President Shitshow’s First 100 Days; Day 65…

March 27, 2025 1:07 pm EDT Tiff Editorial (Open Thread) 1

It’s Thursday…

President Shitshow’s public schedule for…

Thursday, March 27 2025
9:00 AM
In-Town Pool Call Time
The White House 
In-Town Pool
11:00 AM
The President receives his Intelligence Briefing
Oval Office 
Closed Press
2:00 PM
The President signs Executive Orders
Oval Office 
Closed Press
8:00 PM
The President participates in the White House Iftar Dinner
State Dining Room White House
Press Pool

President Shitshow sends Endorsements early…

I’m not going to share the post for each endorsement he offered; his first was for Rep. John McGuire, his second was for Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, his third was for Senator Cynthia Lummis, and finally, he endorsed his head bitch Senator Lindsey Graham.

Show more =’s On a professional level, I am proud to have been there at the beginning when President Trump — through sheer force of will —achieved the greatest political comeback in American history. On a personal level, I genuinely enjoy our friendship. He’s an awesome golfing buddy, who I have yet to beat. I look forward to being one of the driving forces in the U.S. Senate to enact President Trump’s agenda to make America more prosperous and more secure. Thank you, Mr. President.

Graham is the only one that has blown President Shitshow for his year early endorsement; it’s also now his pinned tweet.

He is also the only one via Twitter that has supported the National Security Team and dismissed their SignalGate fuck up…

Graham: I Continue To Support All Members Of President Trump’s National Security Team (his official Senate Webpage):

“The Trump Administration’s decision to strike Houthi military infrastructure that was used to attack American naval vessels and international shipping was the correct response and highly successful. The President’s national security team had already appropriately advised regional allies before the attack.

“President Trump and his team have admitted that having a journalist in the group text was wrong, will be reviewed and falls in the category of ‘lessons learned’ so that it doesn’t happen again.

“I think President Trump has handled this matter well. Further, I believe that all the participants in the chat were under the impression they were using an appropriate and secure form of communication. This will also fall into the category of ‘lessons learned.’

“However recent revelations about the content of the texts — while not discussing war plans per se — do in fact detail very sensitive information about a planned and ongoing military operation.

“Having said that, Secretary Hegseth’s analysis about why and when the attack was needed was spot on. Secretary Hegseth rightly understands that when American naval vessels are attacked, those responsible should pay a heavy price.

“The actions of the Houthis are not about Europe versus America, they are about making a terrorist organization pay for threatening American military personnel and assets that we have sent into harm’s way. Secretary Hegseth got that right.

“I continue to support all members of President Trump’s national security team. Lessons learned.”

Graham: I Continue To Support All Members Of President Trump’s National Security Team (his official Senate Webpage). 03/26/2025.

*Flashback*

*End flashback*

Economy…

Yesterday, President Shitshow that still has no idea how tariffs work announced a 25 percent tariff on all cars not made in the US.

From the White House…

03/26/2025

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Adjusts Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into the United States

COUNTERING TRADE PRACTICES THAT THREATEN TO IMPAIR U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation invoking Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose a 25% tariff on imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts, addressing a critical threat to U.S. national security.

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Adjusts Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into the United States. 03/26/2025.
  • President Trump is taking action to protect America’s automobile industry, which is vital to national security and has been undermined by excessive imports threatening America’s domestic industrial base and supply chains.
  • The 25% tariff will be applied to imported passenger vehicles (sedans, SUVs, crossovers, minivans, cargo vans) and light trucks, as well as key automobile parts (engines, transmissions, powertrain parts, and electrical components), with processes to expand tariffs on additional parts if necessary.
  • Importers of automobiles under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will be given the opportunity to certify their U.S. content and systems will be implemented such that the 25% tariff will only apply to the value of their non-U.S. content.
    • USMCA-compliant automobile parts will remain tariff-free until the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), establishes a process to apply tariffs to their non-U.S. content.
  • The President is exercising his authority under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to adjust imports to protect our national security.
    • This statute provides the President with authority to adjust imports being brought into the United States in quantities or under circumstances that threaten to impair national security.

MAINTAINING A RESILIENT DOMESTIC INDUSTRIAL BASE: President Trump is taking action to end unfair trade practices that jeopardize U.S. national security.

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Adjusts Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into the United States. 03/26/2025.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities and choke points in global supply chains, undermining our ability to maintain a resilient domestic industrial base.
  • Legislation, pre-existing trade agreements like the USMCA, revisions to the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, and subsequent negotiations have not sufficiently mitigated the threat to national security posed by imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts.
  • These new tariffs aim to ensure the U.S. can sustain its domestic industrial base and meet national security needs. 

STRENGTHENING AMERICA’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY: President Trump’s decision to implement tariffs on imports of automobiles and automobile parts will protect and strengthen the U.S. automotive sector.

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Adjusts Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into the United States. 03/26/2025.
  • Foreign automobile industries, bolstered by unfair subsidies and aggressive industrial policies, have expanded, while U.S. production has stagnated.
  • In 1985, American-owned facilities in the United States manufactured 11.0 million automobiles, representing 97% of overall domestic (American- and foreign-owned) production of automobiles.
  • In 2024, Americans bought approximately 16 million cars, SUVs, and light trucks, and 50% of these vehicles were imports (8 million).
    • Of the other 8 million vehicles assembled in America and not imported, the average domestic content is conservatively estimated at only 50% and is likely closer to 40%.
    • Therefore, of the 16 million cars bought by Americans, only 25% of the vehicle content can be categorized as Made in America.
  • The United States trade deficit in automobile parts reached $93.5 billion in 2024.
  • Currently, the U.S. automobile and automobile parts industry (American-owned and foreign-owned firms) employs approximately one million U.S. workers.
  • Employment in automotive parts manufacturing totaled approximately 553,300 jobs in 2024, a decline of 286,000 jobs or 34% since 2000.
  • In 2023, Research and Development (R&D) by American-owned automobile manufacturers amounted to only 16% of global R&D spending. R&D by American-owned firms lagged behind the EU, which controlled 53% of global R&D.

TARIFFS WORK: Studies have repeatedly shown that tariffs can be an effective tool for reducing or eliminating threats to impair U.S. national security and achieving economic and strategic objectives.

A 2024 study on the effects of President Trump’s tariffs in his first term found that they “strengthened the U.S. economy” and “led to significant reshoring” in industries like manufacturing and steel production.

A 2023 report by the U.S. International Trade Commission that analyzed the effects of Section 232 and 301 tariffs on more than $300 billion of U.S. imports found that the tariffs reduced imports from China and effectively stimulated more U.S. production of the tariffed goods, with very minor effects on prices.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, the tariffs implemented by President Trump during his first term “clearly show[ed] no correlation with inflation” and only had a temporary effect on overall price levels.

An analysis from the Atlantic Council found that “tariffs would create new incentives for US consumers to buy US-made products.”

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Adjusts Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into the United States. 03/26/2025.
  • *Former Biden Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen affirmed last year that tariffs do not raise prices: “I don’t believe that American consumers will see any meaningful increase in the prices that they face.”
  • A 2024 economic analysis found that a global tariff of 10% would grow the economy by $728 billion, create 2.8 million jobs, and increase real household incomes by 5.7%.

* Apparently, this quote for former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has appeared in other official President Shitshow’s statements. I didn’t know that until today, when I googled the quote…

We turn to the Washington Post for the fact-check.

No, Janet Yellen doesn’t back Trump’s tariff claim (02/11/2025; gift link):

I’m skipping over the background of the fact-check:

The clip shows moderator Amna Nawaz asking: “As you have seen, there have been some experts, some groups, the National Retail Federation among them, who have expressed concerns that it will be U.S. consumers who eventually end up paying for these tariffs. As you know, polling shows that rising prices are voters’ biggest concern right now. So I’d ask you to speak directly to them. Will American consumers bear the cost of these tariffs?”

Yellen responds: “I don’t believe that American consumers will see any meaningful increase in the prices that they face.”

The clip then ends. But here’s what was snipped.

Yellen went on to say that the tariffs were “very carefully targeted at sectors that we’re supporting through legislation that President Biden passed with Congress — the clean-energy sector, semiconductors, sectors where we consider it critical to create good jobs.”

She added that if there were price increases, “I don’t think that anything will occur here that would be noticeable to the typical American family.” She said the administration was trying to protect industries that were receiving incentives from legislation, but they were still gearing up production.

In other words, it was pitched as a narrow action intended to give American industries some breathing room as the money from new laws kicked in. (Trump has now suspended most of those incentives, but that’s another story.)

