OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar triggered a wave of criticism this week after suggesting the company wanted the U.S. government to serve as a financial “backstop” for its infrastructure investments.
North Carolina could operate its government for just over 41 days using only its rainy day fund, according to a recent analysis by the Pew Research Center.
The ongoing federal shutdown is poised to cut off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to nearly 2 million Illinois residents starting November 1.
Representative Adam Smith (D-WA) accused President Donald Trump of lying to the American people about his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, calling it a power grab disguised as reform. Speaking Tuesday on MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera Reports, Smith claimed the plan has “nothing to do with efficiency” and everything to do with consolidating control.
The Trump administration is overseeing the largest one-year cut to the federal workforce in nearly a century, with 154,000 federal employees officially leaving the payroll this week. Those departing had accepted buyouts offered under President Trump’s plan to reduce the size and scope of the federal government.
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has extended a temporary block on the Trump administration’s plan to freeze federal funding, citing ongoing struggles among nonprofit groups to access promised grants and loans. U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan ruled Monday that the proposed spending pause could cause “potentially catastrophic” harm to organizations dependent on federal support.
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) called for government agencies to resist President Donald Trump’s executive order eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates in federal institutions. Speaking on MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports on Wednesday, Durbin argued that promoting diversity is essential to the country’s strength and urged agencies, corporations, and universities to continue implementing DEI initiatives despite Trump’s directive.
Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order rescinding President Lyndon B. Johnson's Executive Order 11246, which mandated affirmative action in federal government contracting. The new policy eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements in the federal workforce and contracting, shifting the focus to a merit-based system. The administration noted this change as a commitment to rewarding individual skills, performance, and hard work over identity-based hiring quotas.
