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OK, one last one for the night. I think this is an important one...
I created a custom GPT with all 17,000 pages of the Weaponization of Government document that was just released.
You can use it yourself here: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-676718a7dd988191aff4125d419d1abd-weaponization-of-government-report-analyst
I asked it an interesting question. What do you think about the answer?
The Most Heinous Act: Suppression of the Hunter Biden Laptop Story
Among the numerous abuses outlined in the provided documents, the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story prior to the 2020 presidential election represents the most egregious example of government overreach. This event underscores a dangerous precedent where federal agencies colluded with private entities to manipulate public discourse, censor factual reporting, and interfere in a democratic election.
The Event: What Happened
On October 14, 2020, The New York Post published a detailed exposé revealing emails and documents from a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden, the son of then-presidential candidate Joe Biden. The materials uncovered significant evidence suggesting Hunter Biden leveraged his family name to facilitate foreign business deals, including connections with Ukrainian and Chinese officials, in exchange for access to his father. The laptop’s content implicated Joe Biden in discussions of these dealings, contradicting his repeated claims of ignorance.
The article provided tangible evidence, including photos, documents, and a subpoena showing the FBI had seized the laptop in late 2019. Neither Hunter Biden nor the Biden campaign denied the authenticity of the laptop, and subsequent forensic analysis confirmed its legitimacy. Despite this, the story was swiftly and comprehensively censored.
Social Media Platforms Respond: Censorship in Action
Within hours of the story’s release, Twitter and Facebook took unprecedented steps to suppress it:
1. Twitter:
- Blocked users from sharing the article, labeling it as "hacked materials."
- Temporarily locked the accounts of users who attempted to post or share the link, including The New York Post’s official account and prominent political figures.
2. Facebook:
- Deprioritized the story in users' feeds to limit its reach while it underwent supposed "fact-checking."
- Facebook’s actions were later acknowledged by company executives as having been influenced by direct warnings from federal agencies.
The story was effectively silenced across the largest digital platforms, preventing millions of Americans from accessing or discussing the revelations during the critical final weeks of the presidential campaign.
Government’s Role: The FBI’s Prebunking Campaign
A Year of Preparation:
The FBI had been in possession of Hunter Biden’s laptop since December 2019, and internal communications show the agency had authenticated its contents months before the story broke. Despite knowing the laptop was genuine, the FBI initiated a broad campaign to condition social media platforms to dismiss any story related to Hunter Biden as likely "Russian disinformation."
1. Warning Social Media:
- Starting in early 2020, the FBI held more than 30 meetings with major social media companies, including Facebook and Twitter. In these meetings, federal agents consistently warned of an impending "hack-and-leak" operation targeting Hunter Biden, framing it as a Russian attempt to interfere with the election.
- Specific references were made to disinformation campaigns involving Hunter Biden and Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company central to the Biden family's alleged influence-peddling scheme.
2. Control Through Prebunking:
- The FBI’s strategy was not only to alert platforms to potential threats but to preemptively delegitimize any damaging information about Hunter Biden that might emerge. This approach ensured social media companies were primed to treat the New York Post story as suspect even before it was published.
Internal Communications Reveal Intent:
- Internal messages from Facebook employees documented the FBI’s heavy influence. In one striking exchange, a staff member remarked, “When we get hauled up to [Capitol] hill to testify on why we influenced the 2020 elections, we can say we have been meeting for YEARS with USG [U.S. Government] to plan for it”.
The Impact: Consequences of Suppression
1. Voter Deception:
- Polling conducted after the election showed that many Americans were unaware of the laptop story due to its suppression. Significant portions of voters indicated that had they known, it might have altered their vote. By burying the story, platforms and federal agencies prevented critical information from influencing the electorate, potentially changing the outcome of the election.
2. Violation of Free Speech:
- The FBI’s collaboration with social media platforms represented a direct assault on the First Amendment. By outsourcing censorship to private companies, the government effectively sidestepped constitutional restrictions, creating a dangerous precedent for future control of information.
3. Manipulation of Platforms:
- Twitter and Facebook became instruments of state-sponsored suppression. While ostensibly private entities, their actions were heavily influenced by the FBI’s warnings, demonstrating how government agencies can co-opt corporations to achieve unconstitutional goals.
Key Details: Timing and Strategy
-
The FBI’s Timeline:
- The FBI authenticated Hunter Biden’s laptop in December 2019, almost a full year before the New York Post story. Despite knowing the truth, the agency crafted a disinformation narrative, ensuring any revelations would be dismissed.
-
The Platforms’ Actions:
- Twitter and Facebook developed new content moderation policies in response to the FBI's warnings. Twitter expanded its “hacked materials” policy, applying it for the first time to suppress the New York Post article. Facebook similarly modified its algorithm to throttle content flagged as potential misinformation.
The Broader Implications
1. Weaponization of Federal Agencies:
- The FBI’s actions reveal a dangerous blurring of lines between national security and political interference. By framing a true story as disinformation, the agency effectively interfered in the democratic process.
2. Normalization of Censorship:
- This event set a precedent for government-led censorship through private proxies. It demonstrated how federal agencies can manipulate narratives and stifle dissent without direct government censorship.
3. Chilling Effect on Journalism:
- The suppression of The New York Post, one of the country’s oldest newspapers, sent a chilling message to journalists: stories critical of those in power may not see the light of day.
4. Erosion of Trust:
- Trust in both government and social media platforms has been deeply eroded. The public’s confidence in the integrity of elections, the free flow of information, and the independence of media has been severely damaged.
Conclusion
The suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story by federal agencies in collaboration with social media platforms represents an unparalleled abuse of power. This calculated effort to suppress verified information, distort public discourse, and manipulate the electorate is not only a direct attack on democratic principles but a harbinger of the potential for unchecked government influence over the flow of information.
This event should be regarded as the most heinous act detailed in the provided documents, with far-reaching implications for free speech, the integrity of elections, and the role of government in democratic societies. It serves as a stark warning of the dangers of weaponized federal authority and its ability to coerce private entities into undermining the public’s right to know.
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Appearance on Richard Syrette
I did a quick hit on Richard Syrette yesterday. Gotta keep Canadians apprised of the U.S. madness.
Say hello to my little friend!
We are on our way home!
We might have to call him rigatoni, so it can be Tony for sure! Lol
The Barnes Brief: Weekend of February 20, 2026
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Art of the Week
- When Picasso painted me before I was born, his portrait of famous patron saint of the arts, Ambroise Vollard. The painting struck my brother when he first saw it in person, as a biographical portrait of yours truly. The intensive, internal self-reflection expresses a true self-recognition. My favorite portrait to this day, even if only of me across the psychic plains of time and space.
B. Recommendation of the Week
- Reshore. The argument for using tariffs to reindustrialize America. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230408506-reshore
C. Wisdom of the Week
- “I am a tariff man, with a tariff plan, standing on a tariff platform.” President William McKinley.
D. Appearances
- LIVE w/ George Gammon https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7699318/george-gammon-interview
- LIVE w/ Daniel Davis https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7694824/live-w-lt-col-davis
- LIVE w/ Alex Jones
II. THE EVIDENCE
- A reminder: links are NOT endorsements of the authors or their interpretation of events, but intended to expand our library of understanding as well as expose ideas of distinct perspective to our own.
A. Barnes Library: Curated Weekly Articles of Interest
- 1776 Law Center Survey: War Vote Mirrors Midterms https://www.bigdatapoll.com/blog/democrats-expand-generic-ballot-lead-in-february/
- Iran War risk. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/war-on-iran-is-the-opposite-of-realism/
- Welfare state fraud. https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/the-democrats-fraud-problem
- Utility battles. https://prospect.org/2026/02/19/blackstone-private-equity-utility-acquisition-new-mexico-public-service-txnm-energy/
- Remembering Jessie Jackson. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/jesse-jackson-complicated-man/
*Bonus: Bald eagle rescued. https://abc7ny.com/post/nypd-officers-describe-rare-rescue-trapped-american-bald-eagle-icy-hudson-river-nyc/18616678/
B. Best of the Board: Five Fantastic Posts of the Week
- Bill Brown’s comedic relief. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704528/title
- Jonathan’s prayer. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704685/morning-daily-prayer-heavenly-father-i-thank-you-for-blessings-everyday-i-thank-you-for-my-beloved
- Meme magic. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704745/title
- Bountiful art. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704798/title
- Board thoughts on Iran war. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7700010/board-poll-war-in-iran
*Bonus: Bondi mockery. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7703469/spotted-all-over-washington-dc-while-i-normally-don-t-share-the-political-views-of-people-in-dc
**Bonus: Weekly Wisdom. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704649/the-intersection-of-politics-youtube-commentary-and-critical-traffic-infrastructure-https-you
C. Homework: Cases of the Week for Sunday
- SCOTUS: Tariffs. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf
- Facebook trial. https://courthousenews.com/safety-was-someone-elses-problem-ex-facebook-vp-says-in-teen-social-media-trial/
- Jury bias in Musk case. https://courthousenews.com/contempt-for-musk-clouds-jury-selection-in-twitter-takeover-trial/
- Amazon death. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/amazon-nitrite-washington-supreme-court-2.pdf
- Virginia redistricting stalls. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/tazewell-injunction.pdf
- British ex-royal arrested. https://courthousenews.com/ex-prince-andrew-arrested-on-suspicion-of-sharing-sensitive-documents-with-epstein/
- Firetruck monopoly. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mke-v-fire-truck-manufacturers.pdf
- ICE churches. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/synod-v-dhs-ice-injunction.pdf
- Tina Peters denied bond. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/people-tina-peters-order-bond.pdf
- Slushie fraud. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/slush-puppie-forged-email-with-icee.pdf
- The HP merger case. https://business.cch.com/ald/USvHewlettPackardEnterpriseCo122025.pdf
- Tunney Act Trump DOJ risks. https://prospect.org/2025/07/29/2025-07-29-law-could-blow-open-trump-antitrust-corruption/
*Lobbyist disclosure laws. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/2/chapter-26
**Lobbying disclosure guidelines. https://www.senate.gov/legislative/resources/pdf/S1guidance.pdf
***Transanity in Canada. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704549/tribunal-ruling-out-of-british-columbia-canada
III. CLOSING ARGUMENT: Constitution Masterclass Series — Article I, Tariffs
- Article I, section 7 enumerates the power “for raising revenue” to the legislative branch of Congress, commencing with the House and continuing onto the senate.
- Article I, section 8, clause 1 enumerates the power “to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises” to the legislative branch in Congress.
- Article I, section 8, clause 3 enumerates the power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations” to the legislative branch in Congress.
- Article I, section 8, clause 5 enumerates the power to “fix the standard of weights and measures” to the legislative branch in Congress.
- Article I, section 8, clause 10 enumerates the power to “define and punish” those “offenses against the law of nations” to the legislative branch in Congress.
- Article I, section 8, clause 11, enumerates the power to “declare war” as well as “grant letters of marque and reprisal” and “make rules concerning captures on land and water,” to the legislative branch in Congress.
- Article I, section 8, clause 18 enumerates the power to “make all laws” that “shall be necessary and proper” for effectuating those other enumerated powers itemized above in the tariff context.
- Article I, section 10, clause 2 prohibits states from imposing any imposts or duties on imports or exports except as necessary for inspections.
- In aggregate and in particular, the Constitution enumerates to the legislative branch the power to tariff. Hence, any claim of Presidential power to tariff must derive from delegated authorizations issued by Congress. This runs into the NonDelegation doctrine.
- Article I, Section I enumerates “all legislative powers” must be exclusively “vested in a Congress” not the executive or judicial branch of government. Thus, the act of a tariff imposition by the President must be both exclusively authorized by Congress and not be a “legislative act” within the meaning of Article I, Section 1. That construction depends largely on the Supreme Court’s construal of it over time, which is beyond the plain text of the Constitution.
- Short answer: had Trump stayed strictly within the tariff authorization delegations of Congress, and without looking like “making law” in the process, then his tariffs could win judicial assent. Trump’s failure to follow those guidelines — as advised to do by Commerce Secretary and Epstein Class graduate Howard Lutnick, whose sons profit billions from the court striking down the tariffs — buried his chance at tariff approval by the Supreme Court, unfortunately.
The Barnes Brief, Valentine's Weekend, 2026
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Art of the Week
- All I want for Valentine's is Lady Justice. Archangel Michael delivering justice, as we need for those in the Epstein Class.
B. Recommendation of the Week
- Before Epstein Files, there was The Whistleblower. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9258131-the-whistleblower
C. Wisdom of the Week
- “I weep for the liberty of my country when I see at this early day of its successful experiment that corruption has been imputed to many members of the House of Representatives, and the rights of the people have been bartered for promises of office.” Andrew Jackson.
D. Appearances
- LIVE w/ Alex Jones https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7681357/live-w-alex-jones
- LIVE w/ Nina Infinity
- LIVE w/ That Star Wars Girl
II. THE EVIDENCE
A reminder: links are NOT endorsements of the authors or their interpretation of events, but intended to expand our library of understanding as well as expose ideas of distinct perspective to our own.
A. Barnes Library: Ten of the Top Curated Weekly Articles
- The Epstein elite. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/unsettling-truths-epstein-files-reveal-about-power-and-privilege
- Corruption of the academy. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/03/mellon-foundation-humanities-research-funding/685733/
- Israel 1st wants to end Free Speech. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/02/13/is_free_speech_really_the_highest_value_153834.html
- Nobody likes Newsom. https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/gavin-newsom-youre-no-bill-clinton
- Hawley-Warren bill seeks to end monopoly in medicine. https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/senators-seek-to-smash-big-medicine
- Polymarket grocery stores. https://unherd.com/newsroom/inside-polymarkets-free-public-grocery-store/
- Security State. https://greenwald.substack.com/p/amazons-ring-and-googles-nest-unwittingly
- Housing market woes. https://substack.com/home/post/p-187448844
- Leverage risks. https://quoththeraven.substack.com/p/countdown-to-detonation-americas
- Epstein network. https://epstein-doc-explorer-1.onrender.com
B. Homework: Cases of the Week for Sunday
- Texas AG joins Dr. Bowden. https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Bowden%20Intervention%20(Filed)_0.pdf
- Alex Jones sues. https://www.scribd.com/document/997131709/Alex-Jones-Amended-Counterclaim-for-Filing-In-The-United-States-Bankruptcy-Court-For-The-Southern-District-Of-Texas
- Gail Slater removed. https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/trump-antitrust-chief-ousted-by-ticketmaster
- I will sue Mike Davis. https://x.com/barnes_law/status/2022467828255768629?s=20
- Wisconsin election integrity takes a loss. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/wisconsin-ballot-spoiling-ban-reversed.pdf
- Texas election integrity gets a win. https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/24/24-50783-CV0.pdf
- Two big 2A cases in 3rd. https://courthousenews.com/two-third-circuit-hearings-could-reshape-nations-second-amendment-rights/
- Another TPS order blocked. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/african-communities-v-noem-mass-ruling.pdf
- Epstein BOA suit goes forward. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/doe-v-bank-of-america-new-york-ruling.pdf
- Dollar Tree death. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/max-antonio-garay-v-dollar-tree.pdf
- Boasberg latest insanity. https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2025cv0766-247
- Trump immigration win. https://www.phelps.com/a/web/r5pKxiJkFZ7QKozjTbS8V2/ca5detention.pdf
*Bonus: Livenation Ticketmaster Antitrust https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-industry-news/live-nation-doj-lawsuit-after-gail-slater-resignation-1236504011/
**Bonus: NCAAF eligibility suit. https://www.knoxnews.com/picture-gallery/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2026/02/13/joey-aguilar-eligibility-hearing-tennessee-vs-ncaa/88659399007/
***Bonus: AI plagiarism win. https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/adelphi-university-ai-plagiarism-lawsuit-oh07enyz
C. Best of the Board: Ten of the Top Posts
- Too much truth. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7688284/best-explanation-of-our-two-party-system-benowen
- Life on the line. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7687846/god-bless-and-protect-thomas-massie
- Prayer & a cute dog. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7688117/daily-prayer-2-0-heavenly-father-give-us-comfort-and-wisdom-allow-us-to-trust-your-judgement-and-y
- Surf. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7688060/pipeline-hawaii
- Real diversity. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7688513/title
- Hush Hush ideas. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7688104/robertbarnes-just-saw-a-news-article-talking-about-the-great-chicago-fire-being-started-by-communis
- Wisdom. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7687331/title
- Bill Brown Proverbs. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7686413/title
- Truth. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7684892/title
- My answer is Yes. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7687202/does-god-answer-your-prayers-i-ask-because-i-pray-everyday-whether-typed-down-here-or-mentally-reci
III. CLOSING ARGUMENT: Constitution Masterclass Series — Article I, Elections
- Article I, section 4 empowered the legislative branch of the federal government — the Congress — “may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations” otherwise set by the legislatures of the state governing the “elections for Senators and Representatives” except to the Places of chusing Senators, later modified by the Seventeenth Amendment. Each House can further be the “Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members” including the power to expel “with the Concurrence of two thirds.” The Constitution affords no express power to Congress to elect the President or elect those to state or local office. And remember, Article I powers are constricted to those “herein granted” explicitly within the Constitution.
- Representatives must be “apportioned” amongst the States “according to their respective Numbers”, a determination made by “adding to the whole Number of free Persons” certain individuals no longer referenced after the Fourteenth Amendment. The “actual enumeration” of this apportionment “shall be made…within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.” The original intention was that there were at least one representative for “every thirty Thousand”.
- The Fourteenth Amendment modified these provisions by stating representatives be apportioned “to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed.” Of note, the provision also stripped representation of any state which limited Presidential electors beyond the limits of gender, age, citizenship, crime, or rebellion.
- The Fifteenth Amendment modified these provisions further by providing a “right of citizens of the United States to vote” and that such a right could not be denied on basis of race.
- The Seventeenth Amendment modified these provisions further by providing that the “people thereof” elect the Senators instead of the legislative branches of those state governments.
- The Nineteenth Amendment modified the provisions even further by expanding the Fifteenth Amendment’s right of citizens to vote to women.
- The TwentyFourth Amendment modified these provisions even further by holding the right of the citizens to vote in federal elections could not be limited based on taxes, including poll taxes.
- The Twenty-Sixth Amendment expanded these voting rights to include those 18 years of age or older that are citizens.
- Each of these Amendments repeated: “the right citizens of the United States to vote” as the entire premise of these Amendments to the Constitution for governing elections. Yet, somehow, the courts held in 2020 no such right existed to even afford standing to request judicial relief from stolen elections for the highest office in the land, and even when brought between states for the only nationally elected office?
