https://drudge.com/user/lamplighter New links and comments. en-us http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Wordzilla/0.58 10 https://drudge.com/news/293851/trump-wont-dismiss-declaring-national https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/08/11/donald-trump-save-america-act-senate-voting-emergency/91263315007/ President Donald Trump isn't dismissing the possibility that he could declare a national security emergency in an attempt to establish new voting restrictions that have stalled in the Senate, telling an interviewer that "stranger things have happened." <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:xjc7mkotpenvhh6ffewkdpyn/app.bsky.feed.post/3mst33z3hg22s" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreie4jynpm7grh23dvrmpexmlxw477lydazq4x55mkll3rgs3fp2u3u" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">A right-wing host urged Trump to declare a "national security emergency" to bypass Congress and impose sweeping new election restrictions. Trump's response was chilling.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xjc7mkotpenvhh6ffewkdpyn/post/3mst33z3hg22s?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- MeidasTouch (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xjc7mkotpenvhh6ffewkdpyn?ref_src=embed">@meidastouch.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xjc7mkotpenvhh6ffewkdpyn/post/3mst33z3hg22s?ref_src=embed">12:50 PM &Acirc;&middot; Aug 11, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:31:05 -0400 LampLighter https://drudge.com/news/293851/trump-wont-dismiss-declaring-national#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293851 news, 0.5 daily 293851 https://drudge.com/news/293854/credit-card-debt-rises-126t-nearing https://abcnews.com/US/credit-card-debt-rises-126-trillion-nearing-time/story?id=135556533 Americans' credit card debt reached $1.26 trillion, increasing by $21 billion in the second quarter of this year, according to new data Tuesday from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:dtwphuxvtvimwtra5yh4ujt4/app.bsky.feed.post/3msu56i3k5f2i" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreigdgiawxqrzikpo37bw3tykqqmxismrouhxahpejrxp6e4ngvjrbu" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">Americans owe more than a trillion dollars in credit card debt, up 60% from just five years ago. https://to.pbs.org/4wnlIAe<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:dtwphuxvtvimwtra5yh4ujt4/post/3msu56i3k5f2i?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- PBS News (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:dtwphuxvtvimwtra5yh4ujt4?ref_src=embed">@pbsnews.org</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:dtwphuxvtvimwtra5yh4ujt4/post/3msu56i3k5f2i?ref_src=embed">11:00 PM &Acirc;&middot; Aug 11, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 20:33:42 -0400 LampLighter https://drudge.com/news/293854/credit-card-debt-rises-126t-nearing#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293854 news, 0.5 daily 293854 https://drudge.com/news/293856/pirro-quietly-empanels-rare-special-grand https://allchronology.com/2026/08/12/jeanine-pirro-quietly-empanels-rare-grand-jury-after-infuriating-trump-and-no-one-knows-who-it-is-targeting/ Jeanine Pirro has taken the highly unusual step of convening a special grand jury in Washington, D.C., less than two weeks after angering President Donald Trump by abandoning a vandalism prosecution he publicly demanded. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:k5nskatzhyxersjilvtnz4lh/app.bsky.feed.post/3msvmxlvo262c" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiajs6oqxp5bt3rsetjtnp4uiyd67ohayh3hwas5vcovzyrf7ohmn4" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">Exclusive: The Justice Department has convened a special grand jury in Washington. Unlike a typical grand jury, it can issue a potentially damaging report about an investigation even if prosecutors lack enough evidence to bring charges. https://wapo.st/4zf0O95<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:k5nskatzhyxersjilvtnz4lh/post/3msvmxlvo262c?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- The Washington Post (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:k5nskatzhyxersjilvtnz4lh?ref_src=embed">@washingtonpost.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:k5nskatzhyxersjilvtnz4lh/post/3msvmxlvo262c?ref_src=embed">1:15 PM &Acirc;&middot; Aug 12, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 19:31:52 -0400 lamplighter https://drudge.com/news/293856/pirro-quietly-empanels-rare-special-grand#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293856 news, 0.5 daily 293856 https://drudge.com/news/293835/kennedy-center-ordered-pay-250k-jazz https://variety.com/2026/music/news/kennedy-center-to-pay-jazz-musician-sued-cancel-trump-1236832214/ A judge has ruled that the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. must pay a jazz musician $252,000 in legal fees and costs ... <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:ln72v57ivz2g46uqf4xxqiuh/app.bsky.feed.post/3msthkjxreb27" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiejg4zb2w3ydy5wm5q64dkxzo5nwgxqemobzjfmfzdsav3ipn2zpi" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">Chuck Redd canceled his annual Christmas Eve performance to protest Trump&#x27;s name being added to the complex. In June, a superior court judge dismissed the Kennedy Center&#x27;s lawsuit against Redd. n.pr/4x0W2e0<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ln72v57ivz2g46uqf4xxqiuh/post/3msthkjxreb27?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- NPR (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ln72v57ivz2g46uqf4xxqiuh?ref_src=embed">@npr.org</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ln72v57ivz2g46uqf4xxqiuh/post/3msthkjxreb27?ref_src=embed">4:33 PM &Acirc;&middot; Aug 11, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:33:18 -0400 lamplighter https://drudge.com/news/293835/kennedy-center-ordered-pay-250k-jazz#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293835 news, 0.5 daily 293835 https://drudge.com/news/293850/ny-judge-unseal-maxwell-related-grand-jury https://www.courthousenews.com/new-york-judge-orders-unsealing-of-ghislaine-maxwell-related-grand-jury-subpoenas/ The depositions ordered unsealed on Tuesday pursuant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act formed the basis for two since-dismissed perjury counts of a superseding indictment brought against Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend and longtime sex trafficking partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:03:09 -0400 LampLighter https://drudge.com/news/293850/ny-judge-unseal-maxwell-related-grand-jury#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293850 discussion, 0.5 daily 293850 https://drudge.com/news/293830/doj-trumps-outside-advisers-shielded https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trumps-outside-advisers-executive-privilege-justice-dept-office-legal-counsel/ President Trump's outside advisers -- individuals who are not employed by the federal government - may now be protected from future congressional and legal investigations, according to a new opinion from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:masb2g3gji3tr4rycdjrgiuw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mst5d3kvws24" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiaozeuo64mhytiszsup4tffzp6kqhhkltujbyzfxacmpywg356weu" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">President Trump&#x27;s outside advisers -- individuals who are not employed by the federal government -- may now be protected from future congressional and legal investigations, according to a new opinion from the Justice Department&#x27;s Office of Legal Counsel.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:masb2g3gji3tr4rycdjrgiuw/post/3mst5d3kvws24?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- CBS Mornings (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:masb2g3gji3tr4rycdjrgiuw?ref_src=embed">@cbsmornings.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:masb2g3gji3tr4rycdjrgiuw/post/3mst5d3kvws24?ref_src=embed">1:30 PM &Acirc;&middot; Aug 11, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:32:44 -0400 LampLighter https://drudge.com/news/293830/doj-trumps-outside-advisers-shielded#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293830 news, 0.5 daily 293830 https://drudge.com/news/293833/new-surveillance-tech-links-your-phone https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/08/new-surveillance-tech-links-your-phone-to-your-license-plate/ Ars Technica writes about how coupling road cameras with bluetooth signals could be used to track people and phones together. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:fa3rwygrp2ebgwdiq6sjn2te/app.bsky.feed.post/3msstg3abtc2k" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreigjdgegabgllrsoyep7lt2uigk7emvjcgqfyjzilp5wjyejrf26jm" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">New surveillance tech links your phone to your license plate theconversation.com/new-tech-add ... <br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:fa3rwygrp2ebgwdiq6sjn2te/post/3msstg3abtc2k?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Jennifer Ouellette (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:fa3rwygrp2ebgwdiq6sjn2te?ref_src=embed">@jenlucpiquant.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:fa3rwygrp2ebgwdiq6sjn2te/post/3msstg3abtc2k?ref_src=embed">10:32 AM &Acirc;&middot; Aug 11, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Tue, 11 Aug 2026 23:31:47 -0400 lamplighter https://drudge.com/news/293833/new-surveillance-tech-links-your-phone#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293833 news, 0.5 daily 293833 https://drudge.com/news/293829/trump-medias-quarterly-loss-widens-238 https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-medias-quarterly-loss-widens-238-million-20-million-year-earlier-2026-08-11/ Its second-quarter net loss jumped to $238.1 million from about $20 million a year earlier, the company said in a statement. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:2w45zyhuklwihpdc7oj3mi63/app.bsky.feed.post/3msqvsfpw6x2v" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiag45obvg2ndcex3bq45e7u3v4zg246jzixeocijwos7otv64sqym" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Monday's tumble erased two weeks worth of gains made by Trump Media.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2w45zyhuklwihpdc7oj3mi63/post/3msqvsfpw6x2v?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Forbes (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2w45zyhuklwihpdc7oj3mi63?ref_src=embed">@forbes.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2w45zyhuklwihpdc7oj3mi63/post/3msqvsfpw6x2v?ref_src=embed">4:10 PM &Acirc;&middot; Aug 10, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:31:01 -0400 lamplighter https://drudge.com/news/293829/trump-medias-quarterly-loss-widens-238#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293829 news, 0.5 daily 293829 https://drudge.com/news/293811/trump-no-video-proof-alleged-pool https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-acknowledges-video-proof-alleged-vandalism-reflecting-pool/story?id=135510561 President Donald Trump acknowledged on Sunday that there was "no video or proof" of alleged vandalism to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after weeks of claiming that damage to the pool's surface was the deliberate work of saboteurs. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:sdfhzkjavqo5ifiofn4uafrb/app.bsky.feed.post/3msp4hruww22g" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreie7w7pv5xhw3czdpleahzkapsczwiudq5eksoi6qgnsg6dhquufk4" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">STATEMENT RE: PRESIDENT&#x27;S POSTS ABOUT DISMISSED REFLECTING POOL CASE<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:sdfhzkjavqo5ifiofn4uafrb/post/3msp4hruww22g?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Norm Eisen (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:sdfhzkjavqo5ifiofn4uafrb?ref_src=embed">@normeisen.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:sdfhzkjavqo5ifiofn4uafrb/post/3msp4hruww22g?ref_src=embed">11:03 PM &Acirc;&middot; Aug 9, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:30:08 -0400 lamplighter https://drudge.com/news/293811/trump-no-video-proof-alleged-pool#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293811 news, 0.5 daily 293811 https://drudge.com/news/293788/openai-agents-rebuilt-internal-message-board https://www.nextgov.com/artificial-intelligence/2026/08/openai-agents-rebuilt-internal-message-board-lead-hugging-face-breach/415240/ OpenAI models created a shared message board inside the company's systems, used it to trade hacking methods ... <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:m4fvxlyv4gqpugzszzp4cjxf/app.bsky.feed.post/3msektrfh5c2j" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreid4nt7btxsv5zipo47yueztbdadw34gghisxregkf7t6wpovj3qt4" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">It keeps happening ... It&#x27;d be great if these companies could spend a little bit more time on network security and a little less time vibe coding.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:m4fvxlyv4gqpugzszzp4cjxf/post/3msektrfh5c2j?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Alex Hanna (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:m4fvxlyv4gqpugzszzp4cjxf?ref_src=embed">@alexhanna.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:m4fvxlyv4gqpugzszzp4cjxf/post/3msektrfh5c2j?ref_src=embed">6:22 PM &Acirc;&middot; Aug 5, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:32:52 -0400 LampLighter https://drudge.com/news/293788/openai-agents-rebuilt-internal-message-board#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293788 news, 0.5 daily 293788 https://drudge.com/news/293814/washington-dc-grapples-natl-guard https://www.military.com/washington-grapples-with-a-national-guard-deployment-extended-until-2029 It's been 12 months since President Donald Trump announced a crime emergency in Washington ... <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/app.bsky.feed.post/3msbz5k7zhz26" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreigfe6z7yzbg2epvdgpmbsubbj6tleyt36vu3wuigyo7fuivcgfzta" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">National Guard deployment to Washington, DC will cost US roughly $1.4bn https://aje.news/mzpuxl<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/post/3msbz5k7zhz26?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Al Jazeera English (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2?ref_src=embed">@aljazeera.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/post/3msbz5k7zhz26?ref_src=embed">6:00 PM &Acirc;&middot; Aug 4, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:30:46 -0400 LampLighter https://drudge.com/news/293814/washington-dc-grapples-natl-guard#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293814 news, 0.5 daily 293814 https://drudge.com/news/293798/sen-cassidy-says-blanche-vote-not https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/09/bill-cassidy-blanche-vote-senate-01030319 The Louisiana Republican was the last holdout on the Senate vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general before recess. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc/app.bsky.feed.post/3msnsocxtru2k" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreietf4j73sakp7hqv2a2rmvsijz5uszrlkck4gdnoo2ve3eienwsxa" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Sen. Bill Cassidy is on CBS trying to rehab his image after his latest pathetic display of cowardice on Friday<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc/post/3msnsocxtru2k?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Aaron Rupar (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc?ref_src=embed">@atrupar.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:4llrhdclvdlmmynkwsmg5tdc/post/3msnsocxtru2k?ref_src=embed">10:36 AM &Acirc;&middot; Aug 9, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:33:56 -0400 lamplighter https://drudge.com/news/293798/sen-cassidy-says-blanche-vote-not#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293798 news, 0.5 daily 293798 https://drudge.com/news/293795/majority-americans-have-little-no https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/55212-majority-americans-little-or-no-confidence-ice-immigration-customs-enforcement-july-17-20-2026-economist-yougov-poll After U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot and killed two people in Texas and Maine last week, this week's Economist / YouGov Poll finds that 60% of Americans have heard about the recent killings. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:vtwv2edeyhasfqgd53x5yius/app.bsky.feed.post/3m74cg7fjya2g" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreieptcb6qssowigjxcyb2p7wp4dwcdpelmnwpf245kxhu7phs4lkgq" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="">Everyday Americans in Appalachia and the Southeast show that resisting ICE is becoming the rule, rather than the exception.<br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:vtwv2edeyhasfqgd53x5yius/post/3m74cg7fjya2g?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- The Intercept (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:vtwv2edeyhasfqgd53x5yius?ref_src=embed">@theintercept.com</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:vtwv2edeyhasfqgd53x5yius/post/3m74cg7fjya2g?ref_src=embed">3:31 PM &Acirc;&middot; Dec 3, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 16:32:28 -0400 LampLighter https://drudge.com/news/293795/majority-americans-have-little-no#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293795 news, 0.5 daily 293795 https://drudge.com/news/293796/scott-bessent-used-financial-engineering https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/scott-bessent-used-financial-engineering-110000440.html In minutes released Aug. 5, the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee -- a panel of senior bond dealers and investors, known as TBAC, that advises the Treasury on its own funding -- warned that at current auction sizes, the government faces a $1.45 trillion funding shortfall in fiscal 2027--28. <blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:2hltimymy65zl5ba7ifsq3qr/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjs5xrc2ks2x" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreihkwj6z2ucw67eb3t3pbzfujinu7cschiwoacbg3k5empwljamnkq" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Undocumented immigrants contribute $97 billion yearly in federal, state, and local taxes. They paid $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes, $6.4 billion in Medicare taxes, and $1.8 billion in unemployment insurance taxes in 2022. Bessent is galactically stupid. www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/b ... <br><br><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2hltimymy65zl5ba7ifsq3qr/post/3mjs5xrc2ks2x?ref_src=embed">[image or embed]</a></p> -- Katie Phang (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2hltimymy65zl5ba7ifsq3qr?ref_src=embed">@katiephang.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2hltimymy65zl5ba7ifsq3qr/post/3mjs5xrc2ks2x?ref_src=embed">3:22 PM &Acirc;&middot; Apr 18, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:31:50 -0400 LampLighter https://drudge.com/news/293796/scott-bessent-used-financial-engineering#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293796 news, 0.5 daily 293796 https://drudge.com/news/293794/drones-spotted-flying-over-german-military https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drones-germany-bundeswehr-military-base/ Two drones were spotted flying over a German military base earlier this week, just two days after a drone carrying explosives was found at a cargo airport, the German Armed Forces said on Saturday. Sun, 09 Aug 2026 20:30:45 -0400 LampLighter https://drudge.com/news/293794/drones-spotted-flying-over-german-military#discuss tag:drudge.com,2005:weblog.293794 news, 0.5 daily 293794