Free Republic

A nomination hearing for Trump's pick to fill a vacant Fed board seat is expected next week.Key Republican lawmakers have long warned against any move to encroach on the Fed’s independence from the executive branch. The Cook firing, which is almost certain to spark a landmark legal fight, could complicate the path forward for Miran — and provide an avenue for any concerned Republicans to dissent from the president’s campaign against the central bank.“Now it’s like a political stand and a referendum on Trump,” a GOP congressional aide who was granted anonymity to speak candidly said of the Miran nomination....

Longtime Republican operative Karl Rove said on Tuesday that crime is a “big problem” for the Democratic Party and warned that some within the party, including New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, don’t understand how their posture on the issue hurts the party’s “label.” “This is a big problem for the Democrats. The Democrats don’t seem to understand — certain Democrats, like the socialist running for mayor of New York — do not seem to understand the problems that this represents for their party, and their party’s label. They only need to look to recent history to see how...

There was a 16% decrease in the number of immigrants arriving in Ireland in the 12 months to April 2025 as 125,300 came to live in the State, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. It was the fourth successive year when there were more than 100,000 people coming to live in the country. It means net migration, the number of people arriving less those leaving, was 59,700, a drop of almost 20,000 on the previous year. Of the immigrants, 31,500 were returning Irish citizens, 25,300 were other EU citizens, 4,900 were UK citizens and the remaining...

REDDING, Calif. — A vehicle struck a small mountain lion early Tuesday morning on northbound Interstate 5, just past the Oasis Road exit, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The crash occurred around 3:15 a.m. and involved a white Mazda SUV. Emergency crews, including Redding Fire Department and CHP units, responded quickly to the scene. A tow truck was called to remove the vehicle from the center divide. No major injuries were reported. The mountain lion, which appeared to be a younger or smaller cougar, was found deceased in the roadway.

Ever go fishing, catch a fish and release it only to have it take the hook again? You're watching that happen right this minute. Donald Trump issued an executive order about the desecration of the US flag (not that many actually read it). The order does not explicitly criminalize flag burning but directs the Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, to "vigorously prosecute" individuals who violate existing laws in ways that involve flag desecration, such as public nuisance, disorderly conduct, or property destruction. It also instructs federal agencies to refer cases to state or local authorities when...

Marc Maron recently appeared on “Pod Save America” (via Vulture) and doubled down on his criticisms of Bill Maher. While the “WTF” host acknowledged that he joined Maher on HBO’s “Real Time” three times in the past, he has since turned on Maher in recent years. Maron already called Maher out earlier this summer for being partial to “some of the things” Donald Trump is doing in his second administration as U.S. president. “I can’t do it,” Maron now said when “Pod Save America” host Jon Lovett asked him about Maher. “I always had a problem with his tone, and...

Cellphone video of the illegal street takeover, believed to be near East Victoria Street and South Suzanna Road, was recorded around 2 a.m. by @OCPRESS and shared with KTLA. At one point during the takeover, a driver is seen traveling in reverse when the vehicle goes onto the sidewalk and slams into a group of onlookers. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said that they did not respond to an incident at this location but were called to a street takeover at the same time near Atlantic and Alondra boulevards in Compton, about three miles away.

Norway’s $2 trillion wealth fund, the world’s largest, said it has divested from US construction equipment group Caterpillar as well as five Israeli banking groups on ethics grounds. The five banks are Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, First International Bank of Israel and FIBI Holdings, the fund said in a statement. The six groups were excluded “due to an unacceptable risk that the companies contribute to serious violations of the rights of individuals in situations of war and conflict”, said the fund, which is operated by Norway’s central bank. […] The fund’s ethics watchdog, called the Council on Ethics,...

The million-selling ‘My Sharona’ became America’s biggest-selling song of 1979, and one of the catchiest rock numbers in memory.In the closing months of the 1970s, Capitol Records had its fastest-selling debut release in the US since The Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” It was a million-seller that went on to be America’s biggest-selling song of 1979, and one of the catchiest rock numbers in memory. On August 25, The Knack went to No.1 in the US with “My Sharona.” Written by the Los Angeles group’s lead guitarist Berton Averre and lead singer/rhythm guitarist Doug Fieger, the track also...

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin says President Trump is a "dictator-in-chief" whose agenda is "fascism dressed in a red tie" and his party must fight back against his policies. "Now look, folks, I'm sick and tired of this Democratic party bringing a pencil to a knife fight," Martin said. "We cannot be the only party that plays by the rules anymore. We've got to stand up and fight. We're not going to have a hand tied behind our back anymore." Speaking during the first session of the DNC's summer meeting in Minneapolis on Monday, Martin said...

[Catholic Caucus] Full-Length Documentary on Latin Mass Restrictions in Charlotte, North CarolinaFor the background, see our two previous posts:(1) Traditionis Custodes Persecution continues under Leo XIV - Traditional Masses Removed from Parish Churches in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina(2) Rorate Exclusive: The Anti-Traditional and Anti-Liturgical Pastoral Letter to be Sent by the Bishop of Charlotte on Liturgical Norms in His Diocese***Regina Magazine just released a lengthy documentary on the situation of the Latin Mass in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina. We encourage you to watch it below and make it known: Link to video Labels: Anti-Tradition in Charlotte

Dr. James C. Dobson was the leading U.S. advocate for children and families of the last half century. His loss is immense, and he is mourned by millions. The accolades that ought to have been his may never come, but he never wavered, in season or out, for the well-being of the young. The name of the signature organization he founded, Focus on the Family, was perfect in its simplicity and global in its reach. It was Christian, faithful, and principled. He lived his mission to the full and he finished the race, faithful to the last. The tributes pouring...

Springfield, IL - Tomorrow, attorneys from Thomas More Society will appear in the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court to defend the religious freedom of the Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA) and challenge the state’s mandate requiring all health insurance providers to include abortion coverage in their plans. When Illinois legislators passed the “Reproductive Health Act” in 2019, they reassured people of faith that religious and moral convictions would be respected, and that no individual or organization would be forced to require abortion coverage in their health care plans. On behalf of the Illinois Baptist State Association, Thomas More...

See the so-called evidence that allegedly proves Bigfoot's existenceA CAMPER believes he's unlocked the secret behind one of the world's most famous cryptids after finding a so-called Bigfoot corpse. Charles “Snake” Stuart, also known as the Bigfoot hunter, presented his stunning findings in a bizarre exhibition on Wednesday. He brought the massive 8-foot-tall hairy body to the New York State Fair in Syracuse and displayed it behind a glass case. The grisly figure was placed on top of a wooden coffin in a dark room with spooky growls playing on speakers. Beside the alleged body is a video of Star...

Explanation: What's hovering above the Sun? A solar prominence. A prominence is a crest of hot gas expelled from the Sun's surface that is held aloft by the Sun's magnetic field. Prominences can last for days, can suddenly explode into space, or just fall back to the Sun. What decides a prominence's fate is how the Sun's complex magnetic field changes -- the field's direction can act like an offramp for trapped solar particles. The 3-second (repeating) time-lapse featured video was captured earlier this month from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It shows the development of a larger-than-Earth prominence as it appears...

*** With less than three months until Election Day, Virginia’s off-year gubernatorial race is becoming increasingly competitive, as Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears closes the gap with her opponent …. A Roanoke College poll released Tuesday shows Sears trailing Spanberger by seven points. In comparison, a previous poll from May had Spanberger leading by 17 points in the 2025 governor’s race. 🚨 NEW AD: Abigail Spanberger is hiding from voters because she’s sold out to extremist nonsense. You have my word I will always stand with you and with common sense. — Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) August 22, 2025As public polls...

Tuesday on CNN’s “News Central,” anti-Trump political commentator George Conway said that during his second term, President Donald Trump was acting like a fascist dictator, including Francisco Franco and Adolf Hitler. Host John Berman said, “So there’s floating this idea of an investigation into Chris Christie. There is the actual federal investigation into former national security advisor John Bolton, the search of his home, which you witnessed firsthand down the street from your home in Bethesda. What do you see as going on here?” Conway said, “This is not America. This is not healthy. This is, and I hate, you...

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Rochester City Attorney’s Office has filed a complaint summons related to an April 28 event at Roy Sutherland Playground in Soldier’s Field Park. The complaint charges Shiloh Hendrix with three counts of disorderly conduct, which could lead to a maximum of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine, according to Minnesota statute. In early May, a Rochester man shared a video online allegedly showing Hendrix calling a child a racial slur at the playground. The draft complaint requires review and approval by a District Court judge. The City Attorney's Office emphasized the complexity of the...

PRESIDENT Donald Trump had a surprising message for Taylor Swift after the superstar announced her engagement to NFL player Travis Kelce. In the middle of a cabinet meeting with the nation's highest government officials, a reporter popped the question that was on everyone's mind: what was his reaction to the celebrity engagement? In September, Trump declared that he hated SwiftCredit: Reuters "I have to tell you the biggest pop culture news of the year broke while we were in this cabinet meeting: Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are engaged," the reporter asked, as the entire table turned to her. "The...

President Trump is facing outcry from some of his supporters after saying he plans to allow 600,000 students from China into the U.S. “It’s a very important relationship. We’re going to get along good with China,” Trump told reporters Monday during a meeting with the president of South Korea. “I hear so many stories about, ‘We’re not going to allow their students,’” he continued. “We’re going to allow their students to come in. We’re going to allow it. It’s very important — 600,000 students. It’s very important.” Trump’s comments marked a shift from earlier in the year, when Secretary of...