The Morning Sixpack - May 9, 2025

First American(ish) Pope, Rocket Man test nukes, Trump appoints drunken Fox "The Five" cohost, and DoD expels a thousand transgender troops

Cardinal Prevost Elected First American Pope in Catholic Church History

Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the first-ever American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Taking the papal name Leo XIV, he stepped onto the loggia of St. Peter’s Square, a historic moment that marked a new chapter for the Vatican. Prevost, a Chicago native and former archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru, was a leading contender in the conclave despite longstanding skepticism about an American pope due to the U.S.'s geopolitical influence.

Prevost's journey to the papacy is no accident. He served as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican office, and played a significant role in overseeing bishop nominations worldwide. He had been viewed as a potential successor to Pope Francis, who appointed him to this crucial role in 2023, solidifying his prominence within the Vatican.

The election sparked jubilation in St. Peter’s Square, where crowds cheered, priests crossed themselves, and nuns wept with joy. Prevost’s ascension was met with overwhelming support from the global Catholic community, marking a historic shift as the Church embraces its first pope from the United States.

As the new pope, Prevost inherits the legacy of Pope Francis, whose reforms have reshaped the Catholic Church in recent years. However, Prevost’s relative youth compared to previous popes could mean a long papacy, raising questions among his fellow cardinals about the future of the Church under his leadership.

With a strong background in both American and Peruvian religious life, Cardinal Prevost is poised to lead the Catholic Church into a new era, navigating the complexities of modern faith while honoring the traditions of the Vatican.

Source: PBS

Who is the new Pope? Read more about him here.

Kim Jong Un Supervises Test of North Korea's Nuclear Counterattack Missiles Amid Rising Tensions

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a provocative missile test, showcasing the country’s nuclear counterattack capabilities.

The test, conducted on May 8, 2025, involved short-range ballistic missiles and long-range artillery, demonstrating North Korea’s focus on enhancing its nuclear force as a deterrent. Kim emphasized the importance of improving the nation’s long-range precision weapons to maintain a strategic edge in modern warfare.

The drill, which featured the 600-millimeter multilayer rocket system and Hwasongpho-11-Ka tactical missiles, was presented as a response to the evolving security environment. Kim stressed the need for North Korea to maintain a robust and responsive nuclear force, capable of acting swiftly in any nuclear crisis. This is a clear message amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The test comes just days after South Korea detected multiple short-range missile launches from the Wonsan area. South Korean officials speculated the missiles could be part of a weapons system destined for export to Russia, a country with which North Korea has reportedly strengthened military ties. North Korea is said to be providing weapons and personnel to support Russia's war efforts in Ukraine in exchange for critical financial and technological support.

Earlier in the week, Kim visited a munitions factory to encourage increased artillery production, signaling the country’s focus on military preparedness. The missile test also followed a successful inspection of North Korea's Haekbangashoe "nuclear trigger" system, designed to enable rapid nuclear response in times of crisis.

South Korea condemned the test as a direct violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, calling it an "act of provocation" that threatens peace and stability in the region. The international community remains on high alert as Pyongyang continues to advance its military capabilities.

Source: UPI

Rocket Man is stirring the shit again. He seems to only do this when Trump is POTUS… I wonder…

Trump Appoints Lush “The Five” Co-host Jeanine Pirro as D.C. Prosecutor

Donald Trump tapped Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., after he shit-canned his previous pick, Ed Martin, for the position.

Pirro, a former county prosecutor and elected judge who hasn’t practiced law for over 10 years, is described by Trump as “a powerful crusader for victims of crime” and “one of the Top District Attorneys in the History of the State of New York.” Her qualifications have been lauded by the president, who emphasized her unmatched expertise in the field.

Having joined Fox News in 2011, Pirro has been an outspoken supporter of Trump throughout his legal battles, including the ongoing Smartmatic lawsuit accusing Fox hosts of spreading false claims about the 2020 election. She also co-hosted "The Five" and previously led "Justice with Judge Jeanine."

Fox News expressed their well-wishes, acknowledging Pirro’s contributions to the network over the past 14 years. However, her departure follows a broader trend of former Fox personalities joining Trump’s administration, including Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary and Sean Duffy as Transportation Secretary.

Source: MDGN

Trump Fires Librarian of Congress, Sparks Outrage Over Attack on U.S. Institutions

In another shocking firing without cause, President Trump fired Carla Hayden, the first woman and Black person to hold the position of Librarian of Congress, in a brief and unexplained email.

The decision was immediately met with condemnation from Democrats, accusing Trump of undermining the independence of key U.S. institutions.

The two-sentence email from the Trump administration informed Hayden of her termination, with no explanation provided for the dismissal. Senate Democrat Martin Heinrich obtained a copy of the email, which read, "Thank you for your service."

Hayden, appointed by President Obama in 2016, was praised for making the Library of Congress more accessible to rural communities and for her work to promote reading and knowledge. Critics, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, see the firing as part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to reverse progress on diversity, inclusion, and access to information.

Trump’s actions reflect a broader pattern of using executive power to exert control over independent and cultural institutions, including a recent executive order to target "divisive" narratives at the Smithsonian. His appointment of himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center further signals his push to challenge institutions he deems "woke."

Rep. Rosa DeLauro called Hayden's firing "an affront" and warned that it reflects a deeper erosion of public trust in democracy. She demanded transparency from the Trump administration about the reasons for the dismissal.

Source: UPI

It’s worse than this. It’s naked racism and misogyny.

Pentagon Begins Expelling Up to 1,000 Transgender Troops After Supreme Court Ruling

In a controversial new directive, the Pentagon is moving to expel up to 1,000 openly transgender service members, following the Supreme Court’s green light for the Trump administration’s military ban on transgender individuals.

The sweeping move includes a 30-day window for other transgender service members to self-identify.

Issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the order mandates that medical records will be used to identify individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria, who will then be forced out of the military. Hegseth has made his position clear, using social media to declare, “No More Trans @ DoD” and pushing for a departure from “wokeness” in the military.

While the Defense Department has struggled to pinpoint the exact number of transgender service members, they confirmed that as of December 2024, there were 4,240 troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria. However, that number could be higher, as it doesn’t account for those who haven't officially come forward.

The Pentagon memo follows a similar directive from February that was delayed due to ongoing lawsuits. With the Supreme Court ruling in favor of enforcing the ban, the policy is now in effect, prompting immediate action from military officials.

This move is part of a broader effort to reshape military policies under the Trump administration, focused on rolling back inclusion measures and redefining what is considered “acceptable” within the armed forces.

Source: API

Again, this is worse than what it seems. It’s bigotry and hatred towards “the other.” Trump doesn’t understand anything and reacts to that which he doesn’t understand with fearful actions. Fear turns into hate. Bottom line: He’s a stupid coward.

China’s Exports to U.S. Plunge as Trump’s Tariffs Reshape Global Trade

China’s exports to the U.S. took a sharp dive in April, falling 21% amid the Trump administration’s escalating tariff war, signaling a major shift in global trade patterns.

While China’s overall exports grew by 8.1%, a deeper look shows how tariffs are forcing the world’s second-largest economy to pivot toward other regions.

The drop in U.S.-bound shipments was partly offset by strong growth in exports to Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa. In particular, exports to Southeast Asia surged by 21%, with shipments to Africa and Latin America also experiencing notable increases. The shift underscores the far-reaching impact of the trade war on China’s traditional trade routes.

Trump’s aggressive tariffs, which have seen a 145% increase over his first three months in office, have pushed China to reorient its export strategies, as seen in the surge of goods heading to new markets. This realignment highlights how the U.S.-China tariff battle is redefining global trade networks.

Despite the overall export growth, economists predict that China’s export sector could face significant headwinds in the coming months, with forecasts indicating a potential 5% decline in exports this year. This contraction may make it harder for China to meet its GDP growth target, which relies heavily on export-driven expansion.

As U.S. and Chinese officials prepare to meet for trade talks, the pressure is on to find a resolution, with both sides seeking to de-escalate the economic tensions that have been building for months.

Source: WSJ

Gee, what do you know! China has stopped exporting its good to the US. Who could have foreseen that?