Liberals often deny the existence of the Deep State. Thus we see columns like this, in the New York Times: "What Happens When You Fight a ‘Deep State’ That Doesn’t Exist." And this one by David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker: "There Is No Deep State."  But on today's episode of CNN This Morning, host Kasie Hunt acknowledged something that is effectively a synonym for the Deep State. Describing the challenges facing Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in their Department of Government Efficiency [DOGE] undertaking to render the federal government more efficient and less costly, Hunt said:  "There is this kind of saying in Washington that, at the end of the day, the building always wins. And by the building, they mean the infrastructure that has been built in all these places, so that even when you do try to do something, the building itself will push back. So the "infrastructure" in place in the federal government will "push back" against any attempt to change the status quo. And that status quo is almost always of a liberal bent.  That's an apt description of, or synonym for . . . the Deep State.  So thanks, Kasie, for acknowledging a truth that liberals don't like to hear! Note: Hunt suggested to Republican strategist Brad Todd that Musk would grab the proverbial "third rail" of Social Security and Medicare reform, and "take it off a cliff." Shades of the infamous 2012 attack ad on the Romney-Ryan ticket showing a man presumed to be Ryan literally pushing grandma off a cliff because of his floating the notion of Medicare reform! Todd wouldn't bite on Hunt's scaremongering bid, saying:  "I don't think he's headed for Social Security and Medicare. I think that the Hill's budget hawks are going to insist that we look at that, because it's such a big pile of the budget. But that's not where President Trump's heading." Here's the transcript. CNN This Morning 12/6/24 6:04 am ET BRAD TODD: And I think, by the way, this [DOGE] is not that different from what we've had before, right? We had the Peterson Commission. Al Gore tried reinventing government. You often need people from outside Congress to come and shake it up. And let's face it, the appropriations process in Congress could not be any worse. Musk will not mess this up. I mean like, it's it's currently -- KASIE HUNT: It's already messed up. It's already messed up. TODD: It's already messed up: yeah. . . .  ANNIE LINSKEY:  I think there are areas that outsiders can come in and, and take and grab it. And what I think is interesting here too is, you know, the previous panels that you mentioned are, didn't have this sort of celebrity interest. I mean I, you know, it's to see these images and the kind of, um I don't know, the glamor that they've attached to it. HUNT: Well, having covered the Hill for a long time, seeing Elon Musk -- LINSKEY: Yeah! HUNT: Walking down the hallway with his kid on his shoulders is a jarring image. You know, that does draw your attention. LINSKEY: A blue ribbon commission doesn't usually get this much excitement, right? HUNT: Not that blue. I mean, Elliot you've worked inside the federal government in your career, and there is this kind of saying in Washington that, at the end of the day, the building always wins.  ELLIOT WILLIAMS: Yeah. HUNT: And by the building, they mean the infrastructure that has been built in all these places, so that even when you do try to do something, the building itself will push back. WILLIAMS: Right.

President-elect Donald Trump said support for Pete Hegseth, his nominee to head the Department of Defense, remains "strong and deep" despite numerous reports suggesting otherwise. Since Hegseth was first nominated for the post in November, various allegations ranging from alcohol abuse to sexual misconduct have plagued his confirmation bid. Hegseth and several of his colleagues have publicly denied these allegations. 'Pete Hegseth is doing very well,' Trump said in a Truth Social post on Friday. 'His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe.'One of the most notable roadblocks for Hegseth has come from Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa. Sources close to the Senate told Blaze News that Ernst has lobbied against Hegseth's nomination, although she has publicly denied these reports. Other outlets have reported that Hegseth's support within the Senate GOP conference more broadly has wavered. Despite this, Trump has maintained his wholehearted endorsement of Hegseth and reaffirmed that his support in the Senate remains "strong and deep." "Pete Hegseth is doing very well," Trump said in a Truth Social post on Friday. "His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe." "He was a great student - Princeton/Harvard educated - with a Military state of mind," Trump continued. "He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of [Defense], one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" While there seems to be a pressure campaign to have Hegseth step aside, both Trump and the nominee have maintained that he will go through with the confirmation process. As of this writing, two of Trump's nominees have withdrawn from their respective bids. Trump initially tapped Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida in November to serve as attorney general in the upcoming administration, although he later withdrew just two weeks later, as he felt that he had become a political distraction for the transition team. Trump later nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the role. Trump also recruited Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration on Sunday. Chronister withdrew his bid just a few days later on Tuesday, after becoming the subject of criticism over his past progressive policies and COVID policing. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Glenn Beck is a lucky man, and he just got even luckier. Not only did he recently travel to Mar-a-Lago to attend a PragerU event, but he was given the chance to talk with President-elect Donald Trump while he was there. “I ask him what the hell is going on with South Korea, North Korea, China, Syria, Ukraine, Russia,” Glenn says. “He is laser-focused on this. And again, he reiterated to me the nuclear proliferation that is coming is going to be our biggest problem.” While Trump had Iran under control during his first presidency, Biden quickly ended that. “He said, ‘We had Iran absolutely crippled.' He said, ‘I hope we can get them there quickly.’ He said, ‘But nukes are up for sale now,’” Glenn continues. “North Korea has them.' And he said, ‘I don’t have any evidence that they’ve sold them, but they are up for sale.’” “I asked him about the next 40-some days. I said, ‘I’m very concerned that Biden or whoever is the president of the United States right now, the military-industrial complex, Barack Obama, I don’t know who it is, wants war,’” he explains. Trump and Glenn also went into depth discussing North Korean fighters. “He’s like, ‘Glenn, it’s a country of 5 million soldiers.’ He’s like, ‘It’s a religion over there. Their state is their religion. Their supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, is like their god.’” “And he said, ‘There’s no respect for life, none.’ He said, ‘It’s unlike anything the modern world has seen in a long time,’” Glenn continues, adding, “They don’t even have tourniquets. He said, ‘If the guys are shot in the legs, they bleed to death and people are just walking over them.’ He said, ‘If you’re wounded, you die. There’s no medics coming for you.’” “He said, ‘It is bloodshed like the world cannot imagine,’” Glenn adds. Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Missouri state Senator-elect David Gregory (R) pre-filed a bill on Tuesday that, if enacted, would award $1,000 to individuals who turn in illegal aliens.Senate Bill 72 would create a state-level crime of trespass by an illegal alien, which stipulates that an individual is guilty of the offense if he or she knowingly enters Missouri, remains, and is present "at the time a licensed bounty hunter or peace officer apprehends the person."'Let's do this right to protect our people.'The felony crime would carry a penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.According to Gregory's campaign website, the new trespassing law aims to detain illegal aliens "until the federal government agrees to deport them or they are vetted and released by the Parole Board.""The Parole Board will have the authority to vet and release illegal aliens that are truly seeking asylum and/or are not determined to be a threat to Missourians," it read.Gregory's proposed legislation also prohibits illegal aliens in Missouri from voting, obtaining a driver's license, receiving taxpayer-funded benefits, or becoming a state resident.If enacted, the bill would direct the Department of Public Safety to create a reporting mechanism for residents accessible via a free hotline, email, and online portal. Residents will receive a $1,000 reward if their report leads to an arrest.Additionally, Gregory's legislation proposes establishing the "Missouri Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program," enabling individuals to become certified bounty hunters responsible for locating and apprehending illegal aliens. Those licensed as bail bond agents, general bail bond agents, or surety recovery agents are eligible to apply.In March, Gregory told KTVI about his plan to propose making illegal immigration a state-level offense."Let's do this right to protect our people, because immigration is good; illegal immigration is bad," Gregory stated. State Senator Brian Williams (D) accused Gregory of pointing fingers instead of finding solutions to the issues that matter to Missourians. He argued that the bill could have devastating consequences. "Right now, it sounds like the public is going to not only get finger-pointing but potentially be subject to various situations of discrimination," Williams told KTVI.Despite issuing warnings about the possible dangers of Gregory's bill, Williams also asserted that it is essentially "do-nothing" legislation designed merely to dominate headlines.Attorney Javad Khazalei told KCTV, "As a civil rights attorney, this is great for me. It'll take one week for a Puerto Rican to be harassed. This is a classic demanding papers situation — you must have your papers everywhere. This is Nazi Germany stuff."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow surprised his teammates by revealing he bought an actual Batmobile.The vehicle, nicknamed the Tumbler, is inspired by the Batmobile that first appeared in the 2005 film "Batman Begins" and retails for a reported $3 million with just 10 of the fully operational cars available.During an episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks," Burrow told his teammates at practice about his lavish purchase."Have I told you I bought a Batmobile?" Burrow casually told wide receiver Tee Higgins. "I don't get it for, like, a year, but I bought it.""Oh, the real one? That thing gonna be crazy," Higgins replied.'What if I wore it to every game?'Burrow then explained his hope to now buy an expensive Batman bat-suit replica and arrive at every Bengals game in full costume and be seen exiting the Batmobile."What if I wore it to every game? I just wore the full bat suit, Batmobile to every game. I'd go crazy on Halloween," Burrow laughed. "500 [yards], seven touchdowns," he predicted. The Batmobile at the European premiere of 'Batman Begins' at the Odeon Leicester Square on June 12, 2005, in London, England. Photo by MJ Kim/Getty ImagesUnfortunately, it might not be possible for Burrow to make his movie-inspired appearances at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.According to Sawyer Merrit, who reported on the sale of the Batmobile replicas in November, the vehicles are operational but not street legal."Not street legal, but if you have private land or a track, you can use it," Merrit claimed.The specs of the vehicle are quite impressive, and the Tumbler's paneling would rival almost any vehicle on the market in terms of durability.The body is made of a combination of carbon, Kevlar, fiberglass, and metal panels. It has a steel tube frame, 6.2 liter V8 engine, and a whopping 525 horsepower. Along with plenty of torque, the Batmobile includes many of the amazing features that made it so cool in the movies.This includes the ability to drop smoke screens, one-way mirrored glass windows, a "simulated jet engine," and, of course, imitation gun turrets.After Higgins said he would wear the bat suit to the club, teammate Ja'Marr Chase jokingly expressed concern that he’d be invisible to the public he was seemingly trying to impress."You'll get lost in there. [The suit] is so dark," Higgins suggested.However, maybe that's exactly what Batman/Burrow would want.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The heir to Command and Conquer's throne for classic real-time strategy is coming out in just a few short months. After a couple of successful beta periods, it looks like Tempest Rising is about to finally go public, filling that Soviet vs Allies-shaped hole in your playing. Continue reading Command and Conquer inspired RTS Tempest Rising gets early 2025 release date MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Tempest Rising announcement, The best RTS games, The best PC strategy games

