BIDEN: Rioting is not protesting, looting is not protesting ... it's lawlessness plain and simple. And those who do it, should be prosecuted.
Violence will not bring change, it will only bring destruction. It must end.
...We have a president who fans the flames.
BIDEN: Is flipping Trump's narrative on him.
"Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America (if Trump wins)?"
Argues *Trump's* election would make the country less safe.
BIDEN ADDRESSING TRUMP'S WORDS STRAIGHT ON: You know me, you know my story, my family, ask yourself, 'Do I look like a radical socialist with a softs pot for rioters?'
"Really??"
"The truth is Donald Trump failed to protect America, so now he is trying to scare America."
BIDEN pushing back at Trump, sharply, but also trying to raise awareness, broaden his compassion argument: "I've spoken to George Floyd's family, to Jacob Blake's family.
I know their pain and so do you."
"I'd be looking to lower the temperature in this country, not raise it"
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Finally have a chance to look through the Trump proposal. Here's what's in it.
Overall: $9.4 billion in approved spending that Trump wants clawed back, or rescinded.
Foreign aid: $8.3 billion
Public broadcasting: $1.1 billion
Foreign aid highlights. Trump would like to cut:
- $203 million from U.S. contribs to UN, World Health Org and other intl orgs.
- $361 million from intl peacekeeping activities
- $900 million from global health, incl. HIV/AIDs treatment
- $1.7 billion from econ. support fund
More Trump proposed rescissions:
- $2.5 billion for development assistance
- $460 million for Europe + Central Asia
- $496 million for disaster assistance
- $125 million for USAID operating expenses
- $64 milllion for Instte. for Peace, African Devel Fndtn, Inter-American Fndtn
A thread on new directives for federal workers and hiring from OPM ... as Musk exits and the Trump administration enters next phase for federal workforce.
I'll write this as I read...
NEW today. The Trump administration posted its final federal hiring plan.
It is a 30 page memo.
Title: Merit Hiring Plan
To: Agency + department heads and acting heads
The Trump hiring plan begins w DEI programs, which it calls "immoral".
Agencies must:
- Cease using statistics on race, sex, ethnicity or national origin, or the broader concept of “underrepresentation” in hiring
- Cease sharing info about agency's composition in those areas
NEW. Statement from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which is a @NewsHour funder) on Lawsuit to Block Firing of CPB Board Members:
“The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is not a government entity, and its board members are not government officers. …
… Because CPB is not a federal agency subject to the President’s authority, but rather a private corporation, we have filed a lawsuit to block these firings.“
2/
“In creating CPB, Congress expressly forbade ‘any department, agency, officer, or employee of the United States to exercise any direction, supervision, or control over educational television or radio broadcasting, or over [CPB] or any of its grantees or contractors…’.”
3/
BREAKING here - U.S. team in quake zone told they are fired, per source.
The 3-person disaster assessment team sent to Myanmar for the U.S. received termination notices while staying/sleeping outside — US AID workers were told on an all hands call today, per a source familiar.
I am told these are PSC’s - personal service contractors.
They are still on the ground in Myanmar now. I do not know the date their termination takes effect. But they have been told they are being fired.
I have asked the State Dept for comment.
Also told by this source that the State Dept has begun cancelling awards/aid programs in disaster zones that can be life and death, including food aid. Some programs have been cancelled in *Yemen, Syria, Gaza*. The source said this is contrary to State's waiver policy.
NEW:
- some 2000 perm. federal workers in US to be laid off - RIF’d - at USAID
- nearly all USAID workers to be placed on administrative leave starting midnight.
- this, per email sent to agency workers in past hour or so shared with me from mult. sources.
1/
USAID shuttering - real time:
- All USAID direct hires to be put on leave tonight, with exceptions of an unknown # designated as necessary for "mission-critical functions"
- Not clear what functions that includes.
- Those RIF'd are to receive notice today, per the email.
2/
What about USAID workers assigned overseas?
- Per email, the agency "intends" to launch a program to pay for their return home, if they wish.
- Details TBD.
- They will keep access to systems and security until they return home.
3/