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CNN’s Liberal Agenda Leads To Major Layoffs And Reorganization: Report

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The notoriously liberal CNN news network is reportedly planning to lay off a large number of employees as part of a significant reorganization of its news gathering process and the introduction of a digital subscription service later this year.

Sweeping Changes at CNN

In a move that many see as a desperate attempt to stay relevant, CNN is looking to “streamline” its story pitching process, lean more heavily on video content, and more effectively monetize its digital user base. This comes as no surprise to those who have long criticized the network for its biased and often misleading coverage.

Key Developments:

  • Massive Layoffs: Over 100 journalists are set to lose their jobs. This is part of a significant overhaul aimed at cutting costs and revamping the network’s strategy.
  • Digital Focus: CNN plans to launch a subscription-based digital news product, hoping to cash in on its dwindling audience.
  • Increased Streaming Investment: The network will also boost its investment in free, ad-supported streaming services in an effort to attract more viewers.

Leadership’s Statement

CNN’s leadership has been transparent about the impending changes. Thompson, a key figure in the network, informed employees about the upcoming layoffs and restructuring. He emphasized the network’s shift towards more video content and digital monetization.

Thompson’s Remarks:

  • “Wherever possible, we’ve closed open positions rather than target currently occupied roles. However, some of our colleagues will learn today that their jobs are being eliminated or are at risk,” Thompson wrote.
  • This message highlights the tough decisions CNN is making in an attempt to stay afloat amid financial struggles and a declining viewer base.

Historical Context

This isn’t the first time CNN has faced major layoffs. In late 2022, under former President Chris Licht, the network laid off scores of workers while reorganizing the newsroom and making significant changes to its programming. These past efforts to revamp the network did little to curb the continuing decline in viewership and trust.

The Future of CNN

With these drastic measures, CNN’s future remains uncertain. The network, which has long been a mouthpiece for liberal agendas, now finds itself at a crossroads. Can it reinvent itself and regain the trust of its audience, or will it continue to fade into irrelevance?

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Judge Criticizes DOJ and FBI as He Rejects Argument to Keep Affidavit Under Wraps

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Marine One lifts-off after returning President Donald J. Trump to Mar-a-Lago Friday, March 29, 2019, following his visit to the 143-mile Herbert Hoover Dike near Canal Point, Fla., that surrounds Lake Okeechobee. The visit was part of an infrastructure inspection of the dike, which is part of the Kissimmee-Okeechobee Everglades system, and reduces impacts of flooding for areas of south Florida. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian) [Photo Credit: The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

A federal judge criticized the FBI and DOJ as he rejected a DOJ argument to keep the affidavit for the search warrant at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago under wraps.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart said the DOJ did not meet the government’s required burden of proof to keep the document sealed, The Daily Caller reports.

Reinhart wrote in his ruling that the government had a to show if it has a compelling governmental interest and the denial of access is “narrowly tailored to serve that interest.” 

The DOJ argued that the unsealing “would jeopardize the integrity of its ongoing criminal investigation,” and that there were privacy concerns with unsealing it.

In response, unsealing the document would “unsealing the Affidavit would promote public understanding of historically significant events. This factor weighs in favor of disclosure.”

However, Reinhart has the government did show a compelling interest in not unsealing the whole affidavit but that there was an alternative between unsealing the whole thing or not unsealing anything.

Reinhart has given the agency until August 25th to propose the redactions of the document they would like.

[READ NEXT: Trump Makes Fun of Failed CNN Host and Liz Cheney]

Tucker Carlson Predicts JD Vance As GOP 2028 Nominee

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Tucker Carlson via Gage Skidmore Flickr

In a prediction during a recent podcast, Tucker Carlson, co-founder of the Daily Caller News Foundation, forecasted that Vice President JD Vance will emerge as the Republican Party’s presidential nominee in 2028. Carlson’s statement, made on the “VINCE” podcast, sheds light on the increasing influence of Vance within the party and the likelihood of him becoming the successor to Donald Trump’s political legacy.

Despite Donald Trump declining to endorse Vance during a February Fox News interview, where he stated there were “a lot of very capable people” in the Republican Party, Carlson is optimistic that the former president will ultimately support the vice president in 2028. Trump’s comment, which may have seemed like a rejection to some, was interpreted by Carlson as a temporary stance, not a definitive end to any future support.

