing it was due to attending diversity training encouraged during Trump’s first term in 2019. Meanwhile, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has begun working inside the agency, with some staffers accessing student financial aid data. Trump also signed executive orders to expand school choice, combat antisemitism in universities, and eliminate “radical indoctrination” in schools. (Wall Street Journal / Washington Post / (NBC News / ABC News / Reuters / Politico / CBS News)
8/ The Trump administration warned over 1,100 EPA employees that they could be fired “immediately” for their work on climate initiatives, air pollution, or environmental law enforcement. The Trump administration also ordered the USDA to remove climate change references from its websites and paused funding for climate-related agricultural programs. Meanwhile, a new study projects that climate change will wipe out $1.47 trillion in U.S. home values by 2055 as rising insurance costs and extreme weather make some areas less desirable. (New York Times / Wall Street Journal / Politico / Axios)
9/ Trump ordered the creation of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund that could be used to potentially buy TikTok. Trump’s executive order directs Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick to establish the fund, which he claimed would generate “a lot of wealth” for the country. While sovereign wealth funds typically rely on budget surpluses, the U.S. operates at a deficit, raising questions about its funding. Trump previously suggested tariffs as a possible revenue source. Bessent said the fund would “monetize the asset side of the U.S. balance sheet,” but didn’t clarify what assets would be used. Trump also indicated the fund could be involved in acquiring TikTok, which faces a government-mandated sale by its Chinese owner, ByteDance. (Reuters / Bloomberg / Axios)
Notables.- New York Attorney General Letitia James warned hospitals that canceling gender-affirming care for transgender youth in response to a White House executive order could violate state anti-discrimination laws. The order, which threatens to cut federal funding for hospitals providing such care, has already led some institutions, including NYU Langone, to cancel procedures, prompting state officials to push back. (New York Times)
- The Defense Department ordered NBC News, The New York Times, NPR, and Politico to vacate their dedicated office spaces at the Pentagon in favor of Breitbart, One America News, the New York Post, and HuffPost as part of a new “annual media rotation program.” (NBC News / New York Times)
- Trump ended Temporary Protected Status for over 300,000 Venezuelans in the U.S., exposing them to deportation within months. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem justified the decision, saying TPS for Venezuela “no longer serves the national interest.” (New York Times)
- Trump is pulling the U.S. from the U.N. Human Rights Council and cutting funding to UNRWA, claiming anti-Israel bias and concerns over Hamas ties. The order directs a review of international organizations, including UNESCO. (Politico)
- Marco Rubio warned Panama that if it does not curb China’s influence around the Panama Canal, the U.S. will take action to protect its rights. A State Department summary stated that Trump had determined China’s presence violated the 1977 U.S.-Panama treaty, which ensures the canal’s neutrality. (NPR)
- Hackers stole the personal and medical data of more than 1 million patients from Connecticut-based Community Health Center. The attack was first detected on January 2, though the breach occurred in October 2024. The stolen data includes names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, diagnoses, and health insurance details. (Newsweek / Forbes)
GasBandit
Staff member
1/ Robert F Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Health and Human Services secretary advanced to a full Senate vote. The Senate Finance Committee voted 14-13, with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician who previously expressed concerns about Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism, said he supported him after securing commitments that Kennedy would maintain federal vaccine recommendations and retain CDC statements rejecting a vaccine-autism link. Trump, meanwhile, celebrated vote, posting on social media: “20 years ago, Autism in children was 1 in 10,000. NOW IT’S 1 in 34. WOW! Something’s really wrong. We need BOBBY!!!” The full Senate vote, expected next week, will determine Kennedy’s confirmation. If all Democrats oppose him, Kennedy can afford only three Republican defections before JD Vance casts a tiebreaking vote. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who also backed Kennedy, welcomed his unconventional approach, saying, “It is time to put someone in there who’s going to go wild.” (Wall Street Journal / Axios / Associated Press / Washington Post / Politico / New York Times / NPR)
2/ Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for director of national intelligence advanced to a full Senate vote. The Senate Intelligence Committee voted 9-8, with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who later backed Trump, faced scrutiny over her past support for Edward Snowden and her shifting stance on surveillance powers. After initially refusing to call Snowden a traitor, she later assured Republican Sen. Todd Young that she would not seek a pardon or clemency, securing his support. “I’ve done my work. I’ve done my vetting,” Young said before voting for her. Gabbard’s confirmation remains uncertain, as she can afford to lose only three Republican votes if all Democrats oppose her. The full Senate vote is expected next week. (Politico / NBC News / Bloomberg / Axios / ABC News / Wall Street Journal / Associated Press / New York Times / Washington Post)
3/ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent assured Republican lawmakers that Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency do not control the federal payment system. They do, however, have “read-only” access to payment data. Treasury officials also confirmed at least one DOGE appointee, Tom Krause, has top-secret security clearance and an office in the department, though his exact role remains unclear. Musk, meanwhile, hosted a late-night call where he proposed ignoring all federal regulations as a baseline, calling for a “wholesale removal of regulations.” He framed this moment as a unique opportunity to reshape government under Trump’s leadership. The White House confirmed Musk is officially a “special government employee,” granting him direct influence over multiple agencies. His access to classified information and his public comments about shutting down USAID and redirecting funds have sparked protests. Democrats argue that Musk’s unchecked authority is “destructive” and represents a constitutional crisis. Senate Republicans nevertheless downplayed Musk’s power, insisting that final decisions still rest with Trump and Bessent. Federal employee unions, meanwhile, sued to block DOGE’s access to government systems, and Democratic lawmakers demanded an investigation. “I’m sure the Treasury secretary and the president want to save face and downplay the risks as Elon Musk seizes power, but nothing they’re saying is believable or trustworthy,” Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, said. “The American people can see what’s happening, and Secretary Bessent is asking them not to believe what’s playing out right in front of their eyes.” (Politico / Axios / Bloomberg / ABC News / Bloomberg / CNN / HuffPost)
5/ The FBI provided the Trump Justice Department with details on 5,000 employees who worked on Jan. 6 cases, prompting a pair of lawsuits from agents who argue the move violates their constitutional rights and exposes them to retaliation. One suit, filed by nine FBI agents, claims the administration seeks to fire personnel who worked on Jan. 6 and classified documents cases as “retribution.” The plaintiffs fear their names could be publicly exposed, making them targets for harassment, especially from former Jan. 6 defendants who were pardoned by Trump. The second lawsuit, backed by the FBI Agents Association, calls for court intervention to prevent the DOJ from compiling or publishing the list. Some agents’ personal information has already surfaced on the dark web, intensifying concerns about threats and doxing. The lawsuits cite violations of the First and Fifth Amendments and seek to block any further actions that would endanger FBI personnel. (CNN / Axios / CBS News / NBC News / Washington Post / Politico / New York Times / Bloomberg / Associated Press / ABC News)
6/ More than 20,000 federal workers have accepted the Trump administration’s so-call “buyout” offer, which allows them to resign while continuing to be paid through September. The voluntary resignation program – which unions and lawmakers argue is illegal and designed to push workers out without guarantees of payment – aims to cut 5-10% of the federal workforce. Federal agencies, including the General Services Administration, are preparing for potential layoffs if the buyout does not meet its target. (Axios / Bloomberg / Politico / Washington Post)
7/ Trump suggested that Palestinians “have no alternative” but to leave Gaza due to the destruction from Israel’s war with Hamas. Trump proposed that Jordan and Egypt take in Palestinians and that building new settlements elsewhere would be “better than going back to Gaza,” which he described as a “big pile of rubble.” Trump claimed Gazans would be “thrilled” to relocate to a “beautiful alternative” rather than return. Hamas called Trump’s ideas “a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region.” The proposal also faces opposition from Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab states, which have repeatedly refused to take in displaced Palestinians. (New York Times / NBC News / Associated Press / NPR / Reuters / CNN)
The midterm elections are in 637 days.
Notables.
Beyond the news – what’s at stake and why it matters.
2/ Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for director of national intelligence advanced to a full Senate vote. The Senate Intelligence Committee voted 9-8, with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who later backed Trump, faced scrutiny over her past support for Edward Snowden and her shifting stance on surveillance powers. After initially refusing to call Snowden a traitor, she later assured Republican Sen. Todd Young that she would not seek a pardon or clemency, securing his support. “I’ve done my work. I’ve done my vetting,” Young said before voting for her. Gabbard’s confirmation remains uncertain, as she can afford to lose only three Republican votes if all Democrats oppose her. The full Senate vote is expected next week. (Politico / NBC News / Bloomberg / Axios / ABC News / Wall Street Journal / Associated Press / New York Times / Washington Post)
3/ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent assured Republican lawmakers that Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency do not control the federal payment system. They do, however, have “read-only” access to payment data. Treasury officials also confirmed at least one DOGE appointee, Tom Krause, has top-secret security clearance and an office in the department, though his exact role remains unclear. Musk, meanwhile, hosted a late-night call where he proposed ignoring all federal regulations as a baseline, calling for a “wholesale removal of regulations.” He framed this moment as a unique opportunity to reshape government under Trump’s leadership. The White House confirmed Musk is officially a “special government employee,” granting him direct influence over multiple agencies. His access to classified information and his public comments about shutting down USAID and redirecting funds have sparked protests. Democrats argue that Musk’s unchecked authority is “destructive” and represents a constitutional crisis. Senate Republicans nevertheless downplayed Musk’s power, insisting that final decisions still rest with Trump and Bessent. Federal employee unions, meanwhile, sued to block DOGE’s access to government systems, and Democratic lawmakers demanded an investigation. “I’m sure the Treasury secretary and the president want to save face and downplay the risks as Elon Musk seizes power, but nothing they’re saying is believable or trustworthy,” Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, said. “The American people can see what’s happening, and Secretary Bessent is asking them not to believe what’s playing out right in front of their eyes.” (Politico / Axios / Bloomberg / ABC News / Bloomberg / CNN / HuffPost)
Democracy doesn’t run on vibes. Do something that matters. Call your representative and push back against Elon Musk’s influence over the government.
5/ The FBI provided the Trump Justice Department with details on 5,000 employees who worked on Jan. 6 cases, prompting a pair of lawsuits from agents who argue the move violates their constitutional rights and exposes them to retaliation. One suit, filed by nine FBI agents, claims the administration seeks to fire personnel who worked on Jan. 6 and classified documents cases as “retribution.” The plaintiffs fear their names could be publicly exposed, making them targets for harassment, especially from former Jan. 6 defendants who were pardoned by Trump. The second lawsuit, backed by the FBI Agents Association, calls for court intervention to prevent the DOJ from compiling or publishing the list. Some agents’ personal information has already surfaced on the dark web, intensifying concerns about threats and doxing. The lawsuits cite violations of the First and Fifth Amendments and seek to block any further actions that would endanger FBI personnel. (CNN / Axios / CBS News / NBC News / Washington Post / Politico / New York Times / Bloomberg / Associated Press / ABC News)
6/ More than 20,000 federal workers have accepted the Trump administration’s so-call “buyout” offer, which allows them to resign while continuing to be paid through September. The voluntary resignation program – which unions and lawmakers argue is illegal and designed to push workers out without guarantees of payment – aims to cut 5-10% of the federal workforce. Federal agencies, including the General Services Administration, are preparing for potential layoffs if the buyout does not meet its target. (Axios / Bloomberg / Politico / Washington Post)
7/ Trump suggested that Palestinians “have no alternative” but to leave Gaza due to the destruction from Israel’s war with Hamas. Trump proposed that Jordan and Egypt take in Palestinians and that building new settlements elsewhere would be “better than going back to Gaza,” which he described as a “big pile of rubble.” Trump claimed Gazans would be “thrilled” to relocate to a “beautiful alternative” rather than return. Hamas called Trump’s ideas “a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region.” The proposal also faces opposition from Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab states, which have repeatedly refused to take in displaced Palestinians. (New York Times / NBC News / Associated Press / NPR / Reuters / CNN)
The midterm elections are in 637 days.
Notables.- China imposed retaliatory tariffs and trade restrictions after Trump’s new 10% tariff on Chinese imports took effect. Beijing announced tariffs on U.S. coal, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, and agricultural equipment, while also restricting exports of key minerals used in high-tech manufacturing. China launched an antitrust investigation into Google and blacklisted two U.S. companies. (New York Times / Associated Press / Washington Post)
- A federal judge extended a restraining order blocking the Trump administration’s freeze on federal funding. Judge Loren AliKhan ruled that the administration had not fully complied with prior orders to lift the freeze on federal grants and loans. Although the White House rescinded its memo, it maintained the freeze, creating confusion while leaving nonprofits and states without access to funding. The Justice Department, meanwhile, argued that AliKhan had no authority to continue blocking the Trump administration’s efforts to freeze trillions of dollars in federal spending. (USA Today / Politico / New York Times)
- Bill Owens, executive producer of 60 Minutes, told staff he would not apologize for the show’s editing of a Kamala Harris interview, despite CBS’s parent company pursuing a legal settlement with Trump. Trump sued CBS, claiming the network deceptively edited Harris’s responses during an October interview. Owens told staff, “The edit is perfectly fine; let’s put that to bed so we can get on with our lives.” (New York Times)
- Transgender minors and families with transgender youth sued to block Trump’s executive order cutting federal funding for gender-affirming care for transgender youth care, arguing that Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally withhold congressional funding. (Washington Post / ABC News / NBC News)
- Trump will sign an executive order banning transgender girls and women from female sports. The order, called “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” aligns with Trump’s campaign promise and Republican-led state policies restricting transgender participation in athletics. (Bloomberg / Wall Street Journal)
- The roughly 2.2 billion gallons of water that Trump ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release is being wasted. That water was discharged into the dry lakebed of Tulare Lake and will not flow to Los Angeles to help with the fires. (CNN)
- Trump said he has given advisers instructions to “obliterate” Iran if it assassinates him. Federal authorities have tracked Iranian threats against Trump since he ordered the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian commander. (Associated Press)
Beyond the news – what’s at stake and why it matters.
- More dangerous than Watergate. “It’s like every past constitutional crisis rolled into one.” (Bulwark)
- Elon Musk is creating a constitutional crisis by seizing control of U.S. government payment systems and overriding Congress’s authority over federal funding. (Zeteo)
- What Trump and Musk are doing could change the American system forever. Federal power is being centralized, sidelining civil servants, purging prosecutors, and pressuring corporations to comply. (Vox)
- Elon Musk is rapidly reshaping the federal government, sidelining civil servants, accessing sensitive systems, and dismantling agencies with little oversight. (New York Times)
- A coup is in progress in America. Trump and Musk are bypassing legal constraints to consolidate power, purging civil servants and undermining constitutional governance. (Techdirt)
- The “rapid unscheduled disassembly” of the United States government. “Elon Musk is not the president, but it does appear that he—a foreign-born, unelected billionaire who was not confirmed by Congress—is exercising profound influence over the federal government of the United States, seizing control of information, payments systems, and personnel management. It is nothing short of an administrative coup.” (The Atlantic)
- The Young, inexperienced engineers aiding Elon Musk’s government takeover. “Engineers between 19 and 24, most linked to Musk’s companies, are playing a key role as he seizes control of federal infrastructure.” (Wired)
- Don’t believe him. Ezra Klein argues that Trump’s second-term strategy follows Steve Bannon’s 2019 playbook: flood the media with constant actions to create chaos and overwhelm opposition. Through a flurry of executive orders, controversial pardons, and agency overhauls, Trump projects unchecked power, but Klein notes his actual authority remains constrained by courts and congressional limits. His spending freeze and birthright citizenship order were quickly blocked, exposing his legal vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, efforts to purge the civil service, led in part by Elon Musk, have sparked backlash. Klein warns that Trump’s strength is an illusion designed to intimidate the public into accepting his overreach. (New York Times)
A 25-Year-Old With Elon Musk Ties Has Direct Access to the Federal Payment System
The Bureau of the Fiscal Service is a sleepy part of the Treasury Department. It’s also where, sources say, a 25-year-old engineer tied to Elon Musk has admin privileges over the code that controls Social Security payments, tax returns, and more.
A 25yr-old likely with no incentive to think long-term thoughts has root-level access to directly manipulate not only his own student loan balance, but anything the government pays out or how much anyone owes the government. Hope everyone has already filed their taxes. Should probably keep all the receipts for the full ten years, though. Assuming the IRS is still around then. Just sayin'.
--Patrick
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I mean that’s been openly what Israel’s plans have been and Biden gave them whatever they want with no restrictions so…
Literally in this thread we posted about how Trump released bombs Biden didn't give them.
Finally we have Trump going beyond something Biden tried to do. We’ll see how Trump is actually able to do it. Other countries aren’t going to just accept refugees just so that the US can have the 51st state in their backyard.
Course it would be more impactful if you hadn’t been running around like chicken little trying to cover up Biden’s war crimes.
Yeah man, 3 whole weeks into a 4 year term...
Practically took him FOREVER to get to it.
If more time had passed we would have all died of old age.
And there it is, now it's HE CAN'T DO IT ANYWAY, so it's fine.
Funny how when Biden couldn't actually support Israel's actions and had to even stop some shipment of weapons, even if only to save face, because you know so well that he actually wanted genocide too, it didn't matter.
Ah, of course, it simply doesn't matter unless we all pretended Biden was just as bad right up until Trump actually said what he was implying already in an official conference.
Seems you forgot that last time i posted another quote that said he wanted to "clear out Gaza".
....
Also, you still haven't answered my last question about how the numbers changed my argument.[/QUOTE]
Insane how you couldn’t wait for three weeks before going all chicken little. We all knew he was going to get here. You flipping your shit early is your mistake not mine.
Was getting your panties in a wad every time Trump said something stupid a particularly effective strategy during Trumps first term? No it made people look like idiots and let Trump skate by without democrats putting gloves on him.
But maybe flipping out over Trump saying stupid shit will work out better this time. Seems to be serving you well so far.
You want to take a second swing at this? Cause you’re making less sense than usual.
No I remembered when you lost your shit over a plan that was the same as something Biden had tried to nothing but snores from you. Didn’t think much of the argument then and I don’t think much of it now.
Yeah sorry about the delay. Had to be with my wife in the hospital and getting my Irish up for some dumb fuck on the internet wasn’t really my top priority.
And I thought it was pretty obvious that “Is it okay to kill 10 people to save all the rest” is the kind of question that a freshman would ask his roommate while “Is it okay to kill 186,000 people to save the rest” is the kind of question a person who wants to do a genocide asks to justify the genocide he wants to do. Doesn’t change the answer but it completely changes the context from a kinda messy hypothetical to genocide apologia.
Second it shows how morally bankrupt the question is. If there’s no difference between 10 and 186,000 then unless Trump manages to kill every last Palestinian man woman and child then by the logic of the question he hasn’t done anything wrong no matter how fucking bad it gets so long as a single Palestinian remains alive.
So maybe it doesn’t change it for you but for somebody with a soul? I believe it does.
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I’m sure people have made the joke better. We don’t need to quote sex pestiny.
I didn’t think most people would know who Destiny is. Shaming wasn’t the point. Avoiding Destiny in the future was the main point.
Not caring about it now that you know. Is not a good look.
"now that you know"?
The only thing I now "know" is that Gas quoted them and you called them a sex pest.
I completely and utterly lack any motivation to go and do a background check on every Twitter/Bluesky writer quoted here by anyone. You calling someone a name isn't really very persuasive (considering you sling insults any which way and have displayed many times your complete lack of moral relativity - people are Evil or they are Our Kind and nothing in between) .
This person could be an absolutely abhorrent sexual predator, abuser and groomer, or someone who made a few off-the-cuff insensitive and offensive remarks, and I worldly be able to tell the difference based on your reaction.
The joke itself is absolutely true, though not terribly original - as you said, others have probably made the same joke just as well or better before.
The only thing I now "know" is that Gas quoted them and you called them a sex pest.
I completely and utterly lack any motivation to go and do a background check on every Twitter/Bluesky writer quoted here by anyone. You calling someone a name isn't really very persuasive (considering you sling insults any which way and have displayed many times your complete lack of moral relativity - people are Evil or they are Our Kind and nothing in between) .
