(TStarnes) – The United States carried out airstrikes tonight in Syria against Iranian proxy forces, Fox News reports.

“Today, at President Biden’s direction, “U.S. military forces conducted self-defense strikes on two facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. “These precision self-defense strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups that began on October 17.”

The airstrikes were reportedly in response to recent attacks on U.S. bases that left nearly two dozen American service members injured.

“When someone attacks the United States, we have to respond back,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) said. “It shows you how serious this overall situation is.”

F-15s and F-16s were used in the strikes.

The airstrikes came just after word was announced that 900 troops were being sent to the Middle East.

As a result of these attacks, one U.S. citizen contractor died from a cardiac incident while sheltering in place; 21 U.S. personnel suffered from minor injuries, but all have since returned to duty, the Defense Secretary said.

Austin warned that further aggression with not be tolerated.

“The United States does not seek conflict and has no intention nor desire to engage in further hostilities, but these Iranian-backed attacks against U.S. forces are unacceptable and must stop,” he said. “Iran wants to hide its hand and deny its role in these attacks against our forces. We will not let them. If attacks by Iran’s proxies against U.S. forces continue, we will not hesitate to take further necessary measures to protect our people.”

toddstarnes.com/military-2/bulletin-u-s-carries-out-airstrikes-in-syria/

(SNews) – Democrat President Joe Biden’s administration is being sued by the state of Texas after the federal government destroyed a security fence along the Southern Border to allow entry to illegal migrants.

Texas filed a lawsuit against the Biden admin on Tuesday.

The case seeks to prevent Biden’s federal agencies from illegally cutting and destroying razor-wire fencing placed along the southern border by state officials.

In the lawsuit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and Border Patrol are named as defendants.

The lawsuit also names DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, CBP Acting Commissioner Troy Miller, Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens, and Acting Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Juan Bernal.

The complaint states that the federal government is “undermining Texas’s efforts to stem the flow of illegal immigration.”

“The Biden Administration’s abdication of its duty to secure the border has allowed millions of aliens to illegally cross into Texas and the United States in record numbers.”

CBP encountered roughly 458,000 migrants at the Southern Border in fiscal year 2020 and 1.7 million in 2021.

In 2022, the number soared to nearly 2.4 million.

The complaint notes that between fiscal year 2019 and 2022, the number of detected “gotaways” increased by 303%.

“But the border crisis is not just limited to harms of this unprecedented influx of unlawful immigration,” the Texas lawsuit continued.

“It also includes deadly drug smuggling, human trafficking, infiltration by suspected terrorists, and other criminal drug cartel activities.

“To date, in FY2023, CBP has seized over 22,000 pounds of fentanyl — compared with 8,300 pounds over the same period in FY2022.”

Texas has been working to “fill the breach created by the federal government’s indolence,” according to Paxton’s suit.

In 2021, Republican Governor Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star, an initiative that aims to curb illegal immigration by utilizing several state agencies, including the Texas Military Department.

To fill gaps in the U.S.-Mexico border that have been left exposed by the federal government, the TMD purchased and installed concertina-wire fencing along the southern border with permission from landowners.

According to the lawsuit, CBP has cut Texas’ strategically placed razor-wire fencing on previous occasions but has recently ramped up its efforts to destroy the barriers “without any justification.”

“Since September 20, 2023, federal agents have developed and implemented a policy, pattern, or practice of destroying Texas’s concertina wire to encourage and assist thousands of aliens to illegally cross the Rio Grande and enter Texas,” the lawsuit claims.

“Federal agents not only cut Texas’s concertina wire but also attach ropes or cables from the back of pickup trucks to ease aliens’ ability to illegally climb up the riverbank into Texas.

“And they regularly cut new openings in the wire fence, sometimes immediately after Texas officers have placed new wire to plug up gaps in fencing barriers.”

The complaint accused the Biden admin of illegally destroying Texas’s property and disrupting the state’s efforts to secure the border.

