On Francis, Jason Esteves, Joe Rogan, Pete Hegseth and Nancy Mace

With the passing of Pope Francis comes a litany of American and global tributes - Marjorie Taylor Greene's awful tweet notwithstanding. Among them are the thoughts from DignityUSA's executive director Marianne Duddy-Burke, who joined me to opine on his somewhat-progressive papal legacy and provide some insights into where the Catholic Church will go, ideologically, next.

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I've mentioned him as the kind of quality candidate Georgia Democrats could succeed with atop their 2026 ticket, and lo and behold, Senator Jason Esteves made it official: he's running.

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Last week, I spoke with Dustin Baxter at Kuck Baxter Immigration Law about their 'mass action' lawsuit in defense of international students whose visas were suddenly (and surprisingly) revoked. Good news Friday in that a judge issued a temporary restraining order keeping their status intact, pending further hearings later this week.

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Pete Hegseth was a disastrous choice for defense secretary, and that's not just me saying so; former Trump administration Pentagon insiders are, too. The 'DUI hire' fired three top aides, likely in an effort to snuff out any hint of the leaking that he again - again - used the Signal app to share sensitive military secrets in a group chat ... this time with family members in the mix. Was Pete's mom in the loop? NPR is reporting, by the way, that this may have been the final blow and that the White House is now looking to replace him.

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Okay, so even Joe Rogan thinks "disappearing" people to El Salvaodran prisons and skirting due process makes Trump and ICE "monsters." I mean, he still spews (in caricature 'MAGA moron' voice, no less) ignorant and bigoted spew about Latin American immigrants, but still ... oh and this gives me the occasional opportunity to remind everyone that Donald Trump actually allowed in more criminal migrants in his first term than Joe Biden did in his.

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Lastly, by now you've likely heard about Nancy Mace verbally accosting a man for having the audacity - as one of her constituents - to ask when she'll host another town hall. So much to unpack there: she presumed the man was gay and thus should have been happy with her that she voted in support of gay marriage (because gay men are single issue voters, I guess?), is unaware what "Daisy Duke" shorts are or that men's fashion has evolved from the dreaded "cargo shorts" era to five-inch inseams, insinuated the guy was in her face (from 5-6 feet away?) and dropped a litany of f-bombs insisting he get out of her face (as he was already walking away).

Need I remind the "lady" about the code of conduct of her alma mater, The Citadel? Something about "honor, duty, and respect, with a focus on ethical behavior and personal responsibility."

I mean, at least she was spotted in the skincare aisle. That worn look on her face screams "moisturize and sunscreen, lady!"