What Happened Today - 27 May 2025
What Happened Today – 27 May 2025
Cash for Badges…pardoned
EU Trade Talks
ONE Transgender Athlete vs. $170B in funding in CA
Harvard Attacks
ONE Transgender Athlete vs. $170B in funding in CA
Developing our future leaders…with Trophy Wives
Russia, Ukraine and Trump
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Cash for Badges…pardoned
Former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins was convicted by a jury of taking $75,000+ in bribes—literally selling deputy badges to businessmen so they could dodge traffic tickets and carry concealed guns without permits. Prosecutors called it a “cash-for-badges” scheme and said Jenkins VIOLATED his oath and the trust of Virginians.
He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. But just before Jenkins was supposed to report to jail, Trump swooped in and pardoned him, calling Jenkins a “wonderful person” and a “victim of the Biden DOJ”.
The case was built by career prosecutors, the FBI, and decided by a jury of Virginians. The “weaponized Biden DOJ” line is pure political spin—Trump’s own Justice Department started the investigation, and the evidence was overwhelming (including undercover agents handing Jenkins envelopes of cash).
Jenkins is now free—no jail, no consequences for selling out his badge. Meanwhile, honest law enforcement and the people of Virginia are left to wonder: If you’re a Trump ally, does the law even matter anymore?
So many “wonderful people” being pardoned. We should add them all to our Christmas Card list….<sarcasm>
· Over 1,500 January 6th defendants: Sedition, obstruction of an official act, vandalism, assaulting police, and other offenses related to the Capitol attack
· Enrique Tarrio: Seditious conspiracy (Proud Boys leader)
· Stewart Rhodes: Seditious conspiracy (Oath Keepers leader)
· Ross Ulbricht: Aiding and abetting distribution of drugs over the internet, continuing criminal enterprise, computer hacking conspiracy, fraud with identification documents, money laundering conspiracy
· Terence Dale Sutton, Jr.: Second-degree murder, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, aiding and abetting
· Andrew Zabavsky: Conspiracy, obstruction of justice, aiding and abetting
· Rod Blagojevich: Wire fraud, extortion, bribery, making false statements
· Brian Kelsey: Conspiracy to defraud the United States, aiding and abetting the acceptance of excessive contributions
· Thomas Edward Caldwell: Tampering with documents or proceedings
· Devon Archer: Conspiracy to commit securities fraud, securities fraud
· Paul Walczak: Tax crimes (failing to pay employment taxes, not submitting personal income tax returns, withholding $7.5 million in taxes from employees)
· Scott Jenkins: Bribery, fraud
· Lauren Handy, Jonathan Darnel, Jay Smith, Paula Paulette Harlow, Jean Marshall, John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, William Goodman, Joan Bell, Coleman Boyd, Joel Curry, Caroline Davis, Eva Edl, Chester Gallagher, Herb Geraghty, Dennis Green, Paula Harlow, Christopher Moscinski, Justin Phillips, Paul Place, Paul Vaughn, Bevelyn Beatty Williams, Calvin Zastrow, Eva Zastrow, and James Zastrow: Violations of the FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act), including conspiracy against rights, clinic access obstruction, and interfering with access to reproductive health services.
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EU Trade Talks
Trump threatened a massive 50% tariff on all European Union imports starting June 1, blasting the EU for dragging its feet in trade talks. After a tense few days and a call with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump agreed to delay the tariffs until July 9 to give both sides more time to negotiate.
Now, both leaders are calling the talks “positive,” but nobody knows if a deal will actually get done. Markets are on edge, and businesses are bracing for what could be a major shakeup in US–EU trade if a deal isn’t reached by July.
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ONE Transgender Athlete vs. $170B in funding in CA
Trump is threatening to pull over $170 BILLION in federal funding from California—all because ONE transgender high school athlete qualified for the girls’ state track finals. That’s right: the president is willing to jeopardize a third of California’s entire budget, and the services millions rely on, over a single student athlete.
This isn’t about protecting fairness in sports—it’s political grandstanding at the expense of real people. Instead of holding an entire state hostage, why not work with experts, athletes, and advocates to create fair, balanced rules that respect everyone—cisgender and transgender athletes alike?
There are real ways to make competition fair:
• Set clear, science-based eligibility guidelines
• Consider open or additional categories
• Ensure policies are inclusive, safe, and respectful for all
Punishing millions for one athlete’s participation is not leadership—it’s reckless. Let’s have a real conversation about fairness, inclusion, and common sense in sports policy.
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Harvard Attacks
Trump’s administration is canceling all federal contracts with Harvard—over $100 million—on top of freezing billions in grants and blocking international students. Now, government agencies are being ordered to cut ties and find “alternative vendors” for everything Harvard does.
This is dangerous, reckless, and, despite what Trump thinks, it will hurt everyone—not just Harvard. Cutting off our top universities threatens the future of science breakthroughs, medical research, law, literature, and more. It’s a direct attack on the innovation and education that drive our country forward.
This isn’t just about politics or punishing one school. It’s about risking the progress and opportunities for future generations across America.
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Developing our future leaders…with Trophy Wives
Trump’s West Point graduation speech was a masterclass in what NOT to say to America’s next generation of Army officers. He also left early to “deal with China and Russia,” but multiple reports and eyewitnesses revealed he left before noon and flew directly to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, to play golf. Anyway…
Instead of inspiring unity and leadership, he:
• Rambled about “trophy wives” and divorce, joking about real estate moguls’ personal lives—at a military graduation!
• Mocked diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, vowing to stamp out “divisive” policies and end support for transgender service members.
• Claimed credit for “liberating” the military from “drag shows” and “political trainings”—topics that have nothing to do with the Army’s mission or the values West Point instills.
• Turned the event into a campaign rally, wearing a MAGA hat and attacking past presidents, immigrants, and even U.S. allies.
• Praised exclusionary housing developments from the past and made offhand jokes about wanting a West Point gold ring, reserved for actual graduates.
Graduation is supposed to be about service, sacrifice, and the Constitution—not political rants, culture war grievances, and personal bragging. Many in the audience were left bewildered, and some even walked out in protest.
Our future leaders deserve better than a speech filled with petty grievances, divisive rhetoric, and out-of-touch jokes. West Point stands for honor, integrity, and duty—not whatever that was.
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Russia, Ukraine and Trump
Russia just launched its largest-ever drone and missile barrage against Ukraine over the weekend, unleashing hundreds of drones and missiles on cities across the country. The attacks caused major destruction and civilian casualties, marking the most intense aerial assault since the war began.
At the same time, Trump publicly called Putin “absolutely CRAZY” and threatened even tougher U.S. sanctions if the attacks continue. Despite the violence, there was a rare glimmer of hope: Russia and Ukraine completed the largest prisoner swap of the war, each side exchanging 1,000 prisoners—including both soldiers and civilians. It’s a huge step, but the fighting on the ground is only getting worse.
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Stay strong and keep speaking your truth—your voice matters now more than ever. Remember, standing up for what’s right inspires others to do the same and helps create the world we all want to see.
On a lighter note, if you’re in the Colorado Springs area – Look UP! The Thunderbirds are here, my updates may be short or MIA as I plan to enjoy every moment! There’s nothing like the thrill of capturing those incredible jets in action. Sometimes, stepping back and doing what you love is the best way to recharge and come back even stronger. The sun IS going to rise tomorrow…and the next day. Attached is today’s sunrise as proof. ;)
Keep shining, keep sharing, and never stop believing in the power of your perspective.
Speak Truth!
If this has helped, please like and share—cause good trouble.
Go Cause Good Trouble, with Your Elbows Up!
**These are facts that I researched and verified – AI helped put together some sentence structure, but the words and tone are mine. These are my views based upon facts, research and thoughtful consideration using logic. I own the copyright to any images used. I’m comfortable to stand alone to uphold truth. Feel free to check me, but do not attack me. I am only causing good trouble.**