Flotsam and Jetsam - Strait of Hormuz is Open

Just look at Marine Traffic.com. Leslie Eastman at LI, It Appears Ships are Sailing, Once Again, Through the Strait of Hormuz "As Washington underwrites safe passage and “privateer” tankers steam through silently with transponders off, the ayatollahs are reduced to offering bribery coupons for “safe passage” to any government willing to dump U.S. and Israeli diplomats, advertising weakness to friend and foe alike." Nick Arama at Red State, Here's What Iran Just Said About the Strait of Hormuz - It Sounds Like a Huge Cave After Trump Threat. Open to all save Israel and the US, who they can't stop. Andrew Clark @AndrewHClark, "In 72 hours we went from: Trump never expected the possibility of Hormuz closing, To: Trump was briefed Hormuz could close but riskily did it anyway, To: Trump bombed Kharg Island but it likely won’t force Iran to open the Strait To: Iran opened the Strait." John Ʌ Konrad V @johnkonrad, "Let me tell you the secret difference between a Navy and merchant ship captain that goes beyond the obvious..."

The Scuttlebutt

From Scott McKay at Am Spec, Five Quick Things: How’s the Iran War Actually Going? "It is being run by professionals, which is more than you can say about the Senate." Oh no, they're professional politicians; that's the problem. At Hat Hair, Dave Strom Pravda and the Democrats Are Lying: Operation Epic Fury Strategy Is Brilliant; UPDATE: Iran Opens Strait and Duane Patterson, Donald Trump Checkmates Iran On Day 14. wretchardthecat @wretchardthecat, "As I have often pointed out, the administration deliberately conceals its direction of advance in OEF, like an NBA player faking and feinting to throw of the defense. There is a long list of "would never" actions that the administration has started, breaking every taboo, only to not quite go down and veer in an unexpected direction. Everyone is still guessing: 1) Are the Kurds going in? 2) Is there going to be a superadvanced drone attack on the IRGC? 3) Will the administration declare victory and leave? 4) Will the US spare the ayatollahs and negotiate? 5) Will US proxies and marines take an Iranian port? Damned if I know and one suspects this is deliberate. They have a goal, but are advancing toward it in a heuristic manner." James Fay at RCD attributes it to Getting Inside the Enemy’s Mind with superb intelligence. Kyle Moran at RCP says Finish the Job, Mr. President.

Capt. Ed at Hat Hair finds this Too Fun to Check: Hamas Condemns Iran? Plus, Israel Tees Up 'Massive' Invasion. Northern Barbarian @xnoesbueno, "That is definitely the Hitler Bunker. Iranian dude's making demands from the Hitler Bunker. Like, "We will consider ending the war when we receive full compensation from Russia, the United States and Britain for all our damage, and Russia withdraws from Berlin." Skinny nervous dude next to loudmouth looks like, howTF do I get out of here? Kinda looks like he's about to hurl." Quote Defiant L’s @DefiantLs, "Senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaee: We will consider ending the war only when, first, we receive full compensation for all our damages from the United States, and second, we obtain a 100% guarantee for the future.. US withdraws from the Persian Gulf." Tim O'Brien at PJM sees the Rats Are Jumping Ship: Is the Iranian Regime Relocating to Canada? Will the Mossad follow them? Almost for sure.

From NewsBusters, CNN Officials Caught Celebrating Regime at Iranian Embassy Party in U.K. Matt Vespa, So, That's Who CNN Was Busted Partying With in London Last Month End Wokeness @EndWokeness, "MSNBC anchor: Trump's attacks on Iran are "racism."" Nick Arama can't believe it Did They Really Say This? CNN Issues Incredible Statement About Their Horrible Week of False Stories. Matt Vespa, So, That's Who CNN Was Busted Partying With in London Last Month. Nick Arama can't believe it Did They Really Say This? CNN Issues Incredible Statement About Their Horrible Week of False Stories. Deputy Press Sec Joel Valdez @JoelValdezDOW, "Can the following reporters from the major cable news networks please confirm you were at today's Pentagon press briefing? Jim @Acosta still doesn't believe you were there. @LMartinezABC (ABC) @Ellee_Watson (CBS) @halbritz (CNN) @JenGriffinFNC (Fox) @JulesJester (MS NOW) @ckubeNBC (NBC) Thank you!" Quote Jim Acosta @Acosta "The major networks and news outlets were not participants in that Pentagon “briefing.” Lindell TV, One America News, Real America News all asked “questions.” This is happening in the United States. Fills you with confidence?" At Twitchy, Veterans on X OBLITERATE Bond Trader Rando For Claiming That 'No One In the Military Wants to Serve'. Defiant L’s @DefiantLs, "Bill Maher: "Don’t take that the wrong way. I’m on our side, okay? I’m for us winning. I’m not on that page of ‘Trump did it, so I’m with the Ayatollah now.’ No!"" Charles C. W. Cooke @charlescwcooke, "This is so cheap. He actually said, “War is hell. War is chaos. And as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen. American heroes, all of them.” Bertrand knows that, which is why she disabled replies." Quote Natasha Bertrand @NatashaBertrand Replying to @NatashaBertrand, "Hegseth on the KC-135 crash: “Bad things can happen” in war. Caine starts out with a tribute to those killed." Readers added context, "The quote above was taken out of context. The full quote honors the dead and their service. ""War is hell. War is chaos. And as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen. American heroes - all of them." The Babylon Bee @TheBabylonBee, "To Save Time, CNN Will Now Run Retractions Simultaneously With News Stories https://buff.ly/qEWLcI1"

On a serious note, an anti-Iran war lib, doxxed Cynical Publius, and earned a stunning rebuke from Data Republican. DataRepublican (small r) @DataRepublican, "Hello Brad Duplessis, You pre-emptively blocked me here on 𝕏, so I am forced to make this "Hello" a standalone post. You are a retired Army infantry officer. You served in Iraq and Afghanistan. You graduated from the National War College in 2018. You are now an Assistant Professor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Thank you for your service. But reputations are not defined by resumes. They are defined by choices. Today, you chose to doxx @CynicalPublius. Today, you published your debut article on War on the Rocks. You published his legal name. His profession. His pseudonym. All in one sentence. Indexed, archived, permanently searchable. You have changed the course of his life forever, and revealed him to the leftist ghouls who will demand his blood for forever. It doesn't matter if he was planning to reveal his identity eventually. You still made that choice. And I will make sure you are remembered for this. So, what was CP's sin such that you saw it fit to throw him to the wolves? Last month, he dared to write an article for American Greatness, centered around nine recommendations for War College reform. The recommendations included firing most civilian faculty and ending permanent military faculty positions. You hold a permanent civilian faculty position at a War College. You did not mention this in your article. In short, you named him, exposed his life to danger, because you really are arguing for your job and self-preservation. ..." It's worth reading the full thing. All hail autism! Cynical Publius @CynicalPublius, "Today has been pretty intense. Thank you all for your support. I'm going to sign off for a bit, but I want to leave everyone with some thoughts. People on the Right tend to use pseudonyms on social media because we have well-founded concerns of death threats, attempts to get us fired from our jobs, attacks on family members, hacking, SWATting and all other manner of evil (and often illegal) mischief from those on the Left, up to and including being murdered for our free speech. People on the Left tend to use their real names on social media because they know that people on the Right tend to respect the rule of law and the basic dignity of other human beings. We are not the same."

At Twitchy, Sen. Mark Kelly (Almost) Catches Pete Hegseth Giving an Illegal Order. Senator Mark Kelly @SenMarkKelly, "“No quarter” isn’t some wanna be tough guy line - it means something. An order to give no quarter would mean to take no prisoners and kill them instead. That would violate the law of armed conflict. It would be an illegal order. It would also put American service members at greater risk. Pete Hegseth should know better than to throw around terms like this." Quote Acyn@Acyn, "Hegseth: No quarter, no mercy for our enemies. Yet some in the press just can't stop. More fake news from CNN reports that the Trump administration underestimated the Iran war's impact on the strait of hormuz. The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better." Complete BORE @BulletboyDesign, ""Hyperbole is a figure of speech using deliberate, often dramatic exaggeration—not meant to be taken literally—to emphasize a point, evoke strong emotions, or add humor." However, people suffering from even mild cases of TDS are incapable of understanding this. Stop digging." Prompt Critical HY80 @DeckplateOpsO, "“If iraq rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear: victory. And victory means total victory. No concessions. No quarter.” -Joe biden."

Northern Barbarian @xnoesbueno, "OK, so the Abraham Accords. Taking down the Venezuelan cartel/dictatorship. Finally a response in the Iran War, the mullahs thought we were stupid and weak, they were right. Now Cuba. You do get he's basically walking on water. Making every elected hack, bureaucrat and diplomat of the last 40 years or so look like dithering incompetent fools, when they weren't actively and despicably enabling said dictatorships, that is. Could it all go wrong? Yeah. But for the first time since Ronald Reagan blew up the Soviet Union, someone's trying." Quote New York Post @nypost "Cubans chant 'Down with Communism' and attack government building during violent night of protests https://trib.al/EODsODx" Marc J. Randazza @marcorandazza, "while new yorkers vote in communists." The Miami Herald, Havana is expected to allow Cubans in Miami, elsewhere to own businesses on the island. AP whines Young Cubans turn to church and state as cheap, synthetic drugs flood the streets. Nioh Berg @NiohBerg, "This is Cuba now. Cubans and Venezuelans are some of the only people on Earth who really truly understand Iranians, and vice versa. Freedom inspires freedom. May all our countries be liberated this year." Amy Curtis @RantyAmyCurtis, "I love the optics of a bunch of white, rich American socialists going to Cuba to tell them not to overthrow communism." Quote DSA @DemSocialists, "DSA is going to Cuba! 20 DSA members are joining the Nuestra America Convoy this March 21st. We’ll bring much-needed material aid, volunteer our labor in solidarity, and show the world that Cuba is under siege, but they are not alone." Sarah Anderson at PJM likes The New Monroe Doctrine: The Fear Is Gone.

Martyupnorth®- Unacceptable Fact Checker @Martyupnorth "A stupid Canadian general wanted to show the Americans how tough our soldiers are, and ordered them to stay out on exercise during dangerously cold weather. The Americans went home. It cost dozens of our guys fingers and toes. But that's not the worse part. The army tried to keep this secret, and under-reported the severity of the injuries. This story is not over." There's brave, and there's stupid. Sometime it's hard to see the line.

From NYPo, President Trump orders oil drilling operations to resume off California and Stunning turnaround for California’s oil industry after Trump’s surprise executive order to help ease gas prices. 

At Breitbart, The U.S. Really Does Have a Balance-of-Payments Problem "The establishment case against tariffs got a polished restatement in the Financial Times this week. It is worth examining carefully because it gets the problem wrong, gets the causation wrong, and offers wishes in place of solutions."

Richard Grenell @RichardGrenell, "Your buffoonery knows no limits. You sat silent while the place went into total disrepair. You sat silent while the staff was paid with monies designed to pay off the future $30 million loan coming due in 2030 because there was no money in the bank to pay salaries. You sat silent while corporations left because of the hard left woke programming. We fixed it. ... You are welcome." Quote Sheldon Whitehouse @SenWhitehouse "Like a mob bust-out gone wrong, Trumpsters’ looting of the Kennedy Center has put it out of business, and now it needs to be “closed for renovations” as cover-up. No surprise he’s being replaced."

Joe Chalfant at TownHall, So, That's How Republicans Just Lost a Long-Held Mayoral Seat By a Single Vote. The Biz Doc @TomEllsworth, "Boca Raton Republicans just lost their mayor seat for the first time in 30+ years. Won by a Democrat with under 40% of the vote. How? Two Republicans: • Establishment insider (Vice Mayor) • Outsider businessman Neither would drop out. Combined Republican vote: 11,534 (60%) Winning Democrat: 7,572 (39%) Margin of victory: 1 vote. Ego > party." And Matt Vespa, This Quote From Gov. Stitt Is NOT Good News Regarding Who He'd Pick to Replace Markwayne Mullin.

Stacey Matthews at LI, Democrat Senator Suddenly Open to DHS Funding After Michigan Synagogue Attack “Certainly, we need to fund the Department of Homeland Security, and we need, in my view, to cut away all the conversation on ICE, which is its own conversation, from all the core missions of the DHS.” At Calling All RushBabes *Delayed Reaction. Islamic Terror Attacks in the United States. Daniel Friedman @DanFriedman81, "The Left is so committed to the position that bad guys are actually good guys and good guys are actually bad guys that multiple major media outlets tried to justify and rationalize the actions of a terrorist who drove a truck full of explosives into a pre-school full of babies."

Hat Hair's John Sexton is amused by the Washington Post: Republicans Are Seizing on Talarico's Past Statements. Damn right! Matt Boose at the Chronic, James Talarico and the Anti-White Cult of the Left. KT at Ace's notes that Talarico's bots are appearing on social media. 

From the Free Bacon, Bond Market May Be a Last Guardrail on Far-Left Mayors as Moody’s Goes 'Negative' on Mamdani’s New York, "Chicago also under pressure as Fitch cautions about 'management ineffectiveness.'"

Chris Rufo and Haley Strack at CJ go Inside San Francisco’s Racialist Slush Fund. "The city’s revived “Dream Keeper” initiative is spending millions on groups that have offered an all-black drag show, “ancient Egyptian” healing, and free doulas for “Black birthing people”—potentially in violation of federal law."

Chris Chmielenski at Am Great on The Path to a Million: Why Mass Deportations are the Key to 2026 "Trump’s base didn’t elect him for half measures on immigration; they expect mass deportations—and the scale of enforcement between now and November may decide the 2026 midterms." Matt Van Swol @mattvanswol, "I regret to inform you that white liberal women are now SINGING, DANCING, AND GRINDING on ICE agents in order to protest the removal of dangerous criminal illegal aliens from the country. You cannot make this up... Absolutely insane behavior on display here."

Jonathan Turley is flabbergasted by a Former Columbia Professor who Calls for Violence and Glorifies the Murder of Jews: “We Need to Destroy” At Quotulatiousness the QotD: “Bludgeonspeak” "I’m coining a term today: “bludgeonspeak”. Bludgeonspeak is the use of invented terminology, or historical terminology that has been hijacked and corrupted, and then emptied of all meaning except as an attempt at moral blackmail. Here are some notable bludgeonspeak items in 2025: “racist”, “fascist”, “homophobe”, “transphobe”, “islamophobe”, “far-right”. Also, the term “genocide” might not be quite there yet, but it’s being pushed in that direction pretty hard. Some bludgeonspeak terms, like “fascist” and “racist” and “genocide”, used to have substantive meanings which have been destroyed by persistent abuse. It may be appropriate to recognize and use those meanings if you are reading or writing or speaking about history. Others, like “homophobe”, “transphobe”, and “islamophobe”, were bludgeonspeak from birth. There are no circumstances in which these have substantive meaning, and it is unwise to treat them as though they do."The Babylon Bee @TheBabylonBee, "Tragedy: Liberal Gets Stabbed Before Finishing Telling People How Peaceful Islam Is https://buff.ly/wiBh5F0."

Josh Blackmun at The Volokh Conspiracy, The Penis Mightier, "Why is it worse to use problematic language to describe something than to acknowledge that thing is actually problematic?" "I think most people have missed the point of Judge VanDyke's "swinging dicks" dissental. Of course he used vulgar and coarse language. (I for one would not use this approach in my writing.) That was VanDyke's point. He was trying to draw a double standard. Thirty members of his court expressed their outrage at VanDyke writing about "swinging dicks," but not one of them was willing to review a case that involved actual "swinging dicks." How can it be that describing "swinging dicks" in a women's spa is a bigger problem than the state permitting actual "swinging dicks" in a women's spa? Judge VanDyke proves the old saw is true: "The pen is mightier than the sword." Or, as Sean Connery would say on SNL Celebrity Jeopardy!, "The penis mightier."

Tablesalt @Tablesalt13, "Average wait times by specialist in Canada: (There's a surprise at the end) Neurosurgery: 49.9 weeks Orthopaedic Surgery: 48.6 weeks Otolaryngology: 43.8 weeks Plastic Surgery: 41.5 weeks Gynaecology: 40.6 weeks General Surgery: 31.8 weeks Ophthalmology: 20.8 weeks Urology: 25.7 weeks Cardiovascular Surgery (Elective): 19.6 weeks Internal Medicine: 21.2 weeks Medically Assisted Dying: 0 days."

Flotsam and Jetsam - Delving Further into Biden's Cancerous Prostate

Are you surprised Joe Biden's prostate gland is still the dominant topic? Fox, Biden's prostate cancer described as 'aggressive' — what to know about the disease's prognosis "Former president's disease is 'hormone-sensitive,' which means it may be more treatable." More on the importance of that, Katie Jerkovich at RedState hears a Top Urologist Tell Megyn Kelly Biden’s Cancer Announcement Has ‘Tell’ This Isn't New, "So, if it was just a week ago, they had the prostate nodule, within a week, they did the biopsy, and they got the disease so very quickly, within all one week, based on the story that they're telling, they've been able to do the staging part and find out if the cancer is spread to the bone or not, but you have to give the injections and see if the patient responds," he added." Capt. Ed at Hat Hair sees WSJ Wonders: How Did Doctors Miss Stage 4 Cancer in Patient #1? NewsMax claims Biden's Last Prostate Blood Screening Done in 2014. "I think the likely scenario, knowing Kevin O'Connor pretty well, is that they had a discussion on what a PSA test is, and they decided not to do one because it would likely be elevated and cause a story, since a lot of older men have high PSAs that are false positives," a long-serving aide to Biden told the Post on Monday. "A blood test has a paper trail," the aide said. "They probably just didn't do the test. I think it would leak if he had a PSA test they tried to bury." LifeZette, Doctors Question Timing of Joe Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis, Don Jr Says ‘Cover Up?’ NYPo, Joe Biden’s WH doctor was a longtime family friend who once worked with his shady brother — as cancer ‘cover-up’ speculation mounts. Matt Vespa at TownHall hears Former Biden WH Staffers Reveal They Knew Something Else Was Off About Joe...and It Wasn't Memory-Related and Did CBS News Really Suggest This Is the Reason Why Biden Wasn't Given a Prostate Cancer Test? to save money? Nick Arama at RedState, Ex-Biden Aides Now Talking, Raise New Questions After Biden's Cancer Diagnosis. PJM's Matt Margolis, White House Insiders Break Silence on Biden Cancer Cover Up. Driscoll at Insty, STEPHEN MILLER: Why Biden’s cancer diagnosis has been greeted by a dose of skepticism. “If there’s no diagnosis, there’s nothing to disclose.” Scott Pinsker at PJM has The Five Biggest Questions of the Biden Health Cover-Up.

Victory Girls claim Joe’s Cancer Diagnosis: This Is Jill’s Fault. "I’m going to be very blunt. This is Jill’s fault. We all know it. Jill wanted to keep her power and privilege flowing. She’s Edith Wilson on steroids." Sister Toldja at RedState, The Whole 'Dr' Jill Debate Comes to a Rather Dramatic - and Fitting - Conclusion: Mollie @MZHemingway "This journalist, who seems to believe Jill Biden has a PhD (it's an EdD), is apparently unaware of the decade-long running joke every non-left-winger has been making about "Dr. Jill Biden." Quote Olga Nesterova @onestpress "Someone pls explain to Don Jr the difference between PhD and MD." 

Western Lensman @WesternLensman "Hakeem Jeffries wants talk of the Biden cognitive coverup shut down. Says it’s “entirely inappropriate” for Republicans to discuss such “conspiracy theories" after the cancer diagnosis. “Republicans want to look backward…Democrats are going to look forward." There it is." At PJM, Rick Moran goes there, Biden's Cancer Announcement Was Timed to Distract From the Cognitive Decline Coverup. Razor@hale_razor "2020: JUST BEING SAFE BC COVID '21: COVID '22: JUST A STUTTER '23: SHARP AS A TACK! 5/2024: BEST HEALTH EVER! 6/2024: WE'RE REPLACING HIM BC A BAD DEBATE 2/2025: He wasn't mentally fit" 5/2025: He wasn't physically fit, stop talking about the past." jimtreacher.substack.com @jtLOL ""Just because we've lied to you over and over doesn't mean we're lying about THIS," explained the journos." The Daily Beast @thedailybeast, "Donald Trump Jr. and MAGAworld quickly pounced on the news of Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis with rampant speculation about a “cover-up” of the true state of the former president’s health. https://trib.al/UpV2793" Twitchy, MANTRUM Alert! Kurt Eichenwald Goes After 'MAGA Morons' in Rage-Filled RANT About Biden's Cancer and ROFL Maximinus Thrax (AKA Pundit Paranoia) @PunditParanoia "Crazy how all you constitutional scholars of last week are now Urology Oncologist experts this week." Dave Strom at Hat Hair says Calls to Lay Off Biden by the Democrats Fall on Deaf Ears, With Good Reason. Bonchie at RedState claims Amid Serious Questions About Biden's Cancer Diagnosis, the Press Has Learned Absolutely Nothing. They never do. WokeSpy, “Big Problem”: Trump Sounds Alarm Over Someone Not Telling the Truth About Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis.

Driscoll cites JIM TREACHER: So, Who Was Really President for Four Years? Alex Jones @RealAlexJones, "BREAKING: Biden Deputy Chief Of Staff Confesses In Undercover Video That Biden Was A Near Vegetable Over The Last Four Years & Was NEVER The President— He Goes On to Name Who the Real President Was!" At Althouse, A bubble-wrapped President protected by a chimera in a mirage in an alternate universe, "I'm trying to read "The Tragedy of Joe Biden" by Maureen Dowd," and "Don't news people have to tell you what they know when they find it out?" "Isn't that the difference between news and a secret?" from John Stewart. Capt. Ed, Stewart on Tapper: Say, Remember When Reporters Actually Reported News When They Found It? and Denial Ain't Just a River in Egypt: Biden Has Nothing to Do With 2028? Western Lensman @WesternLensman, "Jake Tapper says he has apologized to Lara Trump, after Megyn Kelly calls him out for for wrongfully smearing her and running cover for Biden: Kelly: Do you want to apologize to Lara Trump now? Tapper: I've already apologized to her. I called her months ago…I called Lara Trump and I said, you were right." Kelly: She was totally right." Matt Vespa, Ex-MSNBC Analyst's Initial Take on the Biden Mental Health Cover-Up Just Had Gasoline Poured on It. Hat Hair's Dave Strom hears Joe Scarborough: No Regrets, What I Saw Was 'Best Biden Ever'. Duanne Patterson at Hat Hair, Absolutely, Positively, Without Question the Dumbest Take You'll See All Day. A high bar indeed. Sundance at CTH, Remember the Stage They Built for Joe Biden? "Everyone in DC knew. No one in Washington DC did not know." Chris Queen at PJM, They Lied to Us. We'll Never Forget It.

Driscoll at Insty, NOW IT CAN BE TOLD: Jake Tapper Absolutely Buries ‘Sleazy’ and ‘Unethical’ Hunter Biden, Questions Why He Had So Much Power in the Family. Jason Cohen @JasonJournoDC, NEW: Jake Tapper GOES SCORCHED EARTH on Hunter Biden TAPPER: "I think he is provably, demonstrably, unethical, sleazy and prone to horrible decisions." COURIC: "Tell me how you really feel." TAPPER: "Just look at the record: after his brother died, he cheated on his wife with his brother’s widow and then got her addicted to crack." @DailyCaller." Sundance is happy to report Govt Weaponization Lead Investigator, Ed Martin, Reviewing Background of the Biden Autopen Pardons.

From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 05.19.25, Louder With Crowder,  Hey, remember when Joe Biden (accidentally?) admitted to having cancer in 2022?, Vox Popoli: Joe Biden’s Cancer, "I think Biden #1, the real Biden, died years ago. And while it’s possible that it’s a vaxx-related turbocancer that has simply progressed much faster than normal, I suspect this is just cleaning house now that the Six Bidens are no longer politically valid'," Chicago Boyz: The Real Tragedy of Joe Biden, Dana Loesch: How Long Will The Press Cover For Biden?, Don Surber: Scraping Joe Biden off their shoes, First Street Journal: The left lie through their scummy teeth, The Geller Report: Biden Battling ‘Most Aggressive Type’ of Prostate Cancer with Bone Metastasis, Transterrestrial Musings: Jake Tapper, Victory Girls: The Democrat Professional Racketeers Will Never Apologize To Robert Hur, also, Joe’s Cancer Diagnosis – This Is Jill’s Fault, The Federalist, Relive Karine Jean-Pierre’s Worst Moments Covering Up Biden’s Decline.

Dave Strom, Bernie Sanders Agrees That Democrats Are a Threat to Democracy. Defiant L’s @DefiantLs "“Hasn't been a fair Democratic primary since 2008.. Are they a threat to democracy?” Sanders: “Yeah, I'm not going to argue with that”" From Hat Hair VIP, John Sexton hears Democrats Have Big Money Plans to 'Achieve Narrative Dominance'. At Breitbart, Trump Calls for ‘Major Investigation’ into Whether Kamala Harris Paid for Endorsements from Beyoncé, Springsteen, Oprah. From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 05.19.25, Louder With Crowder, Bernie Sanders admits OUT LOUD that Democrats are the ones who are a threat to democracy,  American Thinker: Want to Understand the Modern Democrat Party? Look no Further than Apocalyptic Cults, BattleSwarm: Why Democrats Won’t Go On Podcasts. 

Ben Whedon at JTN reports Trump says 'Golden Dome' missile defense shield with be online by end of term, ""We will truly be completing the job that President Reagan started 40 years ago, forever, ending the missile threat to the American homeland," he added." ET, Trump Unveils $175 Billion Plan for ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defense System. I applaud the attempt, but I don't believe it can be done in 4 years. Jeff Charles at TownHall, Pete Hegseth Just Launched an Investigation That May Change Everything We Know About Afghanistan Debacle. From the Center Square, Secret Service, DOD, Coast Guard, Border Patrol applications surge under Trump.

Misty Severi at JTN hears the House Speaker predicts chamber will vote on Trump budget before Friday, "Johnson has been negotiating with GOP holdouts over the past week, but said recent progress could put the House on track to pass a rule governing the bill on Wednesday and a final vote no later than Thursday." Dave Strom writes In Defense of Thomas Massie, one of the holdouts. Sundance hosts President Trump Delivers Remarks After Meeting with Republican Conference on Budget and Tax Bill. OTP, Trump On Medicaid: “No Changes Will Be Made.” At the Peacock, Ray Dalio says the risk to U.S. Treasurys is even greater than what Moody’s is saying. "Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio said Moody’s downgrade of the U.S. credit rating does not take into account the risk of the federal government printing money to pay its debt." And, China’s retail sales disappoint as stimulus fails to spur demand; industrial output defies tariffs. From Da Blaze, Senate unanimously codifies Trump's 'No Tax on Tips' policy. Breitbart sees Promises Made, Promises Kept: Memorial Day Set For Lowest Gas Prices in Over 20 Years. 

Eric Daugherty@EricLDaugh, "LMAO!!! TRUMP: "I'll shove it up their a*s!" HE JUST WENT OFF! "I said [during term 1], man, I won't be president! I got the Olympics [2028] and the World Cup [2026], and I won't be president, and they're gonna forget that I got them, nobody's gonna mention it, because you know, that's the way life is..." "And then they rigged the election. And then I said, you know what I'll do? I'll run again, and I'll shove it up their a*s." "And that's what I did. And all of a sudden, I then realized, I said, you know what? I got the Olympics. I got the World Cup, and I got the 250th. Look at the way this works out." At Althouse, "I don't even know what the hell that is. Get yourself a real job." From Fox, Kid Rock hails Trump as 'dragon slayer' battling wokeness and cancel culture. Don Surber, It is not Trump they fear, it’s you. "He just has the nukes." At Ace's The Morning Rant: Negotiating like The “Donald” Lesson 1 [Pete Bog] "One of the key lessons to negotiating like the Donald is to keep your opponent guessing. If you pay attention you will see that he runs the exact same playbook every time he sets out to accomplish something. He makes a brash claim or laughable statement. Say for example, “The US should own Greenland, it is our destiny!” Of course, the Danish hoi polloi, and the useful predictable press wail and scream. But with whom is Trump negotiating?"

From NewsMax, Trump Envoy Grenell Gets US Veteran Released From Venezuela and Vance Meets Pope, Delivers Trump Invitation to Visit White House. At ET, Trump’s Pick to Head IRS Set for Long-Delayed Confirmation Hearing. "Trump, in announcing he had chosen Long to head the IRS, said Long’s current business focuses on helping small businesses navigate IRS complexities." At Ace, in red italic font, "A Restoration of... Trust:" FDA Will Stop Recommending the Clot-Shot to Anyone Under 65, "So they've joined the Russian Conspiracy Theory too."

Susie Moore at RedState, 'This Is a District Court—Not a Denny’s': 5th Circuit Responds to SCOTUS in TdA Case and Hoo Boy. Varad Mehta@varadmehta, "Judge Ho, of course, is entirely correct. The more John Roberts keeps this up, the more likely it is that the political branches alter Article III's place in our constitutional order." Quote Josh Blackman@JoshMBlackman "Fifth Circuit Assigns A.A.R.P. v. Trump To New Panel For Reargument, Judge Ho Concurs. "I worry that the disrespect they have been shown will not inspire continued respect for the judiciary, without which we cannot long function." https://reason.com/volokh/2025/05" Varad Mehta @varadmehta, "Ho is at worst No. 2 right now for the next SCOTUS opening, and even if he were appointed solely to be a stake driven through John Roberts' scrotum, that in and of itself would be reason enough to appoint him." Am Great, Sen. John Kennedy: SCOTUS Should Seize Chance to Eliminate Universal Injunctions. Beege Welborn at Hat Hair, SCOTUS Sides With Maine Rep Silenced for Defending Girls' Sports From Men in Skirts. From the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 05.19.25, BattleSwarm, Federal Court Strikes Down Biden Tranny Business Guidelines. WUWT, ‘Not Judiciable By Any Court’: Pennsylvania Court Tosses County’s Climate Lawsuit.

Ace, DOJ Charges One of the Democrats Who Attacked Guards at the Newark ICE Facility, "But but but Democratic Immunity! It's just been revoked." Jonathan Turley at NYPo, Democrats shocked, SHOCKED that breaking the law leads to their arrest. Stephen Kruiser, Finally, Consequences Are Making a Comeback. Capt. Ed, Jeffries: No One Is Above the Law! (Except Dems). Western Lensman @WesternLensman, "May 13: Hakeem Jeffries threatens retaliation should any of the Dem House members who stormed the NJ ICE facility be arrested. “They’ll find out. It’s a red line. There are clear lines that they dare not cross." Rep LaMonica McIver was just charged. Now what, Hakeem?"

Sundance, Within President Trump’s “Russiagate” Declassification Request There Are Two Important Document Sets That DNI Tulsi Gabbard Needs to Release "… And Director Gabbard may not know they exist." Susie Moore has a Tuesday Morning Minute: Just a Simple Unfrozen Caveman FBI Director. Misty Severi, Trump Justice Department opens probe into former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. "The investigation is allegedly following up on a referral from House Oversight Chairman James Comer, who has repeatedly asked the Justice Department to investigate statements Cuomo made to a House subcommittee years ago."

At Da Signal, Obama-Appointed Judge Blocks Trump’s Bid to Revamp Institute of Peace. @amuse @amuse "DOGE: The United States Institute of Peace was anything but peaceful. When Trump's team arrived the agency fought tooth and nail to prevent entry. Once the DOGE team was inside they found crew served weapons, pallets of cash, and witnessed agency officials deleting terabytes of evidence. Trump-hating Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the president had no right to shutdown the CIA front agency operating in the heart of Washington DC." From WUWT, Energy Department Could Ax Costly Renewable Energy Offices. Sean Davis@seanmdav "These people truly believe they are entitled to permanent power, wealth, and job security via federal government employment. After reading this ridiculous article, the only logical conclusion you can reach is that fed layoffs need to be way higher." Quote Sean Davis @seanmdav, "Every word of this Washington Post meltdown about DOGE, up to and including the name of the name of the bureaucrat in the lead anecdote (Dick Midgette), is comedy gold."

PJM's Sarah Anderson call it a MUST WATCH: Rubio Makes Van Hollen Look Like a Fool During Senate Hearing. Sundance calls it EPIC – Senator Chris Van Hollen vs Secretary Marco Rubio. Nick Arama thinks it's Priceless: Now It's Marco Rubio's Turn to School Margaret Brennan on South Africans and Refugees. Cathy Salgado at PJM, DHS Slams Walz’s ‘Gestapo’ Comments, Highlights Criminals Arrested. At Da Caller, Cash Flowing Into Anti-ICE Group’s Coffers Came From Chinese Gov’t-Linked Sources. OTP, Border Patrol Reports Record Arrests Of Undocumented Migrants In Maine Last Month and 7 in 10 Voters Say U.S.-Canada Border Needs Increased Security. Da Signal is Fact-Checking Justice Sotomayor’s Imaginary Birthright Citizenship Cases, the second dumbest Justice.

From LiveZette, New Documents Reveal Taxpayer Cash Used to Silence Trump Messaging, Conservatives. Libs of TikTok@libsoftiktok "@Eric_Schmitt just demolished Jennifer Daskal who was on Biden’s disinformation governance board and is now attempting to rewrite history: Jennifer: “It is my view that it is not appropriate for the government to censor any points of view.” Senator Schmitt: “Literally you were part of the Disinformation Governance Board of the United States of America.”"

Althouse finds We need everyone to do their part, first, by being "truthful." Christopher F. Rufo @realchrisrufo "Santa Ono, the sole finalist for University of Florida president, claims that "systemic racism is embedded in every corner of any institution," and says that "the only way to solve it" is for everyone to admit their complicity in racism and engage in BLM-style self-criticism." Harmeet K. Dhillon @HarmeetKDhillon, "[Buzzer] WRONG! This will get them in legal jeopardy." At WaEx, Harvard loses another $60 million in grants over antisemitism. Hollywood in Toto cites Bill Maher: Democrats ‘Own’ America’s Broken Education System.`

At Da Signal, Tyler O'Neil says the Afrikaner Double Standard Reminds Me Why I Left The Episcopal Church Behind.

NYPo, High school female track star poses on first-place podium after finishing second to trans athlete: ‘Real champ!’ "Reese Hogan, 16, was crowned runner-up in the triple jump at the CIF Southern Section Finals on Saturday — despite setting a new personal record for herself and Crean Lutheran High School at 37 feet, 2 inches. Standing in first place, junior trans athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley, who won titles in the girls’ long jump and triple jump, posed with competitors to take pictures on the podium."

/20/fifth-circuit-assigns-a-a-r-p-v-trump-to-new-panel-for-reargument-judge-ho-concurs/

When the boy got off the podium, she assumed her rightful spot as champion. The crowd erupts with applause.

THIS is the way.

Congrats to Reese Hogan, the REAL champ!!! https://t.co/KiEm2yV2YY pic.twitter.com/hqGdikES29

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 18, 2025

There are still a few good unused links at the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 05.19.25 and a whole bunch at
In The Mailbox: 05.20.25 The Wombat has and FMJRA 2.0: Indians Scalped! up on time and under budget.

Flotsam and Jetsam - VP Vance Goes Across the Pond

And once again I find myself waist-deep in links. At NYPo, James Carville admits Trump’s fast pace is leaving Democrats reeling: ‘We are overwhelmed.’  I certainly am. Twitchy sees Buck Sexton Shares WaPo Front Page Loaded With 'Trump's Greatest Hits' Headlines. Don Surber shares his Highlights of the week, all 31 of them. To add insult to injury, Sundance at CTH hosts President Trump Signs Energy Executive Order and Holds Impromptu Press Conference from the Oval Office. Keep 'em on the run! At Da Signal, Trump Agenda on Track With Swift Cabinet Confirmations. At Insty, REAGAN’S ‘TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD’ ASSESSES TRUMP: "Donald Devine was Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1985. Trust me, and I worked for him for nearly three years, he earned that moniker. Today in National Review, Devine provides a finely detailed, historically informed and politically wise evaluation of Trump’s first three weeks, which he describes as “the most well prepared and best performing presidential transition in history. It had the earliest and largest number of cabinet nominees and staff, the most thoughtful and earliest announced executive orders and agency guidance, and a president ready to lead.”"

Dave Strom at Hat Hair calls this Trump's Most Epic Troll Ever: Libs of TikTok@libsoftiktok, "President Trump proudly displays his mugshot in the White House." Althouse, Trump has his framed mug-shot on the wall next to the door to the Oval Office. Scott Pinsker at PJM lauds Vanity Fair’s Shocking Profile of Barron Trump, shocking friendly.

At NYPo, Watch live: Vice President Vance speaks in Munich as Trump pushes to end Ukraine war. Bonchie at RedState calls it MUST-SEE: JD Vance Triggers Munich Security Conference, Rips European Hypocrites to Their Faces. Da Mail, JD Vance torches European leaders for 'criminalizing' free speech in extraordinary Munich speech. At Hat Hair, Beege Welborn says While Standing in Their Kitchen, JD Opens a Can of Freedom Whoop-A** on Europeans LAGNIAPPE. Mary Chastain at LI highlights Vance to Europe: America Survived ’10 Years of Greta Thunberg,’ You can Survive Elon Musk. “And unfortunately, when I look at Europe today, it’s sometimes not so clear what happened to some of the Cold War’s winners.” Althouse, finds "Alongside Romania, Germany and Sweden, Vance singled out the UK for some of the most scathing passages of his tirade."  Ace, JD Vance Shocks Munich, Rocks Europe With Speech Decrying Europe's Determined Slouch Into Tyranny and Madness. "JD Vance just called out the Davos-controled governments of Europe and attacked them for resorting to Soviet Union tactics -- jailing dissidents, ignoring the will of the people, even cancelling elections entirely -- in order, they claim, to "save democracy."" Hat Hair's Dave Strom wonders Is Europe a Greater Threat to US Citizens Than Russia? He thinks so. Hat Hair's Capt. Ed encouraged by the EU: Say, Maybe We Should Invest In Our Own Defense After All.

Four more from Sundance, Vice-President Vance Scheduled to Meet President Zelenskyy in Munich Tonight – As JD Vance Stuns the EU with Confrontation of Their Hypocrisy, "UPDATE: Transcript Added", Oh Boy, Body Language Alert: Vice President JD Vance Meets with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, VP JD Vance and Def Sec Pete Hegseth, Execute the Trump Doctrine Term-2, and The Trump Doctrine. From NYPo, Trump focused on ‘productive negotiation’ with Putin and Zelensky to end brutal war in Ukraine, JD Vance says. NY Sun, UN Balks at Trump Move To Deny an ‘Illegitimate’  ICC Prosecutor Entry to America, "Following the president’s February 6 executive order, the Department of Treasury has added Karim Khan, a British citizen, to its ‘Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.’" At Althouse, "South Korea’s likely next leader would support President Donald Trump’s efforts to restart dialogue with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un..." ""... and would even consider nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize if there was a significant breakthrough, signaling a sharp change from Seoul’s current hard-line approach toward Pyongyang...." From "South Korea’s likely next leader wants warmer ties with China, North Korea/Lee Jae-myung says he would support President Donald Trump’s efforts to restart talks with North Korea — and even consider nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize" (WaPo)(free-access link)." ET has 5 Takeaways From Trump’s Sweeping Reciprocal Tariffs Plan. "The United States plans to tariff all trading partners at an amount that matches the tariffs placed on the US, the president says." From RCD Axel de Vernou explains How Trump’s Tariffs Can Reverse De-Dollarization. At Hat Hair, Released American Hamas Hostage Keith Siegal Says, 'Thank You, Mr President'

Don Surber explores Why Democrats hate Hegseth. "Trump hired Hegseth to change the military back into a lean, mean, fighting machine. That is what true warriors want. The president did not have the military behind him in his first term. This time he will succeed because he will have the military on his side instead of the future members of Boeing’s board of directors. Hegseth is the key to success in Trump’s second term as commander-in-chief because someone has to quell the riots." OTP reports Army Bans Transgender-Identifying Individuals. U.S. Army@USArmy, "The #USArmy will no longer allow transgender individuals to join the military and will stop performing or facilitating procedures associated with gender transition for service members. Stay tuned for more details."

Stephen Kruiser at PJM, says Screw Seed Oils, I'm Giving RFK Jr. a Chance. Althouse remembers RFK Jr. advocated banning prescription drug advertising on TV. Would that destroy mainstream TV news?. "I asked Grok: What has RFK Jr. said about prescription drug advertising on TV? Answer: "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been vocal about his opposition to prescription drug advertising on television."" At Fox, RFK Jr.’s top health and wellness priorities as doctors share input, "The new HHS secretary aims to improve food, healthcare, medical freedoms and more." Breitbart, Ric Grenell Cleans House at ‘Broke’ Kennedy Center, Removing Several ‘Highly Paid Executives’ and Saving Taxpayers Millions and pissing off all the "right" people in DC. 

At Althouse, "What immediately stood out... just the fact of [Elon Musk] holding court next to a sitting President Trump for 30 minutes in [the Oval Office]." "There's a suggestion that Musk gave Trump "credibility" and then a long bit about how the people who take USAID money are some of the very best people. I felt as though I was supposed to forget the question asked and just absorb a negative opinion of Musk's project, which is completely nonresponsive! Why can't they talk observe and analyze the change in Trump? He's been through so much!" Ace debunks the New Leftist Attack on Musk and Trump: Trump Is Buying $400,000,000 of Armored Tesla Cybertrucks in a Corrupt Payoff, "There is such a deal. There's just one problem with this claim: The State Department inked the deal to buy these electric trucks on December 13, 2024. When Biden was "president."" NewsBusters advises Oh Blow It Out Your Nose! Paul Krugman Is Already Trying to Make ‘Trumpflation’ a Thing, after 4 years of downplaying it under Biden. Rick Moran at PJM sees Republicans Take First Step in Creating 'One, Big, Beautiful Bill' of Trump Priorities. Newt, discusses the Trump Tax Cuts vs. a Congressional Tax Increase "Members of Congress seeking to delay or stop a Big, Beautiful Bill of tax cuts, energy improvements, deregulation, economic growth, and better affordability are risking their futures."

Rasmussen Reports@Rasmussen_Poll, "DOGE: "Legally untouchable because it was already fully funded and operational. Congress can't defund it because it's not a new program, just a repurposed one. Since the (prior program) was originally an IT oversight program, DOGE now has full access to all Federal data systems. Yes, that's right. All of them."" Dave Strom says It's Your Own Damn Fault, Liberals. Althouse finds "Musk and his goofily-named, wow-that-really-exists Department of Government Efficiency have been intent on the government budget slash-and-burn mission..." ""... since Donald Trump took office. They say that evil never sleeps, but apparently tech kajillionaires who have pretty bananapants power over federal infrastructure do, hence Musk’s alleged lil DOGE naps in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. . . I'm reading "Goodnight, Goon. Elon Musk Is Whispering 'Cuts,' Sleeping on the Floor Near the White House/He really is in the DOGEhouse, huh?" That's Kase Wickman, writing in Vanity Fair." At Am Great the Great Victor Davis Hanson lays out the Mythologies About Musk, "Musk's role in DOGE is misunderstood: he's an appointed auditor with legal authority to find waste, not cut programs, and foreign aid isn't ending, though USAID's inefficiencies may be restructured." Scott Jennings@ScottJenningsKY, "TV Dems say 2 things: “nobody voted for this” & everyone hates Elon. They have learned nothing. And they lie. Read ‘em & weep on @axios: “Every AZ swing voter in our focus groups approve of Trump's actions — & most support Musk's efforts to slash government.”" Dave Strom also cites Axios: Swing Voters LOVE What Trump and Musk Are Doing. Cutie Pavlich at TownHall says Democrats Are Going to Hate New Polling on DOGE. Breitbart sees the Rassmussen Poll: Majority Approve of Elon Musk Running DOGE. At Unreported Truths Alex Berenson explains Why the Trump/Musk partnership is taking off. "Two alphas with very different skills, one government to shrink." RVN, Joe Rogan Drops a Massive Truth Bomb on Mainstream Media’s DOGE Coverage. “It’s just too much of a win for the right, and so they’re just ignoring it and then they’re just highlighting the good things that USAID did, which I’m sure they probably did. Probably had to do some good things to at least justify its existence.” Veronique de Rugy discusses The Upside, Risks and Limits of DOGE . Edward N Luttwak @ELuttwak, "While governing the US Trump is also awakening populations world-wide to the quiet corruption of their own governments, which also divert taxpayer money to their NGO friends, also use defense spending to feed uncompetitive mil industries, and perpetuate overstaffed bureaucracies." ET, Trump’s Budget Chief Moves to Authorize His Political Appointees to Make Spending Decisions, "The decision gives Vought greater leverage to keep subordinates on track who would otherwise slow-walk or block policies at the department and agency levels." Professor Ornery, DOGE, Audits, and Eko, "The substack “Eko Loves You” is an interesting and insightful read. There’s a lot of speculation that this is Elon Musk writing his thoughts on the work and discoveries of DOGE. Whether it’s Musk or not, the posts are well worth reading. The posts lay out in clear language what’s been discovered, connections, Constitutional issues… the whole shebang."

Misty Severi at JTN reports a Federal judge blocks CFPB from terminating employees without cause, "The ruling comes after the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Thursday directed federal agencies to begin firing its employees who are still in their probationary period." ET, Federal Judge Orders Trump Admin to Restore Funding for Foreign Aid, "The judge said the blanket suspension was likely ‘arbitrary and capricious’ and questioned its necessity as ‘a rational precursor to reviewing programs.’" Fox, Judge orders temporary reversal of Trump admin’s freeze on foreign aid. From WaEx, Judges blocking Trump government efficiency moves have history of liberal activism, of course. ET, on  Judicial Impeachment: How It Works and Why It’s in the Spotlight, "The Constitution indicates that federal judges can be impeached and removed from office for ‘treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.’" There should be a "3 strikes, you're out" rule. Ace's THE MORNING RANT: In Response to Rogue Judiciary, Perhaps Trump Should Expand Executive Branch Purview and Start Firing Federal Judges "Here’s an idea: President Trump should fire these rogue federal judges and instruct all Executive Branch employees to ignore any rulings that come from federal judges that he has fired."

Not The Bee, Report: Trump to begin mass firings of IRS staff as Valentine’s Day gift to America. R A W S A L E R T S @rawsalerts, "BREAKING: Donald Trump has instructed the IRS to begin mass layoffs affecting thousands of employees." Da Hill whines Interior Department fires 2,300 employees after OPM directive. ET, Department of Veterans Affairs Fires Over 1,000 Employees, "Some of the terminated workers were on probationary status." The Biden administration added many thousand Federal jobs; the only job growth under Biden was federal workers and illegal aliens. The "probies" are vulnerable. Fox, Expert reveals massive levels of waste DOGE can slash from entitlements, pet projects: 'A lot of fat.' "Just Facts President James Agresti ripped the IRS for doling out child tax credits for the children of illegal immigrants, calling it 'theft'." Breitbart reports Lee Zeldin Cancels $50 Million Contract for ‘Free Palestine’ Climate Group. Mary Chastain at LI reports Trump Cuts Off Federal Funds to Schools Mandating COVID Vaccine. From Da Wire, Trump’s OMB Director Is Urged To Block Taxpayer Dollars To Planned Parenthood, "'We strongly encourage you to review all federal funding to Planned Parenthood.'" Commentary at RCP, DOGE Is Right To Defang the CFPB. Naw, keep it the way it is, but fine lefty companies big bucks and give the money to right-wing NGOs, and see how they like it. VodkaPundit at PJM wonders Is DOGE Going to Kill the F-35?. "If Hegseth and the DOGE boys do decide to kill the program, my advice would be to kill it slowly. Milblogger (and retired Navy officer) CDR Salamander devised a rule about procurement that goes something like this: don't stop building the Current Thing until the New Thing is ready to go." WUWT, EPA Returns ‘Gold Bars’ to Taxpayers – The Climate Realism Show #145.

From Lifezette, DOGE Subcommittee Uncovers Massive $2.7 Trillion in Improper Payments—Leavitt Responds. Laura Hollis claims International Aid and Internal Fraud Are Part of the Same Plan. Dave Strom explores the charge  Did USAID Funding Freeze Really Kill a Thai Woman? No, but an NGO did, in a fit of pique over the USAID cuts. "It truly was evil. Because the International Rescue Committee has hundreds of millions of dollars in its bank account and assets. It just chose to close down the hospitals--which, by the way, were still eligible for USAID funding under the Executive Order--out of spite."

Matt Vespa at TownHall thinks This Dem Rep Made Everyone Dumber at the DOGE Oversight Hearing This Week. Alex Pfeiffer @Pfeiffer47, "Mazie Hirono is breathing a sigh of relief. Jasmine is officially the dumbest lawmaker on the Hill. This jobs report consists entirely of data from before President Trump took office. I guess I should thank you for pointing out the failure of Bidenomics." Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett @RepJasmine "So it turns out when you DON'T go woke, you go broke. Trump's New DEI? Dying Economy and Inflation. It's only two weeks in and Trump is Making America Broke Again! https://forbes.com/sites/dereksau" From Behinds the Black, Another Democrat demonstrates her stupidity and ignorance, demanding NASA’s acting administrator revoke Musk’s access to headquarters. Stacey Matthews at LI, Ayanna Pressley Leads Push For Reparations Commission Amid DOGE’s Cuts to Wasteful Spending, "“What we’re seeing from the Trump administration and their allies in Congress and the courts is a coordinated, years-long effort to dismantle any policy that uplifts black folks and addresses America’s shameful history of systemic racism. It is anti-blackness on steroids…”"

At the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 02.14.25 (Morning Edition), EBL, MAGA Karoline Leavitt and DOGE, Twitchy,  JD Vance’s Reality Checks For Europe Trigger Germany’s Socialist Defense Minister, and Mike Lee Drops Fauxcahontas For Tone Deaf Post Bragging About Hiding Democrat Corruption From DOGE, Louder With Crowder: “You just don’t believe it”: Scott Jennings leaves CNN host a stammering mess after her attack on Elon Musk and DOGE, Don Surber: 42% of black men support Trump.

At the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 02.14.25 (Evening Edition),  Magnum: The Coast Guard Was Focused on DEI Not Cybersecurity, EBL: RFK Jr. confirmed as Health and Human Services Secretary, My Fault: London, Twitchy: VP Vance May Never Recover From This, Trump & Musk Amused At Dems/Legacy Media’s Lame Attempts To Drive A Wedge Between Them, Louder With Crowder: An NBC News journalismer found a way to use climate change to ruin your Valentine’s Day: they’re coming after CHOCOLATE, Adam Piggott: It’s all so Tiresome, American Conservative: Trump Runs the Milei Playbook, American Greatness, Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed as President Trump’s DNI, EPA Chief Lee Zeldin Locates and Demands Return of $20 Billion Biden Officials Tried to Funnel to Left-Wing Groups, Trump Announces Peace Negotiations With Russia to End ‘Ridiculous’ Ukraine War After ‘Lengthy and Highly Productive’ Call With Putin, and Performers Quit Kennedy Center After Trump Takeover, American Thinker: We’re Living through the Biggest Scandal of All Time, Animal Magnetism, Rule Five Joe Rogan Shreds the Dems Friday, BattleSwarm: Tren de Aragua Sex Trafficking Ringleaders Arrested In Houston, Behind The Black, Another Democrat demonstrates her stupidity and ignorance, demanding NASA’s acting administrator revoke Musk’s access to headquarters, Cafe Hayek: Tariffs Are Charges On Fellow Citizens, Da Tech Guy, Musk Gets the Arrows Johnson Turns The Flank, Dana Loesch: Activist Judges Try To Stop Trump – A Look at Judge John McConnell Jr. Don Surber: Why Democrats hate Hegseth, The Geller Report: New EPA Chief Lee Zeldin Cancels $50 MILLION Biden-Era “Climate Justice Through a Free Palestine” Grant, Billions More Laundered, also, Biden’s HHS Left Taxpayers on the Hook for $22.6 BILLION for Giveaways to Illegals for Cars, Homes, Startup Businesses, Hollywood’s Anti-Trump Resistance 2.0 Finds Its Footing, The Lid: Trump’s Approval Rating Among Black Men Soars, Legal Insurrection: Egg Purchase Restrictions Implemented at Major US Grocery Stores, Ayanna Pressley Leads Push For Reparations Commission Amid DOGE’s Cuts to Wasteful Spending, Scientists Argue Over Whether Trump is Right About the Existence of Only Two Sexes, Trump Cuts Off Federal Funds to Schools Mandating COVID Vaccine .  . .  and much more!

At Althouse, "On her first day in office, [Attorney General Pam Bondi] announced the creation of a 'Weaponization Working Group,' purportedly intended to root out 'abuses of the criminal justice process'..." "One veteran prosecutor told a friend late Thursday that he was not answering phone calls, in hopes of avoiding a demand to take an action that would force his resignation...." From "Trump Official’s Demand in Adams Case Forces Justice Dept. Showdown/A crisis at the department over the Eric Adams case is an early test of the criminal justice system’s resilience against a retribution-minded president and his appointees" (NYT). ET, US Attorney Resigns After Order to Drop Charges Against New York City Mayor, "Danielle Sassoon, a Republican serving in an interim capacity, steps down." Kurt Schlichter @KurtSchlichter "Every single one of these lawyers who is now resigning 1) did not heroically resign after any of the many Biden outrages; 2) knows they will get their toes shrimped by the regime media and their social circles; and 3) will walk into hugely lucrative jobs within days. They have sacrificed nothing. This is the best thing that’s ever happened to them. They’re not heroes. They’re narcissists. And they’re cynical, and the slobbering attention being paid to them shows they are right to be." Kurt Schlichter@KurtSchlichter, "The deep state has a lot less power when you stop giving it the benefit of the doubt that it’s acting in good faith and understand that it’s just a bunch of grubby little political hacks exploiting the system." Quote 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐲@YankReb69, "Replying to @DanLamothe Posobiec lost his clearance. He's a dirtbag." WikiLeaks @wikileaks, "Washington DC searches for "lawyer' have increased 400% (data from Google trends)."

Ace, Another Trans Terrorist Plotted a School Shooting, But This Time, Without 13% of Its Force MIA and Locking Up J6ers, The FBI Stops Her.

City Journal explains Why Immigration Cost Democrats the Election. "Their radicalism put them out of step with American voters." Ace, New Propaganda Drops: Akshually Biden Arrested More Border Crossers Than Trump Did, MAGats!!! Amazing. Libs of TikTok@libsoftiktok, "JUST IN: Illegal border crossings hit record lows according to new CBP data. The US is on track to have the LOWEST monthly border crossings in at least 25 YEARS!" The Trump Effect OTP reports Border Crossings Plunge 90% To Historic Lows. Guy Benson at  TownHall, Ouch: ICE Brutally Fact-Checks Journos. Blaze, ACLU misleads on illegal aliens at GITMO, ignoring ‘high-threat’ status. NYPo, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry paying big bucks to Dem operatives via their charity – sparking calls for a congressional investigation, he is an immigrant. 

Bryan Jung at PJM, Tom Homan Refers AOC to DOJ for Investigation. Da Fetched, Tom Homan: “AOC May Be in Trouble” for Helping Illegals Avoid ICE Arrests. Mia Cathell wants you to Read the Allegations Against Kathy Hochul and Letitia James. NYPo, HHS splurged more than $22B on grants for migrants — including cash for cars, home loans and startups. Beege Welborn, HHS Sure Had 'Migrants' Livin' Large. From Twitchy, She's SO MAD! Watch New York AG Letitia James RAGE Against Trump Cutting NY's Illegal Alien Housing Funds. OTP, Even Gavin Newsom Declares ‘Uncle’ Over Trump’s Immigration Threats. From the TN Star, Bill to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status of Nonprofits Aiding Illegal Immigrants Filed by Sen. Bill Hagerty.

Joe Weber at JTN, Inflation climbed to annualized rate of 3% in January, Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, thanks Brandon! City Journal says it's Time to Pull the Plug on “Environmental Justice.” Biden’s agenda was really a way to funnel billions of dollars to progressive activist groups. The Daily Economy reminds us the $42 Billion Broadband Boondoggle Brought Internet to Zero Homes. Gabe Kaminsky at WaEx reports In final days, Biden awarded $50 million to self-dealing charity leader, Tribal Energy Consortium.  

At Da Fetched, irony when Chuck Schumer Becomes First Victim of His Own ‘Whistleblower Portal’

Lincoln Brown at PJM notices priorities, L.A. Puts Pronouns Ahead of Fire Recovery. Shooting News Weekly, Some Rights Are More Equal Than Others: Newsom Calls Voter ID a Violation While Looking the Other Way at Second Amendment Infringements. 

Teri Christof at RedState, BREAKING: New Details Emerge About Actions of Black Hawk Pilots in Deadly DC Mid-Air Collision. Black Boxes show helo at 280 ft, plane at 310 ft. Helo crew almost certainly wearing night-vision gear. 

Capt. Ed writes Of Pultizers and Petards. "Could the board that awards Pulitzer Prizes to media outlets end up losing a defamation suit over fake news? Could Donald Trump use the same tools used against him to wreak revenge for Protection Racket Media coverage of the Russis-collusion hoax that all but derailed the first half of his first presidential term?" Ace, Terrorist-Friendly Propaganda Aggregator Reuters Took $9 Million from Biden's DoD For... "Large Scale Social Deception" and "Active Social Engineering". Althouse sees Jen Psaki locates Joe Rogan and Theo Von in the "right-wing ecosystem," but Jon Stewart isn't having it.

Algemeiner reports UCLA Suspends Students for Justice in Palestine After Vandalizing University Board Member’s Home. Brad Essex at RedState, The Essex Files: DEI Is a Codeword for Exclusion of Disabled People. ET sees Goldman Sachs is the Latest in Retreat From DEI Initiatives. Freddie DeBoer, Doing This Again Makes Me Hate Myself and Hate You, But Yes, Something Happened to Liberalism in the 2010s, and Sometimes That Thing is Called "Woke."

From OutKick, Brett Favre Backs ‘Common Sense’ Executive Order, Gives Props To Riley Gaines. Matt Vespa, Ohio Dems Want to Regulate Ejaculation. Yeah, This State Is Going to Be Red Forever. Althouse, "The whole point of this bill wasn't to get it passed. The whole point of this bill was to call out the hypocrisy." 

Susan Crabtree@susancrabtree, "#BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE RE: DEI IN THE SECRET SERVICE: Agents in the Secret Service are growing increasingly alarmed that new USSS Director Sean Curran is not immediately halting the Biden Administration's DEI hiring and training priorities despite Pres. Trump's executive order mandating that all executive agencies do so. There's a trans special agent trainee who gendered female at birth but transitioned to a male but wants to continue using female PT standards while being addressed as a man and using the men's bathrooms, according to several Secret Service sources. The recruit was going through training at the Secret Service's Rowley Training Center as of late January, after Trump officially named Curran as the new director. I was told by two sources that the Secret Service was allowing this person to use female PT standards while identifying as male, but that decision had spurred resentment among the male rank-and-file agents."

Linked at Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links. The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: Aspiring to Mediocrity ready and waiting at The Other McCain.

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