Category: blaze media

Harvard employees jumped at the chance to offer free legal advice to a comedian who claimed he was going to be deported and even sent him away with tips on how to avoid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Education Dept. Secretary Linda McMahon had recently said Harvard has “made a mockery” of the higher education system and has “invited foreign students” to engage in violent behavior.

‘The second they thought a Palestinian was being deported, all their critical thinking went out of the window.’

Much of this contempt on campus has been between supporters of Israel and Palestine, with the school allegedly allowing rampant pro-Palestine protests to take place.

When stand-up comedians Danny Mullen and Leo Dottavio visited Harvard’s campus, they exposed what appeared to be obvious bias in plain sight.

RELATED: House Republicans to hike up Harvard endowment tax in reconciliation

Austin Hall, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Photo by: Spencer Grant/GHI/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Dottavio allegedly called Harvard’s legal offices to ask for help because he was “going to get deported.”

After simply providing a name and claiming he worked as a cook at Harvard, the men were invited to a nearby building. Blaze News has identified the location as the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs at Harvard Law’s Wasserstein Hall.

Once inside, Dottavio told staff members he was “living off the grid” and had no documentation or identification on him. As Dottavio was alone with apparent staff members having a discussion, Mullen confirmed that his cohort had been asked to provide documents like an Alien Registration Number, identification from Harvard, and more, which he did not have.

Still, at least three people, who appeared to all be Harvard employees, seemingly assisted Dottavio with legal advice based only on his loose assertions.

At one point, as Mullen interrupted the meeting with a camera, Dottavio was shown sitting in front of a laptop with a document displayed. Dottavio said the alleged Harvard employees were “showing me the warrant so that I know if ICE shows up, they have to show that warrant.”

RELATED: Anti-Elon Musk protester starts fight; jiujitsu-trained YouTuber finishes it

An immigration poster seen inside a Harvard Law building at Harvard University. Image via Danny Mullen/YouTube (screenshot)

Mullen told Blaze News that he was shocked that the staff he interacted with believed Dottavio even though he “had no documents to produce.”

Mullen added, “The second they thought a Palestinian was being deported, all their critical thinking went out of the window. It took over their minds.”

The comedian was also surprised to see how much liberal artwork was on the walls of the Harvard facility. This included, per the video, artwork showing a black power fist and a poster showing the text “Keep our families together!” with an image of a baby wrapped in a gay Pride flag.

“It’s crazy that they have a department at a university that isn’t even trying to hide its ideology,” Mullen remarked.

Mullen pointed out that before they left the building, he and Dottavio were handed a “know your rights” card written in Spanish.

According to a Google translation, the card read as follows:

You have constitutional rights:
DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking.
DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if he or she tries to speak to you.
You have the right to remain silent.
DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer.
You have the right to speak to a lawyer.
If you are outside your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave, and if he or she says yes, leave quietly.
GIVE THIS CARD TO THE AGENT.
If you are inside your home, show the card out the window or slide it under the door.

RELATED: Border Patrol agent allegedly exposes genitals to YouTubers, brags about penis size before kissing adult film star

–

Harvard did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​News, Israel, Palestine, Harvard, Dei, Woke, Illegal immigration, Politics 

The celebrity trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs continued Thursday and featured singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura facing cross-examination from Diddy’s lawyers.

Combs, 55, faces one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.

‘You treat me like Ike Turner.’

Combs has denied the allegations against him and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

On Thursday, jurors were shown text messages between Cassie and Diddy sent in 2009, which showed Ventura telling Combs that the “freak-off” sex parties made her feel “dirty and grimy.” She spoke with Combs about their “swingers’ lifestyle” but noted that the drug-fueled sex marathons with “dozens and dozens” of prostitutes were “very different.”

Cassie reportedly sent a text message to Combs that “nothing good comes out of [freak-offs] anymore.”

She added, “You treat me like Ike Turner” — a reference to the abusive and controlling behavior of the 1960s musician against his then-wife Tina Turner.

Cassie said she used opiates to deal with the “freak-offs.”

Ventura asserted that she suffered from medical issues after a “freak-off” orgy, including sores on her mouth, stomach problems, and “very painful” urinary tract infections.

During the cross-examination of Cassie, defense attorney Anna Estevao discussed messages between Ventura and Combs regarding the “freak-offs.”

“I love our f.o.’s when we both want it,” Cassie told Diddy on March 18, 2017, referring to the “freak-offs.”

Estevao asked, “Those were words you said to Mr. Combs, correct?” Ventura confirmed that she did send the text.

Ventura — considered the prosecution’s star witness in the sex trafficking case against the Bad Boy Records founder — alleged that she and Combs had been “so in love” at the beginning of their relationship.

RELATED: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of raping 13-year-old girl with another celebrity as female star watched, new lawsuit claims

Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

On Wednesday, the jury was shown an email that Ventura sent to her mother and one of Diddy’s employees in December 2011.

The email allegedly said Combs had threatened to release “explicit sex tapes” of her — including one threatened for release on Christmas Day.

Ventura claimed Combs lunged at her with a wine opener in 2011 after learning she was dating Scott Mescudi — a rapper known as Kid Cudi — “during a rough patch” in her relationship with Diddy.

Combs allegedly told Ventura that Kid Cudi’s car would be blown up.

‘And then he raped me in my living room.’

Ventura stated that “around that time, Kid Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway,” according to a 2023 civil lawsuit she filed in federal district court in Manhattan.

A spokesperson for Kid Cudi confirmed to the New York Times that his car exploded.

Ventura revealed in court on Wednesday that she received $20 million in the lawsuit that accused Combs of sex trafficking and sexual assault.

Ventura admitted that she was “heavily dependent on opiates” throughout her relationship with Diddy and testified that she was using drugs such as Norco, GHB, and ecstasy.

The singer claimed that she sought professional help for opiate addiction five or six times during the span of their relationship. Ventura alleged that she last used drugs in 2022.

RELATED: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sexually assaulted 10-year-old boy after drugging him during ‘audition,’ shocking new lawsuit claims

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for People.com

Ventura also alleged that Combs raped her in 2018 — after their 11-year relationship ended.

Ventura allegedly went on a dinner date with Diddy, and he was friendly and kind at first. But after he reportedly drove Ventura back to her home and walked her inside, “he raped me in my living room,” Cassie claimed.

Ventura told the court that she cried and told him “no” during the alleged sexual assault.

Ventura claimed that Diddy regularly physically assaulted her and bruised her body.

“It’s not normal, constantly being bruised up by the person you love,” Cassie claimed.

Ventura detailed being physically attacked by Diddy in August 2017, and the jury was shown a photo of her injury.

Combs allegedly physically assaulted her while she was sleeping. Combs reportedly threw Cassie into a bed frame, which caused a gash on her eyebrow.

Combs purportedly had a plastic surgeon attempt to remedy her wound, but Cassie said she has a permanent scar on her eyebrow.

Ventura said she texted a photo of her injury to Diddy with the caption: “So you can remember.”

Combs reportedly replied that Cassie didn’t know when to stop during arguments.

As Blaze News reported on Wednesday, Cassie told the courtroom of Diddy’s alleged assaults, saying “he would bash me on my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me, stomp me on the head if I was down. … [I would] make the wrong face, and the next thing I knew, I was getting hit in the face.”

Prosecutor Maurene Comey urged the judge to wrap up Ventura’s testimony soon because she is “very, very pregnant.”

“We are afraid she could have the baby over the weekend,” Comey stated. “We want her off the stand before the weekend, and we believe 45 minutes could make a difference.”

Judge Arun Subramanian agreed and informed all parties that she expects the defense to finish its cross-examination of Ventura by the middle of the day Friday.

If convicted, Diddy could spend the rest of his life in prison.

‘These are criminals, unrepentant criminals, and they’re degenerates.’

“Fearless” host Jason Whitlock opined on the debauchery of entertainers, especially in the music industry.

“They’ve normalized a behavior that’s demonic, and just following the early parts of this trial and what comes out of it, it just reconfirms in my mind, these people need to be called demons. That’s what they are,” Whitlock proclaimed.

“Anybody that wants to deny the wickedness, the evilness, the debauchery, the depravity, the nihilism of this music and the people that they’re putting up as, ‘Hey, take these people seriously. These are your leaders,'” the “Fearless with Jason Whitlock” host continued. “These are criminals, unrepentant criminals, and they’re degenerates.”

RELATED: Blaze News exclusive: ‘I’ve attended these parties’: Former Diddy protégé recalls ‘dark hours’ with ‘extra activities’

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up!

​Sex trafficking, Diddy, Diddy trial, Sean diddy combs, Sean diddy combs trial, Cassie ventura, Diddy trial update, Crime 

The Oversight Project is an initiative by the Heritage Foundation aimed at investigating and exposing abuses of power, corruption, and inefficiencies within the federal government. Back in March, the Oversight Project broke the Biden autopen scandal, alleging that most signed presidential documents during the Biden regime bore an identical signature, with the exception of his announcement of his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.

