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"If we look at everything that DOGE has done over the last 3+ weeks, a unifying feature is the effort to pull all of these [government] networks together for more central control...

It’s obvious that you’d want to be very cautious about centralizing this much power in anyone’s hands"
-Josh Marshall
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/doge-dives-into-core-national-defense-and-data-systems-across-government

Here begins the 7th Elon Musk thread.

List with links to previous threads:
https://newsie.social/@ZhiZhu/113986946321010763

#ElonMusk #Musk #Coup #Corruption #Politics #USPol #News #US #USA
Very basic meme with a bright yellow background and black text (sort of like a "caution" sign) that reads: "If we look at everything that DOGE has done over the last 3+ weeks, a unifying feature is the effort to pull all of these [government] networks together for more central control... It’s obvious that you’d want to be very cautious about centralizing this much power in anyone’s hands" -Josh Marshall https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/doge-dives-into-core-national-defense-and-data-systems-across-government

DOGE Dives Into Core National Defense and Data Systems Across Government

To share confidential tips about events unfolding in the federal government you can contact me on Signal at joshtpm dot 99 or via encrypted mail at joshtpm (at)…
Josh Marshall (TPM - Talking Points Memo)
#news #musk #elonmusk #us #politics #usa #uspol #corruption #Coup
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
DOGE’s Millions: As Musk & Trump Gut Govt, Their Ax-Cutting Agency Gets Cash Infusion

The Dept of Government Efficiency is funded — and acts — like a federal agency. But the #WhiteHouse has shielded #DOGE from the rules that govern such agencies...
https://www.propublica.org/article/doge-trump-musk-funding-foia-congress-transparency

"While #ElonMusk & his underlings demand budget cuts & layoffs across the federal #government, funding for their agency — the DOGE — has soared to nearly $40 million"

#Musk #Coup #Corruption #Politics #News #US #USA
Headline from ProPublica: Trump Administration DOGE’s Millions: As Musk and Trump Gut Government, Their Ax-Cutting Agency Gets Cash Infusion The Department of Government Efficiency is funded — and acts — like a federal agency. But the White House has shielded DOGE from the rules that govern such agencies, ProPublica found as it examines the group and expands a list of DOGE workers.
#news #musk #elonmusk #us #politics #usa #government #corruption #Coup #whitehouse #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
"the #Trump administration has treated DOGE as if it were a federal agency... #DOGE has also behaved as if it has agency-level authority...

However, DOGE has refused to respond to Freedom of Information Act requests...

“Either it’s an agency covered by #FOIA with the authority to do what it’s doing, or it’s purely advising the president & can’t be directing agencies in the way it now is.”
https://www.propublica.org/article/doge-trump-musk-funding-foia-congress-transparency

#ElonMusk #Musk #Coup #Corruption #Politics #USPol #News #Press #US #USA
Text from article(edited for length): “This unlawful effort is stealing federal funds from American families and businesses,” DeLauro said. Most of DOGE’s money, records show, has come in the form of payments from other federal agencies made possible by a nearly century-old law called the Economy Act. To steer those funds to the new department, the Trump administration has treated DOGE as if it were a federal agency... DOGE has also behaved as if it has agency-level authority. The use of the Economy Act would seem to subject DOGE to the same open-records laws that cover most federal agencies... However, DOGE has refused to respond to Freedom of Information Act requests, saying it operates with executive privileges. Musk has also flip-flopped about whether DOGE’s staff members are paid. Initially he said they were not, but earlier this week he said some of them were. The conflicting stances put the Trump administration in a bind... If DOGE is a federal agency, it can’t shield its records from the public. If it’s not an agency, then DOGE’s tens of millions of dollars in funding weren’t legally allocated and should be returned, some contend. “The administration can’t have it both ways,” said Adam Grogg, a former deputy general counsel at OMB and now the legal director at Governing for Impact... “Either it’s an agency covered by FOIA with the authority to do what it’s doing, or it’s purely advising the president and can’t be directing agencies in the way it now is.”

How Is the Trump Administration Funding DOGE?

The Department of Government Efficiency is funded — and acts — like a federal agency. But the White House has shielded DOGE from the rules that govern such agencies, ProPublica found as it examines the group and expands a list of DOGE workers.
ProPublica
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #us #politics #press #usa #uspol #corruption #Coup #FOIA #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Trump & Musk Keep Spouting Bogus Numbers to Hide Their Real Agenda

Their phony “statistics” aren’t just an attempt to justify DOGE’s destruction of the govt. Trump & Musk’s goal is even more duplicitous & shady.
https://newrepublic.com/article/191667/trump-musk-numbers-statistics-debunked-real-agenda

"Musk & #Trump administration keep throwing out random figures that are misleading at best, & often downright #lies...

sleight of hand to make it appear as if it’s not corporate titans like #Musk himself who are... robbing the #American people blind"

News #US
Headline: Con Artists Trump and Musk Keep Spouting Bogus Numbers to Hide Their Real Agenda Their phony “statistics” aren’t just an attempt to justify DOGE’s destruction of the government. Trump and Musk’s goal is even more duplicitous and shady. Ross Rosenfeld February 21, 2025
#trump #musk #us #american #lies
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
DOGE Sparks Surveillance Fear Across the US Government

...Trump’s employee purges are making workers worry about how their #data could be abused.
https://www.wired.com/story/surveillance-privacy-doge-federal-employees/

"a barrage of menacing messages... included personal details...

the kinds of encounters that workers across the US #government say they have had w/ #technology...

as Musk’s #DOGE org is rapidly burrowing into various govt agencies & depts... sensitive info "

#Musk #Coup #Corruption #USPol #Privacy #Security #News #USA
Headline: DOGE Sparks Surveillance Fear Across the US Government The US government has increased the use of monitoring tools over the past decade. But President Donald Trump’s employee purges are making workers worry about how their data could be abused. by Paresh Dave, Dell Cameron, and Alexa O'Brien Business Feb 21, 2025 6:30 AM
#news #musk #privacy #data #usa #uspol #security #technology #government #corruption #Coup #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
DOGE’s Millions: As Musk & Trump Gut Government, Their Ax-Cutting Agency Gets Cash Infusion
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/doge-costs-40-million-elon-musk

"more than $39 million... earmarked to #DOGE in the... first *month.*

For perspective, in recent years #Congress had allocated around $50 million a *year* for the... initiative DOGE supplanted...

The #Trump administration has not yet released enough details to trace the exact source of the funding flowing into DOGE or said who is being paid."

#Musk #Coup #Corruption #News #USA
Headline from TPM: DOGE’s Millions: As Musk and Trump Gut Government, Their Ax-Cutting Agency Gets Cash Infusion

DOGE’s Millions: As Musk and Trump Gut Government, Their Ax-Cutting Agency Gets Cash Infusion

This article was first published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive…
Avi Asher-Schapiro (TPM - Talking Points Memo)
#news #trump #musk #congress #usa #corruption #Coup #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
You Won’t Believe How Much DOGE’s Latest Cuts Have Actually Saved

#ElonMusk and his cronies continue to #lie about how much money they’re saving.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191822/doge-cuts-social-security-savings-low-amount

"DOGE’s wonky wall of receipts claimed that it saved $231,864,794 by cancelling an #IT contract...

But DOGE’s cut didn’t save the #government $1 million, let alone the nearly $232 million the agency now claims on its website. In reality, the cut only saved $560,000"

#Musk #Coup #Corruption #Trump #Politics #News #US #USA
Headline: You Won’t Believe How Much DOGE’s Latest Cuts Have Actually Saved Elon Musk and his cronies continue to lie about how much money they’re saving. by Edith Olmsted February 21, 2025 / 12:11 p.m. ET
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #us #politics #usa #government #lie #corruption #Coup #it
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Fired & rehired: the dizzying confusion of Trump's government overhaul
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fired-rehired-dizzying-confusion-trumps-government-overhaul-2025-02-21/

"Federal workers responsible for America's #nuclear weapons, scientists trying to fight a worsening outbreak of #BirdFlu, and officials responsible for supplying #electricity are among those who have been accidentally fired in Donald Trump's rush to lay off tens of thousands of workers.

...the #Trump administration is now rushing to rehire hundreds of these workers"

#Musk #Doge #Politics #News #USA
Headline from Reuters: Fired and rehired: the dizzying confusion of Trump's government overhaul By Timothy Gardner, Leah Douglas, Tim Reid and Valerie Volcovici February 21, 20252:09 PM CST Updated a day ago
#news #trump #musk #politics #usa #nuclear #electricity #birdflu #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
He Took Musk’s Resignation Offer. He Was Fired Anyway.

Scott Curtis had a leadership role in a critical agency until being kicked “to the curb” by #Trump and #Musk. Only after this article was published was he rehired.
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/musk-doge-trump-fork-email-deferred-resignation-offer-probationary-federal-employee-firing

"Four hours after this article was published... Scott Curtis received an email from FEMA’s Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer telling him his firing was being reversed"

#ElonMusk #Coup #Corruption #FEMA #Government #Politics #USPol #News #USA
Headline from The Bulwark: He Took Musk’s Resignation Offer. He Was Fired Anyway. Scott Curtis had a leadership role in a critical agency until being kicked “to the curb” by Trump and Musk. Only after this article was published was he rehired. by Sam Stein Feb 21, 2025
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #politics #usa #uspol #government #corruption #Coup #FEMA
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
INFLECTION: The Backlash Begins As Elon Goes Wild
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/inflection-the-backlash-begins-as-elon-goes-wild

"Beginning this week, local #TV stations around the country have begun running human interest stories about #veterans, members of #military families or #Trump supporters getting fired as part of Elon’s #purge. Meanwhile, we can see a growing cleavage between what congressional #Republicans are saying in Washington and what they’re saying back in their districts."

#Resist #Musk #Coup #Politics #Trump #GOP #News #USA
Headline from TPM: INFLECTION: The Backlash Begins As Elon Goes Wild Member Newsletter February 21, 2025 2:28 p.m.

INFLECTION: The Backlash Begins As Elon Goes Wild

To share confidential tips about events unfolding in the federal government you can contact me on Signal at joshtpm dot 99 or via encrypted mail at joshtpm (at)…
Josh Marshall (TPM - Talking Points Memo)
#news #trump #musk #gop #politics #usa #tv #military #Coup #republicans #veterans #resist #purge
Dieser Beitrag wurde bearbeitet. (2 Tage her)
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
IRS Bars Musk Ally From Seeing Personal Information

A document setting the terms of work at the IRS by Gavin Kliger, a software engineer on Elon Musk’s team, only allows him to see anonymized taxpayer information.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/us/politics/irs-doge-gavin-kliger.html

"The #IRS will not allow a member of Elon Musk’s team to view individual #tax returns while he works at the agency...

Gavin Kliger, a 25-year-old... [White House] pushed for Kliger to have broad visibility of IRS data"

#Musk #Politics #Privacy #News #US
Headline from NYT: I.R.S. Bars Musk Ally From Seeing Personal Information A document setting the terms of work at the I.R.S. by Gavin Kliger, a software engineer on Elon Musk’s team, only allows him to see anonymized taxpayer information.
#news #musk #privacy #irs #tax #us #politics
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Accountability for #Elon, Emil, and Ed
https://harrylitman.substack.com/i/157635895/a-few-legal-updates-and-summaries

"There are three main kinds of claims directly concerning Musk among the 60+ #lawsuits against the administration... The lawsuits allege violations of:

1. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA)...

2. Potential violations of restrictions on disseminating sensitive information, especially under the #Privacy Act...

3. Violations of the Appointments Clause"

#Musk #Coup #Corruption #Trump #Politics #USPol #News #USNews #US #USA
Subheadings and text from article: A Few Legal Updates and Summaries 1. A Brief Primer on Litigation Involving Elon Musk I haven’t written much about Elon Musk, who has been the subject of a lot of recent litigation—much of it overlapping, some of it, in the opinions of district courts, a little premature. I think a lot of us have followed the legal twists and turns in too much detail, and a lot of us in too little. I thought it might be helpful to briefly sketch out and summarize the current legal landscape in thumbnail form for everyone. It’s labyrinthine, but it can be simplified quite a bit for purposes of taking stock of what’s happened and what’s on the horizon. There are three main kinds of claims directly concerning Musk among the 60+ lawsuits against the administration. Many have been brought by consortiums of Democratic state attorneys general, which in itself may raise a legal issue of standing. The lawsuits allege violations of: 1. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), on the grounds that advisory committees must have open and accessible meetings and a balanced representation of viewpoints. 2. Potential violations of restrictions on disseminating sensitive information, especially under the Privacy Act, based on DOGE’s access to all manner of citizens’ private data. 3. Violations of the Appointments Clause in Article II, based on a functional analysis of Musk’s broad power and authority.

Accountability for Elon, Emil, and Ed

And some lighter Friday fare
Harry Litman (Talking Feds Substack)
#news #trump #musk #privacy #us #politics #usa #uspol #corruption #Coup #elon #usnews #lawsuits
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Dem Congressman Who Shared “Elon Musk Dick Pic” Hits Back at Trump DOJ

Rep Robert Garcia slammed the department’s dangerous encroachment on #FreedomOfSpeech.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191813/robert-garcia-donald-trump-doj-elon-musk-dick-pic

"Rep #RobertGarcia hit back at threats from the #DOJ and criticized the agency for trying to “silence” lawmakers speaking out about #ElonMusk.

Earlier... Garcia received a letter from the DOJ regarding comments he’d made... opposing Musk’s takeover of the federal #government"

#FreeSpeech #Musk #Trump #News #USA
Headline: Dem Congressman Who Shared “Elon Musk Dick Pic” Hits Back at Trump DOJ Representative Robert Garcia slammed the department’s dangerous encroachment on freedom of speech. Edith Olmsted February 21, 2025 / 10:55 a.m. ET
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #freespeech #freedomofspeech #usa #government #doj #robertgarcia
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Item one: The richest man in the world is an effing idiot. And something worse than that.
https://newsletter.tnr.com/index.php?action=social&chash=96a93ba89a5b5c6c226e49b88973f46e.1412&s=cdd6377d8462caad2b4695418c877aea

"The way Musk’s #DOGE is going about these cuts is the equivalent... of a man thinking he needs to lose 30 pounds & deciding to saw off his leg. That’s funny, and true. But this is even worse. A man sawing off his leg hurts only himself. What #Musk is doing will hurt millions of people in ways that we’re only beginning to see."

#ElonMusk #Coup #Government #Politics #News #US #USA
Text from article: The way Musk’s DOGE is going about these cuts is the equivalent, as I heard former Biden administration official Mitch Landrieu say on TV this week, of a man thinking he needs to lose 30 pounds and deciding to saw off his leg. That’s funny, and true. But this is even worse. A man sawing off his leg hurts only himself. What Musk is doing will hurt millions of people in ways that we’re only beginning to see. Here’s one small example, which you likely haven’t read about but which I take a little personally. If you’re one of my regular readers, you know that I was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, and went to my hometown university, West Virginia University, or WVU, (not UWV, thank you). A week ago, West Virginia Watch, a small nonprofit news organization in the state, moved a story noting that the university expects to lose $12 million annually in funding that supports cancer and vascular research.

Trump-Musk’s Chainsaw Promotes the Same Old Cruel Right-Wing Ignorance

Fighting Words. What got me...
newsletter.tnr.com
#news #musk #elonmusk #us #politics #usa #government #Coup #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
More from John Oliver:

DOGE & USAID
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLuIDXlwoEc

"We may not be able to stop Chili’s from hurting people, but we can try to stop DOGE."

[Call or write your members of congress and tell them what Elon Musk is doing is unconstitutional and illegal. Ask them to stand up for their constituents and the rule of law.]

#JohnOliver #LastWeekTonight #Politics #Government #Humor #News #Musk #Doge #USAID #US #USA #UnitedStates #World

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.
www.youtube.com
#news #musk #us #politics #humor #world #usa #government #unitedstates #johnoliver #lastweektonight #usaid #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
DOGE’s Chaotic Nuclear Staff Cuts Included This Key Person

#DOGE insisted they only fired non-critical staff, but that’s not the case at all.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191825/doge-nuclear-staff-cuts-head-safety

"One of the staffers forced out of his position included Acting Chief of Defense #Nuclear Safety...

Other critical employees dismissed in the #purge... included an emergency preparedness manager, a radiation protection manager, the #security manager, the fire protection engineer..."

