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Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) Names Witnesses for Biden’s Impeachment Hearing

Townhall: On Monday night, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) announced the witnesses for the first hearing on the Biden impeachment inquiry. The witnesses include Bruce Dubinsky, the founder of Dubinsky Consulting and a forensic accountant; Eileen O’Connor, who formerly served as the assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) tax division; and Professor Johnathon Turley of George Washington University Law School, who has offered analysis and insight about the Biden family corruption and impeachment inquiries. Polling shows that at least a plurality of Americans support an impeachment inquiry and according to a CNN poll, believe that Biden, as then Vice President Joe Biden, had at least “some involvement” in his son Hunter Biden’s shady business dealings (Townhall). Oversight Committee: Today, we are announcing the witnesses for our first hearing on the President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Impeachment Inquiry. This hearing will establish the basis for the impeachment inquiry and present the evidence House Republicans have uncovered to date regarding President Joe Biden’s knowledge of and role in his family’s domestic and international business practices (X). CNN Reporter Manu Raju: House Oversight Chairman James Comer announces witnesses for the first impeachment inquiry hearing into Biden, which will occur Thursday (X).

60 Minutes Discovers America is Funding Ukraine’s First Responders, Farmers and Small Businesses

Daily Wire: A “60 Minutes” segment broadcast on Sunday caused an uproar after the show reported that American taxpayers are “subsidizing” Ukraine’s economy and paying for all of Ukraine’s first responders. Former Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell responded to the video: “Billions for Ukrainian farmers, first responders and Ukrainian entrepreneurs?! Why? The U.S. should be doing the tough work of peacemaking. We need aggressive diplomats if you want to avoid war. Where is the draft peace plan” (Daily Wire). 60 Minutes: 60 Minutes discovered the U.S. is financing more than weapons in Ukraine. The government is buying seeds/fertilizer for farmers, paying the salaries of 57,000 first responders and subsidizing small businesses (X).

Border Patrol Chief Says Cartels are Taking Advantage of Border Crisis to Smuggle Drugs, Weapons into the Country

The influence of drug cartels is only growing under Biden. Washington Examiner: The head of the U.S. Border Patrol is frustrated that his federal law enforcement agents have been pulled from their posts guarding against drugs like fentanyl and dangerous criminals to process the tens of thousands of immigrants who poured across the border last week. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens said it is not the job of the 19,000 Border Patrol agents nationwide to intake immigrants who cross the border illegally. Mexican cartels have not only taken advantage of Border Patrol being distracted but instigated the distraction in the first place, Owens explained. Pulling agents from the field leaves vast, open spaces for cartels to move criminals, bulk cash, weapons, and drugs across the border undetected (Washington Examiner). This Week: A new influx of immigrants arrive at the U.S. southern border. Matt Rivers has the latest on the spike (X). Daily Wire: Owens said that Border Patrol does not have the legal authority to simply push back those illegally trying to enter the U.S. and instead can only “enforce the laws that are on the books” (X).

New Poll Shows Democrats Trending Against Free Speech

Real Clear Politics: Traditionally, opposing censorship was a bedrock principle of liberalism in this country. The American Civil Liberties Union was founded in 1920 to promote and defend free expression. And this ideal was at the heart of liberal thought, liberal lawmaking, and liberal jurisprudence during most of the 20th century. But times change (Real Clear Politics). PJ Media: A new poll from Real Clear Politics highlights a dangerous anti-freedom trend in America, as 50% of Republicans and about 75% of Democrats reportedly approve of the government violating the Constitution and targeting “hateful” online content. So, 74% of Republicans, 61% of Independents, and 53% of Democrats agree that speech should be legal “under any circumstances.” Conversely, almost half—47%— of Democrats only want speech to be legal “under certain circumstances” (PJ Media). President, Co-Founder of Real Clear Politics Tom Bevan: 47% of Dems say free speech should be legal ‘only under certain circumstances. 34% of Dems say Americans ‘have too much freedom.’ 75% of Dems say government has a responsibility to censor ‘hateful’ social media posts. Only 31% strongly agree with the statement, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it’ (X).

Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Goes After Democrats for Targeting Political Rivals

Daily Wire: Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who recently split with the Democratic Party, unloaded on her former colleagues over the persistent prosecutions of former President Donald Trump. Gabbard shared a brief video via X, arguing that the prosecutions amounted to a concerted effort — on the parts of both President Joe Biden specifically and the Democratic Party in general — to keep Trump busy and distracted because they were afraid, he could potentially win in 2024. Gabbard has been openly critical of President Joe Biden and other members of her former party for adopting policies and strategies that fly in the face of constitutional principles like free speech and expression and attempt to use the power of government to punish their political opposition (Daily Wire). Tulsi Gabard: The political prosecution of Trump is an obvious attempt by Biden/Dem elite to drain Trump’s attention and resources. Their actions expose their utter contempt for democracy and the rule of law—and makes laughable all of their verbiage about “protecting democracies around the world” (X).

