The 7
Friday, February 14, 2025
Feb 14, 2025
The sudden layoffs of federal workers by the Trump administration stir controversy, with voters divided on the implications. Political updates highlight a paused presidential campaign and precarious U.S.-Russia relations amid the Ukraine conflict. A tragic aviation accident raises safety concerns from the pilots' perspectives. Meanwhile, the bird flu spreads among cattle veterinarians, prompting health warnings, while a polar vortex threatens severe winter weather, alongside an intriguing discovery of a Roman basilica in London.
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Quick takeaways
- The Trump administration's decision to lay off up to 200,000 federal workers exemplifies a significant shift towards reducing government size amid legal challenges from unions.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services highlights ongoing political divides regarding health policy, particularly related to vaccination.
Deep dives
Mass Layoffs of Federal Workers
The Trump administration mandated the termination of a significant number of probationary federal employees, potentially affecting up to 200,000 individuals. The firings were executed through impersonal methods such as pre-recorded videos and group calls, with some employees given as little as 30 minutes to vacate their offices. This decision is part of a larger strategy aimed at drastically reducing the size of the federal government, led by figures like Elon Musk, who is focused on cutting down the education department's functions. The largest union representing federal workers has announced plans to challenge these firings legally, indicating a fierce resistance to the administration's aggressive reduction measures.
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