“Tesla’s name was removed from a State Department document that listed planned vehicle purchases after the existence of the list was reported late Wednesday,” the New York Times reports.

“The potential award raised questions about why the government was giving a lucrative contract to the company, which is led by Elon Musk, one of President Trump’s most important advisers.”

“President Donald Trump is taking aim at federal offices that investigate government malfeasance and protect workers from retribution, summarily firing and replacing five top ethics officials this week in an apparent attempt to consolidate his power over the sprawling federal bureaucracy,” the Washington Post reports.

“The firings were met with widespread condemnation from former officials and good-government advocates, who called them an ominous indication of how Trump intends to flout the normal guardrails — and, in some cases, federal law — that constrain public officials.”

“Trump has pledged to root out government waste, fraud and abuse, but advocates noted that he is systematically eliminating many of the internal mechanisms already tasked with doing that work.”

President Trump’s administration is divided on the approach to passing his agenda: one bill or two, Politico reports.

Vice President Vance and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller favor the two-bill approach, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advocates for the one-bill approach.

Punchbowl News: The risks and opportunities for Republicans on the budget resolution.

“Tesla, whose chief executive, Elon Musk, has been advising President Trump on how to cut government spending, is likely to receive a lucrative contract to supply armored versions of its Cybertruck pickup to the State Department,” the New York Times reports.

“The department’s procurement forecast for 2025, which details purchases the agency expects to make, includes $400 million for armored Tesla vehicles. The document does not specify which Tesla model, but the electric Cybertruck, which has a body of high-strength stainless steel, would be the most suitable vehicle.”