The House subcommittee that oversees the U.S. Capitol Police Department has some questions for USCP Chief J. Thomas Manger about discipline records of two officers who likely perjured themselves during the 2022 Oath Keeper trial — records that were kept from the Oath Keepers’ attorneys and could have been relevant to their defense. Here’s what happened and how we got here. “I am particularly concerned about the USCP Office of Professional Responsibility and the perception of undue political influence of this process‚” Loudermilk wrote. On October 4‚ 2023‚ Blaze Media published the findings of a nearly year-long investigation into the troubling and conflicting October 31‚ 2022‚ Oath Keeper trial testimonies of U.S. Capitol Police Officers Harry Dunn and Special Agent David Lazarus. On the eve of publication‚ Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was unseated as speaker of the House. Because the speaker’s office has the last word on the public release of Capitol closed-circuit TV video footage from the events of January 6‚ 2021‚ the lack of a speaker meant we lost permission to use corroborating video showing that Lazarus’ testimony about where he claimed to be and what he claimed to witness that afternoon could not have happened. New Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) in January finally granted Blaze Media permission to publish CCTV videos showing Special Agent Lazarus’ likely perjury in that trial. Proof of Perjury | The Truth About January 6 www.youtube.com But long before the initial publication of that story‚ a former high-ranking Capitol Police officer who asked for anonymity out of fear of retaliation told Blaze Media about a past disciplinary event that cast doubt on Lazarus’ trial testimony and his credibility in general. In 2016‚ Lazarus‚ who was assigned to the Dignitary Protection Division‚ was involved in the cover-up of an incident in which he was discovered to be drinking on duty. Lying in an internal affairs investigation is a “terminable” offense. At the very least‚ the incident should have been made known to the Oath Keepers’ defense team‚ which might have used the knowledge to impeach Lazarus’ testimony during cross-examination. But Lazarus wasn’t fired. And the Oath Keepers’ lawyers were left in the dark. Blaze Media has spent many months trying to acquire that 2016 USCP Office of Professional Responsibility disciplinary report‚ but our efforts have been met with fierce opposition from USCP leadership and their general counsel‚ Thomas “Tad” DiBiase. Capitol Police officials have also resisted giving that OPR report to the congressional committee assigned to oversee the USCP. A senior aide with the Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight who has seen the report told Blaze Media that its contents are “nuclear.” In a letter to Chief Manger dated March 1‚ Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) demanded not only more complete information about that 2016 disciplinary report but also details about another internal affairs investigation of Lazarus opened in November 2023 as a direct result of Blaze Media’s reporting. Loudermilk’s letter details how his committee has found the results of that new disciplinary investigation to be “deficient” in findings and conclusion. “I am particularly concerned about the USCP Office of Professional Responsibility and the perception of undue political influence of this process‚” Loudermilk wrote. Loudermilk also referred to Oath Keepers trial transcripts to show Lazarus’ testimony conflicted with Capitol CCTV evidence — presented by Blaze Media’s reports — and chastised Capitol Police investigators not using those CCTV videos to show the conflict with Lazarus’ testimony. Loudermilk’s letter also provides an additional detail that‚ if true‚ would raise additional questions about federal prosecutors’ conduct of the Oath Keepers’ trial. According to Loudermilk‚ OPR investigators “relied on the statements of a federal prosecutor in the case in which Special Agent Lazarus was called as a witness.” Blaze Media also learned from a congressional source that federal prosecutors “were definitely consulted/interviewed” by Capitol Police investigators during their inquiry in November. As to the 2016 internal affairs investigation‚ Loudermilk’s letter to Manger reveals that Lazarus was reported to the OPR for violating “USCP policy related to alcohol consumption while on duty.” The alleged violation took place “at a National Republican Campaign Committee event in Florida.” Two Dignitary Protection Division agents observed Lazarus across a bar “drinking what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage with a Member of Congress.” Furthermore‚ the agents “observed that Special Agent Lazarus was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.” Lazarus was immediately sent back to Washington‚ D.C. When questioned‚ he denied drinking on the job‚ claiming he “consumed 2-3 non-alcoholic mixed drinks on the day in question.” “It appears that Agent Lazarus may have intentionally given false or misleading statements‚” the OPR investigation concluded. Multiple USCP sources have told Blaze Media that lying to departmental investigators is a “terminable” action. Any law enforcement officer who has made false statements to departmental investigators must have those events revealed to trial defense lawyers under “Brady and Giglio” precedents. According to the U.S. Department of Justice: It is the obligation of federal prosecutors‚ in preparing for trial‚ to seek all exculpatory and impeachment information from all the members of the prosecution team. Members of the prosecution team include federal‚ state‚ and local law enforcement officers and other government officials participating in the investigation and prosecution of the criminal case against the defendant. Further: A prosecutor must disclose information that is inconsistent with any element of any crime charged against the defendant or that establishes a recognized affirmative defense‚ regardless of whether the prosecutor believes such information will make the difference between conviction and acquittal of the defendant for a charged crime. All crimes on Capitol property on January 6‚ 2021‚ were under the investigative jurisdiction of the Capitol Police. The department was responsible for referring each investigation to the Justice Department and FBI. Blaze Media has learned from Oath Keeper defense attorneys that neither the USCP nor federal prosecutors disclosed Lazarus’ 2016 Office of Professional Responsibility investigation to them before his October 31‚ 2022‚ testimony. Neither the Capitol Police nor the Justice Department made the Capitol CCTV videos of Lazarus’ movements in the Capitol on January 6 available to the Oath Keepers' defense teams. Videos discovered by Blaze Media investigative reporters showed conclusively that Lazarus could not have seen the disputed encounter between four Oath Keepers and former USCP Officer Harry Dunn — essential testimony in which Lazarus claimed he witnessed an “antagonistic” encounter between Dunn and those Oath Keepers “three or four times.” CCTV video proves‚ however‚ that Lazarus was in another Senate office building when that encounter began and did not arrive until several minutes after the Oath Keepers had departed. The Capitol Police have plenty of explaining to do. This story is developing.

Millions of Americans are deeply unhappy. In fact‚ for the first time in more than a decade‚ the United States no longer ranks in the top 20 happiest countries.Well‚ Bill Maher has a message for you miserable saps: Cheer up!Maher is many things‚ but he’s not stupid. He knows that Biden is not the man he once was‚ but he can’t bring himself to admit it or to be honest with his viewers.During a recent monologue on his HBO show‚ Maher went to great lengths to convince Americans that everything‚ contrary to popular belief (and what your bank balance is telling you)‚ is just fine. Biden’s America‚ he suggested‚ is doing splendidly. Although he made a valid point about young people’s tendency to self-diagnose and romanticize mental illness‚ the tone in which Maher delivered his monologue was extremely condescending.Private jet politicsMaher isn’t just any old talking head. In fact‚ according to a recent Mediaite report‚ the 68-year-old is now one of the most trusted political commentators in the country. What he says carries a great deal of weight‚ and that should worry anyone who values honest‚ objective analyses.That's because much of what he says is nonsensical. During the monologue‚ Maher‚ in the most patronizing of tones‚ blasted those who fail to appreciate the supposedly great job Joe Biden has done and continues to do.“Why are Biden’s approval ratings so low when things are generally pretty good?” Maher asked‚ before stating that “wages are rising‚ unemployment is negligible‚ the stock market is soaring‚ we somehow brushed off both the Trump presidency and the pandemic.”Maher‚ worth somewhere in the region of $140 million‚ is of course entirely detached from reality. Secluded in his Beverly Hills residence‚ Maher regularly boasts about his love of traveling on his private jet. Although he presents himself as the voice of reason and a man of the people‚ his commentaries clearly demonstrate that he lives a very different life from the vast majority of his viewers. Maher doesn’t have to worry about something like inflation but most Americans do — and for good reason.Just look at the Common Man Consumer Price Index‚ which gauges inflation using a selection of essential items. It shows that soaring inflation during Biden's tenure has caused a decrease of approximately 7% in the standard of living for the average working individual since 2021. From a carton of eggs to fuel‚ everything is more expensive under Joe — but try telling this to Maher‚ a man who‚ not that long ago‚ was actively rooting for a recession.Head in the toilet?In his monologue‚ the comedian told viewers to “stop acting like life in America in 2024 is unbearable. Biden’s ratings are in the toilet not because he’s doing such a bad job‚” he argued‚ but “because a lot of Americans like to live with their head in the toilet.”In recent times‚ Maher has routinely defended Biden‚ insisting that the president is not cognitively compromised. At the same time‚ Maher believes that the best winning strategy for Biden ahead of November is to make an appearance “every once in a while."Maher is many things‚ but he’s not stupid. He knows that Biden is not the man he once was‚ but he can’t bring himself to admit it or to be honest with his viewers.Why?Perhaps it has something to do with Trump Derangement Syndrome. Maher‚ like so many in our media class‚ has been struggling with the crippling illness since 2016.Long TDS support groupA few weeks ago‚ he and fellow TDS sufferer Robert DeNiro discussed the existential dangers associated with a second Trump presidency. Now‚ I am not here to defend Donald Trump‚ not that he needs my help anyway.But the manner in which the two men are fearmongers and appealed to emotion rather than objective thinking was rather embarrassing.Maher regularly labels Trump authoritarian‚ but at the very same time actively champions Gavin Newsom‚ the slick-haired slimeball who declared a state of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic‚ suspended numerous laws‚ closed public schools‚ and implemented a widespread shutdown of the state's economy‚ resulting in the loss of nearly 3 million jobs and pushing the state into a severe recession. Newsom has also enacted several laws aimed at restricting or eliminating behaviors that he and his fellow Democrats deem inappropriate‚ such as gun ownership and the sale of gasoline-powered cars.Maher‚ it seems‚ is both disingenuous and hypocritical.To compound matters‚ he regularly ridicules religious believers as well as anyone unsophisticated enough to get married or have children. I love a good joke as much as anyone‚ but the manner in which Maher mocks the average American is not funny. It’s mean. Maher positions himself as a comic‚ but anyone who has actually watched his stand-up knows that he’s not really that funny. He’s a pundit and a heavily biased one at that.

Washington has passed a bill mandating the inclusion of history in school that is based on certain sexualities.House Bill 5462 was passed using the diversity‚ equity‚ and inclusion framework as its basis‚ to further implement "inclusive learning standards and instructional materials in public schools."The bill passed in the state House by a vote of 56 to 37. It then passed in the state Senate‚ albeit by a slimmer margin‚ at 28 to 20.Educators will be required to create a curriculum that covers accomplishments of individuals based on their sexuality‚ in addition to history in relation to other characteristics like race‚ ethnicity‚ and religion‚ KPTV reported.The legislation officially stated that the curriculum must include "diverse‚ equitable‚ inclusive‚ age appropriate instructional materials that include the histories‚ contributions‚ and perspectives of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups."This also includes those with "differing learning needs‚ people with disabilities‚" and "LGBTQ people."According to official Washington state documents‚ "LGBTQ" refers to "lesbian‚ gay‚ bisexual‚ transgender‚ and queer communities.""LGBTQ identities were erased in schools‚ and largely in most places they still are‚" Ken Shulman told KGW8. Shulman works as an executive director for an LGBTQ youth center‚ according to the local outlet.He noted that the legislation will lead to children having a greater acceptance and understanding of certain sexualities. Shulman then stated that he feels it is important to inform children of the sexual orientation of historical figures."It's considered too controversial to mention to kids that Thoreau was gay or Walt Whitman was gay‚" he said. "Alan Turing‚ who invented the first computer‚ helped serve the Enigma code‚ and win World War II was gay."The bill recognizes that materials referencing the contributions of "historically marginalized and underrepresented groups" may vary in their availability but states that school districts still must seek out materials that are "as culturally and experientially diverse as possible."By June 1‚ 2025‚ state school directors will need to have evaluated and revised their policy. By September 2025‚ the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to have created and disseminated a timeline for the reform of learning standards.Districts are then required to "conform with the model policy" by October 1‚ 2025. They have 10 days from the due date to confirm that they have officially implemented the new curriculum.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Leftist policies have taken over New York City‚ and after a recent attack on former president Donald Trump — Glenn Beck thinks it’s time to get out. Trump is facing a deadline on Monday to post a $454 million bond in the civil fraud case against him in New York‚ after Attorney General Leticia James had made it clear she’s coming for him. “You can’t just take someone’s property because you don’t like them‚” Glenn says‚ noting that Trump likely is well aware this will hurt New York more than it will hurt him. This is because the move itself is not just an attack on Trump but an attack on New Yorkers and their property. “That sends the message to the rest of the business world: You disagree with the attorney general or the governor‚ and they’ll destroy you and your company‚” Glenn says. In addition‚ New York City’s “squatters rights” law has taken its place in the limelight‚ as