A report from The New York Post suggested Weinsheimer repeatedly went over Special Counsel David Weiss and was actually in charge of the Hunter Biden tax fraud case.
According to Bloomberg Law, Weinsheimer served in the DOJ for more than 30 years. He was told to take another position in the immigration enforcement division or be fired.
Delegating such weighty tasks to political aides — both first-time DOJ employees — without a career official’s involvement is a dramatic departure from past practice.
Previous versions of the delegation order assigned many of the same powers to a career associate deputy attorney general. That person’s involvement helped insulate thorny matters affecting the department’s integrity from partisan influence and ensured that the experience of the most senior non-political official was brought to bear, former DOJ officials said.
But the most recent holder of that post, Bradley Weinsheimer, was removed from the job, several people familiar with the decision told Bloomberg Law. News reports first circulated on Weinsheimer’s demotion Jan. 27, the same day as Bove’s signature line on the order.
Transferring Weinsheimer’s portfolio to far less experienced political aides can make the department vulnerable to controversies akin to Bove’s handling of the New York Mayor Eric Adams dismissal, the former officials said.
Weinsheimer had been at the department for three decades, and his predecessors had substantial DOJ experience as well.
More good news from Trump’s DOJ.
Blomberg confirms that associate deputy AG Bradley Weinsheimer, considered Lisa Monaco’s right-hand man, has been removed from his post. A 30+-year veteran of the DOJ, Weinsheimer was given the option of moving to a new immigration enforcement…
More Bad News for Zelensky — U.S.-Russia Peace Deal Demands Ukraine to Hold New Election: Report
February 18, 2025
Secretary Marco Rubio, with from left, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, attend a meeting together at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 18, 2025. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)
U.S. and Russian officials have reportedly agreed on a framework that could see the end of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but at a potentially steep price for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the meeting culminated in an agreement to form “high-level teams,” led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, to draft a peace agreement, as reported earlier by The Gateway Pundit.
The U.S. delegation also includes National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Ambassador Steve Witkoff.
According to Sergey Lagodinsky, a German lawyer and a Member of the European Parliament, wrote on X:
According to my sources: the proposal by Trump consists of 3 stages:
1) a ceasefire
2) ELECTIONS in Ukraine
3) signing of a final agreement.
BREAKING: According to my sources: the proposal by #Trump consists of 3 stages:
1) a ceasefire
2) ELECTIONS in Ukraine
3) signing of a final agreement.
This is complete fulfillment of all #Putin desires.
Especially the election part is a gift by Trump to Putin. Putin…
This sentiment was echoed by Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich, stating:
The US and Russia are proposing a three-stage peace plan, according to multiple foreign diplomatic sources close to the talks in Saudi Arabia. The plan includes a ceasefire, elections in Ukraine, then signing of a final agreement.
Multiple foreign diplomatic sources tell FOX the US and Russia consider holding new elections in Ukraine to be a key condition for the success of the settlement process. This piece is certain to stir controversy, as Russia does not hold true elections and the Ukrainians balk at the prospect of installing a pro-Russia puppet president.
A US source familiar with the negotiations softens this claim – telling me people are “floating” the elections piece – and “it may be part of future talks, but not today.”
Ukraine also disputes the notion that Zelenskyy’s popularity is too low to win reelection, even without Russian interference, citing his refusal to sign anything in Munich.
Multiple foreign diplomatic sources provided this readout from the Ukrainian side: “Putin assesses the probability of electing a puppet president as quite high and is also convinced that any candidate other than the current President of Ukraine will be more flexible and ready for negotiations and concessions. In turn, D. Trump is ready to accept any election result, including the possibility of election of a pro-Russian puppet. D. Trump and V. Putin consider the chances of the current President of Ukraine being re-elected as low.”
NEWS w/ @NanaSajaia – US/Russia 3 stage peace proposal would force new Ukraine elections: foreign diplomatic sources
The US and Russia are proposing a three-stage peace plan, according to multiple foreign diplomatic sources close to the talks in Saudi Arabia. The plan includes…
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met withRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today as a follow up to President Donald Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 12. Secretary Rubio was joined by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Ambassador Steve Witkoff, the team chosen by President Trump to reestablish the bilateral relationship. Foreign Minister Lavrov was joined by Russian Aide to the President Yuri Ushakov.
President Trump wants to stop the killing; the United States wants peace and is using its strength in the world to bring countries together. President Trump is the only leader in the world who can get Ukraine and Russia to agree to that.
We agreed to:
Establish a consultation mechanism to address irritants to our bilateral relationship with the objective of taking steps necessary to normalize the operation of our respective diplomatic missions.
Appoint respective high-level teams to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible in a way that is enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all sides.
Lay the groundwork for future cooperation on matters of mutual geopolitical interest and historic economic and investment opportunities which will emerge from a successful end to the conflict in Ukraine.
The parties to today’s meetings pledge to remain engaged to make sure the process moves forward in a timely and productive manner.
One phone call followed by one meeting is not sufficient to establish enduring peace. We must take action, and today we took an important step forward.
We would like to thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
WATCH:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlines three points on U.S. and Russia discussions to end the war in Ukraine after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Saudi Arabia:
1 – Reestablish diplomatic facilities in each respective country.
2 – Appoint a high level… pic.twitter.com/tFQ04RqLKf
In a related development, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has canceled his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, choosing instead to return to Kyiv from Ankara.
NEWS: Zelenskyy CANCELLING trip to Saudi Arabia following US/Russia talks
A source with the direct knowledge tells @NanaSajaia Zelenskyy will now return to Kyiv from Ankara, Turkey.
He is on a previously planned trip – was in UAE yesterday, Turkey today, and was scheduled to…
On Sunday, Ukrainian president Zelensky sat down with far-left ABC News reporter Kristen Welker.
This comes after a Saturday when Zelensky could not stop ranting about the upcoming peace talks in Saudi Arabia.
Zelensky on Saturday told reporters it would be more dangerous if President Trump speaks with Putin first before he speaks with Ukraine.
“I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine. Never. Our people—never. Our adults and children, everybody—it can’t be so. This is a war in Ukraine against us, and it’s our human losses,” said Zelensky.
Meanwhile, globalists convened a panicked meeting in Paris amid fears that Trump might bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
This comes after the Trump administration has decisively barred Europe’s elitist cabal from participating in crucial peace negotiations
Today in Paris we reaffirmed that Ukraine deserves peace through strength.
Peace respectful of its independance, sovereignty, territorial integrity, with strong security guarantees.
Europe carries its full share of the military assistance to Ukraine.
Ready and willing. That’s my take from today’s meeting in Paris. Europe is ready and willing to step up. To lead in providing security guarantees for Ukraine. Ready and willing to invest a lot more in our security. The details will need to be decided but the commitment is clear. pic.twitter.com/Y4ClrX94Qe
️ WATCH: Keir Starmer’s address to the nation after meeting with European leaders in Paris for an emergency summit on Ukraine
“Ukraine must have a secure future, Europe must have a secure future, Britain must have a secure future, and democratic values must prevail” pic.twitter.com/KuHOJsr5JH
In just his first two weeks, Hogg has become embroiled in controversy after allegations that he is using the DNC platform to solicit donations for his own PAC.
Now, Hogg is being slammed for his tone-deaf criticism of President Trump’s weekend appearance at the Daytona 500.
On Sunday, President Trump and Air Force One did a flyover above the race track. He then addressed the drivers on the radio as his limousine paced the field to start the race.
Watching regular folks that Democrats like to smear as “flyover” folks enthusiastically cheer the commander-in-chief was apparently too much for Hogg, and he turned to social media to do what Democrats reflexively do: look down their noses at the American people.
