Category: Hire The Best People

Trump Aide Natalie Harp Leaves Devotional Notes

President Trump’s executive assistant Natalie Harp has cultivated an extraordinarily personal relationship with the president, leaving handwritten notes declaring “You are all that matters to me” in his private spaces and providing constant positive reinforcement of his decisions. According to a new book by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan titled “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump,” Harp, a 34-year-old former television presenter, functions as Trump’s devoted aide and near-constant presence, earning the nickname “the human printer” for her role printing online articles and typing his Truth Social posts. Trump has described Harp as equally loyal to his wife and children, telling staff members “She’ll never leave me,” while White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles reportedly questioned her own place within this dynamic.

Harp’s influence extends to shaping Trump’s public communications and aesthetic preferences. She has encouraged his Oval Office redesigns and provided enthusiastic approval of his accumulation of gold furnishings, with the book noting that while other residence staff offered muted responses, “his devout aide Natalie Harp would gush with delight.” The 34-year-old has also played a direct role in some of Trump’s most controversial Truth Social posts, including a video depicting the Obamas as apes and an image casting Trump as a Christ-like figure, both of which were later deleted following bipartisan criticism.

Harp maintained her proximity to Trump even after he lost the 2020 election and relocated to Florida, where she provided him with carefully curated positive news stories and social media comments while he was away from office. Her devotion remained consistent upon Trump’s return to the White House, where she continued to offer unqualified praise and personal reinforcement, creating a dynamic of singular loyalty that appears designed to insulate the president from critical feedback or alternative perspectives within his administration.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended Harp’s role when reached for comment, characterizing her as a “beloved White House Official” and attributing her influence to Trump’s broader ability to cultivate staff loyalty. Desai also framed Trump’s use of Truth Social as an effective direct communication tool while dismissing media criticism as “Fake News,” suggesting the administration views Harp’s role as part of a broader strategy to maintain presidential control over messaging and information flow.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-aide-notes-natalie-harp-b3004534.html)

Tulsi Gabbard, her guru and the mysterious messages that helped shape her political career – The Washington Post

Tulsi Gabbard’s political trajectory has been shaped significantly by her association with Chris Butler, the leader of a Hawaii-based spiritual organization. According to reporting by The Washington Post, Gabbard maintained close ties to Butler and his group throughout her congressional career and into her role as Director of National Intelligence under Trump, raising questions about external influence on her decision-making in sensitive national security positions.

Butler’s organization, which operates with characteristics similar to a cult, exerts considerable control over members’ lives and finances. Gabbard’s deep involvement with the group and Butler’s teachings informed major policy positions she advocated for in Congress, including her foreign policy stances and opposition to military interventions. Former associates and observers have documented how Butler’s ideological framework aligned closely with positions Gabbard publicly promoted, suggesting her independent political identity may have been substantially intertwined with the organization’s philosophy.

During her tenure as Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard’s handling of sensitive intelligence raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and allegiance to Trump over institutional independence. Reports indicated she intervened in standard intelligence protocols in ways that benefited Trump personally, departing from the nonpartisan norms expected of intelligence officials. Her willingness to prioritize Trump’s interests over established intelligence community procedures demonstrated the kind of loyalty expected from those in his inner circle, paralleling the deference she showed to Butler within the spiritual organization.

Gabbard resigned from her position as Director of National Intelligence in June 2026, citing family health reasons. Her departure followed a pattern of concerns about her judgment and independence in the role, with critics and intelligence professionals questioning whether her background and affiliations made her suitable for overseeing the nation’s intelligence agencies. The brevity of her tenure underscored the broader questions about whether individuals with strong ties to charismatic leaders can operate with the independence required in positions of national security responsibility.

The Washington Post’s investigation documents how Gabbard’s relationship with Butler and his organization persisted as a defining influence on her political career, from her congressional service through her appointment to Trump’s administration. The reporting suggests that understanding Gabbard’s actions and positions requires recognizing the role played by external figures and organizations in shaping her worldview and decision-making, casting doubt on claims of complete political autonomy made by her supporters.



(Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2026/06/21/tulsi-gabbard-her-guru-mysterious-messages-that-helped-shape-her-political-career/) by her supporters.

Patel Announces UFC Plot Before All Arrests

FBI Director Kash Patel announced details of an ongoing investigation into an alleged drone attack plot targeting the White House UFC event on Sunday before roughly 10 suspects had been arrested, angering Secret Service and FBI officials who were coordinating the case. The investigation began when a relative of one suspect contacted Cincinnati-area police reporting that their family member was discussing a vague plot involving Washington. Secret Service advanced threat interdiction teams, working with the FBI, obtained a subpoena for encrypted Signal messages, identified the plot’s details, and arrested 19-year-old Tycen Proper of Ohio on June 13, immediately sealing the case to continue identifying additional suspects.

Patel’s Tuesday social media post disclosed the investigation while the case remained sealed in court and before law enforcement could apprehend and detain the remaining suspects. Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn addressed the premature disclosure without naming Patel, stating that the agency made a deliberate choice not to leak the investigation’s existence to maintain its integrity and security planning. Quinn referenced a principle from his early career: “Don’t choke on your own smoke,” emphasizing that the Secret Service led the investigation and that ongoing charges remained sealed.

This incident reflects a pattern of rushed announcements by Patel. In September 2025, he posted that the FBI had a subject in custody for the shooting death of conservative Trump ally Charlie Kirk, then retracted the claim 90 minutes later when the suspect was released. Senior investigators viewed the premature post as foolish; Trump privately complained it was inappropriate. In December 2025, Patel again prematurely announced a person of interest in custody for a Brown University shooting, later correcting the statement when the individual was released with no connection to the crime.

The Justice Department announced arrests of five men, including Proper, on Tuesday afternoon for an alleged plot to attack the event with drones and snipers. The Secret Service had increased security measures and alerted law enforcement partners to watch for drones and related threats in downtown Washington. Patel defended his past announcements as motivated by transparency, telling critics he does not regret publicizing incomplete information despite acknowledging he could have worded his statements better.



(Source: https://www.ms.now/news/kash-patel-white-house-ufc-attack-secret-service)

Trump Orders Intelligence Agency Purge, Names Pulte to Shrink ODNI

President Trump ordered acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to shrink the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), which oversees 18 federal intelligence agencies and employs approximately 1,800 staff members. Trump stated the office is “too big” and targeted “people in there that shouldn’t be there,” specifically naming holdovers from the Obama and Biden administrations for removal, according to an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Friday, June 6, 2026.

Trump appointed Pulte to the acting DNI role without requiring Senate confirmation, allowing him to serve for 210 days while implementing cuts. Pulte currently directs the Federal Housing Finance Agency and has no national intelligence experience; he previously used his FHFA position to file criminal referrals against Trump’s political opponents alleging mortgage fraud. Former DNI Tulsi Gabbard already reduced agency staff by nearly 50 percent and cut the budget by over $700 million annually, and Trump’s ODNI official stated plans to “root out deep state bad actors,” signaling further political purges ahead.

Trump has a documented history of undermining U.S. intelligence agencies, most notably siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s denial of Russian interference in the 2016 election against the assessment of U.S. intelligence services. Pulte never underwent a security clearance process before Trump announced his selection as acting DNI, departing sharply from standard vetting procedures and raising questions about whether loyalists rather than qualified professionals will lead U.S. intelligence.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, told reporters the ODNI requires “professionals” rather than a “weaponized” agency, while Democratic Senator Mark Warner accused Trump of appointing “someone who will be willing to shape intelligence around the president’s wishes.” Trump defended Pulte’s lack of experience by saying he could “shake it up,” and told reporters Pulte might investigate “the rigged elections,” hours after Trump claimed without evidence that Democrats were cheating in California primaries.