“I think people want to leave a legacy, all of us do, and great men especially do. And the only person in the entire Republican Party from my position who’s capable of carrying on the Trump legacy and expanding it, making it what it should fully be, is JD Vance,” Carlson explained. He also praised Vance’s loyalty to Trump and his profound service, indicating that Trump’s current withholding of endorsement may have been a strategic decision.

Carlson’s own connection to Vance runs deep; his son, Buckley Carlson, serves as Vance’s deputy press secretary. This familial link only adds weight to Carlson’s belief in Vance’s potential as the future of the GOP.

Vince Coglianese, host of the podcast, suggested that Trump may have declined to endorse Vance to protect him from premature political pressures. This sentiment was echoed by Carlson, who agreed that Trump’s reticence could be a tactical move, keeping the focus on the current administration rather than the 2028 race. “There’s a lot that will happen between now and then,” Carlson remarked. “And I think, already, I mean, it’s a tough gig for any vice president, this one included. But he has been a powerful partner for Trump.”

The vice president’s solid performance and loyalty have positioned him as the frontrunner for 2028, at least in Carlson’s eyes. “I don’t see any other, at this point, as of today, any other conceivable option. I think JD Vance will be the nominee,” he concluded.

Amid these discussions, speculation about Donald Trump Jr.’s potential 2028 run surfaced. However, Trump Jr. strongly denied any intentions of running, responding with an impassioned statement in which he lambasted the theory that he was helping JD Vance secure a vice presidential nomination as part of a personal presidential ambition.

Political analyst Mark Halperin also weighed in on JD Vance’s prospects, highlighting the vice president’s strengths in media engagement and public appearances. According to Halperin, Vance has an advantage over other potential 2028 contenders due to his willingness to take on numerous interviews and public platforms without hesitation. Unlike Kamala Harris, who waited weeks into her 2024 candidacy to take an interview, Vance is positioned to perform strongly across a wide range of media settings.

Trump’s reluctance to endorse JD Vance could also be influenced by the strained relationship he experienced with his first vice president, Mike Pence. The fallout between Trump and Pence, especially following the 2020 election, was widely publicized and has been a point of contention within the Republican Party ever since. January 6th, 2021, marked a significant turning point in their partnership. Given this history, Trump may be cautious about offering early or public endorsements to his current vice president, JD Vance, fearing the possibility of another strained relationship down the line. By withholding an endorsement, Trump might be taking a more measured approach, wanting to avoid prematurely putting his full support behind Vance in case any future disagreements arise.

Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News

Report: Bannon Told Epstein Trump Should Be Removed Via 25th Amendment

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Thor Brødreskift / Nordiske Mediedager, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Newly released Epstein files include private messages from 2018 between Steve Bannon and Jeffrey Epstein, revealing previously undisclosed political discussions involving President Donald Trump.

According to reporting based on the documents, Bannon described Trump in late 2018 as “beyond borderline” and referenced the 25th Amendment, the constitutional mechanism for removing a president who is unable to perform the duties of the office.

The remarks were made in private correspondence and were not public at the time. (RELATED: Report: Only Roughly 2% Of Epstein Files Public As DOJ Says ‘All’ Released)

As Mediaite’s Isaac Shorr reports:

Bannon has come under fire from a wide variety of critics — including conservatives — in recent days over his his relationship with Epstein.

Documents released by the Department of Justice revealed that on the very day Epstein was arrested on charges of sex trafficking in July 2019, he was texting with Bannon about the aforementioned documentary.

A few months before that, Bannon advised Epstein: “First we need to push back on the lies ; then crush the pedo/trafficking narrative ; then rebuild your image as a philanthropist.”

Another text exchange between the two men, dated Dec. 31, 2018, is under intense scrutiny.

The conversation reads:

EPSTEIN: Hell of. Year. Next will be biblicl

BANNON: We either own 2019 or it will surely own us

EPSTEIN: Im back in the f and b biz only

BANNON: F and B director

EPSTEIN: No it does not stand for fck and blw

EPSTEIN: Spoke to my dems. This weekend. Boy are emotions running high

BANNON: Going to blow him up right our of the box– WH has zero plan to punch back– Fort Apache with no cavalry enroute

EPSTEIN: And no soldiers in the fort. He really is borderline. Not sure what he may do.

BANNON: I think it’s beyond borderline — 25 amendment

The records show the two men exchanged hundreds of messages about media coverage, legal matters, and political strategy. Some messages indicate Epstein offered advice on messaging and reputation management. (RELATED: New Documents Show Bannon Reached Out To Epstein During Vatican Fight)

The communications also reference handling critical coverage following the Miami Herald’s 2018 investigative series on Epstein, which is widely credited with prompting renewed federal scrutiny and Epstein’s eventual 2019 arrest.

The documents do not allege criminal conduct related to the exchanges.

House Select Committee Officially Subpoenas Donald Trump

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

The House Select Committee officially issued a subpoena to testify before the panel to former President Trump on Friday morning.

Last week, the committee investigating the Jan. 6th Capitol riot voted unanimously to subpoena during what could be its last public hearing last week.

“As demonstrated in our hearings, we have assembled overwhelming evidence, including from dozens of your former appointees and staff, that you personally orchestrated and oversaw a multi-part effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election and to obstruct the peaceful transition of power,” Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Vice Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY) wrote in a joint statement.

Read the subpoena below:

Trump responded to the subpoena last and decried the move as a continuation of Democrats’ partisan witch-hunt against him.

“The Unselect Committee has willfully ignored the fact that days before January 6, 2021, I recommended and authorized thousands of troops to be deployed to ensure that there was peace, safety, and security at the Capitol and throughout Washington, D.C. on January 6th because I knew, just based on instinct and what I was hearing, that the crowd coming to listen to my speech, and various others, would be a very big one, far bigger than anyone thought possible,” Trump wrote.

Despite Trump’s ire towards the House panel a source close to the former president insists he “loves the idea of testifying.” The source told Fox News, that if Trump does in fact testify he plans to “talk about how corrupt the election was, how corrupt the committee was, and how Nancy Pelosi did not call up the National Guard that Trump strongly recommended for her to do three days earlier on January 3, 2021.”

Marine Le Pen Launches 2027 Presidential Bid After Court Clears Path Despite Conviction

The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

PARIS — French nationalist leader Marine Le Pen announced Tuesday that she will run for president in 2027 after a Paris appeals court upheld her conviction for misusing European Union funds but reduced her sentence and shortened her ban from holding public office, allowing her to remain on the ballot.

The ruling preserves one of Europe’s most consequential political candidacies at a time when Le Pen and her National Rally party are leading opinion polls ahead of next year’s election. With President Emmanuel Macron constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term, the race is widely viewed as the strongest opportunity yet for France’s nationalist movement to capture the presidency.

Court Upholds Conviction, Reduces Penalty

The appeals court affirmed Le Pen’s conviction for diverting European Parliament funds to pay National Rally employees instead of parliamentary assistants.

Judges sentenced her to three years in prison, with two years suspended and one year to be served under electronic monitoring, along with a €100,000 fine. The court also shortened her period of political ineligibility, clearing the way for her presidential campaign.

Le Pen immediately vowed to challenge the decision before France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation.

Under French law, that appeal suspends enforcement of her sentence — including the electronic monitoring requirement and political restrictions — while the case is reviewed, allowing her to campaign without immediate legal constraints.

‘Tonight, I Am a Candidate’

Appearing on French television shortly after the ruling, Le Pen left little doubt about her intentions.

“Tonight, I am a candidate in the presidential election,” she declared, while maintaining that she had committed no crime and describing the prosecution as politically motivated.

WATCH:

The legal battle is expected to continue for months, but the appeals ruling removes the most immediate obstacle to her fourth presidential campaign.

Polls Show National Rally in Strong Position

Le Pen enters the race from a position of unusual political strength.

Recent polling by major French firms has consistently placed either Le Pen or her National Rally protégé, Jordan Bardella, between roughly 31% and 36% in first-round voting — historically high numbers this far ahead of a presidential election. Pollsters say National Rally has never polled this strongly so early in a campaign.

Several surveys also indicate Le Pen would be highly competitive in a second-round runoff against leading centrist contenders, including former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe.

Relationship With Trump Has Changed

Although Le Pen praised Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory and was once viewed as one of his closest political allies in Europe, she has deliberately distanced herself from the president in recent years.

As she works to broaden her appeal among mainstream conservative and center-right French voters, Le Pen has sought to present National Rally as a governing party rather than a protest movement.

That strategy has included publicly criticizing Trump on several occasions. During a dispute last month between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Le Pen sided with Meloni and described Trump’s remarks as “very insulting.” She has also broken with the president on aspects of U.S. military intervention and European defense policy.

Legal Battle Continues

The case stems from allegations that National Rally improperly used millions of euros in European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016 to pay party staff working in France rather than parliamentary assistants assigned to Brussels.

Le Pen has consistently denied intentionally violating the rules and says the prosecution reflects an effort to sideline one of France’s leading opposition figures.

Whether France’s highest court ultimately upholds or overturns the conviction remains uncertain. For now, however, the appeals ruling has ensured that the country’s leading nationalist candidate will remain in the race, setting up what is expected to be one of Europe’s most closely watched elections in a generation.

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Report: Youngkin’s Trump White House Hopes Dim After Virginia Setback

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President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

The political fallout from Virginia’s redistricting referendum is reaching beyond the state, cutting into Glenn Youngkin’s standing at a moment that matters for his future.

In recent weeks, the former governor had been floated as a possible pick for a Trump administration role, with secretary of labor among the positions mentioned. He was seen as a Republican who could point to a win in a blue-leaning state and bring a different profile into a national cabinet.

That window now looks narrower.

Timing Undercuts Momentum

The criticism from inside GOP circles is landing at a particularly inconvenient time for Youngkin.

According to Politico’s Dasha Burns, administration officials are blaming him for not doing enough to stop the redistricting measure, which passed by a slim margin and could shift up to four House seats toward Democrats. It’s the kind of loss that gets noticed in Washington, especially when control of the House is on the line.

And it’s not just about the outcome. It’s about perception.

A senior official, speaking anonymously, put it bluntly: “He doesn’t have enough friends here.” That comment points to a problem that goes beyond one referendum. It suggests Youngkin lacks the internal support that often decides who gets a seat at the table.

Burns continues:

Becca Glover, executive director of Youngkin’s Spirit of Virginia PAC, defended the former governor’s efforts, noting he raised and contributed nearly $500,000 to Virginians for Fair Maps and supported the Congressional Leadership Fund and Fair Maps’ fundraising efforts.

“The governor hit the campaign trail making many stops across the Commonwealth from Wise to Virginia Beach to Leesburg to motivate the grassroots to vote no,” Glover said. “He was proud to be part of a team including Speaker [Mike] Johnson and other former governors to get out the vote.”

Glover also pointed to the dozens of interviews Youngkin did and his efforts at retail campaigning.

“He continues to ask that the Supreme Court of Virginia to strike down this unconstitutional power grab,” Glover said.

A source briefed on White House discussions pushed back, saying Youngkin’s actions helped set the stage for the current difficulties facing him and his party in Virginia.

“Look, there’s plenty of blame to go around. But if Youngkin hadn’t left the special session open, Louise Lucas would never have had the chance to ram through those maps,” the person said, referring to the Democratic state senator who played a key role in advancing the redistricting effort. “So he has some responsibility for losing these seats.”

From Rising Star to Question Mark

Youngkin’s appeal to national Republicans has always been tied to his 2021 victory and his ability to win in a competitive state without fully leaning into Trump-style politics.

But that brand cuts both ways.

Inside a Trump-aligned orbit, relationships and loyalty still carry more weight than résumé lines. Another loss in Virginia, even one tied to a ballot measure, gives skeptics more reason to question how much influence Youngkin really has, both at home and in the broader party.

That matters when administration roles are being discussed behind closed doors.

Fewer Openings, More Competition

Even under the best conditions, cabinet-level positions are limited and highly competitive. Candidates need more than a strong narrative. They need advocates inside the administration willing to push their case.

Right now, the signals suggest Youngkin doesn’t have that backing.

The criticism tied to the referendum may not be decisive on its own. But combined with lingering doubts about his connections in Washington, it adds friction at the worst possible time.

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Don Bacon Hints At 2028 Presidential Run After Leaving Congress

Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

An outgoing Republican Congressman signaled he could mount a future bid for the White House.

“I got asked the other day, ‘You say you’re interested in being an executive — is that governor or president?’ I go, ‘Yes,’” Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon told NBC News in an interview last week in his office.

“If there’s an opportunity, and I can make a difference, a unique difference, I would like to keep serving. I just don’t want to do two-year elections,” he continued in the interview, which was published on Sunday.

Bacon announced last week he would not seek reelection in the vulnerable swing district, which includes Omaha and rural areas of Nebraska. In 2024, Bacon was one of three Republicans elected in districts that voted for former Vice President Harris over President Trump.

Bacon, a five-term congressman and retired Air Force brigadier general, has represented the 2nd District since 2017. Known for his relatively moderate approach and clashes with President Donald Trump, Bacon has occasionally broke with his party on major issues. He voted to certify the 2020 election and co-sponsored bipartisan legislation like the “Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act” with Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), aimed at improving the accuracy of hate crime reporting.

Bacon acknowledged it would be difficult to win a White House bid, particularly as a House member and as a Republican who still embraces Reaganism and a hawkish view of foreign policy.

“I don’t think it would be very easily done,” he said. “All I know is I have a heart to serve our country, and I have a vision.”

Bacon suggested he’d be interested in serving as Defense Secretary “if God opens up that door,” but acknowledged his doubt that a Republican president would tap him for the post.

Bacon also said that he would not run for governor against Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R), who was elected in 2023 and who, NBC News reported, is a “close friend” of Bacon’s.

Bacon’s exit opens one of the most competitive House seats in the country. The 2nd District — which includes Omaha and parts of Douglas, Sarpy, and Saunders counties — has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+3. Once a Republican stronghold, the district has been trending leftward thanks to shifting demographics and political realignment, particularly during the Trump era. (RELATED: Rep. Don Bacon To Retire, Opening Key Battleground In Omaha’s 2nd District)

Before Trump, the GOP had a lock on the district. George W. Bush carried it handily in 2000 and 2004. Even Mitt Romney won it by 7 points in 2012. But the tide began to shift in 2008, when Barack Obama flipped the seat — marking the first Democratic presidential win there since 1964.

Trump won it narrowly in 2016, but Joe Biden carried the district by about 6 points in 2020, and Democrats held it again in 2024. These wins came despite Nebraska remaining solidly red overall.

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Johnson Reveals His Next Move On The SAVE America Act

Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson says Republicans are preparing another attempt to send the SAVE America Act to President Donald Trump’s desk, this time by packaging the election integrity legislation into a future budget reconciliation bill that could bypass the Senate filibuster.

Johnson made the remarks during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” telling Shannon Bream that the bill remains one of the White House’s top priorities and pledging that the House will take it up again after passing it three previous times.

Johnson Eyes Reconciliation Strategy

“We’re going to try one more time on a budget reconciliation bill,” Johnson said. “I think that will be the way to get it through the Senate, and finally, to the president’s desk.”

WATCH:

The SAVE America Act would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot in federal elections. The House approved the measure in February, but it has repeatedly stalled in the Senate, where Republicans lack the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster.

Johnson acknowledged that reality, saying there is “zero chance” seven Senate Democrats would support the bill under the chamber’s normal rules.

Trump Continues To Push Election Bill

Johnson said President Trump considers the legislation a top priority and has encouraged congressional Republicans to continue pursuing it.

The speaker said Republicans are developing another reconciliation package that would combine election integrity measures with budget-related provisions in hopes of qualifying for the Senate’s reconciliation process, which requires only a simple majority for passage.

Johnson has previously suggested tying election integrity provisions to a federal grant program for states, arguing that such a structure could satisfy reconciliation rules while encouraging states to adopt stricter voting standards.

House Conservatives Press Leadership

The issue has exposed divisions within the House Republican conference in recent weeks.

A group of conservative Republicans temporarily blocked House business after demanding the SAVE America Act be attached to must-pass legislation, including the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Johnson ultimately agreed to merge the election bill with the defense package before sending it to the Senate, though he acknowledged the Senate could later remove the provision.

Johnson defended his handling of the dispute, saying House Republicans remain united behind the goal of enacting the legislation despite disagreements over strategy.

Senate Outlook Remains Uncertain

Whether the proposal can ultimately pass through reconciliation remains an open question.

Senate Republicans have expressed differing views on pursuing another reconciliation package, and reconciliation rules generally limit legislation to provisions directly affecting federal spending, revenues, or the debt.

Still, Johnson said he is confident House Republicans can assemble a package that Senate Republicans will support.

“We’re planning to send over a bill that will be irresistible for any Republican,” he said, arguing it would promote affordability, reduce government waste and strengthen election integrity.

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Trump Makes Specific Demand Of Senate GOP Leader Candidates

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President-elect Donald Trump revealed what candidates for Senate Majority Leader will have to do if they hope to gain his endorsement.

Trump released a statement on X on Sunday where he claimed that any candidate seeking the position must agree to recess appointments so that his appointments can be approved in a “timely manner.”

“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more,” Trump wrote to his followers.

He added, “This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again. We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY! Additionally, no Judges should be approved during this period of time because the Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU!”

Recess appointments sidestep the Senate’s confirmation process and could be used to temporarily install unpopular or unqualified nominees.

Florida Senator Rick Scott responded to Trump’s request just minutes later via X, where he vowed to push through his nominee’s “as quickly as possible.”

Despite Sen. Scott’s quick response Trump has yet to throw his support behind a specific candidate for the coveted position.