Loyal Defender

July 2

An Outsider Explains How LCMS Lutherans Sabotage Their Confession

Hemingway: Roberts' Devastatingly Bad Decision On Birthright Citizenship Is On The Level Of Dred Scott or Roe v. Wade | Video | RealClearPolitics (for information purposes – I disagree)

SCOTUS Ruling On Birthplace Citizenship Is 'Devastatingly Bad' (From Mollie Hemingway of The Federalist – for information purposes))

Why the Birthright Citizenship Ruling is a Five-Alarm Fire (for information purposes – alarmed because the majority decision was only 5-4)

It was fun to pretend, but Talarico is going to lose his Senate race

Charlie Kirk’s Last Word - Christianity Today (Christianity Today deputy editor Bonnie Kristian thinks that Charlie Kirk’s book Stop in the Name of God, which is not available in digital format – unusual in today’s media culture, may have been written with the assistance of artificial intelligence – the book’s publisher declined comment – Kristian was favorable to the book anyway)

2026 World Cup: A Soft-Power Opportunity Missed? (for information purposes)

Neil Gorsuch faces backlash for claiming US is 'creedal nation' | Politics

What about Pet Idolatry? - Eternal Perspective Ministries

What to This Russian Is the Fourth of July?

Trump follows Roosevelt’s rails with ceremonial train trip to Medora • North Dakota Monitor

Trump brings Roosevelt’s Medal of Honor as a gift during library’s dedication • North Dakota Monitor

Teddy would run ’em out of town • North Dakota Monitor (for information purposes)

Melania Trump issues rare statement on major Supreme Court ruling: 'Respect everyone'

The Birthright Citizenship Ruling, Explained

Exclusive | The Post's exclusive look inside the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

'Cowardice And Incoherence' Will Be The Roberts Court Legacy

July 3

After Supreme Court loss on birthright citizenship, White House eyes crackdown on 'birth tourism' - POLITICO

The Worse Angels (for information purposes)

No Faith Worth Defending - First Things

What Is the Church of England For? - First Things

The United Methodist Church hates Methodism

Your Church's Seating Chart Isn't All Bad

The FAQs: SCOTUS Says States May Reserve Women’s Sports for Biological Females

SCOTUS Citizenship Decision Demands Legal System Overhaul (for information purposes)

My Letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee Concerning the Nomination of Todd Blanche for Attorney General

Can Americans Become Americans Again? A Question for July 4th

Ex-FBI official calls out Tucker Carlson over Trump investigation claim: ‘Show he has pair’ - oregonlive.com

House Dems accuse Freedom 250 of misleading donors and more : NPR (for information purposes)

Judge Jeanine Pirro Melts Down After Charging Olympian David Hearn over Reflecting Pool

250 years later, Native Americans contend with country’s founding words - The Washington Post

July 4

Opinion | 25 reasons to be optimistic about America’s future - Washington Post

From $71 million to $39 trillion – U.S. national debt’s 250-year climb - Newsweek

Why Evangelicals have been slow to discern Right-wing distortions

Trump vows America will never be a communist country at Mount Rushmore | Fox News

All living North Dakota governors, past and present, gather in Medora for presidential library • North Dakota Monitor

Sens. Gillibrand, Cramer agree Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library can heal grief, divisions • North Dakota Monitor

More than 100 Iowa faith leaders denounce Christian nationalism in public letter (for information purposes)

What if America Lost the Revolutionary War? 250 Years of Alternate History - Newsweek

The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill 5 Years On

The preacher’s republic | WORLD

'Evangelical' is about faith, not right-wing politics, says European body - Christian Today

Can We Be Patriotic in a Post-Christian America? | Answers in Genesis

July 5

Obergefell Same-Sex Marriage Ruling: Supreme Court Should Revisit Decision | National Review

Conservatives rage over re-funding of Planned Parenthood - POLITICO

July 6

The Best Man in Hell – Aliens and Pilgrims

God Believes In Rest. Do You?

Mamdani Is Lying About 'Capitalist Mismanagement' Of New York

Fact check: Trump’s ‘$17 trillion’ investment figure is fiction | CNN Politics

China tests long-range missile in South Pacific in move Australia condemns as ‘destabilising to region’ | China | The Guardian

Trump intervention causes World Cup storm as FIFA clears US striker Balogun to face Belgium | Reuters

The Supreme Court’s 5–4 vote in the birthright citizenship case is a scandal.

July 4th Films: Faith-Based Patriotic Movies to Watch

White House report brands Smithsonian leadership as radical activists who can't be trusted | PBS News

The battle over divine providence | WORLD

China Releases House Church Leader After 9 Months - Christianity Today

Ezra Jin: Founder of one of China’s biggest underground churches freed, reunites with family in US | CNN

July 7

Pastor Ezra Jin freed from Chinese prison after Trump's request | World

PCUSA declares support for trans surgeries for kids | Church & Ministries (for information purposes)

Trump Administration Posts Examples of ‘Degeneracy’ at Smithsonian - Newsweek

How Trump Killed the Party of Reagan (And Why It Might Not Stay Dead)

Georgia teacher wins settlement over Charlie Kirk assassination comments | Fox News

Belgium Donald Trump dance goal celebration vs USA World Cup

The United Methodist Church vs. Asbury Theological Seminary | WORLD

What to Know About Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Funeral (for information purposes)

Pastor Doug Wilson on his Christian theocracy vision and ties to Pete Hegseth : NPR's Newsmakers : NPR

The Christian Slaughter the World Ignores | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

Trump, 80, Humiliated With His Own Dance After U.S. World Cup Loss

July 8

Joy Reid Guest Rooting for Team USA to Lose So Victory Won't be 'Exploited' by Trump

ICE: Still Out of Control? (for information purposes)

Trump calls Iran Leaders "scum" and "evil" as he calls off ceasefire - Newsweek

Ketanji Brown Jackson Is Neither A Biologist Nor A Qualified Justice

Mitch McConnell, Joe Biden and the growing epidemic of politicians hiding health problems | CNN Politics

Trump’s Communist ‘Threat’ - The American Conservative

Trump told interesting stories about George Washington and the Panama Canal. They’re both fake | CNN Politics

Belgium soccer team celebrates World Cup win over USMNT with Trump dance

Fact check: Five false claims Trump made in one meeting with Erdogan | CNN Politics

Trump vs. algae is the feud we deserve - by Noah Berlatsky

July 9

SCOTUS Ruling Supports Fair Competition for Women and Girl Athletes  - National Association of Evangelicals | National Association of Evangelicals

National Association of Evangelicals Celebrates Birthright Citizenship Ruling, Voices Concern Over Asylum and TPS Decisions - National Association of Evangelicals | National Association of Evangelicals

Secret Service urged Trump to use old Air Force One as a security precaution: Sources

Beijing Pastor Ezra Jin Released After Diplomatic Talks

Florida's PBI renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport : NPR

3 things to know about Ken Paxton’s alleged mistress Tracy Duhon | Politics

July 10

Christians remain threatened in China even after pastor's release | World

DOJ: Not Doing Justice - Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance (for information purposes)

Franklin Graham says attacks against Erika Kirk are demonic | Politics

Evangelicals in Northern Ireland express support for victims of sexual abuse by influential Protestant political leader, Evangelical Focus

Iran and the US Agree on Little, Except to Not Talk About Religious Freedom - Christianity Today

Socialism's American comeback has an unlikely leader: Donald Trump - Newsweek

J.D. Hall Decries ‘Desert War Cult’ in anti-Zionist Tucker Carlson Interview - Juicy Ecumenism

White House Melts Down After Trump Walmart Price Cut Humiliation

July 11

How Trump Betrayed the Pro-Life Movement - First Things

Opinion | Trump got NATO to pay up. America may regret it. - The Washington Post

Lutheran church hiding cell tower antenna above preschool | U.S.

32 times Trump suggested the war in Iran was almost over

The America God can bless?

What Made Watergate Matter - by Daniel Silliman

With Patriot Front, what you see is not what you get : NPR

Trump earned $208,000 from Bible sales, records reveal

Trump Removes Election Commission Members Months Before Midterms

Educators win $2.7M over Charlie Kirk social media posts in lawsuits | Fox News

Donald Trump Lays Out His Own Assassination Revenge Fantasy

Trans people are moving to Seattle at unprecedented levels under Trump - The Washington Post

July 12

Pastoral Meanderings: Archbishop at home in a mosque. . . (for information purposes)

After US Aid Cuts, the Sick Wonder Who Will Visit Them - Christianity Today

Trump fires election commission members in latest attempt to control voting process | PBS News

Warnock Professes To Be a Christian, But Look What He Actually Believes (He’s a U.S. Senator from Georgia and wrote a recent book. Some think he might run for U.S. President.)

Trump fires election commission members in latest attempt to control voting process | PBS News

N.T. Wright and Francis Collins Sing Pro-Evolution Duet About Earth Being 14 Billion Years Old

July 13

North Dakota leaders remember Sen. Lindsey Graham following his death

‘Mr President, you’re not far behind God’: Lindsey Graham in his own words | Republicans | The Guardian

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, dies after sudden illness | Politics

Lindsey Graham's Impressive Legacy | National Review

The Week Ahead - Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance (Todd Blanche’s hearings)

Lindsey Graham On Ukraine and Trump - by Phillips P. OBrien

An Unchanged Mind vs a Synod in Motion? - Ad Crucem News

19 thoughts on Trump’s Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty report – The Way of Improvement Leads Home (for information purposes)

Democrats Can’t Kick the Trans Obsession - The American Conservative

An American life in public service | WORLD (tribute to Lindsey Graham)

Jewish nationalists are attacking Christians in Israel - The Washington Post

July 14

Southern Baptist Sen. Lindsey Graham dies suddenly at 71, remembered for loving nation, God | Baptist Press

Lindsey Graham's Choices - by Garry Kasparov

Christian MP Päivi Räsänen denied right to travel to UK | World

Is America a 250-year-old Sin? - Juicy Ecumenism

Dr. Phil’s Merit Street Media Moves To Chapter 7 As Fight With TBN Deepens

Judge Is A Big No On Trump's Slush Fund

China's War On Christianity: Why Xi Jinping Fears The Cross

National Press Club statement on the Justice Department’s decision to subpoena New York Times journalists | National Press Club

Hungary passes constitutional amendment to remove Orbán-era president | AP News

Trump Asked if Lindsey Graham Was Poisoned by Russia - Newsweek

Lindsey Graham Cheered Death. We Shouldn’t Do the Same - The American Conservative

Lindsey Graham’s pastor says he 'loved America' | Church & Ministries

July 15

Women Harmed by Chemical Abortions Urge Todd Blanche to Settle Mail-Order Abortion Case | National Review

Trump notifies Congress of new war against Iran - POLITICO (Tucker Carlson has asked if this is now becoming a “forever war.”)

Lindsey Graham spoke at South Carolina Baptist church days before his death

Tim Walz board pardons convicted child rapist over deportation concerns | Fox News

Deadline Detroit | Retired Michigan FBI Agent's Book Review: The Department of Revenge: How Trump Took Control of American Justice' (I’m currently reading this book and plan to write a review myself when finished.)

Daly: The Self Enricher-In-Chief - by John A. Daly

The God-Sized Story Behind Alliance Defending Freedom

Goaded by Trump, Europe prepares for a future with far less reliance on the U.S.

July 16

Authoritarians Love a Private Militia - by Garry Kasparov

Why Ezra Jin’s freedom marks renewal for China underground church

Democrats Fighting MAGA Era With Their Own Brand of Unseriousness | National Review

Christian Artist Languishes In Chinese Prison, Friends Demand Release

France Legalizes Euthanasia | National Review

Trump immediately fires the new court-appointed top prosecutor in Seattle

FCC Officials Took Gifts From Paramount While It Had Business Before Them — ProPublica

Why Trump Threat to Hit Bridges, Power Plants May Be Considered a War Crime - Newsweek

Trump promoted companies on Truth Social days after buying their stocks | CNN

Todd Blanche is Roy Cohn ... but worse - by Liz Dye

America Is Failing Its Own Free Speech Standards

JD Vance Cornered on Vile Slur Hurled at Michelle Obama (“Michelle Obama is a man.”)

Mr. Blanche Gets His Hearing

Ukrainian Churches in Crosshairs as Religious Sites Targeted - Juicy Ecumenism

New ACLU report says ICE uses force by default : NPR (for information purposes)

July 17

House GOP Leaders Completely Ignore Insane Debt Crisis In Major Funding Bill | The Daily Caller

Biden Drops a 2-Minute Trailer for His Upcoming Memoir (for information purposes)

More and more, Trump is talking about his mortality (“I don’t think there’s anything gonna get me in heaven,” Trump said last October. “I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound. I may be in heaven right now as we fly on Air Force One.”)

Marine Corps condemns remarks by House candidate about Trump | U.S.

The Right Needs To Stop Lionizing Leftist Dupe Teddy Roosevelt (by Glenn Beck – he’s right that Teddy Roosevelt promoted some progressive views and programs)

The Crisis Is Here (by Terry Moran, for information purposes)

Does Justice Barrett’s record deserve all the hate on the right?

Vice President JD Vance’s Economic Confusion about Milton Friedman - Juicy Ecumenism

Sacred Spaces, Permanent Places: LCMS Concordia University Ann Arbor's Chapel of the Holy Trinity Deconsecrated (for information purposes)

The Chinese House Church Leaders Who Didn't Win Release - Christianity Today

Drain the Swamp, Don’t Recycle the Water for Our Side

Trump Is Giving Iran the ‘Forever War’ It Wants - Newsweek

Trump repeats claims, cites election 'vulnerabilities' in speech : NPR

Trump Accidentally Proves That Putin Did Help Him Run for President

July 18

Markwayne Mullin promises to prosecute illegal voters | Politics

'Crisis friend' is a toxic friendship trend going viral. What is it?

A Putin critic is convicted on charges that stop him from campaigning for parliament | AP News

Trump $1 coin breaks norms, raises legal questions : NPR

Congressional Candidate Upham Arrested After Calling Trump the ‘Antichrist’ | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

Trump wants to impose tariffs on Canada in retaliation for wildfire smoke - The Washington Post

Trump Sure Doesn’t Act Like China Created an ‘Election Security Nightmare’ | National Review

Trump calls for revocation of ABC, NBC licenses over speech snub - POLITICO

Protest and Demonstration Preparedness Plan | Church Mutual

July 19

Democrats push Trump library to account for millions in lawsuit settlement funds

Mike Lindell, President Trump’s pick for governor, isn’t registered to vote in Minnesota

Canada’s Wildfires Are Still Blazing as Smoke Spreads to U.S. Here’s What to Know - WSJ

Democratic Taiwan must not become ‘China’s Taiwan’, president says

July 20

The Death of Holy Fear - by Jeff - The Dissenter

Thinking About Pastoral Formation - by Truth & Light Media

Ezra Jin vows not to rest until fellow church members are freed | World

Ben Sasse dismisses some Christian nationalism as impractical | Politics

Remarks at the Opening of the Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism - United States Department of State

Corporate Convictions Have Plunged Under Trump. So Where Are the Prosecutions of Executives?

The Pentagon avoids questions as the US war with Iran escalates | CNN Business

July 21

Trump Ignores Dead Troops to Party With Election Nut Mike Lindell at Bedminster

Debunking MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell's false election theories : NPR

Top media networks put on notice after refusing to air Trump's primetime address: 'Serious concerns' | Fox News (for information purposes)

FBI Director Kash Patel plans Russia trip - POLITICO

6 Lies Culture Wants You to Believe About Aging | Crossway

J. D. Vance’s New Book Is a Complete Waste of Time - The Atlantic

Trump to impose new tariffs on Canadian exports over auto, dairy and alcohol disputes - The Globe and Mail

Church Says Native American Rituals ‘Idol Worship,’ Won’t Leave Reservation - Newsweek

Donald Trump Goon Smears Acting Legend Richard Gere With Sick Sex Claim

Trump Goons Botch Own Case Against Reflecting Pool ‘Vandal’ (U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is prosecuting the case)

July 22

Pentagon disputes report alleging concealment of injuries in Iran conflict

US doesn’t have enough missiles to return to all-out war with Iran

The Election Slate That Does Not Miss - Ad Crucem News (the anonymous “United List” has dominated Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod elections for many years)

Jen Hatmaker Says She No Longer Believes In Literal Hell ‘it’s the best thing that ever happened to me’

God dropped as Olaf Scholz sworn in as chancellor of Germany

[2026-07-21] Wyden Statement on Trump’s New, Unprecedented Tariffs on Canadian Goods | The United States Senate Committee on Finance (for information purposes)

The Danger Of Reshaping Christianity To Fit Culture: A Letter To James Talarico

Trump Accused of Minimizing Iran War Deaths - Newsweek

Our Billboard's Guide to Basic Biology

The World Cup And a Tale of Two Americas

The Pentagon, sinking billions into Iran war, is quickly running short on cash - The Washington Post

Politico Reports F.B.I. Director Is Planning Russia Trip Weeks Before Midterm Elections

Fired federal prosecutor in Seattle sues Trump - POLITICO

Trump admin escalates attacks on journalists, probing family communications

Fox News star makes major announcement about his personal life (Fox News Radio’s Guy Benson, who has a civil marriage to a man, “welcomes baby girl,” the New York Post says in a headline – there are other political conservatives like Dave Rubin who are in same sex “marriages” – some, but not that many, push back against this)

Auron MacIntyre on X: "It’s really important that you understand how much Fox News hates conservatives It’s a vial hive of scum populated by homosexual baby peddlers and shrill spiteful girl bosses" / X (is Fox News socially conservative?)

O Canada - Robert Reich

July 23

Why Trump’s New Tariff Is Bigger Than Canada (The writer concludes, “And there’s something more broader, and more important: A deal is only a deal if today is a day the President feels like honoring it. Which means that it’s impossible for the United States to strike serious trade deals with anyone. For all of the President’s claims that he wants these agreements, no-one has done more to undermine that possibility.”)

The Wounded Americans Trump Doesn’t Want You To See

Worship leader Brian Doerksen dies from cancer | Entertainment

What Religious Left? | ARC: Religion, Politics, Et Cetera (for information purposes)

Fox News Host Guy Benson’s Surrogate Baby Sparks Debate On The Right | The Daily Caller

Hegseth says Iran war has cost $37.5 billion. Sources say the total price tag could be far more. - CBS News

Pastors torch Fox News for host's vulgar attack on Christian | Politics

Pro-life groups unhappy as Planned Parenthood again receiving federal dollars | Baptist Press

‘Queer is God’s design’? Allie Beth Stuckey calls pastor’s sermon on LGBTQ ‘blasphemy’ | Blaze Media

Catholics sisters start new religious order to help abuse victims : NPR

Far fewer babies, much worse outcomes | WORLD

Hitler's birthplace in Austria reopens as police station to deter Nazi pilgrimages | PBS News

July 24

Trump Hit With Demand for Answers Over Secret $13B Raked in From Venezuelan Oil Revenues

Trump considers attacking Mali, the 8th country in his sights so far

The Biblical Pattern of Terrible Fathers - 9Marks

Jimmy Lai Imprisonment: Trump Should Press China to Release Pro-Democracy Advocate | National Review

Democratic Socialists vs. Social Democrats

Trump reluctant to pressure China after claiming election interference | PBS News

July 25

With healthcare jobs hot, college men are choosing nursing : NPR

DOJ drops subpoenas of New York Times reporters under judge's pressure : NPR

The Trump-Hegseth Military - by Jay Nordlinger

Trump roasts press, political foes at rescheduled WHCA dinner | Politics (for information purposes)

Here are 5 things to know about Trump’s new tariffs : NPR

Cecilia Vega says CBS News pushed Trump talking points (for information purposes)

List of Times Trump Has Joked About Running in 2028 - Newsweek

Triggered Trump Launches Vile Attack on Kaitlan Collins

July 26

Michael MacKay on X: "Trump on the dictators Xi and Putin: "I trust them." Trump on Canadians: "They are among the worst in the world to deal with." Trump loves the enemies of the USA and hates its closest ally. He hates democracy, at home and abroad. That's not true to American values." / X

Finnish MP files appeal after conviction for quoting the Bible | World

Trump orders signs placed at the National Museum of American History – The Way of Improvement Leads Home

This needs to stop | WORLD

I’ve visited the Smithsonian hundreds of times. It inspires wonder, not division. - The Washington Post

Opinion | Trump’s Iran attack latest chapter in Congress’s loss of war power - The Washington Post

July 27

(21) Truth Details | Truth Social “President Xi, at our recent meeting in Beijing, China, told me that he would not, under any circumstances, give or sell Weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran — And that statement included Chinese Companies. Considering our relationship, I take him at his word and, besides, l am doing him very big favors, also. Likewise, President Putin, despite the horrible War going on in Ukraine (The relationship remains, as it does with President Zelenskyy), told me that he would not sell Weapons to Iran. He understands that I do not sell Weapons to Ukraine, but to NATO Countries. They pay full price, and how those Weapons are distributed, I have no idea. Therefore, two major Countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating. If they did, it would be very bad for them — Certainly not in their best interests. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP” July 24, 2026 – Trump takes Xi and Putin at their words.

Public media survives first year since Congress and Trump killed funding : NPR (for information purposes)

10 biblical warning signs a nation is under judgment

Obsessive Trump, 80, Escalates Feud With Kaitlan Collins (of all people the President of the United States should be feuding with)

‘Remember that?’ Trump again asks Americans to recall something that never happened | CNN Politics

How Russell Vought Became Trump’s Shadow President — ProPublica

Heritage Foundation exec arrested on drug possession charge after accidentally bringing pistol ammo into Senate office building | The Independent

US condemns brutal murder of prominent Nigerian pastor's family | World

Insane Number of Times Trump Posted in Six Hours Revealed

July 28

How Trump's Tariffs Undermine US Trustworthiness and Credibility—and What Can Be Done to Stop it

Anthony Fauci basks in media attention in unearthed diary entries | Politics

86 the "86 47" Prosecution of Jim Comey (for information purposes)