Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has managed to stay in the news cycle over the past few weeks, mostly due to her statements and stances on several issues and the overall state of the judiciary and country.
According to the New York Post, the controversial justice was brutally mocked after recently admitting that the "state of our democracy" has caused her to have sleepless nights.
Her comments came during a "quickfire" session at an Indianapolis Bar Association event Thursday, where some of the lighthearted questions involved favorite books and songs.
Brown Jackson is now known as the "top dissenter" on the conservative majority high court.
One of the questions she was asked was what keeps her up at night, and the liberal justice played the "democracy is under attack" card.
"I would say the state of our democracy," she said when asked what keeps her up at night.
She added, "I’m really very interested in getting people to focus and to invest and to pay attention to what is happening in our country and in our government."
The Post noted:
However, critics were quick to jump on the comments, saying the real worry was the Biden-appointed justice, whose repeated dissents have faced sharp criticism from many other jurists, including fellow liberals.
Brown Jackson was absolutely ridiculed after making the comment, with social media users piling on after news broke regarding what she said at the Indianapolis conference.
Many users went as far as calling her an "embarrassment" to the high court's bench.
Brown Jackson's critics didn't hold back in describing how they felt about her comments, and her as a justice in general.
What keeps me up as night is knowing that we have unqualified Justices like Jackson on the SCOTUS. https://t.co/KECX9ZOSw8
— Jon Holloway (@HX1MAN) July 11, 2025
"I honestly believe that Brown Jackson is not qualified to be on the Supreme Court. I read her dissent on a few cases and she is driven by emotion, not the law. Even other liberal Jurists on the SC have called her out. She should resign and another liberal or moderate put in," one X user wrote.
Another X user wrote, "Maybe she should use those sleepness nights to read the U.S. Constitution that she's supposed to uphold."
By now, everyone should be fully aware that President Donald Trump is most certainly not afraid to fire someone -- or a large group of people at once.
According to Breitbart, in Trump's effort to shrink a "bloated" U.S. government, the State Department, at Trump's direction, is firing a staggering 1300 workers as part of a massive reorganization strategy.
The AP broke the story, reporting that a high-level anonymous source familiar with the situation said that pink slips will be handed out to "1,107 civil servants and nearly 250 foreign service officers with assignments inside the United States."
Some of those affected by the mass firing will first be placed on leave and then formally terminated from their positions, a move that has been celebrated by Trump supporters and Republicans who are on board with cutting government waste.
The memo obtained by the AP made it crystal clear what the State Department is doing with the 1300 or so workers.
“Foreign service officers affected will be placed immediately on administrative leave for 120 days, after which they will formally lose their jobs, according to an internal notice obtained by The Associated Press," the outlet reported.
The move was described as a "departmental reorganization" in an effort to streamline "domestic operations."
It added, "In connection with the departmental reorganization … the department is streamlining domestic operations to focus on diplomatic priorities. Headcount reductions have been carefully tailored to affect non-core functions, duplicative or redundant offices, and offices where considerable efficiencies may be found from centralization or consolidation of functions and responsibilities."
Videos of some of the fired workers leaving the facility went viral across social media.
Scenes from the State Dept, showing employees leaving HQ after being fired in the mass cuts of 1300 employees today.
The recently fired bureaucrats were greeted to a round of applause as they carried their supplies out.
Cleaning house. pic.twitter.com/BK4rQHWsOz
— Clandestine (@WarClandestine) July 12, 2025
Users across social media weighed in on the news of the mass firings.
"@realDonaldTrump Great job cleaning house, a lot more needs to go. did you know that during covid, it was found that the government could run efficiently on about 25% of the people in government? what a lot of past DEMS did was hire all their Dem party & they destroyed the US," one X user wrote.
Another X user wrote, "Note that even after the layoffs nobody at this agency has to be at his/her/zir/their desk. Everyone has time to hang out in the lobby in and cheer for the departing."
It'll be fascinating to see what department and how many employees get cut next.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Democrats have erupted in rage at a raid on a California marijuana farm operation by agents for the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement but are facing backlash because the operation was caught exploiting children for its labor.
A report at the Hill said the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that undocumented minors were found working at the cannabis scheme in the raid.
KTLA reported federal immigration officers and National Guard members carried out raids at two cannabis farm locations and arrested dozens, including illegal alien children.
Hundreds of protesters staged obstructive maneuvers during the law enforcement operation, and there were some violent clashes with law enforcement.
The two sites where operations were held were Glass House Farms locations in Camarillo and Carpinteria.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed, "Federal agents are executing a search warrant at this marijuana farm. Agents have already arrested multiple individuals for impeding this operation and will continue to make arrests. Don't interfere. You will be arrested and charged with a federal offense."
Luis McArthur, Oxnard's mayor, went online to complain the ICE raid on one location was "unjust and unwarranted," prompting criticism for his advocacy for "CHILD LABOR."
Law enforcement eventually used tear gas as protesters decided to obstruct the officers by blocking roadways.
One person apparently shot at federal officers, and on Friday was being sought for investigation of possible federal charges. The FBI offered a $50,000 award for information leading to the conviction in that case.
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott revealed that 10 undocumented minors were found working at Camarillo, eight of them unaccompanied.
That opened an investigation into the corporation for child labor violations.
Fire department workers responded to several people affected by the tear gas.
At the Carpinteria operation, state Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, tried to force his way past federal agents, but was turned around.
His later statement claimed he was troubled by a lack of transparency in the DHS.
"I will be demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security to find out who they detained and where the detainees are being taken," he said. "These militarized ICE raids are not how you keep our communities safe. This kind of chaos only traumatizes families and tears communities apart."
Gov. Gavin Newsom posted a statement online calling President Donald Trump "the real scum," triggering responders to question him why there were children working marijuana fields.
The Daily Caller News Foundation reported leftists were left "fuming" over the raid.
It reported Newsom posted, "Kids running from tear gas, crying on the phone because their mother was just taken from the fields. Trump calls me Newscum — but he's the real scum."
Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego charged, "Instead of prioritizing dangerous criminals Trump is targeting families that have been here for years picking our food. The public outcry and protests are occurring because the American public knows this is wrong."
That triggered a flood of comments pointing that that marijuana is not considered "food."
Also misunderstanding was Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who said, "How many MS-13 gang members are waking up at 3 a.m. to pick strawberries? O'yeah, zero! Trump said he'd go after 'bad hombres,' but he's targeting the immigrant farm workers who feed America."
DHS responded, "At the California marijuana facility, [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and CBP law enforcement rescued 8 unaccompanied migrant children from what looks like exploitation, violation of child labor laws and potentially human trafficking or smuggling. Yet, Gavin Newsom, Ruben Gallego and other politicians continue to demonize and attack the law enforcement officers who bravely rescued these children."
President Donald Trump is granting "Total Authorization" for self-defense by any means necessary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, Fox News reported. This comes after agents were attacked while carrying out a mission.
Agents conducted an immigration raid at Glass House Farms in California on Thursday. They were met with violence from protesters directed at enforcement officials on the legally operated cannabis farm.
Authorities were forced to use tear gas to quell the uprising. Trump did not take kindly to this action and took to his Truth Social on Friday to spell out how he would empower agents to fight back in the future.
The president made his post while returning from viewing flood damage in Texas, where a deluge killed at least 12o people. Trump addressed the situation after he "watched in disbelief as THUGS were violently throwing rocks and bricks at ICE Officers while they were moving down a roadway in their car and/or official vehicle," Trump wrote.
"Tremendous damage was done to these brand new vehicles. I know for a fact that these Officers are having a hard time with allowing this to happen in that it shows such total disrespect for LAW AND ORDER," Trump continued.
He took action right away. "Therefore, I am directing Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, and Border Czar, Tom Homan, to instruct all ICE, Homeland Security, or any other Law Enforcement Officer who is on the receiving end of thrown rocks, bricks, or any other form of assault, to stop their car, and arrest these SLIMEBALLS, using whatever means is necessary to do so," Trump said.
"I am giving Total Authorization for ICE to protect itself, just like they protect the Public. I never want to see a car carrying a Law Enforcement Officer attacked again!" Trump asserted.
"AUTHORIZATION IMMEDIATELY GRANTED FOR ARREST AND INCARCERATION. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" the president concluded forcefully.
The inciting incident for Trump's edict came on Thursday after protesters threw rocks at agents who were conducting official business. The farms were employing at least 10 illegal-alien juveniles illegally working for the marijuana growers, the New York Post reported.
Homan blamed Democrats for pushing the narrative that these are fascist crackdowns rather than the legitimate work of the federal government. "What happened in California is just another example of protesters becoming criminals, and they’ve been emboldened by even members of Congress who compare ICE to Nazis and racists and terrorists," Homan said Friday on Fox & Friends.
"I said months ago, it’s going to end up with a loss of life — and we had one the other day in Texas, and it’s not over," Homan added. On Monday, a gunman shot at border patrol agents as they began their workday.
Some reports also say that an anti-ICE protester fired into the crowd during the clash on Thursday. Democrats have been whipping people into a frenzy against these lawful raids, and it appears it's beginning to create violence and chaos.
This is a dangerous situation for all involved, but thankfully, Trump has empowered agents to protect themselves from it. It appears Trump has learned his lesson since his first term, and hopefully, protesters will think twice before hurting federal agents doing their jobs.
Another one of former President Joe Biden's top aides testified Friday in front of the House Oversight Committee about the apparent cover-up of his mental decline while in office, the New York Post reported. Ashley Williams, deputy director of Oval Office operations under Biden, is the third person in his close orbit to do so.
House Republicans are demanding answers about Biden's waning days in his administration, when he was granting pardons and issuing executive orders. They were signed mainly by an autopen, which calls into question their validity in light of his slipping condition.
Williams was questioned in a closed-door session that lasted nearly six hours about what she knew. Before the session, she was stripped of executive privilege, which compelled her to provide "unrestricted testimony" about Biden's mental acuity.
Afterwards, the former aide declined to give remarks to the press about what was said. "She’s cooperating, otherwise we would’ve been done," Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) said of Williams' testimony.
The fact that Biden was in cognitive decline was obvious to anyone observing him during his presidency. However, it seems the people closest to him did what they could to obscure that fact the entire time.
Now that the dust has settled and Biden and the Democrats lost the 2024 election, the truth is coming to light. Sometimes, it comes in the form of what the people around him are not willing to say.
Earlier this week, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, who was the White House physician under Biden, asserted his Fifth Amendment right when answering the committee's questions. The message of this move to prevent self-incrimination is that perhaps there was something he knew about the president at the time, but wasn't saying.
Of course, O'Connor had much that could fall under doctor-patient privacy. Instead, these inquiries from Comer included questions such as "Were you ever told to lie about the president’s health?" and "Did you ever believe President Biden was unfit to execute his duties?"
All that O'Connor would offer to the committee was his name and a prepared statement. "I am not a lawyer, and I must follow my lawyer’s advice in this matter," O'Connor told the lawmakers.
The attorney who advised O'Connor was none other than David Schertler, who advised former National Institutes of Health head Dr. Anthony Fauci when he was being grilled about the origins of COVID-19 by a congressional committee. Comer thinks this is more than a coincidence.
"This is unprecedented, and I think that this adds more fuel to the fire that there was a cover-up. It’s clear there was a conspiracy to cover up President Biden’s cognitive decline after Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician and family business associate, refused to answer any questions and chose to hide behind the Fifth Amendment," Comer said following O'Connor's testimony.
As for other witnesses, former Biden aide Neera Tanden appeared before the committee on June 24. After a five-hour interview with the Oversight Committee without executive privilege to hide behind, Tanden still maintained there was "absolutely not" a conspiracy to cover up Biden's mental decline.
It remains to be seen as other witnesses will come before the Oversight Committee next week. On Wednesday, the committee will hear from Anthony Bernal, a top aide for then-first lady Jill Biden, whom she referred to as her "work husband," who will have to testify or plead the fifth because he was deposed.
The issue isn't so much that Biden was incapacitated as it is that people around him were potentially willing to cover it up. Something this important and extensive is almost impossible to keep quiet, and it looks like the lid may soon be blown off after all.
President Donald Trump is reportedly poised to accomplish his goal of firing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell after a bitter months-long feud.
The White House is reportedly probing renovations at the Federal Reserve's headquarters amid reports of cost overruns and inefficient management. Speculation is rising that the Trump administration is preparing to use this probe as a pretext for removing Powell.
The White House is now accusing Powell of “mismanaging the Fed” and suggesting that Powell had misled Congress about an “ostentatious” renovation of the central bank’s headquarters.
Trump has been itching to fire Powell for months, but cannot unilaterally fire Powell without cause. However, if the White House can put together a case that Powell indeed mismanaged this project, Trump now has cause to get rid of Powell.
Should Powell be removed from his position, it will be a massive victory for Trump, as Powell has made it clear that he opposes Trump's economic agenda and will hamstring Trump's economy with high interest rates.
Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought is leading the charge in this new attack by the Trump administration on Powell.
Vought wrote in a post on X that, "While continuing to run a deficit since FY23 (the first time in the Fed’s history), the Fed is way over budget on the renovation of its headquarters. Now up to $2.5 billion, roughly $700 million over its initial cost. The cost per square foot is $1,923--double the cost for renovating an ordinary historic federal building. The Palace of Versailles would have cost $3 billion in today’s dollars!"
If these reports are accurate, Powell has squandered billions of taxpayer dollars with nothing to show for it. The Federal Reserve building, while an important piece of architecture, is certainly no Palace of Versailles.
Vought further pointed out that, "The plans for this project called for rooftop terrace gardens, VIP private dining rooms and elevators, water features, premium marble, and much more."
Powell himself has refuted these claims, but in a very dismissive mannerwhich suggests Powell is not interested in transparency but rather in protecting himself.
For a renovation project to go hundreds of millions of dollars over budget either suggests gross incompetence or worse, extreme corruption. Both would constitute grounds for Trump to dismiss Powell and finally name a replacement.
Vough's letter has requested that Powell respond to 11 questions about the renovation project within seven business days, but so far, there has been little to no communication from the Federal Reserve, considering the allegations.
Powell has held onto his post despite pressure from Trump for him to resign. It would be a bizarre twist if he were forced out thanks to grossly mismanaging something as mundane as renovating the Federal Reserve's headquarters.
President Donald Trump is ending an array of federal benefits for illegal aliens, taking away incentives for people to enter the United States without permission.
The new restrictions target a Clinton-era welfare law, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which closed off many public benefits to illegal aliens. Clinton's interpretation of that law still allowed illegal aliens to receive some benefits.
The Trump administration says that Clinton's "Dear Colleague" letter twisted Congress' intent by allowing illegal aliens to receive public assistance.
"In doing so, the Department’s interpretation mischaracterized the law by creating artificial distinctions between federal benefit programs based upon the method of assistance. Congress made no such distinction in PRWORA," a Department of Education press release said.
The administration revoked Clinton's interpretation, making it clear that illegal aliens cannot receive public benefits under PRWORA. The administration estimates the reforms will save about $40 billion.
It's all part of Trump's sweeping, whole-of-government effort to prioritize Americans' interests and make the United States inhospitable to illegal immigrants, who have long imposed significant burdens on housing, healthcare, and education in the United States.
The Department of Education said it is ending subsidized career, technical, and adult education for illegal aliens, and the Department is clarifying that illegal aliens cannot access Pell Grants or student loans.
The administration is also restricting programs administered through Health and Human Services, such as Head Start, which provides preschool, and community health centers that many immigrants rely on for medical care.
Members of Trump's Cabinet hailed the changes, saying they put Americans first and remove incentives for illegal immigration.
"For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans’ tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy said in a statement. “Today’s action changes that -- it restores integrity to federal social programs, enforces the rule of law, and protects vital resources for the American people."
"Postsecondary education programs funded by the federal government should benefit American citizens, not illegal aliens," said Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
"Under President Trump's leadership, hardworking American taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for illegal aliens to participate in our career, technical, or adult education programs or activities. The Department will ensure that taxpayer funds are reserved for citizens and individuals who have entered our country through legal means who meet federal eligibility criteria," she added.
The changes are in response to Trump's February order, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders," which directed federal agencies to bring federal benefits programs into alignment with PRWORA.
"In the decades since the passage of the PRWORA, numerous administrations have acted to undermine the principles and limitations directed by the Congress through that law. Over the last 4 years, in particular, the prior administration repeatedly undercut the goals of that law, resulting in the improper expenditure of significant taxpayer resources," Trump's order states.
President Donald Trump is threatening 35% tariffs on goods from Canada, accusing America's northern neighbor of unfair trade practices and failing to stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
The United States buys about three-quarters of Canada's goods, making Trump's tariff a significant threat to Canada's economy. Trump said the steep penalty will take effect August 1, unless Canada takes steps to cooperate.
Trump has often complained about Canadian restrictions on American businesses, and he warned in a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney that conditions still need to change.
"Fentanyl is hardly the only challenge we have with Canada, which has many Tariff, Non-Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers, which cause unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States,” Trump said in a letter to Carney shared on Truth Social.
Canada is already under 25% tariffs that Trump imposed months ago, although goods that comply with Trump's first-term trade agreement, USMCA, are exempt. It's not clear yet if USMCA exemptions will apply to the 35% tariffs.
In his letter, Trump noted the additional tariffs are separate from existing sectoral tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars, which are some of Canada's most significant exports to the U.S.
Trump provided an off-ramp, demanding that Canada tighten borders to control the flow of fentanyl and lower its steep trade barriers, including high tariffs on dairy from the U.S.
U.S. tariffs could go higher than 35% or lower, depending on Canada's response, he said.
"As you are aware, there will be no tariff if Canada, or companies within your country, decide to build or manufacture products within the United States," Trump wrote in his letter.
The Aug. 1 date for the 35% tariffs overlaps with Trump's deadline to negotiate a new trade deal with Canada.
Trump had paused trade talks with Canada in June over its plans for a tax on U.S. technology companies. Under pressure, Carney dropped the tax.
In response to Trump's latest threats, Carney said he would defend Canada's economy while working to resolve Trump's concerns about drugs crossing the border.
"We are committed to continuing to work with the United States to save lives and protect communities in both our countries," he said.
Canada isn't the only country to get a letter from Trump, who is threatening to raise tariffs on two dozen countries unless they reach deals by Aug. 1.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Layoff notices have begun going out at the Department of State, which is expected to reduce its staffing level by thousands as the administration of President Donald Trump reorganizes government.
A report from CBS said the immediate layoffs are affecting about 1,300 staff members.
That would include 1,107 civil service members and 246 foreign service workers, according to a notice sent to department workers.
"The total number of staff departing as a part of the State Department's reorganization is 'nearly 3,000,' according to the department, a figure that includes those who took the 'Fork in the Road' voluntary departure offer earlier this year," the report said.
"We took a very deliberate step to reorganize the State Department to be more efficient and more focused," Marco Rubio, secretary of state, confirmed to reporters on Thursday.
State notified lawmakers several weeks ago it planned to eliminate about 3,400 U.S.-based jobs and close or merge many of its domestic offices.
"At the time, the department said it planned to phase out some offices focused on democracy or human rights that it claimed were 'prone to ideological capture,' and add new offices focused on 'civil liberties' and 'free market principles,'" the network said.
Also inside State now are a few remaining duties of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which was shut down by Trump after its employees spent years handing out American tax cash to foreign groups with ideologies often that conflicted with America's interests.
A union representing workers complained that the moves were demoralizing the workforce.
The Washington Examiner reported some of the workers affected will be on 120-day administrative leaves before their jobs are shut down.
Rubio has said a goal is to cut through a "bloated bureaucracy."
"There were 40 boxes on this piece of paper," he told senators in May. "That means 40 people had to check off 'yes' before it even got to me. That's ridiculous. And if any one of those boxes didn't get checked, the memo didn't move. That can't continue."
The plan includes eliminating 132 offices and changing rules to allow the firing of officials.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
'The whiplash is on maximum here. Not so long ago, if you weren't wearing a mask, you were selfish, reckless, and not part of the team trying to curb the spread of COVID. Now, with ICE agents masking up to protect themselves from being doxed by left-wing domestic terrorists, the Democratic Party has suddenly become the most virulent anti-maskers in the country'
A Democrat senator whose stunt, crashing a news conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem without ID, leaving security fearful it was an attack on a federal official, now is demanding that federal agents wear their IDs on their uniforms.
It is Alex Padilla, of California, who has proposed legislation to require Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to wear identification badges.
His stunt at the news conference created quite a stir as he was forcibly removed by security because he charged the stage where Noem was, and had not identified himself.
The video showed multiple security officers restraining Padilla, then removing him from the room.
He shouts, "Hands off!" after being moved through double doors that partition off an entry area from the news conference room. Earlier, he is heard saying, "I'm Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary."
Increasingly strident encounters have been developing across the country as ICE officers have been carrying out President Donald Trump's campaign to secure the nation's border and remove mostly to their home countries illegal aliens, including criminals, allowed into the country under Joe Biden's tenure.
Further, Padilla was criticized for his stunt.
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith criticized him.
"Can Kristi Noem speak? Could you have waited till she finished to ask your questions — to shout your questions?" Smith asked. "You are a senator, right? You couldn't wait? So that was just you out of control because you were just losing it, huh?"
"You — a United States senator — couldn't compose yourself and let the head of Homeland Security finish her thoughts before you asked a question?" he continued. "Couldn't do that, huh? Couldn't do it, huh?"
Noem was speaking about the riots taking place in Los Angeles before Padilla began shouting a question at her. Security quickly rushed to Padilla, telling him to put his hands up.
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin also criticized Padilla for his behavior in an X post following the incident.
"Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem," McLaughlin wrote.
"Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers' repeated commands," she continued. "@SecretService thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately."
Beyond Padilla's own hypocrisy, a report at Townhall noted the hypocrisy of Democrats across the country, who mandated masks during COVID, but now want them banned.
"The whiplash is on maximum here. Not so long ago, if you weren't wearing a mask, you were selfish, reckless, and not part of the 'team' trying to curb the spread of COVID. Quietly, liberals cheered that leftist rioters were protected by masking up during the riots of 2020. Now, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents masking up to protect themselves from being doxed by left-wing domestic terrorists, the Democratic Party has suddenly become the most virulent anti-maskers in the country. It's truly amazing (and hilarious) stuff," the report said.
The report cited Padilla's plan.