When will The New York Times finally stop pulling punches and go after Donald Trump? That’s the question President Joe Biden’s campaign asked the media this week. “For the political press corps—especially our friends at the Gray Lady‚” pleaded the White House‚ “it’s time to meet the moment and responsibly inform the electorate of what their lives might look like if the leading GOP candidate for president is allowed back in the White House.” The New York Times is‚ indeed‚ a friend. It “meets the moment” all the time. So‚ no‚ Biden isn’t working the refs here. He’s demanding obedience. And the fact that the White House can brazenly petition a supposedly free press to join his campaign effort tells us a lot about how little the contemporary Democrat cares for a free press. Recall that on the rare occasions that the Times slips up and writes an honest headline‚ celebrity journalism “professors” and leftist Twitterati swarm and demand it be changed to something more suitable. More often than not‚ the Times obliges them. They will oblige this time‚ as well. In this instance‚ the White House didn’t even profess they wanted a factual error corrected‚ which would be understandable. Biden was upset that the Times published a piece offering a quite banal‚ if inconvenient‚ observation about Trump and the issue of abortion. In a piece headlined “Why Trump Seems Less Vulnerable on Abortion Than Other Republicans‚” Ruth Igielnik points to existing polling data that “seems”—lots of hedging going on in the piece—”to have effectively neutralized abortion as an issue during the Republican primary” with “vagueness” and attempts “to occupy a middle ground of sorts.” This is inarguable. Trump‚ despite all the bluster‚ is perhaps the most ideologically moderate and malleable major Republican candidate to run for the presidency in a very long time. As the piece mentions‚ the former president has taken virtually every position on abortion during his political life. And while it’s true he’s nominated constitutionalist jurists‚ as a candidate‚ he now claims that Florida’s pro-life law is a “terrible mistake.” And because Trump‚ who has a substantial lead in the polls‚ is already running a general election campaign‚ while his GOP primary adversaries are compelled to shore up conservative support‚ he can moderate positions—like every candidate ever. Now‚ if the Times were responsibly informing the electorate‚ it would let everyone know that “devout Catholic” Joe Biden supports unfettered “access” to abortion until the baby hits the crib. Instead‚ we are inundated with the narrative that says radical abortion “bans” are sinking the GOP nationally. And the White House demands this notion be pushed at all times‚ with no exceptions. As soon as the Left stopped debating and knighted themselves sentinels of “democracy‚” they had their justification to act in “undemocratic” ways. The notion that there is an overriding duty to campaign for Biden to save the nation rather than engage in mundane traditional journalism is widely held on the Left. The other day‚ John Harwood—who‚ until recently‚ was LARPing as a journalist at NBC—posted that the media had a duty to “better convey 2 realities: — the US economy is doing well‚ not poorly — Biden at 80 is handling the job effectively right now.” Some people—sentient people—might argue the latter contention is dubious while the former one is highly debatable. Those debates should be left to pundits. But Harwood‚ like the celebrity “journalism” professor and institutions that crank out credulous activists rather than skeptical reporters‚ believes he has a higher purpose than letting voters figure these things out for themselves. This is why the White House feels comfortable not only demanding the press ramp up efforts to help it win a presidential election but also directing private outlets to censor speech and creating a Ministry of Truth to ferret out alleged “misinformation” and threaten those who do not comply. As for what the White House might “look like” if Trump is “allowed back”? Insane‚ I suspect. It’s possible Trump‚ like Biden‚ will also circumvent the legislative branch and engage in unprecedented abuse of executive power‚ blatantly ignore the Supreme Court to try and compel Americans to pay off the loans of strangers‚ allow tens of billions of dollars to flow to an Iranian terror states that murders Americans‚ sic the Justice Department on his political enemies‚ and demand journalists take dictation from the White House. Hopefully not. COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation.  Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Media Aren’t Quite Hackish Enough for Biden White House appeared first on The Daily Signal.

When President Barack Obama named retiring Rep. Ray LaHood‚ R-Ill.‚ to serve as his administration’s secretary of transportation‚ LaHood brought with him a vision for changing the way Americans moved from one place to another. It would start with empowering the government to monitor how many miles Americans drove. “We should look at the vehicular miles program where people are actually clocked on the number of miles that they traveled‚” LaHood told The Associated Press in a Feb. 19‚ 2009‚ interview. “What I see this administration doing is this—thinking outside the box on how we fund our infrastructure in America‚” he said. Even the Obama administration‚ however‚ did not fully embrace what LaHood was suggesting‚ At the White House press briefing the next day‚ a reporter from The Associated Press asked White House press secretary Robert Gibbs about LaHood’s idea. “Can I ask about gas taxes versus miles driven taxes?” the reporter asked Gibbs. “Sure‚” Gibbs said. “Secretary LaHood told AP in an interview that he thinks we should look at this‚ going to miles driven taxes‚” the reporter said. “But someone—a spokesman over at the department—said‚ no‚ that is not and will not be administration policy. Which is it? And has the president weighed in on this?” “I don’t believe the president has‚” said Gibbs. “I can weigh in on it and say that it is not and will not be the policy of the Obama administration.” The Obama administration did not pursue a vehicle-miles-traveled tax‚ but LaHood did advance a plan to reduce American driving. On June 16‚ 2009‚ the Senate Committee on Banking‚ Housing‚ and Urban Affairs held a hearing on the topic of “Greener Communities‚ Greater Opportunities: New Ideas For Sustainable Development and Economic Growth.” LaHood testified at this hearing on his vision for “more livable communities” and “transit-oriented development.” “Our goal is to build livable communities‚ where safe‚ convenient and affordable transportation is available to all people‚ regardless of what mode they use‚” he said. The first principle of this vision: “Develop safe‚ reliable and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs‚ reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil‚ improve air quality‚ reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health.” “Transit-oriented‚ mixed-use development has the potential to provide efficient and convenient options for employers‚ developers‚ young professionals and families in many large and small cities around the United States‚” LaHood said. “Transit-oriented development‚” he said‚ “also has the potential to contribute significantly to the revitalization of downtown districts‚ foster workable neighborhoods‚ and offer an alternative to urban and suburban sprawl and automobile focused commuting.” On April 14‚ 2009‚ The Heritage Foundation published a report by Ronald Utt‚ which this writer cited in his 2010 book “Control Freaks.” Utt’s report was entitled “President Obama’s New Plan to Decide Where Americans Live and How They Travel.” “To save Americans from these alleged higher living costs‚” Utt wrote‚ “the Smart Growth and New Urbanist movements want Americans to move into higher-density developments—such as townhouses and high-rise apartment buildings—which‚ the anti-suburbanists contend‚ can be better served by public transportation (hence the commitment to ‘transportation choice‚’ a process whereby commuters are bribed or coerced into an inconvenient mode of transportation that most would not choose on their own) —thereby freeing the hapless American people from relying on their automobiles.” On May 21‚ 2009‚ LaHood gave a presentation at the National Press Club. As this writer also noted in “Control Freaks‚” the moderator at this event asked LaHood about his “livability” plan. “Some in the highway supporters and motorists groups have been concerned about your livability initiative‚” the moderator asked. “Is this an effort to make driving more torturous and to coerce people out of their cars?” “It is a way to coerce people out of their cars‚ yeah‚” said LaHood. “Now‚ look it‚ every community is not going to be a ‘livable community‚’” he said‚ “but we have to create opportunities for people that do want to use a bicycle or want to walk to get on a street car or want to ride a light rail.” LaHood did not succeed in coercing people out of their cars. Twelve years later‚ President Joe Biden’s transportation secretary‚ Pete Buttigieg‚ testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Buttigieg was asked if he would work to reduce the miles Americans drive. “Will you‚ Mr. Secretary‚ commit to working to ensure that equity is a critical part of the sustainability conversation and help us advance policies that reduce vehicle miles traveled rather than just trying to replace gas cars with electric vehicles?” asked Rep. Chuy Garcia‚ D-Ill. “Yes‚” said Buttigieg. “Part of the solution is to make sure that our cars are cleaner‚ but part of the solution is to make sure that people have alternatives in order to get around and we don’t assume in our transportation decisions that everybody would be able to or would want to be behind the wheel of a car.” So‚ three years into the Biden administration‚ who is winning this battle? Are Americans being pushed out of their cars? When LaHood was transportation secretary in August 2009‚ according to estimates published by the Federal Highway Administration‚ Americans drove 260.609 billion vehicle-miles. In the 12-month period that ended that August‚ they drove 2‚959‚390‚000‚000 vehicle-miles. In August of this year‚ with Buttigieg as transportation secretary‚ they drove 288.396 billion vehicle-miles. In the 12-month period that ended at the end of August‚ they drove 3‚219‚269‚000‚000 vehicle-miles. In the 12-month period that ended in August 2019‚ the year before the COVID-19 pandemic‚ Americans drove 3‚262‚068‚000‚000 vehicle-miles. That dropped to 2‚979‚106‚000‚000 in the 12 months that ended in August 2020‚ also during the pandemic. But Americans are now back at the wheel‚ where they freely drive where they want and when they want. COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation.  Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post The Freedom to Drive appeared first on The Daily Signal.

FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—What began as a congressional probe into the role of environmental advocacy groups‚ left-leaning foundations‚ and “dark money” entities in pushing to ban gas stoves has opened new avenues of inquiry into the influence of alleged foreign agents for China and other nations. Since March‚ Sen. Ted Cruz‚ R-Texas‚ the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce‚ Science and Transportation‚ has sent letters to some of those players inquiring about their relationship with the Biden administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission‚ an independent federal agency. Cruz particularly is concerned with ongoing interaction between green advocacy groups and China‚ the Texas Republican told The Daily Signal in an emailed statement. If the communist government in Beijing can use such advocacy groups as a conduit for achieving policy goals‚ it could have severe implications for America’s economic standing‚ Cruz warned‚ saying: The connections between green-energy advocacy organizations and foreign governments‚ including and especially China‚ are deeply concerning and merit significant investigation and scrutiny. These two groups share the same basic goals: increasing America’s dependence on foreign supply chains and destroying America’s economic prosperity. Radical environmentalists use climate alarmism to advance those goals‚ ignoring the fact that China is responsible for emitting over a fourth of global carbon dioxide and a third of the world’s greenhouse gases. Since his initial letters seeking information‚ Cruz has joined with House Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer‚ R-Ky.‚ to follow up on inquiries into environmental activism aimed at implementing a government ban on gas stoves.  Cruz and Comer also call for closer scrutiny of the relationship between environmental advocacy groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and hostile foreign powers.  Widely known as the NRDC‚ the New York-based nonprofit is well endowed and has over $180 million in assets‚ according to the Capital Research Center‚ a Washington think tank that tracks nonprofits. The nonprofit’s relationship with Communist China figures prominently into ongoing congressional investigations. ‘Substantial Ties’ to Communist China The Natural Resources Defense Council “has substantial ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)‚” Cruz and Comer say in a joint letter in August to Attorney General Merrick Garland‚ the nation’s highest law enforcement officer as head of the Justice Department. “Both the NRDC China Program Directors are former CCP officials‚” the Cruz-Comer letter says. “On NRDC’s Chinese-language site (which provides information different from the English-language site)‚ NRDC explains it ‘has been carrying out environmental protection work in China since the 1990s’ and ‘actively cooperates and communicates’ with several Chinese government agencies.” The lawmakers’ letter adds: “Moreover‚ NRDC acts as a mouthpiece for Chinese propaganda‚ signaling that it either takes direction from the CCP or that it is willing to self-censor to maintain a positive relationship with the communist regime.” Cruz and Comer also suggest that the Natural Resources Defense Council and other advocacy groups are attempting “to skirt compliance” with the Foreign Agents Registration Act. This federal law requires individuals and organizations to disclose any partnership‚ activities‚ and lobbying efforts on behalf of foreign governments or foreign interests. The Justice Department enforces the statute. “It is likely that some environmental groups pushing clean energy policies here in the U.S. are acting as foreign agents‚ but have not registered as such in violation of FARA‚” Cruz and Comer say in their letter to Garland.  Prior to partnering with Comer‚ Cruz  sent individual letters to five organizations: Consumer Reports‚ the New York-based nonprofit that publishes a magazine of the same name; the Rocky Mountain Institute‚ an environmental think tank based in Colorado; The Climate Imperative Foundation‚ a nonprofit  environmental group based in San Francisco; the Windward Fund‚ which is part of the larger “dark money” network known as Arabella Advisors; and Rewiring America‚ a left-of-center nonprofit established by the Windward Fund as a special project.  Stacey Abrams‚ who ran twice unsuccessfully for governor of Georgia as the Democrat candidate‚ joined Rewiring America as a special counsel last March.  ‘Completely Independent’ Cruz and Comer sent joint letters to Consumer Reports‚ the Climate Imperative Foundation‚ and Rewiring America in May to follow up on Cruz’s initial inquiries. Copies of all the letters addressed to suspected unregistered foreign agents may be found here‚ on Cruz’s Senate press page.  In an email statement Wednesday to The Daily Signal‚ Consumer Reports defended its position on gas stoves while maintaining that it wasn’t influenced by outside actors: Consumer Reports is not advocating for a ban on gas stoves. Last year‚ CR tested gas stoves for emissions‚ and found high levels of nitrogen oxide in some scenarios. We advised people how to reduce the risks with ventilation‚ like opening a window or installing a range hood. We also offer the pros and cons of going electric. Our tests and results are always completely independent from any outside organization or influence. At CR‚ we believe in consumer choice and providing people with the evidence they need to make the best decision for their needs and lifestyle. The Daily Signal asked the Justice Department whether Garland‚ as attorney general‚ had any response to the letter from Cruz and Comer. The department had not responded as of publication time. The Daily Signal asked the Natural Resources Defense Council to respond to the allegations that it may operate as a foreign agent without registering with the Justice Department. The Daily Signal did the same with other advocacy groups that heard from Cruz and Comer. So far‚ only Consumer Reports and the NRDC responded.  “NRDC receives no funding from the Chinese government and does the bidding of no government anywhere‚” NRDC spokesman Bob Deans told The Daily Signal in an email. “Assertions to the contrary are false.” However‚ Cruz and Comer insist in their letter to the attorney general that the Natural Resources Defense Council has maintained “obvious ties to China” while making significant inroads with “key government officials” in the U.S. Looking at Biden Allies The lawmakers contend‚ for example‚ that former Sen. John Kerry‚ D-Mass.‚ Biden’s special envoy on climate issues‚ has “worked hand-in-glove with the NRDC and other radical environmental groups.”  Comer’s Oversight and Accountability Committee obtained emails between Kerry and environmental groups that show the Natural Resources Defense Council “appears to lead on multiple initiatives.” The NRDC’s influence with the Biden administration isn’t limited to its collaborative efforts with Kerry‚ who was Democrats’ presidential nominee in 2004.  One of the organization’s past presidents and CEOs is Gina McCarthy‚ a former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency who was Biden’s top domestic adviser on climate issues before leaving the White House in September.  