Author name: Robert Walsh

DOJ Targets Illinois Over Pritzker-Signed Bill to Give College Aid to Illegal Aliens
Illegal Immigration

DOJ Targets Illinois Over Pritzker-Signed Bill to Give College Aid to Illegal Aliens

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President Donald Trump’s administration moved Tuesday to block a new Illinois law that extends in-state tuition rates, scholarships, and other forms of student financial aid to illegal immigrants.

The Department of Justice announced it has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against the state, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, state Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and the boards of trustees of Illinois’ public universities.

The complaint argues that Illinois’ newly enacted policy violates federal law by offering post-secondary education benefits to illegal immigrants that are not equally available to U.S. citizens from other states.

According to the filing, “federal law prohibits providing aliens not lawfully present in the United States with any post-secondary education benefit on the basis of residency unless that benefit is also available to United States citizens and nationals regardless of their residency.”

The law, signed in August by Pritzker, provides state-funded aid to any Illinois resident regardless of immigration status.

It includes provisions making financial aid available to students who are not eligible for federal programs, such as noncitizens without permanent residency status and transgender students disqualified for failing to register with Selective Service.

The bill states it is intended to create “equitable eligibility for financial aid and benefits” for all students in the state.

U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft, representing the Southern District of Illinois, said in a statement that Illinois’ law is in clear conflict with federal requirements.

“Illinois has an apparent desire to win a ‘race to the bottom’ as the country’s leading sanctuary state,” Weinhoeft said.

He added that the state’s “misguided approach mandating in-state tuition, scholarships, and financial aid to illegal aliens plainly violates federal law” and that “this policy treats illegal aliens better than U.S. citizens living in other states and incentivizes even more illegal immigration, all on the taxpayer’s dime.”

“Illinois citizens deserve better,” Weinhoeft said.

Attorney General Pam Bondi also commented on the lawsuit, noting that the DOJ has filed multiple challenges against state policies seen as granting special treatment to illegal immigrants.

“This Department of Justice has already filed multiple lawsuits to prevent U.S. students from being treated like second-class citizens — Illinois now joins the list of states where we are relentlessly fighting to vindicate federal law,” Bondi said.

Pritzker’s office defended the law in a statement to Fox News Digital, framing it as consistent with the state’s priorities.

“This is yet another blatant attempt to strip Illinoisans of resources and opportunities,” a spokesperson said.

“While the Trump Administration strips away federal resources from all Americans, Illinois provides consistent and inclusive educational pathways for all students – including immigrants and first-generation students – to access support and contribute to our state.”

The spokesperson added, “All Illinoisans deserve a fair shot to obtain an education and our programs and policies are consistent with federal laws.”

The law has drawn criticism from parents in Illinois who argue it places their children at a disadvantage.

Michelle Cunney, a local mother and chapter leader for Parents’ Rights in Education, told Fox News Digital that the measure is deeply troubling.

“To be honest, it’s terrifying that not only are we having to pay for this, as you know, tax-paying citizens 
 But also, as parents, not knowing how it will really truly end up affecting our children and their education,” she said.

Cunney added that under Pritzker’s leadership, “we know that the children who are not here legally will get 
 more of a chance and an opportunity to get scholarships and everything than our children, because to Pritzker, and so many others, we are not important. We are not anything other than money.”

The outcome of the case could have implications beyond Illinois, as other states consider similar laws to expand financial aid access to students regardless of immigration status.

The Justice Department’s action signals the administration’s determination to use the courts to challenge state policies it views as conflicting with federal immigration law.

Senate Aide Nearly Killed in DC Stabbing Calls Crime Fight Worthwhile
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Senate Aide Nearly Killed in DC Stabbing Calls Crime Fight Worthwhile

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A Senate aide who survived a near-fatal stabbing in Washington, D.C., says the fight against violent crime in the nation’s capital is “worthwhile,” even as the city remains at the center of a national debate over public safety, as reported by Fox News.

Phillip Todd, a former staffer for Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), was attacked in March 2023 on H Street in Washington. Todd, then 26, was stabbed multiple times in a random assault that left him with life-threatening injuries.

