'Keep Harrell': Dozens of students show up to school board meeting to back football coach who was suspended for a 400-push-up punishment



Approximately 40 students attended a Rockwall, Texas, school board meeting wearing "Keep Harrell" T-shirts in defense of high school football coach John Harrell, who was recently suspended for issuing upwards of 400 push-ups during a football practice.

According to the New York Post, the attending students are from the school's varsity football team that participated in the off-season workout that resulted in eight players going to the hospital.

At least one student suffered from rhabdomyolysis, a condition resulting from the breaking down of muscle tissue that releases chemicals into the blood after continuous stress on the muscles. The condition can also cause kidney damage.

The team captain, who previously defended Coach Harrell, gave remarks at the meeting, saying it "isn’t about choosing sides."

“We want to support Coach Harrell and all of our teammates. Harrell has been a father figure to a lot of these boys, including me," the teen continued.

One parent told local reporters that her son spent seven days in a hospital and was unable to do basic hygienic tasks due to his injuries.

“He could not lift his arms, brush his teeth. He could not lift his hands to wash his face. He had swelling in his muscles,” the mother, who is a doctor, said.

A parent who attended the meeting alluded to the idea that parents of football players should better physically prepare the students outside the school.

"I think some of us as parents have failed. ... We should push them and do what we need to as far as at home, just because what the demand is when they do go to school," the father said.

"It's bound to happen again, maybe not this year, maybe not next year, but it's going to come up again, because it's football," he added.

According to reports, Child Protective Services has opened its own investigation into the incident, separate from the district's own investigation. However, the school board did not have any updates regarding the situation during the meeting, but after the students spoke, board President Linda Mitchell Duran gave her condolences.

"Our hearts and our prayers go out to all the children involved, all the parents involved, all the faculty involved," Duran said.

None of the parents of the hospitalized students attended the school board meeting, with two parents who spoke to a Fox4 reporter saying that they did not plan to attend.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!


\u201cRockwall ISD is having a regularly scheduled meeting tonight. The incident involving multiple students being sent to the hospital is not on the agenda. But dozens of students are wearing shirts that say \u201cKeep Harrell.\u201d That\u2019s the name of their coach who is on leave. @FOX4\u201d
— Steven Dial (@Steven Dial) 1674000005
\u201cJUST IN: football players for Rockwall-Heath attending tonight\u2019s RISD board meeting to support Coach John Harrell.\n\nMany wearing shirts that say \u201cKeep Harrell\u201d on them. \n\nHarrell on leave right now after a controversial offseason workout that left some needing medical attention.\u201d
— Matt Howerton (@Matt Howerton) 1674000258
\u201cDozens of Rockwall-Heath students and parents came to the Rockwall ISD school board meeting to support their suspended coach John Harrell. A January 6 workout sent multiple players to the hospital. Now Child Protective Services and the district is investigating. @FOX4\u201d
— Steven Dial (@Steven Dial) 1674058858

Top Dem economist has more bad news for Joe Biden's economy amid inflation crisis



Economic guru Steve Rattner, who served in the Obama administration, predicted Wednesday the inflation crisis will likely end with a "hard landing."

The economic geek-speak refers to a sudden period of economic downturn that often results in a recession. The metaphor, drawn from aviation nomenclature, inherently discounts a total economic crash.

What about inflation?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed Tuesday that inflation grew 0.1% from July and 8.3% year over year. Even worse, core inflation — which excludes food and energy costs — grew 0.6% from July.

The numbers prove that inflation is not slowing down despite some indications previously suggesting that it was. The acceleration comes despite President Joe Biden signing into law the Inflation Reduction Act, whose alleged inflationary benefits the White House has been unable to explain.

What did Rattner say?

Speaking on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Rattner warned the trajectory of the inflation crisis is more economic pain for Americans.

"What yesterday's numbers did was increased the probability of what we're calling a hard landing — that there's going to have to be a recession to get inflation down anywhere near the Fed's 2% target," Rattner said.

\u201cFalling gas prices have helped ease some inflationary pressures for consumers. @Morning_Joe\u201d
— Steven Rattner (@Steven Rattner) 1663175058

The Federal Reserve targets an inflation rate of 2% because it "is most consistent with the Federal Reserve’s mandate for maximum employment and price stability."

"When households and businesses can reasonably expect inflation to remain low and stable, they are able to make sound decisions regarding saving, borrowing, and investment, which contributes to a well-functioning economy," the Fed explains.

However, when the inflation rate is significantly greater or lower than 2%, the Fed takes action. In the case of the current crisis, the Fed has been raising benchmark interest rates to cool an overheated economy.

But aggressively raising interest rates comes with significant risks, namely a recession.

Raising interest rates makes borrowing money more expensive. When money is pricer, economic activity slows down. But if the cool down happens too rapidly, the economy can plunge into a recession.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has acknowledged that a recession is "certainly a possibility" as the Fed continues to hike interest rates.

YouTube suspends 'Louder with Crowder' over video featuring Arizona GOP candidate Kari Lake, says it included 'false claims' about 2020 election



BlazeTV host Steven Crowder has been temporarily suspended from YouTube again for a video featuring Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who said President Joe Biden is in charge of an "illegitimate federal government."

On Wednesday, Crowder announced that his Aug. 11 video featuring Lake as a guest was removed from YouTube because of comments she made advancing disputed claims about the 2020 presidential election. He shared a screenshot of an email from YouTube that said his video violated the platform's "misinformation policy."

"Content that advances false claims that widespread fraud, errors, or glitches changed the outcome of the U.S. 2020 presidential election is not allowed on YouTube," the company said.

Crowder said he will be unable to livestream on YouTube for two weeks.

\u201cWow. Won\u2019t be able to steam to @YouTube because of comments from a CURRENT GUBERNATORIAL candidate. On a show with all references provided. \nIf this isn\u2019t suppression of political speech, then nothing is. \nSee you tomorrow on Rumble and #MugClub with updates. \nWar.\u201d
— Steven Crowder (@Steven Crowder) 1660771218

During an interview on "Louder with Crowder" that was posted to YouTube last week, Lake said that the Biden administration is "illegitimate" and stated she does not believe that Biden did not win the 2020 presidential election.

"I don't believe Joe Biden won the election," Lake told Crowder. "And we had problems with the 2020 election, I've talked about that. They've criticized me for that. But I've looked at the facts, I have looked over our forensic audit, I've looked over all kinds of evidence. We had a botched, corrupt election in Arizona and in many other states."

Crowder's video was subsequently removed from YouTube.

YouTube's misinformation policies prohibit content that calls the results of any past U.S. presidential election illegitimate or fraudulent. Content that violates this policy will be removed from YouTube, which implements a strike system to punish accounts that repeatedly violate its policies. Any channel that earns three strikes for repeatedly violating YouTube's policies will be terminated.

Lake reappeared on Crowder's show Thursday and discussed YouTube's actions.

"It's insane," she told Crowder, adding that if elected, she will enact a law to constrain the ability of social media companies to censor content.

"I"m going to do what Governor DeSantis did. You're not going to take away people's freedom of speech in Arizona," Lake said.

She was referring to a law Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed last year that permits state residents to sue Big Tech companies and creates transparency requirements for content moderation policies on social media platforms. A federal appeals court blocked the law from going into effect in May, finding it unconstitutionally violated the First Amendment.

Lake, a former local news anchor who became the Arizona GOP gubernatorial nominee on Aug. 5 , has previously said she would not have certified Biden's 2020 victory in Arizona and repeatedly claimed the election was fraudulent. She has cited a "forensic audit" conducted by Republicans in the Arizona state Senate to support her claims — but that ballot review said a hand recount of ballots confirmed the election-night results in Maricopa County, where Biden defeated Trump by about 45,000 votes.

The Kari Lake campaign was reached for comment but did not immediately respond.

Major media figures claim that Josh Hawley is ‘transphobic’ because he thinks men can’t get pregnant



Multiple prominent media figures took the side of Berkeley law professor Khiara Bridges, who accused Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) of being "transphobic" because he does not believe that men can get pregnant in a viral clip on Tuesday.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the impact of overturning Roe v. Wade, Bridges repeatedly used the torturous phrase "people with a capacity for pregnancy" as a gender-neutral substitute for "women." When Hawley called her out on it, highlighting the absurdity of erasing the word "women" from a discussion on abortion rights, Bridges told him that his "line of questioning is transphobic."

Bridges said Hawley was "denying that trans people exist" and opening them up to violence because he would not recognize "that men can get pregnant."

Some supposedly objective media outlets revealed which side they took in their coverage of the back-and-forth.

The Washington Post said Hawley "refused to acknowledge that some transgender men can get pregnant," which is inaccurate. Hawley never said that "transgender men" can't get pregnant — his position is that "transgender men" are women, because women are the only people who can get pregnant.

