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Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:20:00 +0000 Emails Show Senior DOJ Officials Questioned Biden-Era Memo To Probe School Board Threats
Emails Show Senior DOJ Officials Questioned Biden-Era Memo To Probe School Board Threats
Emails Show Senior DOJ Officials Questioned Biden-Era Memo To Probe School Board Threats
Authored by Matthew Vadum via The Epoch Times,
Internal emails from the Biden-era Department of Justice (DOJ) show that senior officials objected to then-Attorney General Merrick Garland’s plan to use the FBI to investigate parents opposed to school policies.
Critics at the time said the policy change, which was contained in a memo signed by Garland, was calculated to intimidate parents protesting policies such as mask mandates and curriculum . Many of those who protested the memo were themselves heavily criticized by memo supporters.
The DOJ’s internal communications suggest that top officials in the DOJ opposed the policy days before it was publicly unveiled.
A DOJ source who did not wish to be identified confirmed to The Epoch Times late on June 10 that the emails, posted on X by independent journalist Lara Logan, were authentic.
The controversy itself goes back almost five years. Garland released a memo on Oct. 4, 2021, that called for federal law enforcement to deal with harassment and threats of violence allegedly made against school board members, teachers, and school employees.
“Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our nation’s core values,” he said at the time.
“The Department takes these incidents seriously and is committed to using its authority and resources to discourage these threats, identify them when they occur, and prosecute them when appropriate,” he wrote in the memo.
In an email thread dated two days before that, senior DOJ officials discussed the upcoming shift in enforcement focus.
Minutes after Associate Deputy Attorney General Kevin Chambers advised his colleagues of the policy change, they began to push back.
Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division Nicholas McQuaid wrote, “I strongly object to adding school official threats to the USAO meetings,” referring to meetings of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, a subagency of the DOJ that represents the federal government in court.
“They are not equivalent and treating them as such will damage our election threats work without actually having any real benefit in my view.”
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kevin Driscoll wrote:
“I don’t think it’s possible to state how strongly I object to this.
“It will completely and totally nuke our election threats efforts, and will damage the reputation of the Public Integrity Section into the bargain.
“It’s like [they’re] affirmatively trying to make this thing not work and look political. If they do this, they might as well rename the damn thing the Anti-MAGA Task Force.”
Corey Amundson, head of the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, replied:
“Exactly! Stupid, stupid, stupid.”
Driscoll answered, writing, “We will not do this. There is no conceivable connection to [Public Integrity Section] (indeed, I’m not seeing a federal interest of any kind). And if they’re going to make the AG’s memo to the field about this and election threats, I’m going to strongly recommend that they not send it.”
Amundson replied, saying, “Agreed. Also, makes no sense to have DOJ/FBI suddenly become the threats police. No limiting principle at all.”
Months after the memo was released, Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans, led by Sens. Charles Grassley of Iowa and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, asked detailed questions concerning federal targeting of parents who voice their opinions at local school board meetings.
The 11 Republican lawmakers on the committee told then-Secretary of Education Michael Cardona in a Jan. 18, 2022, letter: “We recently learned that you may have requested that the National School Boards Association (NSBA) send to President [Joe] Biden its September 29, 2021, letter, which compared concerned parents speaking out at local school boards to domestic terrorists.
“That letter was the proximate cause of Attorney General Garland issuing a memorandum on October 4, 2021, directing the FBI and the various U.S. Attorneys to focus on harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence directed at school officials.
“That action by Attorney General Garland has created a dramatic chilling effect on parents throughout the country and is an inappropriate deployment of federal law enforcement.”
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/11/2026 - 12:20 Close
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:20:00 +0000 Ghalibaf Hits Back At Trump Ahead Of Threatened Bigger Bombing Tonight: "Endless Quagmire You'll Be Stuck In For Years"
Ghalibaf Hits Back At Trump Ahead Of Threatened Bigger Bombing Tonight: "Endless Quagmire You'll Be Stuck In For Years"
Summary
Iran Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf says "Wrong strategies and impulsive decisions will
Read more.....
Ghalibaf Hits Back At Trump Ahead Of Threatened Bigger Bombing Tonight: "Endless Quagmire You'll Be Stuck In For Years"
Summary
Iran Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf says "Wrong strategies and impulsive decisions will reset the entire board for the worse , explode energy infrastructure and markets & create an endless quagmire that you will be stuck in for years ."
Trump follows with mention of "bigger, more powerful" bombing of Iran tonight . He pledged "they're finished" .
Trump announces intent to hit the Iranians "VERY HARD TONIGHT" .
Iran Foreign Ministry: US attacks "rendered the ceasefire dated April 8, 2026 effectively meaningless ."
Third commercial vessel disabled by American forces this week in regional waters. Aircraft fires missiles on engine room.
Still: claims of ongoing indirect talks : Qatar negotiators depart Tehran after talks on US, Iran: diplomat to AFP
US x Iran permanent peace deal by June 30, 2026?
Yes 17% · No 84%View full market & trade on Polymarket * * *
Ghalibaf to US: "Endless quagmire that you will be stuck in for years."
Iran Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf says "Wrong strategies and impulsive decisions will reset the entire board for the worse , explode energy infrastructure and markets and create an endless quagmire that you will be stuck in for years ."
He's seizing on the lessons of Bush's Afghan and Iraq wars, which the media and history books have long looked critically on as 'forever wars'. There's also the general war-weariness among the American public, also as the Russia-Ukraine war is in its fifth year. This is Tehran again counter-signaling that there is no imminent deal or even so much as forward-moving negotiations to speak of .
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is pushing back against Iran's assertion that it has again locked down international shipping transit in the Strait of Hormuz:
Trump: 'Bigger, More Powerful' Bombing Tonight
President Trump follows on the heels of vowing to hit Iran "very hard tonight" with some further words revealing his thinking in a morning Fox News interview. Trump has promised a "bigger, more powerful" bombing of Iran . "They have no defense," he said, and pledged "they're finished". But be again lambasted the media for not saying that they are actually "finished".
He explained that if needed, US troops can be used to "take over the whole place" - but still expressed he doesn't desire to put US American forces on the ground.
Separately, CNN has cited US admin officials who suggest that a move to capture Kharg Island is an "endgame" strategy option. So this suggests its low on the White House agenda, after Trump earlier hinted that this could be done.
Trump: Will Be Hitting Iran Very Hard Tonight
After already issuing an ultimatum the evening prior, President Trump has just announced his intent to launch a second consecutive night of direct missile attacks on Iran. He's vowing to hit the Iranians "VERY HARD TONIGHT".
He also just renewed prior threats to 'take' Kharg Island and 'other oil infrastructure points' in the not too distant future.
The Thursday morning Truth Social post previewing the next escalation in this war resulted in a spike in oil prices:
US Attack Renders Ceasefire 'Meaningless'
Overnight, there did not appear to be any new major exchanges of fire after Iran launched retaliatory strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan - following the US bombing of some dozens of targets in Iran earlier, in the wake of the downing of a US Apache attack helicopter in the Hormuz area earlier this week.
But since then, Iran has announced it is closing the Strait of Hormuz - or rather seeking to tighten its grip with the likelihood of more aggressive attacks on international and 'unauthorized' tankers to come. Iran had also struck US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan - according to its statements as well as emerging open source material.
The most important new statement to come out of Tehran is the Iranian Foreign Ministry's charge that the US attacks "rendered the ceasefire dated April 8, 2026 effectively meaningless" and that the US will be held responsible for the "consequences". The formal statement also urged regional Arab stated to not allow American forces to use their territories .
Day 104: Return to Regional Airspace Closures
It is day 104 of the enduring conflict, with active war having newly erupted again, and so we are seeing airspace closures over the region once again, with Kuwait confirming flight diversions amid a temporary airspace closure.
Aerial alerts have also been issued for Jordan.
A slew of new videos have emerged showing missile intercepts, with US Patriot batteries active , over areas from Kuwait to Bahrain to Jordan - however, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) interestingly continues to be sparred from Iran's wrath and retaliation.
Scope of US Attack & Iran's Military Response
As for the latest of what's confirmed in the wake of the prior day's major US attacks on Iran, which involved over 40 Tomahawk missiles fired, Al Jazeera has the following summary and review of the situation :
US strikes on Iran: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that Washington was launching strikes on “key facilities” in Iran, saying the attacks were part of attempts to secure a permanent ceasefire. Speaking outside CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa, Florida, Hegseth said President Donald Trump had ordered Iran to be hit “hard” and warned the strikes could continue for a second consecutive night if necessary.
Strait of Hormuz closed: In response to the latest attacks, Iran’s top military command announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. Officials warned all vessels to stay away from the strategic waterway, saying any ships attempting to pass through could come under attack.
Water services restored: Authorities in Iran’s Hormozgan province said water supplies had been restored to affected communities in Sirik county less than 12 hours after US strikes damaged infrastructure. Iranian media reported that two concrete water storage reservoirs were hit in the attacks. A New York Times analysis suggested the tanks may have been struck with precision-guided munitions, raising concerns as international humanitarian law considers civilian water infrastructure a protected site.
Tehran reacts to renewed fighting: Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Vall said many Iranians had been expecting another US attack despite renewed talk of negotiations. “They have been waiting and expecting a surprise American attack,” Vall said, adding that Tehran retaliated by striking US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, according to military commanders. The latest exchanges mark another night of direct confrontation after both sides had suggested the previous round of attacks had come to an end.
Below: Iran releases video showing this its latest missile launches targeting US bases in the Middle East:
'Tomorrow Night' Warning
President Trump is again trying his hand at forcing Iran to negotiate and capitulate through bombing, most recently warning in a statement to Fox News that if Iran does not accept a US deal, it would come under American fire power once again "tomorrow night" -- so the clock is ticking Thursday, apparently.
While Trump claimed the Iranians had contacted Washington, urging a halt to the attacks, Tehran leadership has rejected that this actually happened. The whole situation is somewhat of a return to the same stalemated reality of the opening days and weeks of Operation Epic Fury.
Third Tanker this Week Disabled by US Forces
In the Gulf of Oman, US forces have reportedly disabled another oil tanker charged with 'violating the blockade' put into place by the US Navy. This marks the third commercial vessel disabled by American forces this week . According to a fresh CENTCOM description of the action:
U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman at 11:20 p.m. ET on June 10 after the vessel violated the blockade against Iran by attempting to transport Iranian oil, marking the third commercial ship disabled by American forces this week.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) acted against Guinea-Bissau flagged M/T Jalveer as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from U.S. forces.
Earlier this week, U.S. aircraft disabled Palau-flagged vessels M/T Marivex and M/T Settebello on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Marivex violated the blockade by attempting to sail to an Iranian port and Settebello attempted to transport Iranian oil.
In total: U.S. forces have disabled 9 non-compliant vessels since initiating the blockade of Iran's ports on April 13.
Claims of Ongoing Indirect Talks
Bloomberg reports early Thursday:
Qatar negotiators depart Tehran after talks on US, Iran: diplomat to AFP
Some regional media, such as Al Arabiya, are reporting that negotiations between Tehran and Washington are ongoing (likely only indirectly, if at all) - though there hasn't been official confirmation of this from the Islamic Republic side at all. Instead, they are calling even the extended ceasefire itself 'meaningless'.
According to the latest communication, Iran's Defense Ministry says the country will not back down in the face of threats or pressure, with the national armed forces remaining on high alert, ready to inflict retaliation and punishment.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/11/2026 - 12:20 Close
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:00:00 +0000 Cato Vs Heritage: Should The US Defend Taiwan?
Cato Vs Heritage: Should The US Defend Taiwan?
While President Trump has softened his rhetoric on China since his recent visit to Beijing, he has continued to keep the answer to one question close to his chest:
Read more.....
Cato Vs Heritage: Should The US Defend Taiwan?
While President Trump has softened his rhetoric on China since his recent visit to Beijing, he has continued to keep the answer to one question close to his chest: would the United States go to war to defend Taiwan if China attempts to seize the island by force?
Though perhaps a better question is Should we? Tonight, the Cato Institute and Heritage Foundation join ZeroHedge Debates to tackle that question.
Taking the case against military intervention is Cato’s Doug Bandow , who argues that a war with China over Taiwan would impose enormous costs on the United States while serving interests that are ultimately peripheral to American security, and well… there’s the risk of nuclear war.
Advocating intervention is Steve Yates of Heritage , who contends that abandoning Taiwan would shatter U.S. credibility throughout Asia, embolden Beijing, and fundamentally alter the global balance of power in China's favor.
Our returning host David Rand of the Human Reaction podcast will ask whether Taiwan represents a vital American interest or a dangerous strategic tripwire. And, assuming Taiwan is a vital interest, is diplomacy superior to provocative acts (ie arms packages) in the name of “deterrence”?
Despite Trump’s and Xi’s shared kind words, the U.S. approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan last December. There was to be another package amounting to an additional $14 billion, which was recently paused amid the Iran war, sending hawks into a frenzy.
Debaters will also address the once-controversial Pentagon policy paper recommending the U.S. military blow up Taiwanese chip manufacturing plants in the event of a Chinese invasion… something the current #3 at the Pentagon, undersecretary of war for policy Ebridge Colby, called “table stakes”:
Elbridge is the grandson of former CIA Director William Coby.
The debate begins tonight at 7pm ET, here on the ZH homepage, X feed, and YouTube and will also stream on the Human Reaction podcast .
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/11/2026 - 12:00 Close
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:20:45 +0000 Pentagon Lockdown: Multiple Floors Evacuated Over Hazardous Materials Air Quality Incident
Pentagon Lockdown: Multiple Floors Evacuated Over Hazardous Materials Air Quality Incident
Several floors and corridors of the Pentagon were locked down and partially evacuated Thursday morning following the detecti
Read more.....
Pentagon Lockdown: Multiple Floors Evacuated Over Hazardous Materials Air Quality Incident
Several floors and corridors of the Pentagon were locked down and partially evacuated Thursday morning following the detection of a hazardous materials incident and air quality concerns, according to officials and multiple reports.
What we know...
Floors 2 through 5 in corridors 4 through 7 are currently locked down.
Personnel observed wearing gas masks and full chemical protective gear.
Pentagon Force Protection Agency’s HazMat team, along with Arlington County Fire Department, are on scene.
Shelter-in-place order issued for affected areas; additional testing underway (estimated 1–2 hours).
No injuries reported at this time.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that building systems detected an air quality issue, triggering standard hazardous materials response protocols. Response teams are actively investigating the source.
Developing...
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/11/2026 - 11:20 Close
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:15:00 +0000 House Rejects Short-Term Spy Law Extension As GOP Races To Preserve FISA Surveillance Tool Before Friday Deadline
House Rejects Short-Term Spy Law Extension As GOP Races To Preserve FISA Surveillance Tool Before Friday Deadline
Update (1100ET): A key spy law could expire after the House blocked its short
Read more.....
House Rejects Short-Term Spy Law Extension As GOP Races To Preserve FISA Surveillance Tool Before Friday Deadline
Update (1100ET): A key spy law could expire after the House blocked its short-term reauthorization.
The June 11 vote set back an effort to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
President Trump’s selection of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence drove Democratic opposition to reauthorizing Section 702. Some Republicans have voiced concerns about how the authority, though targeted at foreigners abroad, enables the incidental warrantless surveillance of Americans.
The White House could attempt to bridge the gap with an executive order.
In a June 6 letter to the White House, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) recommended such a course of action in anticipation of a possible lapse.
As American Greatness detailed earlier, The House is preparing to vote on a short-term extension of a key federal surveillance program after Senate negotiations stalled, setting up a battle over national security authorities that are set to expire this week.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, announced Wednesday that the chamber will vote Thursday morning on a temporary reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, extending the authority through July 2.
The vote comes ahead of a Friday deadline and follows resistance in the Senate, where Democrats blocked efforts to quickly advance a similar extension.
“We’re not having a great amount of confidence that they’re going to be able to get that done,” Johnson said of the Senate. “So, the House will once again do our job.”
The push for a short-term extension gained momentum after President Donald Trump urged Congress to act following a meeting with Johnson earlier Wednesday.
“FISA 702 is very important to our Military, and keeping the American People safe, especially during the World Cup and America250 Celebrations,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“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,” the president added.
Section 702 has long been viewed by intelligence officials as a critical tool for gathering foreign intelligence and monitoring threats to national security.
However, the effort to extend the program has become entangled in a political dispute over Trump’s appointment of housing official Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
Senate Democrats have insisted they will not support a reauthorization agreement while Pulte remains in the position.
Johnson must also contend with opposition from conservative Republicans who have repeatedly called for reforms to the surveillance program. Several GOP lawmakers have argued that any extension should include a warrant requirement before federal agencies can access certain information.
Asked whether he would support the temporary extension, Rep. Tim Burchett, R-TN., said , “probably not,” citing the lack of a warrant provision.
If the House measure fails, Section 702 is expected to expire on June 12.
The timing has concerned supporters of the program because Congress is scheduled to leave Washington for a one-week recess after Thursday’s votes. Unless House leadership changes those plans, lawmakers would not return until June 23.
The recess would leave the surveillance authority inactive during a period that includes World Cup events expected to attract large international crowds as well as celebrations connected to America’s 250th anniversary.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/11/2026 - 11:15 Close
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000 USPS Proposes Halting Mail Ballot Delivery To States That Refuse Voter Roll Verification
USPS Proposes Halting Mail Ballot Delivery To States That Refuse Voter Roll Verification
USPS Proposes Halting Mail Ballot Delivery To States That Refuse Voter Roll Verification
Via American Greatness,
The US Postal Service (USPS) has proposed a new rule requiring states to share voter information related to mail-in and absentee voting. The proposal follows a March executive order from Trump aimed at tightening regulations governing mail-in voting in federal elections.
Trump has made election integrity a central focus of his second administration, issuing executive orders designed to require proof of citizenship for voters and combat mail-in voting fraud. The administration has argued that stronger verification measures are necessary to restore confidence in elections and safeguard the voting process.
Several of those initiatives have faced legal challenges. Courts have blocked certain provisions, including proof-of-citizenship requirements, while appeals remain pending. Democratic-led states have also filed lawsuits challenging the administration’s mail-in voting policies.
As litigation continues, the Postal Service has moved forward with a proposal directing states and the USPS to coordinate on identifying eligible mail-in and absentee voters.
Under the proposed rule, states would submit lists of voters requesting mail-in ballots, along with personalized barcodes assigned to each ballot.
The Postal Service would then return a finalized “Mail-In and Absentee Participation List” to each state’s chief election official. The list would contain the names of approved voters and the corresponding ballot barcodes associated with each voter.
Under the proposal, only voters included on the final participation list would be eligible to receive mail-in or absentee ballots.
The USPS said the new system would help improve transparency and provide election officials and law enforcement with additional tools to verify election procedures.
“This provision will help determine adherence to federal law and facilitate law enforcement efforts,” the proposal states.
“For example, the provided lists will evidence how many ballots have been mailed, and allow law enforcement officials to compare the total number of mailed ballots to the total number of received ballots to detect potential issues meriting further investigation.”
Election integrity supporters argue that the process would create a clearer chain of custody for mailed ballots and help identify irregularities that might otherwise go undetected.
The Postal Service issued the proposal May 29, one day after Trump-appointed US District Judge Carl J. Nichols denied a request from Democratic plaintiffs seeking to block the administration’s mail-in voting executive order.
Nichols ruled that the challengers failed to sufficiently demonstrate that the order would cause “imminent and irreparable harm.”
The plaintiffs have appealed that decision, and the Postal Service proposal remains subject to ongoing legal uncertainty while the broader litigation proceeds.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/11/2026 - 11:00 Close
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:40:00 +0000 After SpaceX IPO, Jefferies Lays Out Five Takeaways For Space Boom Into 2030s
After SpaceX IPO, Jefferies Lays Out Five Takeaways For Space Boom Into 2030s
Friday’s SpaceX IPO will be a defining moment not only for capital markets but also for the booming space industry and Elon Musk’s broader industrial emp
Read more.....
After SpaceX IPO, Jefferies Lays Out Five Takeaways For Space Boom Into 2030s
Friday’s SpaceX IPO will be a defining moment not only for capital markets but also for the booming space industry and Elon Musk’s broader industrial empire, which has catapulted America to the lead in the space race against Communist China and Russia.
Ahead of the four-times-oversubscribed SpaceX IPO, we explained to readers how to profit from the incoming data center boom in low-Earth orbit and broke down the mechanics of the IPO in an easy-to-understand format .
Next, we want to give readers the opportunity to understand where the space industry is headed to position bullish bets, as this industry will likely have tailwinds for years to come. It's all about following the money.
We are leaning on Jefferies analyst Aniket Shah’s Wednesday report, which provided a roadmap for understanding the space industry through five easy takeaways.
1. The global space economy has reached $600bn, potentially tripling to $1.8trn by 2035 . Commercial activity accounts for 80% and spans satellite TV, broadband, GPS infrastructure, and satellite manufacturing. The remaining 20% is government spending. Within the investable "backbone" of physical infrastructure, state-sponsored spending is projected to grow faster than commercial, rising from $125bn to $320bn (+256%) vs $205bn to $435bn (+212%) for commercial over the next decade. Defense is the fastest-growing category within the space economy.
2. The US accounts for 60% of global government spending on space; China ranks second . US government space spending is ~$80bn, more than the rest of the world combined. China spends ~ $20bn, but this figure is not PPP-adjusted, meaning its effective spending power is materially closer to the US than the nominal gap implies. Japan is a notable third player, having designated space as one of Prime Minister Takeshi's 17 strategic sectors (see here & here). China has similarly identified space as a strategic area in its 15th Five-Year Plan (see here & here).
3. Space Force budget surged 40% in one year, fueled by the Golden Dome program . Golden Dome is a top strategic priority driving the budget surge. Golden Dome is a multi-layered missile defense initiative that integrates space-based sensors, interceptors, and AI-enabled command and control to address ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats. Space Force now commands ~$40bn and the Missile Defense Agency ~$10bn, totaling ~$50bn, far exceeding NASA's budget ($24.4bn).
4. SpaceX has captured a structural share of federal space dollars . It is NASA's largest commercial contractor and plays a critical role across launch services, communications, IT, and the broader data layer of the space architecture. The US government has effectively outsourced significant space activity to SpaceX, creating an inextricable linkage between federal spending priorities and the company's business.
5. US vs China: Moon Race 2.0 is accelerating . The rivalry plays out across three dimensions: lunar programs, global coalitions, and codified policies.
Lunar programs: The US targets a crewed lunar landing by 2028 and a lunar outpost by 2030; China targets a crewed landing by 2030 and an outpost by 2035.
Global coalitions: The US-led Artemis Accords have 67 signatories, while the China-Russia International Lunar Research Station coalition has <20.
Codified policies: President Trump has issued executive orders on Iron Dome for America, commercial space competition, and ensuring US space superiority. China's 15th Five-Year Plan also prioritizes space competitiveness.
Now, let's visualize where the space industry is headed into the 2030s:
The global space economy has reached $600bn
The space economy is set to triple to $1.8trn by 2035
The US accounts for 60% of global space spending
National defense is reshaping the US space economy
Space Force budget surges 40%, fueled by Golden Dome
SpaceX has captured a structural share of federal space dollars
US vs China: Moon Race 2.0 is accelerating
Professional subscribers can read more on the space industry here at our new Marketdesk.ai portal.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/11/2026 - 10:40 Close
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:20:00 +0000 ActBlue CEO Pleads The Fifth During House Panel Hearing
ActBlue CEO Pleads The Fifth During House Panel Hearing
ActBlue CEO Pleads The Fifth During House Panel Hearing
Authored by Darlene McCormick Sanchez via The Epoch Times ,
ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace-Jones invoked the Fifth Amendment on Wednesday before the House Administration Committee , surrounding reports that she may have misled Congress about how the platform vets foreign donations.
The U.S. Capitol building on June 9, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times
Wallace-Jones had originally agreed to testify voluntarily before Congress concerning ActBlue's vetting process for foreign contributions to domestic candidates. But her attorneys requested a congressional subpoena on Monday, ahead of her June 10 testimony, according to committee lawmakers.
The House asked Wallace-Jones to testify after a recent New York Times report included memos from Covington & Burling, a law firm that worked for ActBlue, warning that she may have misled Congress about the process for screening overseas donations.
ActBlue is the dominant Democratic fundraising platform. In 2025 alone, the platform reported raising almost $1.8 billion from 52 million contributions, and Q4 that year marked the single-largest off-cycle quarter in ActBlue history.
Under federal election law, foreign nationals or those who are not permanent residents are forbidden to donate directly to federal candidates or political action committees.
Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) said only Americans should decide their elections during the hearing titled, "Preventing Fraudulent Donations: Transparency, Verification, and Accountability."
"Ms. Wallace-Jones is here today because there's a significant concern that ActBlue may have allowed foreign donations on their platform, lied to Congress, and withheld responsive documents from a congressional subpoena," Steil said. "All three of those actions are illegal."
Steil said Wallace-Jones provided a 2023 letter to Congress stating that ActBlue prevents foreign donations by requiring donors with a foreign address to provide U.S. passport information. If a contribution appears to be from a foreign address, ActBlue contacts the donor to request U.S. passport information. The platform would then refund the contribution if ActBlue was unable to contact the donor.
"The New York Times reported that ActBlue's outside counsel determined those three steps are not always followed ," Steil said.
Surrounded by attorneys, Wallace-Jones did not answer any questions posed during the hearing, citing the "attorney-client privilege and my Fifth Amendment rights under the Constitution."
Wallace-Jones wrote an opinion piece in The Washington Post that appeared on the day of her hearing, saying she would invoke her Fifth Amendment "rights against self-incrimination."
"This is a proceeding designed to build an illegitimate criminal case against us. I cannot and will not let my words be misused in that way," she opined.
Democrats on the committee called the hearing political theater and questioned why the Republican fundraising platform, WinRed, wasn't receiving equal scrutiny from Republicans.
"We're here because Republicans want to talk about ActBlue, not because they're serious about strengthening campaign finance laws or actually strengthening the abuse of fraud in this country," said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), ranking member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Administrative Committee ranking member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) said Republicans are ignoring alleged problems with WinRed. He accused the platform of victimizing elderly Americans.
Morelle also requested a subpoena for Republican Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton , who, as Texas attorney general, sued ActBlue in state court on April 20. The lawsuit alleged that the platform misleads consumers by illegally accepting fraudulent foreign donations for federal and state candidates.
ActBlue filed a countersuit on May 1 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, seeking to block Paxton's lawsuit. Attorneys for the platform asked a federal judge to declare Paxton's ongoing ActBlue investigation and lawsuit unconstitutional, alleging violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
ActBlue accused Paxton of escalating his investigation after donations for James Talarico, his Democratic opponent in the Texas Senate race, surged.
Paxton responded on the day the suit was filed, saying in an X post that ActBlue was "trying to take [him] down."
U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) speaks at a hearing with the House Administration subcommittee on Elections in Washington on June 24, 2021. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/11/2026 - 10:20 Close
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Bessent Pulls Trigger On Using Frozen Funds To Reimburse Gulf Allies: 'Iran Will Pay'
Bessent Pulls Trigger On Using Frozen Funds To Reimburse Gulf Allies: 'Iran Will Pay'
US Treasury Secretary Bessent announced on X Thursday morning that Washington is moving forward on a plan to compensate America's Gulf regional al
Read more.....
Bessent Pulls Trigger On Using Frozen Funds To Reimburse Gulf Allies: 'Iran Will Pay'
US Treasury Secretary Bessent announced on X Thursday morning that Washington is moving forward on a plan to compensate America's Gulf regional allies for damage sustained during Iranian counterattacks on their energy and civic infrastructure.
He made clear that any damage to Gulf allies would be paid for with frozen Iranian funds, which Tehran leadership has long blasted as blatant theft.
According to Bessent's latest announcement: "The Iranian regime will lose the zero-sum game it is playing." The Treasury Secretary listed out the following new policy and plan:
Any damage it inflicts on our allies in the Gulf will be paid for with funds extracted from Iranian Accounts .
Any tolls paid to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority will be offset by funds extracted from their accounts .
Every attack Iran launches will only deepen the economic and financial consequences it faces.
via Reuters
Interestingly, there is implicit here a possible acknowledgement that US forces won't be able to immediately be able to stop Iran from enacting its toll collection protocol, which it has hinted is being done in coordination - or at least with an 'understanding' - from Oman, which itself has come under pressure from the Trump administration of late.
Over eighty oil, gas, and vital infrastructure facilities across the Gulf have been hit - with most of the attacks having occurred in March and April - with one recent report estimating up to $58 billion in damage . Iran has sought to justify these attacks as 'retaliation' for these Gulf countries hosting American bases during the US unprovoked assault on the Islamic Republic.
An unnamed US official had previously told ABC's Senior White House correspondent Selina Wang last weekend: "Treasury will utilize all tools available to allow Iranian assets to be made available to our Gulf allies to support rebuilding and repairs for any future damage caused by Iran."
"The Secretary has also directed his team to assess conditions amongst our Gulf allies and request comprehensive estimates of the costs associated with repairing damage Iran has inflicted since the start of the conflict ," the source had added.
Also as part of that earlier reporting, it was revealed :
The Iranian assets could include frozen assets and ships the U.S. has seized. The administration is reaching out to Gulf allies right now and asking for their evaluation.
This is only likely to further derail efforts to get Tehran and Washington back to the negotiating table . Already the US has balked at Iran's own insistent it be given reparations for damage done.
Iran is meanwhile still demanding that its billions in funds long frozen by Washington be given back as part of a deal. The Trump administration has so far rejected this, at least in terms of its public-facing position.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/11/2026 - 10:00 Close
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:40:00 +0000 War And Piece
War And Piece
By Michael Every of Rabobank
Sorry, Bank of Canada (rates held at 2.25%), Chinese CPI and PPI (1.2% and 3.9% y-o-y headline) US CPI (0.5% m-o-m and 4.2% y-o-y headline, 0.2% and 2.9% core), and the ECB
Read more.....
War And Piece
By Michael Every of Rabobank
Sorry, Bank of Canada (rates held at 2.25%), Chinese CPI and PPI (1.2% and 3.9% y-o-y headline) US CPI (0.5% m-o-m and 4.2% y-o-y headline, 0.2% and 2.9% core), and the ECB today: you all matter but are just pieces of the global picture one now needs to finish: the war vs. Iran.
Changing the recent pattern, President Trump said he would strike Iran again today and did. At time of writing, nearly 50 Tomahawk missiles had been fired alongside airstrikes against radar and drone installations, with a disputed report that a petrochemicals plant was also hit. Even by the standards of the ‘peacefire’ --which, as I’d argued yesterday morning, Iran’s leadership then agreed no longer suits them-- this is a major escalation .
However, the US is still holding back compared to what it can do militarily, and Israel is sitting on its hands . Notably, Trump told Fox News he has been in direct contact with senior Iranian leadership, a new development, and they had asked him to stop bombing: to which he claims he told them to sign the deal on the table, or on Thursday evening he will “Bomb the s**t out of them.” In other words, hits against infrastructure, energy, and nuclear sites, can’t be ruled out.
