Tag Archives: administration

Scott Bessent Explains The Big Picture Everyone is Missing During the Shutdown [WATCH]

2025 年 11 月 3 日 admin Leave a comment

**Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Highlights Impact of Trump Administration’s Spending Cuts Amid Shutdown**

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Sunday that the Trump administration’s reduction in government spending has largely gone unnoticed during the ongoing shutdown but has played a crucial role in helping the United States avoid a recession.

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Bessent discussed the administration’s fiscal policies alongside the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cuts. The Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday that it would lower its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point, bringing the range to between 3.75% and 4.00%.

During the interview, CNN host Jake Tapper asked Bessent whether the U.S. risked entering a recession if the Fed continued cutting rates too aggressively.

“I believe that we are in a transition period here as we are seeing the Trump administration has cut back on government spending,” Bessent explained. “What has gone unnoticed during the shutdown is, for the fiscal year that ended September 30, the government spent less than it did the year before. And because the GDP grew, the deficit-to-GDP—which had been 6.4%, 6.5% deficit, the highest when we weren’t at war and weren’t in a recession—was brought down to 5.9%.”

Bessent continued, “So we are bringing down government spending, and I would think that the Fed would want to assist with that. Because if we go back and look, MIT just published a study that said 42% of the great inflation of 2022 came from excess government spending. So if we are contracting spending, then I would think inflation would be dropping. [If] inflation is dropping, then the Fed should be cutting rates.”

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### Major Spending Cuts Save Taxpayers Billions

The Trump administration began implementing major spending cuts earlier in 2025, targeting what officials described as “inefficient or duplicative” programs across multiple agencies. According to an October 4 update from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the administration’s cost-reduction initiatives saved an estimated $214 billion for taxpayers—roughly $1,329 per taxpayer.

These spending reductions coincided with a broader effort to rein in the federal deficit while addressing the shutdown’s fiscal impact. Administration officials have argued that reduced government outlays are helping stabilize inflation and ease pressure on working families, despite temporary disruptions caused by the shutdown.

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### Federal Reserve Rate Cuts and Policy Tensions

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell had previously warned that continued rate cuts could increase inflationary risks if not balanced by sound fiscal management. However, tensions between Powell and President Donald Trump over rate policy have been ongoing for months.

Trump has repeatedly called for the central bank to lower rates more aggressively to support growth, arguing that high interest rates are hindering small business expansion and homeownership. Powell said earlier this year that the Fed would have cut rates sooner if not for the trade and tariff policies enacted by the administration.

The Fed’s first rate cut came on September 17, lowering the benchmark by a quarter-point to a range of 4.00% to 4.25%. A second cut followed in October, bringing the rate to its current level between 3.75% and 4.00%.

Because of the government shutdown, most federal economic data releases have been delayed, leaving analysts without recent updates on job growth, consumer spending, or inflation trends.

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### Economic Outlook and Potential Risks

Tapper pressed Bessent on whether he believed the economy could slip into a broader recession if the Fed halts rate cuts.

“I think that we are in good shape, but I think that there are sectors of the economy that are in recession, and the Fed has caused a lot of distributional problems there with their policies,” Bessent said. “I wrote a 7,000-word essay on that. We’ve seen the biggest hindrance for housing here is our mortgage rates. So if the Fed brings down mortgage rates, then they can end this housing recession. Low-end consumers who have gotten killed under President Biden—these high rates are hurting them because they have debt, not assets. So I think that there are sections of the economy that could go into recession.”

Bessent reiterated his belief that the economy is in a “transition period,” contrasting his outlook with that of former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Yellen, under the Biden-Harris administration, characterized inflation as “transitory,” a view later proven incorrect as consumer prices surged during her tenure.

Bessent clarified that his use of “transition” referred instead to a short-term shift in economic conditions as the administration reduces spending and stabilizes long-term growth.

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*Watch the full interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”*
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/11/scott-bessent-explains-the-big-picture-everyone-is-missing-during-the-shutdown-watch/

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Thanks to a donation from a Silicon Valley billionaire, the nation’s largest police fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks is about to hit the streets of Vegas

2025 年 11 月 2 日 admin Leave a comment

“Welcome to the future of policing,” Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said during a recent press conference, surrounded by Cybertrucks while drones hovered overhead and a police helicopter circled above him.

The fleet of 10 black-and-white Cybertrucks of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, with flashing lights and sirens, are wrapped with the police department’s logo. About 400 officers have been trained to operate the trucks, which will use public charging stations.

The all-electric vehicles are equipped with shotguns, shields, ladders, and additional battery capacity to better handle the demands of a police department, McMahill said.

