The central issue revolves around Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and allegations of war crimes, specifically concerning the killing of Venezuelan boat crews. Hegseth is accused of ordering the deaths of those aboard these vessels, with the most damning claim being the order to “kill them all.” Military experts are questioning the legality of these actions, as well as President Trump’s stance on them, particularly concerning the apparent indifference towards the laws of war, and any potential consequences that may arise. Trump’s handling of the situation and whether Hegseth is fired, or worse, indicted, could have far-reaching effects on military morale and civil-military relations, potentially emboldening violations of the law.
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President Trump’s pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, convicted of drug trafficking, has drawn criticism from within his own party. Several Republican senators expressed confusion and concern, citing the mixed message sent by pardoning a convicted drug trafficker while also threatening action against drug trafficking in Venezuela. Some lawmakers, such as Senator Rand Paul, questioned the logic and potential consequences of the pardon, considering Hernandez’s role in facilitating the movement of hundreds of tons of cocaine. Trump’s recent pardons, including those of individuals convicted of financial crimes and January 6th rioters, have reignited debate about the scope of presidential pardon power, with some calling for constitutional amendments to limit its application.
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Representative Anna Paulina Luna initiated a discharge petition to force a House vote on banning lawmakers and their spouses from trading individual stocks, circumventing Republican leadership. This move follows accusations of slow-walking the stock ban proposal and attempting to weaken the legislation, which has broad bipartisan support. The underlying bill, led by Representative Tim Burchett, seeks to prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, and dependents from engaging in individual stock trading. This marks the third discharge petition filed by a Republican this year, reflecting a growing trend of bypassing leadership on key legislative matters.
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U.S. halts all immigration cases for nationals of nineteen countries, and it’s certainly a development that’s grabbing attention. The list includes a diverse set of nations, and the impact of this decision is bound to be felt across the globe and here at home.
The nineteen countries impacted by this immigration halt are a mixed bag, including Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. These countries faced the most severe restrictions. Others on the list include Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, which were subject to partial restrictions.… Continue reading
On Tuesday, the Taliban publicly executed a man in Khost stadium, convicted of murdering 13 members of a family, including children. This execution, the eleventh since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, followed a death sentence approved by the Supreme Court and Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. The execution was carried out by a relative of the victims, who had rejected reconciliation. The UN condemned the execution, citing its cruelty and violation of international law, and highlighted concerns about due process within the Taliban’s justice system.
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During a recent Cabinet meeting, Donald Trump, despite claiming to be sharper than he was 25 years ago, appeared to repeatedly doze off while his Cabinet members praised him. This apparent drowsiness was particularly evident during the remarks of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with Trump’s eyes closing for extended periods. This behavior stands in stark contrast to Trump’s past criticisms of “Sleepy Joe” Biden for appearing tired, with Trump previously labeling such actions as a sign of a president’s lack of stamina. Despite the White House’s attempts to downplay the incident, such occurrences are becoming more frequent, raising questions about the standards Trump has set for the presidency.
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On Tuesday, November 25, thousands of rounds of ammunition were stolen from a civilian delivery truck en route to a Bundeswehr barracks in Burg, Saxony-Anhalt. The ammunition, including live pistol rounds and training rounds for assault rifles, went missing after the driver made an unplanned overnight stop at a hotel. The German Defense Ministry has placed blame on the driver for the unsecured stop, violating the contract requiring secure cargo transport. Local police and the Bundeswehr are now investigating the theft, with suspicions leaning towards a targeted operation.
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Senator Rand Paul has accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of either lying about his knowledge of a follow-up strike on a suspected drug boat or being incompetent, due to conflicting public statements. Paul expressed concern that Hegseth may be attempting to shift blame to Admiral Mitch Bradley. Other senators, including Democrats Richard Blumenthal, Mark Kelly, and Jack Reed, have also voiced their concerns. Multiple senators are also calling for accountability for those responsible, with some suggesting that Hegseth should resign or be fired.
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The article raises concerns regarding the potential for widespread lawlessness within the Trump administration, particularly in light of allegations against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth involving potentially illegal “kill orders.” Should these allegations prove true, they would be a clear violation of federal law, but the author suggests Hegseth may be protected by a presidential pardon, due to Trump’s history of pardoning allies. The author emphasizes that without consequences, there is little incentive for those within the administration to adhere to legal and ethical standards, especially given the historical context of prior presidential pardons and a hyper-partisan climate. The author concludes that the pardon power itself should be amended or eliminated.
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The family of a Colombian fisherman, Alejandro Carranza, killed in a US strike in the Caribbean has filed a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). The petition alleges Carranza’s extrajudicial killing violated his human rights, and names US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as responsible, also claiming President Trump ratified his conduct. Since September, the US has conducted multiple strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats, and the petitioners seek compensation for Carranza’s family and an end to such killings. The IACHR is now involved and has expressed concerns about the US strikes.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood