Challenges for Trump

Tariffs and Trade Policy:

Trump’s 2024 campaign proposed imposing a 60% tariff on all Chinese imports and a 10% universal tariff on goods from all countries.

Such tariffs could lead to higher domestic prices, inflation, and increased living costs for Americans, potentially harming Trump’s support base.

There is speculation that Trump might soften his stance on tariffs after taking office.

U.S. Stock Market:

Analysts are optimistic about the S&P 500’s performance in 2025, predicting a 14% profit growth.

Trump’s low-interest-rate and low-tax policies could benefit businesses, but there are concerns about the long-term sustainability of the market.

If the stock market crashes, it could be used by powerful financial interests (e.g., Jewish elites) to undermine Trump’s presidency.

Economic Cycles:

According to the Kondratiev Wave (or Kondratieff Cycle), the U.S. economy may be due for a downturn after a long period of growth.

While government intervention can delay economic cycles, it cannot prevent them.

U.S.-China Relations:

Trump has acknowledged China’s global influence, contrasting with Biden’s stance that only the U.S. can lead the world.

Improving relations with China could be crucial for Trump’s success in his second term.

Internal U.S. Issues:

Internal challenges, such as the California wildfires and the U.S. government’s inability to address them effectively.

The growing national debt and the potential for internal political conflicts.

TikTok and Social Media:

The controversy surrounding TikTok and its potential ban in the U.S.

Many former TikTok users have migrated to Chinese platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), which could signal a shift in U.S. influence over global social media.

U.S.-Europe and U.S.-Russia Relations:

Trump is expected to push for reduced U.S. contributions to NATO, which could strain relations with Europe.

Relations with Russia might improve, but there could be lingering distrust due to past conflicts.

Internal U.S. Power Dynamics:

The power struggle between different ethnic and cultural groups in the U.S., particularly between the Anglo-Saxon (Anglo) elite and the Jewish elite.

Trump, as a representative of the Anglo-Saxon group, may face resistance from the Jewish elite, who control much of the U.S. financial, media, and political systems.

Biden and Trump

To sum it up.

– Biden and Trump’s Mutual Sabotage:

The political struggle between Biden and Trump is not only a topic of global interest but also a rare political spectacle due to their unique relationship as predecessors.

After the 2020 election, Trump set three traps for Biden: refusing to acknowledge Biden’s victory, withholding national security information, and inciting the Capitol riot.

In contrast, Biden began setting traps for Trump six months before the 2024 election, which could affect Trump’s entire presidency.

– Biden’s Self-Interest and Motivations:

Biden’s motivation for setting traps goes beyond mere retaliation against Trump; it may also include resentment toward the Democratic Party and even American society.

Despite some policy failures during his tenure, Biden also achieved significant successes, such as economic growth, reduced unemployment, and diplomatic accomplishments.

However, Biden’s approval ratings remained low, attributes to his aging image and the way information is disseminated in the modern era.

– Biden’s Specific Tactics:

Financial: Biden’s 2025 fiscal budget included a massive deficit, leaving Trump with very limited available funds.

Personnel: By signing long-term contracts, Biden made it difficult for Trump to dismiss a large number of federal employees, complicating Trump’s cost-cutting plans.

Energy: Biden banned new oil and gas drilling in certain parts of the U.S., conflicting with Trump’s energy policies.

Foreign Policy: Biden removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, creating challenges for Trump’s foreign policy.

– Biden’s Judicial Reforms:

Biden called for reforms to the U.S. Supreme Court, including setting ethical standards and shortening justices’ terms. These reforms could undermine the U.S. system of checks and balances, representing the deepest trap Biden set for Trump.

– Biden’s Legacy:

Biden’s political acumen is underestimated, but his Cold War mentality and the way information is spread in the modern era have made him unpopular in both the U.S. and China.

Biden’s destructive potential could become the biggest challenge for Trump in his second term.

Between Israel and Hamas:

Ceasefire Agreement Reached: The Israeli cabinet overwhelmingly approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Although Israel was very reluctant to accept the deal, it ultimately had to do so under the mediation of the USeless, Egypt, and Qatar. The Biden administration also claimed to have played a significant role in pushing for the ceasefire.

