Home Blog Page 50

Trump Reveals First Lady ‘Hates When I Do This’ In Public

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    First Lady Melania Trump participates in the Senate Spouses Luncheon at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, May 21,2025. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

    President Donald Trump on Tuesday shared a lighthearted moment with Republican lawmakers, revealing that first lady Melania Trump is not a fan of his now-famous campaign rally dance moves—though he made clear that voters seem to feel otherwise.

    Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat at the Kennedy Center, Trump recounted conversations with the first lady about his tendency to dance onstage at political events, a routine that has become a signature feature of his public appearances.

    “My wife hates when I do this,” Trump said, drawing laughter from the audience.

    “She’s a very classy person, right? She said, ‘It’s so unpresidential.’ I said, ‘but I did become president.’ … She hates when I dance. I said, ‘Everybody wants me to dance.’”

    Trump continued, quoting Melania Trump’s concerns about tradition and decorum.

    “‘Darling, it’s not presidential,’” he said, recounting her words.

    The president’s dancing—often set to the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” or Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.”—became a hallmark of his 2024 campaign rallies. Trump routinely opened or closed events by dancing on stage, usually making a fist, shimming his arms, and pointing toward supporters in the crowd. The moments frequently went viral online and were embraced by supporters as a symbol of Trump’s unfiltered personality and connection with everyday Americans.

    Trump has previously spoken publicly about Melania Trump’s disapproval of the routine. At a 2023 rally in Iowa, he told supporters she had warned him against dancing offstage.

    “She said, ‘Darling, I love you, I love you, but this is not presidential. You don’t dance off the stage. This is not presidential,’” Trump recalled at the time.

    On Tuesday, Trump said the first lady had even invoked historical precedent, arguing that past presidents maintained a more reserved public image.

    “She actually said, ‘Could you imagine FDR dancing,’” Trump told lawmakers.

    Trump responded by acknowledging the contrast between eras, while still defending his approach.

    “There’s a long history that perhaps she doesn’t know because he was an elegant fellow, even as a Democrat,” Trump said of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. “He was quite elegant, but he wouldn’t be doing this. But nor would too many others.”

    Still, Trump emphasized that times—and politics—have changed, and that modern voters respond to authenticity more than formality.

    “But she said, ‘Darling, please, the weightlifting is terrible,’” Trump added, referring to another form of physical impersonation he sometimes uses onstage. “And I have to say this, the dancing, they really like.”

    According to Trump, Melania Trump remains unconvinced that audiences genuinely enjoy the performances.

    “She said, ‘They don’t like it. They’re just being nice to you,’” he recalled.

    “I said, ‘That’s not right,’” Trump added.

    The comments came as Trump was discussing broader cultural and political issues, including his criticism of biological males competing in women’s sports—remarks that continue to resonate strongly with his conservative base. Trump has previously noted that the first lady also disapproves of his onstage imitations of weightlifters, which he has used to make points about strength, fairness, and gender differences.

    While Melania Trump may prefer a more traditional presidential image, Trump made clear that he believes his unorthodox approach is part of why millions of Americans continue to support him.

    As he put it plainly: the voters like it—and he’s not stopping anytime soon.

    Republicans are polling Trump supporters right now. Do you stand with President Trump on borders, deportations, and reform? Lock in your response with a $35 contribution to help win 2026!

    Steve Bannon Reportedly ‘Laying The Groundwork’ For Presidential Run In 2028

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0

    According to Axios, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon is “laying the groundwork” for a possible campaign by discussing staffing with allies and setting up a political action committee.

    Bannon has also been making appearances at GOP events in key early-primary organizing circles. Axios pointed to his attendance at Colorado and Georgia Republican Party events as a sign he may be building relationships with local activists who play a major role in primary politics.

    Still, Axios framed the effort as something bigger than one candidate’s ambitions.

    “The MAGA godfather isn’t serious about becoming president — that’s not the point,”
    Axios reported.

    Instead, the outlet said Bannon has told allies he wants to pressure Republicans to embrace a clearer “America First” vision — including non-interventionist foreign policy, economic populism, and opposition to Big Tech.

    Matt Gaetz weighs in

    Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) described Bannon’s political brand in blunt terms, telling Axios:

    “The Bannon campaign will merge the foreign policy of Rand Paul with the tax policy of Elizabeth Warren.”

    A “nontraditional” campaign model

    Axios also reported that Bannon’s associates “envision a nontraditional campaign” that could be run largely from his Capitol Hill podcast studio, avoiding the typical early-state grind of rallies in Iowa and New Hampshire.

    Bannon denies it — and says his focus is Trump

    Bannon isn’t publicly embracing the idea. He reportedly told Axios the entire notion was:

    “bullsh*t,”

    and said he’s focused on supporting a third term for Trump — “despite the Constitution’s two-term limit on presidents.”

    Meanwhile, Trump is already signaling 2028 succession plans

    While Bannon talks about “America First” leverage in 2028, President Donald Trump has also been dropping hints about what he wants the post-Trump Republican bench to look like.

    In recent comments reported by multiple outlets, Trump has pointed to Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the next generation of Republican leadership — and suggested they could be a dominant force heading into 2028.

    A plea to Trump’s most loyal supporters: Will you complete the Official CITIZENS ONLY SURVEY in the next 30 minutes? I need you! [Respond HERE]

    Republican Issues Impeachment Warning Over Trump’s Greenland Proposal

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    A Republican Congressman signaled he would move to impeach President Donald Trump if he follows through on his threat to invade Greenland and take it by force.

    In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald, Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) said he personally would “lean toward” voting to impeach the president if he were to follow through on threats to take over Greenland.

    “I’ll be candid with you. There’s so many Republicans mad about this,” Bacon told the paper. “If he went through with the threats, I think it would be the end of his presidency.”

    Bacon, a swing state Congressman who is known to split from his Republican colleagues, has become even more outspoken against Trump since announcing he is leaving Congress at the end of the current term.

    “It’s about whether the United States intends to face a constellation of strategic adversaries with capable friends — or commit an unprecedented act of strategic self-harm and go it alone,” McConnell said. He added that, “following through on this provocation would be more disastrous for the President’s legacy than withdrawing from Afghanistan was for his predecessor.”

    On Wednesday in the Oval Office, Trump snapped at a reporter who confronted him about a potential invasion.

    “It sounds like you would potentially acquire Greenland by force,” the reporter said.

    “No, you’re saying that. I didn’t say it,” Trump said. “You’re telling me that that’s what I’m going to do — you don’t know what I’m going to do.”

    Watch:

    In a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday, former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) warned that President Trump’s talk of seizing Greenland by force threatens to “incinerate” the nation’s long-standing ties with NATO allies.

    McConnell declared that burning the treaty organization that formed after World War II to contain Soviet aggression would be an “unprecedented act of strategic self-harm.”

    “Unless and until the president can demonstrate otherwise, then the proposition at hand today is very straightforward: incinerating the hard-won trust of loyal allies in exchange for no meaningful change in U.S. access to the Arctic,” McConnell said on the Senate floor, delivering one of the strongest statements criticizing the Trump administration’s talk about potentially seizing Greenland by force.

    He warned that following through on the “ill-advised threats” from the administration would “shatter the trust of allies.”

    “Following through on this provocation would be more disastrous for the President’s legacy than withdrawing from Afghanistan was for his predecessor,” he said.

    Watch:

    He pointed to polling showing that just 17 percent of Americans think trying to take control of Greenland is a good idea and that 68 percent of Americans view the NATO alliance favorably.

    Sen. John Kennedy needs something rarer than hen’s teeth in Washington: Your honest opinion. Before the election, he wants to hear from real Americans. Share your thoughts below.

    Former Special Counsel Jack Smith to Testify Publicly About Trump Criminal Probes

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    Former Special Counsel Jack Smith is expected to appear publicly before Congress later this month to answer questions about his high-profile investigations into President Donald Trump—a development Republicans say is long overdue as concerns grow over the Justice Department’s handling of politically charged cases.

    Smith, who was appointed by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022, will testify before the House Judiciary Committee on January 22, according to an announcement made Monday night by Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH).

    The upcoming hearing follows Smith’s closed-door interview with House lawmakers last month, where he reportedly claimed he had proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Trump conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election—an assertion likely to draw close scrutiny from Republicans, who have argued that the federal government has repeatedly applied one set of standards to Trump and another to Democrats.

    Smith’s testimony is expected to focus on the two major investigations he previously led: one involving Trump’s alleged actions following the 2020 election, and another involving the handling of classified records after Trump left office.

    “Jack has been clear for months he is ready and willing to answer questions in a public hearing about his investigations into President Trump’s alleged unlawful efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his mishandling of classified documents,” Smith’s attorney, Lanny Breuer, said in a statement to NBC News.

    Smith testified for roughly nine hours in the closed-door session, but has since pushed to make his remarks public. According to the report, Smith later demanded that House Republicans release the “full videotape” of his nine-hour testimony.

    Both the transcript and video were released a week later, after Republicans said the public deserved transparency about an investigation that many conservatives view as a continuation of Washington’s long-running legal campaign against Trump.

    In his closed-door testimony, Smith reportedly claimed he had proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Trump committed a crime related to efforts to challenge the 2020 election outcome. Supporters of Trump, however, have argued that contesting election procedures and raising objections—especially through legal channels—is not unusual in American politics and has occurred in disputed elections in the past, including challenges by Democrats to Republican victories.

    Smith also addressed his classified-documents case, claiming his office uncovered evidence that Trump “willfully retained highly classified documents after he left office in January 2021, storing them at his social club, including in a bathroom and a ballroom where events and gatherings took place.”

    The documents investigation centered on materials stored at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida residence and private club. Republicans have questioned whether Trump was treated fairly compared to other officials who were also found to have mishandled classified materials, arguing that selective enforcement undermines public trust in the justice system.

    Smith’s public appearance on January 22 is likely to intensify debate over whether the Justice Department and federal prosecutors have been used as political weapons—particularly as the country heads deeper into a contentious election cycle and voters demand answers about government power, transparency, and equal justice under the law.

    House GOP just rolled out the OFFICIAL America 250 Membership & you’ve been selected for a coveted spot on the roster. This celebration will be remembered for DECADES – and we want you to have a front row seat to it all. We’re asking a select group of TOP PATRIOTS to answer the following questions and join the House GOP’s official America 250 Membership.[Respond HERE]

    Letitia James Sues Federal Government

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0
    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) sued the federal government Tuesday, arguing that a new Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) policy unlawfully ties major federal funding streams to compliance with the Trump administration’s new restrictions on gender-related medical care for minors.

    The lawsuit challenges an HHS policy that, according to the attorneys general, conditions billions of dollars in health, education and research funding on compliance with a presidential executive order addressing sex and gender-related treatments.

    Fox News reports:

    “The federal government is trying to force states to choose between their values and the vital funding their residents depend on,” James said in a statement. “This policy threatens healthcare for families, life-saving research, and education programs that help young people thrive in favor of denying the dignity and existence of transgender people.”

    The dispute stems from President Donald Trump’s January 2025 executive order directing HHS to take steps to curb what the administration calls “chemical and surgical mutilation” of children. President Trump has made limits on transgender-related medical care for minors a central part of his second-term domestic agenda.

    NYC Public Advocate Tish James via Wikimedia Commons

    Last month, HHS announced a sweeping package of proposed regulatory actions aimed at ending what it described as “sex-rejecting procedures” for minors. In guidance accompanying the announcement, the department warned that doctors and health systems could be excluded from federal health programs — including Medicare and Medicaid — if they provide treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender surgeries to minors.

    James’ lawsuit argues that the federal government is using funding leverage to pressure states, hospitals, universities, and other institutions to change policies on transgender care.

    The attorneys general also claim HHS lacks legal authority to impose the conditions and is attempting to rewrite federal law through executive action. They argue the policy is vague and fails to spell out what recipients must do to remain compliant, creating uncertainty for states and institutions that rely on federal dollars.

    Failure to comply with the policy could lead to termination of grants, repayment of funds already spent, or potential civil or criminal penalties, according to the complaint.

    The lawsuit asks a federal court to declare the policy unlawful and block HHS from enforcing it, allowing states and institutions to continue receiving federal funding without changing existing policies.

    The legal fight also adds to the long-running political and courtroom clash between Trump and James. James has positioned herself as one of the country’s most aggressive state-level opponents of Trump, repeatedly using New York’s legal powers to pursue high-profile cases involving his businesses and allies. Trump has frequently accused James of pursuing politically motivated investigations.

    Trump officials have defended the executive order as a child-protection measure and a pushback against what they say is ideological medicine being imposed through federal agencies and school systems.

    The case is expected to intensify a national debate already playing out in Congress and state legislatures, where Republican-led states have moved to restrict or ban gender-related treatments for minors, while Democrat-led states have expanded protections and access.

    READ NEXT: Sen. Marsha Blackburn Pushes To Make Fraud A Deportable Offense

    A plea to Trump’s most loyal supporters: Will you complete the Official CITIZENS ONLY SURVEY in the next 30 minutes? I need you! [Respond HERE]

    GOP Senator Flips War Powers Stance Following Trump Criticsm

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0

    Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) will reportedly now vote with Senate Republican leaders to defeat a resolution that aims to block President Trump from using military force against Venezuela.

    Hawley, who backed advancing the measure last week, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed to him that Trump will not deploy troops to Venezuela.

    Hawley changed his position on the bill several days after Trump lashed out at him and the four other Republican senators who voted to advance the measure out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week.

    The Hill reports:

    A person familiar with Hawley’s position confirmed that he will vote against the war powers resolution when it comes up for consideration on the Senate floor Wednesday.

    Hawley told Punchbowl News on Wednesday that he will vote to quash the war powers resolution after receiving assurances from Rubio that the administration would seek approval from Congress before deploying troops to Venezuela.

    Trump called for the ouster of Hawley and GOP Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Todd Young (Ind.) after they defied him last week with their votes.

    “Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again,” Trump wrote on Truth Social after the vote.

    Hawley brushed off the President’s criticism last week, arguing his reading of the Constitution led him to believe deploying troops to Venezuela or another country requires authorization from Congress.

    “I don’t take any offense to that,” Hawley told reporters at the time. “I think the president’s great. Love the president.

    “But on this, today … I was asked to vote on would Congress need to weigh in if the administration decided they needed to commit troops to the future for hostilities,” he said. “Under the Constitution … I think we have to vote on that.

    Sen. John Kennedy needs something rarer than hen’s teeth in Washington: Your honest opinion. Before the election, he wants to hear from real Americans. Share your thoughts below.

    Democrat Files Articles Of Impeachment Against Kristi Noem

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    Ted Eytan from Washington, DC, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    On Wednesday, Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) introduced articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

    At a press conference on Wednesday, Kelly outlined three impeachment articles against the secretary, accusing Noem of obstruction of Congress, “violation of public trust” and “self-dealing.”

    “Secretary Noem has brought her reign of terror to the Chicagoland area, L.A., New Orleans, Charlotte, Durham, and communities north to south to east to west,” Kelly said at the press conference. “She needs to be held accountable for her actions.”

    The Hill reports:

    The first impeachment article alleges Noem denied Kelly and other members of Congress “oversight of ICE detention facilities,” the congresswoman said at her presser.

    Kelly explained the second article, which accuses Noem of violating public trust, by saying Noem “directed DHS agents to arrest people without warrants, use tear gas against citizens, and ignore due process.”

    Kelly said Noem frequently says “she’s taking murderers and rapists off our streets, but none of the 614 people arrested during Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago has been charged or convicted of murder or rape.”

    On the third impeachment article, which accuses the secretary of self-dealing, Kelly said Noem “abused her power for personal benefit,” and “steered a federal contract to a new firm run by a friend.”

    Kelly announced her intention to file the impeachment articles last week, after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis.

    Jonathan Ross, ICE agent who shot Good in her car last week in Minneapolis, experienced internal bleeding as a result of the encounter, officials claim.

    In video shot by an eyewitness, Ross and other ICE agents were seen approaching Good’s red Honda Pilot as she blocked a road during an ICE operation. When one of the agents ordered Good to “get out of the f*cking car” and stuck his hands in the vehicle, she tried to drive off. That’s when Ross, who was in front of the car, fired off three shots. Good was pronounced dead a short time later.

    The Trump administration has argued that the shooting was justified as self-defense, going so far as to call Good a “deranged leftist” and “domestic terrorist” who was looking to harm federal agents.

    Video shows Ross walking away on his own after firing the fatal shots. Noem said at the time that he was hospitalized, but she did not specify his injuries.

    The congresswoman said that as of Wednesday morning the measure has the support of almost 70 members of Congress.

    A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) brushed off the impeachment effort as “silly.”

    “How silly during a serious time. As ICE officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, Rep. Kelly is more focused on showmanship and fundraising clicks than actually cleaning up her crime-ridden Chicago district,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement to The Hill.

    “We hope she would get serious about doing her job to protect American people, which is what this Department is doing under Secretary Noem.”

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

    Sen. John Kennedy needs something rarer than hen’s teeth in Washington: Your honest opinion. Before the election, he wants to hear from real Americans. Share your thoughts below.

    Secret Service Agent Placed On Leave After Disclosing Sensitive Vance Info

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2

    A U.S. Secret Service (USSS) employee assigned to Vice President JD Vance’s protective detail has been placed on administrative leave after an undercover video released by independent journalist James O’Keefe allegedly showed the employee leaking sensitive security information, according to Fox News.

    The Secret Service confirmed it is investigating the incident and said the employee’s security clearance has been suspended and access to agency facilities and systems revoked. The episode is reigniting concerns about operational security inside the agency at a time when national political tensions—and threats against Republican leaders—are already at historic highs.

    USSS Deputy Director Matthew Quinn told Fox News in a statement:

    “The U.S. Secret Service has no tolerance for any behavior that could potentially compromise the safety, privacy or trust of our protectees. This incident is under investigation and the employee involved has been placed on administrative leave with his clearance suspended and access to agency facilities and systems revoked.

    “The U.S. Secret Service has also issued an order for all personnel to retake the agency’s required anti-espionage training in order to ensure employees are aware of the threats posed by individuals aiming to exploit agency employees for information about our protective operations,” Quinn added.

    “The U.S. Secret Service has a 160-year-old tradition of discretion that sets this agency apart, and we have no tolerance for employees who fail to meet this standard. The U.S. Secret Service deeply apologizes to the Vance family for this violation of their trust and privacy. The faith our protectees place in this agency is not something the U.S. Secret Service takes lightly, and we are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that a similar breach of standards does not occur again,” the statement concluded.

    Undercover Footage Allegedly Shows Agent Sharing Sensitive Protection Details

    In a post on X, O’Keefe claimed undercover footage shows a USSS agent assigned to Vice President Vance’s protective detail sharing sensitive information with someone he believed was a romantic interest.

    According to O’Keefe, the agent discussed protective formations, shift schedules, travel movements and advance security procedures, and allegedly sent images while aboard Air Force Two. In the post, O’Keefe wrote that the agent was “recorded on hidden camera providing an undercover journalist with sensitive security information” and allegedly discussed “protective formations, shift schedules, travel plans, & real-time locations.”

    O’Keefe also claimed the employee shared information “sometimes days in advance” and acknowledged signing paperwork prohibiting disclosure of the privileged details.

    O’Keefe alleged the agent is a “holdover from the Biden administration” who holds anti-ICE and anti-Trump administration personal views—an accusation that, if substantiated, is likely to raise new scrutiny over internal culture and accountability inside an agency that is supposed to remain professional and nonpartisan.

    O’Keefe said his organization coordinated with the Secret Service before publication and redacted certain operational details at the agency’s request.

    Watch:

    A Serious Breach as Political Threats Surge

    The incident comes as political violence and targeted threats are becoming a grim reality for Republican leaders, including both President Trump and Vice President Vance.

    In recent weeks, the threats against Vance have not been theoretical. A federal judge ordered a Cincinnati man accused of vandalizing Vance’s home to remain jailed ahead of trial after prosecutors alleged he breached the property line and damaged windows and security systems.

    The Secret Service was also recently notified of a volunteer radio show host posting assassination threats against VP Vance on the left-wing website Bluesky.

    “It’s simple, we kill JD Vance,” said the person behind an account named hanslopez.bsky.social. The person identified themselves as a host of a radio show on WUML, which is funded by the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. The comment was made in response to another Bluesky user who claimed that, “JD VANCE THINKS BRITAIN & FRANCE ARE AMERICAS [sic] LIKELY ENEMIES.”

    When the school learned of the post, it contacted authorities, according to a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

    “UMass Lowell police promptly coordinated with the FBI, Secret Service and Haverhill police the same day to ensure an appropriate response,” the school said. “Contact was made with the individual in question, and the necessary assessments were conducted in collaboration with federal partners. Authorities confirmed there was no immediate threat.”

    More broadly, the Secret Service has faced increasing scrutiny since the assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. A Senate Judiciary Committee release tied to a Grassley-requested report said the Secret Service received classified intelligence about a threat to Trump roughly 10 days before the rally—but failed to share it with law enforcement responsible for securing the event.

    That backdrop makes the alleged leak involving Vance’s detail even more alarming to critics, since protective operations depend heavily on secrecy, discipline, and strict compliance—not casual conversation or personal judgment calls.

    What Happens Next

    The Secret Service is tasked with protecting the president, vice president and other designated officials, operating under strict confidentiality rules governing operations.

    Officials have not provided a timeline for the investigation’s completion, and it remains unclear whether criminal charges could follow.

    Do You stand for fairness and truth? Help protect girls sports! Liberals are taking an axe to Title IX and students across the country are suffering. Alliance Defending Freedom stands up for families and girls sports – DO YOU? [Sign the statement HERE]

    Republican Senator Calls On Congress To Investigate DOJ Over Fed ‘Coercion’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3
    Lisa Murkowski via Wikimedia Commons

    Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is calling for a congressional investigation into the Justice Department after the Trump administration announced a probe into Jerome Powell.

    Murkowski said she spoke with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Monday morning and backed Sen. Thom Tillis’s (R-N.C.) decision to block any of President Trump’s nominees to the Federal Reserve until the dispute is resolved.

    “After speaking with Chair Powell this morning, it’s clear the administration’s investigation is nothing more than an attempt at coercion,” Murkowski said in a statement. “If the Department of Justice believes an investigation into Chair Powell is warranted based on project cost overruns—which are not unusual—then Congress needs to investigate the Department of Justice.”

    “The stakes are too high to look the other way: if the Federal Reserve loses its independence, the stability of our markets and the broader economy will suffer,” she continued. “My colleague, Senator Tillis, is right in blocking any Federal Reserve nominees until this is resolved.”

    DOJ probe focuses on Fed renovation as Powell warns of criminal referral

    The controversy intensified after the Justice Department (DOJ) announced Sunday that it would investigate the Fed’s multi-billion-dollar renovation of its Washington headquarters—an issue that has raised questions in both parties about government spending discipline and transparency.

    Powell said soon after the DOJ announcement that federal investigators served the Fed with grand jury subpoenas and threatened a criminal indictment related to his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee in June.

    The renovation at the Fed has been estimated at $2.5 billion, and Powell’s June testimony focused heavily on the project’s scope and costs—an issue likely to draw scrutiny from fiscal conservatives already skeptical of unchecked spending in Washington.

    Still, Powell argued that the DOJ’s actions go beyond normal oversight.

    “The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President,” Powell said in his Sunday statement.

    “This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation,” he added.

    Trump pushes for rate cuts amid economic pressure and political fallout

    President Trump has repeatedly criticized Powell for not cutting interest rates fast enough—especially as polls show declining support for the president’s handling of the economy. Trump allies have argued that high rates are squeezing families, slowing growth, and driving up borrowing costs for mortgages, credit cards, and small businesses.