“Texas brings this lawsuit to end this ongoing, unlawful practice which undermines its border security efforts,” the lawsuit added.

“This Court can and should enjoin the federal defendants from continuing to destroy and damage private property that is not theirs — without statutory authority and in violation of both state and federal law.”

Paxton stated Tuesday, “Texas has the sovereign right to construct border barriers to prevent the entry of illegal aliens.”

“Americans across the country were horrified to watch Biden’s open-border policy in action: Agents were physically cutting wires and assisting the aliens’ entry into our state,” Paxton continued.

“This is illegal. It puts our country and our citizens at risk.

“The courts must put a stop to it, or Biden’s free-for-all will make this crushing immigration crisis even worse.”

slaynews.com/news/texas-sues-biden-admin-illegally-destroying-security-fence-southern-border/

(TStarnes) – Students at George Washington University held a grossly offensive protest in support of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. That attack left over a thousand Israelis dead.

The pro-terrorist students at GWU projected messages on the wall of the campus library.

“Glory to Our Martyrs,” one message read.

The @StopAntisemitism Twitter account is now calling on George Washington University President Ellen M. Granberg “to immediately expel those involved.”

The university released a statement:

On Tuesday evening, the university became aware of several unauthorized projections on a campus building. The projections on the university’s library violated university policy, and leadership intervened to ensure that these projections were removed.

The statements made by these individuals in no way reflect the views of the university. We are reviewing this incident and will take any appropriate steps with respect to the individuals involved in accordance with university policies.

We recognize the distress, hurt, and pain this has caused for many members of our community. The university will continue to communicate with all members of its community about the support resources available during this difficult time.

President Granberg will be communicating directly with the university community on this matter.

– GWU

Imagine being a Jewish student at George Washington University. And then imagine having to walk across campus in the dark of night knowing there are classmates who want to kill you. Imagine having to take a class for your degree and the professor is pro-Palestinian. Imagine having to live in fear every single day on American soil.

That’s not right, America. That’s not right.

George Washington University – students are projecting horrifying messages onto a school library building glorifying Hamas terrorists that beheaded babies, raped teenage girls, and murdered 1400+ people.

We call on President @PresidentofGW to immediately expel those involved.… pic.twitter.com/tecz0R7zF2

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 25, 2023

toddstarnes.com/campus/glory-to-our-martyrs-george-washington-u-students-celebrate-hamas-terrorists/

(TStarnes) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered the chancellor of the State University System of Florida to deactivate the “Students for Justice in Palestine” group.

The anti-Semitic organization had sent out a “toolkit” inviting members to aid Hamas in their terrorist attacks against Israel.

“Based on the National SJP’s support of terrorism, in consultation with Governor DeSantis, the student chapters must be deactivated,” state university system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues wrote Tuesday. “The state contends that the groups are violating a state law that makes it felony to “knowingly provide material support … to a designated foreign terrorist organization.”

The student groups have made statements supportive of Hamas’s Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel.

“National SJP has affirmatively identified it is part of the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood—a terrorist led attack,” Rodrigues wrote Tuesday.

At least two universities in Florida had group chapters.

“During a holy Jewish holiday, the recognized terrorist organization, Hamas, launched an unprovoked attack on Israel – among those killed were babies, women, and elderly,” Rodrigues said.

Breaking: Gov. @RonDeSantis directed the chancellor of the State University System of Florida to deactivate the "Students for Justice in Palestine" group after it was revealed they sent out a "toolkit" inviting members to aid Hamas in their Operation Al-Aqsa Flood terrorist… pic.twitter.com/bMmoI2ZKt1

— Andy Ngô 🏳️‍🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) October 24, 2023

toddstarnes.com/campus/desantis-shuts-down-anti-israel-college-clubs-in-florida/

(SNews) – Democrat President Joe Biden’s White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre provoked a backlash from all sides when she appeared to downplay a rise in anti-Semitism.

During Monday’s White House press briefing, Jean-Pierre was asked about the rise in anti-Semitism following the recent attacks against Israel from Islamic terrorist group Hamas.

