Badlands News Brief
The Durham Report, Epstein Suit & Border Bags
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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 picks 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 commentary from members of our growing team of citizen journalists. Feel free to follow the corresponding link to see their other work.
Now, onto the news from Monday, May 15 …
"The American Public Was Scammed": Trump Responds After Bomshell Durham Report 'Exonerates'
Former President Donald Trump on Monday has responded through a spokesman, saying that the report "proves" a coordinated effort by the federal government to interfere with the 2016 US election.
"WOW! After extensive research, Special Counsel John Durham concludes the FBI never should have launched the Trump-Russia Probe! In other words, the American Public was scammed, just as it is being scammed right now by those who don’t want to see GREATNESS for AMERICA!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"The Durham Report spells out in great detail the Democrat Hoax that was perpetrated upon me and the American people. This is 2020 Presidential Election Fraud, just like ‘stuffing’ the ballot boxes, only more so."
"This totally illegal act had a huge impact on the Election. With an honest Media, we are looking at the Crime of the Century!" — ZeroHedge
Our Take: “*Takes deep draft of refreshing and vindicating leftist tears*
Ahh, the I-told-you-so party is about to start. Need a date?
The report doesn't do as much as we might have thought. But to think it does nothing is a doomer's take. The report will hopefully be read by more than the pro-Trump quire. No doubt it is. That said, the lamestream media will no doubt be working overtime to spin all this, and it will fail to persuade much of anyone, other than those who were already never Trumpers to begin with.
While the DS media and related globalist assets expend what little public clout they have left trying to double down on the Russiagate hoax, the America First camp will continue to pound on key issues that American voters actually care about.
The most epic political battle of all time is about to begin, and we haven't seen nothing yet.” — Justin Deschamps
***
Another Take: “We've known this or believed it for years.
Now the world is finding out, and even CNN and the Fake News Media is largely being forced to report it as such.
That said, the BIGGEST element of the Durham Report to me is temporal.
Generally speaking, the Russia Collusion hoax marked the "start" of the Deep State's Narrative blitzkrieg on Donald Trump & the MAGA movement.
What do you reckon the exposure of said hoax marks the start of ...?
Popcorn ready.” — Burning Bright
House Republicans demand Biden take mental competency test
Over 60 House Republicans are demanding that President Joe Biden take a mental competency test or pull out of the 2024 election in a letter sent to the White House.
The letter includes signatures from 61 Republicans, led by Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), who is also a former White House doctor. Jackson wrote that Republicans are concerned with Biden's "current cognitive state and ability to serve another term as President." The letter comes after Biden announced his reelection campaign on April 25.
"We believe that, regardless of gender, age, or political party, all Presidents should document and demonstrate sound mental abilities," the Republicans wrote in the letter, according to Fox News.
"While you have undergone two physical exams during your presidency, one on November 19, 2021, and another on February 16, 2023, there is no indication you have had any cognitive assessment, or if you have, such results were concealed from the public," the letter continued.
Biden had a physical examination in February with White House physician Kevin O'Connor. It determined that Biden was a "healthy, vigorous, 80-year-old male, who is fit successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State, and Commander in Chief."
"However, this is a statement based on a physical exam that excluded the evaluation of your cognitive and mental abilities, which is where our concerns, and the concerns of the American public, lie," the letter stated.
Jackson pointed to prior letters sent to the president since he took office: one in June 2021, another in February 2022, and one in July 2022. — Washington Examiner
Our Take: “The obvious question is why are only 60 out of 222 House Republicans calling on Biden to take a cognitive test?
From his incoherent statements every time he speaks to his sad note cards that remind him of his name and where he is, the whole world knows that Biden is not well. So, where are the other 162 Republicans in the House? Better yet, where are the calls for the 25th Amendment? Where are the articles of impeachment?
‘The 25th Amendment is of zero risk to me but will come back to haunt Joe Biden and the Biden administration. As the expression goes, be careful what you wish for,’ Trump said on January 12, 2021.
While this may be the direction House Republicans are heading, they’re moving slowly and their framing seems overtly political:
‘Failure of such a test will allow you to come to terms with the many failures of your administration over the past two years and allow a mentally fit leader to emerge,’ said Rep Ronny Jackson (R-TX).
Only 27% of House Republicans have signed onto the letter.
A top priority should be whipping support for Biden’s ousting. Impeach him, 25th Amendment him, or arrest him and hold a tribunal for his many, many crimes, but stop this demented fool’s agenda before he gets us all killed.” — Ashe in America
US Virgin Islands seeks to subpoena Elon Musk in Jeffrey Epstein lawsuit
The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands is trying to subpoena billionaire Elon Musk for documents in its lawsuit seeking to hold JPMorgan Chase liable for sex trafficking acts committed by businessman Jeffrey Epstein.
Musk has never been publicly accused of any wrongdoing related to Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 as he awaited sex trafficking charges in a federal jail in Manhattan.
But over the years, there had been unconfirmed speculation — encouraged by Epstein himself — that Epstein had advised Musk on certain business matters.
Spokespeople for Musk have denied those reports, but the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands said in a court filing that it believes Epstein may have referred or tried to refer Musk to JPMorgan as a potential client.
The Virgin Islands, where Epstein had an estate, sued JPMorgan last year, saying its investigation has revealed that the financial services giant enabled Epstein’s recruiters to pay victims and was “indispensable to the operation and concealment of the Epstein trafficking enterprise.”
Lawyers for JPMorgan did not immediately return messages seeking comment Monday. — AP News
Our Take: “They say Musk might be a white hat. They say Musk might have the goods on the Deep State, and buying Twitter was part of the OP.
Is he on the right side of history? I can't say for sure. But there are a lot of reasons to believe he might be.
This development might have more significance as time goes on.” — Justin Deschamps
Biden’s DHS Is Offering Concierge Service for Illegal Aliens – Government Employees will Pick Up Their Tagged Bags at the Border for Them
The Biden regime is offering concierge service for illegal border crossers.
Real America’s Voice correspondent Ben Bergquam reported from the Yuma, Arizona border on Monday on The War Room.
During his discussion Bergquam reported that last night the illegals he met were from Moldova, Egypt and Sudan. It is a global invasion! Hundreds were streaming into Arizona last night.
Ben Berqguam then reported on this amazing development. The border patrol is now picking up bags at the border owned by illegals and delivering them to their location. As Steve Bannon reported – It is an illegal alien concierge service! — The Gateway Pundit
Our Take: “Last week, it was reported that migrants in the latest border invasion received cell phones at taxpayer expense — and court dates in the 2030s.
Now we learn that, rather than applying our limited resources to securing the border as a matter of national security, the Biden regime has reduced US Border Patrol to badged luggage porters.
Still, there is some good news at the border. Fox News reported Sunday that border patrol agents arrested a lone Afghan on the FBI terror watchlist slithering in among the ‘asylum seekers.’ As of press time, it’s unclear if the Afghan terrorist has been reunited with his luggage.” — Ashe in America
92-Year-Old George Soros Denies Rumor that He’s Dead: “I Am Alive and Healthy”
George Soros, a billionaire Democrat mega-donor who financed coups here in the country and abroad, denied the rumors about his death this morning.
A tweet from ‘Politics For All Ireland’ went viral Monday morning after it claimed that billionaire and American purveyor of chaos and darkness, George Soros, had died of a heart attack at the age of 92.
The tweet was already deleted by Politics For All Ireland.
A representative of Soros said the rumor was not true.
George Soros himself posted a tweet debunking the rumor, saying, “Rumors that I had a heart attack are completely false. I am alive and healthy.” — The Gateway Pundit
Our Take: “Oh. That’s too bad.” — Ryan DeLarme
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.
The Badlands Media team will continue to combine our cognitive powers in order to slow things down and find the signal amidst the noise as this series expands.
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.
Why have we known all along? Because of the tireless work of Judicial Watch and the Digital Army.
What was the last thing Q said after Biden election steal? "DURHAM"
Who can arrest folks at DOJ/FBI/CIA? Only the Military?
What does Trump say? "We have a Plan and you will love how this ends."
"Without FAITH it is impossible to please God." Believe folks! This is no time for Doubt and Fear.
I do appreciate the oft expressed perspective that focuses on our Creator and the work of grace that proves His love for the whole world. We of faith should not be troubled by tribulation (for He has/will Overcome and we are invited to the party) nor by turmoil. Hebrews 12:26-29 - "...[this] denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken...so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude by which we may offer to God [the awe and reverence He deserves], for our God is a consuming fire!"
Judgment, the Terrible Day of the Lord, will come soon enough (by His standards) in the meantime there is much grace, the Great Day of the Lord, that needs to be manifested. God: "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay!" King David also struggled with the timing of "justice" so we are in good company, but like him we are best served to trust our loving God - even in this.