In the first week of the new Trump administration, the country’s more than two million federal workers were hit with rapid-fire announcements that longtime job protections and telework were suddenly being revoked. The second week brought a carrot, of sorts: an offer that federal employees could continue drawing pay and benefits through late September if they agreed to resign by Feb. 6.
The administration and its supporters trumpeted the proposal, with the billionaire Elon Musk, whom President Trump has tapped to remake the government, describing it as “very generous.”
But to many of the workers it was anything but. Some saw the offer as unenforceable, if not illegal, and federal employees and union leaders alike described it as just another front in the administration’s unsparing campaign to get as many of them as possible to leave.
What remains to be seen is not whether some will depart federal service, as plenty have already begun looking for other jobs, but instead how many and what their departures would mean for the government’s ability to carry out its responsibilities.
“Quality is going to go down,” said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union of federal employees. “Because these are the people that have that expertise. And when quality starts going down, what else can you do besides say, ‘The federal government has failed us.’”
He and others fear an exodus of experienced workers: More than a quarter of federal employees are 55 or older, according to the Pew Research Center.More than half hold bachelor’s or advanced degrees. At the U.S. Agency for International Development, which has been a particular target in recent days, two-thirds of the more than 4,600 employees hold doctorates, master’s or other advanced degrees, according to Pew.
“The amount of brain drain that will come as people leave, retire or are fired cannot be underestimated,” said one federal lawyer who is planning to leave soon and, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution.
Trump allies dismissed such worries. The White House has said that it expects 5 to 10 percent of the federal work force, as many as 200,000 people, to take the offer.
“These are talented individuals, which I’m sure will do well,” said Senator Ted Budd, Republican of North Carolina, which has a sizable population of federal civilian employees. “If they’re not working for the federal government, they’ll do well elsewhere.”
Still, the scale and intensity of Mr. Trump’s campaign against the bureaucracy has troubled some officials in places far from the Washington area, which is home to only about a fifth of the civilian federal work force. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are spread across the country, working at offices, job sites and labs in major cities and rural areas.
“I think this is evidence that the White House is talking quickly but has not really thought everything through,” said Lily Limón, a city councilwoman in El Paso, where more than 10,000 federal workers live. “There is a lot of pressure and a lot of trauma for people who are caught up in all of this.”
On Wednesday, federal employees warned each other that the resignation offer could be a setup, and some supervisors even advised their employees not to accept it immediately, according to people familiar with conversations inside agencies. The mistrust was bolstered by warnings from lawyers, union leaders and Democratic lawmakers, who insisted that the Office of Personnel Management did not have the legal authority to make the sort of guarantees it was promising.
“Don’t be fooled!” said Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, insisting that the president had no authority to pay people for months who are not working.
Though some federal workers are fully remote, most on any given day are working in person at a job site or office, according to a 2024 report from the Office of Management and Budget. Still, tens of thousands have been teleworking at least several days a week for years, and the Trump administration has been forthright that some of its recent orders, such as a requirement that all employees work in an office full-time, were meant to push people to quit.
“We don’t want them to work from home, because, as everyone knows, most of the time, they’re not working, they’re not very productive,” Mr. Trump said on Wednesday.
With the end of telework, he added, “We think a very substantial number of people will not show up to work, and therefore our government will get smaller and more efficient, and that’s what we’ve been looking to do for many, many decades.”
These clearly stated goals, plus the vague and in some cases contradictory guidance, left plenty of federal workers skeptical that anything, including the resignation offer, was being done in their best interests.
In communications about the program, the administration gave confusing answers about the terms of the offer. An email to employees indicated that those who took the deal would not have to return to the office and would be paid regardless of their “daily workload”; a memo to agency heads said that those who took the offer should be placed on paid administrative leave, but gave agencies the right to ask them to work through the transition; a question-and-answer page published by the Office of Personnel Management said that employees would not have to work.
“Can take the vacation you always wanted, or just watch movies and chill, while receiving your full government pay and benefits,” a post said.
Doreen Greenwald, the national president of the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents about 150,000 federal workers across 37 agencies, urged members not to take the offer. “Without any understanding of why this was offered to employees, without any guarantees in writing to employees, there is no way we would ever recommend an employee resign,” she said.
Union leaders, elected officials and labor lawyers say the offer may not even be legal, in part because it circumvents individual agency discretion and union agreements already in place. Some have said that the personnel office likely does not have the authority to make such offers. Moreover, it does not currently have the funding to back up the offer since the government is only funded through mid-March.
Beyond these questions, Kristin Alden, a lawyer specializing in federal employment issues, said “there isn’t really a mechanism to enforce” the terms of the offer.
The situation left hundreds of thousands of anxious and confused federal employees, already buffeted by a fusillade of orders over the past few days, with serious decisions to make and sparse information.
Some workers saw the offer as a small victory, a way to make the next few months less precarious as they looked for other jobs. This view was echoed by Republican lawmakers.
