America is battling a devastating invasion at our border with Mexico‚ and Texas is on the front line as it makes up roughly half of that border. Unfortunately for Texas and the nation‚ the federal government doesn’t appear all that interested in dealing with the crisis. In fact‚ they seem intent on facilitating it instead. To make matters worse‚ Mexico’s President has now taken it upon himself to make ridiculous demands of our nation‚ exemplifying just how determined powerful government entities are to leverage this crisis for political and personal gain. Last week‚ Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador revealed that if America wants his help stemming the flow of illegal immigrants crossing our border from Mexico‚ we would have to give $20 billion in taxpayer money to Latin American and Caribbean countries‚ grant 10 million work visas to Hispanics who have been working in the U.S. for at least 10 years‚ end American sanctions against socialist Venezuela‚ and halt the Cuban blockade. How dare this man make any demands whatsoever of the United States of America. The correct response by America and Texas would be to stop all aid to Mexico and put pressure on Lopez Obrador by shutting down the PEMEX Deer Park refinery. Mexico’s lucrative partnership in this high-capacity refinery has economically benefited them for decades‚ and shutting it down would cripple Mexico’s oil supply‚ sending a very clear message. It wouldn’t take Mexico long to realize that it’s in their best interest to help us protect our nation so we can help them prosper in theirs. But just as the Biden administration’s motivations in addressing the border crisis aren’t about American interests‚ Lopez Obrador’s motivations aren’t about Mexico’s interests‚ either. He is an ideological communist who caters to the cartels‚ to the detriment of the Mexican people. In addition‚ his single six-year term is coming to a close. So‚ when he demands $20 billion‚ could his plan be to pocket some of it and pay off the cartels on his way out? Does he intend to strongarm America into providing him a nice financial windfall for his retirement? I believe in diplomacy through strength and‚ if necessary‚ by force. But the milquetoast Biden administration has a habit of capitulating to ridiculous demands‚ even if our own nation suffers‚ rather than using what leverage we have in our own national interest. Lopez Obrador was only elected because the people thought he was the lesser of two evils. But he has shown his true colors‚ and he clearly doesn’t care about what is best for Mexico. The Mexican people don’t want illegals there‚ either. Just like Americans‚ they want their own interests to be prioritized over political agendas being exploited for power and gain by corrupt and self-serving government officials. There are many people who are following the legal immigration process‚ as many have in the past‚ including my own legal immigrant parents. Why would we bend to and even reward those who are blatantly breaking our laws‚ and why would we capitulate to the outrageous demands of someone allowing‚ and perhaps even facilitating‚ that criminality? America once maintained peace through strength in a world where everyone knew the powerful capabilities of our nation and dared not test them. Now‚ our enemies and our allies seem comfortable testing the limits to see just how much America will endure before we put our foot down in defense of our national interests. The numerous domestic and global failures by the Biden Administration have only emboldened them in their demands and aggression‚ confident that they will not face consequences. The United States of America is stronger than that and we need leaders with the backbone to stand up for American interests. When America is strong‚ the world is safer. The Mexican people‚ including my family who live there‚ can’t wait to see the end of the Biden regime. If we are to secure our nation and protect the American way of life‚ we need representatives who recognize the reality of the illegal immigration crisis‚ who call it what it is‚ and who have the gumption to put a stop to it to protect America‚ her people‚ and her values. Otherwise‚ America will no longer be a land of freedom and prosperity for future generations of citizens‚ including industrious legal immigrants. * * * Irene Armendariz-Jackson is running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 16th Congressional District in Texas. She will be on the ballot in the Republican primary on March 5‚ 2024. The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Former President Donald Trump got into a heated exchange with U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan on Wednesday during his E. Jean Carroll defamation trial.  Trump was in the courtroom in Manhattan for the second straight day as a jury weighs how much he will have to pay Carroll after he was found liable last year of sexually abusing and defaming the magazine columnist‚ The New York Post reported. The former president was scolded by the judge after Carroll’s lawyer accused him of talking loudly about Carroll.   “Mr. Trump has a right to be present here but that right can be forfeited if he is disruptive … or disregards our orders‚” said Kaplan‚ according to the Post. Then Carroll’s lawyers told the judge that Trump had said‚ within earshot of the jurors‚ “It is a witch hunt. It really is a con job.”  “Mr. Trump‚ I hope I don’t have to —” the judge began to reprimand Trump again.  “I would love it. I would love it‚” Trump reportedly said‚ throwing his hands in the air.  “I understand that you are probably very eager for me to do that‚” Kaplan responded. “I know you would like that‚ because you just can’t control yourself in this circumstance‚ apparently.” “You can’t either‚” Trump fired back. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday‚ saying that Kaplan has “absolute hatred” for him. “The only right‚ honest‚ and lawful thing that Clinton-appointed Judge Lewis Kaplan‚ who has so far been unable to see clearly because of his absolute hatred of Donald J. Trump (ME!)‚ can do is to end this unAmerican injustice being done to a President of the United States‚ who was wrongfully accused by a woman he never met‚ saw‚ or touched (a photo line does not count!)‚ and knows absolutely nothing about‚” Trump said. Trump’s legal team asked the judge if the trial could be delayed so the former president could go to his mother Amalija Knavs’ funeral on Thursday. Kaplan denied the request‚ and then also denied granting an adjournment on Thursday so Trump could make it to the funeral. Kaplan reportedly said Trump did not have to be present for the entire trial and could testify on a different day.  Carroll is seeking $10 million in damages on top of the $5 million that a jury ordered Trump to pay last spring. In an article published in 2019‚ Carroll accused Trump of raping her in a department store changing room in 1996. Trump denied the sexual assault allegation‚ and then the magazine columnist sued him for defamation. Trump‚ the leading candidate in the Republican presidential primary‚ has maintained that he never met Carroll and called her allegations “fake.”  Amanda Prestigiacomo contributed to this report.

