Tragic Loss in D.C.: Congressional Intern Gunned Down in Senseless Shooting

In a heartbreaking, senseless turn of events, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old University of Massachusetts Amherst student interning for Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS), was shot and killed Monday night in Washington, D.C. The Metropolitan Police Department reports the shooting occurred around 10:28 p.m. on the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest. 

Tarpinian-Jachym, who succumbed to his injuries Tuesday, was not the intended target, police say, as multiple suspects exited a vehicle and opened fire on a group. An adult female and a 16-year-old male were also wounded and hospitalized.

This isn’t just another statistic in D.C.’s spiraling crime wave, it’s a gut-punch to a family, a community, and a nation that’s had enough of this senseless violence. Tarpinian-Jachym, a finance major with a political science minor, was a rising senior with a bright future. His parents, Tamara and Robert Jachym, shared their anguish in a statement to Fox News Digital:

"We are devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of our beloved Eric, a 21-year-old young man full of promise, purpose, and heart. Eric was an exceptionally bright and kind soul, with a deep love for the outdoors. He found joy and peace in nature, whether hiking through the woods or casting a line into a quiet stream while fishing."

They described a young man passionate about public service, thrilled by his internship with Estes, and driven to “make the world a better, more just place.” That dream was stolen in a hail of bullets. The Trump administration, through a White House spokesman, vowed to pursue justice:

"President Trump was elected to Make America Safe Again, and he’s empowering his Justice Department, federal, state, and local law enforcement, and prosecutors to hold violent criminals accountable and deliver justice to grieving families, like the family of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. This Administration will ensure full justice is served and is working tirelessly to end the senseless killing of innocent lives."

Rep. Estes, mourning the loss, praised Eric’s warmth and dedication:

"I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile. We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas’ 4th District and the country."

A friend, Phillip Peterson, told the outlet about their bond:

"We met in early January and we really started to hit things off. After the program we discussed becoming roommates, but I didn’t want to move back to D.C. because I despise the culture so much. Unfortunately that fell through. I legitimately do regret now not going back to D.C. just so I could have spent more time with my friend."

Peterson’s regret underscores the ripple effect of this tragedy; a life cut short, connections severed, potential unfulfilled. Tarpinian-Jachym, who also participated in a fellowship with The Fund for American Studies, leaves behind a legacy of kindness and ambition.

The Metropolitan Police are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with details should call (202) 727-9099. 

But let’s be blunt: rewards and investigations won’t bring Eric back. This is a wake-up call. How many more bright young lives must be lost before we get serious about crushing the crime plaguing our cities? The Trump administration’s pledge to restore safety can’t come soon enough.

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Biden blocked by judge from giving Obamacare to DACA recipients

A federal judge in North Dakota on Monday blocked the Biden administration from putting into action a new policy that would have made some illegal immigrants eligible for government-supported health care.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor agreed to stop a new rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would have let people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status sign up for Obamacare. Traynor stated that Kansas and the 18 Republican attorneys general who challenged the policy were likely to win, so he issued a stay against it.

Traynor pointed out that CMS broke the law when it decided to include DACA recipients in the definition of "lawfully present" in the U.S. DACA recipients are people who entered the country illegally as children with their parents and were protected from deportation by an executive action from President Barack Obama.

“The authority granted to CMS by the ACA [Affordable Care Act] is to ascertain whether an individual meets the requirements for lawful status. It by no means allows the agency to circumvent congressional authority and redefine the term ‘lawfully present,’” Traynor wrote.

“As it currently stands, the ACA does not allow federal healthcare subsidies or coverage for aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States,” he added.

Traynor also agreed with the Republican attorneys general that the policy could encourage illegal immigrants to stay in their states because of the healthcare benefits.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who led the lawsuit, celebrated the decision, saying, “Big win for the rule of law. Congress never intended that illegal aliens should receive Obama care benefits. Indeed, two laws prohibit them from receiving such benefits. The Biden administration tried to break those laws. But we fought back, and defeated the Justice Department.”

The states involved in the lawsuit were Ohio, Idaho, Nebraska, South Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Arkansas. They argued that the rule was arbitrary, capricious, and would encourage more illegal immigration.

In response, CMS mentioned they were reviewing the judge's decision but couldn't comment further.

This rule change was opposed by President-elect Donald Trump, whose campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called it “unfair and unsustainable” back in May.

“Joe Biden's handouts for illegal immigrants are especially devastating to Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, and union workers who are forced to watch their jobs and public resources stolen by people who illegally entered our country,” Leavitt, Trump's incoming press secretary, said at the time.

Last month, another judge overturned a different Biden administration program that would have given legal status to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants.

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Rev. Fred Phelps Sr., They Came to Take Him Away

"Rev." Fred Phelps Sr., Kansas pastor and founder of an anti-gay, anti-military funeral church is sick. He is also ill and in a health care facility, says Steve Drain, spokesman for the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka Kansas. Phelps, he said, is "having some health problems," but made no mention if these problems were psychiatric in nature. I suspect his ego maniacal thinking (that he speaks for God),  has finally caught up to him.

The "As-Reverend-as-Al-Sharpton-is-Reverend" Phelps, founded the Kansas church widely known for its unfeeling, uncaring, heartless protests at military funerals. Phelps is also what some might call "homophobic," but I prefer to label him "latent." 

Drain said Sunday that Phelps is at a Shawnee County facility but refused to mention the name of the place due to threats from the Lord and those who believe that "Reverends," whose congregation hold signs saying: "Thank God for 9/11," and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers," at military funerals, should have their pseudo-religious ass kicked by those who believe that such sentiments deserve a good kicking.

Phelps believes that the deaths of soldiers is punishment for American immorality and our tolerance of homosexuality. I believe we should refer to him as "Imam Phelps." He's on the same page of the Koran, and so are the intolerant cretins who support him and his hateful beliefs.

Hopefully, his time in whatever institution he's in, will give him pause to realize how twisted, evil and sick his thinking is. But I doubt it. This guy is one sick puppy and sadly, he has followers who believe this crap. They rarely see the error of their ways because their self-righteous indignation gets in their way.

In my latest novel, a New York reporter is taken hostage by terrorists. If POTUS refuses to release 3 Gitmo jihadists, the reporter will die in 24 hours—they will behead him and show it on the Internet. There is only one way out but the clock is ticking . . .

Jihad Joe: a Novel  Create Space soft cover book edition

Jihad Joe see it here ebook version 

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