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Last updated 3/31/25 at 4:00pm ET
This page will update with the latest actions by the Trump administration and its Elon Musk-led advisory group, the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), to scale back federal government spending and programs.
Which departments have DOGE cut? Where are the biggest rollbacks taking place? In which cases has a judge stepped in to block DOGE's moves? Find the latest updates below.
As of March 31, DOGE has elimiated roughly 49,391 federal jobs, according to Layoffs.fyi.
An executive order establishing DOGE, which Trump signed on his first day back in office, reformed a different government agency in the process. The order reads, "The United States Digital Service is hereby publicly renamed as the United States DOGE Service (USDS) and shall be established in the Executive Office of the President." DOGE is tracking its claimed cuts on doge.gov. On Mar. 6, Trump told Cabinet secretaries that they're in charge of cuts, not Musk.
Did we miss something? Email us.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Elon Musk said DOGE will investigate "strangely wealthy" members of Congress.
- DOGE officially gained access to the federal payroll system.
- DOGE employee Nate Cavanaugh has been put in charge of the US Institute of Peace, following the firing of nearly all of its 300 employees.
AFGE
49,391 Federal Jobs Cut
Public Services
According to Layoffs.fyi, DOGE has cut over 39,000 federal jobs. Scroll down to see a list of the departments where roles have been cut.
Details: President Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 11 directing federal agencies to work with DOGE to cut employees and scale back hiring. Over 75,000 have accepted buyouts, and tens of thousands of other roles have been eliminated, per ABC News (Lean Left). On Mar. 4, the Office of Personnel Management revised a memo to state that it's "not directing agencies to take any specific performance-based actions regarding probationary employees," but didn't reverse any firings. Still, some agencies have begun to rescind terminations.
Why? "You can't have an autonomous federal bureaucracy. You have to have one that's responsive to the people," Elon Musk said on Feb. 11. He branded bureaucracy an "unconstitutional" fourth branch of government that holds "more power than any elected representative." White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller said federal workers are "overwhelmingly left of center" and that buyouts were "essential" for Trump to "get control of government". Some Trump officials say the move could save up to $100 billion.
Opposition: The president of the National Treasury Employees Union said Feb. 11 that “the arbitrary firing of thousands of employees across multiple federal agencies outlined in tonight’s executive order would decimate government services critical to the American public.” AFGE, the biggest federal employee union, said the "arbitrary and capricious" buyouts violate federal law. Critics say losing many employees at once would significantly disrupt ongoing operations. Some are also expressing concern that foreign adversaries could move to hire some of the more specialized former employees.
Where Have Firings Happened?
Some of the firings include:
Watchdogs: Trump fired Inspectors General (IGs) from 17 different federal agencies on Jan. 24.
Military Branches: The judge advocates general for the Army, Air Force, and Navy were terminated, as was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Roughly 200 CFPB workers have been let go.
Social Security Administration (SSA): The SSA announced plans to fire 7,000 on Feb. 28.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS): The IRS laid off 6,700 workers on Feb. 20.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): "Several hundred" employees were fired on Feb. 17.
Food and Drug Administration: Roughly 20 researchers were reportedly fired over Presidents' Day weekend.
Health agencies: Roughly two dozen CDC staffers were reportedly let go. At the National Institutes of Health, 1,165 employees were terminated.
Department of Defense: More than 5,000 employees have been removed, and another 50-60,000 are expected to be let go.
Department of Energy: Roughly 2,000 probationary workers were fired Feb. 13, according to Politico (Lean Left).
Department of Education: 1,315 workers were fired on March 11, in addition to 572 who accepted separation packages and 63 probationary workers were let go in February.
Department of Housing and Development: Roughly 780 employees have been let go.
Department of Homeland Security: DHS has fired 400 employees.
Department of Veterans Affairs: More than 2,400 employees have been dismissed as of Feb. 26.
National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service: More than 4,000 employees were fired, most of them new hires.
Environmental Protection Agency: The EPA has fired 388 probationary employees.
NASA: Around 1,000 probationary employees were fired from NASA, and another 750 accepted a deferred resignation, reducing the organization's size by 10%.
