Democrats accuse Gabbard of illegal interference in IG office
Senior Democratic lawmakers accused Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Monday of violating the law with personnel moves they said threaten independent oversight of the 18 intelligence agencies she oversees. In a letter, they provided new details of a standoff between Gabbard and her congressionally-mandated inspector general.
The Washington Post reported last week that Gabbard had installed a top adviser, reporting to her, in the Intelligence Community Inspector General's office, a highly unusual move that former U.S. officials said could undermine its integrity. Gabbard also has fired the acting general counsel in the inspector general's office.
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9 minutes ago
- CBS News
Petition calls for California to end policy allowing transgender students to compete in girls' sports
Some female high school athletes want an end to a policy that allows transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports, claiming it has created unfair competition. "Right here, right now, we are hand-delivering a petition signed by 20,074 people," California Family Council outreach director Sophia Lorey said. Female high school athletes, their families and supporters brought a petition to a California Interscholastic Federation meeting in Costa Mesa on Friday. The California Family Council organized the petition and a rally outside the meeting. On its website, the council wrote that its mission is "advancing God's design for life, family and liberty through California's church, capitol and culture." Among the athletes was Taylor Starling, who sued the Riverside Unified School District, claiming she was demoted from the varsity cross country team when a transgender student took her spot. "Girls like me are being told to smile, sit down and be quiet and give up what we've worked so hard for," Starling said. "And now, we're the ones being excluded from our own teams. Girls' sports were made to give us a level playing field. Right now, that's not happening in the state of California." Last month, CIF rules were changed at the state track and field championships, where Jurupa Valley High School transgender athlete AB Hernandez competed. Prior to the meet, a new policy was put in place allowing an additional female student to compete and medal in events where Hernandez had qualified. In a news release, a state spokesperson said CIF made the decision to pilot an entry process. "When girls are forced to share the starting line, the locker room or the podium with males, that's not inclusion," Lorey said. "It's injustice and California girls are paying the price." CIF said its mission is to provide students with the opportunity to belong and compete in compliance with the law, irrespective of the gender listed on the student's records.
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold of Corpus Christi dies at 63
Former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, a four-term Republican congressman from Corpus Christi and local radio host, died this week from a heart attack after struggling with chronic liver disease, according to a close friend who worked on his radio show. He was 63. 'Blake was a good family friend,' state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, said in a text message, adding that he had texted prayers to Farenthold's family. Farenthold, a local radio personality and stepson of former state legislator Sissy Farenthold, began his congressional tenure in 2011 after he unseated the long-serving Democratic Rep. Solomon Ortiz as part of a nationwide red wave two years into President Barack Obama's first term. A software policy expert, lawyer and quieter member of the Texas delegation, Farenthold coasted to reelection every two years. He served on the Oversight, Judiciary and Transportation committees. Former Corpus Christi City Council Member Greg Smith, a longtime family friend who regularly appeared on Farenthold's radio show, credited him with working 'tirelessly to secure federal funding' on 'game-changing' local infrastructure projects. His efforts included a $625 million channel deepening project for the Port of Corpus Christi. 'He was an effective congressman,' Smith said in an interview Friday. 'He wasn't party first — he was community first.' Smith added that he texted Farenthold two weeks ago to thank him for his work on the channel deepening project. 'I was just doing my job,' Farenthold replied. Dale Rankin, the editor of the Island Moon newspaper who worked with Farenthold on his show, also emphasized Farenthold's local impact. 'He was a guy who came along at the right time when there was demand for growth at the port,' Rankin said. 'And by getting into [Congress], he was in a position to clear the way for that.' But Farenthold's time in Washington came to a fraught end in April 2018, when he resigned from Congress amid allegations of sexual harassment, an ethics investigation and pressure from the Republican leadership to step down. His seat is now represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud. Politico reported in December 2017 that Farenthold had settled a sexual harassment lawsuit brought against him by a former staffer using $84,000 in taxpayer money that he promised to pay back, but did not ever appear to do so. In announcing his retirement, Farenthold said that his lack of experience in politics paved the way for turmoil in his office. 'I'd never served in public office before," he said in 2017. 'I had no idea how to run a congressional office and, as a result, I allowed a workplace culture to take root in my office that was too permissive and decidedly unprofessional.' 'I allowed the personal stress of the job to manifest itself in angry outbursts and too often a failure to treat people with the respect that they deserved,' he added. 'That was wrong. Clearly, it's not how I was raised, it's not who I am and for that situation, I am profoundly sorry." After resigning, Farenthold took a job as a legislative liaison for The Calhoun Port Authority, spurring proposed federal legislation to block former members of Congress from lobbying their colleagues if they do not repay taxpayer money they used to settle litigation. Farenthold left his lobbying position soon after. He began appearing on local Corpus Christi radio voice Jim Lago's show before taking over after Lago's death in 2023. On his daily show that he self-produced and hosted, Farenthold, a Trump-supporting Republican, discussed politics and local news and denounced big government and elected officials he felt were moving in the wrong direction. 'He was your conservative commentator,' Smith said. 'If he made $2 an hour, I'd be surprised. But he never went out looking for it. He just wanted to bring news and commentary to the community.' Farenthold continued hosting his show, usually from his home, even as he struggled with his liver, Smith added. 'Most people would've just given up where Blake moved ahead,' he said. Farenthold is survived by two daughters and his wife, Debbie. Disclosure: Politico has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Big news: 20 more speakers join the TribFest lineup! New additions include Margaret Spellings, former U.S. secretary of education and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center; Michael Curry, former presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church; Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. Representative, D-El Paso; Joe Lonsdale, entrepreneur, founder and managing partner at 8VC; and Katie Phang, journalist and trial lawyer. Get tickets. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil has been released from an immigration jail after 104 days in custody
Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil has been released from an immigration jail after 104 days in custody
