The News Cycle is almost impossible to track these days. At least, to do so fully.
That’s where we come in.
In the Badlands News Brief, the Badlands Media team hand pick news items of interest from the previous days to give you an overview of the biggest goings-on relevant to the Truth Community.
Some items feature original (and subjective) commentary. Feel free to follow the corresponding link to see our writers’ corresponding Substack accounts and check out their other work.
Now, onto the news from Wednesday, December 13 …
GOP-led House votes to formalize impeachment inquiry into President Biden
Although House Republicans voted Wednesday to formalize an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, GOP leadership has made a point to indicate the move does not mean impeaching the president is inevitable, even as pressure grows within the party and among the Republican base.
“We’re not going to prejudge the outcome of this because we can’t,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Tuesday. “It’s not a political calculation. We’re following the law and we are the rule of law team and I’m going to hold to that.”
Biden slammed the House vote Wednesday night, calling it a “baseless political stunt that even Republicans in Congress admit is not supported by facts." — CNN
Our Take: “‘Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.’ That is the height to clear and, Wednesday, the House moved one step closer.
So let’s consider:
Treason… like, Stealing an Election, Sabotaging National Security, Looting the Treasury?
Bribery… well, son of a bitch, does bribery count if it’s soliciting bribes as well as accepting them?
Other High Crimes and Misdemeanors… does RICO qualify?
Now, I don’t believe you can legitimately impeach an illegitimate president, but you can prosecute one. With President Trump’s 14A trials, the regime is attempting to legitimize the J6 Committee Report from the 117th Congress — so they can criminally prosecute President Trump.
What kind of precedent might that set?
The silver lining of political / show impeachment trials is that people actually watch them. The opportunity for disclosure is largely unmatched for political proceedings, and the public pain of the regime is sure to draw a crowd.
I like my popcorn with butter… and salt.” —
Libs Face Narrative Collapse After Supreme Court Accepts Case That Could Demolish Entire Basis For Jan. 6 Prosecutions
The US Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear an appeal from a Jan. 6 Capitol riot defendant which will highlight a law used to charge hundreds of people in connection with that fateful day.
The case will decide whether defendant Joseph Fischer can be charged under a 2002 law which stemmed from the Enron collapse which makes it a crime to obstruct or impede an official proceeding (like pulling a fire alarm to delay a vote?). The law has been invoked against Trump, along with 327 Capitol riot defendants - which an appeals court said the government could continue to invoke.
Under the Corporate Fraud Accountability Act of 2002, anyone who "corruptly— (1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the object’s integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or (2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so" is subject to prosecution.
A key word in the provision, "otherwise," has been key - as nearly every judge overseeing riot-related cases in DC federal court have agreed with government prosecutors that rioters who sought to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's 2020 victory were "otherwise" obstructing that proceeding. One judge, Carl J. Nichols, ruled that "otherwise" could apply to other kinds of document-tampering.
The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit disagreed in a split decision, which will now go to the Supreme Court for review. — ZeroHedge
Our Take: “In what could turn out to be a major ruling, the United States Supreme Court has decided to accept a case that could wind up torpedoing the entire J6 narrative from the ground up.
The case itself will decide whether or not J6 defendant Joseph Fischer can be charged under a 2002 law which makes it ‘illegal to obstruct an official proceeding’ - and as our friend at ZeroHedge pointed out, wouldn’t pulling a fire alarm to delay a vote fall under this as well?
Anyways, I digress.
This law was also used to charge more than 300 J6 attendees with felonies, and the law was also used in 2 out of 4 of Jack Smith’s indictments.
Should SCOTUS find that this law was misapplied and misrepresented, it would cause a tidal wave of convictions being overturned and indictments being thrown out - including those against President Trump.
Perhaps we have arrived at the junction in which we soon discover why President Trump nominated those to the Court that he did. Maybe cases like this are why the left spent so much energy attacking Conservative Justices - especially Justice Thomas.
Who knows what path this will take. All I know is that things are getting exceptionally spicy out there, frens.
Stay frosty.” —
Backlash Grows Among Ukrainians In Response To Zelensky's 'Rose-Tinted' Speeches
As Ukraine continues feeling the intense strain of the war with Russia, more cracks have been appearing in terms of government and military unity in Kiev. Extreme doubts about Ukraine's ability to fight back Russia, and to sustain enough Western support while doing it, have become increasingly obvious to all.
This has led to some rare and significant backlash against the Zelensky administration by some of the Ukrainian populace and even among military officials. As of Tuesday, President Zelensky visited the White House where he stuck by his message of "Ukraine can win". He at one point in a joint press conference with Biden called the idea of ceding territory to the Russians for the sake of achieving peace "insane".
But a Ukrainian official interviewed by Financial Times has said the military and the people are ready for more realism. She pointed to the widening rift being created given the Zelensky administration is needlessly painting a 'rosier' picture than everyone knows actually exists on the ground. — ZeroHedge
Our Take: “The Ukraine Proxy War and all its spider-webbed narrative deployments are caught in a beautiful pincer right now, which is made even more juicy depending on your personal views of Zelenskyy's true loyalties, or, put another way, where his puppet strings currently lead.
While the surface-level narrative holds that his latest US begging tour is an attempt to get more globalist funding to keep the latest attempt at a forever war going against the Russian Federation, Ukrainian officials, celebrities and the public at large are effecting a rapid turn on him that seems to be lagging the American public by a few months.
That said, this public about-face by Ukrainian narrative-setters and MSM publications is perpetuating a feedback loop back INTO the American mind, and is beginning to grant even left-wing Americans with the social permission to openly question both US aid to Ukraine ... and its involvement in Proxy Wars in general.
This is part of why the 'turn' on Israel was so immediate.” —
GOP investigators say they will ‘initiate contempt’ proceedings after Hunter Biden flouts subpoena for closed-door testimony
The Republican chairman behind the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden said Wednesday they will start contempt of Congress proceedings against Hunter Biden for not participating in his closed-door deposition on Wednesday, after he demanded to testify publicly.
“Hunter Biden today defied lawful subpoenas and we will now initiate contempt of Congress proceedings,” said House Oversight Chair James Comer and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan in a joint statement. “We will not provide special treatment because his last name is Biden.”
In his first public statement since being criminally indicted twice, Hunter Biden, the president’s son, said earlier Wednesday that he has “made mistakes” but slammed House Republicans for trying to “dehumanize me all to embarrass and damage my father.”
“For six years, I have been the target of the unrelenting Trump attack machine shouting ‘Where’s Hunter?’ Well, here is my answer, I am here,” Hunter Biden told reporters outside the Capitol.
House Republicans had subpoenaed Hunter Biden to appear for closed-door deposition Wednesday morning to answer questions about his actions as part of search for whether the president committed an impeachable offense in connection to his family’s foreign business dealings. — CNN
Our Take: “Ahhh yes. The good ole ‘rules for thee, but not for me’ scenario we have seen displayed so often by the left was again on display this afternoon as Hunter Biden chose not to give sworn testimony, but instead chose to give a press conference.
But never fear, friends - he had the one and only Eric Swalwell by his side, because, I guess - if you’re gonna give a press conference in which you do nothing but blow hot air, Swalwell is the guy you want at your side.
Hunter went on and on about how Corn Pop isn’t getting his 10%, and reminded us that Joe is not involved in any of these dealings. And of course we should just totally go ahead and believe him despite the mountains of evidence claiming otherwise.
Just imagine if you or I decided we wanted to skip out on giving a deposition to Congress - I’m sure that would work out in our favor *rolls eyes*.” —
US agency will not reinstate $900 mln subsidy for SpaceX Starlink unit
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday reaffirmed its 2022 decision to deny SpaceX satellite internet unit Starlink $885.5 million in rural broadband subsidies.
The FCC said the decision impacting Elon Musk's space company was based on Starlink's failure to meet basic program requirements and that Starlink could not demonstrate it could deliver promised service after SpaceX had challeged the 2022 decision.
"The FCC followed a careful legal, technical and policy review to determine that this applicant had failed to meet its burden," FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said.
The FCC cited among its reasons SpaceX's failure to successfully launch its Starship rocket, saying "the uncertain nature of Starship's future launches could impact Starlink's ability to meet" its obligations.
The FCC had rescined the funding in August 2022 based on speed-tset data after Starlink had agreed to provide high-speed Internet service to 642,000 rural homes and businesses in 35 states.
SpaceX said it was "deeply disappointed and perplexed" by the FCC decision, adding Starlink "is demonstrably one of the best options - likely the best option" to accomplish the goals of the rural internet program.
The two Republican commissioners on the five-member FCC dissented from the decision saying the FCC was improperly holding SpaceX to 2025 targets three years early and suggesting the Biden administration's anger toward Musk was to blame.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said the commission was joining "the growing list of administrative agencies that are taking action against Elon Musk’s businesses" and said the decision "certainly fits the Biden Administration’s pattern of regulatory harassment." — Reuters
Our Take: “I'm one of those kooks who believes patriots are more in control than many, and that extends to deep cover white hats like Elon Musk who were granted massive contracts by Trump's Department of Defense meant specifically for satellite communications infrastructure.
So, when I see sensational headlines (and comments from Musk himself,) signal boosting the fact that the Administrative State (under Biden,) seems to be weaponizing the power of Federal overreach in order to stamp out said patriot plans, I don't get upset about it, because the public mind is observing the trend, and is beginning to connect it with the same Admin's weaponization of the DOJ against Trump.
Whatever the Actuals are where it concerns Starlink, patriot control, and Biden control over the current Admin, the American public is being shown undeniable administrative deployments against anyone who steps out of line against them, whether they be political or social/cultural opponents to their agendas.
Let them fight.” —
BONUS ITEMS
Pfizer shares sink after it resets 2024 COVID expectations
Pfizer (PFE.N) on Wednesday forecast 2024 sales that could be as much as $5 billion below Wall Street expectations, a move top executives said provided a more reliable view of its COVID-19 business than it had this year, driving shares to a 10-year low.
Revenue from Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine and treatment, which peaked at $57 billion in 2022, are now expected to be $8 billion in 2024, a further drop from the $13 billion analysts' forecast and Pfizer's own lowered view of $12.5 billion for this year.
"We want to be conservative," Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said on a conference call with investors. "We want to be reliable so we won't create uncertainty (again), which was the case, unfortunately, this year."
Pfizer used some of its COVID windfall to acquire companies, including a $43 billion deal for cancer drugmaker Seagen it expects to close this week, and began selling a new RSV vaccine. But the recent RSV launch has been disappointing, trailing a rival's shot, and shares have fallen 44% so far this year.
In addition, COVID vaccinations in the U.S. have dropped sharply with just about 17% of the eligible population getting the most recent updated boosters due in part to declining concern about the virus, as well as vaccine fatigue. — Reuters
Judge in Trump's 2020 election case pauses proceedings amid dispute over immunity
The federal judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's case involving the 2020 election has agreed to temporarily pause proceedings while Trump appeals a decision over whether he is entitled to broad immunity from criminal prosecution.
In a brief order Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan largely granted Trump's request to halt the proceedings while he pursues his appeal. Chutkan said Trump's appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit means she must automatically stay further proceedings that would move the case toward trial.
Later Wednesday evening, the D.C. Circuit said in an unsigned order it would fast-track its review of the district court's decision and set a schedule for Trump and special counsel Jack Smith to file briefs in the coming weeks. Arguments, which have yet to be scheduled, will be heard by Judges Karen Henderson, Michelle Childs and Florence Pan.
In her decision, Chutkan wrote that Trump's move gives the higher court jurisdiction over the case. She noted that if the case is returned to her she will consider "whether to retain or continue the dates of any still-future deadlines and proceedings, including the trial scheduled for March 4." The case would return to her if Trump's immunity claim is ultimately rejected, allowing the prosecution to move forward.
Trump was charged with four counts in August, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, with prosecutors alleging he orchestrated a scheme to resist the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 presidential election. He pleaded not guilty to those charges and has denied wrongdoing. — CBS News
Powell "Pivots", Sends Dow To Record High With Election-Year Rate-Cut Projection
Did Powell get a 'Biden-esque' tap on the shoulder?
The Dow hit a new record high after The Fed signaled - via its 'dot plot' - that it has pivoted from a pause, dovishly delivering what the market was pricing in (and Powell didn't even get close to trying to walk back the exuberance)...
But while The Dow hit record highs, it was a bloodbath for hedgies today...
[…]
Fed Chair Powell said absolutely nothing about the massive easing of financial conditions (the tightening of which was the reason for them to pause at the September meeting).
And then pivoted to a major rate-cut trajectory for 2024 (election year). — ZeroHedge
We hope you enjoyed this brief look back at the major news items you might have missed in this ever-escalating and ever-accelerating news cycle as the Information War continues to rage on around us.
As always, if you have any thoughts on these news items or the MANY others swirling in the digital ether, drop into the comments below to share them with your fellow Badlanders.
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I remember how impatient, outraged and often discouraged I felt after the 2020 election was stolen. The sinking feeling I had when, by the Spring/Summer of 2021, I realized Trump wasn’t coming back anytime soon and the DC criminal syndicate was seemingly at the helm. While I trusted there was a Plan and understood (sort of) the Q posts referencing Exposure Disclosure Justice, that summer was a low point for sure. How on earth were we to survive the globalist orchestrated destruction?!
Forever grateful to Patriots who stepped forward on rumble and substacks these last couple years…like Badlands!
The acceleration of the Exposure phase this past year has been enlightening, calming, and exciting!
I especially love the Briefs and Takes which keep me so well informed on the Exposure which is undeniably happening!!
I’m with you, Ashe: “I like my popcorn with butter… and salt.” 🍿❤️🙏🇺🇸🕊🦅
So... even though the Hunter Biden stuff irritates me I do see the wisdom in informing the millennials of what they didn't learn in school, about how our government SHOULD work. Excited for the Supreme Court to hear the J6 stuff and release those patriots 🙏 And BB you are right about the DOJ weaponization against patriots being exposed, I'm just embarrassed that so many don't SEE. Gotta grab my patience pants and put them on I guess.