In an effort to uncover bias in Wikipedia articles, House Republicans are launching an investigation and demanding the Wikimedia Foundation reveal the identities of editors who have edited articles perceived as critical of Israel. The investigation, led by Reps. Comer and Mace, requests identifying information on editors, potentially leading to doxing, a practice that could result in harassment. This probe aligns with the Heritage Foundation’s long-standing goal to unmask Wikipedia editors it deems biased. Critics express concerns that this investigation is a politically motivated attempt to censor unflattering information about Israel.
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The US government is reportedly demanding that most states remove sex education materials referencing transgender and non-binary people. This directive, issued by the Trump administration, threatens to withhold federal funding from educational institutions that fail to comply by a specified deadline. The Department of Health and Human Services asserts that teaching “gender ideology” falls outside the scope of the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) funding criteria, which could see over $81.3 million cut. The move is viewed as part of the President’s commitment to protect children, with the Human Rights Campaign stating it is another aspect of the ongoing fight to erase government recognition of transgender people.
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Several Florida cities are facing deadlines to remove rainbow crosswalks after being ordered to do so by the state’s transportation department. The directive follows a July 1st federal guidance from US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, stating roads are for safety, not political messages, which prompted the orders. Some local communities are complying with the order, while others, such as St. Petersburg, are protesting the removals. Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has supported the removals, as they believe roads should not be used for social or political expression.
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The White House, under President Trump’s direction, has released a list of objectionable exhibits and artwork at various Smithsonian museums, claiming the institution is too “woke.” The list, published with the headline “President Trump Is Right About the Smithsonian,” targets content related to race, slavery, immigration, and transgender identity. White House officials stated the administration aims to remove “divisive ideology.” The Smithsonian, in response, maintains its commitment to factual historical presentation.
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HarperCollins is removing claims about Melania Trump and her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein from future editions of Andrew Lownie’s book, “Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.” The decision was made to mitigate potential legal risks, following Melania’s threat to sue Hunter Biden over similar allegations. This action comes after the book had already been published in around 60,000 copies. The book also contains claims about Prince Andrew’s relationship with Epstein.
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A federal judge has invalidated significant portions of a Florida law enabling parents to remove objectionable books from schools, siding with publishers and authors who challenged the legislation. Judge Carlos Mendoza found the law’s ban on material describing sexual conduct to be overly broad and its interpretation unconstitutional. Consequently, schools are instructed to adhere to a U.S. Supreme Court standard for assessing whether a work is obscene. The ruling comes after the removal of numerous books, including literary classics, spurred by the law passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature.
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The White House has mandated a comprehensive review of the Smithsonian museums and exhibitions in preparation for the nation’s 250th birthday, aiming to align the institution’s content with the President’s interpretation of American history. This review encompasses all public-facing content, including social media and educational materials, to ensure alignment with the President’s vision of celebrating American exceptionalism and removing any divisive narratives. The Smithsonian, while reaffirming its commitment to factual presentation, will collaborate with the White House, Congress, and its Board of Regents on this matter. The review, which will initially focus on eight museums, will require the submission of materials and corrective actions to replace what is deemed “divisive” language with “unifying” descriptions.
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Senator Mike Lee’s Interstate Obscenity Definition Act (IODA), which seeks to criminalize all pornography, has moved to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The bill redefines “obscenity” and could potentially criminalize content that appeals to prurient interests. Critics have raised concerns that the broad definition could encompass various media and have unintended consequences, including impacting adult content creators and even seemingly innocuous media. The bill is similar to a proposed pornography ban outlined in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.
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Recently, several sections of Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution were found to be missing from the official U.S. government website, as discovered by internet users and confirmed by TechCrunch. The Wayback Machine indicates these changes occurred within the last month, with Section 8 partially removed and Sections 9 and 10 entirely deleted. These missing sections detail the powers of Congress, limitations on state authority, and protections for citizens, including those related to habeas corpus. According to the Library of Congress, the omissions are due to a “coding error” and will be rectified soon; however, the White House has declined to comment further.
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A new pornography taskforce plans to propose legislation this autumn targeting “barely legal” content, prompted by the Channel 4 documentary, “1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story.” The documentary, which follows performer Bonnie Blue, has faced criticism for potentially glamorizing extreme pornography and failing to adequately challenge her assertions of harmlessness. The proposed legislation, spearheaded by Baroness Gabby Bertin, aims to address the regulatory gap where harmful pornography, like adults role-playing as children, is not prohibited online. The film is also being reviewed by Ofcom, with the potential of an investigation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker