Flotsam and Jetsam - Trade War De-Escalation Ahead?

At NewsMax Brian Leib opines that there's Nothing Accidental About Trump's Triumphant Return. "For decades, critics dismissed President Donald J. Trump’s best-selling book The Art of the Deal as a relic of 1980s bravado — a flashy businessman’s self-congratulatory monologue. But over the past few weeks, President Trump turned that book into a living, breathing geopolitical masterclass, unfolding in real time before the eyes of billions." Sarah Anderson at PJM wonders Did You Hear About the Terrible Thing Ivanka Trump Did? Took her family on a nice Costa Rican vacation, causing liberals to go ape shit.  

From the Peacock, Bessent says he expects ‘de-escalation’ in U.S.-China tariff fight in the ‘very near future’. Also at NewsMax, Trump Wants Tariff Cases Moved to Federal Trade Court. Fox Business, China asks South Korea not to export rare earth products to US defense, warns companies could be sanctioned. Fortunately we have rare earths. All we need is the will to mine them. ET explains US Can Produce Rare Earths If China Stops Exports–But There’s a Catch and Beijing’s ‘Gray Trade’ Tariff Avoidance Scheme "China is starting to ship its goods to low-tariff countries first, then export them to the United States to evade high tariffs." From Drew Berquist, Bike Company Credits Trump Tariffs for $19M U.S. Manufacturing Expansion. From From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 04.23.25, Matt Taibbi at Racket, Trump vs Powell. It’s On! "In pushing for rate cuts the president insults the Fed chairman — but Trump's tariffs are driving prices the other way."

NewsMax, London Talks on Ending Russia-Ukraine War Pared Down as Vance Says It's Decision Time on Peace Deal. From Reuters, Ukraine presses for ceasefire as Russia reported to offer concession. ET, Hakeem Jeffries to Lead Bipartisan Delegation to Denmark to Discuss Greenland "The visit comes as President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States could obtain Greenland." I'm sure he'll do his best to put sand in the gears. 

Da Fetched, Trump Eyes $5,000 ‘Baby Bonus’ to Spark New American Baby Boom and “Humanity Is Dying”: Elon Musk Warns of Civilizational Collapse Due to Falling Birth Rates. 5 grand is barely an ante. 

USFDA, HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply. I'm not convinced it's the big answer they're looking for. Paula Bolyard at PJM, Hey, RFK Jr.: Please Take on Big Formula and Normalize Real Food for Kids With G-Tubes.

From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 04.23.25, Louder with Crowder, Turns out Maryland doesn't want "Maryland Man" Kilmar Abrego Garcia sent back to live with them. Twitchy, Judge Orders Trump To Bring Back Voice of America & Rehire Everyone, MS-13 Brute’s Wife, Kicked To El Salvador, Snags Safe House. Insty at his NYPo gig warns Alito’s right to warn: Court’s knee-jerk habit of slapping Trump will cost it dearly. Ron Coleman @RonColeman, "UPDATE: Order stayed by DC federal judge," Quote Nioh Berg @NiohBerg, " BREAKING: India has ordered every Pakistani national to leave the country within 48 hours." Josh Blackmun at the Volokh Report explains the problem with The ACLU's Ex Parte Voicemail To Seek An Ex Parte Injunction. From Althouse, "We cannot give everyone a trial, because to do so would take, without exaggeration, 200 years." "Said President Trump, quoted in "Trump Says Undocumented Immigrants Shouldn’t Get Trials Before Deportation/The president claimed that countries were sending their prisoners to the United States and that he needed to bypass the constitutional demands of due process to expel them quickly" (NYT). The sub-headline bothers me because it equates "due process" with a full-scale trial. The question is what process is due. I don't think Trump is saying that rights need to be bypassed." At LifeZette, Leavitt Cooks Sen Van Hollen for Backing Gang Member, Ignoring Murdered Americans. Atop Da Hill, Pritzker orders Illinois to boycott El Salvador over Abrego Garcia’s detention. TownHall's Guy Benson hears Dems: You Know, This 'Maryland Father' Story Is Political Gold for Us. 

From WokeSpy, Furious Stephen Miller Demands Reparations for All Americans Harmed by Unchecked Illegal Immigration. Jeff Charles at TownHall, This State Just Made a Move That Has Victims’ Families Furious, and Tom Homan Isn't Having It. Misty Severi at JTN elaborates DOJ files federal charge against convicted illegal California migrant set to be released early, "Ortega-Anguiano was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison for the crimes, but will now be released in July, meaning he will have served just 3.5 years of the sentence." From NYPo, Trump’s mass deportation raids result in 655% spike in arrests of terrorists roaming US — including one of India’s ‘most wanted’. Campus Reform reports FL universities will be the first to carry out immigration enforcement on campus. 

Da Signal wonders Could New York Attorney General Letitia James Become the Next Marilyn Mosby? I confess I was a little shocked when a Maryland jury convicted Mosby. From PJM's Kevin Downey, Rumble in the Urban Jungle: Crazy Eddie vs. Dirty Tish, Round One — DING!. NewsMax reports Delaware Losing $14 Billion Affirm Holdings, "Several other major corporations have left Delaware or announced plans to leave after a series of controversial judicial decisions, including a judge's decision to deny Elon Musk a $56 billion compensation package from Tesla after shareholders had twice approved the plan. "Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware," Musk posted on X after the court's ruling."

At NYPo, Pete Hegseth says evidence from leak probe ‘will be handed over to DOJ’ for potential charges. PM, Bannon Blasts DOJ Inaction: ‘The Deep State Is Winning Right Now.’  From Da Blaze, Unreleased DOJ report indicates top Biden FBI official retaliated against underlings who testified against her. Da Signal, Law Enforcement Rallies Around Virginia Sheriff Caught in Sting Operation After Defying Democrats.

Guy Benson calls it Brutal: Elizabeth Warren Has No Idea What to Say When Confronted With Her Lies About Biden's Decline. Althouse finds "There was a time last summer when the Democratic Party was cool." ""Kamala Harris had just stepped in as the Democratic Party’s nominee for president in the waning days of Brat summer. She went on the popular podcast 'Call Her Daddy.' Tim Walz’s outdoorsy drip led to a Chappell Roan-inspired camo trucker hat. The memes were flowing, and the party’s mood was high...." That's the beginning of a NYT article called "What Is 'Dark Woke'? Democrats are trying out a new attitude. It’s provocative, edgy and perilously toeing the line of not being too offensive."" Jim Hoft at Gateway, JFK’s Radical Grandson Accuses Vice President J.D. Vance of ‘Killing the Pope’ in Unhinged Online Rant. Fox reports Dick Durbin, No. 2 Senate Democrat, won't seek re-election "Durbin was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and is currently the Senate Democratic whip". It's no fun when you're on the losing end. 

VodkaPundit at Insty harks back to when THEY FAWNED OVER STALIN AND MUSSOLINI: Larry David Mocks Trump As Hitler in the New York Times Now, but the Paper Fawned Over Adolf in 1933. Driscolly post at Insty sees a CNN “REPORTER” GETS A BRUTAL EXPLANATION FOR WHY NEW MEDIA IS REPLACING OLD GUARD AT THE WHITE HOUSE:

CNN: “Are you a real journalist?”

Natalie: “The rest of the media covered for a president that was essentially dead. You failed. That’s why new media is here.” pic.twitter.com/ok5YtruWRt

— Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) April 23, 2025

Paula Bolyard thinks The Most Important Parental Rights Case in Years Is Before SCOTUS Right Now. Tyler O'Neil at Da Signal wonders What Is Going on With Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson? She's not very smart, at least for that level, but she makes sure to get out every liberal talking point, even if it doesn't apply. Bonchie at RedState, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Shows She's Either the Dumbest or Most Evil Justice on the Supreme Court.

This woman should have never been put on the High Court. Teaching kids they can change their gender is not only morally wrong but it’s biologically and scientifically incorrect.

This is indoctrination and has nothing to do with inclusivity or inclusion. pic.twitter.com/cyKpG8vRIc

— Therealrob (@Therealrobx) April 22, 2025

From Fox, Trump admin responds to Minnesota's lawsuit to let trans athletes in girls' sports: 'Creepy and anti-woman'. From the College Fix, U. Louisville pays almost $1.6M to settle case with professor who criticized trans ideology. "Dr. Allan Josephson was essentially terminated after he criticized transgender ideology, and filed a lawsuit in April 2019 to fight the decision."

At Breitbart, George Clooney Rages After Trump’s ‘Fake Movie Actor’ Dig. Can't take what he dishes out. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: The Long View and FMJRA 2.0: The Cost of Victory up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Confirmation Palooza, A Hostage Deal and Biden Says Bye Bye

Yesterday was a really big day in the process of confirming former and soon to be President Trump's nominations for important posts. Sundance at CTH, Today a Set of Nominees Will Appear for Senate Confirmation Hearings: Bondi, Rubio, Duffy, Ratcliffe, Wright and Vought. Live Blogging at PJM, LIVE: Trump Nominees Hold Their Own Against Dem Attacks During Confirmation Hearings and TownHall, LIVE: Trump Nominees Repel Absurd Dem Attacks During Confirmation Hearings.

The most public facing and perhaps most important nominee in the group yesterday was Pam Bondi, former Florida AG nominated for Attorney General. Sundance posts the whole thing, Pam Bondi (Day 1) Senate Confirmation Hearing – 9:30am Livestream. Da Signal, AG Nominee Bondi Clashes With Democratic Senators in Confirmation Hearing. At Twitchy, Pam Bondi Delivers a Self-Awareness KO to Sen. Whitehouse About How the Justice System SHOULD Work. At PJM, Matt Margolis thinks Pam Bondi Gloriously Outsmarted Dick Durbin. Kurt Schlichter@KurtSchlichter, "You’re a little late, Dick" Quote, Senator Dick Durbin @SenatorDurbin, "Anyone seeking to serve as Attorney General must say “NO” to attempts to weaponize the Justice Department." Matt Vespa at TownHall sees Pam Bondi Destroyed Adam Schiff With One Line "You were censured by Congress, Senator, for comments JUST like this that are so RECKLESS." Julie Kelly@julie_kelly2, "You will be shocked to hear that Senator Adam Schiff is lying about the SCOTUS opinion related to presidential immunity." Benny Johnson @bennyjohnson, "LEAKED VIDEO: Senator Adam Schiff falls asleep LIVE at Pam Bondi hearing in latest humiliation for the state of California" Twitchy, Pam Bondi Tells Sen. Alex Padilla She Will Not Be Bullied by Him. Jeff Charles at TownHall, 'I'm Not Here to Do Your Homework': Pam Bondi Decimates Dem Senator During Hearing. Capt. Ed at Hat Hair, Bondi v Crazy Mazie Exactly What We'd Expect. Twitchy, Pam Bondi Helps Dem Sen. Mazie Hirono Make a Fool of Herself at ANOTHER Hearing. Tim Young@TimRunsHisMouth, "Mazie Hirono just asked Pam Bondi if she’s ever sexually assaulted anyone… What a complete joke." Cathy Salgado at PJM, Sen. Schmitt EXPLODES Hypocritical Dem Self-Righteousness on Rule of Law "Schmitt gave damning examples in the Democrat AGs’ own words. “Eric Holder described himself as Obama's ‘heat shield‘ and ‘wingman‘... One of my colleagues referenced that the attorney general shouldn't be the wingman of the president. Eric Holder has bragged about it.” Obama’s second AG, Loretta Lynch, “met with Bill Clinton on the tarmac in a private meeting while she was investigating Hillary Clinton.” As for Biden’s AG Merrick Garland, he could win an award “for the most politicized, weaponized Department of Justice we have ever seen.”" Ace, Pam Bondi Easily Handles Democrat Pencil-Necks and Sewer-Rats. "She's very confrontational. I assume this means she knows she's a lock. Democrats demand, over and over, for a guarantee that she will prosecute no Democrats at all during her term. They want a guarantee of total immunity for their crimes. She keeps refusing to give it to them." However, Paul Bedard at WaEx hears Second Amendment advocates skeptical of Pam Bondi.

The next most controversial nomination was former Congressman and DNI head John Ratcliff for CIA director. Sundance, John Ratcliffe Senate Confirmation Hearing – 10:00am EST. Anxious anxiously whines John Ratcliffe, Trump's CIA pick, sees tech as both tool and target. 'Bonchie' at RedState, HEARING: John Ratcliffe Roasts Adam Schiff, Sets the Record Straight on Hunter Biden Laptop. Tyler O'Neal at Da Signal, President Trump’s CIA Pick Faces Grilling in Confirmation Hearing. Twitchy, Trump’s CIA Director Nominee Calls Out Adam Schiff for the Laptop Story.

Marco Rubio is widely regarded as a shoe-in for SecState, mostly because of his Senate ties. Sundance posts the Marco Rubio Senate Confirmation Hearing – 10:00am EST Livestream. Teri Christoph at RedState, Marco Rubio Will Be on the Hot Seat Today As He Seeks to Become Trump's Secretary of State. Ace, Marco Rubio's Opening Statement Offers Tough Attack on the "Delusion" of Globalism and Defense of the American Interest, "Marco Rubio is Trump's nominee for Secretary of State, and his opening statement at his Senate hearing shows he's breaking from the dangerous and demoralizing commitment to advancing other countries' interests ahead of our own that has been the post-war consensus for 60 years."

In misc. confirmation hearings, Sundance posts OMB Nominee Russell Vought Senate Confirmation Hearing – 1:00pm EST Livestream "Russel Vought is on track to repeat his role as OMB director, which he helmed at the end of Trump’s first term." At TNP, Trump’s Energy Sec Nominee to Reveal Bold Energy Dominance Strategy at Confirmation Hearing. Tom Knighton at TAW, This is a promising sign.At Da Signal, Climate Protesters Aside, Energy Nominee Gets Mostly Warm Reception From Senate Panel. Duane Patterson at Hat Hair treats us to The Top 10 Dumbest Things Said By Democrats...On Tuesday. Misty Severi at JTN reports Noem becomes third Trump nominee to have hearing delayed because of FBI. "The hearing has been rescheduled for Friday at 9 a.m. Eastern." Is the FBI stalling? At NewsWeek Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell opine Why We Need Hegseth, Gabbard and Rubio to Strengthen America. OTP, Over 100 Detransitioners, Advocates Back RFK Jr. For HHS.

Of course, the Hegseth confirmation hearing from Monday is still drawing flies. At WaEx, Hegseth defends Christian tattoos in Senate hearing. Shawn Fleetwood at Da Fed thinks Democrats’ Hegseth Hearing Theatrics Prove They’re Unserious About U.S. National Security. Insty cites JOHN LUCAS: “Virginia Senator Tim Kaine gave one of the more disgraceful performances in Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, and that’s saying something because he had some stiff competition.” Will Chamberlain@willchamberlain "Tim Kaine has a lot to say about Pete Hegseth’s conduct during his marriage Here’s Tim Kaine campaigning with Doug Emhoff, who - while married - impregnated his nanny and forced her to get an abortion." Sister Toldja at RedState, thinks that Clip of Tim Kaine's Reaction to Markwayne Mullin Shredding Him at Hegseth Hearing Was Chef's Kiss. Bluesky Libs @BlueskyLibs, "Jen Rubin falsely reports that Pete Hegseth was unable to answer allegations of sex with minors in yesterday’s confirmation hearings. No such allegations exist or were asked about. This is outright defamation." Scott Pinsker at PJM, sees the PR Fallout of the Hegseth Hearing: There’s a Fox in the Henhouse. Sundance reports Sens. Mullin and Cotton Now See a Glidepath of Confirmation for Defense Sec Nominee Pete Hegseth. 

Jesse Kelly@JesseKellyDC "When I see a GOP senator in the year 2025 talking lovingly about FISA after all the abuse we’ve seen, I see a man who’s been approached by the intelligence services with pictures of him and midgets."

In late breaking news yesterday, it appears that, spurred by Trump's threats to raise hell if the hostages weren't released by his inauguration, Hamas and Israel are on the cusp of a deal for the hostages. At Althouse, "WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!" "Writes Trump, just now, at Truth Social."  Sundance, President Trump Announces Ceasefire Peace Deal Between Israel and Hamas. Darin Gaub to Newsmax: Trump Effect Spurred Ceasefire. Libs of TikTok@libsoftiktok, "Biden: I got the Israel-Hamas deal done Netanyahu: Thank you Trump for getting this deal done Brutal." Herr Professor Jacobson at LI writes The only way this capitulation in Gaza makes sense is if there is a side deal. "I’m hoping – probably wishful thinking – that those Leb/Gaza deals were the cost of gaining Trump admin support for Israel taking out Iran’s nuke program."

