Category: Opinion

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki danced around questions from the press on whether Biden would have come clean regarding a vaccinated staffer’s recent bout of COVID-19 if the media had not announced it first.

Psaki did confirm several breakthrough positive COVID-19 test results among staffers who had been previously vaccinated but only after a White House official broke the news to Axios.

When asked during a press gaggle Wednesday if the White House would have disclosed the case regardless of Axios’ report, Psaki did not directly respond. She said the White House will disclose cases involving individuals who were in close contact with top officials going forward.

“Because of our commitment to transparency, what we’re going to be providing moving forward are updates on any White House official who tests positive for COVID-19 that the White House medical unit deems as having close contact with the president, vice president, first lady, or second gentleman,” Psaki said. “That will be up to the White House medical unit based on the criteria of the CDC.”

“At no point has the president been required to change his behavior or self-quarantine due to close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID,” she added.

The email informing White House staffers of the new policy was met with reluctance.

Psaki noted that with approximately 2,000 individuals on the White House grounds each day, breakthrough cases among vaccinated staffers “will occur, just like they occur across the country.”

“They have occurred, they will continue to occur. We’re prepared for that,” Psaki said. “As the instance yesterday shows, cases in vaccinated individuals are typically mild or asymptomatic. This is one more reminder of the efficacy of the covid-19 vaccines against severe illness or hospitalization.”

According to the press secretary, the White House would continue to follow the CDC’s public health guidelines while implementing some of its own COVID-19 protocols.

Shocking footage obtained by Bill Melugin, a Fox News journalist, showed a chaotic scene at the border after a semi-truck filled with 105 illegal immigrants got apprehended.

“NEW: Texas State Troopers pulled over a semi-truck near Laredo today that was crammed full of 105 migrants who were being smuggled into the United States,” Melugin reported. “The driver, Michael Warren McCoy, was arrested for human smuggling and was booked into Webb County jail.”

NEW: Texas State Troopers pulled over a semi truck near Laredo today that was crammed full of 105 migrants who were being smuggled into the United States. The driver, Michael Warren McCoy, was arrested for human smuggling and was booked into Webb County jail. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/Dumve76Nv4

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 19, 2021

Melugin highlighted the “massive group” of hundreds of migrants arriving at the southern border, coming mostly from Haiti.

“NEW: I’m back at the border in Del Rio, TX, where a massive group of 300-400 migrants have arrived at a gate at the border wall and is hoping to be let into the U.S. Many are from Haiti. Troopers from Nebraska, Florida, & Texas here with National Guard & Border Patrol,” he reported for Fox News. “It’s unclear what’s going to happen with this group. Troopers tell me Border Patrol is completely overrun and their processing centers are all over capacity & they can’t handle a group this size. Concerns the group may have to wait in the blistering heat. More coming.”

It’s unclear what’s going to happen with this group. Troopers tell me Border Patrol is completely overrun and their processing centers are all over capacity & they can’t handle a group this size. Concerns the group may have to wait in the blistering heat. More coming. @FoxNews

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 19, 2021

Video also captured in Del Rio shows adult male migrants trying to force their way across the border.

“NEW: Getting a bit hectic here in Del Rio,” Melugin reported. “Massive group of 300+ migrants wants to be let into the US. Some migrant families being let through, but adult men try to force their way through the gate. BP and troopers have to yell at them to get back.”

“A large majority of the migrants, including single adult men, have been let into the United States and taken into custody,” he said. “At least 200+ have been taken away in buses. More still coming, more still waiting.”

A large majority of the migrants, including single adult men, have been let into the United States and taken into custody. At least 200+ have been taken away in buses. More still coming, more still waiting. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/CIfSXAejCc

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 19, 2021

The crisis at the southern border has gotten so much worse under President Joe Biden’s plan. Thousands of child migrants have wound up in U.S. custody under the new policies of the Biden administration. Even with the disaster becoming worst, Biden continues to downplay the crisis.

has severely worsened under President Joe Biden, which has included a surge of child migrants winding up in U.S. custody. The Biden administration, however, has downplayed the disaster.

Americans stormed the United States Capitol in protest during the so-called “riots” on Jan. 6. These patriots now have been rounded up and charged with felonies for their actions on that day.

Paul Allard Hodgkins, 38, was the first person charged with a felony to be sentenced.

During a court appearance, Hodgkins seemed to be pressured into apologizing for his patriotic actions on that day. He stated that he got merely caught up in the moment as the mob swarmed into the offices inside the Capitol to protest the election steal from Trump during the 2020 presidential election.

“If I had any idea that the protest … would escalate (the way) it did … I would never have ventured farther than the sidewalk of Pennsylvania Avenue,” Hodgkins told the judge, The Associated Press reported. “This was a foolish decision on my part.”

Under an agreement with prosecutors, Hodgkins pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing an official proceeding, a felony that carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence. Prosecutors argued for an 18-month sentence, saying in one court filing that Hodgkins, “like each rioter, contributed to the collective threat to democracy” by forcing lawmakers to abort the certification of the newly elected president.

From the Associated Press:

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Sedky said that, while Hodgkins didn’t engage in violence himself, he walked among many who did — in what she called “the ransacking of the People’s House.” And as he walked by smashed police barriers, he could see the smoke of tear gas and the chaos ahead of him.

“What does he do?” she asked the court. “He walks toward it. He doesn’t walk away.”

She added that Hodgkins was in the midst of a mob that forced lawmakers to seek shelter and some congressional staffers to hide in fear, locked in officers as hundreds swept through the building. Those in fear for their lives that day will, she said, “bear emotional scars for many years — if not forever.”

Hodgkins was not accused of assaulting officers or damaging property, and prosecutors said he took responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty to the obstruction charge. But prosecutors also said when he boarded a bus heading to Washington, D.C., he was carrying a rope, protective goggles and latex gloves in a backpack, which they said meant he was prepared for violence.

But his lawyer urged the judge to go easy on Hodgkins, saying his actions will haunt him for the rest of his life.

Hodgkins’ actions on Jan. 6 “is the story of a man who for just one hour on one day lost his bearings … who made a fateful decision to follow the crowd,” said lawyer Patrick N. Leduc, who added that is a law-abiding citizen who routinely volunteered at a food bank.

Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos is scheduled to blast off in the early hours of Tuesday morning aboard his company Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft. The 60-foot-tall rocket-and-capsule combo is completely autonomous, meaning no pilot will be aboard.

Instead, the rocket-and-capsule combo will be controlled by flight engineers from a facility in west Texas.

His crew of three includes the oldest and youngest people to ever go to space, 82-year-old female aviator Wally Funk and 18-year-old physics student Oliver Daemen. His brother Mark will also be on board with Bezos.

Blue Origin says its spacecraft is ready to go.

“Blue Origin has been flight testing New Shepard and its redundant safety systems since 2012. The program has had 15 successful consecutive missions including three successful escape tests, showing the crew escape system can activate safely in any phase of flight,” the company says on its website.

The Shepard spacecraft, named after Alan Shepard, an astronaut who in 1961 became the first American in space, will soar 62 miles up before the capsule re-enters the atmosphere and returns to Earth by parachute.

Bezos will best Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson, who earlier this month flew to 53 miles above Earth.

Before Branson’s flight, Team Bezos threw some shade at the billionaire.

“Only 4% of the world recognizes a lower limit of 80 km or 50 miles as the beginning of space. New Shepard flies above both boundaries. One of the many benefits of flying with Blue Origin,” they wrote on Twitter.

And they tossed out another dig: “From the beginning, New Shepard was designed to fly above the Kármán line so none of our astronauts have an asterisk next to their name. For 96% of the world’s population, space begins 100 km up at the internationally recognized Kármán line.”

Economists and financial experts are predicting that retail companies will be the biggest beneficiary from the new child tax credit program. Families have started to receive monthly child tax credits on July 15th as part of the American Rescue Plan.

“Here’s the great news: you won’t have to wait until your next year’s tax return to get that break,” President Biden said in May. “I’m announcing today that on July 15th and on the 15th of every month thereafter throughout the year, you will get deposited in your bank account, half of your tax cut, at least $250 per child each month, a direct deposit into your account. So if you’re a working family with two kids, you’re going to get $500 a month into your bank account on the 15th of every month starting in July.”

Many retail companies are therefore expecting a significant boon to their earnings.

From CNBC:

Dollar General Chief Financial Officer John Garratt said on a first-quarter earnings call in late May that the discounter did not include child tax credits in the company’s forecast for the rest of the year. He called it “a wild card,” with an impact that is difficult to measure, particularly as some other government benefits fade away.

Target Chief Growth Officer Christina Hennington said on a first-quarter earnings call that the extra funds could go toward back-to-school sales — a shopping season that retail experts already predict will be stronger than usual as parents and kids seek a fresh start and new clothes, notebooks and laptops for a more typical return to the classroom.

Economists affirmed to CNBC that the payments will be beneficial to retailers.

“It’s a good thing for Walmart and grocery stores,” said University of Notre Dame economics professor Jim Sullivan. “The retail sectors where middle- and lower-income families spend money are likely to benefit some from this.”

“This will fill a void with some of the other payments being no longer distributed,” said UBS retail analyst Michael Lasser. “It’s going to continue to support consumer spending.”

The Chinese Communist Party released a video appearing to send a threat to Japan of a nuclear response and “full-scale war” if the island nation meddles in China’s handling of Taiwan.

The video, which aired on a channel approved by the CCP, targets Japan as the only exception to China’s policy to not attack non-nuclear powers with nuclear weapons.

“We will use nuclear bombs first,” the video said. “We will use nuclear bombs continuously. We will do this until Japan declares unconditional surrender for the second time.”

The threats follow comments made two weeks ago by Japanese officials about Taiwan’s sovereignty, with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso saying that Japan must “defend Taiwan,” The Japan Times reported.

“If a major incident happened (over Taiwan), it’s safe to say it would be related to a situation threatening the survival (of Japan). If that is the case, Japan and the U.S. must defend Taiwan together,” Aso said.

China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian suggested Japan rethink its “mentality” over the issue.

“We once again urge Japan to approach the relevant issues with the right mentality, and show its respect for China’s sovereignty and sincerity in upholding regional peace and stability,” Lijian said.

“I must stress that, Taiwan is part of China and the Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair,” Lijian added. “China never allows interference in the Taiwan question in any form by any country.”

Lijian stressed that Taiwan is part of the Chinese plans for reunification.

The CCP insists that its intentions are to “liberate Taiwan,” and made it clear that Japan should not deploy “one soldier, one plane or one ship.”

Hollywood superstar Matt Damon was an outspoken liberal who very publicly voted for and backed Hillary Clinton back in 2016. But Damon admitted earlier this week that while doing research as an oil rig worker who is a Trump supporter in his role for an upcoming movie was “really eye-opening” for the liberal.

According to Variety, Damon engaged in deep research of “red state identity politics” to portray his character as an Oklahoma oil rig worker in the new movie “Stillwater.”

In the movie, Damon’s character is Bill Baker, “a father who sacrifices everything to help free his daughter from a French prison, after she is convicted of murdering her roommate while studying abroad,” Variety explained.

Speaking with reporters on Friday, Damon explained he spent weeks with actual oil rig workers in Oklahoma to understand exactly who they are to better incorporate their identity into his character.

“Being invited into their homes, into a backyard barbecue, a guitar comes out and they start singing church songs. It’s a very specific place… and very different to where I grew up,” Damon said, Reuters reported.

“It was really eye-opening for me,” Damon admitted, adding that he grew to appreciate the smallest details of the oil rig workers, from their jeans with fire retardant, to their goatees and sunglasses. “They’re not six-pack abs guys, but they’re strong,” he said.

In fact, Damon said he knows the character that he portrayed undoubtedly would have voted for Donald Trump.

“They’re in the oil business, of course, he voted for Trump. These people were wonderful to us, they really helped us,” Damon said. “These guys don’t apologize for who they are.”

