By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sofia-resnick/">Sofia Resnick</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

If the budget reconciliation package before the U.S. Senate becomes law in the coming weeks, reproductive health advocates say the provision that would cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood clinics could serve as a backdoor nationwide abortion ban, eliminating access to 1 in 4 abortion providers.

The Republican-led bill, which already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">passed the House</a>&nbsp;by a slim margin, is more than 1,000 pages and includes sweeping tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy coupled with steep spending cuts to social services, including Medicaid.

On page 339 of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text" target="_blank">the bill</a>, Republicans included a provision prohibiting Medicaid funding from going to any sexual and reproductive health clinics that provide abortions and received more than $1 million in federal and state Medicaid funding in fiscal year 2024. While there may be a few independent clinics with operating budgets that high, it effectively singles out Planned Parenthood clinics.

Planned Parenthood clinics rely heavily on Medicaid funding, not to provide abortions, which is not permitted by federal law (except in cases of rape, incest or life-threatening health emergencies), but to provide standard reproductive health care at little to no cost, including treatment for sexually transmitted infections and cancer screenings, as well as contraception. Planned Parenthood provides services for about 2 million patients every year, and 64% of its clinics are in rural areas or places with health care provider shortages.

A Planned Parenthood spokesperson said people who use Medicaid make up half of the total patient volume nationwide for essential health care services provided by their clinics. Even though those patients aren’t seeking abortion care, funding cuts would affect the financial sustainability of those clinics, the spokesperson said.

The organization already identified that 200 of its clinics in 24 states are at risk of closure with the cuts but told States Newsroom on Thursday that further analysis revealed nearly all of those clinics — 90% — are in states where abortion is legal, and in 12 states, approximately 75% of abortion-providing Planned Parenthood health centers could close. The entire organization has about 600 clinics in 48 states.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” would result in nearly 11 million people losing access to health insurance by 2034,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-backed-giant-tax-and-spending-bill-bloats-deficit-24t-nonpartisan-cbo-says" target="_blank">according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office</a>, and add $2.4 trillion to the federal deficit over the next 10 years.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, told States Newsroom she and other advocates have been meeting with senators to lobby against the bill’s passage, emphasizing that it will have an outsized negative effect on rural clinics and hospitals.

“We are encouraging everyone to reach out to their representatives about this,” McGill Johnson said. “They know that they’re doing this under a watchful eye, and we want to make sure their constituents know about it.”

The defunding effort would be a win for several prominent anti-abortion organizations that have long lobbied for this change and nearly achieved it in 2017 with a similar budget bill. Americans United for Life sent a fundraising email to its supporters Thursday saying this is a “crossroads” for abortion in America.&nbsp;

“So far in 2025 more than a dozen Planned Parenthood clinics have closed, their taxpayer funding is hanging by a thread, and the highest-ranking federal health officials are undertaking a ‘top-to-bottom review’ on the abortion pill,” the email attributed to CEO John Mize said. “It’s possible that very soon, mail-order abortion could be walked back, and more Planned Parenthood locations could be closing their doors for good.”

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, another anti-abortion organization that helped draft the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 blueprint for the next Republican president, told States Newsroom in an emailed statement that the budget provision should be no surprise, and there are better uses for the funding, like community health centers.

“Republicans have identified budgetary concerns with funding Big Abortion since 2015, and the bill language to do so has remained substantially the same,” said SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser.

Closures would affect already fragile health care system, Midwest doctor says

Planned Parenthood has already closed some clinics around the country, including eight clinics across Iowa and Minnesota at the end of May. Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, which includes Iowa and Minnesota, said the U.S. Health and Human Services’ decision to freeze Title X family planning funding to many reproductive health clinics at the<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-targets-planned-parenthoods-family-planning-grants" target="_blank">&nbsp;beginning of May</a>&nbsp;contributed to the decision to close those clinics. The North Central States affiliates serve more than 93,000 patients each year, about 20,000 of which use telehealth services.

About 30% of those patients use Medicaid to access care, she said.

“When Planned Parenthood isn’t able to provide services to patients as an essential safety net provider, it has ripple effects across the health care system at large,” Traxler said. “We are already sitting in a time in our country, and have for several decades, where we have patients who can’t access care.”

Clare Coleman, president and CEO of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, told States Newsroom that 865 Title X clinics in 23 states are impacted by the federal freeze. She said there are no Title X services in eight states: California, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee and Utah. She said the funding freeze affects one-quarter of all Title X funding grantees, translating to about 842,000 patients who have lost access to care.

“In the two months since HHS withheld federal funding for nearly two dozen Title X family planning grants, affected grantees have been struggling with the unknown of whether they will ever receive the vital funds,” Coleman said in an email. “Some have had to close clinics, lay off staff, and reduce essential contraceptive and sexual health care services. … On top of the Title X funding freeze, proposed Medicaid cuts will be devastating for Title X grantees. Rates of unintended pregnancies and STIs will increase, cancer screenings and diagnoses will be delayed, and decades of public health progress will be reversed.”

After the Iowa Legislature axed Planned Parenthood from its family planning program, Traxler said, the rates of sexually transmitted infections increased considerably across the state — an outcome verified by a&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2797344" target="_blank">2022 medical study</a>. She expects similar effects from these cuts.

People already travel long distances for abortion care, she said, and that will only get worse if more cuts come to pass. But she also expects to see patients start traveling long distances for routine gynecological care.

‘Changes to Medicaid … only adds to the chaos’

Like many independent abortion clinics, the all-trimester Maryland abortion clinic Partners in Abortion Care does not receive Title X funding. But because Maryland is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/the-hyde-amendment-and-coverage-for-abortion-services-under-medicaid-in-the-post-roe-era/#:~:text=Because%20Medicaid%20is%20jointly%20funded,abortion%20services%20for%20Medicaid%20enrollees." target="_blank">17 states</a>&nbsp;whose Medicaid program covers abortions, they do see a lot of patients who are on Medicaid, at a significant cost to the clinic. Certified nurse-midwife and Partners co-founder Morgan Nuzzo said the clinic did not receive more than $1 million in federal or state Medicaid dollars in fiscal year 2024, and in fact loses about $1 million annually for seeing Medicaid patients.

Nuzzo said Maryland’s Medicaid program reimburses first-trimester abortions at a “decent rate,” but at a very low rate for later abortion cases, which are more medically complex.

“After about 15 to 16 weeks [gestation], we’re losing money on these cases,” Nuzzo said. “We’ve been billing now for almost a year through the state. In second and third-trimester abortion care, we’re losing about 85% of what we would charge for a cash pay fee. So that comes out to about $250,000 a quarter that we are losing just by the under-reimbursement from Maryland Medicaid.”

For that reason, Nuzzo is hopeful about Maryland’s new $25 million&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bill-creating-abortion-grant-fund-under-and-uninsured-gains-momentum-house-senate" target="_blank">Public Health Abortion Grant Program</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0930" target="_blank">recently approved</a>&nbsp;by Gov. Wes Moore. The program will be open to clinics like Partners and abortion funds like the Baltimore Abortion Fund, but Nuzzo said it could be a while before that funding is available. Right now she is uncertain and concerned about how the federal reconciliation bill could potentially impact Maryland’s Medicaid program.&nbsp;

Because Partners provides abortions for all trimesters, they see patients from all over the country, and even the world, and the vast majority need financial assistance, Nuzzo said.

