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Dissolving the USPS Leadership: A Shift in Power

The U.S. Postal Service's governing board is expected to be dissolved, and the agency will be placed under the control of the Commerce Department as part of a broader shift in power under President Donald Trump. This move marks a significant change in the postal service's operations and governance structure, raising concerns about its ability to maintain independence and serve the public interest. The dissolution also reflects Trump's efforts to consolidate power within his administration.

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The U.S. Treasury Department announced it will not enforce a Biden-era rule intended to curb money laundering and shell company formation. The department's decision comes despite efforts by small businesses to undo the rule in court, with President Donald Trump praising the suspension of enforcement on his Truth Social media site. The database, which was created during the Biden administration, required most American businesses with fewer than 20 employees to register their business owners with the government as of January 1, 2024.

The U.S. Merit System Protection Board has ordered the temporary reinstatement of thousands of federal workers who lost their jobs as part of President Donald Trump's layoffs of the federal workforce, following a federal judge's ruling that blocked Trump from removing the board's Democratic chair without cause. The decision brings relief to employees who were fired in February and could potentially pave the way for further reviews of similar terminations. As the administration appeals this decision, it remains unclear whether other affected workers will be reinstated.

The US government has removed a directory of federal properties listed for possible sale, including iconic landmarks such as the Old Post Office in Washington D.C., due to an "overwhelming amount of interest" received by potential buyers. The decision comes on the heels of President Donald Trump's administration announcing a downsizing effort aimed at slashing the federal workforce and saving $105 billion through lease cancellations. However, budget experts have questioned the accuracy of these figures.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is embroiled in a contentious battle between its leadership and staff over whether they are allowed to continue working despite claims of a shutdown. A key agency executive, Adam Martinez, will testify next week after a judge expressed concerns about the agency's fate. The dispute centers on whether the Trump administration is attempting to dismantle the CFPB or if it has allowed workers to continue their legally required duties.

A federal judge on Friday seemed deeply skeptical of a Trump administration lawyer's claim that she lacks the power to reverse President Donald Trump's removal of a Democratic member from a federal labor relations board. U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan expressed frustration with claims by Alexander Resar of the U.S. Department of Justice that the constitutional separation of powers bars courts from forcing the president to reinstate someone even if they find that a firing was illegal. The FLRA, which was created by Congress to be independent from the White House, hears disputes between federal agencies and their employees' unions.

The US government's General Services Administration department has dissolved its 18F unit, a software and procurement group responsible for building crucial login services like Login.gov. This move follows an ongoing campaign by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to slash government spending. The effects of the cuts will be felt across various departments, as 18F collaborated with many agencies on IT projects.

Pete Marocco, deputy administrator-designate at the U.S. Agency for International Development, will provide an update on foreign aid review and reorganization amid concerns over staff layoffs and program dismantling. The move comes as thousands of staff have been put on leave and contractors terminated since Trump began his second term, sparking fears about humanitarian consequences and democratic oversight. Critics argue that the administration's actions are illegal and unconstitutional.

The proposed privatization of the US Postal Service and passenger railroad Amtrak by billionaire Elon Musk could significantly impact the nation's postal infrastructure and transportation systems. If successful, this move would align with Trump's broader plans to reduce government size and oversight. However, the financial implications and long-term consequences for these vital services remain uncertain.

The U.S. Department of Education has long been a contentious institution, with critics arguing that it stifles state innovation and local control over education policy. President Trump's expected executive order to abolish the department could have significant implications for the future of education in America, potentially reverberating throughout the country's schools and universities. The move would also mark a significant shift in power dynamics between federal and state governments.

The US government office responsible for the $52 billion chip subsidy program will lose nearly a third of its staff due to President Donald Trump's purge of federal workers. The office, which oversees a marquee manufacturing spending program, has seen around 20 employees accept voluntary deferred resignations and another 40 probationary employees face termination. This reduction threatens to hamper the implementation of the Chips and Science Act, a bipartisan law signed by President Joe Biden in 2022.

Google has urged the US government to reconsider its plans to break up the company, citing concerns over national security. The US Department of Justice is exploring antitrust cases against Google, focusing on its search market dominance and online ads business. Google's representatives have met with the White House to discuss the implications of a potential breakup, arguing that it would harm the American economy.

About one-third of the staff in the U.S. Commerce Department office overseeing $39 billion of manufacturing subsidies for chipmakers was laid off this week, two sources familiar with the situation said. The layoffs come as the new Trump administration reviews projects awarded under the 2022 U.S. CHIPS Act, a law meant to boost U.S. domestic semiconductor output with grants and loans to companies across the chip industry. The staffing cuts are part of a broader effort to reorganize the office and implement changes mandated by the CHIPS Act.

The U.S. Department of Labor has reinstated about 120 employees who were facing termination as part of the Trump administration's mass firings of recently hired workers, a union said on Friday. The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union, said the probationary employees had been reinstated immediately and the department was issuing letters telling them to report back to duty on Monday. This decision reverses earlier actions taken by the Labor Department, which had placed some employees on administrative leave.

