Blue state’s LGBT ‘conversion therapy’ ban violates Constitution, ‘very easy case’ for SCOTUS, says expert
The U.S. Supreme Court this week decided to take up a case challenging a Colorado law banning so-called “conversion therapy” after a licensed Christian therapist, Kaley Chiles, claimed the law violated her First Amendment rights. The case in question, Chiles v. Salazar, comes less than two years after the Supreme Court declined to take up a similar case challenging a law in Washington state that bars licensed therapists from practicing “conversion therapy” on minors. In that case, conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented from the opinion to not take it up, saying they would have granted it review. “A practicing Christian, Chiles believes that people flourish when they live consistently with God’s design, including their biological sex,” the Supreme Court noted in its writ of certiorari accepting the case. “Many of her clients seek her counsel precisely because they believe that their faith and their relationship with God establishes the foundation upon which to understand their identity and desires. But Colorado bans these consensual conversations based on the viewpoints they express.” SOROS-BACKED JUDGE DEFENDS REDUCED SENTENCE FOR REPEAT CHILD MOLESTER AT DEBATE IN STATE SUPREME COURT RACE According to the writ, the question to be considered at oral arguments before the court is, “Whether a law that censors certain conversations between counselors and their clients based on the viewpoints expressed regulates conduct or violates the Free Speech Clause.” Heritage Foundation legal scholar Sarah Parshall Perry said the law is a “very clear First Amendment violation” and that the state legislature has essentially set up a “constitutional challenge based on viewpoint discrimination.” “The state of Colorado has averred that the legislature has determined that the standard of care for these individuals should not be anything other than affirmation of their desires for homosexual orientation or a divergent gender identity, and this herein really lies the rub,” Perry told Fox News Digital in an interview. “and that’s exactly how the petitioner, Kaley Chiles, has presented it here. She said, essentially, in layman’s terms, on the one side, you’re allowing conversations to do nothing but affirm.” The Colorado Attorney General’s Office filed an amicus brief in support of the state’s Minor Conversion Therapy Law, which was enacted in 2019. The legislation specifically prevents mental health professionals from engaging in “conversion therapy” with minors. SCOTUS TURNS DOWN ABORTION CLINIC BUFFER ZONE CHALLENGE, THOMAS SLAMS ‘ABDICATION’ OF DUTY “Conversion therapy,” according to the legislation, is defined as “any practice or treatment by a licensed physician specializing in the practice of psychiatry that attempts or purports to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.” The law says that “conversion therapy” does not include counseling that helps individuals explore their gender identity, receive social support, or cope with personal challenges, as long as the counseling does not attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The law also permits assistance for individuals undergoing gender transition, as long as the counseling is not focused on altering their sexual orientation or gender identity. “In Colorado, we are committed to protecting professional standards of care so that no one suffers unscientific and harmful so-called gay conversion therapy. Colorado’s judgment on this is the humane, smart, and appropriate policy and we’re committed to defending it,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement about the case. ANTI-TRUMP MEASURE IGNORES ‘RISING CRIME’ AND ‘COST OF LIVING,’ BLUE STATE GOP OFFICIALS CHARGE While this is one of several recent cases SCOTUS has accepted to hear that deals with gender ideology issues – a culture war issue President Donald Trump has weighed in on through several executive actions since taking office – it also bucked several high-profile petitions last week, including Maryland’s ban on semi-automatic firearms and Rhode Island’s ban of high-capacity magazines. “It’s not in any way emblematic of the fact that there is a conservative in the White House, simply because these justices, three of them, have been appointed by this particular POTUS, I don’t think has any bearing one way or the other, and they have been very strong on the First Amendment,” Perry said. “This, to my mind, should be a very easy case.”
GOP lawmaker calls for FBI investigation into ‘alarming’ allegations against top Dem fundraising platform
FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., has sent a letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) calling for an investigation into ActBlue, the main fundraising platform for the Democratic Party, over concerns the platform had “been used to skirt the integrity of federal campaign finance laws.” “In 2024, President Biden’s Treasury Department found hundreds of suspicious transactions with ActBlue reported by banks,” Biggs said in his letter to FBI Director Kash Patel on Thursday. “The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on House Administration have been investigating these allegations of misconduct. But the previous Administration has stalled access to the necessary documents. This week, Oversight Chairman Comer and Administration Chairman Stiles have renewed their request with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.” The letter cited Republican concerns that ActBlue’s verification policies could potentially allow foreign actors in countries like China, Venezuela and Russia to influence elections with straw donations. ‘TIPPING THE SCALES’: HOUSE GOP LEADERS RIP ACTBLUE AFTER DEM FUNDRAISING GIANT HIT WITH SUBPOENA Biggs also pointed out in his letter that nineteen state attorneys general across the country have made inquiries into ActBlue over a variety of allegations, including fraud, money laundering, fraudulent and counterfeit use of credit and debit cards, and patterns of contributions that are suspicious. “It must be emphasized that these allegations, were they to prove true, would indicate a serious threat to the integrity of our elections, besides the victimization of American citizens,” Biggs wrote to Patel. “The gravity of the allegations and their implications demand a thorough and vigorous investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We strongly urge an inquiry into ActBlue.” Fox News Digital reached out to ActBlue for comment but did not receive a response. “The allegations against ActBlue are alarming and, if true, threaten the integrity of our Republic,” Biggs told Fox News Digital. “I’m thankful for the work Director Patel is doing to restore our justice system, and I look forward to working with him to uncover the truth about ActBlue.” Republicans on the Committee on House Administration and other GOP officials have for months accused ActBlue of lax donor verification standards. NEWSOM DEFENDS FIRE RESPONSE WITH FACT-CHECK SITE LINKING TO DEM PARTY FUNDRAISING PLATFORM “Following widespread allegations of fraudulent donations being reported to the FEC by ActBlue, one of the largest fundraising platforms in the country, this emergency rulemaking is necessary to reassure the American people that ActBlue is taking the necessary steps to protect its donors,” Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., said last year. House Republicans subpoenaed ActBlue last October in what they said at the time was a bid to “safeguard our nation’s elections” and “close loopholes in our campaign finance system,” including contributions from donors whose identities were not as stringently vetted. ActBlue told Newsweek in response to the Republican probes, “This investigation is nothing more than a partisan political attack and scare tactic to undermine the power of Democratic and progressive small-dollar donors. We welcome the opportunity to respond to these frivolous claims.” In a press release earlier this week when a letter to the Treasury Department was sent, the House Oversight Committee said the Biden administration “intentionally stonewalled” its work looking into ActBlue. “The Committees remain concerned with recent reports suggesting fraud and evasion of campaign finance law by individuals exploiting online contribution platforms, especially ActBlue,” Steil and fellow GOP Reps. James Comer of Kentucky and Nick Langworthy of New York wrote. “Until recently, ActBlue had not implemented standard procedures to guard against identity theft and fraud, such as by requiring a Card Verification Value (CVV) to process online transactions. The organization is also the subject of several state-level investigations stemming from allegedly fraudulent contributions made via the platform without the reported contributors’ awareness — serious allegations that, if proven true, would violate federal law.” In a letter sent by GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of California to the Treasury Department this week, first reported by the Free Press, Issa asked the Trump administration to investigate “credible allegations” that ActBlue has violated federal law by allowing terror-linked groups to use its platform. “Despite the detailed reporting and the reasonable suspicion that our nation’s laws had been violated, the Biden-Harris Treasury Department refused to substantively address these explosive revelations,” Issa wrote. “The undeniable and continued collaboration between ActBlue Charities and terror-tied entities amounts to the enabling of terrorism and may also constitute money-laundering crimes,” Issa added. “In addition, the flagrant inability of progressive groups to address the appearance of skirting a full range of our laws – or call out the evils of Hamas and the BDS movement – raises critical questions if the activities and coalition building of ActBlue and ActBlue Charities are in reality part of a wider commitment to financing and facilitating attacks on Israel and Jewish people in America and around the globe.” ActBlue also drew the ire of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in a Sunday morning post on X, where he blamed ActBlue-funded groups for the recent protests at Tesla dealerships from activists opposed to his work with the Trump administration. “An investigation has found 5 ActBlue-funded groups responsible for Tesla ‘protests’: Troublemakers, Disruption Project, Rise & Resist, Indivisible Project and Democratic Socialists of America,” Musk wrote. Musk then named five ActBlue funders he believed were responsible for funding the protests, including liberal mega-donor George Soros.
House Dem goes on screaming rant against Elon Musk, DOGE: ‘Shame!’
Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., erupted over Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) while delivering remarks to colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee. During a markup of bills related to providing the House with information on DOGE access to Treasury Department payment systems and the Social Security Administration, Larson turned red and shouted at Republican colleagues, “You will do whatever Elon Musk and Donald Trump tell you to do. “Where’s the independence of the committee? Where’s the legislature? We’re an equal branch of government,” an enraged Larson yelled, “Look at the empty seats here. Where’s Elon Musk? FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS ELON MUSK, DOGE TO REVEAL PLANS TO DOWNSIZE GOVERNMENT, IDENTIFY ALL EMPLOYEES “I’m sure he’s a genius and a very credible person because of the wealth he’s accumulated, but that does not put him above the law or the responsibility to come before this committee and this Congress,” Larson said. “If he’s great, and all the plans and all the fraud and abuse that he found are so eminent, why isn’t he here explaining it? You know why! “Because he’s out to privatize Social Security. He’s been on television the last couple of days talking exactly about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and what he intends to do — privatize it. The American people, some of them may have been born at night, but not last night.” The White House responded Thursday in a statement to Fox News Digital. “The Democrats have no plan on how to recover from their embarrassing loss, and it shows,” White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said. “Instead of working to become a party that focuses on the will of the people, they are hell-bent on keeping their heads in the sand and gaslighting on the widely supported mission of DOGE. “Slashing waste, fraud and abuse and becoming better stewards of the American taxpayer’s hard-earned dollars might be a crime to Democrats, but it’s not a crime in a court of law.” The White House said earlier this week that President Donald Trump “will always protect Social Security, Medicare” after Musk sat down for an interview with FOX Business Monday to give a behind-the-scenes look at DOGE’s work. Democrats took issue with Musk’s remarks on eliminating waste and fraud in entitlement programs, which he said account for most of federal spending. “There’s a massive amount of fraud of, basically, people submitting Social Security numbers for Social Security benefits, unemployment, Small Business Administration loans and medical care,” Musk said. “We’re trying to put a stop to all of that.” Musk also told Fox Business federal entitlement programs serve as “a mechanism by which the Democrats attract and retain illegal immigrants by essentially paying them to come here and then turning them into voters.” DOGE AND AGENCIES CANCEL 200,000 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CREDIT CARDS The White House said the U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates taxpayers lose as much as $521 billion annually to fraud, “and most of that is within entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.” Musk also said in a podcast interview with Joe Rogan last month that “Social Security is the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time,” another remark that drew the ire of Larson. Larson claims the Trump administration wants to “slash and privatize” Americans’ benefits. He said during the committee markup that Musk and the White House are perpetuating a “big lie” that there is a Democratic plan “to bring illegal immigrants into the country by offering to pay them Social Security.” Larson claimed, “There’s not a thread of truth to any of that. “And, yet, this unaccountable person — not a federal employee, not a volunteer — but a special person who’s not had to go through Senate approval and who this committee is now saying, ‘Yes, we agree with the president. He should not be accountable. He should be able to have free rein and do whatever he wants. We will willingly follow him and do whatever he says because he’s the wealthiest man in the world, and, surely, he must know how to save us from ourselves’,” Larson said. Larson said Social Security “just happens to be the No. 1 anti-poverty program for the elderly and for the children of this country,” adding that Musk and Trump “aren’t going to lose a moment’s sleep thinking about the privatization.” The congressman and all committee Democrats introduced a resolution to compel the Trump administration to provide answers on DOGE’s intentions with Social Security, but Larson claimed Republicans are trying to stop it from coming to a vote.
