President Trump to sign executive order dramatically shrinking Department of Education: Live updates

Yahoo

20-03-2025

Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Thursday directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to dramatically downsize the Department of Education, close to shuttering the federal agency responsible for America's schooling in favor of leaving decision-making up to individual states.
The policy, which was recommended in the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 manifesto that Trump once distanced himself from, will reportedly see former wrestling boss McMahon instructed to undertake 'all necessary steps to facilitate the closure… and return education authority to the states.'
Meanwhile, Trump's administration has frozen $175 million in federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) over opposition to a transgender swimmer's participation in the institution's training program.
It has also sparked a fresh diplomatic spat with France after it was accused of denying entry to the U.S. to a French research scientist after immigration officers searched his phone at an airport and found messages critical of the president.
Trump to sign order dismantling Department of Education
Attorney General Pam Bondi announces 'severe' charges over Tesla arson attempts
Administration freezes $175m in funding to University of Pennsylvania in dispute over trans swimmer
President talks recession and redecorating with Laura Ingraham
Analysis: Putin's drone attacks make mockery of Trump peace deal for Ukraine
19:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Jerce Reyes Barrios, described by his attorneys as a professional soccer player and a youth soccer coach, fled Venezuela for the United States after he was arrested and 'tortured' by 'election shocks and suffocation' for marching in demonstrations protesting Nicolas Maduro's regime.
He doesn't have a criminal record, and a judge is scheduled to hear his asylum claims next month, according to his attorney.
But last week, Barrios was put on a plane with dozens of other Venezuelan men and sent to a prison in El Salvador.
Alex Woodward reports.
Lawyers for asylum seekers fear Trump administration deported them for their tattoos
19:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that 'all nuclear power plants belong to the people of Ukraine' after reports that his US counterpart Donald Trump said an American takeover of the country's nuclear power would offer the 'best protection' for it.
In their first conversation since Mr Trump verbally attacked Mr Zelensky in the White House and had him thrown out, the US president reportedly suggested Washington take ownership of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
But Kyiv says the discussions referred only to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian occupation.
Jane Dalton reports.
Zelensky defies Trump, warning: Hands off my nuclear power stations
19:10 , Oliver O'Connell
Jimmy Kimmel has mocked Elon Musk after the Tesla CEO complained that people protesting his electric car company must have 'some kind of mental illness.'
Musk, 53, was being interviewed on Fox News when he described protestors as 'deranged.' The comments come after an onslaught of arson attacks have hit Tesla showrooms.
The late-night host tried to explain to the billionaire what was happening, as Kevin E G Perry reports.
Elon Musk responds after Jimmy Kimmel mocks him over Tesla fires and Nazi salutes
18:50 , Oliver O'Connell
A NASA advisor is taking billionaire Elon Musk's Mars plans to task, writing Thursday that the highly ambitious endeavor won't happen 'anytime soon.'
Musk, the founder of SpaceX, has repeatedly stated that getting humans to Mars is his end goal. Speaking on Fox News this week, he predicted that a multi-planetary civilization could come as soon as the next 20 to 30 years. Previously, he had predicted that an uncrewed landing on the red planet could happen as soon as 2026, with humans there before 2030.
Not so fast, says Dr Paul Sutter...
Here's Julia Musto's report.
Scientist bluntly blasts Musk's hope to go to Mars in the coming years
18:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Billionaire Elon Musk's repeated attacks on Social Security are reportedly causing disquiet among Republicans, who fear any cuts to the welfare service by his Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, will lead to disruption and inspire an angry backlash from their constituents.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
Republicans want Elon Musk to stay away from Social Security
18:23 , Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump's administration announced on Thursday an extension of 30 days for New York to end Manhattan's congestion pricing program, originally set to expire on March 21 and which began in January.
In February, the U.S. Transportation Department rescinded federal approval of the program, which had been issued under Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on Thursday that the department would grant a one-month extension as discussions continue, but he cautioned on X: 'Know that the billions of dollars the federal government sends to New York are not a blank check. Continued non-compliance will not be taken lightly.'
Read Duffy's post in full:
.@GovKathyHochul — the federal government and @POTUS are putting New York on notice.Your refusal to end cordon pricing and your open disrespect towards the federal government is unacceptable.Just as your high tolls and no free road option are a slap in the face to hard…
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) March 20, 2025
18:10 , Oliver O'Connell
An early investor in Tesla has called for Elon Musk to leave his post as the company's CEO if he doesn't depart from his current job focusing on cutting down the federal government.
Ross Gerber told Sky News that Musk has lost his focus and that he's now too 'divisive,' pointing to Musk's leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk's slashing of federal agencies has prompted outrage and protests against Tesla, with owners being urged to sell their vehicles.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Major Tesla investor says that Elon Musk should step down as CEO
17:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Elon Musk is sending money to members of Congress - including Lauren Boebert - who have expressed support for impeaching judges blocking actions by President Donald Trump and his administration, five people told The New York Times.
Musk has handed the largest possible hard-dollar donation under the law, $6,600, to the seven Republicans and their campaigns after they backed impeachments of judges or called for 'action' to be taken against them. This comes after recent rulings against the Trump administration, such as a decision over the weekend by Judge James Boasberg in the Federal District Court in the nation's capital.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Rep. Lauren Bobert among Republicans receiving donations from Musk
17:43 , Oliver O'Connell
writes:
It's been about 90 minutes since the deadline and the Trump administration has not filed a public response to Judge James Boasberg's questions about the El Salvador deportation flights. Lawyers had a noon deadline. It's possible that they might've filed something via email directly to the judge himself to argue to keep that information under seal.
