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"Musk and his minions decided to summarily fire as many federal workers as they could without making any effort to find out what these workers do and whether it’s important."
- Paul Krugman

Here begins the 6th Elon Musk thread.

Previous threads:

1st: https://newsie.social/@ZhiZhu/113934284003400421

2nd: https://newsie.social/@ZhiZhu/113951618453636625

3rd: https://newsie.social/@ZhiZhu/113963233763918473

4th: https://newsie.social/@ZhiZhu/113980599958766875

5th: https://newsie.social/@ZhiZhu/114004086338314054

#ElonMusk #Musk #Coup #Corruption #Trump #Politics #USPol #News #USNews #US #USA
Meme in the form of a newspaper headline with the text: Elon Musk's gang of very young techbros rampages through US government agencies creating havoc! "Musk and his minions decided to summarily fire as many federal workers as they could without making any effort to find out what these workers do and whether it’s important." - Paul Krugman

Zhi Zhu 🕸️ (@ZhiZhu@newsie.social)

Attached: 1 image "A private citizen with zero Constitutional authority is effectively seizing control of critical government functions.
Newsie
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #us #politics #usa #uspol #corruption #Coup #usnews
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Burn it down

#Musk and #Trump Are Cutting Popular Programs. That’s Deliberate.

This is how you sever the positive relationship between people and government—ensuring there’s nothing left to defend.
https://newrepublic.com/article/191573/musk-trump-freeze-ira-education-environment

"But why pick on so many of the most popular [govt programs]?

...their popularity is precisely what the #TrumpMusk administration dislikes about them. For anti-government ideologues, it’s important that people not have good experiences w/the #government"

#Coup #News #USA
News headline: Burn it down Musk and Trump Are Cutting Popular Programs. That’s Deliberate. This is how you sever the positive relationship between people and government—ensuring there’s nothing left to defend. Liza Featherstone February 17, 2025
#news #trump #musk #usa #government #Coup #trumpmusk
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Top #SocialSecurity Official Leaves After #Musk Team Seeks Data Access

The departure of the acting commissioner is the latest backlash to #DOGE efforts to access sensitive data.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/us/politics/social-security-musk-team-access.html

"abrupt departure of a senior federal official who refused to provide Musk’s lieutenants with access to closely held #data. Musk’s team has been embedding with agencies across the federal #government & seeking access to private data"

#Privacy #ElonMusk #Coup #Trump #Politics #News #USA #US
News headline: Top Social Security Official Leaves After Musk Team Seeks Data Access The departure of the acting commissioner is the latest backlash to the Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to access sensitive data.
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #privacy #data #us #politics #usa #government #Coup #socialsecurity #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Top Social Security official steps down after disagreement with #DOGE over sensitive data
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/doge/top-social-security-official-steps-disagreement-doge-sensitive-data-rcna192530

"some of the #information involved in the dispute included #Americans’ bank information, #SocialSecurity numbers, earnings records, marital statuses, dates of birth &, in some cases, medical records if people have applied for disability benefits.

“She was replaced as acting commissioner because she would not give access to the sensitive information”"

#Musk #Coup #USPol #News #US
News headline from NBC News: DOGE Top Social Security official steps down after disagreement with DOGE over sensitive data The top official's departure is the latest in a wave of exits of senior officials whose agencies have come into the crosshairs of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.

Top Social Security official steps down after disagreement with DOGE over sensitive data

King’s departure is the latest in a wave of exits from senior officials whose agencies have come into DOGE’s crosshairs.
Yamiche Alcindor (NBC News)
#news #musk #us #uspol #americans #Coup #information #socialsecurity #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Elon's fraud search exposed as a fraud

#DOGE is supposed to root out waste, fraud, & abuse-- but thus far, it's only served Elon Musk's personal interests
https://plus.briantylercohen.com/p/elons-fraud-search-exposed-as-a-fraud

"Elon starts off by dismantling one agency that just so happens to be investigating him, that costs barely anything to operate, that offers invaluable resources to the world, that affords us substantial soft power benefits… & another agency whose entire purpose is to help victims of financial crimes"

#Musk #News #US
Headline: Elon's fraud search exposed as a fraud DOGE is supposed to root out waste, fraud, and abuse-- but thus far, it's only served Elon Musk's personal interests. by Brian Tyler Cohen Feb 11, 2025

Elon's fraud search exposed as a fraud

DOGE is supposed to root out waste, fraud, and abuse-- but thus far, it's only served Elon Musk's personal interests.
Brian Tyler Cohen
#news #musk #us #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
No, 150-Year-Olds Aren’t Collecting Social Security Benefits

#ElonMusk claims to have found rampant #fraud in the #SocialSecurity Administration. There’s a much simpler explanation.
https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-doge-social-security-150-year-old-benefits/

"weird quirk of the Social Security Administration’s benefits system, which was largely written in COBOL, a 60-year-old programming language...

These systems default to the reference point [May 20, 1875] when a birth date is missing or incomplete"

#Musk #Coup #Trump #Politics #News #USA
News headline: No, 150-Year-Olds Aren’t Collecting Social Security Benefits Elon Musk claims to have found rampant fraud in the Social Security Administration. There’s a much simpler explanation. by David Gilbert Politics Feb 17, 2025 3:02 PM
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #politics #usa #fraud #Coup #socialsecurity
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
First IRS, Now DOGE Busts Its Way Into the Social Security Administration
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/doge-busts-its-way-into-social-security-administration

"DOGE demanding access to literally everybody’s and every companies’ #tax returns at the #IRS. It seems like they now have that access, though we don’t know that for certain. (We’re basically entirely dependent on leaks since #DOGE works entirely in secret.) Now news just broke that the DOGErs appear to have busted their way into the #SocialSecurity Administration"

#Musk #Trump #GOP #Politics #US
Headline and photo with caption. Headline: First IRS, Now DOGE Busts Its Way Into the Social Security Administration By Josh Marshall February 17, 2025 8:13 p.m. Photo with caption: WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: In this photo illustration, a Social Security card sits alongside checks from the U.S. Treasury on October 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Social Security Administration announced recipie... MORE

First IRS, Now DOGE Busts Its Way Into the Social Security Administration

Hard to keep track of precisely what’s happening at these different agencies. But we just got through the headlines about DOGE demanding access to literally…
Josh Marshall (TPM - Talking Points Memo)
#trump #musk #gop #irs #tax #us #politics #socialsecurity #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Trump-Musk Threats Darken as Their Anger at Enemies Takes Ominous Turn

As Trump & #ElonMusk signal menacing new intentions on numerous fronts, a scholar of democratic breakdown explains how we’re now seeing textbook signs of a country’s slide into #authoritarian rule.
https://newrepublic.com/article/191598/trump-musk-threats-darken-anger-enemies-takes-ominous-turn

"Elon Musk raged on #Twitter that people at CBS News deserve a “long prison sentence”... Meanwhile, #Trump tweeted out a line saying straight out that his presidency is above the #law."

