Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, continued to slash the federal workforce at the direction of President Donald Trump. This included cuts to the Federal Aviation Administration, already under fire for staffing problems that may have contributed to the midair collision of a passenger jet and an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C.
In the editorial cartoon gallery’s lead image, Michael Ramirez draws the skies chockablock with aircraft. Someone in the air traffic control tower asks, “Is this really the best time to cut the FAA staff?”
Cartoonists also comment on the DOGE demand that federal workers send an email at the end of the week listing five accomplishments, or be fired. Nick Anderson imagines Trump’s list begins with “Sold out America’s allies,” a reference to the U.S. about-face on Ukraine. Ramirez has little sympathy for the overweight federal government needing to “trim down.” Mike Luckovich draws taxpayer calls going straight to voicemail at the empty IRS refund division. To Anderson, DOGE is the all-seeing Sauron from “The Lord of the Rings” violating Americans’ privacy. Dana Summers draws the government gravy train halted by a GOP elephant on the tracks.
The week’s other big news, the Oval Office blowup between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, happened too late in the week for most cartoonists. Summers draws Russian leader Vladimir Putin with a satisfied smile at the development. Others reference Trump’s willingness to make a peace deal with Putin that involves handing over parts of Ukraine.
Other news events in this week’s gallery include the measles outbreak in Texas; wobbling consumer confidence as inflation and egg prices rise; the firing of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown; changes at the Washington Post seen as appeasing Trump; and the death of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman.
Cartoons were drawn by Jack Ohman, Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Mike Luckovich, Steve Breen and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate.
Editorial cartoons for Feb. 23, 2025: Trump’s Ukraine U-turn, Musk’s spending cutsEditorial cartoons for Feb. 16, 2025: DOGE’s bite, executive power, Valentine’s DayEditorial cartoons for Feb. 9, 2025: Elon Musk buyouts, Trump tariff threats, Gaza takeoverEditorial cartoons for Feb. 2, 2025: RFK Jr. testimony, Trump spending freeze, executive order blitzEditorial cartoons for Jan. 26, 2025: Jan. 6 pardons, Trump executive orders, TikTok flip-flop