Elon Musk’s Washington Departure Marks a Missed Opportunity
Standing beside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Elon Musk announced his departure from Washington, marking the end of a turbulent chapter in his brief but high-profile foray into government reform.
Despite his initial ambitions to dramatically shrink federal operations through the government efficiency initiative known as DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), Musk admitted defeat. The tech billionaire appeared bruised—literally and figuratively—with a visible mark near his right eye, which he attributed to an accident while playing with his son.
“He came, he saw, he folded,” said Steve Bannon, Trump’s former adviser, in a text to NBC News, describing Musk’s exit as a capitulation to the deeply rooted challenges of bureaucracy.
During a wide-ranging press conference, Trump praised Musk as a “patriot” and dismissed any notion that DOGE would falter without him. “This is not the end of DOGE, but really the beginning,” Musk added, asserting that he still hopes to achieve $1 trillion in savings by mid-2026.
Musk also took time to commend the Oval Office’s new gold ceiling design, praising Trump’s sense of style. However, his core message was one of frustration: “The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized,” he admitted in an interview earlier this week.
Trump Shifts Tone Toward Putin Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
By Kristen Welker
President Trump has intensified his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a rhetorical shift after months of downplaying tensions. On social media, Trump accused Putin of being “absolutely crazy” and of causing unnecessary bloodshed in Ukraine.
In a particularly pointed post, Trump claimed that without his leadership, Russia would have faced “really bad” consequences. “He’s playing with fire!” Trump warned.
Although the shift in tone appears significant, Trump has stopped short of endorsing additional aid to Ukraine or calling for new sanctions—positions that continue to divide Republicans. He also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “stubborn” during Oval Office remarks, despite expressing disappointment with Putin.
Foreign policy experts, including former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, argue that more robust action—such as seizing Russian assets or targeting oil shipments—may be necessary to bring Putin to the negotiating table.
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley recently urged Trump to be as “decisive” with Russia as he has been with institutions like Harvard, reflecting growing pressure for Trump to match words with actions.
Mailbag: Congressional Moves on Judicial Contempt Powers
Answered by Lawrence Hurley, Senior Supreme Court Reporter
A reader asked whether the new House budget bill contains a provision that limits judges’ power to hold individuals in contempt of court. The answer is yes.
The bill, backed by House Republicans, includes a clause that would restrict federal judges from enforcing contempt rulings unless plaintiffs post a financial bond when seeking court orders like temporary injunctions. The move is part of a broader effort to reduce what some conservatives view as judicial overreach.
However, this provision may not survive Senate negotiations, as it could conflict with rules requiring budget provisions to be directly tied to federal revenues.
Today’s Top Political and Policy Headlines
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Immigration Update: The Supreme Court will allow the administration to revoke temporary protected status (TPS) for over 500,000 immigrants as ongoing litigation continues. Read more →
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Public Health Warning: A proposed fluoride ban across all 50 states could cause a spike in childhood cavities, potentially affecting 1 in 3 kids in five years. Read more →
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Market Reaction: Stocks fell after Trump accused China of violating a trade agreement, reigniting fears of escalating trade tensions. Read more →
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FEMA’s Future: Despite public claims that FEMA is being disbanded, DHS is preserving key components ahead of hurricane season. Read more →
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Congressional Exodus: A growing number of lawmakers are leaving Washington for state-level leadership roles, seeking gubernatorial positions. Read more →
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Economic Snapshot: April inflation data showed little change, offering mixed signals about the economy's trajectory. Read more →
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Student Visa Scrutiny: Trump administration seeks enhanced social media vetting for Harvard-bound international students. Read more →
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Obituary: Bernard Kerik, former NYPD Commissioner, has died at 69. He was previously convicted of tax fraud and later pardoned by Trump. Read more →
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