Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is facing scrutiny for a double-tap strike in the Caribbean that resulted in the death of survivors from an initial boat attack. Multiple legal experts and lawmakers suggest that Hegseth’s order to “kill everybody” could lead to investigations for war crimes or murder, as the Pentagon’s Law of War Manual prohibits targeting those who are incapacitated. The attacks, which have resulted in at least 83 civilian deaths, are considered extrajudicial killings, as the targets are suspected drug traffickers. Following the September 2 strike, a government source claimed Hegseth was turning military personnel into “murderers” while the Former JAGs Working Group condemned the actions as war crimes.
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During a rally for Van Epps, while on House Leader Mike Johnson’s speakerphone, Trump emphasized the importance of winning the seat, citing the historic tax cuts and the upcoming “Great Big Beautiful Bill.” He falsely accused Behn of hating Christianity and country music. Trump framed the vote as a demonstration of Republican strength, while also announcing a Monday night telerally in support of Van Epps. The claims against Behn, including the accusation of hating Christianity, are part of a larger effort involving over $3.3 million in spending against her, despite Behn’s actual statements, which expressed concerns about religion’s role in legislation, never matching Trump’s characterization.
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The White House released a memo detailing President Trump’s “preventative” MRI conducted last month at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, weeks after the visit. The advanced imaging focused on cardiovascular and abdominal health, a standard procedure for men in his age group, according to the White House. The memo, issued by the physician to the president, Dr. Sean Barbabella, stated that the cardiovascular imaging was “perfectly normal” and that major organs appear “very healthy.” The release of information came after the president himself mentioned the MRI and amidst ongoing questions about its purpose, with the White House citing an “effort of transparency.”
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A recent YouGov poll indicates that almost half of American adults believe President Trump will be remembered as a “poor” or “below average” president. The poll surveyed over 26,000 U.S. adults and revealed significant differences in opinions based on political affiliation, with Democrats holding a more negative view. Across all age groups and demographics, the majority of respondents expressed unfavorable opinions of Trump’s historical standing. This poll reflects a larger trend, as Trump’s approval ratings have declined in recent months, with many major pollsters reporting negative ratings.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s resignation due to her efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. Warren argued that McMahon’s actions, including mass layoffs and the transfer of key functions to other agencies, will negatively impact families and schools. Under the proposed plan, programs like Title I would be managed by the Department of Labor, potentially affecting funding for K-12 schools. This call for resignation followed legal action from a coalition of labor unions and educators who claim the administration’s actions violate the Constitution and harm students.
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Following the release of an email, former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is facing scrutiny regarding his involvement in the redaction of Jeffrey Epstein files. The email, sent on his second day in office, indicates he was aware of the redaction process, contradicting his prior public stance demanding the unredacted release of the files. Internal documents reveal the bureau spent nearly a million dollars in overtime on redaction efforts during the Trump administration, with the stated goal of protecting victims. While Bongino initially expressed support for the redactions, he has since been reportedly critical of the DOJ’s decision to halt further releases, leading to strained relationships within the administration.
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Following Donald Trump’s threats against Democratic lawmakers, particularly Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, the story has continued to develop, increasing Kelly’s visibility. Trump’s social media posts, suggesting the lawmakers deserved the death penalty, triggered investigations by the Pentagon and FBI into Kelly and the group’s actions. Kelly has seized the opportunity to denounce Trump’s comments and push back against the threats through extensive media appearances. As a result, Kelly is gaining prominence and has positioned himself as a potential rival in the future, creating an unintended consequence of elevating the senator.
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During a recent exchange with reporters, Trump couldn’t specify the reason for his recent MRI. Despite a reporter’s direct questioning, Trump stated he did not know what part of his body was being examined. He maintained the results were “perfect” when prompted about the possibility of releasing them, and did not elaborate on the specific area of focus. Given the timing of the MRI and the fact that they are not routine, this lack of clarity raises further questions.
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A scathing report compiled by active and retired FBI agents and analysts paints a grim picture of the agency under FBI Director Kash Patel, describing it as “chronically under-performing” and paralyzed by fear. Based on confidential accounts from numerous sources, the report alleges Patel lacks the necessary experience, creating an environment where managers are hesitant to take initiative. The assessment details accusations of Patel’s alleged inappropriate behavior and overreliance on social media, while raising concerns from international partners about potential damage to cooperation. Ultimately, the report’s authors offer a critical assessment of the current state of the FBI, urging Patel and Deputy Director Bongino to heed the criticism.
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The Post’s account of Bradley’s order for a second strike, allegedly targeting survivors due to their potential to alert traffickers, raises serious legal concerns. Experts argue this rationale violates the laws of war, especially if the live drone feed shows survivors being killed. Crucially, Bradley’s testimony is needed to clarify Hegseth’s orders and explain the events. Furthermore, the push for public release of a Justice Department memo justifying the strikes, which experts deem legally weak, could reveal a potentially flawed legal basis for the actions, including preemptive claims of immunity.
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John Q. Hosedrinker