“Where’s Jackie?”

That question yesterday from President Joe Biden at a White House event made headlines and raised eyebrows the world over. This is not a minor thing. It’s not just another “Biden gaffe.”

As we noted in yesterday’s report, Biden was asking for and looking for Rep. Jackie Walorski. Biden had worked closely with Rep. Walorski, who served as co-chair of the House Hunger Caucus, as they planned a major summit on hunger in America. Sadly, she died six weeks ago. 

At the time of her tragic death, Biden issued a statement from the White House, and he even ordered the flags to be lowered to half-staff in her honor. 

Does the president not remember any of that?

Of course, most of the leftist media ignored Biden’s disturbing incident. But more significant than Biden’s bizarre and troubling question was what happened later in the White House briefing room. 

It’s usually left to Peter Doocy of Fox News to ask the tough questions. But yesterday, multiple reporters from various liberal media outlets repeatedly pressed this issue. They demanded an explanation for why the president called on a woman he knows – or should know – is dead. 

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had only one cringeworthy response which she repeated over and over again, “Well, she was top of mind for the president.” The reporters weren’t buying it.

One asked Jean-Pierre, “I think we all get why she's top of mind. You've made that case pretty effectively. . . I think the confusing part is why, if she is top of mind, does the president think she is living and in the room?”

Another reporter said, “I have John Lennon top of mind just about every day, but I'm not looking around for him.” Yet another demanded that Jean-Pierre apologize for her absurd and obviously false spin. 

If you missed this remarkable press conference, you can watch it here.

Are these left-wing reporters suddenly becoming journalists again? No. That would be a miracle!

What it is evidence of, I believe, is that powerful forces on the left have decided that Biden’s usefulness is over. They were able to pass him off as a “moderate” two years ago, but everyone realizes his increasing mental challenges cannot be hidden forever and are increasingly a liability. The American people see it.

So, they’re setting the stage to push him out and to rally around someone else. There could be a move to force him out before 2024, perhaps even using the 25th Amendment – and it may happen sooner than you think. (See next item.)

The War Drums Beat Louder

You may have seen stories this week about another huge and disturbing development. There were multiple explosions on two Russian-built pipelines in the Baltic Sea. These pipelines usually transport massive amounts of natural gas from Russia to Europe. Many intelligence officials believe the explosions were deliberate acts of sabotage.

These explosions were just the latest in a series of suspicious incidents affecting energy supplies across the globe, including several major refinery fires in the U.S. and Europe.

The Polish representative to the European Union made an unfortunate comment after the pipeline explosions, tweeting, “Thank you, U.S.A.,” as if we did it. 

Russia is demanding a meeting of the U.N. Security Council and is blaming Joe Biden. Why? Because Biden threatened to end the pipelines. 

Ukraine and other nations are accusing Russia of blowing up the pipelines. But why would Russia sabotage its own pipelines? 

Some experts speculate that Vladimir Putin could have been sending a message to the West by signaling what Russia’s capabilities are. Europe has other vulnerable pipelines that could be similarly taken down. The Internet depends on cables that run along the ocean floor. 

But this much we can say with certainty: The war between Russia and Ukraine is beginning to spread to other fronts. It must be contained – quickly.

There is much speculation that Putin may be physically ill or mentally unstable. We know our own president is mentally challenged. A retired CIA official warned this week that every day we are getting closer to the unthinkable – the use of tactical nuclear weapons. 

Writing in the Wall Street Journal last week, Peggy Noonan echoed a theme I have raised periodically in this report – the lack of a serious peace effort by the United States and our European allies to end this conflict is stark and irresponsible. Noonan warned that we are “sleepwalking” toward war just like Europe’s leaders did in the summer of 1914.

And I continue to be deeply concerned that the Biden Administration may attempt an “October surprise” that exploits the tragedy of the Russian/Ukraine war. Conservative commentator Mollie Hemingway tweeted this week, “Sure hope the [left’s] October Surprise isn’t, you know, nuclear war.”

FBI Whistleblower Gets Backup

Yesterday we told you about Kyle Seraphin, a courageous FBI whistleblower. Stephen Friend is another brave FBI agent who deserves our applause and support. 

Friend has been suspended and his career is in serious jeopardy because he refused to participate in FBI SWAT team raids against non-violent, often elderly January 6th defendants, most of whom were facing simple misdemeanor charges. Friend believed the tactics were excessive and abusive. 

Of course, he’s absolutely right!

These kinds of extreme, high-pressure and humiliating tactics, like the recent raid on pro-life activist Mark Houck, are not only meant to send a message that dissent will not be tolerated, but they are also, in and of themselves, their own form of punishment.

Friend is one of nearly two dozen FBI whistleblowers who have recently come forward to expose corruption and abuse. He specifically helped to expose the Bureau’s “case file manipulation” that was designed to inflate the number of “violent domestic extremism” cases.

I am also pleased to report that 30 former FBI agents are now publicly rallying behind Friend and his bold stand against the Bureau’s politicized leadership. Many lament the fact that the FBI is no longer an independent law enforcement agency, but is now a partisan intelligence agency.

If Republicans retake Congress next year, reforming the FBI must be a top priority. They should hold hearings with Seraphin, Friend, other whistleblowers and all 30 of these former agents testifying about their experiences and the abuses they have witnessed.

Bidenflation Strikes Again

The stock market had a good day yesterday, but it plunged this morning. Why? “Bidenflation” struck again.

The personal consumption expenditures price index, a key statistic used by the Federal Reserve to measure inflation, was 7.3% for the second quarter, higher than expected. 

That means previous Federal Reserve interest rate hikes have yet to slow down the economy enough to reduce inflation. That means more interest rate hikes are coming, and that’s not what investors want to hear.

“Bidenflation” is clearly hurting many Americans. A recent survey found that 71% of workers say their paychecks are not keeping up with inflation.

Also weighing on the stock market was a final report today confirming that gross domestic product in the second quarter shrank by 0.6%.The Biden recession is officially a reality.