Pam Rutter
@pamrutter.bsky.social
helping to raise money for POGO.org .. Join Us!
We're living in weird times. Views on my feed are my own.
We're living in weird times. Views on my feed are my own.
Reposted by Pam Rutter
RFK Jr.‘s extreme anti-vax views — and his related conflicts of interest — were a huge problem during his confirmation process.
So he promised not to change the vaccine advisory panel.
Today, he fired every single expert on that panel. It's a public health disaster.
So he promised not to change the vaccine advisory panel.
Today, he fired every single expert on that panel. It's a public health disaster.
RFK Jr. ousts entire CDC vaccine advisory committee
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed every member of a scientific committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to use vaccines.
apnews.com
June 9, 2025 at 10:34 PM
RFK Jr.‘s extreme anti-vax views — and his related conflicts of interest — were a huge problem during his confirmation process.
So he promised not to change the vaccine advisory panel.
Today, he fired every single expert on that panel. It's a public health disaster.
So he promised not to change the vaccine advisory panel.
Today, he fired every single expert on that panel. It's a public health disaster.
Reposted by Pam Rutter
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
April 29, 2023 at 11:21 PM
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
Reposted by Pam Rutter
Here is your statistic of the day:
Nine out of 10 federal employees laid off by DOGE since March worked in liberal-leaning agencies.
All proposed budget increases go to conservative agencies, with the bulk going to the most conservative agencies.
Nine out of 10 federal employees laid off by DOGE since March worked in liberal-leaning agencies.
All proposed budget increases go to conservative agencies, with the bulk going to the most conservative agencies.
NEW: I analyzed the more recent data on DOGE layoffs and proposed GOP budget increases.
The efficiency was always a lie. The ideology was always the point.
The efficiency was always a lie. The ideology was always the point.
They Called It Efficiency. It Was Always a Purge.
Nine out of ten DOGE layoffs targeted liberal agencies. Every single GOP proposed budget increase went to conservative ones.
open.substack.com
June 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Here is your statistic of the day:
Nine out of 10 federal employees laid off by DOGE since March worked in liberal-leaning agencies.
All proposed budget increases go to conservative agencies, with the bulk going to the most conservative agencies.
Nine out of 10 federal employees laid off by DOGE since March worked in liberal-leaning agencies.
All proposed budget increases go to conservative agencies, with the bulk going to the most conservative agencies.
Reposted by Pam Rutter
This latest OPM memo is just the next step in this administration's scheme to politicize the civil service entirely.
www.chcoc.gov/content/meri...
www.chcoc.gov/content/meri...
Merit Hiring Plan | CHCOC
www.chcoc.gov
June 6, 2025 at 1:33 PM
This latest OPM memo is just the next step in this administration's scheme to politicize the civil service entirely.
www.chcoc.gov/content/meri...
www.chcoc.gov/content/meri...
Reposted by Pam Rutter
A National Weather Service office in Kentucky was scrambling to cover the overnight forecast on Friday as severe storms moved through much of the eastern U.S.
The office is one of several left without an overnight forecaster as a result of cuts ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency.
The office is one of several left without an overnight forecaster as a result of cuts ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency.
A Kentucky Weather Office Scrambles for Staffing as Severe Storms Bear Down
www.nytimes.com
May 16, 2025 at 11:01 PM
A National Weather Service office in Kentucky was scrambling to cover the overnight forecast on Friday as severe storms moved through much of the eastern U.S.
The office is one of several left without an overnight forecaster as a result of cuts ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency.
The office is one of several left without an overnight forecaster as a result of cuts ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency.
Reposted by Pam Rutter
“The America I love, the America I’ve written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration… Rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism.” @brucespringsteen.net
bsky.app/profile/bruc...
bsky.app/profile/bruc...
May 16, 2025 at 6:11 AM
“The America I love, the America I’ve written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration… Rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism.” @brucespringsteen.net
bsky.app/profile/bruc...
bsky.app/profile/bruc...
