THURSDAY, JUNE 12

US PERSONNEL MOVED OUT OVER IRAN TENSIONS As Republican war “hawks” reportedly pressure President Donald Trump to allow an Israeli strike against Iranian weapons sites, the administration has ordered US personnel to move out of the Middle East amid rising tensions.  READ

SENATE COUNTERTERRORISM COMMITTEE TACKLES LA RIOT FUNDING  Sen. Josh Hawley, R-MO, the chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, announced June 11 that he is probing whether the nonprofit Coalition of Human Immigrant Rights - Los Angeles is funding the LA riots. Hawley wrote on social media that he wants to know who “is funding the LA riots," adding: "This violence isn’t spontaneous."  READ

CNN ANALYST: IMMIGRANTS SWING HARD TO THE RIGHT ON IMMIGRATION  CNN Analyst Harry Enten this week reported immigrant citizens have dramatically moved to the right since 2020, with Trump's immigration policies being a major driver. In 2020, Democrats held a dominant 32-point lead among immigrant citizens on immigration policy. That advantage has not only vanished, but flipped. As of 2025, Republicans now hold an 8-point lead, marking a staggering 40-point swing in just five years. READ

TRUMP STRIKES TRADE DEAL WITH CHINA  The US and China reached a trade deal Wednesday after several days of talks in London, setting tariffs on Chinese imports to the US at 55% and tariffs on US exports to China at 10%. The deal also includes updated policies on student visas for Chinese nationals.  READ

SIMONE BILES APOLOGIZES, WALKS BACK PRO-'TRANS' COMMENTS  Olympic gymnast Simone Biles issued an apology on X this week after attacking conservative activist and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines over the latter's opposition to male athletes competing in women's sports. “I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport,” Biles wrote. “The current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles...." READ

POLL: REPUBLICAN VOTERS MORE PRO-LIFE THAN EVER  Support for abortion has increased among Democrats and decreased among Republicans since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, with Republicans hitting a record high of 78% identifying as pro-life, a recent Gallup analysis found.  READ  

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION TACKLES 'TRANS' AGENDA  The Federal Trade Commission, whose purpose is to protect American consumers, will host a workshop July 9 in Washington, DC, to explore “unfair or deceptive trade practices” in the use of drugs and surgeries to treat gender dysphoria in minors.  READ

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FROM SHEEN TO LEO, AMERICAN CATHOLICISM'S GLOBAL RISE  The election of Pope Leo XIV — the first American-born pontiff — is stirring questions about the growing influence of US Catholicism in the life of the global Church. In a recent Crisis Magazine article, author Greg Cook explored the connection between the newly elected pope and another towering figure from the same state: Venerable Fulton Sheen. READ

CHINESE GOVERNMENT HONORS POPE'S BISHOP APPOINTMENT  Pope Leo this month appointed Joseph Lin Yuntuan auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou seven years after his episcopal ordination by Pope Francis. The move brought with it a belated recognition of the bishops' authority on the part of the Chinese Communist Party. READ

LOOPcast  Tom Homan talked to Dr. Phil… and the origin of the LA riots is revealed. We talk about who’s funding this, the political swing, and everything in between. RFK is cleaning house and Pope Leo makes formal wear great again. Simone Biles “apologizes” and libs stop a black woman from going to work. All this and more on the LOOPcast!  WATCH

CATHOLIC 101  Practicing virtue leads us to holiness, dignity, and freedom. Seeing virtue in heroic action helps a lot. Tolkien's mythological writings are a wonderful way to "witness" this. Here are seven virtues embodied by his characters and their storylines.  READ

SAINT OF THE DAY  Today the Church honors Pope Saint Leo III, who crowned Charlemagne emperor in a bold move that secured papal protection—while also binding the papacy to imperial power in a precedent that would echo through medieval Christendom. READ

DAILY PSALM  "The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land." (Psalm 85:10)  READ

DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ

HISTORY IN THE MAKING  Pope Leo XIV, the first Chicago-born pope, will video address young Chicagoans LIVE at Rate Field—the home of the White Sox—on June 14 at 2:30 PM Central Time. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime moment!  SHARE