Above is Isaiah's latest THE WORLD TODAY JUST NUTS "Propaganda Pig Loses It" and this is the perfect time because my girlfriend saw something at work today on Propaganda Pig that she wanted me to highlight. Lauren Waters (THE LIST) writes:
Karoline Leavitt has a penchant for dressing way older than she is, and now it seems that she's doing her makeup to match. In her latest press briefing, the press secretary's makeup was looking much too old for her 27 years. And, let's just say, it's making her major age gap with her 59-year-old husband look a little less major.
Leavitt has fallen victim to the "Republican makeup" cliché on several occasions, and it's clear that it happened again at her June 11 press briefing. Leavitt's try-hard pout, which many already think is a case of overdone fillers, was overlined to a far-too visible degree, making it look like she'd just finished eating a cherry popsicle. Her mascara was clumping together, making it look like she had just a few cartoonish eyelashes. And, her complexion looked a bit light and flat — without enough contouring to make her features pop. Not only did this overly heavy makeup totally fit with the Republican makeup stereotype, but it made her look much older than she actually is.
Going out with C..I.'s "The Snapshot:"
Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Chump's continued attack on Los Angeles includes physically attacking the press, Pete Hegseth lies repeatedly at the hearing and goes back 25 years to try to avoid taking the blame for his own mistakes, hard to play pro-police if, like Chump, you pardoned the insurrectionists, and much more.
Let's star with a hearing yesterday. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, though carefully made up with foundation that almost covered his Psoriasis patches and his herpes sore above his lip on the right side of his face, was woefully unprepared for when it came to even basic facts. Hegseth has still not submitted a spending plan to Congress.
Ranking Member Betty McCollum noted at the start, "The point of this hearing is the President's 2026 Fiscal Budget Request and we don't have it. It was due in February today is June 10th. Four months from now is the end of the fiscal year and all we have is a very rough draft. The DoD has failed to submit a complete request."
He still hasn't submitted the budget request. Again, due in February. And he's still not come up with it. He's not qualified. And he didn't arrive at the hearing prepped and ready. He repeatedly attempted to distract from his lack of knowledge by bulls**ting and by constantly blaming others for other things.
As he yet again attempted to blame everyone else for whatever he hadn't done in his five months as DoD Secretary, one member of the Committee had enough.
Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro: Please. I want your plan. I've-I've had difficulty with the prior administration and I don't mind calling them out. What is your plan for the future? Can we get that in writing and on paper so that we know where you're going? Because we don't have anything today. We have zip! Nada in knowing where you're going. You can talk percentages, you can talk whatever you want, but unless this Committee sees dollars and cents and where you're going and what you're plan is then we may reconsider what you need to do to go forward. Give us the details.
Secretary Da Dunce Pete Hegseth: Congresswoman, we have the details We'll provide them.
Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro: Then let's have them. Before -- My hope is that we can get them before we go to a mark upin a few hours today.
Yes, Hegseth blamed Joe Biden and Tim Walz and everyone in the Democratic Party but the press forgot to tell you in their coverage that he insulted the Republicans as well. One of his biggest problems that he has to deal with today?
Bully Boy Bush!!!!!
Hegseth whined about how DoD was better off 25 years ago (that would be the end of Bill Clinton's second presidential term) and those that followed "squandered" money and opportunities. Again, that's a slap at Republican Bully Boy Bush. Wonder if anyone will come forward to defend BBB?
Hegseth lied nonstop. DeLauro pointed out that he was lying about funding levels in the past regarding the submarine program. He lied about immigrants. He insisted 21 million had come into the US under President Joe Biden. The fright-wing does love that fabricated stat but it's not true. GOOGLE the claim and AI's first sentence is:
. This number has been described as an exaggeration
To be a Republican in the hearing meant to lie. Such as when the always laughable Mario Rafael Díaz-Balart tried to insist that Chump and Hegseth turned the military around and have increased recruitment which was doing so, so poorly under Joe Biden. The Fiscal year for recruitment has months go so we don't know what's going on there. We do know that recruitment numbers began rising . . . under Joe Biden.
