A federal judge ordered the Trumpo II administration to reinstate nearly 200 workers who screen coal miners for black lung disease. The judge said the administration lacked the authority to shutter the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program, which was created in 1969 under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. The workers were back on the job a day after the ruling.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard fired two officials from the National Intelligence Council amid what Gabbard's office has called an effort to correct the 'weaponization' of intelligence agencies. The fired staffers had earlier made public intelligence findings that contradicted the White House's assertion that the Venezuelan government was directing the actions of Tren de Aragua, the criminal gang the administration has targetted for deportation using the Alien Enemies Act.

The order directs the Archivist of the United States, through the Office of the Federal Register, to collaborate with the Director of the Government Publishing Office to reduce publication delays and modernize systems. The Archivist is also required to review and adjust the fee schedules for publication in the Federal Register, ensuring that fees reflect the actual costs of publication. The order specifies that agencies are currently charged between $151-$174 per column of text to publish each rule in the Federal Register.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked mass layoffs and restructuring at two dozen agencies. The judge said the Trump administration's actions were illegal without authorization from Congress.

In a major restructuring, the National Science Foundation will slash the number of temporary scientists it employs to review grant requests from more than 350 to 70. In a memo, NSF leadership said the reduced staffing will be more in line with the agency's expected reduced future funding.

The president withdrew the nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for Surgeon General after questions about her medical degree were raised. The president also announced Nesheiwat's replacement: Casey Means, a wellness influencer with a medical degree from Stanford. She has been an advocate of of the view that chronic illnesses are metabolic in origin. (RFK Jr shares those views.)

The Trump II administration has sacked the Vice Chair of the NTSB, Alvin Brown. No explanation was given.

Trump II administration has let go hundreds of climate scientists who volunteered to produce the nation’s next climate assessment, which is supposed to be completed in 2028. No reason was given for the dismissals.

The order directs Federal agencies to receive nominations for various positions. The Department of the Army is to consider Marc Andersen, William Gillis, and Jules Hurst III for the role of Assistant Secretary. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Labor are to consider Gregory Autry and David Brian Castillo respectively for the position of Chief Financial Officer. Donald Bergin III is nominated for Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Congressional and Legislative Affairs), Marc Berkowitz for Assistant Secretary of Defense, and Jonathan Berry for Solicitor for the Department of Labor. The Department of Labor is also to consider Anthony D’Esposito for Inspector General and Andrew Rogers for Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division. The Navy is to consider Benjamin Kohl

Department to lose about a quarter of its staff. More details: Thousands at CDC, FDA Laid Off.

Trump II National Security Officials Include Journalist in Text Group Discussing Secret War Plans.

2/25/2025: Memo:Suspension of Security Clearances and Evaluation of Government Contracts. Directs agencies to remove clearances for the law firm Covington & Burling (and a named attorney, Peter Koski), and to evaluate government contracts with the firm. Koski and Covington & Burling worked with former Special Counsel Jack Smith (Trump criminal cases).

Trump Fires Top General, Other Leaders, Nominates New Joint Chiefs Chairman. General Brown, three top JAG officers, Chief of Naval Operations all out. Retired USAF General Dan Caine is the new nominee. Replacements for the others TBD.

Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy. Identifies a handful of boards and committees to be eliminated or have budgets reduced. Directs selected agencies (CFPB, FDIC) to identify additional boards and committees for elimination.

Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies. The president here claims the right to direct and control independent agencies such as the FCC, the SEC, the Federal Reserve based on his role at the top of the executive branch. (The order has a carve out for Fed monetary policy.) There’ll be lawsuits.

More Mass Firings at Federal Health Agencies. FDA, Medicare, and Emergency Response group.

Thousands of Federal Health Research Employees Fired.

Trump II to Layoff 9,000 IRS Employees. It’s tax season. There are about 100k folks working there. 10k came on in the past year.

Federal Layoffs at Dept of Ed, SBA, elsewhere.

Forest Service RIF takes 3,400 Workers. The USFS has (had) about 35,000 employees. Firefighters, public safety staffers spared. Smokey Bear had no comment.

Implementing the President’s “Dept of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative. Instructs agencies to limit hiring to 1 new employee per 4 departures. Instructs agencies to prepare for a reduction in force. Gives DOGE teams authority to recommend staff cuts.

OMB Director Russell Vought Named Acting Director of CFPB.

Appointments to the White House Faith Office.

Trump to Fire Kennedy Center Board, Name Himself Chairman.

Trump II Fires Head of CFPB. Mr Chopra somehow survived for two weeks.

Trump II Fires NLRB Officials, Breaks Law in Doing So.

Trump II Fires Two Democratic Commissionersof the EEOC, Leaving It Without a Quorum

Trump II Fires Inspectors General of at Least 12 Federal Departments and Agencies. Congress is supposed to get 30 days notice before IG removals can happen.

Trump II Picks Billionaire Stephen Feinberg for Deputy Defense Secretary.

The Voice of Trump II (Truth Social) Truthed That Kari Lake, Former News Personality From Arizona, Will Lead the Voice of America.