Category: Attack on Intelligence

Trump Orders Federal Probe of Climate Science Academy Over ‘Fraudulent’ Guidance

President Donald Trump ordered federal officials to investigate the National Academy of Sciences, accusing the organization of publishing "fraudulent, biased, and misleading" climate guidance that he claimed influenced federal court decisions and cost the country billions of dollars. Trump directed federal suspension and debarment officials to examine the academy's conduct, characterizing its work as "Climate Fraud" and asserting that taxpayers should not fund the institution.

The directive targets the Federal Judicial Center's Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, a publication developed jointly with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to help federal judges evaluate scientific evidence in court. The manual's fourth edition, released in December, included a new chapter on climate science designed to assist judges assessing expert testimony in climate-related cases. That chapter was later withdrawn after Republican attorneys general argued it was biased against fossil fuel companies.

Trump claimed the academy has been "run by Radical Left Dumocrats" and that the organization's materials shaped major legal rulings across the country. In his Truth Social post, he stated that judges used these "bogus Manuals" to decide significant climate litigation cases, which he characterized as creating "huge losses across our Country."

Trump's order follows his broader assault on federal institutions, including his demand that NBC and ABC have their broadcast licenses revoked for declining to air his primetime address. The action represents his continued weaponization of federal power to punish institutions that do not align with his political agenda and to suppress scientific consensus on climate change.

The directive also came after Trump pressured Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney over wildfire management, demanding that Canada pay "damages" to the United States for smoke pollution drifting across the border. Trump claimed he raised the issue while attending the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/totally-discredited-trump-orders-probe-of-national-academy-of-sciences-over-bogus-climate-guidance/)

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.

HHS Employees Now Being Measured By Loyalty To Trump’s Policies | HuffPost Latest News

The Trump administration has implemented a new performance metric at the Department of Health and Human Services requiring tens of thousands of employees to demonstrate they "clearly and demonstrably support implementation" of Trump's policy agenda as a "critical element" of their annual reviews. The requirement, titled "Faithful Support of Administration of the Law and the President's Policies," mandates that Senior Professionals prove loyalty to Trump's specific policy priorities through measurable results aligned with his agenda, fundamentally inverting the merit-based civil service system designed to serve the public rather than any individual.

Federal employees are statutorily required to serve the government and public interest, not pledge allegiance to any president's policies. HHS workers report the requirement creates fear and coercion, with one employee stating employees must "go along to get along" or face termination, effectively forcing compliance under threat of job loss. The Office of Personnel Management directed all federal agencies to adopt similar language following Trump's January executive order "Restoring Accountability for Career Senior Executives," making this loyalty assessment government-wide policy.

The mandate threatens the independence of HHS's Office of the Inspector General, which operates independently to identify waste, fraud, and abuse across the department. Employees in this office now face a direct conflict between the loyalty requirement and their legal mandate to expose wrongdoing, regardless of whether it implicates Trump administration policies. Trump terminated all 18 inspectors general across federal agencies within weeks of taking office, and this new performance standard consolidates his control by subordinating their investigative function to political loyalty.

Stanford presidential scholar Terry Moe identified the requirement as part of Trump's systematic assault on the administrative state, stating the administration aims to replace merit-based civil servants with loyalists throughout the executive branch. Moe emphasized this policy "flies in the face of the entire foundation of civil service, which is merit." The requirement transforms federal workers into political operatives bound to advance Trump's agenda rather than neutral administrators applying law and expertise to serve citizens.

HHS employees remain under additional pressure from ongoing government shutdown furloughs and widespread job uncertainty as Trump carries out sweeping workforce cuts. One employee expressed the cascading effect: the loyalty requirement compounds existing morale collapse, with staff unable to predict or prepare for daily directives while fearing retaliation for dissent. The policy structurally eliminates the ability of federal workers to voice concerns or apply professional judgment independent of Trump's political priorities.

(Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hhs-employees-trump-loyalty-performance-reviews_n_68ffa3b7e4b0ebfddfbaf88c)

Trump Brands Democrats America’s Greatest Enemy

President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social that Iran has effectively ceased to exist as a threat, then immediately branded the Democratic Party as America’s “greatest enemy.” Trump’s proclamation that “the death of Iran” has already occurred stands in stark contradiction to his administration’s simultaneous request for $200 billion in additional funding from Congress to continue military operations against Iran.

Hours before declaring Iran defeated, Trump issued an ultimatum threatening to “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the country does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. This threat reveals the disinformation embedded in Trump’s claim of Iran’s demise, as an already-destroyed adversary would require no such coercive demands. Trump’s escalating Iran war has alienated NATO allies and contradicts his stated position on military drawdowns in the Middle East.

Trump’s characterization of the Democratic Party as a greater threat than a foreign adversary reflects his abuse of power in weaponizing the presidency against political opponents. Trump previously claimed the Iran war was nearing success while spreading disinformation about its purpose and progress, establishing a pattern of deliberately misleading the public about military objectives and outcomes.

The president’s weekend social media posts also included celebration of former FBI Director Robert Mueller’s death, stating “Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people.” This statement demonstrates Trump’s use of the presidency to attack officials who conducted legitimate investigations into his conduct, further illustrating his contempt for institutional independence and the rule of law.

Trump’s contradictory claims about Iran’s status, coupled with his simultaneous demands for expanded war funding and threats of escalated military strikes, exemplify his reliance on disinformation to consolidate power. His equation of domestic political opposition with foreign military threats weaponizes national security rhetoric to justify suppression of dissent and consolidation of authoritarian control.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-declares-the-death-of-iran-then-brands-democratic-party-americas-greatest-enemy-in-stunning-post/)

Hegseth Pressures Scouting America to Ban Transgender Youth

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday that Scouting America will implement policy changes targeting transgender youths at the Pentagon's direction, requiring members to use their "biological sex at birth and not gender identity" on applications and prohibiting opposite-gender individuals from sharing bathrooms, tents, and similar spaces. Hegseth stated the Pentagon will "vigorously review" the organization's compliance and withdraw support if it fails to comply, declaring his intent to restore the organization to its original purpose of developing "boys into men."

The policy changes include discontinuing the Citizenship in Society merit badge, introducing a Military Service merit badge, and waiving registration fees for military children's families. Scouting America acknowledged the need to comply with Trump's executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs but avoided explicitly addressing the transgender youth restrictions in its public statement. The organization emphasized maintaining its 2024 rebrand name and service to over 200,000 girls in its programs.

Hegseth's Pentagon campaign against diversity efforts extends beyond Scouting America, including ending military training partnerships at Harvard and removing what he calls "woke distractions" from the military newspaper Stars and Stripes. The Pentagon previously stated the organization had "lost its way" and violated administration values through DEI initiatives and "gender-fluid ideological stances," demanding rapid implementation of what it termed "common-sense, core value reforms."

Scouting America's historical evolution toward inclusion, including accepting gay youths in 2013, ending the blanket ban on gay adult leaders in 2015, and accepting transgender students in 2017, directly conflicts with Hegseth's vision. The organization began accepting girls as Cub Scouts in 2018 and into the Boys Scout program in 2019, reaching approximately 1 million members last year with minimal membership growth of about 16,000 new scouts.

The military has maintained a century-long partnership with Scouting America, providing logistical support for the National Boy Scout Jamboree since 1937 and maintaining strong relationships with Eagle Scouts, who frequently enlist. Hegseth's personnel decisions at the Pentagon demonstrate his broader effort to reshape military institutions and remove individuals perceived as opposing his ideological direction.

(Source: https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/scouting-america-alter-policies-maintain-support-us-military-130562779?fbclid=IwdGRleAQOr69leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEePjcVZKq_PzycLSnX56qyK1Zgn8TeDkzmaHWkJfSBIL5cWCIMk7OnTEA8c-M_aem_8JHDpUpUVTXIyaqAj3xXsw)

NSA Detected Foreign Call About Trump Associate Gabbard Blocked

Last spring, the National Security Agency detected a phone call between two foreign intelligence operatives discussing a person close to Donald Trump. Rather than following standard protocol to distribute the intelligence report, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard delivered a paper copy directly to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and subsequently instructed the NSA to transmit the classified details to her office instead of publishing the report.

On April 17, a whistleblower contacted the inspector general alleging that Gabbard blocked the classified intelligence from routine distribution. The whistleblower filed a formal complaint on May 21 detailing Gabbard’s actions. The NSA does not monitor individuals without justification, and the person discussed in the call is not understood to be an administration official or special government employee, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The intelligence community inspector general dismissed the complaint after a 14-day review on June 6, stating the office “could not determine if the allegations appear credible.” The watchdog’s independence may be compromised after Gabbard assigned one of her top advisers, Dennis Kirk—a co-author of Project 2025 and a first Trump administration official—to work in the inspector general’s office on May 9, two weeks after the whistleblower’s initial contact.

For eight months, the complaint remained classified and withheld from congressional intelligence committees, violating the law requiring agencies to relay whistleblower complaints to Congress within 21 days. Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner stated the months-long delay reflected an effort to “bury the complaint.” Members of the “gang of eight” received a heavily redacted version on Tuesday night, with much of the complaint withheld under claims of executive privilege—a move Gabbard’s attorney said flags presidential involvement in the underlying intelligence concerns.

Gabbard’s office denied all allegations, stating “every single action taken by DNI Gabbard was fully within her legal and statutory authority.” House Oversight Committee Democrat Stephen Lynch warned that Kirk’s appointment raised “troubling questions about the independence” of the intelligence community inspector general’s office, compromising the agency’s ability to serve as an independent watchdog against weaponization of intelligence for political purposes.

(Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/07/nsa-foreign-intelligence-trump-whistleblower)

Pentagon Dismisses General Jeffrey Kruse After Trump Conflict

The Pentagon has dismissed Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, amid rising tensions within the Trump administration regarding intelligence assessments. This decision follows Kruse’s oversight of a key intelligence report assessing the damage from Trump’s bombings of Iran’s nuclear facilities, which contradicted Trump’s claims of total destruction.

Despite the Pentagon declining to provide details surrounding the dismissal, the timing suggests a troubling pattern of retribution against officials who present unsatisfactory intelligence to Trump. This incident is part of a larger purge of senior military leaders, including the recent firings of several top officials such as Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. and Gen. Tim Haugh, which aligns with a disturbing trend of prioritizing allegiance over competence in national security matters.

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized the firing as indicative of a dangerous tendency within the Trump administration to view intelligence not as a protective mechanism for national security, but rather as a tool for enforcing loyalty. This perspective poses a serious threat to the integrity of U.S. intelligence operations.

The larger implications of this dismissal are profound, reflecting an environment where dissenting opinions within the military and intelligence community are swiftly punished, thereby engendering an atmosphere of fear and compliance. Such actions highlight Trump’s ongoing efforts to centralize power and undermine accountability within the government.

As the nation grapples with the consequences of these dismissals, it becomes increasingly clear that the integrity of U.S. security measures is at stake, with Trump’s authoritarian impulses threatening the very foundation of democratic governance and national safety.

(h/t: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-fires-general-jeffrey-kruse/)

Trump Ignores National Intelligence on Iran’s Nuclear Threat, Undermines Credible Sources

President Donald Trump has openly dismissed the assessment of his own Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities. During a press conference aboard Air Force One, Trump insisted that Iran is “very close” to acquiring a nuclear weapon, contradicting Gabbard’s earlier statement that the intelligence community assessed Iran was not building such a weapon. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins challenged Trump on this point, reminding him of Gabbard’s position on the issue.

When questioned about Gabbard’s assertion in March that Iran was not pursuing nuclear weapon production, Trump responded dismissively, stating, “I don’t care what she said.” This blatant disregard for factual testimony further illustrates Trump’s tendency to reshape reality to suit his narrative, undermining credible intelligence sources. In her original remarks, Gabbard affirmed that the intelligence community had confirmed that Iran was not engaged in constructing a nuclear weapon, casting significant doubt on Trump’s claims.

Trump’s ongoing conflict with Gabbard reflects a broader pattern of rejecting verifiable information in favor of his fabricated narratives. Gabbard’s comments, reaffirming that the Iranian Supreme Leader Khomeini had suspended the nuclear weapons program since 2003, stood in stark contrast to Trump’s fear-mongering rhetoric. This incident exemplifies the dangers of wielding power without regard for truth, potentially inciting unnecessary tensions in foreign relations.

Additionally, Trump’s comments come in the wake of criticism from factions within his own party regarding his foreign policy strategy, particularly concerning military intervention in Iran. Key voices, including Tucker Carlson, have urged Trump to reconsider his hawkish stance, highlighting a divide within the MAGA base. The discontent from conservative commentators and party members reinforces the idea that Trump’s aggressive foreign policy may alienate factions of his own support.

This latest chapter in Trump’s presidency underscores a dangerous disregard for facts and expertise in favor of personal opinion. His administration’s approach to Iran not only compromises credibility but also threatens to escalate tensions in an already volatile geopolitical landscape, raising concerns about the ethical implications of such reckless rhetoric.

(h/t: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/i-dont-care-what-she-said-trump-rebukes-his-own-dni-tulsi-gabbard-insists-iran-very-close-to-getting-a-nuke/)

Trump Fights Perkins Coie in Effort to Suppress Legal Dissent

Donald Trump has announced a lawsuit against the Perkins Coie law firm, referencing “egregious and unlawful acts” associated with an unnamed member of the firm, though he provided no further details in his post on Truth Social. This move follows Trump’s broader campaign to undermine legal accountability and autonomy among law firms that have opposed him, revealing a clear pattern of retaliatory actions against dissenting voices.

Trump’s recent executive order mandates the termination of federal contracts held by Perkins Coie’s clients if the firm has engaged in any work concerning those contracts. This aggressive stance not only aims to intimidate legal counsel but also reflects Trump’s authoritarian approach that seeks to undermine the legal system when it does not favor his interests.

Perkins Coie has responded to the executive order with a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the president’s directive violates constitutional protections. This illustrates the extent to which Trump is willing to disregard legal norms to enforce his will, further solidifying his ongoing attacks on the legal profession and democratic institutions.

The implications of Trump’s actions are troubling, as they threaten the independence of legal practices and foster a culture of fear among attorneys who may wish to represent those opposing his agenda. This form of intimidation is emblematic of Trump’s broader assault on dissent, aiming to solidify his power and stifle criticism.

In this context, Trump’s lawsuit against Perkins Coie is more than just a personal vendetta; it serves as a broader strategy to suppress opposition and manipulate the legal framework to serve his authoritarian ambitions. Such actions endanger the integrity of American democracy and pose significant risks to the rule of law.

(h/t: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2025-04-23/trump-says-he-is-suing-perkins-coie-law-firm)

Trump says he’s received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith’s Jan. 6 investigators – POLITICO

Skip to Main Content POLITICO Politico Logo Congress Pro E&E News Search Search WASHINGTON & POLITICS Congress White House Elections Legal Magazine Foreign Affairs 2024 ELECTIONS News GOP Candidate Tracker STATE POLITICS & POLICY California Florida New Jersey New York GLOBAL POLITICS & POLICY Brussels Canada United Kingdom POLICY NEWS Agriculture Cannabis Cybersecurity Defense Education Energy & Environment Finance & Tax Health Care Immigration Labor Sustainability Technology Trade Transportation NEWSLETTERS Playbook Playbook PM West Wing Playbook POLITICO Nightly POLITICO Weekend The Recast Huddle All Newsletters COLUMNISTS Alex Burns John Harris Jonathan Martin Michael Schaffer Jack Shafer Rich Lowry SERIES & MORE Breaking News Alerts Podcasts Video The Fifty Women Rule Matt Wuerker Cartoons Cartoon Carousel POLITICO Live Upcoming Events Previous Events Follow us Twitter Instagram Facebook My Account Log In Log Out legal Trump says he’s received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith’s Jan. 6 investigators It’s the clearest sign yet that Trump may soon face his third criminal indictment — this time for his effort to subvert the 2020 election results. While the specific crimes that former President Donald Trump may be charged with are not clear, Smith’s team has been eyeing potential obstruction charges related to Trump’s actions in the days leading up to Jan. 6 and on that day itself. | Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images By Kyle Cheney 07/18/2023 09:32 AM EDT Updated: 07/18/2023 10:07 AM EDT Link Copied Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects to be indicted by special counsel Jack Smith’s Jan. 6 grand jury, citing a “target letter” he received from investigators on Sunday. Such a letter “almost always means an arrest and indictment,” Trump, who has already been criminally indicted twice in recent months, wrote on Truth Social. Trump said the letter, which is prosecutors’ typical precursor to a charging decision, offered him a chance to speak to the grand jury, which meets at the federal courthouse in Washington D.C., later this week. Targets of criminal investigations rarely speak to grand juries, and Trump has not exercised that right in the two other criminal cases in which he’s been charged. Legal Tracking the Trump criminal cases By POLITICO Staff The letter is the clearest sign yet that Smith is close to seeking an indictment for Trump’s role in the effort to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power on Jan. 6, 2021. While the specific crimes that Trump may be charged with are not clear, Smith’s team has been eyeing potential obstruction charges related to Trump’s actions in the days leading up to Jan. 6 and on that day itself — including pressuring his vice president, Mike Pence, to unilaterally block the certification of Joe Biden’s electoral victory. Investigators have also examined Trump’s consideration of a plan to seize voting machines from the states, his campaign of false claims that the election was stolen and his role in advancing a plan to assemble bogus slates of presidential electors to stoke a conflict ahead of Jan. 6. It’s unclear whether other figures associated with Trump’s effort are also in Smith’s sights. Investigators have interviewed dozens of prominent figures in Trump’s orbit, including Pence, in recent months. Attorneys John Eastman and Jeff Clark — two Trump associates considered key allies in his effort — had their phones seized last year. Trump revealed the target letter as he prepares to fight on another front to delay a criminal trial — also resulting from charges brought by Smith — related to his hoarding of national security secrets at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Trump’s attorneys will be in court in Fort Pierce, Fla. on Tuesday afternoon asking for the trial to be postponed until after the 2024 election, a prospect that Smith’s team has vehemently opposed. Trump is facing an extraordinary array of criminal charges and investigations. In addition to the two cases Smith has mounted, he’s facing charges in Manhattan for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment scheme to a porn actress accusing him of an extramarital affair in 2016. And a district attorney based in Fulton County, Ga. has convened a grand jury that is expected to consider charging Trump and allies for efforts to subvert the 2020 election in Georgia. Many aspects of Smith’s Jan. 6 investigation were previously pursued by the House select committee on Jan. 6, which interviewed hundreds of figures associated with Trump’s scheme to seize a second term despite losing the election. The committee concluded that Trump was at the center of a complex, months-long effort to sow doubt about the election results and then orchestrate several attempts to reverse the outcome despite no evidence of significant fraud. The panel focused in particular on Trump’s effort to pressure state and local officials to appoint “alternative” slates of presidential electors in seven states won by Biden and then use those slates as a pretense to disrupt the Jan. 6 session of Congress — when the Constitution and federal laws require Congress to meet and certify the election. That session, also according to the Constitution and law, is managed by the vice president, who doubles as president of the Senate. When no state officials acquiesced, Trump turned to a cadre of lawyers, including Eastman, who promoted fringe alternatives to keep Trump’s prospects alive. Eastman famously pressured Pence and his top aides to violate provisions of the Electoral Count Act — the law that has governed the Jan. 6 session of Congress since 1887 — to advance the effort. Prosecutors and the select committee have also focused on Trump’s effort to assemble a massive crowd in Washington on Jan. 6, part of his plan to pressure Pence and GOP lawmakers to help reverse the results, and then to steer it toward the Capitol after Pence made clear he wouldn’t go along with the plan. Trump inflamed the crowd with his rhetoric and then stoked anger further when he attacked Pence — even as violence was underway at the Capitol — accusing him of lacking “courage.” Pence and lawmakers were forced to evacuate and delay the count of electoral votes for six hours while law enforcement and the National Guard worked to clear the mob. Filed under: Donald Trump, Donald Trump 2024, 2020 Presidential Candidates, 2020 Elections, Jack Smith, Trump Indictment POLITICO Link Copied About Us Advertising Breaking News Alerts Careers Credit Card Payments Digital Edition FAQ Feedback Headlines Photos POWERJobs Press Print Subscriptions Request A Correction Write For Us RSS Site Map Terms of Service Privacy Policy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information and Opt Out of Targeted Advertising © 2023 POLITICO LLC

@[100044274887410:2048:Donald J. Trump] will be indicted again for his scheme to stop the peaceful transfer of power by planning on the DOJ to seize voting machines, assembling fake electors, his fake electors submitting fraudulent votes, pressuring state officials to ignore votes and hand him the election, and of course for sending an armed mob to the Capitol to stop his Vice President from participating in the certification of the election.

[https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/18/trump-says-hes-received-a-target-letter-from-special-counsel-jack-smiths-jan-6-investigators-00106776]

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