a woman was recently arrested for attempting to get squatters out of her million dollar home by changing the locks. Adele Andaloro is a homeowner in Flushing‚ Queens‚ who is now dealing with the consequences of owning her own property in New York. In New York City‚ a person can claim “squatters rights” if they have been living at a residence for 30 days or more. The law dictates that if the homeowner decides to change the locks‚ turn off the utilities‚ or remove the belongings of the “tenants” from the property — the homeowner can be charged. The squatter is now subletting her house‚ and Andaloro was slapped with an “unlawful eviction” charge. “You couple this with the story about Donald Trump‚ what do you think is going to happen to New York?” Glenn says‚ adding‚ “Escape from New York‚ it’s only a matter of time.” Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling‚ thought-provoking analysis‚ and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

A wheelchair-bound centenarian who has lived his whole life in Oakland‚ California‚ has been ordered to clean up graffiti on the outside of his fence or face perhaps thousands in fines.Earlier this month‚ 102-year-old Victor Silva Sr. received a notice from the City of Oakland ordering him to remove graffiti from his property by March 19. Failure to clean up the blight could result in a fine of $1‚100 plus nearly $1‚300 for every additional failed follow-up inspection‚ KTVU reported.Silva‚ a retired contractor who has lived in the same home for 80 years‚ said he used to take care of the problem himself until age began to take its toll. "Just had a roller and a paintbrush and just painted it. It was very easy because I was a contractor‚" he told the outlet. "I'll be 103 in two months or so. That slowed it up a little bit."During Silva's lifetime‚ crime in Oakland has steadily increased‚ and graffiti has become commonplace all around his neighborhood. Almost as soon as he cleans it up on his property‚ more graffiti appears in its place. "It's hard to keep up with it because as soon as we get it painted‚ [there's] gonna be graffiti on it again‚ and it won't last‚" said Victor Silva Jr.‚ Silva's son.Victor Jr. called the city's treatment of his father a form of harassment. "I would hate to think that there [are] other hundred-year-old people that are being harassed like this‚" he said. "Oakland has to change. The system is not working."Victor Jr. added that every time he has called 911 to report some form of property crime‚ he is placed on hold. "It's hard to understand where our tax dollars are going‚" the younger Victor claimed. "They can't answer 911‚ but they can come out and hassle you about a fence?"Silva's daughter-in-law Elena Silva called the entire situation "absurd." "It's like a joke‚" she said. "You drive around the city and see the graffiti everywhere."KTVU claimed that an Oakland inspector had contacted the outlet and promised to do "an immediate inspection" at Silva's property. The outlet expressed hopes that the elderly man's citation will soon be canceled.Meanwhile‚ Silva offered some practical advice for those hoping to live a long life: "Just keep breathing and‚ you know‚ behave yourself."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Republican lawmakers are demanding more information from the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the reportedly 85‚000 unaccompanied alien children the agency can no longer locate‚ according to a Wednesday letter obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.What's the background?In February 2023‚ the New York Times released an article that claimed the Biden administration's HHS‚ which is responsible for placing unaccompanied migrant children with sponsors‚ could no longer get in touch with tens of thousands of children. It noted that the agency is supposed to check in on the minors by calling them one month after they are placed with a U.S.-based sponsor. The report found that "over the last two years‚ the agency could not reach more than 85‚000 children.""Overall‚ the agency lost immediate contact with a third of migrant children" placed in its care‚ the Times stated. Kamara Jones‚ an HHS spokesperson‚ reportedly told the news outlet that‚ with the influx of migrants coming across the southern border‚ the agency was pressured to find sponsors for the unaccompanied children quickly‚ which ultimately compromised their safety."There are numerous places along the process to continually ensure that a placement is in the best interest of the child‚" Jones told the Times.Last month‚ a group of nearly two dozen Republican attorneys general sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas‚ Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray‚ and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra claiming that there is "reason to believe" some of the missing children are victims of trafficking‚ Fox News Digital reported. "The United States needs to stop handing over children to 'probable traffickers‚'" the AGs wrote‚ noting that HHS "loosened vetting procedures." They speculated that "thousands of children have now fallen victim to forced labor and sex trafficking."HHS Office of Inspector General released a report in February that found "gaps" in the agency's sponsor screening process. "In 16 percent of children's case files‚ one or more required sponsor safety checks lacked any documentation indicating that the checkers were conducted‚" the OIG reported. "For 19 percent of children who were released to sponsors with pending FBI fingerprint or State child abuse and neglect registry checks‚ children's case files were never updated with the results."Earlier this month‚ Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy from Louisiana also penned two letters‚ one to the Biden administration's Department of Labor and another to HHS‚ warning about the "upward trend in exploitative child labor." He blamed HHS for "relax[ing] sponsor vetting requirements."Lawmakers demand actionOn Wednesday‚ 10 Republican lawmakers‚ spearheaded by Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas‚ sent a joint letter to Becerra requesting additional information regarding HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement's process for approving sponsors and its efforts to ensure the children's safety. The letter‚ obtained by the DCNF‚ read‚ "Amid the worst border invasion in our nation's history‚ it was reported last July that the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) lost contact with more than 85‚000 children in sponsor care. Recently‚ an alarming report by the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) confirmed ORR is failing to fulfill various mandatory safety checks necessary to protect the safety and well-being of unaccompanied migrant children."The lawmakers declared that HHS is "directly responsible for ensuring unaccompanied children are not lost‚ trafficked‚ or abused.""One former border agent recounted witnessing traffickers 'providing' children to unrelated adults at the border‚ only for the adults to return those children to the traffickers after reaching their destination within the U.S.‚" the Republicans wrote.Lawmakers demanded HHS answer several questions‚ including why the agency "remove[d] its citizenship requirement policy for UAC sponsors" and in what circumstances it does not require sponsor background checks."We are concerned that fraud surrounding UAC sponsorship is severe due to ORR's lackluster policies and procedures to verify a sponsor's identity and relationship to the child. Children apprehended‚ transported‚ and processed alone are not safe from human traffickers‚ who may pose as sponsors once migrant children are flown throughout the country by the federal government‚" the lawmakers stated.The letter to Becerra was signed by several Republican representatives from Texas‚ including Gooden‚ Jake Ellzey‚ Brian Babin‚ Chip Roy‚ Beth Van Duyne‚ and Pete Sessions. Signatories also included Republican Reps. Clay Higgins from Louisiana‚ Diana Harshbarger from Tennessee‚ and Tom Tiffany and Glenn Grothman from Wisconsin.Gooden posted on social media yesterday blaming Biden and his administration for the "intentional" border crisis."Joe Biden is responsible for the insurrection taking place at the southern border‚" he wrote. HHS did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

CNN polling data expert Harry Enten is sounding the alarm for Democrats as Hispanic voters increasingly abandon President Joe Biden.Speaking with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper on Wednesday‚ Enten broke down some of the latest polling data that should worry Biden and Democrats while putting Republicans and Donald Trump at ease."This is one of the trend lines that I think really tells the story‚" Enten began. "If you ask voters‚ 'Who do you think would do a better job handling border security and immigration?' What do we see? We see that back in 2020‚ it was basically a dead-even split‚ right? Joe Biden was slightly favored‚ but not overwhelmingly.""Look at where we are today‚ in a Marquette University Law School poll that was put out last month‚ look at that advantage that Donald Trump has on immigration and border security: It's near 30 points‚" he explained. "This is a tremendous change that's going on and it is no wonder that Donald Trump is running on immigration."BREAKING: CNN’s Data Analyst Harry Enten reveals that Hispanic voters show "overwhelming" trust in President Trump over Biden on border security and immigration.A demographic once "won" by Biden by 20+ points now teeters at a mere 2-point lead.“If you ask Hispanic voters‚ who… pic.twitter.com/lnUda1EnIE— Hank (@GCapital_LLC) March 21‚ 2024 Conventional politics suggests that some Hispanic voters would be turned off by Trump's strong immigration rhetoric‚ Enten said.But that "ain't the case" now‚ he explained‚ because Hispanic voters trust Trump to handle the border crisis."If you ask Hispanic voters who do they trust more on border security and immigration? Overwhelmingly‚ they trust Donald Trump more by a tremendous margin. Look at that‚ 49% to 24%‚" Enten said.According to Enten‚ Hispanic voters overwhelmingly supported Biden in 2020. But his lead of more than 20 points has now evaporated because of the border crisis."If you look at the polling right now‚ on an average of polling among Hispanic voters‚ who did they choose in the ballot test? It's barely Biden — by about two points‚" Enten explained. "It would be the smallest margin for any Democratic candidate among Hispanic voters‚ basically‚ throughout history since we started polling the gosh darn thing."Not only do voters trust Trump to handle the border crisis as immigration becomes the top election issue‚ but Biden is actually losing ground among all non-white voters. Democrats' advantage among Hispanic‚ Asian‚ and black voters‚ in fact‚ is at its lowest point since 1960‚ according to the Financial Times.There are many reasons for this growing voter realignment. From FT:Part of this is due to fading memories and weakening ties. Black Americans who lived through the civil rights era still support the party at very high levels‚ but younger generations are wavering. There’s also the weakening correlation between income and voter choice in US politics. The image of the GOP as the party of wealthy country club elites is dimming‚ opening the door to working- and middle-class voters of all ethnicities. More ominous for the Democrats is a less widely understood dynamic: many of America’s non-white voters have long held much more conservative views than their voting patterns would suggest. The migration we’re seeing today is not so much natural Democrats becoming disillusioned but natural Republicans realising they’ve been voting for the wrong party.It turns out that a "less racially divided America is an America where people vote more based on their beliefs than their identity‚" wrote John Burn-Murdoch‚ chief data reporter at FT. "This is bad news for Democrats‚" he explained.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

On the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire‚” contestants were given three lifelines‚ such as asking the audience or phoning a friend‚ to preserve their chance at a financial fortune. But when it comes to the billionaire Donald Trump‚ a different kind of lifeline may keep his finances afloat. Axios on Friday reported that Trump Media and Technology Group‚ the parent company of the social media platform Truth Social‚ is merging with a special purpose acquisition company (commonly known as a SPAC) to become a publicly traded entity after the SPAC’s shareholders voted for the merger’s approval. Trump might be able to secure a loan that gives him access to cash today — something he desperately needs to avoid selling or forfeiting his other assets. Although the social media company is not profitable — as is sometimes the case with technology companies that access public markets — and has low revenue‚ the valuation of the new entity is expected to be in the billions of dollars‚ with Donald Trump’s stake worth in excess of $3 billion‚ if the stock price is able to stabilize. And that is a big “if.” This means Trump could have valuable stock that not only increases his net worth but also could help him post the cash or bond that is required in the civil fraud judgments imposed upon him by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Reports are that Trump has what is known as a “lock-up agreement” related to his SPAC shares for a six-month period. This is a standard provision that keeps insiders from selling a newly listed company en masse and tanking the stock price. A six-month lock-up means that Trump may not sell any shares after the merger closes until around October. If the board were to waive the lock-up provision‚ however‚ another lifeline could emerge: a collateralized loan. While the board wouldn’t want Trump to sell his holdings‚ with freely tradeable shares as collateral (as opposed to shares under the lock-up agreement)‚ Trump might be able to secure a loan that gives him access to cash today — something he desperately needs to avoid selling or forfeiting his other assets. One can surmise that this timing is not coincidental — sort of. This proposed merger has been in contention for years. According to an SEC filing‚ the definitive merger agreement between Trump Media and Technology Group and Digital World Acquisition Corp was entered into on October 21‚ 2021. Since then‚ plenty of drama has kept the merger from closing‚ including‚ per Axios‚ “a multiyear saga that’s included civil lawsuits‚ criminal lawsuits‚ closing extensions‚ and vote postponements.” So after all this time‚ the merger finally closing when Trump needs that financial lifeline seems related. The deadline to post a bond that would allow Trump to appeal the verdict without his assets being seized is fast approaching on Monday. Trump’s legal team has reportedly said he had been turned down by 30 different companies that provide bonds already. There are many hurdles that remain. One is that the merger takes time to close‚ and that may be too late for a transaction to take place. Another is the potential for the share price to fall once it begins trading under the newly closed entity‚ which may be too risky for Trump to get any type of collateralized “margin” loan‚ let alone one large enough to meet his needs. For Trump‚ this merger could be his last lifeline to save his assets — but it very well may be too late. We will see if the board moves quickly enough and if he can phone a friendly financial services company that will see the new stock as strong enough collateral.

A California-based champion for parental rights recently discovered that searches for her name on Instagram and Facebook prompted a warning stating‚ "Child sexual abuse is illegal." Sonja Shaw‚ president of the Chino Valley Unified School District and a Christian mother‚ is now demanding answers from the tech giant‚ which has allegedly done this to parental rights advocates on more than one occasion. Background Shaw has won the loathing of radical leftists for cluing parents in to what's happening with their children at school and enabling parents to challenge obscene content made accessible to students. Under her leadership‚ CVUSD became the first district in the state to embrace a policy whereby school officials must inform parents if their kids request to use the bathroom intended for members of the opposite sex as well as if their confused children ask to use names and pronouns that don't correspond with reality or their official documents‚ reported the Los Angeles Times. Shaw and other CVUSD officials have been threatened for taking this stand. The Mercury News reported that Berkeley resident Rebecca Morgan was arrested on Aug. 1 on suspicion of threatening Shaw and others. Shaw indicated the vicious threats targeted not only her but her children and pets as well. Like Morgan‚ the Newsom administration was also apparently prickled by Shaw's defiance of gender ideology. California Attorney General Rob Bonta took legal action against Shaw's district on Aug. 28‚ claiming it violated privacy laws regarding transvestite students. In October‚ a San Bernardino County Superior Court judge blocked the district from enforcing some of the related policies until the case was resolved. It's not just deranged threats and an antipathetic state government that Shaw has had to deal with. Tactically branded The Liberty Justice Center‚ which represents Shaw‚ penned a letter Tuesday to Meta Platforms' chief legal officer‚ Jennifer Newstead‚ noting that public searches for Shaw's name turned up the following message: "Child sexual abuse is illegal[.] We think that your search might be associated with child sexual abuse." "Child sexual abuse or viewing sexual imagery of children can lead to imprisonment and other sever personal consequences‚" continues the Facebook warning. "This abuse causes extreme harm to children and searching and viewing such material adds to that harm. To get confidential help or learn how to report any content as inappropriate‚ visit our Help Center." Users seeking Shaw or information about her on the Meta platforms were then allegedly given two options: see how to report child sex abuse content or get help. According to the Liberty Justice Center‚ this "egregiously false statement" implied that Shaw "herself has been associated with child sexual abuse‚ which of course is FALSE." Shaw and the legal group are skeptical that this was a mistake‚ noting that something similar happened to Nick Wilson‚ a Republican running for election to the California State Assembly. RedState indicated that the problem affecting the parental rights advocates persisted until various high-profile users began drawing attention to the error. Alex Villanueva‚ a former Los Angeles County Sheriff awaiting the results for how he fared in a primary election for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors‚ noted Monday that "Meta has moved from shadow banning/throttling to outright trolling of those who defend children from abuse and/or support parental rights." BREAKING: @Meta has moved from shadow banning/throttling to outright trolling of those who defend children from abuse and/or support parental rights: Here is their own fake search engine result:\n@latimes \n@FOXLA \n@KTLANEWSDESK \n@SpecNews1SoCal \n@JohnKobyltRadio \n@jenvanlaar — (@) Buck Dougherty‚ senior counsel with the Liberty Justice Center‚ noted in a statement that "what is additionally troubling about Meta's false publication is that it appears to be calculated to retaliate against Ms. Shaw for her outspoken support and advocacy on behalf of parental rights in pending litigation by the California Attorney General against the Chino Valley Unified School District." While acknowledging that Meta has since taken corrective action‚ the Liberty Justice Center said Shaw "has further concerns." The Liberty Justice Center demanded an explanation as well as written assurance that Meta and its employees would not falsely brand Shaw again. The firm further noted that "Ms. Shaw intends to exhaust all available legal remedies available to her on her own behalf‚ as well as Chino Valley Unified School District's behalf" to address the alleged efforts by Meta and its employees to "improperly interfere with ongoing litigation in California courts" involving the parental rights advocate and the CVUSD. Shaw wrote on X‚ "Disgusted and horrified by Meta's baseless attack. No proof‚ just retaliation for defending parental rights???? Stand strong with me against their cowardly and despicable tactics. #TruthPrevails." — (@) Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The news comes only months after King Charles was diagnosed with cancer.