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Good morning,

It is no secret that President Donald Trump has a lot of supporters in Texas and among the Texas Minute readership. Yesterday, we asked about a congressional push to place his image on the $100 bill. Find the survey results below.

This is the Texas Minute for Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Today at 9 a.m., join Brandon Waltens and me for The Advance as we preview what's happening this week in the Texas Legislature. You can watch it live on 𝕏, YouTube, or Facebook. 

Dade Phelan Wants to Criminalize Political Memes

• Posting a political meme could soon land you in jail—if State Rep. Dade Phelan gets his way. Brandon Waltens has the details.
      
• The former House speaker has filed legislation that would make it a crime to distribute altered media, including political memes, without a government-approved disclaimer. Violators could face up to a year in jail.
     
• His measure will be among the first bills heard when the House Committee on State Affairs meets tomorrow. 
      
• Phelan was reportedly inspired to file the legislation because he was upset by an obviously fake image generated by the Club for Growth last year depicting him hugging California Democrat Nancy Pelosi.
     
• Notably, Phelan's legislation could have sweeping implications beyond political mailers. Legal experts say the measure could criminalize radio shows that do parody "call-ins" of political officials—such as the popular "drunk Dade" voicemails on Michael Berry's show in Houston.
     
• It's almost like Dade can't take a joke...

Trump Administration Converts CBP One App to Self-Deportation App

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed yesterday that the notorious CBP One App is being converted to CBP Home. As Will Biagini reports, the updated app includes a new feature called "Intent to Depart."
      
• This new feature allows either an illegal alien or foreign national whose parole has been revoked to notify the U.S. government of his or her desire to leave the country.
     
• "The app provides illegal aliens in the United States with a straightforward way to declare their intent to voluntarily depart, offering them the chance to leave before facing harsher consequences." – CBP Acting Commissioner Pete Flores

Senators Consider Proposal to Align State IDs with Biological Sex

• A proposal in the state senate would allow Texas birth certificates to display only a person’s birth sex, reports Luca Cacciatore.
      
• Proposed by Galveston Republican Mayes Middleton, the legislation would affect not only birth certificates but also any form of state identification that requires a birth certificate for approval, like a driver’s license.
      
• Exceptions would allow birth certificates to be changed in the case of a “clerical error” or for intersex individuals “who at birth had atypical or ambiguous sex organs, chromosomes, or endogenous profile.”

MORE SENATE NEWS

Citizens Call for Anti-Red Flag Laws

Pro-gun activists testified in favor of a measure that would prohibit red flag orders on firearms.

17-Year-Old Houstonian Charged Under Texas’ New Terrorism Law

• A Harris County grand jury has indicted Laith Adil Shehzad under Texas’s new terrorism law. Joseph Trimmer reports prosecutors are requesting that bail be set at $10 million.
     
• According to prosecutors, Shehzad was planning a mass shooting but was thwarted when his rideshare service account was suspended. He is accused of using Facebook to contact an individual claiming to be a confined extremist in the Philippines, seeking guidance on dying as a martyr and confirming his weapon’s suitability for a mass casualty event.
     
• Shehzad had previously been charged with “Possession of Components of an Explosive Device.” In 2021, he reportedly confessed to the FBI his self-radicalization and adherence to ISIS ideology.

TEXAS TOMORROW

Houston Mayor Implements Hiring Freeze

• An efficiency audit recently revealed that 40 percent of city managers in Houston oversee only one to three employees. Michael Wilson reports that this audit has led Mayor John Whitmire to implement a hiring freeze in the Bayou City.
      
• The audit also revealed that Houston employs more people per capita than any other major city.
      
• Last month, Houston Controller Chris Hollins highlighted a $350 million budget shortfall and warned that he would be unable to certify next year’s budget unless there were significant cuts.
       
• According to the mayor’s office, the hiring freeze will not affect the fire or police departments.

Today In History

On March 11, 1942, General Douglas MacArthur was ordered by President Franklin Roosevelt to abandon Corregidor Island and some 90,000 American and Filipino troops.

Quote-Unquote

"I am concerned for the security of our great Nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within."

– Douglas MacArthur​

Y'All Answered

U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Flower Mound) has authored legislation that would replace the portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the $100 bill with Donald Trump by the end of December 2028. Since 1873, U.S. law has required that only deceased individuals appear on the currency.

We asked readers if they thought President Trump should take Dr. Franklin's place on the C-note. Nearly 80 percent of readers said 'no,' while 20.4 percent liked the idea.

Here's a sampling of the responses we received from folks after they clicked on the survey.

• “While it’s fun to watch the Never-Trumper’s heads explode, let’s find another way.” – Mike Bow
      

• “No one is a bigger fan of Trump and what he means for our country than me, but let's be logical here. I always enjoy flipping the script on these situations, and in no way, shape, or form would I ever want a Democrat on any form of US currency. Let's just leave ol' Benjamin where he is.” – Allison Love
      

• “President Trump has been the greatest president of my lifetime, but giving him the honor of the $100 bill seems a little overzealous. Especially at the end of his second term. This could set a dangerous precedent for whoever gets in office next.” – Joseph Brooks
     

• “Maybe on the $50, but not the C Note.” – Jana K. Owen
      

• “I find it ironic that, although Franklin is a very well-known historical figure who did great things for this country, he was never president. Most currency honors presidents as if that is considered a shrine reserved for presidents. It seems fitting that Donald Trump should hold such an honorary position on the $100 bill.” – Roger Taylor 
      

• “Quite fitting, especially if he also ends DST.” – Rebecca Franks
      

• “Best to wait a few decades for perspective. The risk of placing living legends on money could backfire.” – Kelly Palmer
      

• “Too soon. Worshipping politicians of all stripes is a big part of our cultural rot.” – Mike Kruger
      

• “Absolutely not! Leave our Benjamins alone!” – Laura McGee
      

• “It's only appropriate. He's the only President in memory who has any business sense. And he knows how to use it.” – Thomas Camardo
      

• “I voted for Trump. I appreciate his leadership, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves!” – Ellen Sullivan
       

• “After a century of failed Democrat and RINO policies, it is time to honor a more recent hero of the Republic. I would also vote to put him on Mount Rushmore.” – Louis Strohacker
     

• “I do not believe in cancel culture in any form. So while it made me smile to hear this, Ben Franklin is doing a fine job and should not be replaced.” – Barbara Bussey
      

• “I think that current elected officials should not be on money. Sounds too monarchical.” – Tom Glass
      

• “I prefer to keep a Founding Father on our currency.” – Ed Talley 
     

• “I love President Trump, but I don’t want to see a precedent that would put (God forbid!) Joe Biden’s likeness on US currency!” – Cheryl Alexander
     

• “We should always grade on results, not good intentions.” – Mark Mannino
      

• “I said ‘no,’ only because it would be cost prohibitive!” – Cathy Hess