GET THE APP
Monday, February 23, 2026

Category: Politics
February 20, 2026
William Upton
Politics
SCOTUS

GOP Lawmaker Demands Congress Codify Trump Tariffs, Reverse SCOTUS Decision.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) is demanding that Congress immediately take up a new reconciliation bill to codify the tariffs imposed by President Donald J. Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. Moreno, President Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court, and Congressional Republicans and Democrats.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Friday, February 20, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This betrayal must be reversed and Republicans must get to work immediately on a reconciliation bill to codify the tariffs that had made our country the hottest country on earth!” — Sen. Moreno

🎯IMPACT: Earlier on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down President Trump’s authority under the IEEPA to enact tariffs, finding that Congress’s legislative intent did not extend taxation power to the executive branch under the law’s regulatory provisions.

IN FULL

U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) is demanding that Congress immediately take up a new reconciliation bill to codify the tariffs imposed by President Donald J. Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Earlier on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s authority under the IEEPA to enact tariffs, finding that Congress’s legislative intent did not extend taxation power to the executive branch under the law’s regulatory provisions.

“SCOTUS’s outrageous ruling handcuffs our fight against unfair trade that has devastated American workers for decades. These tariffs protected jobs, revived manufacturing, and forced cheaters like China to pay up,” Sen. Moreno wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the high court’s decision. “Now globalists win, factories investments may reverse, and American workers lose again. This betrayal must be reversed and Republicans must get to work immediately on a reconciliation bill to codify the tariffs that had made our country the hottest country on earth!”

A reconciliation bill could be a viable avenue to effectively reverse the Supreme Court‘s ruling. This type of legislation only requires a simple 51-vote majority in the Senate and is not subject to a filibuster. Additionally, reconciliation bills—though limited by the number of times the legislative vehicle can be used—must pertain to spending, revenue, and debt limit changes, including tariffs.

Still, the path of a reconciliation measure would be uncertain. It is not clear if there are 51 votes in the Senate in favor of tariffs, with at least three Republican lawmakers in the upper chamber—Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)—all opposed to the trade levies. Additionally, the narrow majority in the House could complicate passage as well.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
February 19, 2026
Media
Politics

FCC Chairman Declares Talk Shows Are Not Real News.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has clarified that most talk shows, such as The View and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, no longer qualify for regulatory exemptions allowing them to feature political candidates without meeting equal time requirements.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: FCC Chair Brendan Carr, various network talk shows, and political candidates, including Texas state Representative James Talarico (D).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced during an FCC meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Congress passed the equal time provision for a very specific reason. They did not want the media leads in Hollywood and in New York to put their thumbs on the scale and pick their winners and losers in primaries and general elections. That’s the point.” – Brendan Carr

🎯IMPACT: Television networks can apply for exemptions from the Equal Time Rule, but according to Chairman Carr, “The ones we have seen have yet to establish that they qualify for the bona fide news exception.”

IN FULL

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) held an open meeting on Wednesday, where the agency determined that daytime and late-night talk shows will no longer qualify for the news exemption from the Equal Time Rule (Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934) granted to most news programming. Previously, talk shows like The View and Jimmy Kimmel Live! could host political candidates for public office without having to give equal time to the other candidates in the race.

“The general rule is equal time applies,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr explained regarding the provision. He added, “There’s narrow exceptions you have to fit in.” Notably, this isn’t the first time the Equal Time Rule has impacted late-night television. During the 2024 presidential election, NBC granted the Trump campaign a 90-second ad spot amid allegations that Kamala Harris’s surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) violated the Equal Time Rule. Harris’s appearance on SNL was for one minute and 30 seconds, allowing other presidential campaigns to receive equal airtime—about 90 seconds—per FCC regulations.

“Congress passed the equal time provision for a very specific reason,” Carr said, adding, “They did not want the media leads in Hollywood and in New York to put their thumbs on the scale and pick their winners and losers in primaries and general elections. That’s the point.”

The status change for daytime and late-night talk shows comes amid a stunt pulled by Texas state Representative James Talarico (D), who is running for the U.S. Senate. Talarico was slated to appear on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert; however, attorneys with CBS appear to have raised concerns about potential Equal Time violations, leading to the interview being posted only to social media and not aired on television. Colbert and Talarico both attempted to claim the segment as quashed by the FCC, which has consequently boosted the Texas Democrat’s campaign fundraising.

