United States | News & Politics

WASHINGTON, March 21 (Reuters) - The FBI has cut staffing in an office focused on domestic terrorism and has scrapped a tool used to track such investigations, in a shift that could undermine law enforcement’s ability to counter white supremacists and anti-government extremists, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The moves, sources said, are an indication that domestic terrorism investigations, which in recent years have largely involved violence fueled by right-wing ideologies, may be less of a priority under FBI Director Kash Patel, a prominent critic of the effort.

The access would be a major expansion of Elon Musk’s government role and highlight his conflicts of interest.

Archived version: https://archive.is/newest/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/us/politics/musk-pentagon-briefing-china-war-plan.html

The California governor has been sending prepaid cell phones to executives throughout his state.

Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that instructs the US education secretary, Linda McMahon, to start dismantling the Department of Education, seemingly attempting to circumvent the need to obtain congressional approval to formally close a federal department.

The administration may eventually pursue an effort to get Congress to shut down the agency, Trump said at a signing ceremony at the White House on Thursday, because its budget had more than doubled in size in recent years but national test scores had not improved.

The federal government does not mandate curriculum in schools; that has been the responsibility of state and local governments, which provide 90% of the funding to schools. Nevertheless, at the White House, Trump repeated his campaign promise to “send education back to the states”.

Social Security Administration veterans and powerful lobbying groups warn the changes, made at breakneck speed, may even foment more swindling.

The agency's internal documents caution the changes will effectively cut some Americans off from receiving benefits.

Former officials say the changes will overwhelm the agency's already stretched resources, with staffing at a record low and America's aging population rapidly rising.

GOLDEN, Colo. — A town hall was hosted by Democratic Senator Michael Bennet and Democratic Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen in Golden, where tensions ran high as some constituents voiced their frustrations with the lawmakers.

At least seven people were escorted out by police after interrupting the forum Wednesday night. Some attendees shouted at Bennet, accusing him of failing to take a strong stand against Republican policies.

During a March 19 national television appearance, billionaire Trump Commerce Secretary and “close” Elon Musk associate, Howard Lutnick, urged the public to “buy Tesla” stock – a glaring ethics violation in light of government watchdog Accountable.US’ new analysis finding that Lutnick’s family-run financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald reported holding nearly $840 million in Tesla Inc. in its most recent holdings report. Conveniently, Lutnick’s appeal to would-be average investors came on the same day Cantor Fitzgerald analysts upgraded Tesla to a “buy” rating.

The Arlington National Cemetery website has scrubbed dozens of pages on gravesites and educational materials that include histories of prominent Native American, Black, Hispanic, and female service members buried in the cemetery. Only White males remain.