{beacon} Technology Technology   The Big Story  Elon Musk tries to rehab DOGE The billionaire tech pioneer is pushing to improve the image of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effort in the Trump administration amid broad backlash. © Pool via AP The image-boosting effort suggests the Tesla CEO is aware of the boogeyman persona he has created for himself and his cost-cutting push since joining President Trump’s team.    Musk went on Fox News on Thursday night to claim he is being careful and compassionate with his overhaul of the federal government, amid mounting criticism over his past statements on social media and emails to federal workers.    He also introduced several members of the DOGE team in an attempt to quell some of the concerns around the mysterious nature of their work.    The tech billionaire is “on a rehab tour,” argued former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), who noted even Republicans have criticized his government overhaul work, sometimes behind closed-doors.    “The White House has been watching the news media’s coverage of the DOGE effort, which has been mostly negative,” Curbelo said. “Additionally, a significant number of Congressional Republicans have complained both publicly and privately.”    Musk was joined by seven other members of the DOGE team for the interview with Fox News’ Brett Baier, where they made the case for their push to slash $1 trillion in government spending.     The group, which featured fellow billionaires and business leaders, argued that DOGE is taking a “careful” approach to government cuts and is focused on “treating everyone with dignity and respect.”     Musk’s tone was a significant shift from months of criticizing and even vilifying the federal workforce as he laid the groundwork DOGE’s transformation of Washington.   Check out the full report on TheHill.com this weekend.   Welcome to The Hill’s Technology newsletter, we're Miranda Nazzaro and Julia Shapero — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley.   Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future:   Signal chat discussion of ‘clearly classified’ information violated law, experts say The inadvertent inclusion of a journalist on a Signal group chat discussing attack plans means officials likely violated the Espionage Act and public records laws while flouting guidance on how to discuss sensitive information. The contents of the discussion, shared by The Atlantic, show the group chat started by national security adviser Mike Waltz included discussions about the timelines and targets of an impending airstrike …  Full Story   Musk: Trump will ‘go after’ people ‘pushing the lies’ about Tesla Tech billionaire Elon Musk suggested Thursday that the Trump administration will crack down on vehicle vandalization, expressing his concerns about protesters targeting Tesla dealerships across the U.S. and abroad. “The president’s made it clear: We’re going to go after them,” Musk said during a Thursday appearance on Fox News’s “Special Report.” “The ones providing the money, the ones pushing the lies and propaganda, we’re …  Full Story   Nikola founder says he was pardoned by Trump Nikola founder Trevor Milton said Thursday that President Trump pardoned him for his 2022 conviction of misleading investors about the electric vehicle maker’s technology. “I just got a call from the president of the United States on my phone, and he signed my full and unconditional pardon of innocence. I am free,” Milton said in a video posted Thursday to social platform X. “The prosecutors can no longer …  Full Story   The Refresh  News we've flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics: Google to pay $100 million to settle advertisers' class action (Reuters)  DOGE plans to rebuild SSA codebase in months (WIRED)   Crypto Corner  FDIC reverses another Biden-era crypto policy  © AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File Welcome to Crypto Corner, a daily feature focused on digital currency and its outlook in Washington.   The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is the latest U.S. bank regulator to reverse previous guidance on how banks can interact with crypto.    In its new "Financial Institution Letter," the FDIC announced banks no longer need permission to engage in some legal crypto-related activities as long as the associated risks are considered.     Bo Hines, the executive director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets, called the decision "another big win."    "A huge step forward towards innovation and adoption," he wrote on X Friday.    It removes another roadblock for the crypto industry along with banks looking to pursue nontraditional financial routes and comes amid a broader reversal of various Biden-era crypto policies.    “With today’s action, the FDIC is turning the page on the flawed approach of the past three years,” FDIC acting chairman Travis Hill said in a statement. “I expect this to be one of several steps the FDIC will take to lay out a new approach for how banks can engage in crypto- and blockchain-related activities in accordance with safety and soundness standards.”    Remember: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued similar guidance earlier this month, declaring national banks are allowed to engage in some crypto activities.    In Other News  Branch out with other reads on The Hill: Meet the DOGE team Several members of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) made their first public appearance as a team to make the case for their cost-cutting efforts amid growing pushback. The tech billionaire and seven DOGE staffers sat for an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier on Thursday, discussing their push to slash $1 trillion of government spending.  Here’s who’s on the DOGE team: Steve Davis Steve Davis, who … Full Story   What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Appeals court enables Musk to resume cuts at USAID A federal appeals court Friday enabled Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to resume efforts to dismantle the U.S. Agency … Read more Trump gets $100M deal with Skadden law firm amid pressure campaign President Trump on Friday announced a deal with the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom to provide at least $100 million in pro bono … Read more     You're all caught up. See you next week!  ...read more read less