Executive Power Stress Test: America's drift from governance to assertion
Power in the United States is no longer exercised primarily through coordination, law, or consent, but increasingly through assertion and spectacle.
Recent domestic enforcement actions, rhetorical excesses, and executive overreach reveal a system experimenting with how much authority can be claimed without institutional resistance.
This article argues that what appears to be dysfunction may, in fact, be a deliberate stress test of American governance itself.
From Governance to Performance The defining feature of the current American political moment is not polarization alone, nor even the resurgence of executive power.
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Power in the United States is no longer exercised primarily through coordination, law, or consent, but increasingly through assertion and spectacle.
Recent domestic enforcement actions, rhetorical excesses, and executive overreach reveal a system experimenting with how much authority can be claimed without institutional resistance.
This article argues that what appears to be dysfunction may, in fact, be a deliberate stress test of American governance itself.
From Governance to Performance The defining feature of the current American political moment is not polarization alone, nor even the resurgence of executive power.
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🇺🇦"Compromised" congressional commission is undermining Trump's Ukraine peace efforts, says whistleblower
Former senior official who reported criminal violations by Helsinki Committee, chaired by Senate Armed Services Commitee Chairman Roger Wicker, urges investigation by Trump administration.
Few in Washington, D.C. have been stronger supporters of expanding U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia than Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), who is the Chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee.
Last November, he dismissed the Trump administration's efforts as a "so-called peace plan." In recent weeks, Wicker has insisted that "Ukraine should not be forced to give up the sovereign territory it deserves and it currently controls" and repeatedly compared Putin to Hitler.
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Former senior official who reported criminal violations by Helsinki Committee, chaired by Senate Armed Services Commitee Chairman Roger Wicker, urges investigation by Trump administration.
Few in Washington, D.C. have been stronger supporters of expanding U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia than Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), who is the Chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee.
Last November, he dismissed the Trump administration's efforts as a "so-called peace plan." In recent weeks, Wicker has insisted that "Ukraine should not be forced to give up the sovereign territory it deserves and it currently controls" and repeatedly compared Putin to Hitler.
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Epstein Files: Maine Gov Janet Mills accused of child abuse cover-up, cocaine trafficking in newly released SDNY documents
Maine Gov.
Janet Mills' name has surfaced in the latest U.S. Justice Department release of files related to the late pedophile and mystery powerbroker Jeffrey Epstein, who allegedly committed suicide.
Maine Democrats have been calling for over a year for the release of more files related to infamous pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, but the disclosures may have caused some collateral damage for Democratic Gov.
Janet Mills, candidate for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination.
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Maine Gov.
Janet Mills' name has surfaced in the latest U.S. Justice Department release of files related to the late pedophile and mystery powerbroker Jeffrey Epstein, who allegedly committed suicide.
Maine Democrats have been calling for over a year for the release of more files related to infamous pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, but the disclosures may have caused some collateral damage for Democratic Gov.
Janet Mills, candidate for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination.
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The circular firing squads at CNN and CBS: Staffers denounce efforts to restore reporting balance
The decline of American mainstream media has long been obvious, with public trust and revenues plunging.
Some companies are responding with the novel idea of restoring objectivity and neutrality to coverage.
For years, news organizations have essentially written off half of the country.
However, as news organizations struggle to avoid even greater layoffs, staffers are fighting efforts to bring balance to their networks.
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The decline of American mainstream media has long been obvious, with public trust and revenues plunging.
Some companies are responding with the novel idea of restoring objectivity and neutrality to coverage.
For years, news organizations have essentially written off half of the country.
However, as news organizations struggle to avoid even greater layoffs, staffers are fighting efforts to bring balance to their networks.
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Clintons compelled to testify to Congress late February: "No one is above the law"
Update (1240ET): Following last night's 'acquiescence' by the Clintons' attorney, Republican-led House Oversight Committee has confirmed this morning that the Clintons will testify in front of Congress on February 26 and 27.
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to appear for transcribed, filmed depositions to face questioning as part of the investigation related to Jeffery Epstein's and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes.
Former President Clinton will appear for a deposition on February 27, 2026 and former Secretary Clinton will appear for a deposition on February 26, 2026.
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Update (1240ET): Following last night's 'acquiescence' by the Clintons' attorney, Republican-led House Oversight Committee has confirmed this morning that the Clintons will testify in front of Congress on February 26 and 27.
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to appear for transcribed, filmed depositions to face questioning as part of the investigation related to Jeffery Epstein's and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes.
Former President Clinton will appear for a deposition on February 27, 2026 and former Secretary Clinton will appear for a deposition on February 26, 2026.
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🇸🇰Slovakia to sue EU after Brussels decrees total ban on Russian gas: 'Energy suicide'
Slovakia PM Robert Fico says that many of the EU's decisions are now in violation of the EU's founding treaties Slovakia is obliged to stop taking over Russian gas by Nov. 1, 2027, at the latest, and according to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the EU decision to ban all gas from member states amounts to "energy suicide." As a result, Bratislava will file a lawsuit at the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) against the newly adopted regulations.
On Monday, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament formally adopted the new legislation on the gradual phase-out of Russian gas and oil imports.
The move is part of the REPowerEU plan, which aims to become independent from Russian energy carriers.
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Slovakia PM Robert Fico says that many of the EU's decisions are now in violation of the EU's founding treaties Slovakia is obliged to stop taking over Russian gas by Nov. 1, 2027, at the latest, and according to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the EU decision to ban all gas from member states amounts to "energy suicide." As a result, Bratislava will file a lawsuit at the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) against the newly adopted regulations.
On Monday, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament formally adopted the new legislation on the gradual phase-out of Russian gas and oil imports.
The move is part of the REPowerEU plan, which aims to become independent from Russian energy carriers.
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FLASHBACK: Pizzagate 2.0? Wayfair denies its insanely priced cabinets and pillows are a front for child trafficking
A new conspiracy theory surrounding products advertised by the home goods and furniture seller Wayfair now joins previous unsubstantiated allegations like Pizzagate regarding worldwide pedophilic sex trafficking among the economic elite.
The Wayfair conspiracy theory that became a social media sensation on Friday began with a post to the Conspiracy subreddit, which promotes user-submitted conspiracy theories, many thinly evidenced or unevidenced, to more than a million subscribers.
"Is it possible Wayfair involved in Human trafficking with their WFX Utility collection?
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A new conspiracy theory surrounding products advertised by the home goods and furniture seller Wayfair now joins previous unsubstantiated allegations like Pizzagate regarding worldwide pedophilic sex trafficking among the economic elite.
The Wayfair conspiracy theory that became a social media sensation on Friday began with a post to the Conspiracy subreddit, which promotes user-submitted conspiracy theories, many thinly evidenced or unevidenced, to more than a million subscribers.
"Is it possible Wayfair involved in Human trafficking with their WFX Utility collection?
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Gold Giant Bundesbank Signals An Open Vote Of No Confidence in Global Monetary Stability
The German Bundesbank hoards the second-largest gold reserves among central banks.
The precious metal serves as an insurance policy for both states and private individuals.
Its massive price surge shows that the dice have already been cast: governments will attempt to inflate their debts.
Anyone acquiring precious metals in these weeks simultaneously casts a verdict on their currency.
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The German Bundesbank hoards the second-largest gold reserves among central banks.
The precious metal serves as an insurance policy for both states and private individuals.
Its massive price surge shows that the dice have already been cast: governments will attempt to inflate their debts.
Anyone acquiring precious metals in these weeks simultaneously casts a verdict on their currency.
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Musk's X office in Paris raided as Brussels becomes more unhinged
One week after the European Commission opened a new formal investigation into Elon Musk's X under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and expanded a separate probe launched in December 2023, X's Paris office was raided by France's cybercrime unit as part of an investigation into the distribution of sexual deepfakes and Holocaust denial content.
"A search is being carried out at the French premises of X by the cybercrime unit of the Paris public prosecutor's office, together with @CyberGEND and @Europol , as part of the investigation opened in January 2025," the Paris prosecutors' office wrote on X early Tuesday.
The Paris public prosecutor's office also said it is leaving the X platform and will post exclusively on Reid Hoffman's LinkedIn and Meta-owned Instagram.
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One week after the European Commission opened a new formal investigation into Elon Musk's X under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and expanded a separate probe launched in December 2023, X's Paris office was raided by France's cybercrime unit as part of an investigation into the distribution of sexual deepfakes and Holocaust denial content.
"A search is being carried out at the French premises of X by the cybercrime unit of the Paris public prosecutor's office, together with @CyberGEND and @Europol , as part of the investigation opened in January 2025," the Paris prosecutors' office wrote on X early Tuesday.
The Paris public prosecutor's office also said it is leaving the X platform and will post exclusively on Reid Hoffman's LinkedIn and Meta-owned Instagram.
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Epstein email dump contains 'astonishing' allegations about Bill Gates' lifestyle
Bill Gates slept with Russian girls, got a sexually-transmitted disease and asked for antibiotics to slip to his then-wife Melinda, extraordinary new Jeffrey Epstein files from the Department of Justice allege.
The late pedophile financier made the astonishing claims about the Microsoft billionaire in emails he sent to himself on July 18, 2013.
The lengthy message lashed out at Gates for ending their friendship and says: 'TO add insult to the injury you them (sic) implore me to please delete the emails regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda and the denoscription of your penis.'
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Bill Gates slept with Russian girls, got a sexually-transmitted disease and asked for antibiotics to slip to his then-wife Melinda, extraordinary new Jeffrey Epstein files from the Department of Justice allege.
The late pedophile financier made the astonishing claims about the Microsoft billionaire in emails he sent to himself on July 18, 2013.
The lengthy message lashed out at Gates for ending their friendship and says: 'TO add insult to the injury you them (sic) implore me to please delete the emails regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda and the denoscription of your penis.'
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6.1 magnitude earthquake off the Kermadec Islands
A strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck northeastern New Zealand on Wednesday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred near the Kermadec Islands at 1039GMT and originated from a depth of 184.2 kilometers (114.4 miles), USGS said.
There were no immediate reports of damage at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, the German Research Center for Geosciences initially measured the quake's magnitude as 6.2, before revising it down to 6.1
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A strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck northeastern New Zealand on Wednesday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred near the Kermadec Islands at 1039GMT and originated from a depth of 184.2 kilometers (114.4 miles), USGS said.
There were no immediate reports of damage at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, the German Research Center for Geosciences initially measured the quake's magnitude as 6.2, before revising it down to 6.1
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🇨🇺BEST OF THE WEB: Cuba has its first freeze on record
Cuba just had its first freeze on record, and other records were smashed from the Bahamas to Central America from the same cold outbreak that left Florida and the eastern U.S. shivering last weekend.
On Tuesday morning, the Indio Hatuey weather station in Perico, Cuba, reported a low of 32 degrees, a new national all-time record low, according to Cuba's weather service, the Instituto de Meteorología Cuba (INSMET). The previous record of 33 degrees was set in Bainoa almost 30 years ago on Feb. 18, 1996.
Frost was apparently seen on crops around the weather station, according to a Tuesday Facebook post from INSMET.
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Cuba just had its first freeze on record, and other records were smashed from the Bahamas to Central America from the same cold outbreak that left Florida and the eastern U.S. shivering last weekend.
On Tuesday morning, the Indio Hatuey weather station in Perico, Cuba, reported a low of 32 degrees, a new national all-time record low, according to Cuba's weather service, the Instituto de Meteorología Cuba (INSMET). The previous record of 33 degrees was set in Bainoa almost 30 years ago on Feb. 18, 1996.
Frost was apparently seen on crops around the weather station, according to a Tuesday Facebook post from INSMET.
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🇮🇩Indonesia's Mount Semeru volcano erupts 7 times in 3 hours
Indonesia's Mount Semeru volcano in East Java erupted seven times in three hours early Wednesday, sending volcanic ash up to 800 meters (2,624 feet) above its peak, state-run media reported.
The first eruption occurred at 4.58 am (2158GMT Tuesday), producing a thick gray ash plume drifting northeast, according to Antara news agency.
Seismic activity recorded a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and lasted 138 seconds.
Subsequent eruptions followed at 6.10 am and 6.56 am, with ash rising between 300 and 700 meters, while another eruption at 7.05 am sent a 600-meter-high column northward.
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Indonesia's Mount Semeru volcano in East Java erupted seven times in three hours early Wednesday, sending volcanic ash up to 800 meters (2,624 feet) above its peak, state-run media reported.
The first eruption occurred at 4.58 am (2158GMT Tuesday), producing a thick gray ash plume drifting northeast, according to Antara news agency.
Seismic activity recorded a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and lasted 138 seconds.
Subsequent eruptions followed at 6.10 am and 6.56 am, with ash rising between 300 and 700 meters, while another eruption at 7.05 am sent a 600-meter-high column northward.
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Putin linked to Epstein honey trap operation? Nope, just more MI6 fake news...
Recent reports in the UK press alleging that Epstein was the mastermind behind a Russian honey-trap operation, rather than an Israeli one, have begun to emerge, leading to mixed public reactions.
Certainly, the "blame Putin" tactic for more or less every failing of the government has become a popular resort for British intelligence agencies - a common narrative fed to journalists that fits many situations and is generally low-hanging fruit at the best of times.
But this latest story, which seems to have been led by the Daily Mail, has broken new ground in its preposterous allegations, which appear to have been replicated by other newspapers.
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Recent reports in the UK press alleging that Epstein was the mastermind behind a Russian honey-trap operation, rather than an Israeli one, have begun to emerge, leading to mixed public reactions.
Certainly, the "blame Putin" tactic for more or less every failing of the government has become a popular resort for British intelligence agencies - a common narrative fed to journalists that fits many situations and is generally low-hanging fruit at the best of times.
But this latest story, which seems to have been led by the Daily Mail, has broken new ground in its preposterous allegations, which appear to have been replicated by other newspapers.
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🇺🇦Epstein and Ukraine: A match made in hell
Human trafficking, animal abuse, and scientific experiments that pushed the boundaries of humanity itself: Jeffrey Epstein had grand ambitions, and where better to pursue them than Ukraine?
A wild west where everyone has a price, and citizens are little more than lab rats.
Within days of Epstein's 2019 arrest for sex trafficking, media reports began to shed light on the financier's bizarre scientific ventures.
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Human trafficking, animal abuse, and scientific experiments that pushed the boundaries of humanity itself: Jeffrey Epstein had grand ambitions, and where better to pursue them than Ukraine?
A wild west where everyone has a price, and citizens are little more than lab rats.
Within days of Epstein's 2019 arrest for sex trafficking, media reports began to shed light on the financier's bizarre scientific ventures.
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🇷🇺🇺🇦Corpse water, burned herbs, harrowing rituals: How Ukraine turned to magic in its war against Russia
Yulia Mendel, former press secretary to Vladimir Zelensky, has made claims that would once have sounded like tabloid fantasy.
Yet in today's Ukraine, they land differently.
Mendel says that Andrey Yermak, long the powerful head of the presidential office, allegedly sought help from magicians.
People who, she claims, gathered water from corpses, burned herbs, and performed rituals.
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Yulia Mendel, former press secretary to Vladimir Zelensky, has made claims that would once have sounded like tabloid fantasy.
Yet in today's Ukraine, they land differently.
Mendel says that Andrey Yermak, long the powerful head of the presidential office, allegedly sought help from magicians.
People who, she claims, gathered water from corpses, burned herbs, and performed rituals.
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🇯🇵Japan warns of avalanches as snow deaths rise to 35
Japan warned of possible avalanches in the country's northern regions on Wednesday as the temperature suddenly rose after two weeks of extreme snowfall that paralyzed traffic and collapsed houses.
Sustained snow since late January has buried northern communities like the city of Aomori under drifts of around 2 meters that left residents struggling to leave home and forced schools and businesses to close.
But the temperature rose Wednesday, reaching 8 degrees Celsius in Aomori, increasing the risk of chunks of heavy, wet snow dropping from rooftops, potentially causing injuries and even death, officials said.
"We ask affected residents to be careful and stay mindful of falling snow and avalanches," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said at a press briefing.
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Japan warned of possible avalanches in the country's northern regions on Wednesday as the temperature suddenly rose after two weeks of extreme snowfall that paralyzed traffic and collapsed houses.
Sustained snow since late January has buried northern communities like the city of Aomori under drifts of around 2 meters that left residents struggling to leave home and forced schools and businesses to close.
But the temperature rose Wednesday, reaching 8 degrees Celsius in Aomori, increasing the risk of chunks of heavy, wet snow dropping from rooftops, potentially causing injuries and even death, officials said.
"We ask affected residents to be careful and stay mindful of falling snow and avalanches," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said at a press briefing.
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🇨🇴Downpours and floods affect dozens of municipalities in several regions of Colombia - January rainfall 64% above normal
Colombia is facing an unusually intense rainy season that has caused flooding, landslides and emergencies in dozens of municipalities, especially in the Caribbean, Andean, Pacific and Amazon regions, the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam) warned on Tuesday.
"During the month of January, rainfall patterns above normal were recorded in several regions of the national territory," the meteorological authority said in a statement, warning that these conditions will continue in the coming days.
Ideam also points out that this behavior has increased rainfall by 64.4% compared to normal, with the greatest impact in the north, center and west of the country.
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Colombia is facing an unusually intense rainy season that has caused flooding, landslides and emergencies in dozens of municipalities, especially in the Caribbean, Andean, Pacific and Amazon regions, the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam) warned on Tuesday.
"During the month of January, rainfall patterns above normal were recorded in several regions of the national territory," the meteorological authority said in a statement, warning that these conditions will continue in the coming days.
Ideam also points out that this behavior has increased rainfall by 64.4% compared to normal, with the greatest impact in the north, center and west of the country.
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Saif Gaddafi, son of ex-Libyan leader, assassinated by unknown gunmen
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the the most prominent son of Libya's late long-time ruler, has died, according to his family on Tuesday.
His adviser, Abdallah Othman Abdurrahim, also confirmed his death but without giving details.
"Seif al-Islam has fallen as a martyr," his cousin, Hamid Kadhafi, has told Libyan TV. Emerging reports point to what appears an assassination.
Four unidentified men reportedly entered his property and shot him in a garden execution-style.
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Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the the most prominent son of Libya's late long-time ruler, has died, according to his family on Tuesday.
His adviser, Abdallah Othman Abdurrahim, also confirmed his death but without giving details.
"Seif al-Islam has fallen as a martyr," his cousin, Hamid Kadhafi, has told Libyan TV. Emerging reports point to what appears an assassination.
Four unidentified men reportedly entered his property and shot him in a garden execution-style.
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