Conservatives could look at today’s incredibly fractured media environment and wonder why anyone would need to worry about the elite media, considering their trust numbers are in the basement (except among liberals) and their audiences keep eroding. But just breathe the media air any day, and what we used to call the “dominant media” still dominates in setting the political agenda—in determining what everyone talks about. There was an old maxim that the media can’t tell you what to think, but they’ll tell you what to think about. This again came to mind when MS NOW host Nicolle Wallace interviewed Oliver Darcy, whose current business is energetically trying to reinforce the ideological rigor of the leftist press. Wallace told Darcy, “I still think that story selection is the most power we have, what you decide to shine a light on, especially now in the second Trump term.” Right now, that dominant story is the allegedly heroic resistance in Minneapolis to federal attempts to enforce the immigration laws. The daily narrative is that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are murdering innocent protesters in the streets. It’s not just choosing the subject. It’s the tone and tenor of the coverage. When it’s 93% negative against ICE on the evening newscasts, it’s a combination of time and tone intended to transform public opinion. The media’s pollsters will announce that President Donald Trump’s approval rating on immigration is slipping. They do polls to see if their journalism is having the intended political effect. Trump sent ICE into Minneapolis after it became apparent there was massive welfare fraud, and federal prosecutors convicted dozens of Somalis. That story was not selected for national distribution for months and months, and when it surfaced, they buried it again under the ICE story. Negative angles against the local Democrats—most especially the hot takes of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey—are disparaged. Right after Wallace touted the media’s power of story selection, she also raised the power of language—“maybe the second most important thing, how we talk about them.” Reporters platform Democrats and leftists, blurring the terms of the moment, calling illegal immigrants “our neighbors,” our “immigrant community,” and describing opposition to deportation as “keeping people safe.” Deportation equals “terrorizing” Minneapolis. The elitist media reject the language of Team Trump—calling the protesters “left-wing agitators” and deeming it hate speech. But Walz can call ICE “Trump’s personal Gestapo” and Frey can tell ICE to “get the f— out of Minneapolis,” and that isn’t treated as regrettable or hateful or inaccurate. Instead, TV hosts helped Frey talk about how all the left-wing agitation is “about love.” When you spit in the face of ICE and call them something like “mother-couplers” and kick out their taillights, feel the love. Wallace used her language powers to describe Alex Pretti (who did all these things) as a “nonviolent bystander.” When an ex-Trump aide blamed Walz and Frey for creating the rhetorical environment for shooting deaths, CNN host Jake Tapper accused him of hating the First Amendment: “You have more of a problem with that than you have with people killing American citizens.” That’s using your language aggressively. We know what liberal journalists would like to call this kind of journalism: “shared facts.” As in, conservatives can’t accept facts that everyone should accept, that everyone supposedly used to accept when there was a much weaker conservative media. ICE personnel are Nazis, and their unglued opponents are angelic. Accept it, or you spread “misinformation.” This kind of arrogance still needs to be exposed and resisted. We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal.  The post The Elitist Media Still Impose a Dominant Partisan Narrative appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Before Minneapolis became a national flashpoint, before the protests and the nightly footage of chaos, something far more consequential was already underway: a sweeping fraud scandal involving billions of taxpayer dollars.  Federal investigators were digging into large-scale abuse of public programs, raising serious questions about who allowed it, how long it went on, and where the money went. These were not isolated mistakes or paperwork errors. They were allegations of systemic fraud involving federal funds and activity that crossed jurisdictions, the kind of case that requires federal investigation.  Because the alleged misconduct involved federal dollars and potential criminal networks operating across state lines, federal law enforcement had a responsibility to step in. That work was already in motion when events on the ground began to escalate.  Two people lost their lives during confrontations with federal officers. Those deaths were tragic, and ongoing investigations will determine exactly what occurred in those moments. But they do not erase the larger reality: Minnesota remains in the middle of a massive fraud investigation that has not been resolved and should not be abandoned.   What has been lost in the aftermath is focus. Chaos—much of which is highly organized, paid for, and planned—has clouded the fraud and corruption.  Recent polling shows Americans clearly reject chaos—blocked streets, threats, and disorder—and support the rule of law. The chaos in Minneapolis has clouded rather than clarified the truth.  And the havoc began because of billions in fraud. The scale of that fraud matters.   About 65% of Minnesotans say government fraud is “somewhat” or “very” widespread, according to polling conducted in July 2025, months before explosive allegations blew up on social media and all over the news in January.   Billions are still unaccounted for. Multiple federal investigations are ongoing. Serious questions about oversight, accountability, and failures of state systems have yet to be fully answered.   Federal law enforcement officers—sworn professionals tasked with enforcing laws passed by Congress—stepped in. Their mission does not change because it becomes uncomfortable or politically inconvenient.  “America First” policies are most effective when federal and local authorities are allowed to work together. We must expand lawful cooperation mechanisms like the 287(g) Program, which allows trained state and local officers to work directly with federal authorities on immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security has massively expanded 287(g) agreements in President Donald Trump’s second term, but unfortunately, many state sanctuary policies prevent more agreements from being signed.  The consequences of those sanctuary policies couldn’t be clearer. Compare Minnesota mayhem to the Florida framework. In Florida, a 287(g) partnership and joint federal and local operation led to more than 10,000 arrests in just eight months, the largest joint immigration enforcement operation in Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s history.  When state and local governments choose not to cooperate with federal authorities, investigations become harder, risks increase, and outcomes worsen for everyone involved, as we have witnessed in Minneapolis. Federal officers are forced to operate with less support, less information, and fewer options, conditions that increase volatility rather than reduce it. But when local and federal law enforcement coordinate together, they can operate more efficiently and communities stay safer—by reducing disorder and by focusing on illegal immigrants involved in crimes.  Minnesota can and must handle two realities at once: restoring order in the streets and continuing to pursue accountability in one of the largest fraud scandals in the state’s history. The latter cannot be allowed to fade into the background simply because the moment has grown more volatile.  The fraud did not disappear. The questions did not go away. Accountability is still owed to Minnesotans.  We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal.  The post Minnesota’s Fraud Crisis Didn’t Go Away. It Just Got Harder to See.   appeared first on The Daily Signal.

The widespread fraud from Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future children’s lunch assistance program, coupled with the fraudulent health care centers exposed by Nick Shirley in December, has captured the full attention of congressional Republicans in recent weeks. “I understand the outrage taxpayers r feeling about massive fraud in gov programs in Minnesota and other states, while honest hardworking families are struggling to buy groceries or pay for childcare,” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, wrote on X. Since the fraud first surfaced last year, senators ranging from Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., as well as House members like Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., have unveiled efforts to identify and reform fraudulent welfare assistance programs. These measures, as stated by Rachel Sheffield, a research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, in an interview with The Daily Signal, “could help ensure that the U.S. welfare system is safeguarded against fraud,” and provide “greater federal oversight” over the programs. “We’ve known for some time that programs defrauded in Minnesota were lacking proper scrutiny,” Sheffield added. “What happened in Minnesota unfortunately proved that in a massive way.” ‘Americans Are Being Robbed’ Angered by the Feeding Our Future scandal, Fine and Paul introduced legislation that would stop the allocation of tax dollars to noncitizens enrolled in welfare programs. “Americans are being robbed,” Fine claimed. Fine’s recently introduced bill, the No Welfare for Non-Citizens Act, would “prohibit aliens from receiving federal public benefits.” Fine also noted that the bill could curb the Congressional Budget Office’s projection that $177 billion will be administered to noncitizens from 2024 to 2034. “[Lawful noncitizens and illegal immigrants are] getting free handouts at the expense of American taxpayers,” which he called “insane” and “immoral.” In the Senate, Paul introduced the End Welfare For Non-Citizens Act, which would “end the appropriation of taxpayer-funded benefits” by cutting off and reforming programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and other federal benefits, subsidies, or services to refugees, asylees, or immigrants present in the United States without legal status. “Washington shouldn’t run the welfare state on autopilot while the national debt soars past $38T,” Paul wrote on X on Friday. “If we want a sustainable safety net and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, this bill is a must-pass,” he added in a previous statement. Fine and Paul did not respond to The Daily Signal’s request for comment. Emergency Taskforce As chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Cassidy announced on Monday that he will spearhead a task force alongside Sens. Ashley Moody, R-Fla.; Jon Husted, R-Ohio; Roger Marshall, R-Kan.; Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.; Tim Scott, R-S.C.; and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., to hold those who abuse federal assistance accountable. The task force will comprise three subgroups, which will identify fraud in health, education, or labor and pensions assistance programs. “Our tax dollars are supposed to help American families, not line the pockets of fraudsters,” Cassidy told Fox News Digital. “[We] are committed to rooting out this fraud and ensuring Americans’ tax dollars are used responsibly.” The members of the task force did not respond to The Daily Signal’s request for comment. $5.16 Billion in Refugee Assistance On Tuesday, Paul introduced an amendment to a “minibus” funding bill that would prevent $5 billion from being administered to the existing refugee welfare system. I’ve filed an amendment to stop over $5 billion in taxpayer-funded welfare for refugees hidden in the minibus bill. If it fails, your money funds cash benefits, healthcare, daycare, and job programs. The amendment is germane and can pass by a simple majority—if Republicans stay… pic.twitter.com/7ziahzpI35— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 27, 2026 “Billions were ripped off from taxpayers through the refugee system. Washington’s response is to quietly send more money,” Paul wrote on X on Wednesday. “My amendment says no. Investigate the fraud, fix the abuse, then talk about funding.” The amendment, however, failed in the Senate on Friday. The post Congress Places Minnesota’s Rampant Fraud Center Stage appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has unleashed yet another seismic purge in the People’s Liberation Army, removing two of its highest-ranking commanders: Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Gen. Zhang Youxia and CMC member Gen. Liu Zhenli. Announced in late January 2026, this move has reduced the once seven-member CMC—China’s supreme military authority—to just two: Xi himself as chairman and the remaining vice chairman, Gen. Zhang Shengmin. Since seizing power in 2012, Xi has justified wave after wave of dismissals under the banner of “anti-corruption.” Early purges were widely seen as tools to eliminate rivals and consolidate control. After abolishing presidential term limits in 2018, many assumed the storm had passed. Instead, it has intensified, now targeting those Xi himself elevated—especially in the military. Mao Zedong’s famous dictum that “political power grows out of the barrel of a gun” underscores the PLA’s centrality to Chinese Communist Party rule. The CMC oversees all branches of the armed forces, and the party’s general secretary has always doubled as its chairman to guarantee loyalty. For generals, the vice chairmanship represents the pinnacle of a career. Unlike Mao or Deng Xiaoping, who fought the revolutionary war, Xi has no military combat experience. This outsider status has fueled persistent insecurity, particularly the fear of a coup. Between March 2023 and now, Xi has dismissed more than 20 senior generals, including two former defense ministers and multiple CMC vice chairmen—all on corruption charges. Zhang Youxia’s recent fall is especially striking. A “princeling” like Xi (son of a revolutionary general), he enjoyed decades of close ties and was long considered untouchable. As the PLA’s highest-ranking uniformed officer and a key Xi ally, Zhang helped enforce loyalty and suppress dissent. Zhang’s purge, alongside Liu’s, signals that no one is safe—not even the most trusted. The PLA Daily, the military’s official outlet, accused that Zhang and Liu had “seriously betrayed the trust and expectations of the party central committee and the CMC,” and had “fostered political and corruption problems that undermined the party’s leadership.” But the official announcement hasn’t prevented numerous rumors and speculations surrounding Zhang’s downfall, and even the Wall