The Patriot Post® · Monday Executive News Summary
Schumer Shutdown update: The blame for the government shutdown that has lasted for nearly two weeks still rests squarely on the shoulders of Senate Minority “Leader” Chuck Schumer. Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries in the House have repeatedly tried to pin the blame on any Republican for any reason, but the simple fact is that a Biden-era spending bill to keep the government open passed the House almost a month ago. Republicans in the Senate lack the 60 votes required to pass the bill, requiring at least a few Democrat votes. Schumer orchestrated the shutdown in a desperate attempt to cling to his own political position. The shutdown was endangering the financial stability of U.S. service members until Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth acted to redirect unobligated research and development funds, ensuring that military service members will receive their October 15 paychecks on time.
Government layoffs underway: Republicans informed Democrats that if the government shut down, layoffs would follow — and President Trump warned that the jobs affected will be “Democrat-oriented.” In an effort to coax the Democrats into backing down, layoffs were delayed for the first nine days of the shutdown, but on the tenth, OMB Director Russel Vought posted on X, “The RIFs have begun.” Pursuant to the “Reduction in Force” plans, more than 4,000 federal workers received layoff notices on Friday, according to a court filing. The layoffs affected most cabinet departments, with the largest cuts occurring at the Treasury and HHS.
Trump hits China with 100% tariffs: On Friday, President Trump responded to China’s announcement that it would severely clamp down on rare earth exports beginning December 1 by hitting Beijing with 100% tariffs. “This was a real surprise, not only to me, but to all the Leaders of the Free World,” Trump noted regarding China’s action. “I was to meet President Xi in two weeks, at [the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit], in South Korea, but now there seems to be no reason to do so.” Trump’s retaliatory tariffs sent the stock market tumbling, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling almost 900 points. Trump also countered Beijing by restricting exports of “critical software” to China. The date Trump set for the new tariffs is November 1.
Nobel winner dedicates prize to Trump: While the Nobel Committee clearly decided to snub Donald Trump by awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, Machado herself sought to rectify the situation by dedicating her award to Trump. “We are on the threshold of victory, and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy,” Machado stated. “I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!” Machado has been in hiding in Venezuela for over a year after her refusal to concede a bogus election result to dictator Nicolas Maduro. She has also praised Trump’s actions against Maduro and his criminal drug trafficking cartels.
Trump targets Blumenthal: President Trump is calling for an investigation into Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s false claims of military service. This followed a heated exchange between the senator and Attorney General Pam Bondi, in which he questioned her about the lobbying activities of her former law firm, prompting her to accuse him of stolen valor. Blumenthal responded to Trump’s claims by admitting that he had misspoken about his military service with the Marine Corps Reserves in the past. “I served in the reserves and I referred to my service ‘in Vietnam’ on a handful, just a couple of occasions, rather than ‘during Vietnam,’” he told CNN. Trump stated on Truth Social, “The soldiers in his so-called ‘platoon’ came forward and said that they had no idea who this guy was. … This guy shouldn’t even be in the U.S. Senate. It should be investigated, and Justice should be sought.”
Qatar gets air force base in Idaho: On Friday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. has agreed to host a Qatari air force base in Idaho. “Today, we’re announcing a letter of acceptance in building a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho,” Hegseth stated. He noted that the base, which will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots, will “enhance our combined training, increase lethality, interoperability.” Hegseth tied this decision to Qatar’s help with the Gaza peace deal, telling Qatari Minister of Defense Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at a ceremony at the Pentagon, “You have been a core part of what has unfolded in Gaza, a historic moment. We’re grateful for the strong partnership that we have, the way you support our troops at Al Udeid, Your Excellency, the line of communication we’ve had together.”
Benny Johnson death threat leads to arrest: A death threat was mailed to the home of conservative podcaster Benny Johnson days after Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Johnson, who spoke at Kirk’s memorial service, alerted AG Pam Bondi about the threat, and she launched an investigation. The alleged writer, George Isbell Jr., has now been arrested, and a federal case has begun. The letter attempts to insult Johnson by calling him “Charlie Kirk Jr.” and expresses contempt for the “shallow bigoted slugs” who support him. The letter continues, “Maybe someone will blow your head off!!!” Johnson explained in a statement that left-wing copycats are the greatest threat to America today since they “target people for simply speaking the truth.”
Bari Weiss begins accountability at CBS: CBS News’s new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, took a page from Elon Musk’s DOGE book by sending an email to all CBS staff requesting they provide information on their job activities. As Weiss’s email phrased it, she is seeking to “understand how you spend your working hours — and, ideally, what you’ve made (or are making) that you’re most proud of. I’m also interested in hearing your views on what’s working; what’s broken or substandard; and how we can be better. Please be blunt — it will help me greatly.” Predictably, a number of CBS employees took offense at Weiss’s request and got their union to issue a warning not to respond. Given that response, it certainly appears that Weiss will need to clean house at CBS.
MIT and other universities balk at White House proposal: The White House issued a proposal in early October offering nine universities the option to sign on to a compact that requires a course correction in exchange for access to federal funding. MIT President Sally Kornbluth says she “cannot support” the compact that requires the elimination of race and sex from admissions decisions and requires universities to embrace the reality of the gender binary. The University of Virginia has expressed doubts, and Democrats in Tucson, home of the University of Arizona, have formally opposed the compact. Only at the University of Texas have leaders embraced the proposal, saying they were honored to be invited to join the compact.
Headlines
Trump’s doctor says he is in “exceptional health” (Not the Bee)
Bounties to assassinate ICE in Chicago came from Mexico, DHS reveals (Washington Examiner)
NJ school board race shaken up by vile text attacking conservative mom and her body (NY Post)
State Dept. demands China release detained underground church pastor, father of U.S. citizens (Christian Post)
18 people in Tennessee bomb factory blast are presumed dead (NY Post)
Humor: Trump retaliates for peace prize snub with picture of the Nobel Committee in sombreros (Babylon Bee)
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