President-elect Donald J. Trump has reaffirmed his endorsement of Pete Hegseth for the position of Secretary of Defense. Amid reports from mainstream media outlets alleging challenges to Hegseth’s nomination, Trump expressed his confidence in Hegseth’s capabilities via his Truth Social account: “Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe,” he wrote.
Trump described Hegseth as “a great student – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Military state of mind.” He added: “He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”
This week, Hegseth engaged with U.S. Senators to consolidate backing for his nomination. However, several Republican-in-name-only (RINO) Senators, including Susan Collins, Joni Ernst, and Lisa Murkowski, have yet to fully endorse him. A previous sexual misconduct allegation, which ended in a settlement, resurfaced with the release of a police report. Despite the report’s publication, Hegseth’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore, maintained that authorities found the claims unfounded, leading to no charges.
Hegseth is recognized for his service as an Army veteran, and he was honorably awarded the Bronze Star on two occasions. He is also an alumnus of Princeton University and Harvard University.
Speculation arose earlier in the week regarding Florida Governor Ron DeSantis potentially replacing Hegseth as Trump’s nominee. However, Hegseth dismissed these claims on Wednesday, asserting Trump’s unwavering support and his intent to persevere with the nomination process.
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President-elect Donald J. Trump has reaffirmed his endorsement of Pete Hegseth for the position of Secretary of Defense. Amid reports from mainstream media outlets alleging challenges to Hegseth's nomination, Trump expressed his confidence in Hegseth’s capabilities via his Truth Social account: "Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe," he wrote.
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Silicon Valley investor David Sacks will serve as President-elect Donald J. Trump’s new artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto czar, advising the White House on the two critical emergent technologies. Sacks was an early backer of Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) during the 2024 Republican presidential primary but later jumped ship as the campaign struggled, eventually backing Trump’s bid to retake the White House.
A close ally of technology and space exploration mogul Elon Musk, Sacks, too, hails from South Africa. He was born in Cape Town before his parents emigrated to Tennessee. In 1999, Sacks—then a business consultant with McKinsey & Company—joined the team behind PayPal. He eventually went on to be one of the members of the so-called “PayPal Mafia,” a group of wealthy technology investors who made most of their money from the success of the online payments processor.
President-elect Trump has tasked Sacks with “guide[ing] policy for the Administration in Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency… [with a] focus on making America the clear global leader in both areas.” He is is also tasked to “safeguard Free Speech online, and steer us away from Big Tech bias and censorship.”
In 2017, Sacks and investor Bill Lee founded Craft Ventures—a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that has made numerous investments in the technology industry. Sacks would later draw controversy in the media following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). In 2022, the commercial bank suffered catastrophic losses amid an economic downturn and rising interest rates. The bank had inexplicably made heavy investments in long-term Treasury bonds—locking up most of its liquidity and exposing it to a bank run by depositors.
Critics of Sacks—and other venture capitalists during the SVB crisis—allege that they stoked hysteria in several prominent newsletters and on social media regarding the banks’ lack of liquidity. This is said to have worsened the bank run and, consequently, caused the bank’s collapse.
However, Sacks and others in Silicon Valley contend that rising Federal Reserve interest rates are to blame, arguing that the central bank misled financial institutions about the long-term trajectory of rates.
Sacks is also known for his staunch opposition to the U.S. military and financial aid for Ukraine, and he often posts about the topic on social media.
Silicon Valley investor David Sacks will serve as President-elect Donald J. Trump's new artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto czar, advising the White House on the two critical emergent technologies. Sacks was an early backer of Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) during the 2024 Republican presidential primary but later jumped ship as the campaign struggled, eventually backing Trump's bid to retake the White House.
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The National Police Association (NPA) is backing President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nomination of Kash Patel as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), highlighting his extensive experience in national security and law enforcement. While working as Senior Counsel to the House Intelligence Committee, Patel earned respect within the law enforcement community for exposing misconduct and advocating for ethical oversight.
