notable
Democrats call Musk and DOGE 'evil.' But Trump is doing what Americans want.
"Look what you've done! I'm melting, melting. Ohhhhh, what a world, what a world."
That line, from a scene in "The Wizard of Oz," is playing out now in Washington, D.C., as Democratic members of Congress accuse President Donald Trump of destroying the government by shrinking it. Not since Dorothy tossed her bucket of water on the Wicked Witch has shrinkage triggered such drama.
Democrats' rhetoric has grown more extreme as Trump and his chief efficiency officer Elon Musk have cut deeper. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Md., declared, for example: "Every time you hear DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, you just remember it is the department of government evil."
Evil, of course, is a matter of perspective.
Americans say Trump is keeping his promises
The coordinated efforts of Democratic leaders and the mainstream media have once again not resonated with the public. Trump, according to polls, is now at higher popularity levels than during his first term. And a strong majority of Americans say Trump is keeping his promises, including in his efforts to reduce government spending and waste.
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Those efforts include a generous buyout offer for federal employees. The Trump administration offered federal workers the chance to stay home for months while receiving full pay if they would agree to resign from government employment.
It was an extremely clever move. The best way to shrink the government is to get people to leave voluntarily. But Trump and Musk also have warned that layoffs will follow if not enough federal workers accepted the buyout.
Tell us:Trump has been president for nearly a month. How do you think he's doing? | Opinion Forum
It is a type of self-deportation from government service. And it worked, with about 75,000 federal workers accepting Trump's offer before the deal ended Wednesday.
It worked so well, in fact, that Democrats rushed to stop the voluntary exodus by falsely suggesting that it was a scam. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., warned employees that Trump would “stiff you," even though the offer comes with the authority of the federal government.
U.S. District Court Judge George O’Toole on Wednesday lifted his injunction on the buyout program, agreeing that Trump has the authority to offer the buyouts.
Unions representing federal workers and liberal legal organizations are likely to now appeal O'Toole's decision. The unions, which are facing a major reduction in dues-paying members, have a disturbing conflict of interest in trying to deny federal workers the benefits of an offer they chose to accept.
The legal challenges to the buyout have relied on a plethora of arguments asserting that a president cannot allow employees to stay home and receive pay pending their departure from federal employment. Those arguments cited the Antideficiency Act, which bars agencies from spending beyond the money appropriated by Congress.
President has the authority to manage the executive branch
The counterargument is that money used for the buyouts was allocated to pay employees whose service normally continues year after year. Under Article II of the Constitution, the president is given ample discretion in running the executive branch, including the work status of federal employees.
Congress clearly has a role in controlling use of the federal purse. For example, Congress can determine whether to allocate money to build certain Navy vessels. However, once the ships are built, it is the president who decides where to send them and who will serve on the crew. The commander in chief also can expand or shrink the size of the crew.
Trump was well within his authority in offering to change employees' duties while they look for new positions, and the employees had every right to agree to eight months of paid leave in exchange for their resignation from government service.
Opinion:Hey Dems, chill. You lost. And Trump's just getting started on what voters want.
The opposition from Democrats and labor unions is the ultimate form of paternalism. In the name of protecting employees, opponents fought to prevent workers from accepting offers they believe are best for themselves and their families.
Federal employees are entitled to protections in their employment. But they're not entitled to permanent employment. Congress is entitled to appropriate money for specific purposes. But it is not entitled to manage the executive branch.
Trump is very willing to fight on this hill. He holds a strong constitutional position and an even stronger political position.
For those who proclaimed themselves as defenders of democracy throughout last year's election cycle, this is what democracy looks like. Voters made clear that they want changes in the size and the focus of government.
Those voters are unlikely to be convinced by the warning of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., that Musk is “taking away everything we have.”
That is precisely what Americans asked for in reelecting Donald Trump.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2025/02/14/trump-musk-buyout-federal-employees-constitution/78464511007/
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114015172331467921
Trump’s First Month Of Shock And Awe Has Delivered Lightning Quick Results
President Donald Trump’s first three and a half weeks back in the White House have been remarkable in both pace and success. The president entered office raring to go with a clear vision of where he intends to take the country and is enacting his agenda with unprecedented transparency and precision.
This time around, our 45th and 47th president is fully prepared for what lies around every corner and is utilizing the wealth of experience he amassed during his first term to maximum effect. The results are awe inspiring; the Trump Administration is a well-oiled machine operating with an unmistakable sense of urgency.
The American people are welcoming this dramatic upgrade in leadership with open arms and a sense of relief; common sense is once again being used as our nation’s navigational compass. Trump’s rapid fire executive orders to secure the border, launch the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), ban men from women’s sports and unleash American energy are a bold display of “promises made, promises kept.” To quote Republican Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy, “It’s pretty cool having a president again.”
Trump’s unmatched force of will is yielding immediate results on the world stage as well. Eleven hostages from various countries have been released to date thanks to the power of this president’s peace through strength foreign policy. Special envoy for hostages Adam Boehler recently stated, Trump “has made bringing Americans home a top priority” and this mindset from a commander-in-chief makes all the difference.
Trump is also making good on his promise to finally end Vladimir Putin’s three-year war in Ukraine by working with both sides to come to the table to start peace negotiations immediately.
The White House has done an excellent job working with senators to outmaneuver left-wing obstruction tactics to get Trump’s cabinet confirmed at a rapid rate. Now, it’s critically important to keep up the pressure to make sure Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director in the coming days.
There’s no doubt that Trump’s across the board shock and awe strategy is achieving lightning quick results on the border. With each passing day, illegal border crossings are plummeting, criminals are being deported, Canada and Mexico are targeting fentanyl and liberal blue state politicians are making fools of themselves trying to stop what the American people see as commonsense law enforcement.
And in just a matter of days, Elon Musk and DOGE have done more to identify and cut reckless government spending than any time in American history. Trump has tasked Musk and his lieutenants with the long overdue job of auditing the federal bureaucracy, and Democrats on Capitol Hill are losing their minds over it.
The broad and diverse Trump coalition of conservatives, populists, independents and reasonable Democrats has been watching all this incredible early success with great pride. The past four years were painful and depressing for tens of millions of patriotic Americans who feared their beloved country was slipping away. But because of Trump’s never say die spirit, America is back, better than ever.
https://dailycaller.com/2025/02/15/opinion-trumps-first-month-delivered-results-david-bossie/
Clothing COMMS
Feb 16, 2025, 3:59 PM
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114015574367456109
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THE BRIDGE: PODESTA GROUP
Bridge between media, FBI/DOJ, HRC+
Why did the Podesta Group close?
Public charges?
No?
Why close?
When did Huber start?
November?
JP/ Huma NOV.
Sealed.
Do they know?
Why did the Podesta group close?
Why no leaks?
Who else knows?
HRC deal request?
Why?
IG>Huber
Can IG disclose evidence in pending criminal cases in public disclosures/reports?
Why not?
Grand jury TAINT/BIAS?
Everyone has an opinion.
Clickbait.
Q
kek