Home Blog Page 19

Trump Reacts To Surprise Biden Pardon

By
Madeleine Jackson
-
4
Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

President Biden’s sudden decision to pardon his troubled son Hunter has sent shockwaves across the nation.

Following the shocking news on Sunday, President-elect Donald Trump reacted to Biden’s surprising decision.

“Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?” Trump wrote. “Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!”

The Trump transition team also reacted to the shocking news.

“The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proven that the Democrat-controlled DOJ and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system,” Trump’s incoming White House communications chief Steven Cheung said in a statement to Fox News.

“That system of justice must be fixed and due process must be restored for all Americans, which is exactly what President Trump will do as he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people.”

On Sunday, Biden accused Republicans of unfair treatment and claimed Hunter was “treated differently” by prosecutors in a lengthy statement announcing the pardon. Hunter Biden was convicted of three felony firearm offenses in a Delaware trial earlier this year, and then pleaded guilty to multiple felony tax offenses in September. 

“From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,” the president’s statement read.

Biden had previously denied any intent to pardon his son after Hunter was convicted earlier this year.

“I am not going to do anything,” Biden said after the conviction. “I will abide by the jury’s decision.”

Trump previously told Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin that, if elected, he “wouldn’t do anything that would be overt” regarding Hunter Biden’s cases, calling the first son’s legal woes “a sad situation.”

While Trump supporters’ negative reaction to the news was to be expected a number of Biden supporters have also attacked the decision and noted that the President likely traded his own legacy to protect his family’s reputation.

MSNBC contributor Charlie Sykes quoted a “smart person” that texted him, agreeing that Trump probably can’t “believe his own dumb fucking luck at this point.”

The Atlantic’s deputy executive editor Yoni Applebaum quoted an article by his publication’s newest addition, Jonathan Chait, who said Biden “chose to prioritize his own feelings over the defense of his country.”

President Joe Biden Issues Pardon To Son Hunter

By
Seijah Drake
-
5
President Joe Biden hugs his family during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II)

President Joe Biden announced on Sunday night that he has pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, following his convictions in two separate federal cases earlier this year. Hunter Biden, 54, has faced legal battles related to firearms offenses and tax violations, and the pardon marks a departure from the president’s earlier stance that he would not intervene in his son’s legal matters.

The decision to pardon Hunter Biden comes after a tumultuous year in court for the first son, who was convicted on felony firearm charges in June, and pleaded guilty to tax-related offenses in September. Biden’s announcement also frames the pardon as a correction to what he described as unequal treatment compared to others in similar situations. He emphasized that people in similar circumstances, such as those who fail to properly complete a gun purchase form or fail to pay taxes due to addiction, are rarely prosecuted to the same extent.

“Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form,” he said in a statement. “It is clear that Hunter was treated differently.”

President Biden’s accusations of “double standards” and “unprecedented actions” in his statement defending his son’s pardon have drawn sharp criticism, especially in light of the Biden administration’s own controversial actions. Biden’s comments about Hunter being unfairly prosecuted are particularly ironic following his administration’s handling of former President Donald Trump‘s legal issues. The FBI’s raid of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022 to recover classified documents was described by many as unprecedented and politically charged. Critics argued that the raid was an example of the Justice Department being weaponized for political gain, a charge that echoes some of the president’s own language about the treatment of his son. By highlighting perceived unequal treatment of Hunter Biden, President Biden inadvertently mirrors the very arguments his political opponents have made about the Biden administration’s handling of the Trump investigation.

In the case, prosecutors argued that Hunter lied on a federal firearm form when he checked “No” in response to a question asking if he was an unlawful user of or addicted to controlled substances. This was despite Hunter Biden’s well-documented struggles with addiction, which included a period of crack cocaine use during the time of the purchase.

The other major legal issue for Hunter Biden was his failure to pay taxes on at least $1.4 million of income. After a lengthy investigation, Hunter pled guilty in September to felony tax charges, admitting to evading taxes in 2017 and 2018. This plea came just as jury selection was about to begin for his trial, and was seen by some as an attempt to avoid further public scrutiny and potential jail time.

