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Mike Slater
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Bill O'Reilly
Foreign Bill O'Reilly here. You are listening to the O'Reilly Update. Coming up next, the News with Mike Slater.
Mike Slater
Thank you, Bill. It is Friday, March 14, 2025. Here's what's happening today in America. Birthright citizenship to the Supreme Court, diplomas rescinded, Russia agrees in principle and higher standards in the military. It's all coming up. Then Bill's gonna be here with your message of the day. But first, Trump has asked the Supreme Court to allow him to end birthright citizenship. Trump issued this order, a interpretation of the 14th Amendment, on his first day in office. And it says just because you're born on American soil doesn't mean you're a citizen unless you have at least one parent who is a US Citizen. When he did that, three federal courts, Massachusetts, Maryland and Washington issued directives pausing that order. If the Trump administration succeeds in the Supreme Court, the policy would immediately go into effect. The key word in the 14th Amendment is all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States. The argument goes that a foreigner is not subject to the jurisdiction thereof. The writers of the 14th Amendment in 1868 were clearly referring to freed slaves, not illegal aliens. The Trump administration has withheld $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University, about a third of their federal grant money until they stop their anti Semitism on campus. And finally, Columbia has expelled students who occupied one of their buildings last spring in their pro Hamas protests. They did not say how many students will be expelled. Some students actually already graduated. They'll have their diplomas revoked. I didn't even know that was possible. Hopefully other schools get the picture. An American delegation led by Steve Witkoff landed in Moscow yesterday to meet with Russian leaders about the ceasefire that had has been agreed upon by Ukraine. The Russian President Putin said he agrees in principle with the US proposal for a 30 day ceasefire. The idea is correct, putin said, and we certainly support it. But there are issues that we need to discuss and I think we need to talk about it with our American colleagues and partners. Perhaps have a call with President Trump and discuss it with him. Speaking of war, the Pentagon under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered a review of all military standards that's physical fitness, body composition and grooming. During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth said that will be a part of one of the first things we do at the Pentagon, reviewing that in a gender neutral way. The standards ensuring readiness and meritocracy are front and center. We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people in our homeland. As the world's most lethal and effective fighting force, our adversaries are not growing weaker and our tasks are not growing less challenging. I'm Mike Slater. From the podcast Politics by faith, Bill O'Reilly has your message of the day next.
Bill O'Reilly
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Bill O'Reilly
The O'Reilly update brings you something you might not know. 12 years ago today, the Chinese Communist Party selected a new leader. The dictator vowed to modernize the economy, eliminate rural poverty and compete with the United States for global dominance. Here is the story of xi Jinping. Born June 1953 in Beijing, Yang Xi's life was dominated by Communist indoctrination. His father served as deputy prime minister to Mao Zedong. Soon, Mao accused the family of treason, dispatching them to an agricultural gulag in the countryside to restore its dignity. The Klan rejoined the Communist Party in 1974. She studied chemical engineering at Beijing University, then worked three years as a personal assistant to the vice premier of China. By 1995, the Communist Xi Jinping had ascended to the post of deputy party secretary. He was elected vice president of China. A Decade later, on March 14, 2013, communist leaders gathered in Beijing's Great hall of the People. The delegates voted for Xi Jinping in a ceremonial landslide, final tally 3,000 to 1. The fate of the sole dissenter remains unknown. Once in power, Xi purged the government. He launched a new initiative called the Anti Corruption Revolution. Thousands of high level politicians were removed from their posts. Some were imprisoned. Some disappeared. In 2023, Jinping abolished term limits. Like Chairman Mao, he can now remain China's dictator until his death. And here's something else you might not know. Xi Jinping's opinion of the USA is complicated. He views America as a sole threat to Chinese superiority, but sees the USA as a necessary trading partner. However, the dictator believes reunification with Taiwan is, quote, a historical inevitability, unquote. Well, now President Trump is threatening China with tariffs and our relationship with that country is not good. It is unclear how this will all evolve, but it is a dangerous situation. Back in a moment.
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Bill O'Reilly
Thank you for listening to the O'Reilly update. I am Bill O'Reilly. No spin, just facts. And always looking out for you.
Mike Slater
Hey, I'm Mike Slater. I have a podcast called Politics by Faith. We have a very simple mission. We take the news of the day and we filter it through a biblical worldview. So here's the big story of the day. What does the Bible say about it and how can we apply it? It's amazing. There's nothing new under the sun. The Bible has something to say about everything that's going on today. So basically, we thump the Bible over on Politics by Faith. I think we got to keep MAGA going. And I think the way to take it beyond just a political victory into a true rebuilding and awakening and revival in America is to make sure that this is all grounded in biblical principles. And that's what we do on the podcast Politics by Faith. And you can subscribe to Politics by Faith wherever you're listening to the show right now.
Summary of "The O’Reilly Update, March 14, 2025"
Podcast Information:
Mike Slater opens the news segment by discussing former President Donald Trump's recent legal maneuver to revoke birthright citizenship. Trump has petitioned the Supreme Court to reinterpret the 14th Amendment, aiming to stipulate that only children with at least one U.S. citizen parent would attain citizenship, even if born on American soil. This interpretation challenges the longstanding principle that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States" are citizens, as stated in the amendment.
Mike Slater [00:38]: "Trump issued this order, an interpretation of the 14th Amendment... unless you have at least one parent who is a US Citizen."
However, three federal courts in Massachusetts, Maryland, and Washington have issued directives to pause this order. The Trump administration is pushing for the Supreme Court to uphold this change, which would immediately implement the new policy upon approval.
Mike Slater [00:38]: "If the Trump administration succeeds in the Supreme Court, the policy would immediately go into effect."
The administration argues that the term "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" does not apply to illegal aliens, distinguishing them from the "freed slaves" the 14th Amendment originally intended to protect.
In a move reflecting increasing political tensions on campuses, the Trump administration has withheld $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University. This action is a response to what the administration perceives as anti-Semitic activities and the university's actions against students involved in pro-Hamas protests.
Mike Slater [00:38]: "The Trump administration has withheld $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University... in their pro Hamas protests."
Columbia has expelled several students who participated in occupying university buildings during the protests, with some even seeing their diplomas revoked post-graduation—a first in educational institutions.
Mike Slater [00:38]: "Some students actually already graduated. They'll have their diplomas revoked."
This unprecedented step is intended to serve as a deterrent, encouraging other universities to take similar actions against perceived anti-Semitism and campus unrest.
An American delegation led by Steve Witkoff recently landed in Moscow to negotiate a ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. President Vladimir Putin has expressed tentative agreement with the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, labeling the idea as correct in principle but highlighting the need for further discussions.
Mike Slater [00:38]: "The Russian President Putin said he agrees in principle with the US proposal for a 30 day ceasefire."
Putin emphasized the necessity of addressing unresolved issues before finalizing any agreement, suggesting a direct discussion with President Trump to iron out the details.
Mike Slater [00:38]: "Perhaps have a call with President Trump and discuss it with him."
The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, but the dialogue represents a critical step toward de-escalating tensions between the US and Russia.
Under the leadership of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon has initiated a comprehensive review of all military standards, including physical fitness, body composition, and grooming. This review aims to uphold readiness and meritocracy within the armed forces.
Mike Slater [00:38]: "We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people."
During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth highlighted the importance of a gender-neutral approach to these standards, ensuring that all personnel meet the rigorous demands of military service.
Mike Slater [00:38]: "The standards ensuring readiness and meritocracy are front and center."
This move underscores the Pentagon's commitment to maintaining a highly effective and disciplined fighting force capable of addressing global threats.
In his segment, Bill O'Reilly addresses the perceived inconsistency among Democrats regarding federal government downsizing. Despite the national debt reaching $36 trillion, Democratic leaders are resistant to spending reforms, a stance O'Reilly finds perplexing.
Bill O’Reilly [03:31]: "With 36 trillion in debt, you would think every single American would support spending reform. But no."
He criticizes the left's selective approach to government size, noting their support for large federal programs except for the Pentagon. O'Reilly points out that while significant funds are being spent on USAID foreign projects with little oversight, these actions are met with disdain from progressive circles.
Bill O’Reilly [03:31]: "The USAID sent out hundreds of millions of dollars to insane foreign projects with absolutely no oversight on how the US Money was being spent. That should be a scandal."
O'Reilly also highlights the backlash against Elon Musk for exposing government waste, labeling Musk as a "progressive left whipping boy."
Bill O’Reilly [03:31]: "Elon Musk, now a progressive left whipping boy for exposing government waste."
Furthermore, he discusses the Department of Education's downsizing under the Biden administration, questioning why Democrats are not applauding these efforts despite declining performance metrics among American students.
Bill O’Reilly [03:31]: "The incredibly bloated Department of Education is being downsized, but that's not being applauded by many Democrats."
O'Reilly suggests that the left's opposition to Trump’s efforts to reduce government spending stems from a desire to maintain big government, except in areas like defense.
Bill O’Reilly [03:31]: "First, liberal Americans love big government except the Pentagon. Second, if President Trump wants to do it, we must oppose."
He concludes by asserting that opposition is acceptable only if a better solution is presented, criticizing the Democratic approach under Joe Biden.
Bill O’Reilly [03:31]: "Opposition's fine if you have a better solution."
Patrick Lyons from Perrysburg, Ohio, voices frustration over unchecked federal spending under the Biden administration, questioning the lack of accountability.
Patrick Lyons [06:00]: "I don't understand why the people who allow this crazy spending to happen are not being held accountable."
Bill O’Reilly responds by emphasizing the democratic process, highlighting the election of Republicans as a means of holding Democrats accountable.
Bill O’Reilly [07:15]: "They voted the Democrats out. That's how it's done. That's holding to account, Patrick."
Another listener, Matthew Barnett from Las Vegas, commends O'Reilly’s interview with Hal Brands, acknowledging the challenges in shifting public perception and policy.
Matthew Barnett [07:45]: "If people can't see further down the road, then we're really lost."
Paul Clark from Klamath Falls, Oregon, questions why O'Reilly avoids mentioning Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasizing China's global threat.
Paul Clark [07:55]: "He China is dangerous to the world."
O’Reilly counters by referencing recent interviews and assures listeners that major stories like China's actions are thoroughly covered.
Bill O’Reilly [07:55]: "Assume that we are on top of every major story. The Pompeo interview, she's all over it in a moment."
In a detailed segment, Bill O’Reilly delves into the rise and influence of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Highlighting Xi's background, O'Reilly traces his journey from a childhood marked by Communist indoctrination to his ascension within the CCP (Chinese Communist Party).
Bill O’Reilly [09:04]: "Born June 1953 in Beijing, Yang Xi's life was dominated by Communist indoctrination."
Xi’s father, a deputy prime minister under Mao Zedong, was disgraced and sent to a labor camp, an event that significantly shaped Xi's early life and worldview.
Bill O’Reilly [09:04]: "Mao accused the family of treason, dispatching them to an agricultural gulag in the countryside."
After rejoining the Communist Party in 1974 and studying chemical engineering at Beijing University, Xi quickly climbed the political ladder, becoming deputy party secretary by 1995 and vice president later on.
In 2013, Xi was ceremoniously elected as the leader of China with an overwhelming majority, solidifying his power base. Since then, he has undertaken a rigorous anti-corruption campaign, removing thousands of high-level officials, some of whom have been imprisoned or disappeared.
Bill O’Reilly [09:04]: "He launched a new initiative called the Anti Corruption Revolution. Thousands of high level politicians were removed from their posts."
In 2023, Xi abolished presidential term limits, allowing him to remain in power indefinitely, drawing parallels to Mao's authoritarian rule.
Bill O’Reilly [09:04]: "He can now remain China's dictator until his death."
O’Reilly discusses Xi's complex relationship with the United States, viewing America as both a primary threat and a necessary trading partner. Xi perceives the reunification with Taiwan as a “historical inevitability,” signaling potential future conflicts.
Bill O’Reilly [09:04]: "Xi Jinping's opinion of the USA is complicated... reunification with Taiwan is, quote, a historical inevitability, unquote."
With President Trump imposing tariffs and tensions escalating, the relationship between the US and China remains precarious, posing significant global risks.
Bill O’Reilly [09:04]: "It is unclear how this will all evolve, but it is a dangerous situation."
In "The O’Reilly Update, March 14, 2025," Bill O’Reilly and Mike Slater provide a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues. From Trump's legal challenges to birthright citizenship and federal funding disputes with Columbia University, to high-stakes US-Russia negotiations and Pentagon reforms, the episode underscores the complexities of contemporary politics. O’Reilly's incisive commentary on Democratic policies and the rise of Xi Jinping further enriches the discourse, offering listeners a detailed and fact-driven analysis of the current political landscape.
This summary is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the podcast episode for those who have not listened to it, capturing all key discussions, insights, and conclusions with proper attribution and notable quotes.