According to court records, Todd’s attacker, 42-year-old Glynn Neal, had been released from prison just days before the incident after serving more than a decade behind bars. Neal was later found mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Teenager with knife, prepared to commit crime

Todd described how close he came to dying in the attack, with stab wounds puncturing his diaphragm, skull, and nearly reaching his heart.

“The first thing that I had thought of was, ‘Well, I need to pray. Maybe I can’t pray myself, but someone needs to pray for this,’” Todd told Fox News Digital. He said a paramedic, who identified as an atheist, nevertheless prayed for him at his request while working to save his life.

The former aide, now recovered and still working on Capitol Hill, said the incident tested both his faith and his perspective on politics. While acknowledging the assault could serve as a political example of crime in the city, he said his personal focus has been on faith and forgiveness.

“The story for me, or the obligation for me, is to focus on the goodness of God, and focus on obedience to God and stewarding that story,” he said.

Todd forgave Neal from his hospital bed, a decision he said helped him move forward. “It would be totally understandable to have a lot of desire to see retribution,” Todd said.

“And yet in those moments — because God had gifted me with the ability to forgive, and God had saved me from death — showing how obedience to God can also lead others to a life full of meaning and satisfaction and redemption and tough trials and situations.”

The assault took place during one of Washington’s most violent years in decades, with crime rates surging across the city.

In response, President Donald Trump moved to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department and deployed federal law enforcement and National Guard troops to the streets.

Asked about the presence of troops in the capital, Todd said he was uncertain if it was the best solution but emphasized the importance of addressing the problem.

“I don’t know whether or not troops in the city is the best way to do it. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t,” Todd said. “But I do think that the attitude of trying to solve that problem is something that people need to have, and it’s worthwhile.”

Another Red State Governor Presses Redistricting to Stop “Extreme Left” Influence
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Another Red State Governor Presses Redistricting to Stop “Extreme Left” Influence

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Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced Friday that he has ordered a special legislative session for lawmakers to return to Jefferson City next week to redraw the state’s congressional maps.

The move comes as Republicans across the country push new redistricting efforts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Under the current map, Republicans hold six of Missouri’s eight U.S. House seats.

The special session is expected to consider a new proposal that could reshape at least one of the two Democratic-controlled districts.

Analysts believe the 5th Congressional District, centered around Kansas City and currently held by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), is the most likely to be targeted.

The legislature, controlled by a Republican supermajority in both chambers, is expected to advance the effort.

However, the move is likely to face legal challenges, as Missouri’s constitution requires new congressional maps to be drawn following the decennial U.S. census, with the next scheduled redistricting set for 2030.

Governor Kehoe framed the decision as part of a broader effort to align state policies with what he described as “Missouri values.”

“Today, I am calling on the General Assembly to take action on congressional redistricting and initiative petition reform to ensure our districts and Constitution truly put Missouri values first,” Kehoe said in a statement.

He also released what he referred to as the “Missouri First Map,” a proposal drafted by his team for consideration by lawmakers.

Kehoe described the plan as “a more compact, contiguous proposed map” that reduces the number of split counties and municipalities.

According to the governor, the map would preserve two districts in their current form and keep each sitting U.S. Representative within their respective districts.

“Missourians are more alike than we are different, and our Missouri values, across both sides of the aisle, are closer to each other than those of the extreme Left representation of New York, California and Illinois,” Kehoe said.

“Missouri’s conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented at all levels of government, and the Missouri First Map delivers just that.”

President Donald Trump previously praised Missouri in a Truth Social post, calling Missouri a critical part of Republican redistricting efforts.

“The Great State of Missouri is now IN. I’m not surprised. It is a great State with fabulous people,” Trump wrote.

“I won it, all 3 times, in a landslide. We’re going to win the Midterms in Missouri again, bigger and better than ever before!”

Missouri joins a growing list of Republican-led states pursuing aggressive redistricting measures ahead of the next federal elections.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law new congressional maps on Friday that shifted five Democrat-held districts into Republican-leaning territory.

Under the Cook Partisan Voting Index, three of those seats are now considered “safe Republican,” one is “likely Republican,” and one is “lean Republican.”

Meanwhile, Florida Speaker of the House Daniel Perez announced earlier in the week that the state will form a committee to study potential redistricting efforts.

Republicans in Florida have said they are aiming to flip between three and five Democrat-controlled congressional seats before the 2026 elections.