Despite what Colbert and Talarico claim, the Equal Time Rule has impacted non-traditional “news” programming in the past. In 2003, CBS canceled a segment on The Late Late Show featuring images of California recall election candidates to avoid having to show all 135 candidates. Even still, television networks can apply for exemptions from the Equal Time Rule, but according to Chairman Carr, “The ones we have seen have yet to establish that they qualify for the bona fide news exception.”

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
February 18, 2026
News
Politics

Republican Candidate Steve Hilton Now Leads Race for California Governor.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Republican Steve Hilton has taken the lead in the California governor’s race, according to a new poll.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Steve Hilton, Governor Gavin Newsom (D), Representative Eric Swalwell (D), Sheriff Chad Bianco (R), former Rep. Katie Porter (D), and billionaire Tom Steyer.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The poll was conducted from February 13–14 in California, ahead of the June 2 primary election.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Republican electorate in California is split between Steve Hilton (38%) and Chad Bianco (37%), while Hilton also picks up a plurality of independent voter support at 22%,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

🎯IMPACT: If Hilton wins, he would be the first Republican governor of California in two decades.

IN FULL

Republican Steve Hilton has emerged as the early front-runner in the race for governor of California, according to a new survey from Emerson College Polling. The former adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron leads the crowded field with 17 percent support, up five points since December, while 21 percent of voters remain undecided.

Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell and Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco are tied for second at 14 percent each. Controversial former Rep. Katie Porter follows with 10 percent, while billionaire Tom Steyer trails closely behind. Among Republican voters, Hilton holds a narrow edge over Bianco, and he captures 22 percent support from independents.

“The Republican electorate in California is split between Steve Hilton (38 percent) and Chad Bianco (37 percent), while Hilton also picks up a plurality of independent voter support at 22 percent,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

The poll, conducted February 13–14 among 1,000 likely voters, has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. California’s last Republican governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger, reelected in 2006. The state’s top-two primary system advances the two highest vote-getters, regardless of party, from the June 2 primary to the November 5 general election.

Hilton has raised nearly $6 million, second only to Steyer, who is largely self-funding. His campaign centers on housing affordability and economic concerns. According to the survey, 53 percent of voters say they have considered leaving California due to the high cost of living. Hilton has opposed proposals such as a billionaire tax and a mileage-based tax, and he has criticized Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and Mayor Karen Bass (D) over their response to the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
February 18, 2026
Media
Politics

FCC Targets ‘The View’ for Enforcement, Dismisses Colbert-Talarico Hoax.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating ABC’s The View for potential violations of the Equal Time Rule after featuring Texas Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Texas State Representative James Talarico (D), ABC’s The View, and CBS’s Stephen Colbert.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The investigation was confirmed on Wednesday, February 18, 2026; the events involve ABC, CBS, and FCC guidance issued last month.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re taking a look at it.” — Brendan Carr

🎯IMPACT: The investigation will examine political bias in media, while raising questions about the application of the Equal Time Rule.

IN FULL

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr confirmed that the agency is investigating ABC’s The View for a potential violation of the Equal Time Rule after the show featured Texas Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico. “We’re taking a look at it,” Carr said on Wednesday.

The Equal Time Rule requires broadcasters to provide airtime to rival candidates if requested. ABC has not commented. The View has previously hosted Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), one of Talarico’s primary opponents, as a guest. CBS’s Stephen Colbert also faced scrutiny after his show declined to air an interview with Talarico, citing legal guidance that it could trigger the FCC rule.

Carr criticized media coverage of the Colbert situation, calling it a “perfect encapsulation of why the American people have more trust in gas station sushi than they do in the national news media.” He noted that Colbert’s actions appeared to be a deliberate effort to raise money for Talarico and generate attention for his bid as early voting began, with the Texas Democrat’s campaign reporting $2.5 million raised since the Colbert interview was posted on YouTube.

