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Air Force, Space Force Hit Recruitment Targets Three Months Early

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Air Force, Space Force Hit Recruitment Targets Three Months Early

The Air Force and Space Force just crushed their recruitment goals—three months early. With 30,000 new recruits and a record-breaking 750 Special Warfare candidates, these branches are proving that patriotic Americans are stepping up in a big way under Trump’s leadership.

The Center Square reports:

The U.S. Air Force and Space Force have met their annual recruitment goal three months early, as of June 30.

For years, nearly all U.S. military branches struggled to meet annual recruitment goals. Within six months of President Donald Trump being elected to office, a reversal occurred with the U.S. Navy being the first to announce it met its recruitment goal early in mid-June, The Center Square reported.

As of last month, 40,600 future sailors had signed up to serve in the U.S. Navy. Now, another 30,000 recruits have joined the U.S. Air Force and Space Force.

Both branches reached 100% of their annual recruitment goal three months early. The federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1 and goes through Sept. 30.

The Air Force and Space Force have already sent nearly 25,000 of their 30,000 contracted recruits to basic military training, they announced. Remaining recruits are scheduled to begin training by Sept. 30.

“This year’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as the Air Force Recruiting Service has built its strongest Delayed Entry Program in the last decade, with a pool of over 14,000 recruits,” the Air Force said. Among them are a record 750 Special Warfare Candidates, who represent “a historic number of individuals who have signed up for these challenging-to-fill career fields.”

Recruiting across the Department of Defense had “become increasingly challenging due to a widening unfamiliarity gap between the civilian sector and the military,” the Air Force said last year.

Critics, including members of Congress, argued that under the Biden administration, failure to meet recruiting goals was due to a range of DOD policies, including a COVID-era vaccine mandate, prioritizing so-called “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” training and “woke” transgender social programs. The Trump administration ended them, instead refocusing priorities on mission readiness, warfighting, cutting wasteful spending and modernizing administrative and procurement operations.

To address recruitment gaps and failures, the Air Force Accessions Center (AFAC) was launched at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. It’s focused on modernizing recruitment strategies, expanding community outreach and highlighting career development, it says.

“The fact that we have even exceeded this goal and currently have a DEP at its largest level in 10 years speaks to the vast number of volunteers interested in serving their country today,” Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said that “patriotic Americans … are lining up and signing up,” so much so that this year was “the largest number of Special Warfare candidates awaiting training on record.”

U.S. Space Force has been the exception to DOD recruitment woes.

In December 2019, Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law creating U.S. Space Force, creating the first new armed service since 1947.

Every year since, it’s met its recruitment goals.

“This is the sixth consecutive year we’ve reached our target and filled our ranks with high caliber patriots,” Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said. “It’s clear Americans are excited about the Space Force, and this achievement is a direct reflection of the talent our mission continues to attract.”

U.S. Space Force also partnered with AFAC to establish the first Space Force Recruiting Squadron.

Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, said a record 6,000 more Airmen and Guardians were recruited in fiscal 2025 than in fiscal 2023.

Those interested in joining the Air Force and Space Force as civilians or as service members are encouraged to learn more at www.AirForce.com or www.SpaceForce.com.

Honoring 250 Years: New Grants Fuel America’s History Projects

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Honoring 250 Years: New Grants Fuel America’s History Projects

The U.S. Department of Education is rolling out $14.2 million in grants to boost patriotic education ahead of America’s 250th birthday. The new program will fund seminars that focus on the Constitution, Founding principles, and civic responsibility—prioritizing schools with programs in American history and free market economics.

Supporters say it’s a win for real civic learning; critics claim it sidelines equity and CRT. Either way, applications are open—and history class just got a whole lot spicier.

The Center Square reports:

The U.S. Department of Education has launched a new grant initiative to encourage patriotism as America’s 250th anniversary approaches.

In anticipation of the July 4, 2026 celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Department of Education announced its New History and Civics Seminars Grant Program for the 2025 fiscal year.

“As our nation’s 250th birthday approaches, the Department of Education is providing grantees with an opportunity to celebrate the roots of our constitutional republic and teach students about America’s Founding principles and the responsibilities of citizenship,” said Hayley Sanon, acting assistant secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. “This new program will fund seminars that equip educators and students with the knowledge and civic values needed to uphold the freedoms we enjoy.”

“Priority will be given to applicants from institutions of higher education that have established independent academic units dedicated to civic thought, constitutional studies, American history, political leadership and free market economics,” the release said.

The U.S. Department of Education explained in its press release that these seminars are an opportunity to “study the American political tradition (ideas, traditions, institutions and texts essential to American constitutional government and American history) with a focus on the first principles of the Founding, their inclusion in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.”

Many are excited for this new initiative, such as Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, who promoted the grant on social media. Others are hesitant about what they say are the new grant’s true intentions.

“So like … maga history or actual history?” Sarah Surber, commented on a U.S. DoE Facebook post.

“Only available if you leave out CRT. In other words, European-American history only,” Barbara Vieth Seiser, commented. “CRT” stands for “Critical Race Theory.”

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Education on June 20, just days before this grant was announced, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell along with 18 other attorneys general urged McMahon to make grants promoting equity in access to educational resources.

“The critical takeaway is that properly developed and implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are actually crucial in helping to prevent unlawful discrimination,” the letter stated.

With available funds of $14.2 million, the Department of Education hopes to grant five to 10 awards with an estimated range of $500,000 to $1 million per year.

The application deadline is July 23. For more information, email [email protected].

Tillis Taps Out: North Carolina Senator Won’t Run Again

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Tillis Taps Out: North Carolina Senator Won’t Run Again

Sen. Thom Tillis is calling it quits after two terms, saying he’s over the D.C. drama and ready for more time with his grandkids—and maybe fewer Trump jabs.

The moderate Republican from North Carolina, known for his clashes with Trump and narrow election wins, says the gridlock isn’t worth another six years. With his exit, the 2026 race is already heating up. Tillis may be out, but the battle for his seat is just getting started.

The Center Square reports:

North Carolina’s senior senator says he is done with the partisan gridlock of Washington and will not seek reelection in the 2026 midterms.

“It’s not a hard choice,” the statement of U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., early Sunday afternoon said.

Considered a moderate Republican, he was the target of the ever-mercurial president overnight when he was one of two holdouts advancing the reconciliation bill to debate in the Senate. Tillis, 64, cited the projected cost of $32 billion via Medicaid that would fall to the state budget for rural hospitals and communities back home.

His flare-ups with President Donald Trump go back to the Floridian’s first term. His two Senate terms included a 48.6%-46.9% triumph over Democrat Cal Cunningham five years ago and a 48.8%-47.3% win over then-incumbent and the late Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan in 2014.

Hagan, 17 years ago, was the last Democrat to win a Senate seat from what is now the nation’s ninth largest state (11 million population) with independent voters (nearly 38%) the largest bloc. Former Sen. Richard Burr (2010, 2016), Sen. Ted Budd (2022) and Tillis are 5-0 since.

Tillis, 9-0 in 23 years of political elections, late Saturday night cast one of two votes against the advance of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, known also as House Resolution 1. Trump jabbed him on social media saying he would seek a primary opponent, though such speculation was hardly new. Tillis’ campaign has $5.6 million cash on hand.

In a published statement, Tillis said, “The choice is between spending another six years navigating the political theater and partisan gridlock in Washington or spending that time with the love my life, Susan, our two children, three beautiful grandchildren, and the rest of our extended family back home.”

Thom and Susan Tillis celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary on Saturday.

Tillis was elected to the town of Cornelius’ park board in 2002, town commissioners in 2003, and defeated incumbent John Rhodes in the 2006 Republican primary on the way to a seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

In 2010, with redistricting maps drawn and favoring Democrats, Republicans won both chambers of the General Assembly for the first time in 140 years – since Reconstruction and the Civil War. Tillis was elected speaker of the House and stayed in the role until beating Hagan in 2014.

The 2010 midterms upheaval in the Legislature changed the directory of the state. The budget deficit then was between $800 million and $1.2 billion, and the turnaround of roughly $6 billion since sent the state’s surplus to more than $5 billion prior to Hurricane Helene.

State budget writers this summer are trying to appropriate more aid for western North Carolina while still replenishing what is colloquially called the rainy day fund.

Becoming a more business friendly state began while Tillis was at the helm of the House and Sen. Phil Berger led the Senate. The state regularly ranks among the best in a myriad of rankings, inclusive of nonprofit nonpartisan tax watch organizations, media outlets such as left-leaning CNBC, and business journals.

Republicans have 53 seats in the Senate, Democrats 45 and two are with independents caucusing with the Democrats. The seats of Tillis and Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins are already consensus most vulnerable to change within the party or even to be flipped blue.

Former Democratic U.S. Rep Wiley Nickel is a candidate for the seat. Former Gov. Roy Cooper, himself with a 13-0 political record inclusive of time in the state House, Senate and governor’s mansion, has been noncommittal to significant speculation.

Berger, 72, has name recognition and accomplishments should he choose to run. He was minority leader of the Senate from 2005 through 2010 and has led the chamber since Jan. 26, 2011.

Elsewhere, 10 Republicans from North Carolina are in the U.S. House led in tenure by 81-year-old Virginia Foxx (first elected 2004) and 53-year-old David Rouzer (2014). Freshmen Reps. Addison McDowell, 31, and Pat Harrigan, 38, are considered fiercely loyal to Trump. Fellow freshman Rep. Tim Moore, 54, set a record with five terms as state House speaker.

Republicans with less name appeal include Brooks Agnew, Don Brown and Andy Nilsson.

Viewed for now as longshots albeit with name recognition are Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law born in Wilmington, and Mark Robinson, the embattled former lieutenant governor and loser by more than 10% to Gov. Josh Stein last November.

A statement from South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Republican Senatorial Committee chairman, on Sunday said, “President Trump has won North Carolina three times, and the state’s been represented by two Republican senators for over a decade. That streak will continue in 2026 when North Carolinians elect a conservative leader committed to advancing an agenda of opportunity, prosperity and security.”

Senate Gears Up to Pass Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

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Senate Gears Up to Pass Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” just cleared a key Senate hurdle with a 51-49 vote, despite two GOP defections. Democrats tried to stall by forcing a full reading of the 940-page beast, but Trump’s ready to celebrate.

Trump is calling it a win for the economy, border security, vets, and the Second Amendment. If the Senate passes it, the House still has to sign off—but Trump wants it on his desk by July 4. Fireworks, anyone?

The Center Square reports:

President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act cleared a Senate hurdle late Saturday, with a final vote in the upper chamber coming as early as Sunday night or Monday.

The procedural vote was 51-49, with two Senate Republicans – U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Rand Paul, R-Ky. – joining all Democrats in voting against.

To delay a final vote in the Senate, Democrats forced a full reading of the 940-page bill on the floor.

Trump celebrated the vote in posts on Truth Social.

“They, along with all of the other Republican Patriots who voted for the Bill, are people who truly love our Country!” Trump wrote. “As President of the USA, I am proud of them all, and look forward to working with them to GROW OUR ECONOMY, REDUCE WASTEFUL SPENDING, SECURE OUR BORDER, FIGHT FOR OUR MILITARY/VETS, ENSURE THAT OUR MEDICAID SYSTEM HELPS THOSE WHO TRULY NEED IT, PROTECT OUR SECOND AMENDMENT, AND SO MUCH MORE. GOD BLESS AMERICA &, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

The budget reconciliation bill, upon final passage, will implement Trump’s tax, energy, border, and defense policies, including an extension of the tax cuts he delivered during his first term, which are scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025 without action.

Assuming final passage in the Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives – where its version passed 215-214 – would need to agree to changes. Trump has said he wants the measure on his desk by July 4.

Faith Group Responds to SCOTUS Ruling with Parental Opt-Out Guide

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Faith Group Responds to SCOTUS Ruling with Parental Opt-Out Guide

After a major Supreme Court win for religious freedom, a faith-based nonprofit is helping parents fight back. The Court ruled that forcing kids into LGBTQ+ lessons without an opt-out option violates parental rights. In response, Advocates for Faith & Freedom created a free, customizable legal form so parents can say “no thanks” to content that goes against their beliefs.

Bottom line? Schools can’t steamroll the Constitution—and parents aren’t backing down anytime soon.

The Center Square reports:

A nonprofit religious freedom organization is providing tools for parents to help them opt out of public-school LGBTQ+ instruction, curriculum and materials after the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on Friday.

In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that a Maryland school board’s introduction of “LGBTQ+-inclusive” books and curriculum “combined with its no-opt-out policy, burdens the parents’ right to the free exercise of religion.”

The school board previously allowed for an opt-out policy but reversed it, arguing it was too difficult to manage, The Center Square reported.

Because the school board refused to allow an opt-out option, the court held that if it didn’t issue an injunction to halt the school district’s policy, parents would be forced to keep making the same choice. They would be forced to “either risk their child’s exposure to burdensome instruction, or pay substantial sums for alternative educational services,” the ruling states. “As we have explained, that choice unconstitutionally burdens the parents’ religious exercise, and ‘[t]he loss of First Amendment freedoms, for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury.’”

The court majority said that “a government burdens the religious exercise of parents when it requires them to submit their children to instruction that poses ‘a very real threat of undermining’ the religious beliefs and practices that the parents wish to instill.”

It also emphasized that parental rights and religious freedom were protected by the Constitution, arguing, “The practice of educating one’s children in one’s religious beliefs, like all religious acts and practices, receives a generous measure of protection from the Constitution.”

In response, California-based Advocates for Faith & Freedom, which has been embroiled in lawsuits over parental rights and religious freedom for years, created a free, legal opt-out form for parents to use nationwide.

The form is customizable, allowing parents to “request that their child be exempt from exposure to any instruction or materials on gender identity, sexual orientation, or other related topics contrary to their faith,” it says. This includes opting out of “instruction, curriculum, or discussions related to gender identity, gender theory, sexual orientation, or any LGBTQ+-themed materials that conflict with their religious beliefs,” it says.

“Today’s decision is a victory for religious freedom and the rights of parents. A parent should be treated by a school as a respected partner, not as someone to ignore or alienate from his/her own child’s education,” Advocates for Faith & Freedom president and chief counsel Robert Tyler said. “The Supreme Court’s opinion sends a two-part message to schools across the country: 1) sincere religious beliefs cannot be ignored and 2) a parent has every right to know what is going on with his/her child at school.”

The letter also includes affirmations of what the parents and family believe, including that biological sex is immutable, defined by God, and “it is sinful and harmful to teach children that a person can change their biological sex and gender.”

The letter defines what the it considers objectional materials and clarifies that no one at a child’s school, including employees and third parties, are allowed “to introduce, expose, teach or discuss [with the child] any book or curriculum that contains ‘objectional materials.’”

It notes that parents have a First Amendment right to hold their religious beliefs and educate their children and anyone at the school who violates it and the Supreme Court injunction will face legal consequences.

“For too long, public schools have treated parental rights and the free exercise of religion as an ‘empty promise,’” Advocates for Faith & Freedom said.

It also notes that the ruling “does not mark the end of the issue” and that parents should expect potentially ongoing challenges to their First Amendment rights.

“Public schools can be expected to try to limit the Supreme Court’s holding and will find new ways to assert its power and to indoctrinate children,” it said, adding that it remained committed to preserving the rights of parents, children and families.

Trump Shrugs Off Tariff Deadline: ‘We Can Do Whatever We Want’

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Trump Shrugs Off Tariff Deadline: ‘We Can Do Whatever We Want’

President Donald Trump isn’t sweating his self-imposed tariff deadline. With just days left, he shut down trade talks with Canada—calling their new digital tax a “blatant attack”—and doubled down on his power play: “We can do whatever we want.”

While Dems stall with bill readings and critics complain, Trump’s already landed deals with the UK and China, with more on deck. As Trump sees it, tariffs aren’t just policy—they’re leverage. And he’s not bluffing.

The Center Square reports:

President Donald Trump appears unconcerned about an upcoming tariff deal deadline after abruptly ending all trade talks with Canada as his bid to overhaul world trade continues.

Trump is nearing the end of a self-imposed 90-day deadline to strike deals with nearly every U.S. trading partner as he works to reorder global trade by giving America a competitive advantage through tariffs on foreign goods.

Trump now says that the deadline could be extended past July 9 or even accelerated.

“We can do whatever we want. We could extend it, we could make it shorter. I’d like to make it shorter,” Trump said Friday at the Oval Office. “I’d like to just send letters out to everyone ‘Congratulations, you’re paying 25%.'”

On April 2, Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on nearly every nation that trades with the U.S. Seven days later, he paused those higher tariff rates for 90 days to give his trade team time to cut deals with key trading partners. That 90-day deadline ends July 9 and thus far Trump has brought home two deals: A limited trade pact with the United Kingdom and a trade truce with China.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg that new deals are on the way, and those could serve as models for others.

“We’re going to do top 10 deals, put them in the right category, and then these other countries will fit behind,” Lutnick said.

He said the U.S. was “close to the finish line” with India. Lutnick also said he had made an offer to the European Union.

Trump’s decision to suspend trade talks with Canada with just days left before the deadline underscored the flexibility of the president’s trade deadline.

“These are very complex negotiations and we are going to continue them in the best interests of Canadians,” Candian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday while leaving his office, according to local reports.

Canada has invariably been one of the top two trading partners for the United States for years. In 2024, Canada was the top destination for U.S. exports and the third-largest source of U.S. imports. On the other side, Canada exported 75% of its goods to the United States and imported almost half of its goods from the United States.

U.S. total goods trade with Canada was an estimated $762.1 billion in 2024, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. U.S. goods exports to Canada in 2024 were $349.4 billion. U.S. imports from Canada in 2024 totaled $412.7 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Canada was $63.3 billion in 2024.

Services trade with Canada, exports and imports, totaled an estimated $140.3 billion in 2023. Services exports were $86.0 billion, and services imports were $54.3 billion. The U.S. services trade surplus with Canada was $31.7 billion in 2023, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Shortly after taking office in January, Trump hit Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs for allowing fentanyl and migrants to cross their borders into the U.S. Trump later applied those 25% tariffs only to goods that fall outside the free-trade agreement between the three nations, called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Trump put a stop to the talks on Friday.

“We have just been informed that Canada, a very difficult Country to TRADE with, including the fact that they have charged our Farmers as much as 400% Tariffs, for years, on Dairy Products, has just announced that they are putting a Digital Services Tax on our American Technology Companies, which is a direct and blatant attack on our Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said the digital services tax was a copy of a European Union proposal.

“Based on this egregious Tax, we are hereby terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada, effective immediately,” the president said. “We will let Canada know the Tariff that they will be paying to do business with the United States of America within the next seven day period.”

Earlier this month, the two nations seemed close to striking a deal.

Trump said he and Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney had different trade concepts between the two neighboring countries during a meeting at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, in the Canadian Rockies.

Asked what was holding up a trade deal between the two nations at that time, Trump said they had different concepts for what that would look like.

“It’s not so much holding up, I think we have different concepts, I have a tariff concept, Mark has a different concept, which is something that some people like, but we’re going to see if we can get to the bottom of it today.”

Trump put a 10% tariff on non-USMCA compliant potash and energy products. A 50% tariff on aluminum and steel imports from all countries into the U.S. has been in effect since June 4. Trump also put a 25% tariff on all cars and trucks not built in the U.S.

The tariffs have frustrated Canadian leaders and residents. Tensions between the two neighboring countries have been high. And cities on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border have been affected.

Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada join the U.S. as its 51st state. He previously called former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “governor” regularly.

Arizona Gov. Greenlights $17.6B Budget Agreement

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Arizona Gov. Greenlights $17.6B Budget Agreement

Crisis averted—Arizona’s not shutting down. Gov. Katie Hobbs says she’ll sign the $17.6 billion bipartisan budget just in time to keep the government running. The deal includes pay raises for cops and firefighters, funding for K-12 schools, and millions to fight drug smuggling.

After vetoing earlier drafts, Hobbs and Republicans finally found common ground. As one lawmaker put it, “it took three to tango”—but Arizona’s 2025 session wrapped with a handshake, not a shutdown.

The Center Square reports:

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Friday afternoon she will sign the bills for the bipartisan $17.6 billion budget passed by the Legislature earlier in the day.

Hobbs said she expected to sign the legislation later on Friday. When she does, that will avert what would have been Arizona’s first state government shutdown on Monday.

Earlier Friday, the Senate approved the budget bills with the help of a bipartisan coalition.

“I am thrilled that the legislature passed the bipartisan and balanced Arizona Promise budget to expand opportunity, security and freedom in our state,” the Democratic governor said in a statement Friday afternoon.

“By working together, we have secured pay raises for state police and firefighters, made child care more affordable and accessible, taken action to stop drug smuggling and human trafficking, and invested in public education from kindergarten through higher ed,” Hobbs said.

Hobbs noted the budget includes 5% pay raises for state troopers and 15% pay raises for state firefighters and $8 million for the governor’s SAFE Initiative to secure the border by helping law enforcement fight drug smuggling and human trafficking. The governor added the budget fully funds K-12 education and includes $297 million to build new K-12 schools and improve existing school facilities.

The budget was championed by Sen. John Kavanagh, the Republican who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. He noted it ultimately took “three to tango,” with the House on Thursday night passing a budget that Hobbs would sign. That came after Hobbs vetoed two House budget proposals Wednesday, but Kavanagh said the latest budget had the support of the two chambers and the governor.

After the budget’s passage Friday in the Senate, House Speaker Steve Montenegro said the chamber’s Republican majority had a choice: “Allow a shutdown or improve the plan left on the table.”

“We chose to fight — and secured more than $100 million in savings and critical reforms that would not have happened without us,” the Republican said in a statement emailed Friday afternoon to The Center Square.

Back in the Senate, lawmakers quickly approved a series of bills on the budget and other matters before adjourning and ending the chamber’s 2025 session at 1:20 p.m.

And in other legislative news, Republicans announced they decided to promote Kavanagh to majority leader. He succeeds Sen. Janae Shamp, R-Surprise.

“As a state lawmaker for 19 years, Sen. Kavanagh brings a wealth of experience and institutional knowledge of the inner-workings of state government and will be able to unite the caucus as we work to advance a conservative agenda for the citizens of Arizona,” Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, said in a statement emailed Friday afternoon to The Center Square.

Kavanagh said he was humbled to be elected to the position and wanted “to concentrate on moving forward — united.”

The next regular legislative session will start in January 2026.

SCOTUS Limits Nationwide Blocks on Trump’s Citizenship Policy

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SCOTUS Limits Nationwide Blocks on Trump’s Citizenship Policy

The Supreme Court just gave Trump a partial win, ruling 6–3 that judges can’t block his birthright citizenship order nationwide—only for the people who actually sued. The justices didn’t rule on the policy itself but made clear: no more sweeping injunctions.

Trump cheered the decision as a “GIANT WIN,” while Justice Sotomayor warned it sets a dangerous precedent. For now, Trump’s order can move forward—but only in some places, and the legal fight isn’t over.

The Center Square reports:

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Friday to allow President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship to go into effect in some areas of the country by limiting the power of judges to block the president’s policies nationwide.

The high court didn’t decide the issue of birthright citizenship but limited the lower court rulings to apply only to those who sue to block Trump’s order. A group of Democrat-led states sued along with expectant mothers and immigration organizations who filed suit.

The Trump administration can implement the birthright citizenship order, but must wait 30 days before trying to deny anyone citizenship.

The court’s conservative majority knocked lower courts for issuing broad injunctions blocking Trump’s policy nationwide. The court said that because such orders go beyond providing relief to the plaintiffs, they “likely exceed” the authority Congress granted to district judges.

“Universal injunctions likely exceed the equitable authority that Congress has given to federal courts The Court grants the Government’s applications for a partial stay of the injunctions entered below,” Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in the decision for the majority. “But only to the extent that the injunctions are broader than necessary to provide complete relief to each plaintiff with standing to sue.”

The court’s three Democratic-appointed justices – Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson – dissented.

“No right is safe in the new legal regime the Court creates,” Sotomayor wrote for the minority. “Today, the threat is to birthright citizenship. Tomorrow, a different administration may try to seize firearms from law-abiding citizens or prevent people of certain faiths from gathering to worship.”

Sotomayor read her dissent from the bench.

Trump called the decision a win.

“GIANT WIN in the United States Supreme Court!” the president wrote in a social media post. “Even the Birthright Citizenship Hoax has been, indirectly, hit hard. It had to do with the babies of slaves (same year!), not the SCAMMING of our Immigration process.”

The ruling came out of Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order ending birthright citizenship. A flurry of states and organizations sued in response to the president’s order, which caused the Trump administration to request emergency relief from the Supreme Court regarding the scope of national injunctions employed in three cases.

The high court agreed to hear arguments in three cases on May 15 when justices debated the scope of nationwide injunctions rather than the merits of the president’s order ending birthright citizenship.

DOJ Targets California County for Noncitizen Voter Violations

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DOJ Targets California County for Noncitizen Voter Violations

The DOJ is suing Orange County’s registrar for refusing to hand over full records tied to noncitizens on the voter rolls—after a tip that someone got a mail-in ballot without being a U.S. citizen. The county shared some info but withheld key details, citing California law. The DOJ says federal law takes priority and wants answers. No word yet on how many noncitizens voted—but the feds clearly aren’t messing around when it comes to election integrity.

The Center Square reports:

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Orange County registrar of voters for refusing to provide records regarding the removal of noncitizens from voter registration lists, and for failing to maintain accurate voter lists.

According to the lawsuit filed by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, whose Civil Rights Division is handling the case, “the family member of a non-citizen in Orange County indicating that the non-citizen received an unsolicited mail-in ballot from the [the Orange County Registrar of Voters], despite lack of citizenship.”

After learning of this, the DOJ requested records showing the number of voter registrations canceled since January 2020 due to failures to satisfy the citizenship requirement and records relevant to each cancellation, including the voting histories associated with noncitizens.

OCR provided some of the requested information. But it redacted personal identifying information such as drivers’ license and state-assigned voter identification numbers, language preferences and images of signatures, citing California law.

DOJ responded by noting federal law pre-empts state law. The department said the only records exempt from the the 1993 National Voter Registration Act “relate to a declination to register to vote or the identity of the voter registration agency through which any particular voter registered.”

DOJ filed its lawsuit after OCR informed DOJ it would not provide the un-redacted information, citing the 2002 Help America Vote Act that authorizes civil action against jurisdictions to enforce the requirement that voter lists are accurate and current.

The complaint does not include the number of records in question, including how many noncitizens may have been registered to vote, were removed from the rolls, did vote and if so, in how many elections.

OCR stated it does “not comment on pending or ongoing litigation.”

In the consolidated city-county of San Francisco, noncitizens have been allowed to vote for school board elections since 2016. Last year, a third of the residents in Santa Ana, a city in Orange County, voted to allow illegal immigrants to vote in all municipal elections in a measure that ultimately did not pass.

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