Trump cited Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s gutting of the Department of Education in 2025 as a model for ODNI downsizing, stating the intelligence office “should be much smaller” and could eventually be “terminated.” The ODNI was created by Congress in 2004 following the 9/11 attacks to coordinate intelligence sharing among federal agencies and produce the President’s Daily Brief, a classified document compiled from all intelligence agencies presented to the president each morning.(Source: https://time.com/article/2026/06/06/trump-ODNI-intelligence-cuts/)

Trump Appoints Unvetted Loyalist to Lead US Intelligence

Bill Pulte, Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. intelligence community as acting director of national intelligence, never underwent a security clearance process before his appointment in June 2026. According to three sources, Pulte lacked any security clearance granting access to classified information, and the vetting process only began after Trump announced his selection. This marks a stark departure from standard practice for the role, which requires access to the nation’s most sensitive intelligence across 18 agencies.

Pulte is a wealthy businessman and Trump loyalist who served as Federal Housing Finance Agency director. He played a significant role in pressuring the Justice Department to pursue cases against Trump’s political opponents. His lack of demonstrated national security experience and absence of prior security clearance vetting underscore what national security professionals describe as an unconventional and potentially dangerous appointment. Trump has indicated Pulte will serve temporarily and suggested he will grant classified access before Pulte formally assumes the role next month, potentially bypassing standard vetting requirements.

Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, stated there is no evidence that Pulte would respect classified information protections. The appointment has triggered bipartisan alarm. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the role should not be “weaponized,” and the Senate Intelligence Committee has struggled to confirm whether Pulte even holds a security clearance. Sources indicate Trump’s reasoning for selecting Pulte centers on replic(Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/05/politics/pulte-intelligence-chief-security-clearance)ating his aggressive pursuit of the president’s political adversaries within the intelligence apparatus.

Concerns extend to Pulte’s potential role in advancing unfounded claims about the 2020 election. The appointment also risks damaging intelligence relationships with foreign partners who may restrict shared intelligence if U.S. officials lack proper vetting. Beth Sanner, a former senior intelligence official, warned that Pulte’s appointment could fracture intelligence sharing between agencies, as the CIA and other services may resist collaborating with an unvetted official overseeing their operations. Trump’s practice of granting high-level security clearances to unvetted appointees during his second term has already drawn criticism from national security lawyers as unprecedented.

Trump previously ordered security clearances for relatives and staff, including associates facing ethics violations, during his first term. His administration weaponizes the intelligence apparatus and Justice Department against political opponents, consistent with broader efforts to control federal institutions for personal and political advantage.

Trump’s Pentagon hires Jan 6 rioter for highly sensitive counterterrorism role | The Independent

The Trump administration hired Elias Irizarry, a convicted January 6 Capitol rioter, to serve in the Pentagon's Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict office, which oversees counterterrorism, hostage rescues, and embassy security operations. Irizarry, who was 19 years old during the insurrection, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for entering the Capitol through a broken window while holding a metal pole and now holds a sensitive position influencing military strategy in dangerous environments.

Pentagon officials defended the appointment, with a spokesman calling Irizarry "a qualified, patriotic young professional," and DOJ official Ernie Sampera attesting to his character and loyalty. However, an anonymous Pentagon insider told the Washington Post that placing someone "so junior and new to DOD, and with such a checkered background, into such a sensitive portfolio" for rescue and extraction missions operating in complex combat zones contradicts basic security protocols for positions handling classified counterterrorism information.

Irizarry had previously apologized to the court for his January 6 involvement, stating his participation "brought great shame upon myself, my family, and, unfortunately, my country." He later reframed his Capitol riot participation as evidence of commitment to the "America First movement" during an unsuccessful campaign for South Carolina state legislature, characterizing prosecution of rioters as targeting "nonviolent activities."

Trump pardoned Irizarry alongside more than 1,500 others convicted or accused of January 6 participation. The administration has systematically hired multiple individuals connected to the insurrection, including another accused rioter prosecutors say urged violence against law enforcement, now employed at the Justice Department.

Congressional Democrats have initiated investigations into whether the Department of Homeland Security is hiring former January 6 participants. Trump's proposed $1.8 billion fund to compensate victims of alleged DOJ "weaponization" has triggered concern among lawmakers that federal money could be redirected to compensate insurrectionists.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-elias-irizarry-january-6-pentagon-b2988374.html)

Trump Aide Steven Cheung Criticizes Mike Pompeo Over Iran Deal Comments

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung attacked former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday for criticizing Trump’s proposed Iran nuclear agreement, posting vulgar criticism on X stating that Pompeo “has no idea what the f*ck he’s talking about” and demanding he “shut his stupid mouth.” Cheung claimed Pompeo lacked access to current negotiations and therefore possessed no legitimate basis to comment on the still-developing framework.

Pompeo had posted hours earlier that the reported Iran deal follows patterns from the Obama administration that he characterized as capitulation to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, stating it would enable Iran to develop nuclear weapons and maintain control of shipping lanes. He called for the U.S. to instead blockade Iran’s access to funds and eliminate Iranian military capability threatening regional allies.

Conservative critics including Senator Ted Cruz joined Pompeo’s opposition, warning the agreement would deliver billions to an Islamist regime while permitting uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons development. Pompeo has faced prior conflicts within Trump’s orbit, including efforts to prevent his appointment to cabinet positions.

Cheung’s public assault on Pompeo reflects the Trump administration’s pattern of attacking dissenting voices within its own party and former appointees. The dispute demonstrates how Trump administration officials deploy aggressive rhetoric and personal attacks to suppress criticism rather than address substantive policy disagreements about Iran negotiations.

Trump previously praised Pompeo for combating press scrutiny, and the current conflict underscores how Trump demands absolute loyalty from current and former officials, moving to silence former Secretary of State Pompeo when his views diverge from administration positions on foreign policy.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/wh-spox-excoriates-trumps-fmr-secretary-of-state-for-criticizing-iran-deal-no-idea-what-the-fck-hes-talking-about/)

Trump Secretary Spent Last Year Making Reality TV Show With Family | The New Republic

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spent seven of his first seven months in office on a family road trip across eight conservative states and Washington, D.C., documented as a reality television show called “The Great American Road Trip” produced in partnership with Fox News for YouTube release. Duffy confirmed in a Fox News interview on Friday that the multimonth journey, which consumed nearly half his tenure since his Senate confirmation in January 2025, was his idea to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, stating his motto as “To love America is to see America.” His wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, later revealed the project originated from a directive by Donald Trump urging Cabinet members to develop ways to mark the anniversary, though the couple framed it as a spontaneous family decision to produce “wholesome” content.

Campos-Duffy defended the extended absence from Duffy’s official duties by characterizing American culture as a “PornHub world” and positioning the road trip as wholesome family content, urging other Americans to embark on similar journeys during 2026. The couple provided no acknowledgment of how working families facing severe economic hardship could afford such an undertaking, particularly as fuel costs remain elevated due to the ongoing war with Iran. Gas prices nationwide average $4.54 per gallon according to the American Automobile Association, approximately 50 percent higher than pre-war levels, with California regions such as Mono County experiencing prices exceeding $7 per gallon. Energy Secretary Chris Wright predicted costs could climb further before the midterm elections as the conflict continues.

The road trip states visited were Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Montana, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C.—a deliberately selective geographic footprint excluding 41 states and heavily favoring conservative strongholds. Duffy’s documented absence from transportation policy oversight while the nation faces infrastructural and energy challenges demonstrates how Trump’s Cabinet uses federal positions to advance personal projects and media ventures. The promotion of family leisure travel as national policy inspiration(Source: https://newrepublic.com/post/210192/donald-trump-transportation-secretary-reality-tv-show-family) during a period of economic strain for ordinary Americans exemplifies the disconnect between Trump administration messaging and material reality facing working people.

Trump Nominee Refuses to Confirm 22nd Amendment Bars Third

Trump’s judicial nominee John George Edward Marck refused to answer Senator Chris Coons’ direct question about what the 22nd Amendment states during a federal court confirmation hearing for the Southern District of Texas on May 4, 2026. The 22nd Amendment explicitly prohibits any person from being elected President more than twice. When Coons asked whether Trump is eligible to run for a third term, Marck claimed he needed to “review the facts” rather than confirming the constitutional bar, and sat silently while another witness answered.

