FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Renee Good’s wife speaks out after fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis: ‘She literally sparkled’
https://abc7chicago.com/post/renee-goods-wife-speaks-fatal-ice-shooting-minneapolis-she-literally-sparkled/18378823/
— Illinois 5th worst state in US, Chicago 3rd worst city for fraudulent odometer rollback on used cars. DD: There were more than enough facts to make the Chicago Car Exchange (CCE) suspicious of the 1968 Dodge Charger R/T’s claimed mileage that CCE sold me, and therefore, CEE should have verified its claimed milage. The court left out many of those facts in its written decision. SEE: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/110/481/526770/ I argued this case before Chief Judge Posner. Further, CCE refused to offer to pay me the car’s loss in value because of the odometer discrepancy or the thousands of dollars of improvements that I had made to the car. The odometer exemption decision was rendered moot when the BIG THREE had Congress modify the Federal Odometer Act. I appealed the rest of the decision to the Supreme Court, but Supreme Court refused to hear it. According to Google AI: “Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange was a federal appeals court case that established that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did not have the authority to exempt vehicles ten years or older from the Odometer Act’s disclosure requirements. Case Summary Plaintiff: David Diersen, who bought a 1968 Dodge Charger from Chicago Car Exchange (CCE). Defendant: Chicago Car Exchange (CCE), an automobile dealership. Allegation: Diersen claimed CCE violated the federal Odometer Act by providing an inaccurate odometer reading and intended to defraud him. The Odometer Act allows purchasers to sue for triple actual damages or $1500. Initial Ruling: The district court ruled for CCE, citing a 1988 NHTSA regulation that exempted vehicles ten years or older from the Act’s requirements. Appeals Court Ruling: The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed, stating the NHTSA regulation was invalid as it lacked statutory authority. The court noted that Congress did not exempt any vehicle class in the Odometer Act, which aims to protect all purchasers from odometer tampering. Outcome: While finding the regulation invalid, the appeals court upheld the summary judgment for CCE because Diersen did not provide enough evidence that the dealership intended to defraud him, a required element for a claim under the Odometer Act. The court distinguished “mere negligence” from “intent to defraud” and noted that CCE had no reason to question the car’s original seller’s sworn statement. CCE had also offered Diersen a full refund, which he declined.”
https://abc7chicago.com/post/fraudulent-odometer-rollbacks-used-cars-14-past-year-illinois-5th-worst-state-us-chicago-3rd-city/18379513/
CBS2
— Judge blocks Trump administration from freezing $10 billion in social services funding to 5 Democratic states
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/judge-blocks-trump-administration-freezing-social-services-funding/
— Illinois leaders reject claims of fraud, say Trump’s childcare funding freeze is politically motivated
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/illinois-child-care-funding-freeze-no-fraud-trump-politically-motivated/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker, Illinois House Speaker Welch open to tweaking SAFE-T Act
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/01/09/pritzker-illinois-house-speaker-welch-open-tweaking-safe-t-act-electronic-monitoring-rich-miller
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Wife of Minnesota woman killed in ICE shooting: ‘We had whistles. They had guns’
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/wife-of-minnesota-woman-killed-in-ice-shooting-we-had-whistles-they-had-guns/
— A needless death in Minneapolis
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/editorial-ice-minneapolis-shooting-renee-good-immigration-enforcement/
— Vivek Ramaswamy’s family bodyguard arrested on drug trafficking charges
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/vivek-ramaswamys-family-bodyguard/
DAILY HERALD
— DD: Democrat leaders push medial pot to push recreational pot.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260109/news/schaumburg-family-losing-access-to-daughters-medical-marijuana-patches-faces-pivotal-week/
— ‘Democracy in action’: Training teens as election judges — and encouraging them to vote — is a vital mission. DD: But Democrats run high schools and shout at teens that Republicans cause everyone’s problems.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260109/editorials/daily-herald-opinion-democracy-in-action-training-teens-as-election-judges-and-encouraging-the/
WGEM
— League of Women Voters’ candidate forums next month. DD: If I was still the chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois and a member of the Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee, the organizations would still be hosting candidate forums.
https://www.wgem.com/2026/01/08/wgem-stream-league-women-voters-candidate-forums-next-month/
WFIW
— JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICANS TO HOST GOVERNOR CANDIDATE FORUM IN JANUARY DD: If I was still the chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois and a member of the Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee, the organizations would still be hosting candidate forums.
https://www.wfiwradio.com/2026/01/06/jefferson-county-republicans-to-host-governor-candidate-forum-in-january/
NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly fight deportation of their illegals.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-01-08/renee-nicole-good-isnt-the-first-death-caused-by-ice-under-trump-administration
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/09/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-446/
— ILGOP Chair Salvi: ‘The partisanship of Democrats has reached the level of undeniable insurrection’
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/09/ilgop-chair-salvi-the-partisanship-of-democrats-has-reached-the-level-of-undeniable-insurrection/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Poll of Republican U.S. Senate Primary Shows Nobody above 6%, 84% Undecided
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/09/poll-of-republican-u-s-senate-primary-shows-nobody-above-6-84-undecided/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— New video shows protester taunting ICE officer before Minneapolis shooting
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/9/new-video-shows-protester-taunting-ice-officer-minneapolis-shooting/
NEW YORK POST
— Renee Nicole Good’s 6-year-old son attends ‘social justice’ school that teaches about George Floyd, warned staffers to report ICE
https://nypost.com/2026/01/09/us-news/renee-goods-kindergarten-son-attends-social-justice-school-that-teaches-about-george-floyd-warned-staffers-to-report-ice/
— Socialist politician turns LA City Hall into anti-ICE, abolish-police spectacle
https://nypost.com/2026/01/09/us-news/la-lawmaker-eunisses-hernandez-hosts-anti-cop-anti-ice-presentation/
BIZ PAC REVIEW
— NYC protesters chant, ‘Kristi Noem will hang… Save a life, kill an ICE’
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/09/nyc-protesters-chant-kristi-noem-will-hang-save-a-life-kill-an-ice-1614951/
BREITBART
— Democrats Defend Tren de Aragua Migrants Shot During Attack on ICE
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/01/09/democrats-defend-tren-de-aragua-migrants-shot-during-attack-on-ice/
FRC ACTION
— No “flexibility” on tax dollar funding for abortion
https://www.frcaction.org/get.cfm?c=CHECKOUT&dmy=75509402-9BEA-3BC3-82CFD1DCF3A7C4A1&srcItem=PT26A01&fromItem=AL26A01&x=0#gsc.tab=0
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Heed the Unforgettable Words of Henry Hyde
https://www.nationalreview.com/the-lifeline/heed-the-unforgettable-words-of-henry-hyde/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The controversy this week involving the president insisting that pro-lifers be flexible on the Hyde amendment in budget negotiations in Congress has me longing for the days of the late Illinois Republican Congressman Henry Hyde. He drew the line on taxpayer funding of abortion, and so much else.)
NEWSMAX
— Democrats ‘Demonized’ Agents Ahead of Minn. ICE Shooting
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/dan-meuser-democrats-ice/2026/01/09/id/1241481/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— DD: I should write about those Republican candidates, elected officials, and party leaders in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois who since 2000 have had their operatives and their dupes take the most/biggest adverse actions against me to curry favor with the Democrat news media.
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5416852-elizabeth-warren-stephen-colbert-cbs/
CBS NEWS
— Prosecutors in DOJ’s Civil Rights Division will not investigate Minneapolis ICE shooting, sources say
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-civil-rights-division-will-not-investigate-minneapolis-ice-shooting-sources-say/
DESERT REVIEW
— GOP, Pro-Life orgs forcefully defend Hyde Amendment amid Trump’s backpedaling
https://www.thedesertreview.com/news/national/gop-pro-life-orgs-forcefully-defend-hyde-amendment-amid-trump-s-backpedaling/article_fcfbf23d-4097-45fc-8151-ed09370a70d5.html
Tag: township
January 4, 2026 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Maduro to appear in Manhattan federal court on Monday for arraignment on alleged drug charges
https://abc7chicago.com/post/ousted-venezuelan-president-nicolas-maduro-appear-manhattan-federal-court-monday-arraignment-alleged-drug-charges/18351236/
— Venezuelan communities meeting in Chicago area after US captures President Maduro
https://abc7chicago.com/post/venezuela-protest-chicago-protests-today-expected-nicolas-maduro-captured-saturdays-federal-plaza-demonstration/18350445/
FOX32
— What did Trump mean US will ‘run’ Venezuela? Rubio explains
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/trump-us-will-run-venezuela-rubio
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— How cocaine and corruption led to the indictment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/cocaine-corruption-indictment-maduro/
— US intervention in Venezuela could test Donald Trump’s ability to hold GOP together in an election year
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/us-intervention-venezuela-trumps-gop-election/
— Secretary of State Marco Rubio says US won’t govern Venezuela but will press for changes through oil blockade
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/nicolas-maduro-arrives-in-us/
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— DD: Central Illinois Democrats protest against Trump’s military action in Venezuela
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/local/2026/01/04/central-illinois-protests-against-trumps-military-action-in-venezuela/88007076007/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— YMCA Posts Sign Saying ICE Not Welcome
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/04/ymca-posts-sign-saying-ice-not-welcome/
— Dems Circling Like Vultures over Richmond Township Vacancies
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/04/dems-circling-like-vultures-over-richmond-township-vacancies/
— More Details on Sunday, January 25th, Gubernatorial Debate Sponsored by GOP Voter Information Project
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/04/more-details-on-sunday-january-25th-gubernatorial-debate-sponsored-by-gop-voter-information-project/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump to Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez: Either get on board or get out of the way
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/4/trump-venezuelan-vice-president-delcy-rodriguez-either-get-board-get/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Some cultures are simply not compatible with American values
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/4375483/some-cultures-not-compatible-american-values/
NEW YORK POST
— Zohran Mamdani previously called to end sanctions on Venezuela, partly blamed penalties for US migrant crisis
https://nypost.com/2026/01/04/us-news/zohran-mamdani-previously-called-to-end-sanctions-on-venezuela-partly-blamed-penalties-for-us-migrant-crisis/
— Biden’s ‘extravagant’ pension is largest of any president in history – and even more than what he earned as prez
https://nypost.com/2026/01/04/us-news/bidens-pension-is-largest-of-any-us-president-in-history/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Former President Joe Biden’s long career in politics allowed him to retire with the largest taxpayer-funded pension of any ex-prez in US history — $417,000, or more than his presidential salary, an expert says. Biden, 83, was in line to rake in the massive amount from two pension funds in his first year as former president, according to an analysis by National Taxpayer Union Foundation Vice President Demian Brady. “It’s pretty unusual, historically unusual, to have such a large pension amount,” Brady told The Post. “I would have to say that it’s the largest,” the taxpayer advocate said when asked to compare Biden’s pension to his predecessors. The hefty estimated annual sum is double what Biden’s former boss, Barack Obama, has received in retirement pay after leaving the White House and $17,000 more than Biden’s $400,000-per-year presidential salary. It also reflects Biden’s “unique situation” as a former senator, vice president and president, a career path that has allowed him to take advantage of a “loophole” letting him tap into multiple taxpayer-backed retirement funds, Brady said. Biden, who once described himself as “one of the poorest members” of Congress, is able to collect the lucrative payouts by double-dipping in benefits established under the Former Presidents Act of 1958 as well as the Civil Service Retirement System for ex-senators. Annual pay in the CSRS pension plan is determined by a formula that takes into account Biden’s 44 years in the Senate and as vice president, as well as his three highest years of salary during that span. “Biden’s starting pension could be as much as $166,374, including an $18,186 set aside in the program for the spousal portion of benefit,” according to Brady, who noted his estimate assumes Biden sought to maximize the size of his Senate pension. The former prez would have raked in more than $254,000 in annual benefits from CSRS if not for a cap limiting his annual payouts to 80% of his highest salary, which was $230,700 a year as vice president and president of the Senate. Biden, who was elected to the upper chamber in 1972, entered office before the Senate retirement plan was tweaked to make it a bit less generous for newer members. On top of the check from his Senate and vice presidential service, Biden also receives a quarter of a million dollars annually from his presidential pension. Under the 1958 law, Biden’s presidential pension must be equivalent to the salary of a Cabinet secretary, which is currently $250,600. The law was enacted amid public concern over former President Harry Truman’s purported financial struggles after leaving office, although several historians and experts now believe Truman was actually a multi-millionaire after his presidency and not on the verge of becoming destitute. The FPA also established a number of additional taxpayer-funded perks for outgoing presidents, including money for staff, equipment and office space. For fiscal year 2026, the General Services Administration budgeted more than $1.5 million for Biden – $727,000 alone for office space – more than any other former president.)
