administration 3 - The Latremie Post

Volcanic Ash: New show or just a rerun for Mauna Kea telescope?

If you wait long enough, the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) comes around as regularly as the comets astronomers like to observe. The controversial next-generation observatory proposed for Mauna Kea seemed dead after Native Hawaiian protesters stopped construction starts in 2015 and 2019, costs soared, regulatory approval was a moving target, and a major source of federal funding dried up.

But now, Governor Josh Green is supporting a plan to reduce regulatory uncertainty and community unrest by building TMT on the already disturbed site of a decommissioned telescope instead of the pristine ground originally planned. Particularly attractive is the site occupied until last year by the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory, which sits in a depression where the dome isn’t visible from below.

In a letter to TMT also signed by Hawaii Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and Representatives Jill Tokuda and Ed Case, Governor Green agreed to promptly provide the developers with a clear and transparent regulatory path for this scenario—giving TMT the clarity it never had.

There’s good reason TMT remains enticing to many in Hawaii; astronomy is a clean economic driver that provides skilled, well-paying jobs that are desperately needed and seeds other knowledge industries. A photo of Mauna Kea taken from the International Space Station shows it to be an enormously large mountain, on which the telescopes leave the tiniest of footprints. You’d think reasonable people could find a way to share this resource.

However, passionate protesters believe Mauna Kea is sacred and are unlikely to back down, and politicians have feared crossing them. You might recall then-Lieutenant Governor Josh Green undermining Governor David Ige by showing supportive presence in the last protest camp wearing his hospital scrubs.

In 2022, the Legislature transferred management of Mauna Kea from the University of Hawaii to a new Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority.

TMT’s problems extend beyond regulatory uncertainty and protests. The original estimated cost of $1 billion has grown to $3 billion, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) has withdrawn major funding, choosing instead to back the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile.

Hawaii delegates are trying to secure TMT funding in the House and Senate budgets—if the government shutdown ever ends—but it’s a heavy lift with the Trump administration having been determined to slash NSF funding.

The TMT consortium of universities and science institutions from the U.S., China, India, Canada, and Japan is also in talks with Spain about a less desirable but more welcoming site in the Canary Islands.

TMT is unlikely to happen in Hawaii if elected officials are unwilling to defy unhappy protesters. It doesn’t help that the new TMT push comes as a bigger and potentially even uglier fight heats up over continued military use of lands many Hawaiians consider sacred.

The TMT saga is starting to remind me of the Falls of Clyde—the historic sailing ship recently sunk off Oahu due to lack of financial support and patience. Those who tried for years to save the ship had the noblest of intentions, but after many false starts, they could never gather enough money or community support to finish the deal.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/11/09/hawaii-news/volcanic-ash/mauna-kea-telescope-back-new-show-or-just-a-rerun/

Obama-Appointed Judge to Control Ed Secretary’s Email Language

According to the Democrat outlet NPR, legal battles are emerging against the Trump administration over language posted on federal websites and used in government emails that blame the Democrats for the government shutdown. Critics argue that these messages are partisan, but supporters say they reflect the truth.

An Obama-appointed federal judge ruled that the Trump administration violated the First Amendment rights of Education Department employees when it replaced their personalized out-of-office email notifications with partisan language blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

“When government employees enter public service, they do not sign away their First Amendment rights,” U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper wrote in his decision on Friday, “and they certainly do not sign up to be a billboard for any given administration’s partisan views.”

The lawsuit was brought by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). Rachel Gittleman, president of AFGE Local 252—which represents many Education Department workers—called the administration’s actions “a clear violation of the First Amendment rights of the workers at the Education Department.” She added that it is “one of the many ways the Department’s leadership has threatened, harassed and demoralized these hardworking public servants in the last 10 months.”

It is notable that almost all of these employees are Democrats, which adds to the tension surrounding the issue. Critics argue that ordering the type of language a Secretary can use in official communications seems like a First Amendment violation and an overreach of power.

Democrats and their judges are accused by some of not being able to accept certain political truths. When in power, it is claimed, they have posted misleading content on government websites and even framed a president in what has been described as a coup attempt. Therefore, critics say, they lack moral authority on these issues.

