The Supreme Court is currently reviewing cases concerning presidential power and the separation of powers. One case involves Perlmutter, who argues her position within the Library of Congress made her part of the legislative branch, thus protecting her from being fired by the executive branch. The court is also considering cases of Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, both of whom have had their removal challenged. The court allowed Trump to remove Slaughter, and Cook’s case will be heard in January.
Read More
In a recent interview with NPR, Senator Mark Kelly criticized the Pentagon’s investigation into his involvement in a video reminding active-duty troops about the illegality of following unlawful orders. The former Navy fighter pilot is facing potential court-martial for appearing in the video, which was released amid legal concerns regarding the deployment of National Guard troops. Kelly also responded to the White House’s initial condemnation of the video, where the President stated this action was “seditious behavior, punishable by death.”
Read More
President Trump’s golf outings during his presidency have cost taxpayers significantly more than previous administrations. During his first term, Trump spent over $300 million on golfing trips, nearly double the amount spent by previous presidents. Trips to his private clubs, including multiple visits to Bedminster, New Jersey, and Aberdeen, Scotland, accounted for a substantial portion of these costs. Security measures, such as patrol boats and Coast Guard presence, along with the use of Air Force One, further escalated the expenses associated with these excursions.
Read More
The leaked recording of a phone call between Special Envoy to Ukraine, Steve Witkoff, and a top Russian official has sparked outrage among a few U.S. representatives. In the recording, Witkoff reportedly coached Moscow on how to handle Donald Trump and suggested a peace deal would require Russia to gain control of Donetsk and potentially additional Ukrainian territory. Witkoff also offered tactical advice, including how Putin should approach Trump. While some representatives have called for Witkoff’s dismissal, others have defended his actions as standard negotiation tactics, and Trump has sent Witkoff to Moscow to meet with Putin.
Read More
President Trump is reportedly at odds with the architect designing a new White House ballroom, reportedly demanding a structure even larger than the White House itself. This has led to friction, as architect James McCrery II has cautioned against the excessive scale of the addition, which is expected to house offices and impact the surrounding areas. The project, which has undergone no public review, is part of a broader, unilateral redesign plan driven by Trump’s preference for gold-heavy aesthetics and personal iconography. While White House officials insist dialogue is constructive, critics have voiced concerns over transparency and the project’s massive scope, as well as the destruction of the East Wing of the White House and the impending design of the New Ballroom to replace the East Wing.
Read More
President Trump’s Thanksgiving holiday was likely soured by unfavorable polling data, with various sources indicating his job approval ratings are underwater. The New York Times’ polling aggregator showed an average disapproval rating of 55 percent, significantly higher than his 41 percent approval. Even a poll by Rasmussen Reports, known for leaning towards Republican candidates, revealed a negative approval rating for the president. While the White House declined to comment on the matter, one official noted that Trump’s current ratings are higher than those of Obama and Bush during their second terms, according to RealClearPolitics.
Read More
Following the New York Times’ report, which highlighted the former president’s perceived grogginess and rambling, Trump responded with a post early Wednesday morning. In his statement, he refuted the claims, touting his accomplishments and attacking the publication. Trump argued his administration had brought down inflation, revitalized the economy, and restored global respect for the country. He concluded by asserting his tireless work ethic directly contradicted the report’s implications of diminished energy.
Read More
Former President Donald Trump is seeking a new moniker for the Republican Party, suggesting options like “TEPUBLICAN” or “TPUBLICAN” on Truth Social. The latter pronunciation requires a difficult linguistic maneuver, a “voiceless labial-alveolar plosive,” rarely heard outside of select global regions. Despite Trump’s claim that “almost everyone” is a “TRUMP REPUBLICAN,” his approval ratings remain low amid ongoing controversies. The move comes as he aims to maintain his influence over the party.
Read More
Following a video released by six Democratic members of Congress urging service members to refuse illegal orders, Donald Trump reacted with threats of sedition charges. This prompted an investigation into one of the lawmakers for “serious allegations of misconduct.” The Uniform Code of Military Justice mandates obedience to lawful orders but also imposes a duty to disobey those deemed unlawful, as supported by legal precedent and historical examples of service members refusing to participate in illegal wars. Expert testimony, citing the Nuremberg Charter, UN Charter, and UCMJ, has been used in court-martial cases to defend those who refused to comply with potentially unlawful orders.
Read More
A video featuring ten veterans from various branches of the military has been released in support of Senator Mark Kelly and other congressional colleagues. The video comes in response to the Pentagon’s review of Kelly following his urging of active-duty members to refuse illegal orders. The veterans, representing multiple national organizations, express concern over what they view as politically motivated actions against Kelly. Furthermore, the video highlights a perceived threat to the duty of military members who could be ordered to do things which undermine the very citizens they are supposed to protect.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker
Trump Furious Over NYT Story Detailing Declining Health
Following the New York Times’ report, which highlighted the former president’s perceived grogginess and rambling, Trump responded with a post early Wednesday morning. In his statement, he refuted the claims, touting his accomplishments and attacking the publication. Trump argued his administration had brought down inflation, revitalized the economy, and restored global respect for the country. He concluded by asserting his tireless work ethic directly contradicted the report’s implications of diminished energy.
Read More