#Authoritarianism
Headline: PODCAST Trump-Musk Threats Darken as Their Anger at Enemies Takes Ominous Turn As Trump and Elon Musk signal menacing new intentions on numerous fronts, a scholar of democratic breakdown explains how we’re now seeing textbook signs of a country’s slide into authoritarian rule. The Daily Blast with Greg Sargent February 18, 2025
#trump #elonmusk #twitter #law #authoritarianism #authoritarian
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Meta removes Facebook ad criticizing Musk
https://www.muskwatch.com/p/meta-removes-facebook-ad-criticizing

"Meta removed an advertisement earlier this month criticizing Elon Musk’s use of ... #DOGE to seize #Americans' private information. "A single individual now controls sensitive US #data, risking our #NationalSecurity. Urge #Congress to enforce strict oversight," read the rejected Facebook ad"

#ElonMusk #Musk #Fascism #SocialMedia #Facebook #Meta #Politics #USPol #News #USNews #US #USA
Headline and text from article: Headline: Meta removes Facebook ad criticizing Musk by Caleb Ecarma Feb 18, 2025 Text: Meta removed an advertisement earlier this month criticizing Elon Musk’s use of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to seize Americans' private information. "A single individual now controls sensitive U.S. data, risking our national security. Urge Congress to enforce strict oversight," read the rejected Facebook ad purchased by Ekō, a watchdog group that says it is committed to curbing corporate power. The ad linked to an online petition, which has received roughly 95,000 signatures, calling for "a massive public outcry demanding US lawmakers take action [against Musk and DOGE] before more damage is done."

Meta removes Facebook ad criticizing Musk

Meta removed an advertisement earlier this month criticizing Elon Musk’s use of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to seize Americans' private information.
Caleb Ecarma (Musk Watch)
#fascism #news #musk #elonmusk #data #congress #us #politics #usa #uspol #socialmedia #nationalsecurity #facebook #meta #americans #usnews #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
"T" as in Tesla

Where Do You Protest Elon Musk?

Everywhere, It Turns Out.
From Stonewall to Tesla dealerships, protesters are pioneering a form of opposition that doesn't necessarily center on Washington, D.C.
https://newrepublic.com/article/191624/elon-musk-stonewall-protest-tesla

"These sorts of protests are now following each new #Trump decree, every agency #Musk has ravaged. The sites are expanding: from #DC sidewalks to Congressional offices, from #Stonewall to #Tesla dealerships"

#Resist #Resistance #Musk #Trump #Politics #News #US
Headline: "T" as in Tesla Where Do You Protest Elon Musk? Everywhere, It Turns Out. From Stonewall to Tesla dealerships, protesters are pioneering a form of opposition that doesn't necessarily center on Washington, D.C.. by Melissa Gira Grant/ February 18, 2025

Where Do You Protest Elon Musk? Everywhere, It Turns Out.

From Stonewall to Tesla dealerships, protesters are pioneering a form of opposition that doesn't necessarily center on Washington, D.C..
The New Republic
#news #trump #musk #us #politics #resistance #tesla #dc #resist #stonewall
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Great News For Us, Awful News For Trump and Elon
https://www.dworkinsubstack.com/p/great-news-for-us-awful-news-for

"protests were held in all 50 states and DC yesterday, as part of the #NotMyPresidentsDay” and #NoKingsDay demonstrations. In many places, people braved below freezing wind chills and snow, or pouring rain, to make their voices heard.

With rallies in more than 100 cities, it was by far the largest day of #protests this year. It’s clear there is momentum growing"

#Resist #Resistance #USA #US #USPol #Politics #News
Headline and text from article. Headline: Great News For Us, Awful News For Trump and Elon Onward. Scott Dworkin Feb 18, 2025 Text: I have even more good news to share with you. I hope this gives you some sort of relief from the Trump and Musk chaos like it did for me—even if just for a little bit. Today at 2pm ET I’ll be having a live conversation here on Substack, with former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner. I’ll email all subscribers a link when we launch, and we’ll release the full video later this week, for everyone who can’t join us live. I was able to confirm that protests were held in all 50 states and DC yesterday, as part of the “Not My Presidents Day” and “No Kings Day” demonstrations. In many places, people braved below freezing wind chills and snow, or pouring rain, to make their voices heard. With rallies in more than 100 cities, it was by far the largest day of protests this year. It’s clear there is momentum growing, and as we get into the warmer months ahead, these protests will likely only grow in size.
#news #us #politics #usa #uspol #protests #resistance #resist #notmypresidentsday #nokingsday
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
This We'll Defund

DOGE Is Targeting the Wrong Agencies

The Dept of Defense has a bloated budget, is ripe with #corruption, & has never passed an audit. Hundreds of billions should be slashed.
https://newrepublic.com/article/191611/doge-targeting-wrong-agencies

"The #DeptOfDefense, which commands an $850 billion budget, failed its 7th audit in a row in November. In fact, it’s the only major federal agency that has never passed one...

#Doge ...[should] have spent the last month at the #Pentagon, not #USAID."

#DOD #Musk #USPol #News #US
News headline: This We'll Defund DOGE Is Targeting the Wrong Agencies The Department of Defense has a bloated budget, is ripe with corruption, and has never passed an audit. Hundreds of billions should be slashed. by Indigo Olivier February 18, 2025

DOGE Is Targeting the Wrong Agencies

The Department of Defense has a bloated budget, is rife with corruption, and has never passed an audit. Hundreds of billions should be slashed.
The New Republic
#news #musk #us #uspol #pentagon #corruption #usaid #dod #doge #deptofdefense
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Elon Sees Dead People

Along with a whole lot of fraud that has no basis in fact. So what’s he up to, exactly?
https://statuskuo.substack.com/p/elon-sees-dead-people

"Musk wasted no time spreading outright #lies...

#Musk made three big #false claims about #SocialSecurity fraud, both online & during that bizarre Oval Office presser where he acted like the president, with his toddler seated at the desk beside him the whole time. (Musk also brought his child X.)"

#ElonMusk #Trump #Corruption #GOP #Politics #USPol #USA #News
Headline and text from article: Headline: Elon Sees Dead People Along with a whole lot of fraud that has no basis in fact. So what’s he up to, exactly? by Jay Kuo Feb 18, 2025 Text: Just when you think the DOGE infection of our financial payments and other government systems can’t get worse, it just did. The New York Times reported that Elon Musk has embedded one of his teams inside the Social Security Administration, with all our personal financial information in its databases now likely available to them. It’s so bad that a top Social Security official resigned on Monday after DOGE sought access to personal data for millions of Americans. That sounds a lot like what happened inside of the Fiscal Services Bureau and USAID.
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #gop #politics #usa #uspol #corruption #lies #socialsecurity #false
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
"But #Musk isn’t really interested in the truth, or even in finding #fraud. If he were, he would have brought in forensic accountants & not young software coders.

Musk is lying to the #American public...

The legacy #press is doing a lousy job letting the public know that Musk’s statements are bogus & easily disprovable...

Just as #fascists have done throughout #history, Musk’s claims of rampant fraud are a #FalseFlag operation"
https://statuskuo.substack.com/p/elon-sees-dead-people

#ElonMusk #Coup #Fascism #Politics #USA
Text from article: But Musk isn’t really interested in the truth, or even in finding fraud. If he were, he would brought in forensic accountants and not young software coders. Musk is lying to the American public in order to justify deep cuts to Social Security, all in the name of eliminating fraud. It’s a smokescreen for what he is really after. He also wants to claim credit for purging deceased recipients, even though the government already does this routinely, in order to justify his continued access to the systems he is rapidly taking over. The legacy press is doing a lousy job letting the public know that Musk’s statements are bogus and easily disprovable. They’re doing an even worse job explaining that Musk has a nefarious agenda behind all his false fraud claims. That means it’s up to us independent reporters and writers to get the word out, and for that we need your help amplifying the truth. If we keep letting him lie, the public will continue to hand him the keys to the kingdom, all in the name of solving non-existent, wholly fabricated problems. We need to see this clearly. Just as fascists have done throughout history, Musk’s claims of rampant fraud are a false flag operation on a massive scale. And he’s busily duping our whole body politic into going along.

Elon Sees Dead People

Along with a whole lot of fraud that has no basis in fact. So what’s he up to, exactly?
Jay Kuo (The Status Kuo)
#fascism #musk #elonmusk #politics #history #press #usa #fraud #fascists #american #Coup #falseflag
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
How Musk is cancelling the US government
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/how-musk-is-cancelling-the-us-government

"This is blatantly illegal, yet #Congress remains silent.

