This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Americans are fully briefed on President Donald Trump's agenda for America: No more DEI, "drill baby drill," an end to Joe Biden's weaponization of government, the DOGE, "two genders" and more.
Now the elites from around the globe, gathered at Davos, Switzerland, for an economic conference, are, too.
Trump was there to deliver his news:
He talks about a hiring freeze for the federal government, the new Department of Government Efficiency assigned to root out and eliminate spending corruption.
"I terminated the ridiculous and incredibly wasteful green new deal, I call it the green new scam," he said. "Withdrew from the one-sided Paris Climate Accord and ended the insane and costly electric vehicle mandate.
"We're gonna let people buy the car they want to buy. I declared a national energy emergency, that's so important, national energy emergency to unlock the liquid gold under our feet and pave the way for rapid approvals of new energy infrastructure," he said.
"The U.S. has the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on earth and we're going to use it," he said, to cut costs of goods and services.
Cutting costs for Americans has been another of his agenda points, as consumers saw inflation of well beyond 20% during Biden's term.
He said America soon will be a "manufacturing superpower" and the world capital for AI and crypto.
And a Davos panel admitted that Trump had defeated them.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
One of the huge crises facing America because of Joe Biden's presidency was, and is, the flood of millions of illegal aliens who arrived in the country through his open borders agenda.
President Donald Trump, who had implemented a long list of border security plans, including building a wall, during his first presidency, made it a key campaign issue.
And on his first day back in office announced that the "birthright citizenship" agenda used for years in America, granting citizenship to any baby born on American soil, would no longer include the offspring of illegal aliens.
That ruling is in court right now, with a federal judge having claimed that Trump's interpretation of the 14th Amendment is wrong, but the key phrase, regarding whether the person is "subject to" the United States, remains vague, so the eventual outcome of the lawsuit challenging Trump's determination remains uncertain.
But members of U.S. Congress have begun defending Trump's perspective, and now there's even a plan proposed that would resolve the dispute.
Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, has announced the pending Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025.
He said it would "restore the 14th Amendment to its original purpose and end the misuse of birthright citizenship."
It would provide for automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. if at least one parent is a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident whose residence is in the U.S., or a lawful immigrant performing active service in the armed forces.
"The introduction of this bill aligns with President Donald Trump's commitment to make birthright citizenship reform a top priority. Granting automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants is based on a flawed interpretation of the 14thAmendment, which was originally intended to ensure recently freed slaves gained full rights as Americans. It was never intended to confer citizenship to children of individuals who enter or remain in the United States illegally," he said.
"America's citizenship laws should reflect fairness and respect for the rule of law," said Babin. "This common-sense legislation corrects decades of misuse and closes the loophole that incentivizes illegal immigration and exploits U.S. citizenship through birth tourism. Citizenship is one of our nation's most precious privileges. By introducing this legislation, we are taking an important step to restore integrity to our immigration system and prioritize the interests of American citizens."
The congressman reported that the Center for Immigration Studies confirms that one out of every 10 births in the United States is to an illegal immigrant mother.
"Additionally, nearly 400,000 expectant mothers cross the border illegally each year intending to give birth in the United States. Once granted automatic citizenship, these children can initiate chain migration, opening pathways for extended family members to gain legal residency. This practice has also fueled a global birth tourism industry, which takes advantage of the current loophole in U.S. immigration laws," he reported.
Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., said, "These folks aren't here on vacation, and just happen to go into labor. They're coming across that border down there illegally, and they're using us like an international piggy bank."
Trump has promised an appeal of the judge's order halting his executive order for now.
"Obviously, we'll appeal it," Trump said. "They put it before a certain judge in Seattle, I guess. Right? And there's no surprises with that judge."
A federal judge voted Thursday to block President Donald Trump's executive order limiting birthright citizenship, Breitbart reported. US District Judge John Coughenour called the order "blatantly unconstitutional" during the hearing.
Trump signed the order in the first hours of his second term as president, which began on Monday. In it, he argued that birthright citizenship did not apply to illegal immigrants or those in America on a visa as they are not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the U.S. as stated in the law.
Almost immediately, it faced severe opposition from 22 states, which sued to block it. Coughenour's ruling in Washington state puts a 14-day stop to the order nationwide.
"Frankly, I have difficulty understanding how a member of the Bar could state unequivocally that this is a constitutional order. It just boggles my mind," Coughenour said to Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate's argument in favor of the order.
Opposition to the executive order was swift and strong from the states that sued and several civil rights groups. The decision Thursday was cause for rejoicing from the plaintiffs.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown claimed the ban on birthright citizenship was "un-American" and celebrated the ruling. "Birthright citizenship makes clear that citizenship cannot be conditioned on one’s race, ethnicity or where their parents came from," Brown claimed.
"It’s the law of our nation, recognized by generations of jurists, lawmakers and presidents, until President Trump’s illegal action," he added. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes similarly took a shot at Trump in the aftermath.
"No president can change the constitution on a whim, and today’s decision affirms that," Mayes said. She called the decision "the first of many wins to come as my office fights instances of executive overreach and any illegal actions the new administration may take."
Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the 14th Amendment, though it's open to interpretation. The post-Civil War law was ratified in 1868 as a way to unite a divided country.
Trump's desire to limit birthright citizenship is an outgrowth of his promise to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S. During his inaugural address, Trump confirmed his pledge to secure the Southern border and deport those already in the country who don't belong.
"First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted," Trump promised just after taking the Oath of Office Monday, according to Fox News.
"And we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came," he added. The New York Post reported Friday that many illegal immigrants were already lining up for deportation flights amid threats to severely punish those in the nation illegally.
Trump's other plans include finishing the border wall he began during his first administration. He also designated Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations so that federal resources could be used to stop them, including the military.
The American people put Trump in office to tackle many issues plaguing the nation, including illegal immigration. Despite this judge's outrageous ruling to throw out the order right away, Trump has gotten so much done in his first few days in office.
Ivanka Trump made a bold statement at her father Donald Trump's second inauguration, in a departure from her generally reserved public posture since leaving the White House four years ago.
The First Daughter - who has sworn off a return to politics since working as a senior adviser during Trump's first term - danced with husband Jared Kushner in a ball gown inspired by Hollywood muse Audrey Hepburn.
The elegant black-and-white floral dress, designed by Hubert de Givenchy, was originally worn by Hepburn in her movie Sabrina, co-starring William Holden. But Ivanka customized the look, swapping Hepburn's iconic long, white gloves for black ones.
The White House said in a statement that Ivanka is "honored" to pay homage to one of her idols.
“She views it as a great privilege to honor her legacy in this way, and is incredibly grateful to the team at Givenchy for bringing this moment to life," the statement said.
Ivanka shared a photograph of her wearing the dress with her X followers, prompting a response from Elon Musk: "Make fashion beautiful again."
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) January 21, 2025
During a recent podcast appearance, Ivanka said she is prioritizing being a mother, and has no desire to go back into the "dark" world of politics.
"I love policy and impact. I hate politics. And unfortunately, the two are not separable…There is a darkness to that world that I don’t really want to welcome into mine," she told The Skinny Confidential's Him+Her podcast.
Ivanka's desire to honor Hepburn is "no surprise," Sean Hepburn Ferrer, 64, told the Daily Mail, noting his mother has inspired generations of women.
“Over the past 71 years her legacy has grown to become transgenerational and transnational,” he continued. “Her elegance, which has its roots in her inner beauty and spirit, is often a reference point, an anchor, for many celebrities, actresses and models in these times in which we appear to have somewhat lost our way.”
He noted that Ivanka's mother, Ivana, dated Italian aristocrat Rofredo Gaetani, whose father, Lorian Gaetani, was a lifelong friend of Hepburn. Also, Marla Maples, Ivanka's stepmother and the second wife of President Trump, sat on the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund advisory board in the early 1990s. The fund once held a charitable event to mark the first birthday of Ivanka's sister, Tiffany, that drew inspiration from Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Hepburn was born the daughter of a Dutch baroness, Ella van Heemstra, and a British-Austrian businessman, Joseph Hepburn-Ruston. In the 1950s and 60s, she became a global icon with movies like My Fair Lady, Sabrina, and Breakfast at Tiffany's, and later won praise for her charitable work through UNICEF.
She died in 1993 at age 63 from abdominal cancer.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Report: Khamenei halts nuclear weapons program in olive branch to Trump
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly has prohibited the development of nuclear weapons, in a move that some are perceiving as an attempt to initiate talks with the Trump administration about easing sanctions.
The head of Iran's "Armed Forces Judiciary" made the announcement on Jan. 21, according to Iran International. That was just one day after Trump's inauguration, but the possible olive branch does not necessarily mean nuclear activity will stop.
Newsweek reached out to the Iranian mission to the United Nations and the Trump transition team for comment via email outside of normal business hours.
Iran's halting of its development of nuclear weapons indicates its economic issues as a result of Western sanctions have become a priority, and the regime may be willing to negotiate with the U.S. and other nations to help it recover financially.
It also suggests that the Islamic regime may be adopting a new approach with the new Trump administration.
Report: Saudi Arabia's crown prince plans to invest $600 billion in U.S. over next four years
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told President Donald Trump the kingdom plans to sink $600 billion into new investments and trade with the U.S. over the next four years, according to Fox Business.
The Saudi state news agency reported that, during a phone call between the two leaders, bin Salman said the expected reforms from the Trump administration could create "unprecedented economic prosperity."
The agency also said Saudi Arabia would like to capitalize on these conditions, though it did not say where the $600 billion would come from, how it would be deployed and if it would be public or private spending.
Bin Salman told Trump the investment "could increase further if additional opportunities arise," the report noted.
During his inauguration Monday, Trump said he would consider making Saudi Arabia his first destination for a foreign visit if the capital city of Riyadh agreed to purchase $500 billion in American products.
U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated the Yemen Houthi group, known formally as Ansar Allah, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, the White House announced on Wednesday.
The White House said the decision was a reversal of the Biden administration's previous removal of the Houthis from the Foreign Terrorist Organization list, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Trump had initially designated the Houthi group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization back in January 2021, during his first presidency.
A statement pointed out the effects of the Biden White House's decision after one month to reverse the designation, saying that "As a result of the Biden administration's weak policy, the Houthis have fired at U.S. Navy warships dozens of times, launched numerous attacks on civilian infrastructure in partner nations, and attacked commercial vessels transiting Bab al-Mandeb more than 100 times."
Newly elected GOP lawmaker to chair influential Senate Middle East subcommittee.
Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., will chair the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, two sources familiar with the matter told Jewish Insider.
McCormick, a vocal pro-Israel stalwart who was sworn in as Pennsylvania's junior senator earlier this month, will take over the gavel from Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., who is leaving the Senate Foreign Relations Committee entirely to join the Senate Intelligence Committee.
"I am honored to chair a subcommittee on such critical issues. I see this as a great opportunity to strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance, expand the Abraham Accords, grow U.S.-India cooperation, and delve deeply into regional energy, economic, and security issues," McCormick told JI in a statement.
New info reveals further evidence of IDF's shocking failure to respond on Oct. 7
In the IDF's internal operational investigation conducted in recent months, jaw-droppingly dramatic intelligence information was revealed. According to JFeed on the night of the Oct. 7 massacre, intelligence sources from inside Gaza provided disturbing information about the Hamas organization's preparations for an attack and even warned of the possibility of a raid on the surrounding communities.
However, senior IDF officials refrained from acting because they chose to believe signs of deception intended to calm Israel's security forces. Yedioth Ahronoth's Ronen Bergman broke the story there and on Ynet.
The worrying signs which should have raised a huge red flag for decision makers included reports of special preparations for rocket fire from Gaza into Israel, and there were other worrying signs of emergency preparedness in the Gaza Strip, but Israeli security officials chose to remain impassive, and did not take any action.
Qatari PM pushes for expedited second phase of hostage-ceasefire shakedown
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said he is ready to start talks as soon as possible on the second stage of the Gaza hostage-ceasefire "deal," even ahead of the deadline date for the discussions to begin.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Qatari prime minister announced he plans to speak to Mossad head David Barnea this week to begin discussing negotiations on the second phase of the agreement: "We are pushing for this," reported the Times of Israel.
An unnamed senior Israeli official said they have "no problem" beginning the talks before day 16.
"Negotiations on the first phase have lasted months, and reaching an agreement on the second phase may also take a long time," the official said. Previously, Israeli officials have intimated the discussions will begin on day 16.
IDF says Palestinian gunmen behind deadly Samaria ambush killed in Iron Wall operation
Security forces late on Wednesday killed two terrorists who carried out a fatal attack in Jenin in Samaria earlier this month, murdering three people in an ambush. A third terrorist is still at large, Ynet reported.
The two men, Mohamad Nazzal and Katiba Shalabi, residents of Qabatiya who were affiliated with the Islamic Jihad, were killed during the Shin Bet and IDF counter terrorism operation in Jenin after troops surrounded the building where they had barricaded themselves, in the nearby village of Burqin and a gunfight ensued.
One soldier was moderately hurt in the four-hour long gun battle. Others who were involved in the fatal attack were arrested and were in the custody of Shin Bet.
Aliza Reiss and Rachel Cohen – both in their 70s – and police officer Elad Winkelstein were killed in the terrorist attack in the village of Al-Funduq when the terrorists, traveling in a car, opened fire on passing vehicles and buses along Highway 55 before fleeing toward Shechem.
Trump fires head of terrorist-linked World Central Kitchen from president's council on sports, fitness nutrition
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the firing of celebrity chef Jose Andres, founder of the controversial World Central Kitchen (WCK), from the president's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, claiming the restaurateur and humanitarian is "not aligned" with the current White House's mission.
Trump shared the news of Andres' departure in an "Official Notice of Dismissal" on social media, according to the Algemeiner. The statement explained his administration is currently in the process of "identifying and removing over a thousand presidential appointees from the previous administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again."
WCK, a U.S.-based NGO founded by Andres to help feed needy people caught in disasters or conflict zones, has been operating with roughly 500 employees in Gaza since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.
In April 2024, the IDF came under fire after it conducted airstrikes on a WCK vehicle convoy, killing seven employees of the charity. Israel acknowledged responsibility for the incident and insisted that the airstrikes violated internal protocol, subsequently dismissing two senior officers over the botched military operation.
Israel has accused WCK of insufficiently vetting its workforce and employing terrorist members within its ranks.
Last month, WCK fired at least 62 of its staff members in Gaza after Israel said they had "affiliations and direct connections" with terrorist groups.
Andres responded to Trump's statement on X/Twitter, claiming he had already resigned.
"I submitted my resignation last week … my 2 year term was already up," he wrote.
Survey: 20% of adults in France unsure if they've heard of the Holocaust
The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany is releasing its first-ever, eight-country Index on Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness, exposing a global trend in fading knowledge of basic facts about the Holocaust. The countries surveyed include the United States, United Kingdom, France, Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary and Romania.
The majority of respondents in each country, except Romania, believe something like the Holocaust could happen again today, reported Israel National News. Concern is highest in the United States, where some 76% of all adults surveyed believe something like the Holocaust could happen again today, followed by the U.K. at 69%, France at 63%, Austria at 62%, Germany at 61%, Poland at 54%, Hungary at 52%, and Romania at 44%.
Shockingly, some adults surveyed said they had not heard or weren't sure if they had heard of the Holocaust prior to taking the survey. This is amplified among young adults ages 18-29 who are the most recent reflection of local education systems; when surveyed, they indicated they had not heard or weren't sure if they had heard of the Holocaust. Additionally, while Auschwitz-Birkenau is the most well-known camp, nearly half (48%) of Americans surveyed were unable to name a single camp or ghetto established by the Nazis during World War II.
Putin skirts with danger after admitting Russia's helping Iran with illicit nuclear work
Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted about Russian civil nuclear work in Iran that runs afoul of U.S. law, but which the Biden administration failed to penalize, at a press conference in Moscow on Jan. 21, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies reported.
Speaking alongside visiting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian following the signing of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty, Putin stated the "flagship joint project for the construction of two new units of the Bushehr nuclear power plant by Rosatom is making strides." The CEO of the Rosatom nuclear corporation, Alexei Likhachev, also spoke, underscoring that joint work is continuing "despite the sanctions and pressure."
Iran's first Russian-built reactor at Bushehr came online in 2011. A Rosatom subsidiary, ASE, has been building two additional units that are expected to produce electrical power by 2026. Russia's contract to build the two new Bushehr units is reportedly worth some $10 billion, while Tehran owes Moscow some $500 million for past work. During the press conference, Putin and Likhachev also discussed Russia's plans to build additional reactors in Iran.
The Iran Freedom and Counterproliferation Act of 2013 prohibits the "sale, supply or transfer of certain materials to and from Iran" related to the regime's nuclear, military, and ballistic missile programs and allows the president to submit sanctions waivers every 180 days containing exemptions based on national security reasons. Absent a waiver, the president is obliged to sanction foreign individuals and financial institutions that violate the act.
The Obama administration issued waivers for certain Russian nuclear work in Iran as part of the 2015 nuclear deal, and upon taking office, the first Trump administration ended U.S. participation in the deal and the waivers. The Biden administration restored the waivers soon after taking office to help restart Iran talks and restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – the technical name for the deal.
Israel demands Arbel Yehud be among group of female hostages to be released on Saturday
Israel is insisting that 29-year-old Arbel Yehud be among the second group of hostages released by Hamas as part of the ceasefire agreement with the terrorist group, according to Hebrew media reports.
Yehud was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, 2023, and is reportedly being held in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, by a Salafi group affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The deal prioritizes the release of living female civilians, and Israel insists on strict adherence to its terms.
Under the agreement, Hamas is expected to provide the names of the four female hostages to be freed by Friday, a day before their scheduled release, according to the Jewish News Syndicate.
Yehud's brother, Dolev, was murdered on Oct. 7, and her partner, Ariel Cunio, and some of her relatives were similarly abducted.
Hamas battalion commander thought killed in Gaza tunnel skirmish, now appears to be alive
The commander of Hamas's Beit Hanoun battalion, Hussein Fayyad, who the IDF says was eliminated in May, appears to be alive, reported the Times of Israel.
Footage shared by Palestinian media shows a man identified as Fayyad speaking today at a funeral.
On May 24, the IDF said Fayyad was killed in a tunnel in a joint operation carried out by the 98th Division and special forces of the Air Force and elite Yahalom Combat Engineering unit.
Trump unwilling to permit IDF to stay in southern Lebanon beyond Sunday withdrawal deadline
Outgoing Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog on Thursday morning told Army Radio Israel is trying to repel the Trump administration's demand that it live up to the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah and withdraw from south Lebanon this coming Sunday, according to the Jewish Press.
The ambassador expressed his hope that Jerusalem and Washington would "reach an understanding" and Israel would be granted an extension.
Israel already had an understanding with the Biden administration that as long as the Lebanese did not succeed in pushing Hezbollah's forces north of the Litani River, in keeping with the 2006 UNSC Resolution 1701, the IDF could remain in south Lebanon to "help."
The Biden administration reportedly considered granting Israel an additional 30 days beyond the 60-day withdrawal period outlined in the truce agreement.
But Trump doesn't appear to care whether Hezbollah goes or stays. Either way, the Trump administration anticipates the IDF to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by Sunday, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement with the Hezbollah terrorist group, according to Army Radio.
News13 reported Wednesday night that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu submitted a new request to the Trump administration, seeking approval to maintain five Israeli outposts in south Lebanon. The cabinet is scheduled to meet on Thursday to discuss the matter.
The request was reportedly made through Netanyahu's close aide, Ron Dermer.
According to Israeli officials, the five strategic outposts serve as a critical buffer between northern Israeli residents and the Hezbollah army in southern Lebanon. Officials in Jerusalem cited incomplete implementation of the agreement as the reason for the request, noting the Lebanese army has yet to deploy in the area which Trump wants the IDF to vacate in three days.
Could Trump's sanctions close down the ICC
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is preparing for a wave of U.S. sanctions that could severely disrupt its operations and even pose an existential threat to the institution, according to its officials.
ICC sources told The Guardian the measures expected to be implemented by the Trump administration could "shut the court down entirely," the Jewish Chronicle reported.
"The concern is the sanctions will be used to shut the court down, to destroy it rather than just tie its hands," one official warned.
The sanctions could target senior figures, including chief prosecutor Karim Khan, and disrupt key aspects of the court's operations. Trump's administration is anticipated to act quickly upon taking office, issuing an executive order that could set the legal groundwork for a series of sanctions.
The threat of U.S. sanctions against the ICC intensified following the court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza in November last year.
Trump envoy Witkoff says 'open to dialogue' with Hamas
Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, said on Wednesday he welcomed the potential for "a dialogue" with Hamas and heaped praise on Qatar for helping facilitate the cease-fire deal between Israel and Gaza, despite facing scrutiny for previous ties to the Gulf nation, according to Jewish Insider.
Asked by Fox News' Dana Perino to respond to a top Hamas official telling The New York Times, "We are prepared for a dialogue with America in achieving understandings on everything," Witkoff replied, "I think it's good if it's accurate."
"I think you can get everybody on board in that region. I really do. With a new sense of leadership over there," Witkoff added, noting that "everybody" in this case included Qatar.
"Oh my gosh, Qatar was enormously helpful in this [cease-fire agreement]. Sheikh Mohammed [bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Qatari prime minister], his communication skills with Hamas were indispensable here," Witkoff said. Many other conservatives have been deeply skeptical of Qatar's influence and role in the negotiations, viewing the country as a supporter of Hamas and urging the U.S. to exert pressure on it.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
First Liberty Institute has dispatched a letter to a Connecticut school district suggesting that it reconsider its demands that a devout Catholic teacher purge her workspace of a crucifix – or get fired.
"Requiring a teacher to purge their workspace of anything religious is blatant discrimination that violates the First Amendment," explained Keisha Russell, a senior counsel at the legal organization.
"The Supreme Court said in the recent Kennedy decision that teachers have the right to engage in personal religious expression under the Free Exercise Clause, including when students are present."
The institute said it sent a letter to officials at the New Britain School District on behalf of Marisol Orroyo-Castro, who has been a teacher for three decades.
The letter calls on the district to reinstate her, after she was placed on administrative leave for refusing to "remove a small crucifix from her workspace."
The legal team explained:
Marisol has taught in the Connecticut public schools for 32 years. For the last 10 years, she has placed a crucifix by her desk along with other personal items such as student artwork and a church calendar. As a devout Catholic, the crucifix reminds her to pray and helps her remain calm throughout the day as she faithfully teaches her students.
On Friday, December 6, 2024, she was brought into a meeting with the vice principal and abruptly told that unless she removed the crucifix by her desk by Monday morning she would be disciplined for insubordination. She was later told she could put the crucifix in a drawer or under her desk, so students wouldn't see it.
After she did so, Marisol started to sob, feeling as though she "hid it under a bushel," rather than let her light shine. After many tears and prayer, she returned the crucifix to its original location. She was then suspended without pay for two days during the holiday season as the school waited for her to comply and hang the crucifix under her desk in a place the school administration called her "private space." Now, she is on administrative leave during the grievance process. The school district said it is considering whether to terminate Marisol.
The lawyers noted that other teachers are allowed to display photographs of family and friends, images of Wonder Woman and Baby Yoda, a miniature of the Mona Lisa, promotions for the New England Patriots football team, inspirational quotes and much more, including a mug referencing a Bible verse.
But the district won't tolerate a crucifix.
In the letter, the attorneys explain, "Under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and under the Connecticut Constitution, the District may not abridge its employees' free speech rights, nor their rights to freely exercise their religion."
Then the letter cited the Kennedy precedent from the U.S. Supreme Court.
"Fewer than three years ago, in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, the Supreme Court held that a public school football coach could not be fired for engaging in personal prayer, even when he did so visibly at the 50-yard line of the stadium after home games."
First Liberty Institute also represented Kennedy in that case.
Fox reported First Liberty Institute is working with WilmerHale law firm on the case.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The day after the inauguration, among the rants of the women on "The View" was a swipe by Sunny Hostin. She took issue with Trump's pronouncement that he will end all Diversity Equity and Inclusion, DEI, programs and make us a merit-based country, in order to realize Dr. Martin Luther King's dream.
She pointed out what she considers hypocrisy: "He had no political experience whatsoever, he had no business experience. He was given everything he has. He is a legacy hire."
Donald Trump did end up running the businesses his father started despite being one of the youngest of five siblings. He was the only one who showed an interest in business. However, running a business isn't as hard as staying in business, much less making it grow. Businesses fail every single day. In fact about 65% of all American businesses fail within 10 years. About 57% of real estate businesses fail, which was the Trump model.
Trump has had his share of failures, but today a large share of his business remains, and he went from being a millionaire to a billionaire.
Arguably, the United States government is one ginormous business. Just because one wins a political office doesn't mean he or she is the least bit capable of running a business, let alone a large one. It's no wonder this country is in such poor shape, trillions in debt with red ink as far as the eye can see.
Being a career politician does not equip someone to run the country. In fact, our Founding Fathers never intended for our congressmen to be full-time politicians. Most of the power wisely was left in the hands of the states. A few patriotic individuals were chosen to represent us in handling the relatively small amount of business of the federal government. They spent a couple of months in New York and then Philadelphia, did their patriotic duty, went home to real jobs and lived under the laws they passed.
Our first congressmen in 1789 were paid a per diem of $6. Six dollars would be about $215 today. Those trips were long and tedious. Furthermore, living away from home in a big city was expensive. That is why a third of the members of the Senate in the 1890s would resign before their terms were finished. Today our congressmen are paid $174,000 to $193,400 depending on one's position, plus generous allowances for staff, postage, travel and now lodging.
Our Founding Fathers wisely left money matters in control of members of the House of Representatives who have to stand for reelection every two years. Why? Because they knew we would hold them accountable for any reckless spending. Today, most people can't name the person who represents them, let alone how he or she votes on all those spending measures. Not only that, the longer these people stay in Washington, regardless of political party, the more they spend. Check out the report card issued on each member of Congress by the non-partisan National Taxpayers Union Foundation.
Is it any wonder we are now $36 trillion in debt, which is growing each and every day?
The average life of a democracy is 200 years. Most fail, not through war or revolution, but because of loose fiscal policy.
Most people are in favor of term limits, but they just keep electing the same people to represent them because they don't know who they are or what they've done. Therefore, voters are reluctant to fire anyone.
Many representatives go to Washington with good intentions. Once there, however, they get sucked in by the power and benefits, so they stay. Many have never had any real-world experience in the private sector. Fewer still have ever met a payroll.
Joe Biden, sadly, was a case in point. Like many in Congress, he stayed too long. You would be surprised how many of our representatives and senators simply are propped up by their staffs when they reach a certain age.
Sadly, if you are basing your choice of president on his or her time in government, you are only making matters worse.
Trump may not be the perfect president (there never will be). The things he says at times drives me crazy, but he knows how to run a business. We need more businessmen and women in Washington who will stay for a short time and then leave.
Frankly, I'd vote for someone who ran a hardware store or a beauty salon to represent me before I'd vote for a career politician.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump has pardoned a number of pro-life activists who had been put in the judicial system's bull's-eye by Joe Biden, whose prosecutors charged them and jailed them for advocating for the lives of the unborn.
Jor-El Godsey, who heads Heartbeat International, expressed thankfulness for the actions of the president.
"When pro-lifers are unfairly targeted, and punished excessively, for their peaceful protests, then presidential pardons are a must. We are grateful for President Trump's effort to right the wrongs of the activist Biden administration," Godsey said.
Trump, as well as Vice President JD Vance, are scheduled to speak to pro-life advocates at the annual March for Life, the nation's largest annual pro-life demonstration, either through a video or in-person, just a day from now.
"We thank President Trump for immediately delivering on his promise to free pro-life protesters who targeted and imprisoned by Biden's Department of Justice. Pro-life moms, grandmothers and even Eva Edl, a Communist prison camp survivor, were thrown in jail for peacefully protesting abortion. As if that were not enough, aggressive sentences were handed down, like five years for Lauren Handy who sought to expose evidence of late term and potentially illegal abortions in the nation's capital," explained SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser.
"President Trump has consistently taken a strong stance that weaponizing the government to go after pro-life advocates and other ideological opponents is wrong. There is no question these prosecutions were political. Even ex-FBI director Chris Wray admits the overwhelming majority of abortion-related threats and violence since Dobbs is directed at pro-life Americans – not done by them. We look forward to the end of Biden's anti-life discrimination under Attorney General Pam Bondi."
She continued, ""In 2020 President Trump made history as the first president to speak in person at the March for Life. We are thankful he and Vice President Vance continue to prioritize this massive annual human rights demonstration, which brings everyday Americans from all over the country to raise their voices for LIFE. Together Trump and Vance are restoring the gains we were making for unborn children and their mothers before Biden took over and pushed abortion into every aspect of the government. The difference from the previous administration couldn't be clearer."
Some two dozen people who had been convicted for "blocking access to and temporarily shutting down" abortion business operations were charged and many of them had still been in jail.
"They should not have been prosecuted. Many of them are elderly people," Trump said. "This is a great honor to sign this."
Those who were pardoned had been targeted by Biden using the FACE Act, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances. The law was supposed to protect "access" to abortion businesses alongside church and pro-life organizations, but Biden's biased agenda meant that more than 9 of 10 cases brought under the law targeted the pro-life Americans.
It was the lawyers from the Thomas More Society who had submitted to Trump's administration a formal request for pardons, naming Joan Bell, Coleman Boyd, Joel Curry, Jonathan Darnel, Eva Edl, Chester Gallagher, William Goodman, Dennis Green, Lauren Handy, Paulette Harlow, John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, Jean Marshall, Fr. Fidelis Moscinski, Justin Phillips, Paul Place, Paul Vaughn, Bevelyn Beatty Williams, Calvin Zastrow, Eva Zastrow, and James Zastrow.
The lawyers explained, "These pro-life Americans are deserving of full and unconditional pardons."
"Today, freedom rings in our great nation. The heroic peaceful pro-lifers unjustly imprisoned by Biden's Justice Department will now be freed and able to return home to their families, eat a family meal, and enjoy the freedom that should have never been taken from them in the first place,": said society lawyer Steve Crampton.
"These heroic peaceful pro-lifers were treated shamefully by Biden's DOJ, with many of them branded felons and losing many rights that we take for granted as American citizens. Today, their precious freedom is restored. What happened to them can never be erased, but today's pardons are a huge step towards restoring justice. Thank you to President Trump and his team for righting these grievous wrongs of the previous administration."
Society Executive Vice President Peter Breen said, "What happened to these peaceful pro-life individuals must never happen again. We urge Congress to act swiftly in repealing the FACE Act to make sure that the Justice Department can never again weaponize this law to target peaceful pro-lifers with severe charges."
The Pentagon will mobilize 1500 active-duty U.S. troops to the Southern border as part of his pledge to control illegal immigration, PBS reported. This is the first step in carrying out an executive order President Donald Trump signed on his first day in office.
Not long after being sworn in on Monday, Trump made good on one of his campaign promises. Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses got to work Wednesday, signing an order to deploy service members.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the news to reporters Wednesday in a video shared by OANN's Daniel Baldwin. "President Trump signed an executive order - 1500 additional troops to United States southern border. This comes off of his day-one action…to direct the Department of Defense to make homeland security a core mission of the agency," she said.
White House Press Secretary @karolineleavitt confirms that 1500 U.S. troops will be dispatched to the Southern border.
This comes after President Trump signed an EO directing the military to prioritize protecting the sovereignty of the southern border. pic.twitter.com/pvgI84gpjn
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) January 22, 2025
During Trump's inaugural address, he promised to quit playing games like his predecessor and fix the illegal immigration problem. "I will declare a national emergency at our Southern border," Trump said Monday.
"All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places in which they came," he added. Nearly 36 hours later, Trump signed the executive order for troops to help with "detention space, transportation (including aircraft), and other logistics services."
This would add to the 2,500 U.S. National Guard and Reserve troops already there. This is not the first time such action has been taken to deal with an influx of illegal immigrants.
Active-duty troops were sent to the border during Trump's first term as well as under President Joe Biden. They were primarily utilized for jobs like constructing barriers, transporting border patrol agents, and other logistics.
That may be different this time if Trump's incoming Homeland Security chief and incoming Secretary of Defense agree to invoke the Insurrection Act. This 1807 law is necessary to counteract a prohibition of active-duty military personnel performing civilian law enforcement functions within the U.S.
Trump has demonstrated that he is serious about fixing the problem of illegal immigration. Besides sending troops, the newly-elected president mobilized Immigration and Customs Enforcement to conduct raids, Fox News reported.
In just the first days of Trump's second term, ICE rounded up 460 illegal immigrants. Some of those picked up had criminal records for everything from drug and weapons crimes to sexual assault and other acts of violence.
The agency is focusing on criminals illegally in the U.S. rather than the garden variety border crosser. "Right out of the gate it’s public safety threats, those who are in the country illegally that have been convicted, arrested for serious crime," Border Czar Tom Homan said Tuesday.
"But let me be clear. There's not only public safety threats that will be arrested, because in sanctuary cities, we're not allowed to get that public safety threat in the jail, which means we got to go to the neighborhood and find him," he added.
Residents in cities from Salt Lake City to Provo have endured increased disturbances from train horns since October 2024, resulting from safety compliance demands by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Despite cities' endeavors to rectify safety issues, reports indicated that the FRA mandates remain in effect, prolonging the noise until compliance is achieved, likely not until November.
The railway quiet zone that stretches from Salt Lake City to Provo has been operational since 2012, thanks to a cooperative agreement among several cities.
Under this agreement, each city agreed to uphold safety measures, while Lehi was appointed as the main point of contact for these municipalities. The purpose of the quiet zone was to curb train noise and enhance the safety of railroad crossings by ensuring crossings met specified safety standards.
For nearly a decade, from the establishment of the quiet zone in 2012, no formal inspections were conducted by the FRA. This changed in 2021 when the agency carried out a partial inspection that identified several areas of concern.
The full implications of these concerns did not unfold until April 2024, when the FRA pinpointed specific crossings that were not in compliance with federal standards.
In the months following this discovery, from April to August 2024, affected cities worked diligently on plans and schedules to bring their crossings up to standard. However, progress was slow, prompting the FRA to demand a comprehensive 30-day remediation plan by August 2024 to address the outstanding issues.
On September 18, 2024, a consolidated action plan was submitted to the FRA. The plan aimed to tackle the compliance problems with urgency.
In the meantime, the FRA issued a directive that required all trains to sound their horns at crossings until full compliance was reached. This mandate went into effect on October 7, 2024, leading to widespread noise complaints from local residents.
Just two days later, another FRA inspection took place on October 9, 2024, exposing further non-compliant issues. These findings intensified the need for repairs, sparking a concerted effort led by Lehi Traffic Engineer Luke Seegmiller and officials from other cities.
One of the critical areas scrutinized by the FRA is the adherence to strict standards for roadway medians at the crossings. Each city is accountable for maintaining safety features within its jurisdiction, excluding the rail-owned right of way. This includes maintaining raised medians, pavement markings, and appropriate signage.
The rigorous FRA standards, particularly concerning medians, have been labeled as excessive by some Lehi officials. They argue that such measures may be an overreaction, given the decade-long period without incidents or comprehensive inspections.
Despite these frustrations, the mandated standards remain in place, and the task for cities is to complete necessary repairs. There is a strong hope that these can be concluded by October 25. However, given the additional compliance issues identified in October, it is anticipated that it might not be until November before residents see an end to the noise disturbances.
The overarching goal is to secure the safety and quietude that were the driving forces behind the original interlocal agreement. As efforts continue, stakeholders are determined to restore the quiet zone to its intended purpose.