The Morning Sixpack - January 23, 2025
Guns, war, anti-vax. Just another day in Trumplandia.
San Antonio Standoff: Suspect Shoots 7 Officers Responding to 'Suicide in Progress' Call
At least seven police officers were wounded during a tense standoff in San Antonio, Texas, after responding to a distress call about a "suicide in progress" on Wednesday night. The suspect, a man in his 40s, initially shot the first responding officer and then continued firing at others while barricading himself inside an apartment in the city's Stone Oak area, according to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). Fortunately, all officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities confirmed the suspect was found dead at the end of the standoff, but it's unclear whether he died by suicide or was shot by police. "SWAT arrived on the scene and the suspect barricaded himself inside the apartment for several hours. At the end of the event, the suspect was found to be deceased, we don't know if he was shot by a self-inflicted wound or whether or not he was shot by squad officers," said SAPD Chief William P. McManus in a Facebook video. The suspect had a prior arrest record, including two counts of assault and a DWI charge just days before the incident.
Residents of the apartment complex were evacuated for their safety, and witnesses described hearing gunfire and observing helicopters circling the area. Neighbor Joseph Loredo recounted hearing a loud pop while studying, then witnessing officers treating an injured colleague with a tourniquet before seeing the suspect open fire.
Source: NBC News
I wonder if Trump will pardon this dude BEFORE he goes to trial. I mean, he seems so anti-cop now… Prove me wrong. HINT: You can’t. Jan6.
Pentagon Deploys 1,500 Troops to U.S.-Mexico Border in Response to Trump's Immigration Orders
The Department of Defense is sending an additional 1,500 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to enforce President Trump's executive orders, which declare a national emergency and call for expanded border security measures. This deployment follows Trump's immediate actions upon his second term inauguration, signaling a renewed crackdown on undocumented immigration with plans to construct more physical barriers and increase deportations.
Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses stated, "This is just the beginning," emphasizing that the Pentagon is committed to achieving "complete operational control of the southern border." The deployment will include military personnel, helicopters, and intelligence analysts to bolster surveillance and enforcement efforts. Additionally, military aircraft will support the Department of Homeland Security in deporting over 5,000 undocumented immigrants from key border areas such as San Diego, California, and El Paso, Texas.
Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU, are already preparing legal challenges, arguing that the use of military force for domestic immigration enforcement could violate constitutional rights. Meanwhile, the administration insists the measures are necessary to curb illegal border crossings and trafficking.
Source: Axios
31,000 Ordered to Evacuate as Hughes Fire Rages Across Southern California
Southern California is facing yet another wildfire disaster as the fast-moving Hughes Fire has burned more than 10,000 acres across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, prompting evacuation orders for 31,000 residents. The inferno, which started Wednesday morning near Castaic Lake, is currently only 14% contained, with firefighters racing against powerful Santa Ana winds to prevent further devastation. Officials have warned that extremely dry conditions and wind gusts up to 60 mph could spark additional fires at any moment.
“The Santa Ana winds are blowing against this fire, so we had that in our favor,” said firefighter David Ortiz, as crews managed to contain the smaller Sepulveda Fire to 40 acres near Interstate 405 in Los Angeles. Despite these efforts, the National Weather Service has extended a red flag warning through Friday morning, signaling continued danger for the region. Los Angeles County Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher described the Hughes Fire as "a completely different beast" compared to other recent blazes, emphasizing the ongoing challenges posed by the relentless weather conditions.
Evacuations have affected thousands, including a partial evacuation of a county jail in Castaic and the relocation of students from local schools to emergency shelters. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as the situation remains fluid.
Source: CNN
‘Heil Musk’ Projection Lights Up German Tesla Factory as Protesters Take Aim at Elon’s Empire
In the latest chapter of “Things That Probably Annoy Elon Musk,” activist groups projected the phrase “Heil Musk” onto Tesla’s German factory, calling out the billionaire’s antics and controversial policies.
The stunt, orchestrated by the Centre for Political Beauty and Led By Donkeys, left the message beaming onto the automaker’s prized European plant for about an hour while police apparently shrugged it off. “Since we are still not in Elon Musk’s dream state,” one protester quipped, referencing Musk’s dystopian vision of free speech—or lack thereof.
Initially, local police tried the classic “it's probably fake” excuse, but later admitted they were actually looking into it.
Meanwhile, Tesla’s German gigafactory has been a magnet for protests, including an arson attack and fierce opposition to expansion plans that require chopping down a mere 500,000 trees—because who needs forests when you have EVs, right?
The expansion, unsurprisingly, was rejected by local residents in a referendum but approved anyway. Democracy at its finest.
As for the controversy surrounding Musk himself, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) weighed in, insisting he “made an awkward gesture... not a Nazi salute,” after a recent viral moment sent Twitter (sorry, X) into a frenzy. Tesla, true to form, has yet to respond—probably too busy trying to figure out how to blame this on the media.
Source: The Telegraph
The ADL let this one go. I’ve heard a lot of “experts” talking about how various media companies are worried about “access to the President,” so they are capitulating.
HARD NO!
They are bending the knee out of fear. This is what authoritarians do.
Trump is nothing but a two-bit mob boss. But he’s got a lot of people scared.
Marco Rubio’s First Diplomatic Move: Panama Trip Amid Trump’s Bold Canal Takeback Claims
Newly appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio is making Panama his first international destination, signaling the Trump administration’s renewed focus on Latin America. The trip, expected as early as next week, follows President Trump’s fiery inauguration speech, where he doubled down on his controversial pledge to "take back the Panama Canal." Trump declared, "China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back," reigniting tensions with the Panamanian government.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino swiftly responded to Trump’s remarks, stating, “We reject in its entirety everything that Mr. Trump has said. First, because it is false and second, because the Panama Canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama.” Rubio’s visit is expected to include discussions on migration, economic partnerships, and security cooperation, with additional stops in Guatemala and El Salvador to tackle regional challenges.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce emphasized that “Secretary Rubio is prioritizing the region because it’s where we live,” adding, “we won’t continue to ignore the region as other administrations have.” The Trump administration’s aggressive stance on Latin America marks a clear shift in U.S. foreign policy, with a focus on economic growth and national security concerns tied to the region.
Source: My Daily Grind
I can’t wait until we go to war with a tiny country we gave a waterway to.
RFK Jr.'s Wallet is Healthy—Can’t Say the Same for His Confirmation Prospects
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services Secretary, has been raking in the cash—over $11.3 million, to be exact—thanks to his lucrative law work, book deals, and even some questionable side hustles. According to freshly unearthed financial disclosures, Kennedy pocketed $326,000 from the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense and somehow managed to score $100,000 to endorse a fitness game that involves hitting a ball attached to your head. Because apparently, that’s a thing now.
Kennedy’s financial deep dive also reveals nearly $9 million in earnings from his legal ventures, including a cool $856,559 from suing Merck over its Gardasil vaccine. He also pulled in $451,000 from Skyhorse Publishing for lending his name to books and has another $2 million in book advances waiting in the wings. While he’s promised to divest from anything that could pose a conflict of interest if confirmed, skeptics might argue his biggest conflict is... well, himself.
The Senate Finance Committee will grill Kennedy on January 29, with another round expected the following day. Expect fireworks, as Democrats are likely to pounce on his long history of vaccine skepticism and alternative health claims. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s camp insists he’s laser-focused on making “America strong, prosperous, and safe”—just hopefully not with the same ball-on-a-string strategy.
Source: Axios