According to Hogg, spending time with the American people at a beloved annual event is more of a stunt than sticking to dinners with millionaires or laying on a beach not interacting with a single person during a “Weekend at Bernie’s” cosplay.
Driving in circles for a multi million dollar publicity stunt while claiming you care so much about “efficiency” as thousands are illegally fired from their jobs and prices continue to climb is the perfect symbolism for the Trump admin.
David, you wouldn’t know efficiency if it smacked you in the face. Trump and DOGE are cutting actual waste, meanwhile, you’re crying over bureaucrats losing their cushy jobs while Americans struggle under Biden’s economy. Sit this one out, kid.
Hogg is offended by the cost of an event for the President but is conveniently silent on the billions in tax dollars being wasted throughout the government, including the shocking scandal at USAID.
Vs the billions funneled by USAID. I’m OK with this.
No, Musk Is Not Dismantling Democracy – He’s Cutting Spending and Eliminating Waste!
February 18, 2025
Elon Musk, the new sheriff in town. Photo courtesy of the Information Age
Musk is not dismantling democracy; he is cutting government spending and eliminating waste. He is also investigating corruption among politicians earning less than $200,000 per year yet possessing net worths in the millions. Why would anyone oppose that?
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has launched a comprehensive effort to reduce bureaucracy, eliminate wasteful spending, and modernize government operations. By streamlining processes and cutting unnecessary expenditures, DOGE aims to enhance efficiency across multiple federal agencies. One key initiative includes replacing outdated systems, such as manual sorting of retirement paperwork, with modernized solutions to improve effectiveness and reduce costs.
One of DOGE’s most significant actions targeted the Department of Education, immediately terminating over $370 million in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) grants, which funded programs such as anti-racism training for teachers and educational initiatives abroad. Additionally, DOGE implemented a $900 million budget cut to the agency responsible for tracking American students’ academic progress, significantly reducing operational expenses.
Advocates for dismantling the U.S. Department of Education argue that its elimination could enhance educational outcomes by returning control to state and local authorities, thereby fostering tailored approaches that better address regional needs. Established in 1979, the Department’s inception was intended to elevate national educational standards; however, critics point out that since its formation, the United States has experienced a decline in global education rankings. For instance, recent assessments reveal that American students’ reading and math proficiency has deteriorated, with eighth-grade reading scores reaching their lowest levels in decades. Proponents assert that decentralizing education governance would reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and empower communities to implement effective, localized solutions, potentially reversing these negative trends.
DOGE took decisive action to eliminate the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), shutting down its website and social media accounts, terminating staff, and halting overseas development projects. This move effectively ceased USAID’s operations, significantly reducing federal spending on international aid programs. The agency has long faced criticism for inefficient spending and misallocated funds. Notable examples include $1.5 million for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in Serbian workplaces and a $70,000 grant for a DEI-themed musical in Ireland. Additionally, USAID funded a $47,000 “transgender opera” in Colombia and a $32,000 “transgender comic book” in Peru—funding which could have been used for lifesaving aid in crisis zones. Other questionable expenditures include $6 million to boost Egypt’s already thriving tourism industry and $20 million to develop a Sesame Street program in Iraq. Furthermore, USAID awarded $110,000 to a Michigan-based charity with alleged ties to terrorist organizations in South Asia, raising concerns about oversight and accountability.
Another major cut involved the shutdown of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) headquarters in Washington, D.C. Reports indicated that windows were covered as internal discussions on budget reductions and restructuring took place. As the agency responsible for financial consumer protection, the CFPB underwent significant operational changes under DOGE’s directives, reflecting broader efforts to streamline government functions and reduce spending.
DOGE secured access to the Treasury Department’s federal payment system, which manages trillions in annual government expenditures. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to analyze and potentially restructure how federal funds are allocated and spent, ensuring greater efficiency and accountability.
DOGE’s cost-saving initiatives include eliminating redundant advisory boards across multiple agencies, saving an estimated $2.3 billion annually. Additionally, consolidating IT services within the federal government has streamlined data management, cutting cybersecurity costs by $1.5 billion. Another major effort involves renegotiating defense contracts, eliminating overpriced supplier agreements, and enforcing competitive bidding practices, leading to projected savings of over $10 billion.
Beyond cost-cutting, DOGE has intensified efforts to scrutinize congressional financial activities and expose conflicts of interest among high-ranking government officials. Elon Musk has questioned how certain representatives, despite earning middle-class salaries, have accumulated significant wealth. Investigations have uncovered cases where lawmakers made lucrative stock trades coinciding with legislative actions that benefited specific industries, raising concerns about potential insider trading violations. To address these issues, DOGE is working to implement stricter financial disclosure requirements and audit procedures, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability within the federal government.
DOGE’s initiatives signify a major shift in federal operations, focusing on reevaluating government efficiency, prioritizing spending, and tackling potential corruption. By emphasizing cost reduction, transparency, and accountability, these efforts aim to fundamentally reshape financial management across federal agencies.
The media and Twittersphere are working hard to convince Americans that Musk is dangerous, portraying his efforts to cut government waste and reduce costs as not only harmful but a threat to democracy. They repeatedly point out that Musk is not an elected official, yet of the millions of government officials, fewer than 1,000—including Congress and the president—are elected. The IRS, the Department of Education, and the head of the Federal Reserve are not elected either, yet their authority and legitimacy have never been questioned by the media. Those opposing Musk and Trump’s actions are either blinded by party loyalty rather than evaluating the policies themselves, afraid of what Musk might uncover, or worried about losing their cushy positions. In that case, they are exactly the kind of people who need to be investigated and removed.
Secretary Rubio and Russia’s Lavrov Hold Negotiations for 4.5 Hours in Saudi Arabia – Historic Meeting Ushers in New Era of Collaboration, Economic and Diplomatic Engagement
February 18, 2025
History in the making: Rubio, Lavrov, and teams on the US-Russia negotiations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
And so it happened that on the 18th of February in the year of Our Lord of 2025, the United States and the Russian top negotiators met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a 4-and-a-half-hour meeting that has restarted the bilateral diplomatic relations after the dark years of the Joe Biden regime.
As we get (limited) access to the content of the discussions, we are amazed at how childish the Ukrainian and European leaders were. Because, as children, they imagine the whole world revolves around them, as they seem incapable of grasping a larger reality.
The Rubio-Lavrov (and teams) talks were not about ending the war in Ukraine. That war is an important topic, for sure, but a detail in the macroscopic US-Russia bilateral relations that both Donald J. Trump and Vladimir Putin are interested in restoring and expanding.
AI-GHenerated image by Grok/ Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman between Trump and Putin.
Some of the issues upon which Lavrov and Rubio agreed:
• Create a consultation mechanism to overcome “irritants” in US-Russia relations.
• Appoint high-level teams to begin work on a Ukrainian settlement.
• Cooperate on issues of common geopolitical interests.
• Cooperate on economic opportunities that may arise after the end of the Ukrainian conflict.
• Take steps necessary to normalize the work of diplomatic missions.
US State Department: “A call and meeting between Russia and the US are not enough for a ‘lasting peace’, but an important step forward was taken in Riyadh.”
For the Russians, there were the presence of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.
The US team consisted of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
The rebirth of US-Russia relations is right in front of our eyes.
I’ve written about how the MSM – shall we call them the USAID media? – has pivoted from their previous ‘it will never happen’ stance on the US-Russia talks.
Now, their narrative is ‘it’s taking too long’.
So, in this sense, Bloomberg is reporting that Presidents Trump and Putin are going to meet next week in Riyadh – but this has already been denied by the Kremlin, and everyone seems to agree it’s too soon to get all the issues ironed out before the top guys meet.
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
(@GuntherEagleman) 
