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Trump backs Musk as he roils the federal workforce with demands and threats
By LINDSAY WHITEHURST and CHRIS MEGERIANUpdated 8:06 PM CST, February 24, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump backed Elon Musk’s demand that federal employees explain their recent accomplishments by the end of Monday or risk getting fired, even as government agency officials were told that compliance with Musk’s edict was voluntary.
Confusion and anger over the situation spawned new litigation and added to turmoil within the federal workforce.
“What he’s doing is saying, ‘Are you actually working?’” Trump said in the Oval Office during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. “And then, if you don’t answer, like, you’re sort of semi-fired or you’re fired, because a lot of people aren’t answering because they don’t even exist.”
The Republican president said Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has found “hundreds of billions of dollars in fraud” as he suggested that federal paychecks are going to nonexistent employees. He did not present evidence for his claims. ...
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Undermining Trump in Ukraine - Washington Examiner
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Trump says 'tremendous distrust' between Russia and Ukraine and it's good that he is coming in now
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After clashes with AG's top aide, a White House liaison pushing 'loyalty' to Trump at DOJ is reassigned: Sources
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Joy Reid warns MSNBC viewers fascism is 'already here' in her final show at liberal network
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Dan Bongino's rise from basement podcaster to deputy FBI director
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Retired surgeon admits to 'hideous acts' as France's largest child sexual abuse trial gets underway
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Judge blocks Trump-ordered transfer of transgender women inmates to male prisons
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Judge blocks Trump administration from making immigration arrests at some places of worship
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Hamas official says Netanyahu ‘intentionally sabotaging’ Gaza ceasefire
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www.bbc.comRon DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor and takes a shot at Trump's pick
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Who is Friedrich Merz, the man on course to take Germany's top job after election?
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Facing pressure at home, GOP lawmakers warn Johnson against ‘hatchet’ spending cuts | CNN Politics
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www.cnn.comClint Hill, Secret Service agent who leaped onto JFK's car after the president was shot, dies at 93
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Trump calls meeting with Macron an "important step" in ending Russia-Ukraine war
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How Europe is trying to shield Ukraine from Trump
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www.nbcnews.comIdaho town hall meeting turns chaotic after woman is forcibly removed for shouting at speakers
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Israel destroys vast areas of West Bank’s Jenin camp, sets up army base
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Trump envoy Steve Witkoff describes 3.5-hour meeting with Putin in Moscow
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Hamas says no Gaza ceasefire talks unless Israel frees prisoners
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NYC congestion pricing generates nearly $50M in 1st month as Trump admin moves to kill plan
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Judge blocks Department of Education, federal personnel office from sharing data with DOGE
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Trump officials list 5 weekly accomplishments ahead of Musk midnight deadline
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apnews.com
Why Trump wants to own the Pentagon | CNN Politics
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apnews.com
As Israeli tanks roll into Jenin, Palestinians prepare for lengthy invasion
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www.bbc.com
Ground Game: AP's lawsuit over White House access, Musk's email to federal workers, Trump to meet Macron
This newsletter was originally sent out via email to our Ground Game subscribers on Feb. 24. You can subscribe at any time at apnews.com/newsletters.
apnews.com
DoorDash to pay NY delivery workers $17 million for using their tips to cover wages
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Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes' conviction upheld by US appeals court
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apnews.com
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apnews.com
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www.bbc.comAn unknown illness kills over 50 people in part of Congo with hours between symptoms and death
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apnews.com
'Overwhelmingly popular': Elon Musk touts Americans' DOGE support
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apnews.com
Five key takeaways from the German election
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www.bbc.comPakistani security forces kill 10 militants in a raid near Afghanistan
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Why is Ukraine negotiating a minerals deal with the US?
A minister says nearly all key details have been finalised for a deal giving the US access to the country's minerals.
www.bbc.comHezbollah chief who was killed days after taking up post laid to rest in south Lebanon hometown
The late leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah group who was killed in an Israeli airstrike days after he took the post was laid to rest in his southern hometown.
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Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Feb. 23, 2025
On this "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" broadcast, Steve Witkoff and Gov. Kathy Hochul join Margaret Brennan.
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