### Concerns Over Private Donations and Corporate Influence

The donation has raised concerns from government oversight experts about private donors’ influence on public departments and a potential boost to the Tesla brand. The department is the latest U.S. city to turn to Tesla models even as Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company has faced criticism because of Musk’s actions earlier in the year, which included advancing the president’s political agenda and downsizing the federal government.

McMahill noted the trucks will help keep officers safer because they are bulletproof, unlike Metro’s other squad cars. Each Cybertruck is valued between $80,000 and $115,000 and will be used to respond to calls such as barricades and shootings, in addition to regular patrols.

The Cybertrucks also offer unique benefits such as a shorter turning radius, he said.

“They look a little bit different than the patrol cars that we have out there, but they represent something far bigger than just a police car,” the sheriff said. “They represent innovation. They represent sustainability, and they represent our continued commitment to serve this community with the best tools that we have available, safely, efficiently, and responsibly.”

### Cybertrucks Have Been Repeatedly Recalled

The fleet comes amid a roller coaster year for Tesla, which has faced multiple recalls.

In March, U.S. safety regulators recalled virtually all Cybertrucks on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall, covering more than 46,000 Cybertrucks, warned that an exterior panel running along the left and right side of the windshield can detach while driving, creating a dangerous hazard for other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash. Tesla offered to replace the panels free of charge through notification letters sent out in May.

In late October, Tesla announced another recall of more than 63,000 Cybertrucks in the U.S. because the front lights are too bright, potentially distracting other drivers and increasing the risk of collision.

Las Vegas officer Robert Wicks from the department’s public information office said all Tesla recalls will have been resolved before the Cybertrucks patrol the streets. The March panel issue recall was handled before the department received the trucks.

Federal regulators have also opened a new investigation into Tesla’s self-driving feature after dozens of incidents involving vehicles running red lights or driving on the wrong side of the road, sometimes crashing and causing injuries. The Cybertrucks modified for the Las Vegas police fleet do not have any self-driving features.

### Community Concerns About Militarization and Safety

Laura Martin, executive director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Action Fund, criticized the trucks’ design.

“The imposing trucks with their sharp angles seem like they’re designed for intimidation and not safety,” she said. “Cybertrucks arriving on the streets of Clark County shows that Sheriff McMahill is prioritizing corporate giveaways and police militarization over real community needs.”

### Privacy and Surveillance Worries

The donation follows President Donald Trump’s purchase of a Tesla on the White House driveway earlier this year, which he said he hoped would help the company amid struggling sales and declining stock prices.

Athar Haseebullah, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, expressed concern over the Cybertrucks’ surveillance capabilities that the public may be unaware of, fearing Tesla might gain access to police data. After a Cybertruck exploded outside Trump’s Las Vegas tower earlier this year, Tesla provided detailed data about the driver’s movements leading up to the incident.

### Expert Views on Private Donations

Ed Obayashi, a special prosecutor in California and an expert on police practices, said private donations to law enforcement are not uncommon or illegal unless prohibited by law. He explained that since the donation is a physical asset, the money cannot be diverted elsewhere.

That said, he doesn’t believe the trucks provide any particular advantage beyond being a free vehicle, which saves taxpayers money.

“There’s not going to be any distinct or noticeable advantage or benefits other than the fact that it’s a free vehicle and it saves the taxpayers money to replace equipment,” Obayashi said.

### Donation From Silicon Valley Venture Capitalists

The Las Vegas fleet was a donation totaling about $2.7 million from Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), and his wife, Felicia Horowitz.

The couple, who live in Las Vegas, have made multiple donations to the department, including between $8 million and $9 million for Project Blue Sky, the department’s implementation of drones throughout the valley. They have also funded emergency call technology and license plate reader products from companies in which Andreessen Horowitz invests.

Ben Horowitz, who has donated to political campaigns for both Democrats and Republicans, was among the investors backing Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter (now known as X). His venture capital firm also hosted Sheriff McMahill and Metro Chief of Staff Mike Gennaro on a podcast in November 2024.

The Horowitzes could not be reached for comment; however, in a 2024 blog post, Ben Horowitz described their interest in donating to the department, emphasizing the importance of public safety and the budgeting challenges faced by public sectors for new technology.

McMahill said the couple wanted to ensure that Las Vegas didn’t “become California when it comes to crime.”
https://fortune.com/2025/11/02/tesla-cybertruck-las-vegas-police-musk-ben-horowitz-a16z/

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What Food Banks Need Amid SNAP Funding Crisis

2025 年 11 月 1 日 admin Leave a comment

Food banks across the country are experiencing rising demand and resource shortages due to a prolonged government shutdown and uncertainty surrounding the funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

John Sillars, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank in New Orleans, told Good Morning America, “Even before the shutdown, demand was up for our services as a result of USDA policy changes. We are looking to community support more than ever. But we are going to serve those people as best we can.”

Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest in New York City, shared with ABC News, “At City Harvest, we know from experience that even a single missed paycheck or delayed benefit can force families to seek food assistance. We have been distributing food at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, and near LaGuardia and JFK airports to support federal workers impacted by the shutdown.”

**What Happens Next?**

Judge Talwani ordered the federal government to advise the court by Monday on whether they will use the emergency reserve funds to provide reduced SNAP benefits for November or fully fund the program “using both contingency funds and additional available funds.”

The situation remains critical as food banks and federal workers await clarity on the program’s funding and support. Community support continues to play a vital role in helping those in need during this uncertain time.
https://www.newsweek.com/what-food-banks-need-amid-snap-funding-crisis-10976399

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At least 12 dead, dozens injured at Hindu temple in India during stampede

2025 年 11 月 1 日 admin Leave a comment

A crowd surge at a popular Hindu temple in southern India left at least 12 people dead and dozens injured, local authorities said Saturday. The death toll rose from nine to 12 people on Saturday, CBS News confirmed.

The incident occurred at the Swamy Venkateswara Temple in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh state, where hundreds of devotees had gathered to mark one of Hinduism’s sacred days, “Ekadashi,” senior police officer K. V. Maheswra Reddy told the Associated Press. On this day, devotees fast and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu, a key Hindu deity known as the preserver and protector of the universe, according to BBC News.

An initial investigation suggests that an iron grille meant to maintain the queue of worshippers at the temple broke, leading to the uncontrolled crowd surge, Reddy said. Senior local government official Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar added that more casualties were feared.

“Initially, we had reports of seven deaths, but two more people have succumbed to their injuries, while the condition of two others is critical,” he said. Of the deceased, eight are women and one is a child, Pundkar noted. At least 16 devotees injured in the crowd surge are being treated at a local hospital, while 20 others are in a state of shock and under observation at a different hospital.

Video footage shared on local media showed people rushing to help those who fainted in the crowd surge and were gasping for breath. Some were seen rubbing the hands of those who fell to the ground.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh’s highest-elected official, N. Chandrababu Naidu, expressed grief and offered their condolences to the families of the bereaved.

State authorities in Andhra Pradesh stated that the location was a private temple on 12 acres of land and was not under government administration control. Despite its maximum capacity of 3,000, the crowd swelled to around 25,000 on Saturday, officials said.

“Arrangements were not made accordingly, nor was information provided to the government by the concerned individual. This is the reason for the accident,” the state’s fact-check unit said in a statement on social media.

Naidu vowed strict action against those responsible for the deadly stampede and ordered an inquiry into the incident, according to local media.

Crowd surges at religious gatherings are not uncommon in India, where massive groups often congregate at temples or pilgrimage sites, sometimes overwhelming local infrastructure and security measures.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hindu-temple-in-india-crowd-stampede/

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SNAP benefits to expire as judges order White House to fund program

2025 年 11 月 1 日 admin Leave a comment

Federal food assistance programs, such as SNAP benefits, are set to expire this Saturday as lawmakers remain at odds over government funding. The potential lapse has raised concerns about how millions of Americans will continue to access vital nutritional support.

Despite the impending expiration, some judges have ordered the Trump administration to continue funding the program. These court rulings aim to ensure that beneficiaries do not face immediate disruptions while the political impasse persists.

As discussions continue in Congress, the future of food assistance programs remains uncertain, highlighting the critical need for a resolution to support vulnerable populations across the country.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/snap-benefits-to-expire-as-judges-order-white-house-to-fund-program/

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More than 400 Hawaii families line up at Foodbank pop-up

2025 年 11 月 1 日 admin Leave a comment

A new food bank opened Friday at the Waipio Soccer Complex, where more than 400 families lined up for fresh produce, milk, eggs, bread, and canned goods. According to the Hawai‘i Foodbank, most of these families had experienced a loss of wages or employment. Collectively, all the people in line represented 1,800 individual family members.

A third of those who came said they did so because of the expected suspension of federal SNAP benefits starting today. The other two-thirds had lost jobs or incomes, suggesting that many were federal employees working without paychecks amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

In response to the SNAP suspension, the state has allocated $2 million to the Hawai‘i Foodbank to distribute to its partner food banks across the islands. Lt. Gov. S. Rep. Jill Tokuda was on site, helping load groceries into the vehicles of needy families at the soccer complex. The new location distributed an estimated 12,000 pounds of food during the event.

The Hawai‘i Foodbank plans to hold additional pop-up distribution locations every day next week, along with its ongoing distributions. Updated details on these new locations will be posted at [hawaiifoodbank.org/shutdown/](https://hawaiifoodbank.org/shutdown/) as they are confirmed.

The $2 million in state funding for island food banks is just one part of Hawai‘i’s broader response to the temporary loss of SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown. Meanwhile, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) reported a spike of 381 new unemployment claims filed in the first week after the shutdown began on October 1.

DLIR specifically asked these claimants if they were directly affected by the shutdown, indicating that some may be civilian contractors or state employees dependent on federal contracts or programs currently impacted. However, DLIR told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that most of the new claims come from federal employees who have already missed their initial paychecks.

Unemployment claims related to the shutdown came from every island except Lanai, including nine claims from Molokai, according to DLIR. The department also noted it was restricted from releasing additional unemployment data until the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics resumes publishing national numbers.

Beyond food assistance and unemployment support, Hawai‘i is addressing other challenges linked to the shutdown and related federal policy changes. For example, the state Health Department reported that 23,000 residents enrolled in the Affordable Care Act marketplace face an average 12% premium increase in 2026. Without the renewal of enhanced federal premium tax credits, many could see their net monthly costs roughly double.

Republican proposals to impose changes on Medicare and Medicaid recipients also loom. In Hawai‘i, approximately 300,000 residents are enrolled in Medicare, with about 54% in Medicare Advantage plans and 46% in traditional fee-for-service Medicare. Additionally, roughly 420,000 residents participate in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Governor Josh Green announced on Thursday that the state will provide $250 per person by November 14 to each of Hawaii’s 161,400 residents whose SNAP benefits were expected to be suspended. For example, a family of three will receive $750 loaded onto their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.

Earlier this week, Governor Green also shared that his administration will allocate $100 million in federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding to provide up to four months of housing and utility assistance for families with children impacted by the shutdown and related economic hardships.

These combined efforts reflect Hawai‘i’s commitment to supporting its residents through the ongoing federal government shutdown and associated challenges faced by thousands of families across the state.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/11/01/hawaii-news/more-than-400-hawaii-families-line-up-at-foodbank-pop-up/

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Trump vows to ‘fund SNAP as soon as possible’ if court allows, blasts Democrats over shutdown delay

2025 年 11 月 1 日 admin Leave a comment

NEW: You can now listen to Fox News articles!

President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration has asked federal courts to clarify whether it can legally release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments as the government shutdown continues.

In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said government lawyers had raised doubts about whether existing funds could be used for the November distribution, and that two courts have issued conflicting opinions on the matter.

“Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do,” Trump wrote.

“I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT.”

The president said he had instructed administration attorneys to ask the courts for clarification “as soon as possible.”

“If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay,” Trump added.

“The Democrats should quit this charade where they hurt people for their own political reasons, and immediately REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT.”

Trump urged food stamp recipients to contact Senate Democrats, writing, “If you use SNAP benefits, call the Senate Democrats, and tell them to reopen the Government, NOW! Here is Cryin’ Chuck Schumer’s Office Number.”

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides aid to about 42 million Americans each month, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Funding for the program depends on congressional appropriations, which have lapsed during the current shutdown.

USDA Chief warns, “We’re right at the cliff” as 40 million Americans brace for a potential food stamp cutoff.

The president made his comments one day before the scheduled Nov. 1 payment date for many recipients. The USDA has not publicly confirmed whether benefits will be issued if the courts do not provide new guidance.

Trump has repeatedly accused Democrats of prolonging the shutdown to gain political leverage, while Democrats say the White House could reopen the government by signing a short-term spending bill already passed in the Senate.

In his post, Trump referenced his earlier actions to protect military and law enforcement paychecks during the standoff, calling it his duty to “ensure Americans don’t go hungry.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-vows-fund-snap-soon-possible-court-allows-blasts-democrats-shutdown-delay

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New Yorker Crossword October 30 2025 Answers (10/30/25)

2025 年 10 月 30 日 admin Leave a comment

**Your Guide to The New Yorker Crossword – October 30, 2025 Answers**

If you’ve found yourself stuck on a clue in today’s New Yorker Crossword, we’re here to help! Our comprehensive answer guide for the October 30, 2025 puzzle is designed to assist you in completing the crossword without spoiling other clues you’re still working on.

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### How This Guide Works

Below, you’ll find a list of all the crossword clues from the October 30, 2025 New Yorker Crossword. You can search for a specific clue and find its corresponding answer easily. This way, you can focus on just the clues you need help with, without revealing answers to the entire puzzle.

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### New Yorker Crossword October 30, 2025 – Clues and Answers

| # | Clue |
|—–|——————————————————————————————-|
| 1A | Synonym of “Hah!” that’s also a palindrome |
| 4A | Type of sentence that could use additional punctuation |
| 6A | Where visitors might see giant pumpkins and livestock competitions |
| 10A | “Pop ___, hot shot” |
| 11A | Object made of vulcanized rubber |
| 12A | Keats’s “Ode on a Grecian ___” |
| 13A | Part of a trip or a tripod |
| 14A | Unruly way to run |
| 16A | Supermarket section with a slicer |
| 17A | “The Bluest Eye” author Morrison |
| 18A | Answer to the riddle “What kind of cheese is made in reverse?” |
| 19A | “The ___” (video game with virtual citizens) |
| 20A | Gold source |
| 21A | French definite article |
| 22A | “___ be an honor!” |
| 1D | Figure-skating jump |
| 2D | Number that’s its own square root |
| 3D | Upper level of a barn |
| 4D | Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande duet with the lyric “I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive” |
| 5D | “Perfectly done!” |
| 6D | Glute exercises |
| 7D | Agitation |
| 8D | Cork’s country |
| 9D | Political administration |
| 15D | Lock lips |
| 16D | “The Substance” actress Moore |

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### Looking for More Puzzles?

If you want to explore answers and solutions for other New Yorker Crossword puzzles, be sure to check out our [New Yorker Crossword Archive](#). It’s a great resource for crossword enthusiasts seeking help with past puzzles.

—

Happy puzzling, and we hope this guide helps you finish today’s New Yorker Crossword with ease!
https://tryhardguides.com/new-yorker-crossword-october-30-2025-answers/

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Fact Check: Did Democrats Vote Against Funding SNAP Benefits?

2025 年 10 月 29 日 admin Leave a comment

**Senate Democrats Vote 12 Times Against Funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program**

*By Andrew Stanton | Newsweek | October 28, 2025*

Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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**Community Reactions**

A user named DallasBiff commented on the situation, highlighting the ongoing political debates surrounding SNAP funding.

Another commenter, SaveFerris, referenced a biblical passage, Luke 17:28:
*”As it was in the days of Lot; They did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold…”* — drawing parallels to current socio-political circumstances.

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**Disclaimer:**
Opinions expressed on Free Republic are those of individual posters and do not necessarily represent the views of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted are protected accordingly.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4349444/posts

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Texas lawsuit targets Tylenol

2025 年 10 月 29 日 admin Leave a comment

Get your daily dose of health and medicine every weekday with STAT’s free newsletter, Morning Rounds. Sign up here.

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### Remember Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse?

A colleague in the newsroom mentioned the name yesterday, and although I hadn’t thought about it in decades, the smell instantly came back to me. Also, the talking Christmas tree.

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### NIH Says There Are No Banned Words. Hundreds of Grants Were Changed Anyway.

There’s no formal list of banned words or phrases at the NIH, officials say. And yet, researchers changed the titles of more than 700 multi-year grants from 2024 to 2025, according to an analysis by former agency leader Jeremy Berg.

The vast majority of those edits involved removing words like “equity” and “disparities” that denote an area of study clearly and consistently condemned by the Trump administration. Such compromises can alter the course of a project and the questions scientists address.

STAT’s Anil Oza spoke with nine current and former NIH officials, as well as five outside researchers, who described the often demoralizing and ambiguous process.

“What is infuriating about it is the fact that we cannot access the ground truth. There is no ground truth,” one NIH program officer said. “Was it necessary to censor this person’s work? I don’t know.”

For another sense of the stakes: Anil told me that he reached out to 150 outside researchers to find five who would speak to him, “which I think shows the fear people have about losing their funding,” he said in a DM.

Read more on implicitly banned words, and what it all means for the future of science.

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### Texas Lawsuit Targets Tylenol

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) filed a lawsuit yesterday accusing Tylenol’s makers of deceptively marketing the drug to pregnant mothers and asserting unproven claims linking its main ingredient, acetaminophen, to autism risk.

The suit alleges that the companies violated Texas consumer protection laws by hiding the danger that acetaminophen posed to fetuses and young children — again, unproven.

Texas also alleges that Johnson & Johnson fraudulently transferred liabilities arising from Tylenol to Kenvue to shield assets against lawsuits.

The suit was filed in rural Panola County and requests a jury trial in the Republican-leaning East Texas county of about 23,000 people.