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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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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Social media, in particular those who are deeply aligned with the COVID-19 vaccination stuff, is all abuzz about Casey Means as the replacement nomination for withdrawn candidate Janette Nesheiwat (Mike Waltz’s sister-in-law).

I do not have enough insight to provide opinion, other than to share statements by Means and call attention to the announcement.  Apparently, Robert F Kennedy Jr wanted this nominee:

Via Truth Social – “I am pleased to announce that Dr. Casey Means, will be nominated as our next Surgeon General of the United States of America. Casey has impeccable “MAHA” credentials, and will work closely with our wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to ensure a successful implementation of our Agenda in order to reverse the Chronic Disease Epidemic, and ensure Great Health, in the future, for ALL Americans. Her academic achievements, together with her life’s work, are absolutely outstanding. Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History. Congratulations to Casey! Secretary Kennedy looks forward to working with Dr. Janette Nesheiwat in another capacity at HHS. Thank you for your attention to this matter.” (link)

Here’s a couple of videos from Casey Means advocating for the Make America Healthy Again agenda.

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Vice President JD Vance speaks at the DC session of the Munich Security Conference.   Inside the discussion JD Vance outlines the status of President Trump foreign policy in a host of regions.

The status of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.  The perspective of the Trump administration toward NATO and the EU.  The relationship between President Trump and the European leadership in Brussels.  The China issue.  The ongoing trade discussions.  The middle-east, Iran, Gaza and the upcoming President Trump trip to Saudi Arabia.

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We have witnessed a lot of crazy in the past several years, but this just about takes the proverbial cake.

Current Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, was the leader of al-Qaeda in Syria and had a $10 million bounty on his head as a designated terrorist only a few months ago.  Today, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed him to the presidential palace and called for the EU and USA to drop sanctions against the terrorist network.

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron called on the United States and the European Union to lift sanctions against Syria on Wednesday after hosting the Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on his first visit to Europe.

The French leader said Washington should “rush to lift sanctions,” maintain troops in Syria and then review the situation at a later date.

“The interest of all, including of the Americans, is today to act and accompany us in lifting sanctions on the Syrian people,” Macron said at a press conference alongside al-Sharaa.

Al-Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda member, has received a cautious welcome from the international community after his forces toppled brutal Syrian dictator Bashar Assad late last year.

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In the U.K and throughout Europe May 8th is known as “VE Day” designating Victory of Europe Day, commemorating May 8, 1945, marking the Allies’ acceptance of Germany’s unconditional surrender.

In Russia May 8th is known as “Victory Day” celebrating the defeat of the Nazi regime and honoring the 27 million Russians killed in World War II. By several magnitude Russia suffered the most casualties in the war, losing approximately 9 million military and 18 million civilians.

Today, President Trump signed a proclamation designating May 8th also as “Victory Day” [SEE HERE], recognizing that without the United States entering the war, the German Nazi regime would not have been defeated.

Russia and the USA using “Victory Day,” while Europe uses “VE Day.” Huh, maybe a message in there somewhere.

The announcement was made during the swearing-in ceremony for David Perdue as U.S. Ambassador to China.  The media questions begin at 9:11 of the video below.  WATCH: 

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WHITE HOUSE – Today, our Nation proudly commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Allied Powers’ triumph over national socialism and fascism, and the end of World War II in Europe — one of the most epic victories for forces of freedom in the history of the world. On this Victory Day for World War II, we celebrate the unmatched might, strength, and power of the American Armed Forces, and we commit to protecting our sacred birthright of liberty against all threats, foreign and domestic.

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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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