Top Political Stories This Week: Texas vs. Biden, Ohio Bans Trans Procedures on Minors, DeSantis Halts Presidential Campaign
Top Political Stories of the Week
After another week of headlines, it can be hard to parse through and find the most important political stories of the week. Many stories slip through the cracks as the media pulls Americans’ attention elsewhere. The following list of the week’s top stories is far from expansive, but just in case you missed them, here are some of the biggest stories The Daily Wire covered from Sunday, January 21, to Friday, January 26, 2024.
Texas Stands Strong On Border Defense After SCOTUS Rules Feds Can Cut Through Razor Wire
Texas has doubled down on defending the southern border amid a record surge of illegal immigrant crossings. Earlier this month, the Texas National Guard took control of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, after Customs and Border Patrol agents were filmed cutting through razor wire to make it easier for illegal immigrants to enter the United States.
On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that federal officials may cut through razor wire that Texas authorities installed to repel migrants from crossing the border illegally. Shortly after the ruling, Texas leaders, including Republican Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton hit back, saying the fight was not over.
Abbott issued a statement on Wednesday, slamming President Joe Biden for “violating his oath to execute immigration laws enacted by Congress faithfully.” Abbott also swore to secure the southern border and uphold “Texas’s constitutional authority to defend and protect itself.”
Twenty-five Republican governors backed Abbott and Texas on Thursday as the state seeks to secure the southern border.
DeSantis Suspends Campaign Following 2nd-Place Finish In Iowa
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended his campaign on Sunday and endorsed GOP frontrunner Donald Trump. The announcement came less than a week after DeSantis finished second in the Iowa caucuses with 21% of the vote behind Trump, who took 51%.
The DeSantis campaign spent millions on Iowa and moved much of its staff to the state in hopes of pulling off an early upset and proving that the Florida governor could compete with Trump. DeSantis’ strategy, however, didn’t pay off as Trump steamed ahead to a dominating win.
“If there was anything I could do to produce a favorable outcome, more campaign stops, more interviews, I would do it,” DeSantis said. “But I can’t ask our supporters to volunteer their time and donate their resources if we don’t have a clear path to victory. Accordingly, I am today suspending my campaign. I’m proud to have delivered on 100% of my promises, and I will not stop now.”
Trump Wins First-In-The-Nation Primary, Solidifies Lead In GOP Primary
Two days after DeSantis suspended his campaign, Trump cruised to another victory, this one in New Hampshire, where he took 54% of the vote beating former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley who received 43%. Trump’s early victories in Iowa and New Hampshire put him at 32 delegates, 15 ahead of Haley who has 17 delegates. Candidates must reach 1,215 delegates to become the Republican nominee.
Ohio Legislature Overrides Republican Governor’s Veto, Ban Gender Surgeries On Minors, Boys In Girls’ Sports
On Wednesday Republicans in the Ohio state Senate voted to override Republican Governor Mike DeWine’s veto of a bill banning transgender hormone treatments and surgeries from being performed on children, and barring boys and men from competing against girls and women in athletic competitions.
The bill vetoed by DeWine, House Bill 68, is made up of two acts: the “Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act” and the “Save Women’s Sports Act.” It bans transgender procedures on minors, such as double mastectomies on girls who identify as boys, and other genital procedures for children with gender dysphoria. It also prohibits males from competing in female sports across the state, grades K-12, and the collegiate level.
When DeWine initially vetoed the bill, he argued that signing it would hinder parental rights.
“Ohio would be saying that the state, that the government, knows better what is medically best for a child than the two people who love that child the most, the parents,” he said.
He also made the claim that he was acting to preserve “life.”
“Ultimately, I believe this is about protecting human life,” DeWine said. “Many parents have told me that their child would not have survived, would be dead today, if they had not received the treatment they received from one of Ohio’s children’s hospitals. I’ve also been told by those who are now grown adults that but for this care, they would have taken their life when they were teenagers.”
The new law banning gender surgeries on children in Ohio is expected to go into effect in around three months.
ADL Targets Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh, Other Alleged ‘Amplifiers Of LGBTQ+ Hate’
Emails obtained by the Daily Signal and published earlier this week showed that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) urged a counterterrorism agency to open investigations into Daily Wire host Matt Walsh and other conservative commentators, alleging that the commentators are “escalating harassment of LGBTQ+ individuals.”
The ADL stated in an email to a Washington State unified counterterrorism unit that “growing online anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry puts LGBTQ+ individuals at greater risk of physical violence and harassment.” The ADL goes on to list not only Walsh, but also the Manhattan Institute’s Christopher Rufo and Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik, among others, as “perpetrators of online hate,” and urges law enforcement to take action.
The counterterrorism unit, the Washington State Fusion Center, told The Daily Signal that no action was taken against Walsh or any of the other individuals.
Walsh said he views the attempt to mobilize law enforcement against him as “a very serious threat,” and called it “an explicit attempt to use state force to shut down opposing speech at gunpoint.”
“I’m not surprised that the enemies of free speech and common sense are using this tactic but I do find it deeply concerning,” he told The Daily Signal.
Other Notable Stories:
- Two U.S. Navy SEALs Killed While Boarding Boat Illegally Carrying Iranian Weapons
- Judge’s Ruling In Divorce Case Could Spell Bad News For Anti-Trump DA Fani Willis
- The FBI Said There Were ‘Pipe Bombs’ On January 6. Evidence Points To A Coverup, Congressman Says
How does Matt Walsh defend his right to free speech and criticize the ADL’s tactics in his op-ed?
Mation League (ADL) has targeted conservative commentator Matt Walsh and several others as alleged “amplifiers of LGBTQ+ hate.”
The ADL’s email, titled “Project Amplify: Tracking the Amplifiers of LGBTQ+ Hate on Social Media,” outlined their efforts to monitor and combat what they perceive as hate speech and harmful rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community. The email specifically mentioned Walsh, along with other conservative voices such as Ben Shapiro and Michael Knowles.
In response to the ADL’s targeting, Walsh published an op-ed on The Daily Wire defending his right to free speech and expressing his concerns about the ADL’s tactics. He argued that labeling him and others as “amplifiers of hate” is a form of defamation and an attempt to silence conservative viewpoints.
Walsh also pointed out the importance of open dialogue and respectful debate, even on sensitive topics such as LGBTQ+ issues. He emphasized the need for mutual understanding and the ability to express differing opinions without resorting to personal attacks or name-calling.
The ADL’s actions have sparked a larger conversation about free speech and the potential dangers of targeting individuals based on their political beliefs. Critics argue that such targeting can lead to a chilling effect on free expression and discourage individuals from engaging in open dialogue.
As this story continues to develop, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle between free speech and the push for inclusivity and protection of marginalized communities. Balancing these two ideals requires careful consideration and a commitment to fostering an environment where diverse perspectives can coexist.
In conclusion, these top political stories of the week highlight some of the key debates and developments within the United States. From border defense in Texas to the Republican primary race and controversies surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, these stories reflect the complex and often contentious nature of politics in America. As citizens, it is crucial to stay informed about these stories and actively engage in discussions that shape our nation’s future.
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