The month of June has been hijacked by the anti Christian culture
>> Jeff Chamblee: The month of June has been hijacked by the anti Christian culture to show their pride in something God calls an abomination. When you support afr, you help us continue to stand for godly values and provide the resources for you to stay in the know about the enemy's tactics. To say thank you for your gift this month, we'll give you the booklet Inside the LGBTQ push of the 1990s. To help strengthen your convictions, just go to afr.netoffers afr.net offers welcome to today's Issues, offering a Christian response to the issues of the day. Here's your host, Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association.
>> Tim Wildmon: Hey, good morning, everybody, and welcome to Today's Issues on the American Family Family Radio Network. Thank you for joining us on this Monday, June 30, 2025. Again, as always, we appreciate you listening to American Family Radio. Well, joining me in studio is Fred Jackson. Good morning, brother Fred.
>> Fred Jackson: Good to be here. Good to be back.
>> Tim Wildmon: And Chris Woodward.
>> Chris Woodward: Hello.
>> Tim Wildmon: And that's it, people. Just three of us. Just three of us. m. Be back from what? You took a little, vacation last week?
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, I was off last week and had a wonderful, blessed time at the Billy Graham Training Cent, better known as the COVID over there in Asheville, North Carolina. And just a wonderful week. we have professors from the Dallas Theological Seminary and, spent a whole week, studying the Book of Romans.
>> Tim Wildmon: A whole week?
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah. Sixteen different lectures over the course of the week.
>> Tim Wildmon: Sixteen lectures on one book of the Bible?
>> Fred Jackson: Yes. Yeah, it was wonderful.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, yeah, okay.
>> Fred Jackson: You know, this about the fourth year I've been going. I, spent a week, studying the Book of Daniel. Then another year was the book of Revelation. Another year was the Book of Daniel.
>> Tim Wildmon: Alex McFarland has a week over there, doesn't he?
>> Fred Jackson: Yes, that's coming up in the middle of July. That was being advertised. He's looking at a couple of books, and I just forget what that is. But, Alex will be there. He's a very popular speaker there. Number of people I talked to said they really look forward to his time there.
>> Tim Wildmon: Now, when you have five days, what it was.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, it opens up usually on a Sunday night with the worship service. And then you have, they have two lectures Monday through Thursday. They have two lectures in the morning and then another one in the evening. So that's Monday through Thursday. And then they do two more on Friday and you're released around noon.
>> Tim Wildmon: How many people were there?
>> Fred Jackson: 300.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Fred Jackson: at least 300. Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. Yeah, I've been. We've been there. We were there like four or five years in a row, I think.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: For a lot of our supporters, this would have been 10 years ago or something like.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Now let me ask you this. Did you go to downtown Asheville?
>> Fred Jackson: I did. In fact, the hotel I stayed in was in the downtown area. And I'll tell you that hurricane damage from it was September of last year.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right. That's why I'm asking you this.
>> Fred Jackson: I would say 90% of the businesses, the restaurants, gas stations are still closed in that right down by the river. Yeah, those are still. And some of them look like war zone. It really did. I mean you could just imagine the damage created by the flooding. In fact, Samaritan's purse, which is part of the Billy Graham organization, they had crews that were staying at the COVID while I was there and, and they're now in the stage of helping people or rebuilding houses for people. they're doing a great ministry there. But yeah, that downtown area, they explain what happened.
>> Tim Wildmon: because it's on hills. Oh yeah. I mean you just go how does this flood. Yeah, I know, I can understand how the lowland floods. Yes. I'm saying, but the downtown area is kind of elevated is.
>> Fred Jackson: Well that's where the river runs through.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Fred Jackson: And that's what flooded.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Fred Jackson: And I used to go down walk and I take my walk in the mornings and you could see some of these buildings, the mud from the river really. So we're talking 20, 30ft above the river level. And I was just imagine what, what it must have been like.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Fred Jackson: When that flooding. They explain what happened. A week before Hurricane Helene happened. There was a front that stalled over the area that dumped about 8 inches of rain. And then several days later the hurricane hit that dumped 17 inches of rain in that area. And that's what caused the problem. So yeah. The evidence is still, still there what this did.
God works through imperfect people, despite the fact that we are all flawed
>> Tim Wildmon: Well Okay, so what was your. Give me one or two notes from your, your time there in terms of what you learned about the book of Romans in the Bible.
>> Fred Jackson: Well, you know it, that, that God's plan was. Will never be stopped. God's plan, he's sovereign, but he works through people, who are flawed.
>> Fred Jackson: And when you start.
>> Tim Wildmon: Why are you looking at me like that? I mean, we're all flawed.
>> Fred Jackson: Put a beer in here. We're all there. But you talk about Abraham. He was told that he would have a son and that the world would be blessed through Abraham.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right.
>> Fred Jackson: We have been blessed through Abraham. But Abraham had a problem with his whole thing of waiting for the son of Isaac to be born. M. So there's the whole Hagar Ishmael thing. So God works through imperfect people. I mean, he worked through Isaac, Jacob. Jacob was a terrible character, but God worked through him. And he was the younger brother of Esau. And then on and on the story goes. When you think about David, when you think about Solomon, God has a plan. But that plan will not be stopped, despite the fact that we are all flawed individuals.
>> Tim Wildmon: Amen.
>> Fred Jackson: And then there's chapters 9, 10, 11 are terrific chapters. That God, still has a special place for the Jewish people, the chosen people, and that their disobedience through the years will not extinguish God's plan for them. and of course, they talk about 1948. Shocked the world when Israel became a nation again. And it will be a nation when the Lord returns.
>> Tim Wildmon: Amen. Yep. All right, well, glad you had a wonderful time. Obviously, you learned a lot, and good to have you home.
Two firefighters killed and another two badly injured in Idaho wildfire ambush
And, we have got a lot to talk about. Lots happening in our country and in our world, that, we need to pay attention to. Chris, what's the first story?
>> Chris Woodward: Well, we need to be praying for firefighters all across the country, but certainly those in Idaho. And I say that because in a story you can find on our website, afn.uh net authorities say two firefighters were killed and another two badly injured after authorities say they were ambushed and shot while responding to a wildfire near Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. This happened over the weekend. And Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Morris said firefighters first responded to an early afternoon report of a brush fire at a place called Canfield Mountain. It's described as a popular and scenic hiking and biking area near the outskirts of town. But. But once the firefighters arrived, someone began shooting at them. And the sheriff says it was very clear that the fire was set to lure the firefighters into an ambush. We also have audio this morning of, what's called radio, you know, traffic, scanner stuff, where a firefighter says it looks like somebody has set this fire to bring us here in ambush us. Clip one.
>> Fred Jackson: We need law enforcement up here immediately. We've got two unresponsive battalion chiefs. Gunshot wounds, multiple gunshot wounds.
>> Tim Wildmon: Two coordinate firefighters are down. I'm ten down behind Battalion One's rig. It's clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in.
>> Chris Woodward: Now, there's also a Quote from the sheriff who says, quote, these firefighters did not have a chance. A very terrible situation over the weekend.
>> Tim Wildmon: This was strange. Yeah. Story when I, this first popped up and I read about it. So this is in I think.
>> Fred Jackson: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, it's a very beautiful, beautiful, well known place and Idaho. And a lot of people I know have moved from Washington state and Oregon to live in Idaho. And that's a popular destination. But, so. So, have they caught what happened to the individual? We know the story for why. So. So just to set this up, or review here, somebody set a fire and this is what the firefighters believe, right?
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: They set a fire intentionally to get firefighters to come to the scene. They get to the scene and then they're A sniper, it says.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Takes two of these guys, out. as in kills them.
>> Chris Woodward: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Two others were injured. And then they. Then it occurs to them that something is wrong here. And they stop. Stop the sending, the firefighters in. Do we know what happened to the individual who shot them?
>> Chris Woodward: And, and that individual appears to be dead. and individuals have not released his name. I've looked at half a dozen news outlets.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, so there's no. We don't know who the person was yet and we don't know what his motive was.
>> Fred Jackson: All that. That seems firm. It was an ambush. Fire was deliberately set to draw these firefighters to this location. this guy opens fire on them, kills two of the firefighters. Another one was seriously injured. And then in searching the area, they find the body of this man with a weapon.
>> Tim Wildmon: Did he shoot himself? That's the implication.
>> Fred Jackson: That's the indication, yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: So, I've never in my life heard of somebody having a vendetta against a firefighter. You know what I'm saying? We don't know the story yet. I'm sure it'll come out eventually, but you know what I'm saying.
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: so that's why it was so bizarre to read about this.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Story and.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah, and that's why I'm saying I think we need to pray for not only these firefighters, but all firefighters. Because these guys and ladies, see a lot of stuff on the job and it does weigh on them there. There are firefighters that unfortunately take their life over things they've dealt with on the job or maybe had personal, issues and things like this, they weigh on you. So we do need to pray for these.
>> Tim Wildmon: Is there a press conference schedule for today?
>> Chris Woodward: I believe so.
>> Fred Jackson: They've had a Couple already just trying explain to folks. I'm sure by now some of these officials know who this guy is, and I think by the end of the day, we'll know a whole lot more.
>> Chris Woodward: Investigators do believe that the gunman did act alone. we believe that he was the only shooter that was on the mountain at that time, the sheriff said.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, yeah. According to Fox News, a SWAT team has located a deceased man and a nearby firearm hours after a sniper shot and killed two firefighters and injured another while they were battling a wildfire in Idaho. So, yeah, so maybe today we'll learn who this person was. And is there any, motivate. What would it be? What would be your motivation for doing something like this?
>> Fred Jackson: We can only speculate at this point. Maybe he didn't get a job as a firefighter, or it can be something happened to a family member. So we don't know.
>> Tim Wildmon: We don't know yet. I don't know yet.
>> Fred Jackson: No.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right, next story. Chris.
The Senate is debating the Big beautiful bill on Medicaid right now
>> Chris Woodward: Now to the Big beautiful bill coverage as we speak. Yes, this is going to be a.
>> Tim Wildmon: Big, beautiful, beautiful bill. I didn't ever get that name. Trump. Oh, that's a Trump.
>> Chris Woodward: But that is the actual name of the bill. When you look it up on Congress.gov, it does say big, beautiful bill.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, yes.
>> Fred Jackson: Just to irritate the Democrats.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right. Big, beautiful, Big, beautiful bill.
>> Chris Woodward: It is the one big beautiful bill act, otherwise known as HR1.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, so this is the, legislation that's being, you know, hashed out in the House and the Senate.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: And then going to be sent to President Trump's desk.
>> Chris Woodward: Well, at some point. so the Senate is debating it now, and some senators have been concerned about the amount of spending involved. Some senators, like Thom Tillis. We'll get to that in a minute. Have been concerned with what he views as Medicaid cuts, even though other Republicans say we're not cutting Medicaid, we're reforming it to help people on it and to make sure it's, you know, costly. and it involves tax breaks, all kinds of stuff. According to Fox, the stuff that's in it as of right now, it would extend the Trump tax cuts. No taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime. There is a tax break for seniors, people on Social Security. It would raise the child tax credits. it would also do things for people that need to write off their state and local taxes. there are some snap reforms in there. Things like work requirements. If you're gonna be on what used to be called food stamps, there's border security money, Golden Dome funding, all kinds of things. Now, whatever the Senate approves today, if they've made one little change, it has to go back to the House because the House controls the purse strings. So anything that involves money, it has to go back to the House. Trump wants this done by July 4th. It would appear it's possible. Whether or not that's likely to happen, I can't tell you now.
>> Tim Wildmon: I read where. So is this latest version have the, no taxes on tips?
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Was it Social Security?
>> Chris Woodward: No. Taxes on tips would be for, like, waiters and people that, get paid, tips on top of their salary.
>> Fred Jackson: The big thing, the big selling point for the Republicans is that it maintains the tax cuts that Trump put in Place in 2017, they were set to expire. Yes, they were set to expire. So that's been the big selling point. but Senator Attilis, he made claims publicly that the Medicaid, what he called the Medicaid cuts, would impact, for instance, rural hospitals, et cetera, et cetera. Now, what other Republicans are saying, as Chris pointed out, it's Medicaid reform. What the Republicans say, they want to put in place some litmus tests before you qualify for Medicaid. The big one being that you have to be, if you're able bodied and able to work, we're not going to continue to give you Medicaid. The other thing that the Republicans are saying, we're going to find out who's in the country illegally and these people are collecting Medicaid, we're going to stop that. So that's what the Republicans say about Medicaid. But the Democrats and Senator Tillis seems to be agreeing with the Democrats that, and I think they're using the figure 11 million people will be taken off of Medicaid. And, Tillis and the Democrats are saying it's going to hurt grandma and it's going to hurt single moms, et cetera, et cetera.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah, Fox airs an ad just about every morning during Fox and Friends. now granted, Fox News Channel is a business. They take in a number of things and run ads. But even Fox News Channel runs an ad just about every morning of two people that are discussing her mother's, Medicaid and the fact that she's gonna lose her Medicaid if this big, beautiful bill passes. so, I mean, this is widely covered.
>> Tim Wildmon: This, this is, listen, it's, it's hard not to get cynical about all this. Right? I mean, it's Politics in America. But this, this one takes the cake for me. this is Chuck Schumer, I'm about to quote. What is Trump calling crying Chuck? Crying Chuck Schumer, among other things. Yeah. Anyway, he's a, he's a Democrat leader in the Senate from New York. He said, quote, Republicans can use whatever budgetary gimmicks they want to try and make the math work on paper, but you can't paper over the real life consequences of adding tens of trillions of dollars to the debt, end of quote. That's from. How does he even do that with a straight face, huh? The Democrats now the Republicans have joined their join right in there with them, so to speak, over the years, but neither party has really done a lot to stop, certainly not the Democrats stop the increase in the, of the national debt. the Democrats never met, an expenditure they didn't like.
>> Chris Woodward: Exactly.
>> Tim Wildmon: So Republicans, you have some of them at least trying to put the brakes on wasteful, spending, for example, but, what they would call wasteful spending but for Chuck Schumer to be the fiscal hulk in the Senate is quite amusing.
>> Chris Woodward: To your point, Elizabeth Warren, Senator Elizabeth Warren posted on X over the weekend.
>> Tim Wildmon: What does Trump call her? I'm not saying.
>> Chris Woodward: I called her Pocahontas.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, She's a Pocahontas.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah. So, so she posted on X over the weekend that she was going to the Senate to, participate with her fellow Democrats and reading this bill, reading every page of this 945 page bill. She never had a problem voting for anything Barack Obama wanted. And I guarantee you that you read the bill then. Oh, no.
>> Tim Wildmon: So what's, what did they do? They, they, the Democrats read the bill. That's a good, that's a good thing.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes, that is a good.
>> Tim Wildmon: They read it out loud.
>> Chris Woodward: But she's a hypocrite because she voted for things like the Inflation Reduction act. And I guarantee you she did not read every page of that.
>> Tim Wildmon: I know.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
If Senate bill passes, it will go back to House for changes
>> Tim Wildmon: So, all right, so, so what happens now? this, this goes. Where is this, where's this go?
>> Chris Woodward: Well, if it gets through the Senate and they are debating it right now on the floor, all the networks have gone.
>> Tim Wildmon: I thought it did 5,149.
>> Fred Jackson: That was a procedural vote on the.
>> Chris Woodward: Week to get it to this point.
>> Tim Wildmon: Oh, I missed that. My bad, guys. Yeah, those darn procedural point. Yeah, it's your votes. I, did catch that.
>> Chris Woodward: It is confusing.
>> Tim Wildmon: I was trying to watch C Span wall to wall all weekend, see what Happened. I missed that one.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes. So. So they voted over the weekend for today's debate, and if it gets through today's debate, it will, pretty much be approved and then it'll have to go back to the House for whatever changes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. Okay.
>> Chris Woodward: Well, that's what we're here for.
>> Tim Wildmon: We'll be, we'll be watching that closely. He paid attention to that.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: but President Trump, said he wants the bill on his desk by July the fourth.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes. Because he wants to have a beautiful celebration.
>> Tim Wildmon: The one. What was it called? The one what?
>> Chris Woodward: The big. The one big beautiful bill.
>> Tim Wildmon: One big beautiful.
>> Chris Woodward: Now, several of the things that are in the bill currently, the House passed version, plus what's currently in the Senate version are things that Trump campaigned on, one of them being no tax on tips. It sounds silly, but that was something that some people in, like, let's say the restaurant hospitality industry did vote for Trump about because they, they only get a couple of bucks an hour. When you're a waiter and the fact that you're not going to be taxing.
>> Tim Wildmon: You mean, you mean from the restaurant itself?
