Author: Stop the Donald Trump

Trump DOJ Fires Prosecutor Who Rejected Comey Prosecution

The Trump administration’s Justice Department fired Robert McBride, the second-ranking official in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, after he declined to lead the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey. McBride, a 64-year-old career prosecutor and former Navy lawyer, was serving as first assistant to U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan and had been asked to take charge of the Comey case while also managing office operations.

McBride told senior Justice Department officials that leading the Comey prosecution while simultaneously running the office presented an untenable conflict, according to sources briefed on the matter. His removal came after he held private meetings with federal judges in the Eastern District of Virginia without Halligan’s knowledge—meetings that administration officials viewed as undermining their authority.

The timing of McBride’s firing directly follows a judge’s November ruling that Halligan was not legally appointed to her position, which led to the dismissal of both the Comey indictment and charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James. The Attorney General’s and Deputy Attorney General’s offices, along with the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, supported McBride’s removal and signed the termination paperwork.

McBride’s firing exemplifies the systematic weaponization of the DOJ against perceived enemies, as the administration continues pursuing charges against Comey despite judicial rejection of the case. This action against a prosecutor unwilling to serve as a tool for the administration’s political agenda demonstrates the purge of officials who refuse absolute compliance with Trump’s directives.

(Source: https://www.ms.now/news/trump-doj-fires-prosecutor-who-declined-to-pursue-james-comey-case)

Trump Regrets Not Ordering Guard Seize Voting Machines

President Donald Trump told the New York Times he regretted not ordering the National Guard to seize voting machines after the 2020 presidential election to overturn the result, which he continues to claim without evidence was rigged. Trump stated directly, “Well, I should have,” when asked about the proposal during a recent interview with the Times. During his first term, Trump pressed then-Attorney General Bill Barr and personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani about the legality of seizing machines, but Barr rejected involvement and Giuliani was rebuffed by the Department of Homeland Security.

When questioned whether using the military to impound voting machines would have been viable, Trump expressed doubt about the National Guard’s capability, saying, “I don’t know that they are sophisticated enough.” He added that while “they’re good warriors,” he was uncertain whether they possessed the sophistication to counter what he described as Democratic cheating methods. These comments reveal Trump’s intent to deploy federal military forces against civilian election infrastructure based on unsubstantiated fraud allegations.

Trump’s admission that he considered but abandoned plans to seize voting machines demonstrates a documented pattern of weaponizing federal power for political objectives. The statement confirms he actively sought methods to overturn an election he lost and viewed the failure to execute such a seizure as a strategic error rather than an unconstitutional act he should have rejected outright. His regret signals willingness to pursue similar extra-legal measures in future elections.

Trump’s remarks triggered immediate political concern over whether his administration will attempt to disrupt the 2026 midterm elections, particularly given ongoing unprecedented mid-decade gerrymandering efforts already underway. The explicit acknowledgment that he contemplated military seizure of voting machines contradicts any pretense that election interference concerns are speculative or exaggerated. His public regret normalizes the concept of using federal forces to nullify democratic processes when outcomes displease him.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/i-should-have-trump-says-he-regrets-not-seizing-voting-machines-in-2020-to-overturn-election/)

Leavitt Defends ICE Shooting, Dismisses Renee Good Protesters

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed Minneapolis protesters demonstrating against the fatal shooting of 37-year-old poet and mother Renee Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross, questioning their grievances during a Monday press gaggle. Leavitt framed the killing as justified self-defense, claiming Good rammed Ross with her vehicle during what she characterized as an organized effort to impede law enforcement operations. Vice President JD Vance has falsely claimed the officer is protected by absolute immunity, a legal assertion that contradicts established law.

Leavitt attacked protesters by asserting they opposed ICE’s removal of individuals she described as “heinous murderers and rapists and criminals,” framing opposition to the agency as protection of “illegal alien pedophiles” rather than engagement with the specific circumstances of Good’s death. She declared ICE performs a critical national security function and pledged the administration’s full support for “the brave men and women of ice, including the officer in Minneapolis.” This rhetorical strategy conflated general immigration enforcement with the narrow question of whether Ross’s use of lethal force was proportional and lawful.

Protesters have explicitly demanded ICE’s removal from their communities, justice for Good, and state involvement in the shooting investigation—specific demands grounded in accountability for the killing itself. President Trump has blocked Minnesota state investigators from the probe, citing the state’s purportedly “corrupt” government, centralizing control over the investigation in federal hands where the Trump administration exercises direct authority over the Department of Justice.

Video evidence of the incident has been widely described as a “Rorschach Test” reflecting observers’ preexisting political positions rather than settling disputed facts about whether Good’s actions constituted a lethal threat requiring deadly force in response. Leavitt’s dismissal of protesters’ concerns sidestepped the substantive questions surrounding the shooting itself, instead reframing the event within an immigration enforcement narrative designed to delegitimize dissent.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/protesting-what-exactly-karoline-leavitt-rages-at-protesters-angry-over-renee-good-shooting/)

Federal prosecutors open criminal investigation into the Fed and Jerome Powell | CNN Business

Federal prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation in Washington, DC, according to CNN Business reporting on January 11, 2026. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated in a Sunday evening video that the investigation constitutes “pretext” stemming from the administration’s ongoing pressure regarding interest rate policy, characterizing it as part of broader “threats and ongoing pressure” directed at the Fed’s independence.

Powell directly attributed the investigation to the Federal Reserve’s decision to set interest rates based on economic conditions rather than presidential preferences. “The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President,” Powell said, emphasizing that the investigation threatens the Fed’s ability to conduct monetary policy free from political intimidation.

Trump has previously threatened to sue Powell over the renovation project, claiming mismanagement and cost overruns. Trump allies including Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought have publicly attacked the project’s management, though the Federal Reserve maintains the upgrades were necessary for critical infrastructure improvements, including asbestos removal and electrical system replacements.

The investigation arrives as Trump escalates his campaign to reshape Federal Reserve leadership, having already targeted Fed Governor Lisa Cook with removal efforts while preparing to announce Powell’s successor ahead of his May term expiration. The Justice Department declined substantive comment but stated through spokesperson Chad Gilmartin that the attorney general prioritizes investigating “any abuse of tax payer dollars.”

(Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/11/business/federal-prosecutors-criminal-investigation-federal-reserve-chair-jerome-powell)

Donald Trump Orders Army Chiefs to Draw Up Plan to Invade NATO Ally Greenland

President Trump has directed the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to prepare an invasion plan for Greenland, according to sources cited by the Mail on Sunday. Political adviser Stephen Miller and other administration hawks have accelerated this effort following the operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, viewing the window of opportunity as closing before mid-term elections later in 2026.

Senior military officials, including the joint chiefs of staff, are resisting the directive on grounds that an invasion would be illegal and lack Congressional support. Military sources describe Trump’s demands as unrealistic, with one comparing the situation to “dealing with a five-year-old.” The generals have attempted deflection by proposing alternative military operations, such as intercepting Russian “ghost” ships or launching strikes on Iran.

British diplomats have war-gamed scenarios involving Trump using force or political coercion to sever Greenland’s ties to Denmark, including a “worst-case scenario” described as leading to “the destruction of NATO from the inside.” Diplomatic cables indicate that Trump could advance from escalatory demands to a “compromise scenario” in which Denmark grants full military access to Greenland and denies it to Russia and China, with a NATO summit in July identified as potential timing for such a deal.

Trump previously declared he would acquire Greenland “easy way” or “hard way” regardless of local consent or Danish sovereignty. The administration has also discussed direct cash payments to Greenland’s 57,000 residents, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, as a strategy to encourage secession from Denmark.

Diplomatic sources suspect that dismantling NATO may be Trump’s actual objective, with one cable stating: “If Trump wants to end NATO, this might be the most convenient way to do it.” European officials fear Trump will act before the summer mid-term window closes, making early 2026 the likely timeframe for escalatory moves. The UK’s alignment with European allies or breakaway support for Trump’s approach will be critical to the outcome.

(Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15452323/Donald-Trump-orders-army-chiefs-plan-invade-Greenland-President.html)

Trump Bizarrely Claims Credit For Ending 1/4 of a War on Fox

During a Fox News interview Thursday night, President Trump claimed credit for ending “eight and a quarter” wars, adding a fractional war to his repeated assertions of peace-brokering accomplishments. Trump attributed the quarter-war credit to Thailand and Cambodia “going at it again,” contradicting his claim of having stopped conflicts entirely. His statements came in response to discussion of María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient who recently offered to give her award to Trump for “liberating” Venezuela.

Trump has routinely inflated his war-ending record on social media and in public appearances, variously claiming to have ended 8, 9, or 10 wars without factual support. Fact-checkers have repeatedly debunked these assertions, yet Trump continues to invoke the falsehood as evidence of his diplomatic achievements and as grounds for his own Nobel Prize candidacy. His willingness to revise the number mid-interview—from “eight” to “eight and a quarter”—demonstrates the malleable nature of his claims.

Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize for her activism against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s regime and dedicated the honor to Trump during her acceptance. Trump publicly justified the U.S. invasion of Venezuela by stating the operation would secure control over Venezuelan oil reserves. When asked by Hannity whether he would meet with Machado and accept her prize, Trump expressed willingness but pivoted to amplifying his unsubstantiated war-ending claims instead of addressing her political situation or offering concrete support.

The interview highlights Trump’s pattern of manufacturing achievements through rhetorical inflation and repetition rather than documented accomplishment. By presenting fractional credit for unresolved conflicts as proof of peace-brokering success, Trump conflates aspiration with outcome while avoiding accountability for conflicts that persist. His eagerness to accept recognition he has not earned reflects his consistent approach to self-aggrandizement across foreign policy matters.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/trump-bizarrely-claims-credit-for-ending-1-4-of-a-war-in-falsehood-riddled-rant-on-fox-news/)

France changes its G7 schedule because Trump is busy with White House UFC fight on his birthday: report

French officials rescheduled the Group of 7 summit from June 14-16 to June 15-17 after Trump announced plans to host a UFC fight at the White House on June 14, his 80th birthday. A White House official stated the summit was moved to “accommodate” Trump’s schedule, claiming international partners “kindly shifted dates” because Trump’s attendance was “essential.” France’s government declined to explicitly confirm the UFC event prompted the change, attributing the rescheduling to “consultations with G7 partners.”

Trump announced the White House UFC event during an October rally in Norfolk, Virginia, stating he would host a “big UFC fight” on the White House grounds on June 14. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed logistical planning is underway and disclosed the event will accommodate approximately 5,000 spectators on the White House lawn, with large screens, a stage, and music scheduled throughout the day. White indicated that fighters will walk directly from the Oval Office to the venue.

Trump is a documented UFC enthusiast who has attended multiple fights, including one in November 2024 with his son and Elon Musk. The scheduling change demonstrates how Trump’s personal entertainment commitments now direct diplomatic calendars, with world leaders accommodating his birthday event over established international protocols.

Trump attended the previous G7 summit in Canada but departed early, citing Middle East tensions. His prioritization of a UFC event over the standard G7 schedule reflects his pattern of treating official duties as secondary to personal interests and entertainment.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/france-changes-g7-schedule-because-003823827.html)

Trump Goon Melts Down Defending Kennedy Center Disasters

Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell defended the performing arts venue’s controversial Trump-branded renaming by attacking major news outlets rather than addressing why the Washington National Opera ended its 50-year residency. The opera company cited the Kennedy Center’s new business model, which demands performers fund productions entirely in advance—a departure from standard industry practice where ticket sales cover only 30–60% of costs, with grants and donations making up the remainder.

Grenell accused CNN, The Washington Post, and The New York Times of encouraging artists to boycott performances without providing evidence, posting on X that “legacy media are left wing activists.” His deflection ignored the concrete operational issue: the Kennedy Center’s funding requirement is incompatible with how opera companies—and most performing arts organizations—operate financially.

The Washington National Opera’s departure represents another institutional rejection of Trump’s attempt to rename the Kennedy Center after himself. The company stated the split was amicable, but the timing reflects broader artist resistance to the renaming decision, which has drawn criticism from cultural leaders and the Kennedy family itself.

Grenell’s response exemplifies the administration’s pattern of blaming media outlets for negative coverage rather than addressing substantive concerns about institutional changes. Grenell previously made similar unsubstantiated claims about media influence on artist decisions regarding the Kennedy Center.

The Kennedy Center’s new funding model appears designed to prioritize corporate or private sponsorship over traditional arts support structures, fundamentally altering how the institution operates. This structural shift, not media pressure, explains why established arts organizations are reconsidering their participation at the venue.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/trump-goon-melts-down-latest-070034608.html)

Smithsonian scrubs negative info about Trump from caption of presidential portrait: report – Raw Story

The Smithsonian Institution removed references to Trump’s two impeachments and the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection from his official presidential portrait caption at the National Portrait Gallery, according to The Washington Post. A Trump official had previously complained about the caption, which documented his impeachments on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection, as well as his Senate acquittal in both trials. The institution also replaced the portrait photograph itself with a new image showing Trump with his fists on the Resolute Desk, removing the prior photo by Washington Post photojournalist Matt McClain.

The revised caption now contains only Trump’s years in office, making it substantially shorter than the previous text and leaving a visible outline of the old placard on the wall beneath it. This alteration contradicts the Smithsonian’s treatment of other former presidents’ portraits, which continue to include significant events from their administrations. Former President Bill Clinton’s portrait caption, for example, still mentions his impeachment, demonstrating the selective erasure applied only to Trump’s historical record.

The action reflects ongoing Trump administration efforts to systematically dismantle the Smithsonian’s historical narratives through pressure and institutional control. The removal of documented facts about impeachment proceedings and the Capitol attack from the official record demonstrates direct censorship of American history within a federal institution.

This revision represents a factual omission that rewrites the historical record available to the public visiting the National Portrait Gallery. By removing impeachment documentation from Trump’s portrait while preserving it for Clinton, the Smithsonian has created an inconsistent standard that privileges Trump’s image over historical accuracy and transparency about presidential conduct.

(Source: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-portrait-2674872324/)

US quits global organisation dedicated to preventing violent extremism | Reuters

The Trump administration withdrew U.S. support from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) on Wednesday as part of a broader pullout from 35 international agencies and 31 U.N. entities deemed misaligned with U.S. interests. GCERF, a Geneva-based organization supporting extremism prevention programs across dozens of vulnerable countries, was eliminated without explanation according to Dr. Khalid Koser, the fund’s director.

Koser stated the decision reflects an ideological shift toward security-focused counterterrorism over multilateral prevention strategies, telling Reuters: “I think it’s a mistake to take out that fundamental piece of prevention. But I don’t think this administration believes in prevention.” The withdrawal contradicts Trump’s stated “America First” foreign policy positioning, as the U.S. originally helped establish GCERF’s programs including reintegration efforts in northeast Syria for families from Islamic State militant circles.

The timing of the withdrawal undermines global security objectives, as extremist violence risks are at their highest level since the 2011 Arab Spring, with escalating attacks documented in Afghanistan, the Sahel region, and northeast Syria camps holding tens of thousands of Islamic State family members vulnerable to radicalization. The 2025 Global Terrorism Index recorded terrorist attacks in 66 countries in 2024, up from 58 in 2023, reversing a decade of improvement and marking a severe deterioration in global security conditions.

Simultaneous with the GCERF withdrawal, the Trump administration quit the 30-nation Global Counterterrorism Forum, further dismantling collaborative international security infrastructure. GCERF now carries the global prevention burden largely alone with a $50 million annual budget insufficient to address expanding gaps left by mass U.S. foreign aid cuts implemented last year.

Koser warned that abandoning prevention work compounds future threats, stating: “If you don’t work on prevention, then in 10 years time, you’re going to have lots of terrorists and lots of problems.” The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the decision.

(Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-quits-global-organisation-dedicated-preventing-violent-extremism-2026-01-09/?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=69617cc5e2c00a000174139f&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRleAPPyMFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe9L9Z_kiKuO10bQQLMkADhMMduDDDaLHmNyKckGNc8OUu6nQtboNAGfEIpIQ_aem_2qQIBLazr7EgIYpJqLB-RA)

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