Gas Bandit's Political Thread V: The Vampire Likes Bats

Piotyr

Piotyr

Vrii said:
Can't it be both? I feel like both are pretty dramatic fuckups.
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Well the first part is because they are the least qualified people imaginable to be in those positions. This is why they hate DEI so much, because they can't fail upwards when equality is considered.

The second part is pretty clearly that all official government channels must have their information preserved and recorded, and they do not want these conversations recorded so they can lie about them later with no repercussions.
 
Vrii

Vrii

Piotyr said:
they do not want these conversations recorded so they can lie about them later with no repercussions.
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I think it's pretty optimistic at this point to think that having them recorded would prevent them from lying about it, or result in repercussions for doing so.
 
MindDetective

MindDetective

Piotyr said:
Remember, Chelsea Manning got 35 years in prison for leaking classified information, as a frame of reference.

Also, the real question here is not why they invited the reporter to their Signal conversation, it's why they were having the conversation in Signal and not in actual government channels.
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And setting some of the posts in the chat to delete after so many weeks.
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
1/ Trump dismissed concerns over a potential national security breach after an editor at The Atlantic was added to a Signal group chat where top officials discussed U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. Trump stood by national security adviser Mike Waltz – who reportedly created the chat – saying, “Michael Waltz has learned a lesson, and he’s a good man.” Despite mounting criticism, Trump claimed the incident had “no impact at all” and refused to consider firings, saying: “It’s just something that can happen.” The National Security Council, meanwhile, confirmed the chat “appears to be authentic,” contradicting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s denial that “nobody was texting war plans.” But The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg said the group exchanged “attack sequence, weapons packages, targets” – details he withheld for national security reasons. (NBC News / Politico / ABC News / Axios / Bloomberg / Politico / Axios / CNBC)

2/ Top U.S. intelligence officials denied leaking classified war plans in a Signal group chat that included a journalist, but senators accused them of downplaying a serious national security breach. “If this information had gotten out, American lives could have been lost,” Sen. Mark Warner warned, calling the incident “reckless, sloppy, and stunning.” At a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and DNI Tulsi Gabbard insisted “no classified material” was shared despite journalist Jeffrey Goldberg reporting receiving “precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing” before a U.S. strike in Yemen. Under pressure from senators, both officials deflected responsibility to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying classification decisions fell under his authority. “You’re the head of the intelligence community,” Sen. Angus King told Gabbard. “You’re supposed to know about classifications.” Ratcliffe defended his actions, saying his communications “were lawful.” Democrats, meanwhile, demanded accountability with Sen. Ron Wyden saying, “There ought to be resignations.” (Associated Press / Axios / New York Times / Washington Post / NBC News / CNN / Bloomberg / NPR / CBS News / Wall Street Journal / The Hill / Politico)
  • Several Trump officials who criticized Hillary Clinton for using a private email server discussed sensitive military plans in a private Signal group chat. Participants included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz — all previously accused Clinton of recklessness and criminality. In 2016, Hegseth said “any security professional” acting like Clinton should be “criminally prosecuted,” while Rubio declared, “Nobody is above the law.” The White House confirmed the chat’s authenticity, but hasn’t explained why officials bypassed secure systems they once demanded Clinton be punished for avoiding. (NBC News / CNN / New York Times / Politico)
3/ Russia and Ukraine separately agreed with the U.S. to limit military activity in the Black Sea and stop strikes on energy infrastructure. Both pledged to “ensure safe navigation” and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes. Russia said it would implement the Black Sea truce only after U.S. sanctions on its agricultural banks are lifted – terms not mentioned in the U.S. announcement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, said Ukraine would comply but cautioned, “We do not trust them. In truth, the world does not trust Russia.” The U.S. also pledged to support prisoner exchanges and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. (Politico / The Guardian / Washington Post / New York Times / NBC News / CNN / Bloomberg / Wall Street Journal)

4/ Greenland’s government denied Trump’s claim that officials invited a U.S. delegation to the island, calling the visit “unwanted” and part of a “unacceptable pressure” by the U.S. to assert control over the territory. The delegation – led by second lady Usha Vance and including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright – is scheduled to arrive Thursday despite objections from Greenland and Denmark. Trump, who recently told Congress the U.S. would take Greenland “one way or the other,” claimed the trip was friendly and said, “We were invited over there.” Greenland’s caretaker government publicly refuted that, saying: “We have not extended any invitations […] and we have kindly requested all countries to respect this process.” (Politico / The Hill / USA Today / NPR / Associated Press / United Press International)

5/ Trump’s nominee to lead the Social Security Administration told senators he doesn’t support privatizing the agency. Frank Bisignano promised to conduct a “total review” of disruptions linked to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. While Bisignano distanced himself from DOGE’s leadership, a whistleblower alleged he was briefed on agency operations, approved DOGE hires, and imposed staffing decisions before confirmation. While the White House continues to claim these measures are aimed at rooting out “fraud, waste, and abuse,” internal data shows improper payments accounted for less than 1% of total benefits from 2015 to 2022. (Axios / Washington Post / New York Times / ABC News / NBC News / CNBC / Bloomberg)

The midterm elections are in 588 days.

✏ Notables.
  1. Texas reported 18 new measles cases in the last five days, raising the total to 327. Most cases are in unvaccinated children under 17. At least 40 people have been hospitalized, and one unvaccinated child has died – the first U.S. measles death in a decade. A second possible death is under review in New Mexico. (ABC News)
  2. Global energy demand rose 2.2% in 2024 – nearly twice the average of the past decade – as extreme heat drove up electricity use, particularly for cooling in Asia. The IEA said weather effects alone explained the full rise in coal demand, and nearly half of record-high CO2 emissions. Despite rapid growth in renewables and nuclear, fossil fuel use also increased, with natural gas demand up 2.7%. The IEA noted that “about half of the increase in global emissions would have been avoided” if 2024 temperatures had matched 2023. (Axios / International Energy Agency / Climate Action)
  3. U.S. consumer confidence fell to a 12-year low in March, with the Conference Board’s expectations index dropping 9.6 points to 65.2. The recession warning threshold is 80. Confidence in future job availability declined, as 16.7% of respondents expected more jobs, while 28.5% expected fewer. Federal job applications from employees at DOGE-targeted agencies, meanwhile, jumped 75% above 2022 levels. The spike followed layoffs by the Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, and showed high activity from workers at agencies like USAID, USDA, and CFPB. (Politico / CNBC / Axios / NBC News / United Press International / Hiring Lab)
  4. A White House adviser claimed the U.S. could sell gold reserves to fund large-scale Bitcoin purchases. Bo Hines, director of the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, claimed this would be “budget-neutral” and supports a bill from Sen. Cynthia Lummis proposing the acquisition of 1 million Bitcoin using gold certificates. Hines said Trump would choose from “countless ideas” to grow U.S. digital assets, but gave no timeline or specifics. Trump called Bitcoin a tool for “economic growth” and pledged to make the U.S. a “bitcoin superpower,” though no formal policy has been announced. (Yahoo News / Forbes)
  5. The Trump family’s crypto firm announced the launch of a stablecoin backed by U.S. Treasurys, dollar deposits, and cash equivalents. World Liberty Financial stablecoin, called USD1, coincides with the Trump administration’s push for legislation that would regulate and legitimize stablecoin issuers. The token will run on Ethereum and Binance blockchains, the latter tied to a firm whose founder has lobbied the Trump administration for legal relief. World Liberty claimed USD1 would offer “credible safeguards.” Earlier this year, Trump and Melania each launched meme coins – cryptocurrencies with no intrinsic value. (Politico / Wall Street Journal)
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
  1. Trump dismisses war plans leak as a “glitch” and calls reporter a “sleazebag” as Hegseth denies plans were classified and Congress presses Gabbard and Ratcliffe.
  2. Trump signs order requiring proof of citizenship to vote, banning birth certificates and leaving many married women and trans voters unable to register.
  3. RFK Jr. pulls $11.4 billion in CDC COVID funding, declares the pandemic over as 8 senior officials exit and 92,000 Americans die in the past two years.
  4. Trump-backed company launches new crypto dollar as his family prepares to collect 75% of profits from trading and investment fees.
  5. Trump’s Education Department investigates Oregon school for allowing trans athlete to compete under state law that protects gender identity.
  6. Danish PM accuses Trump administration of escalating Greenland standoff with unsolicited VP visit previously condemned by Danish and Greenland leaders.
  7. RNC demands voter data from 48 states as part of Trump-backed effort to cast doubt on future election integrity.
  8. Unsealed records show Trump’s DOJ forced prosecutors to drop corruption case against NYC mayor to protect his role in immigration crackdown.
  9. Trump nominates GOP attorney with history of financial misconduct and anti-abortion crusades to oversee $1 trillion in health fraud investigations.
  10. Sen. Wyden accuses Trump’s Social Security nominee of lying about role in installing Musk-aligned officials during tense confirmation hearing.
  11. Trump punishes fourth law firm, 110-year-old firm employing former Mueller prosecutor, by revoking security clearances and reviewing federal contracts.
  12. Disgraced anti-vaccine activist who has falsely posed as physician is hired by Trump’s HHS to “prove” debunked autism link using CDC data.
  13. Database at UMD tracking hate crimes, school shootings, mass violence taken offline without warning after Trump admin pulls funding.
  14. Judge blocks Trump from defunding Radio Free Europe after he shut down Voice of America two weeks ago.
  15. Columbia student and legal permanent resident who sued Trump over protest can’t be detained, judge rules.
  16. Trump-appointed housing chief Bill Pulte kills federal first-time buyer program, calling support for disadvantaged borrowers “inappropriate.”
  17. Trump move threatens to eliminate NIST spectroscopy group, putting global atomic data used in fusion, astronomy, and medicine at risk.
  18. House Speaker Mike Johnson claims Congress can eliminate courts, backs bill to block judges from halting Trump policies.
  19. Trump praises violent January 6 rioters, calls for paying them with taxpayer money, and threatens action against officer who shot Ashli Babbitt.
 
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GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
1/ The Supreme Court upheld federal regulations on “ghost guns,” ruling 7-2 that firearm kits sold online can be regulated like fully assembled guns. Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, said the Gun Control Act covers parts kits that can be “readily converted” into functional firearms. The 2022 Biden-era rule requires background checks, serial numbers, and sales records for these kits. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, meanwhile, dissented, calling the rule an overreach beyond the statute’s scope. (ABC News / NBC News / Washington Post / Associated Press / New York Times / CNN / Wall Street Journal)

2/ Democrats flipped a Pennsylvania state Senate seat in a special election that Trump carried by 15 points in 2024. James Malone defeated Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons by 482 votes in District 36, which no Democrat had held since 1889. “We flipped this seat by listening to what our community needs and cares about,” Malone said. The seat became vacant when Republican Sen. Ryan Aument resigned to join Sen. Dave McCormick’s staff. The victory narrows the Republican majority in the state Senate to 27-23. (The Hill / The Guardian / Downballot / New York Times / Politico / CNN)

3/ A special election in Florida’s 6th Congressional District, once considered safe for Republicans, has unexpectedly tightened. Republican state Sen. Randy Fine, endorsed by Trump, is facing a challenge from Democrat Josh Weil, who raised nearly $10 million – compared to Fine’s under $1 million. Internal Republican polling shows Fine underperforming, and early voting data shows Democrats slightly ahead, despite the district’s strong Republican tilt. Trump and national Republicans have stepped in with robocalls and ad money. “We have a candidate that I don’t think is winning,” said Steve Bannon, while Gov. Ron DeSantis called it “a candidate-specific issue,” not a Trump referendum. (Wall Street Journal / Politico / NBC News / The Hill)

4/ Trump signed an executive order requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and banning states from counting ballots received after Election Day. The order directs federal agencies to share data with states to help identify noncitizens on voter rolls and threatens to withhold federal election funding from states that don’t comply. Legal experts, however, say Trump lacks the authority to make such changes, calling it “unlawful” and warning it could disenfranchise millions. Democrats pledged legal action, while Republicans called the order a “first step” toward restoring trust in elections. Trump said, “We’ve got to straighten out our election,” adding: “This will end it, hopefully.” (Associated Press / Washington Post / Wall Street Journal / The Guardian / Bloomberg / Axios / New York Times / Politico / NBC News / Reuters / NPR)

5/ The Atlantic published the full Signal group chat showing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sharing real-time U.S. military strike details against Houthi militants in Yemen – including launch times and weapon types. The unclassified group chat, which mistakenly included The Atlantic’s editor Jeffrey Goldberg, showed Hegseth writing, “1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package)” and “1415: Strike Drones on Target […] THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP.” While Trump officials denied any breach, insisting “no classified materials or war plans were shared,” former CIA officer Mick Mulroy called the content “highly classified and protected,” adding: “Next to nuclear and covert operations, this information is the most protected.” Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker said the messages were “of such a sensitive nature that […] I would have wanted it classified.” Despite administration attempts to downplay the incident, the National Security Council confirmed the messages were authentic. (NBC News / Associated Press / Axios / CNN / Washington Post / ABC News / CNBC / Bloomberg / Wall Street Journal)
  • Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal. “The administration has downplayed the importance of the text messages inadvertently sent to The Atlantic’s editor in chief.” (The Atlantic)
6/ Trump announced a 25% tariff “on all cars that are not made in the United States.” The tariffs take effect April 2, which he called “the beginning of liberation day.” They apply to finished vehicles, including U.S. brands assembled overseas, and are expected to raise car prices by $4,000 to $12,000, depending on the model and origin. (Bloomberg / CNBC / New York Times / Washington Post / Wall Street Journal)

7/ The U.S. could default on its bills as early as August or September if Congress doesn’t raise or suspend the $36.1 trillion debt limit. The Treasury has relied on “extraordinary measures” since January to avoid breaching the cap but hasn’t said how long those steps will last. The Congressional Budget Office said the timeline could shift earlier – potentially to late May or June – if tax revenue falls short of expectations. House Republicans, meanwhile, proposed raising the limit by $4 trillion in a partisan budget package tied to Trump’s legislative priorities, including tax cuts. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would provide a more precise estimate in May and urged lawmakers to act quickly. (Politico / Bloomberg / ABC News)

The midterm elections are in 587 days.

✏ Notables.
  1. The Trump administration ordered the CDC to pull back $11.4 billion in COVID-19 funding from state and local health departments, NGOs, and international groups. The Department of Health and Human Services said the pandemic is “over” and the funds are “no longer necessary.” (NBC News / Associated Press / New York Times)
  2. The Trump administration will cancel a $2.6 billion grant for a nonprofit that provides vaccines to children in low-income countries. Gavi estimated the cut could lead to 75 million unvaccinated children and 1.2 million child deaths over the next five years. While some HIV, tuberculosis, and food aid programs will continue, USAID confirmed that 5,341 foreign aid awards will be cut, with only 898 remaining. (New York Times / Reuters / The Guardian)
  3. Seven transgender and nonbinary Americans sued the Trump administration over a new passport policy that blocks gender marker changes and bans the “X” designation. Trump’s executive order, issued on his first day back in office, defines sex strictly as male or female and halted pending gender marker updates. Plaintiffs say the policy prevents them from traveling and forces them to carry documents that misrepresent their identity. (Associated Press / Axios)
  4. A federal appeals court allowed the Trump administration to suspend new refugee admissions but ordered it to continue processing refugees who were already conditionally approved. The 9th Circuit narrowed a lower court’s ruling that had blocked Trump’s suspension of the refugee program entirely. The panel cited a 2018 Supreme Court decision that upheld Trump’s authority to limit entry into the U.S. (Associated Press)
  5. The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to let it freeze over $600 million in teacher-training grants, arguing the money supports diversity, equity, and inclusion programs it now opposes. A federal judge in Massachusetts blocked the cuts after eight Democratic-led states sued, saying the terminations were arbitrary and would harm schools already struggling with teacher shortages. Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris told the Court the judge’s order “irreparably harms” the government and accused federal courts of acting as “self-appointed managers of executive branch funding.” (CNN / Axios / New York Times / Bloomberg / Politico)
  6. A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s effort to detain and deport a 21-year-old Columbia student and green card holder arrested during a pro-Palestinian protest at Barnard College. Judge Naomi Buchwald found no evidence Yunseo Chung posed a threat and ordered that she not be removed from the Southern District of New York. Chung, who immigrated from South Korea as a child and was valedictorian of her high school, sued the administration after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempted to locate and arrest her, citing a rarely used statute tied to foreign policy risks. The ruling follows the Trump administration detaining Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student and green card holder, who remains in ICE custody in Louisiana. The administration claims Khalil supported Hamas and failed to disclose affiliations with certain organizations on his green card application. His lawyers deny the allegations and argue his detention is retaliation for protected speech, saying Khalil “is being punished in the most autocratic way for his constitutionally protected speech.” A judge temporarily blocked Khalil’s deportation while his lawsuit proceeds. (New York Times / The Guardian / Washington Post / NBC News / Politico / NBC News / CBS News / Axios)
  7. Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old member of Elon Musk’s DOGE team who goes by “Big Balls,” once provided network support to a cybercrime group known for harassment and data theft. While still in high school, he ran a company that helped host a website that posted stolen data and stalked an FBI agent. (Reuters / New Republic)
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
  1. The Atlantic published the full Signal chat showing Trump officials leaked strike details before Yemen attacks; The WH smeared reporters, downplayed risks, and said an apology was unnecessary.
  2. Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imported cars and parts, threatening global supply chains and sparking backlash from allies.
  3. Judge Howell rejected Trump’s recusal motion in a case targeting law firm Perkins Coie and warned that DOJ attacks on her threaten the rule of law.
  4. Social Security delayed new ID rules and exempted Medicare, disability, and SSI applicants, but will still require new retirement and survivor applicants to appear in person.
  5. Appeals court upholds Judge Boasberg’s order blocking Trump’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants without due process, ruling he can’t invoke wartime powers when the U.S. isn’t at war.
  6. Homeland Security Secretary Noem posed with shackled, shirtless prisoners behind her during a tour of the El Salvador prison holding deported Venezuelans and warned immigrants they could be sent there.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem poses in front of a cell filled with Venezuelan prisoners the US has jailed in El Salvador. (Photo: screengrab from Kristi Noem video posted on X)
  1. Noem also said the Trump administration plans to eliminate FEMA’s long-term disaster programs and eliminate the agency’s rebuilding role.
  2. The administration filed an emergency petition at the Supreme Court to cancel teacher training grants it claims promote DEI, critical race theory, and anti-racism.
  3. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene chaired a House hearing attacking NPR and PBS as “communist” and “anti-American,” and ended with her calling for the complete dismantling of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—even though NPR and PBS get nearly all of their funding from non-government sources.
  4. Trump administration plans to end U.S. funding for international child vaccines and cut global aid programs, despite warnings of 1.2 million child deaths without support.
  5. A viral video shows masked federal agents arresting a Tufts graduate student with a valid visa and flying her from MA to LA in defiance of a judge’s order, citing alleged Hamas ties but without filing charges.
  6. Over one thousand people protested at Tufts after federal agents arrested graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk, who held a valid visa and is now jailed in Louisiana without charges.
  7. A federal judge extended the pause on Trump’s mass firing of probationary federal workers as states argue they face harm from sudden job losses.
  8. Federal prosecutors are investigating a GSK claim that Pfizer delayed announcing its COVID vaccine success in 2020 to avoid helping Trump before the election.
  9. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who invited The Atlantic’s editor to the military planning Signal chat, also left his Venmo friends list public—exposing ties to White House officials, lobbyists, and journalists.
  10. Ohio health officials confirm 10 measles cases as the national total hits 378 in 18 states, with Kansas reporting 23 infections.
  11. European Commission urges citizens to stockpile at least three days of supplies, citing Russia’s war threats, sabotage concerns, and Trump’s confrontational stance.
  12. Embattled Tesla expands to oil-producing Saudi Arabia, a kingdom tied to Trump and the 2018 “funding secured” fiasco.
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
Ravenpoe said:
I'm pretty sure Jesus had something to say about that...

“And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”
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"But I want underaged concubines." - Modern American Clergy
 
Celt Z

Celt Z

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: you know why almost all guys like this are homophobes? Because they think that normalizing homosexuality will mean other men can treat them like they treat women.
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
Man, fuck Uline. "If we can't hold their health care hostage, we can't compete with $6000 they got over the course of 2 years. Must be BAD PARENTS."

 
Bubble181

Bubble181

We were told we should be job hopping, keep learning and growing, getting better.
Companies showed they no longer cared to be "families" who took care of their people and were willing to invest in personal growth.
If your employees are all leaving before two years are up, that's just the hand of the free market at work. Make yourself more appetizing. Offer better wages, a better environment, a better atmosphere, better growth opportunities to stay with management terms.
 
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