White House

Articles / Government / White House Trump’s executive order to protect the U.S. flag hits at heart of culture When is free expression a call to incite violence? The executive order puts limits on a 1989 Supreme Court ruling protecting flag burning as free speech, potentially setting the stage for legal arguments over First Amendment rights and a possible redo in the nation’s highest court. By: Following multiple cultural movements across the country that resulted in flag stomping and burning, President Trump signed an executive order on Monday protecting America’s most iconic and recognizable symbol: the American flag. “Our great American flag is the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States of America, and of American freedom, identity and strength,” the order states. Trump has a demonstrable affection for Old Glory. He has been photographed many times hugging the American flag, even kissing it, dating back to his first campaign. In June, he purchased and installed two large American flags on the White House property, one each on the south and north lawns.  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke to Just The News about the order: “He loves this country. He’s built his businesses here. His family’s done really well in this country. He knows the stakes that we’re in, protecting this country, and so, we’ve had men and women die for, you know, centuries to protect that flag and that freedom that flag represents. And I think you can see, you can see it when he talks about it. He believes in that.”  Context is everything The executive order instructs the Attorney General to aggressively pursue legal action against flag burning when it “incites violence or violates laws, such as disturbing the peace,” and imposes one-year of imprisonment without early release and permitting visa cancellation or deportation for foreign nationals who deface the flag under certain circumstances. Flag burnings have increased during major protests in the last decade. In August 2024, pro-Palestinian protesters burned an American flag outside the Democratic National Convention. In June 2020, in Portland, Oregon, demonstrators burned a U.S. flag after toppling a George Washington statue, and defaced flags with graffiti tied to racial justice during the George Floyd riots. In 2024, in Washington, D.C., pro-Palestine activists burned flags to protest U.S. policy in the Israel-Hamas conflict.  The Supreme Court ruled in 1989 in a 5-4 decision, that flag burning is protected as free-speech under the First Amendment in the landmark case Texas v. Johnson and reaffirmed in the Supreme Court case United States v. Eichman in 1990.  However, interpreting flag-burning as free speech continues to be called into question. The executive order does not make the act of burning the flag illegal in itself. A person could burn a U.S. flag in their own backyard and not run afoul of the law. But the circumstances in which flag-burning occurs — namely, incitement to violence — is the likely turning point for challenges to implementing the law. Clear and present danger A 1949 Supreme Court case, Terminello v. Chicago is particularly instructive. There, Arthur Terminiello, an anti-communist speaker, gave a speech in Chicago that offended various racial and political groups, including a hostile crowd that had gathered outside the auditorium to protest. The crowd reacted by throwing bottles and rocks, leading to riots, and Chicago police arrested Terminello because his speech allegedly incited unrest. The Supreme Court reversed his criminal conviction, holding that speech can only be restricted when it incites a “clear and present danger of immediate violence or substantial disorder,” not simply when it provokes controversy or anger. Where that line is drawn is not easily ascertainable.  Paxton believes that the Supreme Court did not get it right in Texas v. Johnson. “The reality is, the Supreme Court can change their mind.” History bears out Paxton’s point.  The court’s long history is dotted with rulings that would shock the conscience today, but were eventually reversed. In 1927’s Buck v. Bell, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Virginia’s forced sterilization law, allowing the state to sterilize individuals deemed “unfit” to reproduce. Perhaps the most notorious example of the Supreme Court “getting it wrong” was Dred Scott v. Sandford, where, in 1857, the court ruled that slaves were not citizens of the United States and, therefore, could expect no protection from the federal government or the courts, and that Congress had no authority to ban slavery from a Federal territory. That ruling was legislatively overturned with the enactment of the 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution. Citing the 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade as an example, Paxton said, “I think public sentiment was so involved in changing the minds of some of these justices. We have a completely different court that may have a different opinion on at least the scope of when you can burn a flag. Maybe there are some limitations, like if you’re inciting violence. All I’m saying is there have been plenty of cases they haven’t gotten right the first time that they have been undone in the future.” Although pundits on both sides of the aisle may generate noise about the order, it may in fact never reach the Supreme Court. Executive Orders, unlike laws passed by Congress, can be undone by a future president with the mere stroke of a pen. Given the length of time such cases take to wend through the legal system, a decisive argument may very well be moot. TOP STORIES Trump's executive order to protect the U.S. flag hits at heart of culture Cities across America would benefit from Trump's D.C.-style takeover Trump to make upgrades to White House, the first of this century Trump 2.0 White House hones messaging to challenge false stories, engage pop culture Critical Condition: America faces a supply chain crisis for basic drugs, and Trump wants to fix it LATEST EPISODES ‘SCOTUS didn’t get it right the first time,’ Texas AG Paxton backs Trump on flag burning executive order $7 Million Seized, No Charges Filed: A Shocking Story of One Family’s Fight Against Amazon & abuse by FBI, DOJ Amanda Head breaks down the latest headlines with Just The News reporters, Ben Whedon

Articles / Government / White House Cities across America would benefit from Trump’s D.C.-style takeover The Home Rule Act makes it possible for the use of federal troops to save D.C. It remains to be seen whether and how the Posse Comitatus laws can be managed to rescue other cities. By: When President Donald Trump announced on Monday a federal takeover of Washington and its D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, he did so after a wave of crime, particularly youth crime, that had plagued the city sporadically for decades. D.C. is not an isolated case, however. Dozens of Democrat-led cities across the country are experiencing the same epidemic of crime, and Trump hinted that other cities may undergo the same makeover to clean up their streets, reduce crime, and bring those formerly thriving metropolises to their shining glory. Trump told the press on Monday, “We’re not going to lose our cities over this. This will go further.” The federal takeover starts with D.C. but Trump said New York City could be next, followed by Chicago, Los Angeles, Baltimore and Oakland. Oakland ranks as the second-most dangerous city in the U.S. and Baltimore ranks fourth. While Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago did not currently make the list, pockets of those cities are far more dangerous than those currently ranked, such as the south side of Chicago. South Los Angeles, in municipalities like Inglewood and Compton, is notorious for gang-related crime. Posse Comitatus a legal barrier? Democrats decried the move and cited recent data that ostensibly showed a slight dip in crime. However, a D.C. Metro police commander, Michael Pullman, was suspended just months ago in May after being arrested for allegedly manipulating crime statistics. The suspension follows an internal investigation prompted by discrepancies in reported crime data. Nonetheless, 18 U.S. Code § 1385, known as the “Posse Comitatus Act” may be difficult to overcome. That law makes it illegal to use any part of the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, or the Space Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the law. Unlike the nation’s capital under the Home Rule Act, Trump lacks the unique federal authority over state jurisdictions that he has in D.C., unless specific legal exceptions like the Insurrection Act allow it. The Congressional Research Service has listed several of these legal exceptions. In 1996, Congress added authority for military assistance, including the provision of personnel and equipment, for the enforcement of laws prohibiting chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction. In 2015, Congress added authority for military assistance to the Department of Justice in the case of situations involving bombings of places of public use, government facilities, public transportation systems, and infrastructure facilities, including the use of ordinance disposal units. This authority, however, does not permit the military to make arrests, directly participate in searches or seizures, or collect intelligence for law enforcement purposes. Congress could pass legislation, such as an amendment to the Posse Comitatus Act or invoke the Insurrection Act, to explicitly authorize the use of federal military forces for domestic law enforcement in cities beyond D.C., thereby enabling Trump’s federalization plans. MS-13 and the Sinaloa Cartel were designated as “terrorist” organizations under the Trump administration’s first day of his second term in January 2025, and may give some leeway to fighting violent crime. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics reported in 2015 that 46% of prisoners in federal prison were there for drug-related crimes. Chicago Trump has one of his premier real estate properties in downtown Chicago, Trump International Hotel and Tower. Situated right off an artery of Lake Michigan, Trump has spoken often about the extreme levels of crime plaguing the city that have persisted since the days of Al Capone and “Bugs” Moran. In 2023, Chicago recorded 617 homicides, 23% higher than the 500 homicides in 2019. The homicide rate was roughly 23.3 per 100,000 residents, the second highest among major U.S. cities. A federal law-enforcement intervention in Chicago would likely see a robust influx of federal agents targeting violent crime and gang networks, partnering closely with local authorities. Agencies such as the FBI, DEA and ATF might set up operational hubs in high-risk areas like Englewood or Garfield Park, focusing on curbing the illegal gun trade and drug trafficking. While the Department of Justice would oversee coordination with the Chicago Police Department to share intelligence, potential friction over control could emerge. Los Angeles The City of Angels endures similar crime issues. Los Angeles reported 328 homicides in 2023, a rate of roughly 8.6 per 100,000 residents. This year-to-date, 158 homicides have occurred. To cure Los Angeles, a federal law-enforcement operation would likely concentrate on dismantling gang operations, human trafficking rings, and drug smuggling networks across the city’s over 500 square miles. Federal agents from agencies like Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals could establish task forces in areas such as South Los Angeles or the San Gabriel Valley, targeting entrenched criminal activity that most frequently involves sub-gangs of transnational criminal organizations like MS-13 and the Sinaloa Cartel. Collaboration with the Los Angeles Police Department and county sheriff’s office would be essential to navigate the city’s diverse communities and jurisdictional complexities. Engaging residents and building trust would likely require significant time and dedication due to Los Angeles’ experience with civil unrest, like the recent ICE raids and the infamous LA Riots in 1992. New York A federal law-enforcement surge in New York City would likely focus on countering terrorism, organized crime, and cyberthreats, reflecting the city’s role as a global economic powerhouse. However, recent crime numbers have damaged the city’s reputation as a tourist hub, with 386 homicides in 2023 and 188 in 2025 thus far. Agencies like the FBI, Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security might deploy to boroughs such as Manhattan or Brooklyn, working to disrupt financial crimes or international smuggling networks. While partnering with the NYPD to leverage the city’s advanced surveillance systems, federal operations could face resistance from local leaders protective of their autonomy. Community outreach in diverse areas like Queens or the Bronx could ease those concerns, but an historical distrust of law

Articles / Government / White House Trump to make upgrades to White House, the first of this century The Rose Garden renovation and new large-capacity ballroom will completely transform public events at the White House. By: During his first term in office and thus far in his second term, President Donald Trump, a builder-at-heart, has set forth in motion some of the most significant upgrades to the White House in decades. “He’s more well-qualified than any other president, save for Thomas Jefferson, who built Monticello. He was a builder as well,” presidential historian and author Craig Shirley told Just The News. “The improvements to the White House over the last 250 years…the White House is a metaphor for America. The White House is changing and improving over these 250 years.”  Reflecting on the connection between the nation’s transformations throughout history and the White House, Shirley said, “Whether it’s Manifest destiny or the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Civil War, Civil Rights or the space race, breakthroughs in science and medicine….technology….all these improvements, the White House has kept pace with its own improvements.”  Last week, the Trump administration announced in a press release that the White House would soon begin construction on a large ballroom on the property to accommodate more guests at state functions.  “The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance,” the administration said. 90,000 square feet, and room for 450 more guests “The White House State Ballroom will be a much-needed and exquisite addition of approximately 90,000 total square feet of innately designed and carefully crafted space, with a seated capacity of 650 people — a significant increase from the 200-person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House,” it went on. When the White House hosts large events, the organizers are forced to choose between installing white tents on the South Lawn, or hosting the event off of the White House grounds. At the height of seasons when Washington, D.C. summer days approach 100° and winter nights hover around freezing, the South Lawn isn’t a suitable option. “The Kremlin has big rooms for big receptions, Buckingham Palace has big rooms for big receptions, but the leader of the free world doesn’t have an adequate room for big events and state dinners,” Shirley said. Prior renovations and history The ballroom will augment the East Wing of the White House property, which was rebuilt in 1902, a significant renovation led by President Theodore Roosevelt. In that transformation, the White House underwent alterations into a more modern and functional space. This project, carried out by the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, included the construction of a new West Wing to house the President’s offices, relocating them from the second floor of the main residence. The renovation also modernized the interior and created more space for the President’s family and staff.   Roosevelt’s renovation was not the first time that the White House had been reconstructed. On August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812 between the United States and England, British troops entered Washington, D.C. and burnt the White House in retaliation for the American attack on the city of York in Ontario, Canada.  