The immediate Iranian response has been to declare Hormuz entirely closed to all ships . However, despite the fact that Iran was prepared for these US strikes there have, as yet, been no successful counterstrikes against US bases in the Middle East or against GCC energy and water infrastructure . Will this happen with a lag? If not is Iran unable to do so, or just unwilling to? Equally, will Iran act with the Houthis to close the Bab-el-Mandeb and Red Sea, making this energy crisis far worse?
These are staggeringly important geopolitical questions on which global markets, and the BoC and Chinese and US inflation, will ultimately pivot.
So far, the market reaction has been relatively mild – oil only up around $2. Perhaps part of that is down to another piece of the Iran puzzle that has befuddled energy experts and visitors from outside the field – what is happening in terms of oil flows from Hormuz.
Trump had yesterday announced the US is taking “millions of barrels of oil” from Iran, causing the usual consternation. A breakdown of what he meant comes from shipping maven @mercoglianos , who argues the US secretly resumed Project Freedom to escort ships through Hormuz using autonomous vehicles, aircraft, and drones to escort ships through the southern Strait near Oman. Very Large Crude Carriers are exiting the Gulf, conducting ship-to-ship transfers to smaller tankers near Oman, then returning to pick up more oil. In that regard, oil can flow even as the number of ships stuck in the Gulf appears unchanged. War risk insurance, potentially provided by the US Development Finance Corporation, could be covering these few ships making the transits. Yet Iran has been targeting them and the US responding with airstrikes: the Apache helicopter just shot down, triggering a new US attack, was likely part of this operation.
Of course, what may have been happening invisibly, despite 24/7 market coverage, can’t compensate for normal Gulf flows , which is why the plunge in the US and Japan’s SPR and a huge drop in China’s oil imports --none of which are sustainable -- are doing the heavy lifting to keep oil below $100. That dynamic always pointed to escalation: will it be military now, via the US; with others later as more energy panic kicks in; or via more backchannel diplomacy from China?
Regardless, it’s hard to make economic or central bank forecasts without one for the Iran War , as the FT says airlines are drawing up cuts for an 'ugly' winter’ due to stubbornly high jet fuel prices; Reuters notes global container shipping rates are soaring and “Fuel analysts and maritime experts warn it could take around a year for bunker fuel supplies to return to normal even if Trump is able to quickly clinch an Iran deal”; and the UK Telegraph argues farmers may have to stop planting crops without government support.
But geopolitics and geoeconomics are to the fore everywhere and it’s not only energy and petrochemicals being squeezed.
In the Middle East, Turkey’s President Erdogan claimed Israel’s strikes on Lebanon and Syria threaten it and “its aggression must be stopped”, after talking about the liberation of Jerusalem. Israel’s diplomatic response was equally undiplomatic; Saudi Arabia resumed imports from Lebanon after a five-year hiatus; and a Saudi-Turkey rail link may be completed within three years.
In the Americas, Trump suggested he may not renew the USMCA trade deal with Mexico and Canada; and US Secretary of War Hegseth warned Cuba that any arms procurement by it seen as threatening the US could invite a confrontation - we are talking about 1956 at the moment, so why not 1962 too?
In Europe, five capitals are reportedly calling to freeze voting rights for new EU members , radically changing the structure of the Union; Politico reports ‘French far-right firebrand’ Zemmour is embracing MAGA to try to pay political dividends at home ahead of the 2027 presidential election; and the South China Morning Post asks ‘As de-dollarisation trends persist, can the yuan take the euro’s place? ’, meaning taking the #2 spot in global settlements from the single currency.
In Australia, the political scene continues to churn with talk of a ‘non-compete’ clause and voting preference deal between the centre-right Liberals and populist right One Nation that has suddenly soared in the polls.
In Asia, Taiwan fired US mobile missile launchers into the waters facing China for the first time as “a message of resolve”, according to the Wall Street Journal; the US has asked China to resume rare earth exports to Japan, which have been cut off, as Tokyo pivots to US tungsten scrap exports to fill that gap, and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s curbs on cobalt exports have sparked shortages for everyone, including China; Japan’s parliament passed a revised economic security law to support overseas projects (as Bloomberg asks ‘Who’s Afraid of ‘Japanese Neo-Militarism’? Nobody’ - that’s arguably not true; and BOJ Governor Ueda has been hospitalized and is expected to miss the June policy meeting. Get well soon and perhaps be can follow the Iran news from there.
Indeed, now back to whatever piece of the war you happen to be focusing on.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/11/2026 - 09:40 Close