Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised an overhaul of military physical fitness standards — and accountability to ensure that those standards are met — in an X post on Friday, declaring that on his watch, service members would be “FIT, not FAT!”

Hegseth was responding to a Military Times report published Thursday revealing that the overwhelming majority — more than two-thirds — of reserve troops did not meet the prescribed weight standards.

“Completely unacceptable. This is what happens when standards are IGNORED — and this is what we are changing. REAL fitness & weight standards are here. We will be FIT, not FAT,” Hegseth declared in an X post, noting that part of the problem was the fact that even the existing standards were not being enforced.

Completely unacceptable.

This is what happens when standards are IGNORED — and this is what we are changing. REAL fitness & weight standards are here.

We will be FIT, not FAT. pic.twitter.com/KWMlFbS1c8

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) April 25, 2025

Citing a new study released earlier this week by the American Security Project (ASP), The Military Times reported that an estimated 68% of National Guard and reserve troops would be classified as either overweight or obese. The problem was slightly more pronounced among National Guard members, where some 21% of all personnel are estimated to be obese.

The ASP noted in the study that a large percentage of Active Duty service members are also considered to be overweight or obese. But because National Guard and reserve service members serve and train on a part time basis, enforcing physical fitness standards can be a much more complicated issue than when dealing with those serving in an active duty capacity — but the risks, in addition to the impacts on military readiness, remain high.

“These service members experience heightened risk for a wide variety of serious health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and osteoarthritis, which may lead to life-threatening health events such as stroke and heart failure,” the ASP report stated.

Hegseth has stated repeatedly that his main goal is to restore the United States military’s reputation as the most lethal fighting force on the planet, and as such, he plans to overhaul and enforce fitness standards that will bring about that end.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised an overhaul of military physical fitness standards — and accountability to ensure that those standards are met — in an X post on Friday, declaring that on his watch, service members would be “FIT, not FAT!”

Hegseth was responding to a Military Times report published Thursday revealing that the overwhelming majority — more than two-thirds — of reserve troops did not meet the prescribed weight standards.

“Completely unacceptable. This is what happens when standards are IGNORED — and this is what we are changing. REAL fitness & weight standards are here. We will be FIT, not FAT,” Hegseth declared in an X post, noting that part of the problem was the fact that even the existing standards were not being enforced.

Completely unacceptable.

This is what happens when standards are IGNORED — and this is what we are changing. REAL fitness & weight standards are here.

We will be FIT, not FAT. pic.twitter.com/KWMlFbS1c8

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) April 25, 2025

Citing a new study released earlier this week by the American Security Project (ASP), The Military Times reported that an estimated 68% of National Guard and reserve troops would be classified as either overweight or obese. The problem was slightly more pronounced among National Guard members, where some 21% of all personnel are estimated to be obese.

The ASP noted in the study that a large percentage of Active Duty service members are also considered to be overweight or obese. But because National Guard and reserve service members serve and train on a part time basis, enforcing physical fitness standards can be a much more complicated issue than when dealing with those serving in an active duty capacity — but the risks, in addition to the impacts on military readiness, remain high.

“These service members experience heightened risk for a wide variety of serious health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and osteoarthritis, which may lead to life-threatening health events such as stroke and heart failure,” the ASP report stated.

Hegseth has stated repeatedly that his main goal is to restore the United States military’s reputation as the most lethal fighting force on the planet, and as such, he plans to overhaul and enforce fitness standards that will bring about that end.

“}]] 

The post ‘FIT, Not FAT!’: Pete Hegseth Promises Standard Overhaul After ‘Unacceptable’ Troop Fitness Report appeared first on Spin Politico.

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump’s Education Department is investigating the University of California at Berkeley for allegedly failing to properly report hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign funding, The Daily Wire has learned.

The Education Department sent a notice of investigation and records requests to UC Berkeley on Friday, senior Education Department officials shared Friday morning. The notification came amid widespread media reports that Berkeley has received a substantial amount of money from foreign governments, the official said, specifically China.

These substantial amounts of money have not been reported to the department as required by law under Section 117’s Foreign Funding Disclosure Requirements for Universities, one official shared. The department is concerned about the university’s deep involvements with Chinese entities, particularly how it has shared the development and transfer of important technologies with China.

“They’ll have 30 days to respond with the records that we requested,” an Education Department official said, “and so we hope to have quite a volume of records and we’ll be able to verify the degree to which UC Berkeley is or is not compliant after our examination of those records.”

Close-up of metalwork on Sather Gate, the iconic entrance gate to the campus of UC Berkeley in downtown Berkeley, California, October 9, 2018. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Berkeley did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Wire.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump’s Education Department is investigating the University of California at Berkeley for allegedly failing to properly report hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign funding, The Daily Wire has learned.

The Education Department sent a notice of investigation and records requests to UC Berkeley on Friday, senior Education Department officials shared Friday morning. The notification came amid widespread media reports that Berkeley has received a substantial amount of money from foreign governments, the official said, specifically China.

These substantial amounts of money have not been reported to the department as required by law under Section 117’s Foreign Funding Disclosure Requirements for Universities, one official shared. The department is concerned about the university’s deep involvements with Chinese entities, particularly how it has shared the development and transfer of important technologies with China.

“They’ll have 30 days to respond with the records that we requested,” an Education Department official said, “and so we hope to have quite a volume of records and we’ll be able to verify the degree to which UC Berkeley is or is not compliant after our examination of those records.”

Close-up of metalwork on Sather Gate, the iconic entrance gate to the campus of UC Berkeley in downtown Berkeley, California, October 9, 2018. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Berkeley did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Wire.

“}]] 

The post Education Department Investigating UC Berkeley For Improper Reporting On China Ties appeared first on Spin Politico.

Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY), who was expelled from Congress last year after extensive fraud revelations, received a hefty 87-month prison term on Friday.

Santos, 36, pleaded guilty last year to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft while also admitting he “filed fraudulent FEC reports, embezzled funds from campaign donors, charged credit cards without authorization, stole identities, obtained unemployment benefits through fraud, and lied in reports to the House of Representatives,” per a Department of Justice press release.

As U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert handed down the sentencing, Santos could be seen putting his hands over his head in apparent disbelief, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Despite Santos saying in a Monday letter to the presiding judge that he “accepted full responsibility” for his crimes and was “profoundly sorry” for his actions, John J. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York under President Donald Trump’s DOJ, had pushed for an 87-month sentence, characterizing Santos as “unrepentant,” and “blamed his circumstances on misplaced trust in others,” per The Wall Street Journal.

Judge Seybert reportedly concurred with this sentiment, saying at the sentencing, “Where’s the remorse? Where do I see it?”

After his expulsion from Congress, Santos attempted to monetize his notoriety, likely in an attempt to pay the $375,000 in restitution, through personalized videos on Cameo and launching a podcast aptly titled “Pants on Fire” – a possible reference to his numerous falsehoods about his education, work history, and personal background, according to The New York Times.

Santos was making “twice his congressional salary” through the personalized video platform, according to The Times, with the former congressman pushing a “last week on Cameo” promotion in a last-ditch effort to raise money before his sentencing.

Durham argued in a supplemental court memo that Santos’ recent social media posts claiming he is a “scapegoat” and a victim of DOJ overreach and selective prosecution “suggested he had little remorse for his actions.”

“His actions speak louder than any words, and they cry out for a significant carceral sentence in this case,” the U.S. attorney said.

Hi my name is George Santos and the DOJ has had a hard on for me since December of 2022.

I refuse to let them break me or my spirit and that makes them big Mad… they have used elaborate language to drag me and hinder my ability to earn income…

Long story short, I will NOT…

— Pants On Fire with George Santos (@MrSantosNY) April 5, 2025

Santos’ dramatic fall began shortly after his 2022 election victory when it was revealed that he had fabricated much of his background, such as graduating from Baruch College, working for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, and even playing collegiate volleyball.

“I didn’t graduate from any institution of higher learning. I’m embarrassed and sorry for having embellished my resume,” Santos admitted in 2023, adding, “I own up to that. … We do stupid things in life.”

Santos was expelled from the House of Representatives after fellow Republicans led the charge following a bipartisan House Ethics Committee report, which found that he had stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from donors. Some funds were reportedly spent on luxury goods, OnlyFans, and Botox.

His attorneys had requested the minimum 24-month sentence, arguing that his actions “stemmed largely from a misguided desperation related to his political campaign, rather than inherent malice,” according to The New York Times, with the judge ultimately accepting the prosecution’s recommended sentence.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY), who was expelled from Congress last year after extensive fraud revelations, received a hefty 87-month prison term on Friday.

Santos, 36, pleaded guilty last year to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft while also admitting he “filed fraudulent FEC reports, embezzled funds from campaign donors, charged credit cards without authorization, stole identities, obtained unemployment benefits through fraud, and lied in reports to the House of Representatives,” per a Department of Justice press release.

As U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert handed down the sentencing, Santos could be seen putting his hands over his head in apparent disbelief, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Despite Santos saying in a Monday letter to the presiding judge that he “accepted full responsibility” for his crimes and was “profoundly sorry” for his actions, John J. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York under President Donald Trump’s DOJ, had pushed for an 87-month sentence, characterizing Santos as “unrepentant,” and “blamed his circumstances on misplaced trust in others,” per The Wall Street Journal.

Judge Seybert reportedly concurred with this sentiment, saying at the sentencing, “Where’s the remorse? Where do I see it?”

After his expulsion from Congress, Santos attempted to monetize his notoriety, likely in an attempt to pay the $375,000 in restitution, through personalized videos on Cameo and launching a podcast aptly titled “Pants on Fire” – a possible reference to his numerous falsehoods about his education, work history, and personal background, according to The New York Times.

Santos was making “twice his congressional salary” through the personalized video platform, according to The Times, with the former congressman pushing a “last week on Cameo” promotion in a last-ditch effort to raise money before his sentencing.

Durham argued in a supplemental court memo that Santos’ recent social media posts claiming he is a “scapegoat” and a victim of DOJ overreach and selective prosecution “suggested he had little remorse for his actions.”

“His actions speak louder than any words, and they cry out for a significant carceral sentence in this case,” the U.S. attorney said.

Hi my name is George Santos and the DOJ has had a hard on for me since December of 2022.

I refuse to let them break me or my spirit and that makes them big Mad… they have used elaborate language to drag me and hinder my ability to earn income…

Long story short, I will NOT…

— Pants On Fire with George Santos (@MrSantosNY) April 5, 2025

Santos’ dramatic fall began shortly after his 2022 election victory when it was revealed that he had fabricated much of his background, such as graduating from Baruch College, working for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, and even playing collegiate volleyball.

“I didn’t graduate from any institution of higher learning. I’m embarrassed and sorry for having embellished my resume,” Santos admitted in 2023, adding, “I own up to that. … We do stupid things in life.”

Santos was expelled from the House of Representatives after fellow Republicans led the charge following a bipartisan House Ethics Committee report, which found that he had stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from donors. Some funds were reportedly spent on luxury goods, OnlyFans, and Botox.

His attorneys had requested the minimum 24-month sentence, arguing that his actions “stemmed largely from a misguided desperation related to his political campaign, rather than inherent malice,” according to The New York Times, with the judge ultimately accepting the prosecution’s recommended sentence.

“}]] 

The post Disgraced Ex-Congressman George Santos Sentenced To More Than 7 Years In Prison appeared first on Spin Politico.

NewsNation host Chris Cuomo blasted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) during a Thursday broadcast, warning Democrats not to get behind her as she tours the country with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) — and appears ready to potentially mount a presidential campaign in 2028.

Cuomo, in addition to criticizing Ocasio-Cortez’ thin Congressional resume, referred to the Bronx native as an “80/20 loser” whose only real accomplishments can be measured in social media “likes.”

WATCH:

NEW: @ChrisCuomo WARNS Dems it’s foolish to elevate “socialist” AOC as top presidential contender

“AOC has done nothing meaningful in Congress. She’s done it all on social media. And she’s one of your leading names and who’s going to be president? … She’s an 80/20 loser… pic.twitter.com/nwO2K3ghcn

— Jason Cohen (@JasonJournoDC) April 24, 2025

“AOC has done nothing meaningful in Congress. She’s done it all on social media,” Cuomo began. “And she’s one of your leading names and who’s going to be president?”

“Do you not get this concept of 80/20? She’s an 80/20 loser all day long,” Cuomo continued, suggesting that on most major issues that Americans cared about, Ocasio-Cortez would side with 20% while 80% sided against her. “Why? She is clearly catering to a minority. She’s her own version of MAGA. She’s looking for an outraged enclave.”

“She’s not about the majority, she’s not about consensus. She’s not about solutions,” he concluded. “She wants government to give you everything. She’s a socialist in a capitalist society. What are you thinking!?”

A number of people have suggested that Ocasio-Cortez is likely to mount a primary challenge against Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) — and Schumer’s recent poll numbers, according to CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten, have many wondering whether he could withstand such a battle.

“They simply don’t like the job he’s doing as Senate leader. I mean, look at this — should Schumer stay as Senate leader? Again, according to New York Democrats, just 50% say yes. Look at this number — 48% say no,” Enten said. “This screams — sirens should be going off. Primary challenge. Primary challenge. Primary challenge. When you’re a Democrat in New York and these are your ratings — this is a big wake-up call if you’re Chuck Schumer.”

But others have suggested that the New York Congresswoman might be plotting a much bigger move:

She’s running for president.pic.twitter.com/nWbnbnn0Ar

— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) April 24, 2025

She’s going to run and her message of economic populism is more powerful than people are giving her credit for. https://t.co/izAoGvR70y

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) April 24, 2025

Since we all seem to agree that AOC is running in 2028, I want to start the clock on the inevitable “she’s always been a moderate” reform tour that she’s already laying the groundwork for by being absent from a lot of the squad’s bullshit these days. https://t.co/1O2nLFfHZi

— Noam Blum (@neontaster) April 25, 2025

I am telling you…she is running and she is going to be more formidable than some Democrats seem to think https://t.co/rifJTFv2Ns

— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) April 24, 2025

Also, she’s running. Notice how she’s shifting from intersectional divisiveness to progressive economics. And if Republicans underestimate her they’re making a crucial mistake. If the economy craters, she’s the likely frontrunner to be president in 2028.

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) April 25, 2025

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

NewsNation host Chris Cuomo blasted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) during a Thursday broadcast, warning Democrats not to get behind her as she tours the country with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) — and appears ready to potentially mount a presidential campaign in 2028.

Cuomo, in addition to criticizing Ocasio-Cortez’ thin Congressional resume, referred to the Bronx native as an “80/20 loser” whose only real accomplishments can be measured in social media “likes.”

WATCH:

NEW: @ChrisCuomo WARNS Dems it’s foolish to elevate “socialist” AOC as top presidential contender

“AOC has done nothing meaningful in Congress. She’s done it all on social media. And she’s one of your leading names and who’s going to be president? … She’s an 80/20 loser… pic.twitter.com/nwO2K3ghcn

— Jason Cohen (@JasonJournoDC) April 24, 2025

“AOC has done nothing meaningful in Congress. She’s done it all on social media,” Cuomo began. “And she’s one of your leading names and who’s going to be president?”

“Do you not get this concept of 80/20? She’s an 80/20 loser all day long,” Cuomo continued, suggesting that on most major issues that Americans cared about, Ocasio-Cortez would side with 20% while 80% sided against her. “Why? She is clearly catering to a minority. She’s her own version of MAGA. She’s looking for an outraged enclave.”

“She’s not about the majority, she’s not about consensus. She’s not about solutions,” he concluded. “She wants government to give you everything. She’s a socialist in a capitalist society. What are you thinking!?”

A number of people have suggested that Ocasio-Cortez is likely to mount a primary challenge against Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) — and Schumer’s recent poll numbers, according to CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten, have many wondering whether he could withstand such a battle.

“They simply don’t like the job he’s doing as Senate leader. I mean, look at this — should Schumer stay as Senate leader? Again, according to New York Democrats, just 50% say yes. Look at this number — 48% say no,” Enten said. “This screams — sirens should be going off. Primary challenge. Primary challenge. Primary challenge. When you’re a Democrat in New York and these are your ratings — this is a big wake-up call if you’re Chuck Schumer.”

But others have suggested that the New York Congresswoman might be plotting a much bigger move:

She’s running for president.pic.twitter.com/nWbnbnn0Ar

— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) April 24, 2025

She’s going to run and her message of economic populism is more powerful than people are giving her credit for. https://t.co/izAoGvR70y

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) April 24, 2025

Since we all seem to agree that AOC is running in 2028, I want to start the clock on the inevitable “she’s always been a moderate” reform tour that she’s already laying the groundwork for by being absent from a lot of the squad’s bullshit these days. https://t.co/1O2nLFfHZi

— Noam Blum (@neontaster) April 25, 2025

I am telling you…she is running and she is going to be more formidable than some Democrats seem to think https://t.co/rifJTFv2Ns

— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) April 24, 2025

Also, she’s running. Notice how she’s shifting from intersectional divisiveness to progressive economics. And if Republicans underestimate her they’re making a crucial mistake. If the economy craters, she’s the likely frontrunner to be president in 2028.

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) April 25, 2025

“}]] 

The post Chris Cuomo Blasts ’80-20 Loser’ Ocasio-Cortez, Warns Dems Not To Pick Her In 2028 appeared first on Spin Politico.

Help us, George Clooney … you’re our only hope!”

No one actually shared that plea with the Oscar-winner, but he’s been assuming someone did for a while. Over the course of four decades, the 63-year-old went from the mulleted handyman on “The Facts of Life” to an award-winning actor, director and film producer.

Clooney has every right and intention of using his celebrity gravitas. That’s despite the 2024 election proving voters no longer hold stars in high regard. At least at the ballot box.

Plenty of people listened to Clooney last summer, a time when his unofficial Save America tour kicked off. He took to the pages of The New York Times to call for President Joe Biden to end his rematch against President Donald Trump.

Clooney’s Op/Ed, and his choice of platform, rocked the Democratic establishment. Clooney shared how the Biden he once knew was no more, and that it was time for a younger Democrat to take the fight to Trump.

It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal‘ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.

Breaking News from 2021, right? Except it came on the heels of Biden’s disastrous June 27 presidential debate and endless videos revealing the leader’s rickety health.

When Biden eventually stepped aside ( maybe pushed?), Clooney looked like a Democratic soothsayer.

As a result, the star’s ego grew three sizes. and we’re now getting a good dose of it  during Clooney’s “Good Night, and Good Luck” press tour.

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

The actor brought his 2005 film of the same name to the Great White Way earlier this month. His never-ending publicity for the show, along with the production itself, has given Clooney even more opportunities to lecture reg’lar Americans on The Way Things Ought to Be.

Let’s start with the show, a love letter to journalist Edward R. Murrow during his ‘50s-era battles with Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Their clashes mattered then, and now, and the play (and film) justly honor that.

Except Clooney backloads the production with a clip brigade that touches on everything from the silly to the surreal. It’s meant to remind us why the Fourth Estate matters, even though the clips include video of Elon Musk raising his arm in a manner that some of the far-Left dubbed Nazi-adjacent.

A real journalist wouldn’t suggest the billionaire’s awkward gesture was anything but an awkward hand gesture. Nor would he use that clip as an example of something noteworthy in modern times.

A better example? A shot of a burning Tesla?

Valerie Terranova/WireImage

Clooney has used every media interview to remind us why journalism matters now – more than ever – in the era of Trump.

Here he is genuflecting to the Fourth Estate:

It’s a subject matter that is very close to our hearts, which is what [the press] does. Telling the truth and holding truth to power. It’s a play we’re very excited to do.

He wagged his perfectly manicured finger at us anew during a chat with CBS about the Broadway show. Once again, he defended modern journalists:

Governments don’t like the freedom of the press. They never have,” he said. “And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side you’re on. They don’t like the press.

He played the same note during a chat with the far-Left “Late Show” on CBS:

We have had this issue where power, kind of, hates the fourth estate. They hate journalism and my father’s an anchorman and news man and we’ve always believed in the idea of when the other three estates: the judiciary branch and the executive branch, when they all fail you, you need that fourth estate, right.

Screenshot: YouTube/The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. George Clooney.

He’s right. So where was it during the last four years? Not only did brave, truth-telling journalists ignore President Biden’s mental decline, some actively covered it up. Remember the brief “cheap fakes” era of media damage control?

Biden’s mental decline was like his son’s missing laptop. Nothing to see here. Move along.

That’s journalism at its worst, and Clooney was part of that cover-up. Clooney palled around with President Biden during a June 2024 fundraiser, something he alluded to in that New York Times open letter. He saw Biden’s sorry state and said nothing for weeks until Biden’s poll numbers sank too low to ignore.

Is that what the son of a truth-telling journalist would do? Of course not.

Yet here he was thumping his chest about his play, the state of modern journalism, and his role in boosting both as if he had done nothing wrong.

It took a member of the “new media” to set Clooney straight about his cover-up.

“That’s not journalism, George. That’s cowardice, followed by naked partisanship,” said Megyn Kelly on her self-titled podcast about his actions.

Clooney remains both handsome and charismatic, and he effortlessly embraced his first major role on Broadway. That’s not easy. He might try putting his partisan blinders on the shelf the next time he waxes philosophical on journalism.

We’ve seen the very worst of it over the past decade, and any attempt to suggest otherwise is just theater.

* * *

Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of HollywoodInToto.com. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at HollywoodInToto.com.

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

Help us, George Clooney … you’re our only hope!”

No one actually shared that plea with the Oscar-winner, but he’s been assuming someone did for a while. Over the course of four decades, the 63-year-old went from the mulleted handyman on “The Facts of Life” to an award-winning actor, director and film producer.

Clooney has every right and intention of using his celebrity gravitas. That’s despite the 2024 election proving voters no longer hold stars in high regard. At least at the ballot box.

Plenty of people listened to Clooney last summer, a time when his unofficial Save America tour kicked off. He took to the pages of The New York Times to call for President Joe Biden to end his rematch against President Donald Trump.

Clooney’s Op/Ed, and his choice of platform, rocked the Democratic establishment. Clooney shared how the Biden he once knew was no more, and that it was time for a younger Democrat to take the fight to Trump.

It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal‘ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.

Breaking News from 2021, right? Except it came on the heels of Biden’s disastrous June 27 presidential debate and endless videos revealing the leader’s rickety health.

When Biden eventually stepped aside ( maybe pushed?), Clooney looked like a Democratic soothsayer.

As a result, the star’s ego grew three sizes. and we’re now getting a good dose of it  during Clooney’s “Good Night, and Good Luck” press tour.

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

The actor brought his 2005 film of the same name to the Great White Way earlier this month. His never-ending publicity for the show, along with the production itself, has given Clooney even more opportunities to lecture reg’lar Americans on The Way Things Ought to Be.

Let’s start with the show, a love letter to journalist Edward R. Murrow during his ‘50s-era battles with Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Their clashes mattered then, and now, and the play (and film) justly honor that.

Except Clooney backloads the production with a clip brigade that touches on everything from the silly to the surreal. It’s meant to remind us why the Fourth Estate matters, even though the clips include video of Elon Musk raising his arm in a manner that some of the far-Left dubbed Nazi-adjacent.

A real journalist wouldn’t suggest the billionaire’s awkward gesture was anything but an awkward hand gesture. Nor would he use that clip as an example of something noteworthy in modern times.

A better example? A shot of a burning Tesla?

Valerie Terranova/WireImage

Clooney has used every media interview to remind us why journalism matters now – more than ever – in the era of Trump.

Here he is genuflecting to the Fourth Estate:

It’s a subject matter that is very close to our hearts, which is what [the press] does. Telling the truth and holding truth to power. It’s a play we’re very excited to do.

He wagged his perfectly manicured finger at us anew during a chat with CBS about the Broadway show. Once again, he defended modern journalists:

Governments don’t like the freedom of the press. They never have,” he said. “And that goes for whether you are a conservative or a liberal or whatever side you’re on. They don’t like the press.

He played the same note during a chat with the far-Left “Late Show” on CBS:

We have had this issue where power, kind of, hates the fourth estate. They hate journalism and my father’s an anchorman and news man and we’ve always believed in the idea of when the other three estates: the judiciary branch and the executive branch, when they all fail you, you need that fourth estate, right.

Screenshot: YouTube/The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. George Clooney.

He’s right. So where was it during the last four years? Not only did brave, truth-telling journalists ignore President Biden’s mental decline, some actively covered it up. Remember the brief “cheap fakes” era of media damage control?

Biden’s mental decline was like his son’s missing laptop. Nothing to see here. Move along.

That’s journalism at its worst, and Clooney was part of that cover-up. Clooney palled around with President Biden during a June 2024 fundraiser, something he alluded to in that New York Times open letter. He saw Biden’s sorry state and said nothing for weeks until Biden’s poll numbers sank too low to ignore.

Is that what the son of a truth-telling journalist would do? Of course not.

Yet here he was thumping his chest about his play, the state of modern journalism, and his role in boosting both as if he had done nothing wrong.

It took a member of the “new media” to set Clooney straight about his cover-up.

“That’s not journalism, George. That’s cowardice, followed by naked partisanship,” said Megyn Kelly on her self-titled podcast about his actions.

Clooney remains both handsome and charismatic, and he effortlessly embraced his first major role on Broadway. That’s not easy. He might try putting his partisan blinders on the shelf the next time he waxes philosophical on journalism.

We’ve seen the very worst of it over the past decade, and any attempt to suggest otherwise is just theater.

