Monday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 11:30:00 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Finally, a new open thread, all topics welcome.

It's good to know you are never too old to work for DOJ, even in a position which requires the use of your brain, if you have the right connections. Uber-conservative former prosecutor and former Trump attorney Joseph di Genova, age 82, is back -- Trump just appointed him Counselor to the Attorney General:

Today, Joseph E. diGenova was sworn in as Counselor to the Attorney General, assuming a senior advisory role within the U.S. Department of Justice.
In this capacity, diGenova will advise the Attorney General on significant legal, policy, and enforcement matters, drawing on decades of experience in federal prosecution, complex investigations, and national legal practice.

Trump says it's unlikely Iran will get an extension on his ultimatum. More...]

Michael Avenatti, the lawyer who loved to go on the TeeVee before he went to prison for stealing money from Stormy Daniels, his $25 million NIKE extortion scam, and another theft of funds, fraud and tax case involving a former client, among others, just got released to a halfway house, where he will supposedly finish serving his sentence until mid-2028.

That's an awfully long time for BOP to put someone in a halfway house. I assume Avenatti will transfer to home detention for the last year or so, so this may be a big break for him.

< Pam Bondi Fired, Todd Blanche to Replace Her

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

This is scary (none / 0) (#1)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 03:26:07 PM EST

It's exactly how 3 Body Problem starts. It's about an alien invasion.

Feds look for a connection in cases of missing or dead scientists

USA TODAY review of publicly available information found at least 10 cases of disappearances or deaths that may be relevant to the investigation over several years, but the cases reveal inconsistent ties to scientific research and widely varying circumstances.

: I think that guy in Albuquerque, (none / 0) (#9)
by desertswine on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 09:40:39 PM EST

McCasland, a retired (for 13 years) AF general, had some health problems, took his gun, and walked off into the woods, not intending to be found. I don't know for sure, that's just what I think.

Joe DeGenerant (none / 0) (#2)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 03:30:45 PM EST

Has been exhumed and installed as leader of the Inquisition

Trump loyalist Joe diGenova now leading 'grand conspiracy' probe of Trump targets

Next time I (none / 0) (#3)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 03:32:15 PM EST

Will read first


A sprawling investigation.. (none / 0) (#4)
by jondee on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 03:36:22 PM EST

the guy's 81. His hardened arteries are going to have him sprawling any day now.


: Congratulations to them (none / 0) (#6)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 03:59:48 PM EST

for the successful reanimation

I would definitely want one (none / 0) (#5)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 03:58:01 PM EST

if I was a country

Exclusive interview: World faces new nuclear arms race
Conflict and instability could prompt as many as 20 countries to pursue a bomb, says global nuclear chief

That's the central lesson of Ukraine. Never give up your nukes.

Moving on to the private sector (none / 0) (#7)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 04:45:47 PM EST

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns

Chavez-DeRemer had been facing a probe from the Labor Department's inspector general over potential misconduct.

: Probably felt a need (none / 0) (#8)
by Peter G on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 07:50:53 PM EST

to spend more time with her family.

Going through Alex Karp's 'manifesto' (none / 0) (#10)
by jondee on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 11:13:31 PM EST

I'm not one of these 'all rich people of evil' types, but when you combine a megalomaniacal God complex and an Ayn Rand fixation with tens-of-billions of dollars, it's a recipe for disaster.

The Greeks said too much of anything is bad for you, but they never specifically mentioned too money and they should have. It obviously does weird things to people.

Two Examples of Political Nut Cases (none / 0) (#11)
by RickyJim on Tue Apr 21, 2026 at 12:15:13 AM EST

Mandami Derangement Syndrome.
Tucker Carlson's brother's 10 year journey from Trump lover to hater.

I find it quite shocking what supposedly intelligent people can believe with weak evidence.