A federal judge has struck down the Trump Administration’s effort to expand a federal tool for voter verification.  U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups challenging President Trump’s recent upgrades to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. The upgrades came under an executive order that the DHS and SSA create a database to allow state and local officials to check the citizenship or immigration status of individuals when they register to vote. The plaintiffs argued that since the changes were made, the government had incorrectly identified people as noncitizens and purged them from their voter rolls. They also argued that the consolidation of Social Security data was a violation of federal privacy laws.  The decision is a major blow to Trump’s recent efforts to crack down on illegal voting at the state level. The administration may appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.  Among the plaintiffs were the League of Women Voters, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, and five individuals.  “All in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote,” Sooknanan wrote in a 75-page opinion explaining her decision favoring the advocacy groups.   The ruling declares that the database violated the Social Security Act, the Privacy Act of 1974, and the Administrative Procedure Act.  The SAVE system has been used since 1986. The Trump Administration argued that it was well within the authority of the DHS to modernize the database.  James Percival, general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security blasted the decision in a post on X, accusing the court of left-wing bias and hampering election-integrity efforts.  “It’s amazing how hard the Left will fight to stop us from solving problems they insist do not exist. Judge Sparkle Sooknanan’s latest ruling preventing DHS from addressing alien voting is just the latest example!” he said. It’s amazing how hard the Left will fight to stop us from solving problems they insist do not exist. Judge Sparkle Soknanan’s latest ruling preventing DHS from addressing alien voting is just the latest example! — James Percival (@DHSGenCounsel) June 22, 2026 The ruling does not dismantle the SAVE program. It only blocks the recent expansion for voter registration checks, so the program can still be used to verify immigration status for government benefits.

Major League Baseball backed down Monday after threatening several San Francisco Giants players over Bible verses marked on their Pride Night caps, promising not to fine or discipline them for expressing their Christian faith. In a letter to Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred said the league was enforcing existing rules and blamed the San Francisco Giants for a controversy that quickly became a religious-liberty flashpoint. .@MLB Commissioner writes to me and admits they were wrong to threaten the Giants players over Bible verses and promises never to fine or discipline these players – or any players for their religious beliefs pic.twitter.com/rnPy2F7fyR — Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 22, 2026 “By warning the Giants players that they may not include Bible verses on their caps in the future, MLB was not discriminating or chastising those players based on their religious beliefs; rather, MLB was enforcing (with only an oral warning) a long-standing, collectively bargained rule that keeps uniforms clean and avoids controversy,” Manfred said.  Manfred explained that the MLB allows clubs to wear customized uniforms during just 12 league-sanctioned events each year, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, Sept. 11, and Jackie Robinson Day. However, Manfred said individual clubs retain the flexibility to recognize other commemorative events throughout the season. He noted that in 2023, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers successfully requested that their use of Pride emblems on uniforms and hats during Pride Night be grandfathered in under the league’s policy. “Los Angeles and San Francisco are homes to some of the largest LGBTQ communities in the United States, and those clubs desired to show their appreciation and support for those communities,” Manfred explained, acknowledging that not everyone is on board.  “We understand that some players or other on-field personnel have not been comfortable wearing the pride emblem on their uniform based on their religious beliefs,” he added.   During Pride Night, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp was among them. He inscribed a passage from Genesis 9 on his cap in silver, placing it next to the rainbow logo. The verses describe God’s promise to Noah and all future generations that he would never again destroy the earth with a flood, with the rainbow serving as the sign of that covenant. An article in The Athletic sharply criticized the players’ decision, arguing that the Bible verses “missed the point” of Pride Night and helped fuel calls for MLB to crack down on Christian expressions during an event that was “supposed to be dedicated to support and belonging.” After the game, Roupp stood his ground, saying the Biblical gestures reflected his moral convictions.  “The rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant with us, and we as believers stand firm in that … There’s no hate at all,” he told reporters. “It’s just what I stand for and what I stand in, I believe in God.” Why was it important to write that verse tonight? ROUPP: “The rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant to us, and us as believers stand firm in that… There’s no hate at all.” What would say if somebody considered that derogatory toward them as a community? ROUPP: “As a… https://t.co/jaEs3ikn4U pic.twitter.com/yYOaJ0UvE7 — KNBR (@KNBR) June 13, 2026 Shortly thereafter, MLB issued a verbal warning advising players not to include Bible verses on their uniforms in the future, triggering a wave of conservative backlash, including legal scrutiny from elected officials and state attorneys general. “The Civil Rights Act prohibits MLB and its franchises from unreasonably burdening the rights of players with religious objections to serving as the League’s vehicle for pro-Pride messages,” Assistant Attorney General Dhillon wrote in a letter to Manfred. Swing and a miss! Major League Baseball encouraged players to wear “Black Lives Matter” on their uniforms but reportedly threatened Christians who write Bible verses on their hats. @USEEOC will investigate whether this amounts to religious discrimination. pic.twitter.com/pSNxhOfr7E — AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) June 18, 2026 In a response to Hawley’s scathing letter, Manfred appeared to deflect blame to the San Francisco Giants.   “Unfortunately, this year the Giants’ communication with players was inadequate and not clear. Some players apparently did not understand that they had the option to wear their normal uniform and elected to add messages to their hats bearing the pride logo as a result,” he explained. “After the game had concluded, my office issued a routine oral warning about the uniform policy violation – unfortunately, it was issued before we became aware of the Giants’ lapse in communication,”  In a win for the conservatives, the MLB vowed that no players would be punished for the Bible verses. “The players were neither fined nor disciplined, nor will they ever be,” Manfield said. 

Legendary music producer Clive Davis passed away on Monday at the age of 94.  Davis made history in the music industry as the founder of Arista Records and president of Columbia Records. He was known for creating some of the most iconic stars in modern music. He died peacefully from age-related illness following a recent hospitalization for respiratory issues. Among Davis’s many protégés are Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, and Neil Diamond. He won five Grammy Awards during his 59-year career. “He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations,” said a family statement released after his death. His annual pre-Grammy party was one of the most significant social events of the year, and regularly featured the most influential stars in the industry. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer in 2000.  Raised in Brooklyn, Davis was a Harvard Law Graduate and never planned on a career in music. He began as a corporate lawyer for Columbia Records before transitioning into music. “I was thrust into it,” he once remarked to CNN, “Never knowing I had a natural ear and gift for music that would become the passion of my life.” Many of his stars have posted tributes to him on social media, crediting him for their success.    View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) “Clive Davis convinced me to sign with Columbia Records many years ago. He recognized the talent of great musicians and understood the power of contemporary music. I will always be grateful to Clive for his recognition of the critical importance of songwriting. He undoubtedly enhanced the stature of the music industry during his tenure as president of Columbia Records,” Billy Joel commented. Carlos Santana added, “Clive Davis was a visionary. He could hear the intangible before anyone else could see it. He believed in Santana from the beginning, and years later he believed in us again. That kind of faith is a beautiful blessing, and I will always be grateful.” Davis is survived by his four children — Fred, Doug, Mitchell, and Lauren — as well as eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  “To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love. No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved,” said the family statement.

The Department of Justice is investigating a New York City coffee chain that promotes “radical hospitality” after it threatened to refuse service to Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman over his views on Israel. Poetica Coffee, which operates seven locations across New York City, mocked Rep. Goldman in a Facebook post Sunday, refunding his purchase and declaring that it does not serve “genocide enablers.” “Hey, Congressman Dan Goldman, we see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee. Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference?” the coffee shop said, posting a picture of Goldman at a Brooklyn location.  “See, here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between.”  On the company’s website, Poetica boasts “radical hospitality” that’s “rooted in the Uzbek tradition where the guest is sacred, the books are unbanned, and the door is open to everyone.”  But the company struck a markedly different tone when addressing Goldman. “Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away. We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyways). Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don’t ever come to Poetica,” Poetica said on social media.  As of Monday night, the post was still up on Facebook, and it provoked a fiery response from the DOJ’S Civil Rights division.  “Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin. These actions are not only reprehensible, they’re potentially illegal,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said. “The Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation, and will bring an enforcement action if warranted.  The @CivilRights is aware of the denial of service taunts to @danielsgoldman by Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn. Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin. These actions are… https://t.co/reOawYeEzU — AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) June 22, 2026 Goldman – who is locked in a tight reelection primary – responded to coffee’s social media post.  “I am sorry to see this post,” he said in a statement. “The barista could not have been nicer to my 7-year-old daughter and me — allowing her to use the bathroom even though we had not purchased anything. “I made sure to buy a coffee in return for her kindness. I hope you at least make sure she gets the tip that she deserved,” Goldman added. On Tuesday, Democratic voters in New York City’s 10th Congressional District, which stretches from Manhattan’s East Village into several affluent Brooklyn neighborhoods, will decide whether to renominate Goldman. The pro-Israel Democrat faces a tough challenge from his party’s far-left flank, which has pledged to take a tougher stance against AIPAC and U.S. military aid to Israel. His leading challenger, Brad Lander, the former city comptroller endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has made his criticisms of Israel a central part of his campaign message. Mamdani declined to comment on the incident, according to the New York Times.

A former Illinois teacher illegally living in the United States was arrested for her alleged involvement in the Tren de Aragua mass shooting that killed three people, officials said on Monday, June 22. Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti, a 32 year old illegal immigrant originally from Venezuela, has been in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since May 13, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Occhipinti came to the in the United States October 2021 and later overstayed her visa, which expired in January of 2021. Occhipinti allegedly drove the two shooters, Ricardo Granadillo Padilla and Edward Martinez Cermeno, to a Chicago house party on December 2, 2024, where the crime took place. That night, five people were injured and three were killed.  “Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti’s actions were calculated and deliberate, leading to the loss of three lives,” said the HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. Authorities found multiple weapons in Occhipinti’s car after the shooting, and they believe she helped Granadillo Padilla and Martinez Cermeno evade law enforcement until the two were eventually deported in 2025. On December 5, 2024, the Chicago Police Department arrested and charged Occhipinti for unlawful use of weapons and other weapon offenses, but she was later released under Chicago’s sanctuary policies. These policies protect illegal immigrants from federal immigration authorities by preventing local law enforcement from notifying ICE when an illegal alien criminal has been taken into custody. Occhipinti is currently being held in Leitchfield, Kentucky, at the Grayson County Detention Center.  “Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, DHS is doing the job that sanctuary politicians in Illinois refuse to do: putting the American people first and removing these dangerous criminals from our communities,” said the DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis.  Occhipinti taught at a school in Elgin, a Chicago suburb, but officials refuse to disclose the institution’s name, DHS told Fox News. “I’m thankful that the victims and their families finally get the justice they deserve,” said the DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “Tren de Aragua is one of the most vicious gangs on planet earth. They rape, maim, and murder for sport. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are targeting and removing gang members from our communities and ensuring those that committed crimes in our country face justice.” Members of Tren de Aragua, a prison gang from Venezuela, entered the United States in droves during former President Joe Biden’s administration, when federal authorities were instructed to release illegal border crossers into the nation’s interior en masse. The gang proceeded to create footholds across the country, setting up sex trafficking rings, carrying out apartment takeovers, and committing murders. Jose Ibarra, a member of the violent gang, was convicted of the high-profile murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.