Welcome to Today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network
>> Tim Wildmon: 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. Hey, good morning everybody, and welcome to Today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network. Thanks for listening to AFR on this Wednesday, July 2, 2025. It's already July, people. Wow, July.
>> Wesley Wildmon: We got July 4th around the corner. Oh, you hadn't introduced me.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, yeah, that comes two days after the 4th, so I think that would qualify as around the corner. You're right. Wesley, good observation.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Thank you.
>> Tim Wildmon: Good catch.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Good catch.
>> Tim Wildmon: Wesley Wildmon joining, me, Fred, Jackson. Good morning Fred.
>> Fred Jackson: Good morning to you and Chris Woodward.
>> Tim Wildmon: Good morning, Chris. Gray beard. Gray beard Woodward.
>> Chris Woodward: I do it.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Chris Woodward: A lot of people don't realize this, but I actually have dark hair and I just dye my hair gray. I'm also 6ft tall. I just kind of hunch over,
>> Fred Jackson: I got you now also wish.
>> Chris Woodward: Well, yes, I did.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yes. You know, Chris, we really don't buy into that.
>> Chris Woodward: I identify when I get to Corey. I'm going to have so much to talk about with Zacchaeus, because we, we relate.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right, so, listen, much to talk about today and that's as I say, that's a good thing because this is a talk show.
Was yesterday Canada Independence Day or what? Or just. No, it's national celebration
So, Fred, before we go on yesterday, we were talking about, you said, wish everybody happy Canada Day. So.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Was yesterday Canada Independence Day or what? Or just. No, it's national celebration.
>> Fred Jackson: Well, it was celebrating the the anniversary of the country coming together as a country. a bunch of the senior, politicians got together in Charlottetown, pei, home of Anne of Green Gables.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, yeah, I think, Prince, Edward island is no more for Anna Green Gables and the confederation anyway, one, hundred fifty years old, I think it was yesterday.
>> Tim Wildmon: That's when all the provinces agreed to become a nation.
>> Fred Jackson: Not all of them, a, good portion of them. Newfoundland, was the last one in actually in the 40s. Newfoundland, came in as a, as a, as a province. Interesting about Newfoundland. If you ever travel to that part of Canada, the eastern. Yeah, there's. Newfoundland is one half hour time zone difference from the Maritime Canada. So they're out there so far. If you look at a map, there's a half hour difference.
>> Wesley Wildmon: I was about to say, where do.
>> Fred Jackson: You get the half between, the Atlantic time zone and Newfoundland? It's, it's, it's weird really. I've not seen a half hour difference before. Yeah, that's one of the Things, they're famous.
>> Tim Wildmon: So. Question. you've traveled all over Canada.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes, sir.
>> Tim Wildmon: In your life before you came to live in the States. give me three things. If I go to Canada, I should see.
>> Fred Jackson: Well, I'm going to.
>> Tim Wildmon: That's limiting you.
>> Fred Jackson: I know, but I'm going to display some prejudice here.
Tim: Nova Scotia and British Columbia have incredible scenery
>> Tim Wildmon: All right, go.
>> Fred Jackson: All right. I grew up in Nova Scotia.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right.
>> Fred Jackson: In particular, Cape Breton island, which is on the eastern end of Nova Scotia.
>> Tim Wildmon: Obviously above Maine by what, 300 miles? 400 miles.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah. Actually, you travel northeast of Maine.
>> Tim Wildmon: okay.
>> Fred Jackson: to get to Nova Scotia, actually further east, because Maine goes way up to. Into the Quebec. Borders with Quebec. So Maine's. Some of Maine is way north of Nova Scotia. Hard to believe, but anyway, Cape Breton, there is a, what's called the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton. It is known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Not just in Canada. It's called the Cabot Trail.
>> Tim Wildmon: I'm writing this down. Yeah. I'm, putting it on my bucket list.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes. Make, sure when you execute your bucket list in Canada, it's July and August.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Fred Jackson: Would not recommend January, February. All right. But it is absolutely gorgeous. It's in the Cape Breton Highlands. Okay. so a little bit, like, if you go to Maine, New Hampshire, you've got those mountains there. So you're going to have that same kind of thing. Beautiful. In the fall. Tim. October is late September. October is a great time, to go there. I would say probably number two, because we lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, for 10 years prior to coming here. And British Columbia, the scenery is absolutely incredible. You start to get into British Columbia scenery, actually, when you leave Calgary and head west. Calgary, Alberta. And you head west. And, the mountains. Lake Louise. I think your dad.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, he went there, visited Lake Louise. My mom and dad did that.
>> Fred Jackson: Yep. and then you have Vancouver Island. So you have Vancouver mainland, and then you have Vancouver Island.
>> Tim Wildmon: Is that where Victoria is? Because I went there.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes, that's where Victoria is.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Fred Jackson: And it has one again. one of the most famous touristy spots is the, Butchart Gardens.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. Went there.
>> Fred Jackson: It's an old gravel pit.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Fred Jackson: That they turned into an absolutely beautiful garden.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. And you get to go through the hotel where the queen has her tea.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: The Queen of England.
>> Fred Jackson: Again, I wouldn't recommend the afternoon tea there because you pay $20 for a cucumber sandwich.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Fred Jackson: All right. So take your own sandwich.
>> Tim Wildmon: I got into an argument. He's trying to hit me up for 20 bucks. Cucumber sandwich. You kidding me?
>> Wesley Wildmon: Wallet. Just. I just have my wallet.
