In an interview last month with talk show host Oprah Winfrey, Vice President Kamala Harris once again played up her status as a gun owner, emphatically declaring: “If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot!” Let’s put aside the reality that her well-armed and taxpayer-funded security detail almost certainly would confront any would-be intruder long before he or she successfully broke into Harris’ home. For the millions of Americans who own firearms for self-defense, Harris’ quip about her quick draw was perhaps the most relatable sentence she’s ever uttered. It took her almost no time to walk it back. Literally. Harris immediately laughed and remarked that she “should not have” made the comment and her “staff could deal with that later.” It was as though by declaring her willingness to use her right to keep and bear arms in lawful self-defense, Harris had committed an embarrassing gaffe that would need a subsequent PR spin to clean up. Right on cue, one of Harris’ top advisers chimed in to insist that the vice president’s remark about shooting an intruder was merely “a joke.” The problem is that exercising one’s right to armed self-defense against threats to life, liberty, and property isn’t a joke. It’s the whole point of the right to keep and bear arms. Almost every major study has found that Americans use their firearms in self-defense between 500,000 and 3 million times annually, according to the most recent report on the subject by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2021, the most comprehensive study ever conducted on the issue concluded that roughly 1.6 million defensive gun uses occur in the United States every year. For this reason, The Daily Signal publishes a monthly article highlighting some of the previous month’s many news stories on defensive gun use that you may have missed—or that might not have made it to the national spotlight in the first place. (Read accounts from past months and years here.) The examples below represent only a small portion of the news stories on defensive gun use during crimes that we found in September. You may explore more by using The Heritage Foundation’s interactive Defensive Gun Use Database.  Sept. 1, Houston: Police said a woman asked a male relative to leave her home, angering him and triggering an argument during which he stabbed the woman with a kitchen knife. When the woman’s husband tried to intervene, the relative “lunged at [him] with the knife.” The woman’s husband shot and wounded the man, who faced a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Sept. 4, St. Petersburg, Florida: A man drunkenly telephoned his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend out of jealousy, threatened to harm him with a gun, and told the ex-boyfriend that he was driving to his house, police said. The man didn’t know the ex-boyfriend wasn’t home. When the man arrived in his truck and yelled angrily, the ex-boyfriend’s brother—who didn’t know the man—armed himself. The brother told the man to leave the property, then fatally shot him when he reached into a console and made movements consistent with chambering a round.  Sept. 7, Chicago: An 18-year-old returned to her bedroom in a towel after bathing and saw a man trying to force his way in through her window, police said. She yelled for her mother, who grabbed a firearm and ran to the bedroom, where she warned the intruder that she was armed. The woman shot and wounded the intruder when he continued trying to enter. Police arrested the man on pending criminal charges. The woman told reporters that she hopes to move soon because police seized her gun although she wasn’t charged with a crime. Sept. 10, Gaston County, North Carolina: During an armed robbery at a local food store, the assailant pointed his gun at a customer who tried to intervene, police said. The customer—a concealed carry permit holder—drew his own gun and fatally shot the robber. Sept. 11, Baker City, Oregon: When a couple woke up to see a man they didn’t know in their bedroom, police said, the woman grabbed a handgun from a nightstand and ordered the man out of the house at gunpoint. The intruder, detained on the porch, grew agitated and walked away as they waited for police, who due to staffing shortages don’t patrol for a five-hour period overnight. Later identified and arrested, the man was charged with first-degree criminal trespassing and failing to report as a sex offender.   