THE SHOW NOTES: Subway Terror, Biden’s Debt Ceiling Problem, & Wagner vs Russia
Welcome! The unemployment rate ticked lower as the US economy added 253K jobs in April.
OUCH: Democrat James Clyburn coordinated with Republicans to protect his district at the expense of black Democrats.
TIME TO GO: The progressive New York Times Editorial Board is demanding that Dianne Feinstein resign. - NYT (paywall)
NEW: Historically strict EPA regulations on coal- and gas-fired power plants are due out next week. - Politico
SCOOP: Inside Hunter Biden's clash with the White House. - Axios
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Subway Terror
Jordan Neely was a mentally disturbed schizophrenic who was belligerently harassing passengers on a Manhattan subway on May 1st saying “I want food, I’m not taking no for an answer. I’m ready to go to jail.” An unidentified former marine subdued Neely in a chokehold with the help of two additional passengers which ultimately led to his death. Neely has been arrested 40 times and had a long history of terrorizing subway passengers.
Reaction: Without knowing all of the facts, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blamed the Marine for Neely’s death calling it a murder.
Next: The 24-year-old unidentified Marine was interviewed by police but has not been charged. That decision will likely fall to the infamous Alvin Bragg who spearheaded the prosecution of Donald Trump.
The next email you see from me will be a deep dive into this case explaining how New York let Neely down.
Biden’s Debt Ceiling Problem
Joe Biden fully expected to have the backing of major nonpartisan players in his debt ceiling fight against the Republicans. He does not.
What’s happening: Corporate America dealt the first blow to the White House demanding they negotiate with congressional Republicans who successfully passed a bill. This is contrary to Biden’s stated plan of “not negotiating with any plan that doesn’t include a clean debt ceiling increase.” The move from corporate America is also a noteworthy shift in messaging from a group that historically has demanded avoiding a debt ceiling default at all costs.
Bad to worse: To make matters worse for Biden, the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget called the Republican plan a “realistic and extremely welcome first step.” The Biden team “was furious” when this was reported after they assumed the committee would approve of Biden’s demands.
Bottom line: The Biden administration deeply underestimated the Republican’s ability to pass a debt ceiling package.
Who's to blame? 39% of voters would blame Republicans, 36% would blame Biden.
Russian Problems?
Russia’s paramilitary partner is pulling all of its soldiers out of the most hotly contested battle in Ukraine. Yevgeniy Prigozhin - head of the Wagner Group - posted a video on Telegram in front of dead Wagner soldiers claiming the Russian military is only providing 30% of the ammunition his soldiers need.
“I am withdrawing the Wagner units from Bakhmut because in the absence of ammunition, they are doomed to senseless death…Whoever has criticisms, you’re welcome to come to Bakhmut and stand with weapons in your hands instead of our killed comrades,”
The influential oligarch went into a profanity-laced tirade against the Russian defense minister and other Russian officials over their specific failures in the Ukraine war.
🔥 Trending news:
TikTok Tracked Users Who Watched Gay Content, Prompting Employee Complaints - WSJ (paywall)
BMW issues 'do not drive' warning for older models with recalled airbags that may explode - Fox News
Tucker Carlson floats plan to host alternative GOP debate in post-Fox future - MSN
Tom Brady Reportedly Could Walk Away from $375M Fox NFL Analyst Contract - Bleacher Report
Sinema and Tillis pitch two-year border patch as Trump-era policy expires - Politico
Silver lining of higher interest rates: Savings account rates - Fox Business
Florida Republicans pass school bills on pronouns, diversity - AP
The average person walks past 36 murderers in their lifetime - NY Post
WHO downgrades COVID pandemic, says it’s no longer emergency - AP
Obesity Could Be Pharma’s Biggest Blockbuster Yet - WSJ (paywall)
Market snapshot:
"Without knowing all of the facts..."
Pretty much standard operating procedure for Dems. It's the old saying, "Don't bother me with the facts. My mind is made up."
On the debt ceiling and budget: "Who's to blame? 39% of voters would blame Republicans, 36% would blame Biden."
What is the mainstream press where honest and balanced and not just a supportive spin machine for the Democrats?