The U.S. women’s hockey team, which won gold against Canada earlier this week, said on Monday that the players could not attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.” Trump invited the U.S. women’s and men’s hockey teams to attend his address on Tuesday night after both teams brought home the gold medal, with each team taking down arch-nemesis Canada in overtime. While not yet official, the men’s hockey team appeared excited to make the trip to Capitol Hill for Trump’s address. The women’s team, however, said that “the athletes are unable to participate.” “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” a USA Hockey spokesman said, according to NBC News. The women’s team dominated during the Olympics, allowing just two goals throughout the entire tournament. Despite blowing past Canada in the preliminary round 5-0, the U.S. women found themselves trailing late against Canada in the gold-medal game. In a thrilling finish, Hilary Knight tied the game with just two minutes left before Megan Keller scored the game-winner in sudden-death overtime to lift the U.S. women past Canada. A State of the Union invite is a rare honor, as members of Congress, as well as the speaker and the president, are afforded a very limited number of guests. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said on Monday that officials were working to “figure out logistics” for the House to host both teams, which would include dozens of players and coaches, POLITICO reported. “There’s no way to have special guests on the floor because it’s a literal session of Congress,” he said. “But we’re going to work and do what we can to accommodate.” After the United States won its first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980 on Sunday, Trump spoke to the team over the phone and invited them to the State of the Union. “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump told the men’s team after its victory over Canada. He joked that if he didn’t also invite the women’s team, “I do believe I probably would be impeached.” The U.S. men’s team, most of whom were chugging beers alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, was ecstatic when Trump spoke to them over the phone in the locker room. “We’re giving the State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. I could send a military plane or something if you would like to,” Trump said. Some of the players then replied, stating, “We’re in!” “If you could work that out, I would be honored to have you all,” Trump added. The men’s team flew back to the United States on Monday, arriving in Miami after their flight was rerouted due to the massive winter storm in the Northeast. Star forward Matthew Tkachuk told reporters that the team would spend the day in Miami before flying to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Asked if they would attend the State of the Union, Tkachuk replied, “I don’t know what our plan is yet.” Tkachuk said “it was an honor” to get a call from Trump after the gold-medal victory. “We’re definitely honored to represent him and hundreds of millions across the country, bringing a gold medal back,” he added.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump denied a report on Monday that General Daniel Caine is opposed to an extended military campaign against Iran, calling the reporting “100%” incorrect and promising that Caine is with him when it comes to Iran. The Wall Street Journal had reported Monday that Caine, fondly dubbed “Razin Caine” by the president, was opposed to the possibility of war plans regarding Iran. On Monday afternoon, the president slammed “numerous stories from the Fake News Media” suggesting that he and Caine were not on the same page. “The story does not attribute this vast wealth of knowledge to anyone, and is 100% incorrect,” Trump said. “General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won.” The White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.  Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images “He knows Iran well in that he was in charge of Midnight Hammer, the attack on the Iranian Nuclear Development,” the president noted. “It is a Development no longer, but rather, was blown to smithereens by our Great B-2 Bombers. Razin Caine is a Great Fighter, and represents the Most Powerful Military anywhere in the World.” Trump argued that Caine has not even “spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about.” “He only knows one thing, how to WIN and, if he is told to do so, he will be leading the pack,” Trump said. “Everything that has been written about a potential War with Iran has been written incorrectly, and purposefully so. I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we don’t make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people, because they are great and wonderful, and something like this should never have happened to them.” The Wall Street Journal had reported that Caine was raising concerns to Trump about the war plans the United States is considering, concerns that the publication claims are also shared by other Pentagon leaders. The WSJ reports that the United States is considering a number of options for strikes on Iran, including limited strikes, a days-long aerial campaign that would be focused on regime change, and more. Officials expressed concerns about the possibility that a longer campaign in Iran would be costly for United States forces and deplete munitions stockpiles, the WSJ reported, noting that this would make protecting regional partners more complicated if Iran was still able to fight back. It could additionally impact future conflicts with China, the publication reported, if the United States used rarer air-defense munitions against Iran. Trump has repeatedly insisted he has not yet made up his mind on what to do in Iran, emphasizing that all options remain on the table and that Iran would be wise not to harm its citizens or anger the United States further. Meanwhile, the United States has congregated a massive fleet of war ships and planes near Iran, the most the U.S. has gathered in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq war. The WSJ report emphasizes that Trump, who has not made up his mind on how to act, greatly values Caine’s opinion. But the president’s Monday statement argues they are on the same page, and that Caine ultimately will follow Trump’s lead. The White House responded similarly to the Wall Street Journal. “General Caine is a highly respected professional whose job requires providing unbiased information to the Commander in Chief, which he does perfectly,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told the publication. “President Trump listens to feedback from all members of his national security team, and he is always the final decision maker.”

