Former President Donald Trump took a brief moment at his Saturday rally to poke fun at his own combover, prompting laughter from the audience when he shrugged and said, “It looks okay from the other side.” Trump took the stage in Grand Rapids, Michigan, exactly one week after a would-be assassin opened fire on his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Before Secret Service counter-snipers were able to neutralize the threat, Trump was shot in the ear and two others were gravely injured, and firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed. After paying tribute to Comperatore early in his Saturday rally speech, Trump pivoted to campaign issues – but paused to laugh for a moment at his own expense. WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor shared a brief video along with the following caption: “A self-deprecating Donald Trump making fun of his own comb-over could be the wild card his campaign needs to secure a landslide.” WATCH: A self-deprecating Donald Trump making fun of his own comb-over could be the wild card his campaign needs to secure a landslide. pic.twitter.com/Zoh6o94ZD9 — L A R R Y (@LarryOConnor) July 20, 2024 “I have to just interject, if you would turn off those cameras ’cause I don’t want this, see the screen up there of me?” Trump asked. “That’s very severe, that combover, that’s a severe sucker! What’s with that one? It looks okay from the other side.” The crowd roared with laughter, and Trump continued: “But that is very severe, I apologize. Man. I looked over, I said whoa. Look at that. Wow. That’s like a work of art.” He pointed back toward the side he’d said looked “okay,” adding, “Only look at that one, don’t look — “

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has been called to account for a number of apparent security failures that led to an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump last Saturday – and while he has made no move thus far to answer those questions, he did take time on Saturday to issue a memo demanding people stop criticizing female agents. In the memo, Mayorkas complained about the “baseless and insulting” suggestions that perhaps the Secret Service should not have put women on Trump’s security detail at the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally. Statement regarding recent comments questioning the presence of women in law enforcement: https://t.co/NaTdDM0R85 pic.twitter.com/dkCY7Yoalb — Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (@SecMayorkas) July 20, 2024 “In the days following the attempted assassination of former President Trump, some people have made public statements questioning the presence of women in law enforcement, including in the United States Secret Service,” Mayorkas’ memo began. “These assertions are baseless and insulting.” Mayorkas went on to note that women serve honorably in law enforcement, risking their lives and serving their communities all across the country: “They are brave and selfless patriots who deserve our gratitude and respect.” “We in the United States Department of Homeland Security – the largest law enforcement organization in the federal government — will, with great pride, focus, and devotion to mission, continue to recruit, retain, and elevate women in our law enforcement ranks. Our department will be the better for it, and our country more secure,” Mayorkas concluded. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, critics pointed to Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, who had previously vowed to increase the number of female agents — and questioned whether or not her priorities were in the right place. Some also noted that the female agents present at the Pennsylvania rally had been much smaller than Trump. Cheatle is expected to appear before Congress on Monday, and Mayorkas is also facing a subpoena to field questions on the matter.

Secret Service officials, according to a new report from The Washington Post, denied multiple requests from former President Donald Trump’s security team to beef up their manpower and resources for major events over the last two years. The Washington Post cited “four people familiar with the requests,” saying that the agents who were assigned to protect Trump had “requested magnetometers and more agents to screen attendees at sporting events and other large public gatherings Trump attended, as well as additional snipers and specialty teams at other outdoor events.” Those requests were reportedly “denied by senior officials at the agency, who cited various reasons, including a lack of resources at an agency that has long struggled with staffing shortages.” Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) was among the first to raise questions about whether or not the Secret Service had rebuffed requests for additional security for Trump. “I have very reliable sources telling me there have been repeated requests for stronger secret service protection for President Trump. Denied by Secretary Mayorkas,” he said, just hours after the shooting. I have very reliable sources telling me there have been repeated requests for stronger secret service protection for President Trump. Denied by Secretary Mayorkas. https://t.co/RazOVcJgCk — Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) July 14, 2024 Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi initially pushed back against reports that such requests had been made and then rebuffed by the agency. “Theres an untrue assertion that a member of the former President’s team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed. This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo,” he said the day after the shooting. Theres an untrue assertion that a member of the former President’s team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed. This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo — Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 14, 2024 But the latest report suggests that those claims were, in fact, accurate. “The Secret Service, after initially denying turning down requests for additional security, is now acknowledging some may have been rejected,” The Washington Post report continued. “The revelation comes as agency veterans say the organization has been forced to make difficult decisions amid competing demands, a growing list of protectees and limited funding.” John Hasson shared a series of screenshots that laid out the changing narrative from start to finish, from Waltz’s assertions to The Washington Post’s apparent confirmation. “July 13: Rep. @Michaelgwaltz claims Secret Service denied Trump’s requests for more security; July 14: Secret Service says it didn’t deny Trump’s requests; TODAY: Secret Service admits it “may have” denied Trump’s requests.” July 13: Rep. @michaelgwaltz claims Secret Service denied Trump’s requests for more security July 14: Secret Service says it didn’t deny Trump’s requests TODAY: Secret Service admits it “may have” denied Trump’s requests pic.twitter.com/ThkYFmUfCp — John Hasson (@SonofHas) July 20, 2024

'It would be wildly irresponsible for us to speculate on his state of mind in the two years since we last saw Thomas Crooks'

Top US Secret Service Officials Repeatedly Denied Trump Security's Requests For Additional Resources: Report

'They were very puzzled'

A family applied for kittens but walked out of the shelter with two clingiest cats meant for them. Kermit and FozzieExploitsValleySPCAAbout two months ago, two bonded feline brothers arrived at Exploits Valley SPCA when their previous owners could no longer care for them.Named Kermit (tabby) and Fozzie (black) from The Muppets, they curled up side by side in a kennel, taking solace from each other. Fozzie, the shyer of the two, leaned on his brother as they navigated this new world together.After spending their lifetime as a pair, the shelter hoped to find them a forever home where they would never be apart. They are a bonded pairExploitsValleySPCAThe two brothers came out of their shells when they moved into a spacious room with cat trees, toys, and plenty of cozy beds. Once they warmed up to staff and volunteers, their endearing personalities emerged and captivated everyone's hearts."These boys are the sweetest cats imaginable and always need to be holding onto your hand or leg," the SPCA shared. Kermit waved at the door for attentionExploitsValleySPCAKermit often waited by the door, peering through the glass and stretching his paws as if beckoning for visitors to hang out with him. The moment someone entered the room, both cats were up on their feet, eagerly begging for attention.They twirled around their legs, brushing against them. Then, standing up on their tiptoes, they clung to their human with their front paws until they were smothered with love. Fozzie and his brother adore peopleExploitsValleySPCAEstimated to be two years old, Kermit and Fozzie were still kittens at heart. They were obsessed with people, rubbing their faces against their hands or legs, trying to convince them to stay. Nothing seemed to trump human companionship for the lovable pair."Kermit and Fozzie aren't your average brothers. They love people." ExploitsValleySPCAThey were looking for "some extra clingy humans who would appreciate their need for affection."Around that time, Breanne and her family began searching for feline companions. They applied for two kittens through the SPCA but later realized they had been adopted. Looking for extra cuddly pets, they came across the affectionate feline brothers. They tried to convince their people to stayExploitsValleySPCAWhen Breanne saw their bond and insatiable hunger for love, she was smitten. Then, she noticed their names, Kermit and Fozzie, and instantly knew they were the ones the family had been looking for."She shared that her mom, who had passed away, was a huge fan of The Muppets, making it feel like they were meant to have them from the start." ExploitsValleySPCAAfter weeks at the shelter, Kermit and Fozzie joined Breanne and her family in their loving home. They quickly settled in as if they had lived there all their lives - napping anywhere they found fit, always side by side like two peas in a pod.Kermit continues to be the super clingy cat, and his brother Fozzie follows in his paw-steps. They found their forever home togetherExploitsValleySPCAThey enjoy watching cat TV by the window while basking in the warm rays. If one of them hops on the cat tree, the other quickly follows.They play together, nap as a duo, and demand attention from their people as a team. They are always side by side, like two peas in a podExploitsValleySPCABreanne and her family reached out to the shelter for kittens but ended up with the most perfect cats they could ever ask for. ExploitsValleySPCAShare this story with your friends. More cats and kittens from Exploits Valley SPCA on Facebook and their YouTube Channel @BirdieWorld382.Related story: Cat Curled Up Outside House on Bitter Cold Day, When the Door Opened, He Walked in Ready for Change

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