July 15, 2024

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

WGN9
— Trump in Milwaukee after assassination attempt, Illinois delegates make short trip north for RNC
https://wgntv.com/news/republican-national-convention-milwaukee/trump-prepares-for-rnc/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A number of Illinois Republicans have made the short trek north to Milwaukee, an unlikely host for the RNC considering it’s a deeply Democratic city. However, Wisconsin is a key swing state in the upcoming election after Biden defeated Trump there in 2020 by less than a percentage point. “We were once inch away from not having a presidential nominee,” Aaron Del Mar of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee said in the wake of the assassination attempt on Trump. “So, yes, certainly that is going to have an impact on who the VP pick is.” Other Illinois delegates say Republicans will use this week to underscore what they think one-party Democratic leadership has meant for Illinois. “The idea that immigrants should be getting more services than people of Chicago, it’s nuts,” Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter said. “It’s just wrong. “So I think it’s time for people to step back and see who it is that’s going to be delivering the kind of ideas and the kind of services that actually help the people of Illinois.” Illinois delegates will be set up near the back of the convention floor this week, next to Arkansas and just behind Texas. Swing states like Florida, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are positioned much closer to the front.)

ABC7
— RNC 2024, recast by Trump assassination attempt, kicks off Monday. The RNC will maintain its original programming despite the Trump rally shooting.
https://abc7chicago.com/live-updates/rnc-2024-event-kicks-off-in-milwaukee-following-donald-trump-assassination-attempt/15060290/
— Portrait of suspected gunman emerges after Trump assassination attempt. A recovered firearm was legally purchased by the suspect’s father, sources said.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/donald-trump-assassination-attempt-suspect-had-registered-republican/15058563/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Officials feared that the assassination attempt would inspire others. The assassination attempt against President Donald Trump “will likely be amplified in extremist messaging and heavily exploited by malicious actors as well as adversarial nation-states in mis/dis/mal-information aimed at fomenting division,” according to an NYPD intelligence product obtained by ABC News. “In the immediate hours after the shooting took place, multiple users on numerous online messaging platforms responded to the incident with support for the attack, overt calls for civil war, hostile rhetoric against FPOTUS Trump, threats against elected officials, and generalized calls for retaliatory violence,” according to the bulletin which was dated July 14, 2024. . . (Crooks) was working as a dietary aide at the Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, according to administrator Marcie Grimm. Thomas Matthew Crooks “performed his job without concern” and passed a background check, according to Grimm. “We are shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement as Thomas Matthew Crooks performed his job without concern and his background check was clean,” Grimm said in a statement. “We are fully cooperating with law enforcement officials at this time.” The firearm recovered at the scene was legally purchased by the suspect’s father, an urgent trace conducted by ATF found, according to multiple law enforcement sources. A source who has been briefed said the gun was an AR-15 style rifle that was purchased in 2013. . .Crooks had no known history of mental illness, per the FBI. His family is cooperating with investigators. “We’re looking into his background, his day-to-day activities, any writings, and social media posts that might help us identify what led to this shooting. And we have not seen anything threatening,” Rojek added. . .So far, investigators have not uncovered any ties to extremist organizations or individuals, though they continue to scour information from the suspect’s phone and other digital devices, according to the sources. Increasingly, the shooting was looking like a lone wolf attack, sources said. . .Myers said that Crooks “tended to be more of an interesting one” and described him as “more socially reserved” and someone who “didn’t have a ton of friends.” But he said he never heard Crooks discuss politics or, specifically, Donald Trump. . .Myers and another student said that Crooks tried to join the high school’s rifle team but was rejected and asked not to return after a “preseason” session. “He didn’t just not make the team, he was asked not to come back because how bad of a shot he was, it was considered like, dangerous,” said Myers. Another member of the team, who asked not to be named, told ABC News that there was a view that Crooks “wasn’t really fit for the rifle team.” “He also shot terrible,” the team member added. . .Crooks, however, did belong to a local shooting club, counsel for the club confirms to ABC News, Clairton Sportsmen’s Club. . .The classmate added that Crooks was interested in building computers and never discussed politics. . .It was too early in the investigation to say whether the suspect had been acting alone, Bivens said. Investigators were determining if anyone else had been involved, he said.)
— Donald Trump supporters hold rally in Chicago day after assassination attempt. – Michelle Gallardo
https://abc7chicago.com/post/donald-trump-shooting-supporters-hold-rally-chicagos-west/15059186/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The rally hosted by Trump supporters in the Austin neighborhood was briefly interrupted after a verbal altercation with those who did not welcome their presence led to a person pulling a weapon. Police, who were monitoring the rally nearby, responded immediately and the situation was diffused. . .The rally was a small one, bringing together around 20 Trump supporters.)
— No changes made to RNC security plan after Trump assassination attempt, Secret Service says. Chicago Police Department monitoring situation in preparation for DNC.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/donald-trump-rally-shooting-authorities-reexamining-2024-rnc/15058117/
— Chicago shootings: At least 36 shot, 6 fatally, in weekend gun violence across city
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-shootings-weekend-least-25-shot-4-fatally/15058670/

NBC5
— Trump attack a ‘failure’ for Secret Service: retired agent who survived Reagan assassination attempt. While in the Secret Service, Tim McCarthy suffered a gunshot wound to the chest during an assassination attempt against former President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. – Bennett Haeberle
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/trump-attack-a-failure-for-secret-service-retired-agent-who-survived-reagan-assassination-attempt-says/3489204/
— Biden orders security review of RNC plans after Trump assassination attempt. The president also ordered a review of security at the rally Saturday where former President Trump was injured in an assassination attempt. – James Neveau
https://www.nbcchicago.com/2024-rnc-republican-national-convention-milwaukee/biden-security-review-rnc-milwaukee-plans-trump-assassination-attempt/3489143/
— Secret Service ‘confident’ in security plans for Republican National Convention in Milwaukee
https://www.nbcchicago.com/2024-rnc-republican-national-convention-milwaukee/secret-service-confident-in-security-plans-for-republican-national-convention-in-milwaukee/3489236/
— Here’s who is expected to speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee
https://www.nbcchicago.com/2024-rnc-republican-national-convention-milwaukee/heres-who-is-expected-to-speak-at-the-republican-national-convention-in-milwaukee/3489177/

CBS2
— The 2024 Republican National Convention set to begin on heels of assassination attempt. Here’s what to know. – Caitlin Yilek
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/2024-republican-national-convention-what-to-know/
— Ex-classmate of Trump rally shooter describes him as “normal boy,” rejected from high school rifle team. – Madeleine May
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/trump-rally-shooter-classmate-normal-boy-rejected-from-high-school-rifle-team/
— Trump rally shooter’s motive still unclear as Biden urges calm.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/live-updates/trump-shooting-statement-joe-biden-updates/
— Secret Service to review security at Chicago DNC after Trump assassination attempt. -Dave Savini
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/secret-service-review-security-chicago-dnc-trump-assassination-attempt/

FOX32
— Chicago police heighten security for DNC after Trump rally shooting. – Nate Rodgers and Cody King
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-police-heighten-security-for-dnc-after-trump-rally-shooting