“I’m excited,” said Representative Joe Wilson, whose district in South Carolina includes a sizable contingent of federal workers. “I think that’s a really positive way to address this issue. There legitimately have been people who have not returned to the office, and this is a great way for them to exit.”
But many federal workers, even those who had been planning to leave, were deeply skeptical.
“I do not trust it one bit,” said an employee at the Energy Department whose partner is also a federal employee. The offer, if anything, convinced her to stick around longer. “I’m not going to make it easy for you,” she said.
Beyond the proposed “deferred resignation” plan itself, the email to federal workers announcing the proposal also declared that, going forward, employees would be “subject to enhanced standards of suitability and conduct.” Some federal workers saw this as a sign that the administration would be looking closely for any possible reason to fire workers who did not willingly quit.
For Mr. Trump’s supporters, a culling of the federal bureaucracy has been long overdue. And many see the administration as being more than generous in the way it is helping bring such an exodus about.
“I think it’s great,” said Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, which is home to around 40,000 federal civilian workers. “I mean, if they don’t want to come back to work, and they’re looking for an exit, then exit.”
Reporting was contributed by Rebecca Davis O’Brien, Devlin Barrett, Reyes Mata III and Catie Edmondson.
The recent wave of resignations in the government has sparked concerns about the potential impact on the delivery of essential services to the public. With key positions being vacated at a rapid pace, there are fears that critical projects and programs could be delayed or derailed.
The resignation push, which has seen high-profile officials stepping down from their posts, has raised questions about the stability and effectiveness of the government. Some experts worry that the exodus of experienced and skilled personnel could lead to a loss of institutional knowledge and expertise, further hampering the government’s ability to fulfill its duties.
In addition, the timing of these resignations has added to the anxiety surrounding the situation. With ongoing challenges such as the pandemic, economic recovery, and national security threats, the absence of key decision-makers could exacerbate existing problems and create new hurdles for the government to overcome.
As the government scrambles to fill the vacant positions and address the concerns raised by the resignations, there is a growing sense of unease among the public. Many are left wondering how these developments will impact the services they rely on and the overall functioning of the government.
In the midst of this uncertainty, it is crucial for the government to take swift and decisive action to address the challenges posed by the resignations and reassure the public that essential services will not be compromised. Only time will tell how the government navigates this turbulent period and what the long-term implications will be for the delivery of government services.
Tags:
resignation, government services, worries, deepens, push, effect
As President Donald Trump makes a very public effort to acquire Greenland, one former Danish official said Trump’s attempts are nothing new — but he shouldn’t expect it to be easy. Interest in buying Greenland has “popped up from time to time in American politics,” Tom Høyem, Denmark’s minister to Greenland from 1982 to 1987, told ABC News in an interview.
Høyem, 83, discussed Greenland’s political importance over the years, as well as his reaction to Trump’s recent desire to buy the island territory.
“Trump is living in a narrative where this has been an issue for the last 150 years,” Høyem said.
The purchase of Greenland has been a topic of conversation since before World War II, when Denmark sold the Danish West Indies — now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands — to the United States in 1917 for $25 million, Høyem said. Many American policymakers argued the U.S. should also acquire Greenland as well, according to Høyem.
“[President] Woodrow Wilson at first said, ‘No, it’s not worth anything at all. It’s just ice. I don’t want it.’ But there was such a big debate in the U.S. that he was forced to do something,” Høyem said.
When Wilson asked for ownership of Greenland, the Danish minister at the time replied, “No,” according to Høyem. Wilson signed an agreement in 1917 stating the United States recognizes Greenland as Danish, Høyem said.
In the document discussing the transfer of the Danish West Indies, then-Secretary of State Robert Lansing wrote, “In preceding this day to the signature of the Convention respecting the cessation of the Danish West-Indian Island to the United States of America, the undersigned Secretary of State of the United States of America, duly authorized by his Government, has the honor to declare that the Government of the United States of America will not object to the Danish Government extending their political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland.”
A view of Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in Greenland, Oct. 4, 2023.
Ritzau Scanpix via Reuters, FILE
If Denmark was to ever sell Greenland to any country, Høyem said the United Kingdom would receive the first right to buy it, since the U.K. held dominion over Canada at the time of the treaty.
“Canada is only 20 kilometers away. That’s why the British said, ‘If Denmark ever sells Greenland, we should be the first to decide whether to take it or not,’” Høyem told ABC News.
Now, with Trump saying he wants to purchase Greenland, Høyem said history is repeating itself.
“Trump grew up hearing these stories,” Høyem said. “His generation and his parents’ generation often heard about U.S. attempts to buy Greenland.”
Trump has repeatedly expressed his interest in acquiring the island territory, beginning during his first administration when he tried to buy Greenland, but instead gave $12 million for economic development. Trump has since restated his interest in buying the territory shortly before his second inauguration.
“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump said in a December 2024 statement.
