Posts

Trump Announces Creation of External Revenue Service — Here’s What New Agency Will Collect

/0 Comments/in , /by

President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday he will create an external revenue office upon his return to the White House that will collect all foreign-sourced revenue, such as tariffs.

“For far too long, we have relied on taxing our Great People using the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Through soft and pathetically weak Trade agreements, the American Economy has delivered growth and prosperity to the World, while taxing ourselves,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“I am today announcing that I will create the EXTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE [ERS] to collect our Tariffs, Duties, and all Revenue that come from Foreign sources.”

The incoming president added that the ERS would be established on Jan. 20 to “begin charging those that make money off of us with Trade, and they will start paying, FINALLY, their fair share.”

Trump, 78, has already threatened to raise tariffs on foreign countries that do not comply with his hard-line immigration policies. The president-elect has singled out Mexico and Canada with a threat of a 25% tariff, and has also said he will stop “business” with countries who refuse to take back illegal migrants who have been deported. (Read more from “Trump Announces Creation of External Revenue Service — Here’s What New Agency Will Collect” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Report: Trump Did More to Free Hostages, Reach Ceasefire Than Biden Did All Year

/0 Comments/in , /by

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly being praised by Arab officials for doing more to move Israel and Hamas closer to a hostage and ceasefire deal than President Joe Biden has done in more than a year since the last truce.

Trump warned Hamas at the beginning of December that there would be “ALL HELL TO PAY” if they did not release all 100 of the remaining hostages, including seven Americans (three of whom are alive) by his Inauguration.

Hamas began to show flexibility, then retreated. But Trump’s future Mideast envoys fanned out across the region, and Trump apparently pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show greater flexibility as well.

The Times of Israel reported Tuesday:

A “tense” weekend meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and incoming Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff led to a breakthrough in the hostage negotiations, with the top aide to US President-elect Donald Trump doing more to sway the premier in a single sit-down than outgoing President Joe Biden did all year, two Arab officials told The Times of Israel on Tuesday.

…

During the 42-day first phase, 33 of the remaining women, children, elderly and severely ill hostages will be released in exchange for roughly 1,000 Palestinian security prisoners. Israel will partially withdraw from Gaza, while helping facilitate the entry of 600 trucks of humanitarian aid into the Strip each day.

The second stage will see the release of the remaining living hostages and conclude with a declaration of a permanent end to hostilities. The third phase will see the release of bodies still held by Hamas.

(Read more from “Report: Trump Did More to Free Hostages, Reach Ceasefire Than Biden Did All Year” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

JD Vance Walks Back President Trump’s Promise to Pardon All J6ers

/2 Comments/in , , /by

By New York Post. Vice President-elect JD Vance said that President-elect Donald Trump will issue pardons for peaceful protesters on Jan. 6, 2021 — but not violent rioters.

Vance said that there were scores of individuals who “were prosecuted unfairly” after the Jan. 6 ransacking of the Capitol and that the Trump administration will “rectify that.”

“If you protested peacefully on January the 6th, and you’ve had Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned,” Vance, 40, told “Fox News Sunday” about the line Trump will draw.

“If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned. And there’s a little bit of a gray area there. But we’re very much committed to seeing the equal administration of law.”

Vance later responded to backlash over his comments — with some accusing him of “walking back” promises to pardon people who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6. (Read more from “JD Vance Walks Back President Trump’s Promise to Pardon All J6ers” HERE)

____________________________________________________

‘We Will Raise Hell’: MAGA Activists ‘Swearing Vengeance on J.D. Vance’ for New ‘Betrayal’

By Raw Story. Donald Trump’s number two has found himself to be the number one target of several faithful members of the MAGA movement, including Jan. 6 rioters. . .

That comment struck a chord with numerous Trump supporters, including Philip Anderson, a Texas man who was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges connected to the riot.

“Telling your own supporters that the election was stolen and then not giving them a pardon or commutation after you sent them into what you call a ‘fedsurrection’ and ‘trap’ is a betrayal,” he wrote Sunday. “All of the J6 defendants must be saved. JD Vance is wrong and I hope Trump will save his own supporters.”

Another Jan. 6 defendant, Samuel Fisher, (aka Brad Holiday ), replied to Anderson, saying, “He better or we will raise hell for the rest of our lives.” . . .

“J6 defendants and family members are swearing vengeance on JD Vance if all of the J6 defendants are not saved. And they are right to do it,” he said on X. (Read more from “‘We Will Raise Hell’: MAGA Activists ‘Swearing Vengeance on J.D. Vance’ for New ‘Betrayal’” HERE)

Here’s How Trump’s Spending Inauguration Weekend

/0 Comments/in , , /by

By Daily Wire. Donald Trump’s transition team has released the president-elect’s schedule for Inauguration Weekend.

Trump will kick off the weekend with a reception and fireworks at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va., before heading to a cabinet reception and vice president’s dinner the same evening.

On Sunday, Trump will participate in the Arlington National Cemetery ceremony and wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before crossing the river to deliver remarks at the “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. He’ll then attend a “candlelight dinner” where he’ll also deliver remarks.

Monday, January 20, is Inauguration Day. Trump will attend church service at the historic St. John’s Church, then attend tea at the White House, before heading to the United States Capitol to be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. (Read more from “Here’s How Trump’s Spending Inauguration Weekend” HERE)

_________________________________________________

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Defies Federal Government, Orders Flags to Fly At Full Staff for Trump Inauguration

By New York Post. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott flouted federal orders Monday and announced that flags in the Lone Star State will be flown at full-staff for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next week.

Abbott’s declaration comes two weeks after President Biden ordered flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100 on Dec. 29.

“Today, I ordered flags raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol & state buildings for President Trump’s inauguration,” Abbott wrote on X. “While we honor President Carter’s service, we also celebrate an incoming President & our bright future.”

In a lengthier statement, Abbott argued that the US flag should be displayed “especially on… Inauguration Day, January 20.”

Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president falls within the 30-day mourning period, which is due to end Jan. 28. (Read more from “Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Defies Federal Government, Orders Flags to Fly At Full Staff for Trump Inauguration” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Arizona’s Attorney General Vows to Continue Jack Smith’s Lawfare

/1 Comment/in , /by

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, has requested President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice hand over former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case files against incoming President Donald Trump and others for ongoing prosecution.

“I am writing to request the Department of Justice disclose to my office its case file inSpecial Counsel’s investigation and prosecution relating to the 2020 presidential election in Washington, D.C. (Election Case) as authorized by a recent order issued by the Maricopa CountySuperior Court. Early in my term as Arizona’s Attorney General, my office sought access toSpecial Counsel’s materials in its case. Then, Special Counsel was not ready or able to share any materials,” Mayes wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland Monday. “Today, your office does not have an active case and is preparing to release SpecialCounsel’s report in the Election Case. Given these changed circumstances, I am revisiting my office’s earlier request.”

“Those who tried to subvert democracy in 2020 must be held accountable,” Mayes continued. “I am requesting you disclose to my office Special Counsel’s entire file, including the final report in the Election Case to the extent allowable by law and consistent with the Superior Court’s Order.”

(Read more from “Arizona’s Attorney General Vows to Continue Jack Smith’s Lawfare” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Federal Judge Clears Way for Release of Jack Smith’s Report on Trump Election Interference Case

/0 Comments/in , /by

A federal judge ruled Monday that the Justice Department may release a report by former special counsel Jack Smith detailing his election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump.

South Florida US District Judge Aileen Cannon in a signed order denied a request by two of Trump’s former co-defendants seeking to block the report, clearing the way for its release as soon as midnight.

The co-defendants, presidential valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago employee Carlos De Oliveira, are accused of conspiring with the former president to conceal sensitive national security files at the Palm Beach, Fla, resort.

Cannon also ruled that a hearing should be held Jan. 17 to determine whether the portion of the report covering that case will see the light of day, given its “contested factual and legal issues.”

The 2020 election case, however, has no bearing on the indictment against Nauta and De Oliveira, she noted. (Read more from “Federal Judge Clears Way for Release of Jack Smith’s Report on Trump Election Interference Case” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Newsom Attacks Trump (VIDEO)

/0 Comments/in , /by

Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) claimed Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that President-elect Donald Trump was politicizing wildfires in Southern California.

Reporter Jacob Soboroff asked, “President-elect Trump has blamed you for this crisis. He’s called you incompetent. What’s your response?”

Newsom said, “Well, I called for him to come out, take a look for himself. We want to do it in the spirit of an open hand, not a closed fist. He’s the president-elect. I respect the office. We have a president of the United States that within 36 hours provided a major disaster declaration over a text. We had support from the President of the United States, Joe Biden, with 100% reimbursement, all the resources you could hope for, imagine, constant communication. I’d like to extend that to the president-elect. I don’t know what he’s referring to when he talks about the Delta smelt in reservoirs. The reservoirs are completely full, the state reservoirs here in Southern California. That mis- and disinformation I don’t think advantages or aids any of us. Responding to Donald Trump’s insults, we would spend another month. I’m very familiar with them. Every elected official that he disagrees with is very familiar with them.”

