Wednesday, January 28, 2026
No menu items!
Newsletter
type here...
Home Blog Page 44

Bye-Bye Handouts! Trump Slams Door on Free School for Illegals

Keely Compson
-
0
Bye-Bye Handouts! Trump Slams Door on Free School for Illegals
  • The Trump administration just cut off taxpayer-funded education for illegal immigrants in career, technical, and adult programs.
  • A Clinton-era loophole was tossed, ensuring federal aid goes to citizens and legal residents only.
  • Education Secretary Linda McMahon said it best: “No more free rides—Americans come first.”

The Trump administration is putting America—and Americans—first. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education announced it will no longer let taxpayer dollars fund the education of people in the country illegally.

“It will end taxpayer subsidization of illegal aliens in career, technical, and adult education programs,” the department said in a statement.

The move comes after the department tossed out a 1997 Clinton-era letter that had quietly allowed illegal immigrants to tap into federal public benefits, skirting the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). That law was designed to limit federal aid to U.S. citizens, legal residents, and qualified immigrants—not just anyone who walks across the border.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon laid it out plainly: “Postsecondary education programs funded by the federal government should benefit American citizens, not illegal aliens.” She added, “Under President Trump’s leadership, hardworking American taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for illegal aliens.”

Jessica Vaughan of the Center for Immigration Studies agreed, saying, “Taxpayers should not have to subsidize vocational or other post-secondary education for illegal aliens, who aren’t allowed to work in this country.”

This action follows Trump’s February executive order, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders,” and reflects a growing effort to cut off public benefits for illegal immigrants. Other agencies like HUD and DHS have already started doing the same.

This isn’t just policy—it’s a promise kept. Under President Trump’s leadership, the days of illegal immigrants cashing in on taxpayer-funded benefits are coming to an end. No more backdoor freebies, no more anti-American loopholes, and no more asking hard-working citizens to foot the bill for people who broke our laws to get here. Education is for citizens. Opportunity is earned.

Trump Admin Reshapes Wildfire Response with $391M Budget Cut

AFN
-
0
Trump Admin Reshapes Wildfire Response with $391M Budget Cut
  • The U.S. Forest Service plans to slash $391 million from its 2026 budget
  • Critics warn the cuts could weaken wildfire readiness, but Trump officials say it’s a “back-to-basics” strategy focused on energy, minerals, and better land management.
  • GOP senators argue states manage land better than D.C., calling for more local control and less bloated federal bureaucracy.

The Center Square reports:

The U.S. Forest Services plans to cut its budget by $391 million for fiscal year 2026, according to a proposed budget request.

A large portion of the cuts to the forest services budget are expected to be implemented into the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service within the Department of the Interior.

Tom Shultz, chief of the U.S. Forest Service, laid out plans to integrate fire service operations within the department and highlighted its focus on a “back-to-basics approach” at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on Thursday.

“The fiscal year 2026 President’s budget refocuses forest service efforts on active forest management, critical minerals permitting, recreation [and] energy development,” Shultz said.

Some senators on the committee criticized the forest service’s plans to consolidate fire operations in the Department of Interior.

“Instead of moving quickly, you all have trotted out yet another new and described as improved reorganization in the middle of a very dangerous fire season,” Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said.

Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said he was concerned about staffing cuts at the forest service from the Trump administration’s deferred resignation program, which allowed federal workers to resign from their positions while still receiving pay and benefits until Sept. 30.

“The staffing reductions coupled with the president diverting National Guard units in California mean that those resources are no longer available to support our wildfire response capacity,” Padilla said.

Shultz said that most firefighting personnel in the forest service did not take part in the deferred resignation process. He said the forest service maintains 99% capacity for firefighting personnel.

Padilla also said he was concerned about the increased roles state and local governments would need to take up in preventing forest fires with less help from the U.S. Forest Service.

“Communities in the United States of America are at increased risk because of the actions of this administration which contradict the supposed goals and objectives,” Padilla said.

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., opposed Padilla and said that state governments should have greater responsibility over public lands, rather than the federal government.

“If you take a look at the landscapes across Montana and look at federal lands versus state lands, I can tell you the state’s doing a much, much better job in terms of stewardship of public lands than the federal government,” Daines said.

As the U.S. Forest Service prepares to make cuts to its budget, state and local governments are looking for ways to address land management.

“Some of these issues that we’ve discussed, it’s just a reminder of the fact that states and tribes are incredible partners. They’re indispensable parties really, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah said.

“They’re the ones on the ground, living in communities that depend on these forests, that are right next to them, whose lives are inextricably intertwined with the land in question,” Lee added.

DOGE Downsize Hits D.C. as SCOTUS Approves Federal Job Cuts

Keely Compson
-
0
DOGE Downsize Hits D.C. as SCOTUS Approves Federal Job Cuts
  • Supreme Court OKs Trump-Era Layoffs: The State Department will begin firing hundreds of U.S.-based employees after the Court approved mass federal downsizing.
  • 15% Staff Cut Incoming: Secretary Marco Rubio’s plan aims to trim bloated bureaucracy and make the department “relevant, effective, and quick.”
  • Critics Push Back: Opponents say critical programs are at risk, but officials insist layoffs target redundant roles—not individual merit.

Big changes are coming to Foggy Bottom. Following the Supreme Court’s green light this week, the State Department has begun notifying staff that layoffs are imminent—hundreds of U.S.-based employees are expected to be let go “in the coming days.”

The move is part of a broader Trump administration initiative to trim federal bloat and streamline operations across Washington. Originally proposed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in April, the plan aims to cut roughly 15% of the State Department’s workforce.

Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce defended the effort Thursday, stating the goal is to make the department “relevant,” “effective,” and “quick.” As she put it, “When something is too large to operate, too bureaucratic, to actually function and to deliver projects or action, it has to change.”

The cuts fall under the larger mission of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—spearheaded by President Trump and launched with the help of Elon Musk to tackle “waste, fraud, and abuse” across federal agencies.

Critics argue the layoffs may jeopardize national security and global health programs, but a senior official clarified the department is “targeting functions,” not individuals, and focusing only on domestic staff—no overseas Foreign Service officers are being cut at this time.

The department had warned earlier this year that up to 1,800 roles could be affected, in addition to nearly 1,000 voluntary departures.

As Deputy Secretary Michael Rigas noted in a staff email: “Every effort has been made to support our colleagues who are departing.”

Gov. Abbott Orders Half-Staff Tribute to Honor Flood Victims

Keely Compson
-
0
Gov. Abbott Orders Half-Staff Tribute to Honor Flood Victims
  • Gov. Greg Abbott ordered all Texas flags flown at half-staff to honor flood victims and their families.
  • The tribute runs through sunrise on July 14 as the state grieves devastating losses.
  • Abbott offers condolences to families affected by the floods

Texas stands tall—but right now, it bows its head in honor of those lost. Governor Greg Abbott has ordered all Texas flags to be flown at half-staff until sunrise on July 14th to pay tribute to the victims of the devastating floods that have swept through the Lone Star State.

This isn’t just a symbolic gesture—it’s a reminder of what Texas is all about: faith, family, and fierce loyalty to our own. When tragedy strikes, we don’t look to D.C. for handouts—we roll up our sleeves, open our churches, and take care of each other.

The floods have taken lives, shaken communities, and left a heartbreaking path of destruction. But Texans don’t fold—we fight, we pray, and we rebuild. And Governor Abbott is showing that our state still leads with strength and compassion.

In the spirit of Texas grit and American grace, the half-staff flags send a loud and clear message: we remember, we stand together, and by the grace of God, we will rise.

Title VI Crackdown: Colleges Under Investigation for Racial Bias

AFN
-
0
Title VI Crackdown: Colleges Under Investigation for Racial Bias
  • The Trump administration is investigating 45 universities for possible Title VI violations
  • Big names like Harvard, George Mason, and University of Washington are under fire for DEI policies, visa abuse, and race-based preferences.
  • Education Secretary Linda McMahon says the goal is clear: protect all students and ensure merit—not skin color—determines success.

The Center Square reports:

The U.S. Department of Education has launched investigations into 45 universities for alleged Title VI violations.

In recent months, the department’s Office for Civil Rights have claimed the universities are in violation of Title VI due to alleged racial discrimination on campus.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs and activities that receive federal funding.

“The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination. The agency has already launched Title VI investigations into institutions where widespread antisemitic harassment has been reported and Title IX investigations into entities which allegedly continue to allow sex discrimination,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Today’s announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes.”

In its recent efforts to combat campus discrimination, the Trump administration has informed Harvard University’s accreditors that the university is violating federal anti-discrimination laws, potentially jeopardizing its accreditation.

“When an institution — no matter how prestigious — abandons its mission and fails to protect its students, it forfeits the legitimacy that accreditation is designed to uphold,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a press release.

Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin blamed Harvard for ongoing discrimination and antisemitic harassments students faced.

“Harvard, like other universities, has allowed foreign students to abuse their visa privileges and advocate for violence and terrorism on campus,” McLaughlin said. 

On Thursday, the Department of Education announced an investigation into George Mason University following a complaint alleging that the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies provide “preferential treatment” to faculty from “underrepresented groups” in an effort to appear “anti-racist.”

“The Trump-McMahon Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights will investigate this matter fully to ensure that individuals are judged based on their merit and accomplishment, not the color of their skin,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor.

The University of Washington and Washington State University have also been under investigation due to their ties with the PhD Project, a nonprofit that assists minorities within graduate programs.

“Our vision is to create a broader talent pipeline of current and future business leaders who are committed to excellence and to each other, through networking, mentorship, and unique events,” the PhD Project stated.

In the announcement back in March, McMahon noted the department efforts are to ensure that all students, regardless of race, have the same opportunities to accomplish greatness.

“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment,” McMahon said.

Colleges being investigated by the Department of Education over Title VI also include the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and two colleges in Colorado.

Insurrection Paranoia? Dems Want to Rewrite Playbook Before Trump Even Calls the Game

Keely Compson
-
0
Insurrection Paranoia? Dems Want to Rewrite Playbook Before Trump Even Calls the Game
  • Democrats are trying to limit Trump’s power with a new bill restricting use of the Insurrection Act—even though he hasn’t used it.
  • The bill would force him to ask Congress first, cap deployment at 7 days, and block martial law or militia support.
  • Trump says he’ll use it if there’s an actual insurrection—sorry libs, restoring law and order isn’t a crime.

Democrats are once again trying to clip President Donald Trump’s wings—this time over a law he hasn’t even used. On Tuesday, Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) introduced the “Insurrection Act of 2025,” a bill aimed at limiting the president’s authority to deploy U.S. troops during national unrest.

That’s right—Trump hasn’t invoked the Insurrection Act, but Democrats are already panicking over the possibility he might. “No President should have such wide-ranging power to deploy American troops against the American people,” said Deluzio. He claims Trump wants to “crush dissent”—but what he calls dissent, many Americans call lawlessness.

The bill would rewrite the 1807 law to require congressional consultation, limit its use to seven days, and prevent the president from using it to suspend habeas corpus, declare martial law, or call on private militias. It also allows for judicial review—because of course, Democrats want the courts to second-guess the commander-in-chief in a crisis.

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) chimed in, claiming, “We’ve already seen him twist the law for political gain,” despite no actual use of the Insurrection Act by Trump—even during his first term or the recent chaos in Los Angeles.

Here’s the truth: the Insurrection Act gives the president the authority to restore order when local leadership fails. Trump said it best: whether he’ll use it “depends on whether there’s an insurrection.”

Sorry, Democrats. If there’s chaos in the streets, Americans expect strength—not red tape.

Trump Slaps Brazil with 50% Tariff – Cites ‘Unfair’ Trade Practices

AFN
-
0
Trump Slaps Brazil with 50% Tariff – Cites ‘Unfair’ Trade Practices
  • Trump announces a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, calling the trade relationship “unfair” and “non-reciprocal.”
  • Warns Brazil against retaliatory tariffs and offers to lift the tariff if Brazil opens its markets or moves production to the U.S.
  • Slams BRICS as a threat to the U.S. dollar and defends former Brazilian President Bolsonaro, calling his trial a “Witch Hunt.”

President Donald Trump announced this week that the United States will impose a 50% tariff on goods imported from Brazil starting August 1. The move marks the highest tariff rate Trump has proposed so far and signals a tougher stance on what he calls “unfair” global trade deals.

“We have had years to discuss our trading relationship with Brazil, and have concluded that we must move away from the longstanding, and very unfair trade relationship engendered by Brazil’s Tariff, and non-reciprocal Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers,” Trump said in a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva. “Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal.”

The White House has sent 21 trade letters to various countries this week, but the letter to Brazil stood out with a firmer tone—and a warning. Trump said that if Brazil responds with tariffs of its own, the U.S. will match the increase on top of the 50% already imposed.

“If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by will be added onto the 50% we charge,” he wrote.

However, Trump left the door open for negotiations. “If you wish to open your heretofore closed Trading Markets to the United States… we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter.”

The president also took aim at BRICS—calling it a threat to the U.S. dollar—and expressed support for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, calling his trial a “Witch Hunt.”

Trump Taps Sean Duffy as Interim NASA Chief

Keely Compson
-
0
Trump Taps Sean Duffy as Interim NASA Chief
  • President Trump has appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as interim NASA Administrator, citing space as a growing national priority.
  • Duffy replaces Janet Petro after Trump withdrew billionaire Jared Isaacman’s nomination over concerns about conflicts of interest with SpaceX.
  • Trump praised Duffy’s leadership at DOT and called him the right choice to help guide NASA’s mission during this critical period.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will step in as interim administrator of NASA—a move the president says highlights the growing role of space in America’s strategic priorities.

“I am pleased to announce that I am directing our GREAT Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to be Interim Administrator of NASA,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time.”

Trump praised Duffy’s leadership at the Department of Transportation, calling his work “TREMENDOUS,” and applauding his focus on modernizing air traffic control and rebuilding infrastructure. “Rebuilding our roads and bridges, making them efficient, and beautiful, again,” he added.

Duffy, a former Wisconsin congressman and reliable Trump ally, accepted the post with enthusiasm. “🚀 Honored to accept this mission. Time to take over space. Let’s launch,” he wrote on X.

Duffy replaces Janet Petro, who had served as acting administrator since January. The appointment comes after Trump withdrew the nomination of Jared Isaacman in May, a billionaire entrepreneur closely tied to Elon Musk and SpaceX.

Trump cited a “thorough review of prior associations” and concern over “corporate entanglements” as reasons for pulling Isaacman’s nomination.

NASA has taken on a bigger role under Trump, factoring into national defense, economic growth, and innovation. The administration continues to prioritize space exploration as part of a broader push to restore American leadership beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Trump Launches ‘Make America Beautiful Again’ to Save Public Lands

AFN
-
0
Trump Launches ‘Make America Beautiful Again’ to Save Public Lands
  • Trump reverses course on public land sales, launching the “Make America Beautiful Again” commission to focus on conservation instead of development.
  • The shift follows backlash over a proposed 1.2 million-acre land sell-off, which was pulled from a major tax bill due to concerns over foreign buyers.
  • The MABA commission, led by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, will promote economic growth through tourism, park upgrades, and preservation of public lands.

The Center Square reports:

After public backlash to the proposed sale of millions of acres in public land in Western states, the Trump administration appears to have taken a 180-degree turn on land conservation.

The Make America Beautiful Again commission will advise President Donald Trump on conservation of, in Trump’s words, America’s “national treasures and natural resources.”

“America’s national parks, forests, waterways, and public lands have inspired generations and kindled our Nation’s spirit of exploration,” read a July 3 executive order signed by Trump. “To ensure that the next generation of Americans inherits this same sense of duty and adventure, my Administration will prioritize conserving our great American national parks and outdoor recreation areas.”

Two MABA commission executive orders were signed the day before the federal government’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act became law. The massive tax bill had been set to include the sell-off of over 1.2 million acres of public lands, a large portion of which would have been in Nevada.

But late in the months-long negotiations for the bill, U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who had proposed the public lands sale, pulled the provision.

“I was unable to secure clear, enforceable safeguards to guarantee that these lands would be sold only to American families – not to China, not to BlackRock and not to any foreign interests,” Lee wrote on social media. “I’ve made the decision to withdraw the federal land sales provision from the bill.”

Earlier this year in April, the Bureau of Land Management sold 6,800 acres of public land for oil and gas development.

Instead of development, Trump’s MABA commission will focus on conservation and economic impact from Western public lands. The apparent U-turn on public land sales will look to increase entrance fees, attract more foreign tourists and expand national park infrastructure to generate more revenue from the country’s natural lands.

Made of 11 of President Trump’s cabinet members, the MABA commission will be headed by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, the former North Dakota governor who has drawn criticism for his close ties to the oil industry.

With over 80% of Nevada’s land publicly owned, the MABA commission could have a large impact on the state in the coming years.

“Given the all-out assault on clean water, public lands and wildlife protection from the Trump administration, it’s hard not to be skeptical of anything it announces,” said Andrew Wetzler, senior vice president for nature at the Natural Resources Defense Council, as per The Washington Post.

The executive orders call for economic development through conservation efforts, but vague details leave out most information on how the economics and conservation will be balanced.

The Center Square reached out to the BLM for further detail but did not receive an immediate response.

1...434445...149Page 44 of 149

Links

Stay connected

Newsletter Signup

- Advertisement -

© America First News | All rights reserved.