by Matthew Holloway | Oct 12, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
In a video rant on Thursday, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) claimed he had to ‘restrain’ himself during a hallway clash with House Speaker Mike Johnson over the government shutdown and swearing-in of Democrat Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva.
The exchange, captured on video and shared by Gallego’s office, happened on Wednesday outside Johnson’s office at the Capitol. Both of Arizona’s Democrat Senators, Gallego and Mark Kelly, pressed Johnson on his refusal to swear in Grijalva, a Democrat and the daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva, in a pro forma session.
Grijalva’s seating would provide the 218th signature needed for a discharge petition to force a House vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein’s client list, they contend. However, Speaker Johnson has described the controversy as a “red herring” and a “distraction.” Grijalva’s special election win in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District is also still pending certification in a statewide canvas scheduled for Oct. 14th.
Gallego, a Marine veteran, described the moment in his post on X, claiming that he folded his arms in a posture he described as a Marine technique for de-escalation, to avoid escalating the situation. “I had to restrain myself from doing more,” Gallego wrote, accusing Johnson of “holding Adelita Grijalva hostage” to block the Epstein vote. In the video, Gallego can be heard telling Johnson to “get your people in and stop covering up for the pedophiles,” referring to the Epstein files.
Kelly, standing beside Gallego, called the delay “ridiculous” and urged Johnson to “swear her in,” emphasizing Grijalva’s victory in the heavily Democratic district. The confrontation lasted less than two minutes and was filmed by reporters who had gathered for a planned press gaggle outside the Speaker’s office. Contrary to Gallego’s claims, U.S. Marine Corps manuals and law enforcement de-escalation guidelines from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, as cited by the Daily Caller, do not prescribe the crossing of arms as a de-escalation technique. Rather, the outlet noted body language experts interpret the gesture as defensive or closed-off, and suggest positions with hands, open and visible.
Johnson, appearing on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper, described the encounter as a “failed publicity stunt” by the Democrats. He disputed Gallego’s account of his body language, saying the senator appeared “very uncomfortable” and was “not telling you the truth.” Johnson reiterated that the House is not in session due to the Democratic walkout and pointed to the Democrats’ demanding concessions like $200 billion in benefits for non-citizens.
In his ranting video reaction to the Jake Tapper appearance, Gallego claimed, “He’s such a f***ing liar. And what a creep. He’s just telling what I’m thinking. I literally told him what I’m thinking. He is absolutely holding Adelita Grijalva hostage so that way she can’t be the 218th vote on the discharge petition. That’s it. It’s just that simple,” Gallego said.
“His reasons keep on changing. I think he gets away with the press because they don’t actually push him on it, but I did yesterday, and he should be happy I had my arms folded. There’s a reason why Marines fold their arms. It’s because it’s a way to make sure that we restrain ourselves,” Gallego said.
Speaker Johnson’s Rapid Response team offered a blistering response in a post to X, writing, “Instead of voting to OPEN the Government, Gallego instead has time to: Stage a FAILED publicity stunt, FAIL to fundraise off it, Record this SECOND rate video, Seemingly threaten the Speaker?! Democrats hide behind expletives because they have NO message.”
The partial government shutdown began Sept. 30 after Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution to fund federal operations. It has furloughed thousands of federal workers and closed some national parks. Republicans, led by Johnson, seek to strip funding for programs they view as wasteful, including subsidies for Planned Parenthood and specific green energy initiatives. Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have pushed for a “clean” bill without those cuts, accusing Republicans of using the shutdown as leverage.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Ethan Faverino | Oct 12, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
In a recent opinion piece in Townhall, Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) declared that he is leading the charge to end federal funding for transgender experiments on animals,” signaling a bold stance against the misuse of taxpayer dollars.
Congressman Hamadeh announced he is directing a group of House Republicans to demand that Fiscal Year 2026 spending bills include explicit language prohibiting federal funding for transgender experiments on animals.
“When Americans send their hard-earned money to Washington, they expect it to be used wisely to secure our borders, to defend our nation, and to provide essential services that protect our citizens. What they do not expect is for their tax dollars to bankroll the latest ideological fads of the radical left,” said Hamadeh.
“No one should be forced to subsidize radical gender ideology, let alone grotesque experiments that inflict suffering on animals in the name of ‘gender transition science.’ This is not medical research; it’s political theater disguised as science,” he added.
The initiative addresses growing concerns over federal funding being used to support immoral and unnecessary experiments involving animals such as monkeys, mice, and rabbits.
These experiments reportedly involve mutilating animals and administering cross-sex hormones to advance theories aligned with radical gender ideology.
“What possible scientific benefit can come from mutilating a rabbit or drugging a monkey with cross-sex hormones? None,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “These experiments are not about medical advancement; they are about normalizing the transgender agenda.”
Hamadeh’s call to action highlights a broader issue: the capture of America’s research institutions by ideology. Agencies like the National Institute of Health (NIH) have diverted taxpayer dollars to projects that prioritize cultural agendas over scientific integrity.
The Congressman pointed to the Biden administration’s aggressive promotion of gender ideology across education, healthcare, and federal research as a driving force behind these experiments. “Billions of taxpayer dollars have been funneled into projects that redefine biology, undermine parental rights, and confuse children,” he said.
The push to defund these experiments is framed as part of a larger fight to protect American values and restore common sense to government spending.
Hamadeh concluded with a message to all members of Congress, saying, “The American people deserve better. Our children deserve better. And the animals who have no voice at all deserve better. That’s why I will keep leading this charge, because the line must be drawn here, and it must be drawn now. This isn’t politics – it’s common sense.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 12, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A traffic stop in Arizona turned into a full arrest after what began as a speeding violation escalated into multiple criminal charges — and a surprising 911 call from the driver.
According to law enforcement sources, a deputy pulled over a vehicle for criminal speed (excessive speeding) earlier this month. During the stop, the driver allegedly placed a 911 call to report that his vehicle was being towed by the deputy.
When deputies pressed for identification and documentation, the driver was unable to produce a valid driver’s license or any legal identification. Further investigation revealed that he had outstanding warrants. Authorities also determined the individual had given false information to the deputy.
Because of the outstanding warrants and the suspected immigration status, the driver was arrested on multiple charges:
- Speeding (criminal speed)
- Providing false information to law enforcement
- Driving without a license or identification
- Violating active warrants
The deputy involved reported that once the driver realized the vehicle would be towed, he dialed 911, perhaps in an attempt to prevent the impound. The driver’s quote—“What happen you bro? I no speed my friend”—suggests he denied speeding and attempted to argue during the stop.
The video shows the deputy stating the driver has been in the country illegally “at least” since 2011, and it is likely that immigration enforcement agencies will be involved depending on the outcome of the local criminal process. In many jurisdictions, collaboration exists between law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, though policies vary by county and state.
What began as a routine traffic stop quickly turned into a broader criminal arrest after attempts to conceal identity and existing warrants came to light. As the case proceeds through the legal system, more details may emerge, including the driver’s identity, the exact charges filed, and whether immigration enforcement agencies will become involved.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Tiffany Benson | Oct 11, 2025 | Opinion
By Tiffany Benson |
After publishing this Substack, I came across this video of a young woman’s “detransition” story. I also learned that Texas Christian University canceled an event featuring Chloe Cole, another “detransitioner” who travels the nation sharing her testimony. The fight to protect the next generation from the evils of “transgenderism” is far from over.
This quote is from the young woman who lived as a “male” for eight years but now regrets having a double mastectomy, full hysterectomy, and genital reconstruction surgery:
“I’m so angry…and so sad. It’s like a virus, or something, that infected me. And it happened so quickly…I can’t have kids. I’ll never lose my virginity. It’s like I’m left to just accept the scraps of the life that I could have had…I don’t know how to be okay with that. I hate when people [say], ‘Everything happens for a reason.’ No, this didn’t happen for a reason. It’s just a tragedy. Call it what it is.”
In the video, you can see what appears to be mutilation scars on her left forearm. Skin grafts are typically taken from this area to construct “a penis, urethra, scrotum, and the obliteration of the vaginal cavity with closure,” an operation known as phalloplasty (or “bottom surgery”). While it is possible to correct genital deformities, the damage to her body is irreversible, and the trajectory of her future is permanently altered. She can recover some femininity, but her womanhood is gone forever.
This is the expected end of social “transitioning,” cross-dressing, and using alternative names and pronouns—all of which can be concealed by false interpretations of student privacy laws. Also, when K-12 district representatives and employees implement DEI policies, host rainbow celebrations, and defend “gender identity,” they are advocating for all of the above. No one is born in the wrong body, and anyone who supports sterilizing and castrating minors should not be trusted around children.
I always bring the “transgender” agenda back to government education because it’s an area where many parents are still asleep at the wheel. Public schools (and increasingly some private schools) are the battlefield as board members, administrators, teachers, and counselors position themselves as the enemy of parental rights. Thankfully, parents are winning in the courts, and thousands of children will never undergo “transgender” medical malpractice. Still, parents must remain vigilant in the ongoing war to assert moral authority over their children.
It’s also important to bring attention to another group that’s not doing enough to tackle the “transgender” problem. Sadly, many Christians are aiding and abetting the spread of LGBTQ ideologies and practices. Keep in mind that “Christian” is a relative term associated with thousands of denominations and cults, and can be interpreted to mean a “good person.”
On February 25, 2025, Pew Research published survey results showing that “57% [up from 54% in 2014] of U.S. Christians say homosexuality should be accepted by society; 55% [up from 44% in 2014] say same-sex marriage should be legal.” The report also reveals 29% of Christians believe greater acceptance of “transgender” individuals is “a change for the better.” The latter is a baseline number, as researchers did not ask this question in previous case studies.
Oddly enough, Barna’s 2025 study shows Millennials and Gen Z have increased their church attendance. The report says, “The typical Gen Z churchgoer now attends 1.9 weekends per month, while Millennial churchgoers average 1.8 times—a steady upward shift since the lows seen during the pandemic. These are easily the highest rates of church attendance among young Christians since they first hit Barna’s tracking.”
Before we celebrate, let’s consider that in 2004, 51% of American pastors held a biblical worldview. By 2022, just 37% of pastors had sustained a biblical worldview, while 62% held syncretistic beliefs (that is, blending Christianity with other religions). In 2023, only 36% of pastors were “very effective” in helping Christians grow their faith over time. A mere 10% were “very effective” in “growing new converts into mature Christians,” while 12% encouraged believers to share their faith, and a measly 6% reached out to non-Christians.
These are sobering statistics, and, according to Barna, the increase among Gen Z still equates to attending church “less than half the time” of older generations. So, while young people are seeking truth, many will join ministries led by compromised leaders. Gen Z’s faith might grow over time, but they won’t share it outside the church, and what they learn may not have a lasting effect. In short, the American Church produces converts without conviction and consumers without consecration, who master religious transactions without transformation.
My fellow believers, none of this is a sign of “revival.”
I have lost count of how many times we canceled Netflix, rebooked Disney vacations, and chose Walmart over Target. Jumping on a trend is not good enough. We can’t be so preoccupied with our regularly scheduled programming that we fail to address the spirit of the age that’s consuming present generations.
Are we too holy to associate with LGBTQ people because their sin looks different than ours? Are we so loving that we can’t confront sin at all? Have we settled for inviting the lost to hear watered-down preaching because we’re too biblically illiterate to usher them into the Kingdom directly? If we’re honest, most Christians wouldn’t know how to minister to that broken woman in the video. We would say, “Jesus loves you,” and hand her a flyer for the next church event.
I agreed when the woman said destroying her body didn’t happen for a reason, and she called it a tragedy. The expression, “Everything happens for a reason,” is typically what believers (and nonbelievers) say when they lack the capacity to produce genuine empathy. It’s on par with “God works in mysterious ways,” a favorite among those who cannot discern the difference between coincidence and divine appointment. Neither of these phrases is found in Scripture.
The truth is, everything does not happen for a reason. Some things—and I would argue, living in a fallen world, that most things—happen as a consequence. Our beliefs influence our actions, and actions dictate outcomes. We can only help the next generation by imitating the Berean Christians (Acts 17:11), speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), and investing time in young people beyond religious activities. Some sinners will never darken the doorway of your church, but they shouldn’t have to wait until Sunday to hear the gospel.
I challenge Christians to befriend an LGBTQ person, learn their story, and, when their heart is ready, preach the full gospel to them. Don’t stop at “Jesus loves you” and a church invitation. Tell them why He was crucified. Explain that He is not only our Friend—He is also our Judge. He extends mercy to those who repent and wrath to those who reject Him. Jesus came as a lamb, but He will return as a lion. Faith in His work on the cross is the only way to life, both now and for eternity.
Never separate love from truth.
Tiffany Benson is the Founder of Restore Parental Rights in Education. Her commentaries on education, politics, and Christian faith can be viewed at Parentspayattention.com and Bigviewsmallwindow.com. Follow her on socials @realtiffanyb.
by Matthew Holloway | Oct 11, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey sharply rebuked Gov. Katie Hobbs’ announcement of her 2026 reelection campaign, accusing her of fiscal mismanagement that turned a $2.5 billion surplus into a $1.4 billion deficit.
Hobbs launched her bid for a second term on Wednesday in a two-minute video posted to X, where she emphasized her administration’s focus on education, public safety, and housing affordability.
“Arizona is a place of hard work, hope and determination,” Hobbs said. “That’s why I’m running for reelection — to continue putting your family first.”
Ducey, a Republican who preceded Hobbs in office, responded hours later on X, quoting Hobbs’ video and writing: “This dishonesty isn’t surprising given the current struggles on the 9th floor. When I left office, I turned over a $2.5B SURPLUS to Katie Hobbs. She blew it all AND created that $1.4B deficit in only a year. AZ didn’t have a revenue problem, Hobbs had a spending problem.”
The exchange between the former and current governors highlights Arizona’s ongoing budget tensions. Hobbs inherited the surplus from Ducey in January 2023, but the state faced a projected $1.4 billion shortfall for fiscal year 2025. According to a report from the Common Sense Institute of Arizona (CSI), that shortfall was mainly driven by increased spending and not the state’s adoption of a flat income tax rate of 2.5% or the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program.
The GOP-led Arizona legislature approved a $16.1 billion budget in June 2024, following a major budget battle that addressed the deficit by incorporating spending cuts and one-time adjustments. Hobbs signed the measure, though Republican critics, including House Speaker Ben Toma, have described her fiscal approach as unsustainable.
Reactions to Ducey’s post were polarized. A few users defended Hobbs, claiming Ducey’s tax cuts and ESA expansions as root causes of the shortfall. Others echoed his criticisms. A few, urged Ducey to support GOP challengers in the 2026 gubernatorial race, like U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs. The vast majority offered critiques of the former Governor.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
