Posts

Posted on

Planet Money - Why I joined DOGE

What was it like to work inside Elon Musk's DOGE? The cost-cutting initiative promised transparency, but most of its actions have been shrouded in secrecy.

For months, there were reports of software engineers and Trump loyalists entering agencies and accessing sensitive data. DOGE also helped the Trump administration lay off thousands of government workers. NPR reporters have been trying for months to get anyone from DOGE to talk on the record. Now, Sahil Lavingia, a former DOGE staffer assigned to the Department of Veteran Affairs, is speaking.

Today, what drew Sahil to DOGE and what he learned about the inner workings, in a way we've never heard before.

For more on DOGE and the federal workforce:
- The last time we shrank the federal workforce
 - Can... we still trust the monthly jobs report?
 - Can the Federal Reserve stay independent?

This episode was hosted by Kenny Malone and Bobby Allyn. It was produced by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler and Emma Peaslee. It was edited by Jess Jiang and fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. It was engineered by Neal Rauch. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.

Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.

Listen free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.

Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Posted on

Marketplace All-in-One - The disappearing safety net for Baby Boomers

The economic position of the baby boomer generation has long been the envy of younger ones in the United States. But the tides may be turning as the Trump administration seeks deep cuts to social benefits that older Americans rely on. We’ll get into it. And, Kimberly joins the show from the National Press Club in Washington D.C., to make us smarter about how the GOP’s reconciliation bill could impact the richest and poorest Americans. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!


Here’s everything we talked about today:


Posted on

PBS News Hour - World - Israel hit with missiles as Iran retaliates for strikes on nuclear sites and leaders

Two longtime adversaries in the Middle East are at war. Massive explosions from an onslaught of Iranian missiles rocked Israel on Friday. The U.S. says it's helping to intercept those missiles, which are retaliation for preemptive Israeli strikes that killed top military officers and targeted Iran's nuclear facilities. Amna Nawaz reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Posted on

PBS News Hour - World - ‘This is a threat to our existence,’ Israeli ambassador says of Iran’s nuclear program

Israel's brazen attack and Iran's unprecedented response have world leaders concerned that the fighting will only escalate. To discuss Israel's goals and what comes next, Amna Nawaz spoke with Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Posted on

PBS News Hour - World - Mideast experts discuss what’s next for the region as Israel-Iran conflict erupts

For a perspective on the conflict between Israel and Iran, Geoff Bennett spoke with Wendy Sherman, the lead negotiator for the nuclear agreement with Iran during the Obama administration, and Vali Nasr, author of “Iran's Grand Strategy: A Political History.” PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Posted on

PBS News Hour - World - News Wrap: Marines arrive in Los Angeles amid demonstrations against ICE deportations

In our news wrap Friday, Marines are on the streets of Los Angeles amid demonstrations against ICE deportations, a federal judge in Massachusetts blocked part of President Trump's executive order aimed at overhauling elections, Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleaded not guilty to federal charges of human smuggling and the head of the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery is stepping down. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Posted on

PBS News Hour - World - U.S. accuses Mexico of stealing water from Texas farmers as climate strains resources

President Trump threatened tariffs and sanctions against Mexico this year, claiming the country violated a treaty and is stealing water from Texas farmers. It's part of a dispute over shared water in the Rio Grande River and its tributaries. A fight exacerbated by higher temperatures and a greater demand for water. Stephanie Sy reports for our series on the impact of climate change, Tipping Point. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders