Author: Rana McCallister

Debate over whether ICE truly targets the “worst of the worst” reignited after a Department of Homeland Security document obtained by CBS News showed just 14% fitting that label, forcing questions about priorities, data interpretation, and political motives. Leftists claim that figure proves President Donald Trump exaggerated when he said Immigration and Customs Enforcement focuses on the “worst of the worst.” That attack rests on a narrow read of a single internal document, and it treats complex enforcement choices as if they were simple sound bites. The result is a political narrative that sidelines operational realities. Critics point to percentages…

Senator Susan Collins’s support moved the SAVE America Act into new territory, changing the Senate math and putting a sharper spotlight on the filibuster, GOP strategy, and competing views on federal election rules. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican, announced backing for the House-passed SAVE America Act, which requires documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections and a photo ID for in-person voting. Her support raises the Senate tally to at least 50 supporters, enough to advance the bill with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie. That shift forces Senate leaders to decide timing and tactics for the…

The U.S. military reportedly used Anthropic’s AI tool Claude in its operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The report that Anthropic’s AI tool Claude played a role in the operation that captured former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro raises immediate questions about how we use cutting-edge tech in national security missions. Republicans should welcome tools that help keep Americans and allies safe, but we must demand clear rules and accountability. This development forces a national conversation about oversight, partnerships with private firms, and the limits of automation in life-and-death decisions. The basics are straightforward: an advanced language model developed…

The Navy removed the commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason on Friday, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command during a critical phase of the ship’s pre-deploy preparations. The move came suddenly on Friday and was announced as an action taken because leaders said they no longer trusted the commanding officer to lead during an important stage of getting the ship ready to leave port. Those words carry a lot of weight in naval service, and the phrase “loss of confidence” is the formal language the Navy uses when commanders are relieved for cause. The…

Analilia Mejia, a progressive activist and former Bernie Sanders national political director, edged out a crowded field to win the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 11th congressional district, beating former Rep. Tom Malinowski and claiming 29.3% of the vote in a race that revealed deep divisions inside the Democratic Party. Analilia Mejia’s victory over Tom Malinowski and a dozen other contenders makes one thing clear: the Democratic base in NJ-11 favored a hard-left organizer over a moderate with establishment backing. The Associated Press projected the result Thursday, one week after the Feb. 5 special election, and Mejia finished with 29.3%.…

Northern California is staring down a strong winter storm during the holiday weekend, with mountain communities expecting several feet of snow and travel conditions set to deteriorate. The holiday weekend has a twist this year as a robust winter system moves into Northern California, pushing cold air and heavy precipitation into mountain zones. Local officials have issued a winter storm watch for much of the region and communities are preparing for significant snowfall totals. Travelers should be aware that timing and intensity could change, but models consistently point to heavy accumulations at higher elevations. Mountain passes and resort towns are…

The Virginia Supreme Court’s recent action handed Democrats a partisan advantage by greenlighting a rushed congressional map that could flip four traditionally red U.S. House seats to blue, setting up a high-stakes battle over representation and fairness in the midterms. The state court’s timing and ruling created a fast lane for a new map that critics say benefits one party more than the voters. Lawmakers moved quickly to approve the plan, and Democrats are forecast to gain ground in what had been competitive or Republican-held districts. That sudden shift has national implications for control of the U.S. House. Republicans view…

A federal judge has blocked ICE from making arrests inside churches except when a clear, immediate threat to public safety exists. The judge ruled Friday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement moving to arrest people inside houses of worship crosses a constitutional line and violates religious liberty. The order prevents routine enforcement actions at churches unless agents can point to an urgent danger that justifies breaking that normally protected space. That puts religious freedom front and center against routine immigration enforcement practices. This decision answers a real tension: congregations expect their sanctuaries to be safe places, and many Americans want…

TrumpRx aims to bring down prescription costs with a market-driven plan promising transparency, competition, and practical fixes to pharmacy middlemen that have driven prices up for years. With the launch of TrumpRx to deliver lower drug prices, it seems that critics are few and far between. Supporters say the program tackles the real drivers of high costs instead of chasing symbolic measures. That makes it a straightforward pitch to voters frustrated by rising health expenses and confusing bills. The package leans on competition and transparency rather than sweeping new federal control. It pushes for clearer pricing so patients know what…

On the 10-year mark since his death, this piece recalls Justice Antonin Scalia’s most memorable moments and lasting influence on American law and conservative thought. Justice Scalia cut a distinct figure on the bench, mixing sharp legal reasoning with a biting sense of humor that landed in court transcripts and opinion pages alike. His style was confrontational but precise, and he never softened legal theory to fit political trends. For many, those traits are the core of what made his work so memorable. Scalia was the face of textualism and originalism, insisting that statutes and the Constitution mean what the…