This person could be an absolutely abhorrent sexual predator, abuser and groomer, or someone who made a few off-the-cuff insensitive and offensive remarks, and I worldly be able to tell the difference based on your reaction.
The joke itself is absolutely true, though not terribly original - as you said, others have probably made the same joke just as well or better before.
Well since ignorance is your defense let’s just say the crimes of Destiny. I figured it wasn’t needed but you’re getting defensive about dropping a like on somebody you didn’t even register so here we are talking about how Destiny filmed himself giving oral to Nick Fuentes and then released that video. Now I need to talk about how Destiny runs an online cult and will seek out young women in his cult to have sex with, then records himself having sex with them without their knowledge and then spread those sex tapes around without consent from the women he filmed. That’s the guy you’re defending because you liked a hacky joke he made online.
But go on about moral relativity. I’m all fucking ears about how to excuse the predatory behavior of Destiny.
GasBandit
Staff member
1/ Trump proposed that the U.S. “take over” and have a “long-term ownership position” over Gaza, relocate the Palestinian population to a “good, fresh, beautiful piece of land” in another country, and redevelop the territory under U.S. control. Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump described Gaza as a “demolition site” and suggested turning it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Trump, however, didn’t specify how the U.S. would acquire or govern the land, but suggested that American troops could be deployed “if necessary.” Later, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, attempted to walk back parts of the proposal, saying Trump “has not committed to putting boots on the ground in Gaza” and that the U.S. will not pay for rebuilding in Gaza. Leavitt also didn’t clarify how the U.S. could take control of Gaza without using military force, but claimed Trump “is the best dealmaker on the planet” and said Palestinians in Gaza need to be “temporarily relocated.” Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, however, expressed an “unequivocal rejection” of any attempts to displace Palestinians. Legal experts, meanwhile, warn that Trump’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s Palestinian population and take U.S. control of the territory would constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law. Forced population transfers are explicitly prohibited by the Geneva Conventions, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and other legal frameworks dating back to the U.S. Civil War. Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s approach, while Palestinian leaders and Hamas condemned it as an attempt at ethnic cleansing. (New York Times / Washington Post / Axios / Reuters / Politico / Associated Press / The Guardian / NPR / Bloomberg / NBC News / CNN / Wall Street Journal / New York Times)
2/ Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove accused FBI leadership of “insubordination” for refusing to identify a “core team” of agents involved in Jan. 6 investigations. Bove added that rank-and-file agents “who simply followed orders and carried out their duties in an ethical manner” would not be fired unless they “acted with corrupt or partisan intent.” The Justice Department, meanwhile, requested data on over 5,000 FBI employees involved in the investigations after the bureau’s acting leadership declined to provide a narrower list. FBI officials said the request could lead to mass firings, while lawsuits were filed to block the release of agent details. (Associated Press / New York Times / CNN / NBC News)
3/ The CIA offered so-called “buyouts” to the entire workforce. Employees were given the option to resign while receiving eight months of pay and benefits, though some critical roles were excluded. CIA Director John Ratcliffe defended the “deferred resignation” program as a strategy to “infuse the agency with renewed energy,” encourage long-tenured officers to retire early, and align the workforce with national security priorities like China and drug cartels. The CIA, meanwhile, sent the White House an unclassified email listing first names and initials of employees hired in the past two years to comply. The list includes probationary hires, many focused on China, making them potential targets for foreign intelligence services. Former officials criticized the move as a “counterintelligence disaster,” warning that adversaries could use other data to identify employees. (NBC News / CNN / New York Times / Wall Street Journal / Associated Press / New York Times / Reuters / Bloomberg)
4/ A federal judge issued a nationwide injunction blocking Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. Judge Deborah Boardman ruled that the order ruling that it “conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment, contradicts 125-year-old binding Supreme Court precedent, and runs counter to our nation’s 250-year history of citizenship by birth.” The ruling follows a previous temporary block by a judge in Seattle. (Axios / CNN / Washington Post / Politico / Bloomberg / New York Times / ABC News)
The midterm elections are in 636 days.
WTF is Elon Musk doing? An incomplete recap.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has moved quickly to take control of key federal systems, pushing government employees out, dismantling USAID, and accessing sensitive data. The effort has triggered lawsuits, congressional scrutiny, and concerns about disruptions to Social Security, Medicare, and foreign aid.
DOGE operatives working at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have accessed payment and contracting systems to flag what they consider fraud. CMS manages $1.5 trillion in annual spending. DOGE also accessed systems that track government contracts, but not those containing personal health records or the Healthcare Integrated General Ledger Accounting System, which processes payments.
The Treasury Department granted DOGE “read-only” access to the federal payment system, which handles $6 trillion a year, including Social Security and Medicare payments. Although no payments have been blocked, critics warn Musk’s team could disrupt or cut funding for programs like Medicaid and disability benefits. Sen. Elizabeth Warren called DOGE’s role “extraordinarily dangerous,” while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended it as an effort to “maximize payment integrity.” A 25-year-old engineer currently has permissions that allow him to modify critical payment infrastructure.
The Trump administration also removed nearly all USAID workers, shutting down major aid programs, including security assistance for Ukraine, clean water projects, and education initiatives. Employees were ordered to leave within 30 days, while contractors were fired immediately. Musk posted on X, “Spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper.” The American Foreign Service Association is preparing legal action, arguing USAID cannot be shut down without congressional approval.
DOGE has also pushed federal employees to resign under a legally dubious “deferred resignation” plan, letting them quit while receiving pay through September. Over 20,000 have accepted.
DOGE operatives have also accessed federal databases, including student loan records at the Education Department and NOAA’s IT systems. They’ve also installed an unauthorized email server at the Office of Personnel Management to collect federal employee data, prompting a class-action lawsuit over data privacy violations. Musk ordered DOGE employees to stop using Slack, shifting records to a system not subject to Freedom of Information Act requests to limit public oversight.
Despite Musk’s authority, Trump aides have reminded him he still reports to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. While Musk maintains broad influence, Trump reportedly remains in control, saying: “Elon can’t do and won’t do anything without our approval. Sometimes we won’t agree with it, and we’ll not go where he wants to go.”
Sources: Wall Street Journal / Axios / The Guardian / New York Times / 404 Media / Wired / The Atlantic / NBC News / Washington Post / Politico / Associated Press / Axios / Associated Press / CNBC / Wired / Wall Street Journal / Mother Jones / Politico
Notables.
2/ Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove accused FBI leadership of “insubordination” for refusing to identify a “core team” of agents involved in Jan. 6 investigations. Bove added that rank-and-file agents “who simply followed orders and carried out their duties in an ethical manner” would not be fired unless they “acted with corrupt or partisan intent.” The Justice Department, meanwhile, requested data on over 5,000 FBI employees involved in the investigations after the bureau’s acting leadership declined to provide a narrower list. FBI officials said the request could lead to mass firings, while lawsuits were filed to block the release of agent details. (Associated Press / New York Times / CNN / NBC News)
3/ The CIA offered so-called “buyouts” to the entire workforce. Employees were given the option to resign while receiving eight months of pay and benefits, though some critical roles were excluded. CIA Director John Ratcliffe defended the “deferred resignation” program as a strategy to “infuse the agency with renewed energy,” encourage long-tenured officers to retire early, and align the workforce with national security priorities like China and drug cartels. The CIA, meanwhile, sent the White House an unclassified email listing first names and initials of employees hired in the past two years to comply. The list includes probationary hires, many focused on China, making them potential targets for foreign intelligence services. Former officials criticized the move as a “counterintelligence disaster,” warning that adversaries could use other data to identify employees. (NBC News / CNN / New York Times / Wall Street Journal / Associated Press / New York Times / Reuters / Bloomberg)
4/ A federal judge issued a nationwide injunction blocking Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. Judge Deborah Boardman ruled that the order ruling that it “conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment, contradicts 125-year-old binding Supreme Court precedent, and runs counter to our nation’s 250-year history of citizenship by birth.” The ruling follows a previous temporary block by a judge in Seattle. (Axios / CNN / Washington Post / Politico / Bloomberg / New York Times / ABC News)
The midterm elections are in 636 days.