In its guidance last month, the FCC clarified that talk shows cannot assume automatic exemption from the Equal Time Rule when featuring political candidates. Carr suggested that factors like a host’s political donations could be considered in determining whether a show’s coverage is partisan. Colbert and other hosts have been involved in fundraising for Democrat candidates.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
February 17, 2026
Immigration
Politics

Senate Democrats Want These Restrictions on ICE to End Their Latest Shutdown:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Democrats have sent a counteroffer to the White House and Republicans regarding immigration enforcement restrictions amid ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding negotiations.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), President Donald J. Trump, Senate Democrats, and DHS agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Coast Guard.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Negotiations are ongoing as of Monday, with lawmakers currently on recess and funding for DHS having lapsed on Saturday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re going to protect law enforcement. We’re going to protect ICE.” — President Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: DHS funding remains in limbo, affecting agencies such as TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA, whose employees are working without pay.

IN FULL

Senate Democrats have sent a counteroffer to the White House and Republicans on their desired immigration enforcement restrictions as part of ongoing negotiations over how to end the Democrat-initiated partial government shutdown impacting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Funding for DHS, which oversees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), lapsed on Saturday.

However, both federal immigration agencies were already almost entirely funded through President Donald J. Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ enacted last summer. The current DHS shutdown impacts almost exclusively key subagencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Coast Guard. Concerningly, TSA agents will soon begin missing paychecks, and without a resolution, absences at the agency could start to impact Spring Break travel, which usually kicks off at the end of February and stretches into March.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), facing intense pressure from his party’s radical base, confirmed that he sent his caucus’s counteroffer to the White House on Monday evening. However, the specifics of the offer remain unclear—though it is believed the Democrats are continuing to call for the end of roving ICE patrols, barring agents from certain areas, implementing a use-of-force code, and requiring agents to wear body cameras instead of masks.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress remains in recess as the negotiations continue, but lawmakers have been told to be ready to be called back into session at a moment’s notice. President Donald J. Trump, on Monday, just prior to receiving the latest counteroffer, signalled an openness to reaching a deal with Democrats, but emphasized, “We’re going to protect law enforcement. We’re going to protect ICE.”

On Tuesday, February 24, the President will deliver the State of the Union address. The speech could provide the America First leader with a bully pulpit to use against Senate Democrats, with Trump stating that he intends to deliver his address even if the funding lapse remains in limbo, “It wouldn’t bother me.”

Image via Jewish Democratic Council of America.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
ken paxton acquitted
February 17, 2026
Politics

Texas Early Voting Kicks Off as America First AG Paxton Seeks to Oust RINO Senator Cornyn.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Early voting for Texas’s March 3 primary contests begins on February 17 and ends on February 27, with key Republican and Democrat races being closely watched.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn, challengers such as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt, and Democrat candidates Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Texas, from Tuesday, February 17, through Friday, February 27, ahead of the March 3 primary elections.

🎯IMPACT: The results of these primaries could influence the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, with both parties vying for critical seats.

IN FULL

Early voting has kicked off in Texas ahead of its March 3 primary elections, with voters able to cast ballots from February 17 through February 27. While there are several key races in the state, most attention has focused on the contested Republican and Democrat U.S. Senate primaries.

Incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) faces a possible elimination in the first round of voting, according to recent polling. The Republican Senate primary, which features Cornyn facing off against U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt and state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), will likely head to a run-off election between the top two vote-getters. The National Pulse reported in early February that a poll conducted by J.L. Partners shows Cornyn falling to third place behind Paxton and Hunt. If this result holds on March 3, Cornyn will not advance to the run-off.

Meanwhile, on the Democrat side, Representative Jasmine Crockett faces off against Texas state Representative James Talarico (D). While polling in early January suggested that Talarico held a slight edge, more recent surveys have shown Crockett holding a one-point to 13-point lead in the primary race. Unlikely to go to a run-off, the winner of the March 3 Democrat primary will advance to the general election in November.

Paxton has largely emerged as the front-runner in the Republican race, despite Cornyn’s incumbency. First elected in 2002, Sen. Cornyn lacks support among the more MAGA Republican base and is largely seen as unsupportive of President Donald J. Trump. Conversely, in the Democrat primary, Crockett holds an advantage among more progressive voters, who comprise a significant portion of the Democrat base. However, this more radical voting bloc is unlikely to be enough to carry her in November’s general election.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
February 16, 2026
News
Politics

Dem Officials Sued for Defunding Police Department.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Democrat city officials in Dallas, Texas, are being sued for failing to comply with Proposition U, a voter-approved public safety measure requiring increased police funding.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The lawsuit names the City of Dallas, its city manager, and its chief financial officer as defendants. Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading the legal effort.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed in Dallas County following claims of noncompliance with the 2024 voter-approved initiative.

💬KEY QUOTE: “When voters demand more funding for law enforcement, local officials must immediately comply.” – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

🎯IMPACT: The lawsuit seeks to enforce compliance with Proposition U, including proper funding calculations and police compensation measures.

IN FULL

Democrat officials in Dallas, Texas, are facing a lawsuit alleging they failed to comply with Proposition U, a public safety measure approved by voters in November 2024 that requires increased funding for police and other safety-related priorities. The lawsuit, filed in Dallas County, names the city, its city manager, and its chief financial officer as defendants. Plaintiffs claim the city did not properly calculate excess revenue when determining police funding levels, as required under the city charter.

According to the complaint, Dallas reported $61 million in excess revenue for the most recent fiscal year, though the suit alleges the correct figure should have been closer to $220 million.

In addition to the revenue dispute, the lawsuit alleges the city failed to hire an independent third-party firm to conduct an annual police compensation survey, another requirement under Proposition U. Public information requests reportedly found no evidence that such a survey was conducted. Plaintiffs argue that the omission violates the city charter.

“When voters demand more funding for law enforcement, local officials must immediately comply,” Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) said. He emphasized the importance of fully supporting law enforcement amid increasing challenges and attacks on police from radical left-wing factions.

Proposition U was adopted following broader national debates over policing that began in 2020 and 2021, when some cities moved to reduce or reallocate police funding. Supporters of the Dallas measure say those policies led to public safety concerns in certain jurisdictions. In Baltimore, for example, critics of defunding efforts pointed to violent crime incidents, including a 2023 mass shooting that left two people dead and dozens injured, as evidence that reducing police resources can have serious consequences.

The Dallas lawsuit seeks a court order requiring the city to include all unrestricted revenue in its funding calculations and to allocate additional resources for police pensions, officer pay, and hiring. The legal action follows a separate lawsuit filed by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, which accused Dallas officials of failing to repeal or amend dozens of ordinances it contends conflict with state law.

Image by Brendenmrogrs.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
February 16, 2026
Health
Politics

Trump Orders FEMA to Tackle ‘Pootomac’ Sewage Spill Crisis.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A wastewater spill into the Potomac River began on January 19 due to a sewer line breach in Maryland, releasing millions of gallons of raw sewage.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump and local and state officials in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The spill began on January 19 in Maryland, affecting the Potomac River, with President Trump announcing FEMA’s intervention on February 16, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There is a massive Ecological Disaster unfolding in the Potomac River as a result of the Gross Mismanagement of Local Democrat Leaders, particularly, Governor Wes Moore, of Maryland.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Federal authorities, including FEMA, are being directed to assist in the recovery efforts amidst a government funding dispute.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump is ordering the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to step in to coordinate the ongoing disaster response to the unprecedented sewage spill impacting the Potomac River. The National Pulse reported earlier on Monday that nearly a month after a sewer pipe collapse, an estimated 250 million gallons of raw sewage have been released into the river, which flows through the heart of the nation’s capital, leading to significant environmental and recreational concerns.

“There is a massive Ecological Disaster unfolding in the Potomac River as a result of the Gross Mismanagement of Local Democrat Leaders, particularly, Governor Wes Moore, of Maryland. A sewer line breach in Maryland has caused millions of gallons of raw sewage to be dumped directly into the Potomac River, a result of incompetent Local and State Management of Essential Waste Management Systems,” President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social late Monday afternoon.

Trump continued, “Therefore, I am directing Federal Authorities to immediately provide all necessary Management, Direction, and Coordination to protect the Potomac, the Water Supply in the Capital Region, and our treasured National Resources in our Nation’s Capital City. While State and Local Authorities have failed to request needed Emergency Help, I cannot allow incompetent Local ‘Leadership’ to turn the River in the Heart of Washington into a Disaster Zone.”

“The Federal Government has no choice, but to step in. FEMA, which is currently being defunded by the Democrats, will play a key role in coordinating the response,” he added.

