THE WAR ROOM: Conducting foreign policy and military planning through his  Truth Social feed, President Trump posted yesterday that the US could take out Iran’s leaders in a heartbeat if he wished. Trump wrote: “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.” 

  “Our patience is wearing thin,” he added, following with, “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”.

  The US is surging military assets to the area in a clear signal of potential involvement. The world is waiting to see whether Trump will enter the war by dropping America’s 30,000 pound “bunker buster” bombs on Iran’s underground nuclear development facilities.  

  Iran’s Supreme Leader responded that, “The Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.”

  Now in the 6th day of warfare. Israel claims they killed Iran’s most senior military officer yesterday in its campaign to decapitate Iran’s leadership while crippling the ability to make nuclear weapons. The Israelis say they killed Maj. Gen. Ali Shadmani, who held the top job for only four days after his predecessor was killed in the opening hours of Israel’s air strikes.

EVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ABANDONMENT (EPA): The Environmental Protection Agency has told staff overseeing the country’s industrialized and much polluted Midwest to stop enforcing violations against fossil fuel companies, CNN reports.

  CNN reports the directive was issued verbally to “stunned staff.” President Donald Trump came to office promising to slash “burdensome” oil and gas industry regulations and increase production.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE: 

— The Department of Homeland Security on Monday told staff that it was reversing previous guidance that agents were not to conduct immigration raids at farms, hotels and restaurants. Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including its Homeland Security Investigations division, told agency leaders in a call Monday that agents must continue immigration raids at agricultural businesses, hotels, and restaurants. 

  All those businesses are beginning to have trouble with staffing because their employees are afraid to show up for work. “There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts,” Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary for DHS, told The Washington Post. “Worksite enforcement remains a cornerstone of our efforts to safeguard public safety, national security and economic stability.”

— President Trump said he will not call Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz about the shootings of two legislators and their spouses because the Democratic governor is “slick” and “whacked out.” 

— Immigration and Customs Enforcement wrestled and detained NY City Comptroller Brad Lander as he protested the arrest of an immigrant he identified as “Eduardo” at the Manhattan federal courthouse. Lander, who was held for a few hours and released, said he lost a button in the scuffle. — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was taken to the emergency room in Washington yesterday with what her office said was an allergic reaction. While that may be true, you can’t believe a word coming out of the Trump administration.

— Trump announced on his Truth Social that he has donated two flagpoles to the White House and of course they are the best ever made: “These are the most magnificent poles made – They are tall, tapered, rust proof, rope inside the pole, and of the highest quality. Hopefully, they will proudly stand at both sides of the White House for many years to come!”

ICE CAPADES: The Florida Panthers crushed the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 of the last night to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup. Sam Reinhart rippled the net four times, becoming the first to do that in a cup final since Maurice Richard in 1957. 

THE SPIN RACK: Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy told employees yesterday that he expects artificial intelligence to reduce employment with the company that is now the country’s second-largest private employer. Jassy said in a memo that AI technology will affect software developers, warehouse employees, and will “improve inventory placement, demand forecasting, and the efficiency of our robots.”— New York Mayor Eric Adams banned the Daily News city hall reporter from press conferences for calling out questions without being chosen. The Daily News says Chris Sommerfeldt hadn’t been called on to ask a question for three months. — Infowars host Alex Jones is facing accusation that he has fraudulently hidden money and assets to avoid paying the $1.3 billion he owes to Sandy Hook school families for claiming that the massacre of their children never happened. — Seven California men have been charged in the what’s described as the largest jewelry heist in US history involving the theft of $100 million worth of gold, gems, and luxury watches. Back in 2022 the robbers had followed a Brinks truck after it left a jewelry show and got the goods while one driver was eating lunch and the other was sleeping. 

BELOW THE FOLD: Scientists have found a variety of deep sea spiders that live by eating methane seeping from the ocean floor and bacteria off their own bodies. There’s a horror movie plot somewhere in that.

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