Latest news with #ExtinctionRebellionNYC
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First Post
11 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
Doge oversight of US grants website ends, unlocking over $500 bn; federal agencies regain control
The Doge, which was controlled by Elon Musk until his departure from Washington DC in May, has reportedly lost access to a government process for awarding federal funds worth billions of dollars read more A man sprays paint graffiti against Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) on a Tesla showroom in New York, US, April 22, 2025, in this still image taken from video. Extinction Rebellion NYC via Reuters In yet another sign of declining influence of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) in the US administration, it reportedly lost access to a government process for awarding federal funds worth billions of dollars to the public through the website. The Washington Post reported, citing an email and two senior officials, that federal officials were asked Thursday (June 26) to stop routing grant-making requests through Doge. Notably, in April, Doge staffers edited the process, requiring federal agencies to route their Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) through a Doge-controlled mailbox. This gave Doge the power to approve and reject these opportunities, through which members of the public and welfare organisations could have obtained government grants. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Dear Agency Partners, We are pleased to inform agencies that they may resume standard [Notice of Funding Opportunity] procedures on effective immediately,' read an e-mail sent to federal agencies Thursday. 'Please coordinate with your agency's leadership to ensure that all required reviews and approvals by political appointees are completed before posting your funding opportunity,' it added. White House responds While the move shows waning Doge's influence in the Donald Trump administration following the exit of Elon Musk in May, the White House insists the department still had a critical role to play. DOGE will continue to 'facilitate the review of grants, working alongside agency secretaries to determine which grants should continue, which should be terminated, and which require further scrutiny,' said a statement sent by the White House. 'Robust controls remain in place, with DOGE personnel embedded at each agency, assisting secretaries' offices in reviewing grants daily,' the statement read. 'Agency secretaries and senior advisors will continue to implement and leverage the controls initially established by DOGE to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, retaining full agency discretion to determine the appropriate flow of funds at the project level.' Musk's ugly divorce Last month, Elon Musk exited the government amid a public feud with Trump, aired across social media, prompting Cabinet officials and senior staff to wrest control from Musk's cost-cutting team. The future of Doge remains unclear: some of Musk's key aides have left, while others have transitioned to permanent government roles. During Doge's oversight of the Trump administration failed to post over two dozen planned funding opportunities, risking the distribution of congressionally appropriated federal funds. This delay coincides with the administration's plans to challenge a 1974 budget law by withholding mandated funds, as reported by The Post. At least 30 funding opportunities remain stalled in Doge's controlled mailbox, the sources cited by the Post said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
First Post
25-04-2025
- Business
- First Post
Elon Musk is stepping back from Doge. Can Trump's government efficiency drive survive without him?
Since its creation via executive order on January 20, Doge has eliminated over 216,000 federal jobs, dismantled the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and USAID and faced multiple lawsuits over transparency and legal overreach. As Elon Musk prepares to scale back his role, more than 100 Doge staffers remain embedded across agencies with operations set to continue until July 4, 2026. But can the department function without Musk? read more A man sprays paint graffiti against Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) on a Tesla showroom in New York, US, April 22, 2025, in this still image taken from video. Extinction Rebellion NYC via Reuters As Elon Musk prepares to scale back from his high-profile leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), questions loom over the future of one of the most disruptive federal initiatives in modern United States history. Doge is one of the most sweeping and controversial initiatives launched by the Trump administration in its current term. While the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has served as the unofficial public face of Doge, his anticipated departure raises important questions about the department's ongoing operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite growing political pressure and legal scrutiny, Doge's machinery remains active within the federal government — continuing to cut costs, streamline departments, challenge regulations and restructure agencies. How Doge functions US President Donald Trump created Doge through an executive order issued on Inauguration Day in January 2025. The initiative was framed as a comprehensive effort to root out inefficiencies, eliminate waste, and reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy. The order set July 4, 2026 — the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence — as Doge's expiration date. According to Musk, the long-term objective was for Doge to become obsolete: 'The final step of Doge is to delete itself,' he said in a post on social media in December. Doge's operational blueprint embeds a dedicated team — comprising a team leader, an engineer, a human-resources specialist and a lawyer — within each federal agency. Over 100 such staffers are currently spread throughout various departments, including State, Interior, Defence and Health and Human Services. In just three months, Doge has triggered dramatic structural shifts across the government. According to a report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, over 216,000 federal jobs have been eliminated as a result of Doge-led reviews. Many of these cuts have occurred in agencies long criticised by conservatives for inefficiency or mission overlap. For example, Doge has played a central role in dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) — actions that have provoked legal action and sharp criticism from opposition leaders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One of Doge's targets has been the Office of Personnel Management, which it has largely brought under its control. This agency is responsible for managing the federal workforce and has become central to Doge's goal of reshaping government employment. Simultaneously, the IRS has also faced potential workforce reductions, with projections indicating it may lose nearly a quarter of its employees. How Musk's role & SGE status has been controversial While Elon Musk has not held a Senate-confirmed position within Doge, his presence has defined the public identity of the initiative. He has referred to Doge as a priority and committed substantial time to its launch and development. However, speaking on Tesla's quarterly earnings call, Musk stated, 'Starting probably next month, May, my time allocation to Doge will drop significantly.' He added that he would still remain available to assist, 'as long as the president would like me to.' His status as a Special Government Employee (SGE) has sparked legal and ethical debates. By definition, SGEs are limited to 130 days of service within a 365-day period. In an April 9 letter to Trump, House Democrats cited this rule and expressed concerns over Musk's continued involvement. They also pointed to potential conflicts of interest, given Musk's leadership roles in Tesla and SpaceX — companies that have dealings with several of the federal agencies Doge is tasked with restructuring. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A report released by progressive watchdog group Public Citizen accused the administration of misusing SGE rules. Jon Golinger, who authored the report, stated: 'Right now, the public has no way to know whether SGEs like Musk who don't file public financial disclosure reports or are permitted to oversee themselves are putting the people's interests ahead of their own.' Despite this criticism, White House officials have not confirmed a definitive end date for Musk's involvement, suggesting that the duration of his service is being calculated based on actual days and hours worked — a point still under review. What the other employees in Doge look like Although Musk has been the driving force behind Doge, the initiative's continuity does not hinge entirely on his presence. The department's embedded personnel, primarily consisting of engineers, attorneys and management consultants are expected to continue their work even after his withdrawal. Amy Gleason, a former US Digital Service official, has served as Doge's acting administrator. However, her involvement in day-to-day operations appears limited, reported The Wall Street Journal. In contrast, Steve Davis, a longtime Musk collaborator from his time at SpaceX and The Boring Company, has taken a leading role in Doge's operational efforts. Billionaire Elon Musk has reportedly asked his confidant Steve Davis (in picture) to recruit staff for Doge. File Image/AFP There is speculation that Davis may follow Musk back into the private sector, though no official statement has confirmed this. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Other Doge-associated figures have taken influential positions throughout the federal government. Jeremy Lewin, who was instrumental in closing down parts of USAID, now holds a senior role at the State Department. Tyler Hassen, an oil executive who previously worked with Doge, is now positioned at the US Department of the Interior, reported The Wall Street Journal. Doge continues to coordinate closely with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), led by Russell Vought. A staunch advocate of limited government and co-author of the Project 2025 blueprint, Vought's expertise in budgetary policy has played a critical role in shaping Doge's regulatory and fiscal strategy. Paul Winfree, a former White House Domestic Policy Council deputy director, told The Wall Street Journal, 'Pairing that depth of expertise with OMB's policy leverage and Doge's technological tool kit could amplify the effectiveness of both OMB and Doge.' How Doge's strategy is evolving Doge's strategy is evolving. Following an executive order issued in February, its priorities are shifting from reducing headcounts to dismantling federal regulations. Agencies are now required to identify rules that are either unconstitutional or that impose excessive costs on the private sector without commensurate public benefits. Enforcement of such rules is to be deprioritised unless firmly grounded in statutory interpretation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This pivot indicates that even as Musk steps aside, the broader mission of reshaping the regulatory framework of the federal government will continue under Doge's oversight. What legal challenges Doge faces The department's aggressive approach has drawn legal action from watchdog organisations and federal employee unions. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a lawsuit in February, arguing that Doge was violating the Freedom of Information Act by withholding internal communications and documents. US District Judge Christopher Cooper recently granted CREW a partial victory, ruling that Doge operates as a typical government agency and must comply with federal disclosure laws. Cooper ordered the agency to release key documents, including emails between Doge and OMB. Additionally, he directed Amy Gleason and Steve Davis to provide depositions within 24 days of the ruling. The case is expected to set important legal precedent regarding transparency obligations for quasi-governmental task forces like Doge. Further legal friction surrounds Doge's access to sensitive taxpayer information. In a case brought by the Center for Taxpayer Rights, the IRS is accused of unlawfully sharing confidential data with Doge personnel. The outcome of the case could place significant restrictions on Doge's ability to interface with federal databases. Meanwhile, in National Treasury Employees Union v. Vought, a temporary injunction has halted Doge's attempted dissolution of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This represents one of several legal hurdles the administration faces in its attempts to restructure or shut down federal entities. What Doge has planned next Another major Doge project currently in development involves a new immigration pathway for high-net-worth individuals. Replacing the traditional EB-5 visa programme, the proposed 'gold card' would offer residency and eventual citizenship to wealthy foreigners willing to invest $5 million in the United States. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated in February: 'They'll have to go through vetting, of course, to make sure they're wonderful world-class global citizens… The president can give them a green card, and they can invest in America, and we can use that money to reduce our deficit.' Doge staffers Marko Elez and Edward Coristine are spearheading the implementation, with Musk reportedly leading the development of the digital infrastructure for the programme. The visa initiative is expected to launch soon and may become a defining element of Doge's legacy. Although Elon Musk is preparing to reduce his time commitment, Doge remains deeply entrenched in the federal government. Its teams are embedded, its directives are backed by executive authority, and its mission is closely tied to the Trump administration's long-term vision for a smaller, deregulated government. While Doge continues to operate under intense scrutiny — with ongoing legal proceedings, public criticism, and ethical questions — the systems and structures put in place are designed to outlast Musk's tenure. His departure may change the optics, but not the momentum. For now, Doge marches toward its July 4, 2026 sunset clause. With inputs from agencies
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protester defaces Trump Tower presidential plaque
Credit: X/@Dean_Moses A protester has defaced Donald Trump's presidential plaque inside Trump Tower. Footage shared on social media showed a man in a black T-shirt spray painting 'USA' in bright green over a gold plaque marking Mr Trump's first term. Other clips showed the man then sitting cross-legged in front of the '45th president of the United States' sign, before unfurling a flag with the logo for Extinction Rebellion sprayed on it in red. Footage showed him later being escorted from the building. A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said the force was not aware of any disruption at Trump Tower. Extinction Rebellion NYC was contacted for comment. This is a breaking news story, please check back for updates. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
New York Post
22-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Woke Minnesota DA lets Tesla thug walk, signaling it's open season on Team Trump
The Soros domestic-terror protection racket is spinning up again — this time, to block anti-Tesla thugs from consequences as they pursue their insane vendetta against law-abiding citizens who own cars made by Elon Musk. Woke weirdo Dylan Bryan Adams (who works for the state government headed by fellow woke weirdo Gov. Tim Walz) allegedly keyed and defaced numerous Teslas while out walking his dog. It's part of a troubling movement where lefties who oppose Musk's role in the Trump administration attack vehicles made by the company he owns and showrooms that sell them. Advertisement Just Tuesday, for example, nutcases from the radical activist group Extinction Rebellion NYC sprayed a Tesla shop in Manhattan with clever slogans like, 'F**k Elon.' In Minnesota, Adams was caught red-handed, on camera, committing outright felonies, cops say — with property damages of mounting to $20,000. Open and shut case, right? Advertisement No such luck: In swooped Hennepin County District Attorney Mary Moriarty, who refused to charge Adams criminally, and instead called for a toothless 'diversionary' program. What kind of lesson will the anti-Tesla thugs take from that? Moriarty (who aptly shares a name with the infamous Sherlock Holmes villain) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Soros, Inc. racket. Entities with funding ties or other connections to the crime-promoting financier spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to see her elected. Advertisement Soros World, recall, is also a major opponent of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk — which means Moriarty is signaling that it's open season on law-abiding Minnesotans for the sin of owning cars Musk makes. Then again, she's been undermining law and order literally since the day she came on the job. She's offered sweetheart deals to violent thugs: Like probation for a killer who murdered a man whose car he was trying to steal. And a wrist slap for two monstrous young killers who acted as hitmen in the slaying of Zaria McKeever on the orders of her jealous ex. Advertisement That last move was so obscene it prompted Walz, no slouch in the crime-coddling department, to boot Pro-Murder Mary from the case. Oh, she also tossed the case of a 35-year-old man charged with raping a 14-year-old girl and gave another sweetheart probation offer to a dealer who knowingly sold a client a fatal fentanyl hotshot. Now she's giving the high-five sign to domestic terrorism against Trump's team. It's like shouting from the rooftops the same sick message she's been sending since Day 1. Killers, rapists, drug dealers and violent freaks can do as they please, with little to no consequences. Have at it, folks. If Minnesotans keep her in that job, they'll have only themselves to blame.
