On March 17, Joe Kent resigned from his position as director of the National Counterterrorism Center in protest over the Trump administration’s ongoing war in Iran. He claimed he could not “in good conscience” support the conflict, arguing that Iran posed no imminent threat to the U.S. and that the war was started due to pressure from Israel and its American lobby.

BlazeTV host Liz Wheeler was taken aback when she read Kent’s accusatory letter.

“This is a very big claim that Joe Kent is making,” she says.

On this episode of “The Liz Wheeler Show,” Liz unpacks Kent’s letter and explains why she’s skeptical of its contents.

“He is making the allegation that President Trump was duped … with false information into embarking on this military operation in Iran, and he claims that this trickery happened at the hands of Israel and the Israeli lobby in the United States,” she says, summarizing the allegations listed in his letter.

“He further claims that there is no evidence in the intel community, which he would be aware of as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, of an Iranian threat,” she adds, calling it “the scandal of the century” if proved true.

Liz is unwilling to entertain Kent’s claims until he can provide hard evidence.

“Where’s the evidence of this?” she asks. “If you are so certain that President Trump’s military operation in Iran is essentially based on manipulation by the Israelis and that Iran posed no threat, … shouldn’t you show us evidence of this?”

While Liz welcomes a “whistleblower,” she demands the “receipts.”

“If you make a claim of this enormity — I mean, the implications of a claim like this being true would shake our nation — then you owe us the receipts. You need to show us the evidence of this,” she insists.

But Kent’s lack of evidence isn’t the only cause of Liz’s skepticism.

She considers his recent podcast appearances a calculated “media tour” on which he speaks only to hosts who are the “least likely to ask the most important questions.”

“To go on a media tour insinuates one of two things,” she says, “that either you have information of severe corruption — so severe that it could not be remedied internally — that you have to take this to the American people rather than go the legal whistleblower route internally in the intelligence community, or there’s some kind of other attention that is being sought.”

Liz acknowledges Kent’s traumatic history — he “lost his first wife” to “an ISIS suicide bomber”; however, the information she currently has makes her believe that Kent is “behaving as an opportunist.”

To hear more of her analysis, watch the full episode above.

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​The liz wheeler show, Liz wheeler, Joe kent, President trump, Iran, Iran war, Blazetv, Blaze media, Israel 

A reporter trying to scare voters on the SAVE America Act got a crushing response from Vice President JD Vance at a stop in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Thursday.

Craig Mauger of the Detroit News asked Vance to respond to comments made by President Donald Trump that he might order the federal takeover of elections to ensure voter integrity.

Vance joked that they had no plans to send Secretary of State Marco Rubio to count ballots in Michigan.

“There’s a lot of concern and talk in Michigan right now ahead of this pivotal midterm election that the federal government might somehow intervene in the administration of the election here in this state,” said Mauger.

“Do you have any promises that you would make that the federal government will not intervene in any way in this election, or what would you tell people in Michigan who are concerned about that?” he asked.

Vance said it was the first time he had heard about possible federal intervention in elections and asked him to clarify the question.

“I believe the president has talked about nationalizing elections in recent months himself,” Mauger responded.

“If what you mean by ‘intervening in the election’ is that we want everybody to have a voter ID before voting in this country, yes, we should be doing that, to be clear,” Vance responded.

He received great applause and USA chants from the event audience.

Vance joked that they had no plans to send Secretary of State Marco Rubio to count ballots in Michigan and added that they had no intention to intervene in elections.

“I don’t think so. I haven’t talked to the president or Marco about it, but look, there’s a lot of scare tactics,” Vance responded.

“If you believe, as I do, that the American people are sovereign in their own country, then you have to believe that their vote should be protected, and the only way to fully protect their vote is to prevent fraudsters from coming and voting in American elections,” he added.

RELATED: ‘Dead on arrival’: Chuck Schumer says Dems will ‘go all out’ to defeat voter ID bill

Mauger appeared to be referring to comments made by Trump in February, when he said that “the federal government should get involved” in elections by sending “agents of the federal government to count the votes” in cities that included Detroit.

“A state is an agent for the federal government in elections. I don’t know why the federal government doesn’t do them anyway,” Trump said to reporters. “But when you see some of these states about how horribly they run their elections, what a disgrace it is.”

Video of the interaction was widely circulated on social media where it garnered hundreds of thousands of views.

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​Jd vance on election integrity, Trump intervening in elections, Save act, Election interference, Politics 

Watching the real-time updates from Operation Epic Fury, one lesson kept flashing like a warning light: Don’t chase the rockets. Find the launcher.

For years, militaries have built sophisticated defenses. Rockets fly, interceptors rise, lives get saved. That matters. But every soldier knows intercepting rockets never counts as the long-term solution. Defense buys time. Strategy ends the threat.

Recall the maxim that the best defense is a good offense. Intercepting rockets protects you today. Disabling the launcher protects you tomorrow.

You trace the attack back to its source. You stop the launcher, and you stop the rockets that follow.

That principle applies to our culture.

Take the Oscars. Every year, a celebrity steps to the microphone and scolds half the country. Commentators repeat it the next morning. Clips hit social media within minutes. None of this happens by accident. The provocation is the point. The speech aims to trigger a predictable response, and for years it worked. Every clip pulled more people into the outrage cycle. Rocket after rocket.

But something changed. People have built defenses.

Many Americans now recognize the pattern. The provocation arrives. The clip goes viral. The outrage machine revs. And more people shrug. The rockets still fly. They just don’t land the way they once did.

I saw that recently in a clip of Ben Stiller promoting his new soda brand in a grocery store. For years, Stiller fired political rockets on social media at Donald Trump and his supporters. But there he was in the beverage aisle, hawking soda while shoppers pushed carts past him.

The moment felt revealing.

At some point, the rockets stopped landing.

That shouldn’t surprise anyone who remembers what Michael Jordan once said when asked why he stayed out of politics: “Republicans buy sneakers too.” Jordan understood something fundamental about celebrity influence. Star power works only if the audience still wants to watch.

Attention may be the currency of choice for some. But actual currency still runs the world.

Rebuking a president may generate applause and headlines. Selling soda still requires receipts. Filling theaters still requires paying customers. You can see it in the numbers: Award show ratings have fallen, and box office success increasingly depends on audiences tired of being lectured.

The rockets are still flying, but they’re losing range.

RELATED: ‘Bugonia’ and Hollywood’s most post-Christian Academy Awards yet

Photo by Nick Agro/Academy Museum Foundation via Getty Images

Which raises the real question: Why do we keep arguing about the explosions instead of the launchers?

Most cultural flashpoints don’t originate on a stage or in a viral clip. They are symptoms of deeper forces already at work — ideas formed in classrooms, reinforced by institutions, and absorbed by the next generation.

Those are the launchers.

Some leaders figured this out and adjusted their strategy. Instead of reacting to every viral moment, they went to the places where the ideas get produced and packaged. That’s a big part of what made Charlie Kirk effective with young audiences. He didn’t spend his life chasing rockets. He went to campuses and challenged the ideas being launched there.

Recall the maxim that the best defense is a good offense. Intercepting rockets protects you today. Disabling the launcher protects you tomorrow. Once the launcher is gone, there’s far less you need to defend against.

That takes patience. Discipline. And the wisdom to ignore the latest explosion overhead.

Playing defense keeps you alive. Playing offense wins.

And there’s one more thing worth noticing.

God never plays defense. Throughout scripture, truth advances. Light pushes back darkness. The gates of hell aren’t advancing against the church. They are the ones being stormed.

The lesson is simple: Stop chasing rockets. Find the launchers.

​Academy awards, Rockets, Outrage, Oscars, Outrage machine, Ben stiller, Discipline, Opinion & analysis, Fame, Celebrity, Viral video 

Republican Rep. August Pfluger of Texas is leading a bipartisan charge to combat the rise of nitazenes, a class of illicit drugs that could be deadlier than fentanyl, Blaze News has learned.

Pfluger introduced the House version of the DETECT Nitazenes Act Thursday alongside Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman of Virginia. The bipartisan and bicameral legislation would direct resources from the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate and the Drug Enforcement Administration to enhance technologies to detect illicit drugs like nitazenes at extremely low concentrations, according to bill text obtained exclusively by Blaze News.

‘These deadly drugs are taking American lives.’

“Nitazenes are an emerging class of illicit drugs that pose a serious threat to Americans’ health and safety, yet today, these deadly drugs have not received the level of attention necessary to combat them,” Pfluger told Blaze News. “The DETECT Nitazenes Act will close critical gaps in detection capabilities, support law enforcement efforts, and improve public safety outcomes by enabling faster and more accurate identification of these deadly substances.”

“As the risk from synthetic drugs continues to evolve, this legislation ensures that we remain prepared to respond to the next generation of deadly narcotics and protect our communities,” he continued.

RELATED: Exclusive: SAVE Act hangs in the balance as Republican Study Committee pushes for Senate passage

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, who is leading the companion bill in the Senate, demonstrated just how destructive nitazenes can be, urging Congress to take swift action.

“Nitazenes are powerful synthetic opioids that are stronger than fentanyl, cheaper to produce, and devastatingly lethal,” Schmitt told Blaze News. “These deadly drugs are taking American lives, and we must get smart on them before they devastate communities across Missouri and the nation.”

RELATED: Exclusive: GOP lawmaker leads push to counter CCP influence in global telecommunications

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Schmitt added, “I was proud to introduce the DETECT Nitazenes Act in the Senate and am encouraged to see my colleagues introduce it in the House. I urge both the House and the Senate to take up this critical bill to help tackle this crisis before nitazenes get out of control.”

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested several criminal illegal aliens, including those with convictions for murder and child sexual abuse.

A Department of Homeland Security press release obtained by Blaze News highlighted five arrests made by ICE on Wednesday.

‘President Trump has been clear: If you break the law, you will face the consequences.’

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announces the arrest of more criminal illegal aliens convicted for heinous crimes, including murder, lewd acts with a child, forcible sexual abuse, and possession and intent to distribute methamphetamine,” the press release stated.

The DHS noted that nearly 70% of the immigration agency’s arrests are of illegal aliens with prior charges or convictions in the United States.

The agency highlighted the capture of Santos Cornelio Ramos Vasquez, an illegal alien from Guatemala. Ramos Vasquez is a registered sex offender who was convicted on two counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor child under 14 years old in Los Angeles, California.

RELATED: White House offers concessions to end DHS shutdown — but Dems still choose illegal aliens over unpaid American TSA agents

Santos Cornelio Ramos Vasquez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

Cesar Verduzco-Rojas, an illegal alien from Mexico, was also arrested by ICE officers. He was previously convicted of murder in Perris, California. According to the San Bernardino Sun, Verduzco-Rojas was accused of killing a 24-year-old Mead Valley man in 2021. The victim was found behind the wheel of his vehicle, deceased from gunshot wounds.

Cesar Verduzco-Rojas. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

Federal immigration agents nabbed Jermaine Dalton Crosley, an illegal alien from Jamaica who was previously convicted of third-degree murder in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Court records revealed that Dalton Crosley was accused of fatally shooting a man who had allowed him to live on his property. A physical altercation ensued after the man demanded Dalton Crosley vacate.

Jermaine Dalton Crosley. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

Alber Eleazar Blanco, an illegal alien from Venezuela, was nabbed by immigration agents. He has a prior conviction in Provo, Utah, for forcible sexual abuse. Based on sex offender registry data, Blanco is 33 years old and lives in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Alber Eleazar Blanco. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

The final arrest noted by the DHS was Jose Manuel Ruiz Preciado, an illegal alien from Mexico. He was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas of possession and intent to distribute methamphetamine.

RELATED: Georgia city cuts water to planned ICE detention center

Jose Manuel Ruiz Preciado. Image source: Department of Homeland Security

“The media and sanctuary politicians continuously ignore the criminal illegal aliens ICE law enforcement is arresting from American neighborhoods,” DHS acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated.

“Yesterday alone, ICE arrested multiple murderers, pedophiles, and drug traffickers. President Trump has been clear: If you break the law, you will face the consequences,” Bis continued. “Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”

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​News, Immigration and customs enforcement, Ice, Immigration crisis, Illegal immigration crisis, Immigration, Illegal immigration, Department of homeland security, Dhs, Politics 

President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Homeland Security advanced through committee Thursday thanks to one Democrat senator.

Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s nomination advanced through the Senate Homeland Security Committee after Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania crossed party lines and voted in favor of the nominee. Mullin’s confirmation was previously in jeopardy after the committee’s chairman, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, vowed to vote against the nominee, citing concerns about his “temperament.”

‘Seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us.’

“They’ve had to have known for weeks that I couldn’t be real happy about a guy that won’t apologize and thinks that my assault was perfectly understandable,” Paul said.

Without Paul’s support, Mullin was on the brink of failing the simple majority vote needed to pass through the committee. However, Fetterman joined seven Republicans on the committee to advance Mullin’s nomination to the Senate floor.

RELATED: ‘Freaking snake’: Trump’s new DHS pick faces major roadblock from lone Republican

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Paul and Mullin sparred in Wednesday’s confirmation hearing after the chairman confronted the nominee over past comments he made about a violent assault Paul survived.

“You have never had the courage to look me in the eye and tell me that the assault was justified,” Paul said of Mullin’s comments following the 2017 assault that left him with broken ribs. Paul also claimed Mullin referred to him as a “freaking snake.”

Mullin pushed back on Paul’s claims in his opening statement, saying they addressed their differences when the Oklahoma senator was still in the House.

“I’m very blunt and direct to the point,” Mullin said. “And if I have something to say, I’ll say it directly to your face.”

“Seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us,” Mullin added.

RELATED: Noem is OUT — and Trump has named her replacement

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Mullin’s nomination is now headed to the floor, where the Republican-controlled Senate is expected to confirm him with a simple majority.

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​John fetterman, Rand paul, Markwayne mullin, Donald trump, Kristi noem, Dhs, Department of homeland security, Senate republicans, Senate democrats, Senate confirmation, Trump nominee, Politics 

The midterms are shaping up to be a rough outing for Republicans, according to CNN analyst Harry Enten.

On Thursday, Enten pointed to Americans’ attitudes on the cost of living and a massive drop in satisfaction from just before the election in 2024 until March 2026.

‘You can’t win when you’re 41 points below water on the cost of living.’

While President Donald Trump enjoyed a three-point net positive on the issue of cost of living in October 2024, he now has a negative 41-point rating on the same issue. The rating is the worst recorded, said the analyst.

“I would say that this is the most troublesome sign that I have seen for the president of the United States and the Republican Party so far,” said Enten.

“You can’t win when you’re 41 points below water on the cost of living.”

Among independent voters, which many consider to be a bellwether for elections, the drop is even steeper. The president had a net positive rating of 11 points in 2024, but that has fallen by 71 points to a net negative rating of 60 points among independents for the cost-of-living question.

“This, my dear friends, is just a political nightmare waiting to happen for the Republican Party come the midterm election,” Enten added.

Voters also rate cost of living as their top issue, and that concern has grown slightly for the next election.

Thirty-eight percent of voters cited cost of living as their top concern in 2024, and 39% now say it’s their top concern.

“Simply put, I am saying this loud and proud: You cannot win an election when you are the incumbent party and the top issue is the cost of living,” he added.

“And your net approval rating on it is 41 points underwater? I mean, you’re with Greg Louganis at this point!”

Louganis is an American diver who won multiple Olympic gold medals in the 1980s.

RELATED: Congressional Democrats have horrendous approval ratings — even among Democratic voters

Enten posted video of the segment to his official X social media account.

“You cannot win. If you’re the president and you’re the Republican Party and you’re not addressing this issue: Wave adios, amigos, goodbye, see you later to your House majority and may very well be your Senate majority as well.”

Enten also pointed out that prediction markets pointed to a strong possibility that inflation would be higher when reported for the month of March over the last year, which would likely worsen conditions for Republicans.

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​Polling for midterm elections, Cost of living 2026, Republicans vs democrats, Harry enten polling, Politics 

A bevy of European countries and Japan issued a joint statement to condemn Iran and pledge to defend the Strait of Hormuz from the belligerent regime’s military threat.

Iran has shut down the strait and sent oil prices spiraling after the U.S. and Israel began military strikes about three weeks ago.

‘Everybody agrees. The strait cannot stay closed. It has to open up again as soon as possible. This is crucial for the world economy.’

European countries initially refused to join the effort to defend the strait, but on Thursday, they relented and issued a statement condemning Iran.

“We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping,” said the global leaders in their proclamation.

Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan signed the letter, which went on to call Iran’s actions to disrupt global energy supply chains “a threat to international peace and security.”

“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait,” the letter continued. “We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.”

President Trump had warned that the future of NATO was threatened unless the international community joined the effort to defend the oil tanker route.

“The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both Militarily, Economically, and in every other way, but the Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!” he wrote on Saturday.

“This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be — It will bring the World together toward Harmony, Security, and Everlasting Peace!” he added.

Crude oil rose to about $65 in late February and spiked to above $95 by Thursday, an increase of about 50%. Americans are seeing the price surge at the gas pump, leading some to worry that cost-of-living concerns may crush Republicans in the midterm elections.

An Israeli strike on a major oil field in Iran led to retaliatory Irani strikes against oil facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, as well as Kuwait. Trump claimed that he had not been alerted prior to the oil field attack, but an Axios report citing U.S. and Israeli officials said he had been told about the strike.

“Everybody agrees. The strait cannot stay closed. It has to open up again as soon as possible. This is crucial for the world economy,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Thursday. “I am confident that allies as always, will do everything in support of our shared interest.”

RELATED: The Economist gets crushed over sympathetic portrayal of dead Iranian leader

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday the strikes on Iran would escalate.

“Again, today will be the largest strike package yet, just like yesterday was. As I’ve said from day one, our capabilities continue to build; Iran’s continue to degrade,” he said in a media briefing. “We’re hunting and striking death and destruction from above.”

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​European countries to defend hormuz, Strait of hormuz shut down, Oil prices skyrocketing, Us-israel strikes on iran, Politics