UNEXPECTED HEADLINES: Assassination of an escort leads to miniskirt ban in world’s least popular parliament.

Detectives immediately knew they were dealing with a professional hit. The criminals had riddled the taxi with some 40 bullets, yet stole nothing from the dying driver and passenger.

But what puzzled them was the identity of the victim of the ferocious attack in the centre of Lima, Peru’s chaotic capital, last December. That passenger, Andrea Vidal, 27, was a slim, photogenic lawyer and former congressional aide.

By the time she succumbed to her injuries in intensive care one week later, investigators had begun to unearth a scandal shocking even by the rock-bottom standards of the Andean nation’s ethically-challenged Congress – a prostitution ring allegedly operating within the legislative palace itself.

Politicians initially sought to ignore the mushrooming scandal, which Ms Vidal, who was part of the ring, had reportedly been on the point of revealing when she was killed.

But public pressure finally forced them to act. Last week, they banned female aides from wearing miniskirts and shorts.

Well, that ought to solve the problem.

OUR NEW NORM IS “ANYTHING GOES:”

The fact that Fauci's pardon specifically and explicitly addresses his Covid-related offenses, while being backdated to 2014—the year the gain-of-function ban took effect, which Fauci circumvented by outsourcing experiments to China—speaks volumes as to what this is really about. pic.twitter.com/rRI4fXsx5E

— Hans Mahncke (@HansMahncke) January 20, 2025

THE WHOLE PJ CREW IS LIVEBLOGGING: Inauguration of Donald J. Trump, 47th President of the United States.

FER CRYIN’ OUT LOUD: Trump ‘Transition Official’ Says All the Gazans Really Need Is ‘a Sense of Hope.’ Really?

Trump’s biggest weakness might be how small the pool is of good hires. But this one has got to go.

INAUGURATION LIVE:

The 60th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony https://t.co/kTB4w2VCdI

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2025

Trump looks less tired after 8 years of hell than most presidents do after serving four years. “The golden age of America begins right now.”

UPDATE:

Trump is shitting on Biden while he has to sit there and take it. This is one for the ages.

— Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) January 20, 2025

The Insta-Wife from downstairs: “Have you been watching Kamala’s face?”

Flashback: Never Give Up, Never Surrender!

MORE: “I don’t think I’ve ever watched an inauguration so closely. The indoor setting brings the focus to the individual faces…”

And from the PJ Liveblog:

HARSH, BUT AT THIS SAD POINT IN BRITISH HISTORY, FAIR:

Your country is unworthy of a special relationship with ours. That wasn’t always true, but it is now, by your choice. Go away. You’re nothing to us. You’re Fredo. https://t.co/2gmKFwMZJK

— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) January 20, 2025

Related:

Keir Starmer covered up the Southport killer’s identity, concealing his motives and the fact that he was an Islamist terrorist, prevented the public from seeing his mugshot. This just dropped. pic.twitter.com/YOcDTsBCf3

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) January 20, 2025

They knew.

Then they blamed everything on the 'far-right'. pic.twitter.com/NMP1aEstSc

— Lee Harris (@addicted2newz) January 20, 2025

ONE LAST FU ON HIS WAY OUT THE DOOR: “FOR ANY NONVIOLENT OFFENSES against the United States which they may have committed or taken part in during the period from January I, 2014, through the date of this pardon.”

The whole damnable family.

Related:

Got any follow up comment Ruth? https://t.co/sIElHsNVda

— Jeff Carlson (@themarketswork) January 20, 2025

IT’S MORNING IN AMERICA: LIVE: Inauguration of Donald J. Trump, 47th President of the United States

REPORT: Trump Inaugural Speech Promises ‘Revolution of Common Sense’ for America.

In an exclusive report, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published that incoming President Donald Trump is going to call for a “revolution of common sense” during his inaugural address in Washington D.C. on Monday.

WSJ reportedly received remarks Trump is allegedly expected to say during his first address as the 47th president of the United States.

“I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country,” Trump will supposedly say. “My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization.”

Related: America braces for an avalanche of Trump executive orders on day one.

THE EV BUBBLE CONTINUES TO DEFLATE: Canoo Inc. Announces Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Filing. “Despite being American-made, successfully delivering to such esteemed organizations as NASA, the Department of Defense (“DOD”), The United States Postal Service (“USPS”), the State of Oklahoma and having agreements with Walmart and others, Canoo has unfortunately been unable to secure financial support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (“DOE”) Loan Program Office. Recently, the company’s executives were in discussions with foreign sources of capital. In light of the fact that these efforts were unsuccessful, the Board has made the difficult decision to file for insolvency.”

Judging by the press release, the company’s business model was to get government loans to finance the production of EVs for purchase by governments.

NOT EVERYBODY IS PART OF THE CABAL: Even Biden’s Own State Department Credits Trump for Getting a Hostage Deal.

READER FAVORITE: Professional Meat Thermometer for Oven – Large Display. #CommissionEarned

DAN MORENOFF:  “Donald Trump Faces Boromir’s Test.“

MINORITY REPORT: Biden Issues Pre-Emptive Pardons on Last Day in Office.

Just hours before Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47^th president of the United States, President Joe Biden issued pre-emptive pardons for a number of high-profile figures, shielding them from potential retribution by the incoming administration.

The pre-emptive pardons were announced Monday morning for Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, lawmakers and staff that served on the Jan. 6 Committee, including former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), and U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee.

In his 1956 novel Minority Report, later adapted into a 2003 movie directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise, Philip K. Dick created the “precrime unit” that would predict future crimes to be committed by potential miscreants. But can a president issue a pardon before a sentence has been issued? At the Justice.gov Office of the Pardon Attorney is the following question and answer:

Can the President pardon someone before they are indicted, convicted, or sentenced for a federal offense against the United States?

It would be highly unusual, but there have been a few cases where people who had not been charged with a crime were pardoned, including President Gerald Ford’s pardon of President Richard Nixon after Watergate, President Jimmy Carter’s pardon of Vietnam draft dodgers and President George H.W. Bush’s pardon of Caspar Weinberger. President Donald J. Trump pardoned Joseph Arpaio and others after they were charged and convicted, but prior to sentencing. See Pardons Granted by President Donald Trump (justice.gov)

Fauci is no doubt thrilled to have gotten his precrime pardon, but issues a “what, me worry?” public statement: Fauci Issues Statement After Pre-Emptive Pardon. Conservatives Respond. “I really truly appreciate the action President Biden has taken today on my behalf. Let me be perfectly clear, Jon, I have committed no crime, you know that, and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me,’ he said.”

He doesn’t have to accept the pardon. If he did nothing wrong be a man and turn it down… But you know he won’t because everyone knows he’s guilty of so much. https://t.co/e2QKoHaUPb

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 20, 2025

UPDATE:

OK, I changed my mind. These pardons were worth it just so I could see Rachel Vindman throw a tantrum over not getting one. pic.twitter.com/HFzUmgaaZh

— Noam Blum (@neontaster) January 20, 2025

As for the January 6th committee members:

Jamie Raskin on presidential pardons:

“The seeking of pardons is powerful demonstration of the consciousness of guilt, or at least the consciousness that you may be in trouble.”

Biden just preemptively pardoned him for his role in the Jan 6th committee. pic.twitter.com/VajwMhgrGt

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 20, 2025

UPDATE (from Steve): To Gerald Ford’s credit, he didn’t issue a midnight pardon to Nixon and willingly took the political hit for it. It’s a completely different thing that Biden did, filled with spite for our institutions and, oddly enough, his own (already tattered) credibility.

HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING:

BREAKING: Donald Trump to sign 200+ executive orders tomorrow.

Per FOX and Eric Daugherty, they include:
– Declare emergency at the border + issue proclamation closing the border
– Designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations
– Remain in Mexico, Catch and Release will be…

— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) January 19, 2025

Soon you will hear the lamentations of their womyn.

K12 IMPLOSION UPDATE: Teacher created ‘divisive,’ ‘unwelcoming’ environment for Jewish students: report.

I DUNNO, THERE ARE STILL NEARLY TWO HOURS LEFT: Dear Joe: NOW Are You Done Breaking the Country?

Did you ever have to deal with the last guy to leave the party who wouldn’t take the hint that the fun ended an hour ago and he’s the only reason you aren’t in bed already, sleeping it off? You finally maneuvered him to the front door, the Uber is honking in the driveway, but he won’t wrap up the 12″ extended dance mix of “Goodnight!” and leave.

Presidentish Joe Biden has been on his way out the door since June, and that sound you hear outside is an Uber driver at the absolute end of his patience.

One empathizes.

Much more at the link.

HIGHER EDUCATION BUBBLE UPDATE: Washington State provides free ‘Queer Pole Fit’ classes.

THERE’S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN: Facing Trump’s mass deportation plans, some sanctuary cities shift their tone.

Leaders of several sanctuary cities where officials had prominently rejected Donald Trump’s first-term immigration policies are shifting their tone as he prepares to take office again and carry out his mass deportation plans.

Some local officials have softened on how closely they want their cities to be identified with the “sanctuary city” label and have pledged to work with federal immigration authorities. But others have doubled down on their cities being sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants and reject any notion that they’d cooperate with a Trump administration seeking to deport millions of them.

The mixed approaches of officials in some of the largest and heavily Democratic cities in the U.S. underscore the country’s shifting politics on immigration. While leaders in these cities largely — and often loudly — rejected Trump’s immigration policies when he was last in the White House, some are now willing to work more closely with his administration on a top priority or tamp down their rhetoric.

Resistance is futile.

ONLY THE BEGINNING: Donald Trump Is Ready to Fight. So Are We.

KRUISER’S MORNING BRIEFING: Never Mind the Weather — It’s a Bright and Sunny Day for America. “Liberty is once again on the menu and Trump has promised to serve up generous portions of it to a grateful nation. Well, the sane people are grateful, anyway. Those who aren’t celebrating his return to office are too slow to realize that they will also benefit from having a real president again”

LIGHTNING DEAL: Hazmat Suits Disposable Coverall. #CommissionEarned

WALL STREET JOURNAL: How MAGA Is Taking Back the Culture: In sports, entertainment and marketing, displays of conservatism are crowding out progressive postures.

Across many facets of society—in sports, entertainment, the classroom and the workplace—there are signs that MAGA isn’t just retaking the White House. It is gaining a firmer foothold in the broader culture.

Instead of taking a knee to call for social justice, NFL players are doing the “Trump dance” in the end zone at football games. Mainstream entertainers, among them the country singer Carrie Underwood and the rapper Snoop Dogg, agreed to perform at events celebrating Donald Trump’s inauguration, something music stars largely shunned eight years ago.

A new generation of Trump-friendly comedians and wellness influencers is populating YouTube and other social media, while a snippet of audio featuring Barron and Melania Trump has become one of the hottest online memes, with celebrities such as Paris Hilton and brands including Frontier Airlines using it in their TikTok and Instagram posts.

“Every time I walk on campus, I see a few MAGA hats. That’s definitely new,” said Carson Carpenter, 19, a senior at Arizona State University. Conservatism, he said, “has really become intertwined in our pop culture…. It’s really showing that conservatism is cool now.”

Off campus, Americans who once hid their support for Trump now wear it on their sleeves, or their hats. Trevor Traina, a tech entrepreneur and former ambassador in the first Trump administration who lives in San Francisco, said he felt the shift when he co-hosted a June fundraiser for Trump in the ritzy, liberal neighborhood of Pacific Heights.

Instead of the expected protests, Traina said, the event drew “more than 100 people in red MAGA hats walking around Pacific Heights. And, you know, in my life, we’ve never seen anything like that. Republicans in San Francisco used to walk around with Groucho Marx glasses and scarves over their heads, you know, scurrying in the shadows.”

The preference cascade has cascaded.

ICYMI: MY LATEST SUBSTACK ESSAY: This Monday, Have A Happy DJT Day.

THE OPERATING ASSUMPTION SHOULD BE THAT EVERYTHING IN GAZA THAT ISN’T HAMAS IS ACTUALLY HAMAS:

Aljazeera documented how Hamas's al-Qassam Brigade fighters emerged from the Nasser Hospital complex with their weapons and vehicles in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, as soon as the ceasefire went into effect, similar to how they emerged from displacement tents 3 days ago. pic.twitter.com/7rYftKYBlS

— Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (@afalkhatib) January 19, 2025