The US is moving to streamline its government apparatus.

Reuters reported yesterday, citing sources from the White House, that more than 60,000 of the approximately 2 million federal employees have agreed to resign in exchange for generous severance packages.

Streamlining many departments and agencies.

Three weeks after President Trump returned to office, plans to streamline the federal government have been underway in numerous agencies and departments. ABC News, citing several informed sources, revealed that the new administration in Washington wants to reduce the workforce of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from 14,000 to approximately 300 people.

Only USAID programs that prioritize U.S. interests will be maintained.

Meanwhile, CNN reported yesterday that more than 160 officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been notified to take paid leave as the agency implements President Trump's executive order to shut down all non-compliant offices and programs.

The downsizing process is also underway at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funding reviews for research projects continue to be delayed pending further decisions. And The Wall Street Journal reports that the White House is drafting an executive order to lay off thousands of officials at the Department of Health and Human Services. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, more than 83,000 people work for the department.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House on February 4.

On the same day, February 7th, Reuters quoted Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen Weintraub as saying she had received a dismissal letter from the Trump administration. However, she declared she would fight the decision, according to a statement on her account X (formerly Twitter).

Legal obstacles

Some of President Trump's efforts to rapidly reshuffle the administration have been delayed following court rulings, NBC News reported. Early yesterday morning (Vietnam time), federal judge George O'Toole Jr. in Boston, Massachusetts, ruled to postpone the deadline for officials to take eight months' pay severance pay. The deadline, originally set for midnight on February 7th (Vietnam time), has now been moved to the beginning of next week (February 10th).

In addition, the U.S. Office of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Union Federation of Labor filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C., on behalf of federal government officials and workers. The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration acted unconstitutionally and illegally by ordering USAID to cease operations.

"These actions created a global humanitarian crisis by abruptly disrupting the vital work of U.S. officials, beneficiaries, and contractors. Thousands of American jobs were lost, and this conduct harmed U.S. national interests," the lawsuit states. Labor unions argue that the U.S. Congress is the sole authority to dissolve USAID.

President Trump imposes sanctions on the International Criminal Court.

Prior to Judge O'Toole Jr.'s ruling, the White House argued that temporarily delaying the implementation of the downsizing plan would allow many officials more time to consider the government's proposal. "We thank the judge for extending the deadline so that many federal officials who refuse to come to work can take advantage of this incredibly generous and once-in-a-lifetime offer," Reuters quoted the White House press secretary as saying.

Also yesterday morning (Vietnam time), President Trump announced he would establish a religious affairs office in the White House and instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the unit with the goal of eradicating anti-Christian prejudice within the federal government. According to President Trump, his views on religion have changed after he survived two assassination attempts during last year's election campaign.

According to AP, Secretary Bondi also announced the dissolution of a program implemented under President Joe Biden to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs.

President Trump sanctioned the ICC.

Yesterday (Vietnam time), US President Donald Trump signed an executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC) for actions against the US and its allies, according to AFP. Neither the US nor Israel are members of the ICC. The sanctions were initiated by the Washington administration after Trump accused the court, based in The Hague (Netherlands), of conducting "illegal and baseless" investigations against the US and its ally Israel, according to Reuters, citing a White House statement. The sanctions could include a travel ban on ICC officials, as well as their staff, employees, and family members. Real estate and assets belonging to those on the list could also be frozen. In response to the announcement, the Netherlands, home to the ICC, expressed "regret" over the US sanctions.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-xuc-tien-tinh-gian-bo-may-chinh-quyen-185250207215450351.htm