Author: Darnell Thompkins

The founders would be astonished to know the federal government now regulates education, health care, finance, energy, and practically every business in America, and this piece looks at how we got here, why it matters, and what a sensible path back to limited government looks like. Our Constitution set up a federal government with limited, enumerated powers, but over generations those limits blurred into near-blanket control. Today, federal rules shape curriculum, medical decisions, banking practices, and energy choices across the country. That concentration matters because decisions made far from local communities rarely fit local needs. The shift happened gradually, through…

Russian officials said Friday that Israel disrupted what it called legitimate trade with Iran after the Israel Defense Forces struck a major Caspian Sea port in northern Iran, targeting “dozens” of vessels. The accusation set off a sharp diplomatic exchange, with Moscow defending its commercial links while Israel framed its operation as a security move. The incident raises questions about freedom of navigation, regional stability, and how nations balance trade with countering hostile activity. The core allegation from Russian spokespeople is straightforward: Israel’s strikes interfered with commerce that Russia considers lawful. Moscow framed the port and the ships there as…

Universities are central players in national security, blending research, talent and partnerships in ways that shape the country’s defense and economic strength. “Daniel Diermeier, the chancellor of Vanderbilt University, explains the crucial role academic institutions play in the country’s national security ecosystem.” That sentence captures a simple truth: colleges are more than classrooms and dorms, they are hubs of advanced science, training grounds for skilled workers and sources of cutting-edge ideas. When these activities align with national priorities, the nation benefits; when they don’t, risks multiply. The stakes are too high for vague policies or wishful thinking. Universities produce the…

This piece argues that judicial hostility toward Donald Trump has become a defining problem, claiming that some judges are letting personal bias shape legal outcomes and eroding public confidence in the courts. Courts are supposed to be neutral referees, but too many Americans see a different picture: judges acting with a clear tilt against a particular political figure. The worry is not about rulings people disagree with, it’s about a pattern where decisions feel driven by dislike instead of law. That perception corrodes trust and hands opponents a powerful talking point. Legal professionals know the line between interpretation and advocacy,…

On March 18, Senator Markwayne Mullin faces his confirmation hearing to take the reins of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aiming to succeed Kristi Noem and reset the department toward stronger border security and practical, accountable operations. Senator Markwayne Mullin goes before the Senate on March 18 for a confirmation hearing that will decide whether he moves from the quiet halls of Capitol Hill into the frontlines of national security at DHS. The transition would place him in direct charge of issues that matter to every American, from the border to cyber defenses. For many outside Oklahoma and the…

A service member was killed and another wounded in a shooting at an Air Force installation in New Mexico, and the base and surrounding community are dealing with the immediate fallout while military investigators work to sort out what happened. A shooting at a U.S. Air Force base in New Mexico on Tuesday left one person dead and another wounded, according to military officials. Local and military responders were on site quickly, securing the scene and providing medical care to the wounded. Witnesses described a tense, fast-moving situation as personnel followed lockdown procedures and first responders established triage. Base leadership…

A Live Nation ticketing employee told a court that private instant messages sent years earlier were “very immature and unacceptable,” testimony that brought fresh attention to workplace culture and the company’s conduct amid an antitrust trial. The testimony came during the company’s antitrust proceedings, where questions about ticketing practices and internal behavior have been playing out under courtroom scrutiny. Lawyers drilled into private communications to show patterns of thought and conduct among staff tasked with managing ticket sales. What was personal on an employee’s phone suddenly mattered to judges and jurors looking at larger business practices. The employee’s admission that…

The Senate moved the debate onto the floor and set the stage for a long, heated argument over a federal voter ID measure, with Republicans pushing for stricter rules and Democrats opposing them on grounds of access and fairness. The article outlines the vote, the partisan split, and the practical and political implications of trying to make voter identification a nationwide standard. The Republican-led Senate on Tuesday voted to open what is likely to be a lengthy and rancorous floor fight over a bill to implement strict voter identification rules in federal elections. That motion to proceed is the opening…

St. Patrick’s Day: how a Christian feast became a wider celebration of Irish culture Every March 17 people across the United States pull on green, pour a pint, and look for any excuse to celebrate Irish culture. What started as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become a mix of faith, folklore, food, and upbeat public pageantry. Cities big and small mark the day with parades, music, and a playful commitment to all things emerald. Saint Patrick himself was a fifth century missionary who helped bring Christianity to parts of Ireland. His story is part…

Afghanistan says Pakistan carried out an airstrike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul late Monday that killed at least 400 people, an incident that local leaders call a dramatic escalation in a long-running regional conflict. The report of at least 400 dead after an airstrike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in the Afghan capital shocked observers and raised immediate questions about responsibility, intent, and the rules of engagement. Afghan officials publicly accused Pakistan, framing the strike as an assault on a civilian facility. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes and overwhelmed local responders trying to pull survivors from rubble and provide…