American B-2 bombers roared back to Missouri, fresh from pummeling Iran’s nuclear ambitions, CBS News reported on Monday.
President Trump hailed the pilots as heroes, while progressive hand-wringers clutch their pearls over the decisive strike. This wasn’t a diplomatic tea party—it was a message.
Seven B-2 Spirit bombers, under “Operation Midnight Hammer,” obliterated three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—while decoy B-2s flew west to keep Tehran guessing. Over 125 U.S. aircraft, including fighter jets and refuelers, joined the largest B-2 strike in history. The mission left Iran’s nuclear dreams in rubble, and the woke crowd predictably cried “escalation.”
Gen. Dan Caine, Joint Chiefs chairman, confirmed the bombers launched from Whiteman Air Force Base, flying east to Iran. Each B-2 carried two GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, designed to crack fortified bunkers. No amount of UN resolutions could match that precision.
In just 25 minutes, 14 MOPs obliterated key targets at Fordo and Natanz. A U.S. submarine lobbed Tomahawk missiles at Isfahan, rounding out the trifecta. Iran’s nuclear sites didn’t stand a chance against American firepower.
“Operation Midnight Hammer was the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history,” Gen. Caine declared. That’s not just a flex—it’s a warning to rogue regimes everywhere. The left’s obsession with “de-escalation” looks laughable now.
Satellite images revealed massive craters atop Fordo’s underground complex the next day. Maxar Technologies’ photos showed Natanz and Isfahan’s facilities, including a fuel enrichment plant, reduced to twisted wreckage. Tehran’s nuclear bravado got a reality check.
“The damage to Iran’s nuclear sites was monumental,” President Trump stated on Truth Social. While globalists fret over “optics,” Americans see a commander-in-chief who means business. The mission’s success silences the appeasement choir.
Over 75 precision-guided weapons ensured no target was spared. The operation’s scale—125 aircraft, multiple strike vectors—showcased U.S. military dominance. Iran’s mullahs can’t spin this as a win.
“The hits were hard and accurate,” Trump posted, praising the military’s skill. Contrast that with the left’s endless apologies for strength. This was surgical, not reckless, despite what MSNBC might claim.
CBS News captured the B-2s touching down at Whiteman Air Force Base on Sunday afternoon. Pilots who risked their lives deserve more than a pat on the back—they’re the backbone of American resolve. The woke elite would rather lecture them on “toxic masculinity.”
“More than 125 U.S. aircraft participated in this mission,” Caine noted. That’s not just coordination; it’s a masterclass in power projection. Iran’s regime felt every ounce of it.
Trump’s Truth Social post was blunt: “Thank you for a job well done!!!” The pilots don’t need performative hashtags or virtue signals—they need a nation that backs them. Conservatives get that; progressives don’t.
Fordo’s craters tell a story of American ingenuity outmatching Iranian defiance. Natanz’s shattered buildings and Isfahan’s wrecked plant underscore the cost of testing U.S. resolve. Tehran’s nuclear swagger just took a permanent hit.
The decoy B-2s over the Pacific were a brilliant feint, keeping Iran’s defenses scrambling. While the left whines about “aggression,” strategic deception saved lives and secured victory. That’s called winning, not warmongering.
Operation Midnight Hammer wasn’t just a strike—it was a statement. America won’t cower to Iran’s threats or the woke crowd’s moralizing. Strength, not apologies, keeps the world in check.
Blue states, once education powerhouses, are crumbling under progressive policies. Oregon and Washington have seen sharper declines in reading and math scores for fourth- and eighth-graders from 2015 to 2024 than the national average, as City Journal reports. Meanwhile, red states like Mississippi and Alabama are rewriting the script with bold, results-driven reforms.
From 2015 to 2024, blue states tanked while red states soared in education outcomes. Democrat-led states like Oregon and California embraced "equity" over excellence, slashing standards and discipline, while Republican-led states doubled down on phonics, banned flawed teaching methods, and restored classroom order. The results speak louder than any progressive platitude.
Back in 2013, Mississippi was scraping the bottom in national reading scores. Under Republican leadership, the state mandated teacher training in evidence-based reading methods. By 2024, Mississippi had climbed to the top ranks when adjusted for demographics, proving that hard work trumps excuses.
Mississippi’s 2013 reforms sparked a phonics renaissance. The state gained five points in fourth-grade reading and math scores by 2024, while eighth-grade scores held steady against national declines. Blue states, stuck on the "whole language" bandwagon, watched their scores plummet.
In 2014, California banned suspensions for "willful defiance" in K-3 classrooms, citing racial disparities. The policy, expanded to middle and high schools by 2024, gutted discipline and left teachers powerless. Red states, by contrast, empowered educators to maintain order and focus on learning.
Oregon’s 2021 decision to eliminate high school graduation standards was a low point. Claiming standards harmed minorities, the state lowered the bar for everyone. This "equity" experiment coincided with Oregon’s math and reading scores dropping faster than the national average.
