The BLUE PRESS JOURNAL

We aim to be a voice in the ongoing political discourse, providing both factual information and opinionated analysis, from a progressive or center-left perspective, free from the direct influence of major
established Main Street Media.

  • The privacy of your Social Security checks and tax refunds have been turned over to Elon Musk!

    So, get this – a 25-year-old engineer who just so happens to be connected to Elon Musk now has the keys to the kingdom when it comes to the computer code that controls Social Security payments, tax returns, and other important payments for Americans. Marko Elez, 25 years old, who used to work for two of Musk’s companies, now has the power to make changes to the Treasury Department systems that handle pretty much all the money flowing in and out of the U.S. government.

    This crucial story has not been adequately addressed by the mainstream media, as Trump inundates the press with a barrage stories like trying to drink water from a fire hose.

    I mean, what could possibly go wrong, right? Giving someone with little documentation and a million different coding choices the ability to rewrite critical systems seems like a totally solid plan. And let’s not forget that this guy has full access to make irreversible changes – because who needs security measures anyway? Who needs to worry about getting your Social Security check or tax refund, right? 

    But hey, it’s not like the economy or the government could be at risk or anything. According to one IT employee, having read privileges alone would have been bad enough, but giving this guy read and write access is basically setting the stage for doomsday. So, yeah, let’s just sit back and watch the chaos unfold. What could possibly go wrong?

    Congress must urgently rally for immediate attention and decisive action to avert looming disasters that threaten our future!

  • United States Agency for International Development closed down, putting billions of dollars in foreign aid at risk

    USAID, funded by Congress, is apparently under threat of being shut down by the unelected billionaire, Musk, who also happens to run a federal advisory commission that may or may not be breaking the law. 

    In the meantime, the USAID website has mysteriously disappeared, and numerous employees have been placed on leave for refusing to comply with a questionable funding freeze imposed by Trump. Musk’s tech bros even sent out an email declaring the office closed, leaving everyone in limbo.

    Despite the lack of legal authority, Trump and Musk seem determined to close USAID, an agency created by President Kennedy in 1961. Any major changes to the agency would require congressional approval, and freezing congressionally approved funding would violate the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

    Closing USAID would have catastrophic consequences for millions of people worldwide, not to mention Americans at home. The agency plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of deadly diseases, but apparently, that’s not a priority for the billionaire class trying to take over the government.

    In the words of Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, this is a blatant attempt by the right-wing billionaire class to steal from the American people.

  • Stock markets react negatively today to Trump’s trade war

    As Trump prepared to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, U.S. stock markets plummeted at the opening on Monday.

    The S&P 500 fell by 1.7% in early trading, while The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 557 points, according to AP. The Nasdaq composite was down by 2.1% at the opening bell.

    This sharp decline indicates that the markets are skeptical of the president’s plan to implement a series of import taxes starting tomorrow.

    Tariffs of 25% will be imposed on Mexico and Canada, while Chinese products will face duties of 10%.

    Trump acknowledged over the weekend that his trade war could result in “a little pain” for American families.  It seems the markets don’t agree!

    The uncertainty surrounding these tariffs has clearly rattled investors, leading to a significant downturn in the stock markets. It remains to be seen how this trade war will impact the economy in the long run.

  • TRUMPS TRADE WAR ON !

    The White House announced on Saturday that the imposition of tariffs was deemed necessary in order to hold China, Mexico, and Canada accountable for their commitments to stop the influx of harmful drugs into the United States.

    Trump slapped tariffs on our friendly neighbors to the north and south, Canada and Mexico, at a whopping 25 percent. However, he was feeling a bit more generous towards Canadian energy, only hitting them with a 10 percent tariff.  That’s still going to raise the price of gas at your pump!

    However, Prime Minister Trudeau refuted the notion that the shared border posed a security threat, stating that less than 1% of fentanyl entering the US originates from Canada. He also pointed out that less than 1% of illegal migrants cross the border into the US, emphasizing that tariffs are not the most effective means of collaboration to protect lives.

