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Pam Bondi Fired, Todd Blanche to Replace Her

By Jeralyn, Section Trump Administration
Posted on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 12:40:08 PM EST
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The rumors are true. Donald Trump has fired Pam Bondi. Todd Blanche, one of his personal lawyers from his criminal trial in New York and a former federal prosecutor, currently serving as Deputy AG, will take her place.

Bondi will return to the private sector, according to Trump. (CBS had reported she would remain in the Administration in another capacity.)

Many are speculating that the reasons for the firing are her mishandling of the release of files in the Jeffrey Epstein case. There's also her failure to fulfill his personal vengeful agenda and file charges against Adam Schiff and Letitia James.

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    Pam Bondi Fired, Todd Blanche to Replace Her | 120 comments (120 topical)

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    In other words (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 01:03:31 PM EST
    We still won't release the files, but we maybe we can convince the rubes that it's all Pam Bondi's fault.

    Blanche (none / 0) (#16)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 02:15:14 PM EST
    has said as much.

    Parent
    The upside (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 01:24:54 PM EST
    is things can only get worse from here.

    Imagine, a former personal attorney as your AG? If the Senate confirms that, they all need to go.

    I am sure I can count on Fetterman to do the right thing. /s

    John F. Kennedy appointed his younger brother (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Peter G on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 04:47:08 PM EST
    -- Bobby Kennedy -- as AG. A scandal at the time. Although RFK turned out to be a good one.

    Parent
    And federal law has since been changed ... (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 01:33:03 PM EST
    ... to preclude that scenario from ever arising again. See 5 U.S.C. Sec. 3110 (Pub. L. 90-206, title II, § 221(a), Dec. 16, 1967, 81 Stat. 640; amended Pub. L. 95-454, title IX, § 906(a)(2), Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1224).

    Nepotism in general is a bad and corrosive government practice. Hawaii has no such law prohibiting it, and as a local government employee myself (since retired), time and again at work I had to deal with the consequences of that.

    There was that time a Senate president appointed his sister as Senate Clerk. And oh, what fun we had when a governor attempted (and thankfully failed) to appoint the 31-year-old trophy wife of the state's attorney general to vacant seat on the State Supreme Court, right after the legislature had adjourned sine die for the year, which compelled us to return three weeks later in special session in order to vote it down before the appointment would take effect by default after 45 days.

    There was also that time the mayor of Maui County hired her own husband's law firm to defend the county in a lawsuit over water rights and violations of the federal Clean Water Act. Or when the University of Hawaii athletic director hired his 22-year-old son to be the first director of facilities for the school's brand new 10,000-seat on-campus sports arena and athletics complex.

    But my personal favorite was the time a deputy department head called me on the phone to whine about a formal complaint I had made regarding her division's slow-walk of a mandatory release of requested data - a call which concluded with "You should've called me directly; you didn't have to tell my dad!"

    Aloha.

    Parent

    There's a chance Fetterman (none / 0) (#4)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 01:46:38 PM EST
    could do the right thing, if he drank a 7-11 slurpee and had another brain freeze.

    Parent
    This is who we are now (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 07:30:37 PM EST
    Europe Has Postwar Plan to Free Up Hormuz Without U.S.
    April 14, 2026 at 7:25 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 129 Comments

    "European countries are putting together a plan for a broad coalition of countries to help free up shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, including sending mine-clearing and other military vessels," the Wall Street Journal reports.

    "But the plan would only come after the war and may exclude one country in particular: the U.S."

    --------

    Europe Is Accelerating a NATO Fallback Plan
    April 14, 2026 at 7:24 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 30 Comments

    "A fallback plan to ensure Europe can defend itself using NATO's existing military structures if the U.S. departs is gaining traction after getting buy-in from Germany, a long-term opponent of a go-it-alone approach," the Wall Street Journal reports.

    "The plans--advancing informally through side discussions and over dinner meetings in and around the North Atlantic Treaty Organization--aren't intended to rival the current alliance, participants said. European officials are aiming to preserve deterrence against Russia, operational continuity and nuclear credibility even if Washington withdraws forces from Europe or refuses to come to its defense, as President Trump has threatened."

    "The plans, first conceived last year, underscore the depth of European anxiety over U.S. reliability."

    Quote of the day (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 09:08:48 AM EST
    week and month

    Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth, it is a world turned upside down, an exploitation of God's creation that must be denounced and rejected by every honest conscience

    Pope Leo - today

    link

    "Darkness and filth" indeed! (5.00 / 3) (#56)
    by Peter G on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 09:58:41 AM EST
    And "every honest conscience" - amen.

    Parent
    Scaramucci (none / 0) (#57)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 10:14:30 AM EST
    said that Trump's attacks on the pope were a defense of Hegseth. I see it now with that quote.

    Parent
    Trump policy: Take candy from babies. (none / 0) (#58)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 11:58:43 AM EST
    Trump abruptly cancelled an $11 million contract with Catholic Charities in Miami to shelter and care for migrant children who enter the U.S. alone.  This ends a relationship between the Catholic Church and the federal government dating back to the first arrivals of Cuban exiles in South Florida.

    Parent
    I suspect (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 12:47:56 PM EST
    a has always been in charge

    Rumor is there might be more (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 03:06:00 PM EST
    The thinking is replace them now while you can get the replacements you want because after Jan you won't be able to get your hacks confirmed.

    Yes (none / 0) (#17)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 02:17:14 PM EST
    I heard the same thing but the goal is to distract from the failing War in Iran.

    Parent
    Reuters (none / 0) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 04:59:58 PM EST

    Exit of Trump officials including FBI director Patel under discussion, Atlantic reports

    Parent

    Interesting (none / 0) (#27)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 12:46:07 PM EST
    discussion I heard was that the ones that were going to be the biggest problem to get rid of are Tulsi and RFK Jr. because they apparently have their own subcult thing going on.

    Parent
    RFK Jr and I have known each other for a long time (5.00 / 4) (#44)
    by fishcamp on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 04:35:45 PM EST
    as I've mentioned before.  I skied with the family every time they came to Aspen, and I filmed an eagle relocation show for  an ABC American Sportsman series with him as the talent.  I had to wake him up the first morning and his room was strewn with wrinkled clothing everywhere.  He is a very messy guy, and has many problems like infidelity recently.  I read where he talked his wife through it so he wouldn't have to quit his  position and leave a black mark on Trumps cabinet.  His true reason is he wants to be President.
    Anyway my ex wife and her sister wanted to invite them over for dinner so they could meet Bobby and his first wife.  Everything was fine and after dinner Bobby wanted to take Jill my SIL for a snowmobile ride.  They were gone for a very long time in the dark on a strange road that goes way up a ski mountain I lived next to.  Later Jill told us he wanted to marry her, and she said he was serious even though his wife was at our house.  They were soon divorced.  What a guy.


    Parent
    A black mark (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 11:30:20 AM EST
    on the Trump Administration? LOL. He is the cause of many black marks. I have heard many pundits say the same thing about RFK Jr. wanting to be president. He and Tulsi can split the nutters in the GOP primary.

    I hope your SIL was not in the book he kept of his "conquests" that his ex-wife found.

    Going to say again you should write a book along with Peter. Both of you have such stories and experiences to be shared.

    Parent

    Many of us have known men like RFK Jr. (none / 0) (#48)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 14, 2026 at 05:52:08 PM EST
    In our younger years, they were the guys who had a knack for bedding women because they were willing to say and do practically anything to get there, much like the relentlessly womanizing Barney Stinson in the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother," who was played to absolute perfection (ironically) by LGBTQ actor Neil Patrick Harris.

    Unfortunately, there's a lot of truth in Joe Gillis' (William Holden) vicious and cutting remark to the delusional Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) in director Billy Wilder's noir psychodrama Sunset Boulevard (1950): "There's nothing tragic about being 50, not unless you try to be 25." (So of course, she had no choice but to shoot him.)

    When I was working in the Hawaii legislature, there was this state senator who epitomized the emptiness of that sort of sexual hedonism. He was particularly notable for having advocated for term limits when first campaigning for his office, promising to serve only two four-year terms and then staying for five.

    Anyway, by the time Sen. A.G. Ingstud was 60, he had already fathered six children by four different women and had just left wife no. 4 to take up with an ambitious Fox News blonde (literally) who was less than half his age. Shortly thereafter, he had yet another kid, this time out of wedlock.

    Fast forward. Sen. Ingstud, age 82, died of a heart attack at home - alone. The Honolulu coroner estimated that his body had laid on the floor of his bedroom for over four days before it was discovered by police on a wellness check, which only occurred because neighbors had complained about the stench.

    None of his extended family that he had left littered in his wake had bothered to report him missing because honestly, it's likely that nobody cared. By living a lifestyle of relentless self-absorption, he had eventually alienated them all. None of his seven children or any of his ex-wives and former partners attended his funeral. But I was there, as were a number of his old legislative colleagues. We all thought that was sad.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Its true (none / 0) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 04:56:15 PM EST
    RFKj is probably going to run for president and has his own protein cult and she is the favorite of some former Nader types.  I know some.  Well, knew some.  

    Being a fan of hers even before Trump found her gave me the willies.  I never understood it.

    Of course Trump only cares because his own reputation is not even in the toilet.  Its in the abandoned PortaPotty

    He needs call the cult he can get

    PWire

    This week Mr Trump's net approval hit -23 percentage points among all Americans and -19 among registered voters. That is worse than the president's previous low of -21 in 2017, and roughly matches Joe Biden's nadir after his disastrous debate performance in 2024, when many Americans concluded he was unfit for office.



    Parent
    It's hard to believe (none / 0) (#29)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 04, 2026 at 05:13:43 PM EST
    Nader types would still respect her. Maybe a few of them took too many mushrooms or something..

    Her spinelessness and slippery ethics are so transparent it's pretty hard to miss.

    Parent

    Tulsi (none / 0) (#30)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 10:55:32 AM EST
    seemed to me to be a snake especially when Hillary basically set a trap for her about being a Russian asset and she walked right into it. RFK Jr. essentially repeated Tulsi's electoral scam from 2016 in 2024.

    Scaramucci says that Trump cares nothing about the GOP or what happens to the party in the future. He says all Trump cares about is making (grifting) money for his family. And as long as the GOP can't find their way out of a paper bag or quit being sycophants he will continue the behavior. Considering Trump's numbers you would think a lot of discharge petitions would be coming out of the house but house GOP appears to have decided to sink with the titanic.

    So until the new D house (hopefully) is sworn in in Jan 2027 this is the way it is going to be. The horror show will continue.

    Parent

    Have you heard Chris Christie's rap (none / 0) (#31)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 02:04:27 PM EST
    about the Kushners? Oy. These are the people we let get close to the levers of power. They're not even hiding the sleaze anymore.

    What a bizarre timeline.

    Parent

    do you have a link? (none / 0) (#32)
    by leap2 on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 02:09:10 PM EST
    n/t

    Parent
    I think it's (none / 0) (#34)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 04:50:43 PM EST
    'Chris Christie Unloads On The Kushners' on YouTube

    Parent
    Trump's (none / 0) (#35)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 04:56:51 PM EST
    (one assumes) carefully vetted choice for U.S Ambassador to France. Unreal.

    Parent
    As U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, ... (none / 0) (#43)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Apr 12, 2026 at 01:50:11 PM EST
    ... Chris Christie had indicted and convicted Charles Kushner on federal fraud charges, so he has first-hand knowledge.

    So of course, Charles Kushner is now U.S. ambassador to France, where he's already run afoul of President Emannuel Macron over his reported interference in that country's internal affairs.

    Oy.

    Parent

    He blackmailed his own sister (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 01:48:17 PM EST
    and tried to destroy her marriage and her husband's reputation. What a class act.

    Makes you wonder what levels he stoop to when dealing with people outside the family.

    These are the type of people Trump respects and puts his faith in.

    Parent

    My sister rented from Jared (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 02:17:59 PM EST
    in Massachusetts. Don't get me started. Slumlord wannabe pretty much covers it.

    In the immortal words of Tom Waits, he'd sell a rat's as* to a blind man for a wedding ring.

    Parent

    speaking of Tom Waits (that has nothing (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by leap2 on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 05:05:32 PM EST
    to do with this thread), he has joined the 21st C protest song/video realm

    Parent
    Boots on the ground (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 16, 2026 at 09:53:57 PM EST
    all they talk about is "boots"; not flesh and blood human beings.

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#33)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 06, 2026 at 02:42:38 PM EST
    I saw an interview with Christie and he was all over how bad the Kushner family is/was.

    Parent
    This is interesting (none / 0) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 03:08:33 PM EST

    Trump's reasoning for the sudden dismissal comes in part because the President believes Bondi tipped off Eric Swalwell about the FBI's efforts to release investigative documents related to his relationship with an alleged Chinese spy.

    Apparently they are friends?

    where is the quote from? (none / 0) (#10)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 09:18:02 PM EST


    Parent
    I honestly don't remember. (none / 0) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 10:06:26 PM EST
    I searched with that text.  Usually that will show a recent link. But no luck. Sorry

    AI said this

    According to reports, President Trump dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi in part due to accusations that she tipped off Representative Eric Swalwell about impending FBI disclosures, specifically files regarding his past ties to a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, Fang Fang. This alleged leak prompted suspicion in the White House that Bondi interfered with, or signaled the FBI's actions to, the Congressman.

    Key Details regarding the incident:
    The Allegation: Trump reportedly believed Bondi warned Swalwell about the imminent public release of the "[Fang Fang Files]," which documented the relationship between the Democratic Representative and suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang.

    The "Tip-Off" Concern: The White House was reportedly displeased with what they viewed as intervention in sensitive matters, driven by a personal connection between Bondi and Swalwell, according to reports.

    Broader Context: The move is part of broader tensions, with [Hindustan Times] reporting it as a major factor in her sudden firing, while other reports, such as from [ASIATimes], suggested the firing was also influenced by issues surrounding the [Jeffrey Epstein files].

    Swalwell's Reaction: Swalwell's legal team has previously sent a cease-and-desist letter to the FBI regarding the release of these files.

    Bondi's firing was confirmed on April 2, 2026, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche taking over in an acting capacity.
    New York Post
    New York Post
     

    Parent

    maybe from (none / 0) (#12)
    by leap2 on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 10:41:56 PM EST
    here?

    Parent
    Maybe (none / 0) (#13)
    by desertswine on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 11:39:59 PM EST
    The Daily Mail?

    Parent
    That (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 07:57:47 AM EST
    Was it

    Parent
    Also, and now Hogshead fires the (none / 0) (#8)
    by desertswine on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 05:12:43 PM EST
    Army Chief of Staff.

    WASHINGTON, April 2 (Reuters) - U.S. Army Chief of Staff Randy George has been asked to step down by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and take immediate retirement, two U.S. defense officials and a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

    I hope Pete (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 02, 2026 at 05:27:36 PM EST
    is the next casualty

    Parent
    He also fired the Army (none / 0) (#15)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 09:30:10 AM EST
    Chief of Chaplains. A black general.

    The article described Hogsbreath as a Christian Nationalist. They got it wrong. White Christian Nationalist is more accurate.

    Parent

    Yes, it is (none / 0) (#18)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 02:18:32 PM EST
    blame everyone time. Hegseth is blaming the military leadership for the disaster in Iran while Trump is blaming cabinet members for his low approval ratings. I would imagine Hegseth may not be long for  his cabinet position.

    Parent
    I agree (none / 0) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 02:28:12 PM EST
    Trump is going to find some important private sector duties for Pete sooner than later.

    Parent
    Pete better hope and pray (none / 0) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 03:40:26 PM EST
    that the IRGC doesn't take his "no quarter" bullshite seriously.

    A second US combat plane has crashed today following an F-15 being downed over southern Iran, this time near the Strait of Hormuz. Two US officials told the New York Times that an A-10 Warthog pilot was safely rescued following the crash, which reportedly happened around the same time as the F-15 went down.

    A US helicopter searching for the downed F-15 has also reportedly been hit by a projectile, Iran's Mehr news agency said. One of the two US pilots in the fighter jet that went down has been rescued alive by US forces, two US officials told NBC News. The pilot is now undergoing medical treatment, two US officials confirmed to Newsmax.



    Parent
    I thought we already "won" (none / 0) (#23)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 04:35:41 PM EST
    weeks ago. They seem to still have a lot of projectiles for a military that's been completely decimated in the decimatingest decimation in history.

    I wish just once one of these press corps lapdogs would grow a pair and take one for the team and tell Trump how effing FOS he is to his face.

    Parent

    At least half (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 04:47:59 PM EST
    their launching capabilities survive.

    US intelligence assesses Iran maintains significant missile launching capability

    And thousands of drones

    As far as the press I'm sure almost all would be happy to tell him but they never get a chance.

    The white house press corps is now Laura Loomer and NEWSMAX.  Trump never sees real reporters.

    Parent

    They're nasty people (none / 0) (#26)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 05:09:25 PM EST
    I mean, IF you were running a country roughly three times the size of Iraq, half of which is rugged mountainous terrain; you have the money to spend and you're trading partners with powerful adversaries of the U.S and you have decades to dig-in to prepare, what would you do?

    'Half of their launching capability surviving' is probably a very rough estimate.

    Parent

    Hegseth seems like the kind (none / 0) (#21)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 03:17:27 PM EST
    of guy who would kiss each one of Trump's toes every morning if that's what it took to stay in his good graces.

    Parent
    I already (none / 0) (#19)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Apr 03, 2026 at 02:20:02 PM EST
    thought the investigations of the Trump administration would be legendary but it seems these  firings and the ones to come are going to kick it up to a notch "never seen before"

    I scored 100% (none / 0) (#36)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 04:12:37 PM EST

    FBI's New Political Pre-Crime Center

    Now, Trump's budget request reveals, the FBI runs a dedicated "NSPM-7 Joint Mission Center"; with personnel from 10 federal agencies, it is busy "proactively" identifying domestic terrorists motivated by any of the following beliefs:

    "anti-Americanism,"

    "anti-capitalism,"

    "anti-Christianity,"

    "support for the overthrow of the U.S. Government,"

    "extremism on migration,"

    extremism on "race,"

    extremism on "gender,"

    "Hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family,"

    Hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on "religion," and

    Hostility towards those who hold traditional views on "morality."

    Pre-Crime (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 04:31:45 PM EST
    Did they get that from Philip K Dick?

    Parent
    Ken Klippenstein got it there (none / 0) (#38)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 07, 2026 at 05:10:32 PM EST
    I suspect

    Parent
    I checked off 7. (none / 0) (#50)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 04:37:08 PM EST


    Parent
    How to win friends (none / 0) (#39)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 10, 2026 at 02:36:20 PM EST
    and influence people..

    Apparently, every human being in Beirut and South Lebanon is 'Hezbollah,' the way every human being in Gaza was Hamas.

    When the wreckage clears, Miriam Adelson, Bill Ackman, Larry Ellison et al are going to have their work cut out for them greasing all the people they'll need to grease to salvage Israel's reputation.

    I find it all so sad (none / 0) (#40)
    by Peter G on Sat Apr 11, 2026 at 01:57:09 PM EST
    and infuriating.

    Parent
    I hate to be so cliche (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 11, 2026 at 02:08:46 PM EST
    but, violence begets violence. When will there be an end to it?

    Bibi's 'Genghis Khan' paradigm is the mentality of a mafia don. Not that there aren't people just as bad on the other side.

    Parent

    I've said this before, and it bears repeating: (none / 0) (#51)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 04:43:27 PM EST
    Hamas' indiscriminate slaughter of over 1,200 unarmed civilians in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 was a crime against humanity.

    But Israel's subsequent and vastly disproportionate retaliatory military response against Hamas in Gaza, conducted indiscriminately without any due regard for the two million-plus Palestinian civilians who were caught in the crossfire, is a war crime.

    There is a good reason why both Hamas and Israeli leadership were indicted on similar charges in 2024 by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Cheers (none / 0) (#46)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 05:02:06 PM EST

    Cook Political Report shifts 4 Senate races toward Democrats

    Even CNN (none / 0) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 13, 2026 at 07:07:24 PM EST
    Is starting to ask if it's time to toss a net over the president.

    They are doing the PopeVTrump nonstop.

    I've never been more proud of a Pope.  And proud he is an American.

    I really doubt "the Pope" would be doing this if he was not an American.  The very in your face way he is doing it.  Seems personal.

    Pope Leo XIV is very much in the ... (none / 0) (#52)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 04:55:51 PM EST
    ... conservative mold of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The most significant differences between the two are that Leo has a heart and chooses to live in the 21st century, rather than pine for the 19th.

    Parent
    Can you imagine (none / 0) (#53)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 06:28:43 PM EST
    Pope Francis

    Parent
    Yes, I could see Pope Francis doing likewise. (none / 0) (#118)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 21, 2026 at 05:06:44 AM EST
    But it also wouldn't have resonated so profoundly with Americans, as it otherwise has coming from Pope Leo XIV. As you so noted, Leo is an American, and that's a big deal to Catholics in the United States.

    Further, I would also note that were it not for Pope Francis, the now-former Bishop Robert Francis Prevost would very likely not even be sitting on the Throne of St. Peter today as Pope Leo XIV. Francis and Prevost were known to be close allies, dating back to the time when Francis was then known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires and he had befriended Prevost when he was appointed as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru.

    In Jan. 2023, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Prevost as both Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome, and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Initially, Prevost asked Francis to reconsider the decision because such a promotion also required his relocation to Rome from Peru. But he eventually acquiesced to the pope's judgment.

    Soon after Prevost's arrival in Rome to assume his new offices, Francis then elevated him to the rank of cardinal on Sept 30, 2023. This raised Prevost's profile within Vatican circles as a standing member of the College of Cardinals. Thus, he was thus eligible to attend last year's papal conclave following Francis' death in April 2025, from whence he was chosen by his brethren as a logical choice to succeed his friend and primary sponsor.

    The Lord can indeed work in mysterious ways, Cap'n.

    Parent

    That is a helpful reminder, also, (5.00 / 1) (#119)
    by Peter G on Tue Apr 21, 2026 at 11:43:00 AM EST
    that while Leo is the first pope from the United States, it was Francis who was the first "American" pope.

    Parent
    Someone suggested (none / 0) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 15, 2026 at 06:35:42 PM EST
    he might be trying to get out in front of it this time because the Vatican did not distinguish itself last time with the Nazis.

    /s

    Parent

    Funny (none / 0) (#63)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Apr 17, 2026 at 06:10:37 PM EST

    MAGA Is Increasingly Convinced the Trump Assassination Attempt Was Staged

    Conspiracy theories about the Butler, Pennsylvania, shooting have ramped up in recent weeks as once steadfast Trump supporters turn on the president.

    Not so funny. (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Apr 17, 2026 at 10:41:27 PM EST
    I have had my own doubts. I also suspect Charlie Kirk was a sacrificial martyr.

    I've said it before and I will continue to shout it from the mountaintops. There is no too low. There is NOTHING these people won't do to stay in power.

    Parent

    I doubt Trump is competent enough (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 08:55:09 AM EST
    to "stage" something like that.   On the other hand, I find it very easy to believe many people what him dead enough to try to kill him.

    Its funny because those new conspiracies are coming from his formerly most loyal followers.  They are questioning everything they believed.  

    Parent

    Just like a Trump Chump ... (none / 0) (#71)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 02:35:29 PM EST
    ... to double down on the chumpitude that left them to be played by Trump for chumps in the first place.

    Parent
    Jesse Ventura's (none / 0) (#70)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 01:00:06 PM EST
    been saying that Trump, amidst all the hubub, did the old wrestling trick of giving himself a small cut with a 'foreign object.' Could be.

    I still say Jesse would've destroyed Trump, if the Dems could've convinced him to run. Maga males and the Rogan crowd, who vote on vibes, want a big, loud, ex-Seal with a polished, conspiratorial rap.
    News flash: they're freaked out by 'bossy, assertive' women who make them feel impotent.

    Parent

    Sorry, but I refuse to pander ... (none / 0) (#79)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 06:37:15 PM EST
    ... to the manosphere influencers of the universe. That's how we ended up with Brylcreem Boy as our self-styled "secretary of war," reciting Samuel L. Jackson's hitman prayer-riff from "Pulp Fiction" to a captive audience at the Pentagon with all the fervor of a misguided white Christianist thinking he had discovered holy scripture.

    Seriously If the Claviculars amongst us want to call the shots, then they should run for office and I'll be happy to set them straight - or send 'em straight to hell.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I wouldn't put Jesse Ventura (none / 0) (#80)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 08:48:49 PM EST
    in that category, if that's what you're suggesting. These Miracle Whip centrist types that people like Bill Maher promote, just keep driving the working class to the right and the rest of the country off a cliff.

    Parent
    Jesse Ventura was lightning in a bottle. (none / 0) (#81)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 02:50:30 PM EST
    He scored an upset victory for governor in Minnesota in a three-way race because his two opponents in the 1998 election, St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman and State Attorney General Hubert "Skip" Humphrey III, were a couple of uninspiring empty suits. Ventura's celebrity captivated the public just enough to overawe the other candidates at the polls.

