Hamas released the bodies of four hostages -- believed to include the Bibas family -- on Thursday as the first phase of its ceasefire agreement with Israel continues.
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Today's Political News Compilation - Wednesday, February. 19, 2025
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Trump warns Zelenskyy to quickly negotiate war’s end with Russia or risk not having a nation to lead
MIAMI (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he “better move fast” to negotiate an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or risk not having a nation to lead.The rhetoric from Trump toward Ukraine comes amid an escalating back-and-forth between the two presidents and rising tensions between Washington and much of Europe over Trump’s approach to settling the biggest conflict on the continent since World War II.
Trump’s harsh words for Zelenskyy drew criticism from Democrats and even some Republicans in the United States, where Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression has had bipartisan support. Zelenskyy said Trump was falling into a Russian disinformation trap — and was quickly admonished by Vice President JD Vance about the perils of publicly criticizing the new president.
Trump, who is trying to bring the fighting to a close on terms that Kyiv says are too favorable to Moscow, used an extended social media post on his Truth Social platform to lash out at Zelenskyy and call the Ukrainian a “dictator without elections.”
“Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a War that he, without the U.S. and “TRUMP,” will never be able to settle,” Trump said of Zelenskyy, who was a popular television star in Ukraine before running for office. ...
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DOGE team's "wall of receipts" shows errors in tallying billions in savings
The initial accounting by DOGE of its estimated savings was overstated by billions of dollars, a review by CBS News found.
www.cbsnews.comTrump and Zelenskyy trade barbs as US-Ukraine relations sour over the war with Russia
Trump said at Mar-a-Lago that Zelenskyy’s rating stood at 4%.
apnews.com
Musk misreads Social Security data, millions of dead people not getting benefits, experts say
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are falsely implying that millions of dead Americans are receiving Social Security benefits, experts told ABC News.
Senate GOP pushes ahead with budget bill that funds Trump's mass deportations and border wall
Senate Republicans have pushed ahead on a scaled-back budget bill. On a party-line vote late Tuesday, 50-47, they agreed to start consideration of a $340 billion package.
apnews.com
What to know about Trump’s executive order and ‘unprecedented’ power grab within the government | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump’s executive order grasping far greater control over independent federal agencies embraces a constitutionally questionable theory that presidents dating back to Ronald Reagan have considered – and ultimately rejected.
www.cnn.com
Trump calls Zelenskyy a "dictator" after blaming Ukraine for Russia's invasion
"A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left," President Trump wrote.
www.cbsnews.comTrump and Musk say they like working together and will keep it at. Will it last?
It’s been a lingering question since the election: How long can a partnership between two billionaires who love being the center of attention last?
apnews.com
Trump speech at Saudi-backed event highlights questions over business ties
President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the Trump Organization and Trump golf courses have business connections to the Saudis.
www.cbsnews.comAgriculture Department tries to rehire fired workers tied to bird flu response
The Agriculture Department is scrambling to rehire several workers it fired as part of President Donald Trump’s broad cuts because they were involved in the government’s response to the ongoing bird flu outbreak that has devastated egg and poultry farms over the past three years.
apnews.com
‘Long live the king’: Trump adds monarch rhetoric to actions
Trump has already sought to test the limits of executive power.
www.nbcnews.com
It took Donald Trump less than a decade to turn the US toward Putin’s Russia | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump defended the US taking part in peace talks that excluded Ukraine by rewriting history.
www.cnn.com
Trump 2nd term live updates: 6,000+ IRS workers to be laid off starting Thursday
While Trump's current vice president is echoing this stance on Ukraine, Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence is speaking out against him on the issue.
Trump said in an interview with Elon Musk that he wouldn't touch Medicaid. Hours later he endorsed a GOP plan that could slash the program.
Donald Trump said he would "love and cherish" Medicaid. He's endorsed a House GOP proposal that would likely gut the program.
Putin Is The 'Dictator’: GOP Balks As Trump Hurls Attacks Against Ukraine’s Zelenskyy
"I don’t accept George Orwell’s doublethink," one House Republican said after President Trump blamed Ukraine for starting the war with Russia.
Some Republican senators say Zelenskyy is not a 'dictator' in response to Trump comments
Senators also contradicted President Donald Trump's false claim that Ukraine started the war with Russia that began when Russia invaded its neighbor.
www.usatoday.com
Defense secretary orders military to prepare for major budget cuts | CNN Politics
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the military to prepare plans to make drastic budget cuts over the next five years, with an exception for border security, according to a new memo obtained by CNN.
www.cnn.com[URL...
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3 migrants beat the Trump administration in court. They got deported the next day
The future looked bright for Luis Eduardo Perez Parra, Leonel Rivas Gonzalez and Abrahan Josue Barrios last week.
Continue reading...Trump signs executive order ending use of taxpayer money to 'incentivize or support' illegal immigration
President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Wednesday night ending the use of taxpayer money for federal resources supporting illegal immigration and illegal aliens.
The Trump administration said the goal of the executive order is to ensure "taxpayer resources are used to protect the interests of American citizens, not illegal aliens."
Under the order, federal departments and agencies must identify and end all federally funded programs providing financial benefits to illegal aliens. It also aims to ensure federal funds are not being used...
Continue reading...The Trump administration said the goal of the executive order is to ensure "taxpayer resources are used to protect the interests of American citizens, not illegal aliens."
Under the order, federal departments and agencies must identify and end all federally funded programs providing financial benefits to illegal aliens. It also aims to ensure federal funds are not being used...
Trump signs late-night executive order abolishing handful of federal advisory boards
President Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday aimed at eliminating a handful of federal advisory committees.
The order targets the Presidio Trust, the Inter-American Foundation, the United States African Development Foundation and the United States Institute of Peace – all of which have received federal funding.
It comes as the president has been working along with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to aggressively reduce the size of the federal government and minimize government waste and abuse to reduce...
Continue reading...The order targets the Presidio Trust, the Inter-American Foundation, the United States African Development Foundation and the United States Institute of Peace – all of which have received federal funding.
It comes as the president has been working along with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to aggressively reduce the size of the federal government and minimize government waste and abuse to reduce...
Trump throws support behind federal government taking over DC
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he supports GOP-led efforts in Congress to put Washington, D.C., back under direct federal control.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump complained about crime and homelessness in the nation's capital.
"I think we should take over Washington, D.C., — make it safe," Trump said, adding: "I think that we should govern [the] District of Columbia."
NINTH CIRCUIT REJECTS TRUMP'S BID TO REINSTATE BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ORDER
Per the city's Home Rule authority, Congress vets all D.C. laws and can...
Continue reading...Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump complained about crime and homelessness in the nation's capital.
"I think we should take over Washington, D.C., — make it safe," Trump said, adding: "I think that we should govern [the] District of Columbia."
NINTH CIRCUIT REJECTS TRUMP'S BID TO REINSTATE BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ORDER
Per the city's Home Rule authority, Congress vets all D.C. laws and can...
Fog harvesting could provide water for arid cities
Research in Chile could help to provide drinking water for some of the world's most arid places.
Continue reading...Hegseth wants Pentagon to cut 8% from defense budget for next 5 years
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Pentagon to come up with plans to cut 8% from the defense budget in each of the next five years, according to sources familiar with his plans. The Defense Departmen expects to redirect those fund to other programs in the department that would be prioritized by President Trump.
Robert Salesses, who is performing the duties of deputy secretary of defense, said in a statement Wednesday evening that the department intends to produce budgets "that revive the warrior ethos, rebuild our military, and...
Continue reading...Robert Salesses, who is performing the duties of deputy secretary of defense, said in a statement Wednesday evening that the department intends to produce budgets "that revive the warrior ethos, rebuild our military, and...
US Coast Guard expands border patrol efforts to combat illegal immigration
MISSION, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered nearly 220 people on Monday, a sharp decline from more than 1,800 on the same day last year.
As part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown, the Coast Guard has ramped up its operations along the Rio Grande.
The U.S. Coast Guard is increasing its presence alongside Border Patrol, bolstering operations with additional boats and personnel.
TRUMP RAMPS UP CARTEL SURVEILLANCE EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN BORDER SECURITY
"We are augmenting our Border Patrol partners in key areas...
Continue reading...As part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown, the Coast Guard has ramped up its operations along the Rio Grande.
The U.S. Coast Guard is increasing its presence alongside Border Patrol, bolstering operations with additional boats and personnel.
TRUMP RAMPS UP CARTEL SURVEILLANCE EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN BORDER SECURITY
"We are augmenting our Border Patrol partners in key areas...
Five things we learned at the A$AP Rocky trial
There's a lot to unpack from the rapper's trial, including what AWGE means and the impacts to the A$AP Mob
Continue reading...British tourist dies trekking with friend in Himalayas
The two British men were hiking in "extremely difficult terrain" when one reportedly fell.
Continue reading...Trump tells BBC that Russia 'have the cards' in peace negotiations
Trump told the BBC that he trusted that Moscow wants to see an end to the Ukraine war.
Continue reading...Five things we learned at the A$AP Rocky trial
There's a lot to unpack from the rapper's trial, including what AWGE means and the impacts to the A$AP Mob
Continue reading...Trump floats giving 20% of DOGE savings to American citizens
President Donald Trump floated the idea Wednesday of returning some of the savings recouped by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to U.S. citizens, with an equal amount going to pay down the federal debt.
"There's even under consideration a new concept where we give 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens, and 20% goes to paying down debt, because the numbers are incredible," Trump said.
Trump made the remarks at an event in Miami Beach, Florida, a day after Musk indicated on X that he would ask Trump about a “DOGE dividend,”...
Continue reading..."There's even under consideration a new concept where we give 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens, and 20% goes to paying down debt, because the numbers are incredible," Trump said.
Trump made the remarks at an event in Miami Beach, Florida, a day after Musk indicated on X that he would ask Trump about a “DOGE dividend,”...
Appeals court denies Trump's bid to pause order blocking birthright order
A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday denied the Trump administration's bid to pause a lower court ruling that blocked the president's executive order seeking to terminate birthright citizenship.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined an emergency request from the Justice Department that sought to pause a lower-court judge's order. Four separate judges have blocked the order, but Wednesday's decision marks the first time an appellate court has weighed in on President Trump's attempt to deny the constitutional right, an issue that could end up...
Continue reading...The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined an emergency request from the Justice Department that sought to pause a lower-court judge's order. Four separate judges have blocked the order, but Wednesday's decision marks the first time an appellate court has weighed in on President Trump's attempt to deny the constitutional right, an issue that could end up...
Hegseth orders Pentagon to make plans for major budget cuts to align with Trump DOGE priorities
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the agency to develop plans to slash 8% from the Department of Defense budget in each of the next five years to align with President Donald Trump's priorities, specifically to achieve peace through strength, officials said.
Hegseth is asking for plans in an effort to identify offsets from the Biden administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget that could be realigned from low-impact and low-priority Biden-legacy programs, a statement from Pentagon spokesman Robert Salesses said.
LAWSUIT TRACKER: NEW...
Continue reading...Hegseth is asking for plans in an effort to identify offsets from the Biden administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget that could be realigned from low-impact and low-priority Biden-legacy programs, a statement from Pentagon spokesman Robert Salesses said.
LAWSUIT TRACKER: NEW...