WHITE HOUSE
— Sick Politicians Want Killers, Rapists Roaming Our Streets
https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/02/sick-politicians-want-killers-rapists-roaming-our-streets/
— Statement on Trump White House Victory Against the Associated Press
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/02/statement-on-trump-white-house-victory-against-the-associated-press/
— New Poll Shows Massive Support for President Trump and His Agenda
https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/02/new-poll-shows-massive-support-for-president-trump-and-his-agenda/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Federal employees may get more demands to justify their work at Elon Musk’s direction
https://abc7chicago.com/post/president-donald-trump-backs-musk-he-roils-federal-workforce-demands-threats/15953583/
— Is Mayor Brandon Johnson is ready to defend Chicago’s sanctuary city law to Congress?
https://abc7chicago.com/post/ex-congressman-luis-guttierez-questions-chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-is-ready-defend-sanctuary-city-law-congress/15954965/
— Rudy Giuliani satisfies Fulton County election workers’ $148 million defamation case
https://abc7chicago.com/post/rudy-giuliani-satisfies-fulton-county-election-workers-148-million-defamation-case/15952884/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Search for next US attorney in Chicago underway, again, in dramatically changed landscape (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always stressed that my Republican U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald appointed U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald who sided with my Democrat GAO superiors in Diersen v. GAO. Previously, Peter Fitzgerald also appointed Amy St. Eve to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois who also sided with my Democrat GAO superiors. To side with my Democrat GAO superiors is to promote Affirmative Action and DEI, that is, to promote race and gender based preference giving, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and national origin discrimination.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/search-for-next-us-attorney-in-chicago-underway-again-in-dramatically-changed-landscape/
— Democrat leaders always hint/imply/argue/shout that Republicans are responsible for racist graffiti
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/officials-promise-immediate-consequences-after-racist-graffiti-found-at-oak-park-and-river-forest-high-school/
— Social Security says higher payments are on the way for millions of former public workers
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/social-security-payments/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: More than 3.2 million Social Security recipients who received pensions from their time as teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public service jobs will soon see a boost in their benefits. Most people will receive their one-time retroactive payment by the end of March, and new monthly payments will begin in April, the agency says. The Social Security Administration announced it would immediately begin processing retroactive payments and will send increased monthly payments to people affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which were rescinded in the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act that former President Joe Biden signed into law last year. The Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset limited Social Security benefits for recipients if they got retirement payments from other sources, including public retirement programs from a state or local government. Advocates say the Social Security Fairness Act rights a decades-old disparity, though it also puts a strain on Social Security Trust Funds, which face a looming insolvency crisis.)
— Apple shareholders reject proposal to scrap company’s diversity programs
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/apple-diversity-programs-2/
— Federal employees may get more demands to justify their work at Elon Musk’s direction
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/federal-employees-elon-musk/
— Elon Musk renews threat to fire federal workers despite pushback from various agencies
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/25/elon-musk-federal-workers/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rep. LaHood calls Trump policies a ‘priority’ as he opens search for new top federal prosecutor. The Peoria Republican also noted that the Northern District of Illinois has gone more than 22 months without a confirmed U.S. attorney.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/02/25/lahood-opens-u-s-attorney-search-by-calling-trump-policies
— Anticipate/expect that hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters will ever-increasingly hint/imply/argue/shout that rump is a Nazi. To hint/imply/argue/shout that someone is a Nazi in America today is like hinting/implying/arguing/shouting that someone is a Jew in Germany in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/letters-to-the-editor/2025/02/25/pritzker-trump-comparison-nazi-hitler-academic-commentary
— With intensifying assaults on the press, is it time for a ‘NATO for news’? To protect the free press in America, we need to agree that “an attack on one is an attack on all.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2025/02/24/president-donald-trump-assault-press-news-media-associated-press-ap-nato-news-jim-friedlich
DAILY HERALD
— Wheaton College in political, religious crosshairs over congratulating Trump appointee
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250225/news/wheaton-college-in-political-religious-crosshairs-over-congratulating-trump-appointee/
— Some GOP lawmakers start to call out DOGE — carefully
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250225/nation-and-world-politics/some-gop-lawmakers-start-to-call-out-doge-carefully/
— College of DuPage to host College Poll Worker Recruitment Summit April 11
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250224/submitted-content/college-of-dupage-to-host-college-poll-worker-recruitment-summit-april-11/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Who will be Chicago’s next U.S. attorney? Rep. LaHood is taking applications.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/darin-lahood-kicks-search-chicagos-us-attorney
SHAW LOCAL
— White House says it ‘will decide’ which news outlets cover Trump, rotating some traditional ones
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2025/02/25/white-house-says-it-will-decide-which-news-outlets-cover-trump-rotating-some-traditional-ones/
ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Apple shareholders reject proposal to scrap company’s diversity programs
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/politics/article/alert-apple-shareholders-reject-proposal-to-20186932.php
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor. Here’s what to know about Casey.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-as-desantis-talks-up-his-wife-as-next-florida-governor-heres-what-to-know-about-casey/
NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Rollback of diversity efforts leaves teachers wondering about effects on Black History Month
https://www.northernpublicradio.org/2025-02-25/rollback-of-diversity-efforts-leaves-teachers-wondering-about-effects-on-black-history-month
CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Pritzker positions himself at forefront of Trump opposition by invoking Nazis’ rise to power
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzker-positions-himself-at-forefront-of-trump-opposition-by-invoking-nazis-rise-to-power/
— Lawsuit threatens Illinois minority teachers scholarship. Conservative group seeks to overturn race-based financial aid. (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always used my not getting any scholarships against me.)
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/lawsuit-threatens-illinois-minority-teachers-scholarship/
POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Edgar disses Trump
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2025/02/25/edgar-battles-cancer-disses-trump-00205911
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/25/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-255/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Milena McConchie, Wife of Recently Resigned State Senator Dan McConchie Succumbs to Cancer from Chernobyl Radiation, R.I.P.
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/milena-mcconchie-wife-of-recently-resigned-state-senator-dan-mcconchie-succumbs-to-cancer-from-chernobyl-radiation-r-i-p/
— Carbondale Retreats To Keep Sidewalk Counseling Case Out of U.S. Supreme Court
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/carbondale-retreats-to-keep-sidewalk-counseling-case-out-of-u-s-supreme-court/
— Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy “My Way or the Highway” Funk Mails Out Newsletter Right Before Election Day
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/algonquin-township-supervisor-randy-my-way-or-the-highway-funk-mails-out-newsletter-right-before-election-day/
— Schakowsky Continues Picketing Agencies Musk Targets
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/schakowsky-continues-picketing-agencies-musk-targets/
— Federal Gun Dealer Takedown
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/federal-gun-dealer-takedown/
— State Reps Reick and Keicher Set Tele-Town Hall Meeting February 26th
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/state-reps-reick-and-keicher-set-tele-town-hall-meeting-february-26th/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— DHS warns illegal immigrants to self-deport
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/25/dhs-warns-illegal-immigrants-self-deport/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Chicago keeps electing Democrats to disastrous results
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3329826/chicago-keeps-electing-democrats-disastrous-results/
— Hospitals conducting transgender procedures on children supported by billions in taxpayer dollars
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3329731/hospitals-transgender-procedures-children-billions-taxpayer-dollars/
NEW YORK POST
— Trump administration ends use of controversial app to allow migrants to fly without ID
https://nypost.com/2025/02/25/us-news/trump-administration-ends-use-of-app-to-allow-migrants-to-board-flights-without-id/
CITY JOURNAL
— How Universities Get Away With Hiring Radicals. Fellow-to-faculty programs have seeded academia with activists.
https://www.city-journal.org/article/universities-fellow-to-faculty-programs-activists
DAILY WIRE
— Nearly 100 Illegals Captured In Colony Ridge Deportation Raids. Border Czar Tom Homan said “several child sexual predators” were arrested in the Texas development.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/nearly-100-illegals-captured-in-colony-ridge-deportation-raids
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Homan Wants to Double ICE Footprint in Sanctuary Cities. Musk Is Helping Him Get There.
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/tom-homan-wants-to-double-ice-footprint-in-sanctuary-cities-elon-musk-is-helping-him-get-there/
NEWS BUSTERS
— The View Celebrates Black History Month By Promoting Discredited 1619 Project
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2025/02/25/view-celebrates-black-history-month-promoting-discredited
ONE AMERICA NEWS
— DHS Secretary Noem Says She Discovered Some Officials ‘Tipping Off’ Illegals About Deportation Plans: ‘They Will Be Fired’
https://www.oann.com/newsroom/dhs-secretary-noem-says-she-discovered-some-officials-tipping-off-illegals-about-deportation-plans-they-will-be-fired/
WESTERN JOURNAL
— Poetic Justice: Obama Library Delayed – Discrimination Lawsuits, Environmental Injunctions, Enrichment Allegations
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/poetic-justice-obama-library-delayed-discrimination-lawsuits-environmental-injunctions-enrichment-allegations/ar-AA1zCG31
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Federal workers urge congressional lawmakers to reverse job cuts
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federal-workers-urge-congressional-lawmakers-to-reverse-job-cuts/
— Case surge from fired federal workers jams federal board
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/case-surge-from-fired-federal-workers-jams-merit-systems-protection-board/
NTD
— House Hearing on ‘The Government Accountability Office’s 2025 High-Risk List’
https://www.ntd.com/live-1-pm-et-house-hearing-on-the-government-accountability-offices-2025-high-risk-list_1049779.html
WASHINGTON POST
— What has Trump done today?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2025/trump-administration-actions/
USA TODAY
— Trump pitches $5 million gold card path to citizenship for foreign investors
https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/politics/2025/02/25/trump-pitches-gold-card-path-to-citizenship-for-foreign-investors/80355877007/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Proposes Fines, Prison Time for Migrants Who Don’t Join Registry. Administration plans to establish registration website as soon as this week.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-immigration-migrant-registry-jail-time-95c405a7
POLITICO
— White House says it will determine which reporters have access to the president
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/25/trump-white-house-press-pool-access-00206001
PBS
— Elon Musk may direct more demands on federal employees to justify their work
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/elon-musk-may-direct-more-demands-on-federal-employees-to-justify-their-work
RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Is Trump Acting Like a Dictator? 74% of Democrats Say So
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration_second_term/is_trump_acting_like_a_dictator_74_of_democrats_say_so
Tag: Republican
February 25, 2025
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Federal employees in Chicago react to confusion over ‘disrespectful’ Musk email request. Trump administration also looking to sell off a number of government-owned buildings, including a couple in Chicago. (COMMENT: I worked in the Kluczynski building 1973-1980 for IRS and then for GAO 1980-1981. If I was still working for GAO, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates would have killed me by now figuratively if not literally.)
https://abc7chicago.com/post/federal-employees-chicago-react-confusion-disrespectful-president-donald-trump-elon-musk-doge-email-request/15952453/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Some people working in the Kluczynski federal building were walking on eggshells Monday morning. One 40-year Treasury Department veteran did not want to go on camera, but called the current climate “overwhelming and mentally distressing.”)
FOX32
— USPS rallies against Trump’s possible agency takeover. “Fight like hell” is what USPS workers are saying in response to President Donald Trump’s proposal to take over the agency. (COMMENT: I worked for the Democrats who ran the Post Office 1966-1969.)
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1598376
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly crow about their success in manipulating and in dominating religious leaders.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1598601
WGN RADIO
— OPM tells HR leaders that response to Musk is ‘voluntary’
https://wgnradio.com/news/opm-tells-hr-leaders-that-response-to-musk-is-voluntary/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— US refuses to blame Russia for Ukraine war, splitting with European allies in UN votes
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/24/us-russia-ukraine-war/
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Former two-term Gov. Jim Edgar diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/24/former-gov-jim-edgar-pancreatic-cancer/
CHICAGO SUN-TMES
— ALL OF THE FRONT PAGE: Trump’s cozying up to Russia comes as ‘slap in the face’ to Ukrainian Americans in Chicago. “It’s a betrayal of that ideal that I believe made America what it is — a place in the world where those that don’t have hope can look forward to hope,” said Walter Tun, whose Ukrainian parents immigrated to the U.S. after World War II.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/ukraine/2025/02/24/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-russia-ukraine-war-third-anniversary-chicago-ukrainians
— Passengers at O’Hare know flying is safe, but some have concerns after plane crashes (COMMENT: I often flew out of O’Hare a) as a GAO employee 1980-1997 and b) with my wife on her business trips to luxury resorts 1978-1992.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/transportation/2025/02/24/air-travel-safety-anxiety-transportation
DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE: Sooner or later, if not already, under the Democrats and under the RINOs, everyone in America will a) be handing out welfare and/or b) receiving welfare.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250224/news/new-building-expands-peoples-resource-centers-capacity/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters ever-increasingly spin everything negatively against Trump.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/crains-forum-whats-ahead-medicaid/medicaid-funding-cuts-could-hit-illinois-hard
SOUTHERN
— Democrats outline playbook to target House Republicans on Medicaid, budget and DOGE
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/02/25/democrats-outline-playbook-to-target-house-republicans-on-medicaid-budget-and-doge/
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— New bill would raise age in which Illinois seniors need to take a driving test
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2025/02/25/new-bill-would-raise-age-illinois-seniors-need-to-take-driving-test/79226496007/
CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Did Pritzker’s ‘Nazi’ ploy have intended effect for 2028?
https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/jim-dey-did-pritzkers-nazi-ploy-have-intended-effect-for-2028/article_ec56f494-f2e5-11ef-9823-e7e608d77383.html
STATELINE
— No property tax on new homes? Rockford considers extending 3-year program (COMMENT: My wife and I had a home built in Wheaton in 1984. I should write about our fight to get its assessed valuation lowered because of construction defects and unrecorded easements. SEE: https://casetext.com/case/diersen-v-joe-keim-builders-inc )
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/no-property-tax-on-new-homes-rockford-considers-extending-3-year-program/
NPR ILLINOIS
— U.S. Office of Special Counsel asks for stay of terminations of six probationary federal employees fired over the past two weeks. (COMMENT: When I transferred from IRS to GAO when I was 31 years old in 1980, my Democrat GAO superiors were furious that could not just fire me because I had served my probationary period working for IRS.)
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-02-24/federal-watchdog-agency-intervenes-in-trumps-purge-of-probationary-employees
AXIOS
— Illinois schools will teach LGBTQ+ history despite federal pushback
https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/02/25/illinois-schools-transgender-history-curriculum
CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/25/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-461/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Pritzker’s budget proposal maintains spending levels on abortions (COMMENT: To vote for Democrats is to promote abortion.)
https://www.mdjonline.com/neighbor_newspapers/extra/news/pritzker-s-budget-proposal-maintains-spending-levels-on-abortions/article_f47e1142-8cb7-547c-90c3-911d68a72187.html
WIREPOINTS
— Beyond the Nazi accusations. What you should know about Gov. Pritzker’s budget address
https://wirepoints.org/beyond-the-nazi-accusations-the-many-deflections-in-gov-pritzkers-2026-budget-address-wirepoints/
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Lakewood Set to Give Golf Discounts to All Sorts of Insiders
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/lakewood-set-to-give-golf-discounts-to-all-sorts-of-insiders/
— Fourth Mailing by Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Danijela Sandberg
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/fourth-mailing-by-algonquin-township-road-commissioner-danijela-sandberg/
— Politico Covers McHenry County GOPAC Fundraiser Featuring Lara Trump
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/25/politico-covers-mchenry-county-gopac-fundraiser-featuring-lara-trump/
— McLaughlin Calls Out Democrats for Again Seeking to End Flat Rate Income Tax
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/mclaughlin-calls-out-democrats-for-again-seeking-to-end-flat-rate-income-tax/
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— I am a platform Republican. To run for an office as a Republican is to obligate yourself to defend and advance the Republican Party platform if elected. I help elect Republican candidates because if they are elected, they are obligated to defend and advance the Republican Party platform. But sadly, if not outrageously, if not disgustingly, if not tragically, after they are elected as Republicans, far too many fail/refuse to defend/advance the Republican Party platform. But nevertheless, I continue to help elect them because Democrat elected officials are much worse. There are many RINOs, but there are virtually no DINOs. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— What if you were ordered to report what you accomplished during the last 7 days? I put GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters together and sent them out. Between Tuesday, February 18, and Monday, February 24, they included links to 522 articles. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters ever-increasingly promote more hatred against Trump and against those who share Trump’s demographics: conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, married, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America foe a long time. More than 77 million voted for Trump. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— GAO is supposed to be doing what DOGE does, plus much more. Bur GAO is just a shell of what it once was. That is because Gingrich gutted GAO instead of reforming it. Because of that, my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997. Before that, they always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance, delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for them, and forced me to take a $23,472/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS in 1980. GAO did not unionize until 2007. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— The federal government is not nonpartisan. Virtually all federal employees are Democrats who despise/hate Republicans. For Democrats, the federal government exists to hire, to retain, and to promote Democrats. I should write about that. I would use as examples the three federal agencies that I worked for: GAO 1980-1997, IRS 1971-1980, and Post Office 1966-1969. I would use as examples the adverse actions that the aforesaid took against me to waste my career and to get rid of me because I was a Republican who complained about their use of budget cuts, up-or-out, subjectivity in job assignment and performance appraisal systems, and Affirmative Action and DEI, that is, race and gender based preference giving, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and national origin discrimination to not hire Republicans, to not retain Republicans, to not promote Republicans, and to get rid of Republicans. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— Have you been collateral damage? I want to believe that my big GAO employment problems 1980-1997 were simply collateral damage caused by Republican budget cuts. But Hastert and my Republican U.S. Senators and Representatives not coming to my defense in Diersen v. GAO argues against that. It argues that they did not really oppose GAO’s political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and national origin discrimination. It argues that they rejected the equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) plank in the Republican Party platform. According to my critics/opponents, they did not come to my defense because they believed that I was a bad employee. In my defense, while I worked for GAO, I earned two job-related master’s degrees, five job-related professional certifications, and a job-related professional license. Previously, while I worked for IRS, I earned a job related master’s degree and a job-related professional certification. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— How much religious, political, government, and/or financial clout do your critics/opponents have. My critics/opponents have tremendous religious, political, government, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois. Because of that, virtually no one has come to my defense since I moved to Wheaton in 1978. Everyone especially fears my critics/opponents who I have sued and their lawyers. They are especially wealthy, vicious, and vindictive. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Musk forges ahead with DOGE demand for list of federal workers’ tasks. Says failure to respond a second time could result in firing.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/25/elon-musk-forges-ahead-doge-demand-list-federal-workers-tasks/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Defunding the teacher trainers
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/equality-not-elitism/3328504/defunding-teacher-trainers/
AMERICAN CONSERVAIVE
— The Distraction of Mexico’s 10,000 Troops. The Mexican president must disband her country’s network of NGOs that bring millions of illegals to the U.S. border. (COMMENT: To send people into a country illegally is an act of war.)
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-distraction-of-mexicos-10000-troops/
BREITBART
— Governors Ask President Trump to Let Them Import Foreign Workers
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/02/24/governors-ask-president-trump-to-let-them-import-foreign-workers/
— Survey Reveals Trump’s Mass Deportation Policy Has 62% Approval
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/02/24/nolte-survey-reveals-trumps-mass-deportation-policy-has-62-approval/
DAILY CALLER
— GOP Senator Suffers Brain Bleed After Slipping On Ice (COMMENT: Brain bleeds are very serious. The one that I suffered slipping on ice picking up newspapers on my driveway stopped me from putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters together and sending them out for a while. I still have not fully recovered and I probably never will.)
https://dailycaller.com/2025/02/25/gop-senator-suffers-brain-bleed-after-slipping-on-ice/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer suffered a brain injury Sunday afternoon after slipping on ice in the backyard of his North Dakota home. Cramer, 64, said he was hospitalized and diagnosed with a “severe concussion, a seizure and a slight brain bleed” in a statement posted to Facebook Monday evening. He said he did not know when he plans to return to Washington, D.C., but that he could return quickly for a critical vote if necessary.
DAILY SIGNAL
— DOGE Follows GAO in ‘Identifying Trillions of Dollars Lost’ (COMMENT: I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO 1980-1997.)
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/02/24/comer-doge-follows-gao-identifying-trillions-dollars-lost/
EPOCH TIMES
— US Votes Against Ukraine-Drafted UN Resolution Seeking Full Russian Withdrawal (COMMENT: What does the Republican Party platform say about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?)
https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/us-votes-against-ukraine-drafted-un-resolution-seeking-full-russian-withdrawal-5815380
— Afrikaners Stand in Line for Trump’s Refugee Offer. Tens of thousands of white Afrikaners want to move to the United States to escape alleged racial persecution in South Africa. (COMMENT: But if a Democrat or RINO is elected U.S. President in 2028, America will immediately go back to discriminating against Whites, that is, America will immediately reinstate Affirmative Action and DEI.)
https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/afrikaners-stand-in-line-for-trumps-refugee-offer-5813397
FOX NEWS
— Noem ends Biden-era use of controversial app to allow migrants to board flights, except to self-deport. Trump ordered the shutdown of the CBP One app to parole migrants last month.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/noem-ends-biden-era-use-controversial-app-allow-migrants-board-flights-except-self-deport
— Woke actors have toxic empathy
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6369283984112
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Trump Agency Heads Ignore Musk’s Ultimatum to Federal Employees, in Farcical Episode
https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/02/trump-agency-heads-ignore-musks-ultimatum-to-federal-employees-in-farcical-episode/
TOWNHALL
— ‘Did Not Know It Was Even Possible to Go That Low’: You Won’t Believe Chicago Mayor’s Favorable Ratings
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/rebeccadowns/2025/02/24/did-not-know-it-was-even-possible-to-go-that-low-you-wont-believe-chicago-mayors-approval-rating-n2652711
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— The federal government is not nonpartisan. Virtually all federal employees are Democrats who despise/hate Republicans. For Democrats, the federal government exists to hire, to retain, and to promote Democrats. I should write about that. I would use as examples the three federal agencies that I worked for: GAO 1980-1997, IRS 1971-1980, and Post Office 1966-1969. I would use as examples the adverse actions that the aforesaid took against me to waste my career and to get rid of me because I was a Republican who complained about their use of budget cuts, up-or-out, subjectivity in job assignment and performance appraisal systems, and Affirmative Action and DEI, that is, race and gender based preference giving, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and national origin discrimination to not hire Republicans, to not retain Republicans, to not promote Republicans, and to get rid of Republicans.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/opinion-america-s-civil-service-must-remain-nonpartisan/ar-AA1thDR8
CBS NEWS
— Trump praises Musk for email threatening termination to federal workers (COMMENT: Of course, my critics/opponents would stress to Trump a) that I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and that I was a union member for almost 12 of those years, b) that I never made GS-14 and that I was forced to retire early even though I had three job-related master’s degrees, six job-related professional certifications, and a job-related professional license, and c) that I have been a federal retiree for more than 27 years.)
https://www.cbs19.tv/video/news/local/president-donald-trump-praises-elon-musk-for-email-threatening-termination-to-federal-workers/501-1e6be9de-a762-47cb-9db2-38ebc643c5e8
MSN
— Trump Didn’t Campaign on Decimating the Federal Government (COMMENT: Trump got elected by promising to defend and advance the Republican Party platform.)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/trump-didn-t-campaign-on-decimating-the-federal-government/ar-AA1zHNDh
— 10 Fast Cars From The ’60s That No One Talks About (COMMENT: The list includes 1962 Chevy Impala SS. I owned one 1989-2005. My Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious that I bought and owned that collector car.)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/other/10-fast-cars-from-the-60s-that-no-one-talks-about/ar-AA1zB6kv
ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Ex-Secret Service agent and conservative media personality Dan Bongino picked as FBI deputy director (COMMENT: One of my close friends during the 1960s and 1970s was a Secret Service Agent.)
https://apnews.com/article/trump-fbi-bongino-patel-cad5f4ea22ada9768ea90a08168568d1
NEW YORK TIMES
— Musk deepened the confusion and alarm of workers across the federal government Saturday by ordering them to summarize their accomplishments for the week, warning that a failure to do so would be taken as a resignation. (COMMENT: What did your accomplish during the last week? I put GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters together and sent them out. Since Tuesday, February 18, 2025, they included links to 522 article.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/us/politics/elon-musk-email-federal-employees.html
— America and Russia Are on the Same Side Now
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/opinion/russia-europe-trump-vance.html
DALLAS NEWS
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly analogize illegals to runaway slaves.
https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2025/02/25/why-are-christians-fleeing-persecution-among-trumps-deportees/
ORLANDO SENTINEL
— DeSantis creates a Florida DOGE to audit universities, local governments (COMMENT: GAO is supposed to be doing what DOGE does, plus much more. Bur GAO is just a shell of what it once was. That is because Gingrich gutted GAO instead of reforming it. Because of that, my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997. Before that, they always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance, delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for them, and forced me to take a $23,472/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS in 1980. GAO did not unionize until 2007.)
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/24/desantis-to-create-a-florida-doge-to-audit-universities-local-governments/
KXLY
— USPS workers rally against Trump (COMMENT: I worked for the Democrats who ran the Post Office 1966-1969.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC18AT46N70
KGET
— Federal employee unions expand lawsuit to Musk firing threat if they don’t justify work (COMMENT: I was a union member while I worked for the Post Office 1966-1969 and for IRS 1971-1980. If GAO had been unionized when I worked for it 1980-1997, I might still be a GAO employee.)
https://www.kget.com/video/federal-employee-unions-expand-lawsuit-to-musk-firing-threat-if-they-don%e2%80%99t-justify-work/10484134/
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL
— Analyzing DOGE actions one month into Trump’s second administration (COMMENT: I want to believe that my big GAO employment problems 1980-1997 were simply collateral damage caused by Republican budget cuts. But Hastert and my Republican U.S. Senators and Representatives not coming to my defense in Diersen v. GAO argues against that. It argues that they did not really oppose GAO’s political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and national origin discrimination. It argues that they rejected the equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) plank in the Republican Party platform. According to my critics/opponents, they did not come to my defense because they believed that I was a bad employee. In my defense, while I worked for GAO, I earned two job-related master’s degrees, five job-related professional certifications, and a job-related professional license. Previously, while I worked for IRS, I earned a job related master’s degree and a job-related professional certification.)
https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/democracy-governance/analyzing-doge-actions-one-month-trumps-second
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Even if legal and institutional safeguards eventually rein in some of the collateral damage, it will take years for government to recover from the shocks of his tenure.)
FAST COMPANY
— Democrat and RINO employers use DEI a) to not hire Republicans and b) to get rid of their Republican employees.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91282124/a-practical-guide-to-doing-dei-work-in-a-hostile-era
NPR
— U.S. votes against a U.N. resolution urging Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine (COMMENT: According to Democrat and RINO leaders, if you support Trump, you support Putin. But what does the Republican Party platform say about this? Trump got elected by promising to defend and advance the Republican Party platform.)
https://www.npr.org/2025/02/24/g-s1-50473/un-ukraine-resolution-russia
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In a win for Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, the U.N. General Assembly on Monday adopted two resolutions calling for an end to the war, while rejecting a U.S. draft that never mentioned Moscow’s aggression. Instead, both resolutions make clear Russia was the aggressor. The United States, reflecting the extraordinary turnaround under President Donald Trump, joined Russia in voting against a Europe-backed Ukrainian resolution. The U.S. then abstained from voting on its own resolution after Europeans succeeded in amending it. It was a setback for the Trump administration in the 193-member world body, whose resolutions are not legally binding but are seen as a barometer of world opinion.)
NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Trump Didn’t Campaign on Decimating the Federal Government
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/trump-didnt-campaign-on-decimating-the-federal-government.html
ACLU
— Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters ever-increasingly promote more hatred against Trump and against those who share Trump’s demographics: conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, married, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America foe a long time. More than 77 million voted for Trump.
https://www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/state-and-local-governments-are-saying-no-to-trumps-radical-agenda
WORKERS WORLD
— Black History Month, every day!
https://www.workers.org/2025/02/84011/
ECONOMIC TIMES
— IRS will lay off roughly 7,000 employees amid tax filing season in Trump downsizing spree (COMMENT: I worked for the Democrats who ran IRS 1971-1980.)
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/us-news-irs-layoffs-will-lay-off-roughly-7000-employees-amid-tax-filing-season-in-trump-downsizing-spree-10-point-explainer/articleshow/118448606.cms
February 24, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The few Republicans who still oppose Trump, including former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, gather in search of a path to oppose him. (COMMENT: To what extent do Republican leaders in your area oppose Trump? What are they doing to oppose Trump? Why do they oppose Trump?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/24/republicans-oppose-trump/
ABC7
— Pfleger church flying American flag upside-down: ‘America is under distress’ (COMMENT: Democrat leaders crow about their success in getting religious leaders to do their bidding.)
https://abc7chicago.com/post/father-michael-pfleger-flies-american-flag-upside-down-outside-saint-sabina-church-gresham-chicago/15952293/
FOX32
— Pfleger protests Trump administration with upside-down American flag (COMMENT: Democrat leaders crow about their success in getting religious leaders to do their bidding.)
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-pastor-protests-trump-administration-upside-down-american-flag
— To get more votes from Blacks, Democrat leaders push for reparations. Anticipate/expect that to get more votes from voters who are the following, Democrat leaders will push for reparations for them: other minorities, females, young people, LGBTQers, those who have less money than others, non-Protestants, non-German Americans, and those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1598130
WBEZ
— Trump’s cozying up to Russia comes as ‘slap in the face’ to Ukrainian Americans in Chicago
https://www.wbez.org/nation-world/2025/02/24/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-russia-ukraine-war-third-anniversary-chicago-ukrainians
WGN RADIO
— DeSantis talks up his wife as next Florida governor and takes a shot at Trump’s pick
https://wgnradio.com/news/political-news/ap-desantis-promotes-his-wife-as-next-florida-governor-and-takes-a-shot-at-trumps-pick/
OUR QUAD CITIES
— Pritzker’s proposal to fund resources for the homeless in Illinois (COMMENT: Under Illinois Democrats and under Illinois RINOs, homelessness will ever-increasingly increase in Illinois.)
https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/gov-pritzkers-proposal-to-fund-resources-for-the-homeless-in-illinois/
WSIU
— Democrat leaders have protesters call on LaHood to oppose Trump’s cuts to health care, food assistance
https://www.wsiu.org/state-of-illinois/2025-02-24/protesters-call-on-lahood-to-oppose-trump-cuts-to-healthcare-food-assistance
NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump administration backs off requiring response to “What did you do last week?” email
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-02-24/trump-administration-backs-off-requiring-response-to-what-did-you-do-last-week-email
— Federal agencies still can’t agree on ‘What did you do last week?’ email
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-02-24/federal-agencies-still-cant-agree-on-what-did-you-do-last-week-email
WAND TV
— Judge rejects immediately restoring AP’s access to White House but urges government to reconsider. A federal judge on had refused to immediately order the White House to restore The Associated Press’ access to presidential events, saying the news organization had not shown it had suffered irreparable harm in the matter. (COMMENT: AP treats Trump unfairly. But I have never treated Republican candidates, elected officials, or party leaders unfairly.)
https://www.wandtv.com/news/national/judge-rejects-immediately-restoring-aps-access-to-white-house-but-urges-government-to-reconsider/article_a64e49e8-c5db-55f0-8948-b150240eb30b.html
ILLINOIS PATCH
— Pritzker Refuses To ‘Bend The Knee’ As Trump Says ‘Long Live The King’ The Illinois governor also drew parallels between Nazi Germany and the modern political climate. (COMMENT: To be America’s next president, Pritzker ever-increasingly promotes more hatred against Trump, that is, to be America’s next president, Pritzker ever-increasingly promotes more hatred against those who voted for Trump including the 2.4 million in Illinois.)
https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/pritzker-compares-trump-king-says-he-wont-bend-knee
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/24/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-254/
— Poll: Mayor Johnson’s re-elect in crowded field is 8 percent; Just 7 percent view him favorably, 80 percent unfavorably
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/24/poll-mayor-johnsons-re-elect-in-crowded-field-is-8-percent-just-7-percent-view-him-favorably-80-percent-unfavorably/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Immigration group received over $63 million in Illinois taxpayer funds in 7 months
https://www.aol.com/news/immigration-group-received-over-63-150000603.html
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Echoing My Continuing Concern that Data Centers Will Endanger Electric Supply to Homeowners and Businesses
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/echoing-my-continuing-concern-that-data-centers-will-endanger-electric-supply-to-homeowners-and-businesses/
— Time to Build Another Nuclear Power Plant in Illinois
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/time-to-build-another-nuclear-power-plant-in-illinois/
— The Censures of Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk – Part 8
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/the-censures-of-algonquin-township-supervisor-randy-funk-part-8/
— Marengo Set To Impose Grocery Sales Tax
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/marengo-set-to-impose-grocery-sales-tax/
— Fox River Grove Moving Ahead with Downtown Development
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/fox-river-grove-moving-ahead-with-downtown-development/
— Third Mailer from Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Danijela Sandberg
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/24/third-mailer-from-algonquin-township-highway-commissioner-danijela-sandberg/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— New York City’s Roosevelt Hotel to Clear Out Illegal Aliens
https://amgreatness.com/2025/02/24/new-york-citys-roosevelt-hotel-to-clear-out-illegal-aliens/
BREITBART
— Poll: Support for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Totally Collapses
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/02/24/poll-support-for-chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-totally-collapses/
— Houston 15-Year-Old Shoots Mom, Sister After Eating ‘Bunch’ of Marijuana Edibles
https://www.breitbart.com/crime/2025/02/23/police-houston-15-year-old-shoots-mom-sister-marijuana-edibles/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Federal agencies can ignore “What did you do last week?” email, Trump administration says
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-doge-email-federal-employees-opm-directive-accomplishments/
CNN
— Musk’s new message: Elon Musk said tonight that federal workers who do not respond to a weekend email asking them to justify their jobs will be given another opportunity “subject to the discretion of the President” and warned that they would still be fired if they didn’t reply a second time. Hours earlier, the Office of Personnel Management notified government agencies that responding to Musk’s email, which President Donald Trump praised as “pretty ingenious,” was voluntary.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-administration-news-02-24-25/index.html
— Setback for AP: A federal judge declined today to temporarily restore the Associated Press’ access to some of Trump’s events, the Oval Office and Air Force One.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-administration-news-02-24-25/index.html
WASHJINGTON POST
— What has Trump done today?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2025/trump-administration-actions/
— Trump administration tells agencies they can ignore Musk order on email reply. The Office of Personnel Management told HR officials that employees wouldn’t be let go for not replying to an email asking what they did last week.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/02/24/musk-email-government-confusion/
DENVER POST
— SBA administrator orders regional offices to exit “sanctuary cities” like Denver
https://www.denverpost.com/2025/02/24/sba-administrator-regional-headquarters-exit-denver/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Backs Musk’s Email Asking Federal Workers to List Accomplishments. Agencies issue conflicting guidance on whether to comply with the request.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-says-workers-who-dont-respond-to-musks-email-risk-being-fired-27c2e9e4
BARRON’S
— Illegals who were invited in by Democrat and RINO leaders return home.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/their-dreams-dashed-by-trump-migrants-make-return-journey-home-8c6ff17b
PBS
— Federal workers sue over Elon Musk’s threat to fire them if they don’t explain their accomplishments (COMMENT: I sued my Democrat GAO superiors over their threats if I did not take their early retirement “offer” when I was 49 years old in 1997. SEE: https://gopillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/DiersenGAOFifthAmendedComplaint.pdf They made it clear to me that if I did not take their “offer,” they would make my next 6 years until I would be eligible for regular retirement a living hell for me. The least of which they would do would be to demote me and to give me adverse transfers. Previously, they had always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance, delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for them, and forced to take a $23,472/year (21%) pay cut to transfer from IRS. GAO was not unionized; it did not unionize until 2007.)
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/federal-workers-sue-over-elon-musks-threat-to-fire-them-if-they-dont-explain-their-accomplishments
February 22, 2025 Evening Edition
ABC7
— Chicago inspector general alleges obstruction by city’s law department
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-inspector-general-deborah-witzburg-alleges-obstruction-citys-law-department-seeks-protection-city-council/15938401/
CBS2
— DOGE’s Elon Musk says federal employees must document their work or resign
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-doge-federal-employees-document-work-resign/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Three years after Russian invasion of Ukraine, hundreds rally for continued U.S. support
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/22/three-years-after-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-hundreds-rally-for-continued-u-s-support/
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/22/transgender-trump-executive-order-chicago-impact/
DAILY HERALD
— Trump revels in mass federal firings and jeers at Biden before adoring conservative crowd
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250222/nation-and-world-politics/trump-revels-in-mass-federal-firings-and-jeers-at-biden-before-adoring-conservative-crowd/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Chicago school district’s Black Student Success Plan faces a legal challenge
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/education/chicago-public-schools-black-student-success-plan-faces-lawsuit
CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— The Associated Press is suing three Trump administration officials over access to presidential events
https://www.news-gazette.com/ap-sues-3-trump-administration-officials-citing-freedom-of-speech/article_8d2d6220-7ea4-52b2-b621-7a5de38b92ac.html
NEWS & TRIBUNE
— Instead of secession threat, Indiana and Illinois should collaborate
https://www.newsandtribune.com/indiana/opinion/tribune-star-editorial-instead-of-secession-threat-indiana-and-illinois-should-collaborate/article_470ed51c-7c65-5695-bbcc-43bc751fa3f5.html
WCIA
— Trump suggests Musk needs to be ‘more aggressive’
https://www.wcia.com/news/national/trump-suggests-musk-needs-to-be-more-aggressive/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump revels in mass federal firings and jeers at Biden before adoring conservative crowd
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/ap-trump-revels-in-mass-federal-firings-and-jeers-at-biden-before-adoring-conservative-crowd/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Lara Trump Packs Them in at McHenry County GOPAC/Joe Tirio Fundraiser
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/lara-trump-packs-them-in-at-mchenry-county-gopac-joe-tirio-fundraiser/
— Jeff Keicher Outraged at Pritzker’s Smearing “Republicans and Republican Voters as Nazis”
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/jeff-keicher-outraged-at-pritzkers-smearing-republicans-and-republican-voters-as-nazis/
— The Censures of Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk – Part 6
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/the-censures-of-algonquin-township-supervisor-randy-funk-part-6/
— Sheriff Seeking Communicators – Pay $30 per Hour
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/sheriff-seeking-communicators-pay-30-per-hour/
— Trouble at Lake in the Hills Hannah Martin Grade School
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/trouble-at-lake-in-the-hills-hannah-martin-grade-school/
— Shorten Offers Coffee and Donuts to Township Voters
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/shorten-offers-coffee-and-donuts-to-township-voters/
— University of Illinois Announces Book Prize in the Field of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/university-of-illinois-announces-book-prize-in-the-field-of-womens-gender-and-sexuality-studies/
— LaHood Seeks Extension of Indictments of Unemployment Comp Fraudsters
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/22/lahood-seeks-extension-of-indictments-of-unemployment-comp-fraudsters/
— Drain Replies to Shorten
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/21/drain-replies-to-shorten/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump marks first month in office with victory lap at CPAC
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/22/trump-marks-first-month-office-victory-lap-cpac/
— Elon Musk demands federal workers answer email with what work they performed, or be fired
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/22/elon-musk-demands-federal-workers-answer-email-work-performed-fired/
— Trump wants Musk to be ‘more aggressive’
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/22/trump-wants-musk-aggressive/
— It’s time to get tough on anti-American media
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/21/mmga-time-get-tough-anti-american-media/
NEW YORK POST
— AG Pam Bondi issues stark warning for Illinois, NY governors to ‘comply’ with federal law
https://nypost.com/2025/02/22/us-news/ag-pam-bondi-issues-stark-warning-for-illinois-ny-governors-to-comply-with-federal-law/
— Trump triumphantly returns to CPAC as president, touts GOP as ‘proud voice’ of Americans: ‘We are the party of common sense’
https://nypost.com/2025/02/22/us-news/trump-returns-to-cpac-as-president-touts-gop-as-proud-voice-of-americans/
DAILY SIGNAL
— Trump Vows to Deport Illegal Aliens at Unprecedented Scale in Speech to Conservatives
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/02/22/trump-touts-largest-deportation-effort-history-speech-conservatives/
FOX NEWS
— Attorney General Bondi issues stark warning for Illinois and NY governors to ‘comply’ with federal law. ‘We are sick and tired of Americans being murdered, and these states protecting illegal aliens,’ Bondi said.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/attorney-general-bondi-issues-stark-warning-illinois-new-york-governors-comply-federal-law
— CPAC straw poll reveals who conservatives believe will be 2028 presidential nominee
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6369195325112
NEWSMAX
— Kari Lake to Newsmax: Slams Gov. Pritzker’s Illinois as ‘So Far Gone’
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/lake-pritzker-illinois/2025/02/22/id/1200088/
— Homan: Security Should Be Nonpartisan Issue
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/homan-border-nonpartisan/2025/02/22/id/1200098/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CNN
— Federal employees told to justify jobs in email or Musk says they face dismissal
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/22/politics/elon-musk-employees-emails/index.html
WASHINGTON POST
— Latest Trump guidance on race has schools scrambling amid ‘intense fear’ An Education Department letter says even race-neutral policies aimed at diversity could result in schools and colleges losing federal funding.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/02/22/trump-schools-federal-funding-dei-race/
— With Pentagon purge, Trump thrusts military into uncharted territory. The abrupt removal of six top officers has deepened concern among the president’s critics, who fear he intends to impose his political will on the nonpartisan institution.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/02/22/trump-pentagon-purge-charles-q-brown/
— As Trump pursues his policies, Democratic states block his path. Attorneys general have worked for months to craft legal opposition to the president’s agenda. Now they’re putting it into practice.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/02/22/trump-lawsuits-democratic-attorney-generals/
POLITICO
— Musk says all federal employees need to explain their work immediately — or be let go. Federal employees received an email Saturday afternoon, and gave them a deadline of Monday night.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/22/musk-federal-employees-explanation-dismissal-00205613
C-SPAN
— Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders & Republicans Deliver Remarks at CPAC
https://www.c-span.org/event/public-affairs-event/gov-sarah-huckabee-sanders-republicans-deliver-remarks-at-cpac/431059
February 19, 2025 Evening Edition
Anticipate/expect that ever-increasingly, the more demographics that you share with Trump, the more that Pritzker will do to destroy you. Trump is conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, married, Protestant, German American, and his ancestors have been in America for a long time. 2.4 million voted for Trump in Illinois.
