This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
WASHINGTON – A change is coming to the storied White House "press pool." The pool covers events in tighter spaces – such as the Oval Office or aboard Air Force One – when all reporters who cover the White House cannot be accommodated.
The White House Correspondents' Association has traditionally maintained the rotating roster of reporters who take part in the pool each day. Radio, television, print, and newswire services are each represented in the pool, with one outlet from each medium taking part for a single day before passing duties on to another in their field for the next day.
As part of her effort to modernize the press briefing room, Leavitt announced today the White House press office will be taking over the assigning of the pool rotation. She will also be expanding it.
"Legacy outlets who have participated in the press pool for decades will still be allowed to join, fear not," Leavitt explained. "But we will also be offering the privilege to well-deserving outlets who have never been allowed to share in this awesome responsibility."
A few quietly excited exclamations of "yes!" could be heard in the briefing room as she shared the news.
This decision comes on the heels of a victory for the Trump White House as a federal judge denied a motion by the Associated Press seeking to be allowed back into the pool for the Oval Office and Air Force One while the legacy organization's lawsuit over being barred from those privileged locations is ongoing.
The organization was banned from those two points by the Trump administration for refusing to recognize that the administration has changed the name to the Gulf of America, from the old name Gulf of Mexico.
A graphic showcasing the word "Victory" stamped over a Gulf of America map could be seen by reporters entering the press briefing room on Tuesday.
"The judge's ruling upholding our decision to deny the Associated Press such privileged access reinforces the truth," Leavitt told reporters. "Asking the president of the United States questions in limited spaces, such as the Oval Office or Air Force One, is a privilege […] It is not a legal right for all."
The second Trump administration continues its mission to be the most accessible administration in history. President Trump answers questions from the press corps on an almost daily basis, and the White House press team has been known to let more journalists into events which are usually restricted to the pool.
"A select group of D.C.-based journalists should no longer have a monopoly over the privilege of press access at the White House. All journalists, outlets, and voices deserve a seat at this highly coveted table," Leavitt said.
The WHCA reacted strongly and negatively. In a statement attributed to association president Eugene Daniels, the group said the move. "…tears at the independence of a free press." They promised to "…never stop advocating for comprehensive access, full transparency and the right of the American public to read, listen to and watch reports from the White House."
Daniels also claimed the WHCA was not given a heads up on the decision, despite his being seen leaving the press office space shortly before the briefing began.
The White House Correspondents' Association's statement reads in full:
"This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States. It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps.
"For generations, the working journalists elected to lead the White House Correspondents' Association board have consistently expanded the WHCA's membership and its pool rotations to facilitate the inclusion of new and emerging outlets.
"Since its founding in 1914, the WHCA has sought to ensure that the reporters, photographers, producers and technicians who actually do the work – 365 days of every year – decide amongst themselves how these rotations are operated, so as to ensure consistent professional standards and fairness in access on behalf of all readers, viewers and listeners.
"To be clear, the White House did not give the WHCA board a heads up or have any discussions about today's announcements. But the WHCA will never stop advocating for comprehensive access, full transparency and the right of the American public to read, listen to and watch reports from the White House, delivered without fear or favor."
However, Leavitt indicated these shakeups were an addition to the status quo, not a complete overhaul. She promised legacy television networks, radio, and the print rotation will remain a part of the pool.
"By deciding which outlets make up the limited press pool on a day-to-day basis, the White House will be restoring power back to the American people who President Trump was elected to serve," Leavitt said.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The lawyers at the American Center for Law and Justice have released a list of exactly what President Donald Trump's order protecting Christians will do.
Trump signed an executive order titled "Eradicating anti-Christian Bias" just days ago.
Its goal was to end the weaponization of federal government against Christians, such as the use by the Joe Biden administration of the law against Christians trying to protect the lives of the unborn.
The organization reported on the "top five unlawful attacks on Christians" the order will end.
First listed in an ACLJ column by Jared Austin is that unjust prosecution of pro-life advocates.
"Just days after taking office, President Trump issued pardons for 23 pro-life advocates who were imprisoned after the Biden DOJ secured unjust convictions. This news resonated with me personally because six of them were convicted just a few miles outside my home in Nashville. If they can target and convict pro-life advocates in the Bible Belt, then they can do it anywhere," he said.
In fact, the ACLJ still is defending a pro-life advocate to was unjustly prosecuted for sharing a pro-life message outside an abortion industry business in Ohio.
Next is the "unlawful attacks" on Christian charities and churches.
"Trump's executive order referenced 'more than 100 attacks' that far-Left radicals perpetrated against churches, charities, and pro-life pregnancy centers. He condemned the fact that the 'Biden Department of Justice largely ignored' the violence. His Administration will not turn a blind eye to such attacks," the report said.
One such attack was the "insane" state supreme court decision that a Catholic charity should lose its tax exemption "because serving the poor isn't a 'typical' religious act," the report said.
Then there was Biden's agenda to classify school parents at "threats."
This happened routinely when those parents didn't approve of, or even worse actively opposed, the DEI, the racism, the gender dysphoria ideology that was included in the indoctrination by schools of children.
"The Biden DOJ went after Christian parents who objected to the sexually explicit content being propagated by radical school boards. Parents who voiced their concerns about attacks on Judeo-Christian values were labeled as 'domestic terrorists' by AG Merrick Garland and followed by the FBI," the report said.
Next was the "unlawful removal of religious accommodations."
"A far-too-common attack on Christians is unlawfully removing their religious accommodation to attend church. Even though Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects employees' right, it comes under fire time and time again. One current ACLJ case involves the TSA cutting a federal worker's pay for attending church. Our legal team sent a demand letter reminding the TSA of our client's right to a religious accommodation. The TSA has continued to harass our client, and the ACLJ is appealing to the EEOC's Office of Federal Operations," the report said.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Famous "The Harbinger" author Jonathan Cahn has delivered a prophetic message to members of Congress – and others – during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.
It's a call for revival across America.
"We have this chance. We have this window that we may never have again," he explained.
He said the "window" that has opened is the re-election of President Donald Trump.
"This is our moment. This is our window."
He cited the warning from America's first president. "The propitious smiles of heaven, he said, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained."
And now, he judged, "We have turned away from God, we have disregarded His eternal rules of order and right. We have profaned the holy and we have sanctified the profane. We have celebrated evil and condemned and canceled the good."
But Trump, he said, likening the president to the Old Testament king Jehu.
He said Jehu was "wild, impulsive and unpredictable," he forged an alliance with religious conservatives, he contended against a former national leader, and then overturned the nation's temple of Baal and "moved with lightning speed."
Just like Trump.
He said this time is the window and called for prayers to "let revival fall upon this land."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
PALM BEACH, Florida – Legendary comedian Steve Martin is clowning about recent political controversies, as he delivered the opening monologue Sunday during a 50th anniversary special for "Saturday Night Live."
"I'm Steve Martin, Saturday Night Live's newest diversity hire," the comic began.
"Now I can't believe I even made it here in time. It was only a few days ago that [SNL boss] Lorne [Michaels] told me I was doing the monologue," Martin continued. "I was actually vacationing on a friend's boat down in the Gulf of Steve Martin."
The comic also mocked SNL's age while also calling the monologue "traditionally the weakest part of the show."
"A fun fact," Martin said. "A person born during the first season of Saturday Night Live could today be easily dead of natural causes."
Regarding the show's signature host monologue, Martin clowned it's "like a rent-controlled tenant: It's not going anywhere, even though it stinks."
Martin was joined by fellow comedian Martin Short, who was introduced as "the only Canadian who wasn't in Schitt's Creek."
Short's time on stage was literally cut short as the Canadian actor was asked if he had his passport handy before ICE was called. He was then rushed off stage by two people sporting ICE uniforms.
Martin said about his colleague, "Marty and I have worked together for so long that we can actually finish each others … careers."
Meanwhile, John Mulaney, a popular host and a former longtime writer on the show also joined Martin on stage.
"I believe that the heart and soul of this show is the celebrity hosts, many of whom are in this room tonight," he said.
"As I look around, I see some of the most difficult people I have ever met in my entire life. Over the course of 50 years, 894 people have hosted Saturday Night Live, and it amazes me that only two of them have committed murder."
Mulaney never specified to whom he was referring, but he likely was "alluding to the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, who hosted the show in 1978, and actor Robert Blake, who hosted the show in 1982 and was found liable for murdering his second wife in civil court in 2005," according to NBC5 in Chicago.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Universities across America in recent years have figured a lot of ways to infringe on student rights: They've cornered them in restrictive "free speech" zones, they've put them on suspension for ordinary conversations, they've insisted on dictating what they say and even believe.
Now there's a fight going on because a university demands the right to control what a student author says in his byline.
For an article in a student newspaper at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire..
"There was nothing controversial in the article," reported the legal team at Liberty Counsel, one of the biggest teams in the nation pursuing rights for students.
The problem was that the student, identified only as John for purposes of the report, declined to state his personal pronouns in his byline.
That concept is a new tool used by those who promote the LGBT alternative lifestyle choices. People must identify as he-him, she-her, they-them or even xi-xir, or even others. And the identification is not necessarily linked to the actual sex of the person.
Liberty Counsel, now working with John, pointed out, "Universities used to be a place where free speech and science were protected. But that was before leftists and LGBTQ mafia took over much of the higher education system. These days, when universities aren't focused on inventing irrational new genders, they are busy censoring anyone who refuses to abide by their 'woke' agenda."
"John* is a talented writer, who penned an excellent article for the PSU newspaper. There was nothing controversial in the article — except for the fact that John refused to list 'preferred pronouns' in his article's byline," the legal team explained. "John is a Christian, and he believes what the Bible says — that God created just two sexes, man and woman, just as much as he believes basic biology, which also states there are only two sexes. John's name, his appearance, and his entire biological reality reflect the fact that God made John male."
The report noted, "For some confused minds, there are 70 'genders' besides male and female. This bankrupt ideology is dying on the vine." If fact, President Donald Trump has announced the government recognizes male and female, only.
When John declined to join the "LGBTQ's gender confusion game," the school censored him.
"It is shocking to me that any institution of higher learning, which presumably teaches biology, continues to promote the unscientific idea that there are multiple genders," Liberty Counsel reported.
In fact, following the science, being male or female is embedded in the human body down to the DNA level and does not change.
But the organization also said it was shocking that the school would retaliate and censor a student.
The report accused the school of violating the First Amendment with its ideological agenda.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A White House Valentine, published on social media this year, expresses a sort of love.
But not for a paramour, it's love for a country, for secure borders and safety for Americans.
It represents the dedication of the administration of President Donald Trump to national security:
It says:
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Come here illegally
And we'll deport you
It's a pink image with headshots of Trump and border czar Tom Homan.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump has sent dismissal notices to the remaining U.S. attorneys who were appointed by Joe Biden during his tenure in the White house.
Reports confirmed emails were sent by the White House deputy director for the office of presidential personnel telling the recipients, "At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as U.S. attorney is terminated, effective immediately."
A website for the Department of Justice had listed just recently as many as two dozen officials appointed by Biden who had remained in their posts.
Typically during a changeover of administrations the incoming president asks for resignations.
Newsweek reported the DOJ had not commented on the turnover in staffing. But just weeks ago, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove instructed the officials in the Washington, D.C., office to dismiss all the prosecutors who had been involved in the January 6 cases.
One immediate response that was noted came from Erek Barron, the U.S. attorney in Maryland, who wrote to staff members, "As many of you may know by now, my time with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland has come to an end. It has been an honor to lead such a talented and dedicated team."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Chuck Schumer, the leader of the minority Democrats in the Senate, has created a tipline for concerned Americans to expose "corruption, abuses of power, and threats to public safety."
His name was just about the first to show up.
He announced his tipline, offering whistleblower protections, this week: "Today, I'm calling on our brave public servants: I'm launching a new portal for anyone who wants to expose corruption, abuses of power, and threats to public safety with the legal protections of being a whistleblower."
His own name immediately appeared, as he was called out for standing on the steps of the Supreme Court during a pro-abortion rally, and screaming threats at Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
He threatened they would "pay the price" if their decisions didn't make him happy.
Commentator Katie Pavlich also submitted his name.
As did Mollie Hemingway, of the Federalist.
Elon Musk joined.
Schumer's actual threat to the two justices was, "I want to tell you, Gorsuch. I want to tell you, Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price! You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions."
Fox News reported others were mentioned as suspects, too.
They included Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and "the entire corrupt Democrat party that weaponized & abused the federal government for the past four years." That comment was from Sen. Ted Cruz.
Fox noted the "widespread mockery" delivered to Schumer after his announcement.
In fact, comedian Tim Young noted, to Schumer, "We already have that … it's called DOGE," for the Department of Government Efficiency, an organization created by President Donald Trump to root out waste and fraud in the federal government spending.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
In a stunning development in the worldwide campaign to promote transgenderism, an athlete in the United Kingdom has been suspended for six matches for asking if her opponents are male.
A report from the Christian Institute explained the 18-year-old, whose name was not being released, is accused of asking if "all their players are eligible to play. Look at their keeper and for example their No. 10 is obviously a man."
A referee who has been indoctrinated into the ideology reportedly threatened to ban her from play, and the athlete then asked her opponents about the issue.
Her team was handed seven disciplinary points and the player was forced into an "online education" to correct her beliefs, the report said.
She explained she had raised the question because of the "extremely aggressive" style of play.
She pointed out she is not even being allowed to stand up for herself, because any comments could produce an extended banishment.
"It's disgraceful that another teenage girl has been suspended for daring to challenge the presence of a male player in a women's game," explained Fiona McAnena, of Sex Matters.
The nation's Football Association claims it supports women's athletics but it allows men who say they are women to be on women's teams, despite charges that actually violate the nation's 2010 Equality Act.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced President Donald Trump is signing an executive order Wednesday to protect women, and women's sports, from men who call themselves women.
Transgender ideologies were one of the highest priorities of the ended administration of Joe Biden, who actively promoted the anti-science agenda through the whole of government in the United States and where it has influences around the world.
The fact is that being male or female is embedded in the human body down to the DNA level and doesn't change. In fact, one of Trump's earliest orders was a recognition that for the U.S. government, there are two sexes, male and female, only.
The order was scheduled for signing at the White House Wednesday afternoon.
"Gender-ideology insanity is over," Leavitt said.
Leavitt noted that among the results of Biden's gender agenda was that women were being "forced to shower with biological men," which is "incredibly unfair and unsafe."
And, she said, it's "incredibly unpopular with the American people."
She noted that there have been some popular female athletes who have had the courage to speak out against the powerful institutions, including universities and athletic associations, that had adopted the leftist gender beliefs. She said the administration expects them to follow the new precedents being set.
She described as "disgusting" the "betrayal" of women by the Biden administration, where members "catered to radical activists who wanted men to be treated as women."
She said Trump's order simply will uphold the promise of Title IX, which was adopted to provide equal opportunities for men and women in sports. Biden wanted to change that law by redefining the word "sex" so that it no longer would mean "sex" but would encompass a wide range of extremist gender ideologies.
Leavitt said the plan is for "immediate action" against "schools and athletic associations that deny women single sex sports and single-sex locker rooms."
She also responded to questions about revelations that among other inappropriate uses of USAID money, millions of dollars of taxpayer money were being directed to news publications such as Politico and the New York Times, and promised that was ending.
"The DOGE team is working on canceling those payments now," she said.
And she confirmed members of the violent and criminal Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela are being arrested and deported … to Venezuela.
And there already are 79 miles of border wall projects in the planning or construction stages.
Another topic that came up was Democrat threats that they would be fight Trump's agenda "in the streets," and she said such rhetoric is from people who "don't even know what they're talking about."
And she said Trump's plans for rebuilding Gaza is part of his agenda for "lasting peace" in the Middle East.