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Atlantic
5 days ago
- Politics
- Atlantic
Trump Just Did What Not Even Nixon Dared
'Is it Goldstein again?' Richard Nixon demanded. In July of 1971, the president was infuriated that an unnamed official at the Bureau of Labor Statistics had seemed to downplay the administration's progress on reducing unemployment while briefing reporters. His suspicions fell on Harold Goldstein, the longtime civil servant and BLS official in charge of the jobs numbers, who had attracted his ire for other comments earlier in the year. Nixon ordered his political counselor, Charles Colson, to investigate. If it had been Goldstein, he said, 'he's got to be fired.' When three hours elapsed without Colson reporting back, the president called Colson twice within the span of two minutes, insisting that Goldstein had to be guilty. 'Give Goldstein, the goddamn kike, a polygraph!' he yelled into the phone. By the next morning, Nixon's animus toward Goldstein had hardened into the conviction that the inconvenient numbers from the BLS reflected a problem much larger than one civil servant. He asked his chief of staff, Bob Haldeman, to conduct a review. 'I want a look at any sensitive areas around where Jews are involved, Bob,' he said. 'See, the Jews are all through the government, and we have got to get in those areas. We've got to get a man in charge who is not Jewish to control the Jewish. Do you understand?' Haldeman affirmed that he did. 'The government is full of Jews,' Nixon continued. 'Second, most Jews are disloyal.' What had started as a fit of pique over jobs numbers was swiftly metastasizing into an extraordinary abuse of presidential power. Students and survivors of the Nixon era can be excused for feeling a little déjà vu when they heard the news at the end of last week that President Donald Trump had fired Erika McEntarfer, the BLS commissioner. Trump claimed that the bureau's latest jobs report was 'a scam' that was 'RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad.' As the first federal director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, I quickly thought of the summer of 1971. James Surowiecki: What's holding Trump back from firing Powell For most of its history, the BLS has been as professionally obscure as it has been essential. The bureau's economists produce the respected and strictly nonpartisan numbers that the White House, Congress, investors, and American workers rely on to know how the enormous and complex U.S. economy is doing—and how likely their next wage increase, job opportunity, or pink slip might be. For presidents to be unhappy with the numbers they get from the BLS is commonplace. But it's not normal for them to take their disappointment or rage out on the economists who compile them. In the summer of 1971, Nixon was in the grip of dark conspiratorial thinking. He had been looking forward to positive press from his daughter Tricia's June White House wedding. Instead, The New York Times published the Pentagon Papers—a classified multivolume compendium of national-security materials pulled together for Lyndon B. Johnson's secretary of defense Robert McNamara to explain why the United States had gotten into the quagmire of Vietnam. When the former Johnson-era national-security analyst Daniel Ellsberg announced that he was the papers' leaker, Nixon became convinced that his administration was under assault from smart, well-connected enemies of his Vietnam strategy. So when the BLS official told reporters that a drop in the unemployment rate from 6.2 to 5.6 percent was 'a statistical fluke,' Nixon became convinced that Jews within the government were out to sabotage his administration. Haldeman, although himself an anti-Semite, worried that Nixon's rage could cause chaos across the government. He decided to try to satisfy the president by focusing only on the BLS. He asked a White House staffer named Frederic Malek to determine how many Jews were in the BLS, and to recommend what to do with them. Knowing that White House documents should not reflect what this investigation was really about, Malek and his assistant used the code word ethnics in their memos as they counted Jews. In February, during Nixon's earlier bout of rage, Malek had determined that Goldstein had not acted in a partisan manner. But now, instead of questioning his partisan loyalties, Nixon fixated instead on his faith. The president didn't get all that he wanted. Although Labor Secretary James Hodgson refused to subject Goldstein to a polygraph test, Nixon didn't fire Hodgson for his defiance. He also didn't immediately force out the head of the BLS, Geoffrey Moore, who worked for Hodgson. When Malek found that there were 19 'ethnics' among the 52 top officials working at the BLS, Nixon respected the civil-service protections that shielded most of them, including Goldstein, from