Background of the Conflict: On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, prompting Israel to carry out large-scale bombings and a siege on Gaza. The conflict lasted for 15 months and resulted in heavy casualties.

USeless Strategic Goals: The USeless originally aimed to promote reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Israel, forming an alliance between Sunni countries and Israel to counter Iran. Additionally, the USeless planned to establish a “Spice Road” connecting India and Europe to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative. However, these plans were derailed by Hamas’s attack and the subsequent conflict.

Israel’s Strategic Dilemma: Israel has limited territory and strategic space, and it is isolated in the Middle East. Israel hoped to break its isolation by allying with Sunni countries like Saudi Arabia, but this goal was not achieved.

Goals of Hamas and Other Shiite Forces: Hamas and the Palestinians aimed to prevent the destruction of Palestine, while Shiite forces such as Iran, the Houthis, and Hezbollah sought to block the USeless-backed alliance between Sunni countries and Israel.

Outcome of the War: The strategic goals of the USeless and Israel were not realized, as the Saudi-Israeli reconciliation and the “Spice Road” plan both failed. Despite its inferior weaponry, Hamas, with the support of other Shiite forces, successfully thwarted the plans of Israel and the USeless

Additional Impacts of the War: Israel’s national strength and international image were severely damaged, and the USeless also suffered moral and soft power losses due to its support for Israel. Furthermore, the USeless military presence and influence in the Middle East face challenges, particularly in the ongoing conflict in northern Syria.

Major Changes in the Middle East: The political landscape of the Middle East is undergoing significant changes, with regional powers like Turkey and Iran gaining influence, while the USeless finds itself in a difficult position and unable to extricate itself.

China to block a $1 billion deal with Europe

China’s decision to block a $1 billion deal with Europe’s auto industry, which has significant implications for the global electric vehicle (EV) market and trade relationships.

Context of the Deal: The deal involved partnerships between Chinese and European automakers to boost EV production, advance battery technology, and strengthen the supply chain. Major European automakers, particularly from Germany and France, were involved.

Reasons for Blocking the Deal:

– Retaliation: China’s decision is seen as a response to the European Union’s (EU) recent trade policies, including anti-subsidy investigations and tariffs on Chinese EVs, which the EU claims are unfairly subsidized by the Chinese government.

– Protection of Intellectual Property: China is cautious about sharing its advanced EV and battery technology with Europe, fearing the exposure of its intellectual property and manufacturing processes.

– Shift in Economic Strategy: China is focusing on strengthening its domestic market and expanding its reach in emerging markets like Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, rather than relying heavily on partnerships with Europe.

Impact on Europe:

– Supply Chain Disruptions: Europe’s auto industry heavily depends on Chinese technology, especially for EV batteries and materials like lithium. Blocking the deal creates a bottleneck in the supply chain, potentially delaying EV production.

– Environmental Goals: The EU’s ambitious goals to transition to electric vehicles and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 could be severely impacted without reliable access to affordable EV components.

– Economic Consequences: The $1 billion deal represented a significant investment in Europe’s economy. Blocking it could lead to potential losses for automakers, job losses, and financial strain on smaller companies tied to EV production.

Broader Implications:

– Geopolitical Tensions: The decision highlights the growing rift between China and Western powers, with potential for broader trade conflicts.

– Global Trade Dynamics: This event signals a shift towards decoupling, where China and Europe prioritize domestic industries over global partnerships, potentially leading to regionalized EV markets with unique standards and technologies.

– Warning to Other Economies: China’s bold move serves as a warning to other nations considering restrictive measures against its industries, demonstrating its willingness to disrupt global markets to protect its interests.

Future Outlook:

– Europe’s Response: Europe may need to reconsider its trade policies with China or accelerate efforts to diversify its supply chains by building stronger partnerships with countries like the United States, Japan, and South Korea.

China’s Strategy: China is likely to continue focusing on self-reliance, investing in domestic innovation, and expanding its presence in emerging markets to solidify its position as a global leader in EV technology.

The island chain strategy

A historical conspiracy involving the USeless, Japan, and the UK aimed at containing China through a strategy known as the “island chain” strategy. This strategy, which dates back to the late 19th century, was designed to encircle and limit China’s influence by controlling key islands and territories in the Asia-Pacific region.

A contemporary event: the differing levels of invitations extended to South Korea and Japan for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration in 2017. South Korea received an invitation for its ambassador, while Japan’s foreign minister was invited, leading to South Korean discomfort and concerns about waning U.S. interest.

A historic event: In the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki, where China, represented by Li Hongzhang, was forced to cede Taiwan to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War. The treaty negotiations reveal the influence of Western powers, particularly the UK, which supported Japan’s rise as a counterbalance to China. The British orchestrated Japan’s Meiji Restoration as a form of “color revolution” to modernize Japan and use it as a bulwark against China.

John Watson Foster, a former U.S. Secretary of State who served as an advisor to the Qing dynasty, and his grandson John Foster Dulles, who later became U.S. Secretary of State and advocated for the island chain strategy during the Cold War. Dulles’ strategy aimed to contain China by establishing a series of military alliances and bases along the first island chain, stretching from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines.

The economic and military dynamics between China and Japan, emphasizing how Japan’s industrialization and military expansion were supported by Western powers to maintain the island chain’s effectiveness. However, as China’s economic and military power grew, the viability of the island chain strategy diminished. The recent U.S. military withdrawals from Okinawa and Guam as evidence that the island chain strategy is becoming obsolete.

The island chain strategy as a long-standing Western effort to contain China, which is now losing its effectiveness as China continues to rise. The ongoing reliance on this outdated strategy by countries like South Korea and Japan, they need to adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape.

CPA Stands with the Black struggle for Justice and Freedom

The Chinese Progressive Association stands in solidarity with black communities fighting for justice and freedom. We demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the many others who have been killed by police and racist violence. Our hearts are broken for the families who will not see their children achieve their dreams or grow old, and for the children who will not grow up with their parents.

As Chinese immigrants, we know that racism and exploitation run deep in this country. For hundreds of years, our families were banned from immigrating to this country. Many of us have been turned away from good jobs because our English wasn’t good enough or have been told to go “back home” when we were born in this country and have worked to make this country our home. Before the pandemic, our community was already feeling unsafe and insecure, and over the last few months, we have seen the harm, violence, and pain of anti-Asian racism. Many of us have stood up against this and called to account those who seek to blame us for the pandemic. While we experience this fear in cycles that rise and fall, it is important to remember that Black people in this country live with the violence of racism daily. 

Treason Mike Whitley 9-15-20

https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/treason/

“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself.”

Marcus Tullius Cicero

The Transition Integrity Project (TIP) is a shadowy group of government, military and media elites who have concocted a plan to spread mayhem and disinformation following the November 3 presidential elections. The strategy takes advantage of the presumed delay in determining the winner of the upcoming election. (due to the deluge of mail-in votes.) The interim period is expected to intensify partisan warfare creating the perfect environment for disseminating propaganda and inciting street violence. The leaders of TIP believe that a mass mobilization will help them to achieve what Russiagate could not, that is, the removal Donald Trump via an illicit coup conjured up by behind-the-scenes powerbrokers and their Democrat allies. Here’s a little more background from an article by Chris Farrell at the Gatestone Institute:

“In one of the greatest public disinformation campaigns in American history — the Left and their NeverTrumper allies (under the nom de guerre: “Transition Integrity Project”) released a 22-page report in August 2020 “war gaming” four election crisis scenarios:….The outcome of each TIP scenario results in street violence and political impasse.

Is it possible that the leadership of the American Left, along with their NeverTrumper allies, are busy talking themselves into advocating and promoting street violence as a response to a presidential election?