Trump said the purchase was needed for security purposes, adding he is “protecting the free world.” The U.S. also operates Putiffik Space Base, the Defense Department’s northern-most base, which sits on the coast of Greenland. The U.S. does not pay Greenland for operating the base in the country, Høyem said, as part of a NATO agreement signed in 1951.
“You have approximately 45,000 people there. People really don’t even know if Denmark has any legal right to it,” Trump said, without explanation, during a Jan. 7 press conference at Mar-a-Lago. “But if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security. That’s for the free world.”
Greenland is also rich in valuable minerals, including rare earth metals, precious metals, precious stones, and uranium, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Association. While that may sound appealing to a potential buyer, Høyem said mining there is extremely expensive.
An aircraft carrying businessman Donald Trump Jr. arrives in Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 7, 2025.
Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Imagees
Trump’s son, Donald Trump, Jr., visited Greenland on Jan. 7, but stated the visit was for personal reasons. During this trip, his father said on social media, “Don. Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland. The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reiterated an interest in the U.S. securing Greenland during his Senate confirmation hearings.
“Putting aside all the things that are going on in the media, I think we need to understand that Greenland’s been strategically important to the United States and to the West for a very long time,” Rubio said. “I think we now have the opportunity to see it for what it is, and that is one, if not the most important, one of the most critical parts of the world over the next 50 to 100 years will be whether there’s going to be freedom of navigation in the Arctic and what that will mean for global trade and commerce.”
Høyem said he does not know Trump, but thinks “he needs to be briefed a bit more by his civil servants.”
“His new minister of foreign affairs spoke to the Danish foreign minister — my party leader and friend — and they both agreed: ‘Let’s not discuss Greenland for now,’” Høyem said.
The prime minister of Greenland, Múte Egsede, has rejected the idea of selling Greenland to Trump, saying, “Greenland is ours.”
“We are not for sale and will never be for sale,” Egsede said in a statement. “We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.”
Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, Jan. 7, 2025.
Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
Officials from Denmark also have not supported Trump’s Greenmark proposal, including Danish politician Anders Vistisen, who explicitly urged the newly elected president to “f— off.”
“Greenland has been part of the Danish kingdom for 800 years,” Vistisen said during a European Parliament meeting on Jan. 21 in Strasbourg, France. “It’s an integrated part of our country. It is not for sale.”
Høyem said if Greenland decided to become independent, “they would immediately be targeted by major global powers.” Until then, Høyem said the territory needs more U.S. military investment to help defend it.
“I personally can’t imagine Greenland becoming fully independent,” Høyem said. “Running a country that large with so few people is nearly impossible.”
Regardless of the future of Trump’s Greenland proposal, Høyem said the land holds significant power.
“Trump might have looked at Greenland as a real estate deal, but for Denmark and Greenland, it’s a matter of geopolitical survival,” Høyem said. “The Arctic is extremely important, and I agree with Trump on that.”
In a recent interview, former Danish minister for Greenland, Aleqa Hammond, shared her thoughts on President Trump’s recent interest in acquiring the autonomous territory from Denmark. Hammond, who served as minister from 2013 to 2014, expressed concerns about the potential implications of such a move.
Hammond highlighted the strategic importance of Greenland, particularly in terms of its vast natural resources and its role in global politics. She warned that a US takeover of the island could have significant geopolitical consequences, potentially destabilizing the region and sparking tensions with other countries.
Furthermore, Hammond criticized Trump’s approach to diplomacy, noting that his brash and confrontational style could alienate the Greenlandic people and strain relations with Denmark. She stressed the need for a more collaborative and respectful approach to negotiations, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding.
Overall, Hammond’s insights shed light on the complexities of the situation and underscore the need for careful consideration and diplomacy in dealing with such sensitive matters. As the debate over Greenland’s future continues to unfold, her perspective serves as a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion.
Tags:
Former Danish minister, Greenland, Trump, acquisition, island, politics, international relations, United States, Denmark, Arctic, foreign policy, diplomacy
Price: $99.99 (as of Jan 30,2025 10:56:49 UTC – Details)
From the brand
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Price: $89.99 (as of Jan 30,2025 09:43:00 UTC – Details)
From the brand
5 Modes: Push Tricycle Mode, Push Balance Bike Mode, Tricycle Mode, Balance Bike Mode and Bike Mode. Multifunctional tricycle is suitable for 1, 2,3 years old boys and girls. Steering Push Handlebar: Rotating 135 degrees to control and steer the speed and direction of tricycle. Protecting your child from falling down and injuring. It also can be adjusted according parents’ height so that dad and mom can accompanied to practice with your little. Adjustable Handlebar, Seat and Pedals: Press the red button to adjust handlebar and seat. There’s 3 positions for placing pedals when transforming different modes. Carbon Steel Frame & EVA Wheels: EN188 & ASTM Approved. Made of high-quality carbon steel, EVA solid shock-absorbing wheels and environment-friendly PP seat. Long-lasting life, durable and stylish design. Easy Access to Use: Much easier to assemble handlebar and wheels. Press buttons to convert it into different modes. Suitable for 1-3 years kids under 43.3 inches(110 cm).
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Product Description
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Senator Van Hollen of Maryland is renewing the push for statehood for the Columbia District. He’s co-sponsoring, with 40 of his fellow Democrats, a bill to grant statehood to the district. Yet even if it passes, it faces obstacles in the Constitution. A more open road could be retrocession of residential areas to Maryland.
“Every American should have a full vote in our country’s future,” Mr. Van Hollen writes in a statement announcing his bill and the House version earlier this month, “but we fall short of this promise every day that the residents of the District of Columbia are denied that right in Congress.”
Mr. Van Hollen invoked the Revolutionary War slogan, “No taxation without representation.” In 1820’s Loughborough vs. Blake, though, Chief Justice Marshall ruled that it was the duty of citizens to pay taxes. “Representation,” he wrote of the District, “is not made the foundation of taxation.”
Outside the Beltway, support for D.C. statehood has always been sparse. Only 16 states ratified the District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment of 1978 before it expired. It would have repealed the 23rd Amendment, which gave the District Electoral College votes.
That bill had bipartisan backing in Congress. Maryland and Virginia, which opposed the creation of a powerful new entity next-door, objected. Today, Democrats outnumber Republicans two-to-one in the District, sinking the chances of gaining GOP support.
Nevertheless, District residents pine for representatives in Congress. They’ve voted for president since 1964, following ratification of the 23rd Amendment. They’ve elected mayors and city councils since 1974 but only send a non-voting delegate to Capitol Hill. Congress has final say over laws and budgets.
The District’s unique governance is by design. To avoid giving to any one state outsized influence over the federal government, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to “exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever” in its capital city.
The arrangement, as President Madison writes in 43 Federalist, wasn’t meant to disenfranchise. Instead, he felt proximity to what Washington called “the Federal City” would ensure lawmakers addressed locals’ concerns.
The states “ceding” territory, Madison wrote, would “no doubt provide in the compact for the rights and the consent of the citizens inhabiting it … as they will have had their voice in the election of the government which is to exercise authority over them.”
The Constitution mandates a capital created “by cession of particular states” and in 1790, Congress empowered President Washington to select its location. He claimed territory of Virginia and Maryland, which became the seat of the federal government in 1801.
Article I stated that the capital would be an area “not exceeding ten miles square,” and Washington chose swampland with few residents. Over time, the population grew, boosted before the Civil War when Congress outlawed slavery and Black Americans fled there for freedom.
The District is now home to almost 680,000 residents, more than Vermont and Wyoming. The Admissions Clause of the Constitution forbids the creation of new states from regions of another without its ascent. Maryland’s legislature would likely have to agree to a muddled transfer of ownership.
Glancing at a map of the Columbia District today illuminates a possible solution. The capital city is no longer the complete square Washington sketched because, in 1846, Congress returned Virginia’s portion. This retrocession gave residents the full representation that Mr. Van Hollan’s bill advocates.
But even the constitutionality of that retrocession has been questioned. The Contract Clause forbids states to breach deals, and Virginia agreed to “forever cede and relinquish” territory. Yet it’s a precedent: Returning residential areas and shrinking the District again to areas that conduct federal business.
“Retrocession to Maryland makes a lot of sense,” Congressman Thomas Davis of Virginia said in a 1998 interview with the Washington Post, “except that Maryland doesn’t want” it. He said that the then-attorney general, a Democrat, further held that “an amendment is the only way for Maryland to take it back.”
Despite the uphill climb, Democrats are chasing the dream of gaining two safe Senate seats. That there are no GOP co-sponsors of Mr. Van Hollan’s bill indicates that, in addition to the constitutional obstacles, his bill would serve political goals rather than enfranchise citizens in the District.
Mr. Van Hollen, in his statement, notes that he timed his bill “at the beginning of two years under a Republican-held Congress and presidency.” He recognized “a challenge in the short term” to make it law, indicating that the most likely outcome is feeding a perennial campaign issue.
Another tell that politics is at play is that a common objection on the left — that the Senate is undemocratic because the “Great Compromise” gives large and small states equal representation in the upper chamber — isn’t invoked when it comes to adding the star of tiny D.C. to the flag.
“No Taxation Without Representation,” the motto on District license plates, will prove a powerful political slogan for Democrats, but the Constitution requires a federal district.
In recent news, Democrats have been pushing for Washington, D.C. to become the 51st state in the United States. While this may seem like a move towards fair representation for the residents of the nation’s capital, many critics argue that this push is more about politics than true representation.
The debate over D.C. statehood has been ongoing for years, with proponents arguing that the 700,000 residents of the district deserve full voting rights and representation in Congress. Currently, D.C. residents are only represented by a non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives and have no representation in the Senate.
However, opponents of D.C. statehood argue that the push is simply a political move by Democrats to gain two more Senate seats, as D.C. is heavily Democratic-leaning. They argue that the issue is not about fair representation, but rather about gaining a political advantage.
The push for D.C. statehood has also raised concerns about the constitutional implications of making the district a state, as the Constitution specifies that the seat of government should be a separate entity from any state. Critics argue that making D.C. a state would go against the intentions of the Founding Fathers.
While the debate over D.C. statehood is far from over, it is clear that the issue is more about politics than fair representation for the residents of the district. Only time will tell if D.C. will become the 51st state, or if this push will be seen as just another political gambit.
As Donald Trump tightens the nation’s immigration policies, lawmakers in Democrat-led states are proposing new measures that could erect legal obstacles for federal immigration officials and help immigrants lacking legal status avoid deportation.
The resistance efforts in California, New York and other states are a counterpoint to the many Republican-led states advancing measures to aid Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, highlighting a national divide.
In just his first week in office, Trump halted refugee arrivals; fast-tracked deportations; sent military troops to the southern border; lifted longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement near schools, churches and hospitals; attempted to end birthright citizenship; and ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state and local officials whom they believe are interfering with his crackdown on illegal immigration.
Hundreds of bills on immigration already have been introduced in states, and more action is expected next week. Republican governors Ron DeSantis of Florida and Bill Lee of Tennessee have called special legislative sessions to begin Monday to support Trump’s immigration agenda.
Meanwhile, Democrats in states such as Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington are backing measures to expand healthcare and higher education for immigrants, restrict landlords from inquiring about immigration status or block government agreements to open new immigrant-detention centers.
Many US adults support stronger security at the southern border and deporting immigrants in the US illegally who have been convicted of violent crimes, according to a survey by the Associated Press-Norc Center for Public Affairs Research. But some actions have less consensus. About four in 10 American adults support deporting all immigrants living in the US illegally, while a similar share are opposed.
In immigration courts, unlike in criminal courts, there is no constitutional right to a government-funded attorney. As Trump ramps up deportation efforts, some state measures would help pay for attorneys to defend people facing immigration proceedings.
One leader of such efforts is Catalina Cruz, a New York assembly member who came to the US at age nine from Colombia and remained without legal status for more than a decade before gaining permanent residency and becoming a US citizen and a lawyer.
Cruz has filed more than a half-dozen bills to aid immigrants. One would establish the right under state law to legal counsel in immigration proceedings in New York, or elsewhere if an immigrant was living in New York. Another would authorize state grants for organizations to hire, train and equip staff to provide legal aid to people facing deportation.
“In a world where the threat of mass deportations is imminent,” Cruz said, the legislation “gives people an opportunity to fight their case, to fight for their families, to fight for their rights”.
Cruz estimates 60% of the residents in her New York City legislative district are non-citizens, adding: “People are terrified.”
New York is among several states that already fund legal aid for immigrants. But advocates want about twice as much money as the Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul, has proposed.
“This is a moment where investing in due process and fairness for immigrants at risk in New York is of fundamental importance,” said Shayna Kessler, director of a universal representation initiative at the non-profit Vera Institute of Justice.
Some legislative proposals also would fund attorneys who could help immigrants obtain legal residency.
A bill by Lisa Reynolds, an Oregon state senator, would require the state department of human services to offer grants to non-profits to help people who aren’t citizens change their immigration status or become lawful permanent residents. It would provide $6m to launch the program during the budget biennium beginning in July.
“Oregon has had a very proud tradition of doing all we can to help those who have recently immigrated to our state from other countries, and especially those who have been political refugees,” Reynolds said. “We’re all feeling a little more urgency around this.”
Since 1987, Oregon law has barred law enforcement officers from “detecting or apprehending persons for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws”. Voters in 2018 defeated a ballot measure that would have repealed the so-called sanctuary law.
Earlier this week, the Trump administration reversed guidance that for more than a decade had restricted federal agencies from carrying out immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, such as schools, churches and healthcare facilities. Some parents now fear immigration raids at schools.
In California, about one in five children live in families where at least one person does not have legal status, according to the Children’s Partnership, a Los Angeles-based non-profit.
California assembly member Al Muratsuchi, chair of the chamber’s education committee, is sponsoring legislation that would make it more difficult for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to enter schools and childcare centers.
The bill would require federal officials to have a judicial warrant, written statement of purpose, valid identification and approval from a facility administrator. If those criteria were met, federal immigration officials still could only access areas where children weren’t present.
Muratsuchi said he started working on the legislation as soon as Trump was elected.
“This is a top priority to protect all of our students, including our immigrant students,” he said.
In recent months, Democratic lawmakers have been ramping up their efforts to combat the anti-immigration push coming from the Trump administration. With the administration’s relentless efforts to crack down on immigration and deport undocumented immigrants, Democrats are fighting back by devising legal obstacles to protect immigrant communities.
One of the key tactics being used by Democratic lawmakers is to challenge the Trump administration’s immigration policies in court. By filing lawsuits against measures such as the travel ban, the termination of DACA, and the family separation policy, Democrats are hoping to block these initiatives and protect the rights of immigrants.
