Donald Trump informs his Cabinet secretaries that staffing choices are not to be influenced by Elon Musk. New modifications to the U.S. military’s health care system have placed providers in a challenging situation. Additionally, Formula 1 racer Lando Norris has his eyes set on claiming a title in 2025.
Here’s what you need to know today.
Trump limits Musk’s influence amidst DOGE fallout
President Donald Trump stated yesterday, after a meeting involving various secretaries and his billionaire consultant, that staffing appointments within federal agencies will be determined by the Trump administration’s Cabinet leaders, not Elon Musk. This new directive signals a rare public limitation on Musk’s power as he continues to influence the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk has previously upset some Cabinet members, with other Republicans expressing concern about the abrupt and severe nature of the reductions.
“It’s crucial that we reduce levels to where they need to be, but it’s equally vital to retain our top and most effective personnel,” Trump expressed on Truth Social. He later noted, “We prefer the ‘scalpel’ approach over the ‘hatchet’.”
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Trump advised Cabinet members to collaborate with DOGE on fiscal and workforce cutbacks. However, department leaders will hold the final say on job terminations. If adequate reductions aren’t achieved, Trump suggested that Musk may intervene.
The extensive layoffs initiated by DOGE in the initial weeks of Trump’s second term, involving the dismissal of thousands of employees and plans to eliminate whole agencies, have stirred lawsuits, public concern, and increased scrutiny from congressional Republicans. Calls for enhanced transparency regarding DOGE’s actions have emerged from some party members. This week, Musk engaged in private discussions with several Senate Republicans to address these issues.
Despite the controversies, Trump made sure to commend Musk and DOGE after yesterday’s gathering, stating “they’ve accomplished an incredible job.”
Read the complete article here.
More political updates:
- Trump modified 25% tariffs on approximately half of the goods imported from Mexico and around 28% of food items from Canada, marking the second occasion he has announced and subsequently retracted tariffs.
- A federal judge required the Trump administration to pay its debts by Monday to various nonprofit organizations and aid groups impacted by an order to suspend foreign aid and terminate operations at USAID.
- MAGA supporters have turned against Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Find out why.
- Two associates of Trump have initiated campaigns for leadership positions with the D.C. Bar Association, aiming to gain more influence over the prominent legal organization.
- U.S. immigration officials are planning a new operation to detain migrant families who entered the country with their children.
- Ukrainians residing in the U.S. expressed concerns about possibly being returned to a war zone after Trump indicated he would determine whether to revoke the temporary legal status of over 280,000 individuals who have resettled since 2022.
Jobs report anticipated to indicate growth, but uncertainty persists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to publish its monthly employment report today for February, which is expected to reflect the addition of approximately 170,000 jobs last month, an increase from the 143,000 job creations reported in January. Analysts predict that the unemployment rate will remain steady at 4%. However, with President Donald Trump’s agenda taking shape, which includes an evolving tariff strategy and significant job reductions, signs of trouble may soon emerge in America’s usually robust economy.
This week, two independent reports indicated a contracting job market. Job-cut announcements in February hit their highest monthly count since the depths of the pandemic in mid-2020, according to the consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Additionally, private-sector payroll firm ADP recorded only 77,000 net job gains in February, considerably lower than expectations. Read the complete article here.
What’s behind the disruptions to the military’s health care system
Changes implemented this year to Tricare, the military’s health care program which serves about 9.6 million beneficiaries, have resulted in widespread disruptions affecting millions of service members, their families, and network providers across the country.
On the East Coast, approximately 16,000 health care providers remain unpaid for months, forcing many to stop accepting Tricare patients, limit their operational hours, or consider shutting down their clinics. Meanwhile, beneficiaries on the West Coast are experiencing excessively long wait times with customer service and delays in referrals and authorizations, as reported by federal officials.
Reporter Melissa Chan engaged with multiple families and providers impacted by the recent changes. Among them is Army Sgt. Bo Heggins of Tennessee, who had to cease taking his 8-year-old son, diagnosed with autism, to occupational therapy. Simultaneously, Brenda Stephens, a provider based in San Diego, has halted all operations for her mental health clinic’s 350 Tricare patients and laid off seven staff members.
The Defense Health Agency, which supervises Tricare, acknowledged the emergence of various challenges across the nation since the year began. A spokesperson for the DHA stated that the agency is collaborating with contractors to resolve these issues. Read the full story here.
Read All About It
- Brad Sigmon, the South Carolina individual convicted in a 2002 double homicide, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad today.
- A second death linked to a current measles outbreak has been reported in New Mexico, involving an unvaccinated adult who tested positive for the virus.
- Recent research indicates that reducing butter consumption may extend your lifespan. Here’s a healthier alternative.
- A former Olympic snowboarder accused of leading a deadly transnational drug trafficking ring has now been placed on the FBI’s list of 10 most wanted fugitives.
- SpaceX lost contact with its Starship rocket during a test flight yesterday, marking the second consecutive setback for the next-gen megarocket.
- Text messages from the surviving roommates of four college students fatally stabbed in Idaho in 2022 reveal their fears and confusion on the day of the murders.
Staff Pick: F1’s Lando Norris poised for victory
My journey as a Formula 1 fan began at the age of 11, coinciding with McLaren’s championship win. Twenty-six years later, I had the opportunity to interview Lando Norris for NBC News following an impressive 2024 season, where he guided McLaren back to its first constructors’ title since 1998. Norris stands out as an interviewee, not just for his extraordinary racing skills, but also for his genuine and relatable demeanor.
After an outstanding season where he won his first four races, Norris ultimately fell short of his overarching objective, finishing as the runner-up to Max Verstappen for the championship. We discussed his thoughts on 2024, his candid reflections on the mistakes he made, and why he’s ready to return stronger as the new season is set to kick off next week. — Sahil Kapur, NBC senior national political reporter and F1 correspondent
NBC Select: Simplified Online Shopping
Don’t miss the last day of Walmart’s Spring Break Luggage Sale, which features discounts of up to 40% off on backpacks, carry-ons, duffle bags, and more. Here are the NBC Select team’s top selections from the sale. Additionally, check out the 15 best pimple patches for treating breakouts, some of which have been tested by Select staffers.
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