NEWS

Authored by Jeffrey Tucker via The Brownstone Institute,

President Trump on March 20, 2025, ordered the following: “The Secretary of Education shall, to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.”

That is interesting language: to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” is not the same as closing it. And what is “permitted by law” is precisely what is in (more…)

In the quiet hours of the night, a sudden knock at the door can provoke fear and confusion. But according to Massad Ayoob, a renowned firearms expert and self-defense instructor, the way we respond in such moments can be the difference between life and death.

"Why on earth would you open that door to begin with?" Mr. Ayoob asked during a discussion on home defense strategies on the Wilson Combat YouTube channel. His advice was direct: avoid opening the door entirely unless absolutely necessary. Modern technology – like affordable doorbell cameras and intercom systems – can effectively mitigate risks by allowing occupants to see and communicate with visitors without exposing themselves.

According to Mr. Ayoob, who has decades of experience as a firearms instructor and expert witness in self-defense trials, the most common late-night visitor is not an intruder but rather a local police officer. Police typically deliver urgent news or safety warnings at odd hours—information regarding stolen vehicles, dangerous criminals nearby, or tragic news about loved ones.

"They're there at 3 a.m. to tell you that at 2 a.m. they recovered your stolen car that you didn't realize was missing," Mr. Ayoob explained. Officers might also be delivering "an untimely death notification" or warning of "a burglar or a very dangerous felon in your area."

Ayoob strongly advises against opening the door visibly armed. "When you open that door with a gun in your hand, shotgun, carbine, or pistol, what do you suppose it's going to look like to the officer?" He stresses that such scenarios often result in tragic misunderstandings, noting that "every single one of those cases I'm aware of, the courts have found for the officer."

His advice on safely answering unexpected late-night visitors emphasizes preparation, clear communication, and cautiousness. If the situation demands opening the door, Mr. Ayoob recommends discreetly carrying a handgun concealed—not visible—to avoid misunderstandings. He cautions against openly brandishing weapons such as shotguns or rifles, as these can trigger a defensive response from law enforcement.

"Be prepared," he urged. "Have your cell phone right there with you," and if you think it's not actually a police officer – immediately dial 911 to confirm whether an officer has in fact been (more…)

Authored by Andrew Lowenthal via The Brownstone Institute,

Over the past three weeks, anyone interested in free speech (or not) has been on the receiving end of a non-consensual firehouse of flood-the-zone information warfare. Every man and his DOGE has chimed in, capturing via screenshot a score of Osama bin Laden of censorship hideouts – “It’s USAID!” “It’s NED!” “It’s NIH”!

USAID in particular has been made responsible for everything, from funding (more…)