Secretary of State

Trump, Rubio move to dismantle ‘Deep State’ grip on national security

Axios, Approved, National / / , , , , ,

President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have orchestrated a vast restructuring of the National Security Council, reducing its size and transferring many of its powers to the State and Defense departments.

Why it matters: Trump’s White House sees the NSC as notoriously bureaucratic and filled with longtime officials who don’t share the president’s vision.

A White House official involved in the planning characterized the reorganization as Trump and Rubio’s latest move against what they see as Washington’s “Deep State.”

“The NSC is the ultimate Deep State. It’s Marco vs. the Deep State. We’re gutting the Deep State,” the official said of the move, which will cut the NSC staff to about half of its current 350 members. Those cut from the NSC will be moved to other positions in government, officials said.

“The right-sizing of the NSC is in line with its original purpose and the president’s vision,” Rubio told Axios in a statement. “The NSC will now be better positioned to collaborate with agencies.”

Trump, Rubio move to dismantle ‘Deep State’ grip on national security Read More »

Statewide and congressional contests heat up early as candidates line up for 2026

Colorado Politics, Approved, State / / , , , , , , ,

Colorado’s political world is in as close to a lull as it’s likely to get this cycle — six months past the 2024 general election, days after the end of this year’s regular legislative session, and with just over a year to go until voters begin casting primary ballots.

Major candidates for the state’s most prominent and competitive 2026 contests have already emerged, but many are about to get more company.

Statewide and congressional contests heat up early as candidates line up for 2026 Read More »

The $5 million shadow ledger: Pueblo Democrats’ HQ funded by bingo, not disclosed in filings

Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Local, Top Stories / / , , , , ,

A building paid for with bingo money. A political party using it as their headquarters. And more than $5 million in unreported financial activity that, to date, no one has answered for.

That’s the core of Pueblo resident Jonathan Ambler’s ongoing legal challenge against the Pueblo County Democratic Party and its Central Committee. Ambler, a former Republican candidate, filed two complaints last fall alleging the party used a bingo-funded building for years without reporting it in TRACER.

After the Colorado Secretary of State dismissed both complaints in April, Ambler – without an attorney – petitioned the Denver District Court for judicial review.

The $5 million shadow ledger: Pueblo Democrats’ HQ funded by bingo, not disclosed in filings Read More »

Secretary Rubio: Alien Enemies Act exists to protect Americans, defend against Tren de Aragua and others

Fox News, Approved, Commentary / / , ,

When the Founding Fathers drafted the Aliens Act of 1798, they intended it to act as an antibody against foreign armies, criminal networks, and individuals who sought to do America harm. They understood something we have forgotten. Every nation has not just a right to act in self-defense, but a duty to do so. When a nation neglects that duty, it risks becoming a haven for vile criminal elements from across the globe, and a battleground in other nation’s conflicts.  No nation is obligated to harbor foreign criminals from justice in their home nations, much less allow them to continue their crime spree right here in the United States.

Secretary Rubio: Alien Enemies Act exists to protect Americans, defend against Tren de Aragua and others Read More »

Rubio overhauling ‘bloated’ State Department in sweeping reform

Fox News, Approved, National / / , ,

The Trump administration has announced it is overhauling the State Department and shuttering more than 130 offices around the world in order to streamline operations and align the department more closely with the administration’s foreign policy objectives.

Rubio overhauling ‘bloated’ State Department in sweeping reform Read More »

Rubio unanimously confirmed as secretary of State, becoming Trump’s first Cabinet official

National, Approved, THE HILL / / , , ,

The Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as America’s 72nd secretary of State, putting in place the first member of President Trump’s Cabinet on the day of his inauguration.

Rubio unanimously confirmed as secretary of State, becoming Trump’s first Cabinet official Read More »