Department of Homeland Security to dismiss hundreds of senior leaders this week
The Department of Homeland Security is undergoing significant changes under the new administration. The recent dismissal of hundreds of employees appear to be a part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
“Over the weekend, probationary workers across DHS and multiple federal government agencies received virtually identical letters informing them they were being terminated from their positions,” according to CBS News.
The abrupt nature and scale of firings has drawn the national criticism.
“No kings on Presidents Day” chanted in protests against Trump and Musk
Cities across the United States erupted with protests on President’s Day, condemning both President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.
“In Florida and California, local media outlets reported on hundreds of protesters crying out “Not my President’s Day,” according to the Associated Press.
Organizers of the protests focused on state capitals and major cities nationwide.
“Demonstrators said they were dismayed by the flurry of executive orders President Trump has signed since he took office last month,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Judge to rule quickly on effort to block DOGE from firing federal employees, accessing data
A hearing was held Monday at which Elon Musk and his newly formed Department of Government Efficiency were questioned regarding DOGE.
According to the Associated Press, “U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan held a hearing on a request from 14 states for a temporary restraining order seeking to curtail Musk’s power in President Donald Trump’s quest to downsize the federal government.”
The states aim to prevent DOGE from firing employees in across various federal agencies. NBC News reported on Feb. 8 that a federal judge had previously blocked Musk and his department from obtaining records, including those of the Treasury Department.
It remains unclear when an official ruling will be announced in the current proceedings.
