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    Report: Democrats Push Tulsi Gabbard Confirmation Hearing

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
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      5
      Tulsi Gabbard via Gage Skidmore Flickr

      President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is facing an uphill battle for confirmation.

      Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, signaled he plans to meet again with Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii).

      Fox News’s Chad Pergram summed up the Virginia Democrat’s remarks, quoting, “This is an extraordinarily serious job that requires maintaining the independence of the intelligence community. It also means maintaining the cooperation of our allies. We’ve got a lot of our intelligence from our allies on a sharing basis, and if those that information is not kept secure, it raises huge concern. So..we’ve got a number of questions out for her. This is the beginning of a process.”

      Axios reported on Tuesday that Warner and other Senate Democrats have moved to delay Gabbard’s hearing.

      “Warner has pointed out that the committee has not yet received Gabbard’s FBI background check, ethics disclosure or a pre-hearing questionnaire, a source familiar with the matter told us. Committee rules require the background check a week in advance of a hearing,” reported Axios.

      Intel Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) told the outlet in a statement he “intends to hold these hearings before Inauguration Day. The Intelligence Committee, the nominees, and the transition are diligently working toward that goal.”

      “After the terrorist attacks on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, it’s sad to see Sen. Warner and Democrats playing politics with Americans’ safety and our national security,” Trump transition spokesperson Alexa Henning also told Axios.

      Bolton Reacts To Trump Mugshot: ‘He Looks Like A Thug’

      By
      admin
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      6
      The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

      Former Trump administration national security advisor John Bolton called his old boss a “thug” after seeing his booking photo.

      During an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Bolton suggested that the mugshot may have been deliberately staged to portray the former president as tough.

      Collins began the interview by asking, “I just wonder, as someone who worked inside the West Wing when Donald Trump was president, what is it like for you to see his mug shot tonight?”

      Bolton responded, “I thought it was carefully staged. They must have thought about what look they wanted. He could have smiled. He could have looked benign. Instead, he looks like a thug. I think it’s intended to be a sign of intimidation against the prosecutors and judges. That’s what they picked, and we’ll see that picture everywhere.”

      Breitbart has the transcript:

      Collins said, “So, you think they actually spent time deciding, you know, should he smile in this? Should he have this scowl that he appears to have gone with?”

      Bolton said, “Almost as much time as they spent combing his hair.”

      Collins said, “He posted the mug shot, you know, shortly after on his own social media account, along with the phrase, never surrender. I mean, a bit ironic, given he had just surrendered at the Fulton County Jail behind me. But how do you expect him to try to use this to his political advantage, as he’s running for president?”

      Bolton said that Trump would use the latest development in Georgia to his political advantage in the Republican primary as he has thus far: “Well, I think in the same way he’s used the other three indictments. I think the evidence is that the indictments have proven the law of diminishing margin of utility. If anything, they’re not undercutting his support. They’re building it up.”

      Report: the U.S. Expecting Overwhelming Flood of Venezuelan Migrants

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
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      0
      Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

      The U.S. border is on red alert.

      A report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is revealing concerns about an overwhelming number of migrants from Venezuela flooding the border due to an incorrect understanding of U.S. immigration policy.

      According to an internal DHS memo obtained by the Daily Caller, some factors leading to the impending swell at the border could be political changes, new visa requirements, a lack of resources due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and poor economic conditions in Latin American countries Venezuelans fled to.

      The report also noted confusion regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) policies for Venezuelans is also another factor leading to the increase in migration.

      “Deteriorating opportunities for Venezuelans in Latin America coupled with changing immigration policies will likely increase Venezuelans’ decision to travel to the U.S. southwest border (SWB) via the Darien Gap and Mexico,” the memo stated. “Venezuelans may also be pulled to the United States by the perception that once they reach the border, they have a greater chance of remaining in the United States, based on a misunderstood perception of temporary protected status.”

      TPS is currently granted to Venezuelans who were in the U.S. as of March 8, 2021. However, in July the DHS announced an 18-month extension for those already in the program to renew their statuses.

      Cato Associate Director of Immigration Studies David Bier previously told the DCNF a primary reason many Venezuelans aren’t sent back under Title 42 is because the U.S. doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Venezuela, which refuses to allow for deportation flights.

