Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down Sunday. Meanwhile, the back-and-forth over tariffs continued. Ed O'Keefe reports.
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MadAboutPolitics.com - Featured News
Featured News
Today's Political News Compilation - Friday, March 8, 2025
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin - AP Photo/Rebeca Droke
New EPA guidance says spending items greater than $50,000 must get approval from DOGE
By MATTHEW DALYUpdated 9:10 PM CST, March 7, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency has issued new guidance directing that spending items greater than $50,000 now require approval from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
The guidance, issued this week, escalates the role that the new efficiency group, known as DOGE, plays in EPA operations.
“Any assistance agreement, contract or interagency agreement transaction (valued at) $50,000 or greater must receive approval from an EPA DOGE team member,” the EPA guidance says, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.
To facilitate the DOGE team review, EPA staff members have been directed to submit a one-page explanation of each funding action each day between 3 and 6 p.m. Eastern time, the guidance says. Other relevant forms also must be completed.
President Donald Trump has tasked DOGE with digging up what he and Musk call waste, fraud and abuse. The Republican president suggested Thursday that Cabinet members and agency leaders would take the lead on spending and staffing cuts, but he said Musk could push harder down the line.
“If they can cut, it’s better,” Trump said of agency leaders. “And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting.” ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
MAGA world turns against Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett
The Trump-appointed justice has shifted the court to the right, but she has angered some in MAGA world by voting against some of President Donald Trump's priorities.
www.nbcnews.com
A single day of Trump and Musk's cost-cutting campaign remakes huge sections of government
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's campaign of disruption is engulfing the federal government. A series of decisions revealed Friday showed how the turmoil is upending how public servants do their jobs in ways big and small.
apnews.com
Trump hits pause on tariffs - but still sees them as vital tool
The White House sees levies as a means to reshape America's relationship with its global partners.
www.bbc.com
Trump claims Putin will be more 'generous' in peace talks than 'difficult' Ukraine
Even though President Donald Trump threatened Russia with sanctions, he claimed President Vladamir Putin is more "generous" when it comes to ending the war.
abcnews.go.com
Meet Amy Gleason, the DOGE administrator who may — or may not — be wielding extraordinary power
Amy Gleason, the acting administrator of the U.S. DOGE Service, is not a household name. But as Elon Musk’s effort to dramatically reduce the federal government faces a series of legal challenges, the nurse-turned-programmer has been thrust into the spotlight.
apnews.com
Trump says 'something's going to happen very soon' with Iran as he pushes to negotiate nuclear deal
President Donald Trump on Friday told reporters that the U.S. is “down to the final moments" negotiating with Iran, and that he hoped military intervention would prove unnecessary.
www.foxnews.com
Clashes in Syria between government forces and Assad loyalists kill more than 200
A war monitor says two days of clashes between Syrian security forces and gunmen loyal to former President Bashar Assad have left more than 200 people dead.
apnews.com
Trump treasury secretary warns of 'detox period' slowdown for US economy
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned the U.S. economy could enter a "detox period" as the administration shifts from robust government spending.
www.usatoday.com
Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump names 2 Fox News hosts to Kennedy Center board
Musk accused Rubio of not firing anyone in his department, sources said.
abcnews.go.com
Homeland Security ends TSA collective bargaining agreement, in effort to dismantle union protections
A union representing Transportation Security Administration workers calls the Department of Homeland Security's decision to end the collective bargaining agreement with them an “unprovoked attack.”
apnews.com
Canadians drop their politeness in the wake of Trump's tariffs
The new tariffs have sown anger and confusion among America’s neighbors to the north who say they feel betrayed by a longtime friend.
www.nbcnews.com
Is Trump reining in Musk after a cabinet showdown with secretaries?
The president intervenes in a cost-cutting row after a reported clash at the White House.
www.bbc.com
DOGE is searching through Social Security payments looking for fraud
DOGE is sifting through Social Security payments in an anti-fraud effort that has some worried the administration could deny payments to vulnerable older Americans.
abcnews.go.com
Trump and his allies hint at economic pain ahead for Americans
While top officials have framed any economic disruption as short term and necessary for long-term prosperity, the comments go against Trump's campaign rhetoric.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump insists there was 'no clash' between Elon Musk and Marco Rubio over DOGE cuts
President Donald Trump denied reports of a clash between Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio over sweeping government cuts during a Cabinet meeting Thursday at the White House, insisting to reporters they get along "fantastically well."
apnews.com
Homeland Security ends collective bargaining agreement with TSA employees
Union representing TSA workers calls the Department of Homeland Security's decision an "unprovoked attack."
www.cbsnews.com
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Latest Political News Feed
Trump doesn't rule out recession, rising inflation
In an interview with Fox News, President Trump acknowledged inflation could continue to rise and wouldn't say whether or not he thinks the U.S. economy could fall into a recession. Nikole Killion has more.
Continue reading...Romanian far-right presidential hopeful barred from poll rerun
Clashes erupt in Bucharest over the ban on Calin Georgescu, whose unexpected presidential election first-round win was annulled.
Continue reading...Secret Service shoots armed man outside White House
President Donald Trump was not in the White House at the time.
