Voices, The Peoples News
February 15, 2025
Published by Jedi Selman Since March 2000 to Inform and Educate
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This daily Voices, The Peoples News is posted through the blog function of www.MPEN-Ohio.net
# Border / Immigration / Migrants / Gangs / Drugs
Democratic senators press Hegseth for cost and troop impact of immigration operations. The Pentagon has estimated its southern border operations will cost almost $1 billion in the next eight months and does not yet have an estimate for new operations at Guantanamo
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-02-14/pentagon-border-costs-senators-hegseth-16834177.html
# DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency]
What Is the Point to the DOGE Chaos? The Answer Is Hiding in Plain Sight. It’s not really about efficiency. They’re after something else.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/02/elon-musk-trump-doge.html
DOGE charged with slashing trillions from federal spending, has doubled its budget already, report claims
https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-doge-trump-budget-b2697914.html
DOGE discussing Housing Department layoffs. New details on potential layoffs emerge as the Department of Government Efficiency takes on HUD.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/14/doge-housing-department-layoffs-00204372
IRS Hit With Surprise From Elon Musk’s DOGE, Fueling Privacy Fears Amid Budget Cuts And Layoffs Due To Trump Plans
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/02/14/irs-tax-doge-musk/
Senator Chris Murphy Details Why DOGE Targeting Federal Agencies Is Just About ‘Making Elon Musk Rich’
https://www.mediaite.com/politics/senator-chris-murphy-details-why-doge-targeting-federal-agencies-is-just-about-making-elon-musk-rich/
Elon Musk targets programs for ‘poorest children on earth’ while getting billions in federal contracts. “Elon loves corporate welfare for himself, rugged individualism for the poor,” wrote a top adviser for Sen. Bernie Sanders.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/elon-musk-hypocrisy-federal-contracts
# Economy / Finance / Trade / Banks
Trump orders up a plan for more tariffs, even as inflation heats up
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trumps-tariff-plan-would-raise-inflation-and-cost-u-s-jobs-economist-mark-zandi-says
US Judge Extends Order to Block DOGE From Treasury Department Data
https://www.courthousenews.com/federal-judge-extends-order-barring-unauthorized-doge-access-to-treasury-payment-system/
‘The damage is already done’: Why Ken Griffin thinks Trump’s tariffs are chipping away at American exceptionalism
https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2025/02/12/ken-griffin-takes-donald-trump-to-task-on-tariffs/
Gillibrand wants answers on planned closure of White Plains Social Security regional office
https://westfaironline.com/latest-news/trump-administration-targets-social-security-hudson-valley-offices-affected/
Trump Kicks Off Global Chaos With New Tariff Announcement
https://newrepublic.com/post/191518/donald-trump-global-trade-war-new-tariffs
# Education / Schools
Department of Education warns that public schools must remove DEI policies or lose federal funding
https://srnnews.com/china-will-play-along-to-the-end-with-u-s-its-top-diplomat-says/
# Employment / Labor / Unions
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., ordered that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cannot terminate more employees, providing a major reprieve to staff at the agency, who have been bracing for mass layoffs. More than 100 workers have already been fired this week.
https://www.npr.org/2025/02/14/nx-s1-5297870/cfpb-doge-trump-musk-federal-workforce
# Energy / Pipelines / Mining / Oil
Hundreds of Americans have been hit with surprise electric bill surcharges following a policy change by President Donald Trump. The sudden increase stems from a pause in federal energy assistance programs, such as LIHEAP. Low-income families and seniors are among the most affected.
https://www.upexciseportal.in/hundreds-of-americans-hit-with-surprise-electric-bills-after-trumps-policy-change/#google_vignette
Chevron announced Wednesday it’s laying off 15% to 20% of its workforce — meaning up to 9,000 jobs
https://www.scrippsnews.com/business/company-news/chevron-second-largest-oil-company-in-the-us-slashing-thousands-of-jobs
More than 100 federal workers fired at Portland-based Bonneville Power Administration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKIgNrd6vM8
# Environment / Climate / Infrastructure / EPA / BLM
Federal department slashes millions in contracts, including $230K for ‘Brazilian forest and gender consultant’
https://www.aol.com/federal-department-slashes-millions-contracts-055810521.html
KY Senate approves bill removing state protections for wetlands, groundwater, small streams
https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/02/14/ky-senate-approves-bill-removing-state-protections-for-wetlands-groundwater-small-streams/
US Forest Service fires 3,400 workers, Park Service cuts 1,000
https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/interior-department-fires-thousands-forest-service-workers/
Warning as threat levels for three US volcanoes are elevated
https://www.newsbreak.com/daily-mail-560402/3812372480205-warning-as-threat-levels-for-three-us-volcanoes-are-elevated
Yosemite National Park is on the verge of a ‘catastrophic’ staffing shortage thanks to Trump’s hiring freeze. According to reports, hundreds of seasonal job offers have been clawed back and layoffs are looming.
https://www.theinertia.com/news/yosemite-national-park-hiring-freeze-trump-adminstration/
# FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency]
Exclusive-US global disaster response teams unable to deploy following USAID shutdown, sources say
https://www.tbsnews.net/worldbiz/usa/us-global-disaster-response-teams-unable-deploy-following-usaid-shutdown-sources
# General News
White South Africans gather in support of Trump and his claims that they are victims of racism
https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/trump-south-africa-white-afrikaners/2025/02/15/id/1199195/
# Gov / Politics
House Republican Budget Blueprint Clears First Big Hurdle
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/02/13/congress/house-gop-budget-markup-00204041
Mass firings have rocked multiple agencies as President Trump and Elon Musk ramp up plans to drastically slash and reshape the federal work force
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/us/politics/energy-department-layoffs.html
Many Trump Administration Personnel Actions Are Unlawful
https://www.cbpp.org/research/federal-budget/many-trump-administration-personnel-actions-are-unlawful
‘Obvious illegality’: Trump’s firing of US watchdogs violated federal law as he kicked ‘longtime public servants’ to the curb without properly telling Congress, suit says
https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/obvious-illegality-trumps-firing-of-us-watchdogs-violated-federal-law-as-he-kicked-longtime-public-servants-to-the-curb-without-properly-telling-congress-suit-says/
‘Presidential crime spree’: Legal expert unloads on Trump’s ‘outrageous’ scandals
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-crime-2671158735/
60 years of progress in expanding rights is being rolled back by Trump − a pattern that’s all too familiar in US history
https://theconversation.com/60-years-of-progress-in-expanding-rights-is-being-rolled-back-by-trump-a-pattern-thats-all-too-familiar-in-us-history-248526
Elon Musk’s attacks on a group long backed by the GOP prompt Republican shrugs. A funding freeze is pushing the National Endowment for Democracy and groups it supports toward shutdown.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/13/national-endowment-democracy-musk-funding-017146
Elon Musk’s 4-year-old son X irks President Donald Trump at White House, ‘want to shush your mouth’
https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/elon-musks-4-year-old-son-irks-donald-trump-in-front-from-camera-says-want-to-shush-your-mouth-watch-11739410335699.html
14 states sue to block Musk’s DOGE actions, claim unconstitutional abuse of power
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/14-states-sue-to-block-elon-musks-doge-actions-claim-unconstitutional-abuse-of-power/
GOP Proposes $4.5 Trillion Tax Giveaway to the Rich While ‘Ransacking’ Food Stamps and Medicaid. “House Republican leadership put a giant bullseye on Medicaid, with the intent to strip Americans of their healthcare benefits to pay for tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations.”
https://www.nationofchange.org/2025/02/13/gops-4-5-trillion-tax-giveaway-slashing-medicaid-and-food-stamps-to-fund-the-wealthy/
‘Full-Scale Authoritarian Takeover’: Vance and Musk Take Aim at Federal Judges. “We must push back hard against these next leaps down the pathway to tyranny,” said one Democratic in the House.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/musk-vance-judges
Corporate Media Failing to Call This What It Is: A Coup. If this is not a coup d’etat, I don’t know what is. It is not “taking sides” to say so. Rather, it is accurately describing the dire emergency America now faces.
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/corporate-media-failing-to-call-this-what-it-is-a-coup?utm_source=Common+Dreams&utm_campaign=a9c5008719-Week+In+Review%3A+Sat.+2%2F8%2F2_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-59f0163267-600473715
# Gov / Politics / Global
‘This Is Not Acceptable!’ German Defense Minister Fumes at JD Vance For Comparing European Allies to Authoritarian Regimes
https://www.mediaite.com/politics/this-is-not-acceptable-german-defense-minister-fumes-at-jd-vance-for-comparing-european-allies-to-authoritarian-regimes/
Hamas releases 3 more hostages, Israel frees over 300 Palestinian prisoners under ceasefire deal
https://apnews.com/video/hamas-frees-3-hostages-israel-releases-hundreds-of-prisoners-as-ceasefire-holds-ap-explains-ae0751d9a3ae4a4c98c526c77697b465
China will ‘play along to the end’ with U.S., its top diplomat says
https://www.ournationalconversation.org/httpswww-usnews-comnewsworldarticles2025-02-15china-will-play-along-to-the-end-with-u-s-its-top-diplomat-says/
# Legal / DOJ / ICJ / International Criminal Court [ICC]
Judge Who Made Life Hell for Trump Will Oversee Case on Elon Musk. A major lawsuit against Elon Musk just got assigned to his new nightmare: Judge Tanya Chutkan.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191559/judge-tanya-chutkan-case-lawsuit-elon-musk
Trump Justice Department Moves to Complete ‘Openly Corrupt Legal Bailout’ of Eric Adams. “The Adams case confirms that as long as Bondi is in office, the rule of law will be subordinate to Trump’s personal motivations.”
https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-justice-department-eric-adams
# Medicare / Medicaid
Steve Bannon Has Dark Warning for Republicans Planning to Cut Medicaid. Donald Trump’s ex-adviser warned many MAGA voters rely on the program.
https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/steve-bannon-maga-medicaid-b2698723.html
‘The first time didn’t work’: Georgia and Arkansas scale back Medicaid work requirements
https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/02/14/the-first-time-didnt-work-georgia-and-arkansas-scale-back-medicaid-work-requirements/
# Medical / Health News
RFK Jr. Just Kneecapped the CDC on His First Day. The purging of federal workers continues.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191579/robert-f-kennedy-jr-cdc-infectious-disease-research
Florida senator files to have the state’s ‘Free Kill’ law repealed. Many families have never heard of it until they try to sue for medical negligence after their loved one dies. If you are over the age of 25, not married and have no children under the age of 25, your loved ones are barred from suing for medical negligence.
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/politics/lawmakers-make-another-push-repeal-floridas-free-kill-law/77-dbb01eb5-5888-459d-bfcf-9bd47d851abf
Trump administration slashes funding for ObamaCare outreach program
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5146096-trump-administration-funding-slashed-obamacare-navigators/
# Military / DOD / General News
US Army bans transgender people from enlisting
https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/military/us-army-transgender-policy-gender-care/
# NATO
Musk’s DOGE Sets NASA as Next Target
https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/nasa-elon-musk-next-target-doge-latest-mission-big-questions-spacex-13862869.html
# NOAA
For-Profit Companies Can’t Easily Replace NOAA’s Weather-Forecasting Prowess. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/26/trump-presidency-gut-noaa-weather-climate-crisis
NOAA’s vast public weather data powers the local forecasts on your phone and TV – a private company alone couldn’t match it
https://theconversation.com/noaas-vast-public-weather-data-powers-the-local-forecasts-on-your-phone-and-tv-a-private-company-alone-couldnt-match-it-249451
Trump officials signal potential changes at NOAA, the weather and climate agency
https://www.npr.org/2025/02/15/nx-s1-5297183/noaa-national-weather-service-trump
# Nuclear
Energy Department scrambles to rehire nuclear bomb experts fired in major DOGE screw up: Reports
https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/doge-screw-up-nuclear-experts-fired-b2698732.html
# Other Interesting Things
Scientists are baffled after discovering a mysterious radioactive ‘blip’ deep under the Pacific Ocean
https://www.sciencealert.com/mysterious-radioactive-anomaly-discovered-deep-under-the-pacific-ocean
# Science / Science Engineers
‘A scary time to be a scientist’: “Above and beyond the stalling of progress, we’re going to see this hollowing out of the workforce that’s been working on this research,” Lane-Fall said.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/15/trump-medical-research-funding-maternal-mortality#:~:text=Not%20only%20could%20the%20cuts,%2C%E2%80%9D%20Lane%2DFall%20said.
# Security / Surveillance
Trump administration fires over 400 DHS employees as mass firings continue
https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/donald-trump-administration-fires-over-400-dhs-employees-in-effort-to-cut-federal-workforce-11739582487231.html
# Sports
Donald Trump blamed for American disgrace: This isn’t the first time non-Americans have disrespected the anthem recently. Crowds at sporting events across Canada have taken to booing the American anthem before NHL games, amid tensions between the two countries.
https://www.newsbreak.com/the-comeback-1601133/3811384772082-donald-trump-blamed-for-american-disgrace
# Technology / Artificial Intelligence / Cybersecurity
A ‘Musk-led consortium’ of investors say they’ll withdraw $97.4 billion bid to buy OpenAI—if it stays non-profit
https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-sam-altman-openai-chatgpt-ai-f024aca265ad8ee9f30b699a0c74066c
# Veterans / VA
Republicans advance plans to raise military spending by $100B amid concerns budget cuts affect veterans
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-02-14/congress-defense-spending-budget-cuts-veterans-16832927.html
Democratic lawmakers, veterans and union leaders rally against VA staff cuts
https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2025/02/13/protestors-demand-va-oppose-trump-efforts-to-trim-federal-workforce/
# Weather
US to get 10th and ‘most severe’ polar vortex as arctic blast plunges most of country into ‘extreme cold’
https://www.yahoo.com/news/very-cold-weather-coming-us-134945013.html
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