Trump / Musk (other than DOGE) Omnibus Thread

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Top US Election Security Watchdog Forced to Stop Election Security Work​

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has frozen efforts to aid states in securing elections, according to an internal memo viewed by WIRED.

www.wired.com

Top US Election Security Watchdog Forced to Stop Election Security Work

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has frozen efforts to aid states in securing elections, according to an internal memo viewed by WIRED.
www.wired.com www.wired.com

“… In a memo sent Friday to all CISA employees and obtained by WIRED, CISA’s acting director, Bridget Bean, said she was ordering “a review and assessment” of every position at the agency related to election security and countering mis- and disinformation, “as well as every election security and [mis-, dis-, and malinformation] product, activity, service, and program that has been carried out” since the federal government designated election systems as critical infrastructure in 2017.

“CISA will pause all elections security activities until the completion of this review,” Bean added. The agency is also cutting off funding for these activities at the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing & Analysis Center, a group funded by the Department of Homeland Security that has served as a coordinating body for the elections community. …”
 
roostra said:
It was hard to tell because there wasn't actually any condemnation of Trump's pardons in your previous post, just calling other folks out for being hypocrites.

It is clearer in this one that you do acknowledge that Trump's pardons are problematic.



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But don't forget, Trump is only issuing ridiculous, dangerous pardons because of Biden's actions. He definitely wouldn't have done it otherwise so it's really Biden's fault.
 
nycfan said:

White House forcing out top leadership at National Archives in major shakeup​




“The Trump administration is forcing out senior leadership at the National Archives and Records Administration in a major shakeup, according to a source familiar. President Donald Trump has been highly critical of the archives since the agency asked the Department of Justice to investigate Trump’s mishandling of classified documents after he left office.

Following the dismissal of Archivist Colleen Shoganlast week, Trump officials made it clear to agency staff that the White House wanted to remove the leadership team and replace top officials with Trump loyalists, according to the source.

…
The exodus of senior staff is seen as a huge loss for the agency, which is considered nonpartisan and dedicated to the preservation of history and documents.

The forced resignations come after Trump vowed to clean house at the agency.

The inspector general of the National Archives referred the case to the Department of Justice in 2022 after more than a year of trying to negotiate with Trump the return of presidential papers including highly classified documents. …”

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nycfan said:

Trump officials fired nuclear staff not realizing they oversee the country’s weapons stockpile, sources say​




“Trump administration officials fired more than 300 staffers Thursday night at the National Nuclear Security Administration — the agency tasked with managing the nation’s nuclear stockpile — as part of broader Energy Department layoffs, according to four people with knowledge of the matter.

Sources told CNN the officials did not seem to know this agency oversees America’s nuclear weapons.

… The agency began rescinding the terminations Friday morning.

Some of the fired employees included NNSA staff who are on the ground at facilities where nuclear weapons are built. These staff oversee the contractors who build nuclear weapons, and they inspect these weapons.

It also included employees at NNSA headquarters who write requirements and guidelines for contractors who build nuclear weapons.

A source told CNN they believe these individuals were fired because “no one has taken anytime to understand what we do and the importance of our work to the nation’s national security.”

… Members of Congress made their concerns about the NNSA firings known to the Energy Department, a Hill staffer told CNN. A person with knowledge of the matter told CNN that senators visited Energy Sec. Chris Wright to express concern about the NNSA cuts.

“Congress is freaking out because it appears DOE didn’t really realize NNSA oversees the nuclear stockpile,” one source said.

“The nuclear deterrent is the backbone of American security and stability – period. For there to be any even very small holes poked even in the maintenance of that deterrent should be extremely frightening to people.” …”
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Federal judge hands Musk’s DOGE a win on data access at 3 agencies​

A judge says DOGE is legally defined as an "agency."

abcnews.go.com

Federal judge hands Musk’s DOGE a win on data access at 3 agencies

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency can continue to access sensitive records from at least three federal agencies, a judge ruled.
abcnews.go.com abcnews.go.com

“… U.S. District Judge John Bates, in a late-night ruling, denied a request made by a group of unions and nonprofits to issue a temporary order blocking DOGE from the sensitive records maintained by the three agencies.

Elon Musk has repeatedly targeted Bates over the last week on X – including calling for the judge's impeachment – after Bates issued a decision in another case ordering multiple agencies to restore public health data after the Trump administration suddenly removed it.

