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GOP Leaders Fund Anti-Freedom Caucus Primary Candidates

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Ted Eytan from Washington, DC, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

In the quiet corridors of Republican power, something unprecedented is happening. For decades, party leadership maintained a mostly unspoken, but deeply respected ethic: do not intervene in open-seat primaries, especially in safely Republican districts. Let the voters decide. Let the grassroots rise. Let the contest unfold without the heavy thumb of Washington tipping the scale. This was not merely tradition. It was a matter of trust, a recognition that voters, not donors, not operatives, not Majority Whips, should choose the next Republican standard-bearer. Today, that ethic is being cast aside.

The stage is Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, a deep-red seat held by House Freedom Caucus (HFC) stalwart Andy Biggs, who is stepping down to pursue the governorship. Historically, this would be the moment for conservative insurgents to rise, for HFC allies to present their case to voters without interference from party brass. Instead, what we are witnessing is an unmistakable effort by House Republican leadership to erase one of the Freedom Caucus’s most reliable seats.

Three separate leadership PACs have now contributed directly to Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker and establishment-favored Republican who is not aligned with the Freedom Caucus. Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s “Electing Majority Making Effective Republicans” PAC gave $5,000. NRCC Chair Richard Hudson’s “First in Freedom PAC” gave $2,500. And Rep. Juan Ciscomani, of neighboring AZ-6, added $1,000 from his own “Defending the American Dream PAC.” These are not idle contributions. They are targeted, strategic, and meant to shape the outcome of a race that should have been left to the people.

Only one candidate in the race, Daniel Keenan, a local home builder, has pledged to join the Freedom Caucus. His candidacy represents continuity with Biggs’s conservative legacy. Feely’s candidacy, by contrast, is backed by leadership precisely because it promises rupture. That is the point. The goal here is not merely to elect a Republican, but to deny the seat to the Freedom Caucus entirely.

To grasp the seriousness of this act, one must understand just how rare it is. Leadership PACs, particularly those operated by high-ranking figures like the Majority Whip and NRCC Chair, have historically stayed neutral in Republican primaries unless protecting incumbents. This was not a legal requirement, but a moral one. Rick Scott, as NRSC chair, was emphatic on this point during his tenure: “We should remain neutral in primaries, except in the cases of GOP incumbents. The voters will decide.”

In fact, neutrality in safe-seat primaries was such a bedrock value that during the contentious 2023 Speaker’s race, conservative holdouts demanded that Kevin McCarthy enshrine it in writing. The Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), the House GOP’s main super PAC aligned with McCarthy, publicly promised not to interfere in open safe Republican primaries. CLF president Dan Conston declared, “CLF will not spend in any open-seat primaries in safe Republican districts, and CLF will not grant resources to other super PACs to do so.” That promise secured enough support for McCarthy to win the gavel. It was a recognition that such meddling would constitute a betrayal.

And yet, here we are, watching as Emmer, Hudson, and Ciscomani appear to do precisely what CLF promised not to do. They are not spending millions, but the act is significant because of who they are and what it signals. A whisper from the Majority Whip carries weight. A nod from the NRCC chair is not an idle gesture. Their PAC money announces a clear intention: the Republican Party must no longer accommodate the Freedom Caucus.

To call this behavior unethical is not hyperbole. The entire point of leadership PACs is to strengthen the party against Democrats, not to wage civil war within it. Donors to these PACs do not expect their money to be used to sandbag fellow Republicans who happen to believe in a stricter reading of the Constitution, in tighter budgets, in actually following the rules. They expect their money to be used to expand the majority, not to hollow it out ideologically.

This is why even modest interventions like these cause such a stir. They are not just financial acts, but symbolic declarations. They say to the conservative base, “You are not welcome here.” They say to the House Freedom Caucus, “You will be replaced.” They signal that what was once an uneasy coalition is now an open conflict.

There is precedent, to be sure, but not encouraging one. In 2016, Freedom Caucus member Rep. Tim Huelskamp was defeated in his Kansas primary after outside money flooded the race. It was widely seen as retaliation for his opposition to then-Speaker John Boehner. The establishment, furious at Huelskamp’s independence, funded a challenger, Roger Marshall, who went on to win. At the time, that maneuver was shocking. Paul Gosar, another HFC member, remarked, “The Freedom Caucus hasn’t challenged sitting members. We’ve only played in open seats. But isn’t it interesting that K Street and Wall Street are playing against our members?”

Now, that behavior is becoming institutional. The NRCC chair and the Majority Whip are no longer merely allowing such intervention, they are directing it. The shift is profound. It marks a move from tolerating intra-party dissent to crushing it.

What changed? The rise of the Freedom Caucus has been a source of anxiety for establishment Republicans ever since its inception. But with the return of Donald Trump to the presidency in 2025 and the growing alignment between the Freedom Caucus and the MAGA base, that anxiety has morphed into fear. The Freedom Caucus has shown it can shape leadership elections, influence appropriations bills, and demand accountability. It is no longer a fringe. It is a force. And that makes it a target.

Trump himself has called Tom Emmer a “RINO” and opposed his speakership bid. Hudson and Ciscomani have similarly earned the ire of MAGA-aligned voters for their votes on spending bills and procedural maneuvers seen as too accommodating to Democrats. The leadership PAC donations in Arizona’s 5th are not just about that race. They are part of a larger strategy to neutralize the most vocal advocates of the America First agenda.

None of this is illegal. But neither is it wise. When party leadership abandons neutrality, it sends a message to grassroots conservatives: your vote does not count unless we approve of your candidate. That message corrodes trust. It demoralizes volunteers. It severs the organic connection between representative and represented. It replaces the republican with the oligarchic.

The party should not fear its conservative wing. It should listen to it. If leadership believes Freedom Caucus members are too extreme, they should make that argument on the merits, in public, and with courage. They should not attempt to buy the outcome behind closed doors with PAC money. That is not persuasion. That is manipulation.

What is unfolding in Arizona’s 5th is not just a local race. It is a test case. If leadership succeeds in deleting a Freedom Caucus seat here, others will follow. More PAC money will flow. More loyal conservatives will be boxed out before the voters even speak. The House Freedom Caucus will be diminished, not by debate or democracy, but by design.

This is not the path to unity. It is the road to irrelevance. The Republican Party must decide whether it wishes to be a big tent or a closed club. If the answer is the latter, it should at least have the honesty to admit it.

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Sponsored by the John Milton Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping independent journalists overcome formidable challenges in today’s media landscape and bring crucial stories to you.

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Report: Obama Admin. ‘Manufactured’ Intelligence To Establish Russian Collusion Narrative

Gage Skidmore Flickr

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Friday released a cache of newly declassified documents that she says contain “overwhelming evidence” showing how the Obama administration laid the foundation for the yearslong investigation into alleged collusion between Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia—despite intelligence assessments that contradicted key claims.

The declassified material includes a Presidential Daily Brief (PDB) prepared on December 8, 2016, by the Department of Homeland Security in coordination with the CIA, FBI, NSA, State Department, and others. That report stated explicitly: “Russian and criminal actors did not impact recent US election results by conducting malicious cyber activities against election infrastructure.”

The PDB also confirmed that although Russian-linked hackers likely compromised a voter registration database in Illinois and attempted similar efforts in other states, those actions were deemed “highly unlikely” to have changed any state’s official vote results. The assessment emphasized that the real aim appeared to be psychological—undermining confidence in the electoral system—rather than directly influencing the outcome.

Earlier intelligence assessments leading up to the 2016 election echoed this view, consistently stating that Russia was “probably not trying to influence the election by using cyber means.”

Internal FBI communications show that the bureau raised concerns about the December 8 PDB, drafting a formal dissent and urging the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to delay publication. The brief, originally scheduled for release on December 9, was held back following “new guidance,” according to redacted internal ODNI emails.

A White House Situation Room meeting convened that same day—December 9, 2016—brought together senior national security officials to address the sensitive issue. A source familiar with the meeting confirmed that the unpublished version of the PDB clearly stated there was no Russian impact on the election outcome through cyberattacks.

Despite these internal conclusions, top Obama-era officials allegedly leaked conflicting information to the press, suggesting Russia had interfered in the election and possibly swayed the outcome—a narrative that helped ignite the Trump-Russia investigation.

The declassified documents also point to the now-discredited Steele Dossier as a key influence in shaping the subsequent Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA). Officials acknowledged that some of the information used in that assessment was “manufactured” or “deemed not credible” at the time it was circulated.

Further, sources told Fox News Digital that key agencies—such as the FBI and NSA—had expressed “low confidence” in attributing the Democratic National Committee (DNC) email leaks to the Russian government, even as the ICA concluded otherwise.

Gabbard characterized the entire episode as a “treasonous conspiracy,” accusing senior Obama-era officials of weaponizing intelligence and launching a coordinated campaign to delegitimize Donald Trump’s presidency

“This is not a partisan issue,” Gabbard told Fox News Digital. “The information we are releasing today clearly shows there was a treasonous conspiracy in 2016 committed by officials at the highest level of our government. Their goal was to subvert the will of the American people and enact what was essentially a years-long coup.”

She warned that the actions of these officials represent “an egregious abuse of power and blatant rejection of our Constitution,” which she believes undermines the integrity of the democratic system itself.

Gabbard and ODNI officials indicated that further investigation is ongoing and that more declassified materials may be released in the coming months.

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Trump Threatens Lawsuit Over Wall Street Journal Epstein Story

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President Trump means business…

President Donald Trump is suing The Wall Street Journal after it published a story about his relationship with deceased financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

The Journal reviewed an album containing 50th birthday greetings to Epstein from his associates in 2003. That album was compiled by Epstein’s friend, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for child trafficking.

“Pages from the leather-bound album—assembled before Epstein was first arrested in 2006—are among the documents examined by Justice Department officials who investigated Epstein and Maxwell years ago, according to people who have reviewed the pages,” the publication stated. “It’s unclear if any of the pages are part of the Trump administration’s recent review.”

One of those well-wishers was Trump, who sent Epstein a birthday letter that contained a drawing of a nude woman:

The letter bearing Trump’s name, which was reviewed by the Journal, is bawdy—like others in the album. It contains several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appears to be hand-drawn with a heavy marker. A pair of small arcs denotes the woman’s breasts, and the future president’s signature is a squiggly “Donald” below her waist, mimicking pubic hair.

The letter concludes: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”

The message also contained an imaginary dialogue between Trump and Epstein:

“Voice Over: There must be more to life than having everything,” the note began.

Donald: Yes, there is, but I won’t tell you what it is.

Jeffrey: Nor will I, since I also know what it is.

Donald: We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.

Jeffrey: Yes, we do, come to think of it.

Donald: Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?

Jeffrey: As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you.

Trump: A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.

Trump denied he drew the photo and threatened to sue the Journal:

“I’m gonna sue The Wall Street Journal just like I sued everyone else.”

The Justice Department last week released a memo concluding there was no evidence suggesting the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender kept a “client list” to blackmail high-profile individuals. The memo also found no evidence to suggest foul play in Epstein’s death, which had previously been ruled a suicide.

The memo spurred fierce backlash from many Trump supporters, who had long called on the government to release material on Epstein that they argue would expose wrongdoing at the highest level of elite circles.

Trump has brushed aside calls to reveal more information about the Epstein case and has shown increasing frustration when asked about it over the past week.

“You mentioned past supporters when you were talking about the Epstein issue. Does that mean that you’re effectively disowning any supporters who are now calling—” a reporter asked Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday.

Trump cut off the question and added, “I’ve lost a lot of faith in certain people, yeah, I’ve lost. Because they got duped by the Democrats.”

(edited)

White House Addresses Trump Health After Viral Photos Spark Speculation

By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed concerns over President Donald Trump’s health during a briefing on Thursday after photographs of his hand appearing bruised and his ankles appearing swollen went viral.

“I know that many in the media have been speculating about bruising on the president’s hand, and also swelling in the president’s legs. So in the effort of transparency, the president wanted me to share a note from his physician with all of you today,” began Leavitt before reading from the note:

In recent weeks, President Trump noted mild swelling in his lower legs. In keeping with routine medical care and out of an abundance of caution, this concern was thoroughly evaluated by the White House Medical Unit. The president underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies. Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.

Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. Laboratory testing included a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, coagulation profile, D-dimer, B-type, natriotic, peptide, and cardiac biomarkers. All results were within normal limits. An echocardiogram was also performed, and confirmed normal cardiac structure and function. No signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness were identified.

Additionally, recent photos of the president have shown minor bruising on the back of his hand. This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking, and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen. This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy, and the president remains in excellent health.

“Which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here,” added Leavitt. “So the president wanted me to share that note with all of you. I’m happy to take further questions on it. We will provide the memorandum from the president’s physician to all of you, as we always do.

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Report: California Dems Plot Redistricting Move To Pick Up House Seats

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Casa Rosada (Argentina Presidency of the Nation), CC BY 2.5 AR via Wikimedia Commons

California Democrats have plans to redraw the state’s districts in a long-shot attempt to threaten Republicans’ majority in Congress.

According to California Democrats, the move was prompted by news that Texas might try to redraw its districts to gain more Congressional seats. Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott has “directed the state Legislature to discuss redistricting in an upcoming special legislative session,” KCRA noted. California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom said of Texas, “They’re playing by a different set of rules.” (RELATED: Trump Eyes Redistricting Blitz To Add 5 More GOP Seats In Texas Before 2026)

On Wednesday, the California Democratic congressional delegation met with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and reportedly discussed ideas for gaining even more seats to overturn the perilously slim majority Republicans hold in the House, Punchbowl News reports.

“The games they play aren’t working and the more people get educated on what’s going on, the more they’re going to fight back,” California Assemblymember Leticia Castillo of Riverside, who left the Democratic Party and became a Republican, said of California’s Democrats.

In 2010, California voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition 20, a constitutional amendment that stripped politicians of the ability to draw their own districts and instead handed that responsibility to an independent redistricting commission.

But now, California Democrats—led by Governor Gavin Newsom—are exploring ways to claw back that authority, effectively undoing the will of the people. As Punchbowl News reported, Newsom sees two potential paths to tilt the balance of power in his party’s favor.

The first plan would involve Newsom calling a special session of the Democratic supermajority legislature to put a proposition on the ballot that would “pause” or completely eliminate the independent commission’s authority. It would then be up to voters—again—to decide. But Democrats are reportedly weighing whether to sweeten the deal by bundling the measure with conservative-friendly policies like a voter ID requirement, which is broadly popular among Republicans. Critics point out that this could be a costly and deceptive move, as it would require millions in campaign funds to push the message through California’s media markets.

The second strategy would be even more brazen: simply redrawing the maps mid-decade by claiming California’s constitution doesn’t explicitly prohibit it. Newsom himself has called this a “novel legal question,” but it would almost certainly invite a legal battle. Such a move would represent a major break from precedent and an alarming use of loopholes to override voters’ intent.

One potential legal barrier is the Voting Rights Act, which protects majority-minority districts—particularly Latino-majority seats—from being dismantled. Redrawing those lines could dilute minority voting power and ignite a broader constitutional showdown.

Targeted GOP districts that have reportedly been discussed include these GOP Congressmen:

  • Ken Calvert
  • Kevin Kiley
  • Darrell Issa
  • Young Kim
  • David Valadao
  • Doug LaMalfa

“We want our gavels back,” Rep. Mark Takano, who would be the new chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee should Democrats regain the majority in the House, stated. “That’s what this is about.”

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Pam Bondi Fires Jeffrey Epstein Prosecutor

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On Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi fired Maurene Comey, a prosecutor with the Southern District of New York who had prosecuted deceased financier and child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Comey, a senior trial counsel, is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump fired in 2017.

“The reason for her firing was not immediately clear. She did not immediately respond to phone calls and an email seeking comment,” Politico said. “Comey, who had worked in the U.S. attorney’s office for nearly a decade, prosecuted both Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.”

Maurene Comey worked at the SDNY for almost a decade.

Maurene Comey’s termination at the DOJ comes amid an investigation into her father, who posted an image of seashells on a beach arranged to say  “86 47.” Though “86” is restaurant industry lingo for refusing service to a patron or kicking them out of an establishment, many conservatives insisted Comey was calling for the president’s death. Last week, The New York Times reported that the Secret Service had tracked the former FBI director after the incident.

The Justice Department last week released a memo concluding there was no evidence suggesting the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender kept a “client list” to blackmail high-profile individuals. The memo also found no evidence to suggest foul play in Epstein’s death, which had previously been ruled a suicide.

The memo spurred fierce backlash from many Trump supporters, who had long called on the government to release material on Epstein that they argue would expose wrongdoing at the highest level of elite circles.

Trump has brushed aside calls to reveal more information about the Epstein case and has shown increasing frustration when asked about it over the past week.

“You mentioned past supporters when you were talking about the Epstein issue. Does that mean that you’re effectively disowning any supporters who are now calling—” a reporter asked Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday.

Trump cut off the question and added, “I’ve lost a lot of faith in certain people, yeah, I’ve lost. Because they got duped by the Democrats.”

In a lengthy social media post, which included references to the president’s previous claims about the 2017 Russian election interference probe, Trump blamed Democrats for creating what he called a “scam” and “hoax.”

“Scams and Hoaxes are all the Democrats are good at – It’s all they have – They are no good at governing, no good at policy, and no good at picking winning candidates,” Trump said. He added, “Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bullshit,’ hook, line, and sinker. They haven’t learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.”

Former CNN Commentator Has ‘Gut Feeling’ Republicans Cheated In 2024 And Plan To Rig 2026 Midterms

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CNN Headquarters via Wikimedia Commons

Former CNN commentator Angela Rye revealed that she believed President Donald Trump and the Republicans cheated to win the 2024 election and are planning to do the same in the 2026 midterms.

“I think me and [Tiffany Cross] really might feel a way about telling y’all how many days are left till the midterms because I don’t really know this thing’s going to damn happen,” Rye said on her “Native Land Pod” podcast recently. 

She added, “Even if they are going to happen, are they going to cheat like they did, I still feel like they did, in the 2024 election? I don’t have data. I got a gut feeling, but I’m going to tell you about the Black woman and the Holy Ghost. We be spot on.”

Her podcast co-star and former MSNBC host Tiffany Cross stopped short of outright accusing the 2024 election of being stolen, though she felt that the election may “require some investigation” based on arguments she has heard. (RELATED: MSNBC Rising Star Blames Joe Scarborough For Her Departure)

She agreed with Rye, however, that she didn’t see a point in looking forward to the midterm elections.

“Even if they did, okay it’s here now,” Cross said. “Like what, they’re not going to say ‘okay takesies backsies we stole it.’ Like they have already instituted this authoritarian regime, and I don’t know any post-industrialized country that has come this far into authoritarianism and turned around.” 

She continued, “So why we think all of a sudden we’re going to have free and fair elections in this country for midterms, which we’ve never really had, as Black folks know all too well and, as women know all too well. We’ve never really had that, but we think somehow in 480 days that we’re going to have a better chance at democracy. I just don’t think so.”

Rye’s baseless claims come amid a time when the threat of political violence appears to be reaching a fever pitch.

Democrat lawmakers say their voters are enraged at the lack of ability to counter President Donald Trump‘s agenda, with some sounding the alarm that they could potentially resort to “violence,” Axios reported last week.

The outlet says it spoke to over two dozen House Democrats to measure the temperature of the Democrat base and what it uncovered was red-hot anger and a desire to circumvent the rule of law.

“We’ve got people who are desperately wanting us to do something… no matter what we say, they want [more],” Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) told the outlet.

Another said their constituents are convinced that “civility isn’t working” and that they should prepare for “violence… to fight to protect our democracy.”

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Trump Goes Off On ‘Past Supporters’ Over Epstein Backlash

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    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Yikes…

    President Trump blasted his own supporters who continue to fume over the Jeffrey Epstein files.

    “You mentioned past supporters when you were talking about the Epstein issue. Does that mean that you’re effectively disowning any supporters who are now calling—” a reporter asked Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday.

    Trump cut off the question and added, “I’ve lost a lot of faith in certain people, yeah, I’ve lost. Because they got duped by the Democrats.”

    In a lengthy social media post, which included references to the president’s previous claims about the 2017 Russian election interference probe, Trump blamed Democrats for creating what he called a “scam” and “hoax.”

    “Scams and Hoaxes are all the Democrats are good at – It’s all they have – They are no good at governing, no good at policy, and no good at picking winning candidates,” Trump said. He added, “Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bullshit,’ hook, line, and sinker. They haven’t learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.”

    The president made clear he no longer wants the support of those who remain interested in the Epstein investigation.

    By Ralph Alswang, White House photographer – https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/clinton-epstein-maxwell/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=143417695

    “I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our Country’s history, and all these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,” Trump said.

    Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have come under fire from conservatives for declining to release the Epstein probe files in their entirety. A new CNN poll shows just 3 percent of the public, and 4 percent of Republicans, are satisfied with the amount of information the government has put out about the Epstein case.

    The Justice Department and FBI last week stated they found no evidence the deceased financier kept a “client list” of associates whom he blackmailed or conspired with to victimize dozens of women.

    House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that Bondi should explain the administration’s handling of the case especially after she told Fox News in February that Epstein’s alleged “client list” was “sitting on my desk now to review.”

    In his post, Trump disavowed those who focus on the Epstein story rather than his accomplishments.

    “Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore!” Trump said.

    Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said he is in favor of Bondi releasing “credible” documents related to the Epstein case. He praised Bondi when it was pointed out that she and other officials have made “inconsistent statements” about the Epstein case in the past.

    “I really think that she’s done very good. She says, I gave you all the credible information. And if she finds any more credible information, she’ll give that too. What more can she do than that? I mean, honestly, what more can she do?” Trump said.

    The president argued there are “bigger problems” than Epstein, like the southern border.

    “She’s got a lot of things she’s working on. And, you know, it’s very sad that somebody can be waylaid, they just get waylaid, but she’s — I think she’s doing a great job,” he said.

    Trump Eyes Redistricting Move To Add 5 More GOP Seats In Texas Before 2026

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      Ted Eytan from Washington, DC, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

      New districts could cement GOP control for years to come…

      President Donald Trump is pushing Texas Republicans to redraw the state’s congressional map in a bid to add five new GOP-friendly U.S. House seats ahead of the next year’s midterms, according to Punchbowl News and other outlets.

      Texas currently holds 38 House seats — 25 Republican, 13 Democrat. To carve out more red territory, state lawmakers would need to undertake a mid-decade redistricting effort, something rarely attempted. GOP leaders plan to tackle it during a special legislative session starting July 21.

      Critics have called the move a blatant power grab, warning it could dilute Black and Latino voting strength and open the door to racial gerrymandering lawsuits. Some Republicans agree the plan is a legal and political gamble, potentially weakening solid red seats by spreading GOP voters too thin.

      Still, Trump and Governor Greg Abbott remain steadfast — with supporters citing the GOP’s razor-thin House majority and rumblings of a potential blue wave in 2026. For the president, the redistricting effort is a preemptive strike to fortify the party’s grip where it’s strongest.

      Critics argue the state’s 2021 maps already wrung every possible advantage for the GOP. “Crocodile tears,” is how Rice University political scientist Mark P. Jones described Democratic outrage, noting the existing lines were carefully engineered to protect Republican incumbents — not expand their reach.

      Jones warned that any map changes would hurt sitting Republicans and carry a serious risk of political blowback, according to The Dallas Morning News:

      “Texas Democrats want Republicans to engage in this redistricting, because they’ll be able to, from a PR perspective, use it to criticize Republicans for trying to stack the deck and change the rules and manipulate the districts for political gain,” Jones said. “But at the same time, those Democrats know that those new districts will actually be more favorable for Texas Democrats than the current districts.”

      Abbott’s redistricting effort was prompted by a letter this week from the Department of Justice, which raised concerns over the legality of four districts in Houston and the Dallas area that have non-white majority populations. All four districts strongly lean sharply to the left, and voters in each district elected Democrats by margins greater than 30 points.

      While Republicans have little left to gain in Dallas or Houston, the GOP sees opportunity in South Texas — where Trump-era gains have reshaped the political map. But redrawing lines there could backfire, potentially making neighboring red districts more competitive for Democrats, who pushed their statewide vote share up to 46% in recent cycles.

      Redistricting expert Michael Li, of NYU’s Brennan Center for Justice, warned the GOP effort could turn into a “dummymander” — a gerrymander that overreaches and ultimately backfires:

      That happened in Arkansas in 2013 after that state’s Democratic-led legislature redrew congressional districts to elect a second Democrat to Washington. Instead, Republicans won all four of the state’s seats and have held them since.

      “When you gerrymander, you’re making a bet that you know what the politics of the future look like,” Li said. “That’s a very hard thing to predict in Texas, because the state is changing so fast.”

      Nevertheless, success could deliver Texas Republicans a crucial edge going into a volatile 2026 cycle. The question is whether the courts — and the electorate — will let it happen.

      Trump Tells Lawmakers He Plans To Fire Jerome Powell ‘Soon’

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      By Federalreserve - https://www.flickr.com/photos/federalreserve/54004811346/, Public Domain,

      President Trump reportedly indicated to Republican lawmakers that he plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

      According to Fox News reporter Chad Pergram, Trump asked a group of Republican lawmakers if they think he should fire Powell, and they all agreed he should.

      “Fox has confirmed that President Trump asked a group of House Republicans if he should fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell,” Pergram wrote on X. “Fox is told that that lawmakers agreed he should be fired.”

      Pergram added that a source said Powell’s firing will be coming “soon.”

      Trump has been vocal on not being pleased with Powell. While speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, he said the chairman is doing a “terrible job.” When asked if he’d appoint him to another term, the president answered, “You must be kidding!”

      However, President Trump later refuted claims that Powell is on the chopping block during a Wednesday White House meeting, saying it’s “highly unlikely.”

      Watch:

      This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.