Trump stands by statements on Mexican illegal immigrants, surprised by backlash  —  Republican presidential candidate and real estate mogul Donald Trump on Saturday stood by statements he made recently that too many illegal immigrants from Mexico are criminals, but said he was surprised …

Gov. Walker and Wisconsin GOP Retreat on Open Records Limits  —  In a sudden reversal amid a stinging backlash, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and GOP legislative leaders said they agreed Saturday to completely remove a part of the proposed state budget that would severely roll back open records laws.

Health Insurance Companies Seek Big Rate Increases for 2016  —  WASHINGTON — Health insurance companies around the country are seeking rate increases of 20 percent to 40 percent or more, saying their new customers under the Affordable Care Act turned out to be sicker than expected.

What the Declaration of Independence Really Claimed  —  (As we celebrate Independence Day, I thought I would post a couple excerpts about the Declaration of Independence from my forthcoming book, Our Republican Constitution: Securing the Sovereignty of the People (which is now available for pre-order on Amazon).

Obama Plans Broader Use of Clemency to Free Nonviolent Drug Offenders  —  WASHINGTON — Sometime in the next few weeks, aides expect President Obama to issue orders freeing dozens of federal prisoners locked up on nonviolent drug offenses.  With the stroke of his pen, he will probably commute …

Hillary Clinton: ‘I take a backseat to no one’ on liberal record  —  Hillary never mentioned Bernie Sanders by name, but the subtext was unmistakeable.  —  Hanover, N.H. — Hillary Clinton arrived in this liberal New England enclave with a message for anyone thinking about voting …

I owe an apology.  On the eve of this Independence Day, I have a renewed sense of what this country stands for, and how I personally could help achieve it.  The promise of equality and freedom is one that all of us have to work for, at all times.  I know this as a survivor …

ObamaCare win turns up heat on GOP presidential field  —  ObamaCare's victory at the Supreme Court is putting new pressure on Republican presidential candidates to map out a replacement to the healthcare law — a task that has eluded the party for more than five years.

Weenies burn flag to protest cops, get attacked by bikers, need cops to save their asses  —  Cops defuse a situation between a group of anti-NYPD flag-burners and a group of flag supporters.  —  Now they probably love the cops.  —  A group of flag-burning anti-NYPD protesters needed …