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Saturday May 9th – Open Thread

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

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DNI Tulsi Gabbard Delivers Remarks at 2026 Independent Women’s Policy Summit

On May 7, 2026, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard addressed the 2026 Independent Women’s Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. Given her current position at the tip of the IC accountability spear, it is worth reviewing DNI Gabbard’s remarks. The transcript of her speech is below.

[Transcript] – “Thank you so much for the introduction. Carrie, thank you for your leadership and all of the hard work that goes into making this day possible, and, of course, thanks to all of you for being here and for your support of the tremendous work that IWF does. I’m trying to remember what year I kind of first started getting involved. It might’ve been around the end of my time in Congress, but it’s been incredible to see the trajectory just over the last five, six years and the impact that IWF has had, and how much it has sparked and inspired people, women and girls, people all across the country, to take it upon themselves to really be the solution and confront the grave and serious and historic challenges that we are facing today. I think the focus of this summit today is around leadership, which is essential.

I have found too often in my time in politics, now that has spanned over 20-something years, my time serving in the military in different capacities, you know, the challenge and opportunity of leadership is a perpetual one. I find it now in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Intelligence Community across the board. And too often, what I see, especially in some of our young women and girls, but even some of the moms groups that I’ve met over the years, is a concern or question around not being qualified to lead.”

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President Trump Mediates a Three-Day Ceasefire Between Ukraine and Russia Coinciding with Victory Day

May 9, celebrated as Victory Day, is one of the most significant and heartfelt holidays in Russia, symbolizing resilience, unity, and remembrance. This day honors the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War. It is a time when the nation collectively reflects on its history, pays tribute to those who sacrificed their lives, and celebrates the enduring spirit of its people.

Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to have noticed the same EU/Ukraine chatter that we drew attention to a few days ago, and Moscow has stopped public attendance from tomorrow’s Victory Day celebration in Red Square. The Russian govt told people to stay away from Moscow central and watch the event on livestream. Other precautions have been similarly announced.

Emboldened by European allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy began yesterday by ridiculing a ceasefire offer by Russian intermediaries.

As Ukraine was a former part of the United Soviet Socialist Republic (until 1991), Putin views both Ukraine and Russia as celebrating the same Victory Day remembrance; a united victory over Nazism.  Zelenskyy, born in 1978, rejects that commonality.  However, after President Trump stepped into the discussion, a 3-day ceasefire was brokered.

[Via Truth Social] – “I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine. The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II. This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country. This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

 ~ President DONALD J. TRUMP

Due to the psychology of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in combination with his co-dependent enablers in Europe and the U.K., I would caution everyone to review Ukraine’s participation in the ceasefire tenuously.   Zelenskyy, leading a non-NATO member state, gains NATO’s protection because France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. see Russia as a major threat to Europe.

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Prime Minister Starmer Refuses to Step Aside as Labor Party Loses 1,100 Seats in Regional Elections and Losses Continue Mounting

U.K Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suffered a massive defeat as the British regional election results continue to be counted.  So far, Starmer’s Labour Party has lost 1,100 seats and Nigel Farage’s Reform Party has gained a whooping 1,229 seats.

The results continue to be tallied as many regions and local councils have a form of ranked choice voting.  However, despite the mounting electoral losses, Keir Starmer is refusing to step aside.

(VIA AP Newswire) – LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted Friday that he will not resign after bruising elections that saw his governing Labour Party suffer big losses and the hard-right Reform UK make major gains.

The local and regional elections were widely seen as an unofficial referendum on Starmer, whose popularity has plummeted since he led the center-left Labour Party to power less than two years ago. […] Starmer said he took responsibility for the “very tough” results but would not quit.

“The voters have sent a message about the pace of change, how they want their lives improved,” he said. “I was elected to meet those challenges, and I’m not going to walk away from those challenges and plunge the country into chaos.”

