🇨🇳Diplomacy of symbols: What Trump's visit to China revealed about the new global balance of power
Trump's China pilgrimage revealed not American strength but the exhaustion of an empire that increasingly mistakes spectacle for strategy, beneath smiling children and waving flags, standing between two civilizations moving in opposite psychological directions: one obsessed with image, the other quietly consolidating power.
The Ceremony of Decline Upon arrival, young men and women stood along the tarmac waving small American and Chinese flags in careful unison while cameras captured the choreography from every angle, the sort of polished diplomatic pageantry modern states have perfected for international consumption.
Yet one detail lingered beneath the surface of the spectacle: Xi Jinping himself was notably absent from the reception.
The symbolism mattered.
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Trump's China pilgrimage revealed not American strength but the exhaustion of an empire that increasingly mistakes spectacle for strategy, beneath smiling children and waving flags, standing between two civilizations moving in opposite psychological directions: one obsessed with image, the other quietly consolidating power.
The Ceremony of Decline Upon arrival, young men and women stood along the tarmac waving small American and Chinese flags in careful unison while cameras captured the choreography from every angle, the sort of polished diplomatic pageantry modern states have perfected for international consumption.
Yet one detail lingered beneath the surface of the spectacle: Xi Jinping himself was notably absent from the reception.
The symbolism mattered.
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SPD leader faces backlash after saying migrants burdening welfare system is a lie pushed by 'right-wing extremists'
"Any responsible local politician could provide her with enough examples from their own city to prove the opposite," a former SPD member chimed in.
Labor Minister and Social Democratic Party (SPD) co-leader Bärbel Bas (SPD) says nobody is immigrating to Germany to take advantage of its social welfare system.
However, she has received substantial pushback directed at her claim.
Bas' comment came during a session of the Bundestag, when AfD MP René Springer asked Bas why she wasn't cutting spending on immigration due to the current budget crisis, given the clear burden it is putting on social welfare, a situation that is making German taxpayers increasingly angry.
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"Any responsible local politician could provide her with enough examples from their own city to prove the opposite," a former SPD member chimed in.
Labor Minister and Social Democratic Party (SPD) co-leader Bärbel Bas (SPD) says nobody is immigrating to Germany to take advantage of its social welfare system.
However, she has received substantial pushback directed at her claim.
Bas' comment came during a session of the Bundestag, when AfD MP René Springer asked Bas why she wasn't cutting spending on immigration due to the current budget crisis, given the clear burden it is putting on social welfare, a situation that is making German taxpayers increasingly angry.
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"Digital enslavement" is a subtle weapon of social subordination and global control
In a recent Buddhist retreat in Lima, Peru, about 200 participants were urged to abstain for the three-day retreat from our enslavement screens, "smart" phones, computers and television.
Difficult to say how many really followed the advice, but many did.
What was amazing is that during the first day, ignoring constant phone notifications was not easy for the many.
But consciously resisting it made it easier.
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In a recent Buddhist retreat in Lima, Peru, about 200 participants were urged to abstain for the three-day retreat from our enslavement screens, "smart" phones, computers and television.
Difficult to say how many really followed the advice, but many did.
What was amazing is that during the first day, ignoring constant phone notifications was not easy for the many.
But consciously resisting it made it easier.
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Starmer hit with legal threat after barring conservative speakers from entering UK for national rally
The group of conservative commentators and politicians has demanded that the British prime minister retract remarks accusing them of being "far-right agitators". U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been issued with a formal letter of claim after several foreign politicians, commentators, and activists were blocked from entering the United Kingdom ahead of a major rally in London last weekend.
The legal threat was announced on Saturday by Dutch commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek, who said she and others had instructed a lawyer to act on their behalf over potentially defamatory remarks made by the prime minister last week.
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The group of conservative commentators and politicians has demanded that the British prime minister retract remarks accusing them of being "far-right agitators". U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been issued with a formal letter of claim after several foreign politicians, commentators, and activists were blocked from entering the United Kingdom ahead of a major rally in London last weekend.
The legal threat was announced on Saturday by Dutch commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek, who said she and others had instructed a lawyer to act on their behalf over potentially defamatory remarks made by the prime minister last week.
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Supreme Court rules that freight brokers can be held accountable for negligence in commercial vehicle crashes
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling on whether freight brokers are protected from lawsuits under state law in injury or fatality crashes involving the commercial vehicles that they hire.
On Thursday, May 14, the Supreme Court handed down a unanimous opinion in favor of Shawn Montgomery in the case MONTGOMERY v.
CARIBE TRANSPORT II, LLC. Montgomery suffered severe injuries in a crash involving truck driver Yosniel Varela-Mojena, who was hauling a load of plastic pots through Illinois for motor carrier Caribe Transport II, LLC. when the crash occurred in 2017.
Montgomery's vehicle was parked on the shoulder when it was struck by Varela-Mojena's truck.
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The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling on whether freight brokers are protected from lawsuits under state law in injury or fatality crashes involving the commercial vehicles that they hire.
On Thursday, May 14, the Supreme Court handed down a unanimous opinion in favor of Shawn Montgomery in the case MONTGOMERY v.
CARIBE TRANSPORT II, LLC. Montgomery suffered severe injuries in a crash involving truck driver Yosniel Varela-Mojena, who was hauling a load of plastic pots through Illinois for motor carrier Caribe Transport II, LLC. when the crash occurred in 2017.
Montgomery's vehicle was parked on the shoulder when it was struck by Varela-Mojena's truck.
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Donald Trump is considering reversing course in front of Xi Jinping
The G2 summit between the US and China failed to produce any concrete responses to ongoing conflicts, from Taiwan to Iran, nor did it address issues such as tariffs.
President Trump, suddenly displaying good manners, listened attentively to his counterpart Xi Jinping and imagined what relations between their two countries might be like if they weren't at war.
The visit of US President Donald Trump to the People's Republic of China on May 13, 14, and 15, 2026, brought to light profound contradictions.
From a Chinese perspective, the goal was to ensure that Washington would always respect Taiwan as a Chinese province, not an independent state.
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The G2 summit between the US and China failed to produce any concrete responses to ongoing conflicts, from Taiwan to Iran, nor did it address issues such as tariffs.
President Trump, suddenly displaying good manners, listened attentively to his counterpart Xi Jinping and imagined what relations between their two countries might be like if they weren't at war.
The visit of US President Donald Trump to the People's Republic of China on May 13, 14, and 15, 2026, brought to light profound contradictions.
From a Chinese perspective, the goal was to ensure that Washington would always respect Taiwan as a Chinese province, not an independent state.
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🇿🇦South Africa's farming crisis may trigger food shortages across the continent
For decades South Africa has operated as the breadbasket for half of the African continent, and the vast majority of that food was grown by white farmers (Boers and Afrikaners). In other words, the very survival of Africans has long been dependent on the hard labor of the white people they are taught to despise.
South Africa has around 142 race-based laws which largely discriminate against white citizens, especially when property, business and government office is involved.
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For decades South Africa has operated as the breadbasket for half of the African continent, and the vast majority of that food was grown by white farmers (Boers and Afrikaners). In other words, the very survival of Africans has long been dependent on the hard labor of the white people they are taught to despise.
South Africa has around 142 race-based laws which largely discriminate against white citizens, especially when property, business and government office is involved.
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What they really think: CEO scrambles into damage control after "lower-value HUMAN capital" comment triggers outrage
StanChart CEO says quote was 'taken out of context' Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters and his team spent Wednesday in damage-control mode after the head of the London-based international bank told investors on Tuesday that artificial intelligence would be used to replace "lower-value human capital," sparking a backlash online.
"Many of you will have seen media coverage following the Investor Event in Hong Kong, particularly the reporting around automation, AI, and workforce changes," Winters wrote in an internal memo to employees on Wednesday that was seen by Bloomberg.
He continued, "I know this may be unsettling when reduced to simple headlines or a quote out of context."
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StanChart CEO says quote was 'taken out of context' Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters and his team spent Wednesday in damage-control mode after the head of the London-based international bank told investors on Tuesday that artificial intelligence would be used to replace "lower-value human capital," sparking a backlash online.
"Many of you will have seen media coverage following the Investor Event in Hong Kong, particularly the reporting around automation, AI, and workforce changes," Winters wrote in an internal memo to employees on Wednesday that was seen by Bloomberg.
He continued, "I know this may be unsettling when reduced to simple headlines or a quote out of context."
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Sinkhole causes delays, cancellations at New York City's LaGuardia Airport
A sinkhole near a runway at LaGuardia Airport caused delays and cancellations Wednesday after crews discovered the issue during a routine inspection, officials said.
According to FlightAware, LaGuardia Airport was experiencing arrival delays for airborne aircraft averaging 35 minutes and increasing.
What we know: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the sinkhole was identified around 11 a.m. near Runway 4/22 during the airport's daily morning airfield inspection.
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A sinkhole near a runway at LaGuardia Airport caused delays and cancellations Wednesday after crews discovered the issue during a routine inspection, officials said.
According to FlightAware, LaGuardia Airport was experiencing arrival delays for airborne aircraft averaging 35 minutes and increasing.
What we know: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the sinkhole was identified around 11 a.m. near Runway 4/22 during the airport's daily morning airfield inspection.
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🇮🇱🇱🇧Israel's northern shock: Hezbollah exposes the limits of Israel's 'Arrows of the North' campaign in Lebanon
From the Israeli side, the 2026 confrontation in south Lebanon tells a story of its own.
Military censorship kept much of the home front under control, but it could not contain the recriminations that followed a string of failures on the northern front.
The shock at Hezbollah's performance did not stay with military correspondents, security commentators, or analysts close to the army.
It reached Northern Command itself.
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From the Israeli side, the 2026 confrontation in south Lebanon tells a story of its own.
Military censorship kept much of the home front under control, but it could not contain the recriminations that followed a string of failures on the northern front.
The shock at Hezbollah's performance did not stay with military correspondents, security commentators, or analysts close to the army.
It reached Northern Command itself.
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Unanimous Supreme Court ruling: Freight brokers can be sued for neligently hiring illegal alien and unqualified foreign drivers
In a unanimous 9-0 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court just ruled that freight brokers can be held personally liable for negligently hiring dangerous trucking companies, including those flooding our highways with illegal aliens and unqualified foreign drivers who can't even speak English, let alone follow CDL regulations! Justice Amy Coney Barrett delivered the opinion in Montgomery v.
Caribe Transport II, LLC, confirming that federal law does NOT shield these greedy middleman brokers from state negligence lawsuits.
The case stems from a horrific 2017 crash in Illinois where trucker Shawn Montgomery lost part of his leg after being smashed by a carrier hired by freight giant C.H. Robinson.
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In a unanimous 9-0 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court just ruled that freight brokers can be held personally liable for negligently hiring dangerous trucking companies, including those flooding our highways with illegal aliens and unqualified foreign drivers who can't even speak English, let alone follow CDL regulations! Justice Amy Coney Barrett delivered the opinion in Montgomery v.
Caribe Transport II, LLC, confirming that federal law does NOT shield these greedy middleman brokers from state negligence lawsuits.
The case stems from a horrific 2017 crash in Illinois where trucker Shawn Montgomery lost part of his leg after being smashed by a carrier hired by freight giant C.H. Robinson.
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🛸World-shaking UFO files release imminent as insider Jeremy Corbell hints at 'much bigger' secrets in next disclosure drop
Americans are waiting with bated breath for the next wave of UFO files after officials promised the release will be 'very soon.' Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced Monday on X that the materials are currently 'actively being processed' for publication.
While details about the imminent disclosure dump remain secret, investigative journalist Jeremy Corbell told the Daily Mail it could include 46 classified UFO videos requested by lawmakers earlier this year.
'There is something much bigger coming,' he said.
Corbell claimed he personally provided officials with access to the videos via what he described as classified 'intel links' linked to hidden government servers, after unknown sources leaked the clips to him.
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Americans are waiting with bated breath for the next wave of UFO files after officials promised the release will be 'very soon.' Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced Monday on X that the materials are currently 'actively being processed' for publication.
While details about the imminent disclosure dump remain secret, investigative journalist Jeremy Corbell told the Daily Mail it could include 46 classified UFO videos requested by lawmakers earlier this year.
'There is something much bigger coming,' he said.
Corbell claimed he personally provided officials with access to the videos via what he described as classified 'intel links' linked to hidden government servers, after unknown sources leaked the clips to him.
