Special Counsel Jack Smith resigned from the Justice Department on January 10, 2025, following the completion of his investigation into President-elect Trump’s alleged 2020 election interference. Smith’s final report, submitted on January 7th, is expected to be released soon, though a portion remains temporarily restricted pending a court decision. The report covers allegations of election interference and mishandling of classified documents; however, the latter portion will not be released while charges against co-defendants remain pending. Trump, who had been indicted and pleaded not guilty before the charges were dismissed, frequently criticized Smith.
Read More
Following Maduro’s contested re-election, the U.S. increased the bounty on him to $25 million, with similar rewards offered for other high-ranking Venezuelan officials. Simultaneously, new visa restrictions were imposed on officials deemed responsible for undermining Venezuela’s electoral process and human rights abuses. These actions, coordinated with Canada, the EU, and the UK, target individuals enabling Maduro’s alleged repression and fraudulent claim to power. The sanctions include eight Venezuelan officials from key economic and security sectors. This international effort rejects Maduro’s legitimacy and supports the Venezuelan people’s desire for new leadership.
Read More
Widespread economic hardship in Iran, including severe power outages, inflation, and high unemployment, has fueled public anger towards the regime, which is viewed as having mismanaged resources. This discontent, exacerbated by perceived regime vulnerabilities following recent events in Gaza and elsewhere, is giving hope to the significant portion of the Iranian population that opposes the government. The regime is aware of this growing unrest, evidenced by their recent protest-response drills. The precarious economic situation, coupled with conflicting messaging from regime officials, suggests a highly volatile and potentially decisive year for Iran.
Read More
Tragically, a former child actor perished in the recent Los Angeles fires. His mother attempted a rescue, highlighting the devastating impact of the wildfires on families. The incident underscores the significant loss of life and property caused by the infernos. Further details surrounding the actor’s identity and the circumstances of the event are expected to emerge.
Read More
Caliber Fitness provides science-backed fitness and nutrition coaching, leveraging research from leading institutions to create personalized plans. The program pairs users with personal trainers and nutrition coaches who monitor progress 24/7 and offer weekly check-ins. A detailed initial questionnaire streamlines the process, eliminating the planning burden for users. Currently, a $100 discount is available on all programs through January, making expert fitness guidance more accessible.
Read More
Donald Trump’s presidential campaign employed a “bait and switch” tactic, promising to lower grocery prices and deport millions of undocumented immigrants—pledges subsequently abandoned or acknowledged as unfeasible. His inability to deliver on these promises is overshadowed by a new focus on territorial expansion, diverting attention from broken campaign pledges. This shift in focus aims to complete the deception of voters before he even assumes office, leaving them with four years to contemplate the consequences. The author alleges that Trump’s actions constitute a deliberate swindle of the American public.
Read More
The Supreme Court heard arguments regarding a potential TikTok ban, focusing on national security concerns versus First Amendment rights. The justices largely sided with the government’s argument that ByteDance’s control poses a security risk due to potential Chinese government data access and manipulation. Debate centered on the extent of China’s influence over TikTok and whether less restrictive measures could address these concerns. The Court also considered the potential consequences of a ban, including the impact on TikTok users and the possibility of President-elect Trump’s non-enforcement.
Read More
President Biden strongly condemned Meta’s decision to eliminate its fact-checking program, deeming it “shameful” and detrimental to the dissemination of truthful information. This follows Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement, citing pressure from the Biden administration as a contributing factor. Zuckerberg claims the administration’s requests to remove content were excessive and that the new user-driven system will replace fact-checking. Biden’s criticism echoes concerns raised by California Governor Newsom regarding the spread of misinformation.
Read More
In April, German authorities arrested an Iraqi couple, Twana H.S. and Asia R.A., on charges of enslavement, torture, and war crimes. The couple, alleged members of ISIS, are accused of holding two Yazidi girls, aged 5 and 12, as slaves between 2015 and 2017. Prosecutors allege the man repeatedly raped both girls, while the woman participated in their abuse and the girls suffered severe physical violence. The prosecution contends these actions were intended to destroy the Yazidi religion.
Read More
In 2023, U.S. companies paid Russia $1.2 billion in profit taxes, making the U.S. the largest foreign contributor and prompting criticism as “shameful.” Despite many companies leaving Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, approximately 328 U.S. firms remain, with some citing financial penalties for withdrawal and others rationalizing their continued presence. This tax revenue significantly benefits the Russian government, potentially funding its war effort and undermining international sanctions. The continued business activity of these U.S. companies has drawn considerable condemnation from experts and policymakers.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker