Friday’s Final Word

Everybody’s closing tabbies for the weekend …

NEWS from @RichEdsonDC: Adam Boehler’s nomination for special presidential envoy for hostage affairs is withdrawn, per two sources familiar with the decision. One source expects the administration to give Boehler another position.

Boehler held direct talks with Hamas. That and…

— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) March 14, 2025

Ed: Boehler apparently had permission to pursue those contacts. It was his comments afterward that got him in trouble, suggesting that Hamas was being reasonable and willing to disarm if allowed to remain. The Israelis couldn’t believe he was that naive, and neither could I.

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With the threat of a government shutdown receding, stocks wrapped up a tough week with a rally.

Stocks opened higher and gained steam later Friday morning. By the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had risen 675 points, about 1.7%. The S&P 500 added 2.1% and the Nasdaq Composite led the way with a 2.6% gain.

On Thursday, new tariff threats and mixed inflation news pushed the S&P 500 into its first correction since late 2023. Despite Friday’s gains, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite ended the week down more than 2%.

Ed: This has to do with the unpredictability of Trump’s trade moves, especially on tariffs. It’s better to take a longer-term view of those moves, but that’s not how the stock and bond markets work, of course. 

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Incredible note from Jared Woodard, the Head of Global Research at Bank of America:

He says the risks of Trump and Bessent’s plan are worth it, status quo is unsustainable. pic.twitter.com/hEFLQrcU4m

— Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) March 14, 2025

Ed: This is what I mean by longer-term view. Tariff changes are a problem, but Trump’s supply-side policies will help bring prices down as supply increases. The promise of Trump’s new energy policies is already bringing fuel prices down, which are a force multiplier in inflation. Let’s wait to see what the true impact will be over the next few months rather than go through a daily freak-out over the Dow Jones. 

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All 40 illegal migrants held at the Guantánamo Bay U.S. naval base in Cuba have been sent back to the United States and are now being held in Louisiana, two U.S. defense officials told Fox News.

The group includes 23 “high-threat illegal aliens” who were held at the detention facility on base and 17 migrants who were held at the migrant operations center on base. …

The U.S. defense officials were not told why the 40 migrants were sent back to the United States, and Homeland Security and ICE have not yet responded to any inquiries about why they were sent back and where in Louisiana they are being held. 

Ed: Because it was a bad idea from the beginning. My friend Tim Sumner tried to explain this in early February, which you can read next …

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Trump turning Gitmo into a massive, long-term detention center for illegal immigrants would not be wise. “Send them to Gitmo” sounds good but is a bad idea. Trump needs to ensure there is an exit strategy.

First and foremost, it would become a logistical nightmare. It has a…

— America, Amen. Tim Sumner 🇺🇸 (@SgtTim911) February 4, 2025

First and foremost, it would become a logistical nightmare. It has a short runway and limited port facilities. Its recently built desalination plant can’t supply enough water for 30,000 more people. 

Further, it would take a brigade or more of Military Police to properly guard them all.

It would cost billions, and be cheaper to do on U.S. soil, say somewhere in Texas.

Ed: Amateurs talk tactics. Professionals talk logistics.

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It’s not yet clear whether Schumer’s support for a divisive Republican spending bill will ignite similar slow-burning contempt from the left, or whether he’ll be able to reassemble goodwill across the party to take on Trump.

But one thing is clear: While Schumer faces protests at his home and office, intensely personal attacks and renewed talk about a primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, there’s no groundswell in his caucus to remove him.

Ed: Of course not. Democrats are still failing upward. Schumer doesn’t think about logistics or strategy, only tactics … and it shows. 

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🚨BREAKING: Ashley Biden’s non-profit facing an IRS complaint after failing to publicly disclose a $250,000 donation from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. pic.twitter.com/ozljClusdk

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 14, 2025

Ed: Biden Inc is derailing. 

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Aidan Parisi, the son of a longtime State Department official who emerged last spring as a Columbia University encampment leader and is best known for owning an “emotional support rabbit,” was among the students Columbia expelled for storming Hamilton Hall, he announced Thursday night.

Parisi, a graduate student in Columbia’s School of Social Work, wrote on X that he was among the student activists expelled nearly a year after they stormed and occupied Hamilton Hall. Last spring, Parisi, the son of longtime State Department official Elizabeth Daugharty, emerged as a constant presence in the illegal encampment that plagued campus for weeks in April. He was also suspended shortly after his involvement in a pro-Hamas event, “Palestinian Resistance 101,” held on campus in March 2024, which featured a number of terror-tied speakers who explicitly called for violence against Jews.

Ed: Maybe State should look at the clearances for Daugharty, too. Back when I had security clearances, family members espousing support for terrorists would have at least prompted a few questions, at least. 

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The Vagina Museum shutting down over trans controversy is a bit too on the nose for the writers room of reality, don’t you think? pic.twitter.com/GfDgqO4tSR

— Noam Blum (@neontaster) March 14, 2025

Ed: The punch lines just write themselves, no? Have fun in the comments. 

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I want to address the alarming rise in ‘Swatting’ incidents targeting media figures. The FBI is aware of this dangerous trend, and my team and I are already taking action to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.

This isn’t about politics—weaponizing law enforcement…

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 14, 2025

This isn’t about politics—weaponizing law enforcement against ANY  American is not only morally reprehensible but also endangers lives, including those of our officers. That will not be tolerated.

We are fully committed to working with local law enforcement to crack down on these crimes. 

More updates to come.

Ed: It’s way overdue. At least one person has been killed through swatting in the last few years. That case, as well as most others, involve the use of the Internet and interstate communication systems, which gives the FBI jurisdiction. It’s high time to send swatters to federal prison for significant periods of time in order to provide the proper disincentives. 

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Why ask him? He was clearly very very wrong. pic.twitter.com/h4f2GrbTap

— Andrew Follett (@AndrewCFollett) March 14, 2025

Ed: Yes, by all means talk amongst yourselves and ask the people who didn’t see the obvious. Republicans are cheering you on! Keep up the great work!

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“This is not an ideological battle. I’ve never seen our caucus more united around an issue,” a centrist House Democrat from a battleground district told Axios’ Andrew Solender.

💥 Where it stands: House Democrats — all but one of whom voted against the GOP spending bill — tried to lobby Schumer and Senate Democrats to reverse course. Some openly entertained the idea of supporting primary challengers to Schumer or other Senate Dems who help the bill.

“People are PISSED,” one House Democrat told Axios in a text message.

Ed: Pass the popcorn!