Once you burn your credibility, it’s hard to get back. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger deceived voters and concealed her true leftist agenda to win the Governor’s Mansion last year. Now she and her fellow Democrats are lying to Virginians about a new gerrymandered congressional district map they placed on the ballot as a constitutional amendment on April 21. It’s a naked attempt to make it impossible for Republicans to win election to Congress in most places in Virginia, and it’s why she was rewarded with the plum assignment of responding to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address this week. The Virginia Supreme Court has already had one chance to stop the gerrymandering by upholding a judge’s ruling that Democrats cut legal corners to get the measure on the ballot. The justices, however, inexplicably chose to wait until the vote happens. I filed another lawsuit to bring new challenges, along with my colleague, state Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., and the Republican National Committee and National Republican Congressional Committee. We won in circuit court, blocking the referendum again, so our Supreme Court will have another chance to do the right thing. As we wait for a ruling, it’s important that people have the facts. Spanberger masqueraded as a moderate in her campaign and won ceaseless praise from the media for her focus on “affordability.” But she dropped that as soon as she was sworn in and went right back to what she truly believes. She returned Virginia to the multi-state, radical environmental scheme that artificially raises electricity rates by $500 million every year. She’s currently considering a variety of tax increases proposed by Democrats in the Virginia legislature, including bumps in the sales and income tax, as well as taxes on everyday services like dog walking and gym memberships. She has yet to rule out raising taxes on anything. All of this is the opposite of what she ran on. Now Spanberger and her Democrats have turned to stealing congressional seats. And naturally, they’re lying about that as well. It’s nothing complicated. They’re taking Virginia’s current congressional district map, which produced six Democrats and five Republican members, and redrawing the lines to twist it into a 10-to-1 map in favor of Democrats. Kamala Harris won here in the 2024 presidential race with less than 52% of the vote, but this map would award her party 91% of our congressional seats.  They’re assigning new federal representation to Virginians who didn’t ask for it, and there’s every likelihood that some of the lines were drawn to benefit specific Democrat politicians. One thing that’s certain is that no one was thinking of the well-being of voters when they hatched this plot. As an example, take Fairfax County, vote-rich and dominated by Democrats in Northern Virginia outside Washington, D.C. The new map carves Fairfax into five pieces and attaches them to districts that reach deep into Virginia’s rural regions. Picture the county as an octopus that has tentacles running throughout the state, and you’ll have an idea. The configuration ensures that most rural voters will be represented by people who live in Fairfax and were elected by voters in the D.C. suburbs. It’s difficult to imagine what these groups might have in common geographically, culturally, or economically. To top it off, just a few days ago, Democrats in the General Assembly decided that they hadn’t cheated enough and twisted the screws even more to guarantee total victory in 10 of the 11 districts. States usually redistrict following a census, but Democrats claim they must act now to balance Republican activities in other states. This excuse falls apart because most observers agree that Virginia’s new map is a particularly egregious example of partisan gerrymandering. And Democrats lie when they talk about it. The party that told us that former President Joe Biden was mentally sharp now wants us to think a 10-to-1 congressional map promotes “fair elections,” as their advertising claims. They were even dishonest in the ballot question they wrote, which says it will temporarily “restore fairness”—without explanation or context—to elections in Virginia until the regular redistricting occurs in 2030. We shouldn’t let politicians select their own voters, and Virginians were wise enough to see this coming. Just six years ago, a whopping 66% of voters approved a constitutional amendment creating an independent redistricting commission to remove map-drawing from partisans. Unable to resist the lure of unchecked power, Virginia Democrats are trying to trick voters into undoing that so they can burgle those congressional seats. National Democrats are paying attention. House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has already sent $5 million to the campaign to support the new map and pledged to spend “whatever it takes” on top of that. Democrats hilariously claim to be restoring fairness. But a party powerful enough to ram this down everyone’s throat isn’t the victim of unfairness. It’s the cause of it. This article was originally published by RealClearPolitics and made available via RealClearWire. We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal.  The post Spanberger and Dems Lie About Gerrymandering Scheme appeared first on The Daily Signal.

This is a transcript of remarks President Donald Trump delivered early this morning on today’s air strikes on the Islamic Republic of Iran, a joint operation with Israel dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.” A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted “Death to America” and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and innocent people in many, many countries. Among the regime’s very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. President Donald J. Trump on the United States military combat operations in Iran: pic.twitter.com/LimJmpLkgZ— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026 In 1983, Iran’s proxies carried out the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel. In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole. Many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regime’s proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as U.S. naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes. It’s been mass terror, and we’re not going to put up with it any longer. From Lebanon to Yemen, and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. And it was Iran’s proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal. Something like the world has never seen before. Iran is the world’s number one state sponsor of terror, and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular, my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I’ll say it again: They can never have a nuclear weapon. That is why, in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regime’s nuclear program at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didn’t want to do it. Again, they wanted to do it. They didn’t want to do it. They didn’t know what was happening. They just wanted to practice evil. But Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades, they rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if they ever had, and actually were armed with, nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message. For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. We’re going to annihilate their navy. We’re going to ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces and no longer use their IEDs or roadside bombs, as they are sometimes called, to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It’s a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon. This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration, and there is no military on earth even close to its power, strength or sophistication. My administration has taken every possible step to minimize the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But we’re doing this not for now. We’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission. We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and our children will never be threatened by a nuclear armed Iran. We ask God to protect all of our heroes in harm’s way, and we trust that, with his help, the men and women of the armed forces will prevail. We have the greatest in the world, and they will prevail. To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death. So lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death. Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass. May God bless the brave men and women of America’s Armed Forces. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless you all. Thank you. The post ‘The Hour of Your Freedom Is at Hand’: President Trump’s Statement on Iran appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Members of Congress have begun reacting to Operation Epic Fury, today’s attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran by the United States and Israel. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who has bucked his party with his continuing strong support for Israel, was quick to praise President Donald Trump’s action, stating on X, “President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region. God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel.” Operation Epic Fury.President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region.God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel.— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) February 28, 2026 Fetterman then went on Fox & Friends Weekend to add, “I might be a Democrat, but the president is correct. … To actually create real peace, you have to commit these kinds of actions.” Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., who has long advocated military action against Iran, cheered the air strikes. “The end of the largest state sponsor of terrorism is upon us,” Graham stated. “This operation is necessary and long justified.” he told the Washington Post, “President Trump has met the moment” and “put in motion the demise of the Iranian ayatollah.” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement, “Today, Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions.” “For decades, Iran has defiantly maintained its nuclear program while arming and funding Hamas, Hezbollah, and other internationally recognized terrorist organizations. Iran and its proxies have menaced America and American lives, undermined our core national interests, systematically destabilized the Middle East, and threatened the security of the entire West,” he stated. “The Gang of 8 was briefed in detail earlier this week that military action may become necessary to protect American troops and American citizens in Iran. I received updates from Secretary Rubio thereafter, and I will remain in close contact with the President and the Department of War as this operation proceeds.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stressed that while Iran is a “bad actor” and must be “aggressively confronted,” the president must seek congressional authorization for a preemptive use of military force “absent exigent circumstances.” Donald Trump promised to keep America out of costly and endless foreign wars.He is now doing the exact opposite in the Middle East.Congress must vote on a War Powers resolution immediately. pic.twitter.com/MLrFZa5wtP— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) February 28, 2026 Democrats Rush to Question Attack Several other Senate Democrats did not share Fetterman’s support for military action. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and Foreign Relations Committee, called the attack an “illegal war.” In a statement, he said, “These strikes are a colossal mistake, and I pray they do not cost our sons and daughters in uniform and at embassies throughout the region their lives. The Senate should immediately return to session and vote on my War Powers Resolution to block the use of U.S. forces in hostilities against Iran. Every single Senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action.” Fellow Virginia Democrat, Sen. Mark Warner, said, “We owe it to our service members, and to every American family, to ensure that we are not repeating the mistakes of the past. The president owes the country clear answers: What is the objective? What is the strategy to prevent escalation? And how does this make Americans safer?” Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass, called the attack “illegal and unconstitutional.” He claims Trump has “consistently exaggerated the imminence of Iran’s nuclear threat, even after insisting the United states ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear program during his illegal Operation Midnight Hammer attack.” Markey pushed for a diplomatic solution, adding, Americans do not want another endless war in the Middle East. They do not want to see young men and women sent overseas for endless warfare while families at home cannot afford health care.” This story will be updated. The post Congress Reacts to Iran Attack: Fetterman Praises, Jeffries Cautions appeared first on The Daily Signal.

REUTERS—President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States had begun “major combat operations” in Iran, warning that there may be U.S. casualties.  The strikes, which Trump said were aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and annihilating its navy, follow repeated U.S.-Israeli warnings that they would strike Iran again if it pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.  “My administration has taken every possible step to minimise the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill,” Trump said in a video shared on Truth Social. “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties that often happens in war, but we’re doing this, not for now. We’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.” Operation to Last Several Days The U.S. military has named the operation “EPIC FURY,” the Pentagon said on X. This is the second time the U.S. has carried out strikes on Iran since Trump returned to the White House last year. The first was in June when Washington carried out a series of attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. Saturday’s strikes, unlike the first, are expected to be carried out over several days, a U.S. official told Reuters. Tehran is preparing for retaliation, with the response set to be crushing, an Iranian official told Reuters. The Israeli military said that Tehran had launched missiles towards Israel in response. In his message, Trump told the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Iran’s armed forces, to lay down their weapons, promising that they would be granted immunity.  The other option, according to Trump, is “certain death.”  Washington and Tehran held a series of talks in recent weeks about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The most recent one was held on Thursday with no deal.  “Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades. They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore,” Trump said. Trump Encourages Iranians to Take Over Government The president first floated the idea of strikes on Iran in January amid two-week-long nationwide protests, during which thousands of people were killed by authorities. He warned that the U.S. would come to the rescue of protesters if Iranian officials were to shoot and kill them. Trump later encouraged the protesters to continue protesting, saying that help was on the way. Trump mentioned the killing of protesters during his statement on the strikes, telling Iranians to take cover because bombs will drop “everywhere.” “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” he said. Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; Additional reporting by Phil Stewart and Bo Erickson; Editing by Tom Hogue and Sharon Singleton. The post Trump Warns Some Americans May Die Amid US Strikes in Iran appeared first on The Daily Signal.

REUTERS—Global airlines suspended flights across the Middle East on Saturday after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, plunging the region into a renewed military confrontation. Flight maps showed the airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel and Bahrain virtually empty as Israel said it struck Iran and the U.S. military initiated a series of strikes against targets in the country. Iran retaliated with a salvo of missiles. Airlines have cancelled almost 40% of flights to Israel and 6.7% of flights to the broader region on Saturday, according to preliminary Cirium data. Witnesses told Reuters about explosions across the Gulf, including in Qatar’s Doha, which hosts the biggest U.S. military base in the Middle East, as well as Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The escalation dimmed hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s nuclear dispute with the West and reignited conflict after weeks of U.S. military buildup in the region. Busiest in the World It marks the latest upheaval for air travel in the usually busy region amid escalating tensions. Airports in the Middle East are some of the busiest in the world, covering an area stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean and serving as a connecting hub for flights between Europe and Asia. The region has also taken on a more important role since the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has forced airlines to avoid airspace over both countries. Conflict zones are an increasing operational burden on airlines as aerial attacks raise worries about accidental or deliberate shoot-downs of commercial air traffic. Longer flight times also require more fuel, adding to their costs. Israel, Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan closed their airspace following the attacks and a map of the region on Flightradar24 showed planes avoiding these areas.  British Airways, Lufthansa, Wizz Air Suspend Flights The European Union’s aviation regulator EASA on Saturday recommended its airlines stay out of the airspace affected by the ongoing military intervention. British Airways, owned by IAG, said it was monitoring the situation and had cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until March 3, as well as Saturday’s flights to Amman. The Russian Ministry of Transport said on Saturday that Russian air carriers had suspended flights to Iran and Israel. Germany’s Lufthansa said it was suspending flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday and halting temporarily the Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman routes until March 7. Air France cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut. Iberia also cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, while Wizz Air suspended flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until the same date, it said. Passengers and airlines can expect airspace to be shut for some time in the region. It’s also important to look at the tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan as that will limit airspace even further, said Eric Schouten, head of aviation security advisory Dyami.  “With hostilities now underway, the impact on regional aviation is immediate and highly fluid,” he said. “We also anticipate precautionary evacuations or temporary shutdowns at select Gulf airports if the threat envelope expands, which would immediately disrupt key transit hubs,” he noted. Various Indian airlines, including Air India, also suspended flights to the Middle East.  Regional Carriers Affected Regional airspace closures have disrupted several Emirates flights, the Dubai-based carrier said, while its sister airline flydubai said it had temporarily suspended operations on Saturday “due to the ongoing developments in the region.” Qatar Airways and Kuwait Airways temporarily suspended flights, while Turkish Airlines also cancelled flights to several Middle Eastern destinations. Kuwait’s aviation authority said it was halting all flights to Iran until further notice, according to the state news agency, while Oman Air said it had suspended all flights to Baghdad due to the regional developments. KLM, the Dutch arm of Air France-KLM, has brought forward the suspension of its Amsterdam–Tel Aviv service, cancelling the flight scheduled for Saturday after strikes in Iran, a spokesperson said. The airline had announced on Wednesday that flights would be halted from Sunday, March 1. Only one flight to Tel Aviv had been scheduled for Saturday. Virgin Atlantic said it had decided to temporarily avoid Iraqi airspace, resulting in some re-routing of its flights. Reporting by Federico Maccioni in Dubai and Joanna Plucinska in London; Editing by Adam Jourdan, Josephine Mason, Janet Lawrence and Sharon Singleton. The post Airlines Halt Middle East Flights After US, Israel Strike Iran appeared first on The Daily Signal.