This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Joe Biden has been taking criticism over the last few weeks for taking one vacation after another. In fact, after the Democrat National Convention he left for one vacation. Then went from that vacation immediately to another.

Some of that likely is because he's on his way out of the administration, having been pushed out of the 2024 campaign by elites in the Democrat party who picked Kamala Harris as his replacement.

But the recent lengthy string of holidays for Biden isn't even the worst of the problem, according to Washington Examiner columnist Paul Bedard.

He reveals that Biden, in fact, has taken "48 years worth of vacation in three years."

That's the opposite direction from what most Americans go in their vacations.

"Americans continue to deprive themselves of vacations, taking an average of 11 days a year, even fewer than the famous workaholics in Japan," he said. "Expedia's Annual Vacation Deprivation Report showed that Americans, on average, get 12 paid days off a year but don't even take all that. In Japan, workers take 12 days off annually. The travel firm said that many Americans claim that they are too busy for a break."

The report said Americans are nearly twice as likely to go a year or more between vacations, 32% compared to 18% globally.

Not so with Joe.

"Biden has spent 532 days on vacation in less than four years, according to RNC Research," the report said. "Using Expedia's average of time off Americans take, Biden's tally is the equivalent of over 48 years of vacations — 48.3 years, to be exact."

The column explained, "As in past administrations, the president's aides said he remains on call when on break, and he is sometimes shown on his cellphone when not napping in a chaise lounge at Rehoboth Beach."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Jack Smith, appointed a special counsel to pursue the Democrats' lawfare against President Donald Trump even though he never was confirmed by the Senate as the law requires, has seen multiple setbacks.

On Thursday he was handed another.

His case against Trump over his handling of government documents already has dismissed because of the fact he never was correctly given the special counsel title. He's insisting to an appeals court that that law doesn't need to be fulfilled for him to be charging Trump.

Then there was the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity, which impacts much of his J6 allegations against Trump.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Democracy is not on the 2024 ballot. But free speech is, according to constitutional expert Jonathan Turley.

He's testified on constitutional issues before Congress and has represented members in court. He's a law professor at George Washington University, a best-selling author, and a commentator across multiple outlets on constitutional issues.

He explained, "I previously wrote how a Harris-Walz administration would be a nightmare for free speech. Both candidates have shown pronounced anti-free speech values. Now, X owner Elon Musk and former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have posted a Harris interview to show the depths of the hostility of Harris to unfettered free speech."

The comments from Harris are from 2019, and in them, she was targeting President Donald Trump, who at the time was being targeted with censorship from leftist social media companies who disagreed with what he said, so they worked to suppress his ability to communicate with Americans.

Turley said, "I have long argued that Trump and the third-party candidates should make free speech a central issue in this campaign."

He explained Harris said: "And when you're talking about Donald Trump, he has 65 million Twitter followers, he has proven himself to be willing to obstruct justice – just ask Bob Mueller. You can look at the manifesto from the shooter in El Paso to know that what Donald Trump says on Twitter impacts peoples' perceptions about what they should and should not do."

She said Trump's comments need to be taken down.

"And the bottom line is that you can't say that you have one rule for Facebook and you have a different rule for Twitter. The same rule has to apply, which is that there has to be a responsibility that is placed on these social media sites to understand their power… They are speaking to millions of people without any level of oversight or regulation. And that has to stop."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The 2024 presidential race is suddenly a family affair, as relatives of Tim Walz, the Democratic running mate of Kamala Harris, are going public with their support for former President Donald Trump.

One image circulating online shows eight Walz family members wearing T-shirts for Trump, as they're gathered under a Trump 2024 banner.

That photograph, first shared by a family friend, was later posted by Charles W. Herbster, a former Nebraska gubernatorial candidate and ally of Trump.

Herbster's original caption stated: "Tim Walz's family back in Nebraska wants you to know something."

Trump subsequently posted it on his Truth Social profile.

Newsweek reports: "When asked about the authenticity of the picture, a representative for Herbster told Newsweek that those in the photo are related to Walz through his grandfather's brother and that it was shared by a family friend. The family gave Herbster permission to publish it online."

Meanwhile, Tim Walz's older brother Jeff Walz posted comments on Facebook scorching the Minnesota governor.

"I'm 100% opposed to all his ideology," Jeff wrote of his brother Friday evening.

"My family wasn't given any notice thst [sic] he was selected and denied security the days after," he added.

"Help MAGA … Get on stage with President Trump and endorse him…; Help save this country….," a Trump fan wrote on Jeff's post.

"I've thought hard about doing something like that!" Jeff replied. "I'm torn between that and just keeping my family out of it.

"The stories I could tell. Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future."

Jeff Walz told NewsNation he was merely trying to clarify to family and friends that he's not on board with his brother's politics, and wasn't looking to influence voters.

"It wasn't my intent, it wasn't our intent as a family, to put something out there to influence the general public," Jeff said Tuesday.

"I was getting a lot of feedback from my friends, old acquaintances, thinking that I was feeling the same way that my brother did on the issues, and I was trying to clarify that just to friends."

"I used Facebook, which wasn't the right platform to do that. But I will say, I don't agree with his policies."

NewsNation reported "the 'stories' he could tell about his brother were simply family anecdotes, such as Tim vomiting in the car on family trips, not stories political in nature."

"Nobody wanted to sit with him, because he had car sickness and would always throw up on us, that sort of thing," Jeff said. "There's really nothing else hidden behind there. People are assuming something else. There's other stories like that, but I think that probably gives you the gist of it."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Kamala Harris, the Democrat nominee for president, is now going to war with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, saying "he has lost his privileges" and that his free-speech X site, formerly Twitter, "should be taken down."

In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Harris said of Musk and X: "He has lost his privileges and it should be taken down."

The statement is noteworthy because the X platform was essentially banned over the Labor Day weekend in Brazil.

Harris continued: "The bottom line is that you can't say you have one rule for Facebook and you have a different rule for Twitter. The same rule has to apply, which is that there has to be a responsibility that is placed in these social media sites to understand their power.

"They are directly speaking to millions and millions of people without any level of oversight or regulation and that has to stop."

Musk initially responded with a brief message indicating Harris believes this "100 percent."

Former Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. jumped into the fray, saying, "Can someone please explain to her that freedom of speech is a RIGHT, not a 'privilege'?"

RFK Jr. then quoted Harris' statement that "There has to be a responsibility placed on these social media sites to understand their power."

"Translation," wrote Kennedy, "If they don't police content to conform to government-approved narratives, they will be shut down."

Early Tuesday morning, Musk further commented on the issue, responding to Kennedy: "This is what she actually believes."

"Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and the Democratic Party (Kamala is just a puppet) wants to destroy it."

Both Musk and Kennedy have endorsed former President Trump in the 2024 election.

Robert Reich, the U.S. labor secretary under former President Bill Clinton, is now calling for the arrest of Musk for allowing free speech on X.

Some X users commented:

"Kamala Harris wants to rule by force, not understanding. That's tyranny."

"Even before Elon endorsed Trump, he was pro-freedom and pro-America! Elon makes his Teslas in the UNITED STATES and is a SHINING EXAMPLE of the American Dream! God bless Elon Musk!"

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

"Hope springs eternal."

That's the message Joe Biden has when it comes to a deal that could possibly free the remaining hostages from the grip of Hamas terrorists in Israel.

On Monday morning, Biden told reporters outside the White House "We're very close" to presenting a final hostage deal to both sides this week.

When asked, "What makes you think that this deal will be successful in the way that the other deals were not?" Biden responded: "Hope springs eternal."

Here is a transcript of Biden's interaction with reporters:

Biden: I'm heading to a national security meeting right now and then going to Pittsburgh. Following up what's happening in Israel and then I will be off to Pittsburgh.

Reporter: "Are you planning to present a final hostage deal to both sides this week?"

Biden: "We're very close to that."

Reporter: "What makes you think that this deal will be successful in the way that the other deals were not?"

Biden: "Hope springs eternal."

Reporter: "Mr. President, do you think it's time for Prime Minister Netanyahu to do more on this issue? Do you think he is doing enough?"

Biden: "No."

Reporter: "Mr. President, what is your reaction to the demonstrations across Israel? What is your reaction to the demonstrations?"

Biden: "I'm gonna get the detail when I walk in and talk to you after that."

Reporter: "Do you have a messages for the hostages families, sir?"

Biden: "Yes, I've spoken to the American hostage, I spoke to his mom and dad and we are not giving up. We're gonna continue to push as hard as we can. Thank you."

Over the weekend, the bodies of six hostages held by Hamas, including that of 23-year-old American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were recovered.

"I am devastated and outraged. Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7," Biden said.

"Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages."

Former President Trump placed full blame for the deaths of the hostages on Biden and Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president.

"We grieve the senseless death of the Israeli Hostages, horrifically including a wonderful American Citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, murdered by Hamas due to a complete lack of American Strength and Leadership," Trump said Sunday on X. "Make no mistake – This happened because Comrade Kamala Harris and Crooked Joe Biden are poor Leaders."