John Sexton at Hat Hair sees Biden's Job Approval Has Fallen and It Can't Get Up, and it no longer matters. 'Becca Downs at TownHall says Biden's Farewell Speech Was As Pathetic As You'd Expect. Da Signal is Fact-Checking 3 Claims in Biden’s Farewell Address. Joe Cunningham at RedState claims that With His Farewell Speech, Joe Biden Fulfills His Destiny as Barack Obama's True Heir. Driscoll at Insty, RON BURGUNDY WILL READ ANYTHING THAT IS PUT ON THAT TELEPROMPTER! Matt Margolis, Is This Proof That Biden's Speech Was Prerecorded?. Althouse submits Biden's farewell to an old-fashioned fisking, "You know, in his farewell address, President Eisenhower spoke of the dangers of the military-industrial complex...." ""Six days — six decades later, I’m equally concerned about the potential rise of a tech-industrial complex that could pose real dangers for our country as well. Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation enabling the abuse of power." . . . What about all the lies you told for power and for profit?!  . . . What about your abuse of power squeezing the "social platforms" to follow the narrative that served your interests?" Jim Treacher says Happy Anniversary to Hunter's Laptop, "Four wonderful years."

VodkaPundit at PJM, Here We Go Again: Deep State Shadow Coup II. At OTP, Pentagon Aide Terminated After Boasting About Conspiring To Stop Trump. Sundance, Jame O’Keefe Group Reveals Another Pentagon Contractor Operating a “Stop Trump” Network with Generals in Defense Department. Charlotte Hazard at JTN reports Defense Department IG finds Secretary Austin's '23 hospitalization increased national security risks. At Da Signal, How Biden Tried to ‘Trump-Proof’ Government With Federal Telework. Vox whines about The president who could not choose. "Joe Biden’s fatal flaw led to four years of weakness." And the things he did decide sucked. Da Caller, Biden Removes Notorious Communist Country From State Terror Watchlist. NYPo, Biden lifts Cuba terrorism designation, drawing bipartisan outrage: ‘Pathetic coward’. ADN America, Republican congressional members outraged over Biden plan to remove Cuba from State Sponsor of Terrorism list. "The decision comes just six days before President Biden will relinquish power and President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in on Jan. 20 and has outraged prominent Republican members of the U.S. Congress." OTP, Biden Exempted Nearly 7K Foreign Nationals From Terror-Related Entry Restrictions. Restoration News, Biden Gave $14 Billion to Islamist Groups from Joe Taxpayer. From the Free Bacon, Biden Solidifies Anti-Oil Legacy With Flurry of Lame-Duck Attacks on Drilling and Mining "Biden admin setting up roadblocks for Trump's 'drill, baby, drill' agenda." VodkaPundit at Inst, I KEPT TELLING YOU THERE’S PLENTY MORE BIDENFLATION BAKED INTO THE SYSTEM: Consumer price growth rose in December, a sign Trump will inherit stubborn inflation as he takes office. Matt Margolis, ‘I Gotta Fill This In?’ Joe Biden Forgets How to Sign National Monument Proclamation. Shooting News Weekly says Biden Leaves Behind a Sordid Legacy of Lies and Falsehoods in His Four-Year War on Guns. OTP, Bitter Dr. Jill Lashes Out At Pelosi and Exiting Border Chief Mayorkas’ Parole Inflow To Hit 1.5 Million Migrants. Paul Bedard, ‘Freeze’ on immigration urged to put Americans back to work. At JTN, Colorado apartment complex occupied by Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua will be closed. Ace, Leftwing Theater in Paris Offers a Free Show to "Refugees;" the Refugees Refuse to Leave, and the Theater Shuts Down After Five Weeks of Occupation.

NewsMax, Trump Inauguration 'Potential Target' for Threats. At Da Signal, From California Democrats to Woke Military Policies, Trump Puts Left on Notice. Breitbart, Team Trump Hypes Incoming ‘Make America Wealthy Again’ Era. Hat Hair's Beege Welborn says A Rising Trump Tide Lifts All Boats and Hopes. OTP, Trump Effect: Canada, Facing Tariff Threat, Is Buying More US Subs, Trump Backs Vivek To Fill Vance’s Ohio Senate Seat and Ivanka’s Out For Trump 47: ‘I Hate Politics.’ PJM's Rick Moran is Expecting Big Changes in the White House Press Room as Trump Will All But Sideline Legacy Media. Atop Da Hill, Michelle Obama signals she’s done with Trump, but he may not be done with her. Riley Gaines @Riley_Gaines_ "Can someone point me in the direction of the MAGA people freaking out about Michelle Obama not attending Trump’s inauguration because I've yet to see that" Quote Harry Sisson@harryjsisson "It’s so funny to watch MAGA freak out over Michelle Obama not attending Trump’s inauguration. Like, guys… you do realize Donald Trump didn’t go to Biden’s, right? Not a single member of the Trump family attended. Save your fake outrage."

Anna Paulina Luna

At WokeSpy, Anna Paulina Luna Unveils Bill to Take Pedophiles “Off the Streets Permanently” With Death Penalty. Charlotte Hazard at JTN reports the GOP House leadership removes Massie, lone vote against Johnson speakership, from key rules committee. "Massie has reportedly been replaced with House Freedom Caucus member GOP Rep. Morgan Griffith."

Dave Strom at Hat Hair says Gavin Newsom Is a Lying Dog-Faced Pony Soldier. End Wokeness @EndWokeness, "Gov. Newsom: It is dangerous for Elon Musk and Trump to say our reservoirs aren't full." At Insty, AT LEAST THE EMPTY SUIT IS A NICE ONE: Justine Bateman@JustineBateman, "If you're missing your word salad bowl, Gavin Newsom has it." At WaEx, Newsom and Bass recall efforts gain momentum after fallout from wildfires. At the Center Square CA, Newsom expands special 'Trump-proofing' session to include wildfire relief proposal. Beege Welborn, CA Dems Tying Passage of State Aid for Fire Victims to $50M 'Trump Proofing' Bill. Harold Hutchinson at Da Caller, CNN Panel Has Fiery Exchange After Scott Jennings Backs ‘Conditions’ On Wildfire Aid. At Breitbart, Jon Stewart’s Stupid Meltdown Over ‘Conditional’ Federal Wildfire Aid Falls Flat. 

