Fed nominee Warsh filings detail vast wealth, far exceeding past chairs

PUBLISHED TUE, APR 14 20268:01 AM

KEY POINTS

• Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh is worth at least $100 million, according to newly released financial disclosure forms.

• Warsh pledged to divest some of his assets if confirmed by the Senate.

• He also details significant additional wealth held by his wife, Jane Lauder.

• Warsh is significantly richer than Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who, at the time of his 2018 confirmation, was considered the wealthiest chair in history.

Kevin Warsh’s wealth eclipses that of all recent Federal Reserve chairs, newly released financial disclosure forms show.

Warsh is President Donald Trump’snominee to succeed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. His financial filingsshow that Warsh has holdings of approximately $131 million to $209 million, plus hundreds of millions in additional assets held by his wife, Jane Lauder.(don’t they want a rich Fed Chairman, that disclosed his wealth, while all the others hide where they got their money?)

That would make Warsh significantly richer than Powell, who, at the time of his 2018 confirmation, was thought to be the wealthiest Fed chair in history. Powell’s most recent filing, for 2025, shows wealth between $19 million and $75 million.

Warsh also disclosed $10 million in income from his work as an advisor to investor Stanley Druckenmiller,which Warsh has jokingly called his “day job.”

He earned some $3 million in additional income from work at Stanford University, where he is a fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution, and for a handful of Wall Street firms.

Warsh’s filings detail roughly 1,800 individual assets.Many individual items are identified as being subject to “pre-existing confidentiality obligations” that prevent him from specifying the underlying assets.

Warsh in the filings pledges to divest these assets if confirmed.

His filings also indicate he will resign from board seats at UPS

and South Korean retail giant Coupang

,as well as his other jobs.

Lauder sits on the board of Estee Lauder, the cosmetics firm founded by her grandmother.Warsh’s filings detail tens of millions of assets in her name, but many are listed as simply “over $1,000,000.” Forbes estimates her wealth at $1.9 billion.

Not all past Fed chairs have been vastly wealthy.Earlier in his career, Warsh served a term as a Fed governor under then-Chair Ben Bernanke. When Bernanke stepped down from the Fed in 2014, his filings listed assets of, at most, $2.3 million — mostly in retirement funds.

Filing hisfinancial disclosures puts Warsh one step closer to a Senate hearing.A prior plan to hold that hearing this week had to be delayed after a holdup with the paperwork.A hearing would take place next week at the earliest.

Warsh’s path to a full Senate vote is still unclear,however. Sen. Thom Tillis, R.-N.C., has said he will block final approval of Warsh’s candidacy until a federal criminal probe into Powell is resolved. Tillis is also a member of the Senate Banking Committee.

Warsh declined to comment.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/14/federal-reserve-warsh-wealth.html

Tillis lost, that means the guy will be investigated and it will show he’s the biggest crook in the Senate, possibly.

AAGHarmeetDhillon

@AAGDhillon

Attacks on journalists for simply doing their jobs are illegal and un-American.

==@TheJusticeDept’s @CivilRights

will protect the fundamental right to freedom of expression—and will explore the possibility of federal charges.==

7:41 AM · Apr 14, 2026

46.3K

https://x.com/AAGDhillon/status/2044018262812303729?s=20

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

Europe is desperate for Energy, and yet the United Kingdom refuses to open North Sea Oil, one of the greatest fields in the World. Tragic!!!Aberdeen should be booming. Norway sells its North Sea Oil to the U.K. at double the price. They are making a fortune. U.K., which is better situated on the North Sea for purposes of energy than Norway, should, DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! It is absolutely crazy that they don’t…AND, NO MORE WINDMILLS! President DJT

4/14/26, 10:30 AM

EUROPE NEWS

China calls U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz ‘dangerous and irresponsible’

PUBLISHED TUE, APR 14 20264:08

(China gets most of their energy from Iran. KEK)

KEY POINTS

• China calls for “comprehensive ceasefire” would help ease the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

• Spokesperson dismisses reports of China supplying weapons to Iran

China has called the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz a “dangerous and irresponsible act” that will further enflame tensions in the region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that the targeted blockade of the vital shipping channel, which began at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday,coupled with an increase in U.S. military deployment, risks undermining an “already fragile ceasefire situation.”

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press conference that only a full ceasefire can help ease the situation,adding that Beijing would make efforts to help restore peace and stability in the Middle East.

China — which has long backed the regime in Tehran — has a key interest in the Strait being reopened, with Beijing being the largest buyer of Iranian crude. The blockade directly cuts off that supply and potentially has a far-reaching impact on the Chinese economy.

The U.S. began preventing ships from entering and exiting Iranian ports in the vital waterway on Monday in a bid to force Iran to reopen the Strait, after peace talks in Islamabad faltered over the weekend.

The measure marks a sharp escalation in the conflict despite a pause in hostilities agreed April 7.

The spokesman also dismissed reports of China supplying weapons to Islamic Republic as “completely made up.”

“China believes that only by achieving a comprehensive ceasefire and ending the war can we fundamentally create conditions for easing the situation in the strait,” he said in a statement.

“China urges all parties to abide by the ceasefire arrangements, focus on the general direction of dialogue and peace talks, take practical actions to promote the easing of the regional situation, and restore normal traffic in the strait as soon as possible.”

Oil prices retreated below $100 a barrel on Tuesday amid reports of diplomatic resolution to the six-week conflict. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was about 1% lower in early trade at $98.44, while prices of U.S. West Texas Intermediatefor May delivery was 2.6% lower, at $96.48 per barrel.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/14/china-us-strait-of-hormuz-war-donald-trump-oil-energy-crisis-conflict-middle-east-iran.html

Boohoo!

Georgia lawmaker wants Fani Willis to answer questions about $2 million grant from Biden DOJ

4/13/26

A key Georgia lawmaker said he is eager to investigate a no-bid grant awarded to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office by the Biden Justice Department given to her while she probed President Donald Trump for alleged violations of Georgia state laws.

In February, Just the News reported that Willis, who vowed from the earliest days ofher term to pursue an investigation into President Trump for his efforts to challenge the 2020 election results in the state, was "invited" by the Justice Department to apply for a lucrative sole-source grant in 2022.

Willis’ officeultimately received $2,000,000 to implement programs under the Justice Department’s 2022 Office of Justice ProgramsCommunity Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative grant.

Biden allegedly said: “We're going to ensure, by any means possible […] that Donald Trump will not take office"

“We have a lot of questions about that,” said Georgia State Senator Greg Dolezal, a Republican. Dolezal is one of the lawmakers who led the state-level investigation in Fani Willis’ prosecution of President Trump.

“That's really going to be the next phase of whatwe're looking into is the tie to what could have been a carrot from the time that Joe Biden put up the bat signal on November 13.I think it was where he said, “We're going to ensure, by any means possible, that we demonstrate that Donald Trump will not take office,” Dolezal told the Just the News, No Noise TV show last week.

“On that very same day, Nathan Wade spent eight hours on the phone with the White House. Now, of course, he can't remember what that eight-hour conversation was about,but we've got our guesses as to what it was about,” he added.

The award, which was opened in April 2022 as a competitive grant, appears to have been provided to Fulton County as the “sole source,” according to documents obtained by Just the News through an Open Records lawsuit earlier this year. The Justice Department defines a sole source procurement as “noncompetitive,” meaning no other entity competed against Fulton for the award.

Beyond the grant details,the documents show that Willis’ office coordinated extensively with the Biden Justice Department and White House as well as Democratson the House Jan. 6 investigative committeeas she built a failed criminal case against President Donald Trumpand his allies, Just the News previously reported.

The award of the noncompetitive grant for Willis came while her office was preparing that case and while federal prosecutors were investigating Trump under similar pretexts.

On February 10th, 2021, Willis announced that she was opening a probe into Trump for violationsof Georgia state law to include “solicitation of election fraud, the making of false statements to state and local governmental bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and any involvement in violence or threats related to the election’s administration.”

In early January, President Trump had claimed that the election in the state was marred by fraud and urged state officials to intervenein the process.Several Trump allies were also investigated over an effort to formand send to Congress an alternate slate of presidential electors to challenge the official results thatthey believed were possibly invalidated by fraud.

By August 2023,Willis indicted Trump and allies on state racketeering, conspiracy and other chargesafter the more than two-year-long investigation. Under Willis,Georgia became the first state to do so,followed later by fellow Democratic Party prosecutors inArizonaandWisconsinwho also went after Trump allies.

https://justthenews.com/accountability/political-ethics/georgia-lawmaker-wants-fani-willis-answer-questions-about-grant

BANNON: The Question May Be For Our "Great Ally" MBZ, Why Is This Sanctioned Ship Being Loaded Up In One Of Your Ports? We Don't Have Any Allies Over There. Let's Not Forget That

1:31

https://rumble.com/embed/v76b2kq/?pub=4

CAPTAIN JAMES FANELL: The Chinese Tanker "Rich Starry," Which Was Testing The US Naval Blockade, Has Been Turned Around. That's A Tanker Of Oil That The Chinese Will Not Get!

12:11

https://rumble.com/embed/v76b094/?pub=4

Paul Dans: "I'm gonna do everything in my power to get Mark Lynch across the finish line and get Lindsey Graham into retirement."

(I’d join that!)

9:37

https://rumble.com/embed/v769qaq/?pub=4

Sam Faddis: "We can't walk away now. If we walk away, leaving the Iranians effectively having won and dictating terms in the Middle East, the consequences would be unthinkable."(he with others were condemning Trump for going in. When Trump stops Iran from getting the nuclear weapon it will be worth it)

10:03

https://rumble.com/embed/v769zfa/?pub=4

10:30

Curt Mills: "The president is unfortunately sacrificing a lot of political capital to get Israel's war in Iran done, and I urge him to, at minimum, walk away from this."

9:16

https://rumble.com/embed/v769xrk/?pub=4

CAPTAIN JAMES FANELL: This Is All About China, And It's A Reordering Of The Global Energy System So That The United States Is No Longer Dependent On The Persian Gulf And The Arabian Gulf As We Have Been Since The Early 70s

10:56

https://rumble.com/embed/v769ee0/?pub=4

INSIGHT

Iran's digital economy battered by prolonged blackout. 1/2

Maryam Sinaiee

Iran International

13 hours ago

More than 1,000 hours of internet shutdown in Iran is crippling small businesses and startups, with officials estimating losses of at least $35 million per day.

The disruption has cut off companies that depend on global connectivity, from e-commerce retailers to freelance service providers.

With access largely limited to domestic platforms, many users cannot reach essential global tools such as search engines, email services and widely used social media networks.

Iran’s digital economy accounts for an estimated 5% to 6% of the country’s gross domestic product, underscoring the scale of the impact.

According to Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi,the shutdown is costing more than $35 million per day—roughly $1.5 billion since the start of the conflict.

Independent estimates suggest the losses may be even higher. Afshin Kolahi, a representative of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, has said the total daily economic damage, including indirect effects, could reach $80 million.

Officials say the restrictions are necessary to counter cyberattacks targeting government infrastructure. Many Iranians, however, believe the shutdown is also intended to make it harder for protests to spread.

‘Completely bankrupt’

Many small businesses have shut down or are close to collapse, while millions of workers have been partially or entirely pushed out of the economic cycle.

Entrepreneurs who once relied on platforms such as Instagram, Telegram and WhatsApp to reach customers have been cut off for more than six weeks.

For many, rebuilding on domestic platforms feels like starting from scratch.

The challenge is particularly severe for businesses whose websites are hosted abroad. With only domestic domains widely accessible, many companies have lost access not only to customers but also to backend systems and data.

The disruption has also hit home-based producers, many of them women, who rely heavily on social media to market their products. Many had already lost customers during the 12-day war in June and the unrest earlier this year.

Some entrepreneurs say the shutdown has wiped out their income.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202604135100

>>24499576

2/2

Amir, a YouTube podcaster, wrote thathis income from YouTube, Instagram and other platforms had dropped to zero.

“I am completely bankrupt,” he said. “I can’t pay my loan installments and have to sell my equipment.”

Another user who runs an embroidery workshop said the shutdown forced layoffs.

“Until forty-something days ago, I had 37 employees. Now I’ve only been able to keep five.”

Costly workarounds

In response to mounting pressure, authorities have introduced a limited system known as “professional internet”.

Under the program, business owners can apply for unfiltered internet access via their SIM cards by submitting documentation and paying a higher fee.

The access, however, applies only to the individual subscriber and does not extend to customers.

Critics say the measure does little to help businesses whose clients remain offline.

“They still don’t understand that for these businesses to function, their customers also need internet access,” one user wrote.

Some rely on VPNs, satellite services such as Starlink, or roaming through foreign SIM cards. These workarounds often come at a high cost, forcing households to reprioritize spending.

“I cut down on everything else just to stay connected,” one user wrote on social media, describing internet access as essential not only for business but also for staying informed.

Enforcement against attempts to bypass restrictions has intensified. Text messages sent to users warn that unauthorized access to the international internet—through VPNs or proxy services—violates cybercrime laws and could lead to prosecution.

An underground market for VPN services has flourished on domestic platforms, often with high prices tied to data usage.Reports of fraud are also common, with users saying they paid for access that never worked.

Access has been selectively granted through a “whitelist” system covering certain media outlets, companies and universities, creating uneven levels of connectivity across sectors.

Authorities have also stepped up efforts to confiscate satellite equipment used to access services such as Starlink, further narrowing the few remaining pathways to the global internet.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202604135100

Iran’s central bank warns economy may take 12 years to rebuild after war

17 hours ago

Iran’s central bank has warned President Masoud Pezeshkian that rebuilding the country’s war-damaged economy could take more than a decade, sources familiar with internal deliberations told Iran International.

In a stark assessment delivered to the president in recent days, senior economic officials said the damage inflicted during the 40-day war with the United States and Israel—combined with Iran’s already fragile economic situation—could take up to 12 years to repair.

Several major airports were damaged during the conflict, while strikes also targeted oil facilities, refineries and petrochemical installations that are central to Iran’s export revenues and industrial supply chains.

Officials involved in the discussions warned that the destruction of production capacity could trigger a sharp surge in inflation in the coming months. According to the assessment presented to the president,inflation could reach as high as 180% if shortages of industrial inputs persist.

The same projections estimate thatunemployment could rise by around two million people as factories, service providers and small businesses struggle to resume operations.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati has beenurging Pezeshkian to take urgent steps to stabilize the economy, including restoring full internet access and pursuing an agreement with the United States.

Tehran and Washington appear to be exploring the possibility of further talks following the one in Pakistan last weekend.Iranian economists have long argued that a diplomatic thaw and easing of sanctions could be the best path toward economic stabilization.

Iran has maintained a nationwide internet shutdown for weeks during the conflict, a move officials say was intended to counter cyber threats but which has also severely disrupted businesses that rely on global connectivity.

Iran’s digital economy accounts for roughly 5–6% of the country’s GDP, and the shutdown has cut off millions of entrepreneurs from customers, payment systems and online platforms.

Small businesses, freelancers and startup founders have been among the hardest hit. Many rely on services such as Instagram, messaging apps and foreign-hosted websites to reach clients.

Economists inside the government warn that prolonged restrictions could deepen the downturn and slow recovery even further.

The bleak economic projections have heightened concerns among members of Pezeshkian’s team, according to the sources.

Some officials fear that if the economic crisis worsens or the state faces financial collapse, powerful figures within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could seek to shift blame onto the president, they said.

Iran entered the war already under heavy economic strain from years of sanctions, high inflation and currency instability.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202604135100

The stupid leaders have sacrificed their entire economy, people and a functioning country, for pride and recalcitrance!

Tehran sends tough message but keeps diplomacy door open

Apr 13, 2026 at 03:43 GMT+.1/2

Reactions in Tehran to the collapse of the Islamabad talks suggest Iran’s leadership is settling on adual message: defiance toward Washington’s pressure while still leaving the door to diplomacy open.

Across Iran’s political spectrum—from senior officials to hardline lawmakers—the failure of the 21-hour negotiations has been framed not as the end of talks but as a moment to test leverage,particularly around the Strait of Hormuz and Washington’s newly announced naval blockade.

Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, who was part of the Iranian delegation in Islamabad, placed responsibility for the breakdown squarely on Washingtonwhile leaving room for further engagement.

In a post on X, he wrote thatdistrust toward the United States stems from “the experiences of the previous two wars,” adding that Washington failed to convince Tehranwhile leaving open whether the Americans could “earn our trust.”

President Masoud Pezeshkian struck asofter tone, signaling conditional openness to diplomacy.

“If the American government abandons its totalitarianism and respects the rights of the Iranian nation, ways to reach an agreement will certainly be found,” he wrote on X.

All about Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly a fifth of global oil flows—has rapidly emerged as both a bargaining chipand asymbolic red line in Tehran’s messaging.

President Donald Trump announced a US naval blockade aimed at preventing vessels from entering or leaving Iranian ports and intercepting ships that pay transit fees to Tehran.

US Central Command said the blockade would begin Monday and apply to vessels of all nations calling at Iranian ports.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy warned that any escalation in the waterway could have severe consequences,cautioning that “any miscalculation will trap the enemy in deadly whirlpools in the strait.”

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202604136930

>>24499689

2/2

Hardline voices have increasingly framed control ofthe waterway as a source of revenue and national prestige.

“From now on… we will have a third source of income called the Strait of Hormuz,” lawmaker Amir-Hossein Sabeti said at a pro-government rally.

University professor and commentator Foad Izadi suggested in a post on X that future confrontationcould transform the strait into Iran’s “most important source of income,” while hinting that alternative export routes could become targets.

‘Taboo broken’

Some Iranian analysts warn that the US blockade risks pushing both sides closer to military confrontation.

Political analyst Ruhollah Rahimpour described the move as “beating the drums of war,” arguing that Washington is effectively testing Iran’s economic lifeline.

“Iran’s economy is locked into the chokepoint of Hormuz, and now Trump has decided to test this lock with a hammer,” he said. “In such a situation, either the lock opens, or the whole door will be torn off.”

Reformist voices, however,emphasized the historic nature of the talks themselves.

Former lawmaker Mahmoud Sadeghi describedthe direct engagement as “a major taboo-breaking moment,” noting thesignificance of Iranian and American officials meeting at such a level after nearly half a century.

Journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi similarly arguedthat failure in Islamabad “does not mean a definite failure of diplomacy,” warning that.a return to full-scale war would produce an “irreversible catastrophe for all parties.”

Former Vice President Mohammad-Ali Abtahialso struck a cautious tone, writing that“47 years of open hostility cannot be resolved in a few hours.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202604136930

It’s nice to know there are very sane and circumspect leaders, teachers and historians in Iran!

LIVE

Trump says Iran talks possible in two days as US continues blockade on ports

Summary

• US President Donald Trump said in an interview with the New York Post that talks with Iran could take place in Pakistan within the next two days.

• Mossad intelligence agency chiefDavid Barnea said Israel’s mission in Iran is not over until the "regime is replaced."(shut up)

• France and Britain said they will convene partners to plan a defensive mission to help restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuzwhen conditions allow.(chickens)

• US and Iranian negotiation teams will return to Islamabad later this week to resume peace talks, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

•Qatar denied on Tuesday that it had held any discussions with Iranover the payment of funds to stop Iranian attacks, calling such reports untrue.

• China rejected on Tuesday reports of supplying weapons to Iran, saying such reports were “completely made up."

• Iran’s internet shutdown entered its 46th day on Tuesday, with the disruption continuing to harm lives and livelihoods, NetBlocks said.

• Iran has estimated damage from US and Israeli attacks at about $270 billion so far, the government spokeswoman said on Tuesday,adding that war reparations were one of the issues being pursued by Iran’s negotiating team.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202604067622

BREAKING NEWS

2

30 minutes ago

Hezbollah says it launched rocket salvos at northern Israel

Iran-backed Hezbollah said it launched rocket attacks on 13 towns in northern Israelshortly after the start of Lebanese-Israeli talks in Washington on Tuesday.

37 minutes ago

Iran targets Iranian Kurdish opposition camps in Iraq with drone strikes

Iran carried outdrone strikes on camps housing families affiliated with Iranian Kurdish opposition groupsin Iraq’s Kurdistan Region on Tuesday afternoon, the Hana Human Rights Organization reported.

The attacks targeted a Komala-linked camp in Surdash and Camp Azadi, which hosts families affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran. At least three Komala members were wounded, according to the report.

1 hour ago

IRGC intelligence arrests eight in western Iran for alleged opposition links

The intelligence arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had arrested eight citizens in Ilam province in western Iran on alleged charges of having contact with opposition groups.

1 hour ago

Two Iran-linked ships reverse course after US Hormuz blockade - BBC Verify

Two Iran-linked vessels that passed through the Strait of Hormuz after a US blockade was imposed have changed direction and appear to be heading back, BBC Verify reported, citing ship-tracking data.

The US-sanctioned tanker Rich Starry, which reported carrying cargo, sailed east from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates through the strait overnight before reversing course, the report said.

Bulk carrier Christianna, which crossed the strait on Monday after calling at Iran’s Bandar Imam Khomeini, has likewise now changed direction, the report added.

1 hour ago

Israel says removal of enriched uranium is 'precondition' to ending Iran war

Israel’s defense minister said the removal of enriched uranium from Iran is a precondition for ending the US-Israel war against Tehran.

“What remains is the issue of the enriched material, which could serve as a basis for an attempt to restart the project,” Israel Katz said in a video statement.

“Therefore, the United States and Israel have defined removing this material from Iran as a precondition for ending tIsrael’s defense minister said the removal of enriched uranium from Iran is a precondition for ending the US-Israel war against Tehran.

“What remains is the issue of the enriched material, which could serve as a basis for an attempt to restart the project,” Israel Katz said in a video statement.

“Therefore, the United States and Israel have defined removing this material from Iran as a precondition for ending the campaign,” he added. (It’s annoying for Israel to repeat was has been said by PDJT many times.)

1 hour ago

Modi, Trump discuss West Asia tensions, stress importance of open Hormuz

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he spoke with US President Donald Trump to review bilateral ties and discuss regional tensions in West Asia, emphasizing the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.

Received a call from my friend President Donald Trump. We reviewed the substantial progress achieved in our bilateral cooperation in various sectors.

We are committed to further strengthening our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in all areas. We also discussed the…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2026

1 hour ago

BREAKING NEWS

US to move seized Iran-linked ships to holding areas - WSJ

Iran-linked ships seized by the US military as part of its blockade of Iranian ports will be taken to temporary holding areas in the Arabian Sea or Indian Ocean while a permanent location is determined, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials.

The US is looking at vessels for potential seizure, even as multiple tankers reversed course near the Strait of Hormuz after the operation began, the report added.

The US may target Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps speedboats with drones butotherwise there are no plans for firing at any tankers sailing out of Iranian ports, the report said citing the officials.

DEAL ON THE EDGE: Iran ‘FEARFUL’ as blockade forces talks

The White House signals a possible breakthrough with Iran as the Strait of Hormuz blockade enters day two and pressure on Tehran mounts. Officials say the ingredients for a deal are there, but Iran now has to decide whether to come back to the table

(I just read an Iran article that they are already planning to go back to negotiations)

13:22

https://youtu.be/ayD9V7oeGl0

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Holds Peace Talks Between Israel and Lebanon – Video and Transcript

April 14, 2026 | Sundance |

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington as a historic opportunity, with Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad attending. The meeting focuses on moving forward amid complex regional tensions and a fragile Middle East ceasefire. WATCH:

=Marco Rubio On Historic Israel Lebanon Talks Amid Fragile Regional CeasefireDWS News | AC1F

2:55

https://youtu.be/l8kdq3BKtM8

[TRANSCRIPT] QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, why did you decide to join? Is it a signal that the U.S. is fully engaged?

QUESTION: Can we see a ceasefire soon between Lebanon and Israel?

QUESTION: Secretary —

SECRETARY RUBIO: “May I please? Thank you very much. Thank you for being here today. We’re very honored to be joined by two countries that the United States wants to have strong – have strong relations with, and we’re obviously very happy to serve in this facilitating role.”

“This is a historic opportunity. We understand we’re working against decades of history and complexities that have led us to this unique moment. And the opportunity here – I know some of you were shouting questions about a ceasefire. This is a lot more than just about that. This is about bringing a permanent end to 20 or 30 years of Hizballah’s influence in this part of the world and the – not just the damage that it’s inflicted on Israel, the damage that it’s inflicted on the Lebanese people. We have to remember the Lebanese people are victims of Hizballah. The Lebanese people are victims of Iranian aggression. And this needs to stop.

And so our hope here – and I know this will be a process, okay? This – all of the complexities of this matter are not going to be resolved in the next six hours. But we can begin to move forward to create the framework where something can happen – something very positive, something very permanent – so that the people of Lebanon can have the kind of future they deserve, and so that the people of Israel can live without fear of being struck by rocket attacks from a terrorist proxy of Iran.

So that is the hope here today. That is what we are beginning to work. We are joined by excellent people who will be in a position to obviously take this back to their respective capitals. This is a process, not an event. This is more than just one day. This will take time. But we believe it’s worth this endeavor, and it’s a historic gathering that we hope to build on, and the hope today is that we can outline the framework upon which a permanent and lasting peace can be developed so that, as I said, the people of Israel can live in peace, and the people of Lebanon can live not just in peace but the prosperity and security that they deserve.

Okay? Thank you.”