Additionally, Democratic lawmakers are working to pass legislation that would provide protections for undocumented immigrants, such as the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. These measures would provide a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants and ensure that families are not torn apart by deportation.
Overall, Democratic lawmakers are standing up for immigrant rights and pushing back against the anti-immigration agenda of the Trump administration. By devising legal obstacles and advocating for pro-immigrant policies, Democrats are working to ensure that immigrants are treated with dignity and respect in the United States.
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) has announced the launch of Truth.Fi, expanding into financial services and FinTech. The company plans to invest up to $250 million of its over $700 million cash reserves through Charles Schwab, focusing on various investment vehicles including SMAs, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.
The investment strategy will be developed in partnership with Charles Schwab, while Yorkville Advisors will serve as the Registered Investment Adviser. The investment vehicles will focus on American growth, manufacturing, energy companies, and investments strengthening the Patriot Economy.
Truth.Fi products and services are expected to launch in 2025, pending regulatory approvals and funding determinations. This expansion adds to TMTG’s existing portfolio, which includes Truth Social platform and Truth+ streaming service.
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) ha annunciato il lancio di Truth.Fi, espandendosi nei servizi finanziari e FinTech. L’azienda prevede di investire fino a $250 milioni delle oltre $700 milioni di riserve liquide attraverso Charles Schwab, concentrandosi su diversi veicoli di investimento tra cui SMA, ETF e criptovalute.
La strategia di investimento sarà sviluppata in collaborazione con Charles Schwab, mentre Yorkville Advisors agirà come Consulente Finanziario Registrato. I veicoli di investimento si concentreranno su aziende americane in crescita, manifattura, energia e investimenti che rafforzano l’Economia Patriotica.
I prodotti e i servizi di Truth.Fi dovrebbero lanciarsi nel 2025, in attesa di approvazioni regolamentari e determinazioni di finanziamento. Questa espansione si aggiunge al portfolio esistente di TMTG, che include la piattaforma Truth Social e il servizio di streaming Truth+.
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) ha anunciado el lanzamiento de Truth.Fi, expandiéndose en los servicios financieros y FinTech. La empresa planea invertir hasta $250 millones de sus más de $700 millones de reservas de efectivo a través de Charles Schwab, enfocándose en diversos vehículos de inversión, incluidos SMA, ETF y criptomonedas.
La estrategia de inversión se desarrollará en asociación con Charles Schwab, mientras que Yorkville Advisors servirá como Asesor de Inversión Registrado. Los vehículos de inversión se centrarán en el crecimiento americano, la manufactura, empresas energéticas y en inversiones que fortalezcan la Economía Patriota.
Se espera que los productos y servicios de Truth.Fi se lancen en 2025, pendientes de aprobaciones regulatorias y determinaciones de financiación. Esta expansión se suma al portafolio existente de TMTG, que incluye la plataforma Truth Social y el servicio de streaming Truth+.
트럼프 미디어 및 기술 그룹 (DJT)가 Truth.Fi의 출시를 발표하며 금융 서비스 및 핀테크 분야로 확장하고 있습니다. 이 회사는 Charles Schwab를 통해 $250백만의 투자 계획을 세우고 있으며, $700백만에 달하는 현금 보유액 중 다양한 투자 수단인 SMA, ETF, 암호화폐에 초점을 맞추고 있습니다.
투자 전략은 Charles Schwab와 함께 개발되며, Yorkville Advisors는 등록된 투자 고문으로 활동합니다. 투자 수단은 미국의 성장, 제조업, 에너지 기업 및 패트리어트 경제를 강화하는 투자에 초점을 맞출 것입니다.
Truth.Fi의 제품 및 서비스는 규제 승인과 자금 결정이 완료되면 2025년에 출시될 예정입니다. 이번 확장은 TMTG의 기존 포트폴리오에 추가되며, Truth Social 플랫폼과 Truth+ 스트리밍 서비스가 포함됩니다.
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) a annoncé le lancement de Truth.Fi, s’étendant ainsi aux services financiers et à la technologie financière. L’entreprise prévoit d’investir jusqu’à $250 millions de ses plus de $700 millions de réserves de liquidités à travers Charles Schwab, en se concentrant sur divers véhicules d’investissement tels que les SMA, les ETF et les cryptomonnaies.
La stratégie d’investissement sera développée en partenariat avec Charles Schwab, tandis que Yorkville Advisors servira de conseiller en investissement enregistré. Les véhicules d’investissement se concentreront sur la croissance américaine, les entreprises manufacturières, le secteur de l’énergie et les investissements qui renforcent l’économie patriotique.
Les produits et services de Truth.Fi devraient être lancés en 2025, sous réserve d’approbations réglementaires et de décisions de financement. Cette expansion s’ajoute au portefeuille existant de TMTG, qui comprend la plateforme Truth Social et le service de streaming Truth+.
Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) hat den Start von Truth.Fi angekündigt und erweitert damit sein Angebot im Bereich Finanzdienstleistungen und FinTech. Das Unternehmen plant, bis zu $250 Millionen seiner über $700 Millionen Bargeldreserven über Charles Schwab zu investieren, mit Fokus auf verschiedene Anlagevehikel, einschließlich SMA, ETF und Kryptowährungen.
Die Anlagestrategie wird in Partnerschaft mit Charles Schwab entwickelt, während Yorkville Advisors als registrierter Anlageberater fungieren wird. Die Anlagevehikel werden sich auf amerikanisches Wachstum, Fertigungssektor, Energieunternehmen und Investitionen konzentrieren, die die patriotische Wirtschaft stärken.
Die Produkte und Dienstleistungen von Truth.Fi sollen 2025 auf den Markt kommen, vorbehaltlich regulatorischer Genehmigungen und Finanzierungsentscheidungen. Diese Expansion ergänzt das bestehende Portfolio von TMTG, das die Plattform Truth Social und den Streaming-Dienst Truth+ umfasst.
Positive
Strong cash position with over $700 million in reserves
Strategic partnership with established financial institution Charles Schwab
Diversification of business model into financial services sector
Planned expansion into multiple investment vehicles (SMAs, ETFs, crypto)
Negative
Regulatory approval requirements could delay launch timeline
Significant capital commitment ($250M) in new, unproven business segment
No prior experience in financial services sector
Insights
TMTG’s launch of Truth.Fi marks a calculated strategic expansion that could significantly impact their revenue model and market positioning. The allocation of $250 million (representing 35.7% of their cash reserves) demonstrates substantial commitment to this venture. The partnership with Charles Schwab, a top-tier financial institution, provides important infrastructure and credibility, while Yorkville Advisors brings regulatory compliance expertise as the Registered Investment Adviser.
Key strategic elements warrant attention:
The development of customized SMAs and ETFs targeting the ‘Patriot Economy’ could tap into an underserved market segment, potentially creating a unique value proposition in the increasingly crowded FinTech space.
The inclusion of cryptocurrency investments signals an attempt to appeal to both traditional and alternative investment audiences, though this carries inherent volatility risks.
The regulatory approval process for new investment vehicles typically takes 6-12 months, suggesting a gradual rollout through 2025.
The focus on American manufacturing and energy aligns with current reshoring trends and energy independence initiatives, potentially providing differentiated investment opportunities.
While the expansion could create new revenue streams through management fees and platform monetization, success will largely depend on regulatory approvals, market reception and execution capability in a highly regulated industry where TMTG lacks historical expertise.
The Truth.Fi launch represents a sophisticated play in the FinTech sector, with several notable technical and market implications:
The integration with Charles Schwab’s custody services provides immediate access to robust financial infrastructure, significantly reducing time-to-market and development costs.
The potential synergy between Truth Social’s existing user base and Truth.Fi could create a unique customer acquisition advantage, potentially lowering typical FinTech CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) metrics.
The combination of traditional investment vehicles (SMAs, ETFs) with cryptocurrency offerings positions Truth.Fi as a comprehensive platform, though this breadth could complicate regulatory compliance.
The emphasis on ‘debanking’ protection addresses a specific market concern, potentially differentiating Truth.Fi from mainstream FinTech competitors.
Success will largely depend on the platform’s ability to execute seamlessly across multiple financial products while maintaining regulatory compliance and competitive fee structures. The integration with Truth Social’s ecosystem could create unique opportunities for social trading features and community-driven investment strategies.
TMTG Launches Truth.Fi Brand, Plans to Build Investment Vehicles
Based on America-First Principles
SARASOTA, Fla., Jan. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. (Nasdaq: DJT) (“TMTG”), operator of the social media platform Truth Social and the video streaming platform Truth+, is announcing today that the company’s board of directors has approved a financial services and financial technology strategy, which will include the launch of the financial services and FinTech brand Truth.Fi.
To diversify the Company’s cash and cash-equivalent reserves of over $700 million as of December 31, 2024, the board has approved the investment of up to $250 million to be custodied by Charles Schwab. In addition to traditional investment vehicles, these funds may be allocated to:
Customized separately managed accounts (“SMAs”);
Customized exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”);
Bitcoin and similar cryptocurrencies or crypto-related securities.
The SMAs will be developed in partnership with Charles Schwab, which would also broadly advise on TMTG’s Truth.Fi investments and strategy. An affiliate of Yorkville Advisors (“Yorkville”) would serve as the Registered Investment Adviser for investment vehicles and financial products, which are expected to focus on investments in American growth, manufacturing, and energy companies as well as investments that strengthen the Patriot Economy.
“We look forward to launching Truth.Fi, introducing TMTG’s investment vehicles, and unlocking synergies,” said TMTG CEO and Chairman Devin Nunes. “Truth.Fi is a natural expansion of the Truth Social movement. We began by creating a free-speech social media platform, added an ultra-fast TV streaming service, and now we’re moving into investment products and decentralized finance. Developing American First investment vehicles is another step toward our goal of creating a robust ecosystem through which American patriots can protect themselves from the ever-present threat of cancellation, censorship, debanking, and privacy violations committed by Big Tech and woke corporations.”
The Company anticipates that Truth.Fi products and services, including multiple investment vehicles, will be rolled out in 2025 as new agreements are consummated, funding levels are determined, and any necessary approvals by financial regulators are secured.
About TMTG
The mission of TMTG is to end Big Tech’s s assault on free speech by opening up the Internet and giving people their voices back. TMTG operates Truth Social, a social media platform established as a safe harbor for free expression amid increasingly harsh censorship by Big Tech corporations, as well as Truth+, a TV streaming platform focusing on family-friendly live TV channels and on-demand content.
Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements and include, for example, statements regarding, among other things, the plans, strategies, and prospects, both business and financial, of TMTG. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations about future events, including the rollout of products and features and the future plans, timing and potential success of our future collaborations. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on our current beliefs and expectations of our management as of the date of this press release. These statements are not guarantees or indicative of future performance. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions, or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events, or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by, or include the words “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “plans,” “scheduled,” “anticipates,” “soon,” “goal,” “intends,” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations that we describe in our forward-looking statements. There may be events in the future that we are not accurately able to predict, or over which we have no control. Important assumptions and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward- looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of Truth.Fi and our future collaborations; the possibility that we may be adversely impacted by economic, business, and/or competitive factors; our limited operating history making it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects; our inability to effectively manage future growth and achieve operational efficiencies; our inability to grow or maintain our active user base; our inability to achieve or maintain profitability; occurrence of a cyber incident resulting in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss; potential diversion of management’s attention and consumption of resources as a result of new products and strategies; and those additional risks, uncertainties and factors described in more detail under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation, to update any of our forward-looking statements after the issuance of this press release to reflect any future events or circumstances. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
How much is DJT investing in its new Truth.Fi financial services platform?
DJT plans to invest up to $250 million of its cash reserves through Charles Schwab for Truth.Fi’s investment vehicles.
What types of investment products will Truth.Fi offer under DJT?
Truth.Fi will offer customized separately managed accounts (SMAs), exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and investments in Bitcoin and crypto-related securities.
When will DJT launch Truth.Fi financial services?
Truth.Fi products and services are expected to launch in 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and funding determinations.
How much cash reserves does DJT have as of December 2024?
DJT reported over $700 million in cash and cash-equivalent reserves as of December 31, 2024.
Who are DJT’s key partners for the Truth.Fi platform?
Charles Schwab will serve as custodian and advisor, while Yorkville Advisors will act as the Registered Investment Adviser.
Trump Media, the media company founded by former President Donald Trump, has announced the launch of Truth.Fi, a new financial platform aimed at providing users with accurate and unbiased financial news and information.
With a $250 million investment push, Truth.Fi aims to revolutionize the way people consume financial news and information by providing a platform that is free from any bias or misinformation. The platform will offer users access to real-time market data, expert analysis, and insights from top financial experts.
In a statement, Trump Media CEO Jason Miller said, “We are excited to launch Truth.Fi and provide users with a reliable source of financial information that they can trust. With our $250 million investment push, we are confident that Truth.Fi will become the go-to platform for anyone looking to stay informed about the latest developments in the financial world.”
The launch of Truth.Fi comes at a time when there is a growing demand for accurate and unbiased financial news, as investors seek to navigate the volatile markets. With its commitment to providing users with the truth, Truth.Fi is poised to become a trusted source of financial information for investors of all levels.
Stay tuned for more updates on Truth.Fi and how it is set to revolutionize the financial media landscape.
Price: $2.98 (as of Jan 29,2025 02:38:29 UTC – Details)
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Don’t Push the Button! A Christmas Adventure – Board book By Cotter, Bill – GOOD
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Title: Don’t Push the Button! A Christmas Adventure – Board book By Cotter, Bill – GOOD
Are you looking for a fun and interactive holiday book for your little ones? Look no further than “Don’t Push the Button! A Christmas Adventure” by Bill Cotter. This delightful board book follows the mischievous Larry the Monster as he tries to resist the urge to push a big, shiny button.
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Important assumptions and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward- looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of Truth.Fi and our future collaborations; the possibility that we may be adversely impacted by economic, business, and/or competitive factors; our limited operating history making it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects; our inability to effectively manage future growth and achieve operational efficiencies; our inability to grow or maintain our active user base; our inability to achieve or maintain profitability; occurrence of a cyber incident resulting in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss; potential diversion of management’s attention and consumption of resources as a result of new products and strategies; and those additional risks, uncertainties and factors described in more detail under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation, to update any of our forward-looking statements after the issuance of this press release to reflect any future events or circumstances. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
