Posted originally on CTH on May 3, 2026 | Sundance
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appears on Fox News with Maria Bartiromo to discuss current geopolitical events and the ramifications for the U.S. economy. It is a rather lengthy interview and discussion that touches on numerous key points.
Bessent notes the upcoming meeting between President Trump and Chairman Xi of China is still on schedule and U.S. Operation Financial Fury against Iran is yielding good results. I had no idea the U.S. government has made $30 to $40 billion from the Intel backstop. WATCH:
Posted originally on CTH on May 3, 2026 | Sundance
Six days ago, in Marsberg, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the U.S. approach to Iran, saying Washington was being “humiliated by the Iranian leadership” and demanding the conflict end “as quickly as possible.”
Three days ago, President Trump responded with an announcement that U.S. troops in Germany would be drawn down, and there would be a 25% tariff on all imported European autos. {GO DEEP}
But seriously folks, when people argue that it’s not about the economics of the thing – remind them, it’s always about the economics of the thing.
Germany is facing a perfect storm of economic consequences following their decision to chase the climate change agenda (Build Back Better) and eliminate their coal and nuclear power plants. Combine the German/EU policy to stop purchasing cheap LNG and oil from Russia, in addition to skyrocketing energy costs from oil/gas flows from the Middle East, and the outcome is rising manufacturing costs leading to massive layoffs.
The German industrial economy is the heart of the EU economy, and President Trump is now hitting them both right where it hurts.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is already facing serious political issues within Germany as the economy continues to contract. The political opposition parties are on the rise and Merz is in a very precarious position. President Trump is exploiting this vulnerability by apply further economic pressure on Germany.
Just yesterday….
Via Bloomberg – “Germany’s automotive industry pleaded for an urgent de-escalation in the tariff dispute between the US and the European Union and called for immediate talks between the two sides after President Donald Trump said he would increase auto tariffs on the bloc next week.” (read more)
Let him cook.
President Donald Trump's plan to withdraw at least 5,000 US troops from Germany has raised concerns among residents living near Ramstein Air Base. pic.twitter.com/hllQNYiuYg
Posted originally on CTH on May 3, 2026 | Sundance
In order to deal with a UniParty congress that is always seeking to disrupt his policies and frame processes against his office, President Trump recently notified the House and Senate the hostilities against Iran had ended and negotiations were underway.
In doing so, President Trump changed the dynamic and the Iranian regime now views President Trump as legally less empowered to trigger military strikes against the regime. To counteract that issue, President Trump either needs congress to authorize further military action against Iran, or a triggering action that would justify such renewed strikes. Iran attacking a ‘humanitarian effort” is one such triggering action.
Via Truth Social – “Countries from all over the World, almost all of which are not involved in the Middle Eastern dispute going on so visibly, and violently, for all to see, have asked the United States if we could help free up their Ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz, on something which they have absolutely nothing to do with — They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders!
For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business. Again, these are Ships from areas of the World that are not in any way involved with that which is currently taking place in the Middle East. I have told my Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait. In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else.
This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time. I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all. The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance.
This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran. Many of these Ships are running low on food, and everything else necessary for largescale crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner. I think it would go a long way in showing Goodwill on behalf of all of those who have been fighting so strenuously over the last number of months. If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” ~ DONALD J. TRUMP
CENTCOM – TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin supporting Project Freedom, May 4, to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The mission, directed by the President, will support merchant vessels seeking to freely transit through the essential international trade corridor. A quarter of the world’s oil trade at sea and significant volumes of fuel and fertilizer products are transported through the strait.
“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
Last week, the U.S. Department of State announced a new initiative, in partnership with the Department of War, to enhance coordination and information sharing among international partners in support of maritime security in the strait. The Maritime Freedom Construct aims to combine diplomatic action with military coordination, which will be critical during Project Freedom.
U.S. military support to Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members. (source)
Posted originally on CTH on May 3, 2026 | Sundance
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears on NBC News to discuss the legal framework for the Iran conflict and push back against the media’s defense of James Comey.
[Transcript] – KRISTEN WELKER: And joining me now is acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Mr. Blanche, welcome back to Meet the Press.
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE: Good morning.
KRISTEN WELKER: Good morning. Thank you for being here in person.
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE: Of course.
KRISTEN WELKER: We really appreciate it. Let’s start right there with the war. As you know, the War Powers Act requires Congress to authorize military action beyond 60 days, which the U.S. passed on Friday. The president did send a letter to Congress, just to recap, saying that hostilities have been terminated, given the ceasefire that was put in place on April 7th. And yet, the U.S. is actively engaged in a naval blockade of Iranian ports as part of this conflict. Is the United States at war with Iran?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE: No. I mean, what President Trump said this weekend is absolutely true. My job as the acting attorney general is to make sure that the president, that we all are doing the right thing legally. And we absolutely are. As we said to Congress last week, there has been nothing going on, no hostilities, no exchange of fire since – in almost a month, in almost a month. And how do you end a conflict? How do you end this? You have a ceasefire. And that’s exactly what we have, and Congress knows that and the leadership knows that. And there’s a lot of drama. I’m sure that Senator Schiff will come on here and say something different. This has been done repeatedly for many, many years, with many, many presidents. And there’s nothing inconsistent about what we’re doing and what’s been done in the past.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Well, you say that you’re not actively at war. Here is what President Trump had to say on Friday. I want to play it for you, get your reaction on the other side.
[BEGIN TAPE]
PRES. DONALD TRUMP:
But they don’t like the word war. And they call it a “military operation,” because that way, you don’t have a war, you don’t have legal problems.
[END TAPE]
KRISTEN WELKER:
Is the president effectively arguing that he can avoid congressional approval by avoiding using the word “war?”
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
He’s not effectively arguing anything except that he is trying to keep this country safe. We have kept Congress updated at every step of the way, consistent with what other presidents have done. President Trump is doing something that the past five presidents did not do. They promised to do it, they promised, “Oh, we’ll stop Iran.” “Oh, Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.” President Trump is doing what others have promised but failed to do. And as far as what we’re doing with Congress, keeping them updated, we are doing so.
KRISTEN WELKER:
As you know, Democrats and even some Republicans say that the ceasefire’s not enough to override this 60-day benchmark. Republican Senator Susan Collins posted, quote, “The President’s authority as Commander-in-Chief is not without limits. That deadline is not a suggestion; it is a requirement.” Are there any legal limits on the president’s powers to carry out the war with Iran?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
We – suggesting that President Trump or this administration or the Department of War is violating the law is just completely wrong. It’s not appropriate to say that. We are not – we are complying with the law. I can tell you that as the acting attorney general. We are doing exactly what we’re supposed to do legally and President Trump will continue to do that.
KRISTEN WELKER:
But are there any, to this point, do you see any limits on how he has to carry out this war?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
Of course. Yes, of course there’s limits to what President Trump can do and he’s never said there aren’t limits. He’s acting within his duty to the American people to keep us safe. What – he’s not engaged in a popularity contest when it comes to what we’re doing in Iran. He is doing something that will save us for generations. And so he is doing something, again, that every president since Reagan has said that we should do and he’s the only one willing to do it.
KRISTEN WELKER:
The President Trump said that the War Powers Act is unconstitutional. Do you agree with that?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
We – I’m not talking about the constitutionality of the War Powers Act as it doesn’t do anything. I will tell you that the Department of Justice advises the president, advises the Department of War, and we are acting completely within the law with what we’re doing.
KRISTEN WELKER:
All right. Let’s move on to former FBI Director James Comey. A grand jury has indicted the former FBI director. For this Instagram post, I want to put it up, I think a lot of folks have seen it at this point, “86 47” in seashells, which the indictment says, quote, “A reasonable recipient who is familiar with the circumstances would interpret as a serious expression of an intent to do harm to the President of the United States.” How does that image of seashells amount to a serious threat against the president’s life?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
Well, every case requires an investigation. And what you just showed is one part of that investigation. What you just showed is the Instagram post. Rest assured that the career assistant United States attorneys in North Carolina, the career FBI agents, the career secret service agents that investigated this case didn’t just look at the Instagram post and walk away. That’s why you saw an indictment last week, notwithstanding the fact that it was last May that the post was made. So I am not permitted to get into the details of what the grand jury heard or found, as you know. But rest assured that it’s not just the Instagram post that leads somebody to get indicted.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Well, part of what the government would have to prove is intent. James Comey deleted the post the same day. And he wrote, quote, “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me. But I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.” How do you prove intent, Mr. Blanche, when Mr. Comey himself said he didn’t understand that some people would look at that and think about violence?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
You prove intent like you always prove intent. You prove intent with witnesses, you prove intent with documents, with materials. So again, this is not just about a single Instagram post. This is about a body of evidence that the grand jury collected over the series of about 11 months. That evidence was presented to the grand jury. And it’s not the government. It’s not the Department of Justice. It’s not Todd Blanche that returned an indictment against James Comey. It’s the grand jury, part of the judicial process, and that this process has to be allowed to play out in the courts. It’s not fair to Mr. Comey, it’s certainly not fair to the prosecutors for us to be airing your view or my view of this indictment. It’s something that will be presented in court at the time set by the judge.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Let’s dive a little deeper. Conservative legal scholar Jonathan Turley said, quote, “This indictment is facially unconstitutional, absent some unknown new facts.” Are there, are you in fact, saying that there are facts beyond this Instagram post that clearly establish an intent to threaten the president’s life?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
I’ve said repeatedly this was an investigation that lasted 11 months. If the only facts that existed was the posting of the Instagram, obviously that wouldn’t have taken 11 months. And so when Mr. Turley talks about whether it’s facially unconstitutional absent unknown facts or circumstances, we will necessarily have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, at trial, every element of this crime, which we’re prepared to do.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Can you and will you let the public know what any of those other facts are?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
Absolutely. It’s called a trial. That’s what happens with every single case. We indict thousands of cases every year. Every one of those cases, there’s an indictment and then eventually there is a trial or some sort of disposition. At the trial, a public trial, that will be open to the public. Everybody in this country will know exactly what evidence the government has against Mr. Comey.
KRISTEN WELKER:
I know you can’t give me specifics, but can you give me any insight? Are you talking about writings, are you talking about conversations? What does this other evidence consist of?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
We are talking about evidence of all sorts. And that means documents, that means witnesses and that means, that means the whole array of what we did. And again, we are not talking about some political guy in D.C. running out and getting an indictment. We are talking about career prosecutors in North Carolina systematically investigating a case with the FBI working with them, with the secret service working with them. And now we have an indictment.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Well, the image, excuse me, is part of what led to this indictment.
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
Yes.
KRISTEN WELKER:
It is worth noting that on Amazon.com, we looked this up, there are dozens of products with the same terminology, we’re showing it right here, “86 47” being sold and purchased right now. Should individuals selling or buying “86 47” merchandise be concerned that they’re going to be prosecuted by the DOJ?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
This isn’t – this isn’t about a single incident, okay? I mean, of course not. That’s posted constantly. That phrase is used constantly. There are constantly men and women who choose to make threatening statements against President Trump. Every one of those statements do not result in indictments, of course. There are facts, there are circumstances, there are investigations that have to take place. And we have charged dozens and dozens of men and women this year with threatening President Trump and others. So this isn’t a new charge we’re bringing.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Just to be very clear, you are suggesting the seashells themselves are not at the root of this indictment?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
No, I am suggesting that every single case depends on the investigation that’s done. And of course, the seashells are part of that case. I mean, that’s what the public sees. But without a doubt, and it should be evident by the fact that it’s been 11 months since the posting and the indictment, there is an investigation that takes place. And that’s the result. The result of that investigation is the indictment that was returned last week.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Let’s talk big picture. Back on September 20th, President Trump publicly posted a private message to then Attorney General Pam Bondi pressuring her to prosecute Senator Adam Schiff, James Comey and Letitia James, writing, quote, “They’re all guilty as hell. But nothing is going to be done. They impeached me twice, they indicted me five times over nothing. Justice must be served now.” Why should the public believe that any case brought against the individuals listed there is an independent law enforcement decision and not retribution?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
Well, because you have investigations and you have indictments and you have the result. I mean, listen, if years later you’re judged by a simple note from President Trump. By the way, that wasn’t a private message. That was a message delivered to the entire world.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Right.
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
And so this is not being done behind closed doors.
KRISTEN WELKER:
But it was meant to be private initially based on my conversations.
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
How do you know it was meant to be private?
KRISTEN WELKER:
Based on my conversations, it was meant to be —
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
Well, I’m not aware of those conversations —
KRISTEN WELKER:
With top administration officials, it was meant to be private —
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
But President Trump —
KRISTEN WELKER:
— and posted by mistake.
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
President Trump is very clear with the American people what he expects as president of the United States. That is not something he hides from the American people. He wants justice, he wants full investigations where appropriate. And by the way, that’s a good thing. That’s not a bad thing. Everybody in this country should want that. And so no, I don’t operate based upon concern or fear. The American people will know exactly what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.
KRISTEN WELKER:
And yet, Mr. Acting Attorney General, the Justice Department has already indicted former FBI Director James Comey, as you know, and New York Attorney General Letitia James. And a federal judge dismissed both of those cases. Why should people have confidence that this case will actually move forward and is rooted in fact?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
Well, let’s be accurate, okay? The judge dismissed those cases not based on a factual finding that President Trump did something wrong or that there was something wrong with the underlying facts leading to that indictment. The federal judge dismissed that case because he found that the U.S. attorney was not properly appointed. That’s not a – there was no final finding on the facts or anything like that. So look, those cases are on appeal. We will see what happens. But again, you’re comparing apples to oranges when you say, “Just because that indictment was dismissed, there’s something wrong with the underlying investigation.”
KRISTEN WELKER:
Well, again, he did directly push to have those people indicted. Charges were brought. And then they were dropped. Does that not undercut, potentially, the trust that people have in the Justice Department?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
Absolutely not. And by the way, do you think, or do the American people think that nothing was done on those cases until President Trump posted that truth in September? No, these are ongoing investigations. Investigations take time, investigations take effort. And so no, I don’t – I am not concerned. What we do, what we do at the Department of Justice, the American people can judge us. And they will. And I’m ready to be judged because we’re doing the right thing. We’re restoring justice, which nobody saw for four years. There weren’t guests on your show for four years during the last administration being overly critical of what the Department of Justice was doing, and that was a problem, and we fixed it.
KRISTEN WELKER:
I want to turn now to the shooting at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner. Since we last spoke, it has been deemed an assassination attempt against President Trump. We are all so thankful he is okay and everyone at that dinner, including yourself is okay. His lawyers say that the suspect in this case is now on a suicide watch. Are there any new updates you can share on the investigation or new charges that the suspect might be facing?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
Well, look. The investigation is ongoing. And it happened just over a week ago. And I expect that the U.S. Attorney Pirro, that she and her team are continuing to work on understanding why this man allegedly did what he did. Any other information that they can learn from the devices and from the search warrants that were executed. I don’t have an update to provide you beyond the fact that we are working hard. I expect in the next week or so, there will be more information coming out. Obviously, assuming the investigation moves forward, there will be an indictment forthcoming and all that is typical of what happens.
KRISTEN WELKER:
You say more information, more charges potentially too?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
Potentially. I mean, look, I think that’s what happens, right? There’s initial charges and there’s an investigation and to the extent that the government learns more things, I assure you they will become charges.
KRISTEN WELKER:
All right. Let’s turn to the Supreme Court’s decision to remove a major pillar of the Voting Rights Act which protected minority voters. In his majority decision, Justice Alito argued this, quote, “The nation had made,” quote, “great strides in ending entrenched racial discrimination.” Do you believe that minority voters are represented equally in this country?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
Yes. There is no doubt that the Supreme Court got this decision right. It’s the position of the Department of Justice, it’s the position of this administration. We argued the case. And so yes, there is also no doubt that the existing system was not consistent with our Constitution. And that’s what the Supreme Court found and there’s going to be a lot of criticism I expect even in the coming moments on this show about that decision. But the reality is what people cannot say is that the provision that was struck down by the Supreme Court is consistent with our Constitution. And that’s the Supreme Court’s job is to interpret the Constitution.
KRISTEN WELKER:
But voters see this country differently. According to the latest Gallup poll, 83% of Black Americans and 61% of white Americans believe that racism is widespread. Does that challenge the idea that there is racial equality?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
The Supreme Court doesn’t make decisions based upon a Gallup poll. The Supreme Court is not allowed to make decisions because there’s some poll that says some percentage of Americans feel one way or another. They interpret the Constitution and keeping our elections fair, keeping our elections exactly what they’re supposed to be, consistent with the Constitution, is what President Trump has been fighting for for ten years. And so this was a great win for the American people.
KRISTEN WELKER:
But the root of the Voting Rights Act was to make sure that people were treated equally, that they had equal rights when it came to voting and representation. Does it not weaken that ultimate goal?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
It – the fact that we’re talking about this when Democrats in Congress, for example, refuse to support basic structures to guarantee free and fair elections is laughable. I mean, the fact that we are talking about this decision from the Supreme Court, which is just a constitutional decision, when what we should be talking about is that there’s a lot of things that we can be doing, like voter ID. Like every time you walk into a restaurant or a club, you have to show your ID, how about you have to show your ID to vote? That’s not – that’s not anything that’s crazy. And that’s what we should be talking about.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Certainly one of the votes on Capitol Hill right now. Quickly before I let you go, the position of attorney general remains open. You still have an “acting” in front of your title. Are you hoping to drop that “acting” title and become the attorney general?
ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE:
I am happy to do my job. No matter – President Trump can ask me to do whatever he chooses and I’ll be happy to do my job. We, the Department of Justice, all of our employees are working hard every day to restore justice, and we will continue to do that. I love my job no matter what it is.
Posted originally on CTH on May 3, 2026 | Sundance
Jim Hoft and Joe Hoft are twin brothers. Jim Hoft is the founder of Gateway Pundit and preparing for heart surgery in Florida on Tuesday. Then, last night, Joe Hoft suffered a stroke while preparing to go to Florida to support his brother Jim. Terrible news. Prayers for both.
Heavenly Father, we have need for You today. Please provide Your healing power and grace upon Jim and Joe Hoft.
Lord of mercy guide those who tend their afflictions. We accept Your works through those You guide and love powerfully, completely and unconditionally. Our first, last and final healing is always found in You. We come to You today with our prayers for Joe and Jim, and we know You hear our prayers just as You understand our faith. We ask for Your embrace of Joe and Jim Hoft and those they love.
God that holds the stars, we ask for Your healing and grace to cover them; every affliction; every wound; every trepidation and consequence. Thank You for Your mighty power that works through all things. We reach out to You knowing through every struggle Your glory is in command. We ask that You pull our prayers close and extend Your healing power. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Posted originally on CTH on May 3, 2026 | Sundance
White House National Economic Council Director, Kevin Hassett, appears on CBS news to dispatch the narrative engineering of Margaret Brennan.
I completely understand why the White House appears to have finally had enough of Ms. Brennan’s dramatic performances and has chosen not to send most representatives into this nonsense pantomime any longer. She’s even more insufferable than Jake Tapper. That said, Kevin Hassett is likely the only member of the administration kindhearted enough to deal with the snark and lack of substance.
What I don’t understand is why the White House just doesn’t tell her in brutally honest terms: Margaret, your dramatic performances are tiresome, and your intellectual vigor is running at a continual deficit. Regards.
True to form, Ms. Brennan wanted desperately to pontificate about the terrible state of the U.S. economy blaming the White House for the failure of Spirit Airlines, and demanding Kevin Hassett address the Iran conflict that is not in his portfolio. Director Hassett stayed comfortably in his lane, smiled and took apart the fake news construct as professional as possible given the absurdity of Brennan’s presentation.
[Transcript] – MARGARET BRENNAN: We begin this morning with the director of the White House Economic Council. Kevin Hassett joins us from Los Angeles. Good early morning to you.
KEVIN HASSETT: Oh yeah, good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Well Director, President Trump sent a letter to Congress on Friday saying a few things. One that the conflict with Iran, the ceasefire has been extended. He also said the hostilities have been terminated. He also said the threat posed by Iran remains significant, and the force posture will continue to be updated. Then overnight, we saw the President said Iran has not yet paid a big enough price for what they’ve done to humanity. What exactly is the message to the market?
KEVIN HASSETT: Right. Well, I think the market has been pretty consistent. The fact is that what the President is seeing is that the blockade is working. It’s putting an enormous amount of pressure on Iran, and Iran’s threats to put mines in the straits have even made it so that humanitarian aid that, of course, we would let through to Iran, that there are a lot of those ship captains that are wary of going to Iranian ports because they’re worried about where the Iranians have put the mines. And so, you know, I go down to the sit room many times a week and get briefed on what’s going on in Iran, and they’re an economy that’s really on the precipice of extreme calamity. They are having a hyperinflation. They’re starting to have hunger. The bottom line is that the pressure on the great American people, because of these people who are like really intent on American and Israeli destruction with their nuclear weapons, are still in power. One last thing, Margaret, I don’t know if you noticed, but the UN Human Rights folks came out this week condemning Iran because they’re killing people who are trying to stand up to this regime that’s potentially, you know, causing starvation and even famine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you said the blockade is still on. A blockade is an act of war. Are we at war with Iran?
KEVIN HASSETT: Iran shut down the straits. Iran shut down the straits, and the only ones they were letting through were Iranian ships, and President Trump didn’t think that was acceptable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, we are still at war with Iran?
KEVIN HASSETT: You know what- I don’t know what the definition of war is when we’re not shooting and we’re negotiating and they’re under a lot of pressure. There’s no reason, I think, right now, to do anything other than what we’re doing. The fact is that that regime has destroyed the country. Let me put it in perspective. In 1978 before the Ayatollah came in, then the per capita GDP in Iran was about the same as for Japan and Italy. Now it’s about the same as for Honduras. So they’ve run that country into the ground, and that’s before the straits were closed. So it’s really, really a country that’s on the rocks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure and we’re negotiating with them. But so we’re going into week 10. I’m wondering what economic modeling you have done here, because the President had originally said the war was going to last four to six weeks. We are now at the national average gas price of $4.45 a gallon. Can we end the conflict without taking back the Strait of Hormuz?
KEVIN HASSETT: Well, what’s going on right now is that we’re doing an all of the above approach to get energy to Americans and increase energy production around the world–
MARGARET BRENNAN: — That takes time–
KEVIN HASSETT: — And I think if you look out into the future, what people are saying- No. So as an example, we waive the Jones Act. The price of the US is $10 a barrel less than it is on the world- and in the world exchanges and all the west coast was buying world price of oil, but now they’re buying US price of oil. So we’ve made an enormous number of strides to reduce the short term disruption.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, the Bank of America came out with a report this week that says the gas price spike has cost consumers $19 billion. They say gas prices have canceled out nearly half of the increase in expected tax refunds. Goldman Sachs concurs, saying the drag will offset the benefits from that tax bill the White House had championed. Do you agree with that analysis?
KEVIN HASSETT
No, that analysis is incorrect. Like, think about it this way, 153 million people have filed taxes already, and the average tax refund is $3,600. 53 million people have benefited from no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security. For the no tax on tips and Social Security that exempts between $7,000 and $8,000 from taxation for those people and for the no tax on overtime, it’s like closer to $5000. And so these are really, really big numbers, and if people look at their gas bills, of course, they’re higher, and we’re doing everything we can to make the temporary increase as small as possible. But then finally, there’s the economic growth component. Real incomes are growing, and real incomes, when they adjust for inflation, include the price of energy, real incomes shrunk for almost eight years under Obama, they shrunk under Biden, and they’re rising now despite the short term increase in gas prices.
MARGARET BRENNAN
Well, we did see an increase in the PCE. But just to clarify the tax law that the President signed doesn’t eliminate taxes on Social Security. It gives seniors an enhanced standard deduction through the end of 2028. But let me ask you about the news on Spirit Airlines–
KEVIN HASSETT: But that makes it so most people aren’t covered- Yeah, I want to talk about Spirit. I just go say that makes it so most people don’t face the tax hike. So you’re you’re right. It’s a technical matter, but it has the effect that we discussed.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Spirit Airlines ceased operations, as we said at the top of the program. I know the White House was trying to craft an 11th Hour rescue plan. What happened, and do you have a sense of the broader economic impact?
KEVIN HASSETT: Oh, sure. You know, it’s something that I was very much involved in. We were aware that, because the merger between JetBlue and spirit was canceled unwisely by the Biden administration, that spirit, sadly, was on the ropes when we looked at their books, that basically, the creditors were going to liquidate them and try to sell their assets so that they could get some of the money back that they had lent them. And there were some authorities that were explored to see if we could help them get a lifeline. And in the end, the legal legal guys decided that those authorities wouldn’t apply in this situation. Meanwhile, while that was being investigated, Secretary Duffy and I talked to the other airlines to make sure that they were helping people who were stranded by spirit get home and to get home basically at much lower prices than the normal fares that they would charge.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So the company–
KEVIN HASSETT: — In fact, American and United and Southwest have all said that they’re going to help the passengers of Spirit get home.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You mentioned past financial troubles, unquestionably, Spirit did have them for many years, but they did have that restructuring deal with bond holders back in March. In this statement, spirit released explaining why they were shutting down, they said, quote, “The sudden and sustained rise in fuel prices in recent weeks, ultimately has left us with no alternative.” Are other industries also at risk of collapse, or other major companies due to this energy shock?
KEVIN HASSETT: Well, don’t forget, the Spirit Airlines was Chapter 11 twice because they basically didn’t—
MARGARET BRENNAN: I acknowledge that.
KEVIN HASSETT: —have a business model that was working. That’s right. And the other airlines are still operating. I just flew out here to discuss these matters at the Milken conference in LA, you know, on United Airlines and the you know, the other airlines are operating, what they’ve done because they have thought ahead way more than the management of Spirit is hedge their jet fuel purchases and so on. So that energy short term energy shocks don’t have a big effect on their business. Certainly, it’ll affect profits for the airlines for a quarter or so, but they’re very, very healthy right now.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Kevin Hassett, we’ll let you get back to work. Thank you for joining us this morning. Face the Nation will be back in a minute.
Posted originally on CTH on May 2, 2026 | Sundance
President Trump paused for a brief press gaggle with the assembled pool of reporters. President Trump noted he had just received a proposal from Iran but had not yet had time to read it.
At the end of the remarks President Trump was questioned about pulling troops out of Germany and he replied, “we are going to cut way down, and we are cutting a lot more than the 5,000.” WATCH:
Posted originally on CTH on May 2, 2026 | Sundance
Yury Ushakov is the Senior Aide to Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin. Following a lengthy telephone call between President Trump and President Putin, Ushakov provides the following readout:
MOSCOW – Aide to the President of Russia Yury Ushakov: Colleagues, good evening.
President Vladimir Putin held another telephone conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump. The call lasted for more than an hour and a half. The exchange between the two presidents was conducted in a friendly manner and was frank and businesslike.
Understandably, Vladimir Putin began by expressing his sympathy and support for the President of the United States in connection with the assassination attempt against him on April 25 at the Washington Hilton hotel. Fortunately, neither Donald Trump himself, nor his spouse, nor any members of his entourage were harmed. The secret service was quick to neutralise the assailant. The Russian leader strongly condemned this crime and stressed, in particular, that politically motivated violence was unacceptable in any forms and manifestations.
It was also mentioned during the conversation that this dangerous incident occurred on the eve of the US First Lady’s birthday on April 26. President Vladimir Putin asked to convey his best wishes and noted her contribution to efforts aimed at facilitating the reunification of Russian and Ukrainian children with their families.
When discussing the international agenda, the presidents focused on the developments surrounding Iran and the Persian Gulf.
Vladimir Putin believes that Donald Trump was right to extend the ceasefire for Iran. This, he believes, will give negotiations a further chance and help stabilise the overall situation.
At the same time, the President of Russia pointed out that if the United States and Israel resume military action, this would inevitably lead to extremely adverse consequences not only for Iran and its neighbours, but for the entire international community. He stressed that a ground operation on Iranian territory would be particularly unacceptable and dangerous.
Russia remains firmly committed to facilitating diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution of this crisis, and has put forward several proposals to help address differences over the Iranian nuclear programme. To this end, active contacts with Iranian representatives, leaders of the Gulf countries, as well as with Israel, and, naturally, the negotiating team of the United States will continue.
Donald Trump outlined his assessment of the outcome of the concluded phase of the armed confrontation, as well as his views on the current difficult situation facing Iran and its leadership.
Regarding a settlement in Ukraine, the US President emphasised the importance of an early cessation of hostilities and his readiness to do everything in his power to facilitate this. His authorised representatives will continue contacts with both Moscow and Kiev. Donald Trump said he believes that an agreement that would bring the conflict in Ukraine to an end is close.
Replying to a question from Trump, Vladimir Putin described the current situation along the line of contact, where Russian forces retain the strategic initiative and are pushing back the opposing side. It was also noted that since the beginning of 2025, Russia has handed over more than 20,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian servicemen, while Ukraine has returned just over 500 bodies of Russian servicemen.
Both Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump expressed broadly similar views on the behaviour of the Kiev regime led by Zelensky, which, incited and supported by Europeans, is pursuing a course aimed at prolonging the conflict.
The Russian leader stated plainly that Kiev is resorting to overtly terrorist methods, targeting exclusively civilian facilities on Russian territory.
The President of Russia reaffirmed that the goals of the special military operation will be achieved in any event. At the same time, he noted that this outcome would preferably be reached through negotiations, for which Zelensky must respond constructively to the proposals that have been put forward repeatedly, including by the US side.
It is notable that Donald Trump expressed a positive view on the Easter ceasefire recently declared by Russia. In this connection, Vladimir Putin informed his American counterpart of Russia’s readiness to declare a ceasefire for the period of the Victory Day celebrations. President Trump actively supported this initiative, noting that the holiday marks the shared victory over Nazism in World War II.
When discussing Russian-US relations, both leaders pointed to the great potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic and energy spheres. The presidents stated that their representatives are already engaged in substantive discussions on a number of large-scale economic projects.
The presidents agreed to maintain contacts going forward, both directly and at the level of their aides and representatives.
They concluded the conversation on a warm note, wishing each other all the best.
Question: On whose initiative was the telephone conversation held?
Yury Ushakov: I would like to note that it was initiated by the Russian side, by the President of Russia.
Posted originally on CTH on May 2, 2026 | Sundance
Last week the DOJ indicted Mexican Governor Ruben Rocha Moya along with nine current and former Mexican officials for participating “in a corrupt and violent drug trafficking conspiracy with the Cartel to import massive amounts of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States.” {GO DEEP} This has put Mexican Governor Claudia Sheinbaum in a precarious position.
Both President Sheinbaum and Governor Rocha Moya are from the Moreno political party in Mexico. Following the indictment, Sheinbaum said she would not assist in any extradition effort of Governor Rocha and denounced the U.S. indictment; however, she said the federal government within Mexico would launch their own independent investigation.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denounced the U.S. prosecution of a sitting Mexican governor and other officials on drug trafficking charges as “political,” and said Thursday that Mexico would not comply with Washington’s demands that the accused be arrested and extradited to the United States.
“We are not permitting a foreign government to say what is the future of Mexico,” said a defiant Sheinbaum, who repeatedly assailed U.S. “meddling” in the incendiary case. (more)
There is considerable support within Mexico to eliminate the corrupt activity of the Cartels who many admit are in control of large sectors of their regional and federal government. As a consequence, many Mexicans support the position of President Trump and the Dept of Justice in prosecuting Governor Rocha Moya if there is evidence to support it.
Today, Sinaloa Governor Rocha Moya said he would step down from his position as the federal investigation of the claims get underway.
Mexico City — The governor of the Mexican state of Sinaloa said on Friday he will temporarily step down from his post, days after he was indicted in the US on drug trafficking charges.
Ruben Rocha Moya, the governor of Sinaloa since 2021, and nine current or former high-ranking Mexican officials were charged in a five-count indictment unsealed Wednesday with allegedly helping a faction of the cartel led by the Chapitos, the sons of Joaquin Guzman Loera — also known as El Chapo.
Local lawmakers approved Rocha Moya’s request to take a leave of absence on Saturday and appointed Yeraldine Bonilla Valverde as interim governor. Until now, Bonilla Valverde served as Sinaloa’s Secretary of Government.
Prosecutors in New York allege Rocha Moya met with the Chapitos prior to his election and assured them that if elected, he would put officials friendly to their drug trafficking operations into power. Cartel members stole ballot boxes and kidnapped or intimidated opponents to drop out of the race to ensure his victory, according to the indictment. (read more)
Many of those who understand the dynamic are saying Rocha Moya’s official decision to take a leave of absence looks more like a move to go into hiding in order to avoid any U.S. military operation that might seek to capture him.
As noted by Leon Barrena Rodriquez, “Sheinbaum and AMLO have decided that a total diplomatic rupture with the U.S. is a smaller price to pay than the existential threat of Governor Rocha “spitting” in a New York courtroom. They are gambling on the assumption that Washington lacks the will for forceful extraction. This is a fatal error.
Mexico City operates under the dangerous delusion that the Trump administration can still be “managed” with paperwork and delays, refusing to acknowledge that the decision to dismantle Mexico’s narco-political architecture was finalized months ago. The escalation pathway we predicted is no longer a hypothetical, but it is now in full force.
Morena appears to believe the United States can still be pacified with diplomatic phone calls, curated “mañaneras,” or the transactional arrest of a few cartel operatives. But the game has changed, and the rules have been rewritten. The “sovereignty” rhetoric and the FGR’s claims of a lack of evidence are merely masks for a regime willing to incinerate its international credibility and domestic security to keep the secrets of the movement buried. In this, they shall not succeed. The refusal to acknowledge the gravity of the DOJ’s evidence only accelerates the timeline for a more direct American intervention”. (Twitter)
It is highly likely that President Trump does not need a Maduro-style military operation to gain custody of Rocha Moya. In fact, the United State has multiple angles of economic pressure that can be applied to force President Sheinbaum to deliver Moya to U.S. authorities.
For the past six months top level officials from both the U.S. and Mexico have been organizing a bilateral trade agreement to replace the trilateral USMCA that includes Canada.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Canadian trade team have been shut out of any substantive discussions on how the U.S-Canada trade will be impacted if/when U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer tells congress of the formal decision to end the USMCA.
This backdrop sets the stage for enhanced pressure against Mexico if President Sheinbaum refuses extradition, or if the Mexican investigation is simply a corrupt whitewash. The evidence within the U.S. indictment of Rocha Moya is strong.
Financial sanctions can pause or end remittances to Mexico. Closed or enhanced border security measures can severely curtail Mexican exports. National Security tariffs, now fully supported by the U.S. Supreme Court are yet another option. President Trump has multiple approaches within economic leverage to force Mexico to comply with an extradition order.
The bottom line is that President Trump wants a lawful and secure North America and the Mexican cartels are a direct threat to that goal. No one really doubts the cartel influence in regional and federal politics within Mexico; however, addressing that cartel influence is another kettle-o-fish all together.
[…] “The crisis has now physically shifted to Palenque, the true command-and-control center of the Morena movement. Logistics monitoring confirms that Mexican Navy jets have been operating a high-frequency shuttle to and from Chiapas, facilitating the extraction of Governor Rocha Moya for an emergency summit with former president AMLO. This use of military assets to transport an indicted official to a private ranch for a “war council” is a blunt display of state protection. It confirms that the Sheinbaum administration is not merely observing the law, but deploying the full weight of the Mexican military to ensure that Rocha remains out of reach while the “Palenque Pact” is finalized.
The regime’s defense of Rocha is now absolute and unified. By rejecting the U.S. charges as “politically motivated” and demanding “irrefutable evidence” while simultaneously blocking CJNG extraditions, the government is building a fortress around its internal secrets. This is no longer a legal debate between two countries, but a pivot to a siege mentality. The Sheinbaum administration has calculated that the risk of a diplomatic break with the U.S. is preferable to the existential threat of Rocha “spitting” in a New York courtroom. The “sovereignty” rhetoric is the public mask for a fundamental decision: the regime will burn its international credibility to ensure that the secrets of the 4T stay buried in Palenque. Mexico now holds its breath.” ~ León Barrena Rodríguez
Posted originally on CTH on May 2, 2026 | Sundance
Keep in mind the background issue of Germany supplying Ukraine with weapons and material to keep fighting Russia, while the Merz administration triggers policy to force increased German military troop levels.
Facing crushingly high increases in energy costs, last Monday in Marsberg, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the U.S. approach to Iran, saying Washington was being “humiliated by the Iranian leadership” and demanding the conflict end “as quickly as possible.”
Germany is facing a perfect storm of economic consequences following their decision to chase the climate change agenda (Build Back Better) and eliminate their coal and nuclear power plants. Combine the German/EU policy to stop purchasing cheap LNG and oil from Russia, in addition to skyrocketing energy costs from oil/gas flows from the Middle East, and the outcome is rising manufacturing costs leading to massive layoffs.
The German industrial economy is the heart of the EU economy, and President Trump is now hitting them both right where it hurts.
Today two announcements hit an already vulnerable Germany directly. The first is: “The Secretary of War has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 troops from Germany,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told Fox News Digital. “This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground.” {source}
The second announcement is even more brutal for Chancellor Merz:
While the EU auto tariffs do not mention Germany specifically, it is the German auto industry (BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi) that will be impacted the most. A 25% tariff on German vehicles destined to the USA will severely hurt the German auto industry. This is a massive hit to their already weakened position.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is already facing serious political issues within Germany as the economy continues to contract. The political opposition parties are on the rise and Merz is in a very precarious position. President Trump is exploiting this vulnerability by apply further economic pressure on Germany.
One of the outcomes of this pressure in combination with the internal friction Merz is facing, will be a demand by the German people to stop providing support for Ukraine and focus time, effort and energy on getting the structural economy back on solid footing. This can have an ancillary benefit to President Trump as he seeks to have Ukraine come to the negotiating table with Russia to end the conflict.
There are multiple facets within this geopolitical positioning, and it is worth watching it play out closely.
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