WTF is Elon Musk doing? An incomplete recap.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has moved quickly to take control of key federal systems, pushing government employees out, dismantling USAID, and accessing sensitive data. The effort has triggered lawsuits, congressional scrutiny, and concerns about disruptions to Social Security, Medicare, and foreign aid.
DOGE operatives working at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have accessed payment and contracting systems to flag what they consider fraud. CMS manages $1.5 trillion in annual spending. DOGE also accessed systems that track government contracts, but not those containing personal health records or the Healthcare Integrated General Ledger Accounting System, which processes payments.
The Treasury Department granted DOGE “read-only” access to the federal payment system, which handles $6 trillion a year, including Social Security and Medicare payments. Although no payments have been blocked, critics warn Musk’s team could disrupt or cut funding for programs like Medicaid and disability benefits. Sen. Elizabeth Warren called DOGE’s role “extraordinarily dangerous,” while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended it as an effort to “maximize payment integrity.” A 25-year-old engineer currently has permissions that allow him to modify critical payment infrastructure.
The Trump administration also removed nearly all USAID workers, shutting down major aid programs, including security assistance for Ukraine, clean water projects, and education initiatives. Employees were ordered to leave within 30 days, while contractors were fired immediately. Musk posted on X, “Spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper.” The American Foreign Service Association is preparing legal action, arguing USAID cannot be shut down without congressional approval.
DOGE has also pushed federal employees to resign under a legally dubious “deferred resignation” plan, letting them quit while receiving pay through September. Over 20,000 have accepted.
DOGE operatives have also accessed federal databases, including student loan records at the Education Department and NOAA’s IT systems. They’ve also installed an unauthorized email server at the Office of Personnel Management to collect federal employee data, prompting a class-action lawsuit over data privacy violations. Musk ordered DOGE employees to stop using Slack, shifting records to a system not subject to Freedom of Information Act requests to limit public oversight.
Despite Musk’s authority, Trump aides have reminded him he still reports to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. While Musk maintains broad influence, Trump reportedly remains in control, saying: “Elon can’t do and won’t do anything without our approval. Sometimes we won’t agree with it, and we’ll not go where he wants to go.”
Sources: Wall Street Journal / Axios / The Guardian / New York Times / 404 Media / Wired / The Atlantic / NBC News / Washington Post / Politico / Associated Press / Axios / Associated Press / CNBC / Wired / Wall Street Journal / Mother Jones / Politico
Notables.- The U.S. military deported migrants to Guantanamo Bay, the first step in a plan to detain up to 30,000 people at the base. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the facility a “perfect place” to house migrants, and additional U.S. troops have been deployed to assist. (Associated Press / NBC News)
- Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women and girls from competing in female sports, directing federal agencies to enforce Title IX based on assigned sex at birth. The order threatens to cut federal funding for schools that allow transgender athletes. (Associated Press / NBC News / New York Times / Washington Post)
- The Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as attorney general in a 54-46 vote, with Democratic Sen. John Fetterman joining Republicans in support. Bondi pledged to restore integrity to the Justice Department while rejecting allegations of political retaliation. She replaces Trump’s initial nominee, Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his nomination and resigned from Congress two days before the House Ethics Committee was scheduled to release a “highly damaging” report detailing allegations of sex trafficking involving underage girls, illicit drug use, and accepting bribes. (CNN / Washington Post / Axios)
- The Senate confirmed Scott Turner as HUD secretary in a 55-44 vote, despite concerns over his FBI background check. (Politico / Washington Post)
- The Trump administration ordered the General Services Administration to cancel roughly 7,500 federal office leases nationwide. Backed by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, the move aims to eliminate up to 300 leases per day and reduce government office space, despite Trump’s return-to-office mandate. (Associated Press / New York Times)
- A website named “DEI Watch List” exposed federal health workers involved in diversity initiatives, calling them “targets” and sharing their personal details. Employees fear for their safety as agencies crack down on DEI-related activities. (NBC News)
- The U.S. Postal Service reversed its decision to block inbound packages from China and Hong Kong – hours after implementing the suspension – following new tariffs imposed by Trump. (Washington Post / New York Times / Wired)
- Former National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox sued Trump, alleging her firing violated federal law and Supreme Court precedent protecting independent agencies.(Axios / Washington Post)