Just like us‚ dogs have their own bedtime rituals‚ and Leroy‚ a beagle‚ takes his very seriously. Every night‚ he meticulously prepares his bed‚ ensuring everything is perfect for a good night’s sleep. Leroy’s routine is so unique and amusing that his owner couldn’t resist capturing it on video. The caption of the video perfectly... The post Beagle melts thousands of hearts showing off his hilarious ‘bedtime routine’ appeared first on Animal Channel.

A video from a YouTube account called “Ivan the Evangelist” was shared by Students for Life America on social media Thursday afternoon and detailed one woman’s horrific experience after taking an abortion pill. Now‚ users online are blasting Planned Parenthood and the chemical abortion process for its prioritization of killing babies over keeping women out of harms way. “The last abortion I had I actually saw the baby come out‚” Desiree‚ the woman in the video started with. She explained how she went to a Planned Parenthood location and two doctors came into her room and gave her a chemical abortion pill to start the slow process of killing her baby. Desiree confessed that she felt conflicted at the time. She said she felt “so much pressure” and eventually “gave in‚” then she “put this dumb pill in [her] mouth.” The video details that Desiree went home to finish the other four pills to continue the process when she began feeling immense pain. She went to her bathroom and “delivered a baby‚” she confessed. “I saw the little tiny limbs‚ little arms‚ little everything. And the baby’s heart was still beating and it starts to go slower and slower and slower until the baby passes away. And after that‚ precious life was lost‚” Desiree said. She was pressured into an unwanted abortion at Planned Parenthood. Weeks later‚ she was nearly dead at a hospital. Desiree's traumatic experience is the heartbreaking reality of what chemical abortion drugs do to women. To learn more‚ go to https://t.co/aZB9qOC0jL. pic.twitter.com/PnfMeDTj3f — Students for Life of America (@StudentsforLife) January 4‚ 2024 While that was obviously heartbreaking to hear‚ Desiree then went on to explain how she almost lost her own life. She was “bleeding uncontrollably for months‚” she said. She called Planned Parenthood and they essentially told her that the bleeding was normal. Desiree also mentioned that Planned Parenthood made her sign a waiver indicating that if she died‚ Planned Parenthood wouldn’t be held liable. Desiree eventually went to the hospital and underwent an emergency surgery after finding out her placenta was never delivered and it was rotting inside of her‚ causing an infection. The sad part is‚ Planned Parenthood‚ and the left in general‚ rarely‚ if ever‚ talk about these sorts of stories. They paint the idea that the abortion pill is safe‚ harmless and a great option‚ when the reality is that they are far from safe whatsoever for the woman or her child. During a chemical abortion‚ which requires two drugs called mifepristone and misoprostol‚ a woman’s pregnancy hormones are blocked which simulates her child to be expelled from her body. If successful‚ it results in at least one death.  Users on X shared their heartbreak for Desiree regarding her situation.  “The fact Planned Parenthood knew what could happen to her body if she took the pill‚ and didn’t inform her of the side effect is so sick. It shows they don’t care about women. They just care about making a profit‚” one user wrote. “How long are abortion businesses going to get away with the lie that Chemical Abortion Pills are ‘safe’ and ‘easy’ for women? Wake up America‚” Students for Life America president Kristan Hawikins wrote. Over on the full video‚ which is accessible on YouTube as well as Desiree’s Facebook page‚ users commended her bravery and thanked her for sharing. At the same time‚ there were various comments insisting that Desiree was lying and that Planned Parenthood and the abortion pill aren’t harmful. “How long are you going to spend your time lying to grift more donations?” one asked on X. “Gee I wonder how much she is getting paid to act out this script‚” another said‚ while yet another wrote‚ “You’re liars and the drugs have proven safe for the vast majority of women for many years.” Now‚ can I somehow go back and corroborate Desiree’s story? No. But Desiree isn’t the only one who’s shared about the heartbreaking reality of what a chemical abortion is and does. This information needs to be shared‚ not silenced by Planned Parenthood and the leftist regime.

Newly released emails show that an anti-free speech State Department subagency faced scathing accusations of “targeting Americans” through alleged taxpayer-funded plots. Journalist Matt Taibbi published a May 2019 email exchange between a Democratic Senate staffer and an unnamed official at the Global Engagement Center (GEC). The emails show that the two discussed allegations that the infamous government agency weaponized taxpayer money to target American journalists and academics. Taibbi raised the alarm that even Democrats have blasted GEC over disturbing reports it is colluding with entities to censor Americans on social media. According to screenshots shared by Taibbi‚ Alex Carnes‚ then a Senate Appropriations  Committee staffer‚ reached out to the GEC asking it to respond to allegations of impropriety stemming from a taxpayer-funded group. Carnes specifically told a GEC official that he had “received word from a few different people that were stories circulating about the GEC targeting Americans.” Carnes further queried‚ “I don’t see anything about this save for old conversations we’ve had. Is there something you expect to be in the press on this topic?” Related: EXCLUSIVE: Taibbi Tells Bozell Big Tech‚ Big Media Did ‘Complete 180’ on Free Speech At the time‚ Jason Rezaian‚ an opinion editor for The Washington Post‚ had accused GEC of funding the Iran Disinformation Project—an Iranian-based nonprofit that would ultimately target him on Twitter. The GEC-funded group allegedly accused Rezaian of spreading anti-Iranian propaganda through various since-deleted tweets. Rezaian wrote in an op-ed he expected the Iranian government to attack him‚ later decrying: “But I never imagined the U.S. State Department would be funding my attackers.” The GEC ultimately pulled its funding from the infamous pro-Iranian group. The GEC official communicating with Carnes claimed not to know specifically what he was referring to but pushed back against the accusations anyway‚ according to Taibbi’s screenshots. Addressing Carnes specifically‚ the individual claimed that dubious allegations had come up before‚ which he dismissed. “Broadly speaking‚ I can tell you that in various parts of the internet‚ the conspiracy narrative that the GEC is a piece of the U.S. government’s grand plan to brainwash Americans isn’t a new one‚” the GEC official reportedly said. But that’s not all.  According to the exchange shared by Taibbi‚ Carnes blasted GEC for the response‚ highlighting that the federal government was being accused of misusing taxpayer-funded programs to attack Americans. The Senate responded by highlighting concerns that “State resources had been inappropriately used to target Americans.” He added that it was a “fine line the GEC itself has wanted to walk” and that the concerns were “not totally unfounded.” Taibbi’s revelations come on the heels of widespread condemnation against the GEC over its contentious funding of pro-censorship organizations. Most infamously‚ GEC was heavily involved in the launch of the Election Integrity Partnership (EIP)‚ which engaged in election-interfering censorship in 2020. Republican lawmakers in both chambers of Congress have aimed to defund GEC over the disturbing accusations.  Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) directly addressed the GEC-tied EIP in December 2023. He  said: “Under this scheme‚ government officials and federally funded organizations flagged posts they deemed ‘misinformation’ to EIP analysts‚ who in turn would flag them for the intended social media platform.”  Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency‚ clarity on hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored‚ contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form‚ and help us hold Big Tech accountable.

