Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna wants the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship and photo identification for voters in federal elections, to become law. For that to happen, she says it might have to be attached to a “must-pass” foreign intelligence bill. “The Senate has now sat on this for over 300 days,” Luna, R-Fla., told Punchbowl News in an interview published Friday. “Something that… many members of Congress are tired of is ‘messaging bills’… It doesn’t actually feel like we’re doing much of anything.” “Messaging bills,” are pieces of legislation with little possibility of becoming law that members support to amplify their political messaging. Next week, the House will vote on the SAVE America Act. A previous version of the bill, the SAVE Act, passed by a 220-208 vote in April 2025. The new bill, if signed into law, would enforce a national requirement of photo identification in order to vote in federal elections, in addition to requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. It would also, as in the original SAVE Act, require states to clear voter rolls of individuals who cannot prove their citizenship, for federal elections. ? FLY OUT DAY OUT NOW ??Florida @RepLuna stopped by the Punchbowl News Townhouse — and covered a lot.From the SAVE Act and the filibuster to the Russia-Ukraine war and even UFOs ?? PLUS: @mychaelschnell and @bresreports jump in for a spirited round of That’s Not Gonna Fly! pic.twitter.com/GHLyxVF8Aw— Punchbowl News (@PunchbowlNews) February 5, 2026 But Luna said that, in order to pressure Congress to approve it, Republicans may have to insert the bill into another bill reauthorizing part of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). On April 20, the federal government’s authority to conduct warrantless surveillance on non-citizens will sunset and require renewal from Congress. “I do believe that the only way voter ID is going to pass is if it is attached to a must-pass piece of legislation. I think that that’s going to be FISA,” said Luna, who noted her previous opposition to FISA. Asked if she believed Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., agreed, Luna replied, “I think the speaker is with me on this understanding that… we’re going to do it on a stand-alone and hope the Senate does the right thing, but that it’s likely going to have to go in FISA.” Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request from The Daily Signal to confirm or deny Luna’s description of his views. Luna has also recently called for Senate Republicans to overcome the typical 60-vote threshold for debate to end a bill, the filibuster, by forcing Democrats to speak continuously to stall passage of the SAVE Act, a procedural move known as the “talking filibuster.” Luna added in the interview, “I don’t speak for the speaker, but that’s based on my conversations.” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a supporter of the SAVE Act, recently told The Daily Signal that he believes Republicans must place it in must-pass legislation in order for it to become law. “If we want any leverage, I think we should attach voter ID … If not the whole SAVE Act, some subset of the SAVE Act should be put into every appropriations bill,” Massie told The Daily Signal on Wednesday.  “If we’re going to have a fight over a shutdown, make it over whether we have secure elections or not.” The post Luna: This Is How We Make the SAVE Act Law appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Lawyers for former employees of the shuttered U.S. Agency for International Development will depose Elon Musk, the former aide to President Donald Trump who led efforts to shut down the agency and cut other wasteful spending. The Trump administration closed the agency after auditors with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency found multiple examples of waste.   In March, 26 current and former USAID employees sued, claiming Musk lacked the constitutional authority to exercise government power in his role.   The Trump administration acted to preclude Musk from being deposed in the case, making a motion for a protective order. The motion also included former Acting USAID Administrator Peter Marocco, and former DOGE team leader Jeremy Lewin.  U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang of the District of Maryland, appointed by President Barack Obama, rejected the administration’s motion on Wednesday. That means, for now, Musk will be deposed by lawyers for the former USAID employees.   In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order turning the existing White House office of U.S. Digital Services to the U.S. DOGE Service.   During Trump’s first term in office, Chung imposed a nationwide injunction against the Trump’s travel ban that prevented blocked immigrants from certain countries, predominantly majority Muslim, from entering the United States. The USAID lawsuit asserted Musk functioned as a principal officer, which should have required Senate confirmation. It further argued Congress did not authorize the president to appoint someone to that position as an “inferior officer,” meaning a non-Senate confirmed official.  The lawsuit wants the federal court to declare that DOGE acted unlawfully, and enjoin any future actions by the body.   Elon-Deposition-RulingDownload The post USAID Strikes Back, as Judge Says Elon Musk Must Testify in Lawsuit appeared first on The Daily Signal.

After commentator and former White House advisor Steve Bannon claimed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will “surround the polls come November,” the Trump administration has denied any such plans. “ICE is not planning operations targeting polling locations,” a Department of Homeland Security official told The Daily Signal. “ICE conducts intelligence-driven targeted enforcement, and if an active public safety threat endangered a polling location, they may be arrested as a result of that targeted enforcement action,” the official added. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday she has “never heard the president consider” sending immigration enforcement agents to polling locations. Pressed on the matter further, Leavitt said she “can’t guarantee” ICE agents won’t be in the vicinity of polling locations during elections, adding, “I haven’t heard the president discuss any formal plans to put ICE outside of polling locations.” Leavitt: “I can’t guarantee that an ICE agent won’t be around a polling location in November. I mean, that’s frankly a very silly hypothetical question. What I can tell you is I haven’t heard the president discuss any formal plans to put ICE outside of polling locations.” pic.twitter.com/zkaQaMyAIw— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) February 5, 2026 Bannon, who is a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, indicated on his Tuesday show that immigration enforcement agents would be used to deter illegal aliens from voting in U.S. elections. “We will never again allow an election to be stolen,” Bannon said. Bannon: “We‘re gonna have ICE surround the polls…We’ll never again allow an election to be stolen.” pic.twitter.com/jB1acp2txy— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) February 4, 2026 Bannon made the comments in response to Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., recently claiming that reforms to the agency should prevent “roving patrols of ICE agents” from showing up at polling stations. “The level of intimidation that the feds could bring on voters all across the country – if it does not worry you, it should,” Warner said during an appearance on MS NOW. Democrat Senator Mark Warner: “We don't want ICE agents showing up to polling stations during elections.” pic.twitter.com/9ZtuL2YcnA— TheBlaze (@theblaze) January 29, 2026 Across the United States, 36 states have laws on the books requiring voters to show a valid photo ID or proof of residency, such as a bank statement, to vote, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Many states have improved the security of their elections in recent years, according to The Heritage Foundation, which operates an election integrity scorecard to track the security of elections across the U.S. Hawaii, Nevada, California, Vermont, and Oregon rank the lowest in election integrity “largely because of their lack of voter ID requirements and minimal efforts to ensure the accuracy of their voter rolls or the custody and security of mail-in ballots,” according to the Heritage report. Nevada, California, Vermont, and Oregon are all sanctuary states, according to the Department of Justice, meaning state law limits the extent to which state and local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration officials. Bannon’s comments regarding ICE agents come as the Trump administration continues to carry out immigration operations in states across the U.S. aimed at arresting and deporting illegal aliens, with a priority being placed on the removal of criminal illegal aliens. The post Trump Admin Responds to Claims of ICE Targeting Polling Stations   appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Prominent Ohio lawmakers have been reacting swiftly to a last-minute court ruling maintaining Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in the United States. Springfield, Ohio has been the epicenter of the effort to end TPS for Haitian migrants. The Ruling and Reactions On Monday night, Judge Ana Reyes blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS for Haitians, with the decision coming on the eve before the program was to end. The Trump administration is determined to appeal. “Supreme Court, here we come. This is lawless activism that we will be vindicated on,” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin shared.  “Haiti’s TPS was granted following an earthquake that took place over 15 years ago, it was never intended to be a de facto amnesty program, yet that’s how previous administrations have used it for decades. Temporary means temporary and the final word will not be from an activist judge legislating from the bench,” she added. Supreme Court, here we come.This is lawless activism that we will be vindicated on. Haiti’s TPS was granted following an earthquake that took place over 15 years ago, it was never intended to be a de facto amnesty program, yet that’s how previous administrations have used it… https://t.co/wejySOSaXJ— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) February 3, 2026 Reyes, a Biden-appointed judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia had strong words for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in her conclusion, claiming that the Trump administration is motivated by racism. When discussing Equal Protection arguments, Reyes pointed to plaintiffs arguing that the decision to end TPS was “motivated, at least in part, by racial animus.” She wrote, “the Court finds that Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claim that anti-black and anti-Haitian animus motivated Secretary Noem’s decision to terminate Haiti’s TPS designation.” The decision was celebrated by Springfield Mayor Rob Rue, a Republican. “This ruling provides clarity and stability for families who are already part of our community. It reflects the reality that many individuals are working, paying taxes, raising families and contributing every day to the life of our City,” he said in a statement shared with The Daily Signal. “Maintaining that stability matters because unnecessary disruption creates uncertainty that serves no one.” Simon Hankinson, a senior fellow for the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, previously spoke to The Daily Signal about the influx of Haitians in Springfield. He acknowledged that Haitians may be employed and paying taxes but also noted that “those taxes are in no way going to make up for the services, free medical care, housing, education, and on and on that they’re taking out of not only the Ohio budget, but also the government budget.” Where Does Gov. DeWine Stand? Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, who has raised concerns about ending TPS, was asked about the ruling on CNN, specifically the claims of “animus” mentioned in Reyes’ ruling. The governor danced around the issue, offering, “Look, I’m not going to get into what the judge says or the law. The judge is going to have to do what they do. I respect that. We’re going to respect whatever we end up.” When prompted again, he answered, “Look, I can’t attribute motives to people, what their motives are,” before sharing his thoughts on Haitians. “I just know that these are contributing people to our community. We need them. Our economy needs them. You know, we want to continue to move forward.” DeWine described Haitians in the community to CNN as “people working hard every day,” which he said has enabled the town to “come back” economically. He also offered that “the majority of people in Springfield have certainly rallied behind [Haitians] that now they’ve lived aside for one, two, three, four years,” noting that residents “understand … they’re contributing.” Religious Groups Speak in Favor of Haitian Migrants Many religious groups have also been active in speaking out in favor of Haitian migrants. Archbishop Robert G. Casey of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati released a lengthy statement on Sunday, before Reyes’ decision was handed down. “The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has become a home to many families seeking to escape poverty, violence, and persecution in their home countries. Families from Haiti, Venezuela, and elsewhere have been welcomed and have begun to contribute to their new home,” Casey wrote at one point. “Springfield, for example, has faced remarkable challenges in recent years, yet it has also created a promising future for itself by productively integrating migrant newcomers into its workforce, communities, churches, and schools. Mass deportation jeopardizes the unity of families and the stability of communities that have worked hard to integrate their new members.” 2024 a Preview for 2026? Haitians in Springfield was a talking point during the 2024 election, for both now President Donald Trump and now Vice President JD Vance. The issue looks to be at play in the 2026 midterms as well. Last Friday, former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, urged DeWine and Republican Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted to call for an extension of TPS. Brown lost to Moreno in 2024 and is running against Husted in the 2026 special election. Moreno was among those quick to mock Brown in a quoted repost over X. You still don’t get it, do you @SherrodBrown? Voters are sick of liberal Democrats like you selling out American workers for cheap migrant labor every time. That’s why you got fired!This isn’t hard: Temporary Protected Status was always TEMPORARY. Now it’s time to go home. https://t.co/8H2szYMNd8— Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) January 30, 2026 The senator’s pinned post also lambasted Reyes’ ruling. When a Democrat president can create a TEMPORARY program and an unelected Democrat judge can unilaterally block a duly-elected Republican president from ever undoing it, we do not live in a democracy.It’s not Permanent Protected Status. This outrageous decision cannot stand.— Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) February 3, 2026 As for Brown’s opponent later this year, Husted reposted Fox News’ Laura Ingraham pointing out that “I think Sherrod Brown just lost his Senate race in Ohio.” “Senator Husted’s office is monitoring the TPS situation and remains confident that state and local officials in Ohio will continue their longstanding partnership with the federal government in ensuring the immigration law is upheld in a coordinated manner,” Husted’s office told The Daily Signal. I think Sherrod Brown just lost his Senate race in Ohio. https://t.co/rwrHaGpsW6— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) February 2, 2026 Husted also stressed to CNN cooperation between state and local officials, praising his state and in strong contrast to Minnesota, particularly Minneapolis. “I know in Ohio, in almost every place, if there is a local arrest of somebody who has committed a crime and they’re in this country illegally, they turn those individuals over to ICE,” he offered. The post Judge’s Ruling Brings More to Springfield Story on TPS for Haitians appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Niall Ferguson: Trump Was Inevitable (and Necessary), Mark Carney Was an Accident

After Nicki Minaj began voicing her conservative views and working with Turning Point USA, other celebrities have made it clear they’re no longer impressed with the rapper — and definitely not with TPUSA.“They are still attacking Nicki Minaj over connecting with TPUSA, over promoting Donald Trump,” BlazeTV host Jason Whitlock explains to his panel on “Fearless,” before playing a clip of Shannon Sharpe and Joe Budden’s criticism of Minaj and the late Charlie Kirk’s brainchild.“Nicki goes on stage with Charlie Kirk’s widow,” Sharpe said to Budden on his “Club Shay Shay” podcast.“I didn’t love it,” Budden replied.“That is the role that I believe Turning Point to play in the rewriting of history or revisionist history when they visit these schools and have all this money just basically being pumped into a certain belief system,” Budden said.“I won’t take us there and speak to what I believe that belief system to be. But it’s a mess. It’s deeper than political views. I’m not political at all. ... That’s not my bag,” he continued.“There’s a tone that I don’t think is hidden, and they’re hiding these white nationalist views behind Christianity,” he added.“‘White nationalist views behind Christianity.’ That is certainly a complaint we’ve heard from other people, perhaps a bit more informed than Joe Budden. But, and I’ve got to be honest, I have mixed emotions as it relates to Nicki Minaj in terms of her music isn’t my kind of music,” Whitlock comments.“It’s a kind of music that I now fully and enthusiastically reject and, you know, frame in the most demonic ways possible. But I’m like anybody else. I kind of halfway like her pivoting and at least being, you know, not captured by the Democrat Party,” he continues.Unlike Sharpe and Budden, BlazeTV contributor Shemeka Michelle supports and respects Minaj thinking for herself.“All of us get on social media and tweet our thoughts or say what we feel or where we stand. I think that she has the same right to do that. And what I’m seeing from the left, really the ones that compare ICE to the slave patrol or Republicans to the KKK, I’m actually seeing that they don’t care about black people at all. Although they try to put it with race, it’s really just, they want undying loyalty and allegiance to the Democrat Party,” Michelle tells Whitlock.“She took some pictures with President Trump, and she is his biggest fan. She said she’s on that side. I haven’t really seen her take a very, I would say, Christian stand or, you know, ‘this is my new life’ type of stand,” she continues.“It’s just been more very surface. ... I don’t have a problem with her learning or trying to figure it out publicly. I think we all do that if you are part of social media, and that’s just what it is. I really support her right to do exactly what she’s doing,” she adds.Want more from Jason Whitlock?To enjoy more fearless conversations at the crossroads of culture, faith, sports, and comedy with Jason Whitlock, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

New York City's first Muslim mayor cited verses from the Quran before saying he is strengthening sanctuary city laws to protect illegal aliens.Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) made the comments during an interfaith prayer meeting on Friday morning. The order will prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement from entering city property without a judicial warrant.'If faith offers us the moral compass to stand alongside the stranger, government can provide the resources.'"I consider my own faith, Islam, a religion built upon a narrative of migration," said Mamdani. "The story of the Hijrah reminds us that prophet Muhammad ... was a stranger too who fled Mecca and was welcomed in Medina."The order will also create a new task force to focus on immigration and ICE, increase protections on private data, and institute a review on agency policies to ensure they follow the mayor's directives. He went on to site several other Quran verses."'As for those who immigrated in the cause of Allah