Last week, a cadre of left-wing politicians encouraged members of the U. S. military to disobey orders issued by Trump, implying that the president was ordering members of the military and intelligence community to engage in illegal activities. Six congressional Democrats, who previously served in the military, effectively called for the military to perform a mutiny, urging them to “refuse illegal orders.” It was indicative of the dangerously dishonest and arguably treasonous rhetoric being spread by Democrats to damage the Trump administration. In what could be described as a radical and dangerous propaganda commercial, Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) actively encouraged troops and intelligence officers to “refuse illegal orders.” “This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens,” the group of Democrats said. “The threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders.” “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law,” Slotkin says at one point in the video. Yet, during an interview with Martha Raddatz “To my knowledge, I am not aware of things that are illegal,” Slotkin said. “But certainly there are some legal gymnastics that are going on with these Caribbean strikes and everything related to Venezuela.” But “legal gymnastics” is not what Slotkin and her band of Democratic deceivers mentioned in the video. All of them, very specifically, cited “illegal orders,” yet now have changed the story. This is dangerous and must not be allowed to stand. It was a shameful statement by six dishonest, deceptive, manipulative, and agenda-driven officials meant to deceive the public and influence public opinion. PEDOPHILES AND MURDERERS AMONG THIS WEEK’S ‘WORST OF THE WORST’ ICE ARRESTS It should also be noted that absolutely none of the other things the Democrats said in the video were true either. No military or intelligence community was being pitted “against American citizens.” The senators and representatives falsely claimed the president was issuing illegal orders without any proof. They called for the U. S. military to disobey the commander in chief solely because they did not like his political platform. This is dangerous and illegal, and the Democrats who encouraged this mutiny legitimately deserve to face accountability. Being critical of the president’s platform is to be expected. However, making false claims that the president is issuing illegal orders is a violation of a different magnitude.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3896555/slotkin-caught-lying-democrats-exposed-sabotaging-trump-administration/
Tag: representatives
Rand Paul laments MTG resignation: ‘Sad to see her voice go away’
“But that’s what an independent voice will help in our country an independent voice within the Republican caucus not to see things always inside the box, but to think of some out of the box solutions. So I think independent voices are important in the Republican Party,” he added. Greene announced she will resign from Congress at the beginning of next year after serving for three terms. That announcement came shortly after she publicly feuded with President Donald Trump over healthcare costs and the Epstein files. Trump was initially Greene’s motivation for getting into politics. Greene began her political career as an elector on Trump’s behalf and won her first election in 2020, taking office right around the time of the Jan. 6 riots. Greene would later defend the Jan. 6 protesters and Trump ultimately pardoned all of them. “I’ve always represented the common American man and woman as a member of the House of Representatives, which is why I’ve always been despised in Washington, D. C., and never fit in,” Greene said in her resignation announcement. CROCKETT CALLS OUT MTG FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO ‘TAKE THE HEAT’ FROM TRUMP Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) also lamented Greene’s resignation, saying he was “very sad for our country but also happy for my friend Marjorie.” Republicans in the House will be down to a 218-seat majority once Greene departs the lower chamber in January.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/3896386/rand-paul-laments-mtg-resignation/
NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY – November 17
NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY November 17 National Day Calendar ^ | November 17, 2025 | Staff Posted on by Red Badger NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY On November 17th, National Baklava Day fills the kitchen with an aroma of a sweet and flaky pastry. Baklava’s sweet layers of texture and flavor are created between sheets of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and drizzled with syrup or honey. #NationalBaklavaDay Many believe Baklava to have originated with the Turkic people in Central Asian nations. However, many countries prepare the dessert in a variety of ways. The word “Baklava” first appeared in English in 1650. If you’ve never tried baklava, try sampling the many varieties. Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or almonds can be used. The filling can be composed of raisins, dates, prunes, and even figs. Most baklava recipes call for cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves sometimes all three spices. Preparing this dessert may be somewhat time-consuming. However, it is a treat worth the work and the wait. HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY Try your hand at this complex dessert. It will be a satisfying achievement for any home cook. We’ve even provided a couple of recipes for you to try. However, if you prefer, frequent your local bakery. They willl be happy to show you their specials. When you do, give them a shout-out. And be sure to share with a friend or two while using #NationalBaklavaDay on social media. Use #NationalBaklavaDay to post on social media. NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday. November 17th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) History 1800 The Sixth United States Congress convenes in Washington D. C. for the first time. Even though many rooms remain incomplete, substantial progress allowed both the House of Representatives and the Senate to begin their sessions in the Nation’s Capital. 1857 The U. S. Patent Office issues H. N. Wadsworth patent No. 18, 653 for a new and improved Tooth-Brush. 1869 After more than 10 years of construction, the Suez Canal opens, creating a shipping lane between the Mediterranean and the Red seas. 1888 The U. S. Patent Office issues patent No. 388, 850 to George Eastman for his box camera. The inventor also registered the trademark name, Kodak, on the same day. 1896 The Western Pennsylvania Hockey League began to play at Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park Casino. November 17th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) Birthdays Grace Abbott 1878 Abbott dedicated her career to child labor policies and relief programs for immigrants. She headed the Children’s Bureau under President Warren G. Harding and while she saw a constitutional amendment against child labor, the states did not ratify it. Soichiro Honda 1906 In 1948, the Japanese engineer founded the Honda Motor Co., Ltd. with Takeo Fujisawa. Their first product is the D-type motorcycle. Winson Hudson 1916 An early Civil Rights activist, Anger Winson Gates established the Leake County chapter of the NAACP in Mississippi. For 25 years, she attempted to register to vote. But persistent voter suppression prevented Gates from registering until 1962. William H. Hastie 1904 The American attorney and civil rights advocate became the first African American named to the federal magistrate in 1937. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Hastie to judge of the Federal District Court in the Virgin Islands. Danny DeVito 1944 The award-winning actor, producer, and comedian gained his first critical attention in the role of Louie De Palma in the comedy series Taxi. Other credits include Big Fish, Get Shorty, Batman Returns, and Matilda. TOPICS: Food; Health/Medicine; History; Military/Veterans KEYWORDS: Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC PO Box 9771 Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. 1 posted on by Red Badger Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4353010/posts
US House votes on ending US government shutdown — WSJ
The House of Representatives was approaching a final vote late Wednesday on legislation aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in US history, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday.
The bill, which had already passed the Senate on Monday, was gaining significant momentum. Its approval by the House would clear the way for US President Donald Trump’s signature, potentially bringing the shutdown to an end.
**Market Reaction**
At the time of writing, the US Dollar Index (DXY) was up 0.05% on the day, trading at 99.50.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/us-house-votes-on-ending-us-government-shutdown-wsj/
Ruby Rose Slams Sydney Sweeney Over ‘Christy’ Movie: ‘You Ruined the Film’ and ‘Christy Deserved Better’
Actor Ruby Rose, known for roles in “Batgirl” and “Orange Is the New Black,” has taken to Threads to criticize Sydney Sweeney, calling her a “cretin” following the release of “Christy,” Sweeney’s biopic about wrestler Christy Martin. The film had a disappointing box office debut, grossing just $1.3 million despite opening in over 2,000 theaters across North America and having a $15 million production budget.
Rose shared her thoughts on Threads, writing, “The original Christy Martin script was incredible. Life changing. I was attached to play Cherry. Everyone had experience with the core material. Most of us were actually gay. It’s part of why I stayed in acting. Losing roles happens all the time.”
She continued, addressing Sweeney’s public relations comments about the film’s performance: “For her PR to talk about it flopping and saying SS did it for the ‘people.’ None of ‘the people’ want to see someone who hates them, parading around pretending to be us. You’re a cretin and you ruined the film. Period. Christy deserved better.”
Rose’s remarks appear to criticize Sweeney for her alleged ties to the Republican Party, though Sweeney has never outright confirmed this affiliation. Several news outlets, including The Guardian, reported that Sweeney listed her party affiliation as Republican when registering to vote in Florida in June 2024, months before Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the presidential election. Trump publicly celebrated the news.
Variety has reached out to representatives for both Sweeney and Black Bear, the production and distribution company behind “Christy,” for comment. Rose’s representatives were also contacted.
Sources familiar with the project told Variety that Black Bear was never attached to “Christy” while Rose was involved. Any involvement Rose had with the film occurred before Black Bear joined the project. Another source revealed that Rose had been considered for the role of Christy’s high school girlfriend in an earlier version of the film.
Directed by David Michôd, Sweeney’s “Christy” co-stars Ben Foster and tells the story of boxer Christy Martin’s rise to fame as well as the abuse she suffered at the hands of her coach-turned-husband.
In its review, Variety’s chief film critic Owen Gleiberman praised Sweeney’s transformative performance and described “Christy” as a “wrenching portrait of abuse, enabling, gaslighting, and just how far domestic violence can go.”
Following the film’s underwhelming box office start, Sweeney took to Instagram to issue a statement. She wrote: “We don’t always just make art for numbers, we make it for impact. And ‘Christy’ has been the most impactful project of my life.”
She added, “This film stands for survival, courage, and hope. Through our campaigns, we’ve helped raise awareness for so many affected by domestic violence. We all signed on to this film with the belief that Christy’s story could save lives.”
“Thank you to everyone who saw, felt, and believed and will believe in this story for years to come. If Christy gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded,” Sweeney concluded.
“Christy” continues to play in theaters nationwide, presented by Black Bear.
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/ruby-rose-sydney-sweeney-christy-ruined-1236574881/
Latest Buzz Suggests Blue Jays Finally Boast Strong Free Agency Pitch
The Toronto Blue Jays have been no strangers to aggressive offseasons over the last few years. Toronto has consistently pursued top free agents, including Shohei Ohtani and even being mentioned in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, but ultimately missed out. Last year, the Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants were reported as the two most aggressive teams in the Corbin Burnes sweepstakes as well, though Burnes ended up signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
All in all, the Blue Jays have tried each offseason to bring big-name players to town but haven’t necessarily been able to get those deals done. However, after making it to Game 7 of the World Series, the perception of the team seems to have shifted.
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith reported that there could be a more “receptive audience” for Toronto in free agency this year, citing an anonymous “prominent” agent.
“Armed with the cachet of an inspired World Series run that captivated both fans and the wider industry’s interest, the Toronto Blue Jays jumped into the off-season with what some agents called a motivated posture across various player markets,” Davidi and Nicholson-Smith wrote.
“One prominent agent believes the American League champions will find a more receptive audience for their pitches this winter, too, having shown the baseball world how success looks north of the border.
“Baseball tends to have ‘a pack mentality,’ said the agent, and between seeing players succeed with the Blue Jays, the enthusiasm from fans Canada-wide and positive reviews of the team’s facilities, ‘it should be easier for them to get players’ this off-season.”
A second agent described the Blue Jays as “hungry” and “acting like the big boys,” while both representatives said they are involved in discussions around top-end starting pitchers, back-end relievers, position players, and talent from Asia.
Of course, aggressiveness doesn’t always lead to deals, as the Blue Jays have seen in the past. But this new attitude is a positive sign for what could be a big offseason in Toronto.
The Blue Jays have demonstrated over the last few years that they are willing to offer large contracts. Maybe this year, they will finally ink one of those external stars to a deal.
https://www.newsweek.com/latest-buzz-suggests-blue-jays-finally-boast-strong-free-agency-pitch-11035513
Senate Approves Bipartisan Deal To End 41-Day Shutdown
The Senate approved a government funding package to reopen the federal government Monday night, despite objections from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a majority of Democrats. Lawmakers voted 60 to 40 in favor of the legislation, with eight Democrats joining Republicans to support the measure. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was the lone Republican to vote “no,” citing the measure’s insufficient spending cuts.
Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, and Dick Durbin of Illinois voted “yes” on the legislation, bringing an end to the 41-day shutdown standoff. Independent Maine Sen. Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, also supported the funding package.
The bipartisan shutdown package will fund the government through the end of January and advance a slate of appropriations bills that will fund the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Agriculture, the legislative branch, and military construction for the current fiscal year. In return, Senate Republicans have committed to holding a vote on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies slated to expire at year’s end and to rehire federal workers laid off during the shutdown.
President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Monday that he will abide by the terms of the deal, calling it “very good.” The successful vote brings Congress one step closer to ending the record-breaking shutdown. However, the House of Representatives must approve the legislation before President Trump can sign the measure into law.
The final vote came after the same group of Democratic caucus members advanced the stopgap bill on Sunday night in a notable break with Schumer and House Democratic leadership. The defecting senators argued that the shutdown’s pain for Americans had become too great and that the minor concessions secured from Republicans were sufficient.
“Many of my friends are unhappy. They think we should have kept our government closed indefinitely,” Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat who supported the shutdown deal, said on the Senate floor Monday. “I cannot accept a strategy which wages political battle at the expense of my neighbor’s paycheck or the food for his children.”
“It’s become clear after six weeks of the shutdown that the strategy of shutting down the government and forcing the Republicans to talk about the ACA wasn’t working,” King said in a video posted to social media Sunday night. “The shutdown wasn’t achieving its goal, and it was at the same time hurting a lot of people.”
The group of seven Democrats and King voted to advance the funding package on Monday evening despite scathing criticism from their Democratic colleagues, left-wing activists, and the party’s base.
Fetterman told the Daily Caller News Foundation Monday that more than eight Democratic caucus members supported the Senate deal but were afraid to publicly back the legislation. “There were plenty more than just the eight that wanted to vote [yes], but they were afraid,” Fetterman said.
“What has worked in the past is not working now,” Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who voted against the government funding package, told reporters Monday regarding Schumer’s strategy during the shutdown. “We need to meet the moment, and we’re not doing that.”
Slotkin and a large chunk of congressional Democrats slammed the shutdown deal as insufficient for failing to secure an ACA subsidy extension. Though Senate Majority Leader John Thune has pledged to hold a vote on an extension bill of Democrats’ choosing in December, Republicans overwhelmingly oppose a clean extension.
Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn told reporters Monday that a planned vote on a Democratic ACA bill has “no chance” of passing.
Though a number of senators briefly held up the shutdown package Monday, every member ultimately consented to fast-track the legislation to a vote on final passage.
“The American people have suffered for long enough. Let’s not pointlessly drag this bill out,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the Senate floor Monday. “Let’s get it done, and get it over to the House, so that we can get this government open.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged lawmakers Monday to return to Washington to vote on the spending measures later this week. Due to Congress observing Veterans Day on Tuesday, the earliest the House could vote on the legislation is Wednesday.
“And as of Sunday, nearly half of all domestic flights and U.S. flights were either canceled or delayed. It’s a very serious situation,” Johnson told reporters. “So, I’m saying that by way of reminder, I’m stating the obvious to all my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats in the House. You need to begin right now returning to the Hill. We have to do this as quickly as possible.”
—
*All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline, and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.*
https://dailycaller.com/2025/11/10/senate-approves-bipartisan-deal-to-end-41-day-shutdown/
BREAKING: Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Overturn Decision That Legalized Same-Sex Marriage
**Supreme Court Declines to Overturn Nationwide Same-Sex Marriage Ruling**
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage across the United States. The justices, without comment, dismissed an appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the high court’s 2015 ruling in *Obergefell v. Hodges*.
Davis was seeking to have the Court overturn a lower-court order requiring her to pay $360,000 in damages and attorney’s fees to a couple she denied a marriage license. Her lawyers repeatedly cited the opinions of Justice Clarence Thomas, who has called for reconsidering the same-sex marriage ruling. Thomas is one of four justices who dissented in 2015; Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, both current members of the Court, also dissented.
—
**Justice Scalia’s Dissent: Democracy and the Role of the Courts**
In his dissent in *Obergefell v. Hodges*, the late Justice Antonin Scalia emphasized concerns about the court’s authority and its impact on American democracy. Scalia wrote:
> “I write separately to call attention to this Court’s threat to American democracy. The substance of today’s decree is not of immense personal importance to me. The law can recognize as marriage whatever sexual attachments and living arrangements it wishes and can accord them favorable civil consequences, from tax treatment to rights of inheritance.”
>
> “Those civil consequences—and the public approval that conferring the name of marriage evidences—can perhaps have adverse social effects, but no more adverse than the effects of many other controversial laws. So it is not of special importance to me what the law says about marriage. It is of overwhelming importance, however, who it is that rules me.”
>
> “Today’s decree says that my Ruler, and the Ruler of 320 million Americans coast-to-coast, is a majority of the nine lawyers on the Supreme Court. The opinion in these cases is the furthest extension in fact—and the furthest extension one can even imagine—of the Court’s claimed power to create ‘liberties’ that the Constitution and its Amendments neglect to mention.”
>
> “This practice of constitutional revision by an unelected committee of nine, always accompanied (as it is today) by extravagant praise of liberty, robs the People of the most important liberty they asserted in the Declaration of Independence and won in the Revolution of 1776: the freedom to govern themselves.”
—
**Public Debate and the Power of the People**
Scalia argued that prior to the Court’s intervention, the issue of same-sex marriage was being resolved through democratic processes:
> “Until the courts put a stop to it, public debate over same-sex marriage displayed American democracy at its best. Individuals on both sides of the issue passionately, but respectfully, attempted to persuade their fellow citizens to accept their views. Americans considered the arguments and put the question to a vote. The electorates of 11 States, either directly or through their representatives, chose to expand the traditional definition of marriage. Many more decided not to.”
>
> “Win or lose, advocates for both sides continued pressing their cases, secure in the knowledge that an electoral loss can be negated by a later electoral win. That is exactly how our system of government is supposed to work.”
Scalia further noted the Constitution establishes constraints on self-rule—those powers “reserved to the States respectively, or to the people” can be exercised as desired, aside from specific limitations like freedom of speech or religion.
> “These cases ask us to decide whether the Fourteenth Amendment contains a limitation that requires the States to license and recognize marriages between two people of the same sex. Does it remove that issue from the political process? Of course not. It would be surprising to find a prescription regarding marriage in the Federal Constitution since, as the author of today’s opinion reminded us only two years ago (in an opinion joined by the same Justices who join him today).”
—
**Conclusion**
Despite dissent from some justices and continued challenges in court, Monday’s Supreme Court action leaves the 2015 same-sex marriage decision intact, upholding marriage equality nationwide. The ongoing debate highlights fundamental questions about the role of the judiciary and the balance between constitutional interpretation and democratic governance.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/11/supreme-court-rejects-bid-overturn-decision-that-legalized/
As Shutdown Drags On, Support Remains High For ACA Tax Credits, Poll Says
**Majority of Americans Want Congress to Extend Affordable Care Act Tax Credits, KFF Poll Finds**
Three in four Americans—and half of Republicans—want Congress to extend tax credits for low- and moderate-income individuals who purchase health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to a new poll from KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation).
These tax credits, or subsidies, help make health insurance premiums more affordable for individuals and families. Enhanced in 2021 by the Biden administration and a Democratic-controlled Congress, the subsidies expanded access, allowing a record 24 million Americans to enroll in ACA plans—also known as “Obamacare”—and boosting the program’s popularity to all-time highs.
However, the enhanced subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. Without congressional action, millions could see their health insurance premiums spike, making coverage unaffordable for many who rely on the ACA marketplace.
Currently, legislation to extend the tax credits remains stalled in Congress. The bill has yet to pass either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate. The dispute over whether to renew the enhanced tax credits has been a key sticking point in budget negotiations, playing a central role in the federal government shutdown. The current shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history, surpassing the 35-day lapse in government funding that occurred in 2019.
“The expiring tax credits are a central issue in the ongoing Congressional budget standoff, as Democrats want the tax credits extended as part of a budget deal while Republicans want to reopen the government before negotiating over an extension,” KFF said in its analysis of the poll data, which was released Thursday.
Public views on the extension of the tax credits have remained largely stable since before the shutdown began, according to KFF. However, support among Republicans has dipped—from 59% in September to 50% now. Among self-identified supporters of former President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, support for extension fell from 57% in September to 44% in the latest poll.
If Congress fails to act, individuals purchasing coverage through the federal or state ACA exchanges could see premium increases of 75% or more, according to health insurers. Open enrollment for 2025 coverage began November 1 and runs through December 15. Insurers have already reported that they expect to lose customers without the enhanced subsidies.
“We are supporting a population staring down (enhanced premium tax credit) expiration and potentially the wholesale loss of affordable healthcare coverage next year,” said Sarah London, CEO of Centene, the nation’s largest provider of Obamacare coverage with 5.8 million enrollees in its Ambetter brand health plans. Her comments came during Centene’s third quarter earnings call last week.
UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health insurer and a unit of UnitedHealth Group, currently covers 1.7 million people through ACA plans but expects to lose two-thirds of its ACA enrollees. “Where we are unable to reach agreement on sustainable rates, we are enacting targeted service area reductions,” said UnitedHealthcare CEO Tim Noel. “We believe these actions will establish a sustainable premium base while likely reducing our ACA enrollment by approximately two-thirds.”
As the debate in Congress continues, the fate of affordable coverage for millions of Americans hangs in the balance.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/as-shutdown-drags-on-support-remains-high-for-aca-tax-credits-poll-says/
NCAA ordered to pay $18M to former football player and wife in concussion lawsuit
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — The NCAA owes a former college football player and his wife $18 million, according to a ruling in South Carolina.
The decision comes after a prolonged legal battle involving the athlete and the organization. Further details about the case and its implications are expected to emerge as the story develops.
https://wtop.com/national/2025/10/ncaa-ordered-to-pay-18m-to-former-football-player-and-wife-in-concussion-lawsuit/