IRS drafting plans to slash as much as half of its 90,000-person workforce leaving agency âdysfunctional,â AP sources say
By Fatima Hussein The IRS is drafting plans to cut its workforce by as much as half through a mix of layoffs, attrition and incentivized buyouts, according to two people familiar with the situation. The people spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because they werenât authorized to disclose the plans. The layoffs are part of the Trump administrationâs efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce through billionaire Elon Muskâs Department of Government Efficiency by closing agencies, laying off nearly all probationary employees who have not yet gained civil service protection and offering buyouts to almost all federal employees
Trump says Americans should get ready for ‘a little disturbance’ from tariffs
By Bailey Schulz President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Americans should be prepared for âa little disturbanceâ from tariffs. “Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again, and it’s happening and it will happen rather quickly,â Trump said during a formal address before a joint session of Congress. âThere will be a little disturbance. But weâre okay with that. It wonât be much.â The remarks came just hours after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico a doubling of duties on some Chinese goods to 20%, prompting quick retaliatory tariffs from China and Canada. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is
Democratic Rep. Al Green removed after disrupting Trump’s speech
By Henry J. Gomez, Frank Thorp V and Scott Wong Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, was removed from the House chamber Tuesday night after he disrupted President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. Green, who has long pushed to impeach Trump dating to his previous term in office, stood and shook his cane toward the president in the opening minutes of his speech. Other lawmakers cheered and booed Green, causing further chaos on the House floor as Trump paused. The uproar prompted House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to read aloud from House rules. âMembers are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the House and
President Donald J. Trump Proceeds with Tariffs on Imports from Canada and Mexico
President Donald J. Trump is proceeding with implementing tariffs on Canada and Mexico under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to combat the extraordinary threat to U.S. national security, including our public health posed by unchecked drug trafficking. While President Trump gave both Canada and Mexico ample opportunity to curb the dangerous cartel activity and influx of lethal drugs flowing into our country, they have failed to adequately address the situation. The flow of contraband drugs like fentanyl into the United States, through illicit distribution networks, has created a national emergency, including a public health crisis. Mexican drug trafficking
Education Department Offers $25,000 Buyouts Amid Downsizing Efforts
The U.S. Department of Education is offering employees a $25,000 buyout package as part of broader workforce reduction initiatives. Employees had until 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 3, to accept the offer. “This is a one-time offer in advance of a very significant Reduction in Force for the US Department of Education,” wrote Jacqueline Clay, chief human capital officer, in an email sent last Friday afternoon. The Education Department has confirmed this information. The buyout plan aligns with President Trump’s campaign promises to significantly reduce or eliminate the department. Trump has consistently criticized the agency, arguing that taxpayers aren’t receiving adequate
Democratic boycott builds against Trump speech to Congress
By Stephen Neukam A Democratic boycott is developing ahead of President Trump’s address to Congress, Axios has learned.  Democratic leaders have asked lawmakers to show up to the speech with people affected by DOGE and Trump’s federal funding freeze. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), one of the most senior Democrats in the Senate, will not attend Trump’s speech on Tuesday, Axios has learned Neither will Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who will instead host an online town hall.  Democrats on Capitol Hill are split on how to best handle Trump’s first big address to Congress of his second term. They have a guest list
Senate Confirms Linda McMahon as Education Secretary Amid Department Downsizing Plans
By Walter Hudson The U.S. Senate confirmed Linda McMahon on Monday to lead the Department of Education with a vote of 51-45, placing the former World Wrestling Entertainment executive at the helm of an agency that President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly pledged to eliminate. McMahon, who previously served as head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, steps into her new role as the department has already begun offering buyouts to staff, signaling the administration’s determination to dramatically reduce the agency’s footprint. âI am deeply grateful to President Trump for his trust in me to serve in
Public remains negative on Trump ahead of address to Congress
By Jennifer Agiesta The American publicâs view of Donald Trumpâs presidency and the direction heâs leading the country is more negative than positive just ahead of his first formal address to Congress since returning to office, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. The survey finds that across three basic measures of Trumpâs performance on the job â his approval rating, whether he has the right priorities and whether his policies are taking the country in the right direction â the negative side outpaces the positive. Overall, 52% disapprove of Trumpâs performance in office, with 48% approving, about the same
Curtis Symonds, President of HBCU Go Talks Black Excellence and Historic Womenâs History Month Game Day
Curtis Symonds, President and Co-Founder of HBCU Go, recently sat down with Juandolyn Stokes, host of On Point with Juandolyn Stokes, to celebrate Black excellence and discuss an upcoming groundbreaking event for Womenâs History Month. On March 8th, HBCU Go will make history with a special game day broadcast featuring an all-female commentary teamâan inspiring milestone for both sports and media representation. As the leading media platform for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), HBCU Go has long been committed to uplifting Black culture, talent, and institutions. This Womenâs History Month, the network is taking another bold step by showcasing an all-female broadcast team, a
Judge blocks Trump administration from firing probationary employees
By Kayle Jimenez A Northern California federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from its mass firing of probationary federal employees, a group of workers that represent some of the newest hires. On Thursday, Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern California District said the mass firings were likely unlawful and ordered that the Office of Personnel Management halt the firings. In a San Francisco court, Alsup said the Office of Personnel Management acted out of bounds by telling other agencies â including the Department of Education, Small Business Administration and the Energy Department â to