Evening Report — Dem protests grow as Trump, Musk reshape government

View Online Evening Report Monday, Feb. 17 | By Jonathan Easley TRUMP FIRST 100 DAYS ©  Greg Nash Dem protests grow as Trump, Musk reshape government DEMOCRATS STAGED A DAY OF PROTESTS against President Trump and Elon Musk on Monday, even as the federal workforce cutbacks continued apace.   NewsNation's Jackie Koppell reports that several thousand people gathered around the Capitol Reflecting Pool in Washington to protest the gutting of federal agencies.   Protesters carried homemade signs and chanted: "Where is Congress? Do your job!"   Organizers dubbed the gathering a "No Kings Day" protest.   Additional protests are planned this week at Tesla dealerships and outside lawmakers' offices on Capitol Hill.   Musk has been a ubiquitous presence since Trump returned to office, defending his actions to reporters in the Oval Office and battling critics on his social media platform X, as his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has burrowed into a growing number of federal agencies to implement sweeping workforce cuts.   Democrats are scrambling to coalesce around an opposition strategy after Trump thundered into office and completely reshaped the federal government in the first month of his second term.   There has been frustration on the left over the Democrats' inability to settle on an effective plan of opposition or consistent message, even as the courts have stepped in to postpone some of Trump's executive actions.   Democrats don't have a true leader on the national stage after former President Biden and former Vice President Harris were relegated to one term in office.   Ken Martin, the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee, will embark this week on a multistate tour aimed at getting the national party "out of D.C." as it seeks to reconnect with the working class voters and racial minorities that moved to the right in the 2024 election. HOW DO REPUBLICANS FEEL?: Republicans are divided when it comes to Musk.    Some in the party, like Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) have defended Musk and his role as an outsider reforming federal agencies. But others are less keen on Musk's growing influence, with some privately saying his approach is "flawed" and accusing the billionaire of wreaking havoc, The Hill's Alexander Bolton. They also have concerns about his brazen online presence.   Among their concerns:   • Musk's call to impeach federal judges that go against Trump, with one senator calling it, "Wrong, wrong, wrong," and said   "Get him out of the White House. Get him out, the sooner the better ... Every day that he's there, he seems more destructive."   • Dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development is causing problems for the farmers who sell their products all over the world.    • Several Head Start programs across the country have been shuttered and funding for nonprofits that provide employment and community services has been threatened. MEANWHILE... • The Trump administration began firing hundreds of employees at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over the weekend, just weeks after a deadly crash outside of Washington, D.C. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is working with DOGE to scale back federal spending and upgrade the FAA's antiquated systems.   • Democrats are seeking answers on DOGE's plans for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after multiple outlets reported the unit sought access to sensitive internal systems. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who has been open to working with the Trump administration, blasted DOGE's IRS moves and declared: "A party of chaos loses - always."   • Musk says DOGE will conduct an audit of all the gold at Fort Knox. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and other Republicans are backing the effort. • The Trump administration is recalling hundreds of federal employees tasked with oversight of the nation's nuclear weapons after they were fired.   • More than 400 employees were fired from the Department of Homeland Security.   Some Republicans are alarmed by what they view as belligerent and indiscriminate cuts to the federal workforce.   "Many of these abrupt terminations will do more harm than good," Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) posted on X. 💡Perspectives: • The Hill: Democrats must stand up against Trump the bully. • The Atlantic: How progressives broke the government. • The Guardian: The Trump-Musk purge is cutting more than costs. • The Hill: RFK's 'mom army' has landed. Read more:  • Senate Dems split over how to combat Trump's USAID shutdown. • Here are the agencies purging federal workers. • Washington Post backs out of 'Fire Elon Musk' ad order • Democrats grapple for response on education as GOP charges ahead. • Democratic governors diverge on how to handle Trump. CATCH UP QUICK President Trump nominated an ally who defended Jan. 6 rioters and Elon Musk's government cutback efforts to serve as the top federal prosecutor for Washington, D.C.   A Delta flight crashed during landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport Monday. There have been no fatalities reported, but multiple people were injured.  The Education Department is investigating whether five Northern Virginia school districts violated one of President Trump's recent executive orders by allowing transgender students to use their chosen name and pronouns at school and access restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.  The NAACP's spending guide is urging Black Americans to avoid companies that have done away with their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs. NEWS THIS AFTERNOON ©  Evelyn Hockstein, Associated Press Trump team seeks Russia-Ukraine peace deal as U.S. allies chafe at unilateral moves President Trump's national security team will meet with top Russian officials Tuesday about bringing an end to the war with Ukraine, as U.S. allies vent frustration with the U.S.'s go-it-alone approach.   Secretary of State Marco Rubio touched down Monday in Saudi Arabia ahead of the negotiations. He'll be joined by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and national security adviser Mike Waltz.   The U.S. envoy will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov.   Ukrainian and European officials were not invited to take part in the discussions.   Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in the region on other business.   Zelensky insists his country be represented in negotiations. Ukraine is calling on Europe to nominate an envoy for peace talks.   "Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs," Zelensky said at a conference in Germany over the weekend.   However, Zelensky has also deferred to Trump to take the lead.   "I think the president has this chance, and he's strong," Zelensky said. "And I think that really he can push Putin to peace negotiations."   Trump over the weekend said that Zelensky "will be involved."   The president, who has been criticized for speaking warmly about his ability to work with Putin, says he believes a deal can be reached to end the nearly three-year long war.   "I think [Putin] wants to stop fighting," Trump said. "I see that. We spoke long and hard." EUROPEANS LEADERS RATTLED... European leaders held an emergency meeting Monday to discuss the way forward after the Trump administration made clear the U.S. would be pulling back from the global stage and expects European countries to contribute more of their own national security resources to keeping peace in the region.   Some European leaders are angered that Trump unilaterally began negotiating with Russia. They're also peeved over Vice President Vance's blistering remarks accusing Europe of abandoning its commitment to free speech and other democratic principles.   Waltz told Fox News over the weekend that U.S. negotiators "will bring everyone together when appropriate." He also said that European countries will be expected to "provide long-term military guarantees" to Ukraine.   French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Trump on Monday ahead of the emergency meeting, although neither side revealed any details of the discussion. 💡Perspectives: • The Washington Post: Trump's chaotic approach has allies rattled. • The Hill: Trump is moving at light speed with no plan in sight. • The Liberal Patriot: Indian Americans ditch Democrats. Read more:  • Ukraine woos Trump with prospect of mineral riches. • Russia's advance in Ukraine is slowing. • American hostage released from Hamas. • China says US has 'gravely backpedaled' on Taiwan. IN OTHER NEWS ©  Greg Nash Washington roundup: GOP faces new budget hurdles The House GOP's victory in passing a budget resolution last week may be short-lived.   At least two House Republicans say they're withholding support on the final bill as they seek more information on cuts to Medicaid that could impact their constituents.   Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) represent districts with a significant percentage of Medicaid recipients. Valadao says they're not the only two with concerns.   "As of right now I think it's in jeopardy of failing," Valadao said.   Malliotakis echoed that sentiment, saying other moderate and conservative lawmakers share their concerns.   The clock is ticking toward a March 14 deadline to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.   The Hill's Mychael Schnell writes: "Republicans can only afford to lose one vote if all members are present and the entire Democratic caucus opposes the measure, which is expected. At the current moment, key lawmakers say the resolution could be doomed to fail."   That's why Senate Republicans have been working on a back-up plan.   The Senate could move ahead with its budget resolution as early as Tuesday, although the process will take some time. The Senate is required to allow up to 50 hours of debate and for a vote-a-rama on an unlimited number of amendments.   Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also hopes to jam through bills giving President Trump money for defense and border security separate from the appropriations process.    • New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) is digging in, saying he's "going nowhere" as fury builds over Trump's Department of Justice dropping the corruption investigation against him.   At least a half-dozen DOJ lawyers quit in protest after being instructed to drop the investigation. Some of those who resigned are staunch conservatives.   Democrats say Adams has been compromised and that the Trump administration is squeezing him to implement the president's immigration agenda.   Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) called the dismissal of the corruption case "outright extortion."   Trump's border czar Tom Homan denied that prosecutors were instructed to drop the charges against Adams in exchange for holding illegal immigrants at Rikers Island.   "That's ridiculous," Homan said. 💡Perspectives: • USA Today: Trump, Musk say enough to wasting trillions. • The Washington Post: Trump's Education Department sleight-of-hand. • New York: The Justice Department's self-inflicted existential crisis. • The Hill: Americans voted for lower egg prices. Trump has other priorities. Read more:  • Deeply conservative DOJ prosecutors head for exits. • Firestorm grows over Trump DOJ's deal to drop charges against Adams. • Democrats' headaches multiply in battle for Senate. • GOP fight over Pentagon policy nominee breaks out. • Five pressing questions as RFK Jr. takes HHS reins. Stay Engaged Someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up to get your own copy: TheHill.com/Evening. Did I miss a story? Drop me a line. See you next time! Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  Sign Up for Other Newsletters 400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 © 1998 - 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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