Some Maui Residents Allowed to Visit Burnt Remains of Homes

Associated Press: The first of thousands of residents who lost their homes in the wildfire that destroyed the Hawaii town of Lahaina returned to their devastated properties Monday, with some stopping for a moment of reflection and others searching for mementos among the ruins. In the days following the Aug. 8 wildfire, some people were able to return to their properties to evaluate the damage. But since then, the burned area has been off-limits to all but authorized workers. Authorities opened one small part of it on Monday, allowing residents in for supervised visits (Associated Press). CNN: Lahaina’s tourism industry was obliterated by the wildfires, and many residents lost both their homes and their businesses. But the state plans to reopen West Maui to visitors on October 8 and is trying to transition more than 7,400 displaced people from hotels to long-term housing, the governor has said. But Gov. Josh Green reassured residents that the planned reopening doesn’t mean housing assistance will end. He said reopening is necessary for rebuilding (CNN).

Wife of Iran President Defends Stricter Dress Code Laws

ABC: The wife of the president of Iran defended a law passed designed to impose harsher sentences on women who do not wear hijabs in public, comparing the rules to “dress codes everywhere.” Alamolhoda drew comparisons between Iranian women facing a decade in prison for refusing to wear the religious symbol and workplace dress codes. “You have dress codes everywhere, even here in university environments, in schools and everywhere else. And I need to tell you that hijab was a tradition, was a religiously mandated tradition, accepted widely. And now for years, it has been turned into a law. And breaking of the law, trampling upon any laws, just like in any country, comes with its own set of punishments,” she said (ABC). HotAir: The whole point of the social discontent, the demonstrations, and protests in the streets is that women and girls want the freedom to go without the hijab and the restrictions on them. Protests got underway in a big way after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. She died in jail after being arrested by the morality police for not properly wearing her hijab in public. She died in custody after being beaten as she was arrested. Alamolhoda denied that Amini died because of her treatment by the morality police. The president’s wife said Amini was ill and died due to her illness. Her family denies she was ill. More than 551 protesters have been killed. That number includes 68 children and 49 women. Alamolhoda claimed Amini was loved by all Iranians, including her (HotAir).

Ukraine Makes Massive Strike at Russia’s Black Sea Fleet Killing Major Military Commander, Many Officers

CNN: Ukraine has claimed it killed the commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, in one of Kyiv’s boldest attacks yet on the occupied peninsula of Crimea. The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said in an update that Friday’s attack killed Viktor Sokolov along with 33 other officers. “After the hit of the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, 34 officers were killed, including the commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet,” the Ukrainians said Monday, adding that more than 100 other Russian servicemen were wounded. Ukraine has increasingly been hitting strategic Russian targets in Crimea, the Black Sea region of southern Ukraine that has been occupied by Moscow since 2014 (CNN). Admiral James Stavridis: This is a remarkable achievement by Ukraine eliminating a very significant Russian military leader and many of his subordinates. I believe you have to go back to WWII to find other admiral killed in combat (X).

Sen. Bob Menendez Speaks for First Time Since Indictment

Washington Examiner: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) spoke out publicly for the first time on Monday following his indictment on federal bribery charges last week, rejecting growing pressure from fellow Democrats to resign, claiming they have “rushed to judgment.” Menendez and his wife, Nadine, were accused of taking bribes of gold bars, cash, and a luxury car in exchange for aiding the government of Egypt and businessmen in New Jersey on Friday, according to a copy of the indictment. Investigators found $550,000 in cash and 13 bars of gold during a search of his home in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and a safety deposit box last year. Prosecutors also claim the senator and his wife allegedly “pressured” a U.S. agricultural official to protect an exclusive contract for a New Jersey businessman to be the exclusive purveyor of halal meat to Egypt (Washington Examiner). Daily Caller: Sen. Menendez speaks amidst allegations of bribery/corruption – Claims he will be exonerated. MENENDEZ: “When all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be the New Jersey’s senior Senator” (X).

10.

German Family Faces Deportation from America After Living in the Country for 15 Years Because They Homeschooled Their Children

WBIR: For 15 years, the Romeike family has lived in Morristown. Uwe Romeike, the father of the seven Romeike children, works as a piano accompanist at Carson-Newman University. Now, they say, the U.S. government is trying to deport them. The family moved to the U.S. from Germany in 2008. Their application for asylum said they were fined by the German government roughly $9,000 after homeschooling their children, court documents show. “They’re here with the approval of the U.S. government, but without permanent residency or citizenship status,” said Kevin Boden, an attorney with the U.S. Home School Defense Association. Romeike said two weeks ago, an immigration agent asked his family to return in four weeks, with German passports, and to prepare to self-deport. Romeike said since he and his wife moved to the U.S., they’ve had two more children and two of their adult children are married to U.S. Citizens. (WBIR). Mollie Hemingway: The DOJ finally found asylum-seekers it opposes! It’s a German family that has lived here for 15 years after being punished for homeschooling (X). Ben Zeisloft: Biden let seven million illegals pour over the border since he assumed office but wants to deport a Christian family from Germany who moved to America because homeschooling is illegal in their country. We have unbelievably wicked rulers (X).