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Locked and Loaded IRS? Republicans Say Enough Is Enough

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Handgun (seeetz/Unsplash)

On April 16, Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) introduced the “Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act,” aiming to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from purchasing, receiving, or storing firearms and ammunition. The bill also mandates the transfer of existing IRS firearms and ammunition to the General Services Administration for auction, with proceeds directed toward deficit reduction.

The IRS website clearly states that its mission is “to provide America’s taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and to enforce the law with integrity and fairness to all.”

Rep. Moore, supported by co-sponsors Reps. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Mary Miller (R-IL), and Clay Higgins (R-LA), argues that despite its mission, the IRS has been “weaponized” against American citizens.

The bill also proposes transferring the IRS Criminal Investigation Division to the Department of Justice, maintaining it as a distinct entity within the Criminal Division.

This legislative effort follows concerns over the IRS’s procurement of law enforcement equipment. Between 2006 and 2023, the agency reportedly spent $35.2 million on firearms, ammunition, and tactical gear.

In a press release, Moore asserted, “Arming these agents does not make the American public safer. My legislation, the Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act, would disarm these agents, auction off their guns to Federal Firearms License Owners, and sell their ammunition to the public. The only thing IRS agents should be armed with are calculators.”

The bill’s introduction aligns with broader Republican initiatives to reassess the IRS’s role and resources, including previous proposals to reallocate IRS agents to border enforcement duties.

UK Court Shocks Nation: Trans Women Not Legally ‘Women’

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Transgender via Canva Pro

The UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Wednesday that the legal definition of “woman” under the Equality Act 2010 refers exclusively to biological sex, thereby excluding transgender women—even those with Gender Recognition Certificates (GRCs)—from this classification.

The case originated from a legal challenge by the advocacy group For Women Scotland against the Scottish government’s 2018 Gender Representation on Public Boards Act. This legislation aimed to ensure that 50% of public board members were women, including transgender women with GRCs in the count. For Women Scotland contended that this interpretation diluted sex-based protections intended for biological women.

The five-judge panel determined that interpreting “sex” to include gender reassignment status would render the Equality Act incoherent. They emphasized that while transgender individuals retain protections against discrimination under the characteristic of “gender reassignment,” certain sex-based rights and spaces—such as women-only shelters, hospital wards, and sports categories—can lawfully exclude transgender women.

Women’s rights groups and gender-critical activists celebrated the decision as a reaffirmation of biological definitions and protections. Author J.K. Rowling, a supporter of For Women Scotland, praised the ruling, stating it protected the rights of women and girls across the UK.

Conversely, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations expressed deep concern. Stonewall described the ruling as “incredibly worrying” for the transgender community, warning it could lead to increased discrimination and exclusion from essential services.

The ruling has significant implications for public institutions and organizations across the UK. Entities such as hospitals, prisons, and sports bodies are now expected to review and potentially revise their policies to align with the clarified legal definitions. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has indicated it will update its guidance accordingly.

Puerto Rico Goes Dark: Massive Power Failure Sparks Outrage

Puerto Rico flag (Ana Toledo/Unsplash)

​On April 16, Puerto Rico experienced an island-wide blackout, leaving all 1.4 million power customers without electricity. The outage occurred as residents prepared for the Easter weekend, a time when hotels were nearly full with tourists. At least 78,000 residents also lost access to water. Power restoration is expected to take 48 to 72 hours, with only 5,000 to 7,000 customers regaining electricity by late Wednesday.

The cause of the outage is still unknown but is the latest in a series of blackouts since Hurricane Maria damaged the power grid in 2017. The growing frustration has led to renewed calls to end contracts with Luma Energy and Genera PR, responsible for power distribution and generation.

The blackout disrupted daily life, forcing businesses to close and public transportation to halt. With Puerto Rico’s poverty rate over 40% and limited access to backup power or renewables, the region remains vulnerable.

Officials, including the acting governor and Puerto Rico’s Congress representative, are seeking federal support to address the island’s persistent energy crisis, warning of deteriorating infrastructure and insufficient maintenance. The reliance on fossil fuels, combined with political uncertainty around renewable energy support, further complicates efforts to stabilize the grid.

This blackout is the latest in a series of significant blackouts that have plagued the island in recent years, following the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017, which destroyed much of the power grid.

The island’s aging power infrastructure has been a persistent source of frustration for residents, who face frequent outages and some of the highest electricity rates in the U.S.

Power outages have become so common in Puerto Rico that many residents have installed solar panels and batteries in their homes and businesses. The ongoing instability of the power grid has also led to protests, with many criticizing LUMA, which took over power transmission and distribution in 2021.

Puerto Rico has long dealt with chronic power outages, including a blackout on New Year’s Eve, as its infrastructure crumbles.

Genera added in a post on X it was working to bring backup units online and investigate the cause of the incident.

The island’s aging power infrastructure has been a persistent source of frustration for residents, who face frequent outages and some of the highest electricity rates in the U.S.

Power outages have become so common in Puerto Rico that many residents have installed solar panels and batteries in their homes and businesses. The ongoing instability of the power grid has also led to protests, with many criticizing LUMA, which took over power transmission and distribution in 2021.

Harvard’s Free Ride Is Over: Trump Launches IRS Bombshell

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(Image by Pgiam/Getty Images)

Harvard University may soon lose its federal tax-exempt status, as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) advances action at the request of the Trump administration. The effort is part of a broader crackdown on what officials describe as ideological bias and political activism in higher education institutions receiving public funds.

The Trump administration has accused Harvard of resisting reforms to its academic and institutional policies. In response to the university’s refusal to comply with proposed federal mandates, the administration froze over $2.2 billion in federal grants and halted $60 million in government contracts previously allocated to Harvard.

President Trump took to Truth Social to criticize the institution, declaring that Harvard “should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity.” The administration contends that Harvard has strayed from its educational mission and now functions as a politically active entity, using its resources to promote agendas inconsistent with its nonprofit status.

The IRS is expected to make a formal decision in the coming days. If approved, the move would have historic implications, marking one of the few times a major university could lose its federal tax-exempt standing due to alleged political activity. The decision would require Harvard to begin paying taxes on its massive endowment, which exceeds $50 billion, and could open the door for similar actions against other elite universities.

The administration’s push to reform higher education follows mounting criticism over campus policies perceived as hostile to free speech, religious values, and conservative viewpoints. Harvard has been at the center of controversy over its handling of antisemitism on campus and its response to national political events, leading to accusations of institutional bias and a lack of ideological diversity.

University officials have rejected the administration’s demands, arguing that the proposed changes would violate academic freedom and legal protections. Harvard maintains that it remains in compliance with federal law and its charter as an educational institution.

As the investigation concludes, the IRS’s final determination could significantly alter the financial and political landscape of higher education in the United States.

Top Cancer Center Scraps Key Program After Trump’s Bold Move

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DEI (Amy Elting/Unsplash)

Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, one of the world’s leading research institutions, has announced the complete dismantling of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in response to a new executive order by President Donald Trump. The decision follows a federal mandate tying future research funding to the termination of DEI-related activities, which the administration argues have politicized science and sidelined merit. Fred Hutch cancels DEI.

“Without these funds now or in the future, we can’t fulfill our mission,” Fred Hutch stated, noting that federal grants comprise more than 70% of its research budget—over $400 million annually. The cancer center has already removed its DEI webpage and scrubbed past program documentation from public view.

President Trump’s executive order, now being enforced across federal agencies, requires the elimination of DEI, DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility), and environmental justice initiatives. The order mandates a comprehensive review of hiring practices, contracts, and other DEI-linked performance standards, aiming to re-center agencies on mission-first objectives rather than ideological agendas.

The policy shift comes at a time of legal controversy for Fred Hutch. A former employee, Tammy Weitzman, is suing the institution for alleged antisemitism, political discrimination, and retaliation. Weitzman claims she was targeted and eventually fired after expressing concerns about radical messaging embedded in DEI training. Among the allegations: she was verbally harassed, mocked during DEI sessions, and reprimanded for treating the daughter of a former Trump official.

Weitzman recounted being called slurs including “white kke” and “white Canadian btch,” and said her complaints were ignored. Instead, she was directed to take more DEI training. When she objected to politicized materials being circulated in a healthcare setting, a DEI facilitator responded by accusing her of prioritizing her “white comfort” and referenced Trump-era politics to justify her stance.

Shortly after, Weitzman was fired for “ethnicity sensitivity” issues and “misalignment” with Fred Hutch’s mission. Her lawsuit, seeking at least $75,000 in damages, is ongoing.

Fred Hutch’s leadership insists its core mission remains intact despite the DEI rollback. “Fred Hutch promotes the belief that everyone deserves a life free from cancer,” the center stated. But for critics, the lawsuit and sudden shutdown of DEI programs expose deeper issues of political overreach and ideological bias in institutions intended to serve all patients—regardless of background or belief.

Top Trump Allies Suspended: Pentagon Leak Scandal Explodes

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Department of Defense (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Three senior Pentagon officials appointed under President Trump have been suspended amid an internal investigation into national security leaks. The probe targets unauthorized disclosures of classified military activities and foreign policy decisions, raising alarms over internal breaches within the Department of Defense.

Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; Darin Selnick, deputy chief of staff; and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, have all been placed on administrative leave. These moves reflect the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance stance on security breaches and internal sabotage.

The investigation centers on a series of high-level leaks, including classified plans for military action in the Panama Canal zone, the strategic deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Red Sea, and the suspension of intelligence activities tied to Ukraine. Also implicated in the leaks was information surrounding Elon Musk’s private visit to the Pentagon, which had not been previously disclosed to the public or Congress.

The effort to clamp down on these leaks accelerated after a March 21 memo from Joe Kasper, chief of staff to Secretary Hegseth. The memo directed all defense department staff to prepare for heightened security scrutiny, including polygraph testing, to root out internal threats to national security.

These administrative actions are not disciplinary at this stage but signal the seriousness of the breach. President Trump’s administration has consistently prioritized national defense integrity and has made clear that internal leaks will not be tolerated.

The Department of Defense has yet to comment on the identities of other potential subjects in the investigation, but officials confirm the probe remains ongoing. The timing of the leaks and the high-level access of the suspended officials indicate a coordinated effort to undermine operational security.

The Pentagon has not released a timeline for concluding the investigation, but officials have indicated that further actions—including possible criminal referrals—are on the table, depending on the findings.

Democrats Just Gutted a Parental Rights Law

Trans Flag
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 24: L.G.B.T. activists and their supporters rally in support of transgender people on the steps of New York City Hall, October 24, 2018 in New York City. The group gathered to speak out against the Trump administration's stance toward transgender people. Last week, The New York Times reported on an unreleased administration memo that proposes a strict biological definition of gender based on a person's genitalia at birth. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Tensions erupted in the Washington State House on Monday as Democrats pushed through Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5181 (ESSB 5181), a move Republicans say effectively dismantles Parental Rights Initiative 2081—less than a year after it passed with broad bipartisan support and backing from nearly half a million voters.

In a fiery response, House Republicans condemned the process, calling it a “disgrace” and an “unprecedented abuse of power.” The outrage centers on a procedural rule change adopted earlier this session by House Democrats, replacing a 132-year-old rule requiring a two-thirds vote to end debate with a simple majority threshold. That change allowed Democrats to twice shut down Republican debate in under 90 minutes on one of the most consequential parental rights battles in state history.

Deputy Republican Leader Chris Corry (R-Yakima) blasted the move: “Democrats rewrote the rules at the start of session to muzzle the minority,” he said, adding that the suppression of debate on key amendments shows that “they don’t trust or value the will of the people.”

One of the most controversial moments came when Democrats blocked an amendment to remove the bill’s emergency clause—a provision that prevents the public from challenging the law via referendum. “The debate was about whether the people’s voice matters,” said Corry. “Democrats made it crystal clear: it doesn’t.”

House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary (R-Auburn) declared April 14 a “dark day for representative government.” He warned that SB 5181 doesn’t just undermine Initiative 2081—it “erodes public trust in our schools” and sidelines parents. “Democrats didn’t need to silence us—they chose to,” he said. “That tells you everything you need to know.”

Common-sense Republican amendments were also struck down, including:

  • Same-sex locker room default access, with separate accommodations for transgender students.
  • A ban on biological males in all-girls competitive sports.
  • Parental notification when minors excuse themselves from class without consent.

Rep. Travis Couture (R-Allyn) highlighted that 229 of 280 Washington school districts currently allow self-excusal without notifying parents. “It’s outrageous. It’s dangerous. It could be deadly,” he said. “All we asked was that parents be told. Democrats said no.”

Despite the setback, Republicans vow to continue fighting for transparency and parental involvement. Rep. Dan Griffey (R-Allyn) summed up the stakes: “This is bigger than one bill. It’s about whether the people’s voice matters. Right now, House Democrats are making sure it doesn’t.”

Top Democrat Faces Federal Probe—Here’s What They Found

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New York Attorney General Letitia James (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

The Trump administration is considering federal criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, following serious allegations of mortgage fraud related to multiple property transactions. The charges could include wire fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.

A letter sent Tuesday from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to the U.S. Department of Justice accuses James of falsifying loan documents to obtain more favorable mortgage terms. FHFA Director William Pulte detailed allegations that James listed a Virginia property as her primary residence—despite being required by New York law to maintain her primary residence in-state—and misrepresented her father as her husband on federally backed mortgage applications.

According to the documents, James acquired a Norfolk, Virginia home using the false residency claim to secure better loan terms. In a separate transaction dating back to 1983, James is alleged to have listed her father as her husband in a Brooklyn property purchase to qualify under favorable borrower conditions. Pulte’s letter asserts the fraud was ongoing, culminating shortly before James launched her high-profile civil fraud case against President Donald Trump.

That trial, which ended in a $454 million civil judgment against Trump and his company, is currently under appeal. The charges James brought were based on accusations that Trump inflated property values for personal gain—charges his legal team has vigorously denied.

The referral raises concerns about the impartiality of James’s pursuit of Trump, especially given the allegations that she engaged in real estate misrepresentation herself. Pulte’s letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi states the documented evidence “raises serious concerns” and calls for a federal investigation.

James’s office dismissed the charges as politically motivated. In a statement, her team claimed she would “not be intimidated by bullies,” accusing the Trump administration of weaponizing federal power against political adversaries.

Letitia James, elected in 2018, has repeatedly clashed with President Trump, leading or joining multiple lawsuits against his administration over issues ranging from immigration policy to federal funding rollbacks. The FHFA’s referral signals a new chapter in the battle between the two legal powerhouses, now with potential criminal consequences on the horizon.

Spokane Valley’s Police Crisis Hits Ballot, Its Up to Voters

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U.S. Dollars (Alexander Grey/Unsplash)

For the first time in its history, Spokane Valley will put a sales tax increase to a public vote this August. The city council voted 5-1 to approve the ballot measure, which proposes a one-tenth of 1% sales tax hike to fund the hiring of additional police officers.

If passed, the modest tax increase—equal to 10 cents per $100 spent—would generate roughly $2.6 million annually. That would cover the estimated $1 million needed to bring ten new officers on board, the second round in a planned three-phase expansion following a 2023 recommendation to hire 31 additional officers.

Public safety costs are projected to rise by $4.7 million by 2027. Since 2021, expenses have increased at an average of 10.9% per year—more than double the previous 5.2% annual rate. The city, which has refrained from using its state-allowed 1% annual property tax increase since 2009, is facing limited budget options with just $411,000 in recurring revenues over expenditures.

Mayor Pam Haley defended the proposal, saying it reflects the will of the community and puts the decision in the hands of voters. However, critics argue that the city’s supporting poll, with just 641 respondents, doesn’t reflect the sentiment of the Valley’s 105,000 residents. Concerns were raised about pushing a tax increase based on a sample representing less than 1% of the population.

Councilmember Al Merkel voted against the measure, agreeing that the city needs more officers but arguing the funding should come from within the existing budget. If approved, the tax would cost individual residents an average of $12.43 per year, or about $29 per household.

Police Chief Dave Ellis has warned that without the increase, the city will struggle to maintain its current level of public safety. Calls for service have risen 54% since 2004, yet Spokane Valley operates with fewer patrol officers than similar-sized cities. Response times for emergency calls have jumped 28% since 2020.

Ellis says the new revenue would enhance patrol coverage, reduce burnout, and improve outcomes in areas like school safety, neighborhood security, and the city’s homeless response.

Voters will make their decision on August 5. If the measure fails, the city may be forced to make service cuts or leave the police force under-resourced.

Texas Is Winning the Energy War

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Texas Flag (Joshua J. Cotten/Unsplash)

Texas energy producers are setting new records in oil and natural gas output while cutting methane emissions, defying critics who continue to blame the industry for environmental harm. A new report from Texans for Natural Gas, a campaign under the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO), confirms substantial environmental progress alongside historic energy production in the Permian Basin.

The Permian Basin, spanning over 86,000 square miles in West Texas, now accounts for nearly 40% of U.S. oil production and 15% of natural gas output. Yet even as production surged, emissions dropped. The 2023 methane intensity rate in the Permian fell to 0.49 metric tons per barrel of oil equivalent—an 83% reduction since 2011. During that time, total production soared by 482%.

Flaring intensity, a key metric for measuring gas emissions, has also sharply declined. In 2023, flaring levels were 65% lower than in 2015 and 47% lower than in 2018, despite a 25% increase in production. Preliminary 2024 data indicates an additional 14% reduction.

Industry leaders credit cutting-edge technology and private-sector innovation for the results. TIPRO President Ed Longanecker emphasized the role of American ingenuity in delivering both energy security and environmental responsibility. Texas Oil & Gas Association President Todd Staples echoed the sentiment, stating that energy production and environmental stewardship can—and must—coexist.

The report also highlights the critical need for expanded pipeline infrastructure. Longanecker and longtime industry executive Richard Welch argue that permitting reform is urgently needed at the federal level. High-capacity pipeline projects completed in 2024 have already improved transport efficiency, but federal delays still cripple progress. Welch points out that while Texas can approve projects in months, it takes the federal government an average of 3.5 years.

Welch says the Trump administration, working with Congress, has the opportunity to repeal outdated regulations, restore states’ rights, and return regulatory order to America’s energy industry. Without reform, bureaucratic delays will continue to stall economic growth, job creation, and energy security.

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