* * *

Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of HollywoodInToto.com. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at HollywoodInToto.com.

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

“}]] 

The post Exit Stage Left: The Ego And Amnesia Of George Clooney appeared first on Spin Politico.

FBI Director Kash Patel said on Friday that federal agents arrested a Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, judge who is suspected of helping an illegal immigrant from Mexico evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Last week, ICE agents showed up at a Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest a Mexican citizen after a hearing before Judge Hannah Dugan. The judge directed ICE agents to wait in Chief Judge Carl Ashley’s office and then told the defendant to exit the courtroom through a side door, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

“We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest,” Patel said in a post that has since been deleted. “Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and he’s been in custody since, but the Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public.” It was not immediately clear why Patel chose to delete the post.

The FBI director added that the bureau would share more information “soon” and thanked the FBI’s Milwaukee field office for its work in arresting the judge.

According to Chief Judge Ashley, who sent an email to other judges about the incident, ICE agents showed a warrant for the illegal immigrant’s arrest and followed courthouse protocols. Dugan, who has served on the bench for nine years, responded to that email, however, saying “a warrant was not presented” to her.

ICE agents have routinely shown up at the Milwaukee County Courthouse in recent weeks with arrest warrants. In the past two months, two suspected illegal immigrants were arrested by federal agents in the courthouse hallways.

During Trump’s first term in office, a Massachusetts judge was charged by the Justice Department with obstructing immigration agents after she and a court officer allegedly helped an illegal immigrant sneak out the back door of the courthouse. The federal government later dropped the charges after the judge agreed to go through potential judicial discipline.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

FBI Director Kash Patel said on Friday that federal agents arrested a Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, judge who is suspected of helping an illegal immigrant from Mexico evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Last week, ICE agents showed up at a Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest a Mexican citizen after a hearing before Judge Hannah Dugan. The judge directed ICE agents to wait in Chief Judge Carl Ashley’s office and then told the defendant to exit the courtroom through a side door, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

“We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest,” Patel said in a post that has since been deleted. “Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and he’s been in custody since, but the Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public.” It was not immediately clear why Patel chose to delete the post.

The FBI director added that the bureau would share more information “soon” and thanked the FBI’s Milwaukee field office for its work in arresting the judge.

According to Chief Judge Ashley, who sent an email to other judges about the incident, ICE agents showed a warrant for the illegal immigrant’s arrest and followed courthouse protocols. Dugan, who has served on the bench for nine years, responded to that email, however, saying “a warrant was not presented” to her.

ICE agents have routinely shown up at the Milwaukee County Courthouse in recent weeks with arrest warrants. In the past two months, two suspected illegal immigrants were arrested by federal agents in the courthouse hallways.

During Trump’s first term in office, a Massachusetts judge was charged by the Justice Department with obstructing immigration agents after she and a court officer allegedly helped an illegal immigrant sneak out the back door of the courthouse. The federal government later dropped the charges after the judge agreed to go through potential judicial discipline.

“}]] 

The post FBI Arrests Judge Accused Of ‘Intentionally’ Misdirecting ICE Agents Away From Illegal Immigrant appeared first on Spin Politico.

The approval of leftist leaders in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom has surged since President Donald Trump took office in January and began implementing his economic and foreign policy agendas.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the reaction to the beginning of Trump’s second administration has given new life to liberal leaders who previously looked destined for defeat in upcoming elections. Trump’s massive tariffs imposed on nearly every country in the world are the top issue that appears to be driving support for leftist leaders.

The biggest swing following Trump’s inauguration came in Canada, where the ruling Liberal Party appeared dead in the water until Trump imposed a tariff on Canadian goods and suggested making Canada the 51st state.

Trump’s policies and attitude toward Canada have appeared to turn the upcoming prime minister election on its head — shifting from a likely flip to the Conservative Party to potentially remaining in the hands of the Liberal Party and leftist Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, were ahead of the Liberals by more than 20 points in the polls, but now the Liberals lead by around 4 points, according to the WSJ. Poilievre and his Conservative Party hope to gain back support among Canadians, who will go to the polls on Monday.

In Australia, which is holding elections on May 3, Left-leaning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is now ahead in the polls by more than 10 points after trailing his conservative opponent, Peter Dutton, by six points in January. The jump in support for Albanese coincides with Australians losing trust in the U.S. government, according to polling results from the Lowy Institute. The think tank found that only 36% of Australians have any level of trust in the United States to act responsibly, the WSJ reported. That was down from 56% last year.

The United Kingdom’s Left-leaning Labour Party is still struggling with its approval rating, sitting at just 29%, but that’s an 8-point increase from February. The upward trend in approval for the British Labour Party followed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s meeting with Trump at the White House in late February to discuss tariffs and the war in Ukraine. Starmer has vowed to “only strike a [trade] deal” with Trump “if it’s in the national interest.” Earlier this month, an Ipsos poll showed a 17-point drop in the number of Britons who agreed that the United Kingdom has a “special relationship” with the United States, down to 30%.

Conservative leaders in Canada and Australia are trying to navigate Trump’s policies as they seek to regain support ahead of their elections. Poilievre, a popular figure on the Canadian Right, has pushed “Canada First” campaign messaging, similar to Trump’s “America First” slogan. The Canadian parliamentarian has also amassed a large following among Canadian and some American conservatives for his viral critiques of the legacy media and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Despite his similarities to Trump, Poilievre has been careful to differentiate himself from the U.S. president and has strongly opposed Trump’s tariffs that are now affecting the Canadian economy, calling Trump’s move “historic mistreatment of Canada.” Poilievre’s strategy is showing signs of success, as the Conservative Party has regained some ground on the Liberals, according to a CTV News-Globe and Mail-Nanos poll released earlier this week. According to the survey, Conservatives have narrowed the gap from 5.6 points to 3.6 points.

Dutton, the Australian conservative candidate, has pushed policies similar to those implemented by Trump, such as seeking to radically cut government spending. Dutton, however, has called Trump comparisons a “sledge” used to attack him, adding that “the government doesn’t have a good story to tell.”

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

The approval of leftist leaders in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom has surged since President Donald Trump took office in January and began implementing his economic and foreign policy agendas.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the reaction to the beginning of Trump’s second administration has given new life to liberal leaders who previously looked destined for defeat in upcoming elections. Trump’s massive tariffs imposed on nearly every country in the world are the top issue that appears to be driving support for leftist leaders.

The biggest swing following Trump’s inauguration came in Canada, where the ruling Liberal Party appeared dead in the water until Trump imposed a tariff on Canadian goods and suggested making Canada the 51st state.

Trump’s policies and attitude toward Canada have appeared to turn the upcoming prime minister election on its head — shifting from a likely flip to the Conservative Party to potentially remaining in the hands of the Liberal Party and leftist Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, were ahead of the Liberals by more than 20 points in the polls, but now the Liberals lead by around 4 points, according to the WSJ. Poilievre and his Conservative Party hope to gain back support among Canadians, who will go to the polls on Monday.

In Australia, which is holding elections on May 3, Left-leaning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is now ahead in the polls by more than 10 points after trailing his conservative opponent, Peter Dutton, by six points in January. The jump in support for Albanese coincides with Australians losing trust in the U.S. government, according to polling results from the Lowy Institute. The think tank found that only 36% of Australians have any level of trust in the United States to act responsibly, the WSJ reported. That was down from 56% last year.

The United Kingdom’s Left-leaning Labour Party is still struggling with its approval rating, sitting at just 29%, but that’s an 8-point increase from February. The upward trend in approval for the British Labour Party followed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s meeting with Trump at the White House in late February to discuss tariffs and the war in Ukraine. Starmer has vowed to “only strike a [trade] deal” with Trump “if it’s in the national interest.” Earlier this month, an Ipsos poll showed a 17-point drop in the number of Britons who agreed that the United Kingdom has a “special relationship” with the United States, down to 30%.

Conservative leaders in Canada and Australia are trying to navigate Trump’s policies as they seek to regain support ahead of their elections. Poilievre, a popular figure on the Canadian Right, has pushed “Canada First” campaign messaging, similar to Trump’s “America First” slogan. The Canadian parliamentarian has also amassed a large following among Canadian and some American conservatives for his viral critiques of the legacy media and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Despite his similarities to Trump, Poilievre has been careful to differentiate himself from the U.S. president and has strongly opposed Trump’s tariffs that are now affecting the Canadian economy, calling Trump’s move “historic mistreatment of Canada.” Poilievre’s strategy is showing signs of success, as the Conservative Party has regained some ground on the Liberals, according to a CTV News-Globe and Mail-Nanos poll released earlier this week. According to the survey, Conservatives have narrowed the gap from 5.6 points to 3.6 points.

Dutton, the Australian conservative candidate, has pushed policies similar to those implemented by Trump, such as seeking to radically cut government spending. Dutton, however, has called Trump comparisons a “sledge” used to attack him, adding that “the government doesn’t have a good story to tell.”

“}]] 

The post These Leftist World Leaders Saw A Surge In Support After Trump Took Office appeared first on Spin Politico.

Federal agents arrested a former New Mexico Democrat judge and his wife on Thursday after they were accused of harboring a suspected member of Tren de Aragua at their home. 

Former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano and his wife, Nancy, were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at their home in Las Cruces, KFOX14 reported. Both the 67-year-old former judge and his wife are charged with tampering with evidence. 

The couple is currently in custody at the Dona Ana County Jail, awaiting their appearance in federal court. They were arrested as part of a probe by Homeland Security Investigations into their association with 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, who authorities say is linked to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration. Ortega-Lopez was arrested at the Canos’ home in February. 

“Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, commenting on the arrest. “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”

Cano resigned from his judgeship earlier this week and was banned by the New Mexico Supreme Court from holding any judicial office again. The court ordered that Cano “shall never again hold, become a candidate for, run for, or stand for election to any New Mexico judicial office in the future.”

Ortega-Lopez, originally from Venezuela, was accused of illegal entry to the United States near Eagle Pass, Texas. He spent three days in Border Patrol custody before he was released because of overcrowded facilities at the Border Patrol’s South Laredo, Texas, processing center, according to court records, the Albuquerque Journal reported. He met Nancy in El Paso, where he was working as a construction worker and handyman, and she offered for him to stay in a small house behind their home.

Ortega-Lopez has been charged with being an unlawful alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and is seen in court documents holding guns.

Cano has denied any knowledge of the suspected ties between Ortega-Lopez and Tren De Aragua. Investigators have said that they have text messages and voice mail messages that confirm the links to the notorious gang.

“Let me be as crystal clear as possible,” Cano told the New Mexico Supreme Court. “The very first time I ever heard that the boys could possibly have any association with Tren de Aragua was when I was informed of that by [the] agents on the day of the raid.”

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

Federal agents arrested a former New Mexico Democrat judge and his wife on Thursday after they were accused of harboring a suspected member of Tren de Aragua at their home. 

Former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano and his wife, Nancy, were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at their home in Las Cruces, KFOX14 reported. Both the 67-year-old former judge and his wife are charged with tampering with evidence. 

The couple is currently in custody at the Dona Ana County Jail, awaiting their appearance in federal court. They were arrested as part of a probe by Homeland Security Investigations into their association with 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, who authorities say is linked to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration. Ortega-Lopez was arrested at the Canos’ home in February. 

“Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, commenting on the arrest. “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”

Cano resigned from his judgeship earlier this week and was banned by the New Mexico Supreme Court from holding any judicial office again. The court ordered that Cano “shall never again hold, become a candidate for, run for, or stand for election to any New Mexico judicial office in the future.”

Ortega-Lopez, originally from Venezuela, was accused of illegal entry to the United States near Eagle Pass, Texas. He spent three days in Border Patrol custody before he was released because of overcrowded facilities at the Border Patrol’s South Laredo, Texas, processing center, according to court records, the Albuquerque Journal reported. He met Nancy in El Paso, where he was working as a construction worker and handyman, and she offered for him to stay in a small house behind their home.

Ortega-Lopez has been charged with being an unlawful alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and is seen in court documents holding guns.

Cano has denied any knowledge of the suspected ties between Ortega-Lopez and Tren De Aragua. Investigators have said that they have text messages and voice mail messages that confirm the links to the notorious gang.

“Let me be as crystal clear as possible,” Cano told the New Mexico Supreme Court. “The very first time I ever heard that the boys could possibly have any association with Tren de Aragua was when I was informed of that by [the] agents on the day of the raid.”

“}]] 

The post Former Judge And Wife Arrested, Accused Of Housing Suspected Venezuelan Gang Member appeared first on Spin Politico.

In a reversal from the Biden administration’s policy, the Trump administration’s Department of Justice has stripped the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) — which has been accused of working with Hamas during the October 7, 2023, massacre of more than 1200 people in Israel — of immunity from prosecution. That decision will enable the billion-dollar lawsuit filed by the October 7 victims’ families to move forward.

In a  letter from the United States Attorney, Southern District of New York, to U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres regarding the case Estate of Tamar Kedem Siman Tov et al. v. UNRWA, the text stated:

The complaint in this case recounts atrocious crimes committed by Hamas on October 7. And its factual allegations, taken as true, detail how the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (“UNRWA”) played a significant role in those heinous offenses. Previously, the Government expressed the view that certain immunities shielded UNRWA from having to answer those allegations in American courts. The Government has since reevaluated that position, and now concludes UNRWA is not immune from this litigation. Nor are the bulk of other defendants.

The lawsuit states:

The atrocities committed by Hamas in the October 7 Attack were not only acts of terror, genocide, and crimes against humanity, they were torts in violation of the law of nations. Because, as detailed below, the Defendants’ actions aiding and abetting those torts in violation of the law of nations, including but not limited to their funding of Hamas, occurred in significant part in the State of New York and in this federal judicial district, this Court has subject matter jurisdiction and venue over Plaintiffs’ claims against these Defendants. Many of the Plaintiffs separately have claims against Defendants for aiding and abetting Hamas’ violations of the Torture Victim Protection Act of 1991 (“TVPA”), which requires no such New York nexus.

“The US administration’s determination that UNRWA lacks diplomatic immunity could substantially facilitate Israel’s efforts to end the agency’s operations within Israeli territory,” Israel Hayom pointed out. “The lawsuit presents evidence alleging UNRWA orchestrated a $1 billion money laundering operation that funded Hamas, while simultaneously reducing humanitarian aid to Gaza residents and playing a critical role in the October 7 attack.”

Documents shared with The New York Times last December impelled the media outlet to admit that senior staff at UNRWA schools doubled as members of Hamas’ military wing.

As shown by the detailed records kept by the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, which were seized by Israel, at least 24 people employed by the anti-Israel UNRWA in their schools were members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad. “A majority were top administrators at the schools — principals or deputy principals — and the rest were school counselors and teachers, the documents say,” The Times reported. “Almost all of the Hamas-linked educators, according to the records, were fighters in the Qassam Brigades.”

“The Constitution does not grant immunity to foreign sovereigns or organizations. Instead, such immunity ‘is a matter of grace and comity on the part of the United States,’” the letter continued. “The interactions among two treaties, one statute, and one proposed convention govern whether UNRWA is entitled to such grace here. First, the International Organizations Immunities Act of 1945 (‘IOIA’) creates the ‘default rules’ for the immunity enjoyed by international organizations in the United States. Although apparently aimed at many of the same entities that now comprise the United Nations (‘UN’) system, id., the JOIA applies to any ‘public organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress … and which shall have been designated by the President through appropriate Executive order as being entitled to enjoy the privileges, exemptions, and immunities provided in this subchapter.’”

“In other words, Congress controls in the first instance whether the United States participates in such ‘public organizations’ and it empowered the President to decide whether to extend immunity to these organizations including ‘at any time to revoke the designation’ entitling the organizations to immunity,” the letter explains.

The Trump DOJ has reversed the Biden admin’s position and made it clear that UNRWA and its employees are not entitled to immunity for their atrocious terroristic conduct.

File this under the category of “things that should not have to be said but thank God someone said them.” pic.twitter.com/iRVSFZdV4v

— Mark Goldfeder (@MarkGoldfeder) April 25, 2025

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

In a reversal from the Biden administration’s policy, the Trump administration’s Department of Justice has stripped the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) — which has been accused of working with Hamas during the October 7, 2023, massacre of more than 1200 people in Israel — of immunity from prosecution. That decision will enable the billion-dollar lawsuit filed by the October 7 victims’ families to move forward.

In a  letter from the United States Attorney, Southern District of New York, to U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres regarding the case Estate of Tamar Kedem Siman Tov et al. v. UNRWA, the text stated:

The complaint in this case recounts atrocious crimes committed by Hamas on October 7. And its factual allegations, taken as true, detail how the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (“UNRWA”) played a significant role in those heinous offenses. Previously, the Government expressed the view that certain immunities shielded UNRWA from having to answer those allegations in American courts. The Government has since reevaluated that position, and now concludes UNRWA is not immune from this litigation. Nor are the bulk of other defendants.

The lawsuit states:

The atrocities committed by Hamas in the October 7 Attack were not only acts of terror, genocide, and crimes against humanity, they were torts in violation of the law of nations. Because, as detailed below, the Defendants’ actions aiding and abetting those torts in violation of the law of nations, including but not limited to their funding of Hamas, occurred in significant part in the State of New York and in this federal judicial district, this Court has subject matter jurisdiction and venue over Plaintiffs’ claims against these Defendants. Many of the Plaintiffs separately have claims against Defendants for aiding and abetting Hamas’ violations of the Torture Victim Protection Act of 1991 (“TVPA”), which requires no such New York nexus.

“The US administration’s determination that UNRWA lacks diplomatic immunity could substantially facilitate Israel’s efforts to end the agency’s operations within Israeli territory,” Israel Hayom pointed out. “The lawsuit presents evidence alleging UNRWA orchestrated a $1 billion money laundering operation that funded Hamas, while simultaneously reducing humanitarian aid to Gaza residents and playing a critical role in the October 7 attack.”

Documents shared with The New York Times last December impelled the media outlet to admit that senior staff at UNRWA schools doubled as members of Hamas’ military wing.

As shown by the detailed records kept by the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, which were seized by Israel, at least 24 people employed by the anti-Israel UNRWA in their schools were members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad. “A majority were top administrators at the schools — principals or deputy principals — and the rest were school counselors and teachers, the documents say,” The Times reported. “Almost all of the Hamas-linked educators, according to the records, were fighters in the Qassam Brigades.”

“The Constitution does not grant immunity to foreign sovereigns or organizations. Instead, such immunity ‘is a matter of grace and comity on the part of the United States,’” the letter continued. “The interactions among two treaties, one statute, and one proposed convention govern whether UNRWA is entitled to such grace here. First, the International Organizations Immunities Act of 1945 (‘IOIA’) creates the ‘default rules’ for the immunity enjoyed by international organizations in the United States. Although apparently aimed at many of the same entities that now comprise the United Nations (‘UN’) system, id., the JOIA applies to any ‘public organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress … and which shall have been designated by the President through appropriate Executive order as being entitled to enjoy the privileges, exemptions, and immunities provided in this subchapter.’”

“In other words, Congress controls in the first instance whether the United States participates in such ‘public organizations’ and it empowered the President to decide whether to extend immunity to these organizations including ‘at any time to revoke the designation’ entitling the organizations to immunity,” the letter explains.

The Trump DOJ has reversed the Biden admin’s position and made it clear that UNRWA and its employees are not entitled to immunity for their atrocious terroristic conduct.

File this under the category of “things that should not have to be said but thank God someone said them.” pic.twitter.com/iRVSFZdV4v

— Mark Goldfeder (@MarkGoldfeder) April 25, 2025

“}]] 

The post Trump DOJ Strips Hamas-Linked UN Agency Of Immunity For October 7 Massacre appeared first on Spin Politico.

The Democrat governor of Washington state signed a bill this week which gave preference to “black, indigenous, and people of color” for forgivable loans, a proposal called “lawlessness” by a United States senator.

The bill, HB 1696, states:

As part of the covenant homeownership program, the department shall contract with the commission to design, develop, implement and evaluate one or more special purpose credit programs to reduce racial disparities in ownership in the state by providing down payment and closing cost assistance… The contract must authorize the commission to use up to one percent of the contract to provide targeted education, homeownership counseling, and outreach about special purpose credit programs created under this section to black, indigenous, and people of color and other historically marginalized communities in Washington state. 

In 2023, Democrats in the state passed the Covenant Homeownership Program, which they said was a response to “historically marginalized communities” and the effects of racism in the real estate market and industry, creating a credit program for black, indigenous, and people of color communities that were impacted before the Fair Housing Act of 1968, Julie Barrett of Conservative Ladies of America noted. “The state contracted with a commission to administer the program to determine how the funds were going to be used and how they were going to be disbursed,” she added.

House Bill 1696 amended the bill by expanding eligibility by raising the area median income threshold (AMI) for eligibility to 120%. If a borrower’s income is 80% or less of the AMI, their loans can be completely forgiven after five years. Anyone who is a descendant of a resident of the state before 1968 and was adversely affected before the Fair Housing Act of 1968 is eligible.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Jamila Taylor, who said, “Homeownership is a gateway to building generational wealth, and it was largely closed to Black Americans and people of color for most of our country’s history. Buying a home is tough right now. Bringing more diversity into the pool of homeownership builds stronger communities and is another solution in solving the current housing crisis in our state.”

When asked, “Is one of the elements that a person qualifying for this program would need to show that they were affected by a racially restrictive covenant, personally?” Taylor answered, “What do you mean affected? If the person was a resident in the state prior to 1968 they were affected because they were part of a racial class.”

“Washington state’s covenant homeownership program provides down payment and closing cost assistance for low income, first-time home buyers,” Democrat Gov. Bob Ferguson stated as he signed the bill into law. “Lawmakers create a program to address the disproportionate impacts of racial redlining in Washington state. House Bill 1696 modifies the program by adjusting the area median income threshold for program eligibility, introducing loan forgiveness and modifying the oversight committee membership. This modification will create more opportunities to close the racial home ownership gap, which is a very important goal for all of us here in Washington state. We so appreciate everybody who made this legislation possible. Like every legislation it’s challenging; this one has its share of challenges, as we know … I’m pleased to sign this legislation into law.”

Utah GOP Senator Mike Lee, a constitutional scholar, wrote on X, “The Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause prohibits this. It’s not even a close question. This is lawlessness.”

The Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause prohibits this

It’s not even a close question

This is lawlessness https://t.co/ykeX0RPICm

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) April 24, 2025

Notably, Lee’s post was reposted by Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.

​[#item_full_content]  

​[[{“value”:”

The Democrat governor of Washington state signed a bill this week which gave preference to “black, indigenous, and people of color” for forgivable loans, a proposal called “lawlessness” by a United States senator.

The bill, HB 1696, states:

As part of the covenant homeownership program, the department shall contract with the commission to design, develop, implement and evaluate one or more special purpose credit programs to reduce racial disparities in ownership in the state by providing down payment and closing cost assistance… The contract must authorize the commission to use up to one percent of the contract to provide targeted education, homeownership counseling, and outreach about special purpose credit programs created under this section to black, indigenous, and people of color and other historically marginalized communities in Washington state. 

In 2023, Democrats in the state passed the Covenant Homeownership Program, which they said was a response to “historically marginalized communities” and the effects of racism in the real estate market and industry, creating a credit program for black, indigenous, and people of color communities that were impacted before the Fair Housing Act of 1968, Julie Barrett of Conservative Ladies of America noted. “The state contracted with a commission to administer the program to determine how the funds were going to be used and how they were going to be disbursed,” she added.

House Bill 1696 amended the bill by expanding eligibility by raising the area median income threshold (AMI) for eligibility to 120%. If a borrower’s income is 80% or less of the AMI, their loans can be completely forgiven after five years. Anyone who is a descendant of a resident of the state before 1968 and was adversely affected before the Fair Housing Act of 1968 is eligible.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Jamila Taylor, who said, “Homeownership is a gateway to building generational wealth, and it was largely closed to Black Americans and people of color for most of our country’s history. Buying a home is tough right now. Bringing more diversity into the pool of homeownership builds stronger communities and is another solution in solving the current housing crisis in our state.”

When asked, “Is one of the elements that a person qualifying for this program would need to show that they were affected by a racially restrictive covenant, personally?” Taylor answered, “What do you mean affected? If the person was a resident in the state prior to 1968 they were affected because they were part of a racial class.”

“Washington state’s covenant homeownership program provides down payment and closing cost assistance for low income, first-time home buyers,” Democrat Gov. Bob Ferguson stated as he signed the bill into law. “Lawmakers create a program to address the disproportionate impacts of racial redlining in Washington state. House Bill 1696 modifies the program by adjusting the area median income threshold for program eligibility, introducing loan forgiveness and modifying the oversight committee membership. This modification will create more opportunities to close the racial home ownership gap, which is a very important goal for all of us here in Washington state. We so appreciate everybody who made this legislation possible. Like every legislation it’s challenging; this one has its share of challenges, as we know … I’m pleased to sign this legislation into law.”

Utah GOP Senator Mike Lee, a constitutional scholar, wrote on X, “The Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause prohibits this. It’s not even a close question. This is lawlessness.”

The Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause prohibits this

It’s not even a close question

This is lawlessness https://t.co/ykeX0RPICm

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) April 24, 2025

Notably, Lee’s post was reposted by Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.

“}]] 

The post ‘Lawlessness’: Washington Dem Gov Signs Bill Giving Racial Preference In Forgivable Housing Loans appeared first on Spin Politico.