One of the least understood dynamics about how the DC silos operate, pertains to review and investigative work done by government officials into government misconduct.  In essence, special counsels, special investigators and appointed special prosecutors do not look at government activity if that activity can be framed as political.  The silos protect themselves from external review.

As a consequence, the only administrative review of government misconduct happens when the silos look internally at their own agency.  In this short video below Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard outlines that 11 internal investigations are ongoing to target Intelligence Community officials, staff and employees who are leaking classified information to the media.

After the internal review, the DNI then sends (criminal) referrals to Main Justice and the FBI if warranted.  Currently three criminal referrals have been sent to the FBI/DOJ as eleven investigations continue.  WATCH:

DNI GABBARD REVEALS 11 PENDING INVESTIGATIONS INTO INTEL LEAKS AND UNDERMINING OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

U.S. Director of National Intelligence @DNIGabbard reveals to @MattGaetz “we have 11 other internal investigations ongoing now within ODNI and we intend to continue to… pic.twitter.com/s0SAwTQIjt

— One America News (@OANN) May 9, 2025

TRANSCRIPT … […] “as I said, the politicization of our intelligence community needs to end—to even begin to start to earn the trust of the American people. The actions that we’ve taken—unfortunately—there continue to be significant leaks coming out of the intelligence community. Not only my organization, but the CIA and others—again, by those who are very directly trying to undermine the agenda and actions of President Trump. Once again, the President who was elected by the American people with an overwhelming mandate.

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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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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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Ancillary to the takeover of the Columbia University library ¹yesterday that led to the subsequent arrest of dozens of campus chaos agents, Acting Columbia University President Claire Shipman has announced a decision to terminate 180 paid research staff.

The termination of employment comes as a result of the Trump administration withdrawing funding for the University.

COLUMBIA PRESS RELEASE – […] “Across the research portfolio we have had to make difficult choices and unfortunately, today, nearly 180 of our colleagues who have been working, in whole or in part, on impacted federal grants, will receive notices of non-renewal or termination. This represents about 20% of the individuals who are funded in some manner by the terminated grants.”

Instead of using their endowment to retain staff, the University terminates them.

¹Additionally, it is now being reported that Columbia University leadership knew in advance of the pro-Hamas protest group that planned to take over the school library.  The University chose to allow the confrontation on campus that ended with the arrest of the group.

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Vice President JD Vance appears on Fox News to discuss the current status of negotiations and contact points to engage both the Russians and Ukrainians in a ceasefire.

From the response by Vance, it appears the Russians have the intention to gain a slightly larger part of Ukraine before they decide to enter discussions about halting the operation. As a result, the administration is awaiting the conclusion.  WATCH (prompted):

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As anticipated, President Trump has moved Acting USAO Ed Martin to an internal position within Main Justice where he will oversee a review of the Dept of Justice weaponization efforts that took place under Joe Biden.

Mr Martin will also be responsible for reviewing pardons as the DOJ pardon attorney, which also seems to align with the “autopen” review.

(Via Truth Social) – “Ed Martin has done an AMAZING job as interim U.S. Attorney, and will be moving to the Department of Justice as the new Director of the Weaponization Working Group, Associate Deputy Attorney General, and Pardon Attorney. In these highly important roles, Ed will make sure we finally investigate the Weaponization of our Government under the Biden Regime, and provide much needed Justice for its victims. Congratulations Ed!”

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VIA TRUTH SOCIAL: – “I am pleased to announce that Judge Jeanine Pirro will be appointed interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Jeanine was Assistant District Attorney for Westchester County, New York, and then went on to serve as County Judge, and District Attorney, where she was the first woman ever to be elected to those positions. During her time in office, Jeanine was a powerful crusader for victims of crime. Her establishment of the Domestic Violence Bureau in her Prosecutor’s Office was the first in the Nation. She excelled in all ways. In addition to her Legal career, Jeanine previously hosted her own Fox News Show, Justice with Judge Jeanine, for ten years, and is currently Co-Host of The Five, one of the Highest Rated Shows on Television. Jeanine is incredibly well qualified for this position, and is considered one of the Top District Attorneys in the History of the State of New York. She is in a class by herself. Congratulations Jeanine!” [LINK]

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Unfortunately, there is a toxic stew in Washington DC that too few understand.  The events today transpire just as many Trump supporters begin to realize the unfortunate outcomes of nominating unserious people like Pam Bondi, Kash Patel and Dan Bongino.

President Trump reluctantly stated earlier today that he will nominate a different person as U.S. Attorney for the critically important Washington DC office, as the collective republican opposition to Ed Martin has proven to be strong.

Ed Martin was what President Trump needed; a very serious, deliberate and qualified person to confront the Deep State UniParty.  Those core skillsets are why the Republicans did not support him.  However, on the optimistic side, if there is ever a special counsel to be appointed, I suspect Ed Martin will be leading candidate.

WASHINGTON DC – President Donald Trump said Thursday he will withdraw the nomination of Ed Martin, a longtime champion of Jan. 6 defendants, to be the District of Columbia’s top federal prosecutor.

“We have somebody else that will be great,” Trump told reporters. “We have somebody else who we’ll be announcing.”

Support for Martin among Capitol Hill Republicans has faltered in recent days, particularly after Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) signaled his opposition to the nominee over his past comments downplaying the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

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Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago has been selected by the papal conclave to become the next pope.  Cardinal Prevost was created by Pope Francis in 2023.  As the new Bishop of Rome, Cardinal Prevost has selected the name Pope Leo XIV.

(VIA MSM) – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has become the first-ever American elected as the leader of the Catholic Church — now known by his pontifical name of Pope Leo XIV.

The 69-year-old, born on the Southside of Chicago, is seen as a diplomat of the church and was an important adviser to his predecessor, Pope Francis.

He became a front-runner to the papacy in the days before the conclave began, said Rev. James Martin, a papal contributor to ABC News.

Leo emerged from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday evening to throngs of cheering crowds, following the signal of white smoke that emanated from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.

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President Trump is scheduled to announce the first negotiated trade deal in the global trade reset with the United States.  The deal is between the U.K and the USA, which is interesting as a UK free trade agreement was being worked on at the time COVID-19 hit in 2020.

Back in 2019 President Trump and then Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross were working two strategic trade negotiations at the same time that never materialized. The first was an FTA with the U.K and the second was with the EU.  The nuance of the U.K deal was favorable and structurally aligned to create leverage against the EU negotiations. It will be interesting to see how this one is structured.

From President Trump this morning on Truth Social: “The agreement with the United Kingdom is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come. Because of our long time history and allegiance together, it is a great honor to have the United Kingdom as our FIRST announcement. Many other deals, which are in serious stages of negotiation, to follow!”

UPDATE: VIDEO ADDED

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