Trump will step on to the dais at 9 p.m. ET to lay out his vision for the next four years and tout the actions taken in his first six weeks in office.
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Today's Political News Compilation - Monday, February. 17, 2025
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Elon Musk’s DOGE seeks access to taxpayer data at IRS: AP sources
WASHINGTON (AP) — Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is seeking access to troves of sensitive taxpayer data at the IRS, two people familiar with the inner workings of the plan who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly told The Associated Press on Monday.If successful, Musk and his group would have access to millions of tightly controlled files that include taxpayer information, bank records and other sensitive records. The people who spoke to the AP and requested anonymity said DOGE is specifically seeking to access the IRS’ Integrated Data Retrieval System
, which enables employees “to have instantaneous visual access to certain taxpayer accounts,” according to the IRS website.
Advocates fear that the potential unlawful release of taxpayer records could be used to maliciously target Americans, violate their privacy and create other ramifications.
Harrison Fields, a White House spokesman, said in an emailed statement that “waste, fraud, and abuse have been deeply entrenched in our broken system for far too long. It takes direct access to the system to identify and fix it.” ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Social Security head steps down over DOGE access of recipient information: AP sources
The Social Security Administration’s acting commissioner has stepped down from her role at the agency over Department of Government Efficiency requests to access Social Security recipient information.
apnews.com
Academic unions plan demonstrations outside HHS building, at med schools, to protest Trump research cuts
The science community is organizing to protest President Trump's directive to cap facilities and administrative costs associated with grants that go to research institutions.
The anti-Musk protest movement is expected to ramp up with Congress on recess
President Donald Trump's billionaire top lieutenant, Elon Musk, is the focus for thousands of Democratic activists launching a massive protest campaign this week.
apnews.com
Raskin says DOJ made "deeply corrupt bargain" in move to drop charges against NYC mayor
Rep. Jamie Raskin said the Justice Department made a "deeply corrupt bargain" in its move to drop charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
www.cbsnews.comTrump begins firings of FAA staff just weeks after fatal DC plane crash
The Trump administration has begun firing several hundred Federal Aviation Administration employees, upending staff on a busy air travel weekend and just weeks after a fatal midair collision near Washington.
apnews.com
Federal workers with 'exceptional' reviews fired for 'performance' issues
President Donald Trump’s administration has started the mass firing of workers who are new to the civil service or have recently switched jobs.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump comments on Zelenskyy's role in Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations
In an exchange with reporters Sunday, Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “will be involved” in the negotiations. Trump offered no further explanation.
apnews.com
U.K., Sweden say troops could head to post-war Ukraine as Trump fuels a European "collective security" drive
Britain and Sweden have become the first European nations to say they could send troops to help secure Ukraine after an end to the war there.
www.cbsnews.comJustice Department's independence is threatened as Trump's team asserts power over cases and staff
Pam Bondi had insisted at her Senate confirmation hearing that as attorney general, her Justice Department would not “play politics.”
apnews.com
Rep. Dan Crenshaw says Europe should be "uncomfortably aggressive" to counter Russia
Rep. Dan Crenshaw said European leaders need to have a "much stronger message" toward Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine.
www.cbsnews.com'No kings on Presidents Day' rings out from protests against Trump and Musk
Protesters against President Donald Trump and his policies organized demonstrations in all 50 states for the second time in two weeks.
apnews.com
Analysis: Trump offers key concessions to Putin ahead of Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia | CNN Politics
Vladimir Putin is riding high ahead of critical US-Russia talks Tuesday in Saudi Arabia on ending the Ukraine war.
www.cnn.comTop Russian and American officials will hold talks on ending the Ukraine war without Kyiv
The Kremlin says senior American and Russian officials will hold talks on improving their ties and negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine.
apnews.com
Israel to set up government agency to displace Palestinians from Gaza
Israel announces new agency for ‘voluntary departure’ from Gaza as US senators visiting Israel push back on Trump’s plan
Department of Homeland Security preparing to fire hundreds of senior leaders this week
The firings are a move not to reduce the size of the workforce but to get rid of people the administration sees as not on board with its goals.
www.nbcnews.com
Emboldened by Trump support, Netanyahu says Israel will 'finish the job' on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threat was the latest indicator that Israel is considering a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
www.usatoday.com
'Criminal' migrants are 'not welcome,' according to new multimillion-dollar ad from DHS
The Department of Homeland Security launched a multimillion-dollar ad Tuesday directed at those who try to come to the United States illegally, saying: Don’t try it.