    At the same time, many conservatives have long argued the Federal Reserve should not operate as an untouchable institution, particularly when inflation and instability hit working Americans hardest. Critics say the Fed often avoids consequences even when its decisions contribute to economic volatility, while everyday Americans are left paying the price.

    Powell’s term as chair expires in May.

    This race is a coin flip and Vivek NEEDS your help. Vivek Ramaswamy is defending the fundamental truths of America but he can’t do it alone. Join the fight and donate today!

    End Of The Line: Trump Ramps Up Complaints About ‘Weak’ and ‘Ineffective’ Pam Bondi

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    4

    Is it only a matter of time?

    President Donald Trump has privately expressed growing frustration with Attorney General Pam Bondi in recent weeks, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Monday, fueling renewed speculation about whether she could become the first Cabinet official replaced in his second term.

    The Journal reported that Trump has complained repeatedly to aides that Bondi has been “weak” and “ineffective” in carrying out his priorities at the Department of Justice. While Trump has continued to praise Bondi publicly, people familiar with internal discussions say his criticism behind the scenes has intensified as he presses the department to move more aggressively on investigations tied to his political and legal grievances.

    Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and longtime Trump ally, has been viewed by many inside and outside the administration as politically aligned with the president’s worldview and loyal to his agenda. Her close relationship with Trump dates back more than a decade, including her role as a prominent defender during his first impeachment and her work supporting his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. That history has made Trump’s apparent dissatisfaction all the more striking.

    One recent flashpoint came with Bondi’s handling of materials related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi had publicly suggested that relevant files were “on her desk,” raising expectations among Trump’s supporters that long-sought disclosures were imminent. When the Justice Department later released binders that critics said contained largely irrelevant or already public information, backlash quickly spread across conservative media and among grassroots MAGA activists. The episode contributed to perceptions among some Trump allies that Bondi had overpromised and underdelivered.

    Trump’s frustrations, according to the Journal, are part of a broader effort to pressure the Justice Department to act more forcefully against figures he views as responsible for years of investigations into his conduct. The report noted that Trump has discussed appointing special counsels as a way to bypass what he sees as slow-moving or resistant leadership at DOJ. Chief among his complaints is Bondi’s failure, in his view, to pursue criminal cases against individuals such as former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

    Those grievances are not new. Last September, Trump inadvertently posted to Truth Social a message that appeared to be intended as a private communication to Bondi. Addressed to “Pam,” the post urged her to pursue legal action against Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff, and James, whom Trump accused of wrongdoing. “They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done,” Trump wrote, adding that delays were damaging the administration’s “reputation and credibility.” The post was later deleted, and reporting indicated it had been meant as a direct message rather than a public statement.

    Despite his private complaints, Trump has continued to defend Bondi in public. In a statement included in the Journal’s report, Trump said, “Pam is doing an excellent job. She has been my friend for many years. Tremendous progress is being made against radical left lunatics who are good at only one thing, cheating in elections and the crimes they commit.”

    Still, some of Trump’s closest allies say patience among his supporters is wearing thin. Steve Bannon, a longtime adviser and influential voice in conservative media, told the Journal that Bondi is “bleeding support from her and President Trump’s most loyal troops.” “Folks are desperate for action and just haven’t seen it,” Bannon said.

    Trump’s dissatisfaction with his attorney general also fits a familiar pattern. During his first term, he frequently clashed with then–Attorney General Jeff Sessions, publicly criticizing him for recusing himself from the Russia investigation and accusing him of failing to use the Justice Department to defend the president. Trump has long bristled at institutional constraints within DOJ, arguing that they have been selectively enforced against him and his allies.

    For now, there is no indication that Trump has made a final decision about Bondi’s future.

    Republicans are polling Trump supporters right now. Do you stand with President Trump on borders, deportations, and reform? Lock in your response with a $35 contribution to help win 2026!
    1...495051...344Page 50 of 344
    © Great America News Desk 2022