Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Introducing the 'Department of Government Efficiency'

Trump's new government project sets out to cut federal spending. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 

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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Wed Nov 13 2024

 

Nicole Fallert Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

A new "Department of Government Efficiency" will work to slash federal government spending, waste and regulations. Wildfires are raging on both coasts. The 2024 Sexiest Man Alive is finally named.

Trump taps Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead new agency

President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday he's tapped tech billionaire Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest person, and former Republican presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new "Department of Government Efficiency."

Trump provided no details on the size or budget of the department beyond the leadership of Musk and Ramaswamy. It was also not immediately clear whether Musk and Ramaswamy would be working under contract for their services.

These wealthy businessmen will have a deadline: Trump said the commission will "provide advice and guidance from outside of government," partnering with the White House and Office of Management and Budget "to drive large-scale structural reform" throughout the federal government. He said the team's work will conclude no later than July 4, 2026.
The Musk of it all: Musk has never worked for the federal government before. But his various companies have billions of dollars in government contracts, including with space, military and intelligence agencies. That has prompted concern among watchdog groups that his cost-cutting efforts – and influence on Trump – could create conflicts of interest and lessen oversight of his companies.

Who else has Trump tapped?

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as U.S. ambassador to Israel: The pro-Israel evangelical Christian has previously signaled he opposes negotiating a cease-fire deal with Hamas, arguing the only way to end the war is for the Islamist militant group to surrender.
Media pundit Pete Hegseth is nominated for Defense Secretary. In elevating a conservative TV personality to his Cabinet, Trump is stepping outside the traditional mold for government service.
The Department of Homeland Security will be led by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. She would oversee several federal organizations responsible for immigration to the U.S. Noem often refers to the U.S.-Mexico border as a "war zone" and under "invasion" by migrants, and has suggested Mexican drug cartels were using Indian reservations in the state to "facilitate the spread of drugs throughout the Midwest."
Trump is likely to tap Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state. Rubio, a Cuban American, would be the first Latino to serve in the position.

The latest: Trump plans to make his first visit to Capitol Hill on Wednesday since winning the White House for a meeting with congressional GOP leaders.

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Former President Donald Trump campaigns for reelection at a town hall, moderated by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, in Oaks, Pa., on Oct. 14, 2024.

Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

More news to know now

Huge snow totals have reported in the West.
After commercial planes were struck with gunfire, the FAA prohibited U.S. airlines and private planes from operating below 10,000 feet in Haitian airspace.
A Louisiana law ordering the Ten Commandments appear in schools was ruled unconstitutional.
A Kentucky woman seeking abortion filed a lawsuit over state bans.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

As wildfires rage on both coasts, is there a drought-buster in sight?

Firefighters in California gained a foothold in the battle against a wildfire north of Los Angeles while weather officials on Tuesday issued red flag warnings across the Northeast, where two fires disrupted a popular train service between New York and Boston. Here's what to know if you live in impacted areas.

The problem: The historic drought that for weeks has showered a swath of the nation from Virginia through New England with red flag wildfire warnings shows no signs of easing soon − and it may take floods to bring the weather pattern to an end. But no such weather pattern is in sight.

Syndication Usa Today

New Jersey Forest Fire Service members spray down the scorched earth on East Shore Road while monitoring the West Milford Jennings Creek wildfire in West Milford on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Julian Leshay Guadalupe, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pentagon classified document leaker sentenced to 15 years

A Massachusetts Air National Guard member was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison for violating the Espionage Act by sharing hundreds of classified documents on social media, a security lapse officials called "breathtaking" and "immeasurable" that led to punishment for 15 service members. The leaks exposed embarrassing secrets and analysis from across the U.S. intelligence community involving Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea's race to develop nuclear weapons. Read more

Today's talkers

Britney Spears reunited with her son Jayden, 18.
Don't wait for Black Friday to save!
Here's how the top 25 teams fall in the College Football Playoff rankings ahead of Week 12.
These are the best new songs on Shawn Mendes' "Shawn" album.
World Kindness Week: Watch marathon runners help injured peers to cross the finish line.

A complete picture of coaching diversity within the NFL is nuanced, and complex

As part of its exclusive NFL Coaches Project, USA TODAY Sports once again compiled biographic information — such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, playing background and coaching history — for every on-field coach in the league at the beginning of the season. The 2024 data shows progress in some areas — such as at the position coach level, where non-white coaches now hold nearly half of the roles — but regression in others, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Check out the data for your team.

The Paul vs. Tyson fight is heating up

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will step into the ring on Friday to face YouTuber turned-boxer Jake Paul in a highly anticipated and unique heavyweight mega-fight. The event, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will be broadcast live on Netflix, a one-of-a-kind opportunity that makes it easily accessible to fans worldwide. Both fighters will wear 14-ounce gloves instead of the standard 10-ounce gloves typically used by heavyweight fighters. These conditions are significant as they will influence the pace and strategy of the fight. Fans eagerly await the clash of these two eras.

Paul v. Tyson NL.jpg

Follow @USATODAY Sports for more on Paul v. Tyson.

USA TODAY

Photo of the day: Meet 2024's Sexiest Man alive

The wait is over. John Krasinski has been named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive of 2024. Krasinski – aka Jack Ryan from "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan" – is a 45-year-old multi-hyphenate creative, who wrote and directed the heartfelt comedy "IF" as well as the "A Quiet Place" movies. Krasinski succeeds Patrick Dempsey.

John Krasinski 2024 IF premiere

John Krasinski attends the New York Premiere of "IF" at the SVA Theater on May 13, 2024, in New York City.

John Nacion, Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.

TOP STORIES

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for his criminal trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024 in New York City. Judge Juan Merchan gave the jury their instructions, and deliberations are entering their second day. Michael M. Santiago/Pool via REUTERS

A New York court has put on hold the deadlines in President-elect Donald Trump's New York hush money case.

John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence, gestures as he departs with President Donald Trump on travel to West Point, New York from the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, on Dec. 12, 2020.
 

Donald Trump names former intelligence chief John Ratcliffe to CIA director

 

President-elect Donald Trump designated his former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, to become the director of the CIA.

Cal Fire firefighters cut a fire line through an avocado orchard on Balcom Canyon Road in Somis on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024
 

California blaze burns homes, businesses: 'We suffered great damage'

 

Fire crews were making progress, but flames continued to "creep and smolder" in Ventura, California. And winds could kick up again.

Mike Tyson attends the open workout on Tuesday night.
 

Mike Tyson shows power during open workout, ready for 'party'

 

All 14 boxers on Friday's fight card participated in Tuesday's open workouts, but none received cheers as loud as Mike Tyson.

Chloe Fineman, left, alleged Tesla CEO Elon Musk made her cry when he hosted the sketch comedy show.
 

'SNL' star says Elon Musk made her cry, Tesla boss responds

 

The Tesla boss weighed in after "SNL" cast member Chloe Fineman said he treated her poorly behind the scenes of the sketch show.

USA TODAY's The Excerpt podcast
 

The Excerpt: Trump's promises about pardoning January 6 insurrectionists

 

USA TODAY's daily news podcast, The Excerpt, brings you a curated mix of the most important headlines seven mornings a week.

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