A Totalitarian President and a Compliant GOP-Led Congress: The Dismantling of Government
We are on the precipice of a totalitarian President Donald Trump and his ax-man Elon Musk grabbing the power of a compliant Republican-run Congress, ignoring inconvenient court rulings and ending our system of having three separate and independent branches of government.
The Dismantling of Federal Agencies
There is a difference between dismantling federal agencies in cruel and chaotic ways, then claiming, without detailed proof, that you are ferreting out cheating, and doing the hard work of finding waste, fraud and abuse, making public that information and then doing something about it.
A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
Trump and Musk don’t understand or don’t care how cruel it is to suddenly fire people, put them on administrative leave or pressure them to quit in the chaotic way they are doing it. There is a humane and orderly way to downsize and cancel contracts. And the sudden stop of humanitarian aid — with no time for people and organizations who depended on U.S. assistance to try to find backup — is beyond ruthless.
Chilling Photos
The chilling photos that sum up our dangerous era of Trump’s autocratic rule — were shot Friday, when workers were taking down the sign from the D.C. headquarters of the U.S. Agency for International Development and covering other signs outside the building with black tape.
A Federal Judge’s Temporary Order
This was happening even as a federal judge issued a temporary order to block Trump and Musk from taking the agency apart and saved 2,200 staffers who were about to be put on administration leave. And the Republicans in Congress — who created and funded the agency — don’t see how they are now Trump’s puppets.
A Soybean Innovation Lab Closes
University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana professor Peter Goldsmith said on Bluesky that the Soybean Innovation Lab at the school will close on April 15 “as all USAID funding has ceased.” He had to let go a staff of 30. Illinois — with two Democratic senators — and Iowa — where both senators are Republicans — are the top two soybean-producing states. The wholesale razing of this agency has domestic implications.
A Chilling Development
A sign listing the name of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Washington was hidden behind black tape last week.
Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Photos
A Federal Judge’s Pauses a Bid
A federal judge also paused a bid by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing the Treasury Department’s payment system. A White House spokesperson called it a “frivolous lawsuit” that was “akin to children throwing pasta on the wall to see if it will stick.”
A Concern for Social Security Recipients
Social Security is one of the most unifying federal programs we have. Social Security checks go to people no matter if they are mega-MAGA or super-liberal. What the multitudes of people on Social Security have in common is — at least for now — the absolute certainty that on a set day each month, the direct deposit of their Social Security payment will show up in their bank account.
A Warning from Trump
An excerpt from Trump’s Fox Super Bowl interview was released hours before the game on Sunday. Trump says he is going to tell Musk “very soon, like maybe in 24 hours, to go check the Department of Education. He’s going to find the same thing. Then I’m going to go to the military. Let’s check the military. We’re going to find billions, hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud and abuse.”
A Frustrating Road Ahead
We’re all for getting rid of waste, fraud and abuse. Is this the way to do it? With congressional Republicans neutered, we face a fraught road ahead.
Conclusion
The dismantling of government agencies, the wholesale razing of programs, and the erosion of transparency and accountability is a recipe for disaster. We must stand strong against this autocratic takeover and demand a return to the principles of checks and balances, transparency, and accountability.
FAQs
Q: What is happening to the federal agencies?
A: The agencies are being dismantled in a chaotic and cruel manner, with little regard for the impact on federal workers or the public.
Q: Why is this happening?
A: The Trump administration and its allies in Congress are attempting to consolidate power and eliminate waste, but the methods used are questionable and have raised concerns about the impact on the federal workforce and the public.
Q: What is the impact on the public?
A: The public is being affected by the loss of critical programs and services, and the erosion of transparency and accountability in government.
Q: What can I do?
A: We urge you to speak out against these actions, contact your elected officials, and stand up for the principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
