A North Austin church attended by Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D-TX) is drawing increased attention amid his U.S. Senate campaign, with church leadership citing both heightened visibility and security concerns.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, where Talarico has been a member since childhood, has recently hosted and is continuing to promote a series of events that include political organizing and activist training sessions. Pastor Jim Rigby told congregants in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StAndrewsAustin/posts/dear-friend-member-or-potential-visitoras-you-probably-know-james-talaricos-camp/1372459444919630/">Facebook post</a> that the attention surrounding Talarico’s campaign has led to an increase in both positive engagement and “hostile press” and negative communications.
“Because we have also received some hostile press and an influx of negative communication, we have temporarily hired plain clothes security as a safety precaution,” Rigby wrote, adding that the church is considering longer-term safety measures. Among the events promoted by the church was a gathering tied to the “No Kings” protest movement, which took place Sunday, June 22, following the church’s morning service.
“Join us this Sunday following the 11:00 service in the sanctuary as we prepare together for the upcoming No Kings protest,” the church said in an event listing. “We’ll review key materials and relevant training, set up shared communication channels … and close with a digital safety training.”
The session included guidance on “personal privacy, protest device recommendations, and best practices for keeping yourself safe,” according to the church’s website. <a href="https://www.nokings.org/">A third wave</a> of “No Kings” protests is scheduled to take place nationwide on March 28, including an event in Austin planned from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CDT.
The church has also advertised a self-defense seminar, coached by a man described as “a martial artist trained in boxing, MMA, and traditional disciplines.” The event, open to the public, notes that instruction will incorporate “gender-neutral and body-affirming language.”
Rigby has not replied to The Daily Wire’s request for comment on the training at the time of publishing.
Talarico, an Austin Democrat, is running in a high-profile Senate race that will pit him against either Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton or Sen. John Cornyn, depending on the outcome of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/texas-gop-battle-between-cornyn-and-paxton-will-head-to-runoff">Republican primary runoff</a>.
Conservatives have highlighted Talarico’s public statements about Christianity, such as <a href="https://x.com/realDailyWire/status/2029235718824857949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">abortion being a biblical teaching</a> and that <a href="https://x.com/realBrandonGill/status/2029031304126255588">God is nonbinary</a>, arguing that his views are out of step with many Texas voters. Talarico, who began pursuing a master of divinity degree at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2022, has defended his positions as grounded in his faith.
He has also criticized Republican-backed policies, including a Texas law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in public schools, describing such measures as inconsistent with Christian teaching.
Talarico has said he aims to &#8220;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-james-talarico.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share">reclaim Christianity for the Left</a>,&#8221; framing his political positions as rooted in biblical principles and social justice concerns. His approach reflects a broader trend within mainline Protestant denominations that have aligned with progressive political priorities. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the denomination to which St. Andrew’s belongs, has experienced <a href="https://pres-outlook.org/2025/09/the-future-of-the-presbyterian-church-u-s-a-decline-renewal-and-shifting-trends/">decades of membership decline</a>, falling significantly from its peak in the mid-20th century, even as more theologically conservative Presbyterian groups have reported growth in recent years.
As Talarico’s Senate campaign gains national attention, his home congregation will likely continue to be viewed not just as a place of worship, but as a venue where faith and contemporary political activism intersect in highly visible ways.

Texas State Representative Talarico Campaigns Ahead Of Primary Election

It Turns Out James Talarico’s Church Is As Weird As He Is

Democrats

Elections

James Talarico

Politics

Religion

Texas

The Supreme Court heard more than two hours of arguments Monday in a closely watched case that could reshape how elections are conducted across the country, weighing whether states can count mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day.
At the center of the case, Watson v. RNC, is a simple but consequential question: Does federal law require ballots to be received by Election Day or merely sent by then? 
“Ballots must be received by Election Day,” a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee said in a statement ahead of arguments, warning that extended deadlines allow elections to “drag on for days and weeks … causing confusion and undermining our elections.”
The case originates in Mississippi, where a Republican-controlled legislature overwhelmingly approved a five-day grace period in 2020, allowing absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they arrive later.
Now, that same law is being challenged by the Republican National Committee and the Mississippi GOP, creating a rare intra-party split. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, a Republican, is defending the law, warning that striking it down could have &#8220;destabilizing nationwide ramifications&#8221; if left in place. &#8220;The stakes are high: ballots cast by — but received after — election day can swing close races and change the course of the country.&#8221; More than 30 states and Washington, D.C., currently allow some form of late-arriving ballots, typically requiring they be postmarked by Election Day.
When a 15-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit considered whether to rehear a three-judge panel’s ruling in favor of the Republican National Committee last March, the court split along ideological lines. The panel’s 10 Republican-appointed judges voted against rehearing the case, while the five Democratic-appointed judges dissented. The decision drew attention in part because of its starkly partisan divide, though such splits have become more common in politically charged cases, particularly those involving election law.
During arguments, Justice Neil Gorsuch zeroed in on what he viewed as a potential flaw in Mississippi’s position. If casting a ballot simply requires handing it off for delivery by Election Day, Gorsuch asked, where does that logic end? Could a voter give their ballot to a neighbor? A notary? Even a Supreme Court justice? When Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart began to respond, “Two points, Justice Gorsuch —” the justice cut him off: “Pick your best.”
Pressed further on whether a Supreme Court justice would qualify under that logic, Stewart replied, “Pretty official.” Gorsuch scoffed at the reply, underscoring concerns that the state’s rule lacks a clear limiting principle.
Stewart is no stranger to high-profile Supreme Court battles. He previously argued Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the landmark case that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, delivering a major victory for the conservative legal movement.
A former clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas, Stewart has quickly become one of the right’s most prominent courtroom advocates. This case marks his second appearance before the justices, with another <a href="https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/12/court-to-hear-case-on-racial-discrimination-in-jury-selection/">scheduled next week</a>.
At the heart of the case is a disagreement over what “Election Day” actually means. The RNC argues that Congress established a single day for federal elections, and that both voting and ballot receipt must be completed within that window. “Elections must end on Election Day,” RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said.
Mississippi and allied voting rights groups counter that an election is defined by when a voter makes their choice, not when election officials receive or count the ballot. “Counting votes is not part of the election,” Fitch argued in court filings, noting that vote tabulation has always extended beyond Election Day.
Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias, representing groups defending the law, argued that historical precedent supports Mississippi’s position and dismissed the lawsuit as a broader effort to restrict mail-in voting.
Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project, said the arguments framed what he views as the legal and practical stakes of the case. “Today’s oral arguments in Watson v. RNC clearly shows where the Supreme Court should come down: state laws that count ballots received after Election Day violate federal law, expose elections to delays, invite fraud, and fuel public doubt in the democratic process,” Snead said. He added that “recent polling confirms overwhelming and bipartisan public support for Election Day deadlines,” and argued that “only a ruling ending late ballots can uphold the rule of law and preserve public trust in elections.”
According to election data, hundreds of thousands of ballots in the 2024 election cycle arrived after Election Day but were still counted under existing state laws. Many of those policies were expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, when mail-in voting surged, and postal delays raised concerns about disenfranchisement, particularly for military members and Americans overseas.
A ruling for the RNC could force states to abruptly change those systems just months before voters head to the polls. The Trump administration, while not a party to the case, weighed in forcefully in support of striking down the law. “Ensuring all ballot boxes close on the same day eliminates incentives and opportunities for fraudulent abuse,” U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer wrote in a brief to the court.
President Donald Trump has also made opposition to mail-in voting a central political issue, repeatedly calling for its elimination and pushing congressional Republicans to pass stricter voting laws.
While a majority of Americans <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/08/22/majority-of-americans-continue-to-back-expanded-early-voting-voting-by-mail-voter-id/">support access</a> to mail-in voting, polling shows a sharp partisan split, reflecting broader distrust in election systems that has persisted since 2020. Voting rights advocates warn that eliminating grace periods could result in legally cast ballots being discarded due to postal delays, while Republicans argue that uniform deadlines are essential to restoring confidence in election outcomes.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule in late June, before the court goes on recess for the term.

