Elect a Clown, Expect the Circus

lousubcap · October 7

Tuesday Clown Show summary:

"Deputy Director of the C.I.A. Michael Ellis has demoted the lawyer serving as the agency’s acting General Counsel and put himself in the role instead,according to sources. Ellis will also retain his position as Deputy Director. It is unclear what has prompted Ellis’s decision to take control of legal assessments for the agency. Charlie Savage, Eric Schmitt, and Adam Goldman report for the New York Times.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said yesterday that Frank Bisignano, the Social Security Commissioner, will also serve as the Internal Revenue Service’s “chief executive officer,” a role which does not formally exist. The move circumvents the usual process whereby IRS leaders go through a Senate confirmation process. Jacob Bogage, Meryl Kornfield, and Hannah Natanson report for the Washington Post.

The Defense Department yesterday has slightly eased and clarified its new restrictions for press access to the Pentagon, following negotiations with news organizations. “Members of the news media are not required to submit their writings” to the Pentagon before publication, according to the new draft. However, a concern from the first draft as to how the Pentagon will determine whether a journalist poses a security risk is likely to be carried over following the release of the new draft. Erik Wemple reports for the New York Times.

Virginia Prosecutor Elizabeth Yusi informed colleagues that she plans to decline to seek charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James,according to two sources. Yusi reportedly said that she sees no probable cause to believe James engaged in mortgage fraud and plans to present her conclusion in the coming weeks. Carol Leonnig and Ken Dilanian report for MSNBC.

282 former Justice Department employees sent a letter yesterday demanding that Congress increase oversight of the department. DOJ employees are “being asked to put loyalty to the President over the Constitution, the rule of law and their professional obligations,” Stacey Young, who organized the letter, said yesterday. Josephine Walker reports for Axios. "

lousubcap · October 8

Wednesday Clown Show summary:

"Hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers may not be eligible for back pay after the government shutdown ends, according to a draft memo that has circulated at the White House and White House officials. The memo indicates that only workers deemed essential may be automatically entitled to pay once the government reopens; those who have been furloughed may require explicit approval from Congress. When asked if workers might lose pay, Trump said yesterday it “depends,” there were “some people that really don’t deserve to be taken care of, and we’ll take care of them in a different way.” Tony Romm reports for the New York Times.

FBI Director Kash Patel said yesterday that the agency has shut down CR-15, a group tasked with investigating public corruption, and fired several agents. CR-15 has been dismantled due to allegedly “track[ing] the communications of GOP senators” during an investigation into efforts by Trump to overturn the 2020 election and “weaponiz[ing] law enforcement against the American people,” Patel said on social media. Julianna Bragg reports for Axios.

The Trump administration has had to push back plans to provide billions of dollars in economic aid to farmers because of the government shutdown, according to four sources. Some of the sources expect that Trump could still announce next steps despite the shutdown, as on Monday he said he would “do some farm stuff this week.” Grace Yarrow reports for POLITICO.

“The Trump White House will not allow impoverished mothers and their babies to go hungry because of the Democrats’ political games,” the White House posted yesterday on social media. The Trump administration has said it will use millions of dollars in tariff revenue to maintain a nutrition program for low-income mothers during the government shutdown. It is unclear how much money the White House will spend, what process it would follow, or whether the move would be legal. Marcia Brown reports for POLITICO.

Federal prosecutors investigating former FBI Director James Comey determined that using the testimony of one of their central witnesses, Daniel Richman, would result in “likely insurmountable problems” for the prosecution and could prevent them establishing their case before a jury, sources told ABC News. Prosecutors allege that Comey authorized Richman to leak information to the press. In his testimony, Richman reportedly told investigators Comey never authorized him to provide information to a reporter anonymously ahead of the 2016 election and instructed him to not engage with the media on at least two occasions. Katherine Faulders, Alexander Mallin, and Peter Charalambous report."

fishlessman · October 8

i think ive learned more about how the government works in the last 6 or 7 months than the rest of my life........

thats a good thing, right

lousubcap · October 9

Thursday Clown Show summary:

"The Internal Revenue Service said yesterday in an internal memo that federal workers are required by law to be paid for the furlough period during a government shutdown. The letter from Acting IRS Human Capital Officer David Traynor to IRS employees confirms that they will be paid on “the earliest date possible.” Avery Lotz reports for Axios.

