For a man so widely known by students of American history, much of Crispus Attucks’ life remains lost to the past. Despite the ambiguity about his days, Attucks played an important role as the future United States was moving at warp speed toward the American Revolution. People to whom he was unknown only days prior championed Attucks as a hero, quickly establishing him as a martyr. What do we know about Crispus Attucks, the man, and why was he so important to the Patriot cause?   The Early Life of Crispus Attucks A painting of Crispus Attucks, likely created after his death. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Obscurity hinders the details of Crispus Attucks’ early life, largely due to his likely status as a slave for at least some of his life. While slavery was more common in the agricultural south during the early days of the American colonies, it was by no means unheard of in the northern, more urban parts of the country.   It is believed that Attucks was born around 1723 in Framingham, Massachusetts, not far from Boston. His parents, Prince Yonger and Nancy Attucks were both living in slavery at the time and were under the possession of a man named Colonel Buckminster. Nancy Attucks was believed to be an Indigenous woman who had been forced into slavery, likely of Wampanoag or Natick ancestry. The pair may have had other children, a girl older than Crispus and a boy younger, but they are believed to have died in childhood.   Attucks lived with his parents, working for Buckminster until he was 16 years old. At that time, he was sold to a man named Deacon William Brown, another Framingham slaveholder. Apparently, from an early age, Attucks showed skill at trading, and was to put those skills to work for the man who subjugated him.   Escape From Slavery Afro American Monument, shows scenes from African-American history, including “Christopher Attucks,” featured with the angel in the center. Attucks is described as sleeping in his straw bed as a slave, “dreaming of liberty.” Source: Library of Congress   Attucks worked for Brown for several years, mainly occupied with selling cattle. However, he grew tired of a life of enslavement and struck out for freedom at age 27. In 1750, a series of notices appeared in the Boston Gazette and Weekly Journal, asking the public to be on the lookout for a runaway slave “named Crispas.” He was described as a “mulatto fellow” who stood at 6 feet, 2 inches tall, with tightly curled hair. A reward was offered for his return, but Crispus remained at large. He may have changed his name to Michael Johnson to protect his identity.   He embraced his Indigenous heritage, defining himself as a Native American to his employers to further protect himself from being suspected as a runaway slave. He spent the next 20 years largely on ships, working on trading vessels and in the whaling industry. Attucks also worked as a rope maker between voyages.   Attucks was engaged in the often dangerous whaling industry. Source: The Smithsonian Libraries   Attucks lived a life in which he was constantly looking over his shoulder. Not only did he have the fear that he may be forced back into slavery, but there were the British to worry about. American sailors were technically still British citizens and, therefore, subject to the practice of impressment, in which they could be forced into duty on a British Navy ship. As tensions surrounding taxation and freedom in the American colonies grew, British military presence increased in Boston and other important cities. These soldiers often took part-time work away from colonists, including sailors like Crispus. It is likely that Attucks had ill opinions of the British “redcoats” that were streaming in and out of his locality, opinions that he demonstrated in his actions on March 5, 1770.   The Incident on King Street The Boston Massacre, a lithograph by William Champney and J.H. Bufford. Attucks is featured in the center of the image. Source: Library of America   Attucks and his sailor friends weren’t the only people in Boston stressed by the increasing presence of British military forces. Boston had been occupied by the British since 1768 after colonists expressed their dissatisfaction with the repeated taxation the government was applying in the colonies. The Townshend Act, which applied new duties on commonly used imports such as glass, lead, paper, and tea, was the latest in a line of taxation acts pressed upon the colonists. Some of those living in the colonies, particularly in the Boston area, responded to the news with rioting. This led to an influx of British soldiers, soon numbering about 2,000 in the city of 16,000 colonists. The soldiers were assigned to protect goods and customs officials while keeping the peace.   The “Redcoats” nickname is attributed to the standard uniform of the British military at the time of the American Revolution. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Unfortunately, tension only rose as the Redcoats patrolled the city of Boston, and confrontations with the colonists were not uncommon. These were largely nonviolent, such as name-calling, but did nothing to dispel the increasing apprehensiveness that surrounded the city. On March 2, 1770, there was a fight between three British soldiers and a group of ropemakers. Three nights later, a British soldier entered a pub, looking for a part-time job. He was ridiculed by a group of patrons, including Crispus Attucks. Later that night, a group of about 30 people approached the Boston Customs House on King Street. The group was later described by John Adams as a “motley rabble of saucy boys” and was said to be led by, or at least include, Crispus Attucks.   A portrayal of the Boston Massacre used for propaganda after the event, credited to Paul Revere. Source: Library of Congress   A lone private, Hugh White, stood guard at the Customs House. The crowd, which was growing, began taunting the young man. They threw snowballs, rocks, and sticks at the soldier, jeering at him. Within minutes, Captain Preston of the 29th regiment arrived with eight additional soldiers to back White up, and the crowd included them in their taunts. One soldier was knocked to the ground by a rock. Whether mistakenly or on orders, a gun went off, and the remaining soldiers fired. When the smoke from the gun barrels had cleared, five colonists were dead or dying. The first to die was Crispus Attucks, killed by two musket balls to the chest. Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, and James Caldwell were buried, along with Attucks, in a common grave at the Granary Burying Ground in Boston.   A week later, the fifth victim, Patrick Carr, died and was interred along with the other four. The funeral procession for the men was led by Samuel Adams and it is estimated that 67% of Boston’s population turned out to witness the burial parade. Attucks’ burial at this location was noteworthy for a time in which laws and regulations governed the segregation of the dead by race.   An Unintentional Martyr In this print’s caption, Attucks is referred to as a “brave soldier.” Source: Library of Congress   Although the raucous mob could easily be credited in hindsight with starting the fight that took five lives, the event at the Customs House was quickly seized as a propaganda measure by the Patriot cause. It was branded as the Boston Massacre and turned the victims, especially Attucks, into martyrs for the cause. Attucks was memorialized as “the first to defy, the first to die” and was later considered the first death of the American Revolution. His name was utilized by organizations such as the Sons of Liberty to illustrate what they considered the unrighteous infiltration of the colonies by British soldiers. Despite the disillusionment the public felt toward the soldiers, Preston and his men were largely acquitted in the trial that followed, with two soldiers receiving minor sentences.   A drawing of the coffins of the four men killed immediately in the Boston Massacre. Source: Library of Congress   Attucks would continue to be relevant to American causes long after his death in 1770. His image and association with the cause of freedom became a tool for the abolitionist movement among Bostonians in the 1800s. Attucks’ memory was also used as a reminder that the contributions of Black citizens to the American Revolution were largely overlooked in history. In the early 20th century, March 5 in Boston was labeled “Crispus Attucks Day,” though Black Bostonians were holding annual celebrations in his memory long before.   The Boston Massacre by Alonzo Chappel. Source: National Archives at College Park   Though Crispus Attucks was a simple sailor on the streets of Boston just before the incident that took his life, propaganda would elevate him to the status of a martyr as the colonies moved toward the defining war that would create the United States. Attucks couldn’t have known that his actions that day would result in it being his last, nor did he realize the implications of his simple resistance to the British occupation. Regardless of his intentions, Attucks served the Patriots of Boston well and propelled support for their cause to new levels.

  Looking closely at centuries-old buildings across England, you may find bizarre little symbols, scratches, and shapes carved into the wooden or stone walls. For 500 years, these marks were etched into homes, churches, barns, and even graves to protect one’s family, homestead, and property from the woes of witchcraft and bad fortune. These peculiar marks reveal how communities feared and fought against demonic entities and ill wishes lingering in the shadows.   History of the Marks Medieval daisy wheel mark at Worlington Church, Suffolk, England, photographed by Medievalg, 2022. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Witch marks, also known as apotropaic marks or ritual protection symbols, appeared in England from the medieval period to the 19th century. A variety of designs were carved near the entrances, doors, windows, and dark spaces of buildings to protect against spiritual attacks and harm. Most believed that demonic spirits would sneak onto someone’s property, oftentimes hiding in secluded parts of a house, to attack and inflict bad luck, death, and damage to those cursed.   Medieval graffiti inside St. George’s Church in Larzicourt, France, photographed by Renhour48, 2024. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Researchers contend that the practice of using these marks was passed down through folk traditions and local superstition. Many have been dated to the reign of James I during his vigorous campaign against witches. Yet, most information about these marks remain a mystery. Dismissed as graffiti or random scrapes, little to no records exist about who or how these symbols were made. However, recent preservation projects by the Historic England Commission hope to change this. Since 2016, over 600 witch marks have been found across England in homes, barns, church, grain silos, and cellars.    