...Musk has also become Trump’s hatchet man — threatening #Republican members of Congress if they deviate from #Trump...

#Musk warned Republican lawmakers... that his political action committee would “play a significant role in primaries” next year."

#ElonMusk #Corruption #Coup #Politics #USPol #USNews #News #US #USA
Text from article: They are gaining access to the most sensitive personal information about Americans available anywhere, along with computer code capable of altering that information and those systems. The Muskrats have been able to turn off government funding without Congress’s consent, even in the face of federal court orders to turn the funding back on. This is blatantly illegal, yet Congress remains silent. Congress is supine because Republicans are in charge, and Musk has also become Trump’s hatchet man — threatening Republican members of Congress if they deviate from Trump. Iowa’s Republican Senator Joni Ernst was firmly set against Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense until Musk hinted that he’d finance a primary challenger to Ernst, who’s up for reelection next year. Presto: Ernst supported Hegseth. Indiana’s Republican Senator Todd Young expressed concern about the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence until Musk tweeted against him. A besieged Young spoke with JD Vance, who arranged a call with Musk. Presto: Young announced he would back Gabbard. Musk warned Republican lawmakers in December that he was compiling a “naughty list” of members who buck Trump’s agenda. He also pledged shortly after Election Day that his political action committee would “play a significant role in primaries” next year. A Republican senator told The Hill that Musk’s wealth makes primary threats “a bigger deal.”

How Musk is cancelling the U.S. government

Friends,
Robert Reich
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #congress #us #politics #usa #uspol #republican #corruption #Coup #usnews
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Steve Bannon Slams “Parasitic Illegal Immigrant” Elon Musk

Trump’s former adviser has some choice words for #ElonMusk as the #MAGA civil war escalates.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191652/steve-bannon-slams-parasite-elon-musk

"The far-right commentator & former #DonaldTrump adviser told the outlet that “Musk is a parasitic illegal #immigrant. He wants to impose his freak experiment and play-act as God without any respect for the country’s history, tradition or values.”"

#Musk #SteveBannon #Trump #GOP #Politics #USPol #US #USNews #News #USA
Headline: Steve Bannon Slams “Parasitic Illegal Immigrant” Elon Musk Trump’s former adviser has some choice words for Elon Musk as the MAGA civil war escalates. by Hafiz Rashid February 18, 2025 / 1:33 p.m. ET
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #gop #maga #donaldtrump #stevebannon #us #politics #usa #uspol #usnews #immigrant
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Not Even DOGE Employees Know Who’s Legally Running DOGE

Despite all appearances, the White House insists that #ElonMusk is not in charge of DOGE. US Doge Service employees can’t get a straight answer about who is.
https://www.wired.com/story/doge-elon-musk-leadership-administrator/

"according to a new #court filing from the #WhiteHouse, the administrator of #DOGE isn’t Elon Musk after all. Who is? No one knows...

a sworn statement...Musk’s formal role is “senior advisor” to the president"

#Musk #Corruption #Coup #Trump #Politics #News
News headline: Not Even DOGE Employees Know Who’s Legally Running DOGE Despite all appearances, the White House insists that Elon Musk is not in charge of DOGE. US Doge Service employees can’t get a straight answer about who is. by Makena Kelly Politics Feb 18, 2025 3:03 PM

Not Even DOGE Employees Know Who's Legally Running DOGE

Despite all appearances, the White House insists that Elon Musk is not in charge of DOGE. US DOGE Service employees can’t get a straight answer about who is.
Makena Kelly (WIRED)
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #politics #corruption #Coup #whitehouse #court #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
STATE OF NEW MEXICO v. MUSK
Declaration of Joshua Fisher
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69638651/24/1/state-of-new-mexico-v-musk/

"Musk is a senior advisor to the president...

In his role as senior advisor..., Musk has no actual or formal authority to make #government decisions...

He is not an employee of the US #Doge Service...

#Musk is not the US Doge Service administrator"

[Is Fisher lying to delay court rulings? Musk is obviously running Doge, whatever his official title.]

#ElonMusk #Lawsuit #NewMexico #Trump #Politics #USA #USPol
Text from document: 2. I am the Director of the Office of Administration. I have held that position since January 20, 2025. In that capacity, I am personally involved in the appointment of special govt employees. I have personal knowledge of Mr. Elon Musk’s employment status with the federal govt. 3. Mr. Musk is an employee of the White House Office. He holds that position as a non- career Special Govt Employee (“SGE”). 4. In that job, Mr. Musk is a Senior Advisor to the President. It is not uncommon for the President to have Senior Advisors who are SGEs. For instance, Anita Dunn was an influential Senior Advisor to President Biden, while serving as an SGE. 5. In his role as a Senior Advisor to the President, Mr. Musk has no greater authority than other senior White House advisors. Like other senior White House advisors, Mr. Musk has no [page header] Case 1:25-cv-00429-TSC Document 24-1 Filed 02/17/25 Page 2 of 2 [end page header] actual or formal authority to make govt decisions himself. Mr. Musk can only advise the President and communicate the President’s directives. 6. The U.S. DOGE Service is a component of the Executive Office of the President. The U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization is within the U.S. DOGE Service. Both are separate from the White House Office. Mr. Musk is an employee in the White House Office & not an employee of the U.S. DOGE Service or U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization. Mr. Musk is not the U.S. DOGE Service Administrator.
#trump #musk #elonmusk #politics #usa #uspol #government #lawsuit #newmexico #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
White House Says Elon Musk Isn’t Running DOGE—So Who Is?

If #ElonMusk isn’t really the person in charge of the Dept of Govt Efficiency, who the hell is?
https://newrepublic.com/post/191633/white-house-elon-musk-doge

"So if #Musk isn’t in charge of #DOGE, who is? And if he’s just some adviser with “no actual formal authority,” why is he seemingly involved in eliminating massive #government programs, firing thousands of people, & holding press conferences in the Oval Office?"

#Trump #Lies #Corruption #GOP #Politics #USPol #News #US
Headline: White House Says Elon Musk Isn’t Running DOGE—So Who Is? If Elon Musk isn’t really the person in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency, who the hell is? by Malcolm Ferguson February 18, 2025 / 10:17 a.m. ET
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #gop #us #politics #uspol #government #corruption #lies #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Trump Press Sec Tries Bizarre Argument on DOGE to Avoid Legal Trouble

If Elon Musk isn’t in charge & DOGE has no real authority... what happens next?
https://newrepublic.com/post/191661/trump-press-secretary-leavitt-doge-elon-musk

"It’s a clear attempt to avoid legal trouble... one unlikely to stand up in court. #Trump explicitly appointed #Musk as head of #DOGE just 1 week after he won the election... Musk even held a press briefing in the Oval Office, as Trump signed an executive order expanding DOGE powers... pathetic"

#Politics #Law #News #USA
Headline: Trump Press Sec Tries Bizarre Argument on DOGE to Avoid Legal Trouble If Elon Musk isn’t in charge and DOGE has no real authority... what happens next? by Malcolm Ferguson February 18, 2025 / 4:28 p.m. ET
#news #trump #musk #politics #usa #law #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
The 50-Year-Old Law That Could Stop DOGE in Its Tracks—Maybe

At least 8 ongoing #lawsuits related to the so-called Department of Govt Efficiency’s alleged access to sensitive data hinge on the Watergate-inspired Privacy Act of 1974. But it’s not airtight.
https://www.wired.com/story/privacy-act-doge-lawsuits/

"What Is the Privacy Act?

The Privacy Act is a #law that limits how the federal #government can collect, use, and share #information about #US citizens & other people in the #UnitedStates."