Progressive districts such as San Francisco attempted to adopt "equitable grading" policies. By deemphasizing tests and deadlines, they’ve created a system where effort is optional, and excellence is an afterthought. Red states, meanwhile, use test scores to identify and support struggling students, not to coddle them.
Arkansas took a stand in 2021, banning the ineffective "three-cueing system" for reading. Louisiana followed suit in 2022, aligning curricula with proven methods. These red-state reforms have stabilized scores while blue states chase ideological fads.
Alabama stands out as the only state to fully recover from pandemic-era math losses. By 2024, the state passed laws giving teachers the authority to remove disruptive students. This no-nonsense approach has restored focus and boosted achievement.
Red states have spent the past decade strengthening school safety and discipline. Republican-led reforms prioritize classrooms where learning, not chaos, reigns. Blue states, with their lax policies, have turned schools into battlegrounds for progressive experiments.
Louisiana defied national trends by maintaining steady scores from 2015 to 2024. By banning flawed teaching methods and sticking to evidence-based curricula, the state held its ground. Blue states, distracted by "equity" agendas, couldn’t keep up.
In California, the push for "equitable" policies has dismantled honors classes and lowered grading standards. These changes, meant to close gaps, have widened them instead. Students are left unprepared, and teachers are left frustrated.
Red states like Mississippi and Arkansas have returned to phonics-based reading instruction. The "whole language" approach, long championed by progressives, has been exposed as a failure. Scores don’t lie, even if blue-state leaders wish they did.
Alabama’s use of test scores to support struggling students is a model of accountability. Unlike blue states, which soften standards to mask failure, Alabama confronts challenges head-on. The result is a state leading the nation in math recovery.
The education gap between red and blue states is stark. Progressive policies have eroded discipline, standards, and achievement in Democrat-led states, while Republican-led states have embraced reforms that deliver results. The scoreboard shows who’s serious about education -- and who is just posturing.
The Justice Department’s budget axe has fallen, slicing 4,500 jobs and eyeing 1,500 more from the FBI, as Just the News reports. This bold move, unveiled in the fiscal 2026 budget request, signals a leaner, meaner DOJ ready to ditch bureaucratic bloat. Conservatives cheer as wasteful spending gets the boot, but critics cry foul over public safety.
The DOJ’s fiscal 2026 budget request, released Monday, slashes 5,093 positions, with 4,500 already vacant thanks to the Trump administration’s deferred resignation program, saving at least $470 million. The plan trims the DOJ workforce to about 105,000, a modest 5% cut. It’s a pragmatic start, but is it enough to curb decades of federal overreach?
The FBI takes the hardest hit, with a $545 million budget reduction and over 1,500 positions on the chopping block. More than 700 of those are vacant agent slots, raising eyebrows about the bureau’s bloated roster. Streamlining an agency often criticized for overstepping feels like a win for accountability.
“The FBI budget is reduced by $545 million and assumes a reduction of over 1,500 positions,” the DOJ’s budget request declares. Sounds like a course correction for an agency that’s strayed from its core mission. Prioritizing border security and violent crime over progressive pet projects is a refreshing change.
The DOJ claims the FBI will “prioritize core missions” like securing the border and fighting transnational crime. Efficiency is the name of the game, and shedding redundant roles could sharpen the bureau’s focus. But skeptics wonder if these cuts risk weakening national security.
The Drug Enforcement Administration isn’t spared, facing a $112 million budget cut. “DEA efforts toward fentanyl trafficking” will be the new focus, per the DOJ’s proposal. Refocusing on the deadly fentanyl crisis is smart, but consolidating resources demands flawless execution.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives gets a $468 million haircut and a new home within the DEA. “ATF is being reduced by $468 million and consolidated within DEA,” the DOJ states. This merger could streamline operations, but folding a firearms agency into a drug-focused one raises questions about priorities.
The DOJ’s $33.6 billion budget is $2.5 billion lighter than last year’s, a rare nod to fiscal restraint. Nearly $11 billion targets violent crime, while over $10 billion tackles drug crime. In a world awash with progressive spending sprees, this discipline is a breath of fresh air.
Immigration enforcement gets $3.6 billion, with $2.3 billion for southwest border efforts. The budget also allocates $3.2 billion to combat transnational organized crime. These investments signal the DOJ is serious about law and order, not woke talking points.
State and local grant programs face an $823 million cut from 2025 levels. The DOJ calls these reductions a purge of “unnecessary, wasteful, and ineffective programs.” Finally, someone’s calling out the grant gravy train that’s long padded local budgets with dubious results.
The Bureau of Prisons secures $227 million to address staffing shortages, adding 587 correctional officer positions. Restoring recruitment incentives is a practical move to keep facilities running smoothly. It’s a small but necessary fix for a system stretched thin.