Sept. 13, Hobbs, New Mexico: After a man forced his way into their home in the early morning hours, residents barricaded themselves in a bedroom before one ultimately shot and killed the intruder. Police said they later determined that the intruder’s mother resided in a nearby home, where they found her dead. Sept. 18, Dearborn, Missouri: Police said an armed resident fatally shot a man during a “bizarre” home invasion. The man—only partially clothed—arrived at the property and began to “pray to a horse,” attacked the family dog, and tried to force his way into the home. Sept. 23, Centralia, Washington: A teenage girl who fell asleep on a couch in her grandfather’s home was awakened in the middle of the night by a hatchet-wielding intruder making noise in the kitchen, police said. The girl alerted her grandfather, who armed himself, confronted the intruder, and held him at gunpoint until police arrived. The intruder—who apparently knew the homeowner’s son—told investigators that he broke into the home to “ax” an unidentified man over a fight in Mexico a year and a half earlier. Sept. 24, Harrison Township, Ohio: One day after reporting a burglary in which intruders stole multiple firearms, police said, an armed homeowner confronted two men who entered his house during a second burglary attempt. The homeowner shot at the men, wounding one and sending both fleeing. Responding officers found and detained the men, then arrested several others suspected of being involved. Sept. 26, Las Vegas: A homeowner called 911 after a strange man broke several windows while attempting to enter the residence, police said. The intruder ignored the homeowner’s demands that he leave and “was acting extremely irrationally,” investigators said. When he continued toward the front door, the homeowner fatally shot him. Sept. 27, Tallahassee, Florida: In the hours after a major hurricane passed through the area, two would-be robbers entered a hemp store and threateningly approached the only employee there, police said. The employee ordered them to leave and drew his firearm, but they continued advancing as he backed himself up to a wall. Cornered, he fired at the men, killing one. Sept. 28, Walker Place, Arkansas: Police said a male resident shot and wounded an intruder who tried to break into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment through a bedroom window. The intruder fled, but later was arrested and charged with felony aggravated residential burglary. Sept. 29, Philadelphia: Police said aman witha concealed carry permit shot and wounded a teen who approached him with another person and tried to rob him with a fake but realistic-looking gun. Police arrested the wounded teen but couldn’t find the accomplice, who fled. For the ordinary and law-abiding Americans described above, the exercise of their Second Amendment rights in defense of themselves and others certainly wasn’t a joke or an embarrassing gaffe. They understood what Harris apparently is too afraid to admit: The right to keep and bear arms isn’t premised on sport shooting or hunting, but on the unalienable right of self-defense. The Heritage Foundation is named here for identification purposes only. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect any institutional position of Heritage or its Board of Trustees. The post Yes, Kamala Harris: Defensive Gun Use Is the Point of Our Second Amendment appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Welcome to the fascinating world of plant-based healing! Building your own herbal first aid kit harnesses centuries-old remedies that soothe, heal, and protect. For generations, people have trusted these natural solutions. By this blog post’s end, you’ll be ready to create a herbal first aid kit that can help keep your family safe. Why Build a Herbal First Aid Kit? A herbal first aid kit offers a safe, eco-friendly alternative to conventional medicines. Many over-the-counter treatments contain synthetic ingredients that may cause side effects or allergic reactions. In contrast, herbal remedies have been trusted for centuries and work naturally with the body’s healing processes. These remedies can treat minor injuries like cuts, burns, insect bites, and skin irritations, without relying on chemical products. Herbal solutions are sustainable, cost-effective, and easy to prepare at home. Growing medicinal herbs reduces dependence on store-bought products and minimizes waste. In addition, cultivating your own herbs is inexpensive compared to repeatedly purchasing conventional medicines. Learning to make simple preparations like drying herbs or making salves ensures you’ll always have natural remedies ready. Build a Powerful Herbal First Aid Kit: 10 Essential Remedies When it comes to treating minor injuries and soothing everyday ailments, many generations have full trust in natural remedies. A well-stocked herbal first aid kit can offer eco-friendly, effective solutions for wounds, burns, bites, and more. In this guide, discover 10 powerful herbs that will help you create a first aid kit filled with time-tested, natural healing options. From herbs that soothe skin irritations to those that boost the immune system, each remedy offers unique benefits. Let’s explore the herbs you need to assemble your own herbal first aid kit and promote a more holistic approach to health. 1. Calendula: A Powerful Healer for Wounds Calendula, also known as marigold, helps heal wounds and soothe skin irritations. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties are ideal for scrapes, rashes, and burns. Additionally, calendula speeds up recovery and prevents infections when you apply it as a salve or oil. It also works well for reducing swelling and redness in irritated skin. Many people use calendula to promote faster healing of minor cuts and abrasions. Learn more about calendula's healing benefits on WebMD. 2. Lavender: A Soothing Remedy for Multiple Uses Lavender plays a crucial role in calming and healing. It helps with burns, insect bites, and stings. In addition, lavender oil reduces headaches and stress.  This fragrant herb offers quick relief for minor pain, while its pleasant aroma also encourages relaxation. In fact, lavender is widely used in aromatherapy to improve mood and alleviate tension. Applied topically, it helps reduce inflammation and promotes wound healing. Learn more about the health benefits of lavender on Healthline. 3. Yarrow: A Lifesaving Herb for Stopping Bleeding For centuries, Yarrow has been essential for stopping bleeding quickly. Specifically, you can crush fresh leaves or use powdered yarrow on minor wounds. As a result, yarrow  helps control bleeding and promotes healing. Moreover, the herb  reduces inflammation. Meanwhile, its astringent properties help shrink tissues and accelerate the healing process of cuts and scrapes. Not surprisingly, it also helps soothe irritated skin. 4. Arnica: The Go-To Herb for Reducing Bruises and Pain Arnica is excellent for reducing bruising, swelling, and pain. It also treats muscle aches, sprains, and arthritis. However, avoid using it on open wounds  as Arnica cream or gel works best for unbroken skin. Additionally, Amica helps ease inflammation quickly. It can also reduce stiffness in sore muscles, which makes it ideal for athletes recovering from injuries. This herb  is also a common remedy for reducing discoloration. 5. Echinacea: A Potent Immune Booster Echinacea boosts the immune system and fights infections. It’s effective for colds, sore throats, and minor wounds. Moreover, drinking echinacea tea or using a tincture strengthens your body’s defenses. Consequently, it plays a key role in preventative health and speeds up recovery. Echinacea is often used at the first sign of a cold to prevent further infection. Additionally, it has mild antiviral properties that can aid in fighting off infections. Read more about echinacea’s immune benefits on the NCCIH. 6. Comfrey: An Effective Remedy for Bone and Tissue Healing Comfrey, or “bone-knit,” is essential for healing fractures, sprains, and muscle damage. Its high allantoin content stimulates cell regeneration and  speeds up the healing of bones and connective tissues. In short, it’s indispensable for recovery from injuries. Use it externally, though, as internal use may pose risks. Comfrey can also be used in compresses to reduce swelling and support tissue repair. Its rapid healing properties make it ideal for sprains and strains. 7. Aloe Vera: A Soothing Solution for Burns Aloe vera is widely recognized for its efficacy in soothing burns. Apply the gel from its leaves directly to sunburned or irritated skin for quick relief. Additionally, aloe hydrates the skin and reduces inflammation. It also helps with minor cuts, abrasions, and insect bites, speeding up healing and preventing infection. Aloe’s moisturizing properties help prevent scars. Meanwhile, its cooling effect brings immediate comfort. This makes aloe vera a vital addition to your herbal first aid kit. 8. Plantain: A Reliable Protector for Skin Issues Plantain is a versatile solution for skin healing as it treats bug bites, stings, and skin irritations. Moreover, plantain draws out toxins, reduces swelling, and speeds up recovery. It’s a simple yet effective remedy for skin concerns. Plantain can be made into a poultice to soothe rashes and insect stings. Its antibacterial properties also help prevent infection in minor wounds, while its astringent nature accelerates healing. 9. St. John’s Wort: A Calming Remedy for Nerve Pain St. John’s Wort is great for relieving nerve pain and provides long-term relief from chronic nerve issues. It’s often used for conditions like sciatica and neuralgia. When applied topically, it can ease the discomfort of nerve-related pain and soothe sunburned skin. Using it as an oil or tincture calms damaged nerves and reduces pain. Moreover, St. John’s Wort is also known for its mood-lifting properties and is sometimes used to treat mild depression.  10. Chamomile: A Gentle and Calming Herb Chamomile is a trusted remedy for calming anxiety, promoting sleep, and easing digestive discomfort. Additionally, it soothes skin irritations and minor wounds. It is also gentle enough for children and is commonly used to soothe colic and other minor ailments. Chamomile can help reduce redness and irritation in inflamed skin conditions. A cup of chamomile tea relaxes the mind, while a poultice soothes irritated skin. Ultimately, chamomile’s anti-inflammatory properties make it essential to your herbal kit.  Assemble Your Herbal First Aid Kit Today!  With these 10 herbal remedies to assemble a powerful toolkit for minor injuries. Furthermore, using natural solutions allows you to care for your family in a safer, eco-friendly way. Generations have tested these herbs, which proves that nature provides everything we need. Now is the time to build your herbal first aid kit! These remedies will make a significant difference in handling minor emergencies. Additionally, you’re choosing a holistic approach to health. So, share your progress with us, and let’s keep learning together!

