The Patriot Post® · Wednesday: Below the Fold

Cross-Examination

• More border calamity than expected! In its effort to deceive the American people into thinking it was doing a better job of border enforcement, the Biden administration engaged in a rhetorical redefinition game by labeling more migrants illegally crossing as asylum seekers. The newly created Customs and Border Protection One program set a limit of 1,000 appointments a day for migrants to seek “legal” access. That number has quickly increased to 1,250 and then 1,450 by the end of June. Yet the influx of illegal aliens crossing the border has only gotten worse, with DHS officials now effectively ignoring the CBP One daily asylum appointment limit. According to Republican Representative Clay Higgins (LA), the Biden administration is engaged in a “shell game.” Meanwhile, July saw a 50% increase in illegal crossings compared to June. Joe Biden’s CBP One, rather than being a mitigating factor, has actually done the opposite, encouraging even more illegal immigrants.

• Downgrading U.S. debt: The U.S. no longer has a top “AAA” rating from Fitch Ratings, as one of the nation’s top three credit rating agencies has downgraded the U.S. to “AA+”. The reason for the downgrade has to do with the nation’s ballooning debt and “a steady deterioration in standards of governance over the last 20 years, including on fiscal and debt matters.” Unsurprisingly, the Biden administration responded to the news with consternation; the White House claimed the downgrade “defies reality.” The only one defying reality is the Biden administration, which is gaslighting the American public by claiming that “Bidenomics” is helping the economy.

• The FBI’s own goal: Following a story by The New York Times questioning who purchased an advanced spy tool in the U.S., the FBI jumped to investigate. “A contractor had purchased and deployed a spying tool made by NSO, the contentious Israeli hacking firm, for use by the U.S. government,” according to the Times report. “White House officials said they were unaware of the contract and put the F.B.I. in charge of figuring out who might have been using the technology.” Well, following its investigation, the FBI uncovered the culprit … it was the FBI. Talk about a case of the Keystone Cops. Of course, the agency says that the purchase and use of this spy technology from a contractor it wasn’t allowed to do business with was an honest mistake, and the contract has since been terminated. Instances like this explain why an increasing number of Americans are calling for the elimination of these overly powerful and untrustworthy governmental agencies.

• Dylan Mulvaney’s latest money-making scheme: After his partnership with Bud Light cost the beer company tens of billions in sales and market value, “transgender” activist Dylan Mulvaney fled to South America, saying he didn’t “feel safe” in the U.S. Well, evidently he doesn’t feel so unsafe as to not return for a number of college speaking gigs at $40,000 a pop. As he advertised himself via a recent social media post: “University and College friends! I am booking speaking opportunities for the upcoming 23/24 school year and would love to come visit.” His booking page lists “LGBTQIA+ Advocacy,” “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion," and "Women’s Empowerment” among the subject matters he offers to speak on. Oh the experts you’ll hear…

• Chinese bio lab in CA: An illegal Chinese-linked bio lab was recently discovered in Reedley, California, after an investigation was launched months ago. The building in which the illegal lab was discovered had been leased by Prestige Biotech, a Chinese-owned company. The investigation into the facility was launched after a local code inspections officer observed a hose suspiciously sticking out of the back of the building. After going inside, inspectors found roughly 1,000 mice and thousands of vials, some containing potentially infectious diseases and other biohazardous materials. Reedley City Manager Nicole Zieba described the operation as a “black-market type of lab testing facility." Assistant Director of Public Health for Fresno County Joe Prado observed, "There was just a complete absence of [legally required] controls in place at the warehouse.” He added, “I’ve never seen this in my 26-year career with the County of Fresno.”

Headlines

• Federal grand jury indicts Trump over alleged efforts to overturn election (Daily Wire)

• Ashley Biden recording confirms that the infamous diary is hers (PJ Media)

• FBI forced to turn over docs on targeting Catholics and parents (Washington Stand)

• DeSantis invites Kamala Harris to Florida to settle “benefits of slavery” drama (National Review) | Harris hits back at DeSantis invitation: Will not “debate an undeniable fact” (Washington Examiner)

• Justice Alito speaks harsh truths about Supreme Court “ethics” legislation (Townhall)

• Florida university fires professor over dubious racial bias studies (Fox News)

• DeSantis-controlled Disney board ends “illegal and un-American” DEI programs, roles (National Review)

• Oklahoma bans males from women’s locker rooms, bathrooms (PM)

• Popular coffee brand outrages consumers with image of post-op “transgender” person (Fox News)

• Bud Light distributors no longer expect sales to recover from Dylan Mulvaney disaster (NY Post)

• NYC mayor unveils $500 million blueprint to fight gun violence — with no plans to hire more officers (Free Beacon)

• Confidence in U.S. military at lowest point in 25 years (Free Beacon)

• Satire: Spectacular: Trump nails indictment hat trick (Babylon Bee)

For more editors’ choice headlines, click here.