The White House is reportedly seeking a replacement for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid mounting controversy. This follows revelations of a second Signal chat where Hegseth allegedly shared classified information about Yemen strikes with family members, mirroring a previous incident involving a journalist. The situation is further complicated by the recent departure of four senior Hegseth advisors, amidst allegations of internal leaks and infighting. While White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denies a replacement effort, the ongoing investigations and internal turmoil suggest significant challenges for Hegseth’s tenure.
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White House officials, including Sebastian Gorka, have labeled Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man deported despite a Supreme Court ruling, a terrorist and gang member, claiming supporters of his return are “aiding and abetting” criminals. This characterization contradicts Abrego Garcia’s family and legal representatives who insist he has no criminal record. The White House maintains Abrego Garcia will never return to the U.S., even as a judge demands sworn testimony regarding compliance with previous court orders for his release. A GoFundMe for his family has already raised over $200,000.
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The White House’s recent alteration of the COVID.gov webpage to promote the lab leak theory of COVID-19’s origin is, to put it mildly, perplexing. The abrupt shift from providing essential pandemic resources to presenting a five-point argument for the lab leak hypothesis feels jarring, almost jarringly unprofessional. The website’s design itself is a topic of considerable discussion, with many critics finding it visually unappealing and amateurish, a far cry from the expected quality of an official government resource. This stark contrast leaves many questioning the administration’s priorities and the overall message it intends to convey.
The core argument presented on the redesigned page centers on five pieces of evidence purportedly supporting the lab leak theory.… Continue reading
Despite a court order prohibiting the Trump administration from punishing the Associated Press (AP) for refusing to rename the Gulf of Mexico, the AP was barred from a Monday Oval Office news conference. The administration is appealing the court decision and a hearing is scheduled for Thursday to address the delay in implementing the ruling. The AP’s access to White House events has been restricted since mid-February, stemming from its refusal to comply with the president’s executive order. While the court protected the AP’s free speech, the extent of future access remains uncertain.
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Senior White House officials express extreme frustration with Elon Musk’s behavior, describing him as irritating and unfunny, and questioning his competence. Musk’s actions, including installing Starlink across the White House and embedding his staff within government agencies, have further exacerbated tensions. His informal office setup and disruptive behavior, coupled with online trolling and leaked emails, have created a chaotic and untenable situation. The article suggests a level of concern, bordering on alarm, within the White House regarding Musk’s influence and actions.
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A federal judge ruled that the White House must restore the Associated Press’s access to events where other journalists are permitted, citing a First Amendment violation. The judge found that the administration’s restriction of AP access, based on their refusal to use President Trump’s preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico, constituted viewpoint discrimination. The ruling mandates equal access for AP, not unrestricted access for all journalists. The White House’s claim of simply narrowing the press pool was rejected by the judge, who deemed their reasoning “brazen.” The decision is a victory for free speech advocates.
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A federal judge ordered the White House to reinstate the Associated Press’s full access to presidential events, citing First Amendment violations. The judge ruled that the government cannot retaliate against the AP for its editorial decisions, specifically its refusal to adopt the President’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. This preliminary injunction is a significant win for the AP amidst broader White House challenges to press freedom. While the ruling doesn’t guarantee the AP permanent access, it prevents discriminatory treatment based on viewpoint. The White House was given a week to respond or appeal.
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A federal judge ruled that the White House violated the First Amendment by barring Associated Press journalists from White House and Air Force One events due to the AP’s refusal to adopt the President’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. Judge Trevor McFadden’s order, temporarily stayed until Sunday to allow for appeal, mandates that the White House cannot selectively restrict access based on viewpoint. The ruling emphasizes that while the AP is not entitled to preferential treatment, the government cannot deny access to journalists based on their reporting choices. The AP welcomed the decision as an affirmation of press freedom.
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Following a meeting between President Trump and far-right activist Laura Loomer, at least three National Security Council staffers were dismissed. Loomer had urged the President to remove several staff members she deemed disloyal, directly leading to these firings, according to sources. Those fired include Brian Walsh, Thomas Boodry, and David Feith, while the status of other targeted officials, such as Alex Wong, remains uncertain. The White House offered no official comment on the personnel changes.
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Following a review, the White House declared the matter closed regarding Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg’s unintentional inclusion in a sensitive Signal group chat involving high-ranking officials. No classified information was compromised, according to the White House. Measures have been implemented to prevent similar incidents. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz remains in his position.
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