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Good morning, and welcome to (A)Political. Only a month and change away from a 2nd Trump inauguration. As more of his picks are announced, more political capital is being spent on who gets the senate nod and what policies actually get put forward in the first wave of the political cycle. Let's get into it!

DOGE has officially become bi-partisan with the support of Ro Khanna and Bernie Sanders. Lifelong democrats are now joining forces with Elon, Vivek and company to bring lasting change to places like the Pentagon. Cuts to several departments are now in the works, and members from both parties are now ready to get to work.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week for upholding Tennessee law to ban minors from transgender treatments and procedures. With the composition of SCOTUS as it stands, the Biden administration is facing the uphill battle to convince the court that the 14th amendment is being violated with minors not being allowed to make their own choice.

Kash Patel has now been chosen to lead the FBI. The former intelligence official has been an outspoken advocate of releasing high profile items like the JFK files. We explore his upbringing, background, and how he could fit into leading the agency in the years ahead. If the senate gives him the nod, expect drastic changes to come to one of the largest intelligence agencies in the world.

Lastly, we have some awesome merch coming out soon! Keep an eye out for an email for when it comes out and the exclusive drop we have!

Lets get into it!

• DOGE Goes Bi-Partisan

• Tennessee Transgender Law Goes To SCOTUS

• Trump Selects Hardcore Difficulty For FBI Revamp

DOGE Digs Democrats Too

_{By: Atlas}

In an uncommon display of bipartisan teamwork, prominent progressive Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Ro Khanna, have thrown their support behind President-elect Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. The backing from these left-wing figures particularly focuses on the agency's promised scrutiny of Pentagon spending, marking an unorthodox alignment between progressive priorities and Trump's government reform agenda.

Sanders, known for his fierce criticism of both Republican policies and government waste, publicly endorsed DOGE's mission through social media. "Elon Musk is right. The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. It's lost track of billions," the Vermont senator posted on X, referencing DOGE's intended focus on military spending oversight.

The Pentagon Problem: A Common Ground

The Department of Defense's financial accountability has become a rallying point for this unexpected coalition. The Pentagon's recent failure of its seventh consecutive audit has created a shared concern across the political spectrum. The defense department's inability to account for $824.3 billion in government funds during the 2024 fiscal year has sparked criticism from both progressive Democrats and fiscal conservatives. Several stories over the years have emerged relating to Pentagon expenditures. A more prominent story in year's past was Boeing charging almost 8000% percent on their markup for soap dispensers, which cost the taxpayer almost $150,000 dollars more in cost.

Representative Ro Khanna, a prominent progressive Democrat from California, echoed Sanders' sentiments, indicating that Democratic members of the House Armed Services Committee are willing to work with DOGE's leadership team of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. "When it comes to cutting waste, fraud, and abuse and opening the 5 primes to more competition, there are Democrats on [the House Armed Services Committee] who will work with @elonmusk and @DOGE," Khanna stated on X.

Beyond Defense: Expanding Reform Horizons

The bipartisan interest in DOGE extends beyond military spending. Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz of Florida has suggested expanding DOGE's scope to include a thorough evaluation of the Department of Homeland Security's structure. This indicates a growing appetite among moderate Democrats for broader government reform efforts. DOGE's initial findings have highlighted widespread inefficiencies across federal agencies. The organization recently revealed that federal government agencies in Washington, D.C. are utilizing only 12% of their headquarters space on average, with some departments showing even lower occupancy rates. The Department of Agriculture, for instance, maintains space for 7,400 people while averaging only 456 daily workers – a mere 6% occupancy rate.

The Musk-Ramaswamy Vision

The newly appointed DOGE co-heads, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, have outlined an aggressive approach to government reform in their Wall Street Journal op-ed. Their strategy involves pursuing executive actions to reduce government bureaucracy and defending these changes through legal channels when necessary. The duo's mandate extends until July 4, 2026, when the work is slated to be done. This clear timeline for their reform efforts serves two purposes. Primarily, the timeliness and urgency needed for cutting massive waste. Secondarily, it will serve as a campaign rallying point for the mid terms.

Musk's America super PAC responded to the progressive support by emphasizing the non-partisan nature of their mission: "Sensible spending is not a partisan issue. The general public supports @DOGE holding government accountable to spend taxpayer money more wisely."

Challenges and Opposition

Despite this emerging bipartisan consensus, significant challenges remain. Trump's historical support for increased military capabilities could conflict with progressive Democrats' desire to reduce defense spending. Additionally, Representative Marjorie Taylor-Greene's aggressive proposals for federal employee dismissals through the DOGE House subcommittee may create tension with Democrats who traditionally support public sector workers.

The initiative faces skepticism from a public already disillusioned with government spending practices. According to a recent GOBankingRates survey, more than half of Americans believe their tax dollars are being spent ineffectively, while 27% admit they don't know how their tax money is being used at all.

Looking Ahead

The unusual alliance between progressive Democrats and Trump's DOGE initiative suggests a potential shift in how government reform efforts might proceed in the coming years. While the focus on Pentagon spending has created an initial bridge between unlikely allies, the success of this collaboration will depend on whether both sides can maintain their commitment to reform while putting aside their significant ideological differences for issues not related to fiscal governance.

As DOGE begins its work, the support from Sanders, Khanna, and other Democrats may provide sufficient political cover necessary for substantial changes to government spending practices. However, the true test will lie in whether this bipartisan momentum can translate into meaningful reforms that satisfy both progressive demands for military spending oversight and conservative calls for broader government efficiency.

SCOTUS Likely To Uphold Tennessee Transgender Law

_{By: Atlas}

Heated debate came wednesday as justices dove into Tennessee's controversial ban on states being able to ban transgender treatments and procedures for minors. After two and a half hours of intense questioning, the conservative majority seemed poised to uphold the state law, casting doubt on claims about the treatments' benefits.

Justice Samuel Alito didn't mince words when he challenged the Biden administration's stance. Pointing to European countries that have backtracked on these treatments, he pressed government lawyers to defend their position that evidence "overwhelmingly" supports such policy. Justice Brett Kavanaugh jumped in with similar concerns, suggesting the Court should think twice before wading into such contested medical territory.

"If it's evolving like that and changing, and England is pulling back and Sweden is pulling back, it strikes me as a pretty heavy yellow light, if not red light," Kavanaugh remarked, questioning whether nine justices should be the ones to "constitutionalize the whole area."

Inside the Courtroom Drama

As many pundits have outlined, there is a lawyer making history. Chase Strangio is the first openly transgender lawyer to argue before the high court, and will take on Tennessee's 2023 law. The legislation blocks doctors from prescribing hormone therapies and puberty blockers to anyone under 18, and it steers clear of surgical procedures.

Strangio didn't hold back, arguing that Tennessee had overstepped its bounds. "The government of Tennessee is displacing the decision-making of loving parents," he told the justices, backed by nods from major medical groups like the American Medical Association.

But Tennessee isn't backing down. State Senator Jack Johnson, who championed the bill, likens it to stopping kids from getting tattoos or buying beer - just another way to protect them from choices they might regret. The state insists this isn't about discrimination; it's about keeping minors safe until they're old enough to decide.

Stakes Beyond Tennessee

This isn't just about one state law. More than two dozen states have passed similar bans, turning America into a patchwork of different rules about transgender healthcare. The Court's decision is expected to have enduring consequences for all states who choose to ban these treatments for minors.

The justices seem to be leaning toward letting states call the shots, especially given how medical opinions are shifting overseas. But they're wrestling with tough questions about parental rights and equal protection under the law.

A Nation Watching

Whatever the Court decides will send upheaval through American healthcare services. A green light for Tennessee could spark a flood of new restrictions. A ruling against the ban might carve out new protections for transgender youth nationwide.

For now, all eyes are on the Supreme Court, waiting to see which way the decision will tip in this landmark battle over healthcare, parental rights, and state authority.

Kash Patel Selected To Run the FBI

_{By: Arthur Lindh, Political Analyst & Contributor for Atlas}

Donald Trump has chosen Kash Patel to become the next leader of the FBI upon the consent of a senate majority vote. For someone who has garnered considerable leverage, he hasn't gone the typical route for service to the President. Patel, born in Garden City, New York, on February 25, 1980, to East African parents fleeing ethnic persecution. Born to Indian Gujarati immigrants, his rise from public defender to senior government official is no small feat.

The pursuit of opportunity by Patel's parents shaped his childhood. After leaving East Africa, the family moved to Canada, then to the US, where his father was a financial officer. From childhood on Long Island, Patel was dedicated to education. He earned a history and criminal justice degree from the University of Richmond after graduating from Garden City High School. Patel earned his Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law and continued his legal education at University College London.

After law school, Patel became a Florida public defender. He defended clients accused of murder and international drug trafficking for nearly ten years. This legal background prepared him for national security. Patel joined the Department of Justice's National Security Division in 2014 to investigate terrorism and serve as a legal liaison to Joint Special Operations Command. This post engaged him in global counterterrorism, improving his understanding of international policy and strategy.

Patel's influence and reputation grew over his political career, especially as NSC Senior Director of the Counterterrorism Directorate. He oversaw operations to dismantle terrorist networks, including the elimination of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Patel led interagency efforts and implemented measures that hampered Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Patel led a covert expedition to Damascus in early 2020 to negotiate the release of American hostages, advancing U.S. foreign policy. His efforts to return journalist Austin Tice and others showed his negotiation skills and dedication to protecting U.S. citizens abroad. Patel's ability to perform under duress made him a national security leader.

Patel was Principal Deputy to the Acting Director of National Intelligence and a skilled intelligence executive. He oversaw all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies and provided the President's Daily Briefing. These experiences put Patel at the center of national security choices and fueled his involvement in policymaking.

His career coincided with political unrest. Patel joined House Intelligence Committee senior counsel on counterterrorism in 2017, working with then-Chairman Devin Nunes. Patel helped the committee investigate the FBI's 2016 election monitoring practices, which led to the controversial Nunes memo. The dossier accused the FBI of abusing surveillance orders to follow a Trump campaign aide, sparking political turmoil. Patel was viewed as an accountability advocate, although some claimed he selectively disclosed material to fit party narratives.

Patel's career was defined by his Trump loyalty. Patel ran many positions under Trump, including Chief of Staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller. He helped accelerate the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan and shape defensive measures during a political upheaval. During heightened tensions between the departing and new governments, some experts questioned his Pentagon performance.

After leaving office, Patel remained influential in conservative circles. Trump Media & Technology Group, Truth Social's parent company, appointed him to its board, and he launched “Fight With Kash.” Patel has used this platform to sponsor "America First" campaigns and support government whistleblowers. Patel published two books: The Plot Against the King, a children's book with conservative views on the 2016 election, and Government Gangsters, a memoir and condemnation of the "deep state."

Patel went on to publicly state that the deep seated corruption at institutions like the FBI were something he saw first hand, as he claims to have read the JFK files and the seven page 9-11 report in an interview with Glenn Beck. Patel went even further during his interview with Shawn Ryan where he vowed the FBI would be reconstituted to give people the truth if he were to run the agency.

With the pick becoming official this week, he would be the youngest and first Indian American to hold the position if confirmed. His national security competence and transparency are lauded, but his closeness to Trump and political participation raise concerns from neoconservatives and those on the other side of the political aisle as well.

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