Actress Tatiana Maslany said she doubts a second season of the Marvel superhero series “She-Hulk: Attorney At Law” will happen. “I don’t think so. I think we blew our budget‚ and Disney was like‚ ‘No thanks‚’” the actress said while appearing on “Codenames LIVE! — The New Class” on Twitch‚ per Deadline. Maslany starred in “She-Hulk‚” playing the character Jennifer Walters‚ an attorney who also happens to be a 6-foot-7-inch green superhero.  Her co-stars on the show include Jameela Jamil‚ Mark Ruffalo‚ Ginger Gonzaga‚ Tim Roth‚ Megan Thee Stallion‚ and others. The miniseries originally aired in 2022 on the Disney+ streaming service.  Head writer Jessica Gao also mentioned previously that a “She-Hulk” season 2 would be unlikely.  “I’ve been writing for TV for a very long time‚ and you can never‚ ever guarantee that you’re gonna get another season‚ especially for a Season 1 show‚” Gao told Deadline in October 2022. She said the team wrote the final episode with the intention of having it serve as a series finale if necessary. “So‚ the prudent thing for a writer working on a season one show is to tell a satisfying and complete story so that if it did end that way‚ you felt like you at least told one full story but still left the door open for‚ you know‚ six seasons and a movie.” “She-Hulk” got a mix of one-star and ten-star reviews when it was on the air‚ though many of the negative reviews were blamed on the practice of “review bombing‚” or intentionally flooding review sites with bad reviews to drive down the score. The same was said of the ten-star reviews‚ with some claiming certain fans were just trying to boost the score. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Many viewers took issue with the show’s over-the-top feminist messaging and contrived storylines. A clip of Walters (Maslany) complaining to Hulk about getting cat-called and having to control her anger went viral online as fans mocked the messaging. Marvel fans pointed out that Bruce Banner was forced to control his anger in much more serious situations‚ making Walters’ claims look weak. This moment came up in many of the negative reviews as well. “She-Hulk” currently has a 77% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 32% average audience score.

Border Patrol officials told lawmakers that smugglers charge illegal immigrants from China up to $60‚000 to unlawfully enter the United States‚ according to a report released on Tuesday from Republicans on the House Committee on Homeland Security.  Border Patrol chiefs told the committee earlier this year that transnational criminal organizations effectively controlled the U.S. southern border‚ charging thousands of dollars to people looking to sneak into America. The cost of entry into the U.S. increased depending on how far away you were coming from and where you were entering‚ they said.  The average cost was estimated to be around $8‚600‚ but could be around $60‚000 if you were coming from China. A record number of Chinese nationals have been encountered by Border Patrol in the last year.  Human smuggling and trafficking have proven to be an incredibly lucrative business for the cartels as a record number of illegal migrants have surged to the border under President Joe Biden.  Chief of U.S. Border Patrol Jasen Owens estimated during his time as the Del Rio sector chief that transnational criminal organizations were making more than $30 million weekly on human trafficking and smuggling operations in that part of Texas.  Aaron Heitke‚ the Chief Patrol Agent for the San Diego sector‚ said that “it costs more to go through an area that has a better chance of getting away.”  Many women are raped during the process as well‚ with Heitke saying that some of the women see it as part of the payment to get through.  The cartels exert heavy control over the southern border area‚ reportedly beating migrants who attempt to illegally enter the United States without paying them. Laredo Chief Patrol Agent Joel Martinez said that his team found two bodies washed up on shore‚ one of whom was shot between the eyes and the other whose head was half shot off. He said they suspect these were people who tried to cross without the cartel’s permission.  During their interviews with the committee‚ the Border Patrol agents said that one way to deter illegal immigration would be to detain everyone instead of releasing thousands into the country with court dates set years in the future.  “I think optimally‚ other than the rare occasion where you have someone with a crazy medical condition‚ everyone should be detained. And that‚ to me‚ is the most obvious way to not encourage illegal immigration‚ is everyone’s held until they have a hearing‚” said Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent John Modlin.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP El Centro Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino said that border walls helped as well. “In many of those areas now‚ where there is border wall‚ we see very little vehicular incursions across the desert between ports of entry‚ and a decrease in pedestrian crossings at the border‚ especially where the 33-foot wall exists‚” he said.  Biden has denied that there is a crisis at the border even as Border Patrol reportedly recorded more than 300‚000 illegal immigrant encounters at the southern border in December‚ a new record.