“People are traveling further for their procedures, just like they were before,” she said. “The landscape is constantly changing, almost week to week, about where you can access abortion, which is confusing and chaotic to patients. Changes to Medicaid and insurance coverage of abortion only adds to the chaos.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665657445227.png" alt="&nbsp;Planned Parenthood has identified 200 of its clinics in 24 states that are at risk of closure through federal cuts under the budget reconciliation package before the U.S. Senate. -Google image" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Planned Parenthood has identified 200 of its clinics in 24 states that are at risk of closure through federal cuts under the budget reconciliation package before the U.S. Senate. -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sofia-resnick/">Sofia Resnick</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>If the budget reconciliation package before the U.S. Senate becomes law in the coming weeks, reproductive health advocates say the provision that would cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood clinics could serve as a backdoor nationwide abortion ban, eliminating access to 1 in 4 abortion providers.The Republican-led bill, which already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">passed the House</a>&nbsp;by a slim margin, is more than 1,000 pages and includes sweeping tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy coupled with steep spending cuts to social services, including Medicaid.On page 339 of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text" target="_blank">the bill</a>, Republicans included a provision prohibiting Medicaid funding from going to any sexual and reproductive health clinics that provide abortions and received more than $1 million in federal and state Medicaid funding in fiscal year 2024. While there may be a few independent clinics with operating budgets that high, it effectively singles out Planned Parenthood clinics.Planned Parenthood clinics rely heavily on Medicaid funding, not to provide abortions, which is not permitted by federal law (except in cases of rape, incest or life-threatening health emergencies), but to provide standard reproductive health care at little to no cost, including treatment for sexually transmitted infections and cancer screenings, as well as contraception. Planned Parenthood provides services for about 2 million patients every year, and 64% of its clinics are in rural areas or places with health care provider shortages.A Planned Parenthood spokesperson said people who use Medicaid make up half of the total patient volume nationwide for essential health care services provided by their clinics. Even though those patients aren’t seeking abortion care, funding cuts would affect the financial sustainability of those clinics, the spokesperson said.The organization already identified that 200 of its clinics in 24 states are at risk of closure with the cuts but told States Newsroom on Thursday that further analysis revealed nearly all of those clinics — 90% — are in states where abortion is legal, and in 12 states, approximately 75% of abortion-providing Planned Parenthood health centers could close. The entire organization has about 600 clinics in 48 states.The “One Big Beautiful Bill” would result in nearly 11 million people losing access to health insurance by 2034,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-backed-giant-tax-and-spending-bill-bloats-deficit-24t-nonpartisan-cbo-says" target="_blank">according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office</a>, and add $2.4 trillion to the federal deficit over the next 10 years.Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, told States Newsroom she and other advocates have been meeting with senators to lobby against the bill’s passage, emphasizing that it will have an outsized negative effect on rural clinics and hospitals.“We are encouraging everyone to reach out to their representatives about this,” McGill Johnson said. “They know that they’re doing this under a watchful eye, and we want to make sure their constituents know about it.”The defunding effort would be a win for several prominent anti-abortion organizations that have long lobbied for this change and nearly achieved it in 2017 with a similar budget bill. Americans United for Life sent a fundraising email to its supporters Thursday saying this is a “crossroads” for abortion in America.&nbsp;“So far in 2025 more than a dozen Planned Parenthood clinics have closed, their taxpayer funding is hanging by a thread, and the highest-ranking federal health officials are undertaking a ‘top-to-bottom review’ on the abortion pill,” the email attributed to CEO John Mize said. “It’s possible that very soon, mail-order abortion could be walked back, and more Planned Parenthood locations could be closing their doors for good.”Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, another anti-abortion organization that helped draft the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 blueprint for the next Republican president, told States Newsroom in an emailed statement that the budget provision should be no surprise, and there are better uses for the funding, like community health centers.“Republicans have identified budgetary concerns with funding Big Abortion since 2015, and the bill language to do so has remained substantially the same,” said SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser.<h2>Closures would affect already fragile health care system, Midwest doctor says</h2>Planned Parenthood has already closed some clinics around the country, including eight clinics across Iowa and Minnesota at the end of May. Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, which includes Iowa and Minnesota, said the U.S. Health and Human Services’ decision to freeze Title X family planning funding to many reproductive health clinics at the<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-targets-planned-parenthoods-family-planning-grants" target="_blank">&nbsp;beginning of May</a>&nbsp;contributed to the decision to close those clinics. The North Central States affiliates serve more than 93,000 patients each year, about 20,000 of which use telehealth services.About 30% of those patients use Medicaid to access care, she said.“When Planned Parenthood isn’t able to provide services to patients as an essential safety net provider, it has ripple effects across the health care system at large,” Traxler said. “We are already sitting in a time in our country, and have for several decades, where we have patients who can’t access care.”Clare Coleman, president and CEO of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, told States Newsroom that 865 Title X clinics in 23 states are impacted by the federal freeze. She said there are no Title X services in eight states: California, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee and Utah. She said the funding freeze affects one-quarter of all Title X funding grantees, translating to about 842,000 patients who have lost access to care.“In the two months since HHS withheld federal funding for nearly two dozen Title X family planning grants, affected grantees have been struggling with the unknown of whether they will ever receive the vital funds,” Coleman said in an email. “Some have had to close clinics, lay off staff, and reduce essential contraceptive and sexual health care services. … On top of the Title X funding freeze, proposed Medicaid cuts will be devastating for Title X grantees. Rates of unintended pregnancies and STIs will increase, cancer screenings and diagnoses will be delayed, and decades of public health progress will be reversed.”After the Iowa Legislature axed Planned Parenthood from its family planning program, Traxler said, the rates of sexually transmitted infections increased considerably across the state — an outcome verified by a&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2797344" target="_blank">2022 medical study</a>. She expects similar effects from these cuts.People already travel long distances for abortion care, she said, and that will only get worse if more cuts come to pass. But she also expects to see patients start traveling long distances for routine gynecological care.<h2>‘Changes to Medicaid … only adds to the chaos’</h2>Like many independent abortion clinics, the all-trimester Maryland abortion clinic Partners in Abortion Care does not receive Title X funding. But because Maryland is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/the-hyde-amendment-and-coverage-for-abortion-services-under-medicaid-in-the-post-roe-era/#:~:text=Because%20Medicaid%20is%20jointly%20funded,abortion%20services%20for%20Medicaid%20enrollees." target="_blank">17 states</a>&nbsp;whose Medicaid program covers abortions, they do see a lot of patients who are on Medicaid, at a significant cost to the clinic. Certified nurse-midwife and Partners co-founder Morgan Nuzzo said the clinic did not receive more than $1 million in federal or state Medicaid dollars in fiscal year 2024, and in fact loses about $1 million annually for seeing Medicaid patients.Nuzzo said Maryland’s Medicaid program reimburses first-trimester abortions at a “decent rate,” but at a very low rate for later abortion cases, which are more medically complex.“After about 15 to 16 weeks [gestation], we’re losing money on these cases,” Nuzzo said. “We’ve been billing now for almost a year through the state. In second and third-trimester abortion care, we’re losing about 85% of what we would charge for a cash pay fee. So that comes out to about $250,000 a quarter that we are losing just by the under-reimbursement from Maryland Medicaid.”For that reason, Nuzzo is hopeful about Maryland’s new $25 million&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bill-creating-abortion-grant-fund-under-and-uninsured-gains-momentum-house-senate" target="_blank">Public Health Abortion Grant Program</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0930" target="_blank">recently approved</a>&nbsp;by Gov. Wes Moore. The program will be open to clinics like Partners and abortion funds like the Baltimore Abortion Fund, but Nuzzo said it could be a while before that funding is available. Right now she is uncertain and concerned about how the federal reconciliation bill could potentially impact Maryland’s Medicaid program.&nbsp;Because Partners provides abortions for all trimesters, they see patients from all over the country, and even the world, and the vast majority need financial assistance, Nuzzo said.“People are traveling further for their procedures, just like they were before,” she said. “The landscape is constantly changing, almost week to week, about where you can access abortion, which is confusing and chaotic to patients. Changes to Medicaid and insurance coverage of abortion only adds to the chaos.”

Planned Parenthood at risk of closing hundreds of clinics across the country

Missourians gathered at protests from Columbia to St. Louis, Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, Springfield to St. Joseph, and around the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/abigaildidonna/">Abigail Didonna</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/willfirra/">Will Firra</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/zoenaylor/">Zoe Naylor</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/peterpynadath/">Peter Pynadath</a>

Thousands turned out in Columbia, Jefferson City and dozens of towns across Missouri on Saturday to join a nationwide mobilization against the expansion of executive power by the president.

The “No Kings” demonstrations took place in all 50 states, with at least 30 rallies in Missouri, from Columbia to St. Louis, Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, Springfield to St. Joseph, and around the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.

The widespread national movement came after more than a week of demonstrations against federal immigration raids, largely in Los Angeles where President Donald Trump activated the National Guard and U.S. Marines over the authority of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Saturday’s protests were timed to match a military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.

In St. Louis, news outlets reported that thousands participated in at least a dozen rallies in the city and the county, while thousands more marched in Kansas City, 2,000 lined the streets in Springfield and several hundred turned out in Joplin.

In addition to the rallies in U.S. cities, including in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles, there were gatherings in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.

Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Thursday that he was activating the Missouri National Guard ahead of the planned rallies but indicated they would be mobilized only if “assistance is needed to support local law enforcement.”

But organizers nationwide vowed to keep the protests peaceful, and very little disturbance or police presence was observed in Columbia and central Missouri.

The atmosphere at the Boone County Courthouse in Columbia was upbeat Saturday as at least 1,000 people gathered to express their frustrations with the Trump administration.

Friends and neighbors mingled while speeches and live music filled the courthouse amphitheater, making the protest feel more like a block party than a demonstration.

Cars passing on Walnut Street answered protesters’ signs with honks of support. In the shade of the plaza parking garage, a hot dog stand sold food and drinks, while more protesters watched and waved American flags from the top floor of the garage.

Flags, signs and apparel at the protest were representative of the diverse range of people who showed up and the variety of grievances they have with Trump.

Chants in support of women and transgender rights were popular, and a number of signs focused on accusations of sexual misconduct against the president. Many brought American flags, some displayed upside down in an act traditionally used to signal distress.

During the rally, Ken Pearson said he was offended by Trump using his wealth and status to avoid military service.

“But beyond that, I think he’s a real threat to our democratic institutions,” said Pearson, who is a U.S. Army veteran.

Amy Lovelady came with her daughter to the protest to set an example.

“At this moment in our history if we’re silent, then we’re complacent,” Lovelady said.

Her daughter, Laila, added: “I just want everyone to be equal, and I want to have equality for everyone. It’s liberty and justice for all.”

Many people also expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s fiscal policies. Protesters called for the protection of funding for health care, schools, universities, conservation work and the U.S. Postal Service.

Demonstrators began gathering at the courthouse plaza around 11 a.m. for two hours of speeches and music.

For many who were closer to the road than the amphitheater, it was hard to hear, so instead, they chanted and socialized. Law enforcement presence at the event was light. Some officers helped keep people out of the street while others were seen near an ambulance on Ninth Street.

The steps of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City were packed with more than 1,000 protesters of all ages opposing deportation, restrictions to reproductive rights and federal funding cuts and layoffs.

The protest was organized by We Stand United Missouri, an organization that promotes political activism at the local level.

Speakers included Suzanne Luther, state House District 60 candidate; David Knipp, union and labor advocate; and Jordan Herrera, congressional candidate for Missouri’s 5th District.

Knipp, who goes by “Proud Union Guy,” said he was concerned about right-to-work laws and maintaining prevailing wage regulations.

“We’re the backbone of America,” Knipp told the crowd. “We don’t just build America — we are America.”

After hearing from speakers, protesters marched around the block, passing the Missouri Governor’s Mansion before returning to the Capitol building.

Their reasons for coming included a love of country, a desire to uphold checks and balances, and ensuring funds for state and federal programs.

Arianna Hensley-Parker, a 27-year-old mother who came with her kids, 6 and 3, said she was advocating for their futures, including continued access to health care.

She said her 3-year-old son received medical care and therapy from a program run by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays.

Hensley-Parker said the state-run program “was a huge reason why he can talk today.”

A couple from Linn, Rob Overly and Kate Wilson-Overly, came to protest funding cuts to Medicaid and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rob Overly’s mother was on Medicaid, he said, which helped pay for her colon cancer surgery. The procedure wouldn’t have elongated her life, but it did help her in her final days, he said.

“If it was not for Medicaid, that would not have happened,” said Overly, a member of the Osage County Democrats and a retired architect, “so I know how valuable that is.”

Everyone dies, Overly said, “but the question is how.”

Another couple traveled 2½ hours from Unionville to attend the rally. Steve, 64, and Jeanna Grimes, 63, said they were worried about funding cuts to Veterans Affairs programs, Social Security and international aid.

“We have 22 grandkids and three great-grandkids,” Steve Grimes said. “What is the country going to be like for them?”

His wife added that she thinks not just beyond her generation, but beyond U.S. borders, too.

“We really want good for the world. Why would they cut all the aid to other countries?” she said. “That’s soft power. That’s a beautiful thing.”

At least 100 protestors stood their ground outside the Cooper County Courthouse in Boonville, receiving honks and praise, as well as a few hostile signals from cars passing by on Main Street.

Boonville’s “No Kings” protest attracted people from the nearby communities of Moberly, Blackwater and Glasgow, but most were residents of the town.

Some said they had participated in historic movements before, including Mary Norbury, who held up a sign that read, “Jesus believed in DEI.”

“I think democratic ideals are just being shattered daily,” she said. “I believe in Christian principles, and that’s why I’m here.”

Norbury said she had joined a protest as a student at Duke University on behalf of Black workers who weren’t receiving compensation equal to their white counterparts.

After participating in a number of acts of civil disobedience, she said she believes everyone of any age should be able to voice an opinion, no matter how controversial.

“If they don’t, they have no right to complain about anything that happens,” she said. “You just have to be involved.”

Gaye Perera, former federal employee, helped organize Good Trouble Mid MO, an ad hoc committee in Boonville with more than 100 members. The organization’s mission is to “provide a voice for those concerned about the current direction of the country and how it impacts our community.”

“I do know that some members of our community, our Black neighbors and our LGBTQ neighbors, are more reluctant to come out, understandably, so it’s important that we represent them too,” Perera said.

Tamara and Lynn Lynch, a married couple from Boonville, said they were protesting to “make an impact.” Tamara Lynch is a former special education teacher, and Lynn Lynch is a special education compliance consultant at the University of Missouri.

“We believe the administration right now is continuing to break laws that are constitutional,” Lynn Lynch said. “There’s no reason to make cuts on the backs of people who are seniors, who are disabled, and our children, to give tax breaks to the wealthiest of this country.”

Tamara Lynch said her and her wife felt safe and protected, but she expressed concerns about the future of other protected rights under the Constitution.

“I’m worried that women’s right to vote could be compromised,” she said.

“We already lost the right to make decisions about our own body,” Lynn Lynch added.

Between the Howard County Courthouse and the First Baptist Church on Saturday morning in Fayette, protesters stood in clusters, held “No Kings” banners and talked about their perception of a broken democracy.

There were no chants. There were no speeches. The crowd of about 40 aired their frustrations and grappled with the last six months of chaotic change in America’s political system.

The conversations addressed what the protesters saw as threats to the Constitution, cruelty toward others who may not have strong voices and a general “decay of democracy.”

“The way he’s treating our immigrants and being so cruel, it’s just not right,” said Peggy Robb, 71, who had turned out for her first protest.

“I’m a God-fearing woman, and I just can’t believe you could treat other human beings in that way,” she said.

She also spoke as a retired teacher, and said she opposes the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.

Another protester, Beth Gold, said that in a small town, there is social pressure to respond to your neighbor in a friendly way. So, she said she was trying to spread her message through kindness while waving and smiling at cars passing by.

“I know everybody doesn’t agree with us, but if they can see us as people and not the enemy, that’s good,” Gold said. “We’ve made progress.”

Among a crowd that skewed older, John Tinker and his sister, Hope, were continuing a mission to promote change through protest that began nearly 60 years ago.

In 1968, John was a lead plaintiff in the landmark First Amendment Supreme Court case, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, which established free speech as a protected right in America’s public schools.

He and another sister, Mary Beth, along with several others, wore black armbands to their public school to protest American involvement in the Vietnam War. After he was suspended, the Tinkers sued, and their case ended up before the Supreme Court.

The majority of Justices determined that students and teachers do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”

On Saturday, John and Hope Tinker held onto the promise that protest can make meaningful change when principles are involved.

“The main thing I think that needs to happen is for society to affirm to itself that it wants to be a democratic society,” he said. “That it wants to be represented in government. That it doesn’t want a government that goes off on its own and does stuff. It wants to be what the American promise was.”

“No kings!” his sister added, as the protesters began to head home in late morning.

This story first appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/thousands-of-no-kings-protesters-fill-the-streets-and-squares-around-central-missouri/article_c5735b44-9434-48e5-9f28-0c01714fc818.html#tncms-source=featured" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749986637374.png" alt="Protesters fill the stairs leading up to the Missouri State Capitol during the “No Kings” protest Saturday in Jefferson City. The protest and march drew over 1,000 attendees, according to event organizers (Michael Baniewicz/Missourian)." />
 <figcaption>Protesters fill the stairs leading up to the Missouri State Capitol during the “No Kings” protest Saturday in Jefferson City. The protest and march drew over 1,000 attendees, according to event organizers (Michael Baniewicz/Missourian).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Missourians gathered at protests from Columbia to St. Louis, Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, Springfield to St. Joseph, and around the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/abigaildidonna/">Abigail Didonna</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/willfirra/">Will Firra</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/zoenaylor/">Zoe Naylor</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/peterpynadath/">Peter Pynadath</a>Thousands turned out in Columbia, Jefferson City and dozens of towns across Missouri on Saturday to join a nationwide mobilization against the expansion of executive power by the president.The “No Kings” demonstrations took place in all 50 states, with at least 30 rallies in Missouri, from Columbia to St. Louis, Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, Springfield to St. Joseph, and around the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.The widespread national movement came after more than a week of demonstrations against federal immigration raids, largely in Los Angeles where President Donald Trump activated the National Guard and U.S. Marines over the authority of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.Saturday’s protests were timed to match a military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.In St. Louis, news outlets reported that thousands participated in at least a dozen rallies in the city and the county, while thousands more marched in Kansas City, 2,000 lined the streets in Springfield and several hundred turned out in Joplin.In addition to the rallies in U.S. cities, including in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles, there were gatherings in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Thursday that he was activating the Missouri National Guard ahead of the planned rallies but indicated they would be mobilized only if “assistance is needed to support local law enforcement.”But organizers nationwide vowed to keep the protests peaceful, and very little disturbance or police presence was observed in Columbia and central Missouri.<h2>Around the Courthouse Plaza in Columbia</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749986592959.png" alt=" Hundreds of people gather for the “No Kings” protest Saturday at Boone County Courthouse in Columbia. The crowd sat in the warm sun as they listened to multiple speeches and chanted slogans (Kate Cassady/Missourian)." />
 <figcaption> Hundreds of people gather for the “No Kings” protest Saturday at Boone County Courthouse in Columbia. The crowd sat in the warm sun as they listened to multiple speeches and chanted slogans (Kate Cassady/Missourian).</figcaption>
 </figure>The atmosphere at the Boone County Courthouse in Columbia was upbeat Saturday as at least 1,000 people gathered to express their frustrations with the Trump administration.Friends and neighbors mingled while speeches and live music filled the courthouse amphitheater, making the protest feel more like a block party than a demonstration.Cars passing on Walnut Street answered protesters’ signs with honks of support. In the shade of the plaza parking garage, a hot dog stand sold food and drinks, while more protesters watched and waved American flags from the top floor of the garage.Flags, signs and apparel at the protest were representative of the diverse range of people who showed up and the variety of grievances they have with Trump.Chants in support of women and transgender rights were popular, and a number of signs focused on accusations of sexual misconduct against the president. Many brought American flags, some displayed upside down in an act traditionally used to signal distress.During the rally, Ken Pearson said he was offended by Trump using his wealth and status to avoid military service.“But beyond that, I think he’s a real threat to our democratic institutions,” said Pearson, who is a U.S. Army veteran.Amy Lovelady came with her daughter to the protest to set an example.“At this moment in our history if we’re silent, then we’re complacent,” Lovelady said.Her daughter, Laila, added: “I just want everyone to be equal, and I want to have equality for everyone. It’s liberty and justice for all.”Many people also expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s fiscal policies. Protesters called for the protection of funding for health care, schools, universities, conservation work and the U.S. Postal Service.Demonstrators began gathering at the courthouse plaza around 11 a.m. for two hours of speeches and music.For many who were closer to the road than the amphitheater, it was hard to hear, so instead, they chanted and socialized. Law enforcement presence at the event was light. Some officers helped keep people out of the street while others were seen near an ambulance on Ninth Street.<h2>On the steps of the Missouri Capitol</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749986551294.png" alt="Victoria Harris, left, and Kurt Dulle wait for the “No Kings” protest to begin Saturday at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. “I’m seeing the (Trump) administration is very easily, arguably, corrupted and doing things that are blatantly illegal,” Dulle said. ‘“I hope to see people say, ‘Enough is enough'” (Michael Baniewicz/Missourian)." />
 <figcaption>Victoria Harris, left, and Kurt Dulle wait for the “No Kings” protest to begin Saturday at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. “I’m seeing the (Trump) administration is very easily, arguably, corrupted and doing things that are blatantly illegal,” Dulle said. ‘“I hope to see people say, ‘Enough is enough'” (Michael Baniewicz/Missourian).</figcaption>
 </figure>The steps of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City were packed with more than 1,000 protesters of all ages opposing deportation, restrictions to reproductive rights and federal funding cuts and layoffs.The protest was organized by We Stand United Missouri, an organization that promotes political activism at the local level.Speakers included Suzanne Luther, state House District 60 candidate; David Knipp, union and labor advocate; and Jordan Herrera, congressional candidate for Missouri’s 5th District.Knipp, who goes by “Proud Union Guy,” said he was concerned about right-to-work laws and maintaining prevailing wage regulations.“We’re the backbone of America,” Knipp told the crowd. “We don’t just build America — we are America.”After hearing from speakers, protesters marched around the block, passing the Missouri Governor’s Mansion before returning to the Capitol building.Their reasons for coming included a love of country, a desire to uphold checks and balances, and ensuring funds for state and federal programs.Arianna Hensley-Parker, a 27-year-old mother who came with her kids, 6 and 3, said she was advocating for their futures, including continued access to health care.She said her 3-year-old son received medical care and therapy from a program run by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays.Hensley-Parker said the state-run program “was a huge reason why he can talk today.”A couple from Linn, Rob Overly and Kate Wilson-Overly, came to protest funding cuts to Medicaid and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.Rob Overly’s mother was on Medicaid, he said, which helped pay for her colon cancer surgery. The procedure wouldn’t have elongated her life, but it did help her in her final days, he said.“If it was not for Medicaid, that would not have happened,” said Overly, a member of the Osage County Democrats and a retired architect, “so I know how valuable that is.”Everyone dies, Overly said, “but the question is how.”Another couple traveled 2½ hours from Unionville to attend the rally. Steve, 64, and Jeanna Grimes, 63, said they were worried about funding cuts to Veterans Affairs programs, Social Security and international aid.“We have 22 grandkids and three great-grandkids,” Steve Grimes said. “What is the country going to be like for them?”His wife added that she thinks not just beyond her generation, but beyond U.S. borders, too.“We really want good for the world. Why would they cut all the aid to other countries?” she said. “That’s soft power. That’s a beautiful thing.”<h2>On the square in Boonville</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749986507526.png" alt=" Protesters march down Main Street holding signs and American flags during the “No Kings” protest Saturday in Boonville. The demonstration was part of a national day of action against authoritarianism and political repression (Xiaoman An/Missourian)." />
 <figcaption> Protesters march down Main Street holding signs and American flags during the “No Kings” protest Saturday in Boonville. The demonstration was part of a national day of action against authoritarianism and political repression (Xiaoman An/Missourian).</figcaption>
 </figure>At least 100 protestors stood their ground outside the Cooper County Courthouse in Boonville, receiving honks and praise, as well as a few hostile signals from cars passing by on Main Street.Boonville’s “No Kings” protest attracted people from the nearby communities of Moberly, Blackwater and Glasgow, but most were residents of the town.Some said they had participated in historic movements before, including Mary Norbury, who held up a sign that read, “Jesus believed in DEI.”“I think democratic ideals are just being shattered daily,” she said. “I believe in Christian principles, and that’s why I’m here.”Norbury said she had joined a protest as a student at Duke University on behalf of Black workers who weren’t receiving compensation equal to their white counterparts.After participating in a number of acts of civil disobedience, she said she believes everyone of any age should be able to voice an opinion, no matter how controversial.“If they don’t, they have no right to complain about anything that happens,” she said. “You just have to be involved.”Gaye Perera, former federal employee, helped organize Good Trouble Mid MO, an ad hoc committee in Boonville with more than 100 members. The organization’s mission is to “provide a voice for those concerned about the current direction of the country and how it impacts our community.”“I do know that some members of our community, our Black neighbors and our LGBTQ neighbors, are more reluctant to come out, understandably, so it’s important that we represent them too,” Perera said.Tamara and Lynn Lynch, a married couple from Boonville, said they were protesting to “make an impact.” Tamara Lynch is a former special education teacher, and Lynn Lynch is a special education compliance consultant at the University of Missouri.“We believe the administration right now is continuing to break laws that are constitutional,” Lynn Lynch said. “There’s no reason to make cuts on the backs of people who are seniors, who are disabled, and our children, to give tax breaks to the wealthiest of this country.”Tamara Lynch said her and her wife felt safe and protected, but she expressed concerns about the future of other protected rights under the Constitution.“I’m worried that women’s right to vote could be compromised,” she said.“We already lost the right to make decisions about our own body,” Lynn Lynch added.<h2>On a corner in Fayette</h2>Between the Howard County Courthouse and the First Baptist Church on Saturday morning in Fayette, protesters stood in clusters, held “No Kings” banners and talked about their perception of a broken democracy.There were no chants. There were no speeches. The crowd of about 40 aired their frustrations and grappled with the last six months of chaotic change in America’s political system.The conversations addressed what the protesters saw as threats to the Constitution, cruelty toward others who may not have strong voices and a general “decay of democracy.”“The way he’s treating our immigrants and being so cruel, it’s just not right,” said Peggy Robb, 71, who had turned out for her first protest.“I’m a God-fearing woman, and I just can’t believe you could treat other human beings in that way,” she said.She also spoke as a retired teacher, and said she opposes the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.Another protester, Beth Gold, said that in a small town, there is social pressure to respond to your neighbor in a friendly way. So, she said she was trying to spread her message through kindness while waving and smiling at cars passing by.“I know everybody doesn’t agree with us, but if they can see us as people and not the enemy, that’s good,” Gold said. “We’ve made progress.”Among a crowd that skewed older, John Tinker and his sister, Hope, were continuing a mission to promote change through protest that began nearly 60 years ago.In 1968, John was a lead plaintiff in the landmark First Amendment Supreme Court case, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, which established free speech as a protected right in America’s public schools.He and another sister, Mary Beth, along with several others, wore black armbands to their public school to protest American involvement in the Vietnam War. After he was suspended, the Tinkers sued, and their case ended up before the Supreme Court.The majority of Justices determined that students and teachers do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”On Saturday, John and Hope Tinker held onto the promise that protest can make meaningful change when principles are involved.“The main thing I think that needs to happen is for society to affirm to itself that it wants to be a democratic society,” he said. “That it wants to be represented in government. That it doesn’t want a government that goes off on its own and does stuff. It wants to be what the American promise was.”“No kings!” his sister added, as the protesters began to head home in late morning.This story first appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/thousands-of-no-kings-protesters-fill-the-streets-and-squares-around-central-missouri/article_c5735b44-9434-48e5-9f28-0c01714fc818.html#tncms-source=featured" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies draw thousands to peaceful protests across Missouri

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1">massive military parade</a>&nbsp;commemorating the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-parade-army-trump-f56795c86d802e1c4d40c4de5b001db5">250th birthday of the U.S. Army</a>, which coincides with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fort-bragg-6df36485dec1df2350d5b7be0882a703">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s 79th birthday was staged Saturday in Washington, D.C. The event included about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-parade-army-trump-birthday-veterans-0912f4009b4d9fc157b35bb9edf9375a">M1 Abrams battle tanks</a>, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-parade-military-secret-service-dc-birthday-cb66cba29cdc06ba798521454918271d">possibly 200,000 attendees</a>&nbsp;and heightened security to match.&nbsp;

 Members of&nbsp;"The Big Red One" from Fort Riley were featured about 45 minutes into the parade.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749942516429.png" alt="Parade images from White House video" />
 <figcaption>Parade images from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1">massive military parade</a>&nbsp;commemorating the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-parade-army-trump-f56795c86d802e1c4d40c4de5b001db5">250th birthday of the U.S. Army</a>, which coincides with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fort-bragg-6df36485dec1df2350d5b7be0882a703">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s 79th birthday was staged Saturday in Washington, D.C. The event included about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-parade-army-trump-birthday-veterans-0912f4009b4d9fc157b35bb9edf9375a">M1 Abrams battle tanks</a>, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-parade-military-secret-service-dc-birthday-cb66cba29cdc06ba798521454918271d">possibly 200,000 attendees</a>&nbsp;and heightened security to match.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F570562596109811%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div> Members of&nbsp;"The Big Red One" from Fort Riley were featured about 45 minutes into the parade.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749942481362.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749942533963.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/cCsaITcXM0">pic.twitter.com/cCsaITcXM0</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1934102041158127686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749942498879.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749944278187.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749944294970.png" alt="Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump during the parade-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump during the parade-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥Soldiers from Kansas featured in the Army's 250th birthday parade

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Saturday in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Harley Davidson driven by&nbsp; Guy L. Woods, 64, Fountain, Colorado, was westbound on Cherokee Street at 10th Street in Leavenworth. The driver&nbsp; failed to stop at the stop sign.

The motorcycle struck a westbound 2017 Toyota Camry driven by Shirley Fells, 68, Leavenworth.&nbsp; EMS transported Woods to Saint John Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Fells was not injured.&nbsp; Woods was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Saturday in Leavenworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Harley Davidson driven by&nbsp; Guy L. Woods, 64, Fountain, Colorado, was westbound on Cherokee Street at 10th Street in Leavenworth. The driver&nbsp; failed to stop at the stop sign.The motorcycle struck a westbound 2017 Toyota Camry driven by Shirley Fells, 68, Leavenworth.&nbsp; EMS transported Woods to Saint John Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Fells was not injured.&nbsp; Woods was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

KHP: Man dies after motorcycle, car crash

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas. City man is facing charges in connection with with a fatal shooting that took place in a northeast Kansas City neighborhood in March.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2652/DNicholsComplaintredacted">Demarion Nichols</a>, 19,&nbsp;faces one count of 2nd Degree Murder and one count of Armed Criminal Action, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

 If convicted, he could spend up to 30 years in prison.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2651/DNichols-PC-Statementredacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police responded to the area of St. John Avenue and Monroe Avenue on March 26 and located the victim suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;

Video surveillance capturing the shooting showed the victim entering the store. A black Ford Fiesta arrived and backed into a parking spot. As the victim exited the store, a man, later identified as the Nichols exited the driver’s side of the Ford. He stared at the victim until the victim passed him, then pulled a firearm with an extended magazine from his left side and fired at the victim. He continued to shoot the victim even after the victim fell between two vehicles. Then Nichols went back to his vehicle and fled the scene.&nbsp;

Detectives were able to connect the defendant to the shooting through social media and tracing information from his cell phone that placed him on scene at the time of the shooting.

The defendant is being held without bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749675167498.png" alt="Nichols photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Nichols photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A Kansas. City man is facing charges in connection with with a fatal shooting that took place in a northeast Kansas City neighborhood in March.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2652/DNicholsComplaintredacted">Demarion Nichols</a>, 19,&nbsp;faces one count of 2nd Degree Murder and one count of Armed Criminal Action, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. If convicted, he could spend up to 30 years in prison.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2651/DNichols-PC-Statementredacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police responded to the area of St. John Avenue and Monroe Avenue on March 26 and located the victim suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;Video surveillance capturing the shooting showed the victim entering the store. A black Ford Fiesta arrived and backed into a parking spot. As the victim exited the store, a man, later identified as the Nichols exited the driver’s side of the Ford. He stared at the victim until the victim passed him, then pulled a firearm with an extended magazine from his left side and fired at the victim. He continued to shoot the victim even after the victim fell between two vehicles. Then Nichols went back to his vehicle and fled the scene.&nbsp;Detectives were able to connect the defendant to the shooting through social media and tracing information from his cell phone that placed him on scene at the time of the shooting.The defendant is being held without bond.&nbsp;

Social media led to arrest of KC teen murder suspect 

WASHINGTON —The U.S. Army will celebrate 250 years with a massive military parade in Washington.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/public-affairs-event/us-army-250th-anniversary-parade-celebration/433796">Click here to watch 5p.m. CDT</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749938645524.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —The U.S. Army will celebrate 250 years with a massive military parade in Washington.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/public-affairs-event/us-army-250th-anniversary-parade-celebration/433796">Click here to watch 5p.m. CDT</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump Participates in the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade 📱Text &quot;POTUS&quot; to 45470 for Updates from the Trump White House <a href="https://t.co/kXBxoeTbV5">https://t.co/kXBxoeTbV5</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1934009052872278049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Parade

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/michelle/">Michelle Griffith</a> <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>

House Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus leader Melissa Hortman, who was among the most influential Minnesota elected officials of the past decade, died on Saturday morning after a man impersonating a police officer shot her in her Brooklyn Park home, Gov. Tim Walz said.

Hortman’s husband was also shot and killed, the governor said.

&nbsp; (Click below to watch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz statement.)

Walz, appearing emotional at a press conference in the north metro, said they were killed in an apparent “politically motivated assassination.”

“Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends,” Walz said. “(Hortman) was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota.”

Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times earlier in the evening in their Champlin home. Walz said they were out of surgery, and that he’s “cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said Champlin law enforcement received a call at about 2 a.m. that a person shot Hoffman and his wife.&nbsp;

Brooklyn Park Police Department Chief Mark Bruley said his officers assisted with the Champlin shooting; a sergeant suggested checking in on Hortman’s home. They live about five to eight miles away from each other. When Brooklyn Park police officers arrived at Hortman’s home, they encountered a person who was dressed like a police officer who “immediately fired at them,” Evans said. Police exchanged gunfire with the person, but they were able to escape.

The shooter is still at large, and Brooklyn Park is under a shelter-in-place order. Hundreds of police officers and SWAT teams are conducting a manhunt for the person, officials said.

Bruley said that when they arrived at Hortman’s home, they saw a police SUV with its lights on and saw the suspect was impersonating a police officer.

In the SUV, police found a “manifesto,” with a list of lawmakers and other officials on it. Hortman and Hoffman were on the list.

Hortman, who has two adult children, was first elected to the Legislature 2004 and served as House Speaker from 2019-2024. She lost two elections before winning, which she said gave her an understanding of what it takes to win swing seats and hold them.

Her speakership will be remembered as among the most consequential in recent Minnesota political history. With Walz and Senate GOP Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, she guided the state through the pandemic before helping Democrats achieve a trifecta in the 2022 election.

During the 2023 legislative session, she helped bridge the wide gulf between moderates and progressives in her caucus to achieve a historic legislative agenda. Democrats codified abortion rights in law; invested in education, including universal schools meals, as well as transportation and housing; created paid family leave; legalized cannabis; and passed gun control laws.

The encomiums poured in Saturday. “There is no greater champion for Minnesota’s working people than Melissa Hortman,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, the laborers union.

Hoffman was elected in 2012 and is known for his work on human services.

The&nbsp;Reformer&nbsp;sat down with Hortman at the Capitol on Thursday to discuss the 2025 session, which ended on Monday.

During his remarks Saturday, Walz denounced political violence and said the people involved in the shooting would be caught and held responsible.

“This was an act of targeted political violence. Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint,” Walz said.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, who worked closely with Hortman in the Legislature to negotiate a state budget this year, said she was horrified by Hortman’s murder.

“I am horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight, and heartbroken beyond words by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark,” Demuth said in a statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749912930519.png" alt="Former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/michelle/">Michelle Griffith</a> <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>House Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus leader Melissa Hortman, who was among the most influential Minnesota elected officials of the past decade, died on Saturday morning after a man impersonating a police officer shot her in her Brooklyn Park home, Gov. Tim Walz said.Hortman’s husband was also shot and killed, the governor said.&nbsp; (Click below to watch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz statement.)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VHtHNAbFnow?si=bDqgF_TC1GA4uEsT&amp;start=29" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement from President Donald J. Trump I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be…&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1933910353718497656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The FBI is fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners.&mdash; Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1933903879042728255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2></h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749913092402.png" alt="Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman -photo courtesy Minnesota Senate" />
 <figcaption>Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman -photo courtesy Minnesota Senate</figcaption>
 </figure>Walz, appearing emotional at a press conference in the north metro, said they were killed in an apparent “politically motivated assassination.”“Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends,” Walz said. “(Hortman) was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota.”Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times earlier in the evening in their Champlin home. Walz said they were out of surgery, and that he’s “cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said Champlin law enforcement received a call at about 2 a.m. that a person shot Hoffman and his wife.&nbsp;Brooklyn Park Police Department Chief Mark Bruley said his officers assisted with the Champlin shooting; a sergeant suggested checking in on Hortman’s home. They live about five to eight miles away from each other. When Brooklyn Park police officers arrived at Hortman’s home, they encountered a person who was dressed like a police officer who “immediately fired at them,” Evans said. Police exchanged gunfire with the person, but they were able to escape.The shooter is still at large, and Brooklyn Park is under a shelter-in-place order. Hundreds of police officers and SWAT teams are conducting a manhunt for the person, officials said.Bruley said that when they arrived at Hortman’s home, they saw a police SUV with its lights on and saw the suspect was impersonating a police officer.In the SUV, police found a “manifesto,” with a list of lawmakers and other officials on it. Hortman and Hoffman were on the list.Hortman, who has two adult children, was first elected to the Legislature 2004 and served as House Speaker from 2019-2024. She lost two elections before winning, which she said gave her an understanding of what it takes to win swing seats and hold them.Her speakership will be remembered as among the most consequential in recent Minnesota political history. With Walz and Senate GOP Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, she guided the state through the pandemic before helping Democrats achieve a trifecta in the 2022 election.During the 2023 legislative session, she helped bridge the wide gulf between moderates and progressives in her caucus to achieve a historic legislative agenda. Democrats codified abortion rights in law; invested in education, including universal schools meals, as well as transportation and housing; created paid family leave; legalized cannabis; and passed gun control laws.The encomiums poured in Saturday. “There is no greater champion for Minnesota’s working people than Melissa Hortman,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, the laborers union.Hoffman was elected in 2012 and is known for his work on human services.The&nbsp;Reformer&nbsp;sat down with Hortman at the Capitol on Thursday to discuss the 2025 session, which ended on Monday.During his remarks Saturday, Walz denounced political violence and said the people involved in the shooting would be caught and held responsible.“This was an act of targeted political violence. Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint,” Walz said.House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, who worked closely with Hortman in the Legislature to negotiate a state budget this year, said she was horrified by Hortman’s murder.“I am horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight, and heartbroken beyond words by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark,” Demuth said in a statement.

🎥Two Minnesota lawmakers shot in their homes in a targeted attack

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 1:30a.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to a shooting at&nbsp; 35th and Prospect, according to KCKPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

First responders were directed to the gas station parking lot. They located multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Officers began performing live saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. On scene officers located a total of four victims. An adult female victim had critical injuries, one adult male victim had critical injuries, and two adult male victims had non life threatening injuries, according to DiMartino.

 All of the victims were transported to local hospitals. The adult female victim was pronounced deceased a short time later by medical personnel.

Additional officers responded to a separate shooting, a short distance away, in the 2000 block of East Linwood where an adult male victim was located. 

It was determined the victim was related to the scene at 35th and Prospect. He was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.

This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody at this point, according to DiMartino.

Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the shots being fired and the victims being struck.&nbsp; Police have not released names of the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749904887891.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.Just after 1:30a.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to a shooting at&nbsp; 35th and Prospect, according to KCKPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749903126084.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders were directed to the gas station parking lot. They located multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Officers began performing live saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. On scene officers located a total of four victims. An adult female victim had critical injuries, one adult male victim had critical injuries, and two adult male victims had non life threatening injuries, according to DiMartino.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749903072954.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure> All of the victims were transported to local hospitals. The adult female victim was pronounced deceased a short time later by medical personnel.Additional officers responded to a separate shooting, a short distance away, in the 2000 block of East Linwood where an adult male victim was located. It was determined the victim was related to the scene at 35th and Prospect. He was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody at this point, according to DiMartino.Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the shots being fired and the victims being struck.&nbsp; Police have not released names of the victims.

5 victims, 1 dead in Kansas City shooting

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.

A man was initially occupying a black GMC Sierra pickup in a lane of traffic on eastbound Interstate 70, just west of Blue Ridge Cutoff, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil Dimartino. A white Freightliner truck, tractor and flatbed trailer was behind the GMC. The semi driver was attempting to change lanes and make his way across traffic.

 For unknown reasons, the pedestrian exited his GMC Sierra&nbsp; in the middle of rush hour traffic and attempted to enter the cab of the semi. The truck driver began to slowly pull forward in an attempt to exit the area while the pedestrian was running alongside the flatbed trailer of the truck. 

The pedestrian then attempted to jump on to the trailer, grabbing a retention strap as the trailer was moving. The pedestrian lost his grip and fell to the roadway. The rear axle of the trailer ran over the pedestrian before the truck driver could get his vehicle stopped. 

The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The truck driver was uninjured in the collision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All lanes of eastbound Interstate 70 were closed to traffic at Interstate 435 for approximately two and a half hours, according to DiMartino.&nbsp;This is fatality #32 compared to #47 at this time in 2024. The name of the victim has not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749867561239.png" alt="View from KC Scout camera Friday afternoon" />
 <figcaption>View from KC Scout camera Friday afternoon</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.A man was initially occupying a black GMC Sierra pickup in a lane of traffic on eastbound Interstate 70, just west of Blue Ridge Cutoff, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil Dimartino. A white Freightliner truck, tractor and flatbed trailer was behind the GMC. The semi driver was attempting to change lanes and make his way across traffic. For unknown reasons, the pedestrian exited his GMC Sierra&nbsp; in the middle of rush hour traffic and attempted to enter the cab of the semi. The truck driver began to slowly pull forward in an attempt to exit the area while the pedestrian was running alongside the flatbed trailer of the truck. The pedestrian then attempted to jump on to the trailer, grabbing a retention strap as the trailer was moving. The pedestrian lost his grip and fell to the roadway. The rear axle of the trailer ran over the pedestrian before the truck driver could get his vehicle stopped. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The truck driver was uninjured in the collision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All lanes of eastbound Interstate 70 were closed to traffic at Interstate 435 for approximately two and a half hours, according to DiMartino.&nbsp;This is fatality #32 compared to #47 at this time in 2024. The name of the victim has not been released.

Trailer ran over driver who exited his pickup on I-70 in rush hour traffic

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual, as well as the recovery of the FBI Special Agent's badge.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's San Francisco Field Office is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the individual responsible for assaulting federal officers and&nbsp;the theft of government property on June 10, 2025, in Concord, California.&nbsp;

 The government property stolen is identified as a Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent's badge.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), your&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field/" target="_blank">local FBI office</a>, the nearest&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/legat/" target="_blank">American Embassy or Consulate</a>,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/?fugitive_name=ASSAULT+ON+FEDERAL+OFFICERS&amp;fugitive_type=fbi" target="_blank">Click here to submit an anonymous Tip online</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749737519541.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual, as well as the recovery of the FBI Special Agent's badge.The Federal Bureau of Investigation's San Francisco Field Office is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the individual responsible for assaulting federal officers and&nbsp;the theft of government property on June 10, 2025, in Concord, California.&nbsp; The government property stolen is identified as a Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent's badge.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), your&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field/" target="_blank">local FBI office</a>, the nearest&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/legat/" target="_blank">American Embassy or Consulate</a>,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/?fugitive_name=ASSAULT+ON+FEDERAL+OFFICERS&amp;fugitive_type=fbi" target="_blank">Click here to submit an anonymous Tip online</a>

Reward for information in theft of  FBI Special Agent's badge 

The lithium-ion battery in the power bank can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers, according to a statement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power banks and contact Anker Innovations for instructions on receiving a free replacement power bank. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.anker.com/product-recalls">https://www.anker.com/product-recalls</a>&nbsp;to register for the recall. To receive a replacement, consumers will be required to submit a photo of their recalled power bank showing the model number, serial number, their name, the date of the photograph, and the word “recalled” written on the power bank in permanent marker. A purchase receipt will be requested but will not be required to participate in the recall. Consumers will also be required to confirm disposal of the power bank in accordance with applicable laws and regulations before receiving a replacement.

Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://support.anker.com/s/emailcontactus">https://support.anker.com/s/emailcontactus</a>E-mail:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:support@anker.com">support@anker.com</a>Phone: (800) 988-7973

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749829397297.png" alt="&nbsp;Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank -photo U.S. CPSC&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank -photo U.S. CPSC&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The lithium-ion battery in the power bank can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers, according to a statement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.Remedy:Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power banks and contact Anker Innovations for instructions on receiving a free replacement power bank. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.anker.com/product-recalls">https://www.anker.com/product-recalls</a>&nbsp;to register for the recall. To receive a replacement, consumers will be required to submit a photo of their recalled power bank showing the model number, serial number, their name, the date of the photograph, and the word “recalled” written on the power bank in permanent marker. A purchase receipt will be requested but will not be required to participate in the recall. Consumers will also be required to confirm disposal of the power bank in accordance with applicable laws and regulations before receiving a replacement.Units: About 1,158,000Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://support.anker.com/s/emailcontactus">https://support.anker.com/s/emailcontactus</a>E-mail:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:support@anker.com">support@anker.com</a>Phone: (800) 988-7973

Recall:  More than 1 million power banks after reported fires

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its… <a href="https://t.co/5FFesh3dkF">pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1933328486669697508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A statement from IDF Spokesperson BG Effie Defrin on the preemptive Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear targets <a href="https://t.co/IJNT5LXz6o">pic.twitter.com/IJNT5LXz6o</a>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1933328551333216407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐃𝐅 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐧&#39;𝐬 𝐧𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦. Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including… <a href="https://t.co/vtx98P9564">pic.twitter.com/vtx98P9564</a>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1933324595471454495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At our Embassy in Jerusalem and closely following the situation. We will remain here all night. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” <a href="https://t.co/2nAHxijkdA">https://t.co/2nAHxijkdA</a>&mdash; Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovMikeHuckabee/status/1933302492147687876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Rubio: U.S. not involved as Israel launches strike against Iran's nuclear program

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749757787923.png" alt="Homeland Security Secretary Kristy Noem during her Los Angeles news conferece-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Homeland Security Secretary Kristy Noem during her Los Angeles news conferece-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749757448306.png" alt="Senator Padilla as shown in the video provided by U.S. Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>Senator Padilla as shown in the video provided by U.S. Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">During a news conference with DHS Secretary Noem, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) is removed from the room by force. <a href="https://t.co/vJryoWIVHi">pic.twitter.com/vJryoWIVHi</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1933244184581873693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Padilla pushing and shoving law enforcement officers to get his way back to the podium. Incredibly aggressive behavior from a sitting US Senator. No one knew who he was. <a href="https://t.co/yQ1GVVUF8d">https://t.co/yQ1GVVUF8d</a> <a href="https://t.co/80kBU9O8R3">pic.twitter.com/80kBU9O8R3</a>&mdash; Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) <a href="https://twitter.com/TriciaOhio/status/1933248954260746399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Senator Alex Padilla is a good man and principled public servant. The brazen and aggressive manhandling of Senator Padilla by the Trump administration is a sickening disgrace. Anyone who assaulted the Senator should be held accountable. No one is above the law. <a href="https://t.co/s9pHXP5tRD">pic.twitter.com/s9pHXP5tRD</a>&mdash; Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJeffries/status/1933236767680840025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">With regard to the incident in LA this afternoon, the Senator in question was not wearing a security pin and physically resisted law enforcement when confronted. Our FBI personnel acted completely appropriately while assisting Secret Service and we are grateful for their…&mdash; Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1933262131346223586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenAlexPadilla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenAlexPadilla</a>: &quot;If this is how this administration responds to a Senator with a question. If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a Senator with a question you can only imagine what they&#39;re doing to farmers, to cooks, to day laborers…&quot; <a href="https://t.co/4HQXylr1dh">pic.twitter.com/4HQXylr1dh</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1933251262935388646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Reporter: “Would you please address Senator Padilla’s interruption to your press conference… Will you be pressing charges from what we just witnessed here?” Secretary Kristi Noem: “I don’t even know the senator. He did not request a meeting or to speak with me. So when I leave… <a href="https://t.co/233FInB8NF">pic.twitter.com/233FInB8NF</a>&mdash; RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedWave_Press/status/1933229459676536930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a>: &quot;It was wildly inappropriate. You don&#39;t charge a sitting cabinet secretary...A sitting Member of Congress should not act like that...that behavior at a minimum it rises to the level of a censure.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/FzL1z4WmNi">pic.twitter.com/FzL1z4WmNi</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1933262191429292537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After he interrupted our press conference with law enforcement, I met with Senator Padilla for 15 minutes. We probably disagree on 90% of the topics but we agreed to exchanged phone numbers and we will continue to talk—that is the way it should be in this country. I wish he… <a href="https://t.co/WdDs26jyCY">pic.twitter.com/WdDs26jyCY</a>&mdash; Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem/status/1933267265849278591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥U.S. Senator forcibly removed from Homeland Security news conference

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>

WASHINGTON — Former Missouri U.S. Rep. Billy Long is now the head of the Internal Revenue Service, after the U.S. Senate approved his nomination Thursday.

Senators split along party lines,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00308.htm" target="_blank">53-44</a>, to confirm the Republican, who served in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023, and previously spent multiple years as a talk radio host.

Long heads to the IRS after the agency has lost more than 11,000 employees, or 11% of its workforce, either through deferred resignations or mass firing of probationary workers since President Donald Trump began his second term, according to a May 2&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tigta.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2025-05/2025ier017fr.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the agency’s inspector general.

In a social media post after Long’s confirmation, Republican Sen. Mike Crapo, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, congratulated the new IRS commissioner.

“I look forward to partnering with him in his efforts to modernize the IRS and improve customer service for taxpayers,” wrote Crapo, of Idaho.

Long’s nomination process was overshadowed by a Democrat-led investigation into the former lawmaker’s involvement in a fake tribal tax credit scheme.

Long denied any wrongdoing during his May 20 confirmation hearing.

Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee, said on the floor ahead of Thursday’s vote that a decision on Long “ought to be an easy no.”

“It’s one corruption bombshell after another with former Congressman Billy Long. Fake tax credits. Scam tax advice. Shadowy political donations that went straight in his pocket. Promises of personal favors. No-show jobs with high-paying federal salaries. That’s quite a rap-sheet,” said Wyden, of Oregon.

The IRS is tasked with collecting tax revenue and enforcing the tax code.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749750950647.png" alt="Former Missouri Congressman Bill Long during his confirmation hearing in May-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Former Missouri Congressman Bill Long during his confirmation hearing in May-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>WASHINGTON — Former Missouri U.S. Rep. Billy Long is now the head of the Internal Revenue Service, after the U.S. Senate approved his nomination Thursday.Senators split along party lines,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00308.htm" target="_blank">53-44</a>, to confirm the Republican, who served in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023, and previously spent multiple years as a talk radio host.Long heads to the IRS after the agency has lost more than 11,000 employees, or 11% of its workforce, either through deferred resignations or mass firing of probationary workers since President Donald Trump began his second term, according to a May 2&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tigta.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2025-05/2025ier017fr.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the agency’s inspector general.In a social media post after Long’s confirmation, Republican Sen. Mike Crapo, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, congratulated the new IRS commissioner.“I look forward to partnering with him in his efforts to modernize the IRS and improve customer service for taxpayers,” wrote Crapo, of Idaho.Long’s nomination process was overshadowed by a Democrat-led investigation into the former lawmaker’s involvement in a fake tribal tax credit scheme.Long denied any wrongdoing during his May 20 confirmation hearing.Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee, said on the floor ahead of Thursday’s vote that a decision on Long “ought to be an easy no.”“It’s one corruption bombshell after another with former Congressman Billy Long. Fake tax credits. Scam tax advice. Shadowy political donations that went straight in his pocket. Promises of personal favors. No-show jobs with high-paying federal salaries. That’s quite a rap-sheet,” said Wyden, of Oregon.The IRS is tasked with collecting tax revenue and enforcing the tax code.&nbsp;

Former Missouri Congressman confirmed as IRS commissioner

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House narrowly passed legislation Thursday that would revoke $9.4 billion in previously approved funding for public media, including National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, as well as foreign aid, though the bill’s future in the Senate amid a strict timeline is uncertain.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025168?Page=2" target="_blank">214-212 mostly party-line vote</a>&nbsp;marks just the third time in several decades the House has approved a bill to claw back funding that lawmakers formerly agreed to spend. President Donald Trump sent the rescissions request that led to the House bill to the Republican-controlled Congress earlier this month.

Republican Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Mike Turner of Ohio voted against approving the bill along with all of the chamber’s Democrats.

Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon and New York Rep. Nick LaLota, both Republicans, switched from opposing to supporting the bill after Speaker Mike Johnson spoke with them on the floor as the vote was held open.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., contended during floor debate that pulling back the funding is the right place to start, but said the GOP will seek to do much more in the months and years ahead.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749763219260.png" alt="U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., holds up an Elmo toy while the chamber debates a bill that would eliminate previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides grants to public radio and television stations, including the Public Broadcasting Service, or PBS, which airs “Sesame Street.” (Screen capture from House clerk live video)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., holds up an Elmo toy while the chamber debates a bill that would eliminate previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides grants to public radio and television stations, including the Public Broadcasting Service, or PBS, which airs “Sesame Street.” (Screen capture from House clerk live video)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a> WASHINGTON — The U.S. House narrowly passed legislation Thursday that would revoke $9.4 billion in previously approved funding for public media, including National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, as well as foreign aid, though the bill’s future in the Senate amid a strict timeline is uncertain.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepJeffries?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepJeffries</a>: &quot;We&#39;re on the floor of the House of Representatives not debating legislation that is designed to make this country and our economy more affordable but actually debating legislation that targets Elmo and Big Bird and Daniel Tiger and Sesame Street.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/lWkGvuco1A">pic.twitter.com/lWkGvuco1A</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1933229808139301333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025168?Page=2" target="_blank">214-212 mostly party-line vote</a>&nbsp;marks just the third time in several decades the House has approved a bill to claw back funding that lawmakers formerly agreed to spend. President Donald Trump sent the rescissions request that led to the House bill to the Republican-controlled Congress earlier this month.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749763326958.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Republican Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Mike Turner of Ohio voted against approving the bill along with all of the chamber’s Democrats.Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon and New York Rep. Nick LaLota, both Republicans, switched from opposing to supporting the bill after Speaker Mike Johnson spoke with them on the floor as the vote was held open.House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., contended during floor debate that pulling back the funding is the right place to start, but said the GOP will seek to do much more in the months and years ahead.Scalise said PBS and NPR should have to compete against other media organizations without grant funding from the federal government.“There is still going to be a plethora of options for the American people,” Scalise said. “But if they’re paying their hard-earned dollars to go get content, why should your tax dollars only go to one thing that the other side wants to promote? Let everybody go compete on a fair basis.”Maine Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree said every state in the country would feel the impact of eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.“I rise today in strong opposition to the reckless attack on public media contained within this rescissions bill and millions of Americans who rely on and treasure their local public television and radio stations,” Pingree said.Efforts to defund CPB, she said, were the result of Trump’s “agenda against the free press and his authoritarian desire to control the media.”<h2>Public media would lose $1.1 billion</h2>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4/text" target="_blank">seven-page bill</a>&nbsp;would rescind all funding that Congress approved for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, a total of $1.1 billion.CPB, which provides grants to public radio and television stations throughout the country, is one of the few programs that receives an advanced appropriation. So the funding elimination envisioned in the House bill would take effect starting on Oct. 1.The legislation revokes more than $8 billion from several foreign aid programs run by the U.S. State Department or the U.S. Agency for International Development.Florida Republican Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, chairman of the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee, said during an interview Wednesday there were extensive talks between GOP lawmakers and the Office of Management and Budget before the Trump administration officially submitted this rescissions request.But Díaz-Balart cautioned there would need to be substantial pre-negotiations ahead of any future rescissions requests for programs within his annual funding bill.“This rescission package — which I’ve had communication with OMB on — if this passes, we can move forward,” he said. “Now, if you’re talking about a potential for future additional rescissions, that could potentially create a problem and tie the president’s hands when it comes to dealing with adversaries or helping allies.”Díaz-Balart said that OMB officials hoping to make any additional rescissions requests on foreign aid would need to engage in “a level of coordination that is so detailed, so intense to make sure that nothing comes forward that could potentially hurt the president’s ability to really do the America First agenda internationally.”Florida Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel, ranking member on the State-Foreign Operations spending panel, said during floor debate Thursday the bill was an attack on American values and posed a threat to national security.“It’s not charity, it’s strategy,” Frankel said of foreign aid. “Don’t take my word for it, military leaders from both parties have warned us for years — if we fail to lead with soft power, we’ll end up paying in blood, bombs and more boots on the ground.”“Cutting foreign assistance will deepen desperation, fuel extremism, push fragile societies toward collapse and when that happens we all pay the price,” she added. “Refugee crises surge, diseases spread, trade routes shut down, our troops and diplomats face greater danger and our homeland security is weakened.”<h2>First of many requests</h2>The House vote took place just one week after the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-wants-congress-slash-94b-spending-now-defund-npr-and-pbs" target="_blank">sent lawmakers the rescissions request</a>, the first of many proposals the White House budget office plans to submit.&nbsp;The $9.4 billion cancellation proposal represents a small fraction of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61181" target="_blank">the roughly $6.8 trillion</a>&nbsp;the federal government spends each year.The recommendation said some of the foreign aid should be cancelled because it supported “programs that are antithetical to American interests and worsen the lives of women and children, like ‘family planning’ and ‘reproductive health,’ LGBTQI+ activities, and ‘equity’ programs.”The rescissions request allows the Office of Management and Budget to legally freeze funding on the programs listed for 45 days while lawmakers decide whether to approve the recommendation as is, amend it, or ignore it.The House and Senate must agree to approve the same rescissions bill before mid-July for the changes to take effect. Failure to reach a bicameral agreement before then would require the Trump administration to spend the funding and block the president from requesting the same cancellation for the rest of his term.Rescissions requests are rare since Congress typically negotiates spending levels on thousands of federal programs in the dozen annual spending bills that are then signed by the president.The first Trump administration proposed rescissions in 2018, but the bill never made it through the Senate.The last time Congress actually approved rescinding funding was in 1992 during the George H.W. Bush administration, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/R/PDF/R48432/R48432.2.pdf" target="_blank">a report</a>&nbsp;from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.<h2>More action in the Senate</h2>The Senate will need to take up the bill before mid-July if it wants to approve any of the spending cuts, though several GOP senators told States Newsroom during brief interviews Wednesday ahead of the House vote they may amend the package, which would require it to go back to the House for final approval before the 45-day clock runs out.Rescissions bills come with a vote-a-rama in the Senate, giving Republicans and Democrats the chance to call up as many amendments as they want for a floor vote. The GOP holds a 53-member majority, so four or more Republicans opposing any element of the bill would likely lead to its removal.Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she will give the rescissions bill “careful consideration.”In a statement released earlier this month just after the White House sent the request to lawmakers, Collins wrote the committee would “carefully review the rescissions package and examine the potential consequences of these rescissions on global health, national security, emergency communications in rural communities, and public radio and television stations.”South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, chairman of the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee, said he’s mostly supportive of the rescissions request, though he didn’t rule out offering an amendment to restore full funding for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, often called PEPFAR.“I think I’ll be okay with most of it. I’m concerned about PEPFAR. I’ll have to look at that,” Graham said.West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, chairwoman of the spending panel that oversees the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, said she’s planning to evaluate the bill once it arrives.“We’ve got all these other things I’m thinking about. I haven’t even focused on it,” Capito said, referring to ongoing negotiations over the party’s “big, beautiful bill.”Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, said she’s going to “try to” ensure the Corporation for Public Broadcasting keeps its funding.“I’m a supporter of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It’s a lifeline for many of my small, rural communities,” Murkowski saidKansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran, a senior appropriator, said he’s “trying to figure out a strategy of how to deal with” both the foreign aid and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting provisions once the bill comes over from the House.“I’m looking at both of them to see what the right outcome should be.”<h2>‘The risk of living in a news desert’</h2>Both PBS and NPR released statements following the House vote, pledging to do their best to keep their funding intact.Katherine Maher, NPR president and CEO, wrote in a statement the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is essential to the organization.“Americans who rely on local, independent stations serving communities across America, especially in rural and underserved regions, will suffer the immediate consequences of this vote,” Maher wrote. “If rescission passes and local stations go dark, millions of Americans will no longer have access to locally owned, independent, nonprofit media and will bear the risk of living in a news desert, missing their emergency alerts, and hearing silence where classical, jazz and local artists currently play.”Paula Kerger, president and CEO at PBS, wrote in a separate statement the “fight to protect public media does not end with this vote, and we will continue to make the case for our essential service in the days and weeks to come.“If these cuts are finalized by the Senate, it will have a devastating impact on PBS and local member stations, particularly smaller and rural stations that rely on federal funding for a larger portion of their budgets. Without PBS and local member stations, Americans will lose unique local programming and emergency services in times of crisis.”