#Musk #Coup #News #USA
Headline: The 50-Year-Old Law That Could Stop DOGE in Its Tracks—Maybe At least eight ongoing lawsuits related to the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s alleged access to sensitive data hinge on the Watergate-inspired Privacy Act of 1974. But it’s not airtight. by Eric Geller Security Feb 18, 2025 4:50 PM
#news #musk #us #usa #law #government #Coup #unitedstates #lawsuits #information
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
"The #PrivacyAct prohibits an agency from disclosing someone’s records—even within the agency—unless that person approves in writing or the agency meets one of the law’s 12 exceptions. Most of the exceptions deal with fairly specific circumstances...

But there are also two broad, vague exceptions..."
https://www.wired.com/story/privacy-act-doge-lawsuits/

#ElonMusk #Musk #Doge #Lawsuit #Resistance #Resist #Privacy #Law #Legal #Data #Information #Government #Politics #US #USPol #USA #News #USNews
Sub-heading and text from article: What Is the Privacy Act? The Privacy Act is a law that limits how the federal government can collect, use, and share information about US citizens and other people in the United States. The law’s core features include letting people access government records about them; letting people correct those records if they contain mistakes; requiring agencies to limit information collection, publish lists of records databases, and protect data from hackers; and restricting how agency employees and third parties can access records. Those restrictions on accessing data are at the heart of the ongoing DOGE saga. The Privacy Act prohibits an agency from disclosing someone’s records—even within the agency—unless that person approves in writing or the agency meets one of the law’s 12 exceptions. Most of the exceptions deal with fairly specific circumstances, such as congressional oversight, law enforcement investigations, court orders, census work, statistical research, and National Archives preservation. But there are also two broad, vague exceptions: Agencies can share records with their own employees who “have a need for the record in the performance of their duties” or with third parties for “a routine use” (defined as one that is “compatible with the purpose for which [the data] was collected”).

Elon Musk’s DOGE Is Being Sued Under the Privacy Act: What to Know

At least eight ongoing lawsuits related to the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s alleged access to sensitive data hinge on the Watergate-inspired Privacy Act of 1974. But it’s not airtight.
Eric Geller (WIRED)
#news #musk #elonmusk #privacy #data #us #politics #usa #uspol #legal #law #resistance #government #lawsuit #usnews #resist #information #doge #privacyact
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
You Are the "Inefficiency"
https://paulwaldman.substack.com/p/you-are-the-inefficiency

"Musk and his online minions often refer to #liberals as NPCs, or nonplayer characters, a #VideoGame term referring to the figures who populate the background of #games...

as they see it, most of humanity is simply not #human. We are ants, or even less: bits of #programming to be moved around at Elon’s whim...

Any suffering he brings down on NPCs is meaningless"

#ElonMusk #Musk #Doge #Bigotry #Coup #Corruption #Government #HumanRights #USA
Text from article: What they actually mean is that as they see it, most of humanity is simply not human. We are ants, or even less: bits of programming to be moved around at Elon’s whim. Only he and the people who aspire to be like him are actors, decision-makers, molding the world to conform to their bold interplanetary vision. Any suffering he brings down on NPCs is meaningless, because to him our lives are without real meaning. Fire thousands of federal workers, cut off vital services — who cares? Those people don’t matter. As one federal worker put it in a subreddit where fired workers by the hundreds are sharing their stories, “The thing that I can’t get over is that the actual richest man in the world directed my fucking firing. I make $50k a year and work to keep drinking water safe. The richest man in the world decided that was an expense too great for the American taxpayer.”

You Are the "Inefficiency"

Forget the "47%" - now nearly all of us are contemptible moochers whose lives are too inconsequential to worry about.
Paul Waldman (The Cross Section)
#musk #elonmusk #humanrights #usa #liberals #games #government #bigotry #corruption #Coup #programming #videogame #human #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
The Death of Government Expertise

Why #Trump and #Musk are on a firing spree
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/career-civil-servant-end/681712/

" #DOGE isn’t really a dept... and it has little to do with saving money... The whole enterprise is an attack against civil servants & the very notion of apolitical #expertise...

Modern societies, as #Americans are soon to learn, cannot function without #experts in every field, especially the many thousands who work in #public service."

#ElonMusk #Corruption #Politics #Government #US #USA
Headline: The Death of Government Expertise Why Trump and Musk are on a firing spree By Tom Nichols
#trump #musk #elonmusk #us #politics #usa #public #americans #government #corruption #experts #doge #expertise
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
‘This is a coup’: Trump and Musk’s purge is cutting more than costs, say experts

In slashing staff and disabling entire agencies the administration is lacerating the structures of US #democracy
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/17/trump-musk-government-cost-cutting-coup

“The president is openly violating the #US constitution by taking power from #Congress and handing it to an unelected billionaire – while #ElonMusk goes after judges who uphold the #law and rule against them”

#Musk #Coup #Trump #GOP #Politics #USPol #News #USNews #USA
Headline: Trump administration ‘This is a coup’: Trump and Musk’s purge is cutting more than costs, say experts In slashing staff and disabling entire agencies the administration is lacerating the structures of US democracy by Peter Stone in Washington Mon 17 Feb 2025 06.00 EST
#news #democracy #trump #musk #elonmusk #gop #congress #us #politics #usa #uspol #law #Coup #usnews
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Back Up Everything. Even if Elon Musk Isn’t Looking at It.

Readers worried after Mr. Musk and his team were given access to federal payment systems. Here’s how to back up all your data and documents.
#GiftLink
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/business/personal-data-backup-musk.html?unlocked_article_code=1.w04.Zryd.XQW3ZRMFbGe-&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

"Back up everything important, everywhere you can. Do this at least once a year or so. It’s just good hygiene."

#SocialSecurity #IRS #CreditCards #Data #ElonMusk #Musk #Trump #Politics #News #US #USA
Headline from New York Times: Back Up Everything. Even if Elon Musk Isn’t Looking at It. Readers worried after Mr. Musk and his team were given access to federal payment systems. Here’s how to back up all your data and documents.
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #data #irs #us #politics #usa #GiftLink #socialsecurity #CreditCards
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Musk Ally Demands Admin Access to System That Lets #Government Text the #Public

A worker resigned in protest rather than giving Thomas Shedd access to Notify.gov, which they said would allow him to see "all personally identifiable information moving through the Notify system, including phone numbers"...
https://www.404media.co/musk-ally-demands-admin-access-to-system-that-lets-government-text-the-public/

"Elon Musk ally #ThomasShedd requested “admin/root access to all components of the Notify.gov system”"

#Tech #Technology #Programming #Musk #Corruption #Politics #News
Headline from 404 media: Elon Musk Musk Ally Demands Admin Access to System That Lets Government Text the Public A worker resigned in protest rather than giving Thomas Shedd access to Notify.gov, which they said would allow him to see "all personally identifiable information moving through the Notify system, including phone numbers," 404 Media has learned. by Jason Koebler Feb 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM

Musk Ally Demands Admin Access to System That Lets Government Text the Public

A worker resigned in protest rather than giving Thomas Shedd access to Notify.gov, which they said would allow him to see "all personally identifiable information moving through the Notiy system, including phone numbers," 404 Media has learned.
Jason Koebler (404 Media)
#news #musk #politics #tech #public #technology #government #corruption #programming #thomasshedd
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Trump Guts Crucial OPM Team as Elon Musk Gains Even More Power

The Office of Personnel Management has just limited access to certain government records on #ElonMusk and his #DOGE minions.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191663/elon-musk-opm-privacy-team

"The Trump administration has fired members of the “privacy team” at the #OPM, a move that will hinder #public access & scrutiny over #government records related to the #security clearances of #ElonMusk & Doge."

