U.S. and world news for Feb. 21
Trump reported to have a plan to take over the U.S. Postal Service
The Washington Post was first to report that Donald Trump is taking over the U.S. Postal Service. The Post cited six people familiar with the move as its source. As part of the plan he’s firing the Postal Service Board of Governors. Whether he will shut down the Postal Service, sell it off to private companies, stop delivery of Democrats’ political mail, and end postage discounts for newspapers and nonprofits he doesn’t like remains to be seen. The Post Office has been operated as an independent quasi-government corporation. Its roots go back to the earliest days of the U.S. and its mission is to provide mail delivery to every U.S. resident. Some Republicans for years have proposed various plans to sell the most profitable postal routes to private companies. The Postal Service is well known for having a heavily integrated diverse workforce.
Chaos as Trump Administration fires IRS employees
CNN reported that an IRS employee told it that chaos erupted in at least one IRS office when IRS employees were fired yesterday in Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s latest move to dismantle the government. The employee said that arguments broke out with management, books were thrown, chairs were kicked. From 6,000 to 7,000 employees were given the axe at IRS offices around the country. The firings come just as tax season is ramping up. It’s anticipated that people may have trouble obtaining help from the IRS and that tax refunds may be delayed as a result of the firings.
Patel confirmed to head FBI
Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine were the only Republicans to vote against confirming Trump nominee Kash Patel as head of the FBI. Murkowski in a statement warned Patel against using the FBI to settle political scores, something he had advocated in the past. In a statement after his confirmation vote, Patel said that the American people deserve an FBI that is transparent, accountable, and committed to justice.
Trump again raises third term idea
Donald Trump has again raised the prospect of remaining in office after his current four year term expires. While the Constitution allows someone to serve only two terms as president, Trump yesterday raised the prospect of a third term in front of a crowd in the East Room at the White House. According to a report by the publication The Hill, Trump twice brought up the idea while meeting with House Republicans. Republican Congressman Andy Ogles of Tennessee has introduced a bill that would allow Trump to run for a third term. His bill applies only to Trump and to no other presidents.
McConnell to retire
Former Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell marked his 83rd birthday yesterday by announcing in remarks on the Senate floor that he will not seek reelection. McConnell was elected to the Senate representing Kentucky in 1984. He will be remembered for demonstrating his power as majority leader by blocking President Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court for about a year, killing it completely. After the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by Donald Trump’s supporters, McConnell took to the Senate floor to denounce the rioters and Trump for being responsible for the riot but made it a point not to vote to convict Trump in his Senate impeachment trial.
U.S. wants Ukrainian minerals
In a briefing at the White House, U.S. Security Advisor Mike Waltz said that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy needs to make a deal with the U.S. for the U.S. to be given at least some of the rare and valuable minerals that are found in Ukraine. Zelenskyy had rejected a suggestion voiced by President Trump that Ukraine should give the U.S. enough of the valuable minerals to pay it back for the aid it has provided. Waltz also said Zelenskyy’s comment about Trump being in a Russian propaganda bubble is unacceptable. Zelenskyy’s comment came after Trump called him a dictator.