Cook County’s ankle-monitor system is now raising the same question many Americans are asking about government itself: who is actually in charge when public safety depends on a bracelet and a battery? Cook County’s New Numbers Put the System Under a Microscope Cook County Chief Judge Charles Beach’s office released data showing that 244 to 246 people on pretrial electronic monitoring are not in active compliance. That is roughly 1 in 12 defendants in the program. The figure matters because these are not inmates serving sentences; they are accused defendants released before trial. For readers who value order, accountability, and limited government, the obvious concern is whether the system can enforce the rules it imposes. The report also changes the political meaning of the number. Before Jan. 28, the county used a looser standard and counted major violations after 48 hours of unapproved absence. The new definition lowers that threshold to three hours, which naturally increases the AWOL count. That does not erase the concern. It does, however, mean the county is now measuring noncompliance more aggressively, likely because prior standards were too forgiving for a serious supervision program. Why the AWOL Label Is More Than a Technicality Cook County says AWOL status can include missed curfews, dead or uncharged batteries, lost connectivity, or removed devices. Those explanations matter because electronic monitoring is only as reliable as the person wearing it and the equipment keeping track of them. A bracelet that loses power or signal may not prove criminal intent, but it still means the court has lost immediate oversight. That weakness reinforces a broader conservative concern: bureaucracy often confuses monitoring with actual control. The report arrives after local outrage over violent cases involving people on monitoring. One of the most cited examples is Alphanso Talley, who is accused of killing Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew and wounding his partner. Media reports say Talley was also considered AWOL from electronic monitoring when he allegedly committed a robbery before the shooting. The case has become a symbol of what happens when a supervision system meant to reduce jail use fails to stop escalation. Officials Say the Missing Do Not Automatically Equal New Crimes Beach has cautioned against assuming every AWOL defendant is out committing new offenses. He said the individuals are being actively searched for, and that being off the monitor does not necessarily prove criminal conduct. That distinction is fair and important. A missing signal is not a conviction. Still, the public does not live inside a spreadsheet. When a county cannot account for hundreds of supervised defendants, residents are justified in asking whether the system is serving the public or simply protecting a policy theory. The broader fight here is about how much risk taxpayers should be expected to absorb in the name of reform. Illinois ended cash bail, and Cook County expanded reliance on pretrial monitoring as part of that shift. Supporters framed the policy as humane and efficient. Critics argue it can leave dangerous defendants in the community while shifting the burden to police, sheriffs, and victims. The new data suggests that tension is no longer abstract; it is measurable and public. What the Report Means for Bail Reform Politics Chicago’s electronic-monitoring numbers will almost certainly feed the national debate over soft-on-crime policies, especially in a state that has become a test case for ending cash bail. Local Democrats have defended reform as a fairness measure, while Republicans and police advocates say the public sees too many repeat failures before trial. The 8% AWOL rate gives critics a fresh example of why many voters believe officials care more about ideology and image than about basic enforcement. Even with the tighter reporting standard, the central issue remains unchanged: a large urban county is trying to supervise thousands of accused criminals outside jail, and hundreds are already out of compliance. That should alarm anyone who still believes government’s first duty is public safety. The new report does not prove electronic monitoring is useless, but it does show that the current model is fragile, costly, and vulnerable to the same managerial failures that frustrate Americans across the political spectrum. Sources: Nearly 1 in 12 defendants on ankle monitors in Chicago are missing 8% of people on electronic monitoring in Cook County are AWOL, chief judge report says 8% of people on electronic monitoring in Cook County, Illinois are AWOL, state’s attorney’s report says

Texas joins multi-state coalition to pursue Dr. Fauci on state charges, bypassing Biden’s controversial pardon shielding him from federal accountability. Congressional Revelations Fuel State Action The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic exposed serious misconduct during 2024-2025 hearings. Dr. Fauci testified that the six-foot social distancing rule was arbitrary and not science-based, admitting it “sort of just appeared.” He refused responsibility for his office’s actions. His senior advisor, Dr. David Morens, obstructed COVID-19 origins probes, deleted federal records, and used personal emails to dodge FOIA requests while sharing nonpublic NIH data with EcoHealth Alliance’s Peter Daszak. Grant Oversight Failures and Wuhan Funding Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) documented Dr. Fauci sending taxpayer funds to Wuhan biolabs without proper review, simply rubber-stamping every grant on his desk. EcoHealth Alliance received substantial NIH money despite later controversies. House Oversight Chairman James Comer concluded Fauci was either incompetent or condoned the misconduct under his supervision. These revelations underpin state investigations into fraud, conflicts, and grant irregularities. Biden Pardon Sparks Multi-State Pushback President Biden issued a sweeping pardon to Fauci in early 2025, reportedly via autopen, raising validity questions from Senator Rand Paul, who seeks DOJ review. The pardon covers only federal crimes. A coalition led by South Carolina AG Alan Wilson, including Alabama AG Steve Marshall and Texas, formed post-pardon. They emphasize state laws as a tool for accountability, probing records destruction, obstruction, fraud, and perjury equivalents under state jurisdiction. Senator Moody just TORCHED Dr. Fauci and dropped the truth about COVID that got people banned on social media • Masks were BS• 6 feet was BS• Shutting businesses was BS• Closing churches was BS• Locking down schools was BS This was a crime against humanity. pic.twitter.com/y47X6rYhFn — Alec Lace (@AlecLace) May 13, 2026 Texas AG Role in Coalition Strategy Texas Attorney General participates in the multi-state effort, leveraging Rep. Cloud’s findings on grant mismanagement. The coalition reviews subcommittee evidence, evaluates state charges like conspiracy and misrepresentation, and considers grand juries. AG Wilson stated Biden’s pardon is a “shameful attempt to prevent accountability,” vowing action if violations found. This shift asserts state sovereignty against federal overreach, resonating with frustrations over elite impunity. How Texas Authorities Can Hold Dr. Fauci Accountable READ: https://t.co/RsPUwbR9ke pic.twitter.com/nle3vByufu — The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) May 14, 2026 Broader Implications for Accountability These probes could set precedent for states prosecuting federal officials, challenging deep state protections. Short-term, Fauci faces legal uncertainty across jurisdictions; long-term, they strain federal-state relations and demand NIH reforms. Reps. Rich McCormick and John Joyce criticized unscientific mandates and blame-shifting. Amid GOP congressional control under President Trump’s second term, this validates shared distrust in government elites failing Americans. Sources: Hearing Wrap Up: Dr. Fauci Held Publicly Accountable by Select Subcommittee Attorney General Marshall Joins Multi-State Effort to Hold Dr. Fauci Accountable for COVID-19 Response What’s next for Fauci after House hearing in which GOP held him accountable Senator Rand Paul Re-Refers Dr. Anthony Fauci to the Department of Justice Hearing Wrap Up: Dr. Fauci’s Top Advisor Held Accountable for COVID-19 Federal Records Violations Attorney General Alan Wilson Leads Coalition of AGs Investigating Dr. Anthony Fauci’s COVID-19 Response

A prominent legal scholar dismantles a progressive congresswoman’s claim that America’s Founders waged war against wealth itself, exposing a dangerous rewriting of history to justify modern socialist policies. Rewriting History to Justify Modern Agendas Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told students at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics that the American Revolution was fought against “the billionaires of their time,” casting the Founders as champions of wealth redistribution. George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley challenged this narrative in a Fox News opinion piece, calling it a “socialist myth” that distorts the historical record. The disagreement represents more than academic quibbling; it exposes how politicians manipulate America’s founding story to justify policies that many believe contradict the principles on which the nation was built. The Founders’ Actual Economic Philosophy Historical evidence contradicts Ocasio-Cortez’s characterization of the Founders as anti-wealth revolutionaries. Robert Morris, known as the “Financier of the Revolution,” personally funded much of the war effort with a fortune that inflation adjustments estimate would equal billions today. The Founders embraced Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations,” published in 1776, which advocated free markets and individual economic liberty. Alexander Hamilton and other framers incorporated constitutional protections for contracts and property rights, demonstrating their commitment to capitalism rather than collectivism. The Declaration of Independence itself enshrined the pursuit of happiness, a concept rooted in individual prosperity and economic freedom. Economic Factionalism and Property Rights Under Threat Turley argues that Ocasio-Cortez’s rhetoric promotes “economic factionalism,” the very danger James Madison warned against in Federalist Paper No. 10. Madison cautioned that allowing majorities to target minorities based on economic status would undermine republican government and lead to what Turley calls “democratic despotism.” Modern proposals for billionaire taxes in states like California and from federal legislators like Bernie Sanders echo policies that drove capital flight in other nations. France’s 2012-2014 supertax on the wealthy resulted in approximately 60,000 millionaires leaving the country, demonstrating the practical consequences of confiscatory taxation policies that discourage investment and entrepreneurship. The Real Revolution: Individual Liberty Over Collective Control The American Revolution challenged British monarchy’s fusion of government power with aristocratic privilege, not the existence of private wealth itself. Jefferson and Madison opposed concentrated power that prevented ordinary citizens from economic advancement through merit and effort. Turley emphasizes that the Founders “believed in unleashing everyone’s ability to become a Morris,” creating conditions for upward mobility rather than tearing down those who succeeded. This distinction matters because it reveals fundamentally different visions of America: one that rewards initiative and protects property rights versus one that views wealth as inherently suspect and subject to redistribution by government decree. Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts joined Fox News to critique Ocasio-Cortez’s statements, representing business leaders concerned that anti-capitalist rhetoric will shape policy in ways that harm economic growth and job creation. The debate continues as America approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, making accurate understanding of founding principles increasingly important. Both conservatives frustrated with socialist overreach and liberals concerned about wealth inequality deserve honest historical analysis rather than politically convenient fiction. When elected officials distort the past to advance present agendas, they undermine the shared understanding of national identity that holds diverse viewpoints together, leaving citizens to wonder whether anyone in Washington prioritizes truth over political advantage. Sources: JONATHAN TURLEY: AOC’s war on billionaires twists America’s birth into a socialist myth – Fox News Opinion Jonathan Turley – jonathanturley.org

A grenade-type improvised explosive device was discovered underwater at a major Alabama dam, threatening the drinking water supply for an entire city. The unprecedented find has authorities calling for immediate inspections of critical infrastructure nationwide.Discovery During Routine MaintenanceOn May 12, maintenance divers conducting routine inspections at the Converse Reservoir Dam in Mobile, Alabama, discovered the explosive device submerged near the dam structure. The Mobile Area Water and Sewer System immediately contacted the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, triggering a coordinated response involving five agencies. The Gulf Coast Regional Maritime Response and Render-Safe Team successfully retrieved and safely detonated the device, preventing potential catastrophic damage to the city’s water infrastructure. Multi-Agency Response Prevents DisasterThe FBI Bomb Squad, Mobile Police Department Explosive Ordinance Detail, ALEA Bomb Squad, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, and Daphne Search and Rescue Team worked together to neutralize the threat. MAWSS Director Bud McCrory called it an “unprecedented threat” and praised the quick thinking of contractors and divers. He emphasized the device could have caused serious damage to the water supply or harmed individuals if left undiscovered. The Department of Homeland Security has been notified, though neither DHS nor the FBI has issued public statements.National Security ImplicationsThe discovery raises urgent questions about the vulnerability of American infrastructure. Authorities have not identified any suspects or determined a motive for placing the explosive at the dam. The incident underscores the critical need for comprehensive inspections of dams, bridges, and other infrastructure nationwide. Security experts are now calling for immediate security assessments at similar facilities across the country. The fact that a potentially deadly device sat undetected underwater at a major water source represents a significant national security concern that demands swift action from federal and state authorities.SourcesTownhall: Unprecedented Threat: Routine Maintenance Found an IED at an Alabama Dam

A Eugene Police Department officer resigned immediately after bodycam footage captured him making controversial statements about immigrant communities during January anti-ICE protests. The seven-year veteran’s departure came within hours of the video going viral, sparking debate about free speech, law enforcement standards, and departmental culture. What the Bodycam Captured Officer Martin Siller’s bodycam recorded him during a January 30 phone call while responding to protests and riots outside Eugene’s old federal building. The footage shows Siller expressing strong support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement while criticizing Somali and Latino communities. He also made disparaging remarks about anti-ICE protesters, suggesting they were unemployed. The video remained internal for months before surfacing online over the weekend, immediately triggering widespread attention and calls for accountability from community members. Police Chief’s Response Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner publicly identified Siller after the footage went viral and condemned his remarks as deeply offensive. The chief stated Siller resigned before the department could launch a formal internal investigation. Skinner argued the quick resignation actually demonstrates the department’s anti-racist culture, claiming officers who hold such views don’t feel protected within the organization. He announced an independent investigation to determine if other officers were aware of or involved in the conversation captured on bodycam. Career Background and Ongoing Investigation Siller spent seven years with Eugene Police after serving 20 years with West Valley City Police Department in Utah. The phone conversation captured on bodycam reportedly involved another officer from Grantsville, Utah, who now faces internal investigation by his own department. Chief Skinner has released additional bodycam clips from January 30 as part of the ongoing review. The incident raises questions about vetting processes and whether similar views exist among other officers who haven’t been caught on camera. What This Means The case highlights tensions between officers’ private beliefs and public duties, especially during politically charged protests. While some argue private comments shouldn’t end careers, others contend such views undermine public trust and fair policing. The chief’s assertion that rapid resignation proves departmental integrity remains controversial. Critics question whether the culture truly rejects such attitudes or simply punishes those who get caught. The independent investigation may reveal whether this represents an isolated incident or broader cultural issues within the department. Sources The Gateway Pundit: Oregon Cop Forced to Resign After Bodycam Caught Him Privately Saying ‘F*ck the Somali and Latino Communities, I’m About America!’ While Responding to Anti-ICE Riots