The Excerpt: A Look at Trump’s Conservative Wins, VA Layoffs, and Immigration Anxieties

Monday, March 10th, 2025

Good morning, and welcome to The Excerpt. I’m Taylor Wilson. Today, we’re diving into President Donald Trump’s recent successes in pleasing conservatives, examining the looming mass layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and exploring the anxieties felt by immigrant caregivers amid escalating deportation threats. We’ll also touch on Elon Musk’s financial woes as Tesla shares plummet and the surprising news out of Canada.

Trump’s Triumphs: A Conservative Wishlist Fulfilled

Just seven weeks into his presidency, Donald Trump has already achieved milestones that conservatives have been pursuing for decades. To understand how he’s doing it, Dana Taylor spoke with USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page.

Dana Taylor: Susan, thank you for joining me.

Susan Page: It’s my pleasure.

Dana Taylor: Let’s start with the executive order he’s expected to sign as soon as today. What’s in it, and how long has this been a target of conservatives?

Susan Page: While the specifics of the executive order remain unclear, it’s believed to be a significant step in the president’s effort to dismantle the Department of Education. This has been a core objective of conservatives since the department’s creation in 1979. Republicans have consistently sought its elimination, and President Trump seems determined to make that a reality.

Dana Taylor: You credit some of Trump’s success to chutzpah. What do you mean?

Susan Page: He’s undertaking actions that previous presidents considered but ultimately refrained from, either due to legal concerns or perceived impropriety. Donald Trump doesn’t seem to feel bound by those constraints. He is repeatedly pushing the boundaries of presidential authority to achieve his goals. This approach has undeniably delighted his supporters but deeply alarmed his opponents.

Dana Taylor: Your piece suggests that some of these wins were relatively easy because they targeted unpopular institutions. How so?

Susan Page: The Trump administration hasn’t started by trying to drastically cut Social Security, a highly popular program. Instead, they’ve focused on foreign aid, a less favored area. They’ve also initiated the firing of IRS employees. This makes it more difficult to rally opposition because the targeted agencies aren’t widely liked by the American public.

Dana Taylor: What are the Democrats doing, if anything, to stop him?

Susan Page: Democrats are in a challenging position. They lack a base of power, controlling neither the White House, the House, nor the Senate. They’ve struggled to find an effective strategy to oppose Trump and prevent him from implementing his agenda. This was evident during his address to a joint session of Congress last week. Some Democrats remained seated, some walked out, and one was escorted out for heckling the president. This presents a fractured and inconsistent message from the Democratic party.

Dana Taylor: What about the courts? Have they slowed Trump down?

Susan Page: The courts are playing a role. Over 100 lawsuits have been filed against the Trump administration, challenging various actions taken by the president. Federal judges have temporarily halted presidential actions in over 40 cases. However, these cases will take months, if not years, to navigate the court system. Only then will we know if the president exceeded his authority.

The White House understands that even if a ruling ultimately deems an action unlawful, the effects of that action, if implemented for months or years – such as people being fired or programs discontinued – will be difficult to reverse.

Dana Taylor: Thank you, Susan. Susan Page is USA TODAY’s Washington Bureau Chief.

Mass Layoffs Loom at the Department of Veterans Affairs

According to a memo reviewed by Reuters, the Department of Veterans Affairs will begin mass layoffs as early as June. The memo directs the department’s HR team to begin reviewing operations. This potential reduction in force has sparked concerns from veterans groups, Democrats, and some Republicans. The layoffs could affect more than 80,000 workers at an agency that serves military veterans, a group that traditionally enjoys strong bipartisan support.

Elon Musk’s Fortune Shrinks as Tesla Shares Plunge

Elon Musk is losing billions as Tesla shares continue their downward trend. Forbes estimates his net worth to be $342.4 billion, down $121.2 billion from its all-time high of $464 billion in mid-December. Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index places Musk’s wealth at $330 billion as of Friday’s close, reflecting further declines in Tesla stock. Shares are down 35% since the beginning of the year. Despite these losses, Musk remains the world’s wealthiest individual.

Tesla has become a symbol for many Americans frustrated with Musk and his role in reducing the size and scope of American government through his unelected position in President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency. However, the broader stock market has also been struggling due to investor concerns about a potential trade war and decreasing consumer spending.

Immigrant Caregivers Anxious Amid Deportation Threats

President Trump’s deportation plans are causing significant anxiety among immigrant caregivers. I spoke with USA TODAY economy reporter Rachel Barber for more insight.

Taylor Wilson: Rachel, thank you for joining The Excerpt.

Rachel Barber: Thank you for having me, Taylor.

Taylor Wilson: Can you update us on the latest actions from the Trump administration surrounding immigration, especially regarding the Temporary Protected Status program?

Rachel Barber: While mass deportation promises and ICE raids often dominate headlines, Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, receives less attention. TPS is granted to immigrants who came to the US following natural disasters or other extraordinary circumstances. It provides legal status and work authorization. However, some individuals have held TPS for decades without a clear path to citizenship.

Taylor Wilson: Tell us about the home care worker you spoke with, Julia.

Rachel Barber: Julia is a home health aide who starts her day at 3:30 AM. She typically works more than 10 hours, caring for a 92-year-old woman with dementia and a disabled Iraq War veteran. She earns $18.50 an hour but receives no healthcare or other benefits. She loves her job but worries about deportation as a TPS holder from El Salvador, fearing what that would mean for her patients.

Taylor Wilson: What other anxieties are immigrants facing?

Rachel Barber: Many immigrants significantly contribute to our economy. They work hard, care for our children and aging parents, and pay taxes. Despite having lived here for decades, they fear losing everything under the current administration. They prepare for the worst, but the thought of leaving their friends, families, and communities is devastating.

Taylor Wilson: What happens to the caregiver industry without immigrants?

Rachel Barber: Childcare and elder care costs are already astronomical. Experts predict that without immigrant caregivers, these costs will skyrocket, and the quality of care could decline. Immigrants make up 17% of the American labor force but comprise a significant portion of residential care aides, nursing assistants (31% of the home care workforce). While not all immigrant caregivers are undocumented, many are DACA recipients and TPS holders with fragile legal status.

Taylor Wilson: How are lawmakers pushing back against the administration’s immigration policies?

Rachel Barber: Lawmakers have been trying to find a solution for years, since the DREAM Act of 2017. They’ve attempted to create a path to lawful permanent resident status for DACA recipients and TPS holders, but those efforts have stalled. Representative Sylvia Garcia recently reintroduced the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025, which would provide such a path. However, it must pass through both the Republican-controlled House and Senate before reaching the president’s desk, making its passage unlikely.

Taylor Wilson: Rachel Barber covers the economy for USA TODAY. Thank you, Rachel.

Mark Carney to Lead Canada as Prime Minister

In a surprise development, former central banker Mark Carney will become the next prime minister of Canada after winning the race to lead the governing Liberal Party. Carney, who previously served as governor of the Bank of Canada and later the Bank of England, will lead his country amidst a tense trade war with the US, its largest trading partner. A political outsider who has never held office, Carney will succeed Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January following low approval ratings after nearly a decade in office.

Thank you for listening to The Excerpt. I’m Taylor Wilson, and I’ll be back tomorrow with more of The Excerpt from USA TODAY.