FBI Director Kash Patel this week fired two agents who were identified as having worked with Jack Smith, the special counsel who led the federal investigation into Trump, according to two sources. The sources said that the two agents had not been formally accused of misconduct, nor were they subject to investigation. Patel cited Article II of the Constitution and his right to fire anyone without cause. Gleen Thrush and Alan Feuer report for the New York Times.

The Defense Department plans to enforce new policies that “appear designed to stifle a free press,” the Pentagon Press Association said in a statement yesterday. “The policy conveys an unprecedented message of intimidation to everyone” within the DoD, “even suggesting it’s criminal to speak without express permission,” the press association said. Julianna Bragg reports for Axios."

lousubcap · October 10

Friday Clown Show summary:

"A grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, yesterday indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James yesterday on felony charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution regarding a mortgage loan. James’ first court appearance is scheduled for October 24. “These charges are baseless, and the president’s own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost,” James said yesterday. Kristen Holmes, Hannah Rabinowitz, and Kara Scannell report for CNN.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week fired Navy chief of staff Jon Harrison, without providing a public explanation. Five former and current officials said that there is a deepening sense of uncertainty in the department and concerns about Hegseth’s objectives. One official spoke about a “culture of fear; there’s a culture of intimidation and retaliation.” Another said, “It’s better just to keep your head down.” Paul McLeary and Daniel Lippman report for POLITICO.

The Internal Revenue Service yesterday pivoted on its position that furloughed workers would be “compensated on the earliest date possible” after the Government shutdown ends, according to an email obtained by POLITICO. The email sent to employees yesterday states that IRS’s initial memo on furlough guidance “incorrectly stated the nature of the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019” and that further guidance will be provided on the issue. Danny Nguyen reports for Axios.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children is running out of money, despite a White House pledge earlier this week to use tariff revenue to support the program during the government shutdown. “We have gotten no information about how much money would be available, when it would be available to states or what states would be able to use it for,” National WIC Association policy director Ali Hard said. Several sources said that lawmakers and their staff had not been informed of the administration’s plans. Marcia Brown reports for POLITICO."

lousubcap · October 13

Monday Clown Show summary:

"“The [Reductions in force] have begun,” Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announced on Friday.. Vought provided no further details on which federal workers would be fired or how many people had already been laid off. Senior OMB adviser Stephen Billy confirmed that RIF notices would be going out to at least 4,100 employees across several agencies, according to a court filing in a lawsuit filed by unions to stop the layoffs. Irie Sentner and Jennifer Scholtes report for POLITICO; Josephine Walker and Emily Peck report for Axios.

The Trump administration on Saturday rescinded layoffs of hundreds of scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who were terminated during the mass firings within CDC on Friday. A senior official said that the employees were sent “incorrect notifications, which was fixed … with a technical correction,” adding that the terminations were mistaken and have been remedied. A CDC official told POLITICO that “entire offices are being eliminated, including people in leadership roles.” Apporva Mandavilli and Sheryl Gay Stolberg report for the New York Times; Sophie Gardner and Lauren Brensel report.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were not given notice that federal prosecutors would indict New York Attorney General Letitia James for alleged bank fraud last Thursday,according to sources. The sources said the lack of communication was a result of the government shutdown, the rush to bring the indictment, and divisions between department leaders and the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Viginia Lindsay Halligan. Devlin Barrett and Glenn Thrush report for the New York Times.

