This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Assuring members of the Christian faith that laws that specifically target religious practices "have no place in our society," federal officials have sued the state of Washington over its attack on religion.
The state has adopted a new law requiring Catholic priests, as well as other ministers, to tattle to police should they hear of a possible offense during a confession, which before now had been exempt from mandatory reporting.
"Laws that explicitly target religious practices such as the Sacrament of Confession have no place in our society," explained Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general.
The DOJ filed a complaint in federal court in Washington arguing that the state's new law violates the First and 14th Amendments by compelling clergy to report what they learn in confession or face criminal penalties.
The Washington Examiner said, "Confession is one of the sacraments of the Catholic Church. Disclosing any information a parishioner shares during these sessions is grounds for the excommunication of a priest from the Catholic Church. However, if a priest fails to report suspected abuse, even if they learn of it during confession, they could face almost a year in jail and a $5,000 fine."
Constitutional expert Jonathan Turley, who has not only testified before Congress on constitutional disputes, but represented members in court in those fights, pointed out the state's decision to alter the confessional requirements of the church.
"The Democrats have added to the four stages of the confession. Examination, confession, absolution, and penance may now be followed by incarceration," he explained.
The state's attempt is a direct attack on the church, the DOJ said.
"SB 5375 unconstitutionally forces Catholic priests in Washington to choose between their obligations to the Catholic Church and their penitents or face criminal consequences," Dhillon said.
"The Justice Department will not sit idly by when states mount attacks on the free exercise of religion."
Gov. Bob Ferguson has pledged to enforce the violation of the rights of clergy members.
They would be required to report to police any "reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect."
Most states exempt clergy when information is obtained during a religious confession.
Democrats in Washington refused.
The DOJ now contends that violates religious canon law, which strictly forbids breaching the seal of confession under penalty of excommunication.
The DOJ said part of the problem was that the law deliberately interferes with the religious requirements.
A lawsuit over the law had been filed just day earlier by lawyers for multiple Orthodox churches.
The DOJ first began investigating the law last month, warning that it "appears on its face to violate the First Amendment."
The churches' lawyer said, "The First Amendment guarantees that governments cannot single out religious believers for worse treatment. Washington is targeting priests by compelling them to break the sacred confidentiality of confession while protecting other confidential communications, like those between attorneys and their clients. That's rank religious discrimination. We are urging the court to swiftly restore this constitutionally protected freedom of churches and priests in Washington state."
WND previously reported when Democrats in Washington state "declared open war on Christianity, and the Catholic Church has responded with a volley that includes its commitment to defy a new law."
Turley noted the law is "blatantly unconstitutional."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
In the wake of President Donald Trump's military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities Saturday, Republicans in Congress are at odds over the constitutionality of the military action without congressional approval.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said: "The President made the right call, and did what he needed to do.
"Leaders in Congress were aware of the urgency of this situation and the Commander-in-Chief evaluated that the imminent danger outweighed the time it would take for Congress to act.
"The world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, which chants 'Death to America,' simply could not be allowed the opportunity to obtain and use nuclear weapons.
"The President fully respects the Article I power of Congress, and tonight's necessary, limited, and targeted strike follows the history and tradition of similar military actions under presidents of both parties."
But a fellow Republican, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, said the dropping of 12 bunker buster bombs in a precision strike on three nuclear sites was "not constitutional."
Massie responded directly to Johnson's opinion, saying: "Why didn't you call us back from vacation to vote on military action if there was a serious threat to our country?"
"I introduced a War Powers Resolution on Tuesday, while Congress was on vacation. We would have had plenty of time to debate and vote on this."
Massie added: "When two countries are bombing each other daily in a hot war, and a third country joins the bombing, that's an act of war.
"I'm amazed at the mental gymnastics being undertaken by neocons in DC (and their social media bots) to say we aren't at war… so they can make war."
As WorldNetDaily reported, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocaio-Cortez, D-N.Y., says Trump should be impeached due to the strike.
"The President's disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers," she indicated.
"He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment."
Fox News host Mark Levin noted: "See how the media keep quoting the Democrats and a handful of ignorant Republicans about the constitutionality of President Trump's power to order a strike on Iran's nuclear sites?"
Meanwhile, President Trump warned further U.S. military action would be coming should Iran retaliate against the U.S.:
"ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT. THANK YOU! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES."
Numerous presidents of both major political parties have taken military action against countries without congressional approval in recent years, including Democrat Barack Obama launching strikes in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump on Sunday welcomed home the B-2 pilots who bombed Iran Saturday night in Operation Midnight Hammer, while also targeting one "weak" Republican in Congress who criticized the president's military action.
"The GREAT B-2 pilots have just landed, safely, in Missouri. Thank you for a job well done!!! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!" he wrote on Truth Social.
"The damage to the Nuclear sites in Iran is said to be 'monumental.' The hits were hard and accurate. Great skill was shown by our military. Thank you!"
Trump noted, "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!"
While congratulating the U.S. Armed Forces, Trump also blasted U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who said the dropping of 12 bunker buster bombs in a precision strike on three nuclear sites was "not constitutional."
"Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky is not MAGA, even though he likes to say he is," Trump began in a lengthy criticism.
"Actually, MAGA doesn't want him, doesn't know him, and doesn't respect him. He is a negative force who almost always Votes 'NO,' no matter how good something may be. He's a simple minded 'grandstander' who thinks it's good politics for Iran to have the highest level Nuclear weapon, while at the same time yelling 'DEATH TO AMERICA' at every chance they get.
"Iran has killed and maimed thousands of Americans, and even took over the American Embassy in Tehran under the Carter Administration. We had a spectacular military success yesterday, taking the 'bomb' right out of their hands (and they would use it if they could!) but, as usual, and despite all of the praise and accolades received, this 'lightweight' Congressman is against what was so brilliantly achieved last night in Iran.
"Massie is weak, ineffective, and votes 'NO' on virtually everything put before him (Rand Paul, Jr.), no matter how good something may be. He is disrespectful to our great military, and all that they stand for, not even acknowledging their brilliance and bravery in yesterday's attack, which was a total and complete WIN.
"Massie should drop his fake act and start putting America First, but he doesn't know how to get there — he doesn't have a clue! He'll undoubtedly vote against the Great, Big, Beautiful Bill, even though non-passage means a 68% Tax Increase for everybody, and many things far worse than that.
"MAGA should drop this pathetic LOSER, Tom Massie, like the plague! The good news is that we will have a wonderful American Patriot running against him in the Republican Primary, and I'll be out in Kentucky campaigning really hard. MAGA is not about lazy, grandstanding, nonproductive politicians, of which Thomas Massie is definitely one.
"Thank you to our incredible military for the AMAZING job they did last night. It was really SPECIAL!!! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN."
As WorldNetDaily reported Sunday, Republicans in Congress are at odds over the constitutionality of the military action without congressional approval.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said: "The President made the right call, and did what he needed to do.
"Leaders in Congress were aware of the urgency of this situation and the Commander-in-Chief evaluated that the imminent danger outweighed the time it would take for Congress to act.
Massie responded directly to Johnson's opinion, saying: "Why didn't you call us back from vacation to vote on military action if there was a serious threat to our country?"
"I introduced a War Powers Resolution on Tuesday, while Congress was on vacation. We would have had plenty of time to debate and vote on this."
Massie added: "When two countries are bombing each other daily in a hot war, and a third country joins the bombing, that's an act of war.
"I'm amazed at the mental gymnastics being undertaken by neocons in DC (and their social media bots) to say we aren't at war… so they can make war."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump long has been critical of various U.S. government-funded media projects, such as the public broadcasting network, Voice of America and such.
He's described them as state-funded propaganda because of their serious leftist bias and advocacy.
And one of his goals for his second term in the White House is the elimination, or at least reduction, of that.
On Friday, a major step was taken in that direction.
Kari Lake, the Trump administration senior adviser working with those projects, confirmed a massive layoff program at the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
The layoffs hit that agency, as well as Voice of America. Hundreds of jobs are being terminated.
"This move follows USAGM's firing of more than 500 contractors last month. It spells the death of 83 years of independent journalism that upholds U.S. ideals of democracy and freedom around the world," claimed several VOA staff members who went to court to try to keep their salaries.
It was a victory for Trump.
"When Trump signed an order in March to drastically shrink USAGM and several other federal agencies, the president and his pick to run VOA, Kari Lake, depicted U.S.-funded international broadcasting as biased, bloated and obsolete," a report from the legacy media claimed.
A report at Just the News said Lake confirmed, "USAGM now operates near the statutory minimum; lean and focused. This is a clear example of responsible government—cutting waste, restoring accountability, and delivering on the promise to put American taxpayers first."
Lake continued, "Today, we took decisive action to effectuate President Trump's agenda to shrink the out-of-control federal bureaucracy."
She explained USAGM sent notices to 639 workers, and that leaves the total workforce at about 1,400, down by more than 80% from years gone by.
Congress separately has been developed a plan that would defund, essentially, PBS, NPR and CPB
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A mountainside has collapsed in Banff National Park in Canada, leaving authorities fearing a number of hikers have been killed. One death already has been confirmed.
Officials estimate up to 20 people were in the vicinity when the rockfall happened near Bow Glacier Falls, north of Lake Louise.
Lake Louise Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed "multiple hikers" were caught in the collapse that happened Thursday afternoon.
A report from the Daily Mail said, "An initial joint statement by RCMP and Parks Canada confirmed one person died at the scene, and three others were evacuated to the hospital. Their conditions have not been shared at this time."
The report said the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service dispatched two helicopters and transported each patient one by one to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary.
Social media videos show a large shelf of stone collapsing and crashing down the mountain.
Niclas Brundell confirmed to CBC News he was in the vicinity and watched the slide he estimated at 160 feet wide and 30 feet deep.
"We heard this like 'chunk' noise and the whole roof of the wall came loose. And we just started sprinting down. I was yelling at my wife, 'Go, go, go! We need to run as fast as we can' We just kept sprinting and I couldn't see the people behind us anymore because they were all in that cloud of rock. And I saw rocks coming tumbling out of that. So it was, it was big. It was, like, the full mountainside," he narrated.
The park region now has been closed by authorities.
The Mail reported, "Alberta's premier, Danielle Smith, shared a statement as well, offering her condolences to the families affected by this tragic natural disaster. 'I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic event at Bow Glacier Falls, north of Banff, today. We are thinking of all those involved and wishing for their safety as we await further details.'"
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Amid a faceoff between a rogue Islamic regime in Iran, which openly has stated its intent to wipe Israel from the face of the earth, and that tiny democracy sitting at the fulcrum of Middle East power that launched a series of bombings to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons hopes, President Donald Trump has been getting a lot of advice.
Bomb or not. Intervene or not. Much more. Trump himself has suggested, often, that Iran reach an agreement to give up its nuclear weapons plans and join the world economy in multiple ways.
Now popular evangelical leader Franklin Graham has endorsed a suggestion from Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, on which voice to follow.
"HIS voice."
Explained Graham, online, "I appreciate Ambassador Mike Huckabee and what he said in his text message to President Donald J. Trump. I agree with every word. Pray for Ambassador Huckabee as he serves in Israel during these difficult days, and pray for President Trump – and that all of our leaders would listen to God's voice, the ONE that matters."
Huckabee earlier had urged the president to listen to "HIS voice."
He said, according to the image re-posted by the White House:
Mr. President.
God spared you in Butler, PA to be the most consequential President in a century – maybe ever. The decisions on your shoulders I would not want to be made by anyone else.
You have many voices speaking to you Sir, but there is only ONE voice that matters. HIS voice.
I am your appointed servant in his land and am available for you but I do not try to get in your presence often because I trust your instincts.
No President in my lifetime has been in a position like yours. Not since Truman in 1945. I don't reach out to persuade you. Only to encourage you.
I believe you will hear from heaven and that voice is far more important that mine or ANYONE else's.
You sent me to Israel to be your eyes, ears and voice and to make sure our flag flies above our embassy. My job is to be the last one to leave.
I will not abandon this post. Our flag will NOT come down! You did not seek this moment. This moment sought YOU!
It is my honor to serve you!
Mike Huckabee
Reaction to Huckabee's comments were split on social media. Democrats condemned them, while those members of less extreme parts of the American community supported.
WND had reported earlier this year as the Trump administration was being assembled on Huckabee's perspective about the future of the Mideast.
He told interviewer Maria Bartiromo, "I'm personally optimistic that we're going to see something bold. I will use this term, Maria. I think we will see something of biblical proportion happen with his leadership in the Middle East."
His comment came just as Trump was proposing the U.S. take over the troubled Gaza Strip to help transform it into a Riviera-style region.
That followed Israel's strikes on the terrorists of Hamas who used the region as a base from which to attack Israel and slaughter some 1,200 Israeli civilians, often in horrific fashion.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
As President Donald Trump considers having U.S. Armed Forces join Israel in its effort to end Iran's development of nuclear weapons, the exiled crown prince of Iran says, "The Islamic Republic has come to its end and is collapsing."
In a post Tuesday on X, Reza Pahlavi said of Iran's supreme leader: "Khamenei, like a frightened rat, has gone into hiding underground and has lost control of the situation. What has begun is irreversible. The future is bright, and together, we will pass through this sharp turn in history."
Pahlavi posted a video of himself speaking Farsi, but also included an English version pleading with Iranian citizens to rise up and overthrow the current dictator's regime, saying:
In these difficult days, my heart is with all the defenseless citizens who have been harmed and have fallen victim to Khamenei's warmongering and delusions. For years, I have tried to prevent our homeland from being consumed by the fire of war.
The end of the Islamic Republic is the end of its 46-year war against the Iranian nation.
The regime's apparatus of repression is falling apart. All it takes now is a nationwide uprising to put an end to this nightmare once and for all.
Now is the time to rise; the time to reclaim Iran. Let us all come forward – from Bandar Abbas to Bandar Anzali, from Shiraz to Isfahan, from Tabriz to Zahedan, from Mashhad to Ahvaz, from Shahr-e Kord to Kermanshah – and bring about the end of this regime.
Do not fear the day after the fall of the Islamic Republic. Iran will not descend into civil war or instability. We have a plan for Iran's future and its flourishing. We are prepared for the first hundred days after the fall, for the transitional period, and for the establishment of a national and democratic government – by the Iranian people and for the Iranian people.
To the military, law enforcement, security forces, and state employees – many of whom have been sending me messages in recent days – I say: Do not stand against the Iranian people for the sake of a regime whose fall has begun and is inevitable. Do not sacrifice yourselves for a decaying regime. By standing with the people, you can save your lives. Play a historic role in the transition from the Islamic Republic, and take part in building the future of Iran.
A free and flourishing Iran lies ahead of us. May we be together soon.
As WorldNetDaily reported, Christiane Amanpour, CNN's chief international anchor who is also of Iranian heritage, says the people of Iran want to change the Islamic regime, and she suggests Pahlavi be the one to take over power.
Appearing on the BBC on Sunday, the left-leaning Amanpour said: "There is no doubt, and Pahlavi is right, and everybody who has reported, I grew up under the Pahlavis in Iran, and the people, you know, first of all chose the Islamic Republic instead of them, but now have seen that the Islamic Republic is so much harsher, is so much more punitive, gives so much fewer rights and is isolated from the world and the economy is appalling and it affects the people.
"So yes, I think from all my reporting, they want to change. He's the only one with name recognition, and whether it's for transitional or permanent leadership, I don't know what he wants, but he's considered the only one with any name recognition and any kind of support inside."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Not sure exactly where the Constitution has confirmed a government freedom to censor, but that's apparently what a federal judge has discovered, in order to rule that the organization formerly named the Global Engagement Center and assigned to censor Americans must stay alive.
It is the Federalist confirming that while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the Center Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Hub, formerly known as the GEC, was dead, a judge said otherwise.
It is Susan Illston, a judge in the leftist enclave of San Francisco, who has, "through the miraculous powers of an activist judge," has said no, the report said.
The organization must remain, she is claiming.
The report described GEC, or R-FIMI under its new name, as "the creepy censorship arm within the Department of State that curtails free speech."
The focal point of the argument, the report said, is "whether the president has the authority to reorganize the federal workplace and trim excess employees or if only unelected local judges have that authority for the entire nation."
Illston also claimed, in taking over responsibilities of the Executive Branch, "If the State Department has any question about whether planned actions fall within the scope of the court's injunction, the court orders the department to first raise those questions with the court before taking action."
Illston's rant comes because of the president's agenda to find and eliminate waste, fraud, corruption and criminal activity in the government's spending programs. He created the Department of Government Efficiency to address the problems.
Illston earlier had used a legal filing from the American Federation of Government Employees and the AFL-CIO to try to destroy Trump plans to save money.
"Rubio made the case that the State Department is not subject to the injunction and planned to move forward with cutting employees and sunsetting R-FIMI, until Illston's order put that on pause," the report said.
The ex-GEC organization was assembled by Barack Obama in 2016 and funded with $50 million a year.
The federal tax dollars it got, "helped grease the wheels of the Russian election interference hoax that marred Trump' first term. The agency was used instead to pressure tech companies to meddle in the 2020 election," the report said.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Media critics are urging the firing of CNN's Brian Stelter after the network's controversial media reporter tried to politicize Saturday's shooting of two Minnesota Democrats by an appointee of Gov. Tim Walz.
Stelter was reacting to a post on X by CNN correspondent Edward-Isaac Dovere, who stated:
"In the last week, Marines were deployed in an American city,the president has called for a gov to be arrested &the speaker of the House has called for that gov to be tarred & feathered, a senator has been pinned & handcuffed, and 2 state legislators have been shot in their homes."
Stelter posted his own opinion on the matter, indicating:
"And it all points in the same direction:"
"Brian Stelter should be fired," said Stephen L. Miller, host of the "Versus Media" podcast on Substack.
Miller mentioned the firing of Terry Moran last week after the ABC News fired its longtime reporter who verbally flayed President Donald Trump as a hater.
"What Brian Stelter did is worse than what Terry Moran did," he noted.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha said: "Brian should be put on the air and forced to apologize before handing in his resignation. Seriously."
"It's as if Brian is begging CNN to join Acosta, Lemon and Moran by being fired again. How is this acceptable?" Concha added.
Nicholas Fondacaro of NewsBusters also brought up the ABC News example, saying: "The Terry-Moran Standard should be applied to Brian."
Mike LaChance of the Gateway Pundit noted: "Like many other liberal media news outlets, CNN has been struggling in the ratings since the 2024 election. The reckless partisanship and misinformation spread by people like Brian Stelter is not helping them."
State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in the attack at their home, which took place after 2 a.m. Saturday. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife are alive after the attack at their home, but wounded. Both lawmakers were Democrats.
The suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who is still at large, was dressed as a police officer when he approached the homes.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump on Sunday said "it's possible" the U.S. could get involved in the escalating war between Israel and Iran, and suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin could be a key figure in mediating an end to the conflict.
In an interview with Rachel Scott of ABC News, Trump said: "We're not involved in it. It's possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved."
Meanwhile, Fox News is reporting Trump put the kibosh on an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"A U.S. intelligence official is telling us," reported Fox's Peter Doocy, "that President Trump did, in fact, in the last couple of days nix a plan that the Israelis were putting together to assassinate the supreme leader of Iran."
The American president indicated an openness to Putin's idea to personally help settle the battle between the two Mideastern nations.
"I would be open to it," Trump told ABC. "[Putin] is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it. We talked about this more than his situation. This is something I believe is going to get resolved."
Regarding Israel's latest attack on Iran, Trump said: "I think they were very devastating. It was very devastating. They were hit also, but it was a very devastating into Iran, primarily."
On a deadline for Iran to come to the negotiating table, the president explained: "No, there's no deadline. But they are talking. They'd like to make a deal. They're talking. They continue to talk."
"Something like this had to happen because I think even from both sides, but something like this had to happen. They want to talk, and they will be talking."
On Saturday, Trump took to Truth Social to state: "The U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight. If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before. However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!"
On Sunday, Trump again voiced his opinion online, stating: "Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP! Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!).
"Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!"
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said on "Sunday Morning Futures" that America stands "unequivocally with Israel," but he doesn't think "there is any scenario where we would see American boots on the ground."
"I think it is very much in the interests of America to see regime change," Cruz said.
"Iran is just lobbying missiles into population centers trying to kills as many Jews as they can."
"Israel's military is incredible effective, and they're the ones going to provide the boots on the ground."
Cruz concluded there is no use "redeeming the ayatollah. He is filled with hatred."