This new judge may not be as inclined to release them immediately

'She was the best blessing we could have asked for'

'Like it's 1865'

The House committee that oversees election integrity demanded Monday the massive online Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue disclose to Congress how it verifies the identity of donors before accepting money, saying it fears Iran, China, Russia, and Venezuela may be exploiting weaknesses to inject foreign funds into the 2024 election. “Our investigation has indicated that these actors may be exploiting existing U.S. donors by making straw donations without the individuals’ or your platform’s knowledge,” House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil wrote in a letter to ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace-Jones that warned his committee would soon issue subpoenas. Rep. Steil, R-Wis., said he was concerned about the fundraising platform’s security practices after ActBlue disclosed to his committee last year that it does not require from donors on all transactions the credit card verification value (“CVV”) associated with the credit or debit card used by the contributor, a key protection against identity fraud and money laundering. “You explained that your platform did not require contributors to provide their CVV when making an online contribution in all transactions,” he wrote. You can read the full letter here. FILE_1902Download “I write today to demand information on ActBlue’s donor-verification policies and the potential for foreign actors, primarily from Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and China, to use ActBlue to launder illicit money into U.S. political campaigns,” he added.  Steil’s letter demanded that ActBlue turn over to his committee: Any changes to ActBlue’s CVV verification policy since October 2023 All documents relating to contributions ActBlue has processed via prepaid cards, including a breakdown of any contributions from cards originating outside the United States Any entities that ActBlue has deplatformed due to a decision “not to process” by any third-party payment processors or because the source of funding came from a foreign or sanctioned source All reports received from U.S. citizens alleging unauthorized or fraudulent donations made in their names “The Committee is in the process of subpoenaing the items listed above. Given the critical importance of safeguarding the upcoming election, we strongly urge you to expedite the response to this inquiry,” he wrote. Monday’s letter came a week after Steil and Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., asked Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to provide them access to any Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) related to moneys passing through ActBlue that were filed by U.S. financial institutions as part of their money-laundering monitoring activities. SARs are some of the most sensitive documents the industry files with the government. Federal law requires banks to file SARs no later than 30 days after the date of initial detection of transactions that raise red flags, such as cash movements exceeding $10,000 and suspicious activity that might signal criminal activity, such as money laundering or tax evasion.  “We request that the Department make available to [the Committee on House Administration] and [Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations] staff all Suspicious Activity Reports (‘SARs’) related to ActBlue, specifically regarding fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and the use of prepaid credit, debit, and gift cards in this context,” the lawmakers said. It also requested classified briefings on possible foreign money laundering into the election from U.S. intelligence and the FBI. Bicameral Letter to DNI – ActBlue – Briefing Request – FINALDownload ActBlue did not immediately respond to an email message Monday seeking comment. The group has steadfastly denied wrongdoing, but says it has been cooperating with ongoing investigations. “Democratic and progressive campaigns have trusted ActBlue’s two-decade-long track record of innovation and dependability to deliver during big fundraising moments,” ActBlue said in a statement in June celebrating its 20th anniversary in business.  Steil has sponsored legislation to crack down on weak security practices in online political fundraising, and he told the “John Solomon Reports” podcast earlier this month he thinks many Americans may be unwitting victims of a fraudulent fundraising scheme. “The great concern is that people would be unwitting straw donors, meaning an individual is simply typing in their information and then using a financial payment not associated with that individual,” Steil said. The practice has been given the name “smurfing” by campaign-finance watchdogs. The practice evades Federal Election Commission reporting requirements and creates the illusion of thousands of small-dollar donors to a campaign. Both Steil and Johnson began probes into ActBlue fundraising back in 2023. Two months ago, Steil’s committee completed a computer analysis of hundreds of thousands of small donations passing through ActBlue to Democratic candidates, and the findings triggered concerns that donors living in low-income areas were being credited with making hundreds of donations through ActBlue far beyond their financial means.  Those findings led Steil to refer evidence to attorneys general in five states for possible criminal or civil investigation under consumer fraud statutes. In a few short weeks, those investigations expanded to 19 states. Earlier this month, a Republican consultant in Wisconsin filed a lawsuit in Waukesha County Circuit Court alleging his identity and an old campaign email was used to make hundreds of donations without his permission on a credit card from California. Mark Block filed the suit under Wisconsin’s organized crime laws, saying he believed he was an identity-theft victim of an ongoing racketeering scheme. His suit named a “John Doe” donor as defendant and asked a court to issue an injunction prohibiting further use of his identity and emails. “Given Plaintiff’s political leanings, he would never consider or consent to donating to any of the ActBlue Campaigns,” the lawsuit said.  petition-for-declaratory-and-injunctive-relief-stampedDownload Block’s lawsuit exposed concerns about straw donations, contributions using the identity of one person but with money from another. Back in the 1990s, the Democratic Party was rocked by the “Chinagate” scandal that revealed that Chinese-linked businessmen made millions of straw donations to Democrats to help Bill Clinton’s reelection efforts in 1996. Dozens were convicted and some went to prison. that revealed that Chinese-linked businessmen made millions of straw donations to Democrats to help Bill Clinton’s reelection efforts in 1996. Dozens were convicted and some went to prison. That scandal occurred in an era before credit cards and online fundraising were permitted in federal elections, and it required the source of the money to reimburse a donor willing to use their name to make the straw donation. Originally published by JustTheNews.com. The post House Panel Demands Democratic Fundraiser Disclose Verification Practices in Probe of Possible Foreign Campaign Cash appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Americans can readily see the effects of record-high inflation every time they shop. Prices have soared, from the grocery store to the gas pumps. Although inflation has cooled, families are still feeling the pinch. And the harm doesn’t end there: Inflation also is making stock markets appear stronger than they really are and cutting into returns for everyone, including those with retirement accounts. We seldom hear about that last point. When media outlets discuss the latest inflation rate, they typically highlight the average annual percentage change in the consumer price index. The CPI tracks a basketful of goods, including housing, food, energy, insurance, and more, measuring the average price increases of these items over time. From 2016 to 2020, the inflation rate averaged 1.9%, which resulted in a cumulative price increase of about 7.7% over four years. The Federal Reserve’s target rate —about 2% —typically goes unnoticed by consumers, as wages tend to rise at a similar pace. But from 2021 to the present, the inflation rate has averaged 4.9%, leading to a cumulative price increase of 19.6%. At these elevated levels, wages struggle to keep up, making inflation more noticeable for consumers. A recent poll revealed that 63%  of voters say they believe the U.S. economy is on the wrong track and 62% characterize it as weak. Yet despite this negative sentiment, the stock market appears to be booming. On Oct. 21, the Dow Jones and the S&P 500 hit all-time highs. However, these indexes alone don’t tell the full story. Inflation can distort how we perceive market gains. Although it may appear that investments in the stock market are yielding record-breaking returns, these returns are more moderate once they’re adjusted for inflation. In short, inflation not only hurts consumers, it hurts investors—which includes most Americans. This hidden tax on savings and investments quietly eats away at real profits, leaving Americans with far less purchasing power than it appears on the surface. To estimate how this would affect someone who invested in the stock market in January 2021, you compare the Dow Jones Industrial Average with its inflation-adjusted counterpart. Although the nominal stock market gains since 2021 show an increase of 39%, this growth shrinks to just 15% when adjusted for inflation. Inflation, often overlooked in stock market discussions, has a tangible impact on investment returns. Investors who focus solely on nominal gains without considering inflation may develop a false sense of optimism about their portfolio’s performance. So how can inflation have such a notable effect? In simple terms, as prices rise, even significant returns lose their purchasing power. More money is required to buy the same goods and services, eroding the real value of one’s gains. As everything becomes more expensive, higher earnings or investment returns don’t stretch as far, making it harder to keep up with the true cost of living. For comparison, one can track the average returns starting from 2016 to 2020. During this period, both the Dow and the inflation-adjusted Dow are much closer together, suggesting that inflation had a lesser effect on eroding profits. Indeed, despite the COVID-19 shock, the inflation-adjusted Dow rose by approximately 65% while the nonadjusted Dow increased by 81%. Inflation is not just a consumer issue—it affects everyone, from families trying to make ends meet to investors on Wall Street. The disconnect between nominal market gains and their inflation-adjusted counterparts helps explain why many Americans, despite a seemingly booming stock market, voice concerns about the economy. This illusion of growth highlights the need for a sharper focus on controlling inflation. Reducing wasteful government spending and bringing down inflation is essential not only to preserve the real value of investments, but to ensure that economic prosperity is felt across all levels of society. The post The Illusion of Growth: How Inflation Skews Our Perception of the Stock Market appeared first on The Daily Signal.

DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION—Victor Davis Hanson said Monday on Fox News that former President Donald Trump “terrifies” the “out-of-touch wealthy elite” because they lack compassion and understanding of the average American’s concerns. Hanson argued that Trump has redefined the Republican Party by recasting it as a coalition of upper-middle and lower-middle class citizens, leaving both traditional Republicans and Democrats scrambling to respond. Hanson reflected on Trump’s ability to energize his base by shifting the GOP’s focus from the elite class to a broad cross-section of American workers. “Trump is really saying you’re right about FDR. He said the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. There’s no limitation on what we can do. We can secure the border. Don’t worry about being ostracized or doxed or criticized or called all these names,” Hanson told Fox host Laura Ingraham. “We can reduce crime. We can refashion our foreign policy. And everything’s possible. And we’re no longer just going to be stereotyped as an elitist party of wealthy white people and the Republicans that play golf.” While the GOP has long been painted as the party of “wealthy white people” and golf-playing elites, Hanson says, Trump has inverted that image by replacing race with a focus on class. “That wasn’t a fair stereotype, but that’s what it was. He’s replaced race with class. And he said we’re an upper-middle and lower-middle class party, and everybody’s invited, and that’s why it terrifies the old, never-Trump elite on the Republican side,” Hanson continued. “They don’t like that. Neither does the Left. And more importantly, when he created this new movement, this new Republican Party, he showed what the Left has become in their anger and their fury and their frenzy.” Hanson suggested that Trump’s populist coalition reveals the cracks in the Democratic establishment, which he characterizes as increasingly out of touch with middle-class America. “They’re really a party of the out-of-touch wealthy elite. That’s who the Obamas are, the Clintons are, the Harrises are, the Silicon Valley people. They’re really furious about this, because they’ve been shown to be emperors without any clothes,” Hanson added. “They really only care about themselves and these esoteric, elite agendas that destroy the middle class, of which they have no compassion.” Reflecting on the intense political attacks against Trump, Hanson sees this as an indication of deep-seated panic among the political elite. “So, we’re at the end of a decadelong story. The Russian collusion, Russian disinformation, lawfare, get him off the ballot, two assassination attempts,” Hanson concluded. “And what are they left with? All they’re left with is he’s Hitler. He’s a fascist, he’s a Nazi.” Vice President Kamala Harris called Trump a fascist on Oct. 23 at a CNN town hall, citing warnings from Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, about the dangers of a potential second term. The Trump campaign has denied the claims. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that President Joe Biden concurs with Kelly’s assessment that Trump is a fascist, as reported by The New York Times. Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post Victor Davis Hanson Explains Why Trump ‘Terrifies’ the ‘Out-Of-Touch Wealthy Elite’ of Both Parties appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Voting Irregularities? There Are Reports...

The Joy Must Be Gone - We're Back to Angry JoePa Again

A Pennsylvania man who purports to be a woman has been arrested and held without bail after he allegedly threatened to kill former President Donald Trump last week.On Friday, Paul Gavenonis, 74, approached a transportation office employee at Penn State University and attempted to purchase a commuter lot parking pass. During a conversation with the employee, Gavenonis mentioned a Trump rally scheduled to take place at PSU the following day.'Frankly, I hope somebody would get him.'As their conversation continued, Gavenonis then allegedly made violent threats against the former president. "I hate Donald Trump. I’d like to shoot that guy," he reportedly said while pretending to rack a gun with his hands, according to the New York Post."You can’t take a gun in or the students will see it," he allegedly added after discussing scaling a tall building.Gavenonis' alleged comments worried the employee, who reported them to the authorities within minutes. Gavenonis was arrested just after 10:30 p.m. Friday, jail records showed.When questioned by the U.S. Secret Service, Gavenonis allegedly admitted that he "probably" could kill Trump at a rally and that he had a rifle at home."Frankly, I hope somebody would get him," he also told federal and local law enforcement, according to the arrest affidavit.Gavenonis was eventually charged with making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct, a court docket showed.He was also denied bail in part because he was deemed "suicidal," the docket noted. Screenshot of court docketBoth the court docket and jail records list Gavenonis as a white female. The Centre County Public Defender’s Office also claimed he uses she/her pronouns, the Post reported.When Blaze News reached out to the Centre County jail, Lt. Mark Waite provided Gavenonis' booking photo but did not clarify whether he is being housed in a male or female facility.The Kansas City Star reported that Gavenonis is a registered Democrat.Three months ago, Trump came within millimeters of losing his life after Thomas Crooks fired multiple shots at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 140 miles west of the Penn State campus in State College. One bullet tore through Trump's ear, while another killed former fire chief Corey Comperatore. Two others were critically wounded.Then last month, Ryan Routh allegedly set up a sniper's nest at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, with the intention of assassinating Trump. Fortunately, the suspect was spotted before he could fire a shot.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Liberal comedian Jon Stewart defended his colleague, who made a joke about Puerto Rico at a Trump rally, and instead jabbed at the Harris-Walz campaign for its own debacle involving Beyoncé. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe is known for his comedy roasts, but some of the politically incorrect jokes he made at the Madison Square Garden rally for former President Donald Trump led to a media firestorm. The Trump campaign distanced itself from the comments, especially in reference to Puerto Rico. Stewart featured a clip of the jokes on "The Daily Show" Monday. "For the media, there was one moment in particular that raised the alarms,” he said. “Obviously, in retrospect, having a roast comedian come to a political rally a week before Election Day and roasting a key demographic ... probably not the best decision by the campaign politically, but to be fair, the guy’s just really doing what he does," he continued. Stewart then laughed after playing video of Hinchcliffe's edgy jokes at a roast of Tom Brady. “Yes, yes, of course, terrible, boo. There’s something wrong with me. I find that guy very funny. I’m sorry, I don’t know what to tell you," he added. "I mean, bringing him to a rally and having him not do roast jokes? That’d be like bringing Beyoncé to a rally and not ..."Stewart was referring to an appearance by the popular singer at a Houston rally for Vice President Kamala Harris during which she spoke for a few minutes but did not perform as expected. Some of the rally attendees booed and interrupted Harris' speech in their disappointment. Democrats and some in the media have used Hinchcliffe's joke about Puerto Rico to try to revive racist allegations against Trump. The comedian refused to apologize for the joke, and some in the Puerto Rican community came out to support Trump regardless of the controversy. Stewart's commentary can be viewed on the video on his YouTube channel here. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!