Election Day wasn’t the only item on President-elect Donald Trump’s calendar in November. The once and future president has a date Nov. 26 with a New York judge for his sentencing hearing. One day after the election, the Justice Department reportedly determined that special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations—of Trump’s contesting the results of the 2020 election and of the classified documents case—should be dropped because it’s department policy not to prosecute a sitting president.  Both Fox News and MSNBC reported the termination of  Smith’s cases. Meanwhile, a criminal case in Georgia is pending albeit troubled.  The new Trump administration’s Justice Department likely could dismiss federal charges against him, but that leaves state charges in place.  “Plenary authority of the president, with respect to the pardon power, affects federal cases,” said Charles “Cully” Stimson, a former assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Columbia and co-author of the book “Rogue Prosecutors.”  “It does not affect state cases because, of course, we live in a republic and we have 50 sovereign states where the police power resides,” Stimson said. “So it does not affect the state cases.”  “For all intents and purposes, his legal problems, although not over, are about to be sent to the dustbin of history,” Stimson, deputy director of the Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation, told The Daily Signal.  Among the progressive prosecutors elected with the support of nonprofit organizations backed by billionaire George Soros is Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The Democrat won Trump’s conviction in May on 34 counts of fraud involving money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about a tryst with Trump. “Alvin Bragg can read English. He sees of course now the sixth high-profile Soros rogue prosecutor, [Los Angeles County District Attorney] George Gascon, lost in his race,” Stimson said.  “Alvin Bragg is not stupid. The case was on thin ice to begin with,” he said. “So, I’m sure people around him will either advise him it would be prudent not to even move forward.” However, Stimson said, anti-Trump motives might drive Bragg to keep the case alive.  “A more practical approach, if he were reasonable—and of course he has shown himself not to be reasonable—is to withdraw the case and dismiss it with prejudice now,” Stimson said. “But he won’t do that. That’s not the way these people are wired. Trump derangement syndrome will live in some segments of society. Whether Alvin Bragg wakes up and smells the coffee remains to be seen.” Bragg’s office did not respond to phone and email inquiries from The Daily Signal for this story.  New York Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the Manhattan trial, scheduled the sentencing hearing for Nov. 26 after Trump’s lawyers twice pushed for a delay—and they could argue for more delays.  Stimson said it’s possible that Merchan will decide on how the U.S. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling affects the Manhattan case.  In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis secured a RICO indictment against Trump for challenging the 2020 election result in Georgia, which Joe Biden won on the way to the presidency. RICO is an acronym for Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations. “The Fani Willis case will die on the vine of its own weight,” Stimson predicted.  Defense lawyers in the case brought a complaint against the prosecution after discovering that Willis had a romantic relationship with a lawyer she hired to handle the Trump case. They alleged that Willis benefited through vacation trips with him. Willis and the special prosecutor she hired, Nathan Wade, denied wrongdoing.   The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office did not respond to inquiries from The Daily Signal for this story.  Georgia has an independent State Board of Pardons and Paroles, which makes clemency decisions. But New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has the authority to issue pardons or commutations.  Hochul’s office did not respond to phone and email inquiries from The Daily Signal.  On Wednesday afternoon, though Hochul and New York state Attorney General Letitia James both spoke about plans to combat the incoming Trump administration.  Hochul made mention of immunity.  “New York has been a bastion of freedom and rule of law,” Hochul said.  She then said, addressing Trump: “If you try to harm New Yorkers or roll back our rights, I will fight you every step of the way.” James, who brought a successful state $450 million civil fraud lawsuit against Trump, later followed with a warning for Trump.  “As attorney general for the great state of New York, my job is to protect and defend the rights of New Yorkers and the rule of law,” James, also a Democrat, said Wednesday. “I will not shrink from this responsibility.” The post Trump Is President-Elect. So What Happens to Those Indictments? appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Warmer temperatures are here, which means summertime is just around the corner. With all the fun and sun that summer brings, it also unfortunately brings along nature’s perpetual pest – mosquitoes. These pesky insects can easily ruin your quality gardening time, so what better way to make sure that you get to tend your plants in peace than by investing in plants that actually repel mosquitoes? Mosquitoes Be Gone! Below you’ll find a list of nature’s own natural mosquito repellants, as well as some additional tools and tips to ensure that these pests are kept far at bay and you get to focus your quality time back on your garden! Lavender: This plant does much more than make an appearance in your favorite perfume or tea. Have you ever noticed how other insects, and even frequent garden animals such as rabbits, never decimate a lavender plant? Their beautiful fragrance actually hinders a mosquito’s ability to smell! Lavender is also one tough plant – it is highly durable in extreme heat and is drought-resistant once it has been fully established in a garden. It actually thrives best in warmer temperatures, so southern homesteaders rejoice! Marigolds: Similarly to lavender, marigolds are another beautiful garden addition that emit a smell which deters mosquitoes from flying near. These potted plants should be placed near your front door or on the back patio to ensure that mosquitoes do not go flying where they’re least wanted and risk slipping inside to escape from the summer heat. Marigolds are good for more than repelling mosquitoes – professional gardeners have even observed that they will deter aphids, thrips, whiteflies, bean beetles, squash bugs and tomato hornworms. Citronella Grass: You might not know it by name, but you would certainly know it by smell. This plant is the most commonly found ingredient in store-bought mosquito repellant sprays, and for good reasons; this low-maintenance plant is easily the most effective at repelling mosquitoes when planted live in a garden. It should be housed in large planter with other vegetation, as it does not do well in colder climates and thrives in the heat. Depending on how warm your climate gets in the summer, citronella grass can even be planted directly into the ground. Catnip: Part of the mint plant family, catnip has similar powers of aroma in repelling mosquitoes from your garden. Catnip is easy to access and is highly available in all garden and home center stores, and is highly effective in deterring those pesky bugs from disturbing your garden. Unfortunately, it can tend to be a bit invasive and might start to take over the rest of your garden if not monitored carefully. Rosemary: This plant comes highly recommended as a natural mosquito repellant by the New York Botanical Garden Society. Their woody, earthy scent not only repels mosquitoes, but has been known to scare off other pesky insects such as cabbage moths and carrot flies. A positive upside to growing rosemary in your garden is that it does well in containers, which means that it could grow and thrive in climates that experience winters. They also do equally as well in hot or dry climates. Need a few more reasons to love rosemary? It can be easily pruned into decorative shapes or borders to jazz up your garden, and you can add it to a garden salad or use it as a seasoning for your favorite summer dishes! Basil: Much like rosemary, this herb that is traditionally used to season and spice up a number of dishes can also be used to repel mosquitoes. All types of basil will effectively accomplish this aim, so you should feel free to experiment with different types of basil and find a type that works best with your garden and your sense of smell. To maintain basil, make sure that the herb is kept damp, is drained thoroughly and frequently, and enjoys lots of sunshine. Basil can be planted directly in the garden alongside the other plants, or can be kept in a container with other flowers or herbs, as long as they are grown and sprout at the same time. Scented geraniums: This is one final popular option that you might decide to use as a natural mosquito repellant. Also recommended by the New York Botanical Garden, this lemon-scented flower serves the same function as the previous plants in that its smell deters mosquitoes from flying near. Like most of the others, scented geraniums flourish best in hot, dry, and sunny environments, but can be maintained and kept in colder environments with lots of pruning and attention to growth. Extra Protection: Looking for a little extra protection from mosquitoes this summer? Below is a list of specific requirements that you should look for in a pest repellant yard spray to ensure that you are being safe to your garden. You’ll be able to keep the beauty, health, and vibrancy of your plants while making sure that those pesky pests stay far away from your flowers (and your eardrums!): Look for products that contain sodium chlorine and potassium sorbate. These are classified as non-toxic yard and plant sprays, as the ingredients can be found in common household items such as soaps and shampoos. Potassium sorbate is an organic compound that is often used as food preservative. Look for sprays that have a long-lasting efficiency, somewhere around 8 weeks’ time. This ensures that the spray not only gets rid of existing pests, but prevents any others from creeping in. Make sure that the spray you purchase states that is has non-staining properties. The last thing you’d want to do is discolor your grass or ruin a nicely-stained fence with your pest repellant spray. Avoiding mosquitoes is important on a number of levels: not only are they pesky for you, your pets, and your garden plants, they are known to carry a number of diseases that can be extremely harmful. Including these plants in your garden and knowing what to look for in pest sprays will surely make your home a much safer place this summer – not to mention, you’ll never find a better-smelling garden in your neighborhood! Up Next: Pickled Cactus Recipe with a Sweet Twist Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!

Democrats Did It to Themselves, part two

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Sunny Hostin, co-host of ABC’s The View, proved once again how staunchly racist she was when she lashed out at “uneducated white women” and blamed them for Vice President Harris’s stunning loss to President-elect Trump. She also suggested she wasn’t surprised by America’s sexism and racism and that the election “was a referendum of cultural resentment in this country.” Perhaps trying to deflect attention away from how she inadvertently crippled the Harris campaign with a softball question last month, Hostin proclaimed, “black women tried to save this country again last night” and lashed out at her favorite demographic to fling her hate at: What we did not was white women, who voted about 52 percent for Donald Trump, uneducated white women in my understanding. You have Latino men actually voting more for him. And you have – And black men were not the story here because they voted almost 80 percent for the Vice President. Why do you think uneducated white women voted against their reproductive health freedoms and why did Latino men voted in favor of someone that’s going to deport – says he’s going to deport the majority of his community? Anti-Trump Republican Alyssa Farah Griffin, who seems to be recrafting herself as the Trump-voter explainer on the panel following Trump’s win, actually pushed back on Hostin’s smears. “I don’t think white women like being called uneducated white women. I think the economy matters, national security matters,” she argued before Hostin rudely interrupted to claim she was only quoting polls (which was a lie). “When you put people in these boxes, I think that’s a takeaway from this race,” Farah Griffin added.     Hostin began her comments by proclaiming she was “profoundly disturbed” by her fellow Americans and the results. She went on an unhinged rant about she does not “worry about [her] station in life” but she does worry about how her and her daughter supposedly have fewer civil rights now: I worry about my children's future, especially my daughter who now has less [sic] rights than I have. I remember my father telling me many, many years ago that I was the first person in his family to enjoy full civil rights. And now I have less [sic] civil rights than I had when he told me that. She went on to claim that “our healthcare system is now at risk” and claimed Trump was going to put people in “internment camps.” Of course, according to her warped sense of reality, it all boiled down to America being racist and sexist. “As a woman of color,” she condescendingly prefaced. “I was so hopeful that a mixed race woman married to a Jewish guy could be elected president of this country.” Without evidence, she claimed the wholesale rejection of Harris “had nothing to do with policy,” but rather “a referendum of cultural resentment in this country.” While four of the six hosts where wearing black, Hostin’s racist attacks on white women were the worst of The View’s reaction to Trump’s victory. For instance, Joy Behar said she “vehemently disagree[s] with the decision that Americans made, but I feel very, very hopeful that we have a democratic system in this country. We should value it. We should love it.” Moderator Whoopi Goldberg, who often flips out when Trump mispronounces “Kamala,” reaffirmed that she would still be refusing to say his name. "He's now the president. I'm still not going to say his name. That's not going to change,” she said. All of them said they would respect the results, but would continue to stand and “march” against Trump whenever possible. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read: ABC’s The View November 6, 2024 11:07:20 a.m. Eastern (…) SUNNY HOSTIN: I'm profoundly disturbed. I think if you look at the New York Times this morning, the headline was “America makes a perilous choice.” I think that in 2016 we didn't know what we would get from a Trump administration. But we know now. And we know now that he will have almost unfettered power. And so, I worry – not about myself actually. I don't worry about my station in life. I worry about the working-class. I worry about my mother, a retired teacher. I worry about our elderly and their social security and their Medicare. I worry about my children's future, especially my daughter who now has less [sic] rights than I have. I remember my father telling me many, many years ago that I was the first person in his family to enjoy full civil rights. And now I have less [sic] civil rights than I had when he told me that. So again, I am profoundly disturbed that the 14th Amendment of the Constitution did not prevent someone who participated in an insurrection from becoming president of the United States. I think that going forward, the convicted felon box on employment applications better be taken off. Because if you can be president of the United States, then you should not be prevented from employment in this country. Cause, I remember applying for my job as a federal prosecutor and there was a box for convicted felons. And that box better be taken off. And I think our healthcare system is now at risk. JOY BEHAR: No fluoride for anyone. HOSTIN: Economists have made clear that he's going to increase the debt by $7.75 tillion. I'm worried about mass deportation and internment camps. And I’m also worried about Elon Musk warning Americans to prepare for temporary hardship. I'm surprised by the result, but I'm not surprised. As a woman of color, I was so hopeful that a mixed race woman married to a Jewish guy could be elected president of this country. And I think that it had nothing to do with policy. I think this was a referendum of cultural resentment in this country. (…) 11:23:58 a.m. Eastern HOSTIN: I want to dig further into the demographics because black women tried to save this country again last night. 92 percent of black women voted for the Vice President. You have Latinas in the 70 percentile voting for the Vice President. What we did not was white women, who voted about 52 percent for Donald Trump, uneducated white women in my understanding. You have Latino men actually voting more for him. And you have – And black men were not the story here because they voted almost 80 percent for the Vice President. Why do you think uneducated white women voted against their reproductive health freedoms and why did Latino men voted in favor of someone that’s going to deport – says he’s going to deport the majority of his community. ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: I don’t think white women like being called uneducated white women. I think the economy matters, national security matters – HOSTIN: That's what the polls said! FARAH GRIFFIN: When you put people in these boxes, I think that’s a takeaway from this race. HOSTIN: We have to look at the demographics of it. (…)

Greatness was achieved last night in the form of Donald Trump’s historical comeback to regain the Oval Office after being persecuted relentlessly by the left. Trump’s re-election echoes other times in American history when our nation could be characterized as truly great. Jason Whitlock reflects fondly on the past as he celebrates a Trump victory. “When Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant — tell me America wasn't great on that day,” says Whitlock, referencing the agreement that would end slavery that took place on April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. “We needed to end slavery. It was an abomination that needed to be ended, and it was. Great day,” he adds. Another great time in American history is dedicated to the Wright brothers, who invented the airplane. “America used to be the birthplace of all this innovation. You tell me America wasn’t great when men were out creating and doing things that have benefited the rest of society?” he asks rhetorically. And while he knows he’ll catch some flak for this one, Whitlock knows that America was also great when “black people were not obsessed with living in proximity to white people.” “There was a time when black people weren't sitting around going, ‘Oh my God, I'm gonna make it to heaven as soon as I move into a white neighborhood; oh, all of my prayers will be answered as soon as I get to go to an all-white school.’ There was a time when that was not the priority of black people. That was a great time,” says Whitlock, adding, “That's not me calling for segregation; that's me calling for a return to sanity.” “You know what the priority was then in the 1920s, '30s, '40s, and '50s for black people and for Americans?” he asks. “Family. That was a great time. Your survival, your success in life was predicated on building a great family, sustaining a family, developing and nurturing your children. That was the priority, and that was a great time.” To hear more of Whitlock’s commentary, watch the clip above. Want more from Jason Whitlock?To enjoy more fearless conversations at the crossroads of culture, faith, sports, and comedy with Jason Whitlock, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Pope Francis left readers confused after a social media post accidentally generated support for the New Orleans Saints football team.The leader of the Catholic church, Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio), issued a thoughtful message through his social media platforms about why saints are an illustration of the good in humanity."The #Saints are precious pearls and are always living and relevant because they provide a fascinating commentary on the Gospel," the pope's post began.The pope's message continued, "Their lives are an illustration of the Good News that Jesus brought to humanity: God is our Father, who loves everyone with boundless love."However, little did the pope know that his use of the hashtag "#Saints" on X would produce the NFL team's logo, the fleur-de-lis. — (@) Fans quickly jumped on the harmless error and connected it to the Saints' recent firing of Coach Dennis Allen."Even the Pope is excited we fired Dennis Allen," a fan quickly replied.Even the Pope is excited we fired Dennis Allen— Jono Barnes (@JonoBarnes) November 5, 2024 "Losing to the Panthers was so bad that they had to call up the Pope," another fan wrote. A third fan excitedly suggested that the pope's blessing "might turn their season around."Losing to the Panthers was so bad that they had to call up the Pope— Jonny Mondo  (@jmondo13) November 5, 2024 The Saints themselves weren't going to let this opportunity go to waste. They soon shared the post and offered their thanks."Thank you for your prayers, Pontiff. We need them," the Saints' X post said.Attached was a photo of Gayle Benson, owner of the football team, gifting Pope Francis his own Saints jersey that read "Papa Francesco" on the back.Benson presented the jersey to the pope earlier in 2024 during a trip to Italy and Germany. The owner was meeting with Italian leaders in economic development and tourism to promote business opportunities in New Orleans and Louisiana as a whole.The Saints are just 2-7 in 2024, sit dead last in the NFC, and are tied for last overall in the NFL.Their season will not get any easier when they play the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, November 10; the Falcons lead their division with a 6-3 record. New Orleans Saints fans dress up as the pope at FedEX Field in Maryland.Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty ImagesLike Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Kamala Harris tried pandering to American Christians in the final stretch before Election Day, likely hoping they had forgotten about her suggestion that traditional pro-life Catholics cannot sit as American judges; her threats to religious liberty; her efforts to compel religious institutions to compromise their beliefs and accept both abortion and gender ideology; her efforts to legally crush pro-life activists; and her recent suggestion to a pair of Christian college students who yelled "Jesus is Lord" at a campaign event that they were "at the wrong rally." The Democratic vice president's efforts were in vain. American Christians overwhelmingly rejected Harris — dubbed the most "anti-faith" candidate in American history Friday by Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts — in Tuesday's election, which was consecrated to the Virgin Mary in advance by an exorcist. According to CNN exit polls, 62% of respondents who identified as Protestant or "other Christian" and 56% of respondents who identified as Catholics ultimately voted to make President Donald Trump the 47th president. NBC's exit polls affirmed that Trump's support among both Christian groups was in the neighborhood, showing two percentage points higher on both counts. Some of those Christians, overjoyed by Trump's landslide victory and its greater significance, broke into song at the Republican's victory party at Florida's West Palm Beach County Convention Center early Wednesday morning. The titular host of "The Truth with Lisa Boothe" captured the crowd's apparently spontaneous rendition of "How Great Thou Art" on camera. Boothe told Blaze News that as the victory party was wrapping up and she was about make her departure, "All of a sudden, I just hear singing. I don't know who started it, but it seemed very spontaneous. People started singing and then more people started joining in." 'We really are one nation under God.' Soon, more Trump supporters joined the impromptu 3 a.m. chorale, at which point Boothe began recording. — (@) "It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen," said Boothe. "It brought me to tears and tugged on my heart." "I think what was so beautiful about it is that you have all these people who have been so disparaged by the media, who have been maligned, who have been demeaned, who have been called all these terrible things — 'garbage,' 'fascists,' 'Nazis,' 'irredeemable,' 'basket of deplorables,'" continued Boothe. "You have people of all walks of life, all races, all backgrounds, coming together to celebrate Jesus Christ and to celebrate this course correction as a country." 'You see nothing but humble joy.' The moving moment impressed upon Boothe that "we really are one nation under God, and we are more united than divided." Boothe reflected on how Americans have been treated during the Biden-Harris years: During COVID, you weren't allowed to go to church in some parts of the country. People's businesses were shut down. You know, people were forced to get ... experimental vaccines that they didn't need or want. And you had the heavy hand of government come down on pro-life Catholics who peacefully protested outside of abortion clinics, who just wanted to direct women in another direction or at least make them think about the decision they were about to make. Boothe indicated that after such a dark period in American history, the hymn Wednesday was not just a Christ-directed sigh of relief but a sign of hope, renewal, and unity. Boothe's video went viral, prompting some commentators online to note the hymn's significance to them and others to marvel at the genuine joy exuded by those long denigrated by Democrats. BlazeTV's Liz Wheeler tweeted, "I'm sobbing. God is so merciful. And my goodness these are the people who have been called garbage & Nazis and yet you see nothing but humble joy." One user on X noted that the video left her in tears as "How Great Thou Art" was her late mother's favorite song: "She's so happy in heaven right now watching us get back on the right path!" BlazeTV's Sara Gonzales wrote, "This is absolutely beautiful." "What an experience," wrote Fr. Calvin Robinson. "God be with you all." Fr. Robinson added, "How Great Thou Art was an anthem of Billy Graham's Crusades. Let it become an anthem in President Trump's Crusade to Make America Great Again. Make The West Christendom Again." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

As of Wednesday afternoon, Arizona’s final election results were still pending, yet two immigration and crime-related ballot measures had already secured resounding victories — propositions 313 and 314.Prop 313 increases the penalties for convicted child sex traffickers, requiring a mandatory minimum life sentence without the possibility of parole or release.'Ignore the gaslighting.'Currently, under Arizona law, those convicted of sex trafficking a child under 15 years old face a minimum of seven years in prison. With only 59% of Arizona's ballot tallied, the prop passed with more than 1.3 million votes, 63.7%.Republican state Sen. Shawnna Bolick urged voters to support the measure and "send a powerful message: Arizona's children are not for sale.""Every two minutes a child from the United States is trafficked for the sole purpose of human exploitation. According to the Arizona Attorney General's Office, the average age of entry into sex trafficking is 14 years old. Traffickers steal our children as young as five years old to sell them into a life of misery and despair," Bolick wrote. "Please join me in saving our most precious resource by being on the side of saving children."Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and Senate candidate Kari Lake also called for voters to support the prop.Arizonans also approved Prop 314, which empowers state and local law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants entering in between ports of entry. Furthermore, this measure allows state judges to issue deportation orders.Additionally, the measure makes it a low-level felony to provide false information or documents for employment or public benefits. It also elevates the sale of fentanyl to a class 2 felony when such sales lead to a fatality.Prop 314 is modeled after Texas' Senate Bill 4, which is currently tied up in the courts. Arizona's law will become active only if and when Texas' bill is declared constitutional by the Supreme Court. Again, with Arizona's reporting only roughly halfway complete, the measure received more than 1.3 million votes, 62.8%.Arizona state Sen. John Kavanagh, a co-sponsor of the prop, said, "We need Prop 314. The border is in chaos."Brook Doty, chairman of the LD17 Republicans, urged voters to pass Prop 314."Ignore the gaslighting and vote yes," Doty declared. "Until the federal government decides to prioritize Americans over the needs of the rest of the world, Arizona must shoulder this burden to protect its own citizens."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

One of the true godfathers of the RTS genre, StarCraft’s gripping, strategic multiplayer action has likely sapped up hundreds or thousands of hours of your time over the years. While multiplayer is already free to play in both the original and its successor, PC Game Pass subscribers can now dive into StarCraft Remastered and all of the expansion content from StarCraft 2 as part of their subscription. Continue reading A double dose of StarCraft goodness has just hit Game Pass MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RTS games, Best strategy games, Best space games