National and international media news & headlines compiled by CLG.

‘Demonize and eliminate’ – university program linking Christians, Republicans to Nazis granted DHS funds under ‘anti-terror’ initiative—Among the organizations and movements displayed on the “Pyramid of Far-Right Radicalization” were the Republican Party, the Heritage Foundation, the American Conservative Union, Fox News, Breitbart News, the National Rifle Association, Prager University, Tea Party Patriots, the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, the pro-police Blue Lives Matter movement, and the Christian Broadcasting Network. —The seminar also compared former President Donald Trump to Pol Pot and suggested Florida Governor Ron DeSantis might wish to start a second Holocaust. | 25 May 2023 | The Biden administration is doling out taxpayer funds through an anti-terrorism grant initiative to a university program that has explicitly lumped the Republican Party, as well as Christian and conservative groups, into the same category as Nazis, according to documents shared exclusively with Fox News Digital. The Media Research Center, a conservative watchdog group, obtained documents through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests showing a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program meant to fight terrorism is funding a group whose work has explicitly targeted the American political right. The MRC outlined its findings in a report, arguing what the group found warrants criminal prosecution. “This terrorism task force is engaged in an active effort to demonize and eliminate Christian, conservative, and Republican organizations using federal taxpayer dollars,” said Brent Bozell, founder and president of the Media Research Center. “What we have uncovered calls for criminal prosecution. The American people need to know those who are abusing their positions in the federal government will be held accountable for their criminal behavior.”

Oversight Chair Comer prepared to hold FBI Director Wray in contempt over Biden bribery document | 25 May 2023 | House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer on Wednesday announced that he would soon meet with FBI Director Christopher Wray to resolve a dispute between House Republicans and the bureau over its refusal to hand over a document that detailed an alleged bribery scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and a foreign national. Comer indicated he might seek a House vote hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress should he ultimately refuse to provide House investigators with the desired form. The Kentucky lawmaker said that Wray had reached out to him hours prior to his appearance on Fox News’s Hannity but insisted he would not change his stance on demanding the document. “Nothing’s going to change with respect to holding him in contempt of Congress if he doesn’t turn over the document,” he insisted.

U.S. Is Training ISIS Terrorists in Syria’s Al-Tanf, Says Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Chief | 25 May 2023 | The United States is training ISIS [I-CIA-SIS] terrorists in the southeastern Syrian area of al-Tanf on sabotage, Sergey Naryshkin, director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, revealed on May 24. “According to our information, the U.S. al-Tanf military base located on the border of Syria, Jordan and Iraq is used to train ISIS militants for carrying out subversive acts; moreover, not only on Syrian territory but also in Russian regions,” the intelligence chief said at an international meeting of high-level security representatives, according to TASS. Naryshkin went on to note that the U.S. also continues to maintain a military presence in Syria’s oil-rich northeastern region without authorization of the legitimate government in Damascus. “They keep exerting sanctions pressure on Damascus, preventing the country’s recovery,” he added. Around 200 U.S. troops are usually deployed at al-Tanf garrison, along with hundreds of militants from a proxy group known as the Syrian Free Army.

Russia signs nuclear arms deal with neighbor Belarus –The agreement stipulates the deployment of non-strategic weapons to Belarus in response to increased NATO activity | 25 May 2023 | Moscow and Minsk have sealed an agreement on the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Explaining the need for the move, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu cited a recent increase in the number of NATO maneuvers involving weapons of mass destruction. Shoigu and his Belarusian counterpart, Viktor Khrenin, on Thursday signed documents stipulating the terms of the deployment and storage of the Russian weapons. The Russian minister emphasized that the move had come in response to the “acute escalation of threats and activities by NATO joint nuclear missions.” He noted that the agreement involves “non-strategic nuclear weapons” and is in accordance with “all international legal obligations currently in force.”

Russia Maintains Control Over Nukes Stationed in Belarus – Defense Minister | 25 May 2023 | The control over the decision to use nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus will be carried out by Russia, the Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said. “I would like to note that the whole range of events is organized strictly in accordance with existing international obligations and does not violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),” Shoigu stressed. The decision of Russia and Belarus on retaliatory measures in the military-nuclear sphere was made in the context of an extremely serious escalation of threats on the western borders of the two countries, Defense Minister added. “In the context of an extremely serious escalation of threats on the western borders of Russia and Belarus, a decision has been made on retaliatory measures in the military-nuclear sphere,” Shoigu said at a meeting of CSTO defense ministers in Minsk.

U.S. officials believe Ukrainians attacked Kremlin – NYT –Kiev had denied responsibility for the drone incident, while Western media outlets called it a Russian “false flag” | 24 May 2023 | One of Ukraine’s military or intelligence special units was “likely” behind the May 3 drone attack in Moscow, the New York Times reported on Wednesday citing anonymous US officials. U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed this based in part on intercepted communications of both Russian and Ukrainian officials, according to the Times. However, they “do not know which unit carried out the attack” and some officials believe President Vladimir Zelensky may not have been aware or involved. The U.S. reportedly does not have “specific evidence” yet as to which operatives or agency was involved.

We want to kill Putin – Ukrainian deputy intelligence chief –Vadim Skibitsky claimed to the media that the Russian president can feel Kiev’s operatives “getting closer to him” | 24 May 2023 | Russian President Vladimir Putin is on Ukraine’s kill list, the deputy chief of the country’s intelligence agency has revealed. Vadim Skibitsky added that his subordinates are also hunting down top Russian military commanders. Speaking to Germany’s Die Welt media outlet on Wednesday, Skibitsky was asked whether his service is trying to assassinate the Russian head of state. The Ukrainian official replied by saying that President Putin “notices that we’re getting ever closer to him.” …He added that his subordinates were “trying to kill” Evgeny Prighozhin, the head of the Wagner private military company. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov have also been marked for elimination by the Ukrainian intelligence service, its deputy chief claimed.

Canadian police officer who gave $50 to Freedom Convoy ordered to work 80 unpaid hours as punishment –Constable Michael Brisco will be forced to serve the extra hours on rest days and vacations. | 23 May 2023 | A Canadian police officer who donated 50 to the Freedom Convoy last year was told by an adjudicator he must work 80 unpaid hours as punishment. Last Thursday, Constable Michael Brisco of the Windsor Police Service in a penalty hearing was given his sentence by retired Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Superintendent Morris Elbers. Elbers said the 50 donation was a “serious” violation and that the hours will be worked on vacation or rest days. Lawyers for Windsor police wanted Brisco to work 140 unpaid hours as punishment… Brisco’s lawyer, Shane Miles, had earlier noted how Brisco’s 50, like everyone else’s m-ney donated to the Freedom Convoy, never made it to the Convoy leaders because the federal government froze the organizers’ online accounts.

In Surprise Move, New York Says It Will End COVID Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Workers | 24 May 2023 | Minutes after oral arguments began today in a New York State appeals court hearing on a lawsuit challenging the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, an attorney representing New York announced the state’s intention to repeal the mandate. The state also requested the court overturn a previous ruling striking down the mandate — a move attorneys for the plaintiffs opposed because it “leaves open the very real possibility that this constitutional violation could happen again and ruin many more lives.” Children’s Health Defense (CHD) sponsored the original lawsuit, filed Oct. 20, 2022, by Medical Professionals for Informed Consent — a group of medical practitioners affected by the mandate — along with several additional plaintiffs, including two doctors, a nurse, a radiologic technologist and a medical laboratory specialist. Defendants include the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), New York Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul and Mary T. Bassett, the state’s health commissioner.

Trump Responds to DeSantis’s Campaign Launch: ‘There’s Only One Donald Trump’ | 24 May 2023 | As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was formally announcing his candidacy for president on Twitter on May 24, his top Republican rival for the job shared his own message to voters via social media: “There’s only one Donald Trump.” In two campaign ads shared to Trump’s Truth Social account, DeSantis is depicted as an ungrateful “Trump imposter” who should be thanking the former president, not running against him. Recounting how DeSantis sought the former president’s endorsement of his 2018 run for governor, the voiceover in one ad notes: “Trump’s endorsement was so powerful, just days after the endorsement, DeSantis took a commanding lead that propelled him to being elected governor. …Unfortunately, instead of being grateful, DeSantis is now attacking the very man who saved his career. Isn’t it time DeSantis remembers how he got to where he is?”

‘I’m running for president to lead our Great American Comeback’: Ron DeSantis 2024 run starts in utter chaos as Twitter event with Elon Musk crashes multiple times | 24 May 2023 | Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign kicked off in chaos on Wednesday night as the Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk started late and crashed multiple times. The Florida Governor ended months of speculation by releasing a campaign video saying he would lead the “Great American Comeback” and claimed Joe Biden is “floundering” as president [sic]. But his Twitter Spaces began late and quickly turned into a shambles as it continuously crashed. Musk at one point said the “servers were strained” and the host blamed the glitches on the number of people tuning in, which he claimed were a “good thing.”

Ron DeSantis files paperwork for 2024 presidential run | 24 May 2023 | Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis filed the Federal Election Commission paperwork on Wednesday to run in the Republican primary for the 2024 presidential election. DeSantis is second to former President Donald Trump in polls and is seen as the former president’s most formidable opponent.

Republican Launches Bid for U.S. Senate Seat Held by Mitt Romney | 24 May 2023 | A mayor in Utah on May 23 launched a bid for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah). “Right now, Washington is broken. And every time we compromise, it costs us trillions. We have more IRS agents than border agents. And while we’re paying 4 a gallon for gas, they’re sending our money unchecked to Ukraine…Enough is enough,” Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs said in his announcement video. Staggs criticized Romney, who has earned ire from Republicans for some of his positions, including voting to convict then-President Donald Trump of impeachment, and said he believes someone else should represent Utah in Congress… “The only thing I’ve seen him fight for are the establishment, wokeness, open borders, impeaching President Trump, and putting us even deeper into debt,” Staggs said. Romney was also one of just three Republicans to vote for Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a Joe Biden appointee, and has helped confirm other Biden appointees like Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Maricopa County accepted over 4,000 federal-only race ballots in 2020 without U.S. citizenship proof –A total of 14,298 residents were registered to only vote in the federal elections during the November 2020 general election. | 26 May 2023 | Arizona’s Maricopa County accepted 4,484 federal-only ballots for the November 2020 presidential election that didn’t require the voters who cast them to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, according to documents provided by the county. The request for the information was made by Tristan Manos, a Maricopa County Republican Committee precinct committeeman. The county provided information on how many ballots with only federal races on them were counted in the 2020 presidential election and the number of voters who are registered to receive federal-only ballots. According to the 2020 data provided by Maricopa County, 14,298 residents were registered to vote only in the federal elections during the November general election. A total of 8,114 federal-only ballots were cast in that election.

Arizona’s Kari Lake Announces Plans to ‘Paint the State Red,’ Appeal Election Ruling | 24 May 2023 | Arizona Republican Kari Lake is launching a grassroots “ballot-chasing” operation to boost Republican turnout in future Arizona elections and “paint the state red.” “We’re going to start rolling up our sleeves and playing by the same rules [Democrats] play by,” Lake said while surrounded by supporters at a May 23 press conference in Phoenix. “And when you get a fed-up mom who plays by those rules, watch out, because we’re not letting this happen again,” she added. Noting that nearly 90 percent of Arizona voters are on the permanent early voter list, Lake explained that her team, led by Strong Communities Action Chairwoman Merissa Hamilton, would be doing everything in their power to sway those voters and “take back” Arizona. “If we’ve got to work in their rigged system, we’ll work in their rigged system,” she said.

Joe Biden Doubles Down on Globalism at G7: U.S. Will ‘Not…Decouple From China’ | 24 May 2023 | Joe Biden doubled down on globalism at the G7 summit this week, making clear that his administration is “not looking to decouple [the United States] from China” despite millions of American jobs lost. “Now, we’re also united in our approach to the People’s Republic of China, and the joint statement released yesterday outlines the shared principles we’ve all agreed at the G7 and beyond in dealing with China,” Biden said during a press conference Sunday in Japan. “We’re not looking to decouple from China, we’re looking to de-risk and diversify our relationship with China. That means taking steps to diversify our supply chains, and we’re not — so we’re not dependent on any one country for necessary product…” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) wrote in a Twitter post in response to the statement: “Tell that to the 4 million American workers who have lost their jobs to China.”

Texas AG Paxton sues Mayorkas, Garland over CBP One App | 24 May 2023 | Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland over a new policy their agencies have implemented to facilitate expanded entry into the U.S. using a mobile application. “The Biden Administration deliberately conceived of this phone app with the goal of illegally pre-approving more foreign aliens to enter the country and go where they please once they arrive” Paxton said in a statement. “Joe Biden, Alejandro Mayorkas, and the entire Biden Administration have prioritized creating and protecting new ways for illegal aliens to stream into this country, no matter the cost or consequence to struggling American citizens…” The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Texas Del Rio Division on Tuesday. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice are named as defendants.

The Woke Cartel and Twitter’s New CEO By CLG Founder Michael Rectenwald, Ph.D. | 24 May 2023 | On May 12, 2023, Elon Musk announced that Linda Yaccarino, the now former chairman of global advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal, would become the new CEO of Twitter. Musk’s appointment of Yaccarino followed an advertiser exodus that caused Twitter’s ad revenue to plummet by more than 60 percent from October 2022 through January 25, 2023, from around 127 million to just over 48 million… The flight of advertisers was due to concerns about Twitter’s content moderation and Musk’s so-called free-speech advocacy. In short, Musk’s supposed free-speech absolutism and his subsequent renunciation of the Democratic Party as “the party of division and hate” put Musk and Twitter squarely in the crosshairs of the establishment and its woke cartel. Yaccarino’s appointment represents Musk’s attempt to appease this seemingly all-powerful contingent. But the Yaccarino hire has no doubt damaged Musk’s reputation as a free speech advocate and dashed many hopes for Twitter as an open forum.

Most Americans Don’t Know What ESG Is, Would Rather Invest Purely for Profit | 24 May 2023 | Most Americans aren’t familiar with the ESG investment movement, which uses its financial resources as a cudgel to coerce companies into compliance with Environmental, Social and Governance ideology, at the expense of profits, a new Gallup survey shows. By denying investment and capital to companies and industries they oppose politically, ESG-activist fund managers and financial institutions are able to exert influence in pursuit of objectives irrelevant to return on investment… Regardless of how well informed they are about ESG, Americans prefer that their fund and retirement account managers base their investments solely on financial factors – not environmental, social and governance goals. Of those with an opinion on the issue, about 54% say they want to invest based only on financial factors.

Nvidia stock explodes after ‘guidance for the ages’ | 25 May 2023 | Nvidia has cemented its status once more as Wall Street’s market darling after an upbeat AI-fueled earnings call and an outlook that rocked the financial models of already bullish analysts. Shares of the chip giant exploded 27% in trading on Thursday as results trounced analyst estimates. If the gains in Nvidia hold, the company’s market value would rise more than 200 billion, which would mark the biggest one-day rise in history. It was Nvidia’s outlook that truly surprised the investing masses. The company expects second-quarter revenue to come in at about 11 billion, plus or minus 2%. Wall Street was anticipating 7.2 billion.

U.S. senator condemns Target over partnership with ‘satanist’ | 24 May 2023 | U.S. retailer Target is facing public backlash, including criticism from Senator Tom Cotton, over an LGBTQ+ merchandising campaign that allegedly targets children and features a “satanist” brand. “Even by the standards of woke corporations, Target’s partnership with a satanist to push the trans agenda on children is remarkable,” the Republican Arkansas senator said on Tuesday in a Twitter post. “The next time Target comes begging for help, Republicans should respond, ‘Best of luck.'” The Minneapolis-based retailer has removed some of its most controversial “Pride Month” merchandise, citing “confrontational behavior” that allegedly put its employees at risk of harm.

Target Partners With Satanist Designer Abprallen for Gay Pride Collection | 22 May 2023 | The woke Target Corporation has partnered for its new Pride clothing line with UK-based designer Abprallen, which insists “Satan loves you” and “Satan respects pronouns.” Among other items in its Pride line, the mega retailer carries Abprallen’s “Cure Transphobia” sweatshirt, which bears the message “Cure transphobia, not trans people.” Abprallen mixes a good deal of satanism with its pro-LGBT activism, asserting on its Instagram page: “Satan loves you and respects who you are; you’re important and valuable in this world and you deserve to treat yourself with love and respect. LGBT+ people are so often referred to as being a product of Satan or going against God’s will, so fine. We’ll hang with Satan instead,” it declares. “So, naturally, Satan respects pronouns. He loves all LGBT+ people,” it states.

Jeffrey Epstein tried to ‘threaten’ Bill Gates using alleged affair – report | 21 May 2023 | Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reportedly tried to use Bill Gates’ affair with a Russian bridge player to threaten the Microsoft co-founder. “Mr. Gates met with Epstein solely for philanthropic purposes. Having failed repeatedly to draw Mr. Gates beyond these matters, Epstein tried unsuccessfully to leverage a past relationship to threaten Mr. Gates,” a spokeswoman for Gates told The Wall Street Journal in an article Sunday. The “past relationship” was an affair Gates had with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova, whom he met around 2010 when she was in her 20s, according to people familiar with the matter cited by the Journal.