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Trump Threatens Journalists Who Disclosed Iran Bombing Assessment

President Donald Trump, in an interview on Fox News aired Sunday, warned of efforts to hold reporters and Democratic figures accountable for allegedly leaking classified intelligence.

When host Maria Bartiromo pointed to Trump's recent social media posts critizing media outlets that reported on an intelligence assessment that Iran's nuclear program was not "obliterated" in recent U.S. strikes, Trump said, “They should be prosecuted.”

“Who specifically?” the anchor asked.

Trump outlined an assertive plan: “We can find out. You go up and tell the reporter, 'national security, who gave it?' You have to do that. And I suspect we'll be doing things like that.”

The president's remarks generated backlash on social media, with journalists and attorneys raising concerns over his apparent plan to target reporters for their stories.

National security attorney Mark Zaid wrote on the social platform X: "Be ready for President Trump to pursue prosecution against journalist[s] under #EspionageAct, particularly if they don't reveal source. It's coming. #1stAmendment won't protect."

Tracey Gallagher, another attorney, wrote: "The reporter is not legally obligated to turn over a leaker’s identity to the Department of Justice (DOJ), even if national security is cited, due to strong First Amendment protections for the press. The landmark 1971 Supreme Court case New York Times Co. v. United States (the Pentagon Papers case) established that the government cannot censor or compel the press to reveal sources, even in matters involving national security."

She added, referencing Trump's social media post calling for mass evacuations in Tehran: "You were also the one who told everyone in Tehran to evacuate. You might want to look into your inner circle they might not be as loyal as you thought they were."

Writer Mona Burns said: "They are doing everything they can think of the kill free speech. He's heavily implying here that they're now going to start challenging what is known as 'reporter's privilege.' A right granted in the First Amendment giving press the ability to protect their sources."

A user posted: "Trump didn’t just attack Democrats — he openly called for gutting press freedom. He wants reporters bullied into naming sources like it’s a police state. And Bartiromo? She sat there grinning, practically handing him the match to burn the First Amendment. This isn’t tough talk — it’s the language of dictatorship in drag."

"Imagine his surprise when he realizes it was someone from his own administration!" wrote another user.

"He’s blaming Democrats and he doesn’t know who leaked the intel?" said another X account.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

After Trump Attacks, North Carolina's Sen. Tillis Says He'll Quit

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who had been poised for a highly competitive 2026 Senate race, announced Sunday that he will not run again.

His decision came shortly after he cast a “no” vote on a procedural motion tied to President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” Saturday. Following Tillis' vote, Trump launched a series of attacks against him via social media, threatening to back primary challenge against the North Carolina senator for opposing his domestic bill.

In a statement released Sunday afternoon, Tillis said, “In Washington over the last few years, it’s become increasingly evident that leaders who are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise, and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species.”

He continued: "As many of my colleagues have noticed over the last year, and at times even joked about, I haven’t exactly been excited about running for another term. That is true since the choice is between spending another six years navigating the political theatre and partisan gridlock in Washington or spending that time with the love of my life Susan, our two children, three beautiful grandchildren, and the rest of our extended family back home. It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re‑election.”

Tillis' announcement led to strong reactions on social media.

Political commentator Sarah Longwell wrote on the social platform X: "Would be cool if instead of unconditional surrender these guys would use their power to beat back the forces that have so degraded the institutions they took an oath to protect."

Analyst Michael Baharaeen, reacting to the news, said: "Whoa. Well, there's one crucial building block in the Dems' uphill battle to winning back the Senate. This and ME are likely to be among the party's best pick-up opportunities of the cycle."

Journalist Vince Coglianese wrote: "Right after Trump announces that he’s searching for a Thom Tillis replacement, Tillis throws in the towel. He’s retiring."

Democratic strategist David Bergstein wrote: "The work that is being done by so many to shine a spotlight on how bad this bill is has created an unescapable political vice for the most vulnerable GOP Senator."

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

'It All Falls Apart': GOP Senate Lacks Majority To Pass Trump's Big Ugly Bill

In a rare admission of uncertainty, Republican senators are privately conceding that President Donald Trump’s "Big, Beautiful Bill" may “fall apart” before the self-imposed July 4 deadline, Semafor reported Thursday.

Trump is reportedly banking on his signature hardball tactics in trying to secure passage of the legislation by Independence Day. However, GOP lawmakers say that strategy is faltering in the Senate amid mounting procedural hurdles and internal dissent, per the report.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) told Semafor: “I like the president, I respect him, I certainly respect how difficult his job is. I don’t want to make it more difficult. But we can’t keep mortgaging our kids’ future. And he understands that about me."

Sen. Johnson is currently against the bill and is said to have banded with two fellow conservative senators as a bloc: “We all have to be a yes before any of us are a yes," he said.

According to the report, the bill is not only short of sufficient support right now, but is also boasting a hefty amount of blank space for now. That’s because Republicans are still hustling to win approval for provisions that their nonpartisan rules referee deemed ineligible for protection from a Democratic filibuster.

Since it’s difficult to estimate the costs or effects of passage anymore, senators are trying to slow the rush to finish a bill that will affect almost every American in some way.

Meanwhile, as lawmakers prepared to scrap their weekend and recess plans, Trump invited some Republicans to a Thursday event that amounted to what one called a “mass arm-twisting," per Semafor.

One person close to the White House, who was not identified in the report, told Semafor that the president needs to change the deadline.

“He has to shift the deadline, or it all falls apart,” the source said, per the report. “Procedurally, how would it get on his desk by July 4? They don’t have the votes and a bunch of it the parliamentarian gutted," they added.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

New York Republicans Beg Trump To Deport Zohran Mamdani

New York’s Young Republican Club has urged President Donald Trump's administration to revoke Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s U.S. citizenship and deport him under the Communist Control Act after his win in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday night.

The New York Republican club wrote a post on the social platform X Wednesday, urging President Donald Trump’s aides to take action.

“The radical Zohran Mamdani cannot be allowed to destroy our beloved city of New York," the post read. It added: "The Communist Control Act lets President Trump revoke @ZohranKMamdani’s citizenship and promptly deport him."

"The time for action is now — @StephenM and @RealTomHoman, New York is counting on you," the tweet read, tagging the official handles of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and immigration advisor Tom Homan.

Mamdani, a 33‑year‑old democratic socialist and New York state legislator, defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary Tuesday. The race drew national attention thanks to his progressive platform centered on rent freezes, free public transit, universal childcare and city-run grocery stores.

Born in Uganda and naturalized as an American citizen in 2018, Mamdani represents a generational and ideological shift in New York politics, energizing younger voters and gaining endorsements from leading progressive figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT.).

The nature of the New York Republicans' deportation demand — which would hinge on the 1954 Communist Control Act — means it has virtually no legal basis, given Mamdani’s clearly documented U.S. citizenship. The Communist Control Act of 1954 is a U.S. federal law that formally outlawed the Communist Party and criminalized membership in or support for communist organizations.

This is not the first time Mamdani has faced such an attack from Republicans.

Earlier this month, Republican City Council member Vickie Paladino also called for his deportation in a post on X.

Mamdani responded forcefully, condemning the demand as part of a broader wave of “Donald Trump’s authoritarian administration” rhetoric that has included death threats and Islamophobic attacks.

“This is what Trump and his sycophants have wrought," Mamdani said in a statement to reporters at the time.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Leaked Intel On Iran Strike Dud Punctures Trump Bluster At NATO Summit

President Donald Trump arrived in the Netherlands on Tuesday in high spirits, eager to showcase his role in orchestrating both a bold military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and a fragile cease-fire between Israel and Iran. But his confident demeanor quickly unraveled just hours after touchdown, when a leaked U.S. intelligence report directly contradicted his repeated claims that the strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

The leaked assessment, which originated from within the Pentagon and was first reported by CNN, painted a far less triumphant picture. It concluded that the strikes had only delayed Iran’s nuclear capabilities by a few months. This finding cast serious doubt on the sweeping victory Trump had been touting.

The revelation punctured the narrative he hoped to dominate the NATO summit: that of a decisive leader who achieved what his predecessors had not.

Trump had begun using the term “obliterated” even before receiving his first battle damage assessment, and he closely monitored which members of his administration echoed the language, per the Times.

According to the report, the leak not only undercut his version of events but also raised fresh questions about whether he had misled allies and the American public in the lead-up to the summit.

Trump, the report notes, had hoped to bask in praise from NATO leaders, including Secretary General Mark Rutte, who privately applauded his “decisive action” in a note that Trump eagerly shared on social media.

“That was truly extraordinary, and something no one else dared to do,” Rutte wrote in a message to the president. “It makes us all safer.”

Instead of celebrating an unqualified military success, Trump found himself fending off questions about the accuracy of his statements and the true impact of the strikes. The leak cast a shadow over what was meant to be a diplomatic victory lap, the Times report said.

When asked about the leak by a reporter Tuesday, Trump said, "CNN is scum."

The Times report claims that by the end of the day, Trump’s mood had notably shifted because of the leak.

"The upbeat demeanor crumbled once the intelligence reports started to leak out, with Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, blasting the findings as 'flat-out wrong' and a 'clear attempt to demean President Trump,'" the report stated.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Senate Staffer Issues Viral Blast Of Mike Lee For Ugly Remarks On Hortman Killing

Sen. Tina Smith’s (D-MN) chief of staff sharply criticized Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) in a strongly worded email on Monday, after Lee circulated right-wing conspiracy theories regarding the recent shooting of two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers and their spouses, which left one couple dead.

Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark were killed in the shooting Sunday that Democratic Gov. Tim Walz described as “politically motivated.”

Smith claimed in an interview Sunday that she was on a list of the alleged shooter’s targets.

In an email to Lee’s office, Smith’s chief of staff Ed Shelleby slammed the GOP senator for making light of the matter.

“I knew Melissa Hortman. Many people in this office did. She was a longtime friend of Senator Smith’s, who had seen her hours before she was murdered,” he wrote.

“So you’ll forgive my candor as I speak through enormous grief,” Shelleby added. "Why would you use the awesome power of a United States Senate Office to compound people's grief? Is this how your team measures success? Using the office of a US Senator to post not just one but a series of jokes about an assassination — is that a successful day of work on Team Lee? Did you come into the office Monday and feel proud of the work you did over the weekend?

“I pray to God that none of you ever go through anything like this," Shelleby added. "I pray that Senator Lee and your office begin to see the people you work with in this building as colleagues and human beings.”

He continued: “And I pray that if God forbid, you ever find yourselves having to deal with anything similar, you find yourselves on the receiving end of the kind of grace and compassion that Senator Mike Lee could not muster.”

Shelleby’s letter has gone viral on social media where journalists and commentators are praising him for confronting the senator over his controversial remarks following Sunday’s incident.

“Just re-read this. As a Hill staffer, it’s especially gut-wrenching to read Senator Smith’s staffer appeal to the humanity of another colleague in Senator Mike Lee’s office following Lee’s heartless comments over the weekend following the horrific violence in MN,” wrote Robert Julien, a staffer for Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) on the social platform X.

Writer Pam Fessler said: “Good for this staffer. There’s no place in our political discourse for Lee’s despicable posts.”

“Read this. And then think of the cruelty and lack of humanity from Mike Lee,” said Democratic activist Rebecca Katz.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

'I Don't Feel Like A King': Facing Massive Resistance, Trump Complains

President Donald Trump expressed frustration on Thursday over the upcoming "No Kings" protests scheduled for June 14, coinciding with both his 79th birthday and a military parade he is holding in Washington D.C.

The demonstrations, organized by the 50501 movement, Indivisible and other organizations, aim to oppose Trump's policies and what participants perceive as authoritarian tendencies.

During a meeting with Republican lawmakers and allies at the White House, Trump reportedly dismissed the notion of being a monarch. “I don’t feel like a king, I have to go through hell to get stuff approved,” he remarked.

His comments prompted laughter from the audience, per a New York Times report published Thursday.

He further stated, “A king would say ‘I’m not going to get this.’ A king wouldn’t even have the California mandate to even be talking,” referring to recent joint resolutions blocking California's efforts to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles.

“No, no. We’re not a king,” Trump added.

The "No Kings" protests are set to take place in over 2,000 locations across the United States, including major cities such as San Francisco, New York, and Chicago.

Organizers emphasize nonviolent resistance and aim to highlight concerns over the administration's policies. The issues they will be protesting include recent immigration raids and military deployments.

On Tuesday, in response to the planned demonstrations, Trump warned that protesters would be met with "very heavy force."

Meanwhile, governors in states like Texas have preemptively deployed law enforcement to manage potential unrest.

The military parade, marking the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, is scheduled to feature 6,600 troops, 150 military vehicles, and 50 helicopters.

Despite criticism from veterans as well as his opponents, Trump has defended the parade as a celebration of the nation's military history and service members. The event is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Constitution Avenue on Saturday, following an all-day festival.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet

Veterans Blast Trump Over 'Politicized' Military Event At Fort Bragg

A new report has claimed that there was a calculated effort to control the optics of President Donald Trump's visit to Fort Bragg, North Carolina on Tuesday, with selective screening of soldiers for both political views and physical appearance.

In his address, Trump targeted California Gov. Gavin Newsom, former President Joe Biden, and the media, urging military personnel to boo reporters in attendance as he lashed out at what he called "fake news."

The president's action of inciting active-duty soldiers to boo those he sees as his opponents was strongly criticized as a move that could politicize the military.

A Military.com report published Wednesday has revealed some even more noteworthy details regarding the event. It claims that soldiers were handpicked for the event based on their political leanings, with one message explicitly warning, “If soldiers have political views that are in opposition to the current administration and they don't want to be in the audience then they need to speak with their leadership and get swapped out.”

The guidelines extended to physical appearance as well, with one internal communication bluntly stating: "No fat soldiers."

Adding to the controversy, a pro-Trump merchandise shop reportedly operated on the Army base, selling campaign memorabilia, including "Make America Great Again" necklaces and "White Privilege Card: Trumps Everything" faux credit cards.

Such partisan merchandise on military property raised questions about potential violations of Department of Defense regulations designed to maintain political neutrality in the armed forces.

Military veterans have strongly reacted to these actions, calling them "dangerous."

Paul Rieckhoff, a veteran of the United States Army and the Iraq War, wrote on the social platform X: "It keeps getting worse. These are dangerous and unprecedented moves. He’s broken glass that’s never been broken before. We’re all less safe for it."

Former U.S. national security official Adham Sahloul commented on a quote from the story, tweeting: "'This has been a bad week for the Army for anyone who cares about us being a neutral institution,' one commander at Fort Bragg told Military.com." Bad week for America."

John Jackson, an American veteran of the Ukrainian armed forces, wrote: "This is bad. I wonder what 'appearance' characteristics they were looking for. And where in the hell are the commanders who allowed this?"

Atlanta journalist Jay Bookman wrote: "Read the story. It's disgusting. There's just no one capable of telling these people no."

Orlando J. Pérez, a professor of political science at the University of North Texas, wrote: "To use soldiers as political backdrop undermines the institutional legitimacy of the armed forces because it erodes the political neutrality of the military. This is another dangerous step toward democratic backsliding."