“The law enforcement community knows that effective leadership at the FBI is essential for building public trust and enhancing coordination across all levels of policing,” the NPA said in a statement. “Kash Patel’s proven record of leadership, expertise in counterterrorism and intelligence, and ability to navigate complex legal and operational challenges make him the ideal candidate to restore faith in the FBI’s mission and ensure it remains a steadfast ally to our nation’s police forces.”
Patel’s career includes dismantling international drug trafficking networks as a federal prosecutor. He also served as a legal liaison to the Joint Special Operations Command, where he strengthened partnerships across federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
He was recognized for his work tackling international terrorism under the Obama-Biden administration with a prestigious Central Intelligence Agency Award (HUMINT), and the Justice Department also recognized him with an AAG Award for Excellence in 2017.
“Kash Patel’s appointment as FBI Director would represent a pivotal moment for law enforcement,” the NPA stressed. “His proven record of leadership and dedication to ethical standards make him the ideal candidate to guide the FBI forward.”
Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, said earlier this week that “Every single one” of President-elect Trump’s incoming appointees “should be a Kash Patel of their department.”
The National Police Association (NPA) is backing President-elect Donald J. Trump's nomination of Kash Patel as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), highlighting his extensive experience in national security and law enforcement. While working as Senior Counsel to the House Intelligence Committee, Patel earned respect within the law enforcement community for exposing misconduct and advocating for ethical oversight.
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Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)—a powerful Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee—is arguing President-elect Donald J. Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is “unconstitutional and illegal.” The congresswoman, currently in her 15th term in Congress, contends that the agency, set to be overseen by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, encroaches on the powers of Congress to appropriate funds for federal agencies.
The California Democrat’s remarks came during an appearance on CNN Newsroom with host Jim Acosta, who pressed Lofgren for her “thoughts on Elon Musk and Ramaswamy deciding or trying to decide what stays and what goes in the federal government.”
“Well, it’s illegal. You know, they haven’t asked to meet with me, but the impoundment of funds that have been appropriated by the Congress is unconstitutional and illegal,” the 76-year-old Lofgren responded. She continued: “There is no such Department of Government Efficiency. It’s made up. So good luck to ’em.”
Lofgren added that if President-elect Trump wants to make changes to the federal budget, “…he should send it to us, but the Constitution does not permit the president to simply avoid what the Congress has done—that power of the purse is with the legislative branch, not the president.”
NOT ACTUALLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL?
While the Judiciary Committee Democrat insists that it is unconstitutional for the president to exercise the power of impoundment—an act that claws back funds appropriated by Congress to fund federal agencies—the reality of the matter is less clear. U.S. Presidents, from Thomas Jefferson to Richard Nixon, wielded impoundment authority until Congress stripped the power with the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
However, impoundment remains an unsettled constitutional question. A related Supreme Court case, Train v. City of New York—decided on facts that pre-date the 1974 Act—found that the president cannot order unreasonable impoundments outside the scope of congressional intent. Significantly, though, the high court declined to rule on the constitutionality of presidential impoundment power.
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Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)—a powerful Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee—is arguing President-elect Donald J. Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is "unconstitutional and illegal." The congresswoman, currently in her 15th term in Congress, contends that the agency, set to be overseen by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, encroaches on the powers of Congress to appropriate funds for federal agencies.
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A U.S. House of Representatives hearing devolved into chaos on Thursday as a shouting match broke out between U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Acting Director Ronald Rowe Jr. and Congressman Pat Fallon (R-TX). The Capitol Hill hearing was held by the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump as part of its ongoing investigation into the attempt on the now-President-elect’s life during a July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The Texas Congressman blasted the USSS’s handling of security measures, expressing strong disapproval of the agency’s performance that allowed attackers to target Trump on two separate occasions. Fallon singled out Rowe’s presence alongside President Joe Biden as a dignitary—rather than as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) overseeing security—during the 9/11memorial event in New York City in September as an example of the agency’s misplaced priorities.
SHOUTING MATCH.
“Actually, let me address this,” Rowe said with an indignant tone—demanding Fallonw’s staff not remove the photo of the 9/11 memorial dignitaries. The acting USSS director continued: “Actually, Congressman, what you’re not seeing is the SAC of the detail off, out of the picture’s view. And that is the day that we remember the more than 3,000 people that have died on 9/11.”
Rowe continued, telling Fallon that he was a Ground Zero responder in what the Congressman took to be an attempt to stonewall his line of inquiry. “I’m not asking you that,” Fallon began before being interrupted by Rowe, who shouted: “I was there, Congressman! I was there!” Rowe, still shouting, demanded the Texas Republican show respect for the members of the USSS who died on 9/11.
“Oh, you’re trying to be,” Fallon said before Rowe—still shouting—again interrupted: “Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!”
“No, I’m not,” Fallon shot back, pointing at Rowe. “You are, sir!” Rowe shouted in response, with the Congressman pushing back: “Don’t try to bully me!”
WATCH:
At the Trump assassination hearing, chaos erupts after Rep. Pat Fallon asks Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe about his appearing as a dignitary, rather than for security at a 9/11 memorial event pic.twitter.com/52EX8C46I5
A U.S. House of Representatives hearing devolved into chaos on Thursday as a shouting match broke out between U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Acting Director Ronald Rowe Jr. and Congressman Pat Fallon (R-TX). The Capitol Hill hearing was held by the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump as part of its ongoing investigation into the attempt on the now-President-elect's life during a July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
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The Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office announced on Wednesday that recent drone sightings within the county and other parts of New Jersey are under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The unusual drone activity has sparked enough concern for Hunterdon County Commissioner John Lanza to seek a public briefing.
Lanza, the liaison to the Sheriff’s Office and Department of Public Safety, emphasized that some reports describe drones hovering over residential areas for extended periods. Meanwhile, other accounts mention drones flying in clusters, sometimes as large as eight.
Sightings of drones near President-elect Donald J. Trump’s Bedminster golf club, located just east of Hunterdon County, are especially concerning. In response to the drone incursions, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it was implementing temporary flight restrictions in several parts of the state.
“At the request of federal security partners, the FAA published two temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) prohibiting drone flights over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster,” the agency said.
“Drones are considered aircraft, and their operation is subject to strict regulations by the FAA,” Lanza noted, pointing to the potential regulatory implications. The sheriff’s office reiterated the importance of recognizing unauthorized drone use as a significant threat to public safety, privacy, and national security.
Residents are advised against interacting directly with any drones that might have experienced mechanical issues. Instead, authorities should be promptly notified to handle the situation.
The Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday that recent drone sightings within the county and other parts of New Jersey are under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The unusual drone activity has sparked enough concern for Hunterdon County Commissioner John Lanza to seek a public briefing.
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Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) is reportedly advocating against President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Information obtained by The Federalist claims that Ernst has contacted Trump multiple times, advising him to reconsider Hegseth’s nomination. “She’s constantly calling and nagging him,” one Trump world source says.
Ernst posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she appreciated Hegseth’s military service and mentioned their conversation was “frank and thorough.” However, she did not reveal her position on supporting his nomination. When pressed about her potential interest in the defense secretary role, Ernst avoided a direct response, reiterating that “Pete is the nominee.”
Hegseth, a former Army officer and Fox News contributor, is facing various allegations, including misconduct in his previous roles advocating on behalf of veterans and as a member of the media. These claims have been countered by former colleagues and associates. Additionally, he faced a sexual assault allegation from 2017, but police did not pursue charges after investigating the accusation.
Ernst herself has been implicated in past allegations concerning an extramarital relationship with a subordinate, which she has consistently denied. Sources claim Ernst has threatened to mobilize female senators against Hegseth’s nomination unless changes are made.
Supporting Ernst’s efforts, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has relayed concerns about the allegations facing Hegseth, describing them as “very disturbing.” Graham acknowledged that while Hegseth would have an opportunity to defend himself, some issues might prove challenging.
Ernst’s office denies the allegations, calling them “just more Washington whispers.”
Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) is reportedly advocating against President-elect Donald J. Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Information obtained by The Federalist claims that Ernst has contacted Trump multiple times, advising him to reconsider Hegseth’s nomination. "She’s constantly calling and nagging him," one Trump world source says.
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Donald J. Trump appointee-turned-critic Anthony Scaramucci is praising the President-elect’s economic team, especially his picks to lead the Treasury Department, National Economic Council (NEC), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Since his landslide election victory in November, President-elect Trump has rolled out a formidable group of nominees tasked with rebuilding the American economy, tapping macro fund manager Scott Bessent to serve as Treasury Secretary, Kevin Hassett to lead the NEC, Paul Atkins as the SEC chief, Michael Faulkender as Deputy Treasury Secretary.
“Scott Bessent (Treasury), Kevin Hassett (NEC), Paul Atkins (SEC), Michael Faulkender (Deputy Treasury). Have to admit Trump is cooking with his economic team so far,” Scaramucci wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Scott Bessent (Treasury), Kevin Hassett (NEC), Paul Atkins (SEC), Michael Faulkender (Deputy Treasury). Have to admit Trump is cooking with his economic team so far.
Bessent, 61, was an early Trump backer, donating a million dollars to his 2016 presidential campaign. He has helped raise nearly $60 million for Trump since. Bessent was an integral figure in monetary markets in the 1990s and early 2000s. Serving as Bessent’s number two will be Michael Faulkender, a dean and professor of finance at the University of Maryland, who served as the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy under Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.
Meanwhile, Hassett served as a White House Senior Advisor and Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers from 2017 to 2019 in the previous Trump administration. Paul Atkins, Trump’s choice to lead the SEC, is co-chair of the Token Alliance—an industry group that advocates on behalf of cryptocurrencies—and served on the commission from 2002 until 2008.
A prominent critic of Trump, Scaramucci briefly served as his White House Director of Communications, holding the post for just 10 days in July 2017. On July 31, 2017, Scaramucci was dismissed from the White House communications team after he smeared several senior members of Trump’s staff, including former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, in an interview with journalist Ryan Lizza. Scaramucci claims he thought the conversation was “off the record.”
Donald J. Trump appointee-turned-critic Anthony Scaramucci is praising the President-elect's economic team, especially his picks to lead the Treasury Department, National Economic Council (NEC), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Since his landslide election victory in November, President-elect Trump has rolled out a formidable group of nominees tasked with rebuilding the American economy, tapping macro fund manager Scott Bessent to serve as Treasury Secretary, Kevin Hassett to lead the NEC, Paul Atkins as the SEC chief, Michael Faulkender as Deputy Treasury Secretary.
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President-elect Donald J. Trump’s defense attorney, Steve Sadow, is asking a Georgia appeals court to dismiss the RICO charges against his client, arguing a sitting president is immune from both state and federal prosecution. The move could bring to a close the third Democrat-backed prosecution of Trump, with only Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case remaining active.
“A sitting president is completely immune from indictment or any criminal process, state or federal,” Sadow writes in the filing submitted to the court Wednesday afternoon. “The Constitution forbids ‘plac[ing] into the hands of a single prosecutor and grand jury the practical power to interfere with the ability of a popularly elected President to carry out his constitutional functions.'”
The RICO case, brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, has been stuck in legal limbo since March when Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade had engaged in professional impropriety and ordered one of them to resign from the case. After Wade resigned from the prosecution, Trump’s legal team appealed McAfee’s ruling, seeking to remove Willis as well.
Shortly after the 2024 presidential election, the Georgia appellate court canceled its December 5 hearing on Willis’s disqualification without a stated reason, leading some to believe her entire prosecution could soon be dismissed.
In the filing on Wednesday, Sadow raises this very prospect, stating: “Accordingly, well before the inauguration of President Trump, this Court should inquire into its jurisdiction to continue to hear this appeal. That inquiry should result in this Court deciding that both this Court and the trial court lack jurisdiction to entertain any further criminal process against President Trump as the continued indictment and prosecution of President Trump by the State of Georgia are unconstitutional.”
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President-elect Donald J. Trump's defense attorney, Steve Sadow, is asking a Georgia appeals court to dismiss the RICO charges against his client, arguing a sitting president is immune from both state and federal prosecution. The move could bring to a close the third Democrat-backed prosecution of Trump, with only Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case remaining active.
