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One hundred and three House Democrats — and one Republican — voted on Wednesday to strip $3.3 billion in military aid from Israel. The amendment failed 104 to 314. But for the first time, a majority of the Democratic caucus voted to cut the aid. More Democrats voted yes than no. The House’s No. 2 Democrat, Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, voted yes. “There’s also a real sense that the status quo cannot continue,” she said. Former House leader Steny Hoyer voted no, warning it would “dangerously undermine American national security.” The Democratic leadership split down the middle on Israel… in public… for the first time. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, proposed the amendment himself. He was the only member of his party to vote for it. “I think we should stop it… we should put them on a diet,” he said. He said the $3.3 billion could be better spent on roads, bridges, and veterans at home… and that American weapons were being used on “oftentimes innocent civilians.” The vote landed as progressive candidates have been toppling pro-Israel incumbents in primary after primary this year. Voters are watching. The midterms are four months away. And the number 104 will follow every Democrat who voted no into their re-election campaigns. The amendment did not pass. But the crack in the wall is now public. A majority of one party’s caucus voted to cut military funding to a country the U.S. has backed without pause since 1948. Two years ago, only 37 Democrats voted the same way. The crack in the wall is now public. | |
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BREAKING Trump Fired a Federal Prosecutor 54 Minutes After 17 Judges Unanimously Appointed Him — by Email, While He Waited in a Lobby |
At 7:40 a.m. on Wednesday, 17 federal judges in Seattle… appointed by five presidents… swore in Roger Rogoff as the new U.S. attorney for western Washington. Their vote was unanimous. By 8:34 a.m., Trump had fired him. The notice came by email while Rogoff sat in a lobby waiting to start work. Rogoff is a former state judge, a former federal prosecutor, and spent 20 years in state prosecution. The judges chose him because Trump had never sent a permanent nominee to the Senate. His interim pick, Neil Floyd… a former immigration judge… had run out of his 120-day term in February. Trump simply changed Floyd’s title and kept him running the office. An appeals court called the move legally questionable. This is at least the third time this year the administration has fired a court-appointed U.S. attorney within hours. Donald Kinsella was fired the same day he was sworn in at a New York district. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on social media: “District court judges can appoint a temporary U.S. Attorney, and POTUS can fire them.” Rogoff has retained lawyers and is preparing to sue. “The situation is untenable, not constitutional, and not legal,” he said. Senator Patty Murray of Washington said the administration “doesn’t want to deal with advice and consent… they just want to install cronies to carry out a corrupt political agenda.” The man the judges chose lasted less than an hour. The man the White House wants has no Senate confirmation and a title that a court called improper. |
EXPOSED Blanche Testified for Five Hours to Become Attorney General — He Refused to Meet the Epstein Survivors Sitting Behind Him | |
Ten survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes sat in the hearing room on Wednesday while Todd Blanche testified for five hours to become the next Attorney General of the United States. Senator Dick Durbin asked Blanche to meet with them. He said he was “prohibited.” “All he had to say was yes,” Durbin told reporters afterward. Blanche admitted the DOJ made “mistakes” releasing the Epstein files… including failing to redact victims’ personal photos and identifying details. He said the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund is “dead” and not “moving forward.” But Senator Cornyn pressed him: the settlement with Trump is still an enforceable contract. Trump’s lawyers could try to bring the fund back. Blanche agreed that was possible. The same settlement shields Trump and his sons from legal liability for past tax violations. Senator Adam Schiff asked if that means the president is immune from IRS claims. Blanche said current filings are not protected. But filings already submitted are. Trump’s financial disclosure shows more than $1 billion in income from crypto-related ventures last year alone. Also in the room: Elizabeth Oyer, the DOJ’s former pardon attorney. She testified that she was fired one day after refusing to restore gun rights for a man convicted of domestic violence. One day. More than 1,200 former DOJ employees signed a letter urging the Senate to reject Blanche. Cornyn told reporters he is “not sold.” Blanche needs every Republican on the committee. Graham’s empty desk sat draped in black cloth with white flowers. The hearing continues Thursday. | |
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DEVELOPING Graham’s Sister Was Appointed to His Senate Seat on Trump’s Recommendation — She Has Never Held Public Office |
On Monday, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone to the U.S. Senate. She is Lindsey Graham’s younger sister. She has never held elected office. She was commissioner of the state’s Commission for the Blind. Trump recommended her on Truth Social… calling it “a fabulous tribute to Lindsey.” She was sworn in on Tuesday. She is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate. Tim Scott called her “a wonderful placeholder.” She will serve until January unless she runs and wins the special election in November. Her vote matters now. Graham chaired the Budget Committee… the panel that controls the next reconciliation bill. He sat on the Judiciary Committee… where Blanche’s confirmation is being decided. With McConnell still hospitalized, the GOP margin was already paper-thin. Graham’s sister restores one vote. But she has no committee assignments, no staff of her own, and no legislative record. A special primary is set for August 11. Several South Carolina Republicans have already filed to run. The seat Graham held for 23 years is now occupied by someone who was chosen by a governor, at the recommendation of the president, with no campaign, no primary, and no vote from the public. That is how the machine fills its chairs. |
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They rely on the shadows. |