Andy Parks Live From The Washington Times

As Stephen Dinan reports, Homeland Security has ditched an interview requirement for spouses and children of refugees who want to come to the U.S. as a package deal, saying it was taking too long to complete the cases without much benefit from the extra work. The new policy applies to refugees, defined as those seeking humanitarian protection from outside the U.S., and asylees, who are seeking protection from within the country. Plus, Stephen tells Andy the story of three vehicles piled with Russian illegal immigrants making a run at the U.S. border on Sunday, drawing gunfire from a Homeland Security officer.

Andy's week in review includes the horrific storms in Kentucky and other states. And somehow President Biden and other Democrats are making sure not to let this crisis go to waste, blaming global warming at their first opportunity. Plus, the president made a late-night appearance with Jimmy Fallon. It was funny, alright. Full of flat-out hilarious spin on actual facts on energy, gas prices and who's to blame. And, did you really want to hear Hillary Clinton's unused victory speech?

The Supreme Court has been busy hearing oral arguments. Maine struggled Wednesday to defend its school funding system, with GOP-appointed justices casting a skeptical eye on the program, which pays for students to attend some private schools as long as their classrooms aren’t too religious. As Stephen Dinan reports, Chief Justice John Roberts said that means the state ends up picking and choosing some religious schools and rejecting others. Stephen also tells Andy Parks the latest on President Biden’s commission on the Supreme Court, which failed to recommend any significant changes to the way the justices operate.

First up, Andy takes a look at the recent moves by outgoing NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, the latest on vaccine data, Chris Cuomo, Jussie Smollett & more. Then, Washington Times White House reporter Jeff Mordock stops by with the latest on the Biden-Putin call this week. As Jeff reports, there were some blunt words but no “finger-wagging” as President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked face-to-face Tuesday about avoiding a war over Ukraine. It was unclear from the public readouts whether the two leaders made much progress behind closed doors. Jeff says the readouts were all very vague, so the public doesn't really know much about what was discussed,

Supreme Court justices flirted with scraping away at the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that created a national right to abortion, pondering whether states should have freedom to bar abortions altogether or at least weeks before currently allowed. Stephen Dinan tells Andy that conservative-leaning justices of the court took aim at the current fetal “viability” standard — about 24 weeks of pregnancy — for when states can move to bar abortions. They suggested Mississippi’s 15-week line may be just as valid. And, as President Biden’s new coronavirus travel ban took effect Monday, security experts say he’s left a glaring hole in his scheme: the southern border.

So the latest variant is on the way. More mask mandates to follow? Apparently not for President Biden, who is iffy on when he chooses to wear a mask. What about the success rate in Florida? Is no one paying attention? Andy says, "take a hint, Dr. Fauci." Why not let nature run its course. It seems to be working in Florida. Plus, digital health IDs, travel restrictions, media coverage of the Christmas Parade deaths in Wisconsin, and much more.

Up first, migrants from Central America are rushing to the U.S. illegally not because of violence or natural disasters in their home countries but because of jobs, a major new study found, challenging claims that they are asylum-seekers fleeing persecution. As Stephen Dinan reports, climate and the environment — a major explanation VP Harris has cited — was a reason for 3% of migrants. In other immigration news, a 17-day-old infant perished at the border after his mother carried him across the Rio Grande as part of a group of illegal immigrants, Homeland Security said this week. These stories are awful, and the responsibility rests on very many people, including the mother, the smugglers, the policy-makers and many others.

Andy Parks breaks down all the things to be... thankful... for in 2021. Just in time for Thanksgiving, we have the circus surrounding the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. This is what we have in America today. Subjected to labels he doesn't deserve, his life is changed forever regardless of the verdict. And then there is the fatal Christmas parade incident in Wisconsin. The suspect has been in and out of jail for half of his life. Andy has questions.

As Stephen Dinan reports, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas graded himself with an “A for effort” this week, telling senators he believes the Biden administration is on the right track to solve the border’s chaos and to make up for what he called cruel Trump policies. His defense was not reassuring to Republicans on the committee. Plus, sheriffs representing 17 states called on President Biden to oust Mayorkas and find a new department chief who will work with them to restore respect for the border and immigration law.

Are Republicans using "wokeness" against the Dems? Andy says the short answer is yes. Plus, Washington Times Deputy Politics Editor Dave Boyer joins Andy with more on the infrastructure bill, upcoming elections and the power struggle ahead. Also, the latest from China, the economy, trade, and the big mystery of the week, what is going on with Vice President Kamala Harris?

Up first, Stephen Dinan joins Andy Parks with the latest on a Supreme Court case on whether a man sentenced to death can be allowed to have his pastor in the execution chamber, touching him and praying out loud as the lethal injection is delivered. And then, this week marks the 100 year anniversary of the Unknown Soldier arriving on U.S. shores. The first Unknown Soldier almost didn’t make it back to U.S. soil at all. Stephen Dinan joins Andy Parks with the story of how the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier came to be. Arlington this week is commemorating the 100 years with a reenactment of the original journey and entombment in what amounts to a rededication of the resting place for unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II and the Korean conflict.

The RINOS jumped to help save the infrastructure bill this week and President Biden celebrated by telling us the rich need to pay their "fair share." But, what is a fair share? According to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 50% sounds about right. What do you think? Plus, are we all too dumb to understand the supply chain? The people in charge under the Biden Administration find the supply chain problems "hilarious." Do you? Oh, and is the White House paying illegal immigrants or not? The story keeps changing and Andy asks, who's actually running things in the White House right now?

Attorney General Merrick Garland said this week that some migrants in the new mass caravan headed north should come to the U.S. if they plan to demand asylum. Stephen Dinan joins Andy Parks with more on his reporting on the Attorney General's take on immigrants coming with asylum claims and how they are different than traditional illegal immigrants. Plus, concerns of COVID-positive migrants being sent back to Mexico, the widespread use of illegal workers in the construction industry & more.

President Biden proposes a billionaires' tax, because someone has to pay for the bill with a "zero" cost factor. How does that actually work? Andy Parks takes a look at a few real-life examples. If the government is going to take the profits away from the investments of the wealthy, the wealthy may stop investing, at least in the United States. And, a look at the Virginia gubernatorial race, the latest on defunding the police, and a really rough week for the family of the woman killed on the set of an Alec Baldwin movie.

As White House reporter Jeff Mordock reports, White House press secretary Jen Psaki came under fire this week after joking that it’s a “tragedy” some people may have to wait longer for their treadmill to arrive amid the supply-chain crisis that has disrupted global economies. Also, President Biden, Vice President Harris and Treasury Secretary Yellen met with Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and other progressive lawmakers in an attempt to salvage a smaller version of the president’s $3.5 trillion social welfare and climate change bill.

The border is a mess, the supply chain is a mess, the vaccine mandates are a mess, the president is having dinner at a fancy Washington restaurant without a mask, the transportation secretary is busy being a new dad, Dr. Fauci continues to mislead the American people and Vice President Kamala Harris is no Condoleezza Rice. Beyond that, it was a typical week in Biden's Washington.

Stephen Dinan has the latest on the immigration debate in the United States. But first, Stephen tells Andy about the largest cost of living increase for Social Security since 1982, when the country was still emerging from the inflationary years of the late 1970s. Advocates for Social Security said the benefit hike is desperately needed as those on fixed incomes face huge challenges making ends meet amid soaring prices. Then, we get the latest from the border, including abandoned children, raiding workplaces for illegal workers, plans for amnesty and vaccinations for border jumpers.

Vaccine mandates, inflation, empty shelves in grocery stores. Does that sound like Christmas to you? It may be our reality this holiday season. But first, Andy takes a look at President Biden's travel, travails, plummeting poll numbers, gaffes and missteps. And a new documentary on St. Anthony Fauci sheds new light on his years of fame and shame. And are you seeing empty shelves? Cargo ships are backed up at US ports and shelves are empty. Andy says people are too happy sitting at home to come in to work.

Washington Times White House reporter Jeff Mordock joins Andy Parks with the latest from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Up first, Biden said Tuesday he backs Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell amid harsh criticism from Sen. Elizabeth Warren. But he’s faced blistering criticism from far-left Democrats after it was revealed that top Federal Reserve officials were trading securities during the pandemic. Also, The president traveled to Howell, Michigan, to win over voters even as he struggles to make the same sales pitch to his fellow Democratic lawmakers. But he got a special greeting in "friendly" territory.

What is going on with the Democrats? The party is no more. Or, at least it's no longer made up of actual Democrats. Not even Nancy Pelosi can keep her party in line. Also, interesting that Senator Joe Manchin is changing his tune. Again. But at least he's not chanting the all too familiar NASCAR slogan "Let's Go Brandon." Meanwhile, Biden has been hit with boos from the crowd at his event in Michigan and even at the Congressional baseball game. What's going on with this party?