\u201cThis @washingtonpost news story hits @HawleyMO for \u201crefusing to acknowledge\u201d men can get pregnant\n\nWe need a total and complete shutdown of WaPo until we figure out what is going on\u201d
— Brent Scher (@Brent Scher) 1657677316

Most mainstream news headlines reported that Hawley was "called" or "accused" of asking "transphobic" questions, framing the story more neutrally. But a CNN video used the headline, "Hawley called out for 'transphobic' questions," which adopted the left's view of the exchange.

The U.K. Independent had more direct bias, writing that Bidges "rebuked" Hawley for his "transphobic" questions.

"In a series of extraordinary testimony to a Senate committee on the future of abortion in the US after the dissolve of Roe v Wade, an abortion rights advocate and law professor issued a sharp rebuke to Republican Senator Josh Hawley, who appeared to dismiss that transgender people could become pregnant," the Independent reported.

Meanwhile, progressive media declared unambiguous victory for Bridges over Hawley, who they insisted "got owned."

Salon and HuffPo each ran headlines that insisted the Missouri Republican was "schooled." Jezebel published a video titled, "Berkeley Law Professor Eviscerates Sen. Josh Hawley at Post-Roe Hearing." Heartland Signal said Hawley was "put in place" by Bridges.

Vox wrote that Hawley used "transphobic rhetoric to rile up the GOP's base" and sided with Bridges' contested claim that Hawley's language equates to violence.

"Bridges’s concerns reflect the fact that lawmakers’ political attacks on trans people — including denying their existence, and using legislation to limit their freedom of movement, access to activities, and availability of health care — have coincided with an increase in physical violence," Li Zhou wrote for Vox. "According to a 2021 Time report, anti-trans violence has surged in the wake of an increase in legislation targeting trans people. A 2021 UCLA report also found that trans people, particularly Black and brown trans people, were significantly more likely to be victims of violent crime than cis people."

Progressives on Twitter also praised Bridges and mocked Hawley.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said Hawley "feigned shock at the recognition that he incites violence."

\u201cThank you for your service, Professor Bridges\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffd\n\nAlso lol @ Hawley\u2019s feigned shock at the recognition that he incites violence. The man raised a fist w/ Jan 6th-ers who yelled \u201cHang Mike Pence\u201d & fundraised off it.\n\nNow he wants to be all \u201cMe?? Opening people to violence??\ud83d\ude24\u201d\u201d
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1657651252

"KA-BLOW" tweeted Imani Gandy, the senior editor of law and policy for Rewire News Group, after Bridges declared Hawley was denying transgender people exist because he doesn't think men can get pregnant.

\u201cHawley: Are you saying I'm transphobic.\n\nBridges: your line of questioning is. Denying their existence leads to violence. \n\nHawley: I'm not denying they exist.\n\nBridges: Do you believe men can get pregnant?\n\nHawley: No.\n\nBridges: Then you're denying they exist.\n\nKA-BLOW\u201d
— \u2693\ufe0fImani Two-Kitchens Gandy\u2693\ufe0f (@\u2693\ufe0fImani Two-Kitchens Gandy\u2693\ufe0f) 1657641538

Many others ridiculed Hawley for his supposed embarrassment by a professor who thinks men can be women and women can be men, rendering the distinctions between the two sexes meaningless.

But Stephen Porter, the assistant editor for USA Today Opinion, urged progressives, "Don't feign ignorance about Sen. Josh Hawley's 'questions.'"

"He was making a statement. His claim? That trans men & nonbinary people who can get pregnant are ~actually~ women. He's asserting that their reproductive organs define their gender," Porter tweeted.

"That's literally ✨transphobic✨," he said.

\u201cDon\u2019t feign ignorance about Sen. Josh Hawley\u2019s \u201cquestions.\u201d He was making a statement. His claim? That trans men & nonbinary people who can get pregnant are ~actually~ women. He\u2019s asserting that their reproductive organs define their gender. \n\nThat\u2019s literally \u2728transphobic\u2728.\u201d
— Steven Porter (@Steven Porter) 1657688124

In a lengthy thread, Porter went on to say that Hawley "derives some inhumane political benefit" from making "transphobic comments." He demanded that people "sympathetic to Hawley's message" but who don't want to be labeled transphobic "show us what you think it means to treat transgender people with kindness, dignity & respect."

