FBI Director Kash Patel’s frequent use of government jets for personal travel has come under scrutiny. These trips include multiple flights to Nashville, where his girlfriend resides, and travel to Long Island to attend NHL games featuring Alex Ovechkin’s record-breaking performance. While some official business was conducted during at least one Nashville trip, the purpose of others remains unclear. The Justice Department, which owns the planes used by Patel, recently requested information on purchasing another jet, despite already possessing a small fleet.
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Secretary Hegseth has initiated a large-scale removal of members from Pentagon advisory boards, aiming to inject “fresh thinking” into defense policy. This unprecedented restructuring, while allowing for potential reappointments, has involved dismissing numerous former officials, industry leaders, and academics. Although the boards themselves remain, the extent of the changes marks a significant shift in the Pentagon’s advisory structure. This action follows other substantial alterations within the Department of Defense under Hegseth’s leadership, including personnel changes and the dissolution of the Office of Net Assessment.
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Over 130,000 people have viewed Pope Francis lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, with many taking photos and videos despite Vatican requests for solemnity. Initially, officials did not effectively curb the use of phones, leading to criticism. Subsequently, visitors were explicitly instructed to refrain from taking photos of the late pontiff. The pope’s funeral will take place on Saturday, following a public viewing period ending Friday evening.
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A Georgetown Law student-created spreadsheet tracking law firms’ responses to the Trump administration’s actions has significantly impacted legal recruitment. Categorizing over 800 firms based on their actions, the spreadsheet influences student choices, with some rejecting lucrative offers from firms deemed to have “caved” to the administration. This unexpected outcome has led firms to lobby for changes to their classifications within the spreadsheet. The document, initially intended for internal use, now plays a key role in students’ decisions regarding internships and employment.
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President Trump’s second term has been characterized by a “fuck you, pay me” approach, leveraging intimidation to extract payments from corporations, universities, and even Congress. This strategy, detailed in a recent *Time* magazine cover story, has yielded millions for Trump’s presidential library fund and silenced many critics through fear of retaliation. While some institutions, like Harvard, have resisted, widespread capitulation has allowed Trump to consolidate power despite historically low approval ratings. This behavior mirrors that of notorious mob bosses, raising concerns about a trajectory towards autocracy.
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German authorities arrested two German-Russian men, Dieter S. and Alexander J., on suspicion of espionage and plotting attacks on German infrastructure, including potential U.S. military facilities. Dieter S. allegedly planned sabotage to hinder German military aid to Ukraine, gathering intelligence on targets and scouting locations with Alexander J.’s assistance. A judge ordered both men held in custody, while Interior Minister Nancy Faeser affirmed Germany’s continued support for Ukraine and its commitment to counter Russian threats. The alleged targets reportedly included the U.S. Grafenwoehr military base.
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President Andrzej Duda’s call for Ukrainian concessions to end the war with Russia prompted Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to warn against appeasement, likening Duda to Neville Chamberlain. Sikorski’s criticism followed Duda’s suggestion that a peace deal requires compromise from Ukraine and his belief that Donald Trump could end the conflict. This disagreement highlights the differing views within Poland regarding the war and potential peace negotiations, with the government holding a more critical stance towards Russia than the President. Sikorski expressed hope that Duda would raise the Ukraine issue with Trump, while also acknowledging Europe’s increased military mobilization spurred by fear of both Putin and Trump.
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Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to President Putin the complete liberation of Kursk Oblast from Ukrainian forces, claiming a significant Ukrainian loss of 76,000 personnel. Gerasimov specifically acknowledged the contribution of North Korean troops in this operation. Putin declared the Ukrainian incursion a failed “adventure.” However, Ukraine disputes the Russian claims of heavy losses and reports ongoing fighting along the border, with Russian forces massing troops near Sumy Oblast.
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A new AP-NORC poll reveals that 52% of Americans rate President Trump’s second term as “poor” or “terrible,” with Democrats expressing significantly more dissatisfaction than Republicans. While Republicans largely support Trump, even within this group, ambivalence exists regarding his policy priorities. His approval rating hovers around 40%, higher on immigration issues but lower on foreign policy and the economy. Despite the negative assessments, Trump maintains strong support among Republicans, who praise his adherence to campaign promises.
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Despite precedent set by President George W. Bush in 2005, President Trump declined to meet with President Biden at Pope Francis’ funeral, stating such a meeting was not a priority. This contrasts sharply with Trump’s interactions with other world leaders, including a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Trump’s disregard for Biden underscores their ongoing political antagonism, which has seen Trump repeatedly criticize his predecessor. Even the shared solemnity of the papal funeral did not bridge the significant divide between the two former presidents.
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John Q. Hosedrinker