According to History.com, “When the British arrived at the White House, they found that President James Madison and his first lady Dolley had already fled to safety in Maryland. Soldiers reportedly sat down to eat a meal made of leftover food from the White House scullery using White House dishes and silver before ransacking the presidential mansion and setting it ablaze.”  It was not until 1817 that President James Monroe moved back into the reconstructed building. Critics politicize the modernization of “The People’s House” The new White House projects have drawn a fair amount of criticism, with Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, R-N.Y., taking swipes about the expenditure, failing to note that Trump and private donors will be footing most of the renovation bill.  Although ignored by Democrats eager to attack Trump on any matter, presidential historian Shirley noted the renovation’s long-term usefulness, telling Just The News that “Future presidents who are Democrats are going to use the ballroom too.” Additionally, the iconic Rose Garden, which is just off the east side of the Oval Office, is currently under renovation. The most significant change will be that the grass is being replaced by concrete slabs, which are much more suitable than grass for supporting women in high heels. The new additions and augmentations will not be solely on the taxpayers’ dime. On Wednesday, Trump posted on his Truth Social account that his first paycheck would be going to the project: “My first “Paycheck” went to the White House Historical Association, as we make much-needed renovations to the beautiful “People’s House.” Great improvements and beautification are taking place at the White House, at levels not seen since its original creation. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Since its construction in the late 1700s, each president has left a small imprint on the White House, but none as drastic as Trump in recent years. Former President George W. Bush made some technological upgrades. During the Bush administration, the White House adopted sustainable technology by installing three solar energy systems on its grounds in 2002. His presidency also enhanced e-government efforts, leveraging information technology to streamline and improve access to government services. During former President Barack Obama’s eight years, some small changes were made. Shortly after taking office in 2009, President Barack Obama had the White House tennis court on the South Lawn transformed by adding basketball lines and removable baskets to allow for full-court basketball games. This modification enabled him to play pickup games with staff, friends, and NBA stars, including a notable game for his 50th birthday in 2011 featuring players like LeBron James and Magic Johnson. During her tenure as First Lady, Michelle Obama promoted healthy lifestyles and nutrition for children. She launched the “Let’s Move!” initiative to

Articles / Government / White House Trump 2.0 White House hones messaging to challenge false stories, engage pop culture When faced with backlash by liberals, the new corporate policy seems to be, “no apology necessary.” By: There’s a notable and often youthful tone to the White House’s messaging on social media. During President Trump’s second term, his communications staff is focusing on countering misinformation from mainstream media and Democrats by utilizing the cultural zeitgeist to rally support for Trump’s policies. The frequent posts indicate a shift towards a bold, and often meme-centric, social media approach during Trump’s second term, sharply contrasting with the more reserved style of previous administrations, including his own first term. What initially seemed brash is now mainstream, allowing companies to go back to reliable forms of marketing: hot people selling products, without having to apologize.  Border hoaxes exposed The Department of Homeland Security has been very quick to dispel rumors that have gone viral on social media. A preponderance of these viral videos and memes are spreading disinformation and hoaxes that lead to fear and misconceptions about the department’s operations. On Sunday, the department posted a video on its X account in which it corrected the record first on, as Deputy Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis referred to it, the “Taco Bell Hoax.”  In July, a viral hoax spread via TikTok when immigration lawyer Trisha Chatterjee falsely claimed an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officer provided her with a Taco Bell phone number instead of the correct phone number providing assistance for her detained clients.  The Department of Homeland Security quickly debunked the story, labeling it a fabrication and confirming no such interaction occurred. DHS confirmed that she was provided multiple avenues to directly contact ICE to resolve any issues, but the lawyer made no attempt to contact the agency. Chatterjee, however, has since insisted that the incident was real, claiming it must have been a prank by an ICE officer. DHS’ Bis also addressed a viral video that asserts a conspiracy that Home Depot has a contract with DHS. In the video, Bis clarifies, “DH does not have a contract with Home Depot, and we certainly don’t notify businesses of targeted enforcement operations.” “This ridiculous claim is just another attempt to smear our brave ICE law enforcement, who are already facing an 830% increase in assaults against them.”  