President Trump to hold first official cabinet meeting, DOGE latest, Hamas hostage release

US President Donald Trump will hold his first Cabinet meeting today since returning to office last month, in an effort to further his agenda with most of his nominees now confirmed by Congress. Billionaire supporter and advisor Elon Musk, tasked with overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), will be among those in attendance at the meeting.

D.C plane crash update: 28 bodies recovered, officials say they expect no survivors

First responders have recovered the bodies of 27 passengers from the American Airlines jet and one from the helicopter. The body of the plane was found upside down in three sections in waist-deep water. The wreckage of the helicopter was also found. Officials said they were still searching for other casualties but did not believe there were any other survivors, which would make it the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years.

UPDATE: Washington DC Midair Collision AA 3542 & Helicopter

Video, Radar and Audio of the Midair. Latest Updates as of January 30, 7am Central. Dan, talk about what we know about the crash of AA 3542 and PAT 21, a military Blackhawk on a training mission. The crash occurred while the CRJ 700 was on short final to runway 33 at DCA, Washington Reagan.

President Trump addresses DC plane collision 

 

Musk, Ramaswamy And Republican Officials Urge House GOP To Kill Johnson’s Federal Funding Bill

(Left-center) U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks to reporters. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) / (R-top) Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, Co-Chair of the newly announced Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) / (R-middle) Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Co-Chair of the newly announced Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) / (R-bottom) U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) arrives for the Senate Republican leadership elections at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
3:32 PM – Wednesday, December 18, 2024

The new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leaders in Trump’s incoming administration, Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, blasted House GOP leadership on Wednesday, actively urging Republicans to kill a controversial stopgap measure to prevent a government shutdown.

“This bill should not pass,” Musk posted on his X platform.

“Ever seen a bigger piece of pork?” Musk continued, referencing an image showing the legislative text.

Ramaswamy also chimed in and explained why the new measure is unfavorable in his eyes.

“It’s full of excessive spending, special interest giveaways & pork barrel politics. If Congress wants to get serious about government efficiency, they should VOTE NO,” Ramaswamy posted on X.

“Congress has known about this deadline since they created it in late September. There’s no reason why this couldn’t have gone through the standard process, instead of being rushed to a vote right before Congressmen want to go home for the holidays. The urgency is 100% manufactured.”

Meanwhile, Johnson (R-La.) suggested that the two DOGE leaders should take into account his difficult predicament, even though both Musk and Ramaswamy chairs have widely criticized the spending patch that leadership revealed on Tuesday night.

“I was communicating with Elon last night. Elon and Vivek and I are on a text chain together, and I was explaining to them the background of this,” Johnson said on “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday regarding the controversial new measure.

“Vivek and I talked last night at almost midnight, and he said, 'Look, I get it. We understand you’re in an impossible position. Everybody knows that,’” Johnson claimed.

The government will shut down Friday night unless congressional leaders act to stop a lapse. The new resolution on Tuesday would provide government funding through March 14th, 2025.

However, the 1,547-page continuing resolution (CR) is reportedly jam-packed with a variety of add-ons, including $100 billion for disaster relief, a one-year extension of the farm bill, up to $2 billion for the reconstruction of Maryland’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed earlier this year after a cargo ship collided with it, and $10 billion for farmer assistance.

Additionally, Breitbart News reported that “The (CR) released Tuesday night — negotiated on the GOP side by Johnson — includes tens of billions of dollars in waste and includes funding for controversial items, including a pay raise for members of Congress as well as a one-year extension of the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), which funds organizations that censor conservative media.”

 GOP officials continued to post their thoughts on the new CR.

Republicans are openly opposing Johnson’s efforts, accusing him of trying to push the bill through before the 118th Congress ends and lawmakers go home for the holidays.

The measure has angered a slew of Republicans, especially Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who argue that it should have been a clean CR and that many of the additional provisions should be discussed separately.

Legislators have also complained that they were not given enough time to read the lengthy document.

Johnson has been courting Musk and Ramaswamy since the 2024 election. Earlier this month, he invited them to the U.S. Capitol for talks with senators, he mingled with them both at Mar-a-Lago and again during one of President-elect Donald Trump’s UFC appearances.

“Remember, guys, we still have just a razor-thin margin of Republicans,” Johnson continued on “Fox & Friends.” “So any bill has to have Democrat votes. They understand the situation. They said, ‘It’s not directed at you, Mr. Speaker, but we don’t like the spending.’”

“We got to get this done because here’s the key: By doing this, we are clearing the decks and we are setting up for Trump to come roaring back with [the] America First agenda,” Johnson added.

At the beginning of next year, Congress will have a busy schedule as it must balance Trump’s plans with the unfinished business of federal funding for fiscal year 2025 before moving on to fiscal year 2026, which is due on October 1st, 2025.

Soon after the news broke, Trump logged on to his Truth Social platform and explained his thoughts on the matter.

“Congress is considering a spending bill that would give sweetheart provisions to government censors and for Liz Cheney. This bill would make it easier to hide the records of the corrupt January 6 committee—which accomplished nothing for the American people and hid the security failures that happened that day. The bill would also give Congress a pay increase while many Americans are struggling this Christmas. Increasing the debt ceiling is not great, but we’d rather do it on Biden’s watch. If Democrats won’t cooperate on the debt ceiling now, what makes anyone think they would do it in June during our administration? Let’s have this debate now. We should pass a streamlined spending bill that doesn’t give Chuck Schumer and the Democrats everything they want. Republicans want to support our farmers, pay for disaster relief, and set our country up for success in 2025. The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS combined with an increase in the debt ceiling. Anything else is a betrayal of our country,” Trump stated.

 

 

 

 

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FEMA Official Removed From Role After Telling Hurricane Milton Relief Workers To Skip Homes With Trump Signs

he Federal Emergency Management Agency Headquarters, in Washington is photographed on October 8, 2024 in Washington, DC. FEMA is running low on personnel, with only 9% of staff available as Hurricane Milton, with 175 mph winds, approaches Tampa, FL; Compared to 25% availability in previous years. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency Headquarters in Washington is photographed on October 8, 2024 in Washington, DC. FEMA is running low on personnel, with only 9% of staff available as Hurricane Milton, with 175 mph winds, approaches Tampa, FL; Compared to 25% availability in previous years. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

OAN Staff Abril Elfi
10:50 AM – Saturday, November 9, 2024

SEE: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/fema-official-removed-from-role-after-telling-hurricane-milton-relief-workers-to-skip-homes-with-trump-signs/; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official has been removed from her role after reportedly telling workers to skip houses with Trump signs during Hurricane Milton relief.

According to a report by the Daily Wire, a FEMA official, whose identity has not been disclosed by the agency, reportedly directed workers canvassing Lake Placid, Florida, to “avoid homes advertising Trump” while assessing residents for eligibility for federal aid.

The Daily Wire stated that government employees informed the outlet that at least 20 homes displaying Trump signs or flags were skipped over between late October and early November due to official’s “best practices” instructions.

Workers noted the exclusion in government systems, with messages like: “Trump signs no entry per leadership.”

A FEMA spokesperson told Fox News that it is “deeply disturbed” by the employee’s actions and says it is an “isolated incident.”

“FEMA helps all survivors regardless of their political preference or affiliation,” the spokesperson said via a statement. “While we believe this is an isolated incident, we have taken measures to remove the employee from their role and are investigating the matter to prevent this from happening ever again.”

It is currently unclear if the agent was fired from the agency altogether.

“The employee who issued this guidance had no authority and was given no direction to tell teams to avoid these homes and we are reaching out to the people who may not have been reached as a result of this incident,” the spokesperson said. “The agency has helped more than 365,000 households impacted by both Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida and provided nearly $900 million in direct assistance to survivors.”

“We are horrified that this took place and therefore have taken extreme action to correct the situation and have ensured that the matter was addressed at all levels,” they said.

FEMA agents were reportedly instructed not to assist homes displaying Trump signs in Highlands County, a strongly conservative region in south-central Florida, which was severely impacted by tornadoes, heavy rain, and flooding after Hurricane Ian struck in October.

President-elect Trump won nearly 70% of the vote in the area.

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) criticized the federal agency on Friday after learning about the directive, and announced that his administration would launch an investigation into FEMA’s actions.

“The blatant weaponization of government by partisan activists in the federal bureaucracy is yet another reason why the Biden-Harris administration is in its final days,” DeSantis wrote on X. “At my direction, the Division of Emergency Management is launching an investigation into the federal government’s targeted discrimination of Floridians who support Donald Trump. New leadership is on the way to D.C., and I’m optimistic that these partisan bureaucrats will be fired.”

The U.S. House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), also criticized FEMA for failing to dismiss the officials responsible.

Comer pointed out the contrast, noting that while FEMA has not taken action, the IRS has reportedly tried to force out whistleblower Gary Shapley. Shapley, an IRS supervisory special agent, along with IRS criminal investigator Joseph Ziegler, brought allegations of political interference in the Hunter Biden investigation to Congress.

“FEMA hasn’t fired this person… But the IRS has been trying to force IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley out for blowing the whistle! We must hold these unelected bureaucrats accountable,” Comer wrote on X. “FEMA admits this happened but won't say if the bureaucrat responsible has been fired,” the House Oversight Committee wrote on X. “Democrats relentlessly defend the rules that insulate unelected bureaucrats from accountability and make it nearly impossible to fire bad employees. This is why we need President Trump’s reforms to make bureaucrats accountable.”

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Glenn Beck’s SHOCKING Interview with FEMA Official in North Carolina

While visiting the Hurricane Helene disaster zone in Asheville, North Carolina, Glenn Beck spotted a lone FEMA truck parked OFF the main road in an area where residents couldn't easily see it. So Glenn and Rep. Cory Mills stopped to talk with the FEMA workers to get their side of the story. They tell Glenn that they arrived in town nearly a WEEK after the hurricane, that they still didn't have all their supplies, and that victims could find where they were by listening to radio or TV broadcasts (although many victims didn't have access to TVs, radios, or even living rooms and cars). Plus, the workers seemed to have a misunderstanding about whether they would go door to door. So, did FEMA drop the ball on this mission? Watch the conversation and decide for yourself...

Trump Will Officially Return To Butler, Pa. On October 5, Where First Assassination Attempt Took Place

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter is dead after injuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, killing one audience member and injuring another in the shooting. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter is dead after injuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, killing one audience member and injuring another in the shooting. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

OAN Staff Abril Elfi
4:49 PM – Wednesday, September 25, 2024

SEE: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/trump-will-officially-return-to-butler-pa-on-october-5-where-first-assassination-attempt-took-place/; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

Former President Donald Trump is set to hold an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the same location where the first assassination attempt on his life took place. 

In a news release on Wednesday, the Trump campaign announced the return of the GOP nominee to Butler. 

“President Donald J. Trump will return to Butler, Pennsylvania, to hold a rally on the very same ground where he came within a quarter of an inch of losing his life less than three months ago,” the campaign announced. 

He is set to speak at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds on October 5th

On Wednesday, during a rally in Mint Hill, North Carolina, Trump told his crowd of fans and supporters that he would return to the venue to “finish our speech.” 

“As you know, there have been two assassination attempts on my life that we know of… and the first case in Butler, Pennsylvania, great place, and we’re going back to Butler,” Trump said. “We’re going to go back and finish our speech.”

Trump’s campaign said that the former president would also be paying tribute to the victims of the assassination attempt during the rally. A 50-year-old firefighter, Corey Comperatore, “historically sacrificed his life to shield his wife and daughters” from the barrage of bullets shot by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was taken out by Secret Service counter snipers.

Trump will also give recognition to David Dutch and James Copenhaver, the other two Americans who were injured during the incident.

“He will express his deep gratitude to law enforcement and first responders, and thank the entire community for their outpouring of love and support in the wake of the attack,” the campaign said.

Trump’s campaign said that his return to the location is a “tribute to the American spirit.”

“In America, we do not let monsters like that evil assassin have the last word. Every time our nation is struck by attack or hardship, we rally, we persevere, and we prevail,” the campaign said in a statement. “When terrorists knocked down our towering skyscrapers, we rebuilt taller. When our communities are ravaged by fire, storm, or natural disaster, we pull together and come back stronger.”

“And when a shooter attacked our democracy and tried to end this movement, President Trump will return to the site, joined by tens of thousands of proud citizens, and together, they will celebrate a unifying vision for America’s future in an event like the world has never seen before,” it continued.

After the former president suffered two assassination attempts in the last nine weeks—one at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, and the other in Butler, Pennsylvania— his campaign declared that he is “more determined than ever.”

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Colorado: Aurora Officials Identify 10 Tren de Aragua Members Linked to Apartment Takeovers

(Photo via: Aurora Police Department)

OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
12:41 PM – Friday, September 13, 2024

SEE: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/colorado-aurora-officials-identify-at-least-10-tren-de-aragua-members-connected-to-apartment-complex-takeovers/; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

Even though many mainstream news networks have been working around the clock to dispute claims that gangs made up of illegal foreigners have been wreaking havoc on apartment complexes in Aurora, Colorado, in addition to the state’s Democrat governor labeling these claims “imagination,” the truth has finally come out now, thanks to the Aurora Police Department.

Kamala Harris and the ABC News moderators even attempted to mock Donald Trump for bringing up the topic during Tuesday’s debate.

“These are the people that [Vice President Kamala Harris] and [President Joe Biden] let into our country. And they’re destroying our country. They’re dangerous. "They're at the highest level of criminality,” Trump said at Tuesday’s debate, referencing the Aurora gang members.

Reports regarding members of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua residing in Aurora and carrying out violent crimes against native members of the community and other migrants living in the area have now been thoroughly investigated by the Aurora Police Department.

Confirmed and “suspected” TdA members that Aurora police are aware of is provided below.

“Additional information about the specific cases can be obtained from the appropriate clerk of the court’s office. "For information about custody status, contact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the county jails or refer to Colorado court records,” the post continued.

Here’s the list of at least ten members that are currently known to the department. Their descriptions were provided by a post on X (Twitter).

Larry Medina

Larry Medina was arrested July 10 by Aurora police in connection with a July 2 felony menacing at Whispering Pines Condominiums, 1357 Helena Street. The victim was reported to police Medina pointed a firearm and threatened to kill them. Medina is a documented member of TdA.

Johnardy Pacheco-Chirinos

Johnardy Pacheco-Chirinos was arrested March 28 by Aurora police on a first-degree assault warrant outside Adams District Court. The warrant stemmed from an assault in November 2023 at Fitzsimons Place apartments, 1568 Nome St. Jhonardy also is suspected of being involved in the July 28 nonfatal shooting at Fitzsimons Place apartments and was arrested by Aurora police in connection with that case on July 29. His involvement in the shooting remains under investigation. Johnardy Pacheco-Chirinos is a documented member of TdA.

Johnnarty Dejesus Pacheco-Chirinos

Jhonnarty Dejesus Pacheco-Chirinos was arrested July 29 by Aurora police in connection with a nonfatal shooting the day before at Fitzsimons Place apartments, 1568 Nome St. Jhonnarty Pacheco-Chirinos is a documented member of TdA.

Luis Miguel Calzadilla-Rojas

Luis Miguel Calzadilla-Rojas was arrested the evening of Jan. 3 by Aurora police in connection with a nonfatal shooting that occurred earlier in the day in front of the Arapahoe County Probation Office, 15400 E. 14th Place. Calzadilla-Rojas is a documented member of TdA.

Yorman Camilo Sangronis-Garcia

Yorman Camilo Sangronis-Garcia was involved in consensual contact with Aurora police about a report of a hit-and-run crash on Feb. 4 at Whispering Pines Condominiums, 15423 E. 13th Ave. Sangronis-Garcia and has not been involved in any other contacts with Aurora police. Sangronis-Garcia is a documented member of TdA.

Yondry Vilchez Medina-Jose

Yoendry Vilchez Medina-Jose was arrested Aug. 5 by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant outside Arapahoe District Court. The warrant stemmed from an assault in November 2023 at Whispering Pines Condominiums, 1357 Helena St., in Aurora. Medina-Jose is a documented member of TdA.

Juan Carlos Mejia-Espana

Juan Carlos Mejia-Espana was arrested March 17 by Aurora police following a domestic dispute with a weapon at Whispering Pines Condominiums, 15483 E. 13th Ave. Mejia-Espana is a documented member of TdA.

Carlos Aranguren-Mayora

Carlos Aranguren-Mayora has had numerous encounters with Aurora police officers and law enforcement agencies throughout the metro area. He faces a total of 38 charges in five active court cases in Adams, Arapahoe and Boulder district courts for crimes dating to December 2023. Aranguren-Mayora is a documented member of TdA.

Robert Daniel Mora-Marquez

Robert Daniel Mora-Marquez was arrested April 17 by Aurora police in connection with an April 4 dispute and assault over unpaid rent money in the 1600 block of Lima Street. Mora-Marquez is also a suspect in nonfatal shooting on June 28 in the 400 block of Nile Street. Mora-Marquez is a documented member of TdA.

Jose Miguel Reyes-Perez

Jose Miguel Reyes-Perez was arrested May 22 by Aurora police on an outstanding warrant outside Jefferson District Court for aggravated assault, menacing and motor vehicle theft. Reyes-Perez is a documented member of TdA.

Nevertheless, after the police department’s report was released, the city’s official website put out another statement where they essentially walked back Gov. Polis’s previous claim while sugar-coating the situation.

“As for the perception and reality of public safety in Aurora, please understand that issues experienced at a select few properties do not apply to the city as a whole or large portions of it. TdA has not taken over the city. The overstated claims fueled by social media and through select news organizations are simply not true. Again, TdA’s presence in Aurora is limited to specific properties, all of which the city has been addressing in various ways for months,” the city’s website stated.

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NYC: Pro-Hamas vandals targets homes of Jewish Brooklyn Museum officials

SEE: https://www.jihadwatch.org/2024/06/nyc-pro-hamas-vandals-targets-homes-of-jewish-brooklyn-museum-officials; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

Jihadists, Islamic apologists, and their leftist allies all love to traffic in intimidation. It’s one of their most prized and oft-used weapons.

“Outcry as vandalism targets homes of Jewish Brooklyn Museum officials,” Times of Israel, June 12, 2024:

NEW YORK — Apparent pro-Palestinian protesters hurled red paint at the homes of U.S. Jewish officials with the Brooklyn Museum and also splashed paint across the front of diplomatic buildings for Germany and the Palestinian Authority early Wednesday, prompting a police investigation and condemnation from city authorities.

Mayor Eric Adams, in a post on the social platform X, shared images of a brick building splashed with red paint with a banner hung in front of the door that called the museum’s director, Anne Pasternak, a “white-supremacist Zionist.”

“This is not peaceful protest or free speech. "This is a crime, and it’s overt, unacceptable antisemitism,” Adams wrote, sending sympathy to Pasternak and other museum board members whose homes were defaced. “These actions will never be tolerated in New York City for any reason.”

Museum spokesperson Taylor Maatman said four officials were targeted. Not all are Jewish, but all have Jewish family members, she said. A report was filed with police.

“Earlier today, the homes of people connected to the Brooklyn Museum were vandalized in an attempt to threaten and intimidate them,” Maatman said in a statement. “For two centuries, the Brooklyn Museum has worked to foster mutual understanding through art and culture, and we have always supported peaceful protest and open, respectful dialogue. Violence, vandalism, and intimidation have no place in that discourse.”

Red paint was also splashed across the front of a Manhattan building that houses Germany’s consulate and the United Nations mission, and another building that is the headquarters for Palestinian diplomats. Flyers critical of the Palestinian Authority and its president, Mahmoud Abbas, were scattered outside the building.

It wasn’t immediately clear who was responsible or whether the acts of vandalism were all related….

FBI launches urgent manhunt for Iranian agent accused of plotting to murder Trump era officials

SEE: https://www.jihadwatch.org/2024/03/fbi-launches-urgent-manhunt-for-iranian-agent-accused-of-plotting-to-murder-trump-era-officials; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

The jihad is multi-layered and global, involving the Islamic Republic of Iran’s state actors and expansive proxies, as well as other jihadist groups and lone wolf jihadists. “Farahani is wanted for questioning in connection with the recruitment of individuals for various operations in the United States…” With Biden’s open borders, a free flow of  jihadists are enabled and welcomed into America, and Farahani has a plethora of people to choose from. More threats and more violence will come, as the way of life for Americans changes and its freedoms decline. Antisemitism will also continue to rise.

“FBI launches urgent manhunt for Iranian secret agent, 42, accused of plotting to assassinate Trump-era officials including Mike Pompeo in revenge for killing of Qasem Soleimani,” by Germania Rodriguez Poleo, Daily Mail, March 5, 2025:

The FBI has launched an urgent manhunt for an Iranian secret intelligence official accused of plotting to assassinate Trump-era officials.

Federal agents say Majid Dastjani Farahani has been trying to recruit allies to murder current and former US government officials as revenge for the US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.

In an urgent notice on Friday, the FBI office in Miami asked for information on Farahani, who is said to speak Spanish and frequently move between Iran and Venezuela, where the ruling regime is friendly with Iran.

‘Farahani is wanted for questioning in connection with the recruitment of individuals for various operations in the United States, to include lethal targeting of current and former United States Government officials as revenge for the killing of IRGC-QF Commander Qasem Soleimani,’ the FBI said….

Representative Brian Mast Asks a Few Questions of Biden Official Bonnie Jenkins and gets confused responses

SEE: https://www.jihadwatch.org/2024/02/representative-brian-mast-asks-a-few-questions-of-biden-official-bonnie-jenkins; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes: 

Bonnie Jenkins is an official in the Biden administration, the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs. It’s an important job. Arms control. International security. Matters of life and mass death. One expects that only someone of high intelligence will be placed in such a position. The evidence suggests that Bonnie Jenkins is not that person.

Jenkins presents herself as a role model for African-American women “aspiring for leadership roles in government.” She notes how, as a black woman, she has had to “prove herself fifteen times over.” “You’re always going to be running into people who may not appreciate what you bring to the table.” And so on, and so idiotically forth. One would love to know just how it was that she “proved herself” so as to merit her current appointment. Here Jenkins explains about being a role model, which seems more important to her than the actual work she is supposed to be doing:

And Jenkins is celebrated in another YouTube video that attempts to answer the question, “How did a little girl from the South Bronx become the senior adviser to the President on issues of arms control and proliferation?”

Jenkins recently appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee to declare that she supported the creation of a Palestinian state. She was then questioned by Rep. Brian Mast (R-Florida), who was trying to find out, since she had just stated her support for just such a state, whether she had “assessed” who, among various possibilities, should become the leader of that state. She had great difficulty comprehending that question, and several other perfectly lucid and sensible questions from Representative Mast, who was clearly amazed at her inability to answer a single one. Her performance made a deep impression on me, and I’m sure it will on you. Watch here: