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Articles, Health, Politics & Policy

SNAP program rife with fraud, disparity and health issues for participants, government agencies say

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Articles / Health / Politics & Policy SNAP program rife with fraud, disparity and health issues for participants, government agencies say In the first quarter of 2024, nearly 177,000 fraud incidents were reported. The CDC noted that 2024-2025 data found that SNAP recipients continue to face disproportionately high rates of obesity and diabetes, particularly in low-income areas where participation exceeds 20% of households. By: The November 1 deadline looms as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are set to expire for roughly 42 million Americans. However, issues throughout the program have emerged and perhaps spurred by a tranche of viral videos — of uncertain origin — on social media, questions are being raised about how much of the program’s benefits go to those who truly need it. Pew Foundation’s numbers A Pew Research study published in 2023 found that in fiscal year 2021, approximately 41.5 million people, or 12.5% of the U.S. population, participated in the SNAP, down from a peak of 47.6 million in 2013. The program reached 22.9 million households, representing 17.3% of all U.S. households, with significant involvement of vulnerable groups. Nearly 17 million children (23% of all U.S. children), 9.4 million working-age adults with disabilities, and members of households with elderly individuals were among the participants. About 36% of SNAP households lived below the poverty line in 2021, with an average monthly benefit of $231 per person or $427 per household. Racially, 39% of participants were White, 26% Black, and 17% Hispanic (of any race), though participation rates were higher among Black (27%) and Hispanic (23%) individuals compared to Whites (8%). These figures highlight both the economic hardship addressed by SNAP and the program’s disproportionate role in supporting communities of color. Fraud throughout the program amounts to billions In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that 11.7 percent of SNAP benefits, amounting to approximately $10.5 billion, were paid out improperly, with fraud contributing to a portion of these losses through recipient and retailer violations. Every dollar of SNAP benefits lost to fraud generates an additional $3.72 in costs for agencies, primarily from identity fraud, account takeovers, eligibility misrepresentation, and EBT card trafficking. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, nearly 177,000 fraud incidents were reported across 46 states, with New York experiencing over 16,000 cases, often involving EBT card skimming and cloning. Despite a 350 percent increase in federal spending on retailer integrity and anti-trafficking efforts from 2012 to 2023, SNAP overpayment errors surged to over 10 percent by 2023, highlighting persistent challenges in curbing benefit fraud. State efforts to improve SNAP SNAP is a federal program funded entirely by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) However, administration of the program falls to the states even down to the local level, handling tasks such as determining eligibility, issuing benefits via EBT cards, processing applications, and conducting quality control reviews. The federal government sets the core rules, benefit levels, and funding, while states have flexibility in certain administrative procedures and may cover part of the administrative costs (typically split 50/50 with the federal government). This shared structure means that while fraud prevention policies are federally guided, states are primarily responsible for detecting, investigating, and addressing recipient and retailer fraud within their jurisdictions. Several states have successfully obtained USDA waivers to restrict the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing sugary drinks and candy, with Nebraska becoming the first, in May 2025, to ban soda and energy drinks, followed by approvals for Iowa, Indiana, and others that also prohibit candy and similar non-nutritious items. As of August 2025, a total of 12 states — including Arkansas, Idaho, Florida, Texas and West Virginia — have implemented or are set to implement these restrictions starting in 2026, aiming to promote healthier food choices amid concerns over chronic diseases like diabetes. SNAP doesn’t come without health issues  CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and U.S. Census Bureau data from 2024-2025 found that SNAP recipients continue to face disproportionately high rates of obesity and diabetes, particularly in low-income areas where participation exceeds 20% of households. For instance, in Staten Island’s highest-SNAP zip codes, obesity rates reach 35-40% and diabetes prevalence 14-18%, compared to borough-wide averages of 28% and 10%, respectively, illustrating how food insecurity amplifies these chronic conditions. The 2025 State of Obesity Report, drawing on 2024 CDC data, highlights that while overall adult obesity dipped slightly to 41.1% nationally, low-income groups reliant on SNAP programs like those in 19 states with rates over 35% bear the brunt, with calls for enhanced nutritional incentives to curb diabetes risks. Additionally, a 2023 NHANES analysis of low-income adults with type 2 diabetes (many SNAP-eligible) shows 63.4% obesity prevalence and 55% poor glycemic control, underscoring persistent links between program participation, socioeconomic stressors, and metabolic health disparities. Social stigma no more During the paper food stamp era, users reported enduring embarrassment at grocery checkouts, where clerks handled and sorted distinctive coupons in front of other shoppers, creating a sense of shame that kept many eligible people from signing up. Switching to EBT cards—indistinguishable from ordinary debit or credit cards and processed with a simple swipe—removed all outward signs of SNAP use, sparing recipients from judgment reportedly associated with food stamp use. Studies show this loss of visible stigma played a major role in the program’s rapid expansion, pushing average monthly participation from roughly 17 million in 2000 to more than 42 million by 2023. TOP STORIES In off-year elections, Republicans ignored major Trump wins that could’ve changed the night EPA chief says ‘the sky is the limit’ with Trump’s diplomatic deals on strategic minerals SNAP program rife with fraud, disparity and health issues for participants, government agencies say ‘No Kings’ protesters silent when Democrats rule as monarch Democrats panic over redistricting numbers with pivotal SCOTUS decision looming LATEST EPISODES Alfredo Ortiz: ‘If we can’t band together over key Main Street issues, we face a blue wave next year’ Housing First, Results Last: Why California’s Homelessness Crisis Keeps Growing Mark Finchem reacts to being named in Arctic Frost: ‘wanting fair elections made me a nat’l security threat?’ Restoring the American Dream: Property Rights,

America, Articles, Extremism

‘No Kings’ protesters silent when Democrats rule as monarch

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America / Articles / Extremism ‘No Kings’ protesters silent when Democrats rule as monarch A matter of projection: When anyone starts bleating about “dictatorship” they have to start with defining “regal” or “kinglike” actions, and look at the activity — and actions — of recent presidents to get a sense of perspective. By: Aseries of “No Kings” protests are touted to take place again on Saturday, representing yet another wave of organized objection from left-wing activists using the government shutdown to fill streets across the country. The same people aren’t so quick — or capable — of explaining away why they sat silent while President Joe Biden engaged in activities that clearly exceeded his executive authority. These protest gatherings, organized by groups like Indivisible and various labor unions, are working from a narrative of using patriotic rhetoric and symbolism to criticize President Donald Trump as a would-be monarch, ignoring how their history and demands for unchecked federal spending and censorship echo the very authoritarianism they decry. Executive Overreach on Student Loan Forgiveness Joe Biden’s push for widespread student loan forgiveness by fiat through executive action was seen by many as a king-like act, bypassing Congress and ignoring Supreme Court precedents to unilaterally erase billions in debt. Critics argued the move treated the executive branch as an unchecked sovereign, with edicts that exacerbated economic burdens on everyday Americans without approval from Congress. Furthermore, Biden attempted to forgive student loans from multiple programs by bypassing Congress altogether. Biden attempted to forgive — on his signature alone — up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for other borrowers earning less than $125,000 annually, using authority under the HEROES Act. The 2022 plan aimed to cancel roughly $400 billion in debt but was struck down by the United States Supreme Court in 2023 for exceeding executive authority. In what appeared to be further monarchical behavior in ignoring legal boundaries, Biden later pushed for alternative relief through the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, which faced similar legal challenges. Unilateral Immigration Enforcement Policies, Energy policies Biden’s early executive orders, like the 100-day deportation moratorium, were received by the same people complaining about Trump’s actions as regal decrees that, again, bypassed Congress’s role in establishing immigration policy. By selectively enforcing laws and expanding protections for illegal migrants, it appeared to be acting like a sovereign, granting sanctuary based on personal whim rather than statutory fidelity. This approach sparked border surges in the millions, the fallout of which the Trump administration is now dealing. A complicating result of Biden’s border crisis is currently playing out through the government shutdown as Democrats are pushing for $1.5 trillion in additional spending, including healthcare funding for illegal migrants who came into the country during the Biden administration, but were unilaterally deemed asylum-seekers. Biden’s first-day cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline and pause on new federal oil and gas leases were decried by conservative voices as monarchical edicts that disrupted industries without stakeholder or congressional input. These unilateral moves, framed as climate imperatives by the administration at the behest of the climate-change lobby, resembled a king’s abrupt dissolution of ventures and interests deemed unfit or misaligned with the Biden agenda. The resulting economic fallout reinforced perceptions that Biden ruled by proclamation, imposing these green mandates that had dire effects on the U.S. economy. What the protests may look like Americans can expect to see thousands take to the streets in locations across all 50 states, turning peaceful marches into chaotic spectacles that burden local law enforcement and disrupt everyday Americans trying to navigate traffic and get to work on a Saturday. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it a “Hate America” rally packed with radicals under the Antifa banner and pro-Hamas agitators, whose goal doesn’t appear to be democracy but sowing division to pressure Republicans into caving on shutdown talks. Previous ‘No Kings’ protests fizzled this summer, leaving only littered parks in their wake and few tangible policy results. TOP STORIES ‘No Kings’ protesters silent when Democrats rule as monarch Democrats panic over redistricting numbers with pivotal SCOTUS decision looming DOGE says that it has created $210 billion in taxpayer savings Top White House official hints Antifa could soon be designated foreign terror group: ‘Stay tuned’ Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd LATEST EPISODES Inside Operation Summer Heat: FBI Director Kash Patel on Crime, Counterintelligence & Accountability DOJ vs. Gun Owners: Why AG Pam Bondi Must Stop Fighting the Second Amendment From Columbus to Trump: How America’s Heritage Fuels Newfound Patriotism Virginia Lt. Gov. GOP Nominee: Jay Jones ‘revealed the violence problem that’s prevalent in Democrat Party’ Ex-US Attorney Bud Cummins: DOJ credibility ‘annihilated’ by Comey, McCabe, Obama-era elites, indictment is justified RELATED ARTICLES ‘No Kings’ protesters silent when Democrats rule as monarch Democrats panic over redistricting numbers with pivotal SCOTUS decision looming DOGE says that it has created $210 billion in taxpayer savings Top White House official hints Antifa could soon be designated foreign terror group: ‘Stay tuned’ Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’ How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government Fed rate cut makes minimal immediate impact, but long-term effects in question Trump visits a U.K. facing internal social, political turmoil with message of freedom, friendship

America, Articles, Elections, Politics & Policy

Democrats panic over redistricting numbers with pivotal SCOTUS decision looming

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Episodes Democrats panic over redistricting numbers with pivotal SCOTUS decision looming If all states redistrict to the extent allowable, Republicans stand to gain more than Democrats. By: Lawyers involved in a consequential case on election redistricting re-argued Louisiana v. Callais on Wednesday before the Supreme Court, whose ruling could set a landmark precedent for other states performing redistricting operations. Democrats and media organizations are using phrases like “gutting voting rights” to refer to the possible outcome of reshaping the application of the Voting Rights Act nationwide. The stakes of the case “are only heightened by the backdrop of this national gerrymandering crisis,” former Democratic Attorney General Eric Holder, who leads Democrats’ main redistricting arm, said ahead of the high court hearing, according to Politico “We’ve been in redistricting battles for a very long time,” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill told Just The News earlier this week. “And you know, most recently, we drew a map that the courts basically directed us to draw, reluctantly. We had been saying we didn’t think we could do this in a constitutional way. And they said, ‘Do it anyway.’” The landmark case, which was consolidated with Robinson v. Callais, challenges the constitutionality of Louisiana’s congressional redistricting map enacted as Senate Bill 8 following the 2020 Census. The map created a second majority-Black congressional district to comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting, but it faced lawsuits alleging unconstitutional racial gerrymandering under the Fourteenth Amendment. In January 2024, the Louisiana Legislature approved the new map during a special session to address prior court orders requiring fair representation for Black voters, who comprise about one-third of the state’s population. A three-judge federal district court panel ruled 2-1 in May 2024 that race had predominated in drawing the districts and blocked the map’s use, prompting direct appeals to the Supreme Court. Reality appears to be setting in for Democrats that when redistricting (or “gerrymandering” when it’s on the opposing side) is maxed out, Republicans gain more seats, some publications and networks are spiking the decibels of the alarm bells. “As I sat and listened to today’s oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais, I was reminded of just how much is at stake in our country’s democracy,” said Louisiana Democrat Rep. Cleo Fields. “This case marks a pivotal moment in not only Louisiana’s ongoing fight to protect fair representation, but states all across this nation as well. While I am cautiously optimistic following this morning’s hearing, we must remain vigilant and committed to defending the principles enshrined in Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.” Axios ran the Wednesday morning headline, “Louisiana’s Supreme Court case could gut Voting Rights Act,” fearmongering that “the case could end the legal basis minority voters use when challenging maps that dilute their political influence” and that it “could leave many places in the country without a remedy, even in extreme cases of racial discrimination and racial vote dilution,” according to Stuart Naifeh of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund. CNN on Wednesday discussed Democrats falling behind and warned its audience, “You go along in the states, Democrats run out of room. Republicans are able to gain plus seven House seats. That does not even take into account the potential gutting of the VRA before the Supreme Court.” The Supreme Court, weighted 6-3 conservative, opened with Chief Justice John Roberts expressing frank skepticism. He began the hearing by questioning the applicability of the Court’s 2023 Allen v. Milligan decision (a 5-4 ruling upholding VRA redistricting claims in Alabama, which he authored). He downplayed its precedent, noting it “took the existing precedent as a given” and subtly critiqued ongoing race-focused remedies as potentially indefinite, an argument that Justice Brett Kavanaugh also raised. Kavanaugh, whose swing vote upheld the VRA in 2023 (with a concurrence calling for temporal boundaries), pressed attorneys on whether race-based remedies should “carry on indefinitely.” He likened it to the Court’s 2023 affirmative action ban, suggesting perpetual racial considerations undermine equal protection. This hints at his potential shift, which could flip the 2023 outcome. TOP STORIES DOGE says that it has created $210 billion in taxpayer savings Top White House official hints Antifa could soon be designated foreign terror group: ‘Stay tuned’ Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’ How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown LATEST EPISODES Democrats panic over redistricting numbers with pivotal SCOTUS decision looming Inside Operation Summer Heat: FBI Director Kash Patel on Crime, Counterintelligence & Accountability DOJ vs. Gun Owners: Why AG Pam Bondi Must Stop Fighting the Second Amendment From Columbus to Trump: How America’s Heritage Fuels Newfound Patriotism Virginia Lt. Gov. GOP Nominee: Jay Jones ‘revealed the violence problem that’s prevalent in Democrat Party’ RELATED ARTICLES DOGE says that it has created $210 billion in taxpayer savings Top White House official hints Antifa could soon be designated foreign terror group: ‘Stay tuned’ Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’ How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government Fed rate cut makes minimal immediate impact, but long-term effects in question Trump visits a U.K. facing internal social, political turmoil with message of freedom, friendship Trump Agriculture Department funds Farm-to-School program at historic levels Ignored by media, enabled by Dems: how soft-on-crime policies unleashed murder of Ukrainian refugee

Accountability, Articles, Waste, Fraud, & Abuse

DOGE says that it has created $210 billion in taxpayer savings

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Accountability / Articles / Waste, Fraud, & Abuse DOGE says that it has created $210 billion in taxpayer savings Trump and Elon’s DOGE effort to reduce government costs, in conjunction with reducing the size of the workforce, fulfills — mostly — a campaign promise that many Americans were anxious to see implemented. The actual numbers can get complicated. By: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is touting that it has reached $214 billion in federal spending reductions as of October 4, according to its official website (doge.gov/savings). On the campaign trail in October 2024, when Musk announced his most ambitious target, stating that DOGE could reduce federal spending by “at least $2 trillion.” The actual savings has been a subject of considerable argument, with endless debate about economics and market forces, and the way they have been interpreted. The “Wall of Reciepts” The site breaks down savings from various categories like asset sales, contract and lease cancellations or renegotiations, fraud elimination, grant terminations, interest savings, programmatic changes, regulatory relief, and workforce reductions. Roughly 30% of this total is detailed in DOGE’s “wall of receipts,” which lists specific actions such as the termination of 13,440 contracts worth approximately $61 billion, 15,887 grants worth $49 billion, and 264 leases worth $113 million. The remaining savings are unitemized, with DOGE noting that full documentation is delayed due to regulatory requirements and lags in public databases like the Federal Procurement Data System. DOGE’s milestones show a progression from $55 billion in February 2025 to $105 billion in March, $150–160 billion in April, $180 billion in June, and $214 billion by October, but these figures are debated due to inconsistencies with public financial data. Since its Inauguration Day establishment on January 20, via President Trump’s executive order, DOGE has focused on reducing federal spending and restructuring operations. As a means of keeping a major campaign promise, Trump’s DOGE has targeted more than $1 billion in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) contracts for elimination and prioritized updates to outdated IT systems by hiring specialized engineers. The department has also offered buyouts to reduce the size of the federal workforce and initiated reviews of agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Department of Education to address inefficiencies. Largest voluntary reduction of workforce in modern times Approximately 154,000 federal employees have taken the buyout offers from the Trump administration’s “Fork in the Road” deferred resignation program. This includes an initial round where about 75,000 accepted the buyout in February, plus follow-up offers that brought the total to 154,000 by June, with most separations finalized by September 30, 2025. This is the largest voluntary workforce reduction in modern U.S. history, Newsweek reported. The program, run through the Office of Personnel Management and tied to DOGE, offered up to eight months of pay and benefits in exchange for resigning, aiming to cut the civilian federal workforce of around 2.3 million by about 6.7%. It faced legal challenges from unions but was upheld, and the Office of Personnel Management called it a “dignified and generous departure.” Furthering the Trump administration’s taxpayer savings efforts, Trump’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russ Vought, is seizing the opportunity of the government shutdown to initiate reduction-in-force (RIF) operations. Vought has begun the process of terminating thousands of federal workers amid the government shutdown that started October 1. On October 10, Vought posted on X, stating, “The RIFs have started.” A subsequent court filing on October 11 detailed over 4,000 job cuts across agencies such as Homeland Security, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, and Treasury. These layoffs stem from a September directive from Vought, instructing agencies to eliminate positions tied to programs misaligned with the President’s agenda, moving beyond typical temporary furloughs. Democrats and unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees, are challenging the dismissals in court, arguing they violate the Antideficiency Act and the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act. TOP STORIES DOGE says that it has created $210 billion in taxpayer savings Top White House official hints Antifa could soon be designated foreign terror group: ‘Stay tuned’ Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’ How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown LATEST EPISODES DOJ vs. Gun Owners: Why AG Pam Bondi Must Stop Fighting the Second Amendment From Columbus to Trump: How America’s Heritage Fuels Newfound Patriotism Virginia Lt. Gov. GOP Nominee: Jay Jones ‘revealed the violence problem that’s prevalent in Democrat Party’ Ex-US Attorney Bud Cummins: DOJ credibility ‘annihilated’ by Comey, McCabe, Obama-era elites, indictment is justified SC Congressman Ralph Norman: Democrats are driving the shutdown while Republicans fight for fiscal sanity RELATED ARTICLES DOGE says that it has created $210 billion in taxpayer savings Top White House official hints Antifa could soon be designated foreign terror group: ‘Stay tuned’ Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’ How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government Fed rate cut makes minimal immediate impact, but long-term effects in question Trump visits a U.K. facing internal social, political turmoil with message of freedom, friendship Trump Agriculture Department funds Farm-to-School program at historic levels Ignored by media, enabled by Dems: how soft-on-crime policies unleashed murder of Ukrainian refugee

Articles, Government, White House

Top White House official hints Antifa could soon be designated foreign terror group: ‘Stay tuned’

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Articles / Government / White House Top White House official hints Antifa could soon be designated foreign terror group: ‘Stay tuned’ Antifa became a household topic when their movement produced violence across multiple U.S. cities, resulting in death, destruction and mayhem. By: President Donald Trump may soon designate Antifa a foreign terrorist group, upgrading it from a domestic terrorist organization, which would provide a vast array of additional resources, funding and enforcement mechanisms. “A whole panoply of tools, a whole toolbox opens up with the FTO (foreign terrorist organization) designation for terrorist organizations — tools that sit under [Treasury Secretary] Scott Bessent’s control at Treasury and under Marco [Rubio], dual-hatted as the Secretary of State,” Dr. Sebastian Gorka, the White House’s top counterterrorism official, told Just The News. When asked whether Trump may soon designate Antifa a foreign terror group, Gorka expressed confidence that a decision was near. “Antifa has been an international terrorist organization since its inception in Germany shortly after World War I,” he said. “So this isn’t just about something happening on the street in Portland. This is about an international network, an internationally funded network, of those trying to undermine Western civilization and our Constitution also. Let me just say, stay tuned.” Antifa’s foreign roots, funding Trump hinted at the designation change on Wednesday at the White House during a townhall discussion with journalists who have extensively covered Antifa’s riots and destruction. Responding to a member of the White House pool about whether he would upgrade Antifa’s designation to FTO, Trump answered, “Well, has that been done? Pretty close, right?” Trump emphasized the change, telling Secretary of State Marco Rubio, “We’ll take care of it.” Speaking about the gravity of such a galvanic change in the handling of Antifa by Trump, Gorka said, “It’s an incredible explosion of statecraft tools that is provided with the FTO designation. So whether it’s al Qaeda or Antifa, it provides us a lot of additional tools, and that’s why the president’s decision is so very, very important. Gorka, who serves as Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, said the government has the power “not just to sanction individual organizations, to go after them, but it’s also individuals or those who assist the terrorists, to give them succor, aid, training, financing.” The FTO designation effectively serves as a ban on the organization, making it unlawful for anyone in the United States to knowingly supply material support or resources to the designated entity. Antifa has operated on U.S. soil for at least a half-century, with a resurgence of activity occurring in the 2010s. As an organized far-left activist movement which claims to oppose fascism, the group has been connected to violent incidents during protests, often involving violence through property destruction, attacks on law enforcement, and clashes with right-wing groups, according to studies by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Anti-Defamation League. Antifa merely an “idea,” Democrat insists Aligning with left-wing ideology, many Democrats have referred to Antifa as a nebulous, spontaneous movement, with former President Joe Biden notoriously referring to it as “an idea, not an organization.” However, according to the Government Accountability Institute’s Director of Research Seamus Bruner, “Antifa isn’t a spontaneous movement, it’s a coordinated network with funding that traces back to powerful interests at home and abroad.” Bruner, who is the bestselling author of Controligarchs, discusses his organization’s study into Antifa and warned, “Our research shows the same dark-money and nonprofit structures bankrolling US protest movements are also enabling Antifa-aligned groups overseas. A foreign terror designation could finally expose these global funding pipelines.” Biden isn’t the only Democrat who has downplayed Antifa’s existence and violent impact domestically. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler referred to Antifa as a “myth” that “does not exist” in 2020, effectively dismissing reports of its involvement in violent protests and providing political cover for its actions. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has been accused of enabling Antifa through lax enforcement and coordinated responses that prolonged unrest in Portland, allowing the group to act as informal shock troops against conservative events without significant repercussions. Vice President Kamala Harris indirectly supported Antifa-linked Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 by promoting a bail fund for those arrested during Black Lives Matter demonstrations, where Antifa militants were often involved in the violence. In 2017, violent confrontations erupted in Charlottesville, Virginia, during the “Unite the Right” rally, where Antifa counter-demonstrators fought with conservative supporters of the cause, resulting in injuries and one death caused by a vehicle attack. During a boiling point of political tensions in Portland, Oregon, the Democrat-led city became the focal point of unrest from 2017 to 2020, with Antifa-linked Black Lives Matter protests leading to over 100 nights of chaos, including fires, vandalism of federal property, and assaults on police with rocks and lasers. In Seattle’s 2020 “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,” also known as CHAZ or CHOP (Capitol Hill Organized Protest), Antifa-affiliated groups were implicated in armed patrols and violent incidents, contributing to two still-unsolved deaths, based on local law enforcement accounts. From 2021 to 2023, violence decreased but continued in events like the Atlanta “Cop City” protests, where Antifa-linked individuals used Molotov cocktails and sabotage against construction sites, injuring officers and prompting federal charges. In 2024 and 2025, Antifa’s activities during election-related rallies in cities like Minneapolis and Berkeley involved minor disruptions, with no major casualties but ongoing scrutiny from the FBI and law enforcement. TOP STORIES Top White House official hints Antifa could soon be designated foreign terror group: ‘Stay tuned’ Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’ How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown ‘Charlie Kirk effect’ in full force as voters register Republican in large numbers LATEST EPISODES From Columbus to Trump: How America’s Heritage Fuels Newfound Patriotism Virginia Lt. Gov. GOP Nominee: Jay Jones ‘revealed the violence problem that’s prevalent in Democrat Party’ Ex-US Attorney Bud Cummins: DOJ credibility ‘annihilated’ by Comey, McCabe, Obama-era elites, indictment is justified SC Congressman Ralph Norman: Democrats are driving the

America, Articles, Sports

Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd

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America / Articles / Sports Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd Having it both ways? The NFL scaled back its most obvious displays of “wokeness,” but the evidence indicates the football league hasn’t left it behind at all. By: Amid ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) actions ramping up in major cities like Chicago and Portland, the National Football League (NFL) announced that Spanish-language-crooning Puerto Rican and Trump-critic “Bad Bunny” will be 2026’s Super Bowl halftime performer. At odds are President Donald Trump’s stance on immigration and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision to give a global platform for “Bad Bunny,” whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. The announcement may seem strange in light of the NFL appearing to return to its original non-woke values. However, the departure from woke causes like DEI, BLM and LGBTQ may not have been genuine. Ocasio is from Puerto Rico, and thus not an illegal immigrant, although he has expressed fears that his fans will be targeted for arrest by ICE. The NFL’s “woke” history Super Bowl LX, in host city Santa Clara, California, will take place at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026, a little over a year since Trump signed his Inauguration Day executive order entitled, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” targeting the illegal immigration crisis that percolated under former President Joe Biden. In 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem before games, a move many Americans viewed as disrespectful to the American flag and military veterans. His protest, ostensibly to highlight racial injustice, led other NFL players to join in, prompting widespread anger from fans who felt the league was allowing divisive political activism to overshadow sports. The controversy sparked boycotts and a drop in NFL viewership, as critics argued the organization was endorsing anti-American sentiments. After opting out of his 49’ers contract in March 2017, Kaepernick went unsigned by any NFL team, effectively ending his playing career. While the controversy disappeared with his departure, the NFL neither sanctioned Kaepernick nor imposed any guidelines barring such behavior. Kneeling and appealing Following the 2016-2017 Kaepernick fiasco, protests erupted in the summer of 2020 amid violent nationwide Black Lives Matter (BLM) riots after the police-custody death of George Floyd. This time, rather than individual player actions, the backlash from Americans targeted the league’s public pivot toward progressive causes, including Commissioner Roger Goodell’s public statement on racism (“We, the NFL, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black people”). Protests intensified in late May 2020, with Goodell’s video statement released on June 5. By Week 1 of the 2020 season (September 10), nearly every team participated in pre-game protests—players, coaches, and even owners linking arms or kneeling. NFL fans were subjected weekly throughout the season to league-wide kneeling during the anthem and visible on-field messaging like “End Racism” and “It Takes All of Us” paraphernalia and decals in end zones. In the wake of the Kaepernick and BLM controversies, the NFL came under fire nearing the 2023 season when fans learned that the league had expanded its “Rooney Rule“, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching positions and other senior roles, going so far as to offer draft pick incentives to teams that developed minority coaches. The league also pushed into “Inspire Change” program which funds community diversity initiatives. As such, the NFL has not fully departed from its social justice or “woke” initiatives as of October 6, 2025, but its approach has evolved, with some scaling back of overt messaging in response to fan and political pressure, creating a perception of retreat without a complete abandonment. Here’s a breakdown of the trajectory and whether it “seems” like a departure: The NFL has consistently maintained its “Inspire Change” program, launched in 2017, with over $350 million committed to social justice causes by 2025, including grants for criminal justice reform and education equity (per NFL.com). End-zone slogans like “End Racism” and “It Takes All of Us” have appeared every year since 2020, including the 2025 season, despite boycott threats. Performances of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (the “Black national anthem”) have continued at major NFL events like the Draft and season openers. TOP STORIES Top White House official hints Antifa could soon be designated foreign terror group: ‘Stay tuned’ Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’ How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown ‘Charlie Kirk effect’ in full force as voters register Republican in large numbers LATEST EPISODES From Columbus to Trump: How America’s Heritage Fuels Newfound Patriotism Virginia Lt. Gov. GOP Nominee: Jay Jones ‘revealed the violence problem that’s prevalent in Democrat Party’ Ex-US Attorney Bud Cummins: DOJ credibility ‘annihilated’ by Comey, McCabe, Obama-era elites, indictment is justified SC Congressman Ralph Norman: Democrats are driving the shutdown while Republicans fight for fiscal sanity Amanda Head is unfiltered: What it’s REALLY like covering President Trump’s Admin. from inside the White House RELATED ARTICLES Top White House official hints Antifa could soon be designated foreign terror group: ‘Stay tuned’ Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’ How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government Fed rate cut makes minimal immediate impact, but long-term effects in question Trump visits a U.K. facing internal social, political turmoil with message of freedom, friendship Trump Agriculture Department funds Farm-to-School program at historic levels Ignored by media, enabled by Dems: how soft-on-crime policies unleashed murder of Ukrainian refugee Trump administration wants to revolutionize AI’s integration into education with ‘watchful guidance’

Articles, Government, White House

WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’

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Articles / Government / White House WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’ It’s OK to kill a Nazi? Violence against ICE facilities has escalated tensions around immigration enforcement, endangered lives and has prompted heightened security measures for law enforcement. That hasn’t stopped Democratic leaders from using language that assailants say justifies violence. By: The White House on Friday made clear that sending federal troops to U.S. cities is, in large part, a response to the broader trend of local law enforcement not doing enough to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. In a response to queries from Just The News, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “The law enforcement that we have here and the Homeland Security task force, I spoke with them this morning, and what they’re seeing is that, unfortunately, local police have been restricted from responding or cooperating at all with federal authorities which his completely absurd.” Leavitt’s remarks follow a particularly turbulent night in Oregon which saw tensions spill over at a protest outside the ICE facility in South Portland, with Portland Police Bureau officers overseeing the scene and only intervening after several physical altercations broke out among demonstrators. October 1 was reportedly the 100th night of such violence. Leavitt went on to say that “We have surged federal law enforcement personnel to this city [Oregon] to restore law and order and to work alongside local law enforcement. And we’ve seen the benefits of this in Washington DC […] Washington, D.C. is and feels much safer because of the cooperation between federal and local law enforcement.” ICE under attack nationwide The incident in Portland is one of many such incidents, most recently in Dallas. On September 24, 29-year-old Joshua Jahn carried out a sniper attack from a nearby parking structure on an ICE facility in Dallas, firing high-powered rounds that killed two detained immigrants and critically injured a third, who was shot eight times. The local Fox News affiliate KDFW reported that Jahn left notes saying that “he wanted to terrorize ICE.” Jahn had reportedly planned the assault for months using apps to track ICE agents and left notes expressing hatred for the federal government and a desire to “cause terror,” He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a standoff with law enforcement. FBI Director Kash Patel said that “One of the unspent shell casings recovered was engraved with the phrase ‘ANTI ICE’” and added that “it has to end.” Apple has removed ICEBlock and similar apps that allow people to alert others nearby about sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in their area, according to CNN, but it’s a move that comes too late for victims of anti-ICE violence, some of whom were the very people that the assailants purportedly spoke for. Democrats insist on demonizing ICE, winking at violence The incidents of violence against ICE agents come at the same time as Democrats like California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, have sharply criticized ICE, using terms like “secret police,” a reference to Adolf Hitler’s Gestapo. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., has referred to ICE as “kidnappers” and has called them a “terrorist force.” “I have no rhetoric that I regret. Nothing that I have said is rhetoric that incites violence. All of it is about what is actually happening,” Jayapal told ABC News. The list of Democrats using fiery rhetoric and hyperbole is extensive. Illinois’ Democratic governor, Gov. JB Pritzker claimed the country is becoming “Nazi Germany” because ICE is “grabbing people off the street […] and disappearing them.” Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, referred to ICE agents as “thugs.” Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said ICE agents are “vile and beyond cruel,” and that the agency should be abolished. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said it was his “priority” to ensure ICE agents “are no longer faceless,” comparing them to “some 1800s bank robber or some KGB officer in Russia.” Reinforcing the need for coordination between local and federal law enforcement, including ICE officers, Leavitt urged, “They can and must be working together, and we think it’s despicable that these local elected officials who swear an oath to their people are preventing law enforcement from doing their jobs on the ground.” “If the mayor of Portland were to call him [Trump] and say, ‘Mr President, please help us,’ I’m sure the president would be willing to do that. He is genuinely serious about wanting to restore order in America’s cities, but it’s become apparent that the local and elected officials in Oregon do not feel the same and that’s very unfortunate for the people who live there.” TOP STORIES Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’ How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown ‘Charlie Kirk effect’ in full force as voters register Republican in large numbers Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government LATEST EPISODES Ex-US Attorney Bud Cummins: DOJ credibility ‘annihilated’ by Comey, McCabe, Obama-era elites, indictment is justified SC Congressman Ralph Norman: Democrats are driving the shutdown while Republicans fight for fiscal sanity Amanda Head is unfiltered: What it’s REALLY like covering President Trump’s Admin. from inside the White House EXPOSED: How millions of ineligible voters stayed on California rolls & how activists are cleaning up elections Pregnant women should be trusted to make decisions, don’t need noble lies from gov’t or maker of Tylenol RELATED ARTICLES Despite appearances, the NFL still pays lip service to ‘woke’ crowd WH Press Secretary Leavitt says Democrats’ language attacking ICE is ‘despicable’ How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government Fed rate cut makes minimal immediate impact, but long-term effects in question Trump visits a U.K. facing internal social, political turmoil with message of freedom, friendship Trump Agriculture Department funds Farm-to-School program at historic levels Ignored by media, enabled by Dems: how soft-on-crime policies unleashed murder of Ukrainian refugee Trump administration wants to revolutionize AI’s integration into education

Articles, Congress, Government

How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown

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Articles / Congress / Government How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown The “Schumer Shutdown”: A government shutdown could disrupt essential services, delay federal payments and even destabilize the economy, but Democrats hell-bent on obstructing Trump may be to blame if their refusal to compromise on budget negotiations leads to the failure to pass a funding bill. By: As the September 30 deadline for federal funding looms, Congress remains deadlocked on a continuing resolution (CR) to keep government agencies operational. However, unlike years past when Democrats successfully messaged on a “Republican-led shutdown,” it might be harder to pass off the blame this time around. House Republicans have already proposed a temporary funding extension through mid-November. In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, it incorporated $58 million for heightened security measures for Congress, the Judiciary, and Executive Branch officials, but the plan faces intransigence from Democratic Party leaders. Trump: Democratic demands “unserious and ridiculous” Democrats’ demands include: $1 trillion for free healthcare for illegal immigrants; allowing men to play in women’s sports; and taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries for minors. That proposal can be read as inapposite of the voters’ mandate on these social and economic issues, which propelled Trump to crush Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in last year’s election. Trump last Tuesday rejected a sit-down that the White House had agreed to a day before with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. It would have been the first time the Republican president met with the Democratic Party’s leaders since his return to the White House, reported the Associated Press. Trump posted to his Truth Social account, saying “After reviewing the details of the unserious and ridiculous demands being made by the Minority Radical Left Democrats in return for their Votes to keep our thriving Country open, I have decided that no meeting with their Congressional Leaders could possibly be productive.” Senators ready to work on bipartisan appropriations bills Further enforcing the “it’s not me, it’s you” narrative from Republicans, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said, “The House has acted. The president’s ready to sign the bill. We’ve got the appropriations committee and a lot of senators who are ready to go to work to pass bipartisan appropriations bills […] In order to do that, Democrats have to take ‘yes’ for an answer.” The first attempted short-term funding package sailed through the House of Representatives with ease. However, Senate Democrats, with the help of Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska., formed a legislative brick wall. One Democrat senator, John Fetterman, R-Pa., voted with Republicans. Separate legislation by Senator Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., could also point shutdown blame at Democrats. On September 15, Johnson proposed the Eliminate Shutdowns Act (S. 2806), which, if passed, would avert government shutdowns by automatically enacting temporary funding extensions at the previous year’s levels until Congress passes full appropriations. The legislation, inspired by Johnson’s prior bipartisan work like the 2019 Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, would provide two-week funding continuations to reduce budget uncertainty and political brinkmanship. Johnson: “Government funding is completely out of control” Johnson spoke to Just The News and said that during his tenure on Capitol Hill, there have been three government shutdowns, 55 continuing resolutions, 12 suspensions or increases in the debt ceiling, and ballooned the national debt from $14 trillion to $37 trillion. “The federal government funding is completely out of control, and there’s a simple solution in terms of at least ending a part of that dysfunction, just passing a bill that would automatically fund the government in rolling two-week continuing resolutions,” he said. If Democrats oppose Johnson’s bill, they risk being blamed for any resulting disruptions due to their refusal to support a measure designed to maintain uninterrupted federal operations. Johnson cautioned, “We’ll see exactly who votes against this. We’ll see exactly who wants a shutdown for political advantage. It’s not Republicans.” The Senate also rejected a Democratic plan 47-45, along party lines, with seven Republicans missing the vote. In-person negotiations came to a halt as lawmakers departed Washington for a week to observe the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. They are expected to return with just two working days remaining before the funding deadline. TOP STORIES How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown ‘Charlie Kirk effect’ in full force as voters register Republican in large numbers Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government Fed rate cut makes minimal immediate impact, but long-term effects in question Trump visits a U.K. facing internal social, political turmoil with message of freedom, friendship LATEST EPISODES Pregnant women should be trusted to make decisions, don’t need noble lies from gov’t or maker of Tylenol New Film Friday: Conflict & the Battle for Israel, Dinesh D’Souza unveils “The Dragon’s Prophecy” Tylenol risks, ICE shooting & Bolton’s Classified Case: Just The News reporters present today’s headlines Congressman Fine celebrates Trump’s tariff triumphs, also says “we’ve got a Muslim problem in America” From Jimmy Kimmel to Charlie Kirk: This episode exposes double standards & political persecution RELATED ARTICLES How Trump can navigate budget negotiations to avert government shutdown Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government Fed rate cut makes minimal immediate impact, but long-term effects in question Trump visits a U.K. facing internal social, political turmoil with message of freedom, friendship Trump Agriculture Department funds Farm-to-School program at historic levels Ignored by media, enabled by Dems: how soft-on-crime policies unleashed murder of Ukrainian refugee Trump administration wants to revolutionize AI’s integration into education with ‘watchful guidance’ Illinois State House Minority Leader: Chicagoans are crying for help Trump strikes skeptical tone on his own Covid vaccine record, policies Trump may be reassembling the way college athletes do — or don’t — get paid

Elections, Politics & Policy

‘Charlie Kirk effect’ in full force as voters register Republican in large numbers

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Elections / Politics & Policy ‘Charlie Kirk effect’ in full force as voters register Republican in large numbers The surge in GOP voter registrations strengthens Republican momentum in key swing states ahead of the 2026 midterms. By: On Sunday, as tens of thousands of mourners filled State Farm Arena in Glendale, Arizona, for a memorial service for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, voter registration tables at the event were inundated with future voters. The massive event doubled as a tribute to Kirk’s lifelong focus on conservative activism and youth outreach. In line with his legacy, voter registration booths staffed by Turning Point volunteers were set up inside the stadium, drawing significant participation. 200,000 to 300,000 attendees, many register to vote Turning Point USA has not published official voter registration data. However, approximately 200,000 people registered for tickets for the memorial in advance and estimates report that there were 200,000 to 300,000 with overflow. On-site law enforcement corroborated these estimates. Given the scale of attendance, that could translate to thousands of new registrations, given the crowd size and focus on unregistered conservatives (roughly 30% of U.S. Christians are unregistered, a group Kirk spent significant time and treasure to engage). Recent data show GOP voter registration gains in key states like Pennsylvania, where Republicans clocked in at +3,022 net in the days following Kirk’s assassination (week ending September 22). This included 1,756 Democrat-to-Republican switches. Additionally, North Carolina and Arizona both outpaced prior months and linked the surge directly to the assassination and memorial. The “Charlie Kirk Effect” Matt Margolis of PJ Media remarked that “Some on the left celebrated the attack.” That reaction has now triggered what’s being called the “Charlie Kirk effect,” a historic wave of Democrats abandoning their party and joining the GOP. On Sunday, Kirk’s wife, Erika, publicly forgave her husband’s alleged killer. By contrast, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told CNN viewers that if his party regains power, they will use the government to go after anybody “doing the bidding of the Trump administration.” Democrats losing on the economy, immigration and crime CNN’s Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten broke down numbers from a new Washington Post/IPSOS poll showing that Democrats are underwater on three major issues: the economy, immigration and crime. When asked which party is trusted more on the economy, Republicans had a seven-point lead. On immigration, an issue for which Democrats have demonized the Trump administration, Republicans are up by 13 points. California’s Democratic Speaker of the California State Assembly recently referred to ICE agents as “secret police.” As for crime, blue-city mayors and sanctuary state governors are under investigation for allegedly trying to falsify crime data in opposition to Trump’s utilizing the National Guard in several cities. Independent voters are tilting to GOP as well Independents in the poll favored Republicans by one point on the economy, ten points on immigration and 21 points on crime. He also reflected on the same poll leading into the 2022 midterm elections, which resulted in a 12-point lead on the economy for Republicans, a three-point lead for Republicans on immigration. On crime, Republicans saw a 13-point lead. “At this particular point, the ball may be on the ground, but the Democrats have not picked up the ball and run with it. If anything at this particular point, it’s the Republicans who are running with the ball on the top issues of the economy, immigration and crime,” Enten said. TOP STORIES ‘Charlie Kirk effect’ in full force as voters register Republican in large numbers Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government Fed rate cut makes minimal immediate impact, but long-term effects in question Trump visits a U.K. facing internal social, political turmoil with message of freedom, friendship Trump Agriculture Department funds Farm-to-School program at historic levels LATEST EPISODES Pregnant women should be trusted to make decisions, don’t need noble lies from gov’t or maker of Tylenol New Film Friday: Conflict & the Battle for Israel, Dinesh D’Souza unveils “The Dragon’s Prophecy” Tylenol risks, ICE shooting & Bolton’s Classified Case: Just The News reporters present today’s headlines Congressman Fine celebrates Trump’s tariff triumphs, also says “we’ve got a Muslim problem in America” From Jimmy Kimmel to Charlie Kirk: This episode exposes double standards & political persecution RELATED ARTICLES Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government Fed rate cut makes minimal immediate impact, but long-term effects in question Trump visits a U.K. facing internal social, political turmoil with message of freedom, friendship Trump Agriculture Department funds Farm-to-School program at historic levels Ignored by media, enabled by Dems: how soft-on-crime policies unleashed murder of Ukrainian refugee Trump administration wants to revolutionize AI’s integration into education with ‘watchful guidance’ Illinois State House Minority Leader: Chicagoans are crying for help Trump strikes skeptical tone on his own Covid vaccine record, policies Trump may be reassembling the way college athletes do — or don’t — get paid Trump’s executive order to protect the U.S. flag hits at heart of culture

Articles, Politics & Policy

Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government

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Articles / Politics & Policy Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government The Convention of States would allow states to propose constitutional amendments to limit federal power, potentially reshaping the balance of governance in the U.S. By: The Convention of States (COS) Action hosted its annual national conference this weekend in Indianapolis, as calls to rein in expansive federal spending, term limits and the power of the federal government have not subsided, despite President Donald Trump’s mandate to do so. The Convention of States, driven by Citizens for Self-Governance, is a grassroots effort to utilize Article V of the U.S. Constitution to convene a limited state convention. It enables delegates to propose amendments targeting federal fiscal restraint, reduced government authority, and term limits for Congress and officials. Meckler: “The future of the country is at stake” To initiate the convention, 34 states (two-thirds) must pass resolutions. Any proposed amendments during the convention would require ratification by 38 states (three-fourths) to become law, which supporters claim is the stop-gap preventing what critics warn could devolve into a “runaway convention.” Nineteen states to date have passed the Convention of States Article V application, with an additional eight states granting passage in one chamber but not yet the other. All 50 states are actively considering the Convention of States Resolution. Just The News spoke to Mark Meckler, president of COS, about the gravity of their efforts in 2025. “I think the future of the country is at stake. I don’t think that’s an overstatement. Elections are always critically important, and every election is the most important election of our lifetime. There’s also a fundamental structural reform that has to take place at the level of the federal government that will never be done in Washington, DC.” The Article V convention process has never been utilized in U.S. history, with all 27 constitutional amendments originating from Congress. Supporters claim it enables states to curb federal overreach independently, while opponents warn that it might exceed its intended scope, despite protections like focused agendas and a separate ratification process. Regardless of which party has power of the executive in the Oval Office, that party tends to suffer complacency in galvanizing supporters on even their most popular issues. When asked if this had been a problem for COS, Meckler said that while that premise was true for Trump’s first term in office, it’s not the case now. “The reason is, people lived through four years of the Biden administration. They saw how he wiped out most of what President Trump did with the swipe of a pen and executive orders, and they’re worried about that happening again.” To the contrary, he added. it has not had a “calming effect,” rather, “I would say people are fired up because they see President Trump actually aggressively engaged in doing so much that they believe that we can do even more.” National debt, term limits could be affected Supporters of COS who are clamoring about out-of-control spending may have a substantial case. The U.S. national debt in the year 2000, according to the U.S. Treasury, was $5.63 trillion. It is now $37.43 and counting. That’s a 565% increase. Another hallmark issue for COS is term limits for elected officials. The call for term limits in elected office stems from bipartisan concerns about entrenched power, career politicians, and declining public trust in government. Supporters of the idea argue that term limits would promote fresh perspectives and accountability, since the average length of service is now 10.1 years for the House (a little over five terms) and 12.7 years for the Senate (over two terms.) De facto sinecures The official website of the House of Representatives shows that since Congress convened in 1789, 33 members have served 40 years or longer in the House of Representatives. The Senate Press Gallery reports that some Senators, such as Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, have served since 1981. “We want to etch that in stone” Those pushing back against term limits counter that it could disrupt experience, institutional knowledge, and crucial legislation, potentially empowering unelected influencers like lobbyists. However, according to Meckler, term limits decrease the influence of lobbyists because their power is based on relationships built over time and when there’s a new batch of legislatures, the acquaintance process restarts. The resolution also calls for term limits on staffers and bureaucrats, reducing the influence of support staff lifers in the “deep state”. The COS process would take place autonomously and separate from both Congress and the White House. However, Meckler indicated that Trump can help send supporters their way. While presidents such as Washington, Lincoln and Reagan had all supported the Article 5 mechanism, no president has thrown his imprimatur behind the effort. Trump could change that. “There’s nobody more important and more appropriate to help lead the charge than President Trump,” Meckler said. If Trump does, says Meckler, “When we get to the Convention of States, we help to preserve the president’s legacy. A prime example is doing away with the Department of Education, which would be reversed immediately as soon as there is a Democrat administration. We want to be able to write that into the Constitution, that the federal government may not be involved in education. When we do that, we preserve his legacy. He’s the guy shutting down the Department of Education. We want to etch that in stone.” TOP STORIES Convention of States effort surges as Trump aims at shrinking size, scope of federal government Fed rate cut makes minimal immediate impact, but long-term effects in question Trump visits a U.K. facing internal social, political turmoil with message of freedom, friendship Trump Agriculture Department funds Farm-to-School program at historic levels Ignored by media, enabled by Dems: how soft-on-crime policies unleashed murder of Ukrainian refugee LATEST EPISODES Pregnant women should be trusted to make decisions, don’t need noble lies from gov’t or maker of Tylenol New Film Friday: Conflict & the Battle for Israel, Dinesh D’Souza unveils “The Dragon’s Prophecy” Tylenol risks, ICE shooting & Bolton’s Classified Case:

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