National Nuclear Safety Administration: The Trump administration originally planned to fire 300 of the agency’s 1,800 staff, but some are being retained.
General Services Administration: More than 100 people have been laid off.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): More than 4,700 workers were put on leave, and another 1,600 were terminated.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Roughly 1,900 employees have been terminated.
U.S. Postal Service: The agency plans to cut 10,000 jobs.
More News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: Trump Administration To Reinstate Nearly 25,000 Fired Federal Workers
Here’s Where Trump’s Government Layoffs Are Targeted—As Judge Orders Reinstatement Of Thousands Of Fired Workers (Source: Forbes, Center)
Federal Government Layoffs Tracker 2025: Latest DOGE Cuts So Far (Source: Newsweek, Center)
Fired, Then Rehired, by the Trump Administration (Source: New York Times, Lean Left)
Judge blocks Trump administration's mass dismissals of probationary federal employees (Fox News, Right)
AllSides Headline Roundup: Musk and Trump Admin Split on Firings, Causing Confusion and Criticism
Supreme Court (Wikimedia Commons)
Challenges to DOGE and Reversals
Public Services
Some of the actions by the Trump administration have been challenged or reversed. Read the latest on these challenges here:
- The Trump admin is reinstating roughly 25,000 federal workers following a court order.
- A judge in Maryland temporarily blocked the shutdown of USAID.
- A judge indefinitely blocked Trump’s ban on transgender service members.
- Multiple judges indefinitely blocked President Trump’s freeze on federal grants and loans.
- The Supreme Court upheld a ruling forcing the Trump admin and USAID to pay out $2 billion in already-completed contracts.
- Thousands of fired USDA workers were ordered to be reinstated.
- On Mar. 13, US District Judge William Alsup ordered the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior and Treasury to rehire fired probationary employees, and said he may extend the order to other agencies.
Raed Mansour/ Flickr
Grant Cuts and Layoffs at HHS
Public Services
What Happened: The Trump administration announced it would fire 10,000 full-time employees and close half of its regional offices. Previously, the administration cut National Institute of Health grants that support research institutions, whcih amounted to $4 billion annually. DOGE also posted on X that it had canceled $182 million worth of HHS contracts, which it said were entirely for administrative expenses, not health care programs. In February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eliminated 1,300 probationary jobs, including half of its Intelligence Service officers who serve for two years on the front lines of public health responses.
Opposition and Support: The Association of American Medical Colleges said the decision to cut grants is “harmful and counterproductive” and would “diminish the nation’s research capacity,” urging the Trump administration to rescind the order. Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) said she would work with the administration to protect research: "A smart, targeted approach is needed in order to not hinder life-saving, groundbreaking research at high-achieving institutions like those in Alabama.”
The Latest: HHS has become the latest federal agency to offer buyouts. Most of HHS's 80,000 employees received an email offering a $25,000 buyout for "voluntary separation," which they must choose whether to accept by Mar. 14. HHS is expected to cut a further 10,000 jobs across all departments.
More News Coverage:
How HHS gets DOGE’d (Source: Politico, Lean Left)
CDC's "disease detectives" halved as part of DOGE cuts at health agencies (Source: CBS News, Lean Left)
Mass firings at HHS: Up to 5,200 probationary workers will be dismissed, reports say (Source: Fierce Healthcare, Not Rated)
(Defense.gov)
Cuts to Global Vaccine Aid
Foreign Policy
Why? According to a 281-page document reportedly sent to Congress on Mar. 24 from the United States Agency for International Development, the Trump administration is continuing significant cuts to foreign aid programs across the board. A State Department spokesperson reportedly said that “each award terminated was reviewed individually for alignment with agency and administration priorities, and terminations were executed where Secretary Rubio determined the award was inconsistent with the national interest or agency policy priorities.”
Opposition: The New York Times (Lean Left) called the move "a retreat from a half-century-long effort to present the United States to the developing world as a compassionate ally and to lead the fight against infectious diseases that kill millions of people annually."
U.S. Secretary of Defense
Defense Department Cuts
Public Services
Why? Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with the help of DOGE, cut $580 million in contracts and grants. “They are not a good use of taxpayer dollars. Ultimately, that’s who funds us, and we owe you transparency and make sure we’re using it well,” Hegseth said.
Opposition: The majority of the cuts are grants that fund DEI programs, COVID-19 research, climate research, and social science. Some argue that climate and COVID-19 research are particularly essential.
More News Coverage:
Hegseth cuts $580 million in contracts, grants with DOGE’s help (Federal News Network, not rated)
Jan Ingar Grindheim/ Flickr
University Funding Cuts
Public Services
Why? The Trump administration has frozen federal funding for Columbia University and the University of Pennslyvania over campus antisemitism and transgender athlete policies. The administration argues that schools should not receive public funding if they are not in line with civil rights laws. He has threatened to revoke funding for any university that allows illegal protests on campus.
Opposition: Some worry that Trump's vision of higher education limits academic freedom. A New York Times (Lean Left bias) piece described Trump's mandate as, “Teach what you must, defend 'the American tradition and Western civilization,' prepare people for the work force, and limit protests and research.”
More News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: How Are Universities Changing Under the Trump Administration?
(Wikipedia)
Dept. of Education Faces Rollbacks
Public Services
Why? The Trump administration wants to give individual states more control over and responsibility for their education systems, as part of efforts to cut federal government spending.
Opposition: “Stripping the department of its resources and mission would be catastrophic for the millions of students in low-income communities who need educational services and support. Civil rights protections against discrimination based on race, gender, and disability would also be gutted,” the National Education Association said.
The Latest: Twenty-one Attorney Generals have sued the Trump administration for gutting the Department of Education.
More News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: What Happens if the Education Department Shuts Down?
AllSides Headline Roundup: In First Step Towards Shutdown, Education Department Lays Off Half Its Staff
AllSides Headline Roundup: Trump Moves to Dissolve Education Department, Would Require Congressional Approval
Trump is weighing big cuts to US Education Department (Source: NPR, Lean Left)
Trump makes good on threat to try to dismantle Education Department (Source: Daily Mail, Right)
DOGE slashes over $100M in DEI funding at Education Department: 'Win for every student' (Source: Fox News, Right)
(USAID website)
Battle Over USAID
Foreign Policy
Why? Trump and Musk have framed the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as unnecessary at best, and financially fraudulent at worst. The Trump administration said it will cut 90% of USAID contracts.
Opposition: Critics say friendly foreign governments and global perception of the U.S. will suffer. CNN (Lean Left) describes the USAID as “a key soft power tool of the US to foster relations with communities around the world.” As of Feb. 10, a judge had blocked the plan to put thousands of USAID workers on leave.
The Latest: A group of House Democrats introduced legislation on Feb. 11 to stop the Trump administration from breaking up the agency. On Mar. 5, a judge unfroze $2 billion in USAID aid in a loss for DOGE's efforts. On Mar. 10, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 83% of USAID programs had been canceled. On Mar. 18, a federal judge ruled that USAID's dismantling likely violated the constitution.
More News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: Federal Judge Blocks DOGE's Dismantling of USAID
AllSides Headline Roundup: Marco Rubio: 83% of USAID Programs Canceled
AllSides Headline Roundup: Supreme Court Upholds Order Forcing Trump Admin, USAID to Pay Contractors
AllSides Headline Roundup: Trump, Musk Take Steps to Shut Down USAID
AllSides Headline Roundup: Supreme Court Pauses Lower Court’s Ordering of Trump Admin to Pay $2B in Foreign Aid
Trump administration says it’s cutting 90% of USAID foreign aid contracts (Source: Associated Press, Left bias)
(USDS)
Social Security Changes
Economic Regulation
Why? The Trump administration has cited issues with overpayments, payments to "dead people", issues with living people being marked as dead, and more. It's moving to implement stricter identity verification measures.
Opposition: "Retiree advocates warn that the change will negatively impact older Americans in rural areas, including those with disabilities, mobility limitations, those who live far from SSA offices and have limited internet access," according to AP (Left).
More News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: Social Security Administration Implementing In-Person Identity Verifications
Social Security employees warn of benefit delays (Source: Newsweek, Center)
Inside the DOGE Threat to Social Security (Source: New Yorker, Left)
Social Security Administration preempts DOGE cuts with $25,000 ‘early out’ option (Source: Washington Examiner, Lean Right)
Latvian Foreign Ministry/ Flickr
Federal Media Agencies Closed
Public Services
The Details: President Donald Trump signed an executive order eliminating seven federal agencies. Among the cuts was the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees state media outlets Voice of America (VOA) (Center bias) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). Trump nominee Kari Lake called USAGM “pound-for-pound the most corrupt agency in Washington DC.”
Opposition: RFE/RL CEO Stephen Capus said cutting funding to the outlet is “a massive gift to America’s enemies.”
More News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: Trump Signs Order to Eliminate Seven Federal Agencies. Cuts Include Voice of America and RFE/RL
(GAO)
Gov't Credit Cards Frozen, Canceled
Economic Regulation
Details: On Mar. 11, DOGE says its canceled over 200,000 "unused/unneeded" credit cards of roughy 4.6 million government-issued cards. On Mar. 5, civilian Department of Defense workers were given a $1 spending limit on their government travel credit cards, with exemptions for "direct support of military operations or a permanent change of station."
Why? An executive order reads, "To the maximum extent permitted by law, all credit cards held by agency employees shall be treated as frozen for 30 days from the date of this order, except for any credit cards held by employees engaged in, or charges related to employees utilizing such credit cards for, disaster relief or natural disaster response benefits or operations or other critical services as determined by the Agency Head, and subject to such additional individualized or categorical exceptions as the Agency Head, in consultation with the agency’s DOGE Team Lead, deems appropriate."
Opposition: The move is "upending work across the government, according to more than two dozen affected employees and records obtained" by The Washington Post (Lean Left bias).
More News Coverage:
DOGE’s $1 Federal Spending Limit Is Straight Out of the Twitter Playbook (Source: WIRED, Left)
(USDA)
USDA Cuts $1B in Local Food Programs
Public Services
Why? A USDA spokesperson said “these programs, created under the former Administration via Executive authority, no longer effectuate the goals of the agency.”
Opposition: Politico (Lean Left) said Biden’s administration intended the programs “to build a more resilient food supply chain that didn’t just rely on major food companies,” and that the cut comes as school nutrition officials are “increasingly anxious” about affording healthy food for students. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) said the move “will hurt Georgia kids and Georgia farmers.”
More News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: USDA Cuts $1B From Programs for Schools and Food Banks
EPA HQ (Wiki)
Billions in EPA Grants Canceled
Economic Regulation
The Details: The Trump administration is moving to recoup roughly $20 billion in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funds that were committed to climate-friendly groups. Trump added in a cabinent meeting that he wants to reduce the EPA's overall budget by 65%.
Why?: “The days of irresponsibly shoveling boatloads of cash to far-left activist groups in the name of environmental justice and climate equity are over,” EPA Director Lee Zeldin said. “The American public deserves a more transparent and accountable government than what transpired these past four years.”
Opposition: "Your announcement is the latest example of the Trump Administration and its government efficiency 'experts' using unfounded claims of waste, fraud, and abuse as a smokescreen to ignore congressional spending authority and ignore court orders in order to freeze or terminate programs designed to reduce carbon pollution," wrote a group of Democrats on the Senate environmental and public works committee. In March, a judge blocked the Trump admin. from canceling roughly $14 billion in EPA grants.
More News Coverage:
Climate group sues EPA over frozen billions in bank accounts (Source: Newsweek, Center)
Trump team digs in, finds millions of wasted dollars at EPA, HUD with DOGE help (Source: Fox News, Right bias)
The $20 Billion Controversy Over E.P.A. Climate Funds, Explained (Source: New York Times, Lean Left)
(Stars and Stripes)
Major VA Restructuring
Public Services
Why? “Our goal is to reduce VA employment levels to 2019 in strength numbers, roughly 398,000 employees, from our current level of approximately 470,000 employees,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said on Mar. 5. “Now that’s a 15 percent decrease. We’re going to accomplish this without making cuts to health care or benefits to veterans and VA beneficiaries.”
Opposition: “Make no mistake, cancelling these contracts will cause harm to veterans and VA care and benefits,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in a statement. “And it is completely unacceptable there has been no transparency, accountability, or consultation surrounding these contracts."
More News Coverage:
US Department Of Veterans Affairs To Cut More Than 70,000 Jobs (Source: Barron's, Center)
Harvard (Wikipedia)
Trump Threatens Schools Over 'Illegal Protests'
Public Services
Why? "All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests," Trump announced via Truth Social on Mar. 4. "Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on on the crime, arrested. NO MASKS! Thank you for your attention to this matter."
Opposition: "Colleges can and should respond to unlawful conduct, but the president does not have unilateral authority to revoke federal funds, even for colleges that allow 'illegal' protests," a statement from The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) said.
More News Coverage:
Trump Says He’ll Defund Schools, Universities that Allow ‘Illegal Protests' (Breitbart, Right)
Can Trump legally force US universities to silence protests? (Al Jazeera, Lean Left)
Mattia Panciroli/Flickr
Treasury Suspends BOI Requirement
Economic Regulation
Details: The Treasury Department announced that they are suspending all enforcement of the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirement for US citizens, which was a section of the Corporate Transparency Act. President Donald Trump called the "Biden-era" rule "outrageous and invasive" and " an absolute disaster for Small Businesses." Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said they were "reining in burdensome regulations, particularly for small businesses that are the backbone of the American economy."
Opposition: Ian Gary, executive director of the Financial Accountability & Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition said regarding a previous court ruling that ruled the Corporate Transparency Act unconstitutional: "This is a pro-crime, pro-drug cartel, pro-fentanyl ruling that undermines the rule of law and allows criminals to use anonymous shell companies to hide their dirty money from law enforcement. Close to a million law-abiding companies have already complied with the law."
More News Coverage:
Donald Trump Celebrates End of Corporate Transparency Act Measure (Source: Newsweek, Center bias)
(Wikipedia)
Trans Troops Slated for Removal
Other
Why? "It is the policy of the United States government to establish high standards for service member readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity," a policy memo from the Department of Defense (DoD) reads. "This policy is inconsistent with the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals with gender dysphoria or who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria."
Opposition: “This is a purge of unprecedented magnitude," said Jennifer Levi, Senior Director of Transgender & Queer Rights. "There is nothing confusing or complicated about it. The military has 30 days to identify anyone it thinks is transgender, and the only way to avoid discharge is to prove you are not transgender. This is an unconscionable ban that forces the removal of talented service members who put their lives on the line for our nation and slams the door on qualified patriots who meet every standard and want nothing more than to serve their country.”
More News Coverage:
Pentagon Plans to Expel Transgender Troops from Military in Expansion of Trump's Trans Service Ban (Source: People, Lean Left)
DOD intends to kick out transgender service members (Source: Washington Examiner, Lean Right)
rulenumberone2/ Flickr
Trump to Takeover USPS
Public Services
The Latest: Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has agreed to cut 10,000 workers in the next 30 days and signed an agreement with DOGE to address "big problems" in the agency.
Why? According to a Washington Post (Lean Left bias) report, President Donald Trump plans to dissolve the United States Postal Service board and move the organization under his control, placing it under the Commerce Department. The news comes two days after USPS announced that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will step down from his leadership role in the agency. Privatizing USPS could result in it becoming a for-profit agency, cutting costs in alignment with DOGE's goals. “There is a lot of talk about the Postal Service being taken private,” Trump remarked back in December. “It’s a lot different today, between Amazon and UPS and FedEx and all the things that you didn’t have. But there is talk about that. It’s an idea that a lot of people have liked for a long time.”
Opposition: Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union said, "Any attack on the Postal Service would be part of the billionaire oligarch coup, directed not just at the postal workers our union represents, but the millions of Americans who rely on the critical public service our members provide every single day."
More News Coverage:
Trump expected to take control of USPS, fire postal board, officials say (Source: Washington Post, Lean Left bias)
Trump Reportedly Seeks Hostile Takeover Of USPS, Union Decries 'Outrageous, Unlawful' Plans (Source: International Business Times, Center bias)
(DHS)
Federal Benefits End for Some Migrants
Economic Regulation
Why? The order accused the Biden administration of moving to "repeatedly undercut" federal laws prohibiting unauthorized immigrants from getting many taxpayer-funded benefits, "resulting in the improper expenditure of significant taxpayer resources."
Opposition: "Undocumented immigrants are largely not eligible for federal benefits, with only some exceptions allowed for emergency situations, and many immigrant families are hesitant to enroll in programs they are eligible for," according to the New York Times (Lean Left).
FDIC building (Britannica)
End of "Independent" Agencies?
Other
Why? The executive order states that "in order to improve the administration of the executive branch and to increase regulatory officials’ accountability to the American people, it shall be the policy of the executive branch to ensure Presidential supervision and control of the entire executive branch."
Opposition: "Given Trump's insistence on complete loyalty to him on the part of all government employees, this move is designed to extend his grip on the government to areas that previously have been nonpartisan," said Daniel Farber, a law professor at University of California, Berkeley, to NPR (Lean Left).
US Institute for Peace building (Centre for Responsible Leadership)
Advisory Boards Ordered to Disband
Other
Why? "“Reducing the size of the Federal Government will minimize Government waste and abuse, reduce inflation, and promote American freedom and innovation,” the order states.
Opposition: The boards are "part of an independent oversight process that our government needs and uses to better serve the American public, and that Congress needs and uses to better engage in congressional oversight and legislative action," said a fellow at Brookings Institution (Center). "When you dismantle these entities, you rob the executive branch and Congress of critical information. Ultimately, this puts the privacy, civil liberties, and national security interests of the American public at risk."
More News Coverage:
Judges finds a huge reduction in staff and funding would be legal at African development agency (Source: AP, Left)
(House.gov)
Trump Moves to Fire US Attorneys
Other
Why? “Over the past four years, the Department of Justice has been politicized like never before. Therefore, I have instructed the termination of ALL remaining 'Biden Era' U.S. Attorneys,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We must 'clean house' IMMEDIATELY, and restore confidence. America’s Golden Age must have a fair Justice System – THAT BEGINS TODAY!”
Opposition: The Trump administration's actions put it "in conflict with nonpolitical career prosecutors who say these actions violate accepted practices and undermine the rule of law," according to the New York Times (Lean Left).
(NewsNation)
CFPB Layoffs on Hold
Economic Regulation
Why? "The [Consumer Financial Protection] Bureau’s current balance of $711.6 million is in fact excessive in the current fiscal environment," said the new head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought. "This spigot, long contributing to CFPB’s unaccountability, is now being turned off."
Opposition: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said Vought was "giving big banks and giant corporations the green light to scam families."
The Latest: On Feb.1, Vought ordered most of the nearly 1,700 CFPB employees to stop a majority of their work. On Feb, 13, between 70-100 employees were laid off from CFPB. Those laid off were term employees, meaning their positions were for a set length of time. The terminations follow 73 employees laid off earlier that week. On Feb, 16, a judge blocked Trump's mass layoffs.
More News Coverage:
Russell Vought takes the helm at CFPB as Musk's DOGE accesses key systems (Source: NPR, Lean Left bias)
(Getty)
DEI Workers Placed on Leave, Initiatives Paused
Public Services
Removing All "DEI" Workers: "The Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government, in areas ranging from airline safety to the military," reads a Jan. 20 executive order.
Environmental Protection Agency: Per Bloomberg (Lean Left): "The EPA on Thursday put 168 employees within its environmental justice office on administrative leave as the Trump administration executes presidential actions to roll back diversity initiatives... The agency "is in the process of evaluating new structure and organization to ensure we are meeting our mission of protecting human health and the environment for all Americans."
Military Academies: “Our Service Academies have been infiltrated by Woke Leftist Ideologues over the last four years. I have ordered the immediate dismissal of the Board of Visitors for the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard,” Trump said on Truth Social. “We will have the strongest Military in History, and that begins by appointing new individuals to these Boards. We must make the Military Academies GREAT AGAIN!”
Universities: In March, the Trump admin paused $175M in federal funding to UPenn over its inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports. It's also investigating 50+ other schools for alleged discrimination against white and Asian American students.
Opposition: Critics are concerned that pausing federal DEI work would significantly weaken efforts to strengthen equity. "A lot of what we did in DEIA, specifically at the Labor Department, was to ensure that we were creating pathways to good paying jobs," said Alaysia Black Hackett, former chief diversity and equity officer at the Labor Department. "Our strategy was to build an economy for all workers." Some say the move violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: "[Federal workers] are protected from either opposing discrimination or participating in any proceeding or activity related to opposing discrimination."
More News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: Trump Admin Investigates DEI Practices at Over 50 Universities
AllSides Headline Roundup: Trump Directs Government DEI Employees to be Placed on Leave
Trump Dismantles Environmental Justice Team, Staff Put on Leave (Source: Bloomberg, Lean Left)
(Department of Energy)
EV Charging Program Paused
Public Services
Why? “We are utilizing the unique authority afforded under the NEVI Formula Program to ensure the Program operates efficiently and effectively and aligns with current U.S. DOT policies and priorities,” a DOT spokesperson said in a statement.
Opposition: According to The Washington Post (Lean Left bias), the move, "which comes as many states are still working to build out their public chargers supported by $5 billion in grants, could strike a major blow to an industry that has experienced slower-than-expected sales and could lose critical federal tax incentives in coming months."
More News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: Trump Administration Halts EV Charging Infrastructure Program
(Department of State)
FEC Chair Refuses Firing Notice
Other
Why? Trump is moving to oust his critics within the federal government, and Federal Election Chair Ellen Weintraub has criticized his unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud in federal elections.
Opposition: “There’s a legal way to replace FEC commissioners-this isn’t it,” Weintraub wrote.
More News Coverage:
'This Isn't It': FEC Chair Refuses Firing Attempt by Trump, Calling It Illegal (Source: Common Dreams, Left)
Democratic Federal Election Commission chair shares the termination notice she received from Trump: ‘You are hereby removed’ (Source: New York Post, Lean Right)
(Wikipedia)
Sanctuary City Funding Paused
Other
Why? “Consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, court orders, and terms, the Department of Justice shall pause the distribution of all funds until a review has been completed, terminate any agreements that are in violation of law or are the source of waste, fraud, or abuse, and initiate clawback or recoupment procedures, where appropriate,” new Attorney General Pam Bondi said when announcing the pause.
Opposition: Last month, the nonprofit U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants said pausing funds “could disrupt critical programs funded by federal dollars, including public safety initiatives, disaster relief, housing support, and healthcare services. These cuts are not just an attack on immigrants—they are an assault on the well-being of every resident in these cities,” the nonprofit said in a statement.
More News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: Bondi Sworn in as Attorney General, Halts Sanctuary City Funding
(Politico website)
Gov't Politico Subscriptions Canceled
Other
Why? “I can confirm that the more than eight million taxpayer dollars that have gone to essentially subsidizing subscriptions to Politico on the American taxpayer’s dime will no longer be happening,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Opposition: Critics took issue with misinformation and unproven theories circling about alleged ulterior motives for the subscriptions.
News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: White House Cancels Subscriptions to Politico After Spending $8.2M Since 2016
(Wikipedia)
US Considers Syria Withdrawal
Foreign Policy
Why? “Syria is in its own mess. They've got enough messes over there. They don't need us involved," Trump said on Jan. 30.
Opposition: Some say the move would significantly weaken the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Defense Forces, which are currently working to fight and detain ISIS.
More News Coverage:
DOD drafting plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria after recent Trump comments (Source: NBC News, Lean Left bias)
(UN website)
US to Stop Funding UNRWA
Foreign Policy
Why? "I've always felt that the U.N. has tremendous potential," Trump said. "It's not being well-run… A lot of these conflicts that we're working on should be settled, or at least we should have some help in settling them. But we never seem to get help. That should be the primary purpose of the U.N." Israel banned the UNRWA over accusations that some members participated in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.
Opposition: Politico (Lean Left) said, “UNRWA is the main agency providing aid for Gaza’s population amid the humanitarian disaster caused by Israel’s offensive in the area after the Oct. 7 attack. But the U.N. fired several staffers last summer after an internal investigation found they may have been involved in the attack.”
More News Coverage:
AllSides Headline Roundup: US to Withdraw from UN Human Rights Council, Stop Funding UNRWA
(Center for Reproductive Rights website)
Some Federal Webites Removed
Public Services
Why? The Trump administration has removed government websites and digital resources that stray from its positions on abortion, LGBTQ issues, Diversity , Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and more. A judge ordered the websites be restored on Feb. 11.
Opposition: The Verge (Lean Left) reported that “scientists, researchers, and health and environmental advocates” have concerns about changes the Trump administration may make to government websites in their fields.
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AllSides Headline Roundup: Government Website On Reproductive Rights Is Gone
(Wikipedia)
Some Inflation Reduction Act Funding Paused
Economic Regulation
Why? “In recent years, burdensome and ideologically motivated regulations have impeded the development of these resources, limited the generation of reliable and affordable electricity, reduced job creation, and inflicted high energy costs upon our citizens,” read the executive order.
Opposition: The move “significantly narrows the application of clean energy tax incentives” and “could also delay or even withdraw regulations, which would slow the ability of project sponsors to benefit from these provisions,” according to a writer for accounting group NOVOGRADAC.
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Trump freezes IRA funding (Source: Manufacturing Drive, not rated)
(Wikipedia)
US Leaves WHO
Foreign Policy
Why? "The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states," reads Trump's executive order. "In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO."
Opposition: "One of the strengths of our global public health system is the fact that it is a largely coordinated global public health system and this is because of organizations like the World Health Organization,” said Neil Maniar, director of Northeastern University’s master of public health program.. “When you start to pull players, major players like the United States, out of that system, it has a ripple effect and significant impacts on countries around the world, including our own,” he says.
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Jan. 27, 2025 - CDC Tells Staff to Immediately Stop All Work With World Health Organization (Source: TIME, Lean Left)
(Wikipedia)
US Exits Global Tax Deal
Foreign Policy
Why? “The OECD Global Tax Deal supported under the prior administration not only allows extraterritorial jurisdiction over American income but also limits our Nation’s ability to enact tax policies that serve the interests of American businesses and workers,” read the executive order.
Opposition: One economist said the move endangers “an initiative that could generate up to $32B in global tax revenue, particularly aiding low-income nations.”
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India asks whether global tax deal can work after US withdrawal (Source: Reuters, Center)
Gage Skidmore/ Flickr
Cuts Coming to FEMA?
Public Services
Why? During an interview with Dana Bash on CNN, Bash asked Noem if Trump can shut FEMA down and if he should. "He can and I believe that he will do that evaluation with his team," Noem said. "He'll work with Congress though to make sure it's done correctly and that we're still there to help folks who have a terrible disaster or crisis in their life." Adding that we need to "get rid of FEMA the way it exists today" because "you need to let the local officials make the decisions on how that is [resources and finances] deployed so it can be deployed much quicker and we don't need the bureaucracy that's picking and choosing winners."
Opposition: Some argue that Trump's claims about corruption within FEMA are unfounded. Former FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said in October, before Hurricane Milton hit, that disinformation about hurricanes reached a level "that I've never seen before."
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Kristi Noem Would Tell Trump to Abolish FEMA 'The Way It Exists Today' (Source: Newsweek, Center)
slgckgc/ Flickr
Treasury to Stop Making Pennies
Economic Regulation
Why? President Trump said, "For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents. This is so wasteful! I have instructed my Secretary of the US Treasury to stop producing new pennies. Let's rip the waste out of our great nations budget, even if it's a penny at a time."
Opposition: Advocates for the penny argue the change could have unintended consequences. Nickel production, which is already costly, will increase and rounding transactions to the nearest nickel may cause prices to rise, affecting low-income consumers.
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Is the US going 'penniless'? Why Trump wants to halt production of the coins (Source: Fortune, Center)