The Trump transition team’s failure to sign necessary memoranda of understanding (MOUs) is delaying the transfer of power. This inaction prevents the current administration from providing briefings and security clearances, and the FBI from conducting background checks on prospective cabinet members. The lack of background checks raises concerns about rushed Senate confirmation votes, highlighted by Matt Gaetz’s withdrawn attorney general nomination amidst ethical investigations. The White House emphasizes the importance of a non-partisan Department of Justice upholding the Constitution and rule of law.
Read More
President-elect Trump nominated Russell Vought, a co-author of Project 2025, to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Vought, who previously served in the OMB under Trump, advocates for strong executive power to curtail the federal bureaucracy, a position detailed in his work on Project 2025. This appointment, requiring Senate confirmation, is part of a broader effort by Trump to drastically reduce government spending and regulations, including initiatives spearheaded by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Trump also announced several other high-profile appointments on the same day.
Read More
Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who ran a kosher grocery store in Dubai, was found murdered in what Israel declared a heinous antisemitic terror attack. The Israeli government vowed to pursue justice for Kogan’s death, though details surrounding the killing remain scarce. Tensions in the region, fueled by recent conflicts and Iran’s involvement, are cited as a potential contributing factor, prompting Israel to warn its citizens against non-essential travel to the UAE. The Emirati government acknowledged Kogan’s disappearance but offered no comment on the Israeli designation of the death as a terrorist attack.
Read More
The suspected China-linked hack on US telecoms is being called the worst in the nation’s history, a staggering revelation that underscores the vulnerability of our critical infrastructure. This isn’t just about data breaches; it’s about potential compromise of national security and the erosion of public trust.
The sheer scale of the intrusion is alarming, raising concerns about the depth of access gained by the attackers. It highlights a critical gap in our cybersecurity defenses and the urgent need for comprehensive upgrades and improved preventative measures. The fact that such a significant breach could occur points to a profound lack of preparedness and foresight.… Continue reading
Trump’s transition team is reportedly operating on secret funds, a fact that raises significant ethical concerns. The sheer scale of the secrecy surrounding the financing of this crucial period is alarming, suggesting a deliberate attempt to obscure the source and nature of the funding. This opacity naturally invites speculation about the potential influence of undisclosed donors and their motivations.
The notion that this isn’t Trump’s own money is widely believed. The scale of his past financial dealings, and the overall extravagance of his lifestyle, points away from a reliance on personal funds for such an undertaking. This leads to questions about who might be funding this operation, and what they might expect in return.… Continue reading
President-elect Trump intends to utilize the US military for mass deportations, despite legal limitations on military involvement in domestic law enforcement. This plan could involve using state National Guard troops or attempting to circumvent the Posse Comitatus Act via the Insurrection Act, a move likely to face significant legal and political opposition. While some non-enforcement roles, such as transportation and infrastructure development, might be legally permissible, the military’s participation in direct law enforcement actions is highly controversial and could face significant internal resistance. Potential legal challenges and the military’s reluctance to undertake such a role present significant obstacles to the plan’s implementation.
Read More
Downsizing the federal workforce faces significant hurdles, including robust civil service protections and collective bargaining agreements. Proposed solutions like Schedule F, while impacting policymaking roles, offer limited fiscal savings. Ultimately, only Congress possesses the authority to drastically restructure the federal government, a power theoretically within the reach of the current Republican majority. However, any such endeavor risks being largely duplicative of existing proposals and ultimately unproductive.
Read More
Facing a looming Trump presidency, President Biden is urged to utilize his remaining time to counter anticipated policy reversals. Key actions include halting the expansion of immigration detention facilities, commuting death row sentences, and expediting the distribution of funds allocated to climate, healthcare, and infrastructure projects. Advocacy groups are pushing for these measures to protect civil liberties and mitigate the potential impact of Trump’s agenda. Despite limitations inherent in a lame-duck presidency, Biden’s actions could significantly impede Trump’s ability to enact sweeping changes.
Read More
A House Oversight hearing examined FEMA’s hurricane response, focusing on a dismissed employee’s alleged instruction to avoid assisting Trump supporters during recovery efforts. Rep. Krishnamoorthi used his questioning to directly refute Republican-spread conspiracy theories claiming FEMA controls weather patterns or targets specific locations for political reasons. FEMA Administrator Criswell firmly denied these allegations. The hearing also acknowledged FEMA’s substantial disaster relief efforts, assisting over 35,000 households during recent hurricanes.
Read More
Ukraine’s use of British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory has dramatically escalated the conflict, prompting Russia to retaliate with an intermediate-range ballistic missile strike on Dnipro and threats against Western arms suppliers. This marks a significant shift, as Russia’s covert campaign of sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation against Western nations, already underway, now operates under heightened public scrutiny. The recent severing of Baltic Sea fiber optic cables is widely attributed to this ongoing Russian hybrid warfare, highlighting the expanding scope of attacks targeting critical infrastructure and potentially escalating into a wider conflict. This escalating situation necessitates a reevaluation of Western responses to Russian aggression and the potential consequences of a weakened transatlantic alliance.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood