Flotsam and Jetsam - Trump Sets Sights on Iran's Power, Bridges and Oil

Until now, the military action in Iran has focused on the Iranian leadership, with attacks carried out mostly by Israel, and their military capabilities, largely with US Forces, leaving the civilian infrastructure of power, transport and revenue generation (oil) largely alone, hoping that if and when a suitable government of Iran emerges it won't be left with a country without the ability to take care of itself. Now, Trump is threatening to start dismantling the underpinnings of the regime further, by targeting power plants, bridges and oil production if the IRGC does not open the Straits of Hormuz to international traffic. Jim Hanson @JimHansonDC, "It doesn't get more straightforward than this from President Trump. The gloves come off Tuesday against the Ayatollahs." Althouse has the vapours over his use of the curse word, "Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah." "That's the way our President speaks...Hard to believe, but there it is." Sundance at CTH, President Trump Fills in Remarkable Background Details – Deal Tomorrow or U.S. Begins Systematic Destruction of Iranian Infrastructure. OutspokenSamantha @Outspoken_Sam, "Yes, I did in fact vote for a President who would call our enemies "crazy bastards" and threaten to send them to hell if they didn't take us seriously. What's actually embarrassing is voting for someone to send them money."

Of course, most of yesterday's digits were spilled on the rescue of the weapons system operator of the F15 that was shot down over Iran. It appears the airman, injured in the incident, evaded capture, and climbed a 7,000 ft mountain to wedge himself into a hidey-hole to await rescue. Reports are the US built a runway to land rescue planes in the desert, rescued the WSO, and had to ditch two C-130s in place due to mechanical issues, blowing them up to prevent their secrets from being revealed. It is also reported that Irani resistance slowed the IRGC search, and the CIA promoted a hoax to mislead the IRGC as to where the man was hiding. I'm not so sure of the first, and I expect the CIA to lie at every available opportunity, especially to make themselves look important. Stacy McCain calls it an Easter Miracle: U.S. Rescues Second Crewman From Downed F-15E in Iran. Streiff at RedState explains How the Amazing Rescue of Two American Airmen Unfolded. Althouse has the NYT take, "The rescue followed a life-or-death race between U.S. and Iranian forces that stretched over two days to reach the injured airman, a weapon systems officer, officials said." ""The operation took commandos deep inside Iran and involved hundreds of special operations troops. There were no U.S. casualties among the rescue team, Mr. Trump said. The rescued officer had 'sustained injuries, but he will be just fine,' Mr. Trump added..." From "Iran War Live Updates: U.S. Rescues Officer From Downed Fighter Jet in Iran, Trump Says" (NYT)." From Sundance, President Trump Announces, F-15 Crew Member Rescued in Daring Raid and Former CENTCOM Commander Frank McKenzie Discusses U.S. Rescue Operation in Iran. RedState's Nick Arama thinks the Former CENTCOM Commander Delivers the Perfect Comment on the Rescue of Officer From Iran. wretchardthecat @wretchardthecat, "The most interesting aspect of the weapons officer rescue in Iran was CENTCOM's ability to use so many disparate personnel and capabilities in such a rapid and integrated way. They were making it up as they went along with complex tools and time critical sequences...A lot of the news focus is naturally on the machines, because that is what you can see. But someone told me years ago that air forces are not made out of planes. They are made up of people, and that is what we glimpsed here." Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh, "BREAKING: Former CENTCOM commander Ret. Gen. Frank McKenzie just said it PERFECTLY “It takes a year to build an aircraft — and it takes 200 YEARS to build a military tradition where you don't leave anybody behind!”" Insty at his substack, The Iran Operation, "Was the secret weapon AI staff work?" Ace cites Tousi TV: Second F-15 Pilot Rescued as Iranian Civilians Aid American Operation to Rescue Him. Morse Report @MorseReport, "BREAKING: The rescued F-15 pilot downed over Iran survived entirely ON HIS OWN inside a mountain crevice: “Completely invisible to the enemy.”" Stephen Green @VodkaPundit, "U.S. engineers were repairing and even building new airfields on Okinawa while the battle for the island was still ongoing." Quote Kingofnowhere @Kingofnowher_e, "A French general at Trump’s plan to build a runway inside Iran to fly out uranium under active bombing: “American officials should stop snorting cocaine between meetings.”" cdrsalamander @cdrsalamander, "It isn't so much that Iranians are that bad, it is just that Americans are that good." Quote C Schmitz @chrisschmitz "That location confirmed by @andynovy is just 50km from the City Centre of Isfahan, a city with about 2.2m Inhabitants. The IRGC cant prevent an enemy ad-hoc Airfield half an hour drive from one of the largest cities in country. x.com/andynovy/statu…" Driscoll at Insty, “FIGHTING US TROOPS ISN’T LIKE BEATING TEENAGE GIRLS:” Nioh Berg @NiohBerg, "Hearing a bunch of dumb regime loyalists also got killed last night because they wanted the $60k bounty and climbed up the mountain only to realise fighting US troops isn't like beating teenage girls. Good riddance really." Northern Barbarian @xnoesbueno, "OK. To recap. In the last 24 hours: 1) American military set up a base within enemy territory to rescue a downed flier, defying the ill-wishes of countless lefty douchebags plus fulfilling the shahadat jones of untold IRCG and Basij. 2) Americans reclaimed their indigenous rights to the Moon, declared it the 51st state, named it Trump, that our crazy orange president may moon his adversaries and nattering naysayers unto eternity. This will be most fun during those periods when the celestial orb formerly known as the Moon appears in an orange-ish hue. The phenomenon formerly known as a blood moon will henceforth be called a more Trumpy Trump. 3) Canadians, feeling the sting of American mockery, got pissed off. 4) King Charles III affirmed his allegiance to Islam, in an act of the kind of obtuse regal boneheadedness that traditionally has preceded the downfall of kings. 5) France douchebaggedly asserted its Frenchness on the international stage, in an act of the kind of obtuse French boneheadedness that is likely to bite France in the ass. 6) America, Fuck Yeah (Also, American astronauts, with a Canadian along for the ride, unclogged a space toilet enroute to Trump, the celestial object formerly known as the Moon)." And, Northern Barbarian @xnoesbueno, "The phrase that comes to mind is, "America, Fuck Yeah." Quote RiverOaksGuy @Bowtiedplayer, "Imagine being Iran's leadership right now You once were the feared boogie man of the Middle East. Instead, you get the complete shit kicked out of you for 5 weeks straight, your entire navy sunk, your supreme leader killed, and you FINALLY shoot down 1 plane." At Calling All Rush-Babes, *About that rescue of a downed pilot inside Iran. America Wins! A Driscolly post at Insty, “IT’S A TESTAMENT TO THE U.S. MILITARY THAT NO AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT IS MORE VALUABLE THAN A SINGLE AIRMAN’S LIFE:” Peter Meijer @PeterMeijer, "Between January’s Maduro extradition and today’s F-15 WSO rescue, President Trump is demonstrating an exceptionally high risk tolerance for military operations in his second term. Not a great time to be an adversary of the US!" Quote RedDevil @Snakeeater36 "SOF elements made a flying ORP and went and got dude in the dead of night….possibly dismounted, then BIP’ed the plane, and left. I think we have entered a time where our military is allowed to take bolder risks than we have seen in a long time."

While progressives aren't yet so obtuse as to actually express their anger at the military's (and by extension, Trump's) victory in this rescue, they have begun to counterattack by highlighting the cost of the incident, four airplanes lost (the F15, an A10 Warthog, and two C-130s). Bad Hombre @Badhombre, "Trump orders two transport planes blown up so Iranians don’t steal and reverse-engineer our technology after a wildly successful rescue mission of two American pilots deep inside Iranian territory. Biden leaves behind $85 billion in military equipment to the Taliban and over 100 military K9s abandoned at Kabul airport during a disastrous withdrawal that killed 13 service members. Take a guess which one Democrats are calling a success. InfantryDort @infantrydort, "America, please don’t listen to the new narrative that we wasted so much equipment to save one life. There’s a reason recruiting is through the roof. And it’s because we don’t leave your sons and daughters behind enemy lines because it’s financially convenient." Lee (Greater) @shortmagsmle, "I’m noticing a lot of foreigners who seem to not understand why we’d risk hundreds of lives, spend millions of dollars, and sacrifice several aircraft to rescue one guy. And the reason they don’t understand is also the reason people can’t be made American by a piece of paper." Quote Daniel Foubert @Arrogance_0024 "Lose all this to rescue 1 pilot and call it your greatest military success of all time." Varad Mehta @varadmehta, "Can't wait to hear tomorrow about how the US being able to conduct a massive search and rescue op inside Iran, find the missing airman while killing a bunch of Irani goons, and then escape more or less unscathed, is a defeat for America and makes the mullahs stronger than ever." Rabbi Linda Goldstein @realrabbilinda, "Imaging losing 1 plane for every 13,000 strike missions and thinking that America is winning the war in Iran. At this rate, Iran can absorb 52,000,000 strikes to down the remaining 4,000 US strike aircraft. America will lose." From Twitchy, T. Becket Adams Nails the Moment: Europe Disappointed U.S. Actually Saved Its Pilot in Iran. Kama @Kama_Kamilia, "Im beginning to understand, why Americans feel the way they do about us. Incomprehensibly difficult operation to save the finest America has to offer. And all morons can scream about is “what about the money?” while incessantly lying." Quote Robin Monotti @robinmonotti "We are witnessing the greatest humiliation of the US military since Vietnam, and this will be Trump's legacy! Another hundreds of millions fighter plane downed by Iran:" Stelios Panagiotou @Panagiotou90St, "People underestimate how much third worldist anti-westerners have infiltrated western discourse. After a while, there are no excuses for not getting this. The demoralisation and destabilisation op didn’t start yesterday." wretchardthecat @wretchardthecat, "How long before the theory emerges that the US deliberately ordered the F-15 crew to bail out over Iran so they could rescue them dramatically."

Lee (Greater) @shortmagsmle, "Everyone cried about the press losing their normal ability to freely roam the pentagon soliciting leaks, but notice how the military just pulled off an incredible top secret rescue operation without any Bolshevik subversion gumming things up." Bryan O'Nolan @BryanONolan, "Moonshot. Soldier rescued. NYT doesn’t know what NATO stands for. Glorious few days we’ve had." Althouse and her NYT, A NYT column refers to "Fuck around and find out" as "the unofficial Proud Boys motto.", "I'm reading "America Is Used to Hiding Its Wars. Trump Is Doing the Opposite" by Charles Homans..."

Stacy McCain astonished by the Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless: The Family Had ‘Great Satan’ Green Cards. Fugitive Caesar @ThomBrady5, "I was considering this from the American perspective, but from the Arabic, Iranian, and Muslim perspective this is a huge propaganda coup for the American government. These photos completely discredit Iran, at a moment when Iranian soldiers are deserting and demoralized." Quote Secretary Marco Rubio @SecRubio, "Until recently, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were green card holders living lavishly in the United States. Afshar is the niece of deceased Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. She is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on..."

Tom Kratman @TKratman, "From Martin Iles, reposted: Having lived in the USA for nearly two years, I've realised something. The USA and the remainder of the Western world are no longer aligned. We all laugh and mock when the Americans say, "Freedom!" because we truly think we're as free as they are. Wrong. We're not. Not even close. The laws, the mindset, and the behaviour, is totally different in this regard..." Eric S. Raymond @esrtweet, "Hello, Europeans. The first thing you need to understand about the rant I'm about to utter is that I'm not MAGA, not a Trumpite, but a libertarian who has in the past nevertheless been strongly supportive of US military presence overseas. Because I want the wars that defend this country to be fought in somebody else's country, as far away from me as possible with a nice big ocean in the way. Also relevant: I have a history of having lived in Europe and traveled there extensively. I was at one time bilingual in English and Spanish, and have been passably fluent in Italian and French as well. I could probably still find my way around London and Rome and central Paris reasonably well. So if you're tempted to tell yourselves that I'm some kind of parochial American hick, abandon that hope. All that was set-up. So that, when I tell you that almost the entirety of the US electorate, not just Trump supporters, is increasingly fed up with your shit, take me seriously. We've been cleaning up your messes and keeping the sea lanes open since 1917. And that was for you, not us - we, being very close to resource self-sufficient, don't need that investment so much. We've spent enormous amounts of blood and treasure on keeping you safe. We risked nuclear hellfire on our own cities for nearly 50 years to keep Soviet tanks from rolling through the Fulda Gap..." John Ʌ Konrad V @johnkonrad, "NATO is in far bigger danger than anyone realizes. And the reason has nothing to do with defense budgets. The real danger is psychological. It’s cultural. Europeans didn’t just free-ride on American security for 80 years. They built an entire identity around the idea that they evolved past the Americans protecting them. That identity is now the single biggest obstacle to Western survival. And the darkest irony is: we helped build it..." At TownHall, Alan Joseph Bauer says Allahu Akbar, Europe! "Europe is lost as a Christian continent, and its demise is self-inflicted." Dave Manney at PJM thinks Macron’s Latest Comments Show France Hasn’t Learned a Thing. Why would he, he hasn't suffered much, yet. At WUWT, Miliband Expected to Block North Sea Oil Drilling. At RCE, If Washington Wants Lower Gas Prices, It Should Get Out of the Way. It should, but it won't. Its power comes from meddling.

At NYPo, California’s fraud problem is so bad the DOJ will ‘never have enough’ prosecutors to fight it. Really his a few hard, and it will make many of the rest look for safer grifts. Mike Solana @micsolana, "glad we're mainstreaming a conversation on california's rail disaster, as it's the gateway to understanding why america can't build anymore. but the msm is still afraid to spell it out: the purpose was never to build rail, but to buy union votes. in this, the dems succeeded." Quote 60 Minutes @60Minutes, "An ambitious state-run high-speed rail project linking Los Angeles and San Francisco hasn’t stayed on track. 60 Minutes reports on the costly struggle to bring high-speed rail to the United States, Sunday. http://60Minutes.com."

From the Free Bacon, Maine Democrat Graham Platner Called Jesus a 'Zombie' and the Virgin Mary 'a Skank' in Unearthed Reddit Post "'I've been about as crudely atheist as one can be,' Senate candidate wrote." At Althouse, "Candidates and incumbents should center each day on content creation.... creating output tailored specifically for TikTok or Instagram or YouTube." ""It means several hours a day filming in campaign offices — even candidates’ homes.... Successful candidates understand they are putting on a permanent show...Writes David Plouffe, in "Always Be Posting: The New Rules for Democratic Candidates" (NYT)."

Wall Street Apes @WallStreetApes, "A company was paid more than 6 figures to bring in trucks and setup the No Kings Day protest at the Capitol in St Paul, Minnesota “We provided the stage, the sound, the lighting and contracted in all the generators and infrastructure and video towers and set them up for the No Kings three rally at the Capitol” “We brought in, oh, about about a hundred speakers, which are kind of over here and all the electrical infrastructure — it had to have been 30 different trucks worth of stuff that came” The company was Slamhammer Sound & Roadcase Co, they talk about the logistics and equipment used during the 'No Kings' protest in St Paul, Minnesota on March 28, 2026 It’s always paid and highly organized." DataRepublican (small r) @DataRepublican, "As fun as it is to see ActBlue exposed, one must always ask the motives when legacy media seemingly puts crosshairs on its own. It’s long been a goal of the “democracy” camp to overturn Citizens United and ban PAC money. Here’s the catch: they want to replace it with union money and taxpayer-funded money schemes much like the NGO gaming of subsidized campaigns which allowed Mamdani to win in NYC. They more or less are moving towards a total monopoly on campaign funds for Democrats. Yes, let’s enjoy the collapse of ActBlue. But beware." Quote Peter Schweizer @peterschweizer, "NYTimes report on Dark Money in politics: "In the 2024 election cycle, over 40 percent of the nearly $2 billion raised by the largest Democratic super PACs came from entities that did not disclose their donors, according to the Times analysis. That was twice the rate of the largest Republican super PACs that cycle."

Sundance seems concerned that Asst Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon Campaigns Hard to Replace Pam Bondi.

Erick Florack at PJM goes there, The Islamic Immigrant Problem. AG @AGHamilton29, "A+ dad. Lowlife antisemite decided to randomly threaten a dad and two kids because they were Jewish. The dad rightly pulled out his gun and held him at gunpoint until the police got there and arrested the aggressor. Also will note this as a good example of why it’s good to live in a place like Florida. There are definitely some states/cities where the dad would have been the one arrested." Quote Unlimited L's @unlimited_ls, "NEW: Muslim man arrested after calling a Jewish family “dirty people” at a Miami Beach park and then claiming he had First Amendment rights Ahmad Zeeshan, 32, reportedly asked, "Are you guys Jewish?" and after confirmation yelled, "Get the fk out of here, you fking dirty people." Zeeshan allegedly threatened to attack the father, who pulled a gun after feeling his and his children’s safety was at risk. Both men called police. Zeeshan said the father threatened him with a gun, while the father said Zeeshan was yelling anti-Semitic slurs."

Driscoll calls it a GENIUS MOVE: Did ICE Just Use the DMV as Bait to Lure Illegal Alien Truck Drivers? The Drunk Republican @DrunkRepub, “Now have ICE operate the DMVs.” PJM's Cathy Salgado, Dem Senator Mourns Criminal ‘Asylum Seeker’ Who Caused Big Pileup While Fleeing ICE. "Democrat Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is shedding crocodile tears over an “asylum seeker” who was “driving to work” when “he was rear-ended by an ICE vehicle.” The real story? He was an illegal alien with a years-old final deportation order who caused a massive vehicle pile-up while fleeing immigration officers. And the illegal alien caused severe injuries to immigration officers, too." Behold my Senator. Bill Melugin @BillMelugin_, "BREAKING: DHS tells @FoxNews that this “asylum seeker” is actually a Honduran illegal alien who has had a final deportation order since 2018, & when ICE targeted him in Baltimore, he fled in his vehicle at high speeds, slammed on his brakes and caused a multi car pileup, then he bailed out and ran away on foot before being chased down and arrested. DHS says two ICE agents were hospitalized as a result of the crash, and they are accusing Sen. Van Hollen (D-MD) of misrepresenting what happened here." Quote Senator Chris Van Hollen @ChrisVanHollen, " Ever Alvarenga, an asylum seeker, was driving to work Thursday morning when he was rear-ended by an ICE vehicle. He is still in the hospital after suffering significant injuries to his head, chest, back, & hands. After the accident, he was detained & ICE now refuses to allow his attorneys to meet with him privately, a clear denial of the due process rights afforded to all under our Constitution. ICE tactics are endangering our communities & violating the Constitution."

AG @AGHamilton29, "In the 1970’s, the KGB put together an operational plan for undermining America via informational warfare and ideological subversion: “To change the perception of reality of every American to such an extent that no one is able to come to sensible conclusions in the interest of defending themselves, their family, their community, and their country” That same strategy has been actively deployed by America’s enemies with the assistance of some people at home now..." Quote, Jamie Weinstein @Jamie_Weinstein, "What’s incredible about the response to this tweet is a bunch of prominent figures just openly admitting, “yea, we are rooting against America in Iran.” Saying essentially Iran has the moral high ground." At Twitchy, SHOUT IT! Gene Simmons Taking on HORDE of Angry, Mouth-Breathing, Anti-American Trolls Is GLORIOUS and Stephen King Sweeps the Bad Timing Awards With an EPIC Fail About Trump's Situation Room.

Kyle Becker @kylenabecker, "This is all intentional. Race relations were actually improving until the second term of Obama. Then the propaganda media activated the Ferguson/BLM playbook — straight out of Critical Race Theory — and it's been downhill ever since." Quote The Rabbit Hole @TheRabbitHole, "In the 2010s: - Focus on Race up, - Race Relations down."

Jonathan Turley sees Poison Ivey: Chicago Bulls Release Forward After He Speaks Out Against Pride Month "This week, the Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey for “conduct detrimental to the team.” No, Ivey did not assault anyone or gamble on games. He did not call for violence. Ivey expressed his opposing religious beliefs, including criticizing the NBA’s Pride Month celebrations."

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: Grinding Forward up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Zeldin Reaffirms Support for Chesapeake Bay

And Chris "Abrego Garcia" Van Hollen claims credit: Van Hollen Secures Commitment from EPA Administrator...

Yesterday, in a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) questioned U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program. Administrator Zeldin noted the program’s success and committed to its continued funding for the next fiscal year. Video of the exchange is available here and a transcript follows:

Of course, Zeldin had already pledged to continue support for the  Bay Program, New EPA Boss Supports Bay Program

I sure hope they figure out how to do it better this time. After 30 years and $25 billion, more or less, the Bay might be marginally better from the standpoint of nutrient pollution and while you soon may be allowed  swim in the Anacostia River and Baltimore Harbor, there is very little to suggest that it is being translated into improvement in oysters, crabs and Striped Bass populations.  

Flotsam and Jetsam - Dept. of State to Start Downsizing

This just in, Pope Francis is still dead. (Was it funnier when it was Gen. Franco?). At Insty, BRENDAN O’NEILL: The tragedy of Pope Francis. The Babylon Bee@TheBabylonBee, "Catholic Church To Consider Electing Pope Who's A Catholic This Time https://buff.ly/5ZFMmJM." Sundance at CTH, President Trump Will Attend Pope Francis Funeral on Saturday in Rome and Russia -v- Ukraine, Delegations Expected to Meet in London Tomorrow, Then Witkoff Heads to Moscow, JD Vance Delivers Remarks to Business Audience in India Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh. " JUST IN: VP JD Vance says the U.S. and India have "officially finalized the terms of reference for the trade negotiation." DEAL INCOMING. "This is a vital step toward realizing President Trump and PM Modi's vision. It sets a roadmap toward a final deal." Lawrence Person's BattleSwarm Blog thinks Somebody’s Lying About Chinese Exports "Everyone know China’s communist rulers manipulate economic figures to their advantage. There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence that they’re falsifying their export statistics to make things look better than they are. I rather strongly suspect that their hand in the trade war poker game they’re having with Trump is much weaker than they let on."

