Allegations of voting irregularities in the 2024 election, favoring President Trump, are based on analyses of “drop-off” votes in swing states. Two election integrity groups, the Election Truth Alliance and SMART Elections, noted discrepancies between presidential and down-ballot votes, particularly a significant increase in Republican drop-off rates compared to historical data. These findings, while not definitively proving manipulation, warrant further review, according to these groups. President Trump’s comments regarding Elon Musk and Pennsylvania voting machines further fueled these concerns, although no formal investigations are currently underway.
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Treasury’s payment systems, controlling over $6 trillion annually in payments, are overseen by a small number of career officials. Recent access granted to Elon Musk to these sensitive systems has alarmed former Treasury and OMB officials, who are unsure of his motives. The concern centers on the potential for targeted disruption of government payments, mirroring previous attempts to freeze federal funding. This raises questions about whether Musk aims to selectively halt payments authorized by Congress, echoing past efforts to control government spending.
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Growing concerns regarding foreign interference in the upcoming German elections, particularly through social media disinformation campaigns targeting the AfD, are prompting action. Recent events, including the cancelled Romanian election due to suspected Russian influence, highlight the urgency of the situation. Elon Musk’s support of the AfD is under investigation as a potential illegal donation, further fueling anxieties. To address these risks, a stress test involving major online platforms was conducted, evaluating their compliance with the Digital Services Act’s requirements for mitigating election-related threats.
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Following previous threats, Trump confirmed plans to impose substantial tariffs on the European Union, though specifics remain undisclosed. This action mirrors his previous imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum, which triggered retaliatory measures from the EU. The EU, America’s second-largest trading partner, has indicated it will again retaliate against any new tariffs. Simultaneously, Trump announced additional tariffs on Canadian, Mexican, and Chinese goods, effective immediately.
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers significantly increased water releases from Terminus and Schafer Dams in Tulare County, California, a move spurred by an executive order seemingly linked to President Trump’s pronouncements. These releases, totaling billions of gallons, were made without typical coordination with state and local officials, causing concern among water managers and farmers who rely on these reservoirs for irrigation. The timing, during winter with low demand and minimal snowpack, and lack of a clear water transportation plan, have drawn sharp criticism and questions regarding the decision-making process and potential negative impacts on agriculture and communities. State officials have emphasized the lack of consultation and the current absence of a need for the released water.
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President Trump is poised to dismiss potentially hundreds of FBI agents and officials in a retaliatory purge. The firings target those involved in investigations of Trump, including the Mar-a-Lago documents probe and the January 6th Capitol assault investigation. This unprecedented action jeopardizes ongoing investigations and contradicts assurances made by Trump’s nominees for FBI director and Attorney General regarding protection from political retribution. The mass firings raise concerns about the rule of law and the independence of the FBI.
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Liberal Party leadership frontrunner Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, vows to retaliate against President Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian imports with dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs. Carney asserts Canada will not yield to bullying tactics and that the tariffs will negatively impact the US economy by damaging its reputation, hindering growth, and increasing inflation. This action marks the second time in less than a decade the US has disrupted a major trade agreement with Canada, following the renegotiation of NAFTA. The upcoming Canadian federal election, slated for October 2024, will be significantly impacted by this trade dispute.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed President Trump’s interest in purchasing Greenland is genuine, driven by national security concerns stemming from China’s growing Arctic activities. Rubio emphasized this isn’t about land acquisition but securing U.S. interests, arguing that Denmark lacks the capacity to defend Greenland from potential Chinese aggression. He stated that the U.S. is already committed to Greenland’s defense, making direct control more beneficial. This comes despite Greenland’s and Denmark’s rejection of the proposal.
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John Q. Hosedrinker