The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said more than 700 civilians had been killed in 48 hours.
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MadAboutPolitics.com - Featured News
Featured News
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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Latest Political News Feed
South Korea's impeached president Yoon released from detention
Yoon Suk Yeol still faces trial on insurrection charges for his failed attempt to impose martial law.
Continue reading...CDC will research widely debunked link between vaccines and autism
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is initiating expanded research into understanding autism and potential links between vaccines and autism, a source familiar with the CDC’s planning said, NBC News reported.
The CDC is one of the agencies that operates under the umbrella of the Department of Health and Human Services, the federal agency that President Donald Trump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead. The Senate confirmed him to the post in a 52-48 vote last month.
The possibility of a link between vaccines and autism has been...
Continue reading...The CDC is one of the agencies that operates under the umbrella of the Department of Health and Human Services, the federal agency that President Donald Trump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead. The Senate confirmed him to the post in a 52-48 vote last month.
The possibility of a link between vaccines and autism has been...
All HHS workers given $25,000 voluntary buyout offer, source says
All employees in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were notified Friday of the option to voluntarily resign in exchange for a $25,000 payment, a source familiar with the situation told CBS News.
The department-wide email offered a "voluntary separation incentive payment," the source said. Employees have been given until a deadline of March 14 to reply.
Friday's offer is part of the Trump administration's efforts to slash the size of federal workforce and shrink the government's budget through mass layoffs and financial cuts. That...
Continue reading...The department-wide email offered a "voluntary separation incentive payment," the source said. Employees have been given until a deadline of March 14 to reply.
Friday's offer is part of the Trump administration's efforts to slash the size of federal workforce and shrink the government's budget through mass layoffs and financial cuts. That...
JD Vance says he was confronted by pro-Ukrainian protesters while walking with toddler daughter
Vice President JD Vance said Saturday he was confronted by pro-Ukrainian protesters while he was out walking with his 3-year-old daughter.
"Today while walking my 3 year old daughter a group of ‘Slava Ukraini’ protesters followed us around and shouted as my daughter grew increasingly anxious and scared," Vance posted Saturday afternoon on X.
"I decided to speak with the protesters in the hopes that I could trade a few minutes of conversation for them leaving my toddler alone," he continued. "Nearly all of them agreed."
Vance said it was a...
Continue reading..."Today while walking my 3 year old daughter a group of ‘Slava Ukraini’ protesters followed us around and shouted as my daughter grew increasingly anxious and scared," Vance posted Saturday afternoon on X.
"I decided to speak with the protesters in the hopes that I could trade a few minutes of conversation for them leaving my toddler alone," he continued. "Nearly all of them agreed."
Vance said it was a...
They lost 52 soldiers fighting alongside the US. Now they feel threatened by Trump
Danes, who have been loyal allies of Washington, are blindsided by Trump's insistence on taking over Greenland.
Continue reading...Actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa died of natural causes one week apart
The 95-year-old actor's Alzheimer's means it is "quite possible" he was unaware of his wife's death, say officials.
Continue reading...Pope Francis responding well to treatment, Vatican says
The 88-year-old prayed on Saturday morning in the chapel of the papal suite at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican said.
Continue reading...Your pictures on the theme of 'monochrome'
Images on the theme of "monochrome" sent in by our readers.
Continue reading...India's rap rebel makes a comeback after battling addiction
Yo Yo Honey Singh, who transformed Indian hip-hop, has made a comeback after a long battle with drug abuse.
Continue reading...Tesla facilities face wave of attacks as Elon Musk delves into politics
As Elon Musk attempts to drastically cut the federal workforce and delves further into the corridors of American power, the Tesla CEO's electric carmaker facilities have come under fire — literally, NBC News reported.
There have been at least 10 acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, dealerships or charging stations in recent weeks, according to police and local reports, underscoring the backlash Musk has faced since taking on an unprecedented role in the federal government.
On Jan. 29, a 40-year-old woman threw a molotov cocktail at a...
Continue reading...There have been at least 10 acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, dealerships or charging stations in recent weeks, according to police and local reports, underscoring the backlash Musk has faced since taking on an unprecedented role in the federal government.
On Jan. 29, a 40-year-old woman threw a molotov cocktail at a...
Canadians show their displeasure with President Trump
President Trump took aim at dairy and lumber imports from Canada, but the U.S.'s northern neighbor is fighting back. Ed O'Keefe reports on the latest in the tumultuous trade war.
Continue reading...Migrant deported in chains: 'No-one will go to US illegally now'
Indian deportee tells BBC about his risky journey and how Trump’s tactics are spreading fear.
Continue reading...Not so demure any more: The rise of 'free the nipple' fashion
Stars like Charli XCX have made see-through outfits all the rage at big events, but not everyone's a fan.
Continue reading...DHS administering lie detector tests to employees in effort to find leakers
The Department of Homeland Security is administering polygraph tests to its personnel to determine who may be leaking information to the media about its ongoing immigration raids, an agency spokesperson confirmed to CBS News Saturday.
On Feb. 18, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said DHS would start polygraphing employees in order to crack down on these leaks.
In a video posted to social media Friday, Noem wrote that the department had "identified two leakers of information here at the Department of Homeland Security who have been telling...
Continue reading...On Feb. 18, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said DHS would start polygraphing employees in order to crack down on these leaks.
In a video posted to social media Friday, Noem wrote that the department had "identified two leakers of information here at the Department of Homeland Security who have been telling...