Vicky Taft at PJM, 'Lack of Leadership': L.A. Fire Vet Says No One Prepared Even After Extreme Wind Warnings. Dave Strom at Hat Hair reports LAFD Decided Not to Pre-Deploy Firefighters When Warned. Michael Shellenberger, Failure To Mobilize Firefighters Before L.A. Fires Began Led To Catastrophe, Says New Whistleblower. NYPo, LAFD bosses sent just 5 fire engines to Palisades Fire — while holding back 1,000 firefighters and 35 trucks in critical first hours. Matt Margolis, Bombshell Report Exposes More LAFD Incompetence in Responding to Wildfires. Sarah at Inty, A STAGGERING LEVEL OF INCOMPETENT MALICE: Los Angeles hydrants not just empty, but also broken or missing. (Short video clip.)

This clip has done irreparable damage to the DEI cause. It is breaking through to normies.

pic.twitter.com/yVutTJPVsp

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 15, 2025

Leslie Eastman at LI, Los Angeles Mega-Fire the Tragic Consequence of Protecting Shrubs Before People "Mega-disaster was brought to California by insane choices based on pseudoscience and virtue-signalling." At NYPo, How California eco-bureaucrats halted a Pacific Palisades fire safety project to save an endangered shrub. OTP reports Pacific Palisades Residents Sue Los Angeles. At WUWT, Why the LA Wildfires Have Little to Do With Drought or Climate Change. And in what is no doubt the greatest tragedy of the LA fires, OTP cites NYPo, Nearly 200 Hunter Biden Paintings Destroyed In LA Wildfires.

Natalia Mittelstadt at JTN reports Nearly 400 non-citizens voted in DC's 2024 general election: Judicial Watch, "More than 230 of the non-citizen voters are registered Democrats, compared to less than 20 who are registered Republicans." Josh Kraushaar, @JoshKraushaar "NYT, breaking: “A nonprofit founded by Stacey Abrams, a Georgia Democrat, admitted on Wednesday that it had violated state law by concealing the fact that it had campaigned for her during her 2018 run for governor. At the time of that campaign, the group was led by Raphael Warnock, who was later elected to the Senate as a Democrat from Georgia.”"  Atlanta J Con, Stacey Abrams group to pay largest fine for campaign violations in Georgia history.

Byron York at WaEx, calls Jack Smith, the prosecutor who would never admit what he was doing. At Althouse, ""[Jack Smith] may be right about obtaining a conviction before a D.C. jury and a highly motivated judge against Trump. However..." "... he would not have been able to sustain any conviction — and this [new] report makes that abundantly clear. . . Writes Jonathan Turley, in "Jacksonian Obstruction: Smith Explains How He Was Planning to Circumvent the Decision in Fischer."" Seth Barrett Tillman at the New Reform Club, Recent Academic Writing on the End of the Rule of Law. 

Trump never had a chance to remove Special Counsel Jack Smith. Smith resigned days before Trump will take office. And before he left, Smith actively closed down the D.C. and Florida federal prosecutions. (Albeit, zombie-like, the Florida prosecution continues—against the non-Trump defendants.) If these things were wrongful for Trump to do, was it not also wrongful for Smith to do? And if so, do Finkelstein and Painter think Smith should be impeached for wrongdoing in office amounting to high crimes and misdemeanors? Or should Smith be indicted for criminal obstruction of justice? See, e.g., Claire O. Finkelstein & Richard W. Painter, “You’re Fired”: Criminal Use of Presidential Removal Power, 25 N.Y.U. J. Legis. & Pub. Pol’y 307 (2023), <https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/faculty_articles/242/>.

One wonders.

Do these two legal academics believe that the rule of law in the United States is now at an “end … with respect to the presidency”?

One really wonders.

Stacy McCain notes Ashkenazi Jews Have the Highest IQs on Average, But Then There’s Jen Rubin. John Sexton at Hat Hair, Judge Blasts CNN's Attorney: 'Your Credibility With Me...Is About None'. At Ace's, Jake Tapper Claimed, Under Oath, That He "Doesn't Pay Attention to Nielsen Ratings." "This Claim Was Made WITHOUT EVIDENCE, and a Fact-Check Shows He's a Liar." Althouse cites the occasionally sensible Megan McArdle "Americans are too ornery to fall for TikTok propaganda/Banning TikTok may be legally sound but not really necessary." Writes Megan McArdle (at WaPo)(free-access link)." Da Caller, Zuckerberg Refused To Name Them, But A Report Found The People Who Helped Biden Censor Americans On Facebook. "A report from House Judiciary detailed communications from Senior Biden Advisor Andy Slavitt and White House Digital Director Rob Flaherty to Clegg demanding they remove posts which criticized vaccines." At RVN, Adam Carolla Goes on Expletive-Filled Rant Against Narrative Gatekeepers.

Stephen Kruiser at PJM thinks Nancy Mace Understands the Republicans' Assignment for 2025. At Victory Girls, House Passes H.R. 28-A Win For (Real) Women. Hollywood in Toto, Chloe Cole (‘Identity Crisis’) says Social Media Silences Detransitioners. 

From the College Fix, Top public policy programs lack conservative faculty, research finds. I'm shocked, shocked. 

Insty, TO BE FAIR, THAT’S BECAUSE DEI IS STUPIID: Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfal, " DEI SUPPORT PLUMMETS AS WORKERS SAY "ENOUGH" American workers are increasingly skeptical of DEI initiatives, with 42% of Republicans now calling them "bad" for business, up from 30% last year. Looks like those mandatory unconscious bias trainings aren't winning any popularity contests. Even among Democrats, enthusiasm is waning as 19% of workers say companies waste too much time on diversity programs. . . "

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Meanwhile, Back In The Kitchen and FMJRA 2.0: Reds Menace up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

Random Celebrity News

For some values of "random", "celebrity" and "news". Atop Da Hill, Cheryl Hines sells products with naked RFK Jr. showering behind her

In a video posted to social media, the 59-year-old “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star showed off her product sales for Black Friday from her company Hines+Young, which she co-founded with her daughter Catherine Young.