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Pentagon quietly shut legally required program to prevent civilian deaths by military, watchdog finds
Trump administration accused of cutting military's civilian harm program in light of US strike on girls school in Iran.
The Pentagon has quietly dismantled a program it is legally required to operate to prevent and respond to civilian deaths in US military operations, according to its internal watchdog.
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Trump administration accused of cutting military's civilian harm program in light of US strike on girls school in Iran.
The Pentagon has quietly dismantled a program it is legally required to operate to prevent and respond to civilian deaths in US military operations, according to its internal watchdog.
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Unanimous Supreme Court ruling: Freight brokers can be sued for negligently hiring illegal alien and unqualified foreign drivers
In a unanimous 9-0 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court just ruled that freight brokers can be held personally liable for negligently hiring dangerous trucking companies, including those flooding our highways with illegal aliens and unqualified foreign drivers who can't even speak English, let alone follow CDL regulations! Justice Amy Coney Barrett delivered the opinion in Montgomery v.
Caribe Transport II, LLC, confirming that federal law does NOT shield these greedy middleman brokers from state negligence lawsuits.
The case stems from a horrific 2017 crash in Illinois where trucker Shawn Montgomery lost part of his leg after being smashed by a carrier hired by freight giant C.H. Robinson.
📍 Read More
@sotten | - X | Facebook | Donate
In a unanimous 9-0 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court just ruled that freight brokers can be held personally liable for negligently hiring dangerous trucking companies, including those flooding our highways with illegal aliens and unqualified foreign drivers who can't even speak English, let alone follow CDL regulations! Justice Amy Coney Barrett delivered the opinion in Montgomery v.
Caribe Transport II, LLC, confirming that federal law does NOT shield these greedy middleman brokers from state negligence lawsuits.
The case stems from a horrific 2017 crash in Illinois where trucker Shawn Montgomery lost part of his leg after being smashed by a carrier hired by freight giant C.H. Robinson.
📍 Read More
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🇲🇽3 people dead, nearly 20 New Mexico first responders hospitalized after exposure to 'unknown substance' during overdose call
Three people are dead, and nearly 20 first responders in New Mexico were hospitalized for exposure to an "unidentified substance" on Wednesday, according to authorities.
New Mexico State Police arrived at a residence in Mountainair around 11:00 a.m. to assist the Torrance County Sheriff's Office with a suspected overdose involving an unknown substance.
After entering the home, cops grimly discovered four unidentified people unresponsive.
Three of the four people have since died, authorities added.
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Three people are dead, and nearly 20 first responders in New Mexico were hospitalized for exposure to an "unidentified substance" on Wednesday, according to authorities.
New Mexico State Police arrived at a residence in Mountainair around 11:00 a.m. to assist the Torrance County Sheriff's Office with a suspected overdose involving an unknown substance.
After entering the home, cops grimly discovered four unidentified people unresponsive.
Three of the four people have since died, authorities added.
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I Know What a Terrorist Looks Like
I am the Minister of National Security of the State of Israel.
In 2007, I was convicted of incitement to racism and support for a terrorist organization.
I tell you the second fact first because I want you to hold it in your mind for everything that follows.
Last week I visited Ashdod port.
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I am the Minister of National Security of the State of Israel.
In 2007, I was convicted of incitement to racism and support for a terrorist organization.
I tell you the second fact first because I want you to hold it in your mind for everything that follows.
Last week I visited Ashdod port.
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'Multipolar world order' REALLY means
The world is changing.
The once dominant imperial power of the United States is faltering, hollowed out by corruption, over-extended by hubris, eaten away by the cancers of hatred, nationalism and greed.
Even according to its own propaganda outlets, America has "become the villain", is "Officially an Empire in Decline", and we are witnessing its "final act". And, as we await the titan's inevitable fall, the world is considering the future.
Everyone is talking about the "multipolar world order" just over the horizon.
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The world is changing.
The once dominant imperial power of the United States is faltering, hollowed out by corruption, over-extended by hubris, eaten away by the cancers of hatred, nationalism and greed.
Even according to its own propaganda outlets, America has "become the villain", is "Officially an Empire in Decline", and we are witnessing its "final act". And, as we await the titan's inevitable fall, the world is considering the future.
Everyone is talking about the "multipolar world order" just over the horizon.
