Politics and views in the United States.

The administration threatens thousands of federal layoffs, as Democrats demand an investigation into White House shutdown messaging. Trump declares war on cartels, and housing advocates call for support on ballot measures in NYC. 

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to 2025 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

Look, it's likely going to be in the thousands.

It's a very good question, and that's something that the Office of Management and Budget is unfortunately having to work on today.

These discussions and these conversations would not be happening if the Democrats had voted to keep the government open.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt says the administration hasn't determined which federal employees will be let go in mass firings tied to the shutdown.

President Donald Trump met with White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vogt to discuss deep cuts to what the president calls "Democrat agencies."

Wednesday, Vogt said they're ending billions for transportation projects in New York City and energy projects in 16 mostly Democratic-led states.

Republicans continue to press for stopgap funding at current levels.

Democrats continue to demand restoration of support for the health care of as many as 20 million people.

The Senate will vote again today on two failed competing budget measures.

Neither is likely to pass.

One Washington Post poll found nearly half of Americans blame the GOP for the shutdown, while 30 percent blame the other party.

Democrats on House Oversight won an investigation into Trump administration attacks.

Partisan messages have been added to government agency websites that say in one case, the radical left in Congress shut down the government.

Craig Holdman with Watchdog Public Citizen calls that a direct violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan activity on the job.

He says he's filed formal legal complaints. these posts are on the public web pages.

They are designed to influence the American voter when it comes to the upcoming election in 2026.

These posts are unbelievable and egregious violations.

The White House now says the country is at war with the drug cartels, which Trump calls terrorist groups.

A notice sent to Congress is designed as a legal rationale for three strikes on civilian vessels in international waters off Venezuela.

The attacks drew criticism from from Democrats and even some Republicans.

New York City residents will vote in local elections in November, including three referendums on streamlining approval for housing and infrastructure projects to make housing more affordable.

Despite their popularity, they face opposition from city council, which would see reduced authority.

A group of council members and a Republican Staten Island congresswoman are suing, arguing the measures don't get a required environmental review.

Amit Singh Baga, with the Yes on Affordable Housing campaign, says they're badly needed.

We are at a population of 8.5 million, which is 1.2 million higher than in 1990.

And according to the Department of City Planning, we are on track to be at 9 million by 2035.

Our pace of housing construction has simply not kept up.

New York City is home to a huge portion of the country's middle-income renters, but nearly half are severely cost-burdened, and rent continues to rise.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and hundreds of others were detained by Israeli forces.

They're trying to address what they call famine and genocide in Gaza by breaking Israel's 18-year naval blockade on the coastal strip.

I'm Zimone Perez for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

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