Military May Be Ground Zero for the War on Woke

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Military May Be Ground Zero for the War on Woke

(, The Center Square) President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, though not yet confirmed, has pledged to root out “woke” ideology in the military.

Other Republicans have lamented the same issue for years but done little about it. However, if Peter Hegseth can be confirmed, the U.S. military may become ground zero in the Right’s war on woke.

Hegseth, a military veteran and former Fox News host, has repeatedly attacked the military leadership’s embrace of “woke” culture, which usually refers to the ideology around transgenderism, gender pronouns and racial identity politics.

Despite allegations and attempts to end his bid, Hegseth has stood firm, though his fate in the Senate is unclear.

A public statement from Trump last week put to rest any thoughts that Trump was considering withdrawing the pick: “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”

The American Accountability Foundation released a list of 20 officers whom Hegseth should fire. Notably, during his viral interview with Joe Rogan, Trump told a story about how military leaders in Washington, D.C., claimed that destroying ISIS quickly wasn’t possible, but when Trump visited the military leaders on the ground, he heard a different story. Those commanders, Trump said, told him it was doable but Washington, D.C. had tied their hands.

“The woke takeover of the military is a major threat to our national security,” AAF President Thomas Jones wrote in a letter to Hegseth earlier this week.

“As global tensions rise, with Iran on the march, Russia at war, and China in the midst of a massive military buildup, we cannot afford to have a military distracted and demoralized by leftist ideology,” he added in the letter, first obtained by the New York Post. “Those who were responsible for these policies being instituted in the first place must be dismissed.”

That anecdote highlights growing sentiment on the Right that the effectiveness and mission of the military has been hijacked by a handful of leaders in the Pentagon.

Lawmakers have raised that concern for years, pointing to a slew of recent federal spending backing controversial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies.

Last year, Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. State Department, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told the Center Square that woke policies were “hollowing out” our military.

A Department of Defense comptroller report from the same year included $86.5 million for “dedicated diversity and inclusion activities” as well as language showing the importance of DEI to the military.

“The Department will lead with our values—building diversity, equity, and inclusion into everything we do,” the report said.

The actual figure spent on backing the same kind of policies is likely much larger and impossible to know, as the language and ideology has permeated much of the employee training, H.R. policies, and more.

Other anecdotes highlight the prevalence of the newfound way of thinking for Armed Forces. For instance, as the Center Square previously reported, official training materials for West Point cadets included warnings about white privilege.

Rubio released a report detailing these same issues, which includes another example where a slide presentation for the Air Force Academy was titled, “Diversity & Inclusion: What it is, why we care, & what we can do.”

This same taxpayer-funded training warned cadets to avoid saying words like “mom” and “dad” because the language was gendered.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., spoke about the NDAA and blamed woke policies for the armed forces’ difficulties meeting recruiting goals. Even after lowering recruitment targets and standards, the U.S. military has fallen short of its recruitment goals in recent years.

“We’ve seen under the last three and a half years of the Biden–Harris administration, it’s been hard to recruit and keep good service members, in part because of the bad woke policies, the loss of focus by this administration on what the mission is,” Scalise said at a news conference Tuesday.

With Trump and Hegseth in the executive branch and leadership like Scalise behind it, cleaning house of the Pentagon might be possible, albeit difficult.

“We start addressing that by routing out more of the woke policies over at the DOD,” Scalise said.

“Of course, that ultimately is going to get fixed when President Trump takes office next month,” the Louisiana lawmaker continued. “He talked about those things during the campaign, what he would do to restrengthen and reinvigorate our military.”

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Hegseth would lead the largest and most complex federal agency with an annual budget of $840 billion and 3.4 million military and civilian employees.

Hegseth, 44, was an infantry officer in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021. He graduated from Princeton University in 2003. He was later commissioned as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard.

He served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. He left with the rank of major, according to the Army National Guard. Hegseth earned two Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Medals and the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, among others.

But Hegseth faces scrutiny over a 2017 sexual encounter, in which a woman told police the former Fox News anchor blocked the door of a hotel room in California and sexually assaulted her. Hegseth has denied the allegation and said that the encounter was consensual. The woman reported the allegations to local police. Hegseth was never charged with a crime. He reached an undisclosed settlement with the woman in 2023.

Defense Fund for Alleged CEO Killer Surpasses $130K

Maire Clayton
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Defense Fund for Alleged CEO Killer Surpasses $130K

(Maire Clayton, Headline USA) A campaign for Luigi Mangione’s defense fund raised over $130,000 as of Monday.

The GiveSendGo was organized by a group called the December 4th Legal Committee, referring to the day the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

“We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right of fair legal representation,” the group wrote on the page.

Thousands of anonymous donors contributed to the fund and left messages showing their support for the suspect.

A representative for the crowdfunding site told ABC News the campaign would not be removed.

“While other platforms may choose a different approach, GiveSendGo’s core value is to provide a space where all individuals, no matter their situation, can seek and receive support, with donors making their own informed decisions,” the representative said.

GoFundMe previously stated it does not allow fundraisers for violent crimes and would remove any that are created. Amazon and Etsy also removed items that were being sold in support of Mangione.

The GiveSendGo representative added the company “operates with a principle of not preemptively determining guilt or innocence.”

The December 4th Legal Committee said it is a group of volunteers throughout the United States, according to NBC News.

“Some of us are people who experience the pain and brutality of for-profit healthcare daily, and others of us are experienced providing support to people facing trial,” a spokesperson told the outlet.

Mangione’s lawyer Tom Dickey told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Wednesday he does not believe that his client will accept the donations.

The spokesperson told NBC News they have not yet made contact with Mangione regarding the funds.

“We have sent Luigi a letter describing the fund and sharing message from donors,” the spokesperson continued. “We will wait to hear from him directly to see if he will accept them.”

Biden’s Corrupt DOJ, Biased D.C. Judges Step Up J6 Convictions Ahead of Trump Pardons

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Biden’s Corrupt DOJ, Biased D.C. Judges Step Up J6 Convictions Ahead of Trump Pardons

(Julie Kelly, RealClearInvestigations) Even as President-elect Donald Trump promised to act “very quickly” on pardons for many of the protesters involved in the events of Jan. 6, the Biden administration’s Justice Department is continuing to arrest and try people for actions that occurred almost four years ago.

Meanwhile, it is opposing motions to delay trials, citing the need for “the prompt and efficient administration of justice.”

If the defeat of Kamala Harris constituted at least a partial repudiation of the lawfare against Trump and his supporters, the message appears to be lost on top brass at the DOJ. Prosecutors are pushing ahead with what they consider the department’s crowning achievement: the so-called “Capitol Siege” investigation into the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

In what Attorney General Merrick Garland describes as the biggest criminal investigation in Department of Justice history, more than 1,560 people have been charged for federal crimes never before used against political protesters, including under a post-Enron obstruction statute overturned by the Supreme Court in June.

At least 1,000 of these defendants have been convicted—either at trial or by accepting plea offers—with some 650 defendants ordered to serve time in a federal prison. Sentences range from a few days in jail to up to 22 years as the DOJ seeks “terror enhancements” to tack on additional time.

Activity in the J6 investigation accelerated the month before the election. At least 16 individuals were arrested; home security-camera footage obtained by RCI shows the heavily-armed pre-dawn FBI raid of a subject in California on Oct. 17.

Shortly after the election, DOJ officials instructed attorneys working on J6 cases to carry on regardless of the pending change in leadership.

“[Federal] prosecutors in the Justice Department’s Capitol Siege Section received guidance this week about how to proceed in pending Jan. 6 cases … including a directive to oppose any Jan. 6 defendant’s requests for delays,” Ryan J. Reilly of NBC News reported on Nov. 9. “Prosecutors are instructed to argue that there is a societal interest in the quick administration of justice and these cases should be handled in the normal order.”

At the same time, the Biden Justice Department is continuing to apprehend protesters. On Dec. 4, for example, the DOJ announced the arrest of a 44-year-old Alabama man, Robert James Bonham, charging him with a range of crimes, including “assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder.”

If Trump shuts down the department’s “Capitol Siege” section, as he is expected to do, Bonham will never go to trial. But this does not appear to concern Matthew Graves, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Appointed by President Biden in November 2021, Graves has presided over the sprawling J6 investigation and now continues to advance related cases.

His office has opposed the J6 defendants’ requests to halt proceedings until after Trump is sworn in next month. Judges began receiving a slew of defense motions starting the day after the election asking to postpone trials and hearings, but Graves said there is “public interest in the prompt and efficient administration of justice” as a reason to continue business as usual.

Federal judges in Washington agree with the DOJ’s approach. According to an analysis by RCI, 44 pardon-related motions, including requests to delay trials and sentencings, have been filed since Nov. 6.

Of those, judges—with the exception of Judge Rudolph Contreras—have denied each one. Several more are pending awaiting the court’s decision.

Judge Dabney Friedrich denied a motion to delay a J6 jury trial scheduled to begin the week after the election. Mitchell Bosch, a man from New York charged with several offenses, was set to go on trial on Nov. 13, but his public defenders filed a motion the day after the election arguing their client “cannot receive a fair trial in the District of Columbia six days from today due to the heightened public emotion and highly publicized media attention surrounding yesterday’s presidential election, which resulted in the re-election of Donald Trump.”

The attorneys noted that “92.4% of the D.C. electorate voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, with only 6.7% voting for President-elect Donald Trump.”

The attorneys further insisted disgruntled D.C. voters could retaliate with a conviction. “If jurors believe that the President-elect is a threat to democracy, that he does not take the events of January 6, 2021, seriously, and that he will pardon those involved that day, there is a real and significant possibility that, in their aversion to those views, they will punish Mr. Bosch or use this case to send a message that they disagree with the President-elect.”

But Friedrich—whose husband, Matthew, worked on the Enron task force with current Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco—was unpersuaded.

“Despite the recent election, the Court continues to conclude that the Court’s voir dire procedures will be adequate to screen out potential jurors who cannot be fair and impartial,” she claimed in her response.

And after a single day of deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts, two felonies and four misdemeanors, on Nov. 18. (The DOJ has a 100% conviction rate in J6 jury trials; no J6 defendant has been fully acquitted of all charges since trials began in March 2022. Judges also continue to deny all change-of-venue motions.)

Three J6 jury trials are set to begin this week. For the trial of one of those defendants, a man charged with civil disorder and four misdemeanors, Judge Amy Berman Jackson recently entered an order allowing prosecutors to describe Jan. 6 to jurors as an “attack on the Capitol,” “attack on Congress,” and a “riot.”

But political bias in the aftermath of Trump’s election is not the only factor judges refuse to consider as they move J6 cases along. Trump’s pledge to pardon most, if not all, J6ers also receives a cold reception in the E. Barrett Prettyman federal courthouse located a few blocks from the Capitol.

The day after the election, an attorney representing Christopher Carnell, who was convicted of nonviolent misdemeanors following a bench trial in February 2024, asked the judge in his case to delay a scheduled hearing based on the possibility of a pardon.

“Throughout his campaign, President-elect Trump made multiple clemency promises to the January 6 defendants, particularly to those who were nonviolent participants,” attorney Marina Medvin wrote on Nov. 6. “Mr. Carnell, who was an 18-year-old nonviolent entrant into the Capitol on January 6, is expecting to be relieved of the criminal prosecution that he is currently facing when the new administration takes office.”

But Beryl Howell, the former chief judge of the court, immediately rejected her request and set a sentencing hearing for Carnell this week.

Her colleagues on the D.C. federal bench, citing either a public interest in continuing court proceedings or making separation of powers arguments, followed her lead with recent rulings:

  • Judge Reggie Walton: “[The] potential future exercise of the discretionary pardon power, an Executive Branch authority, is irrelevant to the Court’s obligation to carry out the legal responsibilities of the Judicial Branch.” – November 7 order denying motion to postpone sentencing.
  • Judge Amit Mehta: “Defendant’s speculation that he may receive a pardon is not good cause to stay this matter.” – November 11 order denying motion to continue trial.
  • Judge Paul Friedman: “Whatever the President-Elect may or may not do with respect to some of those charged for their conduct at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 is irrelevant to the Court’s independent and legal responsibilities under Article III of the Constitution.” – November 12 order denying motion to continue trial.
  • Judge Colleen Kollar–Kotelly: “The principal bases for [the defendant’s] requested continuance are that President-elect Donald J. Trump has ‘repeatedly stated that he would pardon’ those involved in the January 6 riot and that ‘a new Attorney General may dismiss’ the case against him. The Court joins others in this District in rejecting Defendants’ invitation to speculate about future clemency or charging decisions. ” – November 21 order denying motion to continue trial.
  • Chief Judge James Boasberg: “Speculation as to what the incoming Administration may do is not a basis for a continuance.” – December 2 order denying motion to postpone sentencing.

Royce Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, is the most outspoken judge when it comes to any downplaying of what happened on Jan. 6. In an April 2024 Wall Street Journal profile, the 80-year-old jurist was described as “a leading voice pushing back against attempts by Republican politicians to play down the Jan. 6 attack.”

Lamberth said he decided to speak out, an unusual move for a federal judge presiding over cases for which he is obligated to remain impartial, because “justifications for the Capitol attack” represent an affront to “the integrity of the judicial system.”

Lamberth is sparing no harsh words in rejecting pleas for relief before Inauguration Day. Accusing J6ers of “[subjecting] our Capitol and our country to the horrific scene of their anti-democratic rage,” Lamberth refused to postpone the sentencing of Philip Sean Grillo, who was convicted of civil disorder and the common four misdemeanors. Any presidential pardon, Lamberth continued, would not undo the work of the courts and D.C. juries.

“To continue Mr. Grillo’s sentencing now simply because he may receive a presidential pardon would discredit the time and thought these citizens expended on the trial and would subvert our criminal justice process and the separation of powers,”

On Dec. 6, Lamberth not only sentenced Grillo to 12 months in federal prison but took the unusual move of remanding him into immediate custody; judges usually allow a defendant to report two to three months following sentencing. Lamberth’s decision appeared to make sure Grillo spent some time in jail before a presidential pardon spared him.

In a 13-page sentencing document explaining his reasons for imposing such a harsh move, Lamberth again criticized what he believes are attempts to “minimize the events of January 6.”

Lamberth then erroneously claimed five police officers died as a result of the protest.

“One can only wonder what further horrors might have transpired if our elected officials had not gotten out in time,” he claimed. “No matter what ultimately becomes of the Capital Riots cases already concluded and still pending, the true story of what happened on January 6, 2021 will never change.”

Lamberth again took issue with Trump’s plans to pardon J6ers and emphasized his independent role as a jurist.

“The fundamental American principle of separation of powers would be empty of meaning if the courts allowed themselves to become paralyzed based on conjecture about the coordinate branches’ future actions,” he claimed. “I will do my job, as I am bound by oath to do, and the President will do his; it is as simple as that.”

And at least one D.C. judge is taking direct aim at Trump for even considering pardons. Trump-appointee Carl Nichols, who presided over Steve Bannon’s contempt case and sentenced the longtime Trump adviser to four months in a federal penitentiary, went so far as to say in a recent court hearing that it would be “beyond frustrating and disappointing” for the incoming president to issue “blanket pardons … or anything close.”

But it’s not just existing cases that are being fast-tracked before the transfer of power. Graves has announced the arrest of at least 10 Jan. 6 protesters since Election Day; in one week recently, Graves charged at least three individuals for their participation in the Capitol protest.

There is no indication the DOJ will halt the pursuit of J6ers even as the pardon of Hunter Biden raises concerns over the practice of presidential pardons. Shortly after Joe Biden pardoned his son, Trump posted a message on Truth Social referring to the J6ers in what some consider a sign he is considering a similarly broad pardon.

“Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” Trump wrote.

In apparent response, the New York Times editorial board criticized the Hunter Biden pardon not on its merits but because it makes it easier for “ Trump [to] pardon the perpetrators of the violent Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.”

13M People Fled Blue States for Red Ones over Past 30 Years

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13M People Fled Blue States for Red Ones over Past 30 Years

(Thérèse Boudreaux, The Center Square) Millions of residents in blue states have migrated to red states within the past 30 years, according to federal data.

A policy group that analyzed the data says it’s a clear sign that many Americans find Democratic policies unlivable.

The migration has been, in large part, an economic boon for the new destinations. Yet, the increasingly narrow political margins in several of the states might suggest that some blue-state refugees are bringing the woke mind virus with them, ruining the lives of others in the process.

From 1990 to 2021, a total of 13 million people left California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey and Massachusetts. They migrated to Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Arizona, Tennessee, Nevada, and South Carolina over the same period.

American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Edward J. Pinto attributes this “blue state exodus” to progressive policies, with high crime, unaffordable housing, high taxes and rising levels of homelessness and unemployment driving away residents.

“The trend is undeniable: Americans are fleeing progressive states for conservative ones, and they are bringing their incomes with them,” Pinto wrote in a recent op-ed, published in Newsweek.

The American Enterprise Institute is a free market think tank “dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world,” according to its website.

IRS data revealed that California led the nation in net outward migration between 1990 and 2021, hemorrhaging a total of 4.6 million people during that time. New York lost roughly the same number, many of whom moved to Florida.

More than 2 million residents have left Illinois during the past 30 years, and 1 million have left New Jersey. Massachusetts saw an exodus of 800,000, with 50,000 leaving in 2020 alone, during the height of draconian COVID lockdowns.

Pinto said economically and socially attractive policies in red states, including lowering taxes, enacting tough on crime measures, supporting school choice, and enforcing immigration laws, are likely the reason so many blue state residents have migrated.

Unless Democratic governors shift course, Pinto said, their “states will face a doom loop of permanent decline due to shrinking populations, rising subsidies, diminished economic vitality, increasing poverty, and a less prosperous future.”

But red states should be wary of celebrating too soon, given the political trends in several of the destination states, which suggest that some are coming for the cheaper cost of living but bringing their politics with them.

North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada all were considered top battleground states in the most recent election, and voters in all three split their tickets, supporting Republican Donald Trump for president while backing Democrats for top Senate and gubernatorial elections down-ballot.

Texas and Tennessee have been able to remain in the red category for now, although Democrats have made flipping Texas one of their long-term goals. Doing so would all but assure permanent presidential landslides for their candidates, given the state’s large number of electors.

Headline USA’s Ben Sellers contributed to this report.

Rosie O’Donnell Loses It after Trump Named Person of the Year

Maire Clayton
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Rosie O’Donnell Loses It after Trump Named Person of the Year

(Maire Clayton, Headline USA) Leftist celebrity Rosie O’Donnell had a meltdown on TikTok Saturday over President-elect Donald Trump being named Time magazine’s person of the year.

In her nearly 10-minute rant, she called out the magazine for bestowing Trump with the award.

@rosie this angry rant has curses in it – beware – 👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽 #ufosightings #msm #america #theworld ♬ original sound – Rosie ODonnell

“Man of the year? Donald Trump?” O’Donnell said. “Well, f**k you, Time magazine.”

The comedian proceeded to complain and launched a series of attacks on Trump.

“How about most dangerous man of the year? How about most criminal man of the year?” she continued. “How about the worst president we’ve ever had… of the year.”

O’Donnell also took issue with it being called man of the year instead of a gender neutral title.

She called the outlet “patriarchal f**ks,” but failed to mention that it was actually changed to “person of the year” in 1999.

She later called out the establishment media and claimed they did not tell the truth about the soon to be president.

“You’re not doing your job. And you haven’t since he came down that escalator,” O’Donnell continued. “If you had told the truth about him from the beginning… we wouldn’t be in this position.”

In her ramblings, she falsely accused Trump of being a rapist.

ABC News was forced to pay Trump millions in a defamation lawsuit over false claims he was found liable for “rape.” 

“There wasn’t one person you could think of who deserved it more than that lying, rapist, criminal guy?” she said.

O’Donnell ramped up her social media posting since Trump won the presidential election.

Earlier in the month, O’Donnell revealed she had herpes and said “MAGA people” were taunting her over it.

In addition to TikTok, O’Donnell also bashed Trump on Instagram over his plan to pardon Jan. 6 protesters.

DOJ Told Community College to Keep Alleged Trump Shooter’s Records Secret

Ken Silva
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DOJ Told Community College to Keep Alleged Trump Shooter’s Records Secret

(Ken Silva, Headline USA) On Friday, America First Legal released the academic records for Thomas Matthew Crooks, providing more information about the bright young student who allegedly attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at his July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The records corroborate what’s already been reported about Crooks—that he was a strikingly intelligent man who scored higher than 1500 on his SAT pre-college exam, graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County with honors, and had been accepted into the University of Pittsburgh.

Similar to how Headline USA obtained Crooks’s autopsy report and the 911 call his dad made to police, AFL had to fight to obtain the CCAC academic records. And according to the AFL’s appeal docket, the Justice Department tried to stop the academic records from being disclosed.

Indeed, AFL and counsel Wally Zimolong first requested Crooks’s academic records just four days after the July 13 shooting. CCAC denied the request, setting off the lengthy appeals process.

Among other reasons, the community college said it couldn’t disclose the records because they were subject to a federal grand jury investigation—suggesting that others may have been investigated in relation to the July 13 Butler shooting. Headline USA reported about the grand jury investigation in August.

To support its argument against AFL, the community college submitted a July 20 subpoena it received from Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Smollar. CCAC also submitted an email it received from Smollar on July 23, telling college officials that the records were to be kept secret due to the grand jury investigation.

“I can confirm that all records that we obtain in response to a federal grand jury subpoena are confidential. Moreover, as we discussed, the records produced by CCAC to the FBI regarding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump are part of an active FBI criminal investigation,” Smollar wrote to Tony DiTommaso, CCAC’s chief legal officer.

“Section 708 (b)(16) of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law exempts from disclosure records relating to or resulting in a criminal investigation. Please let me know if you have any further questions,” Smollar added.

However, the college and the DOJ were unsuccessful in keeping the records hidden. On Nov. 19, 2024, the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records issued a final determination that CCAC is required to provide AFL with the requested student records.

“The Community College asserts that Mr. Crooks is the subject of an investigation and the records were obtained as part of a Grand Jury Investigation. However, the responsive records do not automatically become exempt because they have some connection to a criminal proceeding or is part of a criminal investigation,” Appeals Officer Lyle Hardcraft wrote in his Nov. 19 decision.

“Accordingly, the requested records are not exempt under Section 708(b)(16) of the RTKL.” CCAC provided the records to AFL after the decision.

Meanwhile, the July grand jury probe apparently didn’t yield any indictments. Butler residents are lobbying their district attorney, Richard Goldinger, to launch his own grand jury investigation, but Goldinger has refused to do so.

Ken Silva is a staff writer at Headline USA. Follow him at x.com/jd_cashless.

Woke Sheriff in Houston Frees Venezuelan Repeat-Offender Accused of Killing 7-Yr-Old Girl

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Woke Sheriff in Houston Frees Venezuelan Repeat-Offender Accused of Killing 7-Yr-Old Girl

(Bethany Blankley, The Center Square) Another Houston girl has been killed allegedly by a Venezuelan illegally in the country.

On Dec. 1, a 7-year-old second-grader, Ivory Smith, was killed in a car accident in northeast Harris County by a drunken driver. Her mother was seriously injured.

The alleged driver, Joel Enrique Gonzalez Chacin, a 41-year-old Venezuelan national in the country illegally with a criminal record, was arrested for intoxicated manslaughter, according to Constable Mark Herman’s Office.

Ivory’s death occurred after Chacin was released from a county jail due to the fact that Harris County’s sheriff refuses to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

It was his second offense reported since June after a judge dropped a felony charge to a misdemeanor and he was released from jail.

Houston, the largest city in Texas, has been plagued by high crime for years due to it being the largest city closest to the border and primary destination for cartel operatives and illegal border crossers that commit violent crimes.

In the last few years, judges have implemented policies to release alleged criminals into the community instead of sending them to jail, or reduce felony charges to misdemeanors. Additionally, since 2017, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez has refused to cooperate with ICE, the Center Square reported.

In November, voters defeated many incumbent judges—due, in large part, to a bipartisan coalition that campaigned to replace them while highlighting victims killed by violent repeat offenders who were released into the community by judges running for reelection. Unlike the judges, Gonzalez was reelected.

After Chacin was booked in the Harris County Jail on the intoxicated manslaughter charge, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston office lodged a detainer request.

This was the second time a detainer request was lodged for him in less than six months. The first time was in June after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a family member. In that case, a judge dropped his felony charge to a misdemeanor, sentencing him to 113 days in jail, which was time already served, according to several news reports.

Rather than notify ICE before he was released, in accordance with federal law, authorities allowed Chacon to walk out of the court.

Two and a half months later, he allegedly drove drunk and crashed into the Smith’s vehicle.

“The laws in Texas should be designed to protect innocent lives, not to provide loopholes for those who repeatedly disregard them,” a family member told Fox 26 News.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder that we need stronger accountability and justice to prevent further suffering for families like ours,” the person continued. “We will continue to demand answers and advocate for change so that no other family has to endure the pain, loss, and injustice that we are experiencing. Ivory’s light and legacy deserve better, and her memory will guide us as we work toward a safer future for all.”

The family has started a Go Fund Me page to help support costs and “seek justice for Ivory.”

ICE explained the detainer process in a statement, saying, “As part of its mission to identify and arrest removable noncitizens, ICE ERO lodges immigration detainers against noncitizens who have been arrested for criminal activity and taken into custody by state or local law enforcement. An immigration detainer is a request from ICE to state or local law enforcement agencies to notify ICE as early as possible before a removable noncitizen is released from their custody.”

Federal law requires local authorities to notify ICE 48 hours before an alleged criminal with a detainer request is released. ICE has repeatedly highlighted examples of local jurisdictions that refuse to do so, the Center Square has reported.

“Detainers are critical public safety,” ICE ERO Houston said in a statement, citing their benefit not only to ICE, but also to law-enforcement, the public and to the illegal aliens themselves.

They allow arrests “to be made in a secure and controlled custodial setting as opposed to at-large within the community,” the statement noted.

“Since detainers result in the direct transfer of a noncitizen from state or local custody to ERO custody, they also minimize the potential that an individual will reoffend,” it continued. “Additionally, detainers conserve scarce government resources by allowing ERO to take criminal noncitizens into custody directly rather than expending resources locating these individuals at-large.”

Under Democratic leadership, Harris County has embraced so-called sanctuary status for illegal foreign nationals.

Some local jurisdictions “have reduced their cooperation with ICE, to include refusal to honor ICE detainer requests, even for noncitizens who have been convicted of serious felonies and pose an ongoing threat to public safety” due to their so-called “sanctuary city” policies, according to Patrick Lechleitner, ICE’s acting director under President Joe Biden.

“However, ‘sanctuary’ policies can end up shielding dangerous criminals, who often victimize those same communities,” he added.

Months before Ivory’s death, 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was allegedly murdered by two Venezuelans illegally in the country, the Center Square reported.

Under the Biden administration more than 1 million illegal border crossers from Venezuela have been reported, the Center Square exclusively reported, and a violent Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, has expanded in major cities in Texas resulting in a multi-agency operation to target them.

SCOTUS Justice Has Side-Hustle Acting in Woke Broadway Remake of Shakespeare Classic

Julianna Frieman
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SCOTUS Justice Has Side-Hustle Acting in Woke Broadway Remake of Shakespeare Classic

(Julianna Frieman, Headline USA) U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made her Broadway debut in the musical & Juliet, which presents a girl-power spin to the classic Shakespearean tragedy Romeo and Juliet.

Jackson, appointed by President Joe Biden as the first black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, fulfilled her greatest “fantasy” by unleashing her inner theatre kid in a one-night-only walk-on role at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, according to Playbill.

About her Broadway appearance, Jackson said, “I think that it means means that anything is possible.”

Jackson, who was notably shorter in stature than the rest of the cast, exclaimed, “Female empowerment—sick!” to the cheers of an energized audience in video posted on the official & Juliet Instagram account.

She wore a pastel green costume that appeared to belong in another era.

“I like it too! I think what I like about it is that I am having a very strongly negative reaction to it. Like I hate it. Which makes me think it must be brilliant,” Jackson said in the video montage of her guest role.

The Supreme Court justice recited her lines in an animated, quirky tone of voice most recognizable in Disney characters.

She pranced around on stage with exaggerated movements and took a bow in one clip as a Broadway rendition of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” began to play.

“Justice served,” the caption of the & Juliet video read.

In her memoir Lovely One, Jackson declared her dream to become the first black female Supreme Court justice to appear on Broadway, Playbill noted.

She was an avid lover of theatre and wrote about it while applying to Harvard University.

“I, a Miami girl from a modest background with an unabashed love of theatre, dreamed of one day ascending to the highest court in the land—and I had said so in one of my supplemental application essays,” Jackson wrote in the book released in September. “I expressed that I wished to attend Harvard as I believed it might help me ‘to fulfill my fantasy of becoming the first Black, female Supreme Court justice to appear on a Broadway stage.’”

& Juliet “flips the script on the greatest love story ever told,” according to the musical’s official website.

The show, created by Swedish songwriter and producer Max Martin, twists Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet into a queer narrative exploring what would have happened if Juliet decided against committing suicide, according to the Gay Times.

The musical features other pop songs including Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” Brittany Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” and Katy Perry’s “Roar,” according to its website.

Julianna Frieman is a freelance writer published by the Daily Caller, Headline USA, The Federalist, and The American Spectator. Follow her on Twitter at @JuliannaFrieman.

‘Life and Death’: Cruz Unloads on Dem Lawmakers ‘Cheering’ for Political Violence

Julianna Frieman
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‘Life and Death’: Cruz Unloads on Dem Lawmakers ‘Cheering’ for Political Violence

(Julianna Frieman, Headline USA) Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, unloaded on leftist lawmakers “cheering” for political violence following the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Social media exploded with speculation that suspected assassin Luigi Mangione shot Thompson dead over grievance with the insurance industry, resulting in many leftist sympathizers.

Progressive legislators in Congress including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and Rep. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have since made comments expressing permissiveness toward the targeted shooting.

“For today’s radical left, the ends justify the means and violence is okay,” Cruz told listeners of his Verdict podcast.

Cruz said that the left’s reaction to Thompson’s assassination is the same as their response to the assassination attempts against President-elect Donald Trump on the campaign trail or to the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre by Hamas terrorists against Israel.

“I would like to see someone on the left be clear and unequivocal that violence is wrong, period, the end, this murder was grotesque, it was evil, it was wrong,” the Republican senator said. “There is no justification for it whatsoever. Even if your political ideology is you’ve decided you hate this healthcare CEO that you’ve never met.”

Cruz pointed out the absurdity of supporters of the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s death by saying they have no idea what kind of person Thompson was.

“You don’t know what he’s done,” he said. “You don’t know anything about him other than that he was the CEO of a healthcare company and because your ideology is so railing against capitalism, you think murder is a great thing.”

Cruz recalled how 12 years ago, politics were not as “nasty and personal” as they are today.

“For too many on the left, politics is everything. It is life and death. It is identity. I mean, I mean, look, I get to say politics is very different than 12 years ago, when I first got elected. It’s so nasty and personal,” the senator said.

He topped off his remarks by saying, “You know, we used to be able to disagree without hating each other, without demonizing each other, without cheering at violence and the murder of those you may disagree with and unfortunately, I don’t see a whole lot of public Democrats speaking out against this.”

Julianna Frieman is a freelance writer published by the Daily Caller, Headline USA, The Federalist, and The American Spectator. Follow her on Twitter at @JuliannaFrieman.

Prominent Gold Analyst’s Insider Take on Mining, Metals, and More

Money Metals News Service
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Prominent Gold Analyst’s Insider Take on Mining, Metals, and More

(Money Metals News Service) In a captivating episode of the Money Metals podcast, host Mike Maharrey sat down with Jeff Clark, a prominent precious metals and mining analyst, founder of TheGoldAdvisor, and author of Paydirt: Mining for Profits with Gold & Silver Stocks.

The conversation covered Jeff’s personal journey, the intricate process of mining gold, and insights into the relationship between physical metals and mining stocks.

(Interview Begins Around 3:53 Mark)

Jeff Clark’s Journey: From Prospecting to Expertise

Jeff Clark’s fascination with gold began with his father, a dedicated prospector. A memorable moment was when his father unearthed a five-pound quartz rock with a three-and-a-half-ounce gold seam—a discovery that left a lasting impression.

Jeff’s career began at Doug Casey’s firm before he established his own platform, TheGoldAdvisor.com.

His book, Paydirt, written during the pandemic, incorporates advice from 16 industry experts, offering readers a comprehensive guide to evaluating mining stocks and understanding the industry.

What It Takes to Mine Gold: A Decade of Dedication

Clark outlined the long, arduous process of mining gold, which can take a decade from discovery to production. The journey begins with exploration, often starting in libraries to identify geological anomalies. Advanced techniques like geophysics guide drilling operations to locate gold concentrations, likened to finding a “chocolate chip in a cake.”

Raising funds is critical, with the cost to build a standard 200,000-ounce-per-year heap leach mine escalating from $300 million a few years ago to around $500 million today.

Development stages include permitting, feasibility studies, and constructing the mine, a process that can take 1–2 years.

Despite these challenges, the reward is tangible: producing gold that symbolizes immense effort and investment.

Miners vs. Physical Gold: A Complex Relationship

Jeff addressed a pressing question among investors: Why haven’t mining stocks consistently mirrored the physical gold rally? While gold has seen steady gains—hovering around $2,700 per ounce at the time of the discussion—mining stocks often lag. Jeff noted that historically, mining stocks follow gold’s upward movement after a delay. Larger producers see initial investment inflows, followed by developers and juniors. This staggered progression reflects the complex dynamics of the sector.

For investors, mining stocks offer leverage to the price of gold, with ETFs like GDX (senior miners) and GDXJ (juniors) outperforming gold at certain points. However, Jeff emphasized the importance of selecting the right stocks, as some miners fail to capitalize even in favorable markets. He highlighted his personal success: despite 2023’s bearish sentiment, his portfolio achieved gains, including a few stocks doubling or even tripling in value.

The Silver Story: Volatility with Promise

The conversation shifted to silver, with Jeff asserting its potential for explosive gains. Historically, silver lags behind gold in the early stages of a bull market but outperforms as the market matures. While silver’s volatile nature can be frustrating, Jeff projected prices exceeding $50 per ounce within the next 1–3 years.

Gold in the Current Economic Climate

With inflation, monetary policy, and geopolitical tensions at play, Jeff sees gold as essential crisis insurance. He noted that gold’s recovery after the “Trump shock” exemplifies its resilience. Historical patterns suggest inflation could rise again, reinforcing gold’s value as a hedge against economic instability.

Resources for Investors

Jeff encouraged listeners to explore resources on TheGoldAdvisor.com, including free newsletters, premium services, and his book Paydirt. The platform recently expanded by acquiring Resource Maven, adding newsletters and expertise on silver investments.

Final Thoughts

Jeff Clark’s insights emphasize the importance of understanding the nuances of precious metals and mining investments. Whether holding physical gold as a hedge or exploring mining stocks for leverage, his message is clear: the time to focus on gold and silver is now.

For investors seeking guidance, Jeff’s work provides a valuable compass in navigating the complex world of precious metals.

As Jeff concluded, “We’re in the right place, at the right time, with the right metals.”

Key Questions & Answers

Money Metals Exchange Podcast Mike Gleason Mike Maharrey Jeff Clark TheGoldAdvisor

The following are the key questions and answers from this Money Metals podcast interview with host Mike Maharrey and The Gold Advisor Jeff Clark:

How Did Jeff Clark Get Interested in Precious Metals?

Jeff Clark’s interest in precious metals began with his father, a gold prospector. One of his father’s most significant finds was a five-pound quartz rock with a three-and-a-half-ounce gold seam. This upbringing instilled in Jeff a deep appreciation for gold and its value. Later, he worked at Doug Casey’s firm, which shaped his expertise in the field before launching TheGoldAdvisor.com.

What Does It Take to Build a Gold Mine?

Building a gold mine is a complex, decade-long process. It starts with exploration, often involving geological research and drilling to locate gold concentrations. Developers then move into permitting, feasibility studies, and fundraising. Construction costs have risen significantly, with a 200,000-ounce-per-year mine costing around $500 million today. The process requires specialized teams for exploration, engineering, financing, and operations, highlighting the immense effort behind every ounce of gold produced.

Why Do Mining Stocks Lag Behind Physical Gold?

Mining stocks often lag behind gold because investment flows into gold first during market uncertainty. Senior producers typically see gains before funds trickle down to juniors. Historical patterns show that while there is a delay, mining stocks eventually catch up and can even outperform gold due to their leverage to its price. Jeff noted that ETFs like GDX and GDXJ have shown some of this leverage, but careful stock selection is critical.

What Is the Relationship Between Gold and Silver in Bull Markets?

In early bull markets, silver usually lags behind gold but later outperforms on a percentage basis. Silver’s price movements are more volatile and spiky, making it critical for investors to hold onto their positions to benefit from sudden surges. Jeff projected that silver could surpass $50 per ounce within 1–3 years, making it a strong long-term investment.

How Does Jeff Clark View Gold as a Crisis Hedge?

Jeff emphasized that gold serves as essential crisis insurance. It performs well during recessions, stock market crashes, and periods of high inflation. He noted that gold is not only a hedge against political and geopolitical risks but also against systemic vulnerabilities such as debt, deficits, and monetary inflation. His strategy includes holding a meaningful amount of physical gold both locally and overseas.

Why Should Investors Consider Precious Metals Now?

With inflationary pressures, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainty, Jeff argued that now is one of the most critical times in history to own gold and silver. He encouraged investors to explore physical metals for wealth preservation while considering mining stocks for potential leverage and higher returns.

Where Can People Access Jeff Clark’s Resources?

Jeff’s insights and resources are available on TheGoldAdvisor.com. His book, Paydirt, offers in-depth guidance on mining stocks and the importance of owning gold and silver. The website also features free newsletters, premium services, and specialized options for high-net-worth investors.

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