Reposted by Pam Rutter
#BREAKING: Supreme Court extends block on Alien Enemy Act removals from Northern District of Texas; sends case to Fifth Circuit to reach merits of whether AEA proclamation is legal and how much process is due.
Only Justices Thomas and Alito publicly dissent:
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
Only Justices Thomas and Alito publicly dissent:
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
www.supremecourt.gov
May 16, 2025 at 7:51 PM
#BREAKING: Supreme Court extends block on Alien Enemy Act removals from Northern District of Texas; sends case to Fifth Circuit to reach merits of whether AEA proclamation is legal and how much process is due.
Only Justices Thomas and Alito publicly dissent:
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
Only Justices Thomas and Alito publicly dissent:
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
Reposted by Pam Rutter
Yet another example of the White House encroaching on Congress' power. The Government Accountability Office is a legislative agency that serves Congress, not the executive branch.
Plus, the admin should be taking recommendations from GAO, not vice versa.
Plus, the admin should be taking recommendations from GAO, not vice versa.
DOGE Is Now Targeting GAO, and the Congressional Agency Is Fighting Back
“We are not subject to DOGE or executive orders,” GAO staff were told in an internal email sent Friday.
www.notus.org
May 16, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Yet another example of the White House encroaching on Congress' power. The Government Accountability Office is a legislative agency that serves Congress, not the executive branch.
Plus, the admin should be taking recommendations from GAO, not vice versa.
Plus, the admin should be taking recommendations from GAO, not vice versa.
Reposted by Pam Rutter
Warner, with Gabbard and Ratcliffe sitting in front of him: "If this was the case of a military officer or an intelligence officer and they had this kind of behavior, they would be fired."
March 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Warner, with Gabbard and Ratcliffe sitting in front of him: "If this was the case of a military officer or an intelligence officer and they had this kind of behavior, they would be fired."
Reposted by Pam Rutter
We obtained the financial disclosures for several senior OPM political appointees, which detail the officials' financial ties to Elon Musk's businesses. Read more: www.pogo.org/investigatio...
Musk's Deep Financial Ties to Top Feds Revealed
Office of Personnel Management political appointees linked to recent controversies and artificial intelligence efforts have significant ties to Elon Musk’s companies.
www.pogo.org
March 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM
We obtained the financial disclosures for several senior OPM political appointees, which detail the officials' financial ties to Elon Musk's businesses. Read more: www.pogo.org/investigatio...
Reposted by Pam Rutter
Commercial beekeepers in Texas have lost about two thirds of their honey bees since June last year, according to a recent survey.
A surge in bee deaths is hurting Texas beekeepers — and could affect the price of produce
Commercial beekeepers in Texas have lost about two thirds of their honey bees since June last year, according to a recent survey.
www.texastribune.org
March 3, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Commercial beekeepers in Texas have lost about two thirds of their honey bees since June last year, according to a recent survey.
Reposted by Pam Rutter
My God. What a freakin’ outrage.
GLENN: Why don't you wear a suit? You're at the highest level in this country's office & you refuse to wear a suit. A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting the office.
ZELENSKYY: I will wear a costume after this war will finish. Maybe something like yours. Maybe something better.
ZELENSKYY: I will wear a costume after this war will finish. Maybe something like yours. Maybe something better.
February 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
My God. What a freakin’ outrage.
Reposted by Pam Rutter
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration houses key groups like the National Weather Service. Experts warn the consequences of employee cuts could be drastic.
Trump administration layoffs hit NOAA, agency that forecasts weather, hurricanes
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration houses key groups like the National Weather Service. Experts warn the consequences of employee cuts could be drastic.
www.npr.org
February 28, 2025 at 5:50 PM
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration houses key groups like the National Weather Service. Experts warn the consequences of employee cuts could be drastic.
Reposted by Pam Rutter
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trying to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - the agency that helps you if you get scammed.
@senatedem.bsky.social are united in defending the CFPB, which has already returned more than $21 billion to families cheated by Wall Street.
