This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A settlement agreement has been approved by council members in Castle Hills, Texas, and the vote brings to an end a years-long fight over the retaliatory arrest of a former councilwoman.
According to the Institute for Justice, the vote follows a landmark free speech victory at the Supreme Court by Sylvia Gonzalez in 2024.
That decision revived her First Amendment retaliation claim and sent the case back to federal district court. With this vote, the case is over and Sylvia's victory against the city is now final, explained the IJ.
"The council's vote closes one chapter for Castle Hills and opens a new chapter for free speech," said Anya Bidwell, senior attorney at the Institute for Justice who argued Sylvia's case before the Supreme Court. "The First Amendment doesn't come with handcuffs. This outcome sends a message to officials everywhere: if you retaliate against critics, you can be held to account."
The deal involves city payment of about a half a million dollars and also a commitment from officials to work with the Texas Municipal League to offer a statewide training on First Amendment retaliation.
Reportedly up to 1,100 cities will learn the lessons of the fight.
"It's been more than five years, and today I can finally breathe," Gonzalez said, in a statement. "I never wanted to end up in a Supreme Court fight, but I kept going because what happened to me shouldn't happen to anyone. Those who went after me have been held accountable. I didn't do this just for myself. I'm proud that this win will make it easier for ordinary people to stand up when officials try to punish them for speaking out."
The attacks on her began after she was elected the first Hispanic councilwoman and helped spearhead a citizen petition calling for the removal of the city manager.
During a heated council meeting, Sylvia was accused of briefly and inadvertently having the petition among her papers – an allegation the city used to orchestrate her arrest under a rarely used law.
Prosecutors dismissed the charge but not before the authorities confined her to jail for a day.
She then charged retaliation in her arrest – for her criticism of city officials.
The Supreme Court agreed.
"Now as always, retaliation by government officials is a clear threat to our constitutional rights," said Will Aronin, senior attorney at the Institute for Justice. "By sticking her neck out and fighting back, Sylvia paved the way for countless others to hold power to account. This settlement closes the chapter on her story, but it will live on as binding precedent—and as a testament to Sylvia's courage."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A stunning statement from the British royal family on Friday revealed that Andrew, the younger son of Queen Elizabeth, is giving up any and all use of any and all of his royal titles or honors.
The statement left unclear whether the honors were being stripped from him, or whether he was just relinquishing using them.
According to reports he will give up using Duke of York and the Order of the Garter, after the scandal over his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein revived.
The statement said, "In discussion with the king, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of his majesty and the royal family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life. With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."
His connections to Epstein, who died in jail several years ago while awaiting further sex charges, erupted into the headlines when Virginia Giuffre in 2014 alleged that, as a 17-year-old, she was sex trafficked to him.
The scandal's staying power prompted him to resign from public roles in May 2020, and his honorary military affiliations and royal charitable patronages were removed by the Queen Elizabeth in 2022.
Giuffre sued, and settled out of court for millions.
His nephew, the other "bad boy" of the royal family, Harry, gave up all his family duties when he and his actress wife moved to California years ago.
His titles, reports have suggested, are in jeopardy when his older brother, William, eventually assumes the crown.
Charles, Andrew's older brother, now holds that position.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A stunning charge has come from Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, that Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is giving "criminal illegal aliens badges and guns."
Actually, her comment was, "J.B. Pritzker doesn't just allow violent illegal aliens to terrorize Illinois's communities — he allows illegal aliens to work as sworn police officers. Radule Bojovic violated our nation's laws and was living illegally in the United States for 10 years. What kind of police department gives criminal illegal aliens badges and guns?"
The comment came after Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an illegal alien who was operating as an active Illinois police officer.
A report from Fox News said Bojovic "overstayed" his tourist visa by a decade and recently has been working as a police officer. He was "approved" for a pension in January.
The Department of Homeland Security said Bojovic was an illegal immigrant from Montenegro who was working as a sworn police officer with the Hanover Park Police Department.
He was taken into custody during Operation Midway Blitz, targeting illegal immigrants living in Illinois.
McLaughlin added, "It's a felony for aliens to even possess a firearm — a law enforcement officer who is actively breaking the law. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is restoring law and order. Criminal illegal aliens have no place in our communities, especially on our police forces."
