President Donald Trump, with the help of Elon Musk, who runs the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) slashed a vast majority of aid being dolled out by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The slashing of waste within the agency triggered a mountain of backlash from Democrats and others who came to the realization that the money spigot had been turned off, and the matter quickly wound up in a massive legal battle.

According to reports, Chief Justice John Roberts stepped in this week when he blocked a lower court judge's ruling that ordered the Trump administration to release some $2 billion in USAID funding. 

The Trump administration and DOGE cut a staggering $58 billion in funding agreements through the agency.

What's going on?

U.S. District Court Judge Amir Ali, a judge appointed by former President Joe Biden, ruled in favor of the agencies that immediately sued when the money was turned off.

The judge had ordered the money to be reinstated by Wednesday at midnight, but that process was halted after U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts intervened and asserted his authority on the matter.

Chief Justice Roberts intervened after Solicitor General Sarah Harris filed an emergency motion to have the high court step in.

The agencies that sued the Trump administration were given until Friday, midday, to argue their side of the issue. It's up to Roberts at that point whether he wants to issue a ruling himself or refer the case back to lower courts for a decision.

Harris makes the case

The Trump administration, in its emergency request with the high court, argued why the lower court judge should be blocked.

"The order does not limit its abrupt deadline to respondents’ own invoices or letters of credit, instead apparently compelling the government to pay requests from any organization that has asked for such funds," said Solicitor General Harris.

She added, "The timing of the order does not allow the government to conduct payment-integrity review to ensure that payments are made only for obligations that are legitimate or supported by necessary documentation -- much less deny improper payments."

It'll be fascinating to see where the case ultimately lands and who gets the victory.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Thousands of former employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which was documented by President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency to have been handing out billions of dollars of American taxpayer cash to inappropriate projects like social agenda plays and comic books, soon are being separated from the government payroll.

And one report at Newsmax explains that they were given just 15 minutes at their former work stations to collect personal belongings.

Further, the notice instructing them a time frame for that retrieval expressly told them not to bring weapons, such as firearms, "spear guns" and "hand grenades" to the agency offices.

"The administration's efforts to slash the federal government are facing various lawsuits, but court challenges to temporarily halt the shutdown of USAID have been unsuccessful," the report said.

A federal judge this week ordered the Trump administration to pay billions of dollars in foreign aid, but the Supreme Court blocked that instruction, with Chief Justice John Roberts explaining that order is suspended until the high court can further review.

The case came about when dozens of nonprofit groups that had been taking American taxpayer money through USAID demanded that the funds keep coming.

The report said the window for the retrieval of belongings was open for Thursday and Friday.

The report explained, "USAID placed 4,080 staffers who work across the globe on leave Monday. That was joined by a 'reduction in force' that will affect another 1,600 employees, a State Department spokesman said in an emailed response to questions."

The Congressional Research Service concluded that congressional action would be needed to erase the agency, but majorities in Congress have so far not resisted Trump's plans to cut foreign aid spending by 90%. And the Constitution does give the president authority to manage the executive branch.

A report from Fox News said, dozens of people gathered outside the USAID building in Washington with signs "make America compassionate again."

The White House explained that among the wasteful expenditures made through USAID included $1.5 million for "diversity, equity and inclusion" in Serbia," $70,000 for a DEI musical in Ireland, $2.5 million for electric vehicles in Vietnam. $47,000 for a "transgender opera" in Colombia, $32,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru, $2 million for sex changes in Guatemala, $6 million for tourism in Egypt, and millions to EcoHealth Alliance, which was involved in research at the Wuhan, China, lab from which COVID-19 apparently escaped.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A Minnesota public school's scheming for a student trip that would go full racist and exclude whites because of their skin color has been exposed. And the trip has been canceled.

The plan for the trip for only students who "identify as a person of color" was named in a federal civil rights complaint against Highland Park High School.

Mark Perry, a retired professor, spotted the racist plan on social media and took action.

"They maybe should have understood this was a problem before, but at least once it was brought to their attention," said in an interview with a local television station.

"That's the least I can expect then, that then they would do the right thing and comply with federal Civil Rights Laws – which in this case was cancelling the program or maybe it was too late to open it up to all students," he said.

A report in the Daily Mail explained he was told the trip was canceled within hours of having filed the complaint.

The report said the trip was intended to expose students to "digital marketing and advertising careers."

Perry told a Minnesota publication that the plan violated Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act, as well as the district's own non-discrimination policy.

"Just as it would be illegal and objectionable for [Highland Park Senior High School] to offer a field trip that explicitly excluded students of color… it's equally illegal and objectionable to host a racially segregated field trip exclusively for 'students of color,'" Perry had told school Principal Winston Tucker and BrandLab, the agency organizing the trip, in a letter.

Perry is not unfamiliar with the federal law, as he works with Do No Harm as a civil rights advocate.

"There is no 'good' form of discrimination, regardless of your intentions. It's all bad and illegal when it violates the law," he explained in a website statement.

A district official said, in a statement, "St. Paul Public Schools values our partnerships with community organizations like the BrandLab and the opportunities they provide for our students. The district remains committed to providing post-secondary and career-related opportunities to all of our students to pursue their passions."

Spokeswoman Erica Wacker explained that the district tries to follow the rules, explaining that while the district's National African American Parent Involvement Day is "designed for a specific group," it actually is "open to anyone."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

It's in the headlines every day: How President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency is calling for more government program cuts and employee layoffs.

Many times it's purely logical, as the targets are doing jobs and handling responsibilities that the law doesn't authorize them to run.

And now the agenda is starting to gain traction, as officials at the Social Security Administration have proposed their own buyout program for workers who volunteer to leave.

A report at the Washington Examiner explains that employees are being offered up to $25,000 to resign, just as a warning was issued that "offices that perform functions not mandated by statute may be prioritized for reduction-in-force actions that could include abolishment of organizations and positions, directed reassignments, and reductions in staffing."

The announce comes just days after the Office of Personnel Management "issued a memorandum earlier this week advising agency heads to have their reorganization plans developed by March 13, including reductions in the workforce as part of the Department of Government Efficiency's efforts to cut waste in the federal government," the report explained.

DOGE, run by Elon Musk, already has called for massive cuts in spending – and staffing – of the government. For example, it essentially said the USAID agency was spending tax money in egregiously wrong ways, including on various social agenda ideologies, and its entire operations should be ended.

Ultimately, a fraction of USAID workers and responsibilities were transferred to the Department of State, with the rest losing their positions.

SSA officials, apparently trying to get ahead of specific mandates from DOGE, announced the realignment of staffing, and said they "may reassign employees from non-mission critical positions to mission-critical direct service positions."

The options being offered include reassignment, early retirement, optional retirement, or voluntary separation incentive payments.

Those payments would be offered through March 14 on a first-come basis and provide workers with a general schedule 8 or lower getting $15,000, GS 9-12 employees getting $20,000, and GS 13 or higher employees getting $25,000.

Already, SSA offices including the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity and the Office of Transformation were closed down and workers placed on administrative leave for now.

The liberal mainstream media and President Donald Trump's critics on the left are always working overtime to push any kind of negative narrative to make the president look bad, or in this case, sick.

According to reports, recent photos of President Trump's hand have gone viral in liberal circles given that his right hand has a sizeable bruise. Many immediately went into conspiracy theory land and insisted that it must be connected to a medical concern.

However, that's not the case. At all.

The White House recently responded to speculation -- false speculation -- that Trump has health problems he's hiding.

What's going on?

The explanation for the bruise on his right hand is simple, according to the White House. It's apparently from the amount of hands he shakes on a daily and weekly basis.

Trump is well known for his power handshake, which undoubtedly puts a lot of pressure on that particular area of his hand. Combined with his age, it's not uncommon to see older folks bruise like that.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told NBC News that "President Trump is a man of the people," adding, "His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day."

"President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day," the White House press secretary noted.

The story is a nothingburger, though that hasn't stopped legions of Trump Derangement Syndrome-stricken haters from pretending that it's something else.

Some of the leftist conspiracy theorists have suggested that it's IV bruising, others slammed him for not releasing his medical records.

Social media reacts

Many on social media slammed the leftist conspiracy people as none of them even batted an eye at former President Joe Biden's very obvious and serious medical conditions, including his severe cognitive decline.

"Joe Biden was literally demented, falling, pooping, and MIA for 4 years, and the media totally ignored it. Now, they're obsessed with the bruise on the back of President Trump's hand and calling for his medical report to be released," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "They never worried about Biden’s cognitive abilities, yet they are concerned with a bruise on President Trump’s hand! Insane!"

Indeed, it is insane. Trump's health compared to Biden's is night and day.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Instructions have gone out to U.S. government offices worldwide that men who say they are women and want to compete in athletic events in America are to be denied visas.

And those who are deemed to have misrepresented their birth sex on their applications will be banned from American soil permanently.

That's according to a new report at the Guardian, which explains, "The 24 February state department cable obtained by the Guardian instructs visa officers to apply Immigration and Nationality Act section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) – the 'permanent fraud bar' – against trans applicants. Unlike regular visa denials, this section triggers lifetime exclusion from the United States with limited waiver possibilities."

The Guardian reported the instructions from the administration of President Donald Trump, who earlier declared that the U.S. government recognizes only two sexes, male and female, stated, "In cases where applicants are suspected of misrepresenting their purpose of travel or sex, you should consider whether this misrepresentation is material such that it supports an ineligibility finding."

The guidance was released over the signature of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Trump's own executive order on the topic came Feb. 5, and said simply men are not allowed to compete in women's sports events.

"While signing the order, the president directed the homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, to deny visas to 'men attempting to fraudulently enter the United States while identifying themselves as women athletes' during the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles – which will take place under Trump's watch," the report explained.

Trump also directed Rubio to inform the International Olympic Committee that the U.S. "will not stand by and watch men beat and batter female athletes."

Officials at the ACLU, who have fought over and over on behalf of special recognition for alternative sexual lifestyle choices, such as transgenderism, said the decision to bar male athletes who claim to be female was "alarming."

Transgenders have, in fact, been allowed to compete in Olympic events in Tokyo and Paris.

"The state department cable instructs consular officers to examine birth certificates when documentation conflicts and mark all cases with 'SWS25' to track enforcement across consular posts worldwide. It also mentions a forthcoming separate guidance from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs that will outline additional actions to 'preclude biologically male athletes from participating in women's sporting events, including sports exchanges in the United States,'" the report noted.

In America, the NCAA already has reversed its position on men in women's sports because of Trump's definitions.

A post at the Post-Millennial said, the permanent ban is available under U.S. law that cracks down on those who try to get a visa by "fraud or willfully misrepresenting a material fact."

Trump has expressed that America "categorically rejects transgender lunacy." He said, "We want them to change everything having to do with the Olympics and having to do with this absolutely ridiculous subject that we even have to talk about this subject."

In fact, following the science, males do not become females, or vice versa, because being male or female is embedded in the human body down to the DNA level.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

President Donald Trump's campaign to save America financially goes far beyond his agenda to cut waste, fraud, and abuse from the government books – although that certainly is part of it, with estimates of $60 or $70 billion in bad spending decisions already reversed.

He's also on track to raise money for America. One program involves tariffs he has imposed on shipments into the country, and there's speculation that if applied properly, income could reach into the trillions of dollars and replace the current income tax.

But there's another trillion dollars or so, or possibly much more, that could be coming in through another idea.

CBS explained that it's Trump's idea for a "gold card" 'aimed at rich foreigners who want the right to live in America and are willing to pay for it.

"That term is a play on the green card, more officially known as a permanent residency card, which allows non-citizens to live and work permanently in the U.S. Green cards are most frequently awarded to foreigners who marry U.S. citizens or to those who receive one through their employer, with the latter process taking an average of three years to complete, according to the Cato Institute," the report said.

Trump said his plan is to make available an expensive option for the wealthy literally to purchase that right.

"It's going to be a route to citizenship, and wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card, they'll be wealthy, and they'll be successful and they'll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people," Trump said.

Now Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the income possible for that concept already is at $1.125 trillion.

That would be paid by "deeply vetted" global citizens who would bring "entrepreneurial spirit and capacity," including jobs and businesses, to America. And they would pay American taxes.

He said 250,000 people now are "in line" for that potential program.

Trump has explained that if roughly 8,000 people received gold cards each year, the U.S. would raise about $40 billion annually through the program.

The CBS report said such "investor visas" are common around the world and more than 100 nations offer such programs.

"We have it all worked out from the legal standpoint. It's totally legal to do. It's somewhat like a green card, but at a higher level of sophistication — it's a road to citizenship for people, and essentially people of wealth or people of great talent, where people of wealth pay for those people of talent to get in, meaning companies will pay for people to get in and to have long, long term status in the country," he said.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Just two weeks ago, DOGE chief Elon Musk drew attention to the fact federal employees' retirements are still processed by hand and on paper in a Pennsylvania limestone mine that is home to millions of documents and files.

Musk said the unique location and process were something "out of a time warp."

"There's a limestone mine where we store all the retirement paperwork," Musk told reporters inside the Oval Office. "The limiting factor is the speed at which the mine shaft elevator can move determines how many people can retire from the federal government."

Apparently, the agency that processes those retirements, the Office of Personnel Management, was challenged by Trump administration officials to digitize the process. And, in something that contravenes the usual slowness of government work, the agency claims to have done so in a mere week.

The White House publicly acknowledged that Amy Gleason is the administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency, the Associated Press reported. Gleason is a former U.S. Digital Service expert but has maintained a low profile in her new role.

Last month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to appoint an administrator for DOGE. While Tesla billionaire Elon Musk has been the face of DOGE and has taken the slings and arrows of the left, he's only an adviser to the president.

Earlier this week, an attorney for the administration denied knowing who was running DOGE when asked by a judge. On Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt refused to reveal Gleason's name during a news briefing.

"There are career officials, and there are political appointees who are helping run DOGE on a day-to-day basis," Leavitt said. However, the leftist media did not let this go and continued to push for names.

White House Strikes Back

By Wednesday, Leavitt struck back that she had been "hounded" by the media for the names of DOGE employees. "Amy Gleason has been the DOGE administrator for quite some time, I believe several weeks, maybe a month..." she told the press in a clip posted to X, formerly Twitter.

"She's a career official. She's doing her job as the administrator of this organization. I know everybody's very interested in her name, who she is, and what she does," Leavitt went on.

"There's a lot of people who work for the federal government. They're just trying to do their jobs, and that's what she's doing. " Leavitt pointed out.

"Everybody knew, and we said who she was to all of you because you are hounds in the media who are so obsessed with this for some reason," she shot back after Leavitt asked if this information was known. The left is apoplectic over the existence of DOGE, and zeroing in on Gleason is just another way to express their ire that Trump was elected and is doing his job.

Taking the Heat

It's clear that the media is interested in smearing Gleason as they have done with Musk, and now she will be the one taking the heat from them. The 53-year-old was employed with the United States Digital Service, now renamed DOGE, between 2018 and 2021.

Gleason was part of the agency's COVID-19 federal response team and reported the White House. After leaving that role, Gleason became chief product officer for a pair of small healthcare start-ups in Nashville.

She rejoined the agency after Trump was inaugurated in January when the newly minted president promised to slash waste, fraud, and abuse in the government. More than 20 agency members resigned after Musk's involvement and rebranding of the former Digital Service.

According to the New York Post, DOGE has already cut $55 billion in government spending and is looking to slash $1 trillion. Those who rely on an over-bloated government for grants, programs, and employment are going after anyone who tries to stop the gravy train.

Americans are tired of throwing their hard-earned tax dollars into the government money pit. What Musk and Gleason are doing is necessary to stop it, but the left is intent on doing whatever it can to hinder this mission, including outing the people involved in DOGE.

First lady Melania Trump is being widely praised for her wardrobe choice at the White House National Governors Association Dinner Sunday, Parade Magazine reported. Trump donned a Dolce & Gabbana black velvet tuxedo jacket trimmed in satin paired with a Ralph Lauren cummerbund and pants.

The former fashion model's outfit was a take on masculine formal wear but with feminine touches, including flowing tresses, dazzling earrings, and her signature high heels. She posted photos from the event on her official account on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday.

"It was an honor to host our distinguished governors at the White House. Together, we embraced a moment of unity, forging a path toward a brighter future for all," Trump captioned the post.

The Reviews Are In

As the wife of President Donald Trump, Melania Trump is used to being in the spotlight as a political spouse. However, she was a well-known model long before marrying the media mogul who would become president, and it shows.

During President Trump's first term, the media ignored the fashion plate in the White House even as her fans continue to heap praise on the georgous first lady.  "Grace, elegance, and leadership, Melania Trump continues to set the standard," conservative social media personality Desiree posted to X.

"The media could never give her the credit she deserves, but the people see it!" Desiree added. Other users offered similar accolades to the beautiful first lady.

"You are absolutely stunning in that tuxedo suit!!! Classy and gorgeous!!! another admirer offered.

"Thank you!! I love the tuxedo look!! Very classy!" said another X user. "Stunning as always Melania!" still another said of the first lady while another person called Melania a "beautiful hostess."

Obvious Bias

Melania Trump is arguably the most beautiful woman to be first lady. She is always dressed to impress while out in public, whether on official business or not, and knows how to wear high fashion.

Still, Vogue's editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is obviously "biased" in whom she decides will grace the cover of her magazine, Melania Trump noted. In 2022, the magazine featured then-first lady Jill Biden on the cover after spending years ignoring Melania Trump.

Melania Trump was previously given the cover in 2005 after marrying Donald Trump, but that was long before he became the left's most hated Republican president. Melania Trump was asked about this obviously intentional oversight in an interview with People.

"I think American people and everyone sees it. It was their decision, and I have much more important things to do — and I did in the White House — than being on the cover of Vogue," Melania Trump said in 2022.

With her husband back in the White House, it's still unlikely Melania Trump will ever become a Vogue cover girl again. Of course, she doesn't need Anna Wintour's approval when she has the love, support, and admiration of the American people.

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