While the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled that those who choose to burn the American flag are protected by the First Amendment, President Donald Trump has joined others in disagreeing that it's ok to commit such an act.
According to the Daily Mail, Trump was set to sign an executive order last week that would criminalize the burning of the flag, only to abruptly cancel the signing for unknown reasons.
The president, in the past, has taken a bold stance on what he considers would be fair punishment for burning the flag, which could include jail time or stripped citizenships for certain people.
The move to cancel the executive order signing reportedly left many at the White House puzzled, given how strong the president feels about the issue.
Trump's executive order would have had massive implications for those who have already have flag burning cases on their record.
The Daily Mail noted:
Under Trump’s order that's now on hold, the DOJ would review already existing cases of flag burning to see if other charges unrelated to the flag burning could be brought forward.
For example, the order reportedly directed the DOJ to prosecute protesters for crimes such as public nuisance or disorderly conduct laws, according to a report from NewsNation.
President Trump feels so strongly about the issue that, during his 2024 campaign, he floated the possibility of introducing a constitutional amendment that would exclude flag burning from the protections of free speech.
During the heigh of the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles earlier this year, Trump called flag burners "animals" during an event with U.S. troops.
"These are animals, but they proudly carry the flags of other countries. They don't carry the American flag," Trump said at the time.
The outlet said that at this time, it was unclear why Trump canceled the signing of the EO. It also wasn't clear if the idea is dead in the water or if the president will move to sign it at a later date.
Trump's supporters praised the president prior to the cancellation, with many strongly agreeing that flag burners should be punished.
"Finally! I always thought it was strange that people could burn a flag in the street, but if I brought a box out to the street and set it on fire, I would be charged," one X user wrote.
Another X user wrote, "Anyone who burns the flag will be arrested and imprisoned."
Only time will tell if the president revisits the issue. Many hope he will.
A freak Texas flood in July that resulted in the deaths of over two dozen girls who were at summer camp, along with countless injuries and devastation, sparked Texas lawmakers into taking quick action.
According to JustTheNews, the Texas Senate just passed the first part of a camp-related safety bill that prioritizes safe conditions at campgrounds in the wake of the nightmarish and deadly flooding incident.
The Texas House first took action on the issue by passing a relief package that included a camp safety bill last week. It then went to the Senate for a unanimous vote in favor of passing it.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott applauded the bipartisan effort to pass the safety bill, saying he would gladly sign it once it hit his desk.
Camp Mystic, located in Hunt, Texas, took the brunt of the flash flooding that resulted in the deaths of 27 campers and counselors on July 4.
The problem, according to many of the parents of the campers who perished, is that they believe their deaths were preventable. They took the matter to the state legislature to get action taken to prevent such a nightmare from happening again in the state.
JustTheNews noted:
Their parents testified before the Texas Senate for the first time on Wednesday in support of the bill. They also said their daughters’ deaths were “100% preventable,” arguing the camp didn’t have safety protocols in place, The Center Square reported.
Campers weren't the only people who died during the flash flooding event, as the barrage of water claimed a total of 137 lives in Texas, including 37 children in total.
JustTheNews noted:
After House business was halted during the first special session by absconding House Democrats, all House Democrats voted for the bill on Thursday. It nearly passed unanimously. One Republican holdout voted against it, expressing opposition to amendments added by Democrats and other language, The Center Square reported.
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows released a statement on the situation.
“This summer’s tragic flooding has left profound impact on our state – taking the lives of innocent adults and children, devastating families and entire communities, and breaking the hearts of every Texan. From this tragedy, the Texas Legislature stepped up to examine the systems and processes in need of improvement so we are better prepared for all future emergencies," the state Speaker said.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also issued a statement regarding the bill.
“Every child who attends summer camp should come home with nothing more than memories of laughter, friendship, and adventure. This July, Texas was shaken by the catastrophic flooding at Camp Mystic, where 27 young lives were lost. Today, the Texas Senate has taken an important step to ensure that no parent in our state ever has to endure that kind of heartbreak again," he said.
Lt. Gov. Patrick added, "We cannot legislate away every danger in life, but we can insist on vigilance, preparedness, and accountability where children are entrusted to the care of others. This bill gives parents peace of mind and sets clear expectations for camp operators – because the safety of Texas children must always come first."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
FORT PIERCE, Florida – A petition supporting an illegal alien truck driver who allegedly killed three people in Florida has collected nearly 2.5 million signatures as of Sunday.
Harjinder Singh, 28, faces up to 45 years behind bars on three charges of vehicular homicide for pulling an illegal U-Turn on Florida's Turnpike in St. Lucie County Aug. 12, as a family crashed into his tractor trailer.
"We, the undersigned, urge Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to re-examine and reduce the sentence for a 28-year-old truck driver involved in a fatal U-turn crash on Florida's Turnpike in South Florida," the petition reads.
"This was a tragic accident – not a deliberate act. While accountability matters, the severity of the charges against him does not align with the circumstances of the incident."
Singh has not faced trial yet, let alone being sentenced. He initially fled to California, the state which issued him a commercial driving license, but has since been hauled back to the Sunshine State.
Many of those supporting Singh appear to be Indian nationals.
"It was an accident. he made a terrible mistake, not a deliberate choice to harm anyone," wrote Marvi in Sydney, Australia. "He was working hard to support his family, like so many of us, and one wrong decision changed everything. A 45-year prison sentence is not justice."
Another supporter named Lovepreet in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, wrote: "45 yrs of imprisonment?? is it fair for a young boy who left his home country to have bright future ,support family ??? NO … it was mistake not intentional … this kind of sentence is a result of racial discrimination where comments were made that driver had no remorse, he didn't show emotions after he saw that accident but the TRUTH is he was in shock, devastated.. his whole life was shattering in front of his eyes."
But there's plenty of opposition to the petition and Singh supporters.
"I will never forget this moment," said Elizabeth Farah, co-founder of WorldNetDaily and host of "The Elizabeth Farah Show" on Rumble.
"This was no mistake. He and his employer must face the harshest penalty. The woman employing him is Indian. She has dozens of businesses. She has a record hiring unqualified illegals before. She has opened and closed multiple trucking companies. This is mass migration; this is cultural. The strength of caste is overwhelming. Justice is meaningless, caste is everything. This is un-American."
Others indicate:
"Deport all of the people who signed this petition. And if they're already in foreign countries, ban them from the U.S."
"If anything this petition should make the punishment more severe."
"I bet that petition would make a fantastic deportation list."
In the earlier stages of the 2024 presidential campaign, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made headlines for assembling an unusual coalition of supporters from both the right and the left sides of the political spectrum before eventually throwing his support behind Donald Trump.
Now firmly entrenched as Health and Human Services secretary, Kennedy has declared that, despite speculation in the media, he does not intend to pursue the presidency in 2028, as Politico reports.
The statement from Kennedy indicating his disinterest in running for the White House in the next presidential cycle appeared to stem from criticism leveled by conservative commentator Laura Loomer, who blasted top HHS aide and RFK ally Stefanie Spear, accusing her of working to “utilize her position to try to lay the groundwork for a 2028 RFK presidential run.”
Kennedy swiftly fired back against that notion, taking to X to explain his position on the matter.
The secretary began, “The swamp is in full panic mode. DC lobby shops are laboring fiercely to drive a wedge between President Trump and me, hoping to thwart our team from dismantling the status quo and advancing @POTUS’ Make America Healthy Again agenda.”
He continued, “They’re pushing the flat-out lie that I’m running for president in 2028. Let me be clear: I am not running for president in 2028.”
Referencing criticism of the aforementioned aide, he added, “Their attacks on my staff, especially Stefanie Spear…are proof we’re over the target.”
Though she holds no official position within the administration, Loomer has long been a staunch defender of and advocate for the president.
As such, her investigative journalism has often revolved around exposing those in the government she believes pose a threat to Trump’s agenda, as The Hill explains.
Trump, for his part, has revealed that he “sometimes” heeds Loomer’s recommendations when it comes to personnel.
It was perhaps that fact that compelled Kennedy to jump to Spear’s defense in such a public manner and tamp down rumors of future presidential ambitions.
Given that Loomer’s past targets included Trump’s initial surgeon general pick (who was withdrawn) and also his subsequent pick for the role, as well as Vinay Prasad’s selection for a key FDA role (which was rescinded, then restored), it is clear that she wields at least some degree of influence in some corners of the White House.
Whether Kennedy keeps his word and stays out of the electoral fray ahead of 2028 is something that remains to be seen, but as far as Loomer is concerned, her work is just beginning.
“I’m not stopping,” she recently said. “I’m only going to intensify.”
On a record-setting day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported the lowest number of apprehensions of illegal immigrants at the southern border, the Washington Examiner reported.
July 20 marked not only the lowest daily total but also contributed to the lowest monthly figures ever recorded in the history of border enforcement.
This stark reduction in illegal crossings is a result of policy reversals from the previous administration, showcasing an altered approach towards border security and management.