The report said his 2025 earnings so far were $205,707.
Pritzker has been actively fighting Trump's border security measures, and recently sued to block National Guard action in Illinois.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump has turned the focus to the trigger behind extremism in America.
And it's the devil.
America has been beset by leftist violence, such as the hundreds of billions of dollars in damages in the Black Lives Matter riots a few years ago, radical terrorism, such as shooting children while they are praying in a Catholic school, and extremists, including those who insist on trying to surgically change boys into girls.
Trump, during a ceremony that honored the late Charlie Kirk, identified the issue;
"We watched legions of far-left radicals resort to desperate acts of violence and terror because they know that their ideas and arguments are persuading no one," he said. "They know that they're failing. They have the devil's ideology."
The video clip was reposted dozens and dozens of times from those who noticed the message.
Some endorsed his criticisms.
And others were revealed to have been delivering the same message for some time already.
TikTok star RigoStaRR delivered a sermon on the devil's messaging and goals (Be forewarned about language in video):
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Ex-Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who held that office under Joe Biden, is giving credit for President Donald Trump's success in creating a peace plan for the Middle East and bringing a stop to the war Hamas launched against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, to himself and Joe Biden.
And he's getting blasted online for his wild claims.
Online, he said, "It starts with a clear and comprehensive post conflict plan for Gaza. It's good that President Trump adopted and built on the plan the Biden Administration developed after months of discussion with Arab partners, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. It centers on temporary, transitional authorities for Gaza's governance, security, humanitarian assistance, and rebuilding, led by Arab and international partners alongside Palestinians, backed by the United States, and ultimately handed over to full Palestinian control."
Trump responded, "Everybody knows that's a joke. They did such a bad job. This should've never happened. This wouldn't have even happened. That was weak leadership same thing with Russia – Russia and Ukraine."
He continued, "Just a decent president – not a great president, like me … if a decent president was in, no Russia-Ukraine. And this is even more so. It was bad policy by Biden and Obama."
Responding to Trump's statement, online commenters unleashed:
"Magoo led the ground work??? Bwahahahahahaha."
And, "They all lie through their teeth!!"
And, "The leftist mouthpieces think they can still cast a spell on the whole country."
A report at the Gateway Pundit explained, "President Trump absolutely lit up Biden's worthless Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a gaggle aboard Air Force One on Sunday. Trump departed the White House en route to the Middle East after he secured a historic peace deal between Israel and Hamas. Hamas is releasing the 20 living hostages, and Israel will withdraw to an agreed-upon line, thanks to President Trump's courage and diplomacy. Meanwhile, Antony Blinken is giving Joe Biden credit for President Trump's historic ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas."
Those hostages were, in fact, released early Monday.
But Trump wasn't the only one pointing to Blinken's "pathetic" claim.
"How pathetic, from this inept failure as Secretary of State, who only got the job because he sucked up to Joe Biden for years and did favors for his crackhead son. This is the ineffectual toady who sat mute as Chinese officials yelled at him and disrespected America, who covered up his boss's obvious cognitive decline, who simped with Europeans in the hope they would accept him as one of them, who presided over the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, who helped his boss make every conflict in the world worse, who installed his childhood friend from their Parisian school, Robert Malley, as "Iran special envoy" only to see the guy stripped of his security clearance, suspended, and investigated for "mishandling" classified information — a mystery which still has not been explained. So, sure, try to take credit for what Trump achieved in eight months after your four years of humiliation on the world stage. No one buys it," charged commentator Miranda Devine.
Other social media comments had lower levels of praise for Blinken.
Trump had made clear his concerns months ago:
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Forfeiture schemes abound across America. Government agents have been known to see money in a traveler's luggage, take it and keep it.
But it could be that the tide is turning, with the latest ruling from the Texas First Court of Appeals that reversed a civil-forfeiture judgment in Harris County.
The decision ordered the state to return to Ameal and Jordan Davis a total of $41,680.
The ruling confirmed, "Harris County's evidence was legally insufficient to prove the cash was intended to be used to purchase a controlled substance—confirming that private property, including cash, cannot be taken on mere suspicion."
"Cash is not a crime," said Arif Panju, managing attorney of the Institute for Justice's Texas office. "Today the First Court of Appeals entered judgment for Ameal and Jordan and ordered their life savings returned. That's a decisive win for due process and a sharp rebuke to civil forfeiture based on hunches."
The fight dates to 2019 when the Davises decided to pursue the dream of owning their own trucking business. They saved money from jobs, tax refunds, and by keeping expenses low—eventually accumulating more than $40,000, enough for Ameal to rise from truck driver to truck owner, the IJ said.
When Ameal was ready to buy his truck, driving from Natchez, Mississippi, toward Houston, he was stopped by police officers in Harris County. They took his cash and released him.
"Although the government's forfeiture case involved no drugs or drug dealers whatsoever, and Ameal was never charged with any crime, the county nevertheless pursued civil forfeiture. After a six-day trial, a jury found the money was intended to be used to possess a controlled substance at some point in the future; the trial court entered judgment for forfeiture," the IJ said.
However, the appeals ruling said the state's evidence failed.
There was no evidence of any "substantial connection" between the money and the alleged and undefined "drug offense."
"This ruling makes clear that the government can't take people's property without evidence of a crime," said James Knight, attorney at the Institute for Justice. "Ameal and Jordan fought back, and today's decision restores what was theirs and strengthens protections for everyone who carries cash."
A class action lawsuit over Harris County's practices of taking citizens' money remains pending.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump on Thursday honored famed explorer Christopher Columbus, recognizing him as a "the original American hero," after years of leftists and activists trying to destroy his significance in history and his October holiday.
"Outrageously, in recent years, Christopher Columbus has been a prime target of a vicious and merciless campaign to erase our history, slander our heroes, and attack our heritage," Trump wrote. "Before our very eyes, left-wing radicals toppled his statues, vandalized his monuments, tarnished his character, and sought to exile him from our public spaces. Under my leadership, those days are finally over — and our Nation will now abide by a simple truth: Christopher Columbus was a true American hero, and every citizen is eternally indebted to his relentless determination."
Leftists have objected to Columbus in terms similar to what they also apply to Christians, Republicans, and conservatives, like "racist," "white supremacist" and more.
Some leftist factions have insisted that America drop "Columbus Day" and replace it with a holiday honoring various other ideologies, most often "Indigenous Peoples Day."
"Today our Nation honors the legendary Christopher Columbus — the original American hero, a giant of Western civilization, and one of the most gallant and visionary men to ever walk the face of the earth," Trump wrote. "This Columbus Day, we honor his life with reverence and gratitude, and we pledge to reclaim his extraordinary legacy of faith, courage, perseverance, and virtue from the left-wing arsonists who have sought to destroy his name and dishonor his memory."
He continued, "Born in Genoa, Italy in 1451, Columbus quickly emerged as a titan of the Age of Exploration. On August 3, 1492, following years of intense study, preparation, and petitioning, Christopher Columbus secured funding from the Spanish Crown to set out on a daring expedition that most believed to be impossible. Commissioned by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, Columbus and his crew boarded three small ships — the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria — to set sail on a perilous voyage across the Atlantic. He was guided by a noble mission: to discover a new trade route to Asia, bring glory to Spain, and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to distant lands."
It was on Oct. 12, 1492, that Columbus made landfall not in Asia, but in the modern-day Bahamas.
"Upon his arrival, he planted a majestic cross in a mighty act of devotion, dedicating the land to God and setting in motion America's proud birthright of faith. Though he initially believed he had arrived in Asia, his discovery opened the vast frontier and untold splendors of the New World to Europe. He later ventured onward to Cuba and other islands in the Caribbean — exploring their coasts and engaging with their people," Trump wrote.
"As we celebrate his legacy, we also acknowledge the contributions of the countless Italian-Americans who, like him, have endlessly contributed to our culture and our way of life. To this day, the United States and Italy share a special bond rooted in the timeless values of faith, family, and freedom. My Administration looks forward to strengthening our long and storied friendship in the years to come," Trump wrote.
"This Columbus Day, more than 500 years since Columbus arrived in the New World, we follow his example, we echo his resolve, and we offer our gratitude for his life of valor and grit. Above all, we commit to restoring a Nation that once again dares to tame the unknown, honors our rich cultural inheritance, and offers rightful praise to our Creator above," Trump said.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
In the battle over President Donald Trump's Sept. 19 H-1B visa proclamation, a new lawsuit seeks to block Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee, intended to defend U.S. workers, restore integrity to the immigration system and stop corporate abuse of cheap foreign labor.
