Kentucky Senator Rand Paul confronted Dr. Anthony Fauci‚ the former chief White House medical adviser and former director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)‚ saying he should “take some responsibility for funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan‚” while saying “what you’ve done is change the definition on your website to try to cover your a**.” “I don’t expect you today to admit that you approved of NIH funding for gain-of-function research in Wuhan‚ but your repeated denials have worn thin and a majority of Americans frankly‚ don’t believe you‚” Paul began. “Even the NIH now admits that EcoHealth Alliance (the non-profit that collaborated with the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the nearby Wuhan University Center for Animal Experiment) did perform experiments in Wuhan that created viruses not found in nature that actually did gain in lethality. The facts are clear: The NIH did fund gain-of-function research in Wuhan‚ despite your protestations.” In September 2021‚ The Intercept reported evidence showing that the EcoHealth Alliance‚ the Wuhan Institute of Virology‚ and the nearby Wuhan University Center for Animal Experiment had engaged in gain-of-function research “intentionally making viruses more pathogenic or transmissible in order to study them … grant money for the controversial experiment came from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases‚ which is headed by Anthony Fauci.” “Your persistent denials‚ though‚ are not simply a stain on your reputation‚ but are a clear and present danger to the country and to the world‚” Paul stated. Later in the confrontation‚ Paul asked‚ “Will you today‚ finally take some responsibility for funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan?” “Senator‚ with all due respect‚ I disagree with so many of the things that you said. First of all‚ gain-of-function is a very nebulous term; we have spent‚ not us‚ but outside bodies‚ a considerable amount of effort to give a more precise definition to the type of research that is of concern that might lead to a dangerous situation. You are aware of that; that is called P3CO‚” Fauci answered. “We’re aware that you deleted gain-of-function from the NIH website‚” Paul interjected. “Well‚ I can get back to that in a moment if we have time‚ but let’s get back to the operating framework and guiderails of which we operate under‚” Fauci deflected. “And you have ignored them. the guidelines are very‚ very clear: that you have to be dealing with a pathogen that clearly is shown and very likely to be highly transmissible in an uncontrollable way in humans and to have a high degree of morbidity and mortality and that you do experiments to enhance that‚ hence the word EPPP: enhanced pathogens potential pandemic.” Paul pointed out that EcoHealth Alliance took a virus and combined it with WIV-1 to cause a “recombinant virus that doesn’t exist in nature‚” adding‚ “and it made mice sicker — mice that had humanized cells — you’re saying that’s not gain-of-function research?” “According to the framework and guidelines —” Fauci responded. “So what you’re doing is defining away gain-of-function; you’re simply saying it doesn’t exist cause you changed the definition on the NIH website‚” Paul accused. “This is terrible‚ and you’re completely trying to escape the idea that we should do something about trying to prevent a pandemic from leaking from a lab. The preponderance of evidence now points toward this coming from a lab‚ and what you’ve done is change the definition on your website to try to cover your a** basically. That’s what you’ve done; you’ve changed the website to have a new definition that doesn’t include the risky research that’s going on. Until you admit that it’s risky‚ we’re not gonna get anywhere. You have to admit that this research was risky. The NIH has now rebuked them. Your own agency has rebuked them. But the thing is you’re still unwilling to admit that they gained in function when they say that became sicker; they gained in lethality. It’s a new virus. That’s not gain-of-function?” “According to the definition that’s currently operable … the current definition was done over a two to three-year period by outside bodies‚ including the NSABB‚ two conferences by the National Academy of Science‚ Engineering and Medicine on December 2014‚ March 2016. We commissioned external risk-benefit assessment‚ and then on January of 2017‚ the Office of Science and Technology Policy of the White House issued the current policy‚” Fauci said. Paul then pointed out: “And coincidentally‚ the definition appeared on the same day that the NIH said that yes‚ there was a gain-of-function in Wuhan; the same day the definition appeared; the new definition to try to define away what’s going on in Wuhan. Until you accept it‚ we’re not going to get responsibility; we’re not going to get anywhere close to trying to prevent another lab leak of this dangerous sort of experiment.”

