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Trump Permitted to Remove FTC Commissioner

(Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Ian Madrigal)

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts has temporarily permitted President Donald Trump’s firing of Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter.

Roberts issued a stay, pausing a July 17 ruling that claimed Slaughter’s removal was illegal. The stay allows the case to be further considered.

“IT IS ORDERED that the July 17, 2025 order of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia…is hereby stayed pending further order of the undersigned or of the Court,” the order reads. “It is further ordered that a response to the application be filed on or before Monday, September 15th, 2025, by 4 p.m. (EDT).”

Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld a lower court order reinstating Slaughter in a 2–1 ruling. The majority opinion cited the Supreme Court’s 1935 Humphrey’s Executor v. United States precedent, which limits a president’s power to remove FTC commissioners without cause.

Slaughter and another fired FTC commissioner, Alvaro Bedoya, sued Trump in March over their terminations.

In a July ruling on Slaughter’s termination, U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan wrote, “The sole justification for granting the application was that the President ’may remove without cause executive officers who exercise that power on his behalf, subject to narrow exceptions recognized by our precedents.’”

“Humphrey’s Executor, of course, is one of those precedents, and it dealt with, as here, the FTC. Accordingly, any suggestion that Humphrey’s Executor may not extend to other agencies cannot be read as an invitation to sidestep its application to the FTC,” she wrote.

“Humphrey’s Executor” stems from a 1935 Supreme Court ruling that upheld limitations Congress placed on removing FTC members.

Trump Launches Bold Call to Faith Ahead of 250th Celebration

Trump Cabinet Prayer
(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump announced during a Religious Liberty Commission meeting at the Museum of the Bible that the White House has launched an effort to pray for the nation ahead of its 250th celebration.

“Next year, we will celebrate 250 years since that Declaration was signed. As part of the grand commemoration… we’ve invited America’s great faith communities to pray for our nation, for our people, and for peace in the world, and it’s going to be an amazing time,” Trump said.

“America has always been a nation that believes in the power of prayer and we will never apologize for our faith — ever, ever, never, never,” Trump added. “We will never surrender our God-given rights. We will defend our liberties, our values, our sovereignty, and we will defend our freedom.”

Secretary Scott Turner of the Department of Housing and Urban Development shared that more than 70 “major faith organizations and churches have joined together to participate in what we are calling ‘America Prays.'”

“Think about the miracles that would take place over the next year,” he added. “Think about the transformation that you and I could witness in communities all across the land.”

The America Prays webpage asks, “What if one million Americans dedicated one hour a week to praying for our country and our people?” It goes on to encourage Americans to gather with at least 10 people weekly to pray for the nation.

“This dedicated time of prayer is not only for our nation, but for its people because a nation is only as strong as its citizens,” the page declares.

President Trump acknowledged the importance of praying for the country during a speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on July 3, stating, “As we prepare to celebrate two and a half centuries of freedom, I am inviting America’s great religious communities to pray for our nation and for our people. From the beginning, this has always been a country sustained and strengthened by prayer. So important, if we bring religion back stronger, you’re going to see everything get better and better and better. You are going to see it get better and better. So, as we chart our course for the next 250 years, let us rededicate ourselves to one nation under God.”

Highest Court Delivers Major Win for Trump’s Immigration Agenda

Supreme Court
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The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement activities.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in an concurring opinion that he recognized “and fully appreciate that many (not all, but many) illegal immigrants come to the United States to escape poverty and the lack of freedom and opportunities in their home country,” although “the fact remains that, under the laws passed by Congress and the President, they are acting illegally by remaining in the United States.”

“And by illegally immigrating into and remaining in the country, they are not only violating the immigration laws, but also jumping in front of those noncitizens who follow the rules and wait in line to immigrate into the United States through the legal immigration purposes,” he wrote. “For those reasons, the interests of illegal immigrants in evading questioning (and thus evading detection of their illegal presence) are not particularly substantial as a legal matter.”

Justice Sonya Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, issued a dissenting opinion which read, “We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job.”

The new order pauses a temporary restraining order issued by Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in July that required ICE to maintain detailed records of immigration-related stops, document the justification for each, and develop clear guidelines for what constitutes “reasonable suspicion.”