Presidents Day protests: See photos from demonstrations across the nation
Protestors across the country took to the streets Monday to repudiate the actions of Elon Musk and the Trump administration. See the photos.
www.usatoday.com
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During immigration raid, DHS Secretary Noem says ICE bringing 'consequences'
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is bringing "consequences" during raids in Virginia on Tuesday.
Continue reading...Europe must lead on Ukrainian security guarantees, Greek foreign minister says: 'We are the neighbors'
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis told Fox News Digital in an interview that he believes Europe should take the lead on Ukraine's security guarantees.
Gerapetritis, who was in the U.S. to meet with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the most important order of business was to "stop the hostilities."
"The day after will give the opportunity for considerations about reconstruction and about the security guarantees," he said.
"We are the neighbors, and we have to take the responsibility for these," Gerapetritis...
Continue reading...Gerapetritis, who was in the U.S. to meet with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the most important order of business was to "stop the hostilities."
"The day after will give the opportunity for considerations about reconstruction and about the security guarantees," he said.
"We are the neighbors, and we have to take the responsibility for these," Gerapetritis...
'Moderate' Dem giving rebuttal to Trump's joint address promoted staffer who boosted Farrakhan
FIRST ON FOX: The Democratic senator who is being billed as a "moderate" and was tapped to give the rebuttal to President Trump’s Tuesday address to a joint session of Congress is still employing a staffer who faced backlash last year for her public support of Minister Louis Farrakhan.
Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who will deliver the rebuttal to Trump, employed a deputy political director during her campaign last year who posted on Facebook in 2017 about her "full week" of "supporting the Nation of Islam and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan"...
Continue reading...Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who will deliver the rebuttal to Trump, employed a deputy political director during her campaign last year who posted on Facebook in 2017 about her "full week" of "supporting the Nation of Islam and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan"...
NY Gov Hochul now says she will lead 'resistance' against Trump, after saying the opposite weeks ago
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul now says she will be "leading the resistance" against President Donald Trump, just weeks after telling reporters the opposite.
Hochul said she would "fight back hard" during an interview with NPR’s "Morning Edition" on Monday when asked about New York City’s congestion pricing toll that the Trump administration moved to block last month.
"We offered up an olive branch, [we said] 'We'll work with you on infrastructure. Let's redo Penn Station,'" Hochul said. "Those areas were common ground. But once you draw first blood on...
Continue reading...Hochul said she would "fight back hard" during an interview with NPR’s "Morning Edition" on Monday when asked about New York City’s congestion pricing toll that the Trump administration moved to block last month.
"We offered up an olive branch, [we said] 'We'll work with you on infrastructure. Let's redo Penn Station,'" Hochul said. "Those areas were common ground. But once you draw first blood on...
The difficult choices facing Ukraine's Zelensky
Should he apologise to Trump or even resign? The options for Ukraine's leader are looking increasingly thin.
Continue reading...Father tries to block daughter's euthanasia in landmark Spanish case
It's the first time that a case has gone to court since a euthanasia law was introduced in Spain in 2021.
Continue reading...One-year-olds among those raped during Sudan civil war, UN says
Children as young as one have been subjected to horrific sexual violence, a UN report finds.
Continue reading...Pope Francis 'alert' after respiratory failure
The Pope resumes mechanical ventilation after suffering two "acute respiratory failures" on Monday.
Continue reading...Watch: Chaos as MPs throw smoke grenades in Serbian Parliament
At least three people were injured when politicians clashed with security in a show of support for anti-government protestors.
Continue reading...WATCH: 91-year-old woman hears father sing for 1st time in 30 years
Asunción Estevan Chico, 91, was able to listen to her father's singing on tapes he recorded for his wife in the 1970s.
Continue reading...WATCH: Figure skaters honor midair crash victims
U.S. Figure Skating honored the victims of the deadly midair crash over the Potomac in a touching tribute in Washington, D.C.
Continue reading...WATCH: How contagious is measles?
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known to humans, experts say.
Continue reading...Who is Elissa Slotkin, the senator giving the Democratic response to Trump?
Elissa Slotkin, who will deliver the Democrats' response to Trump's address to Congress, is a former CIA agent who served three tours in Iraq before running for Congress.
Continue reading...What to watch when Trump gives his big speech to Congress
President Donald Trump is preparing for his first big speech to Congress since returning to the White House
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