Just One Thing: Press Sec Leavitt unloads both barrels on Abrego Garcia
In one of the most effective press conferences I've seen in a long time, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dropped a massive load of derogatory information (or at least claims) on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the current cause célèbre for the formerly-mainstream media. First the less important stuff: I suspect that the administration did not know this stuff until the past few days but deported the guy in error as they admitted. This is NOT an assertion on my part that he's a good guy (nor a villain...I just don't yet know what to believe), that he's not deportable or that he shouldn't be deported, though violating an explicit court order that he couldn't be deported to one particular country doesn't seem great. BUT even if they figured this stuff out later when trying to cover their butts, it sure does cover a lot of that exposed behind. I mean, if even half of this stuff that's claimed is true, there's no legitimate argument that he shouldn't be deported. Sure there is likely a legit argument, not just for him but for quite a few deportees, that the administration didn't provide required due process. And that might end up a huge fight between the administration and courts. And in the past week, the administration has seemed far less interested in abiding by court rulings, even Supreme Court rulings, than in the past.
Separately, Democratic Senator Chris van Hollen of Maryland who already looked clownish by jetting off to El Salvador now looks REALLY stupid. By the way, this guy who's calling an illegal alien part of the "most vulnerable" population voted against the Laken Riley Act. Seriously, the spectacle of a guy who voted against protecting Americans from illegal alien criminals is very publicly flying to another country to showboat in support of an illegal alien who might be a criminal.
This has to make Team Trump so happy, and whoever found all this negative information about Garcia must be the toast of the administration tonight.
See the key info drop in video just below and, if you want to hear a powerful but terribly sad story, listen a little further to hear Rachel Morin's mom, Patty.
Mother of murdered Maryland woman Rachel Morin joins White House briefing - CBS News
And check out the thing about the AFL-CIO: El Salvador denies senator visit with mistakenly deported man: Van Hollen
It's more than a little weird how much Democrats want to talk about immigration, including about Garcia, when Trump is mostly winning on the issue and most people care more about the economy, where Trump's favorability numbers are declining. It used to be that you could count on Republicans to not make the most of a political opportunity; now it seems like Dems have taken over that roll.
One More Thing: A useful primer on international economics and national debt
I like this a lot and I think it would serve you well, as it served me well, to read it: Is Dollar Dominance Good for the U.S.?
.
.
Today's Guests
Josh Blackman is a Professor of Law and Centennial Chair of Constitutional Law at the South Texas College of Law in Houston. We'll discuss the legal/constitutional aspects of the Abrego Garcia situation.
The Chief Justice "Facilitates" Another Shadow Docket Compromise In Noem v. Garcia
Supreme Court tepid on Trump while defending power to check president: ANALYSIS - ABC News
Judge presses Trump administration on refusal to return mistakenly deported man | AP News
And news from yesterday: Judge finds probable cause to hold Trump administration in criminal contempt | AP News
Would this be legal? Trump eyes deporting U.S. citizens to foreign prisons
.
DJ Summers is Director of Communications and Research Operations at the Common Sense Institute where I'm this year's Mikje A Leprino Free Enterprise Fellow. We'll discuss the upcoming likely-very-large problems for those who have to put together the Colorado state budget. Next year's problems will likely make this year's problems look small.
.
Zach Greenberg is Legal counsel at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a great and truly principle-based organization for many years. We'll discuss the ongoing battle between the Trump administration and elite colleges generally, and against Harvard specifically.
FIRE | Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
Harvard's resistance to Trump is a model for US universities - UnHerd
Harvard-Bound Students Stand Firm While Some Columbia Prospects Think Twice - WSJ
I think the IRS will either not do this or lose a court case if they try: IRS making plans to rescind Harvard’s tax-exempt status | CNN Politics
.
Other Stuff
Well it’s not as if I can roll this back so I’ll just wish them luck: Denver inches toward better sidewalks with $15 million plan contract (may require subscription)
.
This is fun: Astronomers Detect a Signature of Life on a Distant Planet - The New York Times (may require subscription)
Space telescope spots possible signs of life on alien planet. Some are skeptical : NPR
.
Hey, if there’s a market for it, then great! I struggle to see myself caring, but that’s in part because I’m more of an NFL fan, and a bit of an NHL fan more than an overall sports fan. USA Today launches Studio IX for women's sports stories
.
It may have been because the stock market was so strong in 2004, but I think this is a new record (at least in what I'll call modern times) for the percentage of total federal income taxes paid by the top 1%: Who Pays Federal Income Taxes? Latest Federal Income Tax Data
My good friend Dr Tom Krannawitter wrote a piece that echoes my Tax Day rant: (20) Who Pays Taxes & What Do They Buy?
.
This is so much fun and so richly deserved, even though I dislike lawfare. This might actually be legit. Trump admin refers NY AG Letitia James for possible prosecution over alleged fraud
.
I wonder how confident they are that they have the right guys: Third top Defense Department official placed on leave amid leak probe
.
WSJ echoing what I said yesterday about the right immigration policy: Trump’s Border Success—and Opportunity - WSJ
.
Could the plaintiffs win rulings against the Trump administration's claimed legal basis for many of their tariffs? I hope so. I do think Trump is breaking the law. But I don't know who will have standing to sue.
Trump tariffs face lawsuit Main Street
California becomes the first state to sue Trump over tariffs - ABC News
.
This is a fascinating story: Patients Cut Off From Cheaper Obesity Drugs as FDA Halts Sales of Copycats - The New York Times (gift link so you don't need a subscription)
.
The problem with RFK is that he seeks "data" or "studies" to confirm what he already believes. He's not open-minded, as someone involved with science should be, because he's a zealot and a grifter. He should not be head of HHS.
RFK Jr. Calls Autism ‘Preventable,’ Drawing Ire From Researchers - The New York Times (may require subscription)
RFK Jr. lays out new studies on autism, shuts down 'better diagnoses' as a cause - ABC News
.
Shipping is a fascinating and complex industry that I know very little about: Trade war fallout: China freight ship decline begins, demand plummets
.
Good but not nearly as good as it should have been: Colorado legislature passes bill punting to local governments when it comes to how much servers are paid - The Colorado Sun
.
On the one hand, I think radical environmentalists abuse the current system to prevent any commercial (or even recreational) activity wherever they can. On the other hand, if you're going to have an Endangered Species Act, it's weird to think that it would allow the destruction of the natural habitat of a species: Proposed rule change on endangered species triggers alarm for environmentalists | AP News
.
They're back: Buc-ee's is back on the table in Palmer Lake | Local News | gazette.com
.
Today's Video
The second day in a row with a rare squid video!