[CRAIG NIGRELLI] FORMER FBI DIRECTOR JAMES COMEY — NOW FACING FEDERAL CHARGES. TRUMP CALLS IT JUSTICE… COMEY SAYS BRING ON THE TRIAL. PLUS, NEW TRUMP TARIFFS KICKING IN OCTOBER 1ST. FROM DRUGS TO FURNITURE… AND WHAT IT’LL COST. AND TIKTOK GETS A NEW LEASE IN AMERICA. CHINA CUT DOWN — U.S. INVESTORS STEP IN. L3 […]
8 min.
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
FORMER FBI DIRECTOR JAMES COMEY — NOW FACING FEDERAL CHARGES.
TRUMP CALLS IT JUSTICE… COMEY SAYS BRING ON THE TRIAL.
PLUS, NEW TRUMP TARIFFS KICKING IN OCTOBER 1ST.
FROM DRUGS TO FURNITURE… AND WHAT IT’LL COST.
AND TIKTOK GETS A NEW LEASE IN AMERICA.
CHINA CUT DOWN — U.S. INVESTORS STEP IN.
L3 COMEY INDICTED ON FALSE STATEMENTS, OBSTRUCTION TIED TO 2020 TESTIMONY
WE BEGIN WITH THAT STUNNING DEVELOPMENT OUT OF WASHINGTON.
A GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED FORMER FBI DIRECTOR JAMES COMEY.
IT’S A STORY WE FLAGGED FOR YOU HERE YESTERDAY — AND NOW IT’S OFFICIAL.
THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CHARGING COMEY WITH MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS AND OBSTRUCTION — IN WHAT SOME SEE AS AN EXTRAORDINARY ESCALATION IN PRESIDENT TRUMP’S PUSH TO PROSECUTE HIS POLITICAL ENEMIES.
PROSECUTORS SAY COMEY LIED DURING 2020 CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY ABOUT THE FBI’S INVESTIGATION INTO TRUMP’S 2016 CAMPAIGN AND RUSSIA.
THE INDICTMENT WAS RUSHED THROUGH BEFORE THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS WAS SET TO EXPIRE NEXT WEEK.
THE MOVE FOLLOWS WEEKS OF PRESSURE FROM TRUMP — WHO FIRED THE U.S. ATTORNEY OVERSEEING THE CASE AFTER HE DECLINED TO BRING CHARGES.
TRUMP THEN INSTALLED HIS FORMER PERSONAL ATTORNEY, LINDSEY HALLIGAN, AS THE NEW TOP PROSECUTOR IN VIRGINIA.
ON TRUTH SOCIAL LAST NIGHT, TRUMP CALLED THE INDICTMENT “JUSTICE IN AMERICA”
HOURS BEFORE THE INDICTMENT DROPPED, REPORTERS PRESSED THE PRESIDENT ON THE CASE.
HERE’S WHAT HE SAID:
:16 SEC IN: I THINK I’D BE ALLOWED TO GET INVOLVED IF I WANT, BUT I DON’T T REALLY CHOOSE TO DO SO. I CAN ONLY SAY THAT COMEY’S A BAD PERSON. HE’S A SICK PERSON. I THINK HE’S A SICK GUY, ACTUALLY. HE DID TERRIBLE THINGS AT THE FBI. BUT I DON’T KNOW. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN.
ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI, IN A POST ON X, SAID “NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. THE INDICTMENT REFLECTS THIS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE’S COMMITMENT TO HOLDING THOSE WHO ABUSE POSITIONS OF POWER ACCOUNTABLE FOR MISLEADING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.”
JUST ONE NIGHT BEFORE THE INDICTMENT, BONDI WAS AT THE WHITE HOUSE — DINING WITH TRUMP IN THE ROSE GARDEN.
THE IMAGE, POSTED ONLINE, SHOWS BONDI SEATED WITH TRUMP AND OTHER ALLIES.
COMEY ANSWERED WITH A DEFIANT MESSAGE OF HIS OWN.. INSISTING HE’S INNOCENT:
“Somebody that I love dearly recently said that fear is the tool of a tyrant and she’s right, but I’m not afraid. And I hope you’re not either. I hope instead you are engaged, you are paying attention. And you will vote like your beloved country depends upon it, which it does. My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I’m innocent. So let’s have a trial and keep the faith.”
U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE MICHAEL NACHMANOFF, A BIDEN APPOINTEE, WAS APPOINTED TO OVERSEE THE CASE… LAST NIGHT.
L3: TRUMP IMPOSES NEW HIGH TARIFFS ON DRUGS, TRUCKS, CABINETS, AND FURNITURE
PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ROLLING OUT A NEW ROUND OF TARIFFS — TARGETING EVERYTHING FROM PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO FURNITURE.
IN A POST ON TRUTH SOCIAL, TRUMP SAID STARTING NEXT WEDNESDAY — OCTOBER FIRST — THE U-S WILL IMPOSE A 100 PERCENT TARIFF ON IMPORTED BRANDED DRUGS… A 25 PERCENT TARIFF ON IMPORTS OF ALL HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS… 50 PERCENT TARIFFS ON KITCHEN CABINETS AND BATHROOM VANITIES… AND 30 PERCENT FOR UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE.
HE CLAIMS THE TRUCK TARIFF WILL PROTECT MANUFACTURERS FROM QUOTE “UNFAIR OUTSIDE COMPETITION.”
HE SAYS CABINET AND FURNITURE IMPORTS HAVE SURGED TO LEVELS THAT ARE DAMAGING U.S. COMPANIES.
THE PRESIDENT IS ALSO THREATENING TO EXPAND THE LIST — INCLUDING NEW TARIFFS ON LUMBER AND SEMICONDUCTORS.
L3 HEGSETH SUMMONS HUNDREDS OF TOP COMMANDERS TO QUANTICO
NOW TO A HIGHLY UNUSUAL DIRECTIVE FROM DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH — ORDERING HUNDREDS OF U.S. GENERALS AND ADMIRALS TO DROP EVERYTHING AND ASSEMBLE NEXT WEEK AT QUANTICO, VIRGINIA.
AND STILL… NO ONE KNOWS WHY.
THE WASHINGTON POST WAS FIRST TO REPORT THE ORDER WENT TO EVERY COMMANDER WITH THE RANK OF BRIGADIER GENERAL OR ABOVE — O-7 THROUGH 0-10 — ALONG WITH THEIR SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISERS.
THAT’S POTENTIALLY MORE THAN ONE-THOUSAND OF THE MILITARY’S TOP LEADERS PULLED FROM POSTS AROUND THE WORLD.
ACCORDING TO THE POST, THE ORDER STATES QUOTE “ALL GENERAL OFFICERS IN COMMAND IN GRADE O-7 THROUGH O-10 AND THEIR GENERAL OFFICER SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISERS ARE DIRECTED TO ATTEND WITHIN OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS.”
THE MEETING IS SET FOR TUESDAY AT A MARINE BASE IN VIRGINIA.
THE PENTAGON SAYS HEGSETH WILL “ADDRESS HIS SENIOR MILITARY LEADERS” BUT OFFERED NO AGENDA.
IT COMES AMID A STRING OF HIGH-PROFILE FIRINGS AND HEGSETH’S PUSH TO REBRAND THE PENTAGON AS THE “DEPARTMENT OF WAR.”
CRITICS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE MILITARY CALL IT UNPRECEDENTED, DANGEROUS, AND POSSIBLY POLITICAL.
OFFICIALS WORRY ABOUT SECURITY RISKS OF PUTTING SO MANY TOP COMMANDERS IN ONE ROOM.
OTHERS TELL THE POST THE SURPRISE SUMMIT COULD SIGNAL MORE PURGES AT THE HIGHEST RANKS.
L3 DNA CONFIRMS SUSPECTED CHILD KILLER TRAVIS DECKER IS DEAD
THIS MORNING, A MANHUNT THAT BEGAN ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IS OVER.
SUSPECTED CHILD KILLER TRAVIS DECKER HAS BEEN CONFIRMED DEAD.
INVESTIGATORS SAY DNA MATCHED DECKER TO REMAINS FOUND LAST WEEK NEAR LEAVENWORTH, WASHINGTON. HE’D BEEN ON THE RUN SINCE MAY WHEN AUTHORITIES BELIEVE HE TOOK HIS THREE DAUGHTERS – AGES 5, 8 AND 9 – CAMPING – AND THEN SUFFOCATED THEM.
SEARCHERS FOUND HIS BODY LESS THAN A MILE FROM WHERE HIS DAUGHTERS – OLIVIA, EVELYN AND PAITYN — WERE DISCOVERED.
THE CORONER IS STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE THE TIME AND CAUSE OF DEATH.
POLICE HAD SCOURED THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS FOR MONTHS WITH DOGS, DRONES, AND DIVE TEAMS, BUT FOUND NOTHING…UNTIL LAST WEEK.
DECKER’S EX-WIFE SAYS HE WAS HOMELESS AT THE TIME AND STRUGGLING WITH A PERSONALITY DISORDER.
L3: TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO KEEP TIKTOK IN THE U.S.
TIKTOK IS HERE TO STAY .
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER CLEARING THE WAY FOR THE APP TO BE CONTROLLED BY U.S. INVESTORS.
THE MOVE COMES MONTHS AFTER A BAN ON THE CHINESE-OWNED APP — INITIATED UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION — WAS SET TO TAKE EFFECT.
UNDER THE NEW AGREEMENT — TIKTOK’S PARENT COMPANY BYTEDANCE WILL HOLD LESS THAN 20 PERCENT OF THE PLATFORM.. THE REMAINING 80% WILL GO TO A GROUP OF U.S. INVESTORS, MEETING THE “QUALIFIED DIVESTITURE” REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW.
TRUMP SAYS ORACLE AND CO-FOUNDER LARRY ELLISON WILL HAVE A “BIG” ROLE IN THE DEAL.
TECH ENTREPRENEUR MICHALE DELL AND MEDIA MOGUL RUPERT MURDOCH ARE ALSO INVOLVED — THOUGH IT’S NOT YET CLEAR WHO ALL OF THE INVESTORS WILL BE.
IT’S FRIDAY, SO LET’S TURN TO YOUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FROM YOUTUBE.
IT’S FRIDAY, SO LET’S TURN TO YOUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FROM YOUTUBE.
THIS IS STRAIGHT FROM YOU — WHERE WE FACT-CHECK YOUR QUESTIONS AND BREAK DOWN WHAT’S TRUE, WHAT’S NOT, AND WHAT’S MURKY.
HERE’S WHAT STOOD OUT THIS WEEK:
COMMENT 1: @scootchy1
Regarding Jimmy Kimmel, it’s important to clarify that President Trump had no involvement in that decision. It was made by Kimmel’s employer, and the FCC’s response aligns with longstanding legal precedent.
FIRST UP, JIMMY KIMMEL. ONE VIEWER WRITES THAT HIS SUSPENSION WAS NOT TRUMP’S CALL — IT CAME FROM HIS NETWORK.
L3: THE KIMMEL SUSPENSION/CENSORSHIP OR COMPANY DECISION?
DISNEY PULLED KIMMEL AFTER HIS REMARKS ON THE KILLING OF CHARLIE KIRK, AND SOME AFFILIATES PREEMPTED HIM AS WELL
LEGAL SCHOLARS TELL THE A-P: THE FIRST AMENDMENT BARS GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP — **NOT PRIVATE EMPLOYERS THOUGH**.
NETWORKS CAN LEGALLY SUSPEND PROGRAMMING.
BUT THE DEBATE HEATED UP WHEN FCC CHAIR BRENDAN CARR WARNED THAT STATIONS COULD FACE AGENCY ACTION.
THE FCC COMMISSIONER, ANNA GOMEZ, CALLED THAT “CONTRARY TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT.”
KIMMEL IS BACK ON AIR — BUT NOT EVERYWHERE. SOME AFFILIATES STILL AREN’T CARRYING HIM, AND THE FCC IS SIGNALING MORE SCRUTINY AHEAD.
COMMENT 2: @naturaljoe61
Is there an alternative pain reliever to acetaminophen for pregnant women?
NEXT, A HEALTH QUESTION. A VIEWER WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE’S A SAFER OPTION THAN TYLENOL DURING PREGNANCY.
L3: PREGNANCY & PAIN RELIEF/WHY TYLENOL IS THE GO-TO
ACETAMINOPHEN — THE MAIN INGREDIENT IN TYLENOL — REMAINS THE DEFAULT. THE CDC AND FDA CALL IT THE SAFEST CHOICE *IF* TAKEN IN LOW DOSES, SHORT TERM, AND UNDER MEDICAL GUIDANCE.
SOME STUDIES LINK HEAVY USE TO DEVELOPMENTAL CONDITIONS, BUT EXPERTS SAY THOSE SHOW **ASSOCIATION**, NOT PROOF — OTHER FACTORS, LIKE GENETICS, MAY EXPLAIN THE RISK.
AS FOR ALTERNATIVES: IBUPROFEN AND NAPROXEN ARE *NOT* RECOMMENDED, ESPECIALLY LATER IN PREGNANCY.
BOTTOM LINE: MOST DOCTORS STILL SEE TYLENOL AS THE BEST OVER-THE-COUNTER OPTION.
CHECK WITH YOUR PROVIDER.
COMMENT 3: @Tailionis
If drones were attacking the boats would be underwater rn.
FINALLY, A QUESTION ABOUT THE GAZA FLOTILLA… ONE VIEWER SAID THAT IF DRONES WERE ACTUALLY STRIKING THE BOATS, THEY’D BE SUNK.
NOT NECESSARILY.
HERE’S WHAT WE FOUND.
L3: THE GAZA FLOTILLA/’SCARE TACTICS,’ NOT SINKINGS
ACTIVISTS, INCLUDING GRETA THUNBERG, SAY THE DRONES WERE ABOUT INTIMIDATION — CALLING THEM “SCARE TACTICS.”
REPORTS DESCRIBED 13 EXPLOSIONS NEAR VESSELS SOUTH OF GREECE, JAMMED RADIOS BLASTING ABBA SONGS, AND OBJECTS DROPPED ON DECKS.
THE RESULT: DAMAGED SAILS AND EQUIPMENT, SHAKEN CREWS — BUT NO BOATS SANK AND THERE WERE NO CASUALTIES.
ITALY AND SPAIN TOOK IT SERIOUSLY ENOUGH TO DISPATCH NAVY SHIPS FOR RESCUE OPERATIONS.
ISRAEL HASN’T CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY, BUT INSISTS AID SHOULD GO THROUGH ITS PORTS.
ALL RIGHT HOPE THIS HELPS !
KEEP DROPPING QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS — AND WE’LL TACKLE THE BIGGEST ONES AGAIN NEXT WEEK.
SKIP THE DRAMA.
SKIP THE RUMORS.
JUST WAKE UP SMARTER.
SIGN UP FOR OUR UNBIASED UPDATES NEWSLETTER.
GO TO SAN.COM SLASH NEWSLETTERS.
THOSE ARE YOUR UNBIASED UPDATES FOR THIS FRIDAY.
WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE NEXT WEEK.
FOR ALL OF US HERE AT STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS — I’M CRAIG NIGRELLI.
HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND.