>> Tim Wildmon: So anyway. I'm just kidding. I didn't argue with the gu. But anyway, go ahead. so those two. So those,
>> Fred Jackson: Those are two.
>> Tim Wildmon: Those are two.
Toronto is known for its multiculturalism. Any diverse in that? More diverse than Vancouver
>> Fred Jackson: And as far as cities go, I, would say Toronto for the experience of multiculturalism.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right? Yeah. And we're big into that. My, family is.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, Toronto. Toronto is a. Is a real neat city. I lived there for a while and I used to.
>> Tim Wildmon: It is. It is. Is a international city. It's like.
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: I mean, people from around the world. A lot of Asians live there, right?
>> Fred Jackson: Asians. You have the Greek culture, you have the Italian culture. Used to walk along through some of those segments of those particular neighborhoods. Where's this? And this is Toronto.
>> Tim Wildmon: Toronto. It's a town in Canada.
>> Fred Jackson: And bakeries. You go along the Italian areas and you smell the bakeries.
>> Tim Wildmon: That's what I'm talking about.
>> Fred Jackson: Absolutely gorgeous.
>> Chris Woodward: Fun fact.
>> Tim Wildmon: That's the freedom trail to me. Walking smelling bakeries.
>> Chris Woodward: Hawaiian pizza was invented by a Greek immigrant in Canada.
>> Tim Wildmon: Any diverse in that? More diverse. Got a Hawaiian recipe created by a Greek man while he's in Toronto.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Chris Woodward: It's so bizarre. It's true. His name was Sam Panopoulos. He immigrated from Greece to Canada in 1954.
>> Fred Jackson: And it took a Greek to do that because Italians would be very upset if you put pineapple on their pizza.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Yeah. They broke the law.
>> Tim Wildmon: Oh, that's food. Blasphemy.
>> Chris Woodward: He first served, Hawaiian pizza, at his restaurant called the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario.
>> Tim Wildmon: If I'm saying Chatham, Chatham, Toronto is near the, the Niagara Falls. Not too far.
>> Fred Jackson: Not too far.
>> Tim Wildmon: Niagara Falls right there. anyway, I've never been into. Well, yes, if I went to Victoria, you were. I was in Canada. Okay. Yeah. We, I had some friends of mine. We went to the, We went to see and, live south of the Canadian border from Victoria.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah. You went to the Bellingham area?
>> Tim Wildmon: Bellingham, yeah. But we got on a ferry and it was a, it went out in the. I think it was a Puget Sound. Is that what it's called?
>> Fred Jackson: You go out into the sound if you're boarding the. Near Seattle.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then went on this. This trip. It was just majestic is how I can describe it. The scenery, especially for a boy from the pine trees. Okay. I went up to this Pacific Northwest. We drove from Seattle to, you know, to Victoria, to the Victoria area.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: And I got home and I said to people, we only think we know what trees are. We don't know what trees are. Oh, we got these little pine trees out here. Those people.
>> Chris Woodward: The.
>> Tim Wildmon: The. The trees were just really, like tower towering and the water and. Anyways, it was a beautiful, trip.
Between May and October. Make sure you do it by October
So, Canada Day was yesterday, and so I'm gonna put that Cabot Trail.
>> Fred Jackson: Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
>> Tim Wildmon: Will put that down. So go there. Make sure you do it by October.
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, yeah, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Between May and October.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, I'd say June and October, because.
>> Tim Wildmon: May is the end of winter.
>> Fred Jackson: It can be. Yeah, can be.
>> Chris Woodward: They have two seasons. August 2nd and winter.
>> Tim Wildmon: Oh, me. Okay.
We enjoyed our poutine last night for Canada Day
All right. Well, of course, Canada Day yesterday.
>> Fred Jackson: And yes, we enjoyed our poutine last night.
>> Tim Wildmon: And that's. That's what? Exactly. So we're going down a whole nother.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, it's.
>> Tim Wildmon: We're not.
>> Fred Jackson: Well, it's potatoes and cheese kind of mixed together. Mix, and then you add whatever meat.
>> Tim Wildmon: You want to call that a casserole.
>> Fred Jackson: And we. We had barbecued, pork with that. And it just, It's a fun time.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, next year, invite me over. Yeah, I'll be happy to come over for that. What, you.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Or at least bring samples to the samples.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, it is. You know, people ask me, what do you do there for July 1st? if it sounds familiar, they eat hot dogs and they do fireworks. Wow.
>> Chris Woodward: You know, I looked up poutine.
>> Tim Wildmon: It looks tasty for Canada Day. Okay.
>> Chris Woodward: Someplace does French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy.
>> Fred Jackson: Yep.
>> Chris Woodward: That's got Wisconsin written all over it all.
>> Tim Wildmon: Ah, right.
>> Wesley Wildmon: I felt a little insulted there. He, he limited 4th of July to hot dogs and hamburgers. We got homemade ice cream.
>> Fred Jackson: Oh, yes.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Okay. So, yeah, we can't. We kind of.
>> Fred Jackson: We did strawberry shortcake.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Gotta one up us.
>> Fred Jackson: Okay.
>> Tim Wildmon: Hey, watermelon. Right out of the garden, too.
>> Fred Jackson: There you go.
>> Chris Woodward: I got some coming. I have one. It's doing its thing out there.
Heavy rain causing travel problems in Mid atlantic region
>> Tim Wildmon: All right, so, our first story today, Chris, is what?