WTTW
— The RNC’s First Day Will Still Focus on the Economy. Here’s What to Know About Trump’s Plans. – AP
https://news.wttw.com/2024/07/15/rnc-s-first-day-will-still-focus-economy-here-s-what-know-about-trump-s-plans
— From the Uihleins to Prominent Business Owners, Who Are Illinois’ Biggest Republican Donors? – Nick Blumberg  (COMMENT: What do major Republican donors think of you?)
https://news.wttw.com/2024/07/15/uihleins-prominent-business-owners-who-are-illinois-biggest-republican-donors
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Trump’s Top Donors: With a combined $10 million donation to the Make America Great Again Super PAC, billionaires Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein are the second-biggest backers of Trump’s reelection bid —  though their contribution has been dwarfed by the $75 million kicked in by banking heir Timothy Mellon. The Uihleins, Lake Forest residents and owners of the shipping products company Uline, are longtime conservative political donors. Uline, which was once headquartered in Illinois, moved in 2010 to Wisconsin — also home to Schlitz Brewing, to which Richard Uihlein is an heir. The Uihleins have long been active in Illinois politics. They supported former Gov. Bruce Rauner in his successful 2014 election bid. In 2018, they backed his unsuccessful challenger in the Republican gubernatorial primary, then-state Rep. Jeanne Ives. They’ve also supported U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Springfield), who drew widespread condemnation for approvingly quoting Adolf Hitler in a 2021 speech; failed Illinois gubernatorial and congressional candidate Darren Bailey; and U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria). Other donations have gone to two firebrands in the U.S. House: U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado) and U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida). Elizabeth Uihlein also made a $3,300 gift to former Vice President Mike Pence’s presidential campaign in 2023. Since 1998, the Uihleins and their company have made donations totaling nearly $92 million to Illinois-based candidates or committees, according to state election records. The Uihleins have also been active donors to a variety of PACs during the current election cycle. Including their contribution to the Trump campaign, they’ve made more than $61 million in donations to candidates and committees across the country last year and this year, according to federal election records. They’ve been most generous to two Downers Grove-based Super PACs affiliated with the conservative activist organization Restoration of America: Restoration PAC and Fair Courts America. Restoration of America’s founder, Doug Truax, was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2014 Illinois Republican primary for U.S. Senate, losing to Jim Oberweis. In total, the Uihleins have given the two PACs nearly $20 million in 2023 and 2024. They’re also longtime backers of the Club For Growth PAC, which has raked in nearly $16 million from the Uihleins this cycle. And while they’re now Trump mega-donors, they also contributed $3 million to Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting the failed presidential campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. . .The Uihleins aren’t the only Illinoisans actively backing conservative political committees during this election cycle. Billionaire Ken Griffin — who famously railed against crime in Chicago and announced he’d move his hedge fund, Citadel, to Miami in 2022 — is still listed as an Illinois resident in some of the contributions that appear in federal election records. During the current campaign cycle, he’s pumped nearly $60 million into campaigns and committees across the country. He has given $10 million apiece to Maryland’s Future, which is supporting former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s bid for the U.S. Senate, and Keystone Renewal PAC, which is backing Republican David McCormick’s bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat from Pennsylvania. Griffin has also donated $6 million to the American Patriots PAC, a group that backs military veteran candidates that spent heavily in a successful bid to oust U.S. Rep. Bob Good (R-Virginia), who voted to unseat former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. While Griffin hasn’t been an active donor in Illinois campaigns recently, he did give $6,600 to the successful Nebraska Senate bid of Pete Ricketts, a Republican, who is part of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs. Craig Duchossois, whose billionaire family previously owned the Arlington Park horse racing track, has given more than $9 million to an array of candidates and committees this cycle. According to federal records, Duchossois gave $3 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund, which backs GOP House candidates; $2 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which supports Republican Senate candidates; and $1 million to the PAC associated with the Koch Brothers-founded group Americans for Prosperity. He also gave $13,200 to Ricketts’ campaign and an associated fund. . .Federal records show that during the current election cycle, the RNC has taken in $826,000 from Elizabeth Uihlein; $413,000 from Duchossois; and $250,000 from Gerson. . .Just 50 Illinoisans have given Trump $3,300 or more, the maximum amount under federal law per each election (primary and general). Compare that to 572 such contributions to Biden. The average contribution to Trump was $39, whereas Biden donations averaged $221. And the overall totals reflect the disparity in Illinois’ political leaning as well. Trump has taken in $3.7 million from Illinoisans, according to the most recent data available, while Biden has taken in $5.8 million.)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The Secret Service is investigating how a gunman who shot and injured Trump was able to get so close. – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/07/14/the-secret-service-is-investigating-how-a-gunman-who-shot-and-injured-trump-was-able-to-get-so-close/
— Former fire chief who died at Trump rally used his body to shield family from gunfire. – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/07/14/former-fire-chief-who-died-at-trump-rally-used-his-body-to-shield-family-from-gunfire-2/
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG PICTURE: Illinois GOP leaders at RNC say Trump shooting will unite the party for November. – JEREMY GORNER and RICK PEARSON
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/07/14/rnc-trump-shooting-illinois/
— Chicago’s Jewish community is bearing the brunt of religious intolerance. – Yinam Cohen (COMMENT: Democrats run Chicago.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/07/15/opinion-anstisemitism-hate-crimes-chicago/
— To reduce gun violence, America must change the culture that glamorizes violence. – Tio Hardiman
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/07/15/opinion-america-glamorizes-gun-violence/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump expected to take RNC stage Monday night. – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/rnc-2024/2024/07/15/rnc-milwaukee-trump-convention-opening-night
— Illinois Republicans ready to ‘rock this’ RNC as Trump assassination attempt unites GOP. Donald Trump’s defiant response to the shooting has provided “a shot of adrenaline in our arm” for his already fervent followers, Illinois delegate Aaron Del Mar said as the GOP gets ready to kick off the Republican National Convention on Monday. – Mitchell Armentrout
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/rnc-2024/2024/07/14/illinois-republicans-trump-assassination-attempt-gop-national-convention-milwaukee
— With the attempt on his life, Trump’s convention will be ‘epic,’ says Reince Priebus. The image of a bloodied Trump pumping his fist at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania Saturday and mouthing the word “fight” will become one of the iconic photos defining these charged political times. – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2024/07/14/republican-national-convention-milwaukee-donald-trump-assassination-attempt
— After Trump assassination attempt, Dems pause counter-messaging at RNC, including Pritzker appearance. Democrats had planned daily press conferences to highlight “the grave danger that Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans pose to our democracy, our rights and our livelihoods.” But with images of the shooting still fresh in the voters’ minds, they’re opting to let President Biden lead their response. – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/rnc-2024/2024/07/14/trump-assassination-attempt-democrats-counter-messaging-pause-republican-national-convention-pritzker
— Mental health disorders are remarkably pervasive in the general public. Nearly 20% of the US population is estimated to have a mental illness.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2024/07/12/gun-access-rage-hate-fuel-killings-violence-crime-diana-fishbein-alex-rohrer-madeline-jupina
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2024/07/15/rallying-cry-defend-rights-transgender-people-youth-conservative-states-republicans-heather-steans

