The Patriot Post® · Monday: Below the Fold
- Trump and DC crime: President Donald Trump’s press conference this morning comes in response to criminal incidents in the capital that shocked America. Trump announced several new actions, including the federalization of the DC metro police under the Home Rule Act and deploying the National Guard to patrol the city’s streets. In the meantime, the FBI has deployed 120 agents to assist DC police during overnight shifts with carjackings and similar crimes. Some outlets are trying to explain that crime is already on the downturn in DC — so Trump’s move is unnecessary. While their numbers are technically correct, the nation’s capital still has a high crime rate after soaring to the fifth most dangerous city in the nation in 2023. At the time, Congress stepped in with support from President Joe Biden to throw out a crime bill passed by DC’s all-Democrat city council that would have lowered penalties for homicides, carjackings, and all felonies committed with a gun.
Letitia James gets probed: On Friday, the Justice Department announced that it had launched a civil rights investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James regarding two cases of her office having engaged in potential violations. Those two cases in question are the prosecution against Donald Trump for civil fraud, wherein he was found liable and fined half a billion dollars, and targeting the National Rifle Association. In both instances, James is alleged to have abused her office to engage in politically motivated prosecutions. Indeed, James made no secret of her desired aim to take down Trump. She was one among several Democrats who engaged in a lawfare campaign against Trump with the failed goal of preventing him from reentering the White House. Now, the tables have turned, and James finds herself in the DOJ’s crosshairs as she is also under scrutiny over potential real estate fraud.
Activist judge’s contempt proceedings blocked, for now: The DC Court of Appeals struck down activist Judge James Boasberg’s contempt proceedings against the Trump administration in a 2-1 ruling Friday. The case is now likely to be appealed to the full DC Circuit to be heard en banc or sent straight to the Supreme Court. Judge Boasberg has truly pulled out all the stops to keep as many illegals in the U.S. as possible. His contempt case stems from a late-night March ruling in which he took it upon himself to single-handedly issue a temporary restraining order on the executive branch. In the end, Trump is unlikely to be held in contempt for failing to turn planes of deportees around mid-flight, as this ruling shows, but the ceaseless novel rulings will continue until the Supreme Court exercises more leadership over the judiciary than it has so far.
Envisioning a Russia-Ukraine peace deal: Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to a face-to-face meeting this coming Friday in a yet-to-be-disclosed location in Alaska. Trump is looking to secure a peace deal to end the bloody three-and-a-half-year-long war in Ukraine. The precise elements of any proposed peace remain fluid, but they are generally regarded to include a concession from Ukraine to give up its eastern Luhansk and Donetsk regions, much of which is currently controlled by Russian troops. Trump has engaged in a pressure campaign via threats of stiff economic penalties to get Putin to the negotiation table. Ukraine has yet to agree to give up any territory, and any deal would require a national referendum according to the nation’s constitution.
Australia recognizes “Palestine,” Trump okays Gaza plan: Australian PM Anthony Albanese has joined the coalition of leftist leaders in Western countries recognizing the concept of a Palestinian state. We say “concept” because the UK, France, Canada, and now Australia have yet to define any borders or leadership of this supposed Palestinian state. Their efforts to legitimize this faux nation come as the Leftmedia pushes bogus stories of starving children in Gaza before issuing woefully insufficient retractions. Meanwhile, Trump has given Israel tacit permission to proceed with its plan to take over the Gaza Strip. Prior to Israel’s exit in 2007, Gaza was a thriving city before being reduced to a terrorist cesspool under Hamas’s leadership. Israeli occupation would end Hamas’s ability to seize food aid, undermining their recruitment efforts and ending the artificial food scarcity.
Texas AG Ken Paxton beats Beto O'Rourke and state Dems: Friday night, funding was cut off for the Democrats who fled Texas to prevent redistricting. Powered by People, a political group founded by Beto O'Rourke, was funding these Democrats’ airfare, luxury hotels, and food, as well as covering the $500/day fee for legislators who are absent when the Texas House is in session. Attorney General Ken Paxton brought a case alleging deceptive fundraising by Powered by People to cover the cost of what amounts to a vacation for the Texas Democrats. Judge Megan Fahey agreed with Paxton and issued a temporary restraining order ending the funding for now. O'Rourke filed a countersuit and took to X to bloviate on what he alleges are Paxton’s true motives.
Privatizing mortgage behemoths: Over the weekend, Donald Trump floated the idea of returning two of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to private status. On Truth Social, Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself at the New York Stock Exchange, which included the caption, “The Great American Mortgage Corporation.” Following the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. government bailed out the mortgage lenders via a government conservatorship. Ever since, the companies have effectively been under government control. Privatizing the two mega lenders by the government selling off its stock would generate some $30 billion in revenue for the U.S. Treasury. Doing so would also potentially work to bring greater efficiency, affordability, and availability to the housing market.
UN nuke watchdog to visit Iran: For the first time since Donald Trump authorized the U.S. military to bomb three of Iran’s primary nuclear weapons development sites, a member of the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be visiting Iran. Following the bombing, the Iranian regime cut ties with the IAEA in protest. The purpose of the IAEA is to act as an international watchdog of nuclear programs across the world. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Sunday, “A deputy director general of [IAEA Director Rafael] Grossi will come to Tehran tomorrow, while there are no plans to visit any nuclear sites until we reach a framework.” Iran agreed to a ceasefire after the U.S. bombing that ended a 12-day war with Israel. That ceasefire has remained in place. It appears that Iran is angling to try to restart nuclear negotiations in order to reconstruct its nuclear program while also demanding concessions from the U.S. that it will not strike Iran.
Headlines
Judge rejects unsealing Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury transcripts (CNBC)
Shooter named in CDC headquarters attack that left Georgia police officer dead (Fox News)
Hegseth announces return of Confederate memorial to Arlington National Cemetery (Fox News)
Trump to nominate economic advisor Stephen Miran to be new Fed governor (CNBC)
Taxpayers spent $207 million to pay bureaucrats to work for unions in Biden’s final year (Daily Signal)
Trump admin seeks $1 billion UCLA settlement (Newsweek)
Illinois becomes first state to require mental health screenings at public schools (Not the Bee)
Germany suspends arms exports to Israel over Gaza plan (Newsweek)
Humor: 10 things Trump is doing to get the U.S. out of debt (Babylon Bee)
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