Notably, while FEMA’s disaster relief funding remains available to assist state and local governments, the agency is not currently allowed to pay its employees’ salaries due to the ongoing partial government shutdown for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiated last Friday by Senate Democrats. The Trump White House is working to negotiate a deal with Democrat lawmakers, who are demanding radical reductions in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding and operations, to end the impasse.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
February 16, 2026
Education
Politics

Study Finds 88% of College Students Fake Being Leftists to Fit In, Score Better Grades.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A study revealed that a significant majority of college students misrepresent their views to align with progressive ideologies socially or academically.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Researchers Kevin Waldman and Forest Romm from psychFORM conducted the study, interviewing 1,452 undergraduate students.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The research took place between 2023 and 2025 at Northwestern University and the University of Michigan.

🎯IMPACT: The findings highlight concerns about free expression and intellectual growth being stifled on college campuses.

IN FULL

According to new data, most American college students publicly present themselves as holding more progressive political opinions than they actually believe in order to be more advantaged socially or academically. The research, conducted by Kevin Waldman and Forest Romm with psychFORM, included confidential interviews with 1,452 undergraduate students at Northwestern University and the University of Michigan between 2023 and 2025.

The study found that 88 percent of college students surveyed responded yes when asked, “Have you ever pretended to hold more progressive views than you believed to be accepted socially or academically?” Additionally, 82 percent of students stated that they submitted assignments that misrepresented their true beliefs to align with what they perceived as expected ideologies.

Meanwhile, 80 percent of students reported receiving negative feedback on work that challenged these expected views. A substantial 72 percent of participants stated that reasoned disagreement with progressive views is not treated with respect.

Notably, topics like gender identity, political beliefs, and family values were among the most self-censored, with 78 percent, 72 percent, and 68 percent of students, respectively, admitting to avoiding open discussion. Furthermore, when asked about their stance on whether “gender identity should override biological sex in athletics, healthcare, or legal documents,” 77 percent disagreed, but 91 percent of those who disagreed said they would not express this opinion publicly.

The findings also highlighted reputational concerns, with 81 percent of students agreeing that “silence is safest when unsure how views will be received,” and 74 percent acknowledging that expressing moderate views could harm their reputation. Even among close friends, 73 percent said they avoid sharing their values, and nearly half reported concealing beliefs in intimate relationships.

Image by Tony Webster.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
February 16, 2026
Politics

Schumer Pushes Bill to Elevate Pride Flag to Same Status as the American Flag.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced plans to introduce legislation to recognize the Pride flag as a congressionally authorized flag, granting it protections similar to the U.S. flag and other federally recognized flags.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chuck Schumer, the Trump administration, the Department of the Interior, and the National Park Service (NPS).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Sen. Schumer announced he would introduce the legislation on February 15, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Stonewall is sacred ground, and Congress must act now to permanently protect the Pride flag and what it stands for.” – Chuck Schumer

🎯IMPACT: Schumer’s introduction of the bill is largely seen as an attempt to shore up support among more radical and progressive factions in the Democratic Party, which have become increasingly critical of his leadership in Congress.

IN FULL

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has announced plans on Sunday to introduce legislation that would recognize the Pride flag as a congressionally authorized flag. This move would grant the flag protections similar to those afforded to the U.S. flag, military flags, and other emblems officially recognized by Congress.

The legislative push by Sen. Schumer follows the removal of a Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument earlier this year. President Donald J. Trump, through a directive from the Department of the Interior, ordered the removal of “non-agency” flags at national parks, which included the Pride flag. The directive, signed by National Park Service (NPS) Acting Director Jessica Bowron, allowed exceptions for historical, military, and federally recognized tribal flags.

“Stonewall is sacred ground, and Congress must act now to permanently protect the Pride flag and what it stands for. Trump’s hateful crusade must end,” Schumer said in a statement. Notably, the Pride flag has since been reinstalled outside the Stonewall Inn, the site of the 1969 riots among New York City’s homosexual community after the New York Police Department (NYPD) raided the Greenwich Village bar. In 2016, former President Barack Obama designated the bar’s location as the Stonewall National Monument, which is now overseen by the NPS.

While the legislation is unlikely to see adoption in the Senate, Schumer’s introduction of the bill is largely seen as an attempt to shore up support among more radical and progressive factions in the Democratic Party, which have become increasingly critical of his leadership in Congress. Schumer currently faces a possible primary challenge from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who is well-positioned with the party’s far-left base.

Image by DVSROSS.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more