Former President Donald Trump doubled down on his unprecedented federal workforce reductions during Saturday’s Conservative Political Action Conference speech, declaring
“nobody’s ever seen anything like this”while outlining border security measures and teasing potential progress in Ukraine peace talks.
Federal workforce reductions dominated Trump’s 90-minute address, with the former president celebrating his administration’s directive requiring employees to justify their roles. “We sent bureaucrats packing and we’re just getting started,” Trump told cheering attendees, confirming Elon Musk’s role in implementing workforce audits via company-wide email demands.
The CPAC keynote highlighted three core agenda items:
- Eliminating 10,000+ federal positions through productivity audits
- Converting USAID offices into border security facilities
- Launching Fort Knox gold reserve verification process
Border security policies took center stage as Trump criticized Biden’s immigration record, vowing to reinstate travel bans and deploy National Guard troops. “We’ll finish the wall within weeks, not years,” he promised, despite ongoing legal challenges to border wall construction.
On international affairs, Trump revealed Ukraine peace negotiations have advanced significantly: “We’re close to a deal that makes Europe handle their own security.” This follows controversial meetings between Trump advisors and Russian officials without Ukrainian participation.
The former president’s remarks came amid escalating tensions with media outlets. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt faces First Amendment lawsuits over alleged retaliation against critical coverage, including mandated terminology changes like renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
Analysts note Trump’s CPAC appearance strategically blends governance updates with campaign rhetoric ahead of the 2024 election. “This isn’t just policy—it’s performance art for his base,” said Georgetown University political historian Miriam Caldwell. “The workforce cuts and Fort Knox theatrics reinforce his anti-establishment brand.”
As federal employees face Monday deadlines to justify their positions, legal experts warn of impending court battles. The American Federation of Government Employees has filed 12 lawsuits challenging the reduction process, alleging constitutional violations.