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Nine Reasons Why Trump’s Venezuela Operation Is Great for America
https://amgreatness.com/2026/01/04/nine-reasons-why-trumps-venezuela-operation-is-great-for-america/
AMERICAN THINKER
— We’re Sleeping through a Chinese Takeover. The Chinese Communist Party doesn’t need to beat us on the battlefield. It only needs the West to stay asleep.
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/01/we_re_sleeping_through_a_chinese_takeover.html
BREITBART
— Minnesota’s Somali Fraudsters Paid for Lamborghini, Rolls Royce Rentals, Luxury Resort in Kenya with Stolen Money
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/01/04/report-minnesotas-somali-fraudsters-paid-for-rich-lifestyles-with-stolen-money/
EPOCH TIMES
— Trump Praised for Bold, Unprecedented Venezuela Operation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the operation as ‘unbelievable and a tremendous success.’
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/trump-praised-for-bold-unprecedented-venezuela-operation-5965996
FOX NEWS
— Trump restores America as the world’s sole superpower. President embraces ‘Donroe Doctrine’ as Venezuela operation leaves Russia and China unable to protect their ally.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/david-marcus-trump-restores-america-worlds-sole-superpower
— Trump DOJ demands Minnesota voting records over same-day registration ‘vouching’ concerns. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon cited concerns about the vouching policy that lets one voter verify residency for 8 others.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-doj-demands-minnesota-voting-records-over-same-day-registration-vouching-concerns
PJ MEDIA
— New St. Paul Mayor Said She Was an Illegal Alien
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/01/04/new-st-paul-mayor-said-shes-an-illegal-alien-n4947884
TOWNHALL
— Democrats Can’t Help but Side With America’s Enemies
https://townhall.com/columnists/derekhunter/2026/01/04/democrats-cant-help-but-side-with-americas-enemies-n2668830
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
NBC NEWS
— Rubio says Maduro’s capture ‘not a war against Venezuela’
https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/marco-rubio-says-maduro-s-capture-not-a-war-against-venezuela-full-interview-255365701900
— Rubio says elections in Venezuela would be ‘premature at this point’ after Maduro’s capture
https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/marco-rubio-says-elections-in-venezuela-would-be-premature-at-this-point-after-maduro-s-capture-255365189663
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Venezuela’s New Leader Is a Hardline Socialist Like Maduro. Delcy Rodríguez is known as a political operator—someone Trump said is ‘willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again.’
https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/venezuelas-new-leader-is-a-hardline-socialist-like-maduro-875336e9
— Trump Rolls the Dice on Nation-Building With Vow to ‘Run’ Venezuela. Swift military operation delivers Venezuelan strongman Maduro into custody, though his lieutenants say they remain in charge.
https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/trump-rolls-the-dice-on-nation-building-with-vow-to-run-venezuela-805a9e35
DESERT NEWS
— Shaping campaigns responsibly: The role of political consultants DD: My critics/opponents reject many, if not most, if not virtually all, if not all conservative principles and planks in the Republican Party platform. They reject my promotion of those principles and planks in my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters. They reject many, if not most, if not virtually all, if not all of a) the articles that I link to in my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters and b) my opinions that express in those newsletters.
https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/12/31/behind-the-campaign-political-consultant-role-ethical-advice/
January 3, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— US strike on Venezuelan: Protesters gather in Chicago, Illinois and Indiana leaders speak out. Democrats condemn ‘illegal’ military operation, Republicans praise Trump for taking action.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-illinois-indiana-leaders-speak-trump-announces-us-captured-venezuelan-president-nicolas-maduro-wife/18347741/
— Why Venezuela? Trump’s shifting explanations about military buildup
https://abc7chicago.com/post/venezuela-trumps-shifting-explanations-military-buildup/18346832/
NBC5
— Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, wife arrive in New York after capture by US military. Maduro’s government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations, calling it an “imperialist attack” and urging citizens to take to the streets.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/watch-live-president-trump-to-address-nation-at-10-a-m-after-venezuelas-nicolas-maduro-captured/3870739/
— Illinois lawmakers react to US strikes in Venezuela, capture of Maduro. Illinois’ Republican members of Congress praised the mission, while Democrats largely condemned the U.S. military’s actions.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-lawmakers-react-to-us-strikes-in-venezuela-capture-of-maduro/3870791/
— Who will run Venezuela? U.S. will, Trump says, and tap its oil reserves. Speaking to reporters hours after Maduro’s capture, Trump revealed his plans to exploit the leadership void to “fix” the country’s oil infrastructure and sell “large amounts” of oil to other countries.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/u-s-plans-to-run-venezuela-and-tap-its-oil-reserves-trump-says/3870857/
CBS2
— Trump says “we’re going to run” Venezuela after Maduro’s capture until peaceful transition takes place
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/trump-venezuela-nicolas-maduro-captured-transition/
— Illinois leaders, Chicago communities react to U.S military operation in Venezuela
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-reactions-military-operation-venezuela/
WGN9
— Rubio sends warning to Cuba’s leaders after Maduro’s removal: ‘I’d be concerned’
https://wgntv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/rubio-sends-warning-to-cubas-leaders-after-maduros-removal-id-be-concerned/
FOX32
— Can the U.S. ‘run’ Venezuela? What the law says about Maduro’s arrest
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/can-u-s-run-venezuela-what-law-says-about-maduros-arrest
— Illinois politicos criticize Trump for strike in Venezuela: ‘reckless and unconstitutional’ Trump says U.S. will run Venezuela until a new government is in place
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-politicos-criticize-trump-strike-venezuela-reckless-unconstitutional
— Who is Nicolás Maduro? Venezuelan president captured by US forces
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/who-is-nicolas-maduro-venezuelan-president-captured-us-forces
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— US plans to ‘run’ Venezuela and tap its oil reserves, Donald Trump says, after operation to oust Nicolás Maduro
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/03/us-strikes-venezuela-nicolas-maduro/
— Venezuelans wonder who’s in charge as Donald Trump claims contact with Nicolás Maduro’s deputy
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/03/venezuelans-trump-maduros-deputy/
— After ousting Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, Donald Trump commits himself to another foreign policy project
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/03/maduro-venezuela-trump-foreign-policy-project/
— How the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/03/how-the-us-captured-nicols-maduro/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Chicago’s Venezuelan community applauds Maduro removal but question Trump’s motives. Illinois political leaders criticized the U.S. government’s attack on Venezuela as unconstitutional because of President Donald Trump’s failure to consult Congress.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/nation-world/2026/01/03/chicago-venezuelans-applaud-maduro-ouster-trump-attack-motives
DAILY HERALD
— With capture of Maduro, Trump claims successful operation as he treads into uncharted territory
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260103/nation-and-world-politics/with-capture-of-maduro-trump-claims-successful-operation-as-he-treads-into-uncharted-territory/
— ‘What comes next?’ Democrats warn U.S. could be walking into a quagmire after Maduro capture
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260103/nation-and-world-politics/what-comes-next-democrats-warn-u-s-could-be-walking-into-a-quagmire-after-maduro-capture/
— Thousands of mail-in ballots could be discounted under new post office policy
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260103/nation-and-world-politics/thousands-of-mail-in-ballots-could-be-discounted-under-new-post-office-policy/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Trump’s Venezuela move sparks sharp divide among area pols
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/trumps-venezuela-move-sparks-sharp-divide-among-area-pols
SUBURBAN LIFE
— Downers Grove Township group working to put 708 Mental Health Board referendum on November ballot
https://www.shawlocal.com/my-suburban-life/2026/01/02/downers-grove-township-group-working-to-put-708-mental-health-board-referendum-on-november-ballot/
SOUTHERN
— Republicans largely back Trump on Venezuela action, Democrats decry it as unjustified
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2026/01/03/republicans-largely-back-trump-on-venezuela-action-democrats-decry-it-as-unjustified/
NPR ILLINOIS
— ‘We are going to run the country,’ Trump says after strike on Venezuela
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-01-03/we-are-going-to-run-the-country-trump-says-after-strike-on-venezuela
25 NEWS NOW
— LaHood praises Trump for removing ‘thug’ while Sorensen worries about US running Venezuela
https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/03/gops-lahood-praises-trump-team-removing-thug-while-sorensen-worries-about-us-plans-run-venezuela/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Capture of Maduro and US claim that it will run Venezuela raise new legal questions
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/ap-capture-of-maduro-and-us-claim-it-will-run-venezuela-raise-new-legal-questions/
— Democrats rip Trump administration for strikes on Venezuela: ‘Illegal’
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/democrats-rip-trump-administration-for-strikes-on-venezuela-illegal/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Pritzker: Trump’s military action in Venezuela is ‘unconstitutional’
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_f248d3b9-4a12-48ad-a416-17a640422fa6.html
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— Chicago Records Nearly 2,000 Shooting Victims in 2025, Outpacing New York and Los Angeles
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2026/01/chicago-records-nearly-2000-shooting-victims-in-2025-outpacing-new-york-and-los-angeles.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump’s arrest of Maduro is a victory over corruption, communism and isolationism. It’s time to secure the Western Hemisphere and let the criminal, communist dominoes fall.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/3/trumps-arrest-maduro-victory-corruption-communism-isolationism/
— Trump says U.S. will run Venezuela until a new government is in place
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/3/trump-says-us-run-venezuela-new-government-place/
— Democrats to force war powers vote to prevent escalation in Venezuela without congressional approval
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/3/democrats-force-war-powers-vote-prevent-escalation-venezuela-without/
— Rubio says administration notified Congress after grabbing Maduro
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/3/rubio-says-administration-notified-congress-grabbing-maduro/
— The ‘warmth of collectivism’ is a bloody lie
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/3/warmth-collectivism-bloody-lie/
— Democrats should get blame for health care costs, inflation. If Obamacare, economy decide 2026 midterms, Republicans will win.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/1/democrats-get-blame-health-care-costs-inflation/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— ‘Illinois is worse’ as HHS enforces verification for child care funding: Trump
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/investigations/4400830/illinois-child-care-worse-hhs-funding-trump/
— This wasn’t an arrest in Venezuela. This was an unauthorized regime-change war
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/4400798/this-wasnt-an-arrest-in-venezuela-this-was-an-unauthorized-regime-change-war/
— Mamdani’s collectivist vision for America
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/4399614/mamdani-collectivist-vision-for-america/
WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Donroe Doctrine: Trump Nabs Maduro in Daring, Middle-of-the-Night Operation. US will run Venezuela until a legitimate government can be installed.
https://freebeacon.substack.com/p/donroe-doctrine-trump-nabs-maduro
NEW YORK POST
— Trump tells Post that US troops won’t be in Venezuela if Maduro VP ‘does what we want’: ‘We have a second wave’
https://nypost.com/2026/01/03/us-news/trump-says-us-troops-wont-be-in-venezuela-if-nicolas-maduro-vp-delcy-rodriguez-does-what-we-want/
— Mamdani, other NY lefties rip Trump over Maduro arrest, condemning it as ‘act of war’
https://nypost.com/2026/01/03/us-news/mamdani-other-ny-lefties-rip-trump-over-maduro-arrest/
— World leaders gripe over US arrest of tyrant Nicolás Maduro, despite legal precedent: ‘Deeply alarmed’
https://nypost.com/2026/01/03/world-news/world-leaders-gripe-over-us-arrest-of-tyrant-nicolas-maduro-despite-legal-precedent-deeply-alarmed/
— Trump issues thinly veiled warning to Mexico, slams Cuba, Colombia after US strikes Venezuela, arrests Maduro
https://nypost.com/2026/01/03/world-news/trump-issues-chilling-warning-to-colombia-cuba-after-us-strikes-venezuela-captures-maduro-he-does-have-to-watch-his-a/
BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Rubio details why Venezuela strike did not require congressional authorization, says no further action
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/03/rubio-details-why-venezuela-strike-did-not-require-congressional-authorization-says-no-further-action-1613609/
BREITBART
— ‘Brewing Discontent’ Among GOP Senators About Trump’s Misbehavior
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/01/02/whitehouse-brewing-discontent-among-gop-senators-about-trumps-misbehavior/amp/
DAILY CALLER
— Congressional Democrats Rage At Trump’s Venezuela Operation
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/03/congressional-democrats-donald-trump-venezuela-nicolas-maduro/
DAILY SIGNAL
— Trump Announces Major Victory in Venezuelan Drug War
https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/01/03/trump-celebrates-capture-maduro-venezuela/
EPOCH TIMES
— There is No Such Thing as Being Transgender
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTtBHfiiQZo
FOX NEWS
— Republicans line up behind Trump after US strikes Venezuela, Maduro arrested: ‘Changed the course of history’ Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed a number of Republican lawmakers on the Venezuela strike Saturday morning.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-line-up-behind-trump-after-us-strikes-venezuela-maduro-arrested-changed-course-history
LEGAL INSURRECTION
— DePaul University Offers Students Training on How to Run a Pot Dispensary
https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/01/depaul-university-offers-students-training-on-how-to-run-a-pot-dispensary/amp/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Venezuelan officials condemn Maduro’s capture, calling it a “kidnapping”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venezuelan-officials-condemn-maduro-capture-kidnapping-trump-delcy-rodriguez/
— U.S. seeks to tap Venezuela’s vast oil reserves after military strikes. Here’s what to know.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venezuela-oil-reserves-us-strike-trump-what-to-know/
— Photos show damage at Fuerte Tiuna, the military base where Maduro was captured
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fuerte-tiuna-satellite-images-after-maduro-captured/
NEW YORK TIMES
— Venezuela Live Updates: Maduro Arrives in N.Y.; Trump Says U.S. Will ‘Run’ Venezuela. Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, rejected the U.S. intervention and demanded President Nicolás Maduro’s return. Maduro and his wife were being brought to New York City to stand trial on drug and weapons charges.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/03/world/trump-united-states-strikes-venezuela
MIAMI HERALD
— After Maduro’s capture, Venezuelans in South Florida dream of going home
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article314149807.html
January 3, 2025
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— US strikes Venezuela and says its leader, Maduro, has been captured and flown out of country
https://abc7chicago.com/post/us-venezuela-news-strikes-country-says-venezuelan-president-nicols-maduro-captured-wife/18346121/
CBS2
— U.S. launches military strikes on Venezuela, Trump says Maduro captured and flown out of the country
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/live-updates/venezuela-us-military-strikes-maduro-trump/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— US strikes Venezuela and says leader Nicolás Maduro has been captured and flown out of the country
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/03/us-strikes-venezuela-nicolas-maduro/
DAILY HERALD
— New laws: Illinois expands job-protected leave for parents with a newborn in a neonatal intensive care unit
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260102/business/new-laws-illinois-expands-job-protected-leave-for-parents-with-newborns-in-nicu/
— Illinois’ electric grids may soon face power shortages and further price increases as fossil fuel plants go offline and data centers fueling the rise of artificial intelligence demand ever-increasing amounts of power.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260102/business/as-state-regulators-warn-of-impending-energy-shortfalls-capacity-prices-rise-again/
JOURNAL COURIER
— Morgan Republicans plan meet-and-greet with gubernatorial candidate. DD: If I was still the chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois and a member of the Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee, the organizations would still be hosting candidate forums.
https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/morgan-republicans-set-gathering-gubernatorial-21272921.php
NPR ILLINOIS
— Naps, bruising, cognitive tests: Trump addresses aging questions. DD: How old are you? I am 77. What do you stress to defend your age? I stress the GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters that I put together and send out. Putting those newsletters together and sending them out takes lots of time and focus.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-01-02/naps-bruising-cognitive-tests-trump-addresses-aging-questions
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump tries to beat back questions about health: Key takeaways.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/hill-politics/trump-tries-to-beat-back-questions-about-health-key-takeaways/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— 9th Congressional District Democratic Party Hopeful Bushra Amiwala Joins Others in Attacking the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/03/9th-congressional-district-democratic-party-hopeful-bushra-amiwala-joins-others-in-attacking-the-american-israel-public-affairs-committee/
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Illinois local governments lose out on $10.9B in state taxes
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-local-governments-lose-out-on-10-9b-in-state-taxes/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
BREITBART
— 41 Percent of Netflix Shows for Children Contain LGBTQ+ Content in 2025
https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/01/02/report-says-41-percent-of-netflix-shows-for-children-contain-lgbtq-content-in-2025/
CHRISTIAN POST
— Mamdani’s inaugural address: ‘Godless, rancid ideology’
https://www.christianpost.com/news/top-responses-zohran-mamdani-inaugural-address.html
EPOCH TIMES
— Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down California Ban on Open Carry of Firearms
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/federal-appeals-court-strikes-down-california-ban-on-open-carry-of-firearms-5965490
FOX NEWS
— Mamdani ignites fierce backlash on day one in office
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdL7ph03298
— Mamdani’s inauguration fuels debate over Gen Z shift toward socialism, away from free markets. Zohran Mamdani’s first moments in office embraced ‘collectivism’ as Republicans warn Gen Z is rejecting free markets.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mamdanis-inauguration-fuels-debate-over-gen-z-shift-toward-socialism-away-from-free-markets.amp
— Redistricting battles brewing across the country as parties compete for power ahead of 2026 midterms
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/redistricting-battles-brewing-across-country-parties-compete-power-ahead-2026-midterms.print
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Horse Therapy, Gender-Neutral Bathrooms, and Hate Crime Work Leave: The Wild Blue State Laws of 2025
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/horse-therapy-gender-neutral-bathrooms-and-hate-crime-work-leave-the-wild-blue-state-laws-of-2025/amp/
— Mamdani to Establish New ‘Office of Mass Engagement’ Led by Veteran Socialist Organizer
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/mamdani-to-establish-new-office-of-mass-engagement-led-by-veteran-socialist-organizer/
— Let’s Hire Professors Purely on Merit. DD: My critics/opponents have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I passed the following tests because standardized tests are biased in favor of those who share my demographics: a) the postal employment test when I was 17 in 1966, b) the ACT test with a score of 24 in 1966, c) all the tests that I needed to pass to graduate in the upper 20% of my high school class in 1966, d) the Federal Service Entrance Examination in 1970, e) all the tests that I needed to pass to earn a bachelor’s degree from NIU in 1970 and master’s degrees from Loyola in 1976, DePaul in 1980, and IIT in 1997, f) the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. and g) the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981. In my defense, 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. I had to work my way through college.
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/lets-hire-professors-purely-on-merit/
TOWNHALL
— Socialism in the City
https://townhall.com/columnists/christalgo/2026/01/03/socialism-in-the-city-n2668789
— Pritzker’s Pretzels
https://townhall.com/columnists/alanjosephbauer/2026/01/02/pritzkers-pretzels-n2668747
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— Trump insults Pritzker with AI-generated social media post
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5670567-trump-pritzker-ai-image-feud/
NEW YORK TIMES
— Mamdani Acts on Vow to Protect Renters With Move Against a Big Landlord. DD: Have you been a landlord? I was reluctant landlord 1976-1984 because I could not sell my University Park townhome ( https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/774-Sunset-Ct-5-University-Park-IL-60484/5451474_zpid/ ) unless I took a big loss.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/nyregion/mamdani-pinnacle-housing.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly replace those in America who have demographics that vote for Republicans with those who have demographics that vote for Democrats.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/business/us-immigration-trump-1920s.html
YAHOO
— Nobody Cares About Your Career. DD: During my federal career working for the Democrats who ran the Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, 1997, only two of my superiors cared about my career. I should write the IRS manager who promoted me to GS-9 in 1972, GS-11 in 1973, and GS-12 in 1974. Because he did that, my Democrat IRS superiors forced him to transfer to Dallas. I should write about the GAO manager who arranged my transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980 and who was finally able to assign me to audits or IRS and to promote me to GS-13 in 1986. Because he did that, my Democrat GAO superiors forced him to retire in 1987. To get rid of me, my Democrat IRS superiors disallowed my travel vouchers in 1974, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and never promoted me to GS-13. To get rid of me, my Democrat GAO superiors a) forced me to take a $23,699/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars, a downgrade from GS-12 Step 5 to GS-9 Step 10, to transfer, b) delayed my promotions back to GS-12 Step 5, c) kept me off audits of IRS except 1986-1988, d) never promoted me to GS-14, e) always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance, and f) forced me to retire when I was 49 in 1997. In today’s dollars, my Civil Service Retirement System pension is less that what my IRS salary was when I was 23 in 1972.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nobody-cares-career-mcdonalds-ceo-000116698.html
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The Corruption of the Welfare State
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/minnesota-welfare-fraud-immigrants-government-handouts-8076eb83
— Your Key Survival Skill for 2026: Critical Ignoring. DD: My critics/opponents want everyone to ignore my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters. I should write about my critics/opponents. I would focus those who were/are a) leaders of the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Milton Township Republican Organization, b) elected Republican leaders in Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton, c) Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct, d) conservative leaders, and e) religious leaders.
https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/critical-ignoring-social-media-7e236f52
FORBES
— Should An Experienced Professionals Take Internships To Change Careers? DD: Have you changed careers? Have you wanted to change careers? I have not. Due to circumstances, I have wanted to be a career federal employee since I was 18 years old in 1966. However, to waste my federal career and get rid of me, my Democrat Post Office, IRS, and GAO superiors outrageously, disgustingly, and unethically panted a) my earning a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21, b) my earning job-related masters degrees when I was 27 in 1976, 31, and 48, c) my earning job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and d) my earning a job-related professional license when I was 32 a) as being efforts by me to change my career and get a job in the private sector, b) as being justification to disallow my job-related education deductions in 1978, and c) to force me to take a $23,699 (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. I should write about the aforesaid
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecenizalevine/2025/06/25/should-an-experienced-professional-take-internships-to-change-careers/
EDUCATION
— Professional Certifications Worth It in 2026. DD: What is your position on professional certifications? I sought and obtained professional certifications to defend/advance my federal career. I became a CPA when I was 30 in 1979, a Certified Internal Auditor when I was 32, a licensed CPA when I was 32, a Certified Fraud Examiner when I was 41, a Certified Government Financial Manager when I was 45, a Certified Financial Services Auditor when I was 47, and a Certified Forensic Accountant when I was 48. But my Democrat IRS and GAO superiors ignored/dismissed/belittled that a) because I was a Republican who complained about their political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination and b) because I became an active member in a class action lawsuit that charged them with the aforesaid when I was 40. I should write about the aforesaid.
https://vocal.media/education/is-investing-in-professional-certifications-worth-it-in-2026
FROM FOREIGN SOURCES
DAILY MAIL
— Karoline Leavitt calls out Mamdani’s wife as White House quits playing nice with ‘communist’ mayor
https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/world/karoline-leavitt-calls-out-mamdani-s-wife-as-white-house-quits-playing-nice-with-communist-mayor/ar-AA1Ttrwy
— Mamdani unveils plan conservatives claim will usher in communism
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15429711/amp/zohran-mamdani-warmth-collectivism-socialist.html
BUSINESS STANDARD
— Mamdani takes action against Israel with his oath?
https://www.tbsnews.net/videos/tbs-stories/mamdani-takes-action-against-israel-his-oath-1325186
NDTV
— “Antisemitic Gasoline On Open Fire”: Israel vs Mamdani Over Revoked Orders
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/zohran-mamdani-vs-israel-over-revoked-order-on-antisemitism-definition-10237972
TIMES OF ISRAEL
— Anti-Zionism Was Never Harmless. Now It Governs. DD: Have your critics/opponents painted you as being an antisemite? Democrats have always painted Republicans as being antisemites. Because of my demographics, Democrats have especially painted me as being an antisemite. Needless-to-say, my Democrat Chicago office GAO superiors’ efforts to paint me as being an antisemite were stymied when I volunteered to work for their only Jewish group manager in late 1989. In 1989, to get rid of me because in late 1988, I had become the office’s only active member in a class action lawsuit that charged them with reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation, they had a) thrown me off the group that audited IRS, b) gave me a very bad job assignment, c) gave me unfair performance expectations, d) gave me a very unfair performance appraisal, and e) ranked me at the bottom of my coworkers for pay-for-performance. She managed the office’s group that audited federal financial industry regulators. She reluctantly had to accept me a) because very few of my coworkers would work for her because she was Jewish, b) because I had previously worked on audits of federal financial industry regulators, c) because I had become a licensed CPA in 1981, d) because I had passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, e) because I had earned a master’s degree in accounting in 1980, and d) because I had earned an MBA in 1976. She was very demanding. But beyond that, my coworkers were intimidated a) by her having an MBA from the University of Chicago, b) by her having passed the CPA examination on her first attempt, c) by her being wealthy, d) by her being younger, and e) by her being attractive. Because she demanded that her subordinates have master’s degrees in finance, I started taking graduate evening finance courses at IIT in 1992 and earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading in 1997. I succeeded in making her a member of IIT’s advisory group for that graduate program. Further, I became certified fraud examiner in 1990, government financial manager in 1994, financial Services Auditor in 1996, and forensic accountant in 1997. I was her only defender/promoter in the office. But nevertheless, when my Democrat GAO Chicago office superiors decided to force me to retire when I was 49 in 1997, she took the lead in doing that. I should write about the foresaid.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/anti-zionism-was-never-harmless-now-it-governs/
January 2, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/federal-employees-trump-administration-ban-gender-affirming-care/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/lesbian-couple-makes-history-as-cook-countys-first-marriage-of-2026/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/01/02/ice-detention-conditions-rey-estrada-broadview-michigan-landscapers
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/01/02/first-wedding-cook-county-melissa-nunez-elizabeth-brenske
FOX32 & WGN9
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/cook-county-first-marriage-2026
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/historic-first-female-couple-receives-cook-countys-first-marriage-license-of-2026/
WBEZ
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2026/01/02/operation-midway-blitz-parents-children-immigration-detention-mental-health
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— State keeps more tax revenue, locals get less
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_998815d3-0067-4fa4-80e4-18c3c8f9a2c2.amp.html
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— State Spending Way Up under Pritzker, But Economic Growth Lags
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/state-spending-way-up-under-pritzker-but-economic-growth-lags/
— John Kass Endorses Ted Dombrowski
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/john-kass-endorses-ted-dombrowski/
— Richmond Cemetery District Spends $36,300 on “Special Services”
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/richmond-cemetery-district-spends-36300-on-special-services/
— Hearing Officer Recommends Severino Ticket Be Thrown Off GOP Gubernatorial Ballot
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/hearing-officer-recommends-severino-ticket-be-thrown-off-gop-gubernatorial-ballot/
— Here’s a First: GOP Committeeperson Hosting Gubernatorial and Other Candidates Event DD: In 2003, all five of the announced Republican U.S. Senate candidates (John Cox, Chirinjeev Kathuria, Andrew McKenna, Jim Oberweis, and Jack Ryan) attended a picnic that I organized in the Prairie Path Park in my precinct. More than 200 attended. Back then, I was the GOPUSA Illinois Editor, the Milton Township Republican Organization (MTRO) webmaster, and an officer of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Illinois Center Right Coalition, and American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter. I organized a major MTRO straw poll later in 2003 that Ryan won. The Illinois GOP Establishment wanted McKenna to win that primary and blamed me for Ryan winning it instead. The Illinois GOP Establishment also blames me for Jim Ryan’s loss to Blagojevich. Also, later in 2003, and in 2004, I organized Wheaton’s 9/11 ceremonies.
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/heres-a-first-gop-committeeperson-hosting-gubernatorial-and-other-candidates-event/
— New McHenry County Administrator Scott Hartman Takes Office
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/new-county-administrator-takes-office/
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Over 600 Chicago teachers hit Sin City on taxpayers’ dime
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/over-600-chicago-teachers-hit-sin-city-on-taxpayers-dime/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Mamdani’s first moves as NYC mayor: Revoke Eric Adams’ orders, create task forces on housing
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/2/zohran-mamdanis-first-moves-mayor-revoke-eric-adams-orders-create/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Tim Walz has been playing the ‘race card’ in the Somali fraud scandal
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/entertainment/4398065/tim-walz-playing-race-card-somali-fraud-scandal-joe-concha/
NEW YORK POST
— Mamdani, wife Rama Duwaji dressed for inauguration by controversial ‘anti-Israel’ stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson
https://nypost.com/2026/01/02/us-news/zohran-mamdani-and-wife-rama-duwaji-dressed-for-inauguration-by-anti-israel-stylist/
BREITBART
— 2,274 Shooting Incidents in Brandon Johnson’s Chicago During 2025
https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/01/02/2274-shooting-incidents-in-brandon-johnsons-chicago-during-2025/amp/
— Database Searches Show Somali Fraudsters Funding Democrat Politicians
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/01/02/database-searches-show-somali-fraudsters-funding-democrat-politicians/
DAILY CALLER
— Liberal Media Already Poking Holes In Mamdani’s Socialist Savior Story
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/02/washington-post-zohran-mamdani-nyc-mayor-socialists/
FOX NEWS
— Harvard alum blasts DEI policies after ‘woke’ values drive longtime professor’s exit. Shabbos Kestenbaum echoes concerns from professor James Hankins who left after 40 years over woke values.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/harvard-alum-blasts-dei-policies-after-woke-values-drive-longtime-professors-exit
NATIONAL REVIEW
— One Man’s ‘Warmth of Collectivism’ Is Another’s Inferno
https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/01/one-mans-warmth-of-collectivism-is-anothers-inferno/
NEWSMAX
— We must stop socialism now, or it will spread across America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5uCb9IBzEM
TOWNHALL
— The Woke Collapse of Harvard Continues
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/amy-curtis/2026/01/02/harvard-prof-torches-school-over-woke-anti-white-policies-n2668759
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
REUTERS
— Mamdani vows to enact democratic socialist agenda
https://www.reuters.com/world/mamdanis-inauguration-new-york-new-year-new-mayor-2025-12-31/
NEW YORK TIMES
— Israeli Government Accuses Mamdani of Antisemitism Over Canceled Orders
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/nyregion/mamdani-israel-executive-orders.html
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Tesla Falls Behind China’s BYD as Vehicle Sales Drop for Second Year. End of U.S. subsidy for electric vehicles and flagging European demand dented global EV sales.
https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/tesla-sales-drop-for-second-year-in-a-row-958dec20
December 18, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Trump signs executive order that would reclassify marijuana as less dangerous drug. DD: Pot is poison. In 2019, I led the successful effort to stop the sale of pot in Wheaton.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/reclassification-weed-president-donald-trump-signs-executive-order-today-would-reclassify-marijuana-less-dangerous/18298372/
— Trump administration moves to cut off gender-affirming care for transgender youth
https://abc7chicago.com/post/trump-administration-moves-cut-off-gender-affirming-care-transgender-youth-new-hhs-restrictions/18298513/
— Trump’s handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center
https://abc7chicago.com/post/trumps-handpicked-board-votes-rename-washington-performing-arts-center-trump-kennedy/18298307/
NBC5
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) bring in more illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/new-illinois-laws-will-impact-thousands-of-students-in-the-new-year/3865125/
FOX32
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/buffalo-grove-volunteers-send-handwritten-support-cards-lgbtq-people-nationwide
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— President Donald Trump signs order that would reclassify marijuana as less dangerous drug. DD: Pot is poison. In 2019, I led the successful effort to stop the sale of pot in Wheaton.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/18/trump-executive-order-reclassify-marijuana/
— New Trump administration proposals could further reduce gender-affirming care for minors in Illinois. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly make children sexually active LGBTQers.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/18/gender-affirming-care-trump-proposals/
— State commission highlights ‘unjustified’ uses of tear gas, pepper spray by federal immigration agents
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/18/illinois-accountability-commission-pritzker-border-patrol/
— President Donald Trump’s Justice Department sues Illinois over sensitive state voter data
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/18/illinois-voter-data-lawsuit/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Durbin, Duckworth seek criminal probe of Chicago’s immigration blitz — even after Trump leaves office
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/12/18/durbin-duckworth-criminal-investigation-operation-midway-blitz-ice-tactics
— New state panel takes shot at holding Trump immigration blitz to account: ‘We will not forget’ The chairman of the newly formed Illinois Accountability Commission acknowledged their eventual recommendations are likely to “fall on deaf ears” in the Trump administration.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/12/18/illinois-accountability-commission-trump-immigration-midway-blitz
DAILY HERALD
— Palatine Township trustees this week approved a $1.65 million tax levy for its community mental health board.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251218/local-politics/a-good-thing-for-people-palatine-township-levies-first-tax-for-community-mental-health-board/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Justice Department sues for access to Illinois voter rolls
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/justice-department-sues-access-illinois-voter-rolls
— DD: Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly push more pot. Pot is poison.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/cannabis/trump-signals-marijuana-rescheduling-tax-relief-ahead
CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— The head of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has urged white men to report workplace discrimination based on race or sex. DD: In Diersen v. GAO, the courts ruled that discrimination against older White males was not only legal, but that it is what Congress wanted.
https://www.news-gazette.com/news/nation-world/head-of-workplace-rights-agency-urges-white-men-to-report-discrimination/article_6026fc17-ba43-52f4-98bc-f22f3c675724.html
NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly demonize, denigrate, and condemn Trump
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-12-17/with-costs-a-growing-worry-for-americans-trump-seeks-to-defend-his-economic-record
NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY
— North Park University Invites Dreamers to Apply for TheDream.US Scholarship. DD: Did you get any scholarships? I did not. My critics/opponents have always used that against me.
https://www.northpark.edu/stories/north-park-university-invites-dreamers-to-apply-for-thedream-us-scholarship/
DUCKWORTH
— Duckworth-Led Provisions to Protect Rock Island Arsenal. DD: During the first 6 months of 1989, I worked for GAO at the Rock Island Arsenal on an audit of DOD’s 1990 ammunition budget request. SEE: https://www.gao.gov/assets/150/148194.pdf
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-led-provisions-to-protect-rock-island-arsenal-support-illinois-quantum-technology-research-and-safeguard-care-for-veterans-passes-congress-awaits-presidents-signature
(FROM THE ARTICLE: By Constructing a Child Development Center at Rock Island Arsenal: The bill authorizes $50 million in Major Construction funds for a new addition to the Child Development Center at Rock Island Arsenal and to consolidate the existing facilities and make upgrades to meet DoD guidelines and safety requirements, ensuring that eligible families at Rock Island Arsenal have a safe, modern facility for childcare.)