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH MCCARTY PHOTO: Former suburban police chief wounded protecting Reagan Tim McCarthy expects ‘deep dive’ into security failures. – Steve Zalusky
https://www.dailyherald.com/20240714/news/former-suburban-police-chief-wounded-protecting-reagan-expects-deep-dive-into-security-failures/
— What we know about the 20-year-old suspect in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump. – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/20240714/nation-and-world/what-we-know-about-the-20-year-old-suspect-in-the-apparent-assassination-attempt-of-donald-trump/
— Judge dismisses classified documents indictment against Trump. – Devlin Barrett, Perry Stein
https://www.dailyherald.com/20240715/crime/judge-dismisses-classified-documents-indictment-against-trump/

CRAINS CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Airlines look to navigate political turbulence around their diversity commitments. – Judith Crown (COMMENT: To meet Affirmative Action and DEI requirements, all my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less work experience than I had, b) who had less education than I had, c) who had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, d) who had no professional license like the one I had, and/or e) who were minority, female, and/or younger than me.)
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/equity/airlines-dei-efforts-navigate-polarized-political-landscape

NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Jim Marter of Oswego, a delegate and the Republican candidate for Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, said on matters of foreign policy, there’s a clear consensus within the party since the old guard is no longer dominant. The old guard, he said, refers to “the old Republicans where a lot of them wanted to go into this, that, and the other war.” He said that contrasts with the current Republican stance. “I think for the most part,” he said, “Republicans are at this point, let’s say, ‘hey, if it doesn’t directly affect our national security, we don’t want to be involved.’” Marter opposes U.S involvement in the Ukraine War but does support U.S. funding to Israel in its war in Gaza. This aligns with Trump’s stance. Israel has received more U.S. aid than any other country since World War II, according to Reuters. – Maria Gardner Lara
https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2024-07-15/republican-national-convention-illinois-delegate-says-it-will-showcase-partys-isolationist-foreign-policy-view

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— ‘Died a hero’: Man killed at Trump rally used body to shield family from gunfire. – AP
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/man-killed-at-trump-rally-was-former-fire-chief-who-died-a-hero-pa-governor-says/

NPR ILLINOIS
— After saying she wouldn’t be there, Nikki Haley will now speak at Republican convention. – Sarah McCammon
https://www.nprillinois.org/2024-07-14/after-saying-she-wouldnt-be-there-nikki-haley-will-now-speak-at-republican-convention
— Women don’t have equal access to college in prison. – Jenny Abamu (COMMENT: What gave you access to college? For me it was my taking college preparatory classes in high school, getting an ACT score of 24, and graduating in the upper 20% of my class.)
https://www.nprillinois.org/2024-07-15/women-dont-have-equal-access-to-college-in-prison-heres-why

WGLT
— How the shooting at Trump’s rally breached security at the event. – Ayesha Rascoe
https://www.wglt.org/2024-07-14/how-the-shooting-at-trumps-rally-breached-security-at-the-event

CITIES 92.9
— Different views of how Biden, Trump impact Illinois’ down-ballot races. – Greg Bishop
https://www.cities929.com/2024/07/15/different-views-of-how-biden-trump-impact-illinois-down-ballot-races/

ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO
— Hawley calls for congressional investigation into Trump assassination attempt security failures. – Jason Rosenbaum
https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2024-07-14/senator-josh-hawley-missouri-congressional-investigation-trump-assassination-attempt-failures-fbi-secret-service

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Illinois GOP ready for Trump’s convention – SHIA KAPOS
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2024/07/15/illinois-gop-ready-for-trumps-convention-00168227

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2024/07/15/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-325/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

JOHN KASS
— As Republican Convention Begins Democrats Come Bearing Gifts.
https://johnkassnews.com/as-republican-convention-begins-democrats-come-bearing-gifts/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

