State Will Work to Eliminate All Childhood Vaccine Mandates

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Florida will begin phasing out all childhood vaccine mandates, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday, as part of a sweeping effort to overhaul the state’s public health policies and expand what the administration calls “medical freedom.”

Building on measures enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, DeSantis unveiled plans to eliminate longstanding vaccine requirements for children in schools and day care facilities. At a press conference in Valrico, DeSantis was joined by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who sharply criticized the mandates as violations of personal liberty.

“People have a right to make their own decisions — informed decisions,” Ladapo said. “They don’t have the right to tell you what to put in your body. Take it away from them.”

Ladapo went further, describing current vaccine mandates as “immoral” and bordering on “slavery.” He said the Florida Department of Health could immediately roll back some of the requirements, while others would need legislative action. Though he did not specify individual vaccines, Ladapo pledged to eliminate “all of them. Every last one of them.” If implemented, Florida would be the first state to dismantle its childhood vaccine mandates to such a sweeping extent.

Currently, the state mandates a variety of immunizations for children entering public schools and licensed child care centers, including vaccines for measles, polio, chickenpox, hepatitis B, and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis).

DeSantis also announced the creation of a new state-level health policy body, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, chaired by Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis. The commission, inspired by federal-level efforts led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will focus on informed consent, nutrition, parental rights, and the rejection of what DeSantis called “medical orthodoxy that is not supported by data.”

“We’re getting government out of the way, getting government out of your lives,” said Collins during the announcement.

The MAHA Commission’s findings will shape a comprehensive “medical freedom package” to be introduced in the upcoming legislative session. According to DeSantis, the package will codify Florida’s relaxed COVID-era policies — such as the ban on vaccine passports and opposition to school closures — while also targeting broader health mandates.

“I don’t think there’s another state that’s done as much as Florida. We want to stay ahead of the curve,” DeSantis said.

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Republicans Move to Revive ‘Department of War’ Name: ‘Americans Don’t Just Play Defense’

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Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) introduced legislation on September 2, 2025, to restore the original title of the U.S. Department of Defense to the “Department of War.” The measure, called the Department of War Restoration Act of 2025, is co-sponsored by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and includes a companion bill in the House.

“For the first 150 years of our military’s history, Americans defeated their enemies and protected their homeland under the War Department,” Lee said in a statement. “I’m proud to introduce the Department of War Restoration Act to make President Trump’s return to tradition permanent in federal law. It should always be clear to anyone who would harm our people: Americans don’t just play defense.”

Rep. Steube emphasized the historical context, noting that “from 1789 until the end of World War II, the United States military fought under the banner of the Department of War. Thanks to their courage and sacrifice, the standard of excellence was established for all servicemembers who followed in their footsteps.”

Sen. Scott added that the title change reflects the broader mission of the U.S. military: “The United States military is not a purely defensive force. We are the most lethal fighting force on the face of the planet — and a restoration of the name Department of War reflects their true capabilities to win wars, not just respond when prodded.”

The bill would redesignate the Department of Defense as the Department of War and rename the Secretary of Defense as the Secretary of War. All current legal references to the Department of Defense and Secretary of Defense would be updated accordingly. (Read more from “Republicans Move to Revive ‘Department of War’ Name: ‘Americans Don’t Just Play Defense’” HERE)

Trump Announces Space Force Headquarters Move to Huntsville in Oval Office Speech

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President Donald Trump on Tuesday confirmed that the U.S. Space Force will officially relocate its headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama, ending a long-running political tug-of-war over the command’s permanent home.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump praised the decision as a victory for national security and American innovation.

“I am thrilled to report that the U.S. Space Command headquarters will move to the beautiful locale of a place called Huntsville, Alabama — forever to be known from this point forward as Rocket City,” Trump said, referencing the city’s longtime nickname tied to its role in U.S. space history.

Huntsville, home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, was initially selected for the Space Command (SPACECOM) headquarters during Trump’s first term. However, that decision was later reversed under the Biden administration, which opted to keep the command in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“We initially selected Huntsville for the SPACECOM headquarters, yet those plans were wrongfully obstructed by the Biden administration,” Trump said Tuesday. “And as you know, they moved them to a different local and today, we’re moving forward with what we want to do.”

Trump emphasized that the move would enhance America’s ability to “defend and dominate the high frontier,” a reference to the strategic importance of space in modern defense planning.

Joining Trump in the Oval Office was Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who lauded the move as both a strategic and fiscal win. According to Tuberville, the Alabama site is expected to save taxpayers roughly $480 million compared to the Colorado location.

Trump also noted that the new headquarters will be central to the development of his proposed “Golden Dome” integrated missile defense initiative, though few details about the program were provided.

Separately, in a phone interview aired on the Salem Radio Network, Trump warned of dire economic consequences if the Supreme Court rules against his sweeping tariff policies. Speaking with CNN contributor Scott Jennings, Trump said the elimination of his tariffs would be “an economic disaster.”

“Without the tariffs, we are a different country entirely. We will be abused by other countries. We will be laughed at,” Trump said. “If the Supreme Court for any reason strikes down my tariffs, we’re going to be in very, very serious financial trouble.”

Trump defended the tariffs not only as a revenue tool but also as a key bargaining chip in international negotiations. “It’s the power to negotiate,” he said. “Because I could say, ‘If you do that, then I’m going to charge you tariffs on that.’”

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Trump Shuts Down Health Rumors, Declares “Never Felt Better” in Fiery Truth Social Post

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President Donald Trump pushed back Sunday against a wave of online speculation about his health, declaring on Truth Social that he has “never felt better” — and using the moment to highlight plummeting crime rates in the nation’s capital under his leadership.

“NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE. Also, DC IS A CRIME FREE ZONE!” Trump posted, breaking his uncharacteristically quiet weekend after spending time golfing at his Virginia resort.

The post comes after several days of public absence and a blank presidential schedule released Friday, which fueled bizarre online theories about the president’s wellbeing. The hashtag #TrumpIsDead even trended on X (formerly Twitter), as critics and online sleuths speculated about everything from illness to secrecy inside the White House.

Those rumors were abruptly silenced when Trump was spotted Saturday leaving for a golf outing in Sterling, Virginia, accompanied by his granddaughter Kai Trump. The outing marked his first public appearance in days and appeared to quash concerns about his health.

While Trump remained largely out of the spotlight, his administration continued to push forward on a high-profile crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C. — a key talking point for the president. Recent statistics show violent crime in the capital has dropped 45% compared to the same period last year, with overall crime down 15%.

The drop comes after Trump assumed control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department earlier this year, citing the city’s struggles with rising violence.

Even Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged the impact of the federal intervention.

“We greatly appreciate the surge of officers that enhance what MPD has been able to do in this city,” Bowser said at a press conference last week.

Trump followed up his health update with early Labor Day messages on Truth Social, touting what he described as a “roaring” U.S. economy and praising his administration’s efforts to “restore American strength at home and abroad.”

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Trump Vows Executive Order Requiring Voter ID for All Ballots, Limits on Mail-In Voting

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President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he plans to issue an executive order mandating voter identification for every ballot cast in U.S. elections — a move that could intensify legal and political battles ahead of the 2026 midterms.

“Voter I.D. Must Be Part of Every Single Vote. NO EXCEPTIONS! I Will Be Doing An Executive Order To That End!!!” Trump declared on Truth Social. He added, “Also, No Mail-In Voting, Except For Those That Are Very Ill, And The Far Away Military.”

The statement marks the latest escalation in Trump’s long-standing campaign to overhaul U.S. election practices.

In his latest push, Trump is renewing calls not only for universal voter ID but also for a near-total ban on mail-in ballots and the elimination of electronic voting machines in favor of paper ballots and hand counts.

Trump’s message signals that election security will be a central theme in his messaging ahead of the 2026 elections — the first national vote since his return to office.

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Homeowner Charged After 11-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot Playing ‘Ding Dong Ditch’

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A homeowner who allegedly fatally shot an 11-year-old boy playing “ding dong ditch” over the weekend has been charged with murder, cops said Tuesday.

Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, is accused of gunning down Julian Guzman just moments after the child rang the doorbell of his Houston home late Saturday.

The boy had been playing the prank, which involves ringing a doorbell and then fleeing to mess with homeowners, with a group of his friends at the time.

“Officers were told that Guzman was ringing doorbells of homes in the area and running away,” police said in a statement.

“A witness stated Guzman was running from a house after ringing the doorbell just prior to suffering a gunshot wound.” . . .

The boy, meanwhile, was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead on Sunday, according to cops. (Read more from “Homeowner Charged After 11-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot Playing ‘Ding Dong Ditch’” HERE)

Comedian Says He Was Arrested by ‘Armed Police’ over Transgender Critical Tweets

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Award-winning Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan said that he was arrested in London over posts on social media criticising transgenderism.

The creator of celebrated comedy programmes, including Father Ted and The IT Crowd, said on Tuesday that upon recently arriving at Heathrow Airport, he was met by five “armed police officers” who he says arrested him over “three tweets”.

“In a country where paedophiles escape sentencing, where knife crime is out of control, where women are assaulted and harassed every time they gather to speak, the state had mobilised five armed officers to arrest a comedy writer for this tweet (and no, I promise you, I am not making this up),” Linehan wrote on his Substack.

According to the Irish writer, the posts for which he was arrested included one in which he argued that biological men who enter female-only spaces are committing a “violent and abusive act”. “Make a scene, call the cops and if all else fails, punch him in the balls,” Linehan suggested.

Another included a photograph of an LGBTQ+ rally in London, which Linehan captioned: “A photo you can smell”. (Read more from “Comedian Says He Was Arrested in London by ‘Armed Police’ over Transgender Critical Tweets” HERE)

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Mysterious Objects Thrown from White House Window Spark Viral Speculation

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A strange scene at the White House over the weekend has ignited online buzz after a video surfaced showing unidentified objects being tossed from a top-floor window of the historic building.

The video, which quickly gained traction on social media, shows a person repeatedly hurling items from what many believe to be the Lincoln Bedroom, located on the upper floor of the executive residence. The objects fall to the ground below, though it remains unclear exactly what was being thrown or why.

According to a White House official, the individual seen in the footage is a contractor performing routine maintenance. The incident occurred while President Donald Trump was away, and there is no indication of any security breach or unusual activity beyond the video itself.

Online speculation quickly filled the gap left by the official silence, with some internet sleuths suggesting the objects could be debris from an ongoing renovation. President Trump has previously criticized the design of the Lincoln Bedroom’s adjoining bathroom, describing it as “terribly” remodeled in the Art Deco style. He confirmed last month that a makeover of the space was underway.

“We’ll be doing the Lincoln bathroom, which was Art Deco,” Trump said at the time. “We’re making it actually incredible.”

The video comes amid broader renovation plans at the White House, including the construction of a $200 million, privately funded State Ballroom. The 90,000-square-foot venue is slated to be built in the East Wing and will accommodate up to 650 guests. The project is expected to be completed before the end of Trump’s current term in early 2029.

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Israel Weighs West Bank Annexations in Response to Palestine Recognition Push

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The Israeli government is seriously debating the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank in retaliation for the imminent recognition of Palestine by several western countries, according to three Israeli, U.S. and European officials with direct knowledge.

Why it matters: Most of the international community views the West Bank as occupied territory and would consider any Israeli annexations illegal and inflammatory.

Israel’s next move will depend on the stance of President Trump, who blocked Israeli annexations twice in his first term. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Axios the administration doesn’t yet have a position.

“I don’t know how extensive [the planned annexation] is. I’m not sure there is common view inside the Israeli government about where would it be and how much,” he said.

Some Israeli officials claim the Trump administration won’t oppose annexation because they’re so angry at the countries planning to recognize Palestine. (Read more from “Israel Weighs West Bank Annexations in Response to Palestine Recognition Push” HERE)

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Trump Names Giuliani First Medal of Freedom Recipient of Second Term

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President Donald Trump announced Monday that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The announcement marks the first Medal of Freedom that Trump has awarded during his second term.

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that Rudy Giuliani will be the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“As President of the United States of America, I am pleased to announce that Rudy Giuliani, the greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, and an equally great American Patriot, will receive THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM, our Country’s highest civilian honor. Details as to time and place to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is given at the discretion of the president to individuals who have made “especially meritorious” contributions to the security or national interests of the country, world peace, cultural endeavors, or other significant public or private achievements.

Trump’s announcement comes one day after Giuliani was hospitalized following a vehicle accident in New Hampshire. According to a statement from Michael Ragusa, Giuliani’s head of security, the former mayor had stopped to assist a domestic violence victim and called 911 before his car was “struck from behind at high speed” while traveling on the highway. Giuliani was diagnosed with a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and contusions, and injuries to his left arm and lower leg. Ragusa noted that Giuliani was “in good spirits and recovering tremendously.” (Read more from “Trump Names Giuliani First Medal of Freedom Recipient of Second Term” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr