Trump -v- Meloni


Posted originally on CTH on June 20, 2026 | Sundance |

On the heels of the G7 in France, U.S. President Trump and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni have been engaged in a geopolitical spat.

The core of the issue centers on Italy’s refusal to allow the U.S. military to conduct flight operations for the conflict against Iran from U.S. airbases in Italy.   President Trump, Vice-President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio and Secretary Hegseth have all remarked on their disappointment with Italy and Spain that has led to a full review of U.S. NATO operations in Europe.

The issue became personal at the G7 when President Trump ignored Meloni’s repeated attempts to repair the friction. President Trump was no longer tolerating the two-faced approach. Actions speak louder than words.

Understanding, a very specific image sensitivity Prime Minister Meloni carries, President Trump stated“Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France. She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!). She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other “so-called” NATO Allies. Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her “numbers up.” No thanks!!! ~ President DJT

Meloni then hit back with: “these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless.  As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done,” Meloni said in a post on Instagram. She added that “in any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.” {source}

Pulte Factor – Quick Reference Guide to Media Leaks


Posted originally on CTH on June 20, 2026 | Sundance

With Acting DNI Bill Pulte coming into office, several people have requested my simple guide to identifying media leaks.

This reference resource is based on historic patterns and generally has an 80/20 accuracy rate.  While there are some leaks that cross through the data pattern, in the aggregate this basic outline has shown to be correct.

The leak source identification can help interested political observers understand the motives and objectives.

When you see the term “exclusive” in the originating media report, this guide increases in accuracy:

  • The State Department leaks to CNN
  • The CIA leaks to The Washington Post
  • The DOJ/FBI leaks to The New York Times and Politico
  • DHS domestically leaks to the Wall Street Journal
  • The National Security Council leaks primarily to Axios and Politico, NYT secondary
  • The Pentagon leaks to Fox News and the Wall Street Journal (Axios more recent)
  • Kash Patel leaks to John Solomon – Just The News
  • ¹DNI leaks to the Wall Street Journal, however:

¹The ODNI gets a little complicated due to the structure of the ODNI.  Each intelligence agency has a liaison office inside the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.  Generally, the topline guide above overlays with the desk assignment.

Example 1: CNN gets an ‘exclusive’ leak related to the DNI; the leak sourcing is therefore most likely to be the State Dept Desk inside the DNI office. (State Dept leaks to CNN)

Example 2: Washington Post gets an ‘exclusive’ leak related to the DNI.  The leak sourcing is directly from the CIA liaison desk inside DNI.  (CIA leaks to WaPo)

This is the consistent pattern that established itself over the past 20 years.  It is generally accurate on an 80/20 basis. Meaning 80% of the time the origin of the leak can be identified this way with accuracy; 20% of the time it is not.

Hope that helps.

Prayer Requests – 28


Posted originally on CTH on June 20, 2026 | Ad rem

Please share any prayer requests you may have for friends or loved ones here….

Prayer Requests – Part 11

Prayer Requests – Part 12

Prayer Requests – Part 13

Prayer Requests – Part 14

Prayer Requests – Part 15

Prayer Requests – Part 16

Prayer Requests – Part 17

Prayer Requests – Part l8

Prayer Requests – Part 19

Prayer Requests – Part 20

Prayer Requests – Part 21

Prayer Requests – Part 22

Prayer Requests – Part 23

Prayer Requests – Part 24

Prayer Requests – Part 25

Prayer Requests – Part 26

Prayer Requests – Part 27

President Trump Unveils the New Air Force One


Posted originally on CTH on June 19, 2026 | Sundance 

President Donald Trump unveils the new Air Force One airliner which will carry all U.S. Presidents around the globe.

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President Trump Axios Interview – The Elements of Power


Posted originally on CTH on June 19, 2026 | Sundance 

President Donald Trump gives an extensive interview to Axios on current events, the comparison between Term 1 and Term 2, and the issues surrounding the ceasefire agreement with Iran.

The conversation centers on Iran, where Trump defends the military campaign, the deal that followed and his decision to stop short of further escalation. He also discusses the Strait of Hormuz, Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu, Cuba, Venezuela, artificial intelligence, Anthropic, China’s AI race and how he thinks about maintaining power in the final stretch of his presidency.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 – Welcome to The Axios Show
0:11 – The one big thing: power
1:37 – “I’m the boss” and the G7
3:36 – What Trump sees in world leaders
4:05 – Trump on Xi Jinping and China
6:11 – Venezuela, military power and oil
7:19 – Trump on Modi, Pakistan and global leadership

9:08 – Macron, the G7 and Trump’s “weakness”
11:18 – Trump on Iran and the limits of power
12:09 – Was the Iran deal “unconditional surrender”?
13:39 – Trump defends the Iran campaign
15:27 – The Strait of Hormuz and the risk to oil
17:44 – Secret ship movements out of the Gulf
19:05 – Cuba, Venezuela and the Western Hemisphere
22:29 – Trump on American influence in the hemisphere
23:35 – Iran, nuclear weapons and Israel
25:59 – Trump on Netanyahu and Lebanon
26:59 – Trump on artificial intelligence as a weapon
27:45 – Anthropic and national security
28:37 – Could Trump shut down an AI company?
28:45 – Trump on beating China in AI
29:45 – The Defense Production Act and AI regulation
30:35 – Trump on maintaining power
31:39 – Trump on fixing the White House
34:04 – Closing

Moderate Expectations of Acting DNI Bill Pulte


Posted originally on CTH on June 19, 2026 | Sundance

A lot might be said, but little of it will be grounded in reality.  Here’s a general outline that may provide context for the next few weeks.

First, contrary to popular opinion, leaks from inside the IC related to activity within the ODNI will likely come as an outcome from bad actors in the FBI and the attached liaison office. {EXAMPLE HERE} As you may or may not be aware, every intelligence community silo has a liaison attached to the office of the Director of National Intelligence.

What that means is that every IC agency has a person(s) inside the ODNI that can then be the source of information within the larger parent silo. The most frequent leaking child from within the parent agency is the FBI liaison.  Understand this reality and you begin to understand frustration around Kash Patel’s inability to control his agency.

Second, contrary to popular opinion, CIA Director John Ratcliffe will not be able to partner with Acting DNI Pulte in the same direct manner he was with fully confirmed DNI Tulsi Gabbard.  Despite the ODNI technically sitting atop the CIA within the construct of the overall Intelligence Community, there are rules about information flows to non-confirmed “acting” positions.  Deputy DNI Aaron Lukas will have more intelligence capabilities than Pulte.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe will likely not be the source of conversation about this standard, the information to Pulte will likely come from the DNI Legal Counsel Jack Dever, and/or Deputy CIA Director Michael Ellis who also carries the role of General Counsel for the Central Intelligence Agency.

When SSCI Vice-Chair Mark Warner says he is in communication with IC leadership about isolating Acting DNI Bill Pulte from national security information, he is likely outlining contact with the general counsel of the DNI or CIA, or with the Intelligence Community Inspector General’s office. That said, the National Security Advisor, Marco Rubio, could mitigate some of that isolation by requesting IC information Pulte may desire to review.

Regarding ‘declassification’ authority.  CTH is not sure what power an Acting position as DNI carries as it relates to independent cross-silo declassification authority. However, information presented to the President can be declassified by the President.  The key is to get the silo stakeholder to approve the release, then take to the Office of the President for approved public release pending stakeholder redactions.

That is the basic outline of limitations that could become pertinent.   However, the Acting DNI can do something very valuable. The ADNI can ‘manage’ the office and how it operates.  Pulte can make staffing decisions as well as curb the issues within the liaison offices.

I somewhat predict that Pulte could find the problem with FBI leaking; he could even do something about it – with presidential support.  Unfortunately, this would put Pulte on a collision course with FBI Director Kash Patel.

It’s an issue that needs to be dealt with, but the timing is not good considering the looming midterm election.

A more likely scenario is Kash Patel’s unchecked deep state FBI analysts/agents will be managed without Patel’s direct involvement.  Essentially, none of the ‘good guys’, and there ain’t that many ‘good guys’, have any trust in the FBI silo.

The entire DC system is fully aware of the corrupt nature of the FBI as it functions.

The ‘establishment’, including Mark Warner and Tom Cotton, is favorable to the FBI. Meanwhile, the ‘reformers’, and I suspect that might include HPSCI Chairman Rick Crawford, are not.

The larger IC elements will watch this play out, dropping their thumbs on the narrative (via selected leaking) as it pertains to their individual interests.  There’s a reason why scrutiny against Patel has lessened from within the DC mechanisms.

Ironically, all the negative information against Pulte will almost certainly come from the FBI, it will just be positioned as if it comes from another silo.  Watch carefully and we just might catch them in real time.

Ultimately, all of the bad actors within the IC (both branches of government) want “702” reauthorized, so this does create a subject that can be leveraged for actionable value to the office of the President.

All of that said, Pulte remains an unknown entity within the larger IC system, and his motives and intentions are generally also unknown.  It will be interesting to watch things unfold, and to see exactly who is willing to surface as an ally.

Yeah, that!

“Out”


Posted originally on CTH on June 19, 2026 | Sundance 

It’s a simple word, “out.”  It conveys multiple meanings depending on the context when used.

The rock seems unbreakable; many have hammered it before, but it remains there as a monolith, an immovable object unfazed by all the blows that take place.  The ‘sword in the stone’, just reversed.  Each deliberate spectator picks up the axe and strikes the rock. Each hoping to yield the blow that finally fractures it.

It is wise to remember, the blow that eventually breaks the rock is not singular. In the immediacy of the moment, the glory befalls the last holder of the axe; yet, in reality, the last blow benefits from the invisible weakening provided by prior strikes. It is wise to remember the history; the entirety of the effort.

[source]

Rest well truth warrior, surrounded by the priorities that truly matter.

O’Lord who lights our path, thank you for the gift of fellowship; thank You for the audience of friends and strangers who unite as reflective vessels, highlighting joy, support and encouragement in our lives. Help us to cherish and nurture these relationships, showing love and kindness as You have shown us. May the actions within our assembly honor You and bring glory to Your purpose. 

Father of mercy and source of all human support, we thank You for Your presence in our greatest trials. Even when these challenges seem insurmountable, we see Your hand at work and we trust Your timing.  We praise the strength You deliver to our faith, and we find joy in the midst of hardship which trains us to persevere.  May we each grow closer to You through every difficulty, especially in these times we do not understand.  Above all, help us to remain steadfast in gratitude for Your love and unwavering faithfulness in our strength – despite our human doubts.

Lord of healing, we thank You for the gift of health and the strength to carry out each day. Hear our voices today, that seek Your eternal assistance to care for the body of Abraham Williams while honoring You in all that is done.  Thank You for protecting the spirit of Tulsi Gabbard and sustaining her fortitude against worldly odds.  May our gratitude inspire others to live their very best purposeful life, while giving glory to You in every action.

Father of hope, we beg Your universal spirit to surround Tulsi and Abe with peace and comfort. Permit them rest and recovery in Your arms, surrounded by Your love, Your grace and Your peace. We ask that You protect them, surround them, keep all elements of physical and spiritual harm away from them; providing unto them a restoration of health and a spiritual presence within their hearts that reflects our appreciation. ~ Amen.

Let us hope they will soon be dancing on the beach.

DNI Tulsi Gabbard Releases Evidence Anthony Fauci Manipulated Intelligence and Lied to Congress


Posted originally on CTH on June 19, 2026 | Sundance |

The central question remains, and unfortunately it is a question that cannot be answered except by dropping all pretenses. That question is: Was the SARS-CoV-2 release ‘accidental’ or done with ‘intent’.

On her last day as Director of National Intelligence, and I am certain she will never return, what Tulsi Gabbard releases is alarming evidence the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Anthony Fauci, lied -repeatedly- to congress, the media and the American people. {ODNI Link Here}

CTH has long espoused that in the aftermath of the release, the SARS-CoV-2 response, how they reacted to it and all the control mitigation stuff, came from the Intelligence Community and Military.  What DNI Gabbard released is evidence of exactly that aspect; the NIAID under Fauci worked directly with the U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC).

Remember, with emphasis, this is ‘after action’ stuff.

This is post-COVID-release information about what took place within government after the virus was released upon all of us.  The fact that Tulsi had to wait until her final day in office to make this statement, together with the fact that no one has been held to account, and the establishment’s desperate effort from blocking Acting DNI Bill Pulte from succeeding her, only reinforces the conclusion that the people who orchestrated this cover up remain firmly in charge and that part of this battle is far from over.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Anthony Fauci, as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), provided millions in US taxpayer dollars to fund dangerous gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV)—work which is now widely viewed as the source of the unintentional lab leak that sparked the pandemic.

Today, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is releasing never-before-seen communications and documents exposing how Fauci worked with politicized career leadership in the Intelligence Community (IC) to suppress the truth about his actions, the virus’ lab-leak origins, and his role in directing U.S. funding for this dangerous research that caused immeasurable harm and countless lost lives. These documents expose Fauci’s direct role in influencing and manipulating IC assessments on COVID-19, and how Fauci lied to Congress in 2024, when under oath he denied knowledge of or participation in discussions with intelligence officials about viral research.

You can view the communications and documents HERE.

“The COVID-19 pandemic caused tremendous hardship and pain for millions of our fellow Americans and for countless people around the world. After years of lies, censorship, and cover ups, the American people deserve transparency, truth, and accountability,” DNI Gabbard said. “The tactics used to hide the truth are straight from the deep state playbook: politicized self-serving leaders like Dr. Fauci covered up their own wrongdoing and abuses of power, manipulated intelligence, lied to Congress, and undermined a duly elected President by restricting his access to vital facts needed to keep the country safe. It’s time the American people learn the real story.”

The materials released today are a result of DNI Gabbard’s yearlong declassification review in support of President Trump’s maximum transparency mandate. During this process, ODNI officials gathered testimony from multiple IC whistleblowers who reported retaliation for challenging the IC’s manipulation of intelligence on the virus’ origins. This unveiled a clear pattern of suppressing dissent, silencing critics, and burying evidence that undermined IC integrity and disserved the American people.

Fauci’s close IC relationships enabled him to assume three key roles during the pandemic that shielded him from scrutiny as he wielded outsized influence.

    • Fauci funded risky coronavirus research linked to big pharma and the pursuit of “universal vaccines” worth trillions of dollars.
    • Fauci was the behind-the-scenes advisor who, with his hand-picked experts, pushed the IC to endorse a natural, animal origin to hide his dangerous research.
    • Fauci became the nation’s pandemic “pundit” and publicly pushed lies, disinformation, and censorship.

Fauci’s Relationship With The Intelligence Community Drove Intelligence & Public Narratives

Throughout the pandemic, Fauci and politicized leaders within the IC created a self-serving circular reporting loop. He provided hand-picked NIAID-funded scientists to advise the IC. This input shaped official intelligence assessments, which were then publicly cited as scientific consensus to refute the lab-leak theory.

According to hundreds of reviewed emails, the IC almost always incorporated his recommendations. Fauci promoted a fraudulent paper, whose publication he helped prompt, as legitimate information for Intelligence Community consideration. Senior analysts praised Fauci not as a “policymaker,” but as an unbiased guide to “the real coronavirus experts”—while ignoring experts who might dissent from Fauci’s narratives.

Fauci Lied to Congress

The correspondence released today directly contradicts Fauci’s 2024 testimony to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. In that hearing, while under oath, Fauci was repeatedly asked whether he spoke to “FBI, CIA, DIA or any U.S. intelligence agency concerning viral research” before, during, or after the pandemic. Fauci repeatedly dodged the questions, before falsely stating, “not to my knowledge about COVID.”

Retaliation Against Truth-Seekers

Testimony from multiple whistleblowers reveals intelligence analysts who challenged Fauci’s COVID-origin conclusions faced threat of retaliation, were marginalized, and often suffered career setbacks. This silenced dissent and fostered a culture where truth was sacrificed to conformity and credible evidence was buried.

The following are examples from whistleblower accounts that Director Gabbard has referred to the Intelligence Community’s Inspector General.

    • A contractor was terminated just days after coming forward to ODNI as a whistleblower.
    • Managers reminded analysts who advocated for the lab-leak hypothesis that leadership would determine which analysts would be promoted. The message was clear: disagreement with the manipulated finding would derail careers.
    • Senior leaders allegedly set up roadblocks for whistleblowers, removing anonymity from the complaint process by insisting managers or attorneys be present at ODNI meetings, creating an atmosphere of intimidation.

The materials released are the result of DNI Gabbard’s yearlong declassification review in support of President Trump’s maximum transparency mandate.  The component parts of the release are linked below.

“Today, on my final day as Director of National Intelligence, I’m releasing never-before-seen communications and documents exposing how Dr. Fauci provided millions in US taxpayer dollars to fund dangerous gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab, worked with politicized elements within the Intelligence Community to suppress the truth about his actions and hide the virus’ lab-leak origins, and lied to Congress while under oath in 2024. It’s time you know the truth.” ~ Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard

COVID-19 Release Index
COVID-19 Release Part 1
COVID-19 Release Part 2
COVID-19 Release Part 3
COVID-19 Release Part 4

The need for control is a reaction to fear….

Senator Thune Flummoxed as Bill Pulte Anticipated to Begin as Acting DNI Tomorrow


Posted originally on CTH on June 18, 2026 | Sundance 

Speaking to Politico reporters on Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune says, “ask the White House,” when questioned about the status of Jay Clayton’s DNI nomination.

Apparently, Thune is in the dark as to what comes next.

POLITICO – […] Asked whether Clayton’s nomination was being withdrawn, Thune pointed to the White House for answers.  “I’ve never been asked to slow a nomination down before,” he said.

Asked for a further explanation of why Trump effectively killed the Senate GOP’s hopes of quickly confirming Clayton and unlocking an extension of key surveillance law, Thune mentioned the acting director of national intelligence who is set to start Friday: “I think he’s very committed to Bill Pulte.”

“I don’t have good answers for these questions — those are probably better asked of the president and his team,” he added. “We are just executing or trying to execute on what they had asked us to.” (read more)

President Donald Trump Participates in a Medal of Honor Ceremony at the White House


Posted originally on CTH on June 18, 2026 | Sundance |

Today, President Donald Trump is participating in a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House.

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