AoSHQ The Morning Report
February 25, 2026
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Kruiser's Morning Brief
Stephen Kruiser
The Morning Briefing
February 25, 2026
Top of the News
President Donald Trump started the State of the Union with a bang, honoring America’s 250th birthday, praising WWII and Korean War heroes, and awarding high honors to a brave Coast Guardsman and a gold medal-winning hockey player. And the president crowned it all by awarding two rare Medals of Honor.In Other News
Trump managed to shame even a few Democrats into standing up for the Olympic men’s hockey team, which won gold for the first time since the historic “Miracle on Ice,” and the Medal of Honor winners. But mostly it was Republicans who applauded them and also the other patriots whom Trump specially invited and praised. The president also honored a helicopter pilot who displayed extraordinary courage during the capture of Nicolás Maduro while sustaining severe injuries.
Eric Slover is an Army helicopter pilot who suffered severe wounds while piloting a Chinook helicopter during the daring operation to capture narcoterrorist Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. Slover had multiple leg wounds yet still brought in his helicopter safely. Trump awarded him the Medal of Honor.
Trump Rips Democrats On Affordability: "You Caused That Problem" - Real Clear Politics
Transportation Sec.: Big Rig Drivers Will Only Be Allowed to Take CDL Test in English - IOTW Report
Our men’s and women’s ice hockey teams reflect a larger political divide - The New Neo
Drugs, drones, and bombs: Mexico’s most powerful cartel at the center of violent rampage - Just the News
Trump Hails Golden Age: USA ’Bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before’ - Breitbart News
MAGA SOTU - Evi. L Bloggerlady
John Lott on Australia As a Defenseless Victim Zone - 357 Magnum
As West Virginia Machine Gun Sales Bill Makes Waves, Who Else Might Pass Similar Measure? - Bearing Arms
Quick Hits Of Wisdom, Knowledge And Snark - 90 Miles From Tyranny
Vermont Drops Gender Identity Requirement for Foster Parents After Christian Families Sue - New Boston Post
Appeals Court Shoots Down Bid to Block IRS Data-Sharing Policy Aimed at Boosting Deportations - Bongino Report
Immigration Chief: Illegal Total Far Above Estimates - Bongino Report
Pentagon Appeals Block on Punishing Sen. Kelly for Video - NewsMax
Iran’s students have moved to the frontline of the anti-government protests - American Thinker
US men’s hockey team feted at State of the Union; Trump says women’s team will be honored ‘soon’ - The Boston Herald
Hell Freezes Over: NYT Admits That Trans "Science" Was Heavily Politicized and Distorted by Prejudice
Ahem ... I Mean, Within Twelve to Eighteen Months - AoSHQ
In The Mailbox: 02.24.26 - The Other McCain
How the U.S. Helped Bring Down Powerful CJNG Cartel Leader "El Mencho" - Fox News
Surprise: Charlotte’s First EV Fire Truck Not Working After One Month - The Pirates Cove
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Kruiser's Morning Brief
Stephen Kruiser
The Morning Briefing
February 24, 2026
Monday, February 23, 2026
Kruiser's Morning Brief
Stephen Kruiser
The Morning Briefing
February 23, 2026
Audit the Massachusetts State Legislature
Massachusetts AG representing lawmakers against DiZoglio in audit lawsuit: ‘Insanity’
Andrea Campbell Urges SJC To Toss Diana DiZoglio Lawsuit Seeking To Get Legislature To Comply With Audit
It's a shame DOGE is not available for freelance opportunities
Here lies the rub
Current Law and Legal Dispute: Under current Massachusetts law, the State Auditor does not have statutory authority to audit the legislature without its consent. In November 2023, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued a formal opinion stating that the existing audit statute does not extend to the legislative branch, based on the plain language of the law and historical precedent.
Question 1 and Voter Approval: In November 2024, voters approved Question 1, a ballot initiative that explicitly authorizes the State Auditor to audit the legislature, including its accounts, programs, and activities. This law added a new section to state law granting the auditor access to legislative records, though tax returns are excluded.
Ongoing Legal Conflict: Despite the voter-approved law, legislative leaders—House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka—have refused to comply, arguing that such audits violate separation of powers under the state constitution. The State Auditor, Diana DiZoglio, filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in early 2025 to enforce the audit, but as of February 2026, the dispute remains unresolved and has escalated into a broader constitutional standoff.
Judicial and Constitutional Concerns: Legal experts, including former State Auditor Suzanne Bump and constitutional scholars, have raised concerns that the audit authority could politicize the auditor’s office or overstep constitutional boundaries. Additionally, two state courts have recently refused audit requests from DiZoglio, citing the Attorney General’s opinion and constitutional questions.
In summary, while no law currently authorizes unilateral audits of the legislature, the voter-approved Question 1 seeks to change that, but its enforcement is blocked by constitutional challenges and non-compliance from legislative leadership.
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