#Musk #Coup #Trump #Corruption #Politics #Privacy #USPol #News #US #USA
Headline and text from article: Headline: Trump Guts Crucial OPM Team as Elon Musk Gains Even More Power The Office of Personnel Management has just limited access to certain government records on Elon Musk and his DOGE minions. by Hafiz Rashid February 18, 2025 / 4:32 p.m. ET Text: The Trump administration has fired members of the “privacy team” at the Office of Personnel Management, a move that will hinder public access and scrutiny over government records related to the security clearances of Elon Musk and his team at the Department of Government Efficiency. CNN discovered the terminations when it made a freedom of information act (FOIA) request to OPM looking for those records, particularly regarding DOGE workers who were granted access to classified or sensitive information. An OPM email address responded to CNN’s request and said, “Good luck with that, they just fired the whole privacy team.”
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #privacy #us #politics #usa #uspol #public #security #government #corruption #Coup #doge #opm
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Worse & worse:

Oops: Trump-Musk Cuts Just Wrecked an NIH Org Championed by GOPers

Republicans once lavished praise on an NIH center that deals with Alzheimer’s. #DonaldTrump & #ElonMusk are hobbling it. What will those #Republicans say now?
https://newrepublic.com/article/191702/trump-musk-national-institutes-health-wrecked

"The firing of Van Keuren-Jensen, CARD’s incoming director, is seen as particularly damaging to the cause... They describe her as a leading researcher in the #Alzheimers field"

#Health #NIH #Healthcare #Musk #Trump #Politics #News
Headline: Worse and worse Oops: Trump-Musk Cuts Just Wrecked an NIH Org Championed by GOPers Republicans once lavished praise on an NIH center that deals with Alzheimer’s. Donald Trump and Elon Musk are hobbling it. What will those Republicans say now? Greg Sargent February 19, 2025
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #healthcare #donaldtrump #politics #health #republicans #nih #alzheimers
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Transcript: Stephen Miller Rages on CNN as Musk’s DOGE Lie Implodes

An interview with writer Jill Lawrence, a sharp observer of Elon Musk’s #DOGE, who argues that the lies from Musk & Miller reveal how untenable MAGA’s larger “deep state” mythology has become
https://newrepublic.com/article/191677/transcript-stephen-miller-rages-cnn-musks-doge-lie-implodes

"The deep state is not deeply corrupted & shot through w/fraud. It’s not run by parasites...

#Musk is the parasite. He’s the one w/the #government contract. He’s the one getting billions & billions"

#USPol #News
Headline: PODCAST Transcript: Stephen Miller Rages on CNN as Musk’s DOGE Lie Implodes An interview with writer Jill Lawrence, a sharp observer of Elon Musk’s DOGE, who argues that the lies from Musk and Stephen Miller reveal how untenable MAGA’s larger “deep state” mythology has become The Daily Blast with Greg Sargent February 19, 2025
#news #musk #uspol #government #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
The #DOGE Brain Drain Has Begun

It’s not just jobs cut & agencies gutted. It’s the talent that will be lost for generations to come.
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-doge-brain-drain-has-begun-science-government-cuts-budget-researchers

“One might ask, ‘Why are they trying to destroy the #science training pipeline?... To what end?”...

the scope of its impact... can’t be measured in weeks or months or even in #government services affected... it will be felt over the span of decades & defined in metrics like intellectual talent lost."

#Musk #GOP #Politics #News #USA #US
Headline from The Bulwark: The DOGE Brain Drain Has Begun It’s not just jobs cut and agencies gutted. It’s the talent that will be lost for generations to come. by Sam Stein Feb 19, 2025
#science #news #musk #gop #us #politics #usa #government #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Unelected billionaire breaks laws to "restore" democracy

This is NOT what democracy looks like.
https://www.publicnotice.co/p/elon-musk-trump-breaking-laws-democracy

"Trump did not run on a promise to unleash an unelected... [South African immigrant] to slash-&-burn through the #government, firing tens of thousands of employees & arbitrarily canceling contracts & federal programs.

And even if he had, that still wouldn't make it legal.

...most of what Musk is doing is flatly illegal."

#ElonMusk #Musk #Trump #GOP #Politics #Law #News
Headline from Public Notice: Unelected billionaire breaks laws to "restore" democracy This is NOT what democracy looks like. by Liz Dye Feb 19, 2025
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #gop #politics #law #government
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
"Canceling contracts without notice violates the #law. Mass firing federal employees without cause violates the law... most egregiously, Musk’s deletion of entire #government depts & Trump’s refusal to spend money as directed by budget bills violates the #Constitution...

#Congress has the power of the purse, & “feeding #USAID to the woodchipper” violates the separation of powers because Congress established the agency & allocated funds"
https://www.publicnotice.co/i/157356503/laws-are-laws

#Musk #Trump #Coup #News #US
Sub-heading and text from article: Laws are laws In reality, most of what Musk is doing is flatly illegal. Canceling contracts without notice violates the law. Mass firing federal employees without cause violates the law. Cutting federal funds for all scientific and medical research violates the law. But most egregiously, Musk’s deletion of entire government departments and Trump’s refusal to spend money as directed by the budget bills violates the Constitution. That’s why multiple courts have enjoined the Trump administration from blanket spending cuts. It is axiomatic that Congress has the power of the purse, and “feeding USAID to the woodchipper” violates the separation of powers because Congress established the agency and allocated funds to it as part of the federal budget. As Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, wrote last week in the New York Times: [block quote] Congress, not the executive branch, has the power of the purse, meaning the power to control federal spending. It is right there, as clear as day in Article I, Section 9, Clause 7: “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law.” This is a bedrock principle of our government, which President Trump and his unchecked billionaire buddy are attempting to subvert. [end block quote]

Unelected billionaire breaks laws to "restore" democracy

This is NOT what democracy looks like.
Liz Dye (Public Notice)
#news #trump #musk #congress #us #law #constitution #government #Coup #usaid
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
President Elon Musk Can’t Understand How the US Government Works

Elon Musk complained that the US govt was working exactly how it was set up.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191682/president-elon-musk-no-clue-government-works

"Neither #Musk nor #Trump care about the actual structure of the #government [3 branches, checks & balances], or that it was created in direct response to the tyranny of monarchy... To them, there is only the executive branch, the reins of which Musk seems to have happily taken off of Trump’s hands."

#ElonMusk #Coup #News #USA
Headline and photo from The New Republic: Headline: President Elon Musk Can’t Understand How the U.S. Government Works Elon Musk complained that the U.S. government was working exactly how it was set up. by Edith Olmsted February 19, 2025 / 9:28 a.m. ET Photo: A protester holds a red sign with Elon Musk’s face and the caption "I Am Stealing from You." Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #usa #government #Coup
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
To Fight the Trump/Musk Purge, Federal Workers Hold Nationwide Day of Action to “Save Our Services”
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/2/19/federal_workers_strike_action_trump_layoffs

"Federal #government workers & #union members are holding protests in cities across the country in what they’re calling #SaveOurServices ...

Every major city in the country is going to have a big protest, and the locations & the times differ... go to the website:
go.workersfiremusk.com
& then you can find your local rally."

#Musk #Resist #Resistance #USA #US #Protests
Headline and video still: Headline: To Fight the Trump/Musk Purge, Federal Workers Hold Nationwide Day of Action to “Save Our Services” Story February 19, 2025 Video still: A crowd of protestors holding up signs objecting to Elon Musk

To Fight the Trump/Musk Purge, Federal Workers Hold Nationwide Day of Action to “Save Our Services”

Today federal workers nationwide are calling for support for a “Save Our Services Day of Action” mobilizing nationwide in opposition to Elon Musk’s efforts to dismantle government agencies through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or…
Democracy Now!
#musk #us #usa #protests #union #resistance #government #resist #saveourservices
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
More Good News That’s Bad for Trump and Elon
https://www.dworkinsubstack.com/p/more-good-news-thats-bad-for-trump-2c3

"Protests continued this week outside of #Tesla dealerships... On Monday, hundreds of demonstrators surrounded the# SanFrancisco showroom, where a small sign on the building read: “We hate him too.”
...