The coalition behind the lawsuit, composed of unions, universities and religious institutions, claims the surcharge is unlawful. But their challenge underscores a deeper problem: Too many American organizations have grown comfortable exploiting the visa system while benefiting from tax breaks, public funding and American freedoms.
The case, filed in California federal court, argues that Trump overstepped his authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Yet the law grants the president explicit power under 8 U.S.C. §1182(f) to restrict or condition the entry of any non-citizens when their admission is "detrimental to the interests of the United States." The proclamation cites precisely that concern: that the H-1B program has been "deliberately exploited" to replace Americans, suppress wages and create dependency on foreign labor.
Suspension of entry or imposition of restrictions by President
Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.
Why the administration says the fee is necessary
For years, law-abiding Americans have watched as tech firms, staffing agencies and academic institutions bypassed domestic workers through complex visa loopholes. Investigations by federal agencies have documented fraud, kickbacks and racketeering tied to outsourcing companies that dominate H-1B hiring. The new $100,000 surcharge functions as both deterrent and filter, discouraging frivolous petitions and forcing employers to justify their hiring decisions.
Under previous rules, companies paid only a few thousand dollars in filing fees, an amount small enough to treat the visa as disposable. Trump's order changes that calculation, ensuring that H-1Bs are used only when no qualified Americans are available – the actual purpose Congress originally intended. It also exempts current visa holders and petitions already in process, focusing solely on new overseas applications.
A system long abused
The proclamation's preamble cites evidence that the program has become a tool for wage suppression and labor displacement. In some industries, "specialty occupation" designations have been stretched so broadly that mid-level coding, accounting or analyst jobs are routinely outsourced to foreign nationals at lower pay. Law enforcement has prosecuted multiple H-1B-reliant firms for visa fraud and money-laundering conspiracies, confirming that such misuse is not rare. Indeed, it is routine.
These practices don't just undercut U.S. workers. They weaken America's national security. The transfer of sensitive data and intellectual property through offshored labor pipelines has already drawn scrutiny from defense and intelligence agencies. Trump's team frames the $100,000 surcharge as a national-interest safeguard, balancing economic policy with security oversight, both legitimate functions of executive power.
The lawsuit's real implication
Opponents argue that the surcharge violates administrative procedure, but their lawsuit exposes another truth: Many U.S. institutions have built their models around low-cost foreign labor instead of training Americans. Universities advertise international recruiting programs while cutting domestic admissions.
Hospitals contract foreign nurses through visa agencies instead of funding local pipeline programs. Tech firms lobby for more visas, even as they conduct mass layoffs of American staff.
Trump's proclamation forces accountability. By raising the cost barrier, it challenges employers to prove necessity, not merely convenience or cost savings. If companies truly face shortages, they can still file. If not, they'll have incentive to invest in apprenticeships, retraining and education in the United States of America. It's a measure meant to rebalance the labor market in favor of American citizens, not global labor brokers.
Can Americans harmed by past abuse seek justice?
Workers who lost jobs to unlawful visa practices may already have recourse under existing law. Claims of discrimination or displacement can fall under 8 U.S.C. §1324b, Title VII, or RICO statutes if fraud or collusion can be proven. Thus, even if Trump's proclamation were to be somehow struck down, which would predictably embolden further abuse, civil or class-action lawsuits would be the only path for Americans to challenge the system that replaced them.
A defining test of sovereignty
Whether courts uphold or block the policy, the stakes go beyond one visa category. The H-1B debate now represents a broader question: Who governs America's labor market – elected leaders accountable to citizens, or corporations accountable to shareholders? President Trump's move asserts that immigration should serve the national interest, not undermine it.
The current lawsuit will proceed through the courts in the coming months. For millions of American workers sidelined by years of outsourcing and offshoring, the outcome will decide whether immigration law protects them … or the companies profiting from their replacement.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The FBI has fired several employees over a scheme by Jack Smith, Joe Biden's special counsel assigned to run Democrat lawfare cases against President Donald Trump, to spy on the communications of multiple Republican senators.