dismissal. Instead, he had a supervisor placed above Goldstein and removed some of his responsibilities. Peter Henle, another Jewish economist in the bureau, was transferred out. After winning reelection in 1972, Nixon required resignations from all of his political appointees. Nixon ignored most of them, but he accepted Moore's, and the BLS commissioner left a few months shy of the end of his four-year term in 1973. Moore—who wasn't even Jewish—was the only person to lose his job because of Nixon's anti-Semitic paranoia. Nixon's motives were worse than Trump's. But in most other respects, the events of the past week provide a vivid illustration of how much more dangerous attempts to abuse presidential authority have become. Unlike Trump, who lashed out publicly against McEntarfer, Nixon was afraid to own his bad behavior. He did not force out his BLS commissioner in 1971, instead waiting for the chance to accept his resignation two years later. Not wanting his hands to be dirty—as defined by the presidential norms of his era—Nixon constrained himself to abuse power only indirectly. He had no desire to risk public disapproval by firing bureaucrats for specious and explosive reasons. David Frum: Sorry, Richard Nixon Moreover, the Haldeman system for running the White House that Nixon first authorized and then tolerated sought to control an impulsive president, not fully empower him. Nixon lacked perfect instruments to carry out his desires; his environment wasn't greased for enabling. Although he was clear that he wanted to fire a large number of government workers because of their religious background, he proved unwilling or unable to follow through. Trump exhibits no such constraints. The loyal voters who give him his grip on Congress don't seem to care what norms he violates. Neither Trump's Cabinet members nor his White House staff are willing to serve as a check on presidential bad behavior. And so last week, Trump did what not even Nixon had dared, becoming the first president ever to fire his BLS commissioner.
Sky News AU
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Resurfaced clips of Buzz Aldrin reignite Apollo 11 landing conspiracy theory as US marks 56th anniversary of first man to walk on the moon
Resurfaced clips of Buzz Aldrin have reignited an old conspiracy theory about the 1969 moon landing, with scientists once again having to debunk it. As the United States prepares to mark the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, old clips of Buzz Aldrin have resurfaced, which have reignited a conspiracy theory claiming the iconic 1969 moon landing never happened. The clips, which show Aldrin on the Late Night with Conan O'Brien Show back in 2000 have, according to some social media commentators, given credence to the theory that man never made it to the lunar surface. In the video, Aldrin responded to a quip by host Conan O'Brien saying that he watched the moon landing as a boy. 'No, you didn't,' Aldrin snapped. "There wasn't any television, there wasn't anyone taking a picture. You watched an animation," he said. The video, which has since racked up more than a million views online, has led to conspiracy theorists in the United States taking it as gospel that the moon landings were faked and were staged by NASA to fool the Soviet Union. A subsequent 2015 clip has also gone viral, with an eight-year-old girl asking the NASA veteran why NASA has not returned to the moon since, to which he replied, 'Because we didn't go there, and that's the way it happened.' Doubt over the moon landing took root in the mid-1970s, fuelled by public mistrust after Watergate and the Pentagon Papers. Theories about staged sets, lighting inconsistencies, and suspicious interviews have persisted ever since. — Stew Peters (@realstewpeters) March 20, 2023 NASA has repeatedly dismissed such claims, pointing to telemetry data, lunar rock samples, and the testimonies of thousands of engineers, scientists, and astronauts as proof of the mission's authenticity. In fact, a Reuters fact check from 2023 has debunked the 2000 clip, with the news agency reporting that Aldrin's comments are related to animation graphics that television networks used to illustrate the moon landings. The news agency also debunked the 2015 clip, which was a question-and-answer session at the Oxford Union. They said the clips edited out elements where Aldrin was talking about his fears of a technical failure in the craft that could have caused a catastrophic fire like the Apollo 1 disaster or caused a decompression sending himself and Neil Armstrong into the vacuum of space. Aldrin is the only surviving member of the Apollo 11 team after Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins died in 2012 and 2021, respectively. In the 2024 US election, he endorsed Donald Trump for the presidency after he made a promise to put an American astronaut back onto the moon.
