Scoop from @DeFede: Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez expected to be named interim @FIU president
In the meeting, @SecRubio said he is now seeking input directly from ambassadors around the globe after receiving a list of USAID programs in Guatemala from U.S. Ambassador Tobin Bradley early Wednesday. But he also faulted top USAID agency officials in Washington for failing to cooperate with Musk's team.
"We hope to achieve — over the next 36 to 48 hours — what I'd hope to do in a more orderly way, from the top down… Now we're going to have to achieve it from the bottom up, defining what those special missions are," he said.
"We hope to achieve — over the next 36 to 48 hours — what I'd hope to do in a more orderly way, from the top down… Now we're going to have to achieve it from the bottom up, defining what those special missions are," he said.
"The United States is not walking away from foreign aid. It's not. We're going to continue to provide foreign aid and to be involved in programs, but it has to be programs that we can defend. It has to be programs that we can explain. It has to be programs that we can justify. Otherwise, we do endanger foreign aid," @secrubio told Embassy staffers in Guatemala Wednesday.
NEW: What Marco Rubio told U.S. diplomats behind close doors about the future of foreign aid, as most programs paused
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NEW: Federal courts block Trump attempts to offer buyouts to federal employees and end birthright citizenship. Our latest for @cbsnews 24/7.
START YOUR ENGINES: Per @NicoleSganga @kristincbrown and me: President Trump will attend the Daytona 500 next Sunday, Feb 16, multiple people tell us. We're told we may "see the Beast do a few laps on the track."
Trump was previously there in 2020.
Trump was previously there in 2020.
NEW: New York AG @TishJames and other states plan to sue Trump administration over DOGE access to federal systems
NEW: In a Truth Social post, President Trump says, “There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information. Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s Security Clearances, and stopping his daily Intelligence Briefings. He set this precedent in 2021, when he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing details on National Security, a courtesy provided to former Presidents. The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from “poor memory” and, even in his “prime,” could not be trusted with sensitive information. I will always protect our National Security — JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
NEW: New York and 18 other states sue Trump administration over DOGE access to federal systems (by @JakeMRosen) urldefense.com/v3/__https://w…$
(By the way, if you or someone you know or love is taking the buyout and wants to explain why, the DM’s are open, the contact info is in my profile.)
Per @cbsnews’s @olivialarinaldi: More than 65,000 federal employees have so far taken the proposed deferred resignation plan offered by the Trump administration, according to @USOPM.
WHAT ABOUT DOGE? Republicans tend to think Elon Musk should have at least some influence over government operations and spending, though not necessarily "a lot" of influence, while Democrats tend to say he should have none, or not much.
M Trump voters and Republicans in large numbers think the administration is more generally putting the right amount of focus on cutting spending and cutting foreign aid.
M Trump voters and Republicans in large numbers think the administration is more generally putting the right amount of focus on cutting spending and cutting foreign aid.
Tariffs on countries besides China aren't popular with most, and nearly three in four think new tariffs on imported goods would generally lead to price increases. (And not necessarily to more jobs or stopping fentanyl.)
People who think tariffs would lead to higher prices are more likely to think Mr. Trump's policies in general will lead to higher grocery prices and won't make them financially better off.
People who think tariffs would lead to higher prices are more likely to think Mr. Trump's policies in general will lead to higher grocery prices and won't make them financially better off.
NEW from @cbsnewspoll: President Trump has a positive approval amid "energetic" opening weeks; seen as doing what he promised. Concerns about Canadian tariffs and sending immigrants to Gitmo.
“This Jeep makes me happy even thought my last name is Ford.”
Harrison Ford won the ad war with that one. #SuperBowlLIX
Harrison Ford won the ad war with that one. #SuperBowlLIX
JUST IN: White House announces release of Marc Fogel, an American detained by Russia.
White House Statement:
"Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia. President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an exchange that serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine. Since President Trump’s swearing-in, he has successfully secured the release of Americans detained around the world, and President Trump will continue until all Americans being held are returned to the United States. By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership."
White House Statement:
"Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia. President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an exchange that serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine. Since President Trump’s swearing-in, he has successfully secured the release of Americans detained around the world, and President Trump will continue until all Americans being held are returned to the United States. By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership."
In his comments about the vast federal bureaucracy, @elonmusk mentions an underground mine where the paperwork of federal employee retirees is stored. It's true! It's in Pennsyvania. @Fahrenthold did a great story about it back in 2014: