Trump Administration Moves to Downsize Federal Government, Faces Legal Challenges

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration is making aggressive moves to shrink the federal government, facing backlash from Democrats and legal challenges in the courts.

Overnight, the administration fired the inspector general of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—a day after the independent watchdog released a report warning that massive funding cuts could put humanitarian efforts at risk. The move aligns with cost-cutting initiatives led by Elon Musk, who has joined Trump’s administration to overhaul government spending.

"The people voted for major government reform, and that’s what they’re going to get," Musk stated while meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office. Trump then signed an executive order expanding Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, despite mounting legal challenges.

The administration’s push to reduce spending comes as an appeals court blocked an attempt to freeze funding for certain programs. Meanwhile, deportation efforts are also under scrutiny, with two top ICE enforcement officials reassigned amid White House frustration over migrant arrests moving too slowly.

Trump and Musk claim to have uncovered billions in government waste but have yet to provide concrete evidence. The administration remains committed to its cost-cutting mission, though court rulings and Congressional resistance could slow its progress.