#Musk #Coup #Politics #Safety #News #US #USA
Headline: DOGE’s Chaotic Nuclear Staff Cuts Included This Key Person DOGE insisted they only fired non-critical staff, but that’s not the case at all. by Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling February 21, 2025 / 1:02 p.m. ET
#news #musk #us #politics #usa #security #safety #Coup #nuclear #doge #purge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Inside DOGE’s Dumbest Cut Yet

Last week’s hastily reversed firings at the National #Nuclear Security Administration have left a reeling, rattled agency in their wake.
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/inside-doges-dumbest-cut-yet

"one of the officials who was locked out of his work accounts was... the top authority for all #NuclearSafety matters in the agency...

a deeply unwise #DOGE hatchet job...

illustration... of the potential real-world repercussions of Elon Musk’s slash-&-burn project."

#Musk #Coup #USPol #News #USA #US
Headline from The Bulwark: Morning Shots: Inside DOGE’s Dumbest Cut Yet Last week’s hastily reversed firings at the National Nuclear Security Administration have left a reeling, rattled agency in their wake. by William Kristol, Andrew Egger, and Benjamin Parker Feb 21, 2025
#news #musk #us #usa #uspol #Coup #nuclear #doge #nuclearsafety
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
DOGE’s USDS Purge Included the Guy Who Keeps Veterans’ Data Safe Online

The #cybersecurity lead for VA.gov was fired last week... the Veterans Affairs digital hub will be more vulnerable without someone in his role.
https://www.wired.com/story/doge-usds-purge-veterans-affairs-site-cybersecurity/

#Doge "may not have fully grasped that it was firing the #security lead for the Dept of Veterans Affairs website—the digital hub that connects #veterans w/their benefits & hosts sensitive personal #data, including medical records."

#Musk #Purge #News #USA
Headline from Wired: DOGE’s USDS Purge Included the Guy Who Keeps Veterans’ Data Safe Online The cybersecurity lead for VA.gov was fired last week. He tells WIRED that the Veterans Affairs digital hub will be more vulnerable without someone in his role. by Lily Hay Newman Security Feb 21, 2025 2:58 PM
#news #musk #data #usa #cybersecurity #security #veterans #doge #purge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
The Week in Musk: Who runs DOGE?
https://www.muskwatch.com/p/the-week-in-musk-who-runs-doge

"DOJ told a federal judge... that [Musk] “is not an employee in the US #DOGE Service or… the US DOGE Service Administrator”...

Two days later, #Trump ...[said] “I signed an order creating #DOGE and put a man named #ElonMusk in charge”...

It remains to be seen whether federal courts will accept the Trump administration’s portrayal of #Musk as both a powerless adviser & an empowered executioner."

#Lawsuit #GOP #Politics #News #US #USA
Text from article: On Monday, the Justice Department told a federal judge overseeing a lawsuit challenging Musk’s power that he “is not an employee in the U.S. DOGE Service or… the U.S. DOGE Service Administrator.” The lawsuit, filed by a group of Democratic attorneys general, argued Musk’s role in the government violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, which grants Congress the power to approve executive branch officers. Two days later, Trump contradicted his own Justice Department. “I signed an order creating the Department of Government Efficiency and put a man named Elon Musk in charge,” he said at a Miami gathering of Saudi financiers on Wednesday. With Musk in the crowd, Trump added, “Thank you, Elon, for doing it. And he’s doing a great job.” Musk, meanwhile, has claimed personal responsibility for DOGE's work, including canceling federal contracts, instituting mass layoffs, and eliminating federal agencies. It remains to be seen whether federal courts will accept the Trump administration’s portrayal of Musk as both a powerless adviser and an empowered executioner.

The Week in Musk: Who runs DOGE?

A month has passed since Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the U.S.
Caleb Ecarma (Musk Watch)
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #gop #us #politics #usa #lawsuit #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
X allegedly used Musk-Trump relationship to strong-arm ad group
https://www.muskwatch.com/i/157586902/x-allegedly-used-musk-trump-relationship-to-strong-arm-ad-group

"One of Musk’s lawyers allegedly used the billionaire’s proximity to #Trump to pressure an #advertising conglomerate to increase its #ad spending on X [ #Twitter]...

Interpublic leaders interpreted the communications... as reminders that the recently announced $13 billion deal to merge Interpublic w/rival Omnicom Group could be torpedoed... by the Trump administration"

#Musk #Corruption #News #US #USA
Headline & text (edited for length): X allegedly used Musk-Trump relationship to strong-arm ad group One of Musk’s lawyers allegedly used the billionaire’s proximity to Trump to pressure an advertising conglomerate to increase its ad spending on X. From the Wall Street Journal: [block quote] A lawyer at advertising conglomerate Interpublic Group fielded a phone call in December from a lawyer at X. The message was clear, according to several people with knowledge of the conversation: Get your clients to spend more on Elon Musk’s social-media platform, or else. X CEO Linda Yaccarino has made comments that seemed like similar warnings in conversations with Interpublic executives... Interpublic leaders interpreted the communications from X as reminders that the recently announced $13 billion deal to merge Interpublic with rival Omnicom Group could be torpedoed, or at least slowed down, by the Trump administration, given Musk’s powerful role in the federal government... They also had a front-row seat to Musk’s continued criticism of advertisers that ditched X since he bought it in 2022, when it was known as Twitter. Interpublic has recently signed a new annual deal with X for potential client spending, people familiar with the agreement said. [end block quote] A spokesperson for Interpublic responded by telling the newspaper, “We do not make spending commitments on behalf of clients to any partner or platform, and decision-making authority always rests with the client.”

The Week in Musk: Who runs DOGE?

A month has passed since Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the U.S.
Caleb Ecarma (Musk Watch)
#news #trump #musk #twitter #us #usa #advertising #corruption #ad
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Vietnam paves way for Musk's Starlink, seen as "olive branch" amid US tariff threats
https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/vietnam-paves-way-musks-starlink-seen-olive-branch-amid-us-tariff-threats-2025-02-18/

"Vietnam plans to adopt rules that would allow Elon Musk's #Starlink to provide satellite #internet services in the country...

a sudden shift in stance...

Attempts by #SpaceX to enter #Vietnam... were put on hold in late 2023 after... country declined to lift a ban on foreign control of satellite internet providers"

#Musk #Trump #Corruption #Business #Politics #News #US #USA #World
Headline from Reuters: Vietnam paves way for Musk's Starlink, seen as "olive branch" amid US tariff threats By Francesco Guarascio and Phuong Nguyen February 18, 2025 12:14 AM CST Updated 5 days ago
#news #trump #musk #us #politics #world #usa #business #spacex #corruption #internet #vietnam #starlink
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Elon Musk Is Trying to Buy a Key State Supreme Court Election

Elon Musk’s PAC is dumping money into the crucial race.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191833/elon-musk-trying-buy-election-wisconsin-supreme-court

" #Musk is throwing big bucks behind the #Republican candidate in Wisconsin’s #SupremeCourt race...

That single seat on the 7 member panel will determine whether the #court is controlled by #Democrats or #Republicans, at a time when the judicial system has emerged as the only check on #Trump 's agenda"

#Money #Corruption #Politics #Wisconsin #US #News
Headline: Elon Musk Is Trying to Buy a Key State Supreme Court Election Elon Musk’s PAC is dumping money into the crucial race. by Edith Olmsted February 21, 2025 / 2:02 p.m. ET
#news #trump #musk #us #politics #supremecourt #democrats #money #republican #corruption #republicans #wisconsin #court
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Bice: An Elon Musk-backed group buys at least $670,000 of TV time to support Brad Schimel
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/02/17/elon-musk-group-buys-tv-ads-backing-brad-schimel-for-supreme-court/78976985007/

"an #ElonMusk backed #DarkMoney group, began buying TV time in #Wisconsin on Monday...

The conservative nonprofit has already purchased more than $670,000 of air time for the next two weeks on #TV stations throughout the state...

The amount of the group's buy is expected to rise in upcoming days."

