News from the Note…
A round up of the day’s news that might be of interest to you.
This is an OPEN THREAD, folks. Chat about any of the stories listed, share links to stories that caught your eye today, and generally have a good time discussing whatever you want.
Breaking news: President Donald Trump is preparing an executive order aimed at eventually closing the Education Department and, in the short term, dismantling it from within, according to three people briefed on its contents.
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) February 3, 2025 at 4:58 PM
[image or embed]
The Trump administration is preparing to place nearly all of USAID's Washington-based staff on leave. Some 1,400 people will be notified today, on top of about 600 who were placed on leave starting Sunday night.
— Politico (@politico.com) February 4, 2025 at 4:42 PM
[image or embed]
Breaking: Flights carrying migrants to Guantanamo Bay have begun
— The Wall Street Journal (@wsj.com) February 4, 2025 at 12:15 PM
[image or embed]
Breaking News: China swiftly announced a series of retaliatory measures after President Trump’s 10% tariffs on all Chinese products went into effect.
— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) February 4, 2025 at 1:04 AM
[image or embed]
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed that Elon Musk is a “special government employee.” Musk’s work in the White House — without having stepped aside from his business roles — has drawn scrutiny from Democrats. Here’s what to know.
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) February 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM
[image or embed]
After Rubio spoke, a U.S. official said the Trump administration had no current plans to try to deport American citizens but called Bukele’s offer significant. The U.S. government cannot deport American citizens, and such a move would be met with significant legal challenges. to.pbs.org/4hzCq8y
— PBS News (@pbsnews.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 10:17 AM
[image or embed]
President Donald Trump thinks it is “impractical” to make Gaza habitable for at least the next 10 to 15 years, a senior administration official told reporters Tuesday in a briefing on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington this week. wapo.st/4hk3FV1
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) February 4, 2025 at 11:02 AM
[image or embed]
President Trump says he wants access to Ukraine’s rare earth and critical minerals in exchange for the billions of dollars in military aid Washington has been supplying to Kyiv.
— NBC News (@nbcnews.com) February 4, 2025 at 8:55 AM
[image or embed]
The FBI has turned over the names of 5,000 employees who worked on January 6 cases to the DOJ. Some fear it may lead to possible terminations.
— CNN (@cnn.com) February 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
[image or embed]
New York lawmakers are considering a change to the state's special elections law that would keep Rep. Elise Stefanik's House seat open for months, a move backed by Hakeem Jeffries as a way to deny Republicans’ already bare-bones House majority of a crucial vote.
— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) February 3, 2025 at 7:45 PM
[image or embed]
EXCLUSIVE: The Bureau of the Fiscal Service is a sleepy part of the Treasury Department. It’s also where, sources say, a 25-year-old engineer tied to Elon Musk has admin privileges over the code that controls Social Security payments, tax returns, and more.
— WIRED (@wired.com) February 4, 2025 at 1:02 AM
[image or embed]
RFK Jr.'s nomination cleared the Senate Finance Committee by a 14-13 party line vote.
— NPR (@npr.org) February 4, 2025 at 12:03 PM
[image or embed]
At least five people have been shot at a school in central Sweden, police say
— CNN (@cnn.com) February 4, 2025 at 8:32 AM
[image or embed]
Donald Trump's immigration crackdown isn't just about making arrests. It's about choreography, photo ops, wardrobe changes and tough talk — all designed to discourage undocumented people from wanting to be in the U.S.
— Axios (@axios.com) February 4, 2025 at 8:37 AM
[image or embed]