after being persecuted, we shall surely bless them with a good home in this world,'" he quoted. "Or as the prophet Muhammed ... said, 'Islam began as something strange and will go back to being strange. So glad tidings to the strangers.'"Here the audience applauded his quote."If faith offers us the moral compass to stand alongside the stranger, government can provide the resources," Mamdani continued. "Let us create a new expectation of city hall, where power is wielded to love, to embrace, and to protect. We will stand with the stranger today, tomorrow, and all the days that are still to come."Video of Mamdani quoting the Quran was posted to social media.RELATED: Mamdani housing official decries 'white middle-class homeowners' for stalling 'renter justice' In January, Mamdani said that the city would expand free day-care opportunities to the city's residents and specifically included illegal aliens. He also signaled that he would continue the city's sanctuary policies. "We are also proud to be a sanctuary city," Mamdani said at the time. "What a sanctuary city means is that we have policies in place, policies have existed for years in the city, that deny ICE agents access into schools, hospitals, city properties, or even the properties of city contractors unless those ICE agents can present a judicial warrant signed by a judge."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The Department of Homeland Security slammed Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) for issuing an executive order ending state and local law enforcement cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.On Wednesday, Spanberger signed a directive requiring local authorities to terminate all existing 287(g) agreements with ICE, claiming that these arrangements "placed Virginia law enforcement officers under federal control and supervision to conduct civil immigration enforcement."'Governor Abigail Spanberger continues to release pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and murderers onto Virginia's streets.'The agreements allow ICE to delegate to local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency's supervision.Over 30 law enforcement agencies in Virginia have agreements with ICE, according to the agency's website. "Governor Spanberger said her administration has been closely reviewing agreements state law enforcement agencies were required to sign in 2025. These agreements forced Virginia law enforcement agencies to hand over their men and women to be supervised by ICE," Spanberger's office wrote.DHS fired back at Spanberger in a statement to Blaze News, claiming that the governor's policy would "make Virginia less safe."RELATED: 'Fake Moderate’ Democratic governor demands local police cut ties with ICE Abigail Spanberger. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images"When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with DHS, our law enforcement officers have to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities. Seven of the top 10 safest cities in the United States cooperate with ICE. Instead of working with us, Governor Spanberger is choosing to RELEASE violent criminals from her jails directly back into our communities to perpetrate more crimes and create more victims," a DHS spokesperson stated."While Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger continues to release pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and murderers onto Virginia's streets, our brave law enforcement will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals," the DHS continued.The department listed several illegal aliens that ICE had recently arrested in Virginia, stating, "These are the criminals Governor Spanberger is protecting in Virginia."RELATED: Virginia Democrats just hit their first setback — and it could make a difference in the midterm elections Delvan Lopez Garcia (top left), Joel Reyes-Aguilar (top middle), Mesfin Hussin (top right), Somcith Sysountone (botton left), Marvin Dejesus Salinas Rodas (bottom middle), Edwin Antonio Hernandez Hernandez (bottom right). Image source: Department of Homeland Security.The individuals included Delvan Lopez Garcia, a Guatemalan national with prior convictions for sex assault and enticement of a minor for prostitution; Joel Reyes-Aguilar, a Honduran national previously convicted of sex assault-sodomy of a girl with strongarm and molestation of a minor; Mesfin Hussin, an Ethiopian national with a homicide conviction; Somcith Sysountone, a Thai national with convictions for sex assault-carnal abuse and other offenses; Marvin Dejesus Salinas Rodas, a Salvadoran national with convictions for assault and homicide-negligent manslaughter with a vehicle; and Edwin Antonio Hernandez Hernandez, a Honduran national and MS-13 gang member who confessed to five murders. Spanberger's office did not respond to a request for comment.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

None of this is worthy of a state with one of the finest political traditions in America.

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