News Neon Genesis Evangelion Neon Genesis Evangelion’s New Series May Have Found A Perfect Writer in Nier Creator Yoko Taro The subversive gaming writer is taking on a massive new project By Matthew Byrd | Published on February 23, 2026 Image: Netflix Comment 0 Share New Share Image: Netflix At the Evangelion: 30th Anniversary event, we learned that legendary anime Neon Genesis Evangelion is being revived as a TV series with none other than Yoko Taro (perhaps best known as the writer and director of the Nier video game franchise) fielding the new series’ composition and screenplay.  There’s quite a lot to break down about this unexpected (though undoubtedly exciting) announcement, but let’s start with Neon Genesis Evangelion itself. Released in 1995, the original Neon Genesis Evangelion was considered a groundbreaking anime that helped usher in a new era for anime storytelling that we are largely still enjoying today.  Neon Genesis Evangelion followed a group of pilots who control giant mechs known as Evangelions. Designed to combat powerful creatures known as Angels, those mechs are actually synchronized with their pilots’ nervous systems, which makes them, among other things, an extension of their pilots’ mental state and general well-being. That premise is the basis for a narratively and thematically complex series that explored mental health and existence itself through the lens of heavy religious imagery. Despite its considerable thematic depth and often challenging subject matter, Neon Genesis Evangelion became a massive cultural sensation in Japan and a surprise hit in the West, where it helped launch a renewed global interest in anime.  Though Neon Genesis Evangelion has lived on through the strength of its source material, retellings, books, and spin-offs, the series has been relatively dormant for quite some time so far as major new projects go. A live-action adaptation has been kicked around for ages but never really got off the ground. The studio behind the original anime series (Studio Gainax) have also suffered through a number of incidents and struggles that eventually resulted in the company filing for bankruptcy in 2024. Taken from that perspective, the announcement of such a major new entry in the series is, in and of itself, a pretty big deal.  But it’s the Yoko Taro factor that really puts this announcement over the top. Thanks largely to his work on the Drakengard games and their spin-off/sequel series, the Nier titles, Taro has established himself as one of the most inventive, talented, and… eccentric creative talents in gaming today. His stories rarely follow anything close to a linear structure and instead utilize the unique capabilities of the gaming medium to explore often dark subjects (often death, war, and our relationship with other forms of violence). His work has cultivated a culture of obsession in some circles and even those who don’t quite subscribe to his creations so enthusiastically often admit that it’s undeniably distinct.  That distinct voice feels like a potentially great fit for the world of Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Taro has already promised to do his best with the franchise.  Taro will be joined by directors Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toru Yatabe, composer Keiichi Okabe, and production studios Studio Khara × CloverWorks on the new series. There is no word regarding its production schedule, plot, cast, or premiere release window, but stay tuned for further updates. [end-mark] The post <i>Neon Genesis Evangelion</i>’s New Series May Have Found A Perfect Writer in <i>Nier</i> Creator Yoko Taro appeared first on Reactor.

Virginia voters are more likely to oppose than support Democrats’ push for congressional redistricting, a newly released poll suggests. Virginia’s Democrat-controlled legislature has approved legislation which would likely make ten of the state’s eleven House districts favorable for Democrats. The state’s U.S. House delegation is currently made up of six Democrats and five Republicans. In order for this new map to become reality, voters will have to approve the legislature’s proposal to amend the constitution to allow for redistricting in a special election Democrats are attempting to hold in the spring. The Roanoke College poll suggests 62% of respondents favor the current method of redistricting, which is conducted once every ten years after the census. A mere 30% oppose this approach. Eight percent did not know or refused to answer. When asked if they would vote to approve a constitutional amendment to allow for pro-Democrat mid-cycle redistricting, a minority of 44% said they would. 52% would vote to keep the redistricting system “as it is now,” and 4% did not know or refused to answer. The polling, which surveyed 800 Virginians from Feb. 9 to Feb. 16, has a margin of error of 4.43%. Virginia Democrats have presented their pro-Democrat redistricting as a response to pro-Republican redistricting in states such as Texas and North Carolina. “We are leveling the playing field,” Democrat Senate president pro tempore L. Louise Lucas said in February of the redistricting push. “Our maps are ready. Virginia is ready. We said ’10-1,’ and we meant it.” Virginia has reached a 10-1 redistricting agreement. This moment reflects commitment to fair representation for communities across the Commonwealth and our nation. pic.twitter.com/lqS9IuwJzr— L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) February 5, 2026 A Virginia circuit court judge has placed a restraining order on Democrats’ attempt to hold a referendum on redistricting, potentially disrupting early voting in March.  Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has said he will appeal the decision. The post NEW POLL: Virginia Voters Lean Against Redistricting appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Mode Democrats are joining a boycott of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Sen. Ruben Gallego recently joined the ranks of Democrat lawmakers over the weekend. “I am not going to the state of the union,” Gallego said in a video posted to social media on Saturday. “There’s more productive things than I can do with my time than just sitting there for two hours and clapping on cue. Right now, this country is hurting.” Instead, the senator will be at home in Arizona during the address. I’m not going to State of the Union. pic.twitter.com/xNxu6An06p— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) February 20, 2026 Schiff’s participation in the Boycott was also announced on Saturday. MeidasTouch wrote on X that Schiff will instead speak at the “People’s State of the Union,” a counter address hosted by the news outlet and progressive aligned non-profit MoveOn Civic Action. Democrat Sen Adam Schiff announces he won't be attending Trump's State of the Union because Trump is "violating the law and Constitution" by deporting criminal illegal aliens who r*pe and terrorize Americans. pic.twitter.com/uBBcp3yng3— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 23, 2026 Democrats announcing their boycott the State of the Union comes after progressive-aligned organizations, like Amplify Edge’s “Young People Address the Nation” campaign, pressured Democratic lawmakers last week to boycott the address. Schiff and Gallego have not responded to The Daily Signal’s request for comment. As the boycott grows, the left-leaning sports and political commentator Stephen A. Smith has come out against Democrat theatrics. Smith said on his SiriusXM radio show that the Democrat’s refusal to attend the address “ticks him off,” calling them “juvenile.”“Why do they get to circumvent the need and the insistence of mere decorum? This is the kind of stuff that ticks me off,” Smith stated. “At some point in time, ladies and gentlemen, there’s got to be an adult in the room.” ?NEW: Stephen A. Smith *UNLOADS* on Democrats planning to boycott Trump's State of the Union address?"This is the kind of stuff that ticks me off!"@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/VwnoIv5x6O— Jason Cohen ?? (@JasonJournoDC) February 19, 2026 “If you’re going to act as juvenile, as petulant, as petty as you accuse president of the United States to be, how are you ever going to hold a high moral ground at least high enough to judge him accordingly?” Smith added. During Trump’s address to Congress last year, some Democrats tried to steal the show. Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, interrupted the speech with shouts and gestures several times before he was removed from the chamber. Schiff’s RSVP to the event hosted former MSNBC anchors Joy Reid and Katie Phang, comes after 12 of his Congressional colleagues, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md; Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill.; and the chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, announced last week that they would not “legitimize” Trump’s “lies.” “Donald Trump will use the State of the Union address as a platform to gaslight the American people and normalize and justify their terror, abuse, and violations of our rights. I refuse to legitimize it,” Ramirez stated in a release. A Gen Z activist group is urging members of Congress “who consider themselves defenders of democratic institutions” to boycott Trump’s State of the Union, according to a call to action obtained by The Daily Signal.@pedrobrodrigue7 https://t.co/8qoTLb7kN2— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) February 18, 2026 Van Hollen added on X that this “cannot be business as usual” because “Trump is marching America towards fascism.” The post More Democrats to Ditch Trump’s SOTU Address appeared first on The Daily Signal.

The Columbus City Council unveiled legislation last Tuesday sparking heated debate on Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s role as well as what constitutes sanctuary city policies. One proposal would prohibit Columbus police from entering into enforcement agreements with ICE, as ABC 6 highlighted. Regarding such a provision, a representative from Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla’s office told The Daily Signal that “it is not the Councilmember’s intention to make Columbus a sanctuary city; it is her intention to protect the residents of Columbus.” Barroso de Padilla co-hosted the hearing. State Rep. Josh Williams, a Republican who represents Toledo and who has been vocal on immigration, disagreed. Williams warned that “Columbus City Council is moving in a dangerous direction” in sending “a clear message that Columbus is more interested in protecting illegal immigrants than protecting law-abiding citizens.” He also expressed concerns about sanctuary policies. “If Columbus prohibits cooperation agreements and restricts enforcement coordination, then the city is clearly moving toward sanctuary-style policies. Ohio cannot afford to become a safe haven for those who violate our laws. Public safety must come first,” Williams told The Daily Signal. Those who weighed in addressed public safety, but with differing views on the role ICE plays. Barroso de Padilla in a press release declared a “responsibility as local leaders is to protect the trust that keeps our communities safe.” “Columbus will continue to focus city resources on serving residents—not on federal immigration enforcement. We are standing firmly in support of dignity, due process and the welcoming spirit that defines our city,” she added. Democrat Mayor Andrew Ginther shares views on Columbus as a “welcoming” city. “Mayor Ginther’s 2017 executive order remains in effect and makes clear that City of Columbus resources will not be used to support immigration enforcement unless there is evidence of a crime,” Deputy Chief of Staff Jennifer Fening told The Daily Signal. “Council’s legislation reiterates his stance and identifies additional opportunities to show our residents that Columbus is a place where everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and that their rights are respected. Columbus is, and will remain, a city for all.” It’s a view the Department of Homeland Security does not share. A spokesperson told The Daily Signal that such policies “would make Columbus less safe as a direct result.” The spokesperson also explained partnership efforts, warning about what happens when those efforts are limited. “Our partnerships with state and local law enforcement are key to removing criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists from American communities. When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with us, that is when we have to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities,” the spokesperson shared. Lora Ries, director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, concurred. “Does the council wish to have murderers, rapists, and pedophiles continue to live in their community? Because that is who they are protecting when they block ICE. They would be more honest if they just admitted that they don’t want anyone deported to hang on to their political power,” she told The Daily Signal. Brian Steel, president of the Fraternal Order of the Police, Capital City Lodge #9, spoke about both sides, including the role the city plays. “Our officers enforce state laws and local ordinances in accordance with statutory authority, constitutional standards, agency policies, and established directives. Municipal officers do not enforce federal civil immigration law. However, we have an absolute duty to assist our federal law enforcement partners when there is evidence of a criminal offense, a valid judicial warrant, or when any officer—local, state, or federal—is in danger of serious bodily harm,” Steel said. Steel also called on elected officials to work together. “Our shared goal should be clear: provide effective public safety, strengthen community trust, and focus our collective efforts on removing violent offenders from our streets—regardless of immigration status,” he continued. Other provisions, highlighted by Spectrum News 1, encourage ICE officers to clearly display badges and names as well as avoid face coverings. “When our heroic law enforcement officers conduct operations, they clearly identify themselves as law enforcement,” DHS explained. Masks are for officer protection, DHS reminded, pointing to increased attacks on agents. “Sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from wearing masks is despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers,” the spokesperson added. One area of agreement is that the city has limits. “The City of Columbus does not have authority over federal immigration operations,” the press release acknowledged. “We cannot ignore federal law or federal policy,” ABC 6 quoted Barroso de Padilla as saying. It’s a limit DHS emphasized. “The Supremacy Clause makes it clear that Columbus’ sanctuary politicians do not control federal law enforcement.” Ries echoed such sentiments as well, telling The Daily Signal, “Immigration law is federal law and states and localities cannot nullify federal law.” Williams agreed. “Federal immigration enforcement is not optional. It is the law of the land. Policies that obstruct cooperation or create barriers for federal officers undermine public safety and make it harder to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities.” The post Columbus Legislation on ICE Represents a ‘Dangerous Direction’ appeared first on The Daily Signal.