President Trump has sent a message of support via Truth Social on behalf of Ed Martin to be confirmed as U.S. Attorney for the important Washington DC office. Multiple ‘republican’ members of the Senate do not support the nomination.

If the nomination is not successful by May 20th, there is a scenario where DC Judge James Boasberg could appoint the U.S. attorney. Mary McCord is smiling.

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “Ed Martin is going through the approval process to be U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia. According to many but, in particular, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., his approval is IMPERATIVE in terms of doing all that has to be done to SAVE LIVES and to, MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN. This is a passion for Ed, more so than for almost anyone that I have seen. One of the reasons that I was so successful in winning the 2024 Presidential Election is my commitment to Health, and helping to Make America Healthy. The Cost of the Chronic Disease Epidemic has gotten out of control over the past four years of the Biden Presidency. We are going to take our Country BACK, and FAST. Ed Martin will be a big player in doing so and, I hope, that the Republican Senators will make a commitment to his approval, which is now before them. Ed is coming up on the deadline for Voting and, if approved, HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. When some day in the future you look back at your Vote for Ed Martin, you will be very proud of what you have done for America and America’s Health. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

The Republican opposition group to Ed Martin is the traditional element of the party who stand against the basic principles of what the MAGA movement is all about.

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Much of Europe celebrates “VE Day,” Victory in Europe Day on May 8th, to celebrate the defeat of the German Nazi regime and the ending of World War II.

Within Russia “Victory Day” on May 8th is a big deal, a very big deal.  Russia lost approximately 27 million people in World War II, approximately 8.7 million military men and approximately 18 million civilians.  Think of the scale. Somewhere in the range of 35 to 40% of Russian men were killed in war.  Throughout Russia, honoring the history of May 8 is a big deal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a ceasefire of hostility in the Ukraine conflict surrounding Victory Day, as celebrations in Russia take place from Thursday through Sunday.  However, in keeping tradition with the Nazi history, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Ukraine military, with support from EU NATO allies has launched an offensive into Russia’s Kursk region -regardless of human cost- simply to humiliate Vladimir Putin.

UKRAINE – Ukraine has launched a stunning offensive in Russia’s Kursk region in a major embarrassment for Vladimir Putin.

The Kremlin was determined to expel all Ukrainian troops from Russian soil ahead of this week’s Victory Day parade.

He declared a three-day ceasefire with Ukraine, starting Thursday and ending Saturday, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.  Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the official ceremony on Friday on Moscow’s Red Square.

But Volodymyr Zelensky’s army breached the Russian border Sunday night near the village of Tetkino. (read more)

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In a decision to position for long-term tariff avoidance, Mercedes Benz will shift production of their GLC (compact SUV) to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, away from Bremen, Germany.

Previously, the German automaker had shifted manufacturing of large SUV lines to the USA to avoid the pre-existing 25% ‘chicken tax.’  However, the smaller and less expensive crossover types were still made in Germany and shipped to the USA.  As the shipping vessels returned to Germany, they would take some of the SUV inventory back with them.  It was the most cost-effective solution, given the nature of the tariff situation.

Now, with larger import tariffs against all vehicles, Mercedes has shifted their business model to essentially an outcome where all USA marketed/sold vehicles will be manufactured in the USA, and all EU marketed/sold vehicles will be manufactured in Germany.

(Via Daily Mail) – Mercedes-Benz will shift production of one of its vehicles to Tuscaloosa, Alabama by 2027. The German luxury carmaker’s move is the latest response from an industry caught in the expensive crosshairs of President Donald Trump’s 25 percent tariffs.

The decision marks a potential win for Trump’s protectionist trade agenda, which aims to boost US manufacturing by slapping steep tariffs on foreign-made goods. But there are many complicating factors.

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[BACKGROUND STORY]

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In a rather remarkable message via Truth Social, President Trump proposes the reopening of Alcatraz prison.

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ! For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets.”

“That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders. We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our Country illegally. The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE. We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” (link)

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At the behest of President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson previously removed House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) Chairman Mike Turner from his position. Representative Mike Turner is no longer Chairman of HPSCI. This was a big loss for the Deep State.

The removal timing was not coincidental as it followed President Trump announcing an intelligence advisory board headed by Devin Nunes {SEE HERE}. In addition to his manipulative support for Ukraine, in December of 2023 Chairman Turner lied about his FISA-702 renewal having support from Devin Nunes and John Ratcliffe {LINK}. Mike Turner was identified as a big fibber; he lied about Nunes; Turner was removed from the HPSCI chair.

After a few months of general invisibility, Mike Turner appears on CBS today to discuss the tariffs in addition to the removal of his good friend Mike Waltz from the position of National Security Advisor to President Trump.  Video and Transcript below.

[Transcript] – MARGARET BRENNAN: Good morning and welcome to Face the Nation. We have a lot to get to, so let’s begin today with Ohio Republican Congressman Mike Turner. Good to see you here in person.

REP. MIKE TURNER: Thanks for having me, Margaret.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, I have a lot of national security topics to get to you, but at the heart of so much is America’s economic strength, and so I want to ask you about what President Trump said this week about the cost, the impact of his China tariffs on the supply of goods in the United States. Take a listen.

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Against the backdrop of Alberta, Canada proceeding with a plan to separate from the land of the Snow Mexican leftists, a leaked video conference call between U.S. President Trump, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney is created.

Keith Wilson provides the created leaked content for review. WATCH:

pic.twitter.com/JXfjQ2uFaf

— Keith Wilson, K.C. (@ikwilson) May 3, 2025

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A very solid argument can be made that something akin to the Alberta-U.S. merging was the plan all along. {DEEP BACKGROUND}

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The Washington Post (but of course, CIA outlet) is reporting on a downsizing effort within the CIA to eliminate approximately 1,200 jobs.  The number represents approximately 5% of the workforce although the actual number of CIA employees is classified (national security, dontchaknow).

Within the report, Director John Ratcliffe is noted as shifting the focus of America’s leading spy agency to use more “human intelligence.”  That phrase, “human intelligence,” is IC silo code speak for shifting away from “analysts” (political operatives) and engaging in more ¹factual intelligence information.

According to the report, DNI Tulsi Gabbard has also reduced the employment level within the Director of National Intelligence office by approximately 25% (current payroll estimate of 2,000 employees).  The general narrative within the WaPo reporting is that “national security” is being compromised by large downsizing of spy agency employment.

Additionally, to bolster the positions of the current political operatives within the CIA, the WaPo waxes concerningly about China and other mysterious foreign adversaries recruiting the CIA employees who are now becoming increasingly concerned about their paychecks.

WASHINGTON POST – “The Trump administration is planning significant personnel cuts at the Central Intelligence Agency and other major U.S. spy units, downsizing the government’s most sensitive national security agencies, according to people familiar with the plans.

The administration recently informed lawmakers on Capitol Hill that it intends to reduce the CIA’s workforce by about 1,200 personnel over several years and cut thousands more from other parts of the U.S. intelligence community, including at the National Security Agency, a highly secretive service that specializes in cryptology and global electronic espionage, a person familiar with the matter said. The person, like others interviewed, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

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Think about it.  We’ve already heard about the massive stoppages of April factory work in China, causing serious concern for Beijing and Chinese worker protests.

American importers front loaded inventory in February and March with a 50% increase in orders.  Now, in addition to those factories going quiet, the de minimis rule kicks in.

(Via CNBC) – Chinese bargain retailer Temu changed its business model in the U.S. as the Trump administration’s new rules on low-value shipments took effect Friday.

In recent days, Temu has abruptly shifted its website and app to only display listings for products shipped from U.S.-based warehouses. Items shipped directly from China, which previously blanketed the site, are now labeled as out of stock.

Temu made a name for itself in the U.S. as a destination for ultra-discounted items shipped direct from China, such as $5 sneakers and $1.50 garlic presses. It’s been able to keep prices low because of the so-called de minimis rule, which has allowed items worth $800 or less to enter the country duty-free since 2016.

The loophole expired Friday at 12:01 a.m. EDT as a result of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in April. (more)

The de minimis loophole comes from back in the 1930s. The idea back then was, say you went on a vacation to Paris, you shouldn’t have to file customs paperwork or pay taxes if you decided to ship some little Eiffel Tower statues to your friends back home.

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Kevin O’Leary appears on Fox Business to support President Trump’s tariff proposal against China that is targeted to confront the dragon behind the Beijing panda mask.  WATCH:

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