During the peak of illegal immigration under President Joe Biden, figures reached a staggering 14 million unauthorized residents in the U.S. in 2023. This represented 27% of the nation's total foreign-born population according to the Pew Research Center. The change in numbers is significant, considering President Donald Trump's current administration achieved unprecedented lows shortly after his return to office.
Under Biden, high numbers of migrants were characteristic, with monthly figures consistently outpacing several past administrations. In contrast, the recent counts from Trump's administration reflect a drastically different scenario—an almost 93% drop in border apprehensions.
The recorded low of just 116 illegal immigrants seized on July 20, as announced by the House Committee on Homeland Security, signals a transformative shift in border patrol methodology.
July's total count at the Southwest border was 7,382, a figure that not only set the daily record but also established a new low for monthly totals. According to the committee overseeing Homeland Security, this reduction breaks the previous record set just the month before.
"This is the lowest monthly total in [Customs and Border Protection] history, breaking the previous record set last month," stated the committee at the monthly border briefing. This sentiment emphasizes how successive months under the Trump administration have continually lowered illegal crossings.
This drop in numbers is partly due to no inadmissible aliens being released into American communities for three consecutive months—a stark contrast to the thousands released in July of last year under Biden.
A noticeable decline was also seen in the treacherous Darien Gap route, a common path for migrants coming from South and Central America. Reports in May highlighted a 99.5% decrease in individuals attempting this perilous journey, marking another success in curtailing unsafe and illegal migration.
Such significant declines in illegal crossings point to effective border security measures and possibly more stringent policies under Trump's administration. These measures seem to be disincentivizing attempts to cross into the U.S. illegally, thus reducing the risks associated with undocumented travel.
Rep. Andrew Garbarino of New York emphasized the effectiveness of these new policies, "With Southwest border apprehensions at a record low due to the reversal of the Biden-Harris administration’s open-borders policies, the days of human smugglers, gang members, known or suspected terrorists, and drug traffickers taking advantage of our borders and communities are over," he declared.
These record-setting numbers may reshape the discussion around immigration and border enforcement in the United States. As the current administration continues to enforce and possibly expand its strategies, these might serve as benchmarks for future operations and policy formulations.
The visible successes of these new strategies reflect a broader shift from reactive to preemptive border security measures, focusing not just on apprehending migrants but preventing illegal entries altogether.
Observers and policymakers alike will be watching closely to see how sustained these trends are and what other changes in policy or enforcement might come as the administration progresses.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The federal government now has begun checking the status of all 55 million, or so, people who hold U.S. visas.
"America's benefits should not be given to those who despite the country and promote anti-American ideologies," explained Matthew Tragesser, a spokesman for the USCIS. "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is committed to implementing policies and procedures that root out anti-Americanism and supporting the enforcement of rigorous screening and vetting measures to the fullest extent possible."
A report at Newsweek said the "continual review" is taking into consideration "anything that could render an immigrant deportable."
This includes law enforcement records, immigration records, or other information, the department said.
Suspicious activities that are uncovered could result in visa extensions being denied, green card requests rejected and naturalizations stopped.
The State Department also confirmed indicators of ineligibility would include visa overstays, threats to public safety and criminal activity.
Newsweek explained, "The administration of President Donald Trump has repeatedly made clear that it is taking a tough stance on immigration and border security, with the State Department playing a key role in determining eligibility for visa applications from overseas. It also monitors ongoing temporary visas, such as student and cultural exchange programs."
The report noted that visa reviews also are not necessarily new, as they are routinely subject to various government checks.
In fact, officials revealed the department already has revoked twice as many visas since just January as it had during the same period under Joe Biden.
One of Trump's major agendas has been securing the United States, following the years of Biden's open borders practices when millions of illegal aliens, including terrorists, simply walked across the border.
Trump also has instituted aggressive practices to find and deport illegal alien criminals, but has faced the political opposition from some judges who, extraordinarily, in one case tried to order airplanes carrying illegal alien criminals being deported that already were in international airspace to turn around and bring the criminals back to the U.S.
The U.S. also has halted worker visas for commercial truck drivers, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday on X. He said the change was effective immediately.
"The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers," Rubio said.
The government has started insisting trucker drivers, whose accidents in recent weeks have cost American lives, speak and read English, and recognize and identify road signs.
"Ensuring that every driver on our roads meets the highest standards is important to protecting the livelihoods of American truckers and maintaining a secure, resilient supply chain," the department revealed.
The reviews also will include an assessment of applicants' social media accounts.
"As part of the Trump Administration's commitment to protect U.S. national security and public safety, since Inauguration Day the State Department has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas, as during the same time period last year," the State Department said.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Target, just a few years ago, went totally woke by promoting LGBT, specifically transgender, products in its stores. Its stock fell, stores faced headwinds staying open and even now it's busy replacing its CEO.
And don't forget Bud Light, which partnered with a man who says he's a woman, and its popularity collapsed like a really bad souffle, and never has recovered.
Now it's Cracker Barrel restaurants, with a new "wokey-type" CEO, that is turning itself inside out, and gets a 7% stock plunge in just a day, or a collapse of $100 million.
A report at CBS said the company "shed almost $100 million in market value after its stock plunged … following the release of a new logo."
It now says "Cracker Barrel," after eliminating the "drawing of an overall-clad man leaning against a barrel, in favor of a cleaner logo featuring just the chain's name."
The slide appeared to halt on Friday.
The company has been working to change itself around.
The report noted, "It's unusual for a company's share price to plunge dramatically due to a logo redesign, although marketing missteps can cause investors to question a company' strategy. Cracker Barrel's overhaul has been overseen by CEO Julie Felss Masino, who last year described the chain as 'not as relevant as we once were,' and announced plans to update its down-home menu."
The company claimed, "Our values haven't changed, and the heart and soul of Cracker Barrel haven't changed."
But marketing experts have criticized the company's overhaul and many charged the company with going "woke."
And Bolt Health founder Kevin Dahlstrom, who has been marketing chief in several companies, said the rebrand is a "fiasco."
"The holy grail of marketing is to create a brand that customers give a damn about — and feel some ownership of. It's exceedingly rare and when you have that — as Cracker Barrel did — you NEVER EVER abandon it, you only double down on it," Dahlstrom wrote.
The company soared in the 1990s and its stock reached $180 in 2018. More recently, it has traded in the $55 range and its revenue has been growing by small numbers.
David Marcus, in a commentary said the company was abandoning customers and trading "authenticity for corporate slop."
"Few things in American life have felt as trapped in the amber of history as Cracker Barrel restaurants, with their recipe of comfort food served up in cozy confines that evoke a bygone era. It's little wonder Americans routinely wait for an hour to get a table after church, or welcome a road-trip diversion when they see the classic logo on a highway sign," he said. "Now, the cracker-jack whiz-kid marketing team at the iconic eatery's corprate headquarters has decided to forgo all of this, including possibly, based on public reaction to their changes, the long lines."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A Florida teacher under fire for attacking a student with conservative values now needs to be fired, "and never allowed to teach again in Florida," according to state Attorney General James Uthmeier.
He sent a letter to the school board of Alachua County, demanding an investigation into a situation described by Crystal Marull at a state board of education meeting.
"If these facts bear out – and we have no reason to doubt Dr. Marull's veracity – then this teacher should be immediately terminated, and never allowed to teach again in Florida," the AG wrote in his letter.
He described: "Yesterday, Crystal Marull testified before the State Board of Education that a teacher from your county allowed students to label Dr. Marull's son a 'Naziphile' because of his interest in World War II history and participate in ROTC. That same teacher nominated her son 'Most Likely to Become a Dictator' due to his conservative values, had his classmates vote on the 'award,' and tried to force the student to the front of the class to receive a certificate, which he correctly refused."
That is a likely violation of state law, Uthmeier said.
"Florida law prohibits bullying and harassment. The Alachua County School Board's policy also prohibits bullying and harassment. Indeed, teachers must adhere to the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida. Teachers must not 'harass or discrimination against any student on the basis of … political beliefs,' 'intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement,' 'unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view,' 'unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning,' 'intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic program,' or expose a student to 'conditions harmful to learning,'" the letter charged.
The teacher, he said, "violated Floria law, the school board's policy, and no less than six ethical principles."
A report in the Alachua Chronicle said the board's reaction was to put the teacher on administrative leave immediately.
And Uthmeier noted, "Despite this teacher's nasty immaturity, we commend this young man for his strength in the face of rank political discrimination. Remove this teacher from the classroom. Parents and students in Alachua deserve better."
The teacher had told Marull earlier, "I do apologize that [your son] was offended by the Class Superlative. Class Superlatives are an activity I have been doing with all my classes for the last four years. I give students the option to change or add superlatives to the list from previous years and then the class nominates students and votes on the winner. I was not aware that [your son] was upset that he was nominated for that superlative a few weeks ago. To my knowledge, he did not ask to be removed when he was nominated or when the class voted. When I passed them out today, I reiterated that they were just for fun. These were not meant to be offensive. I do apologize."
But Marull charged, "This is just one incident emblematic of the litany of abuses and offenses that conservative families face in this district. Not only was it wholly inappropriate, the apology was hollow, and although I reported this to a school board member at the time, the board failed to follow up with any consequences."
WND had reported Marull also noted another son was barred from sitting with a friend "because a parent objected to my perspectives on book challenges."
Marull has been fighting woke books in the school system for years, and on Tuesday, she said on X: "School libraries are not a safe space. There are so many dark forces afoot, parents need to wake up.
"The groomers and pedophiles have infiltrated the school libraries! The 'banned book' arguments are all just a cover for their dark purposes."
From social media comments came a description of the teacher's actions: "Satanic."
And, "Why are we allowing teachers to bully conservative students? @EDSecMcMahon @HarmeetKDhillon."
And, "Hell, JAIL the teacher, this is child abuse."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump's agenda to use tariffs to push for fair trade deals, raise revenue for America and support U.S.-based business and industry sparked the first monthly trade surplus in years. In happened when the surplus was reported at $27 billion, just weeks ago.
And the longer term impact appears to be even brighter.
A report at the Washington Examiner detailed a new projection from the Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan organization that keeps its thumb on America's wallet.
That group is predicting Trump's tariff agenda, if maintained, would "decrease total deficits by up to $4 trillion over the next decade."
"CBO projects further increases in tariff revenues in the coming months," director Phillip Swagel wrote. "If there are no further changes in tariff rates, we project that customs duties from new and existing tariffs will total about $200 billion this fiscal year."
The nation has a total debt now of about $37 trillion, with each citizen's share more than $108,000.
The forecasts come in light of the adoption over the summer of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill that established a secure future for the Trump tax cuts of his first term. It also addresses a long list of other government actions, including massive cuts in spend in several areas.
It calls for an elimination of tax funding to the abortion industry giant Planned Parenthood, which has gone to court claiming it can, through the courts, force taxpayers to deliver cash to its accounts even though Congress and the president have determined that should not be spent.
Oddly, there are now entry-level court judges who have agreed with this concept of a constitutional right for abortionists to tax money.
The CBO estimates the OBBBA will represent a $4.5 trillion decrease in tax revenues and a $1.1 trillion cut in spending through 2034.
But White House officials are counting on economic growth as well as hundreds of billions in new tariff revenue to help the nation.
The Council of Economic Advisers earlier suggested the legislation that came to be the OBBBA would produce a deficit reduction of up to $2.3 trillion over a decade, from growth.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The American stock market on Friday surged upward, with the Dow Jones Industrials gaining more than 900 points at one point for an all-time high of 45,757, after Jerome Powell dropped a hint that circumstances are changing.
He's been adamant in keeping interest rates for Americans high, despite good jobs and inflation reports in the months since President Donald Trump took office.
Trump has dubbed Powell "Too Late" for his repeated delays in lowering rates that Trump believes should be changed.
Powell wasn't explicit about rates, but said, during a conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, "Over the course of this year, the U.S. economy has shown resilience in a context of sweeping changes in economic policy.
"In terms of the Fed's dual-mandate goals, the labor market remains near maximum employment, and inflation, though still somewhat elevated, has come down a great deal from its post-pandemic highs. At the same time, the balance of risks appears to be shifting."
The Fed next meets in September. Key during the August meeting, at which he maintained higher rates that deprive Americans of the ability to buy homes, two of the board members sought a rate cut, but they were overruled by the majority, led by Powell.
Trump long has called on Powell, in light of the huge improvement in America's financial position, to lower rates. It was during June that the nation reported its first trade surplus in many years.
"In the near term, risks to inflation are tilted to the upside, and risks to employment to the downside—a challenging situation," Powell said. "When our goals are in tension like this, our framework calls for us to balance both sides of our dual mandate.
"Nonetheless, with policy in restrictive territory, the baseline outlook and the shifting balance of risks may warrant adjusting our policy stance," he added. "[Federal Open Market Committee] FOMC members will make these decisions, based solely on their assessment of the data and its implications for the economic outlook and the balance of risks. We will never deviate from that approach."
Based on his comments, the Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 903 points, or 2%.
Meanwhile, the S&P 500 gained 1.6% and the Nasdaq Composite climbed nearly 2%, according to CNBC.
Trump informed Powell as recently as this week, "There is no inflation, and every sign is pointing to a major rate cut."
Inflation actually exploded to more than 9% under Joe Biden.