Are you German American? I am. If you are, what do you stress in defense of your national origin? I stress that my grandfather on my father’s side fought the Germans in WWI, that my uncles on my mother’s side fought the Germans in WWII, and that my father would have fought the Germans in WWII if he had not been 4-F.
FOX32
— Pritzker compares Trump Administration to Nazi regime during budget address
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/pritzker-compares-trump-administration-nazi-regime-during-budget-address
— Trump designates some cartels as ‘foreign terrorist organizations’
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1596064
NBC5
— Pritzker delivers stern message on state of country. Pritzker, who has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump over the years, specifically cited actions taken by Trump and Elon Musk, and in some cases referenced the Holocaust.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/what-comes-next-illinois-governor-delivers-stern-message-on-state-of-country/3678083/
— Government officials charge taxpayers millions to try to keep secrets from public. NBC 5 Investigates has found that it has cost Chicago-area taxpayers more than $13.4 million over the past 12 years for officials to try to keep clearly-public documents secret.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/government-officials-charge-taxpayers-millions-to-try-to-keep-secrets-from-public/3677223/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Pritzker proposes belt-tightening budget with no new taxes, invokes Nazism in bashing Trump
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/19/gov-j-b-pritzker-likens-trump-administration-actions-to-nazi-germany-what-comes-next/
— Trump and Zelenskyy trade barbs as US-Ukraine relations sour over the war with Russia
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/19/ukraine-zelenskyy-trump-russia/
— Indiana House passes Illinois secession bill on first reading, but amendments keep session lively
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/19/indiana-house-passes-illinois-secession-bill-on-first-reading-but-amendments-keep-session-lively/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker unveils $55.2 billion budget with no new taxes, compares Trump playbook to the Nazi movement. The Democratic governor also peppered his seventh budget blueprint — which Republicans derided as the largest in state history — with key policy proposals for the upcoming fiscal year.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/02/19/jb-pritzker-budget-address-state-of-the-state
— Federal worker firings by Trump, Musk are chaos, not cost-cutting
https://chicago.suntimes.com/editorials/2025/02/19/president-trump-elon-musk-doge-layoffs-firings-civil-servants-endanger-america-bird-flu-nuclear
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Pritzker remarks on the Holocaust — and on Trump
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/jb-pritzker-remarks-holocaust-and-donald-trump
ADVANTAGE NEWS
— Pritzker calls to tighten Illinois’ belt, repeatedly invokes Nazis in attack on Trump
https://www.advantagenews.com/news/local/pritzker-calls-to-tighten-illinois-belt-repeatedly-invokes-nazis-in-attack-on-trump/article_d1537bae-eefd-11ef-ad36-1bda87f7591b.html
STATELINE
— Pritzker invokes specter of Nazi Germany in rebuke of Trump administration
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/pritzker-invokes-specter-of-nazi-germany-in-rebuke-of-trump-administration/
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Republicans decry, Pritzker defends ‘Nazi’ references during budget speech. Pritzker refers to Nazis six times in criticism of Trump.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_edb79bb8-ef16-11ef-8c25-474e08243540.html
— Pritzker calls to tighten belt, repeatedly invokes Nazis in attack on Trump. Governor makes no calls for ethics reforms despite Madigan conviction.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_92dde236-eefa-11ef-9497-332440818a6d.html
— Republicans criticize Pritzker after budget address
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_b405d33a-ef11-11ef-9a1a-73cef9f3019e.html
ST.LOUIS TODAY
— Pritzker likens Trump administration actions to Nazi Germany
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/illinois-gov-j-b-pritzker-likens-trump-administration-actions-to-nazi-germany/article_cd5a1a2e-ef18-11ef-b4c3-83559ec34cbe.html
UNION BULLETIN
— Pritzker likens Trump administration actions to Nazi Germany: ‘What comes next?’
https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/national/gov-j-b-pritzker-likens-trump-administration-actions-to-nazi-germany-what-comes-next/article_7a81f5f3-2f15-59c1-b3d6-b304a0f0e406.html
CITIES 92.9
— Republicans decry, Pritzker defends ‘Nazi’ references during budget speech
https://www.cities929.com/2025/02/19/watch-republicans-decry-pritzker-defends-nazi-references-during-budget-speech/
ABC7
— Pritzker proposes $2B in spending growth without new income or service taxes in budget. Budgeting office says global outlook has changed since previous $3.2B deficit estimate.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/illinois-governor-jb-pritzker-deliver-budget-address-wednesday/15930773/
— Democrat leaders crow about their getting Democrats to protest.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/university-illinois-chicago-uic-educators-researchers-students-protest-nih-funding-cuts-proposed-trump-admin/15933853/
— Federal workers in Chicago left confused by mass firings, sudden rehiring
https://abc7chicago.com/post/federal-workers-chicago-left-confused-sudden-rehiring-following-mass-firings-trump-administrations-doge/15934016/
CBS2
— Homeless encampment residents in Chicago’s Gompers Park take issue with city “cleanup”
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/homeless-encampment-residents-chicago-gompers-park-cleanup/
DAILY HERALD
— Restraining order sought to block 26th Senate appointment amid legal fight
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250219/illinois-state-politics/restraining-order-sought-to-block-26th-senate-appointment-amid-legal-fight/
WGN RADIO
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.
https://wgnradio.com/news/asylum-seekers-the-american-dream-is-over/
WBEZ
— Lawmakers promised cannabis funds would right many wrongs, but results are mixed. In 2020, Illinois legalized recreational marijuana. But experts say the boon won’t last forever, and policymakers should re-examine how the funds are spent.
https://www.wbez.org/curious-city/2025/02/19/lawmakers-promised-cannabis-funds-would-right-many-wrongs-but-results-are-mixed
— Pritzker’s $55.2 billion budget has no new taxes, cuts health care for adults lacking legal status. The Democratic governor also peppered his seventh budget blueprint — which Republicans derided as the largest in state history — with key policy proposals for the upcoming fiscal year.
https://www.wbez.org/springfield/2025/02/19/jb-pritzker-budget-address-state-of-the-state
RIVER BENDER
— State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton), House Republican Caucus Deputy Budgeteer, Issues Statement On Gov. Pritzker’s Budget Address
https://www.riverbender.com/news/details/rep-elik-issues-statement-on-gov-pritzkers-budget-address-79845.cfm
BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— Families Experiencing Homelessness Can Apply For Up To $6,500 — With No Limit On How It’s Spent. Families of Chicago Public Schools students who lack stable housing may be eligible for a one-time payment through a state guaranteed income program.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/18/families-experiencing-homelessness-can-apply-for-up-to-6500-with-no-limit-on-how-its-spent/
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/19/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-251/
— Black Caucus angrily responds to Pritzker’s budget proposals: ‘An insult to this entire Black community’
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/19/black-caucus-angrily-responds-to-pritzkers-budget-proposals-an-insult-to-this-entire-black-community/
— Pritzker zeroes out health plan for undocumented immigrants – Slashes welcoming center funding
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/19/pritzker-zeroes-out-health-plan-for-undocumented-immigrants-slashes-welcoming-center-funding/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Irony Concerning ComEd Profit and Mike Madigan’s Conviction
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/irony-concerning-comed-profit-and-mike-madigans-conviction/
— Robotic House Building Inaugurated in Southwest Florida
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/robotic-house-building-inaugurated-in-southwest-florida/
— Pritzker Proposes Easier Township Government Consolidation, Plus Abolition of Township Assessors in Townships Under 5,000 Population
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/pritzker-proposes-easier-township-government-consolidation-plus-abolition-of-township-assessors-in-townships-under-5000-population/
— Reactions to Governor’s Budget Talk
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/reactions-to-governors-budget-talk/
— Algonquin Township Integrity Trustee Team Mail
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/algonquin-township-integrity-trustee-team-mail/
— The Censures of Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk – Part 3
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/19/the-censures-of-randy-funk-part-3/
JOHN BIVER
— Looking for solutions in all the wrong places
https://johnbiver.com/looking-for-solutions-in-all-the-wrong-places/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump Education Department cancels $226 million in ‘divisive’ diversity grants
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/19/trump-education-department-cancels-226-million-divisive-diversity-gran/
— Trump to sign executive order ending benefits for illegal immigrants
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/19/trump-executive-order-end-benefits-illegal-immigrants/
NEW YORK POST
— McDonald’s to let white students apply for Latino scholarships after DEI lawsuit (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always used my not getting any scholarships against me.)
https://nypost.com/2025/02/19/business/mcdonalds-to-let-white-students-to-apply-for-latino-scholarships/
AMERICAN THINKER
— DOGE takes on the Social Security monster
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/02/doge_takes_on_the_social_security_monster.html
BREITBART
— President Trump Blasts Zelensky: ‘A Dictator Without Elections’
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/02/19/president-trump-blasts-zelensky-a-dictator-without-elections/
TOWNHALL
— ‘Game On’ for Democrats in ICE’s Way, Homan Says
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/jeremyfrankel/2025/02/19/tom-homan-to-dems-obstructing-ice-game-on-n2652484
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Pritzker takes jabs at Trump tariffs
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/illinois-governor-jb-pritzker-takes-jabs-trump-tariffs/
FORTUNE
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly use DEI to promote more hatred against Republicans.
https://fortune.com/2025/02/19/trump-anti-dei-campaign-hits-universities/
C-SPAN
— Illinois State of the State Address
https://www.c-span.org/program/state-legislature/illinois-state-of-the-state-address/655949
February 19, 2025
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
NBC5
— Fired federal workers protest Trump administration cuts as others speak out in support (COMMENT: If you were me, what position would you take on federal employees. While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years (Post Office-3, IRS-9, and GAO-18), virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats. Extremely few sided with me. Virtually none came to my defense. Many helped my Democrat superiors waste my career and take adverse actions against me including forcing me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997. Overwhelmingly, they promoted Affirmative Action and DEI, that is, they promoted race and gender based preference giving, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and/or national origin discrimination.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SsrWEuGTRs
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Libertyville Township has unrelated O’Connors facing off for supervisor; ‘We were just blessed with the same last name’ (COMMENT: What offices are on the April 1 ballot in your precinct? Who are the candidates? How much do you know about them? How have those candidates treated your Republican Precinct Committeeman?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/18/libertyville-township-has-unrelated-oconnors-facing-off-for-supervisor-we-were-just-blessed-with-the-same-last-name/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump’s Friday firings leave EPA Chicago office down dozens of scientists, staff (COMMENT: Republican-led budget cuts during the 1980s and 1990s left GAO’s Chicago office down dozens of auditors. I was one of those auditors that my Democrat GAO superiors forced into early retirement.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/environment/2025/02/18/trump-fires-epa-chicago-scientists-staff-environmental-protection-agency
— Democrats oppose anything and everything that discourages voter fraud.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2025/02/18/safeguard-american-voter-eligibility-illinois-citizenship-passport-birth-certificate-becky-simon
NPR ILLINOIS
— She worked for years to get a federal job. Within a month, she was fired (COMMENT: The Democrats who ran GAO in 1980, IRS in 1971, and the Post Office in 1966 hired me because they could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. My passing the postal employment examination and earning a high school diploma qualified me for the Post Office job. My passing the Federal Service Entrance Examination and earning a bachelor’s degree in management qualified me the IRS job. My earning an MBA, passing the CPA examination on my first attempt, and almost completing the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting qualified me for the GAO job.)
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-02-19/she-worked-for-years-to-get-a-federal-job-within-a-month-she-was-fired
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A dream job. Rose is the daughter of immigrants and grew up on the East Coast. For her entire professional life, she had wanted to work in the government. She’d done a few internships around Washington, D.C., before taking a job as a consultant. In that role, she’d worked alongside federal workers on environmental cleanup and clean energy projects. Working with those federal employees inspired her to pursue a job as a civil servant. But, she says, she soon learned that “getting a job in the federal government is a science in itself.” Initially, she was rejected from several positions. Undaunted, Rose steeped herself in the language of the U.S. government. She taught herself an endless list of acronyms and bought a book on how to build a résumé that would make her more attractive to federal work. Then late last year, she got what she thought was going to be her big break. She had interviewed at the Department of Energy for a job helping to oversee a portfolio of renewable energy projects. She says the hiring process was a monthslong ordeal, during which, she jokes, she told them everything except “what my blood type is.” In December, she got the call from human resources telling her she’d landed the role. “I was with a friend at the time,” she says. “And I just kept saying over and over, ‘I got the job! I got the job!'” It was going to be a turning point in her life: “It really felt like … my career is beginning, because this is the job I want,” she recalls.)
