Welcome! Here are the topics for today’s column:

• Criminal Justice Oversight Council
• Most Favorably Viewed Newsmakers
• Latest AP-NORC Polls
• One More Thing

CRIMINAL JUSTICE OVERSIGHT COUNCIL: 

Last week, I wrote about Montana Governor Greg Gianforte’s appointment of Jessica Flint to the Criminal Justice Oversight Council. I wrote at that time that it was the Governor’s prerogative to appoint whomever he wanted, and things like that happen when you win elections. 

Some people were concerned about the person from the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana being replaced by Flint, who works for Alliance for Defending Freedom. I said that Jessica Flint was a top-notch staffer in congressional offices. Since she handled those positions well, I am sure she will handle her appointment to the Criminal Justice Oversight Council easily and provide valuable insight.  

Basically, it was a nothingburger. Then the letters started flying, and the posts on social media came out, and the whole thing became more interesting than it should have.  

First, there was a letter from a group that opposed the Flint appointment. 

Then, Aaron Flint, the husband of Jessica Flint, and Montana MAGA talk show cheerleader, posted some comments on social media like this:

In the meantime, a so-called “GOP heavy hitters” group decided to write a letter in support of Jessica Flint. 

We all should relax a little. The sun will come out tomorrow, and everything is going to be alright. 

I do wonder if the Montana “GOP heavy hitters” group will be writing a strongly worded letter in defense of Sydney Sweeney and her situation about the American Eagle jeans commercial?  

MOST FAVORABLY VIEWED NEWSMAKERS:

There was an interesting report from Gallup about the most favorably viewed newsmakers. 

Gallup found that among 14 prominent U.S. and global figures, Pope Leo XIV has the most positive image by far, with many more Americans viewing him favorably than unfavorably. His 57% favorable rating and 11% unfavorable rating result in a +46 net-favorable score, far ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (+18) and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (+11). 

All the others had net negative favorable ratings. 

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez came in at negative 4 (-4), JD Vance -11, Marco Rubio -16, Donald Trump -16, Benjamin Netanyahu -23, and Elon Musk comes in with a -28. 

You can read the complete report HERE.

LATEST AP-NORC POLLS:

Here are some highlights of the latest AP-NORC polls. Link to full poll at the end. 

• President Donald Trump’s disapproval rating is at 58%
• 62% of those polled say the country is headed in the wrong direction
• 68% say the economy is headed in the wrong direction 
• 55% disapprove of the way President Donald Trump is handling immigration

These are not good numbers for Republicans, and they may hamper the ability of the Republicans to maintain majorities in the U.S. House and/or U.S. Senate after the 2026 midterm election. Read the complete poll HERE. 

ONE MORE THING:

I had to fire my bathroom scale because I didn’t like the numbers it was showing me… 

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