The charges could have carried a prison sentence of up to 17 years, although Hunter Biden was likely to face a much shorter sentence under federal sentencing guidelines. He was scheduled for sentencing on December 16.

During the summer, President Biden had been adamant that he would not intervene in the Justice Department’s proceedings, even in light of Hunter’s legal issues. Just days after Hunter Biden’s conviction on the gun charges, President Biden reaffirmed that he would “abide by the jury’s decision,” and would not pardon his son.

On the campaign trail, President-elect Donald Trump suggested that he would consider pardoning Hunter Biden if he were elected. Trump, who has faced his own legal challenges, said that while he thought Hunter Biden had been a “bad boy” he believed that a pardon could be warranted.

Additionally, while the pardon resolves the immediate legal issues surrounding Hunter Biden, it is unlikely to end the public and political scrutiny of his actions. His business dealings and personal life continue to attract attention, particularly from Republican lawmakers and critics of President Biden, who view the legal troubles as part of a larger narrative of corruption and misconduct.

Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News

Joe Rogan Makes Hilarious Offer Amid MSNBC Turmoil

By
Madeleine Jackson
-
3

A much-needed ratings boost…

The world’s most popular podcast host Joe Rogan hinted at joining forces with the world’s richest man to reinvent flailing MSNBC if it’s sold off by its parent company.

X owner Elon Musk joked this week he may buy the liberal news network and “The Joe Rogan Experience” host Joe Rogan offered to replace MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow. He even offered to adopt her signature style.

“If you buy MSNBC I would like Rachel Maddow’s job. I will wear the same outfit and glasses, and I will tell the same lies,” Rogan wrote on Friday in response to a post by Musk.

On Wednesday, parent company Comcast officially announced it would spin off several NBCUniversal cable networks, including MSNBC, in a move that will dramatically shake up the landscape of legacy media as the liberal cable outlet will no longer be affiliated with NBC News.

The billionaire captioned the post with his own statement, writing, “The most entertaining outcome, especially if ironic, is most likely,” having fun with the idea of buying the liberal outlet and converting it to a conservative news outlet.

Rogan commented on Musk’s new post with his offer to replace Maddow on the new MSNBC. The X owner replied, “Deal.”

The MSNBC host, whose show “The Rachel Maddow Show” airs on the network on Mondays, recently signed a new contract to stay with the company for the foreseeable future. This comes as the network’s ratings have plummeted – including ratings for her show – especially since President-elect Donald Trump won earlier this month. (RELATED:

Musk teased the idea even more on Sunday morning, posting a meme depicting him trying to fight the temptation of buying MSNBC. 

Texas Land Commissioner Unveils Plan To Construct Deportation Facilities

By
Madeleine Jackson
-
1
Construction continues on new border wall system project near Yuma, AZ. Recently constructed border wall near Yuma, Arizona on June 3, 2020. CBP photo by Jerry Glaser.

Starr County, TX – Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has announced the launch of the Jocelyn Initiative, a plan to lease state land for the construction of deportation facilities aimed at addressing violent criminal activity. The initiative, named in honor of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was raped and murdered by two illegal immigrants, is ready to begin implementation immediately upon President-elect Donald Trump‘s inauguration.

“My office has already identified several state properties suitable for this effort,” Buckingham stated during the announcement. “We are prepared to act on day one of the Trump presidency to ensure the necessary facilities are in place.”

A Personal and Symbolic Ceremony

The announcement took place on a newly purchased 1,400-acre tract in Starr County, acquired by the state in October as part of Texas’s broader border security strategy. During the ceremony, Jocelyn’s family joined Buckingham in laying a symbolic panel of the state-funded border wall. In an emotional moment, family members were invited to install a section of the wall themselves, commemorating their beloved daughter’s memory.

Expanded Vision for State Land

The Starr County property, already designated for border wall construction, is now being considered for additional infrastructure, including deportation facilities. Buckingham highlighted the strategic importance of the site, calling it an ideal location for “processing, detention and coordination of what will be the largest deportation of violent criminals in our nation’s history.”

– Advertisement –

“I am 100% on board with the Trump administration‘s pledge to get these criminals out of our country, and we are more than happy to offer our resources to facilitate deportations of these violent criminals,” she added. “We’re happy to make this offer and hope they take us up on it.”

