Americans learned that the Boston bombers initially wanted to launch their terror attack on Independence Day, and the Obama administration found itself on the defensive once again over accusations of a Benghazi cover-up.
On the international stage, Russia’s strategic nuclear forces are undergoing a major modernization — while the U.S. scales back.
Here’s a recap, or wrap, on the week that was from The Washington Times.
• Republicans say U.S. headed toward ‘armed revolution’: Poll
A survey of Republicans found nearly half agreed that “an armed revolution in order to protect liberties might be necessary in the next few years.” The poll, from Farleigh Dickinson University’s Public Mind, surveyed a random sampling of 863 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus-minus 3.4 percentage points.
• RG3 decries ‘tyranny of political correctness’
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III took to Twitter to espouse his views of political correctness, describing an America that’s well on its way to tyranny.
“In a land of freedom we are held hostage by the tyranny of political correctness,” he tweeted.
• Top brass crush career of Army officer who warned of jihadists
The Pentagon’s top brass has dealt another blow to a decorated Army officer who was fired last year as a war college instructor because of his teachings about radical Islam, his attorney told The Washington Times.
A four-star general’s rejection of Lt. Col. Matthew Dooley for consideration for command of a combat battalion likely means the end of a promising Army career of an armor officer who was decorated for valor in Iraq and received glowing evaluations.
• ESPN apologizes for Chris Broussard’s conservative Christian views of homosexuality
ESPN has been pushed to apologize for conservative Christian views expressed by NBA analyst Chris Broussard, who stated a biblical view of homosexuality during a segment about the coming out of free agent Jason Collins.
During an “Outside the Lines” appearance on Mr. Collins — who said earlier this week he was gay — Mr. Broussard was asked by the host about the readiness of the NBA to deal with an openly homosexual player.
• Senator Sarah Palin? Tea party sees gains from Obamacare
Prominent tea party members are preparing for big wins in 2014 due to negative fallout from President Obama’s signature health care reform.
Now that Democratic Party leaders, along with White House officials, are predicting some glitches in Obamacare implementation, 2014 elections are shaping in conservatives’ favor — and tea partiers are hoping to capitalize, United Press International reported. GOPers are eyeing the Senate, especially, as a possible gold mine.
• Pentagon: Soldiers who spread faith may be prosecuted
Soldiers who promote their faith can be prosecuted under military law, the Pentagon said in a brief statement released to the media.
“Religious proselytization is not permitted within the Department of Defense,” the statement to Fox News stated. “Court martials and non-judicial punishments are decided on a case-by-case basis.”
• White House denies any Benghazi muzzling; hearings planned to probe cover-up
The White House denied Wednesday that State Department officials are muzzling would-be whistleblowers about last year’s terrorist attacks on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi by blocking security clearances for their attorneys.
“These allegations are part of an unfortunate pattern of spreading misinformation and politicizing this issue,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said.
• Three charged with trying to thwart Boston bomb investigation, were pals of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
Authorities arrested three more suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing case on charges that they removed suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s backpack and laptop from his dorm room three days after the April 15 attack in a bid to frustrate the investigation.
Azamat Tazhayakov and Dias Kadyrbayev of Kazakhstan were charged with conspiring to obstruct justice. A third man, Robel Phillipos, of Cambridge, Mass., was charged with knowingly making false statements to federal investigators during a terrorism investigation.
• Eric Holder to Kansas governor: New state gun law unconstitutional
A new law in Kansas that prevents government agents from enforcing federal gun laws in the state is unconstitutional, Attorney General Eric H. Holder said.
“In purporting to override federal law and to criminalize the official acts of federal officers, [the law] directly conflicts with federal law and is therefore unconstitutional,” Mr. Holder wrote to Gov. Sam Brownback in a letter dated April 26. “Federal officers who are responsible for enforcing federal laws and regulations in order to maintain public safety cannot be forced to choose between the risk of a criminal prosecution by a state and the continued performance of their federal duties.”
• Boston bombers originally planned Fourth of July attack
Federal investigators revealed that the Boston bombers initially wanted to launch their terror attack on Independence Day, but changed to the marathon because they finished building their bombs faster than they thought they could.
• Inside the Ring: Russia builds up, U.S. down
As the Obama administration prepares to launch a new round of strategic nuclear missile cuts, Russia’s strategic nuclear forces are undergoing a major modernization, according to U.S. officials.
• Duck and cover: Feds reinstate ‘duck stamp’ crown to 6-year-old
The federal government late Thursday reinstated the 6-year-old winner of this year’s Junior Duck Stamp, after earlier accusing her of plagiarism and rescinding her award.
In a statement issued Thursday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reversed itself and said that last month’s judging was fair and that Madison Grimm, the youngest winner in history, should be reinstated.
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