What is the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Fountain of Confession puzzle solution? You may struggle with a few of the puzzles in Machine Games' Indiana Jones adventure, but the fountain puzzle in The Vatican section is one of the toughest. Since the puzzle is in four different parts, there are a few things you could get snagged on. As you'd expect from an action-adventure game, there are some complex and impressive puzzles to complete throughout Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The Fountain of Confession puzzle is one of the first major puzzles you'll encounter in the game, and it can be confusing if you don't know what you're doing. Luckily, we have the solution right here. Continue reading Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Fountain of Confession puzzle solution MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle release date, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle length, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Game Pass

If you’re looking to buy Monster Hunter Wilds, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, or other anticipated titles, there’s nowhere better than through Humble. Not only do you support charities by buying through the Humble Store, but members of Humble Choice can get eight premium games for free, alongside some major discounts on upcoming titles. Continue reading Here’s how to grab Kingdom Come 2 and MH Wilds cheaper, and get eight free games MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Monster Hunter Wilds monsters, Monster Hunter Wilds weapons, Monster Hunter Wilds release date

What is the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle A Game of Wits puzzle solution? The side quest that you find during the Sukhothai section is one of the toughest in the game and saw us scribbling the puzzle onto a piece of paper to figure it out. With our help, you won't need to waste any time getting the solution wrong, allowing you to open the safe and grab the rewards. The Indiana Jones and the Great Circle release date is finally here, and players are already scratching their heads over some of the action-adventure game puzzles. One of the toughest puzzles in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is A Game of Wits, where you'll be pushed to the brink over something as simple as a board game. Continue reading Indiana Jones and the Great Circle A Game of Wits Mak-Yek puzzle solution MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle release date, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle length, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Game Pass

HoYoverse has just given us the full details on Zenless Zone Zero 1.4, and there’s a whole lot to look forward to in the next major patch for the anime gacha game. ZZZ has really won my heart this year, and while 1.3 has been a slightly quieter patch cycle, it looks like the developer was saving its best stuff for the holiday season. Alongside the long-awaited arrival of Miyabi, HoYoverse confirms that we’ll be getting free S-rank agent Harumasa in 1.4, as well as more Encrypted Master Tape and Boopons for even more pulls. Continue reading Zenless Zone Zero 1.4 update gives everyone a free S-rank agent MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Zenless Zone Zero review, Zenless Zone Zero codes, Zenless Zone Zero banners