Andy Parks From The Washington Times: Recent Episodes
The Washington Times
Andy Parks Live From The Washington Times is heard weekday afternoons from 3-6pm. Longtime Washington radio host Andy Parks brings together the very best from one of the nation's premiere newsrooms. From columnists and correspondents, to breaking news and compelling guests, Andy has the very latest on all the stories that matter in our nation's capital. If you read about it in the Washington Times, you can talk about it with Andy Parks on your drive home.
On today's Front Page: Ukraine recaptured more of its territory from Russian forces, the Supreme Court will take up cases that determine whether internet companies are shielded from liability over the way they promote content to their users, and more.
On today's Front Page: The United Kingdom will begin a week of public mourning for Queen Elizabeth II with a service of prayer and reflection, some of the most violent crimes domestically are carried out by young Americans, and more.
IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig acknowledged this week that the tax agency faces “enormous challenges” in providing service this year, but he said taxpayers should direct their anger at Congress for not providing enough money. Stephen Dinan joins Andy Parks with more on how the IRS says the pandemic took a toll but cost-cutting has starved his agency of the employees and technology it needs to process returns, answer questions and chase after “ultra-wealthy” tax cheats.
First up, Andy takes a look at the Durham probe and Hillary Clinton, and the rest of the headlines from this week. And then, Washington Times foreign affairs reporter Ben Wolfgang joins Andy with the latest on the situation between Russia and Ukraine. As Ben reports, war felt a little less inevitable Tuesday as Russia announced it was pulling back some troops from their positions near the Ukrainian border, but U.S. and NATO leaders said they could not verify those claims and President Biden again bluntly warned the Kremlin of severe consequences if it started “a war without cause or reason” against its smaller neighbor.
Washington Times White House reporter Jeff Mordock checks in with Andy with the latest, including Secret Service agents rushed second gentleman Douglas Emhoff out of an event at Dunbar High School in Washington on Tuesday after a ‘security threat” was reported at the school. And then, desperate to revive his stalled $1.7 trillion economic spending package, President Biden meets with the heads of some of the nation’s largest utility companies to renew his push for the package’s climate provisions. As Jeff reports, despite the shift in strategy, the president’s bid to pass his climate agenda is filled with pitfalls.
Up first, Stephen Dinan tells Andy about the first in a six-part series on the two years of coronavirus spending. Uncle Sam has spent only a small fraction of that money — 15% or less, depending on who’s counting — on beating the coronavirus itself. Then, as Stephen reports, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued an official opinion saying the surge of illegal immigrants coming across the border meets the legal definition of an “invasion” under the U.S. Constitution. Brnovich‘s opinion is the latest salvo in a war of rhetoric over how bad the border has gotten under President Biden.
Look no further than CNN, with the exit of Jeff Zucker. Suddenly, journalistic standards matter? And the hiatus of Rachel Maddow on MSNBC seems to be sending that network into a tailspin. And in the rules for me but not for thee, Stacey Abrams happily joined masked students, maskless. Barack Obama was maskless, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot blames carjackings on empty schools. Typical liberal, never her fault. But there is a simple fix to the soft-on-crime problem. Actual laws. And a closer look at what's happening with the Canadian truckers this week. Andy Parks has all of that and more.
Uncle Sam’s total debt now tops $30 trillion, the Treasury Department said Tuesday. As Stephen Dinan reports, it took just a month and a half to add the latest $1 trillion, after Congress approved a debt limit surge late last year to accommodate the government’s pandemic-fueled spending spree. Plus, Former President Donald Trump is sitting on an absurd amount of campaign cash — more than the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee combined. His political committees raised $51 million over the last six months of 2021, and he ended the year with $122 million in the bank, most of that in his Save America Political Action Committee.
Why does the U.S. care about Ukraine and a fight over obscure Soviet-era borders? Why is President Biden willing to risk World War III to stop Russia from invading? Washington Times Foreign Affairs reporter Ben Wolfgang joins Andy Parks and says these questions are swirling suddenly in Washington. For Biden critics, the foreign policy establishment consensus offers little justification for putting American lives at risk in Eastern Europe or dedicating a massive amount of time, money and energy to a border dispute on the other side of the world with no direct impact on U.S. citizens.
First up, get Andy's take on the craziness, lunacy, absurdity and nonsense coming out of Washington, DC. this week. So, defunding police departments have increased crime rates? You don't say! Plus, apologies to gang members in California. For referring to them as gang members. And then, Washington Times White House reporter Jeff Mordock joins Andy with more on crime rates and violent attacks on police officers. And, Jeff shares a candid peek behind the curtain of the White House briefing room. From insults to non-answers, to shutting out some media organizations, what is the relationship like for the media in this administration?
As Stephen Dinan reports, a new viral video shows illegal immigrants nabbed at the border in Texas being released, ferried to airports and dropped off to catch flights taking them deeper into the U.S. Stephen tells Andy, the video comes just after Homeland Security released its final southern border numbers from 2021, showing by far the worst year on record for illegal activity. Plus, the big news out of the Supreme Court, Justice Stephen Breyer will retire, closing out a decades-long tenure for the liberal-leaning justice and giving President Biden his first chance to shape the court.
Republicans on the House Oversight and Reform Committee are probing the “historically low” rate of arrests of illegal immigrants by ICE, saying it appears the Biden administration, unwilling to abolish the agency outright, is instead paring it down through policy memos. As Stephen Dinan reports, Republicans are demanding data on why the agency, which has not lost any funding, is arresting and deporting people at a much slower pace than in the past. Plus, Homeland Security’s special visa program to grant legal status to victims of crime is plagued by fraud and mismanagement, according to an inspector general’s audit released this week that found the department doesn’t even know how many of the visas are issued. Stephen joins Andy to explain.
"Just when you think crime can't get any worse in America..." Andy takes a look a the wild week that was. New Yorkers elected a District Attorney whose "soft on crime" plan is not sitting well with voters. Is he putting up the welcome mat for thugs? Plus, the new mayor wants non-citizens to have the right to vote. If this can happen in the biggest city in the United States, will it happen everywhere? As President Biden's approval numbers sit in the dumpster, Stacey Abrams skips his visit to Georgia. Plus, the COVID debate in the US Supreme Court and much more.
Firearm purchases by a record number of Black Americans have accelerated a surge in gun sales since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis of government records. As Washington Times White House reporter Jeff Mordock explains, Black gun ownership increased 58.2% through the first six months of 2020, and it's expected that number will be similar for 2021, given the trends in purchases. Plus, President Biden takes on the meat industry, and the White House press room reverts back to limited capacity thanks to the omicron surge. The Washington Times is among the news outlets with a seat in the briefing room and is a member of the WHCA.
Even as the Biden administration moves toward leniency toward illegal immigrants on so many fronts, there is a line the government hasn’t crossed: Possessing a firearm is still a serious offense. As Stephen Dinan reports, the Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms to “the people,” and a series of cases is testing whether that term also includes illegal immigrants. Immigrant rights advocates worry about the implications of a Supreme Court decision that concludes the Second Amendment’s reference to “the people” doesn’t include illegal immigrants. Plus, the questions around renaming the Russell Senate office building, the Afghan refugees processed and released in 2021 and more.
It's another year, another COVID crisis. Andy says Dr. Anthony Fauci is lying his butt off to keep his face on television. But that's nothing compared to what is waiting for him in retirement. And in another edition of "rules for thee, but not for me," Andy breaks down all the maskless holiday parties and lack of social distancing for rich, liberal, lefties. And then, Valerie Richardson joins Andy with details on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. As Val reports, it turns out there’s a reason Republicans are hostile to AOC: They want her to be their bae. The congresswoman accused Republicans of being weirdly obsessed with her. Val also has more on the direction of the House investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and more.
Forget drugs or fraud. The most common type of case federal prosecutors bring is against illegal immigrants who try to reenter the country after having been ousted — and almost all of those charged are Hispanic. As Stephen Dinan reports, federal courts are grappling with whether that imbalance means the law itself is racist. Section 1326 itself was written in 1952 and its penalties were stiffened in 1988, 1990, 1994 and 1996. Also, the Public Interest Legal Foundation went to Pennsylvania with a list of tens of thousands of people who were likely dead, but still on the state’s voter rolls in the weeks before the 2020 election.
Andy Parks takes a look at a wild and tumultuous 2021. From January's start of the Biden administration to the influx of illegal immigrants at the border, to shutting down the Keystone XL pipeline and taking away our country's energy security. Have you seen gas prices lately? Then we had masks and social distancing mandates for federal employees and reversals of everything Trump touched. He would go on to make many mistakes in office, from Afghanistan to immigration, to infrastructure and dealing with COVID-19. What a year.
First up, Stephen Dinan tells Andy that ICE said Tuesday it will begin to deploy body cameras on special agents, to be followed eventually by deportation officers. As Stephen reports, the footage will be used to assess agents’ behavior, including in use-of-force incidents. Plus, Border Patrol agents say they nabbed a “potential terrorist” trying to jump the border Friday, adding a national security dimension to the border chaos that’s erupted in southwestern Arizona this month. And finally, the Secret Service said the government has sent nearly $100 billion to fraudsters who filed bogus claims for COVID-19 pandemic benefits. More than 900 criminal investigations are active. So far, it has seized more than $1.2 billion in fraudulent payments and reversed more than $2.3 billion in automatic payments.
On this Christmas edition of Andy Parks from The Washington Times, Andy takes a wild ride through the news of the week. Up first, Dr. Fauci says we may never be allowed to fly without masks. Ever again. Where does it all end? Two shots, three shots, maybe four shots, and still people are getting the virus. And the debt is out of control. The rest of the world is watching us destroy ourselves. Is Senator Joe Manchin now the savior we need to look to? Plus the outlook for Democrats in the House, scattering like rats from a sinking ship.
As Stephen Dinan reports, Homeland Security has ditched an interview requirement for spouses and children of refugees who want to come to the U.S. as a package deal, saying it was taking too long to complete the cases without much benefit from the extra work. The new policy applies to refugees, defined as those seeking humanitarian protection from outside the U.S., and asylees, who are seeking protection from within the country. Plus, Stephen tells Andy the story of three vehicles piled with Russian illegal immigrants making a run at the U.S. border on Sunday, drawing gunfire from a Homeland Security officer.
Andy's week in review includes the horrific storms in Kentucky and other states. And somehow President Biden and other Democrats are making sure not to let this crisis go to waste, blaming global warming at their first opportunity. Plus, the president made a late-night appearance with Jimmy Fallon. It was funny, alright. Full of flat-out hilarious spin on actual facts on energy, gas prices and who's to blame. And, did you really want to hear Hillary Clinton's unused victory speech?
The Supreme Court has been busy hearing oral arguments. Maine struggled Wednesday to defend its school funding system, with GOP-appointed justices casting a skeptical eye on the program, which pays for students to attend some private schools as long as their classrooms aren’t too religious. As Stephen Dinan reports, Chief Justice John Roberts said that means the state ends up picking and choosing some religious schools and rejecting others. Stephen also tells Andy Parks the latest on President Biden’s commission on the Supreme Court, which failed to recommend any significant changes to the way the justices operate.
First up, Andy takes a look at the recent moves by outgoing NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, the latest on vaccine data, Chris Cuomo, Jussie Smollett & more. Then, Washington Times White House reporter Jeff Mordock stops by with the latest on the Biden-Putin call this week. As Jeff reports, there were some blunt words but no “finger-wagging” as President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked face-to-face Tuesday about avoiding a war over Ukraine. It was unclear from the public readouts whether the two leaders made much progress behind closed doors. Jeff says the readouts were all very vague, so the public doesn't really know much about what was discussed,
Supreme Court justices flirted with scraping away at the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that created a national right to abortion, pondering whether states should have freedom to bar abortions altogether or at least weeks before currently allowed. Stephen Dinan tells Andy that conservative-leaning justices of the court took aim at the current fetal “viability” standard — about 24 weeks of pregnancy — for when states can move to bar abortions. They suggested Mississippi’s 15-week line may be just as valid. And, as President Biden’s new coronavirus travel ban took effect Monday, security experts say he’s left a glaring hole in his scheme: the southern border.
So the latest variant is on the way. More mask mandates to follow? Apparently not for President Biden, who is iffy on when he chooses to wear a mask. What about the success rate in Florida? Is no one paying attention? Andy says, "take a hint, Dr. Fauci." Why not let nature run its course. It seems to be working in Florida. Plus, digital health IDs, travel restrictions, media coverage of the Christmas Parade deaths in Wisconsin, and much more.
Up first, migrants from Central America are rushing to the U.S. illegally not because of violence or natural disasters in their home countries but because of jobs, a major new study found, challenging claims that they are asylum-seekers fleeing persecution. As Stephen Dinan reports, climate and the environment — a major explanation VP Harris has cited — was a reason for 3% of migrants. In other immigration news, a 17-day-old infant perished at the border after his mother carried him across the Rio Grande as part of a group of illegal immigrants, Homeland Security said this week. These stories are awful, and the responsibility rests on very many people, including the mother, the smugglers, the policy-makers and many others.
Andy Parks breaks down all the things to be... thankful... for in 2021. Just in time for Thanksgiving, we have the circus surrounding the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. This is what we have in America today. Subjected to labels he doesn't deserve, his life is changed forever regardless of the verdict. And then there is the fatal Christmas parade incident in Wisconsin. The suspect has been in and out of jail for half of his life. Andy has questions.
As Stephen Dinan reports, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas graded himself with an “A for effort” this week, telling senators he believes the Biden administration is on the right track to solve the border’s chaos and to make up for what he called cruel Trump policies. His defense was not reassuring to Republicans on the committee. Plus, sheriffs representing 17 states called on President Biden to oust Mayorkas and find a new department chief who will work with them to restore respect for the border and immigration law.
Are Republicans using "wokeness" against the Dems? Andy says the short answer is yes. Plus, Washington Times Deputy Politics Editor Dave Boyer joins Andy with more on the infrastructure bill, upcoming elections and the power struggle ahead. Also, the latest from China, the economy, trade, and the big mystery of the week, what is going on with Vice President Kamala Harris?
Up first, Stephen Dinan joins Andy Parks with the latest on a Supreme Court case on whether a man sentenced to death can be allowed to have his pastor in the execution chamber, touching him and praying out loud as the lethal injection is delivered. And then, this week marks the 100 year anniversary of the Unknown Soldier arriving on U.S. shores. The first Unknown Soldier almost didn’t make it back to U.S. soil at all. Stephen Dinan joins Andy Parks with the story of how the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier came to be. Arlington this week is commemorating the 100 years with a reenactment of the original journey and entombment in what amounts to a rededication of the resting place for unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II and the Korean conflict.
The RINOS jumped to help save the infrastructure bill this week and President Biden celebrated by telling us the rich need to pay their "fair share." But, what is a fair share? According to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 50% sounds about right. What do you think? Plus, are we all too dumb to understand the supply chain? The people in charge under the Biden Administration find the supply chain problems "hilarious." Do you? Oh, and is the White House paying illegal immigrants or not? The story keeps changing and Andy asks, who's actually running things in the White House right now?
Attorney General Merrick Garland said this week that some migrants in the new mass caravan headed north should come to the U.S. if they plan to demand asylum. Stephen Dinan joins Andy Parks with more on his reporting on the Attorney General's take on immigrants coming with asylum claims and how they are different than traditional illegal immigrants. Plus, concerns of COVID-positive migrants being sent back to Mexico, the widespread use of illegal workers in the construction industry & more.
President Biden proposes a billionaires' tax, because someone has to pay for the bill with a "zero" cost factor. How does that actually work? Andy Parks takes a look at a few real-life examples. If the government is going to take the profits away from the investments of the wealthy, the wealthy may stop investing, at least in the United States. And, a look at the Virginia gubernatorial race, the latest on defunding the police, and a really rough week for the family of the woman killed on the set of an Alec Baldwin movie.
As White House reporter Jeff Mordock reports, White House press secretary Jen Psaki came under fire this week after joking that it’s a “tragedy” some people may have to wait longer for their treadmill to arrive amid the supply-chain crisis that has disrupted global economies. Also, President Biden, Vice President Harris and Treasury Secretary Yellen met with Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and other progressive lawmakers in an attempt to salvage a smaller version of the president’s $3.5 trillion social welfare and climate change bill.
The border is a mess, the supply chain is a mess, the vaccine mandates are a mess, the president is having dinner at a fancy Washington restaurant without a mask, the transportation secretary is busy being a new dad, Dr. Fauci continues to mislead the American people and Vice President Kamala Harris is no Condoleezza Rice. Beyond that, it was a typical week in Biden's Washington.
Stephen Dinan has the latest on the immigration debate in the United States. But first, Stephen tells Andy about the largest cost of living increase for Social Security since 1982, when the country was still emerging from the inflationary years of the late 1970s. Advocates for Social Security said the benefit hike is desperately needed as those on fixed incomes face huge challenges making ends meet amid soaring prices. Then, we get the latest from the border, including abandoned children, raiding workplaces for illegal workers, plans for amnesty and vaccinations for border jumpers.
Vaccine mandates, inflation, empty shelves in grocery stores. Does that sound like Christmas to you? It may be our reality this holiday season. But first, Andy takes a look at President Biden's travel, travails, plummeting poll numbers, gaffes and missteps. And a new documentary on St. Anthony Fauci sheds new light on his years of fame and shame. And are you seeing empty shelves? Cargo ships are backed up at US ports and shelves are empty. Andy says people are too happy sitting at home to come in to work.
Washington Times White House reporter Jeff Mordock joins Andy Parks with the latest from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Up first, Biden said Tuesday he backs Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell amid harsh criticism from Sen. Elizabeth Warren. But he’s faced blistering criticism from far-left Democrats after it was revealed that top Federal Reserve officials were trading securities during the pandemic. Also, The president traveled to Howell, Michigan, to win over voters even as he struggles to make the same sales pitch to his fellow Democratic lawmakers. But he got a special greeting in "friendly" territory.
What is going on with the Democrats? The party is no more. Or, at least it's no longer made up of actual Democrats. Not even Nancy Pelosi can keep her party in line. Also, interesting that Senator Joe Manchin is changing his tune. Again. But at least he's not chanting the all too familiar NASCAR slogan "Let's Go Brandon." Meanwhile, Biden has been hit with boos from the crowd at his event in Michigan and even at the Congressional baseball game. What's going on with this party?
It’s not just Haitians, and it’s not just Texas where the border seems out of control. Stephen Dinan explains how the situation in Yuma is different from Del Rio. Then, Homeland Security paid more than $330,000 for a software license for the last two years for a system that hadn’t functioned since 2018, the department’s inspector general said in a new report Monday. Stephen explains what that means and how it happened.
Andy takes a look at the high drama of the week. Timing is everything, as they say on the set of The View. Meanwhile, voting by mail is becoming permanent in California. "Cheat by mail," courtesy of Governor Gavin Newsom. Plus, AOC cried, Sen. Schumer whined, and more accusations came up against Cuomo... not that Cuomo, the other Cuomo. And finally, Andy's whopper of the week.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas insisted this week that the border has not deteriorated under President Biden, and shot down claims by the former Border Patrol chief who said things are worse than he’s seen in nearly 30 years of service. As Stephen Dinan reports, he insisted this was the case despite the images being shown and numbers being reported. Also, Stephen tells us the latest on Republican investigators demanding answers from the FAA over its decision last week to impose a ban on drone flights near the Texas migrant camp that sprang up on the banks of the Rio Grande.
Is this a crazy week or what? Andy looks at the big headlines of the week and shakes his head. So, the border is under control? Does that look like control to you? "Earth to Alejandro Mayorkas: These people came here because they see how easy it is to cross the border under the Biden administration." And wasn't the Vice President supposed to be helping? Meanwhile, the mayor of San Francisco parties it up, maskless in a nightclub. The mayor of Chicago wants to refund the police department. And "America First" is no more.
A Texas county declared a state of disaster this week over illegal immigrants and COVID-19 exposure and adopted a policy barring them from being transported into or through the jurisdiction until they’ve gotten a new test showing they’re free of the coronavirus. As Stephen Dinan reports, one Texas county said it has determined unvaccinated and untested illegal immigrants are a real threat to public health. The county said it doesn’t have the facilities to handle a major outbreak. also, more on Secretary of State Blinken telling reporters the majority of Afghans airlifted out of Kabul in last month’s emergency evacuation weren’t vetted before getting on the planes.
Washington Times national reporter Valerie Richardson joins Andy with the reaction from the California recall effort against Governor Gavin Newsom. As Val reports, Democrats tout the recall defeat as win for Biden and a loss for Trump. But first, Andy takes a look at vaccine mandates and the mystery of the disappearing face masks among the left. Andy is sick of the "rules for me but not for thee." On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Andy says George W. Bush was just pitiful for blaming President Trump. "Wasn't it you that got us into that war?"
America has had countless waves of migrants, but rarely has the country been as eager to receive them as it has for the tens of thousands of Afghans who are being airlifted into the country. Charities and resettlement agencies say they have been overwhelmed by the response, with offers of open arms, leads on apartments and a flood of supplies. Stephen Dinan joins Andy with details. Plus more on deaths of illegal immigrants, Republicans demanding answers on vetting Afghans being brought into the US, the number of sanctuary jails in the country and much more.
Andy takes a look at the big stories of the week, including what exactly is happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue these days. At the top of the list, the awful move to get out of Afghanistan. But also, the border, the economy, COVID, and on and on. When even NBC's Chuck Todd acknowledges how bad it is... you know it's bad. And the poll numbers show it. Agents at the border have been warned to be on the lookout for terrorists taking the 'easy way' in to the country. And in COVID-19 news, a virus becomes a political tool, which makes it mostly impossible to believe anything you hear coming out of the White House.
As Stephen Dinan reports, both of Social Security’s benefit programs, Old-Age Survivors Insurance for older adults, and Disability Insurance for those unable to work, failed the trustees’ tests of short-range financial adequacy. That means the revenue is crossing a critical fiscal threshold as the program begins a slide toward depletion of its trust funds in little more than a decade. In 2034, payments will likely cover only 78% of what is promised to recipients. Stephen also explains his story on how a convicted rapist reached the U.S. on an Afghan evacuation flight.
President Trump made the rules and had no problem targeting terrorists. Unlike President Biden, who not only highlights our weaknesses but hands over the identities of the Afghans who helped us over the last 20 years. How could he possibly call this withdrawal an "extraordinary success?" Is this really "Mission Accomplished" for him? The American people are seeing that Donald Trump was right. And, yet another edition of "Rules for thee but not for me" from our favorite Democrats.
The Donald Trump plan lives. As Stephen Dinan reports, the Supreme Court rebuffed President Biden’s request to halt a lower court order that revives the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” border policy, effectively forcing the new administration to make a “good faith” effort to push illegal immigrants back across the border. The ruling is a devastating blow to the Biden team, which had made erasing Trump-era immigration policies a major hallmark of its first seven months in office. Plus, about 20 million ballots mailed out for the November general election were not returned, the federal government’s Election Assistance Commission says in a report detailing the successes and hiccups of the voting. Stephen explains what that means.
