Hamadeh Takes Steps to Rid U.S. House Of Chinese Propaganda

Hamadeh Takes Steps to Rid U.S. House Of Chinese Propaganda

By Matthew Holloway |

On Friday, Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh took up the charge begun by Senator Jim Banks during his time as a Representative when he asked why China Daily, a newspaper owned and paid for by the Chinese Communist Party, is delivered routinely to House and Senate offices throughout the Capitol. Hamadeh, along with 14 Republican cosponsors, has introduced House Resolution 110, which if passed in the House, would prohibit the publication from being distributed in House offices. In a press release, Hamadeh’s office explained that the measure “ensures that foreign adversaries cannot use taxpayer-funded government buildings to push propaganda under the guise of news.”

Hamadeh said in a statement, “The halls of Congress should never serve as a platform for foreign propaganda, especially from a hostile regime like the Chinese Communist Party. For years, China Daily and other CCP-backed publications have been distributed freely in House offices, giving the CCP an unchecked pipeline into our institutions. That ends now. No more free passes for the CCP in the People’s House.”

In a corresponding post to X, Hamadeh’s staff expressed his exasperation writing, “China Daily News just showed up again at our office. It takes only a few minutes of research to learn this is CCP-funded propaganda.”

“Standing up to the CCP’s influence operations is a bipartisan national security priority,” Hamadeh added in the statement. “I’m grateful to my colleagues who are joining this effort to close an open door the CCP should have never had in the first place.”

Speaking with Jan Jekielek, Senior Editor of the Epoch Times, Hamadeh emphasized the absurdity of Chinese propaganda being permitted in the halls of Congress. He suggested that the China Daily matter would be the equivalent of the Chinese Communist Party allowing Voice of America to be distributed in the Chinese National People’s Congress.

He stressed, “What does that say about us as a government? Can you imagine us putting our propaganda like Voice of America into the Communist Chinese? They would never tolerate that. And they don’t tolerate it. And yet here we are tolerating that the Communist Chinese are able influence and infiltrate in that aspect.”

In February 2020, thirty-five Republican U.S. Senators and Congressmen penned a letter to then-Attorney General William Barr calling on him to “clamp down on Chinese propaganda,” asking that China Daily be investigated and labeled as a foreign agent, according to the South China Morning Post, a Hong-Kong based publication critical of the CCP,

“China Daily’s important role in China’s foreign disinformation campaign warrants a full-fledged investigation,” they wrote in the 2020 letter, launched by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Banks which was co-signed by seven GOP senators and 26 representatives.

“We cannot allow a foreign dictatorship to use America’s legislative buildings to push their propaganda,” Hamadeh concluded in his statement. “Congress must take a firm stand against the CCP’s disinformation campaigns. This is about protecting our institutions, our national security, and the integrity of the People’s House.”

The resolution is cosponsored by fellow freshman Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) as well as, Reps. Eric Burlison (R-MO), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Mike Haridopolos (R-FL), Darrell Issa (R-FL), Darrin LaHood (R-IL), Troy Nehls (R-TX), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Greg Steube (R-FL), Dave Taylor (R-OH), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Randy Weber (R-TX) .

China Daily was emailed for comment, however no response was received by time of publication.

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.

Arizona Teenage Terrorism Suspect To Be Tried As An Adult

Arizona Teenage Terrorism Suspect To Be Tried As An Adult

By Matthew Holloway |

Marvin Aneer Jalo, a Buckeye 17-year-old charged in an attempted terrorist attack on the 2024 Phoenix Pride Parade will be tried as an adult after a ruling from Judge Joseph Kiefer on Friday. Kiefer denied efforts by the suspect’s attorneys to remove the case to juvenile court stressing the seriousness of the charges against him.

Jalo was arrested in October and charged with one count of terrorism and one count of conspiracy to commit terrorism in connection with an alleged conspiracy hatched on messaging platforms Discord and Telegram to attack the event using a “bomb drone,” equipped with TATP (Triacetone Triperoxide) and C4 explosives.

Judge Kiefer denied the motion by Jalo, as reported by AZ Family, stating “The seriousness of the offenses does not support that public safety is best served by defendant’s case proceeding in juvenile court.” He added that the suspect demonstrated “a very concerning level of participation and planning toward possible attacks in multiple U.S. cities.”

In the indictment against Jalo obtained by Fox News, a Grand Jury alleged that the teenager “intentionally or knowingly did provide advice, assistance, direction or management of an act of terrorism to further the goals, desires, aims, public pronouncements, manifestos or political objective of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.”