A Wisconsin judge has sided with a voter who argued that the city of Racine violated state law when it operated a van that drove to locations throughout the city and collected absentee ballots.  Racine County Circuit Court Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz ruled that the city’s use of a mobile van for absentee voting violated state law and benefited Democrats unfairly in a primary election in August 2022. The van was bought with money from the Center for Tech and Civic Life‚ a nonprofit run by Mark Zuckerberg that has been accused of allocating funds for elections in ways that benefit Democrats.  The decision came after Ken Brown‚ represented by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL)‚ sued the Wisconsin Elections Commission and Racine City Clerk Tara McMenamin. Intervenors on behalf of the defendants included the Democratic National Committee‚ Black Leaders Organizing for Communities‚ and the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans.  In his ruling‚ Gasiorkiewicz said that while state law did not expressly prohibit mobile van absentee ballot sites‚ there was nothing in state law to allow them either.  “Nothing in the statutory language detailing the procedures by which absentee ballots may be cast mentions mobile van absentee ballot sites or anything like them. Such an interpretation was and is contrary to law‚” he said.  According to WILL‚ there were almost two dozen sites throughout Racine where a mobile van parked for several hours of in-person absentee voting in the two weeks before the 2022 election.  The ruling could come into play as the 2024 presidential election approaches and voting rules in Wisconsin come under scrutiny. The Wisconsin Supreme Court previously ruled that the use of ballot drop boxes in 2020 was illegal‚ but the decision could be reversed as liberals have taken a majority on the court.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Gasiorkiewicz also sided with Brown’s statements that the use of the van benefited Democrats.  “The statute in question clearly and unequivocally indicates that chosen alternate absentee balance balloting sites cannot afford an advantage to any political party‚” Gasiorkiewicz wrote. “The filings in this case clearly indicated that the alternate sites chosen clearly favored members of the Democratic Party or those with known Democratic Party leanings.” WILL celebrated the decision‚ saying that it was a win for election integrity.  “Wisconsin voters should know that their elections are secure‚ and that election administration does not favor one political party over another. This decision does just that. WILL’s policy and legal expertise allow us to hold government actors accountable to the rule of law at all levels‚ ‘WILL Deputy Counsel Lucas Vebber said.

To mark the third anniversary of the U.S. Capitol riot‚ The Daily Wire spoke with Micki Witthoeft‚ the mother of Ashli Babbitt‚ an Air Force veteran who was fatally shot in the halls of Congress that day‚ as Witthoeft participated in a nightly vigil last week outside the Washington‚ D.C. jail where many January 6 defendants are being held. The interview‚ as published below‚ has been lightly edited for length and clarity and contains some notes in brackets with further information. DW: Why are you here this evening? Witthoeft: I’m here because the government murdered my daughter three years ago. I think she deserves an investigation into her death. And I think the men inside deserve fair and accurate sentences and not the overreach we’re seeing.  DW: So it’s not just one person. It’s about everybody who’s been incarcerated? Witthoeft: It is about the unfair treatment and the violation of people’s constitutional rights. I very much think Ashli’s rights were violated. She served this country four times in the Middle East‚ she was deployed four times to come home and go to a “Stop the Steal” rally and to come home in a box is completely unacceptable. And then to have your government throw you away like you’re a disposable human — completely unacceptable. DW: How many nights have you been here at the vigil outside the D.C. jail? Witthoeft: Probably about 520 now. DW: How aware do you think the guys on the inside are of what you’re doing out here? And do you think that the demonstrations that you’re doing every night‚ and speaking with them‚ of course‚ gives them hope? Or how does it make them feel? Witthoeft: It gives them a voice to the outside. When we first got here‚ they didn’t have visitation‚ they were being horribly treated by some of the guards and their treatment has improved.  