“Call all of your elected officials, write them, text them, email them... Do it repeatedly. Everybody from your local city council to your #US senator, because pressure bursts pipes.”

#ElonMusk #Trump #GOP #Coup #News #USA
Text from article: Protests continued this week outside of Tesla dealerships, showrooms, and charging stations worldwide. On Monday, hundreds of demonstrators surrounded the San Francisco showroom, where a small sign on the building read: “We hate him too.” Lastly, on Tuesday, it was reported that the company that owns Trump’s social media site lost $400.9 million in 2024. Good. I hope it goes bankrupt in 2025. Most of the news we cover is buried in the corporate media dumpster fire, with trash about Musk and Trump. But you can always count on us to cut through their nonsense, to give you news that is never sanewashed. Yesterday, I spoke with former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner about all of the ongoing madness. We will release the full conversation on Friday. He told me: “Call all of your elected officials, write them, text them, email them. Do it early and often. Do it repeatedly. Everybody from your local city council to your US senator, because pressure bursts pipes.” And we aim to do just that.

More Good News That’s Bad for Trump and Elon

Onward.
Scott Dworkin (The Dworkin Report)
#news #trump #elonmusk #gop #us #usa #tesla #Coup
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
USDA Scrambles to Rehire #BirdFlu Experts #DOGE “Accidentally” Fired

Elon Musk’s sloppy work is sending the #government rushing around for much-needed personnel.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191693/usda-bird-flu-experts-elon-musk-doge

"“Although several positions supporting [bird flu efforts] were notified of their terminations... we are working to swiftly rectify the situation & rescind those letters."...

Last week, 300 employees who oversee the US’s #nuclear stockpile were fired... then quickly invited to return"

#Musk #Trump #News #USA
Headline: USDA Scrambles to Rehire Bird Flu Experts DOGE “Accidentally” Fired Elon Musk’s sloppy work is sending the government rushing around for much-needed personnel. by Edith Olmsted February 19, 2025 / 10:25 a.m. ET
#news #trump #musk #usa #government #nuclear #birdflu #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Trump faces growing DOGE revolt from GOP lawmakers
https://www.axios.com/2025/02/19/donald-trump-doge-republicans-congress

"The #job and #funding cuts are now hitting #GOP lawmakers' districts and states. There's also a larger conflict brewing over whether the administration can simply bypass #Congress on these decisions...

some are quietly fuming that their #Constitutional role in controlling federal funds could be steamrolled"

#Musk #Trump #Coup #GOP #Republicans #Politics #USPol #News #USNews #US #USA
Headline from Axios: 17 hours ago - Politics & Policy Trump faces growing DOGE revolt from GOP lawmakers by Andrew Solender, Stef W. Kight
#news #trump #musk #funding #gop #congress #us #politics #usa #uspol #Coup #job #republicans #usnews #constitutional
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
GOP Senators Are Having to Literally Beg Trump for Their Own Money

Elon Musk & Donald Trump’s spending freeze has sent #Republicans scrambling.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191699/republican-senators-beg-donald-trump-elon-musk-money

"Republican Senators are being forced to grovel at the thrones of #DonaldTrump and #ElonMusk to collect the very #funding they appropriated in the first place...

Others took more desperate means to beseech Trump’s cadre: tweeting at them."

#GOP #Musk #Trump #Coup #Congress #Politics #Government #News #US #USA
Headline: GOP Senators Are Having to Literally Beg Trump for Their Own Money Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s spending freeze has sent Republicans scrambling. by Edith Olmsted February 19, 2025 / 12:05 p.m. ET
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #funding #gop #donaldtrump #congress #us #politics #usa #government #Coup #republicans
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Republicans in Revolt as Elon Musk’s DOGE Continues Takeover

Republicans in #Congress are getting pissed as #DOGE keeps wreaking havoc.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191690/republicans-congress-revolt-elon-musk-doge

"Infighting is brewing among the GOP’s congressional ranks, as Elon Musk’s takeover of the #government and sweeping federal employee #purge begins to hit #red states.

...agencies like #USAID, the #FAA, and #NOAA —agencies that many #Republicans actually like & support—have been crippled."

#Musk #Trump #Coup #GOP #Politics #News #USA
Headline: Republicans in Revolt as Elon Musk’s DOGE Continues Takeover Republicans in Congress are getting pissed as DOGE keeps wreaking havoc. by Malcolm Ferguson February 19, 2025 / 11:28 a.m. ET
#news #trump #musk #gop #congress #politics #usa #government #Coup #republicans #noaa #faa #red #usaid #doge #purge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Elon Musk’s lead role in destroying government sparks protests

Angry Americans gather outside Tesla dealerships & across the country
https://www.headsupnews.org/p/elon-musks-lead-role-in-destroying

"Musk’s singular, secretive & ruthless crusade to destroy broad swaths of the #government & get access to confidential #data – along with his status as an unelected foreign-born multibillionaire – have turned him into “a particularly heinous villain”"

#Resist #Resistance #Protest #ElonMusk #Musk #Coup #Corruption #Politics #News #USA #US
Headline and photo. Headline: Elon Musk’s lead role in destroying government sparks protests Angry Americans gather outside Tesla dealerships and across the country by Dan Froomkin Feb 19, 2025 Photo: Protestors hold up signs. One has a photo of Elon Musk's creepy face and the text, "I am stealing from you." Source: Bluesky
#news #musk #elonmusk #data #us #politics #protest #usa #resistance #government #corruption #Coup #resist
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
The anti-Musk protest movement is expected to ramp up with Congress on recess
https://apnews.com/article/democrats-musk-trump-protests-congress-ccb64f2889d31aad8c25d37686f62d7a

" #ElonMusk is the focus for thousands of Democratic #activists launching a #protest campaign this week to fight the #Trump administration’s push to gut federal #health, #education and human services agencies.

Hundreds of protests are scheduled outside congressional offices and #Tesla dealerships"

#Resist #Resistance #Musk #Trump #GOP #Politics #USPol #News #US #USA
Headline from AP: Politics The anti-Musk protest movement is expected to ramp up with Congress on recess

Anti-Musk protests are expected to ramp up with Congress on recess

President Donald Trump's billionaire top lieutenant, Elon Musk, is the focus for thousands of Democratic activists launching a massive protest campaign this week.
Steve Peoples (AP News)
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #gop #us #politics #protest #education #usa #health #uspol #resistance #tesla #activists #resist
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Elon Musk Is Faking DOGE Results to Hide His Incompetence

Elon Musk’s supposed savings aren’t entirely correct.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191707/elon-musk-fake-doge-savings-data

" #DOGE published an itemized list of canceled #government contracts Monday accounting for an alleged $16 billion in spending. Almost half of those savings were attributed to a hefty $8 billion contract...

it was only worth $8 Million, not $8 billion." [And actually only $5.5 million]

#ElonMusk #Lies #Musk #Coup #Trump #Politics #News #US #USA
Headline and photo. Headline: Elon Musk Is Faking DOGE Results to Hide His Incompetence Elon Musk’s supposed savings aren’t entirely correct. Photo: A person holds a sign that says “Department of Greedy Elon” during a protest outside the U.S. Capitol Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #us #politics #usa #government #Coup #lies #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Did DOGE Take Credit for Spending Cuts Related to President Carter’s Death?
[tldr: yes]

Inaccuracies on DOGE’s website raise questions about DOGE’s activities and transparency.
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/did-doge-take-credit-for-spending-cuts-related-to-president-carter-s-death

"DOGE did not terminate at least some of the contracts and leases listed on its website. Even if #DOGE played an active role in terminating some of these contracts, it may be overstating the value of its cuts."

#Musk #Corruption #Trump #GOP #Politics #USPol #Transparency #Lies #US #News #USA
Headline from Lawfare: Executive Branch Did DOGE Take Credit for Spending Cuts Related to President Carter’s Death? Inaccuracies on DOGE’s website raise questions about DOGE’s activities and transparency. by Nick Bednar Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 9:48 AM
#news #trump #musk #gop #us #politics #usa #uspol #corruption #transparency #lies #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Drone video truly shows NYC protest against Trump and Musk
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-musk-nyc-protest/

"The #protest took place, in part, in New York's Washington Square Park on Feb. 17, 2025 — Presidents Day...The #video showed the park's Washington Square Arch, which some users mistook for the Arc de Triomphe in Paris."

Link to video on xcancel.com:
https://xcancel.com/NoLieWithBTC/status/1891926650075369913

#Resist #Resistance #NYC #US #Musk #Trump #Twitter #Snopes #FactCheck
Headline and photo: Headline: Drone video truly shows NYC protest against Trump and Musk The video on X, captured on Presidents Day, received draft community notes and replies from users falsely claiming the footage was fake or not recent. by Jordan Liles Published Feb. 19, 2025 photo: two different angles from an overhead drone video of a mass of protestors Credit: Image courtesy of @NoLieWithBTC/X

Drone video truly shows NYC protest against Trump and Musk

Aerial footage authentically shows protesters gathered in February 2025 around New York City's Washington Square Arch who were rallying against U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and billionaire Elon Musk.
Jordan Liles (Snopes.com)
#trump #musk #twitter #us #protest #resistance #Video #nyc #factcheck #resist #snopes
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Trump Rambles When Reporter Confronts Him Over Filing Saying #ElonMusk Is Not DOGE Employee
https://www.mediaite.com/news/trump-rambles-when-reporter-confronts-him-over-filing-saying-elon-musk-is-not-doge-employee/

"Trump’s White House has been busy cranking out a series of contradictory explanations for what Musk’s job exactly is, referring to him as a “special employee” and the “head of DOGE” then claiming in a court filing that he doesn’t work at #DOGE at all, then the “head of DOGE” again."

#Musk #Trump #Coup #Corruption #GOP #Politics #USPol #News #USNews #US #USA
Headline from Mediaite: Trump Rambles When Reporter Confronts Him Over Filing Saying Elon Musk Is Not DOGE Employee Tommy Christopher Feb 19th, 2025, 8:29 am

Trump Confronted On Elon Musk Not DOGE Employee Filing

Trump waffled when a reporter confronted him over a filing claiming Elon Musk is not a DOGE employee, then rambled for 9 minutes about centenarians.
Tommy Christopher (Mediaite)
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #gop #us #politics #usa #uspol #corruption #Coup #usnews #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
The Incompetence of DOGE Is a Feature, Not a Bug

A series of mistakes by #DOGE shows just how arbitrary & destructive this slash-and-burn strategy can get.
https://www.wired.com/story/doge-incompetence-mistakes-feature-not-bug/

"The federal #government exists to do all of the things that are definitionally not profitable, that serve the #public good rather than protect investor profits...

And if you don’t believe in the public good? You sprint through the ruination."

#Musk #Trump #GOP #Coup #Corruption #Politics #USPol #News #US #USA
Headline: The Incompetence of DOGE Is a Feature, Not a Bug A series of mistakes by DOGE shows just how arbitrary and destructive this slash-and-burn strategy can get. By Brian Barrett Politics Feb 20, 2025 7:00 AM
#news #trump #musk #gop #us #politics #usa #uspol #public #government #corruption #Coup #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Trump’s DC US Attorney Nom Targets House Dem, Expanding Effort To Stifle Trump Admin Criticism
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trumps-dc-us-attorney-nom-targets-house-dem-expanding-effort-to-stifle-trump-admin-criticism

"Acting #WashingtonDC US attorney Ed Martin is escalating his psuedo-investigations of what he describes as purported threats to billionaire #ElonMusk...

targeted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)...

designed to smother #FreedomOfSpeech and criticism of #Musk & the #Trump administration."

#FirstAmendment #FreeSpeech #Politics #Coup #Corruption #GOP #News #US #USA
Headline from TPM: Trump’s DC US Attorney Nom Targets House Dem, Expanding Effort To Stifle Trump Admin Criticism

Trump’s DC US Attorney Nom Targets House Dem, Expanding Effort To Stifle Trump Admin Criticism

Acting Washington, D.C. U.S. attorney Ed Martin is escalating his psuedo-investigations of what he describes as purported threats to billionaire Elon Musk…
Emine Yücel (TPM - Talking Points Memo)
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #gop #freespeech #freedomofspeech #us #politics #usa #corruption #Coup #WashingtonDC #firstamendment
Dieser Beitrag wurde bearbeitet. (2 Tage her)
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Trump’s #DOJ Threatens Dem Congressman Who Shared “Elon Musk Dick Pic”

Democratic Representative Robert Garcia is now being investigated by a #Trump attorney.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191787/trump-doj-threatens-democratic-congressman-garcia-elon-musk-dick-pic

"Trump’s Dept of #Justice has sent a threatening letter to Representative Robert Garcia after the #California Democrat mocked #ElonMusk last week.

...Garcia displayed a large picture of #Musk, calling it a “dick pick” and jokingly referring to the #tech mogul as president"

#FreeSpeech #FirstAmendment #News #USA
Headline and photo with credit. Headline: Trump’s DOJ Threatens Dem Congressman Who Shared “Elon Musk Dick Pic” Democratic Representative Robert Garcia is now being investigated by a Trump attorney. by Hafiz Rashid/ February 20, 2025/5:15 p.m. ET Photo: Representative Robert Garcia speaks during a congressional hearing, with a big photo of Elon Musk behind him. Credit: Al Drago/Getty Images
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #freespeech #justice #usa #tech #california #doj #firstamendment
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
"Martin has already targeted Senate Minority Leader #ChuckSchumer... Martin has also threatened to investigate former special counsel #JackSmith...

It seems that Martin, a defender of Trump’s election fraud #lies and the #Jan6 Capitol riots, wants to use his prosecutorial power to punish anyone who dares to oppose the president or Musk."
https://newrepublic.com/post/191787/trump-doj-threatens-democratic-congressman-garcia-elon-musk-dick-pic

#FreeSpeech #FirstAmendment #Trump #Coup #DOJ #GOP #Corruption #Politics #USPol #US #USA #News #USNews
Screen shot of a social media post by Robert Garcia @RobertGarcia with text and image. Text: So if you criticize Elon Musk, Trump’s DOJ will send you this letter. Members of Congress must have the right to forcefully oppose the Trump Administration. I will not be silenced. Image: Copy of a letter with the official DOJ letterhead to Rep. Robert Garcia from the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin. The letter threatens (in a weasel-worded way) legal action against Garcia for saying that "This is an actual fight for democracy", claiming that it was a threat to Elon Musk.

Trump’s DOJ Threatens Dem Congressman Who Shared “Elon Musk Dick Pic”

Democratic Representative Robert Garcia is now being investigated by a Trump attorney.
The New Republic
#news #trump #gop #freespeech #us #politics #usa #uspol #corruption #Coup #lies #usnews #doj #jacksmith #Jan6 #chuckschumer #firstamendment
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Elon Musk Loses It After Astronaut Dares Calls Out His Lie

#ElonMusk called a famous astronaut a slur simply because he countered one of his newest talking points.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191782/elon-musk-loses-astronaut-dares-calls-lie

“What a lie,” Danish #astronaut Andreas Mogensen wrote... in reply to #Musk parroting the talking point yet again on #FoxNews. “And from someone who complains about lack of honesty from the mainstream #media"

Musk exploded."

#Musk #Lies #Space #Astronauts #ISS #SpaceStation
Headline: Elon Musk Loses It After Astronaut Dares Calls Out His Lie Elon Musk called a famous astronaut a slur simply because he countered one of his newest talking points. by Hafiz Rashid February 20, 2025 / 3:49 p.m. ET
#musk #elonmusk #Space #media #astronaut #foxnews #lies #iss #astronauts #spacestation
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network is one of USAID’s most data-driven programs
https://www.wired.com/story/usaid-famine-system-dismantled/

"By cutting off a program that has given various #US agencies advance notice about a potential spike in people fleeing famine, the #Trump administration...[is] hindering its goal to curb illegal border crossings. “The heavy hand #DOGE is taking... when it comes to cuts... shows a lack of understanding of how these things work, because they're complex”

#Musk #GOP #Politics #News #USA
Headline: This USAID Program Made Food Aid More Efficient for Decades. DOGE Gutted It Anyways The Famine Early Warning Systems Network is one of USAID’s most data-driven programs, but its work has been stalled by the Trump administration. by Kate Knibbs Business Feb 19, 2025 1:58 PM
#news #trump #musk #gop #us #politics #usa #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Rand Paul Sheepishly Nods To Fact That Musk Is Not Supposed To Be In Charge Of Govt Funding
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things-stand/rand-paul-sheepishly-nods-to-fact-that-musk-is-not-supposed-to-be-in-charge-of-govt-funding

"weak acknowledgements from #Republicans that...

#DOGE federal #funding freezes are not just lawless, but are also a violation of Congress’ authority to stand up agencies and fund the federal #government.

#Musk... has seized for himself one of the few powers #Congress has continued to regularly exercise — at least, up until 2025"

#ElonMusk #Coup #Trump #GOP #USPol #News #USA
Headline from TPM: Rand Paul Sheepishly Nods To Fact That Musk Is Not Supposed To Be In Charge Of Gov’t Funding

Rand Paul Sheepishly Nods To Fact That Musk Is Not Supposed To Be In Charge Of Gov’t Funding

There has been such little pushback or even engagement, among Senate Republicans, with questions surrounding the fact that Elon Musk’s DOGE rampage is stomping…
Nicole Lafond (TPM - Talking Points Memo)
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #funding #gop #congress #usa #uspol #government #Coup #republicans #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
Trump Contradicts His Own White House’s Legal Filing — Admits ‘I Put a Man Named Elon Musk in Charge’ of DOGE
https://www.mediaite.com/news/trump-contradicts-his-own-white-houses-legal-filing-admits-i-put-a-man-named-elon-musk-in-charge-of-doge/

"Musk’s technical role is likely to be a major point of contention in the many #legal battles involving #DOGE. If he is deemed to not have a role with the cost-cutting outfit, he may be able to avoid legal scrutiny.

But #Trump, on Wednesday, seemed to remove any doubt about who’s running the show at DOGE."

#ElonMusk #Musk #GOP #Politics #Coup #News #US #USA
Headline: Trump Contradicts His Own White House’s Legal Filing — Admits ‘I Put a Man Named Elon Musk in Charge’ of DOGE by Joe DePaolo, Feb 20th, 2025, 9:25 am

Trump Says Elon Musk is 'In Charge' of DOGE, After WH Denies

Trump acknowledged Elon Musk as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — in contradiction with a legal filing from his own White House.
Joe DePaolo (Mediaite)
#news #trump #musk #elonmusk #gop #us #politics #usa #legal #Coup #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
The Ridiculous & Disturbing Things Elon Musk’s DOGE Staff Are Doing

Elon Musk’s teenage #DOGE workers are running amok through the federal government.
https://newrepublic.com/post/191759/elon-musk-doge-cronies-federal-agencies

“every #hacker in the world knows there are a small number of people new to federal service who hold the keys to access all US #government payments, contracts, civil servant personal info, and more,” they wrote. “DOGE is one romance #scam away from a #NationalSecurity emergency.”

#Musk #Coup #Tech #News #USA #US
Headline and photo with credit. Headline: The Ridiculous and Disturbing Things Elon Musk’s DOGE Staff Are Doing Elon Musk’s teenage DOGE workers are running amok through the federal government. by Edith Olmsted/ February 20, 2025/12:27 p.m. ET Share This Story Photo: A person holds up a sign that says, "Delete DOGE" during an anti-Trump and anti-Elon Musk protest Credit: Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu/Getty Images
#news #musk #us #usa #tech #nationalsecurity #scam #government #Coup #hacker #doge
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
DOGE Now Has Access to the Top US Cybersecurity Agency

DOGE techs Edward Coristine—the 19-yr-old known online as #BigBalls —& Kyle Schutt are now listed as staff at the #Cybersecurity & Infrastructure #Security Agency.
https://www.wired.com/story/doge-cisa-coristine-cybersecurity/

"working his way through numerous federal agencies & depts... access to systems containing sensitive #information about diplomats & many sources around the world who provide the US #government with #intelligence & expertise."

#Musk #Coup #News #US #USA
Headline from Wired: DOGE Now Has Access to the Top US Cybersecurity Agency DOGE technologists Edward Coristine—the 19-year-old known online as “Big Balls”—and Kyle Schutt are now listed as staff at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. by Kim Zetter Security Feb 19, 2025 8:59 PM
#news #musk #us #usa #cybersecurity #intelligence #security #government #Coup #information #bigballs
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
DOGE Dives Into Core National Defense and Data Systems Across Government
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/doge-dives-into-core-national-defense-and-data-systems-across-government

"DOGE currently has far deeper and far more extensive access to US #government computer systems — and is far deeper into the #NationalSecurity space — than is conceivably necessary for anything related to their notional brief & goals...

( #CISA), the agency charged w/the defense of the federal government’s civilian computer networks"

#ElonMusk #Musk #Coup #Politics #Data #Security #News #US #USA
Headline: 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 #data #us #politics #usa #nationalsecurity #security #government #Coup #CISA
Zhi Zhu 🕸️
"the DOGErs arrived at a federal #government that was complex & #decentralized in its powers...[for good reasons]

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 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"

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/doge-dives-into-core-national-defense-and-data-systems-across-government

#Musk #Coup #Tech #Authoritarianism #NationalSecurity #Security #USA #US #News
Text from article: ...the DOGErs arrived at a federal govt that was complex and decentralized in its powers. There’s no button at the White House you can push and turn off all the government’s computer networks. On a more mundane level, there’s no central email database from which the President can fire off an all-staff email to everyone who works in the U.S. government. This feature of the federal government has many roots, some good, some bad. But one reason it’s set up that way is that it creates resilience. You’re not going to have a computer virus take down everything at once, or gain access to everything everywhere. 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 networks together for more central control. The first signs of DOGE activities at the Office of Personnel Management was the creation of just that centralized email distribution. It kicked off with the “fork” emails. But it continued from there and expanded out beyond email. Gaining access to CISA is just another chapter in that fast-moving story. It’s obvious that you’d want to be very cautious about centralizing this much power in anyone’s hands, especially people working outside all existing frameworks of oversight and accountability. But creating these centralizing structures and pathways also creates more dangerous pathways for other bad actors to attack the U.S. government. It’s a bit like compartmentation in intelligence work...

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)

GlennMG hat dies geteilt

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