Daily Signal News

Hillsdale College will be one of the only colleges, if not the only college, this year planning to hold an in-person commencement ceremony for its graduates. Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale College and a trustee of The Heritage Foundation, joins The Daily Signal podcast today to discuss why the college has chosen to take this stand. He also talks about why Hillsdale College plans to be welcoming students back in the fall, Generation Z, and more. Listen to the podcast, or read the lightly edited transcript below. We also cover these stories: The Justice Department is investigating “unmasking” that occurred before and after the 2016 election. Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, says social media platforms should not be arbiters of truth.  President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday about 100,000 people who have died in the United States due to the coronavirus.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, Catholic bishops in Minnesota and Lutherans in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod united to go against Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota’s stringent order that only allowed 10 people at church services. Diana Verm, senior counsel with Becket Law, joins The Daily Signal Podcast to discuss the stand they took that brought Walz back to the negotiating table, and her law firm’s work on behalf of faith leaders in the state. Listen to the podcast, or read the lightly edited transcript below. We also cover these stories: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweets "Hong Kong is no longer autonomous from China, given facts on the ground." President Trump made threats to regulate or even close down social media platforms after Twitter added a fact check label to two of the president’s tweets.  Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., says President Donald Trump should stop tweeting about Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” implying that Scarborough may have murdered an aide who worked in his office. Hosted on Acast. S

China is proposing a "national security" law that is sparking protests across Hong Kong. Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at The Heritage Foundation, joins the podcast to discuss what is at stake with this proposed law, how it would effectively nullify the “one country, two systems” model between Hong Kong and China if enacted, how it would hamper Hong Kong's presence as a global financial center, and more. We also cover these stories: President Donald Trump is not pleased with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s push for widespread mail-in voting.  Minneapolis asks the FBI investigate a police arrest that resulted in the death of a black man. Video shows a white police officer kneeling on the neck of the man, who says, “I can’t breathe.”  A widower wants Twitter to remove Trump’s tweets suggesting that his late wife was a murder victim. The Daily Signal Podcast is available on Ricochet, Apple Podcasts, Pippa, Google Play, or Stitcher. All of our podcasts can be found at DailySignal.com/podcasts. If you like w

The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, was supposed to cut premiums, reduce the uninsured population, and provide the option to keep your plan and your doctor, but it has fallen short in all these areas.  “We have 30 million Americans today that will tell you that they cannot afford their health insurance,” says Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers on today’s podcast. McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., joins the show to share how lawmakers are seeking to improve our health care system, bring medical costs down, and remedy the issues created by Obamacare.  Also on today’s show, we remember those who have given their lives to defend our freedom with President Ronald Reagan’s 1986 Memorial Day speech delivered from Arlington National Cemetery. Plus, we read your letters to the editor and share a good news story about how one California church is meeting both physical and spiritual needs during COVID-19.   Enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho

On Thursday, President Donald Trump met with national and Detroit-area African American leaders in Michigan to discuss how distressed communities can recover from COVID-19.  Ja’Ron Smith, deputy assistant to Trump and deputy director of the Office of American Innovation, traveled with Trump to his Michigan meeting and explained what steps the commander-in-chief is taking to revitalize underserved communities' economies. Smith also explains how Trump is ensuring minority communities have access to the medical help they need during COVID-19. We also cover these stories: Trump is withdrawing the U.S. from the Open Skies Treaty. Senate Democrats are denouncing the term “Chinese virus.” Actress Lori Loughlin, one of the most prominent parents involved in the college admissions scandal, will plead guilty. The Daily Signal Podcast is available on Ricochet, Apple Podcasts, Pippa, Google Play, or Stitcher. All of our podcasts can be found at DailySignal.com/podcasts. If you like what you hear, please leave a revie

Would you believe that over half of the counties in the U.S. have had no COVID-19 deaths? This, as it turns out, happens to be true. Drew Gonshorowski, a research fellow in the Center for Data Analysis at The Heritage Foundation, and Kevin Dayaratna, a research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, join The Daily Signal Podcast to talk about the data behind the coronavirus pandemic. We also cover these stories: President Trump said he might keep funding from Michigan and Nevada over mail-in voting.  Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he made the recommendation to Trump to fire Inspector General Steve Linick.  Senate Republicans have issued a subpoena to a company affiliated with the Ukrainian company Burisma Holdings, which Hunter Biden, the son of former vice president Joe Biden, sat on the board of.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats passed proxy voting in their fourth coronavirus recovery bill on Friday. "Instead of 435 [people] representing districts across the nation... 20 people control all of Congress," says House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, referring to the effect of the Democrats' proxy voting push. "Each member can call up to 10 proxies," McCarthy tells The Daily Signal Podcast. "So if the Democrats have 20 people, all holding 10 proxies, they can pass any bill." He adds, "This is about bringing back the voice of the American public. ... Now that voice isn’t even being heard because just 20 people decide what passes and doesn’t." We also cover these stories: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicates his support for Sen. Lindsey Graham's call to subpoena Obama administration officials to learn what they knew and didn't know about surveillance of the Trump campaign. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls President Trump "morbidly obese" in response to the news that he is taking hydroxychloroquine. "I know the presi