The budget’s focus on violent crime and border security aligns with conservative priorities. Shedding 4,500 vacant positions -- many lingering from bureaucratic inertia -- frees up $470 million for smarter spending. The DOJ’s leaner approach could set a precedent for other bloated agencies.
Critics argue these cuts endanger public safety, but the DOJ’s workforce remains robust at 105,000. A 5% trim hardly guts the department; it’s a surgical strike against inefficiency. The real risk is if these savings get redirected to progressive boondoggles.
The FBI’s streamlined mission, emphasizing border security and violent crime, counters years of mission creep. “Securing the border, eliminating transnational criminal organizations,” the DOJ promises. It’s a pledge that resonates with Americans tired of federal overreach and open-border chaos.
This budget is a bold step toward a DOJ that serves taxpayers, not special interests. By slashing redundant jobs and refocusing on core missions, the department is shaking off the shackles of woke bureaucracy. Let’s hope this is just the beginning of a broader reckoning.
The Democratic National Committee is fracturing under its own weight. Union heavyweights Randi Weingarten and Lee Saunders, presidents of two massive labor organizations, have bolted from their at-large DNC roles, citing internal squabbles, as The Hill reports. Their departures expose a party struggling to keep its progressive house in order while conservatives watch with popcorn.
Weingarten, head of the 1.8-million-member American Federation of Teachers, and Saunders, leading the 1.3-million-strong American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, declined reappointment as DNC at-large members after endorsing Ben Wikler against Ken Martin in the DNC chair race earlier this year. DNC Chair Ken Martin, bruised from the contest, promptly axed both from the Rules and Bylaws Committee. The message? Cross the boss, and you’re out.
Weingarten’s letter to Martin, dated June 5, and Saunders’s, dated May 27, both pointed to “disagreements” with the DNC’s direction as their reason for stepping away. “While I am a proud Democrat, I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging,” Weingarten wrote, whining about the party’s failure to “enlarge our tent.” Sounds like the inclusive rhetoric progressives love doesn’t apply when you back the wrong horse.
Saunders echoed the sentiment, claiming the moment “demands unwavering focus” on workers’ rights. “This moment demands unwavering focus, discipline, and clarity,” he wrote to Martin. Yet, by airing their gripes publicly, both leaders seem more interested in drama than discipline.
A source close to the DNC wasn’t shocked by Weingarten’s exit, noting her “hyperintense” support for Wikler left her at odds with Martin’s regime. “Ever since the horse she bet on in the chair’s race lost, she has always been on the other side of the fence,” the source said. Loyalty, it seems, is a one-way street in Democrat land.
Another Democratic Party insider described Weingarten and Saunders as “bitter” over the chair race, accusing them of wanting to “blow up the DNC.” Martin, they insist, is just trying to keep the ship afloat. But when your crew jumps overboard, it’s hard to claim smooth sailing.
The timing of the letters’ leak -- Sunday evening -- raised eyebrows, with critics calling it a “distraction” from bigger issues. “The fact they decided to go public with this, on a matter that is internal, speaks volumes,” said John Verdejo, a DNC member from North Carolina. Public tantrums don’t exactly scream “united front.”
DNC Labor Council Chair Stuart Appelbaum tried to paper over the cracks, praising Martin’s leadership after Saunders’s exit was announced. But when two union giants walk away, no amount of spin can hide the rift. The party’s labor backbone is creaking.
Some Democrats privately admit Republicans made gains with union voters in 2024, a sore spot for a party that claims to own the working-class vote. “Republicans are starting to be viewed by union members as the party of the people who have to take a shower after work,” said strategist Douglas Wilson. Maybe workers are tired of the DNC’s sanctimonious lectures.
The drama doesn’t stop with unions. Last week, David Hogg, the gun-control-activist-turned-DNC-agitator, announced that he wouldn’t run for vice chair again after members voted to redo the elections that put him in the role. His group, Leaders We Deserve, which pushes to oust older House Democrats, had already ruffled feathers.
Weingarten, ever the contrarian, backed Hogg’s primary challenges in April, aligning herself with the party’s disruptive wing. “It’s very obvious to most that Randi was channeling that disappointment with the [chair] race through David Hogg,” a Democratic Party source sniped. Her exit letter, penned before Hogg’s decision, suggests she was already checked out.
Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, meanwhile, secured his DNC vice chair spot on Saturday, dodging the chaos. The party’s attempt to reset the vice chair race only underscores its obsession with internal power plays. Stability? Not in this circus.
Democratic Party strategist Douglas Wilson warned that the exits fuel a narrative of disunity. “It shows that we’re not united,” he said, lamenting that the focus shifts from policy to petty feuds. When your leaders are bickering, it’s tough to convince voters you’re ready to govern.
New York state Sen. James Skoufis downplayed the drama, claiming “zero daylight” between Martin and most DNC members. “There are always going to be a few members who are not going to be completely aligned,” he said. That’s a cute way to dismiss two union titans walking out the door.