      “This is true for deportations from Mexico as well,” Bier said. “The Trump administration also put a flight ban in effect for Venezuela, meaning no flights are allowed to go there. Nonetheless, some expulsions are still happening via third countries, but it’s much more difficult.”

      Of the more than 5 million Venezuelan refugees in Latin America approximately 3.7 million of them live in Colombia and Peru, where they face “violence, hate, abuse, sexual and labor exploitation, and discrimination,” according to the memo.

      “An exodus from these two countries alone would be a major concern as it could potentially signal larger waves of Venezuelan migrants to emigrate to the United States,” the memo said.

      Nearly 150,000 Venezuelans are in Panama, however these refugees are close to losing their “pathways to residency” because of legislation that is set to expire, making their best option to come to the U.S. illegally.

      “Without access to legal status, migrants cannot apply for work permits and are forced to seek jobs in the informal market, making them vulnerable to exploitation,” the memo said. “For those qualified to renew their regularization status, the 2,600 USD smuggling fee is cheaper than paying regularization costs in Panama.”

      According to Customs and Border Patrol, the number of Venezuelan migrants encountered in fiscal year 2022 is over triple the number encountered the previous fiscal year, when 1,270 Venezuelans were expelled under Title 42.

      These 5 Republicans are Refusing to Back McCarthy for Speaker

        By
        Madeleine Jackson
        -
        13
        House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy delivers remarks at the 2021 Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Washington DC, December 1, 2021. USDA Forest Service photo by Tanya E. Flores.

        Current House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is facing unexpected pushback as he seeks to become House Speaker when Republicans officially re-take control of Congress in January.

        So far, five Republican lawmakers have publicly announced they do not plan to support McCarthy’s campaign to become Speaker and he will need every vote he can get with Republicans holding a smaller-than-expected majority.

        The GOP is expected to wind up with a 222-seat majority in January, compared to an estimated 213 seats for Democrats. If all 435 members of the House are present and voting for speaker in January, McCarthy can lose no more than four Republican votes. 

        These are the 5 Republicans jeopardizing McCarthy’s rise to the Speaker’s podium:

        Rep. Matt Gaetz

        Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz via Gage Skidmore Flickr

        “House Republicans need a leader with credibility across every spectrum of the GOP conference in order to be a capable fighting force for the American people,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). “That person is not Kevin McCarthy.” 

        Rep. Andy Biggs

        Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

        Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs initially cast doubt on McCarthy’s bid for Speaker after Republicans saw lackluster midterm results. The House Freedom Caucus chairman is now directly challenging McCarthy to become Speaker himself.

        “I think we need to have a real discussion about whether he should be the speaker or not,” Biggs told reporters the Thursday after Election Day.

        “I think that his statement recently that we shouldn’t impeach Secretary Mayorkas indicates that maybe we’re not going to be as aggressive going forward as we should be. I think we need to have a very positive statement of what we’re going to accomplish and do, and I haven’t seen that yet,” he added. “That’s — those are things that I think we should have a very frank discussion internally about, where we’re going to be going forward.”

        Rep. Matt Rosendale

        Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale has also expressed his doubts over McCarthy’s potential Speakership but hasn’t ruled out voting for him or for Rep. Biggs.

        “Each member of Congress has earned and deserves equal participation in the legislative process,” said Rosendale. 

        Rep. Matt Rosendale

        The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

        South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman has also made it clear he won’t be casting his vote for McCarthy regardless of any concession the California lawmaker plans to make.

        “I’m not going to support Kevin McCarthy,” Norman told Just the News. “Washington is broken. There’s a cancer in this country, and it can’t be fixed with aspirin. It’s called overspending. When you’re bankrupt, you can’t function as a country.”

        Rep. Bob Good

        House Creative Committee, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

        Virginia Rep. Bob Good also signaled he will take a hard stance against McCarthy this January.

        “I believe we have at least a dozen or so that are strong, courageous, that will do what needs to be done on the House floor to ensure that we get an improvement in the speaker situation,” Rep. Good said to the “John Fredericks Show.”

        Trump To Pardon Pro-Life Activists Prosecuted Under FACE Act

          By
          Patrick Houck
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          0
          Washington D.C., USA - January 22, 2015; A Pro-Life woman clashes with a group of Pro-Choice demonstrators at the U.S. Supreme Court.

          President Donald Trump has signaled that he plans to pardon pro-life activists who were convicted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act during the Biden administration, according to a report from The Daily Wire. The move is expected to provide immediate relief to individuals who have faced significant prison sentences for their involvement in anti-abortion protests.

          Understanding the FACE Act

          Enacted in 1994, the FACE Act is a federal law designed to protect access to reproductive health services, including abortions. It prohibits the use of force, threats or physical obstruction to interfere with individuals seeking or providing such services.

          Violations of the FACE Act carry severe penalties, ranging from fines to imprisonment, depending on the circumstances and whether the offender has a prior record. While the law’s primary intent is to safeguard access to clinics, it has also been applied to prosecute pro-life activists accused of obstructing clinic entrances or engaging in threatening behavior.

          Controversial Applications and High-Profile Cases

          Over the years, the FACE Act has sparked significant controversy, with critics arguing that it disproportionately targets pro-life advocates. They claim the law infringes on First Amendment rights, penalizing peaceful protests rooted in religious or ideological beliefs.

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          One high-profile example involved Mark Houck, a Catholic pro-life advocate charged under the FACE Act in 2022. Houck’s case stemmed from an altercation with a Planned Parenthood volunteer, which he passionately argued was an act of self-defense. A jury later acquitted him, but the case became a rallying point for pro-life groups, who argued it exemplified federal overreach and selective enforcement.

          Critics of the FACE Act also highlight what they perceive as inconsistent enforcement. While the law has been rigorously applied to defend the pro-choice movement, pro-life advocates claim that incidents involving vandalism or harassment at pregnancy resource centers and churches are often overlooked.

          Who Is Being Pardoned?

          If the pardons move forward, several pro-life activists currently in prison will see immediate relief. Among those expected to be pardoned are:

          -Lauren Handy: 57 months

          -John Hinshaw: 21 months

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          -Jonathan Darnell: 34 months

          -Herb Geraghty: 27 months

          -Jean Marshall: 24 months

          -Joan Bell: 27 months

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          -Paulette Harlow: 24 months

          -Bevelyn Williams: 41 months

          -Heather Idoni: 24 months

          -Calvin Zastro: 6 months

          These individuals were convicted for participating in demonstrations at abortion clinics in Tennessee, Washington, D.C. and New York, which prosecutors argued constituted violations of the FACE Act:

          The D.C. protest involved a group of pro-life protesters singing songs, praying, locking arms in front of the facility’s staff entrance, and attaching themselves with ropes and chains to block doors inside the infamous Surgi-Clinic in October 2020, a late term abortion facility. In Tennessee, a group of pro-life Christians gathered in a hall outside the Carafem Health Center in Mt. Juliet where they sang hymns, prayed, and urged women not to get abortion in March 2021.

          Many of the defendants have already been imprisoned for over a year with many more months yet to serve.

          “I would love to be home with my family,” 59-year-old Heather Idoni said in September. “I would love to hold my new grandson.”

          Idoni was sentenced to two years in prison over the D.C. protest and was given another eight months to serve concurrently from the Nashville protest.

          Broader Implications

          Trump’s decision to pardon these activists underscores a sharp divide in how federal laws like the FACE Act are interpreted and enforced. For pro-life advocates, the move represents a correction to what they view as unjust and politically motivated prosecutions. For others, it raises questions about the balance between protecting access to health care and safeguarding free speech rights.

          Democrat Senators Back Trump’s Penny Plan

            By
            Madeleine Jackson
            -
            4

            Multiple Democrat Senators have openly supported President Trump’s proposal to stop producing new pennies.

            Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) came out in support of Trump’s latest proposal on Tuesday, calling it a “common sense move.” 

            Over the weekend, Trump announced that he “instructed my Secretary of the US Treasury to stop producing new pennies.”

            “For far too long, the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents,” the president wrote on Truth Social. 

            “Let’s rip the waste out of our great nation’s budget, even if it’s a penny at a time.”

            Rosen took to X on Tuesday, writing, “I’m not afraid to embrace a good idea when it comes from the other side of the aisle, and I agree with President Trump on this.”

            “Eliminating the penny is a common sense move that’ll save taxpayer dollars,” she said. 

            She isn’t the only Democrat who has come out in support of Trump’s idea. 

            “As well as saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, there are major environmental benefits to eliminating the penny. This is a great move,” Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) said of the president’s plan. 

            Former Situation Room Officer Says Pence Came ‘Close’ To Being Killed on Jan. 6

              By
              Madeleine Jackson
              -
              4
              Elvert Barnes, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

              A former Situation Room officer said former Vice President Mike Pence came “close” to being killed on Jan. 6, 2021, during the riot at the U.S. Capitol.

              “It’s important to me that we don’t forget that it did come that close, and that we did have discussions, ‘If we lose the [vice president,] if the 25th [Amendment] is invoked,’” Mike Stiegler said in an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “We started running through all of these game plans because it was getting close.”

              Stiegler also agreed with Stephanopoulos when he referred to the Jan. 6. riot as one “of our own people” and “inspired” by Trump.

              “But at the time, that’s not even in the forefront of our mind,” Stiegler continued. “It doesn’t matter how we got here. We’re here. How do we execute? How do we move forward?”

              Pence faced threats of violence on Jan. 6 for refusing to overturn the 2020 election. He was at the Capitol when rioters broke in and was taken to an underground loading dock amid the attack, according to the Secret Service.

              In March, Pence said that he will not endorse his former boss, saying he was “incredibly proud” of the Trump administration’s record, but “there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues.” 

              “In each of these cases, Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years,” Pence said. “And that’s why I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump in this campaign.”

              Biden Campaign Discreetly Meets With Top Haley Supporters After Trump Endorsement

                By
                admin
                -
                4
                The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

                On Wednesday night, just hours after the former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations declared her support for Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.

                The Daily Beast has the latest on the underreported pilgrimage and what it means for both sides:

                In the previously unreported meeting, a Biden campaign representative listened to the concerns of top Haley supporters from various states as part of Bidenworld’s ongoing outreach to win over Haley voters.

                “The fact they actually sent someone last night to speak to a small group … I think that’s a good signal that they’re aware there are huge numbers of Haley voters out there,” Robert Schwartz, founder of the Haley Voters For Biden PAC, told The Daily Beast. Schwartz said the meeting was highly encouraging, and likened it to other listening sessions the Biden campaign has done with the pro-Palestinian uncommitted vote.

                The Biden campaign did not immediately return a request for comment on the meeting.

                Ever since the GOP primary wrapped up, the Biden team has identified Haley voters as a key persuasion target with a unique set of key issues, particularly around Trump’s attacks on democracy and the general notion of restoring decency to the office. The Biden campaign has continued trying to refine their definition of a persuadable Haley voter over the past few months, focusing on paid media, Haley’s margins in key battleground precincts from the primary, and simply listening to their concerns.

                Haley’s shift towards Trump comes after her strong opposition to him during her own presidential bid.

                When Haley suspended her presidential campaign over two months ago, she did not endorse Trump. The decision to withhold support appeared to be a strategic move to establish her as a principled opponent within the party, hoping to attract the 20% of Republicans who backed her and others dissatisfied with Trump. Notably, Haley stated in yesterday’s remarks that although she intends to vote for Trump, he must do more to court her supporters. (RELATED: Trump Denies Considering Nikki Haley For Vice President)

                Wednesday’s announcement sparked considerable speculation. Some observers hypothesized that she hopes to secure a significant role in a future Trump administration. Another possibility is that Haley is laying the groundwork for a future White House bid. Refusing to support Trump would alienate the vast majority of the GOP base, making it difficult for her to gain traction in a future primary campaign – especially if he loses.

                Despite Trump securing the necessary delegates to be the Republican nominee, many Never Trump voters have continued casting their ballots for Haley. (RELATED: Haley’s Pennsylvania Primary Showing Could Spell Trouble For Trump)

                Polls indicate that while some Never Trump voters remain resolute in their opposition, many are willing to support Trump in November, driven by more pragmatic considerations, such as the economy or judicial nominees.

                The extent to which they rally behind the former president could make all the difference in the election’s outcome. Voter apathy remains a concern for both sides in closely contested states.

                Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News

                Former NYC Mayor Appeals $148M Defamation Verdict

                  By
                  Madeleine Jackson
                  -
                  0
                  Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

                  Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani appealed a jury’s verdict ordering him to pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers for defaming them following the 2020 presidential election.

                  Giuliani filed for bankruptcy shortly after the verdict was handed down freezing the election workers’ case and their efforts to collect the staggering sum from the lawyer who previously represented Trump.

                  The Hill has more:

                  “We very much appreciate the judge’s expeditious consideration of this matter and look forward to proceeding accordingly,” Ted Goodman, political adviser to Giuliani, said in a statement earlier in the day after the bankruptcy judge’s ruling.

                  A Washington, D.C., jury ordered Giuliani to pay $148 million to the two election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, after they became a focal point of the Trump campaign’s claims of mass voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

                  Prior to the trial, Giuliani was found liable for failing to turn over discovery. The jury then decided how much he must pay.

                  “The absurdity of the number really underscores the absurdity of the entire proceeding,” Giuliani said after the verdict was handed down, also doubling down on his baseless claims about the two women.

                  It remains unclear how much money the mother-daughter duo would be able to recover from Giuliani, even if his appeal fails.

                  Conservative Activist Uses Pepper Spray During Confrontation At DC’s Union Station

                    By
                    Madeleine Jackson
                    -
                    0
                    Arrest image via Pixabay

                    A tense confrontation at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station went viral this week after conservative activist Cam Higby pepper-sprayed a woman who was caught on video lunging at him and striking him with his MAGA hat. Higby says the incident proves why his “Fearless Tour,” inspired by the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, is needed now more than ever — to confront political hostility head-on while encouraging open and peaceful debate.

                    Higby and his team had stopped at Union Station on Wednesday after hosting a debate event at the University of Maryland. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he said they were quietly sitting and talking with nearby protesters when a woman approached and became combative.

                    “At some point, she dropped to her knees, intentionally … and she started yelling at us and started touching us,” Higby recalled. “I told her to back up and stop touching me, and she lunged at me and attacked me.”

                    Video footage shows the woman shoving Higby back in his chair, seizing his MAGA hat, and hitting him with it before falling into a bush — at which point Higby deployed pepper spray to stop the attack.

                    Higby noted he couldn’t tell if the woman was armed because she kept her hands in her pockets for much of the encounter. After being sprayed, she was seen being helped by fellow protesters, who poured water on her eyes and called the police.

                    While officers initially appeared unlikely to make an arrest, the situation escalated when U.S. Park Police arrived. According to Higby, the woman turned aggressive again, resisted arrest, and even assaulted officers.

                    “At this point now, she’s struggling with federal police, and then they tried to arrest her,” Higby said. “Her dad is yelling at us, ‘why did you spray my daughter,’ as she’s actively fighting with federal police. In my head, I’m thinking, this is why she got sprayed. It took four federal police officers to hold her down, and finally they loaded her into the back of the police car.”

                    Police reports listed Higby and his colleague as victims, and the woman is expected to face federal charges.

                    Growing Concerns About Violence Toward Conservatives

                    The confrontation highlights a troubling trend: the increasing threat of political violence, particularly against conservatives. In recent years, Republican candidates, activists, and everyday voters have reported intimidation and harassment, from attacks on campaign volunteers to threats at events and rallies. Several high-profile incidents — including assaults on GOP canvassers and confrontations on college campuses — have raised alarm about whether conservatives can safely express their views in public. Free speech advocates warn that political polarization, combined with media narratives that vilify right-of-center voices, may be fueling hostility and emboldening bad actors.

                    Despite criticism that his style provokes confrontation, Higby emphasized that his team’s approach is about debate, not violence. His group often sets up discussion tables on college campuses with signs such as “The left is violent! Let’s Debate!” — but he pointed out that at Union Station, there was no signage, and the only identifying factor was their MAGA hats.

                    “We want people fired up. We want people to be excited to talk about political issues, but what we don’t invite people to do is touch us, and that’s the problem,” Higby said. “I think most of my takes are pretty reasonable. That’s your problem, not my problem — if you have such low impulse control that you can’t stop yourself from using physical violence.”

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