Ben Lefebvre
@benlefebvre.bsky.social
POLITICO energy reporter. Native Detroiter. Former WSJ Houston, ICIS Tokyo.
Great @zcolman.bsky.social feature on how misinformation and politicization is affecting even something that should be as apolitical as disaster relief. Rebuilding after a disaster becomes a quagmire if residents think the agency that's supposed to help them is stealing babies:
Trump undermined Biden’s FEMA in North Carolina. Now the cleanup is lagging on his watch.
As a candidate, the president spread misinformation about the Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, convincing many survivors that the federal government was out to get them.
www.politico.com
May 22, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Great @zcolman.bsky.social feature on how misinformation and politicization is affecting even something that should be as apolitical as disaster relief. Rebuilding after a disaster becomes a quagmire if residents think the agency that's supposed to help them is stealing babies:
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
BREAKING: A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from dismantling the Department of Education and ordered the administration to reinstate employees fired in a mass termination.
This can't happen without cnogressional approval, she ruled.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
This can't happen without cnogressional approval, she ruled.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
May 22, 2025 at 2:45 PM
BREAKING: A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from dismantling the Department of Education and ordered the administration to reinstate employees fired in a mass termination.
This can't happen without cnogressional approval, she ruled.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
This can't happen without cnogressional approval, she ruled.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Politico's PEN Guild union was one of the first to include AI provisions in its contract. Now it's gearing up for potentially another potential first: A legal battle against management for violating those provisions.
www.wired.com/story/politi...
www.wired.com/story/politi...
Politico’s Newsroom Is Starting a Legal Battle With Management Over AI
Politico has rules about AI in the newsroom. Staffers say those rules have been violated—and they’re gearing up for a fight.
www.wired.com
May 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Politico's PEN Guild union was one of the first to include AI provisions in its contract. Now it's gearing up for potentially another potential first: A legal battle against management for violating those provisions.
www.wired.com/story/politi...
www.wired.com/story/politi...
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
it’s art bsky.app/profile/punk...
Editor: You get the pictures for the air traffic controller story?
Photographer: Sure did boss. Real fucking sexy just like you asked.
Editor: What
Photographer: Sure did boss. Real fucking sexy just like you asked.
Editor: What
May 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
it’s art bsky.app/profile/punk...
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
@npr.org EXCLUSIVE:
The Department of Agriculture is demanding states hand over personal data of food assistance recipients — including Social Security numbers, addresses and, in at least one state, citizenship status, according to emails shared with NPR.
The Department of Agriculture is demanding states hand over personal data of food assistance recipients — including Social Security numbers, addresses and, in at least one state, citizenship status, according to emails shared with NPR.
USDA, DOGE demand states hand over personal data about food stamp recipients
The Department of Agriculture is demanding sensitive data from states about more than 40 million food stamp recipients, as DOGE is amassing data for immigration enforcement.
www.npr.org
May 9, 2025 at 7:57 PM
@npr.org EXCLUSIVE:
The Department of Agriculture is demanding states hand over personal data of food assistance recipients — including Social Security numbers, addresses and, in at least one state, citizenship status, according to emails shared with NPR.
The Department of Agriculture is demanding states hand over personal data of food assistance recipients — including Social Security numbers, addresses and, in at least one state, citizenship status, according to emails shared with NPR.
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
American Pope to avoid the tariffs, smart.
May 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM
American Pope to avoid the tariffs, smart.
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
Chicago pope to issue encyclical denouncing ketchup on hot dogs
May 8, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Chicago pope to issue encyclical denouncing ketchup on hot dogs
First one to start up a chain of "Pope Leo XIV Italian Beef" stand wins.
May 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
First one to start up a chain of "Pope Leo XIV Italian Beef" stand wins.
Looking forward to the quick canonization of Dick Butkus.
May 8, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Looking forward to the quick canonization of Dick Butkus.
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
Trade negotiations between Japan and the United States are headed for an impasse with the two sides unable even to settle on a starting point for an agreement after two rounds of high-level discussions.
U.S. and Japan remain far apart on tariffs
While both sides have said they will aim for a deal as soon as possible, they have also indicated that they aren't in a rush for a swift settlement.
www.japantimes.co.jp
May 7, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Trade negotiations between Japan and the United States are headed for an impasse with the two sides unable even to settle on a starting point for an agreement after two rounds of high-level discussions.
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
Trump has tasked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent with leading on trade with China. It's not going to be easy.Inside the challenge ahead as Bessent heads to Switzerland tomorrow --> w/ @meganmesserly.bsky.social @arihawkins.bsky.social @ddesrochers.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/05...
'Initial triage': Trump pins hope on Bessent as he seeks to end China trade war standstill
The Treasury secretary’s role signals the White House is serious about trade negotiations with Beijing. But finger pointing ahead of the Geneva talks underscores the tough road ahead.
www.politico.com
May 7, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Trump has tasked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent with leading on trade with China. It's not going to be easy.Inside the challenge ahead as Bessent heads to Switzerland tomorrow --> w/ @meganmesserly.bsky.social @arihawkins.bsky.social @ddesrochers.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/05...
Maybe the boiler just isn't working right?
May 7, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Maybe the boiler just isn't working right?
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
Man if I owned a cathedral in Avignon I'd light up some white smoke from it today just to scare people.
May 7, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Man if I owned a cathedral in Avignon I'd light up some white smoke from it today just to scare people.
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
1/ The US government has ordered the Swedish city of Stockholm to end its diversity, inclusivity and equality (DEI) programmes within 10 days. The city authorities say the demand is "bizarre" and they won't be complying. ⬇️
May 7, 2025 at 11:56 AM
1/ The US government has ordered the Swedish city of Stockholm to end its diversity, inclusivity and equality (DEI) programmes within 10 days. The city authorities say the demand is "bizarre" and they won't be complying. ⬇️
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
On a private Zoom last week, anti-abortion groups previewed an effort they're calling "Rolling Thunder." Here's how they plan to pressure the FDA, Congress and courts to crack down on abortion pills. www.politico.com/news/2025/05...
The anti-abortion movement readies its gameplan for Trump 2.0
Abortion opponents hope a new report will spur the GOP to ban abortion pills and defund Planned Parenthood.
www.politico.com
May 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
On a private Zoom last week, anti-abortion groups previewed an effort they're calling "Rolling Thunder." Here's how they plan to pressure the FDA, Congress and courts to crack down on abortion pills. www.politico.com/news/2025/05...
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
Neighbors report two upscale DC restaurants on New Mexico Ave. just raided by DHS/ICE: Chef Geoff's (owned by the husband of CBS News' Norah O'Donnell) and Al Dente.
May 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Neighbors report two upscale DC restaurants on New Mexico Ave. just raided by DHS/ICE: Chef Geoff's (owned by the husband of CBS News' Norah O'Donnell) and Al Dente.
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
NEW from @joshgerstein.bsky.social: You’ve heard of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Now meet the second man erroneously deported to El Salvador in violation of a legal settlement: Daniel Lozano-Camargo.
Until now, he’d only been identified by a pseudonym in court. www.politico.com/news/2025/05...
Until now, he’d only been identified by a pseudonym in court. www.politico.com/news/2025/05...
May 6, 2025 at 1:07 AM
NEW from @joshgerstein.bsky.social: You’ve heard of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Now meet the second man erroneously deported to El Salvador in violation of a legal settlement: Daniel Lozano-Camargo.
Until now, he’d only been identified by a pseudonym in court. www.politico.com/news/2025/05...
Until now, he’d only been identified by a pseudonym in court. www.politico.com/news/2025/05...
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
Rice was always going to be a tough sell but why would the LDP risk anything when its negotiating partner refuses to act in good faith.
asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trad...
asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trad...
Japan's ruling party balks at importing US rice as part of tariff deal
LDP members argue concessions would hurt country's food security
asia.nikkei.com
May 5, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Rice was always going to be a tough sell but why would the LDP risk anything when its negotiating partner refuses to act in good faith.
asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trad...
asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trad...
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
"A majority of new vehicles sold in China are either fully electric or plug-in hybrids, and a look around the recent auto show in Shanghai showed that local makers have mostly stopped introducing new gasoline-powered models."
www.wsj.com/business/aut...
www.wsj.com/business/aut...
What a $15,000 Electric SUV Says About U.S.-China Car Rivalry
For an American used to a $50,000 gasoline-powered SUV as the standard family choice, the Chinese market is hardly recognizable.
www.wsj.com
May 5, 2025 at 4:09 PM
"A majority of new vehicles sold in China are either fully electric or plug-in hybrids, and a look around the recent auto show in Shanghai showed that local makers have mostly stopped introducing new gasoline-powered models."
www.wsj.com/business/aut...
www.wsj.com/business/aut...
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
Trump is seeking massive funding cuts across the government. He's asking Congress to slash spending on non-defense programs by more than $163 billion.
Trump's budget asks Congress for unprecedented federal funding cuts
The request for obliterating many domestic programs sets up a clash with Congress ahead of the Sept. 30 shutdown deadline.
www.politico.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Trump is seeking massive funding cuts across the government. He's asking Congress to slash spending on non-defense programs by more than $163 billion.
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
Uncertainty looms over U.S. LNG, despite buyer interest
The month of April saw several modest commercial deals for U.S. LNG. But that is more than overshadowed by formidable obstacles facing new LNG projects.
gasoutlook.com/analysis/unc...
The month of April saw several modest commercial deals for U.S. LNG. But that is more than overshadowed by formidable obstacles facing new LNG projects.
gasoutlook.com/analysis/unc...
Uncertainty looms over U.S. LNG, despite buyer interest - Gas Outlook
April saw several modest commercial deals for U.S. LNG. But that is more than overshadowed by formidable obstacles facing new LNG projects.
gasoutlook.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Uncertainty looms over U.S. LNG, despite buyer interest
The month of April saw several modest commercial deals for U.S. LNG. But that is more than overshadowed by formidable obstacles facing new LNG projects.
gasoutlook.com/analysis/unc...
The month of April saw several modest commercial deals for U.S. LNG. But that is more than overshadowed by formidable obstacles facing new LNG projects.
gasoutlook.com/analysis/unc...
Congress critters are getting a big lesson in "one district's 'waste' is another district's lifeblood":
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
DOGE hits Trump country
Red states have borne the brunt of DOGE’s targeting of AmeriCorps
www.politico.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Congress critters are getting a big lesson in "one district's 'waste' is another district's lifeblood":
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
Reposted by Ben Lefebvre
PHOTOS: Lincoln Square road closure offers glimpse of car-free streets: ‘A nice little breather’, read more here: chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...
May 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
PHOTOS: Lincoln Square road closure offers glimpse of car-free streets: ‘A nice little breather’, read more here: chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...