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June 12, 2025
Trump's top general just undercut his 'invasion' claims
(CNN) One of the problems with making a series of brazen and hyperbolic claims is that it can be hard to keep everyone on your team on the same page. At a Senate hearing Wednesday, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine acknowledged that the United States isn’t currently facing such a threat. “I think at this point in time, I don’t see any foreign state-sponsored folks invading,” Caine said in response to Democratic questioning. This might sound like common sense; of course the United States isn’t currently under invasion by a foreign government. You’d probably have heard something about that on the news.
Go to discussionTroops and marines deeply troubled by LA deployment: 'Morale is not great'
(The Guardian) California national guards troops and marines deployed to Los Angeles to help restore order after days of protest against the Trump administration have told friends and family members they are deeply unhappy about the assignment and worry their only meaningful role will be as pawns in a political battle they do not want to join. Three different advocacy organisations representing military families said they had heard from dozens of affected service members who expressed discomfort about being drawn into a domestic policing operation outside their normal field of operations. The groups said they have heard no countervailing opinions.
Go to discussionTrump Voter Gets Choked Up After ICE Detains a Third of His Staff
(Daily Beast) Scardina, who runs a small roofing business in Florida’s Lower Keys, cannot believe it. “It’s quite a shock. You get to know these guys, you become their friends—not just an employer but a friend,” he told NBC6, visibly emotional. Adding to Scardina’s annoyance, the men had valid work permits and pending asylum applications, according to their attorney Regilucia Smith. “They are legally here,” she said. “Valid work permit, not even close to expired… again, no criminal records—not here, not in Nicaragua.”
Go to discussionTrump reacts to protests spreading: "Well, that's what you're saying. Do I believe you?"
(Daily Beast) Donald Trump shut down a Fox News reporter who claimed that anti-ICE protests are spreading across the country. The president fielded questions from the press as he entered the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., for a performance of Les Misérables on Wednesday evening. An estimate from NBC News states that protests, of varying sizes, have erupted in at least 25 cities across the continental United States. The BBC counted at least 14, while Associated Press came up with a similar figure.
Go to discussionState Department Celebrating Russia National Day Comes Under Scrutiny
(Newsweek) Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the U.S. "remains committed to supporting the Russian people" as the country marked Russia Day. The statement issued Thursday said that the U.S. wants "constructive engagement" with Moscow to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine. But some social media users have questioned the tone of Rubio's message to a country which has invaded Ukraine, with one X user describing it as "an insult."
Go to discussionCrowd goes wild as drag queens walk into Kennedy Center - and Trump is booed
(Raw Story) President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance attended a production of "Les Misérables" on Wednesday night where they were booed — but a group of drag queens who attended the show were cheered by the audience. The Advocate reported, "Tara Hoot, drag king Ricky Rosé, Vagenesis, and Maria Con Carne attended the show in formal regalia." As they entered, the audience cheered.
Go to discussionStephen Miller Can't Make America White. LA Is Paying for His Impotent Rage
(Salon) Donald Trump loves authoritarian theater, but let's not forget that Stephen Miller is also to blame for the violence and chaos in Los Angeles. Last week, the right-wing Washington Examiner reported that Trump's deputy chief of staff called a meeting with the top officials at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to "eviscerate" them for falling far short of the ridiculous goal he set of 3,000 deportations a day.
Go to discussionPope Leo plans to give a virtual address in his hometown of Chicago - at the same time as Trump's military parade
(The Independent) God-fearing patriots will now have a choice to make on Saturday between watching Donald Trump’s military and birthday parade, and a special address by Pope Leo XIV. The pontiff has announced plans to screen a video message and mass in his hometown of Chicago at the same time that the president’s multi-million dollar party will be happening in Washington, D.C. Tickets for the event, which is to be held at the Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox (Pope Leo’s favorite team), are being sold online at $5 each. As of Wednesday the 40,000-sea stadium was almost entirely sold out.
Go to discussionNew Trump Poll: Nobody Wants This!
(Splinter) Quinnipiac released a new poll today showing Trump under water on every single issue, and his approval rating has slipped into the danger zone of the 30s where presidents really start to lose power within their own party (because mathematically, the only way to get into the 30s in our two-party duopoly is to lose people within your own party). Trump’s job approval rating currently sits at just 38 percent.
Go to discussionBessent floats extending tariff pause for countries in 'good faith' trade talks
(CNBC) Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled the Trump administration’s openness on Wednesday to extend President Donald Trump’s current 90-day tariff pause beyond July 9 for the U.S.? top trading partners, as long as they show “good faith” in ongoing trade negotiations. The U.S. has 18 “important trading partners,” Bessent said at a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington.
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