Trump yesterday announced that he has appointed his longtime aide Dan Scavino as the White House Presidential Personnel Office. Scavino will remain the White House Deputy Chief of Staff while being “responsible for the selection and appointment of almost all positions in government,” Trump posted on social media. Yan Zhuang reports for the New York Times; Sarah Fortinsky reports for the Hill.

Trump also announced on Saturday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will “use all available funds to get our troops PAID on October 15th,” adding “I will not allow the Democrats to hold our military … HOSTAGE, with their dangerous Government shutdown.” About $8 billion is being redirected from accounts that fund military research and testing to pay the army, according to two sources. Ben Johansen and Jennifer Scholtes report for POLITICO.

MIT on Friday rejected the Trump administration’s offer for the school to receive special funding treatment in exchange for signing the administration’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. “Fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone,” MIT President Sally Kornbluth said. Vimal Patel reports for the New York Times."

lousubcap · October 14

Tuesday Clown Show summary:

"Several news outlets, including the Washington Post, the New York Times, AP News, and CNN, said yesterday that they would not sign the Defense Department’s new press policy by today’s deadline. “The proposed restrictions undercut First Amendment protections by placing unnecessary constraints on gathering and publishing information,” the Post’s editor Matt Murray said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to the statements from news organizations on social media with a hand-waving goodbye emoji. Scott Nover reports for the Washington Post; Ellen Mitchell reports for the Hill.

Hundreds of federal employees working in mental health services and disaster preparedness within the Health and Human Services Department were fired over the weekend in addition to CDC employees, current and laid-off workers said yesterday. An HHS spokesperson said that those who were fired were deemed nonessential, adding the agency is working to “close wasteful and duplicative entities, including those that are at odds with the […] Make America Healthy Again agenda.” Ali Swenson and Jonel Aleccia report for AP News.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said yesterday that Coast Guard service members will be paid this week despite the government shutdown. Noem said that the Homeland Security Department had found an “innovative” way to provide the money. A DHS spokesperson did not provide any further information about the details of the “innovative solution.” Racquel Coronell Uribe reports for NBC News.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced yesterday that it will cut 10% of its workforce, around 550 jobs, as part of a “realignment of its workforce” and not as a result of government shutdown. Employees will be notified today about their positions. NASA has faced uncertainty over its budget since facing major cuts under the Trump administration. Chow reports for NBC News."

lousubcap · October 15

Wednesday Clown Show Summary:

"At least 30 news organizations, including Fox News, ABC, CBS, and NBC, declined to sign the Defense Department’s new press policy yesterday. In a joint statement, several news networks said “today, we join virtually every other news organization in declining to agree to the Pentagon’s [policy], which would restrict journalists’ ability to keep the nation […] informed of important national security issues.” As of Tuesday’s 5.p.m deadline to sign, only One America News said it would sign the policy. Andrew Goudsward and Helen Coster report for Reuters; Scott Nover reports for the Washington Post.

DOJ prosecutors do not believe that there is sufficient evidence stemming from an investigation seeking to discredit a previous FBI inquiry into Russia’s attempt to sway the 2016 U.S. election in Trump’s favour to bring criminal charges, according to sources. The sources said that the previous U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Todd Gilbert, was forced to resign in August because he refused to sideline a prosecutor who said that the evidence for this case was flimsy. Devlin Barrett and Michael S. Schmidt report for the New York Times.

Around 466 employees at the Education Department have been fired since last Friday, according to the White House Office of Management and Budget. These layoffs target about one-fifth of the remaining workers in the department. The dismissal notices were sent to Education Department staff via their official emails, which workers have been warned would be illegal to check during the government shutdown. The Trump administration said in recent days that workers could check their emails to see if they had been fired. Sarah Mervosh, Michael C. Bender, and Dana Goldstein report for the New York Times.

The Trump administration has dismissed 4,108 employees since October 1, according to a statement filed yesterday in court by the Justice Department. Last week, the DOJ had estimated that the figure was 4,278. Daniel Wiessner and Courtney Rozen reports for Reuters.

Trump said yesterday that he will announce on Friday a new list of Democratic programs that the government should cut if the government shutdown continues. The shutdown opens a window to cancel “the most egregious, socialist, semi communist, probably not full communist” programs, Trump said. Ben Johansen reports for POLITICO."

lousubcap · October 16

Thursday Clown show summary:

"Brown University yesterday rejected the White House deal proposing special funding arrangements to universities that agreed to certain requirements. Brown is the second university to refuse the government’s proposal, following MIT last week. “I am concerned that the compact by its nature and by various provisions would restrict academic freedom and undermine the autonomy of Brown’s governance,” Brown’s President Christina H. Paxon said in a letter to Trump administration officials. New York Times.

The Trump administration is preparing changes at the Internal Revenue Service that would allow criminal inquiries into left-leaning groups, according to sources. The sources said that a senior IRS official has drawn up a list of potential targets that include major Democratic donors. The plans aim to install allies of Trump at the IRS criminal-investigative division and to weaken involvement of IRS lawyers in investigations, according to officials. Brian Schwartz, Richard Rubin, and Joel Schectman report for the Wall Street Journal.

Dozens of journalists yesterday vacated their offices in the Pentagon, as “the Defense Department confiscated the badges of the Pentagon reports from virtually every major media organization in America,” the Pentagon Press Association said yesterday. The association wrote that yesterday was “a dark day for press freedom that raises concerns about a weakening U.S. commitment to transparency in governance, to public accountability at the Pentagon and to free speech for all.” Helen Coster and Andrew Goudsward report for Reuters; Josephine Walker reports for Axios.

Trump yesterday issued an executive order directing federal agencies to restrict hiring across the government, though exceptions were made for political appointees, immigration enforcement, and national security among others. The order came as Trump’s hiring freeze, in place since January 20, expired. Eileen Sullivan reports for the New York Times.

Trump also yesterday signed a presidential memorandum to expand his administration’s authority to use unspent federal funds to pay the military during the government shutdown. The memorandum purports to give Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authority to repurpose funds. It is unclear whether Trump has the legal authority to grant this power as no such permission has been granted by Congress. Luke Broadwater reports for the New York Times.

Director of the United States Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought said yesterday that more than 10,000 federal employees would lose their jobs due to the ongoing government shutdown. “We want to be very aggressive where we can be in shuttering the bureaucracy […] and we now have an opportunity to do that,” Vought said. Irie Sentner reports for POLITICO."

lousubcap · October 17

Friday Clown Show summary:

The University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California have rejected the White House deal to grant preferential access to federal funds in exchange for the universities’ agreement to restrictions. Rebecca Carballo reports for POLITICO.

The Trump administration has promised tens of thousands of ICE and Border Patrol agents that they will be paid during the government shutdown, according to emails seen by Reuters. Homeland Security Department Secretary Kristi Noem said that more than 70,000 law enforcement officers across DHS will receive a “supercheck” on October 22 covering all hours worked during the shutdown and the next pay period. Jana Winter, Ted Hesson, and Marisa Taylor report.

The Justice Department yesterday charged Smartmatic, a voting-technology provider, with conspiring to bribe foreign officials and money laundering in an attempt to win business in the Philippines in 2016. Smartmatic said yesterday, “We will not be intimidated by those pulling the strings of power.” Dave Michaels reports for the Wall Street Journal."

lousubcap · October 20

First time no Monday Clown Show summary to provide.

fishlessman · October 20

lousubcap said:

First time no Monday Clown Show summary to provide.

maybe the left is all tuckered out from the weekends drama queen celibrations....

Buckwoody Egger · October 21

lousubcap said:

First time no Monday Clown Show summary to provide.

will a visual do?

https://x.com/franciswegner/status/1980059671647154672

Botch · October 21

Buckwoody Egger said:

lousubcap said:

First time no Monday Clown Show summary to provide.

will a visual do?

https://x.com/franciswegner/status/1980059671647154672

You guys remember how much dukakis got ridiculed about his "tank" video? Now we see Traitor sitting in a cockpit with his O2 mask on his chin, not covering his nose at all.
To be honest, it was more correct than his COVID mask style, so there's that.

Buckwoody Egger · October 21

one advantage of the post trump era will be the torn down illusion that a politician has to have a flawless backstory (usually via coverup) to be elected.

so once the critical mass realizes “this is a mess we have to dig out of ourselves” instead of “let’s let hate rule so we look good to an idol” then maybe, just maybe, ideas and positive attitudes will prevail.

fishlessman · October 21

Botch said:

Buckwoody Egger said:

lousubcap said:

First time no Monday Clown Show summary to provide.

will a visual do?

https://x.com/franciswegner/status/1980059671647154672

You guys remember how much dukakis got ridiculed about his "tank" video? Now we see Traitor sitting in a cockpit with his O2 mask on his chin, not covering his nose at all.
To be honest, it was more correct than his COVID mask style, so there's that.

dukakis.....the working mans man......very similar to tim waltz, the manly man.

the only political sticker ive ever had, DUMP THE DUKE IN 88

lousubcap · October 21

No worthy Clown Show summary today-I'm sure it is an oversite somewhere.

lousubcap · October 22

I will post Clown Show news when the information is available.

lousubcap · October 23

Thursday Clown Show summary:

"The Defense Department yesterday announced that a “new generation” of journalists would be given access to the Pentagon, after they signed rules that were rejected by most major news organizations. More than 60 journalists “representing a broad spectrum of new media outlets and independent journalists” received the required credentials, according to a Defense Department spokesperson. The list of new outlets includes conservative sites such as Human Events, The Post Millennial, RedState, and The Washington Reporter. Erik Wemple reports for the New York Times; Jacob Wendler reports for POLITICO

The State Department has removed the Human Rights Reporting Gateway, an online platform for reporting alleged human rights violations by foreign military units supplied with American weapons. BBC News learned during the summer of plans to delete HRG and confirmed this week that officials phased out HRG during the State Department’s restructure. Tom Bateman reports.

The Justice Department yesterday announced that it has struck a deal with the University of Virginia, which requires the university to adopt the administration’s legal view on diversity, equity, and inclusion in exchange for a pause on civil rights investigations and continued eligibility for federal funding. Andrew Goudsward reports for Reuters.

The Trump administration’s cuts to federal programmes have eroded U.S. cyberspace defenses, according to Maine Sen. Angus King and a cyber defense nonprofit organization. “I would call it almost an across-the-board retreat from the national security defenses that we built up over the past five years,” just as the threats are increasing, King said. Julian E. Barnes reports for the New York Times."

lousubcap · October 24

Friday Clown Show summary:

"Trump on Wednesday pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the convicted founder of the crypto exchange Binance. The company had pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating U.S. anti-money laundering requirements and was banned from operating in the country. Trump has “exercised his constitutional authority by issuing [this] pardon for Mr Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency,” the White House said. “The Biden Administration’s war on crypto is over.” Rebecca Ballhaus, Josh Dawsey, Patricia Kowsmann, and Angus Berwick report for the Wall Street Journal.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum yesterday announced that plans to introduce oil and gas drilling to the coastal plain of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge have been finalised. Becky Bohrer reports for AP News."

Gulfcoastguy · October 24

Well I guess if you need some money laundered.....you would be better choosing someone that was to smart to go to prison,

lousubcap · October 27

Monday Clown Show summary:

"A Pentagon spokesperson said on Friday that the Defense Department had accepted an anonymous gift of $130 million from a wealthy donor to pay military salaries during the government shutdown. Two sources named Timothy Mellon, a billionaire and major financial backer of Trump, as the anonymous donor. Mellon has not confirmed this. White House officials said that covering the cost of military pay for the first half of October totalled about $6.5 billion. Leo Shane III, Paul McLeary, and Jack Detsch report for POLITICO; Tyler Page reports for the New York Times.

The Justice Department said on Friday that it will monitor polling sites in California and New Jersey ahead of the November 4 election “to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law.” Shawn Hubler and Laurel Rosenhall report for the New York Times.

The Trump administration will not use emergency funds to cover the cost of the Supplemental Nutrition Food Assistance Program during the government shutdown, according to a memo obtained by POLITICO. SNAP is set to run out of federal funds at the end of the month, which would leave around 42 million people without the necessary food benefits from November. Administration officials believe that Democratic governors and anti-hunger groups will sue the administration for not tapping into the contingency fund for SNAP, two sources said. Grace Yarrow and Meredith Lee Hill report.

Trump last week nominated Hegseth’s senior military aide Lt. Gen. Chrisopher LaNeve to replace Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingus. The Senate still needs to approve LaNeve. Hegseth did not announce LaNeve’s nomination, nor did Mingus announce his departure, even though he is less than halfway through a four-year role. “Hegseth wants [LaNeve] in,” a defense official said. “Who he replaces doesn’t matter.” Paul McLeary reports for POLITICO."

lousubcap · October 28

Tuesday Clown Show summary:

Trump yesterday asked a New York appeals court to overturn his criminal conviction for approving a scheme to falsify business records to conceal a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Erica Orden reports for POLITICO.

The American Federation of Government Employees yesterday called on Congress to pass a “clean and continuing resolution” to end the government shutdown. “Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight,” AFGE President Everett Kelly said yesterday in a statement. Monica Alba reports for NBC News.

Two Illinois National Guard members told CBS News that they would refuse to obey federal orders to deploy in Chicago. “It’s disheartening to be forced to go against your community and your neighbours,” Staff Sgt. Demi Palecek said. “It feels illegal. This is not what we signed up to do.” Capt. Dyland Baha said, “When we have somebody in power who’s actively dismantling our rights – free speech, due process, freedom of the press – it’s really hard to be a soldier right now.” Nicole Sganga reports.

The White House has withdrawn Joel Rayburn’s nomination to be Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern affairs, according to three sources. Rayburn was first nominated by Trump in February; no reason was provided for the withdrawal yesterday. His nomination was opposed by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who questioned Rayburn in his confirmation hearing in May over ties to James Jeffrey, Rayburn’s former boss who admitted to misleading administration officials about the number of U.S. troops on the ground in Syria in 2020. Robert Jimison reports for the New York Times."

lousubcap · October 29

Wednesday Clown Show summary:

“If you read it, it’s pretty clear – I’m not allowed to run. It's too bad,” Trump told reporters today when asked whether he would seek a third term in Office. House Speaker Mike Johnson said yesterday that he had discussed the issue with Trump, adding, “I think the president knows … the constrictions of the Constitution.” Susan Heavey and Trevor Hunnicutt report for Reuters.

Steven J. Hatfill, a senior adviser at the Department of Health and Human Services and expert whose work influenced the decision to halt funding for mRNA vaccine research, was fired over the weekend. Hatfill said he was removed as part of a “coup to overthrow [Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.],” allegedly led by Kennedy’s Chief of Staff, Matt Buckham. Hatfill did not explain why this had resulted in his removal. A health department official said that “firing a staff member for cause does not add up to a coup.” Sheryl Gay Stolberg reports for the New York Times.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said yesterday that her office has initiated a review of the Biden administration’s “reported use of autopen for pardons.” This post followed the release of a House Oversight report yesterday questioning their validity. The report claimed that the White House did not record Biden’s approval for some executive actions signed by autopen, adding it “deems void” all such actions. Avery Lotz reports for Axios.