"Americans are getting slaughtered overseas, while Kamala is disparaging and making up lies about Gold Star families, and Biden is sleeping on the beach on this 16th consecutive day of vacation. They have blood on their hands!" Trump exclaimed.

"Sadly, this is the total lack of 'Leadership" that Kamala and Biden represent – One that allows terrorists to take American lives, because they only care about Weaponizing the Department of Justice against their Political Opponent.

"Just like the Debacle of the Afghanistan Withdrawal that claimed 13 American lives, Kamala and Biden's judgment has not only put lives at risk, but is directly responsible for unnecessary deaths that should have never happened.

"Our Country and our amazing people are not safe under Joe Biden, and will be less safe under Kamala Harris. This terror would have never happened if I were President, and it will stop the day I am back in the Oval Office. America will be Strong Again, and that will make the World Safe and Secure!"

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Former President Donald Trump is placing full blame for the murder of six hostages in Israel, including one American citizen, on the administration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

"We grieve the senseless death of the Israeli Hostages, horrifically including a wonderful American Citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, murdered by Hamas due to a complete lack of American Strength and Leadership," Trump said Sunday on X. "Make no mistake – This happened because Comrade Kamala Harris and Crooked Joe Biden are poor Leaders."

The other hostages whose bodies were recovered overnight Saturday are identified as Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Almog Sarusi, 25, Alexander Lobanov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino, 25.

"Americans are getting slaughtered overseas, while Kamala is disparaging and making up lies about Gold Star families, and Biden is sleeping on the beach on this 16th consecutive day of vacation. They have blood on their hands!" Trump exclaimed.

"Sadly, this is the total lack of 'Leadership" that Kamala and Biden represent – One that allows terrorists to take American lives, because they only care about Weaponizing the Department of Justice against their Political Opponent.

"Just like the Debacle of the Afghanistan Withdrawal that claimed 13 American lives, Kamala and Biden's judgment has not only put lives at risk, but is directly responsible for unnecessary deaths that should have never happened.

"Our Country and our amazing people are not safe under Joe Biden, and will be less safe under Kamala Harris. This terror would have never happened if I were President, and it will stop the day I am back in the Oval Office. America will be Strong Again, and that will make the World Safe and Secure!"

Biden said previously: "Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages."

Harris, the Democratic nominee for president indicated: "Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands.

"I strongly condemn Hamas' continued brutality, and so must the entire world. From its massacre of 1,200 people to sexual violence, taking of hostages, and these murders, Hamas' depravity is evident and horrifying. The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel – and American citizens in Israel – must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza. The Palestinian people too have suffered under Hamas' rule for nearly two decades.

"As vice president, I have no higher priority than the safety of American citizens, wherever they are in the world. President Biden and I will never waver in our commitment to free the Americans and all those held hostage in Gaza."

Tim Walz, Harris' presidential running mate, was asked for his reaction to the six hostages found dead, and the Democrat Minnesota governor walked away, saying only, "Thanks everybody."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

ack Smith was "appointed" a special counsel to carry part of the Democrat party's lawfare campaign against President Trump.

He's brought several cases, and recently filed a replacement indictment repeating the claims from an earlier filing that accused Trump of election interference for his rhetoric about a "stolen" 2020 presidential race result.

Smith is facing his own headwinds, with a federal court ruling that he doesn't qualify as a special counsel as he wasn't appointed by the president, nor was he confirmed by the Senate.

That has prompted a judge already to dismiss one of his cases. And his other still must be evaluated for the legitimacy of its counts since the Supreme Court determined a president has significant levels of immunity for his actions.

Now it is the American Center for Law and Justice that effectively is accusing Smith himself of election interference for bringing a new set of "election interference" claims against President Trump just weeks before the 2024 vote.

"Smith is still trying to salvage his election interference case against Trump – by interfering in the election himself," the organization documented. "He will stop at nothing in his political prosecution of Trump."

The report said the new Smith claims narrow and reframe the original claims based on the Supreme Court's immunity ruling.

"Specifically, the indictment has been changed to remove allegations involving Department of Justice officials and other government officials. It clarifies Trump's role as candidate, and makes clear the allegations regarding his conversations with then-Vice President Mike Pence in his ceremonial role as president of the Senate," the ACLJ said.