He continued, “That was not a state system reservoir that the President-elect was referring to as it relates to the Delta and somehow connecting the Delta smelt with the fire which is inexcusable because it’s inaccurate also incomprehensible to anyone who understands water policy in the state.” (Read more from “Newsom Attacks Trump (VIDEO)” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Greenland Leaders Ready to Talk With Trump After Prez-Elect Expressed Interest to Make Territory Part of America

/0 Comments/in , /by

Greenland’s leader Múte Egede said he is prepared to enter into negotiations with President-elect Trump about the future of the mineral-rich arctic territory — but warned his people had no interest in becoming Americans.

At a press conference Friday in Denmark, which exercises nominal sovereignty over Greenland, Egede said he accepted that Greenland was “a place that the Americans see as part of their world” and that while he has not spoken with Trump, he was open to “discussions about what unites us.”

“We are ready to talk,” he said. “Cooperation is about dialogue. Cooperation means that you will work towards solutions.”

Egede was joined at the press conference by his Danish counterpart Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Greenland had been a colony of Denmark since the 18th century and became a self-governing Danish territory in 1953.

In 2009 the island won the right to secure independence if they ever voted to do so — something Egede supports. (Read more from “Greenland Leaders Ready to Talk With Trump After Prez-Elect Expressed Interest to Make Territory Part of America” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Special Counsel Jack Smith Resigns After Finishing Trump Investigations

/3 Comments/in , /by

By Daily Caller. Special Counsel Jack Smith resigned from the Department of Justice on Friday, days after finishing his criminal investigations into President-elect Donald Trump and ahead of his inauguration.

According to a footnote in a court filing sent to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Saturday afternoon, Smith concluded his investigations on Tuesday and would depart from the DOJ on Friday. The court filing from DOJ officials asked Cannon not to further extend a court order she issued in January to block the release of Smith’s report into Trump temporarily. (Read more from “Special Counsel Jack Smith Resigns After Finishing Trump Investigations” HERE)

____________________________________________________

Trump Says Jack Smith Is a ‘Disgrace’ After Special Counsel Resigned From DOJ: ‘He Left Town Empty Handed!’

By Fox News. President-elect Trump blasted special counsel Jack Smith as a “disgrace” to himself and the country following Smith’s resignation from the Justice Department.

Smith’s resignation was announced in a court filing Saturday.

“The Special Counsel completed his work and submitted his final confidential report on January 7, 2025, and separated from the Department on January 10,” a footnote in the filing said.

Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday to criticize Smith for his investigations into the incoming president.

“Deranged Jack Smith was fired today by the DOJ. He is a disgrace to himself, his family, and his Country. After spending over $100,000,000 on the Witch Hunt against TRUMP, he left town empty handed!” Trump wrote. (Read more from “Trump Says Jack Smith Is a ‘Disgrace’ After Special Counsel Resigned From DOJ: ‘He Left Town Empty Handed!’” HERE)

Here Are Trump’s Options For Dealing With An Imminent Nuclear Threat That Festered Under Biden

/0 Comments/in , /by

Iran has largely been left unchecked by the Biden administration in its goal to become a nuclear power, presenting President-elect Donald Trump with a significant foreign policy challenge that has few easy solutions.

Iran, with its current stockpiles, can make a nuclear weapon with 60% enriched uranium in just one week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a November bulletin. The president-elect will have to choose a path quickly upon assuming office, such as renegotiating a deal to halt or slow Iran’s progress, military intervention or re-tooling sanctions that have so far been ineffective.

“The United States needs another Middle East war like it needs a hole in the head,” Justin Logan, director of defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute, told the DCNF. “There are all kinds of angles from which escalation could happen, and Trump openly campaigned as a Peace Through Strength leader, not a warmonger. With that said, a lot turns on what Trump’s closest advisers will do to shape the president’s understanding of the options. Unfortunately, we’re heading to a fork in the road.”

The first, and perhaps most direct option, is a military strike from the U.S. on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump advisers have reportedly expressed concern that Iran’s progress may be too far in, and a military strike may be the only option, according to Axios. Israel would be a prime candidate to assist with a strike, as it has conducted similar operations in the past.

“The Trump Administration is committed to reestablishing peace & stability in the Middle East. President Trump will keep all options on the table as it relates to the Iran Regime including Maximum Pressure,” Brian Hughes, Trump-Vance transition spokesperson, told the DCNF. (Read more from “Here Are Trump’s Options For Dealing With An Imminent Nuclear Threat That Festered Under Biden” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr