Former Vice President candidate Governor Tim Walz is considering a run for Senate next year. Walz’s consideration comes as Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced her retirement on Thursday. As Walz has not announced he’s officially running, his Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has announced she will. Flanagan, in a post on X, wrote, “I love Minnesota, and my intention is to run for the United States Senate and continue to serve the people of this state. I’ll make a formal announcement later this month.” SCOOP: Tim Walz’s team leaked to Politico that he’s interested in the U.S. Senate seat—this story is 100% legit. Peggy Flanagan and Walz have been sparring behind the scenes for a while, and his team is furious that she’s flexing her muscles by definitively announcing her run… pic.twitter.com/11BiyGEIdr — Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) February 13, 2025 Here’s what Politico reported: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is considering a run for Senate next year, according to a person close to the governor who was granted anonymity to describe internal deliberations. His consideration of the seat comes after Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced her retirement from the blue-leaning battleground on Thursday. Walz, the former vice presidential nominee, could also run for reelection as governor in 2026. Already on Thursday, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan kicked off a bid with a post on social media: “I love Minnesota and my intention is to run for United States Senate and continue to serve the people of this state. I’ll make a formal announcement later this month.” Progressive Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) didn’t rule out a run, either. “Congresswoman Omar will be talking with Minnesotans about the future of the Senate seat and DFL party in Minnesota,” a spokesperson said. Smith, who has served in the Senate since 2018, said in a video announcing her decision that “after 20 years of hard and rewarding work in the public sector, I’m ready to spend more time with my family.” “We’re more than ready to take up the mantle of this seat, and all that will have to get worked out,” Smith told reporters at the Capitol on Thursday, adding that she wanted to announce her decision with enough time for others in the state to decide whether to run. JUST IN: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz considering a run for Senate next year after Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced her retirement – POLITICO pic.twitter.com/KyqWRh6ll5 — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 13, 2025 Per USA Today: Former Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, is exploring running in 2026 for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., a source close to Walz said. His consideration of a Senate bid follows Smith’s announcement Thursday that she will not seek a second term for a seat she’s held since winning a special election in 2018. Walz, whose second term for governor ends in 2027, is also considering running in 2026 for a third gubernatorial term, the source said. Minnesota does not have term limits for governor.

President Trump revealed DOGE’s next target is the IRS. Trump while answering a reporter who asked him if DOGE will audit the IRS shared, “I think the IRS will be looked at just like everybody else. Everyone will be looked at.” He added, “They’re doing a hell of a job. Elon is building a force of super geniuses. They go talk to the people about their deals and people get tongue tied, they can’t even talk, because these people get it. They’re very smart people. We need smart people.” Watch here: REPORTER: “DOGE workers arrived at the IRS today. Do you expect to close the IRS?” LUTNICK: “Some day.” TRUMP: “I think the IRS will be looked at just like everybody else. Everyone will be looked at. They’re doing a hell of a job. Elon is building a force of super… pic.twitter.com/Xei8OgNAB8 — Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) February 13, 2025 #BREAKING: DOGE officials have just entered the IRS building in DC to begin their investigation into the agency This comes after ? users OVERWHELMINGLY voted for DOGE to dig into the IRS just days ago. WE THE PEOPLE are in charge of our government again! pic.twitter.com/8SFS9CwMss — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 13, 2025 Per The Washington Examiner: President Donald Trump on Thursday threw his support behind the Department of Government Efficiency investigation into alleged fraud and waste at the Internal Revenue Service. Trump has long railed against the IRS, repeatedly claiming on the 2024 campaign trail that the office improperly targets conservatives for political reasons. After entering office in January, the president proposed closing down the IRS and replacing it with a new External Revenue Office. The president and his allies claim that revenue coming in from new Trump-era tariffs would sufficiently offset the loss of federal income taxes. Gavin Kliger and other DOGE officials reportedly arrived at IRS headquarters Thursday afternoon, just before Trump’s Oval Office signing ceremony for his new reciprocal tariff agenda. During the ceremony, Trump told reporters that “the Internal Revenue Service will be looked at like everybody.” President Trump confirms the rumors that DOGE will be auditing the IRS for corruption and waste. “The IRS will be looked at like everybody else. Just about everybody will be looked at. They’re doing a helluva job… I call it the force of super geniuses.” pic.twitter.com/nUsholUKEE — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 13, 2025 Per Reuters: Gavin Kliger, one of the top staffers working with Elon Musk in his efforts to overhaul the federal government, arrived at the Internal Revenue Service on Thursday to examine the agency’s operations, according to two people familiar with the matter. Kliger was meeting with senior executives at the tax-collecting agency, marking the first time that a member of the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has shown up at its headquarters in Washington, the people told Reuters.

On Thursday morning, the Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the head of the United States Health and Human Services Department. Hours later, Kennedy was officially sworn in as the health secretary inside the White House Oval Office. Watch here: BREAKING: RFK Jr. is officially sworn in as America’s newest Health Secretary! pic.twitter.com/4utlI6Sfu4 — Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) February 13, 2025 Per AP: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in Thursday as President Donald Trump’s health secretary after a close Senate vote, putting the prominent vaccine skeptic in control of $1.7 trillion in federal spending, vaccine recommendations and food safety as well as health insurance programs for roughly half the country. Nearly all Republicans fell in line behind Trump despite hesitancy over Kennedy’s views on vaccines, voting 52-48 to elevate the scion of one of America’s most storied political — and Democratic — families to secretary of the Health and Human Services Department. Democrats unanimously opposed Kennedy. Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, who had polio as a child, was the only “no” vote among Republicans, mirroring his stands against Trump’s picks for the Pentagon chief and director of national intelligence. MOMENTS AGO@RobertKennedyJr has officially been sworn-in as Secretary of @HHSGov, in the Oval Office… pic.twitter.com/Zvn2zhcQsR — Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) February 13, 2025 Per The Hill: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn Thursday afternoon as the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services during a ceremony at the White House. Kennedy was confirmed by the Senate to lead the department in a 52-48 vote earlier Thursday after a contentious three-month uphill battle. The vote was largely split along party lines, with Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) being the lone Republican to vote against him. The former independent presidential candidate, who later joined forces with President Trump, will now lead a department of nearly 100,000 employees spanning across 13 agencies. Watch his victory speech here: BREAKING: Full RFK Jr. Victory Speech after being sworn in as America’s newest Health Secretary. Very powerful speech! Must watch pic.twitter.com/QzLP7fqjD5 — Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) February 13, 2025

Construction workers at San Diego International Airport made a startling discovery on Thursday. San Diego Fire-Rescue’s Bomb Squad and law enforcement responded after the construction workers found what they believe was “an old, inert hand grenade.” “Currently a bomb squad and other emergency crews are on the scene in San Diego, California, after construction crews working at San Diego International Airport found unearthed old, inert hand grenade near Terminal 1. The bomb squad is investigating the discovery to ensure public safety,” Rawsalerts wrote. “The area around the terminal has been cordoned off, and authorities are conducting a thorough assessment of the situation. As a precautionary measure, airport traffic to Terminal 1 has been restricted to one lane, though the rest of the airport is functioning normally. This is still developing,” the post added. #BREAKING: Bomb Squad are on the scene after a construction workers found a Unearthed Grenade at the San Diego International Airport ⁰⁰#SanDiego | #California ⁰⁰Currently a bomb squad and other emergency crews are on the scene in San Diego, California, after construction… pic.twitter.com/XA08rfLtTB — R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 13, 2025 NBC 7 San Diego reports: The grenade was old and inert, meaning it had been hollowed out as a training tool and did not have the potential to explode, according to airport officials. When the grenade was discovered at about 12:10 p.m., the airport called Harbor Police officers and K-9 units to investigate. San Diego Fire-Rescue’s Metro-Arson Strike Team was also called in and ultimately took possession of the grenade. The construction area was cleared but operations at the airport continued largely as usual. Only one traffic lane to Terminal 1 was affected, officials said. It was not immediately clear what would become of the grenade — or where it came from in the first place. During World War II, the San Diego airport was operated by the U.S. Army Air Corps and had a runway used by long-range bombers, according to the airport authority. #BreakingNews Suspected hand grenade unearthed by construction workers at San Diego International Airport https://t.co/CKTKCEi4bC — KUSI News (@KUSINews) February 13, 2025 BREAKING | Grenade Unearthed at AirportA bomb squad is on scene to investigate. Airport traffic to Terminal 1 has been restricted to one lane, but airport operations are resuming as normal. Stay updated and #ProtectTheWorld with Citizen. San Diego, California. pic.twitter.com/5BLZTlxA38 — Citizen (@CitizenApp) February 13, 2025 Per FOX 5: Harbor Police K9 Units are on the scene, along with San Diego Fire-Rescue’s Bomb Squad. According to the spokesperson, airport traffic to Terminal 1 has been reduced to one lane, but airport operations are continuing as normal as of current. No evacuations orders have been made at this time.

There was an incredible moment today during RFK Jr.’s swearing in ceremony and subsequent speech that I wanted to make sure you saw. It underscores the heart and character of these two men and I hope everyone will see this and not the MSM spin and lies. After being sworn in, RFK Jr. gave a tremendous and heartfelt speech where he addressed many things, but one thing really stood out to me. Looking over at President Trump, he said “Many people told me I couldn’t trust President Trump, that I’d better get it all in writing.  But we did it on a handshake and this man has kept his word and fulfilled every single promise he made to me.” Incredible moment. President Trump was beaming. Keep in mind, the time period RFK Jr. is talking about is back when RFK Jr. was a candidate in the race and doing decently well. I don’t think anyone realistically expected he could win, but he had a huge groundswell of support. Then at a pivotal moment, President Trump and RFK Jr. made the deal he describes in this video.  The deal was simply this: RFK Jr. would drop out and endorse President Trump and essentially join Team MAGA, and in return President Trump would appoint him to the position where he could make the most impact to what was important to him — saving the health of our children. RFK Jr. joining MAGA would soon lead to Tulsi Gabbard joining MAGA and Elon Musk joining MAGA, and the rest — as they say — is history. Watch here: BREAKING: Full RFK Jr. Victory Speech after being sworn in as America’s newest Health Secretary. Very powerful speech! Must watch pic.twitter.com/QzLP7fqjD5 — Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) February 13, 2025 Here’s a longer video, which includes the swearing in and more after his speech: MORE: WATCH: RFK Jr. Sworn In As New U.S. Health Secretary [FULL SPEECH] WATCH: RFK Jr. Sworn In As New U.S. Health Secretary [FULL SPEECH] On Thursday morning, the Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the head of the United States Health and Human Services Department. Hours later, Kennedy was officially sworn in as the health secretary inside the White House Oval Office. Watch here: ?BREAKING: RFK Jr. is officially sworn in as America's newest Health Secretary! pic.twitter.com/4utlI6Sfu4 — Autism Capital ? (@AutismCapital) February 13, 2025 Per AP: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in Thursday as President Donald Trump’s health secretary after a close Senate vote, putting the prominent vaccine skeptic in control of $1.7 trillion in federal spending, vaccine recommendations and food safety as well as health insurance programs for roughly half the country. Nearly all Republicans fell in line behind Trump despite hesitancy over Kennedy’s views on vaccines, voting 52-48 to elevate the scion of one of America’s most storied political — and Democratic — families to secretary of the Health and Human Services Department. Democrats unanimously opposed Kennedy. Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, who had polio as a child, was the only “no” vote among Republicans, mirroring his stands against Trump’s picks for the Pentagon chief and director of national intelligence. MOMENTS AGO@RobertKennedyJr has officially been sworn-in as Secretary of @HHSGov, in the Oval Office… pic.twitter.com/Zvn2zhcQsR — Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) February 13, 2025 Per The Hill: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn Thursday afternoon as the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services during a ceremony at the White House. Kennedy was confirmed by the Senate to lead the department in a 52-48 vote earlier Thursday after a contentious three-month uphill battle. The vote was largely split along party lines, with Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) being the lone Republican to vote against him. The former independent presidential candidate, who later joined forces with President Trump, will now lead a department of nearly 100,000 employees spanning across 13 agencies. Watch his victory speech here: BREAKING: Full RFK Jr. Victory Speech after being sworn in as America's newest Health Secretary. Very powerful speech! Must watch pic.twitter.com/QzLP7fqjD5 — Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) February 13, 2025

A federal judge blocked President Trump’s ban on transgender surgeries for minors. US District Judge Brendan Hurson wants to make sure the money continues flowing to cutting off children’s genitals or dwarfing their sexual growth. President Trump is ordered to fund any healthcare facility that continues with the sexual mutilation of children. The Hill reports […] The post Judge Orders the President to Fund Child Mutilation appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.