Author: Rana McCallister

A controversy at the Department of Homeland Security centers on claims that a temporary political appointee pushed for law enforcement privileges, then used influence in ways critics say harmed career officials and skirted standard safeguards. The story begins with allegations about Corey Lewandowski, a temporary special government employee at DHS and a close ally of Secretary Kristi Noem, who reportedly pushed to obtain a federally issued gun and badge—privileges normally reserved for trained law enforcement. Sources say that request triggered alarm among career staff who saw it as a potential bypass of required training and authority. Lewandowski disputes the claim…

The annual White House Christmas ornament is celebrating its 45th edition with a nostalgic look back at state dinners during the Reagan era, and the piece traces design choices, historical echoes, and the collectible appeal of presidential keepsakes. This year’s ornament leans into a clear theme: memories of formal White House gatherings from a distinct period. Designers pulled cues from table settings, lighting, and the kind of pageantry that marked state dinners in the 1980s. The result is an object meant to sit comfortably on a mantel and also carry a slice of institutional memory. The ornament’s 45th anniversary gives…

U.S. inflation cooled more than expected last month, and the official report was held up by the government shutdown, a mix that has markets watching Washington and the Federal Reserve closely. U.S. inflation decelerated unexpectedly last month, the government said in a report that was delayed by the government shutdown. That delay itself is a reminder that political dysfunction can complicate how Americans see economic news and how markets react. The timing of the release matters because investors and policymakers make decisions off the data they trust. The surprise slowdown eases some pressure on the Federal Reserve to rush into…

Physicians, ethics, and end-of-life choices collide in a debate about what counts as true compassion and how medicine should protect patients. The push to broaden options at the end of life has become a heated argument about what medicine is supposed to do. Some see legal change as progress and compassion in action, while others worry about the message it sends for vulnerable patients. This piece looks at the tension between relieving suffering and protecting life from a clear, conservative perspective. ‘The doctors who advocate for it call it compassion, but ethical doctors are healers, not killers.’ That line captures…

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced Wednesday he will be departing the FBI next month, after weeks of speculation about his future in the post. Dan Bongino’s announced departure from the FBI next month ends a period of intense speculation about who runs the bureau and why. Conservatives have long argued that the FBI needs clearer accountability, and this news sharpens those questions. It also forces a closer look at leadership stability inside a critical agency. The timing matters because the FBI handles high-stakes national security and criminal investigations that affect everyday Americans. When senior leaders leave amid rumors and…

A clear look at the Love Life Initiative and why the Hawleys launched it to back families and childbearing. The Hawleys created the Love Life Initiative because they saw broad cultural support for families and wanted policy to match that sentiment. They argue that having children and raising families should be encouraged and supported by communities and government alike. This effort blends cultural messaging with practical policy proposals aimed at reversing trends that discourage parenthood. Widespread support for having kids and raising a family is exactly why the Hawleys say they created Love Life Initiative. At its core, the initiative…

Australian actress Rachael Carpani, best known for McLeod’s Daughters and roles in American television, has died at 45 after a long illness, her family announced. Rachael Carpani’s family has confirmed she passed away at the age of 45 following a prolonged battle with chronic illness. The news has been met with shock and grief from fans and colleagues who remember her work across Australian and American television. Her death was described as unexpected but peaceful by those closest to her. “It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani,…

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia are suing President Donald Trump’s administration for what they say is the unlawful withholding of over $2 billion dollars in funding for two electric Sixteen states and the District of Columbia are suing President Donald Trump’s administration for what they say is the unlawful withholding of over $2 billion dollars in funding for two electric. That sentence, lifted from the original report, lands at the center of a dispute about executive control over federal dollars and how much deference courts should give to an administration’s budget choices. The lawsuit opens a test of…

President Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC on Monday, accusing the broadcaster of defamation and deceptive and unfair trade practices. The filing accuses the BBC of publishing false and damaging claims about the former president and seeks $10 billion in damages. The suit frames the case as both defamation and deceptive or unfair trade practices, which signals a broad legal strategy. That dual approach aims to attack both the content of the reporting and the business conduct behind it. From a Republican viewpoint this is about holding powerful media institutions accountable for careless or hostile coverage. Supporters…

This article examines the Bondi Beach attack, the immediate response, the gun-control debate it reopened, and the rising threat of antisemitism as it plays out in liberal democracies. The attack at Bondi Beach, where a father and son opened fire on a Hanukkah gathering, was a travesty of the first order and a horror for everyone present. A Jewish celebration turned into a slaughter, with people shot while trying to mark a holiday with family and friends. The scene exposed failures in prevention and response that deserve sharp scrutiny. According to reports, and stop me if you’ve heard this one…