Today in Politics, Bulletin 346. 4/10/26

… Trump has reportedly offered mass pardons before leaving office to everyone who worked for him in the WH. WSJ broke the story that Trump has repeatedly dangled this to staffers so they will conduct themselves with no concerns about being prosecuted in the future for illegal conduct.

… Trump initially broached the subject by stating to staff: “I’ll pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval.” They responded by laughing, but it’s not clear that Trump intends this as merely a joke. He isn’t exactly known for his sense of humor.

… WSJ: “That radius appears to be expanding as the president repeats the line. Another person who met with Trump earlier this year said the president quipped about pardoning anyone who had come within 10 feet. In one conversation with advisers in the dining room next to the Oval Office last year, Trump said he would host a news conference and announce mass pardons before he left office.”

… House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin made a formal request to the WH physician to conduct cognitive exam of Trump, citing truth social posts and Trump’s statements at Easter Egg Roll: “Experts have repeatedly warned that the President has been exhibiting signs consistent with dementia and cognitive decline. And, in recent days, the country has watched Trump’s public statements and outbursts turn increasingly incoherent, volatile, profane, deranged, and threatening.”

… Politico: “Multiple people have abruptly resigned from Rep. Eric Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign, throwing the durability of his operation into question after the CA Democrat repeatedly this week denied allegations of sexual misconduct. Members of senior leadership have departed the campaign, including Courtni Pugh, a strategic adviser who served as Swalwell’s top liaison to organized labor groups.

… “The resignations came just before the SF Chronicle published a report Friday afternoon reporting that a former staffer claims Swalwell had sexual encounters with her while working for him, and that he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too drunk to consent.”

… Swalwell’s campaign appeared to be gathering momentum with key endorsements, “but soon after, accusations of inappropriate behavior with female staffers began to surface on social media. Campaign operatives traded notes and messages: Was this just another spin of the rumor mill, or was a bomb about to drop, potentially upending the race weeks before ballots started landing in voters’ mailboxes?”

… Statement from Swalwell attorney: “We learned from press outlets that there are multiple allegations made against the Congressman. We believe those allegations are baseless and continue to seek the truth. We also want to understand why these allegations would suddenly arise on the eve on an election against the frontrunner in what appears to be a coordinated effort to undermine his candidacy.”

… Swalwell’s campaign chair, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, then announced he could no longer support him: “Today I learned shocking information about Eric Swalwell containing the ugliest and most serious accusations imaginable. The congressman should leave the race now so there can be a full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay.”

… Today is supposed to be Day 1 of peace negotiations between the US and Iran in Pakistan, but things are off to a rocky start as with all things Trump. JD Vance was sent as the lead negotiator along with Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and personnel from the State Dept and DOD.

… As the US was waiting for the Iranian delegation to show up, Iran’s parliament speaker MB Ghalibaf issued this statement: “Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations. These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin.”

… Trump responded with two Truth Social posts: “The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways. The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!”

… “The Iranians are better at handling the Fake News Media, and ‘Public Relations,’ than they are at fighting!”

… Pope Leo XIV: “God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.”

… “Absurd and inhuman violence is spreading ferociously through the sacred places of the Christian East, profaned by the blasphemy of war and the brutality of business, with no regard for people’s lives, which are considered at most collateral damage of self-interest. But no gain can be worth the life of the weakest, children, or families. No cause can justify the shedding of innocent blood.”

… The day before Melania’s press conference, Amanda Ungaro made this post addressed to Pam Bondi: “Are you already aware of the situation? Do you fully understand the extent of the information I possess regarding you and the individuals associated with you? I strongly advise you to consider the seriousness of these matters. Any actions taken against me or attempts to escalate this situation could have significant legal consequences. I expect this to be handled with the appropriate level of responsibility and professionalism moving forward.”

… Then after Melania’s press conference, Ungaro posted this reply to Melania’s statement: “I will take legal action against you and your pedophile husband. I have known you for 20 years. You knew I was detained in ICE. You were present in my life - every year on my son’s birthday, even sending Secret Service and being the first to congratulate him, back in 2016. Something was clearly wrong, but I am not part of any evil mission involving children.”

… “So what did you do, Melania? You tried to involve me, but you failed - because I have character. I will tear down your corrupt system, even if it’s the last thing I do in my life. I will go all the way - I am not afraid. Maybe you should be afraid of what I know… of who you are, and who your husband is.”

… Journalist Wajahat Ali: “Most likely, and of course, all speculation right now, this is why Melania did her statement today. Amanda Ungaro was brought here as a 17-year-old model. She flew to NYC on Epstein’s private plane. Paolo Zampolli, the modeling agent who allegedly introduced Melania to Trump in 1998, fathered Ungaro’s child.
They were engaged in an ugly custody battle. Zampolli leaned on ICE and his Trump connections to DEPORT Ungaro. Zampolli also allegedly represented Melania when she was a model.”

… Melania’s movie agent Marc Beckman on Newsmax: “She cleared her record. She eradicated all the lies, all of the innuendos, and she showed everybody that she’s got a clean slate once and for all and that she’s gonna fight it. She also became the champion for these women, for the victims. There really isn’t someone out there as high profile as the First Lady that is out supporting the victims.”

… Beckman: “She’s the most committed, hard-working individual I’ve ever met in my life.”

… Meidas correspondent Scott MacFarlane on CNN: “There’s a sense here, at least among the survivors, that if you’re going to pawn this off on congress to have a hearing for the survivors, you are disclaiming any responsibility for putting out the records you still have yet to put out from the files.”

… Two days before Hungary’s election, Trump made a post on Truth Social pledging to buy votes for Viktor Orban with US taxpayer dollars: “My Admin stands ready to use the full Economic Might of the US to strengthen Hungary's Economy, as we have done for our Great Allies in the past, if Viktor Orbán and the Hungarian People ever need it. We are excited to invest in the future Prosperity that will be generated by Orbán's continued Leadership!”

… Reuters: “Viktor Orban, uniquely endorsed by both Trump and the Kremlin, could lose his 16-year iron grip on power on Sunday, opinion polls indicate, in an election many Hungarians believe will decide their country’s fate in Europe. Orban, the EU’s longest-serving PM, has led Hungary since 2010, entrenching his power by curbing independent media and democratic rights and building an ‘illiberal democracy’ that has earned him fans on Europe’s far right and in Trump’s MAGA movement.”

… “However, 3 years of economic stagnation and soaring living costs, along with the enrichment of oligarchs close to the govt, have angered voters. Tisza party leader Peter Magyar has pledged to crack down on corruption, unlock billions of euros of frozen EU funds and tax the wealthiest, while reforming Hungary’s crumbling healthcare.”

… Magyar at a huge rally: “Just a few days and we will see a change of regime. This is a very last chance to prevent our country being a Russian puppet state. Let’s not allow Fidesz to lead Hungary out of the EU.”

What a week! Thank you for all the great questions for this week’s Ask the Editor. Ben and I just finished recording the show and it should be out tonight. The question that was asked by several of you was my theory on why Melania did the surprise Epstein statement.

Reminder I’m off Saturdays so next Bulletin will recap the entire weekend on Sunday night. We are heading to Boston for the day for a behind the scenes tour of Fenway Park, then to Foxboro for the NE Patriots Hall of Fame. If you missed yesterday’s Bulletin, you can find it here.

… Economist Heather Long: “Inflation soared in March to 3.3% - the highest annual rate since May 2024. The war in Iran is squeezing middle income and lower income households. Inflation in March alone rose 0.9%. That’s the biggest one-month jump since June 2022:

• Gas jumped +21% in March

• Fuel oil soared +31% in March

• Airfares +15% in March

• Food was flat for the month, but is likely to go up later in the spring/summer.

… This is the single largest increase in a single month for gas prices since national data was first compiled in 1967.

… Charlie Bilello, chief market analyst for Creative Planning, broke down the annual numbers using this report: Price changes over last year (March CPI report):

• Fuel Oil: +44.2%

• Gasoline: +18.9%

• Gas Utilities: +6.4%

• Electricity: +4.6%

• Transportation: +4.1%

• Food away from home: +3.8%

• Medical Care: +3.7%

• Overall CPI: +3.3%

• Shelter: +3.0%

• Food at home: +1.9%

• New Cars: +0.5%

• Used Cars: -3.2%

… Pete Buttigieg had a contentious interview today with Trump-loving host Joe Kernan on CNBC. Kernan kept trying to pivot away from the bad economic numbers to talk about Biden: “The big thing that’s different now is that in many periods in American history, you have inflation and then the admin does things to reduce it. Right now, we have the admin actively making prices higher.”

… Buttigieg: “Inflation has tripled from just one month ago, and it’s higher than when