The Daily Signal sought comment from Kerry and McCarthy and will update this article if either or both responds. The Natural Resources Defense Council also has burrowed into the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission‚ or FERC‚ the agency that regulates interstate transmission of natural gas‚ oil‚ and electricity‚ according to Freedom of Information Act records. Since May 2022‚ the nonprofit Institute for Energy Research‚ which supports free-market energy policies‚ has filed a series of lawsuits against FERC under the Freedom of Information Act that point to coordinated efforts between the NRDC and the government commission.  Tom Pyle‚ president of the Institute for Energy Research‚ said in a phone interview that American consumers should be concerned about the influence exerted by the NRDC in the Biden White House and the Democratic Party as a whole.  “The NRDC has a long history of close collusion with the Democratic Party‚” Pyle told The Daily Signal‚ adding: During the run-up to what the Obama administration called the Clean Power Plan‚ which should be called the Creating Poverty Plan‚ it was widely reported that NRDC practically drafted the entire plan. The email records we have from the Biden administration through FOIA [the Freedom of Information Act] point to yet another example of how the Democratic Party has merged with NRDC. ‘Providing Cover for China’ The climate agenda advanced by the Natural Resources Defense Council in cooperation with the Democratic Party ultimately works to the disadvantage of middle- and lower-income Americans whom it claims to represent‚ Pyle said.  “The big money donors to the NRDC are not going to be impacted by the high energy costs that result from the policies the NRDC advocates‚” he said. “The high gas prices‚ the high electricity prices‚ and higher food prices that result from the inflationary impacts that we have thanks to Bidenomics will fall on average Americans and Americans with modest incomes. A big chunk of the inflation we are seeing comes from policies promoted by the NRDC.” With regard to China‚ Pyle said the Natural Resources Defense Council goes to great lengths to avoid circulating negative publicity about the communist government while persistently criticizing the United States. “They continually bash American energy producers while providing cover for China‚ which has an abysmal environmental record‚ and also uses slaves to build their solar panels‚” he said. Cruz apparently hasn’t received what he considers to be  substantial responses from environmental groups that address the questions and concerns he has raised.  For example‚ the Cruz-Comer letter to the Climate Imperative Foundation states that it “responded with only a general‚ and vague‚ narrative” and sidestepped specific questions. The lawmakers’ letter asserts that suspected foreign agents are part of an “interrelated network to which NRDC also belongs.”  The Climate Imperative Network‚ for example‚ made a grant of $2.9 million to the Natural Resources Defense Council in 2021 to “accelerat[e] early peaking and decarbonization of China’s power sector‚” according to the Cruz-Comer letter.  As The Daily Signal previously reported‚ foreign influence over U.S. environmental advocacy groups have been the subject of investigations by the House Science‚ Space‚ and Technology Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee in 2017 and 2018. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Ted Cruz Pushes Attorney General to Probe Green Activists’ Ties to China‚ Other Nations appeared first on The Daily Signal.

A Texas church is suing the local government‚ claiming that “illegal excessive” fees to install a water tap violate the U.S. Constitution and the state’s religious freedom law.    First Liberty Institute‚ a legal organization focused on religious liberty‚ and King &; Spalding LLP‚ an international law firm‚ filed the lawsuit Wednesday against Southern Montgomery County Municipal Utility District on behalf of Grace Community Church in The Woodlands‚ Texas.  “The county’s water tap fee scheme is a thinly veiled illegal property tax on Grace Community Church‚” Jeremy Dys‚ senior counsel at First Liberty Institute‚ told The Daily Signal in an emailed statement Thursday. “Local governments like Montgomery County‚ in search of new revenue‚ are illegally targeting churches and other non-profits with similar schemes.” The district initially told the church that labor and materials would cost $24‚900 to connect to the water line. Later‚ the church asked the district to install the water tap‚ which the district said would cost $61‚500‚ which is much higher than the actual cost. The church challenged the cost because of its tax-exempt status‚ at which point the district countered with a tap fee of $147‚938‚ more than doubling the prior fee. Eventually‚ the church had no choice but to pay the fees.     “No government agency should impose a ‘fee-in-lieu-of-taxes’ against faith-based entities‚” Dys told The Daily Signal. “What we see now is merely an effort to generate revenue by those the State of Texas have protected against taxation because of the tremendous good they do in the community.”    Dys said the church had not heard of any other complaints about the district placing illegal fees on any other entities. “To be clear‚ there is no dispute that Grace should pay and is willing to pay tap fees reflecting the district’s actual costs to install a water tap and provide service to Grace‚” the church writes in the lawsuit’s preliminary statement.     The district is instructing Grace Community Church to pay additional fees that aren’t related to the water tap or any service provided‚ and the district “admits as much‚” according to the preliminary statement.    The church is making three legal claims against the district: that the district violated the Texas water code‚ that the district violated the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act‚ and that the district violated the free exercise clause in the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment‚ incorporated to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.  “A party that pays unlawful taxes or fees to a governmental entity under duress may recover those fees” under the Texas water code‚ the lawsuit notes. The lawsuit claims that the district violated the Texas religious freedom act by placing “a real and substantial burden on Grace’s and its members’ free exercise of religion.” The suit also claims that the district’s move “restricts Grace’s ability to provide services tied to the central tenants of Grace’s and its members’ faith‚” in violation of the U.S. Constitution. Dys told The Daily Signal that he is hopeful Grace Community Church will triumph in this lawsuit.   “Churches like Grace Community are important parts of the communities they serve‚” Craig Stanfield‚ a partner in the firm of King &; Spalding‚ said in a statement on the lawsuit. “The resources of churches are best used in fulfilling their mission to serve their congregations and communities‚ not in paying unlawful taxes. We look forward to securing a refund for Grace Community.”   Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Local Government Violates the Constitution by Charging Taxes Disguised as Fees‚ Church Claims in New Lawsuit  appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Second Launch of Starship Now Set for Saturday

"Sheena‚ the work you've done is extraordinary." "It's incredible." That was CNN This Morning co-anchors Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly‚ respectively‚ gushing on Friday over Sheena Meade‚ an activist who promotes "Clean Slate" laws in states across the country. The interview came the day after Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed that state's version into law‚ the twelfth state to do so. The law sealed the criminal records‚ including some serious felonies‚ of convicts if they don't get convicted again after a certain number of years. So employers‚ landlords‚ and others would have no way of knowing whether they were hiring or renting to convicted felons. When Harlow cited some of the objections to the law that have been raised‚ Meade claimed that when she travels around the country she hears only people agreeing with her views‚ and that "I don't hear a lot of that pushback and opposition."  Not surprising‚ considering the circles in which Meade presumably travels.   Note that Meade and other supporters of these laws cast "discrimination" as the decision of employers or landlords not to hire or rent to convicted felons. Was it discrimination -- or simple good sense -- not to bring people with a history of violent crimes‚ including attempted murder or gang assault‚ into one's workplace or property?  Without this law‚ nothing would stop employers or landlords from hiring people with criminal records‚ if convinced the applicants no longer presented significant risks. But these laws take that possibility away. People would have no way of knowing whether applicants had a history of violent criminal behavior. Also‚ note that a standard liberal technique was employed to promote the law: offering the most sympathetic case possible. As Harlow described it‚ Meade had been arrested "in front of her children" after she bounced an $87 check "for groceries." She was apparently jailed for that‚ and after being released‚ found herself barred from jobs‚ housing‚ and even colleges.  Did CNN verify Meade's story? Had she had previous run-ins with the law‚ or was she actually jailed for the first-time crime of bouncing a small check? The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read: CNN This Morning 11/17/23 6:54 am EDT KATHY HOCHUL: I believe that the best anti-crime tool we have is a job. [Cheers and applause ] POPPY HARLOW: That was New York Governor Kathy Hochul just yesterday‚ signing the Clean Slate law. It allows people convicted of crimes‚ if they serve their sentence and stay out of trouble for a set period of time‚ to have their records sealed. New York is now the 12th state to enact a law like this. It goes into effect one year from now and it could impact two million people in New York.  Sheena Meade‚ of The Clean Slate Initiative‚ which pushed for this law and laws like it all over the country‚ is personally invested in this legislation. Almost two decades ago was arrested in front of her children after an $87 check she wrote for groceries bounced.  And when she paid back the money immediately after release‚ including the fees for getting arrested and going to jail‚ she thought that chapter of her life was over. But it wasn't. SHEENA MEADE [giving a speech]: That arrest and conviction remained on my record. And at that moment I realized that my true sentence had just begun. Because you know what? I was no longer allowed to volunteer at my children's school. I could no longer rent where I wanted to rent‚ because it is legal for landlords to discriminate against a person with a record. I even faced barriers trying to go to college. And still to this day I am excluded from certain certifications and occupational licence. All I could keep asking myself‚ is damn‚ when will my sentence end? HARLOW: And Sheena joins us now. It must just be surreal for you to see this now in 12 states across the country given what you experienced. MEADE: Yes. Yesterday‚ [inaudible] the governor has signed a bill. And with the stroke of a pen‚ we saw 2.3 million people's lives change. Access to housing‚ access to jobs. Barriers removed. Opportunities unlocked. It was a joyous moment yesterday. PHIL MATTINGLY: Were you‚ I think what's most -- the most amazing thing about the legislative victory‚ not to get into the weeds of this stuff‚ is‚ the moment the country's in right now on issues of crime‚ on issues of people concerned about their public safety. That type of moment insures stuff like that can't pass. We saw the opposition from the state Senate Republican leader‚ talking about concerns about various pieces of this. Why were you able to get this done‚ despite that opposition? MEADE: You know‚ we have one in three Americans that have a criminal record‚ arrest or conviction. It's close to home. People believe in second chances or redemption. People remember the moment that they were given a second chance. Where they asked for another chance. And so‚ I believe that our country‚ our foundation is based off of second chances. And so I believe that folks believe that this is a common-sense policy. You know?  It's a workforce issue. We have employers who cannot hire people because people are locked out of jobs and employment due to an arrest or conviction. . . . HARLOW: But there is a lot of pushback from the right here in state of New York. I should note that the most serious crimes‚ including murder and sex crimes and most other Class A felonies are not part of this. There was a change before this got passed. But what about Republicans who say things like‚ look‚ attempted murder‚ gang assault‚ arson are included? Or‚ you heard also from a New York state senator‚ Dean Murray‚ who said the full criminal records of potential tenants will not be available to landlords. Or‚ people who had crimes against children may be allowed to work with children again. What is your response to that criticism? MEADE: You know‚ Poppy‚ that's a great question. But what I hear when I travel across thecountry in red and blue states‚ and I talk to Republicans and liberals‚ they're saying that this is a public safety issue that we have to put people back to work. People need to have an access to jobs‚ housing. Have an alternative measure of not going back to prison. Reducing recidivism. They know that when people have access to jobs‚ that it reduces recidivism. It's a public safety measure‚ and we get people back to work. And so‚ I don't hear a lot of that pushback and opposition across the country. I hear people saying that this is an opportunity for us to put people back to work and help our economy. . . .  There is a responsibility for the workforce to say now‚ welcome back into the workforce‚ into labor. Let's‚ let's build our economy together.  HARLOW: Sheena‚ the work you've done is extraordinary. MATTINGLY: It's incredible. Thank you so much for coming in‚ Sheena.

An Iowa teen wept and bled just moments before receiving a life sentence Wednesday for helping his classmate murder beloved high school Spanish teacher Nohema Graber in 2021. Jeremy Goodale‚ 18‚ and his friend Willard Miller ambushed Graber‚ beat her to death with a baseball bat‚ then ditched her remains in Chatauqua Park in Fairfield — all for giving Miller a bad grade and purportedly hurting his chances of taking part in a study abroad program. While neither teen could agree on who ultimately killed the 66-year-old teacher‚ both pleaded guilty earlier this year to first-degree murder. Goodale‚ 16 at the time of the murder‚ had his shot at a juvenile court hearing thwarted by Judge Shawn Showers' ruling in May. Instead‚ he was tried as an adult. Whereas Miller‚ whom Showers characterized as a "sinister and evil" force‚ received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 35 years — five years more than prosecutors had asked for — Goodale will be eligible for parole in 25 years. What's the background? Blaze News previously reported that Graber‚ a mother of three‚ was a Spanish teacher at Fairfield High School. Lauri Noll‚ Fairfield schools superintendent‚ said Graber "touched the lives of many students‚ parents and staff‚" reported the Des Moines Register. Graber's family suggested she had been an "angel of a woman" with "one of the kindest souls." In addition to teaching‚ she worked as a flight attendant and earned a commercial airline pilot's license. On Nov. 2‚ Graber met with Miller to discuss his poor performance in her Spanish class. After the meeting‚ she drove her van to Chatauqua Park off Mediapolis Road for her customary after-school walk. Goodale and Miller ambushed her in the park‚ dragged her into the woods‚ then murdered her. When pleading guilty in April‚ Miller claimed he had only acted as a lookout while Goodale killed Graber. However‚ in his conflicting account‚ Goodale suggested Miller delivered the first blow to the back of the victim's head‚ then noticing she was still alive‚ he finished the job. Goodale said‚ "I met Willard Miller at Chatauqua Park. I understood he had the intent to kill Mrs. Graber. ... (Miller) had brought a bat among other supplies to go through with the murder‚ and after he had struck Nohema Graber‚ we then moved her off of the trail‚ where I then struck her‚ and she died as a result. After‚ we removed any evidence that we could." The duo was seen by a witness driving out of the park 45 minutes later‚ Miller at the helm of the victim's van‚ and Goodale in a Ford pickup truck. After Miller ditched the van at the end of a rural road‚ he caught a ride back with Goodale. Around midnight on Nov. 2‚ a witness spotted a male pushing a wheelbarrow toward the park. Graber's disfigured body was discovered on Nov. 3‚ 2021‚ hidden under a tarp‚ a wheelbarrow‚ and railroad ties in Chatauqua Park. The trial On the first day of Goodale's trial‚ prosecutors presented evidence of Snapchat messages wherein Goodale virtually confessed to having killed Graber with Miller. Whereas Miller's motive was his bad grade in Spanish‚ Goodale was supposedly motivated by a desire to support his friend‚ reported KTVO-TV. Video was played in court wherein Goodale told an investigator‚ "I didn't want to have to touch the bat to begin with‚ and then she was still alive‚ and I waited for a moment because I thought I heard her gasp for breath‚ and I was gonna wait for a moment to see where [Miller] was at to see if he was going to come around. He didn't." Goodale indicated he had struck Graber with the bat five times‚ but maintained that Miller had brought the bat in the first place. Dean Goodale‚ the murderer's father‚ and the defense attempted to paint Jeremy Goodale as a troubled soul‚ indicating the pandemic took its toll and his parents' divorce left him with "abandonment" issues. These issues allegedly resulted in a feeling of co-dependency that prompted Goodale to aid Miller in the murder and haphazard cover-up. Prior to receiving his life sentence‚ Goodale apologized to his victim's family‚ his own family‚ and the broader community. "I'm sorry‚ truly sorry. What I've taken can never be replaced‚" said the murderer between stifled sobs. "Evey day I wish I could go back and stop myself‚ prevent this loss and this pain that I've caused everyone." "And dad‚ I'm sorry that I let you down in so many ways‚" added Goodale. After addressing the court‚ Goodale's nose began to bleed. Damming back a crimson flood‚ he then heard the prosecution underscore how his smiling face was the last thing the victim saw before she died. Judge Showers noted Goodale was less of an evil force than Miller‚ noting‚ "Although you were older than Mr. Miller‚ it's clear to me that you were not more mature than him‚ and Mr. Miller was far more sinister in his planning‚" reported the Des Moines Register. "Unlike your co-defendant‚ it's clear to me you have regretted your role in Ms. Graber's murder‚" added Showers. However‚ the judge noted that as a smart kid‚ Goodale had the cognitive wherewithal to stop the scheme from coming to fruition‚ reported the Associated Press. Showers nevertheless wished Goodale luck in his rehabilitative efforts. Some of the victim's family members similarly expressed desire that the teen turn his life around "I do want you to know I pray you will continue your journey to find God‚" said Jim Graber‚ the victim's brother-in-law‚ "and I pray for your safety and salvation‚" reported the Washington Post. Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding said of the result‚ "I believe Jeremy committed one of the most heinous acts we've seen in Jefferson County‚ but that doesn't speak to who he can become with the right treatment and programming." Spanish Teacher Killer Gets Bloody Nose After Crying During Apology for Murder youtu.be Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The videos leaked to the press this week with testimony from several of Donald Trump’s attorneys will make for devastating Democratic ads next year if Trump is the Republican nominee for president. And it doesn’t matter one bit whether or not I think these prosecutions are legitimate. (I don’t.) I tried to tell you this a few weeks ago when too many others either ignored the truth or told you the opposite. If you think they're handing out plea agreements to alleged co-conspirators because they gave prosecutors nothing‚ then you might be too dumb to vote. Or you've not watched even one episode of “CSI‚” “Judge Judy‚” or literally any cop or court show that's ever aired. “Night Court” was an Algonquin roundtable compared to what a lot of Americans believe. Because it was always going to turn out like this. People were never going to go to prison for Donald Trump. Trump won't pay their legal bills‚ but they are supposed to do time for him? Who is taking that deal? Nobody. Meanwhile‚ the people you see on social media walking on rusty nails for Trump are all getting paid to do that. You’d think if the primary were truly over‚ as Trump Inc. repeatedly claims‚ that instead of spending $25 million to attack Ron DeSantis‚ you’d spend that money paying the legal bills for people before they turn on you. Far be it for me‚ though‚ to tell a billionaire how to spend his money. I’m not a billionaire and will never be one. The closest I’ll ever come to such rich people problems will be nostalgically rewatching “Brewster’s Millions.” However‚ I do know a thing or two about a biblical worldview. That’s my show’s prime directive. That’s my life’s work and my ethical and intellectual plumb line. Which brings me to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.)‚ who also claims a biblical worldview. Truth is vastly worse than fiction when you’re aligned with a party that hates its own base more than its alleged competition. Johnson is trying hard to sell out the country with this immoral budget that Democrats couldn’t wait to vote for. I never thought I’d say this‚ but we’d be better off at this point with soulless technocrat Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) than Johnson’s upside-down version of a biblical worldview. Because now we get all the same failures plus the blowback that comes with being too Jesus-y. Awesome! So‚ in effect‚ McCarthy was the late-term abortion “ban” from the George W. Bush years that didn’t actually ban any abortions‚ and Johnson is your #ProLife license plate. Come get your slogan; wear it proud‚ as meaningless as it is. Absolutely nothing has changed in our political landscape since Trump won in 2016‚ despite all the time we’ve wasted claiming otherwise. The cake is still baked the same. The Trump-era GOP’s frosting is just zanier. The Trump-era GOP still negotiates against itself‚ just as it did in the pre-Trump years. Johnson may know more Bible verses than the chain-smoking John Boehner and CrossFitting Paul Ryan‚ but when you open up the Republican Party hymnal‚ the song remains the same. But hey‚ Johnson endorsed Trump for president and declared Trump had “the best economy in the history of the world” on TV this week‚ so the speaker has his fire insurance. He’s painted Trump’s logo over his door; thus the angel of accountability will now pass over his cushy corner office in the Rayburn Building. For Speaker Mike spoke Trump’s name‚ and it has been credited to him as righteousness. Never mind that Johnson is enforcing a budget endorsed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and will fund every demonic doctrine the Democrats genuflect to. As it says in 2 Self-Righteous 6:666: “You do you‚ bruh.” In all seriousness‚ this is the most GOP thing ever. Take on all the backlash of having its national face declare his allegiance to a biblical worldview to a Romans 1 culture‚ but then get none of the actual blessings of applying that same biblical worldview. It’s just like when Republicans voted more than 50 times to repeal Obamacare in the minority‚ then refused to repeal the failed legislation when voters gave them the power to do so‚ only to get annihilated by those same voters in the next election when health care was the top issue. You can’t make this stuff up‚ and you don’t have to. Truth is vastly worse than fiction when you’re aligned with a party that hates its own base more than its alleged competition. And since this loveless marriage has permitted our enemies to desecrate every institution that made and sustained this once-exceptional country‚ we might as well go ahead and add “biblical worldview” to that long train of abuses while we’re at it.

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray (R) shot down a lawyer's attempt to keep former President Donald Trump off the 2024 ballot.Retired attorney Tim Newcomb filed a lawsuit against Gray in Wyoming district court this month seeking to force state officials to bar Trump and Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) from appearing on future ballots. The lawsuit cites Section 3 of the 14th Amendment‚ which bars from office a person who has engaged in an insurrection or aided the enemies of the U.S."Mr. Trump disqualified himself from appearing on Wyoming's ballot when he refused to defend the Constitution's transfer of presidential power‚" the lawsuit claims‚ Cowboy State Daily reported. "Ms. Lummis disqualified herself from appearing on Wyoming's ballot when she refused to count Pennsylvania's electoral ballots to the electoral count."It is the latest attempt to use the Constitution against Trump to prevent his potential return to the White House. But Gray made it clear he is not interested in litigating this complicated issue."The attempt to remove Donald Trump and Cynthia Lummis from the ballot is outrageously wrong and repugnant to our electoral process‚" Gray responded in a statement. "I am preparing a vigorous defense to stop these blatant‚ radical attempts to interfere with Wyoming's elections."According to Gray‚ the lawsuit is a "weaponization" of the 14th Amendment that "undermines that sanctity of the Constitution." "We are committed to protecting the integrity of our elections and ensuring that the people of Wyoming can choose who to elect for themselves‚" he said.So far‚ none of the other attempts to bar Trump from the ballot have succeeded. New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan (R) said he will not block Trump. A federal judge dismissed an attempt‚ the Minnesota Supreme Court dismissed an attempt in the Gopher State‚ a Michigan judge dismissed an attempt in the Great Lake State‚ while an attempt in Colorado is currently being litigated. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Female broadcasters from across the sports spectrum threw a figurative flag after Charissa Thompson recently admitted to making up sideline reports years ago.On Wednesday‚ Thompson‚ 41‚ appeared on the Barstool Sports podcast "Pardon My Take" and discussed her former work as a football sideline reporter. According to Thompson‚ coaches weren't always available for comment after halftime or otherwise didn't provide her with enough material so that she could do her job. In those cases‚ she apparently came up with something on the fly."I would make up the report sometimes‚" Thompson said‚ "because‚ A‚ the coach wouldn't come out at halftime‚ or it was too late‚ and ... I didn’t want to screw up the report. So I was like‚ 'I'm just going to make this up.'"No coach is going to get mad if I say‚ 'Hey‚ we need to stop hurting ourselves‚' 'We need to be better on third down‚'" she continued. "They're not not gonna correct me on that. So I'm like‚ 'Fine‚ I’ll just make up the report.'"When Thompson told a similar story in January 2022 on a podcast with NFL sideline reporter Erin Andrews‚ Andrews made a similar admission. "I’ve done that‚ too‚" Andrews said‚ "for a coach that I didn’t want to throw under the bus because he was telling me all the wrong stuff!"However‚ this time‚ Thompson's sisters in the business were not so supportive. Many took to social media to criticize Thompson for taking advantage of the trust coaches place in reporters. "This is absolutely not OK‚ not the norm and upsetting on so many levels‚" said Tracy Wolfson‚ CBS' lead sideline reporter. "I take my job very seriously‚ I hold myself accountable for all I say‚ I build trust with coaches and never make something up. I know my fellow reporters do the same."Lisa Salters of ESPN's "Monday Night Football" claimed she was "shocked‚ disappointed‚ disgusted" by what Thompson had done. "Devastated w/the texts I’m getting asking if this is ok. No. Never‚" said Laura Okmin of "NFL on Fox." Jenna Laine‚ also of ESPN‚ suggested there was no excuse for making up reports. "If I may...this is why you over-prepare‚" Laine wrote in an X thread. "Lean on reporting from earlier in the week with top storylines and get really unique back-stories. Hope that helps."Molly McGrath used Thompson's confession as a teachable moment. "Young reporters: This is not normal or ethical‚" McGrath posted on X. "Coaches and players trust us with sensitive information‚ and if they know that you’re dishonest and don’t take your role seriously‚ you’ve lost all trust and credibility."On Friday‚ Thompson‚ who hosts "NFL Kickoff" on Fox Sports and "Thursday Night Football" on Amazon Prime‚ released a statement on Instagram to apologize for what she had done in her past and to clarify her remarks in the present. She said that‚ while she would occasionally "create" material about the first half of a game whenever a coach couldn't provide "any information that would further [her] report" at halftime‚ in such instances‚ she "never attributed anything ... to a player or coach." "I'm sorry. I have never lied about anything or been unethical during my time as a sports broadcaster‚" her post also said.Thompson added that she has "nothing but respect for sideline reporters and for the tireless work that they put in behind the scenes on and off the field." She also called her colleagues "in the business" some of her "best friends."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!