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GOP Establishment Faces Heat Over SAVE America Act Hypocrisy
Sen. Mike Lee called out Senate Republican leadership for publicly pushing the SAVE America Act while privately urging advocates to drop the issue behind closed doors. The legislation, which passed the House earlier, requires proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and a photo ID to vote in federal elections. Lee highlighted the disconnect after reports of a GOP Senate lunch where some senators pushed to sideline the bill despite its overwhelming public support and backing from President Trump. Lee stressed that Republicans hold 50 votes plus the vice president for a simple majority and urged overcoming the filibuster through persistent effort rather than defeatism. Supporters, including Sen. Rick Scott, announced Trump would join the next Senate GOP lunch to advance the measure.
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Trump Administration Links Federal Grants To Stronger State Election Safeguards
The Trump administration is pressing states to strengthen election integrity by threatening to withhold tens of millions of dollars in Department of Homeland Security grants intended for counterterrorism and disaster preparedness. Key demands include shifting from electronic voting systems to hand-marked paper ballots, cross-checking voter rolls against the DHS citizenship verification database, verifying poll workers' citizenship, and conducting manual audits. These measures follow stalled congressional efforts on related legislation like the SAVE America Act, which would mandate proof of citizenship for voting. The grants exceed one billion dollars this fiscal year, with noncompliant states potentially losing a significant portion of the funding.
Judge Quashes DOJ Subpoenas Targeting Tim Walz Over Immigration Probe
A federal judge quashed multiple grand jury subpoenas issued by the Justice Department to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other state and local officials. U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled the subpoenas were part of an unlawful effort to harass and coerce Minnesota officials into assisting federal immigration enforcement during Operation Metro Surge. The 29-page opinion stated that the DOJ failed to provide a plausible investigatory justification and instead used the grand jury process to pressure officials over the stateâs resistance to the immigration crackdown. Schiltz emphasized that the federal government cannot constitutionally compel states to enforce federal immigration laws and described the subpoenas as extraordinarily broad.
Judge Blocks Trump Administration Database For Removing Noncitizens From Voter Rolls
A Biden-appointed federal judge shut down a Trump administration database on June 22, 2026, that states had used to identify and remove noncitizens from voter rolls. U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan issued a 75-page opinion vacating the modified Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system. The system, expanded under a Trump executive order, pooled citizenship and Social Security data from DHS and SSA for bulk checks by states. The judge ruled it violated privacy laws, including the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, the Privacy Act, and the Social Security Act, by creating a centralized database of Americansâ private information that risked inaccurate purges of eligible voters.
California Lawmakers Approve Tax Shift That Hits Private Health Insurance Premiums
California state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 125 on Thursday to adjust the managed care organization tax structure in response to federal rules. The change lowers the tax rate on Medi-Cal plans while raising it on private health insurance plans to match, setting the rate at $8.85 per enrollee per month for 2027 through 2029. This adjustment aims to maintain federal funding for the stateâs Medicaid program but is expected to increase costs for private plans. Health industry groups warn that insurers will pass on the roughly $1.5 billion annual hit to consumers, potentially adding hundreds of dollars a year to family premiums on top of existing rate hikes. Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill before the end of June, pending federal approval.
Rep. Wesley Hunt Calls Racial Arguments Against Voter ID Insulting
Rep. Wesley Hunt, a Republican from Texas, spoke out in Congress against Democratic claims that requiring voter identification discriminates against minority voters. He described such arguments as condescending and rooted in the soft bigotry of low expectations, noting that black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans can obtain government IDs just like everyone else. Hunt highlighted that identification is routinely needed for everyday activities such as boarding planes, buying alcohol, or accessing government services. He shared personal experience with multiple forms of ID and contrasted modern voting requirements with the actual hardships of the Jim Crow era, which his parents lived through. Hunt urged support for the SAVE America Act to ensure election integrity through proof of citizenship and photo ID, emphasizing that free and fair elections benefit all citizens regardless of race.
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Kamala Harris Calls for Discussion on Scrapping Electoral College After 2024 Loss
Former Vice President Kamala Harris said the United States should consider eliminating the Electoral College. She made the comment during a June 2026 interview on Don Lemonâs podcast. Harris responded to a question about the institution by stating it needs examination and that it âshould be a discussion that we should have.â The remarks came as Democrats continue processing her 226-312 Electoral College defeat to President Donald Trump in November 2024, a contest in which Trump also won the popular vote by roughly 1.5 percentage points and more than two million votes. Harris agreed with broader talk of shaking up rules and structures during the conversation, which also touched on Supreme Court expansion.
Pritzker Signs Record Illinois Budget With 800 Million Dollars in New Taxes
Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Illinoisâ fiscal year 2027 budget into law on June 16, 2026. The nearly $56 billion spending plan is the largest in state history and includes roughly $800 million in new annual taxes and fees targeting businesses. These cover digital advertising services at 10 percent on gross receipts over one million dollars, social media platform fees scaled by user numbers, a 0.2 percent tax on digital asset transactions, a 15 percent tax on fantasy sports operator receipts, and a cap on corporate net operating loss deductions expected to raise $300 million. The budget takes effect July 1 with largely flat discretionary spending after supplemental appropriations, some minor tax relief such as delaying a gas tax hike, and various program fundings, but it faces criticism for adding burdens in a state with already high combined state and local tax rates.
EEOC Launches Probe Into National Education Association Over Antisemitism Claims
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has opened an investigation into the National Education Association following a complaint from the Brandeis Center Coalition to Combat Anti-Semitism. The filing accuses the nationâs largest teachers union of fostering a hostile environment for Jewish members through discriminatory practices that extend into K-12 classrooms. Specific incidents cited include the distribution of a map labeling Israel as Palestine, a Holocaust handbook that initially omitted mention of Jewish victims, and coordinated disruptions at the 2025 Representative Assembly in Portland, where Jewish delegates faced harassment from pro-Palestinian attendees wearing keffiyehs and flags. The NEA made some revisions after backlash but continued actions that critics say perpetuate bias. Union President Becky Pringle has denied the allegations and affirmed commitment to inclusion. The probe falls under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and aligns with broader federal scrutiny of antisemitism in education.
Lefty NYC Club Snubs Mamdani-Backed DSA Candidate Over Refusal to Condemn Hamas
A left-wing political club in Manhattan known as the Broadway Democrats endorsed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani but declined to back his preferred congressional candidate, Darializa Avila Chevalier, in the June 23 Democratic primary for New Yorkâs 13th District. The group instead chose to support incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat. Club leaders cited Chevalierâs repeated refusal to condemn Hamas or the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel during their endorsement meeting and a subsequent forum. At the March 12 meeting, she described questions about Hamas as ignoring 75 years of occupation and conditions in Gaza before what she called a genocide. She later stated she condemns Hamas but emphasized U.S. funding for what she termed indiscriminate slaughter. The Broadway Democrats criticized Israel on several points but affirmed belief in two states and the need for leaders focused on peace rather than hatred. Chevalier has deep ties to pro-Palestine activism, including organizing a Columbia University encampment and attending a Times Square protest the day after the October 7 attacks. Her backers include the Democratic Socialists of America and several progressive groups and officials. The heavily Democratic district covers parts of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.
China-Backed American Mogul Funds Campaign Against US AI Infrastructure
Neville Roy Singham, a Shanghai-based American tech mogul with documented ties to the Chinese Communist Party, has directed funding through a network of US nonprofits to oppose American artificial intelligence development and the data centers that support it. A Bitcoin Policy Institute report details how organizations linked to Singham have produced content for years criticizing US export controls on advanced semiconductors to China, quoting CCP officials, and portraying domestic data centers as elements of a new Cold War. Lawmakers, including Sen. Tom Cotton, have called for Justice Department investigations into these foreign influence efforts targeting US AI infrastructure. Singhamâs network includes groups such as Code Pink and Tricontinental, which amplify narratives about environmental and health risks from data centers while China advances its own AI capabilities.
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Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Prime Minister in Tearful Speech
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation outside No 10 Downing Street on Monday. He appeared emotional with his voice shaking as he thanked his family and reflected on his time in office. Starmer had informed King Charles of his decision and pledged full support to his successor. His premiership lasted about 23 months following Labourâs 2024 election victory. Pressure mounted after poor local election results where Labour lost over 1 400 council seats and Reform UK gained ground. Additional challenges included fallout from the Autumn Budget, internal party discontent with around 100 MPs reportedly calling for his exit, and Andy Burnhamâs recent by-election win. Starmer defended his record by noting he inherited a struggling Labour Party and highlighted achievements such as support for Ukraine and efforts to reduce child poverty. He plans to focus on family life after stepping down as Labour leader with a new one expected before Parliamentâs September return and no general election triggered.
Trump Vows Hard Strike on Iran Over Hezbollah Trouble in Lebanon
President Donald Trump warned Iran on June 21, 2026, that it must immediately stop its proxies in Hezbollah from causing trouble in Lebanon. Trump posted on Truth Social that failure to do so would result in the United States hitting Iran very hard again, just like the strikes carried out the previous week, only harder. The comments came as Vice President JD Vance engaged in talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, under a 60-day ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. That agreement covers efforts toward a longer-term peace deal and addresses the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, where Israeli operations target the Iran-backed group. Vance noted that the US has done more than any other government to stop the conflict in Lebanon in recent months.
De La Espriella Wins Tight Colombian Presidential Runoff
Abelardo de la Espriella, a right-wing lawyer and political outsider, secured victory in Colombiaâs 2026 presidential runoff election with roughly 49.66 percent of the vote to IvĂĄn Cepedaâs 48.7 percent. With over 99 percent of ballots counted, de la Espriella led by about 250,000 votes out of nearly 26 million cast in the June 21 contest. The Trump-endorsed candidate campaigned on tough measures against crime, armed groups, drug trafficking, and corruption, including plans for mega-prisons and coca eradication. Cepeda, a leftist senator backed by outgoing President Gustavo Petro, challenged the preliminary results without conclusive evidence of irregularities, while de la Espriella claimed victory and received congratulations from regional conservative leaders. The win marks a shift toward the right in Colombia after years of leftist governance.
Brezhnev Great-Grandson Captured by Ukraine in Putin War
Anton Milaev, the adopted great-grandson of former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, has been taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces. The 45-year-old joined the Russian military last fall as a combat engineer. He lost contact with his family around November 2025. Reports indicate he was captured in a de-occupied area of Ukraineâs Kherson region while fighting for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian Telegram channels and Ukrainian sources confirmed the development with his mother informed of the detention. The exact details of his capture and prospects for any prisoner exchange stay unclear. Brezhnev led the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982 in a period marked by stagnation.
Father Kills American Teen Daughter in Pakistan Over TikTok Videos
Police in Quetta, Pakistan, arrested Anwar ul-Haq after he confessed to shooting his American-born teenage daughter, Hira Anwar, dead on a street. The girl, reported as between 13 and 15 years old, had lived most of her life in New York before her family moved back to Pakistan. Ul-Haq, who also holds U.S. citizenship and previously worked for Uber, objected to her posting videos on TikTok that he and relatives viewed as objectionable, along with her dressing, lifestyle, and social activities. He initially claimed unknown gunmen carried out the attack but later admitted pulling the trigger. Authorities are investigating the case as a possible honor killing, with his brother-in-law also arrested in connection with the incident.
