The Department of Homeland Security so far has spent $3 million of taxpayer money to defend embattled Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas against impeachment by the House of Representatives‚ according to documents obtained by The Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project. The DHS contract with a law firm was to cover the cost of a failed attempt to stave off a House impeachment‚ as well as to defend President Joe Biden’s homeland security secretary in a possible Senate trial. As first reported Wednesday by the New York Post‚ Heritage’s Oversight Project obtained 56 pages related to the impeachment process from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Procurement Operations. The $3 million total is enough to employ 70 Border Patrol agents‚ the Post reported. The Oversight Project is the watchdog arm of The Heritage Foundation‚ also the parent organization of The Daily Signal. The Republican-controlled House voted 214-213 last month to impeach Mayorkas on two articles related to the crisis at the southern border. A Senate trial to determine whether Mayorkas is guilty and should be removed may not occur‚ however‚ because Senate Democrats and three independents who normally vote with them just outnumber Senate Republicans. One article of impeachment alleges that Mayorkas has failed to secure the southern border or to enforce immigration laws while executing policies that incentivize illegal immigration. The other article alleges that Mayorkas breached the public trust and knowingly made false statements to Congress. DHS signed a contract with the law firm of Debevoise &; Plimpton LLP to provide “legal support for the Office of the Secretary and Office of General Counsel (OGC) as outlined in the Statement of Work‚” the documents say‚ adding: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)‚ Office of the Secretary and Office of General Counsel (OGC) require legal representation and legal advice regarding possible consideration in the House of Representatives of articles of impeachment and a possible trial in the Senate if the House votes to impeach the secretary [Mayorkas]. Representation of DHS and its officials will be in their official capacities as DHS employees. DHS may require expert assistance concerning the constitutional‚ legal‚ and historical framework and historical precedent applicable to impeachment of a Cabinet official and advocating DHS’s interests to Congress. “Counsel may provide expert advice on the impeachment process‚ related congressional investigative practices‚ laws impacting the process‚ and impeachment proceedings within the House of Representatives‚” the documents add. “Counsel may provide expert legal advice to DHS and OGC during impeachment proceedings in the Senate. As part of counsel’s legal advice and guidance‚ counsel shall review all relevant material and advise the witness of their legal rights and obligations‚ in coordination with OGC‚” the documents say‚ referring to DHS’ Office of General Counsel. “All preparation for the impeachment proceedings must be completed prior to the date of any scheduled impeachment trial.” The description of the contemplated work goes on to say: “Counsel should have extensive experience and knowledge in the congressional oversight process‚ especially the House of Representatives impeachment process and Senate impeachment trials.” Although the contract doesn’t specify a lawyer‚ Debevoise &; Plimpton’s David O’Neil worked for House Democrats’ impeachment managers in one of the impeachment cases against then-President Donald Trump. Mayorkas-Impeachment-2023-HQFO-01333-Records-1Download Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the url or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. Download The post Taxpayers to Pay $3M for Mayorkas Impeachment Defense appeared first on The Daily Signal.

The state of the union is feeble. That’s what many Americans believe as President Joe Biden is set to make his fourth‚ and perhaps final‚ State of the Union address Thursday evening. Regardless of what he says in the speech‚ the reality of Biden’s tenure is that the American people are not only uneasy but deeply pessimistic about the country’s future. Why are Americans so down about the state of the union? They’re down not only because of a crumbling confidence in the country’s most powerful institutions‚ but because of the failures of the man sitting in the Oval Office. Here’s my roundup of what I think are the six most prominent failures of the Biden presidency so far. The Worst Border Crisis in U.S. History This is the most obvious failure of the Biden administration‚ a failure that gets to the heart of what this administration and the modern Left are all about. At the federal‚ state‚ and local levels‚ the Left works to ensure that the concept of citizenship becomes meaningless—outside of paying taxes.  But it’s at the federal level where the most damage can be done. And the Biden administration has done all it can to ensure the flow of illegal aliens continues‚ knowing that once they’re allowed into the country most are likely here to stay. The first thing Biden did when he became president was strip away the border security measures of the previous administration. His administration continued to tear away at every measure that would allow for effective enforcement. From disbanding the successful “remain in Mexico” policy that ensured that asylum-seekers would have to wait in Mexico for their asylum claims to be processed to ending the public health measure called Title 42‚ Biden has proved his unwillingness to enforce U.S. immigration  laws. Biden didn’t just immediately throw open the door for a wave of illegal immigration‚ his administration subtly ensured that illegal immigration would directly benefit his party. For instance‚ the president issued an executive order directing the Census Bureau to count noncitizens in the reapportionment numbers‚ a nice bonus for Democrat-led sanctuary states to make up for citizens who fled their policies. The result of all this has been predictable‚ but still astounding in its scope. According to a Fox News report late last month‚ about 7.2 million illegal border crossings have occurred since Biden became president. This is a higher number than the population of 36 different states. In every year of the Biden presidency‚ a new annual record for illegal border crossings has been set. Judging by the early numbers‚ 2024 will keep up the pattern. It’s become such a disaster that even a few Democrat mayors and governors have begun to grouse. City budgets are being strained and radically shifted to cater to the newcomers. All thanks to Biden. The DEI Bureaucratic Cultural Revolution The Biden administration has made it clear that its bureaucratic priority—no matter what Cabinet department—is always advancing “equity.” Administration officials aren’t doing this by ensuring that Americans will be treated equally under the law. Instead the goal is the opposite: to wholly racialize the American republic and to turn us into warring “oppressed” groups clawing for scraps from the federal government. From advancing critical race theory‚ to promoting gender transition for minors‚ to obliterating American history on public land‚ the Biden administration has empowered the bureaucracy to turn “diversity‚ equity‚ and inclusion”—or DEI—into a kind of ideological state religion. An executive order Biden signed last year‚ called “Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government‚” highlights how his administration aims to make this transformation complete. Writer and filmmaker Christopher Rufo spoke about this order at the time and summarized the president’s policy. It’s worth quoting at length: First‚ he’s creating internal cadres of DEI officers. This is really important for shaping the culture‚ the personnel‚ and the budgeting process in the federal government‚ which controls trillions of dollars of public resources. Second‚ he’s using this initiative to justify funding third-party political activists under the guise of so-called underserved communities or faith and community organizations. And third‚ he’s doubling down on the weaponization of civil rights law‚ this time with some very interesting and very modern twists. He’s pushing left-wing ideology‚ even regulating things like the use of artificial intelligence‚ and this entire package is justified through this really intricate but unfortunately widespread statistical and linguistic manipulation. Biden is doing his best to ensure America in the future will be permanently ruled by people who act and think like those who run Harvard University. Weaponized Agencies Not only is the federal bureaucracy working relentlessly to promote DEI and the cultural revolution‚ but it’s also been outright weaponized to attack political opponents of the regime. In 2022‚ I warned about the massive expansion of the Internal Revenue Service. It wasn’t hard to see how this would quickly be abused. Sure enough‚ the IRS stepped up its policy of unannounced home visits‚ a tactic later abandoned because of pressure from Congress. Even more disturbingly‚ before the policy was ended‚ the IRS made an unannounced visit to journalist Matt Taibbi’s house the same day he testified to Congress about the cozy connection between the Biden administration and Big Tech companies. It isn’t just the IRS that’s the problem. The Department of Justice and the FBI have also been weaponized against Americans who disagree with the Biden administration’s preferred political narratives. The DOJ put out a memo in 2021 essentially saying that parents protesting at local school board meetings were potential domestic terrorists. A House committee later found no justification at all for this conclusion. This looked more like a smear campaign to silence opposition. More recently‚ the FBI moved to investigate traditional Catholic pro-life groups as potential domestic terrorists. “I’ve made it very clear that‚ in my view‚ the evidence shows that‚ the FBI‚ for example‚ in the last couple of years has been weaponized‚” House Speaker Mike Johnson‚ R-La.‚ said in a November interview with The Daily Signal. “We have the evidence to show it‚” Johnson said. “They have‚ in some cases‚ targeted people of faith. They’ve targeted conservative Catholics and concerned parents at school board meetings and all the rest. The evidence is very clear that that’s happened.” This is happening as the Justice Department has remained mostly silent while hundreds of pro-life pregnancy centers have been targeted for arson and vandalism by pro-abortion extremists. Debt‚ Inflation‚ and the Cost of Living The constant message from the Biden administration has been that the U.S. economy is the best ever and that it’s been creating jobs like never before. Never mind the fact that widespread COVID-19 lockdowns that the administration promoted were the reason so many jobs were lost to begin with. But the administration hasn’t been able to hide from inflation and attendant cost-of-living increases‚ which are eating away at the savings and finances of countless Americans. Biden’s message has been to blame private companies for the price surge and to focus on “shrinkflation‚” in which products are reduced in size and quantity to mask price increases. Administration officials even enlisted “Sesame Street” characters to promote this idea‚ another good reason to be more skeptical of public funding for PBS. But breakfast cereal companies and grocery stores didn’t just decide to raise prices to be mean to customers. In fact‚ if anything‚ “shrinkflation” helps to disguise the deeper issue. “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics‚ prices paid by business and consumers alike have increased 18% on average since Biden took office in January 2021‚” Heritage Foundation economics expert EJ Antoni wrote in February. The reason for this is that Congress and the Biden administration not only spent trillions of dollars on COVID-19 emergency aid but kept the spigot going afterward. By the way‚ much of that COVID-19 emergency went down the drain‚ as billions of dollars were reportedly wasted or stolen. “An Associated Press analysis found that fraudsters potentially stole more than $280 billion in COVID-19 relief funding; another $123 billion was wasted or misspent‚” The Associated Press reported in June. “Combined‚ the loss represents 10% of the $4.2 trillion the U.S. government has so far disbursed in COVID relief aid.” The spending issue isn’t just Biden’s‚ though he’s certainly done nothing to stem it.  Long-term bipartisan failure has crippled the finances of the United States. This isn’t just causing prices to go up now. Federal spending threatens the future prosperity of Americans for generations to come. Global Instability as Military Recruitment Collapses The Biden administration faces multiple foreign policy crises across the globe.  The shambolic and embarrassing departure from Afghanistan led to absolutely no accountability for those who conducted it. This is the administration’s MO. Worse‚ we’ve now hit year two of the war between Russia and Ukraine‚ at which the U.S. and other allies have thrown tens of billions of dollars with no resolution.  The Middle East—incredibly stable during the Trump administration—looks to be closer to all-out war as Iran and its proxies attack Israel. And China has been disturbingly aggressive in its actions toward the United States. With all of this happening‚ the Biden administration seems to have no grand strategic plan other than to insist‚ loudly‚ that “we are the United States of America.” This maximalist‚ but soft approach seems to be particularly dubious when combined with a military both dwindling and demoralized. The military hasn’t been immune to the “woke-ification” of the federal bureaucracy. Far from it. The DEI virus is hollowing out American military strength‚ just as it poisons the rest of our society. The Biden administration has prioritized diversity‚ equity‚ and inclusion and related LBGTQ initiatives for the State Department and the military. The Biden administration insists that DEI efforts are necessary to increase military recruitment and the effectiveness of the military‚ but the truth seems to be the opposite. The military now spends an increasing amount of time on DEI training and less on honing its warfighting capabilities. In addition‚ the military services have seen a historic collapse in recruitment rates for the all-volunteer forces‚ especially among whites. The Daily Caller News Foundation reported last month: “In fiscal year 2018‚ 44‚042 new recruits to the Army—or 56.4% of the total—were white‚ according to data obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation. That number collapsed to a low of 25‚070—or 44% of the total—in fiscal year 2023.”  A significant increase in other groups hasn’t occurred to even come close to making up for the drastic recruitment shortfalls. Yet‚ the Biden administration seems to have no other idea of how to fix this than to continue saying “diversity is our strength” until morale improves. Still No Return to ‘Normalcy’ This one is the hardest to define‚ but in some ways is the most damning failure of the Biden presidency. Biden campaigned in 2020 on the message that he would restore normalcy and confidence in the presidency and the country. Instead‚ Biden has used his time in office to portray his opponents as extremists (while acting like an extremist himself)‚ has called his likely 2024 rival an “insurrectionist” as political allies attempt to arrest the former president‚ and has left many Americans feeling pessimistic and downright hopeless about the future. It seems we’ve sunk deeper into a malaise than during the administration of President Jimmy Carter in the 1970s. It doesn’t help that serious questions haven’t been answered about the president’s health and competency. The few times Biden has been asked to address this issue‚ his response is to caustically lash out at reporters who suggest he may be slipping mentally.  And questions also have arisen about whether Biden is really the man running the show at all. Biden has been the highly partisan face of an irresponsible regime that is dedicated more to the cultural revolution than effective national leadership in troubled times. That’s not the resume of a “uniter in chief.” Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post 6 Big Failures of Biden’s Presidency appeared first on The Daily Signal.

There seems to be at least one impenetrable barrier connected to this country’s southwest border. It’s the one that stands between Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and an accurate assessment of what’s actually happening there. In September 2020‚ the last month of that fiscal year‚ the U.S. Border Patrol encountered 54‚771 aliens trying to illegally enter the United States across the southwest border. That brought the fiscal year’s total to 400‚651‚ according to the numbers published by the Border Patrol. In September 2021‚ the Border Patrol said it encountered 185‚515 aliens trying to illegally cross the southwest border—bringing the fiscal 2021 total to 1‚659‚206. That was more than four times the total for fiscal 2020. One of the major events of fiscal 2021 took place on Jan. 20‚ 2021‚ when Joe Biden succeeded Donald Trump as president. On Sept. 21‚ 2021‚ Biden’s homeland security secretary testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee. In that hearing‚ Sen. Ron Johnson‚ R-Wis.‚ asked Mayorkas a yes or no question. “You have repeatedly stated that our borders are not open‚ they are closed‚” Johnson said. “Do you honestly believe that our borders are closed?” “Senator‚ I do‚ and let me speak to that‚” said Mayorkas. Rather than let Mayorkas keep speaking‚ Johnson took a moment to contrast the situation at the border under Trump to the situation under Biden. “We were serious about border security until your administration took office‚” Johnson said. “You stood before this committee and said that you would enforce the laws. You have not done that.” So‚ what happened to the flow of illegal immigrants that the Border Patrol encountered trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in the months after Mayorkas testified in September 2021 that the border was closed? In fiscal year 2022‚ the number of illegal immigrants encountered by the Border Patrol at the southwest border climbed to 2‚206‚436—more than five times the 400‚651 encountered in 2020. On Nov. 5‚ 2022‚ six weeks after fiscal 2022 ended‚ Mayorkas testified before the House Homeland Security Committee. Rep. Dan Bishop‚ R-N.C.