>> Chris Woodward: Well, weather has been a factor for about a day, in, the Mid atlantic region. Washington, D.C. parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the surrounding D.C. area.
>> Tim Wildmon: Airports have been shut down.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes. Air, has been a problem because of heavy rain, some flooding in areas, and it's still an issue today. Weather Channel has a story today saying Philadelphia area storms make travel troubles troublesome.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, what you got is a, weather pattern, and that's gonna dump five Inches, they say, on Northern Virginia, Maryland, the greater Washington, D.C. area. And this also the, vote that's supposed to take place in the United States House of Representatives, I don't know. There was talk about it being possibly pushed back or delayed because there were Congresswoman Congress, people, men and women who were, unable to get back from their home districts to D.C. to vote yesterday, last night and today. So.
>> Wesley Wildmon: But if you think about that for a moment, that's one thing to get five inches over five days, but. Oh, yeah, and that's a lot in and of itself.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right.
>> Wesley Wildmon: But to get it as. As fast as within like 24 hours.
>> Tim Wildmon: Or so, that's like hurricane material. But that's, one.
>> Wesley Wildmon: And, And the thing about this being in July for the farmers, you know, most of their. Their primary concern year to year is are we going to get rain? Are we going to get it at the right time? But we're hearing stories in the south where the farmers fields are flooded and they're losing their crop because of too much rain.
>> Tim Wildmon: Oh, yeah.
>> Wesley Wildmon: I mean, I can't remember a time in my life where that usually it's.
>> Tim Wildmon: The other way around.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, we here in northeast Mississippi, the last 10 days have gotten like 8 or 9 inches, I mean, of.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Rain, and more is coming next week.
>> Tim Wildmon: And flooding has to, You're right. July crops or crops are just getting off the ground, so to speak, and they're underwater. What'd you say?
>> Wesley Wildmon: Well, and the fact that we're in July and we're having too much rain for crops, that they're flooding in the south in some areas. So.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, well, I think I read the other day where Mississippi, our home state, we Normally get like 58 inches of rain annually, and it was already up to 40 or something like that. I mean, it's incredible the amount of rain.
>> Chris Woodward: I can't tell you in my 43 years on this planet.
>> Tim Wildmon: And you have a gray beard to prove.
>> Chris Woodward: Thank you. Rain is one of the reasons why I have a gray beard. I can't think of another summer in my life that it was this rainy where we live.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
Republican leaders in the House are sprinting toward a Wednesday vote on tax reform
All right, you're listening to Today's Issues. But anybody any. Does anybody know anything on the vote for the. For the big beautiful bill?
>> Chris Woodward: Well, according to a story Fred posted on afn.net, which I did share on our Today's Issues Facebook page, Republican leaders in the House are sprinting toward a Wednesday vote today. somehow, possibly in the absence of a few members to try to get this thing through, to meet President Trump's deadline of getting it to him by July 4th.
>> Fred Jackson: There was a procedural vote last night to put it out of committee and now it goes to the floor. But you've got guys like Chip Roy and some of the others in the House Republicans who say this, this Senate version of the big beautiful bill has so many changes. We want to take a look at those and we're probably not going to go along with some of the changes that the Senate made to the original House bill.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, the Senate big beautiful bill version only pass 51 to 50. I mean Vice President, Vice President J.D. vance had to cast the tying vote, so.
>> Fred Jackson: That's right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Wesley, you had mentioned there, there's a couple of when you have a bill this big and this happens every year, we talk about this. But there's good and bad, there's good, bad and ugly. So what were, do you remember a couple things though that that, that.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Stood out that would be most positive.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, yeah.
>> Wesley Wildmon: For our side especially. Well one, you're going to get permanent as well. See, remember this, there's still a negotiation. Okay. So it could change, but at the moment, at the moment you're getting permanent funding meaning until it's finished for the border wall.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Wesley Wildmon: So, and that, and the reason that would be a big deal. The way it was, where it's, the way it's currently worded is because when they're not gonna be able to get the border done during the next three years.
>> Tim Wildmon: Border wall, border wall.
>> Wesley Wildmon: So if that's the case in the event that Democrat were to take office, they can't stop that.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Wesley Wildmon: That, that's why that's more of a substantial part of the bill. The other one is again the way it was originally worded, the way it's currently worded is it's going to defund and take tax payer dollars away from these big abortion providers. And for Planned Parenthood, Planned Parenthood is the most common example that's being used. And the reason that's a big deal is because for Christian conservatives, that's something we've tried for, for years and we, when we had more momentum in years past, we still couldn't get that done. And so for this to even be on the table and make it this far should be something that's worth continually noting even with any of the other small things that we may disagree with in there. So that's two for sure.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. Fred, anything to add to that.
>> Fred Jackson: Well, I think also if it doesn't pass, the American people are going to face a huge increase in income taxes.
>> Wesley Wildmon: That's right.
>> Fred Jackson: Remember, this is something that Trump brought in during his first administration. And just looking there, if this doesn't pass, the. The average American will see a 22% increase in their income taxes. So that is substantial. I mean, that's a big deal. So, that's the big selling point for Republicans. Now, I can't see the House Republicans certainly fighting that, but there are other things. If this doesn't pass, not continuing this tax cut that Trump brought in during his first administration is going to hit every American really hard.
>> Wesley Wildmon: It's $3,000 a family minimum.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Wesley Wildmon: another thing, dad, that I learned last night from listening to President Trump down there at the Florida Alcazar. Gator. Alligator Alcazar.
>> Fred Jackson: Alligator Alcazar.
>> Tim Wildmon: Alligator Alcazar.
>> Wesley Wildmon: That's not going to work.
>> Chris Woodward: Alcatraz.
>> Tim Wildmon: Alcatraz. Alcatraz. Alcazar was a, ruthless dictator.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Was it really?
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. No. Back in the middle.
>> Wesley Wildmon: So it could not have been a worse.
>> Tim Wildmon: Anyway, Alligator Alcatraz. That's not the point. Your point is what President Trump said.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Yeah. What he said is that, so Tom Holman and his team and Pete Hexith and his team, they have done a wonderful job with, and they had a wonderful plan of how to remove illegal immigrants, starting with those that have the most heinous criminal record. So they're doing a phenomenal job. But if now we're at a point, they're going to keep doing what they're doing. But if you mathematically, look, span it out during the next three and a half years, even if they do the best they can, they don't have the resources to complete the task, so to speak.
Chris Gray: Democrats want to make ICE agents wear masks during arrests
So in this new bill, big, beautiful bill, they are. One of the things in there is 3,000, there's funds to. To add 3,000 new ICE agents and. Which would also include the multiplication of what they're already doing. So, yeah, they're going to be able to get more of that done quicker.
>> Tim Wildmon: Let me just add one thing to this whole discussion about illegal immigration and ice. ICE stands for Immigration, Custom Customs Enforcement. Right.
>> Wesley Wildmon: There you go.
>> Tim Wildmon: These agents, by the way, the Democrats are wanting to mandate that these agents do not wear mask.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: All the while the agents are being. Their lives are being threatened.
>> Fred Jackson: That's right.
>> Tim Wildmon: And so they wouldn't be wearing masks if that weren't the case. so. But, and I know anytime you have an arrest made by people wearing mask and. And best protectors, and they're armed, and they're arresting people who are usually unarmed. And it looks bad. It looks. It looks like thuggery. Huh? that's the appearance that they make it have on television, for example. However, you have to remember that President, Trump didn't start this. That's right. this is caused by four years of Joe Biden letting everybody who wanted to come to America, which turned the southern border and his document. You're talking 10 to 15, 12. Who knows? 15 million people.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Last night, I said 20.
>> Tim Wildmon: 15 to 20 million people. Anybody who wanted to pour in from around the world, Joe Biden said, y' all come. And. And so the crisis that was created because of that was because of the Democrats and Joe Biden as president. and so President Trump and ICE today are only reacting to what Biden did. They're having to clean up the mess. Yeah, they're having to clean up the mess. And, and because of that, they are having to make arrest at places. And it looks bad to some people in the public because they go, well, they're. Look at that.
>> Wesley Wildmon: They're at work.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, look at that. they're arresting this man. They're separating him from his family. Well, they don't tell you he's been dealing drugs, you know what I'm saying? Or, his criminal record. Yes. so anyway, I just wanted to remind people that because, the Democrats do want to make the ICE agents unmasked. And the only reason I can see for that, I don't like. I don't like law enforcement wearing mask either. Okay. And normally they don't, but in this case, they have to because their lives are threatened. These ICE agents, they're doxed. People are following them home, they're intimidating their families. I mean, this has been well reported in some media outlets, so they decided they made it a policy we have to cover our faces, otherwise so we are not identified. that doesn't mean they're not held accountable. They can still be held accountable if they act. The ICE agents, I'm talking about illegally. But, but you're not going to be able to just identify them and then show up at their house and that kind of thing by their facial appearances.
>> Fred Jackson: So.
>> Tim Wildmon: But the Democrats said no, off with the mask. The only reason I can think about why you'd want that, really is to. You do want them doxed, right? Sure. You know, sure. They do want the public intimidation factor.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Now, Christie. Noem did speak last night at to your point about the mom or dad being separated or whatever, they said if you talk about in the best case scenario, they still, everybody, these people still broke the law even if they're not criminals and you mean they're here illegally? If they're here, they're here.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right, right, right.
>> Wesley Wildmon: But even in that case, they address that. And so if you would help us out and self deport then you, we will give you an opportunity to come back right through a legal process and we'll work that out with you. But they said if we, if once we get, we're going down the list and when we get to you and we, and we send you back, if we have to send you back then.
>> Tim Wildmon: Then you, you can't come back.
>> Wesley Wildmon: You're, you're permanently not able to come back legally to this.
>> Tim Wildmon: I got you.
>> Wesley Wildmon: So they said, and they mentioned about getting them a plane and you know, they were going to help them get back if you'll. They have a website.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right, you're listening to today's issues on the American Family Radio Network. I tell you what, we'll take a break a little early here and come back with the next news story that Chris Graybeard Woodward has for you. You're going to get the Paisley treatment now. Steve Paisley. I'm trying to, to do that. ah. All right. So we'll be back momentarily with more of today's issues on American Family Radio. Stay with us.
Today marks three years since Roe versus Wade was overturned
>> Ed Vitagliano: This June 24th marks three years since Roe versus 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 seeing. 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.
>> Tim Wildmon: This is today's issues. Email your comments to commentsfr.net Past broadcasts.
>> Chris Woodward: Of today's Issues are available for listening.
>> Tim Wildmon: And viewing in the [email protected] now back.
>> Wesley Wildmon: To more of Today's Issues.
>> Tim Wildmon: Welcome back to Today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network. Tim, Wesley, Fred and Chris, and we thank you for listening to this program and to the American Family Radio Network. if you want to send us an email, the address is commentsfr.net Comments afr.net Pardon me.
