This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
'A reminder of how easily bureaucratic power can spiral out of control and jeopardize the livelihoods of honest agricultural producers'
The administration of President Donald Trump has killed a Joe Biden plan that involved persecuting a multi-generation South Dakota ranching family with huge legal fees and even threats of jail.
"No family farmer or rancher should have to go through what the Maude family did," explained Buck Wehrbein, a Nebraska cattleman and president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. "The targeted prosecution of the Maude family was way out of line for the U.S. Forest Service, and this was a clear example of government overreach that had direct, catastrophic impacts for a hardworking fifth-generation ranching family."
It was under Biden's administration that a dispute arose over a fenceline on land the family had ranched for more than a century.
Family members actively were involved in discussions to do an assessment of the problem, if there was one, and reach a resolution.
But then the U.S. Forest Service dispatched armed federal agents to serve each Maude family member with a federal summons for theft, even though the management of the boundary line and parcel in question hadn't been changed since the early 1900s.
The result was that Charles and Heather Maude each was facing claims of "theft of federal property" and threatened with 10 years in jail and fines up to $250,000, according to a NewsDakota report.
"Charles and Heather Maude are public lands ranchers who for decades held a federal grazing permit and were permittees in good standing," said Public Lands Council President and Colorado rancher Tim Canterbury, who also holds a federal grazing permit.
"As permittees, we are required to work collaboratively with the government, but when federal agencies view ranchers as the enemy, it threatens the trust that every single rancher has in their federal partners. The public outcry we saw on behalf of the Maudes goes to show that public lands ranchers everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief that the USDA under Secretary Rollins is no longer trying to slap handcuffs on hardworking farmers and ranchers."
It was Trump's U.S. secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, who now has confirmed that the charges are dropped and the case over.
That announcement said, "We have taken bold action to put farmers first by dropping criminal charges against the Maude Family of South Dakota. The political prosecution regime of the Biden administration is no more. We are ending government regulation through prosecution."
"This case was an unfortunate example of the imbalance of power between family ranchers and a formidable federal government. Put simply, the Maude family was expected to bear the burden of an inefficient and unfair Forest Service process, and their story had a chilling effect on ranchers' trust in federal land management agencies they interact with daily," said Kaitlynn Glover, executive director of the PLC.
"Both the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the Public Lands Council are pleased that our months-long campaign to find a good solution for Charles, Heather, and their kids has finally become a reality."
A report from HPJ said the family runs a small cattle and hog operation, and the dispute involved a few acres of federal land.
The Maudes were alerted by the United States Forest Service that fencing on their property blocked access to the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, the report said, and "in good faith agreed to a survey of the property lines. After the survey was completed, the Maudes lives were turned upside down by the Biden administration where a simple civil dispute turned into what Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rolllins said was an unnecessary criminal prosecution."
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the Department of Justice needs to spend its resources and efforts on prosecuting criminals and getting drugs off the streets, the report explained.
Sid Miller, the agriculture commissioner in Texas, said, "The U.S. Department of Justice's choice to dismiss the criminal charges against Charles and Heather Maude is a long-awaited action that highlights the damage caused by the Biden administration's harmful federal overreach. This marks a significant triumph for land rights, the diligent families that sustain this nation, and basic common sense. The Maudes, as fifth-generation ranchers, have responsibly managed their land for many years under the supervision of the very agency that sought to portray them as criminals.
"This was never a criminal matter; it was a land use disagreement that should have been resolved through dialogue and respect, rather than threats of prison and financial ruin. What occurred in South Dakota serves as a chilling reminder of how easily bureaucratic power can spiral out of control and jeopardize the livelihoods of honest agricultural producers.
"I am thankful that under the Trump administration, the rights of rural Americans are finally being honored, and sensibility has returned to our national government," he said.
President Donald Trump took a decisive step on his 100th day in the Oval Office, dismissing Doug Emhoff, the former Second Gentleman, from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, Breitbart reported.
This action reflects Trump's extensive agenda to remove President Joe Biden's appointees from governmental roles, following a similar precedent set by the Biden administration.
Emhoff had served in the council role under Biden, focusing efforts on combating antisemitism, an increasingly critical topic due to recent geopolitical events. The rapid rise of antisemitic incidents, particularly after the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel, underscored the gravity of his work.
In addition to Emhoff, several other appointees of the Biden era, including prominent figures Ron Klain, Tom Perez, Susan Rice, and Anthony Bernal, were relieved of their duties at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum board. President Trump's administration, within its rights, proceeded with these removals under the Supreme Court-supported authority derived from Biden's previous actions. The legal framework allowing these dismissals was fortified by an earlier decision when the Biden administration ousted Trump appointees.
The context of these developments involves a historical precedent set by the previous presidential team, which created an avenue for such sweeping staff changes in advisory roles, councils, and boards. During Biden’s leadership, Democrats aimed to align various councils with their policy priorities, leading to the removal of Trump-appointed officials. Now, Trump seems to be implementing a parallel strategy in response.
Doug Emhoff, upon learning of his removal, issued a poignant statement. “Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized,” he remarked.
Furthermore, he emphasized the danger inherent in exploiting one of history's darkest chapters as a political tool, stressing the importance of honorably remembering the six million Jews who perished.
On the opposite end of the political spectrum, former White House spokesman Sean Spicer provided insight into the dismissals. According to him, the Biden appointees are essentially facing repercussions due to a precedent Biden himself had set. “Now all of these Biden appointees are paying the price for what Biden did,” Spicer commented, framing current events within a historical and retaliatory context.
The decision to remove Emhoff and others occurs amidst a larger narrative, where political appointees often find themselves in precarious positions due to administrative changes. The shift of power from one party to another frequently results in these rapid transitions, which, while expected by insiders, can have wide-reaching impacts on the continuity of policies and initiatives.
Notably, Emhoff's exit from the council carries symbolic weight due to the amplification of antisemitism concerns following heightened global tensions. His actions during Biden’s administration were seen as critical components of a broader strategy to combat this resurgence of hostility. As such, his removal marks a significant pivot in approach under the current administration.
In the face of Trump's recent decisions, the broader political landscape in Washington is once again highlighted. The dynamics illustrate not only the traditional clashes between policy continuity and political agendas but also bring into question the delicate balancing act required in addressing sensitive historical issues.
Looking to the future, the council faces both new opportunities and challenges under Trump’s appointees. While change can herald fresh perspectives and ideas, it also requires a nuanced understanding to ensure the Holocaust's legacy remains respected without politicization.
The importance of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council transcends party affiliations and is integral to American society. Yet, these politically motivated changes could influence the trajectory of educational efforts aimed at preserving historical memory.
As these significant shifts unfold, attention will inevitably focus on how Trump's new set of advisors and board members navigate this turbulent landscape. The watchdog role in international human rights and historical education carried out by the council is essential, and its capacity to fulfill that mission will be scrutinized as leadership changes hands.
Melania Trump is touting a political victory after the House passed a bill to ban non-consensual "deepfakes" and other forms of "revenge porn."
The House voted overwhelmingly, 409-2, to pass the Take It Down Act. The bill, which Melania supports, makes it a crime to share intimate depictions of another person without their consent, including artificially generated images. The legislation requires social media platforms to move quickly to take down revenge porn when they receive notice of it.
It's a rare example of direct public lobbying by the First Lady and former model, who is known for keeping a low profile in Washington D.C.
The bill now heads to President Trump's desk for his signature. It previously passed unanimously in the Senate, where it was introduced by Ted Cruz (R-Tx.).
The legislation targets a growing problem in the era of AI and social media, which have provided new and powerful tools for public humiliation and blackmail.
"It's heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content like deep fakes," Melaina said at a March roundtable discussion. "This toxic environment can be severely damaging."
The Take It Down Act was inspired by the experience of a 15-year-old Texas girl, Elliston Berry, who was victimized by deepfake porn created by one of her classmates.
Her family ended up contacting Senator Cruz after Snapchat was slow to act on their requests to take the images down.
"If you're a victim of revenge porn or AI-generated explicit imagery, your life changes forever," Cruz said in March.
