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Brunswick Beacon , 02.12.26 That photo of a child wearing his Spider-Man backpack and blue bunny hat, surrounded by ICE agents, is gut-wrenching. It so shocked a Texas judge that he attached it to his order that freed the boy. Liam Conejo Ramos attends Valley View Elementary School in Columbia Heights, Minnesota — “ground zero” in Trump’s “Operation Metro Surge.” 25 school families have had a parent or primary caregiver arrested. Three students were taken: a fifth-grader, a s

Brunswick Beacon , 02.12.26 On Sept. 25, 2025, President Trump told a gathering of 800 generals and admirals that “defending the homeland is the military’s first and most important priority.” He claimed, “America is under invasion from within,” and blamed “politicians” who decided to involve America in the affairs of “Somalia.” Trump’s reference to “politicians” and “Somalia” dates to the 1991 decision of President George H. W. Bush (a Republican) to grant “Temporary Protecti

The Brunswick County Democratic Party is on a streak. Less than a month after its successful 2026 Election Kickoff event , another sellout crowd welcomed former Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Cooper to Brunswick County. Democrats and party supporters jammed BCDP headquarters in Bolivia to welcome the leading contender for North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat. And when a VIP like Cooper arrives for a speaking event, the press is sure to follow. Media in attendance in

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 02.05.26 If the GOP scares you, you’re not alone. Chris Madel, a top Republican candidate, quit the Minnesota governor’s race after ICE agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a Veterans Administration nurse, on Jan. 24. Madel called ICE’s assault on Minnesota an “unmitigated disaster,” adding, “I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 02.05.26 ProPublica reports that 170 U.S. citizens were seized and beaten by immigration agents in 2025. The Guardian published names of 32 who died in ICE custody last year. On Jan. 24, ICE agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Veterans Administration nurse at a protest over ICE’s Jan. 7 killing of Renée Good, a 37-year-old mother of three. Minnesota permits concealed and open carry of handguns. Minneapolis Police said Pr

At no time in the years since Trump descended the gold staircase to announce his candidacy for president has it been more apparent we have a fascist in the White House.  We sense a surge in political urgency by Brunswick County residents who are horrified that agents of our own government have staged deadly attacks on innocent Americans. The events of the last month in Minneapolis and elsewhere are by far the clearest evidence yet that the national Republican leadership is in

Our candidates are running to restore power to the people of our county and state. Hear from many of them directly in this video. Featured Candidates: Dr. Kimberly Hardy, U.S. Congress Dennis Breen, NC House 17 Sara Singer, Brunswick County Commission Scott Nasiff, NC House 19 Sue Duncan, Brunswick County School Board Brian Rupp, Brunswick County School Board Not Pictured (We'll catch them in a future video!): Rick Combes, NC Senate Gary Woods, Brunswick County Commission

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.29.26 I’m upset about much that is happening in this country. For this letter, I’m concentrating on immigration. In case anyone has forgotten, before the election the Republicans and Democrats had agreed on a comprehensive bill for immigration. Trump, who at the time was running for office, called the Republicans and asked them not to vote to pass the bill. So, the bill did not pass. Trump then ran on stopping people from entering

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.29.26 On July 28, 2025, Trump announced a trade deal with the European Union (EU), our largest trading partner. He said it would “benefit American industry, workers, and national security for generations.” Trump called it “the biggest deal ever made.” On Jan. 21, 2026, the EU suspended the deal, citing Trump’s “continued and escalating threats, including tariff threats, against Greenland, Denmark, and their European allies.” Trump

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.29.26 In his Jan. 1 letter, Steve Martino asked the Beacon, “Why would you stoop so low?” because it published my letter entitled “A Deranged Person.” Attentive readers know the phrase wasn’t my invention—it was a verbatim quote from Donald Trump, who called Rob Reiner “a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.” Trump claimed, without evidence, that Rob and Michele Reiner were murdered “due to the anger” he accused Rob of sti

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.22.26 Podcaster Joe Rogan’s endorsement helped Trump win in 2024. Now, Rogan is criticizing Trump’s armed, masked ICE agents who have arrested and killed American citizens and violated their constitutional right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure. On June 18, 2025, Rogan said voters supported Trump because “they said, ‘we’re gonna get rid of criminals and gang members,’ right? Now we’re seeing Home Depot stores raided.

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.22.26 In 2024, Trump said, “This election is about saving our economy.” Today, 68% of Americans say Trump’s economy stinks, according to an AP-NORC poll. At 31%, Trump’s economic approval rating is the lowest it’s ever been. Trump needs a scapegoat. He settled on the Federal Reserve Board (Fed), which sets interest rates. Trump hopes lower rates will boost his dismal ratings. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell thinks lowering rates too qui

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.22.26 Greenland belongs to Denmark, our NATO ally. Donald Trump threatened to “take Greenland, whether they like it or not, because, if we don’t, Russia or China will.” Attacking Greenland would trigger NATO’s Article 5 and require its 31 other members to defend Greenland against us. Article 5 has been invoked just once — by the U.S. after 9/11. Denmark’s soldiers fought and died for us. In fact, Denmark suffered the highest per ca

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.22.26 The United States is at a crucial point in its shift toward clean energy, yet an outdated permitting system continues to slow the very projects that could boost our economy, cut pollution and strengthen energy security. Whether it’s solar installations in the Southeast or offshore wind along the Atlantic coast, developers routinely face years, sometimes close to a decade of delays, before construction can even begin. These se

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.15.26 Rep. David Rouzer’s fondest wish came true: he made healthcare coverage so much more expensive that it’s now beyond reach for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped 45 million Americans buy health insurance and paid 90% of the cost of expanding Medicaid. That enabled 40 states and Washington, D.C. to cover 21 million people. As a state legislator, Rouzer rejected federal funds to expa

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.15.26 There goes Trump’s promise of “ending the era of endless wars.” His attack on Venezuela proves Trump lied to American voters once again. America’s kids are the world’s policemen — again. Don’t think you imagined his promises. In October 2015, Trump asked, “Why is it always the United States that’s the policeman of the world?” In November 2015, he promised, “We’re not going to be the world’s policeman.” In April 2018, he said,

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.15.26 Five years ago, Trump pressured Republicans to overturn the 2020 election. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) refused: “I will not oppose the certification of the Electoral College votes. I will not embolden politicians in the future to appoint our presidents instead of having the American people duly elect them.” On Jan. 6, 2021, 140 law enforcement officers were injured when a violent mob of insurrectionists stormed the Capitol. Tilli

BCDP KickOff Celebration, Highlights Video, January 8, 2026. Courtesy: Art Nelson The Brunswick County Democratic Party's January 8th Kick-Off Celebration at BCDP Headquarters was a standing room-only event featuring several of our stellar 2026 candidates. Close to 200 enthusiastic supporters were in attendance to hear from candidates and enjoy camaraderie, a protest video, a pizza party, music, and more! Special guests included our keynote speaker and candidate for U.S. Cong

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.08.26 Second rounds can be deadly. Trump’s second trade war has once again slipped American whiskey producers a “Mickey Finn.” Exports of American distilled spirits tripled under Bush and Obama, as Canadians and Europeans developed a seemingly unquenchable thirst for American bourbon. When Trump threatened to impose tariffs in 2018, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) warned that he would start a trade war with their oversea

First published in the Brunswick Beacon , 01.08.26 In his Dec. 4 letter, Larry Hershoff defended Trump’s deployment of troops to American cities. Conservative Republicans, Trump-appointed judges and the Founding Fathers reject it. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) warned, “I worry about someday a Democrat president sending troops or National Guard units from New York, California, Oregon or Washington State to North Carolina. I think it’s bad precedent. If you look at this particular is