RNC
— 2024 MASTER EVENT CALENDAR
https://www.scribd.com/document/750623190/RNC-Master-Calendar#fullscreen&from_embed

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump: I’m rewriting RNC speech after near-death experience. – Tom Howell Jr.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jul/15/donald-trump-im-rewriting-rnc-speech-after-near-de/
— Secret Service at center of ‘failure’ to prevent assassination attempt. – Stephen Dinan and Kerry Picket
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jul/14/secret-service-at-center-of-failure-to-prevent-ass/
— Words of vilification from Trump’s opponents echo after close attempt at assassination. – Susan Ferrechio (COMMENT: If you are a Republican, the more demographics that you share with Trump, especially his religion and national origin, the more that hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters vilify you.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jul/14/donald-trump-shooting-follows-ramped-vilification-/
— Trump shooter had no clear politics, wore a Demolition Ranch T-shirt, had bomb-making material. Thomas Matthew Crooks lived south of Pittsburgh, was bullied in high school. – Dave Boyer and Tom Howell Jr.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jul/14/donald-trump-shooter-thomas-matthew-crooks-had-no-/
— Secret Service director, DEI hiring under scrutiny in wake of Trump security lapses. – Matt Delaney (COMMENT: To meet Affirmative Action and DEI requirements, all my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less work experience than I had, b) who had less education than I had, c) who had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, d) who had no professional license like the one I had, and/or e) who were minority, female, and/or younger than me.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jul/14/secret-service-director-dei-hiring-under-scrutiny-/
— Democrat media’s ‘Hitlerization’ of Trump no match for divine providence. – Charles Hurt  (COMMENT: If you are a Republican, the more demographics that you share with Trump, especially his religion and national origin, the more that hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters Hitlerize you.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jul/14/fearless-men-history/
— A Trump-Vance ticket is a Biden-Harris victory. Trump needs a running mate with conviction and experience that voters can trust. – Jeffrey Scott Shapiro
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jul/13/trump-vance-ticket-is-biden-harris-victory/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Failure to intercept Trump shooter either ‘malice or incompetence’: Betsy DeVos’s brother. – Kaelan Deese
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/presidential/3082009/trump-shooter-intercept-malice-incompetence-betsy-devos-brother/
— Wisconsin Gov. Evers asking for guns to be banned near RNC convention after Trump shooting. – Conrad Hoyt
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/3082055/evers-asking-guns-banned-near-rnc-convention-trump-shooting/
— Trump assassination attempt follows a Charlottesville every weekend & January 6th on steroids. – Tiana Lowe Doescher
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/3082167/trump-assassination-attempt-follows-a-charlottesville-every-weekend-january-6th-on-steroids/
— Is Trump Hitler or not? – Ian Haworth (COMMENT: If you are a Republican, the more demographics that you share with Trump, especially his religion and national origin, the more that hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters Hitlerize you.)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/3081484/is-trump-hitler-or-not/
— Will Democrats now stop calling Trump a threat to democracy? – Conn Carroll
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/3081574/will-democrats-now-stop-calling-trump-a-threat-to-democracy/

NEW YORK POST
— Trump lands in Milwaukee for RNC on day after assassination attempt. – Victor Nava
https://nypost.com/2024/07/14/us-news/trump-lands-in-milwaukee-for-rnc-after-assassination-attempt/
— Secret Service blames local police, says it was tasked with securing properties surrounding Trump’s Pa. rally. – Alex Oliveira and Victoria Churchill
https://nypost.com/2024/07/14/us-news/secret-service-blames-local-police-says-it-was-tasked-with-securing-properties-surrounding-trumps-pa-rally/
— Disgraced ex- Illinois Gov. Blagojevich now a ‘Trump-o-crat’ with praise for his ‘his new Republican Party’ – Carl Campanile (COMMENT: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I am disgraced. They stress the adverse actions that they, their operatives, and their dupes have taken against me. I should write about them.)
https://nypost.com/2024/07/14/us-news/disgraced-ex-illinois-gov-blagojevich-now-a-trump-o-crat-with-praise-for-his-his-new-republican-party/
— Secret Service chief Kimberly Cheatle facing mounting calls to resign after ‘total security breakdown’ at Trump rally. – Dana Kennedy
https://nypost.com/2024/07/14/us-news/secret-service-chief-kimberly-cheatle-facing-mounting-calls-to-resign-after-total-security-breakdown-at-trump-rally/
— Fury at Secret Service after Trump shooter opens fire from obvious perch & video shows agents fumbling to get ex-prez to safety. Ryan King and Joe Marino
https://nypost.com/2024/07/14/us-news/secret-service-under-pressure-in-wake-of-assassination-attempt-on-trump/