Voters Across The Country Head To The Polls For The Midterm Elections

How Millions Of Americans Vote Could Be About To Change

Election Day Battle Heard In SCOTUS Over Mail-In Ballots

election day

Mail-In Voting

SCOTUS

Supreme Court

Cuba is preparing for the possibility of military conflict with the United States, a top Cuban official warned Sunday, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.
“Our military is always prepared, and in fact it is preparing these days for the possibility of military aggression,” Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío said in an interview on &#8220;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/cuban-deputy-fm-reacts-to-trump-s-threats-to-take-over-cuba-full-interview-259825733583?utm_campaign=trueanthem&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm">Meet the Press</a>.&#8221; “We would be naïve” not to consider the possibility, he added, while insisting that Havana “truly hope[s] that it doesn’t occur” and sees “no justification whatsoever” for conflict.
The warning comes after a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-he-can-take-cuba-i-could-do-anything-i-want-with-it">series of statements</a> from President Donald Trump as his administration ramps up pressure on the island’s communist government. He said he would have the “honor” of “taking Cuba in some form … Free it. Take it. I think I could do anything I want with it.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio has <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/5787874-cuba-political-change-rubio/">also signaled</a> that Cuba’s leadership is in a precarious position, warning that those in power “don’t know how to fix” the country’s mounting crises.
Fernández de Cossío dismissed those remarks, insisting that regime change is “absolutely” not up for discussion. “The Cuban political system is not up for negotiation,” he said. “Cuba is a sovereign country … and would not accept becoming a dependent state of any other power.”
The standoff comes as Cuba faces a severe and worsening economic crisis, driven in large part by an energy shortage that has crippled the island. The Trump administration has moved to choke off fuel supplies by threatening penalties on countries that export oil to Cuba, a policy Cuban officials describe as a “very severe” blockade.
“What’s happening today is that the U.S. is threatening … any country that might export fuel to Cuba,” Fernández de Cossío said, arguing the pressure campaign “cannot be sustained forever.”
However, Cuba has already experienced repeated <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/anti-government-riot-breaks-out-in-cuba-over-blackouts?author=Reuters&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Anti-Government+Riot+Breaks+Out+In+Cuba+Over+Blackouts">nationwide blackouts</a> in recent weeks, including multiple grid collapses that left much of the island without electricity. With limited fuel, transportation, hospitals, and food distribution systems have all come under strain.
Tensions have also intensified following a U.S. military operation earlier this year that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, a key ally of the Cuban regime.
The loss of Venezuelan oil shipments, long a lifeline for Cuba’s economy, has compounded the island’s crisis and further strained relations with Washington.
Despite the rhetoric, both sides have acknowledged ongoing communication. Fernández de Cossío confirmed that Cuban and U.S. officials remain in dialogue on certain bilateral issues, though he stressed that core political questions such as leadership and single-party governance are off the table.
“No sovereign country negotiates its internal political system,” he said. Cuban officials have rejected calls for political reform, with Fernández de Cossío criticizing the U.S. system in return, noting that America itself operates under a two-party structure.
While Cuban officials emphasized readiness, they also sought to downplay the likelihood of imminent conflict. “Our country has historically been ready to mobilize … for military aggression,” Fernández de Cossío said. “We truly always see it as something far from us. We don’t believe it is something that is probable.” Still, he reiterated that failing to prepare would be a mistake given current global tensions.
The warnings come as Cuba faces one of the most precarious moments in decades: economic collapse, widespread blackouts, and growing public frustration. At the same time, the regime continues to reject any discussion of structural political change, even as pressure mounts from both abroad and within the island. For now, Havana is signaling two things at once: it wants to avoid war, but is preparing for it anyway.

Cuba. Havana. Theatre Detail

Cuba Prepares For Possible U.S. Military Action As Tensions Surge

Cuba

Donald Trump

Global Politics

Trump Administration

Venezuela

World

President Donald Trump on Saturday issued a stark 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, warning that the United States will begin targeting the country’s energy infrastructure if it does not reopen the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.
“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump wrote on <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116269822349947644">Truth Social</a> at 7:44 p.m. EST.
The warning marks one of the most direct threats yet on Iranian infrastructure as the conflict enters a dangerous new phase. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical waterways in the world, carrying roughly one-fifth of the global oil supply during peacetime.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/live-updates-iranian-protests-intensify-as-citizens-demand-end-to-ayatollah-rule">Since early March</a>, traffic through the narrow passage has been severely restricted following Iranian military actions, including attacks on commercial vessels and the laying of naval mines, according to international statements.
The disruption has already sent oil prices surging, with global markets reacting to fears of prolonged instability in the region.
Trump signaled in <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2035083241695203791">recent remarks</a> that reopening the strait would not be overly complex militarily, though it would require significant coordination. “It’s relatively safe … you need ships, you need volume,” he told reporters Friday, describing the operation as a “simple military maneuver.”
At the same time, the president criticized NATO allies for failing to step in. “NATO could help us, but they so far haven’t had the courage to do so,” Trump said, after earlier <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116261796648776538">blasting</a> the alliance as “cowards.”
Despite Trump’s criticism, more than 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and Canada have signed a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-from-the-leaders-of-the-united-kingdom-france-germany-italy-the-netherlands-and-japan-on-the-strait-of-hormuz-19-march-2026">joint statement</a> condemning Iran’s actions. “We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels … and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement read.
The countries also signaled their “readiness to contribute” to ensure safe passage through the waterway, suggesting the early stages of a potential multinational response. Trump&#8217;s ultimatum comes just days after U.S. forces carried out strikes on Iranian anti-ship missile sites near the strait.
According to <a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2034040698954031326?ref">U.S. Central Command</a>, the operation involved 5,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, targeting capabilities believed to threaten maritime traffic. The escalation underscores how quickly the standoff is moving from economic pressure to direct military confrontation.
Iranian officials have pushed back on U.S. demands, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claiming in an interview with <a href="https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/72724">Kyodo News</a> that restrictions have only applied to countries involved in attacks on Iran. At the same time, Iran has issued its own warnings, <a href="https://x.com/mb_ghalibaf/status/2035665493307130044">threatening to target</a> U.S.-aligned energy infrastructure across the region if strikes continue.
Iran launched one of its most destructive attacks of the conflict over the weekend, with missiles striking southern Israel and injuring more than 100 people, including civilians in residential areas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate “on all fronts,” as Israeli forces reportedly carried out additional strikes inside Iran.
Asian countries such as Japan are heavily dependent on oil shipments through the passage, with the Japanese already weighing potential military involvement, including minesweeping operations, if conditions allow. Meanwhile, global oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel multiple times during the conflict, raising concerns about inflation and economic disruption far beyond the Middle East.
Trump’s ultimatum now sets a clear deadline in a high-stakes staring contest: if Iran does not comply, the United States could move from targeting military assets to striking core infrastructure inside the country. With both sides escalating, the next 48 hours may determine whether the conflict remains contained or spirals into something far larger.

Trump Draws Red Line: 48 Hours To Open Strait Or U.S. Strikes Begin

Iran

Strait of Hormuz

Hundreds of left-wing activists from the United States, Europe, and Latin America descended on Havana this weekend, meeting with communist officials, staying in upscale hotels, and traveling in air-conditioned buses as ordinary Cubans grapple with widespread blackouts and severe shortages of basic necessities.
The “Nuestra América Convoy,” also called the “Our America Convoy to Cuba,” brought roughly 650 delegates from 33 countries and more than 100 organizations to the island, transporting about 20 tons of humanitarian aid, according to organizers.
Delegates arrived by air from countries including Italy, France, Spain, and the United States, with additional participants traveling by sea in a flotilla from Mexico. Some activists arrived earlier in the week, delivering supplies to hospitals in advance of the main delegation.
Some delegates were reportedly housed in high-end accommodations, including five-star hotels, while others were seen traveling in air-conditioned buses and attending official meetings with Miguel Díaz-Canel at government facilities.
Large portions of the island have experienced prolonged blackouts, with outages in some areas stretching beyond 20 hours a day. The country’s fragile infrastructure has been pushed to the brink, leaving millions struggling to access food, water, and medical care.
The Cuban government and activists have blamed U.S. energy restrictions, particularly moves by Donald Trump to target oil shipments, for exacerbating the island’s economic collapse. Organizers framed the convoy as a direct challenge to what they describe as “collective punishment.”
“We cannot allow this,” said David Adler of Progressive International, one of the groups behind the effort. “We cannot normalize it.” Cuban officials echoed that message, with Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío insisting that the country’s political system is “not up for negotiation” in any talks with Washington. At the same time, critics argue the regime’s decades of centralized control and economic mismanagement have played a central role in the island’s long-running hardship.
The optics of foreign activists enjoying stable electricity and modern amenities while locals endure daily deprivation have drawn sharp backlash, particularly from Cuban exiles. “This is a gigantic mockery of the entire Cuban people,” said Mayra Dominguez, a Cuban living in exile in the United States, to the <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/03/21/world-news/tone-deaf-activists-flock-into-havana-staying-in-5-star-hotels-while-island-in-crisis-mockery-of-cuban-people/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20gigantic%20mockery,It%20is%20outrageous%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20added.">New York Post</a>. “The left visits Cuba as if it were a party at a zoo and they go to admire the misery from a luxury hotel.”
Cuban artist Salomé García Bacallao, now based in Miami, similarly criticized the government for welcoming foreign delegations while many Cubans remain barred from returning home.
The convoy includes a mix of activists, political figures, and organizations from across the global Left. Among them is leftist streamer Hasan Piker, who <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVtURa3FFoa/">broadcast</a> from Havana to his large social media following while promising to produce additional “content” from the trip.
Other participants include international political figures such as Jeremy Corbyn and representatives from leftist parties across Latin America and Europe.
Some of the groups involved, such as The People’s Forum and Code Pink, have previously drawn scrutiny from U.S. officials over alleged <a href="https://naturalresources.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415189">ties to foreign influence networks</a>.
The effort has also been linked to Mariela Castro, daughter of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, underscoring the close coordination between activists and the Cuban government. Organizers say the convoy delivered solar panels, food, and medical supplies, including cancer treatments, to help alleviate the island’s crisis.
Cuba has also received aid shipments from countries including Mexico, Brazil, and China in recent weeks, as concerns grow over a potential humanitarian emergency. Still, questions remain about how the convoy’s aid will be distributed, and whether it will reach ordinary Cubans or be funneled through government-controlled channels.
Such efforts often double as political theater, bolstering the regime’s narrative while doing little to address systemic issues. The images coming out of Havana this weekend highlight a jarring divide: foreign activists documenting their “solidarity” tour with reliable electricity, comfortable transport, and direct access to top officials. Meanwhile, millions of Cubans live through daily blackouts, food shortages, and a collapsing economy.
For many watching, especially those forced to leave the island, the contrast is not just striking, it&#8217;s infuriating.

TOPSHOT-CUBA-MAY DAY-DEMO

Left-Wing Activists Descend On Crisis-Stricken Cuba, Enjoy Luxury Hotels, Ride AC Buses

President Donald Trump took no time taking shots at Robert Mueller, who died at the age of 81, his family announced on Saturday.
“With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away last night. His family asks that their privacy be respected,” the family said in a statement. Mueller had reportedly been suffering from Parkinson’s disease, though an official cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
But within minutes of the announcement, attention shifted from Mueller to President Trump’s reaction.
In a blunt post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
<iframe loading="lazy" class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116268334535345382/embed" width="600" height="200" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen">﻿</iframe><script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script>
The post immediately ignited outrage across media and political circles, with critics seizing on the tone and substance of the statement.
MSNBC commentator David Corn framed Mueller as a principled figure undermined by Trump-era politics, “Robert Mueller was an honorable public servant,” Corn said. “He just never understood what he was up against with the Russia investigation: Trump&#8217;s virulent, unprincipled, and unrelenting disinformation campaign. RIP.”
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:mtr3pwmbnirvyp3robuicd57/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhlkgxenuk2r" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreibl6p52k3muogxszfbzmigegut2ra3dq2grb2yf3hiyf2yjknvxxq" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system">
Robert Mueller was an honorable public servant. He just never understood what he was up against with the Russia investigation: Trump&#8217;s virulent, unprincipled, and unrelenting disinformation campaign. RIP
— David Corn (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:mtr3pwmbnirvyp3robuicd57?ref_src=embed">@davidcorn.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:mtr3pwmbnirvyp3robuicd57/post/3mhlkgxenuk2r?ref_src=embed">March 21, 2026 at 1:26 PM</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Former cable host Keith Olbermann responded even more aggressively. “Predictable really. Trump is the worst person in the history of the United States of America. Period,” Olbermann <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/olbermann.bsky.social/post/3mhll7rwpns2v">wrote</a>, before adding in a <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/olbermann.bsky.social/post/3mhllgqnm7c2v">follow-up post</a> that Trump’s reaction suggested “even Trump knows Mueller DID NOT clear him.”
“Trump is always classy,” <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/timobrien.bsky.social/post/3mhllsjlqic2p">said</a> Tim O&#8217;Brien, senior editor of opinion for Bloomberg, adding, “Mueller was right and I still have a bromance with Putin.”
Before rising through the ranks of federal law enforcement, Mueller served as a Marine Corps officer during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded both a Bronze Star for valor and a Purple Heart after being wounded in combat.
He later built a reputation as a steady institutional figure, ultimately being tapped by George W. Bush to lead the FBI just days before the September 11 attacks. Over a 12-year tenure, Mueller reshaped the bureau’s priorities toward counterterrorism and intelligence gathering in the wake of 9/11, serving under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Mueller returned to public life as special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election—an inquiry that would define his public legacy and fuel years of political division.
His 448-page report, released in April 2019, detailed numerous contacts between individuals tied to the Trump campaign and Russian actors, but did not allege a criminal conspiracy.
At the same time, the report outlined episodes in which Trump sought to influence or curtail the investigation, including efforts to assert control over it. Mueller ultimately declined to make a prosecutorial judgment on obstruction of justice, citing longstanding Department of Justice guidance against indicting a sitting president. Trump has maintained that the investigation fully exonerated him, a claim that remained a point of contention long after the report’s release.
Mueller’s death, and the immediate reaction to it, underscored the extent to which his legacy remains deeply polarizing. For many Trump allies, he remains tied to an investigation they view as politically motivated and unfairly damaging. Trump’s response ensured that, even in death, Mueller’s name remains at the center of one of the most contentious chapters in modern American politics.

US-politics-investigation-Russia

Trump Reacts To Death Of Robert Mueller, Sparks Media Firestorm

Executive

Robert Mueller

Social Media

Iran launched missiles on Thursday at a U.S. and U.K. base in the Indian ocean, far beyond the range its leaders have long claimed to maintain, revealing that Tehran has been lying about its ballistic missile capabilities for quite some time.
According to the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-us-israel-war-updates-2026/card/iran-targeted-diego-garcia-base-with-ballistic-missiles-rb7MdZW1CfwRTauDYHOt">Wall Street Journal</a>, multiple U.S. officials have said Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, a remote but highly strategic joint U.S.-U.K. base in the Indian Ocean. Neither missile struck the base, one reportedly failed mid-flight, while the other was engaged by a U.S. interceptor.
The strike marked Iran’s first operational use of an intermediate-range ballistic missile and a clear attempt to project power well beyond the Middle East. The launch directly contradicts recent public statements from Iranian officials.
Just weeks earlier on &#8220;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/irans-foreign-minister-rejects-calls-ceasefire-continue-fighting-rcna262291">Meet the Press</a>,&#8221; Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed concerns about Iran’s missile range, calling them “misinformation” after President Trump announced that the development of longer-range missiles was one of the primary factors for U.S. intervention in the country. “We have intentionally limited ourselves to below 2,000 kilometers of range because we don’t want to be felt as a threat by anybody else in the world,” Araghchi said.
Located roughly 2,500 miles (or 4,000 kilometers) from Iran, Diego Garcia sits well beyond the range Tehran has publicly claimed. Diego Garcia serves as a critical hub for U.S. military operations, hosting strategic bombers, nuclear submarines, and naval assets central to projecting power across the Middle East and Indo-Pacific.
Farzin Nadimi, an Iran expert with the Washington Institute, noted that while Iran’s missile development is often framed around threats to Europe, the ability to strike Diego Garcia is likely the more immediate strategic goal. “If they have sufficient range to reach Europe, they have sufficient range to reach Diego Garcia,” Nadimi <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-us-israel-war-updates-2026/card/iran-targeted-diego-garcia-base-with-ballistic-missiles-rb7MdZW1CfwRTauDYHOt">said</a>. “But I think Diego Garcia is more critical because of the location.”
Iran may have achieved the longer range by modifying existing missile systems most likely by reducing payload weight to increase distance. That kind of engineering is complex and typically requires extensive preparation, suggesting the capability may have been in development long before the current conflict. “Iran likely prepared long in advance,” Nadimi said, noting that such modifications would be difficult to execute under sustained military pressure.
Groups like the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control’s <a href="https://www.iranwatch.org/our-publications/weapon-program-background-report/history-irans-ballistic-missile-program">Iran Watch</a> have speculated Iran may have already possessed missiles capable of reaching up to 2,500 miles, far beyond its stated limits.
Following the strike, the United Kingdom moved to expand U.S. access to its regional military bases, particularly for operations tied to the Strait of Hormuz, signaling concern that the conflict could widen. “The UK remains committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies,” the government said in a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-on-the-conflict-in-the-middle-east-20-march-2026">statement</a>.
For now, the missiles did not hit their target, but the message appears to have landed. For years, Iran has framed its missile program as limited, defensive, and regionally contained, but through the undisclosed development, Tehran has now demonstrated a willingness, and an ability, to reach far beyond its stated boundaries, and in doing so, it has shifted the strategic calculus for both Washington and its allies.

Tehran

Why Iran’s Long-Range Missile Attack On Diego Garcia Proves It Was Lying The Whole Time

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Middle East

WASHINGTON—Polymarket’s “Situation Room” felt tailor-made for this town.
A pop-up bar where political operatives, journalists, and insiders could gather beneath glowing screens tracking real-time odds on elections, global events, and breaking news. It&#8217;s likely that whichever of the prediction market&#8217;s employees came up with the idea was inspired by a February 28 post on X, which outlined precisely this idea.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Idea: a bar called The Situation Room. Like a sports bar but for politics. Cable news and live feeds on the screens instead of football. Atlases and copies of Jane’s Defence Weekly on every table. Multiple sets of Risk and Diplomacy behind the bar.
— Henry Shevlin (@dioscuri) <a href="https://twitter.com/dioscuri/status/2027783152790606062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">February 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
As of this writing, that post had 1.6 million views. Polymarket&#8217;s March 18 post announcing the bar opening has 37 million.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We&#8217;re excited to announce &#8216;The Situation Room&#8217; by Polymarket is coming to Washington, D.C.
The world&#8217;s first bar dedicated to monitoring the situation. 🧵 <a href="https://t.co/UbdHUT5u2k" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pic.twitter.com/UbdHUT5u2k</a>
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) <a href="https://twitter.com/Polymarket/status/2034272538465841410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">March 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
The concept was simple: bring the logic of prediction markets into a physical space. Surround patrons with screens, data, and live odds. Let them literally “monitor the situation,” maybe watch some March Madness — and, of course, use Polymarket to bet on everything they saw.
It was a perfect pitch for a city of power brokers and data nerds. And so, on Friday night, Hill staffers, media types, lobbyists, and the chronically online gathered in the rain outside of Proper 21-K, a stalwart watering hole that would, for the night, become The Situation Room. What could possibly go wrong?
As it turns out: everything.
When doors finally opened after several delays, guests entered a dimly lit space wrapped in blackout curtains, lit primarily by a glowing LED sphere in the center of the room dubbed “The Globe.” It looped imagery of Earth, Polymarket branding, and even a digital Magic 8 Ball message: “The future belongs to those who can see it.”
Ironically, no one could see much of anything. Thanks to &#8220;electrical issues,&#8221; the monitors remained off all night. One frustrated attendee loudly joked, &#8220;I can&#8217;t monitor like this!&#8221;
Fortunately, Polymarket had the good sense to hire a live band, which swung out tunes like &#8220;Just the Two of Us&#8221; by Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr. and &#8220;Chameleon&#8221; by Herbie Hancock. But even with a good band, the much-hyped “Situation Room” was left without its core feature: information. The bassist told The Daily Wire he got the gig on Wednesday and was curious to see what the bar would be like. He never got the chance.
&#8220;This was weird,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I saw the TVs off and I wondered how much I had to drink before this!”
With nothing better to do, conversations drifted toward the rise of prediction markets, the ethics of betting on real-world events, and whether platforms like Polymarket represent the future of news consumption or simply a new form of gambling.
While prediction markets have gained traction as tools for forecasting everything from elections to economic trends, Polymarket has still struggled to gain a foothold in the United States. Its main competitor, Kalshi, is accessible to American users and fully regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which under President Donald Trump has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-admin-assembles-financial-dream-team-in-high-stakes-america-first-move" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warmed</a> to predictive markets.
Unable to build a solid user base, Polymarket has resorted to stunts like The Situation Room, or <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/strapped-new-yorkers-swarm-chaotic-mamdani-inspired-free-grocery-store-pop-up-were-in-pain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Polymarket</a>, a free grocery store pop-up in New York City.
If Polymarket&#8217;s goal was simply to garner attention, the night was a success. Instead of bar patrons monitoring the situation, one attendee joked, the entire internet was monitoring The Situation Room. The virality of the gaffe was perhaps more than the organizers could have hoped for on a smooth night.
And a smooth night it wasn&#8217;t. Security began ushering still-confused guests out around 9:00 p.m., well before the bar&#8217;s planned 11:00 p.m. last call.
“They’re getting tired of this, I guess,&#8221; one security guard told The Daily Wire while dispersing the crowd.
Asked whether the screens would be working the next day, he shrugged.
“Man, I hope so,” he said. “Otherwise it’ll be a long weekend.”

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‘I Can’t Monitor Like This!’ Inside Polymarket’s Disastrous DC Bar Opening

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Elon Musk recently offered to personally cover the salaries of TSA agents as a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown stretches into its second month, leaving tens of thousands of federal workers without pay.
“I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country,” Musk wrote Saturday on <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2035306094281855336">X</a>.
The proposal comes as Congress remains deadlocked over funding for DHS, which oversees the TSA. While most of the federal government has been funded, DHS has been left out of a broader agreement, triggering a prolonged lapse that is now rippling across the country’s airports.
The shutdown has left TSA officers, who are classified as essential employees, working without pay, a situation that has translated into staffing shortages and mounting delays.
At major hubs including Houston, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Philadelphia, security wait times have reportedly stretched beyond three hours. Footage out of Philadelphia showed hundreds of passengers backed up through escalators and checkpoints in the early morning hours.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
JUST IN🚨: Major disruption at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) this morning 😳 Several TSA checkpoints (including A-West, C, and F) are temporarily closed due to staffing issues from the ongoing partial gov shutdown. Lines shifting—arrive early! <a href="https://t.co/j0zYpyBLPG">pic.twitter.com/j0zYpyBLPG</a>
— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) <a href="https://twitter.com/officer_Lew/status/2034572310724686061?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Similar footage has been shared from Atlanta&#8217;s <a href="https://x.com/Ella__Dorsey/status/2034953731322638680">Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport</a>, <a href="https://x.com/Breaking911/status/2035026818034495759">George Bush Intercontinental Airport</a> in Houston, and others. According to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/us/airport-tsa-wait-time-live-updates-vis">CNN&#8217;s</a> TSA wait times dashboard, the average wait times in Houston are the longest at 120 minutes, followed by Atlanta at 70 minutes, and New York&#8217;s LaGuardia at 46 minutes.
The strain is expected to worsen. A leading TSA union official <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/tsa-union-leader-warns-airport-security-risks-get-worse-major-travel-events-loom">warned this week</a> that security risks tied to the shutdown are likely to “get worse,” particularly as the agency had already been operating under a hiring freeze.
Behind the delays is a growing financial crisis among TSA officers. Roughly 50,000 workers are now approaching a second missed paycheck, many still recovering from a previous 43-day shutdown just months ago. <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/tsa-union-leaders-demand-end-dhs-shutdown">According to union officials</a>, some officers are taking on gig work, delivering packages or driving for rideshare apps, while others are turning to food banks or applying for public assistance.
Union representatives say officers have been sleeping in their cars, facing eviction, or selling plasma to cover basic expenses. Airports across the country have responded with emergency measures: food drives, free meals, gas cards, and even on-site pantries.
At Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport, officials are distributing meal vouchers for each shift. Other hubs, including Seattle-Tacoma and Dallas-Fort Worth, have begun directly supplying food to screening checkpoints.
Despite the hardships, officers are still required to report to work or face disciplinary action.
In Washington, Republicans have pushed for funding of individual branches of DHS, while Democrats have refused to go along with funding branches like TSA until immigration reform is promised. The dispute has left the agency in limbo, even as ICE and CBP continue normal operations, having been funded by the &#8220;One Big Beautiful Bill.&#8221;
Lawmakers say negotiations are ongoing, but no clear resolution has emerged. In the meantime, the consequences are becoming increasingly visible, not only in airport delays, but in workforce attrition. Hundreds of TSA officers <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/airports-rush-feed-unpaid-tsa-workers-belts-tighten-2026-03-21/">have already quit</a> since the shutdown began, raising concerns that staffing shortages could persist even after funding is restored.
Musk’s offer, while attention-grabbing, raises significant legal and logistical questions. It remains unclear whether a private individual could directly pay federal employees, or how such an arrangement would be structured within existing labor and appropriations laws. Federal pay is tightly controlled by Congress, and outside compensation could present conflicts with ethics rules and federal employment statutes.
Even still, the shutdown drags on and the strain only intensifies. TSA officers working without pay, airports buckling under delays, security concerns quietly mounting in the background, and no deal in sight. The episode is becoming a stark illustration of a deeper question: how long a system can function when the government falters, and whether figures like Elon Musk are willing, or able, to fill the gap.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk Offers To Pay TSA Salaries As DHS Shutdown Drags On

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WASHINGTON—The mood at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast was reverent, polished, and familiar: suits and ties, rosaries tucked into jacket pockets, speeches invoking faith and public life. But just beneath the surface, a different conversation was unfolding.
As bleary-eyed folks chatted at tables before the early-morning event, a growing divide within the conservative Catholic movement came into focus, one shaped by generational change, foreign policy, and competing visions of what the faith demands in public life.
“When I post apologetics on Instagram, I get one of two camps,” Jessica Newell, a Gen Z pro-life operative, told The Daily Wire. “One group who’s skeptical of Israel and brings it to that or the other that is very curious.” Newell described what many younger Catholics at the event see as a widening divide.
“There’s the Nick Fuentes, Candace Owens side of the conservative Catholics and the Matt Walsh, Michael Knowles side,” she said. “And it boils down to transient politics versus eternal values and value judgments.”
At the Prayer Breakfast, the divisions were not visible from the podium. The language there remained unified around faith, life, service, and country.
Daily Wire host Michael Knowles, who delivered the keynote address, took the event as an historic fulfillment. Speaking ahead of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Knowles traced the arc of Catholicism in America from marginalization to prominence.
He noted that early American Catholics faced legal discrimination in several states and hostility from movements like the Know-Nothing Party, yet argued that the American system ultimately proved uniquely suited for the faith to take root and flourish. “Here we find ourselves, a quarter millennium later, a people and a place so improbably and perfectly suited for each other that not only can a Catholic become president, but an American can even be the pope,” Knowles said.
Highlighting the increasing presence of Catholics in public life, he pointed to the growing number of Catholic figures in Congress, the judiciary, and the executive branch. “If you count vice presidents and first ladies, we have now had baptized Catholics in the White House for 17 consecutive years,” he added.
In a letter delivered to attendees, Pope Leo XIV offered his “cordial greetings and good wishes,” emphasizing the longstanding Christian tradition of praying for one’s nation. Citing St. Paul, the Holy Father&#8217;s message underscored the power of intercession, reminding attendees that prayer for political leaders is both a biblical mandate and a continuing responsibility. “You have gathered for fellowship as well as to pray for the United States,” the message read, adding that such prayer, “united to that of Christ,” remains “powerful and effective.”
A message from President Donald Trump, read by White House Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley, struck a similarly affirming tone. The president reiterated his administration’s commitment to religious liberty, writing in a letter to the attendees at the event, “My administration remains firmly committed to defending the right of every Catholic to worship God freely and without fear,” while also marking the celebration of the feast of St. Joseph.
Other speakers reinforced the centrality of faith in both personal and national life. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) reflected on surviving the 2017 congressional baseball shooting, describing how prayer sustained him in the face of possible death. “Prayer is such a powerful thing because it’s a direct conversation with God, and God is listening,” he said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) defended the role of religion in the public square, pushing back on modern interpretations of “separation of church and state.” Referencing Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptists, Johnson argued the founders intended to protect religious practice from government interference, not to exclude faith from public life altogether. “A free society and a healthy republic depend upon religious and moral virtue,” he said.
Other moments throughout the event pointed to the global and cultural reach of the Catholic community. Claire Lai, daughter of imprisoned Hong Kong publisher and free speech advocate Jimmy Lai, appealed for continued American support for her father’s release. Actor Jonathan Roumie spoke about portraying Christ in &#8220;The Chosen&#8221; as a deeply spiritual responsibility. And the founders of the Hallow app were honored for their work in expanding digital evangelization.
Taken together, the official program projected unity: a vision of Catholicism as deeply embedded in the American experiment, increasingly influential, and sustained by prayer.
But on the ground, among the next generation of activists, the fault lines are already clear. As the debate sharpens and the coalition pulls apart and collides, the question facing conservative Catholics is no longer whether a divide exists, but what will come of it.
Surveys from <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/04/02/younger-americans-stand-out-in-their-views-of-the-israel-hamas-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pew Research Center</a> show younger conservatives diverging from older Republicans on foreign policy, particularly on questions of intervention and international alliances. Nowhere is that divide more visible than on Israel.
“We definitely see a lot more people willing to be anti-Israel because the pro-life movement is a bit edgier, more anti-establishment,” said Kristin Dorsey, another Gen Z pro-life advocate.
That shift comes in the wake of frustration following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women&#8217;s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. While the ruling was a major victory for pro-life activists, many younger organizers say Republican politicians failed to seize the moment.
Coverage from <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/15/abortion-opponents-revamp-their-midterms-plans-as-rift-with-trump-widens-00729224" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Politico</a> and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/27/politics/trump-asks-court-pause-lawsuit-abortion-pill-access#:~:text=Pro%2Dlife%20Americans%20are%20growing%20increasingly,general%20counsel%20for%20AUL%2C%20said." target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a> has documented similar frustrations among pro-life leaders, who argue the movement has received little in the way of sustained legislative follow-through.
At the same time, Catholic teaching itself does not mandate political support for any nation-state, including Israel. The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes just war principles, the preservation of human dignity, and prudence in foreign policy. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has consistently called for <a href="https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/middle-east/archbishop-coakley-calls-for-restraint-diplomacy-and-peace-as-hostilities-escalate-in-middle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">peace and restraint in Middle East conflicts</a>.
That tension has increasingly spilled into conservative politics. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/ted-cruz-catholic-church-evangelical-christians/2026/03/16/id/1249691/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently criticized</a> for what was described as an attack on Catholics for not embracing Christian Zionism — which, as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/why-ted-cruz-is-wrong-about-christian-zionism?author=Matt+Fradd&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Why+Ted+Cruz+Is+Wrong+About+Christian+Zionism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matt Fradd recently explained</a>, is contrary to Catholic doctrine. Younger attendees at the breakfast expressed skepticism about the country&#8217;s latest foreign entanglement.
“I think it was misguided. I think we lost a lot of steam,” one Zoomer attendee said of U.S. involvement in Iran, declining to give his name but identifying himself as a convert to Catholicism. Reporting from <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-maga-media-trump-carlson-megyn-kelly-cb283ae306f172cea02f25ddc44dd56f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Associated Press</a> has noted similar debates within conservative circles following escalations involving Iran and Israel.
“I feel like we’re at an inflection point,” said Jack, another Gen Z attendee. “Young men are tired of being put last &#8230; and we’re willing to speak out about it, loudly if we have to.”
Despite sharp disagreements on foreign policy and political strategy, there was one issue where attendees showed notable alignment: immigration. “Look, this is a Christian nation,” said Gregory, a millennial convert. “We are going to be just and merciful, but we’re going to enforce our laws.”
While some differed on the scale and method of deportations, none of the attendees interviewed rejected strong border enforcement outright. That consensus exists in tension with broader Church teaching, which emphasizes the dignity of migrants while also recognizing the right of nations to enforce their laws — a balance highlighted in a November 2025 statement from the <a href="https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/us-bishops-issue-special-message-immigration-plenary-assembly-baltimore" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United States Conference of Catholic Bishops</a>.
For older Catholics, the rising intensity among younger activists is both encouraging and concerning. “They’re going to learn that what they want isn’t as simple as they say it is,” said Pat, a longtime pro-life advocate. “Having principles and being loud is really good — that’s what youth is for. But sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.” Pat also dismissed the centrality of Israel in the debate: “I think they obsess over Israel. I think it’s a non-issue. They’re an allied nation like any other.”
Even among clergy, there is recognition that something is shifting. “The youth and the converts are the future,” one priest said, requesting anonymity. “They’re on fire. I think it’d be wise for the clergy to realize that and try to guide them and help them,” he added.
“They’re the ones who are going to be getting the big political wins when it comes to abortion, same-sex marriage, and everything else going into the future.”

Vice President JD Vance Speaks At The National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

‘Transient Politics Versus Eternal Values’: Inside The Catholic Civil War

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A University of Pennsylvania professor who was sanctioned by a court for acting in “bad faith” is set to teach a course on “misinformation” next year.
Michael Mann, a prominent climate activist and director of Penn’s Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media, announced that he will again co-teach a course on climate change communication alongside Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The course, previously offered at the University of Pennsylvania, focuses in part on combating what Mann describes as a “surplus of misinformation” surrounding climate change.
“The problem isn’t so much a deficit of information; it’s a surplus of misinformation,” Mann said at a journalism conference, arguing that outright climate denial is fading and being replaced by what he calls “doomism, division, deflection, and delaying action.”
Mann recently confirmed the course’s return on a university podcast, describing it as a “real pleasure” to collaborate across Penn’s School of Arts and Sciences and the Annenberg School for Communication.
But Mann’s role as an authority on misinformation should draw scrutiny given his own legal history. A District of Columbia judge previously sanctioned Mann and his legal team, finding “by clear and convincing evidence” that they had acted in bad faith by presenting erroneous evidence and making false representations related to damages claims.
“Here, the Court finds… that Dr. Mann… acted in bad faith when they presented erroneous evidence and made false representations to the jury and the Court,” the <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yixcqfv4h1idp1xt5elo7/2025.03.12-Order-Granting-Def-s-Sanctions-Mots.pdf?rlkey=yqactvu9h9bpwlyp6q2taaj7h&amp;st=g53sry23&amp;dl=0">ruling stated</a>. The court ordered Mann to pay more than $28,000 in legal fees. The controversy adds to a broader pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and political activism from Mann, who has repeatedly targeted conservatives in public statements and on social media.
Mann has compared prominent figures such as Peter Thiel, Charles Koch, and Rupert Murdoch to the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks, and previously wrote that the Republican Party should be “destroyed.” He deleted the posts, but they were saved in screenshots.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Michael Mann has been trafficking in violence-justifying (wink wink) Tweets for a long time
He is celebrated and rewarded for it in the climate community
His latest won&#8217;t change that <a href="https://t.co/YMpnmxAdWX">pic.twitter.com/YMpnmxAdWX</a>
— The Honest Broker (@RogerPielkeJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerPielkeJr/status/1966493707345019074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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As reported by the <a href="https://freebeacon.com/campus/upenn-provost-resigns-after-boosting-social-media-post-likening-charlie-kirk-to-hitler-youth/">Washington Free Beacon</a>, Mann faced backlash for amplifying a social media post referring to conservative activist Charlie Kirk as “Hitler Youth,” a controversy that preceded his resignation as vice provost at Penn. He remains on faculty and continues to lead his research center.
The resignation came after Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) <a href="https://x.com/SenMcCormickPA/status/1966307689023287332?s=20">called on the university</a> to take “immediate, decisive action.”
Mann has also drawn criticism for comments interpreted as invoking political violence, including a post referencing “second amendment territory” in relation to President Donald Trump, he has since deleted the post, but it was <a href="https://archive.is/dSu5A">digitally archived</a> to verify.
The course’s co-instructor, Jamieson, is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, which has itself <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gop-officials-demand-trump-admin-suspend-funding-of-science-org-over-climate-activism">faced scrutiny</a> over its handling of climate-related materials. Critics have pointed to the academy’s refusal to remove a controversial climate chapter from its judicial reference manual, even after the Federal Judicial Center declined to include it, citing concerns about bias.
Mann has also <a href="https://x.com/MichaelEMann/status/2034046926208045535?s=20">recently praised</a> the late biologist Paul Ehrlich, whose 1968 book &#8220;The Population Bomb&#8221; famously predicted mass starvation and societal collapse due to overpopulation — predictions that failed to materialize. Despite that track record, Mann continues to position himself as a leading voice on climate communication and misinformation.
The announcement of the course raises broader questions about credibility, academic standards, and whether individuals with documented histories of misleading claims should be tasked with defining “misinformation” for the next generation of students.

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What’s Being Taught Behind Ivy League Doors? Inside Controversial ‘Misinformation’ Course

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CNN data analyst Harry Enten is pushing back on claims of a growing fracture within the Republican base, arguing that new polling shows continued and near-total loyalty to President Donald Trump among self-identified MAGA voters, even as a high-profile rift plays out on the right over Iran.
Speaking on CNN, Enten pointed to what he described as a number that “jumps off the screen”: Trump’s approval rating among MAGA Republicans sits at 100%, with zero percent disapproving. “You don’t have to be a mathematical genius to know you can’t go higher than 100%,” Enten said, comparing Trump’s standing within the movement to the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins.
Enten also dismissed the idea that the figure is being inflated by an exodus of disaffected voters. According to the polling he cited, “The MAGA base within the GOP is not shrinking. If anything, it is slightly larger,” rising from 28% to 30%.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
There&#8217;s no break in MAGA. Trump&#8217;s approval with MAGA GOP is literally 100%.
90% of MAGA GOP approve of US military action in Iran.
Those who disapprove of Trump are not MAGA at this point.
Importantly: MAGA makes up the same share of voters as it did when Trump won in 2024. <a href="https://t.co/LqMRHm8t1B">pic.twitter.com/LqMRHm8t1B</a>
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) <a href="https://twitter.com/ForecasterEnten/status/2034294893929968050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
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But that analysis is colliding with an increasingly visible backlash from prominent voices on the right, who argue that Trump’s posture toward Iran cuts against core promises that defined the MAGA movement. Tucker Carlson blasted the policy in stark terms, <a href="https://abcnews.com/US/trumps-iran-decision-sparks-backlash-tucker-carlson-maga/story?id=130622270">calling it</a> “absolutely disgusting and evil,” adding: “This is Israel’s war. This is not the United States’s war. This war’s not being waged on behalf of American national security objectives.”
Carlson further warned the conflict “will be catastrophic” and could “end Trump’s presidency” or “shuffle the deck in a profound way.” Donald Trump responded directly, <a href="https://x.com/jonkarl/status/2029650210125652143">saying</a> Carlson “has lost his way” and declaring “he’s not MAGA.”
In the same camp, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene argued the move represents a fundamental break from the movement’s original platform.“We said on every single rally stage, no more foreign wars, no more regime change … this is a complete betrayal of those campaign promises,” Greene <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/16/politics/video/cnn-sitroom-pamela-brown-mtg-marjorie-taylor-greene-trump-president-war-iran-campaign">said</a>. “This is absolutely absurd. And it’s 100% a betrayal to what MAGA was supposed to be when we voted in 2024, and it’s turned into some perverted, deranged version of MAGA now that nobody wants.” 
Despite that rhetoric, Enten argued the available data does not show a measurable break within Trump’s base. Citing Republican views on potential U.S. military action in Iran, Enten said 90% of MAGA Republicans approve, compared to 54% of non-MAGA Republicans. Among MAGA voters, just 5% expressed disapproval.
“Those who disapprove… they ain’t MAGA,” Enten said.
The disconnect highlights a broader question emerging from the debate: whether the current divide represents a genuine fracture within the Republican electorate, or a loud but limited conflict among high-profile figures and online activists.
Critics of Enten’s analysis could argue that topline polling may not fully capture shifts in enthusiasm or intensity, particularly on an issue like foreign policy that has historically divided Republican factions. Supporters, meanwhile, can point to the numbers as evidence that Trump’s hold on the movement remains intact. For now, the data and the discourse appear to be telling two different stories, one of consolidation, and one of conflict, with the true state of the MAGA coalition to be tested in the midterms this November.

CNN Pollster Admits It: Reports Of MAGA’s Death Have Been Grossly Exaggerated

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Drew Berkemeyer