MyHighPlains.com continues:

Buckingham described the plot as “essentially farmland,” and “easy to build on.” Her office did not specify how much the state paid to acquire it.

Tom Homan, President-elect Trump’s pick to serve as “border czar,” told Fox News that the incoming administration expects to use the gifted land as part of its deportation program. He did not go into details about any plans.

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

Homan is scheduled to visit the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday. He will join Gov. Greg Abbott to present holiday meals to National Guard troops serving along the border. Commissioner Buckingham announced a “border wall construction kick-off” on the newly acquired state land in Starr County on the same day.

…

The Texas legislature is also preparing to take state border enforcement even further. State Sen. Bob Hall, for example, has filed bills to establish the “Texas Department of Homeland Security” and to authorize the Texas Department of Public Safety to deport migrants — measures the Biden administration challenged as unconstitutional.

These initiatives highlight a rising trend among border states, especially Texas and Arizona, to take charge of immigration enforcement. However, Trump’s approach might reduce the need for states to assert control, as the federal government steps up its efforts.

Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News

It’s Happening? New Plan In Senate To Eliminate Department Of Education

By
Donny Ferguson
-
7
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump may now have a chance to deliver on a key campaign promise – eliminating the United States Department of Education.

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has introduced the “Returning Education to Our States Act” which Rounds says “would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and redistribute all critical federal programs under other departments.”

“The federal Department of Education has never educated a single student, and it’s long past time to end this bureaucratic Department that causes more harm than good,” said Rounds in a statement announcing the legislation. 

“The Department was created in 1979 with the goal of collecting data and advising schools across the U.S. on best practices. In the 45 years since then, it has grown into an oversized bureaucracy with a budget that’s 449% larger than it was at its founding,” Rounds noted.

“Despite the Department spending $16,000 per student per year, standardized test scores have been dropping over the past ten years, further displaying the Department’s ineffectiveness on the quality of education for American students. Any grants or funding from the Department are only given to states and educational institutions in exchange for adopting the one-size-fits-all standards put forth by the Department,” Rounds continued.

“We all know local control is best when it comes to education. Everyone raised in South Dakota can think of a teacher who played a big part in their educational journey. Local school boards and state Departments of Education know best what their students need, not unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.,” said Rounds.

“For years, I’ve worked toward removing the federal Department of Education. I’m pleased that President-elect Trump shares this vision, and I’m excited to work with him and Republican majorities in the Senate and House to make this a reality. This legislation is a roadmap to eliminating the federal Department of Education by practically rehoming these federal programs in the departments where they belong, which will be critical as we move into next year,” Rounds concluded.

Rounds notes that “despite its inefficiencies, there are several important programs housed within the Department. Rounds’ legislation would redirect these to Departments of Interior, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Labor and State:”

Department of the Interior

  • Native American-Serving Institutions Programs
  • Alaska Native Education Equity Program
  • American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program
  • Indian Education Formula Grants and National Activities
  • Native American and Alaska Native Children in School Program
  • Native Hawaiian Education
  • Special Programs for Indian Children
  • Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Education Program
  • Impact Aid Programs

Department of the Treasury

  • William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
  • Federal Family Education Loan Program
  • Federal Perkins Loan Program
  • Federal Pell Grant Program
  • Health Education Assistance Loan Program
  • Education Sciences Reform Act

Department of Health and Human Services

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
  • American Printing House for the Blind
  • Helen Keller Center for Deaf/Blind Youth and Adults
  • Federal Real Property Assistance Program
  • Special Education Grants

Department of Labor

  • All Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education programs
  • National Technical Institute for the Deaf
  • Randolph Sheppard Vending Facility Program
  • Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants

Department of State

  • Fulbright-Hays Program

State Department Hosted ‘Therapy Cry Sessions’ For Employees Following Trump Victory

By
Seijah Drake
-
7

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is facing backlash after reports surfaced that the State Department organized therapy sessions for employees distressed by President-elect Donald Trump‘s victory in the 2024 election. According to sources who spoke to The Washington Free Beacon, the Biden administration’s State Department hosted the sessions for its staff to help them cope with the emotional fallout from the election results raising concerns about professionalism and the Department’s competency.