The Senate has voted to remove the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) authority to oversee digital platforms like X, coinciding with growing concerns over Elon Musk's potential conflicts of interest linked to his ownership of X and leadership at Tesla. This resolution, which awaits House approval, could undermine consumer protection efforts against fraud and privacy issues in digital payments, as it jeopardizes the CFPB's ability to monitor Musk's ventures. In response, Democratic senators are calling for an ethics investigation into Musk to ensure compliance with federal laws amid fears that his influence may lead to regulatory advantages for his businesses.

Google is urging officials at President Donald Trump's Justice Department to back away from a push to break up the search engine company, citing national security concerns. The company has previously raised these concerns in public, but is re-upping them in discussions with the department under Trump because the case is in its second stage. Google argues that the proposed remedies would harm the American economy and national security.

Business executives have been in a state of limbo over Donald Trump's fluctuating plans to impose major tariffs since he took office in January. Tuesday's announcement does not end that uncertainty. U.S. President Trump announced Tuesday he would impose 25% tariffs on the nation's two largest trade partners, Canada and Mexico, a move that economists expect will add to costs for U.S. companies that will bear the cost of those tariffs.

The Trump administration continues to face setbacks in court over its efforts to drastically downsize the size of the federal government, with plaintiffs accusing the government of trying to sidestep judicial orders and ignore court decisions. A federal judge in California found a U.S. Office of Personnel Management memo that directed the firing of thousands of probationary employees was unlawful and should be rescinded, while another in Washington, D.C. ordered the restoration of foreign aid that was supposed to be freed weeks ago. The plaintiffs β€” and the judge β€” have accused the government of continued stonewalling.

The head of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, Hampton Dellinger, was removed from his position following a federal appeals court ruling that allowed President Donald Trump to terminate him without explanation. This decision comes amidst a broader initiative by Trump to reshape the federal government, which includes controversial firings and agency restructuring. Dellinger's removal raises significant concerns about the implications for whistleblower protections and the independence of federal oversight agencies.

President Donald Trump's executive orders aimed at terminating security clearances and imposing restrictions on law firms Perkins Coie and Covington & Burling have sparked significant legal scrutiny, raising questions about potential violations of constitutional protections. Legal experts argue that these actions may constitute retribution against lawyers who have previously opposed Trump, particularly as these firms represent key adversaries in ongoing legal battles. The implications of these orders could have far-reaching effects on attorney-client relationships and the principle of due process in legal representation.

The US President has intervened in a cost-cutting row after a reported clash at the White House, calling a meeting to discuss Elon Musk and his efforts to slash government spending and personnel numbers. The meeting reportedly turned heated, with Musk accusing Secretary of State Marco Rubio of failing to cut enough staff at the state department. After listening to the back-and-forth, President Trump intervened to make clear he still supported Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), but from now on cabinet secretaries would be in charge and the Musk team would only advise.

U.S. Senate Republicans pushed for the U.S. Congress to codify spending cuts identified by billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency on Wednesday, after the Supreme Court declined to let President Donald Trump withhold payments to foreign aid organizations. This move aims to formalize the spending reductions into law, preventing potential future disputes over their implementation. The proposal also seeks to address public concerns about the DOGE's methods and ensure accountability for its actions. Senate Republicans acknowledged that the Supreme Court ruling does not bode well for White House hopes of taking unilateral action on spending cuts.

The global ocean shipping industry that handles 80% of world trade is navigating a sea of unknowns as U.S. President Donald Trump stokes trade and geopolitical tensions with historical foes as well as neighbors and allies, raising alarms among experts who call protectionist moves by the US 'unprecedented'. Global shipping rates soften, weakening carriers' hand as contract renegotiation begins, but the situation underscores the fragility of global supply chains, particularly in the aerospace industry. The outcome of Trump's trade threats could have far-reaching implications for the global economy and international trade.

The letter signed by hundreds of diplomats at the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development strongly protests the dismantling of USAID, saying its demise would undermine U.S. leadership and security and create a power vacuum that China and Russia could exploit. The freeze on foreign aid also endangers American diplomats and forces overseas while putting at risk the lives of millions abroad that depend on U.S. assistance. The letter has been filed with the department's internal "dissent channel," where diplomats can raise concerns about policy anonymously.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has dismissed a lawsuit against some of the world's largest banks for allegedly rushing out a peer-to-peer payment network that then allowed fraud to proliferate, leaving victims to fend for themselves. The agency's decision marks another shift in its enforcement approach under the Biden administration, which has taken steps to slow down regulatory actions. This move comes amid a broader review of consumer protection laws and their implementation.

The Trump administration has laid off two-fifths of the staff at the U.S. Chips Program Office, responsible for managing the $52 billion Chips and Science Act, resulting in 60 job losses by the end of Monday. The office's budgeted funds have been contracted out, but more cuts are expected, raising concerns about the future of the program. The move is seen as a direct response to President Trump's opposition to certain stipulations included in the Biden-era Chips Office funding, such as unionization and paid parental leave.