A Senate panel just voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt after he declined to answer more than 100 questions. Today, I break down what happens next, plus USCIS's controversial new reporting categories, and declassified FBI records.

George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782. The award for exceptional service became the forerunner of today's Purple Heart.

Americans still honor sacrifice, courage, and duty.

Question: Which constitutional amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches and seizures?

Answer at the very end of today's briefing.

The Senate Homeland Security Committee voted Thursday to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. Fauci reportedly declined to answer more than 100 questions tied to his role directing COVID-era policy, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The committee's vote sets up a formal referral to the Justice Department, which would decide whether to pursue the matter further.

This is not a routine oversight dispute. Fauci spent years as the public face of federal pandemic policy, shaping lockdowns, school closures, vaccine mandates, and messaging that reached every American household. When Congress asks the person who wielded that authority to explain his decisions and he refuses on more than 100 separate questions, that refusal itself becomes part of the public record.

The Fifth Amendment protects everyone, including former officials. But the political reality is unavoidable: a man who spent years telling Americans to trust the science and follow the guidance is now unwilling to answer for the guidance itself under oath.

Congress cannot force answers through a committee vote alone. The real test is whether DOJ treats this referral seriously or lets it die quietly, the same way many congressional contempt referrals have died under both parties for decades. Watch whether Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's Justice Department opens a real inquiry or shelves the case.

Dave Bell spends every Christmas playing Santa Claus for his central Virginia community. This year, he delivered a far greater gift by donating his kidney to someone in need. No sleigh. No spotlight. Just one neighbor saving another person's life.

For more stories like this, follow @feelgoodnewsusa — real good news, no partisan spin.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has launched a public tip form covering immigration benefit fraud and security concerns. The agency's listed reporting categories include election fraud, support for terrorist ideologies, anti-government activity, and "expressing hatred for American values." The last category is not a criminal standard, and the First Amendment protects offensive speech short of true threats or material support for terrorism. USCIS must publish clear standards before this tip line becomes an opinion-policing tool.

President Trump nominated Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, and the Senate confirmed him in March. Trump's Truth Social announcement also ended Kristi Noem's troubled tenure. Now, MAGA distrust is growing around Mullin. DHS controls the border, deportations, asylum enforcement, and interior operations. Mullin will earn trust through arrests and removals, not television appearances.

Mike Lindell says he will transfer illegal immigrants held in Minnesota jails and prisons to federal immigration authorities if elected governor. The Trump-endorsed candidate made the ICE transfer promise before Minnesota's August 11 Republican primary. His proposal would force sheriffs, corrections officials, and local Democrats to choose between federal cooperation and resistance. The legal fights would start quickly, but so would the public accountability.

President Trump signed new executive orders attacking birth tourism and narrowing automatic citizenship after a June Supreme Court defeat. His earlier order directed agencies to exclude children born to illegal migrants from the 14th Amendment's citizenship guarantee. The renewed executive action guarantees another court fight. Trump can force the issue onto the national agenda, but lasting change may require Congress or a constitutional amendment.

Trump rejected claims that U.S. munitions stocks cannot sustain current military commitments, and in the same appearance renewed his warnings to Iran. He reportedly clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the assessment and called the leak "treasonous statements." Trump also demanded jail for leakers. The Pentagon should give Congress a classified accounting and the public a lawful summary. Anonymous fragments cannot substitute for battlefield math.

Newly declassified FBI records detail internal efforts to treat Trump's firing of James Comey as a Russian-directed operation. The records also show discussions that appear focused on managing the resulting paper trail. John Durham found Crossfire Hurricane began on July 31, 2016, without actual evidence of Trump-Russia collusion. The declassified FBI documents demand named witnesses, sworn testimony, and consequences for any official who abused investigative power.

OpenAI has asked a federal judge to dismiss Apple's July lawsuit against former Apple employees now working at the AI company. OpenAI says Apple relabeled generic product knowledge as secret information and failed to protect the material properly. The company called the trade secrets lawsuit "rotten to its core." The ruling could shape whether large technology companies use federal litigation to create unofficial noncompete agreements.

Yahoo Sports identified rookie running back Jadarian Price as a possible difference-maker for Seattle's 2026 season. The analysis expects Seattle to depend heavily on Price, though the team has not announced that plan. A productive rookie contract gives the Seahawks room to spend elsewhere while keeping the offense balanced. If Price becomes the key, Seattle can control late-game possessions and protect its quarterback. If not, the roster will need an expensive patch.

The pattern this week is simple. Washington keeps demanding more trust while offering fewer receipts. USCIS wants tips, the FBI managed narratives, and Fauci avoided questions.

I support enforcement, spending cuts, and national security, but every institution must show its work. Forward this to one person who needs to read it this weekend.

More than 100 questions

Dr. Anthony Fauci reportedly declined to answer more than 100 questions tied to COVID-era decisions and testimony. That number matters more than another angry hearing clip. Oversight fails when senior officials can refuse answers without consequences.

Today's trivia: Which amendment bars unreasonable searches and seizures?
Answer: The Fourth Amendment protects Americans against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Keep watching the people who exercise power, and find your weekend reading in the full archive at projectlibertyus.com.

Stay free,

Brett Lee
Editor, Project Liberty
projectlibertyus.com

Follow: @projectlibertyus | @real_brett_lee