An internal email sent out by the Department’s Bureau of Medical Services encouraged staff to attend a one-hour webinar on “managing stress during change.” The session offered “effective stress management techniques” to help participants navigate the uncertainty they felt in the wake of the election.

It then invited employees to join a discussion on how to handle their feelings about the outcome of the election. The focus of the session, according to the email, was to “provide tips and practical strategies for managing stress and maintaining your well-being.”

While the initiative was likely well-intentioned in its goal to support mental health, the idea of government workers receiving taxpayer-funded therapy to cope with a political defeat has sparked fierce criticism. Among the most vocal detractors is Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Issa called the sessions “unacceptable,” emphasizing that government employees should not expect to be “soothed” over the results of a democratic election, especially when their salaries are funded by American taxpayers.

Issa lambasted the State Department for tolerating what he described as a “personal meltdown” from its employees. In a letter to Blinken, Issa noted that the U.S. government champions free and fair elections around the world, and that it was “disturbing” to see U.S. government officials struggling to cope with the results of a legitimate, democratically held election. He went on to question the appropriateness of taxpayer-funded therapy sessions for civil servants who, according to Issa, should be able to handle political change without resorting to emotional support services.

“It is unacceptable that the Department accommodates this behavior and subsidizes it with taxpayer dollars,” Issa wrote. “The mental health of our foreign service personnel is important, but the Department has no obligation to indulge and promote the leftist political predilections of its employees and soothe their frayed nerves because of the good-faith votes of—and at the personal expense of—the American taxpayers.”

Issa’s letter raised broader concerns about the State Department’s ability to effectively carry out its duties in a time of political transition. Given the stark policy differences between the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration, Issa questioned whether the personnel involved in these therapy sessions would be able to effectively implement the policy priorities of the new president.

“The mere fact that the Department is hosting these sessions raises significant questions about the willingness of its personnel to implement the lawful policy priorities that the American people elected President Trump to pursue,” Issa wrote.

The idea that a portion of the U.S. government workforce may struggle with accepting a Trump victory—despite the fact that elections are a regular and democratic part of American life—raises questions about the professional competence and political neutrality of federal employees.

The controversy over these therapy sessions underscores a growing sense of frustration among conservatives who believe that the federal government has become too politicized, particularly in agencies like the State Department, which often take progressive stances on global issues. Critics argue that such therapy sessions are emblematic of a broader trend within the federal bureaucracy, where employees may prioritize their personal political beliefs over their professional duties to serve the American people impartially.

Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News.

Multiple House Democrats Report Bomb Threats On Thanksgiving

By
Madeleine Jackson
-
4

On Thanksgiving Day, three House Democrats reported receiving bomb threats prompting law enforcement to investigate the concerning trend.

In each case, Reps. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), and John Larson (D-CT) reported they were threatened with explosives early in the morning. After police got involved, each was deemed safe and the threats did not appear to be credible.

Himes said in a statement:

This morning, I was notified of a bomb threat targeting my home where I was celebrating Thanksgiving with my family. Thankfully, after a swift and thorough response from the United States Capitol Police, the Greenwich Police Department, and the Stamford Police Department, no evidence of a bomb was found. Mary, Emma, Linley, and I extend our utmost gratitude to our local law enforcement officers for their immediate action to ensure our safety. There is no place for political violence in this country, and I hope that we may all continue through the holiday season with peace and civility.

Hayes also released the following statement:

At 7:47am I was notified by Chief Edward Stephens of the Wolcott Police Department that they received a threatening email stating a pipe bomb had been placed in the mailbox at my home. State police, U.S. Capitol Police, and the Sergeant at Arms were immediately notified. The Wolcott Police Department and State Police responded and no bomb or explosive materials were discovered and the scene was cleared.

At this time the investigation is ongoing. I thank law enforcement for their swift attention to this matter, their actions demonstrate there is no place in our country for political violence. On this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for my family and loved ones. I plan to spend the day with them and hope you all do the same. May you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Larson said in a statement he was visited early Thursday at his home by officers in East Hartford.

“The police determined no bomb was present at the property and the Larson family is safe,” the congressman said. “I would like to thank the East Hartford Police Department for their swift and professional response in ensuring the safety of my family. I am grateful that my colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, who received similar threats, are also safe. Thanks again to law enforcement at every level, from local, to state, to federal.”

The trio of threats comes days after incoming White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reported that multiple Trump Cabinet nominees have also received death threats.

Nearly a dozen of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees and other appointees tapped for the incoming administration were targeted Tuesday night with “violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” prompting a “swift” law enforcement response.

The “attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting,’” according to Karoline Leavitt.

“[Tuesday] night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” she told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. “In response, law enforcement acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action.” 

Trump Issues Thanksgiving Day Message

By
Madeleine Jackson
-
1

President-elect Trump took to social media early Thursday to issue a  Thanksgiving Day message.

“Happy Thanksgiving to all, including to the Radical Left Lunatics who have worked so hard to destroy our Country, but who have miserably failed, and will always fail, because their ideas and policies are so hopelessly bad that the great people of our Nation just gave a landslide victory to those who want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He added, “Don’t worry, our Country will soon be respected, productive, fair, and strong, and you will be, more than ever before, proud to be an American!”

Trump’s message comes less than a month after his landslide election victory.

The President-elect has largely stayed out of the spotlight since his win, likely enjoying a honeymoon period before Inauguration Day.

Trump has announced appointments and nominations for a number of Cabinet roles

Nearly a dozen of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees and other appointees tapped for the incoming administration were targeted Tuesday night with “violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” prompting a “swift” law enforcement response.

The “attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting,’” according to Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman and incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

“[Tuesday] night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” she told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. “In response, law enforcement acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action.” 

Trump Nominates Former Pence Military Aide For Key Ukraine Role

By
Madeleine Jackson
-
1
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

President-elect Trump on Wednesday announced his appointment of Keith Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general who served as chief of staff on Trump’s National Security Council during his first term, as special envoy to Ukraine and Russia.

Trump praised Kellogg as being with him “right from the beginning” and noted his distinguished military and business career. 

“Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” the president-elect said in a statement.

Trump has promised to bring a swift end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, leveraging his relationships with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. That has raised anxiety among Kyiv’s supporters that the president-elect will seek a quick deal that would cede Ukrainian land or jeopardize the country’s future security. 

Kellogg served as former Vice President Mike Pence’s national security adviser and was spotted at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago club on Tuesday, according to the New York Post.

Kellogg is currently the co-chair of the Center for American Security at the America First Policy Institute – which is led by several now-nominees within the new Trump administration.

In June, Kellogg offered Trump a proposal for how to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine should he become president. “Under the plan drawn up by Kellogg and Fred Fleitz, who both served as chiefs of staff in Trump’s National Security Council during his 2017-2021 presidency, there would be a ceasefire based on prevailing battle lines during peace talks, Fleitz said,” Reuters reported at the time.

This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

Trump Jr: President-elect Could Close White House Briefing Room To Mainstream Media Outlets

By
Madeleine Jackson
-
6
White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds a press briefing on Friday, July 30, 2021, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott)

The media landscape is changing…

Donald Trump Jr., President-elect Trump’s eldest son, says his dad has discussed keeping some mainstream media outlets out of the White House press briefing room.

Trump Jr., speaking on his podcast this week, said they discussed opening the briefing room to more independent journalists and social media influencers.

“We had the conversation about opening up the press room to a lot of these independent journalists,” he said.

“If The New York Times has lied, they’ve been averse to everything, they’re functioning as the marketing arm to the Democrat party,” Trump Jr. continued, asking, “Why not open it up to people who have larger viewerships, stronger followings?”

Trump has consistently railed against mainstream media outlets and broadcast networks over coverage that is critical of him.

Mainstream. media outlets are also struggling to remain relevant in an increasingly changing landscape.

According to Nielsen data, MSNBC’s total viewership has dropped by 47 percent post-election, and its critical 25-54 demographic plummeted to just 63,000 during primetime—a sharp contrast to its pre-election numbers.

CNN also faced steep declines, losing 33 percent of its total audience.

1...181920...215Page 19 of 215
© Great America News Desk 2022