Real News No Bullshit

Back on X — took a break from here because it's mostly filled with bots & political activists masquerading as journalists on both sides (not all, but most). Hoping to be a place that isn't an echo chamber for the left & right. Thanks for following.

US News: An Iranian-linked hacker group has successfully breached the personal email of FBI Director Kash Patel. Getting into it: The hacking group Handala claimed responsibility, saying Patel “will now find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims” and framing the breach as retaliation after the FBI seized websites tied to the group. They also said this was in retaliation for a US missile strike on a school in Iran that they say killed hundreds children. In another post, the group mocked the bureau’s response, saying it acted after the FBI’s “ridiculous show” of offering a $10 million reward for its members. The group ultimately published more than 300 emails and photos from Patel’s personal Gmail account, including travel records, family messages, tax discussions, and apartment searches dating from roughly 2010 to 2022. They also released personal photos, including images of Patel smoking cigars and posing with cars. The FBI confirmed the breach but downplayed its scope, saying it is “aware of malicious actors targeting Director Patel’s personal email information” and that it has taken “all necessary steps to mitigate potential risks.” They stressed that the data “does not involve government information” and is continuing to investigate. In addition to Patel’s personal email, the hacking group has claimed to have obtained information from Lockheed Martin that contains extensive personal data belonging to 28 senior engineers at the company. They issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the employees halt their involvement in certain activities, accompanied by threats of violence against them and their families. Despite these claims, Lockheed Martin has stated that there is no verified evidence of a breach of its systems. This all comes after Handala claimed responsibility for a disruptive attack on US medical device company Stryker.

US News: The United States Treasury has announced that President Donald Trump’s signature will appear on US paper currency as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. Getting into it: The announcement was made by Treasurer Brandon Beach, who confirmed that President Trump’s signature will be added to US paper currency alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Under the plan, Trump’s signature will replace that of the US treasurer, ending a long-standing tradition in place since 1861 in which both the treasurer and Treasury secretary sign banknotes. The change represents the first time a sitting US president’s signature will appear on circulating currency. While exact details remain unclear, the new notes are expected to begin printing in the coming months, and it has not been specified whether all denominations will feature the president’s signature. It should also be noted that Trump’s face will not appear on the currency, as some “news” outlets have alluded to. In a statement, Bessent said, “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are on a path toward unprecedented economic growth, lasting dollar dominance, and fiscal strength and stability. There is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump than US dollar bills bearing his name, and it is only appropriate that this historic currency be issued at the Semiquincentennial.” Critics have pushed back strongly, with figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom accusing the administration of self-promotion and politicizing national symbols. He added, “Now Americans will know exactly who to blame as they’re paying more for groceries, gas, rent, and health care.”

World News: Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on some of the country’s wealthiest people to contribute financially to Russia’s government budget as its war against Ukraine continues. Getting into it: Putin’s appeal to Russia’s business elite was reported by the Financial Times, the Moscow Times, and other outlets, which said he raised the issue during a closed-door meeting with leading oligarchs. According to people familiar with the discussions, Putin directly asked wealthy businessmen to help plug gaps in the state’s finances as military spending continues to surge. This marks a notable shift, as the Kremlin has previously relied more on indirect measures (such as taxation and regulatory pressure) rather than direct donation requests from Putin himself. Some prominent oligarchs have signaled their willingness to contribute, including Suleiman Kerimov, a billionaire with interests in gold and finance who pledged around 100 billion rubles. Oleg Deripaska, a metal titan known for his influence in the aluminum industry, also agreed to provide support when approached. This comes as Western sanctions have forced Russia to sell oil at discounted prices and have disrupted other sectors of its economy. Additionally, Ukraine has been bombing the shit out of key Russian energy infrastructure in an effort to cause more financial pain, with some estimates putting Russia’s refining capacity down by 30% due to the strikes over the last two and a half years. Despite this, Russia is simultaneously benefiting from a surge in oil revenues linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Rising global energy prices have temporarily boosted Russia’s economy, and the US suspension of certain oil sanctions on Russia for 30 days has also provided relief. In a brief statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not deny the reports and said that Putin welcomed the idea of business contributions to the country.