WOKV
— ‘Now I have a voice’: Jacksonville sheriff joins statewide illegal immigration crackdown
https://www.wokv.com/news/local/now-i-have-voice-jacksonville-sheriff-joins-statewide-illegal-immigration-crackdown/AGNOWOCVPNBXHMIWPMNIJGNBRQ/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump imposes his vision on America
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/ap-trump-imposes-his-vision-on-america-in-departure-from-first-term-stumbles/
WAND TV
— Rep. Will Davis (D- East Hazel Crest), who chairs the House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee, calls for more Affirmative Action and DEI, that is, for more race and gender based preference giving, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and national origin discrimination. Democrat leaders ever-increasingly hint/imply/argue/shout that all the problems that minorities and females have are caused by Republicans.
https://www.wandtv.com/news/statehouse/rep-blaine-wilhour-argues-illinois-should-stop-focusing-on-equity-in-education-funding/article_b0c6b2da-ee4d-11ef-ade8-67c4623f0b02.html
POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Anticipate/expect that ever-increasingly, hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters will blame for everything that is bad.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2025/02/19/pritzkers-budget-reveal-00204837
CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/19/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-458/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WIREPOINTS
— Illinois has spent billions and billions on illegal immigrants…and that’s just the money we can see publicly
https://wirepoints.org/illinois-has-spent-billions-and-billions-on-illegal-immigrants-and-thats-just-the-money-we-can-see-publicly-wirepoints-on-am-560-chicagos-morning-answer/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Morning Greatness: Most Americans Say Foreign Aid Is Wasted on Corruption
https://amgreatness.com/2025/02/18/morning-greatness-most-americans-say-foreign-aid-is-wasted-on-corruption/
— Support for President Trump’s Tariffs on China: A Strategic Move Towards Equitable Global Relations. Trump’s tariffs on China target fentanyl, economic espionage, and human rights abuses, signaling a hardline stance on trade and national security.
https://amgreatness.com/2025/02/19/support-for-president-trumps-tariffs-on-china-a-strategic-move-towards-equitable-global-relations/
BREITBART
— Fmr. GAO Head David Walker: DOGE Opponents Aren’t ‘Providing Any Support’ for Claims It’s Breaking Law
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2025/02/19/fmr-gao-head-doge-opponents-arent-providing-any-support-for-claims-its-breaking-law/
CENTER SQUARE
— IRS tax gap grows to $600 billion as DOGE looks for savings (COMMENT: I worked for GAO for 3 years on audits of IRS’s efforts to close the tax gap.)
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_ecd0de72-ee0c-11ef-848d-ebb54839938d.html
CHRISTIAN POST
— Wheaton College alumni flood petition for leadership change amid ‘pernicious drift’
https://www.christianpost.com/news/wheaton-college-alumni-flood-petition-to-change-leadership.html
COLLEGE FIX
— Trump finds nearly $1 billion in Education Department waste
https://www.thecollegefix.com/trump-finds-nearly-1-billion-in-education-department-waste/
DAVID ARMANO
— These federal employees have no idea how private sector workers view them. Wow, they live in a world of their own with guaranteed job security, unions and legal armies ready to do battle on their behalf. A completely different set of rules. (COMMENT: If you were me, what position would you take on federal employees. While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years (Post Office-3, IRS-9, and GAO-18), virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats. Extremely few sided with me. Virtually none came to my defense. Many helped my Democrat superiors waste my career and take adverse actions against me including forcing me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997. Overwhelmingly, they promoted Affirmative Action and DEI, that is, they promoted race and gender based preference giving, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and/or national origin discrimination.)
https://x.com/armano/status/1892047499755409808?mx=2
EPOCH TIMES
— Trump Terminates Biden-Era US Attorneys in DOJ Overhaul. The president stated that the move was necessary to restore a ‘fair justice system’ in the country. (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always stressed that my Republican U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald appointed U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald who sided with my Democrat GAO superiors in Diersen v. GAO. To side with my Democrat GAO superiors is to promote Affirmative Action and DEI, that is, to promote race and gender based preference giving, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, religious discrimination, and national origin discrimination.)
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/trump-terminates-biden-era-us-attorneys-in-doj-overhaul-5812443
FOX NEWS
— Deportation flights are ‘the most profoundly impactful tactic’ to deter illegal immigration (COMMENT: Anticipate/expect that many, most, if not virtually all of those who are deported will return.)
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6369027551112
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CNN
— Trump administration terminates privacy officials at agency overseeing government hiring and firing
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/18/politics/opm-privacy-team-fired/index.html
NEWSWEEK
— Musk Says Some DOGE Workers Are Federal Employees
https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-doge-employees-hannity-interview-2033017
NBC NEWS
— Despite DOGE, Trump’s agenda calls for adding trillions of dollars to U.S debt. Budget experts say Trump’s tax and spending priorities would increase red ink, even as he boasts of balancing the budget. “I don’t think their rhetoric matches reality,” says one.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/doge/doge-trumps-agenda-calls-adding-trillions-dollars-us-debt-rcna191665
CBS NEWS
— Tension between sanctuary cities and federal immigration crackdown
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/tension-between-sanctuary-cities-and-federal-immigration-crackdown/
MSN
— Boeing’s new Air Force One delayed until 2029 or later
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/boeing-s-new-air-force-one-delayed-until-2029-or-later-official-says/ar-AA1zeNrN
WASHINGTON POST
— U.S. Catholic bishops sue Trump administration over blocked refugee funds. The suit says the impact of the administration’s action is “devastating” for the Church and the refugees it serves. (COMMENT: According to Democrat leaders, sooner or later, everyone outside of America who is one of the following a) is a refugee, b) will be a refugee, and c) should be admitted as a refugee: minority, female, younger, LGBTQ, disabled, poor, non-Protestant, non-German American.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/02/18/catholic-bishops-sue-trump-refugee-funds/
— FEMA is losing scores of employees. What does that mean for disaster recovery? Cuts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency could affect people across the country who are struggling to rebuild and prepare for disasters. (COMMENT: I should write about the tremendous negative impacts of Republican gutting of GAO during the 1980s and 1990s.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/02/18/fema-layoffs-disaster-response/
— Trump and Musk praise each other, promise ‘hundreds of billions’ in cuts during Fox interview
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/18/trump-presidency-news/
— Youngkin promises help for federal workers but defends Trump job cuts. In his first extended remarks on the Trump cuts, Youngkin acknowledges many are anxious but says the process is needed and that state help is coming. (COMMENT: In Diersen v. GAO, virtually everyone sided with the Democrats who ran GAO. Those who sided with GAO were many, most, if not virtually all of the following: liberal/moderate, minority, female, younger, poor, LGBTQ, veteran, disabled, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/02/18/virginia-youngkin-trump-federal-jobs/
— Why people aren’t having kids (COMMENT: My Democrat IRS and GAO superiors used my and my wife’s giving up trying to have children to justify the big adverse actions that they took against me. They hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I had lied about our efforts to have children. They stressed that we did not try IVF knowing full-well that our doctors said it would not be successful. They shouted that we could have adopted or become foster parents but did not.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/02/18/fertility-decline-women-kids-claudia-goldin/
USA TODAY
— Trump’s mass firing of probationary employees illegal, not performance-based, lawyers say (COMMENT: After I transferred from IRS to GAO when I was 31 years old in 1980, my Democrat GAO superiors were furious that they could not use their probationary procedures to fire me because I had served my probationary period while I worked for IRS.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/18/trump-mass-firings-federal-workers-illegal/79070972007/
— Barron Trump is ‘future of conservative movement’ say College Republicans
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/19/barron-trump-nyu-conservative-republican/79104907007/
— Trump said he was the ‘father of IVF.’ After his executive order, these voters are rejoicing.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/02/19/ivf-trump-insurance-executive-order-reactions/78405547007/
UNION JOURNAL
— Trump Has Used $10.7 Million in Taxpayer Funds for Golf Expenses
https://www.theunionjournal.com/donald-trump-has-used-10-7-million-in-taxpayer-funds-for-golf-expenses/
BLOOMBERG
— Trump Accelerates Mass Firing of Federal Workers
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-02-18/trump-accelerates-mass-firing-of-federal-workers-evening-briefing
FAST COMPANY
— How federal workers are mobilizing against Trump, Musk, and DOGE. In response to sudden firings, government workers from across departments are starting a protest movement to fight back—and are targeting Tesla dealerships.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91280631/how-federal-workers-are-mobilizing-against-trump-musk-and-doge
WORLD AND WAY
— Wheaton College Clash Over Russell Vought Escalates, Exposing Evangelical Fault Lines
https://wordandway.org/2025/02/19/wheaton-college-clash-over-russell-vought-escalates-exposing-evangelical-fault-lines/
INSIDE HIGHER EDUCATION
— Democrat and RINO leaders use DEI to get rid of Republicans.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/02/19/higher-ed-groups-push-back-trumps-dei-threats
GOVERNMENT EXCUTIVE
— Thousands join class actions as fired feds weigh options to challenge Trump’s moves. Former federal probationary employees are hopeful they can prove their dismissals were not actually performance based, as their agencies claim. (COMMENT: After I transferred from IRS to GAO when I was 31 years old in 1980, my Democrat GAO superiors were furious that they could not use their probationary procedures to fire me because I had served my probationary period while I worked for IRS.)
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/02/thousands-join-class-actions-fired-feds-weigh-options-challenge-trumps-moves/403087/
FED MANAGER
— Federal Agencies Start Mass Layoffs, Probationary Employees Targeted (COMMENT: After I transferred from IRS to GAO when I was 31 years old in 1980, my Democrat GAO superiors were furious that they could not use their probationary procedures to fire me because I had served my probationary period while I worked for IRS.)
https://www.fedmanager.com/news/federal-agencies-start-mass-layoffs-probationary-employees-targeted
FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— Fired probationary employees bring class-wide complaint to OSC (COMMENT: After I transferred from IRS to GAO when I was 31 years old in 1980, my Democrat GAO superiors were furious that they could not use their probationary procedures to fire me because I had served my probationary period while I worked for IRS.)
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce-rightsgovernance/2025/02/fired-probationary-employees-bring-class-wide-complaint-to-osc/
FED WEEK
— Federal Workplace Likely to Be Topic in Hearing on New GAO High-Risk List (COMMENT: At that hearing, Republicans should stress that GAO wasted my career and forced me to retire when I was 49 years old. My Democrat GAO superiors wasted what I had learned a) working for GAO for almost 18 years and for IRS for almost 9 years before that, b) earning six job-related professional certifications, c) earning a job-related professional license, and d) earning three job-related master’s degrees. Who does Trump want the next head of GAO to be, that is, who does Trump want the next Comptroller General to be?)
https://www.fedweek.com/fedweek/federal-workplace-likely-to-be-topic-in-hearing-on-new-gao-high-risk-list/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Democrats likely will use the hearing to point out that among GAO’s concerns in all such reports since they started in 2001 is what GAO calls “strategic management of human capital.” Main issues cited have included persistent shortages of federal employees with needed skills in areas such as cybersecurity and other IT functions, the STEM fields in general, acquisition, HR, and others—along with the need for better planning and building up capacity for the workforce of the future. The prior report said that shortages of employees were “undermining agencies’ abilities to meet their missions.” Closing those gaps “will require demonstrated improvements in agencies’ capacity to perform workforce planning, foster employee engagement, train staff effectively, and recruit and retain the appropriate number of staff with the necessary skills,” it said.)
AFGE
— AFGE Condemns Trump’s Mass Firing of Federal Employees
https://www.afge.org/article/afge-condemns-trumps-mass-firing-of-federal-employees/
NARFE
— NARFE Members Denounce Fed Firings During Nationwide Protests. Act Now: Protect Federal Earned Federal Retirement and Health Benefits from Budget Cuts. Urge Congress to Stand Up for Public Servants, Rule of Law. (COMMENT: I have been a NARFE member since I was 40 years old in 1988.)
https://www.narfe.org/advocacy/legislative-action-center/?_zs=NUifm&_zl=k7OF3
REDDIT
— Some federal workers are ‘getting wealthy at taxpayer expense,’ says Elon Musk, whose companies have received at least $20 billion from the government. (COMMENT: I was a federal employee for almost 30 years. My critic/opponents have always demonized me, denigrated me, and condemned me as being overpaid.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/50501/comments/1isvn9q/some_federal_workers_are_getting_wealthy_at/?rdt=63007
INSTAGRAM
— 3rd of federal workers are veterans. The federal government is largely a jobs program for them.(COMMENT: My Democrat superiors who took adverse actions against me were veterans and/or used their subordinates who were veterans to do that. I should write about that. Of course, they stressed that I avoided the Vietnam War draft.)
https://www.instagram.com/thetnholler/p/DGPScQstOrO/
February 18, 2025 Evening Edition
WHITE HOUSE
— EXPANDING ACCESS TO IN VITRO FERTILIZATION; ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ALL AGENCIES
https://www.whitehouse.gov/news/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— ‘We are the patriots’: Chicago federal employees protest mass firings in Federal Plaza (COMMENT: I have always been a Republican. Virtually all federal employees are Democrats. I was a federal employee for almost 30 years. I share many demographics with Trump. If I was still a federal employee, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates would have killed me by now figuratively if not literally.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/18/federal-employees-protest-mass-firings/
— Trump administration gives schools a deadline to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/18/trump-schools-end-dei-programs/
— Trump signs order to study how to expand IVF and calls for ‘radical transparency’ from government
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/18/trump-will-sign-new-executive-orders-while-his-first-joint-tv-interview-with-musk-airs-in-prime-time/
— Soon, if not already, under the Democrats and under the RINOs, everyone in America will be a) handing out welfare and/or b) receiving welfare.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/14/dupage-naperville-homeless-winter-emergency-shelter/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/chicago-immigration-resource-guide
— Trump’s Friday firings leave EPA Chicago office with fewer scientists, staff. Dozens of probationary employees were cut because they didn’t have job protections.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/environment/2025/02/18/trump-fires-epa-chicago-scientists-staff-environmental-protection-agency
DAILY HERALD
— Suit asks court to block appointment of McConchie successor in Senate
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250218/illinois-state-politics/suit-asks-court-to-block-appointment-of-mcconchie-successor-in-senate/
— College of DuPage board names top pick for president
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250218/news/college-of-dupage-board-names-top-pick-for-president/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: COD Trustee Andrew Manno, who co-chairs the presidential search committee, told the board last month that it had selected about a dozen or so candidates to appear before the committee for interviews. The committee held those interviews over a span of two days — “over long, long hours” — and was able to narrow the search down to four candidates, Manno said in January. Both the board and the committee agreed to follow a “hybrid confidential approach” to “ensure that COD has the best quality candidates that the country has to offer,” Manno said previously.)
