This week, Lisa and David talk about David Hogg and the tensions within the party between Establishment Democrats and Younger progressive activists; the Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL) Legislative Effectiveness Score (LES) for each member of the US House and Senate; Barron’s graduation robe; White House chief of staff Susie Wiles’ phone hacked; less-informed voters have a higher opinion of Trump's job performance; Sean “Diddy” Combs trial updates; “Chrisley Knows Best” stars receive pardons from Trump; Supreme Court temporarily shields DOGE from FOIA requests; amidst tensions with Trump, federal judges explore establishing an armed private security detail; Ashli Babbitt Family’s DOJ settlement; Musk rumors, including black-eye, Oval Office fight, Katie Miller “throuple”, bombshell drug use report; child marriage; more than 300 people in the US still dying from COVID every week; and more.
“Chrisley Knows Best” Family Back in the Spotlight After Pardon, Because of Course They Are:
“Chrisley Knows Best” centered around Todd Chrisley, a “flamboyant” Southern real-estate mogul who was always hounding his children and freaking out when things didn’t go his way. Critical reviews were mixed, with some finding the show enjoyable for its voyeuristic look into the family's life and Todd Chrisley's personality, while others found his control tactics and blustering unappealing.
Todd and Julie Chrisley, the stars of the show, have been granted pardons by President Donald Trump, leading to their release from federal prison. The couple had been serving time for convictions related to bank fraud and tax evasion.
Following their release, Todd Chrisley has indicated that the family is already back to filming, teasing a new reality television project. This new show is reported to cover the legal battles the family has endured, and to “set the record straight” regarding the convictions.
The Chrisley's daughter, Savannah Chrisley, has been a vocal supporter of the President, and had been very active in trying to get the pardon for her parents. It has been reported that the new show will also follow the family as they adjust to life after the prison release of Todd and Julie.
RFK Jr, The Nation’s Most Well-known Vaccine Skeptic
The Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary — who is also the nation’s most well-known vaccine skeptic — is remaking the agency in his image, casting doubt on the benefits of vaccines, and erecting new barriers that will make it harder for people who want shots to get them. - The Hill
Ashli Babbitt—A Tragic Casualty of Conspiracy
Ashli Babbitt’s death on January 6, 2021, was not just the result of a violent confrontation—it was the predictable outcome of a sustained campaign of lies. A U.S. Air Force veteran and committed follower of QAnon and other conspiracy theories, Babbitt was consumed by the false belief that the 2020 election had been stolen. Indoctrinated by "the Big Lie," she stormed the Capitol believing she was defending her country. Instead, she died trying to breach a barricaded hallway just steps from lawmakers under siege.
Her radicalization didn’t happen in a vacuum—it was carefully nurtured by Donald Trump and his enablers who peddled delusions of mass voter fraud. Trump has since painted Babbitt as a martyr. But this narrative ignores the reality: Babbitt was not assassinated—she was a victim of calculated disinformation that led her to a deadly decision.
A Justice Department investigation found no wrongdoing by the officer who shot Babbitt. No charges were filed. The shooting was deemed a justified use of force in the defense of life and national leadership. Yet despite this, the government has now agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement with Babbitt’s family—publicly funded—without any trial or admission of guilt. It’s a move that risks validating false narratives and rewarding extremism while Capitol Police officers who defended democracy are left to bear the physical and psychological scars largely unsupported.
Donald Trump, meanwhile, has offered no such compensation or recognition to the families of officers who were injured or died in the line of duty on January 6. Officer Brian Sicknick’s family, for example, received not even a mention from the man whose words helped unleash the violence. The contrast is striking—and appalling.
Ashli Babbitt's death should not be weaponized as propaganda by either side. It should be a solemn warning of what happens when lies go unchecked, and leaders shirk accountability while their followers pay the price.
Links:
Center for Effective Lawmaking Scores
US probes effort to impersonate White House chief of staff (Reuters)
One Thing Helping Trump’s Approval Rating: Some People Are Not Paying Attention (NY Times / New York Times/Siena College poll)
Todd Chrisley teases new reality show in first remarks since Trump pardon, prison release (CBS News)
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump administration to shield DOGE documents from FOI Requests (NBC News)
CDC still recommends childhood COVID vaccines, despite RFK announcement (USA Today)
A man with a bitcoin fortune was allegedly tortured for weeks in a New York City home. (CBS News)
Justice Department curtails ABA role in vetting Trump's judicial nominees (Reuters)
Why are more than 300 people in the US still dying from COVID every week? (ABC News)
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