However, rather than address the issue, Jean-Pierre refused to comment and, instead, swiftly pivoted to condemn anti-Muslim attacks.

Following a widespread backlash, Jean-Pierre is now trying to gaslight the American people by claiming she didn’t hear the question.

“Yes, I did mishear the question,” Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

“As I have footstomped many times from the podium and on the air, anti-Semitism is an abomination that this president has fought against his entire life; and I feel strongly about that work.

“That’s why, in the briefing room, I have blasted the repulsive increase in anti-Semitic rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and hate crimes in our nation, calling out that, tragically, this is a rising threat,” she claimed.

“And it’s a threat the president is taking concrete action every day to fight.”

The ordeal began when Jean-Pierre was asked about President Biden’s “level of concern” about anti-Semitism.

Anti-Semitism, specifically among Muslim and left-wing groups, has bubbled up across America since Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on October 7.

“We have not seen any credible threats, I know there’s always questions about credible threats, and so I just want to make sure that’s out there,” Jean-Pierre said, seemingly responding to the question that she didn’t “mishear.”

“But look, Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks, and certainly President Biden understands that many of our Muslim, Arab, Arab-American, and Palestinian-American loved ones and neighbors are worried about the hate being directed at their communities and that is something you heard the president speak to in his address just last Thursday,” Jean-Pierre added.

Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO Jonathan Greenblatt posted on Twitter/X that he had “no clue” what Jean-Pierre was trying to say.

“Of course, all hate crimes are bad, but the question was about antisemitism,” Greenblatt wrote.

“@ADL has tracked a massive increase in antisemitic incidents in the past 2 weeks – on top of the historic levels of anti-Jewish hate we’ve already been seeing.

“From college campuses to social media, workplaces to public spaces, there’s an antisemitism crisis in America,” Greenblatt continued.

“More people will get hurt if this doesn’t stop.

“This is not a matter of politics but of good vs. evil.

“I’m glad @POTUS gets it – but there should be no confusion here.”

Greenblatt’s ADL has kept a running list of antisemitic incidents worldwide, listing everything from Holocaust memorials being defaced to death threats against a Jewish family.

The group reported over 100 anti-Semitic incidents in the United States since the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel by Hamas.

In addition, there have been multiple caught-on-camera incidents of people tearing down posters meant to raise awareness for the kidnapped Israeli civilians who were taken by Hamas terrorists.

Greenblatt wasn’t the only person stunned by Jean-Pierre’s answer on Monday.

Fox News Radio host Guy Benson wrote, “No credible threats?

“It’s *everywhere* right now.”

Journalist Yashar Ali called Jean-Pierre’s answer “odd.”

“It’s not an issue that she talked about Muslims and Arabs, rather that she seemingly dismissed antisemitism threats,” Ali wrote.

He also shared a clip from earlier this year of Jean-Pierre discussing the White House’s plan to combat anti-Semitism.

This is odd…

Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about antisemitism and said there were no credible threats and pivoted to talking about anti-Muslim/anti-Arab hate.

It’s not an issue that she talked about Muslims and Arabs, rather that she seemingly dismissed antisemitism threats.… pic.twitter.com/ZJ0rcK54eA

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 23, 2023

Fox News’ Joe Concha quoted a clip of Jean-Pierre’s answer and simply wrote, “What the actual hell?”

Many others pointed out that there have been “gas the Jews” chants, while others responded with personal stories of recent anti-Semitism.

Author Christina Hoff Sommers asked, “Might she have misheard?”

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) blasted the “weak” answer from Jean-Pierre.

“What a weak answer,” Moskowitz wrote.

“And why are you looking in the book?

“What’s the approved answer?

“The simple answer is yes, you are concerned about the rise of antisemitism.

“Of course, we are also worried about hatred against Muslim Americans. Must do better.”

During another exchange on Monday, Jean-Pierre insisted the White House would “always” denounce anti-Semitism.

However, she seemingly defended pro-Hamas demonstrations by arguing that Americans have a right to peacefully protest.

The press secretary also responded to the criticism herself on social media, responding to Ali’s video of her widely panned answer.

“To be clear: the President and our team are very concerned about a rise in antisemitism, especially after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel,” Jean-Pierre wrote.

To be clear: the President and our team are very concerned about a rise in antisemitism, especially after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. https://t.co/oMeFDmZK66

— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) October 23, 2023

slaynews.com/news/karine-jean-pierre-tries-gaslight-public-remarks-downplaying-anti-semitism/

(TStarnes) – Ex-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is conspiring with Establishment Republicans to install an anti-Trump, anti-MAGA Speaker. The former House Speaker has thrown his support behind Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) in the speakership race.

McCarthy and Emmer worked together to pull funding from pro-Trump congressional candidates – a move that many blame for the 2022 midterm disaster. What was supposed to be a red wave turned out to be a trickle.

“Tom Emmer is an absolute never Trump politician,” a GOP strategist told Breitbart News. “He failed to secure the red wave. Worked for a Soros-funded group. Trashed President Trump to candidates and donors. He is Nancy Pelosi in a suit, but with less balls to do anything.”

In the summer of 2019, Emmer defended Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) after patriots at a Trump rally chanted, “Send her back.”

“Tom Emmer has defended Ilhan Omar more than he has President Trump, which is all you need to know,” the top Trump ally said. “If you care about President Trump and America First policies, you should reject RINO Never Trumper Tom Emmer. He’s literally the worst.”

On Sunday McCarthy was asked on NBC’s Meet the Press whether he still identified as a MAGA Republican. He declined to answer the question.

From Time magazine:

As the head of the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2022, he reportedly implored Republican candidates in the midterms to distance themselves from Trump. And he’s been telling GOP donors that he won’t support Trump’s 2024 presidential primary campaign. “You can’t have the majority leader of the Republican Party being very anti-Trump and against his agenda,” one source close to Trump tells TIME. “That’s just not going to work. There’s no trust there.”

Time

House Republicans will meet later today behind closed doors to select a nominee. The official candidate list includes Jack Bergman (MI) Byron Donalds (FL) Tom Emmer (MN) Kevin Hern (OK) Mike Johnson (LA) Dan Meuser (PA) Gary Palmer (AL) Austin Scott (GA) Pete Sessions (TX)

toddstarnes.com/politics/mccarthy-conspiring-to-install-rino-speaker/

(TStarnes) – President Trump dropped some truth bombs on the dangerous illegals who have invaded our nation.

“If you hate America, if you want to abolish Israel, if you don’t like our religion — which a lot of them don’t — if you sympathize with jihadists, then we don’t want you in our country and you are not getting in,” the former president said at a New Hampshire campaign stop today.

“A vote for Crooked Joe is a vote to turn the United States into a hotbed of jihadists and make our cities into dumping grounds very much resembling the Gaza Strip,” Trump said. “Have you been to the Gaza Strip?”

He continued, “A vote for President Trump is a vote to secure the border and it’s a vote to keep radical Islamic terrorists the hell out of our country,” before vowing to “immediately restore and expand the Trump travel ban” and “halt all of the refugee settlements to the United States” on “day one” of his presidency.

Following is the president’s full quote:

They want to come in, they want to bring the same people that are shooting rockets at Israel, they want to come into the United States. I don’t think a lot of good things are going to happen. And I will implement strong ideological screening of all immigrants. If you hate America, if you want to abolish Israel, if you don’t like our religion — which a lot of them don’t — if you sympathize with jihadists, then we don’t want you in our country and you are not getting in.

toddstarnes.com/campus/trump-to-immigrants-if-you-hate-america-if-you-dont-lie-our-religion-youre-not-getting-in/

(CBrief) – A furious mob descended on President Joe Biden’s White House, and they had a frightening message for him.

The massive protest happened on Friday as the crowd accused Israel of “genocide” against Palestinians and accused the president of being complicit.

NewsNation reporter Kellie Meyer captured a photo of the protests and shared t on X, formerly Twitter, and described what the crowd was doing.

“A large pro Palestine protest grows outside the White House, as President Biden is scheduled to leave the White House at 4:40 pm Et for a campaign reception in DC. Calls of ‘shame on you,’” she said.

The group was chanting “Biden, Biden you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide!” as the president’s motorcade left the White House for a reception, reporter Virginia Allen said.

Other reporters shared videos of the protest, which was peaceful but massive, and it was not the first this past week.

Israeli’s war against Hamas continued to divide Americans on Monday, as more than 30 people were arrested following a protest at the White House.

The demonstrations were led by Jewish groups, specifically the IfNotNow Movement and Jewish Voice for Peace groups, according to ABC 7 News.

“Protesters were seen wearing articles of Jewish religious clothing and holding signs citing their Jewish faith as a reason to oppose the war. Demonstrators were arrested by Secret Service agents, who told the outlet the arrests were due to them crossing safety barriers or blocking entrances near the White House,” the Washington Examiner reported, citing the local ABC outlet.

The reports said that the IfNotNow Movement publicized the protest ahead of time, and demonstrators met at Farragut Square around noon. The demonstration was billed as one to “Stop Genocide of Palestinians.” The organization describes itself as “a movement of American Jews organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israel’s apartheid system and demand equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis.”

“With every passing day, hour, and minute, the Israeli military is making good on its promise to ‘open the gates of hell’ on the 2 million Palestinians trapped under Israeli siege in Gaza,” said a notice from the Jewish Voice for Peace group, per the Examiner.

“The loss of life over the last week has been staggering — almost too big to hold. But we must act now because the Israeli government is plowing forward toward a fully genocidal attack on Palestinians in Gaza. We must demand a ceasefire now,” the notice continued, the outlet reported.

The Biden White House and most members of Congress have pledged support for Israel, the United States’ principal ally in the Middle East, following a surprise attack by the Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas earlier this month.

The attack began with the launch of thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel and included Hamas fighters invading Israeli communities near the Gaza border, slaughtering hundreds of unarmed men, women, and children. More than 1,100 Israelis have been killed so far, according to various reports.

Israeli declared war on Hamas shortly after the attacks, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to wipe out Hamas as an organization.

President Joe Biden addressed the attacks last week shortly after they began.

“You know, there are moments in this life — and I mean this literally — when the pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world,” he said. “The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend. The bloody hands of the terrorist organization Hamas — a group whose stated purpose for being is to kill Jews.

“This was an act of sheer evil,” he continued. “More than 1,000 civilians slaughtered — not just killed, slaughtered — in Israel. Among them, at least 14 American citizens killed. Parents butchered using their bodies to try to protect their children. Stomach-turning reports of being — babies being killed. Entire families slain. Young people massacred while attending a musical festival to celebrate peace — to celebrate peace. Women raped, assaulted, paraded as trophies.”

conservativebrief.com/mob-descends-77411/

(CBrief) – Former President Donald Trump is outraged at New York Attorney General Letitia James’s civil fraud lawsuit for several reasons, one of which is because he sees it as blatant election interference.

Trump took verbal aim at James when he left the Manhattan courtroom where his trial is being held last week, ripping her for keeping him “stuck” in the city and off the campaign trail.

“I’m here, stuck here, and I can’t campaign. I’d rather be right now in Iowa. I’d rather be in New Hampshire or South Carolina or Ohio or a lot of other places. But I’m stuck here because I have a corrupt attorney general that communicates with the DOJ in Washington to keep me nice and busy because I’m leading Biden in the polls by a lot,” Trump said, according to Fox News.

He also accused James of colluding with President Biden’s Justice Department to keep him tied up with legal cases and out of early primary states.

“This is election interference. They made up a fake case, these fraudulent people. And the judge already knows what he’s going to do. He’s a Democrat judge. In all fairness to him, he has no choice,” Trump added. “I know this city better than anybody who knows this city.

“Nobody knows it like I do. He’s a Democrat judge out of the clubhouses, he’s controlled, and it’s a shame. What’s going on here is a shame. Our whole system is corrupt. This is corrupt, Atlanta is corrupt, and what’s coming out of D.C. is corrupt,” Trump noted further.

The 45th president went on to blast James for campaigning on a platform to ‘get’ him after a brief failed run for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2021. She was caught on video pledging to target Trump and his businesses, specifically while he was still president.

Eric Trump shared the video of James promising to take down Trump on his Instagram page.

“This is not the United States Legal System – this is third-world prosecutorial misconduct. Promising to target a political opponent and their family before even entering office – it’s hard to believe this is America. Letitia James may go down as the most politically corrupt Attorney General in New York history,” he said in the video’s caption.

“Stay Tuned… we have sued her for her unethical behavior and a judge will see every one of these videos, her viciousness, and the pure malice of her actions and statements. More to come: Tomorrow may just be a video of James ad-libbing the song ‘I will survive’ while interjecting hate speech about Donald Trump…. very common for the top law enforcement official in the State of New York,” the former president’s son said.

“This garbage erodes Americans’ confidence in the legal system and it will stop. Thank you to everyone who has sent videos of her – we seem to get new ones almost every day. #KeepThemComing,” he added.

The judge overseeing his case, Arthur Engoron, has also been particularly hostile to him. Late last week, during the trial, he threatened to jail Trump and impose heavy fines for “blatantly” violating a gag order by refusing to remove a website post that attacked court staff.

The trial got underway on a serious note on Friday, with Justice Arthur F. Engoron laying out the high stakes and demanding explanations from Trump’s attorneys.

“In the current overheated climate, incendiary comments can, and in some cases already have, led to serious physical harm and worse. I will now allow the defendants to explain why this blatant violation of the gag order would not result in serious sanctions, including financial sanctions and/or possibly imprisoning him,” Engoron said.

conservativebrief.com/trump-off-77396/

(SNews) – A federal judge has issued a temporary block against a Tennessee city’s ban on drag shows being held on taxpayer-funded public property.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw Jr., a Barack Obama appointee, ruled in an order issued Friday.

The judge ruled that officials in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, are prohibited from enforcing the ordinance during the BoroPride Festival scheduled for next weekend.

The order came in response to a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee.

The suit was filed on behalf of a nonprofit group that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights called the Tennessee Equality Project.

The group has hosted the BoroPride Festival since 2016.

The city of Murfreesboro and the equality project reached an agreement that the city will not enforce the ordinance during the Pride festival on October 28, the order states.

The lawsuit claims the ordinance discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community and violates free speech protections granted by the First Amendment.

The ACLU alleges that the order “confirms that the community’s free speech rights will be protected at the BoroPride Festival,” as litigation over the city ordinance continues.

Tennessee Equality Project Executive Director Chris Sanders said in a statement:

“We are relieved that the court has taken action to ensure that Murfreesboro’s discriminatory ordinance will not be enforced during the BoroPride festival.

“We look forward to a safe, joyful celebration of Murfreesboro’s LGBTQ+ community.”

The lawsuit is the latest effort to challenge the state’s Republican-led proposals to limit drag performances in public places where children may be present.

GOP lawmakers argue that the performances are inappropriate for younger audiences.

Conservative activists have warned that the drag performances at the 2022 Pride event resulted in the “sexualization of kids.”

The equality project contends that the performers were fully clothed and denied accusations that the shows were inappropriate for children.

However, many argued that the shows had sexual themes and appeared to be targeted toward children.

The city warned the equality project that it would deny any future event permits and later approved updating its “community decency standards.”

The standards are designed to “assist in the determination of conduct, materials, and events that may be judged as obscene or harmful to minors.”

slaynews.com/news/obama-judge-blocks-tennessees-ban-drag-shows-public-property/