ABC7
— Judge declines to immediately block Elon Musk or DOGE from federal data or layoffs
https://abc7chicago.com/post/white-house-claims-elon-musk-does-not-run-doge-new-filing/15925645/
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-leaders-speak-undocumented-business-owners-deportations-illinois-hispanic-chamber-commerce-offers-legal-adivce/15926782/
NBC5
— Republicans consider cuts, work requirements for Medicaid. Eighty million U.S. adults and children are currently enrolled in the nearly-free health care coverage offered to the poorest Americans.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/health/republicans-consider-cuts-work-requirements-medicaid/3677068/
CBS2
— Mentoring program helping Black high school students prepare for college success (COMMENT: To get rid of me, my Democrat IRS superiors got rid of my IRS mentor who promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974. To get rid of me, my Democrat GAO superiors got rid of my GAO mentor who arranged for my transfer from IRS in 1980 and was finally able to assign me to audits of IRS and to promote me in 1986.)
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/onegoal-mentoring-program-black-high-school-students-college/
FOX32
— Illinois federal employees protest against Trump’s layoffs. Federal workers held a rally at Federal Plaza in Chicago, protesting planned layoffs under President Donald Trump. The Trump administration offered buyouts to nearly 2 million federal employees, leading to 75,000 resignations. Thousands of probationary workers, including EPA employees, were fired without warning, sparking outrage. (COMMENT: I have always been a Republican. Virtually all federal employees are Democrats. I was a federal employee for almost 30 years. I share many demographics with Trump. If I was still a federal employee, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates would have killed me by now figuratively if not literally.)
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-federal-employees-protest-against-trumps-layoffs
WTTW
— Are You a Federal Worker in Illinois? We Want to Hear From You. (COMMENT: Would WTTW be interested in hearing about how my Democrat GAO superiors used Republican-led budget cuts to waste my career and to force me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997?)
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/17/are-you-federal-worker-illinois-we-want-hear-you
— Fired EPA Workers in Chicago Rally Against Trump’s Mass Government Layoffs
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/18/fired-epa-workers-chicago-rally-against-trump-s-mass-government-layoffs
— Democrats ever-increasingly push more pot.
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/18/committee-advances-bill-ban-vehicle-searches-based-smell-cannabis
VERMILION COUNTY FIRST
— Chief Budgeteer Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) joined Illinois Senate Republican Leader Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and Deputy Leader Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) to call on Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to commit to transparent accounting of taxpayer spending and to deliver a budget that does not include tax increases on Illinois families and businesses in tomorrow’s address.
https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/2025/02/18/illinois-senate-republicans-call-for-no-new-taxes-transparent-accounting-in-budget/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Illinois Republican Senate members say Democrats state budget is flawed
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/watch-live-illinois-republican-senate-members-discuss-budget/
— Florida is rushing to enforce new immigration laws.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-florida-is-rushing-to-enforce-new-immigration-laws-heres-what-to-know/
FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump’s border czar says ICE arrests way up, illegal border crossings way down
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-effect-has-migrants-thinking-twice-about-crossing-the-border-white-house-says-illegal-immigration-border-security-politics-ice-arrests-public-safety
WQAD
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote more abortion
https://www.wqad.com/video/news/politics/illinois-politics/planned-parenthood-of-illinois-offering-medication-abortion-pills-through-app/526-3295b9a7-c293-4033-9d3d-4a4e89a2c287
— Democrats ever-increasingly push more pot.
https://www.wqad.com/video/news/politics/illinois-politics/illinois-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-vehicle-searches-based-on-smell-of-cannabis/526-3f033835-2d5d-4df9-b093-e19bb4879010
CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Eliminating immigrant spending, boosting education funding top Senate Republican budget priorities. Gov. JB Pritzker set to give budget address Wednesday.
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/eliminating-immigrant-spending-boosting-education-funding-top-senate-republican-budget-priorities/
BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— Residents, Advocates Fear An Encampment Clearing As Tensions At Gompers Park Rise. Though the city said a planned March 5 moving event doesn’t mean the encampment will be cleared, similar events have led to the dismantling of tent cities, advocates said.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/18/residents-advocates-fear-an-encampment-clearing-as-tensions-at-gompers-park-rise/
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/18/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-250/
— Poll unsurprisingly finds Trump/Musk and their actions unpopular in Illinois, except for a close division on immigration (COMMENT: 2.4 million in Illinois voted for Trump/Vance.)
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/18/poll-unsurprisingly-finds-trumpmusk-and-their-actions-unpopular-in-illinois-except-for-a-close-division-on-immigration/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Bill would eliminate property taxes for Illinois homeowners after 30 years of residency (COMMENT: I have lived in Illinois for more than 76 years and in Wheaton for almost 47 years. I have paid real estate taxes for more than 52 years.)
https://www.aol.com/bill-eliminate-property-taxes-illinois-213600444.html
— Pritzker to deliver proposed Illinois budget amid mounting spending pressures
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_d154e64e-ee38-11ef-ad97-eb573b7a9e65.html
— Government efficiency caucus formed
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_1951acf4-ee41-11ef-8dfc-47160dadc270.html
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Because Secret Service Clearance Is Required Wednesday Deadline to Buy Tickets to See Lara Trump at McHenry County/Joe Tirio Fundraiser
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/because-secret-service-clearance-is-required-wednesday-deadline-to-buy-tickets-to-see-lara-trump/
— Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Danijela Sandberg’s Opponent Prematurely Declares Victory
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/algonquin-township-road-commissioner-danijela-sandbergs-opponent-prematurely-declares-victory/
— Illinois Policy Institute Tees Up Opposition to Progressive Income Tax Proposals by Democrats
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/illinois-policy-institute-tees-up-opposition-to-progressive-income-tax-proposals-by-democrats/
— Looks Like I Was Wrong on Netflix Subject for “Monsters – Season 3”
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/looks-like-i-was-wrong-on-netflix-subject-for-monsters-season-3/
— Grafton Township Republican Party Issues Endorsements for Township Trustee
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/grafton-township-republican-party-issues-endorsements-for-township-trustee/
— Another View of the Replacement Process for State Senator Dan McConchie
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/another-view-of-the-replacement-process-for-state-senator-dan-mcconchie/
— The Censures of Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk – Part 2
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/the-censures-of-randy-funk-part-2/
— McHenry County Administrator Peter Austin Gets 5.3% Raise
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/18/mchenry-county-administrator-peter-austin-gets-5-3-raise/
ILLINOIS RECORD
— A leaked Video shows the Illinois GOP seemingly lying about their 2024 election get out the vote impact
https://www.illinoisrecord.com/p/a-leaked-video-shows-the-illinois
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Illegal immigrants now paying up to $30,000 as cartels raise prices under Trump
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/18/illegal-immigrants-paying-30-000-cartels-raise-pri/
WASHINGTON EXAMINAR
— CPAC theme: ‘America is back on track’
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/washington-secrets/3322407/cpac-theme-america-back-on-track/
AMERICAN WIRE
— Biden admin doled out 10 BILLION to illegals in just one year, shocking probe finds
https://americanwirenews.com/biden-admin-doled-out-10-billion-to-illegals-in-just-one-year-shocking-probe-finds/
CENTER SQUARE
— New guidance seeks to end use of ‘race preferences, stereotypes’ in school admissions
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_127ef2e4-ee26-11ef-a6c4-878910db08f2.html
— IRS tax gap grows to $600 billion as DOGE looks for savings (COMMENT: I worked for GAO for 3 years 1986-1988 on audits of IRS Criminal Investigation Division efforts to close the tax gap.)
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_ecd0de72-ee0c-11ef-848d-ebb54839938d.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: As billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency take a look at one of the federal government’s most-disliked agencies, the Internal Revenue Service, some point to a persistent problem: the tax gap. The tax gap is the difference between what taxpayers pay the IRS voluntarily and on time and what they actually owe the IRS. The projected annual gross tax gap for tax year 2022 was $696 billion, with about $90 billion of that paid late or through IRS enforcement, according to the IRS.)
DAILY WIRE
— Education Dept Slashes $600 Million In Grants Promoting ‘Divisive’ Ideologies. Grants had been training teachers in CRT and gender ideology.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/education-dept-slashes-600-million-in-grants-promoting-divisive-ideologies
FEDERALIST
— United States Should Encourage Less Migration, More Stability
https://thefederalist.com/2025/02/18/former-refugee-the-united-states-should-encourage-less-migration-more-stability/
FOX NEWS
— Vance to speak at CPAC’s opening day. CPAC, which dates back to 1974, is the nation’s oldest and largest annual gathering of conservative leaders and activists.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vice-president-jd-vance-speak-cpacs-opening-day
NEW AMERICAN
— Noem to Illegal Aliens and Would-be Illegals: Get Out, Stay Out, and Don’t Cross the Border
https://thenewamerican.com/us/immigration/noem-to-illegal-aliens-and-would-be-illegals-get-out-stay-out-and-dont-cross-the-border/
NEWSMAX
— If you have a criminal record, you can’t stay here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt8YhNBsLVc
OPEN THE BOOKS
— CASH FOR MIGRANTS: FEMA NOT THE ONLY AGENCY SPENDING BIG. The Office of Refugee Resettlement has faced questions over transparency, conflict of interest.
https://openthebooks.substack.com/p/5f0bfa8c-91b1-4477-baa5-b98ecf340a76?lid=q5u4w2bhnmbt
TOWNHALL
— Homan Has the Perfect Response to AOC ‘Educating’ Illegals on How to Evade ICE
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/madelineleesman/2025/02/18/tom-homan-aoc-update-n2652391
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Trump says he may impose auto tariffs of around 25%
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-auto-tariffs-25-percent/
NEWSWEEK
— Inside the Five-Star Hotel Where Deported Migrants Are Awaiting Their Fate
https://www.newsweek.com/inside-five-star-hotel-where-deported-migrants-are-awaiting-their-fate-2032899
USA TODAY
— Student asks Supreme Court to say he can wear T-shirt saying ‘There are only two genders.’ In past decisions, the Supreme Court has allowed students to wear arm bands in protest of the Vietnam War but not to hold up a “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” banner.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/16/supreme-court-student-two-genders-t-shirt-free-speech/78390509007/
LEADER
— IRS tax gap grows to $600 billion as DOGE looks for savings (COMMENT: I worked for GAO for 3 years 1986-1988 on audits of IRS Criminal Investigation Division efforts to close the tax gap.)
https://www.myleaderpaper.com/news/national/irs-tax-gap-grows-to-600-billion-as-doge-looks-for-savings/article_e3f7dd85-5ace-5b39-a934-9d543adda481.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: As billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency take a look at one of the federal government’s most-disliked agencies, the Internal Revenue Service, some point to a persistent problem: the tax gap. The tax gap is the difference between what taxpayers pay the IRS voluntarily and on time and what they actually owe the IRS. The projected annual gross tax gap for tax year 2022 was $696 billion, with about $90 billion of that paid late or through IRS enforcement, according to the IRS. The problem has been around for decades and is growing. From 2014 to 2016, the IRS estimated the tax gap was about $496 billion each year, according to a 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.)
ABP
— How Big A Problem Are Illegal Indians For US? 11 Insights From Johns Hopkins Study.
https://news.abplive.com/news/world/how-big-problem-illegal-indians-us-11-insights-johns-hopkins-study-1752190
February 17, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Durbin, others in Chicago push back on proposed federal budget cuts to Medicaid. Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation promise to stand up to Trump administration.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/sen-dick-durbin-joins-citizen-action-aids-foundation-chicago-push-back-proposed-federal-budget-cuts-medicaid/15921887/
— Mexico threatens to sue Google over Gulf of Mexico name change
https://abc7chicago.com/post/mexico-threatens-sue-google-company-continues-label-us-maps-gulf-america-entire-body-water/15921876/
WGN9
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote their protests against Trump
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luDPZki4H5Q
FOX32
— Democratic Illinois members of Congress blast Trump budget cuts
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1594551
WTTW
— Illinois Legislative, Labor Leaders Speak Out Against Trump Budget Cuts
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/17/illinois-legislative-labor-leaders-speak-out-against-trump-budget-cuts
— Durbin, University Leaders Push Back on Trump’s Efforts to Cut Medical Research Funding
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/17/sen-dick-durbin-university-leaders-push-back-trump-s-efforts-cut-medical-research
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— ‘No kings on Presidents Day’ rings out from protests against Trump and Musk
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/17/trump-musk-protests/
— Illinois secession bill passes out of Indiana committee, but even supporters aren’t totally on board
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/17/illinois-secession-bill-passes-out-of-indiana-committee-but-even-supporters-arent-totally-on-board/
— Mexico awaits new response from Google on dispute over Gulf of Mexico name before filing lawsuit
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/17/mexico-google-gulf-of-mexico/
DAILY HERALD
— Musk’s DOGE seeks access to personal taxpayer data, raising alarm at IRS
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250217/nation-and-world-politics/musks-doge-seeks-access-to-personal-taxpayer-data-raising-alarm-at-irs/
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise illegals and b) demonize, denigrate, and condemn Republicans.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250217/letters-to-the-editor/save-immigrants-who-are-kind-hard-working/
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER & OUR QUAD CITIES & DAILY EGYPTIAN
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote their protests against Trump
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2025/02/17/illinois-protestors-rally-at-state-capitol-against-president-trump/78992981007/
https://www.sj-r.com/picture-gallery/news/2025/02/17/protestors-rally-against-president-trump-for-second-time-in-illinois/78997988007/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/illinois-protestors-rally-state-capitol-230718017.html
https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/illinois-advocates-speak-out-against-federal-cuts/
https://dailyegyptian.com/120456/news/carbondale-endures-cold-to-protest-trump-musk-on-presidents-day/
SOUTHERN
— Trump is the only person who can force Putin to the table
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/02/17/gop-sen-mullin-trump-is-the-only-person-who-can-force-putin-to-the-table/
CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Don’t believe ‘incredible’ claims about Illinois schools
https://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/mark-glennon-dont-believe-incredible-claims-about-illinois-schools/article_ea37a3f4-ea14-11ef-9b08-173768ebbab5.html
STATELINE
— Indiana bill to ‘adopt’ Illinois counties advances in House
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/indiana-bill-to-adopt-illinois-counties-advances-in-house/
STATELINE & ADVANTAGE NEWS & WQRF
— 2.4 million voted for Trump in Illinois
https://www.mystateline.com/news/pritzker-majority-of-illinois-residents-dont-support-trump/
https://www.advantagenews.com/news/local/pritzker-says-trump-may-be-popular-nationwide-but-not-in-illinois/article_8724d48c-eb11-11ef-a176-efe4e140ec9e.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/jb-pritzker-says-donald-trump-201600367.html
NPR ILLINOIS
— GAO official says fraud does exist, but it’s not widespread
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-02-16/government-accountability-official-says-fraud-does-exist-but-its-not-widespread
WAND TV
— Durbin, Kelly join Citizen Action Illinois in fight against Trump budget cuts to Medicaid, SNAP
https://www.wandtv.com/news/statehouse/durbin-kelly-join-citizen-action-illinois-in-fight-against-trump-budget-cuts-to-medicaid-snap/article_fa0cd2ec-ed78-11ef-b7d9-477fd3841f09.html
CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Second ‘50501’ protest held outside Illinois Capitol. Protestors take aim at Trump, call for “No Kings on President’s Day.”