Marck’s evasion violated constitutional duty by dodging a foundational legal question that judges must understand. Former Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger labeled the response “DISQUALIFYING,” and former GOP analyst Tara Setmayer called it “UNEQUIVOCALLY DISQUALIFYING.” The silence from other Trump nominees when asked to confirm the constitutional two-term limit demonstrated coordinated refusal to acknowledge clear constitutional limits on Trump’s power.

Trump has threatened to run for a third term, contradicting the explicit language of the 22nd Amendment. Republicans in Congress have offered only minimal resistance to this threat. Trump has a documented history of surrounding himself with advisers willing to abandon constitutional norms and reshape federal institutions according to his personal agenda.

Author Nick Bryant described Marck’s response as “really chilling” and “like a scene from a dystopian movie.” The nominee’s refusal to answer a basic constitutional question revealed Trump’s intention to pack federal courts with judges unwilling to enforce constitutional limits on executive power. This nomination exemplifies Trump’s systematic dismantling of institutional independence through loyalty-based judicial appointments.

(Source: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-judiciary-2676849914/)

‘Our candidates are fat Jewish Zionists!’ Trump aide Paul Ingrassia under fire again as leaked group chat reveals slur-filled rant targeting fellow Republican with vile AI-altered photo | Daily Mail Online

Trump administration official Paul Ingrassia, a 30-year-old attorney and longtime Trump loyalist, is facing renewed scrutiny after leaked text messages reveal he used racist and antisemitic language targeting fellow Republicans. In messages from April 2025 exchanged in a group chat titled “Team DOJ/DHS/WH” with other Trump aides, Ingrassia called Florida Congressman Randy Fine, a Jewish pro-Israel Republican, a “fat Jewish Zionist” and circulated an AI-altered photograph designed to make Fine appear grotesquely overweight, according to the Daily Mail’s exclusive report.

Ingrassia’s lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, denied the allegations, claiming the group chat does not exist on his client’s phone and characterizing the accusations as “false and fabricated.” The Daily Mail verified that the original photograph of Fine was taken at an RNC meeting in Marion County, Florida, in January 2025 and had been manipulated using artificial intelligence. Congressman Fine responded by expressing hope the messages were fabricated and stated that President Trump maintains zero tolerance for antisemitism and would fire those responsible if the texts were authentic.

This incident marks the second major controversy involving Ingrassia’s inflammatory remarks in less than a year. Last October, Politico exposed racist messages Ingrassia allegedly sent in January 2024, in which he stated the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell” and admitted to having “a Nazi streak” in him. The outlet also reported he used a racial slur for Black people while attacking holidays including Kwanzaa, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, and Juneteenth. Paltzik disputed the authenticity of those texts as well, claiming they were satirical commentary on liberals rather than genuine expressions of Ingrassia’s views.

Despite the October scandal leading Ingrassia to withdraw his nomination for Office of Special Counsel after Republican senators voiced opposition, he retained his position within the Trump administration. CNN previously reported on Ingrassia’s connections to white nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and documented racist and conspiratorial remarks Ingrassia had made. Ingrassia currently serves as Acting General Counsel for the U.S. General Services Administration, where he leads a team of attorneys implementing the president’s executive orders.

Ingrassia’s legal and professional history shows a pattern of defending controversial figures aligned with Trump’s movement. He has represented Andrew Tate, a kickboxer and influencer facing rape charges in Romania and the United Kingdom, and provided legal representation to numerous January 6 rioters who were later pardoned by Trump. Additionally, he faced harassment allegations from a lower-ranking female colleague whom he allegedly pressured to share his hotel room during an Orlando trip, allegations Paltzik denied while initiating a defamation lawsuit.

(Source: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15762363/trump-paul-ingrassia-jewish-slur-florida-randy-fine-AI-photo.html)

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