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Trump Spending Cuts are About Waste, Not Retribution

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5 months ago

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Trump and Musk, DOGE photo courtesy of El Universal

The media is framing the budgetary cuts implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk as retribution against government departments that previously criticized or investigated President Trump. This is far from the truth, however. These cuts are sweeping across multiple departments that never attacked or investigated President Trump, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Operational Efficiencies, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Budget Cuts, Department of Education Proposed Elimination, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Defense (DoD), among others. Additionally, there is a general reevaluation and reduction in the total number of government employees across all departments.

The media claims that the budget cuts are being made to support tax breaks for the ultra-rich, with common taxpayers ultimately bearing the burden. This view, however, is inconsistent with the facts. President Trump’s recent budget proposal includes several tax cuts designed to benefit everyday Americans. These include the elimination of federal income taxes on tips, overtime earnings, and Social Security benefits, which would increase take-home pay for many workers.

The proposal also seeks to extend key provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, maintaining current tax rates and deductions for individuals. Additionally, it introduces a new itemized deduction for auto loan interest, potentially reducing taxable income for car owners, and removes the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions, which could help taxpayers in high-tax states. These measures are part of a broader plan that includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in spending reductions over the next decade.

Below is a partial list of departments and actions DOGE has initiated to reduce the federal budget:

National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH imposed a 15% cap on administrative costs for research projects, including expenses like personnel, facility maintenance, and equipment. The policy aimed to save $4 billion annually but has been temporarily blocked by a lawsuit. Additionally, NIH has laid off over 1,100 staff members, according to an internal email obtained by Reuters. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): CMS has been working with DOGE to identify opportunities for more efficient resource use, aligning with President Trump’s goals.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): The proposed cuts to USAID are driven by concerns over inefficiency and misallocation of resources. Critics argue that the agency has often prioritized administrative overhead, with as much as 20-30% of its budget going toward salaries, contractors, and other expenses rather than direct aid. For example, after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, USAID’s disaster relief efforts were criticized for slow response times and wasteful spending, including duplicate services and excessive contractor fees. Additionally, the agency’s focus on initiatives like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has drawn scrutiny, while there are parts of the world where basic needs such as food, water, and healthcare are not being met.

Infrastructure projects funded by USAID in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq have also been criticized for being poorly planned and unsustainable, often resulting in abandoned or underused facilities. Furthermore, the practice of paying foreign contractors exorbitant salaries, sometimes reaching six figures, has been seen as an inefficient use of taxpayer money when local personnel could fulfill similar roles at much lower costs. These issues have prompted calls for cuts to USAID’s budget as part of a broader push to eliminate waste and redirect resources to more immediate needs, both domestically and internationally.

Department of Education: The administration has proposed eliminating the Department of Education, a longstanding goal among many conservatives, although this proposal faces significant legal and political challenges. The rationale for this policy is rooted in the belief that education should be managed at the local or state level, rather than by a federal agency. Advocates argue that local school boards and state governments are better equipped to address the specific needs of their communities, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach from Washington.

Supporters also see the Department of Education as an example of unnecessary federal overreach, contending that education is a responsibility traditionally handled by states. They believe that eliminating the department would reduce the size of the federal government and restore more power to states. Budgetary concerns also play a role, as the department’s large budget is seen as an area where savings could be achieved to help reduce the federal deficit. Additionally, proponents often push for increased school choice, arguing that reducing federal involvement would foster competition among schools, improve quality, and provide parents with more educational options.

Critics also highlight the bureaucratic nature of the Department of Education, suggesting that eliminating it could direct more funds to schools rather than administrative overhead. Finally, some proponents argue that the U.S. Constitution does not grant the federal government authority over education, with the Tenth Amendment reserving such powers to the states or the people.

Other government departments targeted by DOG include the Department of Defense (DoD), IRS, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and USAID, as well as agencies like NASA, FEMA, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). DOGE has initiated investigations into fraud and waste at the DoD, with layoffs expected for probationary employees. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already experienced significant cuts, including a 31% reduction in 2018, which resulted in the elimination of over 50 programs and the loss of 3,200 jobs.

Similarly, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) faces proposed cuts that could reduce its budget by 30% and halve its staff, potentially affecting vital services like weather forecasting and climate research. At the IRS, DOGE sought access to sensitive taxpayer data, ultimately agreeing to read-only access to anonymized information. Other departments, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Treasury, are also facing scrutiny, with Musk’s involvement raising concerns about conflicts of interest, particularly regarding SpaceX contracts. Additionally, thousands of probationary workers at agencies like the IRS and FEMA have been laid off as part of these efforts.

The post Trump Spending Cuts are About Waste, Not Retribution appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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GOP Senator John Thune Quietly BLOCKS Trump Recess Appointments with Sneaky Procedural Maneuver — Launches Series of Pro Forma Sessions to Keep Senate in Fake “Session” During August Recess

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40 minutes ago

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August 3, 2025

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑SD) has unveiled a procedural scheme to block President Donald Trump from making any critical appointments during the August recess, effectively aiding the Democrats’ obstructionist agenda.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the president can make “recess appointments,” temporary appointments to federal positions, if the Senate is in recess and not conducting business. These appointments don’t require immediate Senate confirmation and can last until the end of the next session of Congress.

But there’s a loophole: if the Senate holds pro forma sessions, very short, symbolic meetings where no actual business is conducted, then technically, the Senate is still in session. That means the president cannot legally make recess appointments during that time.

John Thune has quietly secured unanimous‑consent for a paper‑thin Senate schedule through the Trump appointee confirmation deadline, ensuring only pro forma sessions on five key dates in early August.

Under the agreement, the chamber will adjourn after today’s business and reconvene without conducting any votes or business on:

  • Tue, Aug 5 – 1:00 p.m.
  • Fri, Aug 8 – 1:05 p.m.
  • Tue, Aug 12 – 8:00 a.m.
  • Fri, Aug 15 – 10:15 a.m.
  • Tue, Aug 19 – 10:00 a.m.
  • Fri, Aug 22 – 9:00 a.m.
  • Tue, Aug 26 – 12:00 p.m.
  • Fri, Aug 29 – 7:00 a.m.

WATCH:

Thune’s pro forma blueprint comes amid mounting pressure from Donald Trump, who has demanded the Senate remain open until all 150+ administration nominees are confirmed.

Under the Recess Appointments Clause, a president may only install nominees without Senate approval if both chambers are in formal recess for at least 10 days. By convening the Senate just long enough every few days, Thune blocks the possibility of Trump making unilateral appointees.

The Senate went into its August recess without confirming all of Trump’s pending judicial and district‑level appointments.

By the time lawmakers left town on Saturday evening, no deal had been reached to move dozens of Trump’s nominees, including U.S. district court picks, through final floor votes.

Only a small handful of nominees (such as Jeanine Pirro to be U.S. Attorney in D.C.) had advanced. Otherwise, nominees remained stalled in committees or waiting for cloture roll‑calls on the executive calendar.

Roughly 150–160 executive and judicial nominations, including over a dozen district court judges and U.S. attorney nominations, remained scheduled but unconfirmed.

The post GOP Senator John Thune Quietly BLOCKS Trump Recess Appointments with Sneaky Procedural Maneuver — Launches Series of Pro Forma Sessions to Keep Senate in Fake “Session” During August Recess appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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‘That’s What I Call Results!’: Trump Admin Saves Jobs, Kicks 1500 Non-English-Speaking Truckers Off the Road

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41 minutes ago

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August 3, 2025

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that there have been about 1,500 truck drivers who do not speak English taken off the roads as part of a push to ensure foreign truck drivers are not causing accidents.

Back in 2016, the Obama administration stopped enforcing English proficiency requirements for truckers, according to a report from The Daily Signal.

But in May, Duffy issued a guidance making clear that truck drivers who cannot demonstrate a proficiency in English cannot drive.

The 1,500 drivers were taken off the roads within the first 3o days of the rules once more being enforced, according to The Daily Signal.

“Since I took action to enforce language proficiency requirements for truckers, our state partners have put roughly 1,500 unqualified drivers out of service. That’s what I call results!” Duffy posted on X.

“If you can’t read or speak our national language — ENGLISH — we won’t let your truck endanger the driving public.”

He added, “America First = Safety First.”

Duffy’s concerns were far from unfounded.

In January, there was a truck driver involved in a fatal crash that had to use a language interpreter for the post-crash investigation, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Another incident from 2019 involved a truck driver who could not proficiently speak English speeding through signs that warned of steep grades and dangerous curves, all at more than 100 miles per hour.

Four people died in that crash, per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

President Donald Trump had likewise insisted with an April executive order that the move centered on public safety.

“They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers,” the order said of truck drivers.

They also “need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English,” a position the order called “common sense.”

“It is the policy of my Administration to support America’s truckers and safeguard our roadways by enforcing the commonsense English-language requirement for commercial motor vehicle drivers and removing needless regulatory burdens that undermine the working conditions of America’s truck drivers,” the notice added.

“This order will help ensure a safe, secure, and efficient motor carrier industry.”

This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.

The post ‘That’s What I Call Results!’: Trump Admin Saves Jobs, Kicks 1500 Non-English-Speaking Truckers Off the Road appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Slovenia Imposes Arms Embargo on Israel, Citing Gaza Conflict

Published

49 minutes ago

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August 3, 2025

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via Wikimedia Commons

Slovenia has imposed an arms embargo on Israel, banning the export, import, and transit of weapons to and from the country.

This decision was announced by Prime Minister Robert Golob following a government session on July 31, 2025.

Slovenia claims to be the first European Union member to take such a step, citing the EU’s inability to act due to internal disagreements.

The government stated that no permits for military exports to Israel have been issued since October 2023, when the conflict in Gaza began.

Officials emphasized that the embargo is an independent measure to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Slovenia has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and increased aid deliveries to the region.

In early July 2025, Slovenia declared two Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, persona non grata, barring them from entry.

This action was based on their public statements regarding the conflict. Earlier, in June 2024, Slovenia recognized Palestinian statehood, joining countries like Ireland, Norway, and Spain in this move.

The conflict in Gaza started after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israeli territory, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the taking of hostages.

Israel responded with a military operation aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure. Reports from Gaza’s health ministry indicate significant casualties, with ongoing international efforts to negotiate truces and provide aid.

Several other nations have taken similar diplomatic steps, including France, Britain, and Canada announcing potential recognition of a Palestinian state. Australia has also indicated that recognizing Palestinian statehood is under consideration.

Israel has criticized these declarations, arguing they could reward Hamas for its actions.

Israeli officials dismissed Slovenia’s embargo as insignificant, noting that Israel does not procure any defense materials from Slovenia.

An unnamed official stated that the country buys nothing from Slovenia, not even minor items.

Within the EU, there is growing pressure for measures against Israel, with Sweden and the Netherlands advocating for suspending parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

The European Commission has proposed limiting Israel’s participation in the Horizon research program, though Germany opposes such steps.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed concerns about Israel’s potential diplomatic isolation during a visit to Jerusalem.

The United States remains a key ally to Israel, with President Donald Trump warning that recognizing Palestinian statehood might benefit Hamas.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance Gaza truce talks. These efforts aim to address the humanitarian crisis and secure a ceasefire.

The post Slovenia Imposes Arms Embargo on Israel, Citing Gaza Conflict appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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