The Political Thread

[Chris]

Pete Buttigieg, a Possible 2028 Contender, Won’t Run for Senate in Michigan

The former transportation secretary, who moved to Michigan from Indiana in 2022, had been seen as the most prominent potential candidate in next year’s marquee contest.

www.nytimes.com

Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary, is expected to announce that he will not run for Michigan’s open Senate seat, according to three people briefed on his deliberations, a decision that appears to open the door to a 2028 presidential bid.

Mr. Buttigieg’s decision to skip the 2026 race to succeed Senator Gary Peters, a retiring Democrat, could allow him to pivot more easily to the next contest for the White House — which will effectively kick off the day after the midterm elections, if not sooner. The news was earlier reported by Politico.

Mr. Buttigieg, who ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, was seen as the most prominent potential contender in next year’s marquee Senate contest, a proven fund-raiser with strong name recognition and a devoted fan base in his party.

 

[Chris]

White House withdraws CDC director nomination just before his Senate confirmation hearing

Former Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Fla., was set to face questions at his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday morning.

www.nbcnews.com

The White House has withdrawn the nomination of former Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Fla., whom President Donald Trump had chosen to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a senior administration official said.

The development came just before Weldon was set to testify at his Senate confirmation hearing at 10 a.m. ET before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

 

[Chris]

Putin says Russia ‘in favour’ of ceasefire but warns of ‘serious issues’ and hints at Trump call – Europe live

Discussions over ceasefire with Ukraine come as Russian operation to expel forces in Kursk in final stage, claims Kremlin

www.theguardian.com

Russian president Vladimir Putin has said that Russia was technically "in favour” of the proposed ceasefire on Ukraine, but heavily caveated that with “nuances” and “serious issues” that need to be resolved before the proposal can be progressed further.

During the press conference with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko:

• Putin said that the ceasefire should “lead to an enduring peace, and remove the root causes of this crisis,” which could suggest Russia’s maximalist demands towards Ukraine and the US on broader security environment in eastern Europe.
• He lauded Russian troops for “advancing in practically all areas of the contact line,” and pointed out that the ceasefire must not be used to rearm Ukrainians to mobilise more troops and rearm for further confrontation.
• He further listed a number of practical issues, including on resolving the Ukrainian “incursion” in Russia’s Kursk region and on monitoring any violations.
• He suggested that he would need to negotiate outstanding issues “with our American colleagues and partners,” suggesting “maybe a phone call with President Trump.”

 

[Boomhauer]

Putin says Russia ‘in favour’ of ceasefire but warns of ‘serious issues’ and hints at Trump call – Europe live

Discussions over ceasefire with Ukraine come as Russian operation to expel forces in Kursk in final stage, claims Kremlin

www.theguardian.com

Russian president Vladimir Putin has said that Russia was technically "in favour” of the proposed ceasefire on Ukraine, but heavily caveated that with “nuances” and “serious issues” that need to be resolved before the proposal can be progressed further.

During the press conference with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko:

• Putin said that the ceasefire should “lead to an enduring peace, and remove the root causes of this crisis,” which could suggest Russia’s maximalist demands towards Ukraine and the US on broader security environment in eastern Europe.
• He lauded Russian troops for “advancing in practically all areas of the contact line,” and pointed out that the ceasefire must not be used to rearm Ukrainians to mobilise more troops and rearm for further confrontation.
• He further listed a number of practical issues, including on resolving the Ukrainian “incursion” in Russia’s Kursk region and on monitoring any violations.
• He suggested that he would need to negotiate outstanding issues “with our American colleagues and partners,” suggesting “maybe a phone call with President Trump.”

I used to support Ukraine, but they are under a weak leadership. I say they need to cut their losses and accept a peace treaty. I don't care what nation does it, Ukraine is a husk of its pre war self. Both sides committed atrocities. And both nations should be tried in the ICC.

 

[Comrade Khan]

What part of America would you be willing to give up to an aggressor ?

 

[Boomhauer]

What part of America would you be willing to give up to an aggressor ?

Alaska, Hawaii, and all Pacific Ocean territories.

 

[Chris]

https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/doge-federal-workers-probationary

A federal judge on Thursday ordered multiple government agencies, including Veterans Affairs, Treasury and the USDA, to offer fired probationary federal workers their jobs back.

 

[Grim]

Okay but Alaska was legally purchased territory, so it legally, by right of legal deed, is US Territory.

Hawaii was an independent nation that we the US basically conquered, so nobody is gonna go and take it from us, and the last country that tried that got two atomic bombs launched in their cities.

 

[Boomhauer]

https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/doge-federal-workers-probationary

A federal judge on Thursday ordered multiple government agencies, including Veterans Affairs, Treasury and the USDA, to offer fired probationary federal workers their jobs back.

Good Trump was firing people who didn't deserve to get fired

 

[Comrade Khan]

Alaska, Hawaii, and all Pacific Ocean territories.

wild. I will reserve my opinion on you for it - but you would have to pry an inch of our sovereign land from my cold dead hands.

 

[Grim]

Last time the US tried to take Canadian territory, Canadians burned down the White House.

 

[Grim]

Would be preferable tho if instead of the White House, it was just Donald Trump burned at the stake.

 

[Boomhauer]

Last time the US tried to take Canadian territory, Canadians burned down the White House.

Ah, yes the War of 1812. Except when I was in school, I was taught the British did that