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Trump Administration Proposes Elimination of Senior Community Service Employment Program Funding

Trump Administration Proposes Elimination of Senior Community Service Employment Program Funding

The Trump administration has proposed the complete elimination of funding for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) in its 2027 budget proposal. SCSEP, established in 1965, provides job training and community service opportunities for older adults. The program is currently funded at approximately $395 million for fiscal year 2026. The administration argues that the program is ineffective and duplicative, suggesting that other federal programs already address its purpose. Critics, including Sen. Tammy Baldwin, argue that the program is crucial for older adults who face significant barriers to employment. The proposal has sparked concern among participants and advocates who emphasize the program's role in providing essential job skills and income to seniors.
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Linda McMahon Defends Dismantling Education Department Amidst Controversy

Linda McMahon Defends Dismantling Education Department Amidst Controversy

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon appeared before the House education committee to defend the Trump administration's proposal to dismantle the Department of Education. The administration has significantly reduced the department's workforce and transferred many of its programs to other federal agencies. McMahon argued that the move aligns with President Trump's mandate to reduce federal bureaucracy and return educational authority to local entities. The department's staff has been cut by 45%, and over 100 programs have been shifted to agencies like the Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services. The federal student loan portfolio is also being transitioned to the U.S. Treasury Department. Despite these changes, McMahon faced criticism from Democrats who argue that the dismantling undermines civil rights protections and educational oversight.
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Proposed Federal Cuts Threaten North Dakota Tribal Colleges' Future

Proposed Federal Cuts Threaten North Dakota Tribal Colleges' Future

The Trump administration has proposed eliminating federal funding for tribal colleges and universities, a move that could severely impact these institutions in North Dakota. The Department of the Interior's fiscal year 2027 budget request includes a $150 million cut to tribal postsecondary programs. This proposal follows a previous attempt to reduce funding, which Congress rejected. Tribal colleges, which rely heavily on federal support, face potential closures if the cuts are approved. Leaders from institutions like Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College and United Tribes Technical College warn that the loss of funding would be devastating.
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House Democrats Criticize FEMA's Readiness for Hurricane Season Amid Trump Administration Changes

House Democrats Criticize FEMA's Readiness for Hurricane Season Amid Trump Administration Changes

Senior Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee have expressed concerns over the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) preparedness for the upcoming hurricane season. In a letter, they criticized the Trump administration's staffing cuts, which have reportedly led to over 5,000 employees being pushed out since January 2025. The letter highlights that half of FEMA's top leadership positions remain vacant, raising questions about the agency's ability to manage disaster response effectively. The Democrats also pointed out disparities in disaster funding approvals between Democratic and Republican-led states.
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President Trump's Financial Disclosure Reveals Extensive Big Tech Investments

President Trump's Financial Disclosure Reveals Extensive Big Tech Investments

President Trump's recent financial disclosure has unveiled a significant volume of trading activity within his investment portfolio, particularly in the technology sector. The disclosure, submitted to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, details over 3,600 transactions executed between January and March 2026, with a cumulative value ranging from $220 million to $750 million. The trades include substantial investments in major tech companies such as Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple, among others. While U.S. presidents are not prohibited from trading, they must disclose personal trades, which has led to increased scrutiny and calls for trading restrictions. The filings do not clarify whether President Trump personally directed these trades, as his business empire is managed by his sons and brokers.
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Factbox-The 1996 incident at the root of expected Raul Castro indictment

Factbox-The 1996 incident at the root of expected Raul Castro indictment

May 15 (Reuters) - The Trump administration plans to unveil criminal charges against Cuba's former president, Raul Castro, based on a 1996 incident in which Cuban military jets killed four people, according to a U.S. Justice Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
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Democrats frame Trump ballroom as symbol of Republican disconnect from voters' affordability woes

Democrats frame Trump ballroom as symbol of Republican disconnect from voters' affordability woes

By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON, May 16 (Reuters) - Democrats hoping to win control of Congress in November's elections are seizing on Republicans' support of President Donald Trump's proposed $400 million White House ballroom to portray his party as out of touch with voters' cost-of-living concerns.
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US moves to end job protections for hundreds of health department workers

US moves to end job protections for hundreds of health department workers

By Ahmed Aboulenein WASHINGTON, May 15 (Reuters) - The Trump administration moved on Friday to strip hundreds of senior U.S. Department of Health and Human Services employees of civil service job protections, according to an email reviewed by Reuters.
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Trump administration will join a prayer gathering criticized for promoting Christian nationalism

Trump administration will join a prayer gathering criticized for promoting Christian nationalism

President Donald Trump and several top administration officials are joining with a cast of mostly conservative Christian clergy this Sunday for a prayer gathering
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President Trump's White House Ballroom Construction Advances Amid Legal and Funding Disputes

President Trump's White House Ballroom Construction Advances Amid Legal and Funding Disputes

Construction on President Trump's planned White House ballroom is progressing despite ongoing legal and funding challenges. Historic preservationists have sued to halt the project, and a federal judge initially ordered a stop to aboveground construction. However, this order has been stayed pending an appeal, allowing work to continue. The project, which began eight months ago, has now reached a visible phase with the construction of the first floor, intended to house a commercial-grade kitchen and offices for the first lady. The administration argues that the ballroom is necessary for national security, citing potential threats such as drone and missile attacks. Despite these claims, the National Trust for Historic Preservation remains skeptical, and the legal battle has extended into Congress, where funding for the project is being debated.
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Republican resistance to Iran war grows in the Senate as Murkowski flips

Republican resistance to Iran war grows in the Senate as Murkowski flips

Senate Republicans have again blocked Democratic legislation that would halt President Donald Trump’s war with Iran
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Stephen Colbert Criticizes President Trump's War Name Change Strategy to Avoid Oversight

Stephen Colbert Criticizes President Trump's War Name Change Strategy to Avoid Oversight

Stephen Colbert, a late-night television host, has criticized President Trump for allegedly using a strategic name change to circumvent congressional oversight on military actions in Iran. According to Colbert, the Trump administration plans to rename its military operations in Iran from 'Operation Epic Fury' to 'Operation Sledgehammer.' This move is reportedly intended to reset the 60-day deadline imposed by the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which requires congressional authorization for military action. The name change is seen as a tactic to restart the clock on congressional oversight, allowing the administration to continue military operations without immediate congressional approval. Colbert humorously compared the situation to a television series reboot, suggesting that the name change is a superficial attempt to present the military action as a new initiative.