They do have visitation now. And some of these people on “Freedom Corner” [at the vigil] will be their visitors on Friday. Some of them have family that can’t make it all the way across the country‚ especially not every week. So‚ we go sit in a big room across from each other and fill up the visitation room. So I think that’s been a blessing. There’s a constant in and out of people here because they come here before they go to trial. And then they stay here until they’re sentenced‚ then they leave and then there’s a constant flow of people — because people continue to get arrested to this day behind the events of January 6. While 67% of crimes in this city go unprosecuted while they continue to hunt down “MAGA” meemaws and grandmas. They let everything else slide so they can continue to persecute January 6 detainees. … Speedy trial rights went out the window a long time ago. And you can see when you go into these courtrooms that the people are very much judged by the day on the calendar and not their behavior that day. Like I said‚ it’s excessive sentencing. Some people in this movement think there should be blanket pardons and I don’t believe that. I believe everybody should be held accountable — and saying that everybody should be held accountable‚ I mean‚ [former House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi‚ I mean Michael Byrd [the Capitol Police officer who shot Babbitt]‚ [Rep.] Adam Schiff‚ [Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer all of them. And the American patriots that got out of control that day.  [Editor’s note: The Department of Justice says more than 1‚200 people have been charged with crimes in connection to January 6‚ nearly 900 have pleaded guilty or been convicted‚ and almost 750 have had their cases adjudicated and received sentences.] DW: What kind of reforms are you looking for moving forward?  Witthoeft: Well‚ I think what has become clear to mainstream America‚ and shame on us for not realizing it sooner‚ but we have a lot of these guys — it’s their first bout with the law. Not all of them‚ but most of them. This is mainstream America you have behind the walls of this jail. So I think a lot of us have become aware of the need for prison reform in this country all around. LISTEN: Hear the full interview with Micki Witthoeft on Morning Wire DW: You mentioned blanket pardons wouldn’t work. Witthoeft: I don’t think so. I mean‚ there are some people in this movement that are for them. But I think it would deter a proper investigation into the events of that day. I think if you blanket pardoned people and then their problem goes away‚ there’ll be less people pushing forward to find out exactly what happened that day. DW: It would be too easy an answer? Witthoeft: Well‚ I think it would allow the government to just shelve it. DW: Do you think‚ under the current administration‚ that might happen? Are you hoping that now that it’s an election year‚ whoever gets elected — because it is ultimately the Justice Department that’s in charge — do you hope that whoever comes in or if President Joe Biden himself [gets a second term]‚ hears your message and institutes the kind of changing and looking for? Witthoeft: Biden himself is never going to listen to my message. I think‚ not disrespectfully to Biden — although I don’t have any respect for Biden — but what I say is not out of disrespect‚ it’s out of what I see from him. I don’t think he’s competent to run this country. I think he’s very much addle-minded and in his senior decline. I mean‚ you know it’s just human fact that at a certain point‚ you’re at your peak and then you’re not anymore. And I think he’s very much not anymore. I don’t think he has the capacity for the intricate situations that arise in this country. I don’t think he’s a good leader at this point. I go back to sitting in the courtrooms. And some of the judges say‚ “What an embarrassment January 6 was to this nation.” I don’t find it to be so. I think‚ you know‚ the end result was reprehensible. But I don’t think that that was the American citizens as much as it was our government and the assault under color of authority. My daughter’s murder — people are quick to say‚ “Well‚ she should have complied‚ she should have complied.” But she was not given an order to comply to. She didn’t see that man