Suleiman Khalil helped save his Christian community from ISIS. Now, he is the one behind bars. Despite the Syrian Transitional Government’s (STG) stated commitment to religious freedom, certain religious and ethnic minorities in Syria have faced arbitrary detention, discrimination, harassment, and violence. One prominent case is that of Suleiman Khalil, a Syriac Christian and former mayor of Sadad from 2012 to 2016. In 2015, ISIS attempted to attack Sadad, one of the oldest Christian towns in the world. As mayor, Khalil successfully organized and led the defense of the town, preventing ISIS from entering Sadad and subjecting its residents to the mass killings and kidnappings inflicted on other communities. On February 8, 2025, years after the territorial defeat of ISIS, Khalil was detained at his home by STG security forces and subsequently transferred to Homs Central Prison. To this day, he remains held without charge, denied access to legal counsel, afforded only limited family visitation, and deprived of necessary medical care. Despite Khalil’s role as a civilian mayor who helped protect Sadad from ISIS, he has been denied due process, and his family has reason to believe he has been tortured. His continued detention, together with other cases involving religious and ethnic minorities, undermines confidence in the STG’s stated commitment to inclusivity and the rule of law. If the STG truly wants to demonstrate its commitment to freedom of religion and the rule of law, Ambassador Thomas Barrack should urge Syrian authorities to secure Suleiman Khalil’s immediate release or, at a minimum, ensure that he is afforded full due process, access to legal counsel, necessary medical care, and transparent notice of any charges against him. Khalil once stood up to ISIS to protect Sadad. Now, Syria’s new government faces a test of whether it will uphold his fundamental rights.

Recent investigative findings reveal a chilling reality about the state of liberty in the United Kingdom: over the last five years, a staggering 62,199 people have been arrested for "speech offences." Groundbreaking Freedom of Information data secured by Big Brother Watch highlights an Orwellian climate where thousands of citizens face police intimidation, interrogation, and even handcuffs simply for expressing opinions, posting jokes, or sharing comments online. For American conservatives and defenders of liberty worldwide, these shocking statistics serve as an urgent cautionary tale about the slippery slope of progressive speech policing and government censorship. While violent crime, retail theft, and burglaries are on the rise across British neighborhoods, with a vast majority of crimes going unsolved, police forces are dedicating thousands of hours and tons of taxpayer dollars to hunt down "thought criminals." From comedians targeted over gender-critical views to parents interrogated over WhatsApp messages, authorities have abandoned traditional law enforcement in favor of acting as online thought police. This misallocation of resources not only bankrupts public trust in institutions meant to protect communities, but it also creates a paralyzing climate of fear where ordinary citizens are terrified to speak their minds. This alarming trajectory demonstrates the inevitable destination reached when a society allows unelected bureaucrats, woke interest groups, and expansive speech legislation, such as the Online Safety Act, to erode civil liberties. Vaguely defined offenses and the policing of "non-crime hate incidents" weaponize the state against dissent which silences public debate on important and relevant cultural and political issues. When freedom of expression is treated as a conditional privilege granted by the government rather than an unalienable right, a free society ceases to exist. The alarming descent into speech-based arrests in Britain is a stark reminder that those who value the inherent human right to freedom of speech must remain vigilant on both sides of the ocean. It is time for a global conservative pushback against “cancel culture,” bureaucratic overreach, and the authoritarian impulses of the modern administrative state. Free speech is not negotiable, it is the bedrock of Western civilization, and it must be defended at all costs.

The Sandinista regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo in Nicaragua has consolidated into a totalitarian security threat. What began as a crackdown on political dissent after the 2018 protests has expanded into a broader campaign against institutions that maintain independence from state control, and has created a haven for foreign adversaries as well as an aggressive oppressor of the Christian faith. The regime has targeted the Catholic Church with unprecedented hostility, directing particular fury at clergy who offer sanctuary to peaceful protesters. Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa–a courageous voice against human rights abuses–was subjected to house arrest, stripped of his citizenship,and sentenced to 26 years in prison for "treason" and "spreading false news" in a sham legal proceeding after refusing voluntary exile. Held in solitary confinement at the notorious El Modelo prison, he was eventually banished to the Vatican alongside dozens of priests. The paranoia of the dictatorship reached absurd heights with the arrest of Bishop Isidoro Mora of Siuna; his sole"crime" was publicly mentioning Bishop Álvarez in a sermon and stating that the diocese was praying for him. Beyond individual clergy, the regime has systematically stripped the Church of its physical footprint: confiscating the $77 million Jesuit-run Central American University (UCA),expelling Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, shuttering Catholic radio stations, and banning public Holy Week processions outright. The persecution extends aggressively to Protestant and Evangelical movements. In December, police raided the ministry and arrested 11 Nicaraguan pastors and staff members, charging them with "aggravated money laundering" and "organized crime." The pastors were sentenced to 12 to 15 years in prison and handed surreal $80 million fines per person. The Ortega-Murillo regime has dismantled civil society by canceling the legal status of more than 5,500 NGOs, including hundreds of religious organizations. Over 250 Catholic clergy and religious figures have been exiled, expelled, or denied re-entry, while Evangelical leaders have also faced persecution. With the removal of tax exemptions for religious institutions the regime has turned administrative law into an instrument of total expropriation. The Ortega-Murillo regime’s actions also pose broader threats to U.S. border security and regional stability. Managua’s international airport has become a major transit point for migrants from countries such as Haiti and Cuba, allowing thousands to bypass the Darién Gap while generating significant fees for the government. Meanwhile, police resources have been redirected from drug interdiction to surveillance of churches and religious groups, potentially weakening efforts against cartel activity. Nicaragua has also expanded defense, intelligence-sharing, and satellite cooperation with Iran, increasing Tehran’s security presence in the Western Hemisphere. Countering this totalitarian axis requires moving past passive diplomatic statements to execute decisive economic and legal disruption: America should suspend trade with Nicaragua under CAFTA-DR and impose steep tariffs on key exports such as gold, beef, and coffee. The U.S. should also sanction charter airlines, aviation providers, and travel agencies involved in facilitating migrant routes through Managua, while applying targeted Global Magnitsky sanctions against police leaders, judges, and military officers responsible for persecuting clergy, confiscating church property, and cooperating with Iranian security officials. The United States cannot allow a hostile dictatorship to persecute Christians, empower American adversaries, and undermine regional security without consequences. Let us pray for Nicaraguan people and the spread and hope of the gospel.

Michigan stands at a crossroads between freedom and socialism. Join Representative John James and CPAC Women Warriors in Troy for a timely conversation about affordability, parental rights, American jobs, and the big-government policies affecting Michigan families and communities. Hear from leading conservative voices. Connect with the CPAC Women Warriors community. Take a stand for faith, family, freedom, and Michigan jobs. General admission is free, with premium ticket options available to support CPAC’s mission. Featured speakers include Mercedes Schlapp, Michigan House Speaker Pro Tempore Rachelle Smit, State Rep. Nancy Jenkins-Arno, She Leads America founder and executive director Liz Doyle, Guiding God’s Daughters founder Meredith Terpeluk Schoeller, worship leader and faith advocate Rachel Dohring, pro-life advocate Kyla Dohring, and Erin Mersino, vice president and chief of Supreme Court appellate litigation. Rep. John James will deliver the keynote address. CPAC proudly endorses Rep. John James for governor of Michigan. A West Point graduate, combat veteran, business leader, and conservative member of Congress, James is ready to bring his America First record to the Great Lakes State. Michigan’s choice is clear: freedom over socialism and America First over failed left-wing policies. General admission is free. VIP tickets are available for $500 and include meet and greets with select VIPs. Co-Host tickets are $2,500 and offer an exclusive post-event lunch and meet and greets with select VIPs. CPAC Women Warriors on the Road will take place 9am-12pm on Saturday, September 19 in Troy, Michigan. Learn more and register at https://women.cpac.org/michigan.

The Sooner State consistently serves as a model of public safety success in the country. Yet, in 2024, a three-year-old Oklahoma boy lost his life to fentanyl poisoning. His name was Leonardo “Leo” Towe. No child should ever be exposed to a substance as deadly as fentanyl, and no family should have to experience the loss of a child in such a horrific way. But instead of allowing Leo’s death to become another tragic statistic in the fentanyl crisis, Oklahoma lawmakers upheld their legacy as public safety champions and chose to act. Leo’s Law, signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt, is a meaningful step toward protecting children who may be exposed to fentanyl and holding adults accountable when children are placed in danger. Leo’s Law strengthens Oklahoma’s child-welfare response to fentanyl by establishing a Child Welfare Fentanyl Testing Revolving Fund and providing more than $1 million to support testing and child-welfare response efforts. The law also addresses the definition of a drug-endangered child and establishes additional protections and procedures when fentanyl exposure is suspected. These measures recognize a simple reality: when a child is living in an environment where fentanyl is present, the danger is immediate and potentially fatal. Oklahoma's child-welfare system needs the tools to identify that danger before another child pays the ultimate price. This legislation deserves recognition because it represents what government should do when operating at its best, protecting the innocent and responding to real problems with practical solutions. Governor Kevin Stitt deserves credit for signing Leo’s Law and putting these protections in place. The lawmakers who carried the legislation through the Capitol also deserve recognition, particularly Sen. Todd Gollihare and Speaker Kyle Hilbert, who ultimately served as the principal authors of the legislation. Their leadership helped turn a heartbreaking story into a policy designed to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other Oklahoma families. It comes as no surprise that so many fellow legislative leaders joined their colleagues in responding swiftly to this preventable crisis. Representatives Danny Williams, Josh West, Robert Manger, Melissa Provenzano, Ellyn Hefner, Tim Turner, and Chris Banning, along with Senators Dana Prieto and Christi Gillespie, signed onto the legislation as coauthors. Earlier versions of the legislation saw many additional lawmakers help move the proposal through several committees and floor votes. The final measure passed the Oklahoma House 88–2 and the Senate 47–0, demonstrating that protecting children from the deadly consequences of fentanyl can and should be a bipartisan priority. Several of the legislators involved have also demonstrated a strong commitment to conservative principles beyond this single piece of legislation. Rep. Chris Banning, for example, earned a 100% CPAC rating in 2025 and a 95% lifetime rating. Rep. Jason Blair, who was involved in the earlier legislative history of SB 633, has an 86% current and lifetime CPAC rating. Their records demonstrate that protecting children from fentanyl can be part of a broader conservative commitment to public safety, accountability, and defending families. The fentanyl crisis has already taken far too many American lives. For children, the threat is especially horrifying because they have no ability to understand or protect themselves from the substances around them. Leo’s Law recognizes that protecting children sometimes requires more than waiting for tragedy to occur. It requires identifying dangerous environments, giving child-welfare officials the tools to respond, and ensuring that those responsible for exposing children to deadly drugs face appropriate consequences. Leo’s story is one that should be prevented in all communities across this country, but thanks to principled policy makers, Oklahoma has chosen to make sure his death was not meaningless and once again serve as a national leader in public safety. By honoring Leo with legislation that can protect other children, Governor Stitt and the Oklahoma lawmakers have shown that conservative leadership can turn tragedy into action. Leo deserved to grow up. Other Oklahoma children deserve the chance to do the same. Leo’s Law is an important step toward making sure they do.

Can America provide the medicine its people need when they need it most? Right now, the answer is not as secure as it should be. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists tracks shortages affecting antibiotics, cancer treatments, anesthetics, and injectable drugs. For many Americans, this is no longer hypothetical. Their pharmacist simply cannot fill prescriptions they need. For decades, the United States has benefited from a global pharmaceutical industry that delivers affordable generic medicines. But that affordability has come with a hidden cost: supply chains that stretch around the world. A drug that appears to be an American product often depends on active pharmaceutical ingredients manufactured overseas. When production stalls in another country, American patients feel the effects. The dependence becomes a strategic vulnerability when those supply chains run through China. China plays a central role in producing pharmaceutical ingredients used around the world, including those needed for common antibiotics and other essential medicines. The Chinese Communist Party has shown a willingness to use economic leverage and control over critical supply chains to advance its interests. Pharmaceutical supply chains would not be exempt from that pressure. If war, pandemic, or deliberate disruption interrupted global trade, dependence on a foreign adversary could very well leave American patients and hospitals without essential medicines. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated what happens when critical supply chains break down, and the lesson extends beyond masks and medical equipment. Hospitals cannot wait for the next overseas shipment when they need antibiotics or anesthetics. Doctors cannot manufacture these products themselves, and patients cannot put their health on hold while supply chains are rebuilt. National security isn’t only about weapons and ammunition. It also means having the industrial capacity, infrastructure, food, and medicine necessary to keep Americans safe when the world becomes unstable. The answer is not to eliminate international pharmaceutical supply chains overnight. We need to pursue resilience over dependence; encourage domestic production of critical medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients, diversify supply chains through trusted allies, and remove unnecessary barriers that make it harder for American manufacturers to compete. Our government does not need to run the pharmaceutical industry but it needs to recognize when excessive foreign dependence has created a strategic vulnerability and the create conditions where American businesses can invest and manufacture at home. Can America provide the medicines its people need when they need them most? America has the workers, scientists, and manufacturers to build a stronger domestic supply chain. We should not wait for the next pandemic, war, or geopolitical crisis to discover that our medicine cabinet depends on a foreign power. A healthy America must be a self-reliant America.

CPAC will bring its full conference to Italy in 2027, launching a new annual gathering that will connect conservative leaders from Italy, Europe and the United States. The announcement followed a September 4–6 launch weekend in Rome that laid the groundwork for next year’s event and marked CPAC’s latest expansion across Europe. CPAC’s European story began in Hungary, expanded to Poland and reached Great Britain this summer. Now, with Italy, the movement is advancing into Western Europe and strengthening a growing transatlantic alliance. At the Rome press conference, speakers described Italy as a bridge between Europe and the United States—a natural home for the next chapter of CPAC’s global movement. The launch brought together sitting members of the Italian Parliament and European Parliament, delegations from all three parties in Italy’s governing coalition—Fratelli d’Italia, Lega and Forza Italia—and European and American leaders at a gala. Their participation underscored the strength of the effort and its deep support across Italy’s governing majority. CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a courageous conservative leader whose common-sense agenda is making a difference. “We have particular respect for Prime Minister Meloni,” Schlapp said. “She articulates things that are important. We think she has guts. We think she’s making a difference, and that matters.” Across the weekend, leaders emphasized shared priorities—including secure borders, affordable energy and a strong economy—and looked ahead to building closer cooperation among conservatives on both sides of the Atlantic. Rome was the launch. CPAC Italy 2027 will be the main event—and a powerful new platform for leaders determined to defend freedom, sovereignty and the values of the West. See more from CPAC Italy on social media @CPAC and @MSchlapp.

The Trump administration is making its priorities clear: strengthen American beef production and support the ranchers behind it. With the recent announcement of the Ranchers First Initiative, ranchers and consumers can rest assured that the administration is making enormous strides to ensure that ranchers are equipped with the necessary tools to rebuild the American beef herd. The initiative addresses five areas to assist ranchers in livestock production including new tools for heifer economic retention, grassland conservation, regional processing opportunities, refocused federal spending, and increased support for young ranchers. To ensure that ranchers are promised competitive pricing for heifers, the USDA is utilizing the new Beef Retention and National Development (BRAND) endorsement for Livestock Risk Protection (LRP). This will allow producers to “insure the economic value of retaining a heifer for breeding over a two-year period,” and if the realized value at the time of slaughter increases, the policy would provide for the difference. This policy can assist producers in increasing herd sizes without sacrificing the financial security that comes with selling heifers in the short term. Next, the USDA is assisting farmers affected by wildfires or natural disasters through the use of the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to rebuild damaged farmland that is currently protected under the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). While these acres are typically taken out of production to recover from disaster, the ECP will offer direct investment to help repair damaged farmland to expedite recovery. As mentioned in a recent executive order, through the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) program, the USDA is directing support to increase the capabilities of smaller regional processing facilities. By expanding regional processing capacity and increasing competition in the meatpacking sector, the SPUR program can strengthen the beef supply chain, improve market access for ranchers, and help meet consumer demand with a more reliable supply of American beef. The fourth initiative directs federal programs to prioritize the procurement of American beef for various types of federal institutions such as prisons, hospitals, and related facilities. This initiative is intended to strengthen domestically sourced requirements, drive up demand for U.S.-raised beef, and support ranchers. Through improving regional processing facilities and directing federal programs to procure American beef, the administration is building the resilience of the beef supply chain as production continues. The final initiative is to support and promote current and future generations of young farmers and ranchers. Under the Working Families Tax Cuts, the USDA was able to expand support for beginning farmers and ranchers by granting access to specialized Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans to buy land, livestock, and equipment, receive free conservation and grazing management support through NRCS, gain risk management protection through livestock insurance programs, and connect with state coordinators. With the announcement of the Ranchers First Initiative, many ranchers are pleased to see that the administration is listening to producers and equipping them with the tools necessary to continue ranching. Rancher Amanda Radke stated that she believes “this is an open door to a real opportunity to enact generational change for the producers.” The Trump administration is ensuring that American ranchers are heard and that American beef continues to reach American tables.

With the national beef herd at a 75-year low, the Trump Administration is launching a government-wide effort to support American ranchers and rebuild the national beef herd. Signed last Friday, two executive orders focus on three key areas of concern for ranchers. The first order revisits Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL), which was repealed in 2015 after disputes from the World Trade Organization, and the reauthorization of lethal takings for gray and Mexican wolves. The second order discusses the opportunity for ranchers to expand into local meat processing to combat high costs imposed by larger processors. Regarding MCOOL, the administration has initiated a review that could lead to its reinstatement. The executive order directs the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to examine current federal regulations to determine whether they can support mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. In addition, the USDA will conduct an economic analysis to determine how MCOOL would affect current market conditions. Once this review is complete, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative may develop legislative recommendations for the formal reinstatement of MCOOL. Rather than waiting for Congress to act, the administration can also pursue immediate administrative options to address the labeling issue. Under 9 CFR 327.14, imported meat and its immediate container must display the country of origin upon arrival. Once imported meat is repackaged or further processed at a Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) establishment, they are not required to reattach country-of-origin labeling. FSIS could revisit its interpretation and guidance regarding 9 CFR 327.14 to preserve foreign-origin labeling farther down the supply chain. Such a change could provide consumers with greater transparency about the origin of their beef while more clearly distinguishing U.S.-produced beef in the marketplace. Next, the order instructs the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate if gray and Mexican wolf populations have adequately recovered to be delisted from the Endangered Species Act. If the Secretary of Interior determines that delisting is appropriate, following collaboration between the Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Secretary of Agriculture, states may permit ranchers to use precise targeting to reduce the threat of wolf predation on their herds. Finally, the second order detailed a plan to address market monopolization and meat processing capabilities. Under the Packers and Stockyards Act, the USDA is directed to investigate the four largest meat processors for price manipulation, deceptive practices, and unfair advantages. In addition, the order aims to allow ranchers to expand processing options to smaller regional facilities. To do this, the order directs the USDA to create a directory entailing local slaughtering information, a loan program to assist ranchers with new processing facility costs, and regulatory and technical assistance. Before the two executive orders were signed, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins stated that “for too long, the men and women who feed and fuel this nation were ignored and cast aside. That ends under President Trump.” Through guidance on MCOOL reinstatement, efforts to combat herd predation, and the expansion of processing options, ranchers’ interests are in the forefront of the President’s agenda. While these orders mark meaningful progress for American ranchers, additional action is needed to strengthen the domestic beef industry, rebuild the national herd, and provide greater transparency for consumers. The Trump administration has sent a clear message to Congress: it’s time to act. Our ranchers need elected officials to pass MCOOL to finally give consumers what they deserve: truth and transparency about where their food comes from, while also giving producers the distinction of a USA Beef label.

When major news outlets fly reporters into conflict zones, they often arrive with a narrative already written. Recently, the BBC released a documentary attempting to dismiss the ongoing crisis in Nigeria, claiming there is no "Christian genocide" and dismissing reports of targeted atrocities as "misinformation" or routine "farmer-herder clashes." In doing so, they even interviewed local reporters on the ground, only to misrepresent the atrocities of what these communities face every single day. In 2026 alone, Equipping The Persecuted’s tracking has documented 4,216 Christians killed in Nigeria—approximately 76 percent of Christian deaths worldwide. Even though the legacy media chooses to look away, leaders are stepping up to call out this absurd under-reaction of the persecution facing Christians in Nigeria. Judd Saul, founder of Equipping the Persecuted and Truth Nigeria, issued a direct response following the documentary. “The BBC went to Nigeria looking for ‘fake news’ and found mass graves, burned churches, murdered families and Christian survivors. Then the disgraceful propaganda outlet tried to explain those atrocities away. Calling massacres ‘farmer-herder clashes’ and Christian persecution ‘misinformation’ isn’t journalism. It is sanitizing slaughter. The BBC found the truth and chose to look away. Our reporters live in these communities. They document the bodies, the burned churches and the survivors, while BBC journalists fly back to London and debate terminology. The graves are real. The victims are real. The BBC’s attempt to run cover for terrorists is what should be called fake news.” – Judd Saul, Founder of Equipping The Persecuted & Truth Nigeria While foreign outlets debate terminology from a comfortable newsroom, Judd Saul and his team at Equipping the Persecuted are on the front lines providing rapid-response emergency relief, shelter, and support to families affected by violence. Through Truth Nigeria, Judd has built an investigative news network composed of local reporters who risk their lives daily to document real-time events, expose government neglect, and give a voice to victimized communities. Sanitizing mass tragedy for political or media narratives is unacceptable. The world needs to hear the unvarnished truth directly from the people living through it. You can support the mission of Equipping the Persecuted by: staying informed and following local, verified reporting directly from journalists in Nigeria at TruthNigeria.com, providing emergency relief, medical aide, and security alerts through EquippingThePersecuted.org, and sharing the truth of Judd Saul by spreading his official statement, and ensuring the voices of Christians in Nigeria are not silenced

The Trump administration has made the message clear: children cannot identify as the other gender at school without their parents’ knowledge. Several Kansas school districts have been under fire for permitting students to use different names, pronouns, and written gender transition plans at school without notifying their parents. In response to concerns brought to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division (CRD) acted to protect and uphold children’s safety and parents’ right to know what information is maintained in their children’s school records. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon received a letter from Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach outlining concerns about policies in four Kansas school districts. According to the letter, the districts may have violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Title IX by allowing information related to a student's gender identity, including preferred names, pronouns, and related records, to be withheld from parents. The policies also permitted students to exclude parents from discussion regarding gender identity transitions and limited parents’ ability to contest these plans. The U.S. Department of Justice argues that such policies infringe upon parental rights protected by FERPA and Title IX and maintains that school districts cannot violate federal law in the name of supporting gender ideology. Only one of the districts, Topeka Public Schools, has agreed to enter into a Resolution Agreement with SPPO. The resolution prevents school personnel from creating or enforcing gender support plans, prevents schools from withholding student information from parents, and requires teachers and administrators to cover pre-approved FERPA content in training. The remaining districts, specifically the Olathe Public Schools and Shawnee Mission Public Schools, support that they were not in direct violation of FERPA or Title IX regulations. Since these districts have refused to comply with FERPA guidelines, the SPPO has partnered with CRD to take further action to enforce parental rights laws. The U.S. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, has made it clear that the U.S. Department of Education and CRD are prepared to enforce FERPA regulations upon any remaining school districts responsible for withholding student records from parents. Parents need to protect their children from grooming by school officials. Rather than sexually mistreating students and promoting ideological agendas, schools need to focus on their primary mission: providing students with a quality education and skills necessary to promote future success.

When President Trump signed the landmark "Education Freedom Tax Credit" program into law, he provided a lifeline for millions of American families seeking alternatives to a failing, union-dominated government education system. By allowing taxpayers to donate up to $1,700 of their federal income tax liability toward educational scholarship organizations, the program puts power back where it belongs: in the hands of parents. Yet, in Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker is once again demonstrating the lengths left-wing politicians will go to in order to protect the public school monopoly at the expense of children. Pritzker faces a tight deadline to opt Illinois into this transformative federal program, but he is threatening to rob the state's families of desperately needed educational alternatives. The hypocrisy coming out of Chicago's political establishment is staggering. After killing Illinois' successful Invest in Kids state tax-credit scholarship program, left-wing leaders claim that expanding school choice harms government schools. But as a growing coalition of practical leaders point out, refusing to opt into the federal program won't save tax dollars, it will simply result in federal money leaving Illinois entirely to fund scholarships in other states. Even Chicago School Board Member Angel Gutierrez broke ranks with the city's anti-choice stance, condemning their politically motivated opposition and urging participation. When even Chicago officials acknowledge that rejecting free education funds harms kids, it becomes undeniable that Pritzker’s hesitation is driven by loyalty to teachers' unions, not student success. Across the country, the tide is turning toward better schools. Democratic governors in states like Colorado and New York have already recognized the overwhelming public demand for school choice and signaled their intent to opt in. Why should Illinois families be left behind simply because their governor prioritizes far-left extremist special interest groups over basic educational opportunity? By refusing to sign on, Pritzker is holding low and middle-income families hostage in underperforming, highly bureaucratic public school systems, denying them the financial freedom to choose high-quality private or alternative educational environments that best fit their children's needs. Parents, not government bureaucrats or union bosses, are the ultimate authority when it comes to raising and educating the next generation. The Education Freedom Tax Credit is a commonsense policy that expands opportunity, lowers administrative overhead, and helps kids escape indoctrination. Governor Pritzker must set aside his partisan bias, listen to the bipartisan chorus of local community advocates and superintendents, and immediately opt Illinois into the federal scholarship program. If Pritzker does not opt in, money from Illinois donors will simply go to Indiana, Missouri, and other states, not Illinois kids. It is time to end government indoctrination and unleash true educational freedom for every family in the United States.