May 25, 2018

Trump signs orders to make it easier to fire federal employees

Photo: Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images

A series of executive orders, signed by President Trump on Friday, will make it easier to lay off federal government employees and "[roll] back the prerogatives of unions that represent them," the New York Times reports.

Why it matters: Per the Times, the signings were praised by the White House as Trump promoting "efficient government by reforming our Civil Service rules." But the unions criticized it as an "assault on democracy."

What they do, per BuzzFeed News:

Cut down on the time it takes to fire a federal employee.
"Reward 'performance over seniority.'"
Require federal employees to "devote at least 75 percent of their work hours for agency purposes."
Tell agencies to renegotiate union contracts and publish them.

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Ina Fried

Updated 36 mins ago - Technology

Twitter: Trump's Minnesota tweet violated rules on violence

Twitter said Friday morning that a tweet from President Trump in which he threatened shooting in response to civil unrest in Minneapolis violated the company's rules. The company said it was leaving the tweet up in the public interest.

Why it matters: The move exacerbates tensions between Twitter and Trump over the company's authority to label or limit his speech and, conversely, the president's authority to dictate rules for a private company.

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Rebecca Falconer

Updated 50 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Trump threatens to "assume control" of Minneapolis over unrest

Flames from a nearby fire illuminate protesters standing on a barricade in front of the Third Police Precinct in Minneapolis on Thursday. Photo: Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump threatened via Twitter early Friday to send the national guard to Minneapolis following three days of massive demonstrations and unrest in the city over George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody this week.

Details: "I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis. A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right," Trump tweeted after a police station was torched by some protesters.

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Ursula Perano

Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

In photos: Protests over George Floyd's death grip Minneapolis

Protesters cheer as the Third Police Precinct burns behind them on in Minneapolis on Thursday night. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Cheering protesters set a Minneapolis police station on fire Thursday night in the third night of unrest following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody in the city, per AP.

The state of play: Minnesota's governor on Thursday activated the state's national guard following violent outbreaks throughout the week, as the nation waits to see if the officers involved will be charged with murder.

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