until he killed her‚ he was very much hiding. And‚ you know‚ Ashli was part of the security forces in the Air Force‚ well versed in the use of force continuum. And the first one would be to identify yourself — identify yourself as a police officer. Give a verbal command. He did none of those things. The Capitol Police operate with impunity. And I think that in any other police force in this country‚ Byrd’s conduct would have caused him to be fired‚ not promoted. [Editor’s note: The Justice Department refused to pursue criminal charges against Byrd for the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Babbitt as she attempted to pass through the broken window of a barricaded door and the Capitol Police declined to take disciplinary action against him. Byrd claimed to NBC News that pulling the trigger was a “last resort.” He insisted the “failure” of people to “comply required me to take the appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress and myself and my fellow officers.” In August of last year‚ CQ Roll Call reported that Byrd was poised to be promoted to captain.] DW: What do you think your daughter would say at this point in time‚ if she were here?  Witthoeft: Well‚ she would be very upset at the state of this country as I think many Americans are. My daughter was brave and bold. And the reason I’m here is because I believe she would be here. So that’s my feeling that I believe she would be right here pushing for justice and the reinstatement of people’s Constitutional rights. And the thing about January 6 is‚ not only did they kill my child‚ but they took away my belief and some of the things I held true … about this country‚ like equitable justice and fairness‚ and‚ just some things you hold to be true and are not. Because now‚ I now believe‚ without putting on a tinfoil hat‚ the corruption goes to the top. I absolutely do. And I believe we’re in the beginnings of a police state. When you have cameras watching your every move‚ when you have people tracking your phone‚ you have the Patriot Act‚ you have the 702 [Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act]. Now‚ they need even less permission to infringe on American rights. I think that that’s a problem. DW: What do you want to be done now? We’re almost three years to the day? What would you like to see? Witthoeft: I think‚ you know‚ the release of some of the footage is going to be semi-helpful‚ but it’s also slow rolled and watered down and mediocre. DW: Is that because they’re blurring the faces or there just isn’t enough of it? [As part of the rolling disclosure by the GOP-led House.] Witthoeft: They’re just not releasing enough of it‚ quick enough. And I don’t think anybody’s face should be blurred out. I really don’t. I think if we’re gonna hold people accountable‚ let’s hold people accountable. And I think that you went in such an unprecedented event where you have so many people charged from the same day for a lot of the same crimes‚ to have the people that were charged be the ones saying‚ “Release the video‚ let’s see it‚ let’s see it‚” which we have been doing for three years‚ and the government is the entity that doesn’t want it released. I think that should tell us all we need to know‚ as American citizens‚ that the government has something to hide. I think that’s pretty‚ pretty obvious. DW: Is there anything else you’d like to see? Witthoeft: I would like to see an investigation into the entire day. I want to know who did what … I think if we’re gonna hold our American people accountable‚ we need to hold everybody accountable. DW: By what mechanism do you think that would need to be done? Because you’ve had the January 6 Committee. You’ve had some Republicans do their own counter-investigation. Witthoeft: Well‚ that’s a good question and I wish I had those answers. You know‚ all I know to do is to continue pounding on doors. To continue contacting your local representatives. To show up to vote even if you don’t have full faith in the system‚ to not sit back and wait for Donald Trump to ride in and save the day because he’s one man. I think American citizens need to be their own heroes‚ speak up‚ stand up‚ say something‚ run for local offices‚ and seriously take the pride back in this country that it once used to have. * * * The views expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and not necessarily those of The Daily Wire. Listen to the full interview with Micki Witthoeft on Morning Wire.

Florida Democrats have once again taken to social media to voice their complaints about Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) — and their beef with him on this particular occasion appears to be … his inability to control the weather. After severe storms — and even some tornado activity — rocked the Sunshine State‚ DeSantis declared a State of Emergency. Florida Democrats responded with a post on X that seemed to blame the Republican governor for failing to stop the storms‚ suggesting that he was a hypocrite for supporting environmental protection. “Ron: ‘We must protect our environment and the great outdoors‚'” they quoted him as saying‚ adding a still photo of some of the storm damages. “Florida right now: #StateoftheState.” Ron: ‘We must protect our environment and the great outdoors’ Florida right now: #StateoftheState pic.twitter.com/q3bKHj92GQ — Florida Democrats (@FlaDems) January 9‚ 2024 DeSantis’ rapid response director Christina Pushaw responded‚ “You want to turn Florida into California‚ where entire towns burned to the ground due to uncontrolled wildfires. Was that Gavin Newsom’s fault or is it only Republican politicians who can control the weather?” You want to turn Florida into California‚ where entire towns burned to the ground due to uncontrolled wildfires. Was that Gavin Newsom's fault or is it only Republican politicians who can control the weather? — Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) January 9‚ 2024 “Democrats think ‘protect our environment’ means ‘pay us more taxes and we will stop tornadoes from happening. pinky promise!'” she added. Democrats think "protect our environment" means "pay us more taxes and we will stop tornadoes from happening. pinky promise!" https://t.co/fPCDTM6CkN — Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) January 9‚ 2024 Chaya Raichik added‚ “I didn’t realize the Governor controls the weather and can stop storms.” “I’m confused‚ should Ron DeSantis tell mother nature to stop naturing? Or?” Brendon Leslie asked. I’m confused‚ should Ron DeSantis tell mother nature to stop naturing? Or? — Brendon Leslie (@BrendonLeslie) January 9‚ 2024 “Florida Democrats are right. The environment is a jerk. It’s time to make the Earth pay‚” Donny Ferguson joked. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Florida Democrats are right. The environment is a jerk. It's time to make the Earth pay. https://t.co/zt2vSXP3yp — Donny Ferguson (donnyferguson.substack.com) (@DonnyFerguson) January 10‚ 2024 “Next time there’s a big hurricane or tornado I’ll remind the governor to get out the giant fan so we can blow it back out to sea‚” Courtney Knill suggested. next time there’s a big hurricane or tornado I’ll remind the governor to get out the giant fan so we can blow it back out to sea ❤️ https://t.co/vEFlgcvccP pic.twitter.com/MJ69Zd9Dw4 — 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚝𝚗𝚎𝚢 𝙺𝚗𝚒𝚕𝚕 (@courtneyknill) January 9‚ 2024 DeSantis Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern pushed back as well‚ saying‚ “Florida Democrats are not okay. They’ll turn any tragedy into a political talking point. Anyway … Earlier today‚ @GovRonDeSantis signed an Executive Order to ensure there are no unmet needs as severe weather continues to move across Florida. Stay safe out there‚ everyone.” Florida Democrats are not okay. They’ll turn any tragedy into a political talking point. Anyway… Earlier today‚ @GovRonDeSantis signed an Executive Order to ensure there are no unmet needs as severe weather continues to move across Florida. Stay safe out there‚ everyone. https://t.co/DUqcnoBRbV — Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) January 9‚ 2024 A number of homes in Florida sustained severe damages after a tornado hit popular Spring Break hotspot Panama City Beach. Drone video shows the damage in Panama City Beach‚ Florida‚ after a tornado tore through early Tuesday morning. pic.twitter.com/owR5bPTaJC — AccuWeather (@accuweather) January 9‚ 2024

Colony Ridge‚ the sprawling land development northeast of Houston‚ Texas that’s become a magnet for illegal immigrants‚ appears to have made no change to its marketing strategy that targets the Spanish-speaking population with no proof of credit with land offers‚ even after the Department of Justice sued the developers for “predatory” practices. The embattled land development‚ which covers about 60 square miles and is estimated to be home to anywhere from 50‚000 to 75‚000 people‚ came under fire from the DOJ and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) when the two entities came together to announce a joint lawsuit against Colony Ridge. But despite the lawsuit from the two federal entities‚ which specifically alleges that the development “churns through borrowers in a cycle of foreclosure‚” Colony Ridge has continued marketing to potential buyers in Spanish‚ telling them that they can buy without credit checks to fulfill their dream of owning property in the United States. Colony Ridge is so insistent on informing potential buyers that their creditworthiness will not be checked that it states “no necesita crédito‚” translated to “no credit needed‚” in its Instagram account bio. “Land without credit‚” one Instagram ad‚ posted less than a month after the DOJ and CFPB reads. The caption comes alongside a video of one of Colony Ridge’s employees dancing while a sentence in Spanish says‚ “When the client realizes it is not a lie that we do not ask for credit so that they can buy land with us.” The post is hashtagged “EstadosUnidos.” Paired with exclusively Spanish advertisements that encourage buyers to “own land in the United States‚” Colony Ridge has been blasted by public officials for “enabling illegal alien settlement” in America and “enticing desperate foreign populations to the United States with the promise of low-cost no-question property.” The advertisements mirror ones highlighted in The Daily Wire’s initial investigation of Colony Ridge‚ which found that the development’s loan operations largely rely on Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers‚ a form of identification that pro-illegal immigrant groups have heralded as a “powerful tool” for illegal immigrants who lack Social Security numbers. The lawsuit from the DOJ and the CFPB specifically alleges that Colony Ridge developers William “Trey” Harris and his brother John Harris are “operating an illegal land sales scheme and targeting tens of thousands of Hispanic borrowers with false statements and predatory loans‚” even selling plots of land that lack electrical‚ water‚ or sewer infrastructure and that are prone to flooding. The DOJ also explained in a press conference that it would be warning potential customers against buying land at Colony Ridge. But the marketing campaign has carried on unchanged. “Your dream of being an owner starts with us‚” boasts another recent Instagram ad from Colony Ridge‚ which also goes by the name “Terrenos Houston‚” before noting that potential buyers can qualify “sin crédito‚” or “without credit.” The ad came after the federal lawsuit. “Why not have your own home? In Terrenos Houston‚ it’s very easy and no credit needed‚” another advertisement‚ translated from Spanish‚ reads‚ while yet another states‚ “credit-free lands.” Other social media advertisements emphasize that buyers can “achieve your dream of being an owner in the United States‚” along with the hashtag “EstadosUnidos.” While Colony Ridge frequently advertises that it does not check people’s credit‚ the development has received heavy criticism for its foreclosure rate‚ with the Houston Landing reporting that nearly half of the 35‚000 properties it has sold have ended up back in the development’s hands as buyers are charged a 12.9% interest rate. The revelations come as illegal immigration hits record highs‚ with Customs and Border Patrol apprehending over 5.8 million illegal immigrants since the start of Joe Biden’s presidency‚ with another 1.7 million estimated gotaways who made it into the United States without apprehension. The development was the subject of two Texas special legislative session calls by Texas Governor Greg Abbott‚ who previously received a combined $1.5 million from developer Trey Harris and his wife. The special sessions ultimately resulted in $40 million being allocated to the Texas Department of Public Safety to patrol the development‚ But now Colony Ridge is also facing increased federal scrutiny. The Daily Wire confirmed that Colony Ridge is being investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency while the New York Post reported that the development is also facing investigations from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)‚ the Army Corps of Engineers‚ and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. While the nature of the investigations is not known‚ The Daily Wire published an investigation in December revealing that a government board associated with Colony Ridge awarded over $16 million in taxpayer funds to a paving company with ties to the developer. Representatives for Colony Ridge did not respond to requests for comment.

A parental rights group is suing the California attorney general over the way he characterized their proposed transgender ballot initiative. A group called Protect Kids California filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) last week. The group held a press conference on the steps of the state Capitol in Sacramento to announce the suit. The problems started back in August when the group launched a push for a ballot initiative that would crack down on child gender transitions. Bonta quickly slammed the effort and dubbed it the “Restricts Rights of Transgender Youth” initiative in the official summary his office released. This caused problems for Protect Kids California‚ the group said. One of the co-founders of the group‚ Roseville school board member Jonathan Zachreson‚ said they received feedback from supporters who were confused by the attorney general’s title and description‚ which appear on the petition supporters must sign to get the initiative on the ballot. “A lot of the feedback is ‘Why did you write the initiative this way?’ and they’re focused on the title and summary and we’re like ‘Well‚ we didn’t write it. That was Attorney General Rob Bonta‚” Zachreson told Capital Public Radio. “While we do feel like it’s going well‚ it definitely has an interfering effect on the process as well as from a donor perspective as well as for the signature gathering effort‚” Zachreson said. Bonta’s office said they could not comment on the initiative itself but said they take the responsibility of complying with procedure when issuing titles and summaries “very seriously.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The ballot initiative essentially has three parts. The initiative would ban puberty blockers‚ cross-sex hormones‚ and gender surgeries on minors and discipline any violating doctor. It would also repeal the California law that allows biological males to compete in girls’ sports and use the girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms. Finally‚ the initiative would prohibit schools from keeping a child’s new gender identity secret from their parents. Protect Kids California has to get more than 546‚000 signatures from registered voters for the measure to be eligible for the ballot. They must submit these signatures to election officials by May 28. Despite California’s Democratic leadership‚ there is momentum across the state on parental rights issues‚ particularly gender identity issues. At least seven school districts in California have adopted policies banning schools from hiding children’s new gender identities from parents. Some of those districts have clashed with the attorney general‚ who has slammed the new policies as “forced outing” policies.

Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) hinted that she might be ready to cast a 2024 ballot to re-elect Democratic President Joe Biden‚ although she stopped short of giving the incumbent her full endorsement. Cheney argued during an appearance on ABC’s “The View” that re-electing Biden would pose less of a threat to the United States than re-electing former Republican President Donald Trump. WATCH: Asked if she would vote for Pres. Biden in 2024 if it came down to a Biden-Trump race‚ Liz Cheney says she's not endorsing a candidate today and tells #TheView: "I disagree with a lot of Joe Biden's policies‚ we can survive bad policies." "I will never vote for Donald Trump." pic.twitter.com/szEsQElqrg — The View (@TheView) January 10‚ 2024 Regular cohost Joy Behar put the question to Cheney directly‚ asking‚ “Let me ask you a radical question‚ because I know you’re a patriotic American and you will vote: if it came down to Biden v. Trump‚ would you vote for Biden?” “I’m not going to endorse anybody today‚” Cheney replied‚ adding‚ “And I think that‚ again‚ we don’t know exactly what the choice will be. I would say that I will never vote for Donald Trump.” The audience cheered as Cheney continued: “There are some conservatives who are trying to make this claim that somehow Biden is a bigger risk than Trump. My view is – I disagree with a lot of Joe Biden’s policies. We can survive bad policies. We cannot survive torching the Constitution‚ it’s not even the same level.” The former congresswoman‚ who was ousted in the 2022 primary by new GOP Rep. Harriet Hageman‚ spent most of her time on “The View” attacking Trump. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP WATCH: Liz Cheney tells #TheView America has "become numb" to Trump and explains why she says the country is "sleepwalking into a dictatorship": "It's not really understanding … how dangerous it would be … to have a president who was unwilling to enforce the rulings of the courts." pic.twitter.com/RdyH6GcPXP — The View (@TheView) January 10‚ 2024 During another segment she claimed that Americans were “numb” to the danger she believed was posed by Trump‚ complaining that the people were ready to “sleepwalk into a dictatorship.” “It’s not really understanding … how dangerous it would be … to have a president who was unwilling to enforce the rulings of the courts‚” Cheney continued. Cheney made no mention of the fact that President Biden and others in his administration have worked diligently to use executive orders and bureaucratic policies to make end-runs around court rulings that have blocked their agenda.

Even the most talented people struggle with their self-worth. International star Sheldon Riley is the perfect example. At only 24 years old‚ this singer from Sydney‚ Australia has taken the world by storm with his powerful voice. He’s appeared in several reality competitions‚ including America’s Got Talent (AGT). In 2006‚ he left the show as a quarter-finalist. Now‚ he’s back for AGT: Fantasy League. Judge Mel B. was quick to choose him for her team — and it’s no wonder why. He’s competed on Eurovision and been featured in Vogue‚ Rolling Stone‚ and Billboard. Still‚ this talented artist finds it difficult to feel comfortable in his own skin. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SHELDON RILEY (@sheldonriley) In order to perform‚ Riley dons all sorts of fabulous masks while on stage. Although this has served him well‚ in preparing for his latest AGT performance‚ he asked himself: What if I don’t wear a mask? “I’ve spent so much time trying to visually be enough for people that maybe the talent that I have is enough‚” Riley shares. Sheldon Riley Leaves Everyone Speechless With His Unexpected AGT Performance Facebook Mel B. makes it clear that she supports his decision either way. This means that‚ when it’s time for his performance‚ even she has no idea if he’ll be wearing a mask or for how long. What she does know‚ however‚ is his song choice: Tattoo by Loreen. As usual‚ Riley’s powerful voice and ability to tell an emotional story through song captures the hearts of everyone watching. Then‚ about halfway through his performance‚ the superstar takes off his mask — and the crowd goes wild! When Mel B. asks how it felt to take off the mask‚ his answer is simple yet powerful: “So good.” Howie Mandel goes on to express how meaningful Riley’s act of bravery will mean for folks all around the world — and I couldn’t agree more! “My soapbox in life is mental health‚” Mandel says. “And the biggest hurdles that we have in life are the hurdles we have inside ourselves. I think you did something wonderful for the world.” You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post “AGT” First: Sheldon Riley Delivers Emotional Performance Without His Mask. appeared first on InspireMore.

Prepare to be seriously amazed by this drumming prodigy. Katharine McPhee and David Foster’s son is only 2 years old‚ but he has the makings of a great musician. It’s no surprise that Katharine and David are raising a musical prodigy. The duo is know for their incredible musical skills — Katharine on vocals and David on piano. View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Foster (@davidfoster) But they started training their son young on the drums. A sense of rhythm is important for any instrument‚ so it’s no surprise that Katharine McPhee and David Foster chose the drums for their son. David captioned the video of his son on the drums playfully‚ saying “Drumming into the new year #still2yearsold.” Clearly‚ this dad is proud of his little one’s mad skills! Folks in the comment section were amazed by his talents. Instagram “I still can’t believe him!” commented singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth. “DNA don’t lie‚” said another fan‚ noting that this isn’t a coincidence. When two musical geniuses like Katharine McPhee and David Foster come together‚ it’s no surprise their son is a total legend! What an incredible clip. Can you believe this little one already has these skills? We can’t wait to see what this little boy accomplishes one day with Katharine McPhee and David Foster! The featured image for this post is from Instagram. The post Katharine McPhee and David Foster’s 2-Yr-Old Has Serious Drumming Skills! appeared first on InspireMore.

Gender reveals are a fun way to get families in on the pregnancy celebration‚ and they always include a fun surprise. However‚ this couple had an extra special secret — an entire second gender reveal! That’s right. This couple is having twins and no one in the family knows! The response to this secret was seriously epic. This image is from TikTok. The entire family shrieked and screamed with glee‚ and Grandpa looked like he was about to have a heart attack! This gender reveal surprise was seriously awesome. Over a hundred thousand viewers have seen this hilarious and awesome surprise. Many took to the comments to express their delight. “It’s been 3 months since the reveal- Grandpa is still in the backyard with that look of shock‚” commented one hilarious viewer. “That’s not shock that’s fear. He knows grandma’s about to blow their retirement fund‚” said another poster about Grandpa’s facial expressions. Grandparents love to spoil their grandkids! This gender reveal surprise was seriously amusing. From the responses to the double reveal to the excitement about the genders‚ this is video is an awesome memory. Check it out for yourself below! @ginalgjhd6w Daddy’s facial expression says it all#fyp ♬ original sound – ginalove The featured image for this post is from TikTok. The post Couple’s Family Had More Than One Surprise In Store When They Attended This Gender Reveal! appeared first on InspireMore.