The Excerpt: Friday, February 28th, 2025 – News Roundup

Introduction

Good morning, and welcome to The Excerpt for Friday, February 28th, 2025. I’m Taylor Wilson, and today we’re diving into a range of significant stories, from legal battles surrounding federal employees to the suspicious death of a Hollywood legend. We’ll also be covering international relations, controversial policy changes within the military, and the financial advice that Americans are increasingly tired of hearing.

Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Mass Firing of Federal Employees

Our lead story involves a significant legal challenge to the Trump administration’s personnel policies. A federal judge in Northern California has issued a temporary block on the mass firing of probationary federal employees. This move comes after the US Office of Personnel Management, under the Trump administration, directed the Department of Defense and other federal agencies to terminate these newly hired employees. The judge’s decision is a victory for federal workers, although it does not mandate the rehiring of those who have already been terminated.

This legal battle highlights a larger issue: the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal workforce. To delve deeper into this issue, I spoke with USA TODAY Democracy Reporter Erin Mansfield.

The Nuances of Federal Employee Protections

Erin explained that the Trump administration has essentially "kneecapped" key labor boards, making it more difficult for federal employees to challenge their firings. These boards, designed to be independent from presidential influence, are crucial in providing recourse for those who believe their termination was illegal.

The complications arise from a civil service law passed in 1978 under President Jimmy Carter. This law established a complex system for addressing employee grievances, channeling them through specific agencies rather than directly to the courts. As Erin pointed out, Congress has the power to restrict direct access to the courts, and that’s precisely what this legislation does.

Unions can pursue legal action, but federal judges often redirect these cases to the appropriate administrative bodies, such as the Merit Systems Protection Board or the Federal Labor Relations Authority. The Office of the Special Counsel also plays a vital role, acting as a prosecutor for aggrieved workers.

Erin highlighted a recent instance where the Office of the Special Counsel requested the reinstatement of six probationary employees, arguing that their firings were not based on performance issues. The ultimate fate of these employees rests with this bureaucratic system, often unfamiliar to the public.

The Merit Systems Protection Board, as Erin elaborated, is designed to protect the merit system, ensuring that employees are fired for legitimate reasons, such as poor performance, rather than political disagreements or whistleblowing activities. While permanent employees can directly appeal to this board, probationary employees often rely on the Office of the Special Counsel for timely reinstatement.

Suspicious Death of Gene Hackman and Wife

Turning to a somber story, actor Gene Hackman, 95, was found dead alongside his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, 64, and their dog at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday. According to a recently released search warrant, their deaths are being treated as suspicious.

Authorities discovered Hackman near his cane in a mudroom, suggesting a fall. Arakawa was found in an open bathroom near a space heater. The presence of an open prescription bottle and scattered pills on a nearby countertop heightened suspicions. Investigators noted that the front door was open and unlocked, adding to the unusual circumstances.

Gene Hackman was a renowned character actor, celebrated for his roles in films such as "The French Connection," "The Conversation," and "Hoosiers." He won two Oscars over his long and successful career. He retreated from Hollywood later in life, settling in Santa Fe with Arakawa. The investigation is ongoing.

British Prime Minister Visits White House, Focuses on Ukraine

Shifting to international affairs, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently visited the White House, following French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit earlier in the week. Starmer’s primary objective was to secure US security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression.

Starmer had announced Britain’s willingness to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine after the conflict ends. President Trump, however, focused on a deal granting the US access to Ukrainian minerals crucial for various technologies, arguing that this would indirectly contribute to the region’s safety. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to sign this agreement during his visit to the White House.

Notably, the Trump administration has been engaged in negotiations with Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine, excluding both Ukraine and its European allies from the discussions.

Controversial Pentagon Policy on Transgender Service Members

A new Pentagon policy is drawing strong criticism from advocates for transgender service members. The policy effectively bans troops from serving in a gender identity different from their assigned sex at birth.

Shannon Minter, a lawyer who previously sued the Pentagon to block a ban on transgender service members, condemned the policy as a betrayal of individuals who have faithfully served the country.

The policy directs service branches to identify service members with a diagnosis, history, or symptoms of gender dysphoria by March 26th and initiate their removal by June 25th, unless waivers are granted. The Trump administration maintains that there are only two sexes, a claim widely contradicted by scientific evidence.

The military will no longer cover sex reassignment surgery, which was previously covered with a physician’s recommendation. Waivers are possible but limited to service members who have never attempted to transition and adhere to the standards associated with their assigned sex at birth.

Consumers Tired of Cost-Cutting Tips

Finally, many American consumers are experiencing "advice fatigue" when it comes to cost-cutting tips. I spoke with USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé about the findings of a recent Wells Fargo customer survey that explores this phenomenon.

Daniel explained that the constant barrage of articles offering advice on cutting costs and balancing budgets has become tiresome for many. He emphasized that financial pressures from inflation and high-interest rates have exacerbated this feeling.

One tip that particularly resonated with consumers was the suggestion of getting a side hustle. According to the survey, 44% of respondents were tired of being told to take on a second job.

Similarly, advice about cooking at home and avoiding fancy coffee drinks also sparked irritation. While acknowledging the cost savings associated with home-cooked meals, Daniel noted that time constraints and uneven distribution of cooking responsibilities within families can make this advice impractical. Many are unwilling to sacrifice small pleasures, such as daily coffee, to save money.

While sticking to a budget is generally considered sound advice, 42% of respondents expressed weariness of hearing it, finding it preachy and judgmental.

Daniel noted that paying down debt, while essential, is often easier said than done. He highlighted the value of strategies such as obtaining 0% APR credit cards to facilitate debt reduction.

Daniel emphasized that many common pieces of financial advice come across as nagging and judgmental, making people feel inadequate.

However, some advice was viewed more favorably. The "pay yourself first" strategy, which involves setting aside savings before spending, resonated positively with consumers. Maximizing retirement contributions was also viewed as valuable and achievable, which made consumers more open to hearing it.

Conclusion

That concludes today’s Excerpt. Thank you for joining us. We were produced by Shannon Rae Green and Kaely Monahan, and our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Be sure to find us wherever you get your podcasts. I’m Taylor Wilson, and I’ll be back tomorrow with more of The Excerpt from USA TODAY.