Musk's DOGE seeks access to personal taxpayer data, raising alarm at IRS  —  The unusual request would put sensitive data about millions of American taxpayers in the hands of Trump political appointees.  —  Elon Musk's U.S. DOGE Service is seeking access to a heavily-guarded Internal Revenue Service system …

Washington Post backs out of ‘Fire Elon Musk’ ad order  —  The Washington Post this week backed out of a “Fire Elon Musk” advertising order that was to run as a wrap on some of its Tuesday editions, according to the advocacy group Common Cause.  —  The group said it signed a $115,000 agreement …

Hundreds of FAA probationary workers fired by Trump administration, union says  —  The Trump administration has started firing hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration probationary employees who maintain critical air traffic control infrastructure, according to their union.

CDC ‘disease detectors’ among hundreds fired as Trump administration ramps up agency cuts  —  Administration officials last week informed CDC leaders of plans to cut up to 10% of its workforce as it targeted federal probationary employees.  —  The Trump administration on Saturday terminated hundreds …

Trump Voters Splinter Over His Rapid Shake-Up of Washington  —  Some core supporters love his no-holds-barred approach, but several swing voters are taken aback at his early moves

125. The Court's First Trump II Case Won't Be a Bellwether  —  The challenge to Trump's removal of the head of the Office of Special Counsel raises unique procedural and substantive issues likely to prevent it from serving as a referendum—in either direction.

Trump administration pressures Romania to lift restrictions on Tate brothers  —  Tristan and Andrew Tate have been charged with sexual misconduct, organised crime and money laundering  —  The Trump administration has pressured Romanian authorities to lift travel restrictions …

Adams Forcefully Resists Calls to Resign: ‘I Am Going Nowhere’  —  Mayor Eric Adams spoke at two Black churches in Queens and pushed back at those who “are dancing on my grave.”  —  Whenever Mayor Eric Adams has faced adversity, he has sought refuge in the pulpit of Black churches …

Playbook: Europe's split-screen moment  —  With help from Eli Okun, Garrett Ross and Bethany Irvine  —  Good Monday morning, and happy Presidents' Day.  This is Jack Blanchard, still trying to forgive Gen. George Washington for that whole armed rebellion business.  Give it another 250 years, we'll get there.

Elon Musk's X blocks links to Signal, the encrypted messaging service  —  Signal has been a primary method of communication for federal workers looking to blow the whistle on DOGE.  —  Elon Musk's social media platform, X, is currently banning links to “Signal.me,” a URL used by the encrypted messaging service Signal.

Jan. 6 Rioters Argue Pardons Apply to Charges Including Murder Plot, Child Porn  —  Defendants argue that Trump pardons should absolve them of additional crimes, some discovered during investigations of the Capitol riot

This is Not Marco Rubio's State Department  —  The secretary of State is taking positions that were once anathema and sounding very Trumpy online.  —  It is becoming increasingly clear that Marco Rubio is secretary of State in name only.  —  Since taking over Foggy Bottom …

2/17/25 ☀️ AM:  —  Senate GOP readies to consider budget plan with House out  —  Introducing the first speakers at The Conference  —  DOGE on the rampage but cracks start to emerge  —  Senate GOP readies to consider budget plan with House out … And happy Presidents' Day.

The Week Ahead  —  Who you vote for is a political choice.  Whether a fully eligible citizen can vote isn't about politics, it's about your fundamental rights as an American.  For decades now, the Republican party's trajectory has involved making it more difficult for eligible people to vote …

Birthright Citizenship: Barnett & Wurman's NY Times Essay and their Bates/Blackstone Double Backfire  —  Randy Barnett & Ilan Wurman had a guest essay in the N.Y. Times on Feb. 15th: “Trump Might Have a Case on Birthright Citizenship.”  The bottom line is that their essay backfires …