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— The Immaculate Conception of Thomas Crooks. – Editorial
https://freebeacon.com/democrats/the-immaculate-conception-of-thomas-crooks/

AMERICAN GRATNESS
— The Biden Titanic. Removing Biden is wise and needed for the country’s sake, but it will not solve the growing public anger at the left. – Victor Davis Hanson
https://amgreatness.com/2024/07/15/the-biden-titanic/

AMERICAN THINKER
— They look just like the Keystone Kops: The DEI Secret Service in inaction. – Ned Barnett (COMMENT: To meet Affirmative Action and DEI requirements, all my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less work experience than I had, b) who had less education than I had, c) who had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, d) who had no professional license like the one I had, and/or e) who were minority, female, and/or younger than me.)

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2024/07/they_look_just_like_the_keystone_kops_the_dei_secret_service_in_inaction.html

BEAUFORD COUNTY NOW
— Was the attempt on Trump’s life an isolated event or the start of something Big? – Editorial
https://www.beaufortcountynow.com/post/81077/was-the-attempt-on-trumps-life-an-isolated-event-or-the-start-of-something-big.html

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Trump’s resilience, momentum dire threat to Deep State – Jeff Willis
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2024/07/15/trumps-resilience-momentum-dire-threat-to-deep-state-1472367/

BLAZE
— Why are Dems FREAKING OUT over Efforts to STOP Illegals from Voting?!? (COMMENT: In your county, in your township, in your municipality, and in your precinct, how many illegals are going to vote for Biden and for the rest of the rest of the Democrats on the ballot?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFiH28k_jTQ

COLLEGE FIX
— 15 times academia demonized Trump before assassination attempt. – JENNIFER KABBANY (COMMENT: I should write about my critics/opponents who have demonized me, denigrated me, and condemned me the most. I would focus on past and present a) leaders of the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Milton Township Republican Organization, b) Republican leaders of Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton, c) Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct, d) conservative leaders and activists, and e) religious leaders and activists.)
https://www.thecollegefix.com/15-times-academia-demonized-trump-before-assassination-attempt/

CREATORS SYNDICATE
— Did You See the New RNC Platform? Trump is a Genius. Democrats are Screwed. I Dare Democrats to Argue with Any of Our Platform. I Double Dare You. – Wayne Allyn Root
https://www.creators.com/read/wayne-allyn-root

DAILY SIGNAL
— Secret Service Director Put Focus on diversity. – Jarrett Stepman (COMMENT: To meet federal diversity commitments, all my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less work experience than I had, b) who had less education than I had, c) who had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, d) who had no professional license like the one I had, and/or e) who were minority, female, and/or younger than me.)
https://www.dailysignal.com/2024/07/14/secret-service-director-put-focus-on-diversity/

DAILY WIRE
— Biden DEI Push In Secret Service Led To Unqualified Agents, One Of Whom Threw Tampons At Her Boss In Unhinged Rage. – Luke Rosiak (COMMENT: To meet Affirmative Action and DEI requirements, all my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less work experience than I had, b) who had less education than I had, c) who had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, d) who had no professional license like the one I had, and/or e) who were minority, female, and/or younger than me.)
https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-dei-push-in-secret-service-led-to-unqualified-agents-one-of-whom-threw-tampons-at-her-boss-in-unhinged-rage

FOX NEWS
— Without a border, immigrant crime can hit everywhere. Honest analysts admit that illegal immigrants commit more crime than citizens. – Thomas Homan (COMMENT: To illegally come into a country illegally and/or to illegally stay illegally in a country illegally is to demonstrate a) gross disrespect for the rule of law and b) gross disrespect for that country. Beyond overwhelmingly, illegals demand massive government assistance.)
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/without-border-immigrant-crime-can-hit-everywhere
— Democrats ever-increasingly promote more dependency on government in Evanston.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/chicago-suburb-expand-eligibility-guaranteed-income-program-we-all-need-help

GOPUSA
— A Platform For Trump’s GOP Heads To Milwaukee
https://www.gopusa.com/a-platform-for-trumps-gop-heads-to-milwaukee/
— What Will Happen At The Republican Convention, And What To Watch For
https://www.gopusa.com/what-will-happen-at-the-republican-convention-and-what-to-watch-for/

