Wednesday, March 25, 2026

March 25, 2026

Good morning,

Welcome to the news for independent thinkers

Leading the News . . .

82nd Airborne tapped as specter of Iran ground war begins to loom . . . The Pentagon is deploying 3,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East as Operation Epic Fury against Iran escalates, signaling a possible shift beyond air and naval strikes. Command elements are already moving as Washington weighs ground options, with speculation swirling about targeting strategic sites like Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. The move marks a serious step toward deeper U.S. involvement alongside Israel. Daily Wire

Iran rejects Trump's 15-point peace plan as 'empty promises' . . . Tehran slammed President Trump's 15-point peace proposal, with military spokesman Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari declaring that Iran will never compromise with Washington. The clerical regime dismissed talks as a ploy, framing Operation Epic Fury as a U.S. defeat and warning against trusting American overtures. "The one claiming to be a global superpower would have already gotten out of this mess if it could. Don't dress up your defeat as an agreement," Zolfaghari said. "Your era of empty promises has come to an end. New York Post

US, Israeli officials insist Iran's speaker is negotiating despite denials

Trump says Iran gave the US 'a very big present' related to oil and gas

That's so nice of them!

Politics

Transgender sports ballot fights emerge as GOP turnout weapon . . . Ballot initiatives protecting women's sports are shaping up as a potent turnout driver for Republicans, with polling showing overwhelming support across party lines. Consultant Tom Mooney points to sky-high backing among GOP voters and strong numbers even among Democrats, arguing the issue could mobilize base voters in low-turnout elections. Framed as a return to "common sense," the push highlights a cultural flashpoint Republicans see as politically advantageous in November. Just the News

Trump team eyes reconciliation to force SAVE America Act through Senate . . . The Trump administration is exploring a procedural end-run to pass the SAVE America Act, with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin pointing to budget reconciliation as the vehicle. The move would sidestep the 60-vote hurdle that has stalled the bill, which mandates proof of citizenship and nationwide voter ID. Framed as essential to election security, the push signals a willingness to stretch Senate rules to deliver a top Trump priority. Daily Signal

Minnesota sues Trump administration over shootings, including deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good

Florida upset rocks Trump's Mar-a-Lago backyard . . . Democrats clawed out a narrow, symbolic win in a Palm Beach district anchored by Mar-a-Lago, as Emily Gregory edged Republican Jon Maples by fewer than 800 votes out of more than 33,000 cast. The seat, vacated by Mike Caruso's move to county office, had been comfortably red, with Trump carrying it by double digits and Caruso winning big. The razor-thin flip hints at shifting ground in a place long assume. New York Post

Noem faces DHS probe over no-bid contract scandal . . . Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and rumored lover/adviser Corey Lewandowski are under a sweeping inspector general investigation tied to billions in no-bid contracts, with officials ordered to preserve communications as scrutiny widens. The probe follows mounting concerns over insider dealings and a flashy $220 million ad campaign that drew backlash. Daily Mail

Jack Smith Secretly Sought Nearly Two Years Of Kash Patel's Phone Records, Subpoenas Show

Consent Decree Marks Final Defeat of 'Orwellian' Biden 'Censorship Regime' . . . Republican attorneys general from Louisiana and Missouri secured a consent decree blocking federal officials from pressuring social media platforms to police speech, targeting tactics used during the COVID-19 era. They argue the Biden White House and health agencies leaned on threats to Section 230 protections to push censorship of dissenting views. The agreement marks a legal check on government-tech coordination critics cast as heavy-handed and ripe for abuse. Daily Signal

Culture

Cassidy probes pediatric groups over Biden-era gender transition guidance . . . Sen. Bill Cassidy is escalating scrutiny of medical societies accused of coordinating with the Biden administration to relax standards for minors' gender transition treatments. Letters sent to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society seek details on communications with federal health officials about lowering age thresholds. Washington Examiner

Maryland bill mandates tampons in men's restrooms . . . A proposal from Maryland Democrat Ken Kerr is stirri ng backlash after requiring public buildings to stock men's restrooms with menstrual products. House Bill 941 mandates "appropriately sized" tampons and similar items in every public restroom, redefining standard facility provisions. Critics see the measure as blurring basic biological lines and expanding government mandates into contentious cultural territory. Breitbart

Plans for Muslim city in Texas scrapped after secrecy backlash . . . A proposed Muslim-based city in rural Kaufman County, Texas, was canceled after residents raised alarms over secrecy and alleged it was an attempt to establish a "sharia city." Republican Rep. Lance Gooden confirmed the project's end following a Daily Caller investigation and local outcry. Attorney General Ken Paxton's office had opened a formal probe into the plans, which had sparked fears of unaccountable governance and stirred political controversy in the community. Daily Caller

National Security

DHS shutdown deal stalls as Trump signals skepticism . . . A proposal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security is under fire from both parties after momentum appeared to build. Senate Republicans and the White House had suggested Trump would back funding the 40-day-closed department, but he said Tuesday he would take a "hard look," leaving the deal uncertain. The plan funds most of DHS, with ICE getting additional money via reconciliation. The Hill

Here's the thing about the airport lines that supposedly were going to cause this to end. Many airports don't have them, and in any given month, the vast majority of voters are not getting on an airplane.

Supreme Court wrestles with fuzzy line on asylum at U.S. border . . . The Supreme Court grappled Tuesday with defining when migrants "arrive" at the U.S. border for asylum purposes. Justices questioned whether people lingering just outside the country in Mexico or Canada qualify for the same protections as those physically inside. Justice Amy Coney Barrett pressed on how close is "close enough," Washington Times

International

Lefty influencers party in Cuba as locals languish in blackout . . . Cuba's faltering communist regime sticks to form, enforcing equal hardship at home while rolling out perks for friendly outsiders. A weekend junket brought activists and social media influencers to the island, where they enjoyed curated comforts even as ordinary Cubans faced shortages, hunger, and power outages. Daily Signal

Money

Burgum: Iran energy price shock a matter of weeks, not months . . . Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stressed President Donald Trump is 'empathetic' about rising prices. Oil has surged to $120 a barrel with wild swings since U.S. and Israeli strikes triggered retaliation targeting energy infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz. With a fifth of global crude at risk, diesel has hit $5 and gas nears $4, raising pressure on consumers and testing the administration's response. Politico

Same thing I say about UFOs: I'll believe it when I see it.

Amazon is practically giving away Apple bestsellers — Save up to $300 at the Spring Sale

You should also know

People 65 and older can get better with age by simply having a positive mindset, study shows . . . Research shows that how people view aging can create self-reinforcing cycles: believing you can stay useful and improve with age encourages exercise, socializing, and volunteering. These activities boost confidence and mood, which in turn motivates more positive behaviors. Studies highlight that a healthy attitude toward growing older isn't just psychological—it directly shapes lifestyle choices and overall well-being. Washington Post

Tucker Carlson calls for U.S. to share power with China, says American military can't defend Taiwan . . . Former Fox host Tucker Carlson shocked followers by downplaying Communist China as a threat and calling for shared global power with Beijing, arguing America is too weak to defend Taiwan. Carlson claims U.S. military limits have been reached. Washington Times

House clears way for supersonic flights over U.S. . . . The House voted unanimously to legalize supersonic passenger flights, potentially ending a 50-year ban that has grounded faster-than-sound travel over land. The 1973 FAA restriction, driven by noise concerns, blocked U.S. airlines from developing supersonic jets. With the bill now headed to the Senate, Americans could soon see commercial flights that dramatically cut travel times. Fox Business

Guilty Pleasures

Michigan's El-Sayed Said He Did 'Time' After His Arrest at a Minimum Wage Protest. He Got a Ticket . . . Michgan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is facing scrutiny after boasting to a union crowd that he "did time" following a 2018 protest arrest. Police records tell a smaller story: a brief detention in a van, a misdemeanor ticket, and charges dropped months later. Washington Free Beacon

Okay, but the officer who gave him the ticket was very mean.

Keith Koffler

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