#Musk #Money #Corruption #Politics #Ads #USPol #US #USA
Headline: Elections: Bice: An Elon Musk-backed group buys at least $670,000 of TV time to support Brad Schimel by Daniel Bice Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Published 1:36pm CT, Feb 17, 2025 | Updated 2:34pm CT Feb 17, 2025

Bice: An Elon Musk-backed group buys at least $670,000 of TV time to support Brad Schimel

Building America's Future, an Elon Musk-backed dark money group, has already purchased more than $670,000 of air time backing Brad Schimel.
, Journal Sentinel (Journal Sentinel)
#musk #elonmusk #us #politics #usa #uspol #tv #money #corruption #ads #darkmoney #wisconsin
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
What Elon Musk Got Wrong About Why Federal Retirement Is Still Managed out of a Limestone Mine

The massive underground facility, which has been used to store archives since the 1960s, remains a crucial but convoluted hub for US govt records.
https://www.wired.com/story/limestone-mine-elon-musk-retirement/

"it’s important to remember why #government bureaucracies & record-keeping systems were set up in the first place... safeguarding the records that document our #rights & the responsibility of govts toward us."

#Musk #News #USA
Headline and photo with caption from Wired: Headline: What Elon Musk Got Wrong About Why Federal Retirement Is Still Managed out of a Limestone Mine The massive underground facility, which has been used to store archives since the 1960s, remains a crucial but convoluted hub for US government records. by Caroline Haskins Business Feb 22, 2025 5:00 AM Photo with caption: A man exits the Iron Mountain Inc. data storage facility in Boyers Pennsylvania U.S. on Tuesday Feb. 13 2018. Photograph: Stephanie Strasburg/Getty Images
#news #musk #usa #rights #government
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Elon Musk faces exile from 365-year-old Royal Society scientific institution over his political behavior
https://fortune.com/europe/2025/02/17/elon-musk-faces-exile-from-365-year-old-royal-society-scientific-institution-over-his-political-behavior/

"more than 2,700 #scientists signed an open letter, penned by biologist Stephen Curry, accusing #Musk of breaching the society’s code of conduct.

Curry pointed to Musk’s peddling of #conspiracy theories... Musk’s steering of #DOGE in the #US & its impact on #science...

The society hasn’t expelled a member in more than 150 years"

#ElonMusk #Tech #News #USA
Headline: Tech · Elon Musk Elon Musk faces exile from 365-year-old Royal Society scientific institution over his political behavior By Ryan Hogg February 17, 2025 at 5:23 AM CST

Elon Musk faces exile from 365-year-old Royal Society scientific institution over his political behavior

More than 2,700 scientists sign open letter calling for Musk's removal after being described as a "Bond villain" by a former member.
Ryan Hogg (Fortune)
#science #news #musk #elonmusk #us #scientists #usa #tech #conspiracy #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Elon Musk Threatens FBI Agents & Air Traffic Controllers With Forced Resignation If They Don't Respond to an #Email

Employees throughout the federal #government have until 11:59pm ET Monday to detail 5 things they accomplished in the last week.
https://www.wired.com/story/doge-elon-musk-forced-resignation-email-twitter/

“Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation,” #Musk wrote on X...

employees at the #FBI, #IRS, National Institutes of #Health, & #FAA, which all deal in classified #information, received similar notices."

#News #USA
Headline from Wired: Elon Musk Threatens FBI Agents and Air Traffic Controllers With Forced Resignation If They Don't Respond to an Email Employees throughout the federal government have until 11:59pm ET Monday to detail five things they accomplished in the last week. by Zoë Schiffer Business Feb 22, 2025 6:51 PM

Elon Musk Threatens FBI Agents and Air Traffic Controllers With Forced Resignation if They Don't Respond to an Email

Employees throughout the federal government have until 11:59 pm ET Monday to detail five things they accomplished in the last week.
Zoë Schiffer (WIRED)
#news #musk #irs #usa #health #fbi #government #email #information #faa
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
List accomplishments or resign, Musk tells US federal workers
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr72n1yyj30o

"US #government workers received an #email on Saturday afternoon... shortly after #Trump spoke at #CPAC...

employees were asked to explain their accomplishments from the past week in five bullet points... before midnight on Monday.

👀 ...Newly-confirmed #FBI director #KashPatel told his employees... that they should "pause any responses" to the #OPM memo."👀 ‼️

#Musk #Coup #Politics #USPol #News #US #USNews
Text from article: The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union representing federal employees, criticised the message as "cruel and disrespectful" and vowed to challenge any "unlawful terminations" of federal employees. "Once again, Elon Musk and the Trump Administration have shown their utter disdain for federal employees and the critical services they provide to the American people," Everett Kelley, union president, said in a statement. On Sunday morning, Musk wrote on his social media platform X that "a large number of responses have been received already", adding: "These are the people who should be considered for promotion." Newly-confirmed FBI director Kash Patel told his employees in an email that they should "pause any responses" to the OPM memo. "FBI personnel may have received an email from OPM requesting information," Patel wrote in a message obtained by CBS News. "The FBI, through the Office of the Director, is in charge of all of our review processes, and will conduct reviews in accordance with the FBI procedures." [Looks like some infighting in the Trump admin is coming. ::eats popcorn::]

Document work or resign, Doge says to US federal workers in email

The weekend email comes as Elon Musk leads an effort to aggressively curtail the government workforce.
Laura Blasey and Ana Faguy (BBC News)
#news #trump #musk #us #politics #uspol #fbi #government #Coup #email #usnews #KashPatel #opm #cpac
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Musk Says Government Workers Must Detail Their Workweek or Lose Their Jobs
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/us/politics/elon-musk-email-federal-employees.html

"The email was received by workers across the #government...

But in a sign of the upheaval and the potential legal and #security issues caused by the demand, officials at some federal agencies told their staff to hold off on responding and await further guidance.

Among them was Kash Patel, the new FBI director.👀

...“They’re terrorizing us.”"

#Musk #Coup #Trump #Politics #USPol #News #US #USA
Text from article: But in a sign of the upheaval and the potential legal and security issues caused by the demand, officials at some federal agencies told their staff to hold off on responding and await further guidance. Among them was Kash Patel, the new F.B.I. director. “The F.B.I., through the Office of the Director, is in charge of all of our review processes, and will conduct reviews in accordance with F.B.I. procedures,” Mr. Patel wrote in an email to staff obtained by The Times. “When and if further information is required, we will coordinate the responses. For now, please pause any responses.” For rank-and-file workers, the latest move by Mr. Musk underscored a climate of instability and fear inside the government. One staff member at the National Institutes of Health, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, said she was shocked by the message, which she said left her with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. When she found out more of the context, she said, she messaged a colleague: “They’re terrorizing us.”
#news #trump #musk #us #politics #usa #uspol #security #government #Coup
Dieser Beitrag wurde bearbeitet. (2 Tage her)
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Federal employees told to justify jobs in email or Musk says they face dismissal
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/22/politics/elon-musk-employees-emails

"But several #NationalSecurity agencies, including the #FBI, and multiple other federal depts, advised staffers not to respond to the #email... suggesting that the broader executive branch was not informed of nor prepared for the demand.

The email came from the Office of Personnel Management’s new HR email address but had no signature."

#Musk #Coup #Trump #GOP #Politics #News #USA #USNews
Headline from CNN: Federal employees told to justify jobs in email or Musk says they face dismissal By Shania Shelton, Tami Luhby, Josh Campbell, Eva McKend and Evan Perez, CNN 6 minute read Updated 12:05 AM EST, Sun February 23, 2025
#news #trump #musk #gop #politics #usa #nationalsecurity #fbi #Coup #email #usnews
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Elon Musk Is Trying to Buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court

“His attack on democracy isn’t limited to gutting the federal government. He wants it all.”
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/02/elon-musk-is-trying-to-buy-the-wisconsin-supreme-court/

"a #DarkMoney group backed by #Musk, is spending at least $1.6 million in support of #Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel, a conservative judge in suburban Milwaukee running for an open seat in an April election that will decide whether #progressives or #conservatives control the #court."

#USPol #Corruption #News
Headline and photo with caption from Mother Jones: Courts, February 20, 2025 Elon Musk Is Trying to Buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court “His attack on democracy isn’t limited to gutting the federal government. He wants it all.” by Ari Berman, National Voting Rights CorrespondentBio Photo: Protesters hold signs that read, "Stop the coup," and, "Stop Elon's takeover." Caption: Thousands of people across the United States protested President Donald Trump's executive orders, actions by his administration, and Elon Musk's usurping of the Constitution and Congress. Robyn Stevens Brody/Sipa via AP Images
#news #musk #conservatives #uspol #corruption #darkmoney #wisconsin #progressives #court
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
US FDA asks fired scientists to return, including some reviewing Musk’s Neuralink
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-fda-asks-fired-scientists-return-including-some-reviewing-musks-neuralink-2025-02-22/

"The #FDA plans to rehire around 300 people in total...

