🕵️ Reform or Risk?

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TRENDING

Right: The Media Lied To Create Biden's Illusion of 'Decency', Eddie Scarry, The Federalist

Right: Biden’s Pardon Cemented an Already Corrupt Legacy, Michael Goodwin, New York Post

Right: The Case for Mass Deportation, Kevin Roberts, The Federalist

Left: Hidden Danger of Supreme Court's Trans Rights Case, Mark Joseph Stern, Slate

Left: Why Biden Was Right To Pardon His Son, Marla Bautista, USA Today

Left: Are Progressive Groups Sinking Democrats' Chances? Andrew Prokop, Vox

TRUMP

Reform or Risk

Today’s Top Story: President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to nominate longtime ally Kash Patel to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray, sparking media debate and reports of a possible Iranian cyberattack targeting Patel shortly after the nomination.

Reporting from the Right: Who is Kash Patel? Trump's pick to lead the FBI has long history vowing to bust up 'deep state' (Fox News)

Reporting from the Left: Trump taps loyalist Kash Patel as choice for FBI director (NBC News)

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Perfect Pick

The Top Argument From The Right: Media Meltdowns Over Trump’s FBI Pick Prove Kash Patel Is The Perfect Man For The Job, Jordan Boyd, The Federalist: “Contrary to what corporate media want you to believe, President Donald Trump’s decision to name Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel as his choice to replace current FBI Director Christopher Wray is a good one — perhaps one of the best he could have made. Some outlets framed Trump’s choice as frowned upon by the president’s aides and Republican legislators. Others published lists of bureaucrats who they claimed could fall prey to ‘Patel’s crosshairs.’ for partisan reasons. Those did not compare to the hordes of corporate media coverage dedicated to tarnishing Patel and quashing his nomination. … These descriptions of Patel suggest Trump pulled a random guy off the street to weaponize the agency on his behalf. In reality, Patel is familiar with both the bureaucracy and intelligence agencies, having worked as a U.S. Department of Justice prosecutor, the U.S. Secretary of Defense’s chief of staff, a U.S. National Security Council official, and principal deputy to the acting Director of National Intelligence.”

Honorable Mention #1: Let’s Not Go Overboard, Noah Rothman, National Review

Honorable Mention #2: How Kash Patel was suspected of nearly botching SEAL Team 6 rescue mission, Mike Brest, Washington Examiner

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

More Than Incompetent

The Top Argument From The Left: I’m a former FBI agent. Kash Patel’s problems go beyond his incompetence., Frank Figliuzzi, MSNBC: “It isn’t just that Patel is wholly unqualified to lead the pre-eminent law enforcement and intelligence agency in the nation and perhaps the world. Yes, he lacks the professional experience needed… Patel’s particular problem goes far beyond competence: His record shows no devotion to the Constitution, but blind allegiance to Trump. Patel helped spread the fabricated conspiracy theory that the 2020 election was rigged against Trump. He has promoted the conspiracy of a “deep state” within government institutions whose aim is to topple Trump. Court findings and the jury system are things that should matter to an FBI director, yet Patel seems not to care that more than 60 court challenges found no evidence of fraud in the 2020 election, nor that grand juries and trial juries of American citizens determined Trump should be criminally indicted, held civilly liable and even convicted. If he becomes FBI director, Patel will have to take an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, but his public statements raise concerns about his ability to keep that oath.”

Honorable Mention #1: What Kash Patel Could Do to the F.B.I., Garrett M. Graff, The New York Times

Honorable Mention #2: Kash Patel has an enemies list centered on grievance, Philip Bump, The Washington Post

FLAG THIS

Confidence in FBI Is Down

According to Gallup polling, public confidence in the FBI has hit its lowest point this century, with only 41% of Americans rating its performance as "excellent" or "good," down from 59% in 2014. Key insights:

• Republican approval: Dropped sharply from 62% in 2014 to 26%, reflecting dissatisfaction post-Trump investigations and January 6.

• Democratic approval: Increased from 54% in 2014 to 67%, peaking at 79% in 2022 during Trump-related probes.

27 DAYS TO GO

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WATERCOOLER

Prohibition Ends, Kitchen Non-Essentials, Lake Lies

On This Day in 1933, The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and ending the era of national prohibition of alcohol in America. At 5:32 p.m. EST, Utah became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, achieving the requisite three-fourths majority of states’ approval. Pennsylvania and Ohio had ratified it earlier in the day.

Domino: 19 Things Your Kitchen Doesn’t Really Need

Atlas Obscura: The Booze-Soaked Lives of Wild Animals

ABC News: Asteroid nearly hits Earth in Siberia, with a 2nd massive asteroid passing this week

Today I Learned: There are technically only four (not five) Great Lakes.

27 DAYS TO GO

If we get 1,000 paying subscribers by December 31, we’ll continue this newsletter in 2025. If we don’t, we will discontinue.

We are capitalists, so we will let the market (aka, YOU) decide whether or not this newsletter should live or die.

We have two options for you to choose from:

• $3/mo: You’ll get our Sunday newsletter too.

• $7/mo: You’ll get our Sunday newsletter and an ad-free experience.

The clock is ticking. We have 27 days to reach 1,000 subscribers.