Cross-Examination

• The Heritage Foundation marks 50 years: Congratulations are in order, as today marks the 50th anniversary of The Heritage Foundation, an organization founded to advance “the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.” Over the past five decades, Heritage has seen its vision advanced repeatedly through conservative policy decisions in Washington. Some of these accomplishments include inspiring President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, the 1996 welfare reform legislation, expansion of school choice, three Heritage alumni serving as members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet, and many more. Indeed, thanks to support from The Heritage Foundation, Mark Alexander was aided in getting our little shop up and running in 1996. We hope to see The Heritage Foundation continue seeing success in advancing Liberty for the next 50 years.

• NYC sent unvaccinated teachers’ fingerprints to FBI: A group of New York City public school teachers who were fired for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine have raised a lawsuit against the city after learning that the city government sent their fingerprints to the FBI. Their lawyer, John Bursch, noted that along with their fingerprints, a “problem code” was included. “When the city puts these problem codes on employees who have been terminated because of their unconstitutional policies,” he said, “not only do they have this flag in their files, but their fingerprints are sent with that flag to the FBI and the New York Criminal Justice Services, so it impacts their ongoing ability to get employment at other places.” In effect, the city branded these teachers as criminals. “Religiously, mentally, I just didn’t want anything experimental on my body, so what criminal activity does that persist?” said one teacher of 15 years. “This is an invasion of privacy.” Indeed. Furthermore, what business does the FBI have in collecting the fingerprints of individuals who have done nothing other than refuse to get a vaccine?

• DOJ drops investigation of Matt Gaetz: More than two years ago, Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz was accused of having engaged in inappropriate contact with a young woman when she was 17 years old. Gaetz steadfastly denied the claim, and now he will see no charges raised against him. Back in 2020, the Justice Department began investigating Gaetz for potential wrongdoing in connection to an underage sex-trafficking operation. The focus of the investigation was Joel Greenberg, a Florida resident who was indicted on sex-trafficking charges. Greenberg pleaded guilty to sex-trafficking underage girls as well as wire fraud, identity theft, and stalking, and he was sentenced to 11 years in prison in December. As for Gaetz, the DOJ gave a big “never mind.” So, was this merely a political hit job, a campaign aimed at smearing a popular but polarizing congressman? Last September, journalist Mollie Hemingway gave an unequivocal answer: Yes.

Headlines

• Biden falsely claims food prices are down. Reality is they are up 11.8%. (Townhall)

• Consumer prices have gone up 14.4% since the adults have been back in charge (PJ Media)

• Frustration builds over response to Ohio train derailment as officials urge patience (The Hill)

• Loudoun County School Board shoots down motion to release rape investigation (Daily Signal)

• Indian immigrant who was booted from Virginia education board, called “white supremacist” after defending Constitution shares her story (Daily Signal)

• Alaska board members brawl over silencing dad exposing book on kinks and sexting (Fox News)

• Eighty-seven percent of books removed from Florida schools were pornographic, violent, inappropriate, data shows (Daily Signal)

• That Louisiana law requiring ID to look at porn online worked so well, seven other states have introduced similar bills (Not the Bee)

• White supremacist gets life in prison for Buffalo massacre (AP)

• New census data reveals 700,000 have abandoned California in two years (Daily Wire)

• Federal district court judge orders Illinois to show examples of every newly banned firearm (TTAG)

• Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon quits after outrage over transgender laws (NY Post)

• After Biden sent $1 billion to PLO, Israeli deaths rose 900% (Front Page Mag)

• Half of Americans believe national news media “mislead” and “misinform,” survey finds (National Review)

• Policy: Red states should lead way in reforming anti-marriage welfare policies (Daily Signal)

• Humor: To learn what’s causing all these train derailments, Pete Buttigieg binge watches every episode of “Thomas the Tank Engine” (Babylon Bee)

For more editors’ choice headlines, click here.