A joint press convention that includes US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk within the Oval Workplace on Tuesday took an surprising flip when Trump appeared to react angrily to Musk’s younger son. As Musk addressed reporters, his little one, standing in entrance of him, appeared to say one thing, prompting Trump to show away sharply. At one level, Trump reached out, seemingly to quiet the kid. The kid additionally briefly picked his nostril, a traditional conduct for somebody of his age.
Musk attends Govt Order signing
Musk was current on the White Home for the signing of an govt order aimed toward decreasing the dimensions of the federal workforce. The order is anticipated to considerably affect varied federal companies, drawing fast authorized challenges and scrutiny.
Musk defends federal job cuts: “The folks voted for reform”
Defending the workers cuts, Musk said that the reductions align with public demand for presidency reform. “The folks voted for main authorities reform, and that’s what the individuals are going to get,” he mentioned. Trump praised Musk as a “highly effective adviser” in cost-cutting efforts. Musk acknowledged that a few of his previous claims about authorities spending have been inaccurate, together with a false assertion about US assist to Gaza. “A few of the issues I say will likely be incorrect and needs to be corrected,” he admitted. He additionally said that DOGE’s actions could be intently scrutinized.
Musk dismissed considerations about conflicts of curiosity, notably with companies that regulate or contract together with his corporations, such because the Protection Division. “I’m not the one submitting the contract,” he mentioned. Trump and Musk’s plan to supply monetary incentives for federal resignations is on maintain pending judicial overview. Judges have raised considerations in regards to the legality of the cuts, which critics say have already disrupted authorities providers. Musk criticized federal companies, calling them an “unelected, unconstitutional fourth department of presidency” with extreme energy. His remarks underscore DOGE’s aggressive push to reshape the federal workforce.
Court docket blocks DOGE’s entry to Treasury information amid authorized battle
New York Legal professional Common Letitia James, together with 18 different Democratic state attorneys normal, has filed a lawsuit difficult the Division of Authorities Effectivity’s (DOGE) entry to Treasury information, arguing that it exceeds authorized authority. In response, US District Decide Paul A. Engelmayer, an Obama appointee, issued an emergency order barring DOGE from additional entry till the case is resolved.
Musk, expressing frustration over the ruling, took to social media, calling the choice “completely insane.” He questioned how fraud and authorities waste may very well be tackled with out inspecting monetary information, suggesting that the transfer was an try to protect wrongdoing.
The ruling marks one other setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to revamp federal spending oversight. Simply days earlier, US District Decide Carl Nichols briefly halted a plan to position 2,200 USAID workers on administrative depart. Moreover, one other decide blocked a proposed buyout plan that will have allowed 2.3 million federal workers to resign with compensation by September.