Hi all, Ben here.
This morning has already been packed full of news, so let me get right into it.
Remember to like and re-stack this post to spread the word.
This morning began with the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, in the United Kingdom on suspicion of misconduct in public office tied to the Epstein investigation. Authorities are reportedly conducting searches of his properties as part of an expanding probe into allegations that confidential material was shared with Jeffrey Epstein during Mountbatten-Windsor’s time as a trade envoy.
Here was the statement from his brother, King Charles III:
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.
In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.
Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.
As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
The significance of this moment was not lost on survivors and their families. In a statement released today, the family of the late Virginia Giuffre said: “Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty.” They added, “On behalf of our sister, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we extend our gratitude to the UK police for their investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.”
Developments elsewhere also showed that accountability still exists, albeit outside of the United States.
In South Korea, former president Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of leading an insurrection tied to his 2024 martial law declaration, an event that triggered a constitutional crisis and a military incursion into the National Assembly. The ruling was historic and decisive. The court made clear that even the most powerful political leaders are not insulated from consequences when they attempt to dismantle democratic institutions.
Brazil has also pursued accountability in its own context, where former president Jair Bolsonaro is serving a lengthy sentence tied to his efforts to overthrow the government and hold onto power.
Sound familiar?
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Back to the news.
The events I outlined above stand as reminders that in functioning democracies, power does not eliminate responsibility. Key word: functioning.
Meanwhile, here in the United States, the picture remains deeply troubling.
Donald Trump spent the morning promoting his so-called “Board of Peace,” a gathering that drew limited participation from influential democratic allies. Major democratic nations largely declined to engage, leaving Trump flanked by leaders from authoritarian or illiberal regimes. During remarks, Trump made comments focused on the appearance of women present at international gatherings rather than the substance of global diplomacy. It was frankly bizarre. I will be doing a whole separate report on what happened during this event.
Trump announced he will be transferring $10 billion dollars from the U.S. government to this “Board of Peace,” which many warn is just a giant slush fund that is under Trump’s control. Moves like this are supposed to require congressional approval. Congress, do your job.
The corruption didn’t stop there. Reporting this week detailed the Department of Homeland Security’s intention to purchase a $70 million dollar luxury jet for Kristi Noem’s travel. The jet features a bedroom with a queen bed, showers, a kitchen, four large flat screen TVs, and even a bar. Officials are trying to justify the aircraft as necessary for deportation operations and cabinet travel.
And at a time when tensions in the Middle East continue to rise and credible reporting indicates that war with Iran could be imminent, top Trump officials like Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, have been focused on posting cringe social media videos.
International perception of the United States continues to collapse. A recent Politico poll in Canada found that only one-third of Canadians now view the United States as an ally, while 69 percent believe the U.S. tends to create problems for other countries rather than solve them. Nearly half of respondents identified the United States as Canada’s greatest external threat.
Trade data has also contradicted regime claims and blew up one of Trump’s biggest arguments for his tariffs. While Trump has publicly stated that the U.S. trade deficit has sharply declined, Commerce Department figures show that the deficit widened to $70.3 billion in December, bringing the annual total to $901.5 billion, the largest since data collection began in 1960. Shocker: Trump lied. Again.
On the global front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed frustration with recent trilateral discussions involving Russia and the United States. Zelensky emphasized the need for concrete ceasefire negotiations rather than historical narratives that delay progress toward peace.
Domestically, environmental and health policy developments enraged even the most ardent supporters of RFK Jr.’s “MAHA” movement. An executive order issued by Trump is expected to provide legal protections for chemical manufacturers tied to glyphosate-based products as Trump seeks to increase production of the cancer-causing chemical found it weed killers. RFK Jr. said just one month ago he believes glyphosate indeed causes cancer. Now, he’s supporting Trump’s move.
While courts in other nations act decisively against leaders accused of undermining democratic norms, American institutions have been held hostage by protection rackets keeping those involved in criminality free from accountability. We must keep fighting to change that. We must never give up on pushing for accountability here at home.
Tonight, I will be going live with my brothers on the MeidasTouch Podcast at 8pm ET / 5pm PT to break down these developments and more in greater detail.
And later today, Ron Filipkowski will publish his full daily bulletin with additional reporting and analysis.
Stay tuned.
