Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Three arrested in anti-ICE mob takeover of Minnesota church
Federal agents arrested and charged three activists on Thursday who were accused of leading a mob into a Minnesota church and disrupting a religious service, doing so in protest against immigration enforcement. Published January 22, 2026
Oddsmakers rate ‘Charlie’ as the most likely name for Vance family’s fourth child
The betting has begun on what Vice President J.D. Vance and second lady Usha Vance will name their fourth child, and the leading contender should come as no surprise. Published January 21, 2026
Democratic state Rep. Leigh Finke blasted for applauding anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church
Minnesota's first openly transgender legislator is facing blowback for applauding anti-ICE activists who stormed a church service in St. Paul, calling for more "essential" protests until federal immigration authorities have left the state. Published January 21, 2026
Minnesota AG Ellison defends anti-ICE church protest, says federal charges would be ‘stretching’ it
Those hoping Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will prosecute the protesters who caused chaos last weekend at a church service probably shouldn't hold their breath. Published January 20, 2026
Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro says Harris camp quizzed him on whether he had been Israeli double-agent
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said the Harris campaign asked whether he had ever served as a "double agent for Israel" during the vice-presidential vetting process, offering an inside look at the challenges facing Jewish Democrats amid the rise of the pro-Palestinian left. Published January 19, 2026
Justice Department investigates ‘shameful’ anti-ICE protest that upended Minnesota church service
The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into anti-ICE activists who stormed a Baptist church in St. Paul, Minnesota, unleashing chaos during a Sunday service to protest a pastor who allegedly works as a federal immigration agent. Published January 19, 2026
Vance to headline March for Life for second year in a row
Vice President J.D. Vance will be the featured speaker next week at the 2026 March for Life rally, marking his second consecutive in-person appearance at the annual pro-life gathering on the National Mall. Published January 16, 2026
Gavin Newsom backtracks on anti-ICE ‘terrorism’ blast, opposes abolishing it in Shapiro interview
At this rate, California Gov. Gavin Newsom may wind up running for president as a moderate Republican. Published January 16, 2026
Support for sharing religious belief in public rises in latest Becket index
Americans are more supportive than ever of expressing religious beliefs in the public square, driven by enthusiasm from the pro-faith younger generation, according to the Becket Fund's 2025 Religious Freedom Index. Published January 16, 2026
Trump administration opens transgender athlete probe into California junior colleges’ association
The Trump administration opened an investigation Thursday into the California Community College Athletic Association, responding to a complaint filed by female players about a transgender athlete playing women's volleyball at a member college. Published January 15, 2026
‘Can men get pregnant?’: Sen. Josh Hawley grills doctor in hearing on abortion pill
After years of flummoxing Democrats by asking them to define woman, Republicans have unveiled another brain-teaser: "Can men get pregnant?" Published January 15, 2026
Fox News Channel cheers another record ratings year, even as younger viewers turn off TVs
The Fox News Channel celebrated double-digit audience gains last year as the network continued to dominate the competition, powering through despite the continued slippage of younger viewers bedeviling the TV industry. Published January 15, 2026
Trump administration opens 18 investigations into transgender-athlete policies
The Trump administration launched Title IX probes Wednesday into complaints about transgender-athlete policies at 18 school districts. Published January 14, 2026
More drama at Heritage Foundation as one scholar returns, another joins Pence defectors
One of the two legal experts who left the Heritage Foundation shortly before Christmas has joined his fellow defectors at former Vice President Mike Pence's policy shop -- and the other has returned to Heritage. Published January 14, 2026
Dueling rallies on transgender-athlete laws draw hundreds to Supreme Court
The Supreme Court hearing on the transgender-athlete issue drew hundreds of high-spirited activists as well as lawmakers to competing rallies Tuesday on the courthouse steps. Published January 13, 2026
ACLU unveils ad campaign starring Rapinoe, Page, Watts in support of trans athletes
A bevy of left-wing celebrities have launched an ad campaign in support of transgender athletes as the Supreme Court considers state laws in Idaho and West Virginia barring biological males from female sports. Published January 12, 2026
‘We know we’re right’: Defenders of female athletes optimistic ahead of Supreme Court hearing
Advocates for single-sex sports like their chances ahead of oral argument Tuesday on the Idaho and West Virginia bans on transgender athletes in female scholastic sports, given the high court's 6-3 conservative majority and the strength of their legal arguments. Published January 12, 2026
Basketball-playing legislator Barbara Ehardt sees her women’s sports law go before Supreme Court
Barbara Ehardt will be watching on Tuesday when the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on state laws that bar transgender athletes from competing in female sports. Published January 11, 2026
Nevada Gov. Lombardo leads ballot initiative to keep biological males out of girls’ sports
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo is heading a petition drive to bar biological males from girls' scholastic sports, seeking to put the issue directly before the voters after being thwarted by the Democrat-led state legislature. Published January 8, 2026
Gavin Newsom casting California as ‘beacon’ against Trumpism in previews of his 2028 campaign
Gov. Gavin Newsom, in his final State of the State address, said California has served as a bulwark against President Trump and the "purposeful chaos" emanating from Washington, casting his state as a "beacon" in a time of political unrest. Published January 8, 2026