NATIONAL REVIEW
— GOP platform has lost its way. – Kathryn Jean Lopez
https://www.pressrepublican.com/opinion/gop-platform-has-lost-its-way/article_2f8f9bca-4194-11ef-87fd-77a74dd03b36.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Pro-life people believe abortion to be the human rights issue of our lifetime, one with eternal stakes. With the Republican Party’s changes to its platform regarding abortion, it’s hard to believe the GOP is in the cause for the long haul — never mind the eternal. The platform no longer calls for an end to abortion, opting instead for the leave-it-to-the-states position. This platform and likely presidential nominee Donald Trump have abandoned any even nominal claim to the moral high ground. Lauren Onak, vice-presidential candidate for the American Solidarity Party, is a pro-life convert who recently talked with me not just about saving babies but also helping people with immigration status and housing. If you are going to have an abortion because you don’t have anywhere to live, some pro-life people want to offer help. That’s the work of civil society— sometimes making use of government resources. If abortion is about human rights, ignoring women and children who need help is unacceptable. It doesn’t have to be this way. Henry Hyde, the late congressman, said something that remains true today: “The public virtue of hospitality has been grievously violated by abortion liberty,” he said. “And so, we must do better and we must do differently,” he said. “We must reclaim the heritage of public hospitality. We must become again become again a people capable of welcoming new life, weak life, dependent life, into our midst — and cherishing it,” Hyde went on. Onak is running with presidential candidate Peter Sonski. While they are not seriously expecting to have to move to D.C. come January, they have the right idea in wanting to offer an opportunity for Americans who feel politically homeless to vote in keeping with their values. Their platform is largely based on Catholic Social Teaching, even while they aim to be ecumenical. The Republican Party of 2024 does not reflect this thinking. Catholic convert Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance has declared his support for abortion pills, which cruelly leave women and girls alone to see the demise of the remains of their unborn children. I listened to him speak about the vulnerability of teen girls to the pro-abortion message at an Ohio March for Life in October 2023. But that was then. Republicans now believe they have no responsibility beyond their home states. And maybe not even entirely there — Vance, in a “Meet the Press” interview, cited an erroneous interpretation of a recent Supreme Court decision. He and Trump have both said it approved of abortion pills, when it was a mere ruling on standing that did no such thing. Hyde’s above quotes came before Roe v. Wade was overturned, but his words are relevant to Republicans who might want to seriously consider their abortion positions on something based on more than what Donald Trump wants and the prospects of the next election. The American Solidarity Party is a winning ticket this year, only inasmuch as it captures something of the pro-life vision — loving and welcome — that is all too often lost today. At least someone is giving it a try.)

POST MILLENNIAL
— Biden Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle vowed to make DEI a priority of agency. – Katie Daviscourt (COMMENT: To meet Affirmative Action and DEI requirements, all my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less work experience than I had, b) who had less education than I had, c) who had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, d) who had no professional license like the one I had, and/or e) who were minority, female, and/or younger than me.)
“I’m very conscious as I sit in this chair now of making sure that we need to attract diverse candidates,” said Cheatle.
https://time.com/6998539/trump-shooting-republicans-blame-dei-secret-service-women/

TOWNHALL
— Enough Illegal Aliens Are Registered to Vote to Swing the Election In Biden’s Favor. – Sarah Arnold|
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2024/07/14/investigation-discovers-enough-illegal-aliens-registered-to-vote-to-swing-the-election-in-bidens-favor-n2641588

WESTERN JOURNAL
— Biden’s Secret Service Director’s Profile Says It All – Diversity – Joe Saunders (COMMENT: To meet Affirmative Action and DEI requirements, all my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less work experience than I had, b) who had less education than I had, c) who had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, d) who had no professional license like the one I had, and/or e) who were minority, female, and/or younger than me.)
https://www.westernjournal.com/screen-shot-bidens-secret-service-directors-profile-says-diversity/
— Bongino Breaks Down Woke Secret Service Failures Point by Point, And It’s Absolutely Chilling. – Lorri Wickenhauser
https://www.westernjournal.com/bongino-breaks-woke-secret-service-failures-point-point-absolutely-chilling/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

MSN
— To meet Affirmative Action and DEI requirements, all my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less work experience than I had, b) who had less education than I had, c) who had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, d) who had no professional license like the one I had, and/or e) who were minority, female, and/or younger than me.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/politics/gop-lawmaker-calls-secret-service-director-a-dei-person-after-trump-shooting/ar-BB1pY6BH

