Rubio to torch 132 State Department offices in historic bloat-slashing overhaul



The Department of State revealed on Tuesday the Trump administration’s plans to slash the agency’s bloat.

Internal documents obtained by the Free Press revealed that the State Department will close 132 agency offices — a 17% reduction. The office terminations also reportedly involve eliminating 700 positions, including civil service and foreign service employees.

'In its current form, the department is bloated, bureaucratic, and unable to perform its essential diplomatic mission in this new era of great power competition.'

The news outlet reported that the offices earmarked for closure include those dedicated to advancing human rights, democracy overseas, and thwarting extremism and war crimes.

The State Departmen's new shake-up will consolidate 137 offices by transferring them to other parts of the agency.

The plans consider terminating the agency’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. Rachel Cauley, a White House budget office spokesperson, told the Free Press that “nobody is really sure what” the office does.

“When I ask them, they seem to not really be sure what they’re supposed to be doing. It’s an office that was created several years ago to look at Afghanistan [issues] and to avoid conflict areas. But we already have other offices within the department that do that,” Cauley said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly coordinating with the Department of Government Efficiency to restructure the federal agency.

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A senior State Department official told the Free Press that the agency’s undersecretaries have also been instructed to present plans to reduce their staff by 15%. While it is unclear how many staffers will be impacted by the directive, the outlet noted that six of the offices employ thousands of individuals.

A second senior State Department official told the news outlet that the cuts will not require Congress’ approval. The source claimed that by July 1, the U.S. Agency for International Development would “cease[] to exist.”

In addition to eliminating and consolidating hundreds of offices, the State Department is opening a post, the Bureau of Emerging Threats, dedicated to monitoring cyber threats, the second official told the Free Press.

“We’re trying to streamline the organization, to centralize functions that should be centralized, and to focus on the big things that support our America First diplomacy out in the field,” the official said.

Rubio told the Free Press, “In its current form, the department is bloated, bureaucratic, and unable to perform its essential diplomatic mission in this new era of great power competition.”

“That is why today I am announcing a comprehensive reorganization plan that will bring the department into the 21st century,” he added.

“This approach will empower the department from the ground up, from the bureaus to the embassies,” Rubio continued. “Region-specific functions will be consolidated to increase functionality, redundant offices will be removed, and non-statutory programs that are misaligned with America’s core national interests will cease to exist.”

Mike Pompeo, the former secretary of state under President Donald Trump’s first administration, told the news outlet that he supports overhauling the agency.

“The State Department is desperately in need of significant reorganization, and there’s much efficiency that can be gained there,” Pompeo said.

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Trump purges Clinton's $1B woke, audit-failing volunteer agency



The Trump administration on Wednesday placed most of AmeriCorps' full-time employees on administrative leave as it moves to reorganize the Bill Clinton-era volunteer agency.

The independent federal agency was established by Congress in 1993 to connect young Americans with community service opportunities, providing roughly a $4,000 stipend, housing accommodations, food, and a higher education grant, the New York Times reported.

'It is time to admit that this is a failed program that needs a complete overhaul or elimination.'

Despite receiving about $1 billion annually, AmeriCorps failed eight consecutive audits.

Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) in December accused the agency of having "a long history of abusing taxpayer dollars."

"In 2023, the AmeriCorps inspector general issued a 'Management Challenges' report detailing significant challenges AmeriCorps faces. This includes being unable to detect fraud. We have no real idea when AmeriCorps will be able to have a clean audit again. In fact, this year's audit includes 78 recommendations still open, even after AmeriCorps said it addressed 20 last year," Owens said.

He called for AmeriCorps to be on the Department of Government Efficiency's "chopping block," arguing that it should not receive more taxpayer money while "it continuously fails to meet basic accountability standards."

"We can tell AmeriCorps to modernize and reform until we are blue in the face, but nothing will change unless we recognize the system is built on a flawed idea. It is time to admit that this is a failed program that needs a complete overhaul or elimination," Owens remarked.

