Latest news with #patriots
Fox News
a day ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump to urge newly naturalized US citizens to defend American way of life in video
FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump will tell immigrants at their naturalization ceremony that American culture is "yours to preserve," according to a new video obtained by Fox News Digital. "Today you receive the greatest gift ever granted by human hands: you become a citizen of the United States of America," Trump says in the video, which will now be played at every naturalization ceremony nationwide. "I welcome you into our national family. No matter where you come from, you now share a home and a heritage with some of the most exceptional heroes, legends and patriots to ever walk the face of the Earth," he continues. "You have it like nobody's had it before. With this sacred honor comes the highest responsibility. As you know, the American way of life is unique in all the world. And as Americans, we must fiercely guard it and defend it." The president emphasizes traditional values, calling on new citizens to uphold what he describes as the pillars of American society. "In this country, we believe in hard work, a merit system and equality of opportunity. We believe in self-government and the fair, equal and impartial rule of law. And we cherish our liberty and our God-given rights to free speech, the free exercise of religion and the right to keep and bear arms," he says. "This special American culture is now yours to preserve. Your freedoms are now yours to protect." The message comes at a time when legal pathways to permanent residence in the U.S. are narrowing, making naturalization more important than ever for those already eligible. In 2024, over 800,000 people became naturalized U.S. citizens – a significant figure as the administration has taken increasingly hardline stances on illegal immigration. Trump's policies have centered on enhanced border enforcement, increased deportations and stricter scrutiny on asylum claims, signaling a return to many of the immigration approaches from his first term. Over the weekend, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles prompted protests that devolved into violence and the mobilization of the National Guard. The new video marks a symbolic shift from the Biden administration in how the White House views naturalized citizens – not just as legal newcomers, but as cultural stewards. Trump and his followers have long advocated for legal immigrants to assimilate to American culture. At the start of his administration, President Joe Biden recorded a video thanking immigrants for coming to America. "I want to thank you for choosing us and believing that America is worthy of your aspirations," Biden said in an April 2021 clip. "You all have one thing in common: Courage. The courage it takes to sacrifice and make this journey. The courage to leave your homes, your lives, your loved ones, and come to a nation that is more than just a place but rather an idea," he says.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Veterans who lost legs in the line of duty find new freedom with jiu-jitsu in Delaware County
We follow up with updates on two Philadelphia-area patriots who lost legs in the line of duty. Stephanie Stahl explains how they're now finding new freedom with martial arts.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Hong Kong security law informers: 'We're in every corner, watching'
From a woman waving a colonial-era flag in a shopping mall, to bakery staff selling cakes with protest symbols on them - dozens of Hongkongers have been reported to the police by one man for what he believes were national security violations."We're in every corner of society, watching, to see if there is anything suspicious which could infringe on the national security law," former banker Innes Tang tells the BBC World Service. "If we find these things, we go and report it to the police."When the UK returned Hong Kong to China 28 years ago, internationally binding treaties guaranteed the city's rights and freedoms for 50 years. But the national security law (NSL), imposed by Beijing a year after Hong Kong's 2019 mass pro-democracy protests, has been criticised for scuttling free speech and press, and for ushering in a new culture of law criminalises activities considered to be calls for "secession" (breaking away from China), "subversion" (undermining the power or authority of the government), and collusion with foreign additional security law called Article 23, voted in last year, has further tightened restrictions. With new laws and arrests, there has been limited reporting on Hong Kong's pro-China "patriots" - the people who are now running and policing the city, as well as the ordinary citizens who openly support them. But the BBC has spent weeks interviewing Innes Tang, 60, a prominent self-described and his volunteers have taken screen grabs from social media of any activities or comments they believe could be in breach of the also established a hotline for tip-offs from the public and encouraged his online followers to share information on the people around them. Nearly 100 individuals and organisations have been reported to the authorities by him and his followers, he says."Does reporting work? We wouldn't do it if it didn't," Mr Tang says. "Many had cases opened by the police… with some resulting in jail terms."Mr Tang says he hasn't investigated alleged law breakers himself, but simply reported incidents he thinks warrant scrutiny - describing it as "proper community-police co-operation".Mr Tang is not the only so-called patriot to engage in this kind of Kong's authorities have set up their own national security hotline, receiving 890,000 tip-offs from November 2020 to February this year - the city's security bureau told the those who are reported to the authorities, pressure can be the NSL was enacted in 2020, up until February this year, more than 300 people had been arrested for national security offences. And an estimated 300,000 or more Hongkongers have permanently left the city in recent Yat-ming, the owner of an independent bookshop that hosts public talks, says he often receives inspections from government departments which cite "anonymous complaints".He received 10 visits in one 15-day period, he Chan, political scientist and university lecturer, who has been involved in the city's pro-democracy movement since the 1990s, jokes he has "become a bit radioactive these days". Some friends, students and colleagues now keep their distance because of his outspoken views, he says. "But I would be the last person to blame the victims. It's the system."In response, Hong Kong's government said it "attaches great importance to upholding academic freedom and institutional autonomy". But it adds that academic institutions "have the responsibility to ensure their operations are in compliance with the law and meet the interests of the community at large".Innes Tang says he is motivated to report people by a love of Hong Kong, and that his views on China were cultivated when he was young, when the city was still a British colony."The colonial policies weren't really that great," he says. "The best opportunities were always given to the British and we [the locals] did not really have access."Like many of his generation, he nursed a longing to be united with China and taken out of colonial governance. But he says many other Hongkongers at the time were more concerned with their livelihoods than their rights."Democracy or freedom. These were all very abstract ideas which we didn't really understand," he average citizen should not become too involved in politics, he says, explaining he only became politically active to restore what he calls "balance" to Hong Kong society following the turbulence of is giving a voice, he says, to what he calls "the silent majority" of Hongkongers who do not support independence from China, nor the disruption created by the protests. Outside of the UK - watch on YouTube But other Hongkongers consider rallies and demonstrations a longstanding tradition, and one of the only ways to voice public opinion in a city that now does not have a fully democratically elected leadership."We are no longer a city of protests," says Kenneth Chan, who specialises in Eastern European politics. "So what are we? I don't have the answer yet."And patriotism isn't inherently a negative thing, he is "a value, maybe even a virtue", he argues, although it needs to allow citizens to keep "a critical distance" - something that is not happening in Hong reform was pushed through in 2021 - stating that only "patriots" who "swore loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party" could hold important positions in government or the Legislative Council [LegCo] - Hong Kong's a result, the council struggles to function, believes Hong Kong-based China commentator Lew Mon-hung, a former member of the Chinese government advisory body, the CPPCC."The public think a lot of these patriots are 'verbal revolutionaries' or political opportunists - they don't really represent the people," he says."That's why ridiculous policies still pass with a huge majority. There is no-one to constrain or oppose, no-one to scrutinise."Even patriot Innes Tang says he wants to see the current system challenged."I don't want to see every policy passing with 90% of the vote," he tells the is a danger the National Security Law will be weaponised, he says, with people saying: "If you don't agree with me, I accuse you of infringement of the national security law.""I don't agree with this type of stuff," says Mr Kong's government said: "The improved LegCo is now rid of extremists who wish to obstruct and even paralyse the operation of the government without any intention of entering into constructive dialogue to represent the interests of all Hong Kong people."For now, says Mr Tang, he has stopped reporting on people. Balance and stability, he believes, has returned to Hong number of large-scale protests has dwindled to none at academia, fear of surveillance - and how life might change for someone who infringes the laws - means self-censorship and censorship have become the "order of the day", says Kenneth parties are no longer represented in the Legislative Council and many have disbanded - including the Democratic Party of Hong Kong, once the most powerful party. Innes Tang has now set his sights overseas."There aren't any particular issues in Hong Kong now, so I asked myself - shouldn't I have a look at how I can continue to serve my community and my country?" he says."For a non-politician and civilian like me, this is an invaluable opportunity."He now works as a representative for one of several pro-Beijing non-profit groups, regularly visiting the UN in Geneva to speak at conventions giving China's perspective on Hong Kong, human rights and other Tang is also in the process of establishing a media company in Switzerland, and registering as a member of the Kenneth Chan in Hong Kong, his future hangs in the balance."One third of my friends and students are now in exile, another third of my friends and students are in jail, and I'm sort of… in limbo," he says."Today I'm speaking freely with you… no-one would promise me that I would continue doing it for the rest of my life."In a written reply to the BBC, a Hong Kong government spokesperson said that national security is a top priority and inherent right for any country. It "only targets an extremely small minority of people and organisations that pose a threat to national security, while protecting the lives and property of the general public".
Washington Post
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Trump demands wartime sacrifices — just not for himself
President Donald Trump has opened a multifront trade war with every jurisdiction on Earth (including some uninhabited islands). So, perhaps it was inevitable that he would start demanding wartime sacrifices from his fellow patriots. Other countries have done so already. Chinese officials, for instance, suggest they have the upper hand given their populace's willingness to endure hardship for the greater good. (The expression is 'chī ku,' which means 'to eat bitterness.')
CBS News
13-03-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
David Andrews thanks Patriots following release: "I'll always be a Patriot"
David Andrews took to social media on Thursday to thank the New England Patriots for 10 great years. In a surprising move, the longtime team captain was released Thursday morning, but Andrews is grateful for what the organization did for him throughout his career. Andrews posted a farewell on his Instagram story Thursday, saying he will "always be a Patriot." "Thank you @patriots I will always cherish the memories relationships on and off the field and what we accomplished," Andrews posted. "The best 10 years me and @mackandrews_ could ever ask for. I'll always be a Patriot." Andrews spent all 10 seasons of his NFL career in New England, after the team gave him a shot as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Andrews took his opportunity and ran with it, taking over as the the team's starting center in Week 1 of his rookie season. Andrews played 124 regular-season games for the Patriots and 12 others in the playoffs throughout his career, and won Super Bowls with New England in 2016 and 2018. His impact wasn't just on the field though, as he was an eight-time team captain with the Patriots. He was also lauded for his work in the community, and was the recipient of the Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2020. Robert Kraft on Patriots release of David Andrews The Patriots introduced four new free-agent signings on Thursday, but owner Robert Kraft took time to acknowledge Andrews' career in New England. He called Andrews one of his "favorite players ever to come through our locker room." "David has been an integral part of the Patriots for the past decade, including the past eight years he was a captain of the team. He was just not a leader in the locker room, but an outstanding individual in the community and very special," Kraft said of Andrews. "On a personal level, I was able to spend time with David and his incredible wife, Mackenzie, on a trip to the Holy Land. I really got to know them very well five or six years ago. Just a very special guy." "It's the hard part of this business when you have to release people," added Kraft. New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel also acknowledged Andrews on Thursday, thanking him for "carrying on a tradition that so many great players before him had." It remains unclear if Andrews will continue his career elsewhere, but he should have a spot in the team's Hall of Fame in Foxboro sometime in the near future.
