The Hound | May 13

Hi there,

It’s Wednesday. The UK government is in turmoil after last week’s disastrous election results for the Labour party, with many demanding Prime Minister Kier Starmer to set a timeline for resigning or resign outright. South Carolina Republicans reject map that would have eliminated Rep. Jim Clyburn’s, the sole Democrat representing the state, seat. And FBI Director Kash Patel loses it under Senate questioning about his reported drinking on the job.

Patel’s conduct as FBI Director has raised growing concerns about both his qualifications and his ability to responsibly lead one of the country’s most powerful law enforcement agencies. The FBI is not a partisan platform—it is an institution entrusted with national security and the rule of law. When questions about preparedness, temperament, and qualifications are downplayed in favor of spectacle or partisan framing, the public is left without a clear understanding of the risks involved in placing unqualified leadership at the top of federal law enforcement.

🖊️ Add your name to call on major news organizations to more aggressively scrutinize Kash Patel’s record, qualifications, and conduct as FBI Director—examining whether he is capable of leading the agency responsibly and independently.

The public deserves reporting that treats competence in positions of enormous power as a serious issue, not just another political storyline.

Read about this, and more, with today’s stories:

Kash Patel Flies Off the Handle When Asked About Drinking on the Job (The New Republic)

Push for South Carolina to join congressional redistricting battle fails as Republicans reject map (PBS)

Trump’s proposed ‘Golden Dome’ estimated to cost $1.2 trillion, far more than he initially said (AP News)

Israel's government is expected to collapse over ultra-Orthodox military draft (NPR)

Who could beat Keir Starmer in a leadership election? (The New Statesman)

As El Niño Approaches, Scientists Predict Fierce Heatwaves, Wildfires and Floods (Inside Climate News)

Until next time,

Harry from The Hound

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