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Trump Is Spending Nearly $1 Billion in Taxpayer Money on Gaudy White House Renovations: Report

Trump Is Spending Nearly $1 Billion in Taxpayer Money on Gaudy White House Renovations: Report

The White House is funneling millions into executive maintenance accounts without oversight or approval from Congress, The Washington Post reports
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SEC Faces Scrutiny Over Internal Misconduct and Its Impact on Enforcement Actions

SEC Faces Scrutiny Over Internal Misconduct and Its Impact on Enforcement Actions

SEC Faces Scrutiny Over Internal Misconduct and Its Impact on Enforcement Actions
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DOJ Seeks to Expand Executive Privilege to Cover Trump's Private Advisers

DOJ Seeks to Expand Executive Privilege to Cover Trump's Private Advisers

The Department of Justice has issued a memo suggesting that executive privilege could extend to President Trump's private advisers, a significant expansion of the traditional scope of this protection. Historically, executive privilege has been limited to the president and immediate White House advisers. The memo argues that privilege can apply to communications related to official presidential decision-making, even if involving private citizens. This move is likely to face legal challenges, as it could redefine the boundaries of executive privilege established in past Supreme Court rulings.
Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Post
Post reader wonders who's next to step up for public health? | Letters

Post reader wonders who's next to step up for public health? | Letters

Palm Beach Post readers share their thoughts on Fauci, Trump and D.C. National Guardsman.
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Trump Administration Redirects US Tax Dollars to Rightwing European Thinktanks, Sparking Controversy

Trump Administration Redirects US Tax Dollars to Rightwing European Thinktanks, Sparking Controversy

The Trump administration has been redirecting US taxpayer money to rightwing thinktanks in Europe, raising concerns about foreign political influence. According to reports, the US State Department plans to allocate $12 million to conservative organizations in the UK, with $7 million going to a group co-founded by former Conservative minister Jacob Rees-Mogg. This move is seen as an attempt to bolster far-right parties and influencers in Europe. The funding is part of a broader strategy to cultivate resistance to Europe's current trajectory, as outlined in the US national security strategy. Critics argue that this financial support is a form of meddling in foreign politics, with some European leaders warning against such interference.
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Florida Congressman Introduces 'Dollar-for-Dollar' Act to Curb Federal Spending

Florida Congressman Introduces 'Dollar-for-Dollar' Act to Curb Federal Spending

U.S. Representative Greg Steube from Florida has introduced the 'Dollar-for-Dollar Deficit Reduction Act' in Congress. The legislation mandates that any increase or suspension of the national debt limit must be matched by equivalent or greater spending cuts over the current fiscal year and the next decade. The bill aims to address what Steube describes as reckless federal spending, which he argues burdens future generations. A companion bill is being led in the Senate by Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming. The proposed legislation also includes procedural hurdles to prevent debt-limit legislation from advancing without corresponding spending cuts.
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DOJ Memo on Executive Privilege Criticized as Shield for Trump Advisers

DOJ Memo on Executive Privilege Criticized as Shield for Trump Advisers

The Department of Justice, under newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche, issued a memo on executive privilege that has been criticized for potentially shielding President Trump's advisers from accountability. The memo asserts that presidential communications with private advisers can be protected if they relate to official decision-making. Critics argue this move is designed to protect Trump and his inner circle from congressional investigations, particularly as Democrats may gain control of Congress and pursue further inquiries into Trump's activities.
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Senators Warner and Kaine Support Temporary Government Funding to Prevent Shutdown

Senators Warner and Kaine Support Temporary Government Funding to Prevent Shutdown

Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Democrats from Virginia, have issued a statement following the Senate's approval of a provisional funding bill. This legislation is designed to keep the government operational until early March by reauthorizing spending at fiscal year 2023 levels. The bill extends funding for certain areas of the government until March 1 and others until March 8. The senators expressed regret over the need for last-minute interventions to prevent government shutdowns, attributing the situation to Congress's failure to pass comprehensive spending bills on time. They urged House Republicans to abandon delaying tactics and join in passing the legislation promptly. This marks the third instance where Congress has resorted to provisional resolutions to avoid a shutdown for fiscal year 2024, following similar measures on September 30 and November 17.
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GAO Identifies Transparency and Accountability Issues in DOGE Operations

GAO Identifies Transparency and Accountability Issues in DOGE Operations

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released reports highlighting transparency and accountability issues within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The reports criticize DOGE for not adhering to its stated methodology in calculating savings on terminated contracts and failing to provide sufficient data to verify claimed savings. The GAO found that some savings were reported without actual actions being taken, such as the non-termination of a Defense Health Agency IT services contract. Additionally, the GAO noted that DOGE's 'wall of receipts' website lacks adequate data quality disclosures. The reports also raise concerns about the ethics training and compliance of DOGE personnel.
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GAO Criticizes FEMA for Workforce Cuts Without Strategic Planning, Impacting Disaster Readiness

GAO Criticizes FEMA for Workforce Cuts Without Strategic Planning, Impacting Disaster Readiness

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for executing workforce reductions without adequate strategic planning. In fiscal year 2025, FEMA saw a 55% increase in employee separations compared to the previous year, with over 4,300 employees leaving the agency. This reduction has reportedly led to a loss of institutional knowledge and experienced staff, exacerbating existing workforce challenges. The GAO report highlights that FEMA rescinded its strategic plan in 2025, leaving the agency without a clear direction for workforce planning. The GAO has recommended that Congress require FEMA to base major workforce decisions on a comprehensive workforce planning process and report to Congress before each hurricane season. Additionally, the GAO has urged FEMA to develop a new strategic plan with clear goals and a formal workforce analysis process.
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Rep. Tim Walberg Criticizes College Sports Funding Amid Rising Tuition Costs

Rep. Tim Walberg Criticizes College Sports Funding Amid Rising Tuition Costs

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) has raised concerns about the financial practices of college sports programs, particularly in relation to rising tuition costs. According to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), 94% of Division I athletic programs spent more money than they generated during the 2023-2024 academic year, with a median deficit of nearly $21 million. Walberg, who chairs the House Education and Workforce Committee, emphasized that colleges should prioritize student success over subsidizing athletic programs. The report indicates that students are increasingly bearing the financial burden of these programs through tuition and fees, with additional costs per student potentially reaching $10,400 over a four-year degree.
Reuters Reuters
Exclusive-Bolsonaro campaign drafts debt-linked fiscal rule to replace Brazil framework, sources say

Exclusive-Bolsonaro campaign drafts debt-linked fiscal rule to replace Brazil framework, sources say

By Bernardo Caram BRASILIA, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Senator Flavio Bolsonaro's presidential campaign is preparing a new fiscal framework to replace Brazil's current budget rules, imposing tighter spending caps as debt rises that could reduce real spending growth to zero, two sources familiar with the