The Patriot Post® · Friday: Below the Fold

Cross-Examination

• Trump arraigned: Donald Trump was arraigned in Washington, DC, yesterday on four charges related to his response to the 2020 election results. Trump pleaded not guilty and the two sides agreed to a “speedy” trial. After leaving the court to fly back to New Jersey on his private jet, Trump commented, “This is a very sad day for America” because this is the government’s “persecution of a political opponent.” He added, “This was never supposed to happen in America.” If convicted on all charges, Trump would face a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison.

• Bidenomics doesn’t poll well: The Biden administration’s effort to gaslight the public on his economic record, which they’ve dubbed “Bidenomics,” is failing. According to a recent CNN poll, 51% of voters believe the economy under Biden is getting worse. In fact, just 20% believe the economy is improving, with another 28% saying it has stabilized. More bad news for Joe Biden is that a majority of voters (54%) trust Republican lawmakers over him (45%) on economic issues. Most voters know playing name games won’t turn the economy around.

• Bud Light staggers, falls: The parent company of Bud Light, Anheuser-Busch, reported a nearly $400 million loss over the second quarter as the fallout continues over its toxic brew partnership with “transgender” activist Dylan Mulvaney. Bud Light has hemorrhaged so much of its customer base that it has fallen from a decades-long run as America’s top-selling beer. Industry analysts are beginning to think the brand is “permanently impaired.” Bars and stores are now shrinking the space once occupied by Bud Light, replacing it with better-selling competitors like Coors Light and Miller Lite. It would appear that the King Queen of Beers has been dethroned.

• Asylum rules can stay: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday that the Biden administration’s version of the Trump-era “remain in Mexico” asylum rule can remain in place. The rule requires asylum seekers to apply for asylum in the country they are first entering on their way toward the U.S. In most instances, this would be Mexico. Failure to follow this rule in most cases would prevent the granting of asylum within the U.S. There are exceptions such as a child traveling alone.

• Sex ed in the states: New Jersey is ensuring the promulgation of the Left’s gender-bending ideology in K-12 schools. The Garden State’s Department of Education passed a series of equity requirements that includes a new rule for sex education classes that are separate for boys and girls. Students are to be assigned their gender-specific classes based on their declared gender identity and not their biological sex. What could possibly go wrong? Meanwhile, the Sunshine State is aggressively reining in this gender-bending lunacy. The Florida Department of Education on Thursday restricted the inclusion of an AP Psychology course from the College Board due to the course’s promotion of leftist gender and sexual ideology. The College Board claims it was being directed to “censor” certain content in the course, which it refused to do. Florida’s Department of Education noted that it “didn’t ban the course,” rather “just one week before school starts, the College Board is attempting to force school districts to prevent students from taking the AP Psychology Course.” The Education Department further noted that International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) advanced psychology courses do not run afoul of Florida law and will be offered.

• Tennessee Three make a comeback: The two Democrat representatives in the Tennessee state House who were expelled for breaking the chamber’s rules when they led a mob of anti-Second Amendment protesters onto the floor of the legislature while it was in session have regained their seats. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson won their respective special elections on Thursday. Both represent deep-blue districts in a deep-red state. The third Democrat representative making up the infamous “Tennessee Three” was not expelled by the legislature.

Headlines

• Hunter Biden associate testified that Hunter sold more than “illusion of access,” transcript reveals (Free Beacon) | Nine takeaways from the Devon Archer transcript (Washington Examiner)

• Dianne Feinstein, 90, cedes power of attorney to daughter — but still serves in Congress (NY Post)

• Facebook Files 2.0 reveal White House pressured Facebook to censor “true"
 content (The Federalist)

• Biden’s DOJ may be working with leftist group to silence parents again (Daily Signal)

• Tech company moves against parental rights group after SPLC attack (Daily Signal)

• The U.S. economy added 187,000 jobs in July, fewer than expected (CNBC)

• Biden admin quietly revises gas stove analysis, reduces projected benefits (Fox News)

• American Academy of Pediatrics takes a half step back from "gender-affirming care” (National Review)

• Louisiana law requiring “In God We Trust” displayed at all public schools goes into effect (Fox News)

• July marked the 48th straight month – four years – of firearm sales over one million (TTAG)

• Policy: America’s credit rating was just slashed. America should be worried. (1945)

• Not Satire: Governor of state people are fleeing from agrees to debate governor of state they are fleeing to (Babylon Bee)

For more editors’ choice headlines, click here.