"We are approximately six months away from Trump demanding US soldiers to take a « Trump Oath », Wehrmacht-style," remarked Olivier Schmitt, a professor of military operations at the Royal Danish Defense College.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Internet Erupts As Trade Court Strikes Down Unlawful Trump Tariffs

A federal trade court halted Wednesday President Donald Trump's attempt to impose broad tariffs on imports using an emergency-powers statute.

The decision, issued by a three-judge panel from the Court of International Trade in New York consisting of Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama and Donald Trump appointees, followed multiple lawsuits claiming that Trump overstepped his legal authority, destabilized U.S. trade policy, and triggered economic turmoil.

Currently, at least seven lawsuits are contesting the tariffs, which have been a central element of Trump’s trade agenda.

Social media users including legal commentators welcomed the decision. Graham Steele, who is a fellow at Stanford University's Rock Center for Corporate Governance, wrote: "IEEPA grants the President a lot of authority, and this President still found a way to exceed that authority."

"YOU CAN'T WIN IF YOU DON'T FIGHT. ANOTHER EXAMPLE. FIGHT," writer Amanda Carpenter said in a post on the social platform BlueSky.

International Relations professor David Burbach wrote on Bluesky: "This could be gigantic, IIEPA's grant of unilateral emergency trade powers to the President has been the loophole through which they are trying to shove the whole tariff thing. I'm sure this gets to SCOTUS."

Legal journalist Chris Geidner posted one excerpt of the ruling to Bluesky in which the panel ruled that the tariffs were "unlawful to all," writing: "After forcing challengers out of district courts, here’s how the specialty court slaps Trump around."

"Trump’s first-term [U.S. Trade Representative] Bob Lighthizer built a very careful legal strategy to ensure tariffs wouldn’t be overturned in court," tweeted author and Columbia University researcher Eddie Fishman. "Second-term Trump admin hasn’t been so careful."

Small business owner Aaron Rubin wrote on X: "Unless the government wins an emergency stay on appeal, CBP has to stop charging all reciprocal and fentanyl related tariffs and refund any paid duties."

"So if you are a foreign government negotiating with the Trump administration about the IEEPA 'Liberation Day' tariffs, and the tariffs have now been struck down (pending a probable appeal), it may be time to recalibrate your negotiating position," China Trade Monitor co-founder Simon Lester tweeted.

AlterNet reached out to the White House for comment.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Former Harvard President Scorches Trump's 'Act Of Extortion'

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said Tuesday the Trump administration's move to target Harvard University is an "entirely extralegal act of extortion against an American institution."

The Trump administration instructed federal departments Tuesday to terminate contracts valued at approximately $100 million with Harvard University, escalating tensions between the White House and the prestigious institution.

This move follows the government's prior withdrawal of over $2.6 billion in research funding from Harvard, amid disputes over the university’s resistance to implementing certain policy changes requested by the administration.

During an appearance on CNN Tuesday, Summers, who served as Harvard's president from 2001 to 2006, said the move is similar to "what was done to any number of law firms, just like what was done to government agencies that had appropriated funds."

He added there there are certain policies of Harvard that he has criticized, but said that "simply cutting off all funding for cancer research" does not make sense.

"That's not some gift Harvard got," he added.

Summers, who served in former President Bill Clinton's cabinet, said Harvard is "the tip of the iceberg in terms of what they're attacking."

"The homeland secretary made clear that Harvard was an example for everyone else," he noted.

"I frankly never thought that I would say it about anything in American government. But this is a step towards tyranny. It's a step towards an authoritarian government," the former secretary warned.

"It's the kind of thing that has happened in many other parts of the world. It's the kind of thing that the founding fathers worried about when they drafted the Constitution," he added.

In response to a question from host Erin Burnett, Summers said Harvard can indeed run down its $53 billion endowment. "But if it does, it will be running down the ability to provide scholarships to students. It will be running down the ability to hire new professors."

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

'The Worst Food': Trump Hosts 'Orgy Of Corruption' Crypto Banquet

Twenty-five year-old TikTok prankster Nicholas Pinto, who was among the guests at President Donald Trump's exclusive dinner for buyers of his meme coin Thursday, was unimpressed by the event.

“It was the worst food I’ve ever had at a Trump golf course.The only good thing was bread and butter," he told WIRED magazine.

Trump reportedly left the event immediately after his speech. He departed the venue in a golf cart bound for his helicopter, per the WIRED report. “Trump could have at least given the top people their watches himself," Pinto said.

The crypto-themed gathering drew a quirky and eclectic mix. Independent traders mingled with crypto executives, devoted Trump supporters, and even some professional athletes, according to the report.

Former NBA star Lamar Odom stood out in the crowd. A few attendees wore Bitcoin-orange bowties, while others showed off flashy gold Trump sneakers.

An independent crypto trader, who was not identified by WIRED, hadn’t originally planned on attending the dinner. Their goal was to profit from a potential price increase in the TRUMP token triggered by the competition.

However, with the trade currently in the red, they decided to make the most of the situation and enjoy the upscale dinner instead.Trump is said to have made a typically meandering and off-topic speech, which insiders say ran for about 25 minutes. Eventually, he addressed the topic of cryptocurrency.

“Did you see the helicopter?” Trump asked as he arrived at the venue in Marine One.

“Yeah, super cool!” someone shouted in reply.

Democratic lawmakers strongly criticized the president ahead of the private dinner.

“Donald Trump’s dinner is an orgy of corruption,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said Thursday at a press conference. “That’s what this is all about. We are here today to talk about exactly one topic: corruption, corruption in its ugliest form," she added.

Warren continued: “Donald Trump is using the presidency of the United States to make himself richer through crypto, and he’s doing it right out there in plain sight."

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Big Donors To Trump Military Parade Promised 'A VIP Experience'

President Donald Trump is promising a “dedicated VIP experience” to his donors at multiple events he is organizing with the military in June, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

Donors who contribute to America250 — a group formed to back Trump’s vision for an expansive celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary next year — are being promised exclusive entry to three major events.

The Journal report cited a fundraising proposal shared with donors, according to which these events include a military parade coinciding with Trump’s birthday in June.

A “military readiness” showcase he plans to lead at Fort Bragg featuring thousands of service members will be included in the celebration. A Fourth of July event in Washington is also being promised, per the report.

According to the fundraising proposal, Trump is set to attend a military parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. The event is expected to feature tanks, flyovers, and historical military re-enactments.

The president is slated to view the spectacle from an “official review stand." He is reportedly scheduled to give a speech during the celebration.

The parade is planned for June 14, which also happens to be Trump's birthday.

In April, the Associated Press first reported that a military parade on Trump's birthday was under consideration. The AP report noted that organizing a parade of that scale would likely require tens of millions of dollars.

The proposal was strongly criticized on social media at the time.

Author Stephen King wrote on the social platform X: "I understand Trump is planning a military parade to celebrate his birthday, just like his pal and fellow dictator Kim Jong Un. Cost to taxpayers: About $91 million. Way to make Donald's ego great(er) again."

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

While Catholics Celebrate, MAGA Seethes Over 'Woke' New Pope Leo XIV

Supporters of President Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement have expressed their opposition to the new leader of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was elected pope on Thursday and took the name Pope Leo XIV.

Last month, Prevost reposted a post on the social platform X sharing a piece by Bishop Menjivar that criticized Trump's policy on immigrants.

Earlier in February, Prevost had posted about Vice President JD Vance that has now gone viral. Sharing an opinion piece from the National Catholic Reporter critical of Vance, he reposted the headline of the op-ed: "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others."

The article was critical of Vance over his comments suggesting a hierarchy of Christian priorities.

MAGA influencer and political commentator Laura Loomer wrote a series of post on the social platform X Thursday, strongly criticizing Leo.

"The new Pope @drprevost supports illegal aliens and open borders. He retweeted tweets in support of “dreamers” aka illegals and attacked President Trump’s use of the phrase “bad hombres” to describe violent illegal aliens. He thinks it’s a “racist” phrase," she said in in one of the posts.

In another post, she wrote: "The new Pope once retweeted a post about how we need to keep praying for career criminal & drug addict George Floyd. The tweet said, 'May all hatred, violence and prejudice be eradicated.' What prejudice? Is that another way to spell FENTANYL OVERDOSE? MARXIST POPE!"

"THIS IS THE NEW POPE! His name is Robert Prevost. He’s the first American Pope. He is anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis. Catholics don’t have anything good to look forward to. Just another Marxist puppet in the Vatican," said another post from Loomer.

Several MAGA accounts on social media echoed this sentiment.

User @RedPilled1788 wrote on X: "He's as woke as Francis was. 'Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born prelate, and the late Pope Francis share many ideological alignments, particularly in their emphasis on pastoral care, inclusivity, and outreach to marginalized groups.'"

User @kyleraccio wrote: "And not a single tweet or prayer offering from him when President Trump was shot back in July."

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Slain Woman's Family Blasts Kristi Noem For 'Insult To Her Memory'

Parents of a 24-year-old woman who was murdered in Springfield, Illinois, in 2023 have slammed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for relocating her Illinois speech to the location where their daughter was killed, saying Noem is using the victim to "advance a cruel and heartless political agenda."

"Our daughter Emma radiated love and light everywhere she went and for all people. Even as a child, she was a friend to everyone and someone who spoke up for the less fortunate. She dedicated her life - her career and her free time - to causes of social justice and equity," wrote the parents of Emma Shafer in a statement released Wednesday, as reported by NBC Chicago.

"To see her used by Secretary Noem and others to advance a cruel and heartless political agenda is not just deeply painful to us — it is an insult to her memory," the statement added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Noem visited Springfield, where she criticized the state's Democratic leaders for their sanctuary policies that she said shield undocumented immigrants. In her remarks delivered close to the location of Shafer's murder, the secretary said Shafer's murderer was in the United States illegally at the time of the incident.

Noem stood alongside government officials and what she referred to as "angel families"— families she claimed had loved ones affected by crimes committed by individuals residing illegally in the U.S.

Shafer's parents chose not to attend the secretary's news conference and were reportedly holding a protest blocks away from Noem's news conference.

"Noem's words are in direct conflict with who Emma was as a person. Emma built up community and stood with all members, including immigrants," they said in their statement.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Why Trump Is Suddenly Backtracking On His 'Third Term'

President Donald Trump has stopped floating the idea that he would run for a third term — and CNN data analyst Harry Enten believes he knows why.

During an appearance on CNN Monday, Enten said the real reason Trump has stopped talking about a third term is because the idea is extremely unpopular among Americans, including Republicans.

“There’s a reason why Donald Trump is backtracking or saying, ‘No, I won’t actually do this,'" Enten said. "Because this idea is about as popular as New Coke was back in the mid-1980s.”

According to recent polling, there is strong opposition to Trump seeking a third term, with 76 percent of Americans against it. This includes a majority of Republicans, with only 21 percent expressing support overall — and even less support among Independents (16 percent).

During an interview with Kristen Welker on NBC on Sunday, Trump said he was not looking to run for a third time.

“It’s not something I’m looking to do,” the president said. “I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward," he added.

Earlier, in March, Trump said he was serious about running for a third term, adding that his team was looking into “methods” that would enable him to do so.

“A lot of people want me to do it,“ he added. “But we have—my thinking is, we have a long way to go. I’m focused on the current," the president said at the time.

Watch the video below or at this link.

— (@)

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

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