Salem News Channel

WASHINGTON, June 4 (Reuters) - The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives approved a resolution on Wednesday to block President Donald Trump from continuing the war against Iran, reflecting growing concern among members of his party about the 3-month-old conflict. The House voted 215 to 208, as four Republicans voted with Democrats in favor of the war powers resolution, which directs Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from Iran unless Congress declares war or authorizes the use of military force. It was the latest setback for Trump in Congress despite his party's slim majorities in both the House and Senate. For now, the vote is largely symbolic, as legislation must pass the Senate as well as the House to become effective, and there is debate over whether war powers resolutions would be constitutional even if they are approved by Congress. The vote, nonetheless, reflects unease among some Republicans over Trump’s handling of the conflict and marks a rare bipartisan effort to curb presidential war powers as the war has entered a fourth month. Three previous war powers resolutions had failed in the House by increasingly slim margins and the chamber's Republican leaders abruptly postponed a vote on this one last month when it looked likely to pass. Trump on Thursday morning called the vote unpatriotic, coming "right in the middle of my final negotiations to end the War with the Islamic Republic of Iran." In a social media post, he said the Republicans who sided with Democrats on the issue should be ashamed of themselves. The Senate advanced a separate, but similar resolution last month in a procedural vote, after seven previous attempts had failed. Further votes on the Senate measure have not yet been scheduled. The four House Republicans who voted for the war powers resolution were Representatives Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Thomas Massie of Kentucky. No Democrats voted against it. Seven House members did not vote. RECENT PUSHBACK AGAINST TRUMP Trump recently has faced some opposition from members of his party in Congress, after months in which very few Republicans pushed back against his policy initiatives. Separately on Wednesday, the House approved a procedural motion that clears the way for a vote on the Ukraine Support Act, which would provide security aid to Ukraine as it fights a Russian invasion. The act reached the floor only after a petition reached a 218-signature threshold last month to move ahead. Six Republicans and one independent who normally votes with Republicans voted in favor of the Ukraine measure. Republicans recently have revolted against Trump's plans to create a "weaponization" fund to pay his political allies who said they had been the subject of government abuse. Republican lawmakers on Wednesday also criticized Trump's pick of loyalist Bill Pulte - a mortgage regulator with no national security experience - to serve as acting director of national intelligence. SEPARATION OF POWERS Democrats have called on Trump to come to Congress for authorization to use military force in the Iran conflict, noting that the U.S. Constitution says only the legislature, not the president, can declare war. They warned that Trump may have pulled the country into a long conflict without setting out a clear strategy and also railed against higher prices for gasoline, food and other products since the joint U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran began on February 28. "The passage of this WPR today signals a significant turning point: more and more Republicans are listening to their constituents who do not want another open-ended war in the Middle East," Representative Gregory Meeks, who sponsored the war powers resolution and serves as ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement after the vote. Democrats have made affordability a central theme of their economic message ahead of midterm elections in November that will decide whether Republicans keep control of Congress. U.S. producer prices posted their biggest increase in four years in April, boosted by soaring costs for goods and services since the war began. The Trump administration insists that the war on Iran is necessary for U.S. national security, citing an urgent need to prevent the Islamic republic from developing a nuclear weapon. Republican critics of the war powers resolutions call them political grandstanding by Democrats who want to weaken the United States and score points against Trump.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed that the New World screwworm fly has arrived in south Texas. The case announced Wednesday marks the first time in decades that the flesh-eating parasite has threatened the nation's cattle industry and only the third time it has appeared in the U.S. in that time. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the case was found in a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas. The Texas state veterinarian has established a 12-mile quarantine zone to prevent animals from moving out of that are without an inspection. Officials were quick to say that the food supply is not compromised by the infestation.

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The Democrats Will Do Whatever it Takes to Keep Their Power

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John Bolton Is Jailbait

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Despite Republican leads on Election Night, counting has mysteriously ground to a halt, with officials now claiming it could take weeks as massive numbers of late mail-in ballots suddenly appear.

