Crossroads with Joshua Philipp

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DOGE Investigation Blocked by Judge; Musk Alleges Billions In Social Security Fraud Each Year Feb 10, 2025

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The Department of Government Efficiency is facing legal challenges as it attempts to investigate the U.S. Treasury. The case is raising questions over the legalities of the department, which has been uncovering alleged overspending and other issues in the federal government. Yet the program actually isn’t new. It goes back to the Obama administration, which established not only its legality, but also its deep reach into the networks of government agencies.

And on this, Musk is alleging that DOGE has already uncovered large-scale abuse of the social security system.

New Tax Priorities Unveiled by White House; Trump Admin to Dramatically Slash USAID Staff Feb 07, 2025

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The United States could soon have a very different tax system. The Trump administration has now unveiled its list of tax priorities. This includes campaign promises like no tax on tips, as well as other reforms. While it doesn’t go as far as the near elimination of federal income tax that some have floated, it does appear to be aimed at reducing the amount of taxes for the average American. In other news, a spotlight has been shone on the U.S. Agency for International Development, and now the Trump administration is looking to dramatically slash staff numbers.

White House Releases List on USAID "Waste and Abuse"; Democrat Rep. Moves to Impeach Trump Over Gaza Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

The Department of Government Efficiency’s investigations into the U.S. Agency for International Development have now revealed that several news outlets were receiving millions in government funds. This includes government funding that was going to many corporate news outlets like Politico. Not only that, the White House has also released a list showing wasteful spending by the USAID, including for things like $70,000 for the production of a "DEI musical" in Ireland.

In other news, President Donald Trump may soon face his first round of impeachment hearings for his second term in office. Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) announced he will bring articles of impeachment against Trump for what he calls “ethnic cleansing in Gaza.”

Trump Admin Obtains List of FBI Agents Involved in Jan 6 Cases; Trump Details Dead Man’s Switch Plan Feb 05, 2025

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The Trump administration has now obtained a list of FBI employees who were involved in cases related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. Despite early attempts to block the list from being handed over, the FBI has now given the Justice Department a list of all employees who were involved in investigations and criminal cases related to the incident. This allegedly includes the names of 5,000 FBI employees, and it is raising questions over whether they could be fired.

In response, a group of FBI agents has brought a class-action lawsuit against the Justice Department, alleging this amounts to an “unlawful and retaliatory” directive from President Donald Trump. And in other news, while speaking to press at the White House whilst he was signing even more executive orders yesterday, Trump also detailed preparations he has in place, were Iran to assassinate him.

DOGE Spars with USAID Over Government Aid Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk has gained access to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). And the investigations of what the USAID has been funding are now sparking a national debate. The agency is now being moved under the State Department and could serve a different mission going forward.

NGOs Tied to Illegal Immigration Get Funding Pulled; Tariff Wars Begin Feb 03, 2025

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Non-governmental organizations tied to the process of mass migration into the United States have now been defunded. The announcement came from the Department of Homeland Security, and it has brought attention to government grants and funding that were going to NGOs accused of helping facilitate the border crisis.

In other news, the United States has placed tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and additional tariffs on China. And now these countries are pushing back in what’s becoming a new tariff war.

RFK Jr Spars With Senate Over MAHA; Trump's Guantanamo Bay Plan for Illegal Immigrants Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

It’s now being determined whether the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda will become a reality. On Wednesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sat before the Senate for the first day of his confirmation hearing. If he gets confirmed, he’ll become the new head of Health and Human Services, and with that, bring his stated plans to get harmful chemicals out of American food products, and to begin reforms within the pharmaceutical industry. Also, Trump signed a memorandum to prepare Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba to house illegal immigrants, according to the White House.

Trump Proposes End of Federal Income Tax; Freezes $3 Trillion In Federal Funding Jan 29, 2025

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Federal income tax could be coming to an end in the United States. President Donald Trump first floated the idea when he was on the campaign trail, and it now seems he was serious. At a recent event, Trump discussed how the United States could replace income tax by using tariffs instead.

Trump Effect Sees Huge Shift Toward the Right; California Considers Seceding? Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

The 2024 elections were telling. Not only did President Donald Trump win the popular vote, and win every swing state, but he also came close to winning many states that are otherwise thought of as solid Democrat. It’s possible we could even see states like New Jersey become swing states in the next election. And now, it’s possible that even some solid blue states, like California and New York, could shift on the political spectrum due to issues of people leaving the states. As this happens, California could see a secession vote on the ballot in 2028.

US Freezes Most Foreign Aid, Ends Mass Migration Agreement Jan 27, 2025

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The U.S. program to send money to countries around the world as foreign aid has been placed on hold and will be reviewed. This is part of a broader trend to end U.S. trade deficits, make NATO allies pay more, cut United Nations programs not in American interests, and many others. On Friday, the Trump administration froze nearly all foreign aid. The only exceptions to this are military assistance to Israel and Egypt and emergency food aid.

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