After the government pushed for a delay at the last minute yesterday, Boasberg agreed to give them a one-day deadline, 'although their grounds for such request at first blush are not persuasive,' he wrote.
The administration has been stonewalling over the past week, arguing that the answers would compromise national security. Lawyers may have invoked a so-called state secrets privilege in an attempt to avoid having to answer them at all.
Stay tuned...
17:38 , Oliver O'Connell
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday announced that the Justice Department is bringing 'severe' charges against three individuals accused of targeting Teslas with arson attacks, following the White House's vow to treat such incidents as domestic terrorism.
Josh Marcus has the latest on this developing story.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announces 'severe' charges over Tesla arson attempts
17:30 , Oliver O'Connell
An American man who was abducted by the Taliban more than two years ago while traveling through Afghanistan was released as part of a deal struck by the Trump administration, the State Department said.
George Glezmann, a 66-year-old airline mechanic from Atlanta, was on his way back to the United States on Thursday morning after being held by the Taliban since December 2022, when he was seized while traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist.
Ariana Baio reports.
American man abducted by the Taliban more than two years ago has been released
17:10 , Oliver O'Connell
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick used an appearance on Fox News to encourage viewers to buy stock in Tesla, as the company struggles amid Elon Musk's involvement in the Trump administration.
Although cabinet secretaries traditionally do not endorse individual stocks, Lutnick told viewers of Jesse Watters Primetime that Musk – a 'special government employee' of President Donald Trump – was 'the best person to bet on' and that Tesla's stock will 'never be this cheap again.'
Ariana Baio has the story.
Commerce secretary begs Fox News viewers to buy Tesla stock
16:50 , Oliver O'Connell
As protests against DOGE head Elon Musk spread across the country, a website called 'Dogequest' has reportedly published the personal details of Tesla owners, leading to concerns about privacy and safety.
The site reveals the names, addresses and phone numbers of Tesla owners on an interactive map and uses an image of a Molotov cocktail as a cursor. The operators of the site have stated that they will only remove the information of Tesla owners who prove that they have sold their cars, according to 404 Media.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Website called 'Dogequest' created to dox Tesla owners nationwide
16:37 , Oliver O'Connell
16:30 , Oliver O'Connell
A British backpacker's ordeal in US immigration detention has prompted a warning from her father for travellers to meticulously check visa requirements before embarking on their journeys.
Rebecca Burke, a 28-year-old graphic artist from Monmouthshire, endured a harrowing 19-day detention in a US facility.
Read on...
'Traumatic': British tourist sent home from US in chains after visa error
16:20 , Oliver O'Connell
In his latest affront to the nation's allies, President Donald Trump claimed the European Union has 'raped and pillaged' the U.S.
Trump spoke to Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Wednesday about the economy and the potential for a recession this year.
Trump didn't directly answer when asked if he would rule out the possibility of a recession, claiming instead that the country's problems were fueled by their allies.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Trump tells Laura Ingraham Europe has 'raped and pillaged' the US
16:10 , Oliver O'Connell
Democratic senator Elissa Slotkin faced the heat at a Michigan town hall when she was asked by a constituent how she is standing up to the Trump administration and Elon Musk in the way progressives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders are.
Slotkin responded by saying that her job is to be 'more than just an AOC' and 'more than just an activist.'
Rhian Lubin reports.
'More than just an AOC': Michigan Dem defends her lack of Musk pushback
16:01 , Oliver O'Connell
.@PressSec Karoline Leavitt: "The Department of Education will be much smaller than it is today...when it comes to student loans and Pell Grants, those will still be run out of the Department of Education...any critical functions of the department...will remain." pic.twitter.com/QKCLMtdNfa
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 20, 2025
15:54 , Oliver O'Connell
A billboard version of the fake Time magazine-style cover depicting Donald Trump as king, which he proudly posted to Truth Social, has appeared in New York's Times Square, but with the president replaced by billionaire Elon Musk.
15:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Jesse Watters has been widely ridiculed after listing his five 'rules for men,' - a list that includes no milkshakes and no soup.
The Fox News host was responding to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's claim on Gavin Newsom's podcast that MAGA focused on his masculinity 'obsessively' during the 2024 presidential election.
'I have rules for men,' Watters began on Wednesday'sThe Five.
Rhian Lubin reports on his baffling code of conduct.
Jesse Watters ridiculed after listing his five 'rules for men'
15:43 , Oliver O'Connell
...on the day the president signs an order to dismantle it.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Pell Grants, Title I funding, student loans, and special-needs funding will, for now, still be administered by the Department of Education.
White House @PressSec tells reporters that Pell Grants, Title I funding, student loans and special-needs funding will for now still be administered by the Department of Education even with Trump's executive order that seeks to dismantle the dept. pic.twitter.com/7yvziUhmgP
— Joey Garrison (@joeygarrison) March 20, 2025
15:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Fox News is now talking about people getting the death penalty for attacking Teslas pic.twitter.com/b1zjiTKDaB
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 20, 2025
15:35 , Oliver O'Connell
E.U. officials have said they would postpone their response to President Donald Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs — including 50 percent taxes on American whiskey and other products — until the middle of next month.
Their plan is to use the time to refine the list of products that will be affected while also allowing more time to come to a deal with the U.S., spokesperson Olof Gill said.
The first wave of E.U. tariffs was originally set to take effect on March 31 and include symbolically American products such as motorcycles and bourbon, with a second wave following a few weeks later on April 13, covering everything from lingerie to agricultural produce and machinery.
The postponement may give officials a chance to reconsider imposing significant tariffs on sensitive products like bourbon and runs concurrently with efforts to maintain Europe's trading relationship with the U.S. and avoid a tit-for-tat trade war that would hurt consumers and companies on both sides of the Atlantic.
'The E.U. and the U.S. enjoy the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship in the world,' Maros Sefcovic, the bloc's trade commissioner, said during a speech in Brussels on Thursday. 'It should be a priority for both sides to protect and further develop this relationship.'
15:30 , Oliver O'Connell
...and no, it's not him.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Tucker Carlson reveals the only person he thinks can replace Trump in 2028
15:10 , Oliver O'Connell
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly believed that Republicans would end their unwavering support for Donald Trump after the end of his first term, according to the authors of a new book detailing former President Joe Biden's time in the White House.
Schumer told the authors, Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater of the New York Times, that he hoped the "old Republican Party" would return following the 2020 election.
Graig Graziosi reports from Washington, D.C.
Chuck Schumer reportedly hoped Republicans would dump 'turd' Trump after 2020
14:50 , Joe Sommerlad
In an interview with NewsNation host Chris Cuomo this week, the former White House chief strategist said that MAGA operatives have begun working towards securing Donald Trump a third term in 2028.
'I'm a firm believer that President Trump will run again in 2028. I've already endorsed President Trump,' Bannon said.
'A man like this comes along once every century if we're lucky. We've got him now. He's on fire and I'm a huge supporter. I want to see him again in 2028.'
Madeline Sherratt reports.
Steve Bannon admits Maga operatives 'working' on third term for Trump
14:49 , Oliver O'Connell
George Glezmann is free. George was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for two and a half years, but now he's on his way to be reunited with his wife Aleksandra. Welcome home, George! 🇺🇸
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 20, 2025
14:42 , Oliver O'Connell
Trump's speech at the Digital Assets Conference airs at 15:40 CET.Pre-recorded, but now broadcast live. Expected topics: Bitcoin, regulation, and crypto policy.Here's the live stream—enjoy. Trump is up next. https://t.co/TZVuvX3wuw
— Leon Yawn (@leonyawnn) March 20, 2025
14:40 , Oliver O'Connell
On Thursday, Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino stated that he did not attach any significance to reports suggesting that the U.S. military is exploring options to ensure full U.S. access to the Panama Canal, as these reports originated from unnamed sources.
'If no one puts their name to such an assertion, I don't ascribe any value to it,' he told a press conference.
Two U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, told Reuters last week that the Pentagon had been directed to assess options, amid President Donald Trump's repeated assertion that he wants to 'take back' the key global shipping route in Panama.
14:35 , Oliver O'Connell
14:30 , Oliver O'Connell
An unexpected addition to President Donald Trump's calendar today.
At 10:40 a.m. Trump will appear virtually at a cryptocurrency industry conference, the White House says.
More details to follow...
14:30 , Joe Sommerlad
Here's the latest on the ceasefire talks from Ukraine's president.
14:20 , Oliver O'Connell
An American man who was abducted over two years ago while traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist has been released by the Taliban in a deal brokered by U.S. and Qatari negotiators, the State Department announced Thursday.
George Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, is the third American detainee to be freed by the Taliban since January. He was taken by the Taliban's intelligence services in December 2022 and was classified by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained the following year.
He is being escorted back to the U.S. through Qatar's capital, Doha, by Adam Boehler, who has been managing hostage issues for President Donald Trump's administration. Qatar has hosted negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban over the years.
The release of Glezmann is part of what the Taliban has previously referred to as the 'normalization' of relations between the U.S. and Afghanistan following the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Most countries still do not recognize the Taliban's rule.
With reporting from the Associated Press
14:10 , Joe Sommerlad
The president is facing a backlash from some of his most loyal supporters over his decision to launch widespread airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen and a threat to launch a wider war with Iran.
Trump ordered the U.S. military to launch 'decisive and powerful military action' against the Iran-backed group on Saturday in response to its attacks on global shipping in the Red Sea, which the Houthis claim are being carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
U.S. officials said the strikes could last for weeks, and Trump has raised the prospect of a much larger war after threatening Iran with 'dire consequences' if the Houthi attacks continue.
But some key MAGA figures have spoken out against the expanding military action, arguing it contradicts his promises to end 'endless wars' and his 'America First' campaign slogan.
Richard Hall and Justin Baragona have more.
Trump provokes a MAGA backlash as he wades into Middle East wars
13:50 , Joe Sommerlad
Research by Yale University has found that a budget plan being considered by Republican lawmakers would ultimately transfer wealth from the poorest 40 percent of Americans to the richest 1 percent.
Harris Eppsteiner and John Ricco of Yale's Budget Lab found that the proposed GOP budget whose framework was supported last month in a vote by the House would include $4.5 trillion in tax cuts that would largely benefit the wealthy, along with $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, including to benefits for the public, including the poorest.
Graig Graziosi reports.
New analysis says Trump budget plan will take from poorest 40 percent to give to rich
13:30 , Joe Sommerlad
The two leaders may say that they trust each other – but nobody else with any sense trusts either of them.
Trump is naive, delusional – and being played by Putin
13:10 , Joe Sommerlad
Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee has lashed out at his Alaska colleague Lisa Murkowski after she alleged that her GOP colleagues were afraid to challenge Donald Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
Murkowski, speaking to reporters on Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, described a culture of fear now present within federal departments.
'I get criticized for what I say, and everybody else is like, 'How come nobody else is saying anything?' Well, figure it out because they're looking at how many things are being thrown at me, and it's like, 'Maybe I should just duck and cover,'' she said.
Murkowski said that the purging of federal departments under DOGE is 'a hit to the morale of the federal workforce.'
'I don't know a single Republican senator who feels that way. Not even one,' Lee responded on X at midnight on Wednesday evening.
His comment elicited a response from Musk, who appeared to endorse his message by posting two American flag emojis beneath it.
Madeline Sherratt reports.
Musk responds after senator alleges GOP lawmakers fear Trump
12:50 , Joe Sommerlad
A group of House Democrats are pleading with the president to reconsider his 'disgraceful and discriminatory' proposed travel ban that could impact 43 countries.
The deadline for Trump's order directing cabinet members to draft a list of countries that should face travel restrictions because their 'vetting and screening information is so deficient' falls today.
A reported draft of the list showed citizens from 43 countries could soon be restricted from entering the U.S., prompting an outcry from the opposition.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Democrats plead with Trump to reconsider 'reckless' proposed travel ban
12:30 , Joe Sommerlad
The Defense Department has taken down or plans to delete thousands of websites to comply with the president's order eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work from the federal government, which means removing pages dedicated to topics like remembering the Holocaust and the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Here's Josh Marcus to explain.
Pentagon removes web pages about Holocaust remembrance to comply with Trump DEI order
12:10 , Joe Sommerlad
The tech billionaire has reportedly donated to seven Republican members of Congress, all of whom support the Trump administration's calls to impeach or ignore federal judges who have halted parts of the president's agenda.
Musk, who has claimed in recent days that such judges are leading a 'judicial coup,' reportedly gave thousands of dollars in donations each to Representatives Eli Crane of Arizona, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Andy Ogles of Tennessee, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin and Brandon Gill of Texas, and Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa.
The reported recipients are among the loudest voices in Congress pushing to impeach or to otherwise constrain the judges.
Josh Marcus has more.
Musk donates to GOP members of Congress pushing to impeach judge who oppose Trump
11:50 , Joe Sommerlad
A federal judge has expressed alarm at allegations that the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) provoked a dramatic standoff this week with the U.S. Institute of Peace, culminating in what attorneys for the agency called a hostile 'takeover' fueled by threats and harassment.
Federal prosecutors have threatened institute officials with criminal prosecution, DOGE members warned that a private security contractor would lose government contracts, and the institute's president was forcibly removed by several law enforcement agencies – events that attorneys with the Department of Justice have not disputed.
In a hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, District Judge Beryl Howell asked Justice Department attorneys whether Trump's administration could enforce his executive order seeking to shutter the agency 'without using the force of guns and threats by DOGE against American citizens.'
'I mean, this conduct of using law enforcement, threatening criminal investigations, using arms of law enforcement… probably terrorizing employees and staff at the institute, when there are so many other lawful ways to accomplish the goals… why?' she said.
'Just because DOGE is in a rush?'
The institute is not a federal agency but an independent nonprofit established by Congress under Ronald Reagan.
Its headquarters in Washington, D.C., is not government property, and its personnel are not federal employees.
The institute employs roughly 600 people in the United States and overseas with a congressional mandate to help resolve international conflicts.
Alex Woodward reports.
Judge rebukes DOGE for 'terrorizing' U.S. Institute of Peace with 'guns and threats'
11:30 , Joe Sommerlad
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and other Trump administration lawyers told the federal judge who ordered a stop to the deportations of Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador to be more 'respectful' in an angry court filing on Wednesday.
'The court has no basis to intrude into the conduct of foreign affairs of the government, and a more deliberative and respectful approach is warranted,' the filing scolds.
Judge James Boasberg's actions 'represent grave usurpations of the president's power,' it adds.
The language was the latest assault by the Trump administration on the power of the courts, which some have labelled a constitutional crisis as the president battles to become the supreme arbiter of everything in the nation.
Mary Papenfuss reports.
Cheeky DOJ motion tells federal deportation judge to be 'more respectful'
11:10 , Joe Sommerlad
The Trump administration has been accused by another judge of failing to comply with his court order – in this case to reinstate federal employees fired during Elon Musk's DOGE purges.
Six federal agencies – the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, and Treasury – were ordered by Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for Northern California to rehire all fired probationary employees.
But the Trump administration had responded by putting the fired workers on paid administrative leave.
Here's the latest from Graig Graziosi.
Trump accused of dodging another court order — to reverse federal firings
10:40 , Joe Sommerlad
The Trump administration is reportedly attempting to deport an Indian post-doctoral fellow from Georgetown University, using the same obscure section of immigration law cited in the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia grad and pro-Palestine protest leader.
The provision the government allegedly cites allows the Secretary of State to determine non-citizens are eligible for fast-track deportations if they threaten U.S. foreign policy interests.
Masked Department of Homeland Security agents arrived outside the Rosslyn, Virginia, home of Badar Khan Suri on Monday and told him his student visa had been revoked.
In a still-sealed habeas corpus petition filed on Tuesday, Suri's lawyer said the fellow appeared to be in the process of being punished for the Palestinian heritage and political views of his wife Mapheze Saleh, a U.S. citizen.
Josh Marcus has more.
Trump administration seeks to deport another foreign student as part campus crackdown
10:20 , Joe Sommerlad
The president followed up his call with the Kremlin on Tuesday by dialling up Volodymyr Zelensky, inevitably hailing their exchange as 'fantastic' afterwards as he confirmed a partial ceasefire on energy targets.
Trump claimed the step is a crucial move along the road to securing a 'real end to the war' but Vladimir Putin's mass drone strikes hours immediately after agreeing to down tools makes a mockery of the whole process, says our international editor Chris Stevenson.
Putin's drone attacks make mockery of Trump peace deal for Ukraine
10:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Ingraham asked the president why he was putting a $5m price tag on American citizenship for wealthy foreigners, which yielded this answer:
Ingraham: Why should our citizenship be purchased for any amount of money, especially given the fact that you are America first? Trump: That's why.. because I'm America first. pic.twitter.com/PQV0ReTk8e
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025
The same question was put to Howard Lutnick by Jesse Watters on the same network a little more bluntly.
Watters: You wanted to talk about these gold cards. Lutnick: The Trump card… Watters: Everybody's saying it's a recipe for corruption. How do you prevent that?Lutnick: pic.twitter.com/yNk9oD3RBS
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 20, 2025
Lutnick later pivoted to promoting Tesla's for Elon Musk, which might be considered somewhat unethical, I would venture to suggest.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick tells Fox viewers to buy Tesla stock pic.twitter.com/t0syL32sa3
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 20, 2025
09:40 , Joe Sommerlad
The second instalment of the Fox anchor's White House interview with the president aired last night, with Trump again refusing to rule out an economic downturn while promising sunshine after the storm for (checks notes, squints, lowers glasses) this 'fat dumb foolish country.'
Ingraham: Will we see a recession in 2025? Are you ruling it out?Trump: We're going to have the strongest economic country in the history of the world of the planet pic.twitter.com/ZdZOReoyjf
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025
Trump: We've been the fat dumb foolish country… pic.twitter.com/u0H94XidmA
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025
He was clearly more interested in showing off his latest makeover of the Oval Office, however.
Ingraham: Are you paving over the grass here?Trump: Every event you ever have, it's soaking wet. It's soaking wet. And people can't -- and the women with the high heels. pic.twitter.com/Rf5ohxulab
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025
Ingraham: Where is the coke button?Trump: It's right here. Everyone thinks that the nuclear pic.twitter.com/7XCHX2Mny0
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025
Trump: Here is the Declaration of Independence. They asked that this be done. It's never been up -- it's been in the vaults for many, many decades. pic.twitter.com/ciq8HDPhO3
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025
Trump: A little secret… people have tried to come up with gold paint that would look like gold. You've never been able to match gold with gold paint. That's why it's gold pic.twitter.com/xvno8TnSw7
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025
Here's more on old Goldmember's interior decoration mania.
Trump has completely transformed the Oval Office – with gold 'everywhere'
09:20 , Joe Sommerlad
The president has long touted the closure of the federal agency responsible for America's schooling in favor of leaving it up to the states and today looks finally like being the day.
The policy, which was also discussed in the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 manifesto that Trump claimed to have nothing to do with, is expected to be realised with the flourish of a fat Sharpie at a White House event this afternoon, with Education Secretary Linda McMahon, the former wrestling boss, looking on.
'The dream is we're going to move the Department of Education, we're going to move education into the states, so that the states, instead of bureaucrats working in Washington, so that the states can run education,' the president said last week.
'We think when you move it back to Iowa and Indiana and all of the states that run so well… 30, maybe almost 40, those will be as good as Denmark, those will be as good as Norway.'
According to USA Today, which first reported the development, McMahon will be instructed to undertake 'all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States.'
08:49 , Joe Sommerlad
The administration has sparked a fresh diplomatic spat with France after it was accused of denying entry to the U.S. to a French research scientist after immigration officers searched his phone at an airport and found messages critical of the president.
The individual in question had been en route to an academic conference in Houston, Texas, at the time, according to Philippe Baptiste, France's minister of higher education and research, who made the allegation in a statement published by Le Monde.
'I learned with concern that a French researcher, who was traveling to a conference near Houston was denied entry to the United States before being expelled', Baptiste said.
'This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because the researcher's phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration's research policy.
'Freedom of opinion, free research, and academic freedom are values ​​that we will continue to proudly uphold. I will defend the right of all French researchers to be faithful to them, while respecting the law.'
The AFP has reported that the incident took place on March 9 and the scientist concerned was accused of writing 'hateful and conspiratorial messages' relating to Trump.
Baptiste himself has been critical of the administration and has personally invited American scientists to relocate to France if they feel their work could be placed in jeopardy in the U.S.
He recently warned on French television that Elon Musk and his DOGE officials had 'chainsawed' health, climate, energy and AI research since Trump returned to the White, an extract of which you can see below.
Santé, climat, énergie, IA... : la recherche est passée à la tronçonneuse aux États-Unis!C'est grave pour la recherche américaine mais c'est aussi grave pour la recherche à l'échelle mondiale, dont les États-Unis étaient jusqu'ici un véritable pivot.@franceinfo pic.twitter.com/shPW1L0YJ5
— Philippe Baptiste (@PhBaptiste) March 12, 2025
Rachel Clun has more.
French scientist denied entry to US after 'hateful' Trump texts found on phone
08:40 , Joe Sommerlad
The Trump administration has frozen $175 million in federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) over a transgender swimmer's participation in its training program, the White House said on Wednesday.
Ivy League UPenn is currently under investigation by the Department of Education after the president signed an executive order aimed at banning transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports.
