Conservative Blogger
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Trump Expands ICE Authority to Detain Refugees
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The Trump administration has given immigration officers broader powers to detain legal refugees awaiting a green card to ensure they are "re-vetted," an expansion of the president’s immigration enforcement policies affecting both legal and illegal immigration, according to a government memo. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in a memo dated February 18
and submitted in a federal court filing, said refugees must return to
government custody for "inspection and examination" a year after their
admission into the United States.
"This detain-and-inspect requirement ensures that refugees are re-vetted after one year, aligns post-admission vetting with that applied to other applicants for admission, and promotes public safety," the department said in the memo. Under U.S. law , refugees must apply for lawful permanent resident status one year after their arrival in the country. The new memo authorizes immigration authorities to detain individuals for the duration of the re-inspection process. The new policy is a shift from the earlier 2010 memorandum, which stated that failure to obtain lawful permanent resident status was not a "basis" for removal from the country and not a "proper basis" for detention. The DHS did not respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours. The decision has prompted criticism from refugee advocacy groups. AfghanEvac's president Shawn VanDiver
called the directive "a reckless reversal of long-standing policy" and said it "breaks faith with people the United States lawfully admitted and promised protection." HIAS, formerly known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, said the "move will cause grave harm to thousands of people who were welcomed to the United States after fleeing violence and persecution." Under President Donald Trump, the number of people in ICE detention reached about 68,000 this month, up about 75% from when he took office last year. A U.S. judge in January temporarily blocked a recently announced Trump administration policy targeting the roughly 5,600 lawful refugees in Minnesota who are awaiting green cards. In a written ruling, U.S. District Judge John Tunheim in Minneapolis said federal agents likely violated multiple federal statutes by arresting some of these refugees to subject them to additional vetting. |
FBI Director Patel: We Know Who's Bankrolling Antifa, and We're Coming for Them
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We’ve seen the 2016 anti-Trump rallies, the 2020 George Floyd riots, and the ongoing anti-ICE protests in blue cities since President Trump started trying to clean up the illegal immigration disaster left by former President Joe Biden. There’s been one constant: Antifa. The group, whose name is short for anti-fascist, is known for their menacing black outfits, complete with masks, and their often violent behavior. They show up as if by magic the moment a demonstration breaks out, and they’re not there to keep the peace. But where does their funding come from? Who’s behind it? FBI Director Kash Patel wanted to know, so he’s been investigating it — and he says the bureau has found some answers:
Watch: By the way, all those who think that Bongino left his job as FBI Deputy Director on bad terms would be hard-pressed to explain why then Patel would appear on his show. MORE: Bongino Announces He Will Step Down From FBI: Gratitude to Trump, Patel, and America President Trump Makes It Official: Antifa Are Domestic Terrorists The director continued, saying they’ve identified some culprits, but they're not ready to reveal their identities just yet:
"Money doesn’t lie," he added. He also smacked former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden for ignoring the violent activists and calling the decentralized group "an idea." "It’s not an idea when actual action follows the idea," he chided them. Here’s what that “idea” looks like in the real world, Barack and Joe:
Currently, nine anti-ICE have been charged with ambushing an ICE officer in Texas and wounding him with gunfire. A federal judge declared a mistrial Tuesday, but that was because the defense lawyer was wearing a politically charged T-shirt, about as dumb a thing as you could do as a trial attorney. We'll see where that goes next. Patel said he had elevated the issue internally, and they're working hard on their case, but he did not announce any new imminent DOJ charges. Let’s hope that changes in the near future. Editor’s Note: Progressive zealots are increasingly resorting to violence and terrorism because they failed at the ballot box. |
Duke of Yorked: Andrew Reportedly Arrested in Epstein-Linked Scandal
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, once styled Prince Andrew, now sits in police custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Under English law, that offense can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Even stripped of his titles, Andrew remains one of the most
senior figures ever connected to the monarchy to face arrest under
suspicion of a charge this serious. On Thursday morning, Thames Valley Police confirmed that a “man in his sixties from Norfolk” had been arrested and that searches were being conducted at addresses in Norfolk and Berkshire. The man remains in custody. Police stated:
The arrest came on his 66th birthday. Authorities have indicated the alleged misconduct likely relates to his tenure as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy, a role he relinquished in 2011 as scrutiny over his association with Jeffrey Epstein intensified. The allegations stem from disclosures tied to the Epstein files and claims surrounding Andrew’s conduct during that period. As reported:
Andrew has denied wrongdoing. He has insisted he never witnessed or suspected Epstein’s crimes. But misconduct in public office is not a ceremonial rebuke. It concerns serious and willful abuse of public power directly connected to official duties. Public office is built on trust. Allegations of abusing it strike at the foundation of legitimacy itself. Read More: Jeffrey Epstein and the triumph of the cultural 1% Images showed officers arriving at the Sandringham estate in what witnesses described as a dramatic police raid. Police vehicles were seen entering property associated with the King’s own residence. The optics are extraordinary. A royal estate transformed into an active search site. Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright emphasized the gravity of the investigation:
Privilege, influence, access. Andrew possessed all three. He traveled internationally as a representative of the Crown. He wielded diplomatic authority. He was entrusted with responsibility. King Charles has already stripped him of royal titles amid earlier Epstein fallout, and the palace has worked methodically to distance itself from him. Buckingham Palace has stated its intention to support authorities if approached. The separation is deliberate. The institution is protecting itself. What remains now is not pomp, but humiliation. A man born into extraordinary advantage now faces allegations tied to one of the most infamous criminal scandals in recent memory. The insulated power that once shielded him has collided with accountability. For decades, Andrew embodied inherited influence without consequence. Today, he embodies its collapse. And for the monarchy he once represented, that collapse may echo long after the investigation concludes. |
Harry Enten Issues a Brutal Warning to Democrats for the Upcoming Midterm Elections
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CNN political analyst Harry Enten
issued a stark warning to Democrats confident about sweeping the midterms this November. While the party may aim high, Enten cautioned that Republicans are poised to maintain control over the majority of governorships and state legislatures, a trend that, he noted, has persisted for nearly a century. He added that even if Democrats gain power at the federal level, much of the nation’s policymaking occurs at the state level, leaving them largely sidelined. 🚨CNN just ADMITTED the gubernatorial races are a MASSIVE WAKE UP CALL for Democrats!
"Governors have a whole lot of power, and there's all this talk of a democratic wave, but the gubernatorial races nationwide should stand as a wake-up call for Democrats," Enten said, as he went on to reveal that Republicans are projected to hold 26 governorships and possibly more when races that could go either way are added to the mix.
"And add to that, you point out that when it comes to governor's races, Democrats have had a bit of a problem over recent years," the CNN host added.
“Well, and the power of the governor also depends on the makeup of the state legislature. What are you seeing?” the host asked. While governors hold significant authority, a legislature controlled by the opposing party can effectively block their agenda. For example, even if California were to elect a Republican governor, a Democratic supermajority in the legislature would prevent them from exercising much of their power. "Yeah, okay. So it's not just the governorships. How about those state legislatures, right? Okay, take a look here. Republicans have held a majority of state legislatures since 2012," Enten said. "And again, this is the longest such streak dating back at least a century in which Republicans have held the majority of the state legislatures.cAnd if you go state legislature by state legislature at this point, it seems likely, of course, still uncertain, since we have a number of months until November elections, that Republicans will continue the streak of holding the majority of state legislatures, continue their streak of holding the majority of governorships." Enten went on to say that even while Democrats set their sights on federal power, they are continually left out of much of the nation’s policymaking at the state level, a level that often has a more immediate and tangible impact on citizens’ lives, from education and healthcare to taxation and local infrastructure. He emphasized that controlling the White House or Congress doesn’t automatically translate into complete nationwide influence if state governments remain in the hands of the opposition. "And therefore, Democrats will be locked out of holding a power in positions that really do determine a lot," he added. "A lot of the policy nationwide, as I said, this should stand as a wake-up call for Democrats, because at this point, Republicans look like they're going to continue to hold the majority of governorships." Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives. |
French President Macron Has a Very Negative View of Free Speech
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The Left, both in America and globally, has made it very clear they're not fans of free speech. Why? Because it's a threat to their power and control so, under the guise of banning "misinformation" and "hate speech," they seek to censor, restrict, and punish flagrant acts of free speech. Of course, these are the same people who believe some men can become
women, and who allow Leftists to say vile things about anyone who is
remotely conservative. French President Emmanuel Macron went one step further, calling free speech "bulls***."
At least they don't hide it.
Yes.
Whoever Macron and his elite buddies like. That's who.
That's exactly what this is about: allowing speech the elites like Macron like, speech that supports their agenda, and silencing those who question, criticize, or challenge them.
Removing anonymity from social media is a gateway to persecution and tyranny. Just look at what they do to Facebook users who post things of which the government doesn't approve. As Americans, we should give thanks every day for the First Amendment. It's the only thing standing between us and an Orwellian future. |
Trump releases message in observance of Ash Wednesday
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President Donald Trump released a White House message in observance of Ash Wednesday, a solemn Christian and Catholic holiday marking the beginning of the Lenten season. Trump said he and First Lady Melania Trump joined millions in the
United States and around the world to recognize the holiday on
Wednesday.
In the liturgical calendar, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days, not including Sundays, leading up to Easter. The season is modeled after Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem ahead of His crucifixion and resurrection. In many Christian traditions, palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are burned to create the ashes used for Ash Wednesday services. Trump emphasized the significance of Lent’s calls for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, which have long been part of American tradition.
The president’s statement concluded with a reference to Mark 1:15, the verse in which Jesus began His public ministry and called people to repentance.
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Texas GOP Candidates Clash in High-Stakes AG Debate for State's Future
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The Republican Attorneys General Association staged a fiery showdown at the Granada Theater in Dallas on February 17, 2026, with BlazeTV’s Allie Beth Stuckey moderating a debate that Texans needed to see. Four GOP contenders—Rep. Chip Roy, Aaron Reitz, Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman—answered tough questions and left no doubt this contest will decide who defends our state against the relentless left. The night felt less like polite exchange and more like a necessary battle for the soul and safety of Texas. Candidates
traded sharp lines on immigration, gender ideology, religious liberty,
fentanyl and the limits of the AG’s power, proving that conservatives in
Texas still prioritize common-sense law and order. The debate exposed
who has a plan for enforcement and who leans on applause lines, giving
voters a clearer picture before the March 3, 2026 primary. Moderated
exchanges made it plain that this race isn’t about kumbaya—it’s about
winning legal fights that matter to hardworking Texans. Chip Roy entered the stage as the unapologetic conservative warrior many grassroots voters respect, touting Sen. Ted Cruz’s endorsement and promising to “follow the money” to root out corruption and target radical threats. Roy’s record of standing up to federal overreach and his willingness to take on bad actors in both parties shows the kind of relentless AG Texans need. If voters want an aggressive, principled defender of liberty, Roy’s arguments resonated with straight talk rather than empty rhetoric. Aaron Reitz leaned into his courtroom credentials and Ken Paxton’s endorsement, arguing that he’s been vetted at the Justice Department and is battle-tested to fight the Biden administration and activist prosecutors. That message will play well with voters who want a technician in the office, but it also raises the honest question of whether the AG should be an independent check or merely a continuation of past allegiances. Texans deserve both conservative loyalty and an ironclad record of independent, victorious litigation. Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman offered contrasting conservative appeals: Middleton stressed his business background and legislative fights against transgender ideology as proof he’ll defend women and children, while Huffman leaned on her prosecutorial and judicial experience and vowed to fight with every breath to keep Texas safe. Both staked out hardline positions against the cultural rot from the Left, but voters will have to decide whether they want courtroom experience or cultural combativeness at the AG’s helm. This debate clarified those differences and reminded Texans that principled, fearless leadership—not wishful thinking—will preserve our freedoms. |
Epstein Emails Expose Elite Corruption and Demand Accountability
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The newly surfaced documents and trove of emails tying Jeffrey Epstein to prominent figures overseas are precisely the kind of rotten elite scandals that make ordinary Americans furious. What we’ve seen reported — longtime correspondence, frequent visits to Epstein properties, and business dealings with former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak — read like a who’s-who of the global establishment quietly doing business behind closed doors while victims pay the price. The public deserves answers about why powerful people kept seeing Epstein long after his first conviction and why those relationships were concealed from full scrutiny. Independent reporting has revealed
specifics that should make any honest investigator sit up: emails
discuss business ventures, introductions, and use of Epstein’s New York
apartment and island for meetings, not just casual acquaintance. These
aren’t idle rumors from online conspiracists — they are contemporaneous
communications that show Epstein acting as a fixer and financial
intermediary to a circle of influential people. If you believe in the
rule of law, you should be as outraged by the brazen mixing of power,
money, and secrecy as you are by the crimes themselves. Ehud Barak has publicly expressed regret and insisted he never participated in wrongdoing, but regret is not the same as transparency or accountability. Barak says he cut ties once the full scope of Epstein’s crimes became known, and he denies any involvement in sexual misconduct; nonetheless, the frequency of their meetings and the financial discussions raise legitimate questions that deserve prosecution-level clarity. Americans who value justice for victims must demand that past associations with convicted predators be fully explained, not shuffled away behind polite apologies. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice’s review — which concluded there was no incriminating “client list” and reaffirmed the suicide finding — has done little to calm conservative suspicion that someone, somewhere, is still protecting friends in high places. The memo’s findings are being accepted by many in the mainstream, but too many redactions and withheld files have left taxpayers wondering who benefits from selective secrecy. If the DOJ truly wants to rebuild credibility with skeptical Americans, it should release what can be released, under safeguards, and let independent prosecutors follow the facts wherever they lead. There’s also been a predictable political fight over the idea that Epstein might have had foreign-intelligence ties, with figures like Naftali Bennett and others vehemently denying any Mossad connection. Those denials matter and should be taken seriously, but denials alone aren’t a substitute for evidence — and neither are accusations without proof. The conservative position that respects both Israel and national security must also insist on clear forensic answers rather than letting speculations harden into excuses that let elites off the hook. Victims and the American people deserve more than grandstanding and partisan theater; they deserve full-release transparency where it doesn’t endanger survivors, independent review where legal standards warrant it, and a political system that stops protecting the powerful. Law-and-order conservatives should be leading the charge for real accountability — not reflexive cover-ups or politicized smears — so that justice is done and the institutions that protect victims are strengthened, not weakened. Until that happens, distrust of the elite will only deepen, and rightly so. |
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
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