President Trump and Florida governor visit Everglades to discuss new detention facility
So, yesterday, President, Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis and other dignitaries were in, South Florida in the Everglades, to, talk about the opening up of a new detention, facility there. And our own Jenna Ellis, was on hand. Jenna lives in Central Florida, but she, drove down to see this for herself, and she joins us now via the, phone. Good morning, Jenna.
>> Jenna Ellis: Good morning, I guess.
>> Tim Wildmon: Comrect, sir. Not the phone, but people don't know what that is.
>> Jenna Ellis: Same thing, just a little more clear.
>> Tim Wildmon: So tell us about it. How did this all come about your trip down there?
>> Jenna Ellis: Yeah, this was amazing, and what an opportunity. And I didn't realize how, special of, and unique of a privilege it was to be invited to this, until I got there. And there's only a handful of people who were on, the list with, with President Trump and the governor. And so, the governor's office called me, just the, the day before. And so it was a really quick trip, saying, you know, hey, we'd love to have you attend. And, and then, you know, you can give, you know, commentary, obviously, on this. Got to take video tour the, the whole facility and then be there, of course, for, the remarks. And, and, it was an incredible time. And so, you know, being, a relatively new, resident of Florida, you know, I've been here about three years, and I have never been into kind of the heart of the Everglades. And this is just a total swamp. And by the time that you even get to the opening of where this detention facility is like just the road that you turn off of, it's another like two miles into, the. The secure facility where this is housed and everything around it, as Governor DeSantis was saying, this is kind of a natural deterrent because there are giant alligators, pythons, jaguars, apparently bears, bugs. I mean, this is something where you're a Lot safer if you just remain detained, then go out into the wilderness. So the whole thing and the fact that they put this up in about eight days, getting around 1000 to 1500 beds and the fencing, all of this to be operational as of yesterday and then they're going to increase this to 5,000. it is really just an incredible feat of state and federal partnership.
>> Tim Wildmon: Who are they going to put in there and who is they? Who is this? We're talking ice, we're talking Homeland Defense. I mean, or who.
>> Jenna Ellis: Homeland Security.
>> Tim Wildmon: Homeland Security. Okay. Who are they going to put in there?
>> Jenna Ellis: Yes. So my understanding, and I actually interviewed a spokesperson for DHS this morning on my show, so listeners can listen to that interview as well. He was saying that, you know, while the day to day operation doesn't want to get ahead of exactly what's going on, this is meant for, you know, the violent offenders, the people that need quick, deportation. And so one of the other, fascinating announcements from Yesterday was that Governor DeSantis, kind of in real time got Trump's blessing that the, the feds are going to basically deputize border protection there to become Homeland Security, judges to adjudicate the, the status of the detainee so that you don't have to give them a future court date like the Biden administration would have done and said, you know, well, hey, we'll see you in two years, come back, we gotta, you know, have the semblance of due process. That really just means that we'll let you stay in the country for a long time. No, they're gonna detain them, determine their status and if they are in fact illegal, that's the only amount of due process that, that the Constitution mean they're gonna do.
>> Tim Wildmon: They're gonna quick is what you're saying.
>> Jenna Ellis: Yes. And they will streamline this. and so the tagline to this detention facility is one way in on that detainee bus, one way out flight out of the country.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay? So it's not gonna be the, you know, the lefties are describing this basically as a gulag, okay. A place where people go never to be heard from again. You know, Alcatraz, which it's been called alligator. Alcatraz. Alcatraz was a federal prison. I think it was, you know, when it was, it's famous for the movies and so forth and the stories about Alcatraz, in San Francisco. But this is this is a place basically the whole, these folks, who they ICE is arrested and they're getting ready to deport. That's basically it. Right, right.
>> Jenna Ellis: And so, you know, this, everybody on, the left is kind of going crazy about the name, you know, Alligator Alcatraz. Because that original, as you mentioned, referred to, you know, the federal prison. It was a military fort in prison known for isolation, harsh conditions, being escape proof. Right. So I think that that kind of play on this. This is a temporary detention facility because the idea is to get quick turnaround. And then the alligators, of course, refer to the fact that this is a pretty harsh condition. But this is not, as I've been saying, you know, multiple times today on interviews. this isn't like a coliseum where, you know, we're somehow as the federal government going in and throwing people to see, you know, whether they survive in the wild with alligators.
>> Tim Wildmon: And this is some kind of reality show.
>> Jenna Ellis: Yeah, right. You know, yeah. So, you know, so for people who are saying, oh, this isn't humanitarian, I'm thinking, well then, then the people should stay inside and like, obey, obey the rules of the detention, even though they didn't obey the rules coming in, you know, breaking into the country. But the whole idea is to streamline this process and get to the levels of mass deportation that President Trump promised the American people, during his campaign.
>> Fred Jackson: Jenna, Fred here, people need to know that this facility has been there for a long time. My understanding was it was temporary housing for people who have gone through hurricanes. so. And they have a Runway, 10,000 foot Runway. So this has been there for a long time. It's being modified right now to be used as a detention center. Is that correct?
>> Jenna Ellis: Yeah. So this was, in a bend of the Florida Everglades. This was originally a training and transition airstrip. And I didn't know this until talking to one of the deputies yesterday, that one of the original purposes of the airstrips in particular was after 9, 11, when there was some possibility of hijacked planes, if that happened in Florida, to kind of get the plane over this particular area. So then, they could actually down the planes from this airstrip. So there have been kind of multiple purposes over the years. And so the, the actual housing and the facilities, were built in the last eight days. And it's actually really incredible. But the facility largely in the airstrip, has been there for a few decades and that was actually the site that Air, Force One and also the Governor's, plane landed yesterday.
>> Fred Jackson: I also understand because, during, President Trump's Remarks yesterday that he talked a lot about self deportation, and that many have self deported already, but even when they are transferred to this facility, they are given one last chance to say, okay, I'll go home voluntarily. so every effort is being made that these folks can self deport, with the incentive being if you self deport, you can apply to come back.
>> Jenna Ellis: Yeah, and I think that there's a lot of, fundamental fairness, you know, going on here, saying that, you know, President Trump and Governor DeSantis are telling people, you know, here's. Here is the process, here's what we intend to do, and if you're here illegally, you might want to reconsider that and just go home voluntarily, which, frankly, they should. And this is part of the whole border protection plan. And, for individuals who end up in this detention facility and are forced deportations, that from beginning to end, is ultimately on them.
Ron DeSantis challenges other states to do same on immigration
>> Wesley Wildmon: Hi, this is Wesley here. I was wondering, did you. Were you able to hear Ron DeSantis comments about challenging, other states to do the same thing? And if so, what were your thoughts?
>> Jenna Ellis: Yeah, I think, that was an amazing challenge. And it just shows again and again why Florida is the leader of conservative states. Because he's saying, listen, we're doing this in Florida. DHS said this morning that they're even planning on, hopefully having a second facility in Florida. And you contrast that to some of these other states that are putting up, you know, sanctuary cities, and they're actively opposing, the federal government's lawful efforts, to deport. And so what Governor DeSantis is basically saying is, look, this is the blueprint for how the states can help the federal government actually accomplish border security. And these mass deportations and every other governor in the country, if you truly care about your job and your oath of office, and American citizens first should be doing the same. And so I fully applaud him on that. And it was for me personally, too, you know, obviously, having worked for President Trump, knowing, you know, both of these guys personally very well, it was great to see that clear evidence of, you know, friendship. They were both very complimentary to each other and. Yeah, and it was great to see. You know, this is a perfect example of federalism at work, with the state and the feds accomplishing together the same goal.
>> Chris Woodward: Hey, it's Chris here. could all of this have been avoided had government just done its job in the first place decades ago and prevented illegal immigration? To the extent, like we've witnessed it?
>> Jenna Ellis: Oh, 100%. And I think that that's a great, rejoinder to the left's arguments to say, well, listen, if you don't want people to be detained and, and deported, then, you know, you should have not been the party of open borders and, you know, this mass migration to begin with, because if people were forced to only come here through legal methods, then we wouldn't have this problem. And so that type of deterrence is hopefully what we'll have in, the future.
>> Tim Wildmon: You know, I was just reading a story on Fox, and I have. Well, I haven't read the story. I just saw the headline. It says, federal Judge blocks Trump's immigration policy and shocking decision on Haitian protections. I don't know is 520,000 Haitians are here, illegally.
>> Jenna Ellis: I am not sure what particular, decision this was about.
>> Tim Wildmon: It looks just. I guess it just now broke. But, but did you know about this, Fred?
>> Fred Jackson: These are the ones that were brought in under the Biden administration for a temporary period. So they didn't enter the country illegally.
>> Tim Wildmon: Because they've had basically, chaos and anarchy down there. Yeah.
>> Fred Jackson: And they were given a certain period of time.
>> Tim Wildmon: I got you.
>> Fred Jackson: And that time is expiring. And this judge has said, no, you can't send them back. Is that, Is that your read of this, Jenna?
>> Jenna Ellis: Yeah. And. And, And so for this one, and, and I haven't been following this. you know, I was. I was detained in Alligator Alcohol yesterday. Just saying. But, yeah, but this is, basically, the. The headline is a federal judge blocks Kristi Noem's early termination of the temporary status. So basically, the argument here would be likely that if the promise was given to Haitians, hey, we will keep you here, you know, your visa or your asylum, whatever, is, say, for example, three years. And Gnome is trying to cut it off early, saying, hey, it's safe to go back now that there is some potential claim to say, hey, I reasonably relied on the government's representation that I could stay here for that long. I think that does put them in a different status because under immigration law, there is a difference between coming to this country, even temporarily, legally, and then overstaying or having some of those types of legal challenges based on expiry of visa, that kind of thing, versus someone who came here illegally to begin with. Those are two, separate buckets, if you will, of contemplation under immigration law.
Janet: What do you have coming up tomorrow morning on American Family radio
>> Tim Wildmon: Talking to Jenna Ellis, host of Jenna Ellis in the Morning on American Family radio, heard weekdays 7 to 8 o' clock central time. Right here on AFR. all right, Janet, thanks so much for being on with us. what do you got coming up tomorrow morning? Do you know yet?
>> Jenna Ellis: Yes. In, fact, Pastor Jack Hibbs is going to be on, for a deep dive kind of into a biblical worldview framework of how, we should be looking at this, particularly the nation of Israel. But then also, so much is going on with the one big beautiful bill, and now that it's back in the House, I've gotten a lot of different reports, and I'm told, by Congressman Stutzman, who's going to join me tomorrow live for an update, that there are, members that are going over to the White House. They're trying to get this vote possibly today. So, a lot that may happen over the course of the next, 12 or 24 hours. And so, Congressman Stutzman is going to join me for an update tomorrow morning as well.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. All right, thanks, Jenna. Take care. Appreciate it.