The FDA firings last week included about 20 people in its office of neurological and physical #medicine devices, several of whom worked on #Neuralink... It is not known if all of the fired workers reviewing Neuralink have received the return offer."

#Musk #Corruption #Business #Politics #Science #Health #News #USA #US #USNews
Headline from Reuters: US FDA asks fired scientists to return, including some reviewing Musk’s Neuralink By Patrick Wingrove, Rachael Levy and Michael Erman February 22, 20255:21 PM CSTUpdated 10 hours ago
#science #news #musk #us #politics #usa #health #business #medicine #corruption #usnews #fda #neuralink
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Trump is firing federal workers who are not funded by taxpayers
https://archive.is/Sg9Td#selection-1099.0-1099.63

"Elon Musk's #DOGE team has slashed hundreds of #jobs paid for by fees from banks, medical device companies and other forms of funding rather than taxpayer dollars, raising the question of whether the cuts will render hoped for savings...

"The #FDIC is funded through fees paid by banks, so cutting the FDIC's expenses does nothing to reduce the federal budget""

#Musk #Trump #Coup #Politics #News #USA #US
Headline and photo with caption: Trump is firing federal workers who are not funded by taxpayers By Michael Erman, Patrick Wingrove and Marisa Taylor February 21, 202511:23 AM CSTUpdated 2 days ago Photo: A protestor holds up a sign that reads, "Save CFPB" Caption: A demonstrator holds a sign, during a protest, the day after members of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) moved into the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), in Washington, U.S. February 8, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
#news #trump #musk #us #politics #usa #jobs #Coup #doge #fdic
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Some Republicans hammered at home by constituents about DOGE, Ukraine

Trump has made severe cuts across the federal #government in his first month.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republicans-hammered-home-doge-ukraine/story?id=119050651

" #Republicans are facing pushback in their hometowns as #DonaldTrump & Elon Musk's #Doge make severe cuts across the federal government...

"We are all fricking pissed off about this -- you're going to hear it," a constituent told McCormick."

#Resist #Resistance #Musk #Coup #Corruption #GOP #Politics #Georgia #USA #News
Headline: Some Republicans hammered at home by constituents about DOGE, Ukraine Trump has made severe cuts across the federal government in his first month. By John Parkinson, Benjamin Siegel, and Jay O'Brien February 21, 2025, 3:10 PM
#news #musk #gop #donaldtrump #politics #usa #resistance #government #corruption #Coup #republicans #georgia #resist #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Americans Recoil at Trump/Musk Overreach

Turns Out, Americans Don’t Want Billionaires Running Our Nation
https://davidpepper.substack.com/p/opportunity-americans-recoil-at-trumpmusk

"To show you how much those paying attention aren’t happy, let me walk through some early #polls...

Bottom line: as you find yourself appalled, day after day, by what is happening, never let the #FarRight convince you that you are somehow in the minority.

Most #Americans agree with you.

...keep boldly speaking out"

#Resist #Resistance #Musk #Trump #Politics #US
Headline: Opportunity: Americans Recoil at Trump/Musk Overreach Turns Out, Americans Don’t Want Billionaires Running Our Nation by David Pepper Feb 22, 2025
#trump #musk #us #politics #polls #resistance #americans #farright #resist
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
DOGE’s Only Public Ledger Is Riddled With Mistakes

The figures from Elon Musk’s team of outsiders represent billions in govt cuts. They are also full of accounting errors, outdated #data & other miscalculations.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/upshot/doge-musk-trump-errors.html

"the #DOGE team...slapdash accounting adds to a pattern of recklessness by the group, which has recently gained access to sensitive #government payment systems.

...error that inflated the totals by billions of dollars."

#Musk #Coup #Trump #Politics #News #USA
Headline: DOGE’s Only Public Ledger Is Riddled With Mistakes The figures from Elon Musk’s team of outsiders represent billions in government cuts. They are also full of accounting errors, outdated data and other miscalculations.
#news #trump #musk #data #politics #usa #government #Coup #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
New Social Security chief was being investigated when Musk team tapped him

Leland Dudek, a data analyst working in a small anti-fraud office, was suspected of sharing unauthorized access to information with representatives of Musk’s U.S. #DOGE Service. Now he’s the acting #SocialSecurity commissioner.
https://archive.is/029VN#selection-537.0-541.226

"his actions raised enough alarm that he... violated #privacy & #tax laws that sr officials placed him on paid leave as they launched their investigation"

#Musk #News
Text from article: Leaders of the Social Security Administration had just opened an investigation into a career employee they believed was improperly sharing information with Elon Musk’s cost-cutting team when President Donald Trump elevated the employee this week to acting commissioner, according to three current or former government officials with knowledge of the events. The agency’s leadership team became aware in recent weeks that Leland Dudek, a data analyst working in a small anti-fraud office who had been unknown to many of them, was sharing unauthorized access to information with representatives of Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service, according to the three, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe an internal matter. It’s not clear what data Dudek shared, but his actions raised enough alarm that he may have violated privacy and tax laws that senior officials placed him on paid leave as they launched their investigation. The officials, including attorneys in the general counsel’s office, also were notified late last week that Dudek had sent harassing emails to employees in the agency’s personnel and security divisions to rush them to let several engineers hired by DOGE start work and gain access to agency computer systems. The officials pushed back, saying that they had not completed background investigations into the new hires.
#news #musk #privacy #tax #socialsecurity #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Federal workers launch a new site to share inside information about DOGE

“They are destroyers. We are the builders.”
https://www.theverge.com/news/617014/federal-workers-we-the-builders-website-doge

"a secure outlet for #government workers to share how their workplaces are being impacted by #DOGE...

aimed at informing the general #public about what’s happening inside federal agencies, as well as explaining how a #database being accessed by DOGE in #WashingtonDC could impact citizens in tangible ways all across the country."

#Musk #Coup #News #USA
Headline from The Verge: Federal workers launch a new site to share inside information about DOGE “They are destroyers. We are the builders.” by Lauren Feiner Feb 21, 2025, 2:24 PM CST

Federal workers launch a new site to share inside information about DOGE

A group of current and former federal workers aim to share anonymous stories and technical explainers about DOGE’s impact on the government and citizens’ data.
Lauren Feiner (The Verge)
#news #musk #database #usa #public #government #Coup #WashingtonDC #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
We the Builders
https://www.wethebuilders.org/

"We are the builders

We built the tools millions of #Americans use every single day to access government services."

"We don't work for #DOGE. We have always worked for you.

Here, you'll find stories from real #government employees: How we save you time and money, how we protect your personal #information, and how DOGE's dangerous dismantling of government #technology puts you at risk."

#Resist #Resistance #ElonMusk #Musk #Coup #Corruption #USPol #USA
Text from website: Blog Real stories from federal employees. - What would you say you do here - Why "move fast and break things" doesn't work for government - A tale of two efficiencies: U.S. Digital Service vs. DOGE - What is the US Digital Service and why does it matter? Who we are For decades, we've done our jobs in the background. We made it easier to file taxes, get veterans' benefits, and apply for financial aid. During times of crisis, we helped refugees navigate immigration processes, helped everyone find vaccines, and helped parents find baby formula. Along the way, we made government websites easier to use while protecting the integrity of your personal information. If they really wanted to know how to use technology to build a more efficient country, they would ask us. But they haven't. They are destroyers. We are the builders. Our mission We don't work for DOGE. We have always worked for you. Here, you'll find stories from real government employees: How we save you time and money, how we protect your personal information, and how DOGE's dangerous dismantling of government technology puts you at risk.

We are the builders

We find the truth and tell the truth
www.wethebuilders.org
#musk #elonmusk #usa #uspol #resistance #technology #americans #government #corruption #Coup #resist #information #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Here Are the Digital Clues to What Musk Is Really Up To

#GiftLink
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/opinion/musk-doge-personal-data.html?unlocked_article_code=1.y04.9Xpj.G6bhZK21cNZh

#Musk is "exploiting vulnerabilities that are built into the nation’s technological systems, operating as what #cybersecurity experts call an #InsiderThreat...

Modern #digital systems supercharge that #threat by consolidating more & more #information from many distinct realms.

...reams of classified #data on a thumb drive."

#ElonMusk #Coup #Corruption #Politics #Government #Tech #Technology #News #US
Headline from the New York Times: Here Are the Digital Clues to What Musk Is Really Up To Feb. 21, 2025 Opinion by Zeynep Tufekci
#news #musk #elonmusk #data #us #politics #cybersecurity #tech #technology #GiftLink #government #threat #corruption #Coup #digital #information #insiderthreat
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
New Doge/Musk Email Goes Seriously Sideways
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/new-doge-musk-email-goes-seriously-sideways

"top leadership at the #FBI, the #State Dept, the #VA, the Dept of the #Navy... & other parts of the government have explicitly instructed employees... to ignore the #email ...

these emails are authorized or allowed if not directed by... [ #Trump] And yet whole wings of the #government are saying to ignore it...

his own appointees are pushing back and in a fairly public way."

#Musk #Trump #Coup #Politics #USPol #News #USA
Headline from TPM: New Doge/Musk Email Goes Seriously Sideways

New Doge/Musk Email Goes Seriously Sideways

We’ve got a fascinating story unfolding with the new Musk email I reported on below. And yes, something can be fascinating while also being grave…
Josh Marshall (TPM - Talking Points Memo)
#news #trump #musk #politics #usa #uspol #fbi #government #navy #Coup #email #va #state
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
“A NATIONAL CYBERATTACK”
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2025/02/trump-2-0-brings-cuts-to-cyber-consumer-protections/

"The rapidity w/ which #DOGE has rifled through one federal #database after another... has alarmed many #security experts...

“The most alarming aspect isn’t just the access being granted,” wrote Bruce Schneier & Davi Ottenheimer, referring to DOGE as a national #cyberattack. “It’s the systematic dismantling of security measures that would detect & prevent misuse"

#Musk #Coup #Corruption #Tech #Technology #Trump #GOP #Politics #USPol #News #USA
Subheading and text(edited for length): “A NATIONAL CYBERATTACK” DOGE has been steadily gaining sensitive network access to federal agencies that hold a staggering amount of personal & financial information on Americans, including the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Dept of Homeland Security, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), & the Treasury Dept. Most recently, DOGE has sought broad access to systems at the IRS that contain the personal tax information on millions of Americans, including how much individuals earn and owe, property information, and even details related to child custody agreements... the IRS had reached an agreement whereby a single DOGE employee — 25-year-old Gavin Kliger — will be allowed to see only anonymized taxpayer information. The rapidity with which DOGE has rifled through one federal database after another in the name of unearthing “massive fraud” by government agencies has alarmed many security experts, who warned that DOGE’s actions bypassed essential safeguards and security measures. “The most alarming aspect isn’t just the access being granted,” wrote Bruce Schneier and Davi Ottenheimer, referring to DOGE as a national cyberattack. “It’s the systematic dismantling of security measures that would detect and prevent misuse—including standard incident response protocols, auditing, and change-tracking mechanisms—by removing the career officials in charge of those security measures and replacing them with inexperienced operators.”

Trump 2.0 Brings Cuts to Cyber, Consumer Protections

One month into his second term, President Trump's actions to shrink the government through mass layoffs, firings and withholding funds allocated by Congress have thrown federal cybersecurity and consumer protection programs into disarray.
krebsonsecurity.com
#news #trump #musk #gop #database #politics #usa #tech #uspol #security #technology #corruption #Coup #cyberattack #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Some Trump Officials Push Back Against Musk’s Ultimatum to Workers

The #FBI director, Kash Patel, the director of national #intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, & others told employees not to respond to a directive from #Musk...
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/us/politics/elon-musk-email-federal-workers.html

"Several Trump-appointed agency leaders urged federal workers not to comply with Elon Musk’s [email]...

challenging the broad authority #Trump has given the[South African immigrant] to make drastic changes to the federal bureaucracy"

#USPol #News #US
Headline: Some Trump Officials Push Back Against Musk’s Ultimatum to Workers The F.B.I. director, Kash Patel, the director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and others told employees not to respond to a directive from Mr. Musk to summarize their accomplishments.
#news #trump #musk #us #uspol #intelligence #fbi
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Outside Tesla in the Philly suburbs, the green shoots of an American uprising

Rage over unelected billionaire #ElonMusk sends protesters to #Tesla showrooms...
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/tesla-protest-philadelphia-elon-musk-20250223.html

"equal in fury to the other rallies over the shocking role that #Musk... has seized... The unelected South African native is overseeing massive layoffs & sending threatening emails to federal employees while his... dude-bro techies access citizens' personal #data"

#Resist #Resistance #Trump #Coup #News #USA
Headline and photo from The Philadelphia Inquirer: Headline: Opinion Outside Tesla in the Philly suburbs, the green shoots of an American uprising Rage over unelected billionaire Elon Musk sends protesters to Tesla showrooms as America wakes up to the reality of our oligarchy. by Will Bunch | Columnist Published Feb. 23, 2025, 1:05 p.m. ET Photo with caption: Protesters against Tesla billionaire Elon Musk's role in the new Trump administration rallied outside a Tesla showroom on Lancaster Avenue in Devon, Pa., on Saturday. Credit: Will Bunch
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #data #usa #resistance #tesla #Coup #resist
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Republicans Face Angry Voters at Town Halls, Hinting at Broader Backlash
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/us/politics/republicans-congress-town-halls-trump.html

"“The guy in South Africa is not doing you any good...” he added, referring to #Musk and drawing nods & applause...

a Republican & retired US Army officer... [asked] “How can you tell me that #DOGE with some college whiz kids from a computer terminal in #WashingtonDC, without even getting into the field... have determined that it’s OK to cut veterans benefits?”

#ElonMusk #Trump #Coup #News #USA
Republicans Face Angry Voters at Town Halls, Hinting at Broader Backlash After a monthlong honeymoon for the G.O.P. at the start of President Trump’s term, lawmakers are confronting a groundswell of fear and disaffection in districts around the country.
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #usa #Coup #WashingtonDC #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
No Kings! Around the Partisan Bend on DOGE [sic] & Ukraine
https://www.emptywheel.net/2025/02/23/no-kings-around-the-partisan-bend-on-doge-sic-and-ukraine/

"these #TownHalls demonstrate the efficacy of speaking to #Republicans. Whether or not they change a Congressman’s mind right away, they get #press — especially local press that remains more trusted. & they define the terms of debate...

This kind of #politics is not sufficient to reverse the #fascist trend in #America, but it is an irreplaceable part of any effort to try."

#Resist #Resistance #Musk #Coup #USA
Headline: No Kings! Around the Partisan Bend on DOGE [sic] and Ukraine February 23, 2025/30 by emptywheel

No Kings! Around the Partisan Bend on DOGE [sic] and Ukraine - emptywheel

A bunch of contentious town halls in heavily Republican congressional districts this week are a kind of politics that Democrats have too often eschewed in recent years as consultants told candidates that they couldn't swing voters in culturally conse…
emptywheel
#musk #politics #press #usa #resistance #america #Coup #republicans #fascist #resist #townhalls
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
West Bend voters raise concerns about Pres #Trump & #ElonMusk at Republican Congressman's #TownHall
https://www.tmj4.com/news/washington-county/west-bend-voters-raise-concerns-about-pres-trump-and-elon-musk-at-republican-congressmans-town-hall

"Residents came with questions...

"How can we be represented by you if you don't have a voice in #Congress?"...

"...three branches of government, not one..."

"Are you willing to use your subpoena power to tell #Musk to stand in front of Congress and answer some hard questions?"...

...none spoke up in support of Trump's first month efforts"

#Resist #Politics #News #US
Headline and photo. Headline: Washington County West Bend voters raise concerns about Pres. Trump and Elon Musk at Republican Congressman's town hall TMJ4's Chief Political Reporter Charles Benson was the only news station at the listening session for the fiery back-and-forth discussion. Photo: People at the town hall sit holding signs which read, "No USA king", "Fire Musk", and "Keep the light on democracy"

West Bend voters raise concerns about Pres. Trump and Elon Musk at Republican Congressman's town hall

TMJ4's Chief Political Reporter Charles Benson was the only news station at the listening session for the fiery back-and-forth discussion.
Charles Benson (TMJ4 News)
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #congress #us #politics #resist #TownHall
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Judicial Branch Instructs Employees To Ignore Mass DOGE Email
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/judicial-branch-instruct-employees-to-ignore-mass-doge-email

"Saturday #DOGE email marks another intrusion by the #ExecutiveBranch on... the #JudicialBranch... It’s an absurd situation, & an example of the reckless approach that #Trump & #Musk have taken as they carry out a demolition job targeting wide swaths of the #government...

judiciary is a separate branch, outside of the purview of [Trump] & his courtier Musk."

#ElonMusk #Coup #Politics #USPol #News #USA #US
Headline from TPM: Judicial Branch Instructs Employees To Ignore Mass DOGE Email

Judicial Branch Instructs Employees To Ignore Mass DOGE Email

The federal court system told staff on Saturday evening to ignore DOGE’s latest message, which demanded that federal employees submit a bulleted list…
Josh Kovensky (TPM - Talking Points Memo)
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #us #politics #usa #uspol #government #Coup #doge #executivebranch #judicialbranch
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Move fast and break people

For Elon Musk's government, the psychological warfare is the point.
https://www.thehandbasket.co/p/musk-opm-5-bullets-email-psychological-warfare

"there has been a concerted effort to test the limits of what #government workers can mentally handle...

The sending of the 5 bullets #email... federal workers trying to quickly understand... whether a post on X was legally binding.

...its one and only purpose was to scare the shit out of workers...

the psychological toll is ongoing"

#Musk #Trump #Coup #Politics #News #US
Headline and text from article. Headline: Move fast and break people For Elon Musk's government, the psychological warfare is the point. by Marisa Kabas February 23, 2025 The Handbasket is 100% subscriber-funded. If you want to support independent media during these troubling times, become a paid subscriber today. Text: When Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employees arrived at work on a recent frigid day in Washington, DC, they found a long, snaking line outside the building where they typically breeze through security. The department’s new secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was coming to address them that day and they figured that must explain the more than hour-long wait to get into their offices. But no, they would soon learn: With the required return to office, this was just how it was going to be. “Plan and dress accordingly so you don't end up like me, standing outside in a sweater and freezing!,” one manager advised. Since the moment Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States and with him elevated billionaire Elon Musk to chief decision maker, there has been a concerted effort to test the limits of what government workers can mentally handle.
#news #trump #musk #us #politics #government #Coup #email
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Elon Musk's Conflicts of Interest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knGOusAz2As

" #Musk has an active interest in what does & doesn't get cut. His companies have as many as a 100 contracts w/17 different federal agencies.

#SpaceX alone holds about $22B in #government contracts, & his companies are regulated by some of the very agencies now under attack. At least 11 agencies have more than 32 continuing investigations, pending complaints or enforcement actions into Musk's companies"

#ElonMusk #Corruption #News #US

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.
www.youtube.com
#news #musk #elonmusk #us #spacex #government #corruption
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Fire the Muskrat. Now.
Call 202-224-3121
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/fire-the-muskrat-now

"Musk is drunk with power. His messages are #illegal. He had no authority to send them and has no authority to fire or threaten to fire anyone.

...Officials at the Depts of #Defense, #State, #Health & Human Services, Homeland #Security; the #FBI; & the office coordinating America’s #intelligence agencies also told their employees not to respond.

#Musk is out of his gourd."

#ElonMusk #Coup #Politics #Government #News #US #USA
Text from article: Musk is drunk with power. His messages are illegal. He had no authority to send them and has no authority to fire or threaten to fire anyone. A Department of Justice official, granted anonymity to avoid retribution, noted that the email was labeled as coming from an “external,” server, adding they “cannot legally respond to this” because they handle classified material. Federal court officials instructed federal court employees not to respond to the email. “This email did not originate from the Judiciary or the Administrative Office and we suggest that no action be taken,” officials wrote. Officials at the Departments of Defense, State, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security; the FBI; and the office coordinating America’s intelligence agencies also told their employees not to respond. Musk is out of his gourd.

Fire the Muskrat. Now.

Call 202-224-3121.
Robert Reich
#news #musk #elonmusk #us #politics #usa #health #intelligence #fbi #security #government #Coup #defense #illegal #state
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
From Oaxaca, with love

A piece of art that really captures the moment
https://www.thenerdreich.com/oaxaca-art-yescka-elon-musk-trump-nazi-salute/

"poignant #StreetArt in Oaxaca, #Mexico. It captures the current moment and, for obvious reasons, has gone quite viral on at least one #SocialMedia platform. A #Nazi #ElonMusk using his "Roman Salute" to puppeteer lil' #DonaldTrump with a Pinocchio nose. Wow.

The piece is by Yescka, a well-known Oaxacan street artist."

#Resistance #Resist #Musk #Trump #GOP Republicans #Fascism #Politics #Art
Street art in the style of Banksy on a roughly plastered (stucco?) wall. It depicts Elon Musk in a Nazi uniform using his "Roman Salute" (aka Nazi salute) to puppeteer a little Donald Trump with a Pinocchio nose.
#fascism #trump #musk #elonmusk #art #gop #donaldtrump #politics #socialmedia #nazi #resistance #Mexico #streetart #resist
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Anxiety Mounts Among Social Security Recipients as #DOGE Troops Settle In

Elon Musk’s team has descended on an already understaffed #SocialSecurity Administration, which now faces further workforce cuts & closures of vital local offices....
https://www.propublica.org/article/doge-social-security-elon-musk-trump-closures-benefits
https://www.propublica.org/article/doge-social-security-elon-musk-trump-closures-benefits

"DOGE has begun installing its own operatives, including an engineer linked to tweets promoting eugenics & executives with a cut-first-fix-later philosophy, in multiple top positions"

#Musk #Coup #News #US
Headline from ProPublica: Trump Administration Anxiety Mounts Among Social Security Recipients as DOGE Troops Settle In Elon Musk’s team has descended on an already understaffed Social Security Administration, which now faces further workforce cuts and closures of vital local offices. The consequences could be significant for millions of the most vulnerable Americans.
#news #musk #us #Coup #socialsecurity #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
"The best we've had in our lifetime"

GOP lawmakers defend #Musk snatching #Congress' power
https://www.salon.com/2025/02/23/the-best-weve-had-in-our-lifetime-lawmakers-defend-musk-snatching-congress-power/?in_brief=true

"Congress' constitutional power to set the budget... Still, it's shocking to see the #GOP grunts actively argue for their irrelevance on national #television...

they were happy to fanboy out while the Dept of Government Efficiency stripped the #legislature of its purpose."

#ElonMusk #Coup #Corruption #Politics #USPol #News #Press #Media #US #USA
Headline from Salon: "The best we've had in our lifetime": GOP lawmakers defend Musk snatching Congress' power By Alex Galbraith Published February 23, 2025 12:24PM (EST)

"The best we've had in our lifetime": GOP lawmakers defend Musk snatching Congress' power | Salon.com

Award-winning news and culture, features breaking news, in-depth reporting and criticism on politics, science, food and entertainment.
www.salon.com
#news #musk #elonmusk #gop #congress #us #politics #press #usa #uspol #media #television #corruption #Coup #legislature
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Trump and Musk’s Lawless Power Grab Is Scrambling the Legal Resistance

The administration’s assault on #government regulations was expected. But how do you fight a budding #dictator in court?
https://newrepublic.com/article/191846/trump-musk-doge-executive-power-government-regulations

"The #law & the #Trump administration’s policy, though, are quite distinct. The White House’s attempts to #purge the federal workforce, close down entire depts, & centralize power in the #ExecutiveBranch are patently lawless."

#DonaldTrump #Musk #Coup #Politics #News #US #USA
Headline: Uncharted Waters Trump and Musk’s Lawless Power Grab Is Scrambling the Legal Resistance The administration’s assault on government regulations was expected. But how do you fight a budding dictator in court? Kate Aronoff February 24, 2025
#news #trump #musk #donaldtrump #us #politics #usa #law #government #Coup #dictator #purge #executivebranch
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
My Open Letter to #ElonMusk
https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/my-open-letter-to-elon-musk/

"Elon Musk recently posted... that another lawyer & I are “undermining civilization”... suffering from “generational trauma.” This is my response...