Oohs and Boos at the Al Smith Dinner

On Friday, ABC’s Good Morning America tightly clutched its pearls about former President Donald Trump deploying “dark language” to level “very personal attacks” and “grievances” on poor Vice President Kamala Harris at Thursday’s Al Smith Dinner that “crossed the line.” In contrast, ABC showed no such concern about Harris going after Trump, swooning she “[took] Donald Trump to task” by “upping the pace and intensity of...her warnings about” him and making “a blistering rebuke of” Trump on abortion. ABC's 'Good Morning America' and @RachelVScott need a fainting couches as they lost their minds over Donald Trump using "dark language" "grievances" to level "very personal attacks" at Kamala Harris during the #AlSmithDinner with little "off limits" pic.twitter.com/36vAl5TmHh — Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) October 18, 2024 ABC channeled Howard Stern from last week, who told Harris that no one — not even far-left Saturday Night Live — should be allowed to make fun of her because American democracy depends on her victory. Fervent Trump hater Rachel Scott had the ball placed on the tee for her by weekend co-host Whit Johnson fretting Trump turned the “usually...light” Al Smith Dinner into an evening full of “dark language.” The thin-skinned Scott complained “not much was off limits for Donald Trump last night” as he “turned from making political jokes to launching very personal attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris and just hours before that he questioned her racial identity again and cast out on the integrity of the November election.” Scott’s histrionics continued on, huffing about Trump “questioning Vice President Kamala Harris’s racial identity” in a separate interview and making clear she “was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus while serving in the Senate” and went to Howard. “Overnight, Trump attending the Al Smith Charity Dinner in New York, traditionally attended by both nominees. Only Trump showing up in-person. The former President getting a mixed reaction from the crowd, turning from political jokes to airing grievances and launching personal attacks against his rivals, even acknowledging some of his jokes crossed the line,” she kvetched. Scott saw no issue with Harris: “Harris addressed the event in a video featuring Molly Shannon, portraying her Saturday Night Live character, Mary Katherine Gallagher.” She later boasted of “audible gasps in that room” over some of Trump’s jokes, adding he would be campaigning in the Detroit area and had to tell viewers the last time he was there he (correctly) called Detroit a mess. ABC trotted out Mary Bruce — its North Korea news lady for the Biden-Harris regime — to sing Harris’s praises and voice issue concerns about her rhetoric (click “expand”): BRUCE: Well, as we head into this final sprint now, Kamala Harris is upping the pace and intensity of her campaign and the intensity of her warnings about Trump second term overnight, with a blistering rebuke of his position on abortion. Overnight, with abortion front and center in this race, Kamala Harris taking Donald Trump to task for his shifting position. HARRIS: Now, Donald Trump has a very different view on reproductive freedoms. BRUCE: During a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Harris letting Trump speak for himself. TRUMP: Every wanted it, and I did it. [SCREEN WIPE] For 54 years, they were trying to get Roe v. Wade terminated and I did it. HARRIS: No, Donald, everybody did not want Roe v. Wade to be overturned. Women are dying of sepsis because they cannot get the health care they need. They did not want this. BRUCE: Harris calling Trump out for trying to soften his stance on abortion after he told a town hall of all women voters this week that he’s the, “father of IVF.” (....) BRUCE: Harris upping her warnings about a second Trump term, hammering the message that he is a danger to democracy, going after Trump’s suggestion that he would use the military to go after his opponent — (....) BRUCE: — and slamming him for calling January 6 a “day of love.” (....) BRUCE: And next week, she’s bringing her heavy hitters, appearing for the first time on the trail alongside the Obamas. On CBS Mornings, notice the verb choice by co-host Tony Dokoupil in the Eye Opener: “Vice President Kamala Harris hits Trump over January 6, while Trump attacks Harris at a fundraiser in New York.” Dokoupil later in the actual segment said there was “tough talk” and “sharp attacks from both presidential candidates” before again contrasting the verbs with Trump “insult[ing]” Harris and Harris just “hit[ting] Trump[.]” Chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes fretted the Al Smith Dinner features a “gentl[e] roast,” but Trump’s “jokes were not that gentle.” Cordes went easy on Harris. Here was one example: “Harris did send in a video prerecorded a video with comedian Molly Shannon...and she did roasting of her own in Green Bay, mocking Trump’s new claim that he’s the father of IVF.” NBC’s Today had Sunday host Willie Geist at least start on a more gentle note by saying Harris was “going after Donald Trump” while “Trump [made] jokes at her expense.” Chief White House correspondent Peter Alexander said Trump “lobb[ed] insults at his rival” during the dinner since Harris sent “ in a prerecorded video alongside former SNL star Molly Shanahan, playing Catholic school girl Mary Katherine Gallagher.” Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker dropped by for analysis and claimed it’s Trump who’s focused on abortion and January 6 and framed Harris’s rhetoric about Trump as a danger to the country as a “sharpening” of “her lines of attack” (click “expand”): WELKER: Willie, look, voters have made it clear what they want to see in this election is a candidate who represents change and our latest poll really underscores that point. In September, Harris had a nine-point lead on representing change. That’s now down to a five-point lead. And remember, this week, Harris said to Fox News, my presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency. In talking to campaign officials overnight, they tell me they’re signaling at this point there won’t be a change in strategy. Still, some Democrats are hoping she’ll add a few more details about how her presidency will differ. For his part, Donald Trump is arguing that he will represent change. But allies of his that I speak with are concerned he hasn’t been focused on the issues that matter most to voters like the economy and immigration. They worry he’s been sidetracked by conspiracy theories, questions surrounding the last election, as well as an inconsistent messaging on abortion, which is, of course, Willie, going to be one of the key motivating factors in this election. One final note here, Willie, our new NBC News poll shows that 62 percent of voters believe the upcoming election makes a great deal of difference in their lives and in their family’s lives. So, it really gives you a sense people are looking at this seriously. GEIST: Yeah, a lot of energy behind this election. Kristen, many observers have noted Vice President Harris getting much tougher in her rhetoric, more direct in her criticism of Donald Trump. Clearly, that’s strategic. What is she aiming for there? WELKER: Well, it’s a great point. We are seeing Vice President Harris sharpening her lines of attack lately. Remember, she started out her campaign labeling Trump as weird, highlighted how she is going to bring joy back to the trail. Now she has shifted that, calling the former President unhinged and unstable. Harris campaign officials tell NBC News that describing him that way is an effective messaging tool to win over persuadable voters. As you saw in Peter’s piece, Trump is no stranger to darker rhetoric. He’s taken aim at the Vice President, trying to paint her at mentally incompetent, even questioning her race, which he did again overnight. But, Willie, with the country so deeply divided, the real question is will people turn away from what they see as more mudslinging or is this enough to get them energized to get out and vote. We’ll have to wait and see. To see the relevant transcripts from October 18, click here (for ABC), here (for CBS), and here (for NBC).

Mainstream media are reporting great polling numbers for Donald Trump and Republicans — but unfortunately for the media, they can’t say the same for Kamala Harris and the Democrats. “The big headline, this a national head-to-head poll, is that Vice President Kamala Harris had a five-point lead in our last poll taken a month ago, right after the debate. That lead has all but evaporated,” Kristen Welker of “Meet the Press” said in a segment on NBC. The polls are now reflecting a tie, what Welker is calling a “deadlocked race.” “It underscores what we all know: that this is tight, that the country is sharply divided,” she explained, adding, “One of the other big headlines here, people are viewing the Trump presidency more favorably than the Biden presidency.” “We’ve seen the vice president get pressed repeatedly on what she would do differently than President Biden, and she’s really struggled with that answer,” Welker finished. Stu Burguiere of “Stu Does America” has his own idea as to why Kamala is beginning to fail. “I can’t help but think there’s some hollow feeling with the support of Harris,” he tells Jill Savage of “Blaze News Tonight.” “I don’t know that there’s a real passion for Kamala Harris. I think only there’s passion against Trump; that might be enough.” And it’s not just NBC that’s admitting Kamala’s failure in the polls but CNN as well. “It really points in a good direction for them and for Donald Trump,” one CNN pollster explained after showing the Republicans have a one-point lead over the Democrats. He received a “wow” in return from his colleague. “Look, it’s a one-point lead. The Democrats always lead the generic ballot, though. Always are ahead,” Stu says. Want more from 'Blaze News Tonight'?To enjoy more provocative opinions, expert analysis, and breaking stories you won’t see anywhere else, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Amazon announced a $500 million investment in projects in Virginia and Washington state to power its data centers.Through an agreement with Virginia utility company Dominion Energy, Amazon Web Services will develop small modular nuclear reactors near the energy company's existing North Anna nuclear station. The small reactors will be built with technology from X-energy, a company out of Maryland.The announcement comes less than a month after Amazon posted a job listing looking for a nuclear engineer to assist with this same type of technology. Amazon joins a long list of companies that are shifting toward SMRs in order to power their massive computing and data needs, pushing concerns from green activists to the side by sporting this newer "clean energy."These companies include Microsoft, which signed a 20-year, 835-megawatt deal with Constellation Energy, which will reactivate a reactor at the infamous Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania.Data company Equinix signed its own 500-megawatt agreement with Oklo in April. Oklo also agreed to build a small modular reactor for data company Prometheus Hyperscale in May, providing 100 megawatts.As well, computer technology company Oracle announced in early September that it would be building a 1-gigawatt data center campus powered by three small modular reactors.Google also recently publicized an SMR purchase for its data center, with a target date of 2030 to bring the reactor online. 'We must bring clean, safe, and reliable electrons onto the grid.'At the same time, Amazon announced a deal with Energy Northwest out of Washington, which will own and operate the new nuclear reactors, adding energy to its own grid while powering Amazon's operations. Energy Northwest has the option to build more than 12 nuclear modules, with Amazon getting priority to buy electricity from the first four."Amazon and X-energy are poised to define the future of advanced nuclear energy in the commercial marketplace," said X-energy CEO J. Clay Sell, per CNBC. "To fully realize the opportunities available through artificial intelligence, we must bring clean, safe, and reliable electrons onto the grid with proven technologies that can scale and grow with demand."Amazon's plans include a whopping $35 billion investment in Virginia by 2040 for data centers across the state. Virginia is home to about half of all American data centers, establishing a region called Data Center Alley in Loudoun County.Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) recently said that SMRs will "play a critical role in positioning Virginia as a leading nuclear innovation hub.""Amazon Web Services' commitment to this technology and their partnership with Dominion is a significant step forward to meet the future power needs of a growing Virginia," Youngkin added.Overall, Amazon is developing a massive web of data center campuses and local power networks. In March, the company spent $650 million to acquire Talen Energy's campus next to the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. There, Amazon will develop 15 data centers as part of a 1,600-acre rezoning projection.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Florida and its Department of State filed a lawsuit this week against the Biden-Harris administration, claiming it is hindering the state from removing noncitizens from its voter rolls.A copy of the lawsuit, obtained by Fox News Digital, notes, "Florida has an obligation to maintain accurate and current voter registration records," and the "federal government has an obligation to cooperate with the States in ensuring only citizens vote in their elections."'The Biden-Harris administration has allowed millions of illegal immigrants into the country, and we must ensure that only citizens are on our voter rolls.'However, according to the state, the Biden-Harris administration "is refusing to comply with these obligations and frustrating Florida's ability to maintain the integrity of its elections."The complaint added that Florida is incapable of tracking voters' citizenship status on its own and, therefore, requires the federal government's assistance, particularly from the Department of Homeland Security.To track immigration and citizenship status, the DHS, through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, established the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program, an online verification service.According to the lawsuit, the online service should be available to states upon request. However, the suit claims that "the federal government refused to make the SAVE program available" to Florida, which aims to use it to protect election integrity.Following a 2012 lawsuit, the Florida Department of State and the DHS "entered into a memorandum of agreement … that allowed FDOS to access the SAVE program to verify citizenship and immigration status information for persons on Florida's voter registration rolls."However, in order to use the service to check on an individual's immigration status, Florida stated that it must already have the biographic data and a unique immigration identifier belonging to that person.The lawsuit claimed that the FDOS discovered "a number of individuals" who it had reason to believe may be noncitizens who are registered to vote. In an attempt to check on the individuals' citizenship status, the FDOS sent a letter to USCIS requesting verification because it lacks unique immigration identifiers to access the information through the SAVE program.According to Florida, the "USCIS denied FDOS's request for further information about the specific individuals in question and refused to offer any means of identifying immigration status beyond the SAVE program.""Florida has identified a subset of individuals for whom it cannot verify citizenship or immigration status through SAVE and for whom DHS refuses to verify citizenship or immigration status through other means," the lawsuit read.Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody told Fox News Digital, "Voting is a right granted to American citizens — not illegal immigrants or other noncitizens. The Biden-Harris administration has allowed millions of illegal immigrants into the country, and we must ensure that only citizens are on our voter rolls.""I am taking legal action against the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Mayorkas to ensure Florida is able to maintain the integrity of our state's voter rolls," Moody added.Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd said, "Florida is calling on the federal government to dismantle the barriers blocking the states from obtaining critical information needed to prevent noncitizens from voting in our elections."A spokesperson for the DHS told Fox News Digital that the agency does not comment on pending litigation.The spokesperson added, "More broadly, USCIS has engaged with Florida and will continue to correspond with them directly through official channels. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services administers an online information service called SAVE that allows registered and authorized agencies, including election authorities in states, to verify certain individuals' citizenship or immigration status.""SAVE is the most secure and efficient way to verify an individual's citizenship or immigration status, including for verification regarding voter registration and/or voter list maintenance," the DHS spokesperson continued. "By inputting an individual's name, unique DHS-issued immigration identifier, and birthdate, registered agencies can determine whether that person has obtained U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process or, for certain other individuals born abroad, whether USCIS has information confirming their U.S. citizenship."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey Jr. put out a new campaign ad Friday distancing himself from President Joe Biden, aligning himself with President Donald Trump, and altogether omitting any mention of Kamala Harris. While Casey, the son of former Pennsylvania Gov. Bob Casey Sr., might simply be attempting to draw moderate and independent supporters away from Trump-backed challenger David McCormick — the combat veteran MSNBC talking head Chuck Todd recently predicted would win — keen observers have suggested the ad is a telltale sign that Democrats know Pennsylvania is going for Trump. The ad features a couple who "just don't agree" on politics but found their way to agreeing that Casey is worth their time. The woman textually introduced as Marygrace of Old Forge claims that Casey is an "independent" who is "leading the effort to stop corporate greedflation and price gouging." 'You only run this ad if you think Trump is winning PA!' Marygrace notes further that "Casey bucked Biden to protect fracking and he sided with Trump to end NAFTA and put tariffs on China to stop them from cheating." Of course, Casey is anything but independent, voting in lockstep with his Democratic peers to unsuccessfully impeach Trump on multiple occasions; to protect sanctuary cities and the illegal aliens therein; to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act; against ending the national COVID-19 emergency; for greater gun control; and against the completion of barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. Although he now complains about inflation, he previously joined his fellow Democrats in voting for Biden's Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. While Casey is seeking to distance himself from Biden, Casey had — as of last year — voted with the president 98.5% of the time while in the Senate. The "independent" claim might be a stumbling block for Americans who know Casey, but the ad's suggestion that Casey is aligned with Trump is all the more puzzling — especially in light of the Republican's characterization by the Harris campaign and Democratic boosters as dangerous and unstable. Unless, of course, Democrats' internal polling indicates that the situation on the ground is far worse than has been publicly admitted. According to Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight polling, Trump and Harris are nearly tied in the Keystone State, Trump with 47.7% and Harris with 47.9%. The Telegraph's latest Redfield and Wilton Strategies polls shows the two candidates are tied at 48% a piece. The Wall Street Journal noted last Friday that Trump actually had a narrow edge in Pennsylvania and that independent voters remain evenly divided. Across several swing states, including Pennsylvania, the Journal noted that the top two issues of concern were the economy and immigration, in that order. Trump leads Harris by 10% on the first and by 16% on the second. Mike Berg, communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, wrote, "Quite a tell. Bob Casey is now promoting DJT in his ads." "Leftist Pennsylvania Senator @Bob_Casey is currently running a TV ad trying to tie himself to Trump," tweeted Donald Trump Jr. "Notice that he's not running any ads tying himself to Kamala Harris or mentioning that he votes with her 100% of the time. You only run this ad if you think Trump is winning PA!" Tim Murtaugh, the director of communications for Trump's 2020 campaign, noted, "Bob Casey thinks Donald Trump is going to win Pennsylvania. That's the only way to explain Casey's new ad, which ALIGNS HIM WITH TRUMP. He bucks Biden by name, and does not mention Kamala Harris at all. An endangered Dem is RUNNING AWAY FROM HARRIS AND WITH TRUMP. Just huge." The Trump campaign resisted Casey's desperate association with the president, writing, "Leftist scumbag Bob Casey — who supported BOTH impeachment hoaxes and votes with Kamala 100% of the time — is now desperately trying to embrace President Trump. Pennsylvanians know he's a shill for Kamala's deranged, radical left agenda — and always will be." Trump was the first Republican to win the state since 1988 and is said to have lost it in 2020 by 80,000 votes. The BBC highlighted that no Democrat has won the White House without taking the Keystone State since 1948. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter provided a prime example of how out of touch members of the mainstream media are by making comments about how great his quality of life is compared to that of most Americans.It started during Thursday's edition of "CNN Newsnight with Abby Phillip." CNN contributor Shermichael Singleton noted many Americans are fed up seeing so much money being spent overseas in multiple countries while things like infrastructure and school systems in the United States are deteriorating.Stelter characterized such criticisms as unamerican."I don't live in that country, by the way. America is not that horrible. ... I live in a normal city, in a normal town. I love New York, but my roads are not crumbling. My schools don't suck. I just get tired of the anti-America rhetoric," Stelter, 39, said. Stelter later wrote on X that Singleton had 'obviously' misrepresented his point."Well, maybe you're fortunate enough to put your kids in darn good schools ... but there are a lot of Americans in this country who aren't wealthy, who don't live in great cities, who do have to send their kids to terrible schools. That is a fact because of their zip codes," Singleton replied with emphasis. "And to sit here arrogantly and say, 'Well, my kids go to great schools. I live in a great neighborhood.' That's your experience!" — (@) Stelter later wrote on X that Singleton had "obviously" misrepresented his point.Stelter's comments are the latest clue that members of the media class often avoid the issues that everyday Americans face because they have the money to separate themselves from them. Martha Raddatz got a lot of heat for dismissing the growing threat of Tren de Aragua, the violent gang from Venezuela, because some members in Aurora, Colorado, had taken over only a "handful" of apartment complexes."Martha, do you hear yourself? Only a 'handful' of apartment complexes in America were taken over by Venezuelan gangs, and Donald Trump is the problem and not Kamala Harris’ open border?!" GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance replied. "Americans are so fed up with what’s going on, and they have every right to be, and I really find this exchange, Martha, sort of interesting because you seem to be more focused with nitpicking everything that Donald Trump has said rather than acknowledging that apartment complexes in the United States of America are being taken over by violent gangs."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Here's CBS News Trying to Pin the Cost of Cleaning Up Biden & Harris' Open Border on Trump