Your BRIGHT Week in Review

Plus: Dinner and a Movie

Photo of the Week

Yildiz Kahraman makes an X in response to the Olympics allowing those disqualified from other women’s competitions for having XY chromosomes. The gesture of solidarity with other women was also made by Turkey’s Esra Yildiz, among others.

Report: Dozens on Terror Watchlist Released By Biden-Harris After Crossing Border

A House Judiciary Committee report revealed that nearly 100 illegal immigrants on the terror watchlist have been released into the U.S. during the Biden-Harris administration. Fox News reported that between fiscal years 2021 and 2023, Border Patrol encountered over 250 illegal aliens on the watchlist, releasing 99 into communities and detaining 34. Immigration judges granted bond to at least 27 on the watchlist. Migrants from countries with potential national security risks have significantly increased, including those from Afghanistan, China, Iran, and Syria. The report criticizes the Biden-Harris administration’s border policies, highlighting a 3,000% increase in encounters with watchlisted individuals.

More from Fox News:

The Judiciary Committee report revealed that of those eight Tajikistan nationals, three were released after using the CBP One phone application to schedule an appointment and four were encountered by Border Patrol.

"Although American communities already feel the disastrous effects of the Biden-Harris Administration’s immigration policies, the worst could still be yet to come," the staff interim report alleges. 

"With national security experts and immigration officials increasingly concerned about the threat of terrorism originating from the border, it is clear that policymakers must take all necessary steps to secure the border and stop the flow of illegal aliens. However, the Biden-Harris Administration has refused to address the national security nightmare created by its radical, open-borders agenda," it said.

The Truth About Tim Walz and His Military Service

In an exclusive from the New York Post, retired Command Sergeant Major Thomas Behrends criticizes Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for retiring from the National Guard just before their deployment to Iraq in 2005. Behrends, who replaced Walz, calls him a “coward” and “traitor” for abandoning his unit, arguing that Walz chose political ambitions over military duty. Behrends also accuses him of “stolen valor” for using his former rank in campaigns. Walz contends he retired to run for Congress after extending his service post-9/11.

More from the New York Post:

Walz further dodged the necessary paperwork to ensure a smooth transition out of military service and “instead … slithered out the door,” the pair added, with his retirement filing showing “soldier not available for signature.”

The National Guard members also accused the now-two-term Minnesota governor of having “embellished and selectively omitted facts of his military career for years.”

The letter was first unearthed by the Daily Wire.

CNN is also taking note of the language Walz has used about his military experience, saying, “Walz did make a comment, he’s done it a couple times, where he has used language that suggested that he carried weapons in a fighting situation. There is no evidence that any time that he was in the position of being shot at and some of his language could easily be seen to suggest that he was.”

Just the News also reported on the Minnesota National Guard confirming some details in Walz’s biography are inaccurate:

The Minnesota National Guard confirmed Wednesday that Gov. Tim Walz, Kamala Harris' vice presidential running mate, was demoted and did not retire as a command sergeant major like he has claimed for years, including on his official gubernatorial biography.

While Walz temporarily held the title of command sergeant major he "retired as a master sergeant in 2005 for benefit purposes because he did not complete additional coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy," Army Lt. Col. Kristen Augé, the Minnesota National Guard’s State Public Affairs Officer, told Just the News.

Americans forgive a lot of politicians’ tall tales and lies. Stolen valor isn’t one of them.

RELATED: Vance Savages Walz After He Falsely Attacks Him at Philly Rally (Townhall)

Usha Vance Responds to Husband’s Cat Lady Remarks

Usha Vance, wife of Senator JD Vance, discussed handling negative press since her husband was chosen as Donald Trump’s running mate. In an interview with Fox & Friends, she expressed that negative coverage often misrepresents JD, making it challenging but manageable with a thick skin. She shared advice from friends to avoid reading the news too much and focus on hearing directly from JD. Addressing his controversial “childless cat ladies” remarks, Usha talked about the context.

From Fox News:

"I took a moment to look and actually see what he had said and try to understand what the context was and all that, which is something that I really wish people would do a little bit more often. And the reality is he made a quip in service of making a point that he wanted to make that was substantive, and it had actual meaning," Usha Vance said of the comments. 

Asked about what she would say to anyone offended by her husband's comments, Usha told Earhardt that her husband "would never, ever, ever want to say something to hurt someone who was trying to have a family, who really, was struggling with that."

"He made that clear at the time. And he's made that clear today. And we have lots of friends who have been in that position. It is challenging and never, ever anything that anyone would want to mock or make fun of, and I also understand there are a lot of other reasons why people may choose not to have families, and many of those reasons are very good," she added. 

RELATED: JD Vance blasts Democratic critics, says people calling him 'weird' are 'projecting' (Fox News)

Costco Crackdown

The Hill reported Costco is implementing a new verification process nationwide to curb unauthorized membership use. Previously, members showed their cards to employees upon entry. Now, they must scan the back of their cards or digital membership QR codes. This change has already been introduced in Huntington Beach and Inglewood, California. It will soon extend to other states, including New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Despite the stricter entry checks, non-members can still enter if accompanied by a member. Costco also reminds members to update their photo IDs and visit the membership counter for any issues. Additionally, membership prices are set to increase on September 1.

What I’m Reading This Week

It’s that time when the temperatures are still high, but summer feels like it’s slipping away. I’m trying to hold on with Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland.

From the description:

A family reunion for the ages when two clans convene for the summer at their beloved getaway in the Catskills—perfect for fans of Dirty Dancing and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel—from the acclaimed author of The Floating Feldmans.

In its heyday, The Golden Hotel was the crown jewel of the hotter-than-hot Catskills vacation scene. For more than sixty years, the Goldman and Weingold families – best friends and business partners – have presided over this glamorous resort which served as a second home for well-heeled guests and celebrities. But the Catskills are not what they used to be – and neither is the relationship between the Goldmans and the Weingolds. As the facilities and management begin to fall apart, a tempting offer to sell forces the two families together again to make a heart-wrenching decision. Can they save their beloved Golden or is it too late?

Dinner and a Movie

Land of Bad with Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth is now available on Netflix. With all the talk about military service it’s a reminder that there are lots of ways to serve. According to the description, “A US Army special forces unit is ambushed during a mission to retrieve an intelligence asset and their only remaining hope lies with a remote Air Force drone operator assisting them through a brutal 48-hour battle for survival.”

For dinner or a snack, check out Russell Crowe’s Ratatouille:

To those who ask the age old question "how do I have a career in acting like yours?" this is my answer... You must be able to make a perfect Ratatouille... Below the steps and secrets. First brown your onions and garlic with salt and pepper and a little olive oil. Next add tomatoes, I prefer cherry tomatoes. The key is patience and love. Low low heat. Then add your sliced zucchini or courgette and more salt and pepper. I also like to add chilli and jalapeño . Once everything is coming together add a generous chunk of butter. I serve on toast with butter and a tiny amount of Vegemite. There it is Academy Award winning Ratatouille. I wish you the best in your acting career.