What Makes Someone American? It's Neither Creed Nor Bloodline—It's a Spirit

After 250 years, Americans are still considering this basic question.

ICE surges enforcement, makes 10,000 arrests in five days amid Supreme Court birthright citizenship decision

ICE made over 10,000 arrests in five days as the Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment, rejecting Trump bid.

House Republicans Mark America 250 by Highlighting Legislative Wins

SCOTUS to rule on birthright citizenship. And, U.S. murder rate nears new low

The Supreme Court is expected to make a long-awaited ruling on birthright citizenship today, on the high court's last day of its term. And, the U.S. murder rate approaches a record low.

Rachel Maddow reveals stunning moment netted a big legal loss for Trump's enforcers

Rachel Maddow kicked off her Monday night MS NOW program with a discussion of Star Wars — and specifically, how one track from the original trilogy just cost the Trump administration a big settlement payout for unlawful police conduct."The Empire Strikes Back is just as exciting as the first Star Wars movie, but it is darker, it is definitely darker, right?" said Maddow. "Our heroes aren't, you know, just plucky underdogs like they were in the first movie. It really, really feels like they are losing ... it's dark. The whole vibe of The Empire Strikes Back is this, you know, the dark dread of this tyrannical force having the upper hand, seeming like it's winning."Even if you aren't a Star Wars fan, Maddow continued, or have even seen the movies, you're likely to know one iconic piece of media from them, she continued. "This sound from The Empire Strikes Back still takes you right back to it, still puts you right back in that fear and dread of the terrible, evil Galactic Empire. John Williams' Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back ... instant American pop culture shorthand for 'you're looking at tyranny,' right?"Enter Sam O'Hara, Maddow said — a protester who took it upon himself, during the initial Trump-mandated deployment of Washington, D.C., by the National Guard, to walk behind them blasting the Imperial March on his iPhone. She put up a clip of the incident.For that, she said, "a National Guardsman summoned the D.C. police to arrest him for it. And they put him in handcuffs. For having done that, for having played that song." As of today, however, he has gotten a $50,000 settlement for that unlawful treatment by the police. Moreover, she noted, "his lawsuit against the National Guard is still pending. So there may yet be more to come."As for O'Hara now, said Maddow, "he notes to the Washington Post today that he does still go out and do this, only now he doesn't just do it with his iPhone, now he does it louder. With a portable speaker. And now he's just been paid $50,000 for the way they overreached and handcuffed and tried to lock him up for doing it." - YouTube youtu.be

Only 14% Of Dems Are ‘Extremely Proud’ To Be American As Patriotism Hits Record Low

With America’s 250th anniversary approaching this Saturday, just 14 percent of Democrats described themselves as “extremely proud” to be an American, according to a new Gallup poll, as national pride hits a new low. After the Sept. 11 attacks, national pride was at a high. Through 2004, 65 to 70 percent of poll respondents felt […]

Flights face 15-hour shutdowns as Trump tries to shatter fireworks records at Freedom 250

President Donald Trump's Federal Aviation Administration is shutting down flights at Reagan National Airport for 15 hours across two days to clear the skies for his Freedom 250 celebration.The FAA posted the warning on Monday on X, saying it has been coordinating with stakeholders "for months to help ensure the safe and efficient movement of air traffic during celebrations of America's 250th birthday, including the iconic flyovers and fireworks.""Flight operations at DCA are expected to be temporarily paused from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 3 and from noon to 11:59 p.m. on July 4 to support Independence Day events," the FAA wrote."These times are subject to change," the post added. "Travelers should check with their airline for the latest flight status."President Donald Trump established Freedom 250, a White House-backed commission, to organize the semiquincentennial celebrations. He wrote on Truth Social that he would personally launch "the LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN HISTORY."Pyrotecnico, the company behind the July 4 display, plans to fire roughly 851,000 fireworks from 10 sites — including eight barges on the Potomac River — over 40 minutes starting at 10:30 p.m. That would shatter the current Guinness World Record of 810,904 fireworks, set by a megachurch in the Philippines in 2016."Our main focus is to make this the most memorable fireworks display that this generation will have ever seen," Pyrotecnico CEO Stephen Vitale told NPR.Freedom 250 spokesperson Rachel Reisner told Axios the finale will "shatter world records and stand as the most spectacular firework display the world has ever seen."The July 4 program also includes flyovers by the Thunderbirds, the Blue Angels, the F-22 Raptor Demo Team and the Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Demo Team — what Freedom 250 calls the first aerobatic demonstrations ever held over Washington.

The spirit of ’76 lives on as Pennsylvania rallies for America’s birthday

SMITHFIELD, Pennsylvania — Two days ago, Beth Ann Bossio woke up to the news that Pennsylvania would not have a booth at the Great American State Fair, the Fourth of July celebration underway on the National Mall in Washington. The decision was made by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), who told the New Republic he would […]