Like many other federal agencies in recent years, AmeriCorps has become infiltrated with woke ideology, including climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Fox News Digital reported that the agency's 2024 annual management report listed "advancing racial and economic equity" as one of its key priorities.

"AmeriCorps has a decades-long commitment to advancing racial and economic equity through national service and volunteering," the report read. "These efforts are designed to expand pathways to opportunity for all Americans. Racial and economic equity will be central to AmeriCorps' planning and implementation of all priorities, ensuring AmeriCorps members and volunteers reflect the diversity of the American people and the communities in which they serve."

While Owens supports the elimination of AmeriCorps, a Trump administration official told the news outlet that the agency will receive an operational reset but will remain in existence.

On Wednesday, the White House placed 75% of the AmeriCorps full-time employees — 535 out of 700 staffers — on administrative leave while determining how it will reconfigure the agency. Additionally, agency contracts worth approximately $250 million have been terminated.

Anything else?

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) stated on Thursday that the state would file a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop its reorganization efforts.

He wrote in a post on X, "DOGE's actions to dismantle AmeriCorps threaten vulnerable Californians, disaster response and recovery, and economic opportunities."

"California will be suing to stop this," Newsom concluded.

In a separate statement, he called Trump's actions a "middle finger to volunteers serving their fellow Americans."

Earlier this week, Newsom filed a lawsuit against Trump to block the administration from imposing increased tariffs. The governor has set aside $50 million to challenge the current administration.

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Pentagon Geek Squad Resigns En Masse After Rival DOGE Nerds Streamline Them Into Obsolescence

'Either we die quickly or we die slowly'

Trump admin moves to end taxpayer funding for PBS, NPR



The Trump administration is moving forward with its plans to cut all taxpayer funding for public broadcasting.

The New York Post reported Monday that the director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, sent a memo to Congress requesting the elimination of the funding. He is also pushing to codify other budget cuts identified by the Department of Government Efficiency.

'Since day one, the Trump Administration has targeted waste, fraud, and abuse in Federal spending through executive action, DOGE review, and other efforts by departments and agencies.'

The "rescissions" plan would cut off $1.1 billion in funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service. Additionally, it would axe $8.3 billion from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Vought's memo accuses CPB of a "lengthy history of anti-conservative bias" and USAID of "waste, fraud, and abuse," the Post reported.

CBP has argued, "Public media in the United States is a highly efficient public-private partnership that delivers a strong return on the taxpayers' investment. For every public dollar provided, stations raise nearly seven dollars from donors, underscoring their value to the communities they serve."

Vought noted that NPR president and CEO Katherine Maher called Trump a "deranged racist" and a "fascist." He also highlighted two PBS programs that included trans-identifying characters.

"Since day one, the Trump Administration has targeted waste, fraud, and abuse in Federal spending through executive action, DOGE review, and other efforts by departments and agencies. Congress has expressed strong interest in supporting those efforts, and requested the Administration transmit rescissions to the Hill for swift approval," Vought wrote.

"OMB recommends the Administration respond with two proposals to cut $9.3 billion," he continued. "The first includes a rescission of $8.3 billion in wasteful foreign aid spending (out of $22 billion) that does not expire in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. The second is a separate rescission of all Federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) — which funds the politically biased public radio and public television system."

Lawmakers have 45 days to adopt or reject the rescission plan. The White House is reportedly optimistic it will pass.

Vought stated that without the rescissions, taxpayer funds would continue to be spent on many wasteful programs, including $9.4 million for "Championing Transformative Changes in Gender Norms," $6 million for Palestinian media and civic society support, and $3 million for Iraqi "Sesame Street," to name a few.

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) proposed legislation in March that, if passed, would prevent NPR and PBS from receiving taxpayer funds.

Jackson introduced the bill, No Partisan Radio and Partisan Broadcasting Service Act, after a heated House Oversight subcommittee hearing with Maher and PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger, where lawmakers pressed them about their outlets' political bias. Both Maher and Kerger insisted their outlets were unbiased.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), the subcommittee's chairwoman, asserted that the hearing proved NPR and PBS are "taxpayer-funded PR arms of the Democrat Party" and therefore "don't deserve the American people's hard-earned money."

"NPR and PBS hate President Trump, his supporters, and the majority of Americans who sent us a mandate in 2024. They can hate us on their own dime," Greene declared.

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DOGE: Criminal Aliens Paroled By Biden Took In $1.3 Million In Taxpayer Handouts

Thousands included on the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center watchlist or who have criminal records received welfare benefits, DOGE reported.

Musk Slashes DOGE Savings Forecast By 85%

'A reduction of $150 billion dollars'

Trump revokes parole for 6,300 foreign nationals on terrorist watchlist or with criminal past



The Department of Government Efficiency announced Thursday that it discovered the former Biden administration paroled 6,300 foreign nationals who were either on the terrorist watchlist or had a criminal history.

The Trump administration has reportedly pulled their parole as a result of the DOGE's findings.

'Among these 6.3k paroled aliens with criminal or terrorist records (all have a social security number).'

Further, of the 6,300 foreign nationals, 905 received Medicaid, and 41 collected unemployment insurance — benefits totaling $318,000. Additionally, 22 individuals took out $280,000 in federal student loans. In 2024, 409 received $751,000 worth of tax refunds.

The DOGE also reported that some of the foreign nationals collected food stamp benefits, though the final number has not yet been determined.

The department indicated that there could be more individuals who were paroled despite being on the FBI's Terrorist Screen Center watchlist or having a criminal past.

The department detailed its findings in a post on social media.

"Under the Biden administration, it was routine for Border Patrol to admit aliens into the United States with no legal status and minimal screening. So far, [Customs and Border Protection] identified a subset of 6.3k individuals paroled into the United States since 2023 on the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center watchlist or with criminal records," the DOGE wrote. "These paroles have since been terminated with immediate effect."

"Despite having no other legal status, paroled aliens are able to file for work authorization and receive social security numbers. Among these 6.3k paroled aliens with criminal or terrorist records (all have a social security number)," the DOGE added.

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A White House official confirmed to the Daily Caller that the Trump administration had revoked parole for the 6,300 foreign nationals.

The administration has also moved to yank parole for foreign nationals admitted into the country through several of the Biden administration's programs.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced that those who entered the U.S. under the CBP One app — approximately 985,000 — would have their parole revoked.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Politico, "Under federal law, Secretary [Kristi] Noem — in support of the president — has full authority to revoke parole. Canceling these paroles is a promise kept to the American people to secure our borders and protect national security."

The administration previously attempted to pull deportation shields for those enrolled in the CHNV parole program, which allowed 30,000 individuals per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S.

Those enlisted in the program, approximately 500,000, are scheduled to lose their protected status on April 24. However, on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani halted Trump's move to end the program.

"The nub of the problem here is that the secretary, in cutting short the parole period afforded to these individuals, has to have a reasoned decision," Talwani claimed. "There was a deal and now that deal has been undercut."

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Toddlers, people not yet born, and those 115+ snagged nearly $400M in unemployment insurance: DOGE



The Department of Government Efficiency appears to have discovered more potential fraud within the federal government.

On Wednesday, the DOGE shared a post on social media highlighting troubling findings from an unemployment insurance survey.

'We will catch these thieves and keep working to root out egregious fraud – accountability is here.'

Since 2020, tens of thousands of individuals who were either over 115 years old, children, or not yet born have cashed in on millions of taxpayer-funded benefits.

The DOGE reported that 24,500 people over 115 years old collected $59 million in benefits, 28,000 between 1 and 5 years old received $254 million, and 9,700 "with birth dates over 15 years in the future claimed $69M in benefits."

One individual claiming the birth year 2154 collected $41,000, the DOGE stated.

Elon Musk responded to the post, writing, "Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future! This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in."

He added in a separate post, "The oldest living American is 114 years old, so it is safe to say that anyone 115 or older is collecting 'unemployment' due to being dead. There was no sanity check for impossibly young or impossibly old people for unemployment insurance."

The Labor Department confirmed that unemployment insurance was distributed to fraudulent recipients, Fox Business reported.

DOL Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer told the news outlet, "This is another incredible discovery by the DOGE team, finding nearly $400 million in fraudulent unemployment payments."

"The Labor Department is committed to recovering Americans' stolen tax dollars. We will catch these thieves and keep working to root out egregious fraud – accountability is here," she added.

During Thursday's Cabinet meeting at the White House, Musk told Trump about the newly discovered fraud and anticipated savings due to the DOGE's work.

"Thanks to your fantastic leadership, this amazing Cabinet, and the very talented DOGE team, I'm excited to announce that we anticipate savings in FY2026 from reduction of waste and fraud by $150 billion," Musk stated.

"And some of it is just absurd, like people getting unemployment insurance who haven't been born yet," he continued. "That's just crazy."

Musk stated that the federal government is a "target-rich environment" for uncovering waste and fraud.

According to the DOGE's website, the most significant chunk of the federal government's overall savings has come from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, the General Services Administration, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Labor.

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DHS offers workers early exit to downsize agency



The Department of Homeland Security offered its staff an opportunity to exit the agency early as part of the Trump administration's attempt to shrink the federal government's bloat.

According to an email obtained by Axios and Politico, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem sent a memo to employees on Monday evening, informing them about the agency's plan to reduce its workforce, which includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

'The American people deserve a government that works for them, something President Trump has promised.'

Noem's "Reshaping the DHS Workforce" email stated, "I am writing to share important news regarding new voluntary workforce transition programs approved for immediate implementation across the Department."

Staffers were provided three early leave options: deferred resignation, early retirement, or a buyout.

Those who opt for the deferred resignation will receive a "brief period of paid administrative leave to complete key tasks, submit retirement documentation and prepare for departure," the memo read, according to Axios.

Individuals who participate in the early retirement option will also receive a cash incentive, Politico noted.

Staff who accept the buyout will receive $25,000, "or an amount equal to severance pay if lower."

"By offering these options, we intend to provide flexibility for employees who may be considering a change, retirement or new career opportunities while also supporting the Department's operational readiness," Noem stated.

Workers were given an April 14 deadline to apply.

In March, Noem said that the Trump administration plans to "eliminate FEMA," which currently has roughly 20,000 employees.

A DHS spokesperson told Axios, "The American people deserve a government that works for them, something President Trump has promised."

"Every dollar spent and position filled at DHS should be focused on our core mission of securing our homeland and keeping the American people safe," the spokesperson added.

CNN reported on Saturday that four sources claimed that the Department of Government Efficiency was soon expected to recommend cuts to DHS' staff, including the U.S. Secret Service.

The Secret Service declined the outlet's request for comment.

One senior DHS official told CNN that the department is "determined to eliminate government waste that has been happening for decades at the expense of the American taxpayer. Across DHS, we will be eliminating non-mission critical positions and bureaucratic hurdles that undermine our mission to secure the homeland. Secretary Noem is determined to return DHS to its core mission of keeping America safe."

CNN reported then that Noem was expected to release a memo to staff in the coming days. One of its sources noted that while Noem's name would be on the email, the planned cuts were also developed by Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller, the DOGE, and other administration staff.

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Solar Picnic Tables? How The Federal Government Has Treated Your Tax Dollars With Utter Disdain

The House Oversight Committee’s subpanel on government efficiency held a hearing Tuesday exposing billions of taxpayer dollars wasted annually on outdated federal buildings. Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who leads the Subcommittee on Delivering Government Efficiency (DOGE), opened the hearing by slamming federal agencies for maintaining a bloated real estate footprint. She pledged to […]