It was confirmed just this week that Smith's entourage, set up to prosecute, convict and even jail Trump if a way could be found, went to telephone companies with warrants and demanded access to the communications records of Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and GOP Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania.
All Republicans.
The invasion of their records came at a time when Smith was putting together claims that the Jan. 6, 2021, protest-turned-riot in Washington actually was a real effort to overthrow the U.S. government, install all new officials, take control of its international policy, economy, and much more.
Smith's J6 case against Trump, as well as his other claims, ultimately fell apart.
Now, a report at Fox explains the FBI "has already terminated employees and abolished the CR-15 squad just one day after it was revealed that several Republicans' private communications and phone calls had been tracked."
FBI chief Kash Patel confirmed the moves.
"We are cleaning up a diseased temple three decades in the making — identifying the rot, removing those who weaponized law enforcement for political purposes and those who do not meet the standards of this mission while restoring integrity to the FBI. I promised reform, and I intend to deliver it," he told Fox.
Patel said, "Transparency is important, and accountability is critical. We promised both, and this is what promises kept looks like… We terminated employees, we abolished the weaponized CR-15 squad, and we initiated an ongoing investigation with more accountability measures ahead."
It was the CR-15 squad that helped Smith "investigate" Trump.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
With 30 days left until the Nov. 4 Election Day in the high-profile race for New York City mayor, one candidate, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, says there's a "civil war" among Democrats sparked by socialists pushing a "national movement" to take over the party.
Appearing on "Sunday Morning Futures" with Maria Bartiromo on the Fox News Channel, Cuomo said Democratic Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, is "basically a banner-carrier for socialists."
"They are anti-business, they are anti-police and that doesn't work in New York," Cuomo said.
"New Yorkers will not support defunding the police, limiting the police, doing away with misdemeanors, legalizing prostitution, legalizing drug trafficking. I mean it would be anarchy in New York City.
"You'd lose the economy and the public safety would get even worse, and New Yorkers get that, and they're not going to get past it."
Cuomo explained: "This is a civil war within the Democratic Party. Remember when the Republican Party had the Tea Party, and that was the extreme right? Well, we have an extreme left and they call themselves the Democratic Socialists."
"And they are trying to take over the Democratic Party. And this is a nationwide movement. And they raise money nationwide, they mobilize nationwide, they send volunteers in from all across the United States, and Mamdani is just a banner-carrier for that movement.
"They just want to win the mayoralty as a crown that says their movement is the dominant movement. That's what this is about, but socialism does not work in New York City. We're all about business. We're all about entrepreneurship and opportunity. And you raise taxes and demonize corporations, they will leave!"
On Thursday, best-selling author Peter Schweizer posted that 78% of Mamdani's donors are not from the state of New York.
Schweizer noted: "FACT: 78% of Mamdani's PAC (New Yorkers for Lower Costs) cash comes from out-of-state donors, mostly California. Only 22% is from New Yorkers. So who's really funding him? Investigators must find out how much foreign money is flowing to Mamdani."
Meanwhile, Cuomo, who is now running as an independent, was asked Thursday on NBC's "Meet The Press NOW" by anchor Kristen Welker: "Has there been … any communication between your campaign and President Trump? And would you accept an endorsement from the president?"
"No, the tent isn't that big, Kristen," Cuomo responded. "That's the limitation. I have not had a conversation, nor would I accept an endorsement from President Trump."
Welker again pressed the question: "So you wouldn't accept an endorsement from the president of the United States who could help you drive out some Republicans and some people who don't support Mr. Mamdani?"
"No I wouldn't," Cuomo said. "I'm going to be appealing to Republicans. I'm going to be appealing to independents as well as Democrats but I don't think we need to inject President Trump into this election."
Already, New York Mayor Eric Adams has dropped out of contention, and Cuomo indicated he "would welcome" support from Adams.
"I have not had a formal conversation with Mayor Adams," he said. "I look forward to it and I expect to have one in the next few days."
The Republican running for mayor, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, also released a video on Wednesday saying he would not be dropping out of the three-way contest as he hammered Cuomo.
"I want to be clear. Andrew Cuomo is not the answer for New York," said Sliwa.
"He already lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, and now he's hanging on to a minor ballot line."
"If anyone should drop out, it's Cuomo. I'm staying in this race because I got a real plan to make our city safe and affordable again."