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🇷🇺Forcing Russia's hand as Baltic states escalate war
The shooting down of a Ukrainian drone by a NATO warplane over Estonia this week shows how close the proxy war with Russia is to a European-wide escalation.
NATO and the EU leadership are pushing the Baltic states to escalate the war with Russia.
Maybe it's time for Moscow to preempt as the best way to avoid all-out war.
It was the first reported case of a NATO fighter jet intercepting a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Estonia's Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced: "We decided that we needed to take it down... it was meant to hit Russian targets." His remarks betray a nervousness among the Baltic states about where their support for Ukraine is leading them after Russia warned that it is ready to deliver on threats of retaliation for allowing Ukraine to use their airspace to launch strikes.
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The shooting down of a Ukrainian drone by a NATO warplane over Estonia this week shows how close the proxy war with Russia is to a European-wide escalation.
NATO and the EU leadership are pushing the Baltic states to escalate the war with Russia.
Maybe it's time for Moscow to preempt as the best way to avoid all-out war.
It was the first reported case of a NATO fighter jet intercepting a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Estonia's Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced: "We decided that we needed to take it down... it was meant to hit Russian targets." His remarks betray a nervousness among the Baltic states about where their support for Ukraine is leading them after Russia warned that it is ready to deliver on threats of retaliation for allowing Ukraine to use their airspace to launch strikes.
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Border czar Homan: Sanctuary jurisdictions must comply or face more ICE boots on the ground
Sanctuary jurisdictions in the United States will see more Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel on the ground if they do not allow local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE officers, border czar Tom Homan said in a May 15 interview with the Daily Signal.
In the interview, Homan was specifically asked about New York.
In January, the state's governor, Kathy Hochul, proposed the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which bars state and local law enforcement agencies from signing or maintaining any Section 287(g) agreements with ICE. Such agreements authorize ICE to delegate certain immigration functions to local and state officers under the agency's oversight.
Local and state officers can detain suspected illegal immigrants under the deal.
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Sanctuary jurisdictions in the United States will see more Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel on the ground if they do not allow local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE officers, border czar Tom Homan said in a May 15 interview with the Daily Signal.
In the interview, Homan was specifically asked about New York.
In January, the state's governor, Kathy Hochul, proposed the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which bars state and local law enforcement agencies from signing or maintaining any Section 287(g) agreements with ICE. Such agreements authorize ICE to delegate certain immigration functions to local and state officers under the agency's oversight.
Local and state officers can detain suspected illegal immigrants under the deal.
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Multiple states begin removing illegal immigrants from subsidized healthcare
The political left often betrays their true agenda in the legislation they choose to oppose.
The SAVE Act, for example, would require proof of citizenship to vote in US elections; a law which the majority of countries around the world enforce.
It's widely supported by around 80% of the public, yet, Democrats stubbornly refuse to pass it.
Why?
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The political left often betrays their true agenda in the legislation they choose to oppose.
The SAVE Act, for example, would require proof of citizenship to vote in US elections; a law which the majority of countries around the world enforce.
It's widely supported by around 80% of the public, yet, Democrats stubbornly refuse to pass it.
Why?
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A Comey Cake? Former prosecutor accused of stealing Smith Report files and hiding them as cake recipes
Former Justice Department prosecutor Carmen Mercedes Lineberger has been indicted for allegedly removing confidential Justice Department material and then concealing her efforts.
Lineberger is accused of secretly transferring Jack Smith's final report and hiding the material under files labeled "chocolate cake recipe" and "bundt cake recipe." There has not been a greater recipe for disaster since aides tried to fit all of Biden's candles on a cake.
The case is particularly interesting because there was another person who was accused of a secret removal of Justice Department material who was not prosecuted: former FBI Director James Comey.
Linebarger, 62, of Port St.
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Former Justice Department prosecutor Carmen Mercedes Lineberger has been indicted for allegedly removing confidential Justice Department material and then concealing her efforts.
Lineberger is accused of secretly transferring Jack Smith's final report and hiding the material under files labeled "chocolate cake recipe" and "bundt cake recipe." There has not been a greater recipe for disaster since aides tried to fit all of Biden's candles on a cake.
The case is particularly interesting because there was another person who was accused of a secret removal of Justice Department material who was not prosecuted: former FBI Director James Comey.
Linebarger, 62, of Port St.
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