Bis also addressed members of Congress representing sanctuary cities across the country, who claimed they were denied entry into a Baltimore ICE facility. “This is outrageous. Here are the facts. If these members wanted a photo op with the criminal illegal aliens they support, they could have just scheduled a tour,” Bis said.  Culture-injected Border Patrol recruitment  Last week, the liberal social media universe sank even lower than usual, distributing videos describing American Eagle’s new ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney as “Nazi sh*t,” pushing eugenics in favor of white people, and glorified whiteness.  In the ad, Sweeney says, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue.” A narrator then says, “Sydney Sweeney has great genes.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection immediately jumped on the cultural hype and put out a recruitment video with a deep-voiced narrator who says, “Our horse patrol unit has great genes. Genes that can stand up to the most rugged rides. It’s not just what we wear every day. It’s in our DNA.” The Department of Defense also tapped into the hype with their own timely X post featuring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The post features a photo of Hegseth exiting a DOD aircraft wearing a blue blazer and jeans with the caption “@secdef [Hegseth] has great jeans.” White House capitalizing on culture  It’s not just federal agencies who are capitalizing on culture and the media; the White House itself is also getting in on the fun.  Last week, Trump signed an executive order to reinstate the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools, a program originally introduced in 1966 and phased out in 2012 under the Obama administration. The test, which includes exercises like a one-mile run, sit-ups, and pull-ups, aims to address concerns about childhood obesity and promote a culture of physical fitness, with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. overseeing its implementation.  High-profile figures from the sports world appeared in the Oval Office, including professional golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Annika Sorenstam, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor and WWE legend, Paul “Triple H” Levesque. Capitalizing further on the cultural momentum, the White House released a video featuring Paul “Triple H” Levesque performing his signature water-spitting fight entrance outside the White House, captioned “ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN,” and set to his theme song “The Game.”  In another nod to pop culture, following Trump’s trip to the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit in June, Secretary-General Mark Rutte referred to President Donald Trump as “daddy” in a lighthearted remark, responding to Trump’s analogy of Israel and Iran as fighting children by saying, “Daddy has to sometimes use strong language.”  Rutte later clarified he was not directly calling Trump “daddy” but using a metaphor for America’s role in NATO. However, the White House ran with it and posted a montage video of Trump’s NATO trip set to Usher’s 2010 song “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home),” captioned with lyrics “Daddy’s home… Hey, hey, hey, Daddy,” playfully referencing Rutte’s earlier “daddy” comment. Resulting cultural shift: “Being WOKE is for losers” Following Sweeney’s ad and the resulting backlash, one might have expected an apology from the company, American Eagle. However, not only did their subsequent statement on the frenzy not contain an apology, they upped their ad game and bought space on a wrap-around video billboard in Times’ Square featuring the ad campaign.  On Monday, Trump posted on his Truth Social account, “Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the “HOTTEST” ad out there…the jeans are “flying off the shelves.” Go get ‘em Sydney!…Being WOKE is for losers, being Republican is what you want to be.” Following the post American Eagle’s stock soared 25%.  Dunkin’ Donuts was part of the Sweeney tide’s ripple. The famous donut and coffee establishment

Articles / Government / White House Trump GDP, tariffs and inflation data defy doomsday predictions as critics soften Results of economic indices: Despite relentless skepticism, Trump’s economic policies are driving growth and winning over critics. By: The last few days mark a monumental “I told you so” moment for President Donald Trump’s economic policies. Surpassing expectations in consumer confidence, jobs, inflation, GDP and trade agreements, even some of Trump’s most virulent critics are reconsidering their hot takes. Revenues from tariffs hit $150 billion on Tuesday, sparking legislation by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. He introduced the “American Worker Rebate Act,” which would issue $600 rebate checks to eligible Americans, including their children, to offset any costs associated with higher prices caused by the tariffs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently estimated that tariff revenue could hit $300 billion by the end of the year and Trump expounded on the success of the tariffs when he told Just The News, “We’re taking in tremendous amounts of money. You saw that we had a $25 billion surplus last month. And the tariffs haven’t really started by comparison to what they will be. We’re doing them on cars right now, cars and steel, mostly, but the other ones kick in on August 1, and they’re very substantial.” Other nations that could be announcing trade deals with the United States include India and Vietnam. Trade deals happening Trump has now brokered important trade agreements with the United Kingdom, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and as of today, South Korea. However, the European Union trade agreement might be the most significant deal yet. Shanker Singham, who served as a cleared advisor to the United States Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce, spoke to Just The News about its importance. “Why the EU is significant is, it has been very, very difficult for the U.S. and the E.U. to agree on anything in the area of trade for decades,” he said. “There have been lots of attempts to do Trans-Atlantic Trade Agreements, to do the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. None of it has worked over the last 25 years. This is the first time that there’s been a deal of any kind, really, of this kind of level between the US and the EU,” Shanker continued. Consumer confidence rises The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose 2.0 points to 97.2 in July, exceeding economists’ expectations of 95.4, driven by a 4.5-point increase in the Expectations Index to 74.4. Despite doomsday rhetoric by Democrats, the new figures signal a decrease in pessimism about future economic conditions. Factors like expectations of business conditions, current conditions, expectations for employment and expectations for family income are factored into the index. GDP up by 3% The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.0% in Q2 2025, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, defying critics who predicted a slowdown due to President Trump’s tariff policies and global trade tensions. This growth, which was a sharp rebound from the alarming -0.5% contraction in Q1 2025, exceeded expectations of around 2% from sources like Investing.com, suggesting it was driven by a significant decrease in imports and a surge in consumer spending. Despite warnings from economists and business leaders about potential GDP shocks from tariffs, the economy’s resilience—bolstered by strong labor markets and consumer confidence—has contradicted forecasts of stagnation, with the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model aligning closely at 2.9%. An obstinate Fed’s refusal to adjust rates  Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced Wednesday that interest rates would remain at 4.50%, despite optimistic economic factors. “My colleagues and I remain squarely focused on achieving our dual mandate goals of maximum employment and stable prices for the benefit of the American people,” Powell said during a press conference. Powell has long held that his decision not to lower interest rates is out of an abundance of caution: “Despite elevated uncertainty, the economy is in a solid position, the unemployment rate remains low, and the labor market is at or near maximum employment. Inflation has been running somewhat above our 2% longer-run objective.” Trump criticized the decision Wednesday, telling the press, “Each point costs us $365 billion. We could save $365 billion. He’s done a bad job.” Critics soften, reconsider Comedian and talk-show host Bill Maher first hoped for a recession to hurt Trump’s reelection in 2020 and then again in April to change Trump’s tariff policies. He also declared that Trump’s tariffs are “a** backwards” and would “tank” the economy by Independence Day. Maher, like others, is now singing a very different tune. “The truth is, I don’t know what his strategy is. But look, the stock market is at record highs. I know not everybody lives by the stock market, but I also drive around,” he said on his Club Random podcast. “I don’t see a country in a depression at all. I see people out there just living their lives. And I would have thought — and I gotta own it — that these tariffs were going to f*cking sink this economy by this time — and they didn’t.” Kenneth Langone, billionaire and Home Depot co-founder, expressed reconsideration as well. Just months ago, Langone called tariffs “bullsh*t.” After Trump’s string of economic successes, Langone was unambiguous when he admitted he was wrong. The influential businessman told CNBC’s Squawk Box in July, “Look, let me tell you right now, I am sold on Trump. In fact, I’ll say this: I think he’s got a good shot at going down in history as one of our best presidents ever.” TOP STORIES Critical Condition: America faces a supply chain crisis for basic drugs, and Trump wants to fix it Trump GDP, tariffs and inflation data defy doomsday predictions as critics soften Biden’s unconstitutional free ride for student loan borrowers ends August 1 Hoaxes about ICE ‘disappearing’ illegals are widespread, as disinformation seeps into the news US Olympic Committee bends to Trump, bars trans athletes from women’s competition LATEST EPISODES Exposing the truth on foreign owned farmland, Russiagate, and school choice in order to rebuild America From Crisis to Control: How a broken VA is now harnessing patient‑generated data to tackle diabetes Medicare is a ‘ponzi scheme,’ Twila Brase exposes HIPPA lies, DNA harvesting & the war on medical