The movie premiers on July 30.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is catching a lot of heat for his line of campaign merch for sale on his website, specifically, a beer koozie that pokes fun at the director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci.

For just $12 you can show your support for DeSantis’s re-election campaign with a “Don’t Fauci my Florida” beer koozie.

NEW TODAY: Our team just dropped EXCLUSIVE merchandise on our brand-new @WINRED storefront.

Trust us… You don’t want to miss out on this. 👀

Shop the store and support your favorite freedom-loving Governor NOW! ⬇️🚨 #KeepFloridaFree https://t.co/618f3mrB5e

— Team DeSantis (@TeamDeSantis) July 12, 2021

Other products available on the website include a koozie with a highly controversial quote from DeSantis saying, “How the hell am I going to be able to drink a beer with my mask on?” You can also pick up flags made to look like former President Donald Trump’s campaign memorabilia but instead says, “Keep Florida Free.”

DeSantis and Fauci have been on opposite ends of the politicization of the coronavirus pandemic, with the governor vocally opposing Fauci’s insistence on social distancing and lockdowns and opting instead to push for individual responsibility and protecting the state’s economy.

The public feud between Fauci and DeSantis dates back to last year when the doctor publicly criticized DeSantis for opening up Florida’s economy at a pace he felt was too rapid.

Many on the left were not happy with DeSantis for how he handled the coronavirus in his state and some of his critics took to social media to slam the Florida governor for selling the koozies.

“DeSantis is a well-educated crackpot with no allegiance to our country, his constituency or the truth,” former Vermont Governor Howard Dean tweeted.

MSNBC host Joy Reid called DeSantis an “ignorant ghoul” and The View’s Ana Violeta Navarro-Cárdenas called the merchandise “freaking stupid.”

DeSantis has all but secured his spot as the frontrunner to win the Republican nomination for president in 2024, that is if former President Trump decides not to run. However, if Trump does decide to throw his hat in the ring, he has hinted to DeSantis as a possible running mate.

There are many reasons why General Motor’s line of trucks and SUVs are some of the most popular on the market. For starters, they have all the bells and whistles that a luxury vehicle should have in today’s technologically advanced world. They’re also fuel-efficient which in Biden’s America is a godsend.

But a semiconductor shortage has forced the company to take away some of those key features on their pickup trucks and full-size SUVs.

General Motors has been prioritizing production of its popular and profitable full-size pickups and SUVs as it works to manage supplies of the key components.

The automaker has already made the unusual move of eliminate two fuel-saving features from some of the vehicles – engine start/stop and cylinder deactivation – and will now remove wireless mobile device charging pads from a few SUV trims, GM Authority first reported.

Affected models include the LT, Z71, Premier, and High Country trims of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban along with the GMC Yukon’s STL, AT4 and Denali trims. A $75 credit will be applied to each of the vehicles.

Thanks to the conservation efforts, AutoForecast Solutions projects that GM has only lost a couple of thousand units of full-size truck volume so far this year.

General Motors plans to return the missing features for the 2022 model year.

Georgia deputies have arrested the suspected killer in connection to a triple homicide at the Pinetree Country Club in Cobb County, just northwest of Atlanta, after three men, including one professional golfer, were found dead last week.

The U.S. Marshals along with the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force located 23-year-old Bryan Rhoden and took him into custody following his surrender in Chamblee Thursday evening. That’s just about 25 miles southeast of the location of the murders.

Rhoden is suspected of gunning down golf pro-Gene Siller, 41, near the 10th hole. After some investigation, police said that they believed Siller was not intended to be a target but was shot in the head after approaching the suspicious truck, which had swerved onto the golf course.

It wasn’t until later that police found the bodies of California resident Henry Valdez, 46, and Kansas resident Paul Pierson, 76, in the bed of a white Dodge pickup truck parked on a hill on the golf course.

Cobb County Police Chief Tim Cox made a statement during a Thursday evening news briefing confirming that Rhoden would face three counts each of murder and aggravated assault as well as two counts of kidnapping. He added that investigators were still looking into adding more charges.