A similar threat has also been made against the state of Maine.
'UPenn infamously permitted a male to compete on its women's swimming team, overturning multiple records hard-earned by women, and granting the fully intact male access to the locker room,' an unnamed Trump official said in a statement yesterday, apparently referring to a trans woman who won the highest U.S. national college swimming title in 2022 while competing for the Philadelphia-based university.
But UPenn itself said it was 'aware of media reports suggesting' that the funds have been suspended but that, as yet, it has 'not yet received any official notification or any details' from Washington.
08:30 , Oliver O'Connell
The Independent's reports from Odesa, Ukraine:
Seizing the opportunity to drive a wedge between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Ukraine's president has moved swiftly to usher the American president back towards his corner.
By respecting, vocally, Trump's efforts to get a ceasefire with Russia, Ukraine has exposed Putin's deep reluctance to agree to any lowering of hostilities until he can be sure of permanently mangling Ukraine's sovereignty.
According to a briefing on a call between Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump, the US president has calmed down, stopped calling him a 'dictator,' and come up with an agreement to supply some badly needed air defences for Ukraine.
Continue reading...
Analysis: Now Zelensky has his chance to beckon Trump back into Ukraine's corner
08:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she did not fear Elon Musk spending money against her as she criticized the indiscriminate firing led by his Department of Government Efficiency.
Murkowski delivered her annual joint address to Alaska's legislature on Tuesday and during her address, she criticized the indiscriminate firing of federal workers by DOGE.
Eric Garcia reports.
Key swing Republican hits out at Trump and Musk in scathing speech
07:30 , Oliver O'Connell
A couple of hours after journalist Jacqui Heinrich pointed out that one of Donald Trump's favorite Fox News legal experts believed the law wasn't entirely on his side regarding deportation flights, the president railed against the Fox News White House correspondent on social media.
Justin Baragona has the story.
Trump whines about 'absolutely terrible' Fox reporter, says she should work for CNN
07:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Russia launched a mass drone attack on Ukraine's energy grid mere hours after Vladimir Putin agreed with Donald Trump to halt such strikes – although the US president has claimed efforts to get a ceasefire are "very much on track".
Chris Stevenson, The Independent's international editor, reports.
Putin's drone attacks make mockery of Trump peace deal for Ukraine
06:30 , Oliver O'Connell
writes:
The aftereffects of Senate Democrats' decision to help Republicans pass legislation to avert a government shutdown without securing any concessions are still being felt. Having won nothing — including assurances that congressionally approved legislation would not be touched by DOGE cuts — voters are furious with the Senate minority leader.
His allies are doing absolutely nothing to throw him a lifeline.
Read on...
Chuck Schumer tries to put out a five-alarm fire after Democrats 'caved' on shutdown
05:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Amy Gleason, the government worker the Trump administration has said is actually in charge of Elon Musk's signature Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program, has a second role at a separate agency, according to court documents.
Since February, Gleason has been detailed to the Department of Health and Human Services, and on March 4 she signed a document formally accepting a role as 'expert / consultant' at the agency, which oversees marquee government efforts like Medicare and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Josh Marcus reports.
Amy Gleason - who Trump claims is running DOGE - has been working at another agency
04:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Right-wing commentator Tudor Dixon has said she is considering running for office in Michigan in 2026 but has yet to decide whether to opt for the battleground state's open Senate seat or governor's office.
Dixon, 47, was previously the Republican nominee for governor of the Great Lakes State in 2022 but lost to Democratic incumbent Gretchen Whitmer.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
Conservative commentator eyeing run for Senate or governor in Michigan
03:30 , Oliver O'Connell
The White House on Wednesday said America's intelligence community would continue to share information with the Ukrainian government to bolster Kyiv's defensive efforts and provide Ukraine with more Patriot missile defense systems from European stocks.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a daily press briefing that Trump had 'fully briefed' Zelensky on his 90-minute conversation with Russian president Vladimir Putin and relayed the 'key issues' discussed during the Tuesday morning conversation, the second call between the two leaders since Trump returned to the presidency in January.
Andrew Feinberg reports from the White House.
White House will continue intelligence sharing with Ukraine after call
02:30 , Oliver O'Connell
On Monday, a Minnesota State Senator made headlines as he introduced a bill to label 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' as a mental illness.
Hours later, he was arrested.
Katie Hawkinson has the story.
Lawmaker who introduced 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' bill accused of soliciting minor
02:00 , Oliver O'Connell
The image of Donald Trump as an anti-war president is crumbling in real time.
Whether winning votes or merely demotivating support for his opponent, Kamala Harris, Trump fed on American frustrations in both parties to — once again — win election victory with a promise of ending or withdrawing American support for bloody and costly conflicts around the world.
John Bowden looks at how that is panning out.
Collapse of Gaza ceasefire and threats against Iran strip Trump's 'anti-war' image
01:30 , Oliver O'Connell
White House: Russia and Ukraine 'never been closer to peace' after Zelensky call
00:42 , Graig Graziosi
Donald Trump's administration is reportedly mulling cuts to a public health program that accounts for nearly all federal spending on HIV prevention efforts, reaching thousands of people a year.
With no other programs to replace them, cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV Prevention Division could jeopardize progress in addressing the nation's HIV epidemic and potentially cost lives, according to public health experts and LGBT+ advocacy groups.
More than $1 billion was appropriated for HIV prevention efforts this year, and the agency spent roughly $1.3 billion on the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections within the previous fiscal year. About three-quarters of that spending supports state and local health departments and nonprofit groups working to prevent HIV in their communities.Trump administration weighs deep cuts to CDC's HIV prevention program
00:33 , Graig Graziosi
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reportedly agreed to a tentative, limited ceasefire following a discussion with President Donald Trump, according to the Associated Press. There have been no final decisions made by either leader as to specific dates or details.
The limited deal comes on the heels of Putin refusing Trump's efforts to secure a 30-day ceasefire.
Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that further talks will take place in Saudi Arabia this weekend to determine what targets will be protected under the potential ceasefire.
The White House described the ceasefire as protecting "energy and infrastructure," which different from information released by the Kremlin saying that "energy infrastructure" would be the subject of the ceasefire. The Kremlin's version is significantly more narrow than the White House's, and will no doubt be a subject of discussion at the upcoming talks.
00:30 , Oliver O'Connell
For over half a century, one thing was a constant in the Oval Office: the Swedish ivy plant above the fireplace - until now, that is.
As the second Trump administration moved in, the plant was replaced by a range of golden objects.
Gustaf Kilander looks at its possible origins.
Trump has removed one thing from the Oval Office that has been there for 50 years
00:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Minnesota Governor and former Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz referred to the world's richest man and DOGE head Elon Musk as 'dip****' during an event in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Tuesday night as he rallied his party ahead of a State Supreme Court race.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Tim Walz calls Elon Musk a 'South African nepo baby'
Wednesday 19 March 2025 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell
The Trump administration has threatened the New York City transportation agency with removing federal funding if the agency withholds its data on crime in the city's subway at the end of the month.
President Donald Trump also wants the city to end its congestion pricing policies, which would mean that New York would require additional federal funds to make up the shortfall, WABC noted. Funds from the controversial congestion prices are designated to go to improvements for the city's vast subway, bus and ferry system.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Trump to pull funding for New York subway system if MTA withholds crime stats
Wednesday 19 March 2025 23:20 , Oliver O'Connell
A federal judge was alarmed by allegations that the so-called Department of Government Efficiency provoked a dramatic standoff this week with the U.S. Institute of Peace, culminating in what attorneys for the agency called a hostile 'takeover' fueled by threats and harassment.
Federal prosecutors have threatened institute officials with criminal prosecution, DOGE members warned that a private security contractor would lose government contracts, and the institute's president was forcibly removed by several law enforcement agencies – events that attorneys with the Department of Justice have not disputed.
Alex Woodward reports on the proceedings.
Judge rebukes DOGE for 'terrorizing' U.S. Institute of Peace with 'guns and threats'
Wednesday 19 March 2025 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Right-wing commentator Tudor Dixon has said she is considering running for office in Michigan in 2026 but has yet to decide whether to opt for the battleground state's open Senate seat or governor's office.
Dixon, 47, was previously the Republican nominee for governor of the Great Lakes State in 2022 but lost to Democratic incumbent Gretchen Whitmer.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
Right-wing commentator eyeing run for Senate or governor in Michigan
Wednesday 19 March 2025 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Columbia University faces a Thursday deadline to respond to a sweeping set of demands from the Trump administration, which has made an unprecedented threat to permanently pull $400 million in federal funding unless the Ivy League university makes changes to address how it responds to antisemitism on campus.
Last week, the administration said that as a 'precondition' of maintaining financial ties to the federal government, the university would need to ban face masks, up police powers on campus, change its disciplinary process, put its department of Department of Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies under receivership, and adopt a definition of antisemitism that critics say bars criticizing Israel, among other changes.
The threats from the White House have prompted a wide range of opinions from observers.
Josh Marcus reports.
Columbia has a day to decide: Agree to Trump demands or lose $400 million
Wednesday 19 March 2025 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Thirty-one U.S. states are failing to provide basic sexual health and reproductive services, a damning new report has revealed.
Activist group rePROs Fight Back's annual report found that reproductive healthcare in the U.S. continues to be in a perilous state in the aftermath of the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022 during President Donald Trump's first term in the White House.
The failing states were ranked with a 'D' or 'F' grade depending on whether they provided access to a number of vital sexual and reproductive health services and rights.
Madeline Sherratt reports.
31 states failing to provide vital reproductive services: report shows
Wednesday 19 March 2025 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell
writes:
The aftereffects of Senate Democrats' decision to help Republicans pass legislation to avert a government shutdown without securing any concessions are still being felt. Having won nothing — including assurances that congressionally approved legislation would not be touched by DOGE cuts — voters are furious with the Senate minority leader.
His allies are doing absolutely nothing to throw him a lifeline.
Read on...
Chuck Schumer tries to put out a five-alarm fire after Democrats 'caved' on shutdown
Wednesday 19 March 2025 22:05 , Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump's administration released thousands of classified documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, but researchers say the trove excluded two-thirds of the promised files.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Trump's JFK file release left out two-thirds of promised docs, expert says
Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:55 , Oliver O'Connell
Months after the valuation of X (formerly Twitter) was estimated to have fallen by 80 percent, investors are now pegging the social media platform's value at $44 billion, the same amount Elon Musk purchased the site for in 2022.
According to The Financial Times, investors are now exchanging stakes in the company at increased value in a secondary deal as the world's richest man looks to raise additional capital to pay off some of the debt he financed to buy X.
Justin Baragona has the details.
