Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he plans to oppose the nomination of Kash Patel, President Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI. “Kash Patel has neither the experience, the temperament, nor the judgment to lead the FBI,” Durbin said in a statement after a 30-minute meeting with Patel. “Mr. Patel’s political grievances make him a favorite of the MAGA world, but they have not prepared him to work night and day to keep us safe from violent crime, drug...

by Ron Paul, Ron Paul Institute: By the time most of you read this column, we will have a new US President. Donald J. Trump will be inaugurated for his second term today at 11:30 AM, Eastern time, and many Americans are hopeful that the disastrous foreign policy of the past four years under Biden […]

by Matt Agorist, The Free Thought Project: (Future of Freedom Foundation) Joe Biden’s presidency ends on January 20, 2025. There will likely be a media stampede to hallow his reign and trumpet his virtues. But Biden perpetually trampled his January 20, 2021, oath to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” In his […]

Once a RINO, always a RINO… After President Trump pardoned all J6 political hostages yesterday, Sen. Mitch McConnell was quick to speak out against it. He slammed President Trump’s decision as a “disgraceful misuse of presidential power” and Take a look: JUST IN: Mitch McConnell blasts Trump for mass pardons of J6ers, calls it a “disgraceful misuse of presidential power.” – The Hill pic.twitter.com/T8su05Smvs — Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) January 21, 2025 It’s time for him to retire: Mitch McConnell has criticized President Trump for issuing blanket pardons for January 6th defendants. pic.twitter.com/90MWYSFh2M — Bella (@stockbella) January 21, 2025 JUST IN Senator Mitch McConnell criticizes President Trump for issuing blanket pardons for January 6th prisoners. Did he cry when Biden blanket pardoned actual criminals? pic.twitter.com/c6mPQeLhpM — Dara Marchica (@Dara1Marchica) January 21, 2025 From The Hill: Former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) criticized President Trump for pardoning roughly 1,500 people who were arrested during the Jan, 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, including some who harmed police. At least 600 insurrectionists were formally accused of assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement. “No one should excuse violence. And particularly violence against police officers,” McConnell told Semafor in an article published Tuesday. He echoed Vice President Vance’s remarks in a “Fox News Sunday” interview earlier this month, during which he said only those who “protested peacefully” should be pardoned, adding “if you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned.” McConnell’s comments come months after he stepped down from Senate leadership, however fellow GOP members still say his voice will be influential for the party in the new legislative cycle. Mediaite added: Over the course of President Donald Trump’s time in politics, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has at different times been a sharp critic and a compliant ally. On Tuesday, he was once again in the former category, issuing a pointed condemnation of Trump’s sweeping pardons of the January 6 rioters. Within hours of taking the oath of office, Trump had signed off on pardoning approximately 1,500 people, commuting the sentences of eight more, and directing the Department of Justice to dismiss with prejudice (meaning the cases cannot legally be re-filed) any remaining indictments for the rioters. Those to be set free by Trump’s actions include those convicted of violently assaulting police officers, and the ringleaders of the attack on the Capitol who were convicted of seditious conspiracy, such as far-right leaders like Enrique Tarrio of the Proud Boys and Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers. I think it’s time for Mitch to retire. What about you?

Another one steps down. FBI Director Paul Abbate retired right before President Donald Trump took the vow on Monday. And this comes after becoming acting chief right after Christopher Wray’s retirement. That was pretty quick. In a farewell email, he said, “I stuck around for continuity, but I’m out with new leadership inbound.” No other reason? Kash Patel is set to take the top job. Until that happens, Brian Driscoll gets the position. Acting FBI Director Paul Abbate retires just minutes before Trump takes office: report https://t.co/kbkCozA8W3 #FoxNews — Mode FtWorth (@MFtworth) January 21, 2025 CBS News reports: FBI’s longtime deputy director, who had been expected to temporarily replace director Christopher Wray on an acting basis during the transition into the new Trump administration, says he is retiring. Paul Abbate made the unexpected announcement in an email to senior officials Monday ahead of President Trump’s inauguration, CBS News confirmed. “When the Director asked me to stay on past my mandatory date for a brief time, I did so to help ensure continuity and the best transition for the FBI. Now, with new leadership inbound, after nearly four years in the deputy role, I am departing the FBI today,” Abbate wrote in the letter, according to the Associated Press, which obtained a copy of the email. Abbate had been running the FBI for only one day after Wray stepped down as director on Sunday. Wray was named by Trump during his first term and had been director for more than seven years. He announced his retirement when Trump said he wanted Kash Patel to be the director. Abbate’s email did not say who would replace him atop the bureau during the interim. Following the inauguration, the White House posted a list of acting leaders that said Brian Driscoll will serve as head of the FBI until the position is filled. And in his place comes Brian Driscoll. WASHINGTON: President Trump named Brian Driscoll acting FBI director. Driscoll, a special agent since 2007, has served in the NY field office and on the agency’s SWAT team. The move follows FBI acting director Paul Abbate’s retirement just before Trump took office. pic.twitter.com/qelKMmACR1 — KolHaolam (@KolHaolam) January 21, 2025   Here’s a classic clip of Paul Abbate vs Senator Ted Cruz: This Pile of Sh!t is the Face of the FBI- Paul Abbate Deputy Director of the FBI. Evasive, Smug, Vague, Arrogant refused to answer basic questions by Senator Cruz & others.Abbate embodies what majority of American’s think of the FBI, including myself. pic.twitter.com/6ULgsheN35 — Doug’s Journey ✞ Ⅹ (@DsJ0URNEY) August 16, 2024