Trump suffers rare defeat with House Republicans on FISA The House GOP revolt on FISA Friday marked a rare setback for President Trump with his own party, exposing the limits of his influence over House Republicans. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) faced a significant challenge as the White House and GOP leadership struggled to secure support for a clean extension of Section 702, a controversial national security tool. This failure highlighted the growing fractures within the Republican conference and the challenges of aligning diverse factions on contentious issues. The White House had pushed for a clean extension of the FISA program, which grants intelligence agencies broad surveillance powers. However, some of Trump’s closest allies resisted, citing longstanding concerns about privacy and oversight. Over two dozen Republicans voted against two procedural votes early Friday, a move that was previously uncommon for majority members but has become increasingly frequent in recent months. This resistance forced GOP leaders to fall back on a last-resort 10-day extension of the spy powers program. Efforts to secure support included an intense pressure campaign by the White House and GOP leadership. CIA Director John Ratcliffe addressed Republicans at their weekly meeting, and the administration held multiple briefings at the White House specifically for holdout lawmakers. A makeshift "SCIF" (Secure Compartmented Information Facility) was even set up off the House floor to streamline access to classified information during legislative strategy sessions. Despite these measures, the White House’s push failed to sway enough Republicans to support the clean extension.#trump #house_republicans #mike_johnson #john_ratcliffe #fisa
Republicans face growing concerns over rising antisemitism and bigotry among younger conservatives, as influential figures within the party express troubling views on race, gender, and historical figures. Alec Beaton, a 23-year-old former Trump campaign staffer, sparked controversy at a national young conservatives conference by stating, “We don’t think Hitler is, like, the worst person ever,” and praising the dictator to “mess with people.” His comments reflect a troubling trend among some young conservatives who have been influenced by far-right online personalities. Nick Fuentes, a 27-year-old white nationalist with over 600,000 followers on Rumble, has amplified similar rhetoric, calling women “just lie and they’re whores” during live streams. Fuentes also claimed on X, “Yeah we like Hitler. No one gives a f* what you woke jews think anymore,” a sentiment echoed by Gaines, a 36-year-old streamer and author of Why Women Deserve Less. These individuals represent a segment of the far-right online community that has gained traction among younger conservatives, despite not reflecting the views of the broader party. Texas Senator Ted Cruz highlighted the alarming rise in antisemitism on the right, noting, “I have seen more antisemitism in the last 18 months on the right than at any point in my lifetime.” He warned that the issue is particularly acute among young people, especially on college campuses. Laura Loomer, a right-wing influencer and self-described “Islamaphobe,” further criticized the GOP, stating, “The GOP has a Nazi problem,” and warned that ignoring the issue would worsen it. Republican lawmakers, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, have condemned the rhetoric, though some, like Tucker Carlson, have faced accusations of antisemitism for promoting figures like Fuentes.#mike_johnson #nick_fuentes #alec_beaton #ted_cruz #tucker_carlson
Trump Avoids 'War' Label in Iran Conflict Over Congressional Approval Concerns President Trump has continued to avoid using the term "war" to describe the military conflict with Iran, citing concerns over the need for congressional approval. During a speech for House Republicans' fundraising organization, he explained that the word "war" implies a formal declaration, which he said would require legislative backing. "I won't use the word 'war' because they say, if you use the word war, that's maybe not a good thing to do," Trump stated. He emphasized that the situation is better described as a "military operation," which he argued is more accurate given the lack of congressional authorization. This approach aligns with Trump's previous statements, where he has often downplayed the conflict's scale, calling it an "excursion" that would keep the U.S. out of a full-scale war. However, he has occasionally used the term "war" in the past, including during a recent speech where he claimed, "The war essentially ended a few days after we went in." The inconsistency highlights the political and legal debate surrounding the conflict's classification. The issue centers on the constitutional balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. While Congress holds the authority to declare war, the president serves as commander-in-chief and has the power to act unilaterally in certain circumstances. The 1970s-era War Powers Act limits military engagement to 60 days without congressional approval, though presidents have historically tested these boundaries. Trump has argued that the law is unconstitutional, asserting that the president's authority to respond to threats is absolute.#congress #iran #trump #mike_johnson #war_powers_act
Trump Reveals GOP Congressman's Terminal Diagnosis President Donald Trump disclosed during a news conference that a retiring Republican congressman had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, stating the individual would have "been dead by June" without intervention by White House doctors. The revelation prompted a brief exchange with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, who sat beside Trump and remarked, "OK, that wasn't public." Johnson added, "But yeah, OK. It was grim. That's what I was going to say." The comments referenced Florida Rep. Neal Dunn, a 73-year-old former Army surgeon who announced his retirement from Congress in January after five terms. Dunn’s statement at the time emphasized his decision to "pass the torch to new conservative leaders" and return to Panama City, where he resides. He did not mention his health condition in the announcement, though Trump and Johnson later claimed his heart issues had led to a terminal diagnosis. A spokesperson for Dunn did not immediately comment on the remarks. Dunn’s departure added to a surge in resignations from the House of Representatives, raising concerns among Republicans about their narrow majority ahead of the midterm elections. With the midterms approaching and the GOP facing challenges on key issues like funding for the Iran war, voting restrictions, and healthcare affordability, the party cannot afford further losses. Trump claimed White House doctors conducted emergency surgery on Dunn at Walter Reed Medical Center, describing the procedure as a "long operation" that involved "more stents and more everything than you can have." Johnson noted that Dunn appeared to have "a new lease on life" following the intervention. Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "I did it for him first, and for the vote second.#donald_trump #mike_johnson #neal_dunn #walter_reed_medical_center #susie_wiles
Trump reveals Rep. Neal Dunn had a terminal diagnosis President Donald Trump disclosed Monday that Florida Republican Rep. Neal Dunn had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and would have died by June due to a severe heart condition, before Trump’s intervention in his medical care. According to the president, Dunn’s doctors had warned that without treatment, the congressman would not survive past June. Trump claimed that his involvement in Dunn’s medical treatment had saved the congressman’s life, granting him a “new lease on life.” House Speaker Mike Johnson, who sat beside Trump at the White House event, confirmed the details, stating that Dunn’s condition had not been made public. Johnson noted that Dunn had been working despite his diagnosis, adding that if others faced such a prognosis, they would likely retire. Trump emphasized his personal connection to Dunn, saying the congressman’s illness was “bad” because he had liked him and because he needed his vote. The president described how he had referred Dunn to a specialist at Walter Reed Medical Center, where the congressman underwent emergency surgery. Trump claimed the procedure was extensive, involving multiple stents and other interventions. After the surgery, Trump said the doctors had told him, “Sir, I think he’ll be fine.” Johnson added that Dunn now appeared “30 years younger” and was actively engaged in his duties. The revelation comes amid discussions about the GOP’s narrow majority in the House. Johnson and Trump highlighted the party’s precarious position, noting they could afford to lose only two members on party-line votes. A special election to replace New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) is scheduled for April 16, which would temporarily increase the GOP’s margin.#donald_trump #mike_johnson #neal_dunn #walter_reed_medical_center #house_speaker
Bill Maher Challenges Adam Schiff With Fabricated Trump Quote Bill Maher tried to catch Democratic Senator Adam Schiff in a "gotcha" moment during a discussion about Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran. Maher cited a statement from the administration claiming the president had constitutional authority to use military force if it served the national interest, asking Schiff if the phrasing was too vague. Schiff responded by acknowledging the ambiguity, prompting Maher to reveal the quote was actually from a 2011 Obama administration document regarding military operations in Libya. Schiff explained that while Obama had also authorized military action without congressional approval, lawmakers had pushed back against the decision, leading to the eventual halt of operations. The conversation unfolded amid ongoing U.S. military escalation in Iran, with Trump asserting that the country was being "beaten to hell" and warning of further attacks on Truth Social. The president has reportedly expressed interest in deploying ground troops to combat Iran. The current bombardment campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, has killed over 1,200 Iranians and six U.S. service members, according to Iranian officials. Both Democrats and Republicans have criticized the operation, though House Speaker Mike Johnson denied the U.S. is at war with Iran, calling the actions "limited in scope." Schiff reflected on Obama’s 2011 Libya intervention, noting that Congress had passed a resolution demanding an explanation for the decision and urging troop withdrawal. He acknowledged Obama’s reluctance to pursue Assad despite the latter’s use of chemical weapons, citing concerns over congressional opposition.#donald_trump #bill_maher #adam_schiff #operation_epic_fury #mike_johnson
