Gov. Wes Moore on ‘responsibility’ to show ‘patriotism is not political’

Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.) joins Meet the Press NOW to preview his upcoming address on America’s 250th birthday as President Trump prepares to deliver his own remarks.

First Thing: Iran to show defiance in six-day funeral for supreme leader

Ceremony for Ali Khamenei intended to be epic display of national power. Plus, the expected wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce pays dividend to good causesGood morning. Final preparations are under way for Ali Khamenei’s six-day funeral. The farewell to the former supreme leader is expected to draw millions in Iran. Khamenei was killed in the opening salvo of the US-Israeli attack on the country in February, and the funeral is intended to be an epic display of personal mourning, national power, resilience and social cohesion.Iran’s first vice-president, Mohammad Reza Aref, who is the lead funeral organiser, described the ceremony, which begins on Saturday in Tehran and will end with Khamenei’s burial on Thursday in Mashhad, as “the most important event of this century” and the most attended event since the 1979 revolution. The scale of the funeral has been conceived to relay political and religious messages of resistance to the rest of the world. At the request of Iraqi politicians, Khamenei’s body will also be carried through the Iraqi Shia cities of Karbala and Najaf.Will Ali Khamenei’s successor take part? Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, is not expected to make an appearance at his father’s funeral. He was severely injured in the same US-Israeli strike that killed his father and also killed Mojtaba’s wife and his 14-month-old daughter. The extent of Mojtaba’s injuries is unknown and he has so far issued only written statements, including one that distanced himself from the ceasefire negotiations but sanctioned their continuance. Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, threatened to kill him this week, saying he was marked for death.Why is Trump so unhappy with Nato? Aside from the failure of countries such as the UK and France to join in with the US-Israeli war on Iran, Trump has long complained that Europe does not spend enough on defence. Under pressure from the US, Nato leaders agreed at a gathering last year to boost defence-related spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. Continue reading...

Trump’s Communist Boogeyman Playbook: Charging Protesters as Terrorists

Matt Sledge, who was at the sentencing for the Prairieland defendants, and Mark Bray, author of “Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook,” on the timeworn government strategies to stifle dissent. The post Trump’s Communist Boogeyman Playbook: Charging Protesters as Terrorists appeared first on The Intercept.

Drone shows replace some fireworks displays for July 4

Kevin Prince, co-founder of Heads in the Sky, said drones are safer and quieter than fireworks.

Buffalo vandals steal Somali flag from City Hall pole — days after mayor canceled Fourth of July fireworks show

A Somalian flag that was raised outside of Buffalo's City Hall to commemorate Somali Independence Day was stolen in an overnight heist, the city's leftist mayor decried.

The West Hollywood City Council’s clown-show attack on Home Depot

A clown show of performative politics. Typically, that’s the result when sanctimonious California city councils butt in to federal issues.

Protester Sets Himself on Fire Outside UN Headquarters in New York City

A protester set himself ablaze outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan on Thursday evening. The post Protester Sets Himself on Fire Outside UN Headquarters in New York City appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

New: Dems Are Going to Freak Out at Latest Maine Senate Poll