True character and integrity become most apparent when choosing between popularity and honesty, or between protecting revenue and speaking openly. That said, while I have little regard for a DC journalist who avoided meeting at the Trump International Hotel out of fear of being seen entering a venue deemed “controversial” by peers, at least Herridge keeps her act going by asking questions that play well with the crowd.

In an interview with former DOJ Prosecutor James Trusty, Ms. Herridge explores the potential for prosecuting those accused of deliberately targeting Donald Trump. Trusty points to 18 USC 242 as the key statute in the alleged “grand conspiracy” and considers how actions by former CIA Director John Brennan might have reset the statute of limitations. He also discusses James Comey’s recent “8647” threat indictment, possible additional false statement charges, and whether the underlying motive was to undermine an incoming President. WATCH:

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:40 Legal Theory Behind “Grand Conspiracy” Against President Trump
01:30 Former CIA Director Brennan Investigation/Indictment
02:15 Florida Courts Are the Battleground

(more…)

In recent developments President Trump’s ‘project freedom’ operation to open the Strait of Hormuz for captured shipping interests has been paused following Saudi Arabia’s withdrawal of support and their revocation of Saudi air bases for U.S. operations.

The issue behind the Saudi decision is not that complicated if you understand the longer-term background.  However, the issue behind the Saudi decision also highlights a key ¹flaw in the Promethean analysis of the relationship (and the reason I caution everyone to sip slowly from this information source).

The cliff notes version is that Saudi Arabia and many of the Gulf States look at the negotiations between President Trump and Iranian interests with skepticism.  The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) wants a complete and final elimination of the threat Iran represents. They do not believe Iran can be negotiated out of that threat.  The GCC view negotiations as an Iranian delay tactic.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salmon, the main voice in the GCC position, has clear eyes and a long historic view on the threat Iran represents. They accept the people in control of the Iran regime will do and say anything to pause or remove the military confrontation; but they will never stop building the arsenal for war. There is zero, absolutely zero trust in anything the Iranians say on this matter.

As a consequence, Saudi Arabia understands the intent of President Trump’s request to support ‘project freedom’, however Saudi Arabia is not going to accept continued missile attacks from Iran during this ‘humanitarian’ effort to reopen the Strait. [Remember, this is also a Muslim Brotherhood issue.  The Brotherhood is the political network behind extremist Islam.]

President Trump is asking Saudi Arabia and the GCC states to view the continued Iranian attacks as small slights, small provocations, while he diplomatically tries to negotiate with the Iranian regime.  MbS and the GCC are unwilling to take this position, to accept these continued attacks against their nations, simply to give President Trump the political benefit of his policy.

Again, the Saudi’s and GCC have been dealing with this extremist threat for decades. They are unwilling to compromise in order to give space for negotiations they view as futile.  The U.S. can use all Saudi support venues to confront Iran militarily, but they are not going to support the political and diplomatic effort behind ‘project freedom’ while they are simultaneously expected to accept continued attacks from Iran.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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 †

.

(more…)

Susan Kokinda of Promethean Action PAC does a great job with this video presentation of how Canada is the tip of the spear in how the EU and Commonwealth are trying to undermine President Trump.  In the background, this is where it becomes important for President Trump and President Putin to organize a strategic alliance.

“As attention focused on President Trump’s Iran breakthrough, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met European and Commonwealth leaders in Armenia and said the rules-based international order is over, arguing it will be rebuilt out of Europe around Canada, the EU, the UK, and Australia. The episode frames this as a rival power center consolidating against Trump’s America, then highlights Carney’s appointment of Louise Arbour as Canada’s Governor General, emphasizing the office’s powers and Arbour’s role as a UN tribunal prosecutor and advocate for creating the International Criminal Court, alongside references to George Soros’s Open Society support for the ICC and Jack Smith’s work there.

The script then covers a Trump administration press conference on beef, citing declining cattle numbers, ranch losses, and consolidation among four meatpackers controlling 85% of processing, and links this to decades of cartelization and foreign influence in food and commodities.”

.

(more…)

No specific allegations have been released; however, CBS is reporting the FBI raid on Virginia State Senator L. Louise Lucas appears to be in relation to a bribery scheme connected to a marijuana dispensary business where Lucas was a partner.

VIRGINIA (CBS) – The FBI on Wednesday searched the office of longtime Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas in Portsmouth, Virginia, a bureau spokesperson told CBS News.

Lucas was a key figure in pushing a new congressional map through Virginia’s legislature that adds four Democratic-leaning seats. The map was approved in a ballot referendum in April but is currently on hold while the Virginia Supreme Court considers the legality of the new map.

Investigators are looking into an alleged bribery scheme in connection with the marijuana dispensary business, according to a source familiar with the matter.

(more…)

Something is going to happen, I’m not entirely sure what it is, but something is going to happen on May 8th and 9th as Russia pauses the conflict with Ukraine to celebrate one of their most treasured holidays, Victory Day.

My spidey senses are telling me, Ukraine and the EU are planning something very controversial to coincide with this national holiday in the Russian Federation.

Germany has done this before, but this time with President Trump pulling back from NATO, this year holds a different context.

GERMANY – Berlin police published an administrative order on 6 May restricting freedom of assembly and access to public spaces in the areas around three Soviet war memorials from 06:00 on 8 May until 22:00 on 9 May.

In the restricted zones of the Treptow-Köpenick, Mitte and Pankow districts, the wearing of military uniforms and insignia is prohibited, as is the display of the letters Z and V, St George’s ribbons, flags and items bearing Russian symbols, flags of the USSR, Belarus and the Chechen Republic, and portraits of their leaders, as well as depictions of Ukraine that exclude its occupied territories.

Russian military and marching songs – including all versions of Sacred War – are also banned, along with any actions that glorify Russia’s war against Ukraine.  The ban applies to everyone present in the restricted areas, regardless of whether they are participating in demonstrations or not. (more)

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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 †

.

(more…)

Indiana Governor Mike Braun is celebrating along with President Trump after the intransigent republican state senate refused a redistricting push and an upswell of support for primary challengers has delivered a resounding victory.

In the seven target races it looks like six of the weak Republican state senators have been defeated with one race too close to call.

INDIANA – Indiana Republican voters decisively sided with President Donald Trump’s call for political vengeance against state senators who defied him and voted down congressional redistricting.

Results from Tuesday’s primaries showed at least five Republican senators defeating challengers endorsed by Trump, with another Trump-backed candidate winning an open seat primary. Only one of the eight senators opposed by pro-redistricting groups — Greg Goode of Terre Haute — was a certain winner.

Those incumbent senators defeated were Travis Holdman of Markle, Jim Buck of Kokomo, Linda Rogers of Granger, Dan Dernulc of Highland and Greg Walker of Columbus. All their challengers received 60% of the vote or more, according to preliminary tallies compiled by The Associated Press.

Sen. Spencer Deery of West Lafayette was leading by just three votes at 11 p.m. Tuesday. And Sen. Rick Niemeyer of Lowell was down 1,300 votes with 87% reporting.

Gov. Mike Braun, who joined Trump in endorsing their challengers, cheered the results.

“Historic night for Indiana as Republicans stood with me and President Trump to nominate some great America First conservatives,” said a Braun social media post. “I look forward to winning big in November and serving Hoosiers with this team in the statehouse!”

(more…)