America at 250 is riven with doubt and pessimism — but with glimmers of hope

UFC Freedom 250: White House hosts MMA card for Trump’s 80th birthday – live updates

UFC takes over White House lawn for seven-fight cardThe stratospheric rise of the UFC’s Dana WhiteUFC to pay fighters in crypto from Trump companyReach out to Bryan on Bluesky or by emailThe most dangerous opponent on the card may prove to be the weather radar. Thunderstorms remain in the forecast over Washington, with a 60% chance of rain, heavy downpours and wind gusts approaching 34mph threatening to disrupt tonight’s festivities. While the canopy should keep the octagon dry, UFC officials will be monitoring lightning closely. A single strike within eight miles of the venue would trigger an automatic 30-minute suspension of the event.The Weather Channel highlighted the meteorological challenges earlier on Sunday, warning that oppressive humidity, triple-digit heat indices and even swarms of mosquitoes and gnats could complicate proceedings alongside the threat of thunderstorms. Continue reading...

How to Watch the U.F.C. 250 Freedom Fights at the White House

Seven bouts will take place in an arena created on the South Lawn for the Ultimate Fighting Championship event, which coincides with President Trump’s 80th birthday.

Trump says he’ll refuse FISA spy power extension without SAVE America Act tacked on

President Trump declared Sunday that he will back an extension of the now-lapsed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrantless spy power unless the SAVE America Act is attached.

Pence cast doubt on possibility of US, Iran peace deal before Trump announcement

Former Vice President Mike Pence cast doubt on the possibility of a deal between Iran and the U.S. over the two countries’ war shortly before President Trump announced one on Sunday. “My concern right now is not with the intentions of the president. Look, I think the president has earned a great deal of deference…

Steve Kornacki: America 250 poll shows nation marked by doubt and pessimism

NBC News chief data analyst Steve Kornacki joins Meet the Press to break down a new NBC News poll ahead of the nation’s 250 birthday next month, with most saying the U.S. has already seen its best days and over one-fifth of respondents saying they are only a little or not at all proud to be Americans.

Bitter Loser Hillary Clinton Gets Savaged For Attacking President Trump Over Freedom 250 UFC Fight at White House

Twice-failed presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton lashed out at President Trump on Sunday ahead of the Freedom 250 UFC Fight at the White House. The post Bitter Loser Hillary Clinton Gets Savaged For Attacking President Trump Over Freedom 250 UFC Fight at White House appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Trump Uses SAVE America Act As Leverage for Major Security Legislation

Trump won't back FISA renewal without his SAVE America Act voting bill

President Trump is demanding Congress attach his sweeping voting overhaul to legislation renewing a key U.S. surveillance authority.Why it matters: Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is among the government's most contested surveillance authorities, long opposed by privacy advocates and supported by security hawks. Its fate now hinges on Trump's unrelated demands for a voting bill.Driving the news: In a Truth Social posts Sunday, Trump tied renewal of Section 702 to the SAVE America Act, his stalled bill requiring proof of citizenship to register and photo ID to cast a ballot."I'm against FISA if it doesn't come with The Save America Act (Full version!) firmly attached to it," Trump wrote in one post.He also defended his controversial pick of Bill Pulte, a MAGA enforcer and housing regulator with no national security experience, as acting director of national intelligence.Between the lines: Trump had appeared to defuse the fight by naming Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton as his permanent nominee. But on Sunday, he slammed Republicans for "moving too fast on nominations!!!" to replace Pulte.Clayton has a confirmation hearing set for Wednesday.Catch up quick: Section 702 lapsed Friday for the first time since the program began in 2008. The House failed to extend it following a 198–218 vote, with 19 Republicans joining Democrats to block the law.The law allows the government to surveil foreigners abroad, and, in the process, sweep up and search Americans' communications when they're in contact with those targets.Conservatives, led by Reps. Thomas Massie and Chip Roy and Sen. Mike Lee, have pushed unsuccessfully to require warrants for searches involving Americans.The big picture: The FISA fight is now another front in Trump's yearlong push for stricter voting laws, a campaign that has increasingly targeted his own party's senators. He has pressured Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to scrap the filibuster and pass the bill on a party-line vote, even as Thune has said the votes "aren't there."The SAVE America Act drew 50 votes earlier this month but couldn't clear the 60-vote threshold.Supporters say the law ensures only citizens cast ballots and bolsters confidence in elections.Critics warn the new rules would block millions of eligible Americans from voting.Reality check: Audits and studies by election officials and researchers have found noncitizen voting, which is already illegal and carries severe penalties, is rare.What they're saying: Thune and other Republican senators have refused to vouch for Pulte, who has used his housing post to send criminal referrals against Trump's perceived enemies. "We don't need a weaponized DNI," Thune told reporters.Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle worried what Pulte could do with FISA's expansive warrantless spy powers. Screenshot / Truth Social