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/12/18/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-440/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Pritzker disputes Trump claims, says Illinois GOP backs president ‘100%’
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_594bb86c-7336-490e-936f-3e3c69b17fc0.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/pritzker-disputes-trump-claims-says-160400287.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Mamdani says free buses means fewer assaults over ‘fare collection’
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3926075/mamdani-free-buses-fewer-assaults-fare-collection/
NEW YORK POST
— Mamdani appointee made vile antisemitic comments in unearthed social media posts
https://nypost.com/2025/12/18/us-news/zohran-mamdani-appointee-catherine-almonte-da-costa-made-vile-antisemitic-comments-in-unearthed-social-media-posts/
— NYC Council pushes bill to create Zohran Mamdani’s $1B ‘safety’ agency that would pull cops off some 911 calls
https://nypost.com/2025/12/18/us-news/nyc-council-pushes-bill-to-create-zohran-mamdanis-1b-safety-agency-that-will-pull-cops-off-some-911-calls/
BREITBART
— ‘It’s Open Season’: Antisemitic Attacks in NYC Highlight Broader Threat, ‘This is Mamdani’s NY’
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/12/18/its-open-season-antisemitic-attacks-in-nyc-highlight-broader-threat-this-is-mamdanis-ny/
— Inflation Unexpectedly Tumbles To 2.7%, Much Better Than Expected, Core Inflation Falls to Lowest Since Early 2021
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2025/12/18/inflation-unexpectedly-tumbles-to-2-7-much-better-than-expected/
DAILY SIGNAL
— EEOC Urges White Males to Report Discrimination—And Promptly. DD: In Diersen v. GAO, the courts ruled that discrimination against older White males was not only legal, but that it is what Congress wanted.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/12/18/eeoc-urges-white-males-report-discrimination-promptly/amp/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: White males who have faced discrimination should file a federal complaint, the head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says. In a video posted on social media Thursday, EEOC Acting Chairwoman Andrea Lucas advised potential victims of discrimination to file complaints in a timely manner. “Are you a white male who has experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex?” Lucas said. “You may have a claim to recover money under federal civil rights laws.” The Trump administration has opposed diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in the government, and terminated DEI federal grants. A person has a deadline of 180 days from the alleged discrimination to make a complaint, according to the EEOC. “Contact the EOC as soon as possible. Time limits are typically strict for filing a claim,” Lucas continued. “The EOC is the federal agency charged with enforcing federal antidiscrimination law against businesses and other private sector employers.” “The EOC is committed to identifying, attacking, and eliminating all forms of race and sex discrimination, including against white male applicants, and employees,” Lucas clarified. The EEOC website says the 180-day deadline can be extended up to 300 days if a state or local agency enforces a law that prohibits employment discrimination on the same basis, and would have to first hear the case. Although the EEOC has frequently taken up discrimination cases on behalf of minority groups, earlier this year the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that someone who belongs to a “majority group” can sue for discrimination, in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services. That case involved a straight woman who alleged she was passed over for employment due to her sexual identity, but the “majority group” principle would likely apply for a white male. During his first term, President Donald Trump appointed Lucas—a former labor and litigation lawyer at the firm of Gibson Dunn—to the EEOC, and the Senate confirmed her in 2020. After Trump returned for a second term in January, he designated her as the acting chair of commission. [Lucas is not related to The Daily Signal reporter who wrote this news story.] Lucas has not been confirmed by the Senate as chair. But, as previously noted in The Daily Signal, as acting chair she forced major law firms to stop using DEI to discriminate based on race. She further ordered the EEOC to be evenhanded in its enforcement priorities. Lucas made it easier for employees to report DEI discrimination and made it a priority to protect Americans from religious discrimination. This is move is a Trump administration “stunt,” said Markus Batchelor, national political director at People For the American Way, a liberal activist group. “Stunts like this demonstrate the lengths Trump is willing to go to dismantle institutions meant to do good and make them tools that once again unbalance the scales in favor of privilege and white supremacy,” Batchelor told The Grio. “A call for ‘color-blind, merit-based’ employment falls flat from a White House that is overwhelmingly white, wealthy, and unqualified to govern.”)
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
NEW YORK TIMES
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more foreign truck drivers.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/business/trump-immigrants-trucks.html
WASHINGTON POST
— Trump’s unconvincing argument on affordability. Hyperbole is not a plan. DD: What did you do to help you afford things? To help me afford cars, college expenses, real estate, etc., I took bad jobs that my peers would never stoop to take. I a) did yard work 1962-1964. b) delivered newspapers 1962-1966, c) washed dishes 1964-1966, d) cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966, e) delivered mail 1966-1969, f) worked on an automotive assembly line in 1970, g) sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971, h) pumped more gasoline 1971-1972, i) collected delinquent federal taxes 1971-1980, and j) audited federal agencies 1980-1997. I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree in 1970, b) job-related master’s degrees in 1976, 1980, and 1997, c) job-related professional certifications in 1979, 1981, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997, and a job-related professional license in 1981. I was able to do the aforesaid even though I was not viewed as being college material. 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. I have never been able to run because I have a bone disease. My eyesight has never been correctable to 20/20. I have always had partial red/green color blindness. My ACT score was only 24. I only just barely made it into the upper 20% of my high school class. According to my critics/opponents, I have always been stupid. They stress that I got no scholarships or student loans and that had to work my way through college. One could argue that if I could do the aforesaid with the limitations that I had, just about anyone could do what I did academically and professionally.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/12/18/trump-speech-tariffs-economy-checks/
— How the end of extra Affordable Care Act subsidies could affect you. DD: Are/were your healthcare insurance premiums subsidized? Ever since I became a part-time postal employee when was 18 in 1966, my critics/opponents have been furious that the federal government has paid 72% of my healthcare insurance premiums. They have been even more furious ever since I got married when I was 29 and the federal government started paying 72% of my wife’s healthcare insurance premiums. That 72% subsidy is a major reason why people despise/hate federal employees, federal retirees, and their spouses. That 72% subsidy helped me withstand tremendous efforts by my Democrat superiors in the federal government to waste my career and to get rid of me.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/12/18/affordable-care-act-subsidies-expire/
FORTUNE
— Mamdani gets 74,000 resumes in sign of New York City’s job-market misery
https://fortune.com/2025/12/17/mamdani-gets-74000-resumes-in-sign-of-new-york-citys-job-market-misery/
FROM FOREIGN SOURCES
GUARDIAN
— FCC chair suggests agency is not independent amid fears of Trump power-grab. Brendan Carr’s declaration raises concerns amid Trump efforts to exert greater control over independent agencies. DD: GAO is not an independent agency. Congress funds it. It works for Congress.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/17/trump-fcc-brendan-carr
December 12, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker signs ‘right-to-die’ legislation for terminally ill people to end their lives in Illinois. The new law, which takes effect next September, opens the door for people 18 or older with a terminal diagnosis to be prescribed a fatal drug.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/12/12/illinois-right-to-die-pritzker-signs-law
— Illinois’ political tensions nothing compared to failed redistricting push in Indiana. Indiana Republicans’ arguments against the bill were sound, not only because they were under so much pressure from D.C., but because it just wasn’t the right thing to do. DD: What about the gerrymandered Illinois 3rd Congressional District?
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2025/12/12/illinois-redistricting-push-indiana-republicans-trump-rich-miller
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump downplays Indiana redistricting loss, but funds could be in doubt
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/trump-downplays-indiana-redistricting-loss-but-funds-could-be-in-doubt/
— Speaker Mike Johnson scrambles to find a health care plan as Republicans remain divided
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/speaker-johnson-health-care-plan/
DAILY HERALD
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight deportation of their illegals.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251212/nation-and-world/immigration-crackdown-leaves-teens-to-care-for-siblings-after-parents-get-detained/
— DD: Censures and attempts to censure are always big news. I should write about the unsuccessful attempt by my critics/opponents to get the Illinois Center Right Coalition to censure me for my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters in 2006. I would focus on my critics/opponents who continue to have their operatives and their dupes take adverse actions against me.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251212/news/district-211-board-censures-member-for-sharing-closed-session-discussion-of-fired-teachers/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Illinois cannabis industry poised for major tax relief if Trump reclassifies marijuana. DD: Pot is poison.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/cannabis/trump-cannabis-rescheduling-could-ease-industrys-tax-burden
— Illinois among states suing Trump over $100,000 H-1B visa fee. DD: All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/illinois-among-states-suing-trump-over-h-1b-visa-fee
ABC7
— Republican state Sen. Niemeyer explains his vote against Indiana redistricting plan backed by Trump. DD: What about the gerrymandered Illinois 3rd Congressional District?
https://abc7chicago.com/post/gop-state-sen-rick-niemeyer-explains-indiana-redistricting-vote-rejecting-plan-backed-donald-trump-ahead-2026-midterms/18280892/
WTTW
— Evanston Church Nativity Scene Adds Zip Ties, Gas Masks and ICE to Protest Immigration Raids. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly get religious leaders to do their bidding.
https://news.wttw.com/2025/12/12/evanston-church-nativity-scene-adds-zip-ties-gas-masks-and-ice-protest-immigration-raids
— Illinois Agriculture Director Says Trump Trade Policies Are ‘Crushing’ Farmers
https://news.wttw.com/2025/12/12/illinois-agriculture-director-says-trump-trade-policies-are-crushing-farmers
WSIU
— Illinois H-1B workers earn median $110K as visa fees and wage rules shift. DD: All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://www.wsiu.org/diversity/2025-12-12/illinois-h-1b-workers-earn-median-110k-as-visa-fees-and-wage-rules-shift
CAPITOL FAX
— Illinois very near its 15-year goal of 60 percent of adults holding ‘postsecondary credentials.’ DD: None of my peers hold anywhere near as many credentials as I have. I have a) three master’s degrees (business-1976, accounting-1980, and finance-1997), b) six professional certifications (accounting-1979, internal auditing-1981, fraud examination-1990, government financial management-1994, financial services auditing-1996, and forensic accounting-1997, and c) a professional license (CPA-1981). Since I was 27 years old in 1976, my critics/opponents have ever-increasingly ignored/dismissed/belittled my credentials. But worse than that, they have ever-increasingly used them against me. They ever-increasingly hint/imply/argue/shout that anyone with as many credentials I have should have had a far more successful career than I had. They stress that my ending federal salary in 1997 was only $153,151/year in today’s dollars. They stress the many adverse actions that my superiors in the federal government took against me. They stress that Republican candidates, elected officials, and party leaders in Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton continue to ignore/dismiss/belittle my credentials. They ever-increasingly hint/imply/argue/shout that my lack of career success and Republican ignoring/dismissing/belittling of my credentials is because I am an extremely bad person.
https://capitolfax.com/2025/12/12/report-illinois-very-near-its-15-year-goal-of-60-percent-of-adults-holding-postsecondary-credentials/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— When the State Decides Your Life Isn’t Worth Living
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2025/12/i-was-offered-death-when-i-needed-care-when-the-state-decides-your-life-isnt-worth-living.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Seized oil tanker was hiding its location to evade sanctions, law enforcement
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/12/seized-oil-tanker-hiding-location-evade-sanctions-law-enforcement/
— New York gave illegal driver’s licenses to foreign truck drivers
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/12/new-york-gave-illegal-drivers-licenses-foreign-truck-drivers-feds/
— Killing narco-terrorists, saving American lives. Critics of the president’s drone policy would perpetuate deadly overdoses.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/10/killing-narco-terrorists-saving-american-lives/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— The dangers of Trump’s venture socialism
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3916547/dangers-trump-venture-socialism/
BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Trump and Team MAGA are coming for turncoat Indiana Republicans
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/12/12/trump-and-team-maga-are-coming-for-turncoat-indiana-republicans-1609751/
BREITBART
— Poll: Majority of Catholics Support President Trump’s Mass Deportation of Illegal Aliens
https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2025/12/12/poll-majority-of-catholics-support-president-trumps-mass-deportation-of-illegals/amp/
DAILY CALLER
— Trump: Blue States That Let Illegals Drive ‘Lethal Weapons’ Will Miss Out On Millions Of Tax Money
https://dailycaller.com/2025/12/12/sean-duffy-illegal-truckers-cdls-new-york/
FOX BUSINESS
— University calls ‘Standard American English’ a tool of white supremacy
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6386398348112
FOX NEWS
— Omar accused by GOP opponent of opening up the door to massive Minneapolis fraud: ‘Deep, deep ties.’ Republican challenger John Nagel alleges that Omar has ties to individuals involved in fraud scandal.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/omar-accused-gop-opponent-opening-up-door-massive-minneapolis-fraud-deep-deep-ties
NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE
— National Right to Life Condemns Actions of Pritzker’s Signing of Illinois Assisted Suicide Law
https://nrlc.org/communications/nrl-condemns-actions-of-illinois-governor-pritzkers-signing-of-illinois-assisted-suicide-law/
NEWSMAX
— Blue States Flouting Federal Laws
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/illinois-crash-cdl/2025/12/12/id/1238101/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Cannabis Stocks Soar on Reports White House Plans to Reclassify Pot. DD: Pot is poison.
https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-12-12-2025/card/cannabis-stocks-soar-on-reports-of-white-house-plan-to-reclassify-pot-PvFT19TMWSoL6bTntJEz
INDEPENDENT JOURNAL REVIEW
— Trump: Blue States That Let Illegals Drive ‘Lethal Weapons’ Will Miss Out On Millions Of Tax Money
https://ijr.com/trump-admin-says-blue-states-that-let-illegals-drive-lethal-weapons-will-miss-out-on-millions-of-tax-money/
December 9, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Pritzker signs bill increasing immigrant protections at Illinois courthouses, hospitals and more. DD: Anticipate/expect that Pritzker will ever-increasing fill the courthouses, hospitals, university campuses, and day cares near you with his illegals.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/gov-jb-pritzker-sign-bill-creating-more-protections-immigrants-illinois-la-villita-community-church-chicago/18267491/
NBC5
— Pritzker signs law seeking to limit immigration enforcement at schools, daycares. The bill also curtails enforcement actions at courthouses, hospitals and more. DD: Anticipate/expect that Pritzker will ever-increasing fill the courthouses, hospitals, university campuses, and day cares near you with his illegals.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/pritzker-signs-law-seeking-to-limit-immigration-enforcement-at-schools-daycares/3860805/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Pritzker signs Illinois immigration law that curbs courthouse arrests and expands right to sue agents
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/09/jb-pritzker-illinois-immigration-law/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Bleak stats on white men not shocking. Economy, class and education now do as much work as race in deciding whether a man will be seen as “marriageable,” employable and likely to climb beyond the station of his birth. DD: Under the Democrats, the future for White men in America is ever-increasingly bleak. Fewer and fewer and fewer White men in America seek college degrees. Why is that? Under the Democrats, non-Whites and females ever-increasingly get more and more and more preference, and especially those who are Democrat, younger, LGBTQ, non-Protestant, non-German American, have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time, and/or are citizens of foreign countries. If I was young today, because of my bad demographics, I question if I could find the motivation to do what I did. I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree, three job-related master’s degrees, six job-related professional certifications, and a job-related professional license.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2025/12/09/white-men-working-class-college-education-dei-ben-jealous
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The headlines this month about white men, college admissions and the fallout from ending affirmative action startled a lot of people. Stories of declining enrollment and shrinking opportunity for young white men were treated as if they had materialized out of nowhere. Many found it surprising. I didn’t. . .For years now, researchers have documented serious headwinds facing working-class American men: wages that stagnate or fall, especially for men without college degrees; fewer men in college even as women’s enrollment rises; more men detached from the labor force; rising suicide and overdose deaths in many hard-hit communities; and marriage becoming less common and less stable for men with the weakest economic prospects. White working-class men feel this acutely. But they are not alone. White men may have made the headlines, but similar trends are affecting Black, Latino, Native and Asian men —especially those from poor and working-class backgrounds. In today’s economy, class and education now do as much work as race in deciding whether a man will be seen as “marriageable,” employable and likely to climb beyond the station of his birth. So if you’re wondering why a Black civil rights leader cares about the struggles of white men, the answer is simple: In a democracy, you cannot fix poverty for anyone unless you fix it for everyone. Every major leap forward in opportunity in this country has depended on multiracial coalitions. Progress comes when we face the full truth — not when we ignore parts of it. Which brings us to the conversation we are actually having. Or rather, not having. It’s time to readjust our thinking about white men, college admissions and diversity, equity and inclusion. The left and the right have both turned this into a culture war when what we really need is a reality check. On the right, the headlines became a grievance weapon — proof, some claim, that diversity efforts were out to “replace” white men. On the left, the reaction was defensive, as if acknowledging hardship among white families would somehow undermine the fight for racial justice. Neither response had much to do with the truth. And if we’re wondering why we can’t seem to have a real conversation about opportunity, we should start where political scientist Martin Gilens warned us decades ago. By portraying poverty disproportionately with Black faces, American media helped make the white poor — and much of the working class —invisible. That distortion robbed us of the ability to see the full picture of suffering and the full map of shared struggle. When entire communities are invisible, their pain doesn’t get counted. Their boys don’t get counted. Their decline doesn’t make the front page until it shows up as a political shock. That invisibility hurts everyone. It hurts white families like Bill’s. It hurts Black and Brown families navigating the same broken ladders. It hurts the communities trying to build stable futures for their children. Before we talk solutions, we need full visibility — a willingness to see all who are struggling, not just the ones who fit our old narratives. And yes, part of that conversation may involve something like affirmative action for working-class families, including white men. Not the caricatured version people argue about on cable news, but the real kind colleges have long used: giving a boost to students from low-income families, high-poverty neighborhoods, under-resourced schools and overlooked rural counties — from Appalachia to the Mississippi Delta to remote parts of Alaska. Race-based affirmative action sat alongside these class- and place-based efforts; it never replaced them. And even after the Supreme Court’s decision, colleges can still use class-based affirmative action because it recognizes a basic truth: A child’s chances in life are shaped powerfully by ZIP code, wealth and opportunity. The headlines surprised many because they showed only one part of the story. It’s time we tell the whole one. Only then can we rebuild opportunity — for Bill, for the boys in his family and for every family fighting for a fair shot.)
DAILY HERALD
— Chicagoan Spomenka Vajic, a would-be Republican candidate in Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District shouldn’t be on the 2026 primary ballot because she didn’t gather enough petition signatures, state election officials ruled Tuesday.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251209/us-congress-politics/gop-candidate-knocked-off-ballot-in-3rd-congressional-district/
— Cody Holt, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the 33rd state Senate seat, was removed Tuesday from the March primary ballot.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251209/illinois-state-politics/33rd-state-senate-candidate-removed-from-ballot/
— Pritzker signs bill enacting immigrant protections at courthouses and on campus
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251209/illinois-state-politics/pritzker-signs-bill-enacting-immigrant-protections-at-courthouses-and-on-campus/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Illinois sees decline in rate of residents moving out of state. DD: What keeps you in Illinois? My ancestors have lived in northeast Illinois since 1844. I have lived in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978. I have lived in my precinct since 1984. All four of my degrees are from Illinois Universities.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/economy/illinois-sees-decline-rate-residents-moving-out-state
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— State Sen. Andrew Chesney stunned a legislative luncheon audience Dec. 9 when he said that his solution to a housing crisis would be the deportation of all undocumented immigrants.
https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/local/2025/12/09/freeport-republican-says-deportation-could-solve-housing-crisis/87691471007/
HERALD
— Will County opens vote-by-mail applications this month for March primary
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/09/will-county-opens-vote-by-mail-applications-this-month-for-march-primary/
NPR ILLINOIS
— Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat representing Maryland, says his party must do more to regain public confidence and counter what he calls a “lawless president.”
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-12-09/sen-van-hollen-urges-democrats-to-stand-for-something-not-just-be-anti-trump
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/12/09/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-435/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Illinois’ SAFE-T Act ’emboldens’ anti-police attackers
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_e2a7dffa-9620-4ade-ba2f-bf8212a1282d.html
— Chicago minority, low-income students struggling to make testing grade. DD; How much money did your parents have. My father never earned more than $50,000/year in today’s dollars. My mother never worked outside of the home until he died suddenly in 1969 when he was 47 and I was 21. 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://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_bf6f7a92-0808-459c-a6c3-ea24955f012e.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford said it’s not hard to comprehend why Chicago Public Schools system low-income and minority students are reading and performing math at much lower levels than their state peers. Even after state officials inflated the number of students meeting proficiency levels by lowering reading and math benchmarks, new Illinois Report Card data shows struggling students still posted achievement gaps as low as 22 points below state average, including Black and Hispanic students scoring as low as 28 points below standards. . .Overall, data shows more than half of CPS students are reading below grade level and roughly 75% are falling short of the mark in math. As for 3rd through 8th-graders, only 35% read at grade level and just 19% are proficient in math. At the high school level, just 32% of low-income 11th graders read at grade level and 17% proved to be competent in math. Noting that wide discrepancies also exist among Black and Hispanic 3rd through 8th graders, Ford pointed out that similar achievement gaps between minorities and other students across the city are also prevalent at the high school level, with Black 11th graders testing 26% below the state average in reading and 28% below in math and Hispanics 12 and 17 points below standards.)
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— UPDATE: Pritzker Continues Unannounced Visits to Crystal Lake, Refers to Excessive SNAP (Food Stamp) Fraud
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/12/09/pritzker-continues-unannounced-visits-to-crystal-lake/
— Rockford YMCA Follows Marengo Park District Example Opening Fitness Center 24 Hours
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/12/09/rockford-ymca-follows-marengo-park-district-example/
— Pritzker Meets with McHenry County Leaders, Public, Reporters Not Invited
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/12/09/pritzker-meets-with-mchenry-county-leaders-public-reporters-not-invited/
— Cody Holt Ruled Off the Ballot in 33rd Senate Republican Contest
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/12/09/cody-holt-ruled-off-the-ballot-in-33rd-senate-republican-contest/
— Tribune Gives Biss Free Publicity
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/12/09/tribune-gives-biss-free-publicity/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— America’s vanishing middle class. Crisis demands urgent action.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/9/americas-vanishing-middle-class/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Pritzker signs Illinois bill allowing lawsuits against law enforcement officers
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/3911956/jb-pritzker-illinois-bill-allows-lawsuits-against-law-enforcement-officers/
— Pritzker unchallenged on Democrat primary ballot after Tillman removed by board
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/state/3912752/pritzker-unchallenged-democrat-primary-after-opponent-removed/
DAILY SIGNAL
— Illinois Reps Outraged Over ICE-Arrested Cop Back on Duty
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/12/09/illinois-reps-outraged-over-ice-arrested-cop-back-on-duty/
FOX NEWS
— Pritzker signs bill to further shield illegal immigrants in Illinois from deportations. Bill goes into effect as Trump administration expands deportation efforts.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pritzker-signs-bill-further-shield-illegal-immigrants-illinois-deportations
PJ MEDIA
— Pritzker, Resisting Trump Means Releasing Murderers and Pedophiles
https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2025/12/08/for-jb-pritzker-resisting-trump-means-releasing-murderers-and-pedophiles-n4946825
— Pritzker Should Think About Resisting Sandwiches Rather Than Trump
https://pjmedia.com/stephen-kruiser/2025/12/09/the-morning-briefing-jb-pritzker-should-think-about-resisting-sandwiches-rather-than-trump-n4946836
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— Noem claims Mamdani could be violating Constitution with advice to migrants
https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/5640509-noem-mamdani-migrants-advice/
NEW YORK TIMES
— Pritzker Signs Bill Imposing New Limits on Immigration Enforcement
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/us/illinois-immigration-legislation-pritzker.html
WASHINGTON POST
— Illinois law protects immigrants from arrest near courthouses, hospitals or colleges. Illinois has a new law shielding immigrants from federal enforcement near courthouses, hospitals, university campuses, and day cares. DD: Anticipate/expect that Pritzker will ever-increasing fill the courthouses, hospitals, university campuses, and day cares near you with his illegals.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2025/12/09/immigration-chicago-pritzker-courthouse-ice-arrests/6ff39d24-d527-11f0-a93c-a869cf73ebd6_story.html
USA TODAY
— Is it illegal to hire someone based on race? DD: All my employers were always under tremendous pressure to hire minorities and females. They hired me because they could not find qualified minorities and females who would take the jobs.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/2025/12/09/is-race-based-hiring-illegal/87604243007/
FORBES
— DD: Democrat leaders created affordability problems and now they blame Trump for those problems.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/martinacastellanos/2025/12/09/20-signs-theres-an-affordability-crisis-in-america/
December 2, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
NBC5
— Dell family to give $6.25 billion to create 25 million additional ‘Trump Accounts.’ “This gift is expected to reach nearly 80% of children age 10 and under across 75% of U.S. zip codes,” according to Invest America.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/dell-billions-donations-trump-accounts/3857683/
WBEZ
— DD: Democrat leaders use students to crow about their obstruction of justice.
https://www.wbez.org/education/2025/12/02/as-immigration-agents-swept-chicago-this-fall-communities-stepped-in-to-get-kids-to-school-safely
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly fight enforcement of immigration laws.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/sen-dick-durbin-demands-answers-from-homeland-security-regarding-u-s-citizens-caught-up-in-immigration-raids/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/opinion-chicago-immigration-raids-lessons-children/
DAILY HERALD
— Needless dispute: Censure of DuPage County clerk could have been avoided
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251202/editorials/daily-herald-opinion-needless-dispute-censure-of-dupage-county-clerk-could-have-been-avoided/
— Batavia pub gets OK for video gambling, despite being next to two churches
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251202/gambling/batavia-pub-gets-ok-for-video-gambling-despite-being-next-to-two-churches/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly blame Trump for price increases.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/more-americans-say-trump-has-helped-raise-prices-rather-than-lower-them-survey/
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/12/02/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-430/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Bill on Pritzker’s desk enhances Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies. DD: The Democrats who run Illinois are ever closer to officially seceding Illinois from the United States.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_adaf80e0-ede3-4720-9968-6028d9d1fbbf.html
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— If you are a Republican and if more and more and more of the voters in your county, township, municipality, school district, and precinct are voting for Democrats, your future is bleaker and bleaker and bleaker. At what point will you move? But if you move to a prosperous and safe area that Republicans created, Democrats will a) move into that area to take advantage of that prosperity and safety and b) get rid of you. Look at DuPage County. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Young socialists revolt as Democratic Party hits 30-year popularity low
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/democratic-party-popularity-hits-30-year-low-young-socialists-gain/
— GOP advances bill to add citizenship question to 2030 census
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/gop-advances-bill-add-citizenship-question-2030-census/
— Journalist group presses White House to remove ‘media offenders’ webpage
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/journalist-group-presses-white-house-remove-media-offenders-webpage/
WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Mamdani Taps Felon Who Served 7 Years for Robbing NYC Taxi Drivers as ‘Criminal Legal System’ Adviser
https://freebeacon.com/democrats/mamdani-taps-felon-who-served-7-years-for-robbing-nyc-taxi-drivers-as-criminal-legal-system-adviser/
NEW YORK POST
— Trump Derangement Syndrome is real
https://nypost.com/2025/12/02/opinion/trump-derangement-syndrome-is-real-these-hysterical-threats-prove-it/
— Anti-ICE chaos in Lower Manhattan is a sign of trouble ahead
https://nypost.com/2025/12/01/opinion/anti-ice-chaos-in-lower-manhattan-is-a-taste-of-whats-to-come-if-mamdani-amp-feds-cant-cooperate/
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
— States Fail to Require Adequate Cannabis Product Safety Warnings. DD: Pot is poison.
https://www.aei.org/op-eds/states-fail-to-require-adequate-cannabis-product-safety-warnings/
BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Lawmakers who spent hundreds of millions on illegals want to charge Chicagoans $1.25 ‘package fee’ deliveries.
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/12/02/lawmakers-who-spent-hundreds-of-millions-on-illegals-want-to-charge-chicagoans-1-25-package-fee-deliveries-1607606/
BREITBART
— Trump: ‘The Word Affordability Is a Con Job by the Democrats’ After Biden’s Historic Inflation
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/12/02/trump-word-affordability-is-con-job-democrats-after-bidens-historic-inflation/
DAILY SIGNAL
— House GOP Pushing Affordability Heading Into Election Year
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/12/02/house-gop-pushing-affordability-heading-into-election-year/
FOX NEWS
— Trump unleashes on Dems’ top campaign platform: affordability
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6385857884112
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CNN
— Religious leaders sue to block ICE raids at houses of worship. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly turn religious leaders against America.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/01/world/video/religious-leaders-sue-to-block-ice-raids-at-houses-of-worship
USA TODAY
— ‘Affordability is a con job by the Democrats’: Trump tells Cabinet. Trump said tariffs are generating billions of dollars from countries such as Japan and South Korea that had been ‘ripping us off.’
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/02/trump-cabinet-meeting-venezuela-live-updates/87566205007/
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Trump dismisses affordability concerns as Democratic ‘con job’
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/02/trump-dismisses-affordability-concerns-as-democratic-con-job/
NEW YORK SUN
— Illinois Church’s Nativity Scene Depicts Baby Jesus Zip-Tied, Romans as ICE Agents. ‘The Holy Family were refugees. This is not political interpretation, this is the reality described,’ the church says. DD: The Democrat Party’s conquering of religion will soon be complete.
https://www.nysun.com/article/illinois-churchs-nativity-scene-depicts-baby-jesus-zip-tied-romans-as-ice-agents
NEWSWEEK
— In a survey of more than 1,200 likely Illinois voters, carried out between November 20 and 25 and seen by Fox 32, Chicago-based Victory Research put Pritzker at 54.3 percent of the vote, compared to 34 percent for GOP candidate Darren Bailey.
https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-chances-beating-jb-pritzker-illinois-governor-election-11142102
FORBES
— Giving Tuesday: What It Is And How To Maximize Its Impact. DD: What do you give to others? Since 2000, I have given my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters to anyone who wants to read them free of charge, without any advertising, and without any donation requests. Since 2004, they have included links to almost 530,000 articles.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/juliekratz/2025/12/02/giving-tuesday-what-it-is-and-how-to-maximize-its-impact/
GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Why America needs the GAO: DD: For almost 18 years, I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO. If Gingrich had reformed GAO during that time instead of gutting it, DOGE would not have been needed.
https://www.govexec.com/oversight/2025/11/why-america-needs-gao-doge-done-right/409745/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Ten months after the launch of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, one thing is clear: no one can agree on how much money it saved—or, in fact, whether it saved any money at all—and, if there were savings, what happened to them. What if DOGE were done right? Here something else is clear: we have had the Government Accountability Office, founded as a green-eye-shade operation back in 1921 to audit every single government transaction. It’s grown into the indispensable watchdog on the federal government’s spending and operations. It’s what DOGE done right looks like. At first, Musk promised to find $2 trillion in savings. Then the pledge dropped to $1 trillion. Then he struggled to document any savings at all. Since 2002, GAO’s work has logged more than $1.45 trillion in savings for taxpayers, across more than 29,000 different federal operations. Last year, savings were $67.5 billion. And better than most watchdogs glad to gobble up every available can of dog food, GAO has kept watch on itself. It’s measured the return on taxpayer investment in its own operations: $123 for every budget dollar. It’s operations aren’t flashy. In fact, they’re pretty wonky, which as card-carrying wonks we greatly admire. Its staff get advanced training when they walk into the door, which never stops as employees move up through the ranks. The size of its staff, which was reduced from 5,200 staff to its current level of about 3,500 after the Republican takeover of the House in 1995, has been relatively stable over the last decade, despite expanding demands on its work. Musk promised to trim the number of federal agencies. “There’s so many that people have never heard of. I think we should be able to get away with 99 agencies,” he said. It wasn’t clear where that number came from. It was clear from his work that DOGE didn’t know how to get there. GAO, on the other hand, has been identifying areas of duplication and overlap since 2011, with $725 billion in savings in this area alone. As others were struggling to come up with solid savings, GAO in May issued a 154-page report detailing just how to do more. Musk brought in IT whiz kids to comb through the federal government’s information services, but they had little to show for it except putting the security of Americans’ personal information at risk. GAO, in contrast, laid out a plan for figuring out how to save money on IT. Better proof-of-concept work in space-based laser communications could save hundreds of million dollars—and the government could pick up $157 billion by better managing the payment rates in Medicare. In a February Oval Office meeting, Musk claimed the federal government was full of officials who had approved money for “fraudsters,” but that claim turned out to be little more than arm-waving. GAO, in contrast, has since 1990 prepared a report every two years on programs prone to waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement. Its latest report, in February 2025, identified 38 areas needing special attention. This “high-risk list” bears careful reading for anyone who really cares about getting into the guts of the problem. It identifies issues ranging from contract management in the Pentagon to money leaking out of federal disability programs to management of oil and gas leases to mega-challenges inside the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster assistance. Even a casual look of the report—all 323 pages of it—would convince any reader that it’s a road map for which stones to unturn to get at the unholy trinity of waste, fraud and abuse. But there’s more here. GAO keeps score so we can see who’s making progress—and who isn’t. In 10 areas, federal agencies made $84 billion in progress. Three slipped backwards—acquisition of weapons systems by the Pentagon, improving IT management throughout the government and managing the federal government’s property. And even more. GAO doesn’t operate like a sheriff riding into town promising to clean up the saloons. It has developed a big-picture look at federal operations and identified leading practices that federal agencies can pick up. Like any oversight body, federal agencies don’t always like what they hear and often squawk. But there’s no question that we—and even they—are a whole lot better off for GAO’s work. GAO is relatively little known outside government. Even less well known is the fact that it’s an agency that works for Congress. That often is a thorn in the side of the administration, regardless of who’s in power, because GAO often says things the administration would rather not hear. That’s especially been the case in recent months with GAO’s findings that the administration has violated the law in impounding federal money—refusing to spend money that Congress appropriated. This was at the root of Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought’s statement that GAO “shouldn’t exist”. The OMB Director doesn’t want anyone looking over their shoulder, just as students don’t like to take home report cards that aren’t straight-A’s or spend their time in detention. But now that we’re closing in on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and celebrating the Constitution that the founders crafted to govern us, we need to strengthen the balance-of-powers model that Madison and the other founders left us. They deliberately chose not to give us an easy system to use in governing ourselves. That means the three branches of government are always going to be jousting with each other—and that’s how it should be. In the growing complexity of our society, we need governmental institutions that can keep up with that complexity. That means Congress, in turn, needs muscle to do the heavy lifting required to oversee the executive branch, whether it’s a Republican or Democratic Congress, or a Republican or Democratic President. That’s what Washington, Madison, Jefferson, Hamilton and the other founders had in mind. And that’s why the next month is so important. The current head of GAO, Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, will be at the end of his fifteen-year term, the longest term in the federal government except for the lifetime appointment of federal judges, and the process to name a successor will shift into high gear. A special commission—consisting of congressional leaders—recommends a slate of individuals to the president. The president selects one person to nominate, and the Senate must then confirm the new head. This appointment is a pretty big deal. It will ensure strong oversight through the 2030s into the 2040s and reinforce the balance of powers for even longer. GAO will provide the executive branch with the independent insights it needs to wring out waste, fraud and abuse. It is a tool that Congress can use to hold the executive branch accountable, essential because a weak GAO weakens the legislative branch. We all have a stake in making sure that GAO can provide the oversight the Constitution requires—and the balance of powers that they designed.)
HR DIVE
— As major firms green-light AI for performance reviews, should others follow suit? Artificial intelligence promises efficiency and data-driven insights, but it could also subject employers to bias claims and compliance obligations, sources say. DD: Democrat and RINO employers use performance reviews to get rid of their Republican employees. They paint their Democrat employees as positively as they can and they paint their Republican employees as negatively as they can. In Diersen v. GAO, I entered into the court record all the many performance reviews that my Democrat superiors gave me 1980-1997. None of them came close to justifying the many adverse actions that they took against me. They forced me to take a $23,472 (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. They kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO. They delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13. They always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance. They forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997.
https://www.hrdive.com/news/AI-for-performance-reviews/806785/
PBS
— Trump says the word ‘affordability’ is a ‘con job’ by the Democrats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS8IJgsOip8
FROM FOREIGN SOURCES
GUARDIAN
— Chicago’s faith leaders on front lines of resistance against ICE crackdown. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly turn religious leaders against America.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/28/chicago-faith-leaders-ice-crackdown
November 30, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Nonpartisan think tank identifies Illinois’ most effective state legislators
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/11/30/kelly-cassidy-sue-rezin-jb-pritzker-transgender-nuclear-nonpartisan-think-tank-identifies-illinois-most-effective-state-legislators
FOX32
— Slight majority of Illinoisans approve of Pritzker as he seeks third term. DD: Who approves of Pritzker? Those who are anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-heterosexual, anti-married people, anti-non-poor people, anti-Protestant, anti-German American, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-jb-pritzker-poll-nov-25
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly blame Republicans for health care costs.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/hill-politics/for-republicans-its-crunch-time-on-health-care/
— Lawmakers voice support for congressional reviews of Trump’s military strikes on boats
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/ap-lawmakers-voice-support-for-congressional-reviews-of-trumps-military-strikes-on-boats/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Sen. Mark Kelly calls Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ‘unqualified’ amid video probe. DD: My Democrat IRS superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates hinted/implied that was not qualified to be promoted to GS-9 (currently $68,315/year) when I was 23 years old in 1972, to GS-11 (currently $82,655/year) when I was 24, and to GS-12 (currently $99,069/year) when I was 25. But most of my Democrat coworkers were also promoted that fast. Further, unlike my coworkers, I was taking graduate evening business courses at Loyola. Further, they were furious that I had been selected for a high-profile developmental assignment instead of a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran. My Democrat superiors soon got rid of the IRS manager who had promoted me those three times and had given me that assignment. They disallowed my travel vouchers and education expenses and made it clear that they would never promote me to GS-13.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/30/mark-kelly-arizona-senator-calls-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth/
— Democrats’ crime policies are suicidal
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/30/democrats-crime-policies-suicidal/
NEW YORK POST
— White House names and shames ‘biased’ news outlets and reporters with new website
https://nypost.com/2025/11/30/us-news/white-house-names-and-shames-biased-news-outlets-and-reporters-with-new-website/
— Over 5K Afghan migrants flagged on ‘national security’ grounds since 2021
https://nypost.com/2025/11/29/us-news/more-than-5000-afghan-migrants-flagged-on-national-security-grounds-since-2021-document-reveals/
— Mamdani-linked PAC offered Hispanic business leader job, seat on transition team if he raised $1M in 3 days
https://nypost.com/2025/11/29/us-news/mamdani-linked-pac-allegedly-offered-hispanic-business-leader-job-seat-on-transition-team-if-he-raised-1m-in-3-days/
— Americans are rightly waking up — much of higher education is now a scam
https://nypost.com/2025/11/30/opinion/more-americans-are-realizing-a-four-year-degree-is-an-expensive-scam/
AMERICAN THINKER
— Ken Burns Rejects Factual Revolutionary History In Favor Of The 1619 Project
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/11/ken_burns_rejects_factual_revolutionary_history_in_favor_of_the_1619_project_comments.html
BREITBART
— Critical Race Theorists Sneak Back into Red States Through ‘Media Literacy’ Campaign
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2025/11/30/report-critical-race-theorists-sneak-back-into-red-states-through-media-literacy-campaign/
DAILY SIGNAL
— The Left Goes Neo-Confederate on Immigration
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/10/31/the-left-goes-neo-confederate-on-immigration/
LAW ENFOREMENT TODAY
— Connecticut Teachers’ Union Teams Up With Anti-ICE Activists While Test Scores Plummet
https://lawenforcementtoday.com/connecticut-teachers-union-teams-up-with-anti-ice-activists-while-test-scores-plummet
WESTERN JOURNAL
— Indiana Reignites Redistricting Battle After Trump Lights a Fire Under Republican Leadership
https://www.westernjournal.com/red-state-reignites-redistricting-battle-trump-lights-fire-republican-leadership/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
NBC NEWS
— Noem says National Guard shooting suspect was ‘radicalized’ in the U.S.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/kristi-noem-radicalized-dc-national-guard-asylum-shooting-rcna246477
— Noem says all asylum claims in U.S. to be reviewed
https://www.nbcnews.com/video/shorts/sec-kristi-noem-says-all-asylum-claims-in-u-s-will-be-reviewed-253308485914
CBS NEWS
— Immigration advocates hold another rally in NYC, criticize NYPD
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/video/immigration-advocates-hold-another-rally-in-nyc-criticize-nypd/
CNN
— Musk spotlights cost of federal entitlements amid fear of cuts to programs
https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/11/politics/musk-federal-entitlements-costs
NEW YORK TIMES
— Protesters Arrested After Trying to Block a Possible ICE Raid
https://www.nytimes.com/video/nyregion/100000010555061/protesters-arrested-after-trying-to-block-a-possible-ice-raid.html
USA TODAY
— Trump’s approval rating hits second-term low as Republican support dips. DD: My critics/opponents have always focused on driving my approval rating down. Since 1999, they have focused on Republican voters, precinct committeemen, candidates, elected officials, and party leaders in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois. Since 2000, they have focused on GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletter readers and potential readers.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/29/trump-approval-rating-low-gallup/87524482007/
LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Trump calls Democrats ‘traitors’ for urging military to ‘refuse illegal orders.’ DD: All those who my Democrat IRS and GAO superiors assigned me to supervise were Democrat, minority, female, younger, veteran, disabled, non-Protestant, non-German American, had ancestors who had not been in America for a long time, and/or had performance problems. I never refused orders to give them preference. I gave them lots of preference. But that was not enough for my Democrat IRS and GAO superiors.
https://www.aol.com/news/trump-calls-democrats-traitors-urging-214915264.html
PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE
— Refusing illegal orders is a dilemma for U.S. troops. DD: All those who my Democrat IRS and GAO superiors assigned me to supervise were Democrat, minority, female, younger, veteran, disabled, non-Protestant, non-German American, had ancestors who had not been in America for a long time, and/or had performance problems. I never refused orders to give them preference. I gave them lots of preference. But that was not enough for my Democrat IRS and GAO superiors.
https://www.phillytrib.com/commentary/refusing-illegal-orders-is-a-dilemma-for-u-s-troops/article_5d126839-c765-4bb7-b9af-c7d6ea73994b.html
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— About That Trump-Mamdani Love-In
https://www.wsj.com/video/series/journal-editorial-report/wsj-opinion-about-that-trump-mamdani-love-in/67E92381-F2C4-4A7F-A7DC-DE73985CCEBC
BEST COLLEGES
— 58 Companies That Pay for College With Tuition Reimbursement. DD: I paid lots of my money 1966-1997 to earn a job-related bachelor’s degree (management), three job-related masters (business, accounting, and finance), six job-related professional certifications (accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic Accounting), and a job-related professional license (CPA). Except for some small token amounts, none of it was reimbursed. I worked for the Democrats who ran the Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997. Worse yet, to get rid of me, my Democrat IRS superiors disallowed my graduate business and accounting courses even though the employee manual they gave me strongly encouraged me to take those courses. They falsely arguing that the courses were not job-related, did not maintain or improve my job skills, qualified me for a new trade or business, and were taken by me to get a job in the private sector. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran.
https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/analysis/2021/09/16/top-companies-offering-tuition-reimbursement/
TIME
— New Yorkers Foil Large-Scale ICE Raid
https://time.com/7337578/ice-raid-new-york-mamdani/
FROM FOREIGN SOURCES
JAPAN TIMES
— Protesters disrupt federal immigration operation in Manhattan
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/30/world/protesters-disrupt-federal-immigration/