X now valued at $44B, the exact sum Elon Musk paid for the social media site in 2022
Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell
A couple of hours after journalist Jacqui Heinrich pointed out that one of Donald Trump's favorite Fox News legal experts believed the law wasn't entirely on his side regarding deportation flights, the president railed against the Fox News White House correspondent on social media.
Justin Baragona has the story.
Trump whines about 'absolutely terrible' Fox reporter, says she should work for CNN
Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:35 , Oliver O'Connell
The Pentagon is reviewing plans to reduce the number of troops managing migrants at the naval base in Guantanamo Bay, according to officials.
The cuts are being considered because there are currently no detainees there now and the program has faced setbacks during legal challenges, U.S. officials told The Associated Press.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decisions are not yet finalized.
These officials say the military's Southern Command was tasked with providing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth a plan outlining how many troops are truly necessary and what additional space may be needed if more detainees are sent there.
That plan, according to officials, is expected to recommend sending some of the troops home — and one official mentioned that the decision could reduce the current troop count of 900 by half.
With reporting by the Associated Press
Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump is facing a backlash from some of his most loyal MAGA supporters over his decision to launch widespread airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen and a threat to launch a wider war with Iran.
Trump ordered the U.S. military to launch 'decisive and powerful Military action' against the Iran-backed group on Saturday in response to its attacks on global shipping in the Red Sea, which the Houthis claim are being carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
U.S. officials said the strikes could last for weeks, and Trump has raised the prospect of a much larger war after threatening Iran with 'dire consequences' if the Houthi attacks continue.
Richard Hall and Justin Baragona report.
Trump provokes a MAGA backlash as he wades into Middle East wars
Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell
The Independent's writes from Odesa, Ukraine:
Seizing the opportunity to drive a wedge between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Ukraine's president has moved swiftly to usher the American president back towards his corner.
By respecting, vocally, Trump's efforts to get a ceasefire with Russia, Ukraine has exposed Putin's deep reluctance to agree to any lowering of hostilities until he can be sure of permanently mangling Ukraine's sovereignty.
According to a briefing on a call between Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump, the US president has calmed down, stopped calling him a 'dictator,' and come up with an agreement to supply some badly needed air defences for Ukraine.
Continue reading...
Analysis: Now Zelensky has his chance to beckon Trump back into Ukraine's corner
Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell
A group of House Democrats are pleading with President Donald Trump to reconsider his 'disgraceful and discriminatory' proposed travel ban that could impact 43 countries, according to a draft that circulated over the weekend.
The deadline for Trump's order directing cabinet members to draft a list of countries that should face travel restrictions because their "vetting and screening information is so deficient" is Thursday. A reported draft of the list showed citizens from 43 countries could soon be restricted from entering the U.S.A.
A White House official previously told The Independent no decision had been made.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Democrats plead with Trump to reconsider 'reckless' proposed travel ban
Wednesday 19 March 2025 20:55 , Oliver O'Connell
Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner announced on Wednesday that he will resign immediately after more than four years leading the U.S. passenger railroad, citing concerns over maintaining the carrier's support from President Donald Trump's administration.
"I am stepping down as CEO to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration," Gardner said in a statement.
A White House official informed Reuters that Gardner had been asked to step down. An Amtrak spokesperson declined to comment on whether he had been asked to leave.
Billionaire Elon Musk, who is advising Trump on plans to significantly reduce the size of the U.S. government, said earlier this month that he believes both Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service should be privatized.
Amtrak said in December ridership topped 2019 pre-COVID-19 levels for the first time in 2024 and reached a record high even with less capacity.
Ridership increased over 15% in 2023 to a record 32.8 million customer trips, as passenger revenue hit $2.5 billion, up 9% over the prior year. The rail operator reported an adjusted operating loss of $705 million for the 12 months ended September 30, down 9% versus 2023.
With reporting from Reuters
Wednesday 19 March 2025 20:51 , Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump lambasted Fox News' White House correspondent in an apparently unprompted attack on Truth Social on Wednesday afternoon.
I watched Jacqui Heinrich from Fox over the weekend and I thought she was absolutely terrible. She should be working for CNN, not Fox. Not surprisingly, I later found out that she's a fan of the White House Correspondents Association!
Heinrich is more than a 'fan' of the WHCA, she's a board member.
Wednesday 19 March 2025 20:44 , Oliver O'Connell
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she did not fear Elon Musk spending money against her as she criticized the indiscriminate firing led by his Department of Government Efficiency.
Murkowski delivered her annual joint address to Alaska's legislature on Tuesday and during her address, she criticized the indiscriminate firing of federal workers by DOGE.
Eric Garcia reports from Washington, D.C.
Key swing Republican hits out at Trump and Musk in scathing speech
Wednesday 19 March 2025 20:34 , Oliver O'Connell
A judge has ordered the Trump administration to return two transgender inmates to women's prisons.
The two transgender women had been relocated to men's facilities following President Donald Trump's executive order dismantling protections for transgender individuals.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth in Washington, D.C., issued a preliminary injunction after the women were added as plaintiffs in ongoing litigation regarding the effects of Trump's executive order on transgender women in federal prisons, the Associated Press reports.
Lamberth ordered the federal Bureau of Prisons to 'immediately transfer' the women back to women's facilities and stated that the agency must continue to provide them with hormone therapy for gender dysphoria.
The women asserted in court documents that they were living in constant fear of sexual assault and other violence after their transfer to male prisons.
The Bureau of Prisons declined to comment.
The preliminary injunction is the latest in a series of rulings against the agency's attempts to comply with the executive order, which mandates housing transgender women in men's prisons and stopping gender-affirming medical care.