The answer is: Yes…. expect violence in the aftermath of the election, because now that is the new ‘normal.” (“How to Steal an Election”, Gatestone Institute)

Farrell is right. As we can see from the many articles that have recently popped up in the media, the American people are being prepared for a contested election that will fuel public anxiety and revolt. This all fits with the overall strategy of the TIP. Selected journalists will be used to provide bits of information that serve the interests of the group while the people will be told to expect a long and drawn-out constitutional crisis. Meanwhile, the media, the Democrat leadership, trusted elites and elements in the Intelligence Community will put pressure on Trump to step down while firing up their political base to take to the streets. TIP’s 22-page manifesto makes it clear that mass mobilization will be key to any electoral victory. Here’s an excerpt from the text:

“A show of numbers in the streets-and actions in the streets-may be decisive factors in determining what the public perceives as a just and legitimate outcome.” (“Preventing a Disrupted Presidential Election and Transition” The Transition Integrity Project)

In other words, the authors fully support demonstrations and political upheaval to achieve their goal of removing Trump. Clearly, this scorched earth approach did not originate with Joe Biden, but with the cynical and bloodthirsty puppetmasters who operate behind the curtain and who will do anything to advance their agenda.

This is a full-blown color revolution authored and supported by the same oligarchs and deep-state honchoes that have opposed Trump from the very beginning. They’re not going to back down or call off the dogs until the job is done and Trump is gone. And when the dust settles, Trump will likely be charged, tried, sentenced and imprisoned. His fortune will be seized, his family will be financially ruined, and his closest advisors and allies will be prosecuted on fabricated charges. There’s not going to be a “graceful transition” of power if Trump loses. He will face the full wrath of the scheming mandarins he has frustrated for the last 4 years. These are the men who applauded when Saddam and Ghaddafi were savagely butchered. Will Trump face the same fate as them?

Trump has less than two months to rally his supporters, draw attention to the conspiracy that has is presently underway, and figure out a way to defend himself against the coup plotters. If he is unable to derail the impending junta, his goose is cooked.

It’s worth noting, that the Transition Integrity Project (TIP) has no legal authority to meddle in the upcoming election. They were not appointed by any congressional committee nor did any government entity approve their intrusive activities. This is entirely a “lone wolf” operation designed to exploit loopholes in campaign laws in order to undermine public confidence in our elections and to express their unbridled hostility towards Donald Trump. That said, there analysis will probably influence those who share their views. In the first page of their “Executive Summary” they say:

“We assess with a high degree of likelihood that November’s elections will be marked by a chaotic legal and political landscape. We also assess that the President Trump is likely to contest the result by both legal and extra-legal means, in an attempt to hold onto power.” (Ibid)

This short statement provides the basic justification for the group’s existence. It presents the participants as impartial observers performing their civic duty by objectively analyzing exercises (war games?) that indicate that Trump will challenge the election results in a desperate attempt to hold on to power. Not surprisingly, the group provides no evidence that the president would react the way they think he would. In fact, their hypothesis seems extremely far-fetched given the fact that Trump has no militia, no private army, and very few allies among the political class, the Intelligence Community, the FBI, the military or the deep state. Who exactly does the group think would help Trump hold on to power: Bill Barr, Larry Kudlow, Melania??

There is nothing “impartial” about this analysis. It is partisan gibberish aimed at discrediting Trump while creating a pretext for launching a coup against him. Here is another sample of TIP’s “objective analysis” from page 1 of the manuscript:

“The Transition Integrity Project (TIP) was launched in late 2019 out of concern that the Trump Administration may seek to manipulate, ignore, undermine or disrupt the 2020 presidential election and transition process. TIP takes no position on how Americans should cast their votes, or on the likely winner of the upcoming election; either major party candidate could prevail at the polls in November without resorting to “dirty tricks.” However, the administration of President Donald Trump has steadily undermined core norms of democracy and the rule of law and embraced numerous corrupt and authoritarian practices. This presents a profound challenge for those –from either party –who are committed to ensuring free and fair elections, peaceful transitions of power, and stable administrative continuity in the United States.” (Ibid)

Got that? In other words (to paraphrase) “Trump is a corrupt dictator who hates democracy and the rule of law, but that is just our unbiased opinion. Please, don’t let that influence your vote. We just want to make sure the election goes smoothly.”

As we noted, the hatred for Trump permeates the entire 22-page document and that, in turn, undermines the credibility of the author to portray his project as an impartial examination of potential problems in the upcoming election. There is nothing evenhanded in the approach to these issues or in the remedies that are recommended. This is a partisan project concocted by malicious elites who despise Trump and who plan to remove him from office by hook or crook.

So, do we know who the leaders of this (TIP) group are?

Well, we know who their two main spokesmen are: Rosa Brooks– Georgetown law professor and co-founder of the Transition Integrity Project, and Ret. Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Government and Public Policy at the College of William & Mary, and chief of staff to former Secretary of State Colin Powell. According to an article by Whitney Webb:

(Rosa) Brooks… was an advisor to the Pentagon and the Hillary Clinton-led State Department during the Obama administration. She was also previously the general counsel to the President of the Open Society Institute, part of the Open Society Foundations (OSF), a controversial organization funded by billionaire George Soros. Zoe Hudson, who is TIP’s director, is also a former top figure at OSF, serving as senior policy analyst and liaison between the foundations and the U.S. government for 11 years.

OSF ties to the TIP are a red flag for a number of reasons, namely due to the fact that OSF and other Soros-funded organizations played a critical role in fomenting so-called “color revolutions” to overthrow non-aligned governments, particularly during the Obama administration. Examples of OSF’s ties to these manufactured “revolutions” include Ukraine in 2014 and the “Arab Spring”…..

In addition to her ties to the Obama administration and OSF, Brooks is currently a scholar at West Point’s Modern War Institute, where she focuses on “the relationship between the military and domestic policing” and also Georgetown’s Innovative Policing Program. She is a currently a key player in the documented OSF-led push to “capitalize” off of legitimate calls for police reform to justify the creation of a federalized police force under the guise of defunding and/or eliminating local police departments.Brooks’ interest in the “blurring line” between military and police is notable given her past advocacy of a military coup to remove Trump from office and the TIP’s subsequent conclusion that the military “may” have to step in if Trump manages to win the 2020 election, per the group’s “war games” described above.

Brooks is also a senior fellow at the think tank New America. New America’s mission statement notes that the organization is focused on “honestly confronting the challenges caused by rapid technological and social change, and seizing the opportunities those changes create.” It is largely funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, including Bill Gates (Microsoft), Eric Schmidt (Google), Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn), Jeffrey Skoll and Pierre Omidyar (eBay). In addition, it has received millions directly from the U.S. State Department to research “ranking digital rights.” Notably, of these funders, Reid Hoffman was caught “meddling” in the most recent Democratic primary to undercut Bernie Sanders’ candidacy during the Iowa caucus and while others, such as Eric Schmidt and Pierre Omidyar, are known for their cozy ties to the Clinton family and even ties to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.” (““Bipartisan” Washington Insiders Reveal Their Plan for Chaos if Trump Wins the Election“, Unlimited Hangout)

Is it safe to say that Rosa Brooks is a Soros stooge overseeing a color revolution in the United States aimed at toppling Trump and replacing him with a dementia-addled, meat-puppet named Joe Biden?

Political analyst Paul Craig Roberts seems to think so. Here’s what he said in a recent post at his website:

“I have provided evidence that the military/security complex, using the media and the Democrats, intends to turn the November election into a color revolution… The evidence of a color revolution in the works is abundantly supplied by CNN, MSNBC, New York Times, NPR, Washington Post and numerous Internet sites funded by the CIA and the foundations and corporations through which it operates.. … All of these media organizations are establishing the story in the mind of Americans that Trump will not leave office when he loses or steals the election and must be driven out.

…With Antifa and Black Lives Matter now experienced in violent protests, they will be unleashed anew on American cities when there is news of a Trump election victory. The media will explain the violence as necessary to free us from a tyrant and egg on the violence, as will the Democrat Party. The CIA will be certain that the violence is well funded….

… What is a reelected President Trump going to do when the Secret Service refuses to repel Antifa and Black Lives Matter when they breach White House Security? …

American Democracy is on the verge of being ended for all times, and the world media will herald the event as the successful overthrowing of a tyrant.” (“America’s Color Revolution”Paul Craig Roberts)

Another of the leading spokesmen for TIP is Retired Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson who made this revealing statement in a recent interview:

“Let me just say some of the things that we’re putting out there. Among those things, one that is very important is the media, particularly the mainstream media. They cannot act as they usually act with regard to elections. They have to play a coup on election night. They can’t be declaring some state like Pennsylvania for one candidate or the other. When Pennsylvania probably has thousands upon thousands of votes yet to come in and count. So, the media has to get its act in order and it has to act very differently than it normally does.”

(NOTE: In other words, Wilkerson does not want the media to follow the normal protocols for covering an election, but to adjust their reporting to accommodate the aims of the coup-plotters. Does that sound like someone who is committed to evenhanded coverage of events, or someone who wants reporters to shape the news to meet the specifications of his own particular agenda? Here’s more from Wilkerson:)

“Second, ….we also have learned that poll workers have to be younger. And we’ve started a movement all across the country to train young people. And we’ve had really good luck with the volunteers to do so, to be poll workers. Because we found out in Wisconsin, for example, poll workers are mostly over 60. And many of them didn’t show up because they were afraid of COVID-19. And so Wisconsin went from about one 188 polling places, to about 15. That’s disastrous.” (“This ‘War Game’ Maps out what happens if the President contests the Election”WBUR)

Why is Wilkerson so encouraged by the young people he’s trained to act as poll workers? Doesn’t that sound a bit fishy, especially from a dyed-in-the-wool partisan who’s mixed up with a group whose sole aim is to beat Trump? And why are the authors of the TIP manifesto so eager to reveal their true intentions. Take a look:

“There will likely not be an “election night” this year; unprecedented numbers of voters are expected to use mail-in ballots, which will almost certainly delay the certified result for days or weeks. A delay provides a window for campaigns, the media, and others to cast doubt on the integrity of the process and for escalating tensions between competing camps. As a legal matter, a candidate unwilling to concede can contest the election into January.…..”(Ibid)

So, that’s the GamePlan, eh? The coup plotters want a contested election that drags on for weeks, deepens divisions among the population, undermines confidence in the electoral system, instigates ferocious street fighting in cities across the country, and gives the Biden camp time to mobilize its political resources in Congress to mount a Constitutional attack on Trump.

Can we at least call this treachery by its proper name: Treason– “the crime of betraying one’s country by trying to overthrow the government?”

If the shoe fits…..

Brian Murphy demoted to the Homeland Security Department’s management division

Chad Fredrick Wolf
Brian Murphy
Brian Murphy

Brian Murphy, the former head of the Homeland Security Department’s intelligence branch, said in the complaint that he was ordered this spring by Chad F. Wolf, the acting secretary of the department, to stop producing assessments on Russian interference and focus instead on Iran and China. That request, Mr. Murphy said, was routed through Mr. Wolf from Robert C. O’Brien, the White House national security adviser.

Robert C. O’Brien

Wolf later told him not to disseminate a report on a Russian disinformation campaign to denigrate Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s mental health because it “made the president look bad,” said Murphy, who warned that the actions in their totality threatened national security.

Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II

In other instances, the department’s second-highest ranked official, Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II, ordered Murphy to modify intelligence assessments to make the threat of white supremacy “appear less severe” and include information on violent “left-wing” groups and antifa, according to the complaint, which was filed on Tuesday but released Wednesday by the House Intelligence Committee.

Murphy was demoted from his post in August to the Homeland Security Department’s management division after his office compiled intelligence reports on protesters and journalists in Portland, Ore. But he asserted in the complaint that his real offense was raising concerns to superiors about the directions he was given and for cooperating with the department’s inspector general. He asked the inspector general to investigate and reinstate him as the intelligence chief..

9-12-20 The House Homeland Security Committee has issued a subpoena to acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf for a hearing next week as he faces whistleblower allegations that he urged department officials to alter intelligence.”From the coronavirus pandemic to the rise of right-wing extremism to ongoing election interference, there are urgent threats requiring our attention,” Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat, said in a statement Friday. “Mr. Wolf’s refusal to testify — thereby evading congressional oversight at this critical time — is especially troubling given the serious matters facing the Department and the Nation.”