Trump, Speaker Johnson Rally GOP Votes on Big, Beautiful Bill

The Hill: The House is in a holding pattern as GOP leaders lean on Republican holdouts to allow President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” to advance. A five-minute procedural vote has remained open for more than an hour, and leadership has told House lawmakers they can leave the floor. An earlier procedural vote was also held open for an hour, preventing the chamber from voting on a rule for the Trump megabill. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Trump have spent much of the day trying to win over deficit hawks in the House Freedom Caucus and beyond who are threatening to block the bill and grind floor action to a halt. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), the chair of the Freedom Caucus, has said Johnson doesn’t have the votes to advance the bill (The Hill). Trump: THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL DEAL IS ALL ABOUT GROWTH. IF PASSED, AMERICA WILL HAVE AN ECONOMIC RENAISSANCE LIKE NEVER BEFORE. IT IS ALREADY HAPPENING, JUST IN ANTICIPATION OF THE BEAUTIFUL BILL. DEFICIT CUT IN HALF, RECORD INVESTMENT — CASH, FACTORIES, JOBS POURING INTO THE USA. MAGA!!! (Truth).

Trump Enters Holiday Weekend on a Hot Streak

David Samuels: President Trump is entering the Fourth of July holiday on a hot streak, racking up wins with Supreme Court rulings, foreign policy, low border crossings and potentially a massive reconciliation bill containing key pieces of his agenda to top it all off. The string of positive developments for Trump comes as he continues to consolidate power within the Republican Party and as Democrats struggle to unify and settle on a coherent message to criticize the White House. “President Trump is delivering win after win for the American people, and we are the hottest nation in the world,” White House spokesperson Liz Huston said in a statement. “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill is going to pass, Iran’s nuclear capabilities are obliterated, the stock market is at record highs, the border is the most secure its ever been, and the Supreme Court just ended nationwide injunctions that were being abused to halt the rest of the America First agenda,” Huston said. “Thanks to President Trump — the Golden Age of America is here” (The Hill). Trump is winning one for the Gipper. Tim Chapman: Whether the “One Big Beautiful Bill” is signed this week, next week, or even a month from now, one thing is crystal clear: Republicans are on the verge of a landmark victory that will, among other things, make the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent. This is not just a legislative win; it’s a resounding affirmation of conservative economic principles that have fueled American prosperity for decades…. the conservative wing is poised to deliver a bill that will give the president — and the movement — a massive, hard-fought win. One might even be tempted to call this a “win for the Gipper.” After just six months back in office, President Trump’s victories and agenda have looked shockingly similar to the traditional Reaganite vision — low taxes, limited government, and a strong America. In many ways, these wins are a direct repudiation of the populism that once threatened to dominate the party. Who could have predicted that much of Trump’s domestic policy would look like Ronald Reagan’s third term? (National Review).

Obama’s Trump-Russia Collusion Report Was Corrupt from the Start

Not that anybody is surprised, but Miranda Devine has an exclusive report about how the CIA and FBI concocted the Russia collusion hoax. Miranda Devine,: “A bombshell new CIT review of the Obama administration’s spy agencies’ assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help Donald Trump was deliberately corrupted by then-CIA Director John Brennan, FBI Director James Comey and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who were “excessively involved” in its drafting, and rushed its completion in a “chaotic,” “atypical” and “markedly unconventional” process that raised questions of a “potential political motive.” Further, Brennan’s decision to include the discredited Steele dossier, over the objections of the CIA’s most senior Russia experts, “undermined the credibility” of the assessment. The “Tradecraft Review of the 2016 Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian Election Interference” was conducted by career professionals at the CIA’s Directorate of Analysis and was commissioned by CIA Director John Ratcliffe in May. (New York Post; Ratcliffe).

Scott Jennings “Going on Offense:” With New Daily Program

The one-hour program and podcast will launch on July 14: known to millions as the rare conservative who wins debates inside the lion’s den of CNN, will bring his signature fire and facts to the Salem lineup… “We’re going on offense,” Jennings said. “Every day, I’ll take calls, interview big names, and take the fight directly to the liberal machine. It’s time to bust the narratives and bring back some plain old common sense.” “Scott Jennings is a disruptor,” said Phil Boyce, Senior VP at Salem. “He’s the Lone Ranger of the CNN panel, armed with facts and fearless in delivery. He doesn’t just survive in hostile territory — he dominates. Now, with a national platform on Salem, Scott becomes a daily fixture in the battle to save the country” (Salem Media). Ed Morrissey: there’s something more about Scott, too. He’s not a bomb-thrower, he’s not a name-caller, and he’s not someone inclined to go out on a limb for a bad argument. Scott has tenacity and courage, but also wisdom and a cheerful, positive approach that absolutely will play marvelously in the one-hour radio and podcast formats here at Salem Media (our parent company). Scott does his homework, and because he does that, he offers insight, positivity, and merciless rebuttals to the craziness around him. That comes across in every 4-on-1 he endures on CNN. In celebration of Scott joining our ranks, I’ve collected some of the better clips this week from his own feed as well as others (Hot Air).

No: The US Has Not Stopped Sending Weapons to Ukraine

The media reports are wrong, or at least misleading, once again. Despite reports that Trump was cutting off Ukraine’s weapons, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce clarified the situation. One shipment of air defense missiles was diverted due to low stockpiles, but weapons continue to flow to Ukraine (Media Lies). NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was worried enough about cutting off the flow that he “pleaded” with Trump to resume shipments. New York Post: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte publicly pleaded with the Trump administration Wednesday to reverse its move to halt key weapons shipments to war-torn Ukraine.“The US always has to make sure that their own interests are covered,” Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister dubbed the “Trump Whisperer,” told “Fox & Friends.” “But when it comes to Ukraine, in the short term, Ukraine cannot do without all the support it can get when it gets ammunition and air defense systems” (New York Post).

It’s Pretty Clear Now: “Democrats Are Now an Anti-Israel Party”

And it doesn’t speak well for the party or our nation. Guy Benson: These numbers are highly disturbing yet unsurprising. Democratic voters’ sympathies have dramatically shifted from pro-Israel to pro-Palestinian since October 7, 2023.  On that terrible day, Hamas terrorists slaughtered 1,200 people, including dozens of Americans, and took hundreds of hostages — also including Americans.  These acts of explicitly genocidal violence touched off a brutal war in which Hamas used civilians as human shields while operating their terrorism out of hospitals and schools.  As a result, self-identified Democrats in the United States stampeded to turn against the Jewish state, the victims of the attack.  Democrats are now are pro-Palestinian political party, and it’s not even particularly close. CNN’s Harry Enten surveys the landscape: “In 2017, the Democratic Party was a pro-Israeli party. Look at this: They sympathized with the Israelis by 13 points more than with the Palestinians.”  But look at the sea change! Now Democrats sympathize more with the Palestinians by 43 points!” (Townhall).

A Society’s Willingness to Scapegoat the Jews: What Does it Say About Us?

Jacob Howland: The scapegoating of Jews in the West is part and parcel of a rebarbarized culture, one that endorses political violence. A recent Rutgers University poll found that “55 percent of all self-identifying ‘liberals’ believe killing is a justifiable means of pursuing their political goals”—and endows it with theological significance. If George Floyd’s death and subsequent canonization as a secular martyr justified the urban riots during which 2,000 police officers were injured, thousands of businesses and properties were looted and vandalized, and 17 people were killed, the sanctification of cold-blooded murder soon followed. After Luigi Mangione allegedly gunned down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024, images appeared of Mangione with a halo, in a green mantle with a red sacred heart, under the title “Saint Luigi, Patron Saint of Healthcare Access for All.” These developments underscore the global convergence of militant political and religious movements. Islamists have learned to speak the language of social justice activists, while far-left radicals have learned to frame ideological struggle as a holy war. Human life holds little value for either of them. The journey from self-immolation for Palestine to so-called self-martyrdom bombings is a short stop or two on a train that long ago left the station of peaceful politics. The ultimate aim of those who have married Islamism and Marxism, as Columbia University Apartheid Divest (a group of more than 100 anti-Israel organizations) admitted, is “the total eradication of Western civilization.” That would mean a world without political and economic liberty, freedom of speech and opinion, equal rights for women and minorities, technological advancement, philosophy, science, art, literature, music, and the blessings of the Jewish and Christian traditions. The hatred of Israel and the Jews is at bottom a nihilistic loathing of the free and flourishing life that the West has secured for billions of people. Israel epitomizes not only the abundant fruits of Western civilization but also the conditions for their existence: strong borders, national pride, and free markets; thick social bonds and vigorous common purpose (Tablet).

Sean “Diddy” Combs Acquitted of Most Serious Charges

Sean Combs was convicted of two minor charges on Wednesday, but acquitted on the serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. New York Times: “Sean Combs was acquitted on Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, but convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution, after an eight-week federal trial that described his prolific drug use and violence against two former girlfriends. A jury in Manhattan found Mr. Combs, 55, not guilty of the most serious charges against him. Prosecutors had accused the famed producer of coercing two former girlfriends, Casandra Ventura and a woman who testified pseudonymously as “Jane,” into unwanted sex with male prostitutes, aided by a team of pliant employees. Mr. Combs had denied all charges and contended that the sexual acts were consensual (New York Times). USA Today: His conviction centers on the transportation of two former girlfriends – Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine and the anonymous “Jane” – as well as sex workers for the intent of prostitution. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, as each count carries a maximum of 10 years (USA Today). Diddy will not be released prior to sentencing (New York Post).  It’s worth noting that the failed prosecution was led by Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. She was the lead prosecutor in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, and many users on X are accusing her of throwing the trial. Users note that in neither trial have the names of accomplices surfaced, suggesting that she is part of a conspiracy to cover up big names. (Muse; C3; Viva Frei).

Judge Nullifies Trump’s Border Invasion Declaration

More lawfare … another day, another rogue judge acting as if he is president. POLITICO: By imposing the severe restrictions, the proclamation allows immigration authorities to quickly deport people who say they are fleeing violence, persecution or humanitarian strife, rather than processing their claims. Trump and his allies say this was a necessary step to regain control of an overrun border. But Moss said those limitations go far beyond what the law allows. Existing procedures in the Immigration and Nationality Act, the judge said, provide the “sole and exclusive” means for the federal government to deport people who cross the border illegally — no matter how cumbersome or inadequate the administration views the process. Trump’s proclamation established “an alternative immigration system” that has no basis in law, the judge ruled. Moss, an Obama appointee in Washington, D.C., said his ruling will apply to all people “who are currently present or who will be present in the United States” and might face the restrictions being challenged in the case. He said a separate ruling would address similar claims by those already deported under the procedures he has found to be illegal (Politico).

Trump to Kick Off Independence Day Celebration in Des Moines

The nation’s 249^th celebration, launching the beginning of a year-long celebration of our 250^th. Fox News, beginning with Trump: “I am thrilled to announce that I will be traveling to one of my favorite places in the World, beautiful Iowa, on Thursday, July 3rd, to kick off the very beginning of our exciting Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary!” …. This will be a very special event, honoring our Great Country, and our Brave Heroes who fought to keep us FREE,” he continued…. The event is slated to be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines and is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Central Time, according to the event’s website.  “This special event serves as the magnificent start of a dynamic, year-long commemoration across our beautiful country, unveiling a vision for a renewed commitment to America’s future,” Monica Crowley, the principal media representative for America250, said in a press release previewing the event (Fox News; event site: America 250). Lee Greenwood: I’m honored to join President Trump in Des Moines, Iowa as we kick off America’s birthday celebration! There’s no better way to start the 4th of July than standing with proud Americans, celebrating our great nation and the freedoms we hold dear. God Bless The USA! (Greenwood).