In early January, a Justice Department lawyer informed a Trump transition official, Emil Bove, of an ongoing bribery investigation into Tom Homan. Undercover FBI agents had recorded Homan allegedly accepting $50,000 in exchange for helping contractors secure border enforcement deals. Justice officials worried Homan wouldn’t pass a security clearance. The investigation was subsequently shut down.
A judge has granted a new trial for Brooke Shoemaker, who was previously convicted of chemical endangerment resulting in the death of her unborn child and sentenced to 18 years in prison. The ruling, based on new evidence presented by Shoemaker’s attorneys, suggests that an infection, rather than drug use, was the cause of the stillbirth. The original conviction, stemming from a 2017 stillbirth and Shoemaker’s admission of methamphetamine use during pregnancy, is now being challenged with expert testimony indicating a genetic abnormality and severe infection contributed to the pregnancy loss. While prosecutors are appealing the decision, Shoemaker remains incarcerated and maintains her innocence, stating that an infection caused the loss of her pregnancy.
A recent fundraising email from Donald Trump’s political action committee employed alarmist language, claiming Democrats would steal supporters’ tariff rebate checks to give them to “illegals” if they didn’t donate within an hour. The email, featuring a graphic of Trump and a boiling pot, framed the appeal as an urgent, year-end emergency and warned that everything would be lost without immediate action. This fundraising tactic comes as Trump flirts with the idea of sending Americans $2,000 funded by tariff revenue, a policy that economists have questioned and consumer-protection experts have warned could be exploited by fraudsters. The appeal also surfaces amid reports of growing frustration among some of Trump’s own supporters with his economic policies.
The 2021 infrastructure bill, intended to fund affordable fiber internet, was effectively rewritten by Republicans, funneling billions to Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos for satellite service instead. The Wall Street Journal applauded this shift, claiming existing wireless and satellite services are sufficient despite their expense, congestion, and limited capacity. The editorial board criticized provisions aimed at ensuring affordable access and community input, highlighting their preference for market-driven solutions. This redirection of funds away from local fiber projects will likely result in slower and more expensive internet access for many Americans while enriching billionaires.
Right-wing influencers, including Nick Fuentes, have expressed potential opposition to Vice President JD Vance if he becomes the Republican presidential nominee in 2028, even praising Democrat Gavin Newsom. This stance highlights divisions within the right-wing movement, despite Vance being considered a frontrunner for the Republican nomination. Influencers like Clavicular and SNEAKO have made disparaging comments about Vance and his family, some of which were of a racist nature. These influencers and streamers, while controversial, do have a following among U.S. conservatives, thus potentially influencing the upcoming election.
Secretary Kristi Noem is facing accusations of fabricating an emergency to justify demolishing 17 historic buildings on the St. Elizabeths Campus West, a designated National Historic Landmark being transformed into DHS headquarters. DHS claims the vacant buildings pose a security risk, potentially offering “tactical advantage” to a “malicious insider.” Preservationists, however, strongly object, arguing that the alleged security concerns stem from failures to secure the site and not the buildings themselves. They assert the emergency declaration bypasses proper procedures, with many buildings still lacking the necessary reviews.
During Christmas Day, Donald Trump engaged in a prolific social media posting spree, attacking various targets and amplifying claims made by supporters. Analysis revealed that a significant portion of the shared content originated from foreign accounts, despite claims of being based in the U.S. These accounts, often located in South Asia and Eastern Europe, promoted pro-MAGA rhetoric and echoed Trump’s sentiments on issues like election integrity and immigration. This behavior isn’t new, as Trump has previously relied on foreign accounts to bolster his online presence and support for his agenda.
In a recent interview, Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed discomfort with the trend of cosmetic surgery among conservative women, particularly those associated with Donald Trump’s inner circle. She criticized the “sexualization” she perceived in the appearances of these women, specifically mentioning “puffed up” lips and breast augmentations. Greene, who has publicly feuded with Trump, stated that she has found it to be uncomfortable given she has daughters. The described aesthetic has become a symbol linked to Trump’s presidency.
The tendency of powerful individuals to embrace correct positions only after they relinquish power is a recurring phenomenon, often appearing inauthentic and primarily aimed at legacy repair. This pattern, exemplified by figures like Mitt Romney, sees politicians endorsing policies they once opposed or ignored while in office. These reversals, while seemingly positive, often lack genuine courage and instead reward those who previously perpetuated harmful systems, undermining the efforts of those who advocated for change while in power. Ultimately, this behavior removes a crucial deterrent against abusing power, as it allows individuals to later be celebrated for positions they previously exploited. This ultimately makes their actions a PR strategy at best.
Although Donald Trump is 79 years old and questions have been raised regarding his health, including concerns about his speech and behavior, the article argues that age is not the primary factor in his unfitness for office. The author contends that Trump’s flaws stem from his character and long-standing tendencies, rather than his age. Attributing his shortcomings solely to age not only diminishes older adults but also lets Trump off the hook. Ultimately, the article suggests that voters are aware of Trump’s age and other issues, making it a consideration in their decision, but not the root of the problem.
John Q. Hosedrinker