In a groundbreaking interview Tuesday night on Fox News, President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk appeared together for the first time, solidifying their partnership as they discussed plans for government efficiency and fiscal responsibility. The duo praised each other extensively, showcasing a blossoming friendship that has captured the attention of political observers.

At first glance, the optics of Musk sitting next to the Presidentone of the worlds richest men alongside the leader of the free worldwas striking. It resembled a true bromance as Trump noted the speculation surrounding the longevity of their partnership, particularly given the often-competing egos of billionaire figures.

The discussion quickly turned to the central focus of the interview: the ambitious goal of securing $1 trillion through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While Musk indicated that approximately $50 billion had been found thus far, some independent analysts have suggested a figure closer to $5 billion. Regardless of the precise amount, the U.S. can expect significant downsizing and potentially controversial initiatives from the Trump administration in the near future.

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One of the significant points raised during the interview was President Trumps assurance that crucial social programs would remain untouched. He explicitly stated that Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid would not be affected by the ongoing efforts of DOGE, despite speculation regarding potential cuts.

I think hes gonna find a trillion dollars, President Trump said during the interview. Social Security wont be touched... Medicare, Medicaid, none of that stuff is gonna be touched.

This assertion is particularly relevant as discussions around budget cuts continue to swirl in Washington.

A vital function of the DOGE team is to ensure that executive orders from the president are effectively implemented, Musk said.

If the bureaucracy is fighting the will of the people and preventing the president from implementing what the people want, then we live in a bureaucracy and not a democracy, Musk stated, underlining the importance of this initiative.

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As the implications of DOGE unfold, the political landscape is set for further examination of potential cuts and efficiency reforms in the months ahead.

With the partnership of Trump and Musk at the forefront, all eyes will be on Washington as the administration works to advance its agenda for government efficiency while navigating the complexities of American politics.

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In a wave of layoffs sweeping through the federal government, the Department of Health and Human Services, now led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., conducted terminations over the weekend, as first reported by The Washington Post. The Federal Aviation Administration union has warned employees that they may face access restrictions as they return to work on Tuesday following a long holiday weekend.

The Associated Press has also reported that layoffs at the Internal Revenue Service could occur later this week, amplifying concerns about the extensive reach of these job cuts.

While Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. are feeling the effects of these layoffs, a union representing federal workers has emphasized that 80% of its membership resides outside the D.C. metropolitan area, indicating the potential national implications of these layoffs.

Targeted in these layoffs are probationary employees, often newly hired individuals or those recently transferred to a new federal agency position. Legal experts suggest this group is being targeted as the Trump administration believes it has more legal authority to terminate probationary staff compared to longer-tenured civil servants.

The layoffs may pose challenges not only for affected employees and their families but also for the greater Washington, D.C. economy. The local housing market is reportedly already feeling the effects of this instability. There are also concerns regarding the services provided to American taxpayers, such as passport renewals and food stamp applications, which could be hindered by a diminished workforce.

Despite the Trump administration's assertions that core agency functions will remain uninterrupted, critics, including Democrats, argue that it is implausible to cut tens of thousands of jobs without impacting service delivery to the American public.

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President Donald Trump has ordered 1,500 additional U.S. troops to the southern border, marking a 60% increase in military presence since Monday, according to the Pentagon.

The deployment is part of ongoing efforts to bolster border security and immigration control.

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Previously, the Biden administration had stationed around 2,200 service members mostly in the El Paso, Texas, area to assist primarily with ministerial duties. But President Trump's order appears to go even further.

Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses stated that the military will provide "increased detection and monitoring efforts" and support Department of Homeland Security deportation flights of more than 5,000 illegal aliens detained by Customs and Border Protection in the San Diego, California, and El Paso, Texas, sectors.

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Salesses added that troops will also "begin assisting in the construction of temporary and permanent physical barriers to add additional security to curtail illegal border crossings and illicit trafficking."

Additionally, the Pentagon has hinted at more missions to come, with military personnel potentially assisting in what Salesses described as "additional missions in cooperation with DHS, federal agencies, and state partners."

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But the military isn't the only group of individuals being reassigned to the southern border.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the reassignment of DEA agents, the U.S. Marshal Service, and other federal agents to immigration-related duties suggests a broadening of focus on border security, acknowledging that ICE may lack the resources to fulfill all the administration's demands.

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President Donald Trump has vowed to lower prices for all Americans, and on day one of his presidency he signed an executive order directing his cabinet agencies to do just that. But he also likes the idea of tariffs, which could work counter to that goal.

"We're talking about a tariff of 10% on China based on the fact that they're sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada," he said at a press conference this week. "Probably February 1st is the date we're looking at."

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President Trump has hinted that new tariffs could not just hit Chinese-made products, but products made in Mexico and Canada as well. But will these costs be passed on to consumers?

Last year, senior leaders at Walmart said that they would most likely have to raise prices on certain goods if tariffs are levied. But White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during the campaign that money and investment returning to America from oversees as a result of these penalizing tariffs would actually help the U.S. economy.

Leaders in China, Canada and Mexico have all criticized the possible tariffs, with officials in Beijing saying trade wars have "no winners."

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Still, President Trump appears to be forging ahead with his plan for new tariffs and he's not ruling out additional tariffs on other countries as well.

On Inauguration Day, he also took time to acknowledge former President William McKinley for his use of tariffs in the late 1800s even vowing to rename America's tallest peak Mt. McKinley.

President Donald Trump issued a historic number of executive actions on Monday, ranging from declaring a national emergency at the U.S. southern border to withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization to pardoning more than 1,500 people associated with the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol.

But executive orders can only do so much. For many of the big promises that President Trump made on the campaign trail, he'll need Congress to act.

That is why President Trump has now shifted his focus from immediate actions being taken to more of his long-term strategy for implementing his agenda in the future.

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The president met with Republican leadership Tuesday, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, for a strategy session at the White House.

Big items like funding for the border, eliminating taxes on tips, and gutting electric vehicle rules will require Congressional involvement.

However, currently there is some disagreement among Republicans on President Trump's strategy moving forward.

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Some lawmakers on Capitol Hill would like to see multiple bills, perhaps one focused on immigration and another focused on taxes. Some other GOP lawmakers believe passing one giant bill is the best path to ensure President Trump's priorities actually become law.

It's not expected that Congress will act as quickly as President Trump did with his many executive orders. It may not be until spring when any votes are scheduled on any consequential bill.