The Missouri General Assembly is scheduled to convene in Jefferson City on Wednesday to begin considering the governor’s proposed changes.

If passed, the map would mark a significant shift in Missouri’s political landscape ahead of the midterms, giving Republicans a chance to expand their control in the state’s congressional delegation.

Pharmacies Scale Back COVID Vaccines as FDA Ends Emergency Use
News

Pharmacies Scale Back COVID Vaccines as FDA Ends Emergency Use

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CVS and Walgreens are reducing access to updated COVID-19 vaccines in multiple states after federal regulators narrowed eligibility to seniors and high-risk groups.

CVS confirmed it has halted distribution in three states—Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico—and imposed restrictions in 13 others, along with the District of Columbia.

“Based on the current regulatory environment, CVS has completely stopped offering the shots in three states – Massachusetts, Nevada and New Mexico – and has limited access in 13 others as well as the District of Columbia,” CVS Health spokesperson Tara Burke said.

The states where CVS has limited vaccine access include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Burke added, “We’ll administer FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines in states where legally permitted at CVS Pharmacy and/or MinuteClinic to meet our patients’ needs.”

Walgreens issued a similar statement, noting it is “prepared to offer the vaccine in states where we are able to do so,” according to a report from CBS News.

In areas with restrictions, high-risk individuals may still receive updated boosters if they obtain prescriptions from authorized providers.

The policy changes follow actions taken this week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

On Wednesday, the FDA ended emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines and transitioned them to full market approval with updated guidelines.

Under the new rules, the updated vaccines are only approved for seniors and those with underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the regulatory shift in a post on X.

He wrote, “I promised 4 things: 1. to end covid vaccine mandates; 2. to keep vaccines available to people who want them, especially the vulnerable; 3. to demand placebo-controlled trials from companies; 4. to end the emergency.”

“In a series of FDA actions today we accomplished all four goals,” Kennedy continued.

“The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense. This framework delivers all three.”

The new federal guidelines represent a significant change in vaccine distribution compared to the emergency phase of the pandemic.

Pharmacies and clinics across the country are now adjusting to the FDA’s revised framework, which places a stronger focus on protecting seniors and individuals with health conditions while scaling back widespread access to the vaccines.

Both CVS and Walgreens have said they will continue to administer the vaccines in compliance with the updated regulations where allowed by state law.

High-risk patients in states with restrictions are advised to consult their physicians to obtain prescriptions if they wish to receive booster doses under the new FDA-authorized framework.

The announcement comes as demand for COVID-19 vaccines has already declined nationwide, and the Biden-Harris administration’s earlier vaccine mandates have been rolled back.

The changes highlight the federal government’s shift from emergency response measures to long-term regulatory oversight in managing the availability and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

Biden’s “Green New Scam” Suffers 9M Blow, California Hit Hardest
News

Biden’s “Green New Scam” Suffers $679M Blow, California Hit Hardest

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced this week that the federal government has rescinded $679 million in funding previously allocated to offshore wind projects across the United States.

The largest withdrawal affects California’s Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind project, where $427 million in planned funding has been cancelled.

According to a report from CNBC, the Humboldt Bay project was intended to support California’s target of generating 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2045.

The project was one of a dozen nationwide impacted by the Department of Transportation’s decision.

In his statement, Duffy explained that the funding will be redirected to strengthen traditional infrastructure projects and bolster the U.S. maritime industry.

“Wasteful, wind projects are using resources that could otherwise go towards revitalizing America’s maritime industry,” Duffy said.

“Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg bent over backwards to use transportation dollars for their Green New Scam agenda while ignoring the dire needs of our shipbuilding industry. Thanks to President Trump, we are prioritizing real infrastructure improvements over fantasy wind projects that cost much and offer little.”

President Donald Trump has consistently criticized wind energy initiatives.

During a White House Cabinet meeting earlier this week, he reiterated his opposition to new wind projects.

“We’re not allowing any windmills to go up,” Trump said.

“They’re ruining our country. They’re ugly, they don’t work, they kill your birds. They’re bad for the environment. And if you look at them from a house, your house is worth less than 50 percent.”

The Department of Transportation, in a follow-up statement, emphasized that both the department and its Maritime Administration are now focused on advancing projects that enhance the nation’s shipbuilding sector and increase reliance on proven energy sources.

The statement read, “The Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration are rebuilding America’s shipbuilding capacity, unleashing more reliable, traditional forms of energy, and utilizing the nation’s bountiful natural resources to unleash American energy.”

The withdrawal of funds from offshore wind projects marks a significant policy shift.

The Biden-Harris administration had supported offshore wind development as part of its broader renewable energy strategy, but those initiatives are now being rolled back under the Trump administration.

The Humboldt Bay project had been central to California’s offshore wind ambitions, intended to serve as a hub for turbines off the northern California coast.

With the cancellation of federal funding, the project faces uncertainty, as state officials will need to determine whether alternative financing can be secured.

The move underscores the administration’s stated priority of investing in traditional infrastructure, particularly in sectors such as shipping, shipbuilding, and domestic energy production.

The decision is also consistent with President Trump’s longstanding position against wind energy and his repeated calls to support American manufacturing and energy independence through conventional means.

With the reallocation of funds, federal resources will be redirected toward maritime improvements and infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening U.S. energy and industrial capacity.

George Soros Helped ‘Subvert’ the 2020 Election With .5 Billion: General Mike Flynn
News

George Soros Helped ‘Subvert’ the 2020 Election With $2.5 Billion: General Mike Flynn

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General Mike Flynn is raising new concerns about the influence of Arabella Advisors and its connected network of nonprofit and for-profit organizations, which he claims were used to funnel billions of dollars into the 2020 U.S. election.

Flynn says the structure, aided by agencies such as USAID and the State Department, created a seamless operation designed to disguise the origins of the funds.

“Again, you’re like the expert on it, but Arabella Advisors created a structure of NGOs nongovernmental organizations and for profit organizations, and they built it so seamless. And they use organizations like USA ID, they use, they use departments like the Department of State, underneath the Obama administration, and clearly underneath the the the Biden administration, but even during the Trump administration, while Trump was getting beat up about Russia gate, you know, he was depending on people around him to like, hey, you know, do your job, right? I can tell you the State Department under guys like Mike Pompeo did nothing. So he was also the CIA director for a year. So I just throw that bombshell out there, but what we’re talking about is Soros is trying to globalize the world,” Flynn said.

According to Flynn, the network was ultimately directed by billionaire George Soros.

The Heir – Inside the (Not So) Secret Network of Alex Soros

He said the financial operation was presented to President Donald Trump in a briefing several years ago.

“Soros, in this briefing that I gave to President Trump a couple of years ago, we were able to prove how, how Soros, through this structured organization, spent two it was 2.5 billion, $2.5 billion on our 2020 election. Okay? On our 2020 election, and I’ll talk about that here in one second. So we actually were able to prove the flow, okay, the flow of money,” Flynn explained.

Flynn asserted that the process was carefully constructed to appear legitimate by disguising foreign funds as originating from U.S.-based entities. He described the mechanism as one designed to obscure accountability.

“Now what they do is they do it through again. These, this sort of seamless, you know, operation where it looks like the money’s coming from us entities, right? Because that one so I said, I just said, 2.5 billion, $1 that comes from a foreign nation, right? $1 that comes from a foreign nation is a felony. $1 All right? So we’re talking about $2.5 billion that George Soros basically orchestrated to come into the 2020 election,” Flynn said.

Flynn’s remarks are the latest in a series of statements critical of what he views as foreign influence in American politics and the failure of federal agencies to confront it.

He directly accused the State Department of failing to act during the Trump administration despite evidence being presented to senior officials.

The retired general emphasized that the use of foreign money in U.S. elections is a felony offense and that the sums he alleges were involved in 2020 represent an unprecedented level of outside influence.

Flynn has continued to argue that the financial and political networks built by Arabella Advisors and figures like Soros play a central role in efforts to globalize policy and weaken national sovereignty.

His latest claims highlight ongoing questions about transparency, foreign involvement, and the role of nongovernmental organizations in American political campaigns.

CNN’s Jake Tapper Pauses School Shooting Coverage to Correct Murderer’s Pronouns
News

CNN’s Jake Tapper Pauses School Shooting Coverage to Correct Murderer’s Pronouns

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CNN host Jake Tapper shifted coverage of the deadly school shooting in Minneapolis to emphasize the shooter’s gender identity, pausing a live segment to correct the record on pronouns and name usage, as reported by the Western Journal.

The shooting took place at Annunciation Catholic School during morning Mass around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed, and 17 others were injured — including 14 students ranging from 6 to 15 years old and three adults. Police said all injured victims are expected to survive.

The shooter was identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former student of the school. Authorities confirmed that Westman died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Court records show that Westman’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, petitioned in 2019 to change her child’s legal name from Robert Paul Westman to Robin in order to reflect Westman’s gender identity.

During CNN’s coverage, correspondent Brian Todd was discussing the ongoing investigation when Tapper interrupted to clarify the shooter’s gender identity.

“The Minneapolis Star Tribune says, according to court records, because there’s been some confusion about what the shooter’s name was. Robin Westman’s mother applied to change her child’s name in 2019. It was at one point Robert Paul Westman,” Tapper said.

After Todd confirmed, Tapper added:

“But since she identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification was underage, it’s now Robin Westman.”

Todd himself had not mentioned gender identity during his report, but Tapper redirected the conversation to ensure the name and pronouns were addressed.

His remarks came hours after Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other Democrats urged the public not to target the transgender community in reaction to the attack.

The shooting has intensified scrutiny of Westman’s background. A former student of Annunciation, Westman had ties to the school through his mother, who worked as a parish secretary until 2021

. Investigators confirmed Westman posted videos online prior to the attack, including footage of firearms marked with messages threatening former President Donald Trump.

Authorities said Westman fired from outside into the church’s stained-glass windows before entering and opening fire inside the sanctuary.

As the investigation continues, the focus on the shooter’s gender identity by some officials and media outlets has drawn attention alongside the tragedy itself.

AOC’s 2028 Dreams Derailed as New Poll Shows Support Crumbling
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AOC’s 2028 Dreams Derailed as New Poll Shows Support Crumbling

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AOC’s 2028 Dreams Derailed as New Poll Shows Support Crumbling

New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has suffered another major setback in her dreams to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in 2028.

According to a new poll from Echelon Insights, conducted between July 10–14, a familiar cluster of names have emerged atop the list of preferred candidates for Democratic primary voters.

The most preferred candidate is currently Vice President Kamala Harris, garnering support from 26 percent of respondents.

However, Harris’ figures slipped six percentage points compared to the poll’s previous result.

In second place was former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg with 11 percent, up a single percentage point from the last survey.

Both Harris and Buttigieg have polled as frontrunners across a number of pollsters throughout the early weeks and months of President Donald Trump’s second term.

The biggest winner was California Governor Gavin Newsom.

According to the latest Echelon Insights poll, Newsom was named the preferred candidate by 10 percent of respondents.

That figure is up five percentage points from the previous result and comes as the far-left governor has embarked on a podcast tour aimed at portraying himself as a moderate.

In fourth place was Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), with seven percent.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez came in fifth place with just six percent of the vote.

This represents a decline of two percent from the previous survey, and comes as pro-communist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani found himself under the national spotlight.

Ocasio-Cortez has emerged as one of Mamdani’s primary benefactors and has held multiple rallies in support of his candidacy.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro received support from four percent of Democratic primary respondents.

Shapiro is widely perceived as a moderate and has enjoyed high favorability ratings in the key swing state.

Others included Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and businessman Mark Cuban — each of whom received three percent of the vote.

Governors Andy Beshear (Kentucky) and JB Pritzker (Illinois), both of whom have signaled serious interest in a White House bid, each received two percent, as did Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and John Fetterman (D-PA).

Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Daily Show host Jon Stewart, and longtime ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith each received one percent of the vote.

Please visit The Daily Fetched for more stories like this.

Joe Biden Breaks Silence on Autopen Pardons as Scandal Explodes
Democrats

Joe Biden Breaks Silence on Autopen Pardons as Scandal Explodes

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Joe Biden Breaks Silence on Autopen Pardons as Scandal Explodes

Former President Joe Biden addressed the use of an autopen, defending the practice that has drawn scrutiny from both Republican lawmakers and the current administration.

During an interview with The New York Times, which focused on the use of the autopen to authorize clemency for more than 1,500 individuals during the final weeks of his presidency, Biden said he personally made the decisions behind the clemency effort.

“We’re talking about [granting clemency to] a whole lot of people,” Biden said.

However, The Times reported that Biden “did not individually approve each name for the categorical pardons that applied to large numbers of people,” according to his aides.

The report said he “signed off on the standards he wanted to be used to determine which convicts would qualify for a reduction in sentence” after discussions about possible criteria.

White House aides implemented the criteria once approved, and the autopen was used to affix Biden’s signature to the final documents.

The decision to use the autopen was made to avoid having the president repeatedly sign updated versions of official paperwork, according to the report.

The use of the device has become the subject of scrutiny, with President Trump and others raising questions about how often it was used and whether it was appropriate.

Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to open a Department of Justice investigation into the use of the autopen last month.

In a memo sent to the DOJ, Trump questioned whether the use of the device was connected to concerns about Biden’s mental acuity.

“In recent months, it has become increasingly apparent that former President Biden’s aides abused the power of Presidential signatures through the use of an autopen to conceal Biden’s cognitive decline and assert Article II authority,” Trump wrote.

“This conspiracy marks one of the most dangerous and concerning scandals in American history. The American public was purposefully shielded from discovering who wielded the executive power, all while Biden’s signature was deployed across thousands of documents to effect radical policy shifts.”

Trump also addressed the issue with the media, saying he found the use of the autopen “inappropriate,” even though previous administrations have used it in limited instances.

“Usually, when they put documents in front of you, they’re important,” Trump said.

“Even if you’re signing ambassadorships or — and I consider that important — I think it’s inappropriate.”

“You have somebody that’s devoting four years of their life or more to being an ambassador. I think that person deserves to get a real signature
 not an autopen signature.”

Please visit The Daily Fetched for more stories like this.

“You’re a Whack Job!”: John Kennedy Explodes at Democrat Witness During Heated Crypto Hearing
Democrats

“You’re a Whack Job!”: John Kennedy Explodes at Democrat Witness During Heated Crypto Hearing

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"You're a Whack Job!": John Kennedy Explodes at Democrat Witness During Heated Crypto Hearing

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) let loose on former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter during a Senate Banking Committee hearing meant to examine cryptocurrency legislation this week.

Painter, an outspoken critic of political campaign contributions from the cryptocurrency industry, took aim at lawmakers like Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), becoming the highlight of Wednesday’s confrontation.

“Mr. Painter, do you think Senator Gillibrand is a crook?” Kennedy asked bluntly at the start of a tense exchange.

“No, and I do not think all politicians are crooks,” Painter replied.

Kennedy pressed him further. “Then why did you call her a crook?”

“I did not call her a crook,” Painter responded.

As tensions flared, Kennedy referenced a tweet where Painter noted that Senator Gillibrand had received over $200,000 in crypto-related campaign donations.

“You tweeted that,” Kennedy said.

“And then you said, ‘The crypto industry is buying Congress and the White House. This won’t end well.’ Why do you think the crypto industry is buying Senator Gillibrand?”

Watch:

The hearing, which primarily focused on the proposed CLARITY Act — a bill designed to define regulatory jurisdiction over digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) — rapidly descended into personal accusations and name-calling.

The CLARITY Act originated in the House and is scheduled for a vote next week, where it is expected to pass.

The Senate is now playing catch-up after passing the GENIUS Act last month, which set a framework for stablecoin regulation.

Painter defended his comments, highlighting the influx of crypto money into politics.

“I said, look at the campaign contributions from this industry,” he said.

“There is a massive amount of campaign contributions coming into this Congress from the crypto industry.”

Kennedy fired back, “You think they’ve bought her?”

However, Painter refused to back down.

“Senator, you need to focus on this bill instead of trying to distort my Twitter.”

The argument appeared to spiral as Kennedy accused Painter of calling Gillibrand a crook and demanded an apology.

“Do you want to apologize to Senator Gillibrand?” Kennedy asked.

Painter snapped back.

“I do not, I want you to have to apologize for passing legislation that destroys our economy. You are distorting what I said, just like you did in the last hearing. You’re wasting everybody’s time, Senator.”

“You’re a whack job,” Kennedy then added.

“You are a next-level whack job!”

Please visit The Daily Fetched for more stories like this.


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