\u201cMaybe you object to the \u201corthodoxy\u201d of trans-inclusive language. Then show us how to speak thoughtfully about reproductive health care for people who have the capacity to get pregnant & don\u2019t identify as women. Show us a better way.\u201d
— Steven Porter (@Steven Porter) 1657688124

Responding to the hysterics Wednesday morning, Hawley told Fox News that Democrats "have lost their minds."

"The Democrats have become such extremists. Now their official line is men can get pregnant — and if you disagree, you’re violent," Hawley said. "They have lost their minds and the whole country can see it."

Amber Heard DRAGGED for 'playing the victim' in Savannah Guthrie interview



Amber Heard may be regretting her decision to "speak out" after a video clip from her interview with NBC's Savannah Guthrie was shared on social media Tuesday.

Heard sat down with Guthrie in her first interview since her defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp. The interview is scheduled to air on the "TODAY" show in two parts this week and in its entirety on "Dateline" this Friday.

A preview clip from the interview posted on Twitter has garnered more than 2 million views and thousands of comments — but the "Aquaman" actress isn't going to be pleased with her latest notoriety.

“Even somebody who is sure I am deserving of all this hate and vitriol — even if you think that I’m lying, you still couldn’t look me in the eye and tell me that you think on social media there’s been a fair representation. You cannot tell me that you think this has been fair,” Heard says in the clip.

\u201c.@savannahguthrie sat down for an exclusive conversation with #AmberHeard. "You cannot tell me that you think that this has been fair,\u201d Heard shared, in reference to social media representation.\u201d
— TODAY (@TODAY) 1655120298
\u201cThe jurors didn\u2019t read any of the social media stuff, they listened to the evidence & concluded she was lying. I suggest it\u2019s time for Ms Heard to stop playing the victim.\u201d
— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1655121250
\u201cAmber Heard pre-verdict: \u201cI just want to move on. And for Johnny to move on.\u201d\n\nAmber Heard on National TV this week: \u201cYou Cannot Look Me in the Eye & Tell Me My Trial Was Fair.\u201d\n\nThe narcissist craves attention.\nThe victimology tour continues.\u201d
— Greg Ellis \ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f (@Greg Ellis \ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f) 1655123698
\u201c@9inelivez @TODAYshow @SavannahGuthrie @NBCNews @DatelineNBC I wasn't a fan and if she'd have been telling the truth I'd be calling him out. She's a lying, manipulative abuser who still needs to use his name and victims for attention. She represents the worst kind of women!https://t.co/a9ZEjvoJyS\u201d
— TODAY (@TODAY) 1655120298
\u201c@TODAYshow @SavannahGuthrie @NBCNews @DatelineNBC What she doesn't get or doesn't want to admit is that social media opinion was created based on what ppl saw in court: evidence presented, her behavior, her testimony, etc. It wasn't based on some hearsay. Same evidence the jury saw and based its verdict on. Don't blame it on ppl\u201d
— TODAY (@TODAY) 1655120298
\u201c@DonnaBa32121840 @ABrandNewName_ @TODAYshow @SavannahGuthrie @NBCNews @DatelineNBC This was exactly me. I don\u2019t keep up with the lifestyles of the Rich and famous. Trust me I don\u2019t envy them whatsoever lol. I didn\u2019t know either one of them had never watched either one of them play in movies. Of course I\u2019ve heard of Johnny Depp who hasn\u2019t. Drugs, alcohol, etc.\u201d
— TODAY (@TODAY) 1655120298
\u201c@DiosaBEL7 I thought she said she wanted to be left alone and in peace. Why the heck is she out there doing interviews for ?She very much wants to be in the limelight and continue to stay relevant. One more proof that this was for attention and out of spite.\u201d
— King Kokina (@King Kokina) 1655223559
\u201c@hottmessNHGQ @TODAYshow @SavannahGuthrie @NBCNews @DatelineNBC Insulting the intelligence of the jury. Really? That won't get her an appeal. They found she acted with MALICE.\u201d
— TODAY (@TODAY) 1655120298
\u201c@TODAYshow @SavannahGuthrie AH has not proven that social media played any role in the trial. The trial is not the TV coverage, duh. It is a legal thing. She must show the jury knew or a witness or judge was affected. Nada. Fix this bias.\u201d
— TODAY (@TODAY) 1655120298
\u201c@simpi_lovemyway @TODAYshow @SavannahGuthrie @NBCNews @DatelineNBC Unreal! I can\u2019t believe this woman would go on TV in an attempt to tell everyone that watched the trial that we were influenced by social media. We were influenced by the lies told by Amber herself!\u201d
— TODAY (@TODAY) 1655120298

A second video clip from the Guthrie interview has also been making the rounds on Twitter, with similar results for Heard's (lack of) public appeal.

