41 votes

US Department of Homeland Security terminates all advisory boards, halts all investigations

22 comments

  1. [4]
    l_one
    Link
    This even stopped the work on Salt Typhoon, which is a massive compromise of our telecommunications infrastructure by China. WTF? Why?

    This even stopped the work on Salt Typhoon, which is a massive compromise of our telecommunications infrastructure by China.

    WTF? Why?

    33 votes
    1. [3]
      snake_case
      Link Parent
      I guess cause China probably paid them to

      I guess cause China probably paid them to

      6 votes
      1. [2]
        l_one
        Link Parent
        While my first thought was that 'surely this is not the case as trump is antagonistic towards China'... But then, China is certainly willing to go the 'pay to win' route of using economic power to...

        While my first thought was that 'surely this is not the case as trump is antagonistic towards China'...

        But then, China is certainly willing to go the 'pay to win' route of using economic power to get the things they want. And trump is, quite clearly, engaged in selling out the country for maximum personal gain...

        Wow. I can actually see this as a possibility. I still feel the probability is low-ish, but yeah, possible.

        8 votes
        1. snake_case
          Link Parent
          Yeah he’s tryna be biggie over here “fuck bitches get money” idk why everyone thinks its more complicated than that

          Yeah he’s tryna be biggie over here “fuck bitches get money” idk why everyone thinks its more complicated than that

          6 votes
  2. [8]
    JCPhoenix
    (edited )
    Link
    Edit: I thought this post was more about DEIA type councils. The fact that this is actually about pausing activities of groups like CISA and telecommunications systems and critical infrastructure...

    Edit: I thought this post was more about DEIA type councils. The fact that this is actually about pausing activities of groups like CISA and telecommunications systems and critical infrastructure is actually far more concerning.

    I'm a DHS employee. Relatively new one, though maybe not for long since OPM is seeking information on all probationary employees, ie <1yr of employment (or <2yr or even <3yrs for certain kinds of appointments).

    Anyway, this is the letter we all got this afternoon from the acting department head, regarding the end of DEIA within the whole department. Text:

    "Jan 22, 2025

    DHS Colleagues,

    We are taking steps to close all agency Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) offices and end all DEIA-related contracts in accordance with President Trump's Executive Orders titled "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing" and "Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions."

    These Programs divide Americans by race, waste taxpayer dollars, and result in shameful discrimination.

    We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language. If you are aware of a change in any contract description or personnel position description since November 5, 2024, to obscure the connection between the contract and DEIA or similar ideologies, please report all facts and circumstances to DEIAtruth [AT] opm.gov within 10 days."

    There will be no adverse consequences for timely reporting this information. However, failure to report this information within 10 days will result in adverse consequences.

    Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

    Sincerely,

    Benjamine C. Huffman
    Acting Secretary of Homeland Security"

    15 votes
    1. [7]
      smiles134
      Link Parent
      I'm a federal contractor, this language was circulated via memo to all agencies as a template to share from department heads. This fucking blows.

      I'm a federal contractor, this language was circulated via memo to all agencies as a template to share from department heads. This fucking blows.

      7 votes
      1. [6]
        raze2012
        Link Parent
        if was a template everyone chose to take up, it seems like these executive agencies are every bit as frustrated as we are at all this.

        if

        These Programs divide Americans by race, waste taxpayer dollars, and result in shameful discrimination.

        was a template everyone chose to take up, it seems like these executive agencies are every bit as frustrated as we are at all this.

        2 votes
        1. smiles134
          Link Parent
          I'm not following -- to be clear, the department heads are folks who've been put there within the last couple of days by the Trump administration And the template was really like, "Send this...

          I'm not following -- to be clear, the department heads are folks who've been put there within the last couple of days by the Trump administration

          And the template was really like, "Send this email, sub in your department/agency/whatever acronyms apply"

          4 votes
        2. [4]
          DefinitelyNotAFae
          Link Parent
          Can you elaborate on what you mean?

          Can you elaborate on what you mean?

          1. [3]
            raze2012
            Link Parent
            @smiles134 reading back, I kind of realize this can be read in two opposite ways. Ending DEI progams do start to divide americans by race (as decades of "natural" history has shown), waste...