"The new indictment removes a section of the previous indictment that had accused Trump of trying to wield the Justice Department to undo his 2020 loss. To be clear, a superseding indictment is a brand-new one that overrides the earlier one. And this time, instead of 'President Trump,' Smith is going after 'candidate Trump' – even though Trump held the office of president at the time in question," the report said.

But even "more alarming" is the timing.

"A DOJ policy prohibits any legal action against a political candidate just before an election. Doing so keeps the justice system from appearing to interfere in an election. The DOJ and Smith point to a 'policy' giving a 60-day window before Election Day, and Smith insists his indictment was filed in time. Yet we all know that only about 50% of Americans vote on Election Day. Over 90% of the country – 45 states – have some form of early voting at least 10 days before Election Day," the ACLJ reported.

The newest Smith tactic "still constitutes a clear case of election interference – and everyone knows it. Some might argue it's similar to FBI Director James Comey's interference when he publicly announced that he was reopening the FBI investigation into presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's emails just days before the 2016 election. Smith's move here is arguably worse, though, because he's not merely commenting publicly about an investigation but, instead, actually filing a criminal indictment, apparently attempting to revive a failing criminal prosecution," the report said.

Jay Sekulow, the chief of the ACLJ, noted, "Let me tell you what this new superseding indictment isn't. There isn't any new allegation on anything – zero, nothing. It's the same allegations as before, recast in a way to try to get around a Supreme Court decision that was a complete defeat for Jack Smith."

"At the end of the day, Jack Smith is a career political hitman – a destroyer. He's not the legal genius who will successfully prosecute you and put you away. But he'll bring the craziest charges against you that sound bad. Even if he loses in court, he only cares about ruining your reputation," the legal team explained.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

For years already, American corporations have been pressured by pro-LGBT activists to join in their ideology.

The promise is good publicity in that community if they do, negative publicity if they don't.

And that word often has come through the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Quality Index, which rates companies by their submission to that agenda.

The agenda was stepped in up the last few years with the "diversity, equity, inclusion" agenda with which many companies were confronted, a move that in recent weeks and months has been fading as companies back away from the extremism it entails.

Among the companies that have been turning away are Tractor Supply, John Deer, Harley Davidson and Lowes.

Now Ford has not only joined that group, it has dropped a bombshell on DEI promoters and LGBT activists: It no longer will participate in HRC's annual index.

According to a report from Fox Business, "anti-woke activist and filmmaker Robby Starbuck, who has been leading a campaign exposing major corporations' woke policies, reported on X on Wednesday that he was in the middle of an investigation of Ford when the company sent him documentation indicating that it had made some changes."

The letter Starbucks posted, from Ford CEO Jim Farley, included Farley's comments to employees that "the external and legal environment related to political and social issues continues to evolve."

That's required "a fresh look at our policies and practices," Farley said.

The bottom line, Farley said, is that the company will not use quotas in hiring, will prioritize its resources for business goals "versus publicly commenting on the many polarizing issues of the day," and that its Employee Resource Groups are all open to all employees.

Further, he said, the company no longer will be part of the Equality Index.

The report said Ford confirmed the authenticity of the letter to Fox Business, explaining, "The communication to our global employees speaks for itself. We have nothing further to add."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Long have legacy media outlets in America pushed hard for their political agenda, which revolves around the Democratic Party.

It reached a pinnacle during the Barack Obama years but really hasn't subsided much since then.

Those outlets were all in for Joe Biden, overlooking his obvious mental fumbles in public, and describing him as on top of all issues.

Now they've transferred their allegiance to Kamala Harris, after she was anointed the party's top of the ticket when party elites effectively threw Biden under the bus.

But one outlet, in its zeal, blundered.

It was Politico that, reporting on GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance, charged, "Speaking at a rally in Big Rapids, Michigan, former President Donald Trump's running mate tried to tie Harris to the Biden administration's policies — saying at one point that 'Kamala Harris has been calling the shots' — while also warning of China's emergence as an economic superpower that's taking jobs away from the U.S."

Actually, on social media, the publication said, "Vance tries to tether Harris to Biden during Michigan rally."

Twitchy took to an editorial to point out, ""How dare Vance insinuate that Harris had anything to do with what the Biden-Harris administration has done!"

Its headline was, "Politico's spin that JD Vance 'tried' to tie Harris to Biden earned the MOTHER of all community notes."

The editorial explained actually, "Harris is so closely tied to Biden's policies that she cast the tiebreaking vote in the Senate on many occasions in order to pass the Biden-Harris agenda."

And, it noted that the agenda "has worked out so great for America that Kamala, with help from the media, is forced to pretend she didn't have anything (to do) with it."