Street Journal has entered the fray, alleging Zhang leaked information about China’s nuclear weapons to the U.S. and accepted bribes for personnel decisions. However, I find the WSJ’s claims dubious at best. As the highest-ranking general, Zhang already possesses significant wealth and stands at the apex of a power structure. Why would he jeopardize everything he has for a bit more money? Another prevailing rumor suggests that Zhang was against invading Taiwan, leading Xi to replace him with a general more inclined toward aggression. However, those who spread such narratives fail to grasp a fundamental truth: In a system where the party commands the gun, no general can defy an order to attack Taiwan—disobedience would mean instant destruction. Only Xi knows the actual reason for Zhang’s downfall. Speculating or spreading baseless rumors is unproductive. Nevertheless, without delving into Xi’s motivations, two clear implications arise from this latest incident. First, a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is highly unlikely before summer 2026—and possibly well beyond. The PLA is in profound disarray. Officers who rose under Zhang now face uncertainty; self-preservation trumps operational boldness. Replacing leaders is one thing, but rebuilding trust and cohesion across ranks takes time. Soldiers won’t risk their lives for commanders who could vanish tomorrow. Xi, ever calculating, must recognize that launching a complex amphibious assault amid internal fear and distrust would court disaster. Taiwan thus gains precious breathing room. Yet it lives on borrowed time. Xi has repeatedly vowed “reunification” in his lifetime, and the PLA’s centennial on Aug. 1, 2027, looms as a symbolic deadline for decisive action—whether through blockade, coercion, or war. Only a dramatic external shift (e.g., regime change in a key energy supplier like Iran via U.S. action) might force delay. Second, Xi’s relentless purges reveal a stark truth: Despite ruling over 1.4 billion people, he may be the loneliest figure in Zhongnanhai (a compound where the most senior CCP leaders live). Absolute power breeds absolute isolation. The more he amasses control, the deeper his paranoia grows, eroding trust in everyone around him. Those who are close to Xi may come to a troubling realization: a dictator will abandon all human connections—love and friendship included—in the ruthless pursuit of absolute power. In such an environment, flattery and obedience become essential for survival. Honest advice on military readiness, economic challenges, or strategic mistakes has become too risky. No one dares to challenge him, even as he moves toward potential disaster. They will not pull him back from the edge; in fact, they may quietly hope that he stumbles. History offers a chilling parallel in the death of Josef Stalin. On the night of Feb. 28, 1953, Stalin collapsed from a stroke but lay unattended for hours. His guards, terrified after years of purges, hesitated to check on him. When they finally entered his room the following evening, he was on the floor, soaked in urine, paralyzed yet alive. Many of Russia’s best doctors had been executed or exiled due to Stalin’s purges. Stalin’s inner circle, including the notorious secret police chief Lavrentiy Beria, reportedly stalled in calling for medical help, terrified of being the next victims of a purge if Stalin survived. Ultimately, after five days of agony, Stalin succumbed on March 5, a grim testament to the toxic fear he instilled in everyone around him. Nature’s justice is merciless: The tyrant who trusts no one and is willing to attack everyone else will eventually be abandoned by all when he needs them most. We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post The Loneliest Man in Zhongnanhai: Xi Jinping’s Purges and the Price of Absolute Power appeared first on The Daily Signal.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan entered the crowded race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, pitching himself as a results-driven Democrat focused on public safety, homelessness, and affordability. Mahan, 43, was elected mayor in 2022 after a career as a tech entrepreneur. He says California Democrats have been too consumed with opposing President Donald Trump and have failed to address the state’s most pressing problems. His campaign centers on what he describes as a “back-to-basics” approach on crime, homelessness, housing costs, and government accountability. Mahan’s entrance has drawn mixed reactions from voters and political leaders. Supporters, including former San Jose mayor and U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo, credit him with pushing city officials to focus on measurable outcomes. Critics, however, question whether his political ambitions given and unfinished work as mayor on issues like homelessness. Some residents argue he hasn’t finished the work he started in San Jose and have faulted his handling of housing and public safety challenges. Crowded Democrat Field The 2026 governor’s race remains wide open, with no clear frontrunner emerging in California’s top-two primary system. Democrat contenders include former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra; former Rep. Katie Porter, who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2024; Rep. Eric Swalwell; and former Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon. Other Democrats in the race include Tom Steyer, Antonio Villaraigosa, Betty Yee, and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. On the Republican and independent side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and political commentator Steve Hilton have also announced campaigns. The race could produce a general-election matchup between two candidates from the same party rather than a traditional Democrat vs. Republican contest. Mixed Reaction to Mahan Mahan’s challenge underscores growing tensions within California’s Democrat coalition, particularly over crime and homelessness. His willingness to criticize Newsom’s policies on homelessness and crime distinguish him from other candidates in a field that includes establishment figures and progressive favorites. Mahan’s detractors argue his ambitions are premature and that his city-level record as mayor does not yet translate to statewide leadership. As the June primary nears, the gubernatorial campaign is shaping up to be a test of whether California voters prioritize ideological alignment or pragmatic governance—with Mahan now among the growing field of candidates. The post San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan Enters California Governor’s Race appeared first on The Daily Signal.

