Press Secretary Leavitt Announces Departure

From Karoline Leavitt:

"Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime. I am incredibly grateful to President Trump for granting me so many extraordinary opportunities, such as working in the West Wing and spending countless hours in the Oval Office, flying around the world and meeting foreign leaders, and traveling across our beautiful country and meeting Americans from all walks of life.

Most of all, I am thankful to the President for entrusting me with the distinct privilege of speaking on his behalf at the White House podium. I have spoken with great pride about the many historic accomplishments of this Administration, and I have relished holding the liberal media accountable and ensuring the American people hear the truth about President Trump’s successes.

Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life, to say the least. The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary — and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life.

President Trump has asked me to continue serving as a top advisor to him on the outside, and I will always remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party.

Our country is facing an existential threat from an increasingly extremist Democrat Party that seeks to destroy everything great about America, and I believe it is incumbent upon all of us who care about this country to fight back against that threat. My fight is entering a new phase, but it is far from over.

Thank you again to the President, the First Lady, and the entire Trump family for your kindness and generosity over the years. Thank you to our amazing Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for empowering me since the day she hired me on the campaign, and to the President’s cabinet, my staff, colleagues, and friends at the White House who work so hard on behalf of our nation. It has been a privilege to serve alongside so many accomplished and impressive people, and I look forward to cheering them on over the next two and a half years.

And of course, thank you most especially to my loving and supportive husband and family for the sacrifices they made for me to serve in this role.

MASS ABORTION LAW: Demonic, Pure Evil!

A very important message from catholicvote.org:

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey just signed a law removing virtually every last remaining protection for unborn children after 24 weeks.   Children in all stages of pregnancy — up to the moment of birth — can be aborted based solely on “the professional judgment of a physician.”   Healthy, viable babies who can feel pain and survive outside the womb are allowed by law to be killed.   The number of young, applauding women surrounding the governor as she signed the bill — potential mothers and perhaps already mothers — is as alarming as the legislation itself.   As the mother of a child born at 35 weeks, it is beyond heartbreaking.

Governor Healey, who has publicly referred to her Catholicism on X as the inspiration for her policies, celebrated the new law. She proclaimed: “As long as I’m governor, abortion will remain safe, legal, and accessible in Massachusetts. You have my word.”   This is an absolute inversion of the good. Every child is created in the image of God.   Governor Healey has spoken about having priests at the family table. She has even met the Holy Father.   Now, she’s encouraging the people of her state to deliberately kill unborn children — up to the moment of birth.   The Catholic Church has consistently proclaimed that human life must be protected from the moment of conception. Direct abortion is never justified. In fact, abortion is a grave moral evil.   And Governor Healey’s actions are a grave scandal.   Please join me in praying for the unborn children of Massachusetts.   Go forward bravely,

Kelsey Reinhardt President & CEO CatholicVote

About That NJ Voter Registration Scandal . . .

 

Abdul El-Sayed On America's Favorite Sport

Democrats’ top candidate in Texas won’t eat meat, their leading nominee in Wisconsin hates Thanksgiving, and now their guy in Michigan is coming out against football.

Banner year, guys. https://t.co/kK4FdM4Y2K

— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) August 11, 2026

Leave New Jersey? Five Reasons Why People Stay

OK, we already know that New Jersey tops all the bad lists (highest property taxes in the nation) and comes in near the bottom in all the good lists (NOT the best place to retire). And we also know that tons of people leave the state every year for places like Florida, North Carolina and even Delaware.

But lots of people stay. They tough it out. When I ask them why they stay, here's what they tell me:

1) It's convenient. New Jersey pivotal location puts it close to everything -- New York, Philadelphia, the ocean, the mountains, farmland, great medical centers, shopping, recreation, historic sites, top schools and universities -- you never have to travel very far. It's all nearby.