Strategist Antjuan Seawright suggested Weingarten’s departure could open the door for “another generation of leadership.” But with the DNC bleeding influence and Republicans circling union voters, these public spats are a gift to conservatives. The left’s obsession with purity tests is its own worst enemy.
Israel’s airstrikes have gutted Iran’s leadership, leaving Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s trusted circle in tatters, as Reuters reports.
Since Friday, Israeli precision strikes killed key Revolutionary Guards commanders, including Hossein Salami, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and Mohammad Kazemi, all linchpins in Khamenei’s 15-20 member inner circle. These men, fiercely loyal to the Islamic Republic’s ideology, advised the 86-year-old leader on critical military and security matters. Their loss exposes Iran’s vulnerability at a time when Western sanctions already fuel economic unrest.
Khamenei, who has ruled since 1989, commands supreme authority over Iran’s armed forces, war declarations, and senior appointments. His inner circle, meeting irregularly at his Tehran compound, shapes decisions with unwavering devotion. Now, with key military advisers gone, his grip on power faces unprecedented strain.
Israel’s strikes didn’t stop at Iran. In September 2024, Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah, a close Khamenei ally, fell to an Israeli airstrike. By December, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, another regional partner, was toppled by rebels, further isolating Iran’s regime.
“The risk of miscalculation to Iran on issues of defence and internal stability is extremely dangerous,” an unnamed source close to Khamenei warned. That’s an understatement -- losing top commanders and allies in months signals a regime teetering on the edge. Iran’s retaliatory missile fire only escalates a conflict it’s ill-equipped to sustain.
Khamenei’s caution, lauded by some, may be his undoing. “He is extremely stubborn but also extremely cautious,” said Alex Vatanka, director of the Middle East Institute’s Iran Program. Caution won’t rebuild a shattered military elite or quell growing domestic discontent.
The Revolutionary Guards, directly under Khamenei’s command since 1989, are Iran’s backbone, securing top-tier equipment for land, air, and sea operations. Unlike the regular army, which answers to the elected president, the Guards report solely to Khamenei. Their losses cripple Iran’s internal security and regional ambitions.
Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, a mid-ranking cleric, has risen as a key coordinator within the regime. Seen as a potential successor, Mojtaba’s close ties to the Guards make him a pivotal figure amid this crisis. Yet, even his influence can’t replace the seasoned commanders Israel eliminated.
“Khamenei is pretty well placed to do the basic cost-benefit analysis,” Vatanka claimed, emphasizing regime survival as Khamenei’s priority. Survival, though, looks dicey when your top brass is wiped out and allies are collapsing. Cost-benefit analysis won’t stop Israel’s next strike.
While military advisers took the hit, Khamenei’s political, economic, and diplomatic confidants -- like Mohammad Golpayegani, Ali Akbar Velayati, Kamal Kharazi, and Ali Larijani -- remain unscathed. These men guide Iran’s nuclear disputes and domestic policies, but their influence can’t fill the military void. The regime’s lopsided advisory structure now tilts heavily toward non-military matters.
Ali Asghar Hejazi, Khamenei’s deputy for political security, wields immense power as Iran’s top intelligence official. His role in sensitive security decisions is critical, especially as Israel’s airstrikes expose Iran’s intelligence failures. Hejazi’s survival may be Khamenei’s last line of defense.
Khamenei’s office micromanages both major state decisions and minor initiatives, often overriding the elected president’s authority. This centralized control, while effective in stable times, now risks paralysis without key military voices. The Supreme Leader’s hands-on approach could backfire spectacularly.
Khamenei’s storied past -- imprisoned before the 1979 revolution, maimed by a bomb, and Supreme Leader for over three decades -- shows his resilience. Yet, at 86, with his inner circle hollowed out, resilience alone won’t suffice. Israel’s relentless campaign has exposed cracks in the Islamic Republic’s foundation.
The Revolutionary Guards and Basij militia, once Khamenei’s iron fist, crushed protests in 1999, 2009, and 2022. With the Guards’ leadership decimated, suppressing future unrest -- already brewing due to economic misery -- will be a taller order. Iran’s streets could soon test Khamenei’s weakened regime.
Khamenei values diverse viewpoints, often seeking extra input before deciding, but his remaining advisers face an impossible task. Rebuilding military strength while dodging Israel’s crosshairs and managing domestic turmoil requires more than cautious deliberation. Iran’s Supreme Leader stands at a crossroads, with regime survival hanging by a thread.
A North Carolina Democrat’s social media post glorifying a mock beheading of President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm. Rep. Julie von Haefen, a Wake County lawmaker, shared an image from Raleigh’s No Kings protest showing a guillotine and a severed Trump head prop. The post, paired with her cheery caption, has conservatives demanding her resignation, as Just the News reports.
On Saturday, von Haefen posted a photo from the protest, captioning it with praise for the “amazing turnout” and hashtags such as “no kings.” The image depicted a protester’s sign with a bloody guillotine and the words “some cuts may be necessary,” alongside a grotesque Trump effigy. This wasn’t a subtle jab -- it was a blatant nod to violence.
The No Kings protests, including 27 in North Carolina, amplified opposition to the weekend parade celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary. Over 1,700 similarly titled protest events were planned nationwide, fueled by Trump’s landslide 2024 victory, sweeping all seven swing states with 93-0 electoral votes. Von Haefen’s post came on the same day that a tragic Minnesota shooting killed a lawmaker and her husband, injuring another legislator and his spouse.
The North Carolina Republican Party didn’t mince words, condemning von Haefen’s post as encouraging political violence. “This is why reasonable people are leaving the Democrat Party,” said Rep. Erin Paré, slamming the post’s timing amid the Minnesota tragedy. Von Haefen’s celebration of a beheading image looks tone-deaf at best, malicious at worst.
By Sunday morning, the Center Square sought verification from von Haefen’s office about the post’s authenticity. Minutes later, she edited the video to remove the offending image but offered no apology. Her swift edit suggests she knew the post crossed a line, yet she doubled down with defiance.
Von Haefen’s Sunday afternoon Facebook statement claimed she condemned “political violence in all forms.” “I later edited the video to remove the photo,” she said, insisting her focus is “bringing people together.” Her words ring hollow when her initial post gleefully showcased a violent fantasy.
“Let me be clear: I condemn political violence,” von Haefen added in her statement. But her Saturday caption, complete with an expletive-laden hashtag, told a different story. Condemning violence after promoting it doesn’t erase the damage -- it just exposes the hypocrisy.
Rep. Chris Humphrey didn’t buy her attempt at a backtrack, stating, “Some people hate a duly elected leader… more than they love America.” His point cuts deep: von Haefen’s post wasn’t about policy disagreement but raw, divisive hatred. Her actions fuel the very extremism she claims to oppose.
Notably, von Haefen’s X account vanished after the controversy erupted, though her campaign Facebook page remains active. A certified guardian ad litem and lawyer licensed in three states, she’s no political novice. Her calculated post and subsequent deletion suggest she’s playing damage control, not seeking accountability.
The North Carolina Democratic Party stayed mum on von Haefen’s actions. Chairwoman Anderson Clayton stated the Minnesota shooting, condemning “horrific acts” of violence, but ignored von Haefen’s post entirely. This selective outrage raises questions about the party’s priorities.
Gov. Josh Stein, House Speaker Destin Hall, and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger also kept silent by Sunday afternoon. Their lack of comment leaves von Haefen’s stunt unaddressed by top leaders. It’s a glaring omission when a sitting lawmaker endorses such imagery.
First elected in 2018 and reelected three times, von Haefen has built a career advocating for progressive causes. Yet her post aligns more with fringe extremism than the “values that matter to North Carolinians” she claims to champion. Her refusal to apologize only deepens the divide.
The No Kings protests were a direct response to Trump’s overwhelming electoral success. His victory by over 2 million votes underscored a mandate von Haefen and her allies seem unwilling to accept. Instead, they resort to grotesque displays that undermine democratic norms.
“Political violence should be condemned, not encouraged,” the North Carolina Republican Party declared. Von Haefen’s post, timed with a national wave of protests, suggests some Democrats are more interested in stoking division than fostering unity. Her actions betray the very principles she claims to uphold.
As calls for her resignation grow, von Haefen’s silence on accountability speaks volumes. Promoting a beheading image isn’t just poor judgment -- it’s a dangerous escalation in an already polarized climate. North Carolinians deserve better from their elected officials.
Sen. Alex Padilla’s detention at a Los Angeles press conference sparked a firestorm this week, culminating in a vulgar shouting match on the House floor, as the Daily Mail reports.
On Thursday, Padilla, a California Democrat, was handcuffed after disrupting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s briefing, only to see tensions boil over later when New York Congressman John Mannion accosted Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in Congress.
Padilla, son of Mexican immigrants, shouted over Noem’s remarks on President Donald Trump’s immigration raids, prompting guards to forcibly remove him. Video footage captured him pinned to the ground and cuffed by FBI agents. His team claimed he was merely exercising congressional oversight, but DHS argued Secret Service mistook him for a threat due to his lack of a Senate pin and aggressive lunge toward Noem.
Noem called Padilla’s actions “inappropriate,” noting he never requested a meeting beforehand. “If he would have reached out and identified himself,” she told Fox News, “his approach was something I don’t think was appropriate at all.” Her calm rebuke exposes the senator’s grandstanding for what it was: political theater gone wrong.
Padilla’s team insisted he was just asking questions, but lunging at a podium mid-speech isn’t oversight -- it’s disruption. After the incident, Noem and Padilla met for 15 minutes, exchanged numbers, and agreed to keep talking. Such civility contrasts sharply with the chaos that followed in Washington.
Later that day, the House floor became a battleground when Mannion confronted Lawler over Padilla’s arrest. Mannion, a Democrat, interrupted Lawler’s conversation with Jimmy Panetta, yelling, “Get off the Democratic side of the floor.” His profanity-laced tirade, caught on video, shocked even his allies.
Mannion screamed at Lawler to “grow a pair” and “do something,” as the House microphone was hastily cut off. Lawler fired back on social media, calling Mannion’s behavior “unhinged and unprofessional.” The New Yorker’s meltdown reeks of progressive rage, unable to cope with policy pushback.
Panetta, bewildered, asked Mannion, “What are you doing?” Mannion’s reply -- “My own thing" -- earned a dry, “Apparently, man,” from Panetta. This exchange highlights the Democrats’ disarray, with Mannion’s antics alienating even his party.
Mannion later told Axios he was urging Lawler to “compel his colleagues to save the country.” Save it from what? The rule of law that Padilla flouted and Mannion’s outburst undermined?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom took to social media, calling Padilla’s detention “outrageous” and “dictatorial.” His hyperbolic claim that Trump’s “shock troops” are out of control ignores Padilla’s reckless behavior. Painting a senator’s stunt as martyrdom is peak progressive deflection.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris echoed Newsom, labeling Padilla’s arrest a “shameful abuse of power.” She conveniently omitted Padilla’s refusal to back down when ordered by agents. Such selective outrage fuels the left’s narrative of victimhood over accountability.
Even Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski called the incident “horrible” and “shocking.” Her rare bipartisan criticism suggests genuine concern, but it’s hard to sympathize when Padilla’s actions invited the response. The Alaska senator’s dismay seems more about optics than principle.
Noem, undeterred, declared during her press conference, “We are not going away.” Her resolve to tackle Los Angeles’ immigration challenges stands in stark contrast to Padilla’s disruptive tactics. The governor’s focus on policy over drama is a lesson the left could stand to learn.
Padilla, in his press conference, decried DHS’s treatment of migrants, saying, “If this is how they respond to a senator, imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers.” His attempt to pivot from his own misstep to a broader sob story feels rehearsed. It’s a tired tactic to dodge responsibility.
An anonymous House Democrat told Axios that Mannion’s outburst stemmed from “emotion about the atmosphere” of the moment. That’s no excuse for a grown man’s tantrum on the House floor. If anything, it proves the anti-woke case: unchecked feelings lead to unhinged behavior, not solutions.
A massive nitric acid spill in McArthur, Ohio, has turned a quiet Wednesday into a scene from a dystopian novel. The Austin Powder Red Diamond plant, known for crafting explosives for construction and mining, unleashed thousands of gallons of this hazardous chemical, sending residents scrambling and grounding flights across a swath of airspace bigger than Rhode Island, as the Daily Mail reports. This isn’t the first time Ohio’s been choked by toxic fumes, and folks are understandably fed up.
On Wednesday morning, a storage tank at the plant spewed 3,000 gallons of nitric acid, creating ominous orange-brown plumes of nitric oxide gas. This disaster, 185 miles east of the 2023 East Palestine train derailment, has reignited fears of chemical catastrophes in the Buckeye State. Authorities are still clueless about what caused the leak, which only adds to the unease.
The Vinton County Sheriff’s Office didn’t waste time, ordering an immediate evacuation of Zaleski, a village of 750 souls. Dispatchers directed residents to hunker down at Vinton County High School’s gym, where they’re likely wondering how long they’ll be displaced. Meanwhile, several local roads are shuttered, turning daily commutes into logistical nightmares.
The Federal Aviation Administration slammed a no-fly zone over 3,700 square miles, halting nearly all flights within 30 nautical miles of the spill site. Only relief flights are allowed, leaving commercial and private pilots grounded. This airspace ban, covering an area twice Rhode Island, underscores the spill’s severity.
Jackson County Emergency Management Director Robert Czechlewski confirmed the leak’s scale, stating, “3,000 gallons leaked from the tank.” That’s a lot of corrosive liquid, folks, and it’s no surprise the air won’t be safe for hours. The progressive push for lax regulations might have emboldened industries, but spills like this expose the real cost of cutting corners.
Nitric acid, when mixed with air, produces nitric oxide, the culprit behind those eerie orange clouds haunting McArthur’s skies. Exposure can irritate eyes, throats, and lungs, and in worse cases, cause drowsiness or unconsciousness. Vinton County Health Department’s Brad Price warned, “Anyone exposed to the dangerous chemical should immediately flush out their eyes and clean their skin.”
Price also noted, “People could also feel drowsy and possibly fall unconscious.” His advice is solid, but it’s cold comfort when you’re fleeing your home with kids in tow. Those with worsening symptoms are urged to call their doctors, but good luck getting timely care in a crisis like this.
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported, but that’s little solace when the long-term effects of exposure loom large. The 2023 East Palestine derailment, where vinyl chloride and other carcinogens spilled, left residents grappling with respiratory issues, fatigue, and cancer risks. McArthur’s spill may not involve carcinogens, but the parallels are too close for comfort.
East Palestine’s disaster saw 540,000 square miles across 16 states exposed to toxic chemicals, with Norfolk Southern settling a $600 million lawsuit in 2024. A 2025 lawsuit, including seven wrongful death claims, alleges the company and federal agencies botched the cleanup. Ohioans are right to question whether McArthur’s cleanup will be handled with more competence.
The East Palestine derailment dumped chemicals into the Ohio River and soil, raising fears of cancer clusters. Residents there still face health issues tied to a dozen chemicals, including leukemia and liver cancer risks. McArthur’s spill, while different, fuels distrust in a system that seems to prioritize profits over people.
The Austin Powder plant’s role in producing explosives adds another layer of worry. If a nitric acid tank can fail, what’s stopping a bigger catastrophe at a facility handling volatile materials? The lack of clarity on the leak’s cause only deepens suspicions of negligence.
Local authorities are working to contain the spill, but the timeline for safety remains murky. Hours, they say, but Ohioans know “hours” can stretch into days or weeks when bureaucracy gets involved. The progressive mantra of trusting institutions feels hollow when you’re choking on chemical fumes.
Zaleski’s 750 residents are now refugees in their county, camped out in a high school gym. The human toll of disrupted lives, closed roads, and grounded flights can’t be overstated. Yet, the mainstream media’s likely to downplay this as a “local issue” while fawning over urban elites’ pet causes.
The spill’s orange plumes are a stark reminder of Ohio’s vulnerability to industrial mishaps. East Palestine’s residents, still reeling from 2023, can attest to the lasting scars of such disasters. McArthur’s folks deserve better than being collateral damage in the quest for industrial efficiency.
As Ohio grapples with yet another chemical crisis, the question isn’t just how this happened, but why it keeps happening. A conservative approach -- demanding accountability, enforcing strict regulations, and prioritizing communities over corporate bottom lines -- might prevent the next McArthur or East Palestine. Until then, Ohioans are left holding their breath, literally and figuratively.
Legal immigrants are flipping the script on immigration policy, shocking progressive pundits. Once reliably soft on enforcement, these voters now demand tougher borders, according to new polling, as RealClearPolitics reports. The woke elite’s open-border fantasies just hit a brick wall.
Foreign-born citizens, including legal immigrants, have swung dramatically toward conservative immigration stances since 2020, with a 40-point shift in voter trust favoring Republicans by eight points in 2024 and 2025. No other group has moved so sharply rightward on this issue. This seismic change exposes the disconnect between progressive rhetoric and real-world sentiment.
In 2016, only 36% of immigrant citizens backed Donald Trump. By 2020, his support among them grew to 39%. Fast-forward to 2024, and Trump’s share soared to 47%, with some polls showing him nearly tying or even edging out opponents among these voters.
The shift isn’t just electoral -- it’s attitudinal. In 2020, immigrant citizens viewed undocumented immigrants favorably, with a net rating of +23 points. That goodwill has evaporated, dropping to a net unfavorable -6 points by 2024, signaling a rejection of unchecked migration.
“Immigrant citizens have become increasingly unfavorable in their views of those immigrants who are here illegally,” said CNN analyst Harry Enten. That’s a polite way of saying legal immigrants are fed up with lawbreaking at the border. The progressive dream of universal amnesty is crumbling under scrutiny.
Back in 2020, immigrant voters gave Democrats a 32-point lead on immigration trust. That advantage has not only vanished but reversed, with Republicans now holding an eight-point edge. This isn’t a minor tweak -- it’s a full-scale rebellion against soft-on-crime border policies.
Trump’s growing appeal among immigrant voters underscores their frustration with lax enforcement. Polls in 2024 showed him splitting the immigrant vote almost evenly, a far cry from the Democrats’ dominance just four years earlier. The left’s sanctimonious lectures on “compassion” clearly aren’t resonating.
Enten notes, “This is why Donald Trump feels so comfortable.” He’s right -- legal immigrants are aligning with Trump’s hardline stance, not the left’s borderless utopia. The data shows they’re distancing themselves from unauthorized migrants and the policies that enable them.
Protests against immigration crackdowns, including ICE raids, have erupted in cities like Los Angeles, where demonstrators rallied for what may be a fifth consecutive day. Similar scenes unfolded nationwide, with activists decrying tougher enforcement. But these protests seem out of touch with the shifting views of immigrant voters themselves.
The Los Angeles protests highlight the growing divide between progressive activists and the broader immigrant community. While marchers chant for open borders, legal immigrants are quietly backing policies that prioritize law and order. It’s a stinging rebuke to the woke narrative.
The 40-point shift among immigrant voters is unmatched by any other demographic. No group has moved so decisively toward conservative immigration policies in such a short time. This trend exposes the fragility of the left’s coalition when reality bites.
Trump’s 47% share of the immigrant vote in 2024 reflects a broader demand for accountability. Legal immigrants, who navigated the system lawfully, appear increasingly resentful of those who bypass it. The left’s refusal to acknowledge this resentment is political malpractice.
“They become increasingly favorable, not just towards Donald Trump, but towards the Republican point of view,” Enten observes. Translation: legal immigrants aren’t just voting for Trump -- they’re endorsing a worldview that values borders and consequences. Progressives are left clutching their talking points in disbelief.
The drop in favorable views toward undocumented immigrants, from +23 to -6 points, shows a clear hardening of attitudes. Legal immigrants are drawing a line, and it’s not the one the left expected. The era of unchecked migration may be nearing its end.
As protests rage and polls shift, one thing is clear: legal immigrants are rewriting the immigration debate. Their swing toward conservative policies signals a rejection of the progressive agenda. The woke crowd may scream louder, but the voters are speaking clearly.
A chilling propaganda video from al-Qa’ida’s latest figurehead, Sa’ad bin Atef al-Awlaki, demands blood for America’s support of Israel. The 34-minute screed, dropped Sunday, isn’t just a rant -- it’s a hit list targeting President Trump and his inner circle. This isn’t the free speech of a keyboard warrior; it’s a terrorist’s call to arms.
Al-Awlaki, who took the reins of al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in March 2024, named Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and even Elon Musk as targets for elimination due to their pro-Israel views, as the New York Post reports. He urged Muslims in the U.S. to “take revenge” with no regard for who gets caught in the crossfire. It’s a grim reminder that AQAP, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, thrives on chaos.
The video, titled “Inciting the Believers,” doesn’t stop at politicians. Al-Awlaki called for attacks on their families and anyone linked to the White House, claiming “no red lines” exist because of Gaza’s turmoil. This isn’t nuanced geopolitics -- it’s a thug’s playbook for indiscriminate violence.
“Do not consult anyone about killing infidel Americans,” al-Awlaki declared. That’s not a metaphor; it’s a directive to bypass reason and morality. His words aim to weaponize grievance into murder, cloaked in a warped sense of justice.
He didn’t just target Trump’s team -- he praised suspects behind recent antisemitic attacks and past attempts on Trump’s life. Applauding would-be assassins while calling for more isn’t leadership; it’s a coward’s script for anarchy. The U.S. State Department’s $6 million bounty on al-Awlaki underscores his danger.
“Go after them and their families,” he said, extending his vendetta to anyone near power. Families aren’t collateral damage in his world -- they’re deliberate targets. This is the kind of ideology that justifies bombing hospitals while crying victim.
Al-Awlaki’s hatred spills beyond politics, demanding “strikes” on all Jews. “Do not leave a single safe place for Jews,” he ranted, equating their existence to Palestinian suffering. It’s a tired, hateful trope that fuels violence, not solutions.
He tied his call to Gaza, claiming Israeli actions justify his bloodlust. “Even hospitals are being bombed,” he said, painting a one-sided picture to stoke rage. Conveniently, he ignores the complexities of a war where his allies aren’t exactly choirboys.
“Take revenge,” he urged, as if vengeance solves anything. His logic is as shallow as it is dangerous -- retaliation without end, reason be damned. It’s the kind of thinking that keeps the Middle East in perpetual flames.
Al-Awlaki’s rise to AQAP’s helm in 2024 marked a new chapter for a group long bent on attacking the West. The $6 million price on his head reflects his history of inciting violence against the U.S. He’s not a new face; he’s a seasoned menace with a louder megaphone.
His video’s release on Sunday wasn’t a random outburst -- it’s calculated propaganda. By targeting high-profile figures like Trump and Musk, he’s betting on headlines to amplify his message. It’s terrorism by the media, and he’s playing the game well.
“There are no red lines,” he said, justifying attacks on civilians. That’s not a strategy; it’s a tantrum dressed up as ideology. Al-Awlaki’s vision leaves no room for peace, only carnage.
The U.S. has long branded AQAP a foreign terrorist organization, and al-Awlaki’s latest stunt shows why. His calls for assassination aren’t just threats -- they’re a direct challenge to national security. Ignoring them isn’t an option; it’s an invitation for disaster.
Trump and his team, targeted for their unapologetic support of Israel, represent the kind of resolve al-Awlaki despises. His video isn’t just about Gaza -- it’s about punishing anyone who dares stand with America’s allies. That’s not a cause; it’s a vendetta.
Al-Awlaki’s propaganda thrives in the shadows of a world obsessed with moral relativism. Calling for murder while waving a flag of victimhood isn’t justice—it’s terrorism, plain and simple. America must answer with strength, not handwringing, to keep this thug’s dreams from becoming reality.
