Federal Workers Under Pressure as Trump Agenda Ramps Up

Federal employees are facing increasing pressure as the Trump administration intensifies its agenda, with reports of voluntary separation incentives and heightened scrutiny over leaks. At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), overseen by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., workers received unsigned emails offering them a “voluntary separation incentive payment” late last week. This move follows President Trump’s clarification in a Cabinet meeting that agency heads, not Elon Musk, are responsible for staffing decisions.

Meanwhile, at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), polygraph tests have been introduced for employees in an effort to identify individuals leaking sensitive information. This comes after Secretary Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan attributed lower-than-expected ICE arrest numbers to leaks revealing operational plans. Federal workers, many of whom are veterans, are speaking out about the mental health challenges they face amid firings and buyout efforts. One Department of Defense employee expressed guilt over his past support for Trump, stating, “It’s not about the layoffs. It’s about a dehumanization of who we are and what we do.”

Tesla Bears the Brunt as Elon Musk Faces Blowback

Elon Musk’s increasing involvement in American politics has led to significant backlash, with Tesla, his electric-car company, becoming a target. Over the past few weeks, there have been at least 10 reported acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations, highlighting the growing resistance to Musk’s expanding role in the federal government.

The attacks coincide with a sharp decline in Tesla’s sales. In Europe, while overall electric vehicle sales are growing, Tesla’s new registrations dropped by 45% in January compared to the previous year. Sales in China have also declined, signaling a challenging period for the company.

Espionage Plot Unfolds in a Run-Down British Seaside Resort

In an unlikely twist, a group of Russian-backed spies used a modest guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, a declining British seaside town, as their base for high-stakes espionage operations. The group, which included Katrin Ivanova, 33, Tihomir Ivanchev, 39, and Gabriela Gaberova, 30, carried out cross-continental operations, including honeytraps, kidnappings, and murder plots targeting dissidents and military sites.

The spies, described as a ragtag group of amateurs operating on an “industrial scale,” were recently convicted of conspiracy to spy in a British court. Their activities spanned years, with prosecutors revealing the scale of their operations during the trial.

Commerce Secretary Dismisses Recession Fears Amid Economic Optimism

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed confidence in the U.S. economy during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Dismissing concerns of a looming recession, Lutnick emphasized President Trump’s plans to “unleash America out to the world” and drive economic growth. He stated, “If Donald Trump is bringing growth to America, I would never bet on recession, no chance.”

Lutnick also addressed inflation, predicting that grocery prices would stabilize by early April. However, he warned of potential price increases on foreign goods due to reciprocal tariffs proposed by the administration.

Baking Soda Becomes a Game-Changer for Runners

Professional runners are turning to an unexpected aid to enhance their performance: baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate. Many athletes have embraced the use of sodium bicarbonate, often sold in a specialized “bicarbonate system” by the Swedish company Maurten, to improve their race times.

The widespread adoption of this legal performance enhancer was evident at the 2023 World Championships, where two-thirds of medalists from the 800 to 10,000 meters used the product. At the Olympics last summer, over two-thirds of running medalists also relied on it. Grant Fisher, who recently broke the world record for the indoor 5,000 meters, credited the use of sodium bicarbonate as a key factor in his success.

Politics, Crime, and Miscellaneous News in Brief

• Shutdown Deadline: Speaker Mike Johnson introduced a short-term funding bill to avoid a government shutdown, but its passage remains uncertain.
• Ukraine Aid Holdout: President Trump has reportedly told aides that a signed minerals deal with Ukraine won’t be enough to resume U.S. aid and intelligence sharing.
• Trump Pushback: The administration faces growing opposition from foreign leaders and American judges, with Congress largely sidelined.
• MAGA vs. Billionaires: Trump allies are increasingly critical of Elon Musk, highlighting a rift between populist and plutocratic elements within the administration.
• Amy Gleason Mystery: The low-profile data analyst recently named acting administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency remains an enigma.

In other news, a 14-year-old suspect was charged with murder after a shootout with New Jersey police, and authorities are investigating the torture and death of Sam Nordquist, who was held captive for a month. Meanwhile, Pope Francis is recovering slowly in the hospital, and Germany’s AfD party leader is part of a rising wave of far-right female politicians in Europe.