A statement from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office revealed that investigators found Jalo had “participated in online chat rooms discussing the supplies necessary to make an improvised explosive device and then had those supplies shipped to him. He discussed his intent to make TATP (tri-acetone triperoxide), an unstable explosive that can propel shrapnel and other dangerous items outward, causing serious injury or death to people in the area,” and furthermore “posted various videos of himself making the TATP” while “continuing to reference a desire to use those explosives.” 

Jalo was arrested at his home in Buckeye with his mother telling authorities that the two had argued after she discovered her son “in chat rooms, with the use of his cell phone, speaking with other subjects whom she described as terrorists, who had been conspiring to conduct a possible attack,” per court documents.

The suspect later spoke with police and “confirmed he had been speaking with extremists, who were actively recruiting him. [Jalo] told police that he needed to gather more knowledge and better prepare himself before taking part in a terrorist event.”

Judge Keifer said in his ruling that the messages exchanged between Jalo and his co-conspirators weren’t merely “Should we engage in this conduct” or “What would it be like to engage in this conduct,” but rather centered on “how the group would actually prepare for and accomplish these attacks.” The Judge added that although Jalo could have been “posturing” or “embellishing,” the role he took in the chats was “significant.”

Jalo’s next hearing is scheduled for February. He was held on a $1 million cash-only bond as of October. However, due to his age it is unknown if he is still in custody or has been released on bond.

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.

Rep. Crane Tells Dem PAC Targeting Him In 2026: ‘Bring It’

Rep. Crane Tells Dem PAC Targeting Him In 2026: ‘Bring It’

By Matthew Holloway |

A Democrat SuperPAC bankrolled by leftist billionaires Michael Bloomberg, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has reportedly targeted Arizona’s 2nd District Congressman Eli Crane for removal in the 2026 Congressional midterm. In a post to X, Crane shared the report from Fox News reporter Liz Elkind listing him with 13 other Congressmen to be opposed with a $50M investment summed up in a simple response: “Bring It.”

In a post to X on Monday, Crane wrote in full, “The great thing about #AZ02 is they see through phony attacks by coastal elites. Bring it.”

Elkind had reported that “Democrats’ House Majority PAC is rolling out a new initiative to win back working-class voters[.] 2026 Win Them Back Fund is launching with a $50M investment & initial plan targeting 14 Republicans who narrowly won their seats in November.”

According to Fox News, Mike Smith, president of the House Majority PAC told the New York Times that the “Win Them Back Fund” was created with an aim to generate appeal to draw working class voters to the Democratic Party after so many flipped to support President Donald Trump and the Republican Party this year. “We’re laying a marker down now,” he told the Times. “This is a priority.”

In addition to Crane, the House Majority PAC is targeting GOP Reps. Nick Begich (R-AK); David Valadao (R-CA-22); Ken Calvert, (R-CA-41); Gabe Evans, (R-CO-08); Mariannette Miller-Meeks, (R-IA-01); John James, (R-MI-10).

In a press release obtained by Fox News, the PAC said, “One of the major roadblocks we have faced as a party has been declining support among a multi-racial group of working class voters. That’s why HMP is today launching a 2026 Win Them Back Fund focused on ensuring that we win back working class voters across the congressional battlefield.”

“While Democrats at the Presidential level have consistently lost ground with working class voters for over the last decade, House Democrats like Reps. Adam Gray, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Don Davis, and Gabe Vasquez continue to overperform with this crucial bloc of voters. Their victories demonstrate that House Democrats can win back this coalition of voters with the support of strategic investments in recruitment, research, and programming.”

As noted by the outlet, while Democrats continue to deride billionaires such as Elon Musk and President Trump’s participation in the electoral process, high-profile donations to the PAC included $13 million from Bloomberg, $3 million from Pritzker, and $2 million from Steyer.

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.

Trump Signs Order Appointing AG Bondi To Lead A Task Force Against Anti-Christian Bias

Trump Signs Order Appointing AG Bondi To Lead A Task Force Against Anti-Christian Bias

By Matthew Holloway |

In an Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump on Thursday, newly confirmed Attorney General Pam Bondi has been handed a mandate to chair a new Justice Department Task Force to eradicate anti-Christian bias.

According to the White House, the task force is to include Bondi’s fellow cabinet members in addition to ”the heads of such other executive departments, agencies, and offices that the Chair may, from time to time, invite to participate.”

In the text of the order, the President cited the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition against government interference with the free exercise of religion and the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s protections against religious discrimination. He declared, “The previous Administration engaged in an egregious pattern of targeting peaceful Christians, while ignoring violent, anti-Christian offenses.”

Trump added that, “The Biden Department of Justice sought to squelch faith in the public square by bringing Federal criminal charges and obtaining in numerous cases multi-year prison sentences against nearly two dozen peaceful pro-life Christians for praying and demonstrating outside abortion facilities.” He also referred to the arrest and prosecution of “a Catholic priest and 75-year-old grandmother, as well as an 87-year-old woman and a father,” for praying and singing hymns outside an abortion facility in protest, as well as an FBI memorandum that claimed “radical-traditionalist” Catholics were domestic-terrorism threats.

Trump also pointed to attacks against Christian churches and organizations noting, “At the same time, Catholic churches, charities, and pro-life centers sought justice for violence, theft, and arson perpetrated against them, which the Biden Department of Justice largely ignored. After more than 100 attacks, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning this violence and calling on the Biden Administration to enforce the law.”

Trump also laid “hostility and vandalism against Christian churches and places of worship,” at the feet of the Biden Administration noting “the number of such identified acts in 2023 exceeding by more than eight times the number from 2018.”

He also highlighted Biden’s Department of Education seeking to repeal religious liberty protections for faith-based organizations on university campuses and attempting to compel “Christians to affirm radical transgender ideology,” contrary to their beliefs via the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and drive them out of the foster-care system. Finally he pointed to the highly controversial declaration of a “Transgender Day of Visibility,” on Easter Sunday 2024, by the Biden Administration which drew widespread scorn.

In the text of the order, the President concluded, “My Administration will not tolerate anti-Christian weaponization of government or unlawful conduct targeting Christians. The law protects the freedom of Americans and groups of Americans to practice their faith in peace, and my Administration will enforce the law and protect these freedoms. My Administration will ensure that any unlawful and improper conduct, policies, or practices that target Christians are identified, terminated, and rectified.”

In a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Trump told the gathered press that the task force’s mission is to “immediately halt all forms of anti-Christian targeting and discrimination in the federal government.”

“In addition, the task force will work to fully prosecute anti-Christian violence and vandalism in our society, and to move heaven and earth to defend the rights of Christians and religious believers nationwide,” he continued.

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.

Rep. Crane’s Bill To Support Rural Veterans In Northern Arizona Passes U.S. House

Rep. Crane’s Bill To Support Rural Veterans In Northern Arizona Passes U.S. House

By Matthew Holloway |

A bill to construct a new Veterans Center on 232 acres of land in Young, Arizona, the first of its kind to support rural veterans and their families, was introduced by Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) and has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The facility would be operated by Gila County and provide family housing, meeting and activity spaces, resource rooms, Veteran Ceremonial Grounds, and outdoor recreation.

“This veterans center is so crucial for rural veterans in northern Arizona who selflessly served our nation. I’m grateful to see my colleagues in the House recognize the significance of this land transfer,” said Crane. “This was the first piece of legislation I introduced and is a testament to the significance of northern Arizona’s veterans. Anytime Congress can vote on legislation that returns power to the states is a good thing. I’m grateful to House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman for his leadership and look forward to the advancement of this bill in the Senate.”

According to Crane’s office, the effort to get the new Veterans Center on its feet found unusual allies joined in a common cause with Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and former Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ) getting the bipartisan ball rolling during the 117th Congress with Democrat Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) leading corresponding efforts in the Senate.

“America’s veterans and their families have sacrificed so much to defend our freedom, and Congress must do everything in its power to provide our servicemembers with proper care and opportunities. The commonsense, bipartisan land transfer provided by H.R.837 will do just that by opening up new experiences to veterans in the area for recreation and recovery.” House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman explained, “A veteran himself, Representative Crane has led on these issues this Congress, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to get this bill through the Senate and signed into law.”

Gila County Supervisor Woody Cline, who testified before the House Natural Resources Committee, told Congress of the significant impacts and extensive resources the center would provide for veterans and their families in the region.

During his testimony, Rep. Crane said, “One of the things I love so much about this project, is that you’re not coming here, Mr. Cline, and asking the federal government for any money. You’re actually trying to take something that’s a beautiful piece of land that’s not being used anymore and revitalize it into something amazing for some of our nation’s finest individuals.”

“This site will only be one of two sites in Arizona. There’s one in the southern part of Arizona and one in the northern part […] It’s huge for our local community as well. We have a local veteran community of about 100 people right there in that small town. And then right there between us and Payson, there’s roughly another 5,000-7,000 more right there. Having this accessible, not only to the local members, the state members, the national members, but also, we’re adjacent to the White Mountain Apache Tribe that is not very far away that has a number of veterans in that reservation as well that have been big supporters of this project. It means everything to these folks,” said Cline.

Data from the Veterans Administration shows that by population density, as of 2019, veterans are most represented in Yavapai and Cochise Counties, the northern and southernmost counties respectively with between 11.78-14.45% of the population and between 14.46-16.74% of the population.

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.