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.”

(more…)

The audio is a little challenging in parts; however, President Trump delivers remarks just prior to boarding Marine One as he departs the White House.

President Trump discussed ongoing issues with the Strait of Hormuz and difficult negotiations with Iran.  Trump noted the positive job growth, increase in the stock market and expanded economic activity.  President Trump also outlined his involvement in getting Russia and Ukraine to agree to a 3-day ceasefire, hoping the period of peace can be expanded.

.

(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.

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.

(more…)

Specifically, because I follow the networks of the U.S. intelligence community and how they intersect with political objectives and interests of the U.S. government, I would be remiss if I did not point out that next month a Hollywood production by Stephen Spielberg is being released.

The Spielberg movie is called “Disclosure Day,” and the plot of the movie is the U.S. government informing the American people that alternative life systems, essentially alien entities, exist in our universe.  Perhaps it is a coincidental data point, perhaps not.  It is, however, a data point. You can decide if the two releases are related.

Today the Dept of War releases declassified files highlighting Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP).  The FILES ARE HERE. The files contain videos, images and witness statements.

PRESS RELEASE – Today, the Department of War announced the initial release of new, never-before-seen files on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) as part of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE). This interagency effort includes The White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Department of Energy (DOE), the DOW’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and additional components of U.S. intelligence agencies. The collection will be housed on WAR.GOV/UFO and additional files will be released by the Department of War on a rolling basis.

This release follows the direction of President Donald J. Trump to begin the process of identifying and declassifying government files related to UAP in the interest of total transparency. No other President or administration in history has followed through on this level of UAP transparency.

The American people can now access the federal government’s declassified UAP files instantly. The latest UAP videos, photos, and original source documents from across the entire United States government are all in one place – no clearance required. While past administrations sought to discredit or dissuade the American people, President Trump is focused on providing maximum transparency to the public, who can ultimately make up their own minds about the information contained in these files.

The American people have asked for more transparency on these topics, and President Trump is delivering. While all of the files have been reviewed for security purposes, many of the materials have not yet been analyzed for resolution of any anomalies.

(more…)

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.”

(more…)

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).

(more…)

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:

.

(more…)

In an opinion delivered by Justice D. Arthur Kelsey [appointed by then-Gov. Mark Warner (D)] the Circuit Court says the process Democrats used to draw new congressional boundaries was unconstitutional. [SEE RULING HERE] That process “incurably taints the resulting referendum vote and nullifies its legal efficacy.”

[LINK]

The court said that maps put in place in 2021 must be used in the November elections instead. Three justices dissented from the court’s ruling.

VIRGINIA – The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday overturned the state’s redistricting ballot measure that would have given Democrats an edge in four House districts, dealing the party a massive blow ahead of the midterms.

The ruling now gives Republicans a clear lead in the gerrymandering efforts over the last year, which were further inflamed by the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act decision last week.

(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…)