Political Chaos and National Security on the Brink
GOP fractures deepen, Biden’s last-minute decisions stir debate, and drones spark fresh fears.
Good morning.
America’s political landscape is erupting with chaos and contradictions. The GOP is imploding over Trump’s funding bill, Biden’s last-minute moves are stirring outrage, and drones are disrupting U.S. military bases, exposing security vulnerabilities.
This isn’t about politics—it’s about power, and who’s abusing it.
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China’s Cyber Army Breaches U.S. Treasury: Are We Defenseless
Chinese-backed hackers have breached the U.S. Treasury Department, exposing glaring vulnerabilities in America’s national cybersecurity defenses.
The attack, detected on December 8, targeted BeyondTrust, a third-party security service used by the Treasury. Hackers gained access to critical workstations through a compromised cloud service. While officials claim the immediate threat has been neutralized, the incident raises alarms about the escalating cyberwarfare tactics employed by foreign adversaries.
Why It Matters:
• National Security Risk: A breach of the Treasury could give adversaries access to sensitive financial data and operations.
• Systemic Vulnerabilities: Reliance on third-party security services exposes critical systems to exploitation.
• Escalating Cyber Threats: This attack is a stark reminder that the U.S. remains a prime target for aggressive cyber campaigns by foreign powers.
The question isn’t just how this happened—but whether we’re truly prepared for the next attack.
Read more about this story here: China’s Cyber Army Breaches U.S. Treasury
GOP Rebels Shove Trump-Backed Bill Into the Trash
House Republicans just stabbed their own leadership in the back.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s government funding bill, fully endorsed by President-elect Trump, went down in flames after 38 Republicans joined Democrats to block it. The bill, which aimed to avoid a government shutdown with a modest 1% spending cut, wasn’t conservative enough for the hardliners—or practical enough for the moderates.
This stunning defeat highlights the GOP’s growing internal chaos as Trump’s second term looms. Johnson’s failure to unify his caucus raises doubts about his leadership, while Trump’s influence over his party seems shakier than ever. If Republicans can’t get their act together on a simple funding bill, how will they tackle bigger fights ahead?
Read more about this story here: The Blaze
The U.S. Military Can Now Kill You on U.S. Soil?
Yes, you read that right. A new Department of Defense directive has granted the U.S. military the authority to use “lethal force” against civilians in cases of “national security” emergencies.
Critics argue this is a shocking overreach of power that could allow the government to target its own citizens under the guise of security. The directive’s vague language provides no clear limits on what constitutes a national security emergency, leaving the door open for abuse. The timing—just ahead of a high-stakes election—has only intensified concerns about the erosion of civil liberties in the U.S.
While supporters claim the measure is a necessary response to modern threats, like domestic terrorism, others point out that this unprecedented move could lead to a dangerous precedent: a militarized approach to dissent and political unrest. How do we ensure Americans aren’t targeted by their own government under this policy?
This isn’t just about national security—it’s about the future of freedom in America.
Read more about this story here: ZeroHedge
Trump’s Social Media Empire Implodes Amid Allegations of Mismanagement
Truth Social, the platform meant to challenge Big Tech and elevate conservative voices, is now grappling with chaos behind the scenes.
Multiple top executives at Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, have been ousted after raising concerns about CEO Devin Nunes. Allegations of financial mismanagement and retaliatory behavior by Nunes have thrown the company into turmoil. Insiders describe a toxic environment where whistleblowers were punished for speaking up about questionable practices.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Truth Social. With President-elect Trump preparing for a second term, the platform was expected to be a key tool in his media arsenal. Instead, internal dysfunction threatens its credibility and future. Trump’s direct involvement in the company further raises the stakes—can Truth Social weather this storm, or will it become another cautionary tale of ambition overshadowed by mismanagement?
This upheaval raises a critical question: If Trump Media can’t stabilize, what does it mean for the conservative fight against Big Tech censorship?
Read more about this story here: ProPublica
RAPID FIRE
Trump’s Legal Battles on Hold as Presidency Looms
With President-elect Trump’s return to office imminent, his legal challenges are now in limbo. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg has paused the New York case, Georgia’s pretrial hearing has been canceled without explanation, and Special Counsel Jack Smith appears ready to step down. What happens to justice when politics intervenes? Read More
U.S. Interest Payments Hit $1 Trillion Mark
For the first time ever, the U.S. government has spent over $1 trillion in annual interest on its national debt. This staggering figure now surpasses defense spending and highlights the crushing burden of fiscal mismanagement. How long can this continue? Read More
Unauthorized Drones Shut Down Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio faced a temporary shutdown due to unauthorized drone activity. Officials say no assets were affected, but the incident raises alarms about growing threats from rogue drones near military installations. Read More
Blinken Dismisses Claims About Israel Blocking Gaza Aid
Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected internal U.S. reports alleging Israel deliberately hindered humanitarian aid to Gaza. Critics argue the move downplays serious issues in an already volatile conflict. Read More
The Year in Visual Journalism
ProPublica’s best photography and visual reporting of 2024 highlight the power of storytelling through imagery. From investigative reporting to humanizing complex issues, these visuals brought stories to life. Read More
FROM THE FILES
Is $35 trillion really missing?
Hey, I get questions like this all the time:
“I keep hearing that $35 trillion is missing from the Pentagon. Is this real? How can so much money just disappear, and why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?”
It’s not just real—it’s worse than you think.
The Pentagon has failed five audits in a row. These audits didn’t just uncover bookkeeping mistakes—they revealed a system designed to obscure accountability. Over the past two decades, $35 trillion in “accounting adjustments” has been written off without explanation.
Think about that: Trillions of taxpayer dollars essentially vanish every year, and Congress keeps approving larger budgets with zero questions asked. When private companies can’t account for their money, they face audits, fines, or worse. When the Pentagon can’t account for trillions? They get more money.
This isn’t a story of incompetence—it’s a story of power. The people who benefit from this system don’t want it fixed. They want it buried in bureaucracy, hidden under mountains of paperwork no one ever reads.
But here’s the truth: This black hole doesn’t just drain money. It erodes trust in government, accountability, and the future of transparency in America.
If you want to understand how this system works—and who it works for—don’t miss this week’s Fed-Up Files. Subscribe here
URGENT UPDATES
Chinese Hackers Target Treasury A China-backed hacker group infiltrated U.S. Treasury systems via a third-party cloud service. (New York Post)
Wright-Patterson Drone Threat Unauthorized drone activity shut down operations at Ohio’s Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. (The Blaze)
Norovirus Outbreak in U.S. CDC reports a surge in norovirus cases, urging hand hygiene and caution. (ZeroHedge)
Biden’s Border Wall Halted Federal judge blocks Biden from selling off unused border wall materials. (New York Post)
Kīlauea Volcano Erupts Hawaii’s Kīlauea Volcano erupts, prompting evacuation warnings for nearby residents. (ProPublica)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The system isn’t broken—it’s working exactly as designed. To protect the powerful, bury accountability, and keep you footing the bill.”
The truth doesn’t hide—it gets buried under excuses, distractions, and bureaucracy. That’s why we’re here: to cut through the noise, expose the facts, and demand better.
Stay informed, stay bold, and keep fighting for accountability.
~ Scott 🇺🇸
Follow me on X for more insights: @shughes691