Today in Politics, Bulletin 99. 3/27/25

Ron Filipkowski Mar 27 ∙

… Trump pulled the nomination of Elise Stefanik for US Ambassador to the UN. The recent special election results and poll numbers caused Trump and Mike Johnson to hit the panic button, leaving the hyper-ambitious Stefanik trudging back to the House with her former leadership position occupied by someone else.

… Trump posted a statement loaded with his usual propaganda. This is the only part of it that matters: “I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat. The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day. There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations.”

… CBS: “The Trump administration has grown concerned about the narrow margins in the House and what it means for Trump's legislative agenda.”

… House Majority Leader Steve Scalise to CBS - "Look, our numbers are tight. After the Florida elections hopefully we pick up two more seats. You know, it's always going to be a tight majority."

… Sen. Lisa Murkowski to CNN: “They just realized that now?”

… Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to Politico: “They seem to be panicking about the two special elections in Florida. Why are Republicans panicking in deep red districts?"

… Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) to MeidasTouch: “Elise Stefanik was a classic Bob Dole Republican when she got here, then did what she needed to do to become a MAGA darling. And now, just as high office is within reach, the Shakespearean gods have pulled the rug out from under her. So, call it karma, Shakespearean, whatever you want.”

… One thing that has Trump and Johnson rattled is the polling of Democrat Joshua Weil against Trump-endorsed Randy Fine in the special election this Tuesday in FL to fill the vacant seat of Mike Waltz. Trump won the district by 30 points, so it was expected to be a cakewalk for Fine. But polls are tight because Desantis hates Fine and refuses to help him, Fine is a toxic obnoxious ass who has been embroiled in one controversy after another, and Weil is a great candidate who out-fundraised him 9-1.

… NBC’s Melanie Zanona: “In his convos with people today, Trump expressed frustration with Waltz. The frustration is two-fold: Trump is not only angry about group chat-gate, but ALSO annoyed that the race to replace Waltz in FL is now tighter than it should be. Rs confident they'll win, but Trump still doesn't like the optics/narrative. It all has Trump spooked about the prospect of yet another special election for Stefanik's seat. BOTTOM LINE: Trump realizing how much of a headache it was to pull people from House for his admin - exactly as he was warned.”

… Weil is a public-school teacher, who says that his campaign “is about fighting back against the threats against Social Security, health care and public schools.”

… Weil to MeidasTouch: “When DeSantis was running for president, Randy Fine was the first Republican to jump off and support Trump instead, and they’ve had this furious relationship ever since. He’s been the most outspoken critic of DeSantis, calling him ‘Ronda Rhino,’ and a lot of Republicans here actually like DeSantis, so they don’t take that kindly. There are two types of people here in District 6—those who don’t like Randy Fine and those who haven’t heard of him.”

… Although Republicans are still confident that Fine will win, they are looking at this tight race and the recent Dem flip of an R+15 state senate seat in PA, and were very worried about losing Elise Stefanik’s open seat in an R+9 district in NY.

… The other critical race next week is the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, which will decide the balance of power on the court. Trump and Musk have gone all in for the Republican candidate. Musk’s PAC has now spent $19 million, and is also buying votes again. He is paying people $100 each in WI to sign his “petition”, and is also awarding $1 million prizes: “Exciting to announce our first million dollar award for supporting our petition against activist judges in WI! Next million dollar award will be announced in 2 days.”

… Most of the original itinerary for Usha Vance’s trip to Greenland has been cancelled when Greenlanders made it very clear to the White House that she could show up but was not going to be welcomed. The Vances (JD is now going to own the libs) will now only visit the US Space Force Base in northern Greenland. Usha’s trip to a dogsled race and other attractions has been cancelled.

… Greenland MP Rasmus Jarlov: “American organizers went knocking on doors in the capital of Greenland to try to find a family that would invite Usha Vance in when they arrived. It failed. Everybody said no. Instead, a large demonstration against the American threats of taking over Greenland were planned. Realizing it would be public relations disaster, the Americans finally cancelled the visit.”

… Jarlov says enough is enough: “Please let it go. The people of Greenland do not want to be Americans and they can not be bought, bribed or persuaded. They have done nothing to deserve this aggression. Neither has Denmark. International borders must be respected.”

… Danish Defense Minister: "We will not tolerate the US thinking that it can decide how the Danish Kingdom, including Greenland, should look in the future."

… AP reported that 4 US soldiers are believed to have died in a training accident in Lithuania. The US Army found the Hercules armored vehicle the four soldiers were in during a training exercise in a submerged muddy swamp.

… Trump was asked about the incident in the Oval Office 8 hours after it was first reported. He said he didn’t know anything about it.

… Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA): “He fired thousands of veterans across the govt. His team carelessly shares info that puts our pilots at risk. He doesn’t care to know about missing American soldiers? What more proof do we need that this man doesn’t give a damn about the heroes who protect us?”

… Trump was fuming that Judge Boasberg was assigned to hear the lawsuit filed on the Signal case: “How disgraceful is it that ‘Judge’ James Boasberg has just been given a 4th ‘Trump Case,’ something which is, statistically, IMPOSSIBLE. There is no way for a Republican, especially a TRUMP REPUBLICAN, to win before him. He is Highly Conflicted in his hatred of me - Massive Trump Derangement Syndrome! Boasberg, who is the Chief Judge of the D.C. District Court, seems to be grabbing the ‘Trump Cases’ all to himself, even though it is not supposed to happen that way. There must be an immediate investigation of this Rigged System, before it is too late!”

… At a House Intel Committee hearing, Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) asked Tulsi Gabbard why she lied under oath the day before in front of the Senate when she claimed that specific targets or weapons were not mentioned on the chat: “My answer yesterday was based on my recollection, or the lack thereof, on the details that were posted there.”

… Himes: “So it’s your testimony that less than two weeks ago you were on this chat that had all this info about F-18s, and Reapers, and targets on strike, and you in that two week period forgot that?”

… Sen. Mark Warner: “What makes it particularly galling is when the director of national intelligence self-righteously tweets 12 days ago, ‘Anybody leaks, we're going to pursue them to the full extent of the law.’ Well, does that apply to the leadership?”

… Politico reported what I have been saying since this first broke - that Trump would be more upset about Waltz having Jeffrey Goldberg in his phone contacts than any national security breach. They cite 4 sources: “Trump was mad - and suspicious - that Waltz had Goldberg’s number saved in his phone in the first place.” One source: “The president was pissed that Waltz could be so stupid.”

… Fox will not put their Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin on the air since the Signal scandal broke. The reason is because she is one of their few honest reporters. Griffin: “There is a debate about whether the operational details Hegseth shared in the Signal Group Chat were ‘classified’ or not. So I surveyed a range of current and former US defense officials who agreed ‘war plans’ is not the right term but what was shared may have been FAR MORE sensitive given the operational details and time stamps ahead of the operation, which could have placed US military pilots in harms way.”

… “What Hegseth shared 2 hours ahead of the strikes were time sensitive ‘attack orders’ or ‘operational plans’ with actual timing of the strikes and mention of F18s, MQ9 Reapers and Tomahawks. This info is typically sent through classified channels to the commanders in the field as ‘secret, no forn’ message. In other words the information is ‘classified’ and should not be shared through insecure channels.

… “‘Attack orders’ or ‘attack sequence’ puts the joint force directly and immediately at risk, according to former senior defense official. ‘It allows the enemy to move the target and increase lethal actions against US forces.’ This kind of real time operational info is more sensitive than ‘war plans,’ which makes this lapse more egregious, according to two former senior US defense officials. ‘This information was clearly classified’.”

I took a deeper dive into the political fallout for each of the players involved in the Signal scandal on Uncovered yesterday, and we also talked about Usha Vance’s failed trip to Greenland, Trump’s Executive Order on voter suppression, and lots more. If you weren’t one of the 290K+ people who watched it yesterday, you can check it out here.

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… Former Dem nominee for US Senate in KY Amy McGrath: “Old F-18 fighter pilot here with 80+ combat missions - launch times on a strike mission ARE ABSOLUTELY CLASSIFIED.”

… Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) on Heseth: “He’s a fucking liar. He needs to resign in disgrace immediately.”

… Sec of State Marco Rubio returned to the US and was asked by a reporter when he got off the plane if the info on the chat classified. He immediately distanced himself from Hegseth: “Well, the Pentagon says it was not.”

… Rubio also took a little shot at Waltz: “Obviously, someone made a mistake. Someone made a big mistake.”

… Trump was asked if he still believes that nothing classified was shared: “Well, that's what I've heard. I don't know. I think it's all a witch hunt, that's all. I think it's a witch hunt."

… WSJ reported that Israel is upset about the scandal because they provided "sensitive intelligence from a human source" about a Houthi operative targeted in the strike. "Israeli officials complained privately to U.S. officials that Waltz’s texts became public."

… Conservative National Review senior writer Noah Rothman: “I've tried not to catastrophize this story, but this is a disaster. We've burned Israeli intel AND given Iran/Houthis details that help them roll up sources on the ground in Yemen. Why would our allies share intel if it's going to be exposed? No exaggeration to say this leak will make us and our allies less safe. The burden of proof is now on the folks saying there's nothing to see here.”

… JD Vance and Don Jr are fuming about 7 Republican senators who told Jewish Insider that they were disgusted with Vance’s comments on the Signal chat where he said he was against the strike on the Houthis because he didn’t want to do anything that would help Europe. Vance: “7 anonymous quotes from cowardly Republicans.”

… Junior issued a written statement: “These 7 cowardly neocons attacking JD anonymously are genuine pussies. If they really feel this way, then they should at least be man enough to put their names in these quotes. The fact that they are too cowardly to do that is why I’m so happy these RINOs are a dying breed in our party - whether they realize it or not.”

… Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): “I am appalled by the egregious security breach from top admin officials. Their disregard for stringent safeguards and secure channels could have compromised a high-stakes operation and put our service members at risk. I hope this serves as a wake-up call that operational security must be a top priority for everyone—especially our leaders.”

… Both Chair Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) with the Senate Armed Services Committee asked for specific details from DOD on the facts and circumstances behind Signal chat, with heavy emphasis in their specific requests on classification issue.

… Axios reported that 16 Senate Dems led by Jacky Rosen are proposing a huge bipartisan probe of the Signal group chat breach. They are asking that the Intel, Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees hold joint or separate hearings. They also want everyone on the chat - including Vance, to testify under oath.

… Fox host Jesse Watters: “No one outside of DC and in the news business really cares about this story. There is no video, there is no sex, there is no fraud. No one even knows what a Houthi is.”

… Trump lawyer Alina Habba on Fox: “You want to talk to me about what's happening with the Signal nonsense? It's a hoax and a distraction.”

… CNN reported that several DOD officials told them that Hegseth seems more preoccupied with appearances than with substance—wanting to appear more “lethal” than his predecessor through a variety of photo ops, events, and stunts to make him look and sound like a true “warfighter.”

… Der Spiegel reported that the private contact details of the most important national security advisers to Trump were easily accessible to anyone on the internet, making it easier for foreign operatives to hack their personal devices being used for govt business. Der Speigel reporters found their mobile phone numbers, email addresses and even some passwords.

… Trump continues to escalate his trade war rhetoric: “LIBERATION DAY IN AMERICA IS COMING, SOON. FOR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF BY VIRTUALLY EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, BOTH FRIEND AND FOE. BUT THOSE DAYS ARE OVER — AMERICA FIRST!!!”

… “If the European Union works with Canada in order to do economic harm to the USA, large scale Tariffs, far larger than currently planned, will be placed on them both in order to protect the best friend that each of those two countries has ever had!”

… Canada PM Mark Carney: “I’ve convened the Cabinet Committee on Canada-U.S. Relations this morning in response to President Trump’s attack on our workers and our industries. We will get through this crisis — and we will build a stronger, more resilient economy.”

… Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) realizes that maybe giving Trump a blank check on tariffs was a bad move: "We made a mistake. We passed legislation that gave the president some temporary tariff authorities. I think we should look back and maybe restore the power back from Congress and take away the authorizations."

…. Flight bookings from Canada to US are down an astonishing 72% for summer season bookings from last year. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA): “This is insane. We are treating our Canadian neighbors like absolute shit. And every town these tourists would have visited will suffer.”

… Trump announced that he will impose massive 25% tariffs on “all cars that are not made in the US.” He said they will take effect next Tuesday and “we start collecting April 3.” These tariffs are in addition to all the other tariffs previously announced.

… Trump was asked if the auto tariffs are going to be temporary or for the whole rest of his term: “Oh, this is permanent. Yeah. 100%.”

… Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA): “I got people in my district that have built automobile dealerships based on current law, not something that changed on a dime."

… Trump called for NPR and PBS to be defunded: “NPR and PBS, two horrible and completely biased platforms (Networks!), should be DEFUNDED by Congress, IMMEDIATELY. Republicans, don’t miss this opportunity to rid our Country of this giant SCAM, both being arms of the Radical Left Democrat Party. JUST SAY NO AND, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

… Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) agrees with Trump on NPR/PBS: “They literally hate this country. They hate everything it's about. They hate our patriotism. They hate our Lord."

… Trump had another wonderful announcement: “We’re opening up our coal mines again. Coal can give you tremendous power at the same time it can be very clean. We don't like the windmills because we think it ruins the landscapes, the plains, ruins them.”

… RFK Jr. announced another 10,000 jobs will be eliminated at HHS, reducing the total workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 since 10,000 were previously terminated. HHS is also closing 5 of its 10 regional offices.

… NBC reported that Republican lawmakers in Congress are upset that DOGE is making radical changes to the Social Security Admin without even notifying them in advance or involving them in the process. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) was asked if senators were told about any of the changes which have upset constituents: “No, we haven’t. I haven’t had any heads-up on any specific announcements. I’d like to know about it.”

… Miami Herald reported that Ron Desantis is backing a new law in FL to eliminate most child labor laws to free up new workers to replace deported migrants. The new law would allow 16-17 year olds to work between 11PM-6:30AM, and for 14-15 year olds who attend home or virtual school. Teens will also be allowed to work more than 30 hours a week during the school year.

… DHS Secretary Kristi Noem had her latest photo op during her world adventures. She dropped in to film a video at the prison in El Salvador where the US has contracted with their govt to imprison deported migrants: “I want to let everyone know, if you come to our country illegally, this is one of the consequences you face. This facility is one of the tools in our tool kit we will use.”

… Noem made sure to get her $60K Rolex in the camera shot.

… Fox & Friends report on the prison: "It's known for its awful conditions. They spend 23½ hours in those cells. Each cell has 70 people. They eat, bathe and use the bathroom in front of each other. The bunks are four levels high. The bunks have no sheets, no mattresses and no pillows."

… Deportation Czar Tom Homan: "We got a lot of tools in the toolbox. The El Salvador prison is one, we got GITMO, we got other countries. So, for those countries who push back - we'll send them to another country. I wake up every day like a kid in a candy shop getting ready to go to work."

… AOC was asked by Fox if Democrats in Congress are responsible for acts of vandalism to Tesla because they have been saying mean things about Musk: “I don't know, I think about Republicans calling me a communist and Republicans saying that I hate this country.”

… Kari Lake has backed down (for now) and withdrawn the cancelation of Radio Free Europe’s grant, which also resulted in a pending lawsuit being dismissed. So RFE will continue on at least for a while longer thanks to the courts.

… The Senate voted 52-48 to roll back a CFPB rule that limited bank overdraft fees. Josh Hawley was only Republican to vote with Dems. To Semafor: “Why would we help the big banks at the expense of working people? I just don't understand it.”

… Ukraine has received an odious 58-page document from the Trump Admin which outlines things that the US wants from Ukraine as part of any peace deal and aid. The US says in the proposal that these things are owed to us in exchange for the aid we have provided since 2022.

… Under the agreement, Ukraine would have to give up rights to all their oil and gas - both new and existing deposits - for an indefinite period of time to the US. The agreement is permanent and can never be changed without US approval.

… Yaroslav Trofimov, Chief Foreign Affairs correspondent for WSJ: “The latest US proposal essentially turns Ukraine from a sovereign country to the property of a Delaware corporation, which would have monopoly rights over its natural resources and all infrastructure, and the power to inspect all its government offices, until the end of time. Inspired by King Leopold’s Congo. Obviously there is zero chance Ukraine will accept this.”

… Zelensky to Le Figaro: "Trump tried to create good diplomatic relations with Russia, but that kind of method doesn't work with a man like Putin. If Trump eases sanctions against Russia, Putin will only conclude one thing: that he is a weak president and can therefore move on to the next stage. Putin lives without pressure 24 hours a day. There is no opposition in Russia."

… Zelensky: "Witkoff's statements hinder us a lot. We are fighting Putin and we do not want him to have more assistance. It is difficult for us. We are already fighting a country that is larger in territory but smaller in dignity. We want the Americans to be on our side. Even if the US has chosen the tactic of being in the middle today, it should be in the middle, not closer to the Kremlin.”

… Estonia PM Kristen Michal: “My message is this: there is only one plan. Ukraine’s plan. Russia should have no say in Ukraine’s defense and security guarantees. Ukraine wants peace – and proves it. Russia delays and demands. Europe will do its share and remain determined to build lasting peace.”

… Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) tells his MAGA friends why they should not be on the side of Putin: “Putin has run Russia into the ground with one of the highest abortion rates in the world, lowest church attendance, highest domestic violence, highest divorce rate, and highest alcohol use. This is not a model to emulate!”

… An investigative panel of the House Ethics has issued a formal referral to the full committee on violations by Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL): “Rep. Mills may have entered into, enjoyed, or held contracts with federal agencies. If Rep. Mills entered into, enjoyed, or held contracts with federal agencies while he was a Member of Congress, then he may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.”

… Fox reporter Aishah Hasnie asked Rep. Hakeem Jeffries why Democrats have been cursing so much lately what’s up with Dems cursing so much lately in their speeches and social media posts: “Voters are angry all across the country for good reason. Democratic members across the country are channeling those feelings in a variety of different ways.”