Melania hailed the bill's passage as a necessary step to protect children from abuse.
"Today's bipartisan passage of the Take It Down Act is a powerful statement that we stand united in protecting the dignity, privacy, and safety of our children," Melania said in a statement.
"I am thankful to the Members of Congress — both in the House and Senate — who voted to protect the well-being of our youth," she said.
The Take It Down Act is part of Melania's campaign against online bullying and intimidation, #BeBest, which she started during her husband's first term.
Despite the bill's good intentions, it has faced criticism from some civil libertarians like Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), one of the only two lawmakers who voted no, who called the ban "a slippery slope, ripe for abuse, with unintended consequences."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
'It is vital to hold these Liars and Fraudsters accountable!'
President Donald Trump on Wednesday unleashed another scathing attack on deceptive news agencies, saying CBS News, its "60 Minutes" program, and the New York Times "have to pay a price" for "their likely unlawful behavior," as reports emerge that CBS and its parent company Paramount are caving to Trump's legal action against them.
Trump sued CBS, alleging the network deceptively edited its Oct. 7 interview with Kamala Harris to help the vice president sound better during the 2024 race for the White House. Now Paramount executives are reportedly nearing a deal with Trump to settle the claims, according to Mark Steffen at Trending Politics.
Steffen reported: "The offer, set to be discussed Wednesday in the first mediation between both camps, is a tacit acknowledgement of how desperate the entertainment company's upper echelon has become to end Trump's $20 billion lawsuit.
"During an April 18th meeting, Paramount allegedly outlined financial parameters for a potential settlement with the president, according to three people with knowledge of the discussions. The exact dollar amount is unclear, but reaching a consensus would pave the way for both sides to seek dismissal of the suit."
Trump said Wednesday on Truth Social: "The case we have against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount is a true WINNER."
"They cheated and defrauded the American People at levels never seen before in the Political Arena. Kamala Harris, during Early Voting and, immediately before Election Day, was asked a question, and gave an answer, that was so bad and incompetent that it would have cost her many of the Votes that she ended up getting.
"It was a disastrous answer! 60 Minutes and its corporate parents, in order that this not have a negative impact on her, removed and deleted Kamala's entire answer, every word of it, and replaced it with a response that she gave later on to an entirely different question.
"The new answer was not good, but it didn't show Gross Incompetence like the one that was removed by 60 Minutes. In other words, 60 Minutes perpetrated a Giant FRAUD against the American People, the Federal Elections Commission, and the Federal Communications System."
Trump continued: "Despite all of the above, and Paramount's/CBS'/60 Minutes' admittance to this crime and, with other similar corrupt removals of answers to questions, the Failing New York Times, which is Fake News both in writing and polling, claims that 'people' said that the case is baseless.
"They don't mean that, they just have a non curable case of TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, possibly to the point where the Times' interjection makes them liable for tortious interference, including in Elections, which we are intently studying. The bottom line is that what 60 Minutes and its corporate owners have committed is one of the most egregious illegalities in Broadcast History.
"Nothing like this, the illegal creation of an answer for a Presidential Candidate, has ever been done before, they have to pay a price for it, and the Times should also be on the hook for their likely unlawful behavior. It is vital to hold these Liars and Fraudsters accountable!"
As WorldNetDaily reported in October, CBS was named in a federal complaint for its decision to make Harris look coherent, as it was accused of "significant and intentional news distortion."
CBS News released a statement at the time, indicating: "Former President Donald Trump is accusing '60 Minutes' of deceitful editing of our Oct. 7 interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. That is false."
"'60 Minutes' gave an excerpt of our interview to 'Face the Nation' that used a longer section of her answer than that on 60 Minutes. Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response. When we edit any interview, whether a politician, an athlete, or movie star, we strive to be clear, accurate and on point. The portion of her answer on '60 Minutes' was more succinct, which allows time for other subjects in a wide ranging 21-minute-long segment."
Howard Kurtz, the former Washington Post media writer who left CNN to join Fox News in 2013, blasted "60 Minutes" as "blatantly unethical" for its "pathetic response."
"This is a pathetic response by '60 Minutes' after a week of silence," Kurtz told Martha MacCallum of Fox News.
"It basically says, 'Yeah, we did it. So what?' They talk about making Kamala Harris sound more succinct, in other words, making her look better by switching up the answers as you just saw. You can't have a different part of an answer to the same question."
"It's blatantly unethical, and if someone on my staff did that, they'd be looking for a new job," he continued.
Trump himself previously hammered CBS for its deceptive editing, calling it "the single greatest scandal, in my opinion, in broadcast history."
"'60 Minutes' and CBS interviewed Kamala, and she's incompetent. She gave them the dumbest answer anyone's ever heard. So they took that answer out, the whole answer they threw out, and they took another answer that she gave to a totally different question and inserted it. And supposedly, they did this a number of times. And they got caught. '60 Minutes' and CBS should lose their license for that."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
3 corporations facing punishments totaling some $8 million
Businesses across the United States have, at times, hired illegal aliens.
Such employment is more common in some job markets, such as vegetable and fruit gardening, construction, and the like.
But it's still not supposed to happen, and three businesses in the Denver area are learning that with a hard lesson.
A report from Denver Channel 7 explains the hiring of workers who do not have permission to take American jobs hurts "law-abiding employers."
The report explained officials with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed plans to impose $8 million in fines against CCS Denver, PBC Commercial Cleaning Systems and Green Management Denver.
The plans follow audits that found what ICE has categorized as "widespread employment eligibility violations."
ICE said a fine of $6.1 million is being proposed for CCS Denver for "a 100% substantive violation rate."
The company's record allegedly included hiring at least 87 illegal aliens.
The fine for PBS Commercial Cleaning is to be $1.6 million for a 74% violation rate and hiring "at least 12 unauthorized workers."
The fine planned for Green Management Denver is $270,000 for employing 44 undocumented immigrant workers.
In a statement, Steve Cagen, special agent in charge, explained, "The employment of unauthorized workers undermines the integrity of our immigration system and puts law-abiding employers at a disadvantage. These penalties reinforce our commitment to uphold the law and promote a culture of compliance."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
'There is at least one person at this table today who had a dossier on them'
It's not a shocker anymore, as there's been a lot of evidence that Joe Biden's administration wanted, and was actively working on plans, to target individual Americans the Democrats disliked for censorship, and possibly more.
But Secretary of State Marco Rubio now has confirmed exactly that.
In fact, he said, during a Cabinet meeting Wednesday, "We had an office in the Department of State whose job it was to censor Americans."
Reports revealed that Biden's State Department created dossiers with the full intention of spying on the content and censoring Americans' free speech rights.
One said, "This is NUTS: Secretary Rubio just announced that he found DOZENS of files kept by Joe Biden's State Department that classified American citizens as 'vectors of disinformation' – with the intention of censoring them."
Further, Rubio confirmed that at least one person in the Trump Cabinet meeting had been targeted and monitored.
"And by the way, there is at least one person at this table today who had a dossier on them in that building of social media posts to identify them as purveyors of disinformation," Rubio said.
The Gateway Pundit pointed out how egregious the Biden administration's actions in opposition to the U.S. Constitution actually were.
Rubio added, "We are going to be turning over these dossiers to these individuals."
He said, "Just think about it. The Department of State had set up an office to monitor the social media posts and commentary of American citizens. We know the best way to combat misinformation is freedom of speech and transparency."
The Gateway Pundit noted, "The next question is which Biden regime official was primarily responsible for carrying out this sinister act, and whether they will be held accountable."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
'It's not sexy admitting that they met when she was at his front door selling boxes of Thin Mints'
PALM BEACH, Florida – Bill Belichick, the legendary NFL football coach who now at age 73 leads the North Carolina Tar Heels, is breaking his silence about a "CBS Sunday Morning" interview in which his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson shut down a question about how the two met.
"We're not talking about that," Hudson could be heard telling Belichick during the segment which has since gone viral to fascinate America.
On Wednesday, Belichick accused CBS of selective editing "to suggest a false narrative – that Jordon was attempting to control the conversation – which is simply not true."
The coach has now issued a statement indicating: "I agreed to speak with 'CBS Sunday Morning' to promote my new book, 'The Art of Winning – Lessons from My Life in Football.'
"Prior to this interview, I clearly communicated with my publicist at Simon & Schuster that any promotional interviews I participated in would agree to focus solely on the contents of the book.
"Unfortunately, that expectation was not honored during the interview. I was surprised when unrelated topics were introduced, and I repeatedly expressed to the reporter, Tony Dokoupil, and the producers that I preferred to keep the conversation centered on the book.
Belichick continued: "After this occurred several times, Jordon, with whom I share both a personal and professional relationship, stepped in to reiterate that point to help focus the discussion. She was not deflecting any specific question or topic but simply doing her job to ensure the interview stayed on track. Some of the clips make it appear as though we were avoiding the question of how we met, but we have been open about the fact that Jordon and I met on a flight to Palm Beach in 2021.
"The final eight-minute segment does not reflect the productive 35-minute conversation we had, which covered a wide range of topics related to my career. Instead, it presents selectively edited clips and stills from just a few minutes of the interview to suggest a false narrative – that Jordon was attempting to control the conversation – which is simply not true."
CBS News hit back against Belichick's claims, saying there were "no preconditions or limitations to this conversation."
Discussion about the interview has sparked a frenzy of comedic reaction.
The Babylon Bee on Wednesday posted a satire article with the headline: "Bill Belichick puts girlfriend in pack 'n play until practice is over."
"That's it, sweetie, you just stay here and play while I go coach the football men, ok?" Belichick was heard telling his girlfriend, according to the spoof. "You've got your sippy cup and your Veggie Straws here, and I brought some of your favorite toys. Just play nice while your Billy-Bill goes to practice, alright?"
Fox News host Greg Gutfeld clowned that he understood why the pair does not want to give details about their initial meeting.
"I get it," Gutfeld said. "It's not sexy admitting that they met when she was at his front door selling boxes of Thin Mints."
During the same broadcast, former wrestling star and now Fox News contributor Tyrus said of Belichick: "He will no longer be remembered as a great football coach. He will go down as one of the dumbest people ever to put on a pair of shoes.
"It was a cry for help. He looked like he was about to cry during the entire interview, with Satan off to the right … like he is being blackmailed."
On Tuesday, marking 100 days in office, President Donald Trump made that official with a snub to his former opponent.
Trump dismissed Doug Emhoff, former Second Gentleman, and others selected by Joe Biden from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, as Breitbart News reported.
It is worth noting that Emhoff was appointed by the Biden administration to spearhead its "strategy" against antisemitism.
However, this plan was diluted and failed to address the root cause of anti-Jewish animosity following the terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. As a result, there were antisemitic demonstrations and attacks.
The New York Times reported on the issue, noting that the current administration was firing the previous administration's appointees.
The board is one that oversees the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and was home to not just the former second gentleman, but a number of other Biden officials.
“Today, I was informed of my removal from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council,” Mr. Emhoff said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized. To turn one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue is dangerous — and it dishonors the memory of six million Jews murdered by Nazis that this museum was created to preserve.”
This is far from the first removal done by Trump of Biden officials, both functional and ceremonial, with the changes rippling through Washington like an alligator surfacing in the swamp.
The other officials removed by the Trump administration include Ron Klain, Biden’s first chief of staff; Tom Perez, the former labor secretary and senior adviser to Biden; and Susan Rice, the national security adviser to former President Barack Obama.
The former first lady didn't get off unscathed, though, as Trump also removed Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to Jill Biden, the former first lady.
Ironically, Trump has been able to fire a large number of Biden appointees to various councils and offices largely because the Biden administration was so adamant about the same.
Biden relentlessly fired anyone Trump had appointed during his first term, including Sean Spicer, who served as the former press secretary.
That purge, which was upheld by the Supreme Court was the foundation for the change and paved the way for Trump to do the same.
The humor of that situation was not lost on those who got the ax at the start of the last administration. “Now all of these Biden appointees are paying the price for what Biden did,” Spicer said.
Alabama Republican senator Tommy Tuberville, a vocal Trump supporter, is considering a run for governor of the state.
There has not been an open race for Tuberville's Senate seat since the 1990s. Tuberville would likely easily win re-election next year, but if he gives up his current job, Senate Republicans will have to defend the seat in the 2026 midterms.
"I'm considering it," Tuberville told reporters. "My wife and I and family, we've sat down once, and we really talked hard about it. I want to do what's best for the people of Alabama. Is it here or is it in the governor's seat back in Montgomery?"
A former Auburn University football coach, Tuberville is a popular figure in Alabama. During his time in the Senate, he has stood out as one of the most outspoken defenders of Trump in the chamber.
The current governor of Alabama, Republican Kay Ivey, is term-limited, setting the stage for a crowded Republican primary.
If Tuberville runs, the primary will shift to a "clash of titans" between Tuberville and Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, the state's GOP chair John Wahl said.
“Sen. Tuberville is a bold conservative. He is someone that does not mind being politically incorrect and taking the hard stance for conservative values and I think that’s a great trait that our elected officials need in today’s politics,” Wahl told the Daily Caller.
For now, Tuberville is keeping his cards close to the vest. But according to reports, he has been telling colleagues that he wants to come home to Alabama full-time.
Tuberville told WVTM 13 that he will "probably" make a decision in May, and he's leaning towards running for governor. The primary is on May 26.
Tuberville is not the only Senator considering a run for governor next year. Republican senator Marsha Blackburn, of Tennessee, is also weighing a run in her state, and Democrat Michael Bennet, of Colorado, has already launched a campaign.
Unlike Tuberville, Blackburn and Bennet are not facing re-election next year, so they do not have to give up their current jobs to run for governor.
If Tuberville resigns, there will be the first open race for the Senate seat since 1996. Alabama was once a Democratic stronghold but has been reliably Republican in recent years.
Democrats won a major upset in 2017 when Doug Jones defeated scandal-plagued Roy Moore in a special election for Jeff Sessions' Senate seat. Sessions, who resigned to serve in the first Trump administration, later lost a comeback primary battle to Tuberville, who went on to handily defeat Jones in the general election.
After weathering months of divorce rumors, Michelle Obama is wading back into politics with criticism of President Trump's immigration policies.
The former first lady said she is worried for immigrants living in the climate of "fear" surrounding Trump's deportations.
“And that … frightens me, it keeps me up at night,” she told the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast.
“How do you how do you feel comfortable going to work, going to school, when you know that there could be people out here judging you and who could upend your life in a second — that’s who I worry for right now.”
Michelle Obama has been mostly quiet about politics since failing in her efforts to elect Kamala Harris last fall.
Obama avoided naming Trump in her latest remarks, as she persisted in a passive-aggressive protest of Trump's historic comeback.
Her decision to skip Trump's inauguration in January - and Jimmy Carter's funeral - led to speculation of divorce that is ongoing.
Democrats have repeatedly accused Trump of skirting due process for those facing deportation, but Trump has said it is not possible to give trials to the millions of unlawful aliens on U.S. soil. And Trump and his team say Democrats are cozying up to foreign criminals while ignoring their victims.
Like she has often done, Obama attributed Trump's agenda to a supposedly pervasive "racism" in American society that she said has impacted her family, as she suggested immigrants are being targeted because of their skin color.
"And we know that those decisions aren’t being made with courts and with due process,” she said.
“There’s so much bias and so much racism and so much ignorance that fuels those kind of choices,” she claimed. "I worry for people of color all over this country, and I don’t know that we will have the advocates to protect everybody."
Obama pointed to immigration raids in her hometown of Chicago - which was overwhelmed by an influx of immigrants during the Biden-era border crisis - as an example of what she "fears" most about the second Trump administration.
"I drive around in a four-car motorcade with a police escort. I’m Michelle Obama. I do still worry about my daughters in the world even though they are somewhat recognizable,” Obama said.
“So, my fears are for what I know is happening out there in streets all over the city," she said.