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Jared Isaacman, the nominee to serve as administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has a concerning history of being a significant donor to Democratic Party candidates, as well as Democrat-aligned SuperPACs and campaign committees. Additionally, two companies founded by Isaacman heavily promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives (DEI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs—both of which push a radical progressive political agenda.
Technology and space exploration billionaire Elon Musk is likely pushing for Isaacman’s nomination. Isaacman served as the commander of Musk’s SpaceX’s Inspiration4 private space flight mission, as well as its Polaris Dawn mission launched in 2024. He was the first private citizen to perform an EVA spacewalk.
DEMOCRAT DONOR.
Since 2010, Isaacman has given nearly $300,000 to candidates and political committees—with almost all of the money going to Democratic Party entities and lawmakers. According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data, Isaacman—during the 2024 election cycle—gave $3,300 to Senate Jon Tester’s (D-MT) failed election bid. Meanwhile, he contributed $6,600 to Representative Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), who narrowly defeated former Congressman Mike Rogers (R-MI) for Michigan’s open Senate seat.
Additionally, the technology entrepreneur invested heavily in Democratic Party efforts in Pennsylvania—giving the state party $10,000 in July of this year, contributing $3,3000 directly to Senator Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA), and giving another $15,400 to Casey’s joint fundraising committee. Casey would go on to lose re-election to his Republican challenger, Dave McCormick.
The NASA administrator nominee was also active on behalf of Democrats during the 2022 mid-term election cycle. Isaacman contributed nearly $60,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Additionally, he gave $100,000 to the Senate Majority PAC controlled by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Notably, Schumer himself also received $5,800 from Isaacman.
Other Democrats receiving contributions include $2,900.00 for Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), $5,800 for Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA), $2,900 for Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), $2,900 for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and $2,900 for both Sens. Tester and Casey.
Between 2010 and 2016, Isaacman gave less than $10,000 to Republican candidates.
DEI AND ESG PROMOTOR.
In addition to his significant support for Democratic politicians, Isaacman founded companies Shift4 Payments (a payment processing firm) and Draken International (an aerospace and defense contractor), which are major promoters of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs. Shift4 Payments provides investors with an ESG factsheet that touts the company’s net-zero water usage, net-zero carbon emissions, and its use of renewable energy.
In addition, the Shift4 Payments investor fact sheet notes the company’s commitment to DEI. It states that 35 percent of the company’s workforce is female, while 41 percent is black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Shift4 Payments also maintains two DEI workforce networks: ‘Women @ Shift4’ and ‘Pride @ Shift4.’
Meanwhile, Draken International similarly promotes a DEI agenda in the workplace. The company sponsored the 2024 Inclusivity in Aviation Reception, which was hosted at the Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom. Draken announced its sponsorship in a LinkedIn post: “We were thrilled to sponsor this event once again, following the inaugural ‘Women in Aviation’ event in 2022. We did so not because we consider Draken as a paragon of virtue when it comes to inclusivity. Quite the opposite. Like our fellow sponsors Lockheed Martin, we are on a path—and that path will see companies such as ours broaden the appeal of a career in aviation to sectors of society that, to date, have been excluded.”
WHITE GUYS IN SPACE.
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Isaacman’s background is his comments regarding the need for greater diversity in space exploration. Before the Inspiration4 mission in 2021, Isaacman, speaking with the Unleash Your Greatness Within podcast host TJ Hoisington, lamented that private space flight is dominated by “rich white guys.”
“I did not want four rich white guys that are going up into space,” Isaacman told Hoisington, stressing the importance of having a diverse mission crew for Inspiration4.
Isaacman repeated a similar line during a 2021 interview with the New York Times, stating he deliberately set up the selection of the passengers on the Inspiration4 mission to ensure diversity. “Is it going to represent all of the people of Earth and not just rich white guys?” he told the NYT at the time.
Jared Isaacman, the nominee to serve as administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has a concerning history of being a significant donor to Democratic Party candidates, as well as Democrat-aligned SuperPACs and campaign committees. Additionally, two companies founded by Isaacman heavily promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives (DEI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs—both of which push a radical progressive political agenda.
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