The story raised questions about who was really signing documents and running the country. Was Biden authorizing these signatures? If so, was he even aware of what he was signing? Or was someone else acting in his stead?

Yet the real bombshell looms: Are the autopen signatures pardoning Hunter Biden, Anthony Fauci, Mark Milley, Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and Biden family members legitimate?

President Trump has made it abundantly clear that he believes they are void. But thus far, no formal court case has been filed by the Department of Justice, despite calls for one.

However, the tides may be turning.

On May 13, the newly appointed U.S. pardon attorney, Ed Martin, announced that the DOJ is scrutinizing these pardons, particularly those issued immediately prior to Donald Trump’s inauguration. He claimed they were “unprecedented” and very well could wind up in court.

To get the scoop on what’s next, “Blaze News: The Mandate” host Jill Savage invited Oversight Project President Mike Howell on the show to shed light on how the Trump DOJ could overturn Biden’s autopen pardons.

Howell says the DOJ “[throwing] its weight” behind Martin is “exactly where this always needed to go.”

What’s more, Martin has also “expanded the scope” of his investigation into these pardons.

“It’s not just that they were signed by the autopen mechanism and perhaps without Joe Biden’s one, awareness, or two, his capacity to even give his consent”; it’s not just a question of “if it is even legal to use an autopen device,” says Howell.

Martin is also asking “whether there was a corrupt intent or a conspiracy in the awarding of the pardons” and “whether it exceeds the scope of the pardon power, which is plenary itself.”

“In other words, are these not pardons at all? Were they corruptly designed? And then were they also fraudulent in the implementation via the autopen? There’s a lot wrong with these pardons, and I’m glad the DOJ is on it,” says Howell.

Blaze News editor in chief Matthew Peterson says this is exactly the kind of thing the MAGA base has been begging for. Since Trump’s inauguration, people have not stopped asking, “When is anyone going to face the consequences of their crimes?”

“What are the next steps?” he asks Howell.

The only way to test the legitimacy of these pardons, Howell says, is to “charge one of these people,” which shouldn’t be that difficult given that “a lot of evidence that relates to their crimes is already out there, [so] there’s not much that is needed in terms of an investigation.”

“In the course of that prosecution, of course, these defendants will come up and say, ‘No, I have a perfectly good pardon,’ and that is the means by which the pardons will be tested, and in doing so, we might finally understand who was actually running the White House.”

To hear more of the conversation, watch the episode above.

Want more from ‘Blaze News Tonight’?

To enjoy more provocative opinions, expert analysis, and breaking stories you won’t see anywhere else, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

​Blaze news tonight, Blaze media, Blazetv, Jill savage, Matthew peterson, Mike howell, Heritage foundation, Oversight project, Biden autopen, Biden pardons, Ed martin 

A prosecutor’s office is facing outrage after agreeing to a plea deal with only probation and community service for an unlicensed teenage illegal alien who killed a woman in a car accident.

The 15-year-old was driving a car with other underage people in it when he barreled into a vehicle being driven by 24-year-old Kaitlyn Weaver in Aurora in July, according to Colorado police. The teenager was driving about 90 miles per hour when he hit Weaver, who was taken off of life support two day later.

‘Immigration and the criminal justice system and all these things landed together one day in Aurora, and now I sit here today without a daughter.’

John Weaver, the victim’s father, said the Arapahoe District Attorney’s Office initially told him they would seek the maximum sentence for the underage suspect.

“The DA’s office said this would be a ‘no plea deal’ case, so they were not going to offer anything, any concession,” he said.

Unfortunately, the district attorney’s office has changed hands since that time, and the new regime accepted a plea deal with just two years of probation instead.

“Why the change? If he had taken a firearm and recklessly just shot it and killed someone, this would be a different case. They would be pushing it completely differently,” Weaver said. “There’s no deterrence.”

He is also angered that there is no financial restitution because his daughter’s medical bills added up to about $1 million. Weaver says the Jeep the teenager drove was uninsured, and the teen’s mother said he took it without permission, so she’s off the hook as well.

RELATED: Illegal immigrant woman convicted of running over two girls will not be deported

nojustice/Getty Images

“She didn’t even see him coming,” he said of the car crash. “That’s how fast he was going. She was effectively killed instantly.”

Weaver said the teenager is applying for asylum, after his mother decided against sending him back to Colombia. The teen is also bound by the deal to go to school and not break any more laws.

Arapahoe County Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley said that the new administration was not directly involved in the plea deal and that the judge upheld the deal after hearing from the family. He explained that “the impact on the victims and the community” is considered in every plea deal, as well as the “goals of sentencing, including deterrence, rehabilitating the offender, treating similarly situated offenders equitably, and holding each offender accountable.”

Weaver said the system is broken.

“Immigration and the criminal justice system and all these things landed together one day in Aurora, and now I sit here today without a daughter,” he added.

Scenes from the crime can be viewed on the news video from KCNC-TV on YouTube.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Illegal alien crime, Kaitlyn weaver death, Outrage at prosecutor, Illegal alien teen car crash, Politics 

Failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tried to claw her way into the debate over a gift of a luxury plane to President Donald Trump and was hilariously rebuked by online detractors.

The ruling family of Qatar reportedly considered gifting a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to the Defense Department, which would use it for the president’s travel until his term ended, and then it would be gifted to the future Trump presidential library. Critics pounced on the report to accuse Trump of improperly accepting a bribe from the oil gulf state.

‘This account says so many unintentionally hilarious things, I have to wonder if it’s run by people who actually hate her.’

On Wednesday, Clinton tried to join the chorus of critics but was instantly reminded that the Clinton family had accepted many similar “gifts” from foreign entities.

“No one gives someone a $400 million dollar jet for free without expecting anything in return. Be serious,” Clinton wrote on the X platform.

While even some Republicans have expressed their unease with the gift, many online accused Clinton of hypocrisy in her tweet, which had response comments turned off.

“The Clinton Foundation is the Gold Platinum & Diamond standard for buying and selling influence. Just Shoosh,” responded author Jim Hanson.

“Reminder, the Clinton Foundation received more than $40 million from four Arab states including Qatar,” replied writer Ryan James Girdusky.

“The Clinton Foundation would like a word, Ms. Clinton,” said Pradheep Shanker of National Review.

“This account says so many unintentionally hilarious things, I have to wonder if it’s run by people who actually hate her,” read another reply.

“Honestly it’s one of the funniest things in the world that this demon who wanted so badly to be president, who was gifted First Lady, Senate, and Secretary of State, is reduced to petty snipes on Twitter for the last few years of her life,” read another popular response.

Related: Trump rips into reporter for implying Qatar gift is a bribe: ‘You should be embarrassed asking that question!’

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) issued his objection to the jumbo jet gift.

“Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,” he wrote. “It’s not just bribery, it’s premium foreign influence with extra legroom.”

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Clinton bribe tweet, Social media vs hillary, Hillary clinton bribes, Qatar jet gift, Politics 

President Donald Trump is no stranger to criticism from the left, but even Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut admits that his foreign policy is praiseworthy.

Trump has spent the last few days meeting with foreign dignitaries in the Middle East, including President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. Trump even announced he would be lifting sanctions on Syria, inching closer and closer to a peace deal.

‘Himes admits that he is optimistic about Trump’s handling of the Middle East this week.’

RELATED: Trump pledges to lift ‘brutal and crippling’ sanctions on Syria, pushes for Middle East peace talks

Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

Trump’s dovish approach to foreign policy has been praised by some political allies in the Republican Party, but Himes chimed in with a rare message of support from across the aisle.

“I’m not in the habit of praising Donald Trump,” Himes said in an interview Thursday. “But I got to tell you … I think the president has, in this last week or so, played the Middle East pretty darn well.”

Himes said he went into the week concerned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “hell-bent” on going to war with Iran. He also expressed skepticism about Trump’s negotiations with the new Syrian leadership. But so far, Himes admits that he is optimistic about Trump’s handling of the Middle East this week.

RELATED: Vance tells Glenn Beck Congress needs to ‘get serious’ about codifying DOGE cuts

Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

“My guess is that the prime minister of Israel is cooling his heels a little bit on planning for Iran,” Himes said. “My guess is that he’s probably thinking through a better situation than he otherwise might want for Gaza, and look, it appears we’re going to give al-Sharaa a chance in Syria. That’s pretty good stuff.”

“Again, not in the habit of praising this president, but I got to give him some kudos there,” Himes added.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Donald trump, Jim himes, House democrats, Middle east peace, Benjamin netanyahu, Ahmed al-sharaa, Mohammed bin salman, Tayyip erdogan, Saudi arabia, Syria, Sanctions, Turkey, Israel, Palestine, Peace talks, Politics 

In his May 13 speech at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh, President Donald Trump lauded the Middle East’s transformation. He credited regional leaders and the people for their sovereign development of cities like Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. It was these local efforts that made the difference, he said, not Western interventionists, whom he criticized for failed nation-building efforts in places like Kabul and Baghdad.

He then condemned Western lectures on governance, arguing that the region’s positive transformation was due to embracing local heritage and traditions, not external imposition.

“Peace, prosperity, and progress ultimately came not from a radical rejection of your heritage, but rather from embracing your national traditions and embracing that same heritage that you love so dearly,” he said to a cheering crowd.

Glenn Beck says, “That part of that speech was as significant as the ‘Gorbachev, tear down this wall’ speech.”

Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who joined Glenn on a recent episode of “The Glenn Beck Program,” agreed: “It’s incredibly significant to say we’ve developed these relationships not by bossing around the world, not by intervening, but by basically trading.”

However, he wasn’t as enthusiastic about Trump’s decision to accept a $400 million jet from Qatar as a temporary Air Force One.

“The Constitution says you can’t take emoluments or gifts unless they’re approved by Congress,” Paul told Glenn. Accepting the jet could still “set up the appearance of impropriety,” even with congressional approval, due to Qatar’s arms deals with the U.S.

“There’s a potential that the administration’s objectiveness will be clouded by a $400 million plane,” he explained.

Instead, he suggested Qatar sell the plane directly to the U.S. government for a negotiated price or return the jet to Boeing, who could then sell it to the U.S. government. Both of these are solutions that reduce scrutiny over Trump’s ties to Qatar.

However, even purchasing the plane poses ‘practical concerns,’ said Paul. For example, if the Boeing-contracted planes ordered in 2018 to replace the dated Air Force One jets were “within six months of being completed,” it might be faster to wait for them than to outfit the Qatari plane, which would need to be “stripped down on the inside [and] completely reconfigured,” potentially taking longer, Paul explained.

“We began our participation in and ended World War II in a quicker time than we have ordered that plane in 2018 to today, so I mean, what is Boeing doing?” asked Glenn.

To hear Paul’s answer, plus why he can’t support Congress’ current version of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” and what might be in store for Dr. Fauci regarding COVID investigations, watch the clip above.

Want more from Glenn Beck?

To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

​The glenn beck program, Glenn beck, Rand paul, Blazetv, Blaze media, Donald trump, Qatar gift to trump, 400 million jet, Boeing, Riyadh speech 

Vice President JD Vance said that the U.S. is ahead of the Chinese in developing artificial intelligence but that the race to maintain American dominance is going to be critical in the coming years.

Vance made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck on his radio show Thursday. Beck asked Vance whether the U.S. was ahead of China in the AI race, and the vice president explained how the administration is working to keep America on top.

‘We don’t want to meet on the battlefield of the future, and we have the muskets, and the Chinese have the M-16s. I think AI is a critical part of staying ahead of the Chinese.’

“I think that we’re ahead, Glenn, but no one who says we’re way ahead should be believed,” said Vance.

“In artificial intelligence, six months is a lifetime, 12 months is a generation,” he added. “We’re probably 12 months, maybe two years ahead of where the Chinese are when it comes to critical hardware, when it comes to necessary infrastructure, when it comes to the engineering talent. But that is not very far ahead at all.”

The vice president said the Trump administration is focused on policies that will develop the next generation of scientists in the field, as well as end over-regulation on energy infrastructure.

“If we allow the Chinese to catch up, we may never, ever have an edge on China in this space again,” Vance continued.

“I think a lot of people [believe] artificial intelligence is a chatbot. It’s something that maybe helps the college student write a paper. No, no, no. The artificial intelligence that I am worried about, Glenn, is the kind of intelligence that helps them develop next-generation weapons, that helps their rockets and missiles hit their targets 99% more accurate than the weapons that aren’t using artificial intelligence,” he explained.

“There are just massive defense technology implications of this,” he added.

RELATED: Trump’s AI vision: End Biden’s tyranny, restore fairness in tech

Photo by DAN KITWOODNICHOLAS KAMM/POOL/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

Vance then made an analogy to the Revolutionary War, suggesting that the outcome likely would have changed if the British army had modern weapons and the colonists fought with muskets.

“We don’t want to meet on the battlefield of the future, and we have the muskets, and the Chinese have the M-16s. I think AI is a critical part of staying ahead of the Chinese,” Vance said.

“It’s full pedal to the metal, Glenn. We have to constantly be innovating and stay ahead of the game,” he concluded. “We can’t follow the European lead of regulating. We want America to innovate, and that’s what we’re doing.”

Here’s the video of the conversation:

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Artificial intelligence, Jd vance on ai, Trump on ai dominance, China vs us on ai, Politics 

While President Donald Trump greenlit a flurry of executive orders in the first 100 days of his second term, Congress has been struggling to keep up.

In the first few months of his presidency, only five bills from Congress have made it to Trump’s desk and been signed into law. Meanwhile, Louisiana Republican Speaker Mike Johnson’s “big, beautiful bill” has been the focal point of Capitol Hill drama with promises to codify the MAGA mandate Trump was overwhelmingly elected for.

Although the mandate is reflected in certain provisions in the bill, Vice President JD Vance himself said that Congress needs to do more to codify DOGE cuts and rein in spending.

‘We’re going to have to do it and get serious about it.’

“I will say the big, beautiful bill text just came out last week,” Vance told Glenn Beck on “The Glenn Beck Program” Thursday. “That’s going to change a lot from now until then. We’ve already had conversations with House leadership that we want to see some more significant efforts to rein in spending here.”

“The president also believes, Glenn, and he’s right about that, that if you cut the trade deficit or you raise revenue through tariffs, that you actually go a long way to making the country on a more sustainable fiscal pathway as well,” Vance added. “But you’re right. You can’t do it without cutting domestic spending.”

Up until this point, the United States has racked up over $36 trillion in national debt. Despite the desire from certain Republicans to actually control spending, Johnson’s bill is expected to add roughly $3.3 trillion to the deficit through fiscal year 2034.

“We’re going to have to do it and get serious about it,” Vance told Beck. “We’re making that as clear to congressional leaders as possible. But look, knock on wood here, I think that once we get the final package out of the House and the Senate, we’re going to have something that’s serious on budget-cutting.”

RELATED: Exclusive: Why Chip Roy can’t support the ‘big, beautiful bill’: ‘The swamp does what the swamp does’

Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Vance noted that one of the easiest ways to chip away at the nation’s mounting debt is to begin by eliminating mismanaged spending and fraudulent benefits.

“What no one talks enough about, and when I talk to Elon, and I talk to the DOGE folks, where they think they’re going to get the most cuts is in taking people, illegal aliens and other people, who are defrauding the Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security system,” Vance added.

“Think about two people, right? A guy who’s paid into Social Security for 40 years. Obviously we want that guy to get his Social Security benefits,” Vance told Beck. “You compare that person to an illegal alien who’s engaged in Medicaid fraud. Obviously we don’t want that person to get their benefits.”

RELATED: Big, beautiful bill advances after 18-hour markup marathon while SALT talks go south

Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Medicaid reform has been a hot-button issue as reconciliation talks escalate. In its current state, the bill amended work requirements so that ineligible recipients would have a harder time defrauding the Medicaid system, protecting vulnerable people the service was intended for. Although this is a step in the right direction, some Republicans say it doesn’t go far enough and have pointed out that the changes won’t be enforced until 2029, after Trump has left office.

“I think Democrats are going to fight us on this, but this is such an important point,” Vance added. “We cannot allow people to defraud the Medicare and Medicaid system, or it’s going to bankrupt this country. It’s also just fundamentally unfair.”

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Jd vance, Glenn beck, Glenn beck program, Donald trump, Trump administration, Maga mandate, Doge, House republicans, Senate republicans, Mike johnson, John thune, Reconciliation, Big beautiful bill, National debt, Federal deficit, Government spending, Congress, Social security, Medicaid, Fraud waste and abuse, Doge cuts, Spending cuts, Politics 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Between high-profile hearings featuring members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet and the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s reconciliation markup lasting over 26 hours, it was another busy Wednesday on Capitol Hill as Republicans face criticism that they have not acted quickly enough to make Trump’s executive orders permanent.

In the basement of the Capitol building, the Republican Study Committee hosted border czar Tom Homan and Education Secretary Linda McMahon to hear what they need from GOP members in order to fulfill Trump’s campaign promises. Talking to the RSC was important for these two Trump officials because it is the largest House GOP caucus, boasting 189 members.

‘I met with the Republican Study Committee and thanked them for their strong support of this administration’s efforts to take our country back.’

A source familiar with the Wednesday meeting said Homan emphasized the importance of ensuring federal immigration agencies are properly funded in order to combat the invasion of illegal aliens who were allowed to freely enter this country under the Biden-Harris administration. While illegal alien apprehension and deportation numbers are higher now than they were under the previous administration, agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are operating under Biden-era budgets and atrophy.

“Americans should be worried about [Trump’s agenda]. Executive orders are nice, but legislation, writing it into statute, that is what our Founders intended … to right the ship from the last four years,” RSC Chairman Rep. August Pfluger (Texas) said in response to frustration from GOP voters. “We’re taking it seriously. My organization of 189 members wants to see it, pass it into law.”

Pfluger said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wants it to be done by the book, meaning it has to go through the full committee-to-floor process. “It’s not fast,” Pfluger admitted. “This is not a fast process, unfortunately. It does take some time. But we are going to keep pushing on them to make sure we do see movement.”

“We hear you,” Pfluger said, addressing GOP voters. “The [RSC] has taken action. We have highlighted multiple bills that would put into effect, codify what the executive orders are that President Trump has moved with. … We want to move swiftly. We want to move aggressively. The system needs to play out, but we’re urging the leadership … to move these bills through.”

Homan gave his seal of approval to the RSC working through that process to capitalize on Trump’s successes.

“We are ramping deportations every day while restoring law and order in our communities. These achievements would not be possible without the strong leadership of President Trump and the brave men and women of Border Patrol and ICE. I met with the Republican Study Committee and thanked them for their strong support of this administration’s efforts to take our country back — neither they, the president, nor I will rest until the threats against American communities and citizens are eradicated,” Homan told Blaze Media.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Politics 

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was
indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday on charges of concealing a person from arrest and obstruction of the law. Dugan — who could land up to six years in prison if convicted for allegedly helping Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal alien charged with three misdemeanor counts of battery, get away from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — pleaded not guilty during her arraignment in federal court on Thursday.

Dugan’s attorneys appear to think that the U.S. Supreme Court has provided her with the means to dodge accountability.

They
noted in a Wednesday motion to dismiss the indictment obtained by Axios that “the government cannot prosecute Judge Dugan because she is entitled to judicial immunity for her official acts. Immunity is not a defense to the prosecution to be determined later by a jury or court; it is an absolute bar to the prosecution at the outset.”

Here, attorneys cited the Supreme Court’s July 1, 2024,
ruling in Trump v. United States, where a 6-3 majority determined that the president “may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled, at a minimum, to a presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts.”

This is the ruling that prompted apoplexy among Democrats, demands for conservative justices to be impeached, and accusations that the high court was “consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control.”

RELATED: Despite Democrat hysteria, Wisconsin judge accused of thwarting ICE faces 6 years in prison after grand jury indictment

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

Dugan’s attorneys noted that even if “Judge Dugan took the actions the complaint alleges, these plainly were judicial acts for which she has absolute immunity from criminal prosecution,” adding that “judges are empowered to maintain control over their courtrooms specifically and the courthouse generally.”

‘Unprecedented and entirely unconstitutional.’

The apparent suggestion is that the following actions, which the
indictment accuses her of taking, were official acts:

Confronting members of an ICE task force and “falsely telling them they needed a judicial warrant to effectuate the arrest of E.F.R.”;
Directing all members of the task force to leave the public hallway outside her courtroom and to go to the chief judge’s office;
Addressing the illegal alien’s criminal case off the record while ICE agents were waiting in the chief judge’s office;
“Directing E.F.R. and his counsel to exit Courtroom 615 through a non-public jury door”; and
Advising Flores-Ruiz’s lawyer that the illegal alien could appear by Zoom for his next court date.

In
Trump v. United States, the high court wrote:

In dividing official from unofficial conduct, courts may not inquire into the President’s motives. Such a “highly intrusive” inquiry would risk exposing even the most obvious instances of official conduct to judicial examination on the mere allegation of improper purpose.

Dugan’s attorneys further argued on the basis of this specific assertion by the high court that the Wisconsin judge’s “subjective motivations are irrelevant to immunity.”

RELATED: Dems condemn Trump admin over arrest of judge who allegedly helped illegal alien escape: ‘A red line’

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

“The government’s prosecution of Judge Dugan is virtually unprecedented and entirely unconstitutional,” wrote the attorneys. “Judge Dugan reserves her right to seek other relief, including by other motions before and at trial. But the immunity and federalism issues must be resolved swiftly because the government has no basis in law to prosecute her.”

When asked about the use of the Supreme Court’s ruling in this case, Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, told Blaze News, “I don’t think the analogy is appropriate in this case,” adding, “the dispute is going to be whether she acted in her capacity as a judge.”

“The government’s response is going to be, ‘What you did has nothing to do with judicial decision-making, the management of your court room. You went out; you interfered with federal law enforcement; you came back in, and ushered people out of the courtroom in a way to obstruct justice that had nothing to do with your so-called management in the courtroom,'” continued Fitton. “‘This was a crime that was being committed in a courtroom, not by a judge, but by … a person acting as a citizen, not as a judge.'”

Fitton suggested further that the Trump DOJ would likely appeal a ruling in Dugan’s favor, in part due to the administration’s “seriousness about protecting their agents and the public from these illegal alien criminals” and the possible emboldening impact such a ruling might have on other activist judges.

“It doesn’t matter what line of work you are in. If you break the law, we will follow the facts, and we will prosecute you,” Attorney General Pam Bondi
said of the case last month.

Dugan,
relieved of her duties as a judge last month by the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, is next expected in court on July 9. Her trial is reportedly set for July 21.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman will preside over Dugan’s case. That’s likely good news for Dugan, as the Democratic lawmaker turned Clinton appointee has
made no secret of his animus toward President Donald Trump and Republicans.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Hannah dugan, Milwaukee county, Judge, Activist judge, Federal, Crime, Illegal alien, Dugan, Trump, Ice, Immigration, Illegal, Undocumented, Court, Politics 

The National Football League canceled an upcoming diversity-related event but still reaffirmed its commitment to progressive ideology.

Since 2022, the NFL’s accelerator program has been connecting team executives and owners with coaching talent from select ethnicities to fulfill its goal of interviewing non-white male candidates for coaching and front-office vacancies.

‘The NFL strives to be a unifying force, and we are confident the next evolution of our efforts will take us one step closer to that goal.’

The last accelerator event took place in December 2024 when the NFL held its annual Women’s Forum.

The diversity-centric hiring events are meant to supplement the NFL’s Rooney Rule, a practice the league began in 2003. The rule requires teams to conduct in-person interviews with at least two external and “diverse” candidates for general manager, coaching, and coordinator positions. Diverse candidates are meant to include “minority and/or female” applicants.

Now, the NFL has canceled its latest accelerator event and said its next one will take place in May 2026.

RELATED: ‘They look a certain way’: Comedian DL Hughley accuses black Philadelphia Eagles players of not caring about black people

Jonathan Beane, NFL SVP and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer in 2024, Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images

Fans should not get too excited over the cancelation of the DEI-centric job fair, though. According to NBC Sports, the NFL issued a lengthy diversity statement reaffirming its commitment to race-based policies and programs.

“We believe diversity of thought and background is essential to our success, and it’s reflected in the policies, programs, and partnerships that help us attract, develop, and retain top talent at every level on and off the field,” NFL Chief Administrator Officer Dasha Smith said in a statement.

The NFL executive boasted about several programs, including its December meeting and women’s forum. Smith said that not only did the league advance 40 women in their career paths, but also the NFL is hard at work developing candidates through other events, such as a three-day program at the NFL Combine.

RELATED: ‘We’re doing the right thing’: NFL to continue diversity initiatives, including forcing interviews with ‘minority candidates’

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Smith also said the league is looking to “reimagine” the accelerator program — and then made what was certainly a strange, diversity-backed statement about matching it with the ethnicities of football fans.

“We’re steadfast in our commitment to strengthen our talent pipeline and create an environment that reflects the diversity of our fan base,” he said. “The NFL strives to be a unifying force, and we are confident the next evolution of our efforts will take us one step closer to that goal.”

Drawing from this statement, the NFL seems insistent on continuously forcing an increase in non-white male employees and even goes as far as training people in jobs for which they would not otherwise be qualified so that diversity numbers increase.

At the same time, the league said it would not be changing the Rooney Rule, nor would it amend any other efforts that promote DEI.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Fearless, Nfl, Diversity, Diversity equity inclusion, Dei, Woke, Affirmative action, Sports, Politics 

Dear Mr. President:

I want to draw a parallel between two worlds that don’t seem connected but are. I’m not sure if you follow long-distance running. Perhaps you should.

Is it hubris, or fear, or something else entirely that keeps us clinging with white knuckles to our positions of power — refusing to pass the torch until God breaks our fingers?

Last month, on Patriots’ Day, Des Linden crossed the finish line of her 12th Boston Marathon, triumphantly concluding a professional career that has cemented her legend status on Boylston Street.

It was there in 2018 that she made history, becoming the first American woman in 33 years to win, doing so under punishing conditions that overwhelmed many of the sport’s top contenders.

That year, she famously slowed down mid-race to help fellow runner Shalane Flanagan rejoin the pack, only to kick ahead of Mamitu Daska and Gladys Chesir on the Newton Hills to claim victory. Linden capitalized on persistence, grit, and her competitors’ fatigue.

