New details emerge on Hegseth's unusual mass gathering of top brass  —  The defense secretary is expected to lecture about the “warrior ethos” for less than an hour, according to multiple people familiar with the event.  But top generals are bracing for possible firings or demotions.  —  just now

The Comey indictment is so weak even some in right-wing media aren't buying it  —  Fox contributor Andrew McCarthy: “It seems to be premised on something that is not true”  —  Prominent right-wing media figures reacted to the Department of Justice's indictment of former FBI Director James Comey …

ICE agents point guns at bystanders during violent arrest in Maryland  —  If you want to support The Handbasket's 100% independent journalism, subscribe now.  You can also become a premium subscriber or leave a tip.  —  Video  —  For about nine minutes Wednesday morning …

Musk, Bannon and Thiel named in new Epstein estate documents … These new files are notable in that they suggest all three powerful men had a relationship with Epstein after his controversial plea deal that forced him to register as a sex offender.  Many people have argued …

‘They will pay a huge price for this’: Shutdown-ready Trump expects Democrats to blink … POLITICO reported Wednesday that the Office of Management and Budget is instructing federal agencies to prepare reduction-in-force plans for mass firings during a government shutdown …

Sinclair Ends ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’  Boycott, Says Its ABC Stations Will Resume Airing Show Immediately  —  TV station group says about the reversal that ‘it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content’

Kristi Noem Fast-Tracked Millions in Disaster Aid to Florida Tourist Attraction After Campaign Donor Intervened  —  The DHS chief has been widely criticized for slowing down FEMA's response after natural disasters.  Texts and emails obtained by ProPublica point to an effective way to get help faster …

Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts detained by ICE agents  —  This is a developing story and will be updated.  —  The superintendent of the largest school district in Iowa has been detained by federal immigration officials.  Superintendent Ian Roberts of Des Moines Public Schools …

Trump's Eruption of Rage at Texas ICE Shooting Hints at a Darker Story  —  After the news broke that a man sprayed sniper fire at an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement office in Dallas, President Trump exploded in an extended Truth Social rant.  But sprinkled in among the usual lies …

Daily Caller Opinion Column ‘Explicitly’ Calls for Violence  —  The column, by editor at large Geoffrey Ingersoll, calls for “blood in the streets” in response to violence against conservatives.  —  The Daily Caller, a prominent conservative online publication, published an opinion column …

NFL ‘Flatly Refused’ to Meet Taylor Swift's Demands About Super Bowl Performance, Source Says … Industry insiders claimed that Swift made some demands to perform for the halftime show.  However, the NFL refused to meet her terms, and the deal has thus fallen through.

Republican Arizona lawmaker makes post calling for execution of Democratic congresswoman  —  John Gillette on X called for ‘people like’ Pramila Jayapal to be ‘hanged’ in response to her video on anti-Trump protests  —  An Arizona Republican state representative who has expressed support …

Trump's TikTok deal payment criticized as ‘shakedown scheme’ by experts  —  The Trump administration recently approached a coalition of U.S. investors set to take over TikTok's U.S. operations with an ask: Will the group make a payment to the federal government “in the low billions,” …

Trump Will Slap Tariffs on Imported Drugs, Trucks and Household Furnishings  —  The president said his tariffs would range from 25 to 100 percent and go into effect next week.  —  President Trump on Thursday announced a slew of steep tariffs on pharmaceuticals, semi trucks …

Gabbard Ends Intelligence Report on Future Threats to U.S.  —  Some issues in the document, which is issued every four years, had become politically inconvenient, former officials said.  —  Every four years U.S. intelligence officials have published Global Trends, a public document that predicts …

FBI Bombshell: 274 agents sent to Capitol for J6, many later complained they were political ‘pawns’  —  Hidden for four years, an after-action report on FBI's involvement in Jan. 6 riot found by Director Patel shows dozens of agents feared that the FBI had become “woke” and “liberally biased.”

Where Mideast Envoy Pitched Peace, His Son Pitched Investors  —  Steve Witkoff's son recently sought money from Gulf states including Qatar, which has previously invested in Witkoff family projects to win favor with President Trump.  —  As Steve Witkoff, President Trump's envoy to the Middle East …

Rubber Glue Fascism  —  The news cycle yesterday was still spinning around Kimmel, and tomorrow it'll be busy with Comey.  But in between came bigger news: the “memo” named in my subtitle.  A “Terror Memo.”  I don't like sending traffic to this White House, but you should read it.

Trump Golf Course Displays Gold Presidential Seal—Here's Why That Could Violate Federal Law  —  Topline  —  The presidential seal has turned up at a sixth Trump golf course—this time gilded in gold, hanging in the dining room of his DC-area club—once again raising questions about whether …