    Minnesota had no provision for electoral runoff in the event no candidate reached 50% +1. Ventura won that gubernatorial election with only 37% of the popular vote. Conversely, 63% of the electorate had preferred somebody else. So, there was no real mandate for his candidacy and like Arnold Schwarzenegger, another celebrity turned politician, Ventura was a mediocre governor.

    As it turns out, while publicly insulting and goading the opposition on TV can work to one's advantage in a political campaign, replicating that tactic by picking public fights with state legislators on local evening news broadcasts is generally not a good strategy for either effective governance or sound public policy development.

    The initial novelty of a WWF superstar as governor wore off pretty quickly with the Minnesota public. Further, Democratic and Republican legislators alike in St. Paul's capitol building quickly saw through Gov. Ventura's bluster for what it was, and they adjusted accordingly to neuter him.

    By the end of his first term, Gov. Ventura had even alienated his fellow Reform Party members, and he had resigned from that organization. He then aligned with the far-right Independence Party, which only further marginalized him. Ventura didn't run for re-election in 2002, which was a wise choice because he likely would've been beaten rather handily if he had.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    The idea is to be a public servant (none / 0) (#82)
    by jondee on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 03:45:02 PM EST
    not a political careerist who plays ball and goes along to get along.

    Jesse is a very good gadfly who brings receipts and at the very least, has more b*lls and crediblity than anyone within a 100 yard radius of the present Whitehouse. And he would've beaten Trump. I'm 1000% convinced of that.

    The ugly truth is that nowadays Americans vote on 'vibes' and want a big, loud, alpha ape who makes them feel safe and protected. We might as well vote in a semi-literate one with some heart and integrity.


    Parent

    We have (none / 0) (#84)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 05:23:35 PM EST
    a man problem in this country. Mahrer is one of the problems along with the left wing "manosphere". I am not sure what the solution is.

    However becoming like Trump may is not the solution. You can't fight the next election like the last election. People seems to be sick of the chaos and incompetence and more than likely will want something different in 2028

    Parent

    I don't think the manosphere (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by jondee on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 06:31:38 PM EST
    is left-wing in any meaningful way. They're lost at sea, addicted to being online, and lot of them supported Trump because they believed his bs about being anti-war; believed the right's bs about 'wokeness,' and because they're freaked out by assertive women (the 'incel' syndrome.)

    It's finally dawned on them that Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson are completely fos and now that hyena Tucker Carlson is trying to scoop them up.


    Parent

    The (none / 0) (#94)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 07:40:08 AM EST
    manosphere is both left and right with people like Andrew Schultz and Tim with the beanie on the left with Nick Fuentes on the right. However the right manosphere won't have any say on who the Dem nominee is while those others might. Any woman candidate is going to be dogged by Shultz and Tim. So they are part of the problem. And yes, they all got scammed by Trump which doesn't say much for them. Honestly I can't believe some of these people even have an audience anymore.

    Peterson is the past and why anyone listens to that nut Rogan is beyond me but they do. IMO Tucker and the others are all jockeying for the audience that exists. Don't know who is going to come out on top but I would imagine it will not be Mark Levin or Ben Shapiro.

    Parent

    The ultimate ace in the hole (none / 0) (#65)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 01:03:07 AM EST
    for the owners of the country is that 54% of U.S adults read at a sixth grade level.

    They're as likely to believe crazy sh*t that helps Trump as they are to believe crazy sh*t that hinders him.

    Parent

    To me (none / 0) (#67)
    by jmacWA on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 08:57:27 AM EST
    the dead giveaway that this was a staged event is the fact that we have not heard about it every day since the attempt.  IF it was real TRUMP would never let us forget it.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#73)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 02:54:14 PM EST
    maybe they read that Orban was going to stage an assassination to try to stay in power.

    Parent
    This is interesting (none / 0) (#68)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 09:08:41 AM EST
    Why not?  The decision to possibly allow a Democrat to replace them surprises me.  

    Alito and Thomas Have No Plans To Retire Before Midterms

    Amid swirling rumors of potential exits from the Supreme Court -- and recent comments made by President Donald Trump -- sources close to Justices Samuel Alito, 76, and Clarence Thomas, 77, told CBS News they have no plans to retire this year

    link

    In a world where the blue wave (5.00 / 3) (#69)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 09:41:18 AM EST
    allows the democrats to win the Senate when no one predicted it,
    except me,
    democrats should absolutely do exactly what Mitch did.   Say, given the mandate we just received we will delay any SC confirmations until there is a sane president to nominate one.

    See Garland, Merrick.

    Parent

    Exactly. (5.00 / 3) (#77)
    by Chuck0 on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 05:40:00 PM EST
    Refuse to so much as hold a hearing until the regime is gone.

    Parent
    Exactly, (none / 0) (#78)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 06:15:25 PM EST
    The only hearings to be held would be to make the regime gone.

    Parent
    Having known both of them since the fall of 1972 (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by Peter G on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 07:10:06 PM EST
    -- Alito pretty well, and Thomas only slightly -- I find the reports that Alito plans to retire this summer more credible than the ones saying the opposite, and the reports that Thomas does not intend to retire (at least not in the next few years) entirely credible.

    Parent
    Alito might retire (none / 0) (#92)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 07:42:12 PM EST
    around the time its becoming clear they will lose the Senate.