2) My family is here. New Jerseyans are a close knit bunch, or so it seems. And many people simply want to be close to their parents, grandparents, kids and grandkids. They figure life is short and they want to spend it near the ones they love and care about.

3) My job is here. Yes, post Covid in the era of remote employment this is not as important as it once was. Still, huge numbers of people have to report to work to work everyday at offices, labs, classrooms, medical centers, warehouses, factories, stores and job sites. RWJBarnabas Health alone employs 44,000 people in New Jersey. The on site workforce is immense.

4) This is my home. The longer you stay here, the more this seems to emerge as the reason for remaining. People set down roots in a place and it becomes familiar and comforting to them. They develop a sort of natural inertia and they don't want to leave.

5) The food. I'm not a foodie, so this is a bit of a stretch for me. But you wouldn't believe the number of people who have told me the food is the reason why they stay here. Beyond Jersey tomatoes, sweet corn, blueberries and all those other seasonal goodies, people rave about the tomato pie, pork roll, disco fries and a panoply of boardwalk, diner and roadside stand goodies. Go figure!

Summertime: Fish Are Jumpin' In NJ!

Dolphins 🐬 Jumping in LBI 😍 pic.twitter.com/or5lsz1j5F

— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) August 10, 2026

Why We LOVE NJ Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia

We'll Just Leave This Here For Now . . .

What You Need To Know About POLITICIANS

I've been around politicians all my life -- ever since I was a little boy, actually. I've observed them close up, worked for and with them and have written about them for more years than I can remember. I love politics for the drama. And as for politicians, well generally speaking, here's what I can tell you about them:

1) Politicians are cautious. Their jobs are not secure and their world is ever changing. So mostly, they move cautiously, deliberately and sometimes much slower than you might prefer.

2) They postpone decisions. They don't want to commit until and unless they absolutely have to. So, decisions are often postponed. Put another way, they like to keep their options open, because, once again, they live in an unpredictable world. Anything can happen, and often does.

3) They prize loyalty. They say that money is the mother's milk of politics but for politicians, loyalty is most certainly the coin of the realm. It's prized because it is so uncommon. So, if you're involved with politics and/or politicians you'll likely advance further and faster if you keep your word and remain loyal. Don't abandon ship, for that will give you precisely the sort of reputation you don't want to have.

4) Unguarded moments are rare -- and this, by the way, makes them all the more valued. Like people in show business, politicians are often expected to be "on". The few "off" moments are saved for family, confidants and the most trusted. If you're privy to one of these authentic moments, you've gained entry into the inner circle. Still, the pol's default is usually inscrutability, not intimacy. 

5) They're often alone. For all the fame and fanfare, their presumed power means politicians often find themselves alone in contemplation for, in the end, they are the ones who must determine our future direction. John F. Kennedy compared it to sailing solo on the open sea, adjusting course with the winds and the tides, remaining steady and charting the way forward. The higher one rises, the lonelier it gets. So yes, it's lonely at the top -- otherwise, it wouldn't be he top.

Oh, here's one more: politicians typically do not like surprises -- especially unpleasant ones. Even among those who may be on opposite sides of an issue, some respect is expected. Typically, they will warn one another if a serious public disagreement is in the offing -- especially if the two happen to be of the same party. Sometimes, accommodations can be made and a public conflict can be avoided. In any event, a simple show of respect counts for something. 

NJ: What You Can Do With Your Plastic Spoons!

NEW JERSEY — START SAVING YOUR PLASTIC SPOONS! Since Trenton seems so concerned about what kind of utensils New Jersey residents use, why not let Governor Mikie Sherrill know exactly how you feel? Instead of throwing away those used plastic spoons, maybe New Jersey residents should mail them straight to the Governor’s Office.  Governor Mikie Sherrill Office of the Governor PO Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625 Consider it a little reminder from taxpayers: We have high property taxes, utility bills, housing costs and plenty of serious problems that need attention. Maybe our plastic spoons aren’t the emergency.

H/T: Jersey Coast Emergency News