Trump Admin Reportedly ‘Dismayed’ With Israeli Barrage on Iranian Oil Depots: ‘First Significant Disagreement’

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The “first significant disagreement” of the Iran war between the United States and Israel has developed over Israel’s strikes on 30 Iranian oil facilities, Axios reported Sunday.

Reporters Barak Ravid and Marc Caputo wrote that the strikes “went far beyond what the U.S. expected when Israel notified it in advance.”

The Axios report cited “a U.S. official, Israeli official and a source with knowledge.”

Late Saturday, Israel struck the oil facilities, “sending huge balls of fire and smoke into the air and rocking Tehran and the neighboring city of Karaj with explosions,” as evidenced by viral social media video “verified by The New York Times” in that outlet’s reporting.

The Axios report continued, “The U.S. is concerned Israeli strikes on infrastructure that serves ordinary Iranians could backfire strategically, rallying Iranian society to support the regime and driving up oil prices.” (Read more from “Trump Admin Reportedly ‘Dismayed’ With Israeli Barrage on Iranian Oil Depots: ‘First Significant Disagreement’” HERE)

Chabad-Affiliated Jewish Group Complains about Messianic Jewish Chaplains in U.S. Armed Forces

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For more than a century, U.S. military chaplains have worn insignia identifying their faith — a cross for Christians and tablets with a Star of David for Jews. Now Jewish chaplaincy groups are asking the Pentagon to intervene after chaplains from Messianic Judaism, a Christian movement that blends Jewish practices with belief in Jesus, began wearing the Jewish symbol. . .

In a view shared by many Jews, Aleph [a Chabad-affiliated organization that endorses Jewish chaplains for the U.S. military] suspects that the Messianic movement is a facade — a deceitful tactic aimed at proselytization.

“They have engaged in heavily deceptive behavior, all for the purpose of trapping unsuspecting Jews into the belief that Jesus is part of Jewish theology,” Aleph’s letter [to the Armed Forces Chaplains Board] said. “Due to persecution, forced conversion, and extreme tactics employed by many Christian countries over the millennia proselytization of Jews is considered an antisemitic tactic” . . . 

Burling pointed to a San Diego rabbi, Yoram Dahan, as someone familiar with his Jewish learning and involvement in the community. But Dahan said that while Burling had studied Torah with him, he never understood Burling to be Jewish.

“[A Messianic Jewish chaplain] studied Torah with us and he was very serious about it. He loves Israel. But of course he is Christian,” [a San Diego rabbi] said. “If he says he is Jewish, it is not true and it’s not good. . . . The Messianics are a very dangerous group.” (Read more from “Chabad-Affiliated Jewish Group Complains about Messianic Jewish Chaplains in U.S. Armed Forces” HERE)

Seventh U.S. Service Member Killed During Iran Conflict

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A seventh U.S. service member has been killed following strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran; no identity has been revealed.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the passing Sunday in a post on X.

“Last night, a U.S. service member passed away from injuries received during the Iranian regime’s initial attacks across the Middle East. The service member was seriously wounded at the scene of an attack on U.S. troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 1,” the post said.

“This is the seventh service member killed in action during Operation Epic Fury. Major combat operations continue. The identity of the fallen warrior will be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification,” it added.

(Read more from “Seventh U.S. Service Member Killed During Iran Conflict” HERE)

Conservatives Furious after Trump ‘Gives into Democrats’ on Divisive Culture War Issue

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Like many other MAGA Republicans, President Donald Trump has often attacked Democrats for supporting transgender rights — claiming that their position is “transgender for everybody.” But in some Thursday, March 5 posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump appeared to be “softening” his tone somewhat. And he is drawing scathing criticism from some MAGA culture warriors because of it.

In a morning post, Trump wrote, in all caps, “NO TRANSGENDER MUTILATION SURGERY FOR CHILDREN, WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE PARENTS.” But in a subsequent post, Trump wrote, “NO TRANSGENDER MUTILATION SURGERY FOR CHILDREN” and left out the “written approval” part.

On X, formerly Twitter, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) pointed out the contrasts because those posts. . .

But other X users were much more biting in their response, including former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) — who was once a major ally of Trump but is now an outspoken critic.

Greene tweeted, “‘Without the express written approval of the parents.’ Trump now supports trans gender mutilation surgeries of children if their parents want it!!!!! The House passed my bill Protect Children’s Innocence Act that makes it a felony to trans any child under 18 even if their parents are supporting or pushing it on their own children. My bill was a reflection of Trump’s own executive order banning child trans surgeries and so called gender affirming care. Now Trump is reversing his stance???!!! What is wrong with him???”

(Read more from “Conservatives Furious after Trump ‘Gives into Democrats’ on Divisive Culture War Issue” HERE)

The Real Reason Why Kristi Noem’s Husband Stayed Married to Her Through Corey Lewandowski ‘Humiliation’

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Bryon Noem‘s family members are hoping he finally leaves his wife, embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, after the ultimate “humiliation” from her alleged affair with a top adviser — but fear he’ll continue to stay in his marriage due to his Christian faith and commitment to his vows.

Members of the extended family of Bryon Noem told The Post on Friday that the South Dakota businessman has long felt it was his religious duty to stand behind his wife — even as the very public scandal rocks their marriage.

“He said he decided about 20 years ago that it was his calling from God to support her in whatever she decided to do,” one family member said. “So he has put up with the humiliation. We will see if he sticks with her now.”

“I think it’s him honoring the calling from God,” the family member added. “But it seems like there would be some limit to that.”

The Noems’ more than three-decade-long marriage began in 1992, after having gone to high school together. They began dating when Kristi was a junior at Hamlin High School in Hayti, S.D., and Bryon was a freshman at Northern State University. (Read more from “The Real Reason Why Kristi Noem’s Husband Stayed Married to Her Through Corey Lewandowski ‘Humiliation’” HERE)

The Iran Conflict Will Be the ‘Straw That Breaks the Camel’s Back’ for the U.S. Economy if It Goes on Much Longer, Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman Warns

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The U.S. economy has been on unsteady footing for a while now, but the catalyst to tip it over the edge could be an event playing out on the other side of the world.

The conflict in Iran is not even a week old, but observers are already seeing ways the war could cascade and contribute to a broader economic downturn on U.S. soil. If the war goes on for much longer, and if belligerents begin to target energy infrastructure important to the global oil and gas trade, the U.S. is likely to feel the economic pinch, according to Nobel Prize–winning economist Paul Krugman.

With initial hopes for a swift, decisive victory in Iran rapidly fading, the U.S. has entered a delicate “war of whim” with no clear endgame and a rising daily price tag, Krugman wrote in a Substack post Wednesday. It’s a potential shock the U.S. might be able to deal with in isolation, he added, but combined with an increasingly fragile and uncertain outlook back home, America’s latest foray in the Middle East could end up coming at an enormous cost.

“It isn’t occurring in isolation,” Krugman wrote. “There are many stresses on our economy, and this could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back—a straw that becomes heavier the longer the war goes on.”

The primary economic risk stemming from the conflict has to do with energy—specifically oil and gas. The Strait of Hormuz—a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to global trade routes—has been effectively closed since the war’s onset, cutting off the approximate 20% of both liquefied natural gas and petroleum products that ordinarily transit through the strait. (Read more from “The Iran Conflict Will Be the ‘Straw That Breaks the Camel’s Back’ for the U.S. Economy if It Goes on Much Longer, Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman Warns” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

White House Releases Wild Video Montages Pairing Iran Strikes With Hollywood Blockbusters: ‘Justice the American Way’

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The Trump White House released a chaotic video montage of US military strikes on Iran combined with iconic movie scenes Thursday night, drawing backlash from both sides of the aisle for making light of the Middle East war.

The X video — which stitched together memorable moments from Hollywood blockbusters like “Gladiator” and “Top Gun: Maverick” with footage of strikes on Iranian targets — was posted by the White House with the message, “JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY,” and later boosted by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth himself made a brief appearance in the 42-second montage, which was crammed with clips from “Transformers,” “Braveheart,” “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “Iron Man,” and “Star Wars” as well as the popular video games Halo and Mortal Kombat — with a voice proclaiming a “flawless victory” at its end.

“White House trying to get every copy right [sic] strike known to man,” one X user quipped.

Actor Ben Stiller later called on Trump aides to “please remove the Tropic Thunder clip.”

(Read more from “White House Releases Wild Video Montages Pairing Iran Strikes With Hollywood Blockbusters: ‘Justice the American Way’” HERE)

53 House Democrats Vote ‘No’ on Declaring Iran a ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’

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A significant number of House Democrats voted “no” on declaring the Islamic Republic of Iran a “state sponsor of terrorism.”

Sponsored by Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), the resolution passed the U.S. House on Thursday by a 372-53 vote. Two Democrats voted present. While squad members like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) were expected to vote “no,” a full 53 proved somewhat surprising.

Their names, per Fox News:

Donald S. Beyer Jr.
Suzanne Bonamici
André Carson
Greg Casar
Joaquin Castro
Yvette D. Clarke
Steve Cohen
Danny K. Davis
Maxine Dexter
Lloyd Doggett
Dwight Evans
Lizzie Fletcher
Valerie Foushee
Maxwell Alejandro Frost
Robert Garcia
Jesús “Chuy” García
Al Green
Raúl M. Grijalva
Val Hoyle
Jared Huffman
Sara Jacobs
Pramila Jayapal
Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr.
Robin Kelly
Ro Khanna
Raja Krishnamoorthi
Summer Lee
Sarah McBride
Morgan McGarvey
James P. McGovern
LaMonica McIver
Christian D. Menefee
Robert Jacobsen “Rob” Menendez Jr.
Gwen Moore
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Ilhan Omar
Chellie Pingree
Mark Pocan
Ayanna Pressley
Delia Ramirez
Emily Randall
Luz Rivas
Linda T. Sánchez
Janice D. “Jan” Schakowsky
Lateefah Simon
Mark Takano
Rashida Tlaib
Lori Trahan
Lauren Underwood
Nydia M. Velázquez
Maxine Waters
Bonnie Watson Coleman
Nikema Williams

The resolution said nothing about President Trump’s strikes on Iran, while saying the regime “remains the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism and provides substantial financial and military support to groups including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis,” adding that it “poses a direct and persistent threat to the United States and is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American citizens,” (Read more from “53 House Democrats Vote ‘No’ on Declaring Iran a ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’” HERE)

US Economy Could Be In Dire Straits As Hormuz Slams Shut

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. . .Brent crude, the oil blend that sets worldwide prices, has jumped 24% to over $90 a barrel since Operation Epic Fury began. The highest Brent price of Trump’s second term is already impacting U.S. gasoline prices.

Despite the U.S.-backed war risk insurance that President Donald Trump offered all maritime operators in the Strait of Hormuz, traffic remains down 90% since Iranian retaliatory strikes began. Refineries have no way to ship their oil, and some are halting extraction as storage facilities hit capacity.

U.S. gasoline prices move in tandem with Brent crude. For every $10 Brent increase, U.S. gas prices rise roughly 24 cents per gallon. Since striking Iran, the AAA national gas average price increased from $2.98 to $3.32. Gasoline prices haven’t risen comparably since the Russia-Ukraine War began in March 2022.

A sustained 25-cent-per-gallon increase in gas prices raises inflation by about 0.25 percentage points, according to the Federal Reserve. If the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and oil exports resume, prices could return to pre-war levels.

Very Large Crude Carriers, ships capable of carrying roughly 2 million barrels of oil, saw their daily rental prices skyrocket from $206,000 to over $480,000 since markets opened Monday. The rate-doubling results from continued war risk insurance issues and a dearth of vessels willing to brave the increasingly dangerous Strait. (Read more from “US Economy Could Be In Dire Straits As Hormuz Slams Shut” HERE)

Everything You Need To Know About Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s Pick To Replace Kristi Noem At DHS

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President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he was replacing Kristi Noem as the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with Republican Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin. The personnel change will occur March 31. . .

Mullin also told reporters that he and Trump are “great friends,” adding that they “get along great,” according to NBC News.

Mullin, 48, is an Oklahoma native and the youngest of seven children. He enrolled in Missouri Valley College on a wrestling scholarship in 1996, but dropped out the following year to rescue the family plumbing business after his father fell ill. Mullin later received an associate’s degree in applied science from the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in 2010.

“A MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter, Markwayne truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda,” Trump wrote in his Truth Social announcement, made Thursday.

Mullin enjoyed a stint as a mixed martial arts fighter between 2006 and 2007, retiring undefeated. He was honored by the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016. (Read more from “Everything You Need To Know About Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s Pick To Replace Kristi Noem At DHS” HERE)