Also from Sundance, Secretary Rubio Starts Downsizing the Department of State ("You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy ...). NewsMax, Rubio Announces Major State Dept Reorganization. Fortune, Trump reportedly drafted an executive order for ‘a disciplined reorganization’ of the State Department that would shut down embassies and cut climate change and refugee offices. Capt. Ed at Hat Hair hears Rubio: It's Time to Clean House at State. Ace, State Department Will Close 132 Offices. "Good. "Offices" doesn't mean embassies. It means actual offices or sub-departments. Tiny little bureaucratic fiefdoms pushing the Marxist worldview."

John Solomon at JTN reports Trump-approved strikes have killed 74 terrorists seeking to attack U.S. homeland, Mike Waltz reveals. "National Security Adviser also reveals China has blinked in its tariff dispute with Trump, and that European Union security commitments are key to Russia-Ukraine peace deal." Jeff Charles at TownHall warns The Pentagon Leakers Might Want to Lawyer Up. At NewsMax, Hegseth: 'Informal, Unclassified Coordinations' Shared in Chat. Funny we never hear about what the Biden administration chatted about on Signal. Matt Margolis at Hat Hair VIP explains The Real Reason Behind the Pete Hegseth Media Smears. Gary Anderson at Am Spec sees Real Military Reform Begins but wonders "Will Pete Hegseth be able to reverse our military’s decline?"

Misty Severi at JTN warns Trump admin to start collecting debts on student loans considered to be in default. "The DOE's Federal Student Aid office will begin collecting the debts on May 5, which could include taking the money out of payments that borrowers receive from the federal government, such as money from tax refunds, federal salaries and other benefits." Twitchy, Student Loan Payback Time: ‘They Want Us All Like Broke and in Jail or Dead’ In case you were feeling sorry for them, Paul A. Szypula @Bubblebathgirl, "Leftist is having a mental breakdown because she now has to pay her student loan back. She says if she defaults then the government can garnish her wages, take her tax refund, and even take her benefits. She actually wants us to feel sorry for her being a deadbeat." Many more similar at Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸@Bubblebathgirl. Misty Severi also contributes Donald Trump says he does not intend to fire Powell after swearing-in SEC chair Paul Atkins.

DC_Draino @DC_Draino "It’s quite simple - there are 3 things that the MAGA base wants: 1. Mass deportations 2. Deep State arrests 3. Passing the Trump agenda into law Do those 3 things, and we’ll expand our majorities in the midterms Don’t do those 3 things and we’ll lose the House and Trump will get impeached." Quote Spitfire@DogRightGirl, "Republicans in Congress are creating voter apathy. Midterms will be a disaster if the GOP in Congress doesn’t start doing something to codify Trump’s agenda. People simply won’t show up to vote."

At PJM Stephen Kruiser says Gosh, I'm Gone for a Few Days and the Democrats Have Gotten Worse and Matt Margolis thinks Democrats See MS-13 Gang Member as Their Next George Floyd. Drew Berquist hears Dems Roll Out ‘Dark Woke’ Strategy: ‘Combat by Any Means Necessary.’ At Insty, a Driscolly post on THE SCHIZOPHRENIA OF THE GORACLE. LifeZette warns New Yale Polling is Devastating to the Future of the Democratic Party. Logan Washburn at Da Fed wants you to Meet The Wealthy Private Firms Controlling The Democrat Party. But it's only rich Republican donors that are a problem. From the Free Bacon, Raphael Warnock Slapped With Ethics Complaint for Living in Free $1 Million Luxury Home. Matt Vespa shares the news that the Dem Staffer Who Filmed His Sexcapades in a Senate Hearing Room Later Checked Into a Psych Ward.

NewsBusters counts CNN, MSNBC Use ‘Maryland Man’ Lie 506 Times, Conceal Garcia’s Illegal Status. On the good side, they gave birth to a new meme subject. From Breitbart, Sen. Van Hollen Pleads: Stop Talking About Abrega Garcia’s Crime Links. 'Becca Downs at TownHall sees Van Hollen's Post From 2017 on MS-13 Comes Back to Haunt Him. Senator Chris Van Hollen @ChrisVanHollen, "Shame on President Trump for tearing apart hardworking immigrant families. We should be focused on MS-13, not scholarship winners. 6:12 PM · Aug 2, 2017" Chad Wolf to Newsmax: Support for Abrego Garcia Exposes Left. At RedState, Sister Toldja sees Woke Democrats Who Traveled to El Salvador Are Given a New Nickname - and They're Not Gonna Like It: House Republicans @HouseGOP, "The Congressional MS-13 Caucus just held their first townhall!" Matt Margolis sees a fit pitched as David Hogg Has Humiliating Meltdown on ABC News over Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Misty Severi reports the Trump administration charges 27 alleged Tren de Aragua members under RICO Act in New York. "The move marks the first time that the federal government has used the Racketeering Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act to prosecute a foreign terrorist organization, or drug cartel." Fox, Trump admin files first racketeering charges against massive migrant terrorist group present in US.

Mirthful Moments@moment_mirthful, "Judge James Boasberg's ruling against President Trump was revenge for halting government funding to his daughter Katherine Boasberg's NGO "Partners for Justice," which gives criminal illegal aliens and gang members legal advice. To date, virtually every Federal Judge who has ruled against President Trump has been proven to be compromised, having a serious conflict of interest and, in some cases, a criminal conflict of interest. Their rulings benefitted their family, relatives, and friends, and in some cases, they financially benefited directly from their illegal and unlawful rulings. We need Kash and AG Pam Bondi to investigate Judge James Boasberg for corruption and bring criminal charges against him. Without severe consequences, these corrupt Liberal Extremist Judges will continue to attack the constitutional authority of the Executive Branch." The redoubtable Julie Kelly@julie_kelly2 "WHOO BOY: In an order filed last night, Judge James Hendrix--the judge in Texas presiding over latest Alien Enemies Act case which prompted unprecedented intervention by SCOTUS--accused ACLU atty of violating federal code of conduct rules by calling his chambers AFTER Hendrix denied the 1st emergency temp restraining order on April 17. This was noted on the docket after Hendrix filed his order. Now it makes me wonder if Lee Gelernt did not do exactly the same thing with Judge Jeb Boasberg--which could explain Boasberg's quick action on March 15. This is not allowed." Misty reports Gorsuch, Roberts side with liberal Supreme Court justices in immigration case. "Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Neil Gorsuch agreed in the 5-4 ruling that illegal migrants under the 60-day departure timeframe that falls on a weekend or on a federal U.S. holiday should be extended to the next business day." Da Blaze, Trump lashes out at Supreme Court for blocking deportations. How dare he! Democrats always took adverse rulings on abortion and gun control so meekly! Ace, Trump: The Supreme Court Is Blocking Execution of the Law. "The Supreme Court's lawless ruling means that every single illegal alien is supposed to get a full trial before the President is permitted to follow the actual law." The Babylon Bee@TheBabylonBee, "People Who Bypassed Legal Process In Migrating To USA Demand Legal Process Before Being Kicked Out."

Hat Hair's Beege Welborn thinks One of the Craziest Things About the Tish James Unmasking Is Who Caught Her. It's actually a pretty funny story. 

“SHE PROBABLY FIGURED BIDEN WAS GOING TO WIN REELECTION AND THAT NOBODY WOULD CATCH HER.”@SamAntar lays out for @stinchfield1776 what he uncovered while looking into Letitia James’ mortgage fraud. “The investigation is insane! Every single mortgage has false information.” pic.twitter.com/i0yynAIrsQ

— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) April 21, 2025

The Victory Girls hear Andy Cuomo: Forgive My Settlement While I Prepare To Sue My Accuser. Elon Musk@elonmusk, "Yes" Quote Tim Pool@Timcast "After democrats started arresting Trump's lawyers, the gloves were off They burned the constitution in order to steal power and lost Trump must crush the deep state betrayers or the US is lost."

Justin Murphy@jmrphy, "Elon is doing applied political science. He had a hypothesis, and then he bet on it. And in being correct, we are learning empirically: The Professional Managerial Class has perfected a system of moral blackmail through which they convert third world suffering into personal wealth and status. They position themselves as noble humanitarian experts with PhDs who care deeply about things like global poverty, to justify their own sinecures extracted from the national purse. These credentialed do-gooders wield the threat of African deaths as a shield against any questioning of their privileges." Matt Vespa hears Elon Musk Made a Big Announcement During Tesla's Earnings Call. "Elon Musk made a major announcement during Tesla’s earnings call today: he’s going to be taking a step back from his work at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)." John Sexton at Hat Hair, With Tesla Earnings Down, Musk Says His Time at DOGE Will 'Drop Significantly'. At NRO, James Lynch reports Progressive Minnesota Prosecutor Lets State Employee Off with No Charges for Alleged Tesla Vandalism. From Da Fetched, Walz Admin Staffer Caught Keying Teslas—Avoids Charges Despite $20K in Damage. “Our main priorities are to secure restitution for the victims and hold Mr. Adams accountable,” Hennepin County Attorney’s Office spokesman Daniel Borgertpoepping stated. “As a result, we will file for pre-charge diversion to best facilitate both of those goals. This is an approach taken in many property crime cases and helps to ensure the individual keeps their job and can pay restitution, as well as reducing the likelihood of repeat offenses.” Pam Bondi should bring Federal domestic terrorism charges. At Althouse, Do you picture the desk jobs of others like this? "I think this is, essentially, how Elon Musk pictures 90% of the federal workforce:" TikTok at link. And yes, it's true for some. Tyler O'Neil at Da Signal hosts EPA Administrator Confronts New York Times Reporter for Claiming He Had ‘No Evidence’ of Waste, Fraud, Abuse.

Sundance is amused when a CBS 60-Minutes Executive Producer Resigns Citing New Constraints Blocking Anti-Trump Propaganda Efforts. He can't just make shit up anymore. Capt. Ed, Scott Jennings: The Elites Sent a Message to Maher -- And Everyone Else. "Cross the Leftist elite, and you'll suffer character assassination and even financial and legal ruin. The sneering limousine progressives will scream about diversity and inclusiveness all day long, but attempt to actually put it in practice by having dinner with an opponent, and ..." From Twitchy, a Legacy of Lies: Scott Jennings Tells Abby Phillip Why Media Trust is Cratering but She Refuses to Listen. VodkaPundit at PJM likes how CNN Just Pulled the Rug Out From Under CNN's Kaitlan Collins. Matt Vespa enjoys MSNBC Host Getting Slapped Down by The Office's Rainn Wilson When Discussing Lack of Media Trust. The best scene in The Meg is when he gets eaten.

From Althouse, "A university dedicated to free thought should know better. The First Amendment draws a clear line..." ""... between unprotected 'true threats' and core political speech. Speech is only a true threat when it demonstrates a serious, specific, and imminent intent to commit unlawful violence against a particular individual or group. That’s a high bar — and for good reason. It’s meant to protect public debate, especially about uncomfortable topics. Advocacy for violence, no matter how disturbing, remains protected unless it crosses that line. Decker’s essay never comes close. It’s abstract, hypothetical, and lacks any indication of intent to commit violence. Asking about the moral propriety of force is philosophy, not a true threat...." From "George Mason University calls cops on student for article criticizing Trump/GMU student Nicholas Decker’s Substack essay 'When Must We Kill Them?' earned him a visit from the Secret Service" (FIRE)."

From Ars Technica, Chrome on the chopping block as Google’s search antitrust trial moves forward. "The court ruled that Google has a search monopoly. Now, we learn the consequences."

Hat Hair's John Sexton reports Protesters Chain Themselves to Columbia's Gates...Again. Take away their keys and leave them there for a few days. ET reacts as Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Funding Freeze, "The lawsuit was filed as the administration plans to withhold another $1 billion from the university." A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon we're talking about real money. From Twitchy hears There's Been a Delicious Murder: Chris Rufo DEI-MOLISHES Former Dean of Harvard Medical School.

More on that Monkey Country case that went to the Supremes from Fox, Supreme Court to consider whether parents can opt out of kids reading LGBTQ books in the classroom. John Sexton, Supreme Court Oral Arguments: Can Parents Opt Young Kids Out of LGBT Readings? From the questions, it looks like it's going the parent's way. Althouse, "The plaintiffs here are not asking the school to change its curriculum. They’re just saying, ‘Look, we want out.’ Why isn’t that feasible? What is the big deal about allowing them to opt out of this?" "Said Justice Alito, quoted in "Justices Seem Set to Allow Opt-Outs From L.G.B.T.Q. Stories in Schools/In a lively and sometimes heated argument, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared poised to rule for parents with religious objections to storybooks with gay and transgender characters" (NYT). Here's the transcript of the oral argument." From Spiked, A trans-activist temper tantrum, "Yesterday’s London demo was a carnival of misogyny and public urination." From the College Fix, U. Louisville pays almost $1.6M to settle case with professor who criticized trans ideology.

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: The Cost of Victory up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Pope Dies

Althouse is on it, and finds the Trump connection at the NYT, "As a boy, he was intelligent, deeply religious and loved to dance the tango." "There's also this: "Francis repeatedly sought to stand up to nationalism. During the U.S. presidential election, he suggested that Donald J. Trump, the Republican candidate, was 'not Christian' because of his preference for building walls rather than bridges. Mr. Trump responded: 'For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful. I am proud to be a Christian.'"" This is of more interest to Georgia, who was raised Catholic, and her sister, Mary, who is still devout, than it is to me. My Missouri Synod Lutheran missionary grandfather once gave me a lecture on the evils of the pope and Papism. I think it was the most he ever said to me personally. I look forward to the rite of picking a new pope, with the black and white smoke. I suspect the Church will survive a while longer.

Speaking of Easter and Althouse, she also posts Trump's Easter message from Truth Social, “Happy Easter to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics…” "“…who are fighting and scheming so hard to bring Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, the Mentally Insane, and well known MS-13 Gang Members and Wife Beaters, back into our Country. Happy Easter also to the WEAK and INEFFECTIVE Judges and Law Enforcement Officials who are allowing this sinister attack on our Nation to continue, an attack so violent that it will never be forgotten!" They never give him a break from attacks. Why should he? Cathy Salgado at PJM,  ‘Hail Satan!’ Scream Pro-Trans Athlete Protestors. Since they think Trump is Satan, are they hailing him? I'm confused.  Jon Levine at NYPo, Biden slammed over proclamation that Easter Sunday is ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’ as Trump calls for president to ‘issue an apology’. Matt Vespa at TownHall, Did You Notice What Was Odd About Joe Biden's Easter Photo, it looks like they photoshopped him in. 

Bob Graboyes at Bastiat's Window, tries to prove why tariffs are bad using simple algebra, Real-World Trade-Deficit Math-Magic. I agree with the math, but there's more than math going on. At NewsMax, White House Rejects NY Times Report on Hegseth: 'Non-story' Fueled by 'Leakers'.

Herr Professor Jacobson at LI,likes the way Alito/Thomas Slam Middle Of Night Alien Enemies Act Stay: Judiciary has “an obligation to follow the law” “In sum, literally in the middle of the night, the Court issued unprecedented and legally questionable relief without giving the lower courts a chance to rule, without hearing from the opposing party, within eight hours of receiving the application, with dubious factual support for its order, and without providing any explanation for its order.” Josh Blackmun at the Volokh Conspiracy hears Justice Alito Dissent: "Both the Executive and the Judiciary have an obligation to follow the law." From Sundance at CTH, Lawfare on Steroids – SCOTUS Orders Trump to Stop Deporting Illegal Alien Gang Members, Judge Alito Eviscerates High Court for Judicial Despotism and Senator Van Hollen Claims Illegal Aliens Have U.S. “Constitutional Rights”. Adrian Vermeule @Vermeullarmine "A number of judges have seemingly adopted a constitutional meta-principle: what a past President did, President Trump may not undo." Quote Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney, "JUST IN: A federal judge has ruled the Trump administration’s policy eliminating nonbinary option for passport holders is likely an equal protection violation — but provides relief for only six plaintiffs, not nationwide. https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco" At PJM Matt Margolis explains Why the Era of Lawless Leftist Judges is Likely Ending Soon. At the PreModern Review, While We All know What The Deep State Did, The Leftist Lawfare of the Rogue Judiciary Make Arrests Impractical At This Time. Roger Kimball at Am Great, Mass Hearings and Due Process by Zoom: A Modest Judicial Proposal, "Court orders demanding Trump reverse a deportation highlight escalating judicial interference in immigration and foreign policy, raising questions about constitutional overreach." Auron MacIntyre @AuronMacintyre, "The trick he’s playing here is to pretend that the left hasn’t already violated these norms and set these precedents The left is well past the Rubicon but is gaslighting the right for even approaching it." Quote Zaid Jilani @ZaidJilani, "If there's a constitutional crisis of the President ignoring the courts it really doesn't matter if it's about immigration or Girl Scout Cookies. If you set the precedent that the president can ignore the courts, it's not going to stop at one issue. Please." Matt Vespa at TownHall, Appeals Court Shuts Down Judge's Contempt Proceedings Against Trump Administration...For Now. "The ruling landed within seconds of Boasberg wrapping an emergency hearing on a request from the American Civil Liberties Union to block what it says is a new, imminent wave of deportations to El Salvador." Bob Hoge at RedState thinks it's Weird a New Mexico Judge Resigns After Homeland Security Finds Tren De Aragua Member at His Residence. I do too.

Nick Arama at RedState saw Van Hollen Trainwreck on the Sunday Shows, Reveal Who's Paying for His Trip. You. At Twitchy, LOL! HER FACE! Sen. Chris Van Hollen BOTCHES Softball Question About Abrego-Garcia from Dana Bash (Watch). Western Lensman@WesternLensman, "Van Hollen REFUSES to say Abrego-Garcia isn’t in MS13: Bash: Can you say with absolute certainty that [Abrego-Garcia] is not, nor has he ever been a member of MS13? Van Hollen: Accuses Trump of trying to "change the subject” — as he then changes the subject: “So I’m not going to get into the details…" Bash: Did you ask him? Van Hollen: No." The Balmer Sun has 5 takeaways after Abrego Garcia, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen meet in El Salvador. 'Becca Downs at TownHall, Scott Jennings Has Some Thoughts on Chris Van Hollen After ‘Margarita-Gate’. LifeZette, GOP Rep Trolls MS-13 Supporting Dem Van Hollen with Savage Office Makeover. At WokeSpy, Grabbed, Punched, Ripped off Her Shirt: New Evidence on MS-13 Gang Member Deported to El Salvador.

At WJ, Biden Commuted Child Killer's Sentence, Four Months Later He's Facing the Death Penalty Again. Nick Arama thinks Jim Clyburn's Take on Why Dems Are So Unpopular Just Might Make You Laugh Out Loud, bad PR.  Sarah Arnold at TownHall hears Nate Silver Predicts 2028 Democrat Presidential Nominee-- It's Worse Than Kamala Harris, AOC! Benny Johnson @bennyjohnson "I went to a Tesla protest with Florida’s next Governor, Rep. Byron Donalds. He calmly asked a simple question: ‘What are you protesting?’ The response: “Fascist.” “Race traitor.” “Nazi.” “Uncle Tom.” This is the racist, intolerant Left. Watch Byron roll them like a champ:" From WokeSpy, Dems Confronted On the Street, Refuse to Answer About Noncitizens Voting.

Pop Times reports DOGE Official Blows the Whistle on Staggering Number of Illegal Aliens Getting Medicare. Crémieux@cremieuxrecueil, "PSA: Have a federal rule or regulation that really grinds your gears? @russvought has set up a portal where you can tell the government about it. If they rescind it, they might even name the rescission after you! Link below."

NYPO,  Trump-fearing Haitian migrants fleeing across border from US to Canada. Virginia Kruta at Da Wire watches an MSNBC Host Say Black American Citizens ‘Next In Line’ If Deportations Are Allowed To Continue "If they can do it to them, if they can snatch students off the street without any pushback or recourse, they will do it to any of us." At  News Busters, Matthews to Acosta: Trump Is Like Hitler And The Holocaust. Matt Margolis, 'The Left Has Been Complicit in the Greatest Crimes Against Humanity We Have Seen in This Country'. Leah Barkoukis at TownHall recounts Miller Tells Harrowing Story of Just How 'Inhuman' Biden's Immigration Policies Were. 

WATCH: @StephenM tells the harrowing story of how the Biden administration's policies led to the rape and impregnation of a trafficked 14-year-old girl by an illegal alien fraudulent sponsor: "I am not interested in moral lectures from anyone... about immigration policy when the… pic.twitter.com/efUaNHwmFP

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 19, 2025

From the Conservative Brief, the Associated Press Loses Court Case To Regain Coveted White House Access. I guess they weren't so special after all. At Bearing Arms, Tom Knighton sees CNN's Tapper get Busted For Trying to Play Games With FSU Student's Background.

Driscoll at Insty, cites BRENDAN O’NEILL: The Hilarious Meltdown of Men Who Think They’re Women,  Julie Burchill adds, “The march of the trans mob is over.” and David Thomson: How To Invalidate Your Own Vocation. “In this Yes, You Are Napoleon school of psychotherapy, where the unwell must always be told whatever they want to hear. Possibly before being steered towards irreversible mutilation and lifelong pain. That gender-affirming care.” Breitbart reports Maine AG Feels ‘No Concerns of Safety’ For Girls Playing Against Trans-Identifying Athletes. Sarah Arnold at TownHall, School Board Tells Crying Student to 'Wrap It Up' After Speaking Out Against Trans Athletes.

WATCH: A California high school girl tearfully recounts to her school board having to change in front of a biological male before track practice.

Celeste Diest is a junior in the Lucia Mar Unified School District. She said the biological male watched both her and other girls… pic.twitter.com/DV0UQhpcI2

— Off The Press (@OffThePress1) April 17, 2025

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: The Cost of Victory up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.