Moreover, Yellen’s remarks were carefully couched, with caveats such as no “meaningful increase” or the impact would not be “noticeable.” She left the door open to possible price increases. But the Trump White House has turned that into the claim that she “admits tariffs will not lead to increases in consumer prices.” That’s simply not what she said.

No, Janet Yellen doesn’t back Trump’s tariff claim (02/11/2025; gift link).

They go on to remind readers about what happened during Shitshow’s first term and tariffs:

The Kent A. Clark Center for Global Markets at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business frequently surveys prominent economists about issues in the news. In 2018, when Trump imposed steel and aluminum tariffs, the Clark Center asked 44 economists about this statement: “Imposing new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum will improve Americans’ welfare.”

Not a single economist agreed. The split was over how wrong the statement was: 28 percent disagreed, and 65 percent strongly disagreed.

Indeed, prices increased. In 2018, after Trump imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, within months the price of steel was up 43 percent and the price off aluminum was up 23 percent, according to a Washington Post analysis.

In 2019, after Trump imposed more tariffs, the Clark Center asked 43 economists for their opinion on this statement: “The incidence of the latest round of U.S. import tariffs is likely to fall primarily on American households.” For that answer, 60 percent agreed, 14 strongly agreed and 14 were uncertain.

In fact, here’s what Yellen said on Jan. 16, when asked by Stephen Colbert about Trump’s tariff plans: “It’s like a tax increase for the American consumer. … We buy a lot of imported consumer goods. They are going to be higher by the amount of the tariff.”

A White House spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.

No, Janet Yellen doesn’t back Trump’s tariff claim (02/11/2025; gift link).

From the White House…

03/26/2025:

Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Autombile Parts Into the United States (Proclamation):

1.  On February 17, 2019, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of passenger vehicles (sedans, sport utility vehicles, crossover utility vehicles, minivans, and cargo vans) and light trucks (collectively, automobiles) and certain automobile parts (engines and engine parts, transmissions and powertrain parts, and electrical components) (collectively, automobile parts) on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862) (section 232).  Based on the facts considered in that investigation, the Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that automobiles and certain automobile parts are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States. 

2.  In Proclamation 9888 of May 17, 2019 (Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States), I concurred with the Secretary’s finding in the February 17, 2019, report that automobiles and certain automobile parts are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.  I also directed the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative), in consultation with other executive branch officials, to pursue negotiation of agreements to address the threatened impairment of the national security of the United States with respect to imported automobiles and certain automobile parts from the European Union, Japan, and any other country the Trade Representative deems appropriate.

3.  The Trade Representative’s negotiations did not lead to any agreements of the type contemplated by section 232.

4.  In Proclamation 9888, I also directed the Secretary to monitor imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts and inform me of any circumstances that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate the need for further action under section 232 with respect to such imports.

5. The Secretary has informed me that, since the February 17, 2019, report, the national security concerns remain and have escalated.  The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities and choke points in global supply chains, undermining our ability to maintain a resilient domestic industrial base.  In recent years, American-owned automotive manufacturers have experienced numerous supply chain challenges, including material and parts input shortages, labor shortages and strikes, and electrical-component shortages.  Meanwhile, foreign automotive industries, propelled by unfair subsidies and aggressive industrial policies, have grown substantially.  Today, only about half of the vehicles sold in the United States are manufactured domestically, a decline that jeopardizes our domestic industrial base and national security, and the United States’ share of worldwide automobile production has remained stagnant since the February 17, 2019, report.  The number of employees in the domestic automotive industry has also not improved since the February 17, 2019, report. 

6.  I am also advised that agreements entered into before the issuance of Proclamation 9888, such as the revisions to the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), have not yielded sufficient positive outcomes.  The threat to national security posed by imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts remains and has increased.  Investments resulting from other efforts, such as legislation, have also not yielded sufficient positive outcomes to eliminate the threat to national security from such imports.

7.  After considering the current information newly provided by the Secretary, among other things, I find that imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts continue to threaten to impair the national security of the United States and deem it necessary and appropriate to impose tariffs, as defined below, to adjust imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts so that such imports will not threaten to impair national security.

8.  To ensure that the imposition of tariffs on automobiles and certain automobile parts in this proclamation are not circumvented and that the purpose of this action to eliminate the threat to the national security of the United States by imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts is not undermined, I also deem it necessary and appropriate to establish processes to identify and impose tariffs on additional automobile parts, as further described below.

9.  Section 232 provides that, in this situation, the President shall take such other actions as the President deems necessary to adjust the imports of the relevant article so that such imports will not threaten to impair national security.  

10.  Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code; section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended; and section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, do hereby proclaim as follows:

(1)  Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, all imports of articles specified in Annex I to this proclamation or in any subsequent annex to this proclamation, as set out in a subsequent notice in the Federal Register, shall be subject to a 25 percent tariff with respect to goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 3, 2025, for automobiles, and on the date specified in the Federal Register for automobile parts, but no later than May 3, 2025, and shall continue in effect, unless such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.  The above ad valorem tariff is in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported automobiles and certain automobile parts articles.

(2)  For automobiles that qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA, importers of such automobiles may submit documentation to the Secretary identifying the amount of U.S. content in each model imported into the United States.  “U.S. content” refers to the value of the automobile attributable to parts wholly obtained, produced entirely, or substantially transformed in the United States.  Thereafter, the Secretary may approve imports of such automobiles to be eligible to apply the ad valorem tariff of 25 percent in clause (1) of this proclamation exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content of the automobile.  The non-U.S. content of the automobile shall be calculated by subtracting the value of the U.S. content in an automobile from the total value of the automobile.

(3)  If U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determines that the declared value of non-U.S. content of an automobile, as described in clause (2) of this proclamation, is inaccurate due to an overstatement of U.S. content, the 25 percent tariff shall apply to the full value of the automobile, regardless of the actual U.S. content of the automobile.  In addition, the 25 percent tariff shall be applied retroactively (from April 3, 2025, to the date of the inaccurate overstatement) and prospectively (from the date of the inaccurate overstatement to the date the importer corrects the overstatement, as verified by CBP) to the full value of all automobiles of the same model imported by the same importer.  This clause does not apply to or otherwise affect any other applicable fees or penalties.

(4)  The ad valorem tariff of 25 percent described in clause (1) of this proclamation shall not apply to automobile parts that qualify for preferential treatment under the USMCA until such time that the Secretary, in consultation with CBP, establishes a process to apply the tariff exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content of such automobile parts and publishes notice in the Federal Register.

(5)  For avoidance of doubt, clause (4) of this proclamation does not apply to automobile knock-down kits or parts compilations.  Clause (4) of this proclamation applies only to individual automobile parts as defined by Annex I to this proclamation that otherwise meet the requirements of clause (4) of this proclamation.

(6)  The Secretary, in consultation with the United States International Trade Commission and CBP, shall determine the modifications necessary to the HTSUS to effectuate this proclamation and shall make such modifications to the HTSUS through notice in the Federal Register.  

(7)  Within 90 days of the date of this proclamation, the Secretary shall establish a process for including additional automobile parts articles within the scope of the tariffs described in clause (1) of this proclamation. In addition to inclusions made by the Secretary, this process shall provide for including additional automobile parts articles at the request of a domestic producer of an automobile or automobile parts article, or an industry association representing one or more such producers, where the request establishes that imports of additional automobile parts articles have increased in a manner that threatens to impair the national security or otherwise undermines the objectives set forth in any proclamation issued on the basis of the Secretary’s February 17, 2019, report or any additional information submitted to the President under clause (3) of Proclamation 9888 or clause (9) of this proclamation. When the Secretary receives such a request from a domestic producer or industry association, the Secretary, after consultation with the United States International Trade Commission and CBP, shall issue a determination regarding whether to include the articles within 60 days of receiving the request.  Any additional automobile parts articles that the Secretary has determined to be included within the scope of the tariffs described in clause (1) of this proclamation shall be so included on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time the day after a notice in the Federal Register describing the determination of the Secretary.  The notice in the Federal Register shall be made as soon as practicable but no later than 14 days after the Secretary’s determination.

(8) Any automobile or automobile part, except those eligible for admission under “domestic status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, that is subject to the duty imposed by this proclamation and that is admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after the effective date of this proclamation, in accordance with clause (1) of this proclamation, must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.41, and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading.

(9)  The Secretary shall continue to monitor imports of automobiles and automobile parts.  The Secretary also shall, from time to time, in consultation with any senior executive branch officials the Secretary deems appropriate, review the status of such imports with respect to national security.  The Secretary shall inform the President of any circumstances that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate the need for further action by the President under section 232.  The Secretary shall also inform the President of any circumstance that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate that the increase in duty rate provided for in this proclamation is no longer necessary.

(10)  No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this proclamation.

(11)  The Secretary may issue regulations and guidance consistent with this proclamation, including to address operational necessity.

(12)  CBP may take any necessary or appropriate measures to administer the tariffs imposed by this proclamation.

(13)  Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Autombile Parts Into the United States (Proclamation). 03/26/2025.

I’ve been trying to find a U.S. made car with 100 percent U.S. parts, and I’ve found that it really doesn’t exist.

Finder.com says: While several automakers got their start making cars in America, you won’t find any vehicles on the market that are 100% American-made. Today, manufacturers outsource their car production. So brands with American origins now make their cars in other countries, and foreign brands outsource some production in America.

During his announcement he was asked about whether or not these tariffs are permanent:

Another thing I found while googling the American made car, AI told me; While no vehicle is entirely “100% American-made” due to global supply chains, the Cars.com American-Made Index consistently ranks the Tesla Model Y as the most American-made vehicle, assembled in Fremont, California, and Austin, Texas. 

In related news, he also said next week tariffs will be on all countries.

I saw this tweet yesterday prior to the announcement on higher prices for the American consumer.

The link sends you to Comments from Survey Respondents:

The two of the comments shared in the first tweet photo:

  • I have never felt more uncertainty about our business in my entire 40-plus-year career.
  • Uncertainty around everything has sharply risen during the past quarter. Planning for new development is extremely difficult right now due to the uncertainty around steel-based products. Oil prices feel incredibly unstable, and it’s hard to gauge whether prices will be in the $50s per barrel or $70s per barrel. Combined, our ability to plan operations for any meaningful amount of time in the future has been severely diminished.

“Drill baby Drill”…

  • The administration’s chaos is a disaster for the commodity markets. “Drill, baby, drill” is nothing short of a myth and populist rallying cry. Tariff policy is impossible for us to predict and doesn’t have a clear goal. We want more stability.
  • The administration’s tariffs immediately increased the cost of our casing and tubing by 25 percent even though inventory costs our pipe brokers less. U.S. tubular manufacturers immediately raised their prices to reflect the anticipated tariffs on steel. The threat of $50 oil prices by the administration has caused our firm to reduce its 2025 and 2026 capital expenditures. “Drill, baby, drill” does not work with $50 per barrel oil. Rigs will get dropped, employment in the oil industry will decrease, and U.S. oil production will decline as it did during COVID-19. (this one was shared in the tweeted photo).
  • The increased drilling efficiency and capital discipline by the operator community is undermining the “drill, baby, drill.” 

Oh, Canada…

  • Our program is located in central California. California’s government continues to undermine permitting by their staff’s inactivity and delays. Ongoing actions in that bureaucracy are increasing costs and regulatory hurdles, hampering investment in the state. Often it appears the state is overstepping authority and working to restrict access to private and federal minerals by creating added levels of regulations bureaucracy and reporting requirements, with the cumulative effect being to hamper the industry overall and prevent specific project plans. This is a very serious impediment to developing strategically located oil and gas assets. Additionally, California imports its energy, with much of its natural gas coming from western Canada. Oil is also imported via tanker from foreign countries rather than being responsibly produced by companies paying taxes in state. California is vulnerable. Tariffs will exacerbate all aspects of business and simply put, any tariffs restricting energy (oil, gas or other) could be a large issue for the state. Effectively, the state needs local investment, oil and gas development, and increased state production, but the political management is working to curtail that.
  • Uncertainty around tariffs and trade policy continues to negatively impact our business, both for mid- to long-term planning and near-term costs. Because of trade tension, especially with Canada, a large operator requested we look to potentially move manufacturing out of the U.S. to support their work in Canada and other international markets. (from Oil and Gas Support Services Firms).

Steel Tariffs…

  • First, trade and tariff uncertainty are making planning difficult. Second, I urge the administration to engage with U.S. steel executives to boost domestic production and introduce new steel specs. This will help lower domestic steel prices, which have risen over 30 percent in one month in anticipation of tariffs.
  • Steel prices and overall labor and drilling costs are up relative to the price of oil in 2021 (the same pricing regime but costs are up).
  • The 2025 steel is already purchased; tariffs are most likely to impact 2026 investment decisions.

These ones hit the nail right on the head…

  • We are seeing larger operators reduce rig count as consolidations settle out and the smaller operators pick up those rigs. The rig market has mostly softened to levels conducive to drilling. Casing looks like it will be a bottleneck but not a showstopper. Our outlook is positive as we enter the second quarter of 2025.
  • We are all busy here.

Four Missing U.S. Soldiers…

Yesterday, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa reported that Four U.S. Army Soldiers went missing in Lithuania.

Four U.S. Army Soldiers are currently missing in Lithuania in a training area near Pabradė. A search is being conducted by U.S. Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Lithuanian law enforcement and others. Search and recovery efforts are underway. The Soldiers, all from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were conducting scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident. 

“I would like to personally thank the Lithuanian Armed Forces and first responders who quickly came to our aid in our search operations,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, the V Corps commanding general. “It’s this kind of teamwork and support that exemplifies the importance of our partnership and our humanity regardless of what flags we wear on our shoulders.”

We will provide further updates as new information becomes available.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa. 03/26/2025.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told the press that the Soldiers had been killed.

A NATO Spokesperson later clarified Rutte’s remarks:

The linked report comes from an update provided by U.S. Army Europe and Africa:

The M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle the four missing U.S. Soldiers were operating during a training exercise has been located in Lithuania. The vehicle was discovered submerged in a body of water in a training area after a search by U.S. Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces and other Lithuanian authorities. Recovery efforts are underway by U.S. Army and Lithuanian Armed Forces and civilian agencies.

Search efforts for the Soldiers continue.

The Soldiers, all from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were conducting scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident. We will provide further updates as new information becomes available.

The 3rd Inf. Div. is continuing to keep families of the Soldiers informed on the status of search efforts.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa. 03/26/2025.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa provided another update this morning:

Efforts continue by U.S. and Lithuanian personnel March 27 in the search and recovery for four missing U.S. Army Soldiers and their M88 armored vehicle near Pabradė, Lithuania. 

“We are leveraging every available U.S. and Lithuanian asset to coordinate for and provide the required resources for this effort,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, the commanding general of 1st Armored Division.

The Soldiers, assigned to 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, have been missing since the early hours of March 25 while conducting a maintenance mission to recover another U.S. Army vehicle in the training area during scheduled unit training. Search and recovery efforts by U.S. and Lithuanian personnel have continued without pause.

The vehicle was discovered the morning of March 26 submerged in a body of water in a training area after continuous search efforts by U.S. Army, Lithuanian Armed Forces and other Lithuanian authorities. The initial search effort through the thick forests and swampy terrain involved ground-based search parties from hundreds of U.S and Lithuanian Soldiers and law enforcement, Lithuanian military helicopters and diving teams. 

“We are incredibly appreciative of the dedicated and professional efforts of our Lithuanian Allies in ensuring the safety of U.S. personnel,” added Taylor. “They have worked tirelessly alongside us over the last 48 hours and we continue to be grateful for their support.” 

The challenges presented by the water, thick mud and soft ground around the site have complicated recovery efforts and have required specialized equipment to drain water from the side and stabilize the ground. 

Engineers on site are working to create berms. These berms—barriers built of dirt and sand from the nearby terrain—are designed to create a contained area from which water can be pumped and mud dredged, providing emergency personnel on site access to the vehicle.  

”Due to the terrain, this is an incredibly complex engineering effort. The team on the ground is working to remove enough water and mud for rescue teams to safely reach, stabilize, and access the vehicle,” said Maj. Robin Bruce, 1st Armored Division Engineer. “Lithuanian and U.S. Army engineers are currently pumping water and excavating mud from the site and making improvements to the surrounding area to support the heavy equipment needed for recovery. The team is exploring every available option to speed up this process.”

The 3rd Inf. Div. is continuing to keep families of the Soldiers informed on the status of search efforts. 

“This tragic situation weighs heavily on all of us and we’re keeping the families, friends and teammates of our soldiers and recovery team in our thoughts and prayers,” said Taylor. “We want everyone to know, we will not stop until our Soldiers are found.”

U.S. Army Europe and Africa. 03/27/2025.

During his Oval Office announcement on new tariffs President Shitshow was asked if he had been briefed on the missing soldiers.

When thinking about the clip, I had thought, that maybe he was asked if he knew about the dead soldiers in Lithuania, but after reviewing the clip, the reporter says; have you been briefed about the soldiers in Lithuania–who are missing?

To which President Shitshow says “no I haven’t.”

This is an open thread

About the opinions in this article…

Any opinions expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this website or of the other authors/contributors who write for it.

About Tiff 3049 Articles
Member of the Free Press who is politically homeless and a political junkie.

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