Dem divisions erupt over Trump spending bill to avoid shutdown, despite Schumer claim of unity
Senate Democrats are in disagreement over how to proceed on the House-passed stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown, with some inclined to help advance it and others apparently willing to risk a lapse in funding. “They’ve been debating what to do, and there’s been people who feel strongly on both sides,” a Democratic source familiar told Fox News Digital, in reference to several lengthy Senate Democratic caucus meetings in the past couple days. The senators have remained tight-lipped about the content of the meetings. SENATE REPUBLICANS COIN ‘SCHUMER SHUTDOWN’ AHEAD OF CRITICAL VOTE ON TRUMP SPENDING BILL As of Thursday afternoon, multiple lawmakers, including Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., posted videos to inform social media that they were voting against the short-term spending bill, or continuing resolution (CR). “I’ve seen the videos that they’re going to shut it down,” Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., a staunch advocate of keeping the government open, told reporters. “I’m like, that’s spicy. Spicy, I don’t know,” he said sarcastically. “I don’t know if they’ll do it or not.” CANADA EXPLOITING ‘LOOPHOLE’ HURTING US DAIRY FARMERS AMID TRUMP TARIFFS, SENATORS SAY According to Fetterman, “Any party should never shut the government down.” He said it would be “a gift for the Republicans” for Democrats to block the House-passed CR. “In fact, if anything, I think, they’re effectively daring us to do that.” The Pennsylvania Democrat further criticized his colleagues, recalling, “It wasn’t that long ago before we were lecturing that you can never shut the government down. So that’s kind of inconsistent.” “We can all agree that it’s not a great CR, but that’s where we are and that’s the choice.” Warner defended himself to reporters Thursday, explaining there are “no good choices.” Asked if he thought a shutdown would be better for his constituents in Virginia, he said, “I’m saying both are awful.” Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., who serves a state won by President Donald Trump, said he hasn’t “made a decision” on the House’s short-term spending bill. FETTERMAN MAVERICK PERSONA DOESN’T TRANSLATE AS SENATOR HELPS BLOCK TRANS SPORTS BILL He claimed the bill has “significant problems,” also noting he is concerned “things could actually get worse” due to the CR, in reference to the administration’s collaboration with Elon Musk. “I also recognize that government shutdowns are not good,” Kelly added. Shortly afterward, Kelly shared a post on X, revealing he won’t support the spending bill. “I cannot vote for the Republican plan to give unchecked power to Donald Trump and Elon Musk. I told Arizonans I’d stand up when it was right for our state and our country, and this is one of those moments,” the post read. “Our caucus is unified on a clean April 11 CR that will keep the government open and give Congress time to negotiate bipartisan legislation that can pass. We should vote on that,” Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in floor remarks on Wednesday. MEET SANDRA WHITEHOUSE, WHOSE HUSBAND’S VOTES FUNNELED MILLIONS INTO NGO THAT PAYS HER The leader’s office did not immediately provide comment to Fox News Digital on whether the caucus is in fact unified. Asked about the claim of unity, Kelly referred reporters to Schumer’s office. Fetterman, who openly disagrees with many of his colleagues on the House-passed stopgap bill, remarked that Schumer is “entitled to his own views,” but said, “I’ve been consistent with mine.”
Trump remains optimistic about odds of acquiring Greenland: ‘I think it’ll happen’
President Donald Trump remains optimistic that the U.S. will acquire Greenland, despite the fact Greenland has said it’s not interested in becoming part of the U.S. Trump’s remarks coincide with a visit from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who said that he didn’t want to “drag NATO” into negotiations about the U.S. acquiring the Danish territory. “I think it’ll happen,” Trump told reporters Thursday. “And I’m just thinking, I didn’t give it much thought before, but I’m sitting with a man that could be very instrumental. You know, Mark, we need that for international security, not just security, international.” Rutte said he didn’t want to weigh in on the matter. However, he agreed with Trump that the Chinese and Russians were active in shipping routes near Greenland and stressed that Arctic countries must work with the U.S. to preserve security in the region. “But when it comes to the High North and the Arctic, you are totally right,” Rutte said. “The Chinese are now using these routes.” DEM SEEKS TO HALT TRUMP FROM ‘INVADING’ GREENLAND, CANADA AND PANAMA Trump has discussed acquiring Greenland, Canada and Panama for months — and regularly has referred to Canada as the U.S.’ 51st state. Additionally, Trump asserted in a joint address to Congress March 4 that the U.S. would acquire Greenland for national and international security. “And I also have a message tonight for the incredible people of Greenland,” Trump said. “We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.” “One way or the other, we’re going to get it,” Trump said. “We will keep you safe, we will make you rich, and together, we will take Greenland to new heights.” Greenland is rich in natural resources, including oil and natural gas, and both Russia and China have bolstered their presence in the region in recent years. For example, the U.S. Navy released a “Blue Arctic” strategy in 2021 cautioning that Russia was reopening old bases in the region, and urged the sea service to operate more aggressively there as a result. TRUMP SAYS US WOULD WELCOME GREENLAND DURING JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS Trump has discussed the possibility of expanding American territory for months and said in a post in December 2024 on Truth Social that “the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.” Meanwhile, leaders from Greenland, which is a territory of Denmark, pushed back on Trump’s remarks to members of Congress. “We do not want to be Americans, nor Danes, we are Kalaallit (Greenlanders),” Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede said in a March 5 post translated by Reuters. “The Americans and their leader must understand that.”
Holi celebrations in THIS town has a unique twist, it is played without…
There is a place in Rajasthan which does not allow men to play Holi, not just that, according to this 500-year old tradition, men have to leave the village to let only women stay and enjoy the festival of colours.
Texas is running out of water. Here’s why and what state leaders plan to do about it.
The state’s water supply faces numerous threats. And by one estimate, the state’s municipal supply will not meet demand by 2030 if there’s a severe drought and no water solutions are implemented.
Want to understand Texas’ water crisis? Start with the guide to water terms.
Water is complex. So are the terms used to describe it. Get to know the language as Texas debates how to save its water supply.
Democrats are making early moves to line up 2028 presidential bids
The early moves in the next White House race, at least among the Democrats, are getting underway. Pete Buttigieg on Thursday ruled out a run for an open Democrat-held Senate seat in his adopted home state of Michigan. And the announcement by the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, who served four years as transportation secretary in former President Biden’s administration, appears to clear the path for a potential 2028 White House bid by Buttigieg. Buttigieg highlighted that “while my own plans don’t include running for office in 2026, I remain intensely focused on consolidating, communicating, and supporting a vision” that is an alternative to what he called the “cruel chaos” of President Donald Trump’s administration. THESE ARE THE DEMOCRATS WHO MAY RUN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE IN 2028 A source familiar with Buttigieg’s thinking told Fox News that the former transportation secretary is in a strong possible position to run for president in 2028 and that running for either senator or Michigan governor “in 2026 would have taken that off the table.” NEWSOM MAKES MAJOR HEADLINES IN INAGURAL EDITION OF HIS NEW PODCAST Across the country, term-limited California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has long been suspected of harboring national ambitions, is grabbing tons of attention and millions of YouTube hits, thanks to a new and very high-profile podcast series. The first two guests were MAGA world superstars Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon. Democrat JB Pritzker, the billionaire two-term governor of blue state Illinois and one of his party’s leaders in opposing President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda, will head to New Hampshire next month to headline the state party’s annual fundraising gala, sparking plenty of 2028 speculation. DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR’S TRIP TO THIS KEY STATE SPARKING 2028 SPECULATION Trips to New Hampshire – which for over a century has held the first primary in the race for the White House – are seen as an early indicator of a politician’s interest in running for the presidency in the next election. But there’s more. There is plenty of focus on former Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced then-President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential nominee last summer after he dropped out of the race amid mounting questions over his physical and mental stamina. KAMALA HARRIS REVEALS TIMETABLE FOR MAJOR POLITICAL DECISION Harris, who lost last November’s White House election to Trump, is seriously considering a 2026 bid to succeed Newsom in her home state of California. But a run for governor in 2026 would likely derail her from making a 2028 White House bid. A source in the former vice president’s political orbit confirmed to Fox News Digital that Harris has told allies she will decide by the end of the summer about whether to launch a gubernatorial campaign. And Harris recently made a stop in Nevada, an early-voting state on the Democrats’ primary calendar. Harris’ 2024 running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, is not ruling out a White House run of his own in 2028. Walz on Friday kicks off a high-profile town hall tour in Iowa, the state that, through the 2020 cycle, kicked off the Democrats’ presidential nominating calendar. Meanwhile, three other prominent Democrats considered potential 2028 contenders, Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, on Thursday are addressing the House Democrats annual policy retreat. Even Rahm Emanuel, the former congressman from Illinois, White House chief of staff in President Obama’s administration, and Chicago mayor who most recently served as U.S. ambassador to Japan, is potentially mulling a 2028 run. Emanuel this week was the topic of a feature report by Politico. While 2028 seems like a very long way away, the early moves in the next White House race begin, well, early for the party out of power. VANCE IN ‘CATBIRD SEAT,’ BUT HERE ARE THE OTHER REPUBLICANS WHO MAY ALSO RUN IN 2028 That was the case for the Republicans in the 2024 cycle. The first stop in Iowa, which continues to kick off the GOP’s presidential nominating schedule, in the 2024 cycle by a potential White House contender came in March 2021 – just weeks after Biden assumed the presidency. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who eventually ended up not running for president, grabbed plenty of attention as he spoke to the Westside Conservative Club in suburban Des Moines. “There’s no sense in waiting,” New Hampshire-based political strategist Lucas Meyer told Fox News. “If anyone is serious about running for president, they would probably be well served in getting after it now.” Meyer, a former president of the New Hampshire Young Democrats who chairs the advocacy group 603 Forward, called it a “wide open field” for Democrats. “The crowd of leadership at the top of the Democratic Party isn’t very deep at the moment,” he observed. “There’s oxygen there for someone.”
Texas Southern University asks for $120 million to replace aging law school
Law students might lose financial aid if TSU does not address health and safety concerns about the building.