Riots are wrong. I opposed the hundreds of "Black Lives Matter" riots across the country in 2020, including at the White House, which were an effort to force political change. And I opposed the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot (and rally).
Democrats only opposed the latter; they encouraged the former, despite a few perfunctory statements against violence. Then they impeached Trump for the Capitol riot. When that failed, they launched the January 6 Committee.
The committee has arguably done more damage to democracy, and to our constitutional system, than the riot. The riot could never have reasonably hoped to seize or hold power. But the committee's effects could be long-lasting.
The committee was one-sided, composed only of Trump opponents. It abused the civil rights of its witnesses and targets. And several members of the committee were themselves guilty of denying previous election results.
The public didn't need to be told that January 6 was bad. People knew. But the media played along with the committee, allowing it to violate due process and the separation of powers. It is a Star Chamber, a constitutional abomination.
I have argued that the Republicans should keep the committee and call Nancy Pelosi as a witness to find out why the Capitol was undefended. But the GOP is more inclined to dump the whole thing. Good riddance to a terrible scourge.
This is my first broadcast from the new office and studio in Washington, DC, where I'll be for a couple of years my neighborhood back in L.A. cleans up -- and as we follow the Trump administration from a little closer up than usual.
Topics:
- The anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump
- The escalating tariff battle with various different trading partners
- The future of the Middle East peace talks, and ongoing antisemitism
- The Jeffrey Epstein files and whether they mean anything at all
- The continued crisis of the Texas floods, and stories of heroism and survival
And more!
Special guests:
- James Rosen - Newsmax chief Washington correspondent
- Bob Price - Breitbart News Texas reporter, on the ongoing floods
- Robert Cahill - Trafalgar Polling, on a new alliance of reliable pollsters
- Rabbi Yaakov Menken - Coalition for Jewish Values - on Israel & antisemitism
Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week’s portion tells the grand story of the prophet who tried to curse people of Israel and instead ended up blessing them.
I am reminded that these portions continue to be relevant anew, as this particular reading lent the title for Israel’s recent 12 Day War against Iran, “Operation Rising Lion.”
This week's portion includes the commandment of the red heifer -- one of the classic "irrational" commandments whose fulfillment is an expression of faith. It also includes the regrettable episode in which Moses strikes the rock.
I referred to this story in a wedding speech last night. Why was Moses punished for striking the rock in Numbers, when he struck the rock without incident in Exodus -- both for the purpose of providing water to the people?
The answer is that in the interim, the Jewish people had received the Torah, which is like the marriage contract between the people of Israel and God. In a marriage, you do not resolve things by breaking boundaries, but through love.
The additional reading, from Judges Chapter 11, is the story of Jephthah (Yiftach), a man whom the leaders spurn, but to whom they must turn to save the nation. The parallels to our present political circumstances are striking.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Fourth of July!
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