…
The judge's decision came down to the question of whether DOGE has the authority to "detail" its people to individual parts of the federal government where – as employees of that department or agency – the individuals associated with DOGE could legally access the sensitive records. To have that authority, DOGE would have to be considered an "agency" in the eyes of the law, Bates wrote.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that DOGE is not an agency -- because it was created via an executive order -- and therefore is not entitled to detail its employees to parts of the federal government.

… Curiously, lawyers for DOGE have attempted to avoid the "agency" label during court hearings despite its "strong claim" to agency status, Bates wrote.

"This appears to come from a desire to escape the obligations that accompany agencyhood" -- such as being subject to the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act and the Administrative Procedures Act -- "while reaping only its benefits," the judge wrote.

Ultimately, the disagreed with DOGE's own interpretation of its status -- determining it likely is an "agency" -- and delivering it a surprise win by determining that DOGE has the authority to continue to access to sensitive records. …”

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A surprise win that would undermine DOGE’s claims to be protected from FOIA by virtue of being reconstituted under the Presidential Records Act.
 

FEMA firings reveal roiling tension and confusion within the Department of Homeland Security​



“One week into the Trump administration, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a directive that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should stop sending money to non-governmental organizations that she characterized as helping “illegal aliens.”

But the memo didn’t address money that flowed to state and local governments, fueling confusion at the agency charged with administering federal payments related to migrant housing. FEMA personnel were directed to continue sending those payments.

This week, four FEMA employees, including its chief financial officer, were fired and accused by the Department of Homeland Security of circumventing leadership. And more than $80 million in federal grant money to New York City to help shelter migrants was clawed back.

… The hold applied to the Shelter and Services Program. In fiscal year 2024, Congress appropriated $650 million for the program, according to the agency.

Two days later, acting DHS General Counsel Joseph Mazzara told DHS officials that money for state and local governments “should keep flowing” in response to queries about whether that kind of grant funding could proceed, according to an email obtained by CNN.

…In a February 4 email reviewed by CNN, Ryan Corle, a Homeland Security official, asked Mazzara whether the funding pause applied “only to NGOs, and then only to programs related in some way to immigration,” acknowledging that the question had continued to come up.

“Should this be the general answer—that the pause does not apply to financial assistance to States and local governments—or would you like to look at the programs individually?” Corle wrote.

“That is correct. No state and locals. Just NGOs. If the programs go to both, the NGO funds will be paused/repaired when further guidance goes out this morning,” Mazzara responded.

In response to questions from CNN, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin accused the FEMA officials of deceit, arguing that they did not disclose that the funds would ultimately trickle down to an organization assisting migrants.

… New York City has used funds to pay for the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan, which became the city’s intake center for migrants, and sought reimbursements from the federal government. It has paid NYC Health + Hospitals as a contractor to provide services to migrants.

DHS officials argue the hotel has connections to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang.

“The FEMA employees had far more knowledge on this matter than the Acting General Counsel, and they should have provided all the information if they wanted to seek his advice,” McLaughlin added. …”
 
nycfan said:
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GIFT LINK 🎁 —> https://www.wsj.com/politics/electi...14?st=Bo2yaM&reflink=mobilewebshare_permalink
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“… Netflix and Apple declined even to bid. Paramount made a lowball $4 million distribution-rights offer. Disney, the most interested studio besides Amazon, offered $14 million.

“We licensed the upcoming Melania Trump documentary film and series for one reason and one reason only—because we think customers are going to love it,” said an Amazon spokesman.

The first lady’s cut is more than 70% of the $40 million, according to people familiar with the matter. And they’re still looking for more: Melania’s agent has been trying to sell “sponsorships” for the film—starting at $10 million—to prominent CEOs and billionaires who were at the inauguration, according to people familiar with the matter. Buyers would get thanked at the end of the credits and be invited to the premiere. These overtures were made independently of the deal with Amazon, which was unaware of the outreach, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The Amazon deal is just one of the ways the new first family has benefited from its return to the White House. Companies have directed about $80 million to members of the Trump family and the Trump presidential library so far, as defendants settle lawsuits the president previously filed against them and corporations enter into new business ventures, including the documentary. This figure doesn’t include potential gains from crypto pursuits.

Much of the legal settlement money will go to a fund for the president’s library, a not-for-profit whose mission is to “preserve and steward” Trump’s legacy. But Trump’s share of a $10 million settlement Elon Musk’s X agreed to this week is expected to go to him directly, according to people familiar with the matter. …”
 
nycfan said:
“… Netflix and Apple declined even to bid. Paramount made a lowball $4 million distribution-rights offer. Disney, the most interested studio besides Amazon, offered $14 million.

“We licensed the upcoming Melania Trump documentary film and series for one reason and one reason only—because we think customers are going to love it,” said an Amazon spokesman.

The first lady’s cut is more than 70% of the $40 million, according to people familiar with the matter. And they’re still looking for more: Melania’s agent has been trying to sell “sponsorships” for the film—starting at $10 million—to prominent CEOs and billionaires who were at the inauguration, according to people familiar with the matter. Buyers would get thanked at the end of the credits and be invited to the premiere. These overtures were made independently of the deal with Amazon, which was unaware of the outreach, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The Amazon deal is just one of the ways the new first family has benefited from its return to the White House. Companies have directed about $80 million to members of the Trump family and the Trump presidential library so far, as defendants settle lawsuits the president previously filed against them and corporations enter into new business ventures, including the documentary. This figure doesn’t include potential gains from crypto pursuits.

Much of the legal settlement money will go to a fund for the president’s library, a not-for-profit whose mission is to “preserve and steward” Trump’s legacy. But Trump’s share of a $10 million settlement Elon Musk’s X agreed to this week is expected to go to him directly, according to people familiar with the matter. …”
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“…
Ty Cobb, who served as a top White House lawyer in Trump’s first administration and has since emerged as a critic, said the president’s efforts to profit this time are far bolder. “Everything he does is either to be vengeful or to accumulate wealth, power and adulation,” Cobb said. Trump sees an opportunity, he said, because “all these people want a piece of him.”

A spokesman for the first lady directed questions to the Trump Organization, which said it couldn’t comment on her behalf. The White House didn’t respond to requests for comment. …”

Melania Trump Kiss GIF by Taimi
 
“… The president’s eldest son, Don Jr., has been particularly active in lining up business deals that could benefit from his proximity to power.

…Days after his father won, he announced he would become a partner at 1789 Capital, a venture-capital firm that invests in conservative companies. Its investments include Tucker Carlson’s media company, Last Country. A spokesman for 1789 declined to comment.

He also took on roles at several companies that could stand to gain from federal policies, ranging from Pentagon spending to regulations for online-betting marketplaces to tariffs on China.

…
Some of President Trump’s most audacious moves have been in crypto, where he has invested heavily while at the same time boosting the larger industry. After once denouncing crypto as a “disaster waiting to happen,” Trump shifted his views on the campaign trail last year, pronouncing himself the “crypto president” and talking of turning America into the “crypto capital.”

Around the same time, Trump and his sons Eric and Don Jr. helped launch World Liberty Financial, a crypto firm that has raised more than $300 million selling its digital token, $WLFI.

The venture offers an avenue for foreign entities and those with business before the federal government to increase the Trump family’s wealth. People who purchase the tokens aren’t visible to the public unless they disclose it. …”
 
Callatoroy said:
I’m saying world leaders are “respected or feared” such that you don’t have 2 allies invaded by enemies unless they don’t respect and fear that leadership and sense weakness. I don’t think the Biden / Harris team projected strength, do you? I also think China’s role as a world leader and influencer grew while ours shrunk.
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Biden/Harris strengthened NATO, whereas Trump has massively undermined it. Biden/Harris opposed Putin’s expansionism, whereas Trump is encouraging it. Biden/Harris have made us less reliant on China for key parts of our economy, whereas Trump’s tariffs and foreign policy bullying and unpredictability is driving much of the world into China’s arms. Biden maintained strong relations with our most important allies — Canada and Mexico — whereas Trump is picking completely idiotic fights with them just to look “tough.”

So you may be right that the status quo is not sufficient. But holy shit, if you’re going to change the status quo, change it by strengthening our ties with our ideological allies, not by alienating them and cuddling up to the Kremlin instead. What Trump is doing is mindblowingly stupid. And anyone who’s not an apologist for authoritarianism sees that clearly.
 


“…
The moves reflect the swift change in the balance of power after Israel, which struggled for months to contain militia attacks around its borders, has scored a string of military victories against Iran-backed forces that has given its troops much greater freedom of action.

Israel has already delayed its withdrawal from Lebanon by nearly a month, citing the need to dismantle Hezbollah’s positions in the south. It is now seeking to delay it by another 10 days, to Feb. 28.

The deputy U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, said last week the U.S. remained committed to the withdrawal date of Feb. 18. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut declined to comment Friday on the recent requests by Israel and the negotiations.…”
 
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