Author: Darnell Thompkins

The U.S. fielded a one-way attack drone, built by reverse-engineering an Iranian model and then used against Iran, marking a notable milestone in Operation Epic Fury and shifting the tactical conversation around autonomous strike tools and deterrence. The Pentagon’s move to deploy a one-way attack drone adapted from an Iranian design shows a new level of battlefield creativity. That platform, altered and used in combat, signals a willingness to turn an adversary’s technology back on them. This development changes the tempo of operations and raises questions about how the United States will manage risks and advantages going forward. This is…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was photographed firing a pistol alongside his teenage daughter during an inspection of a light munitions factory, with state media presenting the moment as part of efforts to modernize conventional forces. State media released photos showing Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter firing pistols during an inspection of a light munitions factory. The images were framed as evidence that Pyongyang is pushing to modernize its conventional weapons and industry. The presence of his daughter alongside him adds a family-front image to a clearly political display. The pistols in the pictures are a striking…

This piece argues that the 2024 moment gives one leader the chance to act decisively on a broad conservative mandate and that seizing it will shape America’s future. Conservatives have clear priorities and voters handed a mandate that demands action, not dithering. There is no neutral ground when institutions and cultural norms are under strain, and leaders must choose whether to defend them. The moment calls for bold policy moves that reflect the values voters just affirmed. That means translating promises into law, courts, and appointments quickly and clearly. “Trump has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to deliver on a mandate that…

Progressive prosecutors touted as reformers are under fresh scrutiny after a Virginia case where lenient charging decisions tied to Soros-backed priorities are blamed for tragic consequences. Talk of reform has been loud, but outcomes matter more than slogans. When prosecutors reshape charging priorities, the effects ripple through victims, defendants, and communities. Recent events in Virginia show those choices can have catastrophic results. Progressive prosecutors frame their approach as a recalibration of what counts as punishment and who deserves second chances. In practice, though, critics argue those policies sometimes translate into reduced charges, lighter plea offers, or outright declines to prosecute…

Attorney General Pam Bondi relocated to a secure military base in the Washington area after receiving threats from drug cartels and from people angered over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Attorney General Pam Bondi has moved to a secure military facility in the Washington area following threats tied to drug cartels and to critics upset with her actions related to Jeffrey Epstein. The decision reflects a response to credible safety concerns rather than a political stunt. Officials handling such situations treat threats seriously, and this move is consistent with protecting a high-profile legal official. The core facts are…

Long security lines at several U.S. airports stretched into baggage claim and parking areas this weekend, signaling wider travel disruptions as a government shutdown drags on and renewing calls to rethink how we staff and run airport security. Travelers faced wait times that spilled out of terminals and into adjacent areas, creating crowded bottlenecks and frustration for families and business travelers. Airports and airlines scrambled to reroute passengers and manage space, while the public watched lines grow longer on social feeds and in terminals. The scene was a clear sign that the current approach to screening and staffing is brittle…

The FBI executed a grand jury subpoena and seized gigabytes of election records from Maricopa County, signaling a major federal expansion of probes into voting irregularities that touch multiple states and election cycles. The FBI recently removed a large tranche of election records from Maricopa County, Arizona, after a grand jury subpoena compelled production of electronic files from the county that serves Phoenix and roughly 4.4 million residents. Agents loaded gigabytes of data onto evidence drives, and body camera footage captured an agent saying, “One way or another, the records are coming with us today.” That language reflects a formal…

Senate Republicans pushed Tuesday to bolster President Trump’s claim that the Constitution does not require automatic birthright citizenship, pointing to language in the 14th Amendment and historical context as support for reexamining current practice. They framed the debate as a constitutional and practical question about who qualifies as subject to U.S. jurisdiction at birth. Republican senators argued that the text of the 14th Amendment, particularly the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” leaves room for interpretation and does not plainly guarantee unconditional birthright citizenship. They emphasized original intent and longstanding legal principles that could limit automatic citizenship for children of…

Former interim U.S. Attorney for D.C. Ed Martin is facing misconduct allegations from Washington ethics investigators after a letter he sent to Georgetown Law raised questions about the university’s DEI programs. The allegation centers on a letter Mr. Martin sent to Georgetown Law that questioned the direction and influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at the institution. Ethics investigators in Washington have labeled that correspondence the basis for a misconduct claim, turning a private critique into an official inquiry. This sequence landed a former top prosecutor into a public dispute over professional conduct and academic policy. As a matter…

The hourslong security lines at a handful of U.S. airports this week highlight the potential problems when a government shutdown coincides with the busy spring break travel season. This piece looks at how screening slowdowns ripple through travel, the strain on workers, the economic hit for local businesses, and the political responsibility for keeping airports running. Travelers hit airport lines that stretched for hours, and the immediate fallout was visible in missed flights and frayed tempers. Airports operate on tight schedules where a few delayed checkpoints clog the entire system. When the government falters, ordinary people feel it first at…