US Politics
The Senate Homeland Security Committee voted 8-7 along party lines to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt for invoking the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during testimony on pandemic-related matters. Chairman Rand Paul stated plans to refer the matter to the Justice Department, while critics have described the vote as a partisan effort, and a federal pardon may limit federal prosecution. Separately, state attorneys general in Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and Oklahoma have opened or joined investigations into possible state-law violations.
In other “COVID Common Knowledge” news, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith publicly apologized to Kyrie Irving, stating that Irving’s refusal of the COVID vaccine may have been more justified than previously recognized.
Turning to birthright citizenship, President Trump issued two executive orders directing federal agencies to deny citizenship to certain children born in the United States, following the Supreme Court’s Trump v. Barbara decision on the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. One order addresses children of noncitizen parents meeting specific conditions, including alien enemy status or diplomatic immunity. The second directs the denial of visas and the removal of foreign nationals traveling primarily to give birth, with exemptions for humanitarian and national-interest cases. The orders are expected to face constitutional challenges.
In Second Amendment news, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled that the National Firearms Act’s registration and approval requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns no longer apply after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act removed the associated transfer and making taxes. The court held that the original requirements rested on Congress’s taxing power and rejected arguments based on the Commerce Clause or Necessary and Proper Clause. It stayed the judgment for seven days to permit appeal. The case, Jensen v. ATF, was consolidated with Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF and involved the American Suppressor Association, Second Amendment Foundation, and Firearms Policy Coalition. The ruling applies only to parties in the case and is stayed pending possible appeal.
Turning to government waste, Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency reported identifying nearly $1 billion in local government waste and returning over $878 million to taxpayers. The effort, conducted with a six-figure budget and three full-time employees, audited university materials, ended certain DEI programs under state law, and identified savings such as $80 million in one school district. A State Leadership Initiative playbook describes the approach for use by other states. Similar efficiency initiatives have faced scrutiny over the accuracy of claimed savings.
Speaking of Florida, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 8-5 that Florida’s 2023 Protection of Children Act, which prohibits businesses from knowingly admitting minors to sexually explicit live performances, is constitutional. The decision reversed a district court injunction. Violators face license suspension and fines starting at $5,000. Dissenting judges argued the law was overbroad and could chill protected speech.
Turning to insider trading, Sen. Alex Padilla introduced the Stop Corrupt Trading Act to bar the president, vice president, and related entities from selling advance access to presidential social media statements. The bill follows the launch of Truth API by Trump Media. Trump Media has described the API as standard data licensing of public information.
In other Congressional news, an Emerson College poll showed Darline Graham trailing Rep. Ralph Norman 22 percent to 19 percent in South Carolina’s special primary for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s seat, with a quarter of likely Republican voters undecided. Only 29 percent of respondents said a Trump endorsement would increase their support for a candidate.
Privacy & Surveillance
All eight Flock license plate cameras operated by the Winona, Minnesota Police Department were removed from their poles on August 1, along with two cameras in Buffalo County. Investigators described the incident as a coordinated theft. Proponents note the cameras’ role in aiding law enforcement investigations.
Separately, a Wichita machinist filed suit against the city, represented by the Kansas Justice Institute, challenging its Flock camera network under the Kansas Constitution. The complaint cites data-sharing practices and accuracy rates reported at 80-85 percent. Supporters of the technology cite its utility in recovering stolen vehicles.
Separately still, nearly 20,000 people publicly vouched for a West Virginian man arrested for allegedly damaging or destroying Flock cameras.
People commented:
- “He was saving my neighbor’s dog from a fire all day, couldn’t be him.”
- “This man is innocent. I saw him serving at a soup kitchen.”
- “Couldn’t be him. He was helping me replace the roof on a homeless shelter.”
