Thank you so much for joining me . I know that you were released only about 5 days ago and I can' t imagine what these last several days really month has been like for you so begin with just how are you holding up. What have you been going through . Hasn't been easy hasn't been easy because even one. I'm back at home and I'm sleeping, I still feel like, you know, it's not real that I'm still in there.But with my family and through the generous help of Todd and his team of people, it's facilitated my coming ...

From the people who brought you Project 2025, prepare yourself for 2026. The Heritage Foundation's policy priorities are out for next year, and they are building on what the Trump administration has already achieved. The conservative movement is calling it the golden age of choice. The golden age is a choice.It's a choice to prioritize families and empower local communities. A choice to find dignity in prosperous and honorable work. >> A choice to prioritize our nation's safety, protecting our homeland, and ...

Core Insights - Dennis McLaughlin's career trajectory reflects a pursuit of intellectually stimulating roles rather than financial gain, leading him to significant positions in risk management across various financial institutions, including the World Bank [1][3][55] Group 1: Career Path and Philosophy - McLaughlin transitioned from academia to finance after realizing the practical applications of mathematics in the financial sector, which led him to pursue an MBA to complement his analytical skills with business acumen [17][18] - His roles have often involved high-stakes environments, such as leading risk management during the subprime mortgage crisis at Merrill Lynch, where he was tasked with anticipating liquidity needs amidst a financial downturn [5][24] - McLaughlin's approach to risk management emphasizes understanding complex systems and the importance of preserving stakeholder trust, particularly in his current role at the World Bank [8][56] Group 2: Risk Management at LCH - During his tenure at LCH, McLaughlin oversaw a significant increase in derivatives clearing volumes, from $386 trillion to over $1,500 trillion, establishing LCH as a dominant player in the market [38] - He implemented advanced margin models to mitigate procyclicality risks, ensuring that the clearing house could withstand market fluctuations without requiring emergency margin recalibrations [39][41] - McLaughlin's policies and frameworks developed at LCH continue to be adhered to, indicating the lasting impact of his work on the organization's risk management practices [42][43] Group 3: Current Role at the World Bank - At the World Bank, McLaughlin faces unique challenges, including managing risks associated with lending to countries in crisis, which differs significantly from traditional banking environments [55][56] - He is focused on maintaining shareholder trust, which is critical for the World Bank's operations, as losing this trust could jeopardize its mission [57][58] - McLaughlin is exploring innovative approaches, such as using semantic analysis to identify potential issues in the thousands of projects financed by the World Bank, aiming to enhance risk management capabilities [63][66]

We will sit down with any Republicans anytime, anyplace, anywhere. In order to find a bipartisan path forward. But we're not down with that my way or the highway approach to governance that's failed the American people.It's been a disaster for the American people and the American people know it. They fired more than 2000 federal and 100,000. Federal employees prior.To the shutdown that they started beginning. So of course, there's reason to be deeply skeptical of the administration and their motives as it r ...

On February the 18th, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson screened a film for senior government officials in the East Room of the White House. It was called The Birth of a Nation, a three-hour piece of propaganda that glorified the Ku Klux Clan and portrayed emancipated black Americans as unworthy of freedom. and marked a chilling inflection point when white nationalism stepped out of the relative shadows and into the center of the federal government.And if that sounds familiar to you, it's because we're watchin ...

More Americans are about to feel the pain of the government shutdown. The Washington Post reports that while the president ordered the Pentagon to repurpose research and development funding to make payroll for members of the military who were set to miss their first paycheck Wednesday, civilian employees won't see the same treatment. Even Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the pain this morning on Fox.But the longer this goes on, the deeper the cuts are going to be. And Maria, to be clear, some of these c ...

Political Analysis - The report highlights concerns about the potential misuse of the Insurrection Act, suggesting a plan to justify its invocation for political purposes [5][6][9] - It points out the increasing use of the term "insurrection" by political figures to describe dissent, protests, and legal challenges, potentially diluting its meaning and normalizing the use of force against perceived enemies [12][13][14] - The report raises concerns about the deployment of federal troops in cities over the objections of local leaders, and the use of force against protesters, journalists, and clergy [1][2][3] Legal and Constitutional Issues - The report emphasizes the importance of the First Amendment rights to protest and speak freely, as highlighted by a federal judge's order protecting these rights [4] - It mentions the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally prohibits using the military for domestic law enforcement, suggesting a potential conflict with the invocation of the Insurrection Act [11] - The report references Project 2025, which allegedly aims to circumvent legal constraints on presidential power [1][5] Social Impact - The report describes the fear and unease created in communities by the deployment of federal agents and their use of force [2] - It highlights incidents of violence against protesters, journalists, and clergy, raising concerns about the suppression of dissent [1][2][3] - The report emphasizes the solidarity and support for immigrants being held in confinement, and the desire for justice and their return to communities [1]

Government Workforce & Policy - The Trump administration is allegedly using the shutdown to terminate a portion of the federal workforce, actions deemed potentially illegal, prompting legal challenges [1] - Project 2025 is mentioned as foreshadowing the idea of workforce reduction, despite denials of involvement from President Trump during the 2024 campaign [1][3] - The Director of the US Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vote, has reportedly urged federal agencies to consider firing federal workers on furlough, aligning with the goals of Project 2025 [2] Operational Efficiency & Evaluation - The ability to rate employee performance and enforce standards is considered crucial for the system's functionality [2]

Government Shutdown & Workforce Impact - The Trump administration is potentially using the government shutdown to reduce the federal workforce, possibly impacting thousands of employees [1] - The administration might leverage the shutdown to cut funding from disfavored programs [2] - OMB's plan suggests that approximately 23% of federal employees could be furloughed if the shutdown persists [3] - Around 154,000 federal employees accepted buyouts earlier in the year [4] Fiscal & Political Dimensions - The government faces a significant financial challenge, potentially leading to insolvency [3] - The shutdown is viewed as a matter of political priorities, with conservatives aiming to reshape the federal bureaucracy [9] - Project 2025 aims to change the dynamics within the federal workforce, potentially reducing the influence of unions [10][11] - Democrats are seeking a 15 trillion increase in spending, which Republicans oppose [5] Spending & Debt - Mandatory spending on programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid constitutes over 75% of federal spending and grows faster than the economy [6] - A Republican reconciliation bill previously increased the deficit by approximately 4 trillion over ten years [7] - Some analysts believe tax cuts could stimulate more growth than tax increases [8]

Government Shutdown & Political Stance - The government shutdown is on its fifth day, with both parties blaming each other for the stalemate [1] - Democrats accuse Republicans of refusing negotiations to reopen the government [1][2] - Republicans claim the shutdown is a Democratic ploy related to Senator Chuck Schumer's re-election [1][3] - Polls indicate Americans are blaming President Trump and Republicans for the shutdown, though many are unsure [4] - Democrats are using the shutdown to fight back against the Trump agenda, particularly regarding healthcare [4] Healthcare & ACA Subsidies - Healthcare premiums are expected to skyrocket, potentially doubling, if Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies expire [5][6] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of standing firm against Trump to prevent the expiration of ACA subsidies [6] - It is estimated that notices of premium increases will start arriving in approximately three weeks [7] - Millions of people could see their Medicaid taken away or dramatically reduced in the coming years [11] Project 2025 & Trump's Agenda - President Trump is embracing Project 2025, a far-right blueprint for mass federal workforce firings [13] - The speaker believes Trump has been trying to implement Project 2025 all along [14][15] - The speaker highlights the need to push back against the Trump agenda in legislatures and courts [15] Jeffrey Epstein Scandal - Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's comments about Jeffrey Epstein contradict the Trump administration's public statements [19] - Lutnick described Epstein's behavior and hinted at blackmail, raising questions about a potential cover-up [18][20] - The speaker calls for the release of the Epstein files, suggesting Trump is hiding something [22][23]