World News: A Russian-flagged oil tanker is continuing its journey to Cuba despite warnings from the United States that any oil shipments to Cuba would result in the US seizing vessels involved. Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you haven’t been following along, Cuba is under a significant amount of pressure right now as the Trump administration intensifies its embargo against the country. Shortly after the fall of Nicolás Maduro, the US moved to cut off oil shipments from Venezuela to Cuba. At the same time, pressure also led Mexico to halt shipments, effectively choking off supplies that accounted for more than 80% of Cuba’s energy. The sudden loss of fuel has triggered widespread blackouts, transportation, and economic disruptions, pushing the island toward what both US officials and other world leaders describe as a growing humanitarian crisis. Trump has openly said Cuba needs to “make a deal” with the US, fueling speculation that the strategy of cutting off energy while increasing diplomatic pressure is aimed at forcing regime change in the country. Others have speculated that Trump is seeking a clampdown on Chinese influence on the island, similar to what the administration did in Panama. What’s going on now: The Russian-flagged tanker Anatoly Kolodkin is moving toward Cuba carrying an estimated 730,000 barrels of crude oil, enough to supply the island for a few weeks at most. The vessel left the Russian port of Primorsk and has continued on a steady course despite briefly listing misleading destinations, with analysts noting its trajectory clearly points to Cuba and could arrive within the next 6 days. The ship is already under US sanctions and is believed to be part of Russia’s broader network used to bypass energy restrictions, making its arrival a direct challenge to Trump’s tightening embargo. Russian officials have described the shipment as humanitarian aid, with Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev confirming that Russia is providing fuel support to help Cuba cope with shortages caused by US sanctions. As of now, there has been no comment from the US.

World News: Iran is beginning to reinforce Kharg Island as it prepares for a possible US attempt to seize the strategic oil hub. Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, there have been indications that the US is preparing a ground invasion of Iran’s Kharg Island. This week, thousands of troops (including elements of the 82nd Airborne Division) are being deployed alongside two Marine Expeditionary Units positioned on amphibious assault ships (forces specifically designed for rapid coastal invasions). At the same time, some US officials have openly called for the invasion of the island as leverage against Iran, particularly to pressure it over the Strait of Hormuz and global oil flows. Despite these signals, Trump has refused to confirm or deny whether he will authorize a ground operation. What’s going on now: Iran has been rapidly reinforcing Kharg Island, turning it into a heavily fortified defensive position in anticipation of a possible US invasion. In the last week, Iranian forces have moved in additional troops, deployed air defense systems, and installed anti-ship and anti-air missile capabilities, while also laying coastal minefields and setting traps along likely landing zones. According to senior defense officials speaking to CNN, the island is being prepared specifically to repel an amphibious invasion, with layered defenses designed to hit incoming aircraft, naval forces, and ground troops the moment they attempt to land. At the same time, Iranian officials have issued direct warnings about what would happen if the US tries to take the island, making it clear they expect a prolonged and costly conflict. Last week, Iran publicly warned that the US would face losses on a scale not seen in decades, with comparisons being made to “another Vietnam.” Beyond the island, Iran has threatened to widen the conflict by targeting global shipping routes, particularly the Bab al-Mandeb Strait (another key route used to transport oil and goods to the Mediterranean). If true, Iran would likely rely on the Houthis in Yemen (a proxy group that has up to now sat this conflict out).

World News: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly pushing the US to continue its conflict with Iran amid reports that some Gulf countries are moving closer to joining the conflict. Getting into it: First reported by The New York Times, citing people briefed on conversations with American officials, the Saudi crown prince has urged President Trump in recent talks to continue the conflict, arguing it presents a “historic opportunity” to reshape the Middle East by removing Iran’s government. He has framed Iran as a long-term threat to the Gulf that Saudi officials believe won’t go away unless the current leadership is removed. He also believes that if the US backs off now, it could leave the region facing a more aggressive Iran. Saudi Arabia’s stance has largely been influenced by Iran’s ongoing retaliation, which has included repeated missile and drone strikes hitting key parts of their country, including energy sites and urban areas. These strikes have pissed off Saudi officials, with the country now shifting from trying to stay out of the conflict to taking a more supportive role. In the last few days, the kingdom has started opening up access for US military operations at locations like King Fahd Air Base, despite previously saying it would not allow its land or airspace to be used in strikes targeting Iran. It has also expelled Iranian diplomatic personnel, declaring them persona non grata. It should be noted that Saudi Arabia has publicly denied pushing to prolong the conflict, saying it supports a peaceful resolution. Saudi officials have noted that their “patience” related to strikes from Iran on their territory is running thin. This all comes as Saudi Arabia is increasingly seen as moving closer to direct involvement, with some reports suggesting it may be only a matter of time before it joins the fight. The United Arab Emirates is also stepping up pressure on Iran, cracking down on Iranian-linked assets (threatening to freeze billions in holdings), and considering offensive operations against the Iranian military.

US News: The CEO of Reddit has confirmed that the platform may introduce new verification measures, including biometric and ID-based options, to ensure users are human and combat the rise of AI-driven bots. Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you didn’t know, the “Dead Internet Theory” is a theory that suggests much of today’s internet is no longer driven by real human activity but instead by bots and AI-generated content. According to the theory, governments, corporations, or coordinated groups deploy vast networks of bots to simulate human interaction, posting comments, generating articles, liking content, and shaping discussions in order to influence public opinion, control narratives, etc. These bots mimic human behavior convincingly,using AI to engage in conversations, promote specific viewpoints, amplify trends, or drown out dissent. Critics of the theory argue there’s clear evidence of real human activity online that would be “extremely difficult” to fake at scale. What’s going on now: During an interview on the TBPN podcast, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman said the company is actively considering new ways to verify that users are real people, as the platform deals with a surge of AI-driven bots. This includes a range of verification methods with varying levels of intensity. On the lighter end, Huffman pointed to passkey-based tools like biometrics, saying, “The most lightweight way is with something like Face ID or Touch ID… a human has to touch, or do or look at something, so that actually just proves there’s a person there.” Beyond that, the company is also considering third-party verification systems that don’t require full identification, as well as more heavy-handed approaches like ID-checking services. The reactions to this have been somewhat critical. Many Redditors are pushing back against the idea of any biometric or ID-based verification, arguing it could introduce surveillance risks, data breaches, and undermine the anonymity that defines the platform.

US News: Calls are growing for an investigation in the United States after two unusually large trades in S&P 500 and oil futures occurred just minutes before a market-moving announcement from President Donald Trump. What happened: Around 6:50 AM ET, when markets are usually quiet, someone placed a massive $1.5 billion bet that the stock market would go up, and at the same time placed a $192 million bet that oil prices would go down. About 15 minutes later, Trump announced that the US was in talks with Iran and would hold off on attacking energy infrastructure. That news made investors less worried about war and oil supply issues, which is why stocks went up and oil prices went down. As a result, the market moved exactly how those bets predicted. Stocks jumped more than 2.5%, meaning the person who made the $1.5 billion bet likely made about $37 to $60 million in just minutes. At the same time, oil dropped about 6%, so the $192 million bet against oil likely made around $10 to $12 million almost instantly. It’s not publicly known whether both trades came from the same person or entity. This all comes as there’s been growing criticism from some that people within the Trump administration (or within Trump’s orbit, including US lawmakers) are profiting off of insider trading tied to major geopolitical announcements. Back in December, Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon called for an investigation after the timing of large stock purchases by Venture Global’s founders (made shortly after meetings with senior administration officials and just before a key LNG export license was approved by the Trump administration). In a statement, Senator Merkley said, “The timing of the stock trades certainly merits investigation for potential conflicts of interest and insider trading.” As of now, there’s been no comment from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) despite some investors taking to social media demanding an investigation.

US News: The United States is actively considering the deployment of approximately 3,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to support potential military operations against Iran. Some shit you should know before you dig in: Last week we had an article about the US deploying two Marine Expeditionary Units (which specialize in conducting amphibious operations, rapid-response missions, evacuations, and securing key coastal infrastructure) toward the Gulf region. This followed reports that the US was considering a ground offensive to capture Kharg Island, a critical hub for Iran’s oil exports, and possibly other locations along Iran’s coastline (to create safe conditions for oil tankers to transit through the Strait of Hormuz). What’s going on now: First reported by the New York Times, citing defense officials, the Pentagon is weighing the potential deployment of a combat brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division’s Immediate Response Force (a unit of roughly 3,000 paratroopers capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 18 hours). While no official orders have been given, the planning opens the door to a scenario in which these forces could support or follow initial Marine operations. Officials have stressed that this remains contingency planning, not a confirmed operation. The 82nd Airborne specializes in rapid-entry operations, including airborne assaults, securing airfields, and establishing a foothold for follow-on forces. Unlike Marine Expeditionary Units, which are optimized for amphibious assaults and initial coastal engagements, the 82nd is built for speed and scalability. In a potential operation, Marines already en route could handle the initial assault and infrastructure repair, which would allow airborne troops to arrive and reinforce positions. This potential deployment would come on top of the roughly 5,000 Marines and sailors already moving into the region. Notably, the first amphibious assault ship carrying roughly 2,200 Marines will arrive in the region on Friday. No comment from the White House or Pentagon.

Video: During an appearance on Fox News, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham spoke about the ongoing conflict with Iran and advocated for a ground invasion of Iran’s Kharg Island in the northern Persian Gulf. He said, “Here’s what I would tell President Trump, keep it up for a few more weeks, take Kharg Island, where many of the resources they use to produce oil are located, control that island [and] let this regime die on a vine.” When asked about some assessments that show a US military operation against Kharg Island would be extremely dangerous for US personnel involved, Graham said “I’m sort of tired of all this armchair quarterbacking. This has been an amazing military operation, God bless the fallen. I trust the Marines, not that guy.” This comes as there are indications that real troop movements are already backing a potential ground invasion of Kharg Island. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, consisting of at least 2,200 Marines, departed San Diego earlier than expected aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, while a separate force of roughly 2,200 Marines and sailors from the 31st MEU had already left days prior aboard the Japan-based USS Tripoli. Both units are headed toward the Gulf region, positioning additional US combat-ready forces in the Middle East. These units specialize in missions like amphibious landings, evacuations, and securing ports or coastlines. It should also be noted that Graham has been by Trump’s side leading up to the strikes on Iran and was openly pushing for the strikes. He also traveled to Israel to meet with senior Israeli officials ahead of the strikes. According to the Wall Street Journal, Graham “coached” Netanyahu on “convincing Trump” to bomb Iran.

World News: Iran has vowed to ramp up strikes on critical infrastructure across the Middle East in an “irreversible” manner if President Trump moves forward with his threat to attack Iranian power plants. Some shit you should know before you dig in: Over the weekend, President Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the Iranian government does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, setting a firm ultimatum tied to one of the world’s most critical energy routes. Iran has effectively restricted the strait (allowing only select vessels to go through while targeting those linked to its adversaries). This has caused a sharp drop in tanker traffic and led to soaring gas prices globally (roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through this narrow chokepoint). Some believe this is Iran’s broader strategy of leveraging economic pressure to make the cost of the conflict so unbearable for the United States and the world that it forces Trump to stop. What’s going on now: Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that “immediately after power plants and infrastructure in our country are targeted, vital infrastructure as well as energy and oil infrastructure across the entire region will be considered legitimate targets and will be irreversibly destroyed,” adding that such retaliation would push oil prices higher “for a long time.” Iran’s military command echoed that message, saying all “energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure” tied to the US and its allies would be targeted. The threats go beyond oil. Iranian officials have pointed to desalination plants (critical facilities that supply drinking water across much of the region) as potential targets. That raises major concerns because countries like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, and Bahrain rely on desalination for the vast majority of their freshwater, meaning strikes could quickly cut off water access for millions. As of now, there has been no comment from Trump. His deadline for them to “reopen the strait” is Monday.

World News: Switzerland has officially announced that it will suspend new arms export licences to the United States over the ongoing conflict with Iran. Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, the United States is Switzerland’s second largest buyer of arms. The bulk of what Switzerland sends to the US includes well-known Swiss firearms like SIG Sauer products (though most of these are manufactured in the US). A significant portion also consists of ammunition and precision parts where Swiss manufacturing stands out. These exports are typically used across civilian, law enforcement, and military markets. What’s going on now: In a notable development, Switzerland said it will not approve any new licences for exporting “war material” to the United States for as long as the US is involved in the conflict with Iran, making clear that “exports of war material to countries involved in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised.” Officials framed the move as a direct application of Switzerland’s neutrality laws, which require the government to avoid supporting parties engaged in active conflicts. Because the US is considered a participant in that conflict, Swiss officials say they are legally obligated to halt new approvals rather than selectively allow them. Importantly, this is not a full shutdown of all existing trade. Swiss authorities stressed that previously approved export licences can still be used, at least for now, because they are not currently deemed relevant to the war. However, existing licences, along with certain dual-use goods and other military-related exports, will be heavily scrutinized and closely monitored to ensure compliance with neutrality rules. As of now, there has been no comment from the US government.

US News: The Pentagon is preparing plans for a possible deployment of US ground forces into parts of Iran as tensions escalate. Getting into it: First reported by CBS, citing multiple sources briefed on internal discussions, senior military commanders have been asked to submit detailed plans for how ground troops could be used if ordered. Those plans are not for a full invasion and instead focus on targeted missions like securing key coastal areas and protecting shipping routes. The planning is focused on giving the president “maximum optionality,” including not just combat operations but logistical considerations like how to detain and process captured Iranian soldiers. While the Pentagon has not commented on the report, there are indications that real troop movements are already backing these plans. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, consisting of at least 2,200 Marines, departed San Diego earlier than expected aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, while a separate force of roughly 2,200 Marines and sailors from the 31st MEU had already left days prior aboard the Japan-based USS Tripoli. Both units are headed toward the Gulf region, positioning additional US combat-ready forces in the Middle East. These units specialize in missions like amphibious landings, evacuations, and securing ports or coastlines. US Central Command has also declined to comment on force posture or troop movements outside its current area of operations. Despite all of this, Trump has downplayed the potential of a ground deployment. When asked yesterday, Trump said, “No, I’m not putting troops anywhere.....If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.” Recent polling of our audience (conducted on our Instagram story) found that 93% of respondents were against US boots on the ground in Iran.

US News: The FBI has an investigation open into the former NCC director Joe Kent over allegations that he improperly leaked classified information while in office. Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, Joe Kent is a US Army veteran who served roughly 20 years with multiple combat deployments before later moving into national intelligence roles. He most recently served as director of the National Counterterrorism Center but resigned in protest over the US conflict with Iran, stating he could not support the conflict “in good conscience” because he believed Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States. In his resignation letter, Kent accused Israel of heavily influencing the push toward US military action, arguing that Israeli officials misled US leadership and used tactics similar to those (that he said) preceded the Iraq War. What’s going on now: First reported by Semafor and then confirmed by multiple outlets, the FBI investigation into Kent centers on allegations that he improperly shared classified information while serving in his role at the NCC. According to those reports, the investigation has been underway for months and predates his resignation, with the FBI’s Criminal Division leading the effort. Both the FBI and the White House have declined to comment, and Kent has not publicly addressed the investigation. Shortly after Kent’s resignation, some Trump “influencers” on X claimed that Kent was a “leaker” following his departure. Mark Levin, a close ally of Trump and host of the “Mark Levin Show,” said, “I know for a fact Kent leaked to Tucker Carlson a meeting the President had with me, at the President’s request, which Carlson in turn used on the internet. No President should be treated like that. Apparently, there were more. Not good. And the appalling antisemitism in Kent’s public letter deserves judgment, which is why so many of all faiths are condemning it.” We should note that there is currently no substantiated evidence that Kent leaked anything to Tucker Carlson. Despite all of this, Kent made an appearance on Tucker Carlson’s podcast today, where he stood by his criticism of the conflict with Iran.

Underreported: While testifying on Capitol Hill earlier today, FBI Director Kash Patel and the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Lieutenant General James Adams, were asked whether their agencies have purchased the location data of Americans from data companies in the United States. For the first time, FBI Director Kash Patel alluded that the FBI purchases location data of American citizens, saying, “We do purchase commercially available information that is consistent with the Constitution and the laws.” He added, “It has led to some valuable intelligence for us.” It should be noted that the last FBI Director, Christopher Wray, testified that he was unaware (at the time) if the FBI purchased location data of Americans. Lieutenant General James Adams was asked whether he believes it is right for his agency to purchase the location data of Americans without a warrant, to which he replied, “With regard to commercially available information and publicly accessible information, the purchases that my agency makes are in alignment with the Constitution and protect US persons’ information.” Senator Wyden then said that doing this without a warrant violates the Fourth Amendment and is dangerous, especially given the use of artificial intelligence, which could comb through massive amounts of data. In defense of this, Senator Tom Cotton said the data is commercially available and that government agencies have every right to buy it, just as regular individuals can. He added that the data can help locate criminals.

US News: President Donald Trump has criticized NATO and key US allies for refusing to join the American-led military operations against Iran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The United States has been informed by most of our NATO “Allies” that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon. I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need. Fortunately, we have decimated Iran’s Military — Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their Leaders, at virtually every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern Allies, or the World, again! Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer “need,” or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE! Thank you for your attention to this matter.” This comes after Trump had been actively seeking to assemble an international coalition to support US efforts in the region, particularly to help patrol and secure the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to close the critical oil shipping route. Many countries Trump has called on to offer assistance have been hesitant to do so, citing their reluctance to be “dragged” into a war and the “lack of a clear timeline or objectives.” Others have pointed to domestic sentiment, saying their populations do not want to be involved in the conflict.

US News: A top US official who oversees federal communications policy is facing some backlash after warning that broadcasters could lose their licenses over coverage of the war in Iran. Getting into it: In a post on X responding to President Trump’s criticism of news coverage of the Iran conflict, FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned that broadcasters airing what he described as inaccurate coverage could face serious consequences. He wrote that “broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions – also known as the fake news – have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up.” He added that “the law is clear, broadcasters must operate in the public interest and they will lose their licenses if they do not.” He also argued that changing course would be “in their own business interests,” pointing to declining trust in media. In response, Trump praised Carr’s warning and said he was “thrilled” to see the FCC chairman looking into the licenses of what he called “corrupt and highly unpatriotic ‘news’ organizations.” Pushback: This all comes as Gavin Newsom and others pushed back against Carr, with Newsom calling the idea of threatening broadcast licenses “sick” and saying, “that stuff, that doesn’t happen, that cannot happen in the United States of America.” He added, “now, in the middle of a war, now we’re talking about propaganda that suits the ‘Dear Leader’? Because they don’t like independent media?” Senator Elizabeth Warren said, “Constitutional law 101: it’s illegal for the government to censor free speech it just doesn’t like about Trump’s Iran war. This threat is straight out of the authoritarian playbook.” Carr responded to Governor Newsom, saying, “Gavin Newsom is projecting again.” He added that “Newsom is in court right now invoking the power of the state to force a news outlet (Fox News) to pay him nearly $1 Billion for not “truthfully informing the public,” according to Newsom’s complaint, which names reporters & their producers.”

US News: A top US official has announced his resignation over claims that the Trump administration’s war with Iran was not justified by credible evidence of an imminent threat. Joe Kent, a former Army Green Beret and CIA officer who was serving as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation in a letter condemning the US conflict with Iran. He wrote, “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” making clear that his decision was rooted in moral opposition to the administration’s actions rather than personal or political considerations. In his letter, Kent directly challenged the justification for the conflict, claiming, “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation,” and asserting that “it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.” He further argued that the administration had been misled, warning that “this echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat,” and calling that rationale “a lie.” Kent reported directly to DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard, who has not commented on the resignation. President Trump pushed back on Kent’s claims, saying he was “weak on security” and that his departure was “a good thing.” Trump insisted Iran posed “a tremendous threat,” adding that officials who did not recognize that danger were “not smart people” or “not savvy people.” The White House echoed that stance, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt calling Kent’s accusations “false” and defending the decision to strike Iran as based on “strong and compelling evidence” of an impending attack, while also rejecting his suggestion that Israel influenced the decision as “insulting and laughable.” Taylor Budowich, Trump’s former White House deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel, said, “Joe Kent is a crazed egomaniac who was often at the center of national security leaks, while rarely (never?) producing any actual work. He spent all of his time working to subvert the chain of command and undermine the President of the United States.”

US News: A top US official has warned that Americans should anticipate higher gas prices “for a few more weeks” amid a widening conflict with Iran that has disrupted oil markets. Getting into it: In an interview Sunday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Americans should expect elevated gas prices to continue for the near future as the conflict with Iran disrupts global energy flows. “Yes, it is a short-term disruption in the flow of energy. Americans are feeling it right now. Americans will feel it for a few more weeks.” When pressed on whether he was confident oil prices would fall in a few weeks, he said there are “no guarantees.” Wright also defended the administration’s handling of the crisis as critics question whether the Trump administration underestimated Iran’s ability to disrupt oil shipments in the region. Pushing back on that criticism, he said the military operation was carefully planned and argued the situation would be worse without it. This all comes as gas prices have skyrocketed globally, with Americans at the pump feeling it. According to AAA, the national average is $3.71 a gallon (a month ago it was $2.91 a gallon). When looking at specific states, California has the highest prices ($5.56 a gallon) while Kansas has the lowest ($3.14 a gallon).

US News: A coalition of major airline and cargo carrier executives is calling on Congress to get its shit together and end the partial government shutdown that is now causing massive airport delays across the country. Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, DHS has been shut down for over a month after Congress failed to pass new funding for the agency. Republicans say Democrats are deliberately prolonging the shutdown by refusing to pass a full funding bill unless it includes changes to immigration enforcement policies. They say democrats are trying to “weaken” border security and effectively “defund” agencies responsible for stopping drugs and illegal crossings. Democrats say the shutdown is the result of Republicans refusing to accept oversight reforms for agencies like ICE and CBP. They've made clear that their party will not approve a “blank check” for enforcement operations without stronger accountability measures. This has now led to many TSA officers calling out sick, creating major staffing shortages at airports and causing security lines to take up to 3 hours to clear at some airports. What’s going on now: The top executives of Delta, American, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, FedEx, UPS, and Atlas Air are calling on Congress to immediately resolve the shutdown and ensure aviation workers are paid during funding lapses. In a joint letter sent Sunday, the group warned that failing to compensate critical airport personnel, including TSA officers, customs officers, and air traffic controllers, is already straining the nation’s air travel system as passenger demand surges during the spring travel season. The execs warned that continued funding lapses are turning air travel into a “political football,” creating long security lines, delays, and cancellations for passengers. They urged Congress to reach a bipartisan agreement to restore funding for DHS and prevent similar disruptions from happening again. In the letter, the executives also called on lawmakers to pass the Keep America Flying Act, which would guarantee pay for key aviation workers even during future government shutdowns.