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: So, I've never understood that, that you don't have to pay waiters. They call servers today. Right. Used to be called waitress waiters and waitresses a long time ago. Servers, you don't have to pay them. I never understood why you didn't have to pay them as a restaurant, minimum wage.
>> Chris Woodward: Right.
>> Fred Jackson: I think the restaurant industry argued successfully that they make up for. They. The restaurants don't have to pay the minimum wage. And their argument has been, is that they make a whole lot off of tips. That's been the argument.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, the debate about a minimum wage or not, notwithstanding or withstanding. I'm not sure what I'm trying to say there. put that to the side. That's what I'm trying to say. I've always thought you should pay the, your, your employees a minimum wage, and then tips are on top of that. That's what. Huh? That's what I always, What if you did that with every industry? You know, what if. What if every. What if the person, worked at the gas station, just, started taking tips instead of. You know what I'm saying? Please tip here. Of course you do. We as Americans now are asked to tip on every single thing. What gets me is. What gets me is now at the, at the restaurants, when you pay at the register, instead of paying at the, table, you pay it through, you know, you order your Food and you pay and then you go sit down, you get your number, and they bring your food to your table. But the per. Like last, Last night, this happened to us. We went to a restaurant and. And I'm not faulting the. The lady, she took our order and. Very friendly, nice. Took our order and everything. Then she takes a credit card, and I, do the tap on the credit card, and then. And then she turns the. She turns the screen around in my face and she says, when you fill out this, then that'll be the end of the order. And so she's. She's like two feet away from me with her eyes glaring at me. And it says. It starts at 10, I think.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: I think it starts at 15. Tip. 15, 20, 50, 75. I don't know what I'm exaggerating. I think it's. I think it's 10, 15, 20. And then, I don't know, 30 or something. Yeah. Yo, we all know what I'm talking about, right?
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: so it's that moment where you're going like, I think, I don't want to go. I don't want to go 10.
Some places still pool tips, others don't
That's like cheap. That's like, I might as well not even tip it off. And I don't want to go 30. Good grief. that's another 30%. So I'll try to split the difference and go. I usually go 15 or 20. Usually 20. So that when she flips it back around, does she see it? They see it when you.
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Are there watching.
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'm a little worried if you don't tip, they might do something to that pizza.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah. I'll be right back with your food.
>> Tim Wildmon: Something in there you don't want. you don't give a tip.
>> Fred Jackson: You can see anyway, it's kind of extortion now. It really is. I mean, they're. They're there and. Yeah, you're right. 15.
>> Tim Wildmon: 20 starts at 15. And you know, which is fine. I usually do 20.
>> Fred Jackson: They, they kind of guilt trip. Not that I don't mind tipping, Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Sure.
>> Fred Jackson: But now it's become.
>> Tim Wildmon: No, this was. This is tipping ahead of time. It used to be they, you get your service, your, you know, they bring your drinks, you bring it. Make sure you're, you got all you need, everything you need. they check on you two or three times during your meal, and then you tip them at the end.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Now it's, pre tip, a tip before you ever even just forgetting your food.
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, yeah, yes, that's all.
>> Tim Wildmon: I think you're tipping the cooks though, and stuff like that.
>> Chris Woodward: Maybe, but I'm guessing some places still, pool tips. In other words, whatever you might tip your server, he or she has to share with other people.
>> Tim Wildmon: Communism right there. I told, I told somebody that they had the jar. Yeah, yeah, the jar at this restaurant I went to. And they, I said, what is this? This is for tips. I said, well, how do you decide who gets it? Well, we all share it. what if one was. What if somebody's busting their rear end, another person's playing, solitaire? Who gets the tip? They all still get the tip.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: now, most time that's not the case. Everybody works fairly. I just, I thought, I didn't like that idea of, yeah, a, communal tipping jar. And also I think it cuts down on the tips that you would get because if you just think, well, just, you know, I got great service from my server and I want to tip them 20%. But, I don't want to put it in a communal jar tipping, jar. I want to give it to them. Yeah. So anyway, I guess you could still do that if you wanted to.
No tax on tips is in the Senate version of the tax bill
But, all right, we're going to take a second short timeout right here. We would appreciate it if you would tip us. So you want to. And. But are you saying that, no taxation on tips or, or they're going to reduce it?
>> Chris Woodward: No tax. No tax on tips.
>> Tim Wildmon: That's in the latest.
>> Chris Woodward: It's in the Senate version that's currently being argued right now. Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: No taxation on tip. Wait. Well, all right, we'll be back in a minute. Stay with us.
Today marks three years since Roe v. Wade was overturned
>> Ed Vitagliano: This June 24th marks three years since Roe v. Wade was overturned. But here's what you may not know. Abortion numbers have surged to a 10 year high. The battleground has shifted from the courtroom to our homes. Today, over 60% of abortions happen through the abortion pill. Taken in silence, often alone. PreBorn Network clinics are standing in the gap, meeting women in their most desperate hour. And here's what they're Young mothers, terrified and misled, are delivering their babies, tiny, perfectly formed, onto bathroom floors. These precious babies, once called just tissue, now lie lifeless. 11% of these women who take the abortion pill will suffer serious health complications. Countless others carry emotional scars for a lifetime. When you give to preborn, you're not just saving a baby, you're saving a mother too. You're giving her hope, financial support, and the truth. PreBorn has already rescued over 350,000 babies. But there are so many more who need our help. Your tax deductible gift makes this mission possible. To donate now, dial £250 and say the keyword baby. That's £250, baby. Or go to preborn.com afr that's preborn.com afr.
>> Jeff Chamblee: This is today's issues. Email your comments to commentsfr.net Past broadcasts of today's Issues are available for listening and viewing in the archive@afr.net now back to more of Today's Issues.
Today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network features Steve Crampton
>> Tim Wildmon: Hey, welcome back, everybody, to Today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network. Tim, Fred, Chris. And, we thank you for listening to afr. Joining us in studio is, Steve Crampton. Steve, good, morning.
>> Steve Crampton: Brother Steve, good morning. Great to be with you.
>> Tim Wildmon: Steve is an attorney with the Thomas More Society, and he also does some work for us here at AFA. And, he's, gone. Done first, ah, amendment, constitutional law for what, 30 years or so?
>> Steve Crampton: Exactly. Right. A little over that. Yeah.
Tim Ferriss: Steve, give us a report on last week's Supreme Court decisions
>> Tim Wildmon: So, let me ask you, Steve, I asked you to come in and give us a report on the Supreme Court's decisions that were announced last week because these are, these were some big ones. Of course, I guess all Supreme Court decisions are big ones. But, these were some good ones, too. There were some good ones, too. Would you review, some of those, if you would?
>> Steve Crampton: Yes, Tim, thanks again for having me on. You know, the, practice of this.
>> Tim Wildmon: I got to tip you, by the way. Just get that out. Get out of the way now. We are good on that.
>> Steve Crampton: I'm shocked, actually.
>> Tim Wildmon: But I'll just get tipped or not. We're not going to do that today. Go ahead.
>> Steve Crampton: you are familiar enough with the Supreme Court, practice to know that it's almost always in the last 30 plus years that it's the last week of the term, that the really monumental.
>> Tim Wildmon: Save the juicy ones for last, the.
>> Steve Crampton: Juicy ones that tend to have much more dispute with the, among the justices and so forth. And this year was no exception. We had the, birthright citizenship case where the, technically the issue was whether birthright citizenship is, as President Trump has basically reinterpreted or interpreted it by, via, via the executive order, or if it's more like it had been treated by the leftist kind of Obama interpretations, where if you just, basically cross the border and give birth, then automatic citizenship attaches. But the court actually did not decide that ultimate issue. Right. and so what we had instead was a ruling that was monumental with its effect by virtue of the fact that the court definitively, I would say, held that nationwide injunctions are off the table beyond the authority of the district courts.
>> Tim Wildmon: I'm clapping. We are clapping.
>> Steve Crampton: And as we all know, that has been the tool of lawfare, leftist attempts to derail President Trump and the new presidential administration and their agenda. So that is absolutely huge, in and of itself. So the birthright citizenship, as I say, the ultimate merits of that will be decided later.
One federal judge somewhere in America can issue a national injunction on a law
>> Tim Wildmon: Right, so let me ask you this about this. So this, yeah, this has bothered a lot of people, I mean, especially conservatives, because you go, this, this is, this is overreach by, you're telling me that one federal judge somewhere in America can issue a national injunction on a law or an executive order. Now they can issue. Here's what would you agree with me? They can issue an injunction that applies to their jurisdiction, of course. Yes, their jurisdiction. But then, that's the reason you have other federal judges who are overseeing other parts of the country. They can do the same thing if they want to.
>> Steve Crampton: Very good. Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: But to have one judge, one federal judge be able to, issue a national injunction, basically, that, that judge becomes king.
>> Steve Crampton: It's exactly right, Tim. It is the imperial judiciary, isn't it?
>> Tim Wildmon: Yes.
>> Steve Crampton: One judge could issue that ruling that binds every single American or even the non citizens who are present. Even the, under the power of the executive, order can only bind those who are in the executive department. So really, that that single district unelected district court judge becomes more powerful than the president.
>> Tim Wildmon: But the good news is the Supreme Court ruled in a 6, 3 decision that that is, not constitutional.
>> Steve Crampton: Correct.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, that. So that's good news.
>> Steve Crampton: That is huge. Really, really good news.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, what other decision, May I say.
>> Steve Crampton: It in Trumpian terms? Huge.
>> Tim Wildmon: That was huge, I would say. Beautiful. It's one beautiful. It's one beautiful ruling. Yes.
A Maryland school board adopted a policy of implementing l pro LGBTQ books in curriculum
>> Steve Crampton: Okay. Another really, really big case was mock Mood against Taylor out of.
>> Tim Wildmon: Sounds like a prize fight.
>> Steve Crampton: I know, right? Mood in one quarter, the infamous Montgomery County, Maryland.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, yes.
>> Steve Crampton: Which has been just a hotbed of leftist initiatives, especially in the, school system. Right. So in this case, the school board, in its infinite wisdom, adopted a rule, and a policy of implementing l pro LGBTQ books in their curriculum. Now this is a classic case too, I think, of a Trojan horse sort of undertaking. When it was adopted, they assured the parents and everybody that was concerned, we have an opt out provision. If you don't like and you don't want your children reading this Book, by golly, you just stay away. Well, a year or so down the road, guess what? Too many were opting out.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Steve Crampton: And so the school board reverses policy. Now they've got the curriculum in, and they say, thou shalt read it. No, opt out. Oh, how about that?
>> Tim Wildmon: Right. A little bait and switch there.
>> Steve Crampton: Little bait and switch there. And so this, we've seen this for decades, too, where we have struggled against the power of the school boards to impose, really, propaganda and indoctrination.
>> Tim Wildmon: Nothing to do with reading, writing or arithmetic.
>> Steve Crampton: And so this group of parents. And so the reason that you've got Mahmoud leading on the plaintiffs, the lead plaintiff is because this was a coalition Muslims, Orthodox Jews, Christians put together, is a very well, planned out lawsuit. All of which came forward and said, no, this is an erosion of our free exercise rights, our parental rights. And again, the court, in a six, another six to three decision, said, that's exactly right. And this opinion written by Justice Alito, Alito, I think, has almost dedicated his career to championing a reinvigoration of the First Amendment, fundamental First Amendment rights of parents and others under the free exercise.
>> Tim Wildmon: Samuel Lito and Clarence Thomas, they, they need to be, they both need to be on Mount Rushmore of Supreme Court justices, and they're serving together. It's kind of like having Willie Mays and Hank Erin.
>> Steve Crampton: That's right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Same team. These guys are just incredible. And I hope they can stay another five years, although they're in their 70s. Right.
>> Steve Crampton: And you know, the rumors have been rampant, that they both are interested in retiring.
>> Tim Wildmon: Now would be the time to go. Because of President Trump, a Republican is in the White House, and The Republicans have 5,340. You're not going to get any better than that.
>> Steve Crampton: And that's the logic.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Steve Crampton: On the other hand, are you ever going to get another Samuel Alito or Clarence Thomas? I mean, and these guys, for their years of experience and working inside the court, they have achieved a degree of gravitas that I'm not sure a new Associate justice would attain.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, there. One other question.
The Appointments Clause case reaffirms presidential and executive authority
Were there any more rulings last week?
>> Steve Crampton: Oh, yeah, there were several. One of them, let me just say.
>> Tim Wildmon: Briefly, was jump in here.
>> Steve Crampton: The Appointments Clause case. Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: What is that?
>> Steve Crampton: Sounds a little bit like this is the clause that basically you're dealing with when nominating, new Supreme Court Justices, for instance. Right. Article two, Section two gives the United States President the power of appointment. Right. With superior principal offices. They must be confirmed with the advice and consent of The Senate inferior appointments do not. So this case involved basically to get way into the weeds. it's a, department within the Health and Human Services that, oversees some of the, recommendations regarding policies dealing with food and so forth. And what you have is some of these guys were fired. It's another lawfare case, in effect. Right. Challenging the president's authority, again and again, the power of the executive to control who in the world is working in the executive department. And again, the court comes down and says these were inferior officers, not principal officers. They did not need to go through the Senate and so forth. And so this is a reaffirmation of presidential and executive authority that, again, was, I, think a dead right ruling. So we. In this case, however, there was the twist. Normally the three dissenters. Can you name them? Fred can name them. Right. It's the leftists, Ketanji, Brown, Jackson, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena.
>> Tim Wildmon: The ones who rule off feelings.
>> Steve Crampton: Exactly. In this case, you had Justice Thomas and Gorsuch in the dissent. So it's a little different dynamic, but I think the, the result came out correctly. and, you know, the court, for all the criticism, and I've been among those that criticize it, for one, they're just timid to take these cases. In this case, once they finally got to the decision making, I think they did the right thing. And so kudos to President Trump for appointing three justices that ruled correctly in these cases. And long term, I think, the country is going to be much better off.
The Supreme Court decided in favor of states' right to not fund abortions
>> Fred Jackson: I want to go back to the Maryland case. The parental rights issue is nationwide. This was Montgomery county, as you pointed out. How important do you think it was that it was a coalition? That it was a coalition of Muslim parents, Jewish parents, Christian parents, Hugely.
>> Steve Crampton: So sadly, it shouldn't be as, you know, Fred, the merits are the merits, regardless who brings the case. But look, we have. AFA has been party to cases where it was only our kind of people that were the plaintiffs. And when the court sees that, and of course the press and everybody else comes in and tries to undermine the case, they can do it without any real pushback. When you get a coalition like this, it's much more difficult.
>> Tim Wildmon: One other question. The Supreme Court, they did they didn't they rule something about states being able to.
>> Steve Crampton: Oh, yes, yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Stop abortion with medic. With tax dollars.
>> Chris Woodward: Medina v. Planned Parenthood.
>> Steve Crampton: Medina, yes, absolutely.
>> Tim Wildmon: For those who don't know, what are we talking about here?
>> Steve Crampton: We are talking about the provision of subsidies, to Usually low income folks. And Planned Parenthood of course has had a huge role in really monopolizing the take of the federal dollars. Under those rules, states like in this case South Carolina said, wait a minute, we're a participant in this process as well. We have rights and we say no to the folks like Planned Parenthood that are really abortion providers and so forth. This isn't really medical assistance that you're giving. And several other states have undertaken this. in this case, the Supremes decided to review the matter and decide states rights versus federal rights. You know, another big constitutional.
>> Tim Wildmon: But they entered it and decide.
>> Steve Crampton: They did decide.
>> Tim Wildmon: They decided in favor of the states have the right.
>> Steve Crampton: That's exactly.
>> Tim Wildmon: Again, again, that's exactly news that so the Supreme Court. Wow, wow, you're talking about a bunch of wins here. 6, 3, 7, 2. But the decision, was that. So if pro life states want to say no to paying using federal tax, they don't want to be told. They, if they get money from the federal government, which all states do, that they then have to pay for abortions with that money.
>> Steve Crampton: That is right.
>> Tim Wildmon: And many states this initiated in South Carolina said no, we're not going to do that. And the Supreme Court says that, that the state of South Carolina and other states have the right to not pay for abortions.
>> Steve Crampton: Yes. And so some of our folks are working right now, Jameson Taylor, to put this blueprint in front of every other red state to begin with and just say get this passed right away.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, well, this is. Listen, you might say, well, how did this all happen? To what do we attribute this? I'll tell you for the most part you can attribute this to Donald Trump beating Hillary Clinton. You have to go back to 2016 because President, then candidate Trump, you remember he made a commitment to appoint pro life judges to the. Really he was making a commitment to appoint constitutional.
>> Steve Crampton: Thank you.
>> Tim Wildmon: Judges, those who follow the Constitution. It was more. It wasn't just a one issue, thing. But President Trump made a commitment. Now he was following he. President Trump. So the fact that he was able to defeat Hillary Clinton, of course we know how narrow a margin that was. He lost the popular vote, but he won the electoral college vote that saved the Supreme Court. Okay. From a complete total takeover by the far lefties. no, no telling what our country would look like right now had he not beaten her.
>> Steve Crampton: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. So, I know at the time a lot of Christians were going who. That's. Christians are a large voting block.
>> Steve Crampton: I was among them.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Steve Crampton: And we're.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, I know. We were going like, this New York playboy billionaire ain't one of us. Okay. So I don't know what we're going to. What we're going to get here, but. But we're going to go with it. Okay. And, President Trump was championing a lot of other issues that was, that was, Was appealing to conservative voters.
>> Steve Crampton: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: So, but it, but it. He. President Trump followed his commitment, not his heart. He followed his commitment, follows his commitment to appoint judges the best that he knew how. That followed the Constitution. He was relying on the Federalist Society for the recommendations because he didn't know what he was doing, that much. And he admitted that President Trump did. He said, I'm just, I'm. I'm going with the ones that, Leonard Leo and the Federal Society said were. Were good to, appoint. So anyway, I just wanted to go back to that moment in time in 2016 and say, if you voted for President Trump now, then. Then you can pat yourself on the back because he won. And we were able to get to the kind of decisions that Steve's just reported on the last 15 minutes.
>> Steve Crampton: May I say in that context, too, Tim? I think that's exactly right. He was transparent. Right. And today that's the term he's using in describing his administration. And the fact of the matter is he really has been.
Steve Crampton applauds President Trump for appointing federal judges
I mean, it's a phenomenal thing. He put the list out there, told us, here are the like, 11.
>> Tim Wildmon: Nobody does that. He put the list of judges he would have been point. Prior to being elected.
>> Steve Crampton: Exactly. And he delivered on that process.
>> Tim Wildmon: Listen, nothing but applause for President Trump in his first four years and appointing federal judges who. The Supreme Court. And so, I haven't heard much about his appointments this time. Of course, he's only been in office six months, but, he's just getting rolling on this. Yeah. I know that we here at American Family association are doing our part behind the scenes to, to, you know, to influence his decision. Yes. On who he picks.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: to. To be a, to be a federal judge or be a, Or, to be a Supreme Court justice.
>> Steve Crampton: That's exactly right.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right, well, listen, Steve, thanks so much for that. That's good news, man.
>> Steve Crampton: It's tremendous.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Brad's gonna tip you, so if you would just take your screen over there and set beside him.
>> Chris Woodward: And it's all in Canadian dollars.
>> Tim Wildmon: What you need to do, I, mean, just tell you how this works. Start with 25%, and then have a 25% box, a 50% box, and let me take notes.
>> Steve Crampton: Let me write this down.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, yeah. So. All right, well, thank you, Steve.
>> Steve Crampton: Thank you.
>> Tim Wildmon: Steve Crampton joining us. You're listening to today's issues on the American Family Radio Network.
Supreme Court upheld Texas' age verification law for porn websites
All right, Chris, what's next?
>> Chris Woodward: One other Supreme Court ruling to go over is a case called Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton. And this is a ruling last week where justices ruled in favor of Texas and its age verification law for pornography websites.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, hang on, Steve. I didn't realize. Chris, going to bring this up. And I'm glad you did increase the tip.
>> Steve Crampton: I'm just saying.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, so let me just say. Okay, so states, some states, including this one, this was Texas, and other states did this too. Said if you're going to go for, for pornographic websites, you're going to have to verify your age.
>> Chris Woodward: Correct.
>> Tim Wildmon: Just like you do to get a driver's license or to get alcohol or get tobacco. The states, in this case, again, Texas deemed it, that this kind of material should, not be accessed, by anyone under 18 years old. I guess it's 18 years old.
>> Steve Crampton: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right. And so, people on the left argue, no, this is a violation of free speech.
>> Steve Crampton: Yes. And here's the argument. I mean, listen, they are as clever as they can be. Notice again the name of the case. Free Speech Coalition. Who's against free speech?
>> Tim Wildmon: Right, right, I know.
>> Steve Crampton: So that's the left. Another Trojan horse kind of image. Right? So they come in and they say, wait a minute. If you're gonna require this age verification and so forth, you're infringing the rights of adults who have a right to access this because it's protected by free speech. Which in itself, by the way, is a ruling that needs to be revisited. Right, but we're not there. that's the one sad footnote in this case that I would add is no justice, including Justices Alito and Thomas, even footnoted and said, we dispute that this material is protected by the First Amendment at all. It shouldn't be. Right. That aside, they correctly upheld the right of a state. It just seems like a no brainer to most of us, doesn't it, to prohibit and require that the providers of this material take the.
>> Tim Wildmon: Verify what you're dealing with an adult right.
>> Steve Crampton: Don't let children on there. Are you kidding me? You're fighting that and yet you've got again, the.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, so the Supreme Court said, yes, states have a right to regulate, obscenity or pornography, pornographic websites, and prohibit Minors from accessing them, at least as it relates to, you know, you go on the Internet.
>> Steve Crampton: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: You go to a pornography site now you have to enter a, government issued ID to verify your age.
>> Steve Crampton: Something like that.
>> Tim Wildmon: So.
>> Chris Woodward: So anyway, and that was after the Supreme Court, upheld Tennessee's ban on the gender mutilation of minors too.
>> Steve Crampton: So, I mean, they just keep coming, right?
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. Yeah.
Will Clarence Thomas retire while Trump is in office
So anyway, all right, again, this goes back to the election of 2016. we're reporting all these good news.
>> Steve Crampton: yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Decisions by the Supreme Court had Hillary, Clinton beat Donald Trump.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: We would be talking about the very opposite results here. That's for m. Sure.
>> Steve Crampton: May I just put a footnote in there too? Isn't there a sense here for all of these decisions? At the end of the day, it just looks like common sense to most. I, know we're just returning to common sense insanity here.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah. I have one more question.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Fred Jackson: That's. You're gonna have to speculate on this. Will Thomas retire while Trump is in office? To give Trump an opportunity to get.
>> Steve Crampton: A conservative, I'd say the odds are yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, in addition to. Steve answered. Can I answer to.
>> Fred Jackson: Sure.
>> Steve Crampton: Added tip.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. So, the question is when will Clarence Thomas do this? Because not only do you need a Republican in the White House, Donald, Trump, you need a margin in the Senate to confirm.
>> Steve Crampton: Exactly.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: So I don't, I could be wrong. I just don't think it's going to get any larger than 5,000, 347 for the Republicans.
>> Steve Crampton: But don't you think y' all are the political observers, as the best. I understand the midterms looks like the Senate, races will not change the majority. So he may buy another couple years.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well.
>> Tim Wildmon: And Sir Clarence Thomas is looking at that too.
>> Steve Crampton: I think so.
>> Tim Wildmon: And Samuel Leto perhaps. Go ahead.
>> Chris Woodward: I have a question. Would you say that Justice Thomas is like the strongest in terms of gun rights when it comes to gun cases?
>> Steve Crampton: Probably so.
>> Chris Woodward: So on with that said, it would seem to me that Trump really needs to. And perhaps groups that are coming up with lists for him to consider they need a really staunch pro second Amendment guy to replace Thomas.
>> Steve Crampton: agreed. And again, back to my comment earlier of the frustration of the timidity of the court Justices, Chief Justice Roberts, really, Justice Kavanaugh, Justice Barrett, they seem to want to just say we're just not going to take these cases and there are some bad lower court rulings on gun rights right now. They could have taken and Again, they just turn away. So that whole coalition that's necessary just to have cert granted is a big.
Steve: When will we have an evangelical Christian on the Supreme Court
>> Tim Wildmon: I want to know when we're going to have an evangelical Christian on the Supreme Court.
>> Chris Woodward: It's been a minute.
>> Tim Wildmon: We've got.
>> Steve Crampton: Have you been holding your breath?
>> Tim Wildmon: Five Catholics, right? M. Something like that. A couple Jews.
>> Steve Crampton: Okay.
>> Tim Wildmon: Theist.
>> Steve Crampton: And, back in the day with Katanji Brown Jackson, there was the belief among evangelicals that she was actually an evangelical Christian. What I'm thinking somebody missed the boat on that. Personally, that's just me, but really, I'm not kidding.
>> Tim Wildmon: I don't have anything against. Listen, I sound. I'm not anti Catholic by any means. we have a lot of Catholic supporters, so that's fine. I'm just saying if we want to make the Supreme Court look like America, can we not have one evangelical on the Supreme Court out of nine?
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Do our people not go to law school?
>> Steve Crampton: Religious profiling or. What are you doing here?
>> Tim Wildmon: I'm trying. Yeah. I'm trying to make. Like I said, I'm trying to make Liberty University.
>> Chris Woodward: We have a law school people. Yeah.
>> Fred Jackson: So I want to get back here to, to Jackson. Some. Someone labeled her an evangelical Christian.
>> Tim Wildmon: Someone I remember because her husband. Some kind of evangelical.
>> Steve Crampton: I don't even know.
>> Fred Jackson: Listen, when she failed on that question about defining a woman.
>> Tim Wildmon: What is a woman?
>> Fred Jackson: What is a woman?
>> Steve Crampton: By the way, may I say in this, this is maybe getting again into the weeds, but part of the importance of AFA and others being involved early on in judicial nominations, when they moved Merrick Garland from his seat on the D.C. court of Appeals to become Attorney General, there was a plan among the Obama wing of the Democrat Party to place Ketanji Brown Jackson in that seat, which they did, and then move her up to the high court, which they did. This was a three step, real clever move. And so if you're asleep at the wheel when they're nominating these lower court justices, you may be too late to weigh in at the Supreme Court.
>> Fred Jackson: Good point.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. All right, thank you, Steve.
>> Steve Crampton: Thank you all for having me.
>> Fred Jackson: That was great.
>> Tim Wildmon: You're listening. So some big wins at the Supreme Court. and if you voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and his presidential race against Hillary Clinton, that is the reason we're reporting these good news stories, about the Supreme Court that we're all, that we've just been reflecting on the last few minutes here.
>> Fred Jackson: Can you imagine too, having these. Having conservatives on that Supreme Court are going to be needed if this Democrat who has been nominated to run for mayor in New York and what he wants to do there. Yeah, perhaps we'll talk about that.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. Yeah. They got. You got a far left wackadoodle.
>> Chris Woodward: He's to the left of far left socialists.
>> Tim Wildmon: Oh, he's. He makes AOC Looks conservative.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Think about that.
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Alexandria Costi Ocasio.
>> Fred Jackson: Cortez.
>> Tim Wildmon: Cortez. Yes. She's a rabid rush winger compared to this.
>> Fred Jackson: Wow.
>> Tim Wildmon: Compared to this guy running for, who may win the mayoral office in white. In New, York City.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right, we'll be back momentarily with more of, today's issue. Steve Paisley Jordo will be in studio.
>> Steve Crampton: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