‚ asked him: “Secretary Mayorkas‚ do you continue to maintain that the border is secure?” “Yes‚” said Mayorkas. “We are working day in and day out to enhance its security‚ Congressman.” This apparently meant that “yes‚” the border was already secure‚ but the Biden administration was working to make it even more secure. What happened at the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal 2023? The Border Patrol encountered another 2‚045‚838 trying to illegally cross it. That‚ again‚ was more than five times the 400‚651 encountered in fiscal 2020—before Biden took office. In the first four months of the current fiscal year—October through January—the Border Patrol said it has encountered 753‚824 aliens trying to illegally cross the southwest border. If that rate persists‚ the Border Patrol once again will encounter more than 2 million illegal border crossers in fiscal 2024. On July 26‚ 2023‚ Mayorkas testified before the House Judiciary Committee. “I am immensely proud to be here to discuss the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security‚” he told the committee in his written statement. Then‚ under questioning from Rep. Tom Tiffany‚ R-Wis.‚ Mayorkas declared: “Congressman‚ we are very proud of our efforts to secure the border.” Although Mayorkas claims to be proud of the efforts his department has made to secure the southern border‚ those efforts—according to the data published by his own agency—have inspired a fivefold increase in the number of those encountered by the Border Patrol trying to illegally cross that border. On Feb. 13‚ the House of Representatives moved by a one-vote margin (214-213) to approve two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas. The second article says in part: “Alejandro N. Mayorkas knowingly made false statements to Congress that the border is ‘secure‚’ that the border is ‘no less secure than it was previously‚’ that the border is ‘closed‚’ and that DHS has ‘operational control’ of the border (as that term is defined in the Secure Fence Act of 2006).” Biden himself‚ it turns out‚ didn’t agree with his homeland security secretary’s assessment that the border was secure. On Jan. 19‚ Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich asked Biden: “What do you say to House Republicans who are trying to impeach Mayorkas‚ sir?” “I don’t get it‚” said Biden. Heinrich then asked: “Do you think it is unconstitutional? … And do you not think that the border is secure‚ sir?” “No‚ it is not‚” Biden responded. “I haven’t believed it for the last 10 years. And I’ve said it for the last 10 years. Give me the money.” Perhaps Biden should have hired a homeland security secretary who agreed with his assessment that the border is not secure. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Mayorkas‚ Biden‚ and Our Unsecured Border appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts encouraged America’s pro-life activists not to be downtrodden by recent pro-life losses‚ but to continue to fight on. “Democrat leaders are crowing‚ while too many Republican leaders are cowering from the fight‚” Roberts declared in his recent speech at the National Pro-Life Summit in Washington‚ D.C. The conference was dominated by pro-life students‚ and Heritage’s president spoke about the significant need for these “students for life.” He told them that they will become the next generation of parents‚ teachers‚ doctors‚ entrepreneurs‚ and even legislators and presidents who will be needed to promote a pro-life nation. In his fiery speech‚ Roberts highlighted the fight the pro-life movement is facing for human dignity and freedom‚ saying that it is a fight not merely against a party or policy but “against evil itself.” The left’s idea of human inequality—that some people count and some people don’t—doesn’t come from the media‚ the government‚ or even Planned Parenthood; “it comes straight from hell‚” he said. Watch the full speech: Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Heritage Foundation President Unleashes Fiery Pro-Life Speech appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Election Results Have San Francisco News Outlets Asking: Is San Francisco Still Progressive?

Joy Reid: Trump Looks the Same Because He Didn't Do His Job as President

For Super Tuesday‚ MSNBC had special coverage all night (and overnight) of the results that cemented a general election rematch between President Biden and former President Trump. But since the results in over a dozen states were rather perfunctory and down ballot primaries drew only mild interest‚ MSNBC’s cast of far-left sycophants and psychopaths had a lot of down time. Between 7:00 p.m. and midnight Eastern time frame alone‚ MSNBC mocked illegal immigration as a concern for voters‚ condescendingly claimed “migrant crime is not a thing”‚ argued Republicans vote based on race to hurt people of color‚ fawned over Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX) as Senator Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) “worst nightmare‚” and argued Americans are too stupid to realize the reason their pay raises are because of Joe Biden‚ not merit. Below is a Notable Quotables-style item on some of the worst zingers‚ presented in no particular order. MSNBC Hosts MOCK Immigration Being the Top Issue for Voters     Inside host and former Biden Press Secretary Jen Psaki: “[Trump] can’t run against the other and brown people and people who don’t look like him‚ like his supporters — his base of supporters coming across the — the border and scaring people and killing people or whatever he’s threatening out there. If you look at some of these exit polls — I mean‚ I live in Virginia. Immigration was the number one issue.” ReidOut host Joy Reid: “Yes.” Psaki: “Again‚ these could change in — in Virginia.” Rachel Maddow: “Well‚ Virginia does have a border with West Virginia. Very contested area.” Reid: “Build the wall!” Psaki: “But you’re thinking like — what? When I was in New Hampshire‚ people were talking about the northern border as a threat because Trump has indoctrinated people with this fear of people who do not like — look like them — being a threat to them.” — Conversation at 9:18 p.m. Eastern. Far-Left Voting ‘Uncommitted’ Is Noble‚ ‘Most Polite...Way’ to Scold Biden “Well‚ so the Democratic Party and the Democratic presidents have a unique problem‚ which is the ability to disappoint their voters more quickly than Republicans do. And that’s because of the activist government that Democratic presidents pursue. They are trying to do more. They will talk to you about forgiving your student loans‚ and it turns out‚ you know‚ they ended up forgiving her student loans but not mine because of these complexities of rules. And so there’s a possibility of a greater sense of dissatisfaction generally with the Democratic presidents...[I]f you promise something...and you don’t do it‚ there’s the sense of failure...The uncommitted is simply the most polite possible way you can say to a Democratic president in the presidential primary‚ I’m not happy with you. We’ve seen the rude ways‚ you know‚ starting in 1968. It’s with real candidates running against the incumbent president who get real votes and do real damage.” — The Last Word host Lawrence O’Donnell‚ 8:26 p.m. Eastern. ‘Grifters’ Alito‚ Thomas Want to Elect Trump So They Can ‘Retire’‚ Win ‘Wonderful Vacays’ “The Supreme Court sits atop it all‚ trying to ensure the longevity of Republican government‚ because that is how they get their wonderful vacays and they’re going to do whatever they can to make sure that Donald Trump comes in‚ so that those two grifters on the Court — if I might say — to retire and have 30-year-old versions of themselves to replicate the grift.” — Reid‚ 11:53 p.m. Eastern. Racism‚ Hurting Black People — Not Christ — Is Top Issue for Evangelical Americans “I’ve just been‚ like‚ very interested in the roots of how evangelicals became such a potent political force. And‚ in some ways‚ it’s a homecoming for them‚ right? The — it was 1980 and it was really school desegregation efforts and it was the Bob Jones fight against the IRS that brought evangelicals into the movement.....Bob Jones‚ Christian University‚ and they basically outlawed interracial dating on the campus of Bob Jones University. There was another school involved in the suit that didn’t allow black people in the school at all. That was the thing. Not abortion‚ not busing‚ but really desegregation was the thing that brought evangelicals into the — into political movement of the right-wing under the auspices of‚ you know‚ free religion and free speech and what Christian‚ you know‚ institutions should be allowed to do. But really‚ at its core‚ it was race. And‚ in some ways‚ you know‚ we think about evangelicals and Trump as being so different — right — these godly‚ you know‚ faithful people‚ and this unfaithful person who’s been found guilty in civil trials of sexual assault — the issue of race animates Donald Trump. The issue of race has long animated the evangelical movement. And‚ in some ways‚ it makes perfect sense that you are seeing the unity that you are today.” — Alex Wagner Tonight host Alex Wagner‚ 9:16 p.m. Eastern. Maddow MELTS DOWN Over MSNBC Overruling Her‚ Carrying Trump Speech Maddow: “We are keeping an eye right on Trump campaign headquarters where — I believe‚ we are expecting remarks — remarks have just started for former President Donald Trump. Let’s — let’s — let’s listen in.” Maddow: “Yeah‚ okay. Um‚ you know‚ it’s — it’s — it is — uh — okay. I will say it is a decision that we revisit constantly in terms of the balance between allowing somebody to knowingly lie on your air about things they’ve lied about before and you can predict they are going to lie about‚ and so‚ therefore‚ it is irresponsible to allow them to do that. It’s a balance between knowing that that is irresponsible to broadcast and also knowing that as the de facto — soon to be de facto nominee of the Republican Party‚ this is not only the man who is likely to be the Republican candidate for president‚ but this is the way he’s running.” The 11th Hour host Stephanie Ruhle: “Well‚ here’s how to balance it. Why don’t we fac-check the hell out of him.” Maddow: “Yes‚ and we do that after the fact. And that is the best remedy that we’ve got. It does not fix the fact that we broadcast it‚ honestly.” — 10:17 p.m. Eastern. ‘Crisis of Civics’; Dumb Americans Are ‘The Problem’‚ ‘Credit Themselves’ For Pay Bumps‚ Not Biden     Ruhle: “And so‚ what Donald Trump does is prey upon the fact that people don’t necessarily feel good and life’s expensive. But‚ when it comes to facts‚ here’s something that’s absolutely nonsensical and infuriating. When people’s wages go up‚ they credit themselves. They say‚ I’m good at my job. I just got a raise. But when everything costs more‚ they blame the government.” Maddow: “Right.” Ruhle: “And wages are up‚ which is a huge positive and one of the reasons wage — one of those reasons that wages are up is all of the union wins in the last few years. And‚ remember‚ President Biden has stood with those unions.” — 10:27 p.m. Eastern. Ruhle: “So‚ yes‚ we‚ like everybody else rightfully say this White House has to get their messaging down but the American people also have to realize‚ ‘holy cow. Look at all these great things that have just happened for me.’ Did they think that happened out of thin air?” Maddow: “Right. Yeah.” O’Donnell: “Yes.” Maddow: “Drug price —” O’Donnell: “They do.” Reid: “They do‚ yes.” O’Donnell: “That’s the problem.” Ruhle: “They do.” Maddow: “They personalize the benefits.” O’Donnell: “The — I mean‚ for example‚ when — when those credit card bank fee — when that kicks in‚ no one’s going to — I mean‚ the people who need a look at that statement go‚ ‘oh‚ Joe Biden did that.’ They’re not going to have any idea who did that —” Ruhle: “They won’t.” O’Donnell: “— and they won’t know.” Ruhle: “No.” Ruhle: “Because people don’t know — they don’t have government work. We do have a crisis of civics in this country. Some people actually don’t know how these things change. And there is a — a — sort of — there’s a systematic problem that politics — we talked about this before — is broken because the connection between politics and the things that happen in my life has been severed....So‚ the things that hurt them‚ the things that make it harder to afford your life‚ they blame Biden. But the things that help‚ they think — as you said‚ ‘I did great at my job. I did this.’” Ruhle: “‘I got a raise.’” Reid: “‘I created‚ I got a raise‚’ but there isn’t a connection between the way that the government actually functions which is what Democrats are good at and the way you feel‚ which is what Republicans are good at.” — Panel-wide meltdown‚ 10:36 p.m. Eastern. Insisting ‘Migrant Crime Is Not a Thing’‚ ‘Xenophobia’ to Say Otherwise       Maddow: “[W]hen there’s — particularly when a Democratic incumbent‚ we get reminded about the borders and the borders become a thing again. And then‚ if there’s a Republican in office‚ we don’t think about it anymore. It’s the deficit and the border. You make these things an issue‚ you make them into boogeymen‚ you make them into something that grabs you from under the bed at night as soon as you wake up. As long as there’s a Democratic incumbent to blame on it‚ you make sure that nothing is ever done to fix either and then you hope that people stop talking about them once you’ve got a Republican in office.” Deadline: White House host Nicolle Wallace: “But the Republicans —” Maddow: “It’s the same thing my entire adult life.” Wallace: “— but they — but they — the only difference now is they — they drop the every four years part. And‚ now‚ I mean‚ all the programming about cities with the [inaudible] threat of crime — and — crime — and their theory.” Maddow: “But‚ meanwhile‚ on Earth one — Wallace [Laughing]: “Yeah.” Maddow: “— the FBI reports that crime in America is at a 50 year low —“ Psaki: “And migrant crime is not a thing.” Maddow: “— migrant crime is not a thing.” Psaki: “It’s not.” Maddow: “And you live on Earth one. But this is a very complicated concept‚ I know —  [PANEL LAUGHS] — because Fox News is right there.” — Conversation on illegal immigration‚ 9;19 p.m. Eastern. O’Donnell: “Cities are overrun with crime. Crime is down — you know‚ put the — put the FBI statistics —” Maddow: “Violent crime is at a 50-year-low‚ okay?” O’Donnell: “— at a 50 year low. Unemployment is at a 50 year low. You just plug them in and just roll his speech and just let those things cycle by while he’s talking.” Wagner: “It’s — it’s more than just crime is down. Just last week‚ NBC News came out with a study that said‚ in the cities that receive the most migrants — crime is down. The DOJ has a report in the cities that have received the most migrants‚ there is no — homicide rates‚ robbery‚ there is no there there. Biden migrant crime is going be — that’s his new line And let’s not forget the xenophobia inherent in all this‚ the racism that’s inherent in all this. Not only is it incumbent on the news media to correct the record‚ it is also incumbent upon the Biden administration because‚ thus far‚ they have really played footsie with this narrative that there — I mean‚ there is a problem with our immigration system. It‚ of course‚ needs to be fixed. Immigrants are also central to the American economy and they are not‚ you know — they are single-handedly the cause of fentanyl coming over the border. They are not all criminal. They are not laying waste to American project and it — it is incumbent upon all of us who care about the truth on Earth one to — to push back and correct the record on a group of people that has been maligned in spectacular fashion.” — Back-and-forth at 10:31 p.m. Eastern. Texas Wonderboy Allred Will Be ‘Worst Nightmare’ for ‘AWOL‚’ ‘Deeply Unpopular’ Cruz Maddow: “And‚ in the middle of this is the deeply‚ deeply‚ deeply unpopular incumbent Unite States Senator‚ Ted Cruz‚ who is up this year. And he is about to get a Democratic challenger based on what happens in the Democratic primary tonight. And that Democratic challenger is going to be riding off the draft of Beto O’Rourke having run in 2018 and having gotten within three points of Ted Cruz.” All In host Chris Hayes: “And I — I really do think — and I think one of the things we’ve really have seen over and over again in this era is candidate quality really does matter. All of this stuff is kind of baked in up to 45‚ 46‚ 44 percent and then‚ the marginal points matter a lot. And‚ in a state like Texas‚ if you’re running — for Democrat...you’ve got a huge uphill battle. But there’s a reason that Ted Cruz underperforms what the baseline should be for a Texas statewide officeholder‚ which he does. And that is he is not that appealing to a lot of people. And that’s a — he’s going to have vulnerabilities. Maddow: “I mean‚ aside form his fantastic personality.” Hayes: “Well‚ he’s also doing‚ like — I — seriously — we checked this the other day. He’s doing‚ like‚ nine podcasts per week. I swear to God the guy doesn’t even want to be a U.S. Senator. He just gets in that big goofy chair and does his Verdict podcast‚ like‚ four times week.” — Cruz-bashing discussion‚ 8:50 p.m. Eastern. Wallace: “[W]hen I was still in Republican politics‚ Ted Cruz is the most hated Republican among Republicans. I mean‚ Republicans can’t stand him. So‚ whatever we have to say about hi‚ it’s — it’s tenfold on the Republican side. And it’s not like Texas hasn’t had crises. They’ve had deadly storms. They’ve had deadly power outages and he’s been AWOL‚ like‚ on vacation. So‚ he’s got a lot of baggage and — and — and headwinds inside the Republican Party and he’s done a very bad job for the state.” Reid: “So‚ is Colin Allred the kind of candidate — I mean‚ former football player —” Wallace: “I think so. And‚ I mean‚ from Dal — I mean‚ he’s sort of in that beating-heart of the state. He’s very Texas-y.” — More Cruz bashing‚ 8:52 p.m. Eastern. “NBC News can project the winner of the Democratic U.S. Senate primary in Texas will be Colin Allred...He turfed out a Republican congressman to get into Congress in the first place. He’s a moderate. He’s a very effective campaigner. He’s a very good fundraiser...and he is Ted Cruz’s worst nightmare in terms of Ted Cruz holding onto his seat in Texas.” — Maddow‚ 10:04 p.m. Eastern. Republicans Vote Based ‘On Racial Animus’ Against ‘Brown People’‚ Not ‘Economics’     “You’re seeing this of sort a disconnect between a President that is a white working-class guy himself and keeps doing all these things that disproportionately benefit white‚ working-class Americans in red states and their reaction to him is they hate him...