I am just a lawyer. I do not have your wealth or your platform...But you need to know this about me...

I will use every tool at my disposal to protect this country from #Trump...

I will not back down. I will not bow or scrape. I will never obey.

Defiantly,
Marc Elias"

#MarcElias #Resist #US
Text from letter: Now let me address the real crux of your post. You are very rich and very powerful. You have thrown in with Donald Trump. Whether it is because you think you can control him or because you share his authoritarian vision, I do not know. I do not care. Together, you and he are dismantling our government, undermining the rule of law and harming the most vulnerable in our society. I am just a lawyer. I do not have your wealth or your platform. I do not control the vast power of the federal government, nor do I have millions of adherents at my disposal to harass and intimidate my opponents. I may even carry generational trauma. But you need to know this about me. I am the great-grandson of a man who led his family out of the shtetl to a strange land in search of a better life. I am the grandson of the three-year-old boy on that journey. As you know, my English name is Marc, but my Hebrew name is Elhanan (אֶלְחָנָן) — after the great warrior in David’s army who slew a powerful giant. I will use every tool at my disposal to protect this country from Trump. I will litigate to defend voting rights until there are no cases left to bring. I will speak out against authoritarianism until my last breath. I will not back down. I will not bow or scrape. I will never obey. Defiantly, Marc Elias

My Open Letter to Elon Musk - Democracy Docket

Elon Musk recently posted on his site that another lawyer and I are “undermining civilization.” This is my response.
Democracy Docket
#trump #elonmusk #us #resist #marcelias
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
DOGE's disastrous accounting
https://www.muskwatch.com/p/doges-disastrous-accounting

"the #data was littered w/duplicate entries, data errors, & items that demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of the federal contracting process...

an analysis of the data... actual savings that #DOGE has documented is about $2.6 billion... less than 5% of the claimed total of $55 billion.

...What follows is a selection of the most egregious #accounting errors committed by DOGE."

#Musk #Trump #Coup #Corruption #News #US #USA
Text from article: DOGE said it saved $232 million by canceling an IT contract. The actual savings was $560,000. One of the entries on the DOGE website, first reported by The Intercept, claimed to save $232 million by canceling a technology contract with the Social Security Administration. The only aspect of the contract that was canceled, however, was "a project to develop an 'X' gender marker for the agency’s internal databases." That cancellation, part of a larger anti-trans agenda, will produce $560,000 in savings. The rest of the contract is unchanged. Hundreds of millions in duplicate entries Politico analyzed the data and identified "at least 14 instances where items are repeated, totaling $325 million in claimed savings." Among the duplicates was "a single $25 million item under the Agriculture Department" that was repeated four times. DOGE counted each vendor authorized to bid on the contract as a separate item. Actually, there are "only two finalized contracts from the vendors listed," and they have "been awarded less than $1 million." A simple $8 billion error About half of the savings initially listed by DOGE were based on the cancellation of "a single $8 billion contract for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency." The contract, however, was actually for just $8 million. Only $2.5 million had been spent under the contract in two-and-a-half years. Misunderstanding the federal contracting process...

DOGE's disastrous accounting

The DOGE website initially listed line items for just $16.5 billion in savings. But the data was littered with duplicate entries, data errors, and items that demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of the federal contracting process.
Judd Legum (Musk Watch)
#news #trump #musk #data #us #usa #corruption #Coup #accounting #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Despite the hype, DOGE hasn't found a shred of fraud

All they've really got is "spending that Elon Musk doesn't like."
https://www.publicnotice.co/p/despite-the-hype-doge-hasnt-found

"not a single instance of fraud or waste has been discovered.

Instead, #DOGE has dismantled federal agencies and halted or cancelled programs that #Trump and #Republicans simply disagree with, amid efforts to purge agencies of employees not loyal to Trump."

#Musk #Doge #Coup #GOP #Fraud #Corruption #Politics #Government #News #US #USA
Text from article: A month into Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s much-hyped efforts to root out fraudulent and wasteful spending by government agencies, not a single instance of fraud or waste has been discovered. Instead, DOGE has dismantled federal agencies and halted or cancelled programs that Trump and Republicans simply disagree with, amid efforts to purge agencies of employees not loyal to Trump. Along with Trump’s firing of 17 inspectors general whose responsibilities ironically include finding waste, fraud, and corruption in government agencies, DOGE may be making the government less efficient, in just one instance by firing employees like Department of Transportation economists who performed cost-benefit analysis of infrastructure projects. Elsewhere, DOGE has fired FAA lawyers who help to keep drunk pilots out of the sky, Rolling Stone reports. And national parks are now understaffed thanks to the chainsaw DOGE is taking to the government. With nothing to show for its efforts to find actual fraud and waste, it has become clear that DOGE is simply a way for Trump and Musk to arbitrarily cancel programs they doesn’t like in lieu of having to negotiate with Congress on spending priorities and government policies. This is likely a violation of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. But it’s more than that: DOGE is now the enforcement arm of a Trump administration that has no interest in working with Congress to implement its policy priorities.
#news #trump #musk #gop #us #politics #usa #fraud #government #corruption #Coup #republicans #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
DOGE is the Theranos of Cost-Cutting
https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/doge-is-the-theranos-of-cost-cutting

"Musk is failing more or less comprehensively at his supposed task of saving money... But he doesn’t want the public — or, more important, #DonaldTrump — to figure that out until he’s achieved his real objectives, which seem to involve taking effective control of large parts of the federal #government — particularly those parts... that are trying to regulate his enterprises"

#ElonMusk #Musk #Corruption #Business #Politics #USA
Text from article: In the case of DOGE, it’s pretty clear that Musk is failing more or less comprehensively at his supposed task of saving money by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. But he doesn’t want the public — or, more important, Donald Trump — to figure that out until he’s achieved his real objectives, which seem to involve taking effective control of large parts of the federal governmentb — particularly those parts of the federal government that are trying to regulate his enterprises and those of his tech-bro buddies. Of course, given the indiscriminate nature of the layoffs he’s been carrying out and the devastating effect they’re having on worker morale, he may end up breaking the federal government rather than taking it over. Which in a way leads me to my second topic: Growing evidence for a rapid collapse in the public’s trust in Trump as an economic manager.

DOGE is the Theranos of Cost-Cutting

And other notes from the Chaos
Paul Krugman
#musk #elonmusk #donaldtrump #politics #usa #business #government #corruption
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
DOGE Email Throws Federal Agencies Into Chaos & Confusion
https://www.wired.com/story/doge-elon-musk-federal-workers-chaos-confusion/

" #Musk has publicly presented himself as responsible for the #email... source of the forced resignation threat—it’s unclear under what authority he would be able to fire federal employees at will over an email response...

“Musk has no actual or formal authority to make #government decisions himself,” the director of the #WhiteHouse Office of Administration wrote in a sworn statement."

#ElonMusk #News #US #USA
Headline: DOGE Email Throws Federal Agencies Into Chaos and Confusion Across the US government, workers failed to get clear guidance on whether or how to respond to an email asking what they did this week, despite Elon Musk’s claim that their jobs are at risk. by Brian Barrett Politics Feb 22, 2025 10:31 PM
#news #musk #elonmusk #us #usa #government #email #whitehouse
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Transcript: Trump Officials Openly Defy Musk as GOP Voter Rage Worsens

...the anti-Musk public backlash hitting #Republicans shows how #Democrats can use this moment to mobilize a robust opposition.
https://newrepublic.com/article/191850/transcript-trump-officials-openly-defy-musk-gop-voter-rage-worsens

"Numerous #House Republicans are suddenly facing angry voter revolts back at home over Elon Musk’s so-called Dept of Government Efficiency...

Some senior #Trump administration officials defied #Musk"

#Resist #Resistance #ElonMusk #Coup #Politics #USPol #News #US #USA
Headline: PODCAST Transcript: Trump Officials Openly Defy Musk as GOP Voter Rage Worsens An interview with Indivisible co-founder Leah Greenberg, who argues that the anti-Musk public backlash hitting Republicans shows how Democrats can use this moment to mobilize a robust opposition. The Daily Blast with Greg Sargent February 24, 2025

LukefromDC hat dies geteilt

LukefromDC
Let's hope rhis one blows sky-high. A young dictator wirh a long life expectancy (like Franco) is a worst-case scenario
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