Federal layoffs start with huge number of probationary workers

Washington — The Trump administration on Thursday intensified its sweeping efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce, the nation’s largest employer, by ordering agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees who hadn’t yet gained civil service protection – potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of workers. In addition, workers at some agencies were

Senator demands answers on possible federal $400M Tesla Cybertruck deal

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the ranking member on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio Thursday night demanding answers and documents relating to the State Department’s possible purchase of $400 million worth of armored Tesla Cybertrucks from the company run by Elon Musk. “Mr. Musk’s dual roles pose

Rubio flight to Munich forced to return to U.S. due to mechanical issue

Marco Rubio’s plane forced to return to DC after mechanical issues Marco Rubio’s plane forced to return to DC after mechanical issues 00:28 A plane carrying Secretary of State Marcio Rubio bound for Munich, Germany, was forced to return to Maryland late Thursday night due to a “mechanical issue,” officials said. State Department spokesperson Tammy

Judge orders temporary restoration of funding for foreign assistance programs

Washington — A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to reinstate funding for foreign aid contracts and other awards while litigation moves forward, delivering yet another setback for the president as he seeks to make sweeping changes to the federal government.   U.S. District Judge Amir Ali partially granted a request for a temporary

House and Senate committees move forward on dueling budget plans

Washington — House and Senate Republicans are racing to keep pace on competing budget proposals to enact President Trump’s top priorities, with committees in both chambers voting to advance their respective plans this week. The House Budget Committee marked up its resolution on Thursday, one day after the Senate Budget Committee did the same. The

Minn. AG among those challenging Musk, DOGE’s authority in latest lawsuit

Elon Musk defends major federal cuts Elon Musk defends federal cuts, insists he has no conflict of interest 02:58 MINNEAPOLIS — A lawsuit filed on Thursday by attorneys general from 14 states challenges the authority of billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency to access sensitive government data and exercise “virtually unchecked power.”