Politics - CBSNews.com
6/2: The Takeout with Major Garrett
Primary battles are underway in six states; acting AG Todd Blanche testifies before the House Appropriations Committee.
Center
Washington Examiner
Treasury sanctions major Iranian cryptocurrency exchange
Center Right
The Treasury Department announced Tuesday that it would target Nobitex, Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, as part of a tranche of new sanctions addressing the nation’s ability to launder illicit funds. The measures come as part of Operation Economic Fury, Treasury’s parallel effort to the military’s Operation Epic Fury. The department previously blacklisted two U.K.-based cryptocurrency […]
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Alternet.org
Thin Senate majorities mean one scandal could paralyze Congress —but neither party cares
A prominent conservative commentator recently argued that Democrats and Republicans are both applying a double-standard regarding seemingly disqualifying scandals for their Senate candidates in key races.“Maine Democratic Senate primary candidate Graham Platner and Texas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton are different candidates dealing with different scandals,” wrote The Bulwark’s Joe Perticone on Tuesday. “Paxton’s infidelity is not the same as Platner’s, nor is Paxton’s pattern of corruption and other moral shortcomings the same as Platner’s Nazi tattoo and history of racist comments online. I am not equating their wrongdoings, nor do I propose doing so.”Perticone is referring to the reports that Platner — an oyster farmer — had extramarital affairs, supported homophobic and sexist comments online and has a Nazi tattoo on his chest. Paxton has also had multiple extramarital affairs, fired whistleblowers, is accused of multiple financial crimes and participated in Trump’s coup attempt after the president lost the 2020 election. In 2023 he was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives on abuse of office and bribery charges, although the Texas Senate later acquitted him. Both Platner and Paxton are now considered by polling experts to be potential political liabilities to each of their parties’ chances of controlling the Senate after the 2026 midterm elections.“I asked some senators from both parties, many of whom either jettisoned all principles after coming to Washington or came to power in the first place simply by not having any, whether Americans should demand more of their elected officials on the character front,” Perticone wrote. “Yes, they all seemed to agree: Americans should hold politicians from the other party to a higher standard.” He then cited comments supporting Paxton from Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, John Kennedy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas as well as Democrats backing Platner including Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont (technically an independent) and Andy Kim of New Jersey (whose response to Platner was wishy-washy).“Selective moralizing has been around in politics as long as the profession has been practiced. The prominent Republicans who admonished Bill Clinton for his peccadilloes in the 1990s were hardly men of high character themselves,” Perticone continued. “White evangelicals grew more supportive of Donald Trump the more his traditionally sinful behavior came to light. Many Democrats who admonished Trump for his character are now biting their tongue about Platner. That’s the way this stuff goes.”While ha acknowledged understanding why partisans on both sides might support Platner or Paxton despite these scandals, simply because they don’t want their party to lose, he warned there is a practical as well as moral consequence to this attitude.“Candidates like this are still a massive risk, and not just because we don’t know what is yet to come out about either,” Perticone wrote. “Just consider the recent spate of expulsions, resignations, and absences in this Congress alone. Very thin majorities are often just one scandal away from stopping regular business for an entire chamber.”
Left
Truthout
Iranian Media Says Iran Is Suspending Talks With US Over Ceasefire Violations
“We now live in a world where ceasefire means that Israel can continue bombing,” said a Lebanese professor.
Far Left
Truthout
GOP Senate Majority Leader Says Trump Will Withdraw “Anti-Weaponization” Fund
The decision could end congressional gridlock over a $70 billion funding package for ICE and Border Patrol.
Far Left
RealClearPolitics - Homepage
The Most Consequential Treasury Secretary Since Hamilton
Scott Bessent may well be the most consequential secretary of the Treasury since Alexander Hamilton - not simply because of the policies he advances, but because of the conditions he confronts and the clarity with which he is executing President Trump's broader economic vision.
Center Right
Politics - CBSNews.com
6/1: The Takeout with Major Garrett
Trump says Iran talks are continuing, Iran says otherwise; Graham Platner's wife addresses sexting scandal.
Center
Truthout
Utah Senate President Calls for Major Reduction in Scale of Planned Data Center
The project, backed by celebrity investor Kevin O'Leary, has spurred major controversy amid Utah's water challenges.
Far Left
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TIME
Trump Says He ‘Couldn’t Care Less’ if Peace Talks with Iran Fall Apart After Countries Exchange Renewed Strikes
The President later suggested, however, that talks were continuing at a “rapid pace.”
Center Left