    Parent
    I agree Thomas (none / 0) (#93)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 07:43:45 PM EST
    will die in the chair.  Hopefully not until at least Jan 2027

    Parent
    The HILL (none / 0) (#101)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 10:06:32 AM EST
    Senate Republicans who fear their three-seat majority could be in danger in this year's midterm election would welcome the retirement of conservative Justice Samuel Alito as an "October surprise" that could change their political fortunes by rallying GOP-leaning voters to the polls.

    GOP senators are being careful not to prod Alito, a leading conservative voice on the high court, out the door, but privately hope that a retirement announcement in the fall could shift several races in their direction.

    Parent

    I am not (none / 0) (#107)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 02:34:48 PM EST
    sure Alito retiring would help them all that much since it does not change the makeup of the court. Sound to me like they are desperately flailing around to come up with something, anything that will help them.

    Parent
    They play the judicial long game. (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by leap2 on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 03:00:12 PM EST
    They could replace Alito with a much younger jacka$$, who would be on the Court for 50 years.

    Parent
    These (none / 0) (#72)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 02:53:14 PM EST
    people are so arrogant that I am sure they think they cannot be replaced. However I am not sure that a supreme court replacement would motivate anyone other than left of center to show up in an election. Those 2 will die on the court.

    Parent
    I'll drink to that. (none / 0) (#74)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 03:37:17 PM EST
    Kash Patel's erratic behavior and excessive drinking could cost him his job:

    The Atlantic | April 17, 2026
    The FBI Director Is MIA - "On Friday, April 19, as FBI Director Kash Patel was preparing to leave work for the weekend, he struggled to log into an internal computer system. He quickly became convinced that he had been locked out, and he panicked, frantically calling aides and allies to announce that he had been fired by the White House, according to nine people familiar with his outreach. Two of these people described his behavior as a 'freak-out.'"

    Patel's threatening to sue:
    LINK to Binall Group letter, Page 1
    LINK to Binall Group letter, Page 2
    LINK to Binall Group letter, Page 3

    My money's on Sarah Fitzpatrick and The Atlantic.

    I read (5.00 / 2) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 04:05:46 PM EST
    He's been in the Strait of Vermouth

    Parent
    The Trump regime ... (none / 0) (#76)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Apr 18, 2026 at 04:25:40 PM EST
    ... is a clown car that's presently racing down a cul-de-sac at 100mph with the entire country being held hostage in the back seat.

    Parent
    I agree. I think this is important. (none / 0) (#83)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 04:45:14 PM EST

    Chris Hayes, host of MS NOW's "All In with Chris Hayes," said during a segment on Sunday's broadcast of "Crooked on MS NOW" that Republicans seem to be aware that Trump's "lame duck-ness" is setting in. That means there could be many Republicans who start to distance themselves from the Trump brand during the midterms as they chart their path forward without him, Hayes added.

    "I do think that once everyone understands there's a future without him, I think it will be easier to kick him to the curb or to distance themselves from him," Hayes said. "And I think you'll see that more and more. If I had to guess, I don't think he's going to retain the kind of cult-like hold even over the Republican primary voter a year from now. I could be wrong, but he's just doing a terrible job."

    and it's helpful this will be happening in June at the sane time the Supreme Court is going to be dumping some major doo doo on his head.

    They seem to still be holding (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 12:27:48 PM EST
    on to Dementia Donnie.

    There is some guy running ads on TV for a PA state senate seat who is all in for Donnie in his ads.

    The funniest part of it is, he says he "will build the wall." What wall? On the Mason Dixon line? To keep out Marylanders? You're running for PA state senate you moronic twit.


    Parent

    There will be the hard core cult (none / 0) (#106)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 02:19:15 PM EST
    but that is a shrinking part of the general electorate.  

    the base has already started turning in him.

    As of April 2026, reports indicate significant fractures within Donald Trump's base and among his prominent media allies, driven by issues such as the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, rising living costs, and foreign policy decisions, specifically regarding Iran. While his core support remains, many MAGA-aligned supporters have expressed frustration, with some figures in the conservative media bubble turning on him.

    The situation has been described as a "bubbling revolt," with some of his supporters feeling that their "America First" movement has been hijacked by wealthy donors and that the president is not following through on promises.

    The politicians will play catch up.

    Parent

    I don't know (none / 0) (#86)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 05:29:24 PM EST
    It's April and they still are not moving away from Trump an iota outside of those who are leaving or have left DC and some influencers. Just my opinion but the cult will last until Trump dies or is incapacitated. The good news is the cult never was large enough to win an election. He had to rely on conning a lot of other people who are just sick of his con.

    Daily Beast is reporting that there are rumors in DC that Vance is going to resign. I guess that's kind of politically smart since he can come back in 2032 and say he was against the war and resigned because of it.

    Parent

    The primaries start in June (none / 0) (#89)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 06:21:34 PM EST
    They go into August

    Parent
    Some I am (none / 0) (#95)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 07:50:54 AM EST
    sure but we had the primary here in NC Mar 3 and May 19 is Georgia. Seeing zero separation from Trump here and since I'm still paying attention to GA doesn't seem to be any separation there either though Kemp has thrown a monkey wrench into the GOP senate primary by endorsing Vince Dooley's son who hasn't lived in GA for decades and moved back recently. He apparently couldn't be bothered to vote either. So I am guessing this is an attempt to separate from Trump without saying so.

    Parent
    Primary (none / 0) (#97)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 08:03:12 AM EST
    dates

    Parent
    Range (none / 0) (#98)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 08:04:27 AM EST
    The earliest state primaries for 2026 are held March 3, with the latest in mid-September. With 15 primaries, June is the busiest month for state primaries.

    Parent
    Also (none / 0) (#100)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 09:19:28 AM EST
    Trump's approval hit 37 this weekend.  It will take a while for that to sink in because it's not going up.  

    And as I said the court is going to put a nice bow on his fecklessness right at the real primary season kickoff.  

    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#108)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 02:37:51 PM EST
    it is a death by 1000 cuts losing a point or two a month. We could see the low 30's or even the high 20's by the time November rolls around.

    Parent
    This (none / 0) (#85)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 05:28:31 PM EST
    Is funny

    The lettuce will win

    It sounds (none / 0) (#87)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 05:31:40 PM EST
    like it's not going to be long. Maybe Marco can be FBI director too. LOL. Kash thinks that we should believe him instead of the Atlantic like we didn't see him use the FBI jet to go to the Olympics and pound down some beers. He says he is going to sue. the Atlantic should say go ahead and make my day.

    Parent
    I think Trump doesn't care (none / 0) (#88)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at 06:18:08 PM EST
    about any of that.  But the public drunkenness.  That's a good reason to send him to the cornfield

    Parent
    The best people. (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by KeysDan on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 10:11:53 AM EST
    If not old drunks, they get.teleported to a Waffle House.

    Parent
    You would (none / 0) (#96)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 07:55:49 AM EST
    think the same thing when it comes to Hegseth but yet no news on that front. Hegseth apparently hits the bars in disguise unlike Patel. I guess you have to be recognizable on TV to get the axe.

    Parent
    As crazy and dangerous as he is (none / 0) (#99)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 09:14:41 AM EST
    I can't imagine Kegbreath getting fired.

    He's like a physical manifestation of Trump angry inner child.  They are in sync.

    Plus, has there been video?  It's only real if there's video.

    Parent

    Since apparently (none / 0) (#109)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 02:40:05 PM EST
    Hegseth is going out "in disguise" he's aware of the video problem. So likely even if there is video of him you wouldn't be able to be sure it was him.

    Parent
    In disguise? (none / 0) (#110)
    by KeysDan on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 02:54:09 PM EST
    Maybe in drag.

    Parent
    I learned what BOOFING (none / 0) (#112)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 03:21:46 PM EST
    was.  
    It is inserting a alcohol soaked tampon in your butt.  I read it's how he make it through the work day.

    It's very effective bypassing the liver.  I think I might try it.

    Parent

    The term (none / 0) (#113)
    by KeysDan on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 04:08:35 PM EST
    came up in Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing, having been referred to by that term in his high school year book.  Kavanaugh testified  that it meant flatulence.

    With direct, `unmetered",  dosage and absorption, rectal administration of alcohol can be unsafe.

    Parent

    I was (5.00 / 2) (#114)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 04:14:02 PM EST
    kidding

    Parent
    Yes, (none / 0) (#115)
    by KeysDan on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 04:50:19 PM EST
    I know your good sense of humor.  The Senate Judiciary Committee also thought it was funny, given the laughs to Kavanaugh's response at the hearing,

    Parent
    I'm not making (none / 0) (#116)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 04:52:34 PM EST
    any promises.  I have a curious nature.

    Parent
    I have also been thinking about (none / 0) (#117)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 04:58:55 PM EST
    creative and unusual ways to shuffle off the mortal coil.  That qualifies

    Far in the future of course.  Actually I've kind of always thought about it.

    Lately I've been thinking about ways to disappear and never be found.  I really like that idea.  I have no children all my siblings will be dead and no one else gives shite.

    Give them something to think about make up stories.

    Parent

    Yes. (none / 0) (#102)
    by KeysDan on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 10:08:32 AM EST
    Patel will not be there long, but it may not be all that terrible to let this bleed until fall.  The damage done will be attenuated by the fact that he does not show up to the job anyway. Besides, he seems  see his job as gaining retribution against Trump's enemies.

    Parent
    He is dancing as fast as he can (none / 0) (#104)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 20, 2026 at 12:03:37 PM EST

    FBI Director Kash Patel was interviewed on Fox News by Maria Bartiromo:

    BARTIROMO: Do you have anything to tell us about the 2020 election being rigged against President Trump?

    PATEL: Absolutely. I'm never going to let this go. They tried to rig the entire system. That's something I'm not going to allow. We are going to be making arrests. I promise you it's coming soon.



    Parent
    Bartiromo (none / 0) (#120)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 23, 2026 at 09:13:49 PM EST
    was one of the main reasons Fox had their as*es sued off. How she still has a job is beyond me.

    I wish the "Plot Against The King" author would be more specific about who "they" are, so he can be sued to. But, maybe he isn't that stupid.

    Parent

    Pam Bondi Fired, Todd Blanche to Replace Her | 120 comments (120 topical)

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