Frimpong’s ruling blocked ICE agents from “making investigative stops in the Los Angeles area when the stops are based on the following factors or combination of factors (i) presence at particular locations such as bus stops, car washes, day laborer pickup sites, agricultural sites, and the like; (ii) the type of work one does; (iii) speaking Spanish or speaking English with an accent; and (iv) apparent race or ethnicity,” Kavanaugh explained.

Purgatory Cyber Gang Sparks Campus Chaos With AI Hoaxes

Adi Goldstein/Unsplash

A cybercriminal group known as “Purgatory” has been identified as the source behind a coordinated wave of AI-enhanced swatting calls that triggered lockdowns and armed police responses at universities across the United States in late August. The attacks, which occurred from August 21 to August 25, affected at least 10 major campuses, including the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Villanova, the University of South Carolina, and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Using artificial intelligence to simulate realistic sounds—such as screaming and gunfire—Purgatory’s false reports were designed to appear credible, sending panic through campuses and prompting responses from both local and federal law enforcement. Authorities later confirmed the threats were fabricated after clearing buildings and finding no evidence of active shooters.

Investigators from the Center for Internet Security and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue linked the calls to Purgatory, a group operating primarily on Telegram and Discord. The organization is tied to a larger network known as “The Com” (short for “The Community”), a known hub for swatting, sextortion, and trafficking in child exploitation material. The FBI previously issued a warning about The Com’s escalating capabilities and criminal sophistication.

Swatting calls by Purgatory are sometimes paid-for services, with rates as low as $20. A report by Wired indicated that one Purgatory leader earned up to $100,000 from these dangerous hoaxes. The motives vary—from financial gain to notoriety and recruitment, or simply the thrill of causing chaos.

During the August 25 incident at the University of Arkansas, the caller claimed to be inside the school’s Mullins Library with an armed man. Assistant Police Chief Matt Mills described how dispatchers heard gunfire sounds in the background. The scene was cleared and deemed a hoax, but not before sparking fear and confusion across the campus.

Authorities say that earlier this year, several Purgatory members—including two 18-year-olds—pleaded guilty to swatting-related crimes. One had previously been listed on the FBI’s Most Wanted List.

The incident highlights the growing dangers of AI-enabled cybercrime. Law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate, warning that groups like Purgatory represent a serious hybrid threat, merging digital deception with real-world consequences.

France’s Debt Crisis Pushes Macron’s Government to the Brink of Collapse

meeting
(Photo by Kin Cheung - Pool/Getty Images)

France’s debt is sparking political chaos as Prime Minister François Bayrou faces a likely vote of no confidence over budget cuts and a massive fiscal deficit on September 8. President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly grabbed international headlines for his global ambitions, but critics say he’s neglecting the economic turmoil at home.

Bayrou, France’s fourth prime minister in a single year, proposed reducing the fiscal deficit to 4.6% of GDP next year by cutting 44 billion euros ($51 billion) and two public holidays. The plan aimed to bring the deficit to its lowest level since 2020. But labor unions and other parliamentary parties erupted in opposition, threatening strikes and attempting to topple his government.

Leo Barincou, senior economist at Oxford Economics, told Fox News Digital that any union strikes “likely won’t last long, nor will they be significantly disruptive to the economy like the Yellow Vest protests in the winter of 2018-2019.” Even so, Bayrou appears poised to lose the vote, leaving Macron to appoint yet another prime minister or risk a snap election.

Senior strategist Elias Haddad noted, “Bayrou is expected to lose, and all the other parties have vowed to topple the government.” Yet Macron himself seems unlikely to resign, and minimal budget reforms may follow.

Some conservatives argue that France’s broader problem stems from a dependency culture that has taken hold across Europe. Ben Habib, preparing a new right-leaning party in Britain, said, “Too many people are relying on government handouts rather than generating income through their own efforts.” This cultural shift, combined with political instability, threatens long-term economic growth.

Campbell’s Removes Synthetic Dyes Under MAHA Pressure

FDA
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Sarah Silbiger/Getty)

Campbell’s has announced it will eliminate all synthetic food dyes from its products beginning in fiscal year 2026, aligning with the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. The company confirmed the change in a press release dated September 3, stating, “In the second half of our 2026 fiscal year (March–August), we will no longer produce any of our food or beverages with FD&C colors.”

The company said the transition supports its broader commitment to offering “simpler, recognizable ingredients” in products such as V8 Splash and Lance crackers, which will now be colored using natural sources like annatto and purple carrot juice concentrate. Additional brands under the Campbell umbrella, including Jay’s, O-Ke-Doke, Tom’s, Archway, and Stella D’oro, will also be free from synthetic dyes.

This move follows growing pressure from the Trump administration and health advocates led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has made the removal of petroleum-based food dyes a central focus of MAHA. Kennedy, alongside FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, announced earlier this year a sweeping initiative to ban petroleum-based dyes in both foods and pharmaceuticals by late 2026.

In a press conference held in April, Makary highlighted the dangers posed by synthetic dyes, stating, “For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals.” He cited studies linking these dyes to ADHD, obesity, insulin resistance, cancer, and other serious health conditions.

Kennedy held meetings in March with leading food industry executives, including those from PepsiCo, Kraft, Heinz, Tyson, General Mills, and Kellogg’s, urging them to phase out artificial dyes. Following those talks, companies like Nestle and PepsiCo have made similar announcements, joining a growing list of brands adapting to the MAHA health agenda.

Campbell’s decision signals a broader industry shift, driven not by consumer trends alone, but by a federal mandate focused on protecting children’s health and restoring trust in the American food supply. As the 2026 deadline approaches, more food manufacturers are expected to fall in line with this sweeping reform effort.

13-Year-Old Arrested in Washington for Plotting School Shooting, Cache of Guns Seized

Police vehicle lights via Canva Pro

A 13-year-old boy was arrested in Pierce County, Washington, early Saturday morning after making violent threats against a school and claiming access to firearms. Deputies from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the teen is now in custody and that a significant cache of weapons and disturbing materials consistent with a planned mass shooting were seized from his home.

Deputies began investigating on Friday, September 5, after receiving intelligence that the boy was threatening to kill and referencing access to guns. Authorities acted swiftly, obtaining a seizure warrant and executing it at approximately 1 a.m. on Saturday at a residence in the 13500 block of 20th Avenue Court East in Clover Creek, just south of Tacoma. The arrest was made without incident, and the boy was booked into Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center.

According to law enforcement officials, the evidence recovered during the search was deeply troubling. Investigators found a “significant number” of firearms, both secured and unsecured, as well as loaded magazines with phrases such as “school shooter” written on them. Deputies also discovered clothing and written materials that they say closely matched known indicators of a mass shooting plot.

Deputy Carly Cappetto, spokesperson for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, said, “There is enough evidence to show that we have stopped something very serious from happening.” The department credited the quick and coordinated efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies with averting a potentially catastrophic event. “Thanks to their quick actions, we are safe today,” the office added.

The boy had previously been enrolled in the Franklin Pierce School District in 2021 but is not currently attending school. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to review the seized materials and determine whether others were involved.

The arrest follows a disturbing trend of school violence incidents nationwide. Just last week, a deadly shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis was carried out by a biological male identifying as a woman. In a separate 2024 incident, a transgender 13-year-old in Wisconsin was arrested and expelled after planning a Columbine-style attack on Les Paul Middle School in Waukesha.

Law enforcement agencies across the country are on heightened alert as school threats increase in both frequency and severity. The Pierce County case highlights the importance of rapid response and intelligence-sharing to prevent further tragedies.

Gen Z Republican Announces House Campaign

Democrats
Republican and Democrat buttons (Marek Studzinski/Unsplash)

The youngest person to be elected to the Iowa legislature, Joe Mitchell, has launched a campaign for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.

“I’m running for Congress because too many Iowans have been left behind by a broken political system that works for insiders and lobbyists, not for us. For too long, politicians in Washington have wasted our tax dollars and cut backroom deals while working families pay the price,” Mitchell said. “I’ll work with President Trump to end reckless spending, secure our borders, protect our farmers, and build an economy where hard work pays again. It’s time to take power back from the insiders and return it to the people of Iowa — where it belongs.”

Mitchell initially ran for office at the age of 20 and was sworn in at 21, a move that made him the “youngest state legislator in Iowa’s state history,” his campaign website says.

The young Republican leader launched a “nationwide non-profit called Run GenZ, where they recruit young conservatives from across the county to run for state and local office,” the site adds, explaining that his efforts “have helped hundreds of young people run and win state and local elections in all 50 states.”

Mitchell’s announcement marks the latest development in Iowa politics, as Senator Joni Ernst announced that she will not be seeking reelection.

“It has been an honor to dedicate my life to the service of our great state and country, having been raised in a family who has given me so much love and support. Now, as our family ages and grows, it’s my time for me to give back to them,” she said. “After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking reelection in 2026.”

Phillies Fan’s Outburst Sparks Fury After Snatching Ball from Young Boy

Baseball (Mick Haupt/Unsplash)

A Phillies fan caused a stir during Friday night’s game against the Miami Marlins, demonstrating entitlement that outraged viewers nationwide. When Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader hit a solo home run into the stands at loanDepot Park, a man successfully grabbed the ball for his young son. That’s when a woman in a Phillies jersey approached the family, demanding the ball for herself.

“Oh she went after him,” ESPN host Nicole Briscoe said on SportsCenter. “She is big mad. Like he went into her space to get the ball, but she goes on and on and on. And the dad is immediately like, ‘Well if it means that much to you,’ then he takes the ball from his kid’s glove and goes, ‘Here, you can have it.’”

Her actions sparked instant backlash online. Briscoe added that the woman should feel “terrible” for taking a ball from a child, calling her behavior, “Hate to call her a Karen, but …” Michael Eaves, co-host, simply asked, “Really lady?”

The man involved, Drew Feltwell, told NBC Philadelphia he “pretty much just wanted her to go away” and aimed to deescalate the situation for his son. “I had a fork in the road: either do something I was probably going to regret or be dad and show him how to deescalate the situation,” he explained.

Fortunately, the young fan eventually received a gift bag from Marlins staff and a signed bat from Bader.

Trump Crackdown Prompts Mexican Independence Events to Cancel in Chicago

Trump
(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Multiple major events tied to Mexican Independence Day have been canceled in Chicago as President Donald Trump prepares to deploy National Guard troops and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to the city. The decision comes amid heightened tensions surrounding Trump’s ongoing national push to crack down on violent crime and illegal immigration.

El Grito Chicago, a marquee festival that drew 24,000 attendees last year, was set to take place September 13–14 but has now been called off. Organizers cited safety concerns, stating that holding the event under current circumstances would place attendees at risk. Two other events scheduled for the same weekend have also been canceled or postponed.

The cancellations coincide with Trump’s announcement of enhanced federal operations in Chicago, including the deployment of ICE agents tasked with interior enforcement and National Guard units to support law enforcement. These actions follow ongoing concerns about crime levels in the city and its longstanding status as a sanctuary jurisdiction.

Chicago, where over 21 percent of the population is of Mexican heritage, has traditionally hosted large public celebrations in the lead-up to Mexican Independence Day on September 16. This year’s planned festivities were expected to draw tens of thousands. However, growing fears over increased immigration enforcement and federal presence have cast a shadow over public gatherings.

Protests erupted in Chicago over the weekend in response to the planned federal deployment. Demonstrators marched through the city chanting anti-Trump slogans and voicing support for Palestine and immigrant communities.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a consistent opponent of Trump’s immigration policies, accused the administration of deliberately targeting September as the timing for intervention. He alleged that Trump adviser Stephen Miller selected this month specifically to disrupt Mexican heritage celebrations.

Pritzker also condemned a recent online post by Trump, in which the president claimed Chicago was “about to find out why it’s called the Department of War,” a reference to his administration’s symbolic renaming of the Department of Defense. The governor responded on X, calling Trump a “wannabe dictator” and vowing that Illinois would not be intimidated.

The cancellation of these events underscores the political and cultural tension in cities where immigration enforcement efforts are escalating. Trump’s critics argue the timing is meant to provoke, while supporters point to ongoing concerns about lawlessness in sanctuary cities like Chicago.

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