First up, Andy takes a look at the big stories of the week and says President Biden has some serious issues, in more ways than one. And then, Washington Times White House Reporter Jeff Mordock joins Andy with more on Biden and Afghanistan. As Jeff reports, President Biden struggled to recover his shaken leadership at home and abroad this week, rejecting calls from allies and lawmakers to extend next week’s deadline for evacuating Afghanistan as an emboldened Taliban made fresh demands for a U.S. exit.
As Stephen Dinan reports, the Biden administration is rushing to build an immigration system that will decide who gets to stay in the U.S. after promising to airlift tens of thousands of Afghan citizens out of their home country. It’s a serious risk, yet the effort is underway. Normally, it takes years to go through the Special Immigrant Visa process. It's now being fast-tracked and could bring hundreds of thousands of Afghan citizens to the United States. Plus, more from the southern border including Border Patrol agents coming under fire from the Mexican side of the border.
Andy is back! In Afghanistan, there are some brutal images coming out of the effort to get our troops out. The Taliban is running the country, Biden is depending on the Taliban to help evacuate Americans despite saying there was no way this could happen. Americans are stuck there, the Taliban are going door to door, and there's a "fair amount" of American weaponry left behind. So much for gun control. China and Russia are watching. Is this the biggest embarrassment for the U.S. ever? Plus, what's really going on at the U.S. border this week?
House Democrats introduced a spending bill that aims to wipe away large chunks of President Trump’s legacy, including restrictions on deploying agency personnel to police protests and clawing back more than $2 billion in border wall money that lawmakers had already approved. As Stephen Dinan reports, the Biden administration has reversed many executive actions under Trump, but the Democrats’ bill begins to unravel the legislative policies the previous president won. Meanwhile, the grim reality of death is a near-daily occurrence for those along the border, where smugglers and even fellow migrants are all too ready to abandon those who can’t keep up in the desert or leave them to drown if they struggle to cross the Rio Grande.
Give more money to the police and let them do their jobs. That seems like basic common sense, unless you are a Democrat. The idea of defunding the police made its way to the New York mayoral race, but the problems they are having counting votes in New York is overshadowing that message. And the debate over Critical Race Theory heats up in school board meetings across the country. Is it time to simply start over with the public school system? And, we take yet another look at COVID-19, mask mandates, young people taking vaccines and where we go from here.
Andy Parks is joined by Stephen Dinan with the latest on his series on border smugglers, 'Dollars over danger: Inside the mind of a smuggler." As Stephen reports, most smugglers say they just need the cash, and some offer sad stories about their circumstances. After years of tracking smuggling cases, Stephen takes a look at what motivates people to get involved and what they say when they are caught. In case after case reviewed by The Washington Times, those arrested in the U.S. on smuggling charges are repeat offenders and are often given a break the first or second time.
From the newsroom of The Washington Times, Andy Parks once again digs into the "dumb things Democrats do" in Washington. From the jump to conclusions at a Pride parade in Florida, to Atlanta's crime spike being blamed on Republicans. And, the "threats" and divisiveness coming from the Pledge of Allegiance caused another mayor to call a city council member "out of order." Maybe the liberal mayors across the country need to take a long, hard look in the mirror.
Washington Times White House reporter Jeff Mordock sits down with Andy Parks with details on the new Biden crime strategy just ahead of the announcement. As Jeff reports, the administration says it would more strictly enforce federal gun laws, help cities and states hire more police officers and promote community policing to try to curb an increase in deadly crime as the homicide rate climbs to historic levels in major cities across the country. Republicans have seized on the issue, using it as a political cudgel to attack Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
Covering immigration like no other, Washington Times reporter Stephen Dinan is here to tell us about just a few of the big stories he broke this week. Up first, how social media is reshaping border crime. As Stephen reports, apps such as TikTok, Snapchat, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp have upended the smuggling world. Connecting migrants with drivers, which used to be tricky in remote areas, is now as easy as messaging a GPS pin to the driver over one of the apps. Stephen also has a story about two soldiers arrested for alien smuggling in Texas after agents say they were caught with two illegal immigrants in the trunk of their car at a Border Patrol checkpoint, where they had hoped their military uniforms would get them through without inspection.
Well, the G7 summit is over, and here's to hoping that President Biden can stay awake for the rest of the meetings. Andy takes a look at the crazy stories of the week. Of course, Joe Biden had to blast the United States and Trump supporters. "He's a total disaster, since day one." And, more evidence continues to come out, from highly reputable sources including the former director of the CDC, that COVID-19 could have come from a lab. Andy really wants to know how Dr. Anthony Fauci fits into it. And global warming is back on the big stage. I guess it's time to throw more tax dollars at green energy.
More than 800 criminal suspects in 18 nations, including the US, were duped into using an FBI-monitored encryption app to plan their crimes, resulting in a massive organized crime takedown. As Washington Times Justice Department reporter Jeff Mordock reports, authorities in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the US announced the results of Operation Trojan Shield in separate press conferences across the globe. Also, as Jeff reports, the Justice Department announced this week it will now require all federal agents to wear body cameras, reversing a longstanding ban and giving a victory to police accountability activists. Jeff explains to Andy how that will work, why they initially prevented it and where the policy goes from here.
First up, Andy Parks asks Stephen Dinan about his latest reporting on the arrest of three people accused of a grisly extortion scheme against illegal immigrants trying to make their way into California that involved kidnapping, rape and exorbitant demands for cash to secure the migrants’ release. And then, we dig into Stephen's new series on how lucrative the smuggling business has become. In the first of a three-part series, hear about how 2021 is turning into a boom year for anyone willing to help in the border smuggling process.
From the studio perched atop the newsroom of The Washington Times, Andy Parks takes a look at this week's headlines, including race. And race. And race relations. And race issues. Oh, and race. Former President Obama is now blaming the media for the racial divide in this country. And, how did the least popular candidate in the 2020 Democratic primary end up as Vice President? It was a tough week for the VP, but at least she had cookies with her face on them. No border visits, but she has cookies. And, if absolutely everything is racist, it certainly makes sense to see the American flag as racist, as happened this week.
Race relations, Russian hackers and yet another shooting in the United States of America. Andy Parks digs into the nonsensical news of the week. Why do the Democrats beat the issue of race relations into the ground every single day? And if we are going to address this at every opportunity, why can't the problems be fixed? The answer is easy... votes. Andy takes a look at President Biden's approach to the race problem in America. Plus, the Russian hackers are at it again. This time they are hitting the meat industry. How much does Russian President Vladimir Putin know about it? Somehow, when Trump was in office, things were a little quieter on the international front. Interesting, isn't it?
Covering immigration like no other reporter in the country, Stephen Dinan joins Andy Parks with the very latest on Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas saying there is no “invasion” along the Southwest border. He said the new Biden team has succeeded in imposing order on the massive flow of people attempting to jump the boundary. As Stephen reports, Republicans chided him for the claim, pointing to near-record levels of people attempting to cross and the record numbers of some categories of illegal immigrants that are being allowed to stay. Plus, a veteran Border Patrol agent has been charged with helping smuggle illegal immigrants, Homeland Security's inspector general has opened an investigation into a massive no-bid contract ICE doled out to a firm that's holding illegal immigrants in hotels & more.
Andy Parks digs into the big stories of the week, including the amazing about-face some on the left are now making about the origins of the coronavirus. Andy asks, why wasn't Dr. Anthony Fauci fired? Everything he's said has been smoke and mirrors, a joke and a scam. Plus hypocrisy in Michigan, the continuing apology tour of CNN's Chris Cuomo, the Maryland vaccination lotto, the family of George Floyd at the White House and much more.
Stephen Dinan joins Andy Parks with his collection of stories from the week. Up first, former President Donald Trump denounced Congress’s plan to create a commission to investigate the attack by his supporters on the Capitol on Jan. 6th, saying it was “just more partisan unfairness.” Also, as Stephen reports, Border Patrol agents in the San Diego area nabbed 25 illegal immigrant sex offenders in all of 2020. Now they have arrested 12 in just the past two months. Agents find the offenders during their routine patrol duties and usually realize whom they have in custody only when they run record checks.
First up, get Andy's big stories for the week, including a closer examination of the schedule of the President of the United States. "Donald Trump accomplished more in one hour than Biden does in a week." Plus, the Colonial Pipeline hack, energy policies, mixed messages on wearing masks, and where is all the money going... more importantly, where is it coming from? And then we check in with Dave Boyer with more on Biden's visit to Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan. Biden said the U.S. lost ground to China during the Trump administration on the production of electric vehicles and batteries.
Yes, we can call it a crisis at the border. Andy gets an update with Stephen Dinan, who reports on the highest monthly total of immigrants nabbed at the border in more than 20 years. Stephen says the nature of the crisis that we saw in April suggests that this is not a temporary problem but a response to the Biden administration's change in policy.
First up, Andy looks at the headlines of the week. Remember the good old days waiting in line to fill up the tank? It's all back, based on bad decisions then and now. Kill the Keystone Pipeline along with our energy independence, and here's where we are. Plus, open borders, checks for illegals, masks for everyone, Rand Paul vs Dr. Anthony Fauci and more. Then, Dave Boyer stops by with more on fraud in the COVID relief programs. The level of waste and fraud in unemployment benefits during the pandemic is staggering, even by Washington’s wasteful standards.
Some good news, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is ending COVID-19 restrictions effective now. And, no vaccine passports. Democrats seem to want to follow the science until they don't like the science. And, Senator Tim Scott countered President Biden last week by saying we are not living in a racist country. Andy says the racist reaction to the speech was outrageous. There is no end to the hypocrisy.
Stephen Dinan joins Andy Parks with an update on the Real ID delay, as well as a roundup of all the other big immigration stories of the week. President Biden will nominate Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, a Trump critic who cut some cooperative ties with ICE, as the new director of the immigration enforcement agency. Biden now has named nominees for the three immigration agencies at Homeland Security, tapping Trump critics for all of them. Mayorkas also nudged the country’s courthouses into sanctuaries for illegal immigrants, ordering ICE and Border Patrol agents to stop arresting people at the facilities unless national security is at risk or there are overwhelming public safety reasons.
Andy Parks takes a deep dive into what life has been like under Democrats for theta 100 days. They've screwed up the immigration system, energy independence, dealing with countries like Iran, "woke" society, race relations and what else? Enjoy paying $6 for a loaf of bread and $8 for a gallon of gasoline. How long before the mid-America crowd says "that's enough?" Andy says he has a funny feeling it's coming.
Stephen Dinan: National Guard to help with migrant surge with all the latest news on immigration, this week Stephen Dinan digs deep on using the National Guard at the U.S. southern border. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced this week he was deploying National Guard troops to help local authorities deal with chaos spawned by the surge of illegal immigrants rushing into the US, and in some cases being released directly into communities. Also, Homeland Security announced it will issue up to 22,000 additional guest-worker permits this year for foreigners to work in non-farm seasonal jobs such as beach resorts and amusement parks.
Washington Times legal affairs reporter Alex Swoyer joins Andy with the latest on the court-packing issue on the Supreme Court. As Alex reports, about 26% of voters thought Congress should pass a law allowing more than nine justices to serve on the high court, while 46% of those surveyed opposed a court-packing plan. We also get the latest on Stacey Abrams and her connection to MLB moving the All-Star Game from Georgia.
On this week’s edition of “Democracy dies under Democrats,” Andy sets his sights on Maxine Waters. The California Democrat told demonstrators at Saturday night’s protest in Minnesota that they need to “get more confrontational” if former police officer Derek Chauvin is acquitted of murder in the death of George Floyd, prompting Republicans to accuse her of stoking an already explosive situation. Andy agrees with the judge in the case that her comments were irresponsible and disrespectful.