    Economists are expressing considerable concern regarding the potential disruptions these tariffs may create for the U.S. economy. President Trump’s request for the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates may be complicated by the turmoil induced by these tariffs. Financial markets are expected to be unstable, akin to a house of cards in a windstorm, despite the administration’s assertions of being fundamentally pro-business.

    American business groups are not thrilled about these tariffs, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce calling them a “recipe for decline.” Canada wasted no time in retaliating, slapping their own tariffs on American goods. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is playing hardball, hitting American beer, wine, bourbon, and even household appliances with a 25% tariff. Looks like the trade war has officially begun between these two friendly neighbors.

    In a move that is sure to make everyone’s lives more complicated, Canada is also considering levies on lumber, plastics, and even non-tariff measures related to critical minerals and procurement. Because who doesn’t love a good trade war, right?

  • “Who is giving and who is receiving federal dollars?

    As Trump and the GOP continue to cut federal programs, residents in red states will soon confront the implications of their voting choices, or perhaps more accurately, their lack of action.

    “Who is giving and who is receiving federal dollars? Well, it turns out that close to 50% of West Virginia’s nearly $19.9 billion aggregate spending budget comes from federal dollars, such as IGTs and various transfers. Despite this, West Virginians voted for Trump at a whopping 70-28 margin. You would think that the people of the Mountain State, more than anyone, would champion the ethos of self-reliance and pulling themselves up by their bootstraps.

    But alas, 50% of West Virginia’s budget is actually subsidized by the rest of the country, particularly by blue states like California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington. So, if West Virginians want federal help, maybe they should consider voting for Democrats again. Otherwise, they can enjoy economic ruin in exchange for Trump and the GOP’s “only two genders” propaganda.

    Louisianans also voted for Trump at a 60-38 margin, clearly in agreement with his plan to cut trillions from the federal budget. Shockingly, while 20% of Americans are on Medicaid, that number jumps to 40% in Louisiana. A whopping 63% of all deliveries in the Pelican State are paid for by Medicaid, so much for those “pro-life” advocates. Louisiana is even ranked as the seventh most federally dependent state in the country, according to a WalletHub analysis. (West Virginia is ranked fourth.) And according to Pew, in 2022, Louisiana had the highest percentage of revenue from the federal government at 50.5%.

    So, to all the MAGA/Trump voters in these red states, maybe it’s time to start thinking about how your votes are actually affecting your own pocketbooks. Just a thought.

  • Nazi Germany 1938 coming to America under Trump in 2025

    The Trump administration has initiated a purge reminiscent of 1938 Germany, with criminals being released, police being discharged, and courts being ignored. This alarming trend is continuing with plans to fire FBI agents and DOJ officals who were involved in investigations related to President Donald Trump.

    Reports indicate that senior FBI officials have been given an ultimatum to leave the bureau or face termination by Monday. This is just one part of a larger effort to overhaul the federal government during Trump’s second term.

    How does the dismissal of essential FBI agents contribute to the safety of American citizens? Who will shield us from significant criminal enterprises and terrorist threats? Trump is a convicted felon and is exhibiting behavior consistent with that status.

    The recent developments include Kash Patel, a QAnon conspiracy theorist and Jan. 6 defender, potentially taking on a leadership role at the FBI. Despite denying the existence of an enemies list targeting deep state officials, Patel has previously written a book on the subject in 2023.

    These actions by Trump will only serve to empower Trump to break the law and trample on the legal rights and freedoms of Americans. It is imperative that we remain vigilant and stand up against these authoritarian tactics. MAGA republicans and voters can’t say they didn’t know as 1938 German voters did. You know and voted for him!

  • Trump tariffs already have negative effects on market today

    Get ready to tighten those purse strings, folks! Trump is unleashing a tariff storm, with 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and 10% tariffs on goods from China starting this Saturday. Brace yourselves for potential price hikes, as the White House remains tight-lipped on any exemptions.

    Wall Street felt the heat too, with stocks taking a nosedive after the announcement. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite both took a hit, ending the week with their first loss in three weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also felt the pinch, dropping 0.8%.

    Looks like it’s time to buckle up and ride out the storm of tariffs hitting our shores. Hold onto your wallets, folks!

  • Setting the Record Straight on Tariffs

    The Trump administration is gearing up to slap some hefty tariffs on U.S. imports, taking us back to the good ol’ days before World War II.  Trump plans to flex his emergency executive authority muscles by imposing a 25 percent tariff on Canada and Mexico, and a 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods. Because nothing says “Let’s make America great again” like starting a trade war with our closest trading partners, right?

    But hey, who needs a fair economy, prosperity for working people, environmental protection, or climate sustainability anyway? Certainly not Trump, because his tariff ideas aren’t about any of that. Nope, they’re just designed to make things more expensive for American consumers and screw over working folks. But hey, at least we’ll all be paying more for stuff, right?

    And let’s not forget the potential for retaliation from other countries. Foreign governments and consumers are already sharpening their knives, ready to hit American goods and companies where it hurts. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is all fired up, ready to respond in a “purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate” manner if Trump goes through with his threats. Because nothing says “friendly neighbor” like starting a trade war, right?

    But hey, who cares about potential consequences, right? A recent study suggests that a trade war with Canada could totally backfire on us. I mean, we export more stuff to Canada than anywhere else, and without all that sweet Canadian energy coming our way, we’d actually have a trade surplus with them. So yeah, let’s just keep poking the bear and see how that works out for us. Sounds like a great plan, right?

    Seems our president must have failed Economics 101 in college!

  • Trump’s commitment to giving second chances to those who clearly haven’t learned their lesson

    President Trump wasted no time in flexing his presidential power by handing out pardons like candy on Halloween. Among the lucky recipients were individuals charged with crimes ranging from rape and manslaughter to drug trafficking. It seems Trump’s definition of a patriot includes those who storm the Capitol and cause chaos.

    One standout case was that of Peter Schwartz, a repeat offender with a rap sheet longer than a CVS receipt. Despite his violent history, Schwartz was pardoned for his role in the Capitol attack. Shockingly, some of these newly pardoned individuals wasted no time in getting back to their criminal ways, with one receiving a hefty prison sentence for a deadly DUI crash and another meeting his demise in a police shootout.

    It’s truly heartwarming to see Trump’s commitment to giving second chances to those who clearly haven’t learned their lesson. Who needs law and order when you have a president who pardons criminals left and right? Of course, Trump himself knows a thing or two about breaking the law, so it’s only fitting that he extends his generosity to his fellow felons.

  • Trump ousted crucial aviation safety officials on day one

    It raises significant concerns that President Donald Trump dismissed multiple officials who could have been responsible for examining the crash involving a passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington, D.C.

    Instead of implementing widespread firings which is more characteristic of a TV show narrative, there should have been a strategic plan in place to gradually introduce new appointments, ensuring that there are no gaps in the critical roles being performed.

    After the departure of top administrator Michael Whitaker due to pressure from Elon Musk, who demanded his resignation in September over proposed fines exceeding $600,000 for SpaceX’s safety violations, it seems the Trump administration is on a firing spree. Trump wasted no time in axing the heads of the Transportation Security Administration and all members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee on his first day in office.

    Adding insult to injury, the Trump administration sent a mass email to 2.3 million federal employees from the Office of Personnel Management, now filled with Musk cronies, asking them to pledge allegiance to the MAGA mission or take a buyout. Even air traffic controllers, who are already in short supply, received this email reminiscent of the one sent to Twitter employees during Musk’s takeover in 2022.

    It’s clear that Trump and his buddy Musk couldn’t care less about the safety of Americans; their own personal interests take precedence.