President Trump issued over 1,500 pardons, including one to Pamela Hemphill, a participant in the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Unlike other recipients, Hemphill, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge, is actively rejecting her pardon, citing its contribution to a false narrative surrounding the event. She has enlisted the help of her senator to formally refuse the pardon and prevent its use in legal proceedings. This unique action contrasts sharply with other January 6th defendants who have actively sought and utilized their pardons.
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A recent AtlasIntel poll reveals Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s surprising popularity, ranking her third overall—surpassing President Trump, Biden, and Harris. Despite a polarizing image, her net positive rating of two points places her behind only the Obamas. This popularity is notable given her active and vocal role in Congress, particularly her recent “rally against oligarchy” tour with Senator Sanders. Ocasio-Cortez’s future political aspirations remain unstated, though speculation regarding a 2028 presidential run persists.
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National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard is reportedly exploring methods to reform President Trump’s intelligence briefings, aiming to increase engagement and trust. Proposed changes include a video format mirroring Fox News, incorporating more graphics and animations, and shifting content focus towards topics like economics and trade. These adjustments stem from Trump’s limited engagement with the current briefing format and his preference for visual media. However, Gabbard’s office vehemently denies these reports.
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On Saturday, Donald Trump shared a baseless conspiracy theory from Truth Social claiming Joe Biden was replaced with a robot clone after his alleged 2020 execution. This is not an isolated incident; Trump has previously promoted unfounded claims about the 2020 election, Barack Obama’s birthplace, and the Paul Pelosi attack. The conspiracy theory’s propagation is amplified by similar unfounded theories online and endorsements from Trump administration members like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has spread misinformation about vaccines and chemtrails. These actions have demonstrably contributed to the spread of these false narratives.
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The Trump administration is targeting Harvard University, threatening to revoke its ability to enroll international students and freeze billions in federal funding. These actions, framed as addressing issues like campus bias and foreign influence, are viewed by Harvard as unconstitutional attacks on academic freedom. Harvard has filed lawsuits and is resisting the administration’s demands, arguing the actions represent a broader attempt to intimidate and control institutions of higher learning. The conflict pits the long-standing university against a president seeking to reshape American higher education, with significant implications for academic freedom and the future of US universities.
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A recent court ruling against Donald Trump’s tariffs has sparked outrage among his MAGA allies. The decision exposed significant flaws in the legal arguments supporting the tariffs, according to a lawyer for the opposing side. This legal setback represents a significant blow to Trump’s trade policies. The ruling’s implications are far-reaching and will likely impact future trade disputes.
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The Trump administration is escalating its campaign to expand executive power, targeting the Library of Congress and claiming it falls under executive branch authority. This assertion, along with attempts to influence other independent agencies like the GAO, represents a broader effort to blur the lines separating government branches. The administration’s actions have faced some resistance, including legal challenges and pushback from Congress, though limited. The White House’s rationale centers on a claimed mandate to rein in spending and reshape governance, ignoring established norms of separation of powers. Control over the Library would grant access to vast amounts of sensitive data, including congressional research requests and copyright information.
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AtlasIntel, a top-ranked pollster, reveals President Trump’s approval rating has plummeted to 45 percent, its lowest point in his second term. This marks a significant drop from previous polls showing approval between 46 and 50 percent, with disapproval rising from 49 to 54 percent. The decline is reflected across various policy areas, including the economy and immigration, where negative assessments now outweigh positive ones. However, this contrasts with other recent polls showing a slight uptick in Trump’s approval.
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On Saturday, Donald Trump shared a Truth Social post alleging that Joe Biden was executed in 2020 and replaced by clones or robots. This unsubstantiated claim, originating from a small account, contradicts the readily available evidence of Biden’s continued public presence and recent statements regarding his cancer diagnosis. The post follows Trump’s earlier insensitive remarks about Biden’s health battle, further fueling controversy. The incident highlights the spread of misinformation via social media and the impact of presidential endorsements on such narratives.
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President Trump’s Truth Social post alleging that President Biden was executed in 2020 and replaced by a clone places Biden among other public figures targeted by similar conspiracy theories, including Paul McCartney and Avril Lavigne. The post, which included purported evidence such as supposed changes in Biden’s eye color and earlobes, was quickly embraced by Trump supporters. This incident follows Trump’s recent reposting of a conspiracy theory about CBS, highlighting a weekend of amplified misinformation. The timing coincides with ongoing speculation about Biden’s health, further fueling the spread of these unsubstantiated claims.
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John Q. Hosedrinker