From @WSJopinion: Ending the free-for-all at the border, which Trump has done, was a priority for national security and the rule of law. The question now, though, is how high Trump wants to crank the economic losses by mass deporting. https://t.co/cVkgZaEkj9 ...

Polygraph tests, force retirements, and sudden mysterious unexplained absences. A wave of brand new reporting reveals that the nation's top law enforcement agency has devolved into a Lord of the Flies situation under Donald Trump. The New York Times reveals that the FBI has turned a tool normally used to root out those who may have betrayed the country against their own. Dozens of top FBI officials have reportedly been forced to take polygraph tests. Many of them have been asked, quote, whether they have sa ...

Loyalty and Politicization Concerns - The report highlights concerns about the emphasis on loyalty within government agencies, potentially leading to the dismissal of qualified personnel who may express dissenting opinions [6][9][11] - The focus on loyalty over merit could erode the expertise and foundation of agencies like the FBI [17][18] - There are concerns that the pursuit of loyalty is creating a climate of fear, chilling whistleblower speech and hindering the autonomous decision-making of FBI agents and other government employees [13][15] - The report suggests a potential parallel to McCarthyism or KGB-style tactics, where personal loyalty is prioritized over competence and effectiveness [8] Impact on Agency Effectiveness - The report raises questions about the effectiveness of agencies in catching spies, chasing kidnappers, and addressing national security threats while focusing on rooting out perceived disloyalty [8][15][16] - The departure of experienced agents and personnel due to loyalty concerns could significantly damage the agencies' ability to perform their duties [15][16][17] - The report mentions that top agents in 40% of FBI field offices have either retired, been removed, or reassigned [15] - A former senior FBI official reported that at least 20 national security personnel had left the bureau in the last three months [16] Potential Abuse of Power - The report suggests that the consolidation of power and the removal of nonpartisan career officials could lead to politicized prosecutions [23] - There are concerns that the administration may be using the agencies as political tools to extend or hold power [18] - The report references a statement by Donald Trump identifying an "enemy from within" as a greater threat than external adversaries, suggesting a justification for purges within the US government [21] Use of Polygraph Tests - The report questions the use of polygraph tests as a broad-based intelligence collection tool, particularly when aimed at chilling whistleblower speech [12][13][18] - Polygraphs are considered unreliable and should only be used as one part of a comprehensive clearance process [7]

Iran Nuclear Program Status - Conflicting assessments exist regarding the success of US strikes in destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities, with doubts raised by the UN nuclear watchdog [1][3] - The US President's claim that Iran did not move enriched uranium before the strikes contradicts a preliminary US intelligence report [1] - Iran's capacity to produce enriched uranium could be restored within months [3] - The extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear program is not fully known immediately after the strike, and battle damage assessment is still incomplete [6][7] - There is concern that downplaying the remaining capacity of Iran's nuclear program could endanger national security [9] Diplomatic and Political Considerations - The only long-term solution to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon is through intrusive, verifiable inspections [11] - Diplomatic negotiations are essential to achieve verifiable inspections and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons [12][13] - The Trump administration's approach to Iran has been criticized, with some suggesting a return to the negotiating table is necessary [12][13] US Political Dynamics - There are concerns about the honesty and trustworthiness of administration officials regarding the assessment of Iran's nuclear program [17][18][19] - The Senate is considering a spending bill that would add $4.5 trillion to the national debt [20] - The Senate's version of the spending bill is considered worse than the House version, with concerns about tax cuts for billionaires and healthcare [21][22]

From @WSJopinion: Trump is imposing tariffs in the name of national security, but they will undercut his proposed defense buildup by reducing supply of the materials most critical to building the weapons, write Phil Gramm and Donald J. Boudreaux https://t.co/pVSYl9PkWa ...

Group 1 - Jacobs Solutions Inc. has been awarded a $137 million contract by the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority for the "Rebuild USVI" initiative, focusing on critical infrastructure projects [1][3] - The company will collaborate with the U.S. Virgin Islands' Super Project Management Office on various projects, including hospitals, schools, and utilities, while also providing advisory and consulting services [2] - Jacobs' backlog reached $21.8 billion at the end of fiscal first-quarter 2025, reflecting an 18.9% increase year-over-year, driven by strong project wins in key markets [5] Group 2 - The company has seen increased demand for its consulting services across multiple sectors, including infrastructure and life sciences, indicating a positive growth trend [4] - Despite a 12% decline in stock year-to-date, Jacobs is expected to benefit from trends in infrastructure modernization and energy transition [7]