Articles / Government / White House Growing tariff revenues, court rulings raise hopes Trump could put U.S. on path to balanced budget Eliminating $2 trillion annual deficit would require increasing revenue, decreasing spending, or a combination of the two. By: Considered by some to be a pie-in-the-sky aspiration of fiscal conservatives, President Donald Trump is now raising hopes that he can use growing tariff revenues, rescission spending cuts and new court rulings shrinking government to put the nation on a path toward a long-elusive balanced budget. “I’m looking at these dollars every single day, and it’s an exciting time to make sure that we are taking a crack at this $37 trillion of debt that we’re placing on the back of our children and future generations,” Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., a House Appropriations Committee member, told Just the News on Tuesday. Letlow praised Trump for her rising enthusiasm, saying voters “have a president that is committed to making sure that we have an America that will prosper again. He is setting us on that course. He’s done it once before. He’s doing it again.” With the help of Vice President JD Vance, the Senate took a major step Tuesday night toward new spending cuts, advancing a rescissions package to trim $9 billion from the federal budget, including subsidies for National Public  Radio and PBS. The House has already approved the legislation. The courts are also empowering Trump to cut deeper with layoffs and restructuring of federal agencies. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in McMahon v. State of New York, lifting a lower court injunction that blocked Trump’s plan to lay off around 1,400 employees within the Department of Education. The ruling allows the Trump administration to proceed with planned mass layoffs, which had been halted by a federal judge in May. U.S. District Judge Myong Joun ruled that the layoffs, as part of an effort to dismantle the Department of Education, required congressional authorization and ordered the reinstatement of the fired workers. The Supreme Court disagreed and overturned the lower court’s decision. The Supreme Court also lifted a lower court order July 8 that blocked Trump’s executive order calling for large-scale reductions in the federal workforce, known as “reductions in force” (RIFs). The 6-3 decision, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting, allows the administration to resume its plans for mass layoffs across agencies like the Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services (HHS), Agriculture, State, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs. The Court stated that the administration was likely to succeed in arguing that the executive order and related memoranda were legal, though it did not rule on the ultimate legality of the layoffs. This decision was a significant step toward Trump’s goal of downsizing the federal bureaucracy, moving ever-closer to a balanced budget. The Supreme Court also ruled to allow the Department of Government (DOGE) to proceed with utilizing Social Security records to conduct its work of identifying and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. The decision allows DOGE to utilize sensitive records with fewer transparency requirements as it also seeks to downsize the federal government. Tariffs could greatly enhance the impact of government cuts proposed by the Trump administration and codified in the recently-passed “One Big, Beautiful Bill” with new revenues. As of July 1, the United States has reaped $106.1 billion dollars in tariff revenue. If the same pace and level of tariffs remain the same, that would translate to around $300 billion added to Treasury annually. Rescissions could also prove to be a fruitful way of clawing back tax dollars. Numerous members of Congress, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., have indicated that the $9 billion rescission package would be the “first of many,” possibly compounding savings for the American people. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who sits on the powerful Budget, Rules and Financial Services committees, told Just The News, “We’ve got a math problem in Congress. We spend too much. I hope we can keep them [rescission packages] coming and show the American people that since we have the House, the Senate and the White House, that we mean what we say, and we’re true conservatives. I’m excited about it.” Balancing the budget has been a clarion call for Republicans on the campaign trail and on the floor of Congress for decades, as fiscal conservatives try to get America’s spending under manageable control. Their detractors argue that strict adherence to a balanced budget can limit necessary investments or economic stimulus, especially during economic downturns like under former President Joe Biden. The fight for fiscal responsibility looms large for many because of the burden on future generations. The last time the federal government’s revenue matched its expenditures was in 2001 when the budget recorded a surplus of $128 billion. Trump will most assuredly have more battles ahead on Capitol Hill to get further rescission packages over the finish line. Republicans in both chambers will need substantially more intestinal fortitude to make that happen before next year’s midterm elections. But by padding the treasury with tariff revenue and decreasing the federal workforce, which subsequently reduces costs associated with payroll, resources and facilities, a balanced budget may be more than a pipe dream under Trump. 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