@senatedem.bsky.social are united in defending the CFPB, which has already returned more than $21 billion to families cheated by Wall Street.
February 28, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trying to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - the agency that helps you if you get scammed.
@senatedem.bsky.social are united in defending the CFPB, which has already returned more than $21 billion to families cheated by Wall Street.
@senatedem.bsky.social are united in defending the CFPB, which has already returned more than $21 billion to families cheated by Wall Street.
Reposted by Pam Rutter
ICYMI: Congresswoman Kim Schrier, a pediatrician, tore into HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for downplaying the measles outbreak in Texas as "not unusual," saying she blames him for the death of an unvaccinated child, the first U.S. death from measles since 2015. www.huffpost.com/entry/kim-sc...
Pediatrician In Congress Blames RFK Jr. For Child's Death From Measles
“I do blame him and others like him who, for the past 20 years, have been spreading lies about vaccines," said Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.).
www.huffpost.com
February 28, 2025 at 5:36 PM
ICYMI: Congresswoman Kim Schrier, a pediatrician, tore into HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for downplaying the measles outbreak in Texas as "not unusual," saying she blames him for the death of an unvaccinated child, the first U.S. death from measles since 2015. www.huffpost.com/entry/kim-sc...
Reposted by Pam Rutter
“One of the unreleased reports says the cutbacks threaten the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, jeopardizing more than $300 million in humanitarian aid for the devastated Palestinian enclave”
wapo.st/4h3WxLc
wapo.st/4h3WxLc
Harsh findings on Trump’s aid freeze kept secret by USAID watchdog
Two reports showing dire impacts on Africa and Gaza have not been released in fear of Trump’s wrath, official says.
wapo.st
February 28, 2025 at 2:40 AM
“One of the unreleased reports says the cutbacks threaten the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, jeopardizing more than $300 million in humanitarian aid for the devastated Palestinian enclave”
wapo.st/4h3WxLc
wapo.st/4h3WxLc
Reposted by Pam Rutter
It has taken 80 years to bring conservative distrust in the news to where its at now. They built their own media system so that trust is unlikely to be repaired.
Journalism needs to envision a future for itself that accounts for the existence of right-wing news.
Journalism needs to envision a future for itself that accounts for the existence of right-wing news.
As new Gallup polling shows that Americans’ trust in news is in rapid decline, it could take as long as “40 or 50 years” for the US media industry to rebuild that faith, The New York Times executive editor Joe Kahn tells Semafor’s Ben Smith.
Joe Kahn: Trust in US media could take decades to recover
The New York Times’ executive editor told Semafor that breaking down barriers between journalists and readers will be vital to that process.
www.semafor.com
February 28, 2025 at 12:35 PM
It has taken 80 years to bring conservative distrust in the news to where its at now. They built their own media system so that trust is unlikely to be repaired.
Journalism needs to envision a future for itself that accounts for the existence of right-wing news.
Journalism needs to envision a future for itself that accounts for the existence of right-wing news.
Reposted by Pam Rutter
Wow. Republican and Independent state legislative leaders in Alaska write to the state's all Republican Congressional delegation with a dire warning:
February 28, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Wow. Republican and Independent state legislative leaders in Alaska write to the state's all Republican Congressional delegation with a dire warning:
Reposted by Pam Rutter
NEW! The Veterans Affairs Secretary may soon concurrently run the Office of Special Counsel, a watchdog that works w/ whistleblowers
A quarter of OSC's cases involve the VA, incl. ~300 active cases. A U.S. senator calls that a "conflict of interest"
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
A quarter of OSC's cases involve the VA, incl. ~300 active cases. A U.S. senator calls that a "conflict of interest"
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
VA Chief May Head Watchdog Office Probing His Own Department
Over a quarter of the Office of Special Counsel’s cases — many involving whistleblowers —come from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
www.pogo.org
February 27, 2025 at 5:24 PM
NEW! The Veterans Affairs Secretary may soon concurrently run the Office of Special Counsel, a watchdog that works w/ whistleblowers
A quarter of OSC's cases involve the VA, incl. ~300 active cases. A U.S. senator calls that a "conflict of interest"
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
A quarter of OSC's cases involve the VA, incl. ~300 active cases. A U.S. senator calls that a "conflict of interest"
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
Reposted by Pam Rutter
Jon Stewart and @jenpsaki.msnbc.com urge Democrats to shift focus from constitutional theory to how GOP cuts will hurt American families, farmers, and communities.
#TheWeeklyShow #politics #DOGE
#TheWeeklyShow #politics #DOGE
February 14, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Jon Stewart and @jenpsaki.msnbc.com urge Democrats to shift focus from constitutional theory to how GOP cuts will hurt American families, farmers, and communities.
#TheWeeklyShow #politics #DOGE
#TheWeeklyShow #politics #DOGE
Reposted by Pam Rutter
Thank you to The Partnership for Public Service for inviting me (@pogo.org) and @danalgold.bsky.social of @govacctproj.bsky.social to speak today about federal government whistleblowing. Grateful for all the work you're doing to support the federal workforce!
ourpublicservice.org/supporting-f...
ourpublicservice.org/supporting-f...
Supporting Federal Employees Through Change
The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that strives for a more effective government for the American people.
ourpublicservice.org
February 11, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Thank you to The Partnership for Public Service for inviting me (@pogo.org) and @danalgold.bsky.social of @govacctproj.bsky.social to speak today about federal government whistleblowing. Grateful for all the work you're doing to support the federal workforce!
ourpublicservice.org/supporting-f...
ourpublicservice.org/supporting-f...
Reposted by Pam Rutter
A follow recommendation: @daniellebrian.bsky.social, executive director of the Project On Government Oversight (@pogo.org) is now on Bluesky!
More about Danielle here: www.pogo.org/about/people...
More about Danielle here: www.pogo.org/about/people...
Danielle Brian
POGO is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that investigates and exposes waste, corruption, abuse of power, and when the government fails to serve the public or silences those who report wrongdoing.
www.pogo.org
February 11, 2025 at 12:24 PM
A follow recommendation: @daniellebrian.bsky.social, executive director of the Project On Government Oversight (@pogo.org) is now on Bluesky!
More about Danielle here: www.pogo.org/about/people...
More about Danielle here: www.pogo.org/about/people...
Reposted by Pam Rutter
The Trump admin is unleashing corruption and abuse of power: firing independent watchdogs, overruling Congress' spending decisions, targeting federal workers, and now politicizing criminal charges to strong-arm officials into carrying out the administration's immigration agenda
February 14, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The Trump admin is unleashing corruption and abuse of power: firing independent watchdogs, overruling Congress' spending decisions, targeting federal workers, and now politicizing criminal charges to strong-arm officials into carrying out the administration's immigration agenda
Reposted by Pam Rutter
More details on this shockingly sloppy episode.
Trump officials fired nuclear staff not realizing they oversee the country’s weapons stockpile, sources say | CNN
Some of the fired probationary employees included on-the-ground staff at facilities where nuclear weapons are built.
www.cnn.com
February 15, 2025 at 3:35 AM
More details on this shockingly sloppy episode.
Reposted by Pam Rutter
While serving as a senior official at the National Reconnaissance Office, Air Force secretary nominee Troy Meink may have improperly steered a multibillion-dollar contract toward Elon Musk's SpaceX company
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Exclusive: Trump Air Force nominee arranged satellite contract in manner that favored Musk's SpaceX, sources say
President Donald Trump's nominee as Air Force Secretary, currently a top official at the national spy satellite agency, arranged a multibillion-dollar contract solicitation in a way that favored Elon Musk's SpaceX, according to seven people familiar with the contract.
www.reuters.com
February 11, 2025 at 4:59 PM
While serving as a senior official at the National Reconnaissance Office, Air Force secretary nominee Troy Meink may have improperly steered a multibillion-dollar contract toward Elon Musk's SpaceX company
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...