Free Republic

…When Brennan suggested that free speech had been "weaponized" by Nazi Germany "to conduct a genocide," Rubio quickly pushed back, calling it a misrepresentation of history and countering that the Holocaust was the work of an authoritarian regime that hated Jews and other minorities. "There was no free speech in Nazi Germany," Rubio said. … The fiery moment became a rallying cry on conservative media, with outlets praising Rubio and Vance for "calling out" Brennan. It played directly into an ongoing narrative on the right — that mainstream journalists like Brennan aren't just biased but are actively pushing an agenda....

A senior Russian lawmaker has declared that President Vladimir Putin is justified in targeting NATO nations aiding Ukraine, as tensions escalate over military support to Kyiv. Andrey Kartapolov, head of the Russian State Duma's defense committee, said the supply of Western weapons enabling strikes on Russian territory gives Moscow "every right to strike military facilities in NATO countries" that assist Ukraine, according to Russian news agency TASS. "Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has made a decision that we fully support," Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stated on his Telegram channel. He described the move as "an appropriate and long-awaited response," adding that the...

As former President Donald Trump kicked off his four-rally tour across three states on Monday in Raleigh, North Carolina, many seats sat empty in the 5,000-seat J.S. Dorton Arena, marking the start of his final campaign push. Trump addressed his supporters in a 90-minute speech, covering familiar topics like his proposed tough immigration policies. He mentioned potential tariffs on Mexico if it doesn't assist with border control and aired grievances against his Democratic opponents. Empty seats were evident at the rally, with social media users and Vice President Kamala Harris' Rapid Response team highlighting them despite Trump's frequent boasts about...

"I am disappointed that he hasn't embraced Kamala Harris," Anderson said, referring to the silence from Kelly and other former Trump officials regarding endorsements. "When they took a political job, like being Trump's chief of staff, they lost the right to remain neutral." Anderson added that he wished Kelly would fully support Harris over Trump, something he has not yet done. "His view is that the general and flag officer corps of the United States military should stay out of partisan politics as much as possible, and I believe he is reluctant to endorse any politician," he said. However,...

...Speaking at the Economic Club of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania...Harris criticized Trump's proposal to impose high tariffs on China... She also said that Trump's policies made it easier for China to acquire advanced semiconductor chips, which they then use for military applications. "Donald Trump actually shipped advanced semiconductor chips to China which helps them upgrade their military.... The Facts The claim that Trump "sold out" the U.S. by shipping semiconductors to China is not supported by evidence...In fact, Trump's administration took significant steps to limit China's access to sensitive technologies, including semiconductors... The Ruling...We found Harris' claim to be highly misleading....

The Ukrainian military has started deploying drones retrofitted with thermite payloads, effectively transforming its lethal fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into potent "flamethrower" weapons. Footage shared by Ukraine's 108th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade shows these drones releasing streams of molten thermite over enemy positions, resulting in large plumes of smoke billowing from the impact zones. The widely circulated video highlights the destructive capability of these modified drones, as the thermite ignites upon contact, creating an inferno capable of obliterating Russian positions. Thermite is still considered less lethal than white phosphorous or napalm. Ukrainian Telegram channels reported that the combat...