{END TRANSCRIPT}

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2026/04/14/secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-holds-peace-talks-between-israel-and-lebanon-video-and-transcript/#more-282534

Johnny Didn’t Bark – But Tulsi Did

April 13, 2026 | Sundance1/2

I’m going to try and keep this short.

You can tell from the transcripts of the testimony from ICIG Michael Atkinson that at the time of histestimony, September 19, 2019 and October 4, 2019, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) was not in a classified session; simply closed-door.

In fact, during the October 2019 deposition, Ranking Member Devin Nunes went out of his way to clarify the status of the hearing itself. Chairman Schiff reemphasized this was not part of the impeachment inquiry, simply a hearing to clarify questions from Republicans to ICIG Atkinson about the nature of the complaint created by CIA whistleblower Eric Ciaramella.

HPSCI-Attendees-two-hearings.jpg

This is interesting, because that means at the time of the hearing itself in 2019 any one of the members could have immediately gone to the microphones and discussed all of the information gained from within the questioning. They didn’t.

Later on,Chairman Adam Schiff classified the Atkinson testimony in order to bury it.The Lawfare impeachment crew, led by Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler, Mary McCord, Dan Goldman, Barry Berke, Stephen Castor and Norm Eisen alsoweaponized the “ongoing investigation” classification to keep the CIA/ICIG report hidden during the impeachment effort.

President Trump was not even allowed to see/review the classified IC IG information that was being used to impeach him.

Now, as you can see from the attendance above,John Ratcliffe was present for both Atkinson depositions. Despite his immediate silence, we know John Ratcliffe was concerned about the content within ICIG Atkinson’s statementsas he relayed in a series of questions during a public hearing December 9, 2019 {SEE HERE}.

Ratcliffe questioned both Dan Goldman and Stephen Castor who were part of Adam Schiff’s staff and present during the October 2019, testimony of ICIG Atkinson. WATCH THIS: 5:01

https://youtu.be/TYM4-Vj34xY

John Ratcliffe knew all of the details from ICIG Atkinson’s testimony because he was present and part of the questioning during both sessions.

♦Here’s where it gets interesting.

Following the failed impeachment effort (Senate acquittal), President Trump fired IC IG Michael Atkinson April 3, 2020,and then nominated John Ratcliffe to the position of DNI to replace Acting DNI Ric Grenell.

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2026/04/13/johnny-didnt-bark-but-tulsi-did/

>>24499906

2/2

The ICIG investigation of the alleged claims by CIA whistleblower Eric Ciaramella ended during the impeachment inquiry. Following the impeachment acquittal, and following the subsequent firing of Atkinson,all of the ICIG work product returned to the custodial review of the ODNI.

DNI nominee John Ratcliffe was confirmed by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on May 21 and sworn in on May 26, 2020.John Ratcliffe was now a constitutionally confirmed DNI with access to the full record and work product that led to the previous impeachment effort.

Why didn’t DNI John Ratcliffe releasethe ICIG investigative material and CIA whistleblower report?

Why did it take another six years and DNI Tulsi Gabbard to discover, dig out, declassify and release the material that was in the custodial review of DNI John Ratcliffe back in 2020?

Congressman Ratcliffe was in both Atkinson depositions during Sept/Oct 2019, andhe knew the impeachment allegations were false. He essentially called out the HPSCI Democrat staff in December of 2019.Congressman Ratcliffe became DNI in May 2020 and knew the entire background of the IC IG material that was now at his fingertips.

Ratcliffe knew President Trump was set up.

Why didn’t John Ratcliffe release the evidence of it in 2020?

I might also note that following the 2022 midterm election,Republicans took back control of the House in January 2023.

Days andWhy didn’t HPSCI Chairman Mike Turner (2023/2024) release the Atkinson transcripts to the public?Why didn’t HPSCI ChairmanRick Crawford (2025-present) release the Atkinson transcript in 2025, without the request of DNI Tulsi Gabbard.

To be fair, former HPSCI Chairman Mike Turner might say that back in 2023 without the underlying CIA/ICIG report, the explosive Atkinson testimony didn’t have context…..

…. But that brings us back to the question of why DNI John Ratcliffe didn’t release the CIA/ICIG report as soon as he took office in 2020.

Has the statute of limitations tolled?

Johnny didn’t bark – Tulsi did!

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2026/04/13/johnny-didnt-bark-but-tulsi-did/