To manage President Trump’s volatile reactions, particularly concerning his controversial tariffs, advisors employ a strategy of effusive praise, regardless of factual accuracy. This approach extends to misrepresenting public opinion, with insiders falsely assuring Trump that his tariff policies fulfill campaign promises to working-class voters. The tactic aims to prevent erratic behavior stemming from criticism of the tariffs’ negative domestic and international consequences. Essentially, flattery and misleading information are used to control Trump’s response to backlash.
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Brevard Public Schools declined to renew Melissa Calhoun’s teaching contract due to her use of a student’s preferred name without parental permission, a violation of a 2023 Florida law. This decision sparked a Change.org petition garnering over 5,000 signatures advocating for Calhoun’s reinstatement. Supporters highlight Calhoun’s positive impact on students and argue the action lacked malicious intent. The school district maintains the parents initiated the investigation, citing the teacher’s awareness of the policy violation.
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El Salvador claims to share comprehensive intelligence with the US on individuals targeted for deportation, providing complete records before formal requests are made. This process, according to Security and Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, is not random, with deportees’ criminal records in El Salvador justifying their imprisonment. However, the case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, deported despite a US judge’s ruling, highlights concerns about due process and the accuracy of El Salvador’s intelligence, with his legal team denying gang affiliation. The Salvadoran government maintains its claims, citing extensive files on suspected gang members, even while acknowledging that some innocent individuals have been detained due to the state of emergency.
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Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American woman serving a 12-year treason sentence in Russia for a $50 charity donation, was released in a prisoner exchange in Abu Dhabi. The exchange involved Karelina’s release in return for Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian-German citizen held in the US on charges including smuggling and money laundering. The swap, facilitated by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and involving key intermediaries, occurred amidst ongoing diplomatic discussions between US and Russian officials. President Trump’s administration played a significant role in securing Karelina’s release, highlighting ongoing efforts to free other detained Americans.
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President Trump issued an executive order targeting Susman Godfrey, the law firm representing Dominion Voting Systems in its successful defamation lawsuit against Fox News. The order aims to severely restrict the firm’s ability to conduct business with the federal government, including limiting access to government buildings and revoking security clearances. Susman Godfrey has vowed to challenge the order, citing its unconstitutionality. This action follows similar orders against other firms representing political rivals, with some firms challenging the orders in court and others settling. The orders are widely viewed as an attempt to intimidate legal professionals from opposing the administration.
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Trump’s tariff threats, initially presented as unwavering, ultimately crumbled under the pressure of a sharply reacting bond market. The sheer panic that gripped investors revealed a crucial weakness in his strategy: the overestimation of his own power and a profound underestimation of global interconnectedness. His bravado, initially fueling pronouncements of unyielding resolve, quickly evaporated in the face of market turmoil.
The swift reversal from fierce pronouncements against any concessions to a sudden pause on tariffs illustrated a significant shift. This abrupt change, occurring within days, not only exposed a lack of foresight but also underscored the inherent risks of his economic brinkmanship.… Continue reading
Following President Trump’s announcement of a 90-day tariff pause after market volatility caused by his previous tariff increases, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff announced a congressional investigation into potential insider trading within the Trump administration. This probe is prompted by Trump’s social media post suggesting a favorable market opportunity shortly before the tariff announcement and concerns that individuals may have profited from advance knowledge of the policy change. Other Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Murphy and Kaine, echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential for insider trading given the administration’s volatile policy shifts. Senator Schiff is urging whistleblowers to come forward to aid the investigation.
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Following President Trump’s 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, the European Union has mirrored this action, suspending its retaliatory tariffs for the same period. This pause aims to facilitate negotiations between the US and EU on trade policy, though the EU has emphasized that countermeasures will resume if negotiations prove unsatisfactory. Despite this temporary reprieve, industry-specific US tariffs remain in place, and concerns persist regarding the unpredictable nature of US trade policy and its potential negative impact on global economic growth. The EU concurrently pursues diversification of its trade partnerships.
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Thousands of protesters in Budapest, Hungary, demonstrated for the fourth consecutive week against a new law banning LGBTQ+ events for minors, a measure seen as mirroring Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies. The law, swiftly passed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government, prohibits events depicting homosexuality to those under 18 and carries substantial fines. Protests, defying police orders, have spread beyond Budapest, with demonstrations occurring in Miskolc. Critics argue the law is part of Orbán’s broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights and an attempt to consolidate his conservative base ahead of upcoming elections.
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About 90% of migrants deported to El Salvador had no US criminal record. This startling statistic underscores a significant discrepancy between the rhetoric surrounding these deportations and the actual criminal histories of those involved. The claim that these individuals represent “the worst of the worst,” as some have suggested, simply doesn’t align with the available evidence.
The vast majority of these deportees – primarily Venezuelan migrants – faced no felony charges or convictions within the United States. Instead, a small fraction faced minor charges like misdemeanor assault or petty theft. A few were charged with more serious offenses like human smuggling, but the overwhelming majority had only committed traffic or immigration violations.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood