2/25: The Takeout: North Carolina Congressman Patrick McHenry

Summary The U.S. Education Department will begin collecting payments for student loans in default, starting May 5, with involuntary collections through the Treasury's offset program, potentially affecting millions of borrowers. With over 5 million borrowers currently in default and 4 million more expected soon, the department emphasized that no mass loan forgiveness will occur, following previous failed efforts during the Biden administration. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated the department will manage the program responsibly, focusing...

SummarySecretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's chief of staff, Joe Kasper, is transitioning to a new role at the Pentagon following recent staffing upheavals that included the firing of key aides amid a leak investigation. The dismissed officials expressed disappointment over the lack of clarity regarding the investigation's specifics. Meanwhile, Hegseth faced scrutiny for sharing sensitive information in a group chat, though he and a Pentagon spokesperson stated that no classified details were disclosed, with President...

SummaryDepartment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had her handbag, containing $3,000 in cash and personal items like her driver's license and passport, stolen while dining at Capital Burger in Washington, DC. Noem confirmed the theft during the White House Easter Egg Roll, stating the matter remains unresolved, and the Secret Service has launched an investigation. At the time of the incident, Noem was with her family, using the cash for a special occasion, and...

El Paso Walmart Shooting PleaPatrick Crusius, the gunman who killed 23 people in a racially motivated attack at an El Paso Walmart in 2019, pleaded guilty to capital murder, resulting in a life sentence without parole after the death penalty was removed from consideration. Crusius, who targeted Hispanic shoppers, has been sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms at the federal level for hate crimes. Families of the victims, whose ages ranged from 15 to elderly,...

SummarySecretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly shared sensitive details about an impending attack on Houthis in Yemen via a Signal group chat that included family members, raising concerns about the handling of classified information. This incident coincided with another leak of military details to the media, prompting investigations into Hegseth's communication practices. Critics within the Pentagon highlighted a chaotic atmosphere, suggesting that the ongoing inquiries and personnel changes could jeopardize Hegseth's position and impact the...

Jeffrey Zizz, a 47-year-old handyman from Washington state, has been charged with the murder of 82-year-old Marcia Norman, whose remains were discovered partially encased in concrete under a shed. The investigation began after Norman was reported missing on April 4, leading detectives to link Zizz, a former pastor with a history of child sex crimes, to the case. Zizz was arrested in Montana and extradited to Washington, where further charges may be pending as the...