Covering the immigration beat like no other reporter in the country, Stephen Dinan takes a look at ICE priority arrests. In an exclusive report, Stephen explains why these arrests are down 75% under the Biden administration. We also hear more about GOP states hitting Biden immigration policies with a web of lawsuits. And, a congressman back from a trip to the border said this week that agents told him they have no way of verifying migrants’ identities, meaning people are boarding airplanes without the kinds of documents that would be demanded of any other passenger.
Once again, the Democrats have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that they cannot govern effectively. Andy Parks takes a deeper look at the details of the 20-year-old fatally shot by police in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. With armed robbery, disorderly conduct and other charges, Daunte Wright faced being sent to jail for violating the conditions of his release, including a prohibition against firearms possession, which may explain why he resisted officers. Andy looks at defunding of police, a ‘woke’ culture and the media fanning the flames.
Dr. Ben Carson, Founder and Chairman of the American Cornerstone Institute, joins Andy for a wide-ranging discussion on the racial divide in America, his thoughts on the new Georgia voter ID law, religion, political correctness, the “woke” culture and what he thinks Martin Luther King, Jr. would think of America today.
In his exclusive reporting, Stephen Dinan finds that some tough talk came from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a virtual town hall forum with ICE employees. In perhaps his most striking comments, Mayorkas said he thought more illegal immigrants should be prosecuted criminally. Also, what really happened when a border terrorism statement was deleted due to “sensitive information?”
Open borders, voter ID, gender politics and more. Andy Parks dives into the traits that might just indicate that YOU are a “crazy Democrat.” What unites Americans across all groups? Not sports, not anymore. What common experiences do we all share? Not American History, not anymore. What does justice look like in our society? Not punishing criminals, not anymore.
As Stephen Dinan reports, federal prosecutors charged a Mexican man with alien smuggling stemming from a March 2nd incident that saw 13 migrants die in a horrific car crash. The man admitted in a phone call that he had people cut the hole in the border fence and the drivers would have made $28,000. Also, what is Vice President Harris doing in her new role as point person for trying to solve the conditions that push migrants to flee Central America?
Get Andy’s take on the big stories of the week, including Biden’s first press conference, the border crisis (or non-crisis, depending on who you ask), New York Gov. Cuomo’s mounting accusations, Georgia’s election law, voter ID and more. “So if you add it all up, 75% of Americans are on board with voter ID, shouldn't liberal politicians feel the same way?”
Up first, Washington Times Justice Department reporter Jeff Mordock updates Andy Parks on the latest from Portland, Oregon. As Jeff reports, the mayhem appeared to be abating this year but surged last week in Portland, with protesters again attacking a federal courthouse. A protective fence surrounding the courthouse was removed this month, only to have it reinstalled last week. And then, Russia and Iran both sought to influence the 2020 election, but no foreign government attempted to change votes or alter ballots, according to a report by the intelligence community released this week.
Still no news conference, but rumor is there’s one on the books for President Biden. “It’s going to be one embarrassing event, I almost guarantee you.” Did you know that Help Is Here? If not, Biden and VP Kamala Harris are making the rounds explaining who gets what in the $1.9 trillion relief package. In other news, Andy wonders what a “fair share” actually might be in this country. Plus, what’s the latest at the border? Not a visit from the president.
First, they called it a surge, then a challenge. But despite what anyone else says, the Biden Administration will not call what's happening at the border a crisis. Stephen Dinan joins Andy to take a look at what's happening with Homeland Security, including Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas saying this week that he has retreated on a Trump-era policy to push immigrants to be self-supportive, saying it was an affront to the country’s history as a nation of immigrants.
Another wild week is underway, but does everyone realize it? Who is that? What's his name? Andy Parks takes a look at the big headlines, including Democrats rewarding bad behavior in the latest COVID relief bill. Of the $1.9 trillion, somewhere around 10% is actually going to COVID relief. Andy explains who is making out under the deal and who isn't. And, the president's team seems to be terrified to allow him to speak to the press. No time for a news conference, but he has time to call red-staters "neanderthals." Fantastic.
ICE has locked down a Twitter account used to alert the public to illegal immigrants released by sanctuary cities. Stephen Dinan explains why this has happened and what it means. And then, Stephen reports that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas blamed his Trump predecessors for leaving him with a “gutted” system. Mayorkas calls it a “challenge” rather than a crisis at the border. But why? Also, there are potentially hundreds of immigrants released each day without being tested for COVID. Stephen has those details.
First up, get Andy’s take on the news of the week, including Trump at CPAC, the downfall of Mike Pence in the Republican Party, the COVID relief bill, the Bidens’ delayed trip to Texas & more. Then, Washington Times political reporter Seth McLaughlin on Vice President Kamala Harris not saying anything about the increasing number of women accusing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment. As Seth reports, Harris took a leading role in speaking out in support of women who made sexual harassment allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Democratic Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota, whom she wanted to block from confirmation and oust from the Senate, respectively.
A federal court in Texas issued an injunction against President Biden’s 100-day deportation pause, saying the Inauguration Day decision was too rash and the new administration has failed to justify why it’s needed. Stephen Dinan joins Andy to explain the details of why the pause is on hold. The ruling will now last until a much more fulsome court case can develop. Meanwhile, the Biden team is preparing behind the scenes for an expected massive surge at the border.
First up, get Andy’s take on the big news of the week. From Dr. Fauci asking us to wear two masks, to the power outages in Texas and the return of “cages for kids.” Plus, Andy shares his memories of Rush Limbaugh. Then, Dave Boyer joins the conversation with more on Democrats brushing aside Republicans’ concerns about overheating the economy with the Biden administration’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill. And, what caused CPAC to remove a speaker from its 2021 speakers schedule?
Former President Donald Trump unloaded on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell this week, calling him a “dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack,” saying Republicans cannot win with him at the party’s helm, and vowing to support candidates who will challenge GOP lawmakers in primaries. Stephen Dinan looks at what’s behind the statement and where Republicans go from here. Plus, we get the latest immigration stories from The Washington Times.
First up, get Andy’s take on the big stories of the week, including when exactly President Joe Biden became aware of the existence of a COVID-19 vaccine. Andy says Trump showed the Democrats America could be great again, but they are not interested in greatness. And then, Valerie Richardson joins Andy with more on frozen windmills and rolling blackouts in Texas. Despite its status as a major oil-and-gas producer, Texas relied on wind for 23% of its electricity in 2020, but about half of that capacity went offline Monday after freak winter storms, record snow and frigid cold iced the West Texas turbines. Plus, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that he did not hide COVID-19 nursing home deaths as Democrats joined Republicans in demanding answers.
First up, Andy runs down the big stories of the week, including his take on the Super Bowl halftime show, the future of virtual classrooms, green jobs, Maxine Waters and the attempts of the left to erase President Trump from history. Then, Washington Times White House Reporter Dave Boyer recaps the impeachment trial so far. In their first full-throated defense of Trump since the House impeached him on Jan. 13, his attorneys said Democrats’ true motive is to eliminate the political opponent they fear the most in 2024 by disqualifying him from holding federal office. Six Republicans joined all 50 Democrats in agreeing to move forward with the heart of the case.
Nearly 150 years before Tuesday’s 56-44 vote to proceed with a trial against now-private citizen Donald Trump, senators went down the same path with William Belknap, who had led President Ulysses S. Grant‘s War Department, until he resigned under accusations of bribery. Stephen Dinan looks at the details of that historic case compared to what is happening in 2021. Plus, the latest from the border, the immigration surge, catch and release and a new Biden tent city.
Stephen Dinan joins Andy with the latest on what we can expect on Day One from the Biden Administration. As Stephen reports, border wall construction will be halted, the travel ban will be erased, and the 1776 Commission celebrating America’s founding will be disbanded all within hours after President Biden is sworn in. Also, looking ahead at Biden’s approach to immigration, the Postal Service “victory lap,” and how the Trump stress test leaves all institutions of American democracy battered or even broken.
Andy Parks is joined by Martin Di Caro, host of a new podcast from The Washington Times. History As It Happens takes a look at current events in the news with the historical context in mind. We are in historic times, living through history as it unfolds. From politics to partisanship, civil unrest and the pandemic, this podcast tries to make sense of how we got here and where we are going.
On this Inauguration Day 2021, Andy Parks has a goodbye tribute to President Donald Trump. “No matter what you think of Donald Trump if you look at all of his accomplishments over the last four years, you have to be a little bit impressed… right?” Andy takes a look at the accomplishments of the Trump Administration and looks ahead to what he expects to come out of the Biden Administration.
Washington Times Justice Department reporter Jeff Mordock joins Andy with a full rundown of the arrests coming out of the riot at the US Capitol building. But up first, an exclusive report on how law enforcement has been breaking with President Trump after the death of a Capitol Police officer. Jeff reports that this is giving law enforcement the feeling that they aren't getting support from either side of the political aisle, leaving them without a party.
Andy Parks takes a walk through the big stories of this very eventful week. How woke are you? According to the libs, we must be in touch with the injustices in society. Are you? The high tech platforms shutting down conservatives have decided that we are way too dumb to make decisions on our own. Yet, they are calling for unity. The path to unity appears to only go through total agreement with the liberal left. But don't worry, the president is being impeached with a week left in his term. Andy says he can only hope they pay at the ballot box.
Bring a child to the border, get released: It’s a mantra that illegal immigrants have repeated for several years, and groundbreaking data announced by the Department of Homeland Security shows just how true it is. Stephen Dinan breaks down the findings. Then, Homeland Security took a victory lap after announcing it had surpassed 450 miles of border wall erected on President Trump’s watch, calling it a “historic” achievement. Plus, Trump's Twitter future, pandemic baby booms & more.
First up, get Andy's take on the big stories of the week, including the Georgia Senate runoff results. "Seems like Georgia may not be the Peach State for Republicans after all." Then, Washington Times White House reporter Dave Boyer joins us with more on President Trump speaking at a rally of supporters, where he told tens of thousands that he’ll “never concede” the election to Joe Biden and called on Vice President Mike Pence to send the Electoral College results back to states for re-certification.
Andy is joined by Stephen Dinan on the big immigration stories of the week. Up first, the three key Central American countries responsible for last year’s migrant surge have signed asylum deals with the US. Officials say true asylum-seekers are fleeing persecution at home, and any safe country should be an acceptable landing place. And, Stephen has new details on an illegal immigrant fake family and new human smuggling charges brought against the abusive couple.
First up, get Andy's take on the news of the week, including the battle over stimulus funds, where the money comes from and where it should be going. And, did China under-report their number of COVID-19 infections? Then, foreign affairs reporter Ben Wolfgang joins Andy to talk about the Chinese military kicking off a series of 10-day military exercises in the South China Sea as Beijing seeks to build up its naval and air forces in the Pacific. As Ben reports, despite the Shandong’s progress, China still lags far behind the U.S. in carrier capabilities.
The new citizenship test, which immigrants began to use this month, no longer includes a question dealing specifically with the right to religious freedom, one of the Constitution’s defining liberties. As Stephen Dinan reports exclusively, it’s a startling move for the Trump administration, which has overall been a vigorous advocate of religious freedom across the government. Stephen also did a dive into the spending bill and took a look at legislation to create new Smithsonian museums.
A wild week just gets wilder with the massive spending bill and COVID relief bill. Andy calls it a well-wrapped gift, "you don't know what's in it until you open it." Get more on what's actually in the bill, what's not in the bill and what it all means. Plus all the rest of the news of the week, including the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue in the capitol, Nancy Pelosi taking on Trump, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and much more.