I’ve been spending a lot more time with my young children this week, and while they make it harder for me to get my work done, they bring incalculable joy to my life. Social science data suggests that I’m far from alone—marriage and fatherhood make men happier and more fulfilled. Social scientists have long reported a strong correlation between involved fathers and various measures of children’s success in life—from better social and emotional development to escaping poverty. But fatherhood isn’t just good for the kids—it also helps the dads. The 2022 General Social Survey found that men ages 18-55 report the highest levels of happiness when they’re married with children. More than a third (35%) of men who are married with children said they were “very happy,” while almost half (49.3%) said they were “pretty happy,” and less than a sixth (15.7%) described themselves as “not at all happy.” By contrast, married men without kids are less likely to be “very happy” (29.8%) and more likely to be “not at all happy” (20.2%). The numbers get worse for single men, with and without kids. I've been spending a lot more time with my adorable kids this week, and while they can certainly be frustrating and distracting from work, my life is immeasurably richer because of them. I understand, on a deep level, why men who are married with kids are the happiest. pic.twitter.com/wdFyc9b3Xz— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) January 30, 2026 “When it comes to men in their prime today, married fathers are the happiest,” Brad Wilcox, a professor of sociology at the University of Virginia and senior fellow at the Institute for Family Studies, told The Daily Signal in an interview Friday. “Married dads typically live with their kids, so they have the benefit of staying with their kids, seeing their kids experience life,” Wilcox explained. “Married mothers whose husbands are more actively engaged with their children are happier in their marriages,” likely making the fathers happier, too. “Happier marriages are powerfully linked to your overall satisfaction in life,” the professor added. He also noted that married fatherhood changes a man in subtle ways. While pregnancy and childbirth obviously affect women’s hormones, studies have also suggested that men, when they’re married to the mother of their children, also change. Fathers “experience hormonal changes in pregnancy and they experience more hormonal changes the more they care for their infant or their toddler,” Wilcox explained. “It’s not just like married fatherhood domesticates men from a cultural vantage point—it’s also the case that being with your children physically seems to domesticate men, as well.” This leads to a decrease in testosterone, with an associated decline in aggressiveness. The professor suggested the trade-off is very much worth it. “Married fathers are the happiest guys out there, and that suggests that this transition into family for men, even if it’s associated with declines in testosterone, is not a bad thing,” he noted. Married men with children also tend to work harder and make more money to support their families. Women’s pay has increased in recent years, but married men with children still make more money than single men. Something is just right about a man getting married and raising kids. There’s nothing like lifting my 3-year-old son in the air and watching him giggle, or helping my 6-year-old daughter learn to spell increasingly more complicated words. As I type these words, she’s drawing pictures of her favorite characters from “KPop Demon Hunters,” and proudly showing me her handiwork. Raising children reminds me of simple joys and helps me appreciate the life I have. Of course, they’re a handful, and I don’t know what I’d do without my amazing wife to help comfort my boy when he has a tantrum, or to keep track of my daughter’s school schedule. Not a day goes by that we don’t have some mess or accident, and there’s always something to worry about, but the joy the kids bring us makes every struggle worth it. I don’t just believe that marriage and family help men thrive because I’ve read it in a paper or seen a convincing spreadsheet—I know it deep in my bones. None of this is to downplay the issues that lead some to delay marriage and parenthood, and I know not everyone has the opportunities I’ve had. But I cannot stress enough how valuable it is to settle down and to raise children—and I think both American policy and culture should prioritize stable marriages and more children. It won’t just help the kids—it will help the parents to thrive, as well. The post Involved Fatherhood Isn’t Just Great for the Kids—It’s More Fulfilling for Dads, Too appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Last year, Democrats largely stood by Virginia Attorney General candidate Jay Jones, who wished death on the children of his political opponent. Now, they’re carrying water for anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement agitators who invaded a church service and traumatized children. Make no mistake: When agitators invaded Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Jan. 18, they weren’t engaged in peaceful protest. They were committing an atrocity. Agitators stood up and burst in during the middle of service, chanting, “Who shut this down? We shut this down!” According to the Justice Department’s charging document, the agitators blocked the walkways, so terrified parishioners could not escape. They blocked the staircase to Sunday School, so parents could not get to their children. They screamed in the faces of crying children. One agitator allegedly told a child, “Do you know your parents are Nazis, they’re going to burn in hell?” At least one father told investigators that his children were traumatized. One of them said to him, “Daddy, I thought you were going to die.” ?HORRIFYING NEW DETAILSThe invasion of Cities Church was even worse than we thought. Agitators blocked stairs so "parents were unable to get to their children" at Sunday School.?One told a kid, "Do you know your parents are Nazis, they're going to burn in hell?"?1/7 pic.twitter.com/DUNPRdECGa— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) January 25, 2026 Agitators targeted Cities Church because they claim one of its pastors also led ICE’s office in St. Paul, as if this connection justified terrorizing innocents and depriving their fellow Americans of their right to worship God in their own church building. The Justice Department has charged some of the agitators with two major criminal violations: conspiracy against rights under the Ku Klux Klan Act and a violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or FACE Act, which also protects access to churches. These agitators allegedly prevented their fellow Americans from exercising their rights to practice their religion, a federal crime. Yet the agitators might have engaged in activity that could constitute state or local crimes, such as trespassing, false imprisonment, and even kidnapping. This is not peaceful protest. This is an invasion of a sacred space. Anti-ICE agitators disrupted Cities Church in the middle of service. Warning: the agitators on the Left are serious. The man who posted this video bragged about doing this—comparing it to Jesus flipping over… pic.twitter.com/BeeIdubpwM— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) January 19, 2026 While former CNN host and current independent journalist Don Lemon claimed to be there just to cover the agitation, he also faces charges for allegedly conspiring before the church invasion, boosting it during the attack, and then taunting churchgoers as they left. ?WHY LEMON WAS CHARGEDCan we please stop lying around here? Here's the grand jury indictment laying out why Don Lemon was charged.At the pre-op briefing Chauntyll Louisa Allen briefed Lemon and the other conspirators about where and what they were doing.On camera, Nekima… pic.twitter.com/gHuN6Q4ZM9— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) January 31, 2026 Are these the people Democrats really want to be defending? Democrats Carry Water for Church Invaders While some Democrats—like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz—issued halfhearted statements that they do not support the invasion of a church, others stood up for the church invaders, demanding their release. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the arrests of three ringleaders a “gross abuse of power,” and called for the immediate release of Nekima Armstrong—who admitted to leading the church invasion. This is a gross abuse of power. The federal government is picking and choosing who to investigate – going after protestors and not the person who shot and killed one of our neighbors. I am calling for Nekima to be released immediately. https://t.co/HD1LGlPGv4— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) January 22, 2026 The NAACP also demanded Armstrong’s release, claiming she had been peacefully protesting and that “the only reason the FBI and [the Department of Homeland Security] arrested them is that they didn’t like what they had to say.” On Friday, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., posted a photo of herself with Armstrong and others, claiming that they were “lawful protesters” and condemning the “brutal treatment of nonviolent protesters.” Carrying Water for Don Lemon More Democrats condemned the arrests of Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort, who had claimed they entered the church merely to cover the agitation as journalists. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the Trump administration “is behaving no differently from the police states and authoritarian regimes across history—they’ve arrested a journalist for the crime of doing his job.” Once again, the administration is behaving no differently from the police states and authoritarian regimes across history—they’ve arrested a journalist for the crime of doing his job.Let’s be very clear—this arrest is not just about one journalist in once incident. This is a… https://t.co/wA6IwFQMrI— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 30, 2026 House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., condemned their arrests as “a disgraceful affront to the First Amendment and a corrupt weaponization of the criminal justice system.” “There is zero basis to arrest Don Lemon, and he should be freed immediately,” Jeffries added. He said Lemon was a “law-abiding” journalist “reporting on DHS brutality in Minnesota.” Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., suggested that this arrest echoes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attacks on journalists. Putin would be proud. pic.twitter.com/S4RTtK6Uaz— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 30, 2026 “Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were taken into custody by federal agents for doing exactly what journalists are supposed to do: report the truth,” Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, a candidate for U.S. Senate, wrote in a Friday press release. “This is censorship by an authoritarian government.” Reps. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y.; Katherine Clark, D-Mass.; Shontel Brown, D-Ohio; Ami Bera, D-Calif.; and others shared similar sentiments. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., condemned Trump for “arresting journalists doing their jobs.” Omar condemned Lemon’s arrest as a “clear violation of the Constitution.” The arrests of Don Lemon, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lundy are unacceptable and a clear violation of the Constitution.This is a dangerous abuse of power that threatens the rights of every single American. They must be released immediately.— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 30, 2026 “Arresting a journalist is a blatant attempt to intimidate,” Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., wrote on X. “Don Lemon has been on the ground in Minnesota like hundreds of others doing the vital work of covering Trump’s lawlessness and chaos.” Arresting a journalist is a blatant attempt to intimidate and a further indicator of Trump’s authoritarianism. It goes against the most fundamental American values outlined in the First Amendment. Don Lemon has been on the ground in Minnesota like hundreds of others doing the…— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 30, 2026 Here’s the thing, Senator Booker: Don Lemon wasn’t “covering Trump’s lawlessness and chaos.” He was “covering” the horrific invasion of a church service, and it certainly seems to me that he was abetting it. Renee Carlson, who represents Cities Church as general counsel for True North Counsel, said it well: The First Amendment does not allow premeditated plots or coordinated actions to violate the sanctity of a sanctuary, disrupt worship, and intimidate small children. There is no “press pass” to invade a sanctuary or to conspire to interrupt religious services. Lemon’s job as a journalist does not give him carte blanche to engage in trespassing. At the very least, it could be argued that Lemon joined an orchestrated effort to invade a church service, disrupt the service, and prevent people from exercising their First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. He is innocent until proven guilty, but it sure seems to me like he violated the FACE Act. By downplaying the church invasion as a “protest,” and Lemon’s role as mere reporting, Democrats are minimizing an atrocity. Shame on every Democrat for minimizing the horrific church invasion and carrying water for the invaders. Do you think they would ever let it rest if conservative agitators had invaded a mosque in the middle of prayers? The post Democrats Carry Water for Agitators Who Invade Church Services and Traumatize Children appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Come learn how to grow turmeric: a beautiful, fun and unique superfood! While it’s not the most common crop for home gardeners, it’s actually quite easy to grow – especially if you live in a temperate climate. With a few adaptations, you can successfully grow turmeric in colder zones too! This guide covers everything you need to know: where to get turmeric “seed”, tips for starting indoors or growing turmeric in pots, soil prep, planting instructions, ongoing care, harvesting and more. I also share some of our favorite ways to use it in the kitchen, like our delicious golden milk recipe or homemade fire cider. We’ve been growing turmeric for over 10 years! I can’t wait for you to give it a try too. NOTE: This post was originally published in September 2019 but significantly updated since. One of our turmeric harvests About Turmeric Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a tropical perennial herb native to Southeast Asia. It’s closely related to ginger, so many of these growing tips can apply to ginger too! Turmeric is a popular culinary spice that’s used fresh or dried (as turmeric powder) in a wide variety of dishes including curries, soup, stew, marinades, rice, vegetable dishes and more. In addition to infusing the meal with its beautiful bright golden-orange color and earthy, mildly spicy flavor, turmeric also adds a wealth of nutrients! Health Benefits Turmeric powder, nutritional supplements, or other edible extracts are made from the rhizome – where most of the plant’s flavor, color, and nutrients are stored. The rhizomes also contain the most important active ingredient in turmeric: curcumin.  Thousands of scientific studies show that curcumin is one of the most beneficial medicinal herb compounds in existence! With its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, curcumin has been proven to reduce inflammation, improve memory, prevent and slow cancer development, boost antioxidant activity, regulate blood pressure, and more. A hand of just-harvested homegrown turmeric. See the darker brown finger on the lower right side of the hand? That is the original seed rhizome that the rest grew from. How Does Turmeric Grow? Turmeric grows lush foliage above ground along with edible rhizomes and roots below the soil. The rhizomes are the part that we most often harvest and consume, and is what is used to make turmeric powder. To grow turmeric, you plant small pieces of the rhizomes rather than typical seeds like other plants. Once they sprout, the rhizome “seeds” send up large tropical-looking leaves as well as clusters of new, larger rhizomes in the soil below. Each seed rhizome is often referred to as a “finger” because when fresh turmeric is harvested, the new big cluster of rhizomes resembles a hand with many fingers. Where to Get Turmeric Seed You can grow turmeric from pieces you buy in the grocery store or online. We have successfully grown turmeric both ways! However, it’s essential to start with certified organic rhizomes since non-organic produce is often treated with substances designed to inhibit sprouting. Check the produce section near the ginger. If you can’t find fresh turmeric locally, or if you want to try growing specific varieties, you can order turmeric rhizomes online. We’ve used Hawaii Clean Seed many times over the years, and have always been very pleased with the quality and results. Once you grow your own turmeric, you can save seed rhizomes from your harvest to replant! PRO TIP: When choosing turmeric from the store, try to find the most fresh and firm turmeric pieces to plant. In my experience, old shriveled rhizomes (already starting to go soft) may rot in the soil instead of sprouting. Natural food stores or Asian markets are more likely to sell fresh turmeric if you’re regular grocer doesn’t.  Turmeric seed we saved from a harvest. We were sorting out which pieces we’d keep for seed, which we’d use fresh or freeze, and those we would dry. Turmeric Varieties The most common variety of turmeric is Curcuma longa, which has a beautiful deep yellow-orange color. We usually see it labelled as “Hawaiian Red” turmeric in the stores.  We’ve experimented with growing a couple other varieties, including Indira Yellow and White Mango, but I prefer the deeper color and sweeter flavor of the Hawaiian Red. The yellow is a bit more pungent and spicy, and the white mango tastes similar to a green, underripe mango.  As it turns out, the darker orange varieties contain more curcumin and are therefore better for your health! So while the yellow and white varieties are unique and fun to grow, they don’t pack the same punch in regards to nutritional benefit (if that’s important to you).  A harvest of Hawaiian Red, Indira Yellow and White Mango turmeric. The brighter orange, the more curcumin! Optimal Conditions to Grow Turmeric Temperature: Turmeric is a tropical plant that thrives in warm temperatures between 65°F to 90°F. It is not frost-tolerant and growth will slow significantly below 50°F, but that doesn’t mean you can’t successfully grow turmeric in colder climates! (See tips below.) Time: Turmeric has a long growing season, requiring 8 to 10 months of frost-free growing from planting to harvest. It’s usually planted (or started indoors) in the winter to early spring, and harvested in the fall to early winter. Sun: Turmeric loves sun but is prone to scorching in extreme heat. So, choose a planting location that receives full sun to partial shade, but try to offer afternoon shade in the hottest climates (when over 90 degrees). For example, I’ve seen Arizona gardeners utilize shade cloth to protect their turmeric plants in the late summer.  Hardiness Zones It’s easy to plant and grow turmeric outside in USDA hardiness zones 8 and higher, in the ground or in containers. We like to grow ours in several wine barrels, which allows us to easily control the soil quality and moisture level. It also makes harvesting a breeze! In zones 7 and lower, it’s best to start turmeric indoors in a mobile container during winter to early spring, and then bring it outside once the weather warms up. The plants will need ample sun or light after sprouting, so an indoor grow light may be required. See tips on sprouting turmeric indoors below. This turmeric gets morning to midday sun, and afternoon shade thanks to the fence on the right. (Some of our other barrels receive afternoon sun as well, which is okay in our mild climate.) Container Size Turmeric will happily grow in a large container, or portioned out into several smaller pots for added mobility. It’s best to use a container that is about 10 to 12 inches deep, and as wide as possible (depending on how many pieces you want to plant). The more surface area, the better! Turmeric rhizomes should be spaced several inches apart, so a narrow container will limit the amount you can grow. Since turmeric is prone to rotting in overly wet soil, ensure the pot or container has holes for ample drainage. We often grow our turmeric in half wine barrel planters but have also used wide fabric Smart Pots – which have superior drainage! They will dry out a little more quickly though, so keep that in mind when your establishing your water routine. Add drip trays as needed to catch runoff, especially for indoor containers.  RELATED: Come see how we modify and prepare wine barrel planters (or whiskey barrels) for planting before use, or this guide on how to set up automatic drip irrigation for containers. Those are pepper plants on the left, but you can see some young turmeric just sprouting in the fabric grow bags on the right. Soil Preparation and Drainage Turmeric grows best in soil that is loose, well-draining, free of big clumps or rocks, and fairly rich in organic matter. Turmeric also prefers slightly acidic soil (pH around 5.5-7), which most garden soil and potting mix already is. Good drainage is essential, especially in the early stages of growth (including before sprouting) as young turmeric rhizomes are susceptible to rotting if left in soggy soil or standing water. Therefore, avoid planting turmeric in clay soil, or in a location where water pools or drainage cannot be controlled. For pots or containers, combine approximately 70-80% organic potting soil with 20-30% aged compost. Work and loosen native soil to at least a foot deep and amend with aged compost, sand, and/or potting soil as needed. Amend soil with a slow-release, well-balanced organic fertilizer (e.g.4-4-4) prior to planting. Follow the instructions on your product of choice; I suggest erring on the lighter side of whatever they recommend. Adding mild, slow-release fertilizers to one of our turmeric barrels before planting. When to Plant Turmeric For folks growing turmeric exclusively outside, plant rhizomes when the soil is regularly 55°F degrees or warmer, with daytime air temperatures close to 70°F . Here on the Central Coast of California (zone 9), we usually plant our turmeric in March and harvest in late December. To figure our when to start turmeric indoors in colder climates, first determine the first fall frost date for your zone (on average) and then count backwards about 9 to 10 months. That means you might need to plant turmeric inside as early as December or January. See tips on starting indoors to follow. RELATED: Not sure when your frost dates are? Come see our free garden planting calendars for every zone – including frost dates, when to start vegetable seeds indoors and transplant seedlings outside. Preparing Turmeric Seed to Plant Prior to planting, store turmeric seed in a moderately cool, dry, dark area with decent airflow. We store ours in a partially open cardboard box in a cool closet. If your turmeric is still in large chunks or clusters (hands), break it down into smaller pieces before planting (which also means more to plant). Use a clean knife to cut the hands or rhizomes at the narrowest junctions (where the fingers meet a base, or “palm” of the hand) to create several seeds. Cut the turmeric into smaller seed pieces a few days to a week prior to planting, so the cuts have time to dry and scab over (put them in a location with good airflow to promote drying). This reduces the chance of rot and disease. PRO TIP: Each turmeric seed piece (rhizome) should have at least two to three nubs or fingers left behind – because that is what is going to sprout! See example photos below. Both of these are examples of good seed rhizome sizes. We could have created three small seed pieces from the top one (cutting off each extra finger) but it would have left far fewer sprouting “nub” sites. Though smaller, the rhizome on the bottom has three viable sprout sites along the top. How to Plant Turmeric Once the turmeric rhizomes have been broken into small pieces (if needed), dried, and the soil is prepared – it’s time to plant! Plant each turmeric rhizome about 2 to 4 inches deep and spaced at least 4 to 6 inches apart in your chosen bed, container or pot. To avoid breaking the fingers, I usually dig a little hole, pop it in, and gently cover it back over – as opposed to shoving it down into the soil as I may when planting garlic cloves. In the planting hole, place the rhizome with any small fingers or nubs facing upward. The sprouts will grow from the nubs, so this sets them up in the right orientation from the start. Water in lightly after planting. Planting the turmeric rhizomes, with the base of the seed about 4 inches deep and the top fingers around 2 inches deep. Starting Turmeric Indoors For those in USDA zones 7 or lower and starting turmeric indoors, follow the same planting instructions provided above – but keep your pots indoors for now! Keep the pots in a sheltered, warm location in your home or use a seedling heat mat below the pots to encourage sprouting. (Light isn’t needed until they sprout). Once they sprout, provide ample bright light – either in a sunny window or by using grow lights overhead. The pots can be moved outside in spring after your last risk of frost has passed, but keep an eye on the forecast for the next few weeks since the new tender leaves will easily be damaged by frost. To prevent shock, it’s best to harden off or gradually acclimate the plants to outdoor conditions over the course of a week before fully moving them outside. This process is called hardening off, and it is important! Bring them out for short durations in a sheltered and shady location for a few days, gradually increasing the time and direct sun exposure over the period of a week. You can also simply leave your turmeric to grow indoors, as long as it has ample light. Patience After Planting After planting, the waiting game beings. Turmeric not only takes a long time to grow, but also a surprisingly long time to sprout – sometimes months! If you’re starting turmeric indoors, it may sprout faster than ours does outside. Yet when we plant turmeric outdoors in February or March, our first sprouts don’t usually poke through the soil until July, and some as late as August! Even though I’ve been growing turmeric for years, the slow start still stresses me out every year. I always think they’ve crapped out on us! Turmeric may sprout faster in warmer climates (we have a really cool, foggy weather in spring and early summer) but at least you’ve been forewarned. Be patient. Don’t worry.  Our turmeric usually takes over 3 months after planting to first emerge as sprouts! Water Needs Turmeric doesn’t need much water or care before it sprouts. Water occasionally as needed to keep the soil mildly damp but not soggy. Use your finger to check the moisture a few inches below the soil surface (or a handy moisture meter) and only water once the soil begins to dry out slightly. To reiterate, those precious rhizomes are prone to rotting if they’re overly wet! Between occasional spring rain and foggy weather, we hardly water our un-sprouted turmeric at all, until things start to dry out and warm up. During the active growing season (once it has large leaves), continue to maintain the soil modestly damp at all times. This will likely mean watering more frequently than you were before! The plants will drink up more water as they grow larger and the weather warms up. In fall to winter, cut back the water a bit again, particularly if you’re receiving rain. A week or two prior to harvesting turmeric, you can stop watering all together. (This isn’t required, but we’ve learned that it’s easier to harvest rhizomes from semi-dry soil!) Fertilizer Turmeric is a fairly heavy feeder while it’s actively growing. To keep our plants happy and healthy, we apply a top-dressing of aged compost along with a light dusting of well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer once or twice during the mid-to-late growing season (summer and fall). Aged pelletized chicken manure is another popular choice to feed turmeric. We sometimes water our turmeric plants with homemade compost tea and/or dilute seaweed extract too. Both are gentle enough to offer on a monthly basis if desired, though once every two to three months is plenty (especially when paired with compost or other fertilizers). These are due for another topping of compost! Harvesting Turmeric You’ll know it’s almost time to harvest turmeric when the leaves start to turn yellow-brown and dry out. See photos of our plants at harvest time below. In addition to leaf appearance, use time as a way to determine when to harvest – an average of 10 months after planting. To harvest turmeric, avoid pulling up on the stalks. Instead, use your hands or a small shovel to gently dig and loosen the soil in a wide perimeter around the turmeric stalks, taking care not to stab and damage the rhizomes. Once the soil is loosened, gently scoop the rhizomes out of the soil with your hands or with a shovel from below. After harvesting, rinse off the rhizomes to remove the dirt. Carefully cut the rhizome hand away from the top green stalk. Use clean scissors or snips to cut away any long stringy roots growing off the rhizomes. Thoroughly air dry before putting them away in storage.  See more storage and preserving tips below. PRO TIP: To avoid breaking our turmeric during harvest, we often find it helpful to tip our wine barrel planters or other pots on their side (onto a tarp) to gently sift through the soil. In addition to water, we also sometimes use a very soft brush to gently remove soil from the cracks and crevices of the turmeric hands. Yellow-brown turmeric leaves just before harvest – using a straight shovel to gently loosen the soil around the edges of the container Rather than digging or pulling on them, risking breaking the “hands” of turmeric, we have come to prefer to dump the whole container over and gently sift around. It’s like digging for gold! Our 2020 turmeric harvest: 28 pounds from 4 wine barrels! Frequently Asked Questions Can you eat turmeric leaves? Yes! While not used as often, turmeric leaves are also edible and nutritious. Some cultures use fresh leaves in cooking, dried and ground into powder, or steeped in water to create an infused liquid to use in cooking. You can also wrap fish in turmeric leaves to roast or grill like banana leaves. While turmeric is still growing, harvest leaves only sparingly since the plant needs them for photosynthesis and to produce sizeable rhizomes. Should you pre-sprout turmeric before planting? You can, but in my experience, I don’t find it necessary. Some sources recommend to lightly bury turmeric rhizomes in a wide shallow tray of damp peat moss or seed starting soil (on a heat mat) to encourage early sprouting – before planting them in their final growing location or container. However, the one year we did this, our harvest was smaller than ever. Perhaps it was just a coincidence but I don’t find it worth the effort. Will turmeric grow back each year? Turmeric is a perennial, meaning it will continue to grow for several years (if allowed). If you harvest all of the rhizomes it won’t grow back, but if some are left in the soil, they’ll go dormant over winter and grow new sprouts and rhizomes the following year. What happens if you don’t harvest turmeric? If you don’t harvest your turmeric at all, the underground rhizomes will continue to divide and form very large clusters and the above-ground plant will eventually grow a beautiful flower (usually during year 2). A turmeric flower growing after some rhizomes were left in the soil from the previous year How to Store and Preserve Turmeric Store dry, unpeeled rhizomes in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay good for several weeks to a month for fresh eating. If you want to replant some rhizomes, they can be kept out in a temperate, dry, dark location (e.g. a cool closet) for up to a few months. Plus, you’re hoping they’ll eventually sprout anyways! To preserve turmeric, we like to dehydrate and grind it into powder which lasts for two to three years. See our step-by-step guide on how to make homemade turmeric powder. To freeze turmeric, simply freeze the whole rhizomes in an airtight container and plan to use them within a year. The sooner you use them, the more fresh and bright the flavor will be. To use them, we just pop a rhizome out of the freezer and grate it up as needed for meals! Homegrown turmeric skin is so fresh and tender, we don’t even bother peeling it.  A mountain of homegrown healing sunshine. Ways to Use Turmeric Use a sprinkle of turmeric powder or grated fresh turmeric to add an earthy, curry-like pop of flavor and color to lentils, soups, sauces, brown rice, mixed veggies, eggs, and more. We also like to add turmeric to homemade sauerkraut, sourdough inclusions, fire cider, and seasonal kombucha flavors. Another popular use for turmeric powder is to make golden milk – a delicious blend of turmeric, warm spices like cinnamon and ginger, and your milk of choice. It’s amazing for digestion, relaxation, inflammation, and more. Don’t miss our easy golden milk recipe! To reap the optimum health benefits, always add a dash of black pepper with your turmeric. Studies show that consuming ¼ teaspoon of pepper with curcumin increases the bioavailability by 2000%. Consuming turmeric with fats or milks also helps it absorb better. NOTE: If you haven’t had turmeric on its own, keep in mind that it is not spicy like the classic curry you may imagine. Turmeric is a key ingredient in curry and does have a slight sharp bite to it, but it’s nothing like pre-mixed curry powder (which also contains chili powder). And that concludes this lesson on growing turmeric! In closing, it’s probably obvious just how much we love and use turmeric around this homestead. I hope that you found this article informative, useful, and inspiring – so you can also discover the joy of growing turmeric at home! Please feel free to ask questions in the comments below, and spread the love by sharing this post. You may also enjoy: Easy Fire Cider Recipe: How to Make Homemade Fire Cider How to Grow Pineapple Guava (Feijoa): Cold-Hardy Tropical Fruit Easy Golden Milk Recipe (Turmeric Latte) with Vegan Options How to Plant and Grow Garlic: The Ultimate Guide Super Green Sauerkraut Recipe w/ Garlic, Turmeric & Ginger Did you enjoy this article? Want to hear more? Stay in touch! Sign up below to receive weekly updates on new posts from Homestead and Chill. The post How to Grow Turmeric: A Complete Guide with Photos appeared first on Homestead and Chill.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Money may soon change hands after Google agreed to resolve a legal fight over how its voice-enabled products captured audio they were never meant to record. A proposed class action settlement totaling $68 million was disclosed in court filings submitted last Friday. The case traces back to situations where Google Assistant devices began recording without a proper “OK Google” command. The controversy first surfaced publicly in 2019 through reporting by VRT NWS. That investigation described how audio clips generated by accidental activations, referred to internally as “False Accepts,” were routed to human reviewers. Some of those workers later said the clips included private conversations and personal details, including moments involving children or other people who were not intended users of the device. Plaintiffs argued that these recordings amounted to “unlawful and intentional recording of individuals’ confidential communications without their consent.” The complaint also asserted that “information gleaned from these recordings was wrongly transmitted to third parties for targeted advertising and for other purposes.” Google has rejected those claims and, as part of the settlement proposal, continues to deny any allegations of wrongdoing. This case fits into a broader pattern that emerged the same year. In 2019, Google, Apple, and Amazon all faced scrutiny after it became public that voice assistant recordings were sometimes reviewed by human contractors following unintended activations. Apple reached a similar agreement in 2025, paying $95 million while maintaining that Siri recordings were not used to build advertising profiles. Since then, Apple has been preparing Siri for a generative AI refresh, Amazon has begun rolling out updates to Alexa, and Google has steadily sidelined Assistant as it promotes its newer Gemini system. If approved by the court, the Google settlement would apply to users whose accounts were linked to at least one Assistant-enabled device going back to 2016. Eligible hardware includes Pixel phones, Google Home products, smart speakers and displays, along with Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max devices. People who bought one of these products could receive between $18 and $56. Others who used Google Assistant, or who lived in a home where an Assistant device captured their conversations without permission, may qualify for payments ranging from $2 to $10. What the settlement does not change is the underlying design reality of voice assistants. These systems depend on microphones that are always listening for a wake word, which means mistakes are part of their operation. When those mistakes result in recordings of private speech, the harm is not abstract. The proposed payout offers compensation for past failures, but it also highlights how much trust users are expected to place in devices that are built to listen by default. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post Google to Pay $68M Over Voice Assistant Privacy Lawsuit appeared first on Reclaim The Net.