‘That was a really good day’

Linden’s career spans decades at the highest level of competition, including two Olympic appearances (London 2012 and Rio 2016), a personal best of 2:22:38, and countless top American finishes at many of her 24 major marathons.

Just before lining up at the start of the 2025 event, she shocked fans by announcing her retirement from marathoning at age 41.

Though her 2025 time of 2:26:19 marked her fastest event performance since 2017, she knew it was time to hang up her Brooks Hyperions.

“I was happy with the time I ran, I was happy with how I ran … and it was also just kind of perfect,” she said on “Nobody Asked Us,” her podcast with fellow distance runner Kara Goucher. “It’s just not competitive. That was a really good day, and it’s just not competitive.”

“There’s a level of dignity to it,” she continued. “I don’t want to just limp through these races or be there just to be there. I want to do it well, and if I can’t do it well, I need to move on.”

Aging ungracefully

Dignity is a waning virtue in American politics. Our ruling class is aging, ungracefully, in public.

Dianne Feinstein, a once formidable senator, was wheeled daily into the Capitol in her final months, visibly confused, voting only when prompted by staff, and at one point attempting to give a speech when directed simply to say “aye.”

Mitch McConnell, twice in one year, froze silently mid-sentence at press conferences — eyes locked, hands clenched — and was escorted away like a man forgetting where, or who, he was.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a liberal icon, chose not to step down when President Obama could have appointed her successor — clinging to her seat until her death in 2020, which opened the door for you, Mr. President, to replace her with conservative Amy Coney Barrett, reshaping the Supreme Court for a generation.

And, of course, Biden’s presidency was marked as much by gaffes and confusion as by ill-fated policy. He tripped repeatedly up the steps of Air Force One, wandered away from press events unsure of where to exit, and at times struggled to finish coherent sentences during major addresses.

In one widely circulated moment, he mistook the president of Egypt for the president of Mexico. At international summits, he appeared disengaged, sometimes gazing blankly while other leaders spoke and sometimes falling asleep. His handlers often cut his mic or shuffled him away mid-question. What’s more, he was selfishly propped up by his party and his family to run for a second term.

White-knuckle leadership

Is it hubris, or fear, or something else entirely that keeps us clinging with white knuckles to our positions of power — refusing to pass the torch until God breaks our fingers, through infirmity, humiliation, or death, to take it from us? I don’t know.

What’s certain is that we have a choice — one with the power to shape our legacies and reveal the true motivations of our hearts.

Our first president understood this better than most, as articulated in his farewell letter to the nation. George Washington’s resignation after two terms — at the height of his ability and at the age of 64 — was a deliberate decision, modeling restraint, humility, and faith in the next generation.

“In a country whose institutions are essentially free, the voluntary relinquishment of power is as necessary as the wise exercise of it,” he said in his 1796 address.

And then, reflecting on his service: “Though in reviewing the incidents of my administration I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors.”

“I shall carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that,” he continued, “the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest.”

That joke isn’t funny any more

At first, I smiled and rolled my eyes at your mention of a third term. In April 2018, during a White House event, you quipped, “Should we go back to 16 years? Should we do that? Congressman, can we do that?”

The crowd laughed; it was a joke, we thought. You’re a stand-up comedian, I explained to fretting leftist friends, whose apoplectic reactions no doubt egged us all on — a brawler with a flair for provocation, not a man mounting a serious challenge to constitutional norms.

Then came the merchandise — “Trump 2028” hats — and the repeated musings: “After that, we’ll go for a third term,” you said at a rally in Nevada. By 2025, the line between jest and intent had blurred. When pressed on the matter in a March 30 interview with Kristen Welker, you replied, “No, no, I’m not joking.”

Good Trump, bad Trump

Herein lies the bind of the Trump supporter: trapped in an exhausting game of “good Trump, bad Trump” — squaring your achievements and impulses, downplaying your unconstitutional suggestions, all while hoping your next move isn’t one we truly can’t defend.

And then, during an exclusive “Meet the Press” interview last week, you offered your clearest indication yet that you’d leave office after two terms, without attempting to extend your stay. “I’ll be an eight-year president; I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important,” you told moderator Kristen Welker.

Some conservatives in my circle breathed a sigh of relief. Others still wait with bated breath, not sure what to believe. Stances have shifted before. For many on the right, your unpredictability is part of your strength: a negotiating tactic, a strategic ambiguity. However, when it comes to the peaceful transition of power — a foundational tenet of American conservatism — unpredictable rhetoric doesn’t inspire confidence.

A broken clock

That’s why, though I’m loath to admit it, a May 6 New York Times editorial raises a valid concern. “Trump’s Third-Term Jokes Deserve a Serious Response” argues that this kind of rhetoric doesn’t just amuse or provoke — it reinforces your critics’ worst fears. “He has a history, after all, of using seemingly outlandish speculation to push ideas he genuinely favors — such as overturning an election result — into mainstream discourse,” the editorial board writes. They continue:

He tests boundaries to see which limits are actually enforced. Even when he backs away from a provocation, he often succeeds in raising doubts about those limits. His behavior is consistent with a president who indeed wants to serve a third term, if not more, and who keeps raising the idea in the hope of getting Americans comfortable with it.

Those who watched January 6 unfold or listened to your musings about “stolen elections,” even in jest, fear that uncertainty and volatility may once again destabilize faith in our political process. In a climate rife with cynicism, some conservatives aren’t just asking what you’ll do — they’re wondering whether your word, this time, will be final.

Going out on top

In an Instagram post on race day, Des Linden took her final bow. “People say you should go out on top, and that’s what I’m doing — because getting to race my final professional marathon in Boston is indeed going out on top. I’m ready to leave it all out on the course one last time,” she wrote. “See you on Boylston.”

Mr. President, please keep your promise — for the sake of the Republican Party that you’ve reshaped for the better, for the young conservatives you’ve energized, for the party’s dignity and your own. Run the three-year race set before you, and then go out on top.

​Des linden, Retirement, Donald trump, Term limits, Third term, Boston marathon, Politics, Meet the press, Culture, Grace bydalek, Troll patrol 

A New Jersey couple is facing federal charges over jaw-dropping accusations of sex trafficking, forced labor, and exploiting vulnerable church members under the guise of divine will.

Treva Edwards, 60, and Christine Edwards, 63, were arrested May 7. The couple were indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit forced labor. Treva Edwards also was hit with charges of forced labor and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.

Treva Edwards reportedly subjected one alleged female victim to repeated physical and sexual assaults and impregnated her, after which he ordered her to get an abortion, according to the indictment.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey said in a statement that the husband and wife were the “founders and pastors of a church they named ‘Jesus Is Lord by the Holy Ghost,’ which they operated out of a multi-unit apartment building in Orange, New Jersey, and where they conspired to coax and coerce vulnerable victims to work with no pay.”

Alina Habba, interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey — previously an attorney for President Donald Trump — delivered a stern warning to those contemplating committing human trafficking crimes.

“These charges are an example of my office’s tireless commitment to combatting human trafficking in our community,” Habba proclaimed. “If you engage in human trafficking, we will find you, and we will prosecute you. We are committed to working alongside our partners to ensure that those who target the most vulnerable are brought to justice.”

RELATED: Porn has transformed into horror

Giles Clarke/Getty Images

Between 2011 and 2020, the suspects allegedly preyed on individuals struggling with financial issues, personal problems, or poor family relationships. The couple allegedly urged these individuals to join the church to find salvation.

According to the 10-page indictment, “Treva Edwards allegedly told Victim 1, Victim 2, and others that he was a prophet who could communicate directly with God. According to the indictment, he told members that ‘disobeying him would result in spiritual retribution from God, as well as physical, emotional, and financial harm.'”

The suspects allegedly manipulated church members into carrying out grueling labor by telling them that the work was to be done to serve God.

The defendants reportedly compelled the church members to sign contracts to guarantee they would do the assigned work. Christine Edwards reportedly procured the labor contracts through her employment at a New Jersey property management company.

RELATED: 8 arrested on rape, sex trafficking charges in case of 14-year-old girl suffering ’25 days of hell’

Some of the labor forced on the church members included “cleaning and gutting commercial and residential properties, shoveling snow, removing bulk trash, moving furniture, cleaning raw sewage, and exterminating rodent infestations,” the indictment states.

The couple allegedly threatened the church members that if they failed to do the work, they would “lose favor with God.”

Authorities said the couple monitored church members and even regulated when they ate and slept. The pastor and his wife allegedly instructed some members that they were prohibited from leaving the church property, and some were convinced to not talk to non-members because they were allegedly “evil” or “possessed by the devil.”

The couple reportedly kept any money the church members earned.

Treva Edwards reportedly discouraged some of the alleged victims from seeking medical treatment and instead told them God would heal them as long as they were in “good standing” with the church.

RELATED: Feds dismantle huge human smuggling ring that funneled 20,000 Guatemalan aliens into US, leaders face death penalty

According to the indictment, Christine Edwards told members of the Jesus Is Lord by the Holy Ghost church that a “successful labor job was evidence of God’s will.”

The United States Attorney’s Office stated, “Treva Edwards spread fear among the victims through verbal and emotional abuse and threats of reputational harm, homelessness, hunger, spiritual retribution, punishments, and more hard labor to gain their obedience and compel them to perform unpaid labor.”

Treva Edwards reportedly subjected one alleged female victim to repeated physical and sexual assaults and impregnated her, after which he ordered her to get an abortion, according to the indictment.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said, “The Department of Justice will not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable individuals under the guise of faith. These charges reflect our unwavering focus on protecting victims and prosecuting those who commit such heinous crimes.”

U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images

Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel of Homeland Security Investigations Newark Division said, “Treva and Christine Edwards turned a source of hope into a tool of fear by allegedly exploiting religious faith to manipulate victims and expose them to sexual violence and forced labor conditions.”

Blaze News reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for comment on the disturbing case but did not receive an immediate response.

As Blaze News exclusively reported earlier this month, the nonprofit organization Safe House Project launched an innovative anti-trafficking app to empower users to safely, anonymously, and effectively report instances of suspected human trafficking.

BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey interviewed a former witch who got wrapped up in the dark world of sex cults.

Jac Marino Chen told Stuckey on the “Relatable” podcast that she got involved with cults that practiced “sex magic.”

“It was there that Jesus Christ met me in that darkness and saved me,” she told Stuckey.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Sex trafficking, Human trafficking, Sex cult, Cults, Forced labor, Donald trump, Alina habba, Harmeet dhillon, Crime, New jersey, Federal indictments 

City people moving to the country: This one’s for you. Country people, you know all this and a lot more already, so be sure to correct anything I get wrong with a comment; thank you in advance.

After spending all of my life living in cities and towns, I’ve got two winters of rural living under my belt. My house in Vermont is only a few miles outside the capital (itself a mere village of 8,000), so it’s situated conveniently for supply runs. But I live past where the pavement turns to dirt and the water, sewer, and natural gas lines end.

What to do for light? Kerosene lamps. No, not candles. No, not rechargeable LED lights. No, not battery-powered flashlights. Kerosene lamps.

It’s not “off grid,” but the situation shares some of the same features, and you need to attend to some of the same preparation.

Being prepared is especially important in winter, but it will help in summer, too.

The philosophy to keep in mind: Preparing should aim for low tech, not high tech. Kerosene lamps and lanterns, not “solar rechargeable LED lights,” for example. (Where are you going to recharge them? What happens when the computerized chip doesn’t work right?)

Aim for manual, simple devices, not high-tech “survival gadgets.”

If you live in a sparsely populated area in the country with hard winters, you are going to lose power several times in winter. And you’re going to be among the last houses to have it restored because power companies prioritize areas with the most people. In Vermont, I’ve gone two or three days without electricity each winter.

How much of your day will be affected by this, and how do you prepare for it? Since my stove is electric, I can’t cook on it without juice. But wait — no running water, either. Why? Because the water comes from a well, and an electric pump brings it into the house.

It’s one thing to have no internet and lights but entirely another to have nothing to flush the toilet with.

Water

Stock up drinkable water jugs, lots of them, for cooking and drinking. Only for cooking and drinking. You’re going to use “gray water” for other things.

Have a rain barrel to catch water to use for flushing toilets and cleaning. Have buckets on hand. Fill them up.

Fill up your bathtub with water when a storm threatens.

This year, I resorted to melting snow in a stock pot on a portable camp stove.

I’m considering adding a hand pump to my drilled well next year. Do you remember the episode of “Little House on the Prairie” when Pa installed a water pump in Ma’s sink for the first time? Yep, that kind of pump. They’re a great backup for getting water out of the ground when the electric pump is off.

Husband your water wisely. Use your drinking water only for drinking and cooking, not for washing yourself or your dishes. Use “gray water” — the stuff in the rain barrel, the water stored in your tub — for washing dishes, flushing toilets, and other utility purposes.

Be prepared to give yourself sponge baths with a modest amount of water.

Light

What to do for light? Kerosene lamps. No, not candles. No, not rechargeable LED lights. No, not battery-powered flashlights. Kerosene lamps.

Why? Admittedly, I’m partisan as I collect and refurbish kerosene lamps and regularly run them for heat and light. But they’re superior to other backup lighting. Much brighter than candles, and they don’t need batteries (you just have to keep a stock of kerosene on hand). Also, they’re beautiful.

Some guidelines:

Buy only clear, undyed kerosene at either the gas station or hardware store. Never use anything but this. Do not use “lamp oil.” It’s liquid wax, burns dim, eats wicks, and stinks. Kerosene does not stink in a lamp if it’s clean and undyed.Simple flat wick oil lamps, antique or modern, are foolproof.Those wanting more heat and light should get an antique “center draft” lamp with a big, round wick that puts out substantial light and heat. A good bet is a Rayo-brand lamp, easily found on eBay.No, you don’t have to worry about “fumes” or “carbon monoxide.” This is modern hysteria; you’re not afraid of your gas stove, so you don’t have to fear your lamp. Your ancestors who used these weren’t dying of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Heat

If you already have an expensive heating system in place, I get that you’re not going to change that out.

When I moved into this house, I had the “blessing” of starting from scratch as the downstairs had been flooded. If you’re in a similar position, I strongly advise installing something that requires no electricity.

I mean no electricity at all. Not for igniting, not for running. If it needs juice to put out heat, it’s too modern and complicated to be a good basic choice in the country.

I chose a propane-fired “fireplace stove.” It’s a beautiful cast iron piece enameled in red with a glass front; it looks like a late-19th-century wood stove. The operation is entirely mechanical, even the wall-mounted thermostat. It has its own igniter but can be lit with a match if necessary. It maintains a standing pilot light.

Whatever you choose, I recommend a basic model that ignites and fires without electricity. If this means you have to buy a vintage furnace in good or refurbished condition, then yes, that is a better choice.

Good emergency supplies of heat are portable kerosene or propane heaters. Be sure to keep a supply of fuel on hand.

Cooking and eating

If you have an electric kitchen stove, you’ll need a backup. I love my two-burner Coleman propane camping stove. It’s compact and folds up neatly for storage. That the burners put out serious heat is a bonus. Keep extra propane cylinders on hand.

Of course, you’ll also need to have nonperishable food on hand. Vegetables and grains aren’t going to get you through alone; don’t forget meat and fat. Canned goods are your friend in this situation, especially canned meat.

People’s minds seem to go toward “buy lots of dried beans and rice,” and I don’t know why. These are not the high-quality proteins you can get from meat (and they don’t have necessary fat), and they take more water and energy to cook.

I suggest laying in:

Canned chicken breast and tunaCanned corned beefCanned Spam-type meat

Be sure to keep some bacon grease or lard on hand. It doesn’t need refrigeration and can cook just about anything, adding necessary animal fat and calories.

Transportation

Don’t forget about your car. It’s always a good idea to keep your gas tank full during winter.

If you go off the road, you’ll be glad you have the engine to keep you warm. But it’s also a great backup for charging your phone so you can stay in communication while the power is out and the roads are bad.

Obviously, this isn’t a guide to true homesteading or living off the grid, but it can help you get through a few days or weeks of living in the sticks without power and running water. If you’re an old hand at this and have wisdom to pass along, please share it in the comments.

​How to, Winter, Prepping, Power outage, Lifestyle, Kerosene lamps, Heating, Diy, Josh slocum, Intervention 

As reconciliation talks ramp up, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is doing what he can to reel in Republican defectors.

Johnson can afford to lose only three Republican votes and still get reconciliation out the door, which is shaping up to be a tall task as more and more Republicans take issue with different aspects of the “big, beautiful bill.” Among them is Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, who outlined his grievances in an exclusive interview with Blaze News.

‘I didn’t come here to perpetuate a broken system. I understand that we have a thin majority, but we should deliver.’

“Reconciliation is all about balancing our current priorities to make sure that our spending and our tax policy results in something that could be remotely described as deficit-neutral or reducing the deficit,” Roy told Blaze News. “So that’s kind of the first, you know, measure of whether you’re going to do something successfully or not.”

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

RELATED: Big, beautiful bill advances after 18-hour markup marathon while SALT talks go south

As Roy noted, codifying President Donald Trump’s campaign promises is the unofficial measure of success on the Hill. While Trump himself has greenlit 151 executive orders as of this writing, only five bills from Congress have actually been signed into law.

“We need to deliver on the tax policy that President Trump ran on, and that would extend what he did in 2017,” Roy added. “We need to deliver on spending restraint. We need to deliver on the priorities that the American people sent us here to deliver on.”

“The problem is the swamp does what the swamp does,” Roy told Blaze News.

Although reconciliation covers some of the MAGA mandate, Roy says it is still too flawed in its current state for him to throw his support behind the bill.

‘It’s a broken system, and this bill doesn’t make it better,’ Roy added. ‘It frankly, arguably, makes it worse.’

“The problem is we’ve got a flawed bill. That’s the bottom line,” Roy added. “It has some good tax policy and some not-so-good tax policy. Some of it is not extended as it should be. We’ve got some good spending restraint and some bad spending policy.”

Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

RELATED: SALT sellouts: GOP dumps red-state voters for New York Democrats

Roy used the proposed Medicaid reforms as a case study. One tool Republicans have used to trim down Medicaid costs and uproot fraud has been to enforce work requirements so that fewer people are able to take advantage of the system, allowing vulnerable and disabled people Medicaid was intended for to have access to the resources they need.

But as Roy pointed out, these so-called reforms have flaws of their own.

“They put the work requirements in, and they said, ‘Oh, we’ve got work requirements,’ but they don’t take place until 2029, after the Trump presidency,” Roy told Blaze News. “They have waivers to the work requirements even when they kick in in 2029. They do not address all the ridiculous federal funding of certain states at the expense of other states.”

“It’s a broken system, and this bill doesn’t make it better,” Roy added. “It frankly, arguably, makes it worse.”

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

RELATED: House Republicans to hike up Harvard endowment tax in reconciliation

Roy said that unless the bill was significantly amended to rein in spending and actually reform Medicaid, he wouldn’t be able to support it.

“It has to be amended,” Roy told Blaze News. “I’m not going to be able to support it as it’s currently drafted, and those amendments are going to need to be, you know, relatively significant.”

“I didn’t come here to perpetuate a broken system,” Roy added. “I understand that we have a thin majority, but we should deliver.”

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Chip roy, Mike johnson, Donald trump, House republicans, Big beautiful bill, Reconciliation, The swamp, Tax cuts and jobs act, Tax cuts, Spending cuts, Doge cuts, Maga mandate, National debt, Salt caucus, Salt cap, Medicaid, Medicaid reform, Medicaid cuts, Politics 

In a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, Robert Bork Jr. attacked Gail Slater, President Trump’s new assistant attorney general for antitrust.

I remember watching with sadness and dismay in 1987 as Mr. Bork’s father, the late Judge Robert Bork, endured a malicious and unfair confirmation process that ended with the Senate rejecting his nomination to the Supreme Court. Now, to my regret, his son has “borked” Slater in much the same way.

The heart of Trump’s America First antitrust agenda: Protect markets before they grow too big to regulate. Break up monopolies so Washington doesn’t have to control them.

Rather than engaging with Slater’s actual record, Bork resorted to baseless claims. He suggested her antitrust philosophy boils down to a simplistic belief that “big is bad, little is good.” That isn’t her philosophy, she’s never said that, and it’s dishonest to imply otherwise.

The Trump administration’s antitrust team isn’t capitulating to monopolies. It’s doing the opposite — charting a course that breaks from the status quo of the last four years of Joe Biden and eight years under President Obama.

Monopolies rightly understood

Bork claims that Gail Slater and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson “discarded the consumer welfare standard,” the long-standing antitrust principle that limits government action to cases where consumers suffer harm. But Bork sets up a straw man. Slater never said anything of the sort — not in her speech, not even by implication.

In fact, Slater made her position clear: She supports “respecting the original public meaning of the statutory text and the binding nature of Supreme Court and other relevant precedent.” That’s not a rejection of the consumer welfare standard.

Bork also misrepresented Slater’s concern over monopolistic control by tech platforms. He mocked her for saying these companies “control not just the prices of their services, but the flow of our nation’s commerce and communication.” Bork scoffed: “What prices? Facebook, Instagram, Google, LinkedIn, and YouTube don’t charge consumers a penny.”

RELATED: YouTube deserves its own antitrust scrutiny

Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Image

Slater might have spelled out more clearly how these platforms profit through exploitative practices and suppress conservative voices through debanking, shadow-banning, and viewpoint discrimination. But her time was limited. Bork’s refusal to acknowledge the damage done to conservatives by monopolies that dominate the flow of information is not just blind — it’s disgraceful.

I, for one, applaud a Justice Department finally willing to confront monopolies not just over dollars, but over speech. Americans deserve protection whether the cost of control impinges upon their wallets or their freedom.

This isn’t Biden 2.0

Calling Slater a continuation of Biden’s antitrust policy is the coup de grâce of Bork Jr.’s “borking” campaign. The claim doesn’t hold up. From day one, Slater made clear her intention to restore objectivity and restraint to antitrust enforcement — anchored in law, not ideology. Biden’s FTC and Justice Department had weaponized antitrust, targeting deals that posed no real threat to consumers, often on laughably flimsy grounds.

Bork, in another op-ed, pointed to the Biden administration’s lawsuit against Visa over razor-thin fees as an example of legitimate enforcement. But Visa wasn’t harming consumers. The lawsuit looked more like an effort to strong-arm a private firm into acting as another weapon in the administration’s anti-conservative arsenal — just as it had done with major banks and social media platforms.

The Biden administration even blocked the merger of Spirit and JetBlue, smaller carriers that offered real competition to the Big Four airlines. The move led to bankruptcy, obviously hurting consumers. Had Democrats won last November, the Big Four likely would have been expected to repay the favor politically.

But those were Biden’s decisions — not Slater’s. She has already made clear she intends to reverse course. She’s not in office to weaponize antitrust law. Her aim is to enforce the law and uphold precedent.

In an April interview with Sohrab Ahmari, Slater didn’t mince words: “If you’re doing a merger that’s benign, we’ll just get out of the way.” In her first public address on April 21, she pledged to give economists a stronger role in enforcement and criticized regulation that “saps economic opportunity by stifling rather than promoting competition.”

That doesn’t sound like central planning. It sounds like a welcome return to sanity.

Deregulation by prevention

So why is Bork trying to paint her as Chairman Mao? Probably because Slater understands what many in D.C.’s think-tank class still miss: Big Business isn’t always Big Government’s victim. More often, they work together. Corporate giants gain dominance, then lobby for regulations that kneecap smaller competitors.

Bureaucrats play along because it’s easier to deal with one entrenched firm than a dozen fast-moving upstarts. That’s not capitalism — it’s cartel economics. And for once, a president is pushing back.

Slater has made it clear that monopolies don’t just crush competition — they endanger core American freedoms. She watched Big Tech silence dissent during the 2020 election. Her response? Use antitrust to reduce the need for government, not expand it.

That’s the heart of Trump’s America First antitrust agenda: Protect markets before they grow too big to regulate. Break up monopolies so Washington doesn’t have to control them. Call it what it is — deregulation by prevention. It’s the opposite of socialism. In truth, restoring power to the people, not the government, is exactly what the founders envisioned. Just read the 10th Amendment.

A seismic shift

FTC Commissioner Mark Meador, a Trump appointee, points out that “consumer welfare” doesn’t just mean cheap products. It also means protecting Americans from economic overlords who silence dissent, distort democracy, and punish disfavored speech. Sound familiar?

Meador rightly rejects the progressive notion that “bigness” is always bad. But he also rejects Bork-style libertarianism that shrugs at monopolies unless they raise prices. That view ignores what consumer welfare really demands — fair markets, not just cheap goods.

The 2024 election wasn’t just a political win for Trump. It marked a seismic shift in what the Republican Party stands for.

Democrats now serve Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and multinational conglomerates. Trump’s GOP champions the working American — the factory worker, the tradesman, the small business owner.

Too often, well-meaning but outdated Republicans cry “socialism” when anyone dares challenge corporate power. But they’re not defending capitalism. They’re defending a rigged system. And voters finally noticed.

Trump wasn’t sent back to Washington to coddle monopolies or rubber-stamp mergers. He was sent to drain the swamp — including the one where corporate lobbyists and bureaucrats make backroom deals to preserve their government-aided monopoly grip. If that makes the old guard nervous, they can always file a complaint — with one of their apps.

​Opinion & analysis, Antitrust, Justice department, Gail slater, Robert bork jr., Wall street journal, Joe biden, Consumer protection, Spirit airlines, Jetblue, Merger, Monopoly, Big tech, Democrats, Big business, Big government, Economy, Prices 

There may be hurdles in front of Pete Rose’s possible induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, even though Major League Baseball recently reinstated the legendary player.

Rose had been banned from baseball — and Hall of Fame eligibility — because he gambled on MLB games, but commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. declared earlier this week that permanent ineligibility “ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual.”

‘They take violations very seriously. Joe Jackson fixed games. OK? Pete Rose bet on games as a manager of one team. That doesn’t go away.’

The decision affected 17 individuals — all of them players except for William Cox, a former owner of the Philadelphia Phillies, who was banned for betting on his team’s games.

The most famous examples among the 17 are “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, who died in 1951, and Rose, who died in 2024. Jackson was banned due to his part in the infamous Black Sox scandal of 1919, while Rose was shut out in 1989.

RELATED: Pete Rose reinstated as eligible for Hall of Fame — but new rule will revive MLB’s darkest era

While much of the commotion has surrounded the possibly of Rose being enshrined into the Hall of Fame after decades, it would not exactly be a walk in the park to get the former Cincinnati Red and Phillies phenom on a plaque.

The problems start to emerge when factoring in that Rose’s eligibility period originally was from 1992 to 2006, according to the Associated Press.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has been accused of blocking Pete Rose’s eligibility.Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Fortune Media

Rose garnered 41 write-in votes in 1992 and was written in on 243 more ballots over the next 15 years, but those votes did not count.

What’s more, now that the ban has been lifted, both Rose and Jackson are eligible only for the Hall of Fame’s Classic Baseball Era — and that requires a rigorous process prior to enshrinement in Cooperstown.

Jane Forbes Clark, who chairs the Hall of Fame board, told ESPN the first step will be a 10-person Historical Overview Committee that selects eight ballot candidates to present to the Classic Baseball Era Committee.

Who is on the committees?

While the identities of current members of the Historical Overview Committee are not known, they are assumed to be veteran members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Longtime sports broadcaster Tony Kornheiser knows how that goes.

“The baseball writers who are members put you in the Hall of Fame. Those baseball writers, as we know well, are guardians of the game,” Kornheiser said on his show, “Pardon the Interruption.”

RELATED: March Madness money: How the NCAA makes a billion dollars every year

Kornheiser added, “They take violations very seriously. Joe Jackson fixed games. OK? Pete Rose bet on games as a manager of one team. That doesn’t go away.”

‘Shoeless’ Joe JacksonPhoto by Sporting News via Getty Images/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images

If Rose and Jackson pass muster with the Historical Overview Committee, their names would be sent to the Classic Baseball Era Committee to vote at its next meeting.

Members of the Classic Baseball Era Committee presently include Hall of Fame players — icons such as Paul Molitor and Ozzie Smith, per ESPN. Jackson and Rose would need 12 votes from the 16-person Classic Baseball Era Committee to get into the Hall of Fame.

Another hurdle is the fact that it would take years for this process to play out. The Classic Baseball Era Committee, according to Clark, does not meet until December 2027. At that point, an entirely new committee could be in place — and who knows how they would view Rose and Jackson.

‘It essentially comes down to whether the committees think gambling is worse than using human-growth hormones or steroids.’

Given that the MLB writers have excluded from the Hall of Fame some of the most successful players of all time — Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, and Alex Rodriguez, for example — potential inductions of players like Jackson and Rose may come down to where committee members draw their ethical lines.

“It essentially comes down to whether the committees think gambling is worse than using human-growth hormones or steroids,” said Dave Shrigley, a writer and editor for Rebel News.

Shrigley told Blaze News, “Steroids weren’t exactly banned by the league, so not only is there an ethical question, but there’s also the question as to what is actually a ban-worthy offense.”

Commissioner Manfred slightly touched on this topic in 2020 when he said Rose “violated what is sort of Rule One in baseball,” adding that the MLB would continue “to abide by [its] own rules.”

Some have criticized Manfred in the past for stonewalling Rose’s possible induction, including in 2015 when he denied Rose’s application for reinstatement.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Fearless, Mlb, Pete rose, Hall of fame, Baseball, Sports, Shoeless joe jackson, Major league baseball, Reinstatement 

On May 9, President Trump rolled out a self-deportation plan, formally dubbed “Project Homecoming,” that offers illegal immigrants a $1,000 stipend and a free flight to leave the country voluntarily.

The program also relegated the CBP One app to the ash heap of history. Altered by the Biden administration in 2023, the app’s expansion was pitched as an easy way to allow migrants in Central and Northern Mexico to schedule asylum appointments at U.S. border ports of entry. However, it was used as a loophole to usher in illegal immigrants, as it enabled “catch and release.”

But those days are over under President Donald Trump.

CBP One has been replaced with an app called CBP Home, which encourages and helps facilitate self-deportation. It allows illegal immigrants to sign up for self-deportation and notify the Department of Homeland Security of their departure, thus helping the agency keep track of who is leaving the country.

Another added benefit is that self-deporters may be eligible to apply for legal re-entry after a 10-year waiting period, provided they meet other immigration requirements. Those who are forced to leave, however, face much sterner consequences — an extended waiting period or even a lifetime ban.

Some critics of the program argue that it wastes taxpayer dollars, but they’re either part of the radical left that champions illegal immigration or they’re just not looking at the numbers.

Because the truth is it’s another stroke of Trump brilliance.

Mark Levin breaks it down.

“Project Homecoming” naysayers are claiming it’s “a waste of money,” but they’re wrong, Levin argues. “It’s cost-effective” because “going through the process of deporting people is much more expensive” — on average “about $17,000 a person.”

This self-deportation method, however, costs “about $4,000 or $4,500” per person and demands “less manpower,” meaning millions of taxpayer dollars will be saved in the long run.

And it’s working. Already thousands of illegal immigrants have self-deported under the “Project Homecoming” program, with many more thousands on the horizon.

To hear more of Levin’s analysis, watch the clip above.

Want more from Mark Levin?

To enjoy more of “the Great One” — Mark Levin as you’ve never seen him before — subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

​Levintv, Mark levin, Donald trump, Mass deportations, Self deportations, Cbp one, Cbp home app, Project homecoming, Asylum, Illegal immigration, Blazetv, Blaze media 

Rep. Shri Thanedar, a 70-year-old Michigan Democrat drowning in primary challenges,
introduced seven articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump late last month, citing “a sweeping abuse of power, flagrant violations of the Constitution, and acts of tyranny that undermine American democracy and threaten the rule of law.”

On Tuesday, he
implored his colleagues to support his articles of impeachment, stressing, “It’s never the wrong time to stand up for our Constitution.” Thanedar’s fellow Democrats appear, however, to have convinced him it was actually a bad time.

Thanedar was set to call up the resolution for floor consideration on Wednesday, but backed down at the last moment in an apparent effort to spare himself further embarrassment.

“This week, Democrats ousted their DNC ‘leader,’ opposed the largest tax cut in history, and were exposed for actively covering up Joe Biden’s four-year cognitive decline. Now, Democrats have turned their sights to threatening impeachment. We are witnessing the collapse of the Democrat Party before our eyes,” White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Blaze News. “Not a single one of these efforts will help the American people. The contrast could not be more clear: President Trump is fighting for historic tax relief for the American people, Democrats are fighting themselves.”

Earlier in the day, Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California
said, “This is not the right approach we should be taking,” and in recent weeks, multiple Democrats asked for their names to be removed from his resolution.

RELATED: 3 Democrats ask to be removed from resolution to impeach Trump

Photo (left): Spencer Platt/Getty Images; Photo (center): Eric Lee for The Washington Post via Getty Images; Photo (right): Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) suggested that Democrats lacked the power necessary to successfully see the impeachment through,
reported the Associated Press.

Congressional Democrats’ approval ratings have plumbed record lows in recent weeks.
According to a YouGov poll for the Economist conducted earlier this month, 54% of Americans viewed Democrats in an unfavorable light; only 33% rated them favorably.

‘There’s no support for an impeachment resolution.’

“As I tried to explain to him, having been around the track a couple of times on this, it’s not enough to be right,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) told the Associated Press. “[Impeachment] as a constitutional matter is a mixed question of law and politics.”

Aguilar noted that Thanedar’s proposal was “not ripe and not timely.”

“There’s no support for an impeachment resolution. There have been no hearings on compiling a record for which impeachment can be based. And this is just a procedure that’s meaningless at this point,” Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) told the Associated Press. “The sponsor is out of sync with the mood and the trajectory of House Democrats.”

Multiple sources
told Axios that Rep. Jerry Nadler (N.Y.) was applauded in a closed-door House Democrat meeting Wednesday when he called Thanedar’s impeachment push “idiotic” and “horrible.”

According to Politico, several Democratic representatives, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Greg Casar (Texas), Brad Schneider (Ill.), and Raskin, were seen speaking privately to Thanedar on the floor before his reversal. Schneider reportedly impressed upon Thanedar the need to focus instead on Republicans’ megabill.

“In the 15 days since I filed seven articles of impeachment against President Trump, he has committed more impeachable offenses, most dangerously accepting a $400 million private jet from Qatar, which even Republican members of Congress have called wrong,” Thanedar
said in a statement on Wednesday. “So after talking with many colleagues, I have decided not to force a vote on impeachment today.”

The India-born Democrat, whose challengers include a candidate
backed by Squad member Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), noted further that he will add to his articles of impeachment and “continue to rally the support of both Democrats and Republicans to defend the Constitution with me.”

Thanedar’s withdrawn resolution claimed that Trump created an “unlawful office” by establishing the Department of Government Efficiency and accused the president of “tyrannical overreach”; “usurpation of appropriations power”; “abuse of trade powers and international aggression”; “violation of First Amendment rights”; bribery and corruption; and “obstruction of justice and abuse of executive power.”

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Shri thanedar, Impeachment, Donald trump, Trump, Congress, Democrats, Democratic, Leftism, Thanedar, Politics