            @smiles134

            reading back, I kind of realize this can be read in two opposite ways. Ending DEI progams do start to divide americans by race (as decades of "natural" history has shown), waste taxpayers dollars (over lawsuits), and let shameful discrimination continue.

            But having them, people can make the same arguments: divides americans (becasuse minorities get different treatment), waste taxpayer dollars (on govenment jobs?), and let discimination (against whites) continue.

            2 votes
            1. [2]
              DefinitelyNotAFae
              Link Parent
              So i'm not frustrated with DEI programs. At all. I'm asking which thing between those two you meant? I'm not going to get into how diverse hiring practices and cultural competency are what allow...

              So i'm not frustrated with DEI programs. At all. I'm asking which thing between those two you meant?

              I'm not going to get into how diverse hiring practices and cultural competency are what allow companies and agencies to actually hire the most talented people and that white people aren't discriminated again by having DEI trainings.

              Also as noted, this language was required.

              1. raze2012
                Link Parent
                I confusingly assumed the first and didn't think it could be interpreted as the 2nd until I re-read it a day later. My apologies Yes, I didn't know until between today and yesterday that it was a...

                I confusingly assumed the first and didn't think it could be interpreted as the 2nd until I re-read it a day later. My apologies

                Also as noted, this language was required.

                Yes, I didn't know until between today and yesterday that it was a form memo. I just thought there was some bold interpretation inserted into it (again, me assuming the former interpretation I listed above),

                1 vote
  3. [9]
    cutmetal
    Link
    I don't even understand this. Why halt major DHS investigations that can't in any way be construed as political?

    I don't even understand this. Why halt major DHS investigations that can't in any way be construed as political?

    11 votes
    1. [7]
      snake_case
      Link Parent
      I don’t normally like guessing but it does seem kind of clear that the current administration doesn’t want the United States to be securely protected from foreign actors.

      I don’t normally like guessing but it does seem kind of clear that the current administration doesn’t want the United States to be securely protected from foreign actors.

      23 votes
      1. [6]
        smiles134
        Link Parent
        It doesn't seem to want to function at all. Remove all barriers from the richest people getting richer.

        It doesn't seem to want to function at all. Remove all barriers from the richest people getting richer.

        14 votes
        1. [5]
          cutmetal
          Link Parent
          That was my first thought too, but who gets rich if China shuts down our infrastructure? A guy I know is suggesting that maybe the DPR pardon, DHS shutdown etc are meant to grab headlines and...

          That was my first thought too, but who gets rich if China shuts down our infrastructure?

          A guy I know is suggesting that maybe the DPR pardon, DHS shutdown etc are meant to grab headlines and occupy the attention of everyone who's opposed to this bullshit, so Trump and co can sneak their real agenda through unnoticed.

          4 votes
          1. [4]
            smiles134
            Link Parent
            I don't think this is specifically a move to make anyone richer, but taken with everything else, it's about crippling and neutering government services, programs, regulations, etc.

            I don't think this is specifically a move to make anyone richer, but taken with everything else, it's about crippling and neutering government services, programs, regulations, etc.

            8 votes
            1. [3]
              l_one
              Link Parent
              I could see that. They will be wanting to cripple as many institutions as they can that could potentially get in their way. What's next after that? Selling Russia / China / Iran F-35s and a B-21...

              I could see that. They will be wanting to cripple as many institutions as they can that could potentially get in their way.

              What's next after that? Selling Russia / China / Iran F-35s and a B-21 Raider along with the full technical specifications and R&D history?

              3 votes
              1. [2]
                smiles134
                Link Parent
                Well I just saw a rumor that the US could give B2s to Israel...

                Well I just saw a rumor that the US could give B2s to Israel...

                3 votes
                1. l_one
                  Link Parent
                  That would be far less of a surprise, they already have the F-35.

                  That would be far less of a surprise, they already have the F-35.

                  6 votes
    2. redwall_hp
      Link Parent
      Because clearing out the civil service and replacing them with people loyal to Trump, or not replacing them at all in some cases, is a core part of Project 2025.

      Because clearing out the civil service and replacing them with people loyal to Trump, or not replacing them at all in some cases, is a core part of Project 2025.

      7 votes
  4. BeardyHat
    Link
    They're going to need to redirect their resources to go after political enemies, of course.

    They're going to need to redirect their resources to go after political enemies, of course.

    3 votes