Continue reading...Defense lawyers in Trump assassination attempt case tour Trump golf course
While President Trump spoke with reporters about federal job cuts and signed executive orders in the Oval Office last Tuesday, a notable — and unannounced — visit was underway at Mr. Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. It wasn't publicized. But it could impact one of the highest-profile criminal trials in America this year.
According to court filings reviewed by CBS News, defense attorneys for Ryan Routh were given access to tour the Trump golf course on Feb. 25 to prepare Routh's defense in the alleged assassination attempt against Mr...
Continue reading...According to court filings reviewed by CBS News, defense attorneys for Ryan Routh were given access to tour the Trump golf course on Feb. 25 to prepare Routh's defense in the alleged assassination attempt against Mr...
Trump wants to see more than just a minerals deal to restart aid and intel to Ukraine
As U.S. and Ukrainian officials prepare to meet in Saudi Arabia this week, President Donald Trump has privately made clear to aides that a signed minerals deal between Washington and Kyiv won’t be enough to restart aid and intelligence sharing with the war-torn country, according an administration official and another U.S. official, NBC News reported.
Trump wants the deal, which would give the U.S. a stake in Ukraine’s mineral resources, signed. But he also wants to see a change in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attitude toward peace...
Continue reading...Trump wants the deal, which would give the U.S. a stake in Ukraine’s mineral resources, signed. But he also wants to see a change in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attitude toward peace...
Ex-central banker Mark Carney to become Canada's next prime minister
Former central banker Mark Carney will become Canada’s next prime minister after the governing Liberal Party elected him its leader Sunday as the country deals with U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threat, and a federal election looms.
Carney, 59, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains prime minister until his successor is sworn in in the coming days. Carney won in a landslide, winning 85.9% of the vote.
“There is someone who is trying to weaken our economy,” Carney said...
Continue reading...Carney, 59, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains prime minister until his successor is sworn in in the coming days. Carney won in a landslide, winning 85.9% of the vote.
“There is someone who is trying to weaken our economy,” Carney said...
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Toronto — Canada's Liberal Party has chosen veteran central bank leader Mark Carney as its new leader, meaning he will quickly replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the country's top office. The transition, and Trudeau's political downfall, comes amid the chaotic trade war with Canada's closest ally launched by President Trump.
The exact date that Carney will take office as Canada's prime minister remains uncertain. The timing of the transition will be determined by Carney in conjunction with Trudeau.
The new leader will inherit a government led...
Continue reading...The exact date that Carney will take office as Canada's prime minister remains uncertain. The timing of the transition will be determined by Carney in conjunction with Trudeau.
The new leader will inherit a government led...
Noem taps new ICE leadership to bring back accountability and results
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"For the past four years, our brave men and women of ICE were barred from doing their jobs—ICE needs a culture of accountability that it has been...
Continue reading...Noem announced the appointments on Sunday, saying Todd Lyons will serve as acting ICE director, and Madison Sheahan will serve as the deputy director of ICE.
"For the past four years, our brave men and women of ICE were barred from doing their jobs—ICE needs a culture of accountability that it has been...
Musk and Rubio spar with Polish minister over Starlink in Ukraine
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Continue reading...ICE arrests Palestinian activist with green card at Columbia University: Attorney
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Continue reading...U.S. fighter jets intercept planes flying near Mar-a-Lago yet again
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North American Aerospace Defense Command said in a statement that Sunday's incident, which took place as Trump finished a round of golf at his West Palm Beach golf course, saw F-16s deploy flares to get the attention of the civilian pilot. Jets also conducted an intercept on Saturday morning shortly after...
Continue reading...North American Aerospace Defense Command said in a statement that Sunday's incident, which took place as Trump finished a round of golf at his West Palm Beach golf course, saw F-16s deploy flares to get the attention of the civilian pilot. Jets also conducted an intercept on Saturday morning shortly after...
Secretary Hegseth says the DOD does not do 'climate change crap'
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The secretary was responding to a post from CNN’s Haley Britzky, who shared a story about the DOD and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cutting programs in the Pentagon that deal with climate change.
"The DOD and DOGE have said they plan to cut climate programs in the Pentagon – but officials & experts are warning that climate efforts at DOD are directly...
Continue reading...The secretary was responding to a post from CNN’s Haley Britzky, who shared a story about the DOD and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cutting programs in the Pentagon that deal with climate change.
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Romanian far-right presidential hopeful barred from poll rerun
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Continue reading...ICE arrests Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia protests, lawyer says
Federal immigration authorities arrested a Palestinian graduate student who played a prominent role in last spring's anti-Israel protests at Columbia University, according to his attorney.
Mahmoud Khalil was inside his university-owned residence Saturday night near Columbia’s Manhattan campus when severa Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered the building and took him into custody, his attorney, Amy Greer, told The Associated Press.
Greer said she spoke by phone with one of the ICE agents during the arrest, who said they were acting on...
Continue reading...Mahmoud Khalil was inside his university-owned residence Saturday night near Columbia’s Manhattan campus when severa Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered the building and took him into custody, his attorney, Amy Greer, told The Associated Press.
Greer said she spoke by phone with one of the ICE agents during the arrest, who said they were acting on...