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/second-50501-protest-held-outside-illinois-capitol/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WIREPOINTS
— With the border closed, will Illinois finally cut spending on illegal immigrants?
https://wirepoints.org/with-the-border-finally-closed-when-will-illinois-stop-spending-on-illegal-immigrants-wirepoints-quickpoint/
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Integrity Team Seeks to Defeat Algonquin Township Supervisor Randy Funk’s Slate
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/17/integrity-team-seeks-to-defeat-algonquin-township-supervisor-randy-funks-slate/
— Former Co-Chair of Republican National Committee Headlining Joe Tirio Fundraiser on February 21st
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/17/former-co-chair-of-republican-national-committee-headlining-joe-tirio-fundraiser-on-february-21st/
— Resident Criticizes McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett’s Stewardship
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/17/resident-criticizes-mchenry-mayor-wayne-jetts-stewardship/
— Is McHenry County Administrator’s Pending 5.3% Raise a Signal That All Non-Union Employees Will Receive the Same?
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/16/is-mchenry-county-administrators-pending-5-3-raise-a-signal-that-all-non-union-employees-will-receive-the-same/
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Bill introduced to again try for progressive income tax in Illinois
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/bill-introduced-to-again-try-for-progressive-income-tax-in-illinois/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Democrats protest as Trump’s DOGE squad exposes federal waste. Discoveries of misspent millions reveal a pattern of unauthorized funding to partisan causes.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/democrats-protest-trump-doge-squad-exposes-federal/
— DOGE seeks access to IRS system with taxpayers’ financial data
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/doge-seeks-access-irs-system-taxpayers-financial-d/
— White House hits back on Democrats’ criticism of DOGE actions
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/white-house-hits-back-democrats-criticism-doge-act/
— FAA’s new air traffic control towers go ‘green’ instead of the latest safe tech
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/faa-new-air-traffic-control-towers-go-green-instea/
— Vance calls for U.S. and its allies to reject Germany’s ‘Orwellian’ speech laws (COMMENT: My critics/opponents hate the First Amendment. They want to stop me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters. Failing that, they want to stop everyone from reading them. Failing that, they have their operatives and their dupes take big adverse actions against me. I should write about my critics/opponents.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/j-d-vance-calls-u-allies-reject-germany-orwellian-/
— Trump’s immigration crackdown protects Hispanic communities
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/17/trump-immigration-crackdown-protects-hispanic-comm/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Everything you need to know about this year’s CPAC
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3319947/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cpac-this-year/
— Losing the race: Crass identity politics isn’t what it used to be for Democrats
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/premium/3311358/losing-race-crass-identity-politics-not-what-it-used-to-be-democrats/
NEW YORK POST
— Homan vows to ‘eradicate’ every criminal migrant from US — as he touts staggering drop in daily encounters
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/us-news/border-czar-tom-homan-vows-to-eradicate-every-criminal-migrant-from-us/
— Wall Street banks scrub DEI language from websites in latest retreat from corporate wokeness
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/business/wall-street-banks-scrub-dei-language-in-retreat-from-wokeness/
— DOGE discovers $4.7 trillion in Treasury payments were missing critical code: ‘Traceability almost impossible’
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/us-news/doge-discovers-4-7-trillion-in-treasury-payments-were-missing-critical-code/
— Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Biden’s IRS targeted him for an audit (DIERSEN: I should write about my Democrat IRS superiors who disallowed my education deductions in 1978.)
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/us-news/defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-says-bidens-irs-targeted-him-for-an-audit/
— Riots and hijackings — why ICE cuffs and shackles some deportees
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/opinion/riots-and-hijackings-why-ice-cuffs-and-shackles-some-deportees/
— Dems far outnumber conservatives in government — here’s what department is the worst (COMMENT: While I worked for the Democrats who ran the federal government for almost 30 years, virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats. I should write about Democrat superiors and supervisors who hated Republicans the most.)
https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/opinion/dems-far-outnumber-conservatives-in-government-heres-what-department-is-the-worst/
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Pete Hegseth Says Biden’s IRS Targeted Him With ‘Sham’ Audit on Their Way Out the Door (DIERSEN: I should write about my Democrat IRS superiors who disallowed my education deductions in 1978.)
https://amgreatness.com/2025/02/17/pete-hegseth-says-bidens-irs-targeted-him-with-sham-audit-on-their-way-out-the-door/
AMERICAN THINKER
— Memo suggests the City of San Diego’s government is loaded with illegals
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/02/memo_suggests_the_city_of_san_diego_s_government_is_loaded_with_illegals.html
BREITBART
— Homan Says Illegal Daily Encounters Down to 229 from 11,000
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/02/17/nolte-border-czar-tom-homan-says-illegal-daily-encounters-down-to-229-from-11000/
CHRISTIAN POST
— Lesbian pastor blasphemes Jesus as drag queen at council meeting
https://www.christianpost.com/news/lesbian-pastor-blasphemes-jesus-as-drag-queen-at-council-meeting.html
FOX NEWS
— Obama library, begun with lofty DEI goals, now plagued by $40M racially charged suit, ballooning costs. The Black-owned firm claims it was accused of underperforming in the project because of race.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/obama-center-subcontractor-hired-under-dei-initiative-now-suing-40m-racial-discrimination-lawsuit
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Education Department Ends $600 Million in Grants for DEI, Critical Race Theory Trainings
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/education-department-ends-600-million-in-grants-for-dei-critical-race-theory-trainings/
NEWSMAX
— Big Banks Cutting DEI to Avoid Federal Scrutiny
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/dei-division-inequity/2025/02/17/id/1199374/
— GOP Rep Introduces Proposal to End Asylum for Criminals
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/illegal-alien-criminals/2025/02/17/id/1199423/
TOWNHALL
— Illinois state Rep. John Cabello (R) Wants to Create a DOGE for His State
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/madelineleesman/2025/02/17/a-republican-lawmaker-in-illinois-wants-to-create-a-state-doge-agency-n2652334
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— DOGE sets up IRS, SEC accounts on X
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5149582-doeg-irs-sec-x-accounts/
— Musk divides GOP
https://thehill.com/newsletters/technology/5149945-musk-divides-gop/
— Musk is coming for your Social Security
https://thehill.com/opinion/5148448-elon-musk-targeting-social-security/
MSN
— NAACP spending guide urges Black Americans to avoid companies that dumped DEI
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/naacp-spending-guide-urges-black-americans-to-avoid-companies-that-dumped-dei/ar-AA1zdVIs
CBS NEWS
— Trump’s firings of independent agency heads put 90-year-old Supreme Court precedent in crosshairs
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-firings-agencies-boards-supreme-court-precedent/
NEW YORK TIMES
— Education Dept. Gives Schools Two Weeks to Eliminate Race-Based Programs. The department’s Office for Civil Rights warned that it would penalize schools that consider race in scholarships, hiring and an array of other activities.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/us/politics/education-dept-race-based-programs.html
February 14, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Ex-Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction could give Illinois GOP a path to relevancy, but it’s still strewn with obstacles
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/14/michael-madigan-conviction-illinois-gop/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration
https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/chicago-sanctuary-laws-immigrants-immigration
— Democrats ever-increasingly use Trump’s tariffs to raise alarms
https://chicago.suntimes.com/money/2025/02/14/trump-tariffs-becoming-concern-illinois-farm-agriculture-industry
DAILY HERALD
— What to know about the federal workforce under Trump (COMMENT: While I was a federal employee for almost 30 years, virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats, and many if not most were minority, female, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German America, and/or had ancestors who had not been in America for a long time. Virtually all of my coworkers had less work experience than I had, had less education than I had, had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or had no professional license like the one I had.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250214/nation-and-world-politics/what-to-know-about-the-federal-workforce-under-trump/
NBC5
— To promote DEI is to give preference to those who are minority, female, younger, LGBTQ, disabled, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German American, those whose ancestors have not been in America for a long time, etc. )
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/money-report/as-target-and-other-retailers-drop-dei-programs-black-founders-could-face-tougher-battle-to-get-and-stay-on-shelves/3674503/
WGN9
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration
https://wgntv.com/migrants-in-chicago/dont-want-to-go-back-asylum-seekers-face-deportation-anxiety-in-chicago/
WTTW
— Democrats demonize, denigrate, and condemn Trump’s Secretary of Education. They blast a job that she had in the past. My critics/opponents blast my having been a federal employee for almost 30 years. They especially blast my having been an IRS Revenue Office for almost 9 years.
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/13/ctu-sounds-alarm-chicago-students-donald-trump-s-education-secretary-pick-set-be
WBEZ
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration
https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2025/02/14/what-immigrants-should-know-about-law-enforcement-amid-increased-immigration-raids
WEDNESDAY JOURNAL
— In tense national moment, Oak Park leaders stand up for DEI, progressive values. In show of solidarity, range of leaders gather at Unity Temple. (COMMENT: Democrat and RINO leaders use DEI to discriminate against Republicans.)
https://www.oakpark.com/2025/02/11/oak-park-leaders-stand-up-dei-progressive-values/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump’s pick for education chief sketches a roadmap for dismantling the department
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-trumps-pick-for-education-chief-seeks-approval-to-lead-an-agency-she-would-be-asked-to-tear-down/
— DOGE gets mixed reviews from conservatives who have long wanted major budget cuts
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-doge-gets-mixed-reviews-from-conservatives-who-have-long-wanted-major-budget-cuts/
NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration
https://www.northernpublicradio.org/illinois/2025-02-14/pres-trumps-mass-deportation-plan-spur-strong-reactions-from-dekalb-march-organizers
WMBD
— IRS prepares to lay off thousands of workers (COMMENT: My Democrat GAO superiors and supervisors were furious that they could not use probationary employee procedures to get rid of me because I had already survived my probationary period when I worked for IRS.)
https://wmbdradio.com/2025/02/14/us-irs-prepares-to-lay-off-thousands-of-workers-source-says/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The U.S. Internal Revenue Service is preparing to fire thousands of workers next week, a move that could squeeze resources at the tax-collecting agency during the critical tax-filing season, a person familiar with the matter said. Officials from the Office of Personnel Management, which oversees federal hiring, ordered all agencies on Thursday to dismiss their probationary employees, who are newer to their positions and do not enjoy full civil service job protections.)
WCIA
— US deports 119 migrants from a variety of nations to Panama
https://www.wcia.com/news/international/ap-us-deports-119-migrants-from-a-variety-of-nations-to-panama/
DAILY ILLINI
— Lawsuit targets Illinois teacher scholarship amid wider DEI rollbacks (COMMENT: My critics/opponents have always used my not getting any scholarships against me.)
https://dailyillini.com/news-stories/world-news/state-news/2025/02/14/lawsuit-illinois-teacher-scholarship-dei-rollbacks/
CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Pritzker must address multi-billion-dollar deficit amid federal funding uncertainty. Annual budget address will be among toughest in governor’s two terms.
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzker-must-address-multi-billion-dollar-deficit-amid-federal-funding-uncertainty/
CHICAGO READER
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration
https://chicagoreader.com/columns-opinion/opinion/migrant-crime-wave/
AXIOS CHICAGO
— Illinois is one of only 13 U.S. states that sends more money to federal government coffers than it receives (COMMENT: Does your county, township, municipality, school district, and precinct send more money to Illinois and to the federal government than they receive?)
https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/02/14/illinois-federal-money-budget-spending
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/14/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-249/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Anticipate/expect that Democrat and RINO leaders will ever-increasingly paint negatively everything that Trump says and does.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_26d55070-eb0c-11ef-a8f8-ef0141b9447f.html
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Crystal Lake Grade School District Tells Employees New Contract Led to Notifying Thirty Employees of Staff Reductions, Comparison of Tax to Salary Hikes
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/14/crystal-lake-grade-school-district-tells-employees-new-contract-led-to-notifying-thirty-employees-of-staff-reductions/
— The Velvet Hammer Hammered Cartoon
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/14/the-velvet-hammer-hammered/
— Thanks, Pat Quinn, for Making Mike Madigan More Powerful
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/14/thanks-pat-quinn-for-making-mike-madigan-more-powerful/
— Reick Announces Committee Assignments
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/02/14/reick-announces-committee-assignments/
— Darby Hills Selected to Succeed Dan McConchie in the State Senate
— Reader Questions House GOP Leader Tony McCombie’s Priorities
— McHenry County GOP Sends Invitation to Lincoln Day Dinner
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Spend $93K per student and what happens? None can read at grade level. (COMMENT: How much money does your school district spend per student? What percent of its students read at grade level?)
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/spend-93k-per-student-and-what-happens-none-can-read-at-grade-level/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump cans thousands of ‘probationary’ federal employees (COMMENT: My Democrat GAO superiors and supervisors were furious that they could not use probationary employee procedures to get rid of me because I had already survived my probationary period when I worked for IRS.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/14/donald-trump-cans-thousands-probationary-federal-w/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— On illegal immigration, it’s Trump filing the lawsuits
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/daily-memo/3321217/on-illegal-immigration-trump-filing-lawsuits/
FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
— Vice President Vance Warns European Leaders that Mass Migration is the Most “Pressing Challenge”
https://www.fairus.org/blog/2025/02/14/vice-president-vance-warns-european-leaders-mass-migration-most-pressing-challenge
NEW YORK POST
— Yes: Obama, Biden endangered flights by rejecting whites for air-traffic controller jobs
https://nypost.com/2025/02/14/opinion/obama-biden-endangered-flights-by-nixing-whites-as-air-traffic-controllers/
— Pull the plug on EV subsidies — a government racket that dooms the auto industry
https://nypost.com/2025/02/13/opinion/pull-the-plug-on-ev-subsidies-a-costly-government-racket/
REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Homan on Criminal Migrants: “I’ve Made It Clear, I Want Everybody,” “I Don’t Care If It’s For Shoplifting”
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/02/14/tom_homan_on_criminal_migrants_ive_made_it_clear_i_want_everybody_i_dont_care_if_its_for_shoplifting.html
TOWNHALL
— Ilhan Omar Isn’t the Only ‘Squad’ Member Helping Illegals Avoid Deportation
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/madelineleesman/2025/02/14/aoc-advises-constituents-on-how-to-avoid-being-deported-n2652194
WESTERN JOURNAL
— Sanctuary No More: NYC Mayor Ushers in Homan to Root Out Seriously Criminal Illegals
https://www.westernjournal.com/sanctuary-no-nyc-mayor-ushers-homan-root-seriously-criminal-illegals/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— U.S. Army bars transgender people from enlisting, ends gender-affirming care services
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-army-bars-transgender-people-enlisting-trump-executive-action/
NEWSWEEK
— Border Czar Says NYC Mayor ‘Can’t Back Away’ on Immigration Enforcement
https://www.newsweek.com/tom-homan-eric-adams-immigration-enforcement-sanctuary-city-2031402
REUTERS
— Putin welcomes Russians freed in prisoner swap as heroes loyal to the Motherland (COMMENT: Will deported illegals be welcomed in their motherlands?)
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-greets-russians-returning-moscow-after-prisoner-swap-news-agencies-say-2024-08-01/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.
https://www.wsj.com/economy/ice-raids-send-chill-through-migrant-workforces-cddf7537
BLOOMBERG
— Russia Has Sent Around 10,000 Immigrants to Ukraine Front (COMMENT: Democrats have declared a Second Civil War on Republicans. Illegals are soldiers in the Democrat Army.)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-27/russia-has-sent-around-10-000-immigrants-to-front-in-ukraine
DAILY TROJAN
— An identity crisis for children of immigrants (COMMENT: All my ancestors immigrated from what is now Germany during the 1840s and 1950s. While they never returned to German to visit or for any other reason, they were slow to stop speaking German. My grandparents spoke German ad that held them back. Neither of my parents attended college. My father was only the first of my ancestors to earn a high school diploma. My mother never attended high school.)
https://dailytrojan.com/2023/01/26/an-identity-crisis-for-children-of-immigrants/
JD SUPRA
— Anticipate/expect that Democrat and RINO employers will continue to use DEI a) to not hire Republicans and b) to get rid of their Republican employees.
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/what-employers-should-know-about-3894669/
RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Trump’s Leadership Scores Higher in Second Term
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration_second_term/trump_s_leadership_scores_higher_in_second_term
AUTO WEEK
— Could All EV Sales Be Hit With $1,000 Tax? GOP senators back bills to dramatically redraw EV credit landscape, shifting those incentives in the opposite direction. (COMMENT: I have ordered a 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T EV.)
https://www.autoweek.com/news/a63798825/ev-credit-repeal-gop-senate-bill/
INDIA WEST JOURNAL
— US Sends Out Two More Planes With Illegals To India
https://indiawest.com/us-sends-out-two-more-planes-with-illegals-to-india/
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION
— These immigrants are leaving Australia because of the high cost of living
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-08/why-these-immigrants-are-deciding-to-return-to-their-motherland/103912586
February 13, 2025
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Sanctuary cities pose an unacceptable risk to public safety
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/13/opinion-sanctuary-cities-public-safety/
— Democrats try to move on after ex-Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction as GOP calls for greater state ethics reforms
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/12/democrats-try-to-move-on-after-ex-speaker-michael-madigans-conviction-as-gop-calls-for-greater-state-ethics-reforms/
DAILY HERALD
— Hayes endorses Tinaglia to succeed him as Arlington Heights mayor (COMMENT: Since 2004, my critics/opponents have stressed that Jim Rasins did not endorse me for Milton Township Republican Organization (MTRO) Treasurer when he did not run again in 2004. They stressed that I had known Rasins since the 1980s and that I had worked hard to help elect him DuPage County Auditor in 2000 and to help reelect him in 2004. They knew that I had recruited Rasins to speak at an Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Chicago Chapter event in the 1990s. They ignored, dismissed, belittled, and badmouthed my qualifications. I had served as the AGA Chicago Chapter Treasurer 1983-1986. I had served as the Illinois Center Right Coalition Treasurer since 2003. I had worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 Levels, currently $117-807-$153,151/year: I had worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 Levels, currently $99,069-$112,280/year. I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. I had earned a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. I had passed the Certified Internal Auditor Examination on my first attempt and became a licensed CPA in 1981. I had become a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, Government Financial Manager in 1994, Financial Services Auditor in 1996, and Forensic Accountant in 1997. Since 2004, my MTRO critics/opponents have stressed that I got only 13 votes in that MTRO Treasurer election while my opponent got 69 votes. They I should write about my MTRO critics/opponents. I would focus on those who have taken the most/biggest adverse actions against me.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250212/news/hayes-endorses-tinaglia-to-succeed-him-as-arlington-heights-mayor/
ABC7
— Some new-arrival Venezuelan migrants in Chicago face threat of deportation. President Trump moves up timeline to April to revoke temporary protected status.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-immigration-news-new-arrival-venezuelan-migrants-face-threat-deportation-no-temporary-protected-status/15899205/
NBC5
— Trump administration considering using defense funding to ramp up deportations. The administration has been unhappy with the current pace of immigrant arrests and deportations, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement budget has been a factor.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/trump-administration-considering-using-defense-funding-to-ramp-up-deportations/3672999/?os=io..ref%3Dapp&ref=app
WGN9
— Durkin talks Madigan verdict
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elsCv9KLiF4
WTTW
— Trump Says He Wants the Department of Education Closed ‘Immediately.’ What That Could Mean for Illinois
https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/12/trump-says-he-wants-department-education-closed-immediately-what-could-mean-illinois
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— What to know about the federal workforce under Trump. Since President Donald Trump began his second term last month, he has focused on dramatically reducing the federal workforce at a breakneck pace.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/ap-what-to-know-about-the-federal-workforce-under-trump/
— Democrats and RINOs use Affirmative Action and DEI to discriminate against Christians, and especially against Christians who are Protestant.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/ap-given-christianitys-dominance-in-us-trump-raises-eyebrows-with-anti-christian-bias-initiative/
WAND TV
— Migrants with work permits could become firefighters under new plan in Illinois
https://www.wandtv.com/community/migrants-with-work-permits-could-become-firefighters-under-new-plan-in-illinois/article_bd88074c-e97c-11ef-b76b-d77fe5a5d046.html
CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2025/02/13/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-455/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— At the University of Michigan, DEI Now Hides in Office of ‘Community Culture’
https://freebeacon.com/campus/exclusive-at-the-university-of-michigan-dei-now-hides-in-office-of-community-culture/
AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE
— Trump Should Cancel the Diversity Visa Program. Ending the green card lottery needs to be a top immigration priority for the president.
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/trump-should-cancel-the-diversity-visa-program/
BLAZE
— Trump tears down the woke iron curtain.
https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/trump-tears-down-the-woke-iron-curtain
BREITBART
— Former GAO Head David Walker: DOGE Should Look at COVID Payments, Wouldn’t Surprise Me if There Was a Trillion in Fraud, Abuse
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2025/02/12/fmr-gao-head-doge-should-look-at-covid-payments-wouldnt-surprise-me-if-there-was-a-trillion-in-fraud-abuse/
— New York isn’t alone when it comes to granting driver’s licenses to immigrants without legal status (COMMENT: The list includes Illinois.)
https://www.breitbart.com/news/new-york-isnt-alone-when-it-comes-to-granting-drivers-licenses-to-immigrants-without-legal-status/
EPOCH TIMES
— Trump Says Putin Agreed to Start Negotiations to End Ukraine War. Trump also discussed the plans with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy is due to meet with Vice President Vance on Feb. 14.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/trump-announces-productive-call-with-putin-on-russia-ukraine-peace-talks-5808724
MEGYN KELLY
— Massachusetts City Flouts Trump Executive Orders, Votes to Become a ‘Sanctuary City’ for Trans People
https://www.megynkelly.com/2025/02/12/worcester-massachusetts-votes-to-become-sanctuary-city-for-trans-people/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— Democrats and RINOs use DEI to get rid of Republicans.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5141877-trump-musk-advocacy-campaign/
REUTERS
— US judge clears the way for tens of thousands of federal workers to take Trump buyout
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-judge-allows-trump-proceed-with-government-employee-buyout-2025-02-12/
MSNBC
— Trump and Musk were wrong about government employees – they actually want to work (COMMENT: I transferred from IRS to GAO when I was 31 years old in 1980 because GAO’s mission is to fight fraud, waste, and abuse in the federal government. The importance of that mission a) enabled me to withstand for almost 18 years tremendous efforts by my Democrat GAO superiors to waste my career and to get rid of me and b) motivated me to complete the requirements for master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, pass the Certified Internal Auditor examination in my first attempt in 1981, become a licensed CPA in 1981, become a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, Government Financial Manager in 1994, Financial Services Auditor in 1996, and Forensic Accountant in 1997 and to earn a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997.)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-and-musk-were-wrong-about-government-employees-they-actually-want-to-work/vi-AA1yWCyV
NEW YORK TIMES
— The federal employees Trump has purged, so far (COMMENT: The Democrats who ran GAO 1980-1997 gave purge lists to all of their new managers of their Chicago office. Of course, I was at the top of all of those lists because I am conservative, Republican, White, male, older, non-veteran, Protestant, German American, and my ancestors had been in America since 1844.)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/02/11/us/politics/trump-musk-doge-federal-workers.html
— Democrat teachers promote DEI
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/nyregion/trump-dei-executive-orders-schools.html
WASHINGTON POST
— Trump closes down federal worker buyout offer after judge lifts hold (COMMENT: What is your position on buyouts and early retirement offers? In 1993, the Democrats who ran GAO “offered” $25,000 buyouts and early retirement to get rid of their employees who were Republican, older, White, male, non-veteran, GS-13, and/or had 25 years or more of federal service. I was “eligible,” that is, I was “targeted” because I was all of the aforesaid. They succeeded in forcing me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old just before their “offer” expired. If I had not succumbed, I would not have been eligible for regular retirement until 2003. Their forcing me to retire wasted what I had learned a) working for GAO for 18 years and for IRS for 9 years, b) earning three job-related master’s degrees (finance-1997, accounting-1980, and business-1976), c) six job-related professional certifications (forensic accounting-1997, financial services auditing-1996, government financial management-1994, fraud examination-1990, internal auditing-1981, and accounting-1979) and d) earning a job-related professional license (CPA-1981).)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/02/12/trump-federal-worker-buyout-court-hearing/
— Trump wants to substantially cut the federal workforce. Here’s what it looks like. While federal hiring has increased in recent years, federal workers, as a share of all Americans workers, remains at a historic low.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/02/12/federal-workers-trump-doge-cuts/
FORBES
— Democrats and RINOs use DEI to get rid of Republicans.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/aparnarae/2025/02/13/the-state-of-dei-practitioners-navigate-a-shifting-landscape/
NPR
— Trump ignites political firestorm in South Africa over Afrikaner asylum status offer (COMMENT: Because Democrats and RINOs use Affirmative Action and DEI to discriminate against Whites in America big time, it makes no sense for Whites to immigrate to America.)
https://www.npr.org/2025/02/13/nx-s1-5294345/trump-ignites-political-firestorm-in-south-africa-over-afrikaner-asylum-status-offer
HUFFINGTON POST
— Trump Ordered A Federal Hiring Freeze. Previous Ones Backfired. GAO found that earlier hiring freezes actually made government services less efficient. (COMMENT: While I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO for almost 18 years, the agency was almost always under Republican-imposed hiring freezes and/or promotion freezes.)
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-federal-hiring-freeze_n_678fe14de4b02903dff7d61f
GAO
— U.S. Comptroller General (COMMENT: Who does Trump want the next U.S. Comptroller General to be and why?)
https://www.gao.gov/about/comptroller-general
(FROM THE POSTING: Gene L. Dodaro became the eighth Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on December 22, 2010, when he was confirmed by the United States Senate. He was nominated by President Obama in September of 2010 from a list of candidates selected by a bipartisan, bicameral congressional commission. He had been serving as Acting Comptroller General since March of 2008. . . The Comptroller General of the United States heads the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an agency within the legislative branch of the federal government. The Comptroller General is appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. When a vacancy occurs in the office of the Comptroller General, the Congress establishes a bipartisan, bicameral commission to recommend individuals to the President. The Comptroller General’s term of office is set statutorily at 15 years and they are not eligible for reappointment.)
INDIA TODAY
— Indians seeking asylum in US grew 470% in 5 years
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/indians-seeking-asylum-in-us-grew-470-in-5-years-study/ar-AA1yU0hE