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April Jobs Report Shows 115,000 Gains, Federal Govt Employment Drops Another -9,000

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) has released the April jobs report showing 115,000 jobs gained [DATA HERE]. Inside the numbers, federal government employment continued to decline in April (-9,000). Since reaching a peak in October 2024, federal government employment is down by 348,000, or 11.5 percent since the 2024 election.

The March report was also revised upward from 178,000 to 185,000.  The overall jobs gain was double what most ‘experts’ and economic pundits had expected.  The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3 percent.

[Source BLS, Table-2]

BLS – […] Total nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 115,000 in April, after showing little net change over the prior 12 months. In April, job gains occurred in health care, transportation and warehousing, and retail trade. Federal government employment continued to decline. (See table B-1.)

In April, health care added 37,000 jobs, in line with the average monthly gain of 32,000 over the prior 12 months. Over the month, job gains occurred in nursing and residential care facilities (+15,000) and home health care services (+11,000).

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio Holds a Press Briefing Following Visit with Pope and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio travelled to Rome, Italy, for discussions with the Pope and Prime Minister.  Secretary Rubio holds a press conference following his diplomatic trip.  The press questions cover the meeting with the Pope, foreign policy discussions and ongoing international relations between the United States, Italy and NATO allies.

Secretary Rubio notes President Trump is reevaluating current troop deployment throughout Europe and President Trump will make further decisions on troop levels based on a variety of factors.  The previous “base denials” is one of the factors for decision-making. WATCH:

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May 8 – 2026 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day 474

In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

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Friday May 8th – Open Thread

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

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After Phone Call with Komisar Von der Leyen, President Trump Delays EU Tariffs Until Independence Day

There is a certain irony in the timing all things considered.  President Trump has given the EU until July 4, 2026, to fulfill the trade agreement previously negotiated (ie. the Turnberry Agreement) or 25% tariffs on EU automobiles will be triggered.

(Via Truth Social) – “I had a great call with The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. We discussed many topics, including that we are completely united that Iran can never have a Nuclear Weapon. We agreed that a regime that kills its own people cannot control a bomb that can kill millions. I’ve been waiting patiently for the EU to fulfill their side of the Historic Trade Deal we agreed in Turnberry, Scotland, the largest Trade Deal, ever! A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO! I agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”  ~ President DONALD J. TRUMP

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently spoke directly about what was creating this problem.  His interview and explanation in detail is below (MUST WATCH):

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There’s Something About Mary…

I have been asked to recap some of my research into cited formats of what I believe to be criminal conduct, with specific statutes against them. This is a recap of one key player who mysteriously seems to avoid scrutiny.

If there is one corrupt DC player who has escaped scrutiny for her corrupt endeavors, it would be Mary McCord.

More than any other Lawfare operative within Main Justice, Mary McCord sits at the center of every table in the manufacturing of cases against Donald Trump. {GO DEEP} Mary McCord’s husband is Sheldon Snook.  At a critical moment he was also the right hand to the legal counsel of Chief Justice John Roberts.

When the Carter Page FISA application was originally assembled by the FBI and DOJ, there was initial hesitancy from within the DOJ National Security Division (DOJ-NSD) about submitting the application, because it did not have enough citations in evidence (the infamous ‘Woods File’).  That’s why the Steele Dossier ultimately became important.

It was the Steele Dossier that provided the push, the legal cover needed for the DOJ-NSD to submit the application for a Title-1 surveillance warrant against the campaign of Donald J. Trump.

When the application was finally assembled for submission to the FISA court, the head of the DOJ-NSD was John Carlin.  Carlin quit working for the DOJ-NSD in late September 2016 just before the final application was submitted (October 21,2016).  John Carlin was replaced by Deputy Asst. Attorney General, Mary McCord.

♦ When the FISA application was finally submitted (approved by Sally Yates and James Comey), it was Mary McCord who did the actual process of filing the application and gaining the Title-1 surveillance warrant.

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