Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Trump’s DEI stance scares disabled workers

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On Politics

Wed Feb 5 2025

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

Howdy, folks! It's Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. I don't think I'm cut out for winter weather.

Disabled federal workers fear for their jobs after Trump remarks

Hours after the collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter last week, President Donald Trump criticized the Federal Aviation Administration's diversity policies and hiring of disabled Americans. Trump's comments, where he claimed without evidence the agency is "actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities and psychiatric problems," has sparked anxiety and frustration among federal workers with disabilities, many of whom are military veterans. Read more.

The Trump administration is trying to cut the federal workforce across the board. If federal employees do not accept a buyout offer that expires Thursday, the Trump administration warned they could be furloughed. All federal employees have been offered eight months of pay and benefits through September if they resign. Read more.

•	CIA offers buyouts to workforce to align with Trump priorities, agency official says

Trump's recent actions sparked protests across the country, including in Washington D.C. Demonstrators called on lawmakers to try and halt Trump's actions.

•	Anti-Trump protest photos highlight nationwide rallies against Project 2025

Protesters rally at the United States Capitol on Wednesday against Project 2025 and President Donald Trump's executive orders.

Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

A politics pit stop

•	Breaking: Trump signs executive order targeting transgender girls, women athletes
•	USPS will continue to accept packages from China and Hong Kong, reversing prior decision
•	Portion of Americans satisfied with U.S. stance on LGBTQ is lowest in decade
•	Elon Musk says he 'deleted' IRS Direct File. Can taxpayers still use the free service?
•	These hospitals stopped offering transgender care after Trump executive order. Why?
•	After initial hesitation, Republican senators prepare to confirm Trump's team

In major policy shift, Trump says the US should take over Gaza

Upending decades of U.S. policy, Donald Trump on Tuesday proposed that the United States take over the Gaza Strip and relocate almost two million Palestinians. The president said the U.S. would own the war-ravaged enclave and level it out to make it the "Riviera of the Middle East." Read more.

•	Watch: Trump's Gaza proposal prompts strong reactions around the world
•	5 takeaways from Trump's radical Gaza plan
•	What led up to Trump's call for U.S. to 'take over' Gaza

Trump's promised immigration raids hit Colorado cities

Federal agents detained people in Denver and nearby Aurora as they searched for more than 100 reported Venezuelan gang members – making it one of the largest targeted raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since Donald Trump took office. Trump months ago vowed to launch the deportation effort "Operation Aurora" upon taking office. It was not immediately clear how many people were apprehended. Read more.

•	Mexican troops arrive at US border to disarm Trump tariff threats
•	Migrant flights to Guantánamo Bay have begun. Satellite images show activity at naval base.

Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.