The House has taken a significant procedural step by passing a rule to pave the way for a vote on the House GOP budget blueprint. This move is crucial for advancing President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda. The vote concluded with a narrow margin of 217-211.
Despite this advancement, it remains uncertain if House Republicans will have enough votes to adopt the budget resolution, owing to their slim margins and internal concerns. Earlier reports from CNN indicated that Trump is set to meet with House Republicans to increase pressure ahead of this pivotal vote.
In a surprising move, President Donald Trump has fired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown, citing dissatisfaction with his performance. This decision comes despite Trump previously praising Brown as a “fine gentleman” and an “outstanding leader.” Brown, who was appointed in 2023, becomes the first Chairman to be outright fired with several years left on his term.
The President’s decision has sparked significant discussion, especially given Trump’s past commendations of Brown and his historic appointment as the first African American military service chief.
The White House has announced Dan Bongino, a right-wing podcaster with no FBI experience, as the new deputy director. Despite criticism over his lack of experience, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Bongino as someone who “understands the depth of corruption at these institutions.”
In a notable development, Elon Musk will participate in President Donald Trump’s first official Cabinet meeting. Musk is expected to discuss efforts to identify waste, fraud, and abuse within federal agencies.
The Trump administration is planning major changes to press access by expanding the range of reporters allowed in small group settings with the President. The changes come as a federal judge declined to restore the Associated Press’ access to certain presidential events. This move aims to diversify the voices represented in these intimate spaces.
President Trump’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has come under scrutiny, facing multiple lawsuits questioning its legality and operations. DOGE, led by Elon Musk, is tasked with reforming federal government practices, but the legitimacy of its authority is currently being challenged in court.
Federal workers are grappling with confusion over new directives that demand an account of their work. While some agencies have advised compliance, others have left employees uncertain about how to proceed. This confusion was exacerbated by Elon Musk's directive threatening job security for non-compliance, contradicting the Office of Personnel Management’s guidance that responses are voluntary.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise confirmed that House Republicans are set to vote on their sweeping budget blueprint to advance President Trump’s agenda. Despite concerns about adequate support, Scalise remains optimistic about moving forward after a robust debate.
Passage of the budget blueprint is a crucial step for Republicans to pass Trump’s legislative agenda without Democratic support. However, some key Republicans remain hesitant due to potential cuts in federal aid programs like Medicaid and food assistance.