Economy
Trade school revenue rose 11.4 percent in 2025 to more than $19 billion, according to Validated Insights. A Resume Templates survey found that six in ten Gen Z adults planned to enter skilled trades in 2026. Demand increased for roles such as robotics technicians and HVAC technicians. Challenger, Grey & Christmas recorded 38,579 AI-related job cuts in May.
Health
At a military dining facility, only 300–400 soldiers previously showed up each day, while two-thirds of the food was discarded. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that after chef Robert Irvine and the MAHA team took over, daily attendance rose to 4,000–5,000 with zero waste, and he credited Irvine with helping transform the military food program.
Sources
Court Axes NFA Registration Rules for Suppressors, SBRs After Tax Repeal
In another major victory for the National Rifle Association and law-abiding gun owners, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas today held that the National Firearms Act’s registration and approval requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns exceed Congress’s constitutional authority after Congress eliminated the NFA’s transfer and making taxes on those arms.
Source | Submitted by PhilH
Trump Tests Executive Bounds With Fresh Citizenship Orders After Court Loss
Trump signs new orders limiting birthright citizenship weeks after Supreme Court loss
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon
Rand Paul Panel Votes Fauci in Contempt Over COVID Dodges
Today my committee voted to hold Fauci in contempt for refusing to answer for any of it.
Gen Z Ditches College Debt for Trades AI Can’t Replace
Nobody’s replacing a licensed plumber with an app.
Florida DOGE Delivers: $1B Waste Cut, Woke Audits Done Right
Florida DOGE has proven it is the model to emulate.
Stephen A. Smith Apologizes to Kyrie: We Did Him Wrong on Vaccine Mandates
“It turns out that, no matter what the truth is behind all of this, Kyrie Irving did nobody wrong. We did him wrong.”
Louisiana AG Probes Fauci as States Challenge His COVID Record
Officials in three states are investigating or plan to investigate Dr. Anthony Fauci following the release of his diary and his refusal to answer questions during a Senate hearing.
Appeals Court Upholds Florida Ban on Kids at Sexualized Drag Shows
Preventing children from attending adult live performances obscene for them is rationally related to Florida’s interest in safeguarding the well-being of minors.
Trump’s Nod Fails to Lift Darline Graham in SC Senate Race
However, the first polls in the special South Carolina primary race for the Senate seat that was held by the late Lindsey Graham shows his sister Darline is in second place, with half of GOP voters saying her Trump endorsement is irrelevant to them.
Winona PD Loses All Flock Cameras to Coordinated Theft Amid Surveillance Backlash
The thefts are part of a broader national trend. Flock cameras have been vandalized and cut down in communities across the country.
Wichita Machinist Sues to Halt City’s Warrantless Flock Surveillance Dragnet
If Wichita wants to track its citizens, it needs to go to a judge and get a warrant.
Nearly 20k People Vouch for Man Accused of Cutting Down Flock Cameras
“He was saving my neighbor’s dog from a fire all day, couldn’t be him.”
RFK Jr. Credits Chef Irvine for Ending Military Dining Hall Waste
Robert Irvine is a genius… He has the skills we need to transform the entire military food program and align it with the new food pyramid.
Padilla Bill Targets Trump’s Truth API as Alleged Insider Trading Scheme
Sen. Alex Padilla introduced the Stop Corrupt Trading Act on Tuesday, a bill which would prevent President Donald Trump from selling early access to his announcements, a scheme Alex Jones and FBI whistleblower Kyle Seraphin described as insider trading.
Oklahoma AG Probes Fauci for Possible State Crimes in COVID Response
Accordingly, I have instructed my office to open an investigation to determine whether any Oklahoma laws were violated in connection with these matters,
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: NRA, Gun Owners of America, Grok, White House, Reuters, Axios, Rand Paul, freedom4UU, BurnessSteve, Joe Rogan Podcast News, Defiant Baptist, NewsNation, Michael Savaged, Reason, Texoma’s Homepage, ConstitustionX, and JulietSierra89.
by westcoastjan