America This Week: Big Beautiful Bill, South Africa Smackdown, Rubio Crushes Democrats (May 19 – 25, 2025)

Reading Time: 16 Minutes

| By Scribe | May 25, 2025 |

It’s been another wild week in America, with a mix of good news and tragic developments.

President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” passes in Congress, elbow-throwing Democrat McIver gets caught red-handed, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is caught trying to spread lies in the Oval Office.

Leftist Sarah Silverman found out leftists aren’t entitled to use the N-word, Secretary Rubio beats down fake tough-guy Democrats in Congress, and Trump’s approval ratings overcome media slander again.

Secretary Hegseth cracks down on leakers, traitors, and idiots in the Pentagon, a crazed leftist fatally shoots two innocent people in D.C., the Trump administration unveils the Golden Dome plan, and a U.S. veteran returns home after six months of wrongful imprisonment in Venezuela.

Below are just a few of the many things that happened this past week.

Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” Advances America First Agenda

House Republicans, under President Donald Trump’s leadership and with House Speaker Mike Johnson’s guidance, passed the “one big, beautiful bill” before Memorial Day, overcoming resistance from RINO obstructionists. The comprehensive budget package aims to advance Trump’s America First agenda by securing the border, restoring energy dominance, and preventing the largest tax increase in U.S. history through significant tax cuts.

Johnson highlighted the exhaustive, member-driven process that began in March last year. It incorporated extensive GOP input to address domestic and foreign policy priorities, including economic growth through deregulation and permitting reform. The legislation, passed narrowly in the House by a 215-214-1 vote, now moves to the Senate, where Republicans plan a unified effort to ensure its passage.

The bill includes a provision stripping Medicaid funding for transgender surgeries, impacting a significant portion of such procedures. Initially targeting minors, a last-minute amendment expanded the ban to all Medicaid-covered gender transition treatments, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries.

A 2023 study noted that 25% of “gender-affirming” surgeries in the U.S. are funded by Medicaid, affecting over 12,000 of the 48,019 patients identified. This provision underscores the bill’s broader focus on reshaping federal spending priorities, aligning with Republican goals of fiscal and social policy reform.

Johnson also clarified on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the Republican budget package does not cut Medicaid but focuses on eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse. He highlighted that over 1.4 million illegal aliens are on Medicaid, which he argued is intended for vulnerable Americans like pregnant women, single mothers, the disabled, and the elderly.

Rep. LaMonica McIver Faces Felony Charges for Hitting ICE Officers

Leftist Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) faces felony charges for assaulting, resisting, and impeding ICE officers during a reckless stunt on May 9, 2025, at Newark’s Delaney Hall detention facility. McIver, alongside fellow Democrats Bonnie Watson Coleman, Robert Menendez Jr., and Mayor Ras Baraka, stormed the facility under the pretense of oversight. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba confirmed the incident.

Video evidence shows McIver shoving and elbowing officers while shielding Baraka, who was arrested for trespassing. Despite this, she denies her actions and blames ICE for the chaos. Noem emphasized that “no one is above the law,” noting that McIver’s conduct endangered officers and detainees at the high-security facility, which houses serious offenders.

McIver called the charges “purely political” and claimed ICE provoked the confrontation. However, multiple videos contradict her claims that “there’s no video” of her engaging in physical violence. Her attorney, Paul Fishman, called the prosecution “spectacularly inappropriate.” Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries and the ACLU-NJ framed the charges as a Trump administration plot to silence opposition.

Trump Border Czar Tom Homan criticized McIver’s actions. While acknowledging government officials’ general right to conduct oversight, Homan stated, “Forcing your way into a facility and putting hands on an ICE officer is not the way to do it.” He underscored that her reckless antics compromised facility safety. The incident escalated when McIver and her group barged into Delaney Hall, with McIver allegedly chanting “surround the mayor” as tensions flared, contradicting claims of a peaceful oversight visit.

Habba dropped Baraka’s trespassing charge and offered a transparent facility tour. However, she insisted McIver’s assault under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 111(a)(1) demands accountability. If convicted at her June 11, 2025, hearing, McIver faces up to eight years in prison.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the group’s actions as a “bizarre political stunt.” She noted that a proper tour request would have been accommodated, exposing McIver’s refusal to take responsibility as a dangerous deflection from her lawbreaking.

Trump Confronts South African President with Video Evidence

President Trump’s Wednesday meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa grew tense when Trump played a video showing radical leader Julius Malema and others chanting violent slogans like “Kill the farmer!” and threatening to seize white-owned farmland. The video highlighted South Africa’s farm murders and crime issues.

Initially, Ramaphosa sidestepped Trump’s “genocide” claims, focusing on trade and peace. However, South African journalists pressed Trump on his refugee policy for white Afrikaners. In response, he presented the video, which included a memorial of over a thousand crosses for murdered farmers.

Ramaphosa, unable to respond directly, could only ask for the memorial’s location. His delegation, including golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, and Minister John Steenhuisen, faced the uncomfortable reality of South Africa’s international image. Trump challenged Ramaphosa on why Malema, whose Economic Freedom Fighters fill stadiums, hasn’t been arrested.

Els and Goosen acknowledged South Africa’s struggles with crime and anti-white sentiment, urging U.S. support for reforms. Steenhuisen noted the Democratic Alliance’s role in countering such radicals. Businessman Johann Rupert highlighted the economic risks of losing U.S. trade benefits under AGOA, which could worsen South Africa’s unemployment crisis.

Trump remained noncommittal on attending the G20 summit in South Africa, its ICJ case against Israel, or specific compromises. However, his video forced Ramaphosa’s delegation to confront their country’s violent rhetoric and instability in a public, unyielding manner.

Sarah Silverman Finds Out Being “Liberal” Does Not Make Using N-Word Acceptable

Self-aggrandizing leftist and vocal Trump hater Sarah Silverman expressed regret for using the N-word in her 2005 comedy special, Jesus Is Magic. She mistakenly believed her liberal affiliation permitted her to use racial slurs without inciting hate.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, she admitted her intentions were good but her actions were ignorant. She specifically noted a bit where she swapped the N-word for an anti-Asian slur upon seeing Black audience members, revealing fear-driven choices.

Silverman also faced criticism for a blackface skit on The Sarah Silverman Program. She later addressed this in a 2018 episode of her Hulu show, I Love You, America, as part of her apologies for past comedic missteps. She insisted to Rolling Stone that her apologies stem from genuine remorse, not a desire to be “PC.” She emphasized that she only says sorry when she truly means it.

Marco Rubio Torches Democrat Lawmakers in Congress

Secretary of State Marco Rubio adeptly handled aggressive questioning from Democratic senators during a Senate hearing. He maintained composure while delivering sharp, logical rebuttals. When Sen. Chris Van Hollen expressed regret for voting for Rubio, citing his pro-migration stance, Rubio retorted that such criticism confirmed he was doing his job well. He dismissed frivolous USAID spending, like $10 million on male circumcisions in Mozambique.

Rubio emphasized a merit-based immigration policy focused on U.S. national interests. He prioritized vetted individuals who contribute to society over family-based criteria and rejected judicial overreach into foreign policy decisions. He also defended visa revocations for foreign anti-Israel activists, asserting that visas are a privilege, not a right, and promised further actions.

In a heated exchange with Sen. Tim Kaine, Rubio addressed the Trump administration’s acceptance of South African Afrikaner refugees. He rejected claims of racial bias in their selection. Rubio clarified that the U.S. has the right to choose immigrants based on national interest, highlighting the violence and racial discrimination faced by Afrikaners, such as farm burnings and murders.

He dismissed Kaine’s insinuations of racial favoritism, noting that the refugees were thoroughly vetted and welcomed for their assimilation potential. Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau reinforced this, decrying the “egregious” threats faced by these families and emphasizing America’s welcoming yet assimilation-focused resettlement approach.

Trump’s Approval Ratings Climb Amid Policy Wins

President Trump’s recent Middle East trip and trade agreement progress have boosted his approval ratings. Four national polls—Morning Consult (48%), Rasmussen Reports (49%), Harvard CAPS/Harris (47%), and Daily Mail/J.L. Partners (50%)—show his favorability climbing to levels seen at his inauguration.

The Daily Mail poll, conducted May 13-14, 2025, with 1,003 registered voters, reflects a 5-point rise since April, driven by Trump’s deal-making prowess, according to J.L. Partners co-founder James Johnson. White House adviser Harrison Fields told Newsmax that Americans are optimistic about the country’s direction. He credited Trump’s reversal of unpopular policies and focus on eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.

Despite persistent negative media treatment, Trump’s policies on immigration and government efficiency enjoy strong support. However, the Harvard/Harris poll, conducted May 14-15, 2025, among 1,903 registered voters, noted concerns about his executive orders and tariffs.

The Morning Consult poll (May 16-19, 2,208 voters) shows Trump’s approval rebounding from a 45% low in April, with disapproval dropping to 50%. Mark Penn of Harvard/Harris noted that success in lowering prescription drug prices and controlling inflation could push Trump’s approval 10% higher. Currently, 30% of voters strongly approve, up from 28% in April.

Accountability: Pete Hegseth Clamps Down on Leakers, Traitors, and Idiots at the Pentagon

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has initiated a comprehensive review of the Biden administration’s chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. The review focuses on the failures that led to a suicide bombing at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport, which killed 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghans. It aims to ensure accountability and transparency for the Abbey Gate attack.

Initial findings criticized Biden’s decision to extend the war beyond Trump’s May 2021 deadline, which triggered a Taliban offensive and the collapse of the Afghan military. Hegseth appointed Sean Parnell to lead a panel examining prior investigations, decision-making processes, and intelligence failures. The Trump administration has already made progress by capturing the attack’s mastermind, “Jafar,” who confessed to multiple terrorist acts.

To combat leaks and protect sensitive military information, Hegseth issued a memorandum imposing strict new rules at the Pentagon. These rules ban unescorted media access to key areas, including the offices of the Defense Secretary and press corps facilities. Journalists now require official approval and escorts to navigate the building. They must also sign forms acknowledging their responsibility to safeguard classified information, with new badges identifying them as press.

These measures, prompted by recent leaks, aim to prevent unauthorized disclosures that could endanger U.S. service members. The Department maintains a commitment to transparency. The restrictions mark a significant shift from past administrations’ more lax press access policies.

D.C. Shooting of Israeli Embassy Staffers Sparks Outrage, Sadness

President Trump is “saddened and outraged” by the fatal shootings of Israeli Embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, outside Washington’s Capital Jewish Museum on May 21, 2025. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt vowed that the suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 31, who shouted “Free, free Palestine” after the attack, will face full prosecution, as stated in a Newsmax briefing.

The young couple, described as deeply in love and planning an engagement in Jerusalem, was gunned down after a museum event, leaving their families devastated. Yaron’s father, Daniel, mourned their bright future.

Leavitt, after speaking with Attorney General Pam Bondi, condemned the attack as a manifestation of antisemitism. She declared that “hatred has no place” in Trump’s America and affirmed the White House’s prayers for the victims’ loved ones.

Far-left Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) dodged reporters’ questions about the killings, offering only a belated, generic online statement. Critics called it insufficient, given her history of controversial anti-Israel remarks and accusations of antisemitism from congressional colleagues.

Omar has previously equated Israel with the Taliban and labeled its founding a “catastrophe.” The Justice Department’s commitment to prosecuting Rodriguez underscores the administration’s stance against such violence. The tragedy highlights ongoing tensions over antisemitism in the U.S.

Trump Unveils “Golden Dome” Missile Defense System

President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth announced the “Golden Dome,” a $175 billion missile defense system led by Space Force General Michael Guetlein. The system is designed to counter conventional and nuclear missile threats from adversaries like Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.

Reviving Ronald Reagan’s Cold War-era “Star Wars” Strategic Defense Initiative, it features a satellite network with space-based missiles to intercept enemy missiles during their boost or cruise phases. The bold project has rattled China, which criticized its offensive potential. Russia hinted at future nuclear arms control talks, signaling the system’s strategic impact.

The Golden Dome initiative marks a decisive U.S. push into space-based defense, leveraging cutting-edge technology. It fuels major contracts for firms like L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, RTX Corp, SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril. Despite technological and cost hurdles reminiscent of the original SDI’s challenges, defense contractors are ready, with many components sourced from existing production lines.

The announcement underscores America’s intent to dominate space security. It heightens tensions with Russia and China, who have long deployed military assets in orbit discreetly. The covert space buildup by adversaries was enabled by the silence of previous administrations and their weak leadership.

U.S. Veteran Freed from Venezuelan Prison

U.S. Air Force veteran Joe St. Clair, 33, was released from a Venezuelan prison on Tuesday after six months of wrongful detention under the Nicolás Maduro regime. St. Clair was traveling as a tourist near the Venezuelan border in October 2024 when he and a friend were arrested and taken across the border. His family lost contact with him for three months until the U.S. State Department confirmed his detention in February.

A veteran of four tours in Afghanistan, St. Clair was held without just cause and classified as a political prisoner. His release was secured through the efforts of U.S. Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell, who negotiated with Venezuelan officials in Antigua.

Grenell credited President Trump’s administration for prioritizing American detainees, noting that about six Americans remain imprisoned by the Maduro regime. He emphasized St. Clair’s excitement to be home and said he would eventually share his story. A spokesperson for the St. Clair family stressed that this homecoming likely would not have been possible without Trump’s leadership.

Notable Mentions

• Fighting Against Revenge Porn and Online Creepism: President Trump signed the Take It Down Act, championed by First Lady Melania Trump, making it a criminal offense to post real or AI-generated sexually explicit images without consent. The First Lady, who also signed the bill, hailed it as a vital step to protect Americans, especially youth, from online exploitation through nonconsensual intimate imagery.
• Non-President Hillary Still Salty: At a New York City forum on May 1, failed corporate leftist presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, defeated by Trump in 2016, sneered that a Republican female president would likely be a “handmaiden to the patriarchy.” She dismissed nearly all GOP women as unfit. Her remarks, dripping with the same elitist venom as her 2016 “deplorables” slur, reveal her lingering bitterness and disdain for conservative women.
• Elon Claps Back at Creepy Bill Gates: At the Qatar Economic Forum, Elon Musk torched failed globalist Bill Gates, calling him a “huge liar” for slamming DOGE’s USAID cuts as deadly to kids. Musk fired back by exposing Gates’ shady Jeffrey Epstein ties, saying, “I wouldn’t want that guy to babysit my kid, I can tell you that.”

• DHS Pushes Harvard Americanization: The Trump administration, led by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, has revoked Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign students due to its refusal to comply with the GOP’s policy to end racial favoritism in federally funded schools. The decertification, which forces current foreign students to transfer, targets Harvard’s alleged support for violence, antisemitism, and ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
• NJ Bar Patrons Choose Trump Over Springsteen: A New Jersey bar dropped No Surrender, a Bruce Springsteen cover band, from a May 30 gig due to the singer’s recent anti-Trump comments. The bar owner cited his clientele’s patriotic stance, unwilling to host a performance tied to Springsteen’s political rants, signalling everyday Americans’ strong support for President Trump.
• MTG Ain’t Taking No Shit From Leftist Grok AI: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) fiercely rebuked xAI’s chatbot Grok on Friday for questioning the authenticity of her faith. She declared that only God, not a “non-human AI platform,” holds the judgment seat. After Grok’s response to a user’s query suggested her political and personal views clashed with Christian values, Greene accused the AI of pushing left-leaning propaganda. She warned that relying on AI over personal discernment risks leading people astray from the truth.
• Classless, Mannerless Democrat Reveals Upcoming Lawfare Playbook: Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), the foul-mouthed and vitriolic congresswoman, revealed on MSNBC’s “Alex Witt Reports” that Democrats are plotting to launch investigations into President Trump and his family if they seize the House in the 2026 midterms. As an Oversight Committee member, she pledged to conduct relentless oversight, stressing the Democrats’ bastardized version of “constitutional” duty to dig deep if they take control.

Catch up on what happened over the last month:

America This Week: Trillion Dollar Deals, Affordable Eggs, Autopen Scandals (May 12 – 18, 2025)

America This Week: Trade Deals, Ceasefires, and More Democrat Fake-Hero Attempts (May 5 – 11, 2025)

America This Week: Faith, Family, Freedom, and Pope Trump (April 28 – May 4, 2025)

America This Week: Rogue Judge Reckoning, Due Process Hoaxes, the Easter Bunny (April 21-27, 2025)