DOGE Announces Major Clean Up of Social Security Records
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced a major cleanup this week of 11 million Social Security records, all from individuals listed as being 120 years old or over.This result stems from a seven-week investigation into government records as part of a broader effort to eliminate waste within the federal government.
Originally established as part of President Donald Trump’s plan to reduce the $36 trillion national debt, it has sparked controversy, with Democrats calling for greater transparency.
Musk has recently announced that he will soon be stepping away from DOGE.
Former New York Congressman Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Prison
Former Congressman George Santos, a Republican from New York, has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.Santos had pleaded guilty in August 2024 to falsifying campaign fundraising reports while running for Congress and misleading campaign contributors by repeatedly charging their credit cards without their authorisation.
He falsely claimed unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic and also filed false financial statements with Congress.
Upon sentencing on April 25, he was fined $205,002.97 (£154,000) and ordered to pay $373,749.97 (£280,440) in compensation.
Santos has said he plans to serve his sentence in solitary confinement owing to concerns for his safety.
Judge Halts Dismantling of Voice of America
A federal judge has ordered the halt of President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the U.S.-funded international media broadcaster Voice of America (VOA).On March 14, Trump ordered a cutback in the organisation, eliminating 1,200 jobs as part of a broader plan to reduce government spending.
He argued that the organisation, funded through the U.S. Agency for Global Media, had strayed from its original purpose and was dwelling in “radical propaganda.”
VOA reportedly serves an estimated 354 million people worldwide.
Trump’s Efforts to Defund ‘Sanctuary’ Cities Blocked by Judge
A federal judge has blocked an effort by the Trump administration to defund cities with sanctuary polices that protect illegal immigrants.The judge sided with 16 cities across the country that were protecting illegal immigrants from deportation by refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities by identifying them.
Part of President Donald Trump’s campaign promise was to deal with the United States’ immigration crisis by removing illegal immigrants from the country.
U.S. border tsar Tom Homan announced on April 23 that around 68,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested over the past three months.