NEW YORK TIMES
— The New York Times unabashedly promotes hatred against Trump and then hypocritically says “The Attack on Donald Trump Is Antithetical to America.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/13/opinion/donald-trump-rally-shooting.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump remade the GOP in his image — and its platform in his words. – Derek Hawkins, Clara Ence Morse, Adrián Blanco and Aadit Tambe (COMMENT: Of course, my critics/opponents will stress those planks that Trump a) deleted, b) diminished, or c) failed to strengthen.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/interactive/2024/republican-platform-changes-trump/
— What to know about the head of Secret Service as agency faces scrutiny. The 27th director of the U.S. Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, was sworn into office in 2022 and now faces questions about how the agency handled Trump’s rally. – Maria Sacchetti
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/07/14/secret-service-director-kimberly-cheatle/

USA TODAY
— Republicans’ focus on Biden’s age is a trap. Talk about his policy failures instead. The focus on age could easily come back to bite Republicans, hard. Where will voters go if Democrats end up nominating someone other than Joe Biden? – John Tillman
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2024/07/15/biden-age-inflation-border-policy-trump-republican-convention/74371168007/
— Joe Biden has everyone worried. Let’s talk about aging, for real. – Charles Trepany
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2024/07/10/joe-biden-trump-debate-aging/74348049007/
— New Republican platform makes one thing clear: We’ve dropped the anti-abortion effort. Republicans have made it clear they will follow Trump anywhere, even if it’s to ignore the anti-abortion movement. – Dace Potas
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2024/07/11/rnc-gop-platform-abortion-republicans-pro-life/74347683007/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Donald Trump’s near assassination presents the biggest crisis for the Secret Service in decades. At the heart of what will be a torrent of investigations: How was a 20-year-old lone shooter able to take up an exposed firing position on an open rooftop not much more than a football field away from the former president? –  C. Ryan Barber,, James Fanelli, Jan Wolfe
https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-rally-shooting-is-the-secret-services-nightmare-1b35a7d6
— America Was an Inch From Catastrophe, and I Was There. I served in the Gulf War and know the sound of gunfire. I didn’t expect it at a rally in Pennsylvania. – David McCormick
https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-was-an-inch-from-catastrophe-and-i-was-there-butler-trump-rally-9e47b971
— The Question Aging Bosses Should Ask Themselves. Leadership and aging were urgent issues for American companies even before President Biden’s halting debate performance. – Callum Borchers (COMMENT: The issue should be health, not age.)
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/the-age-question-looms-over-americas-bosses-31c1706b
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal immigration.
https://www.wsj.com/economy/retirement-social-security-benefits-illegal-immigrants-c5a04d74

FORBES
— Democrat and RINO employers ever-increasingly use DEI a) to not hire Republicans and b) to get rid of their Republican employees.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/juliekratz/2024/07/14/how-to-talk-about-dei-work-in-a-polarizing-political-climate/

BLOOMBERG
— Secret Service Trump Rally Response Spurs Bipartisan Queries. – Ellen M Gilmer and Michaela Ross
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-14/secret-service-trump-rally-response-spurs-bipartisan-queries

DAILY DOT
— MAGA fumes over women on Trump’s Secret Service detail, say DEI to blame for assassination attempt. The Secret Service director has tried to ramp up female recruitment. – Katherine Huggins (COMMENT: To meet Affirmative Action and DEI requirements, all my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less work experience than I had, b) who had less education than I had, c) who had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, d) who had no professional license like the one I had, and/or e) who were minority, female, and/or younger than me.)
https://www.dailydot.com/debug/donald-trump-secret-service-women/

TIME & DAILY KOS
— To meet Affirmative Action and DEI requirements, all my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less work experience than I had, b) who had less education than I had, c) who had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, d) who had no professional license like the one I had, and/or e) who were minority, female, and/or younger than me.
https://time.com/6998539/trump-shooting-republicans-blame-dei-secret-service-women/
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/7/14/2254146/-Republicans-are-wasting-no-time-in-blaming-Democrats-and-Biden

Author: David Diersen

The opinions that I express in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are based on experience that I have gained doing many things since 1948. I base my opinions on what I learned a) working for the federal government for almost 30 years -- Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, serving on the Executive Committee of the Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter 1983-1996, and being a union member while I worked for the Post Office and IRS; b) earning an MBA from Loyola in 1976, a masters degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, and a masters degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997; c) passing the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 and passing the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981; c) serving as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999, the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois Chairman 2005-2012, a member of the 2008 Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Platform and Resolutions Committee, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member 2003-2011, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster 2008-2010 and 2000-2004, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member 2001-2004; d) attending the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 IRP State Conventions as a delegate; e) being the subject of a nasty 4-page article in the February 1978 issue of Money Magazine; f) pursing litigation including Diersen v. GAO and Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange; g) being married since 1978; h) living in Crete 1948-1972, in University Park 1972-1976, in Chicago 1976-1978, and in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978; and i) being baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran.