Policy News - Legislation, Spending & Government

I hope it's not too soon after the attempted murder of Donald Trump to share a chuckle or two. And let's not forget Corey Comperatore, who used his body in a heroic act to shield his family from gunfire. Now a man is deserving a statue in Butler, Pennsylvania.

At a recent rally in Florida, Donald Trump challenged Joe Biden to an 18-hole golf match. Trump also promised to give Biden a 20-stroke advantage – and if Biden wins, he'll get a million-dollar donation to his favorite charity, courtesy of the former president.

Well, it looks as though the golfing world will have to wait since the assassination attempt has changed the timeline. My research staff found the plans and rules that were to be used for the match, and it looks like it would've been a real hoot.

If you'll recall, this subject came up during the June debate debacle where Biden suggested that in addition to the golf, an added feature for the two contenders was carrying their bags. Dr. Jill heard the bag-requirement comment, and though she is a doctor, she misunderstood it as an insult.

Though the contest has been put on the back burner for now, here are the details my staff found about what was to be marketed as the Big Boy Codger Classic.

Both contenders will have a caddy to advise each golfer on yardage and clubs to use. The Biden staff is not requesting a caddy; rather, their choice is a Visiting Angel.

Along with the Visiting Angel, team Biden would like two sherpas to assist the president from any bunker exits that may be quite steep. If not sherpas, a portable staircase chairlift would do the trick.

There will also be the presence of oxygen and a porta-potty on wheels to follow the Big Boy.

A Bible will be provided along with a fire extinguisher to swear in the tag-a-long Kamala Harris just in case there's a need.

Another presidential demand to be met is an ice cream cone for the Big Boy to enjoy in between each hole. Along with the ice cream treat, the presidential staff demands that Big Girl Dr. Jill be waiting at the end of each hole to cheer on her husband. "I'm so proud of you, Joe. You hit the ball on this hole 98 times, and you only missed it 14 times – but you got right back up and never quit. And you put it into the hole all by yourself. Oh my gosh, I'm such a silly. I said 'put,' which almost sounds like that evil Putin."

In case the Codger Classic goes past the bewitching hour of 4 p.m., a mobile bed will be made available for the president if he chooses to take a nap before going on to the next hole.

Trump suggested the ratings for this event would exceed any other golf event in history, which may be true. That also leads to the speculation of who would win the sponsorship rights for each of the 18 holes. No doubt Prevagen would be there telling us, "When you've taken 78 shots to complete hole number one, Mr. President, you're going to need our product to even remember your score."

Add to that Med Alert telling us, "When you're in a bunker after 84 swings and you're still there, you're going to need us to get you out."

And at the final 18th hole when the disaster ends, it will be Relaxium's turn to say, "It's time to go home, Joe. It's highly doubtful, but you may need Relaxium along with a chaser of Balance of Nature to erase the day from your mind."

This tournament will be accompanied by a public service announcement assuring that America is safe while President Biden is away from the White House. Hunter Biden, his trusted son, and the smartest man Joe knows, has the nuclear football secure in his not too shaky hands.

One of America's leading centers providing treatment to children – that included chemicals to alter body development and surgical mutilations in pursuit of "changing" sexes – has closed down.

"Only time will tell if St. Louis Children's Hospital genuinely shuttered its gender transition center for youth, or if it followed the example of Texas Children's Hospital, which merely redistributed its illegal gender transition practices and carried them on more secretly," the article explained.

But for now, the Washington University School of Medicine Pediatric Gender Center is "officially closed."

The location was the center that "drew headlines last February when a whistleblower exposed the center's 'morally and medically appalling' practices in a sworn affidavit," the report explained.

The center has been under a months-long state investigation, but then abruptly announced it was closing its doors.

"So little fanfare accompanied the closure that it only hit the media on Wednesday, when the whistleblower, Jamie Reed, published an op-ed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In that piece, Reed reaffirmed her self-identity as 'a gay woman' and 'fierce LGBT rights advocate,' while also insisting, 'every day that goes by I grow more confident that I did the right thing.'"

The commentary explained, "The elevation of ideology over evidence is what led Reed to become a whistleblower on the St. Louis clinic."

She had reported the clinic "ignored growing international concerns … and pressured its staff to suppress doubt that what we were doing actually helps. I shared my concerns, but was told to remain silent."

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey followed up with an investigation into claims the center was ignoring evidence, bullying parents, abusing children and even unlawfully billing taxpayers.

Family Research Council chief Tony Perkins told Bailey recently on Washington Watch that the closure appears to be related to the state investigation.

"That's a huge win for the health and safety of children in Missouri," Bailey explained. "This investigation is the first of its kind in this nation — multi-agency. We've demanded a moratorium on these procedures, worked with our general assembly to get a bill passed, then successfully defended the bill that prohibits future procedures in the state of Missouri."

He said his investigators already had found a "clandestine network" of centers that targeted minor children across his state, and documents already have been obtained from several.

But the St. Louis center had refused to release critical documents that had been subpoenaed, and the closure, Perkins warned, "could be "an effort to try to stop your probe.'"

Should Bailey's investigation uncover willful harm to children, such evidence could become part of civil lawsuits by victims, the report explained.

"We've won at the trial court level against many of these other clinics, and we'll continue fighting any clinic that tries to thwart the state's effort to look back in time and determine what kind of abuse has occurred," he said.

A former White House senior official is accused of working as a spy for the South Korean government, the Daily Beast reported. A federal indictment claims Sue Mi Terry was allegedly trading America’s secrets for luxury gifts.

Terry has held positions on the White House National Security Council and as an analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency. The 54-year-old is also married to Max Boot, a Washington Post columnist.

Prosecutors are alleging that she used her influential positions to act as a double agent for the South Korean government. According to USA Today, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Terry “subverted foreign agent registration laws in order to provide South Korean intelligence officers with access, information, and advocacy.”

In exchange, she received lavish gifts. “Terry allegedly sold out her positions and influence to the South Korean government in return for luxury handbags, expensive meals, and thousands of dollars of funding for her public policy program."

How Crime Paid

According to the 31-page indictment, Terry could spend up to five years in prison for allegedly spilling secrets to the South Korean National Intelligence Service. She became a "valuable source of information" who also gave access to U.S. officials and used her influence to shape policy.

In exchange, she got a taste of the good life. Terry was treated to dinners at the finest restaurants and received designer handbags, including a $3,450 Louis Vuitton purse, a $2,950 Bottega Veneta handbag, and a $2,845 Dolce & Gabbana overcoat.

Most troublingly, Terry also received $37,000 to find a public policy program that advocated for the communist nation. Perhaps it's no coincidence that she also testified to Congress on behalf of Korean interests.

On three separate occasions, when she appeared before lawmakers, Terry certified that she was not an agent of a foreign government. Despite the compelling case in the government indictment, Terry's attorney, Lee Wolosky, said she was an American patriot.

“These allegations are unfounded and distort the work of a scholar and news analyst known for her independence and years of service to the United States. Dr. Terry...was a harsh critic of the South Korean government during times this indictment alleges that she was acting on its behalf. Once the facts are made clear it will be evident the government made a significant mistake."

Despite her attorney’s protestations, prosecutors allege that Terry used her connections from her time in government to carry out espionage and betrayal. She worked in various positions for the U.S. government between 2001 and 2011.

According to court documents, Terry once slipped a handwritten account to a "handler" at the North Korean intelligence agency that outlined the details of a 2002 meeting with then-Secretary of State Colin Powell regarding strategies for dealing with North Korea.

In April 2023, Terry allegedly hosted a cocktail party funded by the foreign intelligence agency. One of her handlers even attended disguised as a diplomat to make connections with congressional staff on the guest list.

Terry also penned opinion pieces with her columnist husband at the behest of her handlers, Fox News reported. Ironically, Boot had accused former President Donald Trump of being a Russian agent.

It would be a monumental scandal if Terry were, in fact, working as a foreign agent against American interests. It's frightening that she had access to high places, important people, and even the American media while allegedly working for our adversaries.

As the Barack Obama Presidential Center takes shape, South Side Chicago residents brace for rent hikes.Fears of displacement loom among South Side residents with the upcoming 2026 opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, the Washington Examiner reported. The planned Obama Presidential Center, commemorating the former President, is under construction on Chicago's South Side, slated to open in 2026. This development, which will include a museum, library, and educational facilities, has stirred significant concern among local residents about potential rising housing costs.

In the Woodlawn neighborhood, residents are already feeling the pressure, with some receiving notices of rent increases following the completion of the center. Pat Hightower, a local voice, highlighted the distress, noting how this project threatens to displace those with deep roots in the community.

Residents Voice Concerns Over Displacement

During a recent meeting with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Pat Hightower and other members of the Community Benefits Agreement coalition advocated for legislative measures to safeguard renters and homeowners. The proposal they discussed has been stalled in the City Council's Housing Committee since last October.

A significant part of the local community's anxiety stems from direct conversations with landlords. Hightower shared an account of a resident whose rent was projected to jump from $900 to $1,500, specifically due to the increased demand the new center is expected to bring.

Desmon Yancy, another local activist, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the fight for affordable living in South Shore. He pointed out the stark contrast between the area's average rent and median income, underscoring the challenges residents face.

Historical Significance Meets Modern Struggles

Both Barack and Michelle Obama have spoken fondly of the South Side, reflecting on its significance in their lives during the groundbreaking ceremony in 2021. The former First Lady described it as wearing her South Side heritage "boldly and proudly like a crown."

However, the warm memories shared by the Obamas contrast sharply with the current fears of the residents. While the project aims to enrich the community by preserving the legacy of the former President, it inadvertently sparks concerns about the affordability and accessibility of housing.

Legislative Action Stalls Amid Debate

The proposed protective legislation has divided city officials. Aldermen Greg Mitchell and Michelle Harris, representing the affected areas, have expressed reservations, focusing instead on promoting homeownership over rental protections.

This division in the city council has left the proposal in limbo, causing frustration among those pushing for urgent action. Hightower's plea to Mayor Johnson underscored the immediate impact of inaction: "Our friends, family, and neighbors are being displaced as we speak," she said.

Without a resolution, the fear of displacement continues to grow among the South Side residents, overshadowing the anticipation of the Obama Center's cultural and educational contributions.

A Community's Call for Action

As the debate over the protective legislation continues, community members like Pat Hightower are adamant about securing a future where both legacy and livelihood can coexist on the South Side.

Residents are calling for more than just acknowledgment of their plight—they seek tangible changes that will allow them to remain in their homes without the burden of unaffordable rents.

The ongoing struggle reflects broader issues of urban development and housing equity, issues that are not unique to Chicago but resonate deeply within its communities.

An ex-classmate of Thomas Matthew Crooks said the would-be assassin once called him "stupid" for supporting former President Donald Trump, Fox News reported in an exclusive. The 20-year-old was shot and killed by law enforcement after shooting at Trump during a rally.

Former Bethel Park High School classmate Vincent Taormina said that Crooks spoke about his hatred for all politicians during the 2016 election. "He just did not like politicians, especially with the choices that we had. He did not like our politicians," Taormina said.

This may shed light on a possible motive for Crooks, who was identified as the gunman who shot at Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Saturday. The bullet took off a chunk of the former president's right ear, narrowly missing the former president's skull.

Unfortunately, Crooks bullets managed to kill 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a Trump supporter and father of two, and critically wounded two others. Before the shooting, Crooks had no history of mental illness or criminal activity.

A Key Interaction

Taormina said that Crooks, who was usually introverted, would become "smug [and] arrogant" when discussing subjects like math and politics. "He would just talk, talk and act like he knew everything, especially politics related, and he would say it in a tone that was like, 'I'm better than you,' in a type of way," Taormina said.

The classmate recalled a particular discussion with Crooks in English class during the 2016 election. Taormina shared that he supported Trump over his potential Democratic rivals, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"I brought up the fact that I'm Hispanic and, you know, I'm for Trump. And he said, 'Well, you're Hispanic, so shouldn't you hate Trump?'" Taormina said.

"No. He's great. He was a great president. He called me stupid – or insinuated that I was stupid," the former classmate said of Crooks.

It's still unknown what the killer's exact motive was for attempting to assassinate the Republican presidential candidate. The FBI has recovered Crooks' cellphone and laptop and is conducting interviews to learn more about the late gunman.

Portrait of a Killer

Taormina said that the media has it all wrong when it comes to painting Crooks as a loner. While he was typically a shy and quiet student, Taormina said media reports of hin being a loner are wrong as Crooks had a few friends from school.

However, the former classmate admitted that those friends were other individuals who were seen as mentally unstable and the "type" that could become school shooters. "They were definitely the type, and they did, make threats to shoot up our school," he said.

Taormina said these were unconfirmed rumors, and there is no indication that these suspicions were ever confirmed. However, classmates noted that Crooks would not return to school for a few days after those threats were made.

"Everybody, anybody who knew him-knew him, should have seen something. They should have known something was up, and I know it's kind of easy to hide, but people are going to get their affairs in order before they do something that's bold and this drastic, and nobody saw it? And why?" Taormina said.

It's still a mystery who Crooks really was or what his possible motives might have been. However, it's clear that this isn't a simple cut-and-dry narrative that leftists were hoping for in the end.

Democrats have spent years spewing radical rhetoric, but even they can see that political discourse has gotten out of hand following the shocking assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life on Saturday.

While Trump and Hillary Clinton were bitter electoral rivals in 2016, President Clinton said he and his wife are both wishing Trump their best.

Bill Clinton on shooting

In a statement, Bill Clinton said, "Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process. Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today's rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service."

Trump's electoral opponent, Joe Biden, called for Americans to "lower the temperature" in a speech from the Oval Office on Sunday night.

It's a striking tone shift in what has been until now a bitterly divisive presidential campaign.

Biden doubles down

Many on the right. including Trump's VP pick J.D Vance, have blamed Biden's rhetoric for the shooting, pointing to his and other Democrats' claims that Trump is an existential threat to the country.

Despite his calls for unity, Biden has faced criticism for doubling down on his campaign theme that Trump is a danger to democracy.

"I’m not the guy that said, ‘I want to be a dictator on day one.’ I’m not the guy that refused to accept the outcome of the election. I’m not the guy who said he won’t accept the outcome of this election automatically," Biden said.

Meanwhile, President Trump has urged the country to come together. The Republican presidential candidate said he is rewriting his speech at the Republican National Convention to focus on a unifying theme.

While rhetoric has cooled somewhat in the last few days, it remains to be seen how long the detente will last. In any event, it's clear to many Americans that things have gotten out of hand.

Millions of Americans are praising God that President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, during his 2024 campaign for the White House.

But the exact time the former commander-in-chief was struck by a bullet in his ear has some Christians and conservatives taking note, as they see a connection to one of the most famous verses in the Bible.

And the verse that’s highlighted is Ephesians 6:11, which states: “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.” (CSB)

Conservative talk show host Jack Posobiec is among those who took to X to point out the connection, stating: "The bullets were fired at 6:11 pm. Ephesians 6:11."

He also included a photo of a Fox News video screenshot, pointing to the time of 6:11.

"Armor of God. The next verse is this: 'For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.'"

The Scripture-fest continued with Posobiec continuing the thread with: “Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on an evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground” (Ephesians 6:13).

The sixth chapter of Ephesians is famous for its armor of God metaphor as believers are told to arm themselves with a belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, feet strapped with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

The verse specifying the “shield of faith” actually says by employing this weapon, “you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:13 NKJV), with a bullet fired from a wicked person’s gun certainly fitting that description.

Many Christians believe Jesus Christ Himself died at age 33 when He saved all humanity from the death penalty.

Not all brethren, though, are thrilled with the 6:11 p.m. connection to Scripture.

One professor of apologetics and church history responded to Posobiec, saying: "As I have explained to others, this is absurd abuse of Scripture. Please, stop it. It is highly disrespectful to God's Word.

"The chapter and verse divisions are later, uninspired additions. The current verses were added in 1551. They are not inspired, and it is simply absurd to connect the time this took place (in a particular time zone, during DST even) with a particular text of Scripture based upon the uninspired division of Ephesians into particular chapters and verses. It would be easy to look up all sorts of other '6:11s' in the Bible that would demonstrate the foolishness of this activity. Please, just stop it."

JERUSALEM – Israel's security services arrested three citizens Tuesday, suspected of committing security offenses – which Iran's intelligence apparatus is thought to have directed.

The three were arrested separately over the last two weeks, and the investigation revealed that following interrogation, one suspect – 21-year-old Elimelech Stern, a member of the Vishnitz Hasidic community in Ramat Beit Shemesh, approximately 20 miles or so west-south-west of Jerusalem – received his instructions over Telegram.

He was in contact with a profile under the name of "Anna Elena," where he was directed to hang posters, hide money in various locations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, deliver packages including some containing decapitated stuffed animals and dolls, as well as threatening messages to be delivered along with a knife, and placed at certain Israeli civilians' doorsteps.

He was also tasked with setting fire to a forest and more. It was also revealed Stern refused to either commit murder or arson.

Stern recruited two other Israelis – who have yet to be publicly identified – for his "missions," for which they received payment from "Anna Elena" in cryptocurrency – and sometimes for the sum of just a few hundred shekels.

His Iranian handlers told him via Telegram that "Anna" was living in London and she "was looking for brave people to carry out missions in Israel for pay ranging from 100 to 100,000 dollars."

Another message read, "I will test you with a simple mission of $100. If you do well and send me a video and photo of that work, and I can trust you, I will give you more missions with more reward."

During one exchange between the Iranian operatives and Stern, they wrote: "We need a brave man. Are you brave for a lot of money? I currently have 2 missions. One of them has a bonus of $7,000, and one of them has $350."

Stern expressed interest in the higher-paying mission, replying: "Tell me about the $7,000 one."

The Iranian operative responded, "Alright. First, you need to purchase two 20-liter containers at a gas station." It seems this may have been intended to be used to set the forest fire.

On Tuesday, Jerusalem's District Attorney's Office filed an indictment against Stern, charging him with contacting a foreign agent. Following their interrogation, the security services released his two accomplices, and they now await the prosecutor's decision about whether or not to indict them.

"Approaching Israeli citizens through social networks, under the false representation of the identity of the person making the request, is a well-known method of operation of the Iranian intelligence agencies," the Shin Bet and Israel Police said in the statement. They added since Oct. 7 there has been a significant uptick in Iranian intelligence agencies using Telegram as well as other social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and X.

A leaked video of a conversation between former President Trump and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shows Trump criticizing what is presumed to be COVID-19 vaccines, and the effects he has personally seen.

"I agree with you, man. Something's wrong with that whole system, and it's the doctors you find," Trump can be heard telling RFK, who is well known for his criticism of vaccinations.

Trump goes on to note vaccine doses meant for small babies look like they are "meant for a horse."

"Remember I said I want to do small doses. Small doses. When you feed a baby, Bobby, a vaccination that is like 38 different vaccines, and it looks like it's meant for a horse, not a you know, 10-pound or 20-pound baby. It looks like you're giving, you should be giving a horse this, and do you ever see the size of it," Trump said.

Trump then went on to say he has seen many instances of babies suffering from adverse reactions to vaccines.

"It's so massive and then you see the baby all of a sudden starting to change radically. I've seen it too many times. And then you hear that it doesn't have an impact, right? But you and I talked about that a long time ago. Anyway, I would love you to do something and I think it would be so good for you, and so big for you," Trump said.

Trump goes on to say, "We're gonna win, you know, we're way ahead of the guy," referring to President Joe Biden's poll numbers.

Trump further stated Biden had called him after the attempted assassination at a Butler County rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

"He called me, and he said, how did you choose to move to the right?….I said I was just showing them a chart, I didn't have to tell him the chart of all the people pouring into our country, right? But I just turned my head to show the chart and something rocked me. It felt like a giant, like the world's largest mosquito, and it was, it was a bullet," Trump told RFK.

There are many American-made products in the home goods category that I could name, but this time I'm listing items I have personally bought, used, and like.

My wife and I have relocated from Orlando to St. Louis, and the new area offers an education of regional brands specific to where we now live. As we accent our new home, we have chosen many American-made products we may have otherwise not been considering.

Few things are simpler than getting soap dishes for the bathrooms and kitchen. I ordered two from www.mycluckhut.com, and I’ll probably order more. At $5.00 each, the price is hard to beat. If you don’t mind spending a little more for a fancier soap dish, I would recommend Fern Valley Soaps, which are in the $15.00-$17.50 range. You can also browse their selection of American-made soaps, lip balm, gift boxes, and more.

We literally just ordered outdoor patio furniture from POLYWOOD, which has been manufacturing in Syracuse, Indiana, since 1990. The company also opened a new facility in North Carolina in 2023, boosting their employment to 1,550 American jobs. All products are backed with a 20-year warranty.

POLYWOOD products are made of reusable and recycled plastics, which means the products themselves are recyclable.

We ordered a sofa table from Mueller Furniture, and we will be ordering more furniture from this company in the future. Mueller doesn’t sell any furniture that isn’t made in the USA, so there are no questions or second-guessing when we shop. The stores are local to the St. Louis area, so you would have to be in the area to take advantage of this all-American store, but if you happen to be passing through, you should check them out.

When you need a wide range of cleaning products like mops, brooms, brushes, buckets, dust pans, squeegees, scrubbers, and sponges, look no further than Libman ( https://libman.com/). Their website says “most” of the products are made in the USA, but I have personally not seen any in retail stores that are not.

We have bought many American-made treats for our cats over the years, but the most recent is by Grandma Lucy's. The treats are all natural, GMO-free and contain no by-products. Our cats love them.

Retail chain Target offers many Brightroom products from storage bins and totes to kitchen & food storage and waste baskets. Not all products are made in America, but the waste baskets we bought for our bathrooms certainly are.

For more than 30 years, Whitinsville, Massachusetts-based August Ceramics has been designing and hand-crafting attractive and charming ceramic giftware. But, of course, giftware can always be gifted to yourself. All ceramic products from dog and cat themed ornaments, plates, and plaques are fired in a kiln and painted by hand, so slight variations occur and mean that no two products are alike. You can also personalize your ceramic giftware.

And, last but not least, is Yaupon Brothers American Tea Co., which is based in Central Florida where I lived for 38 years and supplies the tea I drink almost every day. Yaupon is known to be the America's only native caffeinated plant. Each tea leaf is carefully hand-plucked, then dried or fire-roasted, graded, milled, and packed by hand in their Crescent City, Florida organic farm facility. No aspect of production is outsourced.

One of the most unique and interesting things about Yaupon tea is that it is tannin-free, and as a result, is naturally sweet. It’s also impossible to over-steep, and I get at least two cups from a single sachet. Yaupon Brothers American Tea Co. also has an excellent rewards program where you can easily gain 20% off your order after only a few purchases. All these aspects combined make for a very affordable and enjoyable American tea experience. Adios, imported tea.

As I mentioned earlier, I no longer reside in Central Florida. My new address as listed on www.howtobuyamerican.com is 1136 Washington Ave., #910, St. Louis, MO 63101. The toll-free number is the same, which is 1-888-US OWNED (888-876-9633). You can still email me at roger@howtobuyamerican.com.

Also worth mentioning, I am planning a fourth edition of "How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism" to be published in 2025, which promises to be the best edition yet, so stay tuned!

Thank you for your continued support and for your "Buy American Mention of the Week" email subscription!

Roger Simmermaker has written multiple books on buying American and trade policy since 1996, and has been a frequent guest on Fox News, Fox Business Network, CNN, and MSNBC. Roger has also been quoted or featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, BusinessWeek, and The New York Times, among many other publications.