For example, an email sent to the Forest Service stated clearly: “The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government.” Supporters of this messaging argue that President Trump wanted to keep the government open, and that the language used in these communications reflects an accurate account of events.

However, retired federal land managers described this language as “chilling.” Some have dismissed this reaction, suggesting it does not take much to “chill” these employees and calling them “wimps” for being upset. Others argue that employees should be more concerned that Democrats appear to be sacrificing them for ideological reasons.

In related commentary, conservative voices have expressed concerns about broader political threats:

> “I have never written that there is a threat of fascism in America. I always considered the idea overwrought. But now I believe there really is such a threat and it will come draped not in an American flag, but in the name of tolerance and health.”
> — Dennis Prager

> “It’s better to live one day as a lion than a dozen years as a sheep.”
> — Charles M. Schulz

> “How do you tell a Communist? Well, it’s someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It’s someone who understands Marx and Lenin.”
> — Ronald Reagan

> “The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the convinced Communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction (i.e., the reality of experience) and the distinction between true and false (i.e., the standards of thought) no longer exist.”
> — Hannah Arendt, *The Origins of Totalitarianism*

These quotes underscore a broader debate about truth, political ideology, and the limits of government messaging in a polarized era.
https://www.independentsentinel.com/obama-appointed-judge-to-control-ed-secretarys-email-language/

Nevada Dems plan SNAP workaround in case of funding gap

Before the federal government’s announcement, Nevada Democrats prepared for a possible funding gap in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

State Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Clark County, called for a $136 million SNAP package to be considered during a special legislative session. This move aims to circumvent the impact of the federal government’s longest-ever shutdown.

“My colleagues are introducing a proposal to establish a state-funded assistance program during the upcoming special session,” Cannizzaro said at a press conference on Friday.

Cannizzaro highlighted that over 500,000 Nevadans currently use SNAP benefits, with more than 62% of them living in families with children. She assured that beneficiaries “are going to be able to use the same cards that they do currently. We are confident that we will structure this program in a way that is both legal and efficient.”

The remarks came 38 days into the federal government shutdown, which has been marked by a bitter stalemate between Democratic and Republican U.S. senators. Numerous federal programs have shut down as reserve funds have dried up.

Additionally, Cannizzaro’s announcement followed a federal court order requiring the Trump administration to fund the full SNAP budget. Previously, the federal government had planned to fund only half of SNAP using reserve funds designated for shutdown scenarios.

However, the Trump administration appealed the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island’s order on Friday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit in Boston denied a request for an administrative stay, and the administration stated it would comply with the court order to fully fund SNAP while pursuing its appeal.

According to media reports, the Department of Justice is seeking a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Nevada Senate Democrats’ plan to propose local SNAP funding is expected to face opposition from Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, who has not yet publicly responded directly to Cannizzaro’s proposal. Lombardo previously expressed opposition to local funding of the SNAP program.

“The governor remains committed to finding a solution to source SNAP beneficiaries, and other Nevadans impacted by the federal shutdown, to the extent allowable under state and federal law,” Josh Meny, press secretary for the Governor’s Office, told The Center Square.

The Nevada Legislature is not scheduled to meet again for a regular session until 2027. To pass the SNAP funding proposal immediately, the Legislature would need to be called into a special session, which only Governor Lombardo has the authority to convene. Additionally, he would set the session’s agenda.

According to the Nevada Constitution, “Legislature shall not introduce, consider or pass any bills except those related to the business for which the Legislature has been specially convened and those necessary to provide for the expenses of the session.”

Nevada Senate Democrats first proposed the local SNAP funding solution on Tuesday after President Donald Trump indicated that the federal government would only fund half of the SNAP budget.

The Democrats’ proposal includes allocating $45.5 million to cover the remaining half of the SNAP recipients for November, and an additional $91 million for December if the government shutdown continues.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3880309/nevada-dems-plan-snap-workaround-funding-gap/

American Airlines CEO says the government shutdown is impacting holiday travel bookings: ‘Nobody wants to put up with hassle’

“Of course there’s an impact,” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom told CNBC on Friday when asked about the government shutdown affecting holiday bookings. “Nobody wants to put up with hassle. And, again, we’re doing everything we can to make sure our customers know, but as we get into the busiest travel part of the year, this is something that we just can’t let happen.”

Thanksgiving is just 18 days away, with the December holidays quickly approaching. “This is frustrating. We don’t need to be in this position. We’ve got to get the government back open so we don’t have to cancel flights,” Isom emphasized.

On Friday, American Airlines canceled more than 200 out of 6,200 scheduled flights, he added. So far, the airline isn’t canceling any service to smaller markets, but Isom warned that flight cancellations will rise over time. He also pointed out the broader economic impact, given how many people work in travel-related industries.

As of August, the leisure and hospitality sector employed just over 17 million people out of a total of roughly 171 million in the U.S. labor force, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This equates to about one in every ten jobs.

Flight cancellations are primarily due to a shortage of air traffic controllers during the government shutdown. These controllers are required to work without pay, but since they still must cover their expenses, many are calling out sick or taking on secondary jobs, creating a staffing crunch.

“Most of the controllers can navigate missing one paycheck, virtually none of them can navigate missing two paychecks,” Duffy told Fox News on Friday.

In response to staffing shortages, the FAA is incrementally reducing air traffic by up to 10% by next week. The agency began with a 4% reduction in flight operations at 40 major airports on Friday, which will increase to 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and up to 10% by November 14.

On Friday alone, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines canceled flights totaling between 3.5% and about 4%. Overall, approximately 1,000 flights were canceled largely due to the government shutdown, with hundreds more expected this weekend, according to The Associated Press.

For context, last year November and December together saw over 1.37 million domestic flights, according to the Department of Transportation.

Isom told CNBC that as flight disruptions increase, so do the challenges for the entire industry. “Managing the industry becomes exponentially harder as you increase the level of cancellations.”
https://fortune.com/2025/11/08/american-airlines-ceo-government-shutdown-holiday-travel-bookings-thanksgiving-flight-cancellations/

Privacy on trial as Samourai Wallet cofounder lands in jail for writing code

**Samourai Wallet Cofounder Keonne Rodriguez Sentenced to Five Years for Writing Code**

This week, Samourai Wallet cofounder Keonne Rodriguez received the maximum sentence of five years in prison for writing code. As a developer now sits behind bars for building privacy tools, many in the Bitcoin community—including prominent voices like Max Keiser—are pushing for a full pardon.

—

### Crypto Crackdown: Beyond Campaign Promises

During his campaign, Donald Trump vowed to put an end to the crackdown on cryptocurrency. To some extent, he has stuck to his word. Since taking office, Trump has pardoned figures such as Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht and Binance’s founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. He also issued several executive orders, including one aimed at officially ending Operation Choke Point 2.0 with a “debanking” order.

However, the arrest and conviction of Samourai Wallet developers highlight the ongoing clash between privacy, code, and the law—even amid the White House’s pro-crypto pivot.

The contrast is stark. As one Bitcoiner pointed out, while JPMorgan paid $290 million in 2023 to settle allegations as severe as sex trafficking without any top executives being jailed, the developer behind a Bitcoin privacy tool has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Foundation, a Bitcoin-centric tools developer, summarized the situation succinctly:

> “The current administration often speaks in support of Bitcoin, yet the Justice Department continues to pursue policies that may predate this administration targeting privacy technologies and open-source developers. Open-source developers deserve protection, not persecution.”

—

### What is Samourai Wallet?

Samourai Wallet is a privacy-first Bitcoin wallet co-founded by Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill. It allows users to mask their transaction histories and identities by leveraging mixing features such as Whirlpool and Ricochet.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that Samourai processed over $2 billion in transactions and laundered more than $100 million in criminal proceeds. These funds were linked to crimes including hacking, fraud, drug trafficking, and murder-for-hire.

The core charges against the developers were conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Prosecutors claimed that the creators marketed their software to individuals wishing to hide illicit funds.

Both developers pleaded guilty. Rodriguez received the maximum sentence of five years and was ordered to pay a $250,000 fine. Hill is scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

—

### Ross Ulbricht, CZ, and a Wave of Pardons

The story doesn’t end with Samourai Wallet. The shadows of past cypherpunk cases linger.

Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, was granted a full pardon by President Trump this year. After spending a decade in prison, Ulbricht was freed.

Similarly, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, founder of Binance, served time on federal money laundering charges but was pardoned this autumn.

These pardons illustrate how Trump’s political calculus intersects with key crypto figures. Yet, while these high-profile entrepreneurs receive pardons or avoid harsh sentences, crypto developers are getting hefty prison terms.

At the same time, financial giants like JPMorgan continue settling massive lawsuits—such as the sex trafficking-related case—without any executives going to jail.

—

### The Call for a Samourai Wallet Pardon

Max Keiser and a growing chorus of Bitcoin advocates are urging President Trump to issue a blanket pardon for the Samourai Wallet developers. They frame the case as a battle for open-source financial privacy against increasing surveillance.

Critics argue that prosecuting coders for creating privacy tools criminalizes not just software, but the broader concept of financial autonomy.

—

### Why This Case Matters for Crypto

The prosecution of Samourai Wallet marks a chilling milestone in the ongoing war against privacy-first financial tools.

While Wall Street banks avoid direct accountability for severe criminal allegations—settling massive cases without jail time—developers behind privacy tools face harsh sentences.

The push for a Samourai pardon symbolizes a broader movement: to stand up for privacy, open-source code, and the principles of financial freedom, or risk seeing these values imprisoned alongside their creators.

This is the new crypto election cycle, where the lines between code and crime, settlement and sentence, are more blurred than ever, and the fight for justice in the industry has never been louder.

—

*Stay tuned for updates on William Lonergan Hill’s sentencing later this month.*
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/privacy-on-trial-as-samourai-wallet-cofounder-lands-in-jail-for-writing-code/

Supreme Court Issues Emergency Order to Block Full SNAP Food Aid Payments

BOSTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order requiring full funding of SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown, even though residents in some states have already received the funds.

A judge had given the Republican administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). However, the administration appealed to an appeals court to suspend any court orders demanding spending beyond available funds in a contingency reserve, seeking to continue with planned partial SNAP payments for the month.

After a Boston appeals court declined to intervene immediately, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an order late Friday pausing the requirement to distribute full SNAP payments. This pause will remain until the appeals court rules on whether to issue a more lasting suspension.

Justice Jackson, who handles emergency matters from Massachusetts, said her order will stay in effect until 48 hours after the appeals court decision, allowing the administration time to return to the Supreme Court if the appeals court refuses to act.

The SNAP program serves about one in eight Americans, primarily those with lower incomes.

### States That Have Issued SNAP Payments

Officials in more than half a dozen states confirmed that some SNAP recipients had already received full November payments on Friday. However, Jackson’s order may prevent other states from initiating the payments.

– **Wisconsin:** More than $104 million in monthly food benefits became available at midnight on electronic benefit cards for about 337,000 households. A spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said the state quickly accessed federal funds by coordinating with its electronic benefit card vendor in response to Thursday’s court order.

– **Oregon:** Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said state employees “worked through the night” to issue full November benefits, ensuring families relying on SNAP could buy groceries by Friday.

– **Hawaii:** The state had November’s payment information ready and submitted it quickly after Thursday’s court order but before any potential higher court pause, according to Joseph Campos II, deputy director of Hawaii’s Department of Human Services.

The Trump administration told the Supreme Court that these fast-moving states were “trying to seize what they could of the agency’s finite set of remaining funds” before any appeal could be filed, potentially to the detriment of other states’ allotments.

“Once those billions are out the door, there is no ready mechanism for the government to recover those funds,” Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in court documents.

Additional states including California, Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington also reported issuing full SNAP benefits on Friday, while others expected to distribute full benefits over the weekend or early next week. Some states are awaiting further federal guidance.

### Many SNAP Recipients Face Uncertainty

The ongoing court disputes have extended weeks of uncertainty for Americans with lower incomes. Individual SNAP recipients can receive up to nearly $300 monthly, while a family of four may qualify for up to nearly $1,000, though many receive less based on income.

For some SNAP participants, the timing of their benefits remained unclear. Jasmen Youngbey of Newark, New Jersey, for example, waited in line at a local food pantry Friday. As a single mother attending college, Youngbey relies on SNAP to feed her 7-month-old and 4-year-old sons. She said her account balance was at $0, explaining, “Not everybody has cash to pull out and say, ‘OK, I’m going to go and get this,’ especially with the cost of food right now.”

Later Friday, Youngbey reported receiving her monthly SNAP benefits.

### The Legal Battle Over SNAP Takes Another Twist

Due to the federal government shutdown, the Trump administration originally announced that SNAP benefits would not be available during November.

However, two judges ruled last week that the administration could not skip November’s payments entirely. One of those judges, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr., ordered full payments on Thursday.

In both rulings, judges required the government to tap an emergency reserve fund containing more than $4.6 billion to cover November SNAP benefits. They allowed some flexibility to use other funds to make full payments, which total between $8.5 billion and $9 billion monthly.

On Monday, the administration said it would not use additional funds beyond the emergency reserve, stating that it is Congress’s responsibility to appropriate funds for the program. The administration cited the need to reserve other funds to support child hunger assistance programs.

Thursday’s federal court order rejected the administration’s plan to cover only 65% of the maximum monthly benefit, a measure that could have resulted in some recipients receiving no benefits this month.

In court filings Friday, the administration argued that the judge overstepped legislative and executive authority by ordering full SNAP funding.

“This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers,” Solicitor General Sauer told the Supreme Court.

### States Take Different Approaches to Food Aid

States are varying in their response to the federal uncertainty surrounding SNAP payments.

– **Colorado and Massachusetts:** SNAP participants may receive full November payments as early as Saturday.

– **New York:** Full benefits access is expected to start by Sunday.

– **New Hampshire:** Full benefits should be available by the weekend.

– **Arizona and Connecticut:** Full benefits are anticipated within the coming days.

– **North Carolina:** Officials distributed partial SNAP payments Friday, with full payments expected by the weekend.

– **Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, and North Dakota:** Partial November payments have been distributed.

Meanwhile, Delaware’s Democratic Gov. Matt Meyer announced the state used its own funds Friday to provide the first of what could be weekly relief payments to SNAP recipients amid federal uncertainty.

—

The situation remains fluid as courts and states navigate the intersecting challenges of funding SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. Millions of Americans rely on this critical food aid program for their daily meals.
http://www.cbn.com/api/urlredirect.aspx?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww1.cbn.com%2Fcbnnews%2Fpolitics%2F2025%2Fnovember%2Fsupreme-court-issues-emergency-order-to-block-full-snap-food-aid-payments

Cornell University to pay $60M in deal with Trump administration to restore federal funding

**Cornell University Agrees to $60 Million Settlement to Restore Federal Funding Amid Civil Rights Investigations**

*WASHINGTON (AP)* — Cornell University has agreed to pay $60 million and accept the Trump administration’s interpretation of civil rights laws in order to restore federal funding and end investigations into the Ivy League school.

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff announced the agreement on Friday, highlighting that it upholds the university’s academic freedom while restoring more than $250 million in research funding withheld amid government probes into alleged civil rights violations.

He noted the government’s funding freeze had stalled research, disrupted careers, and threatened the future of academic programs at Cornell.

—

**Details of the Agreement**

The university will pay $30 million directly to the U.S. government and contribute another $30 million towards research initiatives supporting U.S. farmers. This latest agreement follows similar deals struck between the Trump administration and other elite colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism and promoting far-left ideologies.

Currently, Trump remains in a standoff with Harvard University and has recently pursued an incentive-based approach. This strategy offers preferential federal funding access to schools willing to align with his political agenda.

—

**University Response**

Kotlikoff stated that the agreement revitalizes Cornell’s partnership with the federal government “while affirming the university’s commitment to the principles of academic freedom, independence, and institutional autonomy that, from our founding, have been integral to our excellence.”

The six-page agreement resembles one signed by the University of Virginia last month. It is shorter and less prescriptive than agreements made with Columbia University and Brown University.

Cornell’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) commented that the deal “omits many of the worst provisions” found in agreements with other colleges. Still, the chapter expressed concerns that Cornell’s deal poses a threat to academic freedom and extends beyond legal requirements.

David Bateman, chapter president, said in an interview, “One of the major concerns with these agreements generally has been, if you make a deal with somebody when they’re just extorting you, well, that only encourages future extortion.”

—

**Compliance and Policy Changes**

Under the agreement, Cornell must comply with the government’s interpretation of civil rights laws concerning antisemitism, racial discrimination, and transgender issues.

A Justice Department memo directing colleges to abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and transgender-friendly policies will serve as a training resource for Cornell’s faculty and staff.

Additionally, Cornell is required to provide extensive admissions data to verify that race is no longer considered in admissions decisions, following a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in admissions.

—

**Comments from Officials**

Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the deal as a “transformative commitment” focusing on “merit, rigor, and truth-seeking.” She called the reforms “a huge win in the fight to restore excellence to American higher education and make our schools the greatest in the world,” speaking on X (formerly Twitter).

Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the importance of adherence to federal civil rights laws for colleges receiving federal funding. She stated, “Colleges that receive federal funding must fully adhere to federal civil rights laws and ensure that harmful DEI policies do not discriminate against students.”

Cornell’s president is required to personally certify compliance with the agreement each quarter. The deal is effective through the end of 2028.

—

**Context and Additional Information**

This agreement represents a middle ground on the controversial practice of schools making payments directly to the government to exit federal scrutiny. For comparison:

– Columbia University agreed to pay $200 million directly to the government.
– Brown University agreed to pay $50 million to state workforce organizations.
– The University of Virginia reached an agreement without any payment.

The $30 million agriculture investment will be distributed over three years, targeting programs that integrate artificial intelligence and robotics to support research aimed at reducing costs for U.S. farmers. Cornell, founded as a land-grant school, has deep historical ties to American agriculture.

—

**University’s Position and Concerns**

Kotlikoff was among hundreds of university presidents who signed an April letter opposing “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” from the Trump administration.

He emphasized that Cornell was not found in violation of federal law and that the agreement would preserve the campus’ independence. “In short, it recognizes our rights, as a private university, to define the conditions on our campuses that advance learning and produce new knowledge,” he wrote.

However, Cornell’s AAUP chapter expressed concerns over several provisions. They warned the agreement invites future federal intrusion through ongoing requirements to share enrollment data and conduct campus surveys on antisemitism. The chapter also criticized the $30 million payment to the government as “extortion plain and simple.”

—

*Copyright ©*
https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/cornell-university-to-pay-60m-in-deal-with-trump-administration-to-restore-federal-funding/

FBI informant jailed for Biden bribe claim released on medical furlough: lawyer

The FBI informant who sparked controversy by alleging that Joe and Hunter Biden took $10 million in bribes has been released from prison on medical furlough, his attorney told The Post.

Alexander Smirnov pleaded guilty in December and received a six-year prison sentence for fabricating the story about the then-US president, as well as a separate charge of tax evasion.

“Since Mr. Smirnov’s arrest, he has required crucial eye surgery which was denied to him for an extended period of time, which only exacerbated an already serious condition,” his lawyer David Chesnoff said. “We appreciate the Bureau of Prisons recognizing the incredibly serious nature of his condition and agreeing to allow him to receive the necessary and lengthy procedures he is receiving.”

Smirnov, 45, had been incarcerated at a federal facility in Los Angeles. Chesnoff did not share his precise release date.

A federal judge refused to free Smirnov in May, citing flight risk concerns, despite his legal team’s claims that he is now legally blind.

Smirnov’s tip about the Bidens involved the Ukraine-based energy company Burisma, which paid Hunter Biden a salary of up to $1 million to serve on its board. This occurred while Joe Biden, then Vice President, led the Obama administration’s policy toward Kyiv.

The allegation, brought to light by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), ultimately undermined the House Republican case to impeach then-President Biden for his numerous documented interactions with his son Hunter and brother James Biden’s foreign patrons in countries including China, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine.

Health-related releases from prison typically last 30 days but can be extended. Lawyers for Smirnov intend to continue seeking medical furloughs.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/07/us-news/fbi-informant-jailed-for-biden-bribe-claim-released-on-medical-furlough-lawyer/

Democrat Breaks with Party, Backs Trump Admin on Air Traffic Reductions During Shutdown [WATCH]

Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona is siding with the Trump administration over its decision to scale back air traffic operations amid the prolonged government shutdown, which has now entered its 38th day, as reported by Fox News.

The reduction in air traffic operations is expected to increase to 10% by November 14 if lawmakers fail to reach a deal to reopen the government. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the order was necessary to “maintain the highest standards of safety” during ongoing staffing shortages caused by the shutdown.

Among the affected airports is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which serves Stanton’s district and is Arizona’s largest airport.

“Safety must always be the highest priority,” Stanton said in a statement Thursday evening. “The decision by Secretary Duffy to reduce flights at America’s 40 busiest airports is the right call for the safety of the flying public,” he added in a post on X.

“Now it’s critical that Republicans and Democrats get together and reach a bipartisan agreement on a plan to reduce health costs and end the shutdown. Arizona deserves better, and so do the hardworking professionals who keep our skies safe.”

The shutdown has furloughed thousands of federal employees, while essential personnel—including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers—continue to work without pay. Many have been forced to take second jobs or call out sick, placing additional strain on the transportation system.

In Washington, where two major airports are also affected by the FAA’s order, Democratic leaders are holding firm on demands that any government funding deal include an extension of COVID-19-era enhanced Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.

Republicans have rejected tying partisan health care provisions to the budget agreement, arguing that it would further delay reopening the government. Stanton was among the House Democrats who voted against the GOP’s funding proposal when it passed the House on September 19.

His support for the administration’s safety directive now places him at odds with his party’s leadership as bipartisan Senate negotiations continue without a clear resolution in sight.
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/11/democrat-breaks-with-party-backs-trump-admin-on-air-traffic-reductions-during-shutdown-watch/

The FAA’s order to cut flights nationwide due to the government shutdown is set to take effect

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected 40 airports across more than two dozen states for mandatory flight reductions, according to a recent order. These include major hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, North Carolina. In several metropolitan areas—including New York, Houston, Chicago, and Washington—multiple airports will be affected, with ripple effects likely extending to smaller airports as well.

In anticipation of the FAA’s official order, airlines scrambled to adjust their schedules and began canceling flights Thursday. Travelers planning weekend and future trips waited nervously to learn if their flights would depart as scheduled. As of now, more than 780 flights have been canceled nationwide, according to FlightAware.

Delta Air Lines reported plans to cancel roughly 170 flights Friday, while American Airlines expects to cut 220 flights per day through Monday. The FAA stated that the reductions will start at 4% and ramp up to 10% by November 14. These measures will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and impact all commercial airlines.

The FAA says the cutbacks are necessary to help relieve pressure on air traffic controllers, many of whom have been working without pay for more than a month. Many controllers are now working six-day weeks with mandatory overtime, leading to increasing callouts as financial strain and exhaustion mount.

“You can’t expect people to go in to work when they’re not getting a paycheck,” said Kelly Matthews of Flat Rock, Michigan, a frequent business traveler who has canceled most of her upcoming trips. “It’s not that they don’t want to do the job, but you can’t afford to pay for gas, your day care, and everything else.”

The order comes as the Trump administration increases pressure on Democrats in Congress to end the ongoing shutdown. Airlines have pledged to try to minimize the impact on customers, with some focusing on slashing routes to and from small and medium-sized cities.

Carriers are required to refund customers whose flights are canceled, but according to the Department of Transportation, they are not obligated to cover secondary costs such as food and hotel accommodations unless a delay or cancellation results from a factor within the airlines’ control.

Industry analyst Henry Harteveldt warned the reductions will “have a noticeable impact across the U.S. air transportation system.” The cuts could also slow package delivery services, as two affected airports—FedEx in Memphis, Tennessee, and UPS in Louisville, Kentucky—serve as major distribution centers. Notably, Louisville is also the site of this week’s deadly cargo plane crash.

*Associated Press journalists Hallie Golden in Seattle, Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, and Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York contributed to this report.*
https://www.clickorlando.com/business/2025/11/07/the-faas-order-to-cut-flights-nationwide-due-to-the-government-shutdown-is-set-to-take-effect/