\u201c@KateHydeNY Today I learned that Amber Heard was only faking being able to breathe water in "Aquaman". https://t.co/9EhTiMg0JS\u201d
— Kate Hyde (@Kate Hyde) 1655225864
\u201cAmber Heard is a liar. Change my mind.\u201d
— Steven Crowder (@Steven Crowder) 1655294828

On a recent episode of "Relatable," BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey and POPlitics' Alex Clark discussed whether Amber Heard really got a fair trial in the age of social media.


Want more from Allie Beth Stuckey?

To enjoy more of Allie’s upbeat and in-depth coverage of culture and politics from a Christian, millennial perspective, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Conservative journalist says she was fired by DC talk radio station over 'racist' joke about Kamala Harris' SOTU outfit



A D.C.-based conservative journalist says she was a victim of censorship after she was fired by the talk radio station WMAL-FM for a joke she made about Vice President Kamala Harris.

Amber Athey, the Washington editor for The Spectator magazine, wrote on Monday that the conservative-leaning radio station, which is owned by Cumulus Media, fired her from the "O’Connor & Company" morning radio program for violating the company's social media policy with a "racist" tweet.

"About a month ago today, I posted a tweet during the State of the Union address poking fun at Vice President Kamala Harris’s outfit," Athey recounts in her article. "Harris wore a chocolate brown business suit that was panned on social media — some users compared her to a Hershey’s chocolate bar, while others wondered why she wore the same color as her chair. I went for a UPS joke, featuring the company’s now retired slogan."

The joke was, "Kamala looks like a UPS employee — what can brown do for you? Nothing good, apparently.”

Kamala looks like a UPS employee \u2014 what can brown do for you? Nothing good, apparently.
— Amber Athey (@Amber Athey) 1646188823

The line "what can brown do for you" is a reference to an old UPS slogan. In 2010, the company replaced that slogan in favor of, "We (heart) Logistics."

But left wing agitators on Twitter mischaracterized her joke as a racist attack on Harris, who is of black and Indian descent.

"No one had a problem with the tweet until a few days later, when I spoke critically of protests in favor of 'trans kids' at the University of North Texas," Athey writes. "A group of maniacal left-wing activists who want to chemically castrate children in the name of 'gender affirmation' came after me. All of a sudden, the Kamala tweet was being re-framed as racist and dozens of Twitter accounts were bragging about contacting my employers about my 'bigotry.'"

Oh my well now we're just telling on ourselves now aren't we Amberpic.twitter.com/BrxV6KIqRT
— steven monacelli (@steven monacelli) 1646456052

She says that members of the online outrage mob tried to cancel her by contacting her employers at The Spectator. While the magazine "laughed at and promptly deleted the angry emails about my Kamala Tweet," the top brass at Cumulus Media took issue with her tweet.

This guy asking my publication to fire me claims he is a subscriber but neither his name nor email show up in our subscriber database. Try harder, KHIVE. \n\nBtw, if you want your emails to my employer to carry more weight, you can subscribe first with the promo code AMBER pic.twitter.com/inkbXCkg3W
— Amber Athey (@Amber Athey) 1646510890

Athey had been hired as one of three female co-hosts of "O'Connor & Company" in the fall. On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 9, she says she was contacted by Jeff Boden, the vice president of Cumulus Washington, D.C, and Kriston Fancellas, the vice president of Human Resources about her social media post.

"They told me that the tweet I sent about Kamala was 'racist' and that subsequent follow-ups defending myself and making fun of the efforts to cancel me were unacceptable. I had violated the company’s social media policy, they said, and I was terminated effective immediately," Athey writes.

"They did not have the courtesy to offer me an opportunity to defend myself, nor did they speak to anyone at the program before handing down their decision," she added.

Athey says that during multiple attempts to appeal her employer's decision, "company officials admitted that the perception of racism was more important than whether or not my tweet was actually racist." Her appeals were unsuccessful.

She also accused WMAL of continuing to use her image and bio on its website and social media channels to promote their paid programming, even though she was fired.

"I am racist enough not to be paid, but not so racist that my likeness cannot be affiliated with the station, apparently," she writes.

She says that she wanted her job back, but now feels "obligated" to speak out about how she was censored.