Melissa Goldin (AP) on April 25th:
U.S. military recruitment has made a comeback following a downturn caused primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic, low unemployment and stiff competition from the private sector.
Posts circulating widely on social media give President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth credit for this increase, a claim that has been pushed by the president and others in his administration.
But Defense Department data shows the uptick began well before Trump’s reelection in November and experts point to actions taken by the military during the Biden administration as key reasons for the increase.
Here’s a look at the facts.
CLAIM: President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are causing military recruitment numbers to skyrocket.
THE FACTS: This is an overstatement and is missing context. Recruitment numbers for all military branches have been on the rise for the last few years, according to Defense Department data. Experts cite factors such as improving recruitment strategies, increased bonuses and new prep courses that predated the 2024 presidential election as factors in the change, although they acknowledge Trump’s election could have also played a role.
Use the link for the full report and grasp that the Fiscal Year is not over yet.
Also grasp that Diaz-Balart is fake news with his own mouth as he lies and even accuses the media of covering up a 'fact' that, in fact, is not a fact.
Let's talk about some of the Republican subcommittee members. Can we start with Ken Calvert? Early this year, he put his name to a column whose opening sentence was "The cost of bloated bureaucracy weighs on everything across the economy." The staffer who actually wrote that line laughed and laughed with other member of Calvert's staff. Why? It was a little in joke, a nod to the fact that Calvert is so morbidly obese. So fat that Tom Cole could almost pass for nearly stocky merely by sitting next to Calvert. Let's also note that education is needed. Especially for members of Congress. "Ethos," Calvert, ends with an "os" and not an "is" so please either stop using the term or learn to pronounce it correctly.
Looking at the assembled Republicans, one's left to wonder if anyone in the GOP has a single chin? Beyond double chins? Many were sporting rooster wattles with their chins apparently ending at their collar bone.
In last night's "Media: Lulu would explode Hegseth's head," Ava and I covered the hearing as well. In it, we noted:
A typical sentence from Hegseth in the hearing -- whether speaking off the top of his head or reading aloud from the paper before him -- would be, "How do we gets hands in -- how do we get systems, platforms, future capabilities in the hands of war fighters."
A drive-by to the public account this morning says, "That's just one example!" And? We're not reproducing a transcript. We gave you an example. I'll be kind and give you one more. When reading his opening statement, he offered "these improve - include" as he bounced up and down. Maybe playing bouncy house in his chair prevented him from reading correctly? I don't know.
Traditionally, we cover hearing with excerpts.
We don't usually have so many liars at a hearing. I'm not interested in repeating the lies so what you get on this hearing is what you get.
One thing we chose to leave out -- we couldn't figure out how to force it in -- was US House Rep Harold Rogers. He was in a car accident a few months back. No one wants to talk about what was at fault but it was his age and at 87, he shouldn't be driving. But that's not what we were going to bring up. He's too old to be on the Committee but he's also in dire need of medical help. I question his support group that he was allowed out in public -- let alone at a hearing in front of cameras -- with all those sores on both hands.
Let's move on by noting Lawrence O'Donnell from last night on MSNBC.
Reporters Without Borders issued the following:
At least 27 attacks on journalists covering protests in Los Angeles took place between June 6 and June 8. The assaults have been carried out by both law enforcement and protesters. Violence against journalists while they are reporting is unacceptable under any circumstances, and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the authorities to protect journalists’ First Amendment right to cover matters of public interest.
The protests began in Los Angeles on June 6 in response to raids on workplaces by federal authorities targeting immigrants. Police have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds, at times indiscriminately striking members of the media.
According to information verified by RSF with the help of its local partner, the Los Angeles Press Club, at least 27 separate incidents of violence against journalists have been recorded at the protests since June 6. These include 24 by law enforcement and three by individuals. The indiscriminate wave of violence has touched all parts of the media, including legacy outlets, freelancers, local TV, foreign correspondents, and journalist security teams.
“The wave of violence against journalists on the streets of Los Angeles this weekend is unacceptable. These protests are a matter of huge public interest and the public has a right to know exactly what’s going on. The only way that can happen is if journalists are allowed to do their jobs freely. This is inherently dangerous work, but it’s made more dangerous by authorities who are unable or unwilling to distinguish press from protestors, and by private actors who attack members of the media. Authorities in LA must do more to ensure press freedom is respected during these protests.
At least 24 acts of violence by security forces against journalists
Almost immediately after the protests erupted, journalists were under physical attack. Multiple media workers reported being shot by police with “less-than-lethal munitions” (LLM) such as pepper balls, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters, including Southern California News Group’s Ryanne Mena, freelance journalists Anthony Cabassa and Sean Beckner-Carmitchel, The Southlander’s Ben Camacho, British photojournalist Nick Stern, and LA Taco’s Lexis Olivier-Ray. Disturbing footage shows Australian TV reporter Lauren Tomasi being shot with LLM by police while reporting live on the air. A video posted by NBC LA shows police in military-style gear aggressively pushing reporter Mekahlo Medina. Another video shows police firing on a KCBS/KCAL TV crew.
On June 8, President Donald Trump announced he was calling up 2,000 National Guard troops to assist local police, a move that contributed to the violence against journalists already being perpetrated by law enforcement. RSF urges all authorities — local, state, and federal — to show respect towards members of the media in recognition of their constitutionally-protected duty to report on these protests.
The California Penal Code 13652(b)(6) requires state and local officers to "minimize possible incidental impact" of these weapons on journalists, and federal law enforcement officers are bound to uphold the First Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees the rights of journalists to cover matters of public interest, including recording officers in the course of their work.
Violent demonstrators also target members of the media
There have also been at least three alleged incidents of violence by individual protesters against journalists trying to cover the protests. In an online video, demonstrators appear to threaten and chase away a TV crew for KTTV Fox 11, as well as independent journalist Aldo Buttazzoni. A KTTV Fox 11 news van was also broken into and vandalized.
The United States ranks 57th out of 180 countries and territories in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index. It has dropped 12 places in the past five years, and seen an alarming uptick of press freedom violations since President Donald Trump took office for the second time in January 2025.
And we'll wind down with this from Senator Elizabeth Warren's office:
Fit to Serve Act would enhance national security, prohibit Trump, Hegseth from attacking members of the military based on gender identity
Text of Bill (PDF) | Bill One-Pager (PDF)
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the top Democrat for the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, introduced the Fit to Serve Act, a bill to support our military readiness and national security by prohibiting discrimination against transgender service members.
Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), all also members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, along with Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) joined as co-sponsors of the bill.
Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, led the introduction of the bill in the House of Representatives with Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).
In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order banning transgender individuals joining and continuing to serve in the military. The Department of Defense (DoD) is forcing service members in active-duty to self-identify for voluntary separation by June 6, 2025; service members in the Reserves have until July 7, 2025.
Banning transgender service members undermines our military’s readiness. The administration’s actions hurt our national security and dehumanize the thousands of transgender service members who have made meaningful contributions to our armed forces.
While the ban continues to be litigated in federal court, the Supreme Court has allowed the DoD to begin to implement the ban, threatening the careers of thousands of service members who serve as test pilots, Navy divers, intelligence analysts, weapons specialists, combat aviators, and other critical national security roles. The ban also threatens to waste billions of taxpayer dollars invested in training these troops, who have spent decades in the military, deployed multiple times, and commanded large numbers of troops.
Former Pentagon officials have testified that allowing transgender service members to openly serve “fosters openness and trust among team members, thereby enhancing unit cohesion” and that “transgender service members who meet the standards required for their positions serve effectively and contribute positively to unit readiness.” To ensure the United States can continue to benefit from the service of transgender individuals, who have raised their hand to defend and protect their country and meet the same rigorous standards as their peers, the Fit to Serve Act prohibits DoD from:
- Banning transgender service members from the military;
- Prescribing qualifications for service on the basis of gender identity;
- Denying necessary health care for service members on the basis of gender identity;
- Forcing a service member to serve in their sex assigned at birth; or
- Otherwise discriminating against service members on the basis of gender identity.
“We recruit and train the best and bravest to protect our country – losing highly qualified service members, who meet strict standards to join the military, makes us less safe,” said Senator Warren. “While Trump plays politics with our troops, I'm fighting back to make clear that anyone who is qualified to serve should be able to regardless of who they are.”
“Banning transgender Americans from serving in our military, and forcing current service members to quit serving, is a cruel attack on the very people who have dedicated their lives to defending our country,” said Senator Booker. “Transgender service members meet the same rigorous standards as their peers and have served our country with honor for years. The Fit to Serve Act is critical legislation to prevent the Department of Defense from discriminating against our troops on the basis of gender.”
“If you are willing to risk your life for our country and you can do the job, it shouldn’t matter if you are gay, straight, transgender, Black, white or anything else,” said Senator Duckworth. “Every transgender servicemember earned their role through rigorous training and is more qualified to serve in those roles than Pete Hegseth is to be Secretary of Defense. I’m proud to join Senator Warren and my Democratic colleagues in working to reverse the Trump Administration’s offensive transgender military ban, which is disruptive to our military, hurts readiness and not only does nothing to strengthen our national security—it actively makes things worse.”
“Attacking people based on who they love or how they identify does nothing to make America safer. Our LGBTQ+ servicemembers put their lives on the line to keep our nation safe, and I’m always going to have their backs,” said Senator Fetterman. “Since day one, I’ve called on Secretary Hegseth to reverse course, and he’s failed to act. Now, I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce legislation to end this disgraceful, illegal ban.”
“Transgender service members serve our country honorably, dedicating their lives to protecting our nation,” said Senator Hirono. “Yet, Trump continues attacking the transgender community, disrespecting these individuals, discriminating against them, and undermining our military readiness. By prohibiting this discrimination on the basis of gender identity, this legislation will help to ensure transgender individuals who are qualified to serve may do so.”
“Every willing and qualified American deserves the chance to serve and defend our country, and many transgender individuals have done so for years with dignity and honor. This legislation will ensure these patriots can continue to serve freely and openly, now and in the future,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“As President Trump continues to denigrate and target transgender servicemembers, we must stand up for what is right and what makes our military strongest,” said Senator Kim. “We cannot build a united, incomparable force by alienating brave Americans ready and proud to serve their nation. This legislation honors our transgender troops' service and anyone who is willing to put their life on the line for our freedoms and serve our nation in uniform.”
“The persistent dehumanization of trans people by the Trump administration hurts many and helps no one. Trans members of the military – just like anyone else in service – have dedicated their lives to public service, and, in return, this administration dismisses them from service,” said Senator Ed Markey, “I am proud to stand with my colleagues to say this is wrong. Trans rights are human rights.”
“Service members sign up to protect our country with patriotism and bravery,” said Senator Merkley. “Banning highly-skilled transgender service members endangers the safety and security of our nation, and takes us backward in our march towards equality.”
“There’s no reason other than blatant discrimination for trans service members to be barred from serving in our military,” said Senator Schatz. “If someone is willing and meets the high standards to serve, they should be allowed to – it’s as simple as that.”
“Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people in the military puts Americans’ safety last,” Senator Wyden said. “Fitness for military service has nothing to do with how a person identifies. The Fit to Serve Act will keep our military strong by ensuring that anyone who can do the job can join and serve.”
This bill is endorsed by the following organizations: Human Rights Campaign, Minority Veterans of America, SPARTA, Out in National Security, Advocates for Trans Equality, Modern Military Association of America, National Women’s Law Center, and National Center for LGBTQ Rights.
"Transgender servicemembers are trusted and effective warfighters. At a time when the United States faces growing threats around the world, banning them from the All-Volunteer Force will make Americans less safe," said Luke Schleusener, CEO of Out in National Security (ONS), a professional association for LGBTQIA+ people across the national security enterprise. "This legislation underscores that the fight to honor the service of thousands of transgender Americans in uniform—and to strengthen America's national security—is far from over."
“The Fit to Serve Act is a necessary step to ensure our military reflects the values it claims to defend—honor, courage, and integrity. Banning transgender troops based on prejudice weakens our national security, erodes morale, and wastes taxpayer dollars. Transgender service members have always served with pride, even when denied recognition, and they deserve to serve openly in our armed forces and for leadership that is rooted in facts—not fear. This bill sends a clear message: Patriotism isn’t defined by gender identity, but by the selfless act of serving one’s country,” said Lindsay Church, MVA (Minority Veterans of America) Executive Director.
“The Fit to Serve Act is vital to stop the current unnecessary and cruel purge of trans troops, which weaponizes a gender dysphoria diagnosis. It would ensure our leaders cannot turn their backs on those fully capable and willing to serve, for no reason other than discrimination,” said Cathy Marcello, Modern Military Association of America’s Interim Executive Director. “The policy’s vague wording of 'exhibits symptoms of gender dysphoria' will undoubtedly be misused against anyone who military leadership wants to push out, similar to the ways Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was used to target individuals.
“Trangender service members have already taken an extraordinary step most Americans never will: volunteering to risk their lives in defense of our nation. These thousands of patriots have already served openly and honorably around the world for nearly a decade, meeting the same standards as everyone else. Suddenly separating them and finding and training replacements will cost taxpayers billions over decades — while destroying the careers and livelihoods of thousands of military families and leaving units with critical operational and talent gaps.
“Despite three federal courts deeming the policy unconstitutional and top military leaders noting no evidence of negative impacts of open trans service, the executive and judicial branches have failed to protect these service members. They are already experiencing the first steps of a novel and undignified separation process. We are truly thankful that Senators Warren, Duckworth, Gillibrand, Baldwin, Markey, Wyden, Hirono, Merkley, Fetterman, Van Hollen, Sanders, Kim, Booker, Schatz, and Smith are addressing this injustice by introducing the Fit to Serve Act to codify what so many of us know to be true: transgender service members are fit for service and don’t deserve to live with the uncertainty of ever-changing executive orders and litigation with each new administration.”
“The Fit to Serve Act is a declaration that we will not stand by while our courageous troops are under political assault. Transgender servicemembers meet the same rigorous standards, deploy worldwide, put in the same hard work and demonstrate the same dedication as any of their colleagues. They have valiantly embraced the weighty responsibility of protecting our country and should not have their careers arbitrarily ended. Instead, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth are taking away their jobs, cutting off their health care benefits, and disregarding the immense sacrifices these servicemembers and their families have made. It's a slap in the face to all who serve and puts our military readiness at risk. We thank Sen. Warren for introducing this important legislation, and we urge every Member of Congress to support it and uphold this nation’s promise to support all of our servicemembers,” said Jennifer Pike Bailey, Government Affairs Director of the Human Rights Campaign.
“We are grateful to lawmakers for standing up for our nation’s troops and ensuring that every American has an equal opportunity to serve. Military service is about whether you can do the job, not who you are,” said Shannon Minter, Legal Director, National Center for LGBTQ Rights (NCLR).
“Transgender people have long served in our military with honor, integrity, and courage. Efforts to ban them from service undermine the humanity and contributions of those who have risked their lives for our country,” said Gaylynn Burroughs, vice president for education and workplace justice at the National Women’s Law Center. “We strongly support the Fit to Serve Act and applaud Senator Warren’s leadership in defending the rights and dignity of trans service members. Everyone, regardless of who they are, deserves the right to work with dignity and without fear of harassment or other forms of discrimination, including in the military.”
“SPARTA Pride supports the Fit To Serve Act introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren that aims to prohibit discrimination in the military on the basis of gender identity. This legislation represents a critical step toward ensuring that all who are willing and able to serve their country can do so with dignity, authenticity, and fairness—regardless of their gender identity,” said SPARTA Pride.
“The United States military is as diverse as our country, and trans people have always been a part of the military, serving honorably and meeting the same rigorous standards as their peers. For nearly a decade, trans servicemembers have been able to serve in the military openly and authentically as themselves," said Olivia Hunt, Advocates for Trans Equality Director of Federal Policy. "Trump's ban on trans servicemembers betrays the trust of the thousands of trans people who have come out and transitioned while serving, with the full support of their unit members and chain of command. It also jeopardizes their access to critical benefits such as healthcare, education, and retirement, essential for their well-being and stability. We applaud Senator Warren and her cosponsors for introducing this important legislation and joining us in standing up for servicemembers.”
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The following sites updated:
