Trump told Japan’s PM in their call to lower the tone on Taiwan, WSJ reports, and it seems like this particular nugget of information has stirred up quite a reaction. The reports suggest that during a call, former President Trump advised Japan’s Prime Minister to dial back her rhetoric regarding Taiwan. The initial reaction, judging by the overall sentiment, seems to be a mix of shock, skepticism, and a healthy dose of cynicism.
The underlying concern seems to be that Trump’s actions, particularly in this context, could be interpreted as a willingness to appease China at the expense of allies and long-standing geopolitical strategies.… Continue reading
The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked former President Trump’s attempt to remove Shira Perlmutter from her position as Director of the U.S. Copyright Office, deferring a decision until it reviews related cases. The court cited cases involving the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Reserve, where Trump’s removal of officials is under scrutiny. This decision comes after a lower court ruled Perlmutter is part of the legislative branch, making her removal only possible by a Senate-confirmed Librarian of Congress. The Trump administration argued the decision contravenes established precedent, emphasizing the Register of Copyright’s executive functions, like foreign government meetings.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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Putin Advisers Discuss Plans for Dealing With Trump: Transcript of leaked phone call. Let’s delve into this leaked phone call, offering a glimpse into the discussions between what appear to be high-level advisors within Putin’s inner circle, specifically concerning interactions with Donald Trump and his administration. The conversation, though brief and somewhat cryptic, provides some interesting insights into how Russia perceived and perhaps strategized its dealings with the former US President.
The primary subject matter of the call involves the transmission of a document, referred to as “the paper” or “the plan,” presumably outlining Russia’s position on a significant matter. The context suggests this relates to a potential negotiation or agreement, possibly regarding a conflict or geopolitical issue.… Continue reading
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.
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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.
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The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis canceled the release of its advance estimate of third-quarter GDP due to disruptions from the federal government shutdown, joining other delayed economic reports like the October jobs data. This postponement has fueled speculation that the data may reveal unfavorable economic performance, especially as President Trump touts strong growth amidst ongoing concerns. While the BEA has not set a new release date, the Federal Reserve Chair has acknowledged that the lack of data could impact policy decisions, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding the true state of the U.S. economy.
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The Epstein estate is disputing claims that it is not cooperating with the FBI ahead of the release of the Epstein files. FBI Director Kash Patel stated the estate had refused to share information with the government, but a lawyer for the estate denied any such requests had been made. The estate maintained it has cooperated with lawful requests, including providing over 20,000 pages of documents to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. President Trump signed the “Epstein Files Transparency Act,” mandating the release of unclassified documents within 30 days.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker