Posted originally on CTH on June 11, 2026 | Sundance
Maybe the third time is the charm. President Trump indicates that a deal with Iran has been reached and agreed by all the participating stakeholders.
[Source]
Category Blogger C0nservative Tree House
President Trump Nominates SDNY U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton to Serve as Director of National Intelligence
Posted originally on CTH on June 11, 2026 | Sundance
President Trump has announced current Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the position of Director of National Intelligence. [Truth Social] This nomination would seem to officially moot ADNI Bill Pulte.
Jay Clayton is a fellow alumnus along with President Trump from the University of Pennsylvania (undergraduate ’88, and law school ’93).
Clayton also was the signatory for the Nicholas Maduro indictment in his USAO position in New York. Clayton was prosecuting the case.
While Clayton holds national security clearances, his nomination position would seemingly ensure Deputy DNI Aaron Lukas remains in position – per statutory guidelines for military intelligence, or similar, requirement within the ODNI office.
[NOTE: Depending on Clayton’s current intelligence status]
PRESIDENT TRUMP – “I am pleased to announce the Nomination of very Highly Respected Jay Clayton, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the former Head of Sullivan & Cromwell, one of the most prominent and successful Law Firms anywhere in the World, and the current United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to be the next Director of National Intelligence and, importantly, to serve in my Cabinet. Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay. I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
There is a possibility this nomination announcement could change the dynamic in the Senate, where the previous FISA (702) reauthorization bill from the House currently resides.
Jay Clayton was not previously friendly to Cryptocurrency in the position of SEC Chair.
By nominating Clayton, Trump shifts from an acting chief with no intelligence experience to a nominee with extensive legal and regulatory credentials. The move follows mounting pressure from lawmakers to resolve the FISA stalemate and install a confirmed leader at the DNI. It also reflects Trump’s pattern of selecting figures he views as trusted allies with experience in high-profile legal roles.
With the House rejecting a short-term FISA extension and many lawmakers out of Washington, the Senate must address Clayton’s confirmation alongside the urgent need to renew surveillance powers. The compressed schedule risks both issues remaining unresolved before the program lapses. The overlap of leadership transition and legislative deadline underscores the political and operational pressure on Congress. (source)
DOJ Announces Series of Arrests During Investigations to Find 450,000 Missing Unaccompanied Alien Children
Posted originally on CTH on June 11, 2026 | Sundance |
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche held a press conference earlier today to outline a series of arrests during ongoing investigations to find thousands of missing unaccompanied alien children. [DOJ Press Release Here]
So far DHS agencies have found approximately 150,000 missing children with around 300,000 still unaccounted for as search and investigative efforts continue. The statistics within the press conference are alarming. WATCH:
DOJ – Yesterday in Cleveland, Ohio, indictments were returned charging three illegal aliens from Guatemala for international smuggling of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) and defrauding the government, while another illegal alien was sentenced to prison for smuggling a UAC to the United States in 2023 and then fraudulently obtaining custody of the child who he then sexually abused.
The indictments charge Maritza Azucena Cahuec Coc, 38, and her brother Carlos Agustin Cahuec Coc, 33, both illegal aliens from Guatemala, for their roles in an international alien smuggling conspiracy, spanning from approximately December 2020 to October 2023, that included submitting multiple fraudulent sponsorship applications to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to gain custody of UACs. Gladys Marina Caal Chen, 20, an illegal alien from Guatemala, who, herself, was fraudulently sponsored as a UAC, is charged with making false statements to the government in connection with a UAC sponsorship application.
Juan Tiul Xi, 27, from Guatemala, pleaded guilty for helping smuggle a child into the United States and submitting a fraudulent sponsorship application, falsely representing that he was the child’s brother. After gaining custody, Xi sexually abused the child. For that, he was convicted of sexual battery of a child in state court and sentenced to eight years in prison. Additionally, Xi was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison to be served consecutive to the eight year state prison sentence.
“For too many years, under the prior administration, unaccompanied children were smuggled to the United States and then taken in by a mismanaged government program guided by reckless policy direction,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Instead of protecting children, these defendants and others allegedly took advantage of the program and used it to entice the illegal smuggling of unaccompanied children to the United States and, as the sentence of Tiul Xi shows, leave them vulnerable to sexual assault, trafficking, and other exploitation.” (read more)
Short Term FISA (702) Extension Fails in House – Strangely Specific Concern from Democrat Leadership
Posted originally on CTH on June 11, 2026 | Sundance
Keep in mind the FISA (702) extension already passed the House, and the bill is sitting in the Senate where the ever-predictable John Thune is not bringing it up for a vote.
This morning the House tried to pass a short-term FISA (702) extension for three weeks (ending July 2). The measure failed by a vote of 218 to 198. In addition to Democrats, nineteen republicans also voted against it.
The Democrats are claiming their lack of support surrounds the appointment of Bill Pulte as Acting DNI effective June 19, and their concern that Pulte will weaponize the FISA (702) authority to conduct political surveillance. Yes, it’s a rather hypocritical projection within their claim.
[SOURCE]
Now, you might ask yourself…. where in the world would the Democrats get the idea that FISA (702) would be used to get “dirt on President Trump’s political enemies.” What would lead them to that suspicion?
As customary, the radical leftists are projecting based on their own conduct. This is the same “702” authority that Barack Obama and Joe Biden previously used to do exactly that political surveillance. We have outlined the entire operation in granular detail citing all of the FISA records that showed exactly what the Obama-Biden group were doing.
It’s difficult to keep general information hidden in/around Washington DC, and I suspect Democrat Leadership have heard something about what DNI Tulsi Gabbard is poised to release surrounding FISA (702) abuse.
For more than a few years CTH has been chasing multiple records relating to known FISA (702) abuses, including our effort to get the previous notification from the National Security Agency (NSA) to the FISA Court which outlined key details about which offices, agencies and portals were used by “contractors” to exploit the NSA database.
Additionally, do not forget there are classified versions of Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s investigative report(s) on known FISA 702 abuses once he was given access to the Dept of Justice National Security Division. Horowitz specifically investigated Obama era FISA (702) abuses and outlined two reports, one public (redacted) and one classified.
Without going into a lot of detail, I suspect Tulsi Gabbard and Aaron Lucas might be releasing some newly declassified information surrounding prior NSA database abuse and declassified information about the identified surveillance targets therein. This might explain where that unusually specific concern from Democrat leadership is originating.
Methinks they doth protest too much.
Three Days After Prime Minister Starmer Pledges to Lead New Ukraine Military Effort, British Defense Minister Resigns
Posted originally on CTH on June 11, 2026 | Sundance
A few days ago, the ‘coalition of the willing’ (Starmer, Merz, Macron and Zelenskyy) met in London to hammer out the latest words on paper, a new military pledge to support Ukraine against Russia.
Both British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III agreed to a renewed military effort that included British armed forces securing Ukraine territory according to their plan.
Three days later, British Defense Minister John Healey resigns, citing insufficient funding of military. Seriously folks, you cannot make this up. This comes on the heels of the U.K. borrowing ships from Germany in order to participate in NATO exercises led by the U.K.
LONDON – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer suffered a fresh blow on Thursday after Secretary of Defense John Healey resigned over a budget dispute, saying the government is not willing to give the British Armed Forces the “resources they need.”
It’s not fair to laugh…. but boy howdy, it’s difficult not to.
Asian Trade Officials Remind Canada that All Deals are Contingent on Access to USA Market
Posted originally on CTH on June 11, 2026 | Sundance
An interesting article in Japan Times reinforces several insider trade discussions that have been taking place over the past eighteen months. Essentially, all trade deals with Canada are contingent upon their access to the USA market. Lose the USMCA trade deal, and any trade terms between Asian and Canadian counterparts are null and void.
This is not the first time this background from key trade nations has been shared with Canada. Japan told Canada last year that most sector trade, specifically the auto industry, was contingent upon tariff-free access to the U.S. market. If Canada loses the USMCA, the terms of trade change completely.
This reality is now surfacing in comments directly from the Canadian trade teams and business insiders within Canada. They are now admitting without the USMCA their leverage for trade with other countries disappears. This is a considerable admission from within Canada government that has not yet become part of the average Canadian understanding.
If Canada loses their trade agreement with the USA, all other countries will modify their trade agreements with Canada. Think about the leverage within that reality, overlay the Canadian government’s severe anti-Trump mindset, and you quickly realize just how dangerous Mark Carney is for Canada.
JAPAN TIMES – […] Carney’s push to lessen dependence on the U.S. is colliding with a stubborn reality: access to American markets remains a crucial part of Canada’s appeal to prospective trading partners, according to interviews with a dozen government officials and business leaders.
[…] Canadian officials acknowledge that the main draw for many potential trading partners is the prospect of gaining tariff-free access to the world’s largest market through Canada’s participation in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.
Carney regularly touts Canada’s preferential access to the U.S. market, noting that more than 85% of bilateral trade remains tariff-free.
“That (USMCA deal) has been kind of a baseline of our investment attraction message,” said a top Canadian government official who requested anonymity to speak frankly.
[…] The auto sector — dominated by Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda — is a prime example. […] Together the two companies account for over 75% of vehicles made in Canada.
[…] “For many of the Japanese companies investing here, one of the reasons for their investment is definitely the special access Canada has enjoyed over the long years,” said Ishii Hideaki, minister and deputy head of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Ottawa.
[…] Goldy Hyder, CEO of the Business Council of Canada, which represents large companies, praised the government’s efforts to attract investment into critical minerals and energy. But he also sounded a note of caution.
“For large investors from Asia or Europe looking at Canada, any decision to deploy capital would necessarily take into account not only our national investment climate but also our connections to the North American continental economy as a whole.” (read more)
Last year we noted an insider trade report from Toyota warning that if the U.S. cancelled the USMCA, Toyota would move all production out of Canada. The U.S. market is the majority reason Toyota operates in Canada.
As noted in the Japan Times article, this is the first time the Canadian trade and business community have openly stated their trade strategy is contingent upon selling access to the U.S. market. If Canada loses that access, everything within the economy of Canada will dramatically change.
There are trillions at stake.
Yesterday, yet again, President Trump affirmed he has no intention of continuing the USMCA and will instead prefer two separate bilateral trade agreements, one with Mexico and one with Canada.
Things are going to get spicy very quickly.
Most Canadians have no idea just how consequential that shift will be.
This is a recap video highlighting the damage Mark Carney has done.
Interesting Names Being Floated for Permanent DNI Role
Posted originally on CTH on June 10, 2026 | Sundance
According to The Gateway Pundit there are five names being debated for permanent DNI {SEE HERE}.
Qualifying any comment by saying this is entirely speculation, a few have asked me for opinion.
Gateway Pundit posits the names: GOP Representative Elise Stefanik, GOP Representative Rick Crawford, current Deputy Director of the CIA Michael Ellis, Vice President JD Vance’s national security adviser Cliff Sims, and former GOP Rep Jason Chaffetz.
Names not mentioned in that article include former HPSCI Chairman Devin Nunes or former Representative now U.S. Attorney for North Carolina Dan Bishop.
Without being fully transparent about how I am reaching my perspective, here’s my take on these names.
I have not seen Michael Ellis in this discussion before. However, he would be a very solid consideration. Ellis is a very straight, non-pretending, deliberate and serious person. With a firm grasp on the problem, Ellis would be a solid option.
Current HPSCI Chairman Rick Crawford would also be a solid consideration. As current HPSCI Chairman Crawford has worked with Tulsi Gabbard, and he does have a very firm grasp on the nuances and issues within the current intelligence community.
Dan Bishop’s name has not been mentioned by many, but he would also be an asset in the role. At least he should be interviewed to see if he thoroughly understands the problem and would be willing to confront it.
Stefanik might want the job and might be the favorite of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, but I’m not sure Stefanik is strong enough to stand up to the pressure within the overall intelligence apparatus. There’s a general pretending that often comes from DC familiarity as well as willingness to go along with norms and status quo. Stefanik is not a disruptor.
It doesn’t seem like Devin Nunes wants the job, for all of the reasons why a tenured IC person wouldn’t want the job. Jason Chaffetz would be worthless, as he was when Chairman of the House Oversight Committee. I don’t know enough about Cliff Simms to give an opinion.
Ranked: Ellis, Crawford, Bishop.
Concerning: Stefanik, Chaffetz.
Best Route: Give strong weight to Tulsi Gabbard’s recommendation.
President Trump Delivers Shocking Response to Question About USMCA Renewal
Posted originally on CTH on June 10, 2026 | Sundance
It is not shocking to us. It is not shocking to anyone who has followed this story for the past few years. It is particularly not shocking to you. However, the Canadians are going bananas right now.
President Donald Trump responded to a question about the current status of the USMCA trade agreement, or what Canada calls CUSMA. Watch and listen to how President Trump points out that he has no intention of renewing the USMCA.
This has been obvious since May of 2025 {GO DEEP}.
I don’t want to say ‘I toldya so’, but…. Video prompted to 37:55:
President Trump Navigates Speaker Mike Johnson on FISA Reauthorization
Posted originally on CTH on June 10, 2026 | Sundance
In the bigger picture, it is very likely that congress will reauthorize FISA (702) surveillance because not doing so is against their interests. That reality creates an unusual dynamic where President Trump can leverage the inevitable outcome for his own political benefit.
PRESIDENT TRUMP – “Just like they did on Border Funding, the Radical Left Dumocrats are trying to take our National Security hostage because of unrelated issues. They should stop playing politics with the safety of our Great Country.
I have named William Pulte to be Acting Director of National Intelligence, who will take over on June 19th, and have asked him to execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office, reverting staff to their home agencies. At the same time, I am looking for a permanent ODNI Nominee with experience in National Security.
FISA 702 is very important to our Military, and keeping the American People safe, especially during the World Cup and America250 Celebrations. If nothing is done, this important Law will expire this week. I am asking Congress to send me a short-term extension of FISA to provide time for the selection and confirmation of a permanent Head of the Agency. I would like to thank Director Pulte for his time and commitment.” ~ President DONALD J. TRUMP
The Legislative Branch is opposing FISA (702) renewal by using opposition as a narrative to enhance their “orange man bad” credentials. Their opposition is fake. In non-pretending reality we understand the Legislative Branch both wants and controls the dynamics around FISA (702).
The CIA drug trafficking disruptions come as a result of intercepted telecommunication between foreign narco traffickers and those in the U.S. on the receiving side.
With evidence provided, a standard U.S. federal court can issue a warrant against the American side of the communication network if the evidence supports it.
FISA is not needed for the foreign intercept, and FISA is not needed to obtain a warrant. False baseline.
President Trump Signs the Secure America Act
Posted originally on CTH on June 10, 2026 | Sundance
Earlier today, President Donald Trump signed the Secure America Act in the Oval Office. The bill provides $70 billion for immigration enforcement, including $38 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, $26 billion for the Border Patrol, and $5 billion to cover unforeseen costs. WATCH:
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The appearance of Senator Rand Paul and House Speaker Mike Johnson together is rather interesting, considering the current internal dynamics behind the FISA (702) issue that puts them on opposite sides – with President Trump in the curious middle.
Centinel2012 