>> Jenna Ellis: Thank you.
Jenna Ellis: The whole world wants to come to America
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, that's Jenna Ellis. You're listening to today's issues on the American Family Radio Network. You know, with respect to immigration into the United States, the whole world wants to come here.
>> Wesley Wildmon: That's exactly Stephen Miller said last night.
>> Tim Wildmon: The whole world said we've.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Wants to come to. To America because it remains. And the Canada. Canada is a popular destination, too. But the whole world wants to come to America. Why? Because it's still the land of hope and opportunity. And, a high standard of living around the world is right here in the United States. And so, which, ironically, the lefties want to say we're a systemically racist country. And yet they won't be.
>> Wesley Wildmon: And we're not exceptional.
>> Tim Wildmon: No. Right. But the irony is that if we're a systemically racist country, which means we can't be overcome and we live on stolen land, then why do you want to. People just come here. You need to be telling. The lefties, need to be saying, stay away from this racist country. Do not come here. You will not have any chance, an opportunity. But instead, they say, y' all come.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Right? Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: From around the world. It's kind of weird.
>> Wesley Wildmon: It isn't.
>> Tim Wildmon: But, of course, I'm being a little bit tongue in cheek there, but. But the, Here's the thing is we can't put it. Look at it like this. yes. Helping, people and being charitable and.
>> Wesley Wildmon: And.
>> Tim Wildmon: And is. Is a Christian virtue, right, Fred?
>> Fred Jackson: That's right.
>> Tim Wildmon: I mean, the Bible teaches that we're to care for our fellow man. I mean, that's fundamental to the Christian faith.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: And that's why Christians, build hospitals around the world. we send food, around the world, medicine, missionaries. that's why we again, go to places there's no glory in. Building a, you know, a water facility in Nigeria, for example. I'm just throwing that out there in Honduras or whatever like that.
>> Wesley Wildmon: that's not capital you're not making money for.
>> Tim Wildmon: Nobody will ever see that. The only people know that about your church or your community. I'm just saying Christianity teaches that we care for people, especially the poor.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: And the helpless. I mean, so I think the, but you have to say, okay, that's the ministry of the church, Right?
>> Wesley Wildmon: That's right.
>> Tim Wildmon: The ministry, if you will, or the, purpose of government, biblically and constitutionally is to have law and order.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Wesley Wildmon: People live at peace.
>> Fred Jackson: Bible says that.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, you have to have law and order. So every country in the world has borders. Are you not a country?
>> Fred Jackson: That's right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Every country in the world and borders are as old as time. Okay, so what I think people who own the left and some in our own midst, who aren't necessarily lefties, but they're, they're, they're Christians who are misguided. I think they want to say, no, if you're a Christian nation, you need to let everybody come here.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Well, they don't think we're a Christian nation though.
>> Tim Wildmon: do what now?
>> Wesley Wildmon: So most of the people on the left don't think we're a Christian nation.
>> Tim Wildmon: I'm talking about our fellow Christians.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Okay, yeah, fair enough.
>> Tim Wildmon: I'm talking about our fellow Christians. They are believers. But they would say, you know what, we just really need to let people come here because, they're desperate and they can't stay in their own home country.
>> Fred Jackson: Here's what bugs me about that though. When you have those leftist Christians saying that those are the same people who, in their own homes, they wouldn't let people come in and say, and let these people say, I'm staying at your house and I want you to feed me, take care of me.
>> Chris Woodward: Nancy Pelosi is not going to pull an ice cream bar out of her freezer.
>> Fred Jackson: No, this is what really bugs me. Even I'm talking about Christians. They say, sure, let these people in. but you government got to take care of them.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right?
>> Fred Jackson: Don't, don't impose it on me. And, and like I say, they wouldn't let people invade their house, their personal house.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right. And then if you and if they didn't, you would say, see, you're not being Christian.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: You're not, you're not, you're not letting them stay in your yard.
>> Fred Jackson: Exactly.
>> Tim Wildmon: You know, I'm bringing them food.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, you're right, Tim. It is the job of the church to reach out and to help people. And we have Christian ministries all over, you know, that do exactly.
American Christians fund so much of worldwide, uh, charities
>> Tim Wildmon: Here and abroad.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Wesley Wildmon: And while I would say the church the last 20 to 30 years or maybe longer, depending on who you ask, has been silent and a lot of the really core issues, of America that, that are fundamental to us being exceptional, while the church has been silent in a lot of areas that is frustrating, especially the pulpit. One area that we have been unbelievable on is sending missionaries and doing Christian ministry. I mean we, between disaster, reliefs, between providing, between providing Christian counsel to those that are stuck in addiction, around the world and, and here in our, in our own home country. So we have done, we have done that part exceptionally well.
>> Fred Jackson: I had a chance to be part of a ministry trip, one with Mercy Ships.
>> Wesley Wildmon: There you go.
>> Fred Jackson: Mercy Ships. What an incredible ministry. They have these large ships that go to places along the West African coast and they go there and they do tremendous. They have volunteer physicians that help these dear people who are born with all kinds of deformities. This is the kind of thing.
>> Tim Wildmon: And you know who funds that? American Christians.
>> Fred Jackson: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: For the most part, yes. American Christians fund so much of worldwide, charities that do work that will never be shown on TV M. Or they'll never have Academy Awards for Christians reaching out in Africa or South America, Central America or Asia, wherever they like that. It's So. But I'm just saying the role of the government is to have law and order.
>> Wesley Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: You can't have you can't have a And for people on the left to use the teaching of Christianity where it says we're to help other people against us say, well look, you people don't care about these poor folks coming from around the world because you want to keep them out of your country. What kind of Christian are you? You've heard this one, right?
>> Wesley Wildmon: Oh yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right. You're listening to today's issues on the American Family Radio Network.
University of Pennsylvania agrees to resolve Title 9 violations involving Michael Thomas
Alright, next story.
>> Chris Woodward: I just want to say on this day in history I was able to have a good news story which is rare and because I'm often Dr. Doom and Gloom, huge story and we're continuing to cover this. We started it last night. We have Stories today, we're going to continue to cover it. For those not aware of what I'm about to say, the University of Pennsylvania yesterday agreed to resolve its Title 9 violations related to Penn, allowing Michael Thomas or Will Thomas, to compete on women's teams back, a few years ago as part of its,
>> Tim Wildmon: Yes, this is the rally gain story.
>> Chris Woodward: It is, it's the rally gain story and many others. as part of its agreement with the Trump administration, Penn will adopt definitions for male and female consistent with biological, sexual, restore stolen records and titles to female athletes, and issue personal apologies to each impacted female swimmer. Now, Will Thomas says he is a woman and wants to go by Leah, but a whole host of female athletes say, I've seen you changing in the dressing room. You're not a female. Okay? And those are true stories I've heard from Wriley and Paula myself in stories I've covered with both ladies. When things like this happen, people tend to go, what does Wriley Gaines think about this? Here is but a portion of something Wriley Gaines said yesterday on Fox regarding the big announcement where Penn is apologizing now and stripping Thomas of his records.
>> Jenna Ellis: Clip six I feel vindicated. I feel like pigs are flying. so it is a fantastic day, of course, for sanity, for common sense, but I think more broadly for women.
>> Chris Woodward: Now, Paula Scanlon also was very excited. Paula was one of the ladies on the pen team that had to compete with, Will Thomas for positions and things like that on the swim team. So all these ladies are excited. And again, this is one of the reasons why elections have consequences. Because one of the things many women voted for Trump, was based on him saying, I will get in there and we'll end these issues of males and females.
>> Tim Wildmon: I'll protect women's sports.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: And that's what this, so.
>> Wesley Wildmon: And that crosses all party platforms. That's a, that's the word. That's what the word came back into the public eye of common sense. This is just a common sense approach, to, a political issue.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. Okay. But I just want to highlight the fact that this would not have happened what Chris just described. So what happened yesterday is the university, is it University of Pennsylvania or Pennsylvania University?
>> Chris Woodward: University of Pennsylvania.
>> Tim Wildmon: University of Pennsylvania did a mea coppa.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. They said, we're sorry. And they were pressured by the Trump administration, basically saying, if you're going to continue to support dudes being allowed to compete against girls in sports, we're not going to. You're not going to get any money. M from the. From Title 9. Right, correct. From the federal government. And President Trump said that out loud. And that's his policy of his administration to the extent he can control it. And so the University of Pennsylvania yesterday said, we're sorry. And, we will. We are stripping, as you say, Will. What's he calling himself?
>> Chris Woodward: Leah.
>> Tim Wildmon: He's. Will goes by Leah. of his medals that he won while he was competing against the girls. And, what else did they do? Did they apologize?
>> Chris Woodward: They started issuing formal apologies. And Paula Scanlon. I'll take a screenshot of this and share it on our issues. Paula Scanlon is the lady that travels with Wriley Gaines on many.
>> Tim Wildmon: Oh, she was a teammate of Wriley Games.
>> Chris Woodward: She was a teammate.
>> Tim Wildmon: No, excuse me.
>> Chris Woodward: Of Thomas.
>> Tim Wildmon: Of Thomas. Wriley Gaines swam for the University of Kentucky.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: And she, competed against them.
>> Chris Woodward: Wriley Gaines lost to Thomas.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right, right. I remember that. That's what started all this. Ah. And I will forget the picture of Thomas, like six, three.
>> Chris Woodward: Oh, yeah, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Power. Towering over Wriley Gaines. And he's got men. Muscles and men body frame because he's a male.
>> Chris Woodward: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: And. And he's. And he's standing up there saying, no, I'm a girl. And. And the. I'm just still surprised and shocked that the, ncaa. Was it the ncaa who. Who awarded these, the gold and silver and all that.
>> Chris Woodward: It was like sports box medals.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. Let this go on. I think some of the sports, bodies are now.
>> Fred Jackson: Yeah, well, it was being forced by the Biden administration.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, that's true.
>> Fred Jackson: The Biden administration was telling these universities, you got to do this.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
Chris: Thanks to the Trump administration, the culture shift is coming
Yeah.
>> Wesley Wildmon: But it's, just amazing that we're. Thanks to the Trump administration, the culture shift that's coming with their team that we not only like, like rally Gaines said. Vindicated.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Wesley Wildmon: I mean, they went back and said, this is wrong.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Wesley Wildmon: We're sorry. Let's. Let's fix this good.
>> Tim Wildmon: For Wriley Gaines and all the other girls. we'll be back. We'll be back. Yes. We'll be back in five minutes with more of today's issues. Thank you, Chris. more. Today's Steve Paisley Jordan will come into the studio for the next half hour. We'll stay with.
>> Jenna Ellis: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