Chicago Tribune
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Today in History: Supreme Court rules in Miranda v. Arizona
Today is Friday, June 13, the 164th day of 2025. There are 201 days left in the year. Today in history: On June 13, 1966, the Supreme Court ruled in Miranda v. Arizona that criminal suspects had to be informed of their constitutional rights to remain silent and consult with an attorney. Also on this date: In 1942, during World War II, a four-man Nazi sabotage team arrived by submarine on Long Island, New York, three days before a second four-man team landed in Florida. (All eight men were arrested within weeks, after two members of the first group defected.) In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Solicitor General Thurgood Marshall to become the first non-white justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1971, The New York Times began publishing excerpts of the Pentagon Papers, a top secret study of America's involvement in Vietnam since 1945, that had been leaked to the paper by military analyst Daniel Ellsberg. In 1983, the U.S. space probe Pioneer 10, launched in 1972, became the first spacecraft to leave the solar system as it crossed the orbit of Neptune. In 1996, the 81-day-old Freemen standoff in Montana ended as the 16 remaining members of the anti-government group left their ranch and surrendered to the FBI. In 2000, the first meeting between leaders of North Korea and South Korea since the Korean War began as South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung met North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang. In 2013, the White House said it had conclusive evidence that Syrian President Bashar Assad's government had used chemical weapons against opposition forces seeking to overthrow him. In 2022, the committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol was told that Donald Trump's closest campaign advisers, top government officials and even his family were dismantling his false claims of 2020 election fraud ahead of the insurrection, but the defeated president was becoming 'detached from reality' and clinging to outlandish theories to stay in power. Today's Birthdays: Actor Malcolm McDowell is 82. Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is 81. Actor Stellan Skarsgård is 74. Actor Richard Thomas is 74. Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Weaver is 74. Actor-comedian Tim Allen is 71. Actor Ally Sheedy is 63. Sportscaster Hannah Storm is 63. Musician Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) is 55. Actor-comedian Steve-O is 51. Actor Ethan Embry is 47. Actor Chris Evans is 44. Actor Kat Dennings is 39. Fashion designers and former actors Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen are 38. Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson is 35. Actor Kodi Smit-McPhee is 29.
Boston Globe
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Today in History: June 13, first Pentagon Papers excerpts published
In 1942, during World War II, a four-man Nazi sabotage team arrived by submarine on Long Island, N. Y., three days before a second four-man team landed in Florida. (All eight men were arrested within weeks, after two members of the first group defected.) Advertisement In 1966, the Supreme Court ruled, in Miranda v. Arizona, that criminal suspects had to be informed of their constitutional rights to remain silent and consult with an attorney. In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Solicitor General Thurgood Marshall to become the first non-white justice on the US Supreme Court. In 1971, The New York Times began publishing excerpts of the Pentagon Papers, a top secret study of America's involvement in Vietnam since 1945, that had been leaked to the paper by military analyst Daniel Ellsberg. Advertisement In 1983, the US space probe Pioneer 10, launched in 1972, became the first spacecraft to leave the solar system as it crossed the orbit of Neptune. In 1996, the 81-day-old Freemen standoff in Montana ended as the 16 remaining members of the anti-government group left their ranch and surrendered to the FBI. In 2000, the first meeting between leaders of North Korea and South Korea since the Korean War began as South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung met North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang. In 2013, the White House said it had conclusive evidence that Syrian President Bashar Assad's government had used chemical weapons against opposition forces seeking to overthrow him. In 2022, the committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol was told that President Trump's closest campaign advisers, top government officials, and even his family were dismantling his false claims of 2020 election fraud ahead of the insurrection, but the defeated president was becoming 'detached from reality' and clinging to outlandish theories to stay in power.
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First Post
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
History Today: When Michael Jackson was acquitted in child molestation trial
Pop superstar Michael Jackson, who had been accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy, was acquitted of all felony charges on June 13, 2005. Though he was legally vindicated, the trial took a heavy toll on his health, finances and public image. On this day in 1971, The New York Times began publishing excerpts of the Pentagon Papers read more Michael Jackson arrives at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse for his child molestation trial in Santa Maria, Calif., May 25, 2005. Superstar Michael Jackson was not just a person but a phenomenon. Often dubbed the 'King of Pop', he was one of the most famous musicians and performers of the 20th Century. However, he was in the spotlight for more than just his music. Unfortunately, this wasn't always a good thing – Jackson was accused of child molestation. Then, after months of a high-profile trial, he was acquitted him of all charges on June 13, 2005. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. On this day in 1944, Nazi Germany unleashed a terrifying new weapon upon London - the V-1 flying bomb, just a few days after D-Day landings. The New York Times began publishing excerpts from a highly classified government study, which later came to be known as the 'Pentagon Papers.' Here are the major event that took place on this day across the world. Michael Jackson acquitted in molestation trial One of the most famous musicians of all time Jackson , was acquitted on all counts in his highly publicised child molestation trial on June 13, 2005. Jackson had faced ten felony counts including four counts of molesting a minor, four counts of administering an intoxicating agent to a minor for the purpose of molestation, one count of attempted child molestation and one count of conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. The case had been filed by then-13-year-old Gavin Arvizo, who claimed Jackson had molested him at his Neverland Ranch estate . Michael Jackson arrives at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse for his child molestation trial in Santa Maria. File image/AP Throughout the trial, prosecutors painted a picture of Jackson as a predator, while the defence, led by attorney Thomas Mesereau, vigorously argued that the accuser's family was attempting to extort money from the singer. The defence highlighted inconsistencies in the testimonies of key prosecution witnesses and presented their own witnesses, including celebrities like Macaulay Culkin. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The jury, composed of eight women and four men, deliberated for over 30 hours before delivering a unanimous verdict of not guilty on all counts. The decision prompted an emotional response from Jackson, who broke into tears as the verdicts were read. Though he was legally vindicated, the trial had taken a heavy toll on his health, finances, and public image. Jackson largely withdrew from the public eye in the years following, living abroad for a time and releasing limited new work. Nazi Germany launches the V-1 Flying Bomb Just a week after the D-Day landings, Nazi Germany unleashed a new terror on the Allied Forces, especially London, by launching the V-1 flying bomb. Officially known as the Fieseler Fi 103, it was the world's first operational cruise missile. Despite Allied air superiority over Western Europe, the German Luftwaffe utilized the Fi 103, launched from bases in northern France, the Netherlands, and western Germany, to bombard targets in Belgium, England and France. Termed as the 'buzz bomb' or 'doodlebug', these small, pilotless aircraft had a distinctive sound with a small and noisy pulsejet engine. Carrying an 850 kilo high-explosive warhead, it was designed to fly a predetermined distance before its engine cut out, sending it into a steep, silent dive towards its target. This sudden silence was often as terrifying as the preceding buzz, as it signalled an imminent impact. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fieseler Fi 103 V-1 flying bomb on a Walter catapult ramp at Éperlecque in Northern France. File image/Wikimedia Commons The first V-1 struck London, landing in the Bow area and killing eight people. It was the start of a campaign that would see over 9,000 V-1s launched in Britain, primarily targeting London and southern England. The weapon was a pilotless, jet-propelled bomb capable of flying at 400 kilometres per hour and carrying an 850 kilo warhead. With a range of about 250 kilometres, it was typically launched from hidden sites in northern France and the Netherlands. Despite the terror they inflicted, the V-1 attacks ultimately failed to break British morale or alter the course of the war. Allied countermeasures, including anti-aircraft guns, barrage balloons, and fighter aircraft, became increasingly effective at intercepting the bombs. NYT publishes Pentagon Papers One of the most confidential and controversial documents was published by The New York Times on this day in 1971. The Times began publishing excerpts from the government papers which exposed the US' political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1968. It revealed that several presidential administrations had systematically misled the American public about the extent and true nature of the Vietnam War. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officially titled 'History of US Decision-Making Process on Vietnam Policy', The 7,000-page report was commissioned by Secretary of Defense Robert S McNamara in 1967. Daniel Ellsberg, a former military analyst who had worked on the study and subsequently became an anti-war activist, secretly photocopied portions of the document and provided them to Neil Sheehan, a reporter for The New York Times. The Nixon administration tried to stop The New York Times from publishing the Pentagon Papers, citing national security concerns. This led to the landmark First Amendment case, _New York Times Co. v. United State_s. On June 30, 1971, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 for the newspapers, affirming press freedom. This Day, That Year Donald Trump became the first former US president to be charged with federal crimes on this day in 2023. In 2000, the leaders of North and South Korea met for the first time. The first African-American was nominated to the US Supreme Court on this day in 1967.
