Columnist.
There was a time, not too long ago, when Americans wondered if the National Day of Prayer could even survive an administration as hostile to faith as Obama's. But, every May for eight years, even the most liberal president in history — whether out of obligation or sincere belief — couldn't escape what America is and has always been: one nation, under God.
Telling a chaplain he can't practice faith is like telling a medic he can't practice medicine! But unfortunately, that's exactly what the Army is doing in the case of Fort Bragg Chaplain Scott Squires. And now a 25-year career that took Squires on multiple tours of Afghanistan, Africa, and the Middle East may be in jeopardy for it.
When Planned Parenthood's Cecile Richards walked out of her office for the last time Monday, fans gushed that her legacy wouldn't be forgotten. They're right — because Richards's legacy is the brutal slaughter of 3.5 million unborn lives. In her 12 years at the top, Planned Parenthood destroyed a population bigger than Chicago's — and somehow managed to convince Congress to help.
Michelle Wolf may have been listed as a comedian at Saturday's White House Correspondents' Dinner, but no one is quite sure why. Her monologue, an abusive personal attack on the women of this administration, was spectacularly unfunny. And by the program's end, the only joke, liberals agreed, was that Wolf was ever invited in the first place.
Senate liberals haven't had the easiest of times adjusting to Donald Trump. After the last decade of shaming conservatives, they're not exactly used to Republican leaders standing up and confronting them on issues like sexuality. But this president is a rare breed.
No wonder President Trump is frustrated. Heading into this week, the U.S. Senate had only confirmed 432 of his political appointees. (And you thought your HR department was slow!) To the White House's relief, that number climbed to 433 after a Thursday afternoon vote that sent CIA Director Mike Pompeo to his new post as secretary of state.
The biggest challenge facing Republicans heading into the November elections isn't Donald Trump. It isn't even the Democratic Party. It's apathy. In the seven months between now and the midterms, the GOP will be doing everything it can to recreate the magic of 2016. But one thing is abundantly clear: It'll need evangelicals' help — and a lot of it.
There aren't a lot of things the Senate does fast. But under President Trump, the "greatest deliberative body" has been deliberate about one thing: judges. It may not make flashy headlines, but Republicans are putting together a dream team on America's benches, just as fast as the rules (and Senate Democrats) will let them.
The U.S. Navy is sinking the hopes of secularists seeking to rid the military of religious freedom.
If federal lawmakers want to show they care about children and families, there's perhaps no better opportunity in the near term than by passing the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (CWPIA).
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to run NASA." And the man who said so ought to know: astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Like a lot of experts, he couldn't understand the holdup over President Trump's pick to run America's space agency, former congressman and Navy pilot Jim Bridenstine. For an agency used to running at warp speed, the 15-month delay isn't just unusual — it's unnecessary. And unfortunately, Democrats weren't the only ones to blame.
Army Chaplain Scott Squires has been to battles all over the world — but he never imagined he'd be fighting his biggest one right here at home.
There are plenty of Americans who'd hoped Planned Parenthood would be saying goodbye to a lot more than Cecile Richards this spring. As far as they're concerned, the only thing better would be to see the group wave farewell to its $540 million in taxpayer dollars. Unfortunately, Congress didn't give pro-lifers that satisfaction on the latest omnibus bill. But the group's new midterm campaign is giving leaders plenty of incentive to try again!
For 50-year-old pastor Andrew Brunson, the last year and a half have been like a bad dream. The North Carolina missionary and his family had built a life in Turkey, only to watch government officials tear it all apart. After 23 years of serving the Mediterranean people, he's been thrown behind bars — left to wonder if he'll ever see America, or his family, again.
Washington doesn't mind passing the buck, but it sure hates cutting them! And after last month's $1.3 trillion omnibus, Congress is discovering its spending binge has struck a nerve. Members from both parties are taking a bruising in their districts, especially Republicans — and if they aren't careful, they'll take a bruising in November too.
If Mike Pompeo approaches the world's crises in the same calm, dignified, knowledgeable way that he handled yesterday's hearing, the Department of State will be in excellent hands.
It took a big story to unseat Mark Zuckerberg's Hill testimony as the top headline of the day — but the news of House Speaker Paul Ryan's (R-WI) retirement was exactly that. Just three years after stepping into a role that Ryan never sought, the Wisconsin leader announced that he was leaving for another full-time job: dad.
Looking back, there were probably a lot of things that motivated Americans to elect Donald Trump. But the three biggest had to be Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and the empty seat in the U.S. Supreme Court.
It would be difficult not to be impressed with a man who graduated at the top of his class at West Point, earned a degree from Harvard Law, built a successful business career, and served his country — and Congress. Even the most relentless of Democrats would have a tough time poking holes in a résumé like that. But on Thursday, when Mike Pompeo sits before the Senate and defends his qualifications to be the next secretary of state, liberals will still try.
If you're looking for the bad guy in the Avengers movie, check behind the camera.
