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The shutdown stems from political disagreements over the funding of the DHS, particularly concerning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In January 2026, the deaths of two American citizens during ICE operations intensified scrutiny of the agency's practices, leading to demands for reform. Senate Democrats have argued that funding for DHS should not be tied to funding for ICE, creating a standoff with Republicans. Here are articles relevant to this episode: https://thehill.com/homenews/5794792-dsh-shutdown-impacts-travel/ https://abcnews.com/Politics/minneapolis-shootings-raise-stakes-dems-gop-odds-funding/story?id=129564308 https://www.dhs.gov/operational-and-support-components https://www.npr.org/2026/03/05/nx-s1-5737554/markwayne-mullin-homeland-security-kristi-noem-trump

Gary Phipps is a father, husband, combat veteran, drone pilot, and independent writer. Gary and I discuss the ways the military can or cannot be used correctly, 2nd amendment of the U.S. Constitution & gun rights , and the flaws of America's two-party political system. Here are Gary Phipps' social media Handles: LinkedIn: garyphipps86 Instagram: garybear86 X or Twitter: garybear86

What does the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Justice aka the F.B.I. do? How does the Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI protect the American people & uphold the constitution of the United States? The links below are relevant to the FBI & its role in protecting the American people: https://scientificorigin.com/what-exactly-does-the-fbi-do-a-detailed-overview-of-the-fbis-roles-and-functions#google_vignette https://www.fbi.gov/ https://www.fbi.gov/about/mission https://www.fbi.gov/about/leadership-and-structure https://www.fbi.gov/history https://www.justice.gov/doj/federal-bureau-investigation

In this episode, Andy Semotiuk and I discuss the history behind the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the significance of the 1994' Budapest Memorandum. And what exactly happened at the February 28th, 2025 White House meeting between President Trump & Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy? Andy Semotiuk's website: https://www.myworkvisa.com/ Andy Semotiuk's Forbes.com Articles Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyjsemotiuk/ Andy Semotiuk is on the following social media platforms: LinkedIn Facebook Youtube Twitter/X Article Links related to The 1994' Budapest Memorandum: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-care-about-ukraine-and-the-budapest-memorandum/ https://lieber.westpoint.edu/budapest-memorandums-history-role-conflict/

President Trump's Executive Order was signed on Thursday, March 20, 2025 and aimed to dismantle the Department of Education. If this plan proceeds, I believe that the American educational system will go through major changes. Will Congress pass legislation eliminating the Department of Education? Introduction & ending song credits: "Evening Melodrama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html Articles used in this episode: https://time.com/7270145/what-does-the-department-of-education-do/ https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-overview/an-overview-of-the-us-department-of-education--pg-1 https://www.ed.gov/ https://www.opb.org/article/2025/02/06/how-the-department-of-education-came-into-existence/ The Top 3 Other Headlines: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-preparing-pull-elise-stefaniks-nomination-un-ambassador-rcna198389 https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/26/politics/ghost-guns-supreme-court/index.html https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5203916-secret-service-trump-security-florida-new-york-new-jersey/

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has a lot to think about in regards to her future in United States Politics after losing the November 5th, 2024 Presidential election. Will she run for California Governor in 2026 or run for President in 2028? Below are the links related to this episode: https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/15/politics/kamala-harris-future-2028-california-governor/index.html https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5141391-kamala-harris-democratic-frontrunner-for-california-governor-in-2026-poll/ The Top 3 Other Political Headlines: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5149600-george-washington-revolutionary-war-letter-up-for-sale-on-presidents-day/ https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5143053-tina-smith-not-seeking-reelection/ https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/28/gary-peters-not-running-for-reelection-in-battleground-michigan-00200925?cid=apn

Josh Weil is running in a special election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 6th Congressional District. Florida's 6th Congressional District is holding a Democratic primary on January 28th, 2025. The general election for Florida's 6th Congressional District will be on April 1st, 2025. Here are links relevant to Josh Weil's campaign: https://www.joshweil.us/ https://ballotpedia.org/Joshua_Weil https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/FL/6 Below are Josh Weil's Social Media Handles: Facebook: flpolytician Instagram: joshweilfl6 Twitter or X: joshweilfl6 Bluesky: @joshweil.bsky.social

On November 5th, 2024 or election day in the United States Former President Donald Trump won the Electoral College & The White House. Trump received 312 electoral college votes compared to Kamala Harris who received 226 electoral college votes. Here are the links to the articles used in this episode: Live election results maps: President, Senate, and Congressional races | FOX 2 Detroit Presidential Election 2024 Live Results: Donald Trump wins What happens between now and Inauguration Day | CNN Politics The Top 3 Other Political Headlines: Donald Trump's comeback: Different from Grover Cleveland's Republican Gabe Evans wins Colorado's 8th House District Sarah McBride makes history as first transgender person elected to Congress

Elias Marty is an registered independent voter wanting to talk about the 2024' Presidential election, U.S. politics, and Israel. He will call out Democrats, Republicans, independents, and third parties for hypocrisy in politics. Elias has his own podcast called Politically High-tech. Link to Politically High-tech podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/politically-high-tech/id1494737668 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2308824 Links to Elias's social media handles: https://www.facebook.com/EliasEllusion https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUxk1oJBVw-IAZTqChH70ag https://twitter.com/x/migrate?tok=7b2265223a222f706f6c69746963616c6c796874222c2274223a313732393033313434387d6ce66862ea934c3850d92c9752abe293

Jonathan Ocasio has had an extensive career centered on the integration of Cyber security data analytics, and the ways Artificial Intelligence has impacted our society. Jonathan has completed a Master's degree in Cyber security to receive more knowledge and further understanding of digital threats and defense mechanisms. He is interested in the different ways A.I. has changed our societal structures and norms in our civilization. Here are links to his website & Youtube channel: https://insidethealgorithm.com/ https://youtube.com/@insidethealgorithm-ia?si=xXxNiaq02nUuEwXW His podcast is called Inside The Algorithm and is available on Spotify.

President Biden dropped out of the 2024' Presidential race on July 21st, 2024 & endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the new Democratic Presidential nominee. Kamala Harris secured enough votes on August 2nd, 2024 to be the Democratic nominee for President through a virtual roll call with all of the Democratic convention delegates. Harris is expected to announce her running mate pick in Philadelphia on August 6th, 2024. Introduction & ending song credits: "Evening Melodrama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html This episode was recorded on August 3rd, 2024. Articles used in this episode: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/read-president-bidens-letter-x-withdrawing-2024-presidential-race-rcna162928 https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/24/politics/video/biden-oval-office-speech-leaving-2024-race-full-digvid https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/21/politics/joe-biden-drops-out-election/index.html https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4805445-kamala-harris-nominee-dnc-virtual-roll-call/ https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/harris-campaign-met-6-potential-vp-picks-selection-process-nears-end-rcna164706 https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/28/politics/video/harris-vice-president-hopefuls-wright-ip-digvid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Shapiro Links to the Top 3 Other Political Headlines: https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/25/politics/jennifer-wexton-ai-voice-house-floor/index.html https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/23/politics/bob-menendez-announces-resignation/index.html https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4800406-harris-trump-poll-temperament/

A jury on July 16th found Democratic Senator Bob Menendez Guilty on all 16 counts that include: bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent. Numerous Senate Democrats renewed their calls for Menendez to step down from the U.S. Senate today. Will Senator Menenedez resign or will he be expelled from the Senate? Links to articles used in this episode: https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/16/politics/bob-menendez-verdict/index.html https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/16/politics/video/bob-menendez-speaks-after-guilty-verdict-court-sot-digvid https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/16/menendez-pressure-resign-senate-conviction-schumer-expel-00168696?cid=apn https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/16/bob-menendez-guilty-what-next-00168682?cid=apn The Top 3 Other Political Headlines: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4760311-jay-johnston-pleads-guilty-jan-6-capitol/ https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/15/read-the-classified-documents-ruling-00168234?cid=apn https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/13/us/john-e-mclauchlen-wwii-pilot-buried-trnd/index.html

Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts in his New York hush money trial on May 30th, 2024. Trump will be sentenced on July 11th, 2024 in the New York state courthouse. Could Trump be sentenced to jail or even Prison? We will find out on July 11th. This episode was recorded on June 6th, 2024. Links to articles used in this episode: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/30/read-verdict-sheet-trump-trial-00160870?cid=apn https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4695467-courtroom-trump-first-convicted-president/ https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4682289-trump-hush-money-trial-verdict/ https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4694828-trump-conviction-will-he-go-to-jail/ https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4694985-donald-trump-vote-convicted-felon/ Links to the Top 4 Other Political Headlines: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4702552-rnc-planning-for-possibility-of-trump-being-jailed-during-convention-chair-says/ https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4706051-georgia-appeals-court-pauses-trump-election-interference-case/ https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4707337-steve-bannon-prison-appeals/ https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4701281-bob-menendez-senate-files-independent-bid/

The House of Representatives strongly rejected a measure by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to effectively oust House Speaker Mike Johnson with a vote of 359-43-7. So for now Speaker Johnson's gavel & speakership are both effectively safe against threats from members of the majority party. Introduction song credits: "Evening Melodrama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html Links to the articles used in this episode: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4652383-house-blocks-greenes-resolution-to-oust-johnson/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/08/motion-to-vacate-house-speaker-marjorie-taylor-greene-mike-johnson/ https://ballotpedia.org/Marjorie_Taylor_Greene Links to the Top 3 Political Headlines: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/07/trump-classified-docs-trial-delay-florida-00156680?cid=apn https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4650805-nikki-haley-indiana-gop-primary-2024/ https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4632316-nsa-former-worker-sentenced-selling-secrets-russia/

Pennsylvania's April 23rd, 2024 primary election made it official that the incumbent U.S. Democratic Senator Bob Casey Jr. will face off against his Republican opponent David McCormick in Pennsylvania's Senate race on November 5th, 2024. Can Bob Casey & McCormick outrun & outpace Biden & Trump? This episode was recorded on April 28th, 2024 Introduction & ending song credits: "Evening Melodrama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html Links relevant to this episode: https://ballotpedia.org/Bob_Casey_Jr.#Key_votes https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/04/24/presidential-politics-weighs-on-high-stakes-pennsylvania-senate-race-biden-trump-casey-mccormick/73430541007/ https://bobcasey.com/ https://www.casey.senate.gov/ https://www.davemccormickpa.com/ https://theweek.com/politics/2024-election-battlegrounds Links to the Top 3 Political Headlines: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4609187-military-court-convicts-us-sailor-of-attempted-espionage/ https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/4602454-pelosi-memoir-the-art-of-power-planned-for-august-release/ https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4599932-army-financial-counselor-pleads-guilty-defrauding-gold-star-families/