Daisy Wheels or Hexafoil Marks Medieval daisy chain carved into the walls of All Saint’s Church, Litcham, Norfolk, England, photographed by Medievalg, 2022. Source: Wikimedia Commons   The most widespread ritual mark in England is the hexafoil. Also known as the daisy wheel, this symbol either appears alone or as a set of interlinking circles called a daisy chain. Hexafoils have been discovered on door openings, windowsills, and walls of family homes, barns, and churches. The hexafoil has also been found on material objects like plates, chests, and other furniture.   These protective markings served multiple purposes. First, they blessed someone’s home, all who live there, and all who entered. Second, the hexafoil’s infinite loop was meant to tempt and trap spirits before they could enter someone’s property and bring bad fortune, pain, and suffering. Compass tools were used to create precise circles that were easy to carve into wood and stone.    Marian Symbols Virgin Mary marks in North Muskham, England, photographed by Richard Croft, 2016. In the center are interlinking “VV” standing for the “Virgins of Virgins” invoke the power and protection of the Virgin Mary. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Marian symbols were one of the most common witch marks used for protection. These marks aimed to summon the power of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, to defend against spiritual attacks. To combat what lurks in the shadows, Marian marks are often found carved into arches, banisters, corners and fireplaces built during the early-modern period.   These symbols were created by carving a combination of letters “M” or “AM” into wood or stone. These letters stood for Mary or Ave Maria, meaning “Hail Mary”. Other variations included interlinking letters of “VV” to create a “W” shape that stands for Virgo Virginum, meaning “Virgin of Virgins”. These symbols reflect how Christian teachings and figures melded with English folk tradition over the centuries.   Taper Burns or Scorch Marks Taper burn apotropaic marks at Craven Arms, Shropshire, England, photographed by Philip Halling, 2024. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Taper burns, or scorch marks, are found throughout homes built during the medieval and Tudor periods. Because these notches were found on wooden beams near fireplaces, they have been ignored for most of history as just simple burns accumulated over time from use or construction. However, archeologists now believe that these spots were intentionally made as protection symbols against harm and evil.    Researchers contend that the scorch marks were made to weaponize Satan’s element of fire against himself and his followers, creating a spiritual barrier to protect homeowners and their families. Folk tradition believed that this would also protect their homes, barns, and fields from property damage caused by fire. These marks were created by holding a candle or open flame against the timber until a teardrop burn mark appeared. Afterwards, the burn was gouged out to create a deep and permanent talisman.     Mazes and Knot Marks Maze witch mark above a fireplace at Culross Palace, Fife, Scotland, photographed by Gillaween, 2023. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Mazes and knots are additional witch marks discovered throughout England. Despite their different shapes, they served the same purpose. Both preyed on how easily tempted demons are by attracting them with their complex designs. After luring evil spirits or witches in, they trapped them in their endless patterns and paths. Both symbols are found on the stone entrances of churches all over England to prevent demonic entities from entering or attacking the followers of God.   Solomon’s Knot marks discovered in a church in Lincolnshire, England, photographed by Richard Croft, 2015. The knots are the two-interlinking cross-like symbols behind the letter etchings. Source: Wikimedia Commons   One popular symbol was the Solomon knot. Found on church entryways, this knot lured and imprisoned evil entities into a never-ending cycle. The knot is composed of two interlocked loops that form a continuous cross with no specific beginning or end. This symbol also refers to the biblical role of King Solomon in the Old Testament who received special gifts from angels to control, battle, and slay demons.     Pentangles or Pentagram Marks Pentangle mark discovered at The Church of St. Mary and St. Andrew, Whillesford, Cambridgeshire, photographed by Medievalg, 2022. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Geometric shapes, especially pentagrams or pentangles, were apotropaic marks used to summon the power of God to entrap demons. Even though pentagrams are now associated to Wicca  and modern witchcraft, they meant the complete opposite during the medieval period. Instead, the five-pointed angles represented the five wounds inflicted on Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. A pentagram was therefore invoked as a strong symbol of Christ’s power and protection.     Many variations of pentagrams, pentangles that are encircled, are carved onto the walls and entrances of English churches. Throughout the medieval and early modern periods, pentangles enticed witches and demons with their star-like shape. Once they approached, these evil beings were pinned against the wall and trapped under the shape’s angles and lines. The mark intended to permanently imprison and prevent these entities from enacting their harmful bidding.

The 2026 lineup also features Kacey Musgraves, Red Clay Strays, Jason Isbell and more. Continue reading…

Allowing the homeless to languish on the streets is bad policy. Allowing the homeless to languish on the streets in severe winter weather can be a deadly policy. It took a tragic loss of life among New York City’s homeless during weeks of brutal cold for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to figure that out. But finally, the mayor has said he will reinstate homeless encampment sweeps. During the recent spate of arctic temperatures, 18 people died on New York City streets. By the beginning of February, New York City’s death toll from cold exposure had already outpaced previous totals for nearly every year between 2010 and 2019. In January, the city opened extra shelters and warming stations and began providing outreach and transportation to the shelters. Yet for weeks, Mamdani refused to make people get off the streets and go to the shelters, even as the death toll climbed.    Prior to being sworn in as mayor in January, Mamdani pledged to stop removing homeless encampments, a reversal of his predecessor Eric Adams’ policy. Mamdani apparently believes that removing people from public property is unjust. Finally, the mayor has budged though and is reinstating the sweeps. His ideology that people should be allowed to camp on public property, even in brutal weather, overlooked the reality that many people on the street have mental illnesses, are dealing with drug addictions, or both. Many are not in a state of mind to do what’s in their best interest (like going into a shelter when temperatures are life-threatening). People living on the streets are at high risk of crime and violence too, and as we’ve seen, harm from severe weather. The democratic socialist mayor apparently sees homelessness as a matter of the wrong government policies, which seems to mean simply not enough government low-income housing. He fails to understand that homelessness is often driven by deeper human needs. With that approach, Mamdani’s big plan is to build more government housing. His administration will double down on failed ”housing first” policies, which provide permanent supportive housing without any requirements on the part of the recipient (such as requirements to abstain from drug use, or participate in addiction recovery, mental health treatment, or job training). New York City has focused on “housing first” policies for decades now, and the federal government has indulged in prioritizing housing first for two decades. But housing first has failed to reduce homelessness, and researchers also repeatedly find that it fails to improve outcomes like mental health and drug and alcohol abuse. The number of homeless in the U.S. has soared, even as housing first programs have climbed. For example, researchers find that federal spending on homelessness—with the bulk of it going toward housing first—isn’t associated with a decline in homelessness. California increased its supply of permanent supportive housing units by 25,000 during 2010 and 2019, while the number of people living on California’s streets increased by 50%. Why doesn’t housing first reduce homelessness? Probably because it keeps people in housing longer than they would otherwise be, so units remain occupied that could be available for others. Housing first may also incentivize people to remain homeless longer if they expect they will get permanent housing. And communities that focus on housing first may also attract more homeless people to them. These reasons are likely why it takes an estimated 10 units of permanent supportive housing to reduce homelessness by just one person, a wildly inefficient ratio. Housing first can increase housing retention, but putting people in housing to languish with mental illness and substance abuse isn’t a good strategy. Yes, shelter is an important part of the equation, but the goal should be for people to get back on their feet and increase self-reliance, rather than simply putting them in permanent housing.   Mamdani needs to reverse course on housing first, like he did on encampment sweeps. He should also work with law enforcement to address illegal immigration. New York City shelter numbers jumped drastically in 2023 and 2024, primarily driven by an influx of illegal aliens. Shelter numbers remain high in 2026. Shelters should be available for New Yorkers, not overrun because leaders are unwilling to enforce immigration laws.   New York policymakers should also see that involuntary commitment laws are appropriately drafted so that those with severe mental illness can be placed in long-term psychiatric care. As it stands, New York’s involuntary commitment law gets just an average grade. The law fails to concretely define what a “grave disability is” or to specifically define “psychiatric deterioration.” More psychiatric beds should be made available too if necessary (which is likely, given the severe lack of such beds in the U.S. today). Instead of doubling down on failed housing first policies, Mamdani’s administration should focus primarily on transitional housing and “treatment first” programs that couple short-term shelter with requirements to participate in work training, drug treatment, and mental health programs. Treatment-first programs are more effective at helping people improve their lives, because they focus on addressing the causes of homelessness. People can’t always escape the consequences of what mother nature inflicts, such as a brutally cold winter. But policymakers shouldn’t exacerbate the problem of homelessness with misguided policies. Fortunately, Mamdani is taking one step in the right direction. Let’s hope it won’t be the last one on this matter. The post Mamdani’s Homelessness Crisis: Urgent Course Correction Needed appeared first on The Daily Signal.

I'm trying to think of four words less appealing to me in American politics than "Eric Swalwell's erotic poetry" and drawing a blank. "Vice President Hunter Biden?" Kind of implausible, also kind of funny. "SCOUTUS Justice Judge Judy?" I mightn't mind that, but also kind of outlandish. And I suppose...

Rush Limbaugh was one of the great ones. Five years ago on this day — February 17th — he passed away from a battle with lung cancer. In honor of Rush Limbaugh’s legacy, President Trump posted a heartfelt video message to his friend. Watch it here: President Trump releases a video to honor Rush Limbaugh on the fifth anniversary of his death. pic.twitter.com/lC0EC10aVD — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 18, 2026 Rush Limbaugh was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in 2020. That same year, Melania Trump presented the conservative legend with a Presidential Medal of Freedom during President Trump’s State of the Union address. Here’s a flashback to that moment: RIP Rush pic.twitter.com/CsrepYYEGQ — God & Country (@GodandCountryy) February 18, 2026 Mediaite via Yahoo News noted: Trump awarded Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020, shortly after the radio host announced his cancer diagnosis. After leaving office in 2021, Trump’s first television appearance came on the day of Limbaugh’s death, when he called into Fox News’ Outnumbered to praise the conservative juggernaut as “irreplaceable.” RIP Rush Limbaugh. He is still missed by many patriots, who remember listening to his radio show. Here are some more tributes, in honor of his passing: Rush lives on in all of our hearts. Thank you, Rush, for being our steady source of wisdom and laughter for so many years. – The Limbaugh Family pic.twitter.com/jPw6WTuobQ — Official Rush Limbaugh (@OfficialRushUSA) February 17, 2026 Rush was like a friend I could relate to. I listened to him every weekday at noon on the east coast. He is missed. — Deplorable M.E. (@MargoEpperson1) February 18, 2026 “Talent on loan from God.” There will never be another. — Lady Lisa (@SlammaJamma1366) February 18, 2026 I miss Rush every single day. —

On Monday, the home of a Republican County Commissioner candidate in Charlotte, NC was shot at multiple times. Aaron Marin, who is the only Republican running for the position in town, says his house was targeted by the apparent drive-by shooters. His wife and children were home when the shooting happened. Thankfully, no one was hurt. However, his kids had been playing outside in the yard shortly before the incident. Here are the details: HOLY CRAP!!!! A Republican County Commissioner in Charlotte NC just had 7-10 SHOTS FIRED AT HIS HOME WHILE HIS WIFE AND KIDS WERE INSIDE!!! Bullet holes can be seen in trees, cars, mailbox, and his kid’s basketball hoop. He says he was DELIBERATELY TARGETED and his kids are… pic.twitter.com/6ExQ9Kdy9N — Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) February 18, 2026 HOLY CRAP!!!! A Republican County Commissioner in Charlotte NC just had 7-10 SHOTS FIRED AT HIS HOME WHILE HIS WIFE AND KIDS WERE INSIDE!!! Bullet holes can be seen in trees, cars, mailbox, and his kid’s basketball hoop. He says he was DELIBERATELY TARGETED and his kids are terrified and don’t feel safe to play outside anymore… REPUBLICANS ARE UNDER ATTACK!!!!!! Marin is the ONLY Republican running to represent County Commission District 1. Despite this, Aaron Marin says he will not be intimidated and will continue to run for office. Aaron Marin thanks God for protecting his family during the terrifying shooting. He also says that, while he and his family are shaken, he will not be intimidated. From the Charlotte Observer: Multiple gunshots hit the Huntersville home of Mecklenburg County commissioner candidate Aaron Marin Monday night, Police Chief Brian Vaughan said Tuesday. “It did occur,” Vaughan told The Charlotte Observer after Marin issued a news release about the incident. “We did collect evidence.” Marin said he was inside with his wife and their two young sons when shots hit the home around 7:40 p.m. “By the grace of God, we are alive,” Marin said. “But our family is shaken, and this is not something any family in Mecklenburg County should ever experience.” He said his home “was deliberately targeted” but said he wouldn’t speculate on a motive. He said he “will not be intimidated.” At this time, police have not released any information on suspects or whether or not it was a politically-motivated attack. But, either way, please pray for the safety of Aaron Marin and his family.

In another “random act of violence,” a teenage boy narrowly survived a throat slashing by a crazy stranger at Daytona Beach in Florida. 13-year-old Sullivan Clarke was vacationing with his family on Saturday, which happened to be Valentine’s Day. They were walking along the boardwalk when 44-year-old Jermaine Lynn Long approached them and slashed the boy’s neck. Here’s what we know about the shocking incident: HOLY SH*T: A 13-year-old boy was nearly K*LLED after a man randomly slashed his neck in Daytona Beach, Florida. Jermaine Lynn Long, the alleged attacker, targeted the teen while he was walking along the boardwalk with his family. Doctors say that just one millimeter deeper… pic.twitter.com/U08Q7zc9gt — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 17, 2026 HOLY SH*T: A 13-year-old boy was nearly K*LLED after a man randomly slashed his neck in Daytona Beach, Florida. Jermaine Lynn Long, the alleged attacker, targeted the teen while he was walking along the boardwalk with his family. Doctors say that just one millimeter deeper could have been fatal. You probably won’t hear about this from the mainstream media since it doesn’t fit the narrative. The doctor who treated Sullivan said that he was very lucky to have survived. This clip from a local Fox News station has more details: SHOCKING: A 13-year-old boy was SLASHED in the neck by a career criminal in Daytona Beach, Florida. “The doctor told him one millimeter deeper, we would be having a different conversation” pic.twitter.com/nB5c42hSGc — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 18, 2026 What a miracle. Sullivan says he turned his head to look at a ride at the perfect time to avoid getting slashed in a major artery. Per Fox 35 Orlando: The situation was much more dire than a robbery. Sullivan’s father, Jerod, described the terrifying moment they realized how badly their son was hurt, saying he could see deep into the wound. Doctors later told the family that if the blade had gone just one millimeter deeper, Sullivan wouldn’t have survived. Sullivan believes looking up at the Slingshot ride at the perfect time is the only reason he is alive to tell his story. Because he turned his head, the blade hit the side of his neck instead of his windpipe or a major artery. The suspect, later identified as Jermaine Lynn Long, 44, was located near the overpass on the pier and was taken into custody. After interviewing multiple witnesses, police arrested Long for aggravated battery. Thank God for protecting this innocent young man. That’s Divine Providence right there. But, on another note: what’s with all these unprovoked, random acts of violence lately? Earlier today, we reported on another attack at a beach in Florida where an illegal alien randomly tried to drown a woman. Full scoop on that here: Illegal Alien ARRESTED After Trying to Drown a Woman at Florida Beach Random attacks are becoming a very troubling trend — spurred on by both Democrats protecting illegal aliens and activist judges letting criminals who should be locked up for life out onto the streets. Speaking of which, Jermaine Lynn Long is a registered sex offender with a long criminal track record. He had at least 7 prior arrests in just the past four years. Take a look at this: His county arrests from the past four years pic.twitter.com/OxlCtLvwOR — Ang K (@angkaul) February 17, 2026 Just four days before slashing a teenage boy’s throat, Long was released from jail, where he was being held after another violent attack in January. ClickOrlando reported: Long is a registered sex offender with a lengthy criminal history in Volusia County. Most recently, he was arrested in January for allegedly trying to hurt two men with a knife and then hitting them with a large pole. Prosecutors dropped those charges, and Long was released from jail just four days before the incident with the Clarke family. This should infuriate you. These violent, mentally-ill criminals need to be kept far away from society — not let loose to go hurt innocent American people! We need major judicial change. This sounds like a good idea: How many priors? pic.twitter.com/6JHc1p4dZ5 — J (@blackhawkce457) February 17, 2026 What are your thoughts?

Despite the 2028 Presidential election being a couple of years off, that isn’t stopping the media from hounding Vice President JD Vance on whether he will seek the highest office in the land. During his recent sit-down interview with Fox News, Vance was asked if he would want President Trump to endorse him as the Republican Presidential nominee. Vance responded to the question by saying that President Trump is focused on the job at hand, which is what everyone in the administration should do as well. He then commented on recent media efforts to place him and Rubio against each other. Watch Vance’s full response here: JD Vance responds to questions about if he will run for President in 2028 and if Marco Rubio will be his running mate pic.twitter.com/WELRXxHFJT — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 17, 2026 Vance’s comments came after Bloomberg released the following article: President Donald Trump said Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are both “fantastic,” but fell short of saying if he would support either one of them to lead the Republican presidential ticket in the 2028 election. “It’s something I don’t have to worry about now. I’ve got three years to go,” Trump told reporters Monday when asked if he would support Vance or Rubio in 2028. “JD is fantastic. And Marco — they’re both fantastic,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “I think Marco did a great job in Munich.” The president has been coy about who he would like to see lead the Republican Party after his second term in the White House ends. But Trump has repeatedly named both his vice president and his secretary of state when asked who he’d like to succeed him as president. Trump last year said that Vance is “most likely” the heir-apparent to the Make America Great Again movement, but has also said that Rubio would make a great nominee. The question comes after Rubio received positive reviews at the Munich Security Conference where he sketched out a shared heritage with Europe and asserted a common path ahead, while still focusing on the Trump administration’s stance on western dominance, immigration and climate skepticism. He struck a markedly softer tone than Vance did at the event a year earlier. Rubio, 54, a longtime anti-communist hawk, has embraced Trump’s aggressive approach while seeking ways to make deals in private. Vance, 41, a relative newcomer to politics best known for a memoir about life in small-town Ohio and Kentucky, embodies the MAGA movement’s anti-elite sensibilities, and Trump’s penchant for disruptive and unpredictable dealmaking. Trump has spent months privately — and at times publicly — teasing a rivalry between the two, suggesting at turns that one, then the other, is best positioned to take the torch from him. Watch Vance’s full interview with Fox News below:

Capitol police have just released the identity of the man who was arrested after allegedly charging the U.S. Capitol building with a shotgun. His name is Carter Camacho, and he is an 18-year-old man from Smyrna, GA. Police also released some photos from his arrest. Take a look: BREAKING: Capitol Police have just released a photos from the arrest of a man who allegedly rushed the US Capitol Building with a shotgun The man, who was wearing a tactical vest, has been identified as 18 y/o Carter Camacho of Georgia. Police say he also had a gas mask and… pic.twitter.com/CwvuRto0uA — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 17, 2026 BREAKING: Capitol Police have just released a photos from the arrest of a man who allegedly rushed the US Capitol Building with a shotgun The man, who was wearing a tactical vest, has been identified as 18 y/o Carter Camacho of Georgia. Police say he also had a gas mask and Kevlar helmet inside his Mercedes which was parked nearby. U.S. Capitol Police arrested 18-year-old Carter Camacho outside the Capitol with a loaded shotgun, extra ammo, and a tactical vest. His SUV had a gas mask and helmet inside. No prior record. No known motive yet. An 18-year-old drove to the Capitol armed to the teeth and… pic.twitter.com/8zLdoI3aAj — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 17, 2026 U.S. Capitol Police arrested 18-year-old Carter Camacho outside the Capitol with a loaded shotgun, extra ammo, and a tactical vest. His SUV had a gas mask and helmet inside. No prior record. No known motive yet. An 18-year-old drove to the Capitol armed to the teeth and nobody knew he was coming. That’s terrifying. Camacho is facing multiple charges, but we still don’t know what his motive was. WSBTV reported: The suspect, 18-year-old Carter Camacho, faces multiple charges, Capitol Police said in a statement. Officers said they found the suspect’s SUV in front of the U.S. Botanic Garden on Maryland Avenue, SW. A gas mask and helmet were spotted inside the vehicle. The arrest happened on the Lower West Terrace. No one was hurt. “Just last summer, we held an active threat exercise on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol – in the very location where today’s officers stopped the suspect,” said U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan. “These now routine exercises are planned monthly and in different areas of the Capitol Complex to keep our officers ready for potential threats just like this.” Camacho is charged with unlawful activities, carrying a rifle without a license, unregistered firearm, and unregistered ammunition. Our Capitol police did a great job acting quickly to apprehend this dangerous man before he could hurt anyone. Notably, this comes just days before President Trump is scheduled to give his State of the Union address. The Capitol Police Chief says that they are prepared to keep things safe for the important night. The New York Post has more: Trump is scheduled to appear at the US Capitol next Tuesday night to deliver his annual State of the Union address to Congress. The police chief said the incident will not impact the high-profile gathering of lawmakers, Supreme Court justices and administration and military officials. “We take the State of the Union very, very seriously and this doesn’t change our posture,” Sullivan told reporters “We’ll be prepared on State of the Union night.” Capitol Police released a report late last month noting that in 2025 — for the third year in a row — threats against congressional lawmakers increased. The department investigated 14,938 concerning statements, behaviors and communications directed against members of Congress, their families, staff and the Capitol Complex last year.