In a shocking revelation that has rocked the Houston community‚ a local rapper known as “Viper‚” whose real name is Lee Arthur Carter‚ has been arrested on charges of aggravated kidnapping. Authorities were alerted to the situation after a distressing 911 call led them to a residence where a woman claimed she had been held against her will for an extended period. Upon arrival‚ law enforcement officials discovered a malnourished and pregnant woman in a state of severe neglect. The victim‚ whose identity remains protected‚ was found in a garage that had been converted into a makeshift prison. The conditions were deplorable‚ with unsanitary living quarters and minimal sustenance provided by her captor. Houston Rapper Lee Arthur Carter Accused of Holding Homeless Woman Captive for Four Years https://t.co/HPlBdjHPJQ via @BreitbartNews — carl colyer (@carlcolyer18097) January 11‚ 2024 The woman recounted her harrowing experience‚ detailing how she had been repeatedly raped and confined to the garage for what she estimated to be four to five years. She described her attempts to escape‚ which were thwarted by Carter‚ who took extreme measures to ensure her captivity. This included boarding up windows and tampering with the garage door to prevent it from opening. Further investigation into the suspect’s home brought to light even more disturbing findings. The remains of 61-year-old Catherine Roberts were discovered‚ a previous occupant of the garage. The medical examiner’s report cited alcoholic liver disease‚ hepatitis C‚ and complications from internal bleeding as the causes of death. GSN-Local Houston rapper Lee Arthur Carter‚ who looks waaaay past his prime‚ here’s why he’s in the news. Carter‚ whose stage name is “Viper” is now in the custody of the Houston Police Dept.   https://t.co/VtqF6GGGEF — HJ (Hank) Ellison (@hjtherealj) January 8‚ 2024 Despite the severity of the charges‚ Carter has managed to post a $100‚000 bail and is currently out of custody. The community is left reeling from the news‚ questioning how such atrocities could occur unnoticed for so long. The case has sparked a broader conversation about the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations‚ particularly the homeless‚ who may fall prey to such heinous acts. It raises concerns about the mechanisms in place to protect those who are most at risk and the need for vigilance in our neighborhoods. As the legal proceedings against Carter unfold‚ many are calling for justice to be served and for measures to be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The case stands as a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind closed doors‚ even in our own communities. The city waits with bated breath as the full story unravels‚ hoping for closure for the victims and a renewed commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the collective conscience of the community‚ prompting action and reflection on the part of all residents. The post Local Rapper Faces Aggravated Kidnapping Charges After Woman Held Captive for Years appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

No matter the circumstances‚ it’s undoubtedly devastating to have your home burn down in a fire. But I can only imagine how much more heartbreaking it is when it happens to your childhood home. That’s exactly what happened recently to the boyfriend of someone named Ainsley. Still‚ she says he’s “the only person who would still try to find a bright side in all of this.” One way they’re both doing this is through humor. Together‚ they reached out to companies to see if they’d be willing to help him out with replacing their products‚ given the circumstances. While they recognize that none of them are obligated to do anything to help‚ it’s still be fun to rank their responses. Keep scrolling to see the results! 1. Apple’s Response — 4/10 Replacing Apple products can’t be cheap. The good news is that they were able to offer him a student discount! TikTok The bad news is that both Ainsley and her boyfriend already have access to their student discount because‚ well‚ they’re students. Still‚ it seems they get a four-star rating based on the concept of “it’s the thought that counts.” TikTok The post “Rating Companies’ Responses To My Boyfriend’s Childhood Home Burning Down.” appeared first on InspireMore.

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