Despite a highly anticipated summit in Alaska, President Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine. Trump offered a welcoming reception and a mix of incentives and sanctions, but the meeting concluded with no concrete deal. While both leaders expressed optimism about progress, there were still unresolved issues, and the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was excluded from the discussions. Putin thanked Trump for their “friendly” conversation and suggested future cooperation, but the war continues to rage on with no immediate resolution.
Read More
President Trump hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, showcasing U.S. military capabilities during their meeting. As Putin arrived, the display included F-22 fighter jets, a B-2 bomber, and F-35s. The event provided the Russian delegation and media, including Russia Today, with an opportunity to observe U.S. military hardware, while Trump and Putin shook hands warmly. This display of American military might served as a symbolic reminder of the U.S. Air Force’s defensive role against potential Russian aggression, as the two leaders sought to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
Read More
The high-stakes summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage concluded without a cease-fire agreement in Ukraine, despite Trump’s pre-summit intentions. The two leaders engaged in a closed-door session followed by a joint appearance where both expressed optimism and a desire for resolution, emphasizing mutual respect. While Putin signaled Russia’s interest in ending the conflict, he also stressed that any progress should not be hampered by Europe. The meeting ended with an acknowledgment of an “understanding” but no formal agreement.
Read More
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the presence of Border Patrol agents near a Los Angeles rally as politically motivated, suggesting the operation was orchestrated by former President Donald Trump. The agents’ appearance in Little Tokyo led to at least one arrest and coincided with Newsom’s news conference on California’s redistricting plans, drawing outrage from Democratic lawmakers who viewed it as intimidation. Federal officials cited the arrests of undocumented immigrants with violent criminal convictions as evidence of the policy’s effectiveness. The incident reflects the increasing political tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and redistricting efforts, with Newsom and Trump engaging in ongoing conflict.
Read More
No. 2 House Democrat Katherine Clark calls Gaza war a “genocide.” This declaration, coming from such a prominent figure within the Democratic Party, is significant and has naturally sparked considerable discussion. It marks a shift in the political landscape, particularly within the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and raises questions about the motivations and timing of such a pronouncement.
The fact that a high-ranking Democrat like Katherine Clark is using the word “genocide” is drawing attention. It suggests a growing sentiment within the party, and potentially among the broader public, that the actions of Israel in Gaza warrant this serious term.… Continue reading
SF Dem authoring legislation to ‘shut this ski mask s**t down’ after masked agents crash Newsom speech. It’s pretty clear what’s happening: a Democratic lawmaker in San Francisco is stepping up, taking a stand after a bunch of masked agents disrupted a speech by Governor Newsom. The proposed legislation is aimed at cracking down on the use of masks by law enforcement, a direct response to the incident and a broader concern about intimidation tactics.
This whole situation has really fired people up, and for good reason. Seeing these masked individuals, particularly those associated with agencies like ICE, acting in this way is seen by many as a naked attempt to intimidate and a blatant abuse of power.… Continue reading
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on federal charges of defrauding the city to conceal a romantic relationship with police officer Jeffrey Paul Vappie II. The indictment alleges Cantrell and Vappie conspired to commit wire fraud, obstruct justice, and make false statements. Prosecutors claim the pair used their positions to maximize their time together, engaging in personal activities while Vappie was on duty and paid. During their three-year scheme, Vappie accompanied Cantrell on numerous trips, and the city spent $70,000 on his travel.
Read More
Despite the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Alaska meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported continued deliberate strikes by Russian forces on Ukrainian regions. Reports from intelligence and diplomats suggest preparations for the meeting are ongoing, yet attacks persist in areas like Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Donetsk oblasts. Zelenskyy emphasized that these actions, occurring even on the day of negotiations, underscore Moscow’s lack of intent to cease hostilities, highlighting the importance of a strong US stance to influence Russia. He stated that Ukraine is ready to work towards ending the war.
Read More
The Trump White House has created an internal “OB3” scorecard to rank 553 companies and trade associations based on their support for the president’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The scorecard assigns ratings of strong, moderate, or low based on public and private actions, including social media engagement and attendance at White House events. Companies such as Uber, DoorDash, and United Airlines have received high marks for their enthusiastic backing. This internal document, which is currently circulating among senior staff, will expand to include support for other administration priorities, and companies can still improve their ranking through increased public advocacy.
Read More
The White House released a highly produced video of a SWAT-style raid to re-arrest a former Justice Department employee, Sean Charles Dunn, who was accused of throwing a Subway sandwich at a federal officer. The video, titled “Nighttime Routine: Operation Make D.C. Safe Again Edition,” showed heavily armed law enforcement officers converging on Dunn’s apartment, even though he had been apprehended and released days earlier. This dramatic presentation, set to suspenseful music, sparked criticism, especially since Dunn was not considered a fleeing suspect. The arrest occurred amid a larger context of the Trump administration’s controversial seizure of control of the Metropolitan Police Department and activation of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., leading to concerns of intimidation and profiling, particularly for LGBTQ+ residents.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood