Divided US appeals court rejects plea deal for accused September 11 attacks mastermind
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Indian Express
21 minutes ago
- Indian Express
The DOGE inspired bill that could break—or cement—Trump's govt overhaul
In the early hours of Thursday morning, US Vice President JD Vance cast a tie-breaking vote that advanced one of the most contentious pieces of legislation in President Donald Trump's second term – a $9 billion federal spending rollback pitched as a return to fiscal sanity. The bill, now before the House, is the first major victory for Trump's embattled Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, a cost-cutting crusade born of Silicon Valley bravado and steered until recently by Elon Musk. The legislation slashes funding for foreign aid, public broadcasting, and what the White House calls 'politicized bureaucracy.' Roughly $8 billion will be withdrawn from international aid and development programs, while another $1.1 billion is set to disappear from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a longtime Republican target that helps fund NPR and PBS. Vance defended the cuts as necessary to 'restore fiscal sanity' and eliminate 'ideologically slanted' or inefficient programs that no longer served national interests. The Trump administration argues that such sacrifices are necessary to restore fiscal discipline. Supporters insist the bill trims fat, not muscle. But humanitarian groups and international health advocates warn of consequences far more severe: disrupted vaccination programs, halted food aid shipments, shuttered water projects, and damaged diplomatic relationships. 'This could cripple efforts to fight preventable disease,' one aid official said, 'and leave America looking callous.' Even some within the GOP have expressed quiet discomfort with the method, if not the mission. Senator Lisa Murkowski described the process as 'agonizing,' voicing concern about the impact on rural health care in her state. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also broke ranks, voting with Democrats. This may be a pyrrhic win for DOGE, the once-feared government efficiency team created by Musk. Since Trump returned to office, DOGE has been granted unprecedented authority to fire employees, shred contracts, and cancel funding streams. At its peak, DOGE promised to slash $2 trillion from the federal budget. That number has since been revised down to $150 billion. But the team's trajectory has been anything but smooth. According to The Wall Street Journal and Politico, at least eight senior DOGE staffers have quit, been sidelined, or had their contracts terminated following Musk's acrimonious departure from the White House. Once considered Trump's 'first buddy,' Musk has become an unpredictable critic. Meanwhile, Trump himself has begun to show signs of DOGE fatigue. 'I would have done it differently, a little bit, maybe,' he told a Cabinet meeting. That came after a string of social media attacks on Musk, including calling him a 'TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks.' Inside government buildings, the Musk imprint is fading. Where once there were armed guards and restricted floors, there are now empty cubicles and elevator buttons with no special markings. Many of Musk's reforms, particularly efforts to gut federal agencies and programs like DEI initiatives, have been blocked by courts or reversed by Congress. Others simply collapsed under their own weight. Yet DOGE has not entirely disappeared. Former DOGE operatives have been embedded in departments like Energy, Interior, and the EPA, where they continue to quietly influence policy. 'The mission of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse is part of the DNA of the federal government,' said White House spokesman Harrison Fields, 'and will continue under the direction of the president, his cabinet, and agency heads.' Still, the president is pressing forward with his cost-cutting vision – if now on his own terms. The House must pass the bill by Friday to meet the procedural deadline. If it does, it will head to Trump's desk for a signature he's all but guaranteed to give. The DOGE initiative may be bruised, but its ethos of slash-and-burn austerity, repackaged in legislative form, appears poised to succeed.
News18
42 minutes ago
- News18
Barack Obama Asks Democrats To 'Toughen Up' And 'Do Something' In Latest Message
Last Updated: His recent call to action came at a private fundraiser event in New Jersey last week. Former US President Barack Obama has delivered a strong message to Democrats, urging them to stop whining and start taking a stand. He issued this call to action at a private fundraiser held in New Jersey last week. The Democrats faced a disappointing loss in the 2024 presidential election, as Republican candidate Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris. Over the past few months, the Trump administration has announced several decisions that have frustrated Democrats and contradicted their political values. In his speech on Friday, the former President encouraged Democrats to stand up for their principles and for what they believe is right for the progress of the country. He also urged them to complain less and take more action. 'I think it's going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions. And it's going to require Democrats to just toughen up," Obama said, as reported by CNN. After their loss in the presidential election, Democrats are now seeking ways to move forward. Currently, the party is focused on campaigning for their candidates in the upcoming gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. Offering his support, Obama said, 'Stop looking for the quick fix. Stop looking for the messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates." The New Jersey fundraiser was hosted by Governor Phil Murphy and Tammy Murphy at their residence in Red Bank. The event raised $2.5 million in donations for the Democratic National Committee, according to an insider source cited by CNN. In his speech, Obama also addressed internal divisions within the party, urging supporters to remain committed to delivering results and improving people's lives. 'You've got to figure out how to do it," he said. Obama also expressed hope that Democrats can return to power. 'If we do our jobs over the next year and a half, then I think we will rebuild momentum," he said. The recent fundraiser marked one of the few occasions where Obama directly criticised Trump and his policies. While he has previously spoken out against Trump's tariff policies and warned of the country's drift toward autocracy, he has generally been selective in his comments on the current president. view comments First Published: July 14, 2025, 22:18 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
42 minutes ago
- News18
Trump Torches ‘Knucklehead' Fed Chair — But Denies Reports He's Going to Fire Him US News
President Donald Trump denied a report suggesting he's planning on firing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, but also refused to rule out the possibility of dropping the 'knucklehead.'Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump denied a Fox News report from earlier in the day that he plans on firing Powell 'soon' after a meeting with Republican lawmakers. News18 Mobile App -