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Former National Security Adviser John Bolton, who served in President Trump’s first term, is set to plead guilty to one count of illegally retaining sensitive national security documents and pay more than $2 million in fines.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton has agreed to plead guilty to a single count of retaining classified information under a deal with the Justice Department that could allow him to avoid prison time. That's according to a person familiar with the matter. The deal would resolve a criminal case filed in October that charged Bolton with 18 counts of either retaining or sharing diary-like notes with family members. Officials said the material contained classified information as he was preparing a memoir of his time in government. The person familiar with the matter insisted on anonymity to discuss a deal that hasn't been made public

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President Donald Trump says Israel's ongoing military operations in Lebanon are making it more difficult to secure a peace agreement with Iran, offering a rare public glimpse into tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In an interview released Wednesday, Trump acknowledged that he called Netanyahu "crazy" during a recent phone conversation as frustration mounted over continued fighting involving Hezbollah in Lebanon. The president said he was concerned that the conflict was becoming an obstacle to broader diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war with Iran. Trump described himself as "a little bit perturbed" by the situation, arguing that military action in Lebanon has complicated ongoing negotiations. Despite the criticism, Trump insisted that his relationship with Netanyahu remains strong. He said both leaders understand the pressures of governing during wartime and continue to work together on regional security issues. The comments come as the administration faces growing pressure to broker a broader peace agreement in the Middle East while conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and Hezbollah continue to threaten regional stability. Trump's remarks underscore the challenges facing diplomatic efforts as the United States seeks to balance support for Israel with its push for a negotiated end to the wider conflict.

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Israel says it will keep troops in parts of southern Lebanon despite a newly announced U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement aimed at reducing hostilities along the border. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that Israeli forces will remain in areas currently occupied by the military as part of what the government describes as a security buffer zone designed to protect northern Israeli communities from attacks by Hezbollah. Under the ceasefire agreement announced Wednesday, Hezbollah is expected to halt attacks on Israel and withdraw its fighters from territory south of the Litani River. The Lebanese military would then assume control of the area. However, Katz said Israeli troops would continue operations to dismantle what he described as terrorist infrastructure and maintain the ability to respond to future threats. He also indicated that many Lebanese residents displaced by the fighting would not yet be allowed to return to their homes in the affected areas. Hezbollah has not publicly commented on the ceasefire agreement. Prior to its announcement, the Iran-backed militant group said it had launched drone and rocket attacks targeting Israeli forces inside Lebanon. The fighting in Lebanon has become a major obstacle in broader efforts to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Tehran has previously indicated it would not support a wider peace agreement unless a ceasefire also addressed fighting in Lebanon. The agreement has also faced criticism within Israel. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the ceasefire a "serious mistake," arguing Hezbollah would not comply with its terms and warning that the group could emerge stronger in the future. The latest ceasefire follows months of fighting that have displaced more than a million people in Lebanon and caused extensive casualties on both sides of the border.

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A New York judge is facing criticism after closing a court hearing in the murder case against Luigi Mangione to the public and press without providing a public explanation. The sealed virtual proceeding took place Wednesday before Judge Gregory Carro, who said the hearing was closed at the request of the defense. However, the judge did not disclose the reason for granting the request, prompting concerns from media organizations and transparency advocates. Mangione, 28, is accused of killing Brian Thompson in 2024 in a case that has drawn significant national attention. According to reports, an attorney representing several news organizations sent a letter to the judge seeking an explanation for the closure of the hearing. The request reportedly received no response from the court, and court staff declined to provide additional information. The lack of public access has raised questions about openness in judicial proceedings, particularly in a high-profile criminal case involving allegations of murder. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in custody. His trial is scheduled to begin on September 8. The case continues to attract widespread public interest as prosecutors and defense attorneys prepare for what is expected to be a closely watched trial.

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A new federal lawsuit is challenging a century-old program that provides low-cost homestead land to Native Hawaiians, arguing that eligibility requirements based on ancestry are unconstitutional. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Honolulu, targets the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, a law passed by Congress in 1921 that set aside land for Native Hawaiians. Under the program, individuals with at least 50% Native Hawaiian ancestry can qualify for 99-year leases on homestead land for just one dollar per year. The legal challenge was filed on behalf of a Hawaii resident who is not Native Hawaiian and therefore cannot qualify for the program. Attorneys behind the lawsuit argue the ancestry requirement amounts to unlawful discrimination and violates constitutional protections. Supporters of the homestead program strongly disagree. They say the land trust was created to address historic injustices suffered by Native Hawaiians following the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the loss of Indigenous lands. Advocates also argue the program helps preserve Hawaiian culture, traditions, and self-sufficiency. Hawaii Governor Josh Green and state Attorney General Anne Lopez have pledged to defend the law. Native Hawaiian organizations have also vowed to fight the lawsuit, warning that a ruling against the program could threaten one of the most significant benefits available to Native Hawaiians. The case is expected to be closely watched and could ultimately reach higher federal courts, potentially including the U.S. Supreme Court. Currently, roughly 29,000 people are on waiting lists for residential or agricultural homestead leases under the program.

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Opening statements are set to begin in the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony, the former Texas high school athlete accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a track meet last year. The case has drawn widespread attention across Texas and beyond following the deadly confrontation between students from rival schools at a track and field event in a Dallas-area suburb. Prosecutors allege Anthony pulled out a knife and fatally stabbed Metcalf in the stadium bleachers during an altercation. Anthony is charged with murder and has maintained his innocence. Jury selection began this week, with opening statements expected Thursday as attorneys prepare to present their cases. The killing stunned the local community, where both teenagers were well-known student-athletes. The case later gained national attention after social media posts and online commentary framed the incident in racial terms, sparking heated debate far beyond the courtroom. As the trial gets underway, prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to present differing accounts of what led to the fatal encounter and whether Anthony's actions were justified under the circumstances. The proceedings are expected to be closely watched as the court hears evidence and testimony related to one of the most high-profile criminal cases in Texas this year.

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In a shocking turn of events, a Senate candidate's scandalous past is coming back to haunt him. This episode, we dive into the disturbing details of Graham Platner's Nazi tattoo, his questionable behavior on the Kick app, and the allegations of sexism and racism that have surfaced. But what's even more astonishing is the reaction of the Democrats who seem to be embracing this candidate despite his checkered past. The speaker breaks down the story of how Platner's campaign strategist, Morris Katz, threatened a whistleblower who came forward with allegations of the candidate's wrongdoing. The whistleblower, Genevieve McDonald, claims she was asked to retract her statements and lie for the campaign, but she refused. The speaker questions the integrity of Platner's wife, Amy, who seems to be standing by her husband despite the mounting evidence against him. As the speaker delves into the details of Platner's past, it becomes clear that this is not just a case of a politician with a few skeletons in his closet. Platner's behavior is a red flag, and the speaker argues that he is not fit to hold public office. But what's even more disturbing is the way the Democrats are handling the situation, choosing to ignore the allegations and instead focus on advancing their own agenda. If you want to understand the implications of this scandal and why it's a wake-up call for the American people, tune in to this episode to hear the speaker's take on the situation. Follow Carl Jackson: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carljacksonradio X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/carljacksonshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarljacksonshow Website: http://www.TheCarlJacksonShow.com Store: https://CarlJacksonStore.com

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LA Mayor RaceIntensifies!

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The Positives and Negatives of the California Primary Results

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HAVANA, June 3 (Reuters) - Cuba's former leader Raul Castro turned 95 on Wednesday, though his whereabouts were still unknown two weeks after U.S. authorities charged him with murder in connection with the downing of civilian airplanes in 1996. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel early in the day praised Castro, who he said he considered to be a mentor and father figure, for his contributions to Cuba. "To reach 95 years of age with one foot in the stirrup and an endless record of service to the Homeland, to regional and world peace... to the dreams of social justice of millions of human beings, is not his luck, it is ours," Diaz-Canel said. But Castro - a key figure alongside older brother Fidel in the 1959 guerrilla war that toppled a U.S.-backed dictator - is once again at the center of tensions with the United States. The Trump administration has accused the former Cuban defense minister of ordering Cuban military jets to shoot down planes operated by a group of Cuban exiles in 1996, a major escalation in ?Washington's pressure campaign against the island's communist government. U.S. President Donald Trump this year has vastly ratcheted up sanctions on Cuba, cutting off the island's fuel supply and threatening sanctions on foreign businesses in Cuba in a bid to topple a government that for decades was led by the Castro brothers. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said recently the U.S. would do "everything possible" to bring Castro to justice after announcing his indictment before a crowd of Cuban-Americans in Miami on May 20. Former Cuban spy Rene Gonzalez, one of the so-called "Cuban Five" espionage agents arrested in 1996, told Reuters Castro's indictment had thrown relations between the two countries into a "critical situation." Castro led negotiations with the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama that heralded warming relations between the two countries a decade ago, but is now seen by the Trump administration as a nemesis, murderer and dictator. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the very person who led the negotiations between Cuba and the United States 12 years ago is now the target of this accusation by the U.S. government," Gonzalez said. "Whenever there has been a possibility of a rapprochement between the two countries, (Cuba's enemies in) Miami have been instrumental in attacking that possibility, in undermining it." QUIET CORNER There is no evidence that Castro - still a powerful behind-the-scenes figure in Cuban politics - has left the island or that he ?will be extradited. The outskirts of one of Castro's homes, a gated enclave called La Rinconada in a wealthy western suburb of Havana inhabited by foreign business people, diplomats and Cuban leaders, was quiet on Wednesday morning. The complex, surrounded by high aluminum and cement walls, razor wire and dense vegetation, appeared only lightly policed, with plainclothes guards at one entrance and a police cruiser circulating nearby. Castro, noticeably thin and slouched in military uniform but still lucid despite his age, was last seen in public a month ago during May 1 festivities in Havana, just prior to his indictment. He had previously not been seen since January 15, when he appeared in a public ceremony in the capital paying homage to the 32 Cuban soldiers killed during the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

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CHICAGO/MEXICO CITY, June 3 (Reuters) - Samples of an unconfirmed infestation of the flesh-eating screwworm parasite on a cattle ranch in La Pryor, Texas, have been sent to a federal government lab in Iowa to be tested, Texas Representative Don McLaughlin said Wednesday. The samples were taken from two calves on the same ranch on Tuesday, McLaughlin said, adding that he had seen photos and videos of the animals. Widespread market chatter about the suspected case hung over cattle futures, which traders said have long been sensitive to threats of New World screwworm. The parasite has been moving north through Mexico for more than a year. Market players believe a screwworm infestation in the U.S. could reduce demand for beef from consumers nervous about the flesh-eating pest but would be bullish in the long term by reducing the U.S. cattle supply. The photo, seen by Reuters, shows multiple larvae resembling the screwworm inside a bloody circular wound on an animal. McLaughlin said one of the suspected infestations was detected in an umbilical cord wound of a calf, though it was unclear if that was the case seen in the photo. Reuters could not immediately verify the photo. "At this point, it's unconfirmed that it's the New World Screwworm," McLaughlin said. "It looks like it, but it's unconfirmed." The Texas Animal Health Commission told Reuters on Wednesday that there has been no confirmed case of New World screwworm in Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is leading the screwworm prevention effort in the United States, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "NWS is not currently present in the United States," the agency's website said Wednesday. Screwworms are parasitic flies whose females lay eggs in wounds on any warm-blooded animal. Once the eggs hatch, hundreds of screwworm larvae use their sharp mouths to burrow through living flesh, eventually killing their host if left untreated. An outbreak of screwworm in the U.S. could cause $1.8 billion in damage to Texas' economy alone and would likely raise U.S. beef prices by shrinking the U.S. cattle supply, experts have said. Earlier in the week the USDA said that McLaughlin, who had said that a case was confirmed one mile south of the Texas border, had inaccurate information. The USDA confirmed a case 25 miles south of the Texas border in Coahuila state on Tuesday. Washington has kept its border closed to cattle imports for more than a year in an effort to prevent the destructive parasite from reaching U.S. border states. The United States has spent millions of dollars to slow its advance through Mexico, investing in sterile fly production facilities, expanding trapping efforts and increasing livestock surveillance.

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Jill Biden Knew Joe Was Unfit to Lead and Didn't Care

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