"This incident has destroyed the integrity and reputation of WMAL and Cumulus as hosts of conservative content. We spoke frequently about the dangers of censorship and cancel culture on our program, and yet here they are bowing to the mob. If I can be fired for making fun of the vice president’s outfit, every single host on a Cumulus station is in danger of losing their job at a moment’s notice. Political commentary is worthless if it can’t be used to speak truth to those in power without fear of professional consequences."

Since publishing her article, Athey tweeted that WMAL and Cumulus are "doing damage control" and have removed her image from their social media pages and websites.

.@wmaldc @CumulusMedia are doing damage control & have removed my image from their social media and show website. Doesn\u2019t change that what they did to me was wrong and unjust. \n\nAnyway, excited to be on @Timcast tonight. \n\nThanks to everyone for your support. It\u2019s been amazing.
— Amber Athey (@Amber Athey) 1649096887

Larry O'Connor, Athey's former co-host, said Monday that he has "been fighting all month" to get her back on the air and that he "will continue to do whatever I can."

"I still hope that [Cumulus Media] will do the right thing," he said.

I have been fighting all month to get @amber_athey back on O'Connor and Company and I will continue to do whatever I can. We assembled a great broadcast team.\n\nI still have hope that @CumulusMedia will do the right thing.pic.twitter.com/X8POy2hswD
— Larry O'Connor (@Larry O'Connor) 1649094390

Cumulus Media did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Biden points to Putin amid inflation woes, claims 'inflation is largely the fault' of the Russian president



During remarks on Friday at the House Democrats' retreat in Philadelphia, President Joe Biden said that "inflation is largely the fault" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Biden said that prices have been rising as a result of factors related to COVID-19, including supply chain issues and heavy demand for certain goods. He also directed blame toward the Russian president.

"The second big reason for inflation is Vladimir Putin," Biden said. The U.S. president said that gas prices rose as Putin staged troops on the Ukrainian border — Biden noted that Putin then invaded Ukraine. "Make no mistake, inflation is largely the" Russian figure's fault, Biden claimed.

WATCH LIVE: Biden at House Democrats' retreat in Philadelphia youtu.be

The president rejected the notion that the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that Democrats passed last year made gas prices rise. Congressional Democrats rammed the plan through without GOP support.

Biden said that the San Francisco Federal Reserve indicated that the American Rescue Plan "contributed to 0.3% of inflation."

People have been getting hammered by skyrocketing gas prices. As of Friday, the AAA national average price for regular gas was $4.331 per gallon.

Earlier this week, President Biden signed an executive order to ban the import of Russian crude oil into the U.S. — the order also prohibits importing "petroleum; petroleum fuels, oils, and products of their distillation; liquefied natural gas; coal; and coal products" from Russia.

Americans have been suffering the financial strain caused by rapid inflation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the consumer price index rose by 0.8% in February.

"The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.8 percent in February on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.6 percent in January," according to BLS. "Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 7.9 percent before seasonal adjustment."

Biden said in a statement on Thursday that, "A large contributor to inflation this month was an increase in gas and energy prices as markets reacted to Putin’s aggressive actions. As I have said from the start, there will be costs at home as we impose crippling sanctions in response to Putin’s unprovoked war, but Americans can know this: the costs we are imposing on Putin and his cronies are far more devastating than the costs we are facing."

Steven Rattner, who served as counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury during a portion of the Obama administration, fired back: "Well, no. These are Feb #'s and only include small Russia effect. This is Biden's inflation and he needs to own it."

Well, no. These are Feb #'s and only include small Russia effect. This is Biden's inflation and he needs to own it.https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1501949244319559695\u00a0\u2026
— Steven Rattner (@Steven Rattner) 1646927902

'This is Biden's inflation and he needs to own it': Ex-Obama official drops truth bomb as Biden blames Russia



President Joe Biden is trying to blame February's record-high inflation numbers on Russia — but a former Obama administration official is not having it.

Steven Rattner, a former counselor to the treasury secretary under President Barack Obama, called out Biden on Thursday for misleading the American people on the record high inflation rates seen in February.

"This is Biden's inflation and he needs to own it," Rattner tweeted after the president released a statement blaming Russia for rising prices.

Earlier, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 7.9% increase in the consumer price index over the past year — representing a 40-year high inflation increase.

Biden referred to the price increases as "Putin's price hike," claiming the Russian invasion of Ukraine is behind the surge in fuel prices punishing American pocketbooks.

"A large contributor to inflation this month was an increase in gas and energy prices as markets reacted to Putin’s aggressive actions. As I have said from the start, there will be costs at home as we impose crippling sanctions in response to Putin’s unprovoked war, but Americans can know this: the costs we are imposing on Putin and his cronies are far more devastating than the costs we are facing," Biden said in a written statement.

The president pledged to take further action to ease the supply chain logjams that have contributed to inflation and to "reduce the huge federal budget deficit that I inherited from my predecessor."

But Rattner said the president was wrong.

"Well, no. Those are Feb #'s and only include small Russia effect," he explained.

Well, no. These are Feb #'s and only include small Russia effect. This is Biden's inflation and he needs to own it.https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1501949244319559695\u00a0\u2026
— Steven Rattner (@Steven Rattner) 1646927902

Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24. The BLS report covered price increases for the entire month of February. And inflation is an issue the Biden administration has struggled to address for months. Last year, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and others dismissed rising prices as "transitory" and expected inflation to subside as the economy recovered from COVID-19 lockdowns.

But inflation never slowed down, and over the past year it rose at the highest rates seen in 40 years. In response, the Fed has made plans to raise interest rates in order to combat rising prices, with the first rate hikes expected to come next week.

Before blaming Russia, Biden blamed disrupted supply chains for rising prices, but Rattner also called this excuse "simplistic and misleading" in an op-ed for the New York Times three weeks ago.

"Blaming inflation on supply lines is like complaining about your sweater keeping you too warm after you’ve added several logs to the fireplace," Rattner wrote.

"The bulk of our supply problems are the product of an overstimulated economy, not the cause of it," he stated, explaining that as pandemic restrictions eased, Americans began spending more money — aided by generous COVID-stimulus payments started by President Donald Trump and continued under Biden's American Rescue Plan.

"All that consumption has resulted from vast amounts of government rescue aid (including three rounds of stimulus checks) and substantial underspending by consumers during the lockdown phase of the COVID crisis," Rattner wrote, chocking inflation up to "a classic economic case of 'too much money chasing too few goods'" once the pandemic began to end.

He suggested that Biden "make deficit reduction as important as [his] other initiatives" to combat inflation, noting that "smaller deficits reduce net spending by government, thus helping offset demand by consumers."

However, Biden and Washington Democrats have shown no appetite for reduced government spending. The president has instead prioritized a multi-trillion dollar Build Back Better plan projected to add at least $750 billion to the deficit, which has already eclipsed $1.3 trillion for this year.

If Biden follows Rattner's advise he has too options: Compromise and work with Republicans to reduce spending, over the protestations of his progressive base, or attempt to raise taxes ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. Neither seems likely to happen.

Leftist heads explode over Texas restaurant signs insulting Nancy Pelosi, repeating 'Let's Go Brandon.' But eatery refuses to bend to 'cancel culture renegades.'



A popular Houston restaurant — Preslee's Southern Good Eatery — has been facing backlash from spitting-angry leftists outraged over messages on the establishment's outdoor marquee insulting Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and repeating the ever-viral phrase "Let's Go Brandon!" targeting President Joe Biden.

But Fox Business reported that Preslee's isn't backing down from the mob.

"We are heading into crawfish season and then peak patio weather and won’t be slowed down from the cancel culture renegades," Preslee's co-owner told Fox Digital on Wednesday. "It's about pro freedom and our right to run our small business."

What's the beef?

Fox News — citing the the owner, who requested anonymity — said the Preslee's marquee has been used for a long time to quote memes and jokes.

But a couple of recent messages really got under leftists' skins.

One said, "No mask needed unless u look like Nancy Pelosi." Another similar sign stated, "No mask needed unless you're Nancy Pelosi" — along with a tag that said, "Let's Go Brandon."

Don\u2019t forget to add in a side of\u201dLet\u2019s Go Branden\u201d to really round it all outpic.twitter.com/cjO9YTtDqT
— Steven (@Steven) 1640962171

Alison Cook — the Twitter user who posted the first image — is a Houston Chronicle restaurant critic, and she attacked Preslee's with her accompanying text: "Why yes, I’d like a side of misogyny and Covid protocol defiance with my chicken-fried steak."

In a follow-up tweet Cook added, "Also, could we fold in some ageism with that? Perfect!"

What happened next?

Fox News, citing the restaurant's owner, said Preslee's was attacked on social media and with voicemails from callers saying they "hope their business loses all their employees" and goes bankrupt.

"The backlash we received at first was a little overwhelming while dealing with a busy restaurant," the owner added to the cable network. "Lots of voicemails and private messages."

But the owner told Fox News that most of the negativity has been coming from those who've never dined at Preslee’s "but feel the need to jump on the bandwagon." What's more, the owner told the cable network that Preslee's Instagram page was banned Wednesday without explanation. Fox Digital said it reached out to Instagram on the matter; the page appeared active Thursday afternoon.

On the positive side, the owner told the cable network that Preslee's has received "overwhelming support" in the local community and also from "other cities" over the past few days.

"We have never been busier!" he said in a comment addressing those who "slandered" the establishment, Fox News said.

In addition, commenters on a Preslee's Facebook post that went up Thursday — which has nothing to do with the signs story — are showering the restaurant with praise for its stance and are asking how gift certificates can be purchased.

Anything else?

Preslee’s opened in 2019 and survived COVID-19, despite shutdowns, without laying "a single employee off," the cable network said, citing the owner.

"I think it's pretty safe to say our current government has failed us and other small business owners. More than 150,000 small businesses have shut down from mandates, but this is not about politics. It's about basic rights that some have seem to have forgotten. If we can make it through a pandemic and actually thrive we can surely handle this," he said, according to Fox News.

"We’ll have more material posted soon, so stay tuned," he added to the cable network.

Psaki abruptly shuts down, calls on new reporter when confronted about Hunter Biden laptop, Chinese firm divestment



White House press secretary Jen Psaki abruptly shut down Monday after she was confronted about Hunter Biden's laptop and asked about his recent alleged divestment from a Chinese investment firm.

What happened?

The Biden administration published Monday a plan to fight corruption. The plan, titled "United States Strategy on Countering Corruption," outlines how the Biden administration will respond to corruption. Biden has identified corruption as a "core U.S. national security interest."

With Biden's plan in hand, New York Post reporter Steven Nelson asked Psaki during the White House press briefing how the Biden administration's plan to fight corruption intersects with the business dealings of the president's son.

Nelson asked:

The Biden administration today put out a big report about addressing corruption. I want to ask you two quick and hopefully pretty easy questions about that. Shortly after President Biden’s virtual meeting with the Chinese president, the first son’s attorney said that he has finally divested from a Chinese investment fund controlled by state-owned entities. I was hoping you could commit to basic transparency about that transaction, including the name of the buyer, the dollar amount, and the timing.

And the second question is: My colleague Miranda Devine has a new book out called the "Laptop From Hell," and I was hoping that you could confirm that the laptop is indeed authentic and not Russian disinformation, as you seemed to suggest on Twitter last year.

Psaki, however, immediately made it clear she was not interested in answering questions about Hunter Biden's laptop or his suspicious business dealings and called on another reporter, instead.

"Well, on the first, the president’s son is not an employee of the federal government, so I’d point you to his representatives," Psaki responded. "And as it relates to the book: I have neither had the time nor interest in exploring or reading the book. Go ahead, Tina."

"But the president's son —," Nelson responded before being cut off, "didn’t give any information on the transaction."

"Go ahead, Tina," Psaki responded over Nelson.

"I think I answered your question. Go ahead — you can go to the representative of the person who is not an employee of the federal government — go ahead, Tina," Psaki said again.

"Yes, but he doesn’t give any information on that," Nelson responded.

"I think we have to move on. Go ahead," Psaki shot back, visibility unsettled by the question.

Today WH released 'US Strategy on Countering Corruption' report. But Jen Psaki declined to give details on an arguable case study when I asked\n\nHunter Biden attorney said days after Xi-Biden summit that he divested from China firm controlled by state entities, but gave no detailshttps://twitter.com/TheFirstonTV/status/1467932551708819473\u00a0\u2026
— Steven Nelson (@Steven Nelson) 1638821424

What about Hunter Biden?

Less than one week after President Biden held a virtual summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month, a lawyer for Hunter Biden said his client had finally divested from BHR Partners, a Chinese investment firm.

However, as the New York Post explained, details about Hunter Biden's divestment are shrouded in mystery.

All details regarding the divestment are shrouded in mystery. It’s unclear, for example, whether Hunter Biden was paid by Chinese government-linked entities that control the company — or if he simply transferred his ownership to another person, such as a family member, without compensation.

It’s also unclear if the divestment happened before or after Hunter’s father held the three-and-a-half hour virtual summit with Xi.

Meanwhile, Psaki endorsed the idea last year that the Hunter Biden laptop story was "Russian disinfo," despite the computer in questioning containing a trove of information indicating it could only belong to Hunter.