Hines held up a bottle of spray and a tin of body cream as she covered most of Kennedy, who President-elect Trump nominated to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“No, you can’t take a shower,” she said laughing as Kennedy stood behind her. “I’m doing a video.”The actress also shared an image of a candle from her company labeled “MAHA,” which stands for “Make America Healthy Again.”

At Da Mail, Ivanka Trump puts on a very busty display while surfing on a fun-filled family vacation 

The mom-of-three took to her Instagram Story to boast her jaw-dropping figure after DailyMail.com detailed her strict workout regime. While on an adventure with her family, Ivanka showcased her playful side as she jumped in the water and began surfing.

The 42-year-old, who will soon be First Daughter once again thanks to dad Donald Trump's presidential election win, shared a clip of her riding the waves on a FlowRider - a 40-foot-long surf stimulator.

And while her skills were impressive, all eyes were on her natural beauty as she wowed in a black one-piece. Ivanka's ensemble featured splashes of white fabric that accentuated her full bust and long legs

From TMZ, Britney Spears Claims She's Moved to Mexico ... After Just Turning 5. Coo-coo for cocoa puffs. 

In the footage posted to her IG account, the troubled pop star starts off by talking about how the paparazzi put her on a plane with a mask over her face while carrying a torch given to her by a friend.

As if that wasn't bizarre enough ... Britney discussed her B-day, falsely stating that she turned 42 when she's actually 43, but that wasn't the worst part.

Brit went on to say she's only 5 and going to kindergarten and has even moved South of the Border because the paparazzi are cruel in the way they portray her.

BIS, F3 Driver Sophia Flörsch Takes a Shot at $500M Superstar Lewis Hamilton: “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton knows how to raise eyebrows both on and off the track. He recently raised the issue of diversity in motorsport and said he would like to set up an F1 team that would have a diversity policy.

Sophia Flörsch, an F3 driver, didn’t shy away from publicly calling out Hamilton and challenged him to follow through on his words with actions. And that created a lot of backlash.

In a recent interview, Hamilton expressed his dream of having a team promoting diversity from the start. He highlighted junior talents such as Doriane Pin and Kenzo Craigie, both rising talents in the motorsport world, saying: “If I was to make a team, maybe one day I will, it’ll be diverse from the beginning.”
. . .
Alpine Academy driver Sophia Flörsch caused a stir by shrugging off Hamilton’s broadside with a blunt retort. Answering to a Motorsport.com post on X, she said: “Put your money where your mouth is.”

At Outkick,  Rachel Bush Brings Bikini Sunshine Vibes To The Make America Healthy Again Movement

With president-elect Donald Trump joining forces with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. during the election and the former selecting the latter to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it makes sense that Bush would be all in on Make America Healthy Again.

She's done all she can to assist the Dolphins this season. Where they end up at the end of the regular season is squarely on them. There's not much else she can do for the team.

Where Rachel Bush can help out is by leading by example for the MAHA movement. Let's get the garbage out of the food. It's past time to clean all that up.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Trump and RFK Jr bringing her in for a few meetings. Brainstorm some Make America Healthy Again ideas, then have her do her thing on social media. Let's get this done the right way.

Also from Outkick, Lindsey Vonn Hits The Gym In A Custom Bodysuit Ahead Of First Competition Since Announcing Her Comeback 

It's go time for Lindsey Vonn. The talk is over. Her nearly six-year retirement from skiing is coming to an end this weekend in Colorado. The 40-year-old is going to compete in her first event since announcing her comeback. US Ski Team Head Coach Paul Kirstofic confirmed that this week. Vonn will be competing at the FIS Fall Festival at Copper Mountain this weekend. The event takes place from Dec. 6-8.
. . .
No comeback is complete without creating some buzz and moving some products. Vonn checked the buzz portion of the equation off the list not long after her comeback was announced. Vonn accomplished that with a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit body paint throwback. On Thursday it was time to move some products.

At Fox, Actress dies after consuming amphibian's venom at spiritual cleansing retreat

A Mexican actress is dead after voluntarily participating in a spiritual cleansing ritual during which she reportedly consumed poisonous Amazonian frog venom.

Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez, 33, took some of the poison as part of a spiritual cleansing return that some South American natives have used for toxic cleansing, according to local reports.

Rodríguez started throwing up and had severe diarrhea. She first refused help while feeling ill but eventually gave in when her friend visited and her condition worsened, witnesses said.

Amanda Harding at Da Wire reports  ‘Oppenheimer’ Star Emma Dumont Comes Out As ‘Trans Masculine Non-Binary’ "The star also debuted “they/them” pronouns on Instagram and will use a new name, Nick."

“Would have been easier to just say ‘Emma Dumont comes out as mentally ill,'” one X commenter said.

“Emma Dumont comes out as attention seeker. Fixed it for you,” another one wrote.

“‘Oppenheimer’ star Emma Dumont comes out as a boring narcissistic attention seeker who thinks – mistakenly – getting a haircut and donning a t-shirt makes her interesting,” a third commenter shared.

The star has been active in Hollywood since 2009 with credits in minor films and TV shows. Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” took home 7 Academy Awards earlier this year including Best Picture, Directing, Actor in a Leading Role, Actor in a Supporting Role, Cinematography, Film Editing, and Original Score.

At BIS,  Miami Lost Twice This Past Weekend When Their Mascot Unsuccessfully Tried Hitting On A Syracuse Reporter

After starting the season with nine straight wins, the Miami Hurricanes have now lost two out of their last three contests. The latest was a 42-38 defeat to the Syracuse Orangemen in the JMA Wireless Dome.

Miami blew a 21-0 lead in the second quarter to fall to their Atlantic Coast Conference rival.

Also falling was their mascot. Down to one knee. In an attempt to get a local reporter’s phone number. He took his eye off the ball.

Ashley Wenskoski, a sports anchor and reporter for CNY Central, said Sebastian, who is defined as “an anthropomorphic white ibis,” was hitting on her during a crucial stretch of the game.

“Sebastian the Ibis just kneeled down and asked for my number mid-drive Feels like he has bigger things to worry about with his team on the ropes in the 4th quarter at the Dome…but who am I to say,” Wenskokski wrote on X.

The Wombat has Ruke 5 Sunday: Little Mischief Baker (sic) up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Palm Sunday

 with, you guessed it, Lauren Drain.

Hola! Ivanka Trump celebrates the opening of The Palm Tree Club in Miami

Ivanka Trump is one of Miami's biggest socialites. This week, she attended the launch of The Palm Tree Club, a new restaurant, hotel, and music venue launched by entrepreneur Myles Shear and DJ Kygo. Photos shared on Ivanka's Instagram showed her enjoying herself at the event and spending time with Shear and more guests.

Ivanka wore a sequin dress featuring various colors, including blue, brown, red and yellow. While the dress was bold in colors, it was also restrained, serving as the perfect look for a night out partying. She styled her hair straight and accessorized the look with some jewelry.

A photo shared by Myles praised Ivanka and thanked her for attending the opening. "Always bringing the best energy and great vibes," he wrote over the image. Ivanka reshared the image and added a message of her own. "Congratulations on the opening of The Palm Tree Club in Miami," she wrote.

Where's Jared? 

Linked at The Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links. The Wombat has Ruke 5 Sunday: Little Mischief Baker (sic) up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Once More, With Conviction

Of course we're still looking at the conviction of Donald Trump in New York, for 34 felonies based on his accountants picking what Alvin Bragg decided was the wrong item from a pull down menu to label his regular monthly payments to Michael Cohen. First, a trio from Althouse, "You now have a Republican leading candidate who’s a felon, who’s going to be debriefed on national security issues knowing how loose-lipped he is." "Said Michael Cohen, on MSNBC, quoted in "Michael Cohen Worries Trump Will Spill Secrets in Prison 'for a Bag of Tuna'" (Daily Beast)," "What should Trump's lawyers do now?" — asks Alan Dershowitz... ("5. Dershowitz says "No, we don't" to Biden's statement that we all need to subordinate ourselves to the decision produced in the legal process. The legal system, Dershowitz informs us, is "deeply flawed." And: "This case was rigged."), and "This was never about justice — this is about plastering 'convicted felon' all over the airwaves. The only thing that Donald Trump is guilty of is being in the courtroom of a political sham trial." "Said J.D. Vance, quoted in "Trump’s Conviction Binds the G.O.P. Even Closer to Him/Prominent Republicans, including congressional leaders, ex-rivals and potential running mates, basked in the energy, and fund-raising, of an outraged base" (NYT)." From PM, Alex Soros urges Democrats to call Trump 'a convicted felon at every opportunity' "Repetition is the key to a successful message." And he'll pay them to do it. Paul Bedard at WaEx hears ‘Trump’s real crime was leading Joe Biden in the polls.’ At the NY Intelligencer, Trump Was Convicted — But Prosecutors Contorted the Law. PJM's Vicky Taft hears Dershowitz: Trump's Appeals Chances Are Screwed And He Should Fire His Attorneys. Byron York, cited at Hat Hair, Just So We're All Clear Here, Bragg 'Pushed' His Team to 'Find a Workable Theory'.  David O'Donnell@brecko "In the simplest terms they concocted a triple hurdle multiple choice long jump prosecution contorting the law to target one man, a prosecution that had never been used before and will likely never be used again, which is not how our justice system is supposed to work." From Flopping Aces, ‘Intentional Misfeasance’ Makes Show Trial Conviction Ripe For Reversal, Legal Experts Say. At the Politics Brief, FEC Commissioner Blasts Trump Conviction, Debunks Claim He Violated Election Law, which was why he wasn't permitted to testify to that. Jason Cohen at Da Caller reports Mike Johnson Urges Supreme Court To ‘Step In’ After ‘Dangerous’ Trump Verdict.  Sundance at CTH hosts Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump Jr Discuss New York Guilty Verdict and Potential Assassination Efforts by FBI. Jon Levine at NYPo, House Dem wants Gov. Hochul to pardon Trump ‘for the good of the country’. At WJ,  Ivanka Breaks Her Silence, Posts Emotional 4-Word Response to Trump's Guilty Verdict. I Love You Dad.!

From Twitchy, President Joe Biden Says It's 'Dangerous' to Call Donald Trump's Trial 'Rigged'. 
 David Leatherwood @brokebackUSA "Translation: IT’S RIGGED." It's true, he lies about everything. Also at Twitchy, New Report Shows Biden Should Direct His 'Nobody's Above the Law' Lecture to Somebody Closer to Home.  Alex Thompson@AlexThomp "Exclusive: Hunter Biden has quietly been in a messy civil case for unpaid alimony to his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle, per court docs. In 2021, the court determined he owed Buhle $1.7+ million. By April 2023, her team said he owed her $2.9 million." PM, Biden 'not at all worried' that he could be prosecuted after leaving office. "Not at all. I didn't do anything wrong," Biden said. Like that matters. NewsMax, DeSantis: Trump Won't Lose Voting Rights in Florida

NewsBusters, Morning Joe: Bragg Team Didn't 'Relish' Victory, Normal Sentence Is Probation, But . . . Atop Da Hill Jonathan Turley writes Bragg’s thrill kill in Manhattan could prove short-lived on appeal. On his blog Turley writes of The Ghost of John Adams: How the Trump Trial Harkens Back to a Dark Period of American Law.  At Da Fed Tristan Justice reports House Republicans Call Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg To Testify Over Trump Conviction. Make him dodge a subpoena. 

At WaEx, tRepublicans vow lawfare revenge after Trump’s guilty verdict. CA Skeet at PJUM says simply it's Time To Fight Dirty. Hat Hair's KT hears This Means War: GOP Senators Sent Message to Biden, No More Cooperation on Legislation or Nominations. At Woke Spy, “Release The Names” – Report Into Congress Settlements Resurfaces. "The story from CNN focuses on a report released by the Office of Compliance, effectively revealing that, from 1997 to 2017, Congress paid out more than $17 million in settlements. There have been over 268 settlements across the 20-year period, all of which came from taxpayers’ money through a special fund within the U.S. Treasury. This was made possible by the passing of the Congressional Accountability Act in 1995." And prosecute every Democrat on the list. 

Da Fetched,   CNN Reporter Warns Democrats Trump’s Guilty Verdict Will Backfire: ‘Even Non-MAGA Will Vote Trump Now. At WaEx, Even Never Trumpers now support former president following conviction and Sealed lips: Vulnerable Senate Democrats dodge Trump’s guilty verdict. Nick Arama at RedState notes the First Post-Verdict Poll Is Out - Watch Dems Tear Their Hair Out Over This. At NYPo, Trump wins over independents in deep blue NY, trails Biden by mere single digits in historic flip. Hat Hair's Jazz Shaw sees Yes, GOP Fundraising Broke Records After Trump Conviction.  

From Breitbart, Jason Aldean Slams Trump Verdict: ‘If There was Ever a Time to Speak Up, IT’S NOW! ‘ and Former NFL Player Brian Urlacher Pledges to Vote for Donald Trump, Calls Verdict ‘Fake Charges’. Hat Hair's KT, NAB Rescinds Prestigious Award to Robert De Niro after Anti-Trump Freak-Out. "NAB describes itself as "proudly non-partisan", so when De Niro participated in a Biden-Harris campaign event in front of the Manhattan courthouse where Trump's hush money trial was wrapping up, the association rescinded the honor." Twitchy, The Untouchable: Broadcasters Association Strips Robert De Niro of Award After Unhinged Trump Rant. Andy Ngo catches Antifa in some typical hypocrisy.  Andy Ngô @MrAndyNgo "Abolish prisons, right Antifa?" 

WaEx, Jack Smith’s team tries for another Trump gag order after getting shot down. "Smith’s request would bar Trump from making statements about the law enforcement officers who searched his Mar-a-Lago home . . ."

Misty Severt at JTN reports  DC attorney discipline board recommends Giuliani be disbarred over 2020 election. They will, of course. Remember, the DC Bar didn't even disbar the DOJ lawyer who lied on the FISA requests to get the warrants for Carter Page. 

Paul Bedard reports Backstabbing rages in plots to replace Biden. TND, Sesame Street disavows Elmo appearance at Biden campaign event. 

Anxious is anxious about going Inside Hunter Biden's secret legal battle. He spent a lot of money on hookers and coke. The rest he wasted. John Sexton at Hat Hair, Hunter Biden is Broke and His 'Secret' Civil Case Isn't Going Well. "It seems to me Hunter would be better off if Joe just went to bat for his son, put up some money to defend him and even showing up for the trial. Hell, Joe should take out a mortgage on his house. No one would blame him and he'd probably gain a lot of sympathy with his supporters who love the image of Joe as the doting dad. I guess I don't see the downside to just admitting this is a problem and embracing it. It's really too late to do anything else anyway. The trial starts Monday and at that point not talking about it will seem odd." From Da Caller, Hunter Biden’s Latest Legal Allegation Could Be ‘Very Bad’ For American Journalism, Analysts Say "Aaron Terr, Director of Public Advocacy for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), told the Daily Caller that if the revenge porn allegations were to succeed, “that would be a very bad ruling for a free press.”"

WUWT cited Da Caller, Dems Who Back Biden’s Crackdown on Fossil Fuels Suddenly Worried About High Gas Prices. Also, Joe Biden’s Dangerous Natural Gas Game. 

Hank Berrien at Da Wire, Trump Winning New York Independents, Closing Gap In Super-Blue State To Single Digits: Poll. Sundance at CTH is suspicious about President Trump and Elon Musk Collaborating Again? Sarah Arnold at TownHall says Wait Until You Hear Bill Maher's Crazy Theory About Trump and the 2024 Election, "suggesting the 2024 front-runner is quietly devising plans to take over the government." Isn't that what Presidents do?

ET reports Ohio Senate Passes Bills to Put Biden on Ballot, Ban Foreign Money in State Ballot Issues. Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, is expected to sign both measures, but the DNC still plans to hold a virtual convention to nominate Biden in Ohio. I would have let it go. 

Jazz Shaw, Huh. People in Kansas Don't Have a 'Fundamental Right to Vote'. Restoration of Americe remembers, 100% VOTER TURNOUT IN WISCONSIN NURSING HOMES ISN’T NORMAL. WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN IN 2024? This fall, they'll probably double down and go for 200%, 

WokeSpy has the video, NYU Students List Their Majors – And It Makes “Underwater Basket Weaving” Look Like a Real Major by Comparison. 

From the Free Bacon, The Dean of UCLA Medical School Says It Does Not Discriminate Based on Race. His Own Research Center Runs a Minorities-Only Fellowship. The ‘iDIVERSE’ program bars white and Asian researchers from applying.

From Hat Hair, (NSFW) Bill Maher Provides College Kiddies With Helpful Lesson in Exactly What They're Supporting.

Kids, if you want to change the world and not just tie up Monday morning traffic, this is the apartheid that desperately needs your attention: The #GenderApartheid. pic.twitter.com/0Ajep3JUnN

— Bill Maher (@billmaher) June 1, 2024

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad up at The Other McCain.