Axios’s lead story on Friday morning by Alex Thompson was one of the least surprising revelations for anyone who’s observed a White House press briefing: the impressively incompetent Karine Jean-Pierre seems to be jealous and upset with having to share so many briefings with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. Why? It’s obvious as Kirby‚ unlike Jean-Pierre‚ has a grasp of the English language and shown a basic level of competence in handling of issues in his portfolio‚ such as Israel vs. Hamas war. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s even smacked down a few reporters for their pro-Hamas takes. “They share a podium — and a mutual frustration. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and the National Security Council's John Kirby frequently split the podium at media briefings‚ but behind the scenes their relationship is fraught with tension‚ White House sources tell Axios‚” Thompson began. He added that such an iciness could bode ill for President Biden as he has not one‚ but two spokespeople with Kirby now taking almost-daily questions from reporters on foreign policy issues beyond Israel vs. Hamas and Jean-Pierre left with the scraps. Despite Jean-Pierre checking off three spaces on a diversity bingo card (woman‚ African-American‚ and LGBTQ)‚ Thompson said Kirby’s “a Biden favorite” and” has told people he'd like to be White House press secretary one day.” Thompson explained that‚ barring quitting‚ Jean-Pierre is stuck with this arrangement since “Biden likes it” with Kirby having “become more influential publicly and behind the scenes as he has developed a close relationship with the president” to the point that the President “frequently asks for Kirby to personally brief him” with Mao Zedong enthusiast and Biden aide Anita Dunn now having him join Biden “on...domestic trips.” Thompson even did the math that‚ since Hamas’s October 7 terror attack‚ there’s been “more than 30 press briefings and gaggles” and “Jean-Pierre has briefed reporters solo just once — during a gaggle on Air Force One.” Cue the race hustlers currently raising hell over Claudine Gay facing consequences for plagiarism. Look out‚ Alex and John! Al Sharpton might picket outside your place next! Kirby‚ for his part‚ has reportedly become “frustrat[ed]” by Jean-Pierre still calling on reporters for him to take questions from with Thompson’s sources stating another obvious point‚ which is it’s a sign of Jean-Pierre’s “insecur[ity].” Instead of wondering if this was due in large part to Jean-Pierre’s incompetence‚ Thompson carried water and fretted Kirby’s role really hadn’t existed in previous administrations (click “expand”): The intrigue: But several other White House sources say Jean-Pierre was wary of Kirby         from the beginning. When Biden offered Jean-Pierre the press secretary job in 2022‚ he awkwardly added that Kirby also would be joining and that they'd be a team‚ Jean-Pierre told people afterward. Jean-Pierre left the meeting with Biden upset and confused about whether she actually had the job and what Kirby's role would be‚ according to three people familiar with her comments at the time. (....) National Security Council leaders then were told‚ to their surprise‚ that Kirby — the two-time Pentagon press secretary and State Department press secretary — would join their team. After haggling over what Kirby's role would be‚ the White House and the NSC settled on the title of "coordinator for strategic communications." Kirby‚ however‚ doesn't supervise or report to the NSC communications director. His role is more focused on public communications than coordinating messaging across the administration. (....) Zoom out: Many current and former Biden officials argue that Klain and Dunn are responsible for the current tension‚ saying the unusual setup is unfair to both Jean-Pierre and Kirby. The piece ended with even more fun (alongside more insinuations of Jean-Pierre being under the gun because she’s a black) as Thompson revealed Jean-Pierre has had a “bumpy” relationship with her own top deputy‚ Olivia Dalton‚ has “voiced frustrations” with having helmed only one briefing last year.

Friday was Ana Navarro’s birthday and she and her colleagues on ABC’s The View marked the occasion by welcoming and celebrating a bunch of drag queens from the R House‚ which was investigated by Florida. Naturally‚ the investigation was mentioned in order to allow Navarro to claim R House defeated Gov. Ron DeSantis‚ but the reason for the investigation was never mentioned. Sara Haines offered up an affirmation for the guests‚ “One of my favorite things about a drag show is there’s no one's that's out of place at a drag show. It does feel so inclusive which I love‚ but the R House is located in Miami‚ which is under the state rule of Governor DeSantis and I know he's really come for drag shoe-- shows and LGBTQ+ communities lately—”     Amidst the laughter from Haines’s shoes/shows slip up‚ Joy Behar would ask “What's his problem? What's his problem?” DeSantis’s “problem” with R House was summarized by NBC’s Miami affiliate in September‚ “Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in July 2022 that an investigation by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation was launched following the release of a video showing an exposed drag queen and young girl hand-in-hand at an R House show. In the clip‚ the drag queen is seen wearing lingerie as she parades the girl around the restaurant.” In the accompanying video‚ NBC Miami censors the drag queen in question the way that a network would typically censor frontal nudity. They go onto report that the state and R House settled with R House paying a fine‚ but not having to admit guilt. Eventually‚ Haines continued‚ “Why is it so important now more than ever to keep performing?” One of the assembled drag queens‚ who goes by the name Athena Dion‚ answered that‚ “Drag shows bring people together. When you come to our show‚ you leave your problems at the door. You leave whatever the governor said at the door‚ whatever the president said at the door‚ you don't want to hear about them on our show. You come to hear Cher‚ Beyoncé‚ Lady Gaga‚ have a good time.” Dion added‚ “And regardless of where you come from‚ regardless of who you are‚ you're all there to celebrate one thing: the drag queens‚ the show‚ the art that we're providing and you become closer together. I’ve seen people who would probably never talk to each other on the streets‚ they come to our show and leave laughing and joking and it's a place where people come together. It's magic.” Behar further wondered‚ “Do you think that maybe DeSantis secretly wants to get dressed up in lady's clothes. Is that possible?” As for Navarro she omitted the context surrounding the investigation as she tried to suggest his fight with R House has something to do with his presidential poll numbers‚ “Anyway‚ I think it’s really important that we understand it's not that DeSantis went after‚ you know‚ LGBTQ and drag. He went after The R House in specific. He tried to shut them down for over a year‚ they've been under attack and targeted‚ they've been terrorized. They spent a fortune in legal fees and so you know what‚ the drag queens survived and his campaign is dead.” One can debate why DeSantis’s presidential numbers are what they are‚ but it is silly to pretend that the man who won re-election by almost 20 points is being punished by Republicans for opposing lingerie-clad drag queens parading around with young children. Here is a transcript for the January 5 show:   ABC The View 1/5/2024 11:05 AM ET SARA HAINES: One of my favorite things about a drag show is there’s no one's that's out of place at a drag show.  [crosstalk] HAINES: It does feel so inclusive which I love‚ but the R House is located in Miami‚ which is under the state rule of Governor DeSantis and I know he's really come for drag shoe-- shows and LGBTQ+ communities lately-- ATHENA DION: And our shoes too.  JOY BEHAR: What's his problem? What's his problem? HAINES: Why is it so important now more than ever to keep performing?  DION: Well‚ let me tell you something‚ the arts saves lives. Can I get an amen? [crosstalk] DION: Drag shows bring people together. When you come to our show‚ you leave your problems at the door. You leave whatever the governor said at the door‚ whatever the president said at the door‚ you don't want to hear about them on our show. You come to hear Cher‚ Beyoncé‚ Lady Gaga‚ have a good time. And regardless of where you come from‚ regardless of who you are‚ you're all there to celebrate one thing: the drag queens‚ the show‚ the art that we're providing and you become closer together. I’ve seen people who would probably never talk to each other on the streets‚ they come to our show and leave laughing and joking and it's a place where people come together. It's magic.  HAINES: I love it. I love it. BEHAR: Do you think that maybe DeSantis secretly wants to get dressed up in lady's clothes. Is that possible?  DION: Well‚ he has my number‚ so I don’t know— ANA NAVARRO: Anyway‚ I think it’s really important that we understand it's not that DeSantis went after‚ you know‚ LGBTQ and drag. He went after The R House in specific. He tried to shut them down for over a year‚ they've been under attack and targeted‚ they've been terrorized. They spent a fortune in legal fees and so you know what‚ the drag queens survived and his campaign is dead.   

Ohio has seen a decrease in gun crime across several of its cities since it has allowed individuals to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.Ohio became the 23rd state to allow individuals to carry a firearm without permit in 2022‚ which was hit with criticisms when the state realized it could not require individuals to "get fingerprinted‚ pay a fee‚" or "ask for permission from the local sheriff."Michael Weinman‚ director of governmental affairs for the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police‚ told Governing in June 2022 that the move was potentially dangerous."It's still a bad bill. There's going to be people without any training‚ without any background check (carrying guns)."However‚ Ohio's own office of the attorney general released statistics that claim gun crime has actually decreased in the state since the constitutional carry has been enforced.The Center for Justice Research was assigned to study the relationship between the new rules and crime involving a firearm before and after permitless carry came into effect.The study tracked crimes involving a firearm‚ gunshot incidents‚ and the impact of the new rules on law enforcement.The study found in its trend analysis that there had been a "significant decrease in crime incidents involving a firearm for Akron‚ Columbus‚ and Toledo‚ and across all 8 cities combined from June 2021- June 2023."The other cities referenced were Cleveland‚ Cincinnati‚ Dayton‚ Parma‚ and Canton. However‚ two of those cities (Cincinnati and Dayton) saw an increase in gun crime since permitless carry was enacted‚ despite a downward trend across the state.According to SCNR‚ Parma‚ Ohio‚ saw the largest decrease in crimes involving firearms at 22%. The second-highest drop came in both Toledo and Akron at 18%‚ while Columbus saw a 12% decrease.Cincinnati's firearm crime rate rose by 6% while Dayton's was +5%.Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement he "genuinely did not know what the study would find."“I thought it would be useful either way‚" he continued. "The key takeaway from this study is that we have to keep the pressure on the criminals who shoot people‚ rather than Ohioans who responsibly exercise their Second Amendment rights‚" Yost added.In terms of injuries or death to police officers; June-December 2021 saw eight total officers injured or killed by a firearm in Ohio. From January 2022-June 2023‚ after permitless carry came into effect‚ an additional eight total officers were injured or killed by a firearm in 18 months.Comparing the rates‚ that makes eight injured/killed officers in six months before the new rules‚ as opposed to an average of less than three officers killed or injured every six months since concealed carry without a permit was allowed.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A California sheriff's office announced Wednesday that it does not plan on enforcing the state's new gun law‚ backed by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.On Monday‚ a new concealed-carry law went into effect that prevents firearm owners from carrying weapons in "sensitive" public spaces‚ which includes parks‚ stadiums‚ government buildings‚ medical facilities‚ churches‚ public transit‚ many parking areas‚ anywhere liquor is sold and consumed‚ and several other places. While the law applies to concealed-carry permit holders‚ it also impacts open-carry permit holders in more rural areas of the state‚ the Los Angeles Times reported.Democrats and other supporters of the legislation believe the restrictions are commonsense measures that will curb gun violence. Critics contend that the list of restricted "sensitive places" is so extensive that it effectively prevents permit holders from legally carrying a firearm outside of their homes.Newsom signed the bill‚ authored by Democratic Senator Anthony Portantino‚ into law last year."When SB 2 is implemented‚ it will certainly increase public safety and‚ I believe‚ save lives‚" Portantino stated.In December‚ U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney blocked the gun law from taking effect on January 1‚ declaring portions of the bill unconstitutional. Carney wrote in his decision that the law's "coverage is sweeping‚ repugnant to the Second Amendment‚ and openly defiant of the Supreme Court."However‚ days later‚ a federal appeals court placed a temporary hold on the judge's ruling‚ which allowed the restrictions to take effect at the start of the year.Newsom called Carney's ruling "dangerous" and applauded the appeals court's temporary order. "Californians overwhelmingly support efforts to ensure that places like hospitals‚ libraries and children's playgrounds remain safe and free from guns‚" Newsom stated.Sutter County Sheriff Brandon Barnes and Sutter County District Attorney Jennifer Dupré released a joint statement Wednesday announcing that they would not enforce the new gun law."This past Saturday‚ December 30th‚ The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals suspended the December 20th injunction‚ essentially enacting the sensitive areas portion of the bill. We suspect this will be challenged further and will have to make it's way through the court process. It appears there are additional hearings on this matter scheduled in the coming weeks‚" the joint statement read."We certainly encourage all citizens to obey the law‚" the statement added.The sheriff's and DA's offices vowed to work together "to evaluate circumstances on a case-by-case basis.""We have no interest in criminalizing constitutionally protected behavior. We took an oath to uphold our Constitution and will work to protect the rights of our citizens‚" the joint statement continued. "This issue is far from being resolved and we are hopeful the courts will rule in favor of our constitution."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Alex Reimer‚ an LGBTQ+ activist who once called Tom Brady’s daughter an “annoying little pissant‚” recently turned his sights on Jason Whitlock. In an article for the LGBTQ+ website Queerty‚ the clout-chaser accused Whitlock of being an anti-gay activist who engages in gay activities. Where is his proof? Apparently‚ it was when Whitlock tweeted a complaint about an inappropriate ad that popped up while he was checking the NFL standings on ESPN. “That ad you tweeted about was‚ you know‚ probably a targeted ad based on your search history‚ so that’s what I’m here to talk about‚” Reimer told Whitlock‚ adding‚ “I think you kind of owned yourself my man.” Whitlock clearly found Reimer’s reasoning less than well-vetted. “What’s your journalistic justification that a Temu ad that talks about ‘balls deep‚’ that this is somehow targeted?” Whitlock said‚ adding sarcastically‚ “clearly I must be looking at porn or gay porn or I’ve outed myself as gay.” Whitlock went on to tear a stuttering Reimer’s argument to shreds. “As a journalist‚ do you think that me tweeting out one Temu ad is an indication of the ads that I see on a regular basis?” Whitlock said‚ adding‚ “You think I don’t primarily‚ or all the time‚ get hotel ads or weight loss ads?” He didn't stop there. “Because I have a heterosexual view of the world‚ when I hear ‘balls deep’ I think of heterosexual sex‚” Whitlock continued‚ noting that when he Googled ‘balls deep’ to see if he was wrong‚ he wasn’t. “So when I saw the ad‚ because of the way I’m wired‚ I’m like why are they putting this promiscuous heterosexual lust on ESPN‚” he said‚ adding‚ “I’m trying to find out why it’s happening‚ if it happens with kids.” Without any real rebuttals‚ Reimer ended the conversation. “I got to go back to spreading the gay agenda at my job‚ so thank you for the time‚” he said. Want more from Jason Whitlock?To enjoy more fearless conversations at the crossroads of culture‚ faith‚ sports‚ and comedy with Jason Whitlock‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

A fight broke out Thursday night at a subway station in the crime-ridden city of Philadelphia. What started with fists and raised voices ultimately ended with screams and the cold steel of a SEPTA train's wheels. Although police are still investigating the gruesome incident‚ the surviving combatant has been charged with manslaughter. The fight‚ which was filmed by a nearby commuter‚ broke out between two men around 4:30 p.m. on the SEPTA train platform for the Market-Frankford line at 34th and Market streets‚ reported WCAU-TV. Philadelphia Police Inspector Kpana Massaquoi said it "appeared to be some type of physical altercation. We don't know exactly what took place prior to that to initiate this‚ but it's being investigated." Footage shows the victim holding a smaller man against a pillar near the edge of the platform. The smaller man‚ identified by police as Chaz Wearing — a 40-year-old with a criminal history — appears to demand something from the victim. It's unclear what precisely the two are arguing about‚ but the threatening nature of their gesticulation is unmistakable. Wearing punches the victim in the face‚ knocking him off balance. As the victim stumbles backward‚ toward the edge‚ Wearing attempts to strike him once more. Apparently noticing his own proximity to the edge and the fast-approaching train‚ Wearing recoils‚ falling away from the edge. The victim‚ meanwhile‚ slips headfirst over the edge and onto the tracks below. Despite the conductor's apparent efforts to brake‚ the incoming SEPTA train runs over the victim roughly three seconds after he fell‚ eliciting screams‚ cries‚ and gasps from onlookers in the vicinity. In the longer‚ uncut footage of the incident that shows the victim's lifeless form coiled around the train's front wheels‚ one witness can be heard saying‚ "That is f***ing ridiculous. ... Oh my God‚ I feel so f***ing terrible." Wearing was apprehended blocks away at the 40th Street Station. The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office announced Friday that he was charged with involuntary manslaughter‚ reported WCAU. Wearing is believed to be homeless and was wanted in relation to a strangulation case in Delaware County‚ according to investigators. He reportedly has a criminal history in Clinton and Lycoming counties as well. The victim has yet to be identified. — (@) The railway announced a temporary closure of the 34th Street Station after the incident on account of "police activity." The Thursday incident comes just days after Philadelphia's new Democrat mayor‚ Cherelle Parker‚ stated in her inaugural address‚ "I want the world to know that I am fully committed to ending this sense of lawlessness and bringing order back to our city and a sense of lawfulness‚" reported the Philadelphia Inquirer. Five days into the new year‚ and Philadelphia has already seen three homicides. In 2023 and in 2022‚ there were 410 and 514 murders‚ respectively. According to Neighborhood Scout‚ the likelihood of falling victim to a violent crime in the city is 1 in 123. The likelihood of becoming a victim of a property crime in the city is 1 in 38. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Claudine Gay’s tenure as president of Harvard was the shortest and perhaps the most scandalous in the institution’s history. Initially celebrated as the first black woman to serve in the role‚ she will be remembered as a serial plagiarist and free speech hypocrite who presided over the punishment of heterodox thinkers but was unable to condemn calls for the genocide of Jews. Now is not a time for those who care about the future of higher education in this country to rest satisfied but to keep pushing. Most of all‚ she will be regarded as a symbol of the folly of hiring for diversity without regard for merit — another hard lesson on affirmative action for Harvard just six months after it was told by the U.S. Supreme Court to stop racial discrimination in admissions. Harvard responded to that decision with arrogance‚ or what it called “resolve‚” indicating that its desire to discriminate remained unhindered. The university’s ultimate response to the current fiasco remains to be seen. Will it finally learn the right lesson? Will it take this opportunity to reform itself‚ abandoning ideology and repression to embrace truth and freedom? Will it retreat into the ivory tower and refocus on the intellectual life after getting walloped in the political arena? Gay’s resignation is barely an occasion for hope. While it is remarkable that the president of Harvard — a rich‚ powerful‚ and independent institution — was compelled to resign‚ neither she nor the Harvard Corporation‚ the board that elected her president‚ have shown any sign of true remorse. Instead‚ Gay has portrayed herself as a victim. In the New York Times‚ she wrote‚ “Trusted institutions of all types . . . will continue to fall victim to coordinated attempts to undermine their legitimacy and ruin their leaders’ credibility‚” without any apparent reflection on how her own history of plagiarism and her failed leadership at Harvard does just that. And no member of the Harvard Corporation has accepted any responsibility‚ including Senior Fellow Penny Pritzker‚ who led the search that resulted in Gay’s selection. Unlike her counterpart at the University of Pennsylvania‚ Scott Bok‚ who resigned immediately after Liz Magill did‚ she has announced she will not resign. Worse than the lack of remorse‚ there is little indication that anyone in charge recognizes or cares about the deeper problem Harvard faces‚ of which Claudine Gay was an avatar. As two eminent Harvard professors‚ Harvey Mansfield and James Hankins‚ independently observed‚ the very selection of Gay as president illustrated the fundamental problem: Harvard wants to be a political actor advancing progressive ideology rather than an institution dedicated to the life of the mind. Gay said as much in her first speech as president-elect‚ pronouncing that “the idea of the Ivory Tower‚ that is the past‚ not the future‚ of academia” and that she wanted Harvard “to be engaged with the world.” As Mansfield quipped‚ that “turned out to mean having to face Elise Stefanik in Washington and answer her questions.” Not only is Harvard ill-equipped to play such a political role‚ but‚ as Professor Hankins points out‚ “the path of political engagement . . . undermines its true mission.” Harvard’s motto‚ which it still parades around on shields like a war prize‚ is Veritas‚ or truth. The key to fixing Harvard is returning to that motto and recognizing that Harvard is an institution whose purpose is not political activism‚ which demands ideological conformity‚ but truth seeking‚ which depends on openness to heterodoxy. Whether Harvard will be reformed ultimately depends on the Harvard Corporation. The immense pressure from donors‚ alumni‚ journalists‚ and even Congress‚ all of which have played essential roles so far‚ should continue‚ but the necessary changes will take place only when those who bear fiduciary responsibility for the university accept their duty and exercise their authority to lead. One cause for the slimmest of hopes is a reported dinner between two members of the corporation and a few faculty representatives of Harvard’s Council on Academic Freedom. That group included Jeffrey Flier and Steven Pinker‚ two long-standing defenders of free expression and intellectual diversity. Professor Flier has defended institutional neutrality and urged the board to live up to its responsibility. Professor Pinker has laid out a five-point plan for Harvard that includes embracing free speech and viewpoint diversity and seriously curtailing DEI work on campus. As donor Bill Ackman has learned‚ that last point is critical. DEI offices and programs have had a pernicious effect on American campuses‚ including Harvard’s. The explosion of anti-Semitism last fall fueled by the “oppressor-oppressed” framework advanced by DEI made that plain to see. Campuses should be open and welcoming to anyone admitted through merit and initiative‚ regardless of background or immutable characteristics. The free and open pursuit of truth cannot coexist with an ideology that favors some groups over others and expects everyone to think the same. Claudine Gay’s resignation creates a small opening that could lead to reform at Harvard‚ but it is more likely that Harvard will continue down the same path it has been on. Now is not a time for those who care about the future of higher education in this country to rest satisfied but to keep pushing — not to destroy Harvard but to reform it before it destroys itself.