Welcome to the online edition of From The Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that provides the latest reports and analysis from the NBC News Politics team’s White House, Capitol Hill and Campaign Trail.
Today’s edition explores how governors (and governor candidates) across the country are navigating recent federal layoffs. What’s more, how the outbreak of measles can prove politically dangerous for President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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– Adam Walner
How Trump and Musk’s work cuts resonate in the state
President Donald Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk’s initiative to dramatically cut federal workers is increasingly having political ripple effects at the state level.
Job Market: For starters, the state is setting up “We’re hiring” signs for fired federal workers, as Adam Edelman reports.
Governors across the country are looking to recruit these employees for public and private sector jobs in the state, but are offering other resources when resigning from their current position and searching for their next position.
The charges are led by the Democratic governors of the Blue State. New York Governor Kathy Hochul launched the “You Are Hired” initiative this week. In particular, it targeted federal workers the role of state governments who lost their jobs as a result of the government’s Ministry of Efficiency’s cost-cutting efforts.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green recently went out and signed an executive order enacting a rapid employment process for qualified federal employees seeking employment in state government positions.
One Republican, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, is also working on his efforts by promoting 250,000 open private sectors around the state. Virginia, home to around 340,000 federal workers, could be one of the states most affected by Doge recruitment.
Campaign Trail: It brings us to the race to replace Youngkin, one of the two famous governor races of the year.
Edelman and Bridget Bowman write that there are indications of how the turmoil can shape the political landscape in Virginia. They spoke with more than 12 voters around the state who participated in past NBC News votes and said they were not in a strong agreement with either party. Everyone was aware of the ongoing federal layoffs and some expressed deep concern about the impact on Virginia workers and those receiving federal benefits, but most were yet to be adjusted to the governor’s race.
Apart from that, one of the names Matthews, who wasn’t comfortable sharing his last name, told NBC News he hopes that the recent federal worker layoffs will take into consideration a 2025 vote for governor. He was one of more than 300 Virginians who packed the Arlington Library Auditorium into the County Party’s City Hall Tuesday night in a recent federal layoff.
Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the only Democrat in the race, describes the widespread layoffs as an attack on the state’s economy.
“This is frankly not about politics,” Spanberger later added in a recent interview with NBC News that “it’s a chaotic situation coming out of this White House and this administration, seriously damaging the real people, the real work and the real family.”
Republican frontrunner Lt. Col. Winsam Earl Sears praises the efforts, but points to the Youngkin administration’s investment in the private sector of the Virginia economy as a reason fired workers shouldn’t be worried about.
Another state-level effect: Meanwhile, Trump’s pledge to “return education back to the state” has sparked concern among local officials and lawmakers. Read more from Edelman and Tyler Kingkade→
Things you need to know from today’s President Trump
Trump said a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico will come into effect Tuesday, along with a further 10% mandatory class in China that came into effect earlier this month, British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer said he is “working hard” to persuade Britain not to impose tariffs on the UK at a joint press conference. During the oval office meeting, the priority revised Trump’s claim that European countries that provided aid to Ukraine “recover the money.” Reporters asked if he would support Ukrainian President Voldy Mie Zelensky’s previous comments calling him a “dictator.” Trump replied. I can’t believe I said that. “The Supreme Court last night temporarily suspended a lower court order requiring the Trump administration to release frozen foreign aid funds by midnight.
Follow the live update →
With RFK Jr. on his side, the measles outbreak could prove “political danger” for Trump
Jonathan Allen, Julie Zilkin, Laura Strickler
Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has not visited many agencies since the Department of Health and Human Services’ headquarters was pledged to lead the department. Kennedy has not sent emails from all staff to the department’s workforce and has not done anything to address the measles outbreak, officials noted.
“It’s like he’s still in campaign mode, rather than realizing he’s the head of a large agency and workforce,” said an HHS official.
Longtime vaccine critic Kennedy said at President Donald Trump’s first cabinet meeting on Wednesday that his department was tracking an outbreak of measles that infected more than 100 people and killed an unvaccinated school-age child. However, he reduced the outcome of the revival – 25 years after measles was thought to be eradicated from the United States
Trump’s decision to tap Kennedy to lead the HHS reflects tortured relationships with the president himself, mass vaccinations and tortured relationships with a political foundation that has become increasingly critical of vaccines following the health and economic damages brought about by the pandemic.
Also, following Kennedy’s appointment and reduced government efficiency in foreign and domestic efforts, poses a risk to Republican lawmakers in medium-term elections if measles, avian flu, Ebola or other illnesses roam the country.
“If you’re cutting the program, it increases the likelihood that something isn’t going well. You’ll own it,” said one GOP strategist who worked on the president, the Senate and House campaigns. “Maybe it’s a coal mine canary. …This is a small example of a potential problem. There are real consequences to this, and that’s the politically dangerous part.”
Read more →
Other Health News: The Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccine Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for March to select the strains that will be included in next season’s flu shots has been cancelled.
today’s other top stories
“Fundamental Change”: Western officials say Trump’s move to accept Russia and denounce Ukraine could rattle US allies around the world, ultimately benefiting China. Read more → (Welcome): Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who face trafficking and sexual intercourse charges in Romania, were not welcome in the state. Read more → ✅Ayes has that. Three Democrats from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee vote for Republicans and will be appointed Secretary of Labor for Lori Chavez Deremar. Rand Paul was the only GOP senator against her. Read more → in the chot spotlight: freshman Senator Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich. will convey the party’s response to Trump’s joint speech next Tuesday. Read more →
For now, it’s all from the political desk. Today’s newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner and Faith Wardwell.
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