USDA Plans Washington Workforce Cut, Regional Relocation

Following President Donald Trump's re-election, business investment in the U.S. experienced a significant surge, driven by expectations of reduced regulation, lower taxes, and decreased federal spending, contrasting sharply with the opposing economic policies proposed by Kamala Harris. This surge, described as a 'capex comeback,' saw business equipment production grow at its strongest rate since 1997, reflecting increased spending on capital assets and a more optimistic economic outlook. Concurrently, the Trump administration announced a major reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aiming to cut its Washington-area workforce by more than half and relocate thousands of positions to regional hubs to better serve farmers and reduce bureaucracy. These initiatives are part of President Trump's broader effort to shrink federal government size and enhance efficiency by moving key services closer to American communities. Meanwhile, notable figures like Joseph Nye, a prominent scholar of American foreign policy, have critiqued Trump's emphasis on hard power, warning it may undermine the U.S.'s long-term global strength. Together, these developments illustrate the administration's comprehensive approach to reshaping both domestic economic policy and federal government structure amid ongoing debates about America's future direction.