The Pentagon has removed key protections for defense civilian employees and directed that managers move with “speed and conviction” to fire workers with “unacceptable” performance reviews, according to a memo dated September 30. Some managers have said that the memo is so broad that it could be used to fire anyone. “Looks like we are all ‘at will’ employees now,” one defense civilian said. Tara Copp reports for the Washington Post."

lousubcap · October 30

Thursday Clown Show summary:

"Trump today ordered the U.S. military to resume nuclear weapons testing. “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis,” Trump said on social media. Trevor Hunnicutt, Ismail Shakil, and Kanishka Singh report for Reuters.

Hegseth is expected to announce significant changes that could reshape how the Pentagon sends weapons to allies on November 7 at a meeting of defense industry executives, according to seven sources. The plan aims to accelerate weapons production and government-led arms purchases. Joe Gould and Paul McLeary report for POLITICO.

Three-star general Lt. Gen. Joe McGee, the director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff, was pushed out of his role earlier this month following tensions with Hegseth, according to sources. The sources said that McGee frequently “pushed back” against Hegseth on issues such as Russia-Ukraine to operations in the Caribbean. “He has had a target on his back for a while now, “ one source said. A Pentagon spokesperson said, “General McGee is retiring, and the War Department is grateful for his service.” Natasha Bertrand, Zachary Cohen, and Haley Britzky report for CNN."

lousubcap · October 31

Friday Clown Show summary:

"Regulations advanced yesterday by the Education Department revise eligibility requirements for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, allowing the education secretary to disqualify employers who engage in activities deemed to have a “substantial illegal purpose” on or after July 1, 2026.“The [loan program] was meant to support Americans who dedicate their careers to public service – not to subsidize organizations […] harboring illegal immigrants or performing prohibited medical procedures that attempt to transition children away from their biological sex,” Education Under Secretary Nicholas Kent said. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel reports for the Washington Post.

The Trump administration fired about a dozen officials from Fannie Mae’s ethics and internal investigations unit, sources said. Fannie Mae held a meeting yesterday informing officials they were being let go, but no reason was given for their termination. Brian Schwartz, Sadie Gurman, and C. Ryan Barber report for the Wall Street Journal.

Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus, chief of naval research for the Navy office, has been replaced by Rachel Riley, a former partner at consulting firm McKinsey & Company, who previously pressed for thousands of job cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services in her role as a Department of Government Efficiency employee. The Office of Naval Research is usually run by a two-star admiral with extensive engineering experience. Rothenhaus has been moved to an unknown position. Ellen Mitchell reports for The Hill.

Hegseth has ordered the military to provide 48 attorneys and 4 paralegals to the Justice Department to act as special assistant U.S. attorneys,according to a memo dated Monday. The memo does not specify what kind of litigation the lawyers would be asked to do, but says that ideally they would have "significant experience” in immigration and administrative law. Konstantin Toropin reports for AP News."

lousubcap · October 31

In view of the lack of response and cut and paste nature of this thread I have decided to stop with the posts effective immediately.

Buckwoody Egger · October 31

it was a good run @lousubcap !!! a consistent metered measured source for anyone who wants to collect additional info towards an understanding. a rare art.

lousubcap · November 3

I have decided to pull a reverse CHEEO- back in the game Monday. Value add is what it is all about.

lousubcap · November 3

Monday Clown Show summary:

"Reporters seeking to speak with White House officials in the West Wing office for communications staff will now need an appointment, according to a White House memo released on Friday. The White House said the move was motivated by structural changes that require communications staff to be responsible for matters pertaining to the National Security Council, and thus routinely engaging with sensitive material. Aaron Pellish reports for POLITICO.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said yesterday that nuclear testing ordered by Trump will not involve nuclear explosions, adding that it will involve “the other parts of the nuclear weapon” to ensure they are working properly. Zolan Kanno-Youngs reports for the New York Times."

Elect a Clown, Expect the Circus

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