[I]t is because the most economically vulnerable voters tend to be young voters who tend to be more voters of color...[Republicans] don’t vote based on economics or based on the benefits they are getting economically from the President. They are increasingly‚ from the Tea Party on‚ they are voting on race. They’re voting on this idea of an invasion of brown people over the border. The idea that they can’t get whatever job they want‚ a black person got it‚ therefore‚ drive blacks out of the colleges. Get rid of DEI. That is what they are voting on. They’re just voting on specifically on racial animus which‚ at this stage‚ it isn’t about economics.” — Reid‚ 9:17 p.m. Eastern. Biden’s Done ‘More...Than Any Modern President’; Trump‚ Not COVID‚ Caused Bad Border‚ Economy “[I] you want to do another chart of when you saw the spike in border crossings because it was down to record numbers under George W. Bush and President Obama‚ it spiked again because of COVID. COVID is the spike again. Just look at the chart. All of these crises that — Donald Trump inherited a strong‚ growing economy and managed to ruin it by ruining — by — by messing up his one crisis‚ which was COVID‚ which is why the border went crazy. It’s why inflation went crazy. All of those crises that Joe Biden has had to fix. Joe Biden’s job creation rate is second only to Bill Clinton. He’s not only done‚ you know‚ fixed it. He’s actually has been more successful as a domestic policy President than any modern president. All of the things Donald Trump is taking credit for on the campaign trail are Biden things and Joe Biden needs to run out there and take credit for it.” — Reid‚ 10;32 p.m. Eastern. Democrats Need to Grow Up‚ Cut the ‘Neurosis and Anxiety’ With Biden Wallace: “It’s‚ like‚ one of the most toxic things out there for Democrats‚ and it is one of still sort of the DNA differences between the two parties that remain...Republicans still fall in line. Democrats still wait to fall — not just in love. Because I think they do love Biden. They think he’s a good man and they love his agenda. They want to be madly in love. And they’re waiting for —” Reid: “They want to be excited.” Wallace: “— they want — they — they are — it is so toxic for as many Democrats as I run into just anecdotally‚ and I think it shows up in some of the polls‚ to be waiting about‚ casting about for some scenario that is never going to happen.” Reid: “That is never going to happen.” Hayes: “There’s also just a wild asymmetry in the levels of neurosis and anxiety.” Reid: “Oh‚ yeah.” Hayes: “Just‚ like manifested time and time again‚ it’s like a deep political truth about the two coalitions‚ about how sort of anxious and second-guessing and self-guessing the Democratic Party coalition — its elites‚ its sort of spokespeople — like — the — the — the intellectuals — right — compared to just the sheer lack of any of that‚ particularly in the...MAGA world.” — Conversations about party psychology‚ 8:04 p.m. Eastern.

The classic Hollywood western comes from a simpler time when the wide-open spaces of the media had yet to be settled. You had your local cinema‚ the radio‚ and whatever TV stations you could catch with your rabbit ears. Imagine the inconvenience and lack of options in such a barren landscape. Then again‚ imagine the freedom. Sitting down to watch a western is a great way to unscramble your brain after too much time online. The slower‚ more thoughtful pace hones your attention. The craftsmanship of American movie-making at the top of its game instills patriotic pride. And the reminder of how shared myths can unite people of disparate backgrounds into a nation provides a little hope for the future. 'High Noon' (1952)In a quiet town called Hadleyville‚ deep in the New Mexico territory‚ Marshal Will Kane (Gary Cooper) is getting married. He embraces his wife‚ Amy Fowler‚ played by the resplendent Grace Kelly. Moments later‚ news arrives that the outlaw Frank Miller has been pardoned and will be arriving by train at noon. It was Kane who arrested Miller years ago and sent him off to be hanged. Now‚ Miller is out for revenge. His only purpose is to kill Kane and anyone who gets in his way. Kane faces a choice: stay to protect Hadleyville or leave for his honeymoon. The film’s reactionary political certitude is somehow enhanced by the revolutionary spirit of its stylistic approach."High Noon" was filmed to unfold in real-time‚ adding weight with every second that inches closer to noon. You can see the time running out as the train rumbles nearer. Call this a crisis of love. What does Kane love more: his new wife or his old town? Lloyd Bridges‚ father of “The Dude‚” plays Deputy Marshal Harvey. A young Lee Van Cleef has a bit part that allows him to hone the character that would later show up in Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns. It’s no surprise that Marshal Kane is popular among several presidents. In fact‚ both Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton‚ ideologically opposed‚ admire the Marshal. His campaign of redemption is democratic‚ but it’s also guided by the authority of a wise lawman willing to swat away bad ideas only after having considered them as solutions to the looming disaster. "High Noon" excels in every sense. The lighting‚ the costumes‚ the set design‚ the scenery — all remain true to the classic western‚ which strengthens the movie’s anti-western bent. "High Noon" earned seven Oscar nominations and won four. Such commendation is somewhat surprising given the film’s staunch anti-communist themes. One man’s duty to the autonomy of the individual‚ each individual‚ outranks any sort of collectivism or utilitarianism‚ any ideologies willing to sacrifice some for the good of the majority. Kane evinces a moral code that is deontological — right and wrong are decided by the rules and laws and systems that adhere to objective morality‚ as given to us by God or nature or humanity or whatever force a person needs. This‚ again‚ is anti-collectivist thinking. The film’s reactionary political certitude is somehow enhanced by the revolutionary spirit of its stylistic approach.Kane's moral certainty deepens the longer he thinks about the situation. His battle is largely bureaucratic as he scours for enough men to form a defense force. But they won’t do it. It’s outlandish! I mean‚ this man cannot find a willing volunteer for the life of him. Why? Why are the townspeople so unwilling to stand up to a tyrannical killer?Kane has no time to linger on this question. He keeps going alone — but strong in his alienation‚ not weakened by it. His encounters are deeply postmodern‚ absurdly never-ending in their hiccups and failures. The townspeople want him to abandon the town. But then what? Flee from a thirsty psychopath and let the town deal with him? For how long? At its most dramatic‚ "High Noon" has the sharp dialogue of a film noir classic and the violent mood swings of a Shakespearean tragedy. The characters waver between fear and alienation as the threat of the approaching murderer grows. With each minute‚ they burrow deeper into their hiding places‚ waiting for one man to save a town that might not be worth saving.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley dropped out of the Republican presidential nominating contest on Wednesday‚ announcing the move after a slew of Super Tuesday losses to former President Donald Trump. Out of the 15 states with GOP presidential nominating contests on Tuesday‚ Haley won just one while Trump won the other 14. Prior to that‚ the only contest she had won during her presidential run was the Washington‚ D.C.‚ Republican presidential primary.During remarks on Wednesday‚ Haley announced the suspension of her campaign."In all likelihood‚ Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee when our party convention meets in July. I congratulate him and wish him well. I wish anyone well who would be America's president‚" she said. "I have always been a conservative Republican and always supported the Republican nominee. But on this question‚ as she did on so many others‚ Margaret Thatcher provided some good advice when she said‚ quote‚ 'Never just follow the crowd. Always make up your own mind.' It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him. And I hope he does that‚" Haley stated. On the other side of the political aisle‚ Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota dropped his bid for the Democratic presidential nod."I ran for Congress in 2018 to resist Donald Trump‚ I was trapped in the Capitol in 2021 because of Donald Trump‚ and I ran for President in 2024 to resist Donald Trump again - because Americans were demanding an alternative‚ and democracy demands options. But it is clear that alternative is not me. And it is clear that Joe Biden is OUR candidate and OUR opportunity to demonstrate what type of country America is and intends to be‚" Phillips wrote in a post on X. "I ask you join me in mobilizing‚ energizing‚ and doing everything you can to help keep a man of decency and integrity in the White House. That's Joe Biden." — (@) Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Florida police say they were tipped off to a man and his son producing child pornography at their home and found the pair was abusing neighborhood children after an investigation. About 30 law enforcement officials raided the home on Countryside View Drive in St. Cloud on Tuesday at about 10 a.m.‚ according to neighbors who talked to WESH-TV. 79-year-old James Cox and his son Henry Cox lived at the home. Witnesses said that a body was carried out of the home during the raid‚ and the Orange County Medical Examiner later confirmed that they had been called about a dead body in the home. St. Cloud police later said that Henry Cox died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. "The cause of death is gunshot wound of head and manner of death has been ruled a suicide‚" read a statement from the Osceola County Medical Examiner's Office. A criminal complaint says that police received a cyber-tip about child pornography being uploaded from the home in November‚ and they raided the home on Jan. 19. They found several hard drives with videos and images of children being abused and exploited. Agents said that the elder Cox admitted to looking at child porn online‚ but the younger Cox denied any involvement. Based on the evidence they discovered‚ investigators said that the son produced some of the child pornography while his father uploaded it. Investigators said that one video panned across a mirror and showed the son recording the file in the reflection. Police said that they found video evidence that they had recorded children in public bathrooms and while they changed clothes. Some of the alleged underage victims appeared to be children who lived in the neighborhood. The surviving Cox is being held at the Seminole County Jail. Residents of the neighborhood said it's a quiet place‚ usually. "You just don't think it's going to be so close to your house‚ and having four girls myself‚ it's a little unsettling‚" said Emily Jenkins to WESH. "I think it confirms that we can't be restful and let our kids play outside‚" she added. "It's always play in the backyard now. It's not like it used to be." Here's a news report about the incident: Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!