Franciscan University of Steubenville recently announced a new way it will help students: covering tuition costs for the fall 2020 semester for all incoming full-time undergraduate students enrolled in its on-campus programs. Father Dave Pivonka, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville, joins the podcast to talk about how and why Franciscan University chose to do this during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus he discusses what he thinks of Generation Z, and how to keep hope in these times. We also cover these stories: Attorney General William Bar said he does not anticipate a criminal investigation into President Barack Obama or Vice President Joe Biden in regards to a Justice Department probe, but says the investigation is looking at others.  Barr also said there are “significant ties” between al-Qaeda and the shooter, Mohammed Alshamrani, who last December killed three U.S. sailors and injured eight others at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio has concerns abo

COVID-19 is a great equalizer in many ways. Almost everyone is susceptible to the new coronavirus, no matter race or socioeconomic status. But some, including African Americans, the elderly, and the recently incarcerated, are more at risk. Clovia Lawrence, co-founder of Project Give Back to Community, a non-profit based in Richmond, Virginia, joins The Daily Signal podcast to explain how she is stepping up to serve African Americans affected by the pandemic. Lawrence, or “Miss Community” as some call her, says it’s critical to “go back and give to the community that has so freely given to us.”  Also on today’s show, we share your letters to the editor and a good news story about Fainting Goat Spirits, a family owned and operated distillery that has shifted their operation from whisky and vodka to hand sanitizer during COVID-19.  And be sure to check out all The Heritage Foundation webinars here: https://www.heritage.org/events. Enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Lear

Facebook recently announced the first 20 members of its new Oversight Board. The role of the board is to guide Facebook through decisions on what controversial content should be allowed to stay up or be deleted.   Michael McConnell, professor and director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School and a co-chair of Facebook’s Oversight Board, joins the podcast to discuss what the institution of the board may mean for conservatives and how he plans to work alongside the liberal members of the group.    We also discuss these stories:    President Trump is critical of Obama administration officials who unmasked his former national security advisor, Michael Flynn. Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina is stepping down from his chairmanship of the Senate Intelligence Committee due to his stock sales being investigated.  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell criticizes Democrats’ $3 trillion coronavirus package.  Enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn m

The Supreme Court is hearing some major cases this term that could have longstanding implications. The cases span a variety of issues: President Donald Trump’s financial records, the Electoral College, and religious liberty. and more. Tom Jipping, deputy director of the Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies and senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation, joins the podcast to break these cases down. We also cover these stories: The Trump administration is calling out the Chinese for trying to “illicitly obtain” research related to COVID-19.  Paul Manafort, a former campaign chairman for Trump, was released Wednesday from prison.  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich., says the the protests in her state are “racist and misogynistic.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Postal Service is feeling the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. It recently asked for $75 billion in taxpayer funding. President Donald Trump said that any bailout must be conditioned on reform. Romina Boccia, a fiscal and economic expert at The Heritage Foundation who focuses on government spending and the national debt, joins The Daily Signal Podcast to discuss why a bailout of the USPS isn't the way to go, what reforms the USPS should adopt, House Democrats' request for $25 billion for the USPS in their fourth coronavirus package, and more.\ We also cover these stories: House Democrats release details about their $3 trillion Coronavirus relief package, the fourth major spending proposal amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Anthony Fauci is warning of the potential dangerous consequences of reopening America too soon.  Trump tweets his support for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who opened his factory again this week against local lockdown orders.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo

Medical practices have been forced to quickly adjust the way they care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In just one week, Dede Chism, the co-founder of Bella Health and Wellness in Englewood, Colorado, successfully shifted her practice to see half of patients using telemedicine in an effort to keep patients and doctors safe during COVID-19.  Chism joins the podcast to explain how telemedicine works, whether or not it is here to stay, and the benefits of antibody testing. Also on today's show: President Trump speaks out in support of Pennsylvania reopening.  The Department of Justice is examining if hate crime charges should be filed in the shooting of Amhaud Arbery.  China threatens to retaliate as the Department of Homeland Security tightens guidelines for Chinese journalists. Enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Only about 20% to 30% of America’s churchgoers practice their constitutional right to vote, according Sean Feucht, the founder of Hold the Line.  The mission of Hold the Line is to engage and educate both the church and young people on policy issues, encouraging them to vote their values and become politically active in their communities. Feucht joins The Daily Signal Podcast to explain how a missionary and worship leader came to launch a political organization, and why it’s important for people of faith to be engaged citizens. Also on today’s show, FarmLink, a grassroots organization founded by college students, has created a link between farmers with surplus goods and crops and food banks in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.  And be sure to check out all the recommendations from The Heritage Foundation's National Coronavirus Recovery Commission! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American workers are more than ready to get back to work, according to Rep. Trey Hollingsworth. The Indiana Republican joins The Daily Signal Podcast to talk about how his state is handling the impact of the coronavirus, state bailouts, sheltering in place, what the economic effects of the coronavirus shutdown will be, and much more. We also cover these stories: The Texas Supreme Court ordered the release of a Dallas hair salon owner who was put in jail for contempt of court after refusing to keep her business closed due to the coronavirus.  Over the past seven weeks, 33.5 million Americans have filed for unemployment. That is roughly 10% of our nation's population.  New video footage has emerged of the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, an African American who was shot twice by Travis McMichael.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contact tracing is seen as one way to fight COVID-19. But does the tracing, which would mean tracking who a person had been physically near in recent days, involve giving up too much privacy? Klon Kitchen, a senior research fellow in technology at The Heritage Foundation, joins The Daily Signal Podcast to how contact tracing how works, and whether it be used to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the United States. He also discusses who would have access to the resulting information, privacy concerns, and more. We also cover these stories: The Little Sisters of the Poor were back at the Supreme Court. Vice President Mike Pence is pleased with the Justice Department's decision to side with a Virginia church in a lawsuit against Gov. Ralph Northam.  The Michigan legislature has sued Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in an effort to put a stop to her coronavirus emergency orders.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The coronavirus crisis has taken a particular toll on the homeless community. Christopher Rufo, a documentary filmmaker and director of Discovery Institute's Center on Wealth and Poverty, joins the podcast to talk about how West Coast progressives have failed the homeless. He also discusses which, if any, areas in the country are handling the homeless crisis during coronavirus pandemic well, and what might happen if there is no change in policies on the west coast for the homeless. We also cover these stories: President Donald Trump sounds a warning note about state bailouts. Trump says an internal document from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says coronavirus deaths are projected to reach 3,000 daily by June 1 didn't take mitigation efforts into account. Rep. John Ratcliffe, Trump’s pick to be the next director of national intelligence, said in his Senate hearing Tuesday that he will be independent in his work if confirmed.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest thinks his state is ready to reopen. "I believe right now many of our counties could start to open back up and you could start to do that in a safe and healthy way," Forest, a Republican, says. The lieutenant governor joins The Daily Signal Podcast to propose how America can begin to reopen at a local level to protect both lives and livelihoods. Plus, he discusses what he experienced traveling through North Carolina the past several weeks, and how he's been helping those struggling. Listen to the podcast below or read the lightly edited transcript. We also cover these stories: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts coronavirus-related deaths will reach 3,000 per day by June 1. House GOP members are investigating China's influence on U.S. university research of COVID-19. The Supreme Court broadcasts teleconference arguments, allowing the public to listen in real time for the first time ever. The Daily Signal podcast is available on Ricochet, Apple P

The $2.2 trillion CARES Act stimulus package and historic unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic is placing a strain on our economy and has greatly increased the national debt. Rachel Greszler, research fellow in economics, budget, and entitlements at The Heritage Foundation, joins the podcast to explain the effects of record high unemployment on the economy and how Americans can successfully get back to work after COVID-19. Greszler also shares the intended purpose of the Paycheck Protection Program and what Congress can do to resolve the program's shortcomings. Check out The Heritage Foundation's Blue Print for Balance to find out how balancing the federal budget is possible. Also on today's show, we talk with Neal Harmon, co-founder of the family-friendly streaming service VidAngel, about the platform’s original series “The Chosen.” Enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As lawmakers debate over a bailout for the states, Jonathan Williams, the chief economist and executive vice president of policy at the American Legislative Exchange Council, has a warning for states. "Strings that come with these federal dollars oftentimes outlive the federal dollars, as we've found out with the last time we had a bail out of the states during the Obama era," Williams says. "And I think it's just a dangerous precedent to set that the states would look to the federal government to be their solution for problems that they are well-equipped to handle themselves." He joins The Daily Signal Podcast today to talk about why should states say no to a federal bailout, if federal bailouts affect states' rights and sovereignty, if federal bailouts potentially affect tax rates, and much more. We also cover these stories: United States intelligence are maintaining that the coronavirus was "not man-made or genetically modified, however U.S. intelligence also announced that they will be investigating whet