//Trump Boasts About Federal Firings, Targets Biden at CPAC Speech//
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| Trump told CPAC// |
OXON HILL, Md. – President Donald Trump took center stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, celebrating his administration’s sweeping dismissal of thousands of federal employees while rallying conservatives with promises of a long-lasting political majority.
“Nobody’s ever seen anything like this,” Trump declared to an enthusiastic audience, reveling in what he called his administration’s successful effort to shrink the federal workforce. He described his strategy as a bold move to overhaul Washington, claiming it aligns with voters’ mandate to reform government operations, tighten border security, and extend tax cuts that defined his first term.
Musk’s Role in the Firings
Trump’s government restructuring efforts have been partly executed with the help of billionaire Elon Musk. Musk, who owns the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), announced a directive requiring federal employees to account for their weekly accomplishments. Employees who failed to respond were deemed to have resigned.
An internal email with the subject line “What did you do last week?” was sent to government workers across various agencies. It instructed recipients to summarize their achievements in approximately five bullet points and copy their direct managers, setting a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Monday.
The directive has left many in limbo, with some agencies awaiting further instructions. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) saw a significant workforce reduction, prompting Trump to repurpose its Washington office for Customs and Border Protection operations. “The agency’s name has been removed from its former building,” Trump proclaimed, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Tougher Immigration Stance Amid Staffing Shakeups
Trump also emphasized his administration’s commitment to harsher immigration policies, a topic that has been somewhat overshadowed by the mass firings. He vowed to ramp up enforcement efforts, underscoring his belief that border security was a major point of contention in the last election.
Further, he reiterated his interest in scrutinizing the country’s gold reserves at Fort Knox. “Would anybody like to join us?” he joked, alluding to a potential review of the U.S. gold stockpile and sparking enthusiastic applause.
Mocking Biden, Praising Foreign Leaders
The speech wasn’t without its political jabs. Trump revisited the 2024 election, mocking his Democratic opponent, former President Joe Biden. He also took aim at Vice President Kamala Harris, deliberately mispronouncing her name to the delight of his audience.
While lambasting Biden’s handling of border security with an expletive-laden critique, Trump reserved kind words for foreign leaders. He praised Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling him a “great guy,” while simultaneously criticizing China’s trade practices.
Trump also acknowledged Polish President Andrzej Duda, who was present at the conference, along with Argentine President Javier Milei. “You must be doing something right, hanging out with Trump,” he quipped, referring to Duda. He also lauded Milei as “a MAGA guy, too—Make Argentina Great Again.”
Diplomatic Shake-Ups and the Ukraine Conflict
On the diplomatic front, Trump’s administration has made headlines by holding direct talks with Russia to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine—without involving Ukrainian or European officials. The move has raised concerns among U.S. allies, as it represents a stark departure from the Biden-era policy of prioritizing Ukraine’s involvement in peace negotiations.
“I think we’re pretty close to a deal, and we better be close to a deal,” Trump told CPAC attendees, fueling speculation that his administration may soon broker an agreement. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later reaffirmed Trump’s confidence in reaching a resolution, stating, “The President is very confident we can get it done this week.” However, many analysts view the timeline as overly ambitious.
Trump has also clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, labeling him a “dictator” and falsely implying that Ukraine instigated the conflict. Zelenskyy responded by accusing Trump of operating within a “Russian-made disinformation space.”
Formal Dinner and a Nod to Unity
Following his CPAC speech, Trump hosted a formal dinner at the White House for governors attending the National Governors Association meeting in Washington. In a rare moment of bipartisan outreach, he assured attendees that they could always reach out to him, joking that he might even prioritize Democratic concerns first.
“Let us all recommit ourselves to strengthening America and making it even more special than it has been,” Trump said. “We’re going to be one united nation.”
The president, dressed in a tuxedo, was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, who also wore a tuxedo but opted out of a tie. He credited her for organizing the evening, telling attendees, “She worked